Each chapter will be in a point of view (third person) but more focused on one person. Such as this chapter will follow Riku more closely than anyone else and contain flashbacks. The next chapter will more than likely be Sora, unless I see fit to make it someone else. Any ways, thank you so much for the reviewing, and the advice. I know my grammar is rather shaky, and I commonly misspell words. But i'm trying my best to learn some my mistakes and make a great story. So continue on with that criticism and support! Now let's get this chapter started! (and sorry for the late update... Eighth grade can do that to you.)
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Stranded With You
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"Riku, come out and look at the stars with me!"
He was sitting in a cold, dark room. The apparent stench of loneliness clung in the air tightly. Darkness loomed throughout the room in a rather thick layer, whilst no light, other than the stars outside the balcony, shone. A young boy, around about eight, sat on a bed pushed against the northern most wall of the room. Deep, vacant emerald eyes starred blankly down at the blush shag rug beneath him. Legs lay placed off the side of the bed, as he just sat there firmly. Breaths came rather often, and were sharp and short. If it wasn't for the light from the outside world beyond, you wouldn't have even seen him.
And he liked it that way.
"Riku?" A girl, possibly seven, appeared at the entryway to the balcony door. Golden blonde hair shone almost unearthly in the pale moonlight. Her paper white skin also gave off a Luin shine as she stood there, starring at the boy with her almost ocean like blue eyes. Upon her was a tattered white dress, and flip fops that had been quickly put on. Occasionally, the gentle wind came and swooped her hair, causing it to sway melodically in the night. "Is something wrong, Riku?"
Silence.
"Did Demyx pick on you again?" By now a worried, fake smile appeared on the girl's lips as she passed from the entryway into the room. Cautiously, she made her way to where Riku sat. It took the boy a few moments to even realize she had sat down. Emerald eyes followed her every movement as she laced her fingers together, and placed a hand on his shoulder, now situated right next to him. "Why do you just sit here... in the dark? Isn't it a bit frightening?" Her words were but whispers on her pale lips.
"I like it like this."
It was not a kind reply, nor an aggressive one. Just an empty statement.
"But wouldn't it be nicer if it was light?" The girl asked, now stuttering a bit at her words. Still, even where they were situated, the gleaming moonlight's rays caught there forms, and gave them the appearance of unearthly beings. But they were but children, restless and all. The girl uneasily shuffled her feet from their position off the bed, and cast a worried glance back up at Riku. "I mean, there's never always dark.. I mean, wherever there's dark, there's always one small fragment of light to be found. Even now.. the moon is that small piece."
Still silence.
"Riku... I'm worried. You're never this quiet. Are you anxious about the photo shot tomorrow with Demyx?" The girl asked, trying to avert her gaze away from the boy. Gulping un-needly, she re-laced her fingers back together and starred at the carpet beneath her, just thinking. Thoughts, they were a person's only true friend. Never could a thought betray you or cause you to suffer, right? Thoughts were supposed to be heavenly and private, right? So why, why did his thoughts have to be so un pure and vicious? So... deadly.
"Riku?"
"Naminé , I want you to leave." Was all Riku said in reply. He rose his glance to meet hers, still nothing showing in his usually vibrant emerald eyes. A instant wave of shock plundered the girl's expression before it melted into a frown and she also glanced downward, now purposely trying to keep her eye's from meeting Riku's once more.
"Fine... I'll go back to my room. But you're really missing out on some good star-gazing and wish making." Naminé paused before standing up and standing in spot, gazing out the opened door to the moon beyond. "They say if you make a wish on a shooting star, it'll come true." She turned around slightly and sent Riku a forced smile. "Maybe you should try it?.."
"Naminé ..." He closed his eyes for a few seconds in solitude before reopening them and fixing his gaze upon her. "It's not safe here.."
"What do you mean?" Her body tensed instantly as she turned around once more and starred at Riku. Worry instantly washed into her blue eyes as her legs began to apparently shake. Her breaths hitched every few moments as silence filled the room, and the only sound to be heard was neighboring crickets every few seconds.
"I had a dream, Naminé ..." Riku whispered, eyes now open and starring at the floor, as cold as ice as before.
"A dream?..." Her words became restless stammers.
"About you.." Riku continued voice still in the same unwavering tone. "You died." He blatantly said, before glancing up to meet her gaze. As expected, the young girl's eyes flashed wide open before she shuffled her feet on the ground, now avoiding Riku's gaze once more.
"I died?..." She asked, unsure if she had heard him right.
"But it's just a dream.." Riku spoke, trying to convince himself of something he'd never fully believe. "I mean.. it's not like you're really going to die from cancer... it's just," Riku looked downward. "Never mind, NaminŽ ."
"..." A soft sigh escaped her lips before she exited the room without further conversation.
For the first time in a long time, worry had begun to cloud his heart. Naminé was his sister, the only person in the family that understood him. For the most part that is. She was the only person to take the time to get to know the real Riku, and not the Riku Karada everyone saw him as. She was the only person to make him smile, to make him think, to make him believe in the craziest things. She was the only person he had ever reached out to from his cold, sealed up heart. She was more of a sister to him.. She was a friend.
"It's- just a dream..." Riku whispered.
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"Flight 151 departure to Rome, Italy in fifteen minutes."
The rain continued to plunder the Chicago airport, but yet no delays were made. Supposedly the pilots speculated that the small drizzle wouldn't be a problem. Of course, no thunder or lighting was visible, so the only sight in the dreary sky was gray rain clouds and the occasional shift of sunlight behind. The air, however, was a frigid cold, and it made the walk into the airport rather vexatious. But when you had somewhere to go, you tend to stray away from the little details and strive to accomplish your major goal. And that's exactly what the Karada's did.
"Tell me again why we're boarding a middle class plane?" Demyx complained as he, his brother, Leon, and Jeffery made their way up the escalator leading into the heart of the airport. Once there they would be boarding the plane. However, they had a few more escalators to climb before they were to arrive. Riku glanced over at Demyx and cocked his eyebrow rather peeved at his remark.
"Does that displease you?" Riku asked, almost in a hiss. Demyx was about to come back with a more fitting remark, but Leon had cleared his throat un-needley to stop the bickering. Demyx turned his attention back to the rock star and began to sway restlessly on the escalator.
"Aren't you afraid of the fans that are going to be attacking us since we're going through the public airport?" Demyx asked restlessly. He was cut short be a snort of laughter from Riku. Demyx sharply turned his head once more to his younger brother. "What?!"
"You have no fans. The only people that are going to be attacking you are hired hit men to be rid of you," Riku replied rather icily. Demyx narrowed his eyes and puckered out his bottom lip.
"You're very anti-social, you know that? And we used to be so close," Demyx spoke aloud, putting on the fake sad expression. Leon blinked a few times before shuffling his hands into his pockets and shaking his head in dis-belief.
"We're in a crowded airport, I highly doubt anyone's going to notice us and make a scene," Leon explained, taking his free hand and running it through his hair casually.
"And if they do?" Demyx asked curiously, arching his eyebrow as he starred at the rock star.
"Run for it," Leon joked, bearing a priceless grin. Demyx took a few moments to actually catch onto this before he laughed lightly and noticed they were nearing the top of the first flight of escalators. As they reached the top, they hung a sharp right onto the next flight leading upwards. Riku hung to the back of the two rock stars, and behind their butler. But not out of eye contact, the last thing he needed was to be separated in an airport with lunatics that had a tendency of over reacting when they saw someone of importance.
