AN: Hello! And I'm back!!! Now, in this story: Chaos In Hearts, I believe it is right of me to give an overall recap.
Recap:1. Riku and Sora had a play where they shared thier first kiss together (look in story: "Unexpected")
2. Roz comes to Destiny islands; strange prophecy is revealed
3. Roz, Riku, and Sora leave for Traverse town and discuss the issue with old time firends of Sora's
4. Aya comes, and he and Roz 'chat'
5. Three youths get sucked into a votex thingie, landing in the world of FFIX: Gaea
6. Riku makes friends with Zidane and gang; Sora and Roz reunite with Riku after being separated
7. Sora goes bad; runs off
8. Riku follows Sora in the night; Riku doesn't come back
9. Cid built a new and fascinating ship; Roz controls the ship
10. Well, we'll find out!
Disclaimer: i don't own Kingdom Hearts, any Squaresoft project, and i heck dont' own whatever else i stick in here from somewhere else... But i DO own: Roz, Aya, Feng, the name of the ship, and more to come...
Chapter Eight
"C'mon! Where's Zidane? Are they here? Is everyone ready? What's going on out there?" Roz was jumping up and down, waiting for her friends' appearance. She paced back and forth in front of the bubble in the ship. "C'mon! Vivi, DO you happen to know where they are?" Roz jumped up and down in spot, anxious yet excited to get things going. "Oh... Where are they?!"
"Right here, Roz," Zidane said, entering the room. "Now tell us why you called up to Cid's ship."
"That's why I called you in the first place!" Roz exclaimed. "I know the answer!"
Blank leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "What answer?"
Roz jumped up and down, happily cheering. "I know where they are!!"
Zidane grabbed Roz at her hips and stopped her from boucing even more. "Okay.. WHO do you know where they are?"
Roz giggled before taking Zidane's hands and jumping up and down again. "Sora and Riku! I know where they are!" Roz stopped just then, lowering her hands and was about ot let go of Zidane's when he gave a reassuring squeeze when she bowed her head. "But..." Roz looked up. "But when we get there, it'll probably be by dark, and when we reach there, I ask... Please, do not interfere with what happens unti lit is over... I say in advanced that we will land the ship several yards away. Okay?" Roz put on her best smile.
Zidane gave his own charming smile in return. "Right. Now... I'm assuming that you're gonna go in there... right?"
Roz nodded, then let go of Zidan'e shand. "Yup!" Roz walked backwards and stopped just a little 'ways just in front of the bubble. "So. Any questions on the mission?"
"'Mission'?" Blank repeated.
"Right. Mission. We're gonna get Riku back." Roz nodded, smiling.
Eiko was confused. Weren't they supposed to get both of the boys back? "Wait! What about Sora?"
Roz's smile faded. "That's why we will land far away from the scene when we reach it. I don't want anyone to interfere with what'll happen there. What happens, happens. We will not take Sora back with us this time, but only Riku. Until the time comes, we must do best with what we have. Okay?"
Everyone was silent. Such strong and serious words came from this young girl. Though she was of the race where she could not escape battle and seen many deaths, she was still young and had much to learn. Determination was set in her eyes, and they knew nothing would stop her from following her heart and doing what she knew was best. She would find her friends and bring them together to be in peace if it killed her, they knew; she knew.
Zidane nodded and signaled an "OK" sign at her. Roz smiled her thanks of appreciation before jumping back and into the bubble, being enclosed by it once she was through.
In the bubble, she immediately opened herself to Feng.
/Feng... I'm here again... We have a mission to do, and I have yet to find the place... This is my first time here, but who cares. We need to find Riku, and get there by the time that 'lovely' play finishes.\ Roz looked around her, looking for Feng. /Feng? Are you there?\
[Of course, child. But please... slow down. We have enough time to suit your needs. Do not worry, child.] came Feng's voice.
/Oh.. Feng... Okay.. C'mon... I need to get Infiniti going so we can meet with Riku!\
[Just on a moment. 'Infiniti,' dear?]
/Yes! It's what the ship's called! But nevermind that!\
[Yes dear. Of course. Now... I will teach you how to control 'Infiniti' while you fly it. But know this, you must also obey the wishes of the pilot when they ask you. Do you understand?]
/Yeah... I guess... But if I dont' do ask they wish, what'll happen?\
[You can do as you wish with the ship, but it flies at it's best when you and the pilot agree. Understand?]
Roz shrugged. /Sure. But if we disagree, I'm fighting it out with 'em.\
[That is if you have time to do so...]
Roz nodded. /Right. Now... Let's not keep the suspence here! let's go!\
[As you wish... But make sure you are ready, for whatever damage takes on this ship, effects you as well.]
Roz gulped. /Okay. Got it. Just... Is Zidane or anyone else ready?\
Feng was silent for a moment. [Check for yourself, child. Reach for him with your mind. You will know how by just trying. Go ahead.]
Roz did as she was told, following her heart and controlling her mind. But as much as a fairy tale as it seemed, she was in no mood to act that way. /ZIDANE!!!!\
Everyone was in the bridge where the crew was working their asses off to make sure everything was in place. Zidane was on his ass, literally, sitting over the cirle that pulsed and glowed. He jumped up about ten feet into the air, screaming when he heard Roz's voice shout in his head.
/ZIDANE!!!!\
"Holy shi--" //Roz?!\\ Zidane smiled sheepishly when he turned around to find everyone staring at him. "Sorry... It's Roz..."
/No shit, Zidane! So, you ready to fly this ship?\
"Fly?!" Zidane turned again when all went silent. "S-Sorry... Roz again." //F-Fly?!\\
/You got that right! Now, look straight ahead and take me to this place...\
Zidane looked straight at the window like he did with Feng. There, he saw Roz before an image of the area she wanted, showed. Zidane studied the image carefully before nodding, watching the picture fade.
/Zidane, that's where I want to go, but remember. I'm not letting us go any closer than a long shot. GOt it?\
//ODn't worry. And don't be so uptight. DOnt' worry, I'll get you there. And I promise. No close landings. i know you probably won't let me anyway, right?\\
Roz smiled and gave a thumbs up. /Thanks Zidane. But call me uptight and by the time I get outta here, I'll kick your ass.\ Roz's image in the window winked before fading away. /Thanks again, Zidane.\
//No problem, Roz. No problem at all...\\
Zidane gave the word for the air ship to lift off and whooped and cheered when it took off the ground in such grace and steadiness, yet such speech, Zidane knew he was going to have one heck of a ride flying this.
Zidane guided the air ship toward where Roz wanted, showing Roz the easiest, yet not the fastest, route there. According to what Roz had told him, they had to get there at the right time. Roz thought it would be best if they got there just before Sora disappeared and left Riku out there by himself.
After minutes and minutes of flying and several stops when Roz had to shout and Zidane, or when some of the passangers grew sick during the flight, they finally made it to the sight. Zidane had Blank take over and had him keep the ship floating in the sky for a moment while he ran to the heart of hte ship where Roz was.
When he made it back there, he came in just in time to catch Roz as she fell, unable to support herself just after she emerged from the bubble. "Roz!" Zidane slowly let Roz sink to the ground until she ould regain her balance again. "Roz, whoa... Why the hell did you do that?! I told you to wait!"
Roz smiled wickedly as she leaned against Zidane for support. "Like I'd listen to you..."
Zidane laughed and picked her up, carrying her on his back. "C'mon. Let's watch from in the brigde. We'll let you rest until the time is right to go out there... Okay?"
Roz chuckled before nodding, letting Zidane take her to the bridge where she sat on the pulsing and glowing circle. There, she communicated with Feng and watched the remaining sparks of the event come and go. Everyone else who was there and watching saw what Roz saw as it was displayed graphically on the window like a movie on a screen. When Riku laid back on the grass, Roz asked for Zidane's assistance to get to Riku.
Zidane carried Roz once more as they and the others ran out the ship and to Riku.
Riku laid on the grass with his eyes closed. Though he had menat ot sleep, the closest he could come to rest was closing his eyes. After a short while, he heard a sound; soon, that distant sound came closer and closer, heading for him. Riku stayed still when he recongized the sound for footsteps--many footsteps. He did not move much until he heard someone shout his name.
"Riku!"
Riku opened his eyes and sat up, facing where he heard all this noise. He saw many silhouettes against the light of the moons' shine. He could make out Vivi by his unique feature of shortness and a pointy hat, the slim body of Dagger, Amarant with his fro, Freya with her own hat, Steiner in his noisy rusty metal, someone who he had no clue of, Zidane with that tail of his, but on his back was... Riku could not make out that last person besides the one already knew he had no fricken clue of who was. Zidane put the person down, letting them wobbily get to Riku. When they collapsed and was right in front of him, riku realized who it was.
"Roz?"
He could make out a smile on Roz's features. Roz turned to Vivi and quietly asked the small mage something. Soon enough, flames appeared in his hands and light was created for better see. "Thank you , Vivi," Riku hears Roz say softly, yet tiredly.
