A/N: Thank you everyone for so much support. I really hope you guys like this next installment. By the way, I forgot to mention that I don't own Kingdom Hearts or any of it's characters. Please don't sue me for my horrible memory.

Drowning In Memories

by: Panda Ru

Chapter Two: Beginning of The End

Blue eyes lightly fluttered open. Impulsively a hand was moved to shade the disordered blue orbs from the harsh invading light, but instead a groan was issued forth as even the small amount of movement caused a painfully drilling headache.

A cringe was caused as a high pitched shout from the woman sitting by the bed. "SORA!" She quickly leaned forward to hold the now conscious boy to her. It had been such a hard week. Sora had flatlined as soon as she arrived and his condition didn't look positive at all for the post-op hours.

He had slipped into a coma while the doctors had so strenuously worked on the crack in his skull and the damage that had caused, but now she could laugh so hard she'd cry because he was awake.

Sora would respond like how he normally would when he was sick, tell her that she didn't have to worry so much and that he could smile because the sun was shining. She pulled back slightly to look in his eyes. "Sora? You're alright now, everything will be fine." Her smile faltered as she saw confusion instead of the warmth and sunshine they would normally reveal to her.

"Um... I'm ok." The small voice seemed so unsure. This couldn't be her brave warrior.

A nurse passing the room noticed the alert teen and quickly called a doctor. "So, how are you feeling?" The deep voice treaded carefully as he examined the condition of the teen. Eyes seemed a tad distant but what had really gotten to the doctor was the lack of response.

"Sora, I need you to think really hard for me. Do you remember what happened?" Mrs. Hoshiko chewed nervously on her lip. The teen gave a small sigh and shook his head no. Sora couldn't even give his full name.

Traumatic Amnesia. Complete memory loss. Sora smiled sadly to himself, feeling small and insecure with the doctor and nurse in the room. He didn't even recognize his own mother.

He had suffered so much already. Kingdom Hearts still wore heavily on him and now this? Why?

He could get through this. She knew he would.

Riku had opted to stay and sleep in the waiting room at the hospital. Kairi, Selphie and Tidus all felt that waiting in the hospital for days was just too nerve racking, though they asked him to call with any new information as soon as Riku got it.

Riku's older brother and only family had been contacted as soon as possible and Mrs. Hoshiko said she'd act as a temporary guardian seeing that Riku's older brother was unable to get off work on short notice, knowing the silver haired teen wouldn't want to leave Sora.

A nurse slightly shook the teen to wake him. Riku smiled upon hearing Sora was awake and responsive but he grew anxious hearing the catch in the nurse's voice.

"So can I see him?"

"I'm afraid not at the moment. The doctor is currently examining him and wishes that Sora not be disturbed by anyone at the moment."

Riku wanted to growl. He knew she was hiding something, something obviously important. "...But I'm his best friend. I've been waiting here for days. Even Mrs. Hoshiko told the doctors I was more like family. I HAVE to see him."

She gave a small nervous smile as the teen got worked up. "I understand that perfectly sir, but I believe that Sora is not in his right mind."

...not in his right mind? What in the hell was that supposed to mean? Apparently the look on his face gave away the question as the nurse finally continued without being prompted.

"Sora showed signs of amnesia and the doctor believes that it's complete traumatic amnesia. He couldn't even recall his own name this morning."

Riku paled in shock. Sora had forgotten him? Sora had forgotten everything. His sunshine teen had forgotten all the things that made him so special. Could Sora still be Sora without remembering what made him who he was?

After all the commotion had died down, the brunet felt relieved. He couldn't explain why he felt like this was the first time in a while that he could actually smile. He felt like he was going insane. He wasn't supposed to be this happy. He had just realized he couldn't remember anything about his past and he was smiling about it.

Had there been something that he forgot that had made him sad? He really didn't want to question it. The doctor was currently whispering to his mother on the other side of the room while he glanced around curiously. Hmm... Right now the only thing for him to solve was his boredom.

He saw his mother smile when he asked for some paper and something to draw with. Apparently he was a good drawer, at least in her opinion as she mentioned his artistic talents.

"So I like to draw?" He smiled down at the picture. He didn't exactly know what he was drawing, but it looked cool. Some sort of giant key something or another. The details on it were sketchy, as if he couldn't draw something real without looking at it, though this item was unlikely to even exist.

