"Where did all these damn Heartless come from, Hakujou?" Riku shouted over the fighting, slicing through one creature after another.
I don't know, Riku. Perhaps they are drawn to Sora as they are drawn to you, the Shadow answered from the backpack.
"Well, that's good to know, only Sora's not he—ow!" the young man shouted as a blow glanced off his shoulder. He turned, striking the creature, then fought his way through them. These Heartless were like nothing he'd ever seen before. They were like upright hounds and vicious as well. He had been fighting with them for what seemed like hours. The strain was wearing down on him and, worse, he could sence that Hakujou needed to be fed soon. A thunderous sound caught Riku's attention and he looked about, trying to keep the creatures at bay. Soon a small group of men on horseback burst into the clearing and began helping him fight the Heartless. One of the men rode up close to him and hauled him up onto the horse. Riku continued fighting the Heartless from horseback as the men retreated. The young man let the keyblades slip back into the etheral plane they resided in when not in use and wrapped his arms around the man to keep from falling off.
"Are you alright, sir?" the man in front of him asked. Riku nodded against his back. "Good to know, we'll be at the castle soon and you can tell us there what you were doing out in the forest."
It wasn't long before Riku was sitting across from Snow White and her husband Charming in their sitting room. He had told them of his travels and how he had come to their world and had soon found himself in the thick of battle. Upon prodding, he eventually told them about Hakujou and how he used the connection all the Heartless had to look for Sora. After awhile, Charming had retired to bed while Snow White told Riku about how she had come back to her world and gotten married. After a bit more chatting, Riku told her that he needed to take care of the Shadow. She told him to go ahead and do what he needed to. Riku unbuttoned his shirt and patted the bag next to the chair. The Heartless peaked out, then hopped up on Riku's lap and snuggled close. Riku winced at the pain of their connection, then settled back, relaxing as his energy flowed to the Shadow.
"Doesn't it hurt?" Snow White asked.
"Not really, only when it first taps in and when it closes the connection," Riku answered, stroking the creature's back gently. He had become quite attached to the little Heartless over the months he'd traveled with it.
"Aren't you afraid that it'll steal your heart?" the young princess wondered.
"It found me so that I could find Sora. The naturally occuring Heartless are in an uproar lately. Seems something worse than them has come from the darkness. It's big, too. It's tearing up the other worlds looking for Sora. I have no fear of this little one," Riku explained, petting Hakujou between its antennae. "Tell me, though, what kind of Heartless were out there in the forest? They weren't like anything I'd ever seen before. How did your huntsmen know that I was out there?"
"Those Heartless were what we call Dark Hounds. I sensed when you came and sent the huntsmen out to get you. I thought you might be Sora," Snow White answered. "You're definately a surprise. I can sense the keyblades' powers in you, but...something else as well."
"I'm tainted with the darkness from having been a Heartless for so long," Riku answered, wincing again as the Shadow broke the connection, though it continued to stay close to him. "I guess it's something I'll never get rid of."
"Taking care of that little Heartless probably isn't helping either," the young woman said, nodding to the little creature. She looked thoughtful for a moment. "I wonder if Sora has any taint to him. He was a Heartless for a little bit, wasn't he?"
"Oh, yeah, he was. I don't think he was one long enough to be really affected, though. Besides, it's Sora we're talking about. He's pure," the young man replied. "Not like me."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Riku. Everyone makes mistakes," the princess said, patting Riku's hand. "Now, are you just passing through or did something specifically bring you here?"
"I was just passing through, but once I got here, I could sense something sort of off in the woods," the young man answered. "Not Heartless, though, something to do with the keyblades. I should probably go check it out in the morning."
"Good idea, I'll send some of the huntsmen and guards with you to help you deal with the Dark Hounds and other Heartless," Snow White said. Riku nodded quietly, yawning a bit. The princess chuckled. "For now, I'll show you to your room where you can clean up a bit and rest."
