YAY! Another Chapter. I finally got back from Thanksgiving vacation and am now typing more of Treasured Memories. I've finally figured out most of the timeline, for those of you confused. Sora's 'dream' is the dream at the first of Kingdom Hearts. Ya know, the "Dive into the Heart" or "Destati" scene... or before it. Same thing in my sight. Now, when Sora awakes afterwards... This scene is sometime before Halloween Town, and probably before Atlantica. This chapter has a lot of flashbacks. I think that this story is all flashbacks of Sora's before the final chapter. I think one more chapter oughta do it.
Oh, And thanks again to Kairi099! I enjoy your reviews!
Wait a second before you read... There is a song in this chapter... Yes, a song...! Have any of you seen "Nightmare before Christmas?" Well, my cousin (Lucas- look in the chapter "Take my Hand") has always loved Tim Burton movies and... Well, let's just say "Nightmare before Christmas" is one of his favorites. (Example- My mother and I bought him the movie on DVD... he's watched the French and Spanish version and ALL the extras...) So, Halloween Town is featured in Kingdom Hearts (When he saw the preview, he hated the fact he doesn't have a PS2) and I thought that was great because the movie gets little to no credit. Well, about three weeks ago, maybe four, I was flipping through channels and the movie was on. I watched it with my little sister, who just SAT THERE AND WATCHED IT AND DANCED WITH THE MUSIC! (Cute, nonetheless) Remember when Jack is taking Santa's job and Sally starts singing? I wuv dat song! ... I didn't even have Treasured Memories- the poem- up yet. About a week ago, after I put up the first chapter and left to go to family, I was looking through his (My cousin's) songs. I found this one song called "London After Midnight".... SALLY'S song. After hearing it who knows how many times... I began to think about the next chapter of Treasured Memories.
So, Lucas, I know you'll be reading this because, I send the link to you anyway. The Halloween Town Flashback is dedicated to you. Love ya! ^_^
-Copyrights!- Kingdom Hearts and all characters in this story is owned by Squaresoft and Disney. "Nightmare before Christmas" and Sally's Song is owned by Disney, Tim Burton, and Danny Elfman. Sally's song is sang by London After Midnight.
_
Treasured Memories
Chapter Two- Thoughts of You
_
"Hey, Sora!"
At the voice of his silver-haired friend, Sora turned back to go to Riku, leaving Kairi confused as she watched him run back to Riku. As she saw Sora near Riku, a small smile traced her elegant face. She then gently shook her head at how obvious it was to everyone. She even noticed how Sora and Riku's mothers would whisper to eachother about how cute the two would be together. 'If only they could see how much they care for eachother...' Kairi thought happily as she watched Riku grin at Sora.
_
"Catch."
Something yellow and soft flew in the air, and as if it were slowed, Sora saw it was the fruit which bore something so special that it was not to be taken lightly. "You wanted one, didn't you?" Riku asked the brunette turned the fruit solemnly in his hands. "... paopu fruit..." Sora blushed quietly at the realization that tapped at his brain gently. Did... Riku want to share it with him?
"If two people share one," Riku began, placed a hand over Sora's that contained the star-shaped fruit, He was soon grinning ear to ear like a Cheshire Cat, and Sora then felt his heart skip several beats before popping into his throat. 'Riku... share it with me...' Sora thought hopefully as he imagined Riku sharing the paopu fruit and embracing him in the sunset. However, the image was shattered as Riku continued. "They
shall remain a part of each other's lived no matter what... I know... you want to try it."
Sora's eyes widen at the tone in Riku's voice. It sounded silky and it ended with a purr like velvet. It brought a sense of happiness inside of the brunette... and it brought a tinge of fear... He had never heard Riku use such a voice. He liked it... as much as he hated to admit it. But...
'Riku... can't be serious! He's toying with me! How DARE he!'
Sora snorted before throwing the paopu as his heart broke into a million glass pieces. Riku's laughter filled the air as he ran away towards a waiting Kairi, leaving the younger youth standing like a statue.
"If two people share one, their destinies become intertwined and they'll remain a part of eachother's lives no matter what..."
'Riku... I want my destiny...-'
Sora heard a call for him to follow the other two, which drove the thought to a sudden stop. He turned and began to run down the sandy beach as the tide went back and forth. The sunset glittered itself on the ocean, creating a mirage no one wanted to let go. A... somewhat happy thought entered the brunette's rushed head.
