Me: Heh (brushes dust off of story). Sorry I haven't updated. But you gave me more then 10 reviews, so I need to update.
Sora:...why is your skin, like... yellow?
Me: Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I haven't slept in days or eaten in over 24 hours.
Riku: Yup, that might have something to do with it.
Me: I'm inspiration deprived, yes I am. I am forcing myself to write this because I can't let you all down. I created this story, and I'll finish it. Even if it makes me sick.
Cast: O.O
Me: (smile) Go on and read!
Disney Castle
Oram rushed down the hall ways of Disney Castle, black cloak that was still dripping wet billowing behind him, spraying the pathway with water. His black boots made squeaking noises on the highly polished floor, but it was drowned out by the thundering rain and cracks of thunder from outside.
He had a bad feeling about this. As Oram rushed past a few of the Castle maid, all trying to stop him with bright fluffy towels in their hands, his thoughts turned to the stranger who had saved Sora and his insides turned to ice.
All right, he'd admit it. If it weren't for whoever the Hell that person was, Sora would be dead. But that didn't stop the fact that he was getting bad vibes from it. But these were different vibes. When he had a bad feeling, it was sort of like some sort of premonition. Like he knew something bad would happen, bad for everyone.
But this feeling... this feeling was worse... confusing...
He had a bad feeling that whatever was about to happen wouldn't be good for him at all, but it may just be the best thing for the others.
And for Sora.
He ran faster.
No, he wouldn't let anyone take Sora away! Even if Sora was mad at him, he'd get over it! Oram could give him the life that Sora had lived, and what he so obviously wanted to return to.
But could things be the same?
His muscles stretched in ways they weren't meant to be as he widened his foot strides. He had to get to Sora soon, and fast. Before that man got to him.
And what if this man would hurt Sora? What if he really wanted to kill Sora himself? Oram had no idea how this would be possible, though; no one in their right minds would want to hurt the brunette. No one. They'd have to be crazy.
And sticking your body out of a tower to grab at someone while all Hell is breaking loose in the sky is sane? a nagging voice in the back of his mind said. Oram usually ignored this voice, but now he agreed with it whole-heartedly.
He skidded to a halt in front of an old stair case. Literally. His wet boots slid across the marble for a good two feet before he stopped and it took all of his skill to keep form falling.
He narrowed his eyes. In the ground was a large, gaping black hole. A shabby rug lay haphazardly over it, dipping slightly into the dark depths. The other half was scrunched up over a large, heavy-looking box.
He didn't register that this place had been hidden. He didn't even stop to think that this might not lead him anywhere, that it could send him tumbling straight down through the castle to meat a splatting end. He hopped into the dark hole.
A whooping sensation filled his stomach for a brief moment before he finally hit the bottom. The weather outside was obviously having an effect on this place, too; there was two inches of water covering the slippery ground.
He ran through the water, heels kicking up buckets of water that flailed out behind him in torrents. The water was freezing. He lost the feeling in his toes completely, then his whole foot. But he didn't care. His feet weren't what was keeping him going. It was his will to save Sora from whatever horror was facing him. Whatever horror that awaited him from up those long, spindling stairs that were now in his view, despite the dark, dreary hallway.
He bolted up them in a heart beat. The only sound he could hear was his wet boots slapping against the cold stone, the whipping of his cloak behind him. The sound of thunder echoed dully in the tower, surrounding him, suffocating him. The rain beat like millions of tiny drums, pounding in his ears. But it didn't drown out the sound of the pounding of his own heart. Or his gasping breath as he climbed higher and higher.
The air was getting colder. He could feel icy wet air slap him hard in the face that stung his skin, digging deep into his pores and sending shocks through his face. He could see the tiniest of glimmers of light now. It was frail, but there and it danced along the wall in weak ribbons.
He had come to a landing, finally. It was the same as the stairs; dark, cobble stone floor. But not that dark. Two torches were at either end of a small room. There were more stairs at the end of the room. To the left was a large arch that led outside into the thin air, or in this case, Hell relinquished in a storm.
But he didn't notice any of the scenery, or the chair in the corner and the table that was littered with candy bar wrappings. What he did notice was the silhouette of two figures. One he recognized right off the bat; the spiky hair was unmistakable. But the other was unfamiliar, yet strangely, it felt like he knew it. He was taller then Sora and had his arms somewhere near Sora's head. It looked like... they were around his neck!
