Fan Fiction ❯ Own Me ❯ Past Me, part one ( Chapter 5 )

PeachBerry: Well, I'm blowing off a school project to do this cause I don't want to work. Stupid school…you ruin my life.

Wingy: Now now PB, without school, how would Pb learn to write so beautifully?

PeachBerry: It's not beautiful! It's horrid! It's a disaster! It's a disgrace!

Wingy: Errr...well, the disgrace part is kinda true since PB never updates.

PeachBerry: Oo;; I'm sooooorrrryyy!!!

Wingy: Yeah well, PB should be. PB was gonna put this part further up in the story, but she decided that since she couldn't think about the current happenings, that she'd do a FLASHBACK CHAPTER! Two parter!

PeachBerry: Ehh…some people were wondering about Riku's past. So I decided to think one up now so that people may understand Riku's anger a little better.

Wingy: Or become more confused

PeachBerry: Quiet you! Anyways, important notice insert here…

Important notice: The language that Riku and Cielo are speaking is called Al Bhed. If anyone here is a Final Fantasy lover, you should know about it. I'm not gonna call it Al Bhed in this story. It will be known as Ku-Uh (pronounced "kukoo oo-ha") and the people will be known as the Kuanc (pronounced "KUKooahn-ku"). If you need help pronouncing things, don't ask me in a review or email. Go to http: //pixelscapes. com/ twoflower/ albhed. html Copy and paste the url, then erase the spaces. Translate the English words to get the translation (though I will already give you the translation) and the pronunciation. Sorry about the trouble! But I'm weird like this…

Wingy: Such hardships PB puts everyone through…

PeachBerry: It's not like I'm giving you guys a foreign language without the translation! I'll be translating everything in brackets! So Wingy hurry up and do the thingy and let's get this story started!

Wingy: YAY! Disclaimer: PB does not own Kingdom Hearts (or its characters) or the language Al Bhed (known as Ku-Uh in this story) But she does own Cielo, and Takumi (who isn't in this chapter, but Wingy likes him).

"Speaking"

Thinking

[translation]

{see bottom for more information}

Own Me

By: PeachBerry

Chapter Five, Part One- Past Me

Syo dro dreams hud xiyga
Demm eyes yna fyga
Demm sunhehk sun neca
Demm mekrd vemm dra sky
Genki bnudald sa eh cmaab
Vnus demons E layca du gaab
Syo baylavim dreams myo ibuh sa {1}

"Riku?! Where are you Riku? Don't hide from me!"

A young girl with bright blonde hair raced through the meadow, her brilliant green eyes peering through the tall grass. "Stop playing Riku! I'm serious!" The girl slowed down to a stop. Trying to catch her breath, she sat on top of a nearby rock. She suddenly heard a rustle to her left and then saw a flash of silver.

"Aha! Riku wait!" The girl bounded from her rock to dash after the boy. She ran, following the swishing of the lofty grass, until she came upon a small clearing. The grass had been stomped down and in the center of the clearing was a large rock.

"Riku? Where are you?" She walked around the rock, but no sign of the boy. "Tysh ed!!! [Damn it] I'm serious! Come out wherever you are this instant!" The young girl stomped her foot, showing her anger, but the boy was no where to be seen. She sighed and was about to leave the clearing when she heard a soft giggle.

"Huh?" The girl walked toward the large rock, and heard another small giggled, slightly muffled. Wait a sec… She walked slowly around the rock, eyes exameing the ground until she found what she was looking for. A small hole just big enough for a small boy to slip through was at the base of the rock, half hidden by trampled pieces of grass.

"Riku, I'm serious now. I know you're hiding in that hole. Now come out before I have to drag you out!" She squatted down to get a better look into the hole, now hearing fits of giggles from within. A small head of silver locks popped out, a young boy grinning brightly.

"Hehehe…you found me! Fryd milg! [What luck] I didn't think you would find me in my secret hiding place." Riku looked slightly disappointed that she had found him, but also was happy for the challenge.

