Author's Notes:

This update is not an actual chapter. No, it's a random insertion kind of thing to reward you readers. Kind of like an Intermission for a long movie. It has a little to do with the plot, since it takes place before the actual fanfic; it's here to build character for the.. er... characters. And to fill up space. Yeah. And I never really did get to play around with Tidus, Selphie and Wakka. Also, with this intermission is an explanation about why I've chosen to take some of the routes I have in my fanfic. It might answer many of your questions and ease some of your doubts. That's first, the random chapter is afterwards.

About Stygian Solace: Uzumaki's Decisions and Plans

-o-o-

All right. THIS IS IMPORTANT! Please read this all the way through, as it is written for your benefits. Time to explain some things that some of you readers were 'eh' about in the last chapters. Many thanks to those who liked the choices.

Sora's Doubts:

As aforementioned, Stygian Solace is what would have happened if Sora had taken Riku's hand. In the actual game, I really do believe Riku was meant to be the keyblade master--the hints are everywhere. Sora received the keyblade in the game, in my opinion, because Riku had chosen to go with the darkness. Therefore, if BOTH of them go with the darkness (like in SS), the keyblade would either choose a new master entirely, or it would go with the strongest of the two: Riku. That's why Riku gets the first keyblade.

But don't worry--there's always the blade that Mickey had, and there's always the plot twists I'm planning later on. And if you're still unhappy that Riku received the keyblade, well, sorry. :D My fanfic. I'm writing it true to my interpretation of the KH story, and this is what I had planned since chapter one.

Keep reading, even if you don't like what has happened, because Sora will get stronger as per character development. Yes, I realize that I have been portraying him rather weakly in the last few chapters. It was something that was and was not intentional.

It was intentional because, right now, and at the beginning of the actual game, Sora was pretty weak. But at the end of the game, he had grown quite a lot, both mentally and physically. I'm doing the same thing with my fanfic, only in a different, more obvious way. Yes, he's very weak now (mainly because Riku insists on protecting him all the time), but at the end of the fanfic he'll be impressing all the readers, and even Riku.

However, I did not mean to make him that weak. I think it was because I was focusing more on Riku as the main character (because he is, in SS, the main character), and less on Sora's own strengths..

With what I have planned, Sora will become an even more important factor in the storyline, and he will begin to stray away from Riku's protection--which is what has made him so weak so far in the first place. Sora will also mature a little and rely on himself (which, in later chapters, leads to some problems) more.

Disney Worlds:

As for the Disney worlds... Well, with SS already going on to chapter ten, there won't be many more long parts dedicated solely to the Disney stories, especially now that the plot is hurrying along. The keyblade has appeared, they've been to their first foreign world and left it alive, learned more about the heartless, and discovered how to seal the worlds. The next step, yes, is the plot with the Princesses of Heart, Ansem, Maleficent and Hollow Bastion, and the conflicts between Sora and Riku.

However, I'm not going by the game any more, as you can tell by my decision to start off with Mulan. Traverse town and some of the other worlds will be acknowledged, but time is going to go much faster between the next few chapters.

Chapters 1 through 9 took place through a period of about 5 days, if you do realize. But the next few chapters will span weeks, even months, and you'll see why. So, I might not get to go into much detail about each individual world, and many won't even be addressed. Therefore, many of the worlds I did want to address (Halloween Town especially), will not make it into this story.

Also, there won't be much character introduction when I do address new worlds--such as, I'm going to assume you already know the differences between Cloud and Squall, so I won't focus a lot on them at first. But since they are essential to the plot, there will be a lot of them and Sephiroth.

Sora and Riku:

I know, it's a bit disappointing that they got together so early on in the fanfic. But think about it. It wouldn't have been the same if they hadn't gotten together really early on. If they hadn't gotten together, this fanfic would have followed the same plot as KH, and I did not want to novelize the game. I wanted something people would be familiar with, but with a completely different twist. If they had not gotten together when they did, if they had just remained friends, it wouldn't have had the same impact when Sora finally did take Riku's hand, and they both went down the same path. In fact, if they hadn't gotten together, Sora would have never taken Riku's hand, and, well, I wouldn't be writing this fanfic in the first place.