"Roz?" Riku waited to continue until the girl turned to face him. Riku sat up straighter and shifted himself to that he could see Roz better. "Roz, are you okay? You sound... tired..."
Roz shook her head. "I'll explain it all later... For now, I'm just glad you're okay. We all are! Good thing Cid made the ship or else you would be walking aimlessly all the way until we found you or you found us or Limblum again."
Riku smiled his thanks, knowing the consorn behind Roz's small joke. "Thanks... I guess... Sorry about... yeah..."
Roz lifted an eyebrow. "You're sorry? Well, a first is a first, right? But that's okay... you're welcome and forgiven anyhow. Now, let's get back to Limblum and rest up, okay? It'll be the best thing for any of us..."
"You especially, Roz. You know that, right?" Zidane said, including himself in the conversation.
Roz glanced back at the blond haired man and nodded. "I know... But Riku..." She turned bakc to him and smiled as best as she could. "You need to rest up as well... Don't worry. He may be gone now, but not forever. You almost had him... We'll get him back... It'll all be alright..." Roz smiled, knowingly.
Riku took a moment to realize who she meant before nodding, trying to hide a blush. He wondered how she could've known, but decided to ask later. He watched as Roz was scooped up in Zidane's arms before someone picked him up as well. Riku looked to find Amarant looking down at him silently, showing no a sense of emotion.
"C'mon. You won't be able to walk to the air ship; it's too far. I'll carry you."
Riku smiled and thankfully let the man easily scoop him up and carry him to the ship with everyone else.
When they made it back to the castle back in Limblum, Riku and Roz were treated the finest baths, and beds to sleep in. There was a guest room where Roz and Riku, both kindly left alone and the room kept to themselves even though there were more beds there. Roz had the bigger bed, and Riku the smaller one; neither bothered fighting over the bigger one since Riku just laid himself in the closest bed he could find.
When Roz and Riku were left alone, Roz stared up at the ceiling, humming. Riku laid on his back in bed, listening to Roz's quiet humming. After a while, he interrupted just as she paused to take a breath.
"Roz, what are you humming?" was the only thing he could think of to say before he asked her what he really wanted.
"Oh, just a song I know... It's a song that all Outlaws learn and know. I gues you can say it's a mushy lover's song, but it's kinda nice..."
"Oh." Riku was silent for a minute or two while Roz continued to hum. When she took another breath, he interrupted yet again. "Roz, earlier you said that we'd get him back. What 'him' are you talking about?"
Roz smiled from where she was, knowing Riku was testing her. "Riku, I know you know I know about you and Sora... What just happened but a few minutes ago, I do not blame you for trying to keep your cool all those times you were around him." Riku stayed silent. "You love Sora, don't you? But you wouldn't DARE show how you truely feel about him with an audience around, would you? Not yet anyway... right? YOu are still confused and maybe... frightened? Am I anywhere close to what you feel?" Still Riku said nothing or utter a sound. "Ha... Okay, I understand. But here this, okay? Though you may think it's wrong, it's not. maybe that 'love' you feel for him and him for you is what'll save him. Right? I mean, it almost worked, right? Sure he was confused and his eyes showed his innocence and the mixed feelings and emotions that cloud his mind, but somewhere in that confusion and jumble of things was the REAL Sora, no?" Roz paused to sigh. "I saw it. Riku... He WAS there. IN there... somewhere..."
Riku sat up immediately, pushing off the sheets and jumping out of bed and standing on his toes so that he could see Roz on her bed from below the rised platform. "How can you know?! You can't know anything!" he said accusingly. He ran up to where she was, propped up in her bed, and stopped at the foot of the bed, looking at her. "How can you know what went on just now?" His voice was soft and low, just above a whisper; but it held a hint of harshness. "Sora was my best friend and just after an adventure we had, he starts acting weird. Yes, I know I didn't notice then, even when our relationship truely began, I didn't notice the change in him. I thought it was a bit strange at first, but I pushed it aside and labeled it as an excuse of some sort and that maybe it's because he and I finally gave in to our feelings together and that it's changed him a bit, making him want to do things, or think things, or something else! I wasn't sure! I'm not sure now! But I know that I was blind and naive to have done what I've done, and not done what I should've." Riku stopped just to clumb into bed and sit just at the foot of the bed, facing Roz as he huddled into a ball and leaned against the pole of the four-poster bed. "But do you know what it's like to have your very best friend change before your eyes? Go from a pure heart and full of happiness and so carefree, to some demon that just came and popped out of nowhere, taking posession of them? And then when you are on the line of pain and blood and torture, just before crucial death, you feel that small light of hope. You grasp that light, hoping you have that last chance to change it all and make it all right, but just as soon as you touch it, it goes away and everything falls apart. Just when you were so close to making things right, it all goes wrong. That! ... that is what happened just now... But then again... you already know all about it, don't you?"
Roz pursed her lips, staring at Riku as he stared right back at her, his features, his posture, just the way he looked maked him seem small and young; expectant, unknowing; yet sureof what he wanted. Roz was the first to look away from him and toward the ceiling. "Yes. I do know. But not just how I saw it from you, but also personally. I've experienced that pain before, but in just a different way..." Roz sighed heavily, feeling her cheeks grow hot and the air tense with the suspence and eerie silence Riku was giving her. "Would you like to know how, Riku?"
Yet again, Riku was silent, as he usually was. But this silence unnerved Roz so she decided that it was a yes. Roz closed her eyes before revealing her tale. "I was but eight or nine when this happened. Yeah, I know, it happened when I was so much younger." Roz smiled and giggled to herself finding herself sounding like an old goat looking on old times. "I was in love with this boy who was my age... He and I got along so well, we were practically family and a promised item at home." Roz stopped to laugh at a secret joke, leaving Riku confused and on the edge for her to continue. "Well, as much as we were best friends, we never showed it too much. Just like when we were at Destiny Islands, Riku, you and Sora were really good friends, but you insulted each other with distaste but humor. You played on this role while I was there, while Kairi was there..." Roz shook her head, pausing. "Well, nevermind; as long as you get the idea. That was how we were. We got along on our own, but never would we pass up a challenge to each other or a fight--verbal or physical--or would we pass up a chance to insult each other. We loathed each other, yet we loved each other, as everyone knew. Slowly, thought, after a long while, we grew apart. We spent less time together, and suddenly, we stopped talkign to me all together. Sure, I was confused, I tried my very best to keep the friendship at it's longest and highest. But I was surely a fool to keep it from falling from the gaps between my fingers." Roz smiled at Riku as he gave her an expressionless look. She kicked the sheets off her and rolled out of bed, walking around the higher part of the room.
She sighed and stopped just as she made it to the row of windows. "So, yeah. Our friendship dwindled and disapeared right in front of me, but soon after, I came through to him. I helped him remember what we've been through, what we've done together and for each other, and certainly, what we could still do." Roz touched the icy glass with it's light blue tints. "When I came through to him, I was surely glad. But..." Roz stopped as Riku came up to her side. She had not heard him coming with his pure silence, and stillness of the movements of his clothes. Roz bit her lower lip as she saw the sadden expression on his face. Through that viel of sadness, she saw a faint hint of hope lying deep within. She watched as he looked outside before touching the glass just as she did; a slow, graceful movement, only stopped when in contact with the glass. "Riku.." She lifted her hand unconsciously, but stopped when Riku turned, facing her, scaring her with his empty look. She looked away and continued to tell her story. "Well, even though I got through to him, I never really told him about how I felt or got to know how he felt about me. A time, on a mission, we were fighting a humongous enemy. I cannot recall what exactly it was that we fought, but anyway... we got seperated in the battle. I don't remember how, but the next thing I knew, I couldn't find him!" Roz stopped to laugh at herself. "Now I know that the story wasn't exactly any worthwhile of listening, and way off and besides the point, but I thought it'd be nice to share a little more than I needed.
"Point is, that I got through to him. Okay? Does any of this sink in your head, Riku?" Roz turned to face Riku, her eyes flaming. "We can get Sora back! We hafta!"
Riku smiled at her, showing his first crack of emotion ever since she started her story. Riku approached Roz and gave her a hug, something Roz hadn't expected from him. After a while, Roz pulled away and when she looked at Riku's face, she saw trails of tears there. Roz bit her lip and stuffed her hands in her pockets. She looked away from Riku and paced back and forth in front of the windows. "I'm here by your side/ In this damn cold night/ I'm here for you and you're here with me/ I'll be with you forever..." Roz stopped her song to glance at Riku. "Our song... it was are song... We made it up together... Hmm..." Roz shed a tear, unable to hold it back. She wiped it away furiously, cursing herself. "I could never hold back my emotions so well. I used to, long ago, but not anymore. I shed too many tears, showed too many emotions, expressed too much of myself over the past few years. I used to be able to conceal them tightly and not show anything if I didn't want to. After he disappeared, I broke down and changed dramatically." Roz paused, giving a faint smile. "In fact, if I try and think about it, his name was..." Suddenly, Roz stopped cold and in the middle of her sentence. Her eyes widened as she stared blankly into space, remembering.
