Title: Eternally Yours

Author: Chronos Mephistopheles

Disclaimer: I do not own the Kingdom Hearts franchise, or the characters. I do, however, own the plot

Warnings: Cursing, battles, clichéd forbidden love, iffy friendships, magical unintentional sex changes, and shonen-ai. You no like? Then don't read it. No one is forcing you.

Chapter One: We were both young

The world is vast, large, filled with life. There are desolate spots, where the sun shines brighter than everywhere else. These places are dry, covered with dirt and dust.

In dirt and waterless areas lives a race of beings. These people were thin and had dark skin. Clothing was made from the pelts of nomadic animals, houses were holes in the sand held up by moisture and pieces of wood.

There was a tribal leader, chosen by a great battle between all males in the clan; the battle occurring once every hundred summers. The current leader bore the name Lionheart, having the courage of a lion and a fighting style that matched the ferocity of the beast. Squall Lionheart was the most power in the tribe, but by decree of the Elders was forced to mate to have an heir.

A first for all leaders in the tribe, Squall's heir was female. Never had this happen before, the Elders were consulted. Through much discussion, the Elders decided the little princess of the desert would become tribal leader once old enough.

Sora, named after the beloved sky that carried the orb of life-bearing fire, was raised amongst the females until she had five summers.

With five summers, Squall took princess Sora to meet with the forest people. The people of the forest were pale, skin color matching that of the night orb. Their leader was never aging; his hair was spun silver, eyes of water green. His form was still that of a boy in his prime. The forest people lived for many years, High Lord Sephiroh having been ruler for past three leader family names. Sephiroth had his own heir, forest prince Riku with six winters. Riku was a smaller, mirrored image of his father. He had the silver hair and pale skin and lithe form; the only thing different was Riku's eyes. Riku's eyes were the color of aquamarine and glowed in the dark like an animal.

The two favorite children were quickly introduced and the two parents began to speak. The children ignored the slightly raised voices of their parents, analyzing each other. Other than his eyes, Riku's ears caught Sora's attention. They were thin and pointed. Sora reached up and felt her own; her's were rounded and wide. She lowered her gaze to the floor, feeling the rounded tip. She wanted to feel his ears. Did they feel like hers?

"What's wrong?" Sora looked up and saw Riku standing closer than before.

The shy girl turned her head away. "I'm different than you."

Riku's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Yeah, you're a girl. And you're from the Desert Tribe." He let a smirk cross his face. "But I don't think you're like other girls."

That inspired curiosity, and Sora met Riku's gaze. "What do you mean," she asked in a hushed whisper.

Riku scooted closer and leaned over to whisper in her ear. Only a year older and he was so much taller than her. Not fair. "I don't think you have cooties." At her questioning look, Riku began to laugh. The sound was beautiful, clear. Her father's laugh was like a bark, comforting and safe, but Riku's was like a rushing waterfall, dangerous and beautiful. Sora had no clue what was so funny, so she sat and pouted, waiting for him to stop.

When Riku did, his smile was wide. It wasn't a smirk anymore, and Sora felt safe. "What do you mean you're different?"

Sora blushed slightly, lowering her gaze back to the floor. "I-I-I was wondering what your ears felt like." She turned her body away from him, the deer pelt dress flowing slightly around her knees.

"That's it?" Sora nodded and was answered with another chuckle. "Okay, you can feel my ears."

Sora's azure eyes widened and she stared at Riku in shock. "Really?"

Riku shrugged. "Yeah, but you have to keep quiet about it." He knelt down slightly, and on his knees he was almost as tall as her. "Dad says we can't let anyone touch our ears."

Sora asked mystified, "Why?" She was barely a thread away from Riku, the two watching each other's eyes.

"Something about my mate and stuff. I don't understand him." Riku gave a smile. "Go ahead, it is okay." Sora bit her pouty bottom lip and raised her hand. Eye wide, she stared at his ear in shock. It really was pointed. Riku pushed hair behind his ear so she could see it better and she smiled slightly in gratitude. His returning smile was immediate. With more confidence than before, she reached up and felt it. She traced the edge with the tips of her fingers, stirring the little hairs there. She felt the point and went down around the curve. Turning herself slightly, she reached to feel the spot right behind the ear, the spot where no one had hair.

"Riku, what do you think you are doing?!" The voice of the forest lord was swift and loud, startling the two children. Sora tumbled to the floor, Riku staring at his dad in worry. "No one is allowed to touch your ears!" Sephiroth stepped closer to Riku, picking his son up by the arm. "Did she touch it?"

"Dad – "

"Did she touch your ear?" Squall stepped beside his daughter, blocking her slightly from Sephiroth's view. The girl climbed up, and clung to one of her father's legs, watching the scene in worry. She didn't mean to make Lord what's his name mad! She didn't want Riku to get in trouble. "Did she?"

Riku gave a quick nod and Sephiroth glared at Squall. "You should keep your pups on tighter leashes Lion."

Squall's eyes narrowed. "Your cub wasn't protesting all the much either, Sephiroth." The two leaders met in a fierce glare; Riku looked over at Sora, eyes apologetic. Sora's glance mirrored his, and she mouthed 'I'm sorry'.

With no more words said, Squall took ahold of Sora's tiny hand and began to drag her back home, back to the desert. Sephiroth and Riku watching the two leave. Just before Sora was out of range, Riku raised a hand and called out. "Bye Sora!" His father and Squall glared at the six-winters boy, but Sora gave him a huge smile just before disappearing from his eyesight.