Chapter 2: The journey has begun

"Alex, is something bothering you?" Caitlin asked. Alex didn't answer. Ryan was about say something when Jason shook his head. "Don't try to say he's dead." He whispered.

She heard that and left to go back to Kairi's place. 'He's not dead. I know it.' Alex got on the boat and rowed back to Kairi's.

"He's dead, Alex. There's nothing you can do." Ryan's words echoed through her mind again. 'Stop it. It's not true. He's not dead.' She kept telling herself. "You're lying, Ryan. He's still alive." She hissed.

At Kairi's...

"Hey! You're back!" Kairi saw her friend's gloomy face and knew instantly what happened.

"Thinking about Riku and Ryan said he's dead again?" She asked.

Alex nodded.

"Oh. This came in the mail for you." Kairi handed her a letter. It came from Traverse Town, from Yuffie.

Slowly, Alex opened it.

Dear Alex,

I know you're on Destiny Islands, living with Kairi. Just last week, Squall and I ran into someone you would want to see again. That's right. Your one and only lover, Riku. But, he seems different somehow. I mean, it's nothing to worry about though. He can take care of himself. He came with Mickey and two other people. Squall's reading over my shoulder as I'm writing. He says, "Take care of yourself and blah blah blah." Tell that to Kairi too. Oh yeah, we haven't seen Sora yet. We thought he'd be on Destiny Islands by now.

I write to you if we see him.

Yuffie

"What did Yuffie say?" Kairi asked, cooking ramen again. "They've seen Mickey and Riku. But, no Sora yet."

"Well, at least, your boyfriend is still alive." Kairi said, stirring the ramen.

"Cheer up, Kairi. Sora's probably looking for a way to get here now." Alex said cheerfully.

"WHO'S COOKING RAMEN?!?" Someone familiar yelled.

"Hey! That sounds like...." Kairi's eyes widened when he stepped into her house.

"OH MY GOD! SORA, YOU'RE BACK!!!!"

"Lucky you. Your boyfriend's back." Alex sighed. She still wished Riku was there with her. 'I need proof that you're still alive to get Ryan off my case.'

Sora and Kairi were having a make out session on the couch after the ramen was finished. Alex rolled her eyes, went to her room and stuffed most of her clothes in a backpack.

"Alexia Rzeznik! Where do you think you're going?!" Kairi shrieked.

"I've had quite enough, Kairi. I'm going to look for Riku. I sat here and waited for four years and he didn't come back. I'm leaving and no one will stop me!" Alex hissed. Sora agreed with Riku's girlfriend. "Let her go, Kairi. Alex, you can use my gummi ship if you want." He tossed to keys to her. "Thanks, Sora. At least, you understand." Alex looked at them and ran out of the house.

It's been two weeks since she left Destiny Islands to look for Riku. 'I went to Traverse Town, the coliseum, Deep Jungle and Wonderland.' "He wasn't there." Alex said to herself. 'Where can he be? Mickey's with him. He'll be okay.' "I know you're still alive."

"Riku! Take the key!" 'Sora' yelled. "What? Why?" Riku protested.

"Take the stupid key!" 'Kairi' shrieked.

Riku walked forward and realized that if he took one more step, he would fall about a hundred feet.

'Sora' threw the Oblivion key to him. Riku jumped and caught it. He started falling headfirst and didn't care. 'No one needs me. I have to die because of what I've done.'

"No, that's not true, Riku. I need you because I love you." He heard Alex's voice in his head. "I need to see you again." Somehow, he flipped over and landed on his feet.

"How'd he do that, Mickey?" 'Sora' asked.

Mickey shrugged. "First suicide attempt and Alex stopped him from actually killing himself."

"Huh?" Riku lifted his head, facing the rain, letting the rain touch his face. "They're coming."

He was right. The heartless had come once again. Riku drew his keyblade and slashed at the heartless. They multiplied as he destroyed them. "Guys, a little help down here. I'm blind! Remember!" Riku pleaded.

Mickey and Dual Wielder Sora jumped down, using Strike raid on all the heartless.

A figure appeared among them and the fiends disappeared. "Well, it seems little Alexia's lover boy got out. I wonder where your beloved is right now, Riku."
Cliffy.

Please r&r.