Also, if Sora and Riku had gotten together later, like say in the Mulan episodes, the next few chapters won't have as much meaning to the reader. They wouldn't be as emotional, or scarring. Right now, at chapter 9, they're an official couple, and they're used to cuddling with each other in their sleep, and stealing kisses from each other, even though they've been together for only a few days. This way, there will actually be angst when the times comes, not cheesy "WHY??!" lines.

Understand why I made them get together so early now?

And besides, Sora had been watching Riku for a few weeks before he confessed, so technically, they didn't get together as sudden as it seems. I just didn't write the longing, the suffering and shifty looks of wanting between them--to save time, y'know. I really hated the beginning, yes... And even I didn't like how they "got together so soon," even though there was a lot going on between them even before my fanfic. So maybe I'll go back and write a prologue between them with those subtle hints?

Angst Ahead:

And as a final note, the angst is approaching the story finally. Expect to see some dramatic changes in the next few chapters. I love angst and plot twists. It'll only get worse from here on (not story-wise, I mean depressing-wise). A lot of you are going to hate me for what I do the characters, and a lot of you are going to "stop reading" or threaten to.

I'm warning you now... While I adore feedback and do listen to suggestions carefully, I still write what I want to write. Even if you complain about a certain course of action, I'm going to continue with what I have planned. I write for myself first, and the readers next.

And now that I'm just about done rambling, here's the random insertion intermission chapter thingy majiggy. I'm generally not a funny person, nor am I a romantic, so give me a break if it's not funny or fluffy. ;.; I like angsty stuff.

Intermission Interlude Thingy #1: The Ocean Ends Here

-o-o-

"Rikuuuu--!"

Glomp.

Riku only just managed to keep his balance as the familiar voice rang in his ears and Sora leapt onto his back, his bare legs wrapping around Riku's waist as he buried his face in Riku's silver hair. Honestly, Riku didn't know whether to feel irritated or playful as Sora's fingers dug into his shoulders. Being glomped first thing in the morning by the object of his affection (who definitely did NOT return those feelings) was not his ideal wake-up call. Especially when he was in the middle of getting dressed!! The way Sora just walked around his house like it was his own home kind of unnerved Riku, but it was flattering all the same, even though Riku knew his parents weren't the very loveable type and would kill him if they knew Sora was prancing around their home with Riku when they were gone. They didn't like Riku, much less Sora, in any case.

Sure, one could say that, "Well, why not like Sora hanging all over you? At least he's always around for you to goggle." But Riku, lately, had been finding it quite hard not to goggle, and it was becoming quite obvious. Too obvious, in fact, that even Tidus, who was thicker than even Sora, had noticed. It was only a matter of time that Sora found out too.

Would Sora return Riku's feelings? Or would he be disgusted and run off with Kairi?

And Sora's daily glomps and 'hey! let's hang all over Riku!' rituals did not help Riku's problems, nor did Sora's usual five-year-old-like adorable personality and little pranks and never-ending competitions. This was why Riku didn't know whether to be irritated or act playful. According to his character, he could go either way and not be acting suspicious enough for Sora to suspect something. However, if he did brush Sora off and act irritated, Sora would turn his attention to Kairi...

Riku chose to be playful.

In the next few seconds he had removed the boy from his back, spun him around and pinned him to the closest thing he could find: his bed. Sora grinned up at him with his trademark toothy grin and bright blue eyes, and the sight nearly stopped Riku's heart.

That image of his affection was pinned to his bed.

How obvious could he get?! Stupid Riku! Stupid!!

