Title- Bright New Dawn

Summary- Riku's first mission for the Organization- to recruit three powerful characters to the black-coats' cause, aided by Axel. But their enemies, both outside the Organization and inside, have different plans…

Disclaimer- I do not hold the rights to either Square or Disney. If I did, Kingdom Hearts- Chain of Memories would come out in Britain much sooner.

Rating- PG-13

Spoilers- Huge ones for Chain of Memories. You've been warned.

Bright New Dawn

Chapter Three- A World Without You

With a hiss of displaced air, the train slid invisibly into the abandoned station that overlooked Destiny Islands' main isle, a scattered village of bright, red-tiled houses. Axel, from his seat inside the train, glanced out of the window to ensure that no-one was around. The station had been closed- well, closed to everyone else- for decades, but there was such a thing as making sure.

He opened the door, crinkling his nose as the salt air hit him. The station had once been one of the wooden huts that could still be seen on the smaller islands, but time and neglect had turned it into almost part of the surrounding forest- grass grew in between the paving stones, and vines crept over the tattered walls. Axel stepped from the train, sliding the door shut behind him. Once again, the train faded from view.

Ducking through what had once been the doorway, he made his way down the muddy path that led to the village. The tall palm trees above his head rustled in the early-evening air. Around him, Axel could hear the cawing of a seagull, and the murmur of the sea.

Eventually, the forest noises gave way to the chatter of a small town. A bonfire was burning in the middle of the square, with what looked to be most of the islands' children gathered around it, playing some kind of game that Axel didn't recognise but looked fun. Balls and hoops were involved. He pressed himself against the wall of a nearby house, not wanting to be seen.

He looked around the corner, his eyes darting from one laughing face to another. A couple of boys were arguing about a goal, which, to Axel, looked fairly legitimate. One of them, a tall, slightly pudgy kid with an improbable lick of ginger hair, shoved his companion into the path of an unsuspecting girl and ran, laughing. Axel rolled his eyes as the other kid, smaller and skinnier, apologised awkwardly and gave chase.

'Come back here, Wakka!' the boy shouted, pushing his way through the crowd. 'I'm gonna kick your ass!'

Axel bounded up to the roof of the house, cursing, as the two children came tearing around the corner. That was close.

He watched as the smaller boy grabbed Wakka by the back of his neck. 'Come on, Tidus! Have a sense of humour, ya?' the red-haired boy shouted as Tidus pinned him to the ground.

'That wasn't funny!' Tidus yanked Wakka's arm behind his back. 'I'll shove you into Lulu next time, see how funny you find that!'

Axel sat back on the roof, wondering idly if he could spit on Tidus' head from here, and if so whether the boy would notice.

'Get off me, or I'm telling your dad!' Wakka yelled. Tidus gave the boy's arm a final twist, then stood up, letting Wakka get back to his feet. Wakka massaged some life back into his arm, which had turned a decorative shade of purple. 'Sorry 'bout that, Tidus.'

'Not as sorry as you're gonna be when I tell Kairi,' the blonde kid responded, gesturing towards an island in the distance. 'She's gonna kick your ass twice as bad as I did.'

Wakka waved a hand dismissively, as Axel's head appeared above them, a look of sudden interest in his eyes. 'Eh, you get her to come out of that cave, I'll be too surprised to run anywhere.'

'You tried talking to her at all?' Tidus asked.

Wakka nodded. 'Couple of weeks ago, she tells me that the whole island's been asleep or something for ages, and we've only just woken up, ya? Then she starts talkin' about these kids who used to play with us, Sora and Ri-someone, except I'm damned if I can remember anyone like that. You?'

'Nope,' Tidus replied, shaking his head.

'I thought she was just bein', you know, Kairi, but a week later she's still waitin' on the beach for 'em, sunrise to sunset. Then she starts sleepin' in the cave. Her parents tried to drag her out of it, but she said no, they'd be comin' back any time soon. Now they just leave food outside for her.'

