The Ghost Just Out of Reach
Riku sat bolt upright on the roof, his eyes wide and alert as if instantly in stealth mode but his appearance that of a ruffled teen who had been deep in sleep a moment ago. He glanced over his shoulder to look for Xikru but he couldn't see the oddly different copy of himself anywhere.
The disappearance of the heart was unusual but not on his list of priorities at the moment. His armor clanking noisily as he made to stand he scowled, the stupid outfit designed to save Sora was not useful for any plan involving sneaking and not involving rushing in guns blazing. Sighing he reached to remove the offending armor when suddenly the shiny metal began to glow as if burning white hot, springing away from his body and spinning around him it slammed back onto him as something else.
Staring wide eyed at the now blue outfit that almost resembled a tracksuit. He pulled a face but admired the intricate designs stitched into it seamlessly. He hefted the keyblades that, eager to help, had summoned themselves into his loose palms. He shrugged and then leapt from the roof as if it were an everyday occurrence. Landing in a roll and then straightening he stared towards the hospital.
"Whether you or anyone else likes it, I'm coming for you; I can feel you need me."
Sora glared up at the figure that stepped closer to him, every step and feature seeming printed in his brain but he knew something was wrong and yet he couldn't place it. Instead, he did what his mind told him to until his heart was able to catch up.
"You're late." Sora accused.
Saix moved over to the bed gracefully and leant over to gave a gentle kiss on Sora's cheek as if he were a husband returning from work, "Sorry, love, I had to make sure those Light freaks wouldn't be trying anything funny again."
The small brunet thought over the answer for a moment then deemed it acceptable and welcomed the bluet by wrapping his arms around Saix waist, pulling the elder onto the bed to sit just by him. "As long as you're here now, I don't mind." He said it as if it were on automatic. The other didn't seem to notice but the words rang hollow in Sora's ears, as if he'd heard them before but with more feeling.
Sora could feel Saix running a hand through his hair as lay himself over the others lap, he felt like he should be feeling something but all he could feel was the guilt he wasn't feeling anything. Nothing registered, it all felt empty and cold as if it meant nothing.
"You know I love to spend time with you and especially like this…" Saix suddenly interrupted the brunet's thoughts, "But, sadly, we still have things we need to do."
Sora moved away as Saix rose, his hand shooting out to grab at the black sleeve of the elder's robe as Saix flicked a wrist. The blue-haired elder ignored the tug and instead focused his eyes on the person coming into the room. A familiar silver-haired male crossed the room followed by an even more familiar silveret. Sora grinned evilly at Xemnas who gave a wry smirk back before gripping the transparent form of Riku and pushing the teen to the floor.
The brunet growled, "What are you doing here?!" He yelled at Riku, "I told you I never wanted to see you again."
"Actually, you said you hated me." The form of Riku retorted and then shuddered in pain as if someone had struck him.
Xemnas gave him an almost nonchalant kick and sent the ghost form to the floor, "Sora, this isn't Riku. This is a sick creation they've had that sneaky Vexen create, for what purpose I do not know."
Riku, struggling with the ropes binding his hands managed to kneel again and glared through his silver bangs at all three of them, his eyes finally resting on Sora, "My name is Xikru. I am not a 'creation', I am Riku's heart and I've come back for Sora." He turned to Saix and Xemnas, "You two will not succeed. Sora's heart and I are far too strong for you to stand a chance of fooling him!"
Another kick and Xikru was sprawled on the cold tiles of the hospital room again, spitting blood. Xemnas brushed off his hands as if he felt dirty for even touching the other, "Listen to his lies… terrible creation really, couldn't fool anyone."
Sora seemed to have his eyes fixed on Xikru as he spoke, "Why is he transparent?"
"We interrupted the completion of the creation and managed to bring it to you; I figured you'd want to see what they'd been up to." Xemnas's lips formed a frightening sneer as he continued, "Plus, I know how much you hate being cooped up for too long and I figured you could use a stress reliever."
The brunet didn't seem to hear him and remained fixated on Xikru, "But… he's like a ghost, and yet his hands are bound with solid rope and we can touch him…" Sora's eyes narrowed, "And he's fading by the second…"
Xemnas frowned and Saix shot him a panicked look. Sora began to move across the bed, his hand slowly reaching out towards Xikru when Saix shot towards him, catching the teen around the chest and pressing him back, away from the transparent young man.
"Stay back, Sora." Saix said sharply then remembered Sora thought he and Saix were a couple and harsh words are rarely and damningly exchanged between lovers, he sweetened his tone, "I don't want him to hurt you, love." Saix could practically hear Xemnas grinding his teeth at the words not directed at him, the blue-haired man continued for his own amusement, "If he were to hurt you, I don't know what I'd do…"
Sora never took his eyes from Xikru but nodded slowly. Suddenly the room shook slightly and they heard a distant explosive noise, Xemnas' scowl deepened and he pointed at Saix, "Go find out what that was."
