Author's Note: Hey, sorry for the latenes... but hey! Chappie Nine is up! Be happy! Hey, first, I'd like some people to go to my site: http://www.angelfire.com/punk4/bringerofchaos/home.html and comment, tell me what you think, but know that I am new to this, so be patient and lenient with your flames or whatever you send. But anyway, I really am glad that there are people out there who like my story and are actually reading it. Well, that and reviewing, duh. But really, I had only planned to put this up for my own fun and also for a few friends, but I never knew that others would actually read it too and ... yeah. Well, read and review please. I need them to be inspired and to write mroe. I'm starting to lose intrest in writing this anymore... I would like at least a few reviews for it before I write much more... Thank you...
Chapter Nine
Riku and Roz were in the Infiniti in the Heart Room, or as they refered to it as. Roz had her back to the bubble as she had her hands on her hips as she and Riku talked. She told him of her plans to use Feng and the system to find out where Sora was, and then find out where a certain person was--she wouldn't say who--and then go to them to ask for assistance as well as a few personal things, before going out to search for Sora. At first RIku wanted to jsut hop to it and go and find Sora, but Roz reasoned him by saying that it would be better if we had more forces so that the search would go better, and a few pieces of information wouldn't hurt either, than just "hopping to it" and going out and searching for Sora by themselves. Roz tried coaxing him and leading him out of his drowning sorrow.
"C'mon, now, Riku. It's alright... It'll all be better later, you'll see. Sora always said that, and you love him, right?" Roz paused as Riku nodded, sulking. "Come now. Not like that. The true Sora would laugh at you in your pitiful state and try to cheer you up! Now c'mon, cheer up! It'll all be better int he end, okay? Sora didn't search for you back who-knows-when just because you happened to be part of the package, he did it out of love! He loved you and Kairi, both very much. But now that the Heartless have tainted his pure heart and mind as he gradually had to fight and let out his anger, use his dark feelings to fight his way toward you, he needs you the most to help him back to that carefree, senseless him he once was!" Roz bit her lip and furrowed her brows as Riku just sulkily shrugged, avoiding to look at her. "Riku! Think for a sec, here! You love him, he loves you! Pay attention! put the two together! Love is the biggest thing of all! It will always conquer all evil! I mean, it was Sora's love that helped you when you were lost in the darkness, right? C'mon!!!"
Okay, so maybe her coaxing wasn't really 'coaxing' as it should've been, but she was trying her best to help Riku. How was it that Blank could get the boy to hug him when she couldn't even get him to LOOK at her?!! Roz's expression softened as she stepped closer to Riku. "Look... I know how hard it is, but trust me... I'll make it better." She placed a hand on Riku's shoulder for a moment, trying to comfort him before she gripped him real hard and jerking him to face her. "All right now! I'm TIRED of your sulking!! Cheer up or I'll-- I'll... I'll do something you'll probably regret! .. That, or I will..." Roz grimaced at a few pop-up thoughts. She cleared her throat before letting go of Riku and walking back to her spot. "Look... Just think a bit. Cheer up. It'll all work out, I promise... Now just let me get to work...." Roz jumped backwards into the bubble, being engulfed by it.
Once surrounded by the bubble, she opened herself up to Feng. /Feng...\
Silence followed afterwards for a moment, until a familiar voice rang in her head and around her. [Yes, child?]
/Feng... I have business to deal with... Please... Help me...\
[Of course... But you must know that after this, you will be extremely exhausted... It has not been a day, let alone mroe then a few hours since you have last visited me. And you have not gotten rest... I can tell...]
Roz shook her head. /I don't care... This is important... I want ot find Sora's location... If he is still on Gaea...\
{Ah... child, I can easily do that....] Feng paused for a long moment, as if thinking or processing something. A small humming rang in Roz's ears. [He is not here, child...]
/As i thought... Then please... May we look for Aya? I mean... I would like to know where he is...\
[Of course child... but knowing he too is not here, I will need a bit of your strength...]
/As you wish....\ Roz opened herself up even more to Feng and the Infiniti. She opened her eyes to see that the blues and greens that were originally there, were gone. A fuzzy screen like thing appeared in front of Roz, almost like a television-slash-computer type of thing. Roz put her hand up to the screen and closed her eyes again, searching for Aya's presence. /Aya... Where are you....?\
[Deeper,child. Dig deeper into your powers... into your soul... It will be easier...]
Roz nodded, her head moving slowly as if she was sleeping or trying to. Images flashed through her head, all of which were of different worlds. She landed on Traverse Town suddenly and all the images stopped there. Roz opened her eyes and looked at the screen. /Aya...\ And that was exactly who she saw. She saw the thrid district where her's, Riku's, and Sora's adventure started and all this mess began. Aya was sitting at hte edge of hte fountain, his hands propping him up as he stretched his legs out in front of him and leaned back. So elegant... so peaceful... Roz pursed her lips as emotions flowed over her. /Feng...?\
[Yes, dear?]
/We're going there...\
[As you wish... but you must know that I cannot warp to the place since I have never been there before, let alone do I know if Sir Cid has installed anything of the sort in me.]
/It is but alright...\
[No... Listen now... Since I have no knowledge of the place, then we are to be wandering space until we find it. Understand?]
/I don't care...\
[As you wish... When shall we go?]
/Today... now.\
[Now?]
/Why not?! I don't care!\
Feng sighed. [If ye wish, child... If ye wish...]
/Thank you, Feng... I shall call for assistance and updates on the ship...\
{As you wish, child...]
