~004~ [Video-->Voice]
[The puppies have only left to eat and have otherwise not left their mistresses' side since she was brought to Tsuzuki's house pretty much in a sleep-coma of sorts. However, the auburn-haired girl finally finds that the sleep is leaving and in return for the refreshed but somewhat numb feeling finds that there is a ball of warmth on her stomach.
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She's only glad that he's breathing and living and okay. Its now, after her crying settles down to the trembling and the occasional hiccup, that she takes the time to look up at him with tear-streaked eyes. He hasn't changed much; maybe regressed a little younger than when she had seen him last. And he probably wouldn't remember them; he did say he was from an earlier time after all. Her head tilts, and he probably can't see the eyes glossily mirroring her confusion and concern. Was it...this again? She remembered seeing him in a flash of a memory, when she and Sora and him all stood together...when he had to take on the form of the man of the Darkness to get out of it and fight it.
Could this have been...? She shakes her head, resting her head on his shoulder again and listening to the beat of his heart. A heart that still had some light in it. Outnumbered by darkness, yes, but still fighting to break free. And she would be there for him, every step of the way.] ...Riku, are you sure you are though? You...you say you are and then something bad usually happens. [Looking back up at him, she maneuvers her hand around, into the embrace, and then gently cups the cheek opposite to her position now, the tips of her fingers over the side of the blindfold. She's biting her lip, trying to think of what to say. He's in an earlier time, right? From one? How far? If she said anything, would he react differently? She wasn't so sure about how this would work out but...for now, she would take her chances and go through with what she thought was right.]
Riku, you can tell me anything. When you need to let everything out, or if you're confused, or just need to chat. You've always...been there for me. So I should be there for you, right? The Darkness...while it may loom above all of us and to be honest it does scare me a little at how it tries to take loved ones away from each other...[A slight blush, a little giggle of embarrassment, and she continues] there's always going to be Light right behind it, ready to balance and to heal. No matter what, Riku...Okay? Even if you become a Heartless, I'll still know who you are. Because nothing can take away our friendship. Not even the separation we had gone through...that only made us stronger. That's what counts...right? [She looks away from him, lowering her hand to slip down and to her side as she thinks about what just came out of her mouth and...how from the heart it had been.]
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Breathing and living, yes. Okay was still up for debate with this blasted shadow that yet stained his heart. And... he wouldn't remember it, but at least he was here now; he'd remember anything from this point on. Oddly enough, he's from just before that time -- before he had to willingly shift into that form so often to protect Sora's sleeping form, and the worlds as well. 'At least I'm still me,' he thought, 'Now that we're finally been able to talk again.'
That beat is just a little off, with that shadow still inside it; but it's still his and that's what matters. ...And damn; that statement was true. He chuckles a bit.] Guess it's just my luck. [He stiffens just a moment when fingertips touch the edge of the blindfold, almost in a silent message to not remove it. Riku has no idea what would happen if it was taken off again, and he has no desire to try it right this second.
He relaxes a bit though at her words -- something that always seemed to be able to reach him either in the blackest abyss or from within the brightest light. An almost-tired smile crosses his lips at them, and while he's unable to see the blush or the look in her eyes, just sensing that pure light in front of him was enough. Even if he lost his heart, huh. Well... he'd already done that and regained it, didn't he?
Unseen to Kairi, a few grateful tears were threatening to spill from his closed eyes. That little light was burning just a little stronger -- cheesy confessions won again.] ...Kairi, thanks. [It feels like it's the only thing he's done in so long: thanking her even when he can't see her. When her hand drops, his finds its way to her shoulder.] Even if it separates us again... I've already proven I'm strong enough to stop it. I won't fall to it again. [And while he may not be out of the woods yet, it is true: he can defeat the darkness and use it to his advantage. But now that Ansem is here he's that much more uncertain. Why does he suddenly feel so vulnerable...?]
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She catches the slight off-beat rhythm from the Darkness still lurking. In her time she knows that even though he regained his true form the Darkness still lurked inside everyone. She supposed that being a Princess of Heart left her with those kinds of reasons.
