Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 28

Naminé spun as the door slammed open only to stare into crimson and blue eyes. "Sora," she whispered and then he was there, picking her up and spinning her around.

"I've been worried about you," he told her as he set her down.

"I know, I'm sorry, but when I saw Riku…I had to do something." She looked away. "I'm sorry Sora, I got him out but…"

"Maleficent told me where she found you two and that Riku's gone again. She said he was very disorientated and his memory seemed confused?"

Naminé nodded. "The Organisation was trying to draw out Ansem and they succeeded, you felt Riku call for you, you and Kairi."

"That's what…" his eyes were wide in horror. "Is he?"

"He's Riku, with your help he destroyed Ansem but it was too late, too much Darkness had been unleashed within him. Riku now has some of Ansem's memories and that is why he's confused. He's only mostly sure of who he is and when he recognised Maleficent…he ran. I don't know how he opened a Corridor though, I tried and she has enough protections here to stop it."

"Desperation," he offered, and she nodded, it was the best she could come up with. "If only she'd told me you guys were here!"

"Sora…I've seen you with her?"

"Yeah, she's been helping me with my magic. Turns out I can't use Light fire spells without basically draining my magic which sucks, but Dark ones work normally. Merlin knows I come here for training at night. Speaking of, there's someone at his place who wants to see you," he grinned.

"Kairi," she didn't want to meet her yet, didn't want to join her until sure everything was finished.

"Yeah, but someone else too." He seemed rather pleased by that, his grin…cheeky?

Who else could want to meet her? She didn't know anyone else.

"You met him at the Castle and he really wanted to protect you," he hinted.

Protect her… "Riku…the Replica?"

"His name is Daichi now. I went back there with Axel to look for info on the Replica program and we found him there, hurt. He's fine, we got him healed, Kairi gave him a makeover so that he doesn't look as much like Riku now." he held out his hand and she took it.

"Maleficent."

"Knows I'm taking you," he answered, and then suddenly they were standing somewhere else.

"Naminé?" a familiar voice called her name in shock and she turned, she didn't recognise…

"Ri…no, Daichi? That's what Sora said your name is now," she smiled at him, smoothing down her dress, not even noticing when Sora slipped away.

Daichi nodded, looking surprised and nervous. "You're okay," he whispered. "Sora and Axel didn't know where you went."

"There were some things I needed to do," she told him. "I'm glad they found you in time," she told him, and he shifted.

"You are? Even though I'm…"

"I hurt you so badly because of them, I ripped your memories apart."

"They weren't really mine anyway," he pointed out, taking a step closer. "You're alright?"

"I'm fine," she held her hand out to him, and he slowly reached out to her. Their fingers slid together, interlacing, and her smile widened. She had done so much to him because of the Organisation and yet he didn't seem to hold it against her. "I'm still sorry for what I did to you," she admitted, and he squeezed her hand.

"And if you hadn't done what they said, what would they have done to you?" he asked softly. "I'd rather you mess with me then have them hurt you or worse. I know my memories of life on the Islands with you are fake but…I'd rather have them then ones of Kairi."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora watched as Axel and Kairi squared off against each other, give them Keyblades and they would be a serious threat to the Heartless, especially Axel since he had real combat experience. They needed someone to go to Halloween Town and if he agreed, Axel seemed the best option, and even is She was there, could a Nobody even be turned? And maybe send Donald with him as magical backup. That would leave Goofy and Kairi with him for the next world while Dai and Naminé stayed.

He knew that while Dai could fight, as well as Riku even, he didn't want to. Asking him to wasn't right, he should have the choice. Maybe they could help with the clean-up and re-building, especially trying to get into Ansem's study, the real Ansem. Finding out the creep who possessed Riku wasn't the real Ansem had been a surprise but that was what Ienzo and Aeleus had promised was true. The Heartless had been Xehanort when human, he'd then split into 'Ansem' and Xemnas when he became a Heartless and Nobody. Xemnas was the leader of the Organisation and now they were human, they agreed that something was definitely odd about their stated goals and actions.

