Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts/Final Fantasy/Characters © Square Enix.
OC Characters © xWhitexWindx. Warning: Alternate Universe. Contains swearing, suggestive themes, heterosexual & homosexual pairings, and violence.
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~Dark Desires~
-IV-
"Rayne! Listen to me! You're still wounded, dammit!"
Still her brother's protests were being ignored. Rayne simply continued to get dressed, tugging on her hooded t-shirt overhead, only pausing to wince momentarily, before she ducked down to grab her boots. She brushed past the older man, with Zack snatching her by her hood.
"Ray, I'm dead serious. You cannot leave this house in the condition you're in! You almost died, or have you already forgotten?"
"All the more reason why I need to get out of here." she replied, her tone deadpan. "I'm not putting you, Aerith, or my future nephew in danger any longer. I'm a SeeD now - or have you already forgotten? Wounded or not, the mission comes first. Our client is counting on us to solve the mystery of countless children vanishing. Or do you want them to all die? Every second that ticks by, their last breath could be drawn." Rayne's voice was cold - her eyes darkened and piercing as the grey irises swirled like rain clouds. "Now let go of me, Zack."
"Master Angeal wouldn't agree with this."
"I defy him and you then!" Rayne whirled - the mentioning of their beloved master having struck a nerve. "I am no longer a lost little pup who needs to be watched over! I am a SeeD - a warrior - and I am going to carry out my mission, with or without your damn approval. I'm not a child anymore, Zack! I am not in need of your protection anymore. So let me make my own decisions!"
Zack reached a hand out toward her retreating back, but he was rooted in place. He watched Rayne disappear from sight down the staircase. He heard her order Ventus to follow her before the door opened and shut behind them.
He swallowed hard, surprised at how much her words had stung. She had been right - in all aspects. She wasn't a little girl and she was a mercenary now. She could handle her own and make her own decisions as an adult. He could only pray that Ventus watched out for her.
Suddenly, he could breathe again, feeling gentle arms wrapping around him from behind. He could feel the faint kicks against his lower back, before he placed his hands over Aerith's, closing his eyes. She pressed a kiss to his shoulder.
"She'll be alright, my love. She has friends who look out for her. Ventus is a good boy - strong too. He'll make sure she's safe."
Zack nodded, closing his eyes and simply tightening the hold he had on her soft hands.
He was more frightened of Rayne falling to the darkness that seemed to be growing inside of her heart. No matter how hard they tried, both his Master's and his attempts to reach her had failed.
I don't want to see my sister lose herself to darkness…
Yet, how could he bring her back to the light when she was so intent on running away?
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Ven staggered a bit as he tried to keep up with his comrade. How in the worlds she was able to move so quickly with the wounds she had was beyond his comprehension. All he knew was that he had vowed not only to her family but to himself that he would keep her safe. He never wanted to feel the emotions that had tightened around him, almost like a choke-hold. It was so hard to breathe or think straight while she had dreamt.
He had been so afraid she would never wake up.
Now he understood how Aqua had felt the day he finally opened his eyes.
"Rayne, please wait up!"
She only seemed to quicken her pace. The blond lunged forward, managing to catch her wrist in his hand, stopping her. He nearly tumbled into her, but stayed upright. He felt how cold her hands were, even through the black leather of her bike gloves. Blue eyes tried to see her face, but she kept it hidden behind her curtain of dark hair. He could feel her trembling though, placing his other hand on her other shoulder.
She turned away from him, but not before he saw her quickly rubbing the back of her free hand against her face. Without saying a word, Ven drew her close, with her giving a muffled protest before he placed a hand to the back of her head, her face pressed against his shoulder. He stroked the silken threads, closing his eyes. She didn't return the embrace, but she didn't push him away either.
"It's not even dawn yet… shouldn't we go back to your family…? Zack meant well - he just didn't know how to say it any other way. You know that…"
"We have to find the children."
Rayne stepped back, before looking toward the castle silhouetted against the starry sky. The town was dark, not even a glimmer of light radiating. Everyone was still asleep, dreaming away with loved ones close-by.
"You want to try infiltrating the castle?"
"We need to. Ven, please."
She called me 'Ven' again…
"Alright. We can try to find another way in."
She hesitated, eyes flickering as if recalling something. "I think I know a way inside. C'mon. We have to hurry."
"Where are we going?"
"The Fountain Court."
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Water sloshed beneath their feet, both ignoring the cold seeping through their shoes as they examined the alcove. Her hands ran along the thick, iron bars before she gripped the fifth one on the left side. Ven watched with widening eyes as she lifted the bar out of place. The space was small, one that maybe a young child could get through.
"Zack and I found this as kids. I had completely forgotten about it. We used to sneak inside to play with Ienzo. He wasn't really allowed outside of the castle." Rayne crouched down, showing him the easiest way to get through the gap without too much strain. "Hurry. Daybreak will be here soon."
Once Ven was on the other side, they returned the bar back into place. He turned his worried eyes on her, examining her torso.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm a quick healer. Plus the healing that Aerith gave me sped up my recovery. I'm honestly just a bit sore - and my side hurts like hell. Other than that, I'm in good shape to defend myself. If anything, I'll rely on my spells…since my blade was destroyed." Her eyes flickered in anger in the dim light. "Master gave me that sword too."
"I'm so sorry it was destroyed, Rayne."
"It was getting dull. Use brings about wear, tear, and rust. He would've been upset if he had seen me using it so much."
