Disclaimer: not mine
Can't believe we're up to chapter 40! Never thought it'd be this long and still a lot more to go.
Chapter 40
Kairi stared up at the castle, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open, walking inside. She could feel the Darkness inside but…it wasn't oppressive like she'd expected. She was tired from the trip and having to fend off Heartless and Nobodies on the way.
"Well, well, an intruder," a voice purred, and Kairi spun to see her, Maleficent.
"I came to see Riku, please," she told the woman, seeing the belief flicker of surprise.
"Did you indeed?" Maleficent stared down at her, and Kairi held her gaze until finally the woman nodded and beckoned her forward.
She was relieved, she didn't know what she would have done had Maleficent said no. There was no way she could fight her and she didn't want to since she was looking after Riku and had helped Sora. She followed her to a bedroom and froze as she saw Riku on the bed, twitching in his sleep, breathing harshly.
Kairi glanced at Maleficent who surprised her by leaving her alone with Riku. She took a deep breath and moved to the bed, sitting on the edge before reaching slowly for his hand. His skin was cool to the touch, though not cold like Sora's. He was pale, but his skin tone was different too, then again Maleficent's skin looked almost green so maybe his skin wasn't meant to be the colour of a humans now. Riku's skin had an almost light purplish/silver tone to it, though at first glance he might just look pale to someone who saw him. She carefully ran her fingers through his hair, finding it soft where it spilled across the pillows, it was longer than hers, probably mid-way down his back if he was sitting up. She thought he looked taller too, his body slender where before he'd been bulking up a bit.
He grimaced in his sleep, groaning softly, and she squeezed his hand. "It's alright Riku, I'm here," she promised, and surprisingly he settled a bit but he seemed uncomfortable, trying to shift off his back.
She carefully rolled him onto his side, glad for the training and trips she'd done since it made it easier to move him. She gently felt along his back until she found two bulges under the skin around his shoulder blades. Kairi hesitated but then worked to get his shirt off, finding the skin red and inflamed but even as she watched it stretched. She gasped as in a split second something burst out, nearly hitting her, and then she was staring at wings. They were larger than Sora's, a very dark purplish black in colour, hanging limp for the moment.
"Am I going to be the only one of us who can't fly? So unfair," she teased softly, not sure if he was in any way aware of her. To her surprise, his eyelids fluttered, she could see his eyes moving behind them, just noticing that he looked a bit like he hadn't slept in a while, the skin around his eyes a darker purple than the rest. "Shh, it's okay Riku."
Green/gold eyes fluttered open, taking several moments to focus on her even as Riku swallowed several times. Then he lifted a hand towards her and she took it in hers, smiling when he laced their fingers together. He seemed calm which was good, after the pain being touched had caused him last time she'd seen him, she'd been worried.
"Riku?" she whispered, not sure if Faeries had enhanced senses or not.
"Ka," he coughed and grimaced, shifting more onto his stomach than his side.
She nearly jumped when a glass of water appeared on the table beside the bed but picked it up and held it to his lips. "Small, slow, sips," she told him, and Riku sipped at the water.
"Kairi," he whispered her name, squeezing her hand.
"I'm here," she smiled at him, putting the glass down so she could gently stroke his cheek and he leant into her touch. It was obvious he was exhausted, eyes drooping, but he still reached for her so she leant down, resting her forehead against his, taking in the new eye colour, not as jarring as Sora's had been at first at least. "Sleep Riku," she whispered, even as he weakly clung to her. "I'll stay," she promised. She'd like to see Maleficent try to kick her out now that Riku had woken.
He lifted his head just enough for a very brief kiss before his eyes closed again, arms going limp. She got them both settled on the bed, glad for the experience dealing with wings from Sora.
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Maleficent stared at the two on the bed, his transformation was complete now. She knew he had woken briefly but it was for the best that he sleep, even if the Princess appeared insistent on remaining with him. She was…odd. What other Princess of Heart would remain with now two Dark creatures? She should loath them and yet…she loved them. Perhaps things were changing.
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Aqua paused in her explanation to Ven that Terra didn't know about what had happened to him, that he was missing and not purposely staying away from him. "Sora?"
"It's fine, I think Riku woke up briefly."
