Second Chance: Chapter 9

Nero was right … his friends never bothered to return for him … not even Jetta. Then again, he couldn't blame them. Not after everything he had done … Not after all the lives he had taken … Not after betraying them. Yes, it was clear that they hated him now … hell … even he hated himself. But that didn't matter. The only important thing now was staying on Nero's – his master's – good side. He obeyed every order without question, and completed every task in a way that would please his master to the fullest extent. He had become … his pet.

During his lengthy stay with Nero, Riku found himself falling into a routine. Two nights out of the week, Riku would step into his role as a follower and take the lives of those who didn't deserve to live. Other nights he would guard his master's lair, and, if he was lucky, Nero would be kind enough to give him a night to himself. Then again, Riku was never fond of those nights. Without something to do, Riku's mind would travel to days of the past. Days when he was still with Jetta. Days when he wasn't labeled at a traitor … and life was simpler.

However, there was a day that Riku looked forward to. Once every month, Nero would pull him away from his weekly routine to test him. He would test his strength and skill to make sure he was still progressing as a warrior. If he didn't show signs of improvement from the previous month, Nero would force him into constant training for the remainder of the week. Other followers were ordered to attack him at any moment of the day, even if he was sleeping. Yes, Riku remembered that horrible week all too well, and he made damn sure it never happened again.

Today was one of those days.

Riku dug the balls of his feet into the cold stone floor of the cavern as he slowed his moving body to a dead stop. Black steam rose from the Soul Eater as the male focused on catching his breath. Nero was really working him over today. He wasn't sure how long they had be going at each other's throats, but Riku assumed it was over two hours now. And, honestly, he didn't know how much more he could take.

"Don't give up on me now, Riku," Nero spoke as a smirk graced his thin lips.

The silver-haired teen said nothing in reply as his head slowly rose and his eyes locked with the man; however there was something new added to Riku's everyday apparel – a mask. It was a simple porcine mask of a face that showed no emotion. It was blank. It was unreadable. It was who he had become … and emotionless shell of a man who was once … happy. Among other changes Riku had gone through were his long silver tresses that he had pulled back into a ponytail so it wouldn't obstruct the view of his mask, and his noticeably taller height. Other than that he was still the same old Riku … sort of.

Without a word, Riku flew forward at a speed that seemed almost impossible for a human to achieve. Nero's smirk widened as he shot several dark balls of matter at the boy, but Riku was able to dodge them all with ease with a technique that he learned a few months back. It was a type of teleportation for short distances. To spectators it would have looked as though his body evaporated into a dark mist before reappearing again within a small cloud of the same mist. He was rather fond of the trick and liked to use it whenever he could … sadly Nero was the same way.

Riku was gaining distance fast as Nero launched another dark ball as a last attempt, but this time Riku didn't try to avoid it. Instead, he summoned a small portal in front of him and used it as his shield, sucking the attack into a world of darkness. Now the question was … when and where would it reappear. Not even a second later Nero's attack struck him on the back of the head and sent him falling forward. He was open, and Riku was practically on top of him now.

The Soul Eater ripped through air as the boy swung for his master's head with all that he was worth, but he should have known that his master wouldn't be taken out so easily. Not even a second before Riku's blade ripped through his neck, Nero dropped into a portal of darkness summoned from below. The only thing Riku managed to cut through were a few strands of chocolate hair.

"Shit …" Riku cursed to himself as dark portals began to appear all around him, until all he could see was darkness.

It was over. Riku lost the very second Nero flew from the shadows and let his blade rip across Riku's mask. Moments later, the darkness dispersed and Riku dropped to the ground with fresh wounds covering his entire body.

Nero chucked as he smiled down at his pet, "If I didn't cherish you so much you'd be in cubes."

"I know …" Riku hissed as he clutched at the wound upon his abdomen.

"But you are getting better," Nero admitted, "You almost had me."

"Thank you, Master …" Riku sighed as he rose from his place on the ground, only for his chin to be instantly cupped in the man's gentle grasp.

"I must say … that mask is very fitting," Nero spoke as he stared into the dark, empty slits, "It looks just like you … Did you make this?"

"No, Devlin made it for me a month ago … before he was killed," Riku muttered, "I started wearing it last week."

