Oh sheesh, how long had it been? 2 years and 7 months since last updated. I've been distracted, but now that distraction is over with, I'm coming back again for KH phase. (Just because I've came across those KH BBS cut scenes with little RS).
Umm, well, anyone still reading? I know KH might not be as popular as it did few years back but I intend to finish this fanfic, as well as Squandered Opportunity and other KH fics. I plan to draw Doujinshi for these fics too. Do let me know what you think ^^!
There's a few changes made in previous chapter too. I'll put them as the bottom note.
Saving Chapter 8 The Last Goodbye
The memory…it all came back to him.
At that time when Sora was seven, Roxas wasn't there and he hadn't met Kairi and the others, but he wasn't lonely. He was with Riku.
He saw a younger version of himself on that remote island. Him, drinking up every word Riku spoke. Him, spending a night with Riku in the tree house, lying to his mother that he was with some friend. Him, taking off Riku's gloves, just so Riku could build the sand castle with him. Him, leaning into Riku's cold hand when he was burning with fever. Him, crawling onto Riku's lap and falling asleep. Him, proudly showing his test score to Riku who had helped him with his school lesson.
There hadbeen Riku in his life.
Sora was up sitting on his bed, unable to go back to sleep, now that he remembered. His memory with Riku was something he'd treasured, yes. But he'd also remembered how Riku had made him forget. How it had left a hole in his heart until he had met Riku again.
That was it…Riku had always been what his heart was calling for, all along.
"Sora."
The voice pulling him out of his stupor, Sora turned to the voice across the dimly lit room where Roxas should have been sleeping. Obviously he was awake now.
"Can't sleep?" The older of the two asked. "It's about Riku, isn't it?" Underneath the concern for Sora, was the annoyance with Riku.
Sora almost winced at that. After all Roxas had been furious when he found out Sora was attacked by the Shadow, which took a while to calm him down.
Sora gave a tentative nod and straightened himself. He knew Roxas wasn't going to like this but still… "Roxas, I knew him when I was a kid." Sora could faintly make out an expression of Roxas who quirked an eyebrow. "I…dreamed of it… only I'm sure it wasn't a dream. It's a memory. When you moved to Twilight Town, before I met Kairi and the others, Riku had always been there with me."
As much as Roxas wanted to tell Sora off, he decided against it. He knew too well by now how Sora was when it came to Riku. How Sora had been up until now, even going against him for Riku. Telling Sora off wouldn't change anything. He pushed himself up and made way towards Sora's bed.
Roxas plopped himself down on the cushion and eyed his brother who looked back at him. He'd seen those eyes before, the very ones he'd seen in the mirror a while back there. Sometimes both of them were just exactly the same. Roxas sighed a little before speaking, "You reminded me so much of myself back there, I had so strongly believed in my feelings of trust towards him despite how much Hayner had warned me."
"You mean Axel?" Sora ventured and earned a nod but nothing further. He reflected on things, they were both attacked because of their associations with the Nobodies. Sora finally came to realize that things might be worse than he had expected.
"Sora. I fear for your safety, as well as Kairi's and the others. I will say this for the last time: Riku can't stay here. Soon, he has to go."
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"Sora." Riku called aloud when he came to. Looking about, he found himself in the tree house. He placed a hand on his forehead. "So I've met him before."
It wasn't Zexion shaping his darkness into Shadows after all. It was his time being on this island. Back then he'd been with a seven years old Sora for six months, plus few more months as of now, that'd exceed the 358 days.
The Nobody sat up and reached into the pocket of his coat, pulling out a small cloth…his blindfold, the only material he carried with him. Somehow, with Sora around him, he had forgotten about it. He looked at it for a while, thinking, 'ThoughtthatI'dneverhavetousethisagain.' Sighing, he secured it around his eyes.
"Here…I'm done for." He murmured to himself. His decision of leaving the island was made.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Morning passed the next day, Riku seek Cloud and Vincent out. He found them under the shady tree at the isolated area in the outskirt. Once in front of them, the two set eyes on him, expecting his decision, yet they could sense the indecisiveness in Riku even with his blindfold on.
"What held you back?" Cloud asked knowingly.
"One of the Organization members approached me, asking, in his own way as in forcing, for me to join them," Riku answered. Sensing the other's attention for what he had to say, he continued, "He might hurt Sora."
"That kid?" Vincent recalled.
Riku nodded, his posture drooping.
Cloud's eyes softened, "I see, he's your light."
That made Riku turned at the blond with bewildered expression, both at Cloud's stance which held more sentiment than he had remembered, and at his words. To which Cloud's only response was a shrug.
"Have you considered erasing yours and his memory?" Vincent supplied, "If you need a memory wipe, you could use our help."
