Bound By Darkness

Warnings: Spoilers, Angst, Riku-Abuse, Violence, Dark, Ansem + Riku, Yaoi

Summary: After Riku let the darkness take him from Destiny Island, what happened to him? While Sora went on his quest, what was happening to Riku, Why did he end up with Malificent, what shattered his heart, what was the deal he made with Ansem and why doesn't he remember it? This is Riku's side of Kingdom Hearts and it isn't pretty. It's an attempt to explain what could have happened to him that made him give into the darkness of his heart.

Categories: Action, Adventure, Angst, Drama,

Author: Nyxe

Author's Note* ^_^ Thank you so much to all of you who sent me such nice reviews. I hope you enjoy this second installment.

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Kingdom Hearts (this also goes for chapter 1) except my own copy of the game which I play all the time ^_^

Chapter 2: A Search in Vain

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Riku slowly regained consciousness and was disappointed to find himself in this "Hollow Bastion" place. He had so hoped that he might wake up to Sora's playful antics or even Kairi's silly laughter. But no, he was still wearing the same dark robe, sitting in the same large canopy bed, at the top of some odd shaped tower. Riku got up and dressed himself back into his usual attire, he still wasn't sure of all that had happened, but he wanted to try and find his friends before anything else. As soon as he was clothed, he silently slipped out of his room and crept softly through what seemed to be a long and twisting hallway. He rode various elevator-like contraptions, however, none of which seemed to take him where he wanted to go. After what seemed like hours of wasted time, Riku at last reached what seemed to be the bottom floor. He saw a door that looked promising, in that it might be an exit. However, no sooner did he touch the door's handle, when a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Leaving so soon?" Riku turned around to see the dark robed woman from before standing at the foot of a staircase. The woman had oddly green tinted skin and angular features that gave her a menacing look. Malificent was her name, she had offered Riku answers but he didn't want to stick around and hear them. He didn't like the look of this woman, part of him screamed to make a run for it. Before he could act on his impulse, the door that had been partially cracked open, slammed shut. Riku returned his startled glance to Malificent who wore a knowing grin on her face. She seemed to slightly hover above the ground as she approached the young silver-haired boy. Riku flinched as she ran her hand across one of his cheeks and smiled in a mock comforting way.

"May I ask where it is that you were planning on going?" spoke Malificent. Riku swatted her hand away and side stepped a few paces out of her reach. "That's none of your business, I'm thankful for the room and food and all, but I've got my own agenda." Said Riku.

"Is that so?" smirked Malificent.

"Yeah, so if you would let me out, I'll just be on my way." Said Riku as he made his way back to the door, hoping Malificent would get out of his way.

"If it's your friends you seek, don't bother." Said Malificent as she allowed Riku to pass her by.

"What do you mean by that!? I never even mentioned my friends!" stammered Riku. Malificent gave a soft cynical laugh.

"My dear child, it's not hard for one such as I to see into your heart." Said Malificent.

"Well you can just stay the hell away from my heart and leave me be!" replied Riku angrily.

"Silly boy, you don't understand anything. You would waste your time searching for those who abandoned you when you should be joining forces with the one who saved you." Said Malificent.

"I wasn't abandoned! We were separated and they're probably looking for me right now. Just leave me alone!" Riku shouted as he stormed out of the castle. Malificent extended a hand and caused a glowing green light to envelop Riku.

"What the hell is this!? Stop it!" He yelled out, afraid of what might happen to him. He suddenly fell over from a massive headache. A bombardment of images emerged from Riku's suppressed memory. A dark skinned man with white hair, feelings of fear, anger, pain, and dread, a scene where Sora and Kairi enjoyed a sunset without him, and a mysterious dark version of Sora. The memories came in fragments and were nothing more than a collage of angst and torment. Then finally, only one memory stood clear in Riku's mind. Sora and Kairi by the sunset and Kairi's remark about leaving him behind, however, she said it with an edge of spite and cruelty that didn't seem accurate. Was this Malificent playing with his memories? Surely Kairi hadn't meant to sound so mean, or did she? Riku stood up, a tear slid down one cheek which he hastily wiped away.

