Alrighty. I've changed a few things, made it a year after the last one (a year after the first Kingdom Hearts), so that I can write at least a little bit of a sequel thingy. It drives me crazy as much as it drives you people crazy, so don't complain! And I'm not short on ideas, either. I just want to make sure Riku's still with the darkness in KH2, cause Mickey M. was shut behind the door with him at the end, remember? So in this, I'll just assume that he is still with the dark side-thing, and yes. It will change if that is not the case in the next game. Um... I'll shut up now. I still don't own Kingdom Hearts, but whatever.
Hey, sweet.
What do you want? I pushed him away from me, but he smiled.
Just a little kiss.
Why ever not? He moved his hands as if to grasp me around the waist.
Because you're a bastard.
Oh, you can't mean that.
But I do.
He laughed. You are quite the comedian, sweet.
I am not your sweet.
You are, he whispered in my ear. Now, what about–
No. Go away.
Not until you give me that kiss. He was so close that I couldn't get away. Unbidden, memories of another time came back to me, the feeling of a touch from a nightmare.
Jason you IDIOT! There was a flash of shimmering black, and he was lying on the ground, unconscious. I suppose you probably deserve it... I kicked at his limp form. Just don't do it again. Sighing, I began the slow trek back to my house.
When I got to the end of the driveway, I spotted my white cat, Annie, wandering towards me. She was one year old now, and wore a brand-new blue ribbon around her neck that I had tied on just this morning. Her original ribbon I kept tied on the chain that held what I call the Cristal d'Ange, one of the few tangible reminders I had of him.
Hey, baby. I picked her up and she mewed, turning her soft eyes up towards the garage. I avoided the front door, as the house was too large for my liking. In the past year my father had struck it rich, and when had moved out of the ghetto and into an upper-middle class neighborhood. I had turned the empty garage into my own private haven, with a deep red rug, a red sofa and love seat, and a small refrigerator/freezer to keep drinks in. It was my place, no one else was allowed in. I kept Annie here, in a little basket I had found lying around on the street before we left. I had my own room upstairs, and that of course was where I normally slept, but this was the closest to a that I'd ever get to. Setting Annie and by backpack down on the sofa, I went inside the house to get something to eat.
Hi, Mom.
Hello, Rose! How was school?
Um... it was fine. Do we have anymore of that cold chicken left? I searched the large refrigerator.
Oops, sorry dear. I forgot to buy more today.
I sighed. All right, whatever. I'm gonna go do my homework now.
Have fun!
I whispered under my breath.
Back in the garage, I laid down on the sofa, and Annie came and settled down on my stomach.
Do you remember him, baby?
His hair was so beautiful... long and slivery... but not white, and the softest thing I've ever laid my hands on.
she purred when I began to stroke her fur.
And his eyes... I could get lost forever... do you remember... I yawned, and was asleep.
Wake up, Rose.
A familiar hand brushed against the face. A hand that had brushed hair away from that same face on a gummi ship... but it seemed like ages ago...
Come on,Rose... He lifted the tired female up from her nest. Breakfast time.
All right... whoa! He kept her from falling over onto the floor. Sorry. Morning stumbles.
Laughing, he said, It's fine. I get them too.
She laughed, and reached up and brushed her fingers across his lips. He nibbled at them, and said gently, Go on, get dressed. I'll be waiting.
He left, and she put on the customary skirt and shirt, and walked to the breakfast room.
You're beautiful, he said, brushing his lips against hers.
Not really, she said, sitting down in the customary chair.
Do you remember...
Of course I do...
She laughed.
Here... give this to her for me, Annie.
Riku...
I was awake suddenly. I thought I had felt a hand brush some hair away, his hand... I shook my head. No. That was the stuff of dreams. But it had been so long... maybe...
Whatcha got there, Annie? I saw the handwriting on the outside envelope, and grabbed it so quickly I almost gave my kitty a toothache. Is it... real?
Rose
It was his hand.
The little flower after the ... that was his symbol for me.
It was the same paper that he kept with him at all times... and the same red ink.
I carefully tore open the top of the delicate paper, holding it as if it was a holy object.
Rose,
I'm sorry I can't speak to you in person right now... but you'll see me soon enough. Wait for me to say the first word. We're in your world now... the world in between. I'll spend most of my time downtown... but I'll need you there. I miss you. I love you.
Riku
I kissed the paper, remembering the hands that had touched this paper. His hands. In their black leather gloves, the hands that I had kissed too many times to count, the hands I remembered even more times than I had kissed them.
The next day, I was sitting with my friend Cat at lunch, and she was talking about some new kid who was supposedly really hot...
I wish I knew his name! He's got the most beautiful, muscled chest I've ever seen, and his arms... they're like he grew up on an island building boats!
What put that in your head?
I heard he smells like the ocean.
No kidding?
Yeah. And he's wearing all black, with some weird emblem like thing on it.
What's it look like?
I heard it was a heart-shaped thing, with an X through the center. Deep blue.
He seems a lot like your dream guy, hun.
My mind was on Riku.
That silver hair, I know what you mean now when you say it. I mean, I always thought of it as an old man's hair... but this guy... I mean wow...
You mean he has silver hair?
Yeah... rather long, too. And these eyes... they're–
Clear aqua blue?
Um... yeah. Hey! Do you know him?
She had my attention now, and she knew it.
