Sanity's Silhouette

By Chris

Finally back from Varsity football camp, seems I made the starting middle linebacker spot . Anywho here goes.

Chapter 9

Abrupt Prolonging

Darkness…darkness…darkness…

I could hear their chanting. They were coming for me.

Darkness…darkness…darkness…

My heart tied itself into a knot as I looked down at Kairi, her head resting on my chest. I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay.

I'm going to stay.

We'll destroy them…

Shut up.

She'll die…

SHUT UP!

……………………………………………………………………….

I felt myself shoot up as I woke from my nightmare, waking Kairi as I did so, and then I embraced her, and pulled her head to my chest. I could feel my tears coming. I didn't want her to see my cry; I didn't want her to know what was happening inside my head.

I couldn't stay but I couldn't leave.

If I stayed she'd die…they'd all die!

But if I left…she'd be happy with Riku, right?

(Italics here means conscience)

But would you?

Would I what?

Be happy?

No. But…

There's a simple way out of this…

What's th….

"Sora?" she squeaked, as I had her against my chest. I had forgotten about reality for a few seconds. She was scared.

And I was crying.

"It's okay, go back to sleep, I'll protect you…I'll protect you…" I whimpered to her, and I could sense she was worried but she curled up to me and closed her eyes.

She's so pretty.

Like an Angel.

Yea…

I turned my pillow over again, hoping the other side had dried by now.

I couldn't sleep, I couldn't think, I couldn't do anything. The pain was too much. The sorrow I felt, the emptiness.

It wouldn't go away. It's as if there were an explosion of these feelings inside me, and they were slowly spreading.

I felt another sob come from my mouth, and my eyes watered up again. I felt the tears stream down my cheeks. This was too much for me to bear.

I wasn't good enough, I never was.

I had always been the more popular one though. I always had had more friends, more girls, more of everything! I was more athletic, smarter, quicker….

But when it came to what mattered most…I failed every time.

I sobbed and sobbed some more. I had lost my final chance. I had failed my final time. There was no returning to where I was.

I couldn't stay but I couldn't leave.

If I stayed…I'd die out of my sorrow, I would walk as a ghost of a man, never becoming whole again.

But if I left…she'd be happy with Sora…right?

There's a simple solution to all this…

I sobbed and felt my tears dry up, being spent.

You could always end it…

I cried out into the night.

This night was strange. I could hear the trees whisper to each other in the wind.

Dark mysteries were in the wind. Something was coming…

Or already here.

I shuddered. That last thought might be too much for me to bear. Even being Guardian of Light, Darkness was one thing I feared above all else, like Sora, I didn't want to go back into the darkness.

I shivered as I slipped my robe back on. This was an evil wind. I searched through my mind, but I could not sense anyone approaching the Island. There was nothing here.

I relaxed a little. Maybe I was just a little paranoid?

Most likely. It had been a long time since I had had some time to relax.

But I should stay on my guard.

I slipped into the kitchen silently and found a packet of Green Tea, always my favorite.

This would help soothe my aching mind. I put the pot on the stove and waited for it to boil.

It wasn't long till I could sense it was about to whistle and I yanked it off before that could happen.

I couldn't wake up everyone else, they needed their rest.

So do you…

I sipped at my Green tea, ignoring my conscience for now. It was always lazy. I maneuvered my way to the front door and made my way to the porch, finding a rocking chair to rest on.

I was rather exhausted, I would admit. What was Antitheus planning? Where was he?

And how in the hell did I expect to stop him this time?

I'd failed all the other times…

He had grown too powerful for one of the light to contain, but if I could get the council to…

No, they turned from me long ago.

Or did you turn from them…

I had gotten used to my consciences appropriately psychological questions over time, I just simply had always decided to never answer…

Because you're afraid of your past…

I quickly stood and made my way to the swinging bench, seems like the rocking chair wasn't giving me the rest I needed…stupid conscience.

I relaxed. Nothing would happen tonight. I was safe, we were all safe.

I gently rested my eyes and felt my mind drift off into sleep…

………………………………………………………………………………………………

I looked around and all I could see was darkness. Darkness controlling, engulfing, enveloping….overpowering…

I cried out as turned and saw Sora and Riku, punching each other in a mad frenzy on the edge of a cliff…if they kept fighting….

"NO!" I screamed as I rushed towards them.

But I felt a hand take my by the neck and through me back…

Anititheus stared down at me, his eyes burning a whole through me.

"Fool of a brother! I loved you! You turned from me!"

"No! No!" I sobbed into the darkness. "You turned from me!" I cried out, "Stop it!" I screamed as I covered my ears…

"None of this would have happened if it weren't for you and your…greed!" he screamed at me, tears streaming down his face.

"NOO! I…" my voice choked in my throat as I sobbed, and my eyes closed, releasing the tears down my face.

When I opened my eyes, there was Anititheus, 5 years old.

"Big brother? Can I play with you?" he asked me, bathed in innocence.

Then I saw my form come in, my 16 year old self.

"No, you're too young and too weak, look, you can't even hold a sword!" my 16 year old self laughed at Anititheus as he tried to lift a small sword and failed miserably. Anititheus began to cry.