Riku left the Heart room, overcome with boredom. He walked around the Infiniti, seeking amusment and something to bide his useless and empty time. He let his mind wander of things about him and Sora, and how things came and how they should've been instead of this mess. Riku didn't understand exactly what came over Sora. How did this anger develop? Wait... stupid question. It was because of his battles on the way of rescuing him and Kairi. Kairi mostly, for he loved her more then, but both of them was meant to return. Sora had loved both of them, but Riku did not return the kindness that Sora showed when Sora came to retrieve him and Kairi. Riku had joined evil, certain to get back at Sora for leaving him and Kairi for his worthless friends. But those worthless friends showed him places, took him hera and there, things here and there, and so on. Their adventures together taught him alot, but still, Riku was blind to see that. Riku was too determined in getting back at Sora for deserting him for his animal-like friends to fight the evil that Riku had joined. Sora faught Riku, probably angry for him joining evil, his own growing inside him, deep within where Sora would take no notice of it's development. The anger must've consumed him only but a bit after their adventure, when everything was fine and alright. Riku didn't know if it was his anger for not being helpful to Kairi, or more of Riku being the ass he was in joining evil and putting him through so much pain, or something else.
A weird thought came to Riku, stopping him in his tracks. Maybe... could Ansem have buried this hatred deep within Sora while they fought? Sora, too consumed in avenging Riku's soul to notice where his feelings were leading him? Riku shook his head, unsure of the answer. This was much too confusing for him. Riku looked around to find himself right in front of the control room. He decided that it wouldn't hurt to venture inside since they were soon to journey in it. Once through the doors, he saw Blank leaning on the railing just in front of the 'steering wheel' on the floor.
Blank heard Riku come in, but kept his gaze straight forward, looking outside. Riku appeared next to him a moment later, leaning on the railing next to him. "Hey," he said, greeting Riku a simple word.
"Hey," Riku replied. "'Sup?"
"Watching."
"Watching what?"
Blank pointed in front of him to the veiw beyond the windows. Riku looked, then smiled, understanding. "Zidane..."
Blank nodded. "The ass is clowning around again. I'mjust watching to see if he messes up."
"What's he doing anyway?"
Blank shrugged. "Packing food? I don't know. He eats like a horse, though."
Riku laughed, nodding. "He does... How can a man eat so much?"
Blank chuckled. "I'm not sure, but he can really pack a lot."
The two laughed as images of Zidane packing food in his mouth entered their brains. After their fun, Blank patted Riku on the shoulder. "You know, you remind me a lot of Kuja."
"Who?" Riku didn't know if he'd heard of that name from Zidane before or not.
"Kuja... Zidane's brother. But, as much as you may look like him, you aren't. You're DEFINITELY much nicer... And easy to talk to. Kuja well... he was stuck on killing others and the world." Blank sighed, chuckling. "Much different from Zidane. Kuja was more smooth on his attutude, but serious in battle. Never flinched or was fazed when hurt. Zidane, on the otherhand, was the opposite. He'd glare and sneer, then charge the enemy totally pissed."
"Wow... Kuja didn't even wince when he got hurt?" Riku was really surprised at this. Sure, he, himself didn't flinch when hurt, but, that was when he and the others were play fighting. When he battled Sora, he couldn't say that he never winced the least bit when going up against his love.
"Yup," Blank replied, smiling. "When one of the Eidolons started destroying all that around the Lifa tree, well, Kuja got hit in the blast, but heck! He just looked at the blood and laughed like a madman! Well, he kinda already way, but you knwo what I mean."
Riku nodded dumbly. "Wow... I'm assuming this was amazing because... Was the blast really big?"
"Enough to kill millions..."
Riku's eyes widened. Whoa... That was amazing. Riku stared at Blank with wide eyes, Blank only returning the expression with a smile and looking out at the windows again.
"Soo... I look like Kuja? Zidane's brother?" Riku said after a long silence. Blank only nodded. "Um... What did he look like?"
Blank laughed suddenly, starling Riku. "oh, well, he was more girly, I tell you that. You'd think he was drunk and he'd stumbled across a woman's woredrobe and make-up set."
Riku raised his eyebrows, his eyes widening again. Blank laughed again, this time at Riku's expression. "He had red around his eyes, and stuff on his lips too. He wore clothes much too feminine for good taste, but then again, it matched his feminine features and his long silver hair." Blank brushed away a lock that covered part of Riku's face. "Much, much longer then yours."
Riku flushed in embarrassment and looked away, running his hand through his hair to fix the stray locks on his face. Blank chuckled, amused by Riku's pick face. "Don't worry, I'm not teasing you."
Riku looked at Blank out of the corner of his eye, finding Lank looking down at him, smiling. /Heh...\ Riku thought, he face growing hot. Riku concentrated on looking outside until he saw Zidane wave his butt in the air at Steiner as the dumb knight bounced up and down, ranting and shouting insults at him. Riku couldn't help but laugh.
When Blank looked to see what Riku was laughing about, he too laughed. The tension in the air was lifted as the two's laughter ran in the air.
Zidane, from outside, looked their way and smiled his charming smile, waving. He smiled even more when Riku and Blank both waved at him, full of hysterical laughs.
Blank clapped Riku on the shoulder when Zidane left to return to his work. Riku smiled up at the older male, glad to have his sorrow and pain gone from thinking too deep on situation. When Blank removed his hand from Riku's shoulder, Riku looked out the windows again.
"You really adore him, don't you?"
Blank was startled, caught off gaurd. "What?"
"Him..." Riku waved a hand carelessly to the view before them. He turned to Blank. "Don't you?"
Blank nodded solemnly. Riku nodded as well, understanding. "But he's off limits, isn't he?" Riku said, hunching his shoulders as he sank lower as he leaned on the rails. Again, Blank nodded, keeping silent.
"He loves her, not me." Blank gestured to Dagger who was smiling, innocent and cheerful, working her share of things in preparation of the journey. "He could never return my feelings..."
Riku shook his head. "But... That's exactly what I thought when I realized my feelings for Sora. He loved Kairi, but... When I came back, then I found that he stayed back in Traverse Town and King Mickey's kingdom to find me and King Mickey, I... Well, I started to think things. I had enough time in Kingdom Hearts, the door of light, to think things through. He left Kairi, his love, to find us. I was lost, I told you this already, but... I still think it's worth saying again and again, especially if it's to help you through your troubles as you've helped me."
