Cloud held his breath as the Gummi ship docked at the Rising Falls, stopping on a large boulder. The party disembarked, Cloud trying not to run as they began to climb the large rocks to the main gate.

Cloud shivered, for the place seemed almost haunted by the souls that had been corrupted by Ansem and his darkness. Was Liara one of them? He shook his head, moving onward and jumping onto the next platform.

"You two check this place out, I'll start through the gates. There might be something down here..."

Cloud explained, motioning around the vast area, including a rushing falls.

x.X.x.

"What, but- we have to- but you-" Fang stammered.

"Calm yourself." Riku voiced from behind. "We'll meet again soon enough."

"Alright..." She replied, disappointed.

The group split, Cloud heading straight toward the castle gates, Sora, Riku, and Fang walking on the water.

Well, walking after much coaxing from Sora and Riku to get Fang to believe that it was possible.

Fang called up to Cloud, who was already leaving, jumping from from platform to platform.

"Cloud! There's nothing here! Let's split up in a more, I dunno, meaningful place!"

He turned, then gestured towards the castle,

"Do you think that is big enough to search?"

he asked, with a smile uncharacteristic of him, and obviously forced.

The group continued up and into the castle, and a sudden wave of Heartless began attacking them. Cloud was strong, swinging his enormous sword through the hordes, and the Keyblade wielded by Sora did it's job. Soon they reached a huge door, which they found to be sealed shut, but found another gate that was open. They touched an interesting globe and a platform appeared, and so they stepped onto it and were taken downward.

"Let's look around down here..."

Fang suggested, as she gazed around the large cavern. Cloud nodded, and Sora went through a large air bubble as well as Fang and Riku taking another. Cloud stayed in the large room, searching around it.

xxx

Sora stumbled on a step going down and fell forward, slamming into an invisible barrier. He got up and rubbed his head where it had collided with the shield, and looked at what he had tripped into. Inside was a small hollowed out area, with something in the corner. Was it a girl? Weren't they looking for a girl? What was her name... Liara?

"Liara?"

he called out, and the heap in the corner looked up at him with piercing blue eyes. They looked into his soul, searching him intensely, and yet the girl suddenly started shaking. He could tell she was trying to stop, but couldn't help it. Her mouth moved, forming the word 'Ansem' but with no sound. She moved backward a little, and the heavy scrape of metal against the stone flooring echoed in the chamber. Sora figured this could be the girl, although she looked, as Riku had warned, crazed.

He ran back to the large cavern and called Cloud over. Fang was out with him, reporting that there was a dead end at the end of the other bubble, and when Sora broke his news Cloud's eyes lit up like teal fire and he practically leaped towards the bubble Sora had traveled in.

Cloud was walking so fast, his strides so long, that Sora had to run to keep up with him. Heavy boots collided with the stone and the gentle chiming of his armor echoed in the quiet halls. When they reached where Sora had tripped, the boy pointed to the invisible wall. Fang and Riku were not far behind, stopping where Sora jabbed his finger. Cloud touched it, and the girl looked up again from where she was huddled in the corner, almost laying down.

When she looked up her face was that of someone about to be punished, for she was expecting Ansem's servants to bring her some new device of torture, or even Ansem himself. Instead, when she saw the exact opposite of what she had been fearing, her eyes lit up so brightly that the energy cast off of her face could have lit up the entire world, let alone how the room seemed to brighten. Cloud caught her gaze and the two looked into each others eyes, tears beginning to stream down the girl's. Water trickled down her cheeks as she tried to move towards Cloud, thinking that she must be dead, that Ansem had finally killed her, or that she was dreaming. But Cloud's gaze seemed so real...

She was brought back to harsh reality when she was reminded of her chains and fell forward with a sickening thud. She was slammed into the ground by the heavy shackles binding her wrists and pushing her back down, and had been pulled back by the weights on her feet. Cloud winced as she fell forward, and his hands slammed against the glass in an effort to get to her. But the barrier was a strong one, cast by Ansem himself, and nothing could break it.

