DISCLAIMER: This story has been written without permission of owners of copyright of Kingdom Hearts, or words to that effect.
Why did he deny it?
He had abandoned them.
How dare he pretend otherwise?
Now it's just you and me, Kairi. Don't worry. I'll protect you.
Riku looked down at the girl. He didn't know whether to describe her as unconscious. Her eyes were open, but glazed over, as though nothing beyond them worked again. She was breathing, but her pulse had eluded him this far.
She'd lost her heart, according to Maleficent.
Maleficent. Now she, at least, was helping, even if that accursed boy he had once proclaimed to be friends with wasn't. Maleficent had looked out for Riku, and he was grateful.
Now it was Riku's turn to look out for Kairi.
He kneeled down beside her, having propped her up against the wall. He bit down on his glove, pulling it off his hand so that he might reach forward to touch her cheek.
It was so cold. He'd always pictured her as being so warm and soft. Not like this. It seemed to burn at his hands, trying to get him to pull away.
As if I'm not supposed to be doing this, he thought idly. But I am supposed to be doing this. When will you see it, Kairi?
Kairi did not react as another glove was removed, this time the free hand fell gently to her legs. Those beautiful legs that he'd so often had to fight to look away from, even though he had so wanted to stare forever.
She was beautiful. And she was his. And that boy had tried to take her from him.
"He took your heart, Kairi," Riku said. "Nasty boy took your heart. Don't worry, I'll get it back. Then we can be together at last." He smiled. "We'll be together always. It's meant to be," he stressed.
For a moment he thought her eyes had shown something, but they were still as dead as ever.
Riku watched her, hoping that maybe she would show some sign that she knew how he felt and that she loved him back. She was beautiful, and he wasn't half bad himself. Surely the little ugly boy wouldn't come between them.
To allay his fears, Riku leant forward and did what that boy would never do. He kissed her softly, though still she remained as cold as ever and her eyes refused to focus again and see him.
And suddenly Riku felt the rage building inside him. Why wouldn't she wake up? Why was she denying their love?
"Damn it, Kairi!" Riku snapped, standing up and turning away from her. "He's abandoned us! He's not coming back!" He was about to storm out of the room when he thought he heard one whisper...
"He will. For me."
Riku snarled, not caring if the voice was real or merely in his head. He took the dark Keyblade, the key to people's hearts, and thrust it into her chest. He knew it wouldn't hurt her. She had no heart to hurt. That bastard had taken it.
He stared deep into those cold eyes that felt no pain from his blade and no joy from his love. They mocked him, taunted him as if to say:
"You will never be as good as Sora."