Thank you those who have reviewed my last chapter! You've made me so happy and I will put in a chapter later giving more information on Chika, how she came to travel with them, etc etc, hopefully make it a bit clearer for you all.

(Sadly I still do not own any of the Kingdom Hearts characters, except for my very own Chika, nor do I ever think I will do…unfortunately.)

Well, here's the second chapter

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Chapter 2

The brunette sighed heavily and flung himself carelessly into the seat, having felt the boredom set in hours ago. He didn't like long journeys, especially when they involved Gummi ships and his unusual feathered friend, Donald. He wanted to be pilot for this ride, but his request was blatantly refused. Although, not unusual for this to be denied, Sora still decided to take the 'spoilt' attitude, by sticking out his tongue or ramming his fingers down his ears whenever a request was issued. The duck decided that the boy was in too much of a nervous state to be driving for such a distance, and an enormous period of time. Sora stuck out his bottom lip in a pout and slid himself down in the uncomfortably hard seat; a frown settled itself neatly upon his brow. He remained silent but bore his eyes into the back of Donald's chair, as if wishing it would just vanish.

Donald kept his eyes set on the roads ahead, feathered hands gripping tightly to the joystick and a look of concentration plastered to his face. "Sora, I would have let you control the Gummi, but considering y--"

"Whatever." The brunette was quick to cut him short as he waved a hand dismissively, which was slightly pointless considering the duck couldn't even see him. He already knew what he was going to say after hearing it time and time again just after they had taken off and didn't fancy listening to the same lecture again.

With a 'humph' Donald decided he'd had enough already. "For heaven's sake Sora...You are seventeen now, not five!" He felt as if he was going to burst if the brunette didn't stop soon. "Stop acting like a spoilt brat!"

Sora allowed his mouth to hang open, eyes wide and slightly taken back by this unusual insult he had just received from Donald. "Don't call me a spoilt brat!" He mumbled folding his arms across his chest. Quickly his gaze altered to the view outside the window, where two ships passed in the opposite direction...Heartless vessels no doubt. "All I wanted to do was to pilot this one time." His lip jutted out further as Goofy approached from behind and let out a merry chuckle.

"You have driven this thing before Sora, remember...It was lucky the thing survived in your hands." Goofy joked, hoping to get a laugh out of the boy, but to his disappointment, it only increased Sora's bad mood.

"Hey!" Standing up he threw his arms wildly into the air. "What is it, pick on Sora hour or something?!"

Donald thought it best to just ignore the boy at the moment. He knew it was just nerves that sent him into this delirious state. "We're almost there, say fifteen minutes before we land."

"Okay." Goofy replied, slipping into his co-pilot seat. "Make sure you're all strapped in to land, Sora."

"Yeah." The boy replied monotonously, slipping past the seats and towards the back wall where his Keyblade was propped, currently using the 'Metal Chocobo' key chain. From the day it had materialized itself in his hand, three years ago Sora had cherished it with all his heart, maintaining it's stunning appearance. With a sigh, he carried it back to his seat and strapped himself in, before carefully propping it up in between his knees. His cold, clammy hands were visibly shaking from excitement and nervousness as he tried to unlatch the Key chain, meeting Riku again for the first time in two years had sent Sora into a complete and utter mess. A bundle of nerves…Maybe it was best for Donald to drive after all. The brunette bit his bottom lip with concentration as he wiped his sweaty palms down the dark fabric of his trousers and attempted to undo the Key chain once again. With a grunt, a frown of frustration molded his perfect face. "Argh." He dropped the blade, watching it disappear before it made contact with the metal panels, which made up the floor. "What the hell is wrong with me?!" He was speaking more to himself than any other, but still caught the attention of Goofy, who turned in his seat.

"Huh." The dog's eyes widened as he stared at Sora. "What's wrong?"

Sora raised his head slightly, his cerulean eyes fixing upon the dogs. "I…don't know. Too nervous I guess." He smiled apologetically for his behavior and held out his hands, so the blade materialized in his open palms. "I'm sorry for the way I have been, but…"

Goofy shook his head, causing his big black ears to flap against the side of his long head. "Don't be sorry Sora. We all get a little nervous sometimes, don't we." A smile touched his lips. "As soon as you meet up with Riku, you can be like best of friends again, fighting like you used to, having fun, y'know what I mean…Now that he has his heart back that is."

