Konoko: ello I'm back and thank god i found a beta person. Special thanx to jazzu-chan. when i get a chance I'll draw a pic for ya. Anyway, a few more chapters left before this is over and then I move on to the next part. This will be an interlude like Hitoshirezu. It will be called "Aozora no shita" (Below the blue sky) so look out for it when this story's done. And don't worry. I need true emotions was dark for a reason. I just didn't realize how dark it would get until i got into it. anyway you'll enjoy the next part. but you'll have to be patient
Thank yous to all the reviewers. keep up the comments, they help curve the directions of the story
I never thought there would come a day that I would be fine if Riku was not there. But as I'm held in the arms Kai, I feel like there's a chance that I never needed him. I don't remember when I began to feel this way about him but I know it began when we first met. So many things held those feelings down when I was with Riku, but now…
I wonder how bad that makes me, being able to let go of Riku in the arms of someone else. I mean, here I am, lying on a beach within my dreams and for the first time in a long time, I feel so at peace. I don't even flinch nervously when Kai kisses my head, my closed eyes, my cheeks, and…my mouth. His mouth is so soft almost feminine but the power behind it cannot be mistaken. Strange, I don't have any problems with kissing him back. My skin tingles at the feel of Kai's hands moving beneath my shirt over my side so gently. Reminds of Leon in how careful he is with me but he's not hesitant at all. The idea of how long he's waited here for me gives no doubt about how much he wants this.
He said I was his…yes, that's what I want. I want to belong to someone who would choose me above all trifling mistakes. Who wanted me not because we were supposed to be together but because it was what he wanted…and what I wanted.
I gasp, my head clouding as pearl teeth sink into the joint of my shoulder and neck. When had he gotten there? Oh right, this our dream plane, he can do what ever he wants. Funny, when did it become ours? My thoughts are gone when his hands wash over me with ghosting caresses in some places and firm squeezes in other. I couldn't help but wonder how he knew exactly what to do. He slowly rolled me onto my back and removed my shirt not stopping for anything. Kai leaned forward and played a hot tongue over my chest around each of my nipples in slow agonizing circles. I rake the sand, getting it caught in my nails, but I don't care as long he keeps going.
He smirked against my skin and slid lower dipping his tongue with perfected patience into my navel making me squirm beneath him but not enough to seem that desperate. Even I have a little restraint. Being with Riku taught me that. I'm finding it difficult to figure out how he keeps getting my clothes off with out my knowledge; no one was that talented not even in my own head. Still, when I glance down he already has my pants undergarments completely off. Like I said, he's talented. He sits up looking down at me like a wealthy collector admiring a peace of artwork. Why does he look at met that way? What does he see when looks at me?
"Do you really want to know, Sora?" he asked touching my face. "What I see?"
I nodded slowly and he kissed me again. "When I look at you, I see the world falling apart, devastated by your beauty. I see the white wings which root straight from your heart in which you wrap your loved ones in and protect them. But your eyes, they are like cool stones wrought from the furthest sky set to sooth the scars of unworthy souls. When I look at you Sora, I see an angel. Only fools could be wrapped in your wings and not able feel the softness of your feathers. Would you allow someone so undeserving as me to be wrapped in those silken wings?"
I stare at him with unbelieving eyes. No one had ever said anything so endearing before, not even Riku had the eloquence such as this to say anything remotely similar. He brushed his thumb over the edge of my eye and I felt something wet there. I didn't realize I had cried. I thought I couldn't cry anymore tonight yet somehow he had managed it. Sometimes I believe I really am a girl. Kai laid against me and I feel the warmth of his skin. He's naked? Dumb talent! Then again that warmth feels so nice. I wish for a moment that we could get closer but this skin of ours is in the way. That's okay; I've always been one never to ask for more than I could get…
"Sora, stay with me…let me love you."
"Kai…I…"
What's this feeling I have…?
"I love you, my angel of dawn. Please stay with me; stay where I can reach you."
I see. He's the one I want...
"…I love you, kai"
noitomE eurT deeN I
Act V: Time's up.
"Everything will be alright"
"Axel, slow do-umph!" Roxas was silenced with a searing kiss as he was pressed hard against the hallway wall. They were still in the girls' dormitory and Roxas had wanted to be alone, although he hadn't meant this. He was still conflicted about some of the memories he had lost about the redhead. He knew a name and a face. The only thing that came to mind was that they were best friends but that was all that he remembered. What kind of friends were they?
