Don't Think of Me

Sora’s heart stopped and he felt all feeling to his legs go out. Riku just barley caught Sora as he fell to his knees, his blue eyes wide and staring at the floor.

“Sora! What’s wrong?” Riku asked immediately worried by the brunet’s expression. “Seph! Cloud! Leon!” He called.

“What are you talking about, Yuki?” He tried to swallow the lump lodged in his throat, but it felt like he had attempted to swallowed a rock. “What the fuck are you talking about!” Sora cried into the phone tears gathering.

Yuki sighed. “I didn’t plan on telling you on the phone…but for now it will have to do…” He started. He sounded very tired and downcast… this only worsened the feeling of dread building in Sora’s stomach.

“The last time you brought Atem in here -when he split his lip- your mom took a blood sample. She just wanted to run a few checks and then pester you about getting Atem a few vaccine shots. But I found something while I was analyzing Atem’s blood for abnormal cells… And, what I found, ” he paused and when he spoke again, his voice thick with despair.

“His red and white blood cells are unstable, Sora. I looked closer and I found that his blood is breaking apart…because of the way Atem was conceived; his D.N.A is starting to fall apart. Every chemical in his body is breaking away from their bonds.”

Sora stayed silent ignoring the others that had gathered around him now “….is there anyway to fix it?” he asked praying to every god in the world, from Athena to Zaiyous.

“You mom has a theory…but things get trickier. You see, she thinks that she can create a stabilizing formula, one that’ll keep his blood cells stable for a set period... from the D.N.A of his parents. She thinks that she can make it so that once a month Atem has to get an injection to keep his body stable… But, Sora, it’s only a theory. And if it works then Atem should be able to live…a fairly ‘normal’ life.”

“Then we’ll be down there tonight!” Sora said quickly struggling to get up, though Riku seemed to be trusting his own strength to hold Sora up rather than the brunet’s.

“Whoa, whoa! Wait a second, Sora! How the hell are you going to explain this to Riku? We need both of your D.N.A, and only you two. How do you plan to make him understand: One, what is happening to Atem, and two, that your D.N.A and his are the only one we can use?” Yuki asked.

Sora sighed and looked around him; Sephiroth and Riku were on either side of him with twin worried looks while Cloud and Leon stood above him. However, when his eyes settled on Atem, who was oblivious to everything but the little chew toy in his hands, he made a choice.

“I’ll talk to you later tonight, Yuki…” Sora said before he hung up.

“Sora, are you OK? What’s wrong?” Riku asked taking the phone from him. Sora looked at Riku and shook his head.

“Just…some bad news…we…we’ll talk later tonight…” Sora said softly, wiping the tears that he hadn’t felt falling.

Riku looked at Sora and pushed his hand away and wiped the tears that were there. “Sora…talk to me now… What’s wrong?” he asked in the most soothing voice he could. Gods, it hurt seeing Sora like this…

Sora looked up at Riku before he reached out and hugged Riku. Right then, everything that happened between the two didn’t happen, there was no need to get revenge, no need to be jealous, or to worry about the upcoming recording. It was forgotten at that moment. Sora wanted the only thing that had ever offered him comfort. He buried his head into Riku’s shoulder, curling up against him, biting his to keep the tears away.

Riku looked down at Sora, who was holding him as tightly as he could. He hesitantly brought his arms around him and began to rub small circles on his back, hoping to calm the teen. He didn’t understand what had caused Sora to this break down but wasn’t going to push him away. If Sora needed him to hold him, then he would hold him.

Sephiroth watched them his eyes slightly narrowed; his hand twitching a bit, but held his peace, sensing that right now that their was something far deeper than he knew between them now. It was something Sora needed from Riku.

Something he couldn’t offer.

It hurt, but…for now he would remain quiet and just watch his nephew...for Sora’s sake.

“Riku…we can talk about it at home…please...” Sora whispered softly, his voice barely audible, grief barely kept in check.

“Alright…but you are going to tell me. So no backing out of it later.” Riku stated after a second of hesitation, starting to release Sora, who held on tighter and released a soft whimper. He changed his tactics, and readjusted his grip and stood up, staining a little as he pulled Sora up with him. “I’m going to take Sora home for now Seph; can you keep an eye on Atem?”

“Sure,” Seph answered before he looked at Sora and laid a hand on his shoulder giving him a warm look. “Sora…if you ever need to talk to someone…You know who you can go to.”

“You better tell us later, Sora” Cloud said, before he took Leon’s arm and followed Sephiroth who was walking back to the studio to finish up some left over work.

Riku looked down at Sora his face calm as he took the small brunettes arm pulling him away a bit so he could walk, ignoring the small noise Sora made and led him to the elevator. While they stood waiting for the elevator Riku glanced over at Sora, seeing a lost look on his features.

Riku reached out and pulled Sora to him. He held him in his arms to that Sora’s back was to his chest and he could nuzzle into the soft chocolate locks.

“Remember Sora…even if we aren’t together…I’m still your friend” Riku said softly inhaling the soft green apple scent of Sora’s shampoo.

The door gave a little ding before it parted allowing them inside. Riku still held Sora to him as they walked into the elevator.

The trip down was silent as was the small walk to the parking lot. When they got to the car Riku let Sora go and the two got into the car, Sora immediately leaned his head on Riku’s shoulder staring off ahead with a vacant look. Riku cast another worried look at Sora before he started the car and pulled out.

While they drove Riku flipped on the radio to a soft classical station hoping it would help Sora calm down a bit. Sora stayed silent not making a sound but he did cuddle as close to Riku as he dared. When they finally got to the complex Riku parked and got out jogging to Sora’s side and opening the door for him offering his hand to help the other out.

As soon as they were both safe and sound upstairs in Riku’s apartment Sora grabbed onto Riku and fell into his arms once more, nuzzling into his shoulder. Riku looked down at Sora his eyes lowered. “I don’t think Sephiroth would like it much is his boyfriend was cuddling up against me…” he said coldly, the incident starting to recede into the back of his mind.

He felt Sora stiffen and move away from him muttering a soft apology, but when he saw the lost helpless look Riku sighed and pulled Sora back. “…Sorry… I didn’t mean to say that…”

“It’s ok…” Sora whispered lying against Riku. “…Atem…”

“Huh?” Riku asked his brows furrowing.

“…They called me…and told me…I can’t believe it” Sora whimpered, “I just wanted you to be happy…just happy…”

“Sora what the hell are you talking about?” Riku asked pulling Sora way from him and looking him in the eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“Atem is going to die!” Sora yelled as tears began to fall. “Yuki called me and told me that Atem is going to die before he’s one!”

Riku stared at Sora his eyes widening from shock, he blinked rapidly “Sora, this isn’t something to joke about…”

“What the fuck makes you think I would joke about something like this! Mom said he’s going to die!” Sora screamed, now angry at Riku for being so stubborn.

“I don’t understand that do you mean he’s going to die?” Riku asked fighting to keep calm.

Sora looked at the floor “When we took Atem to my mom to get his mouth checked out she took a blood sample. She was testing it the other day and Yuki found something.” He began again, the tears threatening to fall again. “You can ask her -she’ll explain- but something is wrong with Atem…h-his blood…”

Riku stayed silent his fist clenched at his side “I swear to god, Sora …if this is something to get back at me...”

Sora glared at Riku “I can’t believe you! Why don’t you believe me?” he yelled. Now he was outright furious at Riku coldhearted attitude.

“Because you barley know Atem! I swear you act like you’ve been the one who brought him up! You think you know what its like to be his father?” Riku fumed “He got dumped on my goddamn doorstep and I didn’t know what to do! I don’t even know who the fuck his mother is…”

“I would be surprised if you did… you’ve slept with enough women I’m sure.” Sora said bitterly, a sneer tugging at the corners of his lips. “And who knows, maybe Atem’s mom was hoping you would make a decent father...”

“What the hell would you know, Sora?” Riku said his anger getting the better of him “You’re too busy sleeping with my brother to care…you don’t know anything about having a kid…”

Sora stayed silent.

He was sorely tempted to just tell Riku, but he didn’t.

He gave Riku a withering stare before he turned on his heel and stalked down the hall to Riku’s room. He slammed the door shut and locked it before he slid down to the floor crossing his arms.

Riku followed Sora and growled when the door slammed in his face. “Sora! Open the door!”

“I’m not opening it until you admit you believe me! Who we’re sleeping with and our love lives don’t matter right now! Call my mom and talk to her!” Sora yelled through the door. He heard Riku growl and mutter a few curses before he walked away.

Riku grumbled opening his cell and dialing Sora’s mom’s house. The phone rang a few times before Yuki answered the phone, he sounded distracted and the definite clicking of keys could be heard.

“What do you need?” he asked gruffly.

“Nice way to say hi…” Riku snapped.

“Whatever…you didn’t answer my question…”

“Sora told me to call here…something about Atem…”

Yuki sighed before he handed the phone to Sae, “You tell him…” Yuki was obviously not going to tell Riku in the kindest way he had told Sora.

Sae gave Yuki a look before she took the phone, “Hello Riku, dear… now I know this may sound a bit odd and farfetched but I’m going to get strait to the point and save us both some time. If Sora had you called then I assume he told you what I found out about Atem?”

“Yeah, but I don’t believe him. How do you know…that Atem’s going to die. If this is a joke…”

“I assure you, Riku, this isn’t a joke. I know it’s hard to believe but it’s true, the other day Yuki was studying a sample of Atem’s blood and he found something…”

The two spend a good hour talking on the phone. Sora eventually came out of the room to check up on Riku; he was startled when he found Riku sitting on the couch staring off at the wall.

His cheeks had tracks of dried tears and his eyes looked slightly puffy, his gaze turned to Sora. The two stared at each other before Sora came over and sat down next to Riku, curling up against him.

