Chain of Hearts (PG-13 For Language)

Kairi2011: Thanks for commenting, the next chapter is here right now!
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Hey guys! I'm back again!

Disclaimer: KH is Square/Disney. Griever is Square, Christie/Kia is mine.

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DARK and DAWN: Christie and Riku
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Riku must have stared at that card for at least 10 minutes before he moved.

Taking my hand into his own, he moved towards the door. Before he raised the card, he turned to me.

"Chris, are you with me?"

I smiled, nodding.

"Always."

Riku swallowed thickly, then turned towards the door. He raised the card, and the white hallways of Castle Oblivion faded away to the warm sands of Destiny Islands. Once more, if only for a moment, we were home. Riku raised one hand to brush errant strands of his hair away from his face, a small smile on his lips.

"I never thought I'd miss the Island Winds so much. It's funny, there was a time I couldn't wait to get off this rock. And now I'm acting all relieved to be home."

We walked down the beach a little while, before Riku looked up in surprise.

" Is that...? Hey!"

He ran forward, but I stayed behind. Tidus, Wakka and Selphie were all there, but instead of the happy teens they'd been in my memory, they were silent here. Riku stopped suddenly.

"What's with you guys? I don't think I've EVER seen the three of you so quiet."

When they didn't answer, he tilted his head.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

In a moment, they vanished. Riku stepped back in surprise.

"Guys?!"

As if expecting me to disappear next, Riku turned to look me in the eyes. I shook my head, walking to his side and taking his hand. He squeezed it tightly, like a drowning man would a life raft. I led him to the little islet he always sat on, before my shoulders sagged.

Kairi.

Riku's hand left mine as he walked towards her, hope seeming to radiate off of him.

"Kairi. Please don't tell me you.."

She vanished before he could even finish his sentence, and Riku fell to his knees on the wood. His hands clenched into fists at his side, and he punched the bridge with every word.

"No. No. NO!"

My daggers appeared in my hand as Zexion appeared in front of Riku. But he stayed on the ground, not responding to what could have been a life ending threat.

"Surely you knew this would happen."

"Why would I know that?!"

Zexion shook his head in pity.

"You've been to a number of worlds in your memory before this one. And in those worlds, you met only dark beings. Sometimes, not even that. All that's left in your heart, is Dark memories. Your memories of your home are gone, each and every one."

Riku shot up, aqua eyes livid as he looked at Zexion.

"That's a lie! I remember everyone from the Islands! Tidus, Selphie, Wakka, Grandpa, Kadaj, Loz, Yazoo, and Kairi and Sora too! They're my, my freinds and family."

Zexion scoffed, and it took all my willpower not to punch his lights out then and there

"And who threw that away? Maybe you forgot your own actions! It was because of you that your home was destroyed, you called the Darkness here!"

The little islet in front of us started to break apart, until nothing was left but wooden planks and palm tree leaves. The once peaceful blue sky had turned a dark, murky purple, with winds blowing this way and that. Riku looked around, shoulders tense.

"This is, that night!"

Zexion smiled evilly.

"The Islands you grew up on were sundered, scattered. Many hearts were lost to the Darkness, because of you!"

Things changed here, and I realized that not everything was as the games had portrayed. Riku hadn't opened the door on purpose, it had been an accident. The Heartless shouldn't have come, but they managed to squeeze through the cracking defenses of the Island's Heart. My arrival, had sped things up considerably. The blame didn't fall just to Riku, not this time. This time, it was also my fault. I walked forward, placing a hand on Riku's shoulder for support. He had his eyes squeezed shut, but I knew he felt it. Zexion continued in his tirade.

"You hated being an Islander, cut off from the outside world. So you called upon the Heartless to open the door which destroyed the Islands. YOU did that! And now you belong to the Darkness! Look and see what you are!"

Zexion faded away, leaving a Darkside in his place. Riku took a step back, eyes wide.

"This...this can't be ME?!"

We leapt aside as the Darkside swung it's massive fist at us, only for it to hit solid ground. Riku snarled, charging at the creature before I could stop him. Instead of his recklessness getting him hurt this time, it caught Darkside off balance. Riku clambered up the arm and onto it's shoulder, slashing at the vulnerable yellow eyes. After a moment, it caught on to his strategy and began trying to swat him off. A particularly close call left Riku hanging off of Darksides "hair", in danger of being pummeled by the falling debris. With a cry, I charged forward, sending my daggers in to attack Darksides eyes while I hung back, peppering the giant with Thunder and Fira spells.

With it's attention switched from Riku to me, it left the boy alone long enough for him to climb back onto it's shoulder and finish it off. Riku leapt to the ground as Darkside faded away, leaving noting but wisps of shadows. In the darkness that followed, we didn't hear or see "Sora" sneak up behind us until his swings sent Riku and I across what was left of the islet.

"Sora?!"

The younger boy swung at Riku again, forcing him onto the defensive to keep "Sora"s blade occupied with something other than his body.

"Stop it Sora! Don't you recognize us?"

The keyblader growled, increasing the pressure on Soul Eater.

"Yeah! I recognize you both. I can see exactly what you've become!"

"Sora" put all his weight onto the Keyblade in his hand, forcing Riku to ground with a pulse of light. He cried out as he hit the sand, silver hair meshing with the darkened sand. "Sora" jumped backwards, not paying me any mind.

"Look at you, shrinking away from the Light. You're not Riku anymore, you're just a pawn of the Darkness now."

He shook his head, raising the keyblade to the sky. As stars swept around the blades tip, he closed his eyes.

"So be it. It's time for you to face the Light!"

As if he was sealing a keyhole, "Sora" pointed the keyblade at Riku. A beam of pure light flooded through Riku's heart, and he disappeared. I stood on my knees, eyes searching for any sign of him, but finding nothing. Despite the calming influence of Griever and the knowledge that he would be alright, I was still panicking.