Axel lay back again, smiling. He couldn't have hoped for a better situation.

A few minutes later, the brown-haired girl who Tidus had run into was surprised by a whisper from the shadows. 'Excuse me. Which island is the girl Kairi on?'

'Um, that one, I think,' she replied, pointing. 'Who're you?'

She didn't get an answer. Turning, all she saw was an alleyway full of shadows.

'You did what?' Riku shouted, rising from his chair.

Axel stepped back, his grin broadening at Riku's anger. 'Talked to her. Poor girl's stuck on an island without any friends to speak of. It seemed like the thing to do.'

'When?' Riku asked, moving forward. His hand tightened on the hilt of the Soul Eater.

'A couple of days ago, just after Castle Oblivion. I wanted to see the girl that inspires heroism in two Keyblade masters.' He laughed, briefly. 'She's a bit too young for me, but, hey, each to their own. Good hair, though.'

'And what did you talk to her about?'

'Sora, mainly,' Axel replied, taking a certain pleasure in twisting the knife. 'But you did get mentioned. She wanted to know if you were alright, and where you were.'

'Right.' Riku looked away from Axel for a few moments, then back to him. 'What the hell do you mean, she doesn't have any friends? What happened to Tidus? Selphie?'

'Well, it's the oddest thing. She keeps insisting that there were two other boys who used to live on the island. They're both elsewhere at the moment, but they will come back.' Axel began to pace around the room. 'You should hear the stories she tells, Riku. Evil witches, monsters created from hearts, bitter swordfights, epic battles with the future of all worlds at stake. Would you believe her?'

Riku didn't reply. Kairi… what have I done? What've me and Sora done to you?

'I'll take that as a no.' Axel walked towards Riku. 'She's a wreck, and I don't think I helped much. I probably shouldn't have told her about how easily Sora forgot her in Castle Oblivion.' He laughed again. 'I tell you, if your girl ever meets Naminẻ, there is going to be trouble.'

He put a hand on Riku's shoulder. Riku wrenched it away, prompting a smirk from Axel. 'What? Upset that your actions have consequences?'

'I'm quitting this damn group,' Riku shot back. 'First chance I get.'

Axel nodded. 'I wouldn't blame you. Sure, the power is fun, and there's a certain enjoyment to be found watching the constant struggles for control, but you'll be asked to do things time and time again that no-one with a shred of conscience would even consider. But…'

'But what?'

'This isn't the kind of position you quit, Riku. An action like that would have, well, major consequences.' Axel stepped towards him again. 'And if we couldn't find you, well…' He laughed. 'To borrow a phrase, we know where you live.'

'You son of a-'

Riku's furious lunge clattered off Axel's circular blade, sending painful tremors up the Soul Eater. As he raised the sword to attack again, Axel brought his other blade up in an arc, knocking Riku onto his side in a blur of red.

'Patience, Riku.' Axel leaned down, wrenching the Soul Eater from Riku's grip. 'You fight well, but you're too obvious. Try again in a couple of years.'

Riku scrambled to his feet. 'She's a hostage, isn't she?' he said, bitterly.

'Don't think you're being singled out. Exira is going to see Mickey's queen as soon as she gets a break from transcribing Vexen's research notes.' Axel examined the Soul Eater, genuine interest on his face. 'Where did you say you got this?'

Riku paused before replying. 'Diz gave it to me.'

'Yeah, that makes sense.' He turned it over in his hands, the eye in the hilt glaring at him. 'Riku, I've got an offer for you.'

'Is this going to be a better offer than 'join the Organization, we might not kill your oldest friend'?' Riku replied, coldly.

Axel laughed. 'It depends.' He offered the Soul Eater to Riku, who took it back, looking at him sceptically. 'I've had a look at your first assignment as a member of the Organization. Don't tell anyone. We've got a town a few hours from here- I think you passed through it on your way to the castle- where we've been using the inhabitants as test cases for several years now.'

