Note to Disclaimers: I do not and never will own Kingdom Hearts or anyone else except Cyra so please don't sure me. This is for entertainment only, not profits.

Author's Note: Um…This is another long chapter so please bear with me...AGAIN. Oh and by the way, read the rest of this author's note if you want to know some stuff about upcoming chapters. I will probably make the chapters shorter because in my opinion the story is moving too slow, but I just wanted to let everyone else know. Ok, I know people DID NOT really want me to elaborate on Riku/Cyra, but I am because I really want to since Riku is alone right now without Cyra. I even drew a picture that I am going to try to get up ASAP of the couples. There should be more Yuffie/Leon, Aerith/Cloud and Selphie/Tidus later on. Thank you, faithful reviewers.

Thoughts of Zephyr

I sigh as I walk back to the room, my legs tired from the constant running around. I didn't see Cyra with Riku at all today, but I still have this uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I feel like something has happened to her but I don't know what it is. As I unlock the door to my hotel room, I hear something knock over inside. I hesitate for mere minutes before I barge in on Sora, clad only in boxers, who has fallen off the chair. "Well, this is nice picture after a long day of work." I giggle as he stands, brushing his chestnut hair with his fingers where flowers have fallen in from the flowerpot next to him. I chuckle when he almost trips over the flowerpot itself. "Well Sora," I shake my finger at him, "seems we're accident-prone today, huh?"

"Very funny Kairi." He turns away from me and pouts.

"I was just kidding!" I laugh harder as he huffs. I run over to him and hug him from behind, my fingers tickling his skin as I trace circle patters on his chest. "Oh…is wittle Sora hurt?"

"Stop it Kairi." His voice is dead serious.

I back off instantly, fearing that he is angry with me. I curl my hands behind my back as I continue to step away. "All right. I'll leave you alone." With those last words I flee from the room. As I walk towards Selphie's room, I begin to wonder what brought on Sora's sudden change of mood, but decide against dwelling on it-not my problem. I am about to knock on Selphie's room when I her shouting and things being thrown around. I put my ear to the door and listen, suddenly intrigued by the occupants of her room.

"Why are you always so mean to me? What have I EVER done to you Tidus?" Selphie yells.

"You're the one who has been acting strange! All you do is stare at me and make odd comments!" Tidus shouts back.

"And what's wrong with staring?" Selphie asks.

"Didn't your mother teach you that it's rude?" Tidus shoots back.

"Yeah well, sorry if I think you're good looking and god forbid I like you Tidus! I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore so find another room to occupy. When I get back I want you gone!" Selphie cries out.

I hear footsteps and before I know it, Selphie has run past me down the hallway. I try to stop her but am too slow. After she has completely disappeared, I peek into the room. Wakka's bed is made and the pillows neatly stacked, but I see no Tidus. I step in a little ways but still see no sign of my blonde haired friend. "Tidus, Are you in here?"

"You heard the whole thing?" He emerges from the bathroom. I nod. He shrugs his shoulders in defeat as he takes a seat next to the lamp desk. "How was I supposed to know? She's been acting so strange lately! I thought she was sick…and never in my wildest dreams of her did I think…well, you heard…"

I want to laugh at his nervousness but stifle it when I see his glistening eyes. "Tidus give her time…and you've dreamt about her?" I am incredulous.

"Yeah…on occasions." His cheeks stain with a light blush, but it is still visible. He shakes his head and releases a small chuckle. "I love it when she stares at me. It makes me feel wanted." My eyes widen at that statement and he rolls his eyes. "Oh please Kairi; don't act like you hate it when Sora stares at you that way, too. I know you love it, everyone else does. We're human."

I am at loss for words. "Well, I suppose you're right." I finally give in and punch his shoulder lightly. Tidus and I have never been that close, but for once I feel I understand him more. "Anyway, I have to go meet Aerith and Cloud in the lobby. But remember what I said. Give Selphie some time, she'll understand."

"Thanks Kairi."

"You're welcome Tidus."