Riku laid his head on Sora’s shoulder; his voice was rough and strained as he spoke. “You know… throughout my life, I could never do anything right. I couldn’t get good grades, I was always getting in trouble at school, my parents disowned me… I couldn’t do anything fucking thing right.”

Sora just patted Riku’s back the best he could offering him as much comfort as he could “Even with you I messed up… Atem’s the only thing I didn’t fuck up on… and I’m going to lose him…” Riku finished his voice cracking a bit, he pulled away from Sora’s embrace and looked at him

“You’re mom said that you’re blood matches Atem’s close enough… please Sora… help me… I don’t want to lose him… I can’t… please”

Sora looked at Riku and smiled a bit, then nodded. Silently, he was thanking his mother that she didn’t tell Riku the truth about him.

“Of course Riku… and… I’m sorry... about what I said earlier.”

Riku scoffed a bit before he rubbed at his eyes “I probably deserved it…”

“Hmm… you got that right…” Sora said in a mocking voice.

“Asshole.” Riku growled smacking Sora on the shoulder, he shook his head before he once more laid his head on Sora’s head and pulled him closer.

“Sorry about what I said… and… thanks”

“For what?” Sora asked shifting a bit.

“For helping me out… even after… even after everything I did.” Riku said nuzzling Sora. “Sora…can I ask you something…well…two things.”

“Hm?” Sora inquired, shifting a bit as Riku’s head moved to rest on his shoulder.

“Do you really like Atem that much? I mean…you’ve done a lot for him… like dressing like a women…and pretending to be someone your not.”

Sora stiffened in Riku’s embrace his heartbeat quickening “Y-you know about that?” he asked shakily.

Riku chuckled and pulled Sora away looking him in the eyes “Do you really think I’m that dense or stupid?”

“But you didn’t say anything.” Sora said feeling his stomach drop out. “H-How long did you know?”

“When I found out you weren’t a girl…that bracelet… I know no matter how pissed off you were at me you would never take it off…” Riku said before he smirked a bit “That, and, even though you were pretending to be someone else, you still acted too much like you for me to not notice.” Riku grinned, slowly lifting his head from Sora’s shoulder.

“And you let me keep thinking you didn’t know!” Sora said, looking at Riku and gaping.

“I thought it was kind of cute…but that leads me to my second question.” Riku said leveling Sora with a stare again. “Why do you care so much about Atem? It’s not like he’s yours or anything…”

Sora still sat there not believing Riku had known it was him all that time. He couldn’t believe it… maybe Riku wasn’t as dense as he had thought. At Riku’s other question he looked up and paused before he answered, “…W-what if I told you…that I knew who Atem’s mother was?”

Riku looked at Sora in shock his eyes widening. “You know who she is? You met her?” he asked.

“Sort of…” Sora mumbled a slight blush coming to his cheeks, he fiddled with a bit of fuzz on the couch. “But…well I just care about Atem because…I…I almost do feel like he’s mine…and…I don’t really know…”

“…Well you are pretty good with him…but Atem’s mom…why didn’t she keep Atem? Why did she abandon him?” Riku asked, questions pouring from his mouth. “How did she know I would keep him? Did she regret having him or something?”

Sora smiled a bit and held his hand to Riku’s mouth to stop the stream of questions. “…They didn’t keep Atem because they couldn’t give him the home he needed. They didn’t abandon him; they left him to his rightful father.” Sora began making sure to choose his words carefully “They knew you would keep him because you had once said that you would never make the mistake that your father did and leave your own flesh and blood to fend for themselves, and no…they didn’t ever regret having Atem.”

Riku pondered this a bit before he nodded, he looked at Sora again almost as if he were looking at him for the first time in years “You really have grown up you know…”

“…Same to you…” Sora muttered softly looking Riku in the eyes.

And it was like all time had stopped. Both of them drawn in by the other’s eyes.

The two stared before they began to lean into each other almost as if drawn by some invisible force. Sora couldn’t explain it himself, even though he held a grudge against Riku, even though he was supposed to be getting his revenge… he couldn’t help but want to be in Riku’s arms. Call him a masochist, but if Riku were to ask him for anything…he would give it to him with out a second thought.

Surprisingly, it was Riku who stopped his eyes narrowing slightly “…We should stop doing this…Seph wouldn’t like it very much…”

Sora looked at Riku and nodded before he moved away “Y-you’re right….”

“Lets get to bed, I’m going to call Sephiroth and see if he can watch Atem tonight…I gotta think. You’re mom said to bring Atem over tomorrow so she can look him over and withdraw our blood.” Riku said running a tired hand through his hair. Sora nodded again before he stood up and stretched up into a perfect arch.

Sora looked at Riku before coming over to him and kissing his cheek “G’night Riku…see you in the morning, bright and early.”

Riku watched Sora as he walked off into the guest room shutting the door with a soft click. The silver haired singer let out another sigh before going off to his own room, as he walked he gazed at the wall studying the many awards and trophies he had up there.

At that moment none of it mattered to him, ever since he had broken up with Sora… Nothing ever felt the same.

It was almost like the life he was living was missing something, something that the money and women he had could never give him.

Shaking his head he stepped into his room stripping down into his boxers before he slipped under his covers shivering a bit at the cool feel.

Riku grabbed his cell phone from his bedside cabinet and dialed Sephiroth’s number waiting for him to pick up.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Seph…”

“Riku? Where the hell are you? Is Sora ok?”

“Yeah he’s…he’s just upset…but he’s alright.”

“What happened?”

Riku paused before he sighed “We just got some really bad new…I don’t want to talk about it right now… but I’ll tell you later. How’s…how’s Atem doing?” It almost hurt to say the baby’s name…

Sephiroth glanced over at his nephew who was struggling to keep his little eyes open. Every time they could close he would snap them open and glare almost as it he were scolding his body. “He’s waiting for you or Sora, I think.”

“Here put him on the phone…”

With a shrug Seph bent down and set the phone by Atem’s ear. The little baby looked at the phone frowning slightly before looking at Sephiroth questioningly. “ehwaff?”

Riku smiled sadly before he began to hum an old song that Sora used to sing to him, when… when Sora was the only one he could turn to…

Taking a breath he began to sing softly his voice smooth and clear.

“Sleep my dear angel, disappear into the land of dreams. I’ll watch you as you sleep, and hold you close keeping you safe. Remember me always and, never forget, my love is unstoppable. On a rainy cold night wander out and catch a drop. In your hand you’ll hold my tear of sorrow as my heart aches for you to be with me Whisper into the night your wish and I’ll come to grant it.”

Sephiroth watched as Atem’s eyes began to droop and the little boy slipped off into a slumber working his mouth a bit, breathing softly. The older man pulled the phone back and whispered softly “…Wow…Nice job. So …I take it your going to ask me if he can stay with me for the night.”

Riku smirked “You know me well, huh, Seph? You don’t mind do you?”

“It’s fine with me; see you in the morning.”

“Got it, thanks Seph.”

“No problem, ’night”

“’Night”

Riku hung up the phone before staring off at the ceiling willing his tired body to sleep but his mind was too worked up. Thoughts of Atem kept running through his head, he just couldn’t believe it… it was almost surreal …his baby boy was dieing …and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Riku moaned fitfully as his nightmare grew in intensity. He cried out as he watched Atem, Sephiroth and Sora walk away with out him, looking so perfect together, almost like an actual family.

Next his dream shifted and he was in a hospital waiting room, Sora was in a chair hunched over as he body shook with heavy sobs, the doors to the operating room opened and Sora’s mom came out with a saddened look on her face.

She looked him in the eyes –her own eyes filled with tears- and was about to speak but before any words could leave her lips Riku ran past her and saw a scene that made his heart lurch. Atem lay on the cold metal table, his tiny body still…far to still for a baby.

Again, his dream shifted again and this time they were at a cemetery, Sora was weeping while they lowered a tiny casket into the ground, people disappeared and Riku was alone…and above him the sky grew dark and rain began to pour.

All he could do was look into the large hole where his son was now sleeping. Sora came in front of him looking at him while tears streamed down his face.

“How could you betray me Riku? I never did anything to you!” he cried.

Riku reached out frowning “Sora…please…I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…”

“Why Riku? Why did you kill me!” the brunette cried out before he began to fall back into the grave. Riku reached out, but just as his hand touched Sora’s it went straight though as if he were nothing. Summer blue eyes looked up in horror as he fell and all Riku could do was crying out for him…

“Sora! Sora! No! SORA!” Riku screamed as he shot up in his bed breathing hard and looking around wildly.

“…Shit…” Riku murmured as he rubbed at his eyes, his breathing slowed and he glanced at the clock. It read 3:54am, “God… what a dream…” Riku muttered before he lay back down.

However try as he might Riku couldn’t get back to sleep. The dream was still fresh on his mind… Sephiroth walking off with the only things he considered important in his life; Sora weeping in the hospital; Atem’s casket, slowly descending into the bitter earth; the cold rain beating down upon him; and Sora’s wide blue eyes as he fell into the same earth.

“This is fucked up…” he said aloud, scrubbing at his eyes with the balls of his hands. He looked around a bit and tried to sleep, but nothing happened, grumbling he sat up grabbing his pillow and blanket before walking out of his room. He growled,“…God I’m like a little kid…it was just a dream…”

Riku pushed the door of Sora’s room open and settled his gaze on the bed where the lone figure lay. Like usual Sora was on his side his legs sprawled out while his arms were firmly wrapped around a large body pillow. His hair was as mussed as ever, hanging in his eyes giving him a more childish look. With another sigh Riku came over to the bed and set his pillow up pushing Sora over a bit before he crawled into the bed.

Moaning softly, Sora woke up and blinked sleepily “Riku?… What arr you doin’ ‘ere?” he muttered thickly, struggling to twist around. He let go of the pillow with one of his arms, bringing his hand up to rub at his sleep clouded eyes.

