When All The Pieces Fall Apart

FILLER

Illicit Memory

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Chapter 3; Most Definitely a Random Flashback Chapter.

Filler

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I'd like to thank my roleplaying buddy name censored for safety. This is the product of one of our roleplays.

This entire chapter is a flashback

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Auri ducked into the Secret Place, grateful for the rush of cool air. She had spent the entire day outside, swimming at the beach – as her attire showed. She wore black swim trunks with tan and blue designs on them, and a tan bikini top with black and blue flowers across it. The heat had begun to get to her head, and she had decided to venture into the damp airs below ground for a while. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the dim interior, and she glanced up to spot Riku and Sora. "Oh, hi guys…" She pulled out a ribbon from her hair, freeing ebony locks to cascade over her bare shoulders. "How's it going?" She moved closer to them, perching herself on a rock.

"Hey Auri!" Sora was sitting against the wall – chewing on a piece of cherry flavored bubble gum. He wasn't wearing his usual baggy red shorts – he was dressed in a blue tank top and brown shorts. Of course he was wearing his pendant in the shape of a crown – he had found it lying on the beach one day and decided to make it his. Who did it belong to? What secrets were behind it? He blew a large bubble out of his mouth and then popped it. There was a big grin on the youth's face – that big, toothy grin he always used. It was sweet to see. The ocean blue eyes were twinkling merrily as he replied to her. "It's going good. We just thought we'd come in here and get out of the sun. It's like 34,465 degrees out there!"

"Hey, Auri." Riku smiled – he was leaning against the wall, rolling his eyes at Sora. "It's not that hot." He was holding a book underneath his hand – and casually he'd take his glasses out, moving into the fine stream of light spilling from a crack in the rock above - and he'd begin to read.

"Riku, what are you doing?!" Sora stared at him.

"Doing my homework. I might as well, seeing as how we're doing absolutely nothing at the moment."

"Careful, people might start calling you a nerd."

"…!"

"It was a joke!"

Riku smirked. "It better be!"

"… Homework… You are a nerd!" Auri butted in, a mischievous glimmer in her navy eyes. She smiled innocently, and one could almost see the halo floating over her head.

"Ha ha ha ha! See – she said it! You're a nerd, Riku." Sora was grinning, and Riku? He gave a little annoyed growl – and shut the book.

"Now that we've established that… Where's Kairi?" Auri ignored the annoyed glance Riku tossed her way.

Riku grumbled a bit before answering. "Kairi's with Selphie and Wakka – seems like Wakka's trying to teach them how to play a game… err… Blitzball? I think that was it… I wasn't interested ---"

"Wakka kicked him off the team. Riku sucks at Blitzball."

"So do you!" The silver-haired youth glared at his best friend.

"Do not! I'm the master! He told me to leave because my style was cramping his!"

"Yeah, more like it was your leg cramping instead of your style."

"Hey! Watch it!"

"Heh." They were always joking around – fighting – but they'd always be the best of friends. "Well… What do you guys want to do?"

Auri had watched the dialogue between the two, and her laughter was trying to force its way out. She knew well that they were practically inseparable. Would it really only be two days until Sora and she were the ones who were together? Searching for their friends… Fighting back her laughter, she spoke, her voice hitching mirthfully. "Uhhh – I don't know. I can't go home. They have something to get ready for my birthday tomorrow…" She suddenly squeaked and put a hand over her mouth – eyes wide. She had always refused to tell them when her birthday was, knowing they would make a fuss over it. She had nearly been killed by them last year when they started asking. But her fifteenth was sort of important – she guessed – and her family was making a big fuss over it. "..I just… Sort of planned on spending the night here… I guess?" Her voice trailed off. She was inching towards the door way, preparing to bolt.

Sora was the first to react. "What?! Your birthday is tomorrow?!" He yelled as he stood up – nearly losing one of his sandals in the process. It almost went flying and if it had? It would have smacked Riku in the face. "I can't believe it! Tomorrow. I don't have anything for you! What am I supposed to give youuuu?" But then his eyes narrowed, and he was prowling towards her. "You're horrible, Auri. You never told us your birthday and now… Riku and I are going to have to dunk you."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"I think that's a great idea." Riku grinned.

"Riku, you're not actually agreeing with him, are you?!" Her eyes widened, and her body tensed.

"Mwuaha." Sora rubbed his hands together.

