Disclaimer: I do not own KH or any of it's characters, Square does.
"If you ever died...everything would change."
Riku backed up, nearing the edge of the cliff, blood running down his face.
"I don't think I could keep on going..."
Riku fell to his knees and shut his eyes, ignoring the closing in darkness.
"I...I love you."
Riku felt a sharp pain in his chest, he smirked at the feeling of pain.
"I don't think of it as death. I think of it as a way of knowing I'm alive." Riku said slowly, blood dripping to the rocky floor, "I'll be seeing you again..." Riku was silent as he was shoved off the edge of the cliff; a smirk on his face as he fell towards the raging sea below.
ONE - Rivalry of Snow
-Destiny Islands, Winter-
"I see it everyday..." Kairi said, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks, "Why can't I just forget?" Mickey gazed at the young Princess of Heart,
"Because there's a part of that day you need to remember. His attacker...your heart won't let you forget until you recall who it was." Mickey said knowingly.
"It was a Heartless...or something like it. It looked human, but it was covered in darkness...shrouded in it. Like a visible stench." Kairi said, hate in her words.
"Kairi...just know, Riku wouldn't die at the hands of a Heartless. There was only one reason he would lay down and die..."
"What reason?" Kairi asked, looking up at the King.
"Hey guys." Sora said, bursting into the room, "Snowfall is here!" Mickey just gave Kairi a faint smile and hopped out of his chair, leading Sora out of the room.
"I need you right now..." Kairi mumbled. The door opened again and Sora stuck his head in,
"Let's go, Kai!"
-Balamb Garden, Winter-
"I've done all I can for him..." Quistis said, backing away.
"Let's leave him be, let him get better." Irvine whispered, nodding to the exit.
"Right..." Quistis and Irvine left the infirmary of Balamb Garden, which was a school that rested near the shores that Riku had washed up on. Not long after they left, Riku's eyes began to open up. He groaned and sat up, but his chest hurt horribly. It had been patched up, but blood still oozed out of the wound. Riku lay back down and frowned.
"The light...has failed me twice." He mumbled.
"You're awake." A rather energetic voice called.
"Who's there?" Riku asked, not wanting to sit up.
"My name's Rinoa. Rinoa Heartilly. I'm the one who found you on the shora ya know, you should thank me."
"Thanks." Riku replied unenthusiastically.
"Well that's just plain rude. Even if you are injured you could show manners." Rinoa said, showing up at his bedside. She was a pretty girl. Shoulder length brown hair with a few streaks in it, inviting chestnut brown eyes, a flawless complexion, and a sweet smile. Riku remained silent, he didn't want to keep talking to the girl. He knew if he did, he would grow to like her more and more...and he was too loyal to Kairi to do that. Riku simply shut his eyes,
"Well, good night." he said.
"What? Afraid of girls, are we?" Rinoa asked, leaning in closer to Riku. Riku opened his eyes and was suprised to see her face so close to his. He could feel her light breathing on his face. Riku shook his head,
"Go away." He said quite plainly.
"What if I had left you out there to die?" Rinoa asked, backing away.
"Maybe I'd have enjoyed it more." Riku said, shutting his eyes.
"Why!" Rinoa asked, taking it a bit offensively. Riku had to brace himself for his reply.
"I would have never had to meet you." He said as coldly as he could. Rinoa's jaw dropped, her cheeks turning red. She slapped Riku across the cheek, leaving another bruise on his already bruised face. With a last glare at him, she stormed out of the room. Riku sighed, he hated having to treat women in such a way.
-Destiny Islands, Winter-
Kairi played her happy act for the others, giggling as they tossed snowballs at eachother. While on the inside her sadness continued to tear through her. Sora stopped playing the game to take a seat next to her, wearing a bright smile.
"Hey Kairi, aren't you going to join in?" He asked, offering a pre-made snowball to her.
"I'm just...really tired right now. Where's Mickey, Goofy, and Donald?" Kairi asked.
"They're out in town, shopping. Not everyday the King get's a break." Sora replied, dropping the snowball to the floor. Kairi gazed as it melted back into the snow, becoming one with it's partners again. Maybe it's what she needed to do, forget Riku and join in with everyone else again.
