Dark Shadow

Ch.9

The Descent

The next few days, seemed like years to riku, most of his former strength had returned, but the wound on his back still healing, he had gained enough strength to walk through the house, as long as Naiou helped him around. As the sixth day came riku began to grow restless, so many things haunted his mind, where is sora and kairi? What does this clue mean? Will I get out of here? And that shadow from my dream… could that be me in the future?

He slowly walked around the kitchen looking for something to eat; he couldn't believe that one person needed over five shelves and twenty cupboards of food storage! He was trying to kneel down to take a look at the lower shelves, but his back kept shooting with pain the moment he tried to bend over, then as he jerked upward from the pain, the back of his head would always hit the upper shelf. He cursed under his breath as he rubbed the sore spot on his noggin.

"Gosh dang It." he mumbled as he slumped into a wooden chair. "There's nothing I can do… but wait, but I can't wait any longer. Sora and kairi are probably out looking for me… and I have to find that woman."

His thoughts were interrupted as Naiou entered the room. Her silver hair always glistened in the sunlight flooding through the window. She was carrying some empty, traveling packs. As she set them on the table she handed a small, blue one over to riku.

"See if it fits." She ecstatically said as she reached for some rainbow pears. "I'm taking you down to the village today to help stretch your legs."

Riku's eyes widened with surprise, he had wanted to get out over the last five days, but then the shadow of doubt washed over his mind like a silent thunderstorm.

"I can't." he said as he lowered his head to the floor. "My back's not strong enough yet."

Naiou snapped towards him, her eyes seemed to ignite into small flames as she stuffed the pears into her maroon pack.

"And the only way for your back to get stronger…" she said with a touch of annoyance in the back of her voice, "… is to stretch and use your back. Not like trying to bend over to get to the lower shelves, to get to more rainbow pears."

Riku jumped in surprise, he stuttered as he tried to speak. "How did, how, did you, I mean, you weren't."

"Oh, please riku." She said teasingly as she filled some flasks with some cool spring water from outside. "I have children who try to do that all the time, well the children that get seriously injured."

"Then you don't treat all your patients here?" riku asked.

"No, that's why I have to go down to the village so often, but today I'm taking you with me."

Riku grudgingly nodded in reply, as he followed Naiou outside he stretched out his fingers, feeling the sun's inviting, warm rays on his skin. He opened the door wide, taking in all the warmth and fresh air like a fresh, spring sapling trying to grow. He closed his eyes, inhaling the cool, clean air. He could smell the faint scent of pine in the distance.

"So?" Naiou said distracting his thoughts. "Are you ready to go down?"

Riku silently chuckled to himself; nothing could stop him from going around now.

"Yea, sure." He said smugly. "It will be a piece of cake."

"Naiou... gulp… Naiou are we there yet?" riku asked trying to suck in more oxygen as he traveled down the mountain.

"No riku, were only about half way, once we reach the bottom… we'll be a little over half way." She smiled.

Riku tried to brush away the stinging sweat falling into his eyes, the first five minutes he started to descend he had started to huff, and choke for air all the way down. The ground had finally begun to level out, but his lungs, feet, and legs burned. His back kept screaming in pain to stop, but Naiou always told him they would rest in a few minutes, from the last time she had said the same thing the few minutes before. He bumped into her pack as she suddenly stopped in her tracks. He grumbled as he shoved, and readjusted his pack back onto his shoulders.

"What was that about?"

"There's a log in the way, we're going to have to climb over it."

Riku's eyes widened as he looked over her shoulder, this log was from a fallen, old, pine tree. The tree was as large as two of him put together on all sides; he gulped as he felt his back twinge in pain.

"Uh…. I don't know if you noticed lately, but my back is not up for this." He said as he felt his pack fall from his shoulders.

Naiou tenderly looked back at him; he eyes filled with concern as she picked up his pack and threw it onto her own shoulder. Riku felt his heart leap as she gently grabbed his hand. Riku felt himself lose all control over his legs; he was like a buoy being gently pulled from a fishing pole. He felt her soft fingers tenderly grasp his shoulder; her deep, golden eyes seemed to penetrate into his very soul as she whispered.

"Just trust me, just let yourself relax… and free yourself."

She placed his hand onto the top of the log, riku slowly closed his eyes and held his stance, he felt warm, positive energy start to run through him, he imagined his back completely healed, he imagined the soft, warm, white sand of the beach. He could smell the salty, briny, air; taste the tangy, sweet taste of the fruit his mother used to give him. He felt his fingers grip tightly onto the dead bark, he felt the muscles in his arm surge as he pulled, felt the power in his legs as he jumped, and hoisted himself with ease over the log.

He opened his eyes as he firmly landed on the other side, he started to smile before his back screamed in pain, he could barely breath as sharp needles of pain shot up his spine. His eyes started to water as Naiou followed him over the log; he felt her cool hands on his shoulder as he tried to fight back the tears.

"It's ok." She whispered in his ear. "It takes time to heal, but this is a good sign."

Riku slowly tuned towards the thick woods, the pain started to fade, but he sucked in the pain as he followed Naiou over to a large, moss covered stone. She quickly glanced at the forest before turning back to him.

"Better take a drink, and rest a bit riku." She picked up her cold, canteen before tossing it over to riku. "We're almost there."