I closed my eyes again and there Anititheus was again, 14 years old…

He was talking to two strange men dressed in robes of white.

Then I realized…these were not my memories…

They were his.

I took a few steps forward, wanting to hear what they were saying.

"But he wouldn't do that! No! Not him! Please tell me you're lying!" he screamed at the men in rage.

"I'm sorry Anititheus, but it's true. Your time has come. Come with us, become one with the Council of the Light…" he paused.

I cringed as I prepared for the next few words that I knew were coming…

"Help heal the wounds your brother has created…"

I cried into the darkness.

I felt Sora shoot up next to me, and I opened my eyes and gazed up at him, sweating and panting in the darkness.

I hadn't been asleep; I had been watching him as he slept. His serenity as he slept. I had missed him

And I loved him.

Every imperfection he had made me smile. I loved every single one of them.

Then he turned to me…

"Sora?" I squeaked up to him as I saw his tears begin to flow.

"It's okay, go back to sleep, I'll protect you…I'll protect you…" he whispered to me and he came down and embraced me, pulling my head to his chest, and I didn't mind. I took a deep breath, smelling him and smiling. He may have had a nightmare, but I just wanted to be in his arms.

He's so perfect.

Shin…Shin…

I woke up startled as I heard my name being whispered in the wind. I quickly pulled my hood over my head and looked around in a panic.

Why had I been so careless?

I checked my senses and sensed someone inside the house.

Other than Sora, Kairi, or Riku.

I panicked and jetted inside, making no sound as I did so.

As I went through door I felt eyes burning a whole through me, and I looked to my left and there she was.

Sophie…

"Fancy seeing you here, Shin." she said with a bit of cockiness etching out through her voice.

"Hello, Sophie." I said as I straightened myself up and turning towards her. "What brings you to this lovely island?" I questioned.

"Sightseeing, vacation…tanning. You know how it is." She chuckled.

"A comedian as always I see." I retorted, laughing inside at her joke. It was sorta funny.

"Look, the council obviously won't help you." She said seriously, obviously done joking.

"As I figured…the last time I asked…"

"They tried to kill you, I remember well." She whispered and looked away.

I had seen the pain in her eyes when she had said that.

That still didn't explain why she was here though.

"Why are you here, Sophie?" I asked gently.

"I.." she began but her voice caught in her throat.

I took a few steps towards her and looked at her with care.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I was worried about you!" she nearly yelled to me, turning her face to me, tears pouring down her face, dripping softly to the floor.

I was in shock, here she was, my friend…my partner…my….

No, that ended long ago.

Yes, it did.

"I can take care of myself." I said as a matter of factly, tossing my hair in my cocky way.

"Bullshit, I saw what happened last time you said that. You…" I raised my hand to stop her.

"Yes…I remember it."

She still hadn't forgotten.

Damn it.

"Does The Council know about this?" I asked her.

She shook her head slowly, her chocolate eyes staring into mine.

I sighed. She was in deep shit.

"You shouldn't have come, if they find out…"

"I'll be banished from the order blah blah blah. I know, trust me. I saw it happen to you." She finished for me.

I winced when she said this. It pained me even now.

I felt a knot in my heart.

She cared enough to defy the council. Even after…

"Shin?" she questioned softly, her brown eyes studying me.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Do you have some food? I'm starving." She said.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

I yawned as I slowly made my way down the stairs, squinting in the morning light.

It was too early for me to be up.

Bah.

My nightmares hadn't helped either, but I'd live.

I need a shower, I thought to myself as I felt through my silver hair with my hand, feeling its dirtiness.

Yea, definitely a shower after breakfast.

I stepped into the den and heard voices in the kitchen. Sora was probably up.

I yawned again and stretched as I entered the kitchen.

There was Shin, eating breakfast at the table, chatting and laughing with….

Who the hell was that?

My initial shock was taken over when I noticed who it was, or rather what "who" looked like.

Long, flowing black hair, a bit past the shoulders and dark chocolate eyes to match. Fair skin and a gracefulness and gentleness reflected in her movements.

"H..Hi." I stuttered.

You're an idiot.

Shush.

"Good morning Riku," Shin said, "This is Sophie. A fellow Guardian of the Light. She's come to help."

I nodded in understanding and turned my gaze towards hers.

Our eyes met, her chocolate eyes flowing into my green ones (they were green weren't they? I can't remember!)

"Hi." She almost whispered, blushing.

I smiled.

I saw what was happening.

Cute, isn't it, Shin?

Hmpf. No.

Protective much?

Shut up.

Harmless flirting, I told myself. Harmless flirting.

I'll have to keep my eye on Riku though.

Why?

You know damned well why.

Why should you care? You deserted…

Enough. Let me enjoy my Green Tea god damnit!

"Riku why don't you grab a plate and come take a seat?"
"Sure!" he said excitedly as he grabbed a plate.

This was gonna be a long adventure.

And that's all for now folks! I have a doctor's appointment so I had to finish it quickly! Read and Review! 3

Chris

"The Angel's Love"

Angeli Amori