"Ah … I see," Nero smiled, "Devlin's work was always simple … yet elegant. I'm amazed that I didn't realize it sooner. It's a shame that my blade put that ugly gash through it. I apologize."

"It's okay," Riku replied, "I'm just glad you didn't break it."

"Yes, that would have been depressing," Nero spoke before releasing Riku's chin.

"Did I fight to your expectations?" Riku quietly questioned.

"The day you fight to my expectations will be the day you kill me," Nero answered, "But you were better than last month, and you did hold out far longer. By at least an hour. So … you pass."

"Thank you, Master." Riku let out a silent sigh as he bowed his head

"What are you going to do now?"

"I was hoping to take a bath and then get an early start to bed."

"That sounds … pleasant," Nero spoke as he waved the teen away.

However, just before he made it out of the cavern, Nero called to him. "Oh! Riku?"

Riku slowly came to a stop, "Yes, Master?"

"After you clean and dress your wounds I'd like it if you'd keep watch tonight."

"Damn it …" Riku growled as he quickly changed directions. And, though Nero couldn't see him, Riku glared at the male as he passed him. He should have known that Nero was going to pull that on him. 'Heartless Bastard …'

So much for his relaxing bath and long night of rest …

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Riku leaned himself against the cave wall within the shadows as he began the night watch. The first few hours went by slowly, and, of course, Riku could hardly remain still. However, as Riku was enjoying himself by kicking around a random rock, Nero made a surprise inspection and threw his entertainment into the woods. He said it wasn't 'professional' to be seen acting so childish and that he would forever ruin his appearance if someone spotted him. So there he was, bored little Riku with nothing to do but stare up at the stars above. Luckily for him he enjoyed the sight and it was an easy way to pass the time. Even if Nero would say that stargazing wasn't professional, at least he wasn't kicking around a rock anymore, right?

An hour later, Riku began to hear movement within the surrounding forest. At first he dismissed it to be a woodland creature, but the soft pitter patter of feet continued to steadily grow closer. Riku now distinguished it as a human, possibly female judging by their soft steps. Then again it was wrong to judge that way considering Nero – a full grown male – was also light on his feet despite his heavy armor.

"If you're a lost traveler I suggest you wander off in a different direction," Riku spoke, knowing exactly where the stranger was hiding … spying on him.

"I only wish to see Nero," The stranger replied.

"If you wish to seek my Master then you must first go through me," Riku replied as he summoned the Soul Eater within his grasp.

"I don't want to fight you," The stranger firmly stated, "I'm only here to see, Nero."

"As I said before … those who seek my Master must first go through me," Riku repeated, already annoyed by this persistent stranger. Honestly, how many times did he have to repeat himself?

"If that's what you want then so be it!" The stranger shouted moments before they flew out from the tree branches above in an attempt to pull a surprise attack.

A soft chuckle echoed from behind Riku's mask as he sidestepped and used his own weapon to steer his attacker's sword off to the side. However, before the attacker even hit the ground, Riku sent a small pulse of darkness from his free hand into the male's chest, sending him flying. But he wasn't done with him yet. Riku's body vanished, leaving behind a dark mist before reappearing in front of his attacker. Seconds before the male's flying body hit Riku, he summed a barrier of darkness and watched as the body collided with the transparent wall with a sickening thud.

The attacker remained motionless upon the ground, groaning from in pain from his possibly dislocated shoulder. But Riku showed the male no mercy as he summoned a barrier on top of the man's back, pushing him into the ground. 'Pathetic …' Riku sighed, disappointed that the fight had ended so quickly.

"As expected …you're not worth my Master's time," Riku spat, "You don't even disserve to continue living on this world … you're a disgrace."

"If I'm such a disgrace then why haven't you killed me yet?!" The stranger spat.

Was that … sorrow? Was he … crying? The mask stared down at the stranger with its emotionless gaze as he tried to figure out why he was crying. Was life truly that important to him? If it was, then why would he try to throw it away fighting Nero? So many questions … yet so little answers …

"Maybe I like the satisfaction of hearing my victims beg for their worthless life," Riku replied as he strengthened the barrier and listened as his prisoner struggled for air.

"Or maybe … killing … isn't your thing …" the male commented, "I don't think … you can kill me."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because … you wouldn't kill … an old friend."

