AN: Hey! I'm back in action people! (Woot!) Thanks a million for the review(s)! I'm glad you enjoy what I've given and I hope, wish, plead and beg for more! Please don't tell me you're scared off by what I've given. If anyone's asking, I have not specified the coupling, and probably won't have a definite one for quite some time... I mean, really, does this story need one? wink Really, it's not basically romance, here. This is Riku's second chance, people! And if you want a show of Sora or Kairi in this story, don't worry, not all action is isolated to Riku. In time, other scenes will sneak their way in... ^^ And don't you just wonder how I'll portray Kuja? (Heehee!) Well, please keep those things coming! Especially you, my dear Vix! Your reviews just absolutely surprise me and make me happy even though I'm low on reviews (T__T) and I need more!

Tides of Fire

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Chapter Nine

"Kairi? What are you doing?"

The redhead looked up suddenly, wiping the tears and streamed down her cheeks. Blinking a few times, she turned around to face the owner of the voice. Before her was Selphie, concern in her eyes even as she approached her.

"...Are you crying?"

Kairi laughed a bit. "No way! Why would I?"

Selphie frowned. "Because they're both gone... again."

Kairi shook her head, laughing it off again. "Nah, I'm fine. Even though, I know they'll come back to me... to all of us."

Selphie sat down with the girl on the trunk of the Paopu tree. "What are you going to tell them this time?"

The redhead shook her head. "I don't know. I have no excuses to make up this time. And I can't tell the truth, for I don't even know the truth! ...What am I supposed to do, Selphie? What am I supposed to say when I have nothing to say?"

The brunette bit her lip, having witnessed for the second time her friend break down in deep confusion. She didn't like how she was put through emotional pain and was separated from two great guys she was very close to on the island. Not knowing what else to do, she hugged the redhead in hoped of comforting her. Moments passed before Kairi pulled away and smiled gratefully at the brunette.

"Thanks, Selphie."

"No problem, Kairi." Selphie said, a small laugh escaping her. She turned out to the sea and a slight frown crossed her lips. "Though... I really wish they didn't have to go through all this. I mean, what was our play for? Nothing? Not even a week after the play and they have to leave and go save the universe, no doubt. And... Sora wasn't there?"

When the girl turned toward Kairi in question, she only shook her head. "Nope. Nothing. He wasn't there. When I asked his mom if he was there, she said she didn't know where he was. She figured he had already come to the Island."

"And did she ask you why you asked?"

Kairi nodded. "Yeah, but I told her we were playing hide-and-seek and we were looking for Sora. I lied, saying that we thought he rowed home to escape the game, but he apparently wasn't there. I went up to his room to find that it didn't look like it was even slept in. I guess he left... There's no other explanation for it. And for Riku... I just hope he's okay."

Brown brows rose. "Just Riku? Not Sora?"

Kairi shook her head. "No, don't get me wrong, I'm worried about Sora as well, but he's been through this before. He, I'm sure, will be able to stand alone and survive out on whatever world he's on. But for Riku... as much as I'm confident in his skills, he's been emotional lately too. Riku, who's also gone through the same troubles, was not on the side of light. Riku, as we told you a long time ago, was manipulated and walked the path of evil and darkness, destroying worlds instead of saying them. Of course, it's not his fault, but his pride was wounded and his sense of existing and reason of living diminished." She shook her head once more. "I worry for Riku more because he's probably about to experience another big adventure that'll change his life. Again. And knowing him, he'll feel guilty a good majority of the time, hoping and wishing to make better. I know he'll do okay, physically, but I'm not sure about mentally. I've never realized it, but Riku's pretty fragile when it comes to his emotions and inner thoughts." She tilted her head as she turned to the brunette beside her, her expression almost asking in itself, "y'know?"

Selphie nodded, sighing. "Yeah... But I'm sure he'll figure things out. As Sora, he's pretty hardheaded and once he's set his mind on something, he won't stop until he's achieved his goal. If he's out to make something right, I'm sure he'll do just that. I trust that if him and Sora are out there somewhere, in different places, they'll find each other and be heroes once more."

