Fan Fiction ❯ Hikari ❯ Different Fates ( Chapter 2 )

Warning: I suck at fighting scenes and descriptions… and I fell down the stairs today!! WOOOO!!! XDD

Also, in my opinion, I think I kept slipping in to different states of mind every time I worked on this chapter, so, it'll prolly sound weird… so... ahh... I'm aware if I confuse anyone...

Finally... to strange random reviewer person from this world and blah... lemme say this: XDD I pity you. But, thanks for the review anyway. ^^ It was funny. XDDD I got a kick outta it!! Hilarious!!!! XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Ok, aannnyywaaaayyy... ENJOY!!! ^-^

Hikari

By: C-girl (Sakurako Yume)

Chapter 2: Different Fates

"No Future, No future, No, Future, No Future!

You will feel a disorder when yearning for what you want.

No Future, No Future, No Future, Even Any Future!

We want to become one.

Even you don't understand the future,

We're alive and active while a cruel destiny is falling."

-'No Future' by Aikawa Nanase, Zoids Shin Seiki Op. Theme

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"They'll come at you out of nowhere."

Sora looked up at that, swiftly turning around and glaring at the one who spoke. The large key was instantly in his hand in a
flash, as he took in to a fighting stance.

"Who are you?"

"And they'll keep on coming at you," The man continued as if he hadn't heard the question, staring down at him impassively
with dark blue eyes. "As long as you continue to wield the Keyblade."

The 14-year old stared up at him, absorbing the features to measure how much of a chance he had against him. Obviously,
this guy was quite tall, dressed in jeans, with a matching jacket over a white shirt. Two belts crisscrossed over his waist and there
was a large chain around his neck with a lion-shaped pendant attached. His dark brown hair was slightly messy, and seemed to
reach past his shoulder blades and trailed down back. In his hand was a strange weapon... something of a combination of a
sword and gun. Sora was seriously hoping it couldn't fire bullets.

"But why?" He continued to speak, scratching the back of his head in a manner that symbolized confusion. "...Why would it
choose a kid like you?"

The brunette scowled at that comment. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Never mind." The man shook
his head and took a step forward, holding his hand out. He leaned forward slightly, almost
as if he were willing the shining gold-handled silver weapon to him. "Now, let me see that Keyblade..."

"What? There's no way you're getting this!" Sora backed away slightly, scowling deeper. Was this guy nuts? Like he'd ever give
up the thing that helped saved his life...

Blue met blue as a stare down began between the two fighters, neither willing to give in to the other. The taller man smirked,
bringing his strange weapon out before him, ready to attack.

"All right, then have it your way."

He moved forward, intent on bring the blade's blunt side down upon the boy's head to knock him out, but it seem height completely
left him at a disadvantage, as the short boy evaded, ducking out in time and rolling to come up behind him. The Keyblade struck him on
his side, causing a surprising amount of pain to shoot up his nerves.

<This kid... he knows how to fight with it...> He though, moving out of the way to block the next attack with his own. Sora
growled, pulling his weapon out of the temporary standstill, and proceed to an uppercut, causing the older man to jump back. He landed,
but wasn't prepared for the fury of blows that were suddenly launched at him, frantically trying to block each one the best he could.

<Impressive... he hasn't even begun to access the Keyblade's true power..." He looked down to see a pair of bright aqua glaring
up at him, alive with the life and light of a fighter. <...and yet, he fights with it as if it were part of his own body.>

He managed to land a blow to the boy's leg, causing him to fall back in pain and halt his assaults as the gunblader closed his eyes to
prepare for an attack that would, hopefully, calm the kid down.

"FIRAGA!" He pointed and pulled the trigger of his weapon, sending out a large ball of fire.

Those cornflower blue orbs looked up as the light came towards him, automatically bringing his arm up and knocking the spell right
back with the large key.

The tall brunette stared at him as he rolled to dodge it, the sphere flying right by him and setting a crate behind him on fire. Shock
over taking himself as
he stared at the boy, the fire reflected in this eyes, staring past his defending arm to glare at him through spiked
bangs.

<He looks like me... when I was young...>

The two of them stood there, neither moving as he chuckled, and regained his stance, bringing the Gunblade up back in to it's
offensive position. A smirk found it's way to Sora's face as he prepared his own stance, speaking in a clearly happy voice.

"Bring it on."

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The gummy ship's doors opened slowly, the whirring of the machinery loud enough to drive Cloud
nuts as he waited for it to lower all
the way down.

"Hey, settle down!" He wasn't sure if Hades was talking to him or the Heartless or both, but, he heard it anyway. "So WHAT if we
hit a little turbulence! At least we got here safely, didn't we? It IS a bit late... well, REALLY late in the evening as well, but who
CARES?!?!"

Glowing Mako blues rolled for the umpteenth time as the blonde warrior finally had enough and jumped out of the almost open
door, landing on the ground and dashing towards the doors that would take him inside. The large sword on his back did not even hinder his
steps.

The immortal took notice of this and watched his retreating back as it vanished, lifting an eyebrow, then sighing.

"That kid needs to learn some patience..."

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"Gawrsh..." A voice with a peculiar, lazy drawl echoed down the alley. "There's nobody here. Sure is spooky!

A pair of strange looking creatures made their way down the stone walk way, one being a tall, lanky dog on two legs, and the other, a short, plump white-feathered duck.

"Aw, phooey." The latter grumbled. "I'm not scared."