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

Yuffie groaned as she watched Leon walk up to her, trying to ignore him, in vain of course. She shifted her body to the side to make room for him to sit as well, but was thoroughly disgusted with the idea in general since she was not exactly happy with him. But for some odd reason, Aerith and Cloud liked sticking them together, which infuriated Yuffie but pleased her at the same time. She hated herself for it, yet conflicting emotions were human and she was thankful she was still that since Leon appeared to be but did not always act in such a way. Yuffie snorted as she heard his footsteps on the dock, heavy, powerful, and domineering. And so many thoughts filled her head at that moment, the one from last night sticking there like a sore thumb. She could still feel his hands on her skin, his lips on hers, and even taste him as well. She wanted to slap herself for being such a spoony thing, but dared not in front of him. Instead she continued to act as though she was busy with some important affairs other than Squall Leonhart himself. She was picking at the fabric of her now frayed headband, which she'd had forever it seemed, before tossing it to the side in retreat. He was beside her now, kneeling and looking, but she didn't move.

Now was the time to pay him back for his previous actions, but she didn't get the chance as she heard more footsteps on the dock. Both she and Leon turned around to see Selphie walking down to meet them. She looked as depressed as one could be, as though someone had crushed her dreams; Yuffie snickered-she'd heard of Selphie's constant romantic thoughts. Yuffie herself had a pretty good idea what that secret might be as well. Leon gave her a strange look with which she rolled her eyes in response. Yuffie pushed him as she stood to greet Selphie who was now looking around for no one in particular. "Over here Selphie!" Yuffie waved her arms in the air, a Cheshire cat grin on her face as Selphie strolled up. "So, how are you?"

Selphie blushed. She wasn't sure why, but she did. "Nothing really. I'm just a little down, I guess." She kicked at the wooden panels beneath her feet. "What about you?"

Yuffie took it the girl didn't like to talk about things, at least not with her. "Um…not much here. Say, you want to go swimming or something? The water looks fresh and the sun is killing me!"

"Sure." Selphie agreed quickly, her face brightening right away.

"Let's go!" Yuffie grabbed Selphie's hand and was about to run off when she heard someone grunt behind her. Leon. 'Shit! I forgot about him!' She turned to him with a look on contempt on her features. "Well, you can come to if you want. It would do you some good anyway!"

"Whatever." He declared as he followed them.

A few minutes later they were all swimming in the ocean water. Yuffie smiled as Sora dunked Selphie's head under the water for the fifteenth time. She was glad that they were such good friends, though by appearance they seemed more. But Yuffie knew Sora's heart belonged to Kairi. She gave a fluttery sigh as she switched her attention to Leon who was sitting at the shore, feet barely touching the water. Yuffie had to admit that he looked rather handsome there with the sun glistening off his skin and well-defined body for everyone to see, including her. She stared forever it seemed until she heard someone ask her a question. "Hmm…what?"

"Do you stare at your partners often?" Sora asked, his voice playful as he plopped down next to her. He pointed to where Selphie was trying to make Leon help her build a sandcastle, which he was doing, to Yuffie's surprise, but without a single clue. "She's always had some special charm."

Yuffie nodded. "What do you mean stare?" Yuffie asked without a care. She knew she'd been caught so why deny? "Everyone knows about Leon and I, Sora." He nodded but said nothing else. Yuffie continued. "Everyone knows I've liked him forever, but everyone also knows he doesn't feel the same. It's something I've learned to live with. If I can just stare at him all day, be by him forever, then I am content. It's better than never having him in any way and I admit that it sounds pathetic, but I can't help it. To do otherwise is to show him my weakness and I'd rather live knowing my weakness alone, but with no one else knowing."

"That's no way to live Yuffie." Sora responded. He gave her a small hug. "You should tell him. I don't think he'd be so mean to you. After all, you've known each other for so long now."

"Maybe." Yuffie answered dully, her eyes somewhere far away. "Thanks Sora."

"No problem." He welcomed back though he knew she wasn't listening.

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

Cyra shivered as she felt a breeze come in through her open window, the cold air giving her goose bumps. She tried in vain to forget the previous night but everything appeared to contain painful reminders of her refusal to allow Riku's stay. She took a small step towards her vanity while she tightened the rope around her robe. Everything was too still; the planet was quiet. 'Where are you hiding?' She wondered as she began brushing her hair. She knew he was out there but she didn't know where. All she wanted to do was run to a safe haven, particularly Riku's arms, which she had found comforting since the other night he had offered. Recently she'd discovered that she could no longer dream peacefully for Ansem invaded her mind. She knew he was her master, but she realized she couldn't hurt Riku or his friends. She had begged the one-winged angel to say nothing, but he hadn't exactly agreed or disagreed. It seemed pointless to wish for his silence, but she hoped anyway, for her sake as well as everyone else's. After giving one last glance at her reflection on the mirror, Cyra slipped on a light sweater and headed for the outer hallways.