Kairi nodded and looked out to the sea again as the sky was slowly flooded with an orange tint, signally the end of another day without two really great friends. She sighed and sent a prayer to the heavens for both Sora's and Riku's sake. She hoped that in some way she could help them. Riku... Sora... I hope you guys are okay...

He stretched, turning to see the large object leaning against a chair. He remembered telling the other two of his journeys and what he was currently appointed with. He sighed a bit as she sat up, stretching more. He was incredibly tired, though not physically. Nostalgia hit him as he remembered that he would not be able to go home, not until he finished this journey. A hand slipping inside his shirt and pulled out the disk hanging from his neck. Fingering the gemstones, he stood up, bare feet touching the cold floor. A slight shiver ran through his body in first moment's shock. His mind was blank except for one question that repeated itself in his head.

What do you do now, Riku? What the hell are you gonna do now?

Slipping the disk back underneath his shirt, he slipped on his footwear and picked up the keyblade, holding it limply in his hand. It was unusual with the weight there, but he would have to get used to it if he was to use it in battle. (And if he didn't figure out how to store it in his heart, he would have to carry it everywhere.) Exiting his room he looked around to catch a sign of the men's awakening. But since they were not present in the hall, they must've been in the front, he figured. Walking down the hall, he heard faint voices from inside several other rooms, probably the quarters of survivors. It was sad, really, that the number of survivors was enough to fill several rooms. How many worlds have disappeared? How many were from the same world? It was impossible to tell.

Riku was knocked off balance when someone ran into him. Catching himself, he spun to meet the person who ran into him (or he ran into). He saw it to be a young man only a few years older than him, black hair pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck, dressed in loose pants and top with soft-soled shoes. He started talking rapidly in a different language(s?) as he balanced himself. When he looked up, he wore an arrogant expression. He opened his mouth and spoke to Riku, though the words made no sense to him.

Riku blinked as he tried to comprehend what the other male was saying. When the other saw that he didn't understand, he shook his head and tried again, this time speaking in a language that Riku could pick up. "Gah! I said that you should watch where you're going. You ran into me. If I was carrying something, I would've knocked it all over you. Jeez. You're lucky that damn freak told me the rule of no fighting here or else I would've kicked your butt."

Riku blinked again, adding a lifted brow to his expression. "And you are...?" he asked finally.

"Ranma, you aren't causing trouble, are you?"

At the voice, Riku turned to see Yami approach with a pair of cups in his hands. "Ah, Riku. Good morning. I was just about to deliver this to you." He handed over a cup to the teen that took it graciously. "Have you seen Kuja?"

Riku shook his head. "No. Wouldn't he be up by now? I thought you two work together."

Yami nodded. "Yes, but I thought I would let him sleep in hour. He's going through a great change with your sudden appearance."

"Yami," came a familiar voice in a warning.

Yami smiled and handed over the second cup. "Here. Did you just wake?"

Kuja nodded, though he glared at the Egyptian. Noticing Ranma, he nodded his greeting. Ranma, in return, gaped at him. Again, he started saying something in a different language. And much to Riku's surprise, Yami responded to the other in what was probably the same language. Riku blinked several times as he watched the two argue about something, wondering if the two came from the same world.

Kuja glanced at the teen and read him easily. The corner of his mouth twitched. "Actually, Yami and Ranma don't know each other. They probably come from a world that's similar to each other's in a way that it's like a parallel universe, only not."

Confused, yet still understanding what the older meant, Riku nodded. So then, how many worlds were out there, he wondered. Apparently, more than he could ever imagine. Turning to the other silver-haired male, he inquired, "There are many worlds out there, right? How many worlds are being targeted by this unknown evil?"

Kuja blinked at the slightly shorter teen. "I don't know. As you said, there are many worlds out there. Which ones are 'targeted', I have no clue. At the moment, I am more concerned of those who come from the worlds than the quantity of worlds disappearing."

Riku bit the inside of his cheek as he moved past the two that argued still and peered in the front of the inn. Since he last stepped foot into here, the number of survivors nearly doubled. In such a short amount of time? Things must be worse off than he imagined. But then... if things were this bad, what was he to do? How was he supposed to save what was left? He didn't know what was wrong— not to mention how to get there once he did.