"Thank you, princess," Riku said, getting up with Snow White, supporting the sleeping Heartless against him. He picked up his jacket and backpack, then followed the princess. She led him through the castle to the guest room, then bid him good night. Riku walked in and stared at the large room. He'd never seen such a large bedroom before. He laid his jacket, the backpack, and Hakujou down on the bed, then walked to the bathroom, again amazed at the sheer size of it. He ran water in the tub and began undressing. He sat on the tub's edge, playing with the water a bit as it filled up. He glanced up at the mirror across from him and sighed. He'd changed over these four years. His hair was a bit longer and he had filled out quite a bit. The mark he'd developed due to Hakujou's feeding had become a dark blotch on his chest. His eye reflected the light much the way an animal's did. He figured that was due to his time as a Heartless. Looking back down at the tub, he noticed it was full and turned the water off. Sighing softly, he settled into the warm water and leaned back, relaxing. These moments were becoming fewer these days. He closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the water loosen up his tense muscles.
Just don't drown in there, Riku. I'd hate to have to haul you out of there, Hakujou's mental voice floated to him. Riku smiled softly, though the Heartless couldn't see it.
Don't worry, little one, I'm just relaxing, he sent back mentally. He'd since learned how to communicate with the Shadow and other Heartless this way. It helped when there were times they needed to be silent. He sighed again, thinking of Sora. They had found traces of him in that strange world with the big animals that lived in the harbor and flew planes. It had been enough to pick up Sora's trail for a bit, but they had lost it again in a world that seemed to be filled with life-sized toys. He missed his friend and longed to see him again. He's known Sora all his life and, up until Kairi's arrival, had been the sole person that meant anything to him. Kairi had changed that a bit. He'd found her attractive, just as Sora had, but he wasn't attracted to her. He really didn't know what he wanted, other than to find Sora and one day find his way back home. He had been Sora's rival for Kairi's affection and Kairi's rival for Sora's attention, but in the end, he had realized he really didin't have a place in their lives other than to watch over them. They would be together, get married, probably have lots of little Soras, and all that was left for Riku was to protect them, to keep them safe from the darkness....to maybe be that creepy uncle their kids told stories to each other about. Riku wanted to find Sora to help him save the worlds, but also to finally have that adventure together they'd always talked about.
Riku slipped under the water, getting his hair soaked. When he came back up, he sighed softly. If Sora was just a friend, why did he feel so strange when he thought of him? He remembered the boy that had been his best friend and playmate. The memory of those huge blue eyes, the wild brown hair, and that dorky grin brought a smile to Riku's lips. He wondered what Sora looked like now. How much had he changed? Had he changed as much as Riku himself? Less? More? The young man sighed again, trying to imagine what Sora might look like, but all he could see were those big blue eyes and that silly grin. What about Kairi, Riku wondered. Had she changed any? Did she worry about them? Riku's thoughts continued on this way while he washed himself.
After awhile, he got out of the tub and let the water drain while he dried off. He wrapped the towel around his waist and walked out to the bedroom, and frowned a bit seeing that Hakujou had managed to take up the entire bed. How could something so small seem to spread out so much? Maybe the Shadows were part cat, Riku decided. He walked over and nudged the little creature till it moved over, then crawled into bed, tossing the towel over a chair. Settling down, he put an arm around the Heartless. He'd grown so use to the creature's presence, he wondered what he'd do once it was time to part ways with it. Pulling the Shadow up against him, he fell asleep.
The morning rays of light was what work Riku up. He groaned softly and rolled over, pulling the covers over his head. He had been searching and fighting during the night hours so much, the daytime was almost a foreign concept to him. He was no longer all that fond of sunlight these days, no matter how easy it made to seek out the Heartless or other targets of his quest. He felt movement and opened his eyes, looking down. A small lump was shuffling around under the covers, then finally settled against his chest. Riku hissed at the quick pain of Hakujou's connection to him, then let out a soft moan at the pleasure of the energy flowing from him. He rolled onto his back, letting the Heartless lay on his chest. He closed his eyes, snoozing a bit as the Shadow fed off his energy. He had gotten more use to this, even though he knew the end result would be his eventual turn back to darkness, but if that what it took to find Sora, then so be it. He gave another soft moan. He couldn't begin to explain the feeling he got when Hakujou fed off of him, only that it felt good. He barely remembered what it had been like with Ansem, but he could understand now why he had been so willing then, why anyone would be willing. Letting the Heartless sap your energy just felt good. Lately, much to Riku's concern, it had started to feel very good. He'd started looking forward to the times when Hakujou needed to be fed, not for the creature's sake, but because of the feeling he got while the creature fed. He opened his eyes, becoming dimmly aware of his arousal. He cursed softly, and squeezed his eyes shut, now wanting the Heartless to hurry and finish. This was the third time in as many days that this had happened and Riku was starting to get a bit more than concerned about it. He gasped at the pain of the Shadow closing its tap on his energy.