"Riku, I told you I was serious! Tysh oui [Damn you]! This is important!" Her eyes fell down on the boy's happy smile, regretting what she had to tell him. The girl's eyes were tearing up, and Riku saw the seriousness on her face. E's cu cunno, Riku. [I'm so sorry, Riku]

"What's wrong?" asked the boy. Her face was scaring Riku. Why was she so sad? Had he done something wrong? Other than running away from her. But he was just playing. "Cunno, Cielo.[Sorry, Cielo] Please don't be mad. I'm here now. What's wrong?" The boy tugged at the bottom of Cielo's shirt, urging her to tell him of her news. The girl sighed, blinking away her unshed tears. She sat down, patting her lap for the young boy to sit on. He obliged, softly crawling into her warm embrace.

"Riku, I'm afraid I have terrible news."

"Dannepma?" [terrible?]

"Yes. Riku, your father was a great man. Very smart, very good hearted. He wanted to help our people. And he was so close to ending the savagery of our Lord. But…" Riku looked up at Cielo's face as she paused and felt small droplets of water fall upon his cheeks. Cielo could hardly look into those wondrous eyes, those bright and curious aqua eyes. Innocent…naïve…so childlike. How can she tell him this? How can she…betray those eyes?

"That isn't bad news. That's good news!"

"Let me finish Riku. Today, the Lord sent an order to the guards. To have you and your parents…taken away."

"Where did the Kiyntc [Guards] take them?"

"Just…away. Somewhere that we can't find them. And they can't find us. Riku, I don't want you to go to that place. I don't want anyone to go to that place. Because once you've gone there, you can't go back. You do not want the Guards to take you away. If they do, I'll never see you again. They are bad men." The look on the small boy's face began to widen.

"But…but what about Sudran and Vydran [Mother and Father]?! I wanna see them! Please! Take me there!" Riku tried to get up and out of Cielo's lap, but she held her arms around his torso, keeping him there. "Cielo! I wanna see Sundran! Let go!"

"Riku…" Cielo's cheeks were stained with tears. Her eyes red from crying. "You have to come with me. To my home. I'll keep you there until my vydran can find out a plan."

"No no no! I won't go! I'm going to see Sundran!"

"Please Riku! Please…listen to me this once. You don't want to go to that place. You don't want to. Please Riku, e pak uv oui. Dnicd sa. [I beg of you. Trust me.]" Riku stopped struggling, and fell limp in her arms.

"Oac…" [yes] The young girl sighed again. She used the heel of her hand to wipe her tears away and stood up, letting Riku slide down her lap.

"Do you want me to carry you Riku? You look tired." The young boy nodded his head, and Cielo lifted him up onto her shoulders, grabbing onto his hands to keep him balanced. On top of Cielo's shoulders, Riku could see over the tall grass of the field. The wind tickled his face as it flew past him softly. The singing of the birds and the sweet quietness of the Earth calmed Riku's senses. But the nagging thoughts still tugged at his mind

What will become of me? What am I to do without Sudran and Vydran? They crossed the field silently, and entered to woods where the rustling of the leaves could be heard from under Cielo's feet. A short distance through the trees, and they came upon Cielo's family lands. A short fence surrounded a small field where some sheep were happily eating their fill. A small cottage lay to their left, down the edge of the woods. A water wheel was attached to the side, pumping water from a creek that ran down the edge of trees. And next to the water wheel were five black horses. Riku stared at the horses.

"Cielo, when did you get new runcac? [horses]" She didn't respond, but merely continued her way towards the cottage. "Cielo?" She crossed the small creek, passing the large horses, which even though Riku was on top of Cielo's shoulders, were still much larger than the two. Up close, Riku glanced at the symbol branded on top their long necks. It was a heart with a cross in between.

"Cielo! These are the Kiyntc horses! The Kiyntc are here!" Riku was lightly tugging on Cielo's hair as she walked through the cottage door. And there, sitting at the table and lined up against the walls, were five man clothed in black armor. With the same emblem upon their breastplates as the one burned into the horse's necks.

"Cielo…it's the…"

"Yes Riku." She took the boy off of her shoulders, placing him gently on the ground. "I know." Riku stared in shock at her. Why? If she already knew the Guards were gonna be here…then why did she…And then it hit him. O Gods. Cielo…

"Why Cielo? I trusted you! You said you didn't want me to go with the Kiyntc! You said they were bad men!" Cielo backed away from Riku and over to where her family was huddled in a corner.

