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Insidiae The small band of warriors would have enjoyed the scenery. The grass underneath their feet was soft, the sound of birds filled the air, even the very trees themselves seemed to be swaying to the rhythmic dance that the four were participating. Of course, they would if the had they been paying attention to it. Instead, the four were cutting away at a group of isolated Heartless. Sora routinely brought down his keyblade in a quick swipe, the small shadow disappearing even before his keyblade plunged into the earth. He paused, standing from his fighting stance to casually looked over to where his companions were fighting. It was quite a ways away, but he still had them in his line of sight so he relaxed for a moment long enough to plop down on the ground. His back felt the itch from the individual blades of grass and he shifted so they wouldn't prick to uncomfortably against his skin. His two friends were completely surrounded by a large group of assorted heartless, but Sora simply brushed his two companions out of his thought. It wasn't like they needed help or anything. It was the same- all the time. He practically counted the seconds before Donald casted a thundaga spell and they all vanished, small black wires of smoke snaking through the open air. Goofy and Donald didn't even need to catch their breath. It was the kind of thing they were used to now. Sora planted himself firmly on a boulder (that really was just rubble from some rickety old castle nearby) after he decided that the grass beneath him wouldn't relent in their effort to irritate him. He let his mind wander. "There he goes again," Donald muttered to Goofy who hitched the shield to his newly purchased shoulder strap. "Huh?" Goofy said. Donald motioned over with his bill across the large field to where the daydreaming Sora was gazing off into the sky in reply. "He's off in his own world again. Been like this all week," Donald sighed, lifting his hat to scratch his head in frustration. The duck-billed court mage glanced at his surroundings. It was beautiful, sure, but it wasn't enough to calm his growing contempt. "I swear, if he doesn't wipe that frown off his face, I'm going to go crazy." Goofy nodded, but didn't necessarily agree. "Ah Donald, let it get to you," he said reassuringly. He watched Pluto hurry over to Sora and sit at his feet. Pluto idly followed Sora's feet as they swung back and forth. He reached over to pet Pluto and he abruptly tackled Sora attempting to jump into his lap. Goofy nearly laughed, had not Sora's face returned to the regretful state it was before. "Sora's been a real trooper until now. It's gotta be hard on him." "I understand that -but still- I don't understand why he always mopes around and sulks in his spare time. He could be doing something important. Just because he doesn't feel like it, he has to slack off- why does that boy insist on making things hard for us?" "Because doing anything else hurts," said his companion sadly. The mage paused in his ramblings to send a cautious look towards his friend. "Every day he looks a little more and more tired. We've been searching for a year and a half now. It may not seem like all that much to other people, but it's got to be horrible for him. I think he's starting to lose hope." He didn't say anything for a time. He simply hopped up and planted himself firmly on the broken section of the ruined wall beside Goofy. "He's 'lost' two of the most important people in his life." Donald spoke up idly. "But if Sora is....How are we…. " Donald said slowly. He paused and frowned at his loss of words. "Just what are we supposed to do now?" he finished, almost with a wistful tone. Goofy shrugged uncharacteristically and the two stared down the road where Sora was walking towards them from the edge of the forest with a bounce in his step they hadn't seen in a long time. He was still trying to pretend that everything was going to be all right. Even the look on Pluto's face reflected concern for Sora. They kept silent until the boy walked gingerly past them. He spotted their gazes and sent them a small wave upon his approach. "Hey listen guys, I'm kind of tired. I think I'm going to crash at the Inn back in town," he said and jerked his thumb down the dirt path, "That okay with you guys?" "Sure thing Sora. We'll catch up to you later. We've got some things to finish up before we can call it a day," said Goofy. "Really now? Oh, well see ya later then," he said and spoke as he walked backwards. "Ah… I think I might wanna take a talk around town though. Maybe get some high potions or see if they got anything new at the item shop." "Yeah, yeah. We'll catch up with you later," Goofy called as he walked out of yelling distance. Somehow, the two felt almost unsure as they watched him sink out of sight from the other side of the hill. What could they possibly do? It wasn't like they were the touchy, feely, everything's going to be all right types. "Just hope this goes away with time. I don't think I can stand Sora like that for too long," said Donald. "Hm." Goofy nodded. And the two hopped off the section of rotted stone to make their way deeper into the forest. Pluto nudged Sora's knee gently, as to not knock him out of balance. Sora looked down at the dog and patted his head. "What is it, boy?" he said, not really expecting an answer. But Pluto was a smart dog. He didn't need words to express anything. He was even glad for once for company instead of solitude. He really appreciated someone who wouldn't lecture. Even if they weren't able to in the first place. Pluto tilted his head at him and wined quietly as they paced along. Sora laughed. "You're worried about