“I just need a little company…” Riku said softly, Sora gave him a confused look, teetering from side to side as sleep threatened to pull him back into dreamland. Riku rolled his eyes “…I had a nightmare, OK? I just need someone to lie next to, that’s all.”

Sora looked at Riku through half lidded eyes before he gave him a sleepy smile. Silently he pulled Riku’s blanket up and crawled under, Riku shot him a questioning look over his shoulder, but Sora just ignored him and wrapped his arms around him. Riku twisted around and pulled Sora to him resting his head in the soft spikes. Sora gave a content sigh before he eyes closed and he drifted off.

Riku smiled a bit as Sora burrowed more into him, with a yawn Riku settled in and drifted off to sleep. Surprisingly…he didn’t have a single nightmare for the rest of the night…

The next morning the two got up without a word to each other, Sora knew it was Riku’s silent way of telling him to not speak of what happened again. Both of them rolled out of bed and got dressed before meeting in the living room.

Riku’s eyes scanned over Sora’s form taking in the semi tight dark t-shirt and baggy faded blue jeans. Sora smirked and looked back at Riku moving his eyes up and down nodding; Riku had put on a plain dark grey t-shirt with his usual leather pants, the sun filtered through the window causing Riku’s hair to glow a soft white blonde hue making him look even more appealing.

“You look nice…” Riku said before he turned and grabbed the keys to the car.

“Ditto.” Sora muttered as he followed Riku out the door. As they walked down the hallway they were surprised to see that Leon and Cloud weren’t in their usual spots, making out of course.

The drive to Sephiroth’s house wasn’t that long; though Sora noticed as they drove the houses were getting more and more elaborate and large. Riku looked over smirking a bit as Sora pressed his nose up against the glass trying to get a better look. “Riku, how the hell can Sephiroth afford a house in this area?”

Riku chuckled a bit turning his gaze back on the road. “Well you see, a few years back one of our great aunts died. She was practically a billionaire and she left all of her fortune to me and Sephiroth, but me, being the smart little shit I am, put it all away for later on. Seph on the other hand bought a house and more.” He answered waving to the area. “As you can see, this place is high class, I mean it’s not like everyday you got a forest right out side your window with an ocean view, as well.”

Sora gave him a wide-eyed look “You mean all this time you’ve had money and you never told me?”

“I didn’t think you would want to know, plus it’s not like I’m using it right now. The money I make from singing is enough for me, plus I don’t want Atem to grow up thinking that he doesn’t have to work a single day in his life.” Riku said with a slight shrug.

“Hmph… You could have still told me…” Sora muttered, a bit hurt. It had been Sora who had done all those overtime hours when Riku had forgotten to pay the bills.

When they pulled up to Sephiroth’s house Riku had to shut Sora’s mouth for him. The brunette stared and stared trying to take in the whole structure all at once. The house was huge about a whole mile long and wide; the door seemed to be half the height of the whole house and made of a find cheery oak that made it stand out nicely against the white alabaster of the rest of the house.

Overall the house had a very nice dark –almost gothic- look to it that made it very alluring and at the same time held an air of power that made you want to stand back. In the front, a beautiful motorcycle stood, gleaming in the morning sun; made from fine dark metallic silver metal that made it look very dangerous. On the side it read “One Winged Angel”.

“I’m surprised that Sephiroth never brought you home, I mean I’m sure if he was dating you he would have brought you here…” Riku said arching his eyebrow a bit.

Sora tore his eyes away from the whole scene and looked at Riku “Well…I don’t…maybe he felt he wasn’t ready to show me…” he replied trying to sound like he was a bit defensive. Great, just what he needed, Riku finding out that he was only going out with his brother to make him jealous. The fact that Riku had known he was Sky still stung, as well…

“Sure…” Riku drawled, pocketing his keys, “You keep telling yourself that…” Riku muttered before he walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. Sora shot Riku an annoyed look and was about to say something but the door opened up showing a very mussed Cloud, clad only in navy boxers. His hair was sticking up more then usual and his eyes were still drooped sleepily.

“What the fuck do you want?” he asked his voice thick with sleep.

Riku quirked an eyebrow “To pick up my kid… I didn’t know you lived here.”

“He doesn’t, I just didn’t want him and Leon driving so late.” Sephiroth said as he opened the door wider and leveled a glare on his brother. He was dressed in a pair of loose cotton pants with a button up shirt that was open showing off his chiseled chest “I didn’t think you would be able to wake up this early.” He said before moving aside letting them inside. As Sora walked through the door he reached out and pulled the brunette to him and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

“You look as ravishing as ever.” Sephiroth commented, placing another kiss at the corners of Sora’s mouth.

Sora blushed brightly and cast a nervous look at Riku, who turned around just in time to miss the look and scoffed as he made his way down one of the many elaborate hallways.

The house looked very eerie, mostly due to the dark blood red walls, but it still was very beautiful. A few bits of delicate furniture gave the room a more elegant look as well as a few well-placed paintings. With another glance around Sora followed Riku down the hallway looking around and still taking it all in. Sephiroth and Cloud followed behind him. The three of them stopped at the doorway of the playroom that Seph had set up for Atem.

They watched as Riku picked up the little boy and tossed him in the air playfully. Both Cloud and Seph’s eyes locked onto Sora’s watching his facial features contort to one of pure sadness. It was almost as if it were radiating off of him.

“Sora…What happened yesterday?” Cloud asked quietly, not knowing how to exactly confront whatever was wrong with the other.

Sora snapped out of his little daze and looked at Cloud and smiled a bit. “Nothing just…”

“Don’t try that Sora, we know you better than most… I know you better then that. We’re spending our time helping you so the least you can do its let us in on what’s happening with you” Sephiroth snapped.

“My... My mom called last night…” Sora began. The teen looked back at Riku who was now holding Atem’s arms as he tried to walk. His little legs wouldn’t support him and he wobbled around causing a tiny dark glare to settle on his face while Riku laughed.

“She…she found out that Atem’s blood bonds are falling apart…his chemical make up …everything…it’s all falling apart and she can’t stop it... yet.”

“…OK …what does that mean in English?” Cloud asked, “It’s too early for me to be thinking.” Despite the seriousness of the situation at hand, Sora gave a short-lived smile.

“What he means is Atem is going to die unless his mom finds a way to stop the bonds from falling apart.” came Leon’s voice. The tall brunet stepped out of the shadows down the hall and walked over to them. He leveled his look on Sora “Isn’t that right?”

Sora nodded numbly and winced at the twin gasps that came from the men beside him.

“How long does he have?” Sephiroth asked his voice just quivering with suppressed emotions. “Are you even sure she’s right?”

“She’s right… She’s a scientist.” Sora tried to sound confident, but it sound like he was only saying this like he was out on a limb. In a way… he was. “She wouldn’t have said anything unless she had solid evidence. But… he has a year… until his first birthday. I’m not sure on the details really… but that’s what she told me” Sora said calmly.

“How the hell are you so cool about this? Your son is about to die and you’re just talking about it like it’s nothing!” Cloud said a bit loudly. Leon kicked him lightly and shot Cloud a glare, motioning to Riku who was now playing peek-a-boo with Atem. If anything the quarted gussed that the only reason Atem was giggling was because the singer looked quite ridiculous with the baby propped on his knees, head cocked as he watched his father hide behind his hands.

“My mom found a way to possibly fix this…” Sora answered.

“How?” Sephiroth and Cloud both asked simultaneously.

“Easy, she’s going to take a D.N.A strand from both Riku and Sora and recreate the chemical make up of Atem’s body. She’ll inject it into him periodically and, by theory, it should sustain his physical body for a full year and at which time he’ll go in for another one.” Leon almost sighed out.

All three stared at him. Even Sephiroth seemed taken aback by the offhanded tone Leon was saying this in.

Leon scowled, “I was going to be a chemist before I got dragged into the band.”

“Oooh…” the three of them answered.

Sora sighed, “There is something else I got to tell you…” He ran a hand through his hair “ Riku figured out that I was dressing up”

“About time…” Cloud muttered, “I never thought anyone that dense could exist.”

“He knew it all along, back when he found out I wasn’t a girl.” Sora quipped, picking at a bit of fuzz on his shirt.

“We underestimated him… How did he react?” Sephiroth asked, he noticed Riku’s gaze flickering to Sora and quickly reached out pulling the brunette to his body. Sora blushed and looked up at Sephiroth to question him but the older man silenced him with a finger on his lips. “Shhh… now then… what did he say?”

Riku’s eyes narrowed as he watched his brother, he tore his gaze away growling under his breath. Atem looked up, his teal eyes curious; he looked over to where Sora and his uncle were and furrowed his little eyebrows before a tiny pout settled on his plump lips.

Cloud cuddled into Leon pretending to nibble on his neck while he watched Riku. He snickered when he saw the dark look and murmured into Leon’s neck “Someone’s jealous…”

“… He… he didn’t really say anything… just asked me why I cared so much about Atem. I told him…because I knew Atem’s mom. He bought it… for now…” Sora muttered slowly relaxing into Sephiroth’s embrace.

Sephiroth began to lightly stroke the hairs at the nape of Sora’s neck earning a deep rumbling purr from the brunette. “I see… Well that makes things a bit simpler for us. I have an idea for today, just a little something to get my brother wound up.” he muttered with a slightly taunting tone.

“Sometimes I think you’re enjoying this way too much Sephiroth.” Cloud muttered from his spot settling his gaze on the taller silver haired man.

“Before we do anything I have to take Atem to see my mom.” Sora muttered, closing his eyes and leaning against Seph. He nose twitched a bit at the light slightly sweet musky scent that was coming off the older man.

“That’s fine” Sephiroth muttered before he looked at Sora again and leaned over planting another soft kiss on his lips. “It’s a date then?”