This man was trying to kill Sora!
With a growl, Oram launched himself at the man, tackling him to the ground.
Another Side, Another Story (I just had to add that, sorry)
Riku blinked as the smaller teen wrapped his arms around him in a bone-crushing hug. Did this mean... that Sora... remember him? Him?
Relief. Warm, glorious, illuminating relief swept through his veins, seeping into his mind and heart and loosening the muscles that had been tensed in fear. It was all right. Sora was okay. Sora remembered him.
And his promise was kept.
A huge surge charged through his body, making him grin widely. He wasn't even sure if he was in control of his own body anymore. But he didn't care. He was just too damn happy to care.
He ended up laughing, throwing his arms around the brunette to return the hug. The mood was obviously infectious as Sora was laughing as well, still grasping onto Riku as if holding onto dear life. There were beads of water running down his cheeks and since Sora was so soaked, he wasn't sure if it was the rain or tears. But he would go for the latter.
"I can't believe it's you!" Sora was saying over and over again. "It's been so long..."
Riku was still laughing, swaying slightly on the spot. "What, do you think I can just poof up here at any time?"
Sora laughed as well, finally pulling apart slightly, but still not letting go. "Nah," he said. "But... how did you get here, anyway?"
Riku mock pouted. "Not happy to see me?"
Sora blinked. "Of course I am!"
"You're not happy to see me?"
"No, I am!"
He would normally be frustrated at someone acting like this, but he found he didn't mind it that much with Riku. Maybe that's because he liked it with Riku, and Riku alone. No one else.
"I have so much to tell you!" Sora said excitedly, eyes ablaze with happiness. He was acting pretty excited and exuberant for someone who was about to commit suicide. But Riku was about to bring this up now. It would ruin the moment.
"You better have," Riku warned. "I told you we'd go on different adventures, and I wasn't lying." He grinned, ruffling Sora's hair affectionately. "We can tell each other all about it later."
Sora smiled up at him, blue eyes gleaming. "And I kept up my promise, too!"
Riku raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "So you've been good?"
Sora nodded. "Yup!"
"Liar," Riku said cheerfully. He was a bit more serious when he said, "If you've been so good, then what in God's name were you doing standing out there on the roof in this weather?"
Sora's face fell, his smile dropping into a frown. He didn't look mad about the question. If anything, he looked guilty, ashamed. "I'd rather not talk about it right now..." he murmured, staring at the floor.
Riku nodded, even though Sora couldn't see him.. Instead, he pushed the brunette away a bit, holding him at arms length.
Sora shot him a puzzled look which changed, moments later, into an amused one.
"Looks like you finally grew some muscle," Riku murmured absently, looking him up and down. "You look like you've eaten well enough, if not a bit too much."
This made Sora pout, and Riku sniggered. "Just kidding, just kidding," he assured him. "Well, looks like you've been getting on well enou---OOF!"
Sora jumped a good two feet in the air in shock as a dark figure bounded from the entry way, tackling Riku to the ground.
"What the hell?" Sora exclaimed. He could hear Riku cursing on the ground and another figure lurched over him, pinning him to the ground.
"Oh wait..." Sora whispered to himself. He would've jumped himself, but he was kind of too shocked to do so. He didn't even know who this person was, it was too dark!
He watched as Riku managed to un-pin his wrists and roll the other man over and he got to his feet, taking a hasty step back.
The new comer launched himself at Riku at breath-taking speed, knocking him into the rickety wooden table--- hard! Three was a splintering crash as Riku was shoved against it, snapping it clean in half and falling through.
Riku growled, shoving the side of his palm into the other mans throat, cutting off his breath momentarily. It wasn't enough to knock him out, just enough to make him get off. Riku didn't believe in choking people. If he wanted to kill someone, he had much more efficient ways of doing it.
The man stumbled off of him, momentarily. His face was contorted in rage and even though there was barely any light, Riku thought this man as familiar.
And so did Sora.
When Riku was knocked into the table, it shook the torch from it's wooden pedestal, sending it spilling across the floor. In the glow of the bright white and red embers, he could make out tanned skin, brown hair, frown eyes...