"I had to Riku. They were gonna kill my family if I didn't find you and bring you to them. You have to understand. They were gonna take my family to that place. The one with no return. E's cunno [I'm sorry]. But my family is more important to me than anyone else." A guard grabbed Riku, and tied twine around the struggling boy's hands. He then lofted him over his shoulder and headed for the door. With tears streaming down his face, Riku uttered his last words to Cielo.

"E vunkeja oui." [I forgive you] Hearing those words, Cielo burst into tears quietly apologizing to the small boy, regret burning through her heart.

The man carrying Riku tossed the boy on top his horse, then climbed atop himself. He held Riku with one hand, making sure he wouldn't escape. And they waited for the other men to come out of the cottage.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" A high pitched scream emerged from the small house. Blood curdling shrieks filled Riku's ears, booming in his mind. And just as abruptly as they began, they ended. And the men came out of the cottage, swords painted red. The other men mounted their horses and set off. As Riku and his captor pass the cottage's Window, he saw the floor and walls covered with more red. And upon the red stained floor, Cielo's head, completely decapitated from her body.

As they rode farther and farther away from scene, the image stayed, burned into Riku's mind. Shock filled him, and his entire body shuddered.

"So much red…" trembled Riku.

"That's called blood boy." Said his captor sternly. Not a hint of sorrow.

"Blood?"

"I think it's Pmuut [blood] in your language."

"Pmuut. Dra mexiet uv meva." [Blood. The liquid of life]

"My Lord, we have found the boy."

"Did you? Wonderful." A guard placed a frightened Riku in front of a man seated atop of a large throne. Dark red drapes fluttered down from the ceiling, contrasting with the dark black fabric of the throne's chair. The man himself was clad in garments so beautiful that even Riku was amazed at the sight. The man looked magnificent in Riku's eyes. But what amazed Riku the most, was the man's hair. Long silver locks flowed over the man's shoulder, somewhat greyer than Riku's hair, but nevertheless, silver.

Riku had been some what of an outcast to people because of his hair and eye color. Riku overheard some of the older children that he was cursed. No one wanted to be friend's with the cursed boy. No one except Cielo. At the thought of his one and only friend, Riku felt tears well up in his eyes. Perhaps I truly am cursed.

"Boy, step forward." Riku didn't move an inch. He just stood there, silently crying.

"Did you hear me boy? Come forth."

"E tuh'd fyhd du. E's yvnyet." [I don't want to. I'm afraid.] muttered Riku.

"Excuse me?" The man turned to a guard to his left. "What language is he speaking?"

"Errr..I believe it's Ku-Uh. The language of the Kuanc people. But this boys speaks English, he's probably just in shock."

"I see. Well, do we have someone around here who can translate?"

"I believe so, he's…"

"Go get him."

"Yes my lord!" The guard scurried off in search for the translator. The man seated in the throne stared at Riku with interest. He stood from his chair, and stepped down the small row of stairs to get a better look at the boy. The man reached his hand out to Riku's hair, petting it lightly. Riku just wanted to slap that hand away, but fear froze him to his spot. He dare not move. The man lowered himself eye level with the small boy and gazed into his bright aqua eyes.

"Hmmm…such beautiful eyes you have. I know you understand me, so why don't you tell me your name boy?" asked the man, his voice slicing through the silence and echoing off the high ceilings. Riku pierced his lips together, refusing to speak.

"Eh? You dare to disobey me? Some guts you have young one. Please, why don't you tell me your name? It would sure make it a lot easier on you and I. Because if you tell me your name, I'll tell you mine."

"E tuh'd fyhd du ghuf ouin hysa." [I don't want to know your name.] spoke Riku softly.

"This may prove to be a problem. Oh well, I'll just have to learn Ku-Uh too! That would be fun. You could help me."

"My Lord. I, Rikudo, am here to assist you. How may I serve you?" The silver haired man turned from Riku to see a short fat man clothed in a deep red robe carrying a rather large leather bound book.

"Excellent. Do you speak Ku-Uh fluently."

"Why yes I do my Lord."

"And can you teach me?"

"Err…I'm afraid that the language of Ku-Uh is very sacred. Only those with Kuanc blood, or those blessed by a Kuanc priest may be allowed to speak or teach the language. It's their law, we must respect…"

"Rikudo was you name?" asked the Lord, a mischievous smile planted on his face.