Sora smiled a bit, “Yeah, a date”

Inside of the playroom Riku glared over at them, his look murderous. “… Not if I stop it…Sora is not going to be sucked up into your game…” he growled under his breath.

Atem looked up at his dad from his position on the floor with his blocks. He tilted his head a bit, and then returned to his blocks a small pout on his lips. “Ora momma luvvs …iku da… …” (“Sora momma loves …Riku daddy… …”)

Riku stayed in the playroom with Atem while the others left to talk some more in Sephiroth’s office. The silver haired teen sat watching his son, aqua eyes narrowed into slits as he thought deeply. Every moment that his mind wandered Riku found his thoughts all revolved around one thought, one subject, one person….Sora. Riku already realized that he missed Sora, he missed having someone who understood him and his quirks, he missed waking up and seeing the brunette’s sunny smile, he missed it all. Riku shifted slightly running a hand through his hair causing it to look a bit messy , Atem cooed from the ground gnawing on one of the blocks spreading drool every where. Smiling softly the young father reached over and picked Atem up setting him in his lap, the little baby looked up adorably before he giggled happily giving a gummy smile. “What should I do Atem?” Riku asked tilting his head “Half of me wants to get Sora back …but the other half….” He paused sighing letting his head droop “…I know this will sound incredibly selfish but…my other half wants to stay like this…to stay single …”

“Gah? Ora momma?” Atem mumbled his little eyebrows furrowing together.

“but when I see Sora with Seph…I just want to grab him and stamp his forehead with a sign that says ‘property of Riku Tasumari don’t touch!’, I hate seeing them together…I mean…grrr” he ran a hand through his hair again “ I keep wanting to kiss him…hell I even want to fuc…” he paused his mouth open to say something but he closed it before speaking again his voice low almost longing “Atem…I think…I know I still love him…and not like best friend …but I mean…I think I really honest to god love him…but…I’m scared” he looked into the baby’s eyes seeing an unsettling maturity there but he brushed it off “I scared of letting myself just love him...I’m scared he’ll leave me…I’m not as strong as I come off…I’m scared shit less that he’ll break my heart and I just know I won’t be able to fix it…”

Atem studied his father very carefully his aqua blue eyes far too serious for anyone near his age, he frowned a bit before he spoke his voice low and almost serious “Iku da…luv ora momma…ora momma luv iku da…”

Riku stared back getting a slight chill before he chuckled shaking his head “you probably have no idea what I just said….but for what it’s worth little guy…thanks for listening to me”

The little baby only huffed before he looked away and made little spit bubbles causing Riku to laugh.

A half hour later Sora, Riku, and Atem all headed out. Sora had brought a change of clothing for Atem with him and dressed the baby boy in a deep blue cotton footie with little aqua mittens that he was trying to bite off but only managed to get drool over them.

Riku took Atem from Sora and buckled Atem into his car seat while the smaller brunette said goodbye to everyone else. Leon watched the two move around each other noting that they were perfectly in sync with each other; Sora picked up the diaper bag and held it over his shoulder Riku took the bag away and placed the bottle in his hand. When Riku started walking to the other side of the car and Sora threw the keys to him and with out even looking over his shoulder or turning around Riku caught them easily. They knew with out word what the other wanted done; they worked like the fabled “golden pair”

“When you finish call us and we’ll meet you at the mall” Cloud said brushing his hair out of his eyes.

“Make sure to wear something…nice” Sephiroth muttered with a slight smirk “I got us a gig at a local club that is pretty popular and I want you to perform there…just to help get the public used to you.”

Leon and cloud both looked at Sephiroth as if to ask – since when did we agree to work today? - But the tall silver haired man gave them a dark smile that quieted the both of them.

Sora shook his head before he hugged them all “I’ll call you guys later…” he said , the brunette paused when he looked into Sephiroth’s eyes , a light pink tint dusted his cheeks as he leaned up and planted a sweet kiss on the jade eyed man. “I’ll see you later…”

With that he turned around and got in the passenger seat ignoring the dark glare Riku shot him. Riku looked over his shoulder at Sephiroth and mouthed “Bring it on” only making the smug smirk on his brothers lips grow wider. Growling to himself Riku shifted gears and sped out of the large drive way with a screech of the wheels.

“You think he’s jealous?” Cloud asked his voice dripping with amusement.

Sephiroth turned around and began to walk back into the house running a hand through his long hair “He’s still the little immature, arrogant, spoiled brat that I grew up with…”

Leon followed the long haired man shaking his head, cloud trailed behind his lover with a curious pout. “What do you mean by that?” the blond asked

Sephiroth let both of them in before he shut the door and walked to the kitchen. “Riku is treating Sora’s feelings like it’s a game, I’m questioning if Sora should even try to get back with him.” He replied, as he bent over digging through the cupboard straitening up with a silver pot in his hand. Tying back his hair with a piece of ribbon he set the pot on the stove and lit the match “I don’t see how Sora ever could have loved him, Riku uses him like a toy and then tosses him to the side like he’s nothing, and still Sora wants to go back with him” he shook his head “I don’t understand it.”

Cloud raised a fine blonde eyebrow “if you don’t mind me saying …you and Sora were never really that close…so how can you be so sure what you just said is true?”

“Easy, I know my brother better than most people give me credit for. Riku has been like that since he was a kid. When ever he found something special he would use it until he got bored and then tossed it away, but as soon as someone else tries to play with it he suddenly wants it back” Sephiroth said with a slight shrug, he walked over to the sink and filled a glass with water before coming back to the stove and pouring it in. he then went into the pantry and came out seconds later with a packet of chicken flavored ramen.

Leon and cloud watched the other man as he made his meal both of their minds processing what the silver haired man had said.

“You’re attracted to Sora aren’t you?” Leon said coldly his stormy eyes boring into Sephiroth’s bare back.

The other was silent for a few moments before he spoke “…perhaps…”

“When did this happen? If I remember correctly you weren’t exactly the happiest person when we first came up with the plan” Leon continued.

“Things change…and Sora is something different…and I never like something valuable to go to waste like that.”

Leon snorted “you just want to fuck him once and be done with it…”

Cloud shook his head and leaned against Leon “as if things couldn’t get anymore complicated.”

Sephiroth turned around his look cold “Like I said things change and with that people change”

“That still doesn’t give you the right to use Sora like that” Leon said “I don’t know if you remember but Sora is still in love with Riku”

“…Sora, like any other human, has needs and when he figures out that Riku will never give him what he wants…I’ll show him someone who can”

Cloud looked away while Leon’s scowl only darkened. “You’ll only hurt him more than what he’s already had to deal with.”


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Getting to Sora’s mother’s house was uneventful, Atem had fallen asleep in his chair his face turned to the side. Sora was twisted in his seat as they waited in a line of cars to make the turn onto his mother’s street; he actually looked at Atem looking for every similarity and difference. Atem’s hair was just as silver as his fathers but a little lighter making it look almost white, his skin tone was pale as well yet another thing he shared with his father, his face though, that was where Sora’s features kicked in. He had the same pouty lips, and round childlike cheeks making him look incredibly adorable, and had the baby’s eyes been open you would have seen the one part of him that was truly a blend of his parents together. A gentle mix of blue and aqua shining like jewels …in the right lighting it would look almost as if his eyes were pools of Caribbean water, tropical and carefree…while at other times the color would change to dark aqua marine blue.

Sora smiled as he rested his head on his hand “You know Riku…When Atem grows up…he’s going to be one of the hottest guys on campus”

Riku quirked an eyebrow and said in a mock conceded tone “of course he will, he takes after me the most” he chuckled avoiding a swat to the head.

Huffing Sora twisted back around in his chair “I’m serious; he’ll be attracting men and women left and right”

“I bet that Atem’s going to be Bi and he’ll bring a girl home before he brings a guy...” Riku said, he lightly pressed on the peddle mentally shaking his head at the sluggish pace of traffic.

Sora shook his head “ok you got a point with the Bi part but I’m betting he’ll bring a guy home first”

“What do you want to bet?” Riku asked as he finally made the turn , only to find more traffic “stupid fuckers you think you can go any slower?” he muttered under his breath.

“If I win you have to be my slave for two weeks…and if you win…” Sora began but Riku cut him off.

“If I win you have to give me a second chance” Riku said with a completely strait face

Sora sputtered “Huh?”

“I said, if I win you give me a second chance” the silver haired teen repeated slowly.

Before Sora could get a word out Riku pulled into the driveway of Sora’s mom’s house. Casting Riku another look Sora scrambled out of the car to Atem’s side. “Second chance...”Sora whispered softly as he unbuckled the still sleeping baby.

Atem’s head flopped side to side as he slept on, little spit bubbles sprouting from his lips. Riku followed behind Sora carrying the diaper bag, his eyes glued to Sora’s ass enjoying the view, he knew he was messing with Sora’s head with what he said…but he wasn’t lying when he said it.

Opening the door Sora walked in looking around “Mom? Yuki?”

“Your mom’s in the basement” came a growling voice. Yuki stood at the kitchen door way, his usual scowl in place; he cast golden eyes on Riku “So you managed to get him to come?”

“Yuki shut up and get down stairs” said Sora’s mom as she came behind him, she looked over at Riku and Sora and smiled a bit. “Glad to see the both of you could make it”

Riku glared at Yuki’s retreating back as the blond slouched down the stairs; he gave Sora’s mom a small smile before following Sora to the kitchen. He sat down in one of the scrubbed wooden chairs that surrounded the round table in the middle of the room.

Sora sat down next to him glancing down at Atem who still slept soundly, his body limp in Sora’s arms, the brunette shifted the baby slightly before looking to his mother “so how long is this going to take?”

