Red Karat Ring

Chapter 11

Alexander

Rabbit apple slices could be seen adorning the lunches of children all across the globe. Parents knew the playful aspect would entice their kids to eat better and oftentimes serve as a way to cheer them up if they were having a bad day. It was also not by any means something that adults themselves couldn't enjoy.

"This one's ears are lopsided."

Sora shot Riku a playful smirk as he took a bite of the cute apple slice. Riku, sitting off to the side of the hospital bed and wielding a small knife huffed at the criticism. "Is that why you chose that piece first?"

A plate sat on a tray over Sora's lap housing about half a dozen of the apple slices. He gulped his first bite before finishing the rest of the morsel in his hand. "Well, that's what everyone does. They leave the best looking or best part of their meal for last. I simply put that poor rabbit out of its misery."

"You're talking as if you performed an act of mercy," Riku shot back taking a cloth napkin to clean his hands with. He placed it back on a night stand next to the bed along with the knife. "If you can mouth off like that, I don't think you're as hurt as you think you are."

"And pray tell, who was it that broke my ribs in the first place?"

Sora reached for the last apple piece from the plate, only for Riku to have sneaked past and pluck it away. Tossing it into his mouth, Riku chewed all the while looking at Sora with an amused expression. "You mean the guy that saved your life?"

The spiky haired man curled his lips and breathed out deeply, the strain clearly felt on his bruised abdomen. Sora looked to Riku with shimmering eyes. He lifted a hand and inched it closer, hesitating just slightly as his fingers grazed the top of Riku's hand. "Yeah...you."

It was a plethora of new feelings and emotions that swirled around them. They had known each other for barely two days and were now staring into a situation neither was readily prepared for. Throw the previous night's incident into the mix and anyone in their right mind would be having trouble making sense out of anything. But, here they were.

"So..." Riku relapsed into a moment of silence. "What happens now?"

There was a sensation deep in Riku's stomach he couldn't explain. It felt like a hook was lodged inside his belly and forcefully fighting for control of his body's direction. As a former blitzball player who proved to still hold onto his skills, Riku could be thought of as part fish. And with the constant pull he was starting to really feel like a fish out of water.

"We figure this out."

Sora's words pierced through Riku's hazy thoughts. The entire time, Sora's hand rested on top of Riku's. With their attention solely focused on each other they failed to sense the presence at the door.

"Your highness."

They swerved at the voice. The man was unfamiliar to Riku and by the lack of hospital scrubs or a white coat, he made the correct assumption that he wasn't a doctor. Out of the corner of his eye Riku could see Sora's face shifting into annoyance. Sora sucked his mouth in and popped it out a few times with an audible smack. "Minister, what are you doing here?"

"You had a most unfortunate accident, how could I possibly not be here at your side?"

"Well, as you can see for yourself, I'm still breathing."

The man placed a hand to his forehead and shook it with a sigh. "Your highness, this isn't a laughing matter."

"I'm not exactly laughing," Sora replied as he attempted to lay further into his pillow. The sandy haired man sporting soft purple eyes studied Sora and ever so carefully wandered over to Riku with his gaze. One swift look at their hands and the pieces fit all too well.

"How bad is it?"

Sora was a member of the royal family and despite his best efforts to maintain a sense of privacy in his overall daily life, his accident was not something that could have been hidden from the public. He knew without taking a look out into the streets of Oathkeeper that there were reporters and news crews scrambling for the latest development in his status. The prime minister had done his job correctly and they had been kept at bay. There was a reason why there weren't any other patients on Sora's floor. That being that St. Alexander Memorial Hospital currently housed only two patients: Sora and Riku.

"I compiled a short report and released it to the press," the minister began, "the details are for the most part under wraps, however you are more than aware how the media is. They can be quite the pack of hyenas."

Sora clicked his tongue in frustration, but remained silent. The minister eventually felt comfortable enough to grow closer. He stopped short of Riku and extended a hand. "I apologize for the rudeness in not introducing myself. My name is Joshua, I am the acting minister of Destiny Islands."

"Riku fal'Cie, nice to meet you."

Joshua appeared close to his age give or take a few years. His hair fell to his shoulders in soft waves of sandy blonde that cradled the sharpness of his face rather well. The delicate color of his purple eyes seemed to have a permanent sense of mystery to them. Riku wasn't sure what to think of the newcomer just yet.

"I'm aware it's not my business to ask, but what is your relationship to his highness?"

It was simply a formality, Joshua already knew the answer. But he wanted to gauge the reaction of the silver haired man. Riku blinked a few times and looked to Sora with an expression that wordlessly said "What do I tell him?"

Sora gazed at Riku with understanding before shooting his attention to Joshua in his perfectly pressed slate colored suit. "I think you've figured it out, so spare us."

Joshua smiled genuinely. "That's wonderful, your highness! This is something to celebrate."

"Yes, well, it's also something I want you to be quiet about," Sora echoed, gaining intensity to his voice, "even if it's at the expense of releasing the details of the accident last night, I'm not ready for this to be made public yet. There are certain circumstances we need to work our way through before I am ready to make an announcement."

Riku could sense the real meaning behind Sora's words. Sora was taking his reality in mind. As it stood, Riku's situation was complicated. Their next step was undecided and if the media learned of what exactly was going on it would be a bloodbath. Sora was used to the chaotic nature that came with being in the limelight. Riku, however, wasn't. It wasn't fair to him.

"I understand completely, your highness. I will make it my priority that this is all taken care of. But, may I offer my opinion on the matter?"

