A/N: O my goodness I am sooo sorry! Yes, I kno I haven't updated in like, half a year, but I swear, skool and exams will be the death of me. Plus I had insane writers block on this, and was debating on whether or not to even finish it! XD sorry again! Hmm, wondering if anyone even cares anymore -- sigh
Disclaimers: Kingdom Hearts still isn't mine... meh I wish the real owners of it would hurry up with KH:CoM and KH2 tho....
From Past to Present
She was up at the crack of dawn. The glowing sun was just peeking up from the ocean-covered horizon. Kairi slipped out of the sleepy main island on which she lived, took her little boat, and paddled to that small play-ground of an island. It was deserted, too early for the others. But how could she sleep when the day had finally come? How could she do anything but think of him; Riku. Today was the day. So as she stood in front of that plain wooden door like she had everyday, waiting for Sora to return, but she thought now of Riku. They would all be together at last, after so long. Sora was home, and it was Riku's turn.
Riku yawned and awoke. He opened an eye and looked down. Mariha was still by his side, sleeping soundly. Riku closed his eye and yawned again. Then, his eyes shot open as adrenalin of excitement flowed through him. Today was the day! Sora would open the door today. He'd be free, and they'd all be back together again!
He of up, somehow without waking Mariha, and crept out of their little shelter. He stood up tall and stretched. He looked around at the darkness of this world. HA! He laughed at it. He'd finally be rid of this place. He'd had enough of the darkness, enough of its tricks of pain and torcher. He was so happy; happier than he could ever remember being. He felt like dancing, singing, ANYTHING! But his rejoice stopped short. There was still one thing he needed to do first. He needed to find the light.
Even though today was his last chance to return home and he still needed to find the light of Kingdom Hearts, there was no distress or anxiousness coursing through him. No, he'd find it that was for sure, right at the ideal moment he knew it would be revealed. He knew in his heart, it was close. He could feel it calling to him, the light were all hearts are born. He closed his eyes. He saw nothing but empty blackness inside of him. He dove deeper. There, a small flicker! A tiny spark pulsed inside of him, his own hearts light.
Good, he thought happily, the darkness no longer has me. Ansem tried to drown my soul in darkness, but finally I've found my light again!
The light of all hearts, the light of Kingdom Hearts, it was drawing his own light to it. He opened his eyes. He needed to follow his heart. He glanced back over his shoulder. Mariha was still sleeping. She looked so peaceful, so content so Riku did not wake her. Instead he turned away.
I'll come back for her later, or she will follow, he thought, I cannot wait another moment.
He bent down, close to the ground, and with his finger drew and arrow pointing up the hill.
"There," he whispered, "Now Mariha, follow me if you wake before I return, if I return."
He stood up again and without looking back, went up that steep hill by the light of his heart.
"It's dark and cold... I'm all alone... Within my soul... and empty hole...Is my fate... To love, to hate...I play my song... Sad and long... So far away... The light of day... Shines bright and warm... But I'm forlorn... Yet I will fight... for my only light..."
When Mariha awoke, she found herself alone. Riku was not beside her. She yawned and crawled out from under the shelter.
"Wow," she said aloud as she yawned again, "I must have been out cold, I didn't even notice that he left."
She sighed deeply before noticing something scratched into the dirt by her feet. She bent down to get a closer look at the arrow shape someone had drawn. She moved her eyes up to where it pointed, up the hill.
Did you leave this for me Riku? she thought, Did you want me to follow?
She sighed again. "Well, I guess I'll go, it's not like there's anything else to do..."
She yawned one last time then started walking up the steep hill. When looking at it at first, it didn't seem so big, but as Mariha walked, it didn't seem like she was getting any closer to the top. Finally, her patience wore out and she picked up her pace.
"Stupid-hill-your-not-that-big-ahrg!" she said between breaths as she broke out into a run. It didn't last too long though. She quickly stopped to catch her breath.
Stupid hill, she thought and kicked at the dirt, which cause dust to fly into the air making her cough, Stupid dirt...
She continued climbing, still irritated at everything that annoyed her in the slightest. You could tell that she had just about had enough of this place... plus maybe she has too much unusable energy in her. As she continued muttering about random things, she didn't notice how close to the top she was. Suddenly, she thought she heard voices. She stopped dead in her tracks and fell silent. Someone was yelling.
