Fan Fiction ❯ Brightness and Darkness ❯ Closer to the Edge ( Chapter 14 )

Brightness and Darkness
Chapter Fourteen: Closer to the Edge

Pairings: Sora/Kairi, Riku/OC, Cloud/Aerith, Leon/Yuffie, and maybe Riku/Sora

Author's Note: …[crickets chirp] I know…I know, you guys are gonna kill me right? I'm sooooooooooooo sorry! I really am. But rather than apologizing profusely, I should just get to the chapter, right? Lol. Okies! ^-^ Sorry!

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Sora continued to stare into Riku's deep, aquamarine eyes, seeing the guilt spread across his best friend's handsome face. He didn't know if he should say anything or stay quiet. It was sort of strange to sit in front of his childhood friend, whom he had just kissed, and try to remain calm about it. Sora opened his mouth to speak, but was silenced by Riku's finger pressing against it softly.

"I don't regret it, Sora and neither sh--"

Riku stopped as an unidentified sound was heard throughout the cell. Listening closely, Riku and Sora identified two sets of running footsteps pounding down the hall. They looked at one another quizzically.

Sora moved Kioko, standing up to go closer to the bars, "Who in the world?"

A high shriek answered Sora's question as the footsteps got closer. Kioko and Laiktu both jumped awake as another shriek echoed through the hall. The young, sapphire eyed girl's gasped as she recognizing the voice.

"Momma!"

Just ask Kioko said those words, an explosion sounded in the small room as Kairi's body appeared rolling down the hallway. She turned to roll on her side as she pushed her up on the ground, the Ultima Weapon appearing in her hand immediately. Sephiroth was close behind her, eyes blazing with anger and fury, no-datchi raised in the air. He smirked at Kairi, twirling his sword once.

"Kairi!" Sora grabbed onto the bars angrily as Kioko ran up to him, gripping onto his pants leg.

Riku growled, pushing his feeling for Sora aside. He knew that if Kairi were to die, the brunette would be totally heartbroken. Seeing Sora hurting was the last thing he wanted. Damning Ansem for taking away their key chains, Riku started kicking at the bars.

"Fucker! Get away from her!"

The silver haired man acted as if he didn't hear the protests, and slowly advancing on Kairi; who was shaking with fear and anticipation. Realizing she might be dead if she didn't do anything, Kairi raised the keyblade, pointing it at Sephiroth, as it glowed red, fire swirling around it before the magic shot out. Another small explosion rocked the area. Everyone smiled, but the victory was short lived as the smoke cleared and an even angrier Sephiroth emerged. With lightning speed, the ex-SOLIDER moved and appeared in front of Kairi, pressing the tip of his no datchi against her jugular vein.

Laiktu glared at Sephiroth hatefully from his place behind Riku, "If you hurt her you'll have three people on your ass like shit on Velcro!"

Kairi gulped, sweat dripping off her cream colored skin. Having Sephiroth's sword so close to her body was unnerving. Closing her eyes, the keyblade mistress started praying for a miracle.

And the minutes Sephiroth started twisting the blade into the woman's soft skin, a defiant battle cry was heard, followed by a scream of pain. Opening her eyes, Kairi looked to see the silver haired man holding onto his bleeding arm, his hand…missing?! Gulping, Kairi looked down to her side and saw none other than what use to be Sephiroth's right hand. She screamed and backed up against the cell bars.

Kioko busted out into tears seeing the dismembered appendage. Sora pulled her close, shielding her eyes from the horrid sight. Riku's face was contorted in pain as Laiktu grinned.

"I told about you poking people with that skimpy piece of metal, Sephiroth."

Everyone in the room stopped their actions as they looked around in the darkness, trying to find the source of the voice. To the north, a figure with its arms crossed was barely illuminated by the light. Slowly taking a step forward, gasps of shock and surprise sounded in the room. Out of the darkness stepped out an equally pissed Kaze. Her face held an usual stone cold expression, the edges of her hair were sharper than usual and black as night; although her eyes shone with their original blue color. One would think she was a vampire with the length of her sharp, looking canine teeth. Three-inch blade-like fingernails rested on her forearms as she glared down at Sephiroth

"I also told you that if you pointed it at anyone that would be the last thing you saw before I sent you to hell in a matchbox."