Sora clenched his mouth, but nodded. At the cue, Joshua's lips parted. "I can think of nothing more suiting in pulling the attention away from your highness than to make a different announcement."

He felt his eyebrow twitch not completely getting what Joshua was implying. "And that being?"

The young minister extended his arms outward to drive his point home. "Announce the beginning of the Queen's selection process."

"No."

"Your highness, please see-"

"I said-No."

Joshua's fortitude quickly faded at Sora's words. One look at Sora's face told the world he was pissed. Riku immediately felt the sudden change in attitude as if it was his own emotions suddenly going through a broiler. He tightened his hand around Sora's, the act earning him a genuine smile. He turned to Joshua, his features calmer. "I will not shift the unwanted attention onto them. I have made my intentions clear in regards to the selection process."

The minister let out a small, defeated sigh. "Very well, I will take further steps in ensuring you are not disturbed while recovering. If you need me for any reason, please get in touch your highness."

Joshua bowed at the bedridden Sora and offered a flash of a smile at Riku before walking out of the room. Once his footsteps could no longer be heard, Sora slammed a fist against the wooden headboard of the bed. Riku grew concerned. "Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, I just can't help getting irritated with him."

"He seems like a nice guy," Riku replied.

Sora rolled his eyes. "He knows I don't like him so he purposely pushes all of my buttons. Joshua's a charmer, don't let him fool you."

"I'll take your word for it. But if he's as annoying as you're letting on, why is he the minister? I might sound like an idiot for asking this, but if you're the prince, why aren't you running the country?"

The knee jerk reaction of slamming his fist into the solid headboard came with consequences. Sora felt the impact all the way into his chest and groaned in pain. "Do you want the long or short version?"

Riku grinned. "We have the entire place to ourselves."

"Long version it is," Sora said with a winded breath. "How should I start?" He looked to the mounds that were his extended legs hiding under the thin bed covers. "I can't rule as King."

Riku cocked his head, but let Sora continue.

"There's an old law that states if a member of the royal family is born a Sorceress, then they take priority in succeeding the throne. When Joshua mentioned the queen selection he was referring of course to my sisters. This is the first time in Destiny Islands history where multiple Sorceresses have been born into the family. So each of them have the equal right to become queen before I do. I'm the oldest, but I'm dead last in eligibility."

"No offense Sora, but that sounds like an outdated piece of garbage," Riku said resting back in his seat. "We're not living in medieval times anymore. Why does your status matter?"

Sora, with a familiar bitterness in his mouth, seemed happy to hear this. "You're right, it is outdated, but you have to realize something. For the better part of the royal family's reign over these islands, things have been peaceful and prosperous. Why stray from tradition when it's not broken? The people are comforted with the way their lives are. Bring in an unknown factor and you threaten their livelihood. It's not about-"

"It's not about you," Riku muttered, remembering the words from a bright haired little girl and finishing Sora's thoughts. They didn't need the result of their bond for Riku to understand this. "You're a smart man Sora, King or not, a title doesn't define you."

Sora shook his head to the side. "No, I'm sure it doesn't. But...I'd be lying if on some level I still think it does."

With a long history and a member of an important lineage, it was something that was engrained into his head. You're a prince, you're royalty, you expect the natural process that comes with it. To know that he couldn't have that title was dangling a carrot on the end of a stick with him as the gimp-legged horse unable to reach it. This while having five younger sisters standing so far ahead it was impossible for him to catch up. The bitter taste in his mouth intensified.

"This selection process," Riku continued, "Joshua seemed fixed on it."

"Oh if he could have it his way one of the girls would be sitting on the throne right now."

"And why aren't they?"

Sora's face found Riku's curious expression. "The same reason I'm doing everything I can to keep the media from finding out about you or what happened last night: to prevent a blow out. The minute I announce the beginning of the selection the girls will be hounded like crazy. I do what I can now when they're performing readings and limit the amount of people they see. I don't want to expose them to what I know will be a shit storm when they're so young."

Riku beamed at the thoughtfulness of Sora's character. He was injured, by Riku's hand mind you, going through an array of emotions unknown to him, and yet the only thing he seemed concerned about was the well being of his sisters. There wasn't a selfish bone in Sora's body. He was always placing others before himself, even if doing so was actually detrimental. There was only so much a single person could handle, so much weight they could carry before the strain would break them. How close was Sora at this point?

"Joshua's actually a distant relative," Sora's voice continued, "and my parents trusted him enough to be an advisor in their court. After their passing, and my inability to rule, he was appointed as a temporary minister. It's been two years now and the public is growing concerned. While Joshua's competent in maintaining the order of the country, the public is not used to the absence of an actual ruler. Which is why Joshua's been persistently trying to get me to change my mind."

Sora cradled his hands in the gap between his legs, watching how the fabric wrinkled with their weight. "And the thing that scares me the most is that I don't have a choice. One way or another, I can't stop the selection process. It's just now a matter of time."

Riku picked up on the dip in his aura again. He grew a bit closer. "You've done everything you can to protect them, and as a parent I can understand where you're coming from."

He gulped a dry swallow. Sora turned to face Riku remembering that important aspect of his life. Riku was a father, a married man, and with a complete red ring housed on each of their fingers, his destined partner. Sora suddenly felt an uncomfortable stirring in his stomach. "Rue...that's your son's name, right?"