You do know him! Oh my god, are you two like secret lovers or something?
I never said I knew him.
But you do. Look, there he is, she pointed to someone behind me. I turned around, and thought my eyes were playing tricks on me again.
My god...
I ignored her, though, and stood up. He looked over at me and smiled his smile, subtle, but still there. Riku... He put a finger to his lips, and I remembered what was in the note. Wait for me to say the first word. I smiled back, and we both turned around and sat down at the table. However, while he went back to casually chatting with some other guys, I just sat there and stared at the table, smiling, my heart beating faster than it was when we were in the lake... after a different lunch...
You know him.
I nodded.
Oh my god!
Smiling, I said, Don't tell anyone, though. It's a secret.
Her eyes grew wider. A secret?
I looked at her. You're the only one that knows. No telling! Sister bond.
Sister bond. But oh my god you know him!
Quit saying that.
He's the hottest guy here. Lucky.
I never said we were lovers.
But your smile did.
Shut up. I couldn't stop smiling.
I am so jealous!
Sister bond, I reminded her, and the bell rang to report to class.
I sat through chemistry, geography, french, and gym, with only one thing, one person on my mind. Once I passed him in the hallway, and he ran his finger along my arm as he passed. Every time I passed Cat, she gave me that little secret smile of hers that drove me crazy.
After the final bell rang, I waited until the hall was clear, then headed to my locker, opened it, packed up my stuff, but didn't get to close it. A different hand pushed it shut. I didn't turn to face the person it belonged to.
Hello, sweet.
Jason, I'm not in the mood for you right now.
But I never got that kiss yesterday.
Because you're a bastard.
But I can still kiss you.
Go away.
Go away!
He forced me to turn around. You can't avoid me now.
Before he was able to get close enough, however, another voice split the air.
Get away from my girl. Jason slowly turned around, moving out from in front of me. It was exactly who I hoped it was.
Is she your girl? He smirked, looking at Riku. New kid.
Smirking back, Riku said, You're more of a new kid than I ever was.
Are you asking for a fight? All I want is a simple kiss.
You're not gonna get it from her.
Apparently, Jason had had enough. He threw a punch at Riku's nose, but missed. Riku reappeared next to me.
Get away from Rose, new kid.
She'd push me away if she didn't want me here.
You talk to much, fucker.
Watch your mouth, there's a lady present. I couldn't help but giggle, because I can be one of the most unladylike ladies you've ever met.
I dare you to fight me, new kid. Jason was the strongest student in the school, and no one dared to fight him physically. It would hurt too much.
Any time you want.
Jason was taken aback by Riku's boldness, and decided the best strategy was to leave. I've got to get going, don't know why I even wasted my time with you. He reached over to grab my wrist, but Riku was quicker.
You won't take her, he snarled, eyes turning crimson, keyblade out. One usually doesn't wanna be on the receiving end of the blow that followed those eyes.
The bully couldn't believe what was happening, so he just ran away. Riku turned back to normal.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, his went around my waist, and our lips met.
Rose... whoa... he ran his eyes up and down my body, and I blushed a little.
I... I guess my style's changed?
Well... I can't wear the clothes I like. My mom just goes out and buys stuff, and I have to wear it.
It doesn't suit you.
I know. It's irritating, but, well...
I understand. It's okay... I've got the rest of your clothes in my apartment.
My face lit up, and I thre my arms around his neck. Really? Riku, I love you!
Would you like to come see?
Well... um... where is it?
Not in a place your parents would approve of.
That settles it, then! Let's go!
But, before we could leave, a voice sounded from behind me. When I turned around, I saw that it was Cat, looking at us, a little smile on her face.
Yeah? By the way, Cat, this is Riku, Riku, meet Cat.
Hey Riku. If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to borrow Rose for just a teeny bit, she said, smiling.
he looked at me.
He laughed. Rose, you have some very persistent friends. Go on!
said Cat, and she led me around the corner.
Rose, I've heard some rumors. Great. She had pulled me away from Riku to gossip with me. Do you know where his apartment is?
...Cat, what did you hear?
It's downtown. In... she leaned over and whispered in my ear. ...that black part.
I gave her a skeptical look.
Rose. Listen. He's evil. Evil. Not some mischief maker.' I thought you knew where to draw the line!
I sighed, and looked at the floor. It's a long, long story.
And he was about to take you to his apartment! You know what he wants, don't you?
Smiling, I replied, I know a hell lot more than you do.
Don't evade the question! Rose, you're smarter than this. Listen to me, please... I'm just... I'm just trying to help you.
I looked at her, and smiled again. I know, you're a sweetie. But... I can't tell you why I'm doing this at the moment. The walls have ears, you know.
I know... alright.
Let's have a sleepover tomorrow night...
My house.
Okay. After school?
Done. Be careful, Rose.
I promise. Sister bond.
Sister bond.
Now get back to your guy, she said, eyes smiling.
You're awesome! I gave her a hug, and she went down the hallway towards the doors.
I turned, and smiled.
She's worried about me. You don't exactly have a perfect rep, even on the first day.
Must be this weird emblem on my shirt, he laid his hand over the heartless crest, and grimaced. I need to get back. Wanna come?
Of course! Our hands found each other, and he led me out the door into the bright three o'clock sunlight.
Many thanks to my reviewers! I love you all! Maybe if you pester me enough I'll put up the next ten pages...
