Riku and Mai

Ten

The next day, Mai waited for Riku to leave for school. She wanted to go somewhere without him knowing. She wanted to go to the library. She hoped that she could find a book with ways to find lost memories. She also wanted to find a book about creatures that weren't human, heartless or nobody. She had a feeling that she'd find a book.

Riku had gone. She waited for him to drive pass her sight. Riku had decided to drive since it was colder than the day before. Mai then knew she had to act fast if she was going to go the library and come back within five hours. She acted fast after the car was gone. She grabbed her book bag and sweater and ran out the house. She locked the door behind her and ran down the block. She was lucky that the library she was going to wasn't extremely far away. All she had to do was take a bus down the street. She paid for the ticket and hopped on the bus.

She was relieved that the trip was quick, only a few minutes had passed since she left the house. She sighed with relief and fear. If Riku came back while she was gone he'd go crazy looking for her. She was at the library now, the library was empty. She walked in and went to the front desk without taking her time.

"Hi, may I help you?"

"Hi, um… I'm looking for any books that talks about Heartless, nobodies and anything else related. Do you have any books like that?" Mai asked.

The librarian turned to the computer and nodded a few times and then faced Mai. "Yes, all of them are not to be barrowed though they are extremely old."

"That's fine, I just need to read them," Mai answered. She was trying not to be rude but she could care less she wasn't going to take them either way, she couldn't afford Riku finding them. The librarian led her to the shelves with the books. She pointed to the books and left. Mai collected each book and went to the clear table. She placed the books down and opened them up. She was going to learn what she was.

Three hours later Mai had read through two books. She learned she could read every quickly. The two books she read from confirmed nothing. There was only information about Heartless and Nobodies and how the behave and what not. Mai lowered her head in irritation. She just wanted to cry. She wanted to know what she was. She wanted to know if she was dangerous. She left the books on the table and left the library.

She was in deep thought as she walked with her head low. She sighed uncontrollably. She just wanted to know the truth. But it looks like Axel was her only option. She walked down the street and paused at a bench. She sat there for a while. Her mind was in deep thought. She had to sit down in order to keep them straight. After a while Mai sighed. She looked around and noticed how white the sky was. The clouds were thick but not thick enough to make the day black. She was walking down the street, her head down when she heard the sound of foot steps behind her. She turned around to see three men. They were tall and wore black coats. She swallowed, she was afraid but she felt that running would only make them eager for something she wasn't going to give.

"What do you want?" she asked. She then remembered the coat. She remembered seeing that same one at the corner of her eye some time before the fire. She didn't feel safe. "What do you want from me?!"

They stared at her. They didn't answer. They had their hoods up, thus Mai couldn't identify them. But Mai didn't need to see their faces to know they were afraid of her. "We are Nobodies," answered one. "You know this, and so, you know what we want."

"Princess, come with us, back to your home, where he awaits." Said the other.

Mai just stared at them. Princess? She wasn't a princess. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said. "I'm leaving," she turned her back to them and she jumped back to find them in front of her.

"Please, don't waste more time, please come back with us," they repeated.

"Why? Who's waiting for me?"

"The prince, he has been looking for you for years now, we finally found you, now we are ready to take you home."

"I am home," she replied.

The men paused. They stared at each other through their hidden faces. "Princess, why do you refuse? Are you looking for answers about yourself?"

Mai paused. "Yeah…"

"We will tell you," said another.

"We know all that you seek." Said the other.

"But…"

"You are not human."

"You are not a Nobody, nor Heartless."

"Then what am I?" Mai asked.

"Nothing of this world," one answered.

Mai sighed and closed her eyes.

"If you come with us you'll learn all you need to know."

Mai looked at the hand that was out stretched toward her. Should she trust him? She should believe what they say? Mai stared at the hand for a while. She wanted to know. Would she take a risk like that? Mai turned her eyes away and reached for the hand.

"Mai don't!" she opened her eyes to see Axel standing between her and the three men. "Mai get out of here!" he said. He too was dressed in these black coats. "Mai get going! Don't tell Riku!"

Mai ran off and didn't look back. She feared that if she did she'd see either Axel die or the three men die. She didn't want to see what death was like. She ran, soon she came to the house.

When Mai got home she leaned on the front door in tiredness. She gasped for air after that long run. She hoped Axel was alright. She went upstairs and doused her face in cool water. By the time she finished Riku was home. She remembered what she promised to Axel, she wouldn't tell Riku of her knowledge about him suspecting Axel of the fire. She promised to say nothing of what he told her. She wiped her mind of it and gave Riku a hug as she hoped that it wasn't obvious that she was out.

"Hey, Mai I'm going for a walk, I'll be back soon, okay?" Riku asked.

"Okay," Mai answered back. "Can I come?" she replied.