/Aya...\ A flashback came. Roz saw a picture of a boy younger then her current age, smiling and laughing with pure joy. The picture in her mind faded and a new picture came, a picture of Aya who was covered up, diguised. He had eyes of sorrow, yet a kind and wonderful voice. He looked like an older, maturer version of the boy who was laughing and smiling in her previous flashback. Roz squeezed her eyes tight, trying to hold onto the memories. She felt her face grow hot as she stayed still. "Oh my gosh..." Roz's eyes snapped open and turned to face Riku. He seemed confused, yet expressionless of anything else. He was silent and staring at her, wondering ans asking a question that needed not to be said. "Riku! I-- I know--" Roz tried to search for words to complete her sentences, but found none. "I-- I've got to see Zidane! I'll-- I'll be right back! You go and rest, okay? Sleep, stare at the ceiling, stare out the window, close your eyes while in bed, think, I DON'T CARE!! I've got to see Zidane!" She jumped and run down the stairs and out of hte room, leaving Riku staring after her.
Riku smiled, happy for Roz. "She sure is a wonder... Expect the unexpected... Should'a known... I guess she must be in a good mood to have jumped up like that and run out of the room so fast..." His voice was quiet and quite not his own. He turned to the window just to see Roz running up to the carrier that would take her to the district to get Zidane. "Oh Sora... I hope she's right... About her finding a way to break the curse upon her love. I hope it'll work for us too... Oh how I miss you... the real you..." In Riku's mind's eye, he saw a picture of Sora when all was well and they were on the Island again, free and worryless. Before kairi, before Kingdom Hearts, before all this crap was dumped on them. When is was only Riku and Sora and the others, no Kairi, no evil, no keyblade, no King mickey, no Maleficent, no Heartless, no nothing. Just... good things. Riku smiled at the image of Sora running, waving his sword, shouting and laughing at the same time. Oh how he wished it could be like that again...
Roz ran out of the building, across the streets, through a flock of birds who huddled together, looking for food, around the corner, down the steps, up more steps, and through the open way of a building with a clock on the front. She was jsut about to rush up the stairs to the bed and rest, and clock gear area was when she ran into a rather larger guy.
"Oof!" She fell backwards, seeing a few stars. "Oww..." She slowly got up, rubbing sore spots. She looked up to see a rather unusual guy who was rather large around the middle. "Who're you?"
The guy laughed, hitting his large belly. "I was just about to ask you the same thing!"
The guy laughed again before being pushed aside by someone who was behind him. "What's goin' on?" came a voice.
The big guy moved aside to let through a smaller, and certainly skinnier, guy through. He looked down at Roz, uncertain of who she was. The big guy slapped a big hand on the smaller guy's shoulder, laughing. "Marcus, you know this girl?"
The smaller guy, Marcus, shook his head, furrowing his brows. "No..." he looked over his shoulder to shout at another person. "Hey Bro, do you know this girl?"
The big guy slapped his belly again. "She just came around, running through the doorway and ran right into me! Such as rush for a girl."
If it was one thing to be stopped on a search and mission, it's another to be stopped and interrogated in funny ways. She jumped up and put a hand on her hips. "I'm not a 'girl'! I'm here to find someone, okay?! Can I PLEASE go in and get 'im?"
The person who Marcus shouted to had finally made it to the scene. "Who're you looking for?"
Roz tilted her head until the person came through. She gave a wide smile before running and jumping him. "Blank! Hi!" She unwrapped her arms from around him and stepped back a bit. "Who're these people?"
Blank looked on either side of him. "Them? That's Marcus, a member of the Tantulaus, and that's the Boss." He jerked a thumb at the big guy. "What're YOU doing here, Roz?"
Roz smiled, almost grinning. "Lookin' for someone!"
Blank smiled in turn. "Zidane, right?"
Roz nodded, knowing Blank understood. /No wonder they call him 'Bro'... Zidane told me a bit about him...\ "Yeah!" she said aloud.
Blank nodded. "He's not here... At the bar in the Industry section."
Roz smiled at Blank. "Thanks, Blank! But hey, before I go, can I ask you a favor?" she said just after she turned her back.
Blank shrugged. "Sure, I guess."
"Okay." Roz approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder before leaning in toward him. She felt Blank tense slightly just before she reached his ear. She cupped a hand around her mouth before whispering something to him. When she pulled away, she smiled, satisfied with herself. "There. Okay? I really need you to do that for me cuz he's in major depression." Roz rolled her eyes before continuing. "I'm sorry to dump this on you, but help him, okay? Like I said, MAJOR depression. And whatever he tells you, or doesn't, don't take personally or as a total shock or he might tense up. Give him the one-two on advice. I heard from Zidane you're good at that." Roz winked at him before walking backwards out of hte building. "Thanks a bunch Blank! Just give him a man-to-man talk and I'm sure he'll appreciate it later. I'll meet up with you later in the guest room, okay? Bye guys!" Roz ran all the way back to the carrier and hopped on the air ship, directing the pilot to her destination.
Just back at the Tantulaus group, Blank was getting funny stares from the Boss and Marcus. Blank inched out of the building, nervous from the stares. "What? What's with the looks?"
"Bro, is she your new girl?" came Marcus.
Blank shook his head. "No."
"Where'd you pick her up?" came the boss.
"I didn't pick her up anywhere. She's more aquainted with Zidane, not me. I met her through Zidane. Now back off!" Blank still inched back nervously.
"Riiight..." Marcus said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. He still persued Blank with questions.
Blank didn't like all these questions or where they might be headed so he hide-tailed it out of there by running straight for the carrier, just in time to catch it before it left again.
Roz walked up the stairs to the other part of the Industry section where she would find the bar in which Zidane rested. She peeked in the open doorway, looking around the place before entering. When she stepped through, she looked around to the parts of the bar that she had not seen when she was outside. She saw Zidane at the counter on the very end of the bar on the opposite side of the room. Roz slowly approached Zidane, her hands clasped behind her back.
When she reached Zidane, she tapped him on the shoulder. Zidane turned around, a mug in his hand, looking down at her in surprise. "Roz! What're you..." His voice trailed.
Roz smiled and took the mug in his hands from him, lacing her fingers around it and peering inside at the susbstance that laid within. "I'm here to ask you a question... I'll need your help in marvelous persuasion to get me somewhere. And I know I cannot do it by myself."
Zidane cocked an eyebrow at her. "Excuse me? 'Marvelous persuasion'? Never heard that one before."
Roz nodded as if deciding on something. "Yes. Your 'marvelous persuasion' is what I need for this mission."
Zidane now raised both eyebrows. "A mission'?" Again, Roz nodded. "Okay... What do you need that would need my help?"
Roz smiled greatfully at Zidane. "Well, I need Feng and the Infiniti. I mean, I need to use it. ...Them. ...Yeah." Roz blinked, unsure of what tense or word to use.
"Okay...? Why would you need my help?"
"I need you to persuade Cid into giving my the Infiniti. I mean, GIVE it to me. Not just borrow. Give." Roz looked up at Zidane, expecting a definite yes as an answer. "Will you tell him, ask him, to give up Infiniti to me?"
Zidane's highly arched brows lowered from their peaks, returning to their normal states. He blinked at Roz. "You want to own Infiniti? You want me to ask Cid if he could hand it over to you? Why?"
Roz misunderstood Zidane's interrogation for further information as a 'no' to her question. "Wha-- Well, I... I need it for Riku and I. I plan on... Well, I need to use it, Zidane!" Roz stopped when the bar was quiet. She looked aorund to see everyone staring at them. She felt her face grow hot before she turned around again, lowering her voice. "Please?" She tensed up, hoping he would accept. She relaxed when Zidane gave her one of his charming smiles. "Will you?"
Zidane's smile widened. "I don't see why not... And don't fret, I wasn't asking you for a reason why because I was declining the help, but only asking cuz I wunna know." Zidane patted Roz's shoulder in reassurance. "Okay. You need the Infiniti and you want me to ask Cid for it, right? And you and Riku are to use it, right? Well, quick question. How're you to fly it with only you and him? What're you gonna use it for? And what about your rest? Weren't you supposed to be resting at the guestroom in the castle?"
Roz grimaced. "Well... Hey--! Wait a minute! That's more than one question!" Roz shook her head at the stupid remark. "Okay. Yeah, I am, but how can I rest with something important on my mind? I really really need the ship and if I cna't get it, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'LL DO!" she exclaimed, putting down the mug roughly, having it make a aloud clunking sound. "Sorry," she said distractedly. "This is really important, and will help us wiht our journey, and-- and-- Oh, Zidane! Please!"
Zidane took a step back into the counter. His eyebrows here arched, shocked and surprised by Roz's weirdness. "Good grief, Roz! I said I'd do it already! Calm down! I'll ask him, otherwise, you'll just hafta break a few security codes and such to break in and get it..." Zidane paused, rethinking his sentence. "Oops... shouldnt'a said that to ya..."
