Sora: Is this gonna be the wedding scene?
Are we eager?
Sora: No! D8
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Well sorry readers it is not the wedding scene chapter, I'm going to do some flashbacks. It was brought to my attention that I was not as clear as I should have been when it came to some aspects in the story and I'm sure you have noticed throughout the progression. So I will shed more light on the significances of the three Key Blades that were featured and… *shudder* Ansem's affections and attempts. .
Cloud: So a little reminiscence then, that sounds nice. ^_^; (I guess…)
Vincent: Why the hell did you kill me off again?
Oh hush!
Riku stood out on his balcony watching the sun set behind the horizon; it was half way down at the time. He had awakened earlier when the sun was just above the horizon, far earlier than he usually did. It became a habit of his really since his birthday, after what had happened with… He shook his head to rid his mind of the event. But it remained…
Riku had stopped crying an hour ago; the only one left in the room with him was Sora, everyone else had either went back to their own homes or to their rooms because they were staying. He lifted his head from Sora's shoulder and rested his forehead against the brunette's, aquamarine eyes still cast to the red carpeted floor "Thank you Sora." He said quietly.
"For what?" the Angel asked holing Riku's hand.
"Everything. Saving me from Ansem, doing what you could to comfort me in this. For loving me. I know you won't abandon me and my father trusts you in that. Anyone would think that because of that fact I would handle this better… Just a little better, just a little… But it hurts so much to know that I can't see him anymore." The Vampire said.
Sora squeezed Riku's hand and placed the other on the back of his neck so he could kiss his lips "I know. I don't know what it's like to lose a parent but I know that it can inflict more pain on someone's heart than anyone can imagine, especially because you're still young. I know it will hurt more when you have to say good-bye forever." He said.
Riku looked back at his father's still form "Not yet. We have our traditions. Take a walk with me Sora? Please?" he said standing up and helping Sora to stand.
"Where are we going?" Sora asked as they walked down the halls to the grand ball room.
"The gardens. Whenever I wanted to get something off my chest I come out here." The Vampire answered as he opened the glass door and stepped out into the night air with his beloved Angel.
Sora stared in awe as he looked at the many fruit trees and flowers that grew; oranges, apples, peaches, cherries, and grapes. Red, white, blue, and black roses grew with lilies, wolf's bane, birds of paradise, snap dragons, and morning glories. Morning glories? And in full bloom?
"Why are morning glories growing here? And at night?" Sora asked.
"From what my father told me about her my mother really loved these flowers. I'm not a pure blood Vampire Sora; my mother was human before she met my dad. They grow here because she never wanted to stop enjoying them just because she had to walk by night. Vexen was a scientist and loved to experiment.
"My dad wanted to make sure she would be happy before he changed her so he asked him to try manipulating the flower's DNA so it could bloom at night and he succeeded. The only nights the flowers won't open are during new moons and when the moon is blocked." Riku explained.
"He really loved her. And the wolf's bane?" the Angel asked, unable to help his curiosity.
Riku gave a quiet chuckle, "Probably the only stereotype that's true, we do not get along with wolves. Not like your kind can."
They came to a coy pond with a waterfall. The fall itself was a steady, calming trickle that soothed the two princes and they sat beside it, Riku with his arm around Sora while Sora rested his head on Riku's shoulder.
"Riku will you be okay? Give me an honest answer." The Prince of Light asked.
"Why would you ask such a question?" the silverette responded.
"I'm worried about you, I don't want you to slip into depression and get sick enough to die. It doesn't matter who long the lifespan of a Vampire is it doesn't mean you'll last that long. Fate can cut it short in the blink of an eye and I don't want that. So honestly answer, are you going to be okay?" Sora said.
Riku was silent for a moment, looking at his best friend and fiancé then he nuzzled the top of his head "If you help me, I can pull through." He whispered.
Sora lifted his head and kissed the other Prince "You know I will Riku. I love you." He said.
Riku couldn't help but smile as one tear fell from his eye, "I love you too. Thank you Sora."
Three hours before sunrise they went up to Riku's room to go to sleep. Riku woke up around the time the sun would be setting and couldn't fall asleep again so he opted to go out onto the balcony at watched as the ball of fire sank, dying the sky in a mix of oranges, red, purples, and blues, he couldn't get enough of it.
"You could have woken me up." Sora said as he came to stand beside Riku linking their arms and laying his head on his shoulder.
"You we're up pretty late and I wanted you to get the proper amount of rest." Riku responded resting his head against the brunette's.
