Summary: Again, so sorry for not updating. I can no longer go on the computer after school because of track practice, and my brother. But I finally found the opportunity to get on, so here it is Chapter 7!! Enjoy!! R&R

Disclaimer: I still don't own Kingdom Hearts...and you know the rest.

Chapter 7: Living In The Past

"Then it's settled," DiZ announced, "you will go to Organization XIII's stronghold and retrieve Roxas tomorrow morning." DiZ and Namine started walking to the door. "Until then, you have time to prepare and rest." They disappeared leaving Lucil and Riku alone.

"Are you going to be okay, Riku?" she asked concernly.

"Yeah. I...I just need some time to think. Away from Sora."

Lucil thought for a moment, "I know just the place. Come on, I'll take you there." She snapped her fingers, and a dark portal appeared.

"How did you...?"

"I'll explain later. Come on." She dragged him to the one place she knew he'd love: Sunset Hill.

"Woah! This place is amazing. How'd you find it?"

"I've been here a year Riku. I know every place."

"So why'd you drag me here?"

"Because I know you like to watch the sunset. And this is the best place to watch it."

"Rrrriigghhtt...so how is it that you can travel through darkness?"

"It's a long story."

"Hey, we've got time."

"Fine. I'll start from the beginning. I grew up in a place called Kilika. When I was nine, a tsunami hit and while my parents were helping people get to safety, they got stuck under some rubble and drowned. Then the heartless showed up during the cleaning days, and covered the world in shadow. My brother and I ended up in the Realm of Darkness for a year. That's when we learn to use the powers of the darkness. Then we ended up on the Destiny Islands."

"Wow. How come you never told us?"

"I don't know. I guess there were just too many bad memories. I forgot a lot after I moved to the Destiny Islands."

"Speaking of those islands. When was the last time we had a real match?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"Come on." He dragged her to the center of the hill. "Weapons or no weapons?" He asked her summoning his keyblade. She smirked at him, and summoned her weapon: a pair of white knives. "How did you...?"

(A/N: another lord of the rings reference: the white knives. I thought they'd be a cool weapon for her don't ya think?)

"Oh...I guess I forgot to mention that part. You see, Riku, where I come from fire is like our symbol."

"Yeah you did...Wait is that why your necklace has a white flame in it?" He asked holding up her locket, from around his neck.

"Very good Riku! You remembered..enough talk, let's fight."

They both took their starting positions, opposite each other. They held their weapons in attack position, and then lunged at each other. Riku struck first, but was blocked by Lucil's knife while the other one went straight for him. He quickly dodged it and went back a few steps. He smirked at her, before going at her again. This time, she used both knives to block his attack, but didn't have enough time to react to his kick to her stomach. It sent her flying back, and almost over the rail. Riku saw what he did, and quickly reacted by running over to her and grabbing her arms.

He pulled her so hard, they both stumbled, and landed on the ground with Lucil on top of Riku. With their faces inches apart. They both turned bright red, dark shades of red. Gasp-"Woah, wh-what just ha-happened?"

"Sorry. I guess I pulled you too hard. You okay Lu?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Good. So could you get off me?" he said almost sternly, trying to hide his embarrassed face.

"Oh! Sorry." She got off of him, and extended her hand out for him. He gladly took it, and got up. "Ow!"

"What is it?" he said looking at her puzzled, "What's wrong?"

"My stomach hurts a little. Your kick really hurt Riku!"

"Sorry, come on. Let's go back." He held onto her as she opened another portal and they both walked in, and back to the old mansion.

"I think we should call it a day, Riku."

"Yeah, we both need to rest for tomorrow. Oh...and Lulu?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you...for today, I mean. I really needed it."

She smiled. "You're welcome." she leaned up and quickly kissed him on the cheek. Then looked and his blushing faced that seemed to be shocked and surprised. "Goodnight." She smiled again and walked away.

'She still loves me?'

The Next Morning...

Riku stared at Sora, sleeping in his pod. "I promise Sora...everything's gonna be okay. We're gonna go home together, you, me, and Lucil are all going to go home to Kairi together this time."

Lucil walked up behind him, trying to wipe the tears from her eyes. Riku heard her, and turned around. He caught her wiping her eyes. He walked up to Lucil, and wiped the remaining tears from her eyes. "Why are you crying? I'll be back in no time, and before you know it, we'll all be going home. Together this time."

"I'm just scared, Riku," choking back the tears, "I just got you back, and now your leaving. You don't know how strong the Organization is. What if you don't come back?!" Riku stared at her worried and broken hearted, he'd never seen her like this before. He pulled her close for a tight hug.

"Shhhh...it's okay."

"No! It's not okay!"

"Lulu!" She looked up at him, and he cupped her face in his hands, "I swear to you, that I will come back."