The two kept walking, though both slowing
down considerably, neither noticing the presence that was catching up to them.
That is, until the bird felt a light tap on his shoulder. He let out a yell and jumped in to the other's arms, both of them, in a state of
shock.

However, behind them was not the monster they were expecting, but, instead, a lovely young woman. She had light brown strands
that framed her pretty face, accompanied with a braid that traveled down her back. Her eyes were a lush green, accented by the thin-
strapped pink dress she wore.

"Excuse me..." The young woman smiled at them kindly. "Did the king send you?"

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Kagi yawned as she skimmed the book, trying to fight off the urge to sleep, considering she was supposed to be so two
hours ago. However, her persistent 'sense of duty' (Cloud often called it that) plagued her and insisted that she get a room
ready for Riku's stay, somewhere far from where the said fighter might see him. She was well aware of the resemblance
between this new comer and the warrior's past enemy, and she did not want to risk setting him off and getting the young
man harmed after she just healed him.

On top of that, despite her normal disposition, she felt herself becoming attached to the new boy... she really wanted, somewhere
deep, deep, DEEEP inside, for him to stay for a long while. It didn't matter to her that she only met him face to face and exchanged
words a few hours ago. It felt, somehow, she'd known him all her life. Everything about him was familiar.

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts as she felt a shudder pass through her.

There was another presence within the library, due to the fact that the doors on the bottom floor had just slammed EXTREMELY
loudly. But the culprit didn't need to make it seem so dramatic as he ran up to find her.

"KAGI!"

She somewhat reluctantly turned her eyes from the barely read words to look in his direction, taking in his panting form near the top
of the stairs, holding on to the banister. She tilted her head in a slight greeting and stood up, closing her book and putting it on the table

"Cloud, you're back."

He looked her over several times; double-checking and double-checking again to make sure there were no scratches or anything. There
was inner turmoil written clear in his eyes, he was battling something, but wouldn't say it. Then, with a loud clatter, he dropped his sword and
ran over to envelop her in an embrace.

"Kagi, I was worried."

She simply stood there, not bothering to raise her arms to return the gesture. Her eyes remained trained on one unseen spot, her mind
elsewhere as she took in the situation. He wasn't normally like this, even around her; he must've been quite worried.

Her skin was chilly to his touch, as it usually remained, but it did not faze him. She was all right. She hadn't been lost like the others
had.The two of them were the only ones left and he couldn't afford to lose her now, even if she didn't know that.

"Cloud?" Her voice broke his thoughts, returning him to reality with its calm, and unusually gentle tone. "What's there to be worried
about? I'm fine."

He loosened his hold and backed up slightly, placing his hands on her shoulders so he could look at her from arms' length, his eyes
narrowed a bit with stern and worry. She turned her own up to meet his equally.

He didn't say anything. She didn't say anything.

All their words passed between their eyes in a few seconds, before he gave a light smirk and completely let her go.

She yawned again, bored with the little inspection, and sat back down in her chair, making a slight wave motion with her hand. Several
Air Soldiers immediately appeared and brought an extra chair for Cloud to sit in while two others brought his sword over and leaned against
the table, then all vanished as quickly as possible. Cloud noted none of them ever liked coming in to the Library, and that was just as well.
The Heartless were not needed everywhere in the Castle.

He took his place across from her, watching as she took up her book again and began reading from where she left off.

"You went to another world on your own and broke the barrier."

"You expected me to do something else?" Her voice was most cynical for a girl her age, but then again, no one was really sure how old
she was, just that she appeared 15. "That, and it was mother's orders. I had to. So I did. I found a princess."

"A princess?" He recalled hearing SOME sort of plan like that, vaguely remembering Hades saying something about it when he was drunk.
Princesses of Heart... gathering... Keyholes... and, of course, tying in with the Keyblade and it's Master. It was some sort of strange
plan, but neither he nor Kagi were allowed to question; they had other missions to attend to.

"But, she got away." She continued and made it seem as if this happened everyday. "I'll probably have to deal with that later. Other than
that, everything was just bleh. Three days away from here and returning this afternoon, I think I would have been better off staying and
playing 'detector' from here."

"Mm hmm..." He slowly lost his focus on her words when something caught his eye. It was a faint glowing light, green, to be exact,
which shone within the depths of her dark cloak, which was neatly folded on the table. Cautiously, he reached in and pulled out:
"...the Sleep Materia?"

Her eyes widened slightly, but she only gave a half-shrug, not bothering to look up, but he frowned even more. The little orb was
still warm in his hand, signifying a somewhat recent use. She normally didn't use materia, heck, the last time she did, (which, as he
recalled, was near 3 years ago) she had set several chairs on fire and turned the Great Hall in to an ice rink. He knew she wasn't the
most graceful of people when it came to casting magic with focus aids, although in one year, he remembered she managed to alter that
statement, he still couldn't figure for what reason she had to use THIS particular one.

Unless...

"Kagi, did you cast Sleep on someone?"

"No, of course not. Why would I?" The reply was bland and blunt. She didn't even bother to look up at him.

"…Kagi, I didn't master this materia for nothing. I know you used it, now tell me why."

Slowly, she put her book down and looked down, silent. The tension seemed to increase and waves started moving around her form.

"...I couldn't sleep." Her red eye turned up to him, blazing as if daring him to object to her explanation. She wasn't in any mood for
interrogations. "So, I used it on myself when I got back so I could get some rest before you got here."

"...All right..." He backed down, replacing the materia back in its hiding place. There were some holes in her story he could see, but
he wasn't about to push his luck when she gave him that look. There was something bothering her. He would have to pin point
it later.