She had walked mere feet through the spacious hotel when she felt a sharp pain shoot through her chest. Cyra grasped her shirt where her heart lay, his fingers curling around the fabric as she fell to her knees in agony. The pain was too intense and she was sure she'd black out, but right before her mind slipped into oblivion, the pain ceased. She gazed around as she felt her body numb against everything. Her eyes scanned the area for signs of anyone, but she saw no one. She released a sigh before standing again to resume her walk towards the outside. She was turning the corner when she felt someone's hand on her shoulder. Surprisingly, she realized she didn't jump at the person's touch; it was Riku. She relaxed slightly until he leaned over and whispered in her ear a message she was afraid of hearing. "I know all about it," Riku breathed, "What just happened, that is. I know that you're working with him, Cyra. I've known for a while now."

Cyra whipped around to face him, her facial expression aghast as she saw Riku though he wasn't' looking at her. His back was to her, arms hanging limply at his sides as he stared straight ahead of him. Cyra's curiosity won her over and she spun him around to face her. She gasped at what she saw: Riku's eyes covered by a thin silk blindfold. Amazingly enough, he seemed to know exactly where she was as he raised his hand to her cheek. Cyra smiled a bit before she covered his hand with her hand. "Riku," She began steadily, "why are you wearing a blindfold? You haven't ever worn one before, have you?"

"He's coming back for me." Riku replied as he continued to stare at her through his blindfold. "He's always known where I am and he will always know where I am unless he is destroyed. I know you know where he is and you will help me find him. I know you are working with him, sustaining him, protecting him; but I do not know why."

Cyra wretched away from his touch as his words entered her ears. Her eyes blazed as she began to back away in shame more than fear or anger. "And what would you know of me and who I know?" Cyra countered as she took another step back when Riku took another forward. "I am a stranger as are you, so what would you know of my mission and me?"

"Simple, really," Riku said as he ran a finger along the hotel hallway wall, "ordinary citizens don't go on 'missions' nor do they know any way to return a person's memory from a locked away past."

"So perhaps you're right; I'm not ordinary," Cyra responded as she crossed her arms over her chest, "But that doesn't mean I know any particular people or know this person you're talking about." She turned her head away as she rolled her eyes. "Besides, Riku," She closed her eyes briefly, "I couldn't help you even if I wanted to."

Riku didn't look the least surprised at her statement for he didn't flinch nor did he wince at her words. She realized her response had no affect on him; however, she did not relent from her position on the wall. Riku made no obvious signs that he would relieve her of his presence either as he leaned back against the wallpapered hallway, shifting himself to a more comfortable position. The silence was short and rather thick until Cyra couldn't stand it anymore. "If he's coming back for you, why don't you run? I could help you Riku…I can change his mind, possibly. I can try..."

"And how would you do that?" Riku inquired as he faced her again, blindfolded eyes staring at her though she couldn't see them. He walked forward until he stood right in front of her petite figure. She blushed slightly as he leaned over to whisper to her. "I've known all along that you were here to retain Sora and Kairi, here to recapture them for him. He has a great deal of power over you, Cyra. Can you fight him? I'm not really sure you're ready…the darkness might be too strong for you."

Cyra nodded slowly. "I understand Riku, but I have lived with the darkness all my life, since I was 8 years old. You have lived with it but 5 years now, and if you shall defy it, I will as well." Cyra placed her hand over his heart. "I will assist you Riku; I will fight with you. But I must take Sora and Kairi to him or he will suspect my subversive nature…and I…I don't know if I can resist." Cyra leaned her head onto her hand, which still lay over Riku's heart. "I am willing…to risk my sanity over this…for I don't know what I feel or think anymore…my thoughts and my feelings…Riku, they are not my own anymore. They have never been since I landed on Nebula…never."