It should have brought a smile to his face, but hearing Rue's name coming out of Sora's mouth added an unusual and awkward element. Riku shifted in his seat before finally standing. Tucking a hand into his pocket, Riku found the floor suddenly interesting. "Yeah...Rue."

Sora didn't know what else to say. Riku fingered the elastic tie holding his silver hair in a ponytail and exhaled. Reality was encroaching on him. This little bubble where he stood facing the man that was his destined one was ready to pop. It came flooding in all at once, conflicting emotions that were drowning him in a way the very waters he plunged into the night before paled in comparison to.

"Riku..." Sora said in almost a whisper, "I said we would figure this out...but I'm at a loss."

He had spoken with firm devotion earlier, but it was slowly crumbling. Sora understood where they were both were. A moment of euphoria and clarity had opened for them when their initial connection was made. The threads that materialized and bound them washed away the uncertainty that lay within them. But that blissful, fleeting moment was just that, fleeting. It came and went too quickly and nerves began to fray.

"I love my family."

His eyes went wide. They moistened as the words resonated in his ears. Sora didn't lift his head and continued staring at the wrinkles in his bedsheets. The amount had grown. Sora didn't realize the added wrinkles were the results of his hands clutching the pale fabric by the fistfuls. His chest hurt and not because his ribs were broken.

"They've been my life, my reason for living," Riku spilled out with a fervent intensity to voice, "so right now...the fact that I'm questioning it...it's painful."

Riku was now standing with his body facing the expansive windows. A hand was balled up against his chest and Sora could see it trembling slightly. It was a pain that Sora couldn't and would never comprehend. Riku tilted his head to the side. Sora's fingers made circles across the surface of the empty dish in front of him. "I'm not going to pretend to know how you feel. I won't question what you feel towards your family. And I won't question the reason you came here. But I will say this:"

Sora lifted his eyes and the wetness in them seemed to glow. "You're here. And I'm so glad you are."

Riku's hand slowly relaxed out of its fist and fell to his side in a natural manner. With a sigh escaping him, Riku looked to the ceiling before walking back to Sora's bed. He smiled at him before taking the tray that sat over his legs. "I'll be back in a bit."

Nodding, Sora watched as Riku left the room. Out in the hallway, where not a soul resided, Joshua stood with his back to a wall. He was only a few feet away and even though the room had the door shut, Riku questioned whether he had heard any of their conversation. Joshua had been eavesdropping, and Riku felt his fingers tightening around the metal tray in his hands.

"Interesting," Joshua revealed a grin, "so it appears that his highness' partner is already attached."

Riku's eyes skewed. "You must be a very busy man to be wasting time standing in empty hallways."

His quick jab seemed to surprise Joshua, but only for a moment. He removed himself from the wall and stuck his hands in his pockets. "You're right, running a country takes a lot out of a person. But right now my priority is to his highness. His well being is everything."

"As it should be," Riku added on starting back on his trek down the pristine floors, "if you'll excuse me Minister, I need to return this to the kitchens."

Riku's slipper cased feet made soft scuffing sounds as he walked past Joshua. When a heavy thump resonated in his ears a few seconds later, Riku took the opportunity to look over his shoulder. Joshua had settled himself across the hall in an open sitting area with a large table. He sat with a manilla colored folder practically breaking at the seams resting on the table's surface. Riku figured it was the heavy looking folder that had caused the noise.

"In case you were wondering, no, I wasn't listening in on your conversation with his highness. A politician I may be, but I would never intrude in such a manner."

"Is that right?" Riku replied, "I thought it was second nature for political leaders to do just that. They're not always known for their tact."

Joshua's smile revealed his pearly white teeth. "Well, this one is a little different."

He opened the folder and began leafing though several papers before coming to a stop. "Riku fal'Cie, born on March 9th, 2XXX, in a small suburban district of the capital in The Land of Departure. The only child to Kingdom Hearts champion blitzball player Sephirot-"

The metal tray came slamming down on top of the folder. Papers went flying everywhere, scattering across the floors like autumn leaves. Joshua sank back in his seat, not out of fear, but amusement. Riku's face was contorted with his lip curled into a snarl. "What do you think you're doing?"

"It's amazing the amount of information you can obtain in less than a day." Joshua carefully picked up some of the scattered paperwork at his feet and looked over it. "Medical records, finances, marriages."

Riku's throat stifled a gulp as he looked at the sandy haired man. Joshua tapped a particular leaflet and clicked his tongue. "This right here is what concerns me. A marriage certificate clearly indicating a union between yourself and a Mrs. Vanille fal'Cie, maiden name Fang."

The entire time, Joshua spoke not with the sarcasm and wit he presented earlier, but with a monotone, serious voice. To him, this was not a joke. Riku's forehead began to perspire, unsure of where Joshua was taking this. The soft purple orbs reading over the information eventually raised upwards to Riku. "How is it that the undeniable life partner of his highness is already married and with a family?"

Riku couldn't give Joshua an answer he himself did not know. For the past eight years Riku had been married to his best friend, the person that wore the same red ring that bound them together. The unmistakable moment of their red threads materializing before them on that day after not seeing one another for four years, it couldn't have been a lie. Yet Riku knew, he felt it so deeply, that it was indeed a lie.

"Whether you believe me or not, I don't care. But it wasn't until recently that I learned that my destined partner was not my wife, but someone from Destiny Islands. If you're accusing me of harboring any ill intent towards Sora, then you can rest easy."

His words settled on the minister, allowing them to soak through his head. Joshua eventually placed an elbow on the couch armrest and held his cheek with a cupped hand. "I do actually, find it hard to believe. Did you not have a thread reading? A Sorceress would never make a mistake in pointing their client to their true partner."