An awkward silence filled the void as he tried to think of something else to talk about, but she beat him to the punch.

"By the way..."

He looked up at her, curious as she put down her book, closing her eyes. She seemed to have calmed down rather quickly.

"How long will you be staying this time, niichan?"

Cloud smiled faintly at that, noting just how calm she was, yet still uneasy; she wasn't used to calling him big brother yet, even though
it was clear she considered him one.

<She still doesn't remember...>

"I leave tomorrow evening for the preliminaries at the Coliseum."

"...I see..." Orbs of red and blue opened again, facing him with unseen emotions as she stood. "Well... I have to go to sleep now. I
have duties to take care of in the morning..."

"Ahh... good night then, imoutochan."

She allowed the corner of her lips to quirk up slightly, before bowing.

"Good night, niichan."

And walking towards and out the door.

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Sora was completely exhausted now. Between fighting Leon, resting for an hour, learning a bit about the Keyblade, and running in
to this hunk of... moving armor, all he wanted to do now was get some sleep,

"Come on..." He grit his teeth as she dodged another swing from the things sharp-clawed arm, moving up behind it to slash a
way. They had managed to get rid of both legs and the other arm in record time, but the torso was hard to get to, considering how persistent it
was with it's final appendage.

"Hey kid! Watch out!" The dog tackled him down as the duck cast a particularly large thunder spell, at the Heartless and
causing it to freeze from the charge. Taking the hint when his savior rolled away from him, he jumped up to deliver a final strike, pulling all his strength
in to it and successfully tearing apart the last two pieces. The dented and destroyed pieces of scrap metal all fell with loud clinks, before
disappearing in a flurry of dark mist and several shining objects that flew away.

"Woah, what a battle."

"I'll say, hyuck!" The dog stood up, holding out a hand to aid Sora as the young boy dusted himself off. "Hey now, you did pretty
well out there, kid! I 'd say you are EXACTLY, who we are looking for."

"Looking for?" Sora blinked at that. "So, you were looking for me?

"Uh huh." The duck and the dog nodded at the same time, smiling widely.

The sound of someone approaching caught their attention as Leon walked towards them, followed by Aeris and Yuffie. Both women
had smiles on their own faces, while the gunblade wielder remained expressionless.

"They, too, have been seeking the wielder of the keyblade."

"Hey, why don't you come with us?" The canine returned his attention to Sora. "We can go to other worlds on our vessel."

The young boy looked at them thoughtfully, though, it was clear there was still some sadness in his eyes.

"I wonder if I could find Riku and Kairi?"

"Of course." Came the reassuring answer from the bird, but the canine only gave him a skeptical look, and leaned down to whisper:

"Are you sure?"

He shruged. "Who knows? But we need him to come with us to help us find the King."

Leon looked on, noting the slight panicked look to the wizard and the knight, since it appeared that convincing Sora to go with
them wasn't going too well. They needed him right now; they needed him to fulfill his duty as a keyblade master...

"Sora..." He spoke sternly, almost sounding like a father, as he looked down at him with a slight glimmer of gentleness. The boy looked
over at him, a bit jumpy when he was pulled from his reverie. "Go with them. Especially if you want to find your friends."

There was still some skepticism in the boy's expression as he looked away. "Yeah, I guess."

"But you can't come along looking like that!"

All eyes turned to face the duck, filled with shock and wonderment. He was faking a stern tone with the boy, his smile clear.

"Understand? No frowning, no sad faces, Okay?"

"Yeah!" The other chimed. "Ya gotta look funny, like us!"

There was a rolling of the eyes as his face was pushed off to the side in annoyance.

"This boat runs on happy faces."

"...Happy?" Sora spoke softly, his head down. It was clear he was tired and he felt very lost. He wasn't sure if he could pull this off...
but... maybe...

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" He flashed a wide grin, teeth showing, and making himself look, all together,
silly. He held out that vowel for a few more seconds, before stopping and taking a breath.

Everyone started laughing at that, even Leon cracked a smile.

"That's one funny face!" The wizard stated between chuckles.

Sora looked at them all, either doubled over with laughter or merely smiling at him, and smiled too. It felt... nice... he could trust these
people. They were here to help him...

"Okay, why not? I'll go with you guys."

There were grins of approval that followed that answer.

"Well then... I'm Donald Duck." The bird held his hand up, palm facing down, and a smile on his beak.

"Name's Goofy." The other placed his hand on top of the other's, 'hyucking' slightly.

The brunette looked at each of them.

"And I'm Sora."

He placed his hand on top of theirs, grinning. Finally, it felt like he was getting somewhere...

" All for one," Goofy smiled. "One for all!"

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"That little squirt took down that Heartless!" Hades muttered as they all watched the hologram of the three fighters. He'd arrived in
about an hour ago in time to catch the battle between the one they had been watching out for, the Keyblade Master, and a Heartless
that was summoned to Traverse Town. Needless to say, he and the rest of the spectators were completely shocked. "Who'd have thought it?"

"Such is the power of the Keyblade." Jafar grumbled, turning his nose up. He was not pleased with this new development."The
child's strength is not his own. It makes it seem like we have yet another brat"

"Then, why don't we just get OUR brat turn him into a Heartless?" Ursula gave a loud cackle at that, her tentacles waving wildly
about. "That'll settle things quick enough!"

"And THIS brat's friends are the king's lackeys." A nauseated voice spoke up, as Captain Hook sniffed, and scowled. "Swoggle me
eyes, they're all bilge rats by the look of them."

