Chapter two.

(She is gazing hopelessly out to Rising Falls, mesmerized by the soft echo of the water, at the rhythmic image before her. She wonders how her life got to be this complicated. She goes through all the things that have happened right up until this moment and comes to the realisation that earlier probably was not the first time her top had become magically undone… or worse…

Muttering to herself, she climbs back up to the castle and searches for Riku. It had become a habit for the young girl – bored, find Riku. Hungry, (increasingly less nowadays) find Riku. Feeling the need to train, find Riku.)

(Snapping back under his spell, she walks, straight-backed and blank-faced to a lone, run-down tower at the very corner of the old castle.

Upon arrival, he greets her with a hug, his guard up once more, his eyes steely and dry.

He had known she was coming and had made double sure that she could see no sign of 'weakness'.)

(The oddly matched pair begins to talk, about nothing special, eventually deciding to do some training. They let themselves into a room leading off of the dark bedroom which is more devoid of objects and begin duelling fiercely.

Riku doesn't seem to notice Yuffie snapping out of her Trance.

In fact, he's enjoying the challenge she's presenting today, usually she bothers too much - in his opinion - with defence, obviously trying to shy away from actually hurting him.

Today, she strikes true- mostly aiming her throwing stars at his heart.

'Not that he has one' she mumbles to herself darkly.)

(After training for over an hour, and as a result of neither of the teenagers having had breakfast that morning, the two decide to retire for a while and eat some lunch.)

(It is easy to walk around freely in Hollow Bastion; Sora is concentrating mostly on mediocre tasks, finding the Great Crest and other, more static activities. He is being held back a great deal by the Heartless, who are much stronger with the return of Ansem. Aerith and Cloud are mostly together, Cid can always be found in his shop or in the library with Leon, reading up on the Heartless. Needless to say, no one has ever found the two walking around, Riku sometimes trying to hold Yuffie's hand.

It is hard for Yuffie. She doesn't know what to say to her enemy-come-friend who she still doesn't like, and as she was under a spell before, has no recollection of what they used to talk about. Riku is content with silence, conversation not being a skill he developed as the 'cool' personality of his crowd. In fact, he's busy pondering why the spell has been acting up recently. He has a few theories but he can't be sure because it's not a spell which is often used, being so sick and dark.)

(Yuffie decides it's time to say something. She knows she should pretend to still be under his spell, but is too angry at him to be able to think of revenge. For a fleeting moment she thinks he might be embarrassed if she confronted him about it, but glancing at his black outfit and his 'cool' exterior, he'd probably laugh in her face and then knock her out.

She'd rather be unconscious than holding hands with this… creature that used an unwitting girl as his play-thing to amuse himself whilst there weren't any people to kill or wound. She'd heard about what he did to Sora.)

"So, inventing new levels of evil then…" She looks at his confused face, pleased at the effect. Facing him, she begins the tirade - shouting, gesticulating madly with her small hands, everything.

"Yuffie, I…" He tries to tell her but realises that he doesn't really deserve to justify himself. It wouldn't mean redemption anyway. The hurt on his face says volumes to Yuffie, who takes a step towards him, staring into his face.

Riku thinks she's about to start throwing punches and so takes a step backwards, looking for the quickest exit. Yuffie, sensing that he was about to run, and misunderstanding, gets defensive, thinking he is trying to run away from her forgiveness.

Quick as a chick her shuriken comes out and she readies herself for battle, grabbing his arm to infuriate him enough to provoke a reaction.

Unfortunately for her, he's too strong, and, wrenching his arm free of her grasp, runs as quickly as possible out of there.)


Beeeep. No more for you tonight. I am all out of inspiration and fed up of pushing it all out. Humph.

Hope you enjoyed it, thanks for reading!

Updaterated: went through, added something so it fit with the next chapter I've written. Hopefully it'll get better after this… hopefully…

Thanks for reading!