Bound By Darkness

Warnings: Violence, 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* ^_^ I appreciate everyone who takes the time to send me encouraging reviews, like all other writers I'm starved for attention and feed off of it like a vampire in heat. Basically, the more reviews I get the more eager I am to write more. ^_^

Disclaimer: I own nothing from Kingdom Hearts except my own copy of the game which I play all the time ^_^

Chapter 3: Bathed in Blood, Washed in Tears

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For three days, Riku refused to come out of his room. He ate the food that was given to him and spent most of his time either sleeping or practicing his techniques using his new sword. He refused Malificent's many requests for him to come to her; he avoided her as much as he could even if that meant hiding under the bed when she personally came bringing his next meal. Riku was starting to get used to Ansem's occasional intrusions into his mind and dreams, after all it wasn't like he could do anything about it. He wanted to escape, but he had no place to go. Sora apparently didn't want or need him, and Kairi was lost. Plus, in order for Riku to leave Hollow Bastion, that would mean going through the "End of the World" where Ansem was no doubt waiting for him. The thought of Ansem's hands on him made Riku shudder as a cold chill ran down his spine.

Meanwhile, Malificent was loosing patience with him, although she still maintained her gentle facade, it wouldn't be long until she would resort to force. Malificent went to her room and peered into her magic orb to see an image of the Keymaster, Sora and his friends competing in the Coliseum Games. They had gotten much stronger and Malificent was worried that at this rate, Riku would be no match for the Keymaster and thus her plans would be ruined. A sudden dark cloud filled her orb, blocking out her previous image. A deep, creamy voice spoke out to her, it was Ansem.

"My dear Malificent, how are things going on your end? Any problems?" there was a slight tone of mocking in Ansem's voice.

"That accursed boy you've sent me is worthless! He's done nothing but hide in his room for the past three days while his friend grows stronger by what seems the hour. On top of that, he's defiant and doesn't seem to understand his predicament yet!" said Malificent harshly.

"Calm down, he is only a boy after all, let me handle him." Replied Ansem.

"What will you do?" asked Malificent.

"Don't worry about it, just send him to me, he refuses to go through to my dimension, perhaps if you gave him a bit of a push?" spoke Ansem.

"Very well, I'll send him at once." declared Malificent. The dark witch rose from her chair, Ansem's presence dissipated, and she teleported herself to Riku's room.

Riku was once again sleeping, his face contorted in an odd expression indicating possible nightmares. Malificent glided over to the unsuspecting Riku and let her dark shadow cast itself across him. He muttered a soft whimper and Malificent couldn't help but grin and enjoy the suffering that the boy's nightmare was causing him.

Malificent watched Riku for a few more minutes before suddenly grabbing him by the back of his neck and yanking him cruelly back into reality. Riku woke up abruptly as he was being pulled out of bed and towards a strange dark portal that had suddenly manifested itself before him. As soon as he recognized it to be an entrance to Ansem's domain, he began to cry out at Malificent for her to release him.

Malificent ignored Riku's pleas and tossed him rather ungracefully through the dark portal. Riku landed face first at Ansem's feet.

"Well, well, aren't we eager?" teased Ansem. Riku looked up apprehensively at the grinning madman and quickly crawled back to gain some distance.

"Why am I here!" demanded Riku, regaining his lost composure. Ansem looked at him in amusement, the way Riku's cheeks would slightly flush when he was angry was absolutely adorable; it reflected an innocence that Ansem would soon enjoy ripping apart.

"Because you belong to me." Stated Ansem matter-of-factly.

"There you go again with that possessive bull shit!" stammered Riku. Ansem gave out a sigh and gently reached out to stroke Riku's face. Riku gave Ansem a lethal death glare before dramatically jerking his head away.

"Such energy should be put to good use, I ordered Malificent to bring you here so that I might train you." Explained Ansem.

"Train me for what?" asked Riku.