Sora shrugged, pulling on his black leather gloves. "I don't want it to be like it was in the past…I don't want to be rivals anymore." Again he slipped a hand into his trouser pockets, only this time to pull out a handful of his Key chains. Finally finding Ultima, he untangled it and replaced the rest. "I want to be real friends." With a drowsy sigh he attempted to unclip the Metal Chocobo Key chain once more, to find he was successful. Thankful his gloves provided grip, he attached Ultima to the hilt. "I don't want to fight anymore."

"Oh." Was all the dog had to say, before he turned back round to stare thoughtfully out of the window.

Sora soon lowered his gaze again and let the Keyblade vanish for a second time. The silence fell heavy upon the trio, causing Sora's ears to ring and his head feel weighty. "You say the Heartless are stronger here?" He asked tugging restlessly at his silver crown necklace.

"Of course, the Heartless thrive in that place." Donald answered, leaning forward slightly to pull at a leaver and hit a few buttons. "Make sure you are ready and well prepared…who knows what lies out there!"

Sora nodded to himself and turned his head towards the small window on his right. Head in hands and elbow resting upon the thin armrest, he watched the skies turn from a navy blue to a morbid purple as they traveled closer and closer to Hollow Bastion.

A large deafening clang resounded through the halls and into all rooms nearby, forcing Riku to sit bolt up right. His heart raced violently in his chest, pounding against his poor ribs and sending the blood rushing to his head. "What the…." He threw back his covers and shot to the door, pulling it open with a loud bang as it collided with the wall. Staring out, he noticed Yuffie grinning foolishly, hands behind her back looking very much innocent. "What the hell have you done?" he mumbled before suddenly noticing Leon's blade at her feet.

She placed a finger to her lips and giggled. Suddenly she stopped and shot him a puzzled look. "Riku, aren't you supposed to go down to the gates and wait for Sora to come? He could be here already, y'know." Yuffie took a sweeping glance down his form and placed a hand upon her hip, finally allowing her gaze to rest upon the only thing he wore…His boxers.

"Oh, shit!" Without another word he fled back into his room and snatched his clothes from the floor, pulling each garment on, while attempting to ram his feet into his leather boots. "Why of all days--" From outside Riku could hear Yuffie's giggles evolve into fits of nervous laughter. Leon must be there.

"Yuffie I ask one simple request--" Yep, Leon was definitely there, and ready to burst, Riku was sure of it by the way the warriors voice had risen dangerously.

"I couldn't help it Squall." Came Yuffie's reply.

"It's Leon." The man retorted, lowering his voice.

"Well, it's too bloody heavy…your stupid…sword…it's too heavy for me."

"You should have told me and I could have asked someone else."

"Hey, we aren't your skivvies y'know. Don't be so damned lazy and get off your own fat ass!"

Riku smirked slightly at the argument that was gradually becoming more and more heated by the second, usually in the past it only resulted in Yuffie dishing out a punch to Leon somehow. She always won and everyone knew it, but it was still worth a go at beating her. Riku stumbled slightly as he pushed his foot forcefully into the other boot and grabbed his coat from the floor. He should have been at the gates ages ago, but had slept in, tired from the previous nights interruption with Chika's unexpected and unwanted visit. So as not to trip on untied laces, he pushed them inside his boots, in too much of a hurry to tie them up properly, and threw is coat over his shoulders before taking off down the hallway. Passing Leon and Yuffie, Riku pushed open the door with one hand and sped through the gloomy library, not taking any notice of the rest of the group who were all seated inside.

"Riku!" Aries called after him, confusion evident within her sweet angelic voice. "We'd thought you had gone…would you like us to come with you, to make sure you are okay?"

The silver-haired boy shook his head and left via the opposite door. Being nimble, he hurdled the wall and jumped down into the hall with ease, continuing across the large tiled floor and out through the main entrance. Rain pattered heavily against the paths, forming large puddles and giving the fresh smell of damp foliage. Chest heaving, Riku ran down the steps, through the cast iron gates and towards the bridge. Before there had been a lift stop, but a while after the worlds had been locked, things began to change…Worlds altered. Hollow Bastion had numerous alterations, but the largest and most noticeable had to be the constant gloomy atmosphere upon the world. Not one sunny day had been recorded since the keyhole was locked. Finally the silver-haired boy stopped, leaning against the concrete column, which formed an arch exiting to the Rising Falls. With a swift movement, he pulled up his hood and zipped up the front, so he was concealed completely, safe from the rain. "Come on Sora, you must get here." Closing his eyes he mumbled these words over and over, silently pleading that the Heartless hadn't got the boy at the last minute. "Aries said you would be here, so you have to…" He sighed restlessly and stared out beneath his large concealing hood. "Come on." Closing his eyes for a moment, he thought back to the old days, when he and Sora would go exploring around the Island, or play fight on the end of the pier.