She looked up, only a few steps from the top! Finally! she thought. She went to take a step when she heard voices again. Who could be there? She slowly crept up, she didn't know if it was friend or foe, and she didn't want to take her chances, especially since that bastard Ansem took away her sword.
As she crept, the clearer she could hear the voices. There were at least two. The first was Riku's she could tell without a doubt, but who was he talking to? Sora maybe? She didn't know what he sounded like. She kept just below the edge of the hill, so as not to be seen and strained her ears to pick up the other voice. It was quieter than Riku's, because Riku was yelling and the other was just talking normally, from further away too no doubt. But the second voice was raised in a menacing laugh. That wasn't Sora, it couldn't have been, she recognized it all too well. Ansem had found them.
Sora yawned and rolled over. Not really noticing how close to the edge of his bed he already was, he fell off and laded on the ground with a thud.
"Huh?" he sat up frantically and summoned his Keyblade to him, ready to attack, even though he was still half asleep. He jumped when he heard a knock on his door.
"Sora? You ok in there?" came a familiar voice.
"Wha? O yea, you can come in Goofy," Sora replied and yawned again as Goofy pushed open his bedroom door.
"Mornin'!" he said cheerfully, "How'd you sleep?"
"Ahh! It feels so great to finally be home on my own bed!" Sora said with his thousand dollar grin. Goofy chuckled.
"Care for some breakfast?" he asked.
Sora jumped up like a shot. "You bet!" It'd been a long time since he'd had his mothers cooking.
Goofy went downstairs, and after Sora quickly got dressed in some fresh, clean new clothes, followed his nose to the breakfast table.
"Good morning Sora," his mother said, "Pancakes?"
"Yes please!" exclaimed Sora. He didn't need to be asked twice, one of Sora's favourite things to do was to eat. He especially loved his mother's food, which he hadn't had in such a long time.
He took three pancakes at once and poured syrup all over them. Donald and Goofy watched in awe as he then began shoveling them into his mouth. Within minutes the pancakes were gone. Donald and Goofy just stated with mouths open at Sora as he got up and stacked his dishes in the sink.
"Ready to go guys?" he said to the two, then noticed them starting, "What? Do I have something on my face?"
"Sora-" Donald began but Goofy cut him off
"Yup, Kairi already is at the island."
"What? Why didn't you wake me!"
"You just looked so comfortable sleeping there," replied his mother, "Besides, she was up way before any of us, she left you this note though."
Sora took the note from his mother, unfolded it and read it. In Kairi's neat loopy handwriting, it read:
"I'll be waiting for you"
"Thanks mom, I need to go now," said Sora as he folded the note and shoved it in his pocket.
"Ok, be home in time for dinner."
With a quick nod, Sora hoped out the door, Donald and Goofy not far behind. He ran down the sunny streets to the harbor, got his boat and started for the small island. He was so excited he almost started rowing without untying the rope from the boat to the dock.
Finally, finally, finally! I can't believe it at last! Riku, you'll be home, everything will go back to normal again!
She slowly stood, now at the very top of the hill. No, it couldn't be. She saw it, but she wished she was dreaming again. This was no dream. No, how could it be...
The scene was exactly the same; the cliff, the plain, Riku ahead, and him above. It was exactly like her dream. But she could see him now. Ansem; merged with one of his heartless minions. But how could this be? It was just a dream. It was going to happen all over again. She wouldn't be able to stop it. No this can't be happening! She fell to her knees, clutching her head. It's a trick, please say it's not real!
Riku was ahead, he had come to the top of the hill to find and open plain with a dangerous looking cliff to one side. He kept walking, wary of its edge, but something caught his eye. He looked above, and there was Ansem, perched up on a floating ledge of rock. He was already ready for battle, already merged with his guardian heartless.
"Ansem..."
"Riku my boy, what a surprise!"
"How did you -how'd you find me!"
"Did you forget already? I live inside your heart, I'm always with you, I can always find you."
"Shut up!"
"Though I was a bit surprised to see that Natia didn't kill you after all."
"It's too late Ansem, you're finished!" Riku yelled.
"Ha! Foolish boy, you have no weapon, no companions to save you. You're a lost puppy running blindly through the dark."
