"You're doing what?" I stare at him in shock, how can he do this? After all we've been through together?
"I said I'm leaving. I can't handle being back here. It's what I thought I wanted, but after everything it feels like I grew out of this place." Sighed Riku, running his fingers through his hair he looks at me from under his bangs.
I stare at him completely silent, contemplating his words. Finally I find my voice again "After all we've worked through to get back here? We worked so hard to get back and be together again! Why do you want to just leave again? How can you feel that way? We just got home and all you want to do is leave again?" I stare at him in amazement. Through everything our singular goal had been this since the very beginning, getting home together safe and sound. We've worked so hard and for so long, we finally get home only for him to leave?
"I don't know I just don't feel comfortable here anymore. I guess I changed more then I realized. I want to see new places, just like old times, and this time I don't have to hide! I can walk out in broad daylight and not worry about being killed." Drawing in a ragged breath from his rant he continues calmer than before, "Life's only so long Sora, we've been on the run from one thing or another for so long. Yes we've seen new places and things but how could I enjoy them when my own best friend wanted to kill me? I want to experience the adventure with my newfound freedom, how can you begrudge me that?"
I stand there shocked to hear the news of how he feels after a full year of him saying he was finally happy and could enjoy a normal life again. How could he have hidden all of this for so long and I, his best friend, not notice? Had I really failed him that horribly as a friend?
"I see you want to enjoy your freedom to the fullest capacity that you can. I think I can understand that." Sighing I bow my head to look at my shoes "So when did things change Riku? You seemed so happy when we first got home." I looked at him again, standing there in the middle of the room shifting uncomfortably with the sunset as his backdrop through the window. And I start to think about our life. He was always the one that thought big about everything he did, making everything into and adventure in one way or another.
Staying pensive he stares into space contemplating my words. Finally looking at me again he start to talk more confident now. "I don't know what changed to tell the truth. When we got back I was so happy that I could relax again that I really didn't care…. And then I started to remember. Of all the worlds the only one I truly remember was this one. The rest are just a blur, memories covered in mist. I've started to want to explore again, I want to go and do things with my life again." Stopping his mini speech he looks me in the eye, begging me to understand, "I want to experience everything again with full clarity this time. No one else in my head, no stress or worries, do you know what I mean Sora?"
Thinking about it in his point of view I have to admit I would want to do the same. To experience life without fear, pain or manipulation would be heaven. Nodding my head I watch him starts to walk away without another word. Tears slipping down my face I watch Riku, my best friend and mentor in life, walk away without a backwards glance. When I finally stop crying I silently bid him good luck and good bye. With this final feeling of peace I know in my heart I shall never see my best friend ever again.