"Riku?" Ven asked, frowning slightly and then he blushed. "Oh."
She didn't want to know what he'd picked up from Sora there.
"Is he okay?" Ventus asked, looking up at Sora, obviously worried.
"He will be," Sora assured him gently.
It was strange, Ventus was older than Sora if you went by when they were born, and yet Sora was acting more like his parent. A vampire thing she guessed but she guessed Sora was older than him now, Ven didn't seem to have changed in his decade long slumber and Sora had spent time under a spell that sped time up.
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Mickey sat on a couch, worried. He hoped Ventus woke up alright, that Riku's transformation was going well, that Naminé would be alright in a Replica… and he was worried about Xehanort. Master Yen Sid had sent word, he believed Xehanort was now complete like the Apprentices, that he would continue his plans. He wanted Sora and Riku to undertake the Mark of Mastery exam in order for one of them to gain the Power of Waking, because they hadn't told him they had Aqua and Ventus.
Mickey had sent word back about their retrieval, that gave them two Masters in himself and Aqua and he hoped that would get him to relax a bit. How was he meant to tell Aqua that he was sure it was Terra's body that Xehanort had been using for the last decade? How had he not recognised him that day in Ansem's study? They also had to keep Ventus away from Yen Sid unless he could learn to hide his hybrid nature. Eventually, he would find out about the status of the three, how would he react?
Sora was Merlin's apprentice, that would protect him, not even Yen Sid would go against the ancient Wizard. He may appear to be an addled old man and he enjoyed being eccentric, but that did not take away from how powerful and experienced he was. And Sora was no slouch either, his magic had come on in leaps and bounds since he'd been changed. He assumed Riku too would be gaining increased magic with his own change, and that made him worry about Kairi. Would she feel they were leaving her behind? Could she handle being around both of them with so much Darkness?
Mickey sighed and decided to stop borrowing trouble, what happened, happened. there was nothing he could do at the moment. He'd tell Merlin and the boys about the exam and see what they said. He doubted Sora could even take the exam since it involved the Sleeping Worlds, though having someone wake them was a good idea. Just not for those two.
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Close…too close…he shifted, pinning the human beneath him, snarling in rage, but they didn't fight him. There was noise, his head ringing, body feeling strange. What was going on?
"Ku….Riku please, it's me, it's Kairi…you're safe. Please."
Slowly the noise became words, though it took a few more seconds for him to understand and then he was scrambling away until his back hit a wall. He blinked, seeing Kairi sit up. He felt sick, he'd…he'd…
"Riku?" she called, and he looked for the door, he had to get out. He couldn't hurt her. Looking at her hurt, bright, too bright. "Shh, it's okay Riku," her voice was closer and he kept his eyes shut tight against the light.
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Kairi gasped in air as Riku vanished, hearing a dull thump. She took a deep breath to try and calm her racing heart even as she sat up, looking around. Her heart broke at the sight of Riku pressed against the wall, cowering, eyes shut tight even as he shook, wings wrapping around himself in an effort to hide of comfort himself? She slid off the bed, trusting that he'd recognised her, otherwise why had he backed off?
"Riku?" she called, seeing him search for something, refusing to look at her. "Shh, it's okay Riku," she soothed, approaching slowly, seeing him slam his eyes shut again. "It's just me, it's okay." He seemed more…in pain than anything else and that worried her. "Riku? Can you understand me?" she asked gently, slowly reaching out a hand to him, stopping when he cringed back even more.
She hated seeing that, but what was…oh. She closed her eyes, concentrating on pulling her Light back, shielding it within her Heart as best she could.
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The blinding Light dimmed some, he could hear her speaking softly, and he slowly forced his eyes open, blinking against tears. He found her kneeling in front of him, her hand stretched out to him, but he stayed curled in on himself, unable to make himself move.
"Riku?" she called his name again. "Please, give me some sign you can understand, that you're okay," she begged, she shouldn't beg.
He forced his arm to move, to reach for her hand, and she didn't pull away. Her skin was warm and smooth, familiar. He swallowed repeatedly, trying to get moisture into his mouth. What was wrong with him? "Kai…ri," he forced from clenched teeth, seeing the relief in her expression. He squeezed her hand, tugging, feeling his body still trembling as he did. She let him pull her closer, leaning against his bent legs, her free hand moving to brush his hair back from his face.