Saix gave him a smug smirk and slid from the bed, his hand staying in contact with Sora's for as long as he could just to tease the other man as he made his exit. Sora could see Xikru's face twist with disgust and longing, all mixing into despair as he watched and the brunette couldn't figure out why. He looked over to Xemnas who watched the room door click shut then turned to Xikru.
"Where is Riku?" The elder silveret demanded.
Xikru spat at him, a good shot from a good four feet disadvantage and on his knees. Sora wanted to laugh but he wasn't rooting for Xikru, he was on Xemnas side so he firmly closed his mouth but he knew by the familiar glint in Xikru's eye the younger silveret had seen the faint smile that passed his lips. Why was that look so familiar? He'd never spent more than minutes in Riku's company and a few seconds always ended with things exploding and left tattered… that memory seemed solid but not in the way he had found it. He dreaded to think what it really came from.
Xemnas backhanded Xikru and sent the smaller male flying into the hospital wall just as another explosion sounded from outside the door, this one much closer.
Riku stormed into the building, irrespective of those who were trying to sleep and recuperate from whatever ailment they had. The only thing on his 'to do' list was Sora, although the same could be said for his 'to fuck' list but that one had been put on hold… for now…
He hefted the keyblade again and roared, "FIRA!" A large burning fireball Axel would have been proud of leapt from the tip to collide with the nearest wall and pull the concrete to encase itself in a smoldering tomb upon the once sparkling clean floor.
Riku let out a cackle. Something was definitely wrong with Sora, Xikru and him. The fact there was something seriously wrong with him let him know something was wrong with them, odd circle but it was one of the best buddy systems he'd ever seen. He lifted the weapon again, "FIRA!" Another wall fell to the floor as he heard faint footsteps approaching. He grinned, finally, he'd got someone's attention. The reception had been closed and empty so he needed someone to come to him because he didn't have time to waste finding them.
He span around as he heard the steps nearing and was about to put away the blade when he saw the long, spiked, blue hair of an unwelcome face.
Saix looked across the waiting area to the entrance way. His first shock came at the glass littering all the way across the space to the far wall which was a fair way, the remnants of the entrance way door and windows scattered like sparkling diamond dust along the floor. The second surprise was however the silhouetted figure standing against the glare of the street lamps outside facing into the darkness of the hospital.
The bluet gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, ready to fight as he made his presence known, his boots tapping across the floor as he approached. The figure turned slightly so the light illuminated half his face, the rest cast in shadow and striking the other with an intimidating look as Saix saw two blades lifted from the male's sides, one spiraled and white, the other dark and chained. The elder male's scowl deepened as he saw the familiar silver hair, the unforgiving aqua eyes that could be so gentle one moment and as hard as steel another.
"Riku…" Saix suddenly sneered as the figure's eyebrows knitted in a mirrored scowl.
"What have you done with Sora?"
"And what, pray tell, makes you think I'll tell you?"
Riku moved suddenly, Oathkeeper raised and poised to strike when Saix' wrist flicked and a large pointed spear-like weapon with heavy, thickly tipped star shapes. Without bothering to assess his opponent's weaponry anymore Riku lunged forwards, both blades slicing up and down to clash off the spear Saix angled to deflect both attacks.
"Tell me where they are hiding and what they are planning!" Xemnas demanded landing another kick to the stomach.
Sora flinched as the boot connected and he could almost here the rib crack as the pain flashed across Xikru's face. He could see the other wanted to get away; he was holding his head proud and refused to say anything, the only sounds passing his lips being grunts of pain. He even held the tears that Sora could see collecting in his transparent eyes back.
The brunet flinched again as another kick was given and unwillingly received. He saw the pain and he saw the indifference. His mind seared hot with pain as though as he looked on his mind failed to comprehend what he saw. He was on Xemnas side, right? But Xemnas was hurting Xikru…. They didn't know Xikru, as far as Sora knew he'd done nothing wrong. But Xemnas said he was on Riku's side, and they were fighting Riku, right? But why should he just take Xemnas' word? Because he was his leader. But he was hurting Xikru. Who's bad. Why?
Sora bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut, his eyes beginning to leak tears he couldn't trace a source from. He looked over to Xikru who had also begun to cry.
Xemnas was saying something but Sora couldn't hear him, his gaze locked with Xikru's and he guessed Xikru couldn't hear Xemnas either.
No… he knew he couldn't hear Xemnas.
Sora…
"LOOK AT ME! TELL ME WHERE THE CHILDREN OF DARK ARE HIDING!" Xemnas roared, breaking through their trance with yet another blow to Xikru's torso.
Xemnas pulled his foot back to kick the younger silveret again when he heard a rustle of plastic sheets and suddenly Xemnas was staring at Sora, the brunet's arms outstretched in a protective stance over the silveret.
"Sora?!"
"I won't let you hurt him anymore!" Sora cried suddenly, his eyes wide and shining with defiance as he glared up at the elder.
