Dark Empathy
A Kingdom Hearts Fan-Fiction

Average Read Time: 19 mins

Chapter Five

Ryne felt his stomach lurch as he continued to stare the man in his eyes. The crimson gaze pierced into his own. The blue hair fell across his face, as he leaned forwards to look down upon Ryne. The sick little grin was still plastered across his lips. He was enjoying this. The sick fuck was enjoying this.
He couldn't believe that he had just made love to Xemnas. And willingly too. He cringed a bit as he glared up at him now. No… he had tricked him. He would never be attracted to this man on his own accord. Never.

Xemnas smiled sweetly now, turning his head a bit to the side. "Seems you really do want me back." He murmured softly.

"No!" Ryne hissed, lifting his head up a bit to glare at him. "I would never want you. Never!" He was shouting now. Either because he was angry, or because he was simply just plain scared.

Xemnas smirked as he shifted to sit upon Ryne's stomach now. He still had hold of his arms, continuing to pin them above his head. He leaned forwards ever so slightly as he quirked a brow. "Funny. Just a second ago it seemed you did."

Ryne growled some, narrowing his eyes. "That's because I thought-" His voice trailed off then, his face falling a bit. His eyes shifted away from Xemnas, looking off to the side. He couldn't bring himself to say it. He couldn't exploit his current feelings for Riku. And especially not to Xemnas. He didn't even want to admit them to himself. But if Xemnas had caught on to his little addiction to his brother… there was no telling what he would do. But after the current scenario, he had a sickening feeling that Xemnas had already figured something out.

"Because you thought that I was Riku?" He finished Ryne's sentence for him momentarily, and that got Ryne to look back him again. Xemnas let up a little, straightening his back some. "I had figured you might have some sort of infatuation with your dear brother." He muttered softly before the smirk upon his face had curled up into another one of those cruel grins. "That's why I took the liberty of disposing of him temporarily."

Ryne's eyes widened and he stared at him in shock. "What…?" His voice came out quiet, and almost inaudible before he let forth his rage. "Where is he! What did you do to him!" He shouted at Xemnas angrily.

"Tsk tsk, Ryne. Such anger. Save the hatred for when you see what's been done to him." Xemnas said and had suddenly let go of Ryne's arms at that point.

Ryne hesitated in surprise, before he sat up quickly shortly after being released. He stopped in mid motion before looking at Xemnas in some disgust. He could feel the other beginning to get hard now, as he had started to rise up underneath him. "Get off of me." He muttered bitterly, unable to move his lower body due to the fact Xemnas was still straddling him.

Xemnas watched him a moment, before his hand rose to grasp Ryne's chin within his hand. "Not without a kiss first." He muttered gently.

Ryne flinched and tried to jerk away, but Xemnas' hand held fast. "No! Get off me!" He yelled at him, struggling to get away from Xemnas.

"Pity you can't quite follow orders from me anymore." He said moving towards Ryne's face. "It's what got you in this situation in the first place."

"Orders?" Ryne muttered with a glare locking onto Xemnas. "What are you talking about?"

Xemnas straightened a bit looking at him a tad perplexed. "You really don't remember, do you?"

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about. Now get off me!" Ryne was desperate to get away from this man. And he didn't understand what he was talking about either.

Surprisingly, Xemnas shifted and moved off of Ryne. As soon as he did, Ryne had scrambled off of the bed and ran towards the door. He grabbed the doorknob and jerked on it roughly.

"You really are a forgetful one, aren't you?" Xemnas said with some amusement etched into his voice when he saw Ryne attempting to try and open up the locked door. "It's locked Ryne. There is no way of you getting out. I'm not letting you leave me. Not again."

Ryne shut his eyes tight, and let go of the knob slowly. Not again? He didn't understand. He didn't understand what Xemnas was carrying on about. He sagged against the door and continued to keep his eyes shut. He needed to get away. But he couldn't… he was trapped. This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening. A thought crossed his mind at that point. His head turned, and his eyes wavered towards the open window.

His eyes shifted toward Xemnas. His face still held amusement. He couldn't tell if he knew what he was about to do or not. It didn't matter though. His body was running towards the open window before his mind even had a chance to think it through a second time. His hands had grasped the ledge tightly, before he thrust himself outside.
Fear began to seep through him as soon as his body was airborne. His breath had caught in his chest as soon as his body had started to plummet to the ground below. He flailed a bit in the air as he saw where his landing would be.