A large moving sack let out a laugh of his own as he reached over to slap the pirate o the back. "You're no prize yourself!"

"Shut up!"

"Enough!" Maleficent's voice quickly cut off any protest as she glared them all down, making sure they were all listening. Of
everyone, she was the only one who did not voice any surprise... in fact... her tone was the opposite; one of speculation and expectancy. "The
Keyblade has chosen him."

"And that's what makes it so dangerous!!"

"On the contrary..." She smirked. "He is playing with something he does not understand... and he is lost in a world that isn't
his own and surrounded by the unfamiliar. I also doubt those other... fighters will be much help to him. So, ask yourselves. Will it be he who
conquers the darkness? Or will the darkness swallow him?"

There was madness buried deep in her gaze as she glared at the chestnut haired boy...

"Either way, he could be quite useful..."

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"Well , now that that's settled..." Aerith smiled. "I have set up a room for you three at the hotel. I'm sure you'll all want
to rest before you leave."

"Yes, thank you very much." Donald nodded to her. "But, you really didn't have to."

"Oh, we wanted to!" Yuffie giggled, waving her hand to dismiss anymore protests. "You don't have to pay us back for it... just
do your job and help us and we'll be satisfied!"

"...Ok..."

"Good! Let's go! I want to get some sleep now... *yawn* ...too much excitement tonight."

"Telling me!" The other woman giggled, turning on her heel to lead the way.

Everyone else followed, a comfortable semi-silence falling over them, the only sound coming from the new trio of fighters, who
were taking this time to get to know one another. Names and small, vague parts of their background were exchange, absorbed by
each of the other members of their little group.

Sora felt MUCH better now, smiling wide as they approached the inn in the First District, each filing inside in their designated trios.

"Now..." Aerith stopped them all, searching her pockets for something and producing four sets of keys, each a different
color. "I've pretty much rented out the entire hotel, so, here... Donald and Goofy, you guys get the Blue Room down there..."

She handed the two the blue colored key and they headed towards their room.

"Sora, I thought you might like a room to yourself tonight, so you have the Red Room." A red key was handed off to him as
she continued to speak. "If you need anything, Yuffie and I will be in the room on your right, the Violet Room, and Leon will be to your
left, in the Green."

The ninja came up beside him, grinning widely.

"If you hear any strange rumbling, that's just him snoring. OW!"

She glared back at the subject of her teasing, who had lightly bonked her on the head yet still kept that expression of his straight.

Sora snickered lightly and turned, intent on entering his room and catch up on some more sleep, but stopped. He recalled
something he was going to ask someone the moment he could, anyone, and Aerith and the others seemed to know this place well.

"Um, Aerith?"

She tunred to face him, that ever kind smile on her face.

"Yes, Sora?"

"...have you... ever seen a girl around here with dark-red hair and two different colored eyes?"

"Two different colored eyes?" She blinked.

"Yeah, her features were blurred and I heard her voice, but the colors were faintly clear, dark reddish hair, and one eye
that was blue, and the other red. I think she saved me, I never got her name though, to
thank her."

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Yuffie's mouth drop and Leon visibly tense up and pale at the familiar
description. She, herself, bit her bottom lip, as if trying to hold back-unseen tears.

She looked down, unsure of what to say, sensing the growing distress from her closest companions. The ninja let out a faint
whimper, while the gunblade wielder remained quiet as ever, leaving her to wonder what was going through his
mind.

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&l t;Different colored eyes...>

That sentence echoed loudly in his mind, deepening the pain inside.

Yes... they've known a person with different eyes... not many people have that trait... but, there was one...

<i>"Amazing..." The word echoed around the library, but I barely noticed as I read over the latest volume in the Azal series. These
writers are some of the greatest in the universe, as our mentor tells us time and time again, insisting that we read up on their stories
and theories, but I have to say, it's worth it!

*Click! *

That's the door, but who would be coming in her-

"...Squall-niichan?"

Oh, it's the girls, but... there's only one today?

"Oh, hello there little one!" Why does she look so worried? "How are you?"

"...Fine... but I can't find my sister!" The little brunette spoke frantically; her small voice high pitched to match her
expression. "Do you know where she went?"

Those two, you can never find one without the other. The other was the one who usually would disappear for a while and is
always hard to find.

But, she's looking at me with those big violet eyes again, might as well.

"All right then. I'll help you find her."

A grin broke out on the girl's face at that. Makes me want to smile myself.

Her smaller hand reaches over to grip mine as she drags me out of the library, impatient for me to help her.

"I last saw her here, facing that way." She pointed in one direction, which only could indicate one thing. I felt fear sink in to
the pit of my stomach and my muscles have all tensed.

I thought she might have learned not to go that way anymore, not after what happened...

But no.

She disappeared rarely, but she disappeared more than her sister, and when you can't find her, more than likely, you would
see her there... near Prof. Ansem's Laboratory... and place all people were forbidden to go. </i>

"No."

He looked up when the young woman spoke gently, remembering where he was and who he was. He wasn't Squall
anymore... he was Leon. As far as everyone knew, Squall was left in the darkness, and Leon took his place.

<Two different people in one body...>

Aerith turned over to look at him briefly, her worried green eyes meeting his gaze. He gave a curt nod, but did not say anything...

<...And that's all anyone really needs to know.>

She gave him a doubtful expression, before she shook her head, managing a small smile, and turned back to look at a
confused Sora. "No, I'm sorry, dear, but there is no one around here who is like that."