"Anyways…" Riku was walking towards Auri. "You'll be fifteen? Welcome to the club." He smiled. "We'll have to have a party – just the gang. Kairi, Selphie, Wakka, Tidus. It'll be great. All right – Sora. I got her." Riku grabbed her by the right arm and Sora the left.

"You two let go of me – mmmfggghhh!" They dragged her out of the cave to the waterfall, and dunked her in the pond at its summit – holding her under for just a second and then releasing her. The moment she was able to breathe, she whirled on them, grabbing Riku's arm. As he fell past her, she turned with him, summarily tackling him to the water. "Gah!"

"Agghh!" He let out such a cry of surprise that he even surprised himself! He went under, opening his eyes underneath the water to see her face above his own. He stared at her – then grinned – moving forward and pressing his lips against her own, wondering what she'd do in response. It was a light press of his mouth against her own and then he was gone – slipping away from her and rising up from out of the water – his glasses dripping water and his hair hanging over them. He looked like a drenched cat and wondered if she'd pound him for doing what he just did. He quickly moved away, stuffing his glasses in his pocket.

She was reeling, as she pushed herself out of the water. She shook her hair, long, sopping locks flying, ridding her of excess water. She glanced at him, hoping neither of the boys would notice the deep crimson staining her cheeks.

"The devil made me do it!" He tried to get his eyes to stop burning. "Hey – don't try anything." He smirked and backed up from her a bit. "I'm warning you, you'll be dunked again."

"The devil, eh?" Her eyes narrowed playfully. "You won't dunk me, it would be pointless. I'm already soaked… Besides, Sora won't help you. Will you, Sora?" She looked over at the younger boy with a meaningful glance.

"Of course, Auri! I'll help him… err… you. Hey – what are you doing, Riku? Wait!" With an 'mff' and then a splash, Sora had now been dunked by Riku. "Ughh – I'll get you!" The youth stood up and then he stumbled forward – grasping at thin air, spiky hair hanging down in his face as Riku danced out of his fingers.

"Too slow!" Lime-green eyes shifted back to Auri. "That's right – the devil." He winked at her with his left eye. "I always listen to the devil in my heart." A smirk – playful. He stepped out of the way as Sora tried to catch him off guard and down he went into the water – with a splash. He splashed water at her and then fell back down into the waves - looking up at the sky. He wasn't sorry about what he did – so why was he blushing? Hah. I want to go see other worlds, but then that would mean leaving this one. Do I really want that?

Sora pushed him farther down into the water and they had a really good fight on their hands – water splashing and limbs flailing. Finally they were done – as Sora went running out of the water, followed by Riku, who dove at him and pushed him into the sand, sitting on his back and using the heavy weight to keep the brunette down.

"Heyyy – let me up!"

"Do I hear someone talking?"

"Rikuuuuuuu!!"

He finally let Sora up and then he went back to the water's edge and out into the warmth of the sea – stretching his hand out to Auri. Strange – how that one action seemed so important.

She saw a flash – the darkness surrounding him, his hand out for her and Sora. The door has opened. Eyes clouded – his heart has already succumbed to darkness? Come on – this is our chance! We can leave this place and see other worlds! But – we can't hesitate, none of us! We may never see our parents again – still, we have to go on! I'm not afraid of the darkness. Yet none of them could take his hand, why?

He still held it out to her. "I won't do anything – I swear." But how could you trust such and angelic – yet devilish – face?

Sora – muttering something about sand in his shorts of something like that – had wandered off moments ago. Auri glanced from his retreating form to Riku – who held his hand out to her. Smiling gently, she walked forward and grasped it. "Don't worry, Riku. I trust you." Her sincerity was obvious. How could it only be two weeks until she started to doubt him – an action that hadn't happened once in the past seven years?

And why should she doubt him? Was he not always the perfect and loving friend? Though you could say their relationship was more then just friendship. Of course – he be distant, choosing to sit on the trunk of the Paopu Tree and gaze into the horizon. He wouldn't bother playing games with the others – though if he were asked, he would join. The breeze tossed his hair back. That was not like him – he was usually busy, doing homework or challenging Sora – testing him as he always tested him, pushing him forward. But Riku was distracted – the sun reflected in his eyes. "You do?" This was a great thing to hear – and it was something he enjoyed hearing in the future. It was a great thing to be trusted – and to have her trust just made him happier. But he'd soon lose it, wouldn't he?