He had plunged downward and into the bushes at the side of the house. He winced in pain as his body hit the ground while twigs and sharp sticks pierced his skin. Ryne groaned and forced himself to turn over and move out of the bushes. He hurt so much. If it weren't for the adrenaline of fear pumping through his veins, he didn't think he'd been able to move at all.
Ryne hesitated however when his eyes caught sight of a little white creature. He blinked and stared at the moogle that lay before him. It was the same one that had been supposedly guarding the house. The moogle just stared straight back at him, wiggling his pompous nose. "Kupo?" There was something odd about where this moogle was positioned. And it didn't take long for Ryne to figure it out. He had placed his hand on the ground and right through the moogle's body. His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped some. His hand had fazed right through it. He quickly jerked his hand back and looked at the moogle.

The moogle's colours had started to fade now. He was beginning to turn black. His entire body was starting to fade away into what seemed like a shadow. A shadow? Ryne sat up a bit. Xemnas. He had created a shadow. It was more trickery. His eyes had quickly flicked up to the window at that point. There was no one there. Which meant he had to leave fast.

Ryne scrambled to his feet, and left the moogle and the bushes behind. He hurried out around towards the front of the house with a limp. The pain from the fall was searing through his body. It almost made him feel sick. He couldn't stop though. He had to continue running. He just had to keep running. But to where? Where was he going to go? He didn't know. The thought of fleeing was the only thing that was on his mind right now. It's what kept him going the entire time, despite the ache he felt course through his body.

He didn't know how long he'd been running for. It'd seemed ages before he finally stopped to rest. He had limped into an alley and there he stayed for a while. He leaned his back against the wall before sliding down it carelessly and onto the ground. His breaths came out in heavy pants, and he closed his eyes. He felt so tired. So weak… He just wanted to sleep. That's all he wanted to do.

"I knew you were arrogant Ryne… but I didn't think you'd be so rude to leave without even saying goodbye. And quite frankly, I'm a bit upset." The cold voice came from beside him.

Ryne's eyes snapped open and he turned his head to his right. There stood Xemnas in his black cloak. Behind him was the swirling pool of darkness he had stepped out of. He didn't look upset to him. In fact, he looked like he was enjoying himself.

Ryne clenched his jaw and turned his head forwards again. He felt so weak. But he had to move. He had to get away. He would never submit to this man.

Ryne started to shift off the ground carefully. He was making his way to his feet now. He winced in pain and started to hobble out of the alley as quick as he could. His strength was returning to him, but he was still damned tired. He wouldn't give up.

Xemnas' gloved hand gripped Ryne's arm. He jerked him back towards him before pushing him up against one of the alley walls. His groin pressed against Ryne's, his hand still gripping his arm in his grasp. Xemnas leaned his body in close to Ryne's, pressing his body fully against the boy now. His free hand had moved up to caress his face gently. "I told you I wouldn't let you get away." He murmured softly at his ear. "You're coming back with me."

Ryne moved his head to the side when Xemnas had spoken in his ear. But he had only moved his face further into Xemnas' hand when he did so. "Back with you where? I don't understand what you mean." Ryne said shifting against the wall uncomfortably. His gaze was turned to the side, avoiding the red eyes that always seemed to pierce right through his heart.

"Back to your non-existence. Back to a place where no memories of you will ever reach into the hearts of those you love dearly. Back to where time seems to carry on forever. Back into the darkness." Xemnas began. His fingers still gently caressed his face within his grasp. "Back to the World that Never Was." The fingers painfully clutched the side of his face now as the words hissed out of his mouth.

Ryne recoiled and he started to struggle against Xemnas now. "No… No please. Xemnas I- Please, I don't want to go back there." He fumbled the words out in a mess.

"You should never have left me, Ryne. Now you'll pay for disobeying me." Xemnas' grip on his arm had tightened as well now.

Ryne winced in pain before forcing himself to look at Xemnas. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Xemnas' eyes narrowed but he smirked again as he watched Ryne's face carefully. "Perhaps it's time I reminded you of all the things you've forgotten. But first…" Xemnas had started to back up as one of the swirling portals had opened behind him. The darkness flooded out, waiting for the both of them to move inside. "I think you would want to know where Riku is, hm?"

Ryne stared at him before he finally managed to speak. "Where is he?"

"I already told you where I was today." Xemnas began as he started to back up into the portal. The darkness swirled around their bodies as he dragged Ryne along with him. "And that's where you will find him."