"Aren't they?" Riku soothed as he embraced Cyra. "You're feelings for me, are they his or yours?"

"My feelings…for you…"Cyra said as though the words were foreign, as though she was far away from reality. "These feelings…are mine…they couldn't possibly be…his…but mine!" Cyra whispered fiercely to Riku who continued to hold her gently. She looked up at him, ruby eyes hopeful as she whispered her next words, carefully. "And I hope they are returned, these feelings, because I'm about to shatter, Riku. Don't let him take me again."

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

A soft breeze ruffled her long, jet-black hair as she trudged her way to her dorm. She wasn't far, but Yuffie felt as though she'd been walking for hours. Selphie had retired relatively early when Sora had stated he was going on a search for Kairi and Riku. Selphie's annoyed, downcast mien had returned at the thought of Sora leaving. She complained of being tired and left without further or due. Yuffie hadn't questioned it aloud, but she believed Selphie's behavior uncharacteristic of the teen's so-called attitude from what everyone else had informed her. She whistled lightly to herself as she proceeded to ignore the heavy footfalls behind her. Yes, she was STILL stuck with Mr. Antisocial who, though he'd helped Selphie with her sandcastle, had resumed his silent disposition the moment Sora and Selphie had departed ways from them. Yuffie gave a sigh of defeat as she stopped, briefly, at the hotel lobby for Leon to catch up. Once he'd reached her Yuffie had started in the direction of Aerith and CLOUD'S room. Yes, they had kicked her out to stay with Mr. Silence himself. Aerith had pleaded that she had nothing to do with it, but when Yuffie had confronted Cloud, he'd said the decision was mutual, then, he'd laughed heartily before leaving her open mouthed in the empty hallway.

Yuffie stomped her foot as she left Leon at the entrance. She knocked, more like pounded, on the door as she awaited Aerith or Cloud to answer. When no one came to the door, Yuffie pushed it open. She giggled like a schoolgirl when she saw Aerith snuggled up in Cloud's arms as they lay beneath the pure white sheets, the sun shining upon both of them. She knew she couldn't interrupt them and so she left, once again doomed to rejoin Leon who was waiting at the end of the hallway, cobalt eyes staring her down the entire way. She thought to throw him a glance of warning but decided against it, as he was already right next to her. He waited patiently behind her as she fumbled with the lock to their room. After a few minutes Yuffie had released the lock and made way for Leon to enter before her in hopes that she could escape him for a bit. When he didn't not relent to enter before her, Yuffie stomped her foot. "Well, are you just going to stand there ALL day or are you going to move?"

Leon threw her a distasteful look as he proceeded into the room at an alarmingly slow pace. Yuffie endured his immaturity but did not hide her annoyed mien as she closed the door behind them. Inside the seclusion of the silent room, Yuffie plopped onto the bed in exhaustion. It had been a long day for her and her friends; Yuffie slept while Leon watched over them both for no apparent reason of his own.

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

Cyra groaned in protest as Riku dragged her along the endless corridors towards his dwelling. She had agreed to follow him sometime after he had convinced her that they needed to discuss certain 'issues' in the privacy of his room. Cyra did not think further into it as Riku usually, from what she'd gathered of his past, seemed to tell the truth of his intentions. She blushed as he cautiously opened the door to his room, gently pulling her inside where darkness engulfed them both. Riku seemed to have a 'thing' or a liking for the darkness for he always appeared to surround himself within its solitary presence. Within the darkness Cyra felt Riku sit her on the cushioned mattress of his bed as he took a seat next to her, gloved hands leaving her wrists. She patiently awaited his speech of importance but was pleasantly surprised when she felt his hands, now bare of gloves, land on her arms only to slide up slowly, sensually torturing her skin; it tingled. Cyra gasped as his hands rested on her shoulders, fingers clamping around them as he slowly inched her forward towards him. She could feel the distance between them lessening until it was scant inches. She released a shaky breath as she felt his cinnamon mint breath upon her face, bathing her cheeks in warmth with his lips millimeters away from hers. She attempted to stop him from what she was expecting and knew she couldn't stop if started, but he had gained the upper hand as he descended upon her.