"Of course I do!" Her voice had an edge to it that surprised her. It was firmness – steely. She always would. No matter what he did! Even when he sold himself to the darkness, she would still trust him. She just wouldn't trust the new Riku. The one that Ansem controlled like a marionette. But the old Riku was always in there.

"Thanks, Aur." There was a nod of the head, and gloved fingers curled around her own, resting against the knuckles.

"Riku and Auri – sittin' in a tree…" Selphie walked by, and then she cackled evilly. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G..."

"Hey – brat. Shut it." Riku called out – amused, but then he blushed and quickly pulled his hand out of Auri's, who had mimicked his movements at the same time – eyes wide.

"That was a good game, ya?" Wakka showed up behind Selphie, bouncing his blitzball atop his head. Kairi was walking along with them.

"Hey – what's up with you two?" Tidus blurted this out – staring at them.

"Nothing is up." Both Riku and Auri would say this at the same time, causing them to glance at each other and blush. Riku crossed his arms over his chest and walked out of the water – ignoring the group.

"I hate when he walks away like that!" Tidus complained loudly.

Kairi smiled. "Hey Auri, is everything okay?" She moved closer to the other girl. "How's it going?"

"Yeah, everything's fine. And good. Fine and good. Fine…" She was babbling, and she knew it. She was still trying to cover her embarrassment. Then she noticed the time. "Ohhh – it's getting late. No wonder you guys were heading home." Indeed, the sun was setting, the earth was cooling. "I'll, uhh… See you guys later?" She glanced at Riku, blushing again before bolting off – heading towards the Secret Place.

Sora wandered back up, and joined the group. They debated leaving arrangements for a few moments.

"You're staying, right?" Riku's question was aimed at Sora.

"Of course – I'm not going to leave her here by herself… But Mom'll be worried about me." He needed to get in contact with her. Sora jumped into his boat and rowed away with the others. "I'll be back!"

"…" Now alone, Riku glanced at the entrance to the Secret Place. "So tomorrow is her birthday…" He didn't enter just yet. "I wish I knew what to give her." He glanced up at the paopu fruit swinging above him. "… Maybe – I should do that." Do what? A turn was made and he'd enter the cave.

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She heard the voices outside of the cave, and yet she didn't move. As Riku entered, he would find her next to the door – leaning against it, as if listening to the other side. Her right hand would be level with her head, tracing the markings absently. Not hearing him enter, she sighed and moved away. "I wish I knew why you were here… I swear, ever since I started sleeping here…. I feel like you're an old friend. Like… you can talk to me. I know that's crazy, so maybe… People have come through? I wish you could talk." She sat back, propping her torso up with her arms behind her, and bending her knees before her body – gazing up at the door. "I'm scared. Riku can see you… That's why he wants to leave, right? Because you excite him. There has to be a reason… I just have a weird feeling that one of us is going to end up breaking our promise. I don't know…" Another long sigh escaped her lips.

And break the promise, he would. Riku would allow his anger – his jealousy – and then finally his insecurity to rule him. When the time would come to make the choice: the light or the darkness – her would choose the darkness and fall prey to it. They would finally find him, in the World That Never Was – in the shape of Ansem. Why did he take this shape? It was the only way he could control the full power of the darkness. It was the only way he could help DiZ and maybe Sora and Auri, too— and yet Sora did not know who he was – he still believed the mask was truth and Ansem stood before him. However, Kairi could see him – maybe Auri could too? It was most likely – she had a tighter bond with him than anyone else did – besides Sora, of course. "I've looked for you everywhere!" Sora would cry – falling to his knees and clutching the hand that still belong to Ansem. "I didn't want you to see me like this – and of you. As long as I could help you – in some way – I was content to keep this shape forever. I didn't want to be found – not this castaway of darkness. I don't deserve your friendship." With a sacrifice he would take his own shape once again – but the blindfold would remain. "Riku – why don't you take it off?" "I can't, not yet." For now he listened on – feeling bad that Auri didn't realize he was here. Maybe he should leave and come back? Make a loud noise so she would know it was him? He stared at the door and then back at her. He turned his back and quickly crept out. His heart was thudding in his chest. You will open the door, Riku. No! No. The voice – in his head – taunting him. He suddenly felt sick and he quickly moved out into the beach – hand over his mouth as he hovered over the water. He stayed there a few minutes and then he moved back into the Secret Place – making his entrance with loud footsteps. "Auri?" He smiled, trying to look cheerful, however, his eyes were weary. What was wrong? "Sorry that took so long – I had to get rid of the brats."