Blank stared down at Riku, the boy's eyes earnest and true, determined to get his point through. The fire of determination reminded Blank of Zidane when he was on the edge of death, but determined to live it through to save Gaea from his own brother. Blank, always halting went Zidane gave him that same look, looked away from Riku. He sighed heavily and shook his head.
"Fine, fine..."
Riku brightened up immediately. "You know... Maybe you have a chance at him..."
Blank looked over his shoulder at Riku, a brow lifted. "And how do you suppose I do this? He loves Dagger."
"And Sora loved Kairi. LOVED. Past. Did. Not anymore. He feelings so strongly for her dwindled and faded until it returned to the normal sign of friendship. Kairi knew things, more then we knew she had. She understood Sora's and my relationship. Maybe... Maybe... maybe Dagger will too. I dunno. Something like that." Riku furrowed his brows, looking expectantly at Blank.
Blank turned back to his younger friend, staring right into those blue-green eyes. Then, all of a sudden, he laughed, startling Riku. "Reverse sycology. You're practically using my own words against me that I laid on you."
Riku flushed. "Well, it helped me, so why don't you listen to your own words?"
Blank stopped laughing, silent as those words sank in. Blank looked out the windows again, Zidane plain in view. Blank blushed as thoughts he had put away long ago crept up on him all at once. Blank looked away from the windows and looked down at Riku, the determination had not left his eyes just yet. Riku blinked, his vision suddenly doubled. He realized he was crossing his eyes. He shook his head, his eyes closed, before opening them again, looking back up at Blank.
"Well?"
Blank remained silent for a while, continuing to star down at Riku, but wasn't really looking at him for he was too lost in his thoughts. "Hn..."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Need some thinking time?"
Blank shook his head, jolting out of his sea of thoughts. "N- No... I'm fine... Um... Yeah... Maybe she would, but... Not yet... I don't want to say anything to them yet..."
"And why is that?" Riku asked, pushing deeper to find out his thoughts.
"Well... They seem to love each other so much, and me just waltzing up to them in the middle of romance isn't right. If Zidane starts to hold doubts, hesitats, maybe shows a sign of disatisfaction with Dagger, then... Maybe... But... they seem to really think they love each other."
Riku smiled sadly at Blank as the older male stared out the windows again. Riku nodded. "Okay. You leave him to her, find out what they really feel for each other... That's what I did."
Blank looked at Riku questioningly. This part Riku had not expressed to him when they first talked. "Well, when I helped Sora close the final door, I told him, just before it closed, to take care of her. He knew what I meant. I told him to take care of Kairi. I couldn't compete with them, and I hell didn't deserve to be in the middle of their love. It was obvious then that he loved her more then anything in the world, and I... I was an obsticle from achieving his wish to be with her forever. I decided then when I helped him close the door that if I was on the other side, getting locked in, then... I could protect him... Help him and watch over him from afar. But... Sora didn't accept that so after he said his goodbyes to Kairi, I guess he thought that it'd be best to come back to me, keep our friendship triangle linked. He didn't want to leave me out, or lose me, I guess." Riku shook his head. "I'm not sure entirely, but that's what I've guessed so far... I'm sorry, I'm rambling on about theories and stupid ideas of why Sora came back and why we love each other now. I probably sound stupid saying this..."
Blank shook his head. "No... It's okay... You don't sound stupid... Please... continue if you have more..."
Riku shook his head, leaning on the rail so much, his head almost touched the rail itself. "No... I have no more... I think that's as much as I can come up with... I dunno... maybe Sora had doubts? Feelings for me as I for him? But desguised them as his love for Kairi because it seemed reasonable then? I don't know... Maybe he was confused too... I'm not sure, and I hell don't want to think too much on it or I'll be depressed all day." Riku cracked a small smile at Blank, hoping to lighten the mood.
And it did just that. Blank smiled back sweetly, enjoying the boy's company. "Thanks... I guess I have a lot to think about... I enjoy your company, Riku... You really understand what I'm going through..."
Riku laughed. "No, you understand ME. You told me these things that I'm telling you know. I guess we just share the same pains and joys, but think that thosse joys were forbidden to us because they were so insane." Riku shrugged, moving back from the railing. "Ah well... Nice talking to ya, Blank. It really helped, didn't it?"
Blank nodded and watched as Riku left him to think to himself and be, once again, surrounded by silence. Black watched as those outside finished loading supplies for those who would be aboard the ship for the journey. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when someone spoke in his head. He recongnized it as Roz's.
/Blank? Are you there?\
//Yeah? What is it, Roz?\\
/Oh... Good... Is everything ready for the trip?\
Blank blinked. //Huh? Um... Almost... Why?\\
[The child would like to take off as soon as possible.] came a new voice that Blank heard once before.
//Um... Who're you again?\\
[She calls me Feng, dear...]
Blank shrugged. //Whatever... But... I don't think everyone's ready quite ready yet...\\
/Well, they should be! Can we please hurry? I want tojet as soon as possible!!\
Blank grimaced. //Uh... Sure... I'll inform the others...\\
[Thank you dear...]
//Whatever....\\ Blank straightened up and left to tell the others about Roz's immediate decision.
After a long preparation, they lifted off into space. Roz was shouting at everyone until they'd finally lifted off, angry for the delay. They flew for about an hour now, not sure exactly where they were to go in finding Traverse Town. When they came across another world, the crew was extremely excited, Roz especially. But... something seemed wrong to her. When they landed, her suspicions were confirmed. They had landed on a strange land, not Traverse Town as they'd wanted.
"Uh oh... Are we supposed to be here?" Dagger asked, her hand over her mouth.
Riku shook his head. "No... this isn't Traverse Town... But what exactly this place is, I don't know..."
