Author's Note:

This thing here that I like to call "Dark Horizon" is a Kingdom Hearts 1 fanfiction, following the events of Riku's story. This is a completely fan-based view of his side of the tale, of course, following the main plot of the original game, plus quite a few plot twists here and there. The key couple in this story is Sora/Riku, but there is also A LOT of Ansem/Riku, though, it is not the main pairing here.

Thanks for stopping by to read! ^_^ Feel free to review, I love critique~!

Disclaimer: No, I do NOT own Kingdom Hearts, as much as I'd love to~

Turquoise eyes watched happily from afar at the sleeping heap of brunette and red. Messy spikes bounced carelessly in the salt-tinged breeze. A small smile crept onto the silver-haired boy's flawless, carefully crafted lips.

Riku looked down into the pond of fresh water, just a few steps away from the comfortably cold hideaway of the Destiny Islands. The Secret Place, it was called, the cove he and Sora visited since they were little. He couldn't help but glance at the entrance, hidden carefully with curtains of moss, and smile warmly. It was the only thing on these accursed Islands that still interested him, after all.

"Don't worry, things will be a lot more interesting, soon enough..," Riku whispered carefully to himself, "Just one more week, and we'll be free."

Pushing away from the unexplainable need to enter the Secret Place, he looked away. Hmm… Quite a few logs were scattered about the area. Nice sized ones, too. He made a mental note to pick up some later, for the raft.

The green eyed youth began to walk over to Sora, smirking when he noticed that Kairi was nowhere to be seen. Perfect… It was certainly rare to find the other boy alone, lately.

"Boy, are you lazy!" Riku shouted mockingly. When the other sprung up out of slumber, almost in a panic, he continued with a frown, "Having bad dreams again?"

Sora rubbed his eyes, looking up at Riku tiredly, "Yeah, they've gotten… worse, lately," He sighed, "Riku?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you ever think… maybe we'd get lost at sea? We'd get… split up? Wh-what would happen, then…?"

Riku sat down beside him, subconsciously wrapping his arm around Sora's waist. "Don't worry, Sora, that won't happen… And, even if it does, I'll be there to save you. I'll bring you back to shore, if I have to, I promise."

Sora's face went crimson. He squirmed around nervously, but eventually gave in and rested comfortably against the silver-head's chest. Ever since they were young, the two friends were always closer than they should, especially since they were both male. Yes, it was… odd, but the two shared a bond, unlike any other.

Riku, though, wanted Sora so much… But, then, where was the rift in their bond. Kairi… The mystery girl from another world.

As much as it pained him, Sora undoubtedly had feelings for their female friend. Even though Riku knew the spiky brunette had feelings for his best friend, as well, he truly didn't want the red-head in his way.

Scanning the Islands quickly, Riku felt his firm lips curve up into a smirk. Well, he didn't have to worry about Kairi just yet. There she was, sitting on the small dock with Selphie. Probably gossiping, as always, he thought. Ugh, he really didn't understand girls. That was all they seemed to do! Other than collecting seashells and making stupid little charms out of them, of course. Gossip, gossip, gossip. What was there even to gossip about in such small Islands? On both the Destiny Islands, and the Main Island, their only friends were each other. Sora, Riku, Kairi, Selphie, Tidus, and Wakka. The six part-time residents of the play islands all had a bond, some stronger than others, but the only bonds the teens had, other than family ties.

But, still Riku couldn't imagine what could be so exciting to gossip about. Nothing in the least…

Whatever, it doesn't matter…

"Hey, Sora?"

"Hmm?" Was Sora's murmured reply, looking back at him.

"Are you hot?"

Sora raised a brow at this, another blush claiming his smooth, shiny cheeks.

Riku simply laughed, standing up, "It's hot out! Want to go for a swim with me?" He smirked. Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed both ends of his shirt, carelessly tugging it off, to expose more of his silky, flawless pale skin.

Sora's blush widened until his entire face went beat-red. He couldn't help but stare; it was, strangely enough, very rare that he saw Riku with his shirt off. He let out a mental sigh. It was a nice image…

When Riku caught the younger male staring, Sora ripped his gaze away, back to the setting sun, "Sure, I guess I'll come…" He whispered anxiously.

He could see Riku remove his gloves and kick off his shoes from the corner of his eye. Though, Sora didn't stare this time. Instead, he occupied his attention by fumbling with the zipper of his jumpsuit with shaking hands. At first, the zipper seemed to be stuck, refusing to move. After a few aggravated yanks, the zipper caught in the hems of the rubbery red material gave way, sliding down, down past his crotch, down until it caught at the end. Sora's suit gave way, slipping off his shoulders, his chest seeming to glimmer, his loose black boxers poking out to taunt Riku.

"Heh heh… oops," Sora chuckled half-heartedly, rubbing the back of his head.

Now it was Riku's turn to stare. Sora had such smooth skin, smooth as a baby's. The hues of reds and yellows and oranges and dark blues reflecting off of him… Oh, how Riku just wanted to touch him! To feel every inch of him! It was a dreadful, selfish, yet so right of a thought. But, he couldn't. No, he wouldn't.

"Haha!" The silverette laughed, "Looks like that jumpsuit has some disadvantages, huh?"

"Sh-shut up!"

Riku ignored the empty command, smirking cockily again. "Race ya in."

"Oh, you're on!"

But Riku didn't wait for his response. He was already darting down the beach at the speed of light, not looking back.

Of course, the elder boy won the race, as per usual. Sora kept a pout firmly planted on his face, whining, "No fair! You got a head start!"

Riku was laughing at him, "Whatever! I still won!" He splashed the brunette.

"Ugh! You're so immature!"

"Look who's talking!"

"Ack..! S-shut up!"

"Why? We're having fun!"

There was only one thing that broke through the laughter and bickering and splashes…

"Sora?"

The two boys instantly turned their heads up to see the owner of the voice, Riku cringing when he saw her.

"Sora… you said I can come to dinner at your house? We better get going, it's late…" Kairi said a bit quietly, hands folded behind her. She was right. Darkness was slowly closing in on the peaceful Destiny Islands. The sun had disappeared under the horizon, a full moon the only source of light left. Several stars remained, but many seemed to disappear… snuffed out by the darkness.

"Oh! Y-you're right… Sorry..," Sora sputtered out, blushing ferociously. Kairi turned around, leaving Riku as the only one that watched Sora walk back to the shore, throwing his clothes on with haste.

And then, they were gone.

Not a single goodbye, it was as though Riku no longer existed. It pained his heart, like an icy cold dagger piercing right through it. He just stood there, not following after them, the eerie dark light of the moon shining down on him. Him and only him.

He let out a yell.