Disclaimer: I do not own any ideas or characters pertaining to the original Kingdom Hearts storyline and/or characters…just my bag of pebbles *sigh*

To Embrace

"Leon?"

The tall brunette continued to stand bewildered from the sight standing before him, a thick silence filling the air between the two males.

"I'm seeing dead people…" The man raised a hand to rub his face groggily, sighing heavily as he lowered his hand again. "I need more sleep." Leon stepped back to shut the door shaking his head to himself, a muffled grumbling sounding through the door as the teen stood there confused. Riku took a moment to register what happened, raising a hand again to knock harder on the door a second time.

The door swung open to reveal Leon again, this time appearing more awake than before. Riku took no time in starting the conversation again as the man stood there staring at him in disbelief.

"My name is Riku Kuriamizu, Aerith sent me here under the impression that you were my godfather." He turned to his bag to grab the letter out of the side pocket, handing the envelope to the man standing in the doorway. Leon took the offered letter, glancing down towards it before resuming his gaze on the platinum blonde standing on his doorstep.

"I know who you are," The brunette paused, a frown appearing on his face. "But I was informed that you had passed away about a year and a half ago…" Rikus eyes widened as he finished his sentence, a frown gracing his own features as well.

"Who told you that?" Riku shoved his hands back into his pockets, scoffing towards the information he just heard.

Leon raised his arm to lean against the door, scratching his abdomen casually. "Sora and I had tried getting in contact with you almost two years ago, your mothers new husband told us you had died in an accident." He lowered his hand back down to his side, pushing himself back off of the door to stand straight as he raised the letter in front of him. Stormy grey eyes glanced down and the cursive handwriting adorning the white envelope, his orbs widening again in realization.

"But…this is Aerith's handwriting." Leon swung the door fully open, turning around to walk down the hallway towards a lavishly furnished room. He paused a few feet from the door, gazing at Riku over his shoulder.

"Shut the door behind you." Leon resumed walking towards the room down the hallway, taking a seat on the plush leather couch. The platinum blonde walked through the front door rolling his bag behind him as he shut the door with is foot, heading towards the room Leon had entered.

The teen glanced at the man sitting on the couch, the opened letter resting in his hands as his eyes read through its contents. He raised a hand to run his fingers through his hair, shaking his head in disbelief as he read on. Riku stood at the entrance of the room, leaning against the wall as he waited for the man to finish.

"Well…that pretty much explains everything." Leon sighed heavily as he folded the letter up, neatly putting it back into the envelope. "There's an empty room down the hall to the right, it's yours now. Do whatever you want with it." He gestured to the right of Riku with his hand lazily. The man grunted as he stood up from the couch, making his way up the stairs lining the wall to the left. He paused at the top of the steps, turning his head to the side.

"I'll need to talk to you about all this sometime. Whenever you're ready let me know." He paused, his shoulders slumping tiredly. "…Sora is on a school trip, he'll be back later tomorrow morning." Leon sighed, closing his eyes in exhaustion. "You know…the news of your death…he was the one who took the worst of it." The man stifled a yawn as he stretched lazily, his back popping in a random array of cracks. "I'll let you be the one to break the news to him, I'm sure that might raise his spirits." The man chuckled to himself on the second floor. "Well, goodnight Riku." He began walking off into the dark towards his room, pausing once more as he lowered his voice. "I…I'm glad you're alive. So let's keep it that way this time alright?"

Riku chuckled, a smirk playing on his face. "I'll do my best."

A smile spread across the older man's face, he laughed softly at the boy's sharp wit. "Night messiah."

"Night Leon." Rikus smirk grew slightly, his eyes lighting up from the previous jest.

Riku stood quietly in the unfamiliar hall, glancing towards the suggested room to his right. He took a deep breath in the silence, grabbing the handle to his bag as he padded his way to the mentioned room. He approached the white door, grasping the brass handle as he pressed down to open the portal to his new life. The teen stood in the doorway as the door slowly opened, revealing his new living quarters.

'Damn.' Riku observed the room with appreciative eyes. There was a king bed resting against the wall on a raised platform in the room, a deep wooden modern dresser and desk lining the two walls beside it. What really impressed the blond wasn't the expensive furniture or the impressive interior design, but the large window lining the wall opposite of the bed. The ocean was right outside his bedroom, the soft waves lapping at the sand was clearly visible from his position at the door. He rolled his suitcase over to the side of his bed as he made his way over to the large wall window, gazing out to the island lining the dark horizon. He smiled to himself as he thought of all the times he shared with his friends on that small island, a chuckle escaped his pale lips causing a puff of fog against the window resting in front of him. Riku shook his head to himself as he turned around, yawning lazily while stretching out his arms as he made his way over to the bed.

The teen stepped up on the platform next to the bed, plopping down lazily on top of the bed comforter. Riku grinned as he felt himself sink into the memory foam mattress. "Oh FUCK yes." He rolled over, sprawling himself over the heavenly bed as he sighed blissfully. He smiled as he felt the familiar essence of sleep slowly take over his mind; closing his eyes as he reveled in the chance the fates had given him. The teen slowly drifted off as the moon graced his features with its white light, his blessed locks glowing soft silver as he faded off to sleep.