Ryne's eyes widened and he opened his mouth to speak, but the darkness consumed him before he had a chance. All he could see and feel was the black nothingness that was around Xemnas and him. It was cold and bare. There was nothing tempting about this place.

Fear. He felt the fear consume him as he was brought into this darkness. He couldn't help but press himself against Xemnas a little more. He was afraid. Afraid of the nothingness. Up ahead however, shone a light. Ryne peered at it in the distance. It seemed to be moving closer. Or were they just nearing it? It was hard to tell. But soon enough their bodies had come within critical distance of the light.

Ryne felt Xemnas release his grip on him. Before he even had a chance to turn around, Xemnas had pushed Ryne through the light. Ryne stumbled forwards through the blinding whiteness, before landing on his knees. His body sank into the ground a bit from the weight. There was a sudden change in texture on the ground. His gaze wandered down beneath him.

Sand covered Ryne's hands as he kneeled in the soft grains. He blinked and looked around him. He was at a shoreline. He was at Destiny City's shoreline. He stood up slowly and looked behind him.

Xemnas stood there, the portal dispersing behind him. He had a blank look set across his face. He didn't seem to be amused anymore. He almost looked… serious.

Ryne watched him momentarily, before he took a step forwards toward him. He stopped after wards and glared at him. "Where is he?"

Xemnas stood there silently for a moment. The blood red gaze was locked on Ryne. "Look behind you." He replied.

Ryne hesitated, before turning around some. His gaze wandered across the ocean and towards the islands. His blue eyes searched out and wandered over the island. After all, Xemnas did say he was there. But… he couldn't see him. He turned back to give him an angry stare. "He's not here. You're a liar!"

Xemnas frowned a bit and he glared right back at him. "I'm not a liar boy. He's there. Look closer. Expand your view."

Ryne looked at him with mistrust on his face. He turned back however and stared back at the island that lay before him. His eyes scanned across the tree house, and past the beach. They moved past the shack, and past the bridge. But his eyes stopped however on the small bit of land that the bridge lead to. His eyes focused in on the Paupo Tree that grew on the island. His eyes wandered over the curve of the tree until it stopped abruptly on what lay on the tree.

Attached to the tree lay a figure. The man's hands and legs were tied up against the tree. A strip of material was also tied around his mouth. His head was hung low, and his body sagged forwards a bit. It was hard to tell, but it looked like blood was dripping off of his body. Ryne's gaze lowered to the ground beneath the man. And sure enough a crimson puddle lay at his feet.

Ryne staggered forwards a bit and he looked ahead to stare at his brother. Tears had flooded his vision. His view of Riku started to blur as the tears dripped down the sides of his face now. His lip trembled as he tried to form words. He couldn't bring himself to speak however.

Xemnas came up behind him quietly, and he looked ahead to where Riku was. He smiled a bit, and folded his arms behind his back. "It's really quite a shame. Riku is such a nuisance to me. Especially since he's in the way of getting what I want." He murmured before his gaze landed down upon Ryne. When he saw that the other wasn't moving, he continued. "He's not dead." Xemnas paused for a moment to smirk. "Yet." A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "You can still save him though."

Ryne spun around at that point to look up at Xemnas. His eyes were wide, the tears still running down his cheeks. "How! Tell me how!" He practically demanded the other.

Xemnas' gaze wandered over Ryne. The amusement was beginning to show in his eyes again. "It's quite simple really. All you have to do is swim your way across and get to him."

Ryne's blood went ice cold. His body seemed to turn to stone as he stood there. He kept dead silent as he continued to watch Xemnas. Swim… "But…" His voice was starting to crack a bit. "I…" His eyes shifted to look down at the ground. "I can't swim…"

Xemnas started to grin harshly and he started to laugh more. "I know." He said through malicious chuckles. "It's so easy, Ryne." He began as he started to move around him. "Look at how close your brother is. Look at how close you are to saving him."

Ryne's eyes shut firmly, his fists clenching tightly. They trembled a bit from how tight his grip was. Xemnas was right. He was so close to Riku. It was only about a kilometer away. It wasn't that far. It wasn't that far… and he couldn't even swim that small distance to save his own brother. Ryne clenched his jaw as he fought an inner war with himself. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair… Riku… he was going to die because of him. But… he couldn't let Xemnas do this… he couldn't…

"I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to just give yourself up to me. I'm sure you're quite tired." Xemnas looked back at the island. He was obviously enjoying this a bit too much. "You could always stay with me… if you don't want to go and rescue him."