"Yeah, well, Vanille and I never went to a Sorceress. We were some of the rare few that found each other without the assistance of a Sorceress."

"Ah, well now I see," Joshua threw a hand into the air, "so by some miracle a Sorceress just happened to read your thread and reveal to you that your destined partner was not who you believed her to be."

Mint's cherub-like face surfaced in the back of his mind, the physical manifestation of his red thread guiding him to Sora. Riku's lips tugged at a smile. Joshua didn't seem to share the sentiment. "And what would her name be?"

"Huh?" Riku broke from his thoughts. "Her name?"

"Yes, the Sorceress that provided you with the map to his highness."

"That's none of your concern," Riku replied crossing his arms.

"Her name wouldn't happen to be Sorceress Namine? I have a document here," Joshua fingered through the now untidy mound of papers and fished it out, "that an acquaintance of yours pulled some strings in getting you an appointment with Sorceress Namine back in your home country. Was it not her?"

Riku's eyes shook. How far was Joshua's reach? Just how much was he capable of unearthing? Riku's arms clenched tighter together, his gaze never deviating from the sandy blonde. "No...it wasn't her. Just who the hell are you?"

Joshua's pearly white smile flashed. "I am but a temporary minister with the hopes and dreams for this country as his most cherished desire. I cannot allow anything or anyone to threaten the future of this kingdom."

"Threaten?" Riku's voice had escalated. He was seeing a different shade of red. "Are you out of your mind? You honestly believe that I'm trying to create trouble?"

"Why shouldn't I? Everything about you reeks of suspicion. An already married man just happens to find his way into the midst of his highness' home and family? You claim that a Sorceress you can't name led you to him? Please excuse my unbecoming attitude Mr. fal'Cie, but I do this out of devotion and love for the royal family and this country. I will not permit a liar and schemer to bring shame to his highness."

It was an unbelievable anger that brewed in his chest. Riku couldn't remember the last time he had felt such a revulsion. Not even his most drunken of states compared to this delirium he was experiencing. Joshua picked up the rest of the scatter papers before settling everything back into his folder and taking a few steps out of the sitting area. Riku continued to look head on, eyes of seafoam green centered on the far off window letting in the light. He felt a firm hand on his shoulder. Facing away from him, Joshua spoke.

"I have a private flight back to The Land of Departure ready at any moment. All you have to do is walk away from this and never look back. Return to your family. That's where you truly belong."

Joshua's waves of sandy blonde bounced effortlessly around him as he cupped a card into Riku's stiff hand. He looked straight at Riku with a soft, but piercing purple stare. "You have until tonight. I'm doing you a favor. Please..." he paused to raise a finger and dab at the wetness that Riku hadn't realized was trickling down his cheeks. "...it's for the best."

Giving a small nod of his head, Joshua's boot-laden steps took off into the hallways until silence once again fell on Riku's surroundings. The pitter patter of his heart was like a resonating gong, one loud and powerful clang after another. Time seemed to stand still until a breeze touched his exposed neck. He swerved back, finding the window at the end of the hall billowing it's curtains. Riku didn't know what to do, let alone think.

"You okay?"

Riku attempted to hide the nerves and uncertainty Joshua had lit up beneath him as he returned to Sora's room. The monitors were still beeping along, the scent of fresh apples still hung heavy in the air. Riku breathed in the natural sweetness and gave the best smile he could. "Yeah, everything's fine. I um, had a hard time finding the kitchens."

"First floor, third hallway from the entrance at the far end," Sora said as he yawned. "I learned where it was a few years ago."

"Oh, that's right, when your-"

He froze. Sora picked up on this and beckoned for Riku with a hand. "It's okay, I won't fall apart at the seams. You don't have to worry."

He rejoined the brunette prince at his side, his hands still slightly clammy. "When your parents passed."

Sora half smiled. "Two years this past spring. It wasn't that long ago, but it also feels like it's been forever." He motioned towards the side table and Riku opened the drawer before pulling out Sora's cellphone. Handing it to him, Sora then quickly dove into his photo gallery. "I actually had Kimahri take the painting down in the front foyer before you arrived yesterday. I wasn't quite ready for you to find out about me, but see for yourself."

Exchanging hands, the brightly lit screen showed a large painting depicting Sora's family. A handsome, stoic man with light brown hair was holding a baby Penelo. On the far end, a regal woman with locks of brilliant gold mothering Selphie in equally protective arms. Arranged in a perfectly crafted way, the Hatter family all looked head on for the lucky artist tasked in recreating the happy group. Riku studied each Hatter member until he found Sora's teenage self dressed in light blue. The pixelated eyes that looked back at him didn't match the smile he put on.

"Why do you look so sad?"

Sora didn't even try to suppress his laugh, which only caused him further pain. "You caught on, huh?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Riku replied running a finger along the slightly rounded face of Sora's picture. "Anyone with a brain would be able to see you're miserable here."

"That's funny...I always thought I hid it well." He reached and took the phone back from Riku before locking it back up. Sora tilted his head back until his face was now in view of the ceiling. "It fooled them at least."

If Riku had been able to tell how he truly felt from a simple picture, that anyone with a pulse could point out the obvious, then what did that say of his parents? Were they aware? Did they know Sora was unhappy and simply ignored him?