They were finally here. So close to each other. Cloud looked down at his beautiful Liara, her hair matted and dirty, dress ripped and torn, and she was emaciated... He couldn't stand to see her like this, and now that she was within his grasp there was a barrier in between them? He threw his fist against the clear wall, causing a huge burst of energy from the force field as well as a light to illuminate the dark corridor. But it held strong, with not an inkling of weakness.

Liara closed her eyes, not just because she could only see Cloud's feet and her face was almost smashed against the ground from her bindings, but because she felt something surge up inside of her. Cloud was crying along with her, he was shaking because he was so helpless to break the barrier that separated them. She closed her eyes and blinked away tears, feeling her power. She felt it stronger then she had when she had last used it. She felt Cloud's love for her and was strengthened. Although she couldn't move because of the weights she forgot about that pain and thought only of breaking the force field around her prison. Suddenly the invisible wall Cloud was touching disappeared, and he lunged forward towards Liara, turning her around. She was almost passed out, completely used up.

He looked at the weights on her hands and feet and noticed the shiny red areas on her ankles and wrists where the skin had been rubbed raw, sometimes even entirely off, by the loose-but-not-loose-enough-to-break-free bindings. He shook his head, lifting her closer and wrapping his muscular arms around her for the first time in two years. They were both sobbing and he simply held her, stroking her matted hair and whispering sweet nothings, repeating her name over and over. Just holding her. He closed his eyes, thinking that this must be impossible. He had worked so hard, waited for so long, and now he had his Li back. He smiled, truly smiled, for the first time since she had been stolen from him, and brought her closer.

Liara felt so comforted and... safe. She had never felt safe. It seemed like she had been locked in this prison for an eternity, and now her handsome prince had rescued her, and she felt safe. Protected and loved and cared for... things that she had forgotten she could feel. She felt that she would fall asleep in the security of Cloud's arms, knowing, for once in her life, that nothing could tear her away from him.

The only thing that could seperate them now would be death, because they would both die trying to reunite. But they couldn't be seperated again, they would just stay like this, in each other's embrace, forever. This moment would never end, and Liara would not suddenly feel the intense pain of the serious injuries she had received from the weights, not to mention bruises with tissue missing on her back where the handcuffs had been poked into it. She felt exhausted from using all of her magic on the barrier, and almost did pass out in her beloved's arms.

"Everything will be alright now..."

He whispered, starting to pick her up. She moved, stopping him.

"No... no.. Cloud... I am... I'm so sorry... so so sorry... you can't.. don't... no... sorry..."

Was all that she could let out, and Cloud stopped, looking down at her with a concerned face.

"What is it? Li..."

"He... oh, Cloud.. he... raped me.. so... sorry..."

she whispered, her soft voice cracked and barely audible. He shook his head, tears streaming down his cheeks, holding her so close now, closing his eyes and forcing back the waves of pain that seemed to radiate from her...

"No... don't be sorry... don't ever be sorry... he...Oh Li... Oh, Liara... baby..."

he told her softly, holding her close and sobbing horribly. They were both shaking, the sharp reality of the situation sinking in, although they were oblivious to Fang, Riku, and Sora.

The three of them stood frozen. All gaping. All wanting to say something, but completely speechless. After a few moments the silence was broken, by none other than (you guessed it) Fang. And she hung her head as she spoke, more serious than she had ever been in her life.

"I. Want. Him. Dead." Fang uttered, her voice oozing disdain and darkness. "Ansem doesn't even deserve death... HE DOESN'T DESERVE IT! He deserves nothing less than to suffer for the rest of eternity..."

Fang actually radiated a sentient aura. A black, twisting darkness. Riku lost all color in his face, as he recognized the same mass that had previously swallowed him. A rod began to materialize in her clenched fist. Or a blade, rather. A Keyblade. Riku's Dark Keyblade.

