-1Me: Alright, first chapter of my new story! I hope you all like it, I've been brain storming about this thing for weeks now. No I don't own Kingdom Hearts, or any of the characters. Square Enix does.. TT

Chapter 1

Shrouded in Darkness..

(Prologue)

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"Pit-pat-pit-pat-pit-pat.." The sound of boots running across the wet pavement. "Heh.. Heh.. Heh.." Breathing hard, the cloaked figure ran as fast as he could. The rain was now starting to come down harder then it had been just a few seconds ago. "You've got to be kidding me. heh.. heh..." muttering under his breath. It was getting harder to see as it is, being around midnight. Some how or another he had arrived at the World that Never Was. It was a dark city, with tall buildings, but with no people.

The wind whipping the bottom of his cloak around, made it harder to run. It would seem to get caught up in his legs, and slow him down. His hood fell back from the force of the wind, and the rain splashed across his face. Cursing; he ran under the nearest over hung roof. His silver hair stuck to his face, before he gently shook his head, to rid himself of the rain water. His brilliant aqua colored eyes searching the horizon about him. This was not the first time Riku had been to this place. Why he had shown up again, time could only tell.

"..This place hasn't changed a bit.. Still rainy, cold, and dull.." Running a gloved hand through his silver mess of hair, he closed one eye and leaned back against the dry wall. He would have to find a place to stay. King Mickey not being with him at this time, made things a little more difficult again. The last time he had came here, he had run into a boy with key blades as well. They had fought, but that's all he really remembered. "Guess, I should find a place to crash for the night.." Pushing himself off the wall, and pulling up his hood once more, he set out into the rain and disappeared through the darkness of the town.

Reappearing in a new alley Riku took the time to make sure he was alone. Not wanting another incident like the last time. His head lifted as he was looking for what seemed to be a sign that would indicate that it was an Inn. Spotting what he was looking for, he made his way across the street, and over to the Inn door. It was one of those self doing things. As long as you gave the Inn money, you could stay in any room, for how ever long the person chose. He put his hands in his cloak pockets searching for money. Hearing the familiar jingle he took out a few coins and inserted them into the slot, hearing the door click, Riku was able to turn the door knob and enter.

"Well, that was easy enough.." He thought to himself. His boots hardly making any sounds as he took to one of the hallways containing many doors to the rooms. All the rooms were surprisingly luxurious. Picking the huge oak door, he quickly took to the room. It was very welcoming, a small fire place, huge king size bed with canopy curtains hanging down. Plush carpet, a table in the corner for sitting things on, and a reclining chair. "Not bad.. Not bad at all.." He said, while pulling away his hood. Tonight he would be able to relax for the first time in a long time.

His eyes weren't exactly used to the dim lighting, it felt too weird. Luckily his silver locks covered his eyes most of the time. Taking one last look around the room, he took notice of another door. "Ah, must be the bathroom.." Smiling faintly, he made his way over to the door, and pushed open the door. He put his hand on the wall searching for a light switch. Feeling a button, he pushed it in. The lights came on. Sure enough he was right. Beautiful tile floors, with marble sinks. "Hmm.. Bit too fancy of a bathroom for me, but it'll work for the time being."

His gaze was then averted to the bathtub. It was one of those with jets, and could fit two or three people. "Damn.. What the hell do they call them.." Riku thought to himself, trying to remember the name. "Gaah.. Forget it. It's not important anyway.." Riku said waving his hand as if dismissing the tub.

"Hmm.. Maybe I'll take a bath.." He began to disrobe. Taking off his gloves and setting them down on the counter top. Bending over he slipped out of his boots, and unzipped his cloak hanging it on the door hook, so it could dry. "Now.. Just these damned pants.." He said in relief. Freeing himself from the confinement of his pants, and boxers; he then ran the bathwater, making sure it was nice and hott.

After waiting for several minutes, he slowly descended into the tub, enjoying the stingingly warm sensation of the hot water. "Ahh…." Closing his eyes, and leaning his head back against the tub, he relaxed. "Now, this is the life…"

"Quite the contrary.." A smooth voice floated through the air, sending chills down Riku's Spine. His eyes immediately flung open, but he didn't see anyone there. "…Who's there.." Turning his head looking around the bathroom he didn't sense or feel anyone else's presence. "Hello?!" Riku stoop up, grabbing a towel situating it around his waist. Stepping out of the tub, and opening the bathroom door he stuck his head out the door to see if anyone had entered his room. "..Is any one there?" He spoke out loud. Hoping that no one was indeed there. Yet still wanting to know who the voice belonged too.

After waiting awhile, and not hearing the voice again, he decided that he must have been hearing things and needed some sleep. Though before he could rest, he was to wash his coat, and under clothing. Washing his clothes, wasn't the most fun thing to do, but it had to be done, if he wanted to feel clean. Which he did. Pulling the chair from the table in the corner, he set it up in front of the fire place, that he had started so he could dry his clothes. Quickly walking back to the bathroom, and then back out with is cloak, pants, and boxers he hung them on the chair, so the heat from the fire would dry them in no time flat.