"It's okay, you're going to be okay," she whispered.
"H'ppend?" he asked, finding it a little easier to speak, his jaw unclenching a little.
"Your transformation was causing you too much pain, Sora brought you to Maleficent and she put you to sleep for it. Since you're awake it must be done though." She was worried, almost…scared? Why?
It took way too much effort to force his legs to move, to tug her into his arms, pressing his face to her hair, even as she wrapped her arms around him loosely. He felt so strange, hoped it would go away with time, but he would ignore it. Kairi needed comfort and he was the only one who could give it. Where was Sora?
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Sora gently stroked Ven's back, offering comfort after what Aqua had told them about Terra. He hoped they could find him, that he had made it safely back to the Realm of Light but…he kind of had a sick feeling about Ansem/Xemnas. DiZ, the real Ansem, had admitted he had been his apprentice and his name then was Xehanort. He needed to talk to Mickey since the King had met him but it sounded like he could be a possessed Terra. Riku had been freed from possession, but that had been by a Heartless version of the man, could Xehanort and Terra be separated after so long?
When Ven shifted, he let go, letting the two comfort each other. It was easy to see that they were family and that was good. they'd both been gone for a decade, any family or friends they had would think they were dead, would have moved on, and that would be hard. So it was good that they had each other.
"I want to go check on Riku. You two will be okay?" he asked.
Ven looked at him with wide eyes. "Leaving?" he asked in alarm.
"I'll still be in Radiant Garden Ventus, you'll be able to feel me," he promised. "And I'll come right back if you need me."
He hesitated but then nodded, clinging to Aqua's hand. Ventus was doing really well, but he still had some of the behaviours of the newly changed. They'd have to watch that, make sure he didn't get overwhelmed.
Sora looked to Aqua who nodded, there was a mug of blood left if she needed a way to help calm him down. And he was reacting very well to her so he shouldn't give her any trouble. Sora reached out and ruffled Ven's hair, getting a whine of protest, before he teleported.
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Ven stared at where Sire had been, he wanted to learn that!
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Kairi hugged Riku gently, she'd seen how stiffly he was moving and was worried she'd hurt him. He was a lot more coherent than Sora had been when he first became a vampire thankfully. When he'd pinned her she'd been worried he would be like Sora in those early days, that he didn't recognise her. But he'd said her name, had reached out for her, he was still Riku. She'd been scared that he'd change, especially after seeing what Maleficent was like but so far that didn't seem the case. Then again, he'd just woken up and was obviously disorientated.
"I'm here, I love you," she whispered. She could feel him shaking, his breathing ragged, and…was her hair becoming damp? She shifted back a little, feeling his arms tighten, but she wasn't trying to get away, she just wanted enough distance to look at him and sure enough, Riku was crying.
"Oh Riku," she removed one hand from around him to gently push his head up, Riku resisting for a second before letting it happen. She missed his human eye colour already but she would get used to it. Kairi gently brushed the tears from his face and then leant in, making her intentions clear in case he didn't want it, happy when he didn't pull away, although he didn't move in either. She gently pressed her lips to his, hearing the choked off sob he let out as she did and then he was clinging to her, kissing back.
"Kairi…Kairi…" he gasped when they parted.
"Come on, let's get off the cold floor," she coaxed, taking his hands to draw him to his feet.
Riku stumbled upright, staggering as his wings dragged behind him. She moved to get an arm around his waist, finding that she had to look further up at him now which made it a bit awkward but she managed to help him over to the bed. He slumped down on it and she helped him get comfortable before cuddling up to him.
She tensed, turning, before relaxing as the opening door revealed Sora and not Maleficent. He slipped into the room, moving over to the bed slowly, eyes roving over Riku's form.
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Riku had tensed as the door opened, watching Sora approach with wide eyes. "Sora?"
Sora smiled softly at him, walking slowly so as not to startle him. He could see the dried tear tracks on his face, could see the slight trembling in his muscles, could smell his confusion and fear. He carefully sat on the edge of the bed and held his hand out towards Riku, letting him make the first move.
"Hey Riku," he murmured. "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up, bad timing. I woke Ventus up a few hours ago and have been helping him and Aqua." He wanted Riku to know he had wanted to be there but he couldn't abandon the closest he had to a Childe.
