Fan Fiction ❯ Hikari ❯ The Princess of Hollow Bastion ( Chapter 1 )

Disclaimers...:

You should know that I don't own the original Kingdom Hearts and the songs lyrics I use and stuff, but I DO own Kagi (other character), right?

... of course you do!, you're all smart.

...and Stuff:

Mostly will focus on the goings on at Hollow Bastion, and we'll have some…lots of flashbacks, too. Don't worry, we'll see Sora and co. too. ^_^ It'll start off a bit slow, and I'm a sucker for descriptions, so… nyu. ^^;;;

All clear?

Ready? Set? GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hikari

By: C-girl (Sakurako Yume)

Chapter 1: Princess of Hollow Bastion

"Of this world, the end is coming...

Dreams and hopes do not matter.

Inside your heart, you are sleeping...

But you will not wake up.

Feel the hand of a future that cannot be changed..."

-'eX Dream' by Myuji, X op. Theme

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The sound of heels clicking against greenish marble resounded throughout the hall as a darkened figure slowly made her way towards the room at the end of the hall. The dark silk cloak that completely covered her small, lithe form gently swayed with her movements, the bottom of it barely touching the floor. Her hood was down, as it was quite silly for her to be wearing it indoors, but her eyes were still veiled by her dark bangs. Her deep brown-red hair trailed behind her back in a single braid that reached the small of her back.

Slowly, she approached the double doors, and looked up at them, her bangs separating slightly to reveal her right eye, which was the color of red, while the other remained covered.

"Open."

Her monotone voice echoed about the empty corridor as shadows around her started to gather. Numerous small, twin spots of yellow appeared on either side of the door as three small figures piled on top of one another to reach the brass handles. As one, they tugged with all their might, tumbling over one another as the weight of the door itself opened the rest of the way. They melted back in to the floor and appeared behind her as she swiftly made her way past them and in to the room, followed by several Soldiers carrying a large brightly glowing sphere behind her, as they re-shut the doors.

She was plunged in to semi-darkness, save for the light coming from behind her and sunset hues straining from the stained glass windows... but she had no fear of it. She had no sadness. She had no emotions that well up within her. She felt nothing.

A long, green-tinted hand appeared before her and gently reached up to her cheek, running long nails along delicate, pale skin. The touch felt cold.

Slowly, her gaze turned up to meet the owner of the hand, regarding her calmly as her bangs shifted from her left eye to reveal its color as a an orb of ocean blue surrounded by white. Yellowish eyes with slitted pupils gazed back down at her to meet the pupilless gaze, watching, waiting, acknowledging her presence, yet impatient for her to speak.

Then, the young girl slowly bent down on her left knee, her right arm rested along her abdomen and her other with her palm flat over her 'heart'. She turned her gaze down from the taller figure's to the floor and closed them, blocking out the unnatural glow they seemed to emit. Her soft hair fell over her shoulders like water, hiding her features, yet further adding to the mystic that surrounded her...

"Hello, mother. I've returned."

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Sora felt something warm and slimy run across his right cheek as he came to, trying to regain his bearings. He felt dizy and could remember little of what happened after he black out.

He only remembered faintly hearing a voice above him... a female one, vaguely sounding like Kairi, but full of a faint sadness and depression. There was no pure happiness to that tone he had heard and it chilled him to the bone.

But, he could sense no one near-by, save for whoever had just ran whatever felt icky on his cheek.

Hey, maybe he just fell out of bed...

"What a dream..." His voice was a bit hoarse, his senses groggy as he tried to wake himself up. He found he couldn't and felt his headache get worse when he shook his head.

Then, a sudden pressure fell on his stomach.

"OOF!" His eyes shot open as he looked at what had jumped on him; a dog, with tan fur and dark eyes. He looked down at its paws and touched one.

"This isn't a dream!" He whispered.

The smiling animal nodded and hopped off, nudging a strange red bottle in his direction.

Sora looked at it curiously, before returning his gaze back to the canine.

"You want me to drink it?" He looked at the dog.

It nodded, to his surprise.

He blinked, and reached for it, popping it open, and sniffed. It smelled faintly of berries, sweet and delicious, with a hint of citrus to it. He smiled, wondering who left to him, before taking a drink. A wonderful feeling passed through him as he felt his tiredness leave, enabling him to stand on his own.

He placed the empty bottle on top of a near by barrel before looking around the alley, still confused.

"Where am I?" A sigh escaped him. "Oh, boy..."