Managing to keep calm, and, forcing down a horrible uncharacteristic blush, Riku grinned back. "I win." At that, he unpinned Sora and took a step back before snatching the nearest shirt for him to wear. But as he was slipping it on to cover himself, he heard Sora's short, sunny laugh.

"Win? Win what? I just came to wake you up."

Riku nonchalantly waved a hand. "I win anyway."

He heard the creak of the bed as Sora sat up, and he turned around to face him, curious. Sora had on his classic pout, and was watching him with defiant blue eyes.

"You can't just win something out of thin air! That's cheating!" he said, his brow furrowing.

Riku shot him a coy smile. "Well, it's not like you can stop me."

There was a moment of silence, and then Sora suddenly shot up from the bed and tackled Riku to the floor with a war cry that segued into a giggle. They landed in a pile of dirty clothes filled with the colors yellow and indigo and a wrestling match ensued, with Riku finding himself not really wanting to end it by winning, enjoying the feel of Sora so close to him. Instead he lightly batted and kicked at Sora, who was struggling to pin him down, confused as to why he was winning. He hesitated, confused, and Riku took the chance to roll them over and put Sora beneath him. He sat atop the younger boy and crossed his arms over his chest in victory.

"See? I win."

Sora smiled, and then broke into warm laughter, Riku joining in not too far afterward.

But the sound of a door slamming silenced them.

"Riku! We're home!!"

Very suddenly Riku's eyes widened. He stumbled back to his feet and rushed to the window, throwing it open and looking out at the palm trees. There was a way down. Usually Sora had plenty of time to sneak out the back door, but Riku's parents were already inside. Quickly he motioned for Sora to come to him, and soon Sora was there with him, knowing full well what was wrong.

Riku's parents were home. And Sora was trespassing.

"I think you can climb down from here, but make sure they don't see you--the kitchen windows are directly below," Riku whispered, his voice hurried.

Sora hesitated, his blue eyes full of worry. "Riku, I'm sorry... If they knew I was here..."

Riku stopped him with a raised hand and a shaky smile. "Just don't get caught. Go. Now. I'll be outside in a little while."

"RIKU!! Don't make us go up there and get you!!"

"Dammit, boy!! Can't even welcome your parents home!"

His parents' voices were coming closer, probably near the stairs. He felt his teeth clench in anger. They expected him to come running whenever they called, as though he was some sort of dog--just another mouth to feed, not their son.

"He can't do anything right, honey."

His mother's voice, now in the stairway. They were coming, and he was probably in deep trouble, for something he never even did wrong. Well, better him than Sora. Sora at least had a loving mother.

The brown-haired boy was already working his way down the palm trees when Riku's door flew open and made a loud k-tunck against his wall, ripping one of his posters. There in the doorway stood Riku's father, green eyes narrowed in anger, his lip turned upward in disgust. His mother was standing behind him, silver hair neatly done into a bun, her red lips pursed in irritation.

"Honestly, Riku, you could be more respectful towards us. We are your parents," she huffed, her sweet voice masking her tightly-closed mind and snobbery.

Riku stepped away from the window, his eyebrows coming together in anger. "Respectful?!" he spat, one of his ungloved hands clenching into a fist. "When you treat me like dirt?!"

His father ignored him, his eyes noting the open window. "Enjoying the breeze?" he drawled before brushing past his son to look out the window. "Or letting someone escape?"

Riku braced himself, biting his tongue so as to not anger his father further. Sure enough, the man spun on him and slipped a hand around his throat, pushing him against his dresser as he leaned close, his eyes narrowed to mere slits. His father kept his voice cold, calm, and malicious, which was infinitely more terrifying than if he had chosen to raise his voice.

"That brat was here, wasn't he?"

Riku said nothing, his own eyes meeting his father's with a coolness that only irritated the man further. His hand tightened and Riku tensed, unable to breathe.

"Your relationship with that brat is unnatural," the man hissed through clenched teeth, his breath burning against Riku's cheek. "If I find out that you two are screwing around..."