He had no plans to ever change someone, though he knew that in the future circumstances might change his mind, if he did though, he would not do it how She had. He would give the person a choice and would not change anyone who was healthy, someone on deaths door he'd might consider. But that was all in the future.
Riku took his hand, clutching on tightly even as he looked him up and down. He wondered what Riku was seeing or sensing that was different.
"Easy Riku, you're okay," he told him. "We're here."
"I…you…" Riku shook his head, clenching his eyes shut.
Sora frowned in confusion, glancing at Kairi.
She shrugged slightly. "He couldn't look at me at first, I had to try and pull my Light in, I think it was hurting him. But that shouldn't be a problem with you."
That was true. Her Light had never hurt him, the difference between Vampires and Faeries he guessed, his kind preyed on anything that had been the same species as them when alive, Light or Dark. And he was proof that being a Vampire didn't make someone fully a being of the Darkness. Maleficent had sensed something different about him, but he'd had to show her; Riku could already see both illusion and truth, maybe that double vision was messing with him? Sora slipped the band off his arm to remove the illusion and Riku seemed to relax a little at that. Maybe it was Merlin's magic?
"Riku?" he called gently. "Can you look at me, please?"
Riku slowly opened his eyes, almost squinting, and Sora slowly reached out to touch his face, finding he wasn't hot to him anymore. He was still warmer than Sora himself was, but nowhere near the temperature he used to be.
"Can you tell me what's wrong?" he asked, hoping Riku could, then he could hopefully get Merlin to help him adjust things to make it easier for him, unless Riku would adapt?
Riku slowly sat up, rubbing at his eyes, blinking rapidly before he reached out, and Sora went eagerly into his arms. He nuzzled at Riku, feeling him shiver slightly at the sensation. Riku pulled him even closer, so Sora was in his lap, not that he was complaining at being so close. He carefully ran his hands up and down Riku's sides and back, careful of the new wings since he wasn't sure how sensitive they were. Riku was doing the same, hands carefully exploring, as if he'd never touched Sora before. Just how different were his senses now? "Sora," Riku whispered.
"I'm here," he kept his touch firm but gentle, and then Riku's mouth was on his, and he happily kissed back, careful of his fangs since Riku wasn't being cautious at all. Sure enough, he tasted blood, and bit back a groan at the taste. It was richer than before, delicious, and he wanted more but he wouldn't try. He'd fed off Riku once and he would never bite without permission. "Love you."
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Everything was so confusing; he could feel things…see…hear…it was all too much. Looking at either of them hurt, for different reasons, but it was still them. He loved them and they loved him. He didn't care when he felt the brief pain of Sora's fang against his tongue, feeling Sora greedily suck at the small amount of blood, tasting it himself and for once not finding it bad. He didn't want to drink it or anything, but the taste of his own blood was definitely different…of course it was, he wasn't human anymore. He could feel the heavy weight on his back, could feel the new muscles moving; he had wings. How different was he now? Would he change more?
Sora pulled back, making eye contact with him and Riku found he felt…calmer as they just stared at each other. It wasn't a vampire trick, those were voice related, but his head felt clearer, he felt…oh. Sora was controlling his own emotions, making himself feel calm, and…and Riku could feel it, feeling himself copy it. He didn't understand how or why but it made it easier to think and focus.
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Merlin shook his head. "Well, they won't be doing that!" he declared, and Mickey nodded, watching him. No, Yen Sid's idea for a Mastery exam would never work. Besides, he knew Riku's transformation had just finished. He would need time to adjust and learn before getting back to fighting…and he had just the idea to help all of those who had come under his roof.
It would be marvellous, fun, and an excellent learning experience for them all. He'd just have to work out how best to split them up for it, only the trio were the obvious group. Groups of three at a minimum for safety, no more than four. Yes, that would be best. But first, he would need to send Yen Sid a letter…or go in person? Decisions, decisions.
TBC…
Crossovers will be appearing as they travel to new worlds to learn. Suggestions welcome. I have some ideas, like some vampire based one to send the trio to for Sora to learn about other kinds of vampires but the only two I can really think of for that are Buffy and Twilight.