A crestfallen look appeared on the brunette's boyish face at that answer.

"Oh... I see... well, that's ok!" He smiled lightly. "It might've been the neon lights... and that dog's barking that I heard
as her voice... yeah... well, um... good night..."

"Good night." They all chorused.

A nod and he turned to walk in to the room that was chosen for him, and closed the door behind.

"...You don't think he was talking about-"

"Yuffie...please don't say it."

The trio remained silent at that, recalling more memories thought once faded, they stung and made their eyes wet... but, they held
the tears back. They would not cry, now. The only time they could cry, is when good-byes will be said, but then and
not now.

"...I'm going to bed now. We need to see them off tomorrow early." Aerith broke the quiet that loomed over them. "Coming, Yuffie?"

"Yes, Eri..." The two of them went to their own shared room, as the ninja waved behind her.

"G'night, Squ- I mean, Leon!'

He didn't reply as their own door closed, he himself heading towards his room and entering, making sure he locked his own
door. He took several steps forward, dumping his weapon on the table and removing his jacket so he'd be more comfortable. Then, he lay
down on the bed, weary, tired.

Leon looked out the window at the dark sky, littered with stars that disappeared by the hour. Time was running short,
however, the Keyblade Master was finally here, but they were still breaking and couldn't afford to break down on something from
the past. It would be too costly.

Gradually, his eyes began to close, recalling the joy of the former days, just this once, he would recall it all, back
home... and eventually lost himself in the wishful dream.

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Kagi had gone to bed later than she had planned to, and woke up earlier than normal.

A strange, foreboding feeling nagged heavily at her, preventing complete and total rest from coming about. She couldn't
shake it off, and it seemed to get stronger with every passing second. She didn't know why.

...And she also felt restless, bored, lonely, even...

<...Perhaps it would be best to get Riku up, now and out of the way, so it'll lower Cloud's chances of finding him.> These
thoughts plunged the last two to the back of her head, desperate to think about something other than her current state of
mind. <More than likely, he'll be training right now, he'll come looking for me later.>

After a quick shower, she had slipped in to one of her favorite outfits, a dark blue top with a matching, slightly puff
out skirt that went to her knees. She wore black stockings that matched with her detached sleeves, and a pair of blue ankle boots with
ow-heels. The Heartless that had done her hair the other day decided to leave it down today, gently running the comb through her long strands,
making sure it didn't hurt her. When its task was done, it moved to stand on the dresser.

She looked at its work in the mirror, clearly satisfied, before turning back to it.

"Thank you. Might I ask another favor of you and the others?"

It nodded.

"Could you possibly run another bath in that bathroom on the infirmary floor? And get those clothes that I had the Rare
Truffles washed from the laundry room and a fresh towel? I'm going to awaken our guest."

A tilt of the head told her of its confusion, but she was satisfied with another nod, and its disappearing act. She stood
from her chair and walked out the door, in to the empty hallway.

It was quiet that greeted her, not even many of the Heartless were stirring, just the ones who hung around her were
awake, and they just left to do as she asked. Shaking her head, she started down towards the Lift area, her steps unusually loud to her ears
as she approached it. That coupled with lack of sleep that was beginning to catch up to her, produced less
than desirable results.

"Dammit..." She scowled deeply, rubbing her temple as she boarded the machine and started down. "I've got a headache."

Only the whirring of the metal scraping along an electric line answered her complaint, gravity slowly pulling her down. She
felt dizzy now, so she sat down, trying to steady herself. She normally didn't get like this, perhaps, she was extremely overwhelmed today. She
has much to think about, and worries to calm.

Thankfully, the ride to the floor where the infirmary lay was short, and she soon found herself up and off the contraption, in
to a large, turquoise colored hallway. The chilled air brush against her skin, but she paid no heed. The cold felt nice, soothing her emotions,
and returning her to her former state of a cleared head. The silence wasn't filled with the stench and skitters of the Heartless that
normally roamed these halls, amazingly. They all followed her order yesterday to the bare basic meaning of it: Not to Harm the Guest in Any Way,
Shape, or Form. Which was good, leaving less for her to deal with for now, though she was certain their resolve would not last long, it was
certainly a relief.

Kagi slowly approached the door where her patient lay, and placed her hand on the knob, quietly turning it and pushing
it open to prevent any sounds from possibly disturbing him. She peeked inside, scanning the dimly lit room for the young boy, and casually slipped
in, shutting the door behind her.

Her multi-colored eye quickly adjusted to the darkness and she soon found him, his relaxed form slightly splayed out on his
cot, face set in that of a combo of blissful dreams and boyish innocence. The faint light that came from the magic candles strewn about the
room cast a soft glow on him, making him seem otherworldly and angelic... She smirked at that last thought.

<He DOES come from another world idiot, and quit staring.>

As she reached over to turn on the glass lights so she could see a bit clearer, she wanted to laugh at herself for not
functioning right, but knew very well she couldn't. Laughter wasn't something she was used to doing.

...And.

<...There's no time like the present to get him up.>

She took a quiet step forward towards him... then another... and another... and one more, before she found herself
standing next to his bed, looking down at him. Her breath caught... her vision blanked... a pang stung in her chest... there was something
oddly familiar about this...

<i>"Hey! Riku! Morning! Why're you still in bed?"

"Mff..."

"Riku, come ON, you lazy bum! You're getting as bad as Sora! Wake up!" </i>

She jolted herself back; eyes snapping wide and she lost her balance. It took her a minute to regain herself and recalled
where she was... also finding herself keeled over forward with her hands on the side of the cot to support herself... and her
face dangerously close to Riku's.