So that explains the welcome I got at Twilight Town. 'Vexen's research has turned up some interesting theories about the effect of pure light on unanchored hearts,' Axel continued, beginning to pace again. 'The plan is for you and Exira to travel to the town and, well, test them out. She'll do the actual testing- it's your job to deal with the results of the experiment.'

Axel glanced at the expression on Riku's face. 'Don't you like the sound of that?'

'I'm guessing it would be my job to pick the victim, as well?' Riku said, looking angrily at Axel.

'Victims. Plural. Exira's probably going to need at least five test cases.' He smiled. 'But you don't have to do it.'

'Why's that?'

'Because I've got another job for you to do. It'll get you out of this castle for a while, and for a few months you won't be answerable to Ixion. Of course, it won't make you any friends within the Organization, but I think that's sort of a lost cause anyway.'

'So, what's the assignment, then?' Riku demanded. 'Burn down a couple of orphanages, maybe?'

Axel shook his head, still smiling. 'The Organization always has thirteen members. One dies, and another is recruited. When Larxene and Marluxia died, you and Mickey were recruited. But you and your friend have left three big vacancies, and we don't have anyone to replace them. You're going to help me find some.'

It took a few seconds for this to sink in. 'You must be mad, Axel,' Riku said, eventually. 'I hate this group and everyone in it. Why do you think I'd help you get more power?'

'Well, there's many reasons, really. It'll keep you from the more inhumane assignments for a while. It'll be a chance to see the Wastelands, which everyone should see at least once in their life. You'll learn to use the powers you inherited from Larxene, which might be useful if you ever do decide to go against the Organization.' He laughed. 'And there's the most simple reason, which is that if you don't, something unfortunate might happen to Kairi.'

Riku almost lunged for him again. 'What about Mickey, then?' he asked instead, sheathing the Soul Eater.

Axel shook his head. 'Mickey is a complication. He stays out of it.'

'You honestly think that I'm going to let him get signed up for the Twilight Town assignment? I'd rather do it than let him have it on his conscience.'

'You know, it's a lot simpler dealing with shells. Hearts just complicate things.' Axel sighed. 'Alright. The library needs sorting out, and if he takes his time and knows what's good for him, sorting out that mess will take years. I'll try and get him assigned to that, but I'm not making any promises.'

He offered his hand. 'Do we have a deal?'

Riku hesitated. 'What are you after, Axel?' he asked. 'What are you trying to do?'

'Believe it or not, Riku, I'm trying to help you.'

Riku shook his head. 'I'm not going to rush into a decision like this.'

Axel smiled. 'You really are learning.' Turning away, Riku looked out the window, to where a complex knot of train lines converged in front of the castle.

He stood there for long minute after long minute, his hand over his eyes, as Axel sat expectantly behind him. Dealing with the Organization was turning out to be like playing two separate games of chess without being able to see any of the opponents' pieces. He couldn't trust anything Axel said, he knew that… but at least the red-haired man seemed to genuinely want to keep Riku alive, which was more than could be said for Ixion or any of the others. At least with Axel he might get some control over his life back. But he couldn't leave Mickey here without being sure that he wouldn't be sent on the kind of mission Riku was escaping from, which really seemed like the kind of thing Ixion would do- for revenge, as much as anything else. Maybe if he…

Riku looked into the distance. There was a train- not one of the Organization's invisible carriages, but a bright one that glimmered in the rising sun- coming closer, on one of the distant lines. Tendrils of an approaching aura began to creep into Riku's mind- a man, smelling of chemicals and blood, tall and thin, with-

He turned to Axel, who was wearing a look of genuine glee Riku had previously only seen on children. 'You getting that as well?' he asked, standing up.

Riku nodded. 'It's him, isn't it?'