Ryne's eyes snapped open at that point. "No…" He muttered softly, and shook his head. "No!" He yelled at Xemnas now before turning around and started to run. He ran across the sand, and into the ocean. The feeling of the waves splashing against his feet caused him to falter only slightly before he continued to press forward. He moved further into the water, his strides slowing by the weight of the water.

It was up to his knees now… and it was rising steadily as he continued to make his way towards the island. It only took a few moments before the ocean had come up to his neck. He was on his tiptoes now.

Ryne looked towards the island where Riku lay. "Riku!" He called out hopelessly to the other. He waited for a response as he forced himself to continue to keep up on his toes. "Riku!" He choked out his name as a sob came forth from his throat. His brother didn't answer him. He continued to sag against the tree unconsciously.

Ryne continued to stand there a moment longer before he pushed up on his feet. He made the first effort at trying to swim towards the island. He forced himself through the water, trying to keep his head up as much as possible. His gaze was locked on Destiny Island. He needed to get there… he needed to get to his brother.

Ryne tried to focus on his movements in the water as much as possible. He focused on trying to keep his mouth from getting water in it, and to keep afloat by treading. His strokes weren't graceful, and were sloppy if anything. But he was moving… He was inching closer to the island. His body was weakening though. It was telling him to give up. Telling him to just leave Riku. But he couldn't. He needed to get his brother back. He had too…He thrust his feet through the water as he continued to dog paddle himself toward the island. He was halfway there. He was in the dead center of the ocean now. His body was weighing heavier and heavier. Tears that had formed in his eyes from fear blinded his vision now. The weight of his clothing was beginning to become too much. He tilted his head up further when his feet had started to slow. His arms had soon started to fall short now as well. They were becoming heavier and heavier by the minute. He shut his eyes, trying to push himself to tread.

The water was beginning to slosh up the sides of his face now. He couldn't continue this. The water was starting to move into his mouth now. Ryne sputtered it out trying to move forwards, but only failed in the process. The water was beginning to flow inside of his mouth more. He couldn't cough it out this time. It began to fill his lungs as he started to sink deeper into the water. His vision started to distort as his head sunk underneath the surface of the water.

This can't be happening… My life can't end this way…

Ryne's body fell into the depths steadily. His weight carried him down further into the ocean. His arm rose up to reach out towards the surface helplessly. Water had completely filled his lungs at that point. He couldn't breathe… couldn't breathe.

I can't die… not here. Not now. I need to save Riku. I need him…

Random thoughts began to flood his mind at that point. He knew what it was. It was that cliché of his life passing before his eyes. But there were no pleasant memories for him to remember. Just thoughts of what had happened in his years. He really had no happy recollections of his life. Except for one.

Riku…

Ryne's eyes began to close some as they had started to cloud. The lids closed halfway, letting his arm continue to drift upwards. His body felt so heavy. His head was throbbing, and his heart. It was painfully slowing down to almost nothing. It hurt. But it was also almost blissful… He could see white spots around the waters surrounding him. The eyes began to close as the world around him started to shut off.

I… wish… I could have done more.


Brother…

Below him a portal of darkness had opened up on the ocean floor. It swirled viciously underneath him as Ryne continued to sink further. His eyes shut fully as he succumbed himself now to his fate. It was the end. There was no use trying to continue to fight against it. It was useless…

I'm sorry…

His hand stopped reaching out towards the skies above him. It fell limp as he continued to fall downward. His eyes closed and his world started to become a mass of blinding white.
In his spectacle of brightness however, a shadow started to form. It seemed to become larger by the second. It was beginning to cover up his light. It was the only light that was left as he fell towards the portal below. His precious light.

No… Go away…

He forced his eyes to open even when he felt his heart begin to slow. The shadow was still there. He couldn't quite make it all out, but. It seemed to have limbs. The shadow was swimming. It was swimming towards him. And… was that red hair?

One of those limbs reached out to him now. It was a hand. And it moved to lace its finger in between Ryne's now. Ryne forced everything that was left in him to close his hand around this figures grasp. This figure had started to pull him up towards the surface now. He could feel the water begin to pass his body as the shadow pulled him upwards and away from the portal of darkness. He willed himself to look at the red-haired silhouette one last time before his vision had faded completely.

(Chapter Six In Progress)

On a side Note:
This story seems a bit confusing, I know.
But a lot. I mean a lot will be explained in Chapter Six.
When I get around to it...

© Stravik, 2006