Thoughts of the troubled

[Drea]

Riku's mind raced as he thought about how Sora was finally awake. He exhaled slowly feeling the heavy burden lift from his breaking back. He could relax slightly now... knowing Sora was okay, and probably stronger then he actually took into mind.

'...Not like he'll still remember his enemy... or like he's even forgiven me...' Riku thought as his fists clenched a little.

He got up slowly from his sitting position and stared at the ground. Thoughts of the island... Sora's face... Kairi's face... everything just felt like a dream, like it never happened in the first place. Quietly he mumbled, "It was my fault I'm actually... Like this....". Riku's eye's focused carelessly down as his gloved hands then out towards the setting sun.

He could hear the quiet bustle of the town life finishing their daily routine, stores closing and people getting ready for home time. His eyes closed tightly. His home... abandoned, his friends... forgotten, himself... being taken by the darkness...

"...What's the point... " Riku mumbled, as he walked to the edge of the cliff he was near, he looked over at the woods, grass and fields... but no ocean though the smell and sound was very distant.

He closed his eyes again and listened even closer for the sound, his hair blowing around only slightly to the small breeze. The sound of the ocean hit him and his shoulders slumped a little.

Riku whispered to no one in particular, "It sounds so close to it..."

He sunk down slowly to his knees and just sat there, listening to the breeze and the final stores closing and people going into their families. He sighed and closed his eyes once more, drifting off into his own thoughts.

[korky]

"Hello, Riku." The first thing the boy would see from his position on the dusty ground was a crimson cloak, swishing in rhythm with the soft, constant breeze that always washed over Twilight Town. "I must say, I'm surprised to see you here." And also happy, that he would have a chance to speak with him.

The King had alerted him of Riku's whereabouts. In all honesty, it was His Majesty that kept him aware of all the happenings in the outside world while he was locked up in the basement of the old mansion. Their relationship was rather convoluted. When at first he served as the Kings mentor, these days the small one was more of a servant to him, bowing down to his every whim. At least, that’s how it must appear to those looking in from the outside. In the end, the two of them simply considered themselves friends, regardless of the selfishness he displayed.

The heartless had long since come to ravage the world he painstakingly created from scratch, pixel by pixel. Not a single detail went overlooked in the invisible cage that would house the dark prince of hearts until his Other was ready to accept him. All according to a prewritten plan. A plan that didn't go so well.... The plans he had worked so hard to put into motion CRUMBLED at his feet, having no chance against a man determined to reunite with his best friend - even if that friend was no longer and would never again be the person he remembered.

Where had he gone wrong and how was he to achieve the revenge he so desperately sought without Roxas in his possession? Sora could not be without him forever.

"Riku, you should be with the Organization, not here.... seeking out Sora. It is not time for you to make yourself known to him, no matter how much you yearn to. If Sora discovers Roxas' identity before they merge--- it would be... devastating to our cause.” The opposite held true as well. When and if Roxas found out about his Other, his apprentices would be in dire straights. It was likely they would kill him at that point.

“If you want to help Sora, the best course of action you can take is to go back. Befriend Roxas and gradually lead him to where he belongs. It will be a long, arduous road, Riku, not easy by any means, but I fear there is no other way.” Undoubtedly the Organization had their key under constant surveillance. Kidnapping him again was out of the question. They would not allow the same mistake to happen twice.

“... Roxas’ heart is still ‘alive’ within Sora. It is only a matter of time before it seeks its true body and when that happens... your friend will cease to exist. Do you understand what I am saying? It is very important... that you return now.”