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Chapter 08 - Reclamation

Disclaimer: I want to end this soon, its gone on too long. There will probably be one nice chapter after this one, but after that, I think I'll be drawing this ficcy to a close. You've all been great and who knows, I may write a sequel someday. Again, any pointers or such things like that are welcome, perhaps even encouragement. Write'em in reviews or send me an e-mail :D. Because Tansoku loves e-mails, yes indeedy.

*ahem* Anyway, on to Business. I do not own Kingdom Hearts, nor do I own Disney or Squaresoft....: ) I shall one day though.

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Sora's eyes opened to only be met with the blinding sunlight shining through the curtains. He closed his eyes tightly, raising his arm up to his face.

"What a night..." he groaned. His other arm explored the other side of the bed curiously...to find...nothing.

"Riku...?" He sat up and looked to his right. Riku was gone as were his clothes which were piled on the chair the night before. With haste, the young man got out of bed and put on his clothing, carefully attaching the various chains and necklaces that he usually wore before running down the hallway into Aerith's room.

"Good morning, Sora." The flower girl smiled cheerfully at him, sitting at Kairi's bedside.

"G-Good morning. Have you seen...Riku?--ERrHm! How is Kairi!?" He fumbled his words out in a nervous crackle. The Flower girl closed her eyes and shook her head.

"I don't know what to say about Kairi, Sora...I've tried every form of Magic I know on her and everything has little or no effect...even the power of my White Materia is useless--" She was interrupted.

"Which you did say, it does

absolutely nothing." Cloud spoke coldly, he was hidden in the corner of the room. Sora shivered as he realized the warrior's presence. Aerith glared stonily before muttering something under her breath.

"And Riku...left for the Secret Place a few hours ago, he said he had to do something important there. Is something wrong?" She tilt her head in concern.

"N..No..Nothings wrong." Sora looked down, wanting to end the conversation and go off in search of answers from his beloved.

Cloud smirked and walked to Sora's side, staring with stained green Mako eyes into Sora's youthful stare. "How was he?" He spoke coldly.

"Err..Excuse me..?"

"...you heard me."

Aerith peered nervously. "Now, Cloud...you shouldn't...ask such things." Before Sora could respond to the spiked haired warrior, he darted out the door and on to the Beach.

A cold breeze brushed through Sora's hair as he crawled through the opening into the Secret Place, the cold stone surrounded him as he made his way down into the cave.

"Rikuuu!? - Are you in here? - Rikuuu!?!" He called. He was met by the echo of his own voice. He sagged before noticing a black cloth before him, he slowly looked up from where the cloth lay.

Maleificient stood above him, a feminine grin fit snugly on her green lips. "Hello boy." She spoke coldly before raising her staff in a swift motion, a ball of green energy formed above it before firing towards Sora, smashing him directly in the chest, sending him off his feet and on to his back. The green fire released a wave of pain throughout Sora's body.

"..y-you.." Sora slowly sat up, grimacing at her as the pain slowly began to pass. He was met by another agonizing sphere of flame, sending him feet into the air and against a cold stone wall. His body fell limply to the ground, his face met with the cold floor. Raising his head slowly, he met her eyes again with his own. "W...what do you want?."

"To be rid of you boy...You've caused me a great deal of trouble...you...thieving boy.., you thought you could steal him from me, my minion of the Darkness?" She let out a hearty laugh, a slender finger pressed against the side of her lips. "You amuse me..."

With what strength he had left, Sora opened his palms, the KeyBlade appeared within them in a brilliant flicker of sparkles. He rose to his feet and charged her. Her eyes widened as if shocked for a moment, her reaction too late as the KeyBlade sunk deeply into her flesh, large quantities of green blood oozed out of her skin and on to the ground.

Sora held fast upon the hilt of his weapon, sliding it quickly as Maleificient staggered backwards, her arms clinging to her staff for support like an elderly hag with difficulties standing up. She peered at Sora, her eyes filled with hatred and disgust.

"Why you...little wretch.." she hissed, a hand sliding down from her staff, suddenly outstretching towards the staggering Sora. A whirling fireball came to life within her palm, suddenly whirling in complex circles towards Sora.

He looked up, the fireball would hit him in seconds, his energy far too sapped to raise his weapon to deflect it. His thoughts muddled and distraught, confusion rang through his ears as he heard Maleificient's evil cackle echo through the stone cavern. Just when Sora thought he was done for, a blue strand of electricity shot past him, striking the Sorceress deep in the chest, sending her across the room into the lone door at the caverns end.

"Get away from him..."

Sora, bruised and battled looked toward the source of the heavenly voice. His silver haired hero stood before him, Riku, with an arm extended and a black KeyBlade wielded in the other.

Suddenly Sora found he could keep his eyes open no more, a weak smile creased his lips as his eye-lids became heavy and all became dark...

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That evil Maleificient, she's quite a hag, isn't she?

...oh dear. I think my writing ability is starting to fade away somewhat. Drat, that isn't good.

Anywho, one chapter after this one, it'll be extra long and full of juicy love love scenes, as well as some action. Perhaps Riku will deal with that hag once and for all, ah yes, that'd be nice. *ahem*

Again, any compliments, flames, suggestions, pointers go to my e-mail or into a review. :D And don't forget to review anyways, they keep me going :\.

Thanks again everyone. Tansoku out.