Silver Lining

Author's note: I am taking time off writing "Mr Destiny Islands", another KH fic, to write another more sombre yet fluffy fic. And mind you, this will definitely not be as innocent as the two previous KH ficcies that I had done. If you are not a Sora/ Riku fan, you either stay away or get converted. This piece of fiction is set in an alternate reality/universe. In other words, everything but the characters (they might also be altered) is different from the original Kingdom Heart storyline. Many apologies for naughty thoughts, bad grammar and spelling because I just cannot be bothered to check my work beyond a cursory glance.

Disclaimer: None of the KH characters belong to me, they belong to those who spent their youth designing and developing them.

They say, "Every cloud has a silver lining."

But I have been searching so long… … and all I can see is the colour grey.

*

Looking up, Riku saw the back of his hand blocking the strong light coming from the late afternoon sun. Lean fingers spread out slowing letting the light through, to scorch his cold blue eyes. He welcomed the blinding light, as it was the only semblance to what was now vanquished from his life. As he lay lifeless on the cold marble floor, he started to remember what he had become.

He was once normal. He had silver coloured hair that nearly touched his broad shoulders; it curled slightly at the ends. He had soft yet masculine facial planes, his complexion a pale but healthy pink. His best features were his thin but sensual lips and his aquamarine eyes. He was built lean and well toned, not exactly tall yet not exactly short.

Now, his once warm eyes had taken on the frost that covered his soul, turning it to the lightest shade of blue. His lips were now curved with a cynical smile, betraying his lost innocence to the cruel reality of the world. His hair had not escaped the consequences of what he had become and it took on the purest of silver. It had grown and was now down to his narrow waist. Doing all he could to hide his abnormality, Riku braided his long hair and left only his fringe loose to created shadows to hide his face, a face that has grown up at the consequence of being frozen for eternity.

He hated his face. It was what caused him to lose whatever he had. Maybe he had nothing much, just a normal life, but at least that was much better than what he has now. At least he had something called freedom. Now, he is trapped by what he had become.

His 'master' had taken a fancy in him, because of his cursed face. Just because of that, he did not die or was fed upon like the others. No, he was to 'beautiful' to be wasted, his 'master' once told him. That was why he is now one of them.

But 'he' eventually got bored with him. Once 'he' realised that he had been stripped from his naivety, 'he' lost interest in him and sought for other pleasures. Thus, he was freed but still imprisoned by the loss of himself.

Now, he is driven by the hateful need for the nectar of life: Blood.

*

"Riku-sama, we have to leave!" Begged Selphie.

The young girl stood behind her master's head, and peered down with an anxious expression on her pretty face.

Riku lazily opened his eyes to see his servant's head bobbing with anxiety. Uninterested, he closed his eyes and said in his strong and expressionless voice, " What's the hurry?"

Selphie's eyes widened in exaggeration at Riku's nonplussed question.

"If we don't leave now we might not be able to avoid Sephiroth-sama! And I know how Riku-sama dislikes Sephiroth-sama." Explained Selphie patiently.

The figure sprawled on his back did not comment further as he slowly and smoothly sat upright. After a moment, with Selphie waiting uncomplainingly by his side, Riku stood up and walked out of the atrium. Selphie, clad in a bright yellow sundress, struggled behind to keep up with Riku's long strides.

Unfortunate for Riku, he chose the wrong door to exit as he saw Sephiroth walking in his direction along the long corridor. Light poured in through the glass windows that lined up to form a transparent wall. As they came face to face, Riku shifted and tried to walk around Sephiroth. The latter wanted Riku to stop and made it a point by drawing his sword and holding it to Riku's throat. Selphie stared at the two figures standing side by side, and scrambled to Riku's side, a sign of her loyalty.

"You know you wouldn't die but it would hurt a lot if you insist to ignore me." Drawled Sephiroth as he looked ahead to stare into the empty corridor, only sensing the animosity radiating from Riku.

Riku did stop but refused to turn, instead, he followed suit to look ahead when replying, "What do you want?"

"It's time for you to carry out your quest."

"I don't need a bride."

"You know what would happen to you if you continue to be so obstinate."

"Nothing can be worst then it already is."

"You shouldn't be so cynical."

"But this is what you taught me. Sem. pai."

With that, Riku walked through the sharp blade, which sliced through his slender neck. Selphie gasped. She knew it would not harm Riku fatally but such an action would still hurt as badly. Riku walked off without any signs of pain, and the blade did not leave a single mark to mar his smooth skin.

The wound did cause Riku much pain, but it did not reflect on his face because he felt the ache was worth it. Anything to anger Sephiroth was worth the effort.

Sephiroth stood, with his arm still holding the blade to where Riku's neck was, and smiled a sad smile of regret. He had taught Riku wrong. When he was mentoring Riku, Sephiroth himself was misguided. He wanted Riku to feel the hatred and coldness in him and he had succeeded too well. The boy had become a child of winter, and it was entirely his fault. Sephiroth wished he knew how to re teach Riku, to make him feel again, just as Cloud had changed his perception.

That is why Sephiroth wanted Riku to go on his quest.

Riku needs to find that person who he really needs.

Riku needs to know he is not alone.