They were parked on a foresty place to hide the air ship, in case no one knew what it was, and they didn't want to track attention. Riku scratched the back of his head and tugged on Blank's arm. "Hey... Come with me to get Roz." Blank nodded and went to get her.
When they came back, Roz was getting a piggy-back ride from Riku, much to his distaste. When Riku put her down at hte from of the 'wheel' of the ship, Roz leaned on it for support; her legs have not gotten used to standing agian just yet. She cleared her throat for everyone to hear her. "Um... According to Feng, there should be a village just south east of here. I'm planning on visiting it, so... Who'd like to come?"
Riku immediately volunteered. "I'm going... Besides... you can't walk on your own yet."
Blank, too offered his assistance. "I'll gladly come... Couldn't hurt to have an extra helping hand..."
Roz looked around to see if anyone else wanted to go. Zidane, unusually, didn't say a thing, but when she looked at him carefully, she cocked an eyebrow. "ZIDANE!! WAKE UP!!" she shouted, jolting the sleeping male awake.
"UAAAH! MONSTERS ON THE PROWL!! PREPARE FOR ATTACK!!! AAAH!!" Zidane screamed, drawing his double-sided sword and crouching into a stance.
Everyone laughed, leaving Zidane confused as he looked fromone person to another. He looked down at himself and smiled sheepishly, putting away his weapon.
Roz smiled. "Okay... Zidane? Would you like to come with us?"
Zidane scratched his head, looking up at Roz who was on the higher platform. "Go where?"
"Well, we're gonna scout a nearby village and learn about what's there and where the heck we are..." Riku said before Roz could answer.
Roz blinked at Riku before turning back at Zidane and nodded. "Wunna come?"
Zidane shrugged. "Sure. I have no objection to it."
Riku looked at Blank and raised an eyebrow at him. Blank looked back at Riku and cleared his throat awkwardly. He looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment. Riku chuckled lightly, and shook his head when Roz turned around and have him a questioning look.
"It's nothing... C'mon... Let's just go..." Riku said as he laughed, changing the subject and lowering himself so that Roz could climb on his back.
Roz rolled her eyes before letting Riku lift her onto her back, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs at his waist. "Whatever..." Roz let Riku hold onto her in the place where she would've slapped him for, but she knew that she would've fallen if he didn't.
Riku signaled to the others to stay, and he, Roz, Blank, and Zidane went out of the ship to go find the village, leaving the others inside to maintain the ship until they got back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AN: hey... i'm glad i finished that... now... for a few messeges: I am afraid that I have lost inspiration for the story, as I know I have told you before, and I believe I must stop continuing the story until I feel that my work is worthy to others. I at least want a few good reviews, cheering me on to write more so that I know that I stand corrected. I am sorry for the delay, but like I've said, I have lost inspiration and I at least owe you, my faithful (but so few) readers, a chapter along with this notice. Now this may seem wrong to you, that I am pausing the progress of the story, but I am afraid I must do so. As I have said, I have lost the joy in writing it for I feel that my story is just not worth continuing if people don't have the curtisy to read and review it as I have asked time and time again. Now... If i have gotten my point across, then I shall add a bit of my stupid and moronic, and even MORE worthless talk show...
Me: Hello... Hello... I don't feel like giving greetings because I don't feel up to it... ;-; Well... anyway... I think that we should get Blank out here to answer a reviewer's question. *Blank comes out*
Blank: AGAIN?! Last time I was here, it was a waste of time...
Me: *smiles sadly* I'm sorry... but this time, you are needed..... unlike me and my damn story that no one reads or reviews... ;-;
Blank:... Okkkaaay...? Well, dont' waste my time and ask the question already.
Me: *sniffles* ...? Huh? ...! Oh! Um... This is from AnimeFan. Um... Why were you hugging Riku?
Blank:...? Oo Well, that's a stupid question. Dude should be asking YOU, not ME!
Me: Well, fuck off. Answer it anyway.
Blank: O_o''' Fine... fine... *sighs* Well, see... It's that Roz wanted me to talk to Riku, right? Well, it's that Riku got emotional and... well...
[behind the curtains: Riku:I'M NOT EMOTIONAL!!! SHUT UP!!]
Blank: ... um... Okkaaaay...?
Me:Oo'' Um... continue please... And we might as well get him out here too... Riku...? *Riku comes out*
Riku: *huffs* I'm not emotional! The hell you say I am!!
Me: Wow... You're a lot like Kyou-kun...
[Somewhere else: Kyou: NANI?! I DON'T KNOW THIS GIRL! HOW THE HELL DOES SHE KNOW ME?!!
Yuki: Well, you aren't exactly unnoticable...
Kyou: Damn right I'm not! ... Wait... Hell! Kuso-nezumi! Shut up!
Yuki: No... I'll just sit here and watch, thank you...
Kyou: No! My television! my time! Go tend to that damn garden of yours or something! Go away!
Yuki: -_- No...
Kyou: DAMNIT!!!]
Riku: *looks around* did you hear something?
Me: *looks around* ... *shrug* I dunno... and I don't care... Now sit your butt down so Blank can continue...
Riku: *rolls eyes* Whatever... *sits*
Me: *gestures* Blank? Continue, please...
Blank: *clears throat* Well, anyway... Riku and I were talking out his problems, and... Well, Riku went... *glances at Riku, seing the evil glare, then clears his throat* er... skitzoid? And uh... Well, we talked, and tehn we hugged after it was all sorted out.
Me: That's it? That's the best you can come up with?
Blank: *shrug* I'm not gonna say what REALLY happened... Totally R rated...