"RIKU!"

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DAWN: Riku, Destiny Islands
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Falling...falling...Chris? Where are you?

"I'm fading...consumed, by the Light..."

Unable to slow his descent through the mythical ether, Riku closed his eyes with a bitter smile.

"And to think, I never said goodbye..."

"You won't have to, because you won't fade."

Riku opened his eyes, but seeing no one, closed them again.

"You can't fade. No power can defeat you, not the Light, not the Dark. So don't run from the Light, and don't fear the Darkness. Both will make you stronger."

Riku began to struggle his way upright, eyes filled with something undecided.

"Darkness too?"

"Especially Darkness. That power is yours alone. The Darkness in your heart is vast and deep, but if you can stare into it unflinching, you'll never know fear again."

Finally understanding, Riku planted his feet firmly on the "ground.

"All this time, I've been pushing the Darkness away."

"Just be brave. Know that the Darkness is there and don't give in. Do that and you'll gain strength like no other. You'll be able to escape the deepest Darkness unscathed..."

Riku smiled, eyes gentle.

"And I'll be able to see through the brightest Light."

"Follow the Darkness, Riku. It'll show you the way to the friends you love."

Riku looked at his feet.

"But can I face them?"

"You don't want to?"

Riku smirked, understanding.

"You know I do. And I will! The Darkness, my Darkness, will show me the way."

In a flash of Darkness, the Island garb he was wearing faded into the Dark Cloak that Replica had been using. Riku turned, there was that scent again! The bitter scent of Darkness, but underneath it all, was something sweeter. Something, comforting...

"Chris. Thank you..."

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DARK: Christie, Riku's Island
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Reappearing in a flash of darkness, Riku swung at "Sora", shattering the illusion before our eyes. "Sora" was revealed to be Zexion, and I sighed in relief. He was ok.

"How did you find me in the Light?!"

Riku smirked, Soul Eater held loosely in his hand.

"You reek of the Darkness. Even the Light can't block out that stench. I just followed Darkness right to you."

Zexion scoffed.

"After all your protests, you're just another Darkling."

Riku shook his head.

"I know who I am."

"Since when? You were terrified of the Dark before!"

Riku leapt at the man.

"I'm not scared anymore!"

Zexion somehow blocked the strike, and with a flash of light, escaped.

"Hypocrite!"

Riku sighed, Soul Eater fading from his hand as his clothes returned to normal.

"He got away."

I licked my lips, relief making my legs shaky. Riku turned to face me with a gentle smile as he walked to my side. Offering his hand, he pulled me from the ground and into an embrace.

"Thank you."

Not really understanding, I just hugged him back. We stood there, in the storm, for who knows how long. Riku pulled back first, leading me by the hand back into the Castle proper. I winced just as we cleared the stairs onto the second to last basement floor. Replica had killed Zexion, I was sure of it. I shook the thought from my mind, a more pressing issue had surfaced.

"Riku...Riku..."

We both jumped, looking around the empty hallway.

"Who's there?"

He snapped his fingers as I summoned my daggers.

"Of course, that voice!"

"I know you can feel it Riku, the grip I have on your heart. You've let the Darkness in. And all-consuming Darkness is what your heart shall become."

Riku clenched his fist, shaking his head with confidence.

"I'm not like that anymore!"

Xehanort laughed.

"Oh, I think you are."

All of a sudden, I was sent skidding across the hallway, until the stairs were biting into my back. Riku was bieng held aloft in midair by something, but even Griever couldn't tell where it was coming from. Riku grit his teeth.

"I..I can't move!"

"The deeper the Darkness runs in you, the stronger I become. Controlling your body is an effortless task now. I could have you kill that beloved girl of yours, and you could do nothing to stop it."

A bell rang in my ears, and I smiled in relief. The ball of Light that was King Mickey's powers had arrived to save the day once again. Xehanort didn't like this one bit though.

"Graah! You interfering again!"

With a sigh of relief, Riku hit the ground gently. A third voice rang throughout the area, making both of us towards the stairs.

"Golly, I'm glad I made it in time. That should keep Xehanort tied up for a good while."

Good ol' King Mickey. He comes when you really need him to be there.

"Sorry I couldn't come sooner, Riku, Christie."

Mickey walked over to where Riku stood, a big smile on his face.

"Your Majesty, it's you!"

Mickey nodded.

"You betcha!" I sighed in relief, leaning back against the stairs. We were going to be ok now. Riku stumbled forward, one hand tickling Mickey's round ears. The tiny king jumped at least a foot in the air, laughing.

"Hey! Cut it out, that tickles."

Riku laughed, relief dancing across his face.

"This time you're real. No illusions. I'm so glad you came."

Mickey smiled gently.

"I promised I would, didn't I?"

Mickey's gentle smile faded into a look of concern and surprise as Riku fell to the ground. Seeming to sense the King's worry, Riku shook his head.

"Don't worry, I'm ok. Just really relieved is all. I was alone for so long before Christie came that having someone else around is a tad, overwhelming for me."

I sighed, leaning my head back against the stairs.

"But how did you get here, your Majesty? Didn't you say you were really far away?"

Mickey nodded, taking a card out of one of his many pockets.

"This card showed me the way. I was looking for a way out of the Realm of Darkness, and then this card just came along outta nowhere. As so as I picked it up, it showed me your hearts, way out beyond the Darkness. And that's how I tracked you both down. I guess the card thought it belonged with you."

Riku took the card from the King's hand, flipping it over in his own as he looked between the door and me.

"Maybe, maybe you're right."
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And we're nearing the end. Two or 3 chapters to go, before CoH comes to a close. After that, KH2! But first, a Christmas Oneshot, which i will post here when it's finished.

Until next time,

~SH

 

Excellent, as always.
=]
Keep it up!!