"That's one thing I'd like to avoid…if possible." He didn't tell them that he'd been down that road before which killed a part of him and Sora inside. For all it was worth this time, he'd like to hold onto his memory about Sora. "Aside from that, I have something in mind though. If all went well, I should be able to act according to Master Ansem's wish and leave Sora out of this."
"Figure out who the 'trusted friend' might be?" Cloud reminded.
"Yeah, I guess so," answered Riku, looking off to the side with pensive expression. In all honesty, Riku wished not to implicate himself in this, but the thought about Xemnas ruling the world, which he believed was the worst thing that could happen, obliged him to prevent it.
Most importantly…to protect Sora. Once he thought about this, he became aware of how much Sora meant to him.
He briefed his plan to the two elders, since he knew Zexion wouldn't just let him walk away and he needed Vincent and Cloud to know which side he'd be standing on under any circumstances.
…
"Hnnn, sounds like plan. I'll see what I can do." Cloud nodded, so as did Vincent.
Riku turned a surprised look at the two. He hadn't expected that they would agree to be of assistance right away, which made him wonder, "What happened to 'wewon'thaveanythingtodowithit'?No offense, just curious."
Vincent waved his hand, implying 'none taken' while Cloud answered for them both, "We can't agree with Xemnas, that's why. You can say that we have the same enemy."
Riku had to smile at that. "Good point." He studied both elders again and had to comment, "You two changed, especially you, Cloud."
The blond nodded, "I found my light."
"Yeah? I'd reckoned about that, the atmosphere around you seems lighter, considering how it used to be tense around you," Riku chuckled a bit at Cloud's expense.
Cloud shrugged again, but he was smiling. "I could say the same thing about you."
Riku let that sink in but didn't respond and instead, they got themselves back on track.
"Okay. Just to let you know. Those that Xemnas sent to find me were Axel and Demyx, they hadn't came to me until Zexion did. Also I've learned from YRP, whom I believ haven't paid you two a visit?" He waited. The two elders shook their heads confirming his point. Cloud and Vincent were normal Vampires and didn't literally carry darkness like the Nobody-vampires after all. The only darkness they might have had were inside their hearts which no one could track. "The YRP mentioned about Axel befriending with a boy in Twilight Town months ago. That boy happened to be Sora's brother, Roxas." Up until this point, it had Riku thinking along.
Now everything seemed to be coming out to the light. There was something about Axel and Roxas, then Roxas and Sora. His mind told him it was just a coincidence but the logic that was drilled into his being by his first Master told him otherwise. His first Master always stated that all things were connected. He doubted the reason he was at Destiny Island in the first place had something to do with this.
"What a coincidence, and now you, Axel's friend, have come here and befriended the brother of Axel's friend." Vincent said, his eyes looking out the horizon. "Small world, huh?"
"Anyway, if you ever run into Axel and Demyx, do tell them to come to me, I'll leave my connection open to them," Riku requested. Once they confirmed with an 'of course,' Riku bowed a little to thank them and left.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
At Destiny High, the school's field was occupied with the students of P.E. class. Roxas was one among them, jogging along with his peers.
Out of nowhere, a pebble was thrown in front of him. Roxas didn't heed any attention until the second pebble came flying. Thinking 'itcouldbefromanywhere,' he continued to jog until something hit his head. He let out a low groan, considering that it didn't hurt that much. Looking down at his feet, he found it was only a small stick of tree branch. Then his eyes searched around.
Behind the small trees and bushes across the field, he spotted a man in black with a hood, beckoning for him. Roxas made a face. 'Couldn'tbeanyoneelse.Good!I'vegotsomethingtosaytohimtoo!' Without much thought, Roxas sneaked away from his obligation and headed towards the man in black. Once he was well out of the class's sight, he started, "Just the man I wanted to see! I can't believe you're still here after what your darkness has done to Sora. He's not with us, now's the chance to beat the daylight out of you-" Roxas stopped mid sentence when the other had his hood down. "Why the blindfold?"
"It's a way to contain the darkness inside of me. By shutting their eyes away, the Nobody-vampire's darkness can't take shape so you don't have to worry right about now. " Riku explained, glad that it could sidetrack the fuming boy for a while so he could continue, "Look Roxas. I know you're furious that my darkness has hurt Sora, and even Kairi. I apologize for that. I am leaving from here, tomorrow. I'll never return again. But first, there are things I need to know from you."
After Roxas's surprise of the news wore off, he responded, "and that is?"
"Tell me what happened to Axel the last time you saw him. Did you also see Demyx with him? Any idea where they might be right now?" This time, Roxas took a longer time to answer to which Riku added, "It has nothing to do with you, not again. I just need to see them and I don't know where they are."
Roxas crossed his arms over his chest, biting his lips. He looked away but did speak at last, "Can't help you with that. Once I finalized for him to leave, he left without much further ado. And yes, I've also seen this Demyx guy. Axel introduced me to him as his friend but we didn't see each other as much. Axel mentioned he's out on his own playing his Sitar in god knows where. I have no idea where they are right now."
