Acid Rain: Chapter 2 Home

Acid Rain: A Dragons Story

Chapter 2: Home Sweet Home

Last time:
It took a minute before large amounts of cheers and tears could be heard. This was a moment like no other, and to some it would be a very long and hard journey to get here again. Riku and Sora seemed to be the only ones not really cheering, for they both seemed a bit out of touch with reality. Riku seemed to be dreading having such a little now dubbed master, while Sora updated his fantasy world of how awesome currently today was. It's wasn't to say that everyone was happy, Venitas was bitter. HE wanted the rarest dragon in Hollow Ash, and if it took a little more training, then so be it. Sadly, no one said you had to be fair in doing so………

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Sora slowly shook his head making even more spikes bounce before gazing up at the still standing Riku. "Psssh hay Riku don't look so glum if you really don't want to be tamed I'll just let you go…." At the very comment Riku glanced down from his dreading daydream. The beast was starting to wonder if this was just a set up or was the boy really telling the truth. He closed his aqua eyes pondering should he believe the teen before his thoughts were interrupted by the head elder.

"Now listen here Sora, just because a dragon wants to leave doesn't mean you bequeath the power to him. He will have to learn to get along with you…,"Commented the older male before patting Sora on the head. "Don't let him push you around either; they have been known to have a very persuasive attitude." The teen wasn't even able to answer to any of the comments made by his master before the elder walked away towards the other teachers.

Sora sighed before glancing at the tall beautiful beast. The dragon really was beautiful now that Sora got a chance to finally gawk at him. Riku had a slender yet built silver scaled body, large black claws front and back. He had enormous wings that were just the right fit for his body, and beautiful aqua-marine almond slit eyes. He growled with razor sharp teeth, and the most beautiful crystal dragon horns arched backwards from his head. Lastly, a long but very strong tail for stirring with odd sharp like spikes poking out from it. It looked very dangerous if you had to go against it in battle, it looked more as if it were built to just stab another with it. Sora quickly stopped his staring not wanting to anger the animal any more than it already was.   "Well, looks like I can't even pretend to let you go, sorry Riku…"

Riku huffed while turning away from the younger boy obviously upset by his current predicament. The brunet tried to make his new partner feel better by rubbing his side leg gingerly. Sora was indeed surprised when Riku didn't grunt or move away from his touch, but instead almost seemed like he moved toward it. The younger male wanted to ask about why that seemed that way before his thoughts were cut off by his older brother.

"Well, looks like you got a new pet; I would start training it as soon as possible if I were you. I heard that some dragons just LOVE to eat their little partners if they truly want to get away from them." Vanitas sneered while glancing at his younger pouting sibling making sure to put some type of crude humor into the conversation. Luckily for Sora, covering him, Riku raised up to full height while placing up his very sharp very deadly claws over Vanitas' head. "Oh that sounds about right, maybe I should start with you, and after all you look tastier than this under done one here." It was Vanitas' turn to back up from the beast he tried so hard earlier to capture before spouting, "Oh no, you don't want me, I might just give you heartburn…." while pulling out his sharp black dagger pointing it threateningly at Riku.

At this point, Sora had heard enough. While Riku seemed to be distracted by his brother's threats, he climbed onto the back of his dragon and wrapped his blue and silver binding ropes around Riku. "Enough! Vanitas leave my dragon alone, and Riku stop fighting with my brother. I get it, you both don't like each other, but we all have to deal with it." The silver beast turned his head around to see a grinning Sora on his back barking orders. He paused wondering how come he didn't feel the little one climb onto him, but decided not to show his surprise. "Fine, brown mouse," turning back around, "I'll leave your good for nothing so called sorry excuse for a brother alone." "Hang on!" Sora wanted to protest for the insults directed to his family member before yelping at the sudden shift in his weight. All Sora could barely see were large silver wings spread out wide in both directions. He barely even had time to hang on! Trying to keep his eyes closed from all of the rushing wind, Sora yelled out. "Riiiiiiiiikkkuuuuuuuu!!!! STOP!!"