"Huh? O yes yes. Rikudo Machi."

"Rikudo, how is your wife?"

"My wife? Errr…she is fine my Lord. If you don't mine me asking how is it you knew I had a wife?"

"The ring on your finger of course{2}. It's silver with a gold center. A Marriage Ring. Now tell me. How would you feel if something were to happen to you lovely wife?"

"Wha…what are you saying my Lord?" the man's eyes filled with fright and confusion. His body trembled as the silver haired man stared maliciously at him.

"All I'm saying is that it would be wise to teach me the language of Ku-Uh. For your family's sake."

"Sir…yes my Lord. As you wish." The man stared down at his feet.

"Now come here and figure out what this boy is saying."

"Yes my Lord." The fat man rushed over to where the two were standing.

"Ask him his name." snapped the Lord.

"Yes sir," The man looked at Riku, his words slightly stuttering. "Fryd ec ouin hysa?" [What is your name?]

Riku didn't answer. For one, the man's accent was horrible and it was hard for Riku to understand him, but the real reason he didn't wish to speak was because he didn't want to give those men the satisfaction. The Lord leaned down to Riku's face and cupped his chin with his hand.

"Answer him." He squeezed Riku's face, one of his nails creating a small cut on the boy's cheek. Riku's body quivered at the man's touch. Fear enveloped him, and even though with all his heart didn't want to answer the man's request, he opened his mouth.

"Ri…Riku…" stuttered the boy. The man released his chin and chuckled lightly.

"Riku eh? Well, my dear Riku. My name is Ansem. But you may call me Master."

"Ouin hudrehk pid yh ajem tajem." Said Riku boldly. {3}

"O my!"

"What did he say?" asked Ansem curiously.

"Errr…he said…o, but it's not very polite my Lord." Ansem raised an eyebrow.

"What, did he call me a bastard or something?"

"Oh, he said `You're nothing but an evil devil.'"

"Hmmm…well Riku...thanks for the compliment."

TBC

{1}- Translation:

May thy dreams not quake

Till eyes are wake

Till morning sun rise

Till light fill the sky

Genki protect me in sleep

From demons I cease to keep

May peaceful dreams lay upon me

This is a Kuanc lullaby/prayer. It's usually spoken when children have bad dreams. Genki is the Kuanc `God of Dreams'. Note that Kuanc is not a religion. It is a race of people. I made up the race, but not the language. The language is taken from Al Bhed.

{2}- I decided to keep marriage the same as our marriage ceremonies. Rings, vows, blah blah blah.

{3}- I decided not to put the translation there, just cause you were gonna find out about it the next few sentences. Riku doesn't know any cuss words yet people. He only ten in this here chapter. (though he acts younger…) So the word evil is a pretty strong cuss word to him. EVIL!!! BWAHAHAHAAAA!!!!

PeachBerry: Alright people! Chapter Five in the bag!

Wingy: Yes…tis finally…done… ::drops dead::

PeachBerry: Wingy? Errr…you ok? Answer me! Don't die! I need to for part two of this chapter!!! ::thinks:: I have chocolate?

Wingy: ::springs back to life:: Wingy heard chocolate…where's chocolate?

PeachBerry: ::tosses Wingy chocolate::

MagicDolphin25- Yay! Thanks for reviewing! Errr..I hope this chapter was exciting. We learn about Riku's Past! That can be fun some times…history…heh. Alright, thankies so muchy for the compliments!

PeachBerry: Phew! Well….THAT didn't take long. I realize why I like FF.net so much, cause u get more reviewers! Awww…but I'll still put chapters and stuff up. So more people may enjoy the greatness that is my writing. XD

Wingy: Chill PB. Don't count your eggs after they've hatched.

PeachBerry: ????? What? Isn't it `Don't count your chickens before they hatch?'

Wingy: They both sound the same, but have very different meanings…

PeachBerry: I see…well, everyone pray that I update quickly!

Wingy: Yesh, and also….Like PB said last chapter, she doesn't know whether she wants Sephy to be good or bad. So please tell us what YOU want in a review! Thankies for reading! Hope to hear everyone's comments!