All she felt was bliss as Riku's lips met hers in a gentle kiss. She couldn't believe he was kissing her; she'd dreamt of it countless times before...long ago, before they'd met. She closed her eyes as she felt Riku's arms drift from her shoulders to cradle her back as he pressed them closer together until Cyra's arms were wrapped securely around his neck. She tangled her fingers in his silky silver locks as he continued to kiss her with a passion she'd never felt before. Someone had come close, but it was wrong and she did not return the loving action as she did with Riku. She shyly broke away from him, panting as she took in air, while she stared at him through the darkness of his blindfold. She tentatively raised her hands to his eyes, slipping her fingers inside the blindfold. Riku lifted his face to the ceiling as though her touch was too sensual to handle as she began to slide the blindfold from his eyes. His mouth parted in ecstasy as she slid it completely off his head, dropping it to the side of the bed as she dragged her hands to his eyes, stopping them right over his aquamarine pools. He moaned as she kissed his eyelids, gently, before cradling his head in her lithe fingers. As if an eternity had passed, Riku finally opened his eyes and Cyra swore they were glowing. She noticed a slight ring of orange-red shining through his ocean sea orbs, but she had no time to questions as Riku stopped her hands from moving further.

"You're eyes," Riku said quietly. "They're glowing...red and yellow...like a heartless, Cyra."

She looked away immediately, her face ashamed of what occurred inside and outside of her when the darkness overcame her. "It only happens when;" Cyra managed to choke out between each body-racking chill. "It only happens when the darkness engulfs me...and when there is no light." She turned to Riku who was regarding her strangely. "But Riku," She started, "you're eyes...they are glowing as well...like mine, but not as intensely."

"I figured you'd notice." Riku smiled sullenly. "It only happens when the darkness claims me...or when it's close."

Cyra reached for him, arms encircling him from behind, for he had turned away from her as she had he. "It is fate Riku. I have dreamt, so many endless times before, of you." She felt him tense slightly, then relax, and she sighed into his back. "I know it is weird...but when you kissed me, I felt the passion I had dreamed of so often. You're kiss...it reawakened a feeling I buried long ago-with those dreams." She heard him grunt in response but she only chuckled more as she inhaled the scent of mint and cinnamon again along with his natural body scent of ocean water. "I've wondered this thought often. Have you ever dreamt of me, Riku? I know it seems strange but...I know almost everything about you from those dreams...your life, your thoughts, your feelings...everything."

Riku's face flushed as she continued her speech about their lives being intertwined. "So, if we were meant to meet, why must we be enemies?" He heaved a heavy, tired sigh. "I can't believe it...I won't believe it."

"Don't believe it, then." Cyra commanded as she spun Riku around to face her. "Please...just let us be peaceful Riku, at least until we HAVE to fight." She pleaded as she drew him in for a kiss of her own. When their lips met, Cyra felt tears trail down her cheeks. 'I curse you fates for setting us against each other.' She continued to kiss Riku until her very last tear had dried upon her skin. 'I won't let this happen.'

~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~@~

It's silly when I think about it, really. I continue on my way to the room where I usually dwell but conveniently remember that Sora may be there and grumpy at that. I sigh and veer off in another direction, preferably to the beach where I can think alone about all that has happened, especially the discovery of my sister, Cyra. I felt her last night. She was taken by the darkness and she succumbed to it without any real struggle. She didn't try. I scowl as I take a seat upon the shore, eyes closing in frustration at the feelings rushing within me. I raise my hand to my head, rubbing it simultaneously as I try to recall more past events from our childhood. I recall Cyra landing somewhere else, as she said, and me landing on Destiny Island; however, I do not remember her eyes being to red. Yes, they'd always been Ruby...but there was something different about them that irked me inside. I could feel it, and I knew she was with the darkness again. Only this time I couldn't feel her pain-it was as if she was swallowed within the darkness-but she wasn't in harm's way. I tried to act indifferent when I had encountered Selphie in the hallways earlier that afternoon, but the sharp pain in my chest struck me so suddenly that I collapsed in front of her. She had helped me but I refused to giver her an explanation. How could I? I myself didn't even know what caused my pain until I realized Cyra was a few feet down the hallway, crouched on the floor in the same position as me. As soon as the pain had subsided, I looked at her once-she didn't seem to notice me-before I fled from view.