By the time Riku had made his way down the innumerable stairs that led to the castle's entrance hall, the rest of the Organization was already there, waiting in silence. From the thin balcony that ringed the hall he could make out Exira, who was standing with her head bowed, and Mickey- well, the gap in the line between Exira and an unfamiliar man with wild blonde hair. Muttering to himself, he descended another flight of stairs that linked the balcony and the ground floor, with carved snakes curling around the banister.

'You're late,' Ixion hissed, from his place in the line.

'Well, excuse me if I can't just teleport everywhere,' Riku replied. He ducked into his place, next to Beatrix.

His gaze wandered down the line to the blonde-haired man, who- Riku raised his eyebrows- only had one functioning eye, green and glaring. The other was lost beneath the combined efforts of a deep scar, running from his chin through his hair, and an intricate loop of tattoos that seemed to grow out from the empty socket. As Riku looked, the man glanced his way, the corner of his mouth twisting into a smirk.

'That's Vorax.' It was Beatrix who'd spoken, and Riku turned to look at her, surprised- they were the first civil words she'd said to him.

'Didn't see him at that little 'Welcome to the Organization' party you threw for us last night,' Riku said, glancing back at Vorax.

Beatrix laughed. 'Last time he met a new recruit, he stabbed her through the chest for what he saw as insubordination. Turned out she'd accidentally sat in his chair for dinner. We've tried to keep him separate from the new guys ever since.'

'Wow.' Riku straightened up, running a hand through his hair. 'And I thought Axel was unhinged.'

Beatrix smiled, but didn't answer.

A vague shape began to appear in the fog ahead of them, and the red-and-black aura that had been at the back of his mind ever since he'd seen the train hit Riku with the force of a sledgehammer. Ixion stepped out of the line, bowing, and around him the members of the Organization dropped to their knees. Riku followed suit, inwardly sighing.

With his bandages flapping behind him, Diz stepped into the entrance hall, his single eye flashing gold.

'Welcome to Twilight Sanctuary, my Superior,' Ixion said in a voice of humility that Riku hadn't thought him capable of. 'What is your business here?'

Diz spoke, a slight echo at the edge of his voice. 'Two things, Ixion. I have come to see our new recruits, to see what they have learned from their travels, and from you.'

'Certainly,' Ixion replied.

'And I have also come to speak to you, Ixion.'

Ixion remained expressionless. 'The events of Castle Oblivion trouble me,' Diz continued. 'It is possible to me that the treachery has roots elsewhere in the Organization. Do you think that disloyalty remains in the ranks?'

Axel, his hair grazing the floor, chuckled inwardly. He knows, he thought. He must have known from the moment he saw the bodies of Zexion and Lexaeus.

'I could not imagine any of us to be disloyal, Superior,' Ixion said, and Axel's inward grin grew even broader. And Ixion knows that he knows. This is all just a game they're playing.

'Your assessment is… encouraging, Ixion, but perhaps a little over-optimistic.' Diz moved past Ixion, scanning the Organization, and Riku shivered as the bandaged man's gaze passed over him. 'Rise,' he said.

They stood, looking straight ahead. Diz stepped forward, stopping in front of Exira. 'Have you made any progress in transcribing the notes Axel recovered from Castle Oblivion?' he asked.

Axel's grin vanished. How the hell does he know about that?

'Some progress, Superior,' she answered, her voice free from any surprise she might have felt. 'His later research is mainly incomprehensible fragments and scribbled diagrams. I can only assume that it made sense to him.'

'Not altogether surprising,' Diz said, taking a step down the line. 'Mickey?' he said, looking down to where the king stood. 'What have been your first impressions of our Organization?'

'Top notch, Di- um, Superior,' Mickey said, meeting his look. 'Seems like I made a good choice, takin' you up on your offer.'

Diz nodded. Walking past Vorax, who was tapping his hand distractedly on the side of his leg, he smiled. 'Congratulations are in order, it seems.'

'For what?' Vorax said, a faint smile on his face.