They remained quiet as they watched the sun continue to give way to night, the dark blue blanket spreading as the stars came alight; it made Sora think about the talk he had with his father Leon after he had first met Riku ten years ago.
Sora was up one night because he couldn't sleep; too much was on his mind for a five year old. He got out of bed quietly so he wouldn't disturb Roxas and he left his room to go to his parents finding that only Leon was awake, reading "Oto-san." He called quietly.
Leon looked at him "And what are you doing awake at this hour young Angel?" he inquired.
Sora stepped in a little more "Why can't Riku walk in daylight?" he asked.
"What makes you ask a question like that?"
"He told me he couldn't walk in the sun because he would get hurt. Why?
Leon put his book down on the nightstand and checked to see if Cloud was still asleep beside him. When he saw that he was he pulled the blanket over the blonde a little more and got out of bed making his way to his son. Picking him up he closed the door behind him as they left the room and went over to a wide window down the hall "What do you see Sora, when you look at the sky?"
"A sunset, it's always twilight here and that's why it's called Twilight Town. But what does that have to do with Riku?" Sora said.
"Well think about this. What is your full name and title?" Leon responded.
"I am Sora Strife Leonhart, son of Higher Arch Cloud Strife and Guardian Angel Squall Leon Leonhart, the Prince of Light." Sora said.
"And Riku's is also known as Riku Lucian Valentine, son of Vampire Lord Vincent Valentine and Lady Lucretcia Crescent Valentine, the Prince of Darkness. Vampire's thrive on Darkness and therefore must walk by night. Not only would sunlight hurt Riku Sora, it would kill him." Leon explained.
Sora gave a small squeak "No! Sunlight can't do that, it's suppose to give life!" he exclaimed.
"Indeed it does, just in a different way for all existing beings. But Light penetrates Darkness in a battle. But if they are brought together in harmony twilight can be created, a mix of Darkness and Light, creating an environment in which all can live as one. That is why whenever creatures of Darkness come here they can be comfortable. Do you understand?" he said.
Sora nodded, "I think so."
"Good. Now it's time you went back to bed." Leon said making Sora pout.
"Twilight's the time for all beings of Light and Darkness, a neutral time." Sora commented.
"I read something once about how creatures like Vampires, Angels, humans, and such are able to live when there are conflicted elements like Darkness and Light. It said that within Light is Darkness and within Darkness is a stronger Light. I think that's why our fathers worked so hard for so many years to bring our clans together." Riku said.
"Because even in a Vampire, the masters of Darkness, there is Light. Angels are the masters of Light. Vampires are the Darkness of our Light and what makes them no different from Angels is the light within them." Sora added.
"Exactly, the heart. Everyone has a little bit of everything within them Sora it's just a matter of finding what the similarities are." Riku said.
"But they're not in everyone. Ansem hated Angels I know it." Sora commented.
Riku gave a hum in agreement; he heard that point made clear not long after he told Sora his feelings.
Riku gave Sora one more kiss before the Angel took off flying with his family after their visit. Turning he went back inside the palace and into his room where he dropped himself onto his bed with a deep, happy sigh. A different scent wafted into his nose and he immediately knew what it was, citrus and pure ocean air, Sora's scent.
There was knocking at his door "Come in!" he called. When he turned hoping to see his father he instead saw, to his disgust, Ansem "What the hell do you want?" he snapped.
"Now your Highness I only wish to congratulate you on gaining the Angel's heart." Ansem said.
"His name is Sora. You will treat him with the respect he deserves." Riku said with venom in his voice. He really didn't want to deal with Ansem; he couldn't wait until he became the Vampire Lord so he could get rid of the adviser.
Ansem's face grew dark, "Then he deserves none from me. Angel's are a lesser species compared to the might of Vampires. Sire I worry that you are embarrassing yourself by choosing such a mate, surely you have thought about what others will say."
"I don't care about your opinion and I don't care what others say! I love Sora and no one will change my mind!" Riku shouted.
Ansem knelt by Riku's bed and took the silverette's hand, "But surely you Highness you would rather have a strong mate. Sora is such a weak being, he would only make you look weak when in truth you are as strong as you father, stronger even. And beautiful."
The minute Ansem touched Riku's hand he felt his skin crawling, when the Vampire said Sora's name as if it were poison on his tongue he wanted to slap him, when he heard Ansem call him beautiful he snapped. He snatched his hand away and scratched his face with the other "Get out! You make me sick!" he shouted.
A look of terror crossed his face when he saw Ansem's expression; he was smiling as if he were about jump on Riku and attack him in a way that made the young Vampire shudder.
