Riku's Point of View

I walked out of the portal and took off my blindfold, hoping that I didn't turn into Ansem again. I felt a gentle sea breeze pushing back my silver hair and saw that I stepped onto a familiar, small circular island with a few tall palm trees growing on the edges. The trunks were either thin and white or thick and brown, both with big, green leaves growing out from the top. To my left, there was a paopu tree growing out horizontally toward the ocean with yellow, star-shaped fruit growing near the leaves and in front of me was a wooden bridge that led to the larger island. At the end of the bridge were a ledge that was a few yards tall and a wooden door that was made into an enormous stone. Left of the door was the top of a wooden stack and farther on, both left and right, there were walls of wood built into the rock formations and more, green overgrowth. There was also a white, large, and sandy beach, beneath the ledge and out toward the clean blue sea.

"It's been too long… Everything's still the way it was…"

Seagulls and the sea's peaceful roars were heard as Kizu strolled toward the bridge, breathing in the scent of the ocean. I just turned around and leaned my back on the old paopu tree's trunk with both hands crossed in front of my chest, staring out at the sea and trying to hide the nostalgic look on my face.

Kizu walked over to my left, "This place is beautiful and so tranquil…"

I nodded. "I'm warning you," I nearly threatened, "Don't become my enemy and don't get involved. I told you yesterday, stop hanging around those Nobodies. Things are going to start happening soon and it's best if you stayed out of it. If you get in the way of his reawaking, I won't hold back."

"She shouldn't get hurt in the process. She has nothing do to with us."

I looked at her sternly, quickly absorbing her appearance. Long black hair was trailing down her back and her sea blue eyes reminded me of.. her's.

"I have something I need to accomplish too. I want to save Roxas and Xion," she stated, confident.

"That's impossible."

Her determination didn't die or even waver. Her eyes showed me that she was strong-willed and wouldn't give up without a fight. Just like… her.

She paused. "Is this your home?"

"Yeah, Sora and I." "And… her."

"What was it like? Before all of this started.," She asked, looking out onto the sea.

The wind was gently blowing her hair forward and she used her right hand to tuck it behind her ear. The sun, which was starting to set, made her blue eyes shine like the ocean. It reminded me of her.

Trying to keep up my voice as calm as possible, I replied, "We used to sword fight. Sora and I also wanted to go explore because a.. girl had come from another world and I started wondering about different worlds.."

"I.. don't remember her name.. I can't… Too many fading memories.. I guess his reawakening did effect me…"

"You miss those 't you?" she asked as she looked up at me. But, before I could say anything, she quickly added, looking slightly at the floor, "You don't have to tell me you know. It's your business."

"It's okay," I replied, looking back at the ocean, "I was young back then.. I didn't know what to expect and wanted to see it all. But with that one mistake to give in. Everything changed."

"Give in..? Give in to what?" she asked, looking back up at me again.

"The darkness," I wanted to say… But didn't."Nothing. It doesn't have to do with you."

She just nodded. "I'm here if you ever want to talk. I've been through some tough times too."

"Thank you," I replied, still looking out at the horizon, and then asked, "Why are you in the Organization? I thought that it was only made up of Nobodies."

"Oh," Kizu said quietly, "Let's just say I didn't really fit in." She gave me a smile.

I looked at her, "Something is off about that smile.. It isn't genuine." But I kept my thoughts to myself and asked, "You don't want to talk about it?"

"I'd rather not. It's…" she paused, then shook her head intently, "It's nothing."

I looked at her with a serious expression, "If you say so."

She nodded and gave me another smile.

"Another one," I bluntly thought and crossed my arms out in front of me tighter, "I'm here for you too."

She stared at me for a minute at a loss for words. Once again, she smiled, but this time it was brighter.

"A real one this time," I thought butsuddenly, her face dropped into thought.

"Xemnas found me when I was desperate," Kizu explained, "I wasn't in the right state of mind to say no. Plus, it's not so bad.. I met Roxas and Axel.. And Xion.. And you too."

I gave her a small smile, but then my face turned grim, "You should leave them soon. I'm warning you."

"She shouldn't get hurt if things are thrown her way…"

"I'll be fine," she replied, staring out at the ocean again, "I'm prepared." Another pause. "What was Sora like?"

I chuckled slightly, "You and Xion ask the same questions. You two are like twins."

"Really? How?"

"Well for one, both of you seem determined, but lost," I explained.

Kizu just stared at me for a second, "What do you mean?"

"Never mind that. You asked about Sora?" I saw her nod in response and continued, "Well, he's.. loud but a good friend. He always beat me though. Always been.. better than me."

"Really? What do you mean?"

"He was always better than me," I repeated, still staring out onto the now setting sun, "In everything he did."

"Maybe I'll meet him one day."

"You should head back soon. It's about to get dark."

She nodded in response and then turned around. I sensed something and I turned around to see exactly five Samurais ready for battle. Each one had an odd helmet, which had three slits on each side, a grey jumpsuit with bell sleeves, and two pointed feet. It also carried two swords. I instantly summoned Soul Eater again and put on my blindfold.

"I shouldn't turn into Ansem again.. Not in front of Kizu. But.. why are Nobodies attacking? Doesn't Roxas control these?"

As I was thinking, I heard Kizu jump back and summon her fans. I sensed two Nobodies run toward me but I just stood ready and in place. When they came close enough to hit me, I stopped them with my Dark Shield, which is a clear shield made up of hexagons, and then slashed forward, eliminating them both in one shot. Kizu fought with ease, annihilating one of the Samurai quickly. I then sensed another Samurai behind me and paused. But then its presence vanished. The last one somehow escaped.

"You destroyed that last one?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"Thanks. Why were they attacking us anyway?"

"I'm not sure. I can't control Nobodies, unlike the other Organization members. I'm not a Nobody so they won't listen to me," she explained, "They didn't seem to be really fighting though. I've read that Samurais kill quickly and in one shot. Like the way they were aiming at you, but not me."

"Were they for recon then?" I asked, "They acted as if they wanted to get rid of me. But keep you alive."

"Hmmm you're right," she replied, "Maybe—."

"Put on your hood," I said, cutting her off.

I put on my hood and heard Kizu put up her own hood. I then felt the power of pure darkness emerge. There was a few footsteps, but I then became aware of a flash of light that could only be a Keyblade.

"This isn't Xion.. It's close.. But not her."

Eve: Sorry this is a short chapter. The next one will be super long though!

Kizu: Lazy bum.

Riku: Now you sound like Kairi.

Eve: Both of you? O_o;;

Riku: Eve does NOT own any kingdom hearts characters. Only Kizu.

Eve: Please review! I NEED FEEDBACK D: