I should have mentioned that this story takes place during KH1. When I wrote it, KH2 hadn't come out yet. heh, sorry for any confusion. Riku showing up would kinda ruin the whole ending of KH2.

But I am considering writing a sequel for this story that would take place sometime during kh2. It all depends on the success of this story and if I can find enough time (and inspiration) to actually write it.

At first, Riku seemed a bit distant and silent, but as Sora dredged up memories from the Destiny Islands he seemed to become his old self again. Sora was itching to know what had happened to Riku after he had last seen him at Traverse town when the silver haired boy had mysteriously disappeared, though he had a feeling that he wasn't going to get any answers at the moment. Instead, he concentrated on trying to sense the keyhole.

Stopping so suddenly that Donald ran into him, Sora looked around and listened with all of his might.

"What's-" Inu-yasha started but stopped just as suddenly as Sora had. "Demons - and a lot of them." He muttered with his eyes darting from side to side and his hand reaching for his sword. Kagome fit an arrow to the bow that she had been carrying while Sora, Donald and Goofy pulled their weapons out as well.

A horde of demons burst from the surrounding trees and the group attacked full force. Sora slammed the Keyblade into the nearest demon and it shrunk away from the blow as if it had been burned. Recovering, it returned for a fresh attack and Sora used Blizzara, freezing the demon in place. Inu-yasha yelled out to everyone, "Get outta my way!"

Sora had just enough time to leap back when Inu-yasha yelled out,

"Wind Scar!"

A blast swept through the trees and obliterated all of the demons in a heartbeat.

"Where's Riku?" Sora asked anxiously looking around for his friend.

"Up here."

Looking up he saw Riku sitting calmly on the branch of a nearby tree. He hopped down and commented, "That was over pretty fast."

"Yeah." Sora said in agreement.

"I wish we could take out all of the Heartless that fast." Goofy said wistfully.

"I don't think it was that great." Donald muttered with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"It sounds like someone's jealous." Shippo taunted. Donald's scorching reply was drowned out by what sounded like a wildcat's howl. Alarmed, Sora turned around just in time to see a large cat-like creature with two black striped tails, red eyes, large fangs and flames around its feet land near Inu-yasha. On the cat's back rode two people - a boy who had dark eyes, black hair and wore a purple and black priest robe, and a girl who had dark brown eyes and hair, wore a tight fitting black outfit that had pink protective gear and carried a giant boomerang.

"Miroku, Sango, Kilala, you're back!" Shippo cried happily to the newly arrived people. The boy - Miroku, spoke,

"Inu-yasha, those demons-"

"I noticed." The white haired boy cut Miroku off, already knowing what he was going to say.

"Noticed what?" Kagome asked looking between the two of them.

"Those demons had traces of Naraku's sent on them." Miroku replied. Kagome and Shippo stiffened, as they realized why Inu-yasha had suddenly become so tense.

"Who's Naraku?" Sora asked curiously, not following the exchange.

"Naraku is a despicable demon!" Shippo shouted with unexpected venom in his voice.

"We should follow the scent before you loose it." Sango said looking at the half-demon.

"Sango's right Inu-yasha. Sora, I'm sorry but this is really important - we have to go." Kagome said.

"Well, we could help you look for him." Sora offered.

"It's really nice of you to offer, but it will be very dangerous and not to mention you won't be able to keep up with us." Kagome said seriously.

Sora said nothing and instead pulled out the Keyblade. Closing his eyes, he concentrated; the Keyblade began to glow and he raised it into the air as it released a beam of light into the sky. The light became too intense for anyone to look at any longer. Slowly it faded and revealed Sora standing next to a large lion.

"Simba, could you help us? We need a way to travel fast." He asked the lion. Simba gave a slight nod and turned to allow Sora to mount his back. Sora got on and looked at Kagome. "We've been in dangerous situations before and we won't slow you down."

Getting over her shock at seeing a huge lion pop out of nowhere, she smiled then turned to look at Riku.

"But what about your friend? Simba is big, but not big enough to hold him as well." After a moments silence, Riku replied,

"Don't worry about me, I'll catch up with-" But Sora cut him off by saying,

"No way, I don't want us to be separated again - Isn't there any way we can take him with us?" He asked pleadingly. Kagome cleared her throat and nudged Inu-yasha. He sighed and grumbled,

"I'll carry him." in a defeated sort of voice.

With that settled, Sora, Donald and Goofy crowded onto Simba's back. Riku looked a bit uncomfortable getting on Inu-yasha's back even with Kagome's encouragement. And they were off, following the half demon through the seemingly endless forest.

Sigh In the original version of this story, instead of Sora summoning Simba, they were supposed to superglide. But since I was being crazy about keeping this story in sync with kh1, they couldn't know superglide at their level. So, after racking my brain, I came up with the last minute decision to use Simba. I hated the idea (and I still do) but it's the only way that I can think of.