The tan older male seemed at a loss for words for a moment then his face was a mask of hurt as he said, "I thought you were on my side… we can't let Riku and Mickey win, Sora…" Xemnas saw Sora's resolve falter at the words he believed were what were right so he continued, "We can't let them trick everyone else the way they tricked you…"
"Riku never tricked you!" Xikru spat, his words coming out between hissed breaths and spraying blood and saliva on the floor. Sora half turned to look wide-eyed at Xikru, the male was curled up in a fetal position, his hands still tied and pinned painfully behind him. The older teen looked like he was dying. "Riku would never trick you, Mickey is another matter but Riku loves you so much he gave you his heart."
Sora was about to object when the immediate memory became fuzzy and suddenly Xikru's claim didn't seem so absurd. Xemnas sensed Sora's hesitation and jumped in, "Don't listen to its lies! He's a puppet! Created to come and take you away from your true cause!" Xemnas reached out to Sora, his gloved fingers extended in offer of good will, "Don't let them break you!"
"Sora…" Xikru murmured through his blood, "Don't listen… to the words shouted at you. Just… do what you know… is right…" He offered a broken smile, "I have faith in you."
"Xikru…?"
The ghost-like teen's smile seemed so bright and then his face went slack, his head resting on the cold tiles so limply and suddenly Sora could feel the cold too, his bare feet so numb and the hospital nightgown he wore over his simple shorts doing nothing to ebb the chill that shot straight through him. He fell to his knees and reached out to Xikru.
"NO! DON'T TOUCH HIM!" Xemnas screamed as Sora's fingers brushed against the silver locks over clear ivory skin which Sora had expected to go straight through but could feel as solid as a real person.
There was a blinding flash and Sora's face went slack, his eyes half-closed with a serene smile on his face as his body became like jelly and only word rested upon his cherry lips, "Riku."
RIKU!
Riku froze with a start and fell to the floor as the cry ran through him like lightening. He winced and looked up wildly; one blade raised over his head to shield him from the blow that he knew was following him.
But it never came, He opened his eyes sharply to see Saix looking off towards the corridor he had entered from before, Riku assumed he'd heard the cry as well, then he suddenly felt a chill as though he'd swallowed ice. He looked back at Saix and saw an expression of horror turn to one of grim determination and then he took off down the corridor to Sora's room.
"You are a fool!" Xemnas roared as Sora's prone body lay half-conscious on the floor. "If you think you can escape me so easily you are a fool!" He gripped the front of Sora's nightgown and lifted the small body off the floor, "I will have my revenge!"
Zexion's hand shot out to Demyx's; clenching it so tight he made the sitar player squeak with pain. The lilac-haired male's eyes were wide with fright and Axel looked over to see Namine the same, her hands clenched tight so the knuckles were white and her blue eyes so impossibly wide.
"Xemnas… has Sora…and something's going wrong…" Zexion managed to breath, his words barely over a wind's whisper.
Larxene stormed down the street, Lexaeus, Xigbar, Xaldin, Luxord and Vexen following huffily. After her powers had mysteriously disappeared she knew immediately something was wrong with Sora. She had gone round to each of her friend's house to see if they knew where he was and had then demanded they accompany her, in the middle of the night, to find the wayward brunet.
Vexen pulled a face and shivered, "And just why did we have to come?" He sneezed, "It's bloody freezing."
"Because I have no method of defense and I'll kill you otherwise." She snapped. He was right though, it was freezing but she was definitely not in the mood for his whining.
Vexen was about to point out the oxymoron of that sentence then caught his tongue fast enough to prevent his gender and/or face from being altered the moment the sentence left his lips. He instead grumbled to himself as the crested the hill towards the area of town where Sora lived. As the stood at the top they saw the small area of town with its many houses so snugly cuddled up warmly shielded from the choppy ocean waters near the cliffs and beaches… like the hospital…
Suddenly there faces were lit by a dim fiery glow as a small part of the hospital exploded.
There was dead silence as the rumblings subsided and the dust fell in the distance. All five pairs of eyes were wide with shock and just simply staring.
"Who's betting this is somehow linked to Sora and Riku?" Xigbar murmured with a shake of his head.
Xaldin gave a brief incline of his hide, his dreadlocks falling of his broad shoulders, "Trouble does seem to follow those two like a plague…"
"… and they appear to chase after it as well." Luxord commented.
Larxene smacked Luxord hard and ignored the indignant 'ow', "Come on you idiots, if they're in trouble again then we need to help!"
Vexen's eyes widened in shock but it was Xaldin who spoke, "… one might assume you're worried?"
Larxene began to run down the hill yelling, "Sora has been my little brother for longer than you have a had a working penis so shut up and follow me or you can kiss your penis good bye!" behind her as she went, only two antennae-like strands of hair bouncing wildly over her sleeked back blonde hair.
I am really sorry. Its been ages since I've updadted and for the first week i had a terrible excuse ( i forgot) then my grandad had a stroke, my coursework was due, my parents and i kept arguing so i was banned from the computer, my friend sent my computer a virus accidently and various other thigns i won't bore you with but I am exceptionally sorry.
Please forgive me.
Akaiba xxx