He pushed Axel back and took in a shaky breath. Axel arched his brow, confused. "You can't be confused now, Roxie."
"I'm not confused, I just only remember certain things and this isn't one of them," Roxas said breathlessly. "I came here so I could remember.'
Axel touched his face and slid his fingertips down the blonde's neck. "Uh-huh."
"And I rather not do anything weird before I remember you c-completely." Roxas stuttered slightly at the hand that drew up his shirt.
"Uh-huh."
Roxas's face turned crimson when the redhead got to his knees and drew his tongue along the fine lines of Roxas's chest. He couldn't help but let a moan slip when that burning mouth closed around his nipple.
"You d-didn't hear a w-word I said." Roxas moaned tilting his head back.
"Uh-huh." Axel stood and pinned the blond against the wall, taking Roxas's face in hand. "Look, last time I left you on your own, you wound up with no memory and ended up fused with your other again. I refuse to let that happen again. No one is going to erase the burns I'll leave on you tonight."
Roxas blush as those thin, but surprisingly strong arms encircled him and held him possessively close. Axel kissed his hair. "I won't let anyone take you from me again. I'll send them to ash before they try."
Roxas rested his head against the redhead's chest burying his face into the familiar fiery warmth. He knew this was right; there was no mistaking that. He could let it pass that he couldn't remember everything about this man with emerald eyes.
"I believe that's really why I chose you, Axel. I know everything will be alright now."
------------------------
Riku entered his room late that night after taking a walk to clear his head. His mind was nothing but a jumble of guilty depression, anger cocktail. He barely had the clarity to slip his key into the lock. He came in to find a figure collapsed on the floor with a toppled chair lying next to them and turned on the light. Riku's eyes widened when the light revealed a prone Aros. He picked the shadow up and held him in his arms still feeling some form of guilt about the way he acted towards this part of Sora. Once again, he had shunned Aros even when he thought he had been good to him. He shook the body gently trying to rouse him.
"Aros? Aros what happened? Aros, come on!"
He let out a breath of relief when the amber eyes fluttered open and looked up at him unfocused. "Kiru-sama?"
Riku looked down at him in confusion. "Aros, it's me, Riku."
The shadow blinked a few times and weakly buried his face Riku's chest. "Riku, it's you. Funny, I think I should be angry with you but I can't. Not right now…Sora has let you go, hikari. Why did you let that happen? I told Kiru that you and he were stronger than that. You both made a liar out of me, and my love had been right. I shouldn't have been so blind by how much I cared."
"What are you talking about? Aros, did you hit your head?" Riku said picking up the shadow and putting him in bed. "Who is Kiru?"
"I thought all this was over once we had been born into Darkness Edge. I thought it was over, I guess I was wrong."
Riku couldn't make heads or tails of what the disoriented shadow was talking about. He simply sat on the edge of the bed with Aros and ran his hands through the obsidian hair. It was strange to be able to touch the shadow knowing that Sora was somewhere else. What made them all separate? He still continued to wonder what to do about the situation with Sora; how to heal it. There really wasn't much he could do as long as Sora was unconscious at Merlin's. Maybe that was affecting Aros as well and why the shadow felt so warm so suddenly. It was almost like he had a fever.
"Aros, you're burning up," Riku said rising. "I'll go get a cold towel."
"No, Riku-sama, I'm fine. Don't leave." Aros whispered sitting up. He wrapped his arms around Riku's torso. "Please, don't leave me alone again, Riku."
Tears filled amber eyes and rolled down pale cheeks. Riku could only stare at the shadow but he turned in Aros's arms and pulled him close. This feeling of foreboding crept upon him and literally attacked him as he held a crying Aros. He had never seen anyone as powerful and manipulative as Aros break down that way.
"He's scared, that's why"
Riku snapped his head to look over his shoulder. A hand reached over to pet Aros in a soothing manner that made him relax in Riku's hold. A head rested on Riku's other shoulder and it took everything in him not to bolt from this situation. He looked into eyes similar to his own yet lighter in hue. He couldn't what froze him there was the mirror image of him pressed against his back.
"You…"
The Riku doppelganger smirked at him. "You remember me now."
"That day…" Riku's eye widened.
"When you touched the heart of your world in the secret place, I was born."
"I remember. I thought you were just a voice in my head, leading me into the darkness," Riku said growing angered. "You're the reason I was separated from Sora in the first place."