The sound of the coast gulls calling their morning catch pulled the platinum blonde from his slumber, the soft rush of waves filling the background. Silver lashes fluttered open over Aquamarine eyes as he began to wake up, failing to stifle a yawn. Riku grunted as he turned over on his back, reaching a hand up to scratch an annoying itch on his neck. A soft sigh escaped pale lips as he sat up on the edge of his bed, slowly standing up to make his way over to the window.

Riku smiled to himself. The island was clearly visible now in the sun, its enchanting green palms and plants inviting him to explore their lush wonders again. He sat there staring at the island, bliss overflowing from his heart at the thought of being able to see Sora again. He was so close, yet he never felt so far away. Riku chuckled, turning around to make his way into the main area of the house.

The platinum blonde walked down the hallway towards the living room he was in the night before, pausing when he heard an array of sounds coming from the kitchen. Riku turned to the left after facing the living room, approaching an archway leading to an elaborate kitchen. He glanced around only to have his gaze land on the back of a man cooking at the stove, his blonde hair resembling Sora's unruly spikes in an uncanny measure. Riku cleared his throat, not wanting to be rude and just watch the man.

The tall blonde turned his head, his deep blue pools landing on the pale teen standing in the archway. "Oh, good morning." He flashed an attractive smile towards the new guest standing in the doorway. "You're Riku I suppose?" Riku nodded his head, his curiosity spiking on who this new person was.

The older blonde flashed another smile in the teens direction, his teeth a pearly white. "I'm Cloud Strife, I live here as well." He waved a wooden spatula in the air as he chuckled to himself, turning around to resume his cooking.

"Nice to meet you." Riku flashed a smile of his own before turning his attention towards the window holding the ocean in its view, his small childhood island resting not far off the coast. The platinum blonde walked over to the glass covered portal, his gaze holding on the island. He stood there resting his hands in his pockets as the sound of Cloud moving around the kitchen filed his ears, the soft clatter of kitchen utensils filling the silence.

The older man glanced over towards Riku, his eyes following the teens gaze towards the land off shore. He smiled softly to himself as he eyes brimmed with an understanding that's only gained by age, pausing his cooking to walk over to the window next to the teen. "You know," He clasped his hands behind his back as he faced the window, his gaze resting on the same Island. "we have a boat tied to the dock outside." Cloud chuckled softly, turning his head to look at the teen gazing out the window. He returned his attention to the ocean outside the glass panel. "It would do it some good to be taken out today."

Riku arched a refined silver brow as he turned his head to glance at the man looking out the window beside him. Clouds smile brightened as he saw the teen face him out of the corner of his eye. "Think you can help me out with that?"

The platinum blonde smiled inside, his spirits rising at the given chance. "I think I can manage something."

Cloud nodded, turning back to make his way to his previous cooking spot by the counter. The man began his task again, humming to himself softly as Riku turned to make his way back to his new bedroom. The blonde walked through the white door to his room, looking around for the suitcase his mother packed. He spotted it resting by the raised platform his bed stood on, making his way over to the object so he could lift it on the bed and reveal its confines. Riku glanced down at the items filling the suitcase, a large amount of stylish clothes as well as a huge pile of cash next to a wad of expensive looking jewelry. He grabbed a black tank top resting on the top of the pile, as well as some slightly baggy grey slacks. The blonde laid the clothing on the bed as he began to undress, revealing his pale well-toned abs above an attractive V.

The sunlight caressed his milky skin greedily, spreading warmth over his pale skin. The teen quickly grabbed the articles of clothing, slipping them over his godly figure hurriedly as he made his way over to the window to search for the pier Cloud had mentioned earlier. Aquamarine orbs raked the shore, landing on the said object quickly. Rikus heart fluttered as he saw the wooden paddle boat resting alongside the wooden structure, lolling along the waves lazily as they lapped at its wooden surface. He smiled to himself as he turned leaving his room, making his way quickly out the front door. The platinum blonde glanced around as he searched for a way to the back of the house, spotting a small trail leading around the left of the coastal structure. He made his way down the path, walking over the sandy shore as he arrived at the wooden pier. Riku walked down the creaky worn down wood, pausing next to the rowboat as he untied the old rope connecting it to the dock.

The teen stepped down into the old sea boat, pausing before he sat down to gaze at his cherished childhood home. Aquamarine eyes fluttered closed as he raised his head to feel the warm humid ocean breeze caress his face, swaying his godly locks mischievously as he reveled in the familiar feeling. A blissful sigh escaped his pale lips as he opened his sea blessed orbs, nodding to himself as he sat down grabbing the ores to begin rowing across the crystal water. The clear light blue water lopped at the boat as the waves bobbed the said object to its desire, a soft breeze blowing against the blondes pale skin. Riku grunted as he continued to paddle towards the island, his destination now within a few yards. He turned his head to find the old dock standing about teen feet to his left, rowing himself quickly to the side as he grabbed the rope to tie the boat off.

