Chapter 2

Tell me that we belong together,
Dress it up with the trappings of love.
I'll be captivated,
I'll hang from your lips,
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above.
I'll be your crying shoulder.

- - -


The next day the King and Princess woke up in the late morning, both having breakfast together

"I have to go back to the North Kingdom today…" Cloud started

"I want to come." Ilisia replied, not daring to look her father in the eye

Cloud sighed and ran his fingers through his spiky blonde hair

"I suppose it would be better if you came… I wouldn't have to worry about you being here."

So it was decided. After breakfast, Cloud and Ilisia found themselves sitting in a long slim black car for a 2 hour drive to the North Kingdom. Cloud stared out the window to his left, resting his chin on his hand. Half way through the trip he glanced at Ilisia who was looking out the window to the right. Leaning back in the chair, her eyes hardly ever blinked. The car drove past the magnificent Northern Kingdom's castle and continued on into the city surrounding it.

"If you are curious to know why we aren't going there, its because I don't trust it right now. Understand?" Cloud muttered

"Understood…" Ilisia replied

- - -

Riku had managed to sneak out of the castle and was walking around the town at the time. He knew he was going to be dead if his father, or the police found out, but he decided to take that chance. He glanced up, noticing the sun was setting. Muttering under his breath, Riku crossed both arms over his chest and continued to walk away from the castle. He needed time to think over all these events which had occurred. Still, even though it had been weeks now Riku had not come to terms that Lady Aerith had been killed by someone in his own home…

Walking further he was glad no one had noticed his presence. Stopping, he saw a familiar black car parked out the front of a hotel. A girl was the first to step out of the car, wearing a long navy blue cloak with a hood which hid her face, but she turned in Riku's direction. Riku stared at the girl as she took a step away from the car. She continued to walk towards him. She passed him and time seemed to slow down for Riku as he caught the scent of her perfume. Ilisia wasn't looking at him yet she directed her speech to him

"Follow me." She murmured

Obediently he listened to her commanded and followed her through the town, thinking she was only going a short distance from her father, the two of them found themselves on the edge of the Kingdom into the forest boarder line.

Once some where in the forest Ilisia stopped walking

She remained quiet and looked at the ground.

"What are you doing here…?" Riku whispered in a worried tone, as if he were afraid someone could be listening into their conversation

"I need to know the truth…Did…Did you kill my mother…?"

Riku shook his head

"Lady Aerith was always kind to me. She was almost like the mother I never had. I'd have to reason on the face of the earth to lay any harm on her…"

Ilisia looked away from him and closed her eyes. Trying so hard to prevent any tears from slipping out. One single tear slipped from her left eye and slowly fell down her cheek. Riku up from his feet and noticed the tear. He took to steps forward and embraced her. Her head rested under his chin as she began to cry. All Riku did was stand there, holding her, just wanting to comfort her. But he didn't want to stop her crying…

He chuckled quietly to himself and light pushed Ilisia back to look at her

"You took me all the way into the forest to ask me this question…?" He smiled

"Well... I thought it might….cause a scene if I…started to cry…" Ilisia chocked

Riku shook his head and hugged Ilisia again. She sniffed and stood their, feeling the comfort of being in his arms.

Once the tears seemed to have stopped, Ilisia slowly pushed herself away from Riku.

"Thank you…" She smiled behind a wet face

"For what?" Riku replied

The princess turned away from him and began walking back in the direction of the town

"I suppose…For just being a shoulder to cry on…"

Riku ran after her and slowly down to her walking pace once he had caught up to her. Although he continued to glance at her she never removed her eyes from looking straight ahead.

The two made it back into town and Riku stopped Ilisia.

"I better head back to the Castle. Surely my father would have sent out guards looking for me."

Ilisia sighed and nodded

"You staying at the hotel you were standing in front of before yes"

"Yes." Ilisia replied

"Alright. See you tomorrow then." Riku smiled before letting go of her arm and turning away

- - -

Ilisia watched as the boy she had known since she was five smiled at her and walked away, promising to see her the next day. Curious to know if he would keep his promise she walked back to the hotel where she left her father.

"Where did you go?" Cloud asked as his daughter shut the door of their hotel room quietly.

She cringed, hoping she could have snuck past him and into her room to avoid the conversation

"No where Father…" She replied

"No where?! I don't want you going anywhere! You got that. Not after the person who killed your mother could be out there. The police still haven't caught them. It is dangerous for you to be here…"

"No one knew it was me I had my hood on…" Ilisia muttered

"Oh. You had your hood on." Cloud replied as he stood up "You are not to leave this hotel room."

The tone of his voice actually made her jump. Never at any time had she heard her father speak like that to another before. Not even servants…

So much anger in his voice. But Ilisia knew it was worry that had taken over her father.

She sighed as she removed her cloak and draped it over one of the chairs. Leaving the main room she made her way to her bedroom. Passing her bed and walked to the glass doors which opened to a balcony and looks to her left where she could see the Castle in the distance. It looked like she wouldn't be able to see Riku tomorrow after all…