"Sure!" he said. "I could use the company." Hs smile was filled with happiness. He was very pleased that she was coming with him. He looked down at her, she was short compared to him. He blinked slowly, something in him made him want to go to Destiny Island.

"Where are we going, just walking?"

"Actually, no, I was going to the store," Riku said. They started down the street.

"Oh," she said. "Well, I was hoping we'd go to the mall…" she tried to ask.

"Do you want to?" he looked at her. He waited for her to answer.

"Yes… I mean… if you don't mind…"

"No," he said, "I don't."

They started back to the house and got in the car. Riku had the keys in his pocket the whole time. Pulling out of the driveway Riku was silent. While he focused on pulling out of the driveway Mai focused on asking him about his home. Something in her made her want to ask.

"Riku… what… what was your home like?"

The car suddenly stopped. It stopped abruptly. He stared at her. Shock filled him, he stared at her. He collected himself and continued down the street. After a moment Mai changed her question. "Was it that bad?"

He said nothing.

"Riku… I… don't… I just want to know, what happened? I just want to help," Mai said.

"I… it's a long story, I had… opened the door… and… darkness took… the…" he paused. "My land, my home was covered and destroyed by darkness!" he finally said.

Mai sat in shock. He was suffering with the thought that he destroyed his home. She couldn't understand it though. His family didn't curse him or reject him, his friends didn't reject him. But what was? What happened on that island that made him refuse to talk about it?

"But… why is that so hard to accept?" Mai started. "What's wrong with just letting go? Your family still loves you, you still have status and friends… why are you so hurt by this?"

"Because… my brother was killed…" Riku answered. He was finally facing the truth. Mai blinked in disbelief. Riku… had a brother? She would have never guessed. She sat in the seat ready to cry. "I lost my brother… and… I never said goodbye…" Riku was holding back his tears, Mai could tell. But any other person would have never guessed he could cry.

"Riku… I'm sorry… I didn't know…."

"No, it's okay, I… lost… him because of my doing… you have nothing to be sorry for." Riku said.

"Riku… I shouldn't have…"

"No… it's about time for me to face the truth… when he died… I wasn't there. First him, then Sora then Kairi… and I fear that…" he trailed off looking at her. "I mean… then my friends…"

Mai tried to think of a way to cheer him up. "I… I won't speak of it again. I promise."

Riku looked at her.

The road they were on was a country like road, there was nothing surrounding it but trees. But a mile down blocks of people and houses. A mile or two up they would hit more suburbia areas. It was pretty isolated. But a couple of cars drove by. Riku left her words like a stab, they were true, and she wouldn't lie to him. She trusted him, and he trusted her. He smiled.

Crack, beep! Bang!

Riku looked up and pressed on the breaks. The car in front of him was driving on the wrong side of the road. Riku turned the wheel to a sharp right and the opposing car slammed in the back side of the car. Mai and Riku were stunned. Luckily they were unhurt. Then Riku looked up to see another car coming. Riku covered his eyes. The glass broke and went in all directions. He could only hear the sound of metal scraping metal. He heard a few horns but nothing else. The car skidded to a stop. He was fine, no major wounds so far except for a bruised arm and leg and sore head. He looked up to Mai. But her eyes were gone.

"Mai?!" Riku called out, she wasn't in the car. Riku looked around. He tried to take his seatbelt off but it wouldn't unbuckle. He summoned his Keyblade and healed himself. He hacked the seatbelt off and got out of the car. Where was she? A few feet away he saw her; she was faced down, her body in the middle of the street. Even from where he stood he could see blood surrounding her. He called her name once more. But she didn't wake. She was unconscious. He started to run but he was stopped short. Heartless appeared and started to attack him. Riku then became surrounded. They charged at him. He swung his blade and hacked them in half.

Riku was taken off guard from behind. He was hit in his back and he landed on his knees. He turned around to see a man in green. From head to toe everything but his skin and teeth were green. His eyes were glowing green, his green hair shined in the evening sun. Riku then remembered what Mai said she saw at the police station. A man in green… He looked to be about Riku's age, he was either twenty or nineteen. But looks can be deceiving. Riku looked down and saw that he had a Keyblade.

"You… you have a Keyblade?" Riku jumped to his feet and swung rapidly. The man blocked each attack. His Keyblade, Kingdom Key, proved to be stronger than Way of Dawn at the moment.

"My name is Doki, I am here to collect the princess." He answered another question that floated in Riku's mind. Riku then realized he could mind read.

"So you can read minds?"

"Exactly," he answered. "I know your moves before you make them, but only if…" he paused. "I won't give it away." His green eyes glared up at Riku's and he hit Riku so quickly Riku didn't see it coming. Riku stabbed his blade in the ground to stop him from sliding too far back. He lifted himself with the blade like it was cane and went into guard position. Doki, so he called himself, didn't have a fighting stance. He just stood there, waiting. Riku attacked him and Doki just jumped clear out of the way. "Riku… yes… I remember you. You were a thorn, weren't you?"