They fell silent, the only sound the rushing water as they started to head down the dark and dank tunnel. Ven squinted, his eyes trying to adjust to the darkness. Twice he stumbled into the walls, blindly trying to use them to guide himself forward. He heard the sloshing next to him, signaling Rayne was still with him, but she didn't seem to be having as much trouble as he did.
"Rayne?"
He felt her cold hand touch his forearm, "Right here, Ven."
"Can you see? I'm as blind as a bat over here."
"I'm going by memory. Here…" There was a slight hesitance before she took his hand, awkwardly slipping her fingers through the spaces between his. "I'll lead the way."
"Thanks."
He gripped her hand tight, afraid of losing her. She seemed to find her way through the darkness without too much trouble. Soon, they saw the dim light of a torch - an eternal flame that flickered and illuminated a strange gateway.
"What is this place?"
"A hidden escape route from the castle. It may take me awhile to remember what mechanisms to operate, so bare with me."
Ven nodded, holding out his hand and beckoning Wayward Wind.
"Don't you worry - you just focus on navigating us through this waterway. I'll protect you from anything that tries to mess with us."
Rayne nodded before she leapt across the platform over the deep water, before she reached a square mechanism. Just as she pressed it and the gate began to open in front of them, one slid out from the wall behind them, blocking the way they had came. Rayne moved forward and to the left, searching for the other mechanism. Ven kept his eyes peeled - cursing softly as he noticed an Unversed forming right behind her. Before it could strike, Ven leapt forward, slicing through it and destroying it. The gates turned, revealing another path.
Minutes ticked by as they navigated through the labyrinth.
"Shoot!"
They were boxed in, Rayne having messed up on her timing with the mechanism. She staggered, her back pressing against Ven's as Unversed began to form all around them, circling them. Ven twirled his Keyblade, feeling the slight trepidation inside of him.
"Ven…I'm scared…" All confidence had fled from her, her voice reminding him of himself not that long ago, when he had been faced with an enemy he didn't know how to defeat. "I-I dunno if I c-can fight w-without my b-blade…"
"Don't worry, Rayne! I'll protect you!"
He attacked, moving as quickly as he could, running through the monsters with his Keyblade. He managed to defeat most of them, only to hear Rayne give a scream. He whirled around to see her on the platform, backed into the corner and trying to shield her chest and face with her arms. She was flailing and fighting off the Unversed, but they kept clawing and attacking her.
"Leave my friend alone!" Ven shouted, before several winged blades of light formed around him.
He moved as fast as light itself, slicing through all of the creatures and destroying them, before he flipped and landed in front of Rayne. The light faded away, before the blond closed his eyes and smiled, holding out his hand to her. Stunned, Rayne took his hand, overwhelmed by the power he had displayed. She had no idea that he held that kind of ability.
"V-Ven…..t-thank you."
"Not a problem." He winked at her, "Now, how do we get out of here?"
"We need to hit that mechanism." She pointed at the correct one. "But it's too far out of reach."
He simply took his Keyblade and aimed it at the mechanism. Suddenly, the gate swung open, revealing the last corridor of stone. Amazed and feeling relieved that she had Ven by her side, Rayne then hurried down the corridor, looking for the stone passage. She found the stone statue, pushing on it. Ven hurried beside her and added his strength, the two of them working together and moving the statue enough to reveal a stone staircase.
"Looks like this is the way in!" Rayne was grinning, before she held her hand up for a high-five.
Ven laughed and their palms met, before she suddenly turned red and awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck, before she flipped her dual tresses over her shoulder and then started to ascend. Ven chuckled to himself, smiling and knowing that she was opening up to him, much like she had with Naminé.
Whereas she was completely reserved with everyone else and kept a stoic demeanor, around his sister she was open, playful, and extremely affectionate. He recalled their study sessions in their dorm, with the two snuggled on the bed and books all around them, playing with each others hair as they read sections to one another, treating themselves with a gummy bear upon getting through a section.
That's why it took him so aback to see Rayne acting cold and distant. Her open and affectionate side seemed so much more real with her. He liked to see her smile.
It was as if life sparked within her in those rare moments.
He would do whatever it took to bring her to life.
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After walking in a winding circle for what seemed like forever, along with dealing with must and attacks of spiders the size of a Shadow, they were relieved to come to the end of the staircase. Both were covered in sweat and dust from the treacherous hike up the winding staircase. Upon reaching the top, they both hunched over, trying to catch their breath. They glanced up to see a wall of wood before them.
"Dead end?" Ven whispered, his tone implying he dreaded a positive answer.
"Don't think so…" Rayne moved closer to inspect it, before she rapped her knuckles against it. "It's… hollow. I think this is a bookshelf. I'm pretty sure this passageway lead to the library." Taking a step back, she looked from side-to-side, raven and cerulean layers bouncing lightly down her back. "There!" She pointed at one of the stones, before she reached behind her back, only to freeze as she grasped nothing but air.
Ven bit his lip, feeling sympathy for the swordsman before he summoned Wayward Wind. "Here?" He aimed at the stone she had pointed at.
"Yes."
He then struck it, watching as it sunk in. After a moment, they heard a clicking sound, before the bookshelf began to move, revealing a doorway. They walked inside, with the shelf going back into place about a minute later. The morning sunlight was beginning to drift inside through the panes of the windows.
"We're inside. Now what?" Ven asked, glancing around curiously.
Rayne turned to face him, parting her lips to speak.
The world stopped as Wayward Wind was suddenly in her hands.
She lunged.
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A/N: Thoughts, comments, or questions in the review please! -Win