He nodded and took a bow. "My name is Kiru, it's a pleasure to meet you, my other. However, I was not responsible for the decisions you made. I simply told you that there were worlds beyond this one and you took it if from there. Thanks to me, you are as strong as you are. The decisions in the beginning, you never made. I made them for you and a good thing too, or you may have never lost that pure arrogance and obsession with staying ahead of Sora that you had. Think of me as your guardian angel."
"What the hell do you want?"
"Well, you haven't lost all of the arrogance. I'm going to help you retrieve Sora's heart though it will be tricky with all the wrong you've done. I think I shouldn't have stopped guiding you, my fault for putting blind faith in you."
Riku glared at the other man. "So you're the one behind all this."
"Wrong again, the one behind this is never me. Let's just say he and I are playing a serious chess match and thanks to my arrogant king, my pawns are having trouble maneuvering and I have lost my queen to him. Luckily for you, I hate losing and I don't mind cheating to win. That's why I'm stepping in now. Besides, I wish to protect my dark angel from him and you will take yours back."
"So how do we do that?"
Kiru smirked. "Glad you see it my way. Here's the alternative to letting Sora go…"
----------------
Sora's eyes opened to the winter sun's rays shining on his face. He sighed and blinked to focus to his eyes. Warmth curled into his ribs shifted and moved closer to him. He raised his head to look and found Kid nestled into his side with a blanket over her. Guess his feelings for her weren't one-sided. He petted her head and sat up carefully as not to wake her. Sliding out of bed he allowed her to curl into the warm pillow he had been lying on.
"What am I doing at Merlin's house?"
"You outright passed out that's what you're doing here young man!"
Sora looked back at the old man who rushed to him and ushered back to a chair. He began checking him over like a creepy doctor on house call. Sora swatted at him.
"I'm fine, Merlin. I just had a fainting spell."
"I'll say! You've been out since yesterday. Anyway, one of your teacher's came to see you."
"My teacher?"
He smiled when he saw Nora standing timidly on the far side of the room. She smiled and gave a small wave. Merlin checked over Sora one more time and then took his leave. Nora walked over and gave him a motherly hug.
"I was worried when I tried to contact you and you didn't answer," she said softly. "Merlin said that you had had a breakdown and I came as soon as I could."
"A break down, so that's why. I'm fine now, Ms. Nora. I just needed to get rid of some emotional baggage, that's all."
She watched him curiously and nodded. "Come take a walk with me. It's snowing today so the air is fresh. It will make you recover faster."
"Uh, okay."
They walked in a pleasant silence that Sora enjoyed. He was so at peace now after the night before. Nothing was bothering him now; not even the events of the other day. He knew he would be alright as long as Kai never went away and he would take care of Kid though he hoped that Riku would show some interest in the girl. Even if he didn't, Sora didn't care; he'd keep her anyway.
"So what happened?"
"Hmm?" Sora said not hearing her.
"What happened to you Sora? You seem light as a feather."
"Oh, I, uh, broke up with Riku."
"What? After all this time you've been together. What made you do that?"
Sora laughed like it was the most hilarious thing in the world. "He cheated on me with a woman. Not only that, but he had a kid with her too which I'm taking care of now." He continued to laugh while Nora only stared at him disbelievingly. His laughter died and he looked down at the snow with a soft sad smile on his face. "When I think about it, laughing at it is the only thing that keeps me from crying over it. I can't believe it's really over between us, my first time being really in love and it ends up like this."
Nora shrugged. "It happens more often than you know Sora. I think you're very strong to be able to let go that way."
"It's really not about being strong," he murmured softly. "It's all just knowing everything will alright. As long as you believe that, you never really have problems."
Nora smiled and gently hugged Sora. "You remind me a lot of my son. He use to be sick a lot but he kept telling me that he would get better and kept smiling the way you did. But sometimes just smiling isn't enough. I don't think you've really let go yet, Sora. But I believe you'll get there."
He smiled at her and kept walking. They continued on until the most beautiful sound reached Sora's ears. It sounded a lot like string music, a cello and it was slow, beckoning, calling out to them. Nora wondered why Sora had suddenly stopped. He seemed entranced by something but she couldn't see what he was staring at. Sora felt the notes caress his heart like no others had before and he followed their calls. He walked away from Nora with out a second glance and traversed through the snow filled park. The louder and louder the music became the more enthralled Sora became. He felt so light like his feet weren't even touching the ground. Was it the melody that did this?