"E-xcuse me!"
Riku was almost pushed off the escalator when a young boy pushed past him, attempting to charge up the escalator, luggage in hand. You see, Riku wasn't really the people kind of person so he straightened his glare and grabbed the þ boy offensively by the collar of his shirt.
"What are you doing punk?" Riku asked in a hiss. The boy turned his head sharply and starred at Riku with fear, trying to break free of his grasp and run farther up. However, Riku was having none of this as he tightened his grip on the boy's collar.
"I'm sorry! But I'm going to miss my flight-!" The boy attempted, pleading with his dark blue eyes. Riku frowned slightly before letting go of the boy and letting him scurry away. Letting out a gentle sigh, Riku rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. What a nuisance these public folk were.
"Excuse me!" The boy attempted, trying to get past Leon and Demyx.
"And you are who?" Demyx asked, raising an eyebrow as the boy tried to get past them. Leon flashed a light smile at the boy who seemed quite in a hurry. The boy instantly froze when he saw Leon. His face washed over pale and he almost fell backwards down the escalator, but refrained from that act.
"You're- you're.." The boy stammered, starring at Leon, mouth gap ing open.
"Yea, I know who I am," Leon replied with a smirk. "But who are you?" He asked, crossing his arms as they continued to ride the escalator upwards to where their flight awaited them.
"M-my name is Sora," Sora replied, lowering his head almost in a bow. Demyx took this instance to rub his own chest proudly and then blow on his fist as if he had just accomplished something inhumanely. Leon cast him a weary glance before placing a hand on Sora's shoulder.
"Here, go ahead of us. Don't want you missing your flight," Leon spoke. Sora blinked, nodded, and then charged up the escalator bearing an intense blush. Demyx bore a malicious grin for a few more moments before crossing his own arms and looking back over at Leon.
"I can't wait to get out of this city and get to Rome. These simpletons really get to me," Demyx sighed aloud. Leon smirked as they neared the top. The four walked onwards, Jeffery alongside Riku who wasn't paying much attention to anything. They continued to walk, and made their way up to where the isles were that led to the plane. Leon was the first to walk upwards, as he took out three passes and handed them to the assistance. She checked them over, smiled, and let the three past, leaving Jeffery to retreat back to the limo, now knowing that the three had made their way to the plane safely. After all, it would be a tragedy if anything happened to them.
"Gah! It's raining!" Demyx pouted, as they walked outside, in a quick pace to the airplane not far away. Riku hurried his pace alongside his brother and hissed under his breath.
"If only you were allergic to rain," Riku remarked. Demyx glared back, puckering out his bottom lip once more.
"I'm not even going to say anything," Demyx made known as they walked up the stairs into the plane. Leon shot them back a glance and then chuckled lightly. "What's so funny?" Demyx asked, in a completely different, almost innocent voice. Leon shook his head as they walked down the isle of the plane, searching for their seats. Demyx had A24, Leon A25 and Riku A21.
"You remind me of my friend and his brother, that's all," Leon smirked. Demyx spotted their seats and rapidly sat down, his being closet to the window. Demyx stretched out his arms and leaned back into the plushie air chair and let a gentle smile roll across his lips.
"You were right, no one did notice us," Demyx spoke. "Except for that one kid," Demyx remembered. "But that's a first for me! Usually the ladies are flocking to me," Now he was just grinning from excitement. Riku walked past by the now seated Leon and Demyx and whispered to Demyx before he walked to his seat, two rows back.
"Don't get sucked out," He whispered tauntingly before walking down further. Demyx scowled and rolled his eyes. By now Leon was holding back loads of built up laughter. Never before had he seen two brother's quarrel this much for no reason. It was like their job was to fight for no apparent reason. Then again, it was quite amusing to the rock star, and a change in his usually busy life. In fact, it was rather nice to take a step back once and watch another's life instead of worrying so much about his own.
"Excuse me, is that seat A20?"
Riku was broken away from his absentmindedly starring out the window by a sudden stranger. His gruff voice had broken Riku away instantly, and his vibrant blonde hair caused Riku to hesitantly nod. The man took the seat, and placed his leather bag onto his lap. He began to busily search through it, now ignoring the model. And Riku didn't like it when people ignored him, whether they be annoying fans or not. He liked the acknowledgment.
"What the hell are you looking for?" Riku asked, glancing over at the man next to him. The man with yellow paused from his search and glanced over at Riku. Black clothes clung tightly to his body and his chin was half hidden behind black bandages. In a way, it was quite unsettling.
"What does it matter to you?" The man came back, just as peeved as Riku's voice.
"Humph," Riku replied, crossing his arms and glaring out the window. This had been the first time in a long time a stranger had dared to come back at him with the same tone of voice. Another moment passed before the man grabbed something from his bag, now gathering Riku's attention once more. In his palm was a small pocket planner of some sort. Riku gazed curiously at it. "What's that?" Riku spoke, not even noticing he had been rather rude once more.
"Something," The man replied rather coldly, shooting Riku a suspicious glance. Riku wasn't having any of this.
"What kind of something?" Riku came again, biting down on his bottom lip. The man paused once more from his clicking on the planner and starred at Riku. Another moment passed before the man extended a spare hand.
"The name's Cloud... and it's a planner," Even when he greeted him, his voice was cold and forbidding. Riku blinked, and eagerly accepted the hand gesture, still bearing that arrogant look he tended to give off.
"Riku." Riku replied harshly, gazing down at the planner. "... so what brings you to Rome?" Another question rolled of Riku's tongue so easily. He was curious by nature, and cold at heart. Both went hand in hand, and tended to aggravate many people. However, Cloud seemed amused by Riku's curious nature.
"Looking for someone," Cloud replied, flicking through the planner once more, gazing at random schedules on it's, to do lists, and maps. Maps of places all over the world marked by skull signs. Riku blinked a few times, and decided it was best not to ask what they meant. "And you?"
"Eh, photo shoot," Riku replied rather coolly. Somewhat like his brother, he tended to like to brag about being a national model. But Cloud didn't seem to mind, he just went back to gazing at the planner busily.
"You're that Riku Karada kid all the chicks are rambling on about," Cloud replied, not taking his eyes off the technology in his hands. Riku shifted restlessly in his seat as he gazed out the window, watching the rain fall. In a few moments they would be in the air, and he'd finally be leaving Chicago for a long time.
"Does it matter?" Riku murmured, starring out the window distantly.
"Not really," Cloud replied, still in the same icy tone of voice.
"The plane will now be taking off. Please turn off any cell phones or electrical devices until we are safely in the air. Make sure your seat belt-" The announcer began, but Riku had already tuned her out by her third sentence. The blue haired model starred vacantly out the window, resting his chin into his arms. Light rain danced against the glass windows as caused a blurry image beyond. Within moments, the plane began to slightly move ahead, getting ready to soar ahead.
"First time flying?" Cloud asked, glancing over at Riku for a moment.
"No." Riku replied, distant-mindly.
"Heeey Riiikku!"
Riku's ears instantly burned tensely as he heard his name be sung throughout the plane. Wincing, he glanced ahead at Demyx who was turned around, beaming at him through the cracks in the seats. Riku blinked a few times before squinting his eyes and raising his upper lip a bit, trying to make sense of his brother's insane actions.