"… I have no friends," Riku hissed.

"Yes … you do," The stranger replied … though their voice now sounded very familiar to the silver-haired teen.

'That voice!' Riku gasped as he lost focus on the barrier. Had it really been that long? Was the year up already? Riku softly kicked at the body, rolling it over so that he could see who his attacker truly was.

"Jetta …" Riku sighed ever so softly; so softly that the sounds of the peaceful night drowned out his voice.

It was amazing how much Jetta changed in the past eight months. She had grown taller, if anything at least an inch or two. She even let her hair grow out, just as he did. The only thing that hadn't changed about her was the fact that she still hid her feminine features from the world. Though it seemed as if it was starting get a little difficult with her two friends still growing along with the rest of her body. Yes, it was hard for Riku to deny his attraction to the girl, especially now in the moonlight. It was amazing that he didn't realize it was her sooner; after all, she was constantly haunting his dreams every moment he slept … but this wasn't a dream … She was really here this time …

Riku fought the urge to pull the girl in his arms and tell her how much he missed her … how much he longed for her touch … her smile … her voice … her scent. He wanted to break down in her embrace and repent for all the lives he destroyed for her. But then the pain began to return; the pain that he felt when she left him behind that day. That horrible day! Even now, she wasn't back to see him. She returned only to exact her revenge against his master.

His heart ached as Jetta's sparkling blue eyes met his. They shimmered with so much hope and love that it repulsed the silver-haired warrior. He hated those eyes. The same eyes that used to make him melt into a puddle of bliss. He hated it! And he hated her even more …

"…Riku, I—" With a flick of his wrist, Riku sent another pulse of darkness into Jetta's chest, pushing her back into the forest as he made his way back to the cave.

"Run to the islands … Nero can't reach you there," Riku spoke as a smirk graced his hidden face. 'And to think that such a powerful man has a fear as childish as water …' Riku let out a snort at the thought.

"You know me better than that, Riku," Jetta spoke as she leaned herself against a tree for support, "You know I won't do it …"

"Know you? I don't know you at all!" Riku snapped, "You're a stranger … and strangers aren't welcome here." With nothing left to say, Riku returned to his post.

"Y-you can't possibly mean that …" Jetta spoke, her voice cracking as she fought back tears, "After all this time you … you want to shove me away?" Riku remained silent as his mask turned away, ignoring her.

"Riku … Please … Talk to me!" Jetta demanded as she began to approach the silver-haired warrior, but his shield of darkness stopped her in her tracks.

"Just go!" Riku growled.

Jetta flinched. Those were the same words she spat at him the day her friends had come to save her … Those were the last bitter words she spoke to him so long ago …

Jetta sat upon the bed with her legs hanging over the edge kicking slowly. Sleep seemed to be out of reach for her … mainly because the events from before continued to loop through her mind. She shouldn't have been so defensive with him … besides, if something was bothering him he would eventually tell her anyway, right? But still … she was worried about him. Something was wrong … he wasn't the same anymore …

The door to her room quickly flew open. Riku was finally back! She could now apologize for her snappy behavior … she could make everything right again. But when her eyes lifted from the floor she wasn't met with Riku's aqua gaze.

"Kaz? Seth?!" Jetta gasped as she ran to her friends.

"We have to get out of here," Seth quickly spoke as he grasped Jetta's wrist and practically dragged her down the dark hall.

"W-wait! What about Riku?" Jetta stuttered as her mind tried to catch up, everything seemed to be happening so fast.

"Riku betrayed us," Seth spat, as if saying the boy's name was searing his tongue.

"W-what?!" Jetta gasped, "But Riku would never—"

"He's a follower, Jetta," Kaz sighed.

"Y-you're lying!" Jetta growled as she ripped her hand from Seth's grasp, bringing everyone to a sudden halt, "Where's Riku! We have to take him with us! We can't leave him behin—"

"Jetta …" Issa sighed softly as she forced the girl to face her.

"D-do I know you?"

"No, but I know you …" Issa stated as Jetta cocked a confused eyebrow at the woman, "We don't have much time … you have to cooperate with us."

"I'm not going anywhere without Riku," Jetta snapped as she glared into the mystic's pink eyes.

"I know …" Issa replied, before pricking Jetta's neck with a tiny needle hidden within her glove.