Riku was wide eyed. "You met me before?"

"Yes, a long time ago," he answered. "But I don't feel like telling stories right now, it's your job to remember these things."

Doki, looked down at his watch that was on his wrist. "I don't have much time, give the girl to me and I won't hurt you!" he pointed his blade at Riku.

"Sorry, I won't give up a friend so easily, nor will I go down without a fight!" Riku jumped in the air and held his blade above his head. Pulling it down he aimed for Doki's head. Doki shifted to the side and Riku swung his blade in that direction without thinking. Doki was hit.

"Very good," he said climbing to his feet holding his side with his free hand. "You fight very well. I guess you are a Keyblade Master."

"Yeah, I am."

"Then I shall bow to you, it appears that I have made a mistake. I will take the girl now." He faced Mai, she was still in the road. Doki looked at her with an evil gaze. He stepped toward her and was instantly blocked by Riku.

"Don't touch her, or I'll kill you." Riku said. He glared at Doki, he began to sweat.

Doki had a smirk on his face but it suddenly vanished. Doki looked deeply in Riku's eyes. He saw something. Doki held his heart and back off. "So much… too much." He said. "I can't…" he ran off in the opposite direction.

Riku lowered his blade, but his fight wasn't over. The Heartless that had left because of Doki were back. They attacked Riku in all directions. Riku's body was weak. Once again he had little magic to cure himself. He then decided that his summoning would work best. Riku pulled out a card and prayed it would work. A bright light shined and a ray came from the card and went into space. Seconds later the ray of light came back. Landing in front of him was a familiar face.

"Wha…? What's goin' on here?" said the squeaky voice. His black eyes searched the area. He summoned his golden Keyblade and looked behind him in surprise and happiness. "Riku?! You summoned me?"

"Yeah, I really need your help, Mickey."

"Well, I'm here!" he said. He flipped in the air and attacked the Heartless before him.

"Can you heal Mai?"

"Sure!" he lifted his Keyblade and healed her. Her wounds healed instantly. Although her blood remained on the ground no more came from her body. She was still out cold. Riku joined Mickey, a friend he had not seen in three years. They fought side by side and sliced and diced the Heartless and each one failed to land a hit on the pair. Soon they were all finished. Oddly, Doki came back. Riku looked at him, he was ready to fight.

"I can't believe you love that wrench!" he said. He was on the roof of an old shack; he had his foot on the edge of the shack. He leaned forward and rested his arms on that knee. "She has broken the law, she is worth nothing."

Riku kept his blade ready. He feared that that he would attack again.

"Don't worry, I can't attack you right now, your feelings for the princess are too strong for me," he glared down with his green eyes. "I would follow you but since she's out cold and you're feeling the way you are I can't get too close without being hurt."

"So what will you do? Follow from a distance?" Riku lowered his blade.

"I wish I could, human, but I can't. I have other matters to deal with."

"Where?"

"Like I'd tell you," Doki said. "Take care of the princess while I'm gone, and start to hate her so I can take her," he added. In a black flash he was gone.

"Riku, who was that?" Mickey asked.

"He called himself Doki, but…."

"What's wrong?"

Riku turned and faced Mai. "I'm just glad she was unconscious when he said that. I would have been completely embarrassed." He brought his hand up to his forehead. If Doki… felt love. Did that mean that Riku… 'No, I don't love her; he had things mixed up with my will to protect her. I couldn't love her… I mean, I could but…' he shook his head. Mickey's black eyes looked up to him.

"Riku…" a voice weak and tired was heard. Mai called him again.

"Mai…" Riku held her in his arms after dismissing the Keyblade. He held her tight; he couldn't believe he almost lost her. He thought she was dying for a moment. But that was only fear and shock after the accident. After a few seconds, Riku heard sirens. He looked up and police and the ambulance was coming. Mai stood and smiled at Riku. She hugged Riku tightly in her arms. She wasn't sure what happened but she last remembered being thrown from the car. The ambulance came and treated the people that were harmed in the accident. Oddly, they didn't know that they were Heartless.

"C'mon, Riku let's get out of here before they see me," Mickey said.

Riku nodded and Mai did too. They ran in the opposite direction and rested in the near by park. The sun was gone and night had come. King Mickey laughed. "It's funny that you summoned me, Riku. I was going to contact you but you did it before me!"

"What were you going to call me for?"

"We're having some problems in the other worlds. Heartless are running everywhere, and it's because…."

Riku looked at him and waited. "What's wrong?"

"Nobodies are getting enough power to separate themselves from the whole. The Heartless."

"What do you mean by that exactly?" Mai asked.

"Nobodies are able to willing come out of people."