Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 9

Sora woke up, feeling a familiar body curled against his chest but something was different. He stroked his hand down Riku's on his lower body. He must have been too tired to bother putting on his sleep clothes then. He let his fingers gently move over warm skin, feeling a few scars he didn't recognise, and then Riku made a noise in his sleep, pressing closer to him, fingers flexing against Sora's side. Riku shifted again as Sora's fingers skimmed over his hip, just above the waistline of whatever he was wearing and Riku let out a soft moan, eyelashes fluttering, and Sora watched his face. It seemed Riku liked what he was doing, but was it right to do so when he was asleep?

Probably not. He leant in and kissed him softly, feeling Riku begin to sleepily respond. Riku's eyes slowly opened and then Riku pressed closer, arms wrapping around him. "Sora…" he mumbled drowsily.

"Good morning," Sora offered, fingers still lightly tracing warm skin.

Riku smiled at him and Sora mimicked him, Riku blinking, seeming confused, but then some of his happiness faded. Had…had he forgotten? Sor moved his hand up from Riku's hip to stroke his cheek gently. Riku closed his eyes, pressing into his touch. "Sora," he whispered, sounding fully awake now and…sad?

"I'm here," he told him. "Please don't be sad Riku."

Riku opened his eyes again, meeting his gaze, staring into his eyes. "Sora," now Riku was smiling softly at him, before he leant in and kissed him. Sora was quite willing to kiss back.

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Riku stared into Sora's eyes, hearing something in his voice when he asked him not to be sad. There was something…buried deep, maybe Sora wasn't even aware of it. "Sora," he smiled softly at his best friend before kissing him. Sora kissed him back and Riku slipped his hands under Sora's sleep shirt, needing to feel the warmth of his skin.

Sora was alive and with him, different, but it didn't matter. Sora had chosen them over the Organisation, had always wanted to be with them instead. Every day he spent with him, Riku became more certain that Heart or no Heart, Sora was beginning to feel emotion again, even if Sora didn't realise it.

"Love you," he whispered between kisses.

"Riku," Sora groaned, hand back on his hip, fingers digging in a bit but not enough to hurt.

He took a deep, shaky breath, they had to stop before they did something they weren't ready for. Well, he wasn't ready for. He had the feeling Sora wouldn't stop him if he wanted to go further, it was just physical pleasure for him. And that made him wonder… had Sora? No, he wouldn't think about that, it didn't matter. He couldn't blame Sora if he had taken what he could feel when surrounded by Darkness.

"Riku?" Sora asked. "What is it?" he pressed a soft kiss to Riku's lips, going from gripping his hip to just gently resting his hand there, obviously picking up that Riku wanted to slow down.

"Nothing," he promised, shifting to rest his head on Sora's shoulder, finally realising he was almost naked, but too comfortable to care.

"It's not nothing if it upset you," Sora argued, arm wrapping around him since he'd moved. "You can tell me anything, ask me anything," he promised. Would he regret that once he could truly feel again?

"Have you…" he hesitated, taking a deep breath. "Did you ever do this with someone in the Organisation?"

"No," Sora immediately denied. "I walked in on Marluxia and Larxene once and he explained about how physical pleasure is the closest we can get to feeling. The closest to a friend I had was Axel but I never wanted to kiss or touch him," Sora explained softly.

Before either of them could say more, there was a soft knock on the door, and Sora sat up. He kissed Riku again before getting out of bed and heading to the door, not opening it enough to let whoever it was see Riku for which he was grateful.

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"Naminé?" Sora asked, and she felt bad for interrupting them, but she knew they would want to know.

"Sorry Sora, but I have news," she smiled softly at him.

"Kairi?" he asked.

She smiled and nodded. "Kairi should wake this afternoon," she confirmed and then smothered a giggle when she heard a thud from the bed, Sora's head snapping around to see what had happened, but she could guess…Riku had fallen out of bed when she confirmed Kairi was finally going to wake up. A minute later he was there, still doing up his pants. She couldn't help blushing slightly at the sight of a shirtless Riku…no wonder Kairi, well.

"Sora, you know she won't," she hesitated and he nodded.

"She won't remember me like this," he finished for her, and she swore she saw pain in his eyes.

