Chapter 8

A/N's: I really thought I wasn't going to be able to get this chapter out. I've gotten really sick! It was so weird, I put out the last 2 chapters and BAM! The sickness hit. I don't know! Well, after this, expect slower updates, because I started another job last night and I honestly don't know how much time I will have to type up things. I will shoot for getting chapter nine up this weekend or next week.

I think this story might be about 10 to 12 chapters, depending on how the ending comes out. Hope you like this chapter!

Riku's-kitsune-mate: WAIT NO LONGER! Thanks for reading my story, from the beginning, and all the wonderful comments you leave!

Angstluver: I'm glad you think I deserve more reviews! That makes me happy!Thanks for reading!

TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN READING: THANK YOU! This story is really close toending and I'm so glad you have enjoyed it (well, hopefully, enjoyed it)! Please keep reviewing!

I don't own Kingdom Hearts!

Sora groaned, his head pounding, body feeling heavy. He tried to move, but found out he couldn't, more so that he was stuck in a sitting position.

But if I'm sitting…wait…Riku!

Sora's brain finally caught up to present time and his eyes snapped open. He was in a brightly lit throne room, one he recognized all too quickly, tied to the large red and gold throne by heavy chains. Sora looked down to see his clothes had been changed; instead of wearing red shorts and a white t shirt, he was in a solid white tunic, pants and black knee high boots. A golden rope tied the tunic comfortably at his mid section and the short cape coming off his shoulders was lined white lined with gold.

Trying to pull forward, Sora noticed the band he wore on his head instead of a crown. Ansem…that jerk…he…., Sora squirmed more, wishing that he had taken those escape lessons from Leon way more seriously, Man, I can't move…

"Well, this is a fine fix I'm in…." Sora mumbled grumpily, looking down. The image of Riku falling of the Gizmo Shop roof entered into his mind.

"Riku…I hope your okay…" Sora remembered that he called for Asylia to save him, but he couldn't understand why. Asylia was just a dove, what could she do to save Riku?

That didn't stop him from calling the animal's name though. Sora believed in Asylia, and his heart was soothed to know Riku was most definitely okay. He had to be. After all, who was going to save him?

The door opened and Sora's head shot up. A girl in a maid's uniform came in, carrying a tray. Her red hair was evident as she ran up to the throne and kneeled.

"Your highness…" She said, looking up to him with blue eyes, holding out the tray which only had a loaf of bread and a glass of water on it.

Sora gasped. "Kairi!"

Kairi nodded, tears filling her eyes. "Your highness, I'm so glad your okay…His majesty has sent me to feed you…" She stood and set the tray down on the arm of the throne and set to work breaking up the pieces. Sora suddenly looked very angry.

"Kairi...what—" Sora was interrupted by a mouth full of bread.

Kairi stuffed another piece in when Sora opened his mouth to talk again.

"Kfaifri," Sora said through a mouth full of bread.

"Your highness, it's rude to talk with your mouth full," This made Sora chew quickly and swallow what Kairi was sure to be a whole piece.

"Kairi." Sora stated quickly, dodging another piece to the best of his ability, "What did Ansem do to you all…" Sora lost the battle by getting another two pieces in his mouth, and he made a face at her. He amazingly swallowed this time, without chewing, and glared.

"Tell me what is going on," Sora commanded, adopting a demanding tone he hadn't used in years, "Now."

Kairi fell under the glare and looked down. "We're fine…you needn't worry about us, no one has died…save for the King and Queen…and Riku's father…"

Sora looked at her. "What about your father?"

"Locked up in the dungeon…"

Sora looked down, feeling guilt like no other swell up within him. Kairi looked at him, worry in her eyes.

"Your… highness?"

"Don't call him that…," Sora said quietly, Kairi leaned in.

"I'm sorry?"

Sora's head flew up. "DON'T call Ansem that! He's not the king! My father was king!" He yelled at her. Kairi jumped back and bowed, accepting what she thought was punishment. Sora blinked at her.

"What has he done to you…?" Sora said, knowing that this wasn't the Kairi who giggled so easily before, "What the hell has that bastard done to you!"

Aside from guilt, Sora was feeling angrier by the second. All he wanted was to kill Ansem for what he had done to his people, despite the fact that he knew killing was wrong. Sora's head swam dangerously with these thoughts and he bent his head down, closing his eyes.