I couldn't, at that time, decipher what happened, nor could I fathom anything other than heartburn, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. I scratch my head in annoyance as I feel my skin tingling all over as though someone has poked me with a boar bristled brush. I feel itchy all over my body; I fall into the sand in effort to ease the burning sensation. Once I feel content in it's disappearance, I secure my previous position, which is sitting, on the beach shore as I observe the setting sun. The sky has turned various beautiful shades oranges, red, purple and yellow hues. I anticipate a later sunset, but a gorgeous one nonetheless. As I continue my musings, I begin to think back to Sora's behavior. I laugh mentally as I recollect his pout. For an eighteen-year-old, Sora still has an adorable pout face when he wants something. I feel a shiver run down my spine at the chilly breeze that blows past but do nothing to remedy my situation as I resume my blissful thoughts. I feel very peaceful in the serenity that blankets the early evening hours, which, for me, are filled with a sense of solitude that I can, for once, bear alone. I smile heartily as I dig my feet into the warm sand, my ankles immersed in the rich minerals as well. I think to retrieve a sweater but lazily relax as feel my room is too far away. The sun is almost set now, gradually shading the sky darker and darker. I can only smile wistfully as I stare at the stars, which are shining brightly above me in the sapphire sky. I am about to close my eyes when a familiar pain shoots through my body, sending it into spasms upon the sandy shore. I twitch helplessly as I stare painfully at the sky where I witness a star go out. Oh no! I try to scream out but I find I have no voice. I attempt raise my hands to the air but I can no longer feel them. I try to kick my legs but all my efforts are futile as I feel the pain spread through my body like a shockwave, paralyzing me from the neck down. I turn my head to the side in time to witness a tall figure, clad in ebony clothing, walking towards me. Silver hair glints in the moonlight as the figure edges closer and closer, slowly and torturously, until the person is standing a mere six feet away. Lightening flashes and I see it is a man, but he is not visible enough to see exactly who he is. I wait as I try again to make out his face, but at the silver hair, I begin to think it Riku. That is until he snaps his fingers and someone appears next to him, figure hanging limply against his side, left arm clasped tightly by his hand. The figures head hangs low against his or her chest, but at another flash of lightening I catch a glimpse of olive skin and raven colored hair. Cyra! My mind goes into frenzy as I writhe within my head.

I find my voice, barely, and shout at the tall person. "Let her go! She's harmless!" I scream in helplessness as the figure opens his eyes. I gasp. "Who are you? What do you want with Cyra?" I try to lash out at him but he shakes his head and snaps his fingers again. I feel my useless body stand, but everything is limp. I glare at him as he begins to come closer.

"Why, princess, I'm am surprised you don't recognize me anymore. You're parents would be quite disappointed. And your sister," he chuckles, "she never told you about me? I can't believe she left that little piece out."

"You let Cyra go!" I scream at him again not giving a care whether I can fight him adequately or not.

'Sephiroth, you should let the girl go. She is of no use to you.'

"Who's there?" I cry as an unknown voice echoes through the air.

"Leave her here?" Sephiroth laughs menacingly as his hand tightens around Cyra's wrist. "You must daft! What makes you think you can stop me? I am all-powerful! Princesses of heart or not, you stand absolutely NO chance against my power…and hers."

My eyes practically bulge as I see six figures step from the shadows of the now rampantly raging storm around us. Doesn't anyone else notice the strange weather? I push the frivolous thought to the back of my mind as I struggle to move once again, but my body is still numb and senseless. And then I see them, the Princesses of Heart. I give a small smile as Belle touches my shoulder. Instantly I feel life course through my useless body and I wiggle my fingers in front of my face. I nod to her in thanks and turn to the man named Sephiroth. He looks powerful, as he said, and I wish for Sora or Riku to come to our aid; but Aurora shakes her head as I ready to run and find them. Jasmine also shakes her head in disapproval and the small, petite British girl named Alice runs up to me. She shakes her finger at me and stomps her foot. "You cannot call the Keyblade master; this is fate." I give her a curious look. "If you call the Keyblade master, he will only be harmed worse than he already has. Please Princess Kairi, you mustn't let them interfere. This has been hidden for too long."

I stare at her in bewilderment. "What are you talking about Alice?"