 

(bows) Welcome everyone, to the final chapter of CoH. I know that this story has been shorter than KoM was or it's KH2 sequel will be (I'm working on 100000 words for that one!) but CoM was the shortest game of the three. Regardless, do enjoy!

Disclaimer: KH is Disney/Squares, Griever is Square, Christie/Kia are mine.

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DARK: Christie, Basement Floor 2
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I knew the minute that Riku raised the Twilight Town card, that something was wrong. The light from the door was different, it smelled fouler. Whatever he faught in there, he was fighting alone. I grabbed King Mickey before the little mouse could be torn away into the Darkness, somehow managing to anchor us in place. We'd just have to wait this out. Mickey kept poking around the area, while I leaned back on my elbow.

Be safe Riku, I'll be waiting here for you.

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DAWN: Riku, Twilight Town
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Shielding his eyes against the setting sun, Riku looked around with a confused look on his face.

"Where am I now? I don't remember this place. Your Majesty, do you know where we are?"

Riku started, there was no one beside him.

"Your Majesty? Chris?!"

Riku jumped back, Xehanort had appeared in front of him.

"His Majesty and Christina are not here. You must battle me and the Darkness alone!"

Riku snarled, Soul Eater ready to be swung, but he stopped.

Something was different this time.....

"Giving up already? Then accept your fate, and accept me as your master!"

Riku smiled, Soul Eater fading away.

"You're not Xehanort. Your scent, it's different. The Xehanort in my heart smells much darker, more foul. But not you. It's not the Darkness I smell, it's...something else."

Riku tilted his head, then snapped his fingers.

"You're the one who guided me when this all started. You pretended to be Xehanort and gave me the card, to make me face my Darkness."

Xehanort nodded, almost seeming to be proud of Riku.

"Correct."

Xehanort disappeared, replaced by a man in red clothing. What could be seen of his skin was dark, and his one visible eye was dark amber.

"Call me DiZ, it's as good a name as any. I've been watching you and Christina all along."

Riku rolled his eyes, that was no surprise.

"Who are you really? What do you want from me?"

"I want you to choose."

Riku raised a brow in surprise.

"Choose?"

DiZ nodded.

"You are special. Both you and Christina exist between Light and Dark, standing in the Twilight. I want you to meet Naminé, then choose."

Riku tilted his head in confusion

"Naminé? Who's that?"

DiZ chuckled. This boy really was Sephiroth's son, no doubt about it.

"You'll just have to meet her and find out."

DiZ took a step back, before fading away.

"Hey, wait a second!"

But DiZ was gone, and with no way to follow him, Riku was left alone. As he headed off down the only path there was, he lost himself in thought.

"What did he mean, "standing in Twilight"?"

Riku fisted his hands in his hair

"UGH! None of this is making any sense at all!"

During his walk, Riku hadn't been paying attention to his surroundings, so it didn't really come as a surprise to him that he crashed headlong into a wrought iron gate. Rubbing his forehead as he sat on the ground, Riku looked up at what he'd crashed into. The gate was set in the center of a stone wall, and inside the wall, past collapsing pillars and overgrown grass, was a mansion. Riku stood, wrapping one hand around a bar in the gate.

"Maybe Naminé is in here...."

Just as Riku was about to try and climb up the gate to get inside, he turned around. Someone else was here.

"Hold it, Real Thing."

Riku could have smacked his head on the wall, it just had to be HIM. Replica walked into view, before he chuckled.

"Well, you've changed. Last time we met you were scared stiff of the Darkness, but not anymore."

Riku rolled his eyes.

"How can you tell?"

"Becuase I'm you."

Riku snarled.

"No, I'M me."

Replica scoffed.

"'I'm me' he says. It must be nice, bieng real. A fake like me could never get away with saying that. That's right, I'm a phony! The way I look, the way I feel, everything!"

Riku took a step back as Replica's dark powers began to swirl around his body. This kid, real or not, was incredibly angry. Add that to dark powers, and this could seriously get out of hand.

"I thought that by finding some new strength I could be someone, someone who's not you! But nothing changes, I'm still just empty! Everything about me is borrowed. As long as your around, I'll never be anything better than a shadow!"

Riku jumped aside as Replica lunged at him, fake Soul Eater catching Riku on the cheek. With a wince, Riku backflipped away from the threat. He shook his head, summoning the real Soul Eater into his hand. Replica looked at him with a snarl, before jumping at him once again. Riku sidestepped away from the weighted lunge, wincing in sympathy as Replica crashed into the iron gate. Replica shook the cobwebs from his head, but was unable to continue the fight as Riku took the chance available to him, plunging Soul Eater into Replica's gut. Just as he would have hit the ground, Riku caught his head. Replica smiled sadly.

"So, this is the end. Figures."

Replica bit his lip, tears somehow beginning to form in his eyes.

"But I'm not afraid. Good riddance to an artificial life. I never even had a real heart. What I'm feeling now is probably fake."

Riku bit his lip.

"What are you feeling?"

Replica continued on as if Riku had never spoken.

"What happens when someone who's not real dies? Where will my heart go? That is, if it doesn't disappear completly...."

Riku offered a sympathetic smile.

"It'll go somewhere. Probably the same place my heart will go when I die."

Replica smirked, nodding.

"How original. Oh well."

Leaving Riku with those words, Replica faded away into the sky. When his body finally faded, Soul Eater was left behind, tip stuck in the ground. Riku shook his head, retaking his weapon and walking away from the mansion. With Replica gone, it would seem the only trouble left to him was Xehanort. Leaving Twilight Town behind him, Riku reentered the white hallways. But this hallway had an open door at the very end, and past that door, stood a pale girl with blonde hair and pale blue eyes. Her white dress was wrinkled, and her sandals were a bit loose on her feet as she stood in front of a strange, lotus like device. Riku entered the room, and she turned, seeming to sense his arrival.