"What are you doing?" Riku snarled, almost in a growl as the plane flew gently across the rainy heavens.
"I have a question!" Demyx hollered back. In his ears were headphones to an IPOD, so consequently, he had no idea how loud he was speaking. Riku twitched and spared a glance over at Cloud who was now spacing out both of them and busily clicking away on the planner.
"What?" Riku snarled back, trying not to make his voice too loud. But by now many curious boarders had begun to listen to the conversation, half for the humor and half because it was between the two Karada's.
"You want to switch seats with Leon?" He hollered. Riku slapped his own head with vexation. If there cover wasn't blown now, surely Demyx had just done so. Scowling ahead, Riku glared and then arose from his seat and paced up two rows to where his brother and Leon sat. On his face was a stern and angry glare.
"Can't you shut up for two minutes?" Riku growled angrily.
"Riku Karada!"
Riku was suddenly sent crashing into the floor of the plane by a random person tackling him. Cursing, he pushed whoever was off him and scampered to his feet. Laying on the ground from where they had attacked as a girl. Long black hair fell down to below his shoulders and she wore mostly all black clothing. She arose to her feet, crossed her arms, and then smiled widely.
"Riku Karada, don't you remember me?" She asked, smirking slightly.
"We're on a plane in the middle of a flight, you just tackled me, it's raining, I'm ticked off beyond comprehension and you want me to play guessing games with someone like you?" Riku asked harshly, raising an eyebrow. Demyx coughed from behind his brother which sounded eerily similar to 'anger issues'.
"It's me! Tifa from your eighth grade class!" She beamed widely at him before hugging the boy tightly. Riku quivered his top lip before pushing her off once more. Leon, who had just turned off his MP3 player glanced up at the pair before arising to his feet and placing a hand on Riku's shoulder.
"Here, sit with Demyx. I gave him a packet you two need to go over before landing in Rome," Leon told him, patted him once more on the shoulder before retreating down the isle to where Riku had been sitting. He took the seat and went back to listening, without Cloud even noticing nor caring.
"I'm stuck with you again..." Riku spoke, arching an eyebrow and starred at Demyx who was attempting to play an air guitar in the seat.
"Come on, you know you love me," Demyx spoke, glancing over and flashing a smile.
"Love is such a strong word, perhaps something along the lines of mutually dislike?" Riku snarled before Tifa tapped him on the shoulder repeatedly. He whirled around and glanced at the girl and tilted his head. "Can I help you?"
"Aren't you going to say 'It's been so long! Nice to see you!' or something along those lines?" Tifa retorted, placing her hands on her hips.
"Please take your seats!" The attendant spoke, passing in front of both the teens. Riku hissed to himself before shoving himself in the seat next to Demyx as Tifa took her seat in the far back next to her best friend, Yuffie.
"How many more hours until we get there?" Riku asked gloomily, burying his head into his hands tiredly. Demyx puckered out his lips and stroked his chin in contemplation.
"I say another eight hours, or less. No clue, never was good at math. I say another hour or so before we're over the ocean," Demyx spoke, glancing out the window at the rain that continued to plunder the plane. Riku glared at his brother before groaning slightly and then running a hand through his greasy blue hair wearily.
"I'm going to sleep," Riku grumbled.
"But Leon said we had to go ov-" Demyx began, shoving the packet in Riku's nose. However, Riku pushed it away, turned his back on his older brother, and closed his eyes as he faced the isle, in attempts to curl up in a comfortable position. But it worked to no avail, and unfortunately his foot was extending a bit too far because when Sora had walked by, so he instantly tripped over it, crash landing into the isle right next to Riku. Riku snapped his eyes open and glared down at the boy.
"What are you doing?" Riku demanded, heart racing from being awoken so sharply.
"I'm sorry!" Sora spoke, turning a deep red before rushing forward out of sight. Riku rolled his eyes before closing then and attempting to drift back into the realm of sleep.
"I AM DRIVING BACK IN BLACK! JUST GOT MY LICENSE BACK GOT THIS FEELING IN MY VEINS THIS TRAIN IS COMING OFF THE TRACK-"
Riku snapped his eyes open once more and glared over at Demyx who had begun singing increasingly louder to his ipod. By now the whole plane must have heard his horrible singing. Riku squinted his eyes, thinking Demyx was over, but all hope was gone when Demyx pulled out his air guitar and began hollering more so than singing.
"I'LL ASK POLITE IF THE DEVIL NEEDS A RIDE BECAUSE THE ANGEL ON MY RIDE AIN'T HANGIN'-" Demyx was cut short as a shoe was flung across the air and crashed into the blonde. "OW!" Demyx hollered, rubbing his head. He turned around in his seat and glared down the whole rows behind him, holding up the shoe with vengeance. "Who threw that?!" Demyx demanded.
"Shut up," Riku hissed, trying to go back to sleep.
"Do you know who you're messing with?!" Demyx demanded once more, giving the shoe a violent shake.
"Shove the shoe up your ass and be quiet," Riku hissed under his breath, trying to block out his yelling brother. And at this current moment, if Demyx hadn't done with Riku suggested, Riku would have been but all to happy to assist him in the act.
"Who threw that shoe?!" Demyx demanded once more before a hand was raised into the air. "You red-haired freak! How dare you chuck a shoe at someone of my standards!" Demyx hollered. Axel glared back up at Demyx before crossing his arms and puckering out his bottom lip slightly.
"Maybe if your singing didn't suck so badly, maybe I wouldn't had to have thrown that shoe at you." Axel snarled, raising an eyebrow.
"Say that again?!" Demyx growled back. By now Riku wanted to rip Demyx's vocal chords out for several reasons. And not all relating to singing.
"If you don't shut up, next time it won't be a shoe coming at you, but a blow to your pretty head," Axel hollered back. Both Leon and Cloud had paid not attention to the fight going on between them. Instead, they continued to space off into nothing, one listening to music and the other working away on his planner.
"Demyx! Just shut up!" Riku hissed, finally snapping. He slapped his brother across the face before giving him a stern glare and returning to his sleep. Demyx pouted and then cursed about Axel and then went back to listening to his music, without singing along this time.
"Hey Riku?"
Riku snapped open his eyes once more and glanced over at Demyx who was worriedly glancing out the window next to him. Riku cocked his eyebrow suspiciously before rolling over in his seat to face Demyx. His older brother turned to face him, anxiety flashing in his blue eyes. Riku's heart skipped a beat but hid his sudden worry by a prude expression.
"What?" He demanded, crossing his arms and leaning into the arm rest.
"There's lightning.." Demyx spoke in a stammer. Riku blinked a few times before shoving Demyx's head out of his view to peer outside. What was before him caused shock to rush through his veins. Rain was beginning to transform into hail, and an occasional streak of lighting illuminated the dark sky. Riku gulped. It was a silent gulp, but none the less a sign of his sudden fear.
"So?" Riku asked, trying not to sound worried by the situation.
"Haven't you watched those shows on the weather channel? People like us on planes like this during storms like that die!" Demyx explained, pointing over his shoulder out the window. Riku scrunched his eyebrow tightly before scowling back at Demyx.
"We're not going to die. It's just a storm, stop being dramatic," Riku yawned, rolling his eyes. Demyx shook his head violently before glancing over his shoulder at the window. Another streak of lighting caused him to jerk uncomfortably in his seat. By now the blonde had begun to sweat increasingly whilst Riku stare at him with confusion mixed with fear.