Mrs. Hoshiko smiled proudly. "Yes. You drew a beautiful picture of a rose for me for my birthday a few months ago. I even have it framed." She nodded as if there was something to say, but didn't know how to say it. "I think you wanted to go to school to major in art, but I'm not sure because you never really told me."

"Wow. I just thought it'd be something to kill the time sitting here. It's cool that that's what I want to do for a living." Sora knew the only to find out about himself right now was learning from others. "So do I have a father here somewhere?"

A sad smile and a shake of the head was all he got for a answer before she collected herself. "I'm sorry Sora. He died, years ago in fact. But I want you to know he'd be proud of you. You look so much like him."

"Really?"

"Yeah..." Her voice trailed away as if admitting she couldn't handle talking about him. She opted for a change of subject. "Sora, I'm sure that your friends will want to see you soon. In fact, your best friend stayed here all week with me after getting his things from home." Her heart wrenched as his face lit up in such a bright manner. It had taken him forgetting everything to see that sunshine smile again.

"What are my friends like?"

"Well, your best friend Riku, he's tall with silver hair and aqua eyes and he's very athletic. He's the one you spar with all the time. I know he's the one who got you to make those wooden swords. He's a good kid. He's kinda like the leader in your little group of friends.

"Then there's Kairi, your other best friend and Riku's girlfriend. She's sweet and bright. A very optimistic girl. I know she missed you both very much."

"Missed us?"

Mrs. Hoshiko's eyes widened as she realized what she said. How would she be able to explain Kingdom Hearts when she knew so little herself. If this was the cause of Sora's pain and misery, then maybe this accident was supposed to be a blessing in disguise if he could be his old cheerful self.

"Of course. You've both been here all week. You three are usually stuck together like glue." She smiled happily as she hugged her son again. Even if he never recovered the lost memories, he still had his friends and he could finally start over. Maybe Kingdom Hearts would never be remembered and for that she would pray.

"There's also Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie. You hang out with them at the beach all the time. I'm sure you'll meet them soon enough."

Riku did his best to hid the tears that threatened to fall as he was lead to the room where his best friend currently resided. He'd have to be strong for Sora in order to help him get through this. He made a mental note to call Kairi and give her the news. Although tragic, it still meant that they hadn't lost Sora completely.

Riku gave a light tap on the door and peered through the halfway open entrance. Two sets of blue eyes met his questioning gaze. He smiled at seeing Sora sitting up, smiling and chatting away with his mother. He apparently had some form of repressed memories as Sora doodled along the pile of blank paper before him.

"Um, hi Sora. I heard you may not remember me, but I'm Riku. Your best friend?" Blue eyes shined vibrantly with the stunningly bright smile.

"Yeah, hi! Mom said I'd get a friend to come see me. She told me about you." Sora slightly rattled on while Riku just listened intently for any spark of hope that there'd be something in there he remembered. He took a seat beside the bed, leaning forward to rest his head on folded arms over it.

"Yeah, I'm really glad you're up Sor. You really gave us a scare. I'm so glad you're finally awake." Riku smiled through the tears that glazed his eyes. He leaned up and hugged the younger teen tightly to his chest. Riku whispered against the brunet's ear, "I'm so glad you're ok."

"Hey, Sora honey? Do mind if I have a word with Riku out in the hall real quick?" Her eyes seemed to be hiding something important as she looked to the silver haired teen.

Blue eyes watched as the two stepped out of sight. Not thinking anything about it just left his mind to be happily content with the sketches in front of him. There was one of a dog, a duck, and a mouse, who all seemed to be more human than animal. Why did he have such strange images on his mind. There was on image he didn't know just why he drew it, but the drawing pulled at him to finish it.

A figure cloaked in black wielding a wing-like weapon, shadows surrounded him. There were figures that he couldn't give definite forms to, but he knew they lurked within the darkest areas of the lead on paper. Just looking at the drawing gave him an eerie feeling. He reached down the feelings were once again forgotten as he tore the paper over and over again. He had destroyed that darkness.

He smiled as Riku and his mother came back in. Riku was trying to smile and his mother wore a worried look on her face. They were probably just concerned about him.