He was lost, he knew that. Not just lost... very, VERY lost, and he had no idea as to where Riku or Kairi were...

He turned to the dog. "...do you know where we are?

The creature blinked once, before turning on his tail and running away, vanishing around the corner.

"Hey... wait up!" He darted after, really not in the mood for a chase, but his annoyance soon turned in to surprise as he came to a stop. All around him were bright neon lights and large buildings and few, rather small trees. There was no one he recognized and no one he knew and nothing seemed familiar...

"This is totally weird... I'm... I'm in another world!"

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"So, Kagi..." The cold, piercing voice of the old witch seemed to echo around her from her place kneeling on the floor. "I trust you had little trouble..."

"Of course, mother." Kagi replied, keeping her gaze down. "I shatter the barrier and search one day and the Heartless swarmed in the next. It all worked out as you wanted."

"...and, was there any Princess there?"

A nod.

"Yes... but... something interfered... and... she vanished."

"Vanished?" The voice began to rise. "As in, the Heartless took her heart?"

"No, more like... her heart was separated from her body, and both were thrown in to different places." She spoke with a cool edge to her voice, bowing lower. "I was unable to track either down, and for that, I apologize."

Silence was her only answer, followed by the clicks of the woman's steps as she took several towards her right, coming to stand before the only source of white light. The large, human-sized sphere was fading, symbolizing that it's energy was depleeting, and you could see inside, was a young boy with silver hair dressed in a strange black and yellow shirt with rather puffed out pants.

"And..." The woman stared down in as an eyebrow lifted, some annoyance evident in her expression. "What of THIS?"

At the last word, she swiftly pointed down at a boy laying there, encased in Kagi's Barrier Spell. Slowly, her eyes turned back up as she looked to at him, taking care not to look in to her mother's eyes.

"One from that world, who accepted the darkness..." The young girl replied quietly, her gaze soft. "He traveled through the dark gate of his own will..."

"And you didn't just leave him there inside?"

"No..." She shook her head. "He was spiraling in the wrong direction and I couldn't just let him get swallowed up. He seemed quite intent on getting to other worlds..."

It didn't seem like the woman was listening to her any more and, instead, was looking down at the boy with a quiet interest. To others, it would seem like she was only staring, but Kagi was aware that she was planning something for him. She risked looking in to the woman's eyes, reading them, and sensing the inevitable.

Her mother sensed the sudden adjustment of her stare in to a glare and swiftly turned her mind-piercing gaze on her. Inwardly, the young girl flinched, but didn't show it, taking care to not to turn her eyes away as to show her guilt.

"Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?"

Kagi nearly jumped in her skin at the bluntness and coldness of the question, her gaze equally meeting hers, aware of the suspiciousness lacing the tone as it faintly felt like her mother was trying to read her mind, searching it... The girl pursed her lips and held the barrier on her mind steadfast.

<i>I recognized the boy. He was the one who was full of light... the one whom the other tried to beckon in to the darkness. What was this one's name?

Oh yeah... wasn't it something like...Sora? Yes, that was his name. Sora... it means 'sky' in another language, or so I've heard.

Sora... he was the one who managed to fight it, which, to me, was an amazing thing. Few are able to fight the darkness and come out unscathed. Few can resist it without going crazy or losing something vital and suffering... but, yet, this young boy did, even though he's so young.

On top of that, he fought against a Darkside, which was probably made from his own shadows and fears...

Amazing... simply amazing...

This boy actually defeated a Darkside... HIS Darkside...

...and he can use the Keyblade.

That's what has surprised me more. I thought the Keyblade welder would be someone as old as Cloud... but, this kid's only fourteen, and he can fight like a pro, if a little rusty. I can sense the warmth from within him, and his light is quite strong... but, it's... TOO strong... like, there's more than one person...

Interesting...

...But...

... I have my orders...I have to kill him.

...yet...

...I can't.

...and I won't...

I... won't take him back to Maleficent... mother, either... but, I don't know if I could just le-

WOOFF!!

I looked behind me at the sound, watching as a strange, tan colored dog with large dark eyes bound up to me.

"You know this boy?" I asked it.

Surprisingly, he understood me, and nodded twice.

"And, you can talk him to someone you can watch over him?"

Another nod.

I frowned, wondering how this dog could understand, but it doesn't bother me too much. The dog knew and he understood and this way, I can leave him here and let him live, and not have to take care of him or risk trouble. But... just to be sure... I think I'll leave him an Elixer.