'I want my destiny to be with you...'
_
"You two at it again?"
Riku chuckled arrogantly as Kairi shook her head self-pity for, once again, she found herself as the prize at the end of the race. Sora had came along and said he wanted to name the rafts they had been building to explore what was beyond their island. But, as usual, Riku had a say and decided competition was the solution to the argument.
"All right, ya'll know the rules. Any route, and first one to tag that tree," Kairi twisted her upper body slightly and pointed to a palm tree some distance away from her position. She turned back to the two in front of her, noticing Riku's cocky smirk had widened. "And make it back here wins the race. Got it?"
The two boys nodded and got in their racing stances and waited for Kairi's signal to start. "If I win, I'm captain!" Sora proclaimed as he thought of how impressed Riku would be when he helped the three on their voyage. "And if I win, I get to share a paopu with Kairi," Riku then narrowed his eyes and looked to Kairi. "Can we start now?" "Wait. Sora has to agree... Sora?"
"And if I win, I get to share a paopu with Kairi..."
With Kairi... So last night was a joke on the silver-haired boy's part. Sora seemed to have lost all sense of reality and imagined the painful thought of Riku and Kairi splitting a ripe and juicy paopu for each to share. His heart broke even more than it had already, for Riku's joke and the paopu's mythical laughs menaced in the young boy's mind. He closed his eyes tightly, trying his best not to let those tears that seemed to always threaten his blue irises at the worse time. '... I hate myself for believing him...'
"Sora?"
_
The loud crackle of the white light boomed through the island's air. The windows rattled violently at the volume of such noise and Sora could have cared less. After the race and gathering the rest of the provisions, Sora came home and immediately went upstairs to cry. About an hour later, no more salty liquid drops could fall on his round, red cheeks. 'Riku... you don't care for me, do you?'
Riku had just stood dumbfounded at the hurt look on Sora's face after he spoke his end of his bargain if he won the race... and poor Kairi had to literally shake his shoulders just to bring him back to the hated and hellish reality he grew up in. The only thing Sora thought as he ran to the tree was the fact that Riku would never love him like he loved Riku.
"How could I have been so naïve... How could I have thought that Riku would ever love me? ME!? Of all people!?" Sora began to slam his head into his pillow repeatedly. He soon felt a ache from the abuse and stopped harming his skull. He deserved it though... he deserved it for thinking Riku would return such affections like 'Love' to him... The only person who would ever gain Riku's love was
Kairi... and deep inside, he knew she deserved it... She deserved the entire world...
Didn't she...?
Sora sighed as he turned his head towards the window beside his bed and noticed a swirl of black floating towards Destiny Islands. He gasped fearfully as the thought of the rafts came into his mind. 'I have to go check on them...! Riku and Kairi'll kill me if I don't...!'
Pulling on his yellow shoes and readying his weapon, he proceeded out of his house.
_
Sora neared the island on his raft... He had seen Riku and Kairi's raft from the coastline across the lagoon. How foolish and ignorant were they-!? Going out into a storm like that! Sora felt a rise of anger and worry for his friend as he tied his raft to a palm tree, and then he progressed on to find the two 'stupids', as Sora dubbed them.
"They are coming... be ready, young one!"
Yellow, luminescent eyes snapped opened. Ebony bodies took form around the eyes and began to advance onto Sora. The brunette's blue eyes widened at the shockingly familiar creatures looming before him. "They have come for you...! Escape... Fight!"
He stanced before jumping into the air and slashed his weapon into the hide of a Shadow, but as the blade withdrew, a dark purple glow healed the wound before the sapphire eyes of the destined one. He gulped, then, out of the corner of his eye, saw a flash of silver streak across his vision. "Riku-!" Sora gasped hopefully as he saw the taller male looking at him across the area, waiting patiently for the younger boy to come.
Sora found this time to impress Riku; to show he had skill beyond few. With an animalistic battle cry, he sprinted through the inky darkness around, hitting the glowing eyes ever so often. He saw Riku smile at him as he drew closer, and it was as if angels had come forth and took his heart to soar above the fluffy white clouds of Heaven. Riku had smiled at him... a true smile...!