"ORAM!" Sora yelled, launching himself at the man before he could
He wrapped his hands tightened around the taller guys torso, using all of his strength to haul him away from the silver-haired teen. Oram fought hard to release himself. But Sora wouldn't let him go.
After grappling for a bit, Riku slowly stood up. He plugged his bloody nose with the hem of his shirt, wincing in pain. He didn't think it was broken, but colliding with the ground would leave it sore for a while.
"What the Hell?" Riku muttered, glaring at the stranger. "What was that for?"
The embers on the ground were beginning to die down, casting an eerie glow over their faces. There was silence for a while, if you didn't count the ragged breathing of the others. During his struggles, Oram had clipped Sora in the mouth and he was now bleeding. But Sora didn't seem to mind that.
Sora released his hold on Oram slightly, but still didn't let go. Just in case he went after Riku again.
After a minute or two, in which they all stared from one to the other, they heard the sound of frantic footsteps scurrying up the stairs. A moment later, a tall woman with brown hair braided down her head and a long, pink dress appeared with a blazing torch in her hand.
She immediately rushed to Sora's side, hugging him tightly.
"Sora, what in the world has gotten into you?" she exclaimed, obviously not minding that he was dripping wet from his little stunt on the roof. "You had us all scared to death!"
Riku watched curiously as Sora assured the other woman he was fine, a woman who was named Aerith. So this wasn't Ninna... but she should be here, too. And the other man... wait a second... in the light of the new-comers torch, he looked very familiar. That face... those eyes.
"Oram?" Riku asked tensely, narrowing his eyes at the older brunette.
Aerith finally noticed his presence. Her eyes widened in slight shock before she asked, "And who is this?"
"I'll explain later, Aerith," Sora said hurriedly. The cold was finally settling in and he was starting to shiver. The storm outside hadn't let up yet, but the rain didn't seem to be pounding on the walls as hard and the pause between bolts of lightning getting longer.
"All right then," she said, sighing. "Let's get you somewhere warm."
She looked around at the other two, one sporting a black eye and the other a bloody nose. "And you two, as well." Her eyes rested on Riku for a moment longer before she took Sora by the shoulders and led him to the exit. Before he was out of sight, Sora shot an encouraging smile at Riku and allowed himself to be steered away by his caretaker.
There was a very awkward, very tense cloud that hovered in the air between the two males, surrounding and suffocating the two of them like some invisible barrier. Even the sounds of the storm seemed to dull. Without the glow of the torch, the darkness had returned and it seemed even blacker then before. Or maybe it was that damn barrier again.
But Riku could still see the spreading bruise in Oram's left eyes that had happed when Riku kneed him in the eye when they fell over. Riku felt a tiny bit of regret, even if it was Oram's fault in the first place.
"Sorry about that," Riku said conversationally. He could feel the aches in his body from his harsh landing from the portal and from the scuffle ten minutes before.
Oram just shrugged. What could he say to someone he had just wrongly accused of attempting to kill the would-be-murderers best friend? This wasn't exactly something he had dealt with before.
"Whatever," the brunette finally muttered. "C'mon, they'll be worried if we stay up here too long." And with that, he grabbed a torch from one of the walls and swept down the stairs.
Riku groaned. He had a feeling that him and Oram wouldn't be getting along very well after that. Then he noticed another thing. The bastard had left him with no light. There were only two torches here; one was laying on the ground, crushed, it's embers fading into a dull orange. And the other was just taken by Oram himself.
Riku groaned again. Okay, so he definitely wasn't someone he would be getting along with anytime soon, if ever.
Gritting his teeth, Riku felt for the wall and slid his hand along it until he found the exit. Sighing, he began a slow descent down the narrow, steep, slippery stairs. In the pitch dark.
Wow. Today was really bittersweet, ne?
Sora
Sora and Aerith were treading through the now three-inch deep water. Sora's shoes were soaked beyond repair and the hem of Aerith's dress curled in circles around her ankles, slippery feet splashing daintily through the feeble current created in the tunnel by the storm.
"Sora?" she began when they reached dry ground outside of the tunnel by climbing up a rickety ladder Sora brought over from the wall (he had put it there when he found this place). "Who was that man with you?"