You okay, Riku? You seemed tense this time, the creature asked. Riku nodded.
"I'm fine, I just need to go to the bathroom. Get off me, okay?" he said, pushing the Shadow off playfully. He rushed to the bathroom and took care of business.
Something's wrong. I can sense it from you, Riku, Hakujou replied. Are the feedings starting to bother you?
No, it's just—nevermind, ok? Riku sent back.
Talk to me. We're partners in this, remember? If something's bothering you, then tell me, the Heartless urged.
Fine, I've been getting aroused from the feelings I get when you feed on me, Riku snapped. He sat quietly in the bathroom, trying to calm down. It wasn't that sex was a big deal to him, he just didn't want to think that his relationship with the creature had become sexual. He'd barely decided on his preference of gender, he really didn't need to be trying to figure out preference of species as well. Riku shook his head, trying to stop that thought right there.
It's normal, you know. The feelings you get from the feedings are suppose to make you feel like that. How else do you think we get willing participants? Hakujou asked. Don't worry so much over it. You and I have an arrangement that is nothing more than taking care of each other. I'm not interested in you in any other way. You feed me and protect me, for that I'm greatful, but you have nothing to fear from me. I suppose maybe you feel differently now due to the changes you're going through.
I guess, but I'm still a little weirded out that I'm getting aroused from the feedings now. Am I suppose to just accept this as normal from now on? Riku asked.
Yeah, probably, the Shadow answered. So quit whining, take care of it, and let's get back to the quest. Time is wasting, afterall.
Riku sighed and leaned his head back against the wall behind him. He wasn't sure he was ready to accept this new step in the relationship he had with the Heartless, but he knew he couldn't just stay in here all day. He looked down at himself and sighed. Why couldn't normal things happen to him? Would it kill the powers that be to let him get arroused by a pretty girl instead of some creature feeding off of him? Yeah, it probably would. He leaned his head back, closing his eyes, and gave in to what needed to be done.
Hours later, Riku was staring down into a cavern the keyblade feelings had led him to. The guards and huntsmen can safely guided him through the forest, explaining that most of the dangerous Heartless slept during the day. He had told the men to stay and guard the entrance, but a few of them had insisted on coming along. Riku figured it couldn't hurt. They wondered through the cavern, Riku following the sixth sense he'd developed and the men following him. He stopped and looked around. The men tensed up, expecting a fight.
Hakujou, you feel that? Riku asked the Shadow quietly.
Yes, there's a keyblade artifact nearby, but it seems to be guarded by something. Maybe a Heartless, but a large one, the creature replied. Be careful, Riku. You will come off as a Heartless to it, but it may still attack you.
Riku nodded and proceeded cautiously, the guards and huntsmen following. He stopped behind a large rock and peered around it at the enormous monster laying in front of a door. Riku shivered slightly, feeling both the power behind the door and the power in the large creature before it. The captain of the guards came up beside him and peered around the rock then looked at the boy.
"What is it?" he asked quietly. Riku blinked.
"You're asking me? It's your world," he hissed in reply. He closed his eyes, showing a mental image of the creature to Hakujou. What is it, any ideas?
Not one. I'm not even sure it's a Heartless. I'm sorry I don't have any advice to give, the Shadow replied.
It's okay, friend, Riku answered mentally, then turned to the captain. "I'm going to try approaching it to see what it does, okay?"
"It's too dangerous. The princess will be upset if we let you get hurt," the man answered.
"Yeah, sure, whatever. I'm going over there. You men stay here and if it attacks me, then come help, got it?" Riku replied. The man nodded and Riku got up and walked slowly toward the creature. It opened one eye, watching his approach, then raised its massive head. The young man froze where he was, unsure of what the monster's reaction would be. As far as he could tell, there didn't seem to be a mark of the Heartless, which meant it could have been natureally occuring, but if that were so, Hakujou would've been able to identify it. The creature lowered its head and snuffled about at Riku.
"You smell like Heartless, but you don't look like one," the monster said.
"I'm only tainted with the touch of the Heartless. I assure you, I'm perfectly human," Riku answered. "May I be so bold as to ask who, or what, you are?"