Roz slumped her shoulders, biting her lower lip. She felt stupid for her outburst. "Sorry... But... Thanks Zidane." Roz walked up to the counter and leaned against it, laying her head in her crossed arms, and groaned. "Oh... I'm sorry for having a coniption and being a bitch to you, Zidane." She sighed, her breath fogging up the cold counter her rested her head upon.
After a while of silence between the two, Roz lifted her head, her eyes red and cheeks hot. She blinked and wiped away the moisture that clung to her face. "Okay... Let's go now. I htink I've had enough time to think to myself." She pushed away from the counter and smiled, her red eyes slowly returning to their normal state. "C'mon, Zidane. If I don't move right now, I think my leg'll cramp or somethin'." Roz laughed at the thought before taking Zidane's hand and dragging him out of the bar as soon as he tipped for the drink.
When they got off the carrier and were walking on their way up the stairs in the entrance of the castle, Roz was saying a few words to Zidane.
"...okay? I'll be in the guest room, okay? Find me there when you get the answer, okay? And again, thanks alot, Zidane." Roz smiled at Zidane, glad to recieve one in return. "Please meet me at the guest room, okay? Thanks a bunch. I don't think I can say it enough!"
Zidane patted Roz's shoulder. "Don't worry. I think I've had enough compliments and thanks... But you were right to come to me for a bit of persuading to the big guy." Zidane laughed heartily. "You know... I'll make sure I get you your 'precious' ship." Zidane laughed as he went into the elevator and pushed the buttons that would take him to the third floor of the castle.
Roz couldn't help but laugh herself before running up the stairs and into the guest room. "Riku! Hello! I'm back!" She ran up the stairs that lead to the high platform since Riku was obviously not lounging on the lower and smaller beds below. When she reached the high platform, she stopped suddenly to see Blank and Riku in a tight hug. SHe walked up beside them silently before putting her fist to her mough, leaned forward, and cleared her throat loudly. "Ahem!" The two males quickly pulled away from each other in embarrassment. Roz couldn't help but smile. "It's okay. Just needed to break up the manly conversation/get-together thing for a bit. So, what's going on?"
Blank smiled weakly. "Well, I was just talking to Riku."
"Was," Roz repeated with enthusiasm. "I see. But more importantly, what about?"
Blank looked at Riku who stared back at him, silently, showing no expression. Roz bit her lip when she saw Riku's face, it was just as it was when she talked to him. Blank smiled and patted Riku's shoulder reassuringly; he turned to Roz.
"Well, nothing much. Just that Riku really missed Sora, and he'd like to do something about all this mess, but he doesn't know how," Blank summarized briefly, leaving out a few details on Riku's behalf.
"I'd like to do something too, but I don't think we'll be able to find Sora here. We must travel to the other worlds and search for them there as we go. If we cannot find him in one world, then we finish up and move on." Roz crawled onto the bed, going past Blank and Riku and sitting jsut a 'ways away from them, making a triangle with them. "Look. Sora's gone--it's what I guess--and we won't find him here on this world. We'll go to other worlds and look at them. Okay?"
Blank blinked. "How're you gonna get there? To the other worlds?"
Roz smiled, glad he asked. "I'm gonna use Infiniti. Infiniti, Feng, and I will be one and travel through space to other worlds that way. Though I am not strong enough to handle the ship fully yet, I will have to risk it." Roz saw Riku staring at her with a hidden question deep within his eyes. "And with Feng and Infiniti, I'll search this world first to make sure if Sora has really gone from here. But..." Roz paused to break the eye contact he held with Riku's deep sea-green like eyes. "But... before we will look for Sora, I must make a trip to Traverse Town. I must speak with someone. Is that alright, Riku?" She looked at him, hoping and wanting an answer from his lips.
Riku was silent, holding her gaze. After a while, he slowly opened his mouth. "Ah, yeah. We can. But... how'll we fly it with you at half strength and no one but you and I on board?"
Roz was surprised yet glad that Riku said something. "I was thinking--on the way over here--that maybe Cid'll let us use a few crew members to operate the ship while I'm outta commision or something..." She looked at Blank. "Wha'd'ya think? Is it possible? You think he'll lend a few people to keep the ship on course while I rest?"
Blank opened his mouth, but the answer to Roz's question did not escape from his lips but from someone who was on the steps that led up and down form there. Roz turned to See Zidane sitting jsut at the peak of the steps, grinning at them. "I think Cid'll let ya. Just a few people, right? I could go along..."
Roz's eyes widened. "You would? You wouldn't mind a long journey? Or leaving Dagger and the others?"
"No. Not at all... I don't think... I member or two, and me will be fine to keep the ship in shape on the journey."
"Not without me, you aren't. One girl and the rest are males is unhealthy. And quite wrong, I say..." came another voice, one who was at the foot of the steps. It was Dagger. She had her hands on her hips ass eh climbed the stairs. "I'll be coming as well, Roz. I can't bare it if you were left alone with these men on a long voyage."
Roz cocked an eyebrow, unsure of what to say. "Um... Thanks... Dagger... I guess."
Dagger didn't notice Roz's hesitation and smiled sweetly at her. "That's alright, Roz. Just helping out a fellow female."
Roz gave Dagger a funny look before opening her mouth. "Uh... Y-yeah.... Okay, Dagger....You do that..." Roz quickly turned away from the strange woman and her sense of rightness and turned back to Riku and Blank who were as freaked out and/or confused as she was. "Well, whatever. I guess it's me, Riku, Zidane, and Dagger for the trip. Oh, and a few members of Cid's, right?" Roz glanced over her shoulder just to hear a 'yes' from Zidane before turning back again. "Right. So... I guess that that's all I wanted to talk to you about, other than see if you're still breathing, that is."
"I am still breathing, but I don't know why you went skitzoid when you left." Riku smirked, seeing Roz glare at him.
"Maybe I liked you better when you were depressed and silent..." Roz muttered, pushing herself off the bed, toward the way to the stairs. "Look, I'm gonna go talk to Cid and clear things up a bit, but I'll be right back. But if you want to come with, go right ahead."
Roz walked past Dagger and Zidane, and down the steps, out the door. Roz paused only when Riku asked her to wait as he jumped off hte platform and ran to join her on the way to Cid's chamber. On the elevator ride, Riku leaned on the railing, opposite of the entrance. After a long silence of nothing besides the whirling of the elevator as it climbed higher, RIku cleared his throat, trying to gather Roz's attention. "Eh... Roz?"
Roz looked over her shoulder from the front of the elevator where the controls were. "Yeah?"
Riku scuffed his foot, trying to gather the nerve to thank her. "Well... Th-- ..."
"Thank you?"
Riku looked up to see Roz smiling at him. "Thank you? Is that what you were going to say?"
Riku nodded dumbly. "Well, I mean, you helped me. I was an idiot and a sulky bitch. I mean, you went out of your way to grab Blank and get him to talk to me after you spilled out your story and breath on me. ...Thanks. It helped."
Roz's smile widened. "Not at all... You are most certainly welcome, Riku. Anytime. Friends help each other out..." Roz turned around just as they made it to the third floor where Cid's chamber was. "Let's go."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AN: do they now? Do friends help each other out? does friendship mean anything? who knows.... well, i'm terribly sorry for the lateness of the story... you've read, now review; you knwo the drill.... now.. for the second session of my talk show!!
Me: Welcome once again to my talk show!!
Audience: *cheers*
Me: Okay! Now! For this short session, I'd first like to bring out... Blank! *claps with audience as Blank enters*
Blank: Uh... Hi.
Me: Blank! How do you like this chapter? We'd all like your opinion on it!
Blank: *shrug* I dunno... but you made me too attached to Roz... that, or she's too attached to me and Zidane and all of us...
Me: *gives an innocent and dense look* What do you mean?
Blank: '''
Audience: ^^'''
Blank: Riiiight... Well, I think it's best I leave now..... BYE! *rushes out quickly*
Me: Oo''' How rude... *shrug* oh well! Now! Let's bring out... Cloud, Aerith, Sephiroth, Leon, Yuffie, and Cid!!! Oh! And of course, the MOOGLE!!! *huggles* Yeah! Come on out!!! *they come out*
Cloud: *glares at Seph*
Seph: *returns glare*
Aeirth: *thinks: 'Why are they glaring at each other?'*
Leon: *gives a bored look*
Yuffie: I am the great Ninja Yuffie! Ha-HAH!! *smiles triumphantly*
Cid: I've got a business to run, okay? Why am I here?
Cloud and Seph: *still glaring at each other*
Me: Oo''' I see that we aren't off to a good start today.... Um... Guys? Seph? Cloud? Could you stop... um... glaring at each other for a sec, please??