'The success of your latest assignment,' Diz said. 'Your services are invaluable to the Organization, Vorax.'

The blonde man looked at his feet, looking almost embarrassed. 'Just doing my job, Superior.'

Diz stepped past the gap in the line where Ixion had emerged, looking at Beatrix out of the corner of his eye. Finally, he arrived in front of Riku. 'And you?' he asked. 'How have you found your comrades?'

Riku paused before replying. Answer like Axel would, he thought. Talk in double-speak. Don't mean anything you say.

'They've all acted like true members of the Organization,' he said, risking a glance into Diz's golden eye as he said it. No reaction.

'I am glad to hear it.' Diz moved away from the line. 'You are all dismissed, except for you, Ixion. I may be calling on some of you later, so do not leave the castle until I have departed.'

With a tangible sense of relief, the Organization dissipated in a whirl of black smoke, leaving Riku and Mickey standing with Ixion in the entrance hall. A glare from Ixion, seemingly un-noticed by Diz, indicated that they should follow the rest.

As they left the hall, they heard Diz turn to Ixion. 'Can you not think of anyone in this Organization whose loyalty is suspect?'

'One name springs to mind,' Ixion replied, slightly sourly. 'Our newest recruit before the mouse and the boy. He seems to act according to his own sense of priorities, and laughs at his duties. If there is still treachery within the Organization, he will be involved in it.'

'Really?' replied Diz, his voice unreadable. 'Interesting.'

Riku was woken in the early morning by a knock at the door. Irritated, he hastily pulled on one of the Organization's cloaks, which he'd left in a heap at the foot of his bed. 'Who is it?' he called, zipping the cloak shut.

'Abraxas,' a voice replied. Riku, staggering across the room with one boot on, rolled his eyes.

Eventually, after locating the other boot under his bed, he opened the door exhaustedly. 'What do you want, Abraxas?' he said, blinking in the light of the hallway.

The bald man motioned. 'The Superior wishes to speak with you.' As Riku rubbed his eyes, he continued. 'He is in his room in the East Tower.'

'Any idea what he wants?' Riku asked, closing the door behind him and brushing stray strands of hair from his eyes.

'No, but Axel is with him. They've been talking all night.'

Riku nodded. 'Alright, alright. I'm on my way.' He paused outside Mickey's door. 'Did he ask you to bring Mickey, as well?'

Abraxas shook his head. 'Just you.'

Riku followed him through miles of winding corridor, leading slowly upwards until Riku could look out the ornate windows and see the distant shape of Twilight Town on the horizon. Looking down revealed the valley below, a purple line bracketed on all sides by blue, frosted mountains. This is a really weird place.

Abraxas stopped suddenly, gesturing towards a heavy wooden door at the end of the corridor. 'That is the Superior's room. Knock, and wait for him to tell you before you enter.'

Before Riku could respond, his guide disappeared in the familiar column of black smoke that was beginning to irritate Riku. Slightly apprehensive, he walked towards the door.

He knocked three times, making a heavy, echoing thud every time. A whispered conversation from within the room suddenly ceased, and Diz's unmistakeable voice called 'Come in.' Riku turned the iron doorknob and pushed open the door, which creaked.

Inside, Diz was seated in a heavily ornate chair- almost a throne- with Axel sitting next to him, looking expectantly at Riku. 'Took you long enough,' Axel said, pointing to an empty seat. 'Pull up a chair.'

Riku did so, mentally glaring at Axel. You guys should either teach me to teleport, or quit whinging.

'Axel and I were discussing… well, many things,' Diz said, looking at the newly-seated Riku. 'Are you loyal to the Organization?'

The directness of the question threw him. 'Of course,' Riku replied, hoping his instinctive glance in Axel's direction hadn't been noticed. What had Axel been telling him all night?

'Good.' Diz shifted his gaze back to Axel. 'I believe he has already outlined his idea for your first assignment? To fill the gaps made by the events of Castle Oblivion?'