"That's what you think, you're the fool Ansem!"
"Don't even try to bluff, I can see through you remember?"
"I don't need to lie, and you're not a part of me anymore," Riku smirked, "Because I've found it."
"What! No, it's impossible!" shrieked Ansem.
"It's all over," Riku said and chuckled mockingly.
Ansem was struck dumb. It can't end here! He would make sure this ignorant fool wouldn't defeat him. Not now, not EVER!
"Riku!"
"Huh?" Riku spun around. No, how'd she get there? Mariha was there, a few meters away from them. She had a terror stricken face and just, stared at him. A memory flashed before him, that face...
"You will not defeat me!" Ansem roared and shot a needle of darkness toward Mariha. Riku recovered just in time.
"No!" He ran to her. He could not let her down.
She could see him running. It wasn't a trick. It was real. There's got to be something she can do! She started to run toward him.
"Riku STOP!" she screamed.
He faltered. That face flashed at him again. Then again. Then the whole picture came together. Lost in the memories his run failed. No way, that's just impossible!
He couldn't see Mariha anymore. All he could see was that face, and he stared in shock. An ear-piercing scream brought him back to reality. He looked ahead. Ansems attack struck Mariha just below her heart. He hadn't been fast enough. He stared at her in shock. How could this happen? She only stared back blankly as pain washed her face.
"NO!" He ran again. Her face turned pale white and she stumbled backward, eyes glazing over. The cliff was right behind her, but her steps kept going back. She was going to fall off!
"Mariha hold on!" Riku was almost there. Just a few more steps. He lashed his hand out to catch her, as she did the same. He had her, he could practically feel her hand grab his. But he missed. She fell backward, down into the endless abyss.
Riku fell to his knees. Everything was a blur. He couldn't even hear Ansem laughing not far behind him. It was impossible, but that was her face. He found her at last. A flash; he was running to the girl, trying to catch her hand before the wave struck. Her face. More memories; just like the one he saw sinking down through the water. And lost her the same way.
"NAOMI!"
A/N: Again, I'm sorry, but here are mini rainbow cookies to amuse you for a while! sweatdrops summer's almost here and I'll be done exams soon, so I'll have the next chappy up SOON! My goal, before next week! -
Disclaimers: Kingdom Hearts still isn't mine... meh I wish the real owners of it would hurry up with KH:CoM and KH2 tho....
From Past to Present
She was up at the crack of dawn. The glowing sun was just peeking up from the ocean-covered horizon. Kairi slipped out of the sleepy main island on which she lived, took her little boat, and paddled to that small play-ground of an island. It was deserted, too early for the others. But how could she sleep when the day had finally come? How could she do anything but think of him; Riku. Today was the day. So as she stood in front of that plain wooden door like she had everyday, waiting for Sora to return, but she thought now of Riku. They would all be together at last, after so long. Sora was home, and it was Riku's turn.
Riku yawned and awoke. He opened an eye and looked down. Mariha was still by his side, sleeping soundly. Riku closed his eye and yawned again. Then, his eyes shot open as adrenalin of excitement flowed through him. Today was the day! Sora would open the door today. He'd be free, and they'd all be back together again!
He of up, somehow without waking Mariha, and crept out of their little shelter. He stood up tall and stretched. He looked around at the darkness of this world. HA! He laughed at it. He'd finally be rid of this place. He'd had enough of the darkness, enough of its tricks of pain and torcher. He was so happy; happier than he could ever remember being. He felt like dancing, singing, ANYTHING! But his rejoice stopped short. There was still one thing he needed to do first. He needed to find the light.
Even though today was his last chance to return home and he still needed to find the light of Kingdom Hearts, there was no distress or anxiousness coursing through him. No, he'd find it that was for sure, right at the ideal moment he knew it would be revealed. He knew in his heart, it was close. He could feel it calling to him, the light were all hearts are born. He closed his eyes. He saw nothing but empty blackness inside of him. He dove deeper. There, a small flicker! A tiny spark pulsed inside of him, his own hearts light.
Good, he thought happily, the darkness no longer has me. Ansem tried to drown my soul in darkness, but finally I've found my light again!
