Disclaimer: Be creative, imagine your own disclaimer.

I'm sorry the story sucks now. I'm trying to make it work somehow, but it's being difficult. Me and my boyfriend only broke up twice this month over stupid reasons, so things are hectic. I feel like a retard about it, too.

After I post this chapter I am writing another Riku X Kairi story. I don't know how soon it will be posted, I might decide to write the whole thing before I try posting it. I plan on using all the stuff I learned in my advanced literature class, so let's hope it's really worth reading. Please review, it helps to motivate me to update faster.

Chapter 28

"Kairi, I was worried." Riku moved forward and pulled her into a tight hug. Looking over her shoulder, he nodded his thanks to Ansem for more than getting her there safely. "I knew she'd pull you out of that mess alright." He smirked at the older man, receiving disbelieving looks from Sora and Cloud.

That statement really bothered Sora, Riku wasn't one to cozy up to people, but he definitely didn't hate Ansem, even after everything he had been put through. Even Cloud seemed a little more relaxed than he should have been. What was wrong with everyone? Was Sora the only one that remembered everything Ansem had done? He couldn't understand why everyone could just decide to like him like this. His expression darkened as he noticed how close Kairi was standing to him, how easily he was talking to Riku, how even Cloud was responding helpfully as Ansem retold how they had gotten there and his thoughts on the situation.

"We need to figure out where Sephiroth is hiding, first. I don't feel that he would stay in the End of the World, perhaps he is using a world we were previously unaware of as his new domain." He explained, oblivious to Sora's cold demeanor.

"That would make sense. We know that he has King Mickey, Yuffie, and the others. I think we should head back to Hollow Bastion and see if we can figure out where he is and how to deal with this situation." Kairi suggested, looking around at the group. She received no complaints, so she made her way past the men and into the hall, heading toward where the gummi ship was.

"Sora, you coming? We're probably heading for Hollow Bastion soon. Did you want to look around or something?" He hesitated when Sora made no indication that he knew Riku was there. Moving closer he tried again.

"Kairi said they've checked the castle and didn't find anything but left behind Heartless." Riku cautiously approached his friend.

Sora appeared to be staring blankly out the nearest window, his face showing no emotion as he turned to look at Riku. "What's so great about him all the sudden? You used to hate him, you know. Kairi too. Why's he so great now?" He growled.

The blatant anger in his voice made Riku nearly jump back in surprise. "What do you mean, Sora? He's not evil anymore, he's on our side. We have no reason to hate him anymore. And now that he's not Heartless, he's in control of himself. He's not a bad guy, really. Maybe if you'd give him a chance you could see that." he replied, brow furrowing as he stared at the younger boy. He wanted to say more, but shook his head and walked away. He knew it would sink in sooner or later, Sora just needed some time.

Everyone had decided they wanted to take a good look around before shoving off for Hollow Bastion, so Riku walked out to the gummi ship to make sure they wouldn't need any more supplies before they left. He had just reached the door of the gummi ship when he felt a shiver run down his spine. Turning slowly, he cast a glance back at Disney Castle, shining brightly in the afternoon sun. Finding nothing out of the ordinary, Riku turned back to get into the ship, jumping in surprise as he came face to face with Ansem.

"Woah!" he yelped, stepping back and shaking his head. "Some habits really do die hard, huh?" he laughed nervously.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Ansem grinned darkly at him, moving to the side so he wasn't standing between Riku and the ship. He wasn't trying to be threatening, he just wanted a closer look at the boy he had possessed some years before.

There was an awkward silence as Ansem stared at the younger man, taking in every detail. He had changed dramatically over the years. Much taller, more filled out, he could sense that his heart was much stronger than it had been, as well. That was good, little chance of Sephiroth trying to do the same thing Ansem had done to him.

It didn't take Riku long to figure out what Ansem was doing.

"Worried?" He asked calmly, voice deepening to a more serious tone. He watched Ansem inspect him before turning to look into the younger man's face.

