Author's note: Well, here you go, chapter two of Inbetween. U sorry it took me so long to update. Well...there isn't really anything to say so, enjoy! And if you don't mind R&R please, thank you.
Soft small flakes slowly drifted from the gray sky above, covering the ground in a white cold blanket. A gentle breeze blew the star shaped flakes, they spun and twirled about, dancing within the embrace of the wind, until they made it to the ground.
It was snowing again. It was always snowing here. It never seemed to cease. Spring, summer, winter, fall, there were always these small white flakes covering the ground. If not for the gloomy castle that sat in the center of it all, and the heartless that were around every corner, this world would be gorgeous, a picture perfect home.
A small frown pulled at her lips as her hands closed around a book that she had just picked up off the shelf. Fingertips ran over the cover slowly, careful as if a afraid they would damage it. A gesture made by the body, but unnoticed by the mind, because as the fingers continued to run over the book cover the mind strayed elsewhere.
Snow...
What made it snow?
Keyar had been here for as long as she could remember but she had no idea. She knew that the the snow came from the sky, of course, that was given, but how was the cold substance made? And the color...
The color of pureness.
It made her wonder, was snow natures way of cleansing and purifying the world? And if so, than why was there still so much evil. So many questions and there was no one there to answer them for her.
Keyar tilted her head to one side in confusion as she continued to watch the cold crystals and their waltz with the wind.
Wonder whats wrong with her..
Do you think she's sick?
She's thinking about something.
Shaking her head to rid it of her thoughts, Keyar turned her attention towards the book that she still held. With its black cover and silver lining it wasn't anything special. But it really wasn't the covered that caught her attention, it was what was on it. Written in silver ink that shimmered in the light was 'Astronomy'. Funny really, of all the books in the library, she chose this on.
Keyar lovingly unfolded the delicate pages of the book running her fingers over the first few words of the page. To one, this may seem odd, for someone to care so much about a book, but for her it was second nature. Closing it she hugged it to her chest before walking across the room and to another bookcase.
When the black haired teen wasn't in the room having her chats with the princesses or with Maleficent, Keyar would be in here looking through the many books trying to find one that would interest her. Which wasn't hard, she would read anything. It was really her only source of entertainment and her only way of learning.
"Now, lets see..." She mumbled looking through the books.
Two weeks had passed since the other princess had been discovered, but there still had been no move made to capture her. It was almost as if they were waiting for something, or...someone. She hadn't been on a mission in days, with out work given to her by Maleficent she was getting restless. It was getting harder for her to sleep at night, and the heartless were increasing at tremendous rates. Even without her work, the worlds were still disappearing quickly. Maybe this too was a part of the Sorcerers plan.
Whatever that was.
It was all a mystery to her really. Orders were given, she did as she was told and moved on without question. She was left as much in the dark as anyone else, and she wouldn't want it any other way. Knowing what was really going on would mess her up even more. Being the person that she was she probably wouldn't be able to handle it.
Sometimes she would over hear conversations among the others in the group about some of the things that went on. How they have seen people die at the hands of the heartless, the blood that is spread, and the spine tingling screams that come from the victims right before they meet their doom. She gets sick just hearing about it, lord knows what would happen is she actually witnessed it.
"Hmm, this one looks good." She said aloud picking up the book that she was examining. "Fairy tales?" The words rolled off her tongue as she said them, almost as if she was tasting them to see how they sounded. Placing down the Astronomy book she flipped open the first page. The colorful pictures of the children's book passed underneath her gaze. Locking her in the trance of fantasy worlds and innocent stores, she gazed mesmerized by it all.
Dragons...Knights in shining armor...princesses being saved by their prince charming...
Hundred of pages,thousands of stories.
Closing the book gently, she picked up her other book. Her arms wrapped around them placing them to her chest and holding them tightly like they were a frail child or a glass vase that could easily be damaged or broken.
Exiting the huge doors of the library Keyar walked down the hallway, her long black hair trailing the floor behind her. Maleficent had told her to meet her in her studies room before nightfall, and already she could see stars in the sky out of the huge windows that were on the far wall of the hallway. Afraid of angering the sorcerer Keyar picked up the pace and rounded the corner that would lead into the room-
And ran right into someone.
Falling flat on her butt an apology quickly sprang from her mouth as she looked up. Narrowed brown eyes glared down at her and an angry frown met her gaze.
"Watch were your going."
Tearing her eyes away from the others , Keyar looked to the ground, getting to her knees she picked up the books that had fell from her hands. "I didn't see you there Ivory..."
The older girl placed her hands on her hips before snarling. "Well next time look before you walk."
Keyar knew better than to argue with her so she gave a small nod whispering. "yes Ivory, I will..."
"What was that? I didn't hear you." Ivory said, her fingers roughly wrapping around Keyar's chin, yanking it up so that she was looking at her.
"Yes, Ivory..." Keyar said louder looking her right in the face, her yellow eyes flashing. "I will."
"That's better." Ivory grinned, but it faltered, seeing the yellow of the eyes. Dropping her hand she turned , and as if remember something she mumbled over her shoulder. "Oh...and by the way. Maleficent is waiting for you."
"I was just about to head-"
"Tell someone who cares." Ivory told her, her voice sounding disgusted. She had already started to head in the opposite direction down the hallway, her black braids moving from side to side with her motion. Probably to her room to do whatever it was that she did in her spare time.
Watching her leave Keyar got up from her spot on the floor, dusting herself off of what dirt, if any, that was on her. If Maleficent sent someone to go get her then she knew that was a sign that she was in trouble, big trouble. She had seen what happened to those who angered the keeper of the castle, and lets just say it wasn't something that she wanted to be on the receiving end of.