Gripping onto his blood gushing wrist, Sephiroth stood up, "But I didn't point it at your son."

"The rules can be bent, Sephy dear," Reaching out, Kaze wrapped her hand around Sephiroth's throat, shoving him against the brick wall, "It's time to die."

Sora shielded Kioko's eyes from the site of a highly pissed of Kaze about to brutally murder a wounded Sephiroth. Laiktu rampantly hollered out "kick his ass, mom!", while Riku sighed, glaring at her. Just as Kaze was about to slit the man's throat with one of her nails, Kairi grabbed her wrist.

"Don't kill him!" Kairi's eyes pleaded with Kaze's as he held tightly onto her wrists. Stupidity must have gotten the best of the keyblade mistress because here she was, holding the wrist of a person who could easily kill her with the flick of her wrists. She gulped.

"What kind of morals do you have if you killed a man in front of your own son and adoptive niece?"

Kaze glared at Kairi, her eyes slowly turning darker, "None. Now let me go. I would hate to kill you in front of your own daughter and adoptive nephew."

Sephiroth, seeing an opportune moment, rose his good hand and punched Kaze in the face. The white haired demon stumbled backwards, releasing her grip on the man's neck. Recovering quickly, Kaze pulled out of Kairi's grasp as he lunged for Sephiroth; unfortunately, he had already created a portal and vanished through it. Kaze's body collided with the wall. Growling, she started cursing at the top of her lungs, punching the wall furiously.

Kairi backed up from Kaze, going towards the cell bars, trying to preoccupy herself. Her body dripped with sweat because she knew the minute Kaze was finished with the wall she would be the next thing to be assaulted. Opening the door to the cell with her keyblade, Kairi was about to run in and hug Sora's neck, but someone yanking her back by the hair stopped her in her tracks.

"Momma!" Kioko wailed as she moved from Sora to go for her mother.

"Don't move Kioko," Kaze demanded as she pulled harder on Kairi's hair, "Give me one god damn good reason why I shouldn't rip your fucking arms off your body, Kairi?"

Riku took a step towards Kaze, trying to show his fear of the woman he loved, "Now Kaze, don't do anything rash."

"You harm her in any way and I'll kill you myself!" Sora shouted. He wasn't in the mood to deal with her shit. What happened to the Kaze he use to know? Sure, she was a bitch, but never really harmed anyone.

The glare Kaze shot Sora made chills run down everyone's spin, "Shut up you spiky haired porcupine!"

Laiktu grinned from behind Riku, "Didn't I call you that yesterday, Sora?"

Kioko threw her shoe at Laiktu, "Stop making fun of my daddy!"

Kairi clenched her eyes shut tightly, trying not to cry out from the pounding pain in her cranium, but when she felt Kaze release her hair, she couldn't help but open her mouth, "Why'd you let go?"

Kaze watched Kairi stand up and stare at her awkwardly, "You take them and get out of here."

"W-what?" Sora raised an eyebrow, "G-get out?"

"Unless you want to die, I suggest you listen to me," Kaze turned around and walked out of the cell. "I have to go talk with my father. If you five stay here, he'll only use you against me. I don't want to see any of you hurt…just go so I'll know you guys will be safe."

Riku didn't know whether to reach out for her or stay put. His already upside down emotions made it hard for him to watch Kaze stand there and talk like that. As the male in the relationship, it was his job to protect her; yet, not only was she protecting him, but also Kairi, Sora, Laiktu, and Kioko. Images swirled through his mind of the suicide mission Kaze was throwing herself into. He couldn't help but see her laying in a pool of her own blood as Ansem's figure stood over her laughing.

"Did you people just hear a word I just said?" Kaze growled and turned around to face them, "Leave this place and stay out of the Dark Depths in Hollow Bastion. If by chance I don't return…the portal will close and no one will able to access it."

Everyone stared wide-eyed at Kaze's assumption of her death. A tear welled up in Kairi's eyes as she opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off by a frantic Laiktu, pushing his way past Riku, running to his mother. The child jumped at her body, wrapping his arms around her waist as he cried.

"Don't leave momma! Please don't leave! I don't want you to die!" Tears streamed down Laiktu's ivory skin as he gripped onto Kaze's hips tighter.