"To become a keyblade master." Answered Ansem. A sudden pain pricked Riku's heart as the term reminded him of his earlier encounter with Sora. Ansem's grim widened upon seeing Riku's reaction, the boy's internal struggle was pure amusement.

"Come, time is wasted, you must get stronger and quickly." Commanded Ansem. Before Riku was able to consider any further argument, he found himself alone and in a dark yet dimly lit space.

"Ansem?" called out Riku, his voice slightly hitched with worry. Fear gripped his heart at the thought of him being alone in this dark void. Without warning, a swarm of low level heartless emerged from the ground and attacked Riku. Riku reflexively pulled out his sword and began thrashing about wildly at the onslaught. As Riku fought, the fear in his heart began to diminish, he felt his power levels subtly increase and his old fighting techniques came back to him. After a series of quick thrusts, air-born chain attacks, and quick slashes, the battle was over…or rather paused.

Riku had just enough time to catch his breath as a new swarm of heartless emerged, these heartless wore armor and were tougher. Riku took to fighting yet again, with a bit more effort, the new heartless fell one after another until suddenly, Riku took a heavy blow from behind. As soon as he got onto his hands and knees, a second powerful blow launched him several feet into the air. Riku flipped himself onto his backside so that he could see what had hit him so hard that it had knocked him flat to the ground. His jaw dropped as he saw a massive heartless, it was big, round, utterly stupid looking, and heading straight toward him again. The huge heartless leaped into the air intent on body-slamming Riku into a silver smear, but the youth reacted quickly, he rolled away to safety and launched himself at the heartless' back. After a few good strikes to what seemed to be the creature's only weak spot, Riku was able to win yet again.

Dripping with sweat and panting heavily, Riku took in desperate gasps of air. He could hear the sound of Ansem chuckling at him from behind.

"Very good, you've made me proud, however, you still have a way to go before you'll be completely ready for what all I have in store for you." Spoke Ansem, although he remained out of sight.

"Tch, you call that a challenge? Don't underestimate me!" boasted Riku between breaths.

"Hmm, why not try these heartless then." Declared Ansem. Riku's head shot up at the sight of a large demonic looking heartless.

"It's called an Invisible, let's see how well you do against just one of these." Said Ansem as his voice faded out. Riku gritted his teeth and charged the new heartless. His aqua-green eyes lit up with determination as he swung his sword. However, the heartless dodged the blow effortlessly and proceeded to claw at Riku. Riku screamed as his arms were ripped open and his own blood splattered all around him. The heartless was incredibly fast and was suddenly on the other side of the lit area. Riku ran after it as it began to make strange gestures to form a ring of dark energy. Riku didn't have time to figure out what had happened before the dark ring came after him and wound itself around him. Riku fell over onto the ground as the ring tightened around his body, he cried out in pain for it felt like all of his blood was being drained into the ring. The ring continued to close around him, he could feel his lower half grow numb and he continued to cry out for it to stop. When it felt like the ring couldn't get any tighter without breaking his bones, it exploded. Riku screamed in agony, as it felt as though a thousand needles shattering underneath his skin. He tried to get up but his legs gave out underneath him, they were numb and weak. Riku reached for his sword but couldn't get his hand to grip it. The heartless stared at him with eager anticipation, its prey was now weak and helpless, perfect for the taking. It began to stalk its way to where Riku lay helpless; Riku closed his eyes, awaiting his end. Just as the heartless was about to finish Riku off, it burst into nothingness and Ansem appeared before the shivering youth. Riku opened his eyes to find Ansem smiling down at him.

"My that was a close one." Ansem leaned over, offering his hand to Riku. Riku just glared at him silently, he could feel the cool trickle of his own blood as it was pouring from several open wounds. Part of him hoped he could bleed to death and find peace from this Hell, but the other part refused to surrender and would not let him indulge in suicidal thoughts for very long. He refused the hand that was offered to him, but it didn't refuse him. Ansem took the initiative to drag the beaten boy to his feet long enough to properly hold the boy in his arms.