"Do you see now? They're no friends of yours. Why not join with me, there's nothing else for you out there." Said Malificent.

"Just shut up! Why should I trust you? You're just like that other freak, you're screwing with my mind! Sora and Kairi would never abandon me! I'll find them! They need me to protect them!" Riku turned and ran to the edge of the cliff that surrounded Hollow Bastion. He leapt from one rocky column to another until he made his way to a glowing portal. He felt himself refreshed as he stood upon it but then a deep and familiar voice spoke to him from within his mind.

"So you're going out on your own eh?" It was Ansem's voice.

"Oh it's you again," replied Riku sarcastically, "Look, I'm going to find my friends now and you're not gonna stop me so just piss off!" A green light emerged from the center of Riku's chest and formed into an odd looking sword.

"In that case, you'll need protection. Take this, you'll need it." Riku reached out and took hold of his new weapon. "By the way, had you not been in such a hurry you would have learned from Malificent that she had granted you a spell while you slept under her care." Explained Ansem.

"What kind of spell?" asked Riku, somewhat interested.

"You can now travel to other realms by entering my domain. From there, you can go anywhere." Said Ansem. A sudden feeling of uneasiness came over Riku but he wasn't exactly sure why. "How do I do that?" he asked. Ansem gave a low laugh and Riku suddenly found himself in a vaguely familiar dimension of darkness. He turned to find Ansem standing at his side.

"Welcome to the 'End of the World'. From here, all other worlds connect. Simply find and choose a door and it will take you to another world." Riku felt the pit of his stomach knot up, he wanted to find a door and get out as soon as possible. His thoughts, however, were interrupted when strong fingers ran through his hair. He turned quickly to find Ansem leaning into him. Ansem reached out and gently yet firmly grabbed Riku's shoulders and pulled him close. Riku stood completely still, both shocked and confused at Ansem's actions. Ansem took advantage of Riku's hesitation and closed the space between them, Riku's body tensed at the feel of Ansem's soft lips covering his. Riku attempted to struggle but it was useless, Ansem forced his tongue into Riku's unwilling mouth and took his time exploring the youth. Riku gasped for air as Ansem broke their kiss. Still holding Riku firmly in place, Ansem leaned down and began to nip lightly at his neck.

"S…Stop it!" stammered Riku as he managed to push away from Ansem, although Ansem had allowed him to do so. "What do you think you're doing!" demanded Riku. Ansem smiled at Riku with a predatory grin, "I'm simply enjoying what belongs to me now."

"Stop saying things like that, I don't belong to anyone! Just let me find a doorway out of here and stop touching me!" Ansem laughed tauntingly at his new toy, yes this boy would definitely be a perfect vessel for him when the time came. Riku started to briskly walk away but was stopped as he was firmly embraced from behind.

"Damn it I said let go!" yelled Riku angrily as he swung around to back-fist Ansem in the temple. However, his intended blow was blocked by Ansem who now held onto his wrist firmly. Riku tried to jerk his arm away but Ansem would not let go, instead he nuzzled the angry boy's wrist and lightly kissed it.

"You have such soft skin my pretty one." Coaxed Ansem with a hint of lust in his tone. Riku once again gave a desperate jerk of his hand, this time he managed to get free and started to run away once again. If he could only find a door, he could escape, and then he would make sure never to come back again to this dark realm of nothingness.

He looked up as he ran and at last he could see a door, unfortunately he didn't make it, Ansem had caught up with him and pounced on him from behind. Riku went crashing to the floor, he tried to get up, but as soon as he got up on his knees, he felt a weight settled on the back of his legs and pressing up against his back. Two strong arms snaked across his chest and the hot breath of Ansem tickled his neck.

"Please let me go." Asked Riku, he was beginning to lose his calm over the situation.

