Riku stood on the far side of the waterway, panting heavily. Miyuki stood in the direct center. She didn't seem to be paying attention. Riku knew she was though. It's been about six hours since they started training and Riku hasn't lain a finger on her yet. She started to twirl her keyblade around on her wrists. "Whenever you're ready, Riku." She said patiently. He silently charged at her. His aim was at her weapon. He was trying to disarm her so that this would be a little easier. He successfully kicked her keyblade out of her hand. Before he got a chance to do anything else Miyuki thrust her elbow into his torso and snatched her keyblade out of the air before it got the chance to go anywhere. Then she spun and struck him in the chest. She sent him smashing into the wall. Riku fell to his knees. He was in mild but throbbing pain. He couldn't believe that she was that fast, or even capable of such crippling blows. And the most terrifying thing was, she wasn't even trying. Riku had been trying to anticipate her every move. It hasn't worked yet. Riku has learned some things too. Like how a direct attack doesn't work on fast people and how flashy tricks aren't always the way to go. He's also gotten faster. Trying to keep a pace when your legs are weak is difficult.

"Riku." She said. Riku wasn't going to let her trick him by trying to get him off guard. "Riku, I just wanted to let you know. Your training is over. I thought you knew, but since you were over their formulating a plan, I guess not"

"Oh, okay." Riku said. He started to walk over to Miyuki. "How'd I do?"

"I don't know yet." Miyuki said. At that moment an exact clone of Miyuki dropped from the ceiling and swiftly charged at Riku. He knew it was there. When Miyuki hit him, he slid against the ground on his back. He looked up and saw another Miyuki standing on a ledge directly above him. He knew she'd try to use that against him so he waited until she thought his guard was down. He quickly turned and parried the blow and swung his soul eater at it. The clone went flying against the wall and disappeared.

"Now how'd I do?" Riku said confidently.

"Flying colors." Miyuki said proudly. "My little Riku's all grown up" Miyuki smiled.

Riku looked at himself. He looked about the same except that he had a few scratches and bruises. "I don't feel any stronger. You sure that this worked?"

"Positive." Miyuki said. "You improved only where you truly needed it. Everywhere else will improve in time. You can't make everything better immediately. And if Sora still stronger, it's probably because he's been working longer than you have." Miyuki walked to the lift switch. "No one can give you immediate power without a price, Riku." She placed her hand on the switch and the lift descended. She walked up to the lift and was placed into it. Riku followed. They arrived at the Castle Gates. While they walked back toward the castle doors, Riku saw the Beast that had tried many times to get in to see one of the previously captured princesses, accompanied by Sora and his friends, at the bottom of the Rising Falls.

"Time to test my skills." Riku said. Miyuki looked out over the open area to the Rising Falls. Riku looked back at her. "Somehow, I feel that something is going to go terribly wrong." Riku said and turned back to the falls. "But then only one thing has gone right for me this whole time." Riku said as he sprinted off toward the falls. "Miyuki! Stay in the Library! I'll be back!" Riku shouted as the lift took him to the falls.

"Riku?" Miyuki said looking at his new weapon. "Is that . . . ?"

"The Kingdom Key?" Riku said to hold it proudly. "And the Kings' best? Yeah, they're mine now." Riku said gesturing to Donald and Goofy. "Sora'll be back any minute to get them back. And I have no intention of denying him his rightful weapons and partners."

Miyuki understood Riku completely. He was trying to push Sora to become stronger. That showed her how much Riku really cared. He wanted Sora to be stronger so that he could keep pushing himself to keep up.

"So, you're gonna give us back?" Donald squawked.

"Yeah, you're better off with Sora anyway. Just don't make it that obvious." Riku smiled. Donald and Goofy weren't sure if they could trust him. Riku could see it. "Trust me, a friend of Sora's is a friend of mine. Just don't let him know right away." He started toward the lower library door. "Come on, he should be here anytime now. Miyuki, reset the library please." Riku walked out of the library, Donald and Goofy at his heels. Miyuki smiled. She had seen it. Riku has grown more in a day than her little brother has in all his life. She felt so proud. Miyuki turned to a bookcase behind her. She lifted it to reveal a button. She pushed it and all the bookcases started to return to their usual positions. Miyuki rushed under the case to the Entrance Hall to wait for Riku. As soon as she got out there, Sora was already standing in front of him. With Donald and Goofy and his keyblade. Riku was already in his Dark Armor.