"You're Naminé?"

The girl, Naminé, nodded.

"Yes."

Riku smiled, crossing his arms.

"So, it was you."

Naminé tilted her head in confusion, but Riku only smiled again.

"Nothing, never mind."

"Please, come this way Riku."

Riku followed Naminé over to the largest Lotus Pod, and it was all he could do to not draw his sword on the girl when he saw Sora inside.

"Sora! What did you do?"

Naminé shook her head.

"Nothing, he's only sleeping. He has to, to get his memory back."

Riku looked to his childhood friend, then back to Naminé.

"Tell me what happened."

Naminé explained why Sora was sleeping, and much to Riku's amusement, why she had done it. When she finished, Riku shook his head.

"I see. Sora chose to forget about this castle and get back his old memories."

"You have a desicion to make, too."

Riku looked at her funnily.

"Why? You haven't been messing up my memories."

Naminé shook her head.

"It's not your memories. It's about your Darkness. In your heart lies Darkness, and in that Darkness is Xehanort. Right now, he's a bay...but he'll eventually awaken and when he does, you'll be conquered. Before that happens, let me lock your heart tight. I can make it so Xehanort never escapes."

"And what happens to me if I let you do that? I'll forget everything, just like Sora, won't I?"

Naminé's silence answered well enough. Riku looked at the ground.

"The Darkness in your heart will be sealed along with your memory. You'll stop remembering the Darkness, you can go back to the way you used to be. It's your choice Riku. So, choose."

Riku sighed, shaking his head as he looked at Sora's sleeping form.

"Sora looks like he hasn't got a care in the world. Will I sleep that well?"

Naminé nodded, and Riku could only smile.

"Sora always did as he pleased. It didn't matter what we were doing, he'd still go off and leave me and Chris with all the work. Take the raft we were gonna use to leave the Islands, that was all Chris and I." Riku smiled wider, shaking his head.
"I've made up my mind. When this slacker wakes up, I'm gonna tell him off good. I told him to take care of Kairi, and here he is taking a nap! But I can't chew him out if I'm sleeping too. Keep your lock Naminé, I'll finish Xehanort off once and for all."

Naminé put one hand to her mouth.

"But if the Darkness he wields gets the better of you..."

"I'll make that Darkness show me the way. Besides, Chris would fry me if I give up like this."

Naminé giggled.

"That's true."

"Why do I get the feeling you knew I'd say that?"

"I didn't know, I hoped. Becuase you're the one who can."

Riku nodded.

"So that's why you came to me in the Light. As Kairi."

Naminé gasped, taking a step back as Riku moved towards the door.

"You knew?!"

Riku nodded, smiling.
"I knew as soon as I met you. Somehow, you two smell the same. Look after Sora for me."

Leaving Naminé with those words, Riku headed up the stairs onto the last floor of this place, grateful to be only one door away from freedom.

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DARK: Christie, Basement Floor 1
-----

I looked up from my place kneeling on the ground as footsteps sounded behind me. Almost crying in relief, I ran into Riku's arms. He spun a little to compensate for my added wieght, but clung on just as tightly. Mickey walked up to us with a smile.

"So, you decided not to go to sleep after all."

Riku nodded, keeping his arm around my shoulders.

"Yeah. But how did you know that?"

Mickey gestured over his shoulder, and I huffed.

"DiZ told us."

Sure enough, the crimson clad man stood in front of the door leading to Castle Oblivion. Riku cocked a brow.

"You know him?"

Mickey shrugged.

"I'm not really sure about that. I can't help but feel as if I met him somehwere before, but I can't put my finger on it."

DiZ waited for us as we crossed the hallway to be closer to the man.

"Hey, Voice. DiZ, whoever you are, just who are you?"

"Nobody, or anybody. It all depends on whether you choose to believe in me or not."

Riku rolled his eyes, and I planted my free hand on my hip. This guy...

"Boy, you really like pushing decisions on other people."

DiZ smirked.

"And you pushed away slumber and chose to face Xehanort."

"What, wrong answer."

DiZ shrugged, and I began to understand why Xehanort had ousted this guy from home. So annoying with all his riddles.

"It was your answer Riku, I'm just here to watch."

Riku groaned.

"'Watch' as in support me, or 'watch me get killed.'"?

DiZ smiled, a card appearing in his hand.

"You choose. Then you need only believe in your choice."

He threw the card at Riku, nose twitching under his red bandaged as the boy barely managed to catch it.

"That card will draw out the Darkness inside of you into this world. Finish your business with Xehanort."

DiZ left us with those words, fading away once more. Riku looked at the card in his hand, then to the King and I, nodding towards the door.

"Let's go, Your Majesty, Chris."

The last hallway was calm and cool, with no trace of the Heartless or Xehanort. I slipped out from beneath Riku's arm as he came upon the door, holding the card between his fingers.

"So this card will draw out Xehanort."

Mickey smiled.

"Don't you worry Riku! Together, the three of us can defeat him."

Riku smiled, biting the inside of his lip.

"I'm glad you said that, but I have to face Xehanort alone."

The resignation in his voice almost made me cry, and from the look on Mickeys face, I knew he was feeling the same
.
"But...but why?"

Riku looked at the ground.

"There's no point in doing this if I can't do it on my own. But I do have a favor to ask the both of you. If Xehanort wins, he's going to enslave me. If that happens, I want you to destr--ow."

I smacked him upside the head, glaring at him for even thinking about that.

"Sure, we'll save you."

Still rubbing the new bump on his skull, Riku looked at us funny.

"What? You two aren't listening. I want you to destroy Xehanort and me with-Chris, stop that!"

I'd smacked him upside the head again, before placing my hands on my hips.

