Author's Note
I'm surprised to get such good reviews on this story! I honestly didn't expect this kind of feedback. Special thanks to Rebellious Turk, Catalyna Cullen, and DarkFlame Alchemist for reviewing. I love you guys! If anyone has read this story before, just note that I decided to change the storyline a bit.
As always enjoy and don't forget to review!
Part Two
:: Day before Riku's Departure ::
There was strictly silence between us, as we traversed further into DiZ's lab, where egg-like pods were lined up against either side of the antechamber.
The first few pods were empty, and I wondered what in the world a container twice my size would hold. My questions were answered as we came across two sleeping figures held captive inside the pods. I had no idea who they were, neither why they had such unusual forms, yet Riku paused, as if to pay his respects, and went on.
Ahead, in the main chamber, lay a lone pod, seemingly more glorified than the several we had just passed. My hair stood on end by the sudden change of atmosphere of the area. I didn't notice until now, but Riku appeared to be tense as well. It felt a lot like visiting a beloved friend's grave.
Riku came to a halt, allowing just enough distance to get a closer look inside the egg. I strained to see the figure that rested within. "Who…is that?" I whispered as though loud noises would wake the sleeping being.
"…Sora." Riku responded, solemnly. My eyes widened when I observed the features of the boy.
:: Day after Departure ::
I would've sat at the steps in front of the door of the old mansion for an eternity, if I had to, and perhaps I did for several hours during the day. While singing various melodies that I was taught when I was younger, DiZ would often pass by, offering me sea salt ice cream without a word. Though food was the last thing on my mind, I managed to finish it before melting.
Very little, nowadays, I ventured into the depths of DiZ's lab, seeing that I was no longer confined by my paralyzing darkness. I felt a tinge of paranoia whenever I left the door unattended, as if I would somehow miss Riku's arrival, and yet I longed for anything that could kill the monotony.
At last, I couldn't tolerate the anxiety.
I groaned, too fatigued to keep a watchful eye on the rigid doors that showed no sign of budging. I stood and stretched for a good minute and started up the stairway. I blinked when I became aware of the lone door to the left of the second floor, Namine's Room.
I'm not sure why it never crossed my mind before, or why I suddenly became conscious of it at this moment, but I figured it wouldn't harm to pay her a visit. Namine spends so much time alone, already, scribbling on her sketchpad and posting illustrations of Sora's memories on her wall- might as well pay her a visit.
I questioned whether I should knock first or not; I didn't want to barge in on the girl. After several moments, however, I knocked and gradually opened the door, without pausing for a response.
"Come in," Namine spoke quietly, her hands clasped together neatly in her lap. She took in a deep breath and smiled cordially.
~::+::~
Its funny how I can't remember the last time I laughed like this. It was as refreshing as the rain on a scorching summer day, or the first breath of air you take after being suffocated. I can't even recall the last time I possessed a friend like this- a friend like Namine.
To me, Namine always seemed so elusive, so otherworldly. Her demeanor, though somewhat servile under authority, was as untainted as her looks that were nothing close to mundane, if not angelic in nature. If Riku were to pick anyone as his significant other, I would deem it be her…
But, Namine makes a great friend; I'm not too sure why I haven't spoken to her before now. As Namine giggled, I fell back in my chair, laughing so hard I was crying. The laughter broke as she clutched her chest, where her heart would be.
It wasn't until now that I felt something was amiss. I straightened back up in my seat quickly, furrowing my brow. Namine grimaced, examining my expression.
"Namine," I blinked, my eyes intently watching my hands, "Aren't you a Nobody?"
She nodded.
"Then, how is it that you're laughing?" I asked. Namine bit her lip and made a face, as if to confess a painful secret.
"I can't explain it," she said with her head down, "it's true, we- Nobodies- can't feel or possess emotion, but," she lifted her head, "being around you, Aria, I can't help but to feel...happy…"
"It's like having a temporary heart," Namine elaborated. "There's a certain warmth you exert." She sighed. "I've searched Sora's memories for an answer or something that would help interpret these emotions I have, however there's only one that includes a piece of you, and it's not one of his memories...
It's of little importance. Unless you want to know, but I'm sure you remember it."
"Temporary…heart…" I muttered, tracing the lines in the palm of my hand. "So, what's that supposed to mean?" I clinched my hands into fists as I struggled to evoke any memory concerning my heart. DiZ's words were suddenly brought to mind.