"Why should I? You belong to me now." Whispered Ansem seductively. Ansem leaned in as his embrace tightened causing Riku to gasp, he planted a soft kiss on Riku's neck. How sweet the boy smelled, like salt water and pineapples, Ansem wanted nothing more than to claim the boy for himself, but he came up with another idea. Very gently, Ansem released Riku and allowed him to gain a few feet of distance. Riku gave him a confused but relieved look and Ansem simply grinned.

"Dear me it would seem I got a bit carried away, in any case I would like you to know something before you go through that door." Explained Ansem. Riku looked at Ansem uneasily, he wasn't sure what made the larger man stop his pursuit but he didn't want to risk a repeat of it.

"And that is?" asked Riku cynically as he edged towards the door. Ansem smiled at him warmly and replied, "That I won't let anything bad happen to you, you're mine now and I take care of my things. You will need an ally so please let me be that ally, after all, we now share the same heart."

"Thanks but no thanks," replied Riku.

"Don't be so quick to turn me down, trust me, it's in your best interest to get along with me." Said Ansem. Riku gave him a wary glance before opening the door, he quickly stepped in and suddenly found himself in a small town of some sort. There were various lights all around and a few closed up shops. Riku was a bit disoriented at first but he soon regained his composure as he sat by a small shrine dedicated to a pair of dogs.

Riku sat there and gazed up at the stars for a while, he felt a slight pain in his heart as he watched a star suddenly flicker into darkness. He couldn't help but wonder if that was what it was like when his world was devoured by darkness. "Oh please let Sora and Kairi, and even mom and dad and the others be alright." Riku thought to himself. He felt himself relax as if he would soon fall asleep but he was soon brought back to reality when a swarm of odd looking creatures with dark bodies and yellow eyes appeared all around him. Riku grabbed his sword and attacked the creatures, head on. They were considerably weak and few in number, but after it was over Riku felt he had just relieved some stress. Then he thought he heard a familiar voice approaching him. He couldn't believe it, was it possible that he had already found Sora? Just as he saw the familiar shape of his friend turn a corner, another swarm of dark creatures appeared. Riku took his sword and with one of his trademark sliding thrusts, he managed to take them all out in one hit.

"Riku?" Sora's bewildered voice was like a ray of light to Riku. Riku greeted him back, he automatically played off his 'cool' act as he always did around his friends. Riku didn't like acting weak around Sora and Kairi, he had always felt that since he was the oldest kid on their island, that he should take on the responsibility of protecting them. Sora suddenly reached up and grabbed him a bit roughly by the cornered of his mouth and proceeded to shake him none too gently.

"It really is you Riku!" exclaimed Sora.

"Ow, of course it's me." replied Riku.

"So have you seen Kairi?" asked Sora.

"Isn't she with you?" replied Riku. The depressed look on Sora's face answered that question. "Don't worry, we'll find here, just leave everything to me, I kn….!" Riku was interrupted as Sora slashed another dark creature that would have attacked him from behind. Riku was shocked at Sora's sudden skill for fighting, then Sora playfully remarked, "Leave it to who?" Riku knew what Sora meant, but the sudden thought that Sora didn't need him pricked at his heart. Riku's mind seemed to darken as Ansem's voice rang inside of him. While Sora and his two strange companions carried on some sort of conversation, all Riku could hear was what Ansem was telling him. "He's not your friend, you're not who he was looking for, he was looking for Kairi. He doesn't need you, what good are you to him, he can fight, he might even be better than you now, see that weapon of his, it's called a keyblade, take it! Now!" Riku grabbed Sora's weapon as he argued something with the duck.

"So this is called a keyblade?" spoke Riku, a touch of coldness in his tone, he wasn't sure why but he felt an overwhelming sense of neglect and jealousy.

"Hey, give that back Riku." demanded Sora. Once again Ansem spoke to Riku inside his mind, "That's good, you too can hold a keyblade, keep it, don't let him have it." Riku mentally fought the urge to obey Ansem, a part of him cried out from the back of his mind, "Give it back, it belongs to Sora, he's still your friend! Don't trust Ansem!"