"I see," Riku responded. He couldn't help but catch on…that Roxas was taking great pains not showing his sorrow when speaking about Axel when he claimed to be mad at him a while back there. 'Maybetherereallyhadbeensomethingaboutthem.' But it wasn't his place to say or do anything about it. If Roxas stood firm that it was the end, then it probably was.
Was Sora and him going to end this way too? So it would seem, soon.
"That all you wanted to ask? Before you leave?" Once Riku nodded, Roxas questioned with a mocking tone. "Finally realizing yourself guilty?" To Roxas's surprise, even to the point of shock, the Nobody's posture stiffened. He hadn't anticipated Riku's 'yes' as his head hung low like that. It seemed true enough to Roxas. Yet would he accept that as a fact? He hadn't been able to accept even Axel's apology back then. How could now be any different? Still…there was a voice deep down inside him saying 'andisn'tthatwhatyouregretmost?' which he had to beat that voice down.
"Well, it's better than nothing," Riku said and turned to leave. "One more thing. After school, I'd like to have a word with Sora…alone. It's for the last time. Don't worry; I won't do anything bad to him. Then I promise not to bother you two ever again."
"And if I say no? Sora would only try to make you stay, even after all that has happened." Roxas crossed his arms over his chest. Though his tone showed no sign of stopping him, only implying that it was a try out question, which meant he found Riku's promise truthful.
"I will still see him. And I will still stand firm about my leaving," Riku assured.
Roxas offered the slightest form of nod. "If it were for the last time…"
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wanting to see Riku had been the only thing that distracted Sora from everything else since the day began. Once the last bell of the school rang, he was more than eager to leave. Roxas would have to stay longer for his project, Kairi had plans, which left him chance to meet up with Riku.
Just so Riku happened to be right there, waiting for him outside the school gate. He jogged up to him at that usual spot under the shady tree. Sora had been anxious to speak to Riku about his dream, but seeing the other looking worn-out under the sun, and even had his hood up, Sora asked him to come home. Oddly enough, both of them just walked in silence. Only when they reached Sora's house and stepped inside did Riku had his hood down because Sora had asked.
"Whoa. You've been walking around with blindfold on? How'd you do that?" Sora asked, bewildered.
Riku just answered in the same pattern he did with Roxas before his words were cut with his own laughter. Sora had just pulled a funny face right in front of him.
"Hey, I think you're still seeing!" Sora remarked and reached out to nip the blindfold right next to where it covered Riku's eyes. "Hmm, it's thick enough though…"
Riku mused at how Sora's simple gesture could make him feel lighter when earlier he was tensed for what he had to say soon. "I'm not really seeing as clear as daylight, so to say. Humans have five senses, right? As for me, I'm using the Nobody's thirteenth sense which is feeling people's aura, something like energy that you project."
"Umm, even my facial expression?"
"Even that. If you're happy, I feel happy energy. If you're sad, I feel that. Just now, I felt funny energy, therefore I laughed. Yeah, it's like I see you, but not through my eyes. Does that make any sense?"
"Guess so…So the purpose is to keep your darkness inside of you?"
"Yes, it is."
"Is it good…or bad for you?"
The energy changed.
Riku didn't know whether he should be happy or not. Here Sora was again, worrying over his well-being. Riku gave a shrug. "It's not that bad." 'TheonlythingthatbothersmeisthatIcan'tseeyourface.'
Scratching his cheek with one finger, Sora looked down with an awkward smile. "Oh well, that's good to hear." Then he led Riku to his room. Time to sit and talk.
"So you remembered," Riku started once he settled himself on the end of Sora's bed as it seemed the only space since Sora took the chair.
The younger boy regarded him with a nod. "You too." After the other nod, Sora encircled his arms around the chair's back-rest and rested his head on it. "No wonder I…like you this much, because there had been something between us."
"Why, I'm flattered," Riku joked, "But if memory serves, you as a seven years old had told me you liked me after an hour from when we'd met," Riku reminded. He meant it to be a gag, yet Sora looked back at him with the deepest expression of longing.
"Yeah, but that first time wasn't as much as six months after that or as much as now."
Riku was at a loss for words at Sora's honesty. It would only make things harder if they were to continue on about their feelings instead of his leaving.
"I feel the same way, Sora." And that was all he was going to give. "Still, what you and I have left unfinished with the talking yesterday…"
Meanwhile, Sora didn't say it aloud that it was weird and disconcerting to converse with blindfolded Riku. Made him wondered what kind of world Riku was living in with that bind securing his eyes. He found himself unable to look at the other, now fearing the subject of their conversation that was about to come.
Then along it came, much to Sora's apprehension.
"Sora, my darkness harmed you-" Riku hadn't finished when Sora interjected.