"Perhaps." He wondered for a moment if he really should say more. He watched the aqua eyes dart around, taking in his own figure, probably sizing him up. There was a brief moment of silence between them before Riku found the right words.

"I'm done making mistakes. I want to protect her, you know that. Just because your puppet trick worked once doesn't mean he can use it on me again. At this point, I think the one we should really worry about it Sora. He's not buying the situation, he doesn't trust you." His own words made him think a bit deeper, and he cut back in before Ansem could respond.

"Maybe you really can't be trusted the way you make yourself out to be, but in my opinion, you've proven that you have no use for Sephiroth. I'm willing to trust that you're not exactly a threat to us either." As if to seek confirmation of his statement, Riku glanced up and made eye contact with the former king.

His face remained blank as he watched the silver-haired man walked past him and climb into the gummi ship. Once Riku was safely out of sight, Ansem allowed a playful smirk to grace his features. He didn't like many people, but Riku was high on the list.

"Ansem!" Kairi called as she jumped into the gummi ship. "Have you seen-" She stopped dead in her tracks as she caught sight of him, mouth dropping open in surprise.

"What is it, Kairi?" He asked quietly, looking up from the half-finished game of chess.

She shook her head and stepped forward. "Oh, I was just looking for Riku, but I see you found him already.." She said, watching the young man stand up and turn to face her.

"What did you need?" he asked happily, walking around the low table.

"Um, I didn't know either of you played chess.." She said sheepishly, pointing to the board on the table.

"Yea, on occasion. Ansem's a lot better than me, I was kind of losing really bad. But anyway, what'd you need?" he gave her a friendly smile.

"Oh! Leon wanted you to help him load up some stuff they got from storage." She pointed over her shoulder with her thumb for emphasis. He nodded and hopped out the door.

"Chess, huh?" She whispered playfully, walking over to Ansem and plopping down cross-legged beside him.

He looked over at her and grinned. "I used to play it quite often at Hollow Bastion. Care to learn?" He took her hand and kissed it gently.

She giggled quietly at his gesture. "Not really. I just wasn't really expecting it." She gave him a funny look before continuing. "We're leaving in a few minutes. You sure you want to go to Hollow Bastion?"

He looked up from the board in surprise. His face quickly relaxed into a small smile when he realized what she meant. "Yes, there are some research books on the Heartless that could be useful. Also some theories I wrote before Hollow Bastion fell. I know your comrades have no desire to stay there, and I really don't have any reason to want to go back. So if what you meant to ask is, will I follow you back to your Islands, then yes, I will go wherever you send me."

Kairi smiled happily, leaning in slowly and squeezing his hand. Their lips had nearly touched when the door was thrown open with a slam.

"Hey guys!" Selphie chirped, her sudden entrance making Kairi jump. " Buckle up! We're leaving as soon as Leon and Riku finish up." She said, walking quickly past them and finding her usual seat. Humming softly to herself, she produced a book and began reading.

Ansem's face was blank again as he picked up the chess board, returning it to it's place under the seat. He stood up and made his way toward the back of the ship, where the spare rooms were located. Kairi followed him back, peeking into the room he disappeared into.

He had seated himself on one of the beds, and appeared to be thinking. She glanced back in time to see Leon and Sora pass by the hallway, followed by Cid. She supposed they were probably taking off now. Not wanting to talk to the others yet, Kairi darted into the room and eased the door closed behind her. Ansem didn't even glance up, he had a vaguely sad expression on his face.

Kairi sighed, she knew what he was thinking about, she had caught on when she saw him and Riku playing chess. Crossing the room to a makeshift vanity table, she picked up a hairbrush and sat beside him on the bed. Bringing the brush up, she gently pulled it through a loose lock of his hair. She continued to brush his hair and gradually his eyes closed. He seemed a bit more relaxed when she was finished, leaning lightly against her.

"Sora will never trust me." He said abruptly.

Kairi hesitated for a moment and began slowly brushing his already neat hair again. "He will someday.. Well anyway, the others are starting to get used to you, I think. Leon, Aerith and Cloud don't seem to think you'll turn on us. And Selphie and Tidus don't seem to understand who you were." She said helpfully. "Riku is starting to like you." She added after thinking for a moment.