Me: OO''' Um... *clear throat* um... Okay then... Um... *turns to audience* Uh... I guess that's as best as I can give ya, AnimeFan... Like he said, it's 'R rated'... and... If I wrote the story,a nd he did it, then... um.... Oo''' Yeah... It's not suited for public ears... Oo''' Well, until next time... if there IS a next time... see ya... R and R, or no next chapter guys... and I swear it... I won't write if I don't think it's worth my time when no one even reads or reviews it... So to my more dedicated fans, I apologize... AnimeFan especially since you have shown the most that you enjoy reading my story... Well, until next time, goodbye... *bows*
Chapter Nine
Riku and Roz were in the Infiniti in the Heart Room, or as they refered to it as. Roz had her back to the bubble as she had her hands on her hips as she and Riku talked. She told him of her plans to use Feng and the system to find out where Sora was, and then find out where a certain person was--she wouldn't say who--and then go to them to ask for assistance as well as a few personal things, before going out to search for Sora. At first RIku wanted to jsut hop to it and go and find Sora, but Roz reasoned him by saying that it would be better if we had more forces so that the search would go better, and a few pieces of information wouldn't hurt either, than just "hopping to it" and going out and searching for Sora by themselves. Roz tried coaxing him and leading him out of his drowning sorrow.
"C'mon, now, Riku. It's alright... It'll all be better later, you'll see. Sora always said that, and you love him, right?" Roz paused as Riku nodded, sulking. "Come now. Not like that. The true Sora would laugh at you in your pitiful state and try to cheer you up! Now c'mon, cheer up! It'll all be better int he end, okay? Sora didn't search for you back who-knows-when just because you happened to be part of the package, he did it out of love! He loved you and Kairi, both very much. But now that the Heartless have tainted his pure heart and mind as he gradually had to fight and let out his anger, use his dark feelings to fight his way toward you, he needs you the most to help him back to that carefree, senseless him he once was!" Roz bit her lip and furrowed her brows as Riku just sulkily shrugged, avoiding to look at her. "Riku! Think for a sec, here! You love him, he loves you! Pay attention! put the two together! Love is the biggest thing of all! It will always conquer all evil! I mean, it was Sora's love that helped you when you were lost in the darkness, right? C'mon!!!"
Okay, so maybe her coaxing wasn't really 'coaxing' as it should've been, but she was trying her best to help Riku. How was it that Blank could get the boy to hug him when she couldn't even get him to LOOK at her?!! Roz's expression softened as she stepped closer to Riku. "Look... I know how hard it is, but trust me... I'll make it better." She placed a hand on Riku's shoulder for a moment, trying to comfort him before she gripped him real hard and jerking him to face her. "All right now! I'm TIRED of your sulking!! Cheer up or I'll-- I'll... I'll do something you'll probably regret! .. That, or I will..." Roz grimaced at a few pop-up thoughts. She cleared her throat before letting go of Riku and walking back to her spot. "Look... Just think a bit. Cheer up. It'll all work out, I promise... Now just let me get to work...." Roz jumped backwards into the bubble, being engulfed by it.
Once surrounded by the bubble, she opened herself up to Feng. /Feng...\
Silence followed afterwards for a moment, until a familiar voice rang in her head and around her. [Yes, child?]
/Feng... I have business to deal with... Please... Help me...\
[Of course... But you must know that after this, you will be extremely exhausted... It has not been a day, let alone mroe then a few hours since you have last visited me. And you have not gotten rest... I can tell...]
Roz shook her head. /I don't care... This is important... I want ot find Sora's location... If he is still on Gaea...\
{Ah... child, I can easily do that....] Feng paused for a long moment, as if thinking or processing something. A small humming rang in Roz's ears. [He is not here, child...]
/As i thought... Then please... May we look for Aya? I mean... I would like to know where he is...\
[Of course child... but knowing he too is not here, I will need a bit of your strength...]
/As you wish....\ Roz opened herself up even more to Feng and the Infiniti. She opened her eyes to see that the blues and greens that were originally there, were gone. A fuzzy screen like thing appeared in front of Roz, almost like a television-slash-computer type of thing. Roz put her hand up to the screen and closed her eyes again, searching for Aya's presence. /Aya... Where are you....?\
[Deeper,child. Dig deeper into your powers... into your soul... It will be easier...]
Roz nodded, her head moving slowly as if she was sleeping or trying to. Images flashed through her head, all of which were of different worlds. She landed on Traverse Town suddenly and all the images stopped there. Roz opened her eyes and looked at the screen. /Aya...\ And that was exactly who she saw. She saw the thrid district where her's, Riku's, and Sora's adventure started and all this mess began. Aya was sitting at hte edge of hte fountain, his hands propping him up as he stretched his legs out in front of him and leaned back. So elegant... so peaceful... Roz pursed her lips as emotions flowed over her. /Feng...?\
[Yes, dear?]
/We're going there...\
[As you wish... but you must know that I cannot warp to the place since I have never been there before, let alone do I know if Sir Cid has installed anything of the sort in me.]
/It is but alright...\
[No... Listen now... Since I have no knowledge of the place, then we are to be wandering space until we find it. Understand?]
/I don't care...\
[As you wish... When shall we go?]
/Today... now.\
[Now?]
/Why not?! I don't care!\
Feng sighed. [If ye wish, child... If ye wish...]
/Thank you, Feng... I shall call for assistance and updates on the ship...\
{As you wish, child...]
Riku left the Heart room, overcome with boredom. He walked around the Infiniti, seeking amusment and something to bide his useless and empty time. He let his mind wander of things about him and Sora, and how things came and how they should've been instead of this mess. Riku didn't understand exactly what came over Sora. How did this anger develop? Wait... stupid question. It was because of his battles on the way of rescuing him and Kairi. Kairi mostly, for he loved her more then, but both of them was meant to return. Sora had loved both of them, but Riku did not return the kindness that Sora showed when Sora came to retrieve him and Kairi. Riku had joined evil, certain to get back at Sora for leaving him and Kairi for his worthless friends. But those worthless friends showed him places, took him hera and there, things here and there, and so on. Their adventures together taught him alot, but still, Riku was blind to see that. Riku was too determined in getting back at Sora for deserting him for his animal-like friends to fight the evil that Riku had joined. Sora faught Riku, probably angry for him joining evil, his own growing inside him, deep within where Sora would take no notice of it's development. The anger must've consumed him only but a bit after their adventure, when everything was fine and alright. Riku didn't know if it was his anger for not being helpful to Kairi, or more of Riku being the ass he was in joining evil and putting him through so much pain, or something else.