Kaze's surprised expression changed to that of a lovingly mother as her hair slowly laid down on her back, returning to its natural color. Her nails seemed the shrink down and slowly wither back into her fingers. It was all slow motion after that as Kaze slowly knelt down beside Laiktu, taking her weeping son into her arms, cradling him affectionately.

-

Everyone stared in awe at Cloud's statement. Kaze had gone to Ansem's castle alone. That was just asking for death! Aerith looked appalled at the words that left the blonde's mouth, Yuffie rose a hand to her face gasping in surprise, and the only one who seemed not to care was Leon, whom still wasn't speaking. A deep, but high pitched sighed caused everyone to look at King Mickey.

"I knew this would happen…"

Cloud's mouth dropped as he stared blankly at the mouse king. He knew…he knew… "Why the fuck didn't you tell me you damn rat! You let my sister just waltz her happy ass into that deranged bastard's territory knowing she didn't have a snow balls chance in hell of winning against him!"

Aerith reached out to her boyfriend, "Cloud, calm down."

"Calm down?! CALM DOWN?! How the hell am I suppose to be calm when my fucking baby sister is knocking on death's door?! Tell me, Aerith, because I would really like to know!"

The whole room was silent once against as they watched Cloud release his pent up frustration.

"God damn, you people piss me off! It makes me wonder why I was ever stuck around this long!" Turning on his heel, the blonde started out the door.

"Cloud, wait!" Aerith cried out frantically, grasping onto his wrists, "Where are you going? Please don't--"

The Ancient's words were cut short as a chaste, hott kiss was placed over her lips. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Aerith closed her emerald eyes, savoring the tender moment between herself and her lover. Pulling back, Cloud placed his callused hand on Aerith's cheek, looking down at her with evident love and concern.

"I'm going to save my sister. Don't worry, I'll come back," he pulled her to his chest, hugging her softly as he looked in Leon's direction. "Gather what defenses you can and stand outside of the Dark Depths incase any Heartless try to escape."

Smirking, Leon glanced at his companion with is deep, grey orbs, "Who died and made you leader?"

Releasing Aerith, Cloud took a step back, "My step-father." The swishing of Cloud's cape was the last thing heard as the blonde ran out of the room and to the Dark Depths.

Yuffie's mouth dropped a mile as he pointed to where Cloud once stood, "I…don't get it…his step-father? Our leader was Ansem!"

King Mickey nodded, "As you know, Kaze and Cloud are half siblings. They had the same mother, but different fathers. After Cloud's father died, his mother met Ansem and they married shortly after. Ansem adopted Cloud as his own son before he knew Miss Strife was pregnant."

This story had perked Leon's sense and he listened intently, "With Kaze?"

"Correct, Leon."

Yuffie raised her hands in the air, waving them around, "Whoa whoa whoa! Hold on now!" She took in a deep breath, standing in front of King Mickey. "You mean to tell me that Ansem is Cloud's step-father? Not only that, but Kaze is that man's daughter? And not only that-"

"Yuffie," Leon said calmly, "shut up."

Fearing a fight would break out, Aerith stepped between the emotionless SeeD and the frantic ninja, "This is no time to be fighting. We need to do what Cloud suggested. Gather what defenses we have and protect our home!"

King Mickey stood up, "Aerith is right. This is the final battle for the sake of the worlds! It's no time for bickering and arguing like little children!"

Leon frowned, knowing what was spoken was true. He glanced at Yuffie, whom's gaze seemed to be fixed on his body intently. Shit…he hated being surveyed like this. It was as if someone was slowly picking him apart and it tickled the hell out of him unbelievably.

"What are you staring at?" The brunette twitched out of annoyance.

Yuffie shifted from foot to foot, biting her lower lips, "I…I just wanted to tell you that I--um--I…love you. I just wanted to get that out in case, you know, we die tonight."

"E-ex-excuse m-m-me?" Leon stuttered his words as he stared at the ninja girl. His deep brown orbs found her sorrow filled royal blue ones as he tried to find the words to say. "Yuffie, I--"

"I hate to ruin the moment, but King Mickey is returning to Disney castle to send reinforcement if needed be," Aerith's commanding voice shocked the two as she held her bo staff ready to fight. "We need to be on our way to the Dark Depths before anything happens."