All was still by the time Sora finally opened his eyes. The world beneath him looked so small, even the bears and other large wild animals still gawking at them looked so very small. Sora found himself smiling while looking at his ant looking sibling still yelling out something that might not have been too nice. "Wow…it's…beautiful up here..." leaning more onto the top of the dragon's head.  Riku rolled his aqua eyes again remaining to hover in the very clear blue sky. To Sora even the groups of people still watching from the ground looked oh so very small. The teen tired so hard to spot his mother in the crowds, but did not see her. "Hay uh Riku can we do our victory lap now? I'm ready..." The beast said nothing for a long minute before deciding that it would be best to just listen to the child. He arched his body downwards before flapping his large wings. Even if the dragon didn't mean for it to happen, his movements came off very graceful and elegant as he soared closer to the crowd scaring some of them as he passed. Many of the towns people gasped as Sora expertly maneuvered the dragon slightly away from the people to search for his mother, after a few repeating laps Sora finally spotted her.

The smiling brunet woman waved as Riku was led to hover on the side of the stands. Sora reached over to hug his mother. "Ma, look I got a diamond! Isn't that just awesome? Pa is going to be so proud!" Yuna, mother to Vanitas and Sora, smiled while nodding her head gently. "Yes, he is. Though I want you to be very careful with him, he deserves respect as much as you do. Have fun Sora, I'll see you at the tavern around dinner time okay?" Brown spikes bounced as Sora nodded his agreement to his parent. "Yeah sure, I'll let Riku fly around a little more before I come home!" Sora shouted as Riku took off leaving more people covered in dust, besides Yuna.

Sora slowly moved back into his place on Riku's back grinning like a child. The dragon seemed very quiet while Sora got used to the turning and other commands. He almost seemed like he wasn't there anymore, except for the mild grunting and growling when he didn't seem to like a command. Other than that, the diamond was peaceful without complaint. It wasn't soon after Sora felt a very sharp pain in his chest causing him to slip off and fall from Riku. The brunet unconsciously fell from the safety of the dragon's back. All while falling the only thing Sora could hear was the shifting of the wind flowing past him and a faint familiar voice.

Following in my footsteps aren't we? Well I can't blame you; they are amazing creatures, too bad they have really bad attitudes. Oh, Sora, I can't tell you much, but always remember to protect your Diamond. They are after all, born just for us…

Riku quickly dived down to retrieve his younger master without even thinking. It didn't even occur to him that the male he wanted so much to get away from, was the same male he was now trying to save. It was starting to look bad very bad, Sora was falling way too fast, and his wings began to ache from the pressure of the wind.  It was only then decided by the dragon to close his wings and allow himself to fall faster than the other teen. The ground was hard and it wouldn't be the first time Riku felt pain from the cruel earth today. The diamond ignored his own pain to look at his arms still holding the safe yet unconscious boy. He seemed like he was dreaming from all of the rapid eye movement that was going on. Riku sighed while trying to straighten up his body, glaring at the even more so lack of silver scales leaving small albino patches on his body.  The male stirred in his arms as he placed the boy on the ground, not wanting to be caught caring for him. Instead of looking concerned for Sora he changed his features to pure hate and distaste.

Sora on the other hand looked dazed and confused. "W-what happened?" The dragon huffed causing those spikes to bounce once more before answering. "Your dumb ass decided to pass out and fall off my back. I decided to save you due to the fact that I have too."  Riku turned his back around so his very patchy self was facing him. The brunet frowned not because of his own health risk just moments ago, but to the fact that his dragon seemed to be missing a lot of scales and in their place small trickles of blood were forming. "I-I'm sorry, it's because of me, you're bleeding…" placing his hands on the patches trying so hard to help, sadly Sora didn't know cure just yet.

Ignoring the boy, Riku stood silently glancing behind him. "Hurry up and get on, it's getting late, and I do not want to sleep in a coverless plain." Trying not to anger his partner any more than he already did, Sora silently climbed onto the beast stirring him west. The diamond followed the order flying in the direction that was given.