Kagi slowly pulled away and thanked whomever that she hadn't done what she almost did, and that he didn't wake up.

She shook her head, freeing herself of the strange feelings before looking back down at him...

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There was that presence again. It was there last time he felt it, before he blanked out, then, it was here again. How
long has it been? All he could recall was a that green light...

<...That's a new scent...>

The odor of something strange, yet sweet suddenly triggered his sense of smell to the present. A combination of lilacs and
vanilla, but almost as quickly as it wafted by, it moved back, but hadn't left the area. That must mean that girl from the last time he
was awake should be near-by the one that he thought looked like Kairi.

He had to wake up now. He had to see for himself, confidently and officially awake, if she DID have that resemblance
to his friend. Mustering all the strength he could, he gave his conscious a sharp shove, finding himself gradually opening his eyes to the
piercing light that filled his vision.

... A pressure fell on his forehead, the chill touching his skin, and his green eyes shot open wide to see what it was.

Eyes, those eyes again, red and blue...

Their owner seemed a bit shocked that he had stirred, but otherwise, held no tell tale emotions. Her eyes were only
slightly widened, the rest of her face was blank, leaving the impression to him that she wasn't one for showing others how
she felt.

"...No fever." Her voice was set in monotone, too. "That's good, I'm glad."

He blinked and stared at her, then blinked again.

Nope. He was in no dream. She looked almost exactly like Kairi, even more so today now that her hair was down.

"Right..." He replied at last, finally finding his voice. "I can tell."

Slight sarcasm easily laced his words and she turned to look at him. An eyebrow lifted, and he mirrored her in an attempt
to see if he could make her give him another expression other than what she had now. It worked, but only barely, her expression
becoming something of amusement.

"Well, you're certainly fine if you can be witty like that without a headache."

She was taunting him, and familiar sets of comments were built up and ready to fly, until he realized who he was talking to. He
recalled that ever so peculiar fact he wasn't at home anymore. He wasn't near people he knew or grew up with. He was in a different
world. She WASN'T Kairi.

"...Yeah..." He smirked. "I actually kind of noticed that already. So, who are you?

"...Kagi." Was her only reply as she turned back on her heel, motioning that she wanted him to stand up and follow as she
headed towards the door. It was clear explanations were to come later.

"Follow me, please."

Those tart words caused him to shiver as her seemingly open self vanished in that second with the opening of the door. Cautiously,
she stepped out, looking left, then right, before heading in the latter direction and stopped, waiting for him.

He quickly leaped out of bed; surprised he wasn't as tired as he was expecting to feel, and stretched a bit, reaching his arms
up high. His mouth opened wide in a yawn, then he shook his head, further ruffling his silver hair. He turned to look out the window,
reaching over to pull the curtains back, then wondered why the heck it was sunset outside... and was it just him, or was this place
surrounded by water that was falling u-

"Riku? Are you coming or not?"

"Yeah... I'm coming." Riku took one last look outside before letting the cloth fall and dashed out to meet her, nearly running in
to her had she not side stepped and gently gripped his arm to make him stop.

"Relax. You're still a bit off-balance."

He held back a retort to that and nodded in acknowledgement, her grip releasing as she proceeded down at hall. He fell in to
step about 1 foot and a half from her, the two of them silent.

He took this moment to pull himself together a bit better.

<Ok, I'm here in this gigantic castle like place, and it seems I don't have anyway to get out of here, much less back home. I need
to find Sora and Kairi as soon as I can, and I need to find out more about where I am, and how I got here, and who this girl really is,
why she looks like Kairi and how does she know my n->

Her hand gripped his arm again, just as he was about to pass her, waking Riku from his thoughts.

"Daydream much, Riku?"

He rolled his eyes at the question, and shrugged as Kagi let go.

"Ehh...no, just a bit lost, and how do you know my name?"

"...I have my ways." She replied calmly, slowly turning towards him.

He caught sight of her eyes, which were glinting rather peculiarly, and he gulped. He couldn't read her so he couldn't tell
what she was thinking at the moment.

She swiftly took a step towards him, and he took a step back. Her hand moved up to touch something next to him, a light
ring sounding, and a sudden rush of wind behind him. He quickly turned his head around in time to see a faint light flicker on, before
he turned his head to look back at her.

She smirked, looking most evil, and reached up, shoving him. He let out a surprised yell at the force of it, stumbling back
and landing on his bottom. The faint glow of the strange candles automatically brightened to light the room up as she shut the door,
so he couldn't see her anymore, but he noticed that he was clearly in a large... VERY large washroom, complete with a marble sink, toilet,
and bathtub, the latter, of which, was already full of hot water (the steam was visible). He noted a large, dark green towel, neatly folded
on top of a table next to the tub and his clothes, cleaned and folded as well, lay next to it.

"Riku," Her muffled voice filtered past the wooden door. "I'll be back for you in half-an-hour. Don't take your time."

He heard her steps slowly disappear, before replying.

"Uh... ok..."

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She couldn't move much... she felt like she was under water, wearing weights, and not floats. Her eyes remained shut as
she swam around frantically, wanting to escape. She couldn't move her mouth, but she could think.

<Where am I? >

No answer. She continued her blind trek through something she was faintly sure of. All around, there was a familiar
warmth... comforting... and for a brief moment, she could feel him... she could communicate with him... but, he faded from her, and she couldn't
reach him...

For now, she would have to wait.

......