"Here, catch." Riku replied in a cold monotone as he carelessly tossed Sora back his weapon. He felt a growing sense of hurt begin to consume him. He couldn't explain it but Sora's presence, while it had been a blessing at first, was now causing him to feel uneasy, in fact he felt a slight tinge of fear and anticipation. He suddenly felt sick, he didn't want to show any weakness in front of Sora; so instead he dashed to a nearby alley while his friend was distracted by the duck, and began to wretch. As soon as he felt his stomach ease he returned to where he was sure Sora would be waiting for him, however, Sora was nowhere to be found.

Riku called out to Sora, wishing he hadn't acted like such a jerk, no wonder Sora had left him. He felt his eyes grow warm and moist, he wanted to cry but refused to let himself be weak. A sudden image flashed in his mind, a dark Sora with golden eyes, and himself crying, but why? He tried desperately to remember, but he couldn't make out anything more than fragments here and there. Riku was suddenly startled out of his thoughts as a hand rested lightly on his shoulder. He looked up to see the hand's owner and found it to be Malificent.

"Come here child, I know where your friend went." Said Malificent as she led him to a house at the far end of the district. Riku followed her and was hurt by what he saw. Through the window, he watched as Sora laughed and conversed with a large group of people that he didn't know. Sora seemed so happy, why hadn't he come for Riku when Riku left only to be sick? Why did Sora not seem worried over the second disappearance of his friend?

"You see? It's just as I told you, while you toiled away searching for your dear friend, he quite simply replaced you." Riku didn't say anything, he was somewhere between crying and shouting out obscenities. How could Sora betray him like this? Maybe it was true that Sora and Kairi had planned to abandon him all along.

"There, there, come, join me and forget about that wretched boy." Said Malificent. Riku couldn't find the will to argue with her as she led him into a dark portal. Riku was led back to the room in which he had spent the night before in. As soon as the large doors shut behind him, Riku broke down and cried as soon as he hit the large canopy bed. He cried himself to sleep as he curled up in the warm dark sheets.

However, even in sleep, Riku found no peace, Ansem invaded his dreams and he was unable to wake up.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't I be awake now, I'm aware that this is a dream." Spoke Riku.

"Dreams tend to cross over my realm, it's easy for me to find your dreams and invade." Explained Ansem.

"So what do you want now? Come to play more mind games with me? Or do you just want to screw me? Oh let me guess, you're here to 'help' me, right?" Riku spoke in a dark cynical tone dripping with poison.

"My such a temper you have, and yes I did come to help you. You forget that we share the same heart, I can tell when our heart aches." Ansem spoke in a calm soothing voice that made Riku want to forget that he hated this man and let himself be comforted. Ansem gently reached out to Riku and gave him a very loose, non-controlling embrace. Riku's first instinct was to resist but the temptation of a warm protective embrace was too much. Riku decided that he didn't care anymore, of Ansem wanted to screw him it wasn't like there would be a whole lot that he could do about it anyway. But Ansem didn't take him like he thought he would, instead, Ansem simply rocked him slowly and rubbed his back in soothing circular patterns.

"Just forget about that boy, he betrayed you, but I'll always be with you, I'll give you strength and I'll protect you, not even Malificent can harm you." Whispered Ansem. Riku was too emotionally exhausted to fully contemplate anything that Ansem was saying, instead he let himself fall into even deeper sleep where not even his dreams could reach him.

To Be Continued?

Note: Well, there it is, my second chapter, whoo hoo! I hope you like it, I know it's a bit depressing but I plan to give it a happy ending. Anyway, please let me know what you think, did you love it? Hate it? I crave feedback. ^_^ Anyway, I plan on making chapter 3 real soon. I apologize for the wait between chapters but I want to have a lot of content in each chapter. Thanks for the support! ^_~

-Nyxe