"What did … you …" Jetta's world fell into darkness as she collapsed into Issa's chest.

After that, Jetta was carried out of Nero's hideout … without Riku. It wasn't until she woke up the next day when Seth and Kaz explained everything, but she still didn't believe them. Somewhere along the way a piece to the puzzle had gone missing. There was just no way Riku was follower for the man she despised … Even now, as Riku claimed the man as his master, she refused to believe that he was speaking the truth.

"Riku …" The male's barrier appeared before her and gave her a less than gentle shove in the direction of the forest.

"Riku, please" The barrier gave her another shove, "Stop it!!"

Riku's barrier shattered, but not by his will. His mask turned to face the girl as she dropped to the ground and sobbed. This wasn't how she pictured this moment to be. Then again, nothing she pictured turned out the way she would have liked it to. She continued to sob as Riku's smiling face entered her thoughts. It was a soft, gentle smile, one that let her know that everything would be okay. She could feel his warm embrace and hear the words she always wanted to hear. It was the same image she always had; the same image that she would awake to every night with fresh tears dampening her cheeks.

Would it ever be that way again …?

"I thought I heard a visitor …" Nero spoke as he stepped out from the shadows of his cave, "Riku, why didn't you tell me that I had a guest."

"I … didn't want to disturbed you …"

"And a fine job you did at that," Nero spat as he backhanded Riku.

"I'm sorry, Master …" Riku apologized, quickly composing himself and bowing his head in shame.

"You should be," Nero hissed, "Now I'll have to clean up the mess you created."

"I-I have everything under control, Mast—" Riku was shoved back to the ground by a pulse of darkness, one far stronger than his own.

Jetta remained motionless as Nero approached her. She knew he was coming, and yet she didn't run. It wasn't in her nature to run. Nero's figure loomed over the girl, blocking out the moon and casting her body in his shadow. She remained even when Nero leaned down and clutched at her ponytail, forcing her to her feet. She didn't squirm, bite, or kick as Nero leaned in close to examine her features. She didn't even flinch when Nero slowly licked the salty tears from her left cheek, dragging his tongue over the scar he had given her over a year ago.

"I admire that you came back to face me yet again, Jetta," Nero spoke, "Not even brave veterans of war would dare step into your shoes."

"Maybe they don't see you as I do …"

"Really? And how do you see me?"

"A coward … Feeding on the weak to make yourself look stronger," Jetta spoke, "Tell me? Were you satisfied with your strength when you killed my fifty year old father, or my pregnant mother? Or was it after killing my little brother when you felt like a God?"

Nero slung the girl to the ground by her ponytail as his amber eyes glowed in the moonlight, "You think I'm weak?! Well …" Nero paused, chuckling darkly, "allow me to prove you wrong!"

Lifting a hand into the air, Nero summoned the darkness from deep within his heart; forming a dark ball of highly concentrated energy in the palm of his hand. Riku, more than anyone, knew the full extent of what that kind of attack could do as he rushed into battle and teleported to Jetta's side. Without hesitation, Riku threw his body in the line of danger and took the full force of Nero's attack. The pain was beyond intense as the dark matter easily shredded through cloth, skin, and muscle. He screamed in pain as the darkness dug deeper into his body, tearing though the layers of tissue cell by cell. It only lasted for a second, but that second felt like eternity.

"Riku …?" Jetta gasped as she stared into the slits of darkness where Riku's eyes would be if the mask wasn't in the way.

Silence consumed the two as Nero chuckled in the background. Tears streamed from Jetta's eyes as tiny droplets of blood slowly dripped from the holes of Riku's mask. He leaned down cautiously as slipped his arms underneath Jetta's body as he held her close, touching the cold porcelain mask against Jetta's burning cheek.

"Don't cry," he whispered while stroking her back softly, "Please don't cry for me …"

A moment later, Riku's body was ripped away from Jetta and effortlessly tossed aside. Jetta barely had time to respond before she too was yanked from the ground by the front of her shirt. Hateful stares were exchanged between the killer and the girl before a smirk graced Nero's lips.

"I took away your loved ones … Now watch as I take your home and everyone else you hold dear to your heart." Nero chuckled before tossing the girl aside like garbage.