There was something different now, another presence within this haven-prison of hers.

<Who's there? >

<i> 'You know who I am...' </i>

The voice was soft, comforting, and only in her mind.

<i> '...yet, I don't exist...' </i>

<What? >

<i> 'Follow the light... follow it, stay near it, for it will keep you alive. Reach for him... he will
listen, he will fight for you.' </i>

<That's nice, but tell me how to get OUT! >

<i> '...To return... the truth must be known...' </i>

<...Huh? >

Something soft brushed against her chin and she reached up to grab it, bringing the small
object up to her eyes.

<...A black feather? >

She stared, and it seemed to react to her touch, the color slowly changing from black to white. Her mouth dropped.

<i> 'You will only truly return... when you remember.' </i>

All around black feathers rained down, she watched them softly move with the unseen wind, they moved close to her changing their color to white.

<What omen is this? >

<i> '...And SHE finally discovers... who she truly is.' </i>

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He was finished at least five minutes early, completely dressed and his hair slightly damp, when he walked out of the bathroom
and, true to her word, Kagi returned to get him at half-an-hour and only said 'Follow' before walking in the opposite direction. He was
beginning to wonder if the rest of the people in the castle were as punctual and slightly-stiffly cold too.

Rest of the people... WHAT rest of the people?

He looked around as he followed her, noting quite nervously that there didn't seem to be anyone else in the castle. Anyone
else human, any way. All he saw were the little Shadows, as he remembered how she referred to them and other little things that looked
like them. It was rather disturbing to him, how their yellow eyes followed him with something that looked like, hunger. He started to walk
a little faster so he was only a few inches away from the girl since they had seemed to follow and hang on her every word.

"Don't worry." He almost jumped when she spoke again, turning her head to look back at him with those creepy eyes of hers. "They
won't bother you. They can't if they wanted to, anyway. Strict orders to leave you alone."

"Uh, yeah, thanks." He shuffled uneasily as she returned her gaze to the front. "So, where're we going?"

"The dining room for some food, and then I have to take you around. I have to introduce some of the grounds to you. You'll be staying
with us for a while."

"No kidding?" He looked at the back of her head in disbelief. "I get to stay in this big, castle?"

"Of course." She pause. "Unless you want to stay outside."

"NO, I think I'm fine here."

"I thought so." Silence once again fell over them.

...And, once again, Riku found himself confused.

The girl seemed nice enough. After all, yesterday, she HAD taken care of him and had his clothes washed, and this morning she had
gotten him up and had a bath prepared for him and everything. But, most of the time she was sarcastic, blunt, and hard to read
enough to make him want to scream. What struck hardest was the fact that she seemed so much like Kairi, her every movements,
her voice, her face, even her hair was the same shade, though it was longer. Every little thing about Kairi's physique that he could recall,
Kagi had. It was scaring him a bit, since, though she looked like her, she acted almost NOTHING like the happy girl, sure the sarcasm
was there, but it was still like she was the opposite, or a mirror image or something.

There was a grumble from his stomach as a strange, sweet scent of what smelled like pancakes and the ever more enticing aroma
of sausages and other foods suddenly hit him and reminded him that he hadn't had anything to eat in, more or less, 24 hours. He
took a step forward, but was stopped by Kagi look at him and holding her hand up for him to wait, as she walked towards
where the scent was strongest, coming from a large pair of double doors. She opened one of them, and stuck her head in
looking around, before backing up and letting out a soft whistle.

Riku's eyes widened when about three Shadows suddenly materialized before her, each of them looking up at her expectantly. He
looked over at the girl opening his mouth to question, but stopped when his mouth dropped all the way to the ground.

The young girl was looking down at them with eyes that were glowing, their white light dwarfing the natural color they usually
were. Her mouth moved with silent words he couldn't hear. He strained to read them, but he didn't have enough time to process before
she stopped, her eyes returning to their normal state, and the Shadows disappearing. She turned to him, tilting her head to the
side. She opened the door a bit wider and stood next to it, holding her hand out in a 'You First' gesture.

"Shall we eat?"

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Breakfast was strange, to say the least... usually she ate alone, with the Shadows attending to her every need, but
existing with no real voice anymore could not speak. But, it almost felt, nice, to Kagi, to have some company. Although, neither of them
spoke much during the entire 45-minutes, it was still nice.

And Riku seemed to love the pancakes, especially the ones with the chocolate chips in them. He downed about 6 of them.

"Yo! Earth to Kagi!"

She blinked and looked to her right, seeing a smirking Riku looking at her.

"Daydream much?" He mimicked.

She frowned.

"You tempt me to toss you out a window, Riku."

Those words left her mouth before she could stop them, why did she say that anyway? What was wrong with her now? Perhaps
it was the close proximity between them now, after all, when she HAD gone to Destiny Islands, she felt a strange connection to him and
his friends, even when she was observing them all from far away, an after effect? She hoped so.

She slowly came to a stop at their spot in the middle of the hallway, him following suit, gradually turning her head and noting the
look he was giving her. Actually, he had been giving her that observing look for a while now, every time he glanced
at her.

She frowned slightly, moving her eyes up to his eyes, and froze right there.

<i>"You know what? Your eyes are cool."

"What? What do you mean?"

"They're purple!"

"Eh heh heh, that's nothing special! Yours are a nice sunny green, Riku! They're nice."

"Hn. But, I think Sora has the best eyes of all."

"Wha? Me? Why?"

