A/N: Welcome to the first story of my renewed account! This story is mostly canon, so playing the games/having vast knowledge of the games is highly recommended. Post-3D, but in a universe where Riku still has his hair. Because his haircut makes me want to vomit. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts belongs to Disney and Square Enix—I own nothing.

Two years. It's been two years since I've been able to sit at the shores of my own home and really think, "This is where I belong." Everything should be easier. I want to feel the ocean spray and the sugar sand at my feet. Once more, that place has become little more than a memory. At least it was nice while it lasted.

"Sora."

The voices startled me, causing me to jump slightly. I turn my neck to look behind me and see a tall, dark-haired man striding across the pavement to the ledge where I rest. His expression is unreadable, but he can't hide the worry painting eyes.

"Leon." I say, surprised. I'd thought I was alone out here, but maybe he followed me. I haven't exactly been acting like myself lately. Leon stands by the ledge, gazing out towards the horizon at the disappearing sunset that's not nearly as pretty as my own home's. "Do you think you're ready?" he asks, without meeting my eyes. I know without asking that he's anxious of the answer.

I look away from my older friend and look down over the town once more, a sad smile creeping onto my face. "Yeah," I say with a sigh. Leon nods silently, and I know that despite his worry, his faith is in me.

"Sora," a new voice addresses me. I turn and see a boy approaching the two of us. His long, silver hair flows behind him gracefully. I look at him and he smiles at me, a bit sadly.

"Riku," I gasp, hopping off the ledge. "I…"

Riku waits for me to continue, but I don't know what to say. I guess I've been gon longer than I thought.

"I'll let you two catch up," Leon says, leaving the two of us alone. I walk over to my best friend. For a minute I just stare, surprised to see him. But then I smile. "I'm really glad you're here." I say, looking down at my feet. I peek up at him and smirk. "Keyblade Master," I say with a wink. Riku smiles at me.

I look at my best friend before I take once last glance at the sliver of light left in the distance, before it disappears into the black of night. My smile fades and I sigh. Suddenly I'm not so sure I'm ready for what's ahead.

I sit back on the ledge and after a moment, Riku sits too. I close my eyes and listen to the wind rush through my ears.

"I'm going with you."

My eyes fly open and I whip my head around to look at Riku. "What?"

"I'm going with you," he repeats, not looking at me. He pauses, and adds, "I need the training, right? You've been fighting the darkness with the Keyblade longer than I have. I need to learn to fight it; to hold it back…instead of manipulate it."

"Riku…" I think for a moment. It's going to be dangerous. I can't let Riku go out there and risk his life. I can't.

Riku looks sideways at me. "Besides, you think I'm going to let you go alone? You'll need a real Master to keep yourself out of trouble." He smirks at me.

I make myself look back into his face, still gazing over the sea of black. I take a breath and remember who I'm talking to. This is Riku. The strongest person I know. His battle must have been twice as hard as mine, and here he was sitting on the shore with me; he's beaten it.

He can do this.

I turned back around, looking at the recovering city below. "Okay." I say. Riku does a double-take, wondering if he heard me wrong. Obviously he was expecting me to make more of a fuss. Honestly, I was too.

"Okay?" Riku questioned.

I smiled and nodded my head. "I don't want to do this alone. I'm…," I thought for a moment. "I don't think I could do this without you."

Riku continues his gaze upon my face, before slowly turning away. "Hmm," he says with a smile. "Tomorrow's it then..."

I consider that. "Yeah." But it feels less lonely now. I'm bringing a piece of home with me. My best friend will be right next to me, every step of the way. Every journey before has been to protect the ones I love. Every journey, I spent worrying, wondering if Riku was okay. Wondering if I'd ever see him alive and well again. Wondering if we'd ever go back to the way we were before.

But this time, he's by my side. He's not my enemy. He's not the one I'm fighting so desperately to protect. This time, he's fighting by my side, protecting the worlds with me. And somehow that makes me feel safer than anything number of nights at home. I'll wake up and Riku will be there. I don't have to worry anymore. He's not going to be safe on the islands, but he'll be by my side.

I guess I can live with that.

A/N: Apologies for the short chapter! But I consider this more of a prologue; an introduction to the story ahead. After I force it out of my subconscious, I'll post chapter two! Thanks!