Shadows Within
A couple weeks later.
The pain was becoming unimaginable. The source of his agony was coming from his abdomen, his womb. Riku couldn't tell anyone, especially Sora. If Sora found out there might be something wrong with their child he'd become a wreck. The poor keyblade master barely slept, wanting to constantly pamper Riku in his every waking moment.
He must have been so tired..
Riku gazed at Sora sleeping soundlessly beside him on the couch, ignoring the pain for a moment. They had been talking about what they'd name the child before Sora dozed off, letting his head lay against Riku's shoulder. The boy cringed as another wave of pain struck him, causing him to rap his arms around his stomach. His breathing became unsteady.
It's ripping me apart…!
He couldn't suppress it any longer and cried out in agony, waking Sora from his slumber.
"Riku..? Riku?"
---
Leon stared blankly at the bathroom door, sitting up in a mess of blankets on the bed. A few moments before, Cloud had rushed out of bed and closed himself in the bathroom. Leon sighed, getting slightly curious, if not worried, and pulled himself off the bed. Reaching the bathroom door he knocked before opening it.
"Something wrong?" he asked, looking down at Cloud. The blond was sitting on the floor next to the toilet, appearing slightly pale. Leon's eyes softened and he walked over to the sick man, kneeling next to him.
"I'm alright now.." Cloud said weakly.
"Cloud..! Leon..!" Their names were screamed from the floor below.
"That was Sora.." Leon mumbled, looking back towards the door abruptly.
"I'm alright." Cloud repeated. Leon nodded and left the room in order to investigate. Cloud forced himself to stand, only causing himself to get dizzy and light headed.
---
"I think he's going into labor!" Sora cried, panicking. Riku had both hands clenching the couch, often screaming in pain.
"Only Aerith would know what to do." Leon said, walking towards Riku. Without hesitation, he lifted Riku from where he sat and headed towards the door.
"I'll get Riku to the ship, get Cloud and I'll meet you there." Leon ordered before exiting the house. Sora didn't bother arguing and rushed upstairs in order to retrieve Cloud. Being as stubborn as he is, Cloud was already half-way down the hallway.
"What's happening?" he asked.
"Riku's..!" Sora gasped, not finishing his sentence, grabbing Cloud's wrist and pulling him back down the hallway. Cloud's face had regained a bit of color and was feeling less dizzy.
"We're taking the Gummi ship. Aerith should be able to deliver the baby." Sora said quickly, rushing them both outside.
---
There wasn't any need for words once they arrived at Traverse Town and into the building Cid, Yuffie, and Aerith resided. Like always, Aerith took control and took Riku into a separate room, not allowing Sora to enter.
"This is different Sora. This isn't natural and if something goes wrong I don't want you to be there to witness it." She had told him. The brunette, instead, began to pace outside the door, waiting for the results. Obviously, they didn't come quickly. Hours past before any signs of the child being born came. Leon sat down next to Cloud on the couch.
"Are you alright now?" he asked, still worried about his lover. Cloud nodded, but didn't look up at him. Leon sighed, dropping his head into his palms, admitting to himself that he was a little anxious for Aerith to come out with Riku and Sora's new born child. Although, that never happened. Riku's screams were heard once more but not only was he screaming, so was Aerith. Sora ran to the door, Leon behind him. Both set of eyes widened at the horrific sight before them. Riku was laying on the bed, screaming, black hands tearing through his stomach from within. Aerith was back against the wall, not knowing what to do in such a situation. As the creature pulled itself from Riku's abdomen, it let out a terrible screech, revealing itself as a heartless.
"Riku!" Sora sobbed, dropping to his knees.
"Don't let it get away..!" Aerith cried. Leon's attention went back to the Heartless that had completely removed itself from Riku's body. It shot towards the door quickly in an attempt to escape but Leon swung his sword down in time to slaughter the small creature. It let out a final screech before vanishing into a black vapor.
---
"The Heart of all Heartless," Aerith continued, "A Heartless created to be the mantle in the creation of the ultimate Heartless."
"How did it end up in Riku?" Leon asked.
"Most likely when he was trapped inside Kingdom Hearts with so many of them. They planted it in him before freeing him, allowing the small Heartless to grow as if a human child." Aerith said, tending to Riku's wound.
"But I killed it, so there's no need to worry about it anymore."
"You can't kill it. It's sole purpose is to fulfill what it was made for and there's nothing we can do to stop it. We need to be prepared to destroy what it creates."
Leon sighed, realizing it wasn't over yet. He looked down at Riku.
"Is he.. going to be alright?"
Aerith didn't answer. She finished stitching together the hole in his abdomen.
"That's all I can do. My magic should be able to keep him alive. We just need to give him time to heal internally." She said, standing. Her gaze fell upon Sora who was sitting at the end of the bed, not taking his eyes off Riku. She sighed, feeling bad for the boy. He'd been through so much.
"If you have the free time.. Do you mind checking if Cloud's okay? He was sick this morning and he hasn't been talking as much. There's certain things I'm sure he'd tell you first before he told me." Leon said.
---
Leon sat down on the couch. Aerith had invited Cloud to go with her into the kitchen in order to make something for them to eat. She used the excuse that she couldn't reach the dishes from where they were kept. They were gone for a while, so Leon figured Cloud had actually spoken up to her. He questioned himself what could be wrong with him.
---
"You're going to have to tell him." Aerith said.
"I know.. but.. are you sure that's what it is?" Cloud asked, having lost the color in his face again.
"I'm sure of it. The sooner you tell him, the better. He worries about you." Aerith said reassuringly. Cloud nodded. He left the kitchen, shaking slightly, and entered the living room once more. Leon looked up at him expectantly.
"Leon, I'm.. pregnant."