Naminé didn't think DiZ and Xemnas were right that they couldn't feel, she knew she felt real emotion, she knew it. She'd seen it in Axel, when he'd been working to reunite Sora with Kairi and Riku.

He looked at Riku who reached for his hand. "You should wait for her alone Riku, you can explain what happened."

"You better be waiting in the hall," Riku told him sternly, and she hid a smile. They were so cute!

"I made sure Kairi would wake first so you can have a private reunion. Donald and Goofy will wake a few hours later."

"Thanks Naminé," Riku smiled at her.

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Riku fought not to pace, waiting before the pod where Kairi still slept. Any minute now… he knew Sora was in the hallway, waiting for when Kairi would be ready to see him. Riku was just glad that DiZ was away on one of his infrequent trips and that Mickey was gone too, they deserved to have this be private.

He turned at a noise, watching the liquid drain away, Kairi sinking to the bottom, eyelids moving slightly. "Kairi? It's okay, you're safe," he called, not sure if she could hear him or not, but wanting her to know she wasn't alone if she could.

Her head nodded slowly before lifting as she blinked drowsily, the pod opening. Her eyes focused on him and then went wide. "Riku?"

He smiled at her. "Kairi," he called and then she was scrambling out of the pod, Riku lunging forward to catch her, holding her close. "It's okay, I've got you," he whispered, feeling her cling to him.

"Riku," she sobbed his name, and he swallowed, wondering if she remembered seeing him at the Door or not.

"I'm here Kairi," he promised. "I missed you so much."

She pulled back enough to look up at him. "Riku?" she sounded almost wary, and he didn't blame her.

"It's me," he lifted a hand to gently stroke her cheek. "What's the last thing you remember?" he asked gently.

She frowned in confusion. "I… Ansem!" She gasped, tensing, but he kept his arm around her, his other hand pressed to her cheek. She stared up into his eyes, searching, and he knew what she was looking for. "Riku, you're…you."

He grinned weakly but nodded.

"Kingdom Hearts…the door," she gasped, tears pooling in her eyes. "Riku," she sobbed, holding him tighter. "You…you were on the other side. But you're here…"

"I'm here," he agreed. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, seeing her eyes widen.

"It's really you," she whispered. "Where's…" and then she was crying. "Riku…he's gone, Sora's gone," she sobbed against his chest, and all he could do was hold her.

She was too upset to listen if he tried to explain, so he just let her cry. He rubbed her back gently, whispering softly, just trying to comfort her. "It's my fault Riku, I'm sorry, I…"

"Shh Kairi, it's okay."

She yanked back, glaring at him. "How can you say that?" She demanded angrily, and Riku shook his head.

"No Kairi, you don't remember…" he took a deep breath. "Sora…Sora's here, Kairi."

"What? Riku that's…Sora's dead, I saw," she swallowed.

"I know, it's complicated. Sora died and became a Heartless but sometimes when that happens, if a person's will is strong enough, then what's left behind – their body and soul, remains. The strongest of those can retain human form and their memories. Let's face it, Sora's always been stubborn and he knew you were in danger. The remaining being is called a Nobody. Sora was found by a group of Nobodies called Organisation XIII and he joined them because he had no other choice. Their leader was too strong and Sora couldn't call the Keyblade."

He paused to let her absorb all of that. He didn't want to overwhelm her, but he also wanted her to see Sora, to speak with him, before the others woke or DiZ returned to try and convince her that Sora wasn't to be trusted because of what he was.

"After you sealed the Door, the three of you ended up at a place called Castle Oblivion, which was being used by the Organisation for research purposes." He went on to explain what he knew of what had happened, some of which he'd learnt from Sora and Naminé.

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Kairi felt so confused, she was very happy that Riku was free of both that Realm and Ansem, but the idea that she'd slept for months…that Sora… She didn't know what to think of a Sora without his Heart, unable to feel emotion, but able to remember everything. And then Riku admitted that he thought maybe Sora was beginning to regain at least flickers of emotion, that he thought his Heartless had been destroyed at Hollow Bastion and maybe that was why.

"Riku…I…" she stammered, he was holding her close, he'd kissed her forehead… and now he was stroking her hair, expression so gentle, everything she'd ever dreamed of. Was she dreaming maybe?