"I had a dream like this once! We were on a plane, it started to storm, the pilot had problems, and then a guy in a chicken suit came out and chopped my head off," Demyx bantered worriedly, biting his fingernails.
"Can you just please go back to listening to that thing you call music and let me sleep?" Riku asked, trying to push away the subject of dyeing. "There's not even one percent chance we're going to have problems. So stop bickering," Riku finished.
"Due to the storm, we are going to be having an emergency landing in thirty minutes at a port southwest of Rome, on the coast. We are sorry for the inconvenience."
"See?!" Demyx spoke as Riku snapped his eyes open once more. Blinking again, Riku grumbled something and rolled his eyes once more.
"We're just landing in the nearest port. Relax would you?" Riku almost hissed, crossing his arms tighter and letting out a long yawn. Demyx shook his head, again, and ran his fingers through his hair while rambling stuff to himself.
"I knew we should have flown first class! Oh damn oh d-" Demyx began but Riku glared at him and cut in.
"Can't you take a hint? I've asked you to shut up well over four times now," Riku reminded Demyx harshly, shifting uneasily in his seat.
"But Riku! You know I hate flying, and how much I hate storms!" Demyx began.
"Almost as much as I hate country music!" Demyx added in and received an angry scowl of offense from his younger brother but continued none the less. "And now fate is combining flying and storms together?! How can it be so cruel to someone like me?! I mean I am a model! You can't do this to-" Demyx hollered, raising his hands up before he was slammed in the head by another shoe being hurtled across the plane. "OW!"
"Nice shot," Riku called back through the isles to receive a sly grin from the red-haired man, Axel.
"Stop throwing crap or I am so getting a lawsuit against you!" Demyx hollered back, turning around in his seat. Axel shrugged his arms and then extended his tongue. Demyx twitched before crossing his arms and turning away from the man, in brutal defeat. Riku, on the other hand, could only laugh at how weak his brother was when it came to arguments.
"You see how I get treated, oh brother dear? People can't take being on the same plane as me because I'm just too-" Demyx began before the plane unexpectedly hurtled to the left, causing Demyx to receive a face full of window. Riku gripped onto the arm rest as the plane regained it's balance as screams faded.
"What the-!" Some random person began before their voice was drowned out by the intercom.
"We are experiencing slight technical difficulties. Please remain calm as we attempt to increase speed to the main land."
"YOU SEE?! NOW ALL WE NEED IS THE GUY IN THE CHICKEN SUIT AND THIS WILL BE MY NIGHTMARE!" Demyx whined loudly, holding his head in his hands as the whole plane began to arise in worried chatter. Riku rolled his eyes and glanced over at the isle to watch Roxas charge through it towards the bathroom, face completely pale, and hand clasped tightly over his mouth.
"Riku, Demyx." Riku's attention was caught by Leon who was calling to them from two isles back. Riku and Demyx obediently turned around in there seats and peered down the isle towards their mentor who was waving frantically at them.
"You guys okay up there?" Leon called.
"He asks us if we're okay... we're in the middle of a storm and the plane is having difficulties," Demyx growled to Riku. "Of course we're ok!" Demyx hollered back down to Leon, now beginning to sweat even more. Riku rolled his eyes again and then bit his bottom lip.
"We're fine," Riku reassured him, almost in a expressionless tone.
Riku turned around and noticed Roxas staggering out of the bathroom, holding his head only to be pushed out of the way and onto the ground be a worrying flight attendant. A slight smirk ran across Riku's face as he sat comfortably in his chair.
"So much for staying calm."
"Riku!" Riku turned his head again to Leon who was shouting over the worrying chatter that was increasingly getting louder. "Come here for a minute! Leave Demyx in his seat, I need to talk to you for a second!" Leon hollered, beckoning the blue model to come back. Sighing, Riku arose from his seat, and began to make his way down the empty isle. Unfortunately, the plane suddenly jerked, causing Riku to be sent flying back the way he came against the cold hard wall of the plane.
"What the-!" Riku began but was cut short when he was flung sideways into the bathroom door. Clenching his face in pain, his vision slowly became blurred as countless people began to panic in frenzy, screaming and attempting to reach their emergency equipment. "De-" Riku began but the plane had already suddenly begun to spiral downwards, causing Riku to be violently pushed against the nearest wall in complete pain from the force.
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"Naminé !"
Tears fell from his once strong eyes as his hand extended limply from his placement at the side of her bed. Whimpers escaped his lips as the water poured from his eyes like a never ending water fall. Cheeks were beyond red and extremely puffed, and his extended hand shook as he attempted to take hers in his. Just for this one moment, just one more time. Just to feel her pulse one more time.
But he couldn't... she was gone.
"N-Naminé ..." Choking on his own words, Riku buried his head into his hands as her hand fell out of his. Once proud and loving blue eyes were now closed, never to be opened again. She was only twelve, he was only thirteen. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not to her, not to him. But it did, it did happen to him and to her. And for the first time in five years Riku broke down and cried. Cried even though his brother and parents were in the same room. Cried just to let the pain out, just to try and make it go away.
"Riku.. you okay?" Demyx offered, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. Instantly, Riku spun around in the seat to smack the hand away.
"You.. cold unfeeling thing! How.. can you not be crying?! How.. can you expect me to be okay.. Naminé .. she's... she's dead.. and you're asking me if I'm okay?!... Demyx I hate you!" Riku hollered, tears pooling from his eyes. As he finished, he placed his head back into his hands and begun to weep once more. By now Demyx was completely washed over in stun.
"I didn't mean it like that Riku... I just thought that maybe you were... I don't know," Demyx attempted before their father had halted Demyx from speaking any farther. Anything would set the blue haired boy off at a time like this.
Over and over in his head he kept stabbing at his heart. Letting the pain ooze away slowly, drop by drop. He let the tears fall openly, and the blood in his mind from his heart do the same. And he kept repeating to himself, over and over, the same exact phrase. This wasn't supposed to happen. This wasn't supposed to happen.
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Riku awoke as he was hurdled into the icy waters of the ocean that now engulfed him. Coughing frantically, the teen gazed around in the darkness as flames roared from the plane that float around a quarter of a mile away. Hundreds of people were swimming rapidly towards a shore of a rather small island that wasn't quite far away. Coughing once more, Riku glanced around worriedly.
"Demyx?!" He hollered, searching for his brother. Sight became an increasing issue as he shook his head in confusion, and began to swim feverishly towards the shore. The lack of light caused the swim to be incredibly hard when combined with the glacial waters around him.
Lunging onto the sandy shore before him, Riku rolled over on his side. Panting heavily, he laid there for a few moments before coughing up more sea water. A few people around him had already begun to group around, crying and assisting others. But he just laid there, completely drained of energy. It took him a few moments to realize that his brother nor mentor had arrived on the shore yet. A painful, gut wrenching feeling grasped his heart tightly as he staggered to his feet and gazed out on the waters, with only the light of the dimming flames.
"Demyx!!" Riku hollered, stepping closer to the shore and calling out. Grabbing his arms, he began to shiver increasingly as he continued to sway on his feet, searching for where his brother might be. It took another minute before Riku spotted the older blonde being dragged ashore by Leon, who had a cut across his arm that was bleeding rapidly. The rock star hauled the weak teen over to Riku and began to pant heavily.