His relaxing makes her smile again, resting her head against his chest once more to continue listening to the slightly unsteady beat of his heart. And that it isn't too far off is hopeful. Very hopeful. Yes, he has regained his heart. And maybe a bit of Darkness still in his heart is okay. A feeling of loyalty to the cause starts to kindle and reaffirm the thoughts in her mind.
Riku had always been there for her. Been there for her and Sora. Sora had been there for her. For her and for Riku. Now she was there for them. Both of them. Even if one of them wasn't there in Vatheon yet...The hand with the charms clasps them tightly to her, and listening to him reaffirm her words...it takes her a minute or two to filter it and then she can't help but giggle softly at him. Boys.] While you may have to prove things to other people, I know that you're strong enough to defeat it. You always have been...but all you had to do was learn how to fight it back....even though you had to learn about the Darkness the hard way. But no matter what, even if Sora isn't really here...he still is. In our hearts. And you won't fall again, because you know there's someone there to catch you, okay? Even if we aren't there with you in person...you know we're always by your side.
[She felt like someone else said those words to her, once upon a time...and then pauses. Maybe she should...yes. She pulls back from Riku to go to her wrist and unclasp the charm that was once his so she can place it onto his own, fortunately bared a bit from when she moved] Sora had given us these at the ball, when we re-made our promise that we'd always be together...the day before he disappeared. I don't think that promise was ever broken. It never could be. It just had to be remembered every so often...right?
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And someday... he'd be able to see Kairi's smile again -- both of them would. Sora deserved as much, as did Kairi while he kept ending up slipping into the background. But with the way Kairi was staying so close to him, she probably wouldn't allow him to even try it again.
Though the moment of silence before the laughter was a little... unsettling. He chuckled to himself; Kairi... ever the kindhearted and loyal friend. What would he ever do without either of them? Especially when the thought of Sora being there alongside Kairi -- no matter how far-off they seemed -- was what had kept him going so far along with, 'Even if it means the end of me... I will get him home so I can chew him out for taking such a long nap and not keeping his promise.'] Mm. I know. You're both too big of dorks to be away from each other.
['And me.' Just a faint tease. Because he can and he's silently grateful for it especially when it was their light and Mickey's wisdom that got him out of so many tight spots. But then there was a mention of the charm, and-
-remaking forgotten promises. He stares toward the bracelet he can feel around his wrist but can't see, giving just a faint smile. He... really wishes he could remember, but all that was coming to him was a blank. What Kairi said, though -- it sounds so much like Sora it wasn't even funny, but at least now he knows that the others were telling the truth. Kairi wouldn't lie to him, right?]
...Right. Because no matter what, we're stuck with each other. [He pauses, chuckling a little dryly to himself.] Guess we have a little catching up to do.
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[That was the Riku she knew. Teasing her about her "relationship" with Sora as always. She wanted to tell him that he was wrong but then she remembered that he didn't recall what he had said to her...and she to him...
even if her heart was on the mend, well...it was best to say it. Especially when someone like Riku says that they have catching up to do...] I said it then, and I'll say it again to you, Riku. No matter what happens...I'll always love you. I...I always have. Both you and Sora. Although you weren't exactly around long enough for me to say it, back when we first got separated. So...I guess I had to say it now. Because...before you left...it had to have been the day before Sora disappeared, the morning of the ball, that we all promised to love each other and stay together. And then everyone disappeared and I...I got scared that the Darkness took you guys away. And then I fell asleep for...apparently for a long time. Fell into another of those comas, I suppose. And...when I woke up today here you were. With me again. Maybe forgetting a few things, but still here again. [Not wanting to say anything else she quickly moves her hands around his neck and hugs him like that while burying her face in his coat again. It was only...a few days? But all bad things like that feel like they last forever...]
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But that confession--yes, definitely grateful for the longer bangs because whether the him now admitted his crush on her or not, hearing those four words preceeded by, "No matter what happens," meant more than he could ever say. Even more so that she... felt the same way about the both of them.
Well, that just made the old rivalries between him and Sora for Kairi's attention seem petty. He's silent for a moment, letting that all process as she speaks then hugs him around the neck. No matter what... That gave him just a little more hope in his--their situation, he has to remind himself--because he knows her too well. Kairi would never allow him to go it down the dark path alone, and nor would Sora.