As he came to stop, panting for breath ever so slightly, he glanced around for the dark pink haired girl.
"Where's Kairi...? I thought she would be with you..." Sora became frantic to find Kairi... If he didn't save her, Riku would lose his 'love'.... and he would be sad... and Sora didn't want to see Riku sad. "Is she all right?" Sora placed a hand on Riku's shoulder gently, admiring the masculinity underneath the pale skin. Oh, how Sora wanted to be wrapped in those muscular arms... to feel safe and warm in Riku's embrace.
"The door has opened... Now we can venture outside of the island... into the outside world!" Riku exclaimed as if he didn't have a care in the world. He wasn't worried about Kairi? "What are you talking about... Where's Ka-" Sora was cut off as Riku flashed a soothing smile to Sora. "She's coming with us... But we might never be able to come back here... do you know that, Sora?"
They might never be able to come back...? What about his parents and everyone else? Would they... ever see them again? Was something... bad going to happen to them? "This may be our only chance, Sora! We can't let fear stop us... I'm not afraid of the darkness!" And as if by cue, a shadow-like wave surrounded the two, and as it plunged downward, a tanned hand reached out for a pale one. A terrified scream "Riku!"
A relieving look came upon the brunette's features as he saw his secret crush reach out for him, calling out his name repetitively as he lunged forward to grab the other's hand. Sora stretched his arm as far as it could to grab Riku. But in Riku's place, a blinding light flashed from their grasping hands. A blade soon took the place of the pale limb of Riku and it began to no longer glow. It was in the shape of a large key and made of gold and silver with a dash of magic. Sora saw this wonder as a gift from Riku... A gift of their hearts.
"Keyblade...Keyblade..."
_
The same luminescent eyes from the night so long ago appeared again, but this time in the Third District of Traverse Town. The three comrades had heard of the Traverse Town Keyhole and came back to investigate so the Heartless would be sealed from that world. "Guess we have a welcoming party..." Sora declared, preparing his Keyblade and Magic to fight of the Heartless and seal the Keyhole. As one Heartless lunged forward, it was caught off guard by a shadow of black and silver. It fell to the ground before disappearing in a raven-colored vapor. The others met with the same fate; their demise at the end of a mysterious sharp edged metal that had the power to cut through their defensive hide.
As the attacker stopped, he turned and chuckled slightly, just enough for Sora to comprehend who the assailant was. "There you are... Where have you been!?" A deep, amicable tone in the male's voice almost brought Sora to tears. He was safe! He was here... with him again. "Riku!" With his words spoken, the brunette leaped onto the older, and began to squeeze the life out of his friend. "I'm not dreaming this time! You're here! You're here!!" Sora squealed happily as he shook with joy. Riku was here....
"Hey! C-cut that out!" Riku broke away from his friend's grip with a soft tint of pink in his cheeks. Immediately, Sora went into a daze. Riku... was... blushing! It was absolutely... adorable! "Took forever to find you," Riku started as Sora's eyes blinked from his dream-like state. "Huh...?" Sora blushed deeply, now aware that he wasn't paying attention to Riku. "Sorry... Um, where's Kairi?"
"I thought she was with you! Well, it doesn't matter, she probably made it off the island. She might even be looking for us right now... But we're free, Sora... Free..." Riku smiled at the thought, unknowing of the evil form lurking behind him. Sapphire eyes expanded as they stared at the razor-sharp claws ready to slice through the distracted male. A soft 'clink' was heard as
Sora tightened his grip on his Keyblade.
"Just leave everything to me... We'll all be together soon. I prom-" Sora's Keyblade swung violently very close to his side. He jumped slightly and saw Sora's... 'sword' as it was taken out of the dying shadow. "Sora... what happened?" He placed a hand on his heaving chest that was panting from shock. "I've been looking everywhere for you... a-and Kairi-!" Sapphire eyes showed nervousness through their endless sea of blue. Riku would've gotten suspicious if he hadn't added Kairi's name quickly. "I've been looking for you two... with their help." Riku cocked an elegant eyebrow to the duck and the tall... dog? He noticed the markings of the mage and guardian on their weapons. They were of high-ranked also, which put Riku between a rock and a hard place.
"Who are they...?" Riku asked curiously, making as if he had never seen them before. He had seen them before, when his... 'superiors' showed him Sora and his two knew friends. It pained him to see Sora happy with them when he wasn't the one making the brunette laugh.