He came across a man sitting at a bench with his back turned, the neck of his instrument resting against his shoulder as his arm swayed to and fro to the rhythm. Sora was caged by that sound but that didn't stop him from recognizing the mercuric highlights in the raven ponytail. Still Sora couldn't move. He felt that if he moved, this mirage of music and fantasy would leave with the winter breeze. To his dismay the ensnaring song came to an end that made Sora shudder on the last note. The man put down the bow and looked over his shoulder revealing silvery eyes that blended with the artic setting around them. Silence reigned over them in the falling snow. Sora couldn't think of what to say no matter how many things came to mind. The only thing that fell from his lips was a name that brought all his comatose memories to surface and put a conspicuous blush onto his cheeks.
"Kai…"
He closed his eyes and smiled. "You called and I came, Sora."
Sora felt the shiver run up his spine at hearing this voice for the first time against his ears. He walked forward slowly, still afraid of his mirage theory. He gained more confidence when Kai extended his arms in welcome. Sora ran into the open arms and was enveloped in real solid warmth for the first time in a long time.
"You really came," Sora whispered. "I didn't think any of it was real but you're here."
"I'm hurt, Sora," Kai said with amusement. "You really thought I would abandon you? I would never, not even for the world. I know better than to let someone like you go, angel."
Nora watched from a distance. So this was how Sora was getting over Riku, but who was this? She had never seen him around before and she'd never known anyone to have such pale eyes. It made her blood run cold when his eyes fell on her. His smirk chilled her to the bone but his voice was so different. Like falling rain that held her in place no matter how much she didn't want to stay.
"Angel, who might this be?" He asked smoothly.
Sora blinked as if slightly dazed and looked back at Nora. "Oh she's my music teacher. Miss Nora, meet Kai," he said smiling brightly.
Nora nodded slowly not wanting to get to know this person anymore did she already did. "It's nice to meet you."
Kai gave a charismatic smile and came to her. He lifted her hand gently and kissed the top with a slight brush of his lips. "Such beautiful hands you have, worthy of teacher who knows an angel of music when she sees it. It is a pleasure to meet the woman who has taught my angel the art of heaven."
Nora shuddered out fear more than anything else. She had felt the firmness in his hand letting her know that one flick of his wrist and she'd never play piano again. "Such things you say. Are you an artist, Mister Kai?"
"I am simply an admirer of all things beautiful that world can not see itself. I was able to see this angel of dawn when no one else could. However, you saw him first. That something to admire in you."
Nora saw Sora blush at the way Kai spoke of him. She didn't trust this man at all but he made Sora happy and made him smile from what she could see. She should she say anything to him about her feelings or…
Kai's eyes met hers in a temporary lock and all thoughts of speaking left her. He released her hand and walked back to Sora wrapping his arms around him. She blinked and looked at Sora. "Sora, I'm glad you're okay. I hope to see you for practice tomorrow. I want to hear your song for auditions. But right now, I have to go take care some things. I am a teacher after all."
"Oh…okay, Miss Nora. I'll be there tomorrow then."
She nodded with a distant look her eyes and turned to walk in the other direction. Sora tilted his head at Kai. "She's never acted that way before. She usually tries to stay longer cause she's a pretty boy freak. Kinda like my mom."
"Ah, then it's a good thing she has things to do. I don't want to be watched on our first day together." He took Sora's hand. "There's so much I want to show you. I think the best place to do so is the planetarium."
"The planetarium?"
"Yes, the place where you first saw my home."
------------
"So that's the bastard?" Riku asked watching Sora and Kai enter the planetarium.
"Yes, but be careful what you say. If I know him well enough he already knows we're here."
"How can I stand here like this?"
"You don't have to stand here because this is not where we need to be. Let Kai have his fun. Aros told me that the charm is still on Sora so we'll have to wait until he comes home tonight."
"How do you know he will?"
"How do I know your lover better than you do?"
Riku fell silent. His shadow was starting to get on his nerves. "So what do we do for now?"
"We go to see Naminé before our time runs out. I fear for her sanity."
"Naminé's in this too?!" Riku exclaimed angrily.
"You're lucky that she is and that she is on our side. Trust, if Kai lured her to him we would all be serious danger, or did you want Sora to forget about you completely. Even worse, perhaps have your heart shattered. No my friend, Naminé is gift to us. She has a something for us but we should hurry while she still has a hold on Kairi."
"Kairi?"
Kiru sighed. "You talk and think far too much for your own good. For once, let me handle things. I'll lead, you follow and I swear you'll have Sora back."
