Chapter Seventeen

His eyes closed slowly as he stepped through the dark portal, ice cold hands scratching across his pure white skin. He felt his hair blowing in the wind and confusion sunk into him like almost like a harsh reality and he was scared that he had never actually entered the portal and he was stuck with Ansem. Then the knowledge that there was no wind where Ansem lay, there never had been, returned back to him and he was able to take in a deep breath of reassurance and open his eyes slowly, the thin skin acting as if they had glued themselves together in fear of what his future now held right before them.

And when he opened his eyes he could no long breath.

Where ever he had stopped at was beautiful, breath taking.

He stood in awe, just staring, taking it in. Letting the air in the place slowly pour through his soul and purify all the darkness that had seeped into him.

His hands shook at his side unbeknown to him. He didn't realize that his fingers were numb, that his body was trembling gently but it was growing stronger.

He didn't realize anything that was going on around him besides the beauty of the place that had overcome his senses and for a mere moment, a small second in time he believed that he might be in the Heaven that he had heard everyone talk about.

The place with such beauty that all you could feel was a happiness that struck you to the very core of your soul, no matter how torn and battered you were.

A soft smile filled his face. It felt strange to him to be smiling a true smile. How long had it been since he had been truly happy enough to smile as if he were a care free kid again.

So long.

It had been so long. Before he had left the island to find new worlds. Before he had almost lost Sora as a friend. Before the captivity he felt on the island.

So long; too long.

His shaking hand reached out to touch a tree that stood before him, his knees trembling from the weight of shock that had thrown itself upon his weakened shoulders. He felt the smooth bark against his sensitive fingers and then he was yanked backwards. He felt his stomach twist, and his mind pain in confusion.

Then he truly opened his eyes and he knew it was all but a dream, a beautiful dream of hope. Something he didn't deserve but his bones ached for.

When his eyes opened again he was surrounded by darkness. Not the same darkness of Ansem, not the evil darkness that swirled around the older man but a cold darkness one that uttered nothing but the truth. A darkness that hid nothing but everything at once.

Some say the light was what showed the world for what it was but it was covered in sweetness and life and love; a vision for those who were optimistic and believed there were good things in the world.

This darkness, that tested the barriers of his soul was the honest kind. It's cold fingers wrapped around his heart, laughing at his weakness but only to bring them to the surface, to show him what they were for, what they meant. Nothing more and sure enough, nothing less. It didn't cover them in chocolate to show him the benefit of such weakness, it didn't bother, it showed him so he could try and grow stronger.

For a moment Riku was confused by these thoughs, this revelation as if he could hear the darkness speaking to him but he pushed the confusion aside refusing to let that conquer him and waste valuable time. He would accept it for what it was.

The End.

A/N: Okay, so I said a sequel was doubtful to come out anytime soon. Pffta, I should have looked through my old writings before I said that.

Because, guess what, I found a couple of pages to a story that when I started writing it had nothing to do with this story but reading it over will work perfectly as a sequel and keeps calling my name when I sleep to write to it.

So yes, give me a month or two and there will more than likely be a sequel to this story. Which will explain everyone's feelings on Riku's departure, create a new world etc etc.

For last chapter I have to thank everyone and I will do it all personally too because I'm cool like that.

WalkingIntoWallsPerson: I don't plan on deleting this, I need it to look at so I know I've grown. Though, I do plan on editing it so I can't. Because it's rather scary. Haha, being used to typo's isn't a good thing / Now a day's I preach the use of correct writing to honor the reader's eyes. But then I don't go and read over half of my chapters. I'm such a hypocrite. Most of my recent works in my writing LJ, which if you check out my homepage just take the 7 off of it and you have the writing journal. I can't give up writing, last time I didn't write for a whole month I seriously went to withdrawals. No kidding, shaking hands and everything. Thanks so much for the review and nice words. 3's you times infinity.

Noone – The anon reviewer: If I wasn't so hard on myself my writing would never get better, and I want to be proud of it lol. I'm writing a sequel as I said before, and I can't wait till March for KH2 to come out to offer more than enough inspiration. All those things will be in the sequel, promise times 20.

West-chan: Ahaha, I'm glad you like the story despite the horrible grammar. There will be a lovely sequel (I hope lovely) to answer questions, end all my open lines that I've forgotten that I remember when I edit this thing. 3 and thanks a trillion.

Keyblademaster18: Ahaha, glad to excite you for updating. Much love. Aw I'm glad you think so, if you think so you'll be blown away by innocence corrupted. I have it in my faves, you should check it out because it is seriously the best/longest and love to the extreme.

And this special one to:

PrincessSwifty: You've been with this story for EVER and I love you love love love for it. I love your reviews because they amuse me so much and just love to you for ever and ever. Just love and thanks so fucking much you have no idea. I don't use MSN anymore… I can never keep up with people because they change their name lol. If you have aim that's what I've gone to. 3 to you more than major. And if I remember (because I'm so horrible on memory, last chapter I meant to give a shout out to all my reviewers but forgot because I'm a lame ass) You will get the biggest shout out ever.

AND NOW because this chapter was so short, a mini insight on the sequel. A little bit from the pages I had found.

Keep in mine this is not set in stone and I more than likely will change it around. This is just a maybe.

In this city of Sin, I cower in this empty building trying to stay away from the people who are just like me.

Traitors.

Disgusting and worthless, waste of life and space just as I am.

We're all exactly the same here, dead inside and waiting to be dead on the outside as well. But I needed to ask for one thing before I pass on into a hell that would punish me accordingly for my crimes against those I love.

I look up at the stone walls, slowly crumbling around me. This cold building had been around for centuries but no one cared about it. Such a shame. It must have been a beautiful sight back then, the now broken windows must have shined so wonderfully, filling this dark room with a light pure enough to cleanse any soul.

No one cared about the beauty here anymore; no, they wanted blood shed.

This city of Sin.

Okay, now keep in mind that when Riku used the portal he was seeking redemption and cleansing of his soul. He wanted to redeem his soul for his deeds. Now that might explain the actions in this chapter and the basis of this world that Riku finds himself in in that small excerpt from the sequel.

If you want to read chapters as I edit them I'll be posting them on my lj (No, I don't have them there now) I'll more than likely be adding shit and taking shit out. Or I can somehow get in touch with you.

Kay