"Leon!" Riku spoke, almost stammering at his own words. Nothing was making sense, and the only thought that was running through the model's mind was his older brother. Nothing else.
"He's passed out. Take my bag and see if anything in there is dry and suitable for wearing to warm him up." Leon told Riku harshly before arising to his feet and charging to the shore once more.
"What are you doing?!" Riku hollered, starring with fear.
"I've got to help them," Leon answered, before lunging back in to the icy waters and disappearing from sight. Riku gulped and then turned his attention to Leon's bag. Clumsily, he whipped through the bag in desperate attempts to find something for Demyx. At the end, the only thing he could find was a brown shirt that he now draped over his brother's body. Another moment passed before Riku starred worriedly out at the sea, watching only a few people actually make it to the shore.
"Help!!!"
Riku's attention was caught by a boy near the shore, waving his arms in the air. Blinking, Riku arose to his feet once more, and starred. Why hadn't the boy made his way onto shore yet, and why was he yelling for help? It didn't dawn on him that the boy couldn't swim until his head disappeared underneath the surface. Before he knew what he was doing, Riku pounced into the water and began to swim violently towards the boy. And it was rather strange. Riku had never been a person who would risk his live for others, or for that fact care about another. He had always been the cold and reserved boy in class, and in the world. But now, his instinct to save another was kicking in and steering him towards saving whoever he saw.
Now caught up to where the boy was, Riku dipped his head under the water. He saw the boy's body floating underneath the surface frailly. Quickly, he wrapped his arm around his waist and brought him to the surface. Still, the boy was unconscious as Riku began to make his way back to the shore. Within minutes, he hurled himself and the younger teenager onto shore. It took all of Riku's self-pride and determination not to pass out. Biting down on his bottom lip, he panted ferociously, letting the drops of rain fall from his soaking hair as lightning crackled ahead.
As Riku was starring at the sky, the boy coughed widely and clenched his own throat tightly. Riku turned his attention back to the boy. At least he was alive. A light unknowingly smile passed Riku's lips as he starred at the boy.
"Are you.. okay?" Riku asked uneasily. Asking people if they were ok was something new to him. Especially seeing how cold and cruel he could be to most civilians. But when disaster struck, he had turned into some caring citizen unlike anyone had ever seen.
"Where are we..?" The boy asked, in a small whisper, rubbing his eyes before opening them. The only thing to fill his regained sight was the blue haired savior hovering above him. Blinking to make sure this wasn't a dream, the boy then bit down on his lip and turned his gaze back out to the raging waters where the fiery plane continued to burn. The flame wasn't as bright as ten minutes ago, due to the raging storm above them, but it was still visible from the shore. "We crashed?!" The boy suddenly shouted, but coughed once more now clutching his side painfully.
"You're bleeding kid," Riku noticed, looking at where the boy was grabbing. A moment passed before the boy turned his attention back up at Riku, fear and pain rushing through his dark blue eyes.
"We can't be... crashed.." His voice was small whisper as tears began to pool from his eyes. Taken back a bit, Riku sat sat there next to the weak form of the boy, starring in dis-belief. No one had really cried in front of him before. Everyone he had met always seemed so fake and always cheerful or shallow. Not sad, not in pain, not like this.
"Don't talk, you're straining yourself," Riku spot harshly, now fully regaining his breath.
"It's so cold... it's raining isn't it?.." The boy asked, looking up as the rain heavily plundered his already wet body. Riku gave a light nod before glancing over his shoulder at a cluster of trees a few bounds away.
"If you can walk, there's a cluster of trees behind you. It looks pretty sheltered. Go there and rest," Riku instructed as wind rushed against his face.
"Am I going to die?..." The boy asked nervously, arising to his feet slowly, almost in a stagger. Unsurely, Riku shook his head.
"Just do as you're told," Was all Riku said harshly.
"What's your name?.." The boy asked, now fully on his feet, shivering a bit. Riku shook his head similar like a dog would to get the water off his fur.
"Riku." Riku spoke, in the same cold tone as usual. But now was not a time for cruel, just shallow and unfeeling attitudes.
"Mine's Sora.." Was all Sora said before scampering to the trees. Once there, he let his body fall against the trunk of the nearest tree. The boy grabbed a fallen branch, placed it's somewhat dry leaves over his body along with the branch itself, and closed his eyes. Starring widely, Riku found it hard to believe how someone could rest so easily at a time like this. How someone could forget the world existed and just sleep. Then again, maybe that was the best thing to do?
"Riku!"
Riku was broken away from his thoughts when Leon placed a firm hand on his shoulders. The model glanced up at the brunette, to notice a new slash across his neck. Gulping, Riku blinked, trying to get the water off of his face without much effort.
"We need to move to the trees where there's shelter. Demyx needs some place to rest," Leon told him. Moments passed before Riku looked beyond him to where only seven other people lay on the shore. Fear gripped Riku's heart instantly as he felt weak in the knees.
"But what about the other people? We need to save them-" Riku began, voice suddenly changing. Leon shook his head almost in a melancholy motion before tightening his grip on his younger friend's shoulder.
"There's no use... there's no others alive." Leon spoke, closing his eyes solemnly.
"This isn't happening." Riku suddenly stammered. He wasn't used to this kind of treatment, this kind of drama. Feeling light-headed once more, the teen felt his forehead swayed on his already weak knees Leon opened his eyes and then released his grip on him, just to pat him on the shoulder before a soft sigh escaped his lips.
"Come on, Riku. It'll be fine. Let's just find some shelter and wait for the storm to subside." Leon told him.
"All right..." Riku whispered, voice now cracking. He turned his attention back to Demyx, who was starring vaguely up at the sky above. Riku bent down, whispered something in his brother's ear, and led himself and Demyx after Leon.
The three made there way to a cluster of trees near Sora sat. Once there, Riku noticed the seven other people from the shore moments ago. There was his brother, the red-haired man who had chucked a shoe at Demyx, that girl who had claimed to know him who's name eluded his mind at the moment, that Cloud guy he and Leon sat with, that kid that had ran into the bathroom from airsickness, some girl Riku had no clue who she was, some guy with blue-ish hair who Riku found rather suspicious, and finally Sora who had awoken and made his way over to the others.
"This is.. everyone?" Riku gulped, starring at the ratty bunch. Leon nodded as he sat down against the nearest tree. Riku took the seat nearest seat next to him. It was as if the group was in a small expanded half circle, just starring at the slowly dieing flames of the plane, and each other.
"If you ask me, I say this isn't so bad." The red-haired man suddenly spoke, leaning back into the tree, flashing the others a widely look.
"How can you say that?! We're stuck here with nothing! Absolutely nothing!" The girl Riku didn't know shouted, squinting her eyes as tears poured down from her face.
"Did I ask your opinion?" The red-haired man asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.
"Please, we don't need any fighting," Leon spoke harshly, glaring down the red-haired man and then the girl.
"And who gave you the right to tell us what to do?" The red-haired man asked, now turning his attention at Leon.
"Can't we just introduce ourselves and try to get along? If we have any hope of surviving we need to keep on friendly terms," Leon explained harshly. By now everyone's gaze had fallen upon him. Riku sat nervously, starring at the sand and grass beneath him, trying to keep his mind on something more cheerful. Something that wouldn't send him into a spiraling frenzy.
"That sounds better than making stupid comments," The girl spoke once more, glaring at the red-haired man before turning to the rest of the group. "My name's Yuffie.."