Sora’s mother came over and lifted Atem gently from her son’s arms , she cradled the little baby looking at him carefully “…at the most I would say a week for everything to be complete …after the transfusion I want to make sure there are no other …side effects.”

“How do you think Atem got this?” Riku asked leaning back in his chair a bit.

The brunette women looked up casting a sharp glance at Sora before looking at Riku, as she spoke she chose her words carefully “I imagine it’s from a number of things…perhaps when Atem was about to be born his mother might have been physically abused…perhaps it was the way Atem was conceived...” she said watching Sora from the corner of her eye as he winced a bit at her words “If only you could talk to his mother…she might be about to…straiten everything out...get the truth out in the open” she continued , Sora glared at his mother while Riku only quirked an eyebrow. The scientist smiled a bit at the pair “What ever the case I’m going to get started on him right away…so if the both of you would be as kind as to follow me so we can get that blood withdrawn. And if you have any questions Riku…please ask”

“Stupid old hag who can’t mind her business” Sora muttered under his breath as he followed his mother.

Riku chuckled softly “language Sora” he whispered. Sora only snorted softly as they continued down the somewhat narrow stairs. When they reached the bottom they found themselves in a room that looked bigger then the house itself. Lights and sounds bleeped and glimmered at every corner, the metallic shine of the machines making them all feel as if they had taken a step into a futuristic spaceship. Riku glanced around at everything, but his eyes caught onto a large computer with what looked like a joy stick before it. “Hmm she keeps video games down here…”

Sora’s mother halted in a sectioned off room with a cold metallic table and medical equipment surrounding it, she pulled out a soft blanket with a pillow setting them on the table before she gently laid Atem down. “Riku I’m going to take your blood first and then Sora’s, after that the both of you can leave if you like. Atem won’t be leaving from here for a while” she said as she leaned over pulled out several empty vials with rubber stoppers, two needles, a few balls of cotton and tape. “You can visit him, since I don’t know much about his condition I can’t tell you what he’ll be like…if he’ll be healthy looking…or sickly”

Riku sat down in one of the chairs rolling up his sleeve on his right arm “Exactly what are you going to do with our blood?”

Sora’s mother came over and wrapped a rubber tourniquet around Riku’s arm tapping the vain causing it to rise “I’m going to take the both of your DNA’s, tamper with them until both of them combined will create a replica of the DNA structure of your son.” She continued as she pulled out the needle, with a steady hand she slid it into Riku’s vain before grabbing a vial and filling it up.

“So what makes you so sure this will work?” Riku asked wincing slightly as she did it watching his own rich, crimson blood fill up the vials.

“To tell you the truth…I’m not sure this will work at all” she said quietly “but I’m going to try as hard as I can”

Riku gave her a curious look “Why do you care so much about Atem? Any other doctor would probably have told me there was no way to save him and not waste my time on him. You seem to know so much about Atem’s medical history…about a lot of things about him…”

Sae stilled for a bit before placing a cotton ball over the puncture sliding the needle out easily. As she fastened the tape over the cotton she sighed “That Riku , I’m afraid I can’t answer right now…I’ll admit that yes I do know a lot about Atem…the answers you seek will be answered in due time though…now then I’m all done with you” she finished with a smile.

“…hm” Riku muttered under his breath, he got up and looked around for Sora. The brunette was looking at Atem holding onto the baby’s little hand; however it was the look on his face that got Riku’s attention, the brunettes features were contorted into one of guilt. Riku walked over quietly before he moved closer and reached a pale hand out to him covering Sora and Atem’s hand with his own. Sora looked up slightly startled before he tried to pull his hand away but Riku held it tightly. “Don’t look so guilty Sora…none of this is your fault.”

If anything the brunettes eyes grew more saddened and guilt ridden “…I…I know but…I mean I know he hasn’t even been around very long but…” he looked at Riku his eyes teary “…I don’t want him to die Riku…I love him like son…”

Riku smiled a bit and pulled Sora to him kissing his head, for some reason it pleased him that Sora cared so much for Atem “he’ll be ok Sora…it will be fine” he muttered into his hair “C’mon your mom needs to get your blood….you want me to come and hold your hand?” the taller male asked with a teasing tone.

Sora pulled away from Riku and gave him a playful shove before wiped his eyes and walked to where his mother was “I’m sure I heard screaming while you were over there.”

“Ha ha funny” Riku snapped flipping Sora the birdie. The smaller teen snickered softly as he disappeared around the corner.

Looking at Atem Riku smiled and leaned over kissing the sleeping baby on the cheek, moving away the silver haired teen walked back to the computer he had seen when he was walking into the lab. “Maybe I can find something to play with on there.”

(AN: For sheer comic relief) “Stop being such a baby Sora the needle isn’t even that big” Sae said sharply tugging her son’s arm closer.

Sora eyes dripped with huge tears “nooo please can’t you take it out another way!”

His mother only smirked before she pierced his skin causing him to unleash a girlish shriek

Riku walked down the long hallways trying to remember where he had seen the computer, he glanced around at different objects wondering how he had never noticed all the strange things Sora’s mother did when he had visited Sora’s house. Shrugging it off Riku turned a corner and immediately cursed when his hip hit the sharp edge of the table. Papers and folders all scattered and fell to the ground while Riku continued to curse “Stupid fucking shit! God that hurt….stupid shit probably poked a hole through me.” He grumbled moving his clothing aside so he could see the spot. A tiny welt no larger than his pinky nail glowed a merry red while it throbbed, gingerly Riku poked it hissing a bit, however his eyes caught onto the title of one of the many sheets splattered throughout the floor.

Quirking an eyebrow Riku kneeled down picking the paper up “M-Preg Analysis?” he read, curiosity growing he read on “ M-Preg analysis , with aid of serum and proper fertilization male subject should be able to hold and birth a healthy infant…what the hell…”

“Riku? Riku, where are you?”

The silver haired teen looked up before he glanced back at the paper his eyes quickly scanning through it “Total test subjects: five….infants conceived: three…. Male subjects names…” Riku whispered softly as he turned the page over to read the next part.

“Riku what are you doing?” Sora asked as he turned the corner, his blue eyes looked from Riku to the scattered papers before a small smile fixed on his face “You ran into the corner of the table didn’t you?”

Giving the other a smirk Riku quickly shoved all the papers into one of the folders and held it tightly “oh ya…you know me…going a little too fast for my own good” he said his voice wavering slightly.

Sora gave him a weird look arching an eyebrow “You ok Riku?”

“Huh? Oh I’m fine…you all done?” Riku asked as he hastily stood up sliding the folder into the back of his pants covering it up with his shirt.

Sora nodded “we just have to say goodbye to Atem and then we can get going” Riku motioned for Sora to lead and followed the other through the maze of a laboratory. Both teens heard Atem before they even saw him, the little baby was screaming at the top of his lungs.

“Yuki stop making those ridiculous faces and set him down on the counter” Sae snapped Sora and Riku peeked around the corner watching Sora’s cousin as he tried to lay a screaming Atem down. The little baby’s face was as red as a cherry as he wailed his tiny arms and legs flying in the air.

Shaking his head Sora walked over taking the baby from the blonde. “You would make a horrible father”

Yuki glared at Sora grumbling watching the brunette try and calm the baby, but Atem kept wailing his lips pulled into a frown. The blonde smirked from his spot “not so easy is it cousin?”

Riku rolled his eyes before he joined Sora, peeking over the brunettes shoulder and looking down at Atem making a silly face “c’mon little guy…we’re here already so no need to cry”

Gradually Atem calmed down until he rested comfortably against Sora looking up with large watery aqua blue eyes followed by the occasional hiccup. Sora’s mom smiled a bit before he walked over with a syringe in hand, she pulled Atem’s arm out and proceeded to take his blood out. The baby began to whimper but a soft humming reached his ears, he looked up and saw both of his parents smiling calmly at him, with another hiccup he went silent just staring up at them.

“Thank you both, I can get started on his blood work right away….but you are going to have to leave him here.” Sae said as she labeled the test tube full of crimson liquid.

Sora walked over to the examination table setting Atem down before he looked at the baby stroking his hair. “Be good for my mom ok? We’ll come visit you everyday….”

“We’ll even bring you some toys, just hang in there little guy” Riku said tapping Atem’s nose.

The baby boy simply looked up at his parents with large watery eyes sniffling softly , he held out his pudgy arms and cried out in a broken heart wrenching voice “Iku da…ora momma?...no…no eve me!” (Riku daddy, Sora momma? No…no leave me!)

Sora’s eyes filled with sorrow as he looked at the baby, he felt as if he had just kicked a puppy. A warm hand squeezed his shoulder and he looked up at Riku seeing a similar look in his aqua eyes. “We have to leave him…”

Sora looked back at Atem and sighed softly “We’ll come back for you Atem…don’t worry”

Atem’s bottom lip trembled as he continued to reach out for them, his tiny hands clenching and unclenching “No eve me ora mama…iku da...ease…ease no eve me!” (No leave me Sora momma, Riku daddy…please…please no leave me!)

“Extraordinary…he speaks!” Sae squeaked puling out a clipboard quickly taking notes “he’s only 8 to 9 months if I’m not mistaken…but how?”

Sora looked at his mother “He’s been talking for a while now...why is that unusual?”

“The fact that he can speak, forming words together into understandable sentences and not only that but I’ve noticed that his coordination and awareness of things around him is in all very unusual….he’s displaying skills usually found in a 2 year old!” Sora’s mother said matter of factly “It’s almost as if…his growth rate mentally is excelling faster than his physical body can keep up with”

Riku arched an eyebrow and tilted his head “can you say that again …in English?”

“What she’s trying to say is that Atem’s mind is maturing faster than his body” said Yuki poking his blonde head around the corner with yet another box of equipment. “He has the mind capacity of a 2 year old child however his body is that of an 8 to 9 month old.”