The light of all hearts, the light of Kingdom Hearts, it was drawing his own light to it. He opened his eyes. He needed to follow his heart. He glanced back over his shoulder. Mariha was still sleeping. She looked so peaceful, so content so Riku did not wake her. Instead he turned away.
I'll come back for her later, or she will follow, he thought, I cannot wait another moment.
He bent down, close to the ground, and with his finger drew and arrow pointing up the hill.
"There," he whispered, "Now Mariha, follow me if you wake before I return, if I return."
He stood up again and without looking back, went up that steep hill by the light of his heart.
"It's dark and cold... I'm all alone... Within my soul... and empty hole...Is my fate... To love, to hate...I play my song... Sad and long... So far away... The light of day... Shines bright and warm... But I'm forlorn... Yet I will fight... for my only light..."
When Mariha awoke, she found herself alone. Riku was not beside her. She yawned and crawled out from under the shelter.
"Wow," she said aloud as she yawned again, "I must have been out cold, I didn't even notice that he left."
She sighed deeply before noticing something scratched into the dirt by her feet. She bent down to get a closer look at the arrow shape someone had drawn. She moved her eyes up to where it pointed, up the hill.
Did you leave this for me Riku? she thought, Did you want me to follow?
She sighed again. "Well, I guess I'll go, it's not like there's anything else to do..."
She yawned one last time then started walking up the steep hill. When looking at it at first, it didn't seem so big, but as Mariha walked, it didn't seem like she was getting any closer to the top. Finally, her patience wore out and she picked up her pace.
"Stupid-hill-your-not-that-big-ahrg!" she said between breaths as she broke out into a run. It didn't last too long though. She quickly stopped to catch her breath.
Stupid hill, she thought and kicked at the dirt, which cause dust to fly into the air making her cough, Stupid dirt...
She continued climbing, still irritated at everything that annoyed her in the slightest. You could tell that she had just about had enough of this place... plus maybe she has too much unusable energy in her. As she continued muttering about random things, she didn't notice how close to the top she was. Suddenly, she thought she heard voices. She stopped dead in her tracks and fell silent. Someone was yelling.
She looked up, only a few steps from the top! Finally! she thought. She went to take a step when she heard voices again. Who could be there? She slowly crept up, she didn't know if it was friend or foe, and she didn't want to take her chances, especially since that bastard Ansem took away her sword.
As she crept, the clearer she could hear the voices. There were at least two. The first was Riku's she could tell without a doubt, but who was he talking to? Sora maybe? She didn't know what he sounded like. She kept just below the edge of the hill, so as not to be seen and strained her ears to pick up the other voice. It was quieter than Riku's, because Riku was yelling and the other was just talking normally, from further away too no doubt. But the second voice was raised in a menacing laugh. That wasn't Sora, it couldn't have been, she recognized it all too well. Ansem had found them.
Sora yawned and rolled over. Not really noticing how close to the edge of his bed he already was, he fell off and laded on the ground with a thud.
"Huh?" he sat up frantically and summoned his Keyblade to him, ready to attack, even though he was still half asleep. He jumped when he heard a knock on his door.
"Sora? You ok in there?" came a familiar voice.
"Wha? O yea, you can come in Goofy," Sora replied and yawned again as Goofy pushed open his bedroom door.
"Mornin'!" he said cheerfully, "How'd you sleep?"
"Ahh! It feels so great to finally be home on my own bed!" Sora said with his thousand dollar grin. Goofy chuckled.
"Care for some breakfast?" he asked.
Sora jumped up like a shot. "You bet!" It'd been a long time since he'd had his mothers cooking.
Goofy went downstairs, and after Sora quickly got dressed in some fresh, clean new clothes, followed his nose to the breakfast table.
"Good morning Sora," his mother said, "Pancakes?"
"Yes please!" exclaimed Sora. He didn't need to be asked twice, one of Sora's favourite things to do was to eat. He especially loved his mother's food, which he hadn't had in such a long time.
He took three pancakes at once and poured syrup all over them. Donald and Goofy watched in awe as he then began shoveling them into his mouth. Within minutes the pancakes were gone. Donald and Goofy just stated with mouths open at Sora as he got up and stacked his dishes in the sink.
"Ready to go guys?" he said to the two, then noticed them starting, "What? Do I have something on my face?"