"I'll kill him..." She muttered. Fang turned and sprinted out of the corridor, without another word, while Riku and Sora gaped, Cloud still comforting his love.

"Fang wait!" Riku called. "Ugh! She could be killed here." He turned to look into Sora's eyes. Sora nodded with a set expression and Riku took off after Fang.

Cloud looked up, witnessing the darkness growing inside of his friend, reaching out towards the group. She felt bloodlust. Cloud looked down at his beloved and their eyes met, both throughly knowing what had to be done. First of all, however, they would have to break the chains binding her, or else she couldn't even move out of the cell, even with Clouds help...

He let calloused fingers explore the side of her face, feeling warmth of every place that her body touched his. He didn't want to move, didn't want to leave and go after Fang. He didn't ever want to lose this moment. He pushed a tendril of golden hair behind her ear and sighed, still captured in her eyes.

He examined her bindings, considering how to get them off. Hopefully the sword that he had cast aside in his haste to reach his beloved would be strong enough. He supposed it would, as long as there was no magic cast on the weights. He lifted the massive weapon and looked down at her. She understood and moved so that there was a little space between her hands where the cuffs were bound together. He took a deep breathe in and let it out. He couldn't do this...

"Are you sure we can't..."

he drifted off, afraid of hurting her. What if he missed? He had always used this sword, but still. There was a chance... he was still shaking... his palms were sweaty, what if it slipped...

"Just do it... Please.. Cloud..."

she responded at a whisper, savoring his name like sweet honey on her tongue. She was scared too, but more overjoyed than anything. Even losing a limb would be better than her imprisonment to the harsh metal. They both held their breath as he struck with a heavy blow, the sword cutting clean through the cuffs and cracking the floor.

"Well, that worked..."

he announced with a nervous laugh, glad that the hardest part was over. It wasn't difficult to cut her legs free, because it was away from her body mass. Once she was freed of the heaviest of her metals, They worked on her cuffs, cutting the edges of them until they got to the hole where her hand was, which took much convincing on Liara's part to get Cloud to do. She smiled graciously once she was free of her bondage and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Oh, Cloud..."

she whispered, parched lips still hanging on each word. To be so close... She moved even closer, so that she could feel his heavy breath on her lips. Warmth coursed through her body as he ran his fingers through her hair, feeling the tangles and brushing past them. It felt so good to be so close... To have him back... Cloud...

"I've waited so long... beloved..."

he said quietly, kissing her. All of the pain and suffering Liara had felt in the past month alone faded away as they kissed. All of the days and weeks and months Cloud had spent fruitlessly searching for her, all of his heartache, added to the deep passion. They parted to take a quick breath and kissed again, intoxicated by each others' presence. Neither could breathe, and they loved it. Neither of them had been so happy in two years time.

They released their intense connection, Cloud's fingers still drifting in her sea of golden hair. It was still smooth, despite that she hadn't brushed it in weeks. He smiled, fingering a rich blonde thread. He sighed contentedly, and she touched his lips with two fingers.

"We can't stay here..."

For all the hours of plotting of escape and vengeance Liara had thought of, none seemed to come to mind, but she knew that they had to get out. The place was heavily guarded, and they would have to find that girl that ran off. She was with Cloud, and must be important. Cloud nodded, face setting into a protective mode.

"I won't lose you again... I promise..."

he told her, trying to reassure her look of intense fear and worry.

"I know..."

she replied brokenly, praying beyond all hope that he wouldn't die trying to keep his promise.

x.X.x

Meanwhile...

"Huff, huff, huff." Fang took another wild turn in her frantic rage to get out of the tunnels and into the castle.

I'm close, I can feel it! Left! No, right. Or did I just make a right. If I keep going right I'll be going in circles, sooo... left it is!

"Fang!"

Riku's voice echoed all around her, and from inside. Was she hearing things? No. His voice resonated from behind her, strained and breathless.

"Hey."

Fang said stiffly, and took off running again. She wouldn't... couldn't let him follow, and be hurt again. Ansem had destroyed so many lives, and it was time for him to pay.