"How...we never talked about it. How do you feel about Riku?" Kairi asked slowly. Sora looked to the floor,
"I...miss him. He was my best friend." Kairi couldn't hold back anymore.
"You're the chosen one! Chosen by the light! Why couldn't you help him fight one Heartless? Where were you! Why didn't you help your friend!" Kairi screamed, her familiar tears beginning to come down again. The snowball fight had stopped, everyone was dead silent. Sora stood up and placed a hand on Kairi's shoulder,
"Kairi..." he said in a soft voice.
"Just leave me alone!" Kairi turned and sprinted off, heading for another part of the Island. Sora didn't follow, not yet. Best to let her go on her own for a bit.
-Balamb Garden, Winter-
Riku sauntered around Balamb, Quistis's advice was to get his legs working properly again and daily walks aound Balamb helped. It was during classes that he took his walks, so he never ran into anyone. It was peacful in Balamb but lacked something that would make it perfect. As Riku neared the elevator, he spotted Rinoa heading into the library; ditching class no doubt. He thought it would be best to apologize and explain himself. Riku descended the flight of stairs and began towards the Library.
"Stop." A voice called out from behind him. It was one of the security guards in Balamb, his name was Irvine. He was like a cowboy straight out of a Western movie. The only thing subtracting from the cowboy look was instead of a revolver he toted a shotgun.
"Why?" Riku asked, turning to face the security guard.
"It's for your own safety. You were going too see Miss Heartilly, no doubt. I've talked to her and she says she wants to kill you." Irvine said jokingly as he approached.
"Hm. I'd like to see her try." Riku replied, standing in place.
"Oh believe me, Rinoa can fight. And she's got an attack dog as well." Irvine said, stopping as he reached Riku.
"Well, I need to explain myself...so nice meeting you, but excuse me." Riku turned and continued towards the library.
"Remember, I don't need another guy to keep away from her! The list is long enough, so don't try anything!" Irvine called.
"I won't try anything." Riku said, putting emphasis on the word 'I'. Irvine smirked and turned to continue his patrols. Riku entered the library. The librarian was on her lunch break, so it was completely empty. The lights were shut off as well, "Maybe she's trying to lure me into a trap." Riku told himself jokingly as he searched the aisles. He found her at one of the study tables facing away from him, a large book set in front of her. Riku quietly snuck up behind her and whispered into her ear, "Whatcha reading?" He was greeted by a solid punch to the face, actually sending him stumbling back. He tripped and fell, lying on the ground with a bloody nose. Rinoa stood up, and upon seeing who it was, begun to say sorry. But just as it rolled off her tongue, she changed it.
"Well, you deserve that much." Rinoa said, frowning.
"Listen, I didn't mean anything I said to you. I'm really grateful. It's just...I got a girl waiting for me at home." Rinoa glanced around, considering the excuse, "Sorry." Riku said, standing up.
"Well you didn't have to sneak up on me and sound like some kind of freak." Rinoa said, folding her arms.
"Forgiven?" Riku asked.
"I guess." Rinoa sat back down and continued reading.
"What ARE you reading?" Riku asked, leaning over her shoulder, "And why would you have to ditch to do it?"
"It's...about the darkness. The Heartless. Nobodies. Door to light..."
"Why would you want to learn about that?" Riku asked, frowning.
"There's a personal reason." Rinoa said, resting a hand over her heart.
"Tell you what, as an apology, I'll tell you all you need to know about that stuff. I was directly involved with it all." With these words, Rinoa's eyes widened. But also along with these words, the lights flickered on and the two were discovered instantly by the Librarian.
"The Library is not a spot for ditching or making out." The librarian said with a frown. Riku and Rinoa both blushed, looking to the ground, "I won't say anything, but you should leave now." The two stood and left quickly.
"Listen...come to my dorm at Midnight. We can talk then...I've got other things to do right now." With that, Rinoa turned and left. Riku shook his head as the bell rang, it was time to get back to his room.