Alright, so I understand that this is a confusing fanfiction, but I actually meant for it to turn out somewhat like that. It'll get better, and as the story goes along I hope you'll be able to better grasp what's going on. But, for right now, I hope my (mediocre at best) writing style and the (decent) plot will keep you interested. This is an A/U fanfiction of sorts, and I'm not sure how long it will go. I don't own Kingdom Hearts, nor do I own either of the characters. Reviews and comments are much appreciated and make my day. Also, this IS Riku&Sora, so if you don't like the pairing, don't read.

…

He'd had so much time to think about it, he seriously felt that he might go insane. Forever was such a long, long time. He knew this because he felt as though his search for those friends, the part of his heart that was so precious and irreplaceable he wouldn't be able to live without it, felt like forever. But now that he sat watching the sunset, lids half closed and eyes glazed over with a look of fading hope, he realized that never was just as long a time. How had he not ever realized this before? This endeavor had made him so much more mature in both body and mind, and for that he was thankful. Now he understood the importance of what a person needed in order to live, and stay sane. The difference between good and bad; friendship and love.

As that final thought popped into his mind, Sora dropped his head, the breeze blowing through his unruly hair and his eyes closing completely, a somewhat saddened smile crossing his face. "Alright now, enough lying around …" he started, realizing that the reminder of his love for Riku only made him even more upset that this search was taking so long. He was so down in the dumps lately, because every clue, every last strand of hope or simple fragment that led him to Riku was being shattered or cut. There were all but a few traces left, and his heart throbbed painfully at the thought that maybe he would run out of places to look, and his love would forever be lost in the world of darkness.

"So-ra!" Kairi called from across the beach, waving him over with a smile, her long, red hair glimmering in the sunlight. She had been the one thing that managed to keep Sora smiling since his return to the islands a year ago, empty-handed and heartbroken. Now, at the age of sixteen, he was still searching, awaiting the day that Goofy and Donald, or King Mickey would return for him, and their adventure would pick up right where it left off. He needed that so badly it hurt, and Kairi needed Sora to smile like he used to so bad she couldn't sleep peacefully at night. The keyblade wielder waved his hand and hopped down from the wooden deck into the shallow water, stuffing his hands into his baggy pockets as he walked over to the excited girl, arching a brow curiously. "What is it Kairi? Hear anything on Riku?"

The girl pouted and folded her arms across her chest in response to the question. "Why is that always the first thing you ask? Can't it be something like, 'Oh, Kairi! Did something wonderful happen? Maybe something like, oh, that's right! It's my birthday!'" she exclaimed, obviously upset, but not daring to cross the line. She understood Sora's feelings better than anyone else on the island. After all, she had once had a crush on Sora, but once she had realized his feelings for Riku, her heart had been broken. It was obviously so much more difficult for Sora, and she would forgive anything he did, because she loved him, as any friend would love another.

"E-Eh! Oh golly Kairi, I'm so sorry! I didn't even wish you a Happy Birthday and the days almost over …" Sora spoke softly, rubbing at the back of his head as he looked down at his shoes that were wet and now almost completely covered in sand. Kairi, immediately feeling guilty for even bringing it up, smiled sadly and took a step forward, then rested a hand on the others shoulder. "Sora …" she started, brows knitting together as he lifted his head, curiosity evident in his eyes. "Don't ever change."

…

It was going to be another sleepless night, and Sora knew this from his immediate tossing and turning as soon as he crawled into bed and under the covers. He was so tired, but his mind just wouldn't allow him to sleep. In some ways, that was good. The nightmares he had tormented him, and tonight there was not a chance of benevolent dreaming; not with what Kairi had said today. It was the same thing she had said two years ago, before everything had started. God, if only he could return it to that time.

Grunting, Sora sat up and pressed his hands to his eyes. "C'mon, Sora, c'mon. Pull it together. This isn't you." The brunette spoke softly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he stared out the window, gazing at what could be seen of the moon behind the clouds. Riku had to be somewhere, right? Ah, that was it. Now that he'd gotten his mind on the man that made him so upset, he wasn't even going to be able to sit still. Hurriedly the boy hopped off of his mattress and trudged out of his room, then quietly exited his house so as not to wake his family. For once, he was glad they rarely paid attention to him. It was time for him to head to their secret spot, the cave they'd always went to as kids. That was the place he'd gone to almost every night since his return in hopes that Riku might be there. That had long since diminished, and now he just found it a comforting place of remembrance. It brought him peace, for a while. Riku would never be there, but his presence could still be sensed.