"Before you went to sleep you kissed Sora and told him that you loved him. Sora kissed you back, he can still feel physical sensations…like pleasure and pain. He started to tell you what he remembered feeling, but you told him not to say it until he can feel it again. After that you said goodnight and came to me…and told me I never had to be jealous, that when we got home we'd have to work out how to split a Paopu three ways. You kissed me Kairi, said you…you love me too."

She'd told them both? What had she been thinking? It was, oh…her thoughts cut off as warm lips pressed against hers. Riku…Riku was kissing her.

He smiled at her. "I love you Kairi and I love Sora. It's hard, with Sora unable…he saved me Kairi. I faced Ansem again and I beat him but he was dragging me into the Darkness, it was Sora who pulled me out. He's all that's kept me sane the last few months."

Riku was practically babbling, something he hadn't done in years. The idea that Riku could have died…or worse and all while she'd been sleeping made her feel sick. Of course Sora had saved him, Sora would never let anything happen to either of them…which meant Heart or no Heart, he was still Sora.

"I need to see him."

Riku nodded and let go of her, moving to the door but it opened before he reached it and a stranger walked in, except…he wasn't a stranger. His hair was blond, she thought he was taller, and his face was a little different, but there was still enough in his features that he was recognisable.

"Sora…" she whispered, and he nodded. She rushed across the room to him and he opened his arms, catching her easily. She traced his face with a hand and he let her, watching her with flat blue eyes. She felt his hold tighten slightly and for a second she saw something, just like Riku had said. "It is you," she smiled, and he smiled back at her, but she could tell he was just doing it because she had.

"It's me," he affirmed softly. Then he smirked, "Are you trying to outdo me by sleeping for so long? You can never call me a lazy bum again," the words were teasing, just like normal, but the tone was too flat, but he was obviously trying.

She laughed at his words, shaking her head. "You're still lazy," she told him, and he shrugged. "At least your fashion sense has improved."

"Riku snuck into town to buy this stuff for me since I can't afford to be seen."

That made her laugh again, of course he had. "Well it looks good. You look good."

"For a dead guy?" he asked, and she glared at him.

She moved back enough to get her hand up between them, pressing to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "Dead people don't have a pulse," she pointed out. "Kiss me," she told him, and he blinked, seeming bemused by the shift, but he leant in and kissed her softly. It was strange, Sora being taller, but she didn't care. He was so gentle, as if worried he'd hurt her but that was silly. She reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck, holding him in place.

"Any more orders Princess?" he asked when they parted and she slapped his arm playfully.

She had no doubt at all that this was Sora, different yes, but still him.

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Sora wrapped an arm around Kairi automatically when she sat leaning against him. Why hadn't they ever moved chairs or even a couch into the room? Riku sat beside him, their hands intertwined, as they filled Kairi in on what she'd missed while sleeping. Of course, Riku insisted on telling her all about DiZ's snide remarks and not so subtle hints. It didn't bother him at all, but he supposed it would feel nice to have them so upset on his behalf.

"What happens now?" she asked.

"Well, Donald and Goofy will be waking up in the next hour or two," Sora offered. "And Mickey will be back in a day or two."

"You've been watching the Organisation, right? Does that mean we're going after them?" She clarified.

For a second, Sora would swear he felt a jolt of terror at the thought of her facing someone like Xigbar or far worse…Xemnas himself. He wanted her somewhere safe, but they knew about her, she would be a target so wouldn't she be safer with them? Wasn't that why he had agreed to fake his destruction, because the three of them together stood a better chance?

He glanced at Riku, seeing his worry, of the three of them she was the least experienced after all. But she was also a Princess of Heart, that had to count for something, didn't it?

"They're after Kingdom Hearts, Xemnas said once it was complete that we would gain Hearts of our own but I don't believe it. How could we just take on a random Heart? Whatever he wants with it, he can't be allowed to succeed."

"What if he's right Sora? What if your Heart is inside of Kingdom Hearts?" Kairi asked, and Sora stared at her.