"I am Grizzella. Have you never seen a Hydra before, boy?" the creature asked.
"No, I've only heard stories of them and those apparently did nothing to justify your beauty, madam," the young man answered.
"You flatter me, child, but why? Could it be because you want what is behind the door?" the montress asked, looking down at Riku. "It is for those who are worthy. You don't look at all worthy, boy."
"Ah, but I am," Riku answered. "I've traveled a great distance to obtain the artifact behind the door so that it may help me on my quest."
"And what quest in that?" Grizzella replied.
"I'm searching for the Keyblade Master. The very one that Nobody is after," the boy said.
"Quite an important quest for one such as yourself. Give me one good reason why you're worthy to pass through those doors, why you're worthy of the search," the Hydra quipped.
"Very well, I'll give you two," Riku answered, flicking his wrists. The two keyblades sprung forth into his hands and he looked up at the creature, taking on a fighting stance.
"Two keyblades? My but you are a strong one, aren't you? The Keyblade Master must mean a lot to you," the mostress said.
"He's my best friend and he needs my help," the young man replied.
"Loyal, too? My, my, my, but your friend must be proud of you. Tell me, little one, are you willing to make sacrifices to help your friend?" Grizzella asked.
"If it meant keeping him safe and saving the worlds, I'd do anything," Riku answered, allowing the keyblades to slip back into their etheral plane.
"This is a door meant for sacrifice, child. To pass through it, you must give something up that is very dear to you. Choose carefully, though. Once you've sacrificed it for the greater good, you can never get it back," the Hydra warned. Riku nodded and walked back to the rock where the guards and huntsmen were.
"You can leave. This creature doesn't mean me any harm. I'm going to stay and think about what she's said. I'll come back to the castle when I've obtained the artifact," he said.
"Sir, at least let one of the men stay with you to get you safely back through the forrest," the captain said.
"Very well, leave one of the huntsmen," Riku said, then walked back to the Hydra and sat on a stone before it. He closed his eyes, letting himself get lost in thought. He sat quietly for several hours, till a gentle nudging at the edge of his mind got his attention. He opened his eyes and looked over his shoulder. Hungry, my friend?
Indeed. I'll try to make it a quick meal, Hakujou replied. Riku got up under the watchful eyes of the huntsman and the Hydra and removed the backpack and his jacket, setting them both down. He sat down on the ground and leaned back against the stone, unbuttoning his shirt. The Shadow crawled out of the bag and snuggled against him.
"I see where your taint comes from now, young one," Grizzella remarked.
"It happened long before I agreed to take care of this little fellow. I guess it doesn't help the taint much, though," Riku answered, stroking the Heartless' back as it fed. The huntsman watched skeptically. The young man sighed softly. "One of these days, I suppose I'll have to part with it in some way or another, but for now, it's all I have to help me find Sora."
"You aren't worried that you'll sink into darkness again?" the montress asked.
"If it means I'll find Sora and keep him safe, I'd give up the light," Riku answered, then bit his lower lip in thought. "Well, I guess you have your answer on what I'd be willing to sacrifice to help my friend."
"Turning away from the light is a heavy sacrifice, young one. Are you sure you want to do that?" the Hydra asked. Riku nodded, buttoning his shirt up now that Hakujou had finished feeding from him. He stood up defiantly.
"I told you I'd do whatever it takes. I choose to sacrifice the light in order to save Sora," the young man said. "I just hope he can forgive me for it."
"As you wish, boy. Walk through the door. The powers there will take care of everything," Grizzella answered. Riku nodded and picked up the backpack. The Hydra growled. "The Heartless needs to stay here. Don't worry, I'll watch over him and make sure our huntsman friend doesn't harm him."
"Alright," Riku said, setting the bag back down. He walked past the monstress and up the steps. He stopped and looked back at the others, the Shadow in particular. Wish me luck, friend.
Be careful, Riku, the path you are choosing will not be easy, Hakujou cautioned. Good luck to you all the same, though.