"You're the one who's not listening Ri. I've made my choice. No matter what happens, I will be there to help you. I'm not backing down here. Unless you don't believe that the King and I will come through for you..."

Riku shook his head, smiling at the both of us.

"It's my choice to believe or not. I know that niether of you would ever let me down."

Mickey smiled as I hugged Riku tightly.

"Same here. You won't lose, not in a million years."

Riku laughed, nodding.

"Not in a billion years!"

Mickey headed back towards the other end of the hallway to give us some privacy, and I took a deep breath.

"Riku, I want you to promise me that you'll be careful in there."

Riku smiled gently, cupping my face with his hands. Our foreheads touched for a moment, and he nodded as he kissed me. After we broke apart, we both smiled at one another.

"I promise."

Squeezing my hand tightly, he headed up the stairs to the door. Just before he raised the final card, I spoke up.

"I love you."

The light engulfed him, and he smiled.

"I love you too, Christie."

Riku disappeared, leaving me standing at the foot of the staircase, with a tiny mouse King across the otherwise empty hallway. I raised one hand to my neck, feeling the comforting warmth of my shell choker. It moved against my fingers as I swallowed, suddenly afraid for someone other than Riku, the King or myself.

I still don't understand why, even after all these years have passed.

------
DAWN: Riku, Castle Oblivion
--------

The white room was empty, even Heartless chose to avoid this place. Riku's nose twitched, he knew why.

"Come on out Xehanort. I can smell you."

Adding a silent who wouldn't? to that sentence, Riku crossed his arms with Soul Eater in one hand as Xehanort appeared in front of him.

"Oh, I know what you can do. Your skill with the Darkness has certianly matured. But I don't understand, why accept Darkness and still refuse me? You and I arevery similar. We both follow where the Darkness leads, we exist in the same space. So why deny me? Perhaps some part of you still childishly fears the Dark?"

Riku smiled, that had once been true, but not anymore. Not since Christie had come into his life two years ago.

"Wrong. The truth is, you just really stink."

Xehanort scowled, eyes livid.

"You're a fool to choose a fight with me. You've been conquered by me once before. You should know what sort of power you face."

Riku rolled his eyes, this guy was crazy. Living space in his head was not going to be cheap after this.

"Oh, I do know. I used all the power you had to give and still lost to the Light. I'm not impressed."

Xehanort schooled his face into an impassive mask once more, summoning his gaurdian Heartless.

"Very well. Then sink into the Dark Abyss!"

Riku lunged aside as the Guardian swiped at him. He hadn't spent years sparring with Sora, and then Christie for nothing. This creep was NOT going to beat him, not here. Not after he'd promised to come back to her. Xehanort left himself open to attack after the Gaurdian's lunge, so Riku took his chance. Blood hit the floor as the cloth on the dark-skinned man was ripped under Soul Eater's biting edge. With a roar, Xehanort sent Riku flying towards the wall. But the teen smirked, passing out of existance and reappearing behind his foe, Soul Eater dealing the death blow not five minutes before the fight had even begun. Xehanort's gaurdian faded away as the man fell to his knees, Riku standing just a few feet in front of him.

"Insolent brat!"

In a last ditch attempt to garner a chance to win, Xehanort used a dark pulse to try and push Riku away. It didn't even make the boy wince, only made him angry. With a snarl, Riku lunged foward. Soul Eater easily tore through Xehanort's body, forcing the man into a heap on the ground. Riku looked over his shoulder, some pity in his eyes.

"You're finished. It's over."

Xehanort chuckled, almost choking on his own fluids.

"Hardly finished. I gave you, the Darkness. My shadow will linger."

With a flash of Darkness, Xehanort disappeared. Riku let out his held breath, hold on SOul Eater relaxing. It was finally over, Xehanort was beaten. Riku jumped slightly, a pale purple orb of light was dancing in front of his face once more.

"Chris?"

The orb chimed, circling his head, then floating over to the, in some kind of gesture to follow it. Riku smiled.

"I'm coming, keep your shirt on."

The orb smacked into his nose, making it sting.

"I deserved that, didn't I?"

"Damn straight."

-----
DARK: Christie, Castle Oblivion Floor 1.
------

"Damn straight."

I crossed my arms, but smiled anyway. Not a scratch on him, and Riku looked much better then he did earlier. Mickey walked up to my side as Riku took a seat on the stairs.

"So, Riku...what's next? Are you two going home?"

Riku bit his lip, before shaking his head.

"I don't know if I can. It's still there. His scent. It's faint, but not gone. I can't go home until it is. His Darkness may still have a hold on me..."

I licked my lip, taking a seat beside him. Tiredly, he leaned his head on my shoulder. We were gettin to old for this crap... Mickey tilted his head.

"Your Darkness is your own. Just like your Light. Until now, I thought that Darkness was nothing but bad. But my time with both of you has made me change my mind. You've chosen a road I never even dreamt of. Light and Dark, back to back. With you two, they mingle in a way no ones ever seen before. I want to see where that road leads. And if it's ok, I want to walk that road alongside the both of you."

The Mouse King extended his hand to us, and Riku smiled, giving his own hand to Mickey.

"Wow, Your Majesty, I don't know what to say. Thank you."

Mickey nodded, before chuckling.

"Oh, neither of you have to call me that."

I smiled, taking Riku's hand as we left the castle behind us.

"Fair enough, Mickey."

------
DUSK: Kia, Pod Room
-----

The brisk winds toyed with her hair as they headed down the only bath leading away from the castle. I guess, I was wrong to try and take her life away from her. She had the chance to kill me, she could have made Griever kill me. But she didn't, even though I'd tried to kill her. Surely, it takes a better soul than I to do that.

Riku stopped, meeting DiZ's sole visible eye with a snarl.

"What are you making me choose now?"

DiZ looked to the roads behind him.