The apple slices Riku carved for him earlier was an act parents did out of love and kindness for their child. They wanted them to feel better if they had a bad day. It meant they cared. What had his parents done for him? What did they do to make sure that when he was feeling his lowest, there'd be something there to brighten up his mood? Sora let out a sigh.

"Anyways...they died from a car accident coming back from an event here in the capital. Not the impact itself, the car broke past the bridge barrier and fell into the sea. That's where they drowned..."

Sora's fingers twitched slightly. "When I saw them in the morgue's lab, I thought they were sleeping. It seriously looked like they would just wake up."

"Was there any maintenance being done to that part of the bridge at the time?"

Blue eyes darted to the right to see Riku. "I don't know, it wasn't noted in the reports. Why do you ask?"

Riku scratched at his forehead, the wrinkles in his pale skin appearing more daunting. "These bridges that connect the islands, they're relatively new and are made of one of the strongest metal alloys in the world, Orichalcum."

Sora suddenly felt a chill up his spine. "What?"

Riku inched closer, his seat scooting against the floor. "You said your parents looked like they were sleeping. Did they have any noticeable injuries?"

"Not really, there was some bruising and cuts, but there wasn't anything overtly traumatic."

Riku's tongue darted over his now drying lips. "That doesn't make sense."

Sora swallowed. "Riku, what're you getting at?"

"For Orichalcum to break, it would require far more force and energy than what is produced from the impact of a car. If a car crashed into the railing there would be nothing but a crumpled mess. Your parents would have been in a worse state. They couldn't have broken past the barrier in this circumstance."

Sora's pain in his abdomen escalated, forcing a thin sheen of sweat to cover his entire body. With a scrutinizing look, he asked Riku: "It wasn't an accident?"

Riku's hands were clasped, knuckles resting against his lips in thought. "All I'm saying is what I know from my profession. But, it doesn't look like it was. It's not physically possible."

"Bu-but, that would mean their death was-" Sora's voice grew loudly. "Someone is responsible for my parents death. How-but-"

Riku closed the gap and grabbed Sora's face in his hands. He peered intently into his eyes and placed his forehead to Sora's. The quickened breathing Sora was experiencing subsided, falling into small exhaling puffs. Swallowing hard, Riku opened his mouth. "Nothing is for certain, calm down. Right now, you're injured. You have to rest and get better. Everything else comes last. Got it?"

Sora raised a hand to Riku's cheek and felt the silver stubble prickling against his skin. The older man remained arched over, intently watching Sora as the sudden adrenaline subsided. He closed his eyes. "You're right...I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize, just...relax." Riku broke their contact only to place a kiss on Sora's forehead. "Maybe some sleep will help."

Sora made to argue, but his body lost the battle before his mind allowed him to do so. He was exhausted. Riku adjusted his pillows and brought up a second blanket. Tucked in and with the corners of his eyes flickering with a welcoming darkness, Sora felt himself drifting away. After a few minutes, a gentle breathing joined the sounds of beeping monitors.

Riku walked over to the windows and grabbed hold of the curtains. He gave himself a few moments to look out into the streets of the busy city. There were still a few photographers and reporters who hadn't given up hanging around the front gates of the hospital. Riku paid them little mind and was about to shut the curtains when something caught his attention. Beyond the gates, standing underneath a shady palm tree was a redheaded woman. Riku's stomach plummeted.

"Vanille?"

The woman underneath the tree was looking up in his direction, the glint of her emerald gaze piercing through the windows. Riku fell back a step and away from the open view only to walk forward again a second later. She was gone. He shut the curtains and immediately spun on his feet and out of the hospital room. Riku quickened his pace and found an emergency staircase before taking to the steps. His breathing was rapid, his head was pounding, but he continued on.

Once he reached the first floor Riku realized he couldn't walk out the front door. It'd be like a gazelle walking into a pride of lions. He turned a few times and located a hallway that let out back. Within a few minutes, Riku was barreling into the perfectly maintained hospital grounds and towards the back gates. There wasn't any sign of nosy news crews or reporters. With a hand closing in on the black metal handle, Riku threw the gate open.

"Was that really her?"

He took to a run and circled around the block in hopes of finding the spot he saw her at. Running in slippers had its problems, but it didn't deter him. Riku eventually came to the front of the hospital, but purposely hid himself away from the people gawking around. He dabbed at the fresh sweat on his face and looked around. Vanille was nowhere to be found. "What are you doing here Vanille?"

It came quicker than he had ever thought. The moment he'd have to confront Vanille and explain everything that was going on. He wasn't prepared for it, there was nothing but a blank in his mind. Too much was happening and not enough time was being given to process it. Riku was being pulled in so many directions his head was spinning. "What do I do?"

He stood against the wall of a nearby building with his hands clutching his forehead. Sweat coursed through the gaps in his fingers as a sense of panic overcame him. His vision was blurring, his temperature was rising. Riku was on the verge of collapsing when he felt a hand grabbing his shoulder. "Riku?"

The silver haired man looked up. A spunky, dark haired woman in an orange shirt gazed at him in concern. Riku's breathing halted. "Olette?"

"Riku, are you okay? You're as pale as ghost. Come with me, let's get you cooled down."

Olette led Riku from the hospital block and a few streets away to an empty plaza with several benches. Olette had Riku take a seat as she fumbled with a bag over her shoulder. She took out a bottle of water and a washcloth. "Here, drink this."

She uncapped the water for him and handed it over. Riku gulped it down before letting out a shaky breath. Olette doused the washcloth with water from a second bottle and held it up against Riku's forehead. "There, that should do it."