Fang hung another tight left, and saw the dim sunlight outside, when she heard another voice... even, and utterly malicious...

"Hello, my little minion. How was your journey here, love?"

Fang stopped dead. Suddenly she couldn't move. Her body refused to obey her mind... and she was cold, so cold... Fang felt tired, faint... and discovered herself closing her eyes, and falling into pseudo-blissful darkness.

She had finally found Ansem.

x.X.x

Cloud and Liara made their way out of the tunnels alone, since Sora had run after Riku when he had followed Fang. Cloud worried about Fang, and what she was trying to do, but his main concern at the moment was Liara. He had finally found her, and he would never let her go again. He held her cold, clammy hand in his own warm one, and gave her a strengthening smile. She returned it with a meager one, and he helped her walk back up to the castle. She stumbled a few times, but considering that she hadn't walked in weeks she was doing quite well. They continued on, reaching the main area. Soon they got out of the tunnels, and the bright light enveloped them. Liara closed her eyes and turned her head into Cloud's chest, sensitive orbs burning from the sudden sunlight. She had missed the light, but now it blinded her from being stuck in darkness for so long.

Cloud stroked her blonde hair gently, kissing the top of her forehead. She slowly unburied her face from his armor, opening her eyes slowly and adapting to the new light. It still burned and her eyes watered horribly, but she could manage. The sunlight... it felt so warm against her skin.. And Cloud... She was covered in warmth, from her toes to the tips of her golden hair. With him beside her and the sunlight finally shining down on her pale skin again, she felt whole.

Cloud stopped toying with the corner of her hair when they heard a noise. It sounded like a thump from the corner of the gate area. It was near the tunnels, but to the left... Fang. And... there was another figure next to her.. one with long hair and his back to them... Cloud felt Liara go limp next to him and had to keep her propped up so that she would not collapse. Ansem.

Liara got back her mind and her breathing sped up. She groped at Cloud, hugging him to her, feeling him against her. No, no, no... She couldn't leave him, Ansem couldn't take her... No, no, no, no, no... She shook uncontrollably and couldn't stop her ragged breathing. She was frenzied, yet so weak that she could barely move, even in her fear. All she could do was cling to Cloud, praying with all that she had they would escape.

Cloud wrapped an arm around her body, holding his love, but still staring in the direction of the man. He glanced down at her, shocked at the horror that had taken hold of her at the sight of the man. He took a deep breath. Ansem would not take her from him.

The man turned, now holding Fang limp in his arms. He was about to see them...

Fang was floating, drifting, and searching inside herself for something... anything to fill the void of darkness in which she resided. As if on cue, the memories began to play out in front off her, fleeting, and painful.

Ansem... gods... Ansem was plastered all over her memories. He had been there. He had always been there for her. She had only seen Liara once, and had chosen to leave of her own accord. Had she misjudged him?

Then she heard a most beautiful, and utterly haunting sound. Laughter. Deep, resonating laughter. How she had once cherished Ansem's laughter, wanting so badly to see him happy. She had brought about her own demise by capturing Liara. She brought that wretched girl into the picture. But at the same time, she couldn't get that first image of Liara out of her head. Impossible, perpetual, empty sadness. And a voice called out to her, but it was not Ansem's... It was...

It was Riku. She remembered the tears that he had shed. And what Ansem had done to him. And done to Liara.

"That could've been me..."

Fang suddenly realized her fatal misjudgment.

"Liara suffered so I wouldn't have to. That could've... would have been me. And I'm the one that brought her here... It's all my fault!..."

Fang's eyes snapped open as she roared that wretched name. The name of the vile, cursed demon who had ruined them all. She saw that she was not alone, and though Ansem still held her, her friends were there.

"Friends..."

Ansem turned towards Liara and Cloud with an amused look on his face.

"So... You're the one she's been waiting all this time for... Too bad you two only got to be together for a few moments... before the darkness took hold of her again."

he announced sinisterly, still clutching Fang.