A weird thought came to Riku, stopping him in his tracks. Maybe... could Ansem have buried this hatred deep within Sora while they fought? Sora, too consumed in avenging Riku's soul to notice where his feelings were leading him? Riku shook his head, unsure of the answer. This was much too confusing for him. Riku looked around to find himself right in front of the control room. He decided that it wouldn't hurt to venture inside since they were soon to journey in it. Once through the doors, he saw Blank leaning on the railing just in front of the 'steering wheel' on the floor.
Blank heard Riku come in, but kept his gaze straight forward, looking outside. Riku appeared next to him a moment later, leaning on the railing next to him. "Hey," he said, greeting Riku a simple word.
"Hey," Riku replied. "'Sup?"
"Watching."
"Watching what?"
Blank pointed in front of him to the veiw beyond the windows. Riku looked, then smiled, understanding. "Zidane..."
Blank nodded. "The ass is clowning around again. I'mjust watching to see if he messes up."
"What's he doing anyway?"
Blank shrugged. "Packing food? I don't know. He eats like a horse, though."
Riku laughed, nodding. "He does... How can a man eat so much?"
Blank chuckled. "I'm not sure, but he can really pack a lot."
The two laughed as images of Zidane packing food in his mouth entered their brains. After their fun, Blank patted Riku on the shoulder. "You know, you remind me a lot of Kuja."
"Who?" Riku didn't know if he'd heard of that name from Zidane before or not.
"Kuja... Zidane's brother. But, as much as you may look like him, you aren't. You're DEFINITELY much nicer... And easy to talk to. Kuja well... he was stuck on killing others and the world." Blank sighed, chuckling. "Much different from Zidane. Kuja was more smooth on his attutude, but serious in battle. Never flinched or was fazed when hurt. Zidane, on the otherhand, was the opposite. He'd glare and sneer, then charge the enemy totally pissed."
"Wow... Kuja didn't even wince when he got hurt?" Riku was really surprised at this. Sure, he, himself didn't flinch when hurt, but, that was when he and the others were play fighting. When he battled Sora, he couldn't say that he never winced the least bit when going up against his love.
"Yup," Blank replied, smiling. "When one of the Eidolons started destroying all that around the Lifa tree, well, Kuja got hit in the blast, but heck! He just looked at the blood and laughed like a madman! Well, he kinda already way, but you knwo what I mean."
Riku nodded dumbly. "Wow... I'm assuming this was amazing because... Was the blast really big?"
"Enough to kill millions..."
Riku's eyes widened. Whoa... That was amazing. Riku stared at Blank with wide eyes, Blank only returning the expression with a smile and looking out at the windows again.
"Soo... I look like Kuja? Zidane's brother?" Riku said after a long silence. Blank only nodded. "Um... What did he look like?"
Blank laughed suddenly, starling Riku. "oh, well, he was more girly, I tell you that. You'd think he was drunk and he'd stumbled across a woman's woredrobe and make-up set."
Riku raised his eyebrows, his eyes widening again. Blank laughed again, this time at Riku's expression. "He had red around his eyes, and stuff on his lips too. He wore clothes much too feminine for good taste, but then again, it matched his feminine features and his long silver hair." Blank brushed away a lock that covered part of Riku's face. "Much, much longer then yours."
Riku flushed in embarrassment and looked away, running his hand through his hair to fix the stray locks on his face. Blank chuckled, amused by Riku's pick face. "Don't worry, I'm not teasing you."
Riku looked at Blank out of the corner of his eye, finding Lank looking down at him, smiling. /Heh...\ Riku thought, he face growing hot. Riku concentrated on looking outside until he saw Zidane wave his butt in the air at Steiner as the dumb knight bounced up and down, ranting and shouting insults at him. Riku couldn't help but laugh.
When Blank looked to see what Riku was laughing about, he too laughed. The tension in the air was lifted as the two's laughter ran in the air.
Zidane, from outside, looked their way and smiled his charming smile, waving. He smiled even more when Riku and Blank both waved at him, full of hysterical laughs.
Blank clapped Riku on the shoulder when Zidane left to return to his work. Riku smiled up at the older male, glad to have his sorrow and pain gone from thinking too deep on situation. When Blank removed his hand from Riku's shoulder, Riku looked out the windows again.
"You really adore him, don't you?"
Blank was startled, caught off gaurd. "What?"
"Him..." Riku waved a hand carelessly to the view before them. He turned to Blank. "Don't you?"
Blank nodded solemnly. Riku nodded as well, understanding. "But he's off limits, isn't he?" Riku said, hunching his shoulders as he sank lower as he leaned on the rails. Again, Blank nodded, keeping silent.
"He loves her, not me." Blank gestured to Dagger who was smiling, innocent and cheerful, working her share of things in preparation of the journey. "He could never return my feelings..."
Riku shook his head. "But... That's exactly what I thought when I realized my feelings for Sora. He loved Kairi, but... When I came back, then I found that he stayed back in Traverse Town and King Mickey's kingdom to find me and King Mickey, I... Well, I started to think things. I had enough time in Kingdom Hearts, the door of light, to think things through. He left Kairi, his love, to find us. I was lost, I told you this already, but... I still think it's worth saying again and again, especially if it's to help you through your troubles as you've helped me."
Blank stared down at Riku, the boy's eyes earnest and true, determined to get his point through. The fire of determination reminded Blank of Zidane when he was on the edge of death, but determined to live it through to save Gaea from his own brother. Blank, always halting went Zidane gave him that same look, looked away from Riku. He sighed heavily and shook his head.