"What the Hell?! Put me down!" demanded Riku. Ansem ignored his protests and carried him to a new location, this one resembled an actual room, perhaps it was where Ansem dwelled. It was a large room with a large bed with red satin sheets, deep cherry wood furniture, an in-ground black marble bathtub, a writing desk and several scholarly like items. Riku didn't like where this was going as Ansem eased him on the edge on the tub.

"Now just stay calm and trust me, it's for your own good." Coaxed Ansem as his fingers trailed to the lower edge of Riku's shirt.

"Trust you? Calm! What the hell do you take me for, let me go!" yelled Riku, he would have tried to run if he had the strength but his current condition had rendered him helpless. Riku didn't get a response as he was abruptly relieved of his yellow (although bloodstained) tank top.

"Hey! Are you deaf? I said knock it off!" yelled Riku, feeling even more vulnerable without his top. Riku was answered by the sudden chill to his feet as his shoes flew past his face and into a pile several feet away.

"Damn it! If you try anything funny with me I swear I'll…"

Riku was interrupted by the invasion of Ansem's tongue as it thrust its way into his angry mouth. Riku made angry incoherent mumbles as Ansem used his weight to hold the struggling youth to the floor as he began undoing Riku's pants. Riku's mind went wild with horrible nightmarish images or were they memories, as he felt his last barriers slide past his legs. Ansem was thrilled by Riku's struggles and curses, he felt his body react to his desire for Riku but that would have to wait. Right now, his intentions were nothing more than to gain Riku's trust and give him a much-needed bath. As soon as Riku felt his lips released, he was gently placed into a tub of warm soothing water. Ansem sat nearby at the edge of the tub and smiled warmly at him. Riku didn't buy it, he gave Ansem a good old fashioned double bird salute before realizing his boxers were missing. Ansem's smile broadened at the sight of Riku flushing red with indignation, it was priceless.

"Now then, do you think you can handle bathing yourself or will you need my help?" cooed Ansem.

"Bite me!" yelled Riku, wishing he still had his sword.

""Is that an invitation?" Ansem's amber eyes suddenly blazed with a predatory fire. Riku was at a loss, should he run stark naked from this maniac, indulge him with a bath and hope it goes no further, or attempt to drown himself? Either way, it seemed he was screwed.

"You know, this is getting real old! As I've said before, if you want to screw me, go ahead and get it over with, but stop with these games!" stammered Riku. Ansem didn't answer him. Instead, he reached for a vial of shampoo and applied some to Riku's hair. With gentle, soothing motions of his fingers, he lathered the shampoo up and proceeded in massaging Riku's head and shoulders. Riku was at a loss and found himself relaxing to the sensations, although he would never admit it, he loved the feel of someone else stroking his hair. Ansem gently tilted Riku's head back into the water and rinsed his silver hair.

"You have such beautiful hair, a color often reserved for those with great power." Spoke Ansem softly. Riku closed his eyes and allowed Ansem to continue washing his hair, it felt good and he was too tired to really protest anyway.

Ansem quit after a few minutes and went to retrieve a towel. Riku was hesitant about leaving the safety of the tub but knew it was useless to stay. Riku shyly exited the tub, being careful to stand at an angle that didn't face Ansem. Ansem stood behind him and draped the soft towel around him, giving his hair a few good rubs before letting Riku adjust it around his body. Riku stood there dumbfounded, unsure of what was going to happen next. Ansem went to gather up his dirty clothes and took them to another room. Riku walked towards the writing desk while Ansem was gone and found what looked to be journal entries. He had only seconds to glance at their content before Ansem re-entered and led him to the bed. Riku once again felt nervous, the same creepy images flashed through his mind's eye but he was unable to put them together and figure out what they meant. As Ansem lay Riku down on the bed's soft surface, his thoughts suddenly went to Sora. Perhaps it was the red of the sheets, they were the same color of the younger boy's shorts, or maybe it was a subconscious longing to be with his friend despite all that had happened. Whatever it was, Riku couldn't suppress the tear the slid down his face at the thought of his so-called best friend.