He sighed and looked over his shoulder at the arguing duo not far from him, the silver-haired man not far behind him. To the man he said, "I'll go roam the city. Will you need anything?"

Kuja came up beside the teen. "Probably a new supply of bandages and medicine. But let me go with you. It'll be better if there's an extra pair of hands."

Riku nodded and bid farewell to Yami who nodded at them before returning his attention to Ranma. Riku grinned a bit as he left, Kuja smiling as well. They immediately went to the medicinal shop, buying the needed amount of supplies. As they left the store, Kuja swung the bags of medicine and bandages at his sides. Riku had a bag or two in his arms as well, both of them walking back toward the inn that was conveniently only a few buildings down. After they handed the provisions off to Yami, Kuja continued to accompany Riku in his stroll. Really, all they did was sightsee, Kuja informing the silver-haired teen whatever he needed to know. When they came to the business side of the city, they stopped on a bridge over water. Riku leaned over the edge to see a poster that hung on the side of the bridge. It was of a rock group, the lead male singer posing in the picture, makeup heavily applied to accent his image. Truth be told, he looked rather feminine, but that could be said for Kuja as well.

"Are all places here this big?"

Kuja tucked a lock of hair behind his ear as he turned his head toward the teen. "No. On this continent, all the other places are less inhabited. As far as I know, there is only one other city on this continent. Actually, it's not even a city. It's more like a small village, to be exact. Termina is the largest city I know. Though, according to him, there are many other islands and continents and places that are nearly (and sometimes not even close) as big."

"According to who?" Riku asked, turning to the man.

Kuja waved his hand. "Ah, he's well known around this place. He lives in the village I just told you about, just south of here, past the mountains. I am not sure if he's here today, but his name is Serge."

Riku snorted. "Interesting name."

"To put it nicely, yes." Kuja chuckled. "He should be... as old as you? If not older."

"And how would you know how old I am?"

Kuja smiled, a look in his eyes. "Well, I can guess, but I'm sure I'm off by a year or two. Either way, Serge has not even reached the age of manhood, though his actions are certainly different."

Riku pushed away from the edge, turning around to sit on it. "I assume he's the world's hero?"

Kuja chuckled at the question. He nodded, answering, "Yes. It's amazing, really. To think that he's only your age and already he's everyone's savior. To think my brother is probably nearly twice his age and he did the same thing. But then again, no child can possibly think of saving (let alone accomplish) the world my brother was set to destroy, and yet saved."

Fine silver brows rose. "Destroy?" Riku repeated.

Kuja nodded. "Originally, our creator wanted us to disrupt the flow of souls on Gaea, but it was impossible to accomplish with my brother around. Had I not dropped him on the very planet I was originally supposed to bring chaos to, he would've done it himself. See, I'm older than him, in a sense, but I was jealous. The man that could be labeled as our father saw me useless as I was bound to die soon. So he created another, superior to I, to complete what I would never."

Riku nearly jumped up in surprised. "You're not human?" he said incredulously.

Kuja nodded at the interruption. "Correct. What I am a Genome. They are... we are... Merely vessels. Only my brother, Mikoto who might as well be called our sister, and myself spoke our own mind and did special things, accomplished the orders our 'father' set for us. Mikoto and my brother were identical, yet there were not created at the same time. I am the only one that was gifted with silver hair while they obtained the golden locks." Kuja paused to shake his head, ridding himself of idiotic thoughts. "But never you mind that. We were created on a planet called Terra, parallel to our Gaea. The Gaea that we stand on is far different from that of my home. Though... I suppose it is also the same in a way. One of the main differences is that there is no Terra circling the planet like a second moon. The way Terra survived was by swallowing another planet; merging with it. Gaea was its next target, but Terra failed to merge."

"How?" the teen asked when the man stopped.