The icy cold sensation felt good against his sweaty skin. Riku silently thanked her as he sat back in his seat. She watched like a hawk as Riku regained his composure and color returned to his face. It wasn't until Riku's water was gone and his chest rising in a normal rhythm that she spoke up again. "What happened?"

He shook his head. "It's nothing."

"I don't believe that for a second. Did you just leave St. Alexander's?"

Riku looked down at his clothes, the pale tunic-like shirt and thin pants the hospital provided for him. He couldn't argue. "Yeah..."

"Oh my goodness, then we need to get you back in there. If you're hurt, you can't be walk-"

"No, I can't," Riku interrupted with a shake of his head, "not right now. I have to find her."

"Find who?"

Riku's face once again paled. "Someone important."

Olette studied him for a few long moments before letting out a sigh. "Ok then. I won't make you do something you don't want to, but can I at least take you somewhere else?"

Riku's head shot up. "My hotel, if you can take me back to my hotel I'd appreciate it."

"Do you feel better enough to walk?"

"Of course."

Olette purposely walked at a slower pace to keep Riku from over exerting himself. "I'll have you stay right here while I bring the car around," she said after coming out onto the city streets. "I'm parked not too far, so it'll take just a minute. Don't leave."

She patted his hand and scurried off. Riku remained as he was instructed and within a few minutes Olette pulled up next to him. He got into the car and buckled up before giving Olette the name of the hotel he was staying at.

"I didn't think I'd run into you again," she said as they drove, "looks like a lot's happened since you were at my shop."

"You don't know the half of it," he replied with a hand on his bouncing knee. "What are you doing all the way here?"

Olette smiled and placed a hand on her belly. "I'd been feeling sick for a while so I made an appointment to see a doctor at a clinic nearby. And for good reason. I'm pregnant."

"Congratulations Olette."

"Thank you," she said taking a turn at a stop light, "Hayner's always wanted to have kids, but with the paopu farms to tend to we thought it'd be too hard raising a kid. It's just the two of us out there, and it gets lonely. So I guess maybe it's a good thing."

"You'll love it," Riku related, "being a parent is a wonderful thing. There's nothing more gratifying than watching your child grow. You'll do anything for them. Seeing them smile, it'll wash away any bad day you've had."

Olette listened with curiosity, knowing from the bit they talked out on her rickety porch that Riku was in Destiny Islands in search of his fated partner. The complete ring she eyeballed on his left hand drove that point home as she noticed a different sparkle to its color. Things didn't quite add up in her head, but it wasn't her place to assume or judge. "I have a lot to look forward to then. Thanks for setting my worries to rest."

The drive went on for several miles as St. Alexander and the multitude of medical offices lay towards the eastern corner of the island whereas Riku's hotel was located in the center downtown area. By the time they pulled into the driveway, early afternoon reflected off the sun.

"Thank you so much for bringing me here," Riku said with sincerity, "I didn't get a chance to meet your husband, but pass on my good wishes to him too."

"I'll do just that, thank you Riku."

He pushed the car door open and stepped out without much difficulty and was about to shut it when Olette's voice forced him back.

"Take care of yourself. Whatever happens, I wish you the best."

Riku's eyes threatened to leak, but he swiftly composed himself and sucked in a long breath. He nodded at the now expectant mother as she waved her fingers with the car pulling away from him. Riku watched as Olette soon melted back into the flow of Oathkeeper traffic.

Stepping into the lobby pelted him with a chilly blast of air conditioning. His arm hair practically shot up vertically at the sudden sensation. He didn't have his wallet or other personal belongings with him. Everything he brought to the Hatter mansion was undoubtedly still sitting in Sora's room. Luckily, when he checked in the staff took a copy of his passport, so they'd be able to identify him and provide new keys to his room.

After a few raised eyebrows at his attire, something Riku would be glad to be rid of, Riku made his way up the hotel elevator with a keycard in hand. With the door to his room flinging open, everything inside was exactly as he had left it, minus the obvious housekeeping done by the floor employees. Throwing his clothes off, Riku jumped in the tub for a much needed shower.

With water dripping from his hair and devoid of a towel, Riku walked back into the main area of his room. He sat on the edge of the bed with clumps of soggy silver hanging heavily around his shoulders. Riku touched his face, feeling the stubble that had accumulated from the past few days. Sora had caressed his cheeks, felt the same course hair. There was something quite intimate about the simple gesture that Riku found comforting. He raised his head towards the desk and vanity that sat a few feet away. The mirror reflected his naked self.

"What?"

Tucked into a corner of the mirror, where the wood paneling met glass, something caught his attention. He raised himself and with muffled steps walked forward. Riku reached and removed the rectangular piece of paper, a glossy and colorful postcard. The image was familiar, a structure that bore significant value to Destiny Islands.

"Alexander," Riku read along the small print informing the potential buyer of what the postcard depicted, "God and founder of Destiny Islands." The structure consisted of massive columns acting as the arms and legs of a sentient fortress. There was no better description to it than calling Alexander a living castle. Two giant wings sprouted from the sides, raised high and towards the heavens.

"Why is this here?"

He flipped the postcard around to reveal a specific time of "6:45" hand written in red pen. They were just numbers, anyone was capable of writing them, but Riku choked knowing full well who's penmanship it belonged to. "Vanille..."

She knew he was here. How did she get in? The water in his hair might as well have been freezing since his skin instantly prickled. Was she calling him out? Did Vanille want to see him there? Riku's thoughts swirled, the postcard crumpling in his hand. One look at the clock on the nightstand read just shortly past four.