She had turned earlier – just in time to notice Riku's retreating back. "Oh no, what if he…" What if he had heard her? She was doubting her promises – something a good friend wouldn't do. Oh no – she didn't know what to do. She had decided he would probably return, so she willed her thudding heart and racing mind to calm down. She leaned against the wall, watching him as he re-entered. "Hey." She saw the weariness in his gaze, and she dearly hoped she wasn't the cause of it. Alas – she forced herself to smile – hoping it wouldn't seem that way. "I didn't think you were staying."

"I am if Sora is. Who's going to look out for you two? Someone has to keep law and order around here." Sora was staying too? Then why the hell wasn't he back yet? Mainly because his mother had just grounded him and he wouldn't be allowed to go back out. What had he done?

Riku sat atop a rock, worried, trying to hide his feelings at her words. This – why – this would be one of the factors which would lead to his turning to the darkness. He had to be secure, have faith in himself, and yet he'd lose it! No – Auri wouldn't break her promise – she wouldn't fall in love with anyone else – she HADN'T fallen in love with anyone else. And yet – he'd see them together – Sora and Auri, and suspicion would follow – the darkness gathering together to swallow him. You love him, don't you? Jealousy – and then bitterness, until he didn't care – using his powers to hurt them.

"Oh, thanks for the vote of trust there." It was true, stick her and Sora together in any place unsupervised and trouble brewed. Two deviously creative minds… A big mess. "And – if you're here – we'll just get into more trouble." She smiled.

"You're so welcome. Honestly, I know you two better than you know yourselves. You'll be causing trouble and I'll have to keep the order." He was smirking at that. Eh? "Wait, of course not! I'm the mature one of the group. I don't get into trouble."

"Mmhmmm… Keep fooling yourself, Riku." Her smiled suddenly slipped a bit. "Are you okay?"

"Huh?" Why was she asking that? She hadn't heard him come in before – had she? Riku had the sinking suspicion she did. He paused, before reaching back with his right hand and scratching his head with his fingertips.

"You look upset."

"I do?" Hesitation. A moment where the silence strangled them both. "Nothing's wrong." He feigned a confident smile, wondering if she could read him like a book? He honestly hoped she couldn't. Riku sat up – his right leg bent at the knee so that his arm would rest across that knee, the left leg was resting on the ground, out straight. He rested his weight on the palm of his left hand – turning his head so that he could look at her. "You're such a worrywart. Really – everything is fine."

"You really don't have to stay, you know. Neither of you do…"

Riku kept his eyes on her. "Hey – we're friends. We've always been together – right? Wherever you go, Sora and I follow. Besides – you can't deny our instinct to protect you. It's a guy thing – you'll just have to deal with it. Even if you don't need the protecting…" He added with a grin – in the end, he would be the one to need it. Ironic. "Yeah – remember when we were little, we used to come in here and play those make-believe games? You'd be the princess, Sora and I would be the knights… We'd have to save you from the big bad monster. One time Sora got spooked – so did I, I remember – and we both ran out into the ocean. What was it that spooked us? A rat. You threw it on Sora and he screamed like a little girl. After that, you made him wear the crown and play the part of the princess." He chuckled. "I won't forget that."

"You know, Sora wasn't my intended aim." A devious look, a crooked smile. "You know Sora still plays that sometimes? I don't – of course. Kairi's the new princess." A little more irony, eh? "Selphie's a monster – fitting." She grinned. Her eyes traveled over to the drawings on the cave wall. There was the pig-Riku she had drawn there a year ago, when they each learned the other could see the door – to feel it's being. And there was the horrible stick figure-Auri Riku had drawn in retaliation, laughing. "Another year…" Her voice was soft. She stood, and walked over to a black area of the stone wall, grabbing a rock in her path. She began to sketch, a hand, then an arm, and the rest of the body – or two bodies, it was – came together. Sora and Riku. Sora facing away, a far off look in his eyes, and Riku, behind him – looking in the other direction, one arm lifted as if holding something over his shoulder. His hair blew over his face. But his hands were empty. Kairi sat beneath Sora, gazing the same direction he was, mouth slightly agape in dazed expectation. Auri sat forward of Riku, now obscuring his legs from view. She was facing the same way he was, but there were things off about her. For one, there was a haze around her, as if she herself were not supposed to be in the picture. She was gazing at her lap, her hands cupped, holding a pendant there – a pair of wings. The artist then stopped, dropping the rock, her hand in midair. For some reason an extreme sadness swept over her, and a tear rolled down her cheek. "Riku… Don't leave." Her voice was barely audible – a pained whisper.

