'Riku!' She waved franticly. Riku just smiled as he made his way to her. 'Well good morning to you too Mina.' He took her hand in his, and they started to walk. She laid her head on his shoulder.

'Riku?' She questioned. 'Hm...' She let go of his hand, and stood in front of him, a sad expression on her face. 'Mina what is it?' He asked slightly worried. She looked at him, long and hard before she said, 'Riku…Do you love me?'

He was taken aback by her boldness, as she tended to be very shy. But he smiled never the less, and answered, 'Yes Mina, I do. I love you more than life it's self.' She smiled, and put her arms around his neck.

'I love you Riku, I love you.' She whispered into his chest. He put his head on top of hers and whispered back, 'I love you too. More than you know…' She looked up at him through tear filled eyes.

'Promise you'll never leave me?' He looked surprised. 'What-' she shook her head violently, 'Promise me!' He looked down at her, and nodded, 'I promise. I promise I will never leave you…'

That was one of the many memories that slithered through her mind as she floated through the darkness. Her eyes finally opened, to be greeted by darkness. 'Where am I?' It didn't make any sense. First she was talking with Riku in that thunder storm, then she was here…In this darkness.

Where was Riku? Why was she alone? How long had she been there? She had so many questions…That would never be answered. She would never get out of here…She would never see Riku again. She let her tears flow freely. 'I'm Scared…I'm scared Riku, where are you? You Lied! You Lied to me Riku! You promised...you promised...' She cried hoping to be heard, but to no avail.

How long she drifted, was unknown to her. Some where along way she had found the ground, and was now splayed across it, broken in every possible way. Physically, Mentally, Emotionally. ' Mina...' She heard her name being called but didn't pay it any mind. 'Mina...Mina...' There it was again...And again!

She sat up with what little strength she had left. "Who...Who's there?" she questioned aridly, her voice corse from screaming for hours on end. 'Mina...' she closed her eyes, envisioning it was Riku calling her name. "I'm here.." she whispered painfully. A lone tear fell down her pale white cheek, as she felt anothers' touch on her hand.

"Mina." she heard the voice clearly now, right beside her. she opened her eyes, but saw only the tranquil darkness before her. "Who are you?" she questioned regaining some of her lost voice. "I am here to help." He answered, avoiding her previous question. She could tell this mysterious person was a male, middle age maybe.

She gave a wry smile, "No one can help me. I can't even help myself." she heard him laugh quietly to himself. "Oh but my dear there is still hope for you." He replied, as he placed his hand on her tear stained cheek. 'His hand is gloved...' she thought absent mindedly as she leaned into his touch. It had been so long since she had felt the pressure of anothers hand. How she missed it...But she missed his hand most of all.

"I can help you escape...I can help you see him again.." Her surprised gasp was echoed mockingly in the shadows. She grabbed his hand, "How? How can you help?" She asked pleadingly. You could almost hear his smirk. "It's a bit...complicated. Just give yourself over to the darkness without question, and you will be freed." she sat for a moment contimplating this. the she nodded, "I accept. Just let me see him again please."

He let out a small chuckle, and reached out his hand to her. "Wait! Before you...do anything, please tell me my saviors name." she pleaded, as she reached her petite hand out. He took her outstreched hand, and placed it upon his cheek. "Ansem. That is my name." Was his morbid reply, as he reached his hand out and placed it above her left breast.

Her scream echoed through out the darkness scornfully. His hand entered her chest, and withdrew almost in the same instant clutching half her heart in his hand. her body started convusling, and contiued as long black marks burned into her skin, all along her body. Her screams continued, while getting louder, and more strained. She saw Ansem, and what he looked like before she passed into the darkness, and her last thought was, 'Heh, I was right. He is middle aged.'