“Oh I can’t wait to test this! I have to call Daisuke and Naruto and see if their kids have the same characteristics!” Sae said scribbling down a few more notes before disappearing into her office.

Yuki shook his head watching Sora’s mom before he looked at the two “you guys should get going, I’ll make sure to call you if anything comes up.”

Sora and Riku both nodded before turning and walking out , as they walked down the halls Sora looked over at Riku tilting his head “…are you…shocked or anything about Atem’s…mind?” he asked stumbling over his words.

The singer only shrugged his shoulders “To tell you the truth…I don’t know what to think…” he stopped suddenly and looked down at Sora his eyes intense “…If life gives Atem another chance….why can’t you give me mine…”

Sora gave Riku a weird look his brows furrowing together “What are you talking about?”

“Would you believe me…if I said I was sorry...would you believe it if…” Riku said his voice fading to almost a whisper.

“Riku?” The blue eyed teen asked tilting his head a worried frown over his face.

The silver haired singer continued to stare at him with the same intense look before it faded and a familiar smirk spread on his lips “sorry…sudden inspiration for a song”

Giving the singer a weird look Sora turned and continued down the hall but before he could get far a hand wrapped around his arm and held on. Sora tugged at his arm glaring at Riku but the silver haired teen only smirked at him , sighing Sora muttered “c’mon lets go get ready to meet Seph at the mall”

Grinning at the sign of submission Riku continued to walk “…like I should be excited about seeing that dip shit of a brother” he grumbled pulling Sora closer to him liking the feel. Ignoring the glare Sora shot at him Riku lead them up the stairs and back outside. “So…how come I didn’t hear you cry out for me when your mommy pulled out the big bad needle?” he asked in a teasing tone “because I’m sure I heard your girly scream”

Sora shoved Riku slightly a light blush on his cheeks “shut up…and I don’t’ scream like a girl” he mumbled.

“Aww c’mon you know you wanted me there” Riku murmured hugging Sora to him and burying his face in his hair.

Sora shivered slightly at the firm feel of Riku’s body pressed against him, his nose twitched as Riku’s unique scent that he had always loved so much tickled him. Unconsciously he pushed back against Riku welcoming the contact.

Riku peeked through his bangs at the smaller teen when he felt him move closer, a slow smirk spread over his lips as they approached the car. As soon as he felt the other pull away he held him tighter and suddenly pushed the other against the car trapping him.

“Wha…Riku what are you mmphhh-…” Sora began but his protests were muffled by a pair of very enthusiastic lips.

The silver haired teen pressed his body against Sora’s allowing his hands to trail down his sides to just lightly tickle and tease. Sora pushed against Riku’s chest trying to resist the soft lips moving over his but he could feel that familiar tingle he always got when Riku kissed him. Feeling Sora resisting, Riku ran his tongue along Sora’s bottom lip prodding them open while lightly grinding his hips against the others running his hand through the soft chocolate locks. Whimpering Sora stopped struggling letting Riku kiss him fighting within his mind to push Riku away completely, but his body’s desire won out and he just moaned softly and pulled Riku to him pushing his hips back eagerly. Smirking slighting into the kiss Riku nipped at Sora’s lips more before he pulled away and began to trail light kisses over his jaw , the smaller teen lifted his head offering Riku more creamy neck to explore. Sucking lightly at the spot where Sora’s shoulder and neck met, Riku bared his teeth and lightly bit down causing the brunette to let out a loud moan bucking hard against him.

“…rrrriku” Sora panted slightly gripping Riku’s shoulders still moving his hips against him sensually. He slipped his hand down Riku’s chest stilling at his nipple where he teased the nub causing the singer to thrust his hips more insistently against him. “…Why do you keep teasing me Riku?”

“Because….I doesn’t like seeing that asshole…touch you” Riku replied kissing Sora’s jaw before nipping at his lips again. He frowned however when he felt Sora’s hands pushing him away and the others lips moving away. “Sora?”

“….You always can tempt me to do the strangest things…” Sora said looking up at him with a smile. “But…I’m with someone else…and unlike you…cheating on them isn’t really my thing…”

Riku’s eyes narrowed into angry slits as he cursed his brother to death, he grunted before moving away from Sora and stomping to the driver’s side getting into the car and slamming the door shut. Wincing a bit Sora got into the car closing the door with not as much force and sat back in silence as Riku drove off back to his apartment.

Once the pair got back home Riku ignored the other barricading himself in his room locking the door. Sora only sighed before he set about cleaning up, losing himself on his own thoughts, however before he could get too far he heard soft singing coming from Riku’s room, he turned the water off that he was using to wash the dishes and listened in.

“I'm sorry for all the tears you cried…Could you forgive me for all the endless nights I kept you waiting?” came Riku’s voice floating down the hallway with the light strumming of a guitar in the background, the over all tone was very subdued and light “Would you believe me when I say I’m sorry?...Sorry I broke your heart…But most of all I wanna say I’m sorry ….I’m sorry I didn't say goodbye...”

Like a moth drawn to the flame Sora found himself walking down the hall to the singer’s room. He paused at the door before he slid down and sat outside of it , continuing to listen to the song that seem as if it was just being sang….strait from the heart.
“As I go threw life now I’ve come to realize …that life was much more brighter when you were here…now I’m not asking you to take me back , all I’m asking ….is give me that chance to repent for the sorrows I brought….please baby just give me that small chance”

“Is that all you wanted Riku? A chance?” Sora whispered looking up into the air “…you’d be surprised Riku….because all you have to do is tell me why…”

“The passion I once held for you faded away like a forgotten memory.” Inside the room Riku was lost in his song, he didn’t know where the tune or melody was coming from , he didn’t know where the words formed, all he knew is what he was singing was everything that was going on in his mind…in his heart….everything that he wished Sora could understand “I left you to stand in the rain… your tears washing away as your life fell apart….I stepped on your shredded heart , I let the crimson blood slip threw my fingers , for I held no remorse for your pain…”

Riku shook his head as he played , it was all coming together…he wanted his Sora back, not just because of jealousy….but because he knew…Sora was meant to be with him…and he would be damned if anything stood in his way “But most of all I wanna say I’m sorry”

“I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye...”

Riku lightly strummed at his guitar no longer singing anymore; he stared at the strings as he strummed them watching them vibrate. His mind was just a whirlwind of thoughts, almost as if the answer he was looking for was there…but he couldn’t grasp it…the answer…his salvation…all there and yet he couldn’t see it. He knew what he wanted…so for now, he decided that would have to do.

The singer rose from his spot setting his instrument next to his bed. As he stretched he walked over to his door opening it quickly, he smirked when he heard a familiar squeak.

“Did my wonderful singing engage you that much?” Riku asked his smirk still in place.

Sora looked up sprawled on the floor and offered a sheepish grin, he got up smiling slightly “…it was …really good you know...”

“Of course it was” Riku responded turning on his heel walking into his closet, he began to pull different bits of clothing down, he’d look at it before tossing it over his shoulder with a shake of his head. Sora watched curiously from the doorway wondering what the silver haired male was doing, he squeaked suddenly when a bundle of clothing smacked him in the face “here…put that on for the mall and the performance…I’m sure Seph will love you in them…”

Sora frowned slightly and took a look at the clothing his frown disappearing and a look of mortified shock settled over his features. “…y-y-you want me to put THIS on?!”

THIS was a pair of tiny leather shorts with a matching black leather vest, a pair of lacy garters held up the silk black and red stockings with matching boots, the shirt worn underneath the vest was a black mesh long sleeved shirt that wound up around Sora’s hands forming fingerless gloves.

“I think it would look sexy on you” Riku replied with an almost sadistic smirk “what’s wrong with it?”

Sora continued to stare at the skimpy outfit “it…it looks like something you wear in a porn movie! I can’t go out like this” he looked back at Riku and scowled “Riku I’m not going out like this! I look like a man whore!”

The singer only smirked a bit before he walked over and pulled Sora into the closet. “well ...either you put it on...or I get to have free groping rights...” he said his smirk growing wider.

“oh so you’re going to ask me this time?” Sora said dryly. Riku just continued to smirk at him , he reached out and grabbed Sora’s ass lightly kneading the mound of flesh. The brunet’s eyes grew wide and a light blush spread over his cheeks. “Riku...”

Riku’s hand lightly massaged him a bit pulling him closer until their crotches touched. Sora let out a gasp while Riku made a soft humming noise slightly akin to pleasure. Slowly, almost deliberately Riku began to grind against Sora, causing the blush on his cheeks to darken. Suddenly Sora pushed Riku up against the door of the closet, his smaller body still pressed up against the wayward singer. A bit speechless and slightly shocked, he lightly thrusted his hips against Sora’s making the other teen whimper. A shiver tore through the silver haired teen’s body, he felt his cock begin to tingle and swell, hardening. A warm hand enclosed around his clothed cock making him cry out softly “Sora...don’t start something you’re not going to finish...” he panted out before he moaned.

Sora looked at him, yet his hand slowly started to stroke Riku as if he had never heard him. “...you mean...just like you do to me? ...you always start something...and yet never finish it” he hissed.

Aqua eyes rolled back and a whimper of pained bliss slipped past Riku’s lips “...it’s my way of showing how bad I want-..”

The other cut him off almost savagely with a hard, painful squeeze “you mean how bad you want to fuck me again...that’s all you’ve shown me...how bad you want to fuck me...not how bad you want me back for something more” with that Sora let Riku go and moved away. Riku growled and leaned his head back lightly banging it on the wall in frustration...but as Sora walked away his eyes caught the front of Sora’s pants and saw something that softened Sora’s words.