"I'm fine. You healed me, remember?" the boy said.
Riku caught an edgy tone in the boy's voice, but he couldn't stop. The urge to stretch things out was there. "They hurt your friend too."
"Kairi's fine." Feeling nervous, Sora's hands started to toy with a little plastic star on his desk.
"My darkness could do a lot worse than that. Moreover, oof-" Riku choked on his words when something flung right into his face. He reached for the assaulted object that fell on his lap; it was a star-shaped figure something. He veered his face to Sora's direction, already noticing the other stomping closer.
"Stop talking like it was your fault!" the brunet raised his voice.
Riku tilted his head up to where Sora must have been glowering down on him. "It's easy for you to say that. Things happened becauseI am here. Which part of it do you not understand?"
"Zexion was the one who shouldn't be here-"
"And if it's not to seek me out, he wouldn't have been here."
"Damn it, Riku."
They were both surprised at that. Sora wasn't a person so keen on cursing.
"Why does everything that goes wrong have to be an arrow pointing back to you, huh?" Sora questioned with scrutinizing tone.
The Nobody angled his face to the boy, asking, "You…really don't want me to leave, do you?" it was too right to the point.
Slouching, Sora craned his head to the side. He couldn't give a straight answer, yet…
"…You're my best friend. Since I was little, and up until now, you still are." '…sinceforever…'
"I can't stay," Riku stated sharply. "What I've done in the past. Someday I'll certainly repeat the same thing again with the darkness I carry."
Finally, it came to something Sora would like to hear last. His hands outstretched to his sides, he wanted to say something…anything, but he was at a loss for words. All he could manage was a small "-But…" What could he say? There was no reason in the world he could use to reason with Riku. His hopes and plans of trying to 'figureitout' like he'd pronounced seemed so far out of reach. What could he possibly do when a strong Nobody-vampire like Riku or the proficient Hunters like YRP hadn't been able to sort them out before? He was only an island boy after all.
Sora never felt so useless before in his life.
Feeling negatives air leaking out of the boy, Rku reached for the boy's wrist which was within his arms reached. "Sora, you'll be fine without me, like you've been all along."
"Hah, what about those adventures? You've always talked big about those plans that we would go together," Sora brought up.
"Someday you'd discover your own adventures," Riku tuned away. "Last time, I couldn't keep my promise."
"You've kept your promise! You cameback!" The brunet declared. "Do you seriously think I'd even find my own adventure! Who started it, Riku! Shouldn't you be taking some responsibility!"
"It'd only be the same as eight years ago."
"ARGHH!" Sora's hands shot up and tangled into his hair out of frustration. In consequence of that, they snatched Riku's dark collar. With law of gravity, Riku fell back on the bed with Sora looming over him. "For all I know, Riku. You erased my memory eight years ago, you had no frigging idea how many times I had to deal with the emptiness inside of me! You said so yourself you feel the same way. Butyou came back, and we even met again despite our lack of memories about each other! Was it all just a coincidence? Does this really make it the same as eight years ago!"
Riku fell silent. If he wasn't blindfolded, Sora would have seen how much Riku's eyes were expressing with what Sora had said.
Giving a frustrated growl, the brunet took a hold of himself. When he was about to push himself back, a hand abruptly snaked around his elbows, drawing him to the side. Sora lost his balance with the shove and he was flattened against the cushion of the bed instead. He gasped, feeling his hands were pinned down and his legs trapped against Riku's. He shot up a questioning glare.
Riku lowered his head towards the boy and said something that was more alarming even than the one about him leaving.
"You know what, Sora? I've been thinking about that, and you've just reminded me." He paused, feeling the small form underneath him tensed. "Last time you hadn't forgotten totally. Maybe I hadn't concentrated enough, but this time I will. Don't fret." 'Youaskedforit.'
"-wha?" Struggling, Sora attempted to break free. It only resulted in Riku's firmer grips. Limbs trapped, Sora ended up flailing, "You'll still come back like you did this time. There's no point-!"
"That's why this time I'll remember this. If I forgot I might come back again, absentmindedly. So I'll remember this time." Even if it'd leave a hole in Sora's heart. Sora left him no choice in this.
"No, Riku! Gah!"
His yell must have sounded so desperate that Riku had halted briefly. Sora anticipated Riku's backing off, but Riku only shifted one of his leg so he could move up a bit and had a better position to graze the boy's neck with his fangs. Yet, Sora's legs were untrapped momentarily. With the consternation that Riku reallywas going to do it, he drew his leg back and sent a hard blow right into Riku's stomach.
Caught off guard, Riku stumbled back with a groan. His hands having letting go of Sora's, came to press at his stomach instead. For a small boy like Sora, he did pack quite a kick. The boy just never gave up; this was getting on what little nerve he had left.
"Damn it, Sora." Riku cursed, his tone stern.
