AN: Wow...I'm getting this up pretty quickly. Thanks to all my reviewers and sorry I didn't tell you before that I had the one-shot! Well, I kinda turned this fic into a different direction than was normally planned but I think it is still good. Thanks Lvkishugs, Lyphe, and Doomboy2000! Sorry this chapter is kinda short. I'll try to make them longer as I go!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts and don't know anyone who does. : (

Chapter 3: The Transformation

I made my way through the secret place, squeezing past the tight spots. I looked around when I got to the main room, but saw nothing that was of significance. There were only drawings that I vaguely remembered making when I was younger.

I was determined to find out what Kairi was talking about, so I searched everywhere in the area. Then I came across a picture on the wall that I knew was much different the last time I had seen it.

Kairi and Sora were sharing a paopu fruit together. Fury swelled up in me. They were so selfish. I guess I was the only one who remembered when we were smaller we said that we'd all share one together, as a symbol of our friendship forever. I guessed that all changed.

Then I noticed something that made me even angrier than before. It was on the ground...a leaf from the paopu fruit...they just couldn't have already done it. But I knew somehow that they did.

My heart beat faster, my jealously multiplying hundreds of times over. I didn't know what had come over me. One day I was telling myself it wouldn't be the end of the world if Kairi didn't pick me, then the next day my whole world was falling apart because she didn't.

I picked up the small leaf, crushing it in the palm of my hand. I had some business to take care of. I got up, quickly making my way out of the cave. I continued on through the sand, across most of the island.

Sora and Kairi were there, setting up things for the party. I couldn't stop myself. My emotions suddenly flooded my mind, and I was drowning.

I walked right up to Sora's back, turning him around. I grabbed him by the collar, bringing him close to my face. "You think you can just come back and everything will be fine?" I hissed. "You think everything's okay and you're everybody's hero? And you get Kairi and everything and I get nothing?" Before he could respond I moved my arm quickly, getting ready to punch him.

But he brought his arm up swiftly, grabbing mine. I tried to get out of his grasp, but it was too strong. I let go of his collar and prepared to hit him with my other hand. He grabbed that one too, forcing me back.

"Let me go!" I said, not very loudly. I got even angrier when I could tell he was stronger than I. But it didn't used to be that way. All of that time fighting the Heartless made him better than me, and I didn't like it.

Sora shook his head. "Riku, what has gotten into you?" His grips were still firm. "Why can't we just talk and work things out?"

"Things will never work out." Then I relaxed, losing some of my tension. Sora let go of me and stepped back a bit. All the while Kairi was in the background, aware of everything. But I didn't care. I looked Sora straight in the eyes. "Things will never work out for me."

"Riku, do you think my life has been any better? I've been away for two years while you've been here all this time. I'm finally back but you've been so strange lately I don't know what to think." Sora looked down.

I smirked. "Hmph. I'd rather spend two years away than stay here for two years and not get Kairi."

Kairi walked up behind Sora. "I know this is about me. Please, let's just work this out. Friends aren't supposed to fight- not like this."

"Friends?" I laughed. "Yeah, right. I don't think it'll last for long."

Sora was still looking down. "I- I think I know what's wrong, Riku. You aren't being yourself because that is just it."

I stepped forward defensively. "What do you mean by that? Are you saying I'm still possessed? Is that it, huh?"

He looked up now. "I don't know, Riku. All I know is that the real Riku wouldn't act like this."

"Well, think again." I slowly reached my hand into my pocket, trying to grasp the knife handle.

Sora must have sensed it, or seen it, and in an instant sparkles and glimmers appeared near his hand, then the Keyblade took its form. "Don't make me use this. I don't want to have to."

I slipped my hand out of my pocket, empty, placing both hands on my head instead. I knelt on the ground. Something was wrong. I was feeling so lost inside. And I couldn't find my way out. I closed my eyes. "Why can't I just turn back time! I never would've accepted darkness in the first place. I don't know why I was so stupid!!!"

I let out a cry of anguish, then looked up. Sora gasped, then Kairi too. I didn't understand what was wrong. "What?"

"Riku, your eyes...they're...they're completely pitch black." Kairi shifted a little bit, standing more behind Sora. That's right, I thought. Hide behind your hero.

I looked down, at my arms and hands. The veins were black, beginning to stand out distinctly against my pale skin. I looked up. Sora was in his defense stance. I looked at myself again. My nails were now black, and my hair was too. I didn't understand what was going on. I felt the same, but I was now beginning to look different.

"Sora...what is happening?" Kairi asked.

He shook his head. "The portal..."

"What?"

Sora sighed. "I'll explain later. Right now we need to get to the portal. It'll be near the dock. That was where I arrived."

Kairi seemed confused, but nodded. I was a little bit too. Count that a lot. And for the first time in a while I was actually scared. What was happening to me? Was my anger taking over? To me it just seemed like a dream- a really bad dream where I couldn't wake up. But I knew that it was for real.

I stopped thinking and looked up. Sora and Kairi weren't there. Then I remembered the portal. Sure enough, when I turned I saw the two running towards a bright door-shaped thing- the portal.

Hoping to catch up to them, I ran as fast as I think I ever did before. I saw Sora grasp the handle and open the door, then step inside. He began to pull Kairi in, too.

"NNOOO!!!!" I yelled. For some reason I didn't want them to go. I don't know why. I reached for the gold colored door handle, smiling when my hand grasped it. But it burned so much that I screamed out in pain and let go. Then the door closed, and disappeared. And I was left alone.