Cloud and Seph: *don't stop glaring*
Me: Oy Vay.... Oo''' I suppose we should take a break for now.... *signals for the camera to turn off* Come and read for the next seesion of my weird... er... talkshow? Well, I hope you enjoyed the story and I'm very sorry for the delay... And I PROMISE! I WILL have Riku/Sora action soon... but be patient in the slowness of their relationship because of Sora's evilness, Riku's density, Roz's newness of the ship, and anything in there that I haven't named yet... ^^''' But until then, I'm signing off! Bai bai!!! *waves and camera turns off*
*Click*
Recap:1. Riku and Sora had a play where they shared thier first kiss together (look in story: "Unexpected")
2. Roz comes to Destiny islands; strange prophecy is revealed
3. Roz, Riku, and Sora leave for Traverse town and discuss the issue with old time firends of Sora's
4. Aya comes, and he and Roz 'chat'
5. Three youths get sucked into a votex thingie, landing in the world of FFIX: Gaea
6. Riku makes friends with Zidane and gang; Sora and Roz reunite with Riku after being separated
7. Sora goes bad; runs off
8. Riku follows Sora in the night; Riku doesn't come back
9. Cid built a new and fascinating ship; Roz controls the ship
10. Well, we'll find out!
Disclaimer: i don't own Kingdom Hearts, any Squaresoft project, and i heck dont' own whatever else i stick in here from somewhere else... But i DO own: Roz, Aya, Feng, the name of the ship, and more to come...
Chapter Eight
"C'mon! Where's Zidane? Are they here? Is everyone ready? What's going on out there?" Roz was jumping up and down, waiting for her friends' appearance. She paced back and forth in front of the bubble in the ship. "C'mon! Vivi, DO you happen to know where they are?" Roz jumped up and down in spot, anxious yet excited to get things going. "Oh... Where are they?!"
"Right here, Roz," Zidane said, entering the room. "Now tell us why you called up to Cid's ship."
"That's why I called you in the first place!" Roz exclaimed. "I know the answer!"
Blank leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "What answer?"
Roz jumped up and down, happily cheering. "I know where they are!!"
Zidane grabbed Roz at her hips and stopped her from boucing even more. "Okay.. WHO do you know where they are?"
Roz giggled before taking Zidane's hands and jumping up and down again. "Sora and Riku! I know where they are!" Roz stopped just then, lowering her hands and was about ot let go of Zidane's when he gave a reassuring squeeze when she bowed her head. "But..." Roz looked up. "But when we get there, it'll probably be by dark, and when we reach there, I ask... Please, do not interfere with what happens unti lit is over... I say in advanced that we will land the ship several yards away. Okay?" Roz put on her best smile.
Zidane gave his own charming smile in return. "Right. Now... I'm assuming that you're gonna go in there... right?"
Roz nodded, then let go of Zidan'e shand. "Yup!" Roz walked backwards and stopped just a little 'ways just in front of the bubble. "So. Any questions on the mission?"
"'Mission'?" Blank repeated.
"Right. Mission. We're gonna get Riku back." Roz nodded, smiling.
Eiko was confused. Weren't they supposed to get both of the boys back? "Wait! What about Sora?"
Roz's smile faded. "That's why we will land far away from the scene when we reach it. I don't want anyone to interfere with what'll happen there. What happens, happens. We will not take Sora back with us this time, but only Riku. Until the time comes, we must do best with what we have. Okay?"
Everyone was silent. Such strong and serious words came from this young girl. Though she was of the race where she could not escape battle and seen many deaths, she was still young and had much to learn. Determination was set in her eyes, and they knew nothing would stop her from following her heart and doing what she knew was best. She would find her friends and bring them together to be in peace if it killed her, they knew; she knew.
Zidane nodded and signaled an "OK" sign at her. Roz smiled her thanks of appreciation before jumping back and into the bubble, being enclosed by it once she was through.
In the bubble, she immediately opened herself to Feng.
/Feng... I'm here again... We have a mission to do, and I have yet to find the place... This is my first time here, but who cares. We need to find Riku, and get there by the time that 'lovely' play finishes.\ Roz looked around her, looking for Feng. /Feng? Are you there?\
[Of course, child. But please... slow down. We have enough time to suit your needs. Do not worry, child.] came Feng's voice.
/Oh.. Feng... Okay.. C'mon... I need to get Infiniti going so we can meet with Riku!\
[Just on a moment. 'Infiniti,' dear?]
/Yes! It's what the ship's called! But nevermind that!\
[Yes dear. Of course. Now... I will teach you how to control 'Infiniti' while you fly it. But know this, you must also obey the wishes of the pilot when they ask you. Do you understand?]
/Yeah... I guess... But if I dont' do ask they wish, what'll happen?\
[You can do as you wish with the ship, but it flies at it's best when you and the pilot agree. Understand?]
Roz shrugged. /Sure. But if we disagree, I'm fighting it out with 'em.\
[That is if you have time to do so...]
Roz nodded. /Right. Now... Let's not keep the suspence here! let's go!\
[As you wish... But make sure you are ready, for whatever damage takes on this ship, effects you as well.]
Roz gulped. /Okay. Got it. Just... Is Zidane or anyone else ready?\
Feng was silent for a moment. [Check for yourself, child. Reach for him with your mind. You will know how by just trying. Go ahead.]
Roz did as she was told, following her heart and controlling her mind. But as much as a fairy tale as it seemed, she was in no mood to act that way. /ZIDANE!!!!\
Everyone was in the bridge where the crew was working their asses off to make sure everything was in place. Zidane was on his ass, literally, sitting over the cirle that pulsed and glowed. He jumped up about ten feet into the air, screaming when he heard Roz's voice shout in his head.
/ZIDANE!!!!\
"Holy shi--" //Roz?!\\ Zidane smiled sheepishly when he turned around to find everyone staring at him. "Sorry... It's Roz..."
/No shit, Zidane! So, you ready to fly this ship?\
"Fly?!" Zidane turned again when all went silent. "S-Sorry... Roz again." //F-Fly?!\\
/You got that right! Now, look straight ahead and take me to this place...\
Zidane looked straight at the window like he did with Feng. There, he saw Roz before an image of the area she wanted, showed. Zidane studied the image carefully before nodding, watching the picture fade.
/Zidane, that's where I want to go, but remember. I'm not letting us go any closer than a long shot. GOt it?\
//ODn't worry. And don't be so uptight. DOnt' worry, I'll get you there. And I promise. No close landings. i know you probably won't let me anyway, right?\\
Roz smiled and gave a thumbs up. /Thanks Zidane. But call me uptight and by the time I get outta here, I'll kick your ass.\ Roz's image in the window winked before fading away. /Thanks again, Zidane.\
//No problem, Roz. No problem at all...\\
Zidane gave the word for the air ship to lift off and whooped and cheered when it took off the ground in such grace and steadiness, yet such speech, Zidane knew he was going to have one heck of a ride flying this.
Zidane guided the air ship toward where Roz wanted, showing Roz the easiest, yet not the fastest, route there. According to what Roz had told him, they had to get there at the right time. Roz thought it would be best if they got there just before Sora disappeared and left Riku out there by himself.
After minutes and minutes of flying and several stops when Roz had to shout and Zidane, or when some of the passangers grew sick during the flight, they finally made it to the sight. Zidane had Blank take over and had him keep the ship floating in the sky for a moment while he ran to the heart of hte ship where Roz was.
When he made it back there, he came in just in time to catch Roz as she fell, unable to support herself just after she emerged from the bubble. "Roz!" Zidane slowly let Roz sink to the ground until she ould regain her balance again. "Roz, whoa... Why the hell did you do that?! I told you to wait!"
Roz smiled wickedly as she leaned against Zidane for support. "Like I'd listen to you..."
Zidane laughed and picked her up, carrying her on his back. "C'mon. Let's watch from in the brigde. We'll let you rest until the time is right to go out there... Okay?"
Roz chuckled before nodding, letting Zidane take her to the bridge where she sat on the pulsing and glowing circle. There, she communicated with Feng and watched the remaining sparks of the event come and go. Everyone else who was there and watching saw what Roz saw as it was displayed graphically on the window like a movie on a screen. When Riku laid back on the grass, Roz asked for Zidane's assistance to get to Riku.
Zidane carried Roz once more as they and the others ran out the ship and to Riku.
Riku laid on the grass with his eyes closed. Though he had menat ot sleep, the closest he could come to rest was closing his eyes. After a short while, he heard a sound; soon, that distant sound came closer and closer, heading for him. Riku stayed still when he recongized the sound for footsteps--many footsteps. He did not move much until he heard someone shout his name.
"Riku!"
Riku opened his eyes and sat up, facing where he heard all this noise. He saw many silhouettes against the light of the moons' shine. He could make out Vivi by his unique feature of shortness and a pointy hat, the slim body of Dagger, Amarant with his fro, Freya with her own hat, Steiner in his noisy rusty metal, someone who he had no clue of, Zidane with that tail of his, but on his back was... Riku could not make out that last person besides the one already knew he had no fricken clue of who was. Zidane put the person down, letting them wobbily get to Riku. When they collapsed and was right in front of him, riku realized who it was.
"Roz?"
He could make out a smile on Roz's features. Roz turned to Vivi and quietly asked the small mage something. Soon enough, flames appeared in his hands and light was created for better see. "Thank you , Vivi," Riku hears Roz say softly, yet tiredly.
"Roz?" Riku waited to continue until the girl turned to face him. Riku sat up straighter and shifted himself to that he could see Roz better. "Roz, are you okay? You sound... tired..."