Kuja sighed a bit, explaining, "My brother, of course. Having grown on Gaea, having befriended it, how could he not feel like he had to protect it, especially when his brother threatened to destroy it? His power was great, growing with every battle he fought. He traveled far to restore the increasing chaos, to find the truth. Unsurprising, when he did find the truth about himself, about what I had done to him, what I planned on doing to him, how his entire life was a lie; it upset him. Garland couldn't have been more proud to see his anger rise and the power within him burst to the fact that he lashed out on his own creator and brother."

"Garland was your creator?"

"Yes. Unique mad man... He sought the best for Terra, causing the chain of events, the start of Gaea's end, his own downfall. He had many faults. But one thing he did right was creating my brother. I suppose that I had a part in making what my brother was, but only because of what I thought and rash actions."

Riku opened his mouth to ask about it, but shook his head. He could guess what happened. "It must've been harsh for you afterwards."

The man sighed and leaned over the side of the bridge. "It was. From what I was in the beginning, to what I am now... It was a great change for me. My brother showed me so many things in such a short time, expressing forgiveness toward me. For what I had done, nearly destroying his home, he forgave me and took me in, pulling me back when I was about to plunge into a state of eternal sleep and darkness."

Riku whistled lowly. "Jeez."

Kuja turned to face Riku, his head tilted to the side just slightly. "We share a great deal, Riku. The pains we've experienced, the hurt we've felt, the turmoil that stirred in our minds— all the same. We've both been on the wrong side, became confused, and someone close and dear to us saves us, helps restore us. And also, there is also one who's twisted our minds, made us think things that weren't supposed to be thought, manipulating us in certain ways. Still... what they've done for us is not enough. There's a great deal we have to do to really be forgiven. Perhaps, this is a good way, a good start to doing so?"

The teen nodded. "Yeah." Though he hated the truth, he had to accept it. "I want to do something to make up for what I've done, find a way to restore what I've lost."

A smile played on the man's lips, another mirroring his on the teen's. "Then I'd like to ask you something."

Riku straightened up. "What's that?"

"I'd like to accompany you on your journey. Whatever you will have to do, I'd like to help."

Though he was half expecting it, Riku still lifted his brows. "What about the inn and Yami?"

Kuja shook his head. "Yami can take care of things by himself. He doesn't know it, but he could heal those people nearly the same way I have. He'll do fine if I leave."

"Do you really want to come? The last time anything similar to this has happened... Well, I've told you already, but still. A lot can happen. Both good and bad."

Kuja laughed. "A boy, lecturing a man? Come now, Riku, you think that after what I've told you that I haven't already experienced something of the like? I've nearly destroyed my brother's world after having already eliminating our home with him still on it. I had power that is unlike that of your keyblade or what you've gone through."

Riku stared at the silver-haired man with wide eyes, jaw slack. He didn't know whether to be shocked at his testify of power, or to be shocked of how he dismissed Riku's journey as a game.

Kuja shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Come now, you know I'm only teasing you." The smirk vanished as his eyes and face spoke of how serious he was. "I mean it. I know that I could very well lose my life in this journey with you, but this is too good of an opportunity to pass." He shook his head and looked down at the water. "As this is your chance to make things right, I want to do the same. I'm sure my brother would jump at the chance of making things right, and I can only imitate his enthusiasm. There are no words to tell you how much I want to help, how much I want to do this."

Riku nodded. "All right. I wouldn't mind your help, and I'm sure you'd do wonders as aid."

Kuja turned his head sharply to throw a look at the teen. Half jokingly, he asked, "Am I only a crutch?"

Riku laughed a bit, but more to himself than at the inquiry. "No, no. I meant— Well, of course you can come. I wouldn't mind your company, really. I was just mentioning that you would do better in navigating around this place since I'll... Okay, never mind what I said. I'm just making a fool out of myself."

Kuja laughed as a small blush of embarrassment crept along the teen's cheeks. "Don't worry, I understand what you mean."

Riku cracked a smile behind his blush, nodding in response. "Well then, if we can get off of making me sound stupid, how about we continue walking or something?"

Kuja nodded, pushing away from the edge. "Of course. Perhaps I can show you to the other village sometime. Meeting Serge would do you good."