"There… now I can get some sleep.." He ran his hand through his hair, then to the back of his neck, popping it. "Ah, that felt nice.." Turning towards his bed, and making his way over to it, he pulled back the sheets and dove right in. The silk sheets felt great against his skin. Since his clothes were drying he had to sleep in the nude for the night, but it didn't seem to bother him in the least. The pillows were very nice and fluffy. The canopy also did a fine job of shunning out the light. "Now, this is what I call a nice bed." Re said rolling over onto his stomach and spreading out more. Soon after he was situated, his eyes slowly shut, and he was out cold.

"…Where am I?" Riku said, looking around, but couldn't see anything for he was once again in complete darkness. "Hello?" He said calling to see if anyone else was there. He began walking, to where he didn't know. "pit-pat-pit-pat" His boots echoed through the dark space. "This must be another dream.." He said aloud. Stopping, and sitting down Indian style, he held his chin in thought.

"Don't hurt yourself thinking too hard…" The same voice came floating across the darkness. Riku quickly jumping up, took on a defensive stance. It was not so much on not being able to see, it was the fact he had no weapons on him at the time.

"Who's there?" Riku calmly said, trying to keep his cool. It was only a dream. That's all he had to remember.

"Surely, you haven't forgotten me already?" He voice was taunting him slightly. He hated it when someone was taunting him. "Who ever you are, show your self!" Riku was now waving his hands about him, trying to find maybe a wall, or something to hang on to.

"Now, now Riku, is that anyway to talk to your master?" Riku took a step back. Why hadn't he realized it before. "Ansem!"

"Bingo, we have a winner; of course a smart lad like yourself should be able to figure out anything." Ansem was mocking him. Riku felt uneasy. How in the world was this happening.

"Oh, did I forget to mention, that when I said I was coming back, that I could haunt you through your dreams?" He was chuckling to himself. Riku was now clenching his fists. "So it was you earlier that I heard." Ansem still hadn't shown himself to Riku yet. Riku was slightly thankful for that, but he knew it was going to be inevitable. He could feel Ansem's eyes watching him, every move he made, he knew Ansem know.

"I can sense your nervousness.. The darkness in your heart, is still there. Thus why I am still here.. As long as you have the darkness in you. You can never escape me." Ansem said, stepping out of the Darkness for Riku to see. Riku took a few steps back, but hit something behind him. A wall. "Oh.. Great. So your telling me, that I have to keep putting up with your lame ass.."

"Yes." Ansem said grinning with mischief. His movement was undetected by Riku, only until Ansem was face to face with him. "Wha--" Riku was already backed against the wall, so escaping didn't come easy. Ansem's lips curved into an evil smirk. His eyes narrowing, as they began to roam Riku's figure.

"My.. You've grown since the last time I saw you face to face.." He took hold of Riku's chin, and made him move his head side to side, so he could get a better look. Riku began to growl, and slapped Ansem's hand away. "Don't touch me.." His voice was low and warning.

"Ooo.. Temper.. Temper.." Ansem's silver hair spilled over his shoulder as he bent down more to Riku's height. He still wore the same clothes. Riku's eyes began to widen, as he felt something warm brush against his legs. He quickly realized that Ansem was trying to bind him to the wall with darkness. "Ansem!" He began to struggle, and was able to push free from the binds, as he ducked under Ansem's arms to run, he was caught by the scruff of his shirt. "Damn it.." Riku was now starting to become mortifying.

"In a hurry to leave me so soon? But I thought you missed me.." Ansem taking a hold of Riku and pulling him close to him so he could make the boy face him. Riku wasn't going to comply that easily, and took his hands to push off of Ansem. Though he didn't even move. Ansem was as solid as a rock. "What the--" Riku was cut off by Ansem though.

"Surprised? Your not as strong in you dreams as you are in real life." His eyes glimmering with something more then just mischief. Riku didn't like the look of that. "What do you want with me?"

Riku was slowly starting to lose his nerve. He wanted to wake up. "I simply want you Riku.." Ansem took Riku's lips with his own. Riku's eyes grew larger then saucers. At least the felt that way. Shutting his eyes tightly he screamed mentally. He shot up, breathing hard. Looking around him, he saw that he was back in the Inn room. Taking the sheets and flinging them off of him, he quickly got out of bed and ran into the bathroom. Turning on the faucet and cupping his hands with water he splashed water up into his face. "ugh.. What a nightmare.." He said still somewhat shaken up.

He started to massage his temple using his fingers, to go in a small circular motion. It seems sleep was going to be a whole lot harder to enjoy now that Ansem was back to haunt him. Turning off the water, and walking back into his room, he took his clothes from the chair to see if they were dry. Smiling happily, finding out they were, he quickly dressed. He was getting out of this place, and as soon as possible. About 7 minutes later, he was once again out walking in the rain towards the Castle in the distance. What lie ahead he did not know. "This is going to be a loooong night.." Riku quietly said to himself.

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To be continued in the next chapter..