He let it hang, his hand squeezing further to emphasize his point.

That was when Riku knew he had to leave the island.

As soon as possible.

-o-o-

That day Riku chose to wear a high-collared shirt... to cover up the bruises around his neck. He knew he had them even before he noticed them in the mirror. It hadn't been the first time.

He liked the shirt, however, as it fit him nicely and drew the eyes of the town to him in admiration. It was, as mentioned before, high-collared, buttoned at the base of his neck and the collar reaching up to his jawbone, with a nice slit just above the button to allow his chin to breathe. Not literally, of course. It was also a nice, rich dark blue--a color that was generally uncommon on the island, considering it soaked up all the heat and caused its wearer to sweat like faucet. Which was why it was sleeveless, and button-up, and clung to his skin instead of sagging and generating all that unnecessary heat. All that, and it went very well with his hair.

Yes, he liked his shirt, and it was obvious the girls liked it too. None of them even inquired his change of wardrobe for today because they were so impressed.

However, Sora knew better.

Before Tidus could approach and challenge Riku to their daily duel, Sora had dragged Riku to the empty dock (Selphie was elsewhere, talking with Kairi). Sora sat him there and, before Riku could object or pull away, or even blush, Sora had unbuttoned his collar and pulled it open to inspect his neck.

An angry frown crossed over Sora's normally bright face, and his eyes darkened as he stared at the bruises, his warm fingers gently brushing against them.

"Are there any more?" was what Sora asked when he finally removed his hand and sat back, giving Riku space.

Slowly the silver-haired boy shook his head.

"What did your father say?"

Riku froze. He remembered clearly. But he didn't want to say it... not to Sora. "T-That I was disrespectful."

"That's all?"

And that he suspected you and I were lovers... Other than that, nothing new... Riku sighed to himself. Aloud he said, "I need to get off these islands, Sora. I can't wait for the tide to 'be just right' like Kairi says. I can't stand it here any longer."

Him and Sora lovers? Hah... So even his father saw the looks he gave Sora.

So why didn't Sora himself see them?

"Hey hey! Riku! Sora! Selphie and Wakka are going to fight!" Kairi called, her voice chirpy and bright, like an annoying bird in the wee hours of the morning.

Sora turned to Riku, a sad smile on his face. "Want to go see?" he asked softly.

Riku shook his head. "You go."

Without a sound Sora left, leaving only the sound of the waves lapping against the wooden dock to comfort Riku. He stared out into the blue ocean and into the slightly-lighter blue sky, wondering when the other began and the other ended. Somewhere, over that horizon, was freedom. His freedom. From his parents, from his monotonous life... Out there was adventure. Chance.

His future.

A soft sigh escaping his lips, Riku slumped forward, his arms wrapping around his legs as he rested his chin on his knees. The sound of laughter from the beach reached him, Sora's among the medley, reminding Riku of his dilemma.

Even if somehow Riku got Sora to understand his feelings, Riku's father would never accept their relationship.

Wait. What was he thinking?

His father already didn't accept him!

Hell, further angering his father was like a daily goal for him.

Still, his parents were there, in the way, and would probably find a way to separate them for good. And then there was Kairi--who knew what she would do if she found out that her two best friends loved each other, not her?

Riku was still running over his own thoughts when he heard the sound of shoes on the dock, closing in on him.

"Sora... Go back. I'm fine. Have fun without me..."

"Hah. Even if I was Sora I wouldn't go back. Not when you have a tone like that in your voice, you weakling," came Tidus' arrogant assertion.

Riku felt his mood stoop even lower. He so did not need Tidus bothering him right now, especially since the boy knew about Riku's feelings for Sora, and always found a way to tease him about it.

"Go away," replied Riku, his voice flat. "Go duel Sora. Catch a fish. Fall off a cliff."

"Aww... Bitter, are we?" Tidus laughed, dropping onto the dock next to Riku, one leg tucked under the other.