"Will you take the road to Light, or the road to Darkness?"

Riku shook his head, walking past the old sage and onto the middle road. I smirked. He was one smart kid.

"Niether. I'm taking the middle road."

DiZ turned to look at the boy as Christie and the King ran after him.

"You mean the Twilight road to Nightfall?"

Riku shook his head with a smile, taking Christie's hand.

"No...The road to Dawn."

I smiled, watching them walk out of sight. I changed my appearence to Christie's, before walking though the open portal to Earth. I would still have her life, but this one, I could meld to my own liking.

This match is a draw Christina, but next time, I'll win.

--------​

Walking this road without you to remake forgotten promises and meet you at road's end.
--------------
TRAILER BELOW
-------​

----------
Bonds, are strange things. They can help people.
--------

Cloud barely grabbed Leon's shoulder as the younger man nearly fell over, keeping him from hitting the ground.

"Stupid Leonharts. You need to learn how to sleep!"

----------
But they can also hurt people.
-------

Christie clenched her fists, brown eyes staring into Riku's now orange irises.

"Dammit Ri! Why didn't you wait?! Had you waited 5 minutes!"

Riku shook his head, backing into a dark portal.

"I'm sorry."

Christie didn't say anything, too busy trying to keep her tears from spilling.

"Why didn't you wait...."
----------
Regardless of what they do to us, we need bonds.
--------

Leon winced, standing back to back with his sister as Heartless threatened to overwhelm them.

"Any ideas?"

She nodded with a shrug, then winced as the motion jarred her already damaged ribcage.

"One, but you won't like it."

Leon smirked.

"Then let's go for it."
-------
But when those bonds are heartlessly severed, the people they connect, sometimes don't survive.
-------

One, two, three pairs of feet on the cold tile, two pairs of skidding knees, the final pair stopping close to the one who's not moving, but no breath sounds from his nose or mouth. The other person isn't getting a pulse, and chokes back her sobs as she tries to revive him.

"Damn it Silver, don't you dare do this to me!"

One, two, three, four, five tries, nothing works. The Princess cries into her Knights arm, the artist crying silently as the Dark Knight embraces her from behind. The Pheonix only shakes his head, theres nothing that can be done. Even as she sobs her heart out, the girl dosen't stop trying to bring him back.

"RIKU!"
------------
Fate bonded us together, and it tore us apart.
---------
Bonded Fate, coming Spring, 2008
------

I hope you enjoyed reading CoH, for despite all the grief it caused me (and many a sleepless night thinking of what to do with Kia) it was fun to write. Christmas Oneshot will be here ASAP, and until then,

~SH

 

I love how your updates pop up on my Yahoo Mail when I'm in Business Tech. class. =]

------

Good job! I loved when they said "I love you."

Spring 2008?! You serious??

That's too long.

*shakes head sadly*

------

Other than that, great job with the story.

=]

 

(giggles) My timing must be good to get you in Business Tech.

Yeah, it was fun to write that part.

"Spring" 2008 is anytime between January 01, and March 22. I've got another story to finish before then, so don't worry. It won't be that long.

Thank you for all your comments so far.

 

Yuletime: A Christmas Story

Hey everyone! Just like I promised, here is that Christmas Oneshot! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: KH is Square/Disney, Christie is mine. The lyrcs at the beginning and end are from Celine Dion's song "Taking Chances", and are also not mine.

------​

Don't know much about your world,​

Don't know much about your life​

------​

------
I sighed, curling into a ball against Riku's chest. He was still sound asleep, despite the fact it was past dawn. It was December 21st, 4 days to Christmas. It hadn't chilled much here, but it was still mid-winter. What to get for these people when only Axel and I even cared the holiday was coming. One look at RIku's bandaged wrist and I knew what to get for him, Naminé needed a new dress BADLY, and DiZ was running out of his Munny fund for Ice Cream. Kissing Riku on the forehead, I climbed out of bed. Four days, it was just enough time.
-----

Maybe not enough time, eh Christie? I winced, none of these dresses suited Naminé at all. Exchanging length for low cuts, or vice versa. The white dress she had now did enough to show her thighs, thank you very much. Leaving yet another rack, I turned to the last one. All the dresses were the same, low cut, short as hell, and black. No, no , no, no, no.

I sighed, Tifa might wear somthing like that, but not Naminé. I spun on my heal, heading back for the counter. Maybe a skirt and blouse? No, that wouldn't work. She never wore anything but those dresses. I yelped, having bumped headfirst into a another customer. We both hit the ground, and I winced. Just great. I'd bumped into the one person I wanted to avoid at all costs.

Siefer Almasy.

The boy rubbed his head, before standing up. He rolled his eyes before offering me a hand, pulling me from the ground. I muttered an apology, but he just waved it off, leaving the store with a bag under his arm. I headed after him, there was nothing here for Naminé. But before I'd even taken a step towards the door, my foor hit something. A bag, the ones they used here, with a note card attached to it. I picked it up, reading the note. I smiled, I'd know Siefer's hand written scrawl anywhere.

I've got the feeling that you'll need this more that me. You can repay me later, Leonhart.
-Siefer.

In opened the bag and smiled. Perfect. This dress would do perfectly for the resident artist in the household.

-------
Riku was a little tricky to ship for, no shop sold what I was looking for. SO i settled for the next best thing, I'd make his present myself. Cream colored cloth was easy to come by in this town, as was the thread and needle I'd need. Waving goodbye to teh shop keeper, I headed for the sandlot. If i tried to sew this together in the Mansion, DiZ would be hounding me all day to "get back to work". At least, at the sandlot I could find a moment of peace to do this right.