Almost two hours later, they finally met up with the rest of the group. Riku had kept on his clothing from earlier but he did add a touch of eyeliner and a dust of black shimmer powder to his cheeks and shoulders. He also put on a baseball cap and a pair of black sunglasses as a sort of disguise, more or less as a bit of protection from rabid fan girls. As the two approached the others, they could see Sephiroth and Cloud talking almost intimately close while Leon was turned away fiddling with the stings of his guitar. A dark scowl was set on the man’s face as he tweaked and manipulated the strings. Riku arched an eyebrow before he looked over at Seph his eyebrow raising more. Sephiroth and Cloud both appeared to be in deep conversation, Cloud would occasional flick back a piece of hair as the two talked, Riku smirked a bit, Sephiroth seemed to sense it and he looked up glaring before his eyes settled on Sora...and his glare turned into a look of utter and complete (but pleasant) surprise.

Riku had forced the younger teen to put on make up, despite Sora’s constant complaints and squirming, he had succeeded. Sora’s eyes were lined with black liner just brushed over with sheer shimmering black glitter causing his large eyes to stand out and glow with an almost smokey feel to them. He brushed a bit of cherry tinted gloss onto the brunet’s lips making them look pouty and soft. Sephiroth’s eyes ran over Sora’s body and he licked his lips. Cloud frowned a bit before he looked over his shoulder trying to see what had caused Sephiroth to look away, when he saw Sora his mouth dropped in shock.

“holy...shit” cloud muttered , Leon looked up hearing cloud before he saw Sora and like the rest his mouth dropped.

Sora blushed a bit at the looks he got before he raised his chin a bit and continued to walk trying to look confident, almost as if he did this everyday. Riku followed him with a smirk openly admiring Sora’s ass before he looked up at Seph and locked eyes with him. Sephiroth narrowed his eyes a bit and gave Riku a suspicious look causing the smirk to grow. The brunette looked at the group before he smiled just slightly “sorry we’re late...”

“Sora didn’t want to sit still long enough for me to help him with his make-up” Riku finished. He took off his sunglasses and looked Sora over before looking at the group “so what do you think of my handy work?”

Cloud walked over to Riku before he smacked him upside the head as he shook his head “you should have saved if for when we actually got close to our performance time...he’s going to draw attention, next thing you know you’ll be swamped by squealing fan girls”

“Nothing we can do about it now” Sephiroth said quietly before he moved over to Sora and lifted his chin up planting a kiss on the others delectable lips. Riku’s eyes narrowed into dangerous slits before he scoffed and looked away muttering darkly to himself. Sephiroth smirked into the kiss slowly deepening it slipping his tongue into the smaller teens mouth.

Sora whimpered a bit before he lightly pushed Sephiroth back “...so I guess you like the outfit?”

“I’m going to find it difficult to not take you to a secluded corner and have my way with you” he murmured seductively.

A bright blush settled on Sora’s cheeks as he moved away from the taller man. He looked over at Riku seeing that the singer had his arms crossed and looked as if he were lost in his own thoughts. With a bit of a sigh Sora took Sephiroth’s hand and lightly tugged on it “if we’re in a mall ...we might as well go shopping right?”

With a bit of a smile the silver haired manager smiled and let Sora lead him on. Riku and the others followed close behind; Riku kept a distance though and had a very thoughtful look on his face. Cloud and Leon were unusually quiet...well unusual for Leon, both seemed to be keeping a distance from the other and Cloud would occasionally look up at the tall manager before he looked away quickly.

For what seemed like an eternity the group made their way around almost every inch of the mall. Sora seemed to be more alive and cheerful then Riku had ever seen him in a very long while. The small brunette would run back and forth looking at everything from clothing, stuffed animals, candy and other miscellaneous things. Soon Seph found himself carrying bags of clothing and candy as he tried to keep up with the other.

Sora stopped at one store particularly and stared at it almost in awe. It was called “cat of nine tales”, it was, in short,...an adult store. “...I’m going to go look in here...”

Sephiroth flopped onto one of the benches setting all the bags down, he lightly wiped at his forehead before he just waved Sora off “I’ll be out here resting...” he muttered before he covered his eyes with his hand and slumped a bit. Riku watched Seph before he smirked and followed Sora.

He pushed aside a curtain of beads and satin and walked inside. Immediately the scent of sex and lube reached his nose and he breathed it in deeply. Riku wandered about glancing at the various toys and costumes that lined the walls, he paused to finger a large vibrator with metal studs. “hmm..niffty...”

“You know if you want you can give it a trial run” Said a clearly female voice. The singer turned and found himself face to face with a girl with long blonde hair that was held back with a few clips. He eyed her lip rings before he looked at her arching an eyebrow. She snapped her gum before she pointed to the back “...there is a room...were you can...give it a ride...no cost”

Riku was about to turn her down on the offer...but he paused and an almost demonic smirk spread over his lips. “Thanks” he muttered before he went off in search of a certain little brunette.

The said brunette was looking at a wall that was covered with various lubes of all flavors and scents. “Peach pleasure...a wild mix of succulent peaches with a splash of passion that will get the juices flowing and make the climax unbelievable” a fine chocolate eyebrow rose before he smirked a little. In the corner of his eye he could see someone standing near watching him, they looked up before they moved away to another part of the store. Sora placed the lube back on the shelf before he walked off farther into the store, he was looking at a clothing rack before he felt the same sensation of being watched. Suddenly a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him to a firm body. Sora jumped and began to squirm, he looked over his shoulder and seen who it was before he growled “..What...Riku! Let me go!”

The singer simply grinned at his captive before he dragged him , literally, to the back of the store and past the curtains of sheer silk. The room was dark, like the rest of the store, and it had bits of silk and lace hanging off of everything, with lights positioned so that the shadows played off of the fabric giving it an almost surreal feel. Sora looked around himself before his eyes settled on a medium sized bed that was resting smack in the middle of the room.

Uncertain azure eyes gazed up at the taller teen “Riku what is this?”

“This...is a place where the customers get to ...test drive their possible purchases...” he looked at Sora with the same burning stare that made the teen shiver. The azure eyed teen licked his lips before he looked at what was in Riku’s hand, his eyes widened a bit but before he could protest silk soft lips caressed his own followed soon by a slick tongue. “You should know me well enough...that I don’t just chase after someone for sex...I could get that when ever I want...” Riku murmured between kisses “...but what I want is you...I want you to come back with me...”

Riku took his time as he kissed Sora , using all the kissing techniques he could remember, anything to get the brunette to forget about that infernal brother of his. His hand slipped down the others waist to his ass where he began to knead and massage the tender mounds.

“...mmm ...R-..Riku...” Sora moaned softly, he could not think, he could not see; he could only feel. Riku’s fingers tickled his crevice sliding down to lightly scrape across his hidden entrance making the smaller teen whimper softly.

Slowly with an almost snail like pace Riku guided them to the bed and pushed Sora onto it, climbing on top of him, never once letting their lips part. He slowly rocked his hips against the confined cock of the other teen moaning softly as tingles of pleasure surged and his cock swelled.

Sora arched a bit crying out before he began to grind back his own erection rubbing against its partners. His brain felt so muddled and he struggled to get a grasp on reality, it seemed as if every time he managed to gain his bearings, the melodic singer simply pulled him in deeper to the erotic abyss.

“Sora! Riku! Where the hell are you two?!”

The singer’s head snapped up and he cursed colorfully. He moved off of Sora and glared darkly at the curtain. With out a word Riku got up and walked out of the room with a murderous look in his eyes. He grabbed Cloud by his collar before he dragged him off “I’m going to kill you...”

Sora on the other hand had finally moved, he sat up fixing his clothing back in place before he left the room. He looked around not seeing Riku or Cloud, he sighed before he went off in search of them. Not more then 10 minutes later , Sora stopped to look at a French maid costume idly wondering if he should buy it as a way to tease Riku.

Before he could think much more on it , he felt yet another pair of arms wrap around him, he sighed before he grumbled “I’m not doing this again Riku, leave me alone already”

“Sorry kitten...I’m not your little pretty boy...I’m someone better” a voice hissed into his ear. Calloused hands began to grope him roughly tugging at his clothing and sliding underneath. Sora struggled and thrashed, he tired to scream but the man covered his mouth tightly speaking breathily into his ear “Don’t bother...you know...you look just like him? The same stupid slut who left me for some hotshot lawyer...I’ll show you ...you don’t leave me...it’s me who leaves you”

Sora’s eyes grew wider as panic started to over take him. He let out a sharp cry when the man pushed his legs apart and settled between them. Sora could feel the firm hardness of the other male, pushing up against the fabric of his pants. Sora clenched his eyes shut panting hard wishing he were anywhere else but here, that he was back home, that everything was back to normal and he was just going on doing what he did.

//you’re such a push over Sora, it’s not wonder Riku walks all over you like you’re a welcome home mat//

The trapped brunette blinked a bit before he started to squirm harder almost getting his arms out of the mans grip.

// c’mon Sora...you’re just going to give up like you always do, you always give up and whine when things don’t go how you want it//

Sora thrashed harder his arms coming undone. He beat down on the mans head causing him to growl and yell his hand letting go of his leg. “Fucking bitch!”

// it’s just not going to work Sora...I don’t want to stay in the same place anymore...i want someone new...I want something better//

The man cried out as a knee thrusted into his stomach, Sora kicked and thrashed as he rolled himself off of the bed. He didn’t cry out or scream, he scrambled to his feet and grabbed a small pole that was to the side of the room. He hit the man as hard as he could on the back. The man jerked up and screamed clutching his back; Sora watched him before he dropped the pole and turned running out.

As he ran out of the room a pair of warm, comforting arms caught him, azure eyes gazed up and met with jade. “ Sora?...Are you ok?” sephiroth questioned arching an eyebrow.

Sora backed out of his arms before he shook his head “..he almost raped me!”

“What? Who?!” Sephiroth asked before he gripped Sora’s shoulders.

