Chapter 9: The hunters' legacy, Riku, painful memories, the three of us

In a more busy part of town traffic was moving all around, people going and leaving from different places, and in a maze of alleyway an unknown person was running. The individual was panting quickly looking back as they turned into another alleyway, someone was chasing him as another pair of footsteps were heard. The man was wearing ripped clothing, his mouth and hands were covered in blood, his eyes were glowing red. It was a vampire, he seemed to be panicking as he was being pursued by someone. He was carrying a person, a young girl probably in her late teens her neck was bleeding as she was unconscious. The vampire was a trying to escape with his prey, the young girl as suddenly a black and white energy blast in the shape of spear as the vampire barely dodged the blast as he continued running away until he reached a dead end, and with an angered expression as he then heard the sound of a gun cocking as he turned to see the individual that had been chasing him.

"End of the line vampire... Put the girl down and prepare to pay for your sins" the person that stood there was Riku! Facing the vampire as he aimed a similar key shape sword like Roxas's but its design was with a red, purple and blue blade shaped like a curved demonic wing, also, a dark angelic wing on the tip. The guard is composed of one angelic wing and one demonic wing, with a chain and heart token attached to the end.

"This is my kill hunter! I not gonna beaten by a child, I'll kill you and get two meals instead of one!" the vampire cackled when suddenly the sound of a sword swinging was heard as the vampire suddenly gasped

"Wha..." the vampire voice began croaky, a line was formed starting the vampire's forehead all the way down to his chest as his pupils became faint as he suddenly exploded in dust which shattered everywhere

As dust cleared the young girl was in the arms of the one who slashed the vampire in half, a tall man with brown spiky hair wearing a trench coat, with large odd looking blade in his hand, the weapon was a textured, dark brown colour, with brass edges. The teeth are made of two pick-like points, with two hammer-like protrusions on the opposite side. The guard is an off-blue colour, and seems to be crafted from two Omega insignias. The pommel is a dark blue cone and the token is a reddish rock fragment with brass armour-like plating. It was Terra, Sora and Roxas's homeroom teacher and the young man who stood opposite him was Riku, he had a faint smile while Riku on the other hand looked a little annoyed as he sighed with his weapons vanishing in a bright light.

"I could've taken him you know, you didn't have to step in" Riku said with a hint of annoyance in his tone as Terra just smiled at him before walking over to Riku

"I know that, but I saw an opening and went for it! Besides I can't help that I have to look after my little student" Terra said as he playfully ruffled Riku's hair annoying him further

"Knock it off Terra!" Riku said as he then crossed his arms as Terra chuckled slightly as he then stopped and turned his attention to the injured girl in his arm

"Here... You take her and get some help for her" Terra said before handing the girl over Riku who held her in both of his arms as he looked at his mentor a little confused

"Hey, where are you going?" Riku asked as Terra began to walk away before looking back at Riku

"I've gotta go and file the closing report on this and it's gonna take a while... Just take care of the girl and I'll meet you back home" Terra just said before he stood there as he paused

"There hasn't this much vampire activity in a good couple of years... This the fourth attack in the last week" Terra said in a serious manner as Riku looked at him

"It seems that the hunter's guilds believe that vampires are arriving here on the islands... They seemed to be planning something" Terra said as there was silence between the two

"It doesn't matter, were vampire hunters... It's our job to protect those lights from the darkness..." Riku said as Terra smirked as he turned to look at Riku

"To protect the things that matter... To protect the ones we cherished" Riku and Terra said in union before the two smiled as Riku then began to walk, going past his Terra

"Fine, I'll take care of her and meet you back at the house..." Riku as he headed off to have the care taken to get some help as Terra remained there watching his student leave

"I won't let you or the others down... I protect and watch over all of you I promise" Terra said to himself as he suddenly vanished into thin air


(Later on)

Back at the house Sora was asleep and Kairi was downstairs she was cooking dinner for her and Sora, and the rest of their family. She was worried about Sora, but Kairi always looked to the positives, she liked to believe that there was always a ray of sunshine even the darkest of storms you could. So she was confident that Sora would be fine especially with a new friend like Roxas, from the vibe Sora was giving off it was clear to her.

She knew that Sora was already developing some feelings for their new friend despite only meeting him today, but she could get over the fact that Roxas strongly resembled the other teen in Sora's photo. Kairi had planned to make a full course dinner but it was gonna take some doing as she was preparing by herself, just then the sound of the door unlocking was heard as Kairi heard someone entering the house.

