This new battle had gone on for a period of long, dreary days, maybe weeks, both refusing to give in or surrender. Sora didn't care that he was fighting his best friend, that the blood that was spilling belonged to someone precious to him. All he cared about was the fact that Riku had never let the darkness go. And wouldn't, even for him.

The unique, heart-stopping clang of key-on-key echoed throughout the clearing as the two best friends watched the pain they had inflicted upon each other. Riku hadn't slowed down once, keeping up with and furthering every move that was made, leading this frenzied dance of death.

"Give it up Riku!" screamed Sora. "Let yourself go! Come back to us permanently!"

"It's not that simple!" Riku cried, a note in his voice pleading, begging Sora to listen. He managed to land a blow that pinned Sora by his neck. The two looked, panting, into each other's eyes, both determined, both hoping that the other would understand.

"For me?" Sora asked, hopeful of the answer.

Riku stared at him, his sea-foam eyes searching, disbelieving, and horrified. His blindfold lay, abandoned, where it had fallen earlier.

Sora held his breath, waiting for Riku to speak.

Riku trembled, and it seemed to take all of his strength to force out one word.

"No."

The rain poured down, soaking the disbelieving, numb Sora.

Then he snapped.

"How-" Clang! "-dare-" Clang! "-you!!!!!!!!" Clang!

Riku tried desperately to defend himself from the oncoming onslaught, but Sora's anger had brought him past the point of reason.

If Riku cared for him, really, truly cared, he would have given up the darkness permanently. Riku was a coward.

Then the tide of the battle turned dramatically. Sora was so blind with rage he didn't realize what he was doing as he slashed Riku's arm, causing him to scream. His anger was so great; he barely noticed the shriek of agony that was a result of the dark red blood gushing from Riku's side. And, worst and most horrible of all, he didn't think as he plunged his Keyblade through his best friends heart.

His actions soon caught up with him as he realized what he had done. He stared at Riku's dead body, disbelieving but filled with guilt. Riku looked peaceful in death, an infrequent smile upon his face, his platinum hair waving out around him, the blood at the corner of his mouth barely noticeable. When he realized, with horror, that Riku wasn't getting up, he let himself collapse in trembling sobs.

Because, until it was too late, he also didn't notice Riku say the three words that he had wanted to hear all along, the ones that meant so much.

"I love you."