A Reflection of Me

Riku stared, his mouth open and body numb at his boyfriend. The boy he'd shared his entire life with from the age of three…

Riku's mother dropped to her knees and held onto one of Sora's hands loosely, her gentle face smiling into his innocent wide eyes, her silver hair sparkling and fascinating the young boy, "What's your favorite time of the year, sky?" She asked as her own son stood beside her, her other hand reassuringly holding his.

Sora thought for a moment and then his hyperactive nature burst forth as it always had and he replied brightly, "Winter!"

Riku's mom blinked and then raised an eyebrow, judging from his tanned skin, love of ice cream and the beach she would have guessed summer. "Why's that, Sora?"

Sora beamed, "'Cos it's Riku's favorite time of the year!"

No… this could not be happening! Riku kept running but he couldn't feel anything. He was aware of the man who had dropped the needle disappearing with a flash of black lightening but all he could see was Sora.

The brunet's eyes were half-open as though it was too much of an effort to close them or open them, his skin didn't seem so healthy, it seemed pale, really pale for Sora and dead as though he was… NO! Sora couldn't be… he couldn't… He rushed forwards and wrenched at the ties holding Sora, they wouldn't budge. He felt heat and vaguely saw Axel melting the bonds carefully so as not to hurt Sora as Riku pulled the small teen free from the table.

"S-Sora…?" Riku's voice was shaky and he didn't trust it to saw much more than what it did, his hand rubbing through Sora's hair as he collapsed to the floor, the small boy held protectively in the crook of his arm.

Sora's body was limp, his mouth slightly parted as though he was sleeping but Riku couldn't see him breathing. Roxas was checking the pulse but Riku couldn't hear them, he could only see Sora and watch helplessly as what little of the boy's eyes he could see dwindle to a hollow, empty darkness that held no sparkling hidden oceans that Riku frequently found himself lost in.

"P-please…wake up… I can't…" Riku brought his head down to rest on the small boy's chest, "I can't do this without… without you…. I can't live… please… Sora?" He sounded pathetic but he didn't care. He'd gladly don a thousand dresses much worse than the one he was wearing and do a million embarrassing things that people would die to avoid if it would bring Sora back. "I'll do anything…"

CLICK!

Riku jumped and span around. Kairi casually made her way towards him, camera in hand with a strained expression of one is deeply worried and concerned who's trying to be light-hearted. Riku glared at her.

"Relax; I'm not going to put it on the internet." She stood in front of Riku, Axel and Roxas in the hospital waiting room. "The doctors said he's alive, right? So then the worst isn't gonna happen."

Riku said nothing, Roxas however…" That doesn't mean much when they haven't got a clue why he is the way he is. He won't close his eyes, he can't open them, his brain waves are next to nothing and he's as cold as ice. He's not even breathing but somehow his body is alive!" Roxas began to creep forwards in his seat, his body poised and tensed as though he were a cornered rabbit, "What if he's stuck in a coma?! What if-"

Axel swiftly clamped a hand over the freaking blonds' mouth and pulled his struggling form into a restraining as well as comforting embrace, "That, my love, is not what we need to hear."

Roxas fell limp slightly and nodded. Riku still barely even acknowledged their presence. Axel looked up at Kairi who was bent over slightly and examining the hem of Roxas' dress. They still hadn't removed them as yet, "Where is everyone else?"

"I doubt they know what's happened." She let go of the dress and sat down beside Roxas who was half on his seat and half on Axel's lap, "That ship is beside my house, remember? I saw you coming out with him and I kinda panicked. I went after you but then… there were lots of guards coming after you so I got Nami, Marly, Dem and Zex to stop 'em. They don't know why they're stopping them but they hate those people as much as we do."

Axel nodded slowly, "So they'll be along shortly?"

Kairi nodded, "I told them to come to the hospital a.s.a.p ."

"Good, he leant towards her, Roxas squashed between them, "I think Riku could use having Namine near right now. I know we're all close and stuff, but Namine always manages to fix problems."

Kairi nodded back, "I would launch into a gossip but I wanna be ready for the doctor. Think I'll go see about an update about his condition."

Axel watched her go and Roxas wrestled free from his taller boyfriends hold and pinched the redhead's arm, "Jeez, pretend I'm not even here why dontcha!" He scowled.

Axel jumped at the sudden pang of pain and stared wide-eyed at Roxas' outburst then pushed himself from his chair across Roxas chair and hugged him tightly, "Don't be jealous, I love you so much, Roxy!"

Riku stood up from his chair abruptly; his face shielded from prying eyes as he moved to the reception desk, Kairi was having a hard time trying to tell the nurse who Sora was. The silveret stepped up, face guarded and gently touched Kairi's arm to alert her of his presence. She looked over, nodded and moved back to Axel and Roxas. Riku looked back at the nurse, her brown eyes regarding him wearily. He guessed it had been a long day for her and ordinarily he would have been considerate enough to exercise patience with her but that was his boyfriend in there and Keyblader or not… he was damned if he wasn't going to get answers.