There was a long silence after that, Riku knowing Tidus was just buying his time, and Tidus knowing Riku was irritated to the fullest. But then the air grew serious.

"It's your dad, isn't it? The one giving you those bruises."

"I bruise easily," Riku mumbled. "I have pale skin. You give me bruises too, you know."

"But not on purpose," Tidus countered, but then paused. "Okay, maybe on purpose, but it's always just play fighting. Your dad is really serious... Does your mom hurt you too?"

Riku stiffened, turning to shoot Tidus a nasty look. "I don't want to talk about this! They don't abuse me! My dad just gets carried away sometimes!"

Tidus simply stared at him, unafraid.

"Do they love you?"

Riku forced his eyes shut, welcoming the momentary darkness instead of the blinding blue. He considered ignoring Tidus until the boy went away, but he found himself relaxing under the boy's gaze and questions. "If they do, they have a shitty way of expressing it."

This earned him a short laugh from Tidus, who scooted closer to him. "Well, if it means anything, I love you."

Riku's eyes shot open.

Tidus immediately backed up. "I, uhh, I mean, not in that way, Riku. Not like how you love Sora. Haha. As a good friend. That kind of love."

Riku turned toward him, curious.

Tidus continued, laughing to himself. "And I'm sure Selphie and Wakka share the same kind of love too. But Kairi and Sora? They're something special, Riku. Their kind of love you can never destroy. Even if they get together, you'll always be there, Riku, even if it seems they're ignoring you. Just like if you and Kairi got together--"

"Never," Riku cut in, shuddering. "I'm just using her to get Sora's attention."

"You didn't let me finish, Stupid," Tidus sighed, picking up his sentence. "Just like if you and Kairi got together, Sora wouldn't hold it against you, and I'm pretty sure Kairi would be behind your and Sora's relationship, all the same. I've gotten over the initial shock that you're gay, Riku, and I'm sure none of your other friends will care either."

Riku narrowed his eyes, a smirk pulling at his lips. "I'm not gay."

Tidus raised both eyebrows. "Oh? Then what are you?"

Riku turned his gaze back to the ocean, the smirk widening into a genuine smile. "Only Sora can make me harvest these feelings... It just doesn't work with anyone else."

"So you're Sora-sexual?"

Riku frowned, looking at Tidus curiously. "You come up with the weirdest things," he muttered, impressed.

And they both broke into laughter. Two minutes later, Tidus was nearly rolling on the dock from a stomach cramp, and Riku was trying hard to breathe from laughing so hard. They didn't even see the growing shadow underneath the dock, or hear the splashing of water and clandestine whispers.

Before either of them knew what was happening, they were being pulled into the water by their friends, who had heard their laughter and had decided to pick on them. Sora was with Kairi, pulling Tidus under the dock, but Riku easily outmaneuvered Wakka and Selphie's groping hands, and managed to flee, but not before snatching the small girl's jump rope. He took it with a triumphant laugh and began running down the dock as fast as he could.

"He's getting away with my jump rope!" Selphie cried.

"Let's get him!" Kairi laughed, and a few cheers of agreement chorused, followed quickly by the sounds of feet splashing through the water after him.

And behind them all came Tidus' defeated cry, "Hey!! What about me?!"

Riku sprinted ahead, his laughter floating ahead of them as he headed for the secret cave-tunnel that lead to the other side of the island near the race course. When he got there he easily climbed the vines growing there and ducked into the tunnel, just as the flock of children were rounding the corner.

"Yo! He's heading for the Star Tree, ya?!" came Wakka's voice, and then the sound of retreating footsteps heading down the long way.

He smiled to himself as he came out on the other side, still carrying the jump rope, near where they were building the raft, and dropped down on to the ground. None of the others beside Tidus had the skill to climb up the way he had come, so they had to take the other route around the circumference of the island. He had plenty of time to get away with his new jump rope.