'Yeah.'

'Ixion plans to assign you to Twilight Town. The mission he has in mind could easily be accomplished by Exira acting on her own, but I believe he wants to test your loyalty by assigning you a mission you might consider… unethical.'

As Riku attempted to look as if this was the first time he was hearing this information, Diz went on. 'Axel has been able to justify his idea, whereas Ixion's is based mainly on his paranoid belief that you are disloyal to us.'

Riku wondered if there had been an ironic note in Diz's last sentence, but he sounded genuine enough.

'My orders overrule Ixion's, although I only issue them on extremely rare occasions. This is one such occasion. You will leave this afternoon for Twilight Town, at which point you and Axel will begin your search for three promising recruits. Remember-' Diz counted on his bandaged fingers- 'they must be intelligent, they must be skilful and powerful in battle, and, above all else, they must be trustworthy.'

'The Superior has given us some leads on where to start,' Axel added, leaning back in his chair.

Riku nodded. 'I'll do all I can.'

'I would expect no less,' Diz said, standing up. 'You are dismissed.'

As Riku made to open the door, he remembered something. 'May I ask a question?' he said, turning back to look at Diz.

'You may.'

'What's going to happen to Mickey, Superior?'

Diz glanced at Axel. 'It was suggested to me that he might benefit the Organization by introducing some kind of order to the library. That was the part of Axel's plan that impressed me least.'

'So where will he be assigned?' Riku asked, as Axel edged past him to get to the door.

'I need someone to investigate the treachery that led up to Castle Oblivion. I believe Mickey's services could be better employed there, don't you?'

Riku's face froze. Then, because he couldn't do anything else, he nodded and walked out of the room.

Diz smiled as the door shut, and turned to face the sunlight.

'I'm sorry.'

'Doesn't seem like there was much you could've done,' Mickey said, shrugging. 'It ain't like you could've said no to Diz, from what I've been hearin' about him.'

Riku, crouched over in the entrance to Mickey's room, looked at the mouse, surprised. 'I could have rejected Axel's plan when he offered it to me. He wouldn't have suggested it to Diz if I'd told him 'no.' Now…'

'Now you're not goin' on Ixion's mission, and neither am I. 'Course, I would've liked to spend a few years doin' nothin' in the library, but investigatin' these guys seems like it could be a useful way to spend some time.' He grinned at Riku. 'Don't beat yourself up. This is probably the best result we coulda hoped for.'

Riku smiled, and offered a hand. 'Thanks, Mickey. If all goes to plan, I'll be seeing you again in a couple of months.'

Mickey took Riku's hand and shook it. 'See ya soon, then.'

As Riku stood up to go, Mickey called to him. 'Remember you're one of the good guys, Riku. Wearin' that cloak doesn't make you like Axel.'

Riku turned, looking back at Mickey. 'I'll remember that. Good luck.'

Mickey watched him, feeling oddly worried, as Riku walked past the wall of portraits and disappeared down the staircase.

He'd encountered Axel at the train station, the red-haired man carrying a small bag of what he referred to as 'supplies.' When Riku slid the door shut, the train began to pull away from the station, and after a few minutes Twilight Sanctuary was lost in the mist.

Eventually, Riku sat down, not looking at Axel, who had his feet up on the table that took up most of the carriage. They stayed in silence, Axel occasionally getting up to fill a delicate, crystalline glass with the clear contents of a bottle. Riku looked out of the window, watching as the mist gradually faded as they headed down a range of mountains towards Twilight Town, the afternoon sun slipping into the eternal dusk after which the town was named.

After an hour or so of gazing out at vast fields full of some strange red crop, Riku looked up to discover that the train was entering the outskirts of Twilight Town. It ran behind a series of tall, brick buildings, across a wide river with fishermen lazing on the banks, and then finally rounded a corner to pull into the station. As it slowed to a halt, Riku stood up, heading towards the door.

