AN: Hello everyone! Yeah...I know, poor Riku. But that is the way this story is going and uh...let's just say it won't get better...for now at least. I want to thank all of my reviewers so far: Lvkishugs, Zanisha, Doomboy2000, Tako Hana, Lyphe, aliasfan...yeah. You guys make me so happy!!! Well, I hope this chappie is good...um...song is New Beginning by Trapt, in italics. I felt like putting a song in, so, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I'm getting tired of writing this. I don't own Kingdom Hearts!

Chapter 4: Unknown Path

I dropped the rock, looking down at the cuts on my hands. It had taken a while, but I had successfully managed to cover up Sora and Kairi's drawing by scraping the rock against it on the wall. All that was left was a huge white splotch.

"My best work of art." When I looked down at my hands it was a pitiful sight. My nails were black, along with my veins as well. Plus I had cuts from the rock, and not to mention the burns from the portal's door handle. I ripped off a piece of my white shirt, binding them on the hand with the burns.

I still was so confused, and angry. Something was very different. Sora had been able to touch the handle, but not me. And I wondered why. More importantly I wondered where they were and if they were ever going to come back.

But then I realized I didn't care. Sure, I wanted revenge. But I felt that them being gone was better than having them here, right in front of me, a constant reminder of my failure.

I was about to leave when I suddenly heard something. I wasn't sure what it was. It was faint at first, but then grew louder. It was then that I realized what it was. Creaking...

I turned around. The door. The one that had always been closed. But not anymore. It was slowly opening, seemingly on its own. It stopped midway, not enough for me to see what was inside. I walked closer, pulling on the door to widen the opening.

All I saw was...a path. Only one straight road that as far as I could see led nowhere. On either side of the path was darkness. It did not look inviting, yet I seemed drawn to it. Curious, I stepped inside, taking a few steps forward.

The door closed behind me, slowly again. I looked back and saw that there was a handle. Carefully, I tried opening it again. And despite the way things always turn out, I was able to open it. Knowing that I could go back made it easier to keep walking.

I was eager to find out what was on the other end of the road. As I walked, I noticed that the darkness on either side of me seemed...alive. Like it was moving, but in a way it wasn't. Like something was there, yet there wasn't. Or so I thought.

After a while of walking down the road I thought about going back. The path seemed endless. Plus I didn't know where it ended up. Just as I was about to turn back something came out of the dark shadows in front of me.

A...Shadow? It was a Heartless. But...I thought they were gone for good. Then it hit me. Sora still had the Keyblade...and that meant that there were still Heartless. So why had he come back to Destiny Islands if there were still Heartless to defeat? I thought. Then another thought occurred to me. He knew that a portal would come. But what significance did it have?

"Taken again by the darkness?"

I looked up from my deep thoughts. I had almost forgotten about the Shadow. But now there was something else in front of me. Or rather...someone. He seemed to also have come from the darkness on either side of me.

"Ansem," I said hatefully, my voice cold. "I'm not taken over by anything."

He looked the same, yet was dressed in different clothes. He wore a black vampire-like cloak, with black pants with a red stripe running down each front. He also had on a red shirt that was ripped in almost every spot. And he was still alive....somehow...

"Are you sure?"

I took a step back. "No one controls me but myself."

Ansem smiled evilly. "Are you sure that you can trust even yourself with doing your own actions?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. I wasn't falling for any of his tricks. I knew he was just trying to play with my head. "Get away from me."

Ansem continued talking, ignoring my sharp command. "Don't you think something is up? I mean, you must be controlled by something. You look different- darker features. For someone with a darker heart."

"Shut up."

"Do you think an ordinary person would be able to open one of the doors to darkness? Do you think someone not possessed would be able to attract a Heartless and have it not attack him?" He pointed to the almost motionless Shadow in front of me. "It's just waiting for you to command him to kill something- or do anything you ask."

"Shut up!"

"Oh, or how about this? Do you think someone who was filled with darkness could open one of the doors to the light?...mainly...that light portal?"

"SHUT UP!!!!!" I yelled. I couldn't take this anymore. I knew I wasn't being controlled. I could do whatever I wanted.

Ansem made a small laugh. "Ooh...you're getting angry. I like that. Go on, let it out."

"Stop playing with me, Ansem. You'll never be able to control me. I'm my own master."

"Really? It seems like you're your own prisoner. Yes, you're trapped in your own world of hatred and jealousy, sadness and loneliness, emptiness and grief. I know what those two fools Kairi and Sora did to you. Now they must pay. Join me and you will be set free from your prison and both of us will get the revenge we need."

I looked down. Was he right? No. He was wrong. Wait- it seemed partially true. No- I can't trust him, I thought. But...I looked up.

Ansem's hand was outstretched. "Take my hand and we will be partners. You can still be your own master. And, better yet, you can be the master of the Heartless. And they will obey all of your commands..."

Ansem stepped forward, his hand still extended. "Come with me, Riku. We will be partners. Both of us cannot do this alone. But together, we will be unstoppable." I looked up at him. Should I take his hand?

The pressure is building

I want to break away

Motivation is lacking

The point starts to fade

I was still unsure. What he had done to me before- I would never forget. But...I felt that in a sense I needed him to help me, to fill my void. But what was the right path? To accept or to not?

I look to the bottom

Still empty still the same

I'm waiting for something

To show me the way

To the path that I should take

It's just to real to go ahead and fake

But I thought, maybe I could use him like he used me. Once I got what I needed I would have nothing to do with him. My choice was getting clearer- but I didn't want to be a fool again.

Every step that I make

Name your price

'Cause I don't feel so right

I would give anything

I want to start over again

Name your price

'Cause I don't feel so right

Am I the only one?

"So, will you be my partner? There is not much time to choose. For as we speak Sora is getting farther and farther away. We must catch him. Plus I have a plan that will not fail if you and I both are a part of it. Do you want to succeed?" Ansem pressed on.

What do I want

I have nothing to say

Whatever it is I want it today

Do we choose our own ground

Do we choose to stay?

I stepped forward. "Ansem. I loathe you with a passion. But I will not pass up your offer."

Well I've seen too many throw it away

Ansem smiled. "Now that you have opened a new door, step through it. When you have the opportunity, take it. I am pleased with your decision."

I looked down. He might think he's playing me, but in the end we'll see which one loses the game. I looked up at him. "This is our chance."

Do I see one small chance To be myself to try to make it last

"Follow me. For this road leads nowhere. You must enter this darkness to get to where you need to be." Ansem stepped into the dark shadows. I smiled evilly. I was going to make sure my needs were met before I rid of him. I turned, walking behind Ansem into the black void.

Every step that I take