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It wasn't long after the little accident occurred that the pair made it to the little village. The towns beneath them looked much like any other town. They had their baker, miller, doctor house, blacksmith, and inns. They were all lined up in a straight line on either side. It was filled with the different scents of food, metal and a strange hint of farm animals. The roads were paved with sand, which gave the look of an old western movie. Yet, the town still gave that nice home feeling Sora adored.  The remaining people that were walking around shopping glanced up; watching in awe as Riku quietly flew over their heads casting large shadows over them. Sora paid no mind to them, as he stirred the dragon towards the brown and black tavern. It looked like any other tavern in this time of era. Three stories tall, the tavern was indeed the tallest and finest looking building in the village. Sora's father built it from scratch as a wedding present for his mother. It was an odd way of purposing, but obviously it worked.  "Hay, Riku land here…woa woa woa!!! Yehaaa!!!!" Sora yelled as his butt was nicely greeted with the hay mound on the side of the building causing golden hay to fly everywhere. The teen, after gathering his wits, poked his spiky head from the mound glancing around for his silver partner. It was only then he didn't see anyone there, no dragon no nothing. Sora climbed out of the golden mess and walked in front of his home trying to find his large dragon. How could you lose something so large, something large and SILVER?  

Sora frowned trying to look in all directions for the beast, seeing no one but a male that stood before him looking rather bored. Well if he didn't know where his dragon went then surely this guy saw him right? The teen walked up to the odd looking haired male before asking, "Um, excuse me, but have you seen my dragon. He's sliver and huge and OW!!!!!" CRASH! The brunet yelled while rubbing his head, surely being finger flicked crashing into the tavern back first should have killed him. The guests in the said tavern gawked at the still living boy who rubbed his head from the attack of the other silver haired male before them. "I am your dragon…."

The people started to get up in fear that the very human looking dragon that was walking into the tavern was going to hurt them. Riku paid no attention to those fools as he glanced around the very homey tavern. Yuna had long ago walked out of the back kitchen to find out what all the crashing was; only to find out her son was apparently home. She wanted to protest about the damage of her son and tavern, but knew from past experience that diamond dragons made their own rules. Still, even if this diamond dragon had a master! Sora groaned as he slowly stood from his spot on the currently destroyed dining table. "What fuck is your problem? Sora roared.

"Sora language!" Yuna broke in.

"Uh, sorry mom. Riku what's your problem? You didn't have to flick my forehead like that. You DO know you have nails right? That hurt and now you messed up our tavern! What do you think my father is going to say when he makes it home! Huh, DAD??" The older raven paused in his tracks seeing his hard built tavern's front door, hell, wall completely destroyed. The blonde and red haired males behind his father also paused staring at the damage before them. The blonde male, Roxas, was the first one to speak. "What happened here?" Sora glanced at his cousin before pointing at Riku whom was poking a deer head monument on the wall. "He's what happened; he well…made me crash into the house…"  Sora's father, Zack, sighed heavily while walking past the frozen guests.  The raven placed all of the groceries on the still standing counter before turning around ready to make his announcement. "Okay everybody…look this is how it's gonna go. Sora take Riku to your room, your mother and I are going to have a word with you both. Roxas and Axel please put all of this stuff into the kitchen, and all of the rest of you, please leave. The tavern is going to be closed until further notice. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience. "

Everyone in the tavern started to move by the order of the male, making their way out or in their respected directions. Sora on the other hand, quickly grabbed Riku's arm making the older looking teen move towards upstairs. His head still hurt slightly from the crash, and he felt very queasy, but that would have to be worried about later. He was going to get a fusing, and rather be alert for the consequences. Yuna made her way after her youngest son before halting in her steps. She turned to look at her husband. "Zack, did you see Vanitas in the town today? He hasn't come home since the ceremony…" Zack ran a hand through his dark spikes glancing at her, "Uh no, but I'll go look for him in a sec. No wait a second, I'll get Roxas to look for him..." Yuna nodded before going back to her treading up the stairs.