'You don't like me much, do you?' Axel said, from his seat across from Riku.

Riku turned. 'Even if you weren't currently holding one of my oldest friends hostage, no, I wouldn't like you. The only people I can like are the people I can trust.'

'I could have told Diz everything you told me, Riku,' Axel replied. 'Does the phrase 'I'm quitting this damn group, first chance I get' mean anything to you? Because I'm sure the Superior would be interested to hear about it.'

Riku paused. 'You didn't?'

'I didn't.' Axel got up, shouldering his bag of supplies. 'If this mission is going to work, you're going to need to believe me when I tell you something, and you're going to need to trust me when I tell you to do something. But if you want me to show you that I really am trying to help you…'

'What?' Riku demanded, sliding open the door.

'This train goes to Destiny Islands, as well.'

It was late evening over the islands, the fading sun almost gone from the milky-blue sky. Riku picked his way down the path from the train station, stumbling over the vines that had grown over the almost-obscured stone steps. At the bottom of the slope, he could see houses, and hear the crackle of a blazing fire.

He skirted the village, ducking into shadows whenever he came close to anyone. From the muddy alleyways between the houses, he saw Tidus, demonstrating his Blitzball skills to a young brown-haired girl who was giggling and clapping, close enough that Riku could have called out to him. As he watched, Wakka barged into him with a grin, knocking the ball away from him. Tidus picked himself up, looking affronted, as the girl laughed even more.

Riku slipped away, walking down the empty path towards a small island overgrown with trees. Making sure no-one was watching, he edged down the beach, headed for a small wooden boat that was moored at the water's edge. He undid the knot that tethered the boat to the dock and lowered the oars into the water, heading towards the island across the bay.

A few minutes later, he jumped from the boat into the shallow water around the island, passing three smaller boats that were tied to the dock, slightly grimy and beginning to collect rainwater. He glanced at them, then turned his head away.

The bottom half of his body soaked, he trudged ashore, heading up the beach towards a floral path that led to a tunnel. He secured his boat, then walked down the path, ducking his head to enter. This used to be bigger. I'm sure. Cautiously, he edged down the enclosed path.

Towards the end, it opened up into a cave, with a small figure covered by a blanket asleep on the sandy floor.

Riku stopped dead. He'd been anticipating this from the moment Axel had told him, half-mockingly, where the train could go. He'd thought he'd be happy, or relieved, at least.

He hadn't thought he'd be sad.

'Kairi?'

Slowly, the small figure awoke, looking around the cave. 'Who's there?'

Riku stepped forward. 'It's me. It's Riku.'

She looked at him uncomprehendingly for a moment, then scrambled to her feet, her voice quiet and shaky. 'Is it… really you?'

He nodded.

She dashed forward, collapsing into his arms. Riku held her, silently. Finally, she raised her head to look at him, her face streaked with tears. 'So I wasn't crazy?'

'No crazier than you usually are, Kairi,' Riku replied, smiling with a humour he didn't feel.

She looked behind him, and Riku knew what she was thinking.

'Sora isn't with me,' he said, not wanting to see her expression. 'I… I wish he was. But he's safe, at least.'

She nodded. Together, they sat down, a weak moonlight illuminating the cave.

'I'm sorry I wasn't able to get back earlier,' Riku said, resting his head on the wall. 'The last three weeks or so have been… interesting, you might say.'

'What happened to you?' she asked. 'I saw you just before Sora sealed Kingdom Hearts, and then you just… disappeared.'

'Well, directly after that, I'm not sure myself. I remember seeing Sora, and Mickey, and then… the next thing I know, I'm being lectured to by this red-bandaged guy who's been haunting me ever since.' Riku sat up. 'Turns out I'd been asleep for weeks. A few hours later, me and Mickey agree to join this group led by the red-bandaged guy, which we spend five or six more days trying to find only to discover most of our new friends are either power-mad or just plain mad. Spent another two days there, then I get my first mission, which is the first chance I get to come see you.' He shrugged. 'That's basically it. You?'