"She means to say that this is what is meant to happen, just as Kingdom Hearts was meant to be opened and then sealed by Sora." Snow White sighs. "But…I admit…we didn't think Sephiroth was going to intrude upon the destiny of Cyra…nor go against everything that Ansem had planned."

"Huh?" I am still rather lost and the Sephiroth guy is yawning in annoyance while Cyra is still lifeless next to him.

"Kairi, didn't you…know?" Aurora asks.

"Know what?" I ask angrily. Why does everyone leave me out of everything?

"When Cyra came here…she was meant to recapture you. Didn't you sense something strange about her arrival, her abilities, her relation to you?"

"Well, yes, I did." I say steadily. "But I wasn't sure. I had no REAL idea. How WAS I supposed to know?"

"Can we get on with this, really?" Sephiroth shouts at us from his position. I gasp when I see Cyra stir beside him. Once she is fully conscious, she takes in her surroundings including Sephiroth, but she doesn't seem to be surprised. Instead she looks away, hugging herself with her arms as if she is ashamed. He turns to her, briefly, as though she has disturbed him. I make a run for him as he takes her in his arms, kissing her gently on the neck.

"You let her go Sephiroth!" I shout but Belle pulls me back. "LET MY SISTER GO!"

"Cyra, love, please tell her why you have not run, why you have not tried to be persuaded." Sephiroth chuckles maliciously as he pushes her forward. Cyra looks me in the eyes but she doesn't seem to have a valid explanation for her actions. "Do you wish to know why, Princess Kairi? I'll tell you why." He raises his hands to the air as the storm worsens, the sky now an almost black gray with lightening falling around us, striking the sand to leave scorched marks upon the tan surface. "She has no reason to run. She knows about me and I about her. She knows that either way she could not stay with your precious Riku and you, her precious sister. Her heart is bound to the darkness, swallowed for eons before. You cannot save her-no one can. I believe this is a waste of your energy."

"No Sephiroth!" Jasmine shouts. "We will not allow you to take her to him or for yourself! She is vital!"

"Try and stop me you pathetic excuses for human beings!" He cackles as he throws Cyra away from him where she lands in the water, coughing and sputtering as she attempts to breathe. I run to her as Belle faces Sephiroth with Aurora and Alice behind her. Meanwhile I crouch down next to Cyra, lifting her from the cold wet ground so that she will not get sick. She offers me a weak smile before taking my outstretched hand.

"What is going on?" I ask her with a serious tone to my voice. She regards me with shame once again, eyes averting to the ground in silence. I tug at her arm again. "Well? I NEED to know Cyra. You cannot keep this from me! Where are Riku and Sora and the others? Can't they sense this change in the atmosphere?"

"No…and they won't be able too. The rift has been opened and there is nothing you can do. The Princesses of Heart will fight and then, they will lose the battle. You and Sora will be taken away." Cyra says quietly.

Before I can control myself I slap her forcefully on the cheek. Her head turns with impact, leaving a handprint of faint red to her olive skin. She doesn't retaliate and I feel my blood boiling. "If you knew about this, why didn't you say so?" I push her roughly. "I trusted you! I was so happy to have you back! I was excited to know my blood was still alive, that we could be together again!" Once she has stumbled I kick her shin without any control of my temper. She releases a small howl of pain and cradles her aching injury with her hands; but I feel little remorse as I take a swing at her face. I hit her square in the eye, which resounds with a loud smack. That is going to leave a mark. She finally falls to the ground and I tower above her, fists clenched and eyes ablaze with hurt, anger, and betrayal. "I can't believe you'd betray me, betray Sora…betray RIKU! I can't believe he feels ANYTHING for you! If he knew what a witch you were…" I trail off as I see a person running in the distance. "Sora…can it be…?"

"KAIRI!" Sora's voice fills my ears.

"THE KEYBLADE MASTER?" Sephiroth roars in anger as he throws Alice away from him, deflecting her Firaga spell with ease where it hits her on her side. She lands on the ground with a loud thud, blood oozing from her side.