Zack sighed while looking at the damage one last time before walking towards the kitchen. He poked his head in looking for the familiar blonde, before spotting him finally. "Roxas, when you are done can you and Axel go find Vanitas? He hasn't come home yet, and Yunni is getting worried." Roxas silently nodded before glancing at the taller red haired male named Axel. "You wanna go now?" The blond didn't receive an answer verbally, just a nod from the other. It was still a good enough answer for Roxas who closed the cabinet finally. "Alright, let's go then..."

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It was around thirty-five minutes later; Sora finally heard the familiar footsteps of his parents coming closer towards the door. This time he did manage to get Riku to sit down and stop poking and prodding at his collectables that littered his room. Yuna was first to enter followed by Zack not that far behind her. They silently sat on the ottoman in front of Sora's bed before staring at Riku most of all. They already knew the responsibilities that came with a type of dragon Riku was. Zack knew more of these dragons than she did, but the facts were all still there. Finally, after what seemed like hours to Riku's distaste they spoke, noticing the beast getting irritated at being looked at for too long. Zack decided to break the silence first, "Alright, we get it. You don't want to be here, or tamed. You want to be as free as the day you were hatched and rather be someplace cold. You rather not be owned by our son, and treated like a pet. Well, we understand that, but you can't go around making our house spare wood planks either. I'm not trying to be rude or mean or anything like that, but you see here Sora is our SON and you will NOT hurt him like that again, got me?

The room was eerie quiet as no human or beast made a noise. Riku's pupils started to slit in annoyance as the older male's confession finally sunk into his cranium. He slowly stood to look down at the still calmly sitting raven. "You get me? Ha, you know nothing about me human…you all think you understand how we feel. Well you don't. Yeah I don't want to be here, but I will do as I please so long as I'm here…"

Yuna was next to stand in front of Riku not scared at all of the immense power bubbling under his human appearance. "No you shall not! You are to be you, yes, but you WILL calm it down and respect us! You are in our home now, and Riku you may not like it, but Sora is in charge of you now. He will take very good care of you. I promise you my life on that." Sora glanced in awe at his parents' calmness in this situation, obviously not showing any type of fear to his dragon in human form. "R-Riku, please have a seat, please don't get them wrong, they are just being parents." Riku paused to look at Sora's pleading form next to him, a minute later deciding to heed the younger one's words sitting back on the bed."

The silver haired male nodded in his understanding, even though he didn't like it very much. "Fine, I'll be good if you say so…I'm not promising anything though…" Zack smiled brightly before getting up. "Great! Sora your held accountable for him for now on. You both will be helping me fix the house tomorrow morning at dawn.  Now that is over lets go and eat, I brought some Colby berries, I know dragons love them!" Sora sigh a breath he didn't know he was holding before hopping up. "Fine Dad, oh did you buy it? Did ya? You said if I—we--- got a dragon you would buy it for me!!" Zack turned and walked down the hall whistling a foreign tune, not answering his youngest child. Sora ran after him, jumping onto his back. Yuna followed out of the door giggling at her family's antics.

Riku was the only one still present in the room. Yuna had been last to leave but turned back to usher Riku to come as well. She paused and watched as Riku walked up to the full body mirror in the room. He slowly raised his black shirt turning his body slightly looking at his bruised, scratched, and battered back and side. She wanted to say something to the male, but paused in knowing he wouldn't accept her help. She continued watching as Riku sighed out, letting a nailed hand run along his back flinching when reaching upon a sensitive spot, cursing something in dragon tongue.  

Yuna shook her head sadly at the stubbornness of the other male. She was to finally say something when Sora yelled out for her to help him get the information out of his father finally. She quickly turned to go and aid her son downstairs. Riku on the other hand glanced back and silently growled as the woman departed from her spot by the wall. He hated been pitied by humans, especially ones who were of the motherly type. He placed his shirt back down and walked towards the window. Once open, he climbed out and landed in the nearest tree, deciding that if he couldn't leave then he would stay outside of the house. He felt better away from the entire racket anyway. It wasn't long before Riku went back to his daydreaming; wondering was he free when he hatched?  He leaned against the trunk of the tree, closing his eyes. He was never free….