As soon as Sora propped himself up from the bed, he was again pushed back on to it. Riku was still fast despite the throb in his guts since Sora's assault only provoked Riku furthermore. This time round, Riku made sure he didn't leave any opening for Sora.
"Do you not think this is also hard for me! You've only made things bloody harder!" Riku reprimanded, coming face to face to the boy.
"If it's so hard then don't do it at all, you moron!" the boy returned.
Riku hissed and said no more.
Fear struck Sora with the fact that he couldn't possibly break lose again, he yelled as loud as his lungs could allow. "Riku, no! Don't!" he gasped loudly, feelings the tips of Riku's fangs grazing his skin which made his wail fade into a whimper. "Riku…please."
As if time had slowed down and stopped, Sora couldn't feel anything, like the weight on top of him had disappeared. What the myth said was true that the vampire's victim would feel such way when he was drained.
'So this is how it feels…'
Except that Sora never felt the fangs sink into his skin, but…a piercing shriek that filled his ears shortly after. Sora peek one eye opened by the time a stream of voice that was familiar to him sounded and no longer felt the weight on top of him.
"How could you! How dare! Sora trusted you!"
"Huh?" Sora gasped at the scene unfolded in front of him when he sat up. His lips parted as he gaped at his baseball bat being wielded as a makeshift weapon by no one other than Kairi, said weapon utilized against Riku who was on the floor across the room, crouching. He had one arm folding over his head where waves of hits were bestowed upon him.
"Kairi?" Sora uttered, unsure of the reality.
The girl sent a worried glance at Sora while she perpetually attacked herculprit. "Sora! Are you okay! Are you hurt!"
"Uh…no?" the boy answered out of daze as things were dawn on him. He hadn't been bitten yet. Kairi must have burst into the room, saw what had happened, flung Riku out then, and was killing him now with that sport equipment. Therefore, Sora's memory of Riku stayed.
"You, pedophile!" the girl yelled angrily, as well managed to claw just to loosen the blindfold off. It fell halfway down and now revealed the utterly confused, oceanic-green eyes.
"What!" Both boys exclaimed at the same time, unsure if the word that Kairi used was related to the situation.
Sooner, Riku comprehended that the girl had misunderstood. Kairi didn't give him a chance to explain though, she continued sending never ending strikes upon his arm. The uncanniness of how the situation resembled how Sora had once reacted to him.
"I know I had a bad feeling about you! I knew it; you were trying to take advantage of him!"
"Am not!" Riku yelled between the blows. "Stop it already, lady!" When said lady declined to comply, Riku was lost for once. For one thing, he didn't want to hurt Sora's friend, given that he'd already did once albeit unintentionally. So his eyes shifted on their own, in search of Sora who still sat numbly with the equally baffled expression.
To Sora, it looked like Riku was in need of help more than ever. With Riku's eyes finally exposed to him now, showing something akin to a boy in distress. It made him laugh.
Concern over a friend's odd behavior in such circumstance, over beating the crap out of someone that harmed her friend, Kairi pitched the bat harshly at Riku one last time (which he blocked) and rushed to Sora's side.
"Sora! You okay!"
The boy looked at the girl's concerned features and at Riku who began to secure the blindfold around his eyes again.
Seeing Sora with no physical harm, Kairi followed his gaze and saw Riku's action. She immediately sprung up, one hand on her hip; another pointed an accusatory finger at Riku. "Don't you dare put the frigging blindfold on again! Not only are you pedophile, but a sicko!"
The silver head snapped at the girl's direction. "Quit condemning me. I'm neither a phidophile nor a sicko!"
"You tried to rape Sora! And even with a blindfold! Oh my god!" the girl made a face, throwing her hands up in the air in infuriation.
"Am not! I have to contain the darkness inside of me!" Riku couldn't really grasp why he had to fall into bickering with Kairi.
"What the heck are you talking about! You're just trying to go off tangent!"
Another series of laughter emitted from the brunet quieted them. The two turned their attentions on Sora. Relief washed over Sora in the presence of Kairi but he'd have a lot to explain.
….
So the three of them sat in triangle.
"Okay, so I was here because I wanted to see Sora. When I reached the front lawn, I heard yelling from the window. That's why." Kairi went first, and shot a glare at Riku who sat idly. "Your turn, explain," she demanded, each words lined with fury.
Riku wondered why he even assembled with them when he could easily take them out and remove their memories. The answer that reached him was only because he couldn't. He didn't know exactly why, but it must have taken someone so heartless to flip them off at the same time. Moreover, what if he erased Sora's memory, and not his own? Zexion'd still know and could use Sora against him. Now that he knew erasing Sora's memory for the sole purpose of making Sora not sad about him would even make the boy sadder.