"Excuse me miss, do you know if we can see Sora Atrum yet?" His voice was forcibly calm as he stared directly into her eyes, she knew of him, of that he had no doubt and the uncertain look on her face was a clear indication she didn't know what to do with him. Should she throw him into a padded room or simply do as he asked? If the Lolita dress was any hint then…

"One moment please, sir." Riku almost snorted. Obviously he was threatening and intimidating even in a dress.

"Or she's simply doing her job." Riku turned his head slightly and he found himself staring straight back at him. Oh gods this was getting more confusing by the minute and yet Riku's expression should no flicker of change as he caught sight of himself stood two feet away in black jeans and a black shirt leant against a wall and slightly transparent.

Riku didn't say a word, only turned back to face the main desk as though he hadn't seen or heard himself speak. He assumed it was only a sign he was severely stressed which was understandable, what wasn't understandable was the fact the 'apparition' was coming closer and still speaking. And laughing.

Riku tried not to scowl as he waited for the nurse to come back. The other Riku came to stand beside him, back against the reception desk and thumbs tucked cockily into his jeans pocket, "Yeah, act as though I'm not here. It'll make people believe you still have a shred of sanity." The ghost like Riku shook his head and straightened with a wriggle of his shoulders. "Look, I know what you're thinking and what you're desperately hoping too. No, I'm not an 'apparition' in the sense that I'm not really here. I am, for you anyways."

Riku glared ahead, "Go away." He hissed then mentally kicked himself for talking to it.

"One: I'm not an 'it'. I am a 'he' and I have feelings." He touched his chest over his heart as if hurt then grinned in typical Riku fashion. The real Riku ground his teeth in an effort to ignore it. "Two: I can't."

Why? Just go away! I am worried about Sora and I don't have time for a mental breakdown! Riku thought angrily, of course the other Riku heard him.

"I know you're worried about Sora, why do you think I'm here? I'm not here cos you're feeling oh so happy, am I?!" The ghost Riku sighed. "You're not really having a mental breakdown in the sense you're losing it. You're just a bit torn up inside and as such you're heart has split into two." At this Riku blinked and sent an incredulous glance at the ghost. "Look, I'm not a ghost! I just told you! I'm you… just half of you."

Riku sighed, "I can't think about this right now. And you're not me. You're not called Riku."

The ghost Riku gave a theatrical sigh and folded his arms, "Okay, I'll play along. Who am I?"

Riku shrugged, "Whatever. I don't care."

"You've taken my name and left me nameless?"

"It's my name."

"Whatever."

"Fine, you're called… Xikru."

"Anagramming you're name with an 'X'? You're being a little too Child of Dark for me…" The then named Xikru mused. Riku raised an eyebrow and Xikru waved it away, "You know what I am talking about. Or does conscious boy not remember what Mickey told us?"

"Shut up."

"Pardon?" Shit. The nurse.

"Not you. Did you find him?" Riku spoke quickly to correct the situation and did his best to ignore the sniggers coming from Xikru.

The flustered looking nurse nodded and gestured fro him to follow her. As they passed by the waiting area Roxas, Axel and Kairi leapt up to follow but the nurse said only one could go. They all agreed Riku should go so they nurse lead and he trailed after, a slightly interested looking Xikru following aimlessly.

As he drew close Riku hissed, "Am I the only one who can see you?"

Xikru shrugged, "So far, yes. I dunno, maybe you're shadow lover boy can see me. I don't know, 'kay? One big learning curve." The other silveret suddenly laughed. "I can probably guess Sora will love having two Riku's around. You're sex will be greatly improved!"

Riku couldn't fight the blush that crept across his face as his shoulders stiffened and his chin dropped to his chest to hide it from the nurse. They stopped outside a room, she indicated he should enter then left him in the corridor. Riku's hand went for the handle then froze, his eyes widening as he bite his lower lip.

"What's wrong?"

"Thought you could read my mind?" Riku snapped.

"I can." Xikru shrugged. "But it's polite to ask."

Riku growled then muttered, "What if… what if he's not okay?"

Xikru shrugged. "What if he is?"

"You're not helping."

"That wasn't part of the deal."

Riku shot him a filthy look the wrenched the door open.

I KNOW!!! ANOTHER EVIL CLIFFIE!!! BUT PLEASE DON"T KILL ME! I HAD TO DO IT!!! Okay, I didn't. But I wanted to. You love me more then!! Right? I am not even in control on theis story, I am simply a conduit for the great KH heroes!!!

Akaiba xxx