With just a simple snap of his finger, pools of darkness seeped through the soil from deep within the earth. It spread across the ground in random directions and oozed as if it had a life of its own. Jetta gasped as she crawled away from the growing puddles, and before she realized it, she was surrounded by the foreign, black liquid.

"W-what's going on?!" Jetta gasped as she peered over to examine the substance, only to find a pair of bright yellow eyes staring back at her.

The girl let out a terrified shriek as a black creature rose from the puddle. The antennas atop its head twitched, as if searching for something as its yellow eyes scanned the area before locking in on the girl. The creature leapt at the girl with its claws extended, and Jetta did all that she could to avoid the attack; however she stepped into the black liquid and found that her foot was now stuck. Not only that, but the liquid was dragging her down. Before she knew it she was knee deep in the cold substance. Nero simply laughed at her pitiful state.

"Jetta!" Riku gasped as he teleported to the girl and instantly pulled her into his embrace. He had to get her out of here. He had to get her away from this danger. But this world was instable … so where would he go?

"Look to the sky and tell me what you see …"

Riku cocked a thin eyebrow at the man but did as told, "Stars."

"Wrong," Nero snapped, "You see worlds … thousands upon thousands of worlds."

"How can you be sure?" Riku questioned, "Have you been to them?"

"No, but I know that they exist," Nero replied, "I feel their energy … their life force. It calls to the darkness …"

"Right …" Riku sighed.

"Someday, when you're skilled enough at using the darkness, you'll be able to travel to them," Nero spoke, "Just look to the sky, focus on a star, and seconds later your darkness will take you there."

Riku's eyes quickly focused on the sky, but swirling dark clouds obstructed his view. He cursed silently to himself as he pictured the first place that came to mind. It was a place he hadn't thought about in a while … a place from his past.

"Never let go … no matter what," Riku spoke, and before Jetta had time to ask why a portal of darkness appeared beneath them, sucking them both into the dark realm.

Jetta held tight to Riku's body as the world around them dissolved into darkness … and there she remained. Being there was an entirely new feeling for Jetta as she felt as if she were suspended in nothingness. It was strange … existing in nothing. And cold … so very cold. She could feel her entire body going numb, feeling it slowly climb from the tips of her fingers and toes.

As the darkness swallowed her whole she soon began to lose herself in it. However, one single thought remained. A voice, calm and soothing. 'Never let go …' 'But there's nothing to hold on to …' 'No matter what … Never let go.' The voice continued to repeat as she clutched at nothing. 'We're close … just hold on a little longer.' Jetta trusted in the voice as a light began to shine within the darkness. It was small at first, but in a matter of seconds it vanquished the darkness and enveloped her body in a warm light.

Their journey through the darkness ended as their exit portal appeared. As for where that was … well, neither of them was certain. Riku held a tight grip upon Jetta's shivering body as he exited the portal. He pulled her closer and stoked at her back and arms. He could only hope that the friction would help warm her. Once Jetta's body began to welcome the warmth Riku was giving she slowly began to relax. She was able to remain conscious for a few second longer before her body fell completely limp within his arms.

Riku expected as much. After all, his first trip through the darkness ended the exact same way. It was a frightening experience, and though he had done it hundreds of times it was still just as scary as the first. Slowly, Riku lowered Jetta's body to the sand below before he decided that a little sleep was a good idea. The last thing he remembered was staring at Jetta's peaceful form before he slipped into a much more comforting kind of darkness.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts … T-T

Claimer: Anything not seen in Kingdom Hearts …

Hikari: Yay!! Another chapter finished!! Go me!! I know it took a long time … again … but if you wanna be mad at someone then be mad at my teachers for piling everything on me all at once. T-T It was horrible. I felt like I had been working on only homework for six days strait. It was becoming really stressful, but today I finished the last of my tests, and in a few days I'll be home for fall break. Yay!! That means I'll have time to work on the story!! Double Yay!! And I should have Chapter 10 up really soon. n.n Expect it a week from now!

Anyway, if anyone wishes to guess where Riku and Jetta ended up then go for it … because it should be obvious … and probably expected. XP If you get it right I'll give you a cookie!! Heck … I'd probably give you the cookie just for trying because I'm wonderful like that. (grins)

So now that I'm done with my rant you may review because I know you're dying to!! Hehehe