"I guess there's no turning back."

Somehow, Riku began seeing things a bit more clearly. This whole time, Riku was afraid. He was feeling a colossal guilt bearing down on his shoulders over the idea that he was betraying someone. Feeling guilt meant he had committed an act that went against what he believed. He was so wrapped up in the thought that he was doing something wrong he wasn't seeing the real picture. Why was Riku supposed to crumble and fade away when it wasn't him that brought about this painful situation? As Riku looked at himself in the mirror's length, the intensity building behind his eyes, he had an answer.

Riku robed himself in new clothes and bundled his hair back up in a ponytail. He went over to the night stand and picked up the phone. Riku leafed out the card in his discarded hospital scrubs and held it in his hand as he worked away dialing the number embossed on it in purple lettering. It rang once.

"My, that was a quick turn around. Should I get in contact with the pilot?"

"Not quite," Riku spoke into the receiver, his hand twirling Joshua's card between his fingers. "I need a favor."

"Hmm, not the response I was expecting, but what may that be?"

"I need a way to get to Alexander Island."

"Ohhh, you want to pay a visit to our most famous national monument? I do admit it's quite breathtaking, but I don't think I can agree to it."

Riku didn't lose his cool. "Why not? According to what you said earlier, I had until tonight. As I see it the sun's still out. Why not make the most of this trip?"

Joshua chuckled. "Good point, I did say that. Hmm, well, I guess I'll arrange a vehicle for you. When do you need it?"

"In about five minutes."

"Someone's in a hurry, I'll see what I can do."

"I have faith in you minister. After all, you made it so a private flight is ready at my whim. This should be easy."

"Haha! You are quite the character Mr. fal'Cie. Well, I best be off if I am to take care of this matter for you."

"Thank you,"

"Oh, I should mention something of importance."

Riku was ready to hang up when Joshua pulled him back in. "What is it?"

"Do be careful."

The click and beeping that followed ended the call. Riku sat the phone back down with a quizzical raised brow. "What was that?"

Joshua kept to his promise and had a black SUV with tinted windows ready for him in the hotel driveway by the time Riku made his way back down. The driver sported a rough build and crew cut hairstyle that spoke of military service. He ushered Riku into the backseat and without a word, drove off. It would take just about the time the allotted appointment on the postcard bore for him to arrive. It was here, in the backseat of the ample SUV that Riku felt the exhaustion returning to his body. He leaned back into the leather headrest and looked out at the changing landscape. After a short time the bridge connecting to Oathkeeper came into view, and with it, sleep overcame him.

Sora's eyes shot wide open. He lifted himself into a sitting position with some careful maneuvering. The curtains were closed, but some light still managed to filter beneath them. By the intensity of the light, Sora figured it was still early in the afternoon. He looked around, the spacious and empty room appearing cavernous. Riku was nowhere to be seen.

"He must have gone back to his room," he said to himself as he adjusted his pillow. "I'm sure he's tired."

He knew he was injured and had moved carefully in order to avoid further pain, but Sora was surprised when the tenderness in his abdomen was gone. Sora gently pressed his fingers against the white wrappings under his hospital gown, but felt absolutely nothing.

"Huh, it doesn't hurt..."

Still unsure, Sora began to unravel the tight bindings, one loop after another until the last bandage fell away. What he saw was something he saw every single day of his life: tanned skin.

"What the hell?"

There wasn't a single blemish. Sora couldn't believe his eyes and even squinted a few times to rid himself of the remaining fogginess in his mind. But he wasn't seeing things. It was as if he was never hurt.

"This isn't making sense..."

He threw the covers aside and got to his feet. Sora buckled a bit, but quickly steadied himself. He was thankful he was alone as the open gown revealed to the world that he was naked underneath it. Pulling the drawers open from the dressers on the opposite side of the room proved fruitless as their depths lay empty. Not having a choice, Sora simply grabbed the tassels that hung from the robe and tied it shut. It was better than nothing.

Out in the empty halls he was met with silence. A scan of his surroundings left him with nothing out of the ordinary. The hospital had been completely cleared for his and Riku's sake and even the staff was minimal. With his injuries miraculously healed, Sora wanted to leave. Getting back to the mansion and to his regular routine of taking care of his sisters was calling. Then something else flooded his mind.

"It wasn't an accident..."

He recalled the details Riku had shared with him, his knowledge as an architect shedding new light on something he never questioned. The supposed accident that robbed him and his sisters of their parents now weighed heavily on him.

"Who would want to hurt them?"

King Balthier and Queen Aurora were beloved rulers and respected members of every international committee they took part in. Relations between countries were peaceful and prosperous. Sora couldn't think of a single person or entity that would benefit from their passing.

On the off chance anyone questioned their death, suspicion always fell on those closest to them. Sora was the eldest sibling, a failed Sorceress that gained nothing if they died. Nobody would think that he would be stupid enough to try. His sisters were children and accusing them would be beyond insulting and downright heinous.

Sora's naked footsteps held him firmly in place after a thought crossed him. "Joshua?"

No. He shook his head. Joshua was a distant relative, someone far enough removed and from a weak bloodline that would hold no right to the throne. And even then, Sora and his siblings were still around. Why kill his parents, but not them? Sora's brow crinkled as the theories swelled.