Breaking out in a sprint she reached the doors that led to Maleficent study chambers. Keyar shifted her books into one arm while she reached out her hand to open the door. Her fingers wrapped around the cold silver medal pulling on it. The doors slid right open, as if they rested on ice allowing the yellow eyed girl to enter. "Miss. Maleficent?" She called out looking around cautiously as if she was expecting some thing to fly from the darkness and attack her.
"You're late..." Came a simple reply from the other side of the room. Green eyes were visible from within the darkness, and even though she couldn't see her whole face, those eyes told her everything she needed to know. She would not go unpunished.
"I'm sorry." Keyar began, looking towards the ground so that she didn't have to look into those bone chilling eyes. "I was in the library, and lost track of time. I mean there are so many books to choose from and-"
"Hush, I don't have time for your excuses girl."
She didn't' have to ask her twice. Locking her jaws together Keyar bit her bottom lip, her hands clinging to the books tightly.
"Now come, we must talk about your new mission." Maleficent told her as she stood up from wherever it was she was sitting.
"Yes Miss Maleficent." Hurrying over to her Keyar placed her books down on one of the many tables before following the sorcerer who had stood up and was now heading into yet another door that led deeper into the castle.
"There is something I want you to see."
The doors to the chambers closed behind them as they began to discuss the new plans, the thick thunk of them finally meeting echoed throughout the hallway. Letting any and everyone know that no one was to enter without permission.
What do you think she has to do now?
Whatever it is, it must be huge it they allowed her to take so much time off.
You think?
Yeah...
...Guys...is it me, or is it snowing black snowflakes...?
Something was wrong.
Sora stared at his silver haired friend as he sat on his window seal starring out at the waves of the ocean. Watching them hit the shore only to be sucked back up by the endless body of water.
He had been like this for awhile now, ever since the two of them came to his house from the beach after playing with the others. He said a total of ten words before secluding and shutting himself off from the world. And it was starting to make Sora uncomfortable, he usually couldn't go five minutes without having to say something or make some kind of noise to please his tireless mind. But the older teen showed no sign of coming out of this state, and knowing Riku he probably wouldn't do it on his own.
Taking in a deep breath Sora asked. "So...Riku...can you believe they actually thought they could take us on? I mean, Tidus is pretty good, and Wakka is no push over either, but Selphie just got in the way of everything." He paused hoping for a reply from the older teen, but when he got nothing he continued. "We're the best fighters on this whole Island, I don't think there is anyone out there that could beat us.
Green eyes continued to look out at the ocean, Riku not even making a move to reply to the brunet. This just made Sora even more frustrated flopping down on his bed he placed his hand behind his head and looked up at the ceiling. "Next they'll be asking Kairi to help the-"
"Do you think we'll be able to do it...?"
He speaks.
Tilting his head to one side to look at him Sora questioned. "Do what?"
Here the silver head boy looked at him over his shoulder, his green eyes meeting with Sora's blue ones. "...Get off this Island, make it to other worlds. Do you think we can do it?"
The question startled him, and he really didn't know how to reply to it so he just said the first thing that came to his mind. "...Well...we never know until we try Riku."
Shaking his head Riku mumbled. "That wasn't what I asked you." He turned back around to look out the window again as if he was telling the younger teen that he didn't feel like talking anymore.
Oh no you don't, you finally start talking you aren't about to go back to being antisocial.
Sora pouted slightly at Riku's neglection. Sometimes he was just so hard to deal with, and when he was like this, Sora truly did hate being around. "...But I'm sure we can Riku. There must be other worlds out there...right?"
This got the others attention. Turning his head to the side to look at him, there was a sign of a small smile. The only one Sora had seen in days, and it made him relax knowing that there was still a little bit of the old Riku still left in there. "Right. There has to be..."
"Yeah! I'm sure there are hundreds of worlds out there, and we're going to see them all!" Sora had gotten one of his hyper grins on his face.
"We'll try to anyway..." Riku told him, laughing at his younger friend.
"It'll be great. Going on an adventure." Sora looked up at the ceiling as he continued. "Just you, me, and Kairi."
Kairi...
Green eyes narrowed at the name. The main reason for his problems, and his change in attitude. She was always there, to get in his way. And when she wasn't there in person, she was their in mind. Sora's mind. That's all he ever talked about when they actually hung out alone, without her. And it was starting to tick Riku off more and more everyday.
"Yeah...Kairi.." Riku said trying to act just as excited as his friend was, but not doing as good as a job as he hoped.
Sora either didn't notice, or saw and didn't want to upset the silver haired teen more because he didn't mention anything about the sudden, but not unfamiliar change in him. "Wonder what the other worlds will look like...you think they'll have cities?"
"Maybe..."
"I hope they do, I'm tired of these sea side buildings. I want skyscrapers...buildings that go up to the clouds." Sora said making hand gestures as he talked, trying to get his point across.
Riku shook his head smiling as Sora talked, one of tthe few real smiles he had in a while. He missed the feeling of being happy...it had become more of a luxury to him then a feeling.
"...Riku?"
Blinking Riku looked over at the brunet, his eyes meeting with the others. "Hm?"
"Are you afraid...?" Sora asked, he was now looking down at his hands, an embarrassed expression on his face. "...because...I am.."Sora felt a warm hand being placed on his shoulder. Looking up he saw Riku's face.
"...Yeah, I guess, a little ." Grinning, Riku ruffled Sora's hair before telling him. "but don't worry...I'll protect you."
He'd always been there to protect the younger teen, it was second nature to him now. Helping him out of tough spots, sheltering him from his fears, it was his duty.
"Thanks Riku..."
His instinct to protect Sora was always going to be there, it had been every since they were kids...
and even Kairi couldn't take that away from him.