"...good... I have no business with him anymore then." I managed to find one in my pouch as I spoke to him, and pulled it out to place it in the boy's open hand. "Just make sure he drinks that when he wakes." With a nod to the canine, I simply walked away. Honest, I REALLY don't want to leave him there... I was sure he'd want to see his friend again and that boy would want to see him... but, I don't think I want Maleficent to... </i>

"No." She replied. "There's nothing else, mother. I have nothing more to report."

"...Then, I will leave you to your duties. Of which, will include taking care of your..." The contempt was evident in her voice as she sneered, turning swiftly on her heel to face the door, her cape billowing out behind her. "...guest..."

And, with that, the doors parted, opened by two Invisibles and she walked out, leaving Kagi and her thoughts to herself.

A strange, stinging feeling echoed within her as she heard those steps vanish down the hall. She didn't like the way she was treating this boy already. She was making him seem like a burden and would've served them better suffering in that void beyond the gate. She didn't know what was that emotion she had at the moment, but she felt like she wanted kill something. But, for now, she would have to hold on to her temper.

"Come!"

She growled out, turning on her own heel. The Invincibles swiftly stepped a bit farther from her as she passed, the Soldiers scrambling to run after her, still struggling with their load. She paid no heed as she quickly went by the ones starting to emerge, awakened by her loud command and negative vibes that she wasn't aware she was letting off. Her multi-colored eyes blazed with strange emotions she knew she wasn't capable of having, but she still felt them, and that thought just made her go faster.

The little Heartless limped as fast as they could after her

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"Hey, kid!" Hades chuckled, roughing slapping his hand on Cloud's shoulder. "Why the long face? You get to see that favorite little brat of yours today!"

The blonde warrior merely stared out the window of the gummi ship, half-paying attention to what the god of death was saying, and only replying in a berly audable grunt.

"And, you're lucky, too. I wasn't planning on stopping back here, but I did." A smirk as he took up a high and mighty stance, stepping away so that Cloud could see his blue reflection in the glass. "You can thank me later."

Mako blues rolled in annoyance, but he paid little heed to the god's ramblings. He had something more important to worry about...

He had heard from Hades about the search Maleficent had sent Kagi on two days ago in a very distant world, and he was worried, because she had been sent on her own this time, rather than going with one of that woman's other colleagues. And, although he didn't like any of them taking care of her, he had to admit that he would feel a lot better if she didn't go by herself. He wasn't sure if she would be able to get back on her own and neither he nor Hades got any word of whether or not she was all right, only that she arrived a bit later than expected.

He was hoping she'd come back alive.

The whole ship gave a jolt as they passed another world, numerous Heartless scrambled to try and get out to go down and steal some hearts, but the lord of the underworld sent out a number of blue fireballs to subdue them. Cloud merely watched with un-interest and impatience... he wanted to get to Hollow Bastion soon.

"Almost there..." Hades grinned as they reluctantly returned to their stations, . "Hey, you Heartless! Forget those hearts in the direction! Full speed ahead! I want to make it sometime before midnight, ya here?"

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He wasn't sure if he was awake or not, but, all he knew was that it was dark. He couldn't feel if he was standing or sitting or what, but the nausea and the headaches that plagued him told him he shouldn't think about that. He had to find a way out of this place, because if he didn't, he feared he would become a victim of claustrophobia soon.

He faintly heard the sound of steps approaching him and words that sounded something like 'Put him there' or something. Solid hit his back as he felt the darkness around him begin to fade away, only to be replaced with a bright light that stung his eyes. It hurt and he winced, trying to block it out, but found he couldn't move his arms.

There was movement from his right side as a dark presence settle near-by, the sound of a something being opened coming from it. He struggled to open eye, managing a squint and speak out it a hoarse voice.

"...where am I?"

"Don't move too much, you've been injured." A feminine voice replied.

His eyes focused slightly as he turned in the direction of the one that spoke, blinking numerous times against the blinding light. A dark figure with light skin appeared in his line of vision, hovering over him and, thankfully, blocking out the offending brightness.

"Who..."

No answer, but he felt the sensation of being lifted and was soon aware of a solid material being pressed against his lips. It moved towards his left to re-center his head and he followed it, wanting to know what it was.

"Drink." Was the quiet command.

He unconsciously shivered at the coldness in the voice but obeyed, parting his mouth slightly. The material tipped and a different cold filled his mouth, the liquid replenishing his strength and soothing his raw throat. He closed his eyes as he felt strength return to his limbs and his fatigue slowly vanish with every gulp.