"I'm-" The duck began before being interrupted by Sora. He growled slightly, then saw a sparkle in the
younger boy's eyes. 'What...?' Donald though quaintly. What was Sora doing? It was as if Sora has gotten lost in the male's ice cold eyes.
"We've been to so many worlds, looking for you and Kairi..." Sora glanced over to his feathered friend then looked away quickly, for the red glint of short temper showed in his companions eyes. "Really?! Never would've guessed!" Riku clapped his tanned friend's shoulder roughly, which almost sent the shorter boy into the ground, had he not caught his balance quickly. "And Sora's the Keyblade Master... never would have thought of that," Goofy mentally smirked after his sentence, knowing how Sora was. "What is that supposed to mean, Goofy!?" Sora huffed and crossed his arms in front of his chest and pouted like a child would. "Keyblade, huh?" Riku stole the Keyblade from the sable-haired boy's hand and examined it closely, trying to see if it truly was the legendary blade. "R-riku! Give it back!" The spiky chestnut hair swayed slightly as the owner of the sword Riku held tried to grab back his weapon. One step back, and then Riku smirked. "Catch," Riku threw the Keyblade in the air and saw the hand that seemed so soft to the touch wrap its fingers around the handle.
"You're coming with us... aren't you, Riku?" Sora smiled at the silver-haired boy, whose heart seemed to melt as warmth spread through his muscled body. He smiled back and opened his mouth to speak; to tell that he was going to fight by Sora's side. "No! He can't come with us!"
All eyes turned to Donald's furious proclamation about Riku. "Why can't he!? He's my friend!" Sora glared back at Donald with an equal rage that Goofy backed away. He swore he saw fire crackling in their eyes. "He can't come, and that's final, Sora!" Donald was about to point at Riku to find the accused was gone.
"Riku!?"
Sora began to run around alley, frantically calling Riku's name, trying to find him. "Nice going!" Sora stomped away from the two dumbfounded animals, tears running down his cheeks. He felt the familiar pain in his heart that accompanied him when he felt rejection. It was an ongoing hurt that he knew would never pass.
_
"Why'd you do that, Donald?"
Donald snorted and turned his nose upwards. "I don't like him! That's why!" Donald retorted, unable to see the wrong he had done. "That's still no reason to yell at him and Sora! If you had half a mind, maybe Sora wouldn't have been crying when he ran off!"
"Goofy..." Donald shrank back from the angry captain. Never had he seen Goofy lose his temper, not like this. Maybe a growl or two... but never yelling at the top of his lungs and shaking furiously. "Why are you having such a fit over the boy!? His friend has dark heart, I can tell!" Donald smiled knowing Goofy wouldn't have a good comeback. He was always skilled with ending arguments. "He might have a dark heart, but Sora loves that dark heart with all of his! Once again, your ignorance has blinded you in seeing the truth!"
'Love?'
Donald stopped dead in his thoughts. Love... Love... Love... Love... Light loves the Dark. Didn't Sora have more sense!? "I don't believe you! Sora has some common sense!" the duck's feathers were now standing from their roots up. This was making every bit of him boil. Goofy was calm, however, and began to speak again. "He's known that boy for years, Donald... he has plenty of sense and knows exactly where his heart belongs..."
"Light loves the Dark.... Light loves the Dark... Light loves the Dark... Dark shall consume the Light..."
_
A saddened sigh escaped frowning lips as the owner watched every creature happily dance after the ordeal with the Heartless. He couldn't help but feel happy also, but the memories of his past seemingly played in his mind over and over again. Horrible, really, but not all unpleasant... For there was a boy who brought happiness to the dazed one. One of the dark heart...
"Well, at least the Halloween Town Keyhole is sealed, and Jack has learned the wrong he's
done."
The figure rose to a standing position and tilted his head back to look heavenward. Such a distorted sky, full of chaos and black, but he knew he had similarities with the swirling clouds of Halloween Town. His heart was filled with the same chaos as the sky, and there was almost no way to stop it.