Humming a Christmas tune to myself, I took a seat on one of the empty benches. Hayner was shodow boxing in the lot itself, with Pence snapping pictures here and there. I smiled slightly, those two were so much like Sora and Riku had been all those years ago. Blinking away tears, I set to work on Riku's present. Ever since we'd left castle oblivion, Riku had been covering his wrist for some reason. I knew he didn't want me to see whatever it was, but those bandages weren't good for him at this point. Thankfully, I knew Riku's measurements my heart, so the size would be alright. When I'd just begun to sew the cloth together on one end, Ollete took a seat next to me. After a moment of fideting, she spoke up.

"What do you get for the boys who have everything?" I shrugged, setting down my half finished project in my lap.

"Give them your love. It's really all you can do, if they have everything." Ollete looked at Pence and Hayner across the lot, and nodded.

"I guess you're right. Thanks." Smiling, she walked across the lot to her boys.

They left the sandlot hand in hand, leaving me to my devices. I finished Riku's present just as the clock struck six, tucking it back into the bag so as not to draw suspision. DiZ's present and the tree would have to wait until tommorow.

------

The next day dawned chilled and grey, and DiZ was in a foul mood. Naminé had overslpet the day before, and now DiZ's "schedule" was all out of wack. None of us liked DiZ all that much, and it was worse when he as in a bad mood. I winced, ducking my head as DiZ really started shouting. Naminé's shoulder's were shaking a little bit, and even Riku began to look a tiny bit afraid. After yalling at us for almost have an hour, the man stormed off into the basement. Riku and I exchanged bitter smiles, that giy... Naminé sighed, shoulders sagging as she headed back upstairs.

Riku headed after DiZ for some reason, and I left the unhappy mansion for the more chipper town. DiZ either needed a giftcard for Ice Cream or Munny, i was leaning more towards the former. Thankfully, the Ice Cream shops here sold Gift Cards, and I was finished with my present shopping in that day. With the card tucked into my pocket, I started walking around the town aimlessly. Where to buy a Christmas tree around here? I shook my head, maybe a tree was too much to ask for in this town. I headed for the tunnels, maybe they'd have something in the other side of town. I passed one of the many alcoves, waving to Axel before I stopped in my tracks.

Wait a minute....

Sighing, I headed back to the alcove I'd just passed, and sure enough, there was the pyromaniac that had been absent during the last three days. His cloak was looking a little worse for wear, and I could tell he was tired, but he waved off my concern, handing me a long box and some red flowers. At my confused look, he smiled.

"The box is my present for Naminé. The flowers are for DiZ. Your brother said something about Ansem liking Galbana Lillies." I nodded, knowing where he'd come from. Of course, Leon would have roped a strong gut like Axel into helping with the restoration even a little bit. I was jolted out of my reverie by Axel kissing my forehead, and I looked up in surprise.

"That was from your brother to you, so don't ask me to deliver a kiss to him. Only guy I'll kiss is Roxas, and goodness knows where he got off too." I smiled, Roxas would be safe for a little bit longer, and even after DiZ caught him, I had a plan. Axel rubbed the back of his neck, and I understood. We couldn't be seen together, or everything would go to waste. He portaled out, and I turned at footsteps through one of the stagnant pools of water. Someone had seen us.

This, could get ugly.

-----------

Remember when I said someone had seen Axel and I yesterday? Yeah, I thought so.

It had been Riku.

And a jealous Riku is a bad thing, especially on Christmas Eve day. Becuase a jealous Riku is a clingy Riku, and a clingy Riku makes it difficult to wrap presents. I had to wait until it was past midnight to get his own present wrapped and set on his nightstand. Naminé's things had been easier, as she always went to be at exactly 10Pm on the dot, every single night. DiZ was hardest, he didn't go to sleep until almost 3AM.

For three hours, i sat up in bed just thinking. This was the first Christmas where I was the only one planning anything. On Earth, my adoptive mother would always surprise me on Christmas morning with a small gift, to tide me over for a little bit while the rest of the family got here. More often that not, it was a book or movie to keep my intrest occupied for a couple of hours. Then on Destiny Islands, Christmas was a huge affair. The entire village would pool together, gifts and food would be exchanged, all in all amazing. The entire Island was just one huge family.

But here, not so much.

Naminé suffered from DiZ's wrath, DiZ had revenge on the brain, Riku was more concerned with waking Sora up, and Axel was trying to find Roxas and stay out of trouble.

"And what about you?" you ask?

Well, I was more preoccupied with just keeping my friends alive. I looked to the door as the creaky board outside our shared room shierked. DiZ had finally come upstairs. I smiled, slipping from the bed and padding out of the room. I'd hidden DiZ's present in the most obvious place, in the middle of theroom, tucked away behind one of the Unicorn statues. I headed down the stairs, jumping the last two stairs as I knew they creaked. I grabbed the card and flower, tying the ribbon on my way down into the basement proper.

I set them on DiZ's chair, he'd see the flower before he sat on it. With that done, I did the one thing I had left to do that night. Still barefoot and in my "pajamas" I headed for the pod room. Wishing Donald and Goofy a Merry Christmas as I passed them, Sora's pod greeted me with a continus hum. My cousin was sound asleep, like he'd been for the past year. Placing my head on the cool glass, I let one tear slip it's way down my cheek.

"Merry Christmas Sora."

I left the pod room, deep in thought. It wasn't until I heard bells ringing that I actually looked up. There was someone in the house besides us, Riku and Nami were sound asleep, and DiZ didn't wear bells. Best case scenario, it was Axel playing a prank. Worst case scenario,

I didn't wanna think about it.

I shouldn't have worried.

I smiled as I came up the stairs, looks like Santa finds people wherever they are. I waved goodbye just as he exited the house through the garden door, and he smiled. Eyes twinkling, he waved back. I headed up the stairs just as he took off in that sled, and was already back in bed as he flew past the window.
"Merry Christmas, and to all a Good Year!"