'I believe in a strong-willed heart.'
We sat at opposite ends of the table, now, with nothing to say to each other. No more laughter, no more happiness, no more words. I started to feel sick to my stomach. "Does it have anything to do with…Riku's heart?" I muttered to myself again.
He said I would move whenever he was near…But… I shook my head. There's something- a memory I'm missing from the Islands, but what is it?! I uneasily got out of my chair; I was too frustrated to think. I headed for the door, hurriedly.
As I passed Namine before reaching the door, she apologized. I nodded then exited the room. I had too much on my mind, too much to question. As the door closed behind me, I realized that my old, familiar spot on the stairs seemed a bit more comfortable then ever.
"Now I'm stuck where I began," I sighed, taking my seat on one of the bottom steps. I closed my eyes and tried imagining a happier place- a place with Riku. Anywhere would be better than here, but for some reason, my mind constantly drifted to the vision of Destiny Islands. I felt queasy because I was homesick…
As I closed my eyes, I could only see blue seas, white sand, and perfect skies. I was soon lulled into a deep sleep.
~::+::~
Riku lay across my lap. His eyes were shut and I could feel him breathing deeply. I smiled and planted a kiss on his forehead, laughing when he opened his eyes and looked at me, accusingly. He smirked and closed his eyes again.
The sound of waves was so pristine and calming as we sat atop a large bent palm tree. The leaves of the tree were large enough to shield us both from the sun.
"Hey, Riku," I glanced down at him, then the wide, endless azure ocean.
"Yeah?" he answered, still resting.
"Do you believe that opposites attract?"
"That's a silly question." He responded, chuckling.
"Why?"
"I'm attracted to you, and we're opposites."
"How so?"
"The purest of hearts," he gently rubbed my cheek with his hand, "and the tainted one." He gestured toward himself.
"But, we're the same," I huffed at his examples; I always though of us as being more alike than different. Still, I loved Riku nonetheless, tainted or pure. It was like a breath of fresh air, being here, back home, as Riku once said.
"The purest of hearts…" a menacing voice repeated. "Aria, sing for me,"
I gasped. Footsteps woke my from my peaceful slumber. In the doorway, stood a tall built figure clad in a black cloak and a hood pulled over his head. There was a young blonde-haired boy thrown over his shoulder. I immediately got to my feet prepared to shout "Riku!" at the top of my lungs, but I couldn't speak. I felt that I shouldn't.
It was strange- his presence felt similar to Riku's, and yet, it felt so much more different…Almost more sinister.
This sinister aura was familiar as well.
The cloaked man, it think it's safe to say it's a man in the least, made his way past me and up the stairs towards DiZ's lab. I relaxed my tense muscles; maybe that boy…was Roxas. So, it has to be Riku… I glowered at the path the man had taken. Hopefully, it was Riku. I sighed.
I wish I could go back to dreaming.
Only a few minutes later, the man emerged from the door and proceeded to move back down the hall to the stairs. I wanted so dearly to call out the name that kept reoccurring throughout my mind, the one my heart longed for all this time. I shivered as he neared.
I spoke; my voice was dry as I called out. "…Riku…?"
The cloaked figure paused and stood in place for a very long moment. I gulped and tried again reaching out, "Riku…"
The man reached up and pulled down his hood to reveal his face.
My body went numb; my mouth fell agape. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't make a sound. I wanted to run, but my legs were frozen to the floor. The man that stood before me was the one thing I had forgotten all this time, the one solution to all my questions.
Memories that I had forgotten from long ago were all brought back to me, in the blink of an eye. Memories of my last moments at Destiny Islands, memories of the reason I had been drowned in darkness for so long. Memories of him…
"A-Ansem!" I shrieked.
Author's Note
I think I'll wrap up this chapter for now, it's getting' late. I'm sorry for the delay, but coming up with an idea for this part was nerve-wracking. Took me at least three tries to get it where I wanted. Thank God for Thanksgiving Break, now I can work on this story a little bit more. I know it took a while for me to get this part up, but I wanted to be sure that I could put out more along with it.
Also, I tried to deepen the mystery around Aria a bit more rather that focus on character development. So what happened with Ansem- woooooo, okay, yeah. Thanks, guys.
~Eyna of the Moon