The rain only grew heavier and the clouds dangerously dark as the time gradually wore on. The waters below in the Rising Falls had also changed after the keyhole was locked…No longer could you walk upon it's crystal clear surface, now it was a giant lake, the only way across was over the winding path, once the floating platforms, but now connected.

Riku shifted slightly at the sound of muffled voices from down below. He frowned as he opened his eyes and stared out over three figures. Sure enough he recognized two of them; a dog and a duck, but the other…the other was not as familiar. His gaze followed their movements, eyes constantly upon the tall, human figure. He was a brunette, lanky, but still was well built, and was dressed mostly in black, except for a blue and red top beneath the black jacket. Riku narrowed his eyes and grinned before lowering his head as the other looked up. In doing this, the brunette had revealed amicable dazzling blue eyes. "Sora." Riku muttered happily to himself. For the first time in years he felt the warmth in his body, growing from deep within his chest and indescribable joy. However, he managed to keep his composure on the outside and remained motionless, even when the footsteps came to a halt in front of him. "I've been waiting for you." Riku spoke in a low voice, a grin spread across hidden lips.

Sora narrowed his eyes with caution as he flicked his dark, wet bangs from his face. Sure enough the voice was familiar, but Riku never dressed like that. The brunette held out open gloved palms and felt the solid form of the Keyblade materialize in his hands. "Oh yeah?" He challenged, holding the blade by his side, deciding not to threaten…Just be prepared incase anything was to happen.

Donald and Goofy turned from Riku to Sora, watching and silently waiting to see what happened. They knew there was no way Sora was about to strike and kept their weapons away.

"You don't have to try to kill me again y'know." Riku lifted his head slightly so he could watch the boy before him; a small smile now formed his thin lips.

The brunette caught a glimpse of silver from beneath the hood and a twinkle of emerald eyes, before they were quickly shut. "It is you, isn't it?" Sora stepped forward and cocked his head to one side, reaching up with one hand, only for it to be immediately slapped away. "Riku." The boy grinned widely, a true Sora-style-grin. He shivered from the cold as his clothes became damp, the rain soaking his skin and causing his hair to stick to his head, but at the moment this was ignored. He didn't feel nervous anymore, just wildly happy. He wanted to hug his best friend with all his might, squeeze the life out of him. "Riku." He repeated, unsure of anything else to say.

"Hiya Riku." Goofy chuckled, giving a brief wave of his hand. "You wouldn't believe the state So--"

"Ssshhh, you big Palooka." The wet duck slapped a foot on the ground, causing small water drops to fly in all directions. "Hi Riku."

Riku nodded and turned his head away slightly, feeling small yellow orbs upon his body. They were hiding. "Quick, we've got to get back…be ready Sora. Heartless surround us." His voice had risen and now withheld some sort of frustration. "Come on." With a wave of a hand he jogged across the bridge, aware of the others following. He stopped at the end to wait for the duck to catch up, the blade materializing in his hand as his eyes fell upon one of the weaker fiends, eyes darting to his left and right, they appeared to be increasing in numbers. "They surround us." He shouted, also realizing three more emerging from the cast iron gate through a shield of heavy rain. "Are you ready?" Riku looked back towards Sora who nodded before their blades were raised and their forms poised in fighting stance. Riku was the first to strike, a grunt emitted from his lips as he swung his large blade in an arc and slashed at the enemy before it ducked back down into the ground again.

Sora took each one as they come, annihilating feeble bodies and thrashing wildly at oncoming attacks. Soon it was a mass of black surrounding the group, Donald and Goofy frantically casting numerous spells and attacking with all their might. For once it felt good to be fighting on the side of Riku, not against him, Sora took this on board as they fought, thankful they were reunited once again. The fight didn't even force him to realize their battle wasn't over and their journey home was going to be tough. Sora smiled as Riku stopped a small nimble Heartless with the edge of his black blade before it actually reached him. The brunette stumbled once or twice as he took blows to the chest and received cuts on his arms and legs however were soon to be healed by the cure spells flying from the direction of the small mage, Donald. A frenzy of blades and claws battling it out, Sora seemed to be on autopilot, his thoughts elsewhere, but doing well to keep the fiends away.