The blonde paused before he tied the final knot, his gaze fixating on the other lone boat tied to the dock. 'Could Sora be here?' He shook his head to himself as he dismissed the thought. 'I can't let me hopes up; it's near impossible he'd be here. He's on a school trip after all…' Riku scoffed to himself as he resumed tying the final knot to secure the rowboat in place, jumping out of the boat once he finished. The old wooden structure gave a groan in protest as his heavy weight bore down on its old material, the waves lopping at the poles below. The platinum blonde chuckled to himself as he padded towards the sand, pausing to sit and remove his shoes as well as roll his pants to his knees once he reached the last wooden plank. Riku grunted as he lifted himself off the old wood, glancing towards his right as he decided to head towards the water lining the shore by the island.

The blonde smiled blissfully to himself as he padded over to the water, small bits of sand being kicked up with his every step. Riku paused before the lapping waves, wriggling his toes in the fine white sand with childish glee. A brilliant smile spread across his pale lips as he took the first step into the water; it's cool temperature relaxing his ankle as the waves rushed against his pale legs. He walked until he was knee deep in the crystal water, the salty liquid sloshing around his legs as he stood still.

The hot air swayed against his skin, the reflection of the light on the water playing across his silhouette in an intricate beautiful pattern. Silver eyelashes fluttered closed over aquamarine orbs as he raised his head to feel the warmth of the sun, its rays caressing his skin lovingly.

Riku smiled contently, peace spreading its blessed essence throughout his soul. He remembered how this island knit his most precious memories together, with his most cherished person. He chuckled to himself as he remembered the night he spent watching falling stars in the night sky with his childhood love, the soft feel of Sora's hand in his as they shared a breathtaking moment.

"…Riku?"

The blonde froze, his attention snapping back from his memory of childhood sweet nothings. He recognized that voice. Aquamarine pools snapped open as he gazed towards the ocean shocked, he couldn't believe the person whose voice that belonged to could be standing right behind him; only a few feet away. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound resonating in his ears as he stood frozen in disbelief.

In you and I there's a new land~

The platinum blonde slowly began to turn his head, glancing over his shoulder; he was sure he was just hearing things. This was too good to be true…right?

Angel's in flight~

His sea blessed pools landed on a lone silhouette standing on the shore a few feet from him; a head of unruly cinnamon spikes jetting out messily above a pair of breathtaking azure orbs, surrounded by sun kissed skin. A half-eaten sea salt ice cream hanging limply between his plump pink lips, half of its contents missing as it dripped slowly off the stick.

My sanctuary my sanctuary yeah~

Rikus heart nearly stopped. The brilliant azure eyes that haunted his memories so fondly were staring at him affectionately from the shore, only a few feet from himself. He felt his heart swell inside his chest, he had finally found his light again.

Where fears and lies melt away~

The small tan brunette stood alone on the shore as a trail of salty goodness dripped down the pop-sickle stick resting in his mouth, sky blessed orbs widened in blissful disbelief as they gazed into aquamarine pools. The warm summer breeze swayed across the messy Destiny High uniform, soft blue plaid pants and tie swaying to the winds playful movement. Deep azure pools shined with adoration, a breathtaking white smile blessing sun kissed skin as small droplets gathered above his thick cinnamon lashes. The brunette sniffed attempting to fight back tears as his deep azure orbs kept their gaze on Riku, a soft blush spreading across the younger teens tan cheeks.

Music will tie~

Riku chuckles softly to himself as he watches Sora's reaction from learning of his remaining existence. Adoration lined his sea blessed eyes as he gazed at the brunette standing a small distance away on the sand. The platinum blonde lifted his foot in the crystal blue water, sloshing around salty seawater as he turned to face his light.

What's left of me what's left of me now~

Riku flashed a charming smile as the corners of his sea blessed pools crinkled in bliss.

"I'm back." The older teen chuckled out loud, the noise bringing Sora back from disbelief.

My fears and lies~

The brunettestanned foot took a shaky step forward, slowly taking a few more as he inched closer to the platinum blonde. A sudden pause took over his movements as he hung his arms beside him, a soft giggle escaping his light pink lips. An adoring smile blessed his lips, its brilliance outshining the sun on summers best day. Tears began to flee his azure pools freely as his smile grew, their trails shining in the sunlight against his soft tanned skin.

"You're home."

Melt away~

A/N: OKAY! So don't kill me! OAO *hides behind Riku*

Jordan: I know in the end the whole, "we're back" and "You're home" was between Sora and Kairi, but I was listening to Utada Hikaru while typing this XD and I thought that'd be the perfect conclusion to this chapter!

Sora: *Sniffles and claps* Ne Jordan-chan that was so touching! T^T

Riku: Oi, why did you have to make me a total sap like this lazy kid over here *pokes sora's head*

Jordan: Oh shush! I know you were always jealous of Kairi and Sora's scene! I gave you your romantic reunion!

Riku: *blushes*

Muahahaha!