"Fine, fine..."
Riku brightened up immediately. "You know... Maybe you have a chance at him..."
Blank looked over his shoulder at Riku, a brow lifted. "And how do you suppose I do this? He loves Dagger."
"And Sora loved Kairi. LOVED. Past. Did. Not anymore. He feelings so strongly for her dwindled and faded until it returned to the normal sign of friendship. Kairi knew things, more then we knew she had. She understood Sora's and my relationship. Maybe... Maybe... maybe Dagger will too. I dunno. Something like that." Riku furrowed his brows, looking expectantly at Blank.
Blank turned back to his younger friend, staring right into those blue-green eyes. Then, all of a sudden, he laughed, startling Riku. "Reverse sycology. You're practically using my own words against me that I laid on you."
Riku flushed. "Well, it helped me, so why don't you listen to your own words?"
Blank stopped laughing, silent as those words sank in. Blank looked out the windows again, Zidane plain in view. Blank blushed as thoughts he had put away long ago crept up on him all at once. Blank looked away from the windows and looked down at Riku, the determination had not left his eyes just yet. Riku blinked, his vision suddenly doubled. He realized he was crossing his eyes. He shook his head, his eyes closed, before opening them again, looking back up at Blank.
"Well?"
Blank remained silent for a while, continuing to star down at Riku, but wasn't really looking at him for he was too lost in his thoughts. "Hn..."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Need some thinking time?"
Blank shook his head, jolting out of his sea of thoughts. "N- No... I'm fine... Um... Yeah... Maybe she would, but... Not yet... I don't want to say anything to them yet..."
"And why is that?" Riku asked, pushing deeper to find out his thoughts.
"Well... They seem to love each other so much, and me just waltzing up to them in the middle of romance isn't right. If Zidane starts to hold doubts, hesitats, maybe shows a sign of disatisfaction with Dagger, then... Maybe... But... they seem to really think they love each other."
Riku smiled sadly at Blank as the older male stared out the windows again. Riku nodded. "Okay. You leave him to her, find out what they really feel for each other... That's what I did."
Blank looked at Riku questioningly. This part Riku had not expressed to him when they first talked. "Well, when I helped Sora close the final door, I told him, just before it closed, to take care of her. He knew what I meant. I told him to take care of Kairi. I couldn't compete with them, and I hell didn't deserve to be in the middle of their love. It was obvious then that he loved her more then anything in the world, and I... I was an obsticle from achieving his wish to be with her forever. I decided then when I helped him close the door that if I was on the other side, getting locked in, then... I could protect him... Help him and watch over him from afar. But... Sora didn't accept that so after he said his goodbyes to Kairi, I guess he thought that it'd be best to come back to me, keep our friendship triangle linked. He didn't want to leave me out, or lose me, I guess." Riku shook his head. "I'm not sure entirely, but that's what I've guessed so far... I'm sorry, I'm rambling on about theories and stupid ideas of why Sora came back and why we love each other now. I probably sound stupid saying this..."
Blank shook his head. "No... It's okay... You don't sound stupid... Please... continue if you have more..."
Riku shook his head, leaning on the rail so much, his head almost touched the rail itself. "No... I have no more... I think that's as much as I can come up with... I dunno... maybe Sora had doubts? Feelings for me as I for him? But desguised them as his love for Kairi because it seemed reasonable then? I don't know... Maybe he was confused too... I'm not sure, and I hell don't want to think too much on it or I'll be depressed all day." Riku cracked a small smile at Blank, hoping to lighten the mood.
And it did just that. Blank smiled back sweetly, enjoying the boy's company. "Thanks... I guess I have a lot to think about... I enjoy your company, Riku... You really understand what I'm going through..."
Riku laughed. "No, you understand ME. You told me these things that I'm telling you know. I guess we just share the same pains and joys, but think that thosse joys were forbidden to us because they were so insane." Riku shrugged, moving back from the railing. "Ah well... Nice talking to ya, Blank. It really helped, didn't it?"
Blank nodded and watched as Riku left him to think to himself and be, once again, surrounded by silence. Black watched as those outside finished loading supplies for those who would be aboard the ship for the journey. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when someone spoke in his head. He recongnized it as Roz's.
/Blank? Are you there?\
//Yeah? What is it, Roz?\\
/Oh... Good... Is everything ready for the trip?\
Blank blinked. //Huh? Um... Almost... Why?\\
[The child would like to take off as soon as possible.] came a new voice that Blank heard once before.
//Um... Who're you again?\\
[She calls me Feng, dear...]
Blank shrugged. //Whatever... But... I don't think everyone's ready quite ready yet...\\
/Well, they should be! Can we please hurry? I want tojet as soon as possible!!\
Blank grimaced. //Uh... Sure... I'll inform the others...\\
[Thank you dear...]
//Whatever....\\ Blank straightened up and left to tell the others about Roz's immediate decision.
After a long preparation, they lifted off into space. Roz was shouting at everyone until they'd finally lifted off, angry for the delay. They flew for about an hour now, not sure exactly where they were to go in finding Traverse Town. When they came across another world, the crew was extremely excited, Roz especially. But... something seemed wrong to her. When they landed, her suspicions were confirmed. They had landed on a strange land, not Traverse Town as they'd wanted.
"Uh oh... Are we supposed to be here?" Dagger asked, her hand over her mouth.
Riku shook his head. "No... this isn't Traverse Town... But what exactly this place is, I don't know..."
They were parked on a foresty place to hide the air ship, in case no one knew what it was, and they didn't want to track attention. Riku scratched the back of his head and tugged on Blank's arm. "Hey... Come with me to get Roz." Blank nodded and went to get her.