"Okay." Riku panted for air, his eyes darting around to make sure there were no more Heartless left. "Okay…you alright Sora?" His voice was raspy and his breaths came in ragged gasps. "No more for the moment…we should get back quickly, no more hanging around." He had managed to keep his hood up the whole time, and now he peered at the boy curiously.

"Riku!" Sora cried staring out over the other boy's shoulder. "Riku duck for heavens sake!" Sora watched the small heartless pounce, claws outstretched as it missed the silver-boy's head by inches just as he ducked. Sora raised his Keyblade high in the air and brought it down sharply, only for it to hit the tiled floor and bounce back up as the black mass lunged towards Riku again.

Riku couldn't act quickly enough. Feeling the Heartless push him back against the ground, his blade slipped from his grasp as it skidded off towards a puddle. "Shit!" He groaned from the pain in his back where he had fallen and watched the creature disappear as a blade swooped in from above.

Sora swallowed hard and allowed his Keyblade to vanish. He hated darkness, making him wonder what had compelled Riku to join that side three years ago. Without questioning it Sora glanced down upon his old friend, who was struggling to sit up. The brunette couldn't help but stare in awe at this angelic beauty in front of him, only noticing now that his hood had slipped off. Silver tendrils of hair fell past the boy's hardened features, he had become more defined and his eyes appeared greener, or was that because the darkness was slipping away, releasing its hold on him? For some reason Sora had never been able to visualize Riku's eyes after the whole Kingdom Hearts saga, but remembered that they had once held an amazing quality, now he had been reminded as he gazed into the sea-like depths. Riku had certainly become taller and his skin somewhat paler, he never did seem to have a tan, even after those hours of time spent in the sun. Sora continued to stare unaware of his actions.

Riku moaned and bit his bottom lip; the pain shot up through his shoulder blades and lingered for a moment or two, as he remained motionless leaning back on the palms of his hands. His gaze rested upon the duck who was trying to regain some magic back, then to Goofy who was searching frantically around for a potion, and finally to Sora who seemed to be gawping at him. "Hey Sora, you going to help me up today?" He raised a questioning eyebrow and shifted slightly, feeling the ache tear through his upper back before he shut his eyes again.

The brunette suddenly snapped from his daydreaming and felt a blush creep over his cheeks. "Sorry." He smiled and held out a hand. "I…just--" He laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head with his free hand.

"Well, never mind." Riku smiled weakly and took hold of the boy's gloved hand, feeling the warmth of the boy hand through the thick fabric. "Thanks." He was heaved to his feet, groaning as he was constantly reminded of his back. Where the hell was that potion? Riku however hadn't failed to notice the blush from the other boy, although he didn't say a word. Instead, he replaced the hood and walked over to his blade, struggling to bend down to pick the thing up. "Argh. Stupid, damned heartless--" He trailed off and gripped the long thin handle before heaving it up.

"Here." Sora held out a hand, palm facing the silver-haired boy as he closed his eyes. "It's not much, but it will get you back." A green aura surrounded the silver haired boy and quickly vanished. Sora grinned and slipped his hands into his pockets, eyes lowering to the floor in an attempt to hide the blush as he felt Riku's eyes upon him once again from beneath the hood.

Riku noticed the pain had subsided slightly. "A cure spell?" He smiled wearily and ruffled the boy's chestnut bangs with a gloved hand. "Thanks Sora." With a turn of his head, Riku waved a hand, and took off up the steps, after passing through the cast iron gate.

The brunette stood for a while trying to register that Riku had actually started to run before he followed, Donald and Goofy were close behind. For some reason, Sora had noticed how silent the dog and duck had been since they had arrived, hardly a single word uttered, which was highly unusual considering Donald liked to be part of most conversations. Sora followed the black-coated figure as it sped between forming Heartless. "Riku!" He shouted, ahead. "Riku, they are rising from the ground…Are you…are you just going to leave them?"

"Were almost there." The voice replied. "Just leave these ones…There are none in the castle…we'll be safe there."

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Heh, I've had to split this chapter up, because it was way too long before, so if it seems a bit weird to end a chapter here and start as the next one starts…you'll understand.

So, I'm now posting two chapters up this afternoon instead of the one….Enjoy!