However, he was still telling himself that when someone suddenly landed on him and he fell to the ground, causing sand to fly into the air. The person wrapped his arms around Riku, trying to pin him down, but Riku managed to squirm in such a way that he was free to kick his attacker. And he did.

Sora rolled off him, panting for air, a mischievous gleam in his eye. "I nearly had you!" he laughed, brushing sand off his arms, one hand carrying his wooden sword. Riku noticed he was missing his usual jacket, and was only flaunting his red zip-up jumper. His shoes were even gone, his feet merely covered with socks.

"Went for the stealthy approach?" Riku said, smirking. "I thought you couldn't climb that wall yet."

"You thought wrong," Sora countered, brandishing his sword. "Now, surrender or suffer excruciating torment by the hands of Sora the Almighty Knight of-"

"Seagulls?" Riku interrupted easily.

Sora's face began to form a pout, but he stopped himself and instead narrowed his eyes. Deepening his voice and putting on an accent, Sora boldly said, "Clever one, Sir Riku the Devious Thief. But now hand over your booty or face the consequences!"

"Booty?" Riku asked innocently. "Oh, you mean this?"

He shot the handle of the jump rope at Sora's head, and the boy had to quickly step aside to escape getting a black eye. He turned back towards Riku, clearly impressed.

"I didn't know you could fight with Selphie's weapon!" he exclaimed, accent dropped, holding his sword out in front of him.

"Of course I can. How do you think I win all the time?" Riku asked, smirking. "You need to know your enemy's style as well as your own, you know."

That said, he swiped at Sora's feet with the rope, and the boy had to quickly leap back. Sora cried out, suddenly desperate, and brought his sword down to knock at Riku's head.

But Riku, expecting that, pulled the rope tight and brought it up to deflect the blade. It worked, naturally, and Sora's face became determined.

That was when Riku chose to end the fight, wrapping the jump rope around Sora's sword and jerking it clean out of the boy's hands. It landed on the sand at Riku's feet, who knelt to pick it up, now carrying two of his enemies' weapons.

Sora kicked at the sand, obviously disappointed. "That wasn't fair."

"Of course it was," Riku laughed. "Stop being a sore loser. You'll defeat me when the time comes."

"How can I defeat you if you know everyone's fighting style by heart?" Sora asked, his lip sticking out in a pout.

Riku took a moment to inspect the wooden sword before handing it back to Sora, who took it, confused.

"Everyone has a weakness, Sora. You just need to find mine, that's all," Riku explained.

The sound of voices and splashing water reached their ears, and Riku suddenly stiffened. He'd forgotten about the others. Sora had distracted him from hiding! Oh, well, it was better to fight than cower...

But Tidus chose that moment to drop into the sand next to them, carrying his sword with an air of revenge. He took a look at Riku and Sora and grinned impishly. "They left me there, so I decided to join you. That's okay, right?"

Sora saw the exchange of grins between Riku and Tidus, and joined in. "The three of us against the three of them sounds fair enough."

"What? You mean two weaponless girls and one protective Wakka?" Tidus asked, raising a single eyebrow. "I was talking about us teaming up, Sora, against Riku."

Riku narrowed his eyes and sighed, tightening his grasp on the jump rope. Why did they insist on picking on him all the time? It must have been his shirt. They were all jealous of him because of his shirt, and they wanted to get him dirty and wet. Why else would they try to pull him under the dock? Chase after him when they knew he'd eventually give back Selphie's rope?

Well, that could have been it, Riku decided, but it also could be that they were all trying to take his mind off things. Namely, his parents. And his infatuation with Sora.

When Wakka, Selphie and Kairi rounded the corner and called out to him, and as Sora and Tidus both raised their swords and attacked, Riku knew this was going to be a long day.

But he would win. He always did.

-o-o-

Well, I hope you enjoyed this first random intermission interlude thingy. It was short, I know, but, it was a last minute thing. They'll get better. Now, onto the next portion of Stygian Solace.

-Uzumaki