"Axel." The red-haired man said, raising his hand slightly in a greeting.
"Roxas..." The boy a tree away from Axel said nervously, starring at the other faces.
"Zexion," The man that gave off the suspicious aurora stated, not taking his eyes off of Riku. Still, Riku's heart fell from the intense stare upon him. The group's attention turned to the next person in line, who happened to be Cloud.
"Cloud." Cloud spoke, in a distant voice.
"Leon," Leon spoke and then turned to Riku.
"Riku..." Riku spoke, almost afraid. But what was there to be afraid of for just speaking? The bigger problem now was getting off this island and surviving the name, not introductions. His thoughts were once again cut short when the boy he had saved earlier spoke up in a rather squeaky, nervous voice.
"Sora.." At least he wasn't the only one who was nervous about speaking, Riku concluded, taking deep breaths.
"Demyx, the one and only." Demyx spoke proud fully from a few trees behind. Leon sent a sharp glare at his apprentice, causing Demyx to frown. "What?.." He asked innocently.
"Tifa." Tifa concluded, starring at everyone else.
"Now what?.." Roxas asked, looking at everyone else as the rain slowly died down. Still, the sky was as dark as night, and the wind was rather sharp. But they were safe for now, and that was the only thing they could do at this moment.
"It appears that the only thing we can do is sit and wait until morning. Then we get determine what to do," Leon advised, raising a hand gently in the air. Yuffie gave an encouraging nod before glancing over at Zexion who was now fixated on starring at Demyx who wasn't paying attention to the conversation at all.
"What's with that guy?.." Riku whispered harshly to Leon. Leon paused and spared a glance over at Zexion whose eyes glimmered with something unreadable as he starred at Demyx and the others.
"Just ignore him." Leon told Riku just as harshly.
"Well, I for one say we just do as we please. I don't need someone telling me what I can and can't do. If one of us wants to go swimming, I say go swimming. If one of us wants to go adventuring into the wild like some crazy idiot, then be my guest." Axel suddenly spoke, arising to his feet.
"What's your problem?" Riku suddenly asked, slowly coming to realization that these people were just like the simpletons back in Chicago, and they deserved to be treated that way.
"Looks like we've got a kid with a backbone folks." Axel spoke, placing his finger on Riku's forehead before cracking a sinister grin.
"Get you're filthy hands off me!" Riku demanded, taking a startled stagger backwards.
"Riku, sit down," Leon told him harshly.
"And you're who? His father?" Axel asked harshly. "Let the kid do as he pleases. If he wants to talk back to me, then let him do as he pleases. Don't act like you're a leader, because all you are is one of us," Axel spoke, suddenly glaring harshly.
"Men, please!" Yuffie interrupted rashly, now arising to her feet. "We're all in the same boat.. er island. We can't be striking alliances and rivalries. There's no point," Yuffie attempted placing her hands on her hips but she dragged back to her seat by Tifa.
"They're men, let them squabble," Tifa whispered. Yuffie rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and began to ignore the men and stare distantly at the rainy heavens above them through the leaves.
"I know you from somewhere," Roxas suddenly spoke up, glancing up at Axel. The red-haired man froze, and turned around harshly to stare down at the boy a few feet away.
"Eh?" Axel asked curiously.
"N-nevermind." Roxas spoke, startled that Axel had turned around. Embarrassment rushed over the blonde before he buried his head into hands and yawned. A slight smirk passed Axel's lips before he was slapped across the face by Demyx who had walked over from his perch.
"Don't you ever touch my brother again, you sick pervert," Demyx spoke harshly. By now, Riku was utterly confused and jumbled up for words.
"Why you litte brat," Axel hissed, rubbing his cheek where Demyx had smacked him.
Riku glanced over to where Zexion was sitting, and noticed the man had walked to the other side of his tree and begun to sleep, leaning against the trunk. Still rather confused by the man, Riku turned his attention back to his brother and the hot-headed man. Had Demyx really stood up for himself?
"Demyx you idiot!" Leon spoke harshly, now arising to his feet, grabbing Demyx by his ear and dragging him a few yards away from the group to talk to him. Riku starred in astonishment and could only laugh. They were on a deserted island, crashed, and Leon was punishing Demyx. It was rather amusing.
"Any other takers?" Axel asked smugly.
"We'll see you guys tomorrow, we're going to sleep. Come on Tifa," Yuffie spoke, grabbing her best friend's hand and retreating to a few yards away to a thicker grove of trees.
"Right, see you tomorrow." Cloud spoke. Tifa flashed him a wide smile before she had Yuffie had disappeared into the thick of trees.
"Riku?"
Riku stumbled back down onto his bottom when Sora had addressed him. Wincing in pain, Riku glanced over at the boy with a harsh stare at him.
"What?" He asked rather coldly and vaguely.
"I never thanked you for saving me.." Sora spoke innocently, holding the blanket around his body that Leon had given to him. Riku blinked and then sharply turned away.
"Don't mention it, seriously." Was all Riku said in reply, starring darkly down at the ground beneath him.
"Now what were you saying?" Axel asked, turning his attention away from Riku and Sora to where Roxas sat, curled up with his legs pulled tightly against his chest. The blonde boy starred rather nervously up at Axel and blinked.
"I just thought I saw you from somewhere..." Roxas spoke, stumbling on his words.
"Depends on what you did before departing on the plane trip to hell" Axel spoke, suddenly intrigued.
"I worked at the soup-kitchen, downtown," Roxas stammered, keeping his eyes off the man. Just looking at him caused the hair on the back of his neck to stand on it's ends. And usually when that happened something was wrong. But was something wrong besides the fact they were stranded?
"You're that kid cook everyone's talking about," Axel suddenly remarked.
"Roxas." Just hearing his name said by the stranger caused him to cringe uncomfortably. "I went there once. You're that kid that gave me that soup. Pretty damn good might I add." A shimmer of amusement passed his brilliant eyes.
"Thanks?" Roxas answered nervously.
"So why were you on the plane anyhow? Certainly not on a trip to purchase more soup," Axel remarked, arching an eyebrow as the rain finally stopped pouring, and all that could be heard were the gentle snores of the others and thunder in the far distance. And of course, the crashing of the unsettling waves.
"My friend wanted me to attend a cooking school in Rome," Roxas answered, pushing his bangs out of his eyes.
"So you really are an accomplished cook," Axel smirked and then paused. "You know this island has all kinds of things to cook. Bananas, coconuts, all sorts of things to experiment with," Axel finished, snickering rather oddly.
"Uh... thanks for the information?" By now Roxas' face had turned a violent red, and not just from the cold. Gulping, Roxas leaned farther against the trunk, trying to keep his distance from the red-haired man.
"Who knows. Maybe tomorrow you can show me how to cook a coconut." Axel continued to smirk.
"How can you cook a coconut.." Roxas asked, absent-mindly.
"Exactly." Axel finished with a dark grin. By now Roxas had gulped increasingly harder and begun to sweat. Axel reached out and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder before speaking once more. "I'm going to try and find some decent place to sleep for tonight. Just remember, the name's Axel. Got it memorized?" Axel spoke smugly before arising to his feet and disappearing into the darkness of the trees beyond.
"What the hell was that about?.." Roxas stammered, now completely engulfed by fear. That guy seriously scared him to death.
"You look pale." Cloud spoke up, glancing over at Roxas.