"As I said before, someone as strong as you shouldn't have an Angel on your arm. You should have a Vampire of equal or more strength. There are far better choices just staring you in the face." Ansem said darkly.
Riku backed away "Get out. Get out! GET OUT!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.
Axel and Demyx came into the room "Are you alright Sire?" Axel asked.
"Get him out of here now!"Riku responded.
The Knights made their way over to Ansem and each took an arm.
"Get off me!" Ansem shouted throwing their hands off and glaring at them. With one last grin at Riku he left the room.
Riku got off his bed and went to his bathroom "I practically have to scrub myself now, I can feel him all over me!" he said in disgust.
Demyx and Axel exchanged a worried glance "He didn't do anything of violation did he sir?"Demyx asked.
"He only touched me and called me beautiful! Only Sora can do such things not that rat! I don't know why my father still allows him here when it's clear no one can trust him!" Riku spat.
"Go report this to Lord Vincent." Axel whispered to the other Knight when the bath water was turned on. Demyx gave a knowing nod and left the room closing the door behind him "Okay Riku, talk to me. Exactly what did Ansem say and do to you?" Axel said.
"He insulted Sora. And I think he was hitting on me the disgusting bastard. I wanted to throw up when he started holding my hand… Axel do you think Sora's weak?" Riku said.
"Hell no! If anything he's equal to you in strength of heart. Why would ask that?" Axel responded.
"I'm letting what he said get to me." Riku sighed.
"Ansem's just some psycho who thinks that Vampires should rule the world. I don't know what his beef is with you and Sora; he should keep his opinions to himself because no one cares. I know he's your father's adviser but even Lord Vincent his having his thoughts about him." Axel said.
"Well you don't have him on your back about Roxas; you don't know how much it could hurt to have your lover insulted in your face." Riku said.
"Saïx, Ansem's brother's lover. We were best friends when we were humans but it all ended somewhere down the road. I think it was back when we all first met those twins. He, Ansem, Xemnas, and some others think Angels are the sum of the world. But that's what they think. You and I are in love with an Angel each so it doesn't matter." Axel said.
"Riku I have a question. When did you get your Key Blade? I know it's random but I'm curious." Sora said breaking the Vampire from his memory.
"Oh," he looked at the charm hanging around his neck "I got it last year actually. My father said it was a family heirloom that he wanted me to have just for the hell of it. I don't think he knew it could become a weapon until he put it in my hand. Why?" he said.
"My Oto-sama gave Roxas his about five years ago, Oath Keeper and Oblivion. He said they belonged to the first Higher Arch, Ventus and Roxas even looks like him which is weird." Sora explained.
"Cloud believed he was his reincarnation or something?" Riku asked.
Sora shrugged, "I guess."
"Why didn't you get one? You have the power to use them just as much as I do or your brother." Riku said.
"I don't know. Oto-sama said that many Key Blades exist but they choose their wielder." Sora responded.
Riku thought for a moment then he remembered something "I think I can solve your problem." He went inside again with the Angel following "I was wondering around the palace some years ago and I found this in the basement." He said taking something out of a box on his desk.
Sora took the item and it immediately turned into a Key Blade "It looks like a simple one." He noted.
"Simple yes, but powerful. The simplest things can be the most powerful at times Sora, it just depends on how you use them." Riku said.
Sora smiled and willed the Key Blade back into a pendent so he could put it around his neck and wrap his arms around the Vampire's neck, kissing him warmly, "Thank you Riku."
There was a knock at the door "Yes?" Riku called.
"Are you too awake yet or not?" came the response.
"We are. You can come in." Sora said.
The door opened and Vincent stepped in, "Good, you both have to start getting ready for later."
"Okay Dad. No worries, like we would mess this night up." Riku said with a bright smile.
Vincent returned the smile "Very well then. And Riku, I better not see you in another outfit like you were in on your birthday. I let that one slide for that night but I won't do it again." He said and left the room again.
"Damn I like you in that outfit." Sora grumbled playfully.
Riku laughed "He only told me not to wear it for the wedding; he didn't say anything about after. You know, when it's just us with nobody else around." He said putting his head against Sora's.
"Let's save that for later then 'kay? When I'm your mate and your mine forever." Sora said kissing Riku's lips again.
Gotcha!
Vincent: You bitch!
Leon: That was a cruel joke.
Hey, I've contemplated throughout the entire progression of the story whether or not to let Vincent live or die okay? Leave me alone.
Riku: When they say fangirls are evil, it's no joke.