It wasn't long before they started fighting. Sora Donald and Goofy looked like they had a strong chemistry. Their teamwork was incredible. But Riku looked like he was handling it but just barely. If he made even one false move that would have been it. And he did. He started to forget about Donald and Goofy and started to chase Sora around. 'What are you thinking?' Miyuki thought. His plan was working for a while. Until Sora figured it out. Sora dodged one of his attacks and put some distance between them. Riku rushed at him again. This time Sora launched his keyblade at Riku and hit him square in the chest. Riku staggered back. He was ready to keep fighting but his energy was fading. His dark armor disappeared. Knowing that this fight would be hopeless without his armor he fled, leaving a flurry of heartless in his wake. Miyuki ran into the library Riku close behind. He shut the door behind him and collapsed against it.

"What happened?" Riku asked with anger in his voice.

"What do you mean what happened? I had nothing to do with it." Miyuki replied irritably.

"You told me I was stronger." Riku roared.

"I told you that you improved where you needed to, in your mind. But the way you fought Sora, I wouldn't think so." She growled.

"I don't need mentality. I need power." He said through his teeth. "If you can't give it to me, I'll find someone who can." Riku climbed over a bookcase and leaped across the library to the stairs. He stormed through the doorway to the lift stop.

Miyuki was filled with anger. She couldn't believe that after all she did for him, he would pay her back like this. He was blinded with wanting to be better than Sora that he forgot about what truly matters. She knew that Riku would go to seek power. And in Hollow Bastion there was one who could give it to him. "Ansem." Miyuki thought aloud. She quickly made her way over the bookcases and out of the library as soon as Sora and friends made their way in.

She quickly made her way up the castle. She had to find him before Ansem did. It was his only hope. His life lie in her hands. After only knowing him for a day. She needed to save him, it was her duty. Miyuki felt obligated to protecting him. She felt that strongly for him. There was no way she would let him down. Soon she arrived at the chapel. She rushed in to see Riku standing in the center of the room in his Dark Armor. "Riku!"

"Miyuki, about before." Riku said. His voice sounded . . . different.

"What, about before?" Miyuki asked.

Riku turned. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have treated you like that. You took your time to train me, and I just insult you like I did. I'm sorry." Riku began to walk over to her.

"Apology accepted." Miyuki said. She didn't look at him. Something just wasn't right.

"Listen, Hikari" Riku started.

Miyuki looked up at him. "You just called me . . . "

"Yeah, I know. Your brother and sister call you that." Riku said. "There's something I need to tell you. I've been holding it in for some time now." He was standing right in front of her now.

"What is it?" Miyuki asked she hung her head. Something wasn't right but she couldn't figure out what it was.

Riku placed a finger under her chin and pushed it up. "What's wrong? Why won't you look at me?"

She shook her head. "What do you want to tell me?"

Riku removed his finger from her chin and wrapped his arms around her waist. She hung her head again. She couldn't enjoy the moment. Something was not right. And it was bothering her that she couldn't figure it out.

"Miyuki. Ever since I first laid eyes on you I felt like there was something special about you. I just couldn't figure it out. But over the past few hours, those feelings kept developing into something stronger, but I couldn't figure out what they meant." He said. He pulled her closer. She finally looked up at him.

"Really?" Miyuki whispered.

Riku nodded. "Don't be upset but I was listening to you talking to Kairi. I heard what you said about me. That you had those same questionable feelings for me, too. And it confirmed my feelings for you."

Miyuki was miserable. She was fully aware of what was happening but something wasn't right. She was so upset that she couldn't relish the moment.

"Miyuki, I love you." He said. He leaned closer to her and kissed her.

That was when she knew something was wrong. His lips weren't as soft as they were before and they were cold. She broke the kissed and backed away. "What is wrong with you?"

"What are you talking about? I know you love me, too, Miyuki stop fighting it." Riku said softly.

"You're right, I do love you, Riku, but not like this. Something isn't right." Miyuki said.

"What do you mean? Everything's the same as it's ever been" Riku said. His voice was splitting. It was noticeable now. He wasn't the same. Ansem had got to him first.

Miyuki pushed him off. "Who are you? What did you do with Riku?" Miyuki asked aggressively summoning her keyblade.

"You don't recognize me, Hikari?" the figure said. "I'm Riku."

"No, you're not!" Miyuki screamed. "Let him go, now!"

"I see you've grown quite attached to this boy." The figure said.

Miyuki recognized the voice. It was a voice she hadn't heard in nine years. A voice she hated. "Still out to get me, Ansem?"

"No, I just want you out of the way." Ansem replied calmly. "But really, Miyuki. It'd been so long. Aren't you glad to see me?"

"No. But I'd be happier to see you destroyed." Miyuki grumbled. "Get out of him, now!"

"No, I'd rather not. This body has extreme potential." Ansem smiled as he looked himself over.

"If you wanted power then you should have taken me. I'm stronger than he is." Miyuki said.

"I'm impressed. You'd put yourself on the line for him. How quaint. You must really care for this boy." Ansem laughed. "But I have a question. How are your little brother and sister?"