Once they had found the lab, Ienzo was hoping to speed up work on a Replica for Ventus, and Sora was worried that Naminé would need one too so that she could continue to live separately to Kairi. Of course, she might not want to, but from their reactions to each other he was pretty sure she would and that Daichi would fully support her in that decision.

"Sora!" Kairi called as she spotted him leaning against a tree.

He grinned and waved even as Axel rolled his eyes but stood down. Kairi grinned at the redhead before running over and throwing herself at him, trusting him to catch her. "Hey, you're looking great," he praised after kissing her hello.

"Really?"

"Really," he promised. A glance showed that Axel was moving quietly away. "Axel."

"Yeah?"

"Naminé's with Dai if you want to say hi."

Green eyes widened slightly. "Naminé? How'd you find her?"

"I didn't. She…she got Riku out and Maleficent found them in the Realm of Darkness. Riku's messed up because of the Organisation and ran off before she could tell me," a white lie but he didn't want to get into Maleficent's weird maternal attitude towards Riku unless Riku wanted him to.

"You mean Riku's out there somewhere alone, again, and what exactly does messed up mean?" Kairi demanded, hands on her hips.

"The Organisation did something to him to bring out what was left of Ansem, that's what we felt him call out to us for. He beat him but it's left his memory a bit messed up."

"Again," she winced.

"We'll find him, no matter what it takes," he swore. "Axel," he called again.

"Yeah?"

"How do you feel about a trip to Halloween Town? That's where the next gate opened but…well, I can't go."

"Why not?" Axel asked in confusion.

"Something bad happened last time I was there so I can't go back. Donald would go with you as magical backup."

Axel considered it before nodding. "I'm guessing Naminé and Dai are staying behind? Kid's good but his heart isn't in it."

It was good to know he wasn't the only one who saw that. "He'll fight but yeah, I don't think he wants to."

Axel chuckled. "He'll fight for her, guess she's got a bodyguard," he smirked. "Don't do anything I wouldn't," with that he was gone.

Kairi just shook her head. "Is there anything he wouldn't do?" she asked and they both laughed.

"So, we've got a new world to explore when you're ready," he grinned at the surprised look on her face.

"Really?"

"Well, yeah. This is what you've been training for after all. You'll keep my coat though in case we need to use a Corridor, okay?"

"You're sure you're okay without it?"

"You're a Princess of Heart Kairi, let's not risk you to Darkness. I've already got it in me."

"Yeah….Maleficent?"

"She's been a great help with my training and Merlin knows. Kairi…some light based spells don't work very well or at all for me anymore. I'm sorry," he offered and she kissed him gently.

"It's not your fault Sora, you can't change what She did to you. You didn't chose the Darkness, there's no gold in your eyes, you aren't lost to it," she assured him, stroking his cheek, and he leant into her touch. "And even if you were, I would do whatever it took to help you back. Just like we'll help Riku when we find him if he needs it."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi ran her hands over pale skin, enjoying being able to touch him, Sora's hands more hesitant as one slipped under her nightshirt. He had to be very careful to not hurt her with his claws or strength and she wished he didn't have to be. Tonight was their last night of guaranteed privacy and they were making the most of it. He kissed her and they rolled until she was on her back, Sora on top of her and she felt her face warm as she felt something she hadn't before thanks to the blankets or Sora resting himself slightly off to the side or just holding himself slightly higher off her. Sora froze, but she slid her hand up and back into his hair, holding him in place. It was natural for his body to react to what they were doing, it felt strange and new, but it wasn't bad.

He pulled back from the kiss, looking down at her, looking nervous. "Kairi?"

She just grinned and ran her hands over his shoulders and down his back. "It's okay, it's natural, right?"

"Uh…yeah." He would so be blushing if he could.

"Right," she tugged at him, and he moved back down, always so careful with her. They kissed for a while before she wriggled out of her shirt, Sora's eyes going wide as he got his first look at her without anything on her upper body. She fought not to go bright red under his gaze, she wasn't even seventeen yet and she knew she wasn't as…developed as some of the other girls back on the Islands. Away from the tropical sun she was also a bit paler but he didn't seem to care.