Sighing, Riku left Sora to the whims of another man and followed Kiru's directions. He went to the girl's dorm and went up to Naminé's room hoping to get this over with quickly without snapping at the girl. When no one answered he tested the door to find it unlocked and slipped inside. Pictures upon pictures were scattered in the room. Kiru stepped into the room behind Riku and looked around.
"She's been very busy, just like I asked of her. She's truly a good friend. You should trust her more often than not. You don't have to bare your burdens alone. For instance, she could've altered everyone's memory of that night, including yours and Rinoa. Then again, that's too dark of an approach for you Riku. After all, you are trying to stay in the light."
Riku glared at him. "Forgive me for not being like you."
"Oh, we're more alike than you know, Riku," Kiru said with a smirk. "Naminé? Where are you?"
A small sigh caught their attention. "I'm here."
Kiru went around behind the headboard of Naminé's bed and saw the angelic blond sitting awkwardly on the floor with a bloodied lip. He knelt down beside her and touched her face gently. She winced when he brushed over her swelling red cheek. Kiru shook his head at her and pet her head.
"What am I to do with you, Naminé?"
She gave a weak smile. Riku just watched the short interaction between them and realized that they had to have known each other for a longer time than he had known her. He could tell by they way they looked at each other. Kiru looked back at him with annoyance.
"Don't just stand there, go get a towel!" Kiru snapped.
Riku jumped slightly and did as he was told leaving them alone. Kiru looked back and Naminé once Riku was out of the room.
"How long do we have?"
"I don't know, maybe tonight maybe tomorrow. I think he'll try to take him as soon as possible."
"I thought I told Axel to watch over you."
Naminé smiled. "Roxas came. You know how Axel is. I let them go and stay sleeping. But I hadn't counted on the chains breaking so quickly."
"Then?'
"Yes, she's out and I don't think I can stay much longer without Sora."
Riku had been standing quietly behind them and pushed himself to interrupt. "Naminé, what do you mean you won't stay longer."
Kiru took the chilled towel from him and began to clean Naminé's face. Naminé closed her eyes.
"I didn't want you to find out this way, Riku. But everything I've done has been with good intent. I just couldn't finish it before she broke free."
"Find out what, Naminé?"
Kiru picked Naminé's tired form from the floor. "Save this discussion for another time, Riku."
"No! Tell me now! I'm tired of being left in the dark, damn it"
Kiru smirked and looked at Riku "Now you know how Sora felt, don't you Riku. As for Naminé, she just wanted to explain her connection to Roxas and Sora, that's all."
---------------
Axel played with the soft blonde spikes of Roxas's mane. He wasn't even mad that Roxas didn't remember everything; as long as the blonde knew his face and name he was alright. That's what made him, Roxas, and Naminé unique. They were all born different and they all new what real emotions were. He smiled when Roxas curled against his body and nuzzled his chest. He traced his fingers over the minor burns he had left on the blonde's torso. Axel never did anything to hurt Roxas but sometimes, you just get carried away.
"Axel…"
The redhead looked down at the sleepy sky blue eyes that gave him a worried look. "What's wrong?"
"Something's wrong…with Naminé…"
"Nah, don't worry about her. Everything's going to be alright."
--------------------
Sora shuddered when Kai nipped at his earlobe. "Someone will see us, Kai!"
"Tenshi, didn't you notice?" Kai whispered lustfully. "No one else is here. I made sure of that." He kissed Sora's skin while the star show played on. "I want show you my world. How it would be, if you came with me, angel."
"How…it would be…"
"Yes, a world of no more darkness. I'll give you my obsidian jewel where the days are bright and warm and the nights are cool and full of life. Every star in the sky will be yours if you wish it. You can keep Kid. You and her both live in the light forever. Just say the word and it is all yours."
"I…"
A small clinking sound caught their attention and Sora looked down. Riku's charm lay halfway outside his pocket. Sora carefully picked it up and looked at it with clouded eyes. It sparkled in the moving light of the room and reminded him just what he was letting go of.
"I can't…I still…Riku…"
Kai narrowed his eyes momentarily and leaned in close to Sora's face capturing the brunette's eyes.
"I won't make you forget him, Sora. But please, for my sake and yours, let go and leave it all behind."
"I…can't-" Sora was silenced with deep alluring kiss that took away all thoughts of refusal. The key charm slipped from his grasp and lay upon the floor…forgotten…
"You see Aros, he truly is just like you. He just wants to live in the light."
--------------
Konoko: I know what you're thinking, has riku lost sora for good? What dark things lie in store for our main characters now that these decisions have been made? wooo you have to review to find out.
