Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts is owned by......... well, it ain't owned by me, so don't try to think I'm taking the credit, 'cause I'm not.
Chapter Five: To Be, Or Not to Be"So what you're telling me is," Sora said in disbelief, "this Keyblade will turn back the Heartless from each world once it has been locked. But how is this done?"
Leon and Riku exchanged glances. They had explained to Sora that the worlds that had always been separated by powerful barriers had been connected and world-to-world travel was now possible. An evil called the Heartless seeped into the worlds and devoured them. As the wielder of the Keyblade, Sora was destined to stop this evil.
"To seal the Keyhole of each world," Leon said, "you must rely on the strength, support, and love of the trinity."
"The trinity?"
Riku tamed his smile before it emerged. Sora looked so innocent when he was confused that Riku wanted to laugh aloud at his expression. But the sobering thought that this was the wielder of the Keyblade kept his smile at bay. "You are not fated to fight the Heartless alone, Sora. Two others will aid you; the three being the Trinity."
Sora looked away from Riku's unwavering gaze when he realized their eyes were meeting. Interesting boy, him. "Who are these two helpers, then?"
Leon stood up. "We've been preparing people we feel are worthy candidates." He hesitated, not attempting to hide his calculating stare. He turned to Riku, who gave an imperceptible nod. "We felt that you, being the Keyblade Master, should choose."
Sora's eyes darted toward Riku's before flitting away. His face heated. Riku fought to suppress the grin at seeing the boy fidget. When he blushed, he almost looked...
Cute? He barely refrained from rolling his eyes. Go on, Riku, he taunted himself, admit it. He's pretty cute.
"We should introduce him to the candidates," he said suddenly, half hoping to quell the thoughts in his mind. He wondered idly how many people usually had conversations with their conscience and smothered a sigh. Riku knew of only one, and he was a wooden puppet. He carefully kept his internal turbulence from his face, though.
"You aren't a candidate?" Sora blurted, dismayed. His face instantly lit up and Riku allowed for a lopsided grin.
"My, my, aren't we impatient to begin." If possible, Sora's face grew hotter.
"Yuffie," Leon called through the wooden door of the hotel room, "come inside. It's time."
The door opened before Leon finished and two other women ushered Kairi in. The first had short black hair and an infectious smile, while the other had long, brown hair and hauntingly beautiful eyes. The shorthaired girl introduced herself as Yuffie and the other said her name was Aerith.
Kairi took up a position near Sora, Riku noted.
Sora's eyes sharpened and he asked, "Are these the candidates?"
Leon laughed and spoke to Riku. "Perhaps his directness is why the Keyblade chose him." His smile vanished. "Don't doubt the abilities you see before you," he warned, "or you'll regret it later."
Riku neared Sora and felt gratified to see the boy swallow audibly. I never thought I'd be teasing the Keyblade Master. "I offer my companionship," (he enjoyed the reaction his word choice wrought in the boy standing before him) "in the battle against the Heartless. I would grant you incredible courage." He stepped back, entrusting Leon to embellish.
Instead, Yuffie winked at Sora and, ignoring the Keyblade Master's blush, added, "His sword skills are nothing to scoff at, either."
Riku schooled his face to apathy. No expression revealed his thoughts. Each of them had decided long ago what they would offer to the wielder of the Keyblade. Riku had originally intended to promise loyalty, courage, and protection. After conferring with Leon he had decided to say only courage. It was up to Sora whether or not to choose him.
Leon stepped forward next. "I would lend you my knowledge."
Aerith continued and swore she'd keep him healthy and safe with her healing magic. Riku began to feel doubtful that Sora would choose him. The silver-haired youth was the youngest in the group – besides Sora, he reminded himself – and who could resist Leon's knowledge or Aerith's magic. And Leon could best Riku in a swordfight...
Yuffie was offering her skill in stealth and battle.
Riku stepped forward, a fluttering in his stomach. He ignored it. "Sora, I would ask you choose among us those who you would take on your first journey."
"No more than two of us," Leon reminded, "for Destiny has willed it so."
Sora nodded. "Where will we go first?" he asked.
Leon frowned, but answered. "A friend of ours, Cid, has a means for us to travel to the nearest world. We want you to seal this world to cut off the Heartless' main support to Traverse Town. Afterwards..." he shrugged. "We must find out where they are originating and stop them."
Kairi spoke up at last. "So we're at war with this evil?"
Riku regarded her while Aerith confirmed her inquiry. "I suggest the Keyblade Master returns here once he has completed his first."
Yuffie nodded. "So choose two of us, already," she told him.
Riku found himself admiring this young wielder of the Keyblade. He took their story seriously and credulously, willing to help in a war he knew nothing about. Suddenly, he desperately wanted to keep Sora safe.
Maybe he'll choose me...Sora shrugged. "I guess I choose Leon and Aerith, then."
Riku felt a stab of disappointment, followed by hurt. Hurt? I shouldn't mind that this boy probably just made the best decision. Yet he still couldn't shake the feeling that he had somehow been betrayed. What would it take to join the Keyblade Master on his quest?
Sora's gaze met Riku's before leaving to stare at the ground. A mild defiance laced his tone, "They have the most to offer."
Riku dulled his senses and nodded in agreement. Something in the way Sora had looked at him earlier had given him a confidence that the boy would choose him.
False confidence.
"Let's go then," Leon stated. "The faster we leave, the sooner we will come home."
(A/N: Hey, this story wouldn't be good without some angst thrown in, would it? Don't worry, I won't write half a book without putting Riku back in. In fact, I was thinking he should do something... uncharacteristic? ... to persuade Sora. I doubt any readers would object to that! Grins)
Preview of Chapter 6:
......... The older boy would haunt him with his presence when Sora knew nothing could happen. Look but don't touch.
He found himself blushing again and forced the thought away.........
