Bait, Chapter 32

"So it's true then, the heart of his Replica continues to live on inside him!"

"Yes... It is true. He has been a generous host..."

"What's going on with Riku?" Sora asked, motioning wildly to the sphere of water his best friend was sleeping in. "Why's he in there? Won't he drown?"

The replica just started to laugh. Sora looked at him, dumbfounded.

"He's not going to drown because he technically isn't in there. The boy in that sphere is just a manifestation of Riku's heart, and everything around him is just a manifestation of his memories!" The replica began to weave a long tale of how this all came to be.

"I found him drifting in the darkest abyss of his memories. He was a wreck, his heart was beginning to shatter before my eyes. He blamed himself for everything you had just been subjected to and were about to endure more of. He was also in severe physical and emotional pain, and the strain of his guilt was nearly too much for his heart to bear. It was lucky I found him, and also lucky I discovered this interesting trait about his memories."

"What trait?" Sora interrupted.

"Memories of his home and childhood have a strange nurturing effect on the heart. If one was to wade into the waters of this island, they would find that their burdens would seem to melt away. I don't think he was aware of this himself, and I had discovered it on accident."

The replica's face clouded over, and Sora could see hints of pain and betrayal in his eyes.

"When I was murdered by Xigbar, though my body was no longer useful, my heart continued to live on. But it was slowly breaking. I have had an unbearable life, and the manner it had ended was not pleasant either. I knew I would just fade away if I didn't find a body and soul to keep my heart alive. I decided to return to Riku, my origin, and found that there was more to him than meets the eye. I had found my way to this part of his memories, and had discovered the nurturing effects of his childhood memories."

"So all of this... you think it could repair a broken heart?"

"Maybe it's just exclusive to me and my origin... but I won't discredit the effects. Look at him, he looks content, doesn't he?"

Sora got a good look at Riku deep within the sphere. His body was relaxed, and his face had a gentle smile on it. For the first time in a long time, he looked... serene, like there was nothing to care about in the world.

"How long will he be like this?"

"That is up to him. But I don't think it will be much longer now. He has a strong heart. I should know- we're the same person after all."

"No, you're not the same..." Sora began. "You may have a lot in common, but you're not the Riku I know... You seem... more childlike, more naive."

The Replica laughed again. "Well, perhaps I was formed mostly from his childhood memories!"

"Perhaps. So what should I do about him?"

"Go home, tell your master that he's safe and in good hands, and should wake up in a couple days. He's just sleeping until his heart is healed."

Sora got up, looking at the sky. It was already much lighter than when he arrived. The world was already nearly whole again. Stepping into the water, he too felt a renewal of heart, and summoned his Keyblade, aiming it at the sky, as the same deep, resonating glow as before formed around him.

He turned and faced the replica again. "I think I have a nickname for you, so I don't confuse you two should I ever need to come here again!"

Smiling, the replica spoke up: "Let's hear it then!"

Sora grinned mischievously. "Kodomorashi-Riku.*" Both of them began to laugh as he vanished from that world.

End of Chapter 32

*Kodomorashi 子どもらしい:Japanese: Childlike or innocent.