He…hadn't considered that. What if that was what Xemnas had meant? If his Heartless had been destroyed then where else would his Heart be now? "It doesn't matter, he can't be allowed to complete Kingdom Hearts. Even if it means I'm like this forever, my Heart isn't worth risking all of the Worlds."

Riku snorted and they both looked at him. "Even without your Heart, you're too selfless," he grumbled, before leaning in to kiss him. "Sora's right though, we can't let him succeed."

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DiZ returned to the mansion, surprised to find it fill of noise. He followed the sound to the dining room, watching as Kairi laughed from where she was sitting on Sora's lap, Riku perched on the arm of the chair, a hand on her shoulder. Donald was chasing Goofy around the table and even Naminé and Sora were laughing at the two. So…they had all woken.

What had they been told to so easily accept the two Nobodies? It made things much harder for him, he had planned to eliminate them once their usefulness was over but before they could become close to the others.

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Axel listened in carefully, leaning against the wall outside of the room. There'd been no new sightings of the Imposter. Had something gone wrong? Did he dare risk a sneaky trip to find out? He knew where they should be hidden after all. Then again, what could he do if something had happened?

Maybe he should have left with Sora, things were becoming even stranger than normal and…he was wondering if Saïx or Xemnas was trying to get rid of him without looking like it was being done on purpose. His last few missions had been way too close for comfort.

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Naminé nearly dropped her crayon and Sora immediately looked at her.

"What is it?"

"Riku…no, the Replica. He's in trouble," she answered, and Sora frowned. "Sora…"

"Where?" he asked, standing up, and she smiled at him.

"Sora?" Riku called as they walked into the room, Donald and Goofy hanging back, obviously still not entirely sure about him.

"The Replica's in trouble, Naminé wants me to go after him."

"Please Riku," she looked at him and he nodded.

"He didn't ask to be made and it's not his fault they seem to have given him the worst of my memories," Riku admitted. "Want me to go with you?" he asked Sora.

"I've got this," Sora's eyes flicked from her to where DiZ was visible in the other room, and Riku nodded slightly in understanding. Sora raised his hand, opening a Corridor, pulling on his coat, and then he was gone.

"How did he…" Donald stared in shock.

"All Nobodies can open them," Naminé answered.

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He should have gone after the Replica before, when he'd been able to track him. Instead he was having to hope he didn't move from where Naminé had detected him. Sora wanted to summon a Keyblade but didn't dare, the Organisation used the Corridors and Realm of Darkness too frequently to risk it unless he had to in a fight. The longer they thought there was only one Imposter and that it was likely Riku the better.

He saw a group of Shadows up ahead, clustered around something…and then he saw the sole of a boot. He drew his arm back and then threw a fireball at them, scattering them, revealing the unmoving form of the Replica. He sent a blast of thunder at a few that were together and they vanished into the Darkness. He moved closer, kneeling beside the body, seeing the injuries so he cast Cure. Thankfully, the wounds vanished under the spell and a silver head moved slightly. He got an arm under his knees and the other under his shoulders before standing, the too light body cradled in his arms.

Next time, he was opening a Corridor before he picked the unconscious person up, doing so without dropping him was a pain. He didn't like taking him back to the mansion, knowing DiZ was not going to like his presence any more than he did theirs, but where else could he take him?

He stepped through and Kairi gasped as she stared at the Replica, they'd told her about him, but he supposed seeing him would be shocking.

"Naminé and I made up the room next to hers for him," she told him, and Sora nodded, carrying him that way.

They got him settled and then went to get some sleep themselves, Sora slipping into Riku's room to find him in bed but wide awake.

"You found him?"

"He's in the other room. It was close, he was unconscious and surrounded by Shadows," Sora sat on the edge of the bed to remove his shoes, seeing Riku grimace.

"I'm glad you got there in time."

"You are?" Sora asked. "You didn't seem to like the idea of his existence at the Castle."

"I'm not exactly comfortable with him, but he doesn't deserve to die because of that," Riku answered.

Sora nodded and finished changing before crawling in with him. "We need to start testing Kairi tomorrow, see how much we need to teach her."

"She beat Ansem and made it through the Castle so don't underestimate her," Riku warned, wrapping an arm around his waist.

"I won't," he promised. "Goodnight."

"Night."

TBC….