Silver Lining: Circles in reflections 1

Dcal's note:   *Roar*  I am back will another half-chapter I took almost forever to come up with. I was really busy with exams and stuff that I have to do. Not to mention having been on a drawing high, I have been posting more pictures on Deviant Art rather than spending more time on writing. I have also been reading and watching too much manga and anime. If you should find any familiar Full Metal Alchemist sequences or such, I apologise as I cannot help but draw inspiration from what I have been exposing myself to. Plus, I have gone on a 9 days trip to the UK. I hope this helps in making my depiction of the Southern lakes that Riku and Sora (and Selphie) have finally arrived at more realistic. Okay nuff said, onwards!

Now onto the serious bit: Well, I am skipping this, if you want to know what I ranted about please refer to the other chapters. 

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

Lake Sky was just as its name suggests: A beautiful lake of crystal clear water which lay like a never ending piece of glass as it was so calm and peaceful. The unruffled water reflected the sky's light blue spread that was decorated with abstract depictions of objects in the form of pure white clouds.

The lake was the largest body of water originating from the Smoke Mountains that stood majestically as an indication to weary travelers that they have finally reached the Southern Provinces of the Kingdom.  The cool wind blew a soft haze over the golden forest situated between Lake Sky and the Smoke Mountains.

Sora bent to look down from the edge of the lake into the clarity of the water. He could see the reflection of the silver figure standing close behind him.  Riku's back was turned against Sora and he had let his hair down.  Sora seriously reached to touch the silver reflection in the water and his cautious contact caused the glass to ripple into circles over circles. Riku turned.

Cheeks coloured pink, Sora shadowed away from Riku's probing gaze and looked towards the distance. A spot of yellow grew bigger and bigger till it became recognizable as Selphie in her lithe canary form. The ball of feathers flew towards her master and glided down to land contentedly on his broad shoulders.

After a moment of rest, Selphie spoke, "The mist grows heavier as the sky darkens. The forest is not as sparse as it seems from here. It grows thicker towards the mountains. At least three days on foot. There is a river but it goes downstream, not good for riding. It can only be used as a guide that can lead us to the mountains. From there, there is a valley that would lead us to the other side of the mountain. Riku-sama, we will need food for Pokey head… the trees are drying up."

Riku nodded and ruffled Selphie's feathers as a show of affection and appreciation for her information. Because of the circumstances, Riku did not want Sora to know about his 'special' abilities. To Sora, Riku was just an enigmatic travel companion with a talking canary. Riku wanted it to remain that way. Thus, Riku could not just open a portal and step into whatever world he wanted. He had to do things the old-fashioned way. He had to walk.

Sora bristled at Selphie's callous remark over his naturally spiky hair, but he reluctantly chose not to pick a fight with the tired bird who looked as if she was about to fall asleep against Riku's ear.

"So…  Ri-kun, I know that we can make our way through the forest as explained by your pet canary. But, how are we going to cross this lake?"

Riku lifted a brow at Sora's question before taking his time to answer, " Boat."

Sora's eyes widened as he finally noticed a simple wooden boat complete with a lowered sail, bobbing gently on the shallow waters of the lake's edge, just a short distance away. It was not there when they had arrived. Sora shook his head lightly, as if embarrass with his obliviousness. Riku's face remained expressionless except for a playful flicker of light that flashed within his blue eyes.  The silver-haired conjurer was thankful for Sora's inborn obliviousness. If not, Riku would not have been able to create the boat and they would have to walk around the lake to get to the forest.

After a moment of hesitation, Sora gave up reasoning just boarded the little boat. He happily released the sail but the white canvas refused to spread out due to the weak breeze. Sora's little face fell. Riku walked casually towards the boat and when he stepped into the wooden craft, he gave the hand hidden behind his back a slight flick. Immediately, an unnaturally strong wind unfurled the white sails and pushed the loaded boat outwards to the other side of the lake.

An astonished Sora stared in wonder at Riku's 'luck', and his gaze narrowed in slight envy as it drifted to little Selphie-canary's yellow frame. She was snuggled contentedly against Riku's pale neck. 

It was quite a journey crossing the lake on a small boat like the one the trio was in. Just into a quarter of the boat ride, Sora felt sleep descend ungracefully onto him. He lashes fluttered as he struggled to keep awake to watch the sun fall into the orange waters of the lake. The dying light cast a shadow that wrapped bronze over Sora's tired face. Riku could take no more of Sora's 'flirtations' and cast a simple sleep spell over his boat partner.  Sora's slender frame fell forward as the sleep spell can into immediate effect.

Riku smiled as Sora fell right into his arms. He hoped that the journey would last forever.