The girl had to smirk at his eagerness to accept what was being given to him, not caring whether or not she might've poisoned him or anything and trusting a person he doesn't know.

But, he was lucky. She didn't try to kill him nor did she try to kill his friend. Mainly because she couldn't, and even if she could, she didn't think she'd want to. That, and she'd finally calmed down, after being stopped by Hook as he delivered the message that her 'big brother' was returning for a day's rest before he left for his tournament.

A slim eyebrow lifted at him as she returned her mind to her task at hand, her actions in taking care of this strange boy reminding her of taking care of a baby.

<A big baby...> she thought smugly. Her other hand reached over to gently grip his chin, trying to prevent him from leaning forward too far and hurting himself in his desperation for more of the drink.

Gradually, the substance vanished from the bottle and Riku felt completely restored and all his senses back to their normal state. He blinked as he felt a coolness against his chin hover away and he turned to follow it and where he felt the calming and at the same time, unnerving presence.

He was greeted by one of the stranger sights he'd ever seen. Sitting next to him was a girl, who looked to be about his age, but seemed ages older. He could see she had long red-brown hair, as the braid was draped over her shoulder, and bangs that covered her right eye, while her other stared at him calmly without, as his noticed, a pupil. She was fitted in a black cotton top with loose long sleeves and a high collar that covered her neck. It was commented well with a pair of matching loose pants with a slit up each side and low-heeled, slightly pointed boots.

But, one of the more shocking things was that she held a strange resemblance to Kairi...

"Um..." He struggled for starter words, but came up with only "Hi?"

"Hello yourself." Was her reply as she turned her eyes away from him to behind him and nodded.

He turned his head to where her gaze had traveled and was surprised to see moving little dark figures step away from him and slip in to the shadows on the floor. It was no wonder he felt numb there, that's where the creatures were holding him up.

"You were in no state to be getting up, so I had them help you." Her voice returned his attention back to her. "I had to get you this Elixer some way and I don't think you would have appreciated me shattering this over your head."

He shook his head frantically, eyes wide and she let out a light chuckle.

"I thought so..." She looked at him with something that seemed like amusement, but he couldn't tell. There were no tell tale sparkles nor did the fainted smile appear on her face. It was almost if she were nothing but a doll.

"Anyway, that should be able to take care of your condition for now." She continued, standing up to put the empty bottle in to a near by trash can. "You'll have to rest for the night before you'll be able to get up without overexerting yourself. And that injury will take its toll soon, but I can stop it and you might be able to recover with time."

"Injury?" He questioned, looking down at himself. He blushed slightly when he realized he was dressed in something that wasn't his normal outfit and instead, was in a light T-shirt and dark shorts, wondering faintly why, before looking back at her. "What do you mean 'injury'? I'm fine."

"I never said it was an injury you could see." She tartly replied, returning to his side. She placed a hand on his shoulder and gently pushed him back against his bed. "Now, lie down and sleep."

"But, I'm-"

She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes slightly at his stubbornness, sensing a strange familiarity to it, before letting out a sigh. She swerved around in her chair, and his eyes caught sight of a dark cloak that hung from back of it. She reached in to it, digging around, her fingers feeling for a certain aura. He saw a faint spark of green as she smile slyly, bring out the softly shimmering object, which was in the form of a light green orb, slightly larger than the shooter marbles he used to play with at home.

She turned to him, holding on gently to the little sphere in her left hand and closing her eyes, concentrating. The thing seemed to come alive as its glow increased, lighting up the room brighter and brighter, it's soft, green light casting her in a heavenly aura. Then, she waved her free hand over him and murmured-

"Sleep..."

Blinking purple stars began to appear in his vision and his eyelids suddenly felt heavy to him drooping down. The full extent of his exhaustion hit him when she did that, and he found himself unable to resist the call of slumber...

"Expect an early wake up call tomorrow." Her voice was slowly fading to the back of his mind as he drifted in to a pleasant unconsciousness. "Until then, I expect you to sleep. You need it. Now, good night, Riku..."

...and the last thing he recalled was faintly wondering how she knew his name...

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^_^ THERE! Done! Although, it's still a bit in it's alpha stage, I think that's not to shabby... Of course, all comments and constructive critisism is accepted. ^_^ Thanks, now, I think I'll go to sleep now…

Sakurako Yume