Still Riku was tempted with the idea of erasing his own memory. At least that way, Zexion wouldn't be able to use Sora against him. If it was for Sora's safety, he might as well allow a part of him to be killed with that. But then he'd never know what would become of Sora. Then he thought about his lost memory. When things regarded memory, one of his closest friends came to mind, but she was in another realm.
While Riku believed Sora only meant to brief Kairi about how he ended on top of Sora to clear the misunderstanding, Sora had no choice but to bring up their very first encounter as Kairi happened to spot the loopholes in the whole story.
And talking about their first encounter when Sora was very young, Kairi's eyes flashed in realization of something…very important. Riku had noticed that, while Sora didn't, but whatever it was…wasn't brought up.
Soon as Sora finished his tale, Riku leapt to his feet, only to be stopped by Kairi's calling, which was surprising to all of them. Before Sora could ask, Kairi started first.
"Sora. Do you mind me having a minute alone with him?" When the brunet looked between them uncertainly, Kairi assured, "Don't worry, I'm not going to stab him."
Sora sent a questioning glance to Riku, and Riku nodded. Sora pulled a confused smile, and left the room. As Kairi shifted her attention from the closed door to Riku, he spread one hand out, shrugging nonchalantly.
"Guess I haven't apologize that I misunderstood you," Kairi began.
The boy shrugged again, implying that it wasn't a big deal for him. "Apology accepted." When Kairi lapsed into silence but still regarded him with her eyes, Riku pressed, "Anything else?"
Nodding, the girl ran a hand through her hair, casting her glance sideways. "I…wish I wouldn't have to tell you this, I wish that you don't own any position in Sora's heart that I have to tell, but…" her gaze settled back to Riku. "Since now you're rightfully my competitor over Sora, I think you should know."
"Compe-titor…over Sora?" Riku articulated, one eyebrow raised. His face slowly adopted a smile, which faded into a smirk soon after. "I'm all ears long ago, lady."
"I'm trying! It's not easy," the girl snapped. "Only Sora's family and I know about this." She swallowed, and inhaled. "Five years ago, there was this grown up man who stalked Sora." She took in the sudden tension on Riku's features, but he didn't react, so she continued, "From what we know, Sora was the one who approached him first because that man looked…lonely."
Riku raised his brow. 'Howuncanny…howdisturbing…'
"He was a sad man, he requested Sora's frequent visits after their first encounter. You know, Sora lacks the ability to turn anyone down. He trusted the stranger and even did as he was asked to keep their meeting secret. Weeks after, he took Sora somewhere…isolated." She leveled her gaze to Riku, "If I told you he was a pedophile, I believe you know what happened?"
A loud gasp emitted from the boy. His anger was visible to Kairi's eyes. Yet he refused to believe. "What happened?" he ventured, impatiently.
"No one came to save him."
A very awkward silence filled in before it was broken by Riku's curse.
"Damn."
"Riku…"
"Damn it. I should have been there."
Every line on Riku's face written pure rage. If his eyes weren't hidden under the thick fabric, the girl swore that she would have been scared. It was apparent to her that Riku looked ready to kill someone already.
"Where is he?"
'And talking about ready to kill someone.'
To prevent the approaching doom, Kairi took on blank expression and declared, "Look, I'm not finished."
"What?"
"I never said I was done," Kairi shrugged, making Riku wonder how could she slip into such casual demeanor while a moment ago she had been depressing herself. "Sora saved himself by getting out of there before the guy did anything to him. Well, if you count the groping off." Here, Kairi caught Riku's flash of anger. She didn't expect Riku to be so mad on Sora's behalf. It surprised her, as well as forming her trust in him. "At that age, we didn't understand what was done upon him, but Sora was afraid and he certainly was scared."
"Does that mark the end of the story? Where Sora was unharmed?" Riku ventured cautiously.
"It is, on Sora's part. If you want to hear what happened to that pedophile, I can also tell you."
The temperature in the room that was responsible for global warming earlier had now dissipated. Riku's tense appearance returned to his apathetic one.
"You were testing me."
Kairi rubbed the back of her neck, laughing slightly. "So you noticed."
Riku couldn't bring himself to be angry; he believed he would have if it was somebody else, but not Kairi. Was it because she was Sora's friend or her deep concern over Sora, he wasn't sure. "You know, I could have feigned my anger on behalf of Sora."
The girl waved her hand, and replied, "I'm gifted with the ability to tell whether it's true or false."
"But you didn't trust me earlier," Riku reasoned.
"Ah!" Kairi vocalized out of frustration. "No wonder Sora's so concerned about you! You're a mess inside. I'm only afraid you might get Sora involved in something he shouldn't." Here, Kairi spotted the change in Riku's posture, in only the briefest moment, but she didn't want to get into the matter. "Sora trusts you, that's that. Maybe I could trust you, maybe I already did. But I couldn't bring myself to trust that you could control your destruction or whatever is inside of you. I'm afraid you might hurt-" Upon Riku's countenance, Kairi didn't finish it.
