Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts I/II are not mine.
Note: "Sensation" is the sequel to "Sense". The words in italics and brackets between paragraphs are words from a poem of my own creation.
Sensation I: If You Want a Path to the Light
(If you want a path to the light)
Pain. Emptiness. Darkness. Lost.
Pound, pound, pound.
Never-ending maze. Confused. Can't get out.
Save me.
The boy shot upright in bed, uttering a low groan and clutching his head in pain. Sora's eyes were barely open; they were shut tight as the incessant pounding in his head grew worse. Beads of sweat trickled down his flushed cheeks as he let his head fall back onto his pillow with a soft fump.
He needed to sleep. He needed Riku.
-I-
"Sora, are you really sure you're up to sparring? With Keyblades, no less…"
"I'm fine, Riku…"
Riku looked his mate over. Sora did not look fine, what with his slightly pale face and somewhat uneven breaths. But in the end, he sighed. When Sora wanted something, he'd usually find a way to get it, and Riku wasn't really someone who would deny the person he loved anything. But he did have a nasty feeling about this whole affair.
So far, so good. Sora had been matching Riku blow for blow without showing any signs of illness. He decided to try increasing his pace.
"Incoming!"
"Bring it, Riku!"
There was a terrific clashing sound as both Keyblades met and ricocheted off of each other. Sora, being lighter, skidded a short way along the sand. Riku noticed with growing concern how his counterpart's breathing was…quickening?
"Sora, you alright over there?" Riku called out. "Y-yeah, fine," came the slightly breathless reply. "You just caught me off guard, that's all…" Riku blinked. "Someone's getting rusty." "Shut it," Sora giggled, bracing himself as Riku rushed him again.
Pain. Pound, pound, pound. Like a hammer. In the skull.
"No…"
More darkness. Lost, again. In this unending labyrinth. Confused, wants out.
Can't stop this pain. Pounding. It won't go away. Falling, falling…he's not there to catch you anymore. Surrender.
"Riku…"
Sora was immediately jolted back to his senses when he felt a sharp pain in his side that joined with the one in his head. He toppled over from the force of Riku's sideswipe and lay on the sand, nursing his bruised midriff.
"Sora!" Riku dismissed his Keyblade and ran over to the fallen brunette, picking him up. "A-are you alright? I'm sorry, I didn't know I'd hit you…" Sora's eyes were glazed over with tears from the pain. Riku cupped Sora's face gently and kissed his forehead. "You're burning up," Riku said suddenly, sitting back. "I knew you weren't fine…why are you always so stubborn?" Sora said nothing, but just buried his face in Riku's chest.
"Sora?"
"Help me…"
(Take my hand and hold it tight.)
Author's Notes: Dundundun! For some reason this chapter didn't quite seem up to snuff for me. Oh well. Hope you all enjoy, read and review! –hearts-