me." Pluto gave a small nod. Sora smirked. He raised his hands above his head and intertwined his fingers in a stretch. A bird flew out of a large oak tree overhead, chirping so madly as to catch both their attentions. Sora stopped walking and took a deep breath of the forest air. "This place really is great isn't it?" Pluto grumbled a small and almost cat-like 'Nyuff' at his attempt at changing subject. But Sora understood this, being with the dog way too long to misinterpret. A small chuckle before his expression faded again. "This is getting stupid…" Sora finally muttered to himself as the defending walls of the small town jumped into his view with every step. Pluto kept silent, hoping the boy would finally get out his emotions instead of bottling them up all the time for their sake. So he nudged Sora once more. He didn't react, but did, however, continue his train of thought. "… I thought I was all that back then. Back when I was actually fighting for the good of the universe, there." The two guards standing watch at the gate watched him go by before their attention returned to the forest where he had come from. "I don't wanna do this anymore. I just wanna go home. That's not too much to ask, is it?" he said. A cat pranced by without realizing Pluto's presence. And before Pluto realized it, he dashed from Sora's side and started barking hysterically after the vile creature in front of him. The cat wailed in terror and shot off after Pluto just about slammed into it from sheer uncontrollable sprint. Pluto stood his ground and kept barking until it scampered up one of the stands and fearfully perched itself against the wall- out of Pluto's reach. With a sudden whimper, Pluto's eyes widened and he meekly slipped back into his spot beside Sora, severely disappointed in himself. He knew that even if he nudged Sora again, he wouldn't try to explain. He was just about to let it all out and tell Pluto just what was wrong. He growled at himself, but Sora didn't hear. He as already too deep into his thoughts to register that he was halfway through the market's streets. He didn't even notice his feet stop walking beneath him. I miss you Kairi… Riku, you too… I want to… I want to go home. See you both…And the keyblade seemed to creak in laughter at him as it tapped against his back once or twice in the wind. But he couldn't even do that. He didn't even know where the hell he was. It would be so easy to drop everything: The search for Riku and Mickey. The never ending fight against the remaining heartless. Things never could be easy for him- He was the Keyblade master after all. Evil followed him like a plague, or at least they seemed to. In reality, it was usually Sora and company who confronted the heartless before they engaged in battle. But it was all the same to him. What did it matter, anyway. He'd just keep walking- his feet taking him and his companions wherever they wanted. His mind didn't register the distant but rapid clopping of something against the dirt behind him. He was too lost in the buzz of the market and of his own mind. Pluto circled nervously, his 6th sense already kicking in. He whipped his head to look in Sora's direction and perked up his ears. He sighed and let the wind play with his hair. He had spent three years of his life chasing his dreams, hopes, and images of being a hero. When it all came down to it, all he had was that stupid keyblade that was only able to smack around a couple of shadows. That and his friends. He missed Kairi. She had probably changed so much since they last saw each other. Can
I keep the promise?
He asked himself. His eyes fell to the ground at his feet. To see you
again… I mean. Was she happy? Did she move? Was she still at
Destiny Islands? Did you wait for me? Pluto's eyes darted across the crowd, still trying to figure out just what had attracted his attention. The clopping of hooves got louder. Riku, where are you? He thought to himself. How do I even know you're still out there? Pluto spotted it. Are you even alive!? The man on horseback didn't see Sora until it was too late. He pulled back violently on his reigns to slow the gallop of his horse. Sora blinked in reply and rushed to his feet, but was only able to watch the descent of the horse's hooves down on him. Suddenly, he felt himself tackled and he landed off to the side, his skin scraping painfully against the dirt. "Dumb kid- you should know better than to sit in the middle of the road!!" The horse's owner cried before continuing on his way. The sound of the rider left his ears and Sora sat up to find Pluto laying on him. He sat up and Pluto backed up a step to lick the dirt and blood off his face. "You pushed me out of the way didn't you?" he said. Pluto nodded quietly. He touched his forehead where a small cut was. He took a look at his dirt-covered clothes and suddenly felt the urge to laugh. So he did. He laughed heartily and leaned on his right arm. He looked at Pluto with a smirk and fell forward, bringing Pluto into his arms. "Thanks, boy. I'm just being stupid again. I always need to be saved." Pluto frowned as well as a dog could. "..I.. am tired…" Sora's voiced cracked and he felt Sora shudder slightly as a small sob escaped his lips. "..of pretending. I just want to be like everyone else. I don't want to be strong anymore." The laughter had turned into the silent weeping that Pluto had most feared would come. Pluto didn't move, allowing him to soak his tears into his fur and gave Sora a comforting whimper of support. "I-I can't stand how everyone expects me to smile when all I can think about is how I'll never see either of them again. Keep thinking about how I'll always be stuck in this God-forsaken place!!!" People passing