"I just need sleep, thanks." Roxas spoke quickly before resting his head against the tree and closing his eyes and slowly drifting into sleep. Tonight, he'd make sure to sleep with one eye open. Who knew what lurked in the night. Especially with someone like Axel creeping around...
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sun shone through the peaks of the trees in a florescent manor. Small rays danced across the survivors skin as they lay almost peacefully on the half sand and half dirt ground beneath them. It was the next morning, and the storm that had aroused the problem had diminished to nothing but a single grey cloud set far away in the sky. All was calm. Even the once cascading waves had a graceful roll to them on the sandy banks this morning. If it hadn't been for the night before, someone would have easily mistaken this for a tropical paradise
Riku was the first awake. He had awoken by the island's first sun, directly at dawn. His body had finally regained it's natural temperature, and all that remained was a piercing, frigid spot in his heart. Something caused by not only the storm, but the memories of his long gone sister that it had brought upon him. Silent emerald eyes stared at the waves once more, just scanning their movement. By now he had calculated that every five seconds a new set of gentle laps came in, gently reaching a centimeter farther or shorter than the ones before.
But all was rather silent. The others were still fast asleep, knocked out of energy from but only seven hours ago. Sleep was the only real safe pace, so they took in high stride and extreme solitude. But Riku? He never did like sleep... even though it was his safe place to get away from the world, get away from Demyx, and just be alone.. it was also when thoughts of her came into his mind. And not just memories, but painful nightmares that caused the whole in his once shining heart to increase. Forever bruised by a fatal death caused by a common but deadly disease.
Cancer.. how he hated that word more than anything.
"Riku?.." Riku turned his head slightly when he had heard his name, only above a soft whisper. Blinking a few times, he noticed the boy, Sora, had begun to stir. Puckering out his bottom lip, a bit annoyed at the boy's need to speak with him, Riku continued to glare. It took the boy a few moments to gently tip-toe like over to where Riku was sitting, against the closet palm tree to the beach. Sora gently took the seat next to the older teen, before also turning his head in Riku's direction. "You're awake?.." He asked uneasily.
Riku blinked a few more times before cocking his eyebrows and then letting a smirk pass his lips.
"Is it my turn to say something obvious?" Riku countered, sarcasm rushing through his melodic voice. Sora shrunk back, a bit offended at Riku's remark. And Riku took note of that rather quickly. In his mind he speculated that Sora was one of those boys who did everything they were told, and never talked back, and for that fact never received a comeback. And Riku didn't like those kind of people. Not one bit.
"I'm not looking for trouble," Sora attempted, gently squeezing his lips together as he restlessly looked back at Riku. In reply, Riku turned his head once more and observed the boy. He seemed to be only a year younger than him, but still with that boyish charm to him. You know the kind, where everyone thinks you're cute in a children way, but you're never cute enough to get a girl. You're just baby cute, that's all.
"Well, you found it. If you continue talking like that, things are going to get real ugly, real fast," Riku replied, with much added emphasis on his 'real's. Sora blinked, once more taken back from Riku's prude attitude towards everything. It took the brunette a few moments to actually move, and when he did it was to run his hand through the sand, beginning to spell out a word.
"What are you doing?" Riku asked, still giving off the sarcastic tone. His emerald eyes watched the boy spell out a word. It took Riku a whole minute to actually figure out what the boy was spelling. 'Kairi'. He was spelling out K-A-I-R-I.
"Who's that? You're girlfriend?" Riku dared, with a sly, menacing snicker.
"N-no," Sora stammered, turning a bright red. Riku only scoffed at that and rubbed his fist against his chin rather smugly as he continued to sit against the tree.
"Then who is she?" Riku asked once more, turning his attention back to the name written sloppily in the sand. Sora looked at it for another second before turning his gaze back up at the silver teen, with a weak smile. Blinking, Riku tried to scan the smile for any answer or hidden emotion. And oddly.. he came up empty. Nothing readable was written on the brunette's face. Absolutely nothing at all.
"I'm not telling you," Sora replied, now bearing his own smug grin. And Riku found this rather disturbing, and at the same time amusing. It filled Riku with inner amusement at how the boy actually thought he stood a chance in an argument against him, Riku!
"Fine, don't." Was all Riku said before turning his attention to the waves. If the boy wasn't going to tell him. there was no need to push on the subject. He had much more dire things to contemplate about right now. About how they were going to survive on a deserted island, whether or not he could trust the people, and if Demyx would be eaten by some rabid animal. Of course, the last one was only but a strong desire.
"You're no fun..." Sora sighed, rubbing his hand against the sand, erasing Kairi's name from it. Once more, an almost ominous grin passed Riku's lips as he turned back to the younger boy.
"Is almost dieing an excuse for not being fun?" Riku asked, crossing his arms and now literally lounging against the tree as much as he could. Sora starred back, completely speechless at Riku's response. Never before had Sora met someone so cold and anti-social. It was rather.. terrifying yet exciting.
"I get the hint.. I'll leave now," Sora arose from his spot and began to slowly walk away from Riku, every once in awhile peering back to see if Riku was taking an acknowledgement to his leave. Of course, Riku had no intention of actually following the boy. It wasn't his place. And for that fact, he didn't want to follow him. "I'll just go off in the wild.. all by myself.. looking for food.." Sora whispered, walking rather slowly.
"Have fun," Riku replied rather coldly, not even glancing over his shoulder to Sora, who which took this rather hardly. Pouting almost, Sora gave a stubborn huff, stiffened his shoulders, and stomped off into the forest, awaking Axel in the process. The red-haired man blinked again, bit down his bottom lip, and instantly grabbed his right hand painfully.
"Son of a bitch!" He spoke harshly.
Riku turned his head back. Yep, Leon, Cloud, and Roxas, their neighboring sleepers were surely awake now. Rolling his emerald eyes, Riku got up and walked over to the red-haired man, still bearing his smug and demeaning expression.
"What's with the sudden vulgar outburst?" Riku asked, raising an eyebrow in the process. Axel shot him upwards a cold stare before scampering to his feet, and then scowling at the direction Sora had disappeared to. Axel then extended his hand to show Riku where Sora had clumsily stepped upon it from his rampage. A slight smirk filled Riku but he shrugged it away rapdily.
"You're getting pissed over someone stepping on your hand?" Riku asked, rather curious at who the red-haired man worked. And Riku couldn't help but show the creeping smile that was coming upon him. And of course, Axel found none of this funny, and it resulted in, yet another outburst.
"You ignorant little punk! Of course I'm going to make a deal about it! No one has the right to be touching me what so ever! Especially stepping on me when I'm sleeping!" Axel hissed at Riku, before glancing over and noticing that Leon and Cloud were stirring from around ten yards away. "Oh great... it's the girl scout leaders.." Axel sighed, rolling his eyes.
"And see!" Riku had been cut off guard when Axel shoved his hand back into Riku's face once more. Riku starred at the hand for a few moments before looking to it's owner rather vaguely.
"What? You expect me to kiss it or something?" Riku inquired, gently swaying on his feet as the island breeze played with his hair.
"Shut it!" Axel hissed before taking his other hand and pointing it at his extended hand's index finger. "You see? Right there! That son of a bitch stepped on my hand and caused me to bleed!" Axel groaned, clenching his fist and retreating both hands once more and taking a deep sigh.
"Right..." Riku replied, distant-mindly.