He lifted his hand but then hesitated, glancing up at her, and she nodded nervously. Ever so carefully, he lowered his hand to touch her breasts for the first time without clothing between them.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora sat in the pilot's seat, glad he could fly in his sleep because he couldn't stop thinking about the night before. He'd seen Kairi without a shirt! He'd….he'd been allowed to touch! Right, mind on the mission…he groaned and doubled over.

"Sora!" he heard Kairi and Goofy yell his name.

It hurt, but not him…Riku…he reached out to him even as he shifted course.

"Sora?" Kairi touched his hand and he forced the pain back, looking up at her.

"Riku," he whispered. "He's scared and in pain."

"Then follow your heart," she told him, leaning their foreheads together, closing her eyes and he felt her power. Nothing could keep the three of them apart, even without having shared a Paopu fruit.

Sora suddenly scrambled out of his seat, his Keyblade appearing, lighting up around him…and opening a new gate. He let go of the blade and dove back into the pilots seat, shifting their course to line up with the new route, he just knew it would lead to Riku.

"Gawrsh, these coordinates are familiar," Goofy said after a while.

"Can't be recent or else the gate would have been open," Sora pointed out.

"So from before you guys sealed the door?" Kairi asked.

"Maybe," Sora shrugged slightly, opening fire on some Heartless.

"Can I?" Kairi asked, and Sora laughed but shifted firing control to her chair.

"Let's see if your aim's improved since the last volleyball match," he teased.

"Hey!" She kicked at his foot but began shooting.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Okay, so the place was no less creepy now then the last time he'd been on a mission for the Organisation, although having a travelling companion who talked almost the whole time was different. How did Sora keep from strangling the duck? They didn't even know why they were there yet, he was used to have a mission goal at least, not just the vague notion that a gate opening meant there could be trouble.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Goofy followed Sora out of the ship and he knew they all recognised where they were…Traverse Town. There was something very different about it though. He glanced at Sora, seeing him scenting the air with a frown. "Sora?"

"There's…no one here. I can't detect anyone."

"Well, didn't Leon and the others say that everyone was going to go home when we sealed the door?" he asked.

"Right," Sora nodded. "But still, no native inhabitants at all? This place is…creepy."

"Why would Riku come here?" Kairi asked.

"We ran into him here once, the first time I saw him after the Islands fell. If his memory's messed up maybe it felt familiar. Maybe he even thought I was here."

Well, that made sense to him. If Riku was confused then maybe he was trying to find Sora or Kairi for help.

They walked all through the First District but everything was dark and deserted so they moved on to the Second….and then the Third. Sora paused, trying to catch a scent and then he was off, leaving them running to try and catch up. He leapt up without using the stairs, heading for…the house! It was the one the group had used as a base.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora took a deep breath, he could smell blood, but it didn't quite smell like Riku. Just how changed was he by what had happened? Maleficent hadn't said. He eased the door open, thankful for vampire vision, as he peered into the dark. He saw the legs sticking out from the corner and moved into the room. "Riku?" he called softly, not wanting to startle him.

He walked around the bed and froze, almost summoning his Keyblade but…that was Naminé's scent, still lingering, Maleficent's too. It had to be Riku. He could hear the steady if slow beat of his heart and carefully knelt down beside him.

"Riku, can you hear me?" he called, slowly reaching out to touch his shoulder.

He may look like Ansem…Xehanort's Heartless, but it was Riku. He grabbed an elixir and carefully administered it, figuring it best to heal any injuries and replenish his magic if it was low. Sure enough, Riku moaned softly, eyelids fluttering.

"Riku? Open your eyes for me, please. It's Sora, you're safe," he spoke softly.

He looked over as he heard Goofy and Kairi but waved them back, not wanting to crowd him when they didn't know his mental state. Kairi scowled but Goofy pulled her back outside.