I look around and see Riku rush to Cyra, who I have retreated from. I run over to Alice to inspect her wounds, but she doesn't appear to notice me; she's unconscious. I want to ask for help but the other princesses are far too busy to acknowledge me. I see Sora rush to them in aid, his keyblade, Oathkeeper, drawn for battle. After throwing the last princesses to the side, Sephiroth advances on Sora. The battle is quick and I cry when I know the winner. The one winged angel hurls Sora at a nearby boat. I hear Sora crash into it as the wood splinters to send up a shower of sharp woodchips. I scream as I make a dash for cover but only succeed in sheltering my head. I bite back tears as I feel the razor sharp wood shards cut through my skin where it is uncovered: my legs, my arms, my back. Once all is silent, save for the storm above, I lift my head to investigate around me. There is no sign of Sora or Riku or the princesses. My eyes meet only Sephiroth had begun to walk towards me. I shiver in fear. How am I supposed to protect myself? He raises his Masumane blade above my head but the impact never reaches me. To my utter surprise I see another man clad in a long black coat holding Sephiroth's blade in place. The angel's eyes burn with anger as he continues to press his weapon down but still to no avail as the mysterious man smiles. "Stop being so persistent."

"Why do you interfere, Ansem?" Sephiroth says dangerously.

ANSEM! I shudder as he commands Sephiroth to sheath his blade, which he does rather reluctantly. Ansem laughs as he points towards Cyra who is lying unconscious on the ground. "Why must you make it so obvious? We only want the girl to come back with us. Must you always give away our plans? Now how will we attain what we came to have?" Ansem sighs. "We must return, with or without our desired entities. Come now, retrieve the girl. We must depart before the Princesses awake, though I must say, you've made a bloody mess of them."

I watch in horror as they pick up Cyra. Sephiroth mutters words that sound similar to a spell before they are sucked up by a dark portal. I jump up and shake my fists at the sky. "GIVE HER BACK YOU DEVILS!" I scream at the air, which has not changed color. The storm still consumes the weather and rain has begun to fall. I continue my useless raving as I shout and kick like a child. "GIVE HER BACK! You can't take her away!" I know she is gone, but I insist on ranting. "She's MY sister you jerk! SEPHIROTH, GIVE HER BACK TO ME!"

"He can't hear you."

"Riku?" I wipe my tears away as my friend looks away. I still see no sign of other living life forms. "Did you…but how did Sora and you…why not?"

"Not only are they in the darkness, but Cyra was born of the darkness as were Ansem and Sephiroth. They won't listen so stop wasting your energy Kairi." Riku says harshly as he pulls something from underneath a large piece of wood. I gasp when I see wisps of golden hair. AURORA! He dusts her bloody hair from her face as he lays her on the sand. "Help me find them."

I nod quickly as I numbly search for the other princess. I spot a particularly large slab of wood and lift it to discover Belle. Her face is dirty and her dress is torn all over. I place her next to Aurora with some help from Riku. We continue to search until I noticed something floating above the shallow shore water. I run over to see. "SORA!" I drag his limp body to the surface shore where I immediately check for a pulse. I feel a faint one. "RIKU! OVER HERE! I FOUND SORA!"

He sprints over to us. "Move over." He picks Sora up and we head back to the sandy part of the beach. Riku checks his heartbeat. "He'll be fine. In the meantime, we have to get everyone to safety." I agree and start to the Princesses, but as I'm about to pick up Alice, she begins to fade away. I shout at Riku in concern but he just waves his hand. "They must be returning to their worlds. They'll be fine. But we have bigger problems to deal with."

"How do you know all this, Riku?" I demand with my hand son my hips as we continue to walk towards the hotel. "How do you know about Cyra being born of the darkness? How do you know this?" When he doesn't answer me, I spin him around to face me. "And why are you wearing a blindfold? Why don't you tell me what you know Riku? I'm sick and tired of being left out! I need to know why they took my sister and if you know anything…pleas Riku…tell me. I can't bear to lose another one of my memories to the darkness. It would hurt my heart too much. It doesn't hurt my heart too much."

Riku sighs as he sets Sora down on the bed. "Prepare yourself then, Kairi."

^TBC...

(I apologize for this chapter taking so long, but I'm still working hard here to organize my ideas more. Ok, so here is the not-so-exciting chapter 7 and I have more news! I also want to thank EVERYONE who has and hasn't reviewed because you guys are just so awesome! Well, please R&R and constructive criticism is welcome but NO flames cause that is rude! Thank you everyone who has reviewed!)

+DarkKairi+