The brunette motioned behind him before he moved again “...can we just leave please? I took care of it already”

Sephiroth gave him a measured look “ Sora, you were almost raped. We need to report this and get that man arrested”

“I said forget about it...I took care of it , please can we just leave already?” Sora snapped before he turned and walked off “it’s not like I’m a little pussy who can’t take care of himself.”

The tall silvered man said nothing as he watched the other walk away. He turned and looked into the room before he walked in with an almost insane smirk on his lips.

Out side of the store, Leon was leaning against a lamp post they had set up in the mall while Riku was sitting at the bench that Sephiroth had previously occupied. His eyes were shut, his arms crossed as he seemingly napped. Sora watched him for a moment before he walked up to next to him, he said nothing as he poked at a few of the bags of things he had gotten.

“Where’s your little man slut?” Riku growled softly before he opened his eyes up and looked at Sora.

The other boy slightly withered under the intense stare before he stared back with an equally intense look, almost as if he were challenging him. “he’s in the store still, got a problem with that?”

Riku uncrossed his arm and walked up to Sora , he stared down at him. Before Riku could say anything however Sephiroth, and Cloud, both came walking back together. Sephiroth had a sadistic smile while Cloud looked a bit worried. Riku shot his brother a curious look before he looked between the blonde and his brother; slowly a rather scheming smirk, spread over his lips but he suppressed it quickly.

Sephiroth glanced at his watch before he looked at them “We have about an hour until we’re due to be at the club” he looked at them, his entire demeanor all business once more “ so I suggest we either leave now and set up early with enough time to rehearse, or we could stay here and rush about hoping we don’t give them a shit-faced performance” he said is words obviously implying what he wanted them to do.

“... I guess it would be better to leave” Riku said with a small sigh, he looked at his other band mates before he arched a questioning eyebrow “so...what will it be”
The rest of them shrugged as well , Riku gave Seph a look before he picked up a few of the bags “the tribe has spoken...lets get out of here”

Sora helped gather a few more of his own bags before he followed next to Riku. Seph and cloud followed them while Leon trailed alone, in the back. As the group walked, they passed by a large stage that had a few bits of equipment set up as well as a large sign that read: Free for all performance! Give the mall your best performance and qualify to win a prize of over $200 in gift cards for the mall!

The blue-eyed teen halted slowly before he walked back and looked again. With a bit of a smile he walked up to, the sign up sheet and scribbled something. The rest of the group stopped and looked over at him all with identical confused stares.

“What the hell is Sora doing?” Cloud muttered softly.

Riku adjusted the hat on his head before he let out a long sigh “ I’m starting to think that he’s signing us up for an early warm up.”

Sora handed the sign up form to the representative, she smiled sweetly at him before giving him a paper with instructions printed out on them. With a small wave he turned and walked back over to the others.

“What are you doing?” Riku asked before he pulled the printed-paper from Sora’s hand and scanned his eyes over it.

Sora gave Riku a look before he took the paper back “ how can you expect me to be able to do a major performance tonight when it’s been a real long time since I’ve performed?” he shrugged a bit “it’s a good warm up and it will get me used to working with you again”

Sephiroth looked over at the stage before he made a noise in his throat “he’s got a good point...I like the idea...” he took the paper from Sora and looked it over himself “ All of you get back stage and set up...make this performance just as good as any other performance...Riku you pick the song. I want you to try the same arrangement we had back in the studio...go”

Riku arched up a bit stretching out before he yawned and started to saunter over to the stage area. “Are they going to provide the equipment?”

“ Of course...all we have to do is bring ourselves” Sora said as he pulled out a pair of drum sticks from a bag he had brought along with him. He twirled them in his hands before he looked at Riku “...and what you tried today wasn’t funny...but...i’ll talk to you...after tonight’s performance ok?”

The silver haired singer said nothing as he cast a sideways glance at his former lover. things were about to get far more complicated. “Right”
Once the entire band had gotten back stage, they waited their turn. Even Riku had to admit that a few of the acts were decent, not everyone was doing musical performances though. A few told jokes, some danced, others even recited poetry. Riku lightly brushed his hair out of his eyes before he heard their number called up.

He pulled off his hat and glasses before he walked out onto the stage grabbing the mic. He turned and looked over at his band before he cracked his neck “Let’s do...Inside of You” he said , he looked over at Sora “Just improv...you’re pretty good at it”

Sora gave Riku a look and wondered if he should take the comment as an insult or a compliment. He did not have long to think on it before he heard the screams of delight, he looked out at the audience and his eyes went wide. The modest crowd that had gathered earlier was now tripling in size as people all around the mall saw just who had walked out onto the stage. Sora looked over at Riku and saw him with a very faint and small smile on his lips that turned into a smirk. With a slight shake of his head Sora walked over to there the drums where and sat down. A few girls squealed and reached out to Riku their eyes full of love and admiration.

“Surprise everyone” Riku said into the mic, the people cried out even more their cheers almost deafening “ alright...lets get this mini show on the road” Riku looked over his shoulder at his band mates before he snapped his fingers.

Cloud started up playing a bit of keyboard while Leon lightly strummed. Sora tapped a bit at his drums following them, he heard them building up the tension before he closed his eyes and started to drum hard and fast just as the two other guitarists busted out with their own sound.

Riku smirked a bit and taped his foot to the beat his body swaying slightly with the music before he brought the mic up “It seems so obvious...There’s something up with us I swear I feel it from across the room.” he sang out before he leaned in and looked at a group of girls giving them a seductive look “So can I ask you this?” he got down on one knee holding his hand out “Not to be forward, miss,” he winked before he stood up and took a few steps back, the girls swooned and cheered louder. “But I think I'll kill myself...If I never know...”

Sora frowned a bit at the lyrics before he rolled his eyes, typical of Riku to pick a song that had something to do with sex, with a slight shake of his head Sora kept playing, he looked back up at Riku and blinked.

The singer was facing him from the right side now his hand being offered “What do I have to do to get inside of you? To get inside of you?” he smirked pulling his hand back before he thrusted his hips provocatively. “Cuz I love the way you move, when I'm inside of you. when I'm inside of you...” The crowd let out hoots and whistles cheering him on causing a smirk to spread over the singers lips, Sora looked away a faint tint on his cheeks.

“Just ask and I will do, anything you want me to” Riku sang finally turning away from Sora and looking back out at the crowd, however he turned and looked over his shoulder at Sora “There is no limit, to how far I will go..” he looked away though And I'm sure I can't pretend, to be a gentlemen,” he bowed to his audience holding his finger up smiling “But before I begin, I just gotta know, Just gotta know...”

Riku fell back into the main chorus his whole body moving with the song. As he sang he mentally thanked Sora, with Riku not having to play the other guitar, he was able to move around even more. From the side Sephiroth watched the performance, his sharp eyes catching every flaw, and every mistake. He had to admit to himself, with Sora now in the band again...things were very different. Sephiroth looked over at the drummer who was by some miracle keeping up with it all despite going into the performance cold.

Sora, Sephiroth sighed, Sora had a way of stirring things in him that made him second-guess some of the actions he took. Though the game of making Riku jealous had started out only as a business deal, he could not help but feel...to fell as if he did not want to give Sora up to his younger brother. However, he knew, Sora’s heart, whether he realized it or not, belonged to Riku; in itself that was a wonder, a heart that despite being betrayed still longs for that other soul. Sephiroth’s eyes moved over to someone else who since they had arrived at the mall was catching his attention fast.

Though he did not know the blonde very well, the mysteriousness that surrounded cloud drew him like a moth to the flame. He knew the seemingly aloof , playfulness the other displayed was nothing like his real self, that much he knew, where he drew his conclusion he wasn’t sure.

In all...Sephiroth knew he had to shift gears, he needed to get away from Sora before things grew out of hand and he did something to betray his family. Cloud had already confided in him, things for he and Leon where not very good. With an almost insane smile Sephiroth continued to watch the performance while he plotted his new grand plan.

“For now I'll play the game” Riku sang , his eyes once more trained on Sora. He didn’t care if anyone got suspicious about him, he just sang his voice filled with tension and promise “And I'm waiting for your move But I've got to say that I never lose..” At this Sora started at Riku and gave him a challenging smirk causing the singer to let out a happy whoop.
Riku was thriving in the song, the lights, the screaming cheers from his fans was pumping him full of vivacious energy, as he came to the last part of his song he fell to his knees and sang up to the sky his eyes shut. he sang it as if he were speaking it to the one person who he was dedicating the song to. cloud and Leon built up the suspense in the song once more, cloud was smirking as he sang along with Riku , his vocals adding a nice touch. “What do I have to do, to get inside of you? To get inside of you?” he panted out the next part his breath sounding lustful and desperate “What do I have to do, To get inside of you? To get inside of you? Cuz I love the way you move,” he smirked as the song started to fade off his eyes open only slightly “When I'm inside of you. When I'm inside of you...When I'm inside of you...You...You...You...When I'm inside of you...” he finished before he lowered the mic from his mouth and grinned as the crowd erupted into frenzied screams and cheers.

He stood up and bowed holding his arms up before he looked behind him at Sora. the teen was panting as he lowered his sticks a light sheen of sweat visible.

Just then though, a loud groan of metal giving way to a heavy weight sounded. The cheering only got louder though. Sora looked down and saw the wooden boards start to tremble, he felt the vibrations and he felt the stage start to give way. With out a second thought Sora jumped up form his chair and ran over to Riku pushing the singer off of the stage, just as it collapsed. The floor gave way under his feet as it collapsed into itself, above them the light bars fell in showing them with glass, hot glass. The brunette saw cloud and Leon jumping off from the corner of his eye as everything else came crashing around him.

The celebratory cheers turned into screams as the entire stage collapsed causing dust to fly up. Riku had landed hard on the ground but stood up his eyes wide in horror as he looked at the stage. Everything was caved in.

“Sora!!”