Ansem was quiet as he thought about her statement. "But to defeat Sephiroth, I will need Sora's help as well. It will be difficult if he thinks I am just going to turn on him and try to kill him. I can understand his reasoning…" She could tell that it was really distressing him that Sora didn't trust him. She could respect that, she wouldn't want Sora on edge around her either, he could do some damage if he chose to.

Kairi jumped slightly as the deep sound of the gummi ship's engines roared to life around them. "I guess we're leaving." She smiled brightly at him. After a moment, the ship jolted violently and she moved to the window to watch Disney Castle fall away below them.

The sight almost made her sad, like the first time she had returned to Destiny Islands. Watching the whole island spring back to life around her had left quite a mark on her memory. She had watched an island return to her, when she couldn't remember having left it in the first place. And instead of receiving answers, she had to wait for Riku and Sora to show up again. She was the only one on the island that remembered. The others had all thought she was going insane when she tried to explain where Sora and Riku had gone. Of course, things changed the day a gummi ship landed on the beach and a triumphant Sora leapt out dragging a rather disgruntled Riku.

Shivering at the memory, Kairi spun around to face Ansem, the one who had caused all the real problems in her life. He had shifted into a cross-legged position and almost looked like he was meditating. She watched him for a moment, taking in the scene. He looked so relaxed in the black shirt and sweatpants, loose white hair flowing down his back and shoulders.

Moving slowly, she walked up next to the bed where he was sitting. When he didn't seem to acknowledge her presence, she swiftly scrambled into his lap.

He jumped in surprise and his green eyes shot open, staring at her in question and she made herself comfortable, burrowing into his chest and stomach and soaking up his warmth.

He relaxed again when she was done moving, resting a hand on her slender back and stroking her hair as she drifted off to sleep.

Kairi was still asleep as the cabin door creaked open. Ansem heard the noise and turned slowly so as not to wake her up. He watched as Cloud slid quietly into the room and latched the door behind him again.

The blonde seemed completely unfazed at the sight of the girl asleep in his former king's lap. In the short time that he had known her, he couldn't help but get somewhat attached, he supposed they all did. There was something about Kairi that attracted all sorts of attention. It made him feel a bit more confident and secure about what he was about to do seeing that Kairi was so trusting in the former Heartless King.

Ansem continued to stroke Kairi's hair as Cloud walked over to the bed and seated himself beside Ansem.

"Ansem." he said quietly, nodding a greeting.

Ansem lifted his chin a little, an old habit from his younger days. "Strife. What brings you here? Is it about Sephiroth?" He knew that Sephiroth and Cloud had been more or less rivals, the general had always been impressed with the young blonde's progress, and in turn Cloud had strived to be more like Sephiroth.

However, the mercenary shook his head. "No, actually, I just wanted to talk. It's.. good to have you back with us." He seemed very uncomfortable, it had been years since the two men had really spoken, and even then, Cloud had not even been an adult. After the years of anguish after Hollow Bastion's fall, Ansem supposed Cloud held on to the links to his past lifestyle.

The two men sat in relative silence and just watched Kairi sleep. She fidgeted in her sleep and Ansem's hand tightened to hold her closer. Cloud watched the way Ansem looked at her, and leaned forward to gently run his own fingers through the girl's deep auburn hair.

"Is she the reason you've come back to us? The special one you thought Ame was?" He asked bravely, looking up to Ansem's face and nearly shuddering at the eerie familiarity of the green eyes.

"Yes, I suppose she really is. She's absolutely remarkable. She used her keyblade and saved me from the Heartless, and I don't think she even knows how she did it." His voice was soft, and he leaned down to kiss her forehead.

Cloud smiled behind the crimson fabric of his cape. "Good, keep her safe for us." He said quietly as he rose and made his way back out the door.

A/n: I'll try to update soonish. I didn't mean for this update to take so long, but my internet was down for some retarded reason. And yea, my kitten just tried to molest me...