"Sora-" Donald began but Goofy cut him off
"Yup, Kairi already is at the island."
"What? Why didn't you wake me!"
"You just looked so comfortable sleeping there," replied his mother, "Besides, she was up way before any of us, she left you this note though."
Sora took the note from his mother, unfolded it and read it. In Kairi's neat loopy handwriting, it read:
"I'll be waiting for you"
"Thanks mom, I need to go now," said Sora as he folded the note and shoved it in his pocket.
"Ok, be home in time for dinner."
With a quick nod, Sora hoped out the door, Donald and Goofy not far behind. He ran down the sunny streets to the harbor, got his boat and started for the small island. He was so excited he almost started rowing without untying the rope from the boat to the dock.
Finally, finally, finally! I can't believe it at last! Riku, you'll be home, everything will go back to normal again!
She slowly stood, now at the very top of the hill. No, it couldn't be. She saw it, but she wished she was dreaming again. This was no dream. No, how could it be...
The scene was exactly the same; the cliff, the plain, Riku ahead, and him above. It was exactly like her dream. But she could see him now. Ansem; merged with one of his heartless minions. But how could this be? It was just a dream. It was going to happen all over again. She wouldn't be able to stop it. No this can't be happening! She fell to her knees, clutching her head. It's a trick, please say it's not real!
Riku was ahead, he had come to the top of the hill to find and open plain with a dangerous looking cliff to one side. He kept walking, wary of its edge, but something caught his eye. He looked above, and there was Ansem, perched up on a floating ledge of rock. He was already ready for battle, already merged with his guardian heartless.
"Ansem..."
"Riku my boy, what a surprise!"
"How did you -how'd you find me!"
"Did you forget already? I live inside your heart, I'm always with you, I can always find you."
"Shut up!"
"Though I was a bit surprised to see that Natia didn't kill you after all."
"It's too late Ansem, you're finished!" Riku yelled.
"Ha! Foolish boy, you have no weapon, no companions to save you. You're a lost puppy running blindly through the dark."
"That's what you think, you're the fool Ansem!"
"Don't even try to bluff, I can see through you remember?"
"I don't need to lie, and you're not a part of me anymore," Riku smirked, "Because I've found it."
"What! No, it's impossible!" shrieked Ansem.
"It's all over," Riku said and chuckled mockingly.
Ansem was struck dumb. It can't end here! He would make sure this ignorant fool wouldn't defeat him. Not now, not EVER!
"Riku!"
"Huh?" Riku spun around. No, how'd she get there? Mariha was there, a few meters away from them. She had a terror stricken face and just, stared at him. A memory flashed before him, that face...
"You will not defeat me!" Ansem roared and shot a needle of darkness toward Mariha. Riku recovered just in time.
"No!" He ran to her. He could not let her down.
She could see him running. It wasn't a trick. It was real. There's got to be something she can do! She started to run toward him.
"Riku STOP!" she screamed.
He faltered. That face flashed at him again. Then again. Then the whole picture came together. Lost in the memories his run failed. No way, that's just impossible!
He couldn't see Mariha anymore. All he could see was that face, and he stared in shock. An ear-piercing scream brought him back to reality. He looked ahead. Ansems attack struck Mariha just below her heart. He hadn't been fast enough. He stared at her in shock. How could this happen? She only stared back blankly as pain washed her face.
"NO!" He ran again. Her face turned pale white and she stumbled backward, eyes glazing over. The cliff was right behind her, but her steps kept going back. She was going to fall off!
"Mariha hold on!" Riku was almost there. Just a few more steps. He lashed his hand out to catch her, as she did the same. He had her, he could practically feel her hand grab his. But he missed. She fell backward, down into the endless abyss.
Riku fell to his knees. Everything was a blur. He couldn't even hear Ansem laughing not far behind him. It was impossible, but that was her face. He found her at last. A flash; he was running to the girl, trying to catch her hand before the wave struck. Her face. More memories; just like the one he saw sinking down through the water. And lost her the same way.
"NAOMI!"
A/N: Again, I'm sorry, but here are mini rainbow cookies to amuse you for a while! sweatdrops summer's almost here and I'll be done exams soon, so I'll have the next chappy up SOON! My goal, before next week! -