Yuffie sighed at the irony of it all. She had finally gathered up the nerve to tell Leon her feelings and Miss Perfect had to ruin it. The Gods must have been laughing at her right now. Sulking, she followed behind Aerith, her face flushed a deep red when Leon placed a hand on her shoulder, and leaned down close to her ear.

"We'll talk later."

Yuffie smiled. Maybe there was hope after all…

-

A normal, livid looking Kaze walked down the darkened corridors of her father's home in search of his throne room. She had just finished sending off Kairi and the others to the gates of her father's castle where a portal would be waiting for them to return to Hollow Bastion, but deep in her heart, Kaze regretted having to leave them. Fearing the worst, she knew her chances of survival against her father were slim…and she was risking taking his place as the Queen of Darkness by pushing past her limits. Kaze's soft steps made no sound as she continued down the hall, dwelling on her own thoughts.

That may have been the last time I got to kiss and hold my son in my arms…the last time I get to threaten Kairi…the last time to pet Kioko's head…the last time to scream at Sora…the last time I get to see Riku's face…Riku, damn. I never got to tell him how I truly felt. I only pray to whatever higher power is up there that he knows I love him.

Making a sharp right turn, Kaze took ten more steps before she came face to face with the door. This was it. Behind this door was where she would finally confront her father and make him pay for the crimes he had committed. Her soul and conscious would no longer be filled with hate and sorrow over the death of her mother or the loss of her own innocence.

No matter what…I won't back down. I will win and return to the people who care for me. I will not leave my son and brother alone!

Reaching down for the doorknob, an image of Laiktu's grief stricken face flashed in her mind briefly. His beautiful aquamarine eyes spilling over with hot tears as he cried out for her to stay. He didn't want to let her go and the only thing Kaze could think to do was render him unconscious. She had handed him over to Riku, threatening his life if anything happened to the boy in his arms.

"I swear Kaze, I won't let anything happen to him. He's my son too. Just promise me that you will come back for his sake…and for mine."

Wiping away the one tear that slid down her pale cheeks, Kaze gripped onto the doorknob and turned it. When the door didn't open she cursed loudly. She couldn't back down now. Not when she was finally here. There had to be a way to open the damn door! Taking in a deep breath, Kaze's body slowly morphed into its demonic form as he doors flew open and she stepped inside.

The final battle started now…

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"God…this place is awful…"

When Cloud had been on his way to the Dark Depths, he highly doubted that he would find a way to Ansem's Castle, but low and behold, Kaze had left a portal for him to use. When he stepped through dark hole, the rank smell of dead and rotting flesh burned his nostrils. He glanced around at his surroundings and came to the conclusion that his stepfather had no sense in decoration what so ever.

A very low squeak caught his attention. Slowly turning around, Cloud noticed the portal back to Hollow Bastion was slowly closing. That only meant one of two things. One, the place was about to be destroyed or two, Kaze was…No. I won't think that! She wouldn't die on me!

He knew there wasn't much time to stay in this horrendous place. Cloud quickly drew his sword and was prepared to fight any mother fucker who touched him or any Heartless that he saw. Running up the road to Ansem's castle, he was stopped when a familiar voice reached his ears. He turned around, his eyes widening a little bit.

"Cloud? The fuck are you doing here?"

Riku was standing not five feet away from him holding an unconscious Laiktu in his arms. Right behind him were Sora, Kairi, and Kioko, who looked totally petrified of the place as she was clinging onto her father's leg.

Clearing his throat, Cloud looked at Riku, "I'm here to help Kaze."

"Well good fucking luck," Riku's voice sounded full of sorrow and anger. Clenching his eyes shut, he turned around, his back to Cloud. "Kaze sent us here…she's going to fight Ansem alone."

And everyone could have sworn at that moment, every world in the galaxy hear Cloud's frantic and distraught scream.

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AN: Well, I made a record you guys. I finished this chapter in three days. Lol. You know, I told myself I wanted to have the story finished by the 18th of August, but…looks like I might not make the deadline. Anyhow, thank you to all the people who are still reading this story and I promise to get the next chapter out soon. [goes off to work on it now].

Next Chapter: It's the final battle! Everyone'll just have to wait and see what happens! [insert evil laughter here] I'm not spoiling it!

~~Winter Peacecraft-Yuy