"Um.. you need a band aid?" Riku glanced over and noticed Roxas had appeared from behind, standing next to Axel. The red-haired man instantly froze, and shot his sea-green eyes directly at the boy rather curiously. In Roxas' hand was a small band aid, still in it's wrapper. A light smirk passed Axel's lips before taking it from the boy and placing it upon his cut.
"Heh, thanks kid," Axel smirked, just watching Roxas, who in return starred back restlessly, unsure if he had done the right thing and spoken to the man once more. Riku just starred at the two suspiciously before making his way over to where Cloud, Leon, and now Tifa had begun a conversation.
"What're we supposed to do for water?..." Tifa asked nervously, running a hand through her hair. Cloud shot her a rather light smile before crossing his arms and nodding his head almost in a correct expression. Leon starred at him rather peculiar before Cloud began to speak.
"If we can start a fire, we can boil the sea water. Honestly, don't you people watch movies?" Cloud asked, with a hint of humor in his voice. And for the first time since this crash, a gentle smile washed over the rock star beside him, followed by a large grin from Tifa who blushed from embarrassment.
"I should have thought of that.. I guess my head's just not with me today. I mean.. I wasn't really prepared for a plane crash. But hey, I have a lighter with me anyhow. Miraculous, huh?" Tifa asked, bearing a wide smile. Leon glanced over at her as she withdrew a lighter from her back pocket. He nodded, almost happily, and began to lead her down to the shore, more than likely to collect wood and water, or something of that sort.
"You're that Riku Karada kid I was talking to on the plane, right?" Cloud suddenly asked, glancing over at Riku who was starring off into space. He turned his attention back to Cloud and gave an affirmative nod, but did not follow suit with a smile like the others had done. Smiling wasn't really Riku's thing, after all. "You know that guy pretty well right? That Leon?" Cloud asked, pointing off in the direction Tifa and Leon had disappeared into.
"Not really, why?" Riku asked, obviously not catching on whatsoever. Cloud then sighed helplessly before turning his attention once more back to Riku.
"Nevermind, it was nothing. Anyhow, I'm off to go ask around for assistance on building some shelter. See you around, Riku." Cloud spoke, and then began walking off to where Yuffie and Zexion had supposedly camped out for the night. Riku sighed a bit. At least the day was calm. Still, he was rather banged and bruised up from the crash, and was emotionally scarred for life, but this kind of change was rather.. nice. Nothing to worry about except for survival. It was actually kind of exciting and.. peaceful.
"Riku!"
Erase that part about peaceful.
"Demyx, get off me!" Riku attempted to throw off his older brother who had somehow managed to sneak up on him and hug him from behind. However, Demyx was having none of this and continued his bear hug on his younger brother, until Riku managed to escape, panting for air.
"And how was your night?" Demyx asked, still giving off that obnoxious attitude. Why did he try so hard? Why did he try to be the perfect brother, when Riku didn't even see him as anything except an annoyance? Why did he continue to keep the upbeat attitude, even during the current circumstances? How could he continue to smile even after his worst nightmare had come true? Minus the chicken suit guy, of course. How could he?...
What Riku really didn't realize that all Demyx was trying to do was look out for Riku, and try and be a brother to him. A real brother who was there for him.
"If you take in account crashing on an island, meeting some fucked up-" Riku began but Demyx had shot him a warning glare. "Excuse me, screwed up weirdo's, having to sleep against a palm tree, and then having the weirdo's come up to me this morning... well, I guess you could say it was pretty damn good!!" As Riku neared the ending, anger had flared into his eyes and he shot Demyx an angry stare.
"Hey... chill a bit would you? Can't you just pretend we're on vacation in Hawaii?" Demyx asked curiously, trying to comfort Riku by placing a hand on his shoulder. However, Riku instantly shrugged it off, in an offensive manor.
"This is no time for stupid remarks like that, Demyx! We all might die, and you're talking about pretending to be on vacation?! Well, hello, if you haven't noticed there's one big difference. Can you guess it? Want me to spell it out for you? There's no food!" Riku hollered, now panting from his rant. All Demyx could do in reply was look downward, a bit shocked at how uptight Riku was this morning.
"Geesh, sorry for caring." And with that Demyx left off towards the direction off the beach, either to get a tan or help Leon and Tifa. But Riku was banking on the tan.
And Riku just stood there, completely stunned at Demyx's remark. Sorry for.. caring? Since when did Demyx ever care? He didn't care when Naminé died, and he didn't care when he cried because of her. So why did Demyx just now start caring? Even if that was what he was doing.
"Hey, kid." Riku turned his head once more to Axel who had approached him once more. Oh great, Riku thought desperately. The band aid guy wants to speak to me again. Terrific, just the way to start off the first day of my living hell. Riku sighed and looked up at Axel who was twiddling with his locks of red hair.
"What?" Riku demanded, almost in an angered snarl.
"You know that Roxas kid?" Axel asked, bearing almost a sinister grin that caused Riku's heart to bottom out a bit.
"Why?" Riku demanded once more, starring down the older man. Axel placed a hand on Riku's shoulder, who then shrugged it off. Why did people have an obsession with his shoulder today?! Was it essential for them to place their grimy hands on him?! Was it?! Or maybe Riku was just being uptight.. maybe Demyx was right. But no, Demyx was never right, Riku told himself rather proudly.
"What's with the twenty questions?" Axel asked curiously, now raising his eyebrow rather sharply.
"Answer my question and I'll answer yours," Riku replied harshly, stuffing his hands into his pockets and starring down Axel with no fear, but only anger towards the man. Riku didn't like it when someone could stand their own against him. He Liked being dominate, being the only one to comeback with snappy insults.
"Heh, idiots are fun, all villages should have one.. in fact, don't you have a village you should be returning to, to fulfill your duties?" Axel smirked, watching Riku turned an angry bright red and clench his fists. "You're funny, kid. I like your spunk. And as for your question, I just want to know a bit about everyone around here. Never know who might rape you in the middle of the night, you know? Or worse.. cut your hair."
By now Riku had inferred that Axel was completely insane.
:"If anyone is going to be the hidden rapper, it'll probably be you," Riku replied harshly, watching the man.
"Humph," Was all Axel said before walking off, not with a scowl but a smug expression. Riku blinked a few times before shaking his head in dis-belief. Great, now he really had to watch out for that freak. As if he didn't have enough on his mind as it was.
And it was only day one. He had so much to do, so many people to talk to. It was only the morning and he had already encountered a few unsettling conversations. And what did the rest of the day spell out for him? What else could possibly go wrong? And then there was that Zexion. Why was he was distant.. and why did he give off this extremely vile aurora. It was as if he was some sort of secret rapper. For all Riku knew he and Axel could have been planted on the plane to rape them all. Then again, Riku could have been interrupting this all wrong.
But one thing Riku knew for sure was that this was no way a model should be treated.
AN:
I hoped you like this chapter. The next chapter will be more focused around Sora, his thoughts, and a few flashbacks. Unless of course, I find inspiration and decide to write it more so focused on another character. And yes, Zexion will play a bigger role as we go along. I promise. But yea, I hope this held up to your standards. I spent countless weeks on this chapter, rewriting, editing, and so on, trying to make it as best as it could be. So please leave a review so I know I'm not doing this just for vain. You don't realize how happy reviews make me. So make me a happy Kat :)
And if someone would like to beta for me, just put it in your review and how I can contact you. Thanks much!