Roz shook her head. "I'll explain it all later... For now, I'm just glad you're okay. We all are! Good thing Cid made the ship or else you would be walking aimlessly all the way until we found you or you found us or Limblum again."
Riku smiled his thanks, knowing the consorn behind Roz's small joke. "Thanks... I guess... Sorry about... yeah..."
Roz lifted an eyebrow. "You're sorry? Well, a first is a first, right? But that's okay... you're welcome and forgiven anyhow. Now, let's get back to Limblum and rest up, okay? It'll be the best thing for any of us..."
"You especially, Roz. You know that, right?" Zidane said, including himself in the conversation.
Roz glanced back at the blond haired man and nodded. "I know... But Riku..." She turned bakc to him and smiled as best as she could. "You need to rest up as well... Don't worry. He may be gone now, but not forever. You almost had him... We'll get him back... It'll all be alright..." Roz smiled, knowingly.
Riku took a moment to realize who she meant before nodding, trying to hide a blush. He wondered how she could've known, but decided to ask later. He watched as Roz was scooped up in Zidane's arms before someone picked him up as well. Riku looked to find Amarant looking down at him silently, showing no a sense of emotion.
"C'mon. You won't be able to walk to the air ship; it's too far. I'll carry you."
Riku smiled and thankfully let the man easily scoop him up and carry him to the ship with everyone else.
When they made it back to the castle back in Limblum, Riku and Roz were treated the finest baths, and beds to sleep in. There was a guest room where Roz and Riku, both kindly left alone and the room kept to themselves even though there were more beds there. Roz had the bigger bed, and Riku the smaller one; neither bothered fighting over the bigger one since Riku just laid himself in the closest bed he could find.
When Roz and Riku were left alone, Roz stared up at the ceiling, humming. Riku laid on his back in bed, listening to Roz's quiet humming. After a while, he interrupted just as she paused to take a breath.
"Roz, what are you humming?" was the only thing he could think of to say before he asked her what he really wanted.
"Oh, just a song I know... It's a song that all Outlaws learn and know. I gues you can say it's a mushy lover's song, but it's kinda nice..."
"Oh." Riku was silent for a minute or two while Roz continued to hum. When she took another breath, he interrupted yet again. "Roz, earlier you said that we'd get him back. What 'him' are you talking about?"
Roz smiled from where she was, knowing Riku was testing her. "Riku, I know you know I know about you and Sora... What just happened but a few minutes ago, I do not blame you for trying to keep your cool all those times you were around him." Riku stayed silent. "You love Sora, don't you? But you wouldn't DARE show how you truely feel about him with an audience around, would you? Not yet anyway... right? YOu are still confused and maybe... frightened? Am I anywhere close to what you feel?" Still Riku said nothing or utter a sound. "Ha... Okay, I understand. But here this, okay? Though you may think it's wrong, it's not. maybe that 'love' you feel for him and him for you is what'll save him. Right? I mean, it almost worked, right? Sure he was confused and his eyes showed his innocence and the mixed feelings and emotions that cloud his mind, but somewhere in that confusion and jumble of things was the REAL Sora, no?" Roz paused to sigh. "I saw it. Riku... He WAS there. IN there... somewhere..."
Riku sat up immediately, pushing off the sheets and jumping out of bed and standing on his toes so that he could see Roz on her bed from below the rised platform. "How can you know?! You can't know anything!" he said accusingly. He ran up to where she was, propped up in her bed, and stopped at the foot of the bed, looking at her. "How can you know what went on just now?" His voice was soft and low, just above a whisper; but it held a hint of harshness. "Sora was my best friend and just after an adventure we had, he starts acting weird. Yes, I know I didn't notice then, even when our relationship truely began, I didn't notice the change in him. I thought it was a bit strange at first, but I pushed it aside and labeled it as an excuse of some sort and that maybe it's because he and I finally gave in to our feelings together and that it's changed him a bit, making him want to do things, or think things, or something else! I wasn't sure! I'm not sure now! But I know that I was blind and naive to have done what I've done, and not done what I should've." Riku stopped just to clumb into bed and sit just at the foot of the bed, facing Roz as he huddled into a ball and leaned against the pole of the four-poster bed. "But do you know what it's like to have your very best friend change before your eyes? Go from a pure heart and full of happiness and so carefree, to some demon that just came and popped out of nowhere, taking posession of them? And then when you are on the line of pain and blood and torture, just before crucial death, you feel that small light of hope. You grasp that light, hoping you have that last chance to change it all and make it all right, but just as soon as you touch it, it goes away and everything falls apart. Just when you were so close to making things right, it all goes wrong. That! ... that is what happened just now... But then again... you already know all about it, don't you?"
Roz pursed her lips, staring at Riku as he stared right back at her, his features, his posture, just the way he looked maked him seem small and young; expectant, unknowing; yet sureof what he wanted. Roz was the first to look away from him and toward the ceiling. "Yes. I do know. But not just how I saw it from you, but also personally. I've experienced that pain before, but in just a different way..." Roz sighed heavily, feeling her cheeks grow hot and the air tense with the suspence and eerie silence Riku was giving her. "Would you like to know how, Riku?"
Yet again, Riku was silent, as he usually was. But this silence unnerved Roz so she decided that it was a yes. Roz closed her eyes before revealing her tale. "I was but eight or nine when this happened. Yeah, I know, it happened when I was so much younger." Roz smiled and giggled to herself finding herself sounding like an old goat looking on old times. "I was in love with this boy who was my age... He and I got along so well, we were practically family and a promised item at home." Roz stopped to laugh at a secret joke, leaving Riku confused and on the edge for her to continue. "Well, as much as we were best friends, we never showed it too much. Just like when we were at Destiny Islands, Riku, you and Sora were really good friends, but you insulted each other with distaste but humor. You played on this role while I was there, while Kairi was there..." Roz shook her head, pausing. "Well, nevermind; as long as you get the idea. That was how we were. We got along on our own, but never would we pass up a challenge to each other or a fight--verbal or physical--or would we pass up a chance to insult each other. We loathed each other, yet we loved each other, as everyone knew. Slowly, thought, after a long while, we grew apart. We spent less time together, and suddenly, we stopped talkign to me all together. Sure, I was confused, I tried my very best to keep the friendship at it's longest and highest. But I was surely a fool to keep it from falling from the gaps between my fingers." Roz smiled at Riku as he gave her an expressionless look. She kicked the sheets off her and rolled out of bed, walking around the higher part of the room.
She sighed and stopped just as she made it to the row of windows. "So, yeah. Our friendship dwindled and disapeared right in front of me, but soon after, I came through to him. I helped him remember what we've been through, what we've done together and for each other, and certainly, what we could still do." Roz touched the icy glass with it's light blue tints. "When I came through to him, I was surely glad. But..." Roz stopped as Riku came up to her side. She had not heard him coming with his pure silence, and stillness of the movements of his clothes. Roz bit her lower lip as she saw the sadden expression on his face. Through that viel of sadness, she saw a faint hint of hope lying deep within. She watched as he looked outside before touching the glass just as she did; a slow, graceful movement, only stopped when in contact with the glass. "Riku.." She lifted her hand unconsciously, but stopped when Riku turned, facing her, scaring her with his empty look. She looked away and continued to tell her story. "Well, even though I got through to him, I never really told him about how I felt or got to know how he felt about me. A time, on a mission, we were fighting a humongous enemy. I cannot recall what exactly it was that we fought, but anyway... we got seperated in the battle. I don't remember how, but the next thing I knew, I couldn't find him!" Roz stopped to laugh at herself. "Now I know that the story wasn't exactly any worthwhile of listening, and way off and besides the point, but I thought it'd be nice to share a little more than I needed.
"Point is, that I got through to him. Okay? Does any of this sink in your head, Riku?" Roz turned to face Riku, her eyes flaming. "We can get Sora back! We hafta!"
Riku smiled at her, showing his first crack of emotion ever since she started her story. Riku approached Roz and gave her a hug, something Roz hadn't expected from him. After a while, Roz pulled away and when she looked at Riku's face, she saw trails of tears there. Roz bit her lip and stuffed her hands in her pockets. She looked away from Riku and paced back and forth in front of the windows. "I'm here by your side/ In this damn cold night/ I'm here for you and you're here with me/ I'll be with you forever..." Roz stopped her song to glance at Riku. "Our song... it was are song... We made it up together... Hmm..." Roz shed a tear, unable to hold it back. She wiped it away furiously, cursing herself. "I could never hold back my emotions so well. I used to, long ago, but not anymore. I shed too many tears, showed too many emotions, expressed too much of myself over the past few years. I used to be able to conceal them tightly and not show anything if I didn't want to. After he disappeared, I broke down and changed dramatically." Roz paused, giving a faint smile. "In fact, if I try and think about it, his name was..." Suddenly, Roz stopped cold and in the middle of her sentence. Her eyes widened as she stared blankly into space, remembering.