Riku stared curiously at Sora's mother. She had pulled him away from the room with a promptness that gave away her urgency. Worriedly he wanted to ask what this was all about, "Mrs. Hoshiko?"

The woman in front of him finally turned to the young man. She had tears in her bright blue eyes. They were falling with a vengeance now that she didn't have to worry about Sora seeing them. "Riku, I know this is going to be tough to accept, but maybe we shouldn't have Sora try to remember anything that happened in the past." His mouth dropped to respond in a shocked manner, but she cut him off before any sound made its way out. "He finally has the chance to be happy again. I know you two had to leave to save the worlds before, but Sora seems so sad all the time and now... He looks happy. I just think that him forgetting everything that hurt him so much before might be for the best."

Riku finally nodded. Maybe this was for the best. Sora had forgotten about his best friend's betrayal and the fondness they had for each other after everything had been forgiven. Kingdom Hearts couldn't hurt him anymore now that it didn't exist in his mind. Sora would still be his best friend and he knew they could always make more memories, but he felt as though he lost the Sora that he loved. The one who knew everything about him was gone, and in his place was a stranger who was a clone.

"Yeah, maybe. I won't mention anything about it, and I'll tell the others the same thing." He whispered the conformation she was looking for like he was admitting defeat. He had wanted to help Sora get rid of whatever darkness was haunting him, but not at the cost of him loosing every cherished memory.

Sora was so thankful he could finally go home. He had spent the past few days being visited by friends and getting to know them once again. They seemed really cool. Selphie was hyper and talkative, Tidus was also pretty talkative and friendly, and Wakka was obsessed about blitzball and kind of crazy but really fun to be around.

Kairi and Riku stayed with him the most though. The three of the talked about what music they liked, mentioning Sora's favorites to him, they talked about movies and television programs they always watched. Mostly they talked about the beach. Their special place hidden away from the world. The local teens claimed the island as their own, that's how it had always been. The island seemed to be past from one generation of young dreamers to the next. The island was a fantasy vacation, with hidden treasure, pirates to conquer, sea monsters to tame, and whatever they managed to dream up. He couldn't wait to finally see the place he knew so well.

Stepping into his own room felt so foreign. He could guess what kind of person he was by looking around the slightly disarrayed room. The doctors said that the memory loss was most likely only temporary after the MRI and CAT scan. Being in his normal routine would be beneficial to him.

Sora smiled when he saw the large collection of good colored pencils and markers scattered across his desk. He flipped through a sketch pad studying his previous works. Apparently he did really want to be an artist. One drawing fell from the spiral pad in his lap. One of Kairi and Riku about to share one of those star shaped fruit things. He'd have to give it to one of them later, thinking he drew it for them anyways just unsure why.

He pulled a folder out from under his bed not really knowing why he remembered it was hidden there. He flipped through the things hidden in it. A thin journal, and few little knickknack keepsakes, pictures he'd have to sort through. One being of an older brunet with a face very much similar to his own. Obviously his father, though there was no name or date on it, he knew that's who it had to be.

Hidden at the very back of the folder was something that made Sora gasp. A very beautiful detailed drawing of two warriors, weapons in hands kissing with all their passion could muster. Each held a half of the familiar star shaped fruit with a bite taken out of it. Riku and himself? ...but why

Riku and Kairi walked along the beach. It seemed so quite and tense now, though he wasn't sure what had actually changed. They always did this together and he had always been fine with her clinging to him, but now he was slightly annoyed with how she tried to touch and tease him. Instead of the usually make-out session they'd normally be having by now all he could think about was Sora and his bright smile hoping that if and when he did remember everything, he'd be ok.

Kairi was annoyed with the lack of affection she was getting. Sure she had seen him while she spent time with him and Sora at the hospital, but this was the first alone time they'd had in over a week, and not to mention that they didn't get to celebrate their one year anniversary. Riku wasn't even paying attention to her. He was too busy scowling at the sun-set across the water for it to be romantic at all.

Kairi's voice rose a half an octave as she wined, "...Ri-ku-uu." What did he have to worry so much about anyways? Sora was fine and finally happy. Sure he forgot everything, but he was still the same person. She agreed with Mrs. Hoshiko and thought it was best if he didn't remember anything anyways. He'd finally be able to move on.