He focused back on Riku, relieved that his heartrate was sounding more normal since the elixir. "Come on Riku, I thought I was the one who can sleep anywhere," he teased.

Riku groaned again and ever so slowly his eyes opened. He blinked at him, and then tried to shove himself further away, eyes wide.

Sora raised his hands. "Easy Riku, it's me, I'm not going to hurt you."

"S…Sor….a?" he slurred, shaking his head.

"Yeah, it's me. You're safe now." he slowly reached out and touched Riku's hand, it was cooler than it should be, but his heart was beating strong, the hand too large but he ignored that to gently take hold of it. "How do you feel, Riku? Are you hurt? I gave you an elixir."

"Am I Riku?" he asked, voice stronger thankfully.

"Yeah, you're Riku." He squeezed his hand. "We've been looking for you ever since the Organisation grabbed you. We're going to take you somewhere safe, okay?" he kept his voice calm, worried about Riku.

"We?" he asked, eyes darting around.

Sora leant in, free hand moving to cup a too solid cheek. Their features were so different that it was jarring but he would not react to that. "Look at me Riku," he whispered, and yellow eyes shifted back to him. It was very odd to see Riku with yellow eyes but he wouldn't pull away because of it. it was just the Heartless' appearance, not the truth of Riku's heart. "That's it, it's okay. It's just Kairi and Goofy out there, no one else."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Sora, Sora had come! It was really him…wasn't it? he felt a hand on his, holding it, a hand on his face. Sora's hand felt too small or his too big? Kairi? He didn't want her to see him, why? He…he couldn't remember. Goofy? Who…a shield, he'd…protected Sora.

"Sora…" he was so confused but he reached out for him and Sora pulled him closer, holding on tightly.

"I'm here, I've got you," Sora promised. "You're going to be okay."

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Kairi sat on the wall beside Goofy, heart in her throat, worried about Sora keeping them outside. What had the Organisation caused by pulling out Ansem's Darkness? She could feel it, different to the Darkness in Sora, his was wild, feral, animalistic. What she could feel from Riku was…cold, structured almost. She was scared for him but not of him. Even when possessed he had tried to stop the Heartless possessing him from hurting them.

She relaxed as Sora emerged from the house, one hand reaching back, obviously holding Riku's. And then Riku followed him slowly, a bit unsteady, and she froze, fighting down the reaction at seeing that form. Sora was holding his hand, talking softly, it had to be Riku. Sora would definitely know the difference and she could feel Riku. She slowly stood from the wall and took a step towards them.

"Riku," she called, and he looked over at her. She didn't flinch from the yellow eyes, holding out her hand towards him.

"Kairi," it was his voice, and she smiled at him.

She walked over, not rushing, keeping her hand out. Riku slowly reached back with his free hand and she smiled as their hands connected. She moved closer and wrapped her other arm around him, hugging him, feeling him stiffen briefly. She saw Sora step back out of the corner or her eyes and then Riku's other arm slowly moved around her back. She leant into him, closing her eyes, seeing him how she remembered him.

"I've missed you so much Riku. I'm so sorry, it's my fault, if you hadn't been protecting me you wouldn't have gotten hurt, they wouldn't have been able to take you," she choked out.

"It's not your fault," he whispered, holding her gently.

She looked up at him, freeing one hand to reach up and touch his face, feeling him flinch slightly, looking away, ashamed. "No Riku, it's okay. You have nothing to be ashamed of," she told him. She stroked his face and he shuddered, leaning down into her touch. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

"Kairi," he choked, his grip tightening.

She felt a cold hand on her back and glanced up to find Sora standing beside them, a hand on each of their backs. He grinned at her and she smiled back.

"We're together and that's all that matter," Sora stated firmly.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Goofy watched, heartbreaking. What had happened to Riku? He didn't doubt it was the boy, not with how Sora and Kairi were reacting to him. He just hoped Merlin or Ienzo could do something to help him. Maybe a Replica body? Something.

TBC….

I was tempted to have him missing till the end of the game timeline but after discussion decided to have them find him earlier.