He had sat and watched her curiously as she had drawn on the cave wall. The sketch filled him wit what? Dread? It was as if the group were cut off from each other – Sora and Kairi on the side of light, while he and Auri were on the other side. Why was her shape hazy? He didn't understand. He glanced at her – and back at the sketch – only for his eyes to widen. A murmur – the sound of a rock being dropped to the ground. Don't go? He wasn't going anywhere! He went to her – in obvious worry. "Hey – turn around and look at me." He turned her with his hands on her shoulders. A teary path down her cheek? "Auri…" He whispered her name in surprise and concern. "Oh – please don't cry… Why are you crying?" He clasped her hands in his. "I promised, didn't I? I'll never leave. And if I do – we'll be together! There's no other place I want to be; here – with you – is where I want to be!" Beautiful liar! "Come here – it's okay." He stand and embrace her, stroking her hair with his fingertips – trying to soothe her. "You have to believe me. Please – do that. Have faith in me." Why couldn't she believe him? Because she knew – without a doubt – how his soul acted. He'd leave – and he wouldn't look back. Could he be forgiven? "It's okay."

She began to sob. "Not yet, Riku. But you will. You will leave!" the pain – so intense. "You'll leave me, won't you? You're lying!" She beat her fists against his chest – which was so strong even then, before he sold himself to the darkness. "Why can't you just tell me?! Tell me you want to go! I'll let you! I'll let…" She couldn't speak anymore, the tears and pain coming through her body so strongly she couldn't form words in her mind or mouth.

"…!" She was sobbing, and he was so startled by this that he nearly dropped his arms from around her. Of course he wanted to go to other worlds – but all of them would go together! He wouldn't set out alone – leaving them behind! He tried to hold her – prevent her from thrusting her hands against his chest – his eyes wide. "Auri! Listen!" He let go of her and clasped her face with his hands. "I'm not going anywhere without you. I swear it – on my life! If I leave here – if you leave here – we'll be together! I swear! I am telling you! I wouldn't keep anything from you – I never have." His hands didn't move away from her cheeks.

Suddenly she found a way to talk, her voice eerily calm – though still partially choked by tears. "Please – Riku. No matter your choice… Don't lose yourself… Please?" And she passed out. A deliberate blackout.

Lose himself? I'd never do that. I'll always be me! Always. I'm strong, I can take care of myself. She had fallen – lost conciousness, and he caught her.

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The next morning, she would wake up in bed – home. Riku had taken her back – afraid she may have been sick. He had gotten a good tongue lashing from her parents, which didn't faze him in the least. He wasn't on the island, he was standing a few feet away from his house – on the beach, staring out at it. She had been so sure he was going to leave – and Riku? He was sure he would never abandon his friends. But why was he having these dreams of doors opening and creatures, born from darkness, consuming the world? He kept his eyes on the rosy sky – silver hair tossed against his neck.

"I heard about Auri…" Sora's voice found him.

Riku nodded. "She – I really… don't… want to talk about it, Sora. Sorry."

"Riku."

"…Why don't you go see her? I would – but… I just can't."

"Why not?!"

"You wouldn't understand." He walked away – leaving Sora standing there.

"Riku – what's wrong?" The youth whispered – his blue eyes narrowed, brown spikes tossing in the breeze.

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She awoke in her room. Navy hues searched around, before she recalled the previous night's events, and the current day's date. A low curse emerged from her lips, and she sat upright, running to her dressed. Pulling on her usual outfit, she climbed out of her window, sliding down her secondary roof to land silently on the back lawn. She hated birthdays. Too much false cheerfulness, too many empty smiles. She turned her back on her home, not knowing it was the last time she would see it. With a sigh, she took off down the beach. "I need to find Riku." She had to apologize. For some reason, that foreboding had driven her to accuse him of wanting to leave – and she was sure that at one point she had said that he could. She had to apologize – and tell him the truth. No matter where he went, she wanted to go with him, and the fact that she felt like she couldn't was killing her.

Hopefully it wasn't too late.

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Too bad, it was.

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Review, please! I'm going to start setting targets. I'm going to want at least ten reviews a chapter. Any extra, and it will influence how quickly I update.

As for now, I'm really sorry about taking so long. :(

Schooool.