"I…already did, and you were involved too. I have to apologize for that."
"Nah, I'm fine, just don't make it a habit. If you have that blindfold on, everything's gonna be fine, right?" Kairi waved and leveled her gaze to the boy. "You know, the only reason I'm not kicking you off right now is only because of Sora."
"I see. Your point in telling me all these…you don't want me to scare him off," Riku assumed as he angled his head back.
"Exactly. Sora barely reacted like someone undergone such circumstance and recovered fast, but I'd hate to see that resurface."
From Riku's recollection, he actually remembered touching Sora. There had been times when his hand sloppily slipped underneath Sora's shirt, mostly remaining at his stomach, when the boy slept on his lap. Or the time his hand brought the back of Sora's thigh up so the boy could sit properly on him. The boy hadn't whined or protested, he even seemed to like it; after all Sora was the very one who loved to crawl up on him first, claiming he wanted something (namely Riku) to cool his searing body in the scorching sun. As to why, Riku could figure it out later.
"And what happened to that guy then?"
"Sora's parents and I wanted to file a report, but Sora didn't want to. It's not because he was ashamed or anything, given that he didn't even know what it was that happened. But you know how Sora is, he's just too forgiving. Years later, Sora's parents found him working for children charity. He changed…because of Sora." A smile was plastered on Kairi's lips. It was written all over her face of how much she'd admired her friend, Riku noted.
So…just everyone lovedSora, and Riku was perturbed by that fact. He sighed at last. 'He'llbefinewithoutme.'
"Well, that's all I have to say," Kairi finished.
"Is the reason you are telling me this concern us being competitor? Isn't that a little irrelevant?" Riku pointed.
Kairi smiled and shook her head, reflecting on her real reason. If Riku was serious about his feelings for Sora, which Kairi started to have a feeling that he did, he'd have to know it. 'Riku'sthemissingpuzzleinSora'sheart.EightyearsagowhenSoracriedwithoutanapparentreason,itwasRiku.Rikuallalong.' Once she learned of that fact, she wanted to make things right for Sora.
Even without the girl's elaboration, Riku still caught on. Which brought a smile to his lips, only to fade away when he'd decided it was time. "As much as I'd like to accept your challenge of competing over Sora, I can't. I'm leaving the island tomorrow." When the girl turned to him with a brow quirked, he shrugged with a faint smile. "Does it sound like good news to you?"
It took Kairi a moment before answering slowly, "I wouldn't be sure about that. I've only started to trust you because Sora is so…happy." She turned thoughtful. "Is it because of the shadow?"
A nod, 'alsoZexion,andamessagefromCloudandVincent.' "I'm leaving whether Sora likes it or not. It's for the best." With that, Riku reached out and pat Kairi's hair. "Guess I'll have to leave Sora to you."
The redhead was stunned for a brief moment. She wanted to tell him off for treating her that way, but felt that he meant well.
Riku himself was as well surprised at his own act. Out of no where, he'd just felt affection for the girl, though it was far different from what he'd felt for Sora. "If we've met under a different circumstance, we might have been good friends…and having fun competing over Sora," he chuckled at that last one.
"Heh, probably," Kairi laughed along. "So I guess it's a good bye to you then?"
"Yeah."
"Kairi studied him, weighting his sincerity and finally said, "Alright. I believe I should leave you with Sora for some alone time. But! Don't do any misdeed to him or you'll be so dead right where you are!" She mocked a threat, but underneath it was her real note.
"Yes ma'am." Riku drawled. Once the redhead left the room and went downstairs to fetch Sora, Riku rubbed his forehead. He'd made his decision, yet he almost feared the thought of saying good bye to the boy. Riku could only hope a fifteen year old Sora wouldn't behave the same way he had as his eight year old self.
However, those ends never showed up to him.
"Riku!"
A panicked voice and the sound of a girl stumbling up the stairs cut through his thinking. He hurried out of the room, sensing a horrified look on the girl's face. Something was wrong.
"Sora…Sora's been kidnapped!" the girl wheezed out.
Riku's breath was caught in his throat. He strode fast to the girl, and placed on hand on her shaking shoulder. "Tell me what happened."
"He was just outside the lawn. I called him but there was a guy appearing out of nowhere. He told me to tell you about this before he disappeared into some kind of…dark hole, taking Sora with him!" Kairi paused, taking a breath, then she willed herself to finish, "He has the same attire as you. He came to Sora once at school. Riku, what is this all about? Sora struggled so hard. Is that guy a threat? Is Sora going to be okay!"
'Zexion.' Riku bit his lips and spoke, "Kairi, stay in the house, okay? I will bring Sora back, I promise." Once the girl swallowed her fright and nodded, Riku rushed out of the house via the open window. He noticed that it was getting late. Not knowing where to look, Riku tried the connection and felt it…Zexion was heading to the remote island.