"Let Fang go. And let us pass. You don't need them anymore... Why do you want either of them? Fang... She doesn't need you anymore! Leave her be! And Liara... "

Cloud's expression softened but his eyes stayed hard as stone. If it was the last thing he did he would stay with his love, who was still trembling at his side.

"Oh, Cloud... please. Just leave me. Go, fly far away from here... forget about me.. please.. just don't get hurt for me.. I'm not worth it..."

she sobbed into his chest, still clinging to him as though if she let go she would drown in the darkness threatening to overpower her frail body. No... he wouldn't lose her.

Suddenly Fang escaped Ansem's grip, turning and grabbing her sword, which had been cast aside. She looked up at him threateningly, and he simply smiled maliciously.

"First things first..."

The great man told them, and suddenly Cloud felt Liara's grip on him tighten.

"Li!"

he shouted in shock as she began to slip downward into the ground. There was a black portal below her and she was sinking into it, still grabbing onto him. He took her hand, trying to pull her back, but the darkness was too strong. He then attempted to be sucked into it as well, but it blocked him off so that he could only grasp the tips of her fingers as they disappeared before his eyes. No! He had failed.. failed... Tears had already begun to fill his fiery teal eyes, but suddenly he stood, grabbing his sword. His tears turned to crystals that fell to the ground and shattered. His entire body had gone rigid, and Ansem knew that he would fight him to the death.

The two men stared at each other for a few minutes, gazing intensely into their opponent's eyes. Ansem's gold orbs bored into Cloud's teal opals, but both were firm with ache and malice. Ansem wanted Liara for two reasons. She was physically pleasing to him, and he couldn't let someone with her power free to wander. He had planned to kill her eventually, but had desired to have a bit more fun with her first. Cloud had yearned for her sweet voice and the touch of her soft lips for years, and would do anything to get the love of his life back. One man's intentions were pure, the other's sinister. It was good and evil, all over again. And then there was Fang. At first she had not realized the harm Ansem inflicted on people, and now that she understood his cruelty she had learned the error in her old ways. Now she, like Cloud, hated Ansem with a passion so strong that statues would crumble in their wake if they stood between them and their target. But Ansem was too sly.

Another dark portal appeared, and this time Liara appeared well groomed. Somehow her appearance had changed, and she looked like a completely different person than before. Her soft blonde hair shimmered in the afternoon sun, and was pulled up in a complicated bun at the top of her head. But the first thing that Cloud noticed about her was that she was dressed in all black. Black and silver. She was adorned in a sleeveless top that stopped at the top of her stomach. It fit her tightly and was very revealing, trimmed with a silver design. She had silver and black strings twisting down her thin arms, tied off at the ends with the remainder of long string dangling. She had no shoes on and her low waistline skirt had a huge slit in it that went almost all the way up her petite thigh. Such a revealing outfit made Cloud realize how starved she had been. So thin... He could see places where he could view her bones. Her captor had barely fed her... She looked so fragile in the small dress, her skin so pale and wounded. He noticed various scratch marks, besides the points at her wrists and ankles where the cuffs had been. There were signs of a struggle. With the Heartless? Or.. With Ansem?

His resolve was hardened by her downcast appearance. For a woman who had just found it all and lost it again, she was holding up quite well. The black pit cast her up towards Ansem, and he had wrapped an arm easily around her waist. He held her there, breathing in the soft scent of the skin on her neck and bringing a cold finger along the side of her face. She flinched at his touch, but bit her lip until it almost bled and held her breath. Cloud could tell that she was trying desperately not to show weakness before him, and was extremely ashamed of being used as Ansem's toy in front of the only man she loved.

"Cloud... please!"

She whispered as Ansem moved closer, shooting glances at Cloud and Fang and noticing their reactions to his movements as he continued to touch Liara. She was on the verge of tears, still begging Cloud to leave before it was too late. But in her heart, she knew he would keep his promise. He would never leave her. And it broke her heart.