/Aya...\ A flashback came. Roz saw a picture of a boy younger then her current age, smiling and laughing with pure joy. The picture in her mind faded and a new picture came, a picture of Aya who was covered up, diguised. He had eyes of sorrow, yet a kind and wonderful voice. He looked like an older, maturer version of the boy who was laughing and smiling in her previous flashback. Roz squeezed her eyes tight, trying to hold onto the memories. She felt her face grow hot as she stayed still. "Oh my gosh..." Roz's eyes snapped open and turned to face Riku. He seemed confused, yet expressionless of anything else. He was silent and staring at her, wondering ans asking a question that needed not to be said. "Riku! I-- I know--" Roz tried to search for words to complete her sentences, but found none. "I-- I've got to see Zidane! I'll-- I'll be right back! You go and rest, okay? Sleep, stare at the ceiling, stare out the window, close your eyes while in bed, think, I DON'T CARE!! I've got to see Zidane!" She jumped and run down the stairs and out of hte room, leaving Riku staring after her.
Riku smiled, happy for Roz. "She sure is a wonder... Expect the unexpected... Should'a known... I guess she must be in a good mood to have jumped up like that and run out of the room so fast..." His voice was quiet and quite not his own. He turned to the window just to see Roz running up to the carrier that would take her to the district to get Zidane. "Oh Sora... I hope she's right... About her finding a way to break the curse upon her love. I hope it'll work for us too... Oh how I miss you... the real you..." In Riku's mind's eye, he saw a picture of Sora when all was well and they were on the Island again, free and worryless. Before kairi, before Kingdom Hearts, before all this crap was dumped on them. When is was only Riku and Sora and the others, no Kairi, no evil, no keyblade, no King mickey, no Maleficent, no Heartless, no nothing. Just... good things. Riku smiled at the image of Sora running, waving his sword, shouting and laughing at the same time. Oh how he wished it could be like that again...
Roz ran out of the building, across the streets, through a flock of birds who huddled together, looking for food, around the corner, down the steps, up more steps, and through the open way of a building with a clock on the front. She was jsut about to rush up the stairs to the bed and rest, and clock gear area was when she ran into a rather larger guy.
"Oof!" She fell backwards, seeing a few stars. "Oww..." She slowly got up, rubbing sore spots. She looked up to see a rather unusual guy who was rather large around the middle. "Who're you?"
The guy laughed, hitting his large belly. "I was just about to ask you the same thing!"
The guy laughed again before being pushed aside by someone who was behind him. "What's goin' on?" came a voice.
The big guy moved aside to let through a smaller, and certainly skinnier, guy through. He looked down at Roz, uncertain of who she was. The big guy slapped a big hand on the smaller guy's shoulder, laughing. "Marcus, you know this girl?"
The smaller guy, Marcus, shook his head, furrowing his brows. "No..." he looked over his shoulder to shout at another person. "Hey Bro, do you know this girl?"
The big guy slapped his belly again. "She just came around, running through the doorway and ran right into me! Such as rush for a girl."
If it was one thing to be stopped on a search and mission, it's another to be stopped and interrogated in funny ways. She jumped up and put a hand on her hips. "I'm not a 'girl'! I'm here to find someone, okay?! Can I PLEASE go in and get 'im?"
The person who Marcus shouted to had finally made it to the scene. "Who're you looking for?"
Roz tilted her head until the person came through. She gave a wide smile before running and jumping him. "Blank! Hi!" She unwrapped her arms from around him and stepped back a bit. "Who're these people?"
Blank looked on either side of him. "Them? That's Marcus, a member of the Tantulaus, and that's the Boss." He jerked a thumb at the big guy. "What're YOU doing here, Roz?"
Roz smiled, almost grinning. "Lookin' for someone!"
Blank smiled in turn. "Zidane, right?"
Roz nodded, knowing Blank understood. /No wonder they call him 'Bro'... Zidane told me a bit about him...\ "Yeah!" she said aloud.
Blank nodded. "He's not here... At the bar in the Industry section."
Roz smiled at Blank. "Thanks, Blank! But hey, before I go, can I ask you a favor?" she said just after she turned her back.
Blank shrugged. "Sure, I guess."
"Okay." Roz approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder before leaning in toward him. She felt Blank tense slightly just before she reached his ear. She cupped a hand around her mouth before whispering something to him. When she pulled away, she smiled, satisfied with herself. "There. Okay? I really need you to do that for me cuz he's in major depression." Roz rolled her eyes before continuing. "I'm sorry to dump this on you, but help him, okay? Like I said, MAJOR depression. And whatever he tells you, or doesn't, don't take personally or as a total shock or he might tense up. Give him the one-two on advice. I heard from Zidane you're good at that." Roz winked at him before walking backwards out of hte building. "Thanks a bunch Blank! Just give him a man-to-man talk and I'm sure he'll appreciate it later. I'll meet up with you later in the guest room, okay? Bye guys!" Roz ran all the way back to the carrier and hopped on the air ship, directing the pilot to her destination.
Just back at the Tantulaus group, Blank was getting funny stares from the Boss and Marcus. Blank inched out of the building, nervous from the stares. "What? What's with the looks?"
"Bro, is she your new girl?" came Marcus.
Blank shook his head. "No."
"Where'd you pick her up?" came the boss.
"I didn't pick her up anywhere. She's more aquainted with Zidane, not me. I met her through Zidane. Now back off!" Blank still inched back nervously.
"Riiight..." Marcus said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. He still persued Blank with questions.
Blank didn't like all these questions or where they might be headed so he hide-tailed it out of there by running straight for the carrier, just in time to catch it before it left again.
Roz walked up the stairs to the other part of the Industry section where she would find the bar in which Zidane rested. She peeked in the open doorway, looking around the place before entering. When she stepped through, she looked around to the parts of the bar that she had not seen when she was outside. She saw Zidane at the counter on the very end of the bar on the opposite side of the room. Roz slowly approached Zidane, her hands clasped behind her back.
When she reached Zidane, she tapped him on the shoulder. Zidane turned around, a mug in his hand, looking down at her in surprise. "Roz! What're you..." His voice trailed.
Roz smiled and took the mug in his hands from him, lacing her fingers around it and peering inside at the susbstance that laid within. "I'm here to ask you a question... I'll need your help in marvelous persuasion to get me somewhere. And I know I cannot do it by myself."
Zidane cocked an eyebrow at her. "Excuse me? 'Marvelous persuasion'? Never heard that one before."
Roz nodded as if deciding on something. "Yes. Your 'marvelous persuasion' is what I need for this mission."
Zidane now raised both eyebrows. "A mission'?" Again, Roz nodded. "Okay... What do you need that would need my help?"
Roz smiled greatfully at Zidane. "Well, I need Feng and the Infiniti. I mean, I need to use it. ...Them. ...Yeah." Roz blinked, unsure of what tense or word to use.
"Okay...? Why would you need my help?"
"I need you to persuade Cid into giving my the Infiniti. I mean, GIVE it to me. Not just borrow. Give." Roz looked up at Zidane, expecting a definite yes as an answer. "Will you tell him, ask him, to give up Infiniti to me?"
Zidane's highly arched brows lowered from their peaks, returning to their normal states. He blinked at Roz. "You want to own Infiniti? You want me to ask Cid if he could hand it over to you? Why?"
Roz misunderstood Zidane's interrogation for further information as a 'no' to her question. "Wha-- Well, I... I need it for Riku and I. I plan on... Well, I need to use it, Zidane!" Roz stopped when the bar was quiet. She looked aorund to see everyone staring at them. She felt her face grow hot before she turned around again, lowering her voice. "Please?" She tensed up, hoping he would accept. She relaxed when Zidane gave her one of his charming smiles. "Will you?"
Zidane's smile widened. "I don't see why not... And don't fret, I wasn't asking you for a reason why because I was declining the help, but only asking cuz I wunna know." Zidane patted Roz's shoulder in reassurance. "Okay. You need the Infiniti and you want me to ask Cid for it, right? And you and Riku are to use it, right? Well, quick question. How're you to fly it with only you and him? What're you gonna use it for? And what about your rest? Weren't you supposed to be resting at the guestroom in the castle?"
Roz grimaced. "Well... Hey--! Wait a minute! That's more than one question!" Roz shook her head at the stupid remark. "Okay. Yeah, I am, but how can I rest with something important on my mind? I really really need the ship and if I cna't get it, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'LL DO!" she exclaimed, putting down the mug roughly, having it make a aloud clunking sound. "Sorry," she said distractedly. "This is really important, and will help us wiht our journey, and-- and-- Oh, Zidane! Please!"
Zidane took a step back into the counter. His eyebrows here arched, shocked and surprised by Roz's weirdness. "Good grief, Roz! I said I'd do it already! Calm down! I'll ask him, otherwise, you'll just hafta break a few security codes and such to break in and get it..." Zidane paused, rethinking his sentence. "Oops... shouldnt'a said that to ya..."
Roz slumped her shoulders, biting her lower lip. She felt stupid for her outburst. "Sorry... But... Thanks Zidane." Roz walked up to the counter and leaned against it, laying her head in her crossed arms, and groaned. "Oh... I'm sorry for having a coniption and being a bitch to you, Zidane." She sighed, her breath fogging up the cold counter her rested her head upon.