Riku nodded and followed the man down the street, eventually reaching a flight of stairs that led to a grave by a hut. The two walked down these flight of stairs, reaching the grave that seemed to be by itself on its own miniature island, the grave marked by a sword, surrounded by what looked like a giant shell. A wreath of flowers circled the sword on the ground, translucent stones scattered about on the shell, making the area about the grave sparkle in the sun. The light of the sun reflected off the sword, as it remained sharp and polished, glowing with pride as it marked the death sight of a presumed warrior. Riku glanced at Kuja, and at the man's nod, he hopped across the stones that led to the island, stopping to see a large flower the size of his palm, dewdrops clinging to its large petals, lying in front of the sword.

He squinted a bit against the light as it shown on his face, shifting his to the ground, avoiding the glare that reflected of the blade of the sword. After a moment's pause, he looked up at Kuja. "Who was buried here?"

Kuja shook his head. "I am not sure, but I believe it is the father of one of Serge's allies. I believe he was a General for the owner of the manor not far from here."

Riku whistled. "And he was buried here? I would've thought he'd receive a grander piece of land to be buried on. And instead of a sword, something... more... great?"

Kuja chuckled. "Not all great warriors want glory. Take my brother for example. He was a lowly thief, and yet he helped the love of his life, a princess, become a wondrous and beautiful queen. He saved our world from me, and did so again from these creatures that steal our lives."

Kuja smiled at the thought of his brother, but didn't miss the sudden painful look cross Riku's face, his turquoise eyes darkening. He knew the look all too well. He knew the pain that Riku tried to hide so much. The smile disappeared from Kuja's face, the man watching silently as the emotions crossed the teen's face, thoughts visible in his eyes.

"He was like that..."

Kuja lifted his brows at the near whisper. "What?"

"Sora..."

Kuja didn't have to ask what the teen meant.

But then Riku shook his head. "I shouldn't think that..." he said, though more to himself than to Kuja.

Kuja frowned. "... Shall we go?"

Riku's head snapped up, pulling out of his revere. "Uh, sure."

He hopped back to where Kuja stood. "Sorry," he muttered, before heading back and up the stairs. Kuja trailed just a step or two behind him, worry and wonder etched on his features. He wondered; how far did this boy think of the other keybearer? Kuja shook his head. He shouldn't guess. He lifted his head from staring at the boy's back just in time to see him bump into someone, nearly falling back into him had someone grabbed his hand and pull him to safety.

Riku yelped when he crashed into someone, waving his arms in wide circles as he suddenly felt himself careen backwards. Luckily, someone snatched his wrist and pulled him forward, causing him to stumble as he regained his footing. He looked up and apologized quickly, seeing the person who saved him, yet also the one whom he bumped into being a male at his height with dark hair nearly the shade of a dark blue, pulled under a red bandana, eyes a shade lighter than his blue hair. A smile crossed his features.

"Hello, Serge."

Riku looked over his shoulder to see Kuja reach the top steps, a smile on his lips. The two shook hands.

"Back, I see?" Kuja inquired.

Serge nodded and turned his gaze back to Riku.

Kuja turned to Riku as well. "Oh, this is a friend of mine," Kuja said just a little too friendly.

Riku held out his hand. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Riku."

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AN: Really, this is like a filler chapter, a bit of explaining on the FFIX part with Kuja, and a bit of explaining in other places. ^^;; Not much has happened, and I apologize for that if you were expecting some action. But first, trust and some bit o' good bonding must happen before we set out. ^^ As far as we know, this story will take a darn-tootin' long time before it's anywhere close to finish. But if we keep doing two chapters every two weeks and I stop having writer's block and can finally control my stupid life, we'll get there in no time.

Please comment on what you think! You know I love them!

Oh yeah, and for those reading this on ff.net, I also have this story starting on mediaminer.org under 'XiaoLang', okay? ^^ I hope you'll see look at the site 'cause I absolutely love that place! (Heehee!)

And hey, please correct me if I'm wrong, but was Serge about the age of 17 or so in CC? Of course the darn guy doesn't fricken' talk in the game, but he WAS 17, right?? Oh, and the village spoken of that's south of Termina (and I already forgot it's name) is Serge's homey-home. Just so you know.