Child No Longer

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts in any way, shape or form.

Interlude: Good Night and Sweet Dreams

Good Night

The cloudless sky was a radiant blue, shining down on the verdant field a young man was lying in as he wrote furiously in a heavy leather-bound book. Closing the book with a sigh, his violet orbs saddened as he gently snapped shut the lock on its cover. Pushing himself up off of the grassy meadow floor he'd taken refuge in, he raised a hand to shade his eyes as he looked up the gently sloping hill towards the figure standing at its top.

Turning back one last time to gaze at the myriad of colors adoring the small valley, his body relaxed gently as he tipped his face up into the breeze that was teasing his unruly brunette hair. The stress and anxiety that had seemed so apparent on his youthful face fell away, leaving only a peaceful expression as he smiled serenely at the warmth of the summer sun.

"Your Highness, we can delay no longer. If we are to arrive at the specified time we must leave now."

Snapping his head to the side, he stared blankly at the older man standing beside him as he basked in the peace and tranquility of the protected area. "My son?" He questioned softly as he stretched down to retrieve his forgotten book.

"Already awaiting our arrival at the designated location, Your Highness." Nodding his head absently, he clutched the book to him tightly as he began the short walk up out of the valley towards the waiting horses.

Reaching his own darkly colored horse; he opened the bag hanging from the saddle as he carefully eased his book into its confined space. Swinging himself onto his even-tempered horse, he stared off into the distance as he spoke quietly to the older man mounting beside him. "The contents of my bag are for my son. Tell him and the guardians the truth of what will occur today."

"Your High—"

"Let me have my say, Yuki." The violet eyed man interrupted calmly, as he urged his horse forward. "Tell him that the truth of what happens today must be kept within our family, passed down through the generations. All that he needs to know is written within the book I have left for him"

"You speak as though you shall not live out the day, Your Highness."

Smiling mirthlessly at Yuki's words, his hands tightened imperceptibly on the reins he held. "To protect the existence of our worlds, and to regain that which has been taken from us, I will do what I must. I am not strong enough to wield the Keyblade in its full potential. All I can do is seal away the darkness until the day my heir is chosen." Frowning slightly as he heard the barely muffled gasp he continued on. "The Hikari line will not end today. One day—One day my heir shall come forth to reclaim that which is rightfully his through blood."

Sweet Dreams

The darkened room was silent except for the deep steady breaths of the three year old lying asleep in his bed. Spiky brown hair lay softly against the pillow, while impossibly long eyelashes brushed his still chubby cheeks. Small hands hugged a small brown bear tightly as the small boy murmured something in his sleep before rolling over. Deep blue eyes gazed lovingly at the child, before they widened with shock as a beam of moonlight reflected off of something around the toddler's neck.

Quietly crossing the distance between the door and bed, the tall man knelt down beside it as he stretched out a hand to lift the sparkling object. His breath caught in his throat as he felt a swell of emotions at the recognition of the small necklace. Letting the pendant slide out from between his fingers, he smoothed back a few stray strands of hair from the child's forehead before standing. Leaving the room in a mild daze, he dimly registered the concerned voice of his wife as he sat numbly on the sofa in their living room.

Cradling his head in his hands, he concentrated on willing the tears in his eyes away as his mind replayed the image of the crown pendant over and over again. Composing himself, he rose from the sofa to stand in front of a full bookcase nestled in the corner of the room. Eyeing the books anxiously, he swiftly removed the leather bound book he'd been searching for.

Settling himself back onto the couch, he opened the book and began to rapidly flip through the pages, skimming each one as he searched for a specific image. The pages stopped as his eyes stared fixated at a familiar image, his fingers tracing the outline of the pendant his son now wore. Silently he read the hastily scribbled words underneath the picture he'd never desired to see within his lifetime.

While our family goes into hiding the Keyblade will choose a new Master, until the time comes for this symbol to once again choose the new heir to our legacy. Only the one chosen to become my successor will be allowed to wear the mark of our lineage.

"Sora."

TBC…

I hope that this explains things a bit more people. In the next chapter, Sora has a lot of explaining to do where Riku's concerned, and Roxas decides that Sora needs to stop beating the poor bush to death.

Moonlight's Childe