"Hello? Riku is that you?" Kairi called out waiting for a reply from the person who headed her way

"Yeah it's me Kairi! I've just come back from work" Riku replied as he entered the kitchen to see his friend preparing some food

"Was everything alright Riku?" the girl asked her friend as she went over to fridge to take out some vegetables as Riku then took them from her hands

"It was fine, Master Terra and I took care of it..." Riku said as he then went over to the sink and began to rinse the vegetables in water as Kairi just smiled

"Thanks... So is he's gonna come back later, and did he tell you where Aqua was?" Kairi asked her friend as she went over to stove and placed a pot of water on top of the cooker and turned on the fire

"Master Aqua and Master Terra are at the Twilight guild right now, they'll be back later" Riku told Kairi that their guardians would be home later on as she then went to cupboard to take some more ingredients

"Okay, dinner should be finished by the time they get back... I think I'm gonna go with stew tonight" Kairi said as Riku began helping her with dinner as he then looked up slightly

"How's Sora...?" Riku asked Kairi who glanced back at him slightly as there was silence between them

"He's alright Riku, there's nothing to worried about, he's just resting" she replied with a smile as Riku smiled faintly before he sighed slightly

"I just don't understand... Sora was obviously attacked by some kids, and he didn't tell us what happened?" Riku said with a tone that was a mixture of annoyance and worry

"You know it's because he doesn't want us to worry Riku, you know that Sora's too humble to petty things get him down" Kairi said to her friend as Sora had being picked on and bullied a lot

"But it isn't just that Kairi, recently it's just been getting worse... I know it's a particular group that's attacking him and he won't tell us" Riku said as he was worried about his friend

"Riku, were kids anymore, you can't protect Sora and me from everything like when we were little... He's going to make his own choices just like us..." Kairi said

"You're gonna be graduating this year, Sora and I will have to fend for ourselves" she added further as Riku was a year older than them and this was his last year at school

"You'll become a full fledged hunter once you graduate, you'll be off around the world helping the hunters" Kairi continued that Riku soon wouldn't be around to watch over his friends

"I know that Kairi... But it doesn't matter because you, me and Sora will always be a part of each other's lives..." Riku said in a sincere manner as Kairi just smiled at him

"The three of us will together no matter how far we are from each other..." Kairi added to Riku's statement as the two just smiled at each other and they began to laugh

"Alright with aside let's get started on this dinner!" Kairi said in an upbeat manner as she and Riku continued on preparing dinner for their family


Riku was in truth a vampire hunter, the trio's guardians were vampire hunters, for generations hunters have been protecting humanity from supernatural dangers in the world. Humans tapped into magic powers and weapons. They were also enhanced by the pacifist purebloods giving these humans supernatural abilities they could allow them to fight against the vampires, these individuals were first true hunters, and like vampires who mated with humans, the offspring of hunters with humans would result humans naturally born with same supernatural powers, to wield weapons like Riku's and Terra's or use magic.

Since then for generations hunters took it upon themselves to protect humanity from supernatural dangers in the world, as well as preserving the secret of their existence. But in truth vampires were the only threat to humans, mainly former humans, hunters rarely went after vampires who were higher than formers. Over time the vampire society, and the hunters' institute maintained a fragile peace between them, but there many issues and matters that the vampires and the hunters argued over.

In many hunters opinions it was solely their responsibility to hunt vampires, while the vampires said it was their duty as formers were the result the bloody past between hunters and vampires to boost their numbers in wars and battles. There was always conflict and debate between the hunters organisation and the vampires on this issue, but they found ways to resolve it. Riku had been trained by Terra in the art of being a hunter, teaching how to fight and to use some of the many different magical abilities that hunters are capable of using. Riku used dark type magic as it suited him, he specialized in all forms of dark type magic.

Kairi and Sora were aware of the existence of vampires, but were kept to secret about it, but they weren't trained to be hunters, Kairi's guardian Aqua did show so forms of protection magic. But she didn't want to endanger Kairi or Sora, Riku wanted to become a hunter in order to get stronger so he could protect Sora and Kairi, he even taught both of them some hand-to-hand combat tricks so they could defend themselves. Sora would sometimes practise with Riku and Terra, but he felt that he was intruding on their training, Riku had Terra help become the young man he is today, to guide him and train him.

Kairi had Aqua who taught her many things, guided her to always see the light in everyone and to protect and guide her. But Sora didn't have someone like Terra and Aqua as his mentor, the one who mentored him was gone. While Riku and Kairi got on with preparing dinner downstairs, Sora was still asleep upstairs, unconsciously his hand was on the photo above him. He seemed to be mumbling words as he dreamed, his face had sad expression as slightly tossed in his sleep. In his dream there were just voices in his head echoing.

When I grow up I wanna just like you big brother!

I wanna use a keyblade and magic like you and protect people!

Are we going down to the beach today Ven?

Come on hurry up Ven, you and Terra are lose, let's go Riku!

Sora... Always remember to look after your friends okay...

What makes a person powerful isn't a keyblade, magic or any of those things...

It's there heart... My power is because of the love I have for Terra and Aqua...

The love I have for you, my friends and loved ones are my power

Your friends and loved ones are your powers, and were their power...

Always remember that little brother...

Okay Ventus... I won't forget... I promise... Ven...


End of Chapter 9

I wanted to use this chapter to go more into Sora, Riku and Kairi's lives before the relationship with Roxas and Sora starts to fully build which will begin in the next chapter. Next time Sora starts becoming attached to Roxas who is trying his best not to become too close to him as the beast within takes over, while Roxas beings to start feeling like a normal teenager for once... But danger lurks in the distance shadows... Please leave your reviews on the new chapter telling me what you think, the next chapter hopefully will be done by Friday!

Bye for now!