When they came back, Roz was getting a piggy-back ride from Riku, much to his distaste. When Riku put her down at hte from of the 'wheel' of the ship, Roz leaned on it for support; her legs have not gotten used to standing agian just yet. She cleared her throat for everyone to hear her. "Um... According to Feng, there should be a village just south east of here. I'm planning on visiting it, so... Who'd like to come?"
Riku immediately volunteered. "I'm going... Besides... you can't walk on your own yet."
Blank, too offered his assistance. "I'll gladly come... Couldn't hurt to have an extra helping hand..."
Roz looked around to see if anyone else wanted to go. Zidane, unusually, didn't say a thing, but when she looked at him carefully, she cocked an eyebrow. "ZIDANE!! WAKE UP!!" she shouted, jolting the sleeping male awake.
"UAAAH! MONSTERS ON THE PROWL!! PREPARE FOR ATTACK!!! AAAH!!" Zidane screamed, drawing his double-sided sword and crouching into a stance.
Everyone laughed, leaving Zidane confused as he looked fromone person to another. He looked down at himself and smiled sheepishly, putting away his weapon.
Roz smiled. "Okay... Zidane? Would you like to come with us?"
Zidane scratched his head, looking up at Roz who was on the higher platform. "Go where?"
"Well, we're gonna scout a nearby village and learn about what's there and where the heck we are..." Riku said before Roz could answer.
Roz blinked at Riku before turning back at Zidane and nodded. "Wunna come?"
Zidane shrugged. "Sure. I have no objection to it."
Riku looked at Blank and raised an eyebrow at him. Blank looked back at Riku and cleared his throat awkwardly. He looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment. Riku chuckled lightly, and shook his head when Roz turned around and have him a questioning look.
"It's nothing... C'mon... Let's just go..." Riku said as he laughed, changing the subject and lowering himself so that Roz could climb on his back.
Roz rolled her eyes before letting Riku lift her onto her back, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs at his waist. "Whatever..." Roz let Riku hold onto her in the place where she would've slapped him for, but she knew that she would've fallen if he didn't.
Riku signaled to the others to stay, and he, Roz, Blank, and Zidane went out of the ship to go find the village, leaving the others inside to maintain the ship until they got back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AN: hey... i'm glad i finished that... now... for a few messeges: I am afraid that I have lost inspiration for the story, as I know I have told you before, and I believe I must stop continuing the story until I feel that my work is worthy to others. I at least want a few good reviews, cheering me on to write more so that I know that I stand corrected. I am sorry for the delay, but like I've said, I have lost inspiration and I at least owe you, my faithful (but so few) readers, a chapter along with this notice. Now this may seem wrong to you, that I am pausing the progress of the story, but I am afraid I must do so. As I have said, I have lost the joy in writing it for I feel that my story is just not worth continuing if people don't have the curtisy to read and review it as I have asked time and time again. Now... If i have gotten my point across, then I shall add a bit of my stupid and moronic, and even MORE worthless talk show...
Me: Hello... Hello... I don't feel like giving greetings because I don't feel up to it... ;-; Well... anyway... I think that we should get Blank out here to answer a reviewer's question. *Blank comes out*
Blank: AGAIN?! Last time I was here, it was a waste of time...
Me: *smiles sadly* I'm sorry... but this time, you are needed..... unlike me and my damn story that no one reads or reviews... ;-;
Blank:... Okkkaaay...? Well, dont' waste my time and ask the question already.
Me: *sniffles* ...? Huh? ...! Oh! Um... This is from AnimeFan. Um... Why were you hugging Riku?
Blank:...? Oo Well, that's a stupid question. Dude should be asking YOU, not ME!
Me: Well, fuck off. Answer it anyway.
Blank: O_o''' Fine... fine... *sighs* Well, see... It's that Roz wanted me to talk to Riku, right? Well, it's that Riku got emotional and... well...
[behind the curtains: Riku:I'M NOT EMOTIONAL!!! SHUT UP!!]
Blank: ... um... Okkaaaay...?
Me:Oo'' Um... continue please... And we might as well get him out here too... Riku...? *Riku comes out*
Riku: *huffs* I'm not emotional! The hell you say I am!!
Me: Wow... You're a lot like Kyou-kun...
[Somewhere else: Kyou: NANI?! I DON'T KNOW THIS GIRL! HOW THE HELL DOES SHE KNOW ME?!!
Yuki: Well, you aren't exactly unnoticable...
Kyou: Damn right I'm not! ... Wait... Hell! Kuso-nezumi! Shut up!
Yuki: No... I'll just sit here and watch, thank you...
Kyou: No! My television! my time! Go tend to that damn garden of yours or something! Go away!
Yuki: -_- No...
Kyou: DAMNIT!!!]
Riku: *looks around* did you hear something?
Me: *looks around* ... *shrug* I dunno... and I don't care... Now sit your butt down so Blank can continue...
Riku: *rolls eyes* Whatever... *sits*
Me: *gestures* Blank? Continue, please...
Blank: *clears throat* Well, anyway... Riku and I were talking out his problems, and... Well, Riku went... *glances at Riku, seing the evil glare, then clears his throat* er... skitzoid? And uh... Well, we talked, and tehn we hugged after it was all sorted out.
Me: That's it? That's the best you can come up with?
Blank: *shrug* I'm not gonna say what REALLY happened... Totally R rated...
Me: OO''' Um... *clear throat* um... Okay then... Um... *turns to audience* Uh... I guess that's as best as I can give ya, AnimeFan... Like he said, it's 'R rated'... and... If I wrote the story,a nd he did it, then... um.... Oo''' Yeah... It's not suited for public ears... Oo''' Well, until next time... if there IS a next time... see ya... R and R, or no next chapter guys... and I swear it... I won't write if I don't think it's worth my time when no one even reads or reviews it... So to my more dedicated fans, I apologize... AnimeFan especially since you have shown the most that you enjoy reading my story... Well, until next time, goodbye... *bows*