Miyuki clenched her teeth. "They're fine. They're in safe hands. I didn't want them to get involved in this."

"Sure they are. Seeing as though they lost their hearts. . . ." Ansem chuckled.

Miyuki was struck cold. She couldn't believe it. After all these years of protecting them they lose their hearts. "You're lying."

"It's quite true. Luckily they have produced human-like nobodies." Ansem smiled.

"Shut up." Miyuki whispered weakly.

"Don't be mad at me for your negligence." Ansem said.

Miyuki's brow lowered. Her face held an intense scowl. "Shut up!" She said as she charged at Ansem with her keyblade raised.

Ansem swiftly dodged her attack. She swung again. He dodged. "Are you sure you want to do this?" He said as he brought forth Riku's soul eater. Miyuki quickly swung at his mid-section. Ansem parried her attack and countered with his own. She winced as she caught the soul eater with her bare hand.

"Positive." She said and snatched the soul eater out of Ansem's hands. Miyuki swung at Ansem with first the soul eater. Ansem dodged. She attacked again with her keyblade and struck Ansem hard across the face sending he crashing into the nearest wall. He slowly pushed himself away from the wall, wiping the blood from his mouth. He approached Miyuki "Let me rephrase the previous question. Are you sure you want to do this to Riku?" Miyuki gasped. He was right, he was inhabiting Riku's body. So whatever she thought she did to Ansem, she did to Riku. She froze. She didn't mind hurting Riku before because she knew he'd be all right. But Ansem might prod her to actually seriously hurting Riku. But she had to defend herself. Ansem took advantage of her disadvantage and teleported himself behind her and stole back the soul eater while twisting Miyuki's arm palm down on her back.

"Your feelings can get you into trouble, Miyuki. They always have. And they always will." Ansem whispered. "Now is no different. You've fallen in love with the wrong person, Hikari."

"Don't call me that." Miyuki said. "Only people I care about call me that."

"You don't care about Riku, Miyuki? Isn't that why you're in this mess in the first place?" Ansem said as he pushed her arm further up her back.

Miyuki flinched she clinched her teeth. She was filled with anger. She tried to formulate a plan, but they all involved hitting Ansem in a way that could harm Riku. She was near surrender. "You're not Riku." Miyuki said in a defeated voice. She wasn't ready to give up. She was trying to think of ways to retaliate without hurting Riku, but she was coming up short. The only alternative was to break free of Ansem and escape, which posed the risk of breaking her arm or worse. She was ready to do it. She'd do anything for Riku.

'Miyuki!' said King Mickey's voice.

She thought she was going crazy. 'King Mickey, I need your help!' she thought, hoping the king could hear her.

'I know. Just do it. I'll take care of everything.' The king said. 'We're gonna get Riku back.

She had full trust in the King. She wasn't sure why, she hardly knew him. But for the same reasons she fell for Riku, she felt she could trust her life to the King.

Miyuki had to execute her plan. She used her keyblade to trip Ansem by letting it hang diagonally in front of Ansem's feet. She walked forward to get him to follow. But instead he jerked her back and she tripped over the keyblade causing her to fall back onto Ansem and brake her arm. She exhaled sharply, trying to avoid crying out. She used her good arm to spring to an upright position. She hung her broken right arm to the side. She was fighting tears from the severe pain from her arm being locked in that twisted position.

"I should have gone for the other one. I forgot you were left-handed." Ansem said.

Miyuki didn't want to speak. She was afraid of her voice breaking.

"What, you're not talking to me now?" Ansem said quietly. "Fine. Let's finish this." He charged at her at full speed with a demonic grin.

Miyuki didn't want to move. She couldn't take the pain. Moving would just make it worse. She always thought she'd go down fighting. Suddenly, she felt the pain in her arm diminish as it twisted itself back around. She still couldn't move. She didn't want to interrupt the healing process. But if she had to, she would. She stared Ansem straight in the eye as he approached. He was no more than a foot away when he dropped his soul eater and slowed himself down. He stopped right in front of her and wrapped her in a fond embrace.

"Miyuki, get out of here." Said Riku's voice. "I don't want you to get hurt. Go find the king. I'll hold him off."

"Riku . . . " she started. She looked him right in the eyes. He had the most passionate look that she's ever seen. She didn't want to go but she had to. The only way to save him was to leave him. ". . . you have to let go of me first." She said as a tear ran down her face. Riku gave a soft smile, despite the struggle of keeping Ansem contained until she was out of reach. He released her. She rslowly backed away.

"Don't give up on me . . . Hikari."

"Never." Miyuki said. She ran back through the doorway to the lift stop. King Mickey stood in front of the door to the Grand Hall.

"Miyuki, we've got to get out of here. Sora will take care of Ansem. Right now we've gotta get to Kingdom Hearts."