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Just as the sun began to sink from the horizon, Riku reached the remote island. He trailed after the faint voices.
"Gah! Let go! What do you want with me!" Sora kept struggling with his hands gripped behind his back by Zexion. He had to grit his teeth, coming to an understanding of the strength of an extraordinary man.
"Fighting is futile," Zexion remarked in cold voice.
"Sora!" Riku called out, reaching where they were, which was the cavern entrance.
Sora was initially glad about Riku's arrival, only to frown deeply once realization hit him that he was being convenientlyused by Zexion to draw out Riku.
"I had a feeling you were going to make a wrong decision, given Ansem requires you back on his side as well. Thus, I'm here to give you a little…motivation," Zexion drawled.
Nailed to the spot, Riku knew he wouldn't be able to level this man. Not now, especially when Sora was in his hand. He thought hard, this was a little different from what he'd had in mind. But all in all, when it all came down to it, it wouldn't make much of a difference. "I was already motivated in making my decision. So you can let go of Sora now."
"And that is?"
"I'll join the Organization, now let him go."
"Riku!" the brunet retorted.
A pleased smile appeared on Zexion's lips, "I take it that you're a man of your word. So here…" he shoved the small brunet forward.
Sora stumbled into Riku's waiting rms. As soon as Riku held onto his arms, Sora whipped his head up. "Riku!"
"Shut up, Sora," The silver-haired boy demanded as he fixed his glare on Zexion to avoid Sora's searching eyes.
"But it isn't something you want!"
"Shut the hell up, Sora!"
The yell made the smaller boy cower, and Riku gritted his teeth, frustrating at his own actions. Then he directed at Zexion, "I need your word that neither you nor the Organization will hurt Sora in anyway once I join."
"Of course," Zexion smile sweetly, an act.
Riku doubted if he could trust his words. But what else could he do? There was no escape. His only priority now was getting Sora out of harm's way and nothing else.
"Now come," Zexion beckoned as he headed first into the cave, trusting Riku to follow.
"Riku…" Sora called in dejected voice as he fixed one hand to Riku's arm, looking up at him.
The Nobody pried Sora's hand off of him, only to hold Sora's arms with his own instead. "I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble." Riku was well aware that Sora had just been through Zexion's Dark Corridor. Only once wouldn't allow the darkness to stain him but still, this was the second time he put Sora through contact with darkness. When the boy's expression turned sad, Riku softened. "Sora, don't be sad. You got your life to live. Forget about me, okay? Now go home, Kairi's waiting for you. And Roxas'd probably worried sick at this time." Then Riku suddenly felt the door inside the cave open…which he mentally cursed, 'Zexion…' No more time, Riku released the boy's arms with a "Good bye, Sora."
Sora was left stunned with the farewell right there when Riku headed into the cave. For passing seconds, he kicked himself to move, and pursued his friend.
…
Sora made it in time when the door was barely open. His eyes caught the sight of silver behind the closing door. He rushed to it, throwing his hands ahead to stop the door which caused the person on the other side to look out to where Sora was.
"So…Sora?" Riku stammered, not expecting the boy to be fast enough to catch up with him. Already on the other side, Riku had his blindfold off.
"Riku…you'll be coming back, right?" Sora bent in closer, unable to cross the boundary. He could only assume that Riku was applying pressure on the other side. At this point, he could see everything behind Riku. There was nothing but darkness, shadows and huge creatures with human anatomy, yet they were not human with hollows in the shape of a heart where its real heart should be.
It struck Sora for the first time as to what kind of a world Riku lived in. "Ri…Riku! What are those things! You should come out!"
Riku growled when Sora yanked at the door, his strength suddenly appearing out of nowhere. Riku looked over his shoulder and threw, "Hold them back!"
Another figure behind the door caught Sora's eyes, he believed it must be Zexion. He couldn't care less, his eyes reeled back to Riku. "Riku! Come on out!"
"Dammit, Sora," Riku addressed the boy. "Must you always be a nuisance to deal with?" He smiled painfully with a slight hint of sheer amusement. He thought everything with Sora was well over, he had said his good bye although without the returning gesture from Sora. Then the boy just came popping up.
"Riku, you can't expect me to hold them off all day!" Shouted Zexion from behind.
Terror welled up inside of Sora as he started to panic. "Ri-" his call was cut short when he was yanked forward slightly by the collar, his lips were clamped shut by Riku's own. After he drew back, he gave Sora his final smile as he gently pushed the boy back.
"Take care, Sora."
That was Riku's last words before the door was closed in Sora's face.
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Changes I made: I got rid of the idea about NV staying longer than 358 days and the darkness will take shape. Darkness will take shape only when it is willed by NV and the frequent use of dark power.