Thank you, the young man silently sent back, then turned and opened the door and stepped in. The doors closed behind him and he jumped, turning around. He felt hands grab him from the dark corners and fought against them, but was quickly over-powered. He was dragged to the center of the room, near a pillar holding a strange looking gemstone. He bucked slightly, trying to free himself, but felt he was quickly tied down. He struggled against his bonds, then relaxed, figuring this was part of what he had to go through to obtain the artifact. Suddenly the room became brighter and brighter still, until Riku could see nothing but searing white light, even though he was pretty sure his eyes were closed. He screamed at the pain and thrashed about, trying to get free. The pain and searing light went on for what seemed like forever to the young man. Finally, the light went out, replaced by utter soothing darkness. Riku realized he'd been crying all this time, though he wasn't sure what voice he had left to use since it had given out after so much of his screaming. He felt the bonds loosen and sat up. He looked up at the pillar, wincing at the light that shown down on the gemstone. He stood up and studied the strange stone, wondering how it related to the keyblades.
"It allows you to combine keyblades for combat," a voice said from the darkness. "You've done your part. You earned the Blending Stone. Take it and leave. You're no longer welcome here, creature of darkness."
Riku picked up the stone and walked back to where the doors had been. They opened, filling the room with light. Riku cried out at the pain in his eyes and turned away from the light. He felt a harsh shove and stumbled out the door, then fell down the stairs. He curled up in a ball at the bottom of the stairs, whimpering. He felt hands on him, trying to help him up. He lashed out, trying to keep from being dragged toward the light.
"Let him lie there, huntsman. Can't you see he's hurting?" Grizzella hissed. "Get something to cover his eyes with."
After a few hectic moments, Riku finally calmed down. The huntsman had tied a black blindfold about his eyes to protect them from the light. The young man sat there quietly as he had been for the past hour since he'd been thrown out of the artifact room. He had rolled the stone about in his hand, then set the two keyblades before him. To his suprise the stone had split and the two halves had fit perfectly into the keyblades, one half in each keyblade's hilt. He retracted the keyblades back to their usual place and sighed. He hadn't had any idea that turning from the light meant giving up being able to see. Ansem had turned to the darkness and he's been able to see, hadn't he? Oh, right, when faced with light, he'd been ultimately defeated. Well, that was great. Hold so much as a candle in front of him and he was blinded. Well, if it helped him get Sora back, then so be it.
"Bet you're glad I stayed, aren't you, boy?" the huntsman asked, touching Riku's shoulder.
"I suppose, though Hakujou could've led me back just as easily. Where is he any way?" the young man asked, looking up in the direction the man's voice had come from.
I'm right here, friend, came the Shadow's soft voice. How do you feel?
My eyes hurt, little one. Other than that, I'm okay, Riku replied. What about you? Are you hungry?
Yes, it was all I could do to not attack the huntsman, Hakujou answered. Riku nodded and opened his shirt, letting the Shadow snuggle up against his bare skin. He grunted at the pain of the creature tapping into his energy, then sighed softly as it began to flow. He searched through the connection with the other Heartless and found just what he was looking for. Two worlds over, Sora's presence was broadcasting loud and clear. One the one hand, Sora was alive, but on the other hand, not for long if he kept broadcasting his whereabouts.
Hakujou, I found Sora, Riku sent down to the Shadow. As soon as you're done feeding, we'll go to him.
Sounds good, friend, but what about the princess? the Heartless asked.
I'll send word back with the huntsman. She'll understand, the young man answered. He felt the pain of the creature pulling away from him and buttoned his shirt up. He got up and slung the bag across his back. He looked in the direction of where he sensed the huntsman. "Go back and tell her highness that I've left to find Sora. I'm sorry I can't return to the castle. If I don't leave now, I may lose my friend's trail."
"Understood. I'll leave right now. Are you sure you can manage?" the man asked. Riku nodded.
"Hakujou can guide me well enough and I can follow my own senses as well," he answered.
"Very well. Safe journey," the huntsman said. Riku listened to the man leave and finished situating his jacket and backback.
"Child, I want to give you something," Grizzella spoke up. The young man looked up in the direction of her voice. "A momento, if you will."
"Thank you," Riku replied, accpeting the necklace he was given. He put it on over his jacket, after pulling the hood up over his head. He walked out into the night air, following the feeling of where the world's door was located. He was sort of surprised that the Heartless didn't bother him now, but figured they thought he was one of theirs. After some walking, he stood before the door leading away from this world to the next. He could sense that Sora was very close, just beyond the world that lay on the other side of this door. Opening it, he stepped through, determined to find his friend.