After a while of silence between the two, Roz lifted her head, her eyes red and cheeks hot. She blinked and wiped away the moisture that clung to her face. "Okay... Let's go now. I htink I've had enough time to think to myself." She pushed away from the counter and smiled, her red eyes slowly returning to their normal state. "C'mon, Zidane. If I don't move right now, I think my leg'll cramp or somethin'." Roz laughed at the thought before taking Zidane's hand and dragging him out of the bar as soon as he tipped for the drink.
When they got off the carrier and were walking on their way up the stairs in the entrance of the castle, Roz was saying a few words to Zidane.
"...okay? I'll be in the guest room, okay? Find me there when you get the answer, okay? And again, thanks alot, Zidane." Roz smiled at Zidane, glad to recieve one in return. "Please meet me at the guest room, okay? Thanks a bunch. I don't think I can say it enough!"
Zidane patted Roz's shoulder. "Don't worry. I think I've had enough compliments and thanks... But you were right to come to me for a bit of persuading to the big guy." Zidane laughed heartily. "You know... I'll make sure I get you your 'precious' ship." Zidane laughed as he went into the elevator and pushed the buttons that would take him to the third floor of the castle.
Roz couldn't help but laugh herself before running up the stairs and into the guest room. "Riku! Hello! I'm back!" She ran up the stairs that lead to the high platform since Riku was obviously not lounging on the lower and smaller beds below. When she reached the high platform, she stopped suddenly to see Blank and Riku in a tight hug. SHe walked up beside them silently before putting her fist to her mough, leaned forward, and cleared her throat loudly. "Ahem!" The two males quickly pulled away from each other in embarrassment. Roz couldn't help but smile. "It's okay. Just needed to break up the manly conversation/get-together thing for a bit. So, what's going on?"
Blank smiled weakly. "Well, I was just talking to Riku."
"Was," Roz repeated with enthusiasm. "I see. But more importantly, what about?"
Blank looked at Riku who stared back at him, silently, showing no expression. Roz bit her lip when she saw Riku's face, it was just as it was when she talked to him. Blank smiled and patted Riku's shoulder reassuringly; he turned to Roz.
"Well, nothing much. Just that Riku really missed Sora, and he'd like to do something about all this mess, but he doesn't know how," Blank summarized briefly, leaving out a few details on Riku's behalf.
"I'd like to do something too, but I don't think we'll be able to find Sora here. We must travel to the other worlds and search for them there as we go. If we cannot find him in one world, then we finish up and move on." Roz crawled onto the bed, going past Blank and Riku and sitting jsut a 'ways away from them, making a triangle with them. "Look. Sora's gone--it's what I guess--and we won't find him here on this world. We'll go to other worlds and look at them. Okay?"
Blank blinked. "How're you gonna get there? To the other worlds?"
Roz smiled, glad he asked. "I'm gonna use Infiniti. Infiniti, Feng, and I will be one and travel through space to other worlds that way. Though I am not strong enough to handle the ship fully yet, I will have to risk it." Roz saw Riku staring at her with a hidden question deep within his eyes. "And with Feng and Infiniti, I'll search this world first to make sure if Sora has really gone from here. But..." Roz paused to break the eye contact he held with Riku's deep sea-green like eyes. "But... before we will look for Sora, I must make a trip to Traverse Town. I must speak with someone. Is that alright, Riku?" She looked at him, hoping and wanting an answer from his lips.
Riku was silent, holding her gaze. After a while, he slowly opened his mouth. "Ah, yeah. We can. But... how'll we fly it with you at half strength and no one but you and I on board?"
Roz was surprised yet glad that Riku said something. "I was thinking--on the way over here--that maybe Cid'll let us use a few crew members to operate the ship while I'm outta commision or something..." She looked at Blank. "Wha'd'ya think? Is it possible? You think he'll lend a few people to keep the ship on course while I rest?"
Blank opened his mouth, but the answer to Roz's question did not escape from his lips but from someone who was on the steps that led up and down form there. Roz turned to See Zidane sitting jsut at the peak of the steps, grinning at them. "I think Cid'll let ya. Just a few people, right? I could go along..."
Roz's eyes widened. "You would? You wouldn't mind a long journey? Or leaving Dagger and the others?"
"No. Not at all... I don't think... I member or two, and me will be fine to keep the ship in shape on the journey."
"Not without me, you aren't. One girl and the rest are males is unhealthy. And quite wrong, I say..." came another voice, one who was at the foot of the steps. It was Dagger. She had her hands on her hips ass eh climbed the stairs. "I'll be coming as well, Roz. I can't bare it if you were left alone with these men on a long voyage."
Roz cocked an eyebrow, unsure of what to say. "Um... Thanks... Dagger... I guess."
Dagger didn't notice Roz's hesitation and smiled sweetly at her. "That's alright, Roz. Just helping out a fellow female."
Roz gave Dagger a funny look before opening her mouth. "Uh... Y-yeah.... Okay, Dagger....You do that..." Roz quickly turned away from the strange woman and her sense of rightness and turned back to Riku and Blank who were as freaked out and/or confused as she was. "Well, whatever. I guess it's me, Riku, Zidane, and Dagger for the trip. Oh, and a few members of Cid's, right?" Roz glanced over her shoulder just to hear a 'yes' from Zidane before turning back again. "Right. So... I guess that that's all I wanted to talk to you about, other than see if you're still breathing, that is."
"I am still breathing, but I don't know why you went skitzoid when you left." Riku smirked, seeing Roz glare at him.
"Maybe I liked you better when you were depressed and silent..." Roz muttered, pushing herself off the bed, toward the way to the stairs. "Look, I'm gonna go talk to Cid and clear things up a bit, but I'll be right back. But if you want to come with, go right ahead."
Roz walked past Dagger and Zidane, and down the steps, out the door. Roz paused only when Riku asked her to wait as he jumped off hte platform and ran to join her on the way to Cid's chamber. On the elevator ride, Riku leaned on the railing, opposite of the entrance. After a long silence of nothing besides the whirling of the elevator as it climbed higher, RIku cleared his throat, trying to gather Roz's attention. "Eh... Roz?"
Roz looked over her shoulder from the front of the elevator where the controls were. "Yeah?"
Riku scuffed his foot, trying to gather the nerve to thank her. "Well... Th-- ..."
"Thank you?"
Riku looked up to see Roz smiling at him. "Thank you? Is that what you were going to say?"
Riku nodded dumbly. "Well, I mean, you helped me. I was an idiot and a sulky bitch. I mean, you went out of your way to grab Blank and get him to talk to me after you spilled out your story and breath on me. ...Thanks. It helped."
Roz's smile widened. "Not at all... You are most certainly welcome, Riku. Anytime. Friends help each other out..." Roz turned around just as they made it to the third floor where Cid's chamber was. "Let's go."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AN: do they now? Do friends help each other out? does friendship mean anything? who knows.... well, i'm terribly sorry for the lateness of the story... you've read, now review; you knwo the drill.... now.. for the second session of my talk show!!
Me: Welcome once again to my talk show!!
Audience: *cheers*
Me: Okay! Now! For this short session, I'd first like to bring out... Blank! *claps with audience as Blank enters*
Blank: Uh... Hi.
Me: Blank! How do you like this chapter? We'd all like your opinion on it!
Blank: *shrug* I dunno... but you made me too attached to Roz... that, or she's too attached to me and Zidane and all of us...
Me: *gives an innocent and dense look* What do you mean?
Blank: '''
Audience: ^^'''
Blank: Riiiight... Well, I think it's best I leave now..... BYE! *rushes out quickly*
Me: Oo''' How rude... *shrug* oh well! Now! Let's bring out... Cloud, Aerith, Sephiroth, Leon, Yuffie, and Cid!!! Oh! And of course, the MOOGLE!!! *huggles* Yeah! Come on out!!! *they come out*
Cloud: *glares at Seph*
Seph: *returns glare*
Aeirth: *thinks: 'Why are they glaring at each other?'*
Leon: *gives a bored look*
Yuffie: I am the great Ninja Yuffie! Ha-HAH!! *smiles triumphantly*
Cid: I've got a business to run, okay? Why am I here?
Cloud and Seph: *still glaring at each other*
Me: Oo''' I see that we aren't off to a good start today.... Um... Guys? Seph? Cloud? Could you stop... um... glaring at each other for a sec, please??
Cloud and Seph: *don't stop glaring*
Me: Oy Vay.... Oo''' I suppose we should take a break for now.... *signals for the camera to turn off* Come and read for the next seesion of my weird... er... talkshow? Well, I hope you enjoyed the story and I'm very sorry for the delay... And I PROMISE! I WILL have Riku/Sora action soon... but be patient in the slowness of their relationship because of Sora's evilness, Riku's density, Roz's newness of the ship, and anything in there that I haven't named yet... ^^''' But until then, I'm signing off! Bai bai!!! *waves and camera turns off*
*Click*