A shower of soft kisses upon his face interrupted Riku's thoughts. Ansem was arched over him in a suggestive manner, kissing him gently, while letting his hands roam over the youth's chest.

"Forget about him, that wretched boy betrayed you." Whispered Ansem. Riku turned his head to the side in an effort to avoid Ansem's kisses.

"I can't." replied Riku softly.

"I can fix that." Whispered Ansem in a low husky voice before giving a light nip on Riku's ear. Riku gasped and writhed underneath Ansem's weight. Ansem began kissing and licking Riku's neck, causing the youth to gasp and writhe in both fear and pleasure.

"Feels good doesn't it? Forget about that boy, you belong to me now, I can take good care of you." Said Ansem, his voice seasoned with lust. Riku felt his mind whirl in confusion, the sensations that Ansem was inflicting upon him felt good, but it was Ansem doing them. He tried to think of Sora, even if he had been abandoned, maybe there was still a chance Sora would take him back. Ansem's hands explored lower and lower down Riku's body, causing Riku to lose his hold on reality. At last, Ansem's hands were mere inches away from their intended destination when Riku suddenly screamed out, "SORA!"

Ansem released the youth and hurriedly left the room before losing control and ruining his own plans. Riku sat up dazed; something wasn't right, his vision was blurred. He brought his hands up to his face, they were wet, he had been crying. Riku was alarmed, he had never been known to show his emotions let alone cry. Sora was the only person other than his mom and dad who had ever seen him cry and that had been a long time ago before Kairi ever came to their island.

Riku could remember trying to climb the paopu tree to get a paopu fruit. Sora watched from the ground, crying out for him to come back before he fell. Riku had ignored Sora's warnings and with one false step, found himself in the salt water below. He had gotten really scratched up from the bark, the salt didn't help matters any, he had hit the water pretty hard, and on top of that twisted his ankle and had nothing to show for it. Sora had to help him to the shore and stayed with him while Wakka and Tidus ran to go get help. That had been the only time he had let Sora see him cry, and he was quick to revert back to a stoic demeanor when his parents came for him along with half the island's populous.

Riku was brought back to the present as Ansem returned carrying his clothes. The clothes had been washed and dried and Riku couldn't wait to get back in them. Ansem also brought him a Hi-potion along with some scrambled chocobo eggs. Riku was still not willing to trust Ansem, but before he could defiantly refuse the meal, his stomach did the talking for him. Ansem grinned at Riku's evident embarrassment over his stomach's outburst and watched patiently as Riku devoured his meal.

As soon as Riku was dressed, Ansem led him to a door. Riku gave a sigh of relief upon seeing the welcome exit.

"Now then, return to Malificent, I'm sure she has some things for you to do." Spoke Ansem.

"What do you mean?" asked Riku.

"Precisely what I said, you'll have to earn your keep while you stay at Hollow Bastion. Continue to train yourself in both this realm and the outside realm. I need you to be strong for when the time comes."

"When the time for what comes?" asked Riku skeptically. He wasn't given as explanation, rather he was firmly pushed into the doorway. He found himself just outside of his room, Malificent was approaching him from down the hall.

"Welcome back my dear." Greeted Malificent in that same feigning hospitality tone, "How did it go between you and Ansem, did he teach you anything new?"

"Wouldn't you like to know." spat Riku sarcastically as he went into his room, effectively slamming the door in Malificent's face.

To Be Continued?

*Author's Note: Yay! I managed to get chapter 3 up. Thanks to all of the support I've been receiving, I'm really enjoying making this story. I hope to get an even greater response from this new chapter, and chapter 4 isn't far away! ^_~ Also, this chapter was entirely spawned from my twisted imagination and isn't based on any specific part of the game, but hey I'm allowed to take liberties aren't I? ^_^