He flicked his tongue over his fangs and straightened out his costume. Strange as it was to him, he loved Halloween Town, because he found these... 'inhabitants' happy in their home that seemed so melancholic. They all helped each other and were friendly, which, once again, seemed strange and utterly... ordinary to him. It was the way they were, he guessed, that reminded him of home. For at home, everyone helped everyone else. It was a custom on living on an island, and Sora traded it for the worlds he had to seal, and he felt that pang of guilt for leaving everyone behind. He never told his mother good-bye...
A tear fell down a shaded cheek. "Mom... wherever you are and whatever you're doing right now, I love you..."
_
The Grave Yard was quiet for the ghosts had left early tonight. (Why? I don't know) Sora was clad in a demonic costume that Donald had conjured up when they brought the Gummi Ship to Halloween Town. He had searched for Riku and Kairi even more vigorously ever sense Riku had showed up in Traverse Town. Such a joy it was to find out Riku was safe... and then Donald had to be so rude to him! How dare he yell at his friend, telling him he couldn't go with the three warriors of Kingdom Hearts!? (Right?)
With a disgruntled sigh, Sora sat upon Midnight Hill and gazed at the moon, which was full with glow of white and yellow. It was much larger than he had ever seen it, and it gave more beauty to the black, eerie aura of this world. It brought a peculiar sense of tranquillity to his mixed up emotions that fought constantly in him. It was agonizing, to say the least, but the demon boy grew familiar with this chaotic war and understood completely why this was happening. The need to find the King, the need to seal the Keyholes, the need to find the Door to the Light, and the need to find the silver haired wonder...
A dreamy reverie sluggishly found its way into the youthful face as the youthful daydreamed about his crush. Such a young adoration accompanied him everywhere he went for the older boy. Ever since they were toddlers, Sora had always felt safe in Riku's presence, and savored every moment of it. Another reason why he admired Riku was because of the protective way his friend had. When they were five, an older kid was picking on Sora, and Riku came and knocked the bully out. It was always like that.
But...
There was a new feeling, a feeling that touched the love for Riku over and over again. Tragedy... Ever since Riku had showed up at Traverse Town while Sora was looking for the Keyhole, a dark haze seemed to faze the wondrous memories of Riku the brunette had. He felt that everything good and pure about his secret love was becoming... evil and disfigured.
(A/N: Lyrics are in -italic-.)
-I sense there's something in the wind,
That feels tragedy's at hand...-
Every thought of Riku brought the dark haze foggier and thicker. Soon, Sora could no longer see the softly glowing light of Riku's smile. It was covered in that hideous mist of evil. And it hurt... it hurt so much for the love he felt for the tall male kept growing and growing. The need to be with the older youth became stronger with each second.
-And though I'd like to stand by you,
Can't shake this feeling that I have...-
Footsteps broke through the heavy silence as a small demon began to walk and twirl down the uncurling hill. The music only the ears of the blue-eyed boy could hear played through the confines of his mind as grabbed a decaying tree with one hand and used it to swing him in another direction. He then felt hands taking his as he closed his eyes and let a soft breath lay with his hair. The stranger began to lead him through the dance of the love he had for the dark hearted boy he was imagining.
-The worst is just around the bend...-
"And does he notice, my feelings for him... And can he see how much he means to me... I think
it's not to be..." Sora began to sing softly with the words that seemed to come out of nowhere. Embracing the stranger, and balancing himself on the tips of his shoes, he let his face snuggle into the towering chest that was above him. They both danced into the gray forest that lurked unknown creatures of the night.
-What will become of my dear friend?
Where will his actions lead us then?
Although I'd like to join the crowd,
In their enthusiastic cloud,
Try as I may, it doesn't last... –
The heat of the mystery person's breath panted on Sora's neck as the neck bent to nuzzle the soft skin of Sora's neck. This brought a likable feeling that was making him shudder from the sensitive administrations. The arm tightened its hold on the black-clothed waist of the Keyblade Master, and dipped the shorter male with gentle grace. Soft lips that were filled with an ice-cold caress kissed the small nose daintily before pulling Sora up into a standing position. The warmth of the arms left the body of the destined one and a small, annoyed grunt came from the boy. Opening his eyes, no one was there to have danced with him.
-And will we ever end up together?
No, I think not,
It's never to become,
For I am not the one...-
_
-¬_¬ Is it over yet? Is the torture OVER!? Okay. Yay! Guess how many pages I typed... TWENTY! And now guess how many words... 4,000+! ^_____^ YAY!
R&R