It took too long to get to his destination, and by the time he was actually inside the cave, Sora felt the overwhelming sensation of sleep returning to take him over. "It won't be so bad to sleep in here, I guess." The brunette mumbled to himself as he walked slowly into the dark cave, stopping as soon as he was in the middle, eyes scanning the walls and stopping on the picture of him and Kairi. "We're here … Jeez, Riku, you're such a party pooper." Sora muttered, laughing as he stepped closer and touched the wall, rubbing his thumb on the crude drawing, then pressing his forehead against the cool stone. "I miss you so much …"

"I miss you, too."

Cerulean orbs widened as Sora turned abruptly, scanning the dark area as he tried to find the source of the voice. "Who's there!" he called, voice slower then he'd intended for it to be. In return, he heard the softest of chuckles, low and mellifluous. It made his heart pound and slowly, cautiously, he stepped away from the wall. "Riku … ?" Sora dared to guess, voice desperate, almost pleading. "God, Riku, is that you?" he asked softly.

"You look and act the same as ever, don't you, Sora?" the voice replied as strong arms were wrapped around the boys waist and a face was nuzzled into his tan neck, making him gasp softly and shiver, cheeks tinting pink as he managed to catch silver locks with his peripheral vision. "R-Riku …" Sora choked, tears welling in his eyes as he rested shaky hands on the on the arms wrapped around him. "I've been looking … for so long … Riku …" the brunette muttered pitifully, lowering his head as the silverette kissed his skin softly, only to turn him and tighten his grip. "I'm flattered." Riku spoke softly, moving a hand through the others spiked hair before carefully leaning closer so that their faces were just inches apart.

Tears slowly rolled down tan cheeks as Sora closed his eyes, frightened that he was dreaming. But, when he opened them once again, Riku was still in front of him, a soft smile on his face. "God, I'm not dreaming …" he spoke, choking with the realization as he brought up a hand to stroke the pale cheek. "It's really Riku …" Sora smiled, his tears turning to those of sheer joy as the man pressed in closer, bringing the brunette into a chaste kiss. "Sora, don't ever forget what this meant." He said in a voice softer then a whisper, not giving the boy time to process the true meaning of the words before he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "I know we'll see each other again."

Sora, still blushing from the sudden kiss he'd received, gave a sudden blink. "What? You're leaving?" the brunette felt desperation creep into his voice once again. "No, Riku, you can't! I need you! I need you so much! You … you don't understand!" he called, tears returning to the corners of his eyes for the second time that day. But by the time he'd run out of the cave after the figure, arm extended and voice calling in hope, it was too late. The man had disappeared just as soon as he had appeared.

…

"He's waking up …"

"Oh my god, it's a miracle …"

"Get his mother on the phone!"

"Hurry, call the doctor!"

Sora slowly woke to the beeping of several machines and voices of people he didn't recognize. The room, totally white and smelling completely unfamiliar, was uncomfortable, as were the garments and face mask he was breathing into. "Where am I …?" he asked, looking around, eyes blurry. He caught a single figure staying still amongst all the others that were running around in a panic. What was going on? He couldn't remember anything. His head was pounding, and someone was … holding his hand. Squeezing it was more like it. As soon as the blur was clear, he saw who it was; the guy sitting beside him, a relieved smile on his face. He looked oddly familiar, yet it was weird, because he knew he'd never seen the guy ever in his entire life. And yet here he was, having his hand held like a baby by the guy who, he did admit, was gorgeous.

"Sora, oh thank god. I thought I'd never see you again. Everyone was so worried, and your mom, man, after she heard you got hit by that truck, she was just f-" Sora abruptly stopped the other as he sat up and stared, slowly pulling his hand away and wondering why he felt so sad when he did. Maybe he was confusing sadness with pain, because his body was aching like crazy. "Who …" the brunette began. "Who are you again?" he cocked his head, brows furrowing together as the other boy widened his eyes, a sudden hurt look crossing his face before he laughed, an unrecognized morose tone hidden beneath his cool façade. "I should've guessed …" the man whispered before leaning back in his chair and extending his hand, waiting for Sora to take it.

"I'm Riku. It's nice to see you again, Sora."