"You mean Oram?" Sora chuckled. They were walking down the hallway down, dripping water all over the floor.
Aerith frowned down at him. "Sora, we've all been worried sick," she said. "Now is not the time for your little games."
Sora glared up at her. "You're not one to talk about games, Aerith."
The flower maiden shut up. Sora had a point.
They had just turned a corner when they were bombarded by a flock of people who included the following: Leon, Yuffie, Ninna, King Mickey, Donald, and Goofy.
"Sora, where have you been?"
"You had us worried sick!"
"You could have died, you idiot!"
"What would we have done?"
"How did you get up in that bloody tower in the first place?
Sora groaned. He wished they would shut up. He could feel a cold coming on (probably from being outside in that storm) and, with it, a massive head ache.
"Leave him alone," a voice from behind them said. "Sora could use some sleep."
Oram had walked up to them and his face looked a bit more relieved then what it had been before, but it was still stony. He was soaked from the knee down and he had wet splotches over his clothes, probably from where he had touched Riku's wet clothes.
"We have a right to know," Yuffie huffed. "We just witnessed Sora fall off a damn roof!"
Leon snorted. "More like he jumped," Leon muttered.
"Hey!" Sora said, bristling. "I didn't jump!"
"It doesn't matter!" Mickey intervened quickly. "What matters is that you're okay, Sora."
"Yeah," Ninna agreed, nodding happily. "Say, Sora, who was it that saved you anyway?"
Oram was staring coldly at the wall as if it had done him a great personal wrong.
"He did," Sora said, nodding to the person standing behind them. They all turned to see who Sora was grinning at and gasped.
End
Sora: That was just plain mean.
Me: Well I feel mean. I'm damn tired of trying to be cheerful, so I make you all suffer! MWA HA HA!
Riku:... save us...
Fire: hm :hides white, binding jacket behind her back and throws it to Riku: keep that just incase. :smirks:
Me: (clears throat) Well, here's the responses to reviews!
Rose Fighter
I will keep on updating! WOOT! Thanks for the review!
Hispanic Tenshi
...Okay, so I wrote a few more OP fics! So sue me! XD Sorry, I can't resist. But I've laid off OP for now. I got kinda bored with it; after the big rush, it just left me drained. So I'll keep on updating. YAY! PLEASE TAKE ME WITH YOU TO THE THEME PARK! WHEE!
Shocker2110
I strain to be different form other KH fics, I really do. That's why I wrote this and it didn't stay locked up in my mind. But I'm glad you think it is, that's suck a huge compliment! SQUEE! KH2! (glomps it and you)
nanirain
...(slowly pushed card back to you) Trust me, you need it more then I do. Um, my chapters are addicting. I feel a large surge of happiness and guilt. Odd combination, it is. You're a fan?...(sniffles) I feel so incredibly happy. THANK YOU!
xcloudx
I'm happy you liked the ending . Even though the review was short, I'm glad you took the time t acknowledge you read it! YOU ROCK!
RaieChibiKid
You're like, my favorite reviewer. you rock my socks so hard. I love reading your encouraging reviews! And thanks for pointing out all the genres of this XD. Thank you so much for the review!
Heart of Dreams
Yeah, no Kairi in this fic. Sorry, but I'm tired of her at the moment. Nothing but our sexy bishies for the moment! I hope you're okay with that. Thanks for the review!
The Keyblade Master
Um... okay, I was shocked when I read your review. I wasn't sure if anyone would catch the fact that the portal was like apparating. I honestly thought you people didn't pay attention to stuff like that. But thank you for doing so anyway! It makes me feel my writing is worth paying attention to.
soccergirl13
YAY! PLUSHIE! huggles plushie Thank you very much! (bows) And thanks for the review, too!
ellenh92
...O.O You scare me. Poke? Riku? Okay, no more sugar for you. (gives you carrot sticks)
yuffiegal23
I did update! Ha ha, you're one of my first reviewers. I value your opinion, please tell me more of it!\par
Done
Me: For all you people out there, I love hearing things from you. Like your opinions, ideas, suggestions, criticisms, anything. Please say
Sora: Now go eat something!
Me: (grumbles) Yes sir. Well, bye-bye reviewers! Until next update! Flickering Light, you're next on the list!