"Because yours are blue expressions. We can see the true you in them! Plus, they make you look cute! Hee hee!" </i>

Reminiscent if last time, she quickly pulled out of her vision, forcing it away... and, still yet, again, doing so at the cost of
losing her balance and falling forward again.

...And was caught by a pair of strong arms.

She froze again, but this time, from the warmth that hit her at the contact. This wasn't like when she was taking care of him
yesterday or dragging him down the hall...

This... felt... nice...

"Are you all right?"

...So, she quickly slipped back, straightening up and her eyes blanking to their usual state.

"I'm fine."

...and the usual response escaped from her lips.

She felt like setting something on fire, ANYTHING! She was acting like an idiot around him, and the last two visions she had
were also accounting for the growing frustration that plagued her in the past 24 hours.

"I'm just... thinking." She covered up at his skeptical look. He didn't believe her in the slightest. She understood that clearly,
and decided to try and change the subject.

"Let's go o-"

"Kagi."

She seemed to freeze a third time on the spot as the chilled voice reached their ears, causing both of them to turn.

<As if things could not get more complicated.>

A tall, cloaked figure glided its way towards them, revealing a green skinned woman with yellow eyes that bore in to them. In her
hand was a staff, a green orb atop it, and a raven that sat upon her shoulder. She would seem kind enough to the unassuming (and
terribly optimistic) mind, but many more would see a demonic woman.

Kagi felt something build up inside of her, but forced it down, and kneeling down before her as she approached and stopped a few
feet from them.

"Mother, it is good to see you this morning."

"Rise, Daughter, it is good to see you as well. Stand." The command was swift as was her movement, her gaze up in time to see
the peculiar up-turn of pale lips to reveal semi-pointed canines come up and disappear, but still be directed at the silver haired teen next
to her.

"And, who is this?"

"You should know, mother." The 'Princess'' shoulders were slightly tensed up, pricking feelings falling upon the nape of her neck. "He was the
unconscious boy I brought back yesterday."

"Ah, the boy you saved, I remember now." She nodded at him. "Glad to see you're well today. My daughter is quite talented with
her healing abilities." The woman gave a somewhat kind smile, though it was clear to both that she was insincere, and bent at the waist
in a slight bow. "My name is Maleficent, and I am Kagi's mother and the ruler of this castle."

"Uh, hi. I'm Riku." He returned the gesture, although his kept his head up and stooped a bit lower; formalities weren't really his
thing. "I come from... err..."

"A different world." The witch finished as she straightened a strange glint of menace evident within her eyes and her smile
unhindered by the faint glare behind Kagi's gaze. "I know."

"You do?" He blinked, confused.

"Of course I do. I travel between worlds and so does Kagi. You're very lucky she found you when she did."

"Uh...yeah."

"Mother." The dark-haired girl stepped forward, halfway between them and cleanly cutting the conversation short. She didn't want
to hear anymore, only a minute in to the meeting, and the feelings she was getting were not boding well. "I do not want to seem
unhappy to see you, but I really must show Riku the grounds. If I don't now, I might not have time later."

A flash of annoyance appeared on the woman's face, but it passed as quickly as it had appeared and she smiled again. She didn't
like the effect the boy was having on her already and evidence of retaliation was already starting to show. But, the cards would have
to be played right, if she were to get to where she wanted in her plans.

"Ah, of course, my dear. Kagi." The woman looked over at her with a light smirk. "When you are done showing him around, please
bring him down to the Chapel. I must speak with him. Tomorrow, you will both have the whole day to yourselves."

"...Very well. I'll bring him around in about an hour or two."

"Good." Maleficent nodded, slowly turning on her heel to return in the direction she had come from, making her way back in to
the darkness. "I bid you farewell... for now."

The moment the woman left, a strange dreading feeling began constricting Kagi's chest. She turned her head to the side... A familiar
presence was coming from the other direction, approaching the door. Large steps setting down in graceful strides, the swishing of
a cape and clanking of metal... she knew those sounds, she had heard them many times before.

"Cloud?" she murmured.

Riku looked over at her with concern at her suddenly all-too-tense form and wide eyes (or eye, seeing as the other remained covered). "Kagi? You ok?"

"Riku..." Her eyes remained trained on the door. Those sounds were coming way too close; time was being cut short. "Go back through
that door. Now."

"Now? But, I thought you wer-"

"Don't question, just go." Her voice was like steel as she spoke each word in a strained calm, her small fists clenched at her sides. Her
stance and expression left no room for argument and he moved to do as she commanded.

...But, the other doors opened.

"Kagi? There you are!"

The blonde trouped in, smiling widely as he walked down the hall to meet her. She was grateful for the dim lighting, but hardly
anything ever escaped Cloud's eyes. There was only little time before he noticed.

"Who's that behi...nd... you."

<...VERY little time...> Kagi reminded herself.

Behind her, she sensed the boy she was taking care of tensed up, feeling that intense blue gaze falling upon him. He didn't look up,
not wanting to see the emotion that was there.

"....."

The silence was deafening and awkward. Escape was impossible.

The young girl watched for movement, ANY movement, carefully. But, the air seemed so think and heavy now, she couldn't move...
She felt she couldn't even breath.

And Cloud, was only thinking, seeing, and believing one thing now.

"...Sephiroth."

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</ Okie!! Finally got it the way I wanted it too!! ^-^ WEEEE!!! Okie! Review and gimme comments and advice! I need it!! REALLY!! XDDDDDD Imma go now, okie? Sleep calls... Night! -Yume Japanese/English Niichan - big brother Imoutochan - little sister