Chapter 4 - Nobody & Somebody

Growing up with a busy father, I was usually left with Sora's family until he was off of work. Sora's mother, Yue took care of Sora and me during the weekdays, however, when she had to run an errand she left Sora's older sister, Himiko to babysit us.

Himiko was five years older than me and was very carefree whenever she babysat us. Anything we did, she'd be right behind us trying to help us out. However, the idea of building a raft and sailing to other worlds wasn't in that realm of helping us out. Just like a lot of my classmates and friends, they didn't believe in the possibility of other worlds being out there and would tease me about it. Sora's sister especially teased me most when I was around Kairi. ("Riku, watch out she's an alien from another world. She'll make you die of laughter," she snickered.)

Within the walls of Castle Oblivion, seeing Sora's sister right before my eyes. She wore a dumb grin just like Sora's, however, it didn't reach her eyes.

In a split second, I remembered the fall of Destiny Islands. I hadn't thought about the darkness taking my family and friends. I didn't think about them being attacked or hurt. Until that moment -

"H-Himiko."

All I could do was stare at her. A frog was stuck in my throat. I was thrilled to see her, scared by what she'd meant about being a Nobody, and puzzled all at the same time. My mind was going crazy as I watched her come over to me. Thoughts of "I'm sorry", "How did you get here?", and several more thoughts echoed in my head, yet nothing could escape my lips.

Himko gave me a tight hug. "It's been weeks since Destiny Islands fell. Thank goodness you and Sora are okay," she said.

"Himiko, where have you been? How are you here?"

Letting me go, she backed away from me. "A strange pink-haired man brought me here… I'd been to another world called Twilight Town just before being forced to come here. He held me prisoner with Namine to lure Sora here," she explained.

"How did they know you were Sora's sister?"

"The organization is always listening in on worlds. By hiding within dark corridors, they can eavesdrop on people's conversations. Most likely, Marluxia or another member found out by using that method," Emerald Vexen (or was it Shiro Vexen?) explained to us.

"Eavesdropping... Is that how they know me as well?"

A Vexen said, giving a nod. "Correct."

I'd had many moments of being paranoid before coming to Castle Oblivion. I'd thought it was nothing, so I shook it off. But, the moments where I felt I was being watched, I was actually being watched. That still brings me chills!

"Riku… I know it's a lot, but let me explain. Himiko, Emerald, you might confuse him if you explain anything more to him. I'll take over for now," Namine interrupted.

"So, Himiko is just like the organization and you. But, what about me? Do I have a Nobody?"

Namine shook her head. "When you fell into darkness, Ansem took your body. It in turn shielded you from becoming a Nobody. You're whole unlike Himiko and me. A Nobody is formed when a person with a strong heart falls to darkness, our body is left behind and we retain our memories. (Sometimes.)"

"I get it." I didn't get it at all.

Himiko stepped forward-leaning in, with her hands on her hips, "Do you? Do you really?"

I backed away. "Well, I understood half of it. A few parts still confuse me, but you guys can explain it to me later. Right now, we need to figure out our deal with Axel. Namine, do you think we can trust him?"

While I didn't want to trust her information, I didn't know Axel or what he was capable of. Namine was the only one who knew him.

"He helped me save Sora… but at the same time, he is a member of Organization 13. I don't trust him per se, he could betray any of us just like he did with the real Vexen. But, I think we should agree to his deal. We need to keep Sora out of the organization's reach so I can fix his memories," she explained.

"Memories that you rewrote," Himiko growled, crossing her arms.

Himiko and I were in the same boat. We didn't like Namine. She had harmed Sora. That was something we couldn't forgive. Nor could I forgive myself for hurting him back then too.

"If Axel goes back to the castle, then he can say that the mission was a failure. That we fled and he couldn't stop us," Namine adds.

"So, use him to cover our tracks."

"Exactly. This way Sora is safe," she said.

I turn to Himiko, "What do you think?"

"Protect my little bro. We can worry about the other side of the deal later."

Within three hours, the time came to make our choice and decision. When we agreed to Axel's deal, we had no idea what we'd be doing. Standing before him, Namine on my right side like a devil and Himiko on my left side like an angel, I faced the taller Nobody awaiting his exchange.

"I need help finding a room. There are thousands of doors and paths here and one of them is a room. It's called the Chamber of Waking. I need you to try and find it," Axel explained.

"Why can't you find it yourself?"

"Not easy to find. Too many doors. I need a hand, so you three and multi-Vexens are who I'm calling in," he said, pointing at us.

"And, if we don't find it?" Himiko asked, stepping forward. "Will you rat us out?"

His hand falls as he crosses his arm. After a few hums and tapping his foot, he snapped his finger. "NOPE! You agreed to the deal, so I'll keep my side even if we come out empty-handed. Just don't go slacking on me and I won't break our deal. Okay, Iko!"

"Don't you dare give me a nickname!" Himiko shouted.

"For a Nobody, you are very noisy. I'll get started on the next floor searching. You best start looking too. Good luck! Himiko. Namine. Riku."

With that, Axel left us.

And, my next journey in Castle Oblivion began.

= Chapter End =

Himiko is 20 years old. Sora and her are 6 years apart in age.

Himiko's name means "sun child/daughter". I chose this name to contrast her mother's name which means "moon".