I'm sorry Kairi…everyone…It's my fault he's done this to you. I should have come sooner instead of being so self-centered. I'm just a selfish prince who doesn't care about what others want…

Tears fell down his cheeks as he realized he howfrightened he really was.

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…"

"That's what happened…" Riku said, Asylia the now human standing beside him in the apartment, looking around excitedly. Leon and Cloud couldn't have looked more half asleep, dazed, confused and possibly suicidal.

Aerith, who had found Riku and Asylia sitting on the ground in the second district, stood behind them, looking positively murderous towards the two men. Upon looking at her, the two finally woke up completely, like an electric bolt had hit them.

"We need to go save him!" Riku said, hurriedly. The two men looked at each other and nodded. Aerith, still looking murderous pushed between the boys (both of whom made miffed noises).

"Don't you think you need something of a plan first? Ansem could have the palace overrun with Heartless by now!"

Cloud looked at her incredulously. Aerith look at him with an icy glare. "Aerith, you don't understand! That's our prince! We have to save him!" Cloud said, as if that was enough of a plan already.

Riku looked at Leon, who motioned for the door. Grabbing Asylia's hand, Riku dragged him out, looking a little worried when Aerith broke out into a 'reckless, hot headed scheme that will most likely get you killed' rant. Once away from the kitchen, Leon led Riku to his room, shutting the door.

Leon looked Asylia over once, the boy looking a bit nervous.

"I always wondered why every heir to the throne had a white dove as a pet…" Leon stated more to himself than the two boys, "So you're a guardian?"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Leon…" Asylia said, nervously. Leon quirked his eyebrow at the boy, looking confused.

"What's wrong?"

"Well…you…just…never let me in the apartment…"

Leon broke into a smile that Riku had never seen on him before. The man laughed, placing a hand on Asylia's shoulder.

"It's alright…but…to not raise any more confusion, can you get rid of these, so that when we leave tomorrow morning…no one in town will be scared?"

Leon was pointing at the wings coming from the boy's back. Asylia smiled, apparently feeling better already and closed his eyes. Riku watched as the wings seemed to just disappear; leaving Asylia to look like a normal boy…well, as normal as a boy with bright green eyes and long white blonde hair could look.

"Thanks," Leon stated, placing his hands on both their shoulders, "Now, get some rest. We will be leaving in a few hours, and I know you two have been through a lot. We need you in top form to face Ansem…alright?"

The two nodded, thanked the man, and went to Sora's room. Once in there, Asylia immediately jumped on the bed, bouncing up and down.

"I've always wondered what a bed feels like..," The boy exclaimed, "They are so comfy…"

"Yea…" Riku said, distracted.

Asylia stopped jumping and landed softly on the mattress, like if he was made of air.

"Are you okay, Mr. Riku?"

Riku laid down on his makeshift bed, his head filled with Sora's screams.

RIKU!

Riku felt like something stuck in his throat and his eyes burning. He couldn't cry; he wasn't the one who cried, Sora was always the one who cried. Sora always said that crying was just a release of emotion, something that always made you feel better, but Riku had to be strong. Crying wasn't going to reverse time or save Sora from that man's clutches.

Before he realized it, Asylia was beside him, wrapping his arms around the boy.

"It's okay to cry, you know," the boy said softly, "It will make you feel better…"

With that one line, Riku felt tears slip down his face.

"I couldn't save him…I was just too weak!" Riku said, into Asylia's white tunic, sobbing, "I'm just too weak!"

"You're not weak, Mr. Riku…" Asylia stated confidently, "You were brave and strong, because you didn't give up, and I know you won't give up…"

Riku stayed silent for a few moments. Asylia let him wipe up his tears quickly and slap his face lightly.

"I've gotta get it together…Sorry, Asylia."

Asylia sat up. "It's only natural. You love Sora…right?"

Riku sat up quickly, his face flushing. "What! No! I mean…I care for him, because he is my best friend!"

Asylia giggled. "I said, you love Sora…I didn't say anything about best friends…"

Riku looked at the boy with heat rising in his face. "I…uh…" He was at a loss for words. How did he feel? Sure, he cared for Sora, like anyone cares for their best friend, but did he love him?

Riku watched as Asylia jumped back up to the bed and lay down, saying his thanks to a quickly passing, fully dressed Leon. Riku laid down, one little phrase echoing in his head.

You love Sora…right?

A/N's:

Sora: You know, for someone who loves us together, you really like to seperate us...

Riku: I've noticed that too...

Me:whistles: X3

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