by gave only a small glance before looking away. "I'm tired of everything. I just want it to be over. I don't know what I want anymore. I just…." He didn't continue. He only wiped the tears off his face. He probably looked like one of the heartless, himself. The tears were making streaks down his dirty face, no doubt and his eyes were probably red too. Pluto poked his nose past Sora's defending wrist and licked at his cheek. "….I'm such a wimp," he said to himself. Pluto gave a last lick. "Heh… Hey ….s'all right… quit it. - I think I'm okay…" He lied. But he was hardly all right. The only difference was that he realized where he was and just what he was doing. Sora wouldn't cry. It wasn't in his nature to cry. He was always so happy. Besides, what would Riku say if he saw Sora balling his eyes out over nothing. Probably that I need to get a hold of myself. "What kinda keymaster am I anyway?" he said. He tussled the fur on Pluto's head with his palm and grinned as best he could for him. Pluto perked up somewhat and pushed him to his feet and jumped a few feet ahead of Sora in the direction of the Inn. He turned back expectantly and Sora casually followed. A sudden movement caught Sora's eye and he reached for his keblade. Pluto growled, but Sora shushed him. It was a crowded place and it could've been anything. Pluto walked forward obediently, but his ears were drawn back in alert. "If it's after me, it'll follow me. Otherwise, we'll just keep going for-," he interrupted himself and lashed out. He swung his Keyblade out in a wide arc, cutting off whatever it was that had leapt out towards him. He looked at the ground where a heartless soldier lay dead at his feet. It disappeared with a few whisps of smoke. "That's
funny…" He said to Pluto. "… the heartless have never actively
sought me out before." He brought his keyblade back to its holster. He
returned to the Inn only after spending several minutes pondering to
himself quietly. Then, with the careless turn of his heel, he marched to
the building nearby and went upstairs to get much needed sleep. With an ear-piercing clap of thunder outside, the several bright red marks engraved on the coffins shattered into a thousand pieces. Simultaneously, the eyes fluttered open. The five sleeping forms stirred within the coffins. One hissed and brought his lanky, human-like body out of the constricting 'bed.' "We've been awakened…" "The seals…" spoke one woman's voice as she rose to her feet. It was deep and sensual to the ears of the others and they basked in its smooth serenade. Her black wings flapped noisily, moving about the stale, musty air. The second of the eyes rose as well and his joints clacked as he turned to her. "The seals are broken." "And it was about time- such a long wait… I was wondering when we'd get to play again," said a childish voice. She eagerly leapt out and ran her fingers through her deep-crimson hair. A commanding voice sounded out and the other four immediately shot to attention, "Quise, get us out of here." The winged one laughed and seductively pranced toward the stone wall. Even in the darkness, she could see everything. Besides- that's where she came from anyway, so what did it matter? Their eyes followed her as she raised her palm and placed it up against the cold stone. There was a bright pulse of dark evergy from her hand and immediately the wall exploded and the moonlight flooded into the concealed room. They shielded their eyes a moment before taking in the energy the beautiful moon provided to them. "We're free again. To do as we please…" said a calculating and cruel voice. But the commanding voice took over again. Their bodies tensed in the dark as he shot out calm orders. "Not quite. We've been awakened because the darkness is calling. We have a purpose before we may … 'do as we please.'" The commander walked up to the opened in the wall and overlooked the cliffs that could be seen below. "I feel it too." said the young one. "We have to… to…" she looked up to the moon for answers. Her companion shifted her wings again, "Find him. Bring him back. He has waited in imprisonment long enough. It's time that we returned him to his rightful place as ruler," the winged one continued. "Make him great again." "You've always been a sucker for him, haven't you?" said a rough and scratchy voice. She whipped around and sneered at him, her fangs nearly glowing from the reflected light. "Silence, before I rip out your tongue…" she snapped. "Temper, temper, sweetie." "Don't call me that, you cur." "Enough!" said the cruel one. They ceased their arguing. "We must set out at once…" "What must we do?" asked the young one. The commander laughed. "We must find the 4 Black-winged relics. When we find them, we will find him." "How do we know if it's really him?" "We will know." "Really now?" "Yes. Now go. We have work to do." The five of them respectively left through the newly created hole in the castle wall. They left the deserted castle in their respective ways and only the silence and the remnants of the seals were left to tell of their presence.
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Insidiae
By: TeddysFromHeyll
Sora & company encounter a new threat from the distant past. But then, they find out that Sora's losing more than just hope - He's losing his heart and sinking deeper into the darkness. Can they bring him back before they lose him completely? [KairixSora]
Rated: Fiction T - English - Adventure/Romance - Chapters: 4 - Words: 23,352 - Reviews: 29 - Favs: 13 - Follows: 5 - Updated: 1/12/2003 - Published: 12/7/2002 - id: 1109119
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Full 3/4 1/2 Expand Tighten
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