He walked into an open sitting area and took a seat on the edge of the couch. When his foot made contact with something solid, he looked down. There was something sticking out from underneath the couch. Sora bent over and picked up whatever he had stepped on. As he took hold of it, he realize it was a piece of paper. He looked it over and felt his heart pound when he read Riku's name.

"A flight arrangement?"

His hands crinkled the paper as he held it tightly. It was an agreement with a private company for a flight to The Land of Departure. Seeing Riku's name on it was already odd to him, but the date on it made his blood run cold. It was set for that same day. "This is a joke."

Sora bunched up the paper and tossed it away. He immediately ran to a nearby room, but found it empty. Running from one room to the other, Sora tried to find where Riku was. But after checking every corner of the hospital floor, he found nobody. "No..."

Panic was creeping over him. Sora ran back to where he had been sleeping and stopped suddenly at the sight. A little girl sat on his bed. "Who are you?"

She turned her head at the sound of his voice. With a mane of orange-red and equally colored eyes, Mint smiled at him. "It's a long story, but that's not what's important right now."

"How'd you get in here? Do your parents know you're here?"

"My, you sound just like him. I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

Mint jumped off the bed and landed with a soft thump of her brown boots. She scurried over to a perplexed Sora and grabbed him by the hand. "You need to get a move on, there's no time to waste."

"What are you talking about?" Sora questioned as Mint led him with surprising speed. She didn't reply and continued into the hallway before pointing out a mound of clothes that sat on the nurse's station coming into view. Sora picked them up before Mint stepped on the gas pedal and fled into the stairway.

"I'm serious, where are you taking me?"

Sora fumbled around, haphazardly stepping into the clothes that fit him to a perfect T. After pulling a simple white shirt over his head, they spilled out into the first floor lobby. Mint was facing him with a pair of shoes in her hands. Sora was wondering if he was dreaming.

"Someone important is waiting for you."

A flash of silver hair flickered across Sora's eyes. He uncomfortably remembered the flight arrangement paper he found lodged under the sitting room couch. His teeth dragged along his bottom lip hard enough to force a small wince out of him. "Riku..."

Mint nodded still holding onto the pair of shoes. Sora went up and kneeled in front of the young girl. "Something's wrong, isn't it?"

"Yes," she replied with large eyes glistening, "and he needs you."

She passed her hand across Sora's face, his appearance shifting. Black hair and golden yellow eyes replaced his normal features. Mint caressed Sora's cheeks, softly rubbing them with her delicate fingers. "Go, you don't have to worry now."

"But where do I go?"

"Look within yourself and trust your feelings. Everything will work out."

Mint then plopped something metallic into his hand. He looked down at it and saw an obsidian colored key. She winked at him. "It'll match your hair."

Sora gazed towards the front of the hospital and when he looked back to where Mint was standing, she was gone. He stepped into the shoes and made his way out the front doors. The walkway led in a perfectly straight line to the iron gates. A flock of reporters and cameras immediately became intrigued to see him coming in their direction.

"False alarm, it's nobody."

Sora heard the disappointed voices and frustrated groans as he walked past them. Across the street Sora eyeballed a car that seemed out of place. The gleaming black vehicle was something better suited to the insides of a fancy sports magazine with bikini clad women sprawled over its hood. For a single moment Sora allowed himself to forget about the uncertainty and nerves that consumed him. He cracked a grin and shook his head from side to side. "Someone's messing with me."

Jogging over to it, Sora threw the key into the ignition and the Regalia roared into life. It was enough to scare the gaggle of people standing at the hospital gates and throw them off balance. Sora shifted the gears and with a tap of the pedal, flew into the streets.

Lulu glanced up from her bowl of ice cream, the spoon halfway to her mouth. She was sitting in a cozy little shop with her sisters after leaving St. Alexander from their visit with Sora. Kimahri made the suggestion he take them out for a treat before heading back to the mansion as Sora and Riku needed to recover. With loving goodbyes and promises to see each other the next day after school got out, the girls parted ways with their brother and were escorted out.

Upon seeing the Ronso man at the front of their walking line, no reporter or camera crew dared to snap a picture or raise a question at the girls in fear he would retaliate. And while Kimahri did have the strength and capability to do so, he didn't have the need.

"Lulu, did you see something?"

Wendy looked to her older sister wondering what could have caught her attention. Lulu's beaded braids clinked softly as she shook her head. "It's nothing, I just thought I sensed something."

Everyone sitting around the circular table offered Lulu a curious expression before returning to their snack. The twins were feeding one another, their faces smeared with ice cream. Belle and Wendy attempted to clean them up, but gave up after exhausting the napkins at their disposal.

"Miss Lulu," came Kimahri's deep voice, "I'm a firm believer in never doubting your feelings. If there's something bothering you, please let me know if I may be of any help."

Lulu gulped the mouthful of strawberry ice cream and pondered over the words Kimahri directed at her. He sat a few chairs away, keeping an eye on anybody threatening to come within the young princesses' space. A cup and saucer that appeared doll-like in size to his enormous hands sat within his palms. Kimahri raised the porcelain white cup to his furry lips and took a catlike sip from the steaming tea. Lulu's smiling lips betrayed her expression.

"Something bad is going to happen."

The Ronso man remained calm. He sat the cup and saucer down on the table in front of him and looked to Lulu. Her hand was tightly clenching her spoon.

"Oh no! My ice cream!"

Penelo had been flailing around and knocked over her shiny metal bowl, spilling the contents of her dark cherry ice cream. It undulated outwards, covering their table in a pool of melted crimson. And just like Lulu's eyes, it was blood red.

-O-