All she could do was nod her head, and hug him back. "Okay, Riku." He kissed her forehead, and hugged her again. They let go. "I guess I'll open the portal now." She looked to one corner of the room, and opened a portal. "Through there, you will see another portal that will lead you straight to their world. After that, you're on your own. Good luck, Riku." she said with a small smile.

He smirked back at her, and then left. Lucil thought she could have heard him utter the words: 'I love you.'

Two Days Later...(just a guess, not actual time; Im also skipping the battle scene, cuz idk it yet)

"Everything looks okay here in town. I might as well go back to the mansion to see if Riku's back." Lucil walked backed to the mansion. The past two days had flown by so fast. She worried about Riku, but realized he'd be back soon.

On her way down to the basement, she heard voices, both male. Riku must've come back. But soon she realized that wasn't Riku voice she heard. Lucil went down the steps more to listen.

"Poor thing. I almost feel sorry for him." Lucil heard the mystery voice say.

"It's the fate of a nobody." She knew that was DiZ's voice.

Lucil watched from the stairs as the body of someone similar to Sora, disappeared. She knew that had to be Roxas. But if she just saw Roxas, who is the cloaked man talking to DiZ? 'No it can't... Riku...he would never...turn to the darkness. Would he?'

She raced up the steps and then transported herself to sunset hill.

Riku/Ansem's POV...

"Did you just hear something?" Ansem asked, puzzled at the sound.

"No. Why?"

"No reason. So...where's Lucil?"

"I sent her into town to check up on things. She should be back by now. Would you mind fetching her...Ansem?"

"Sure. No problem."

"Just try not to alarm her with your new appearance."

"I won't. She'll know it's me...I hope." with that said I was off. I looked everywhere, but no sign of her. Then it hit me, she was at the one place she knew I would find her at...Sunset Hill.

Sunset Hill...Normal POV...

Lucil sat on one of the benches with her legs held against her chest. She tensed up a bit, when she felt a dark presence approach her. She pulled out one of her knives and prepared herself.

"Lucil?" stated the dark presence, with a deep voice.

"Who are you?"

"You don't know me? I thought you would."

"I know who you really are, but who is standing before me?" she questioned.

"...My name...is Ansem."

"What is it that you want...Ansem?"

"If you know who I really am, then you should know I was looking for you. What's wrong?"

Lucil felt a tear run down her cheek. She didn't want to believe that it was true. So she did the only thing she could think of...she threw the knife at Ansem. He saw it coming and quickly, dodged it. Lucil was making a run for it. She knew traveling through the darkness was not an option, seeing that he would just follow her. Ansem ran in her direction, and grabbed her arm.

"Lucil stop! Please!"

"No!"

"Lucil listen to me!"

"No! Why'd you do this to yourself?"

"Because...," his voice slowly turning back into its boyish Riku tone, "it was the only way I could beat him, to bring Roxas back here. I wasn't strong enough without this power."

Lucil looked up at Riku, as he took his hood off. His hair was longer, his skin was tanner, and you could no longer see his blue eyes, since they were changed into an orange/brown color.

"Can't you change back?"

"I tried but it won't work. I don't know what to do, neither does DiZ."

"Well...at least your back safe. Right?"

"I guess." Riku looked away from her, not wanting to meet her gaze. Just then, Lucil rushed over, and hugged him.

"I'm glad your safe." Riku looked down at her and returned the hug.

Days Later...

"It seems we only have one choice. Seeing how Roxas knows about Sora, and his memories are returning. We must be prepared to leave this world, for its own protection." DiZ explained.

"So where do we go from here?" Lucil asked.

"I'm not sure. We should probably try and find a way to the Organization's stronghold, and make sure the worlds are safe." DiZ continued.

"So you're saying..."

"We will have to split up."

"What?!" Riku and Lucil yelled in unison.

"Don't yell at me, it's the only way!"

Lucil and Riku looked at each other, and then back at DiZ. "So what happens to Sora?" Riku questioned.

"Roxas will give back his half of Sora's power. When Sora awakens, along with his companions, they will travel to different worlds as they did before to restore the balance of them."

"I guess we have no choice then," Riku stated, "we have to split up."

"Then it's settled. And look at this, Namine is finished. Are you both ready?"

"Yes."

"Let's hope our paths will cross again someday, Lucilia." DiZ said with a smile.

"Thank you for everything, DiZ. I'll see you both soon." She looked at DiZ and smiled, and did the same to Riku. Lucil then disappeared into the darkness.

"Don't worry Riku, Lucilia can take care of herself. We'll see her again soon."

"Yeah."

A/N: Still very sorry that I can't update quick enough. But I only have like four weeks of school left so that should help. And I have already started ch. 8. R&R!! (no sneak peak this time, sorry!)