Kairi looked down. 'After Sora sealed Kingdom Hearts, I spent a few days on this island, then I went back into the town. Everything's the same, except… they've never heard of you, or Sora. His parents say they never had a kid, and so… so do yours.'

Riku closed his eyes. He'd been told by Axel, but it hurt more coming from her. 'My parents thought I'd gone mad,' Kairi continued. 'I came back here because I couldn't stand being around them any more. They leave me food and fresh water every morning, and… that's it for the last three weeks.'

'I'm sorry.'

'It's not your fault,' Kairi said, smiling weakly. 'So…' She paused. 'Are you staying here?'

He shook his head, slowly. She looked away.

Riku moved closer to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. 'If there was any way I could, I would, but… the people I'm working for want me to be elsewhere. I'm not even really supposed to be here.'

'It's okay.' She looked back at him. 'At least I've seen you.'

Riku left the cave before dawn the next morning, with the sky beginning to lighten. He walked down the beach towards the boat he'd left there. Above him, a flight of seagulls swooped in the early morning air.

Kairi followed him out, waiting at the top of the path. 'Where are you going now?'

'I'm not too sure,' Riku called back. 'The guy I'm with mentioned that he had a bunch of places on a list somewhere, but knowing him he'll pick them at random.'

He moved towards her slightly. 'Kairi?'

'Yes?'

'Are you going to go back to your parents?' Riku asked, gesturing towards the town across the bay.

She nodded. 'I know you're real, at least. I know I'm not going crazy.'

Riku smiled, this time genuine. 'That's probably best.'

He turned to go, but Kairi called to him. 'You know that cloak you're wearing?'

'Yeah?' he said, turning back to her.

'The group you're in doesn't contain a mad guy with red hair, does it?'

Dammit. 'Yes, unfortunately. He's my partner on this mission.'

She looked dubious. 'He came to see me a week ago. I didn't like him.'

'I don't like him much either, but it's thanks to him I was able to get here.' Riku swung the oar out of the boat, lowering it into the water again. 'Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.'

'See you soon,' Kairi called, waving. He waved back. 'See ya.'

He began to row, headed back towards the train, and Axel.

From the path, rubbing at her eyes, Kairi watched him fade into the distance.

Author's Notes-

Written under the influence of extreme tiredness and three different cover versions of the song 'Hallelujah.' Not really a surprise the way the latter sections turned out. (Leonard Cohen's, Jeff Buckley's and John Cale's versions, to be exact.)

This chapter ended up about twice as long as I imagined it, mainly because I needed to introduce someone who could overrule Ixion. It also ended up being kinda Riku/Kairi 'shippy, which was not my intention, but if that's your thing then, hey, bonus.

Lenusya- Thanks for being the first person to review this. It's appreciated.

Jade-Jaganashi- Yeah, Axel's fun to write. It's all about being mean in funny ways. Not quite sure I've got his dialogue patterns quite right yet, though, but I'm working on it.

Chikara- Okay, kinda brief review. It's encouraging, though. Thanks for the support.

Dustie Paige- This could become a fun game to play. 'Try And Make My Reviewers Fall Out Of Windows By Adding Unlikely Plot Twists.' Next chapter- Riku finds he is Donald's illegitimate lovechild.

…okay, perhaps not.

Twilight Unknown- Nope, all Organization members except for Axel and Diz are the products of my overactive imagination. Ixion and Beatrix are kind of FF in-jokes, though.

Ginger Ninja- I had planned to respond to this with 'if you're gonna write a Riku-less story, I'm gonna write a Sora-less story'. But then you put Riku in ATR. So, I can't really say anything here except thanks for the review, and also that, yes, Axel kicks ass.

Anonymous Guy With Lots of Dots- Good point. For some reason it didn't show up on the spellcheck. I've changed it now.

Thanks for reading.