"Kairi, look... I'm just... I just need time right now. There are some things I have to sort through and I'm sorry but I'd rather be alone." Kairi stopped for a minute with an angry frown on her face. What was his problem? "Sora's boat is still here, I'm sure you can row it back on your own if you want to leave, but I just need some time to think."

Damn him! "Riku! Look I know you're worried about Sora, but he seems fine." Her voice was demanding and impatient. "It was our one year anniversary that HE ruined anyways! How could you just forget about that, huh?"

Riku glared at her, "How dare you blame Sora! He was only trying to get a paopu fruit for us to share and you act as if every little thing is his fault?"

"Well, you seem so much more willing to spend all your time with him when I'm your girlfriend Riku! If you want to spend all your time with him then maybe you should ask him out!" Her voice bit back in a quiet angry hiss.

"Well maybe I should!" Riku didn't mean to lose his cool just then, but how dare her to blame Sora. He had been through enough without his friends giving him hell for recent events. The silver hair teen felt as though he was being mocked for recognizing certain feeling for the brunet.

"Wh-what?" As Kairi gasped in shock, Riku finally registered the pain in her eyes and the tears that painted her cheeks a soft pink. She gave a light gasping sob as she hugged herself not wanting to look at her boyfriend. Why? Why did they have to cause themselves so much misery?

"I don't know anymore Kairi, it's just that you mentioned that I should choose between you and Sora, this isn't the first time I feel like you want me to just forget about how much he means to me, how much we've been through together. And I know I can't make a whole lot of sense of anything right now, but I..." He swallowed over the lump that was forming in his already tight throat, "I just feel as if I'm finally seeing how much I have to weigh. And if you ever really told me all or nothing, make a choice, I'd have to choose Sora in a heartbeat because he would never ask for anything like that." He looked at Kairi with pleading eyes, hoping to make her understand. He never meant to hurt he just... he needed someone, but didn't realize just who that someone was until recently. Kairi was the girl, and wasn't he supposed to like girls?

Sora flipped through the journal, reading about adventures they had dreamed up, about a raft they wished to sail away on, and their own hideaway cave. Everything seemed as if it was forming bits and pieces to a blurry puzzle. Sora flipped through the dates and was startled that even though there was an entry every day, it skipped nearly two years of time.

What was Kingdom Hearts? Heartless...? Keyblade and darkness...? What did all of this mean? He read on hoping to find something to spark some sort of memory about this, but the entries when back to telling of normal everyday things. School, life, events, friends... and then there was the entry that really got to him.

..why her? Couldn't I make him happy? I looked so long for him, just hoping that when I did find him I'd be able to finally tell him how I really felt. I waited too long though. Now he's with Kairi and I'll never be able to tell him how much I would give to make him happy.


Kairi actually asked me out just the other day, but I told her I only love her like a little sister. I think we're too similar, we would clash. Don't opposites attract? Is that why I feel so drawn to Riku, why I feel so safe with him?

He looked back at the drawing realizing how much he had dreamed for it to be real. Just to really taste Riku if only once. He had been told Riku was the one who had given him CPR and that thought cut at his heart even deeper. The only time he'd ever have the older boy's beautiful lips on his was in a life-threatening emergency.

Sora was nearly in tears, how could he have forgotten that? He loved Riku. He clutched his head as it felt like it was going to explode. It felt like a door that had been holding tight let through a tsunami of emotions and memories. He made it to the bed before collapsing, sobbing into a pillow as he held on for dear life.

Worst of all he, remembered everything that happened up until he hit his head. Sora felt terrible, he had wrecked his own best friends' special anniversary party. They would probably hate him for it.

Maybe it was time to admit defeat, though he held life dear, it was just too hard to bear now. He was gay and in love with his best friend who would probably hate him for it. He made up his mind that it was time to call it quits.

I can't believe I've already got so much support. Thanks you guys who reviewed the first chapter, I really appreciate it. You guys didn't point out any errors, so I'm hoping that if they aren't too obvious. I hate reading a story with horrible grammar. Though mine's nowhere near perfect, I do try to read and edit my stories several times before I post them. It just gets to the point where you're sick of looking at it.

Gasp Somebody actually guessed my plot!?! Am I really that predictable?

Thanks again

Ru