--------

Riku and I woke to pounding on the door the next morning, and I buried my face in the pillow. If that was DiZ, I was going to kill him. The pounding didn't cease, so RIku got up to open the door. Imagine my surprise when in comes Naminé, dressed in the red, shortsleeved dress I'd gotten her, a Lily pendent hanging from her neck. Riku, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, almost fainted when he looked outside into the hall. I got up to see what all the fuss was about, only to smile.'

Looks like Santa works in mysterious ways to.

Naminé giggled, leaving the room to let Riku and I get dressed. Still confused, Riku peeked into the hallway before nodding.

"So that's why you left so late last night. You decorated the whole mansion."

Pulling on my tanktop, I shook my head.

"Wrong. I didn't put a single light on out there. Sides, it would have taken hours to do all that."

Riku shrugged as he zipped up his top, not really convinced. I left the room as he noticed the box I'd put on his nightstand, heading downstairs for the kitchen. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I smiled. I'd gotten my Christmas Tree after all. And it was decorated too.

Standing in the middle of the main room, red ribbon garland, white light ands balls, and the star on top. Smelling of pine and snow, this tree was still chilled under hand. DiZ was looking at the tree from the door leading to the only room with a fireplace, a small brown box in hand. His only visible eye widened in shock at the sight of the gargantuan tree, but he smiled just the same.

Riku came barreling down the stairs with Naminé fast on his heals, and they both skidded to a halt at the sight of the tree. I'm amazed that Nami hadn't noticed it before. Riku swung his arm around my shoulder, waering the wrist gaurd on his once bandaged wrist. Nami ducked under his other arm and smiled at me, beckoning to DiZ. At his hesitation, I slipped out from Riku's hold and took the wise mans hand, dragging him over to our ragtag little group.

"All is forgiven on Christmas DiZ, lighten up." He still hesitated, but could do nothing to stop my dragging him across the room. Naminé, still on an apparent sugar high, shieked loud enough to wake the dead when the doorbell rang. Riku jumped a little, fist clenching instinctively. I headed for the door, ready to call on my daggers if needed, before my jaw dropped at who stood before me.

"Oh my gosh..." Kairi smiled, blue eyes filled with joy. Riku, wondering was taking so long, appeared behind me. I swear he almost fainted at the girl in front of him. And it was no shock, she'd really changed in the three years since we'd seen her last. Her hair had grown out to be rivaling Riku's in length, and her face had become more delicate, almost heart like.

Naminé wandered over, dragging DiZ behind her for some reason. At the sight of Kairi, I could have sworn DiZ was about to faint. Kairi made a choked sound in the back of her throat, gently pushing her way past Riku and I to stand in front of DiZ. Father and Daughter stared at eachother as the rest of us waited with baited breath. After a minute, Kairi made the first move. DiZ "oofed" as she threw herself at his chest, but wrapped his arms around her anyway. I smiled, pulling Riku and Naminé away from the family reunion. Better give those two thier privacy. We were almost out of the house when Naminé looked up and giggled, running on ahead. Eye twitcthing at all her running around, I looked up and smiled.

Mistletoe. Ok, remind me to thank Mr. Claus when we see him again.

Riku followed my gaze, before smiling mischievously.

"Can't fight fate, can we?"

I nodded, walking cloder to him and lacing my fingers with his.

The rest, I'm sure you can piece together yourselves.
-------

With Kairi lightening DiZ up, dinner was no longer a subdued, quiet affari. Everyone was laughing, even DiZ. He had taken off his mask for once, and it looked like he'd actually slept. He probably had. Naminé and Kairi were giggling over something or another, and I was hardpressed not to keep my hand in Riku's throughout the meal. We finished up at around 8, and much to DiZ's complaints, Kairi had to go home. I snapped my fingers, making everyone jump as I suddenly ran up the stairs. Sure enough, there was Axel, camera in hand. I laughed, taking it from him and sliding down the banister.

Without saying a word, and against everyone's protests, I starting dragging hem in front of the huge tree. Kairi caught on quickly, helping me drag her father into position. Nami and Riku move to be standing next to Kairi as I set the timer on the camera, making a mental note to thank Axel when I see him next. While the timer ticked down the few seconds I'd set it to, I ran into my own spot, standing in front of Riku with Kairi and Naime next to me. I made a peace sign in midair as the camera flashed, and the night came to a close.

"Merry Christmas everyone!"

-------
2 Years Later
------

The 20 year old woman smiled, setting down the picture frame. It seemed only yesterday that she'd taken that picture, when in reality it had been almost 2 years now. A pair of arms snaked around her waist as she returned to bed, her husband blinking sleep out of his eyes.

"Finished wrapping everything?"

The woman nodded, slipping into his arms. After a moment of just listening to eachothers even breathing, the Woman smiled.

"Merry Christmas Riku."

Riku hugged her closer, kissing her forehead.
"Merry Christmas Christie."

------------

What do you say to taking chances?​

What do you say to jumping off the edge?​

Never knowing if there's solid ground below, or hand to hold, or hell to pay?​

What do you say?​

----------​

Merry Christmas everyone, see you next year!​

~SH​

 

AWW!!!!
It was sooo CA-UTE!!!

Kairi showed up?!!
Seriously, I gasped the biggest gasp ever in my life.. and I had to do a double-take. Kairi showing up shocked me... my God.

It was soo cute though!!
Great job!!

And that last bit, that was from Celine Dion's song wasn't it?
LOVE THAT SONG!

Good job, silverhikari!

Look forward to reading your new story next year!!

 

Yes, she showed up. My Mom brought up the idea that a Father/Daughter reunion would be a good idea to make DiZ a little more cheerful.

Yup, that last bit in italics was from her song. I love it too, ever since I heard it on a "Moonlight" advert.

See you all next year, and have a happy holiday!

~Christie