...He'd have to tell her, just to make sure she was safe.] At least a month here, if what Tsuzuki said was true. [Riku gives a faint smile, holding her tight.] That's almost how long I've been back. And... it wasn't just me that arrived. [His tone is bitter; thus it obviously isn't Sora who came with him. No, it's two others and now... even more people he despises for what they've done or caused.] The Darkness isn't strong enough to take us away; you said so yourself that you know I won't slip up again, so why do you think I'd let it take Sora then me?
[...And he's right back to teasing.]
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But then...wait. It wasn't just...something clicks; a memory flickering in her mind. Black coats...wait a minute. She lifts her face from the coat, forehead still flush against it. Her voice is softer, as she tries to get her mind to focus on their names] I...I know Axel is here. I've seen him. I've seen...Demyx...but...who else arrived? You can tell me. I've been here long enough to deserve that right to know. [A half-hearted joke, because now she has to answer that question. And its a quiet answer, because a small throbbing past pain begins to resonate in that missing piece of her heart] And its...because something had happened. You disappeared from the apartment, Riku. Something about a bad thing happening to Ventus and Vanitas...and people thought you were helping Vanitas after he hurt a lot of people...you had been protecting them as they healed. That was something I remember before you disappeared...and for Sora....we had no clue he had disappeared either. H-he went out and just...never came home. I wanted to go look for him that night but it was late and I didn't want to miss him...if I had gone maybe...
[even through her sleep, the relaxation, she still missed them so much. Maybe it was because when she had arrived in Vatheon she was being pulled from them before the final battle. And just the consistent separation was just being brutal to her heart....she lets out a shaky sigh, shaking her head and just resting her head on his shoulder now. And don't be too unnerved by what she's about to say next, Ri] But...I know he's going to come back some day. And we'll be ready for him...and we can also fight the darkness, but...I just...need to learn how to fight better with my Keyblade first.
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[He's inwardly laughing at himself and his own foolishness, but those names mentioned bring out his old confusion. ...Demyx had treated him like a friend, and that in itself was weird.] Out of the Organization... there's also Zexion and Xemnas, and someone named Larxene has been here a while, I think. [-but that wasn't all. It takes him a while, especially with what Kairi just said. Those two names didn't ring any bells at all. Her pain, though... well, it earned a slight squeeze before he turned his head away from her.]
... You won't be alone, now. [Because he had no intention of abandoning her now that he knew for certain she was here with the Heartless nearby- Wait, WHAT. KAIRI HAS A KEYBLADE? Okay, the whole timefuck thing was starting to get just a tad old; just saying. Though, at least he has the ability to cover up the what the hell moment with a chuckle.] Well, then.. we'll just have to see about that.
[But then his voice too lowers, more out of worry for her than himself. With who he knows is here, well... is it any wonder why he is when he still wondered how it was possible?] ...The Heartless is here, too.
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Xemnas. She remembered seeing him. And not too long after that she arrived here. The other two names she wasn't familiar with...but she nods into his coat again.] ...I know. You'll be here. We'll...protect each other. And anyone who needs it. Them first though. [She wants others to be safe too--what kind of person would she be if she cared for herself first?
Yes, Riku. She has a Keyblade. She can summon it if you want...she thinks. Unless you...wait. No. She smiles and shakes her wrist gently, the--technically three since she hooked the Destiny's Embraces' keyblade charm to her own wayfinder--two charms jingling gently.] Some...time.
[...The heartless. No. She gives him another instinctive squeeze before letting go and pulling away from him, not breaking from the hug but enough to straighten up and look him in the blind-folded eyes with worry, concern...and anger? Well, yes anger; if it was who she thought it was, it was the guy who took Riku away and made Sora turn into the Heartless. That evil man who first called her "Princess"...] ...Ansem, right?
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Right. [Others first, themselves last. It was funny how it always seemed to work out that way, but the sad truth was that one had to take care of themselves or they'd fall apart and be unable to help others.
He catches that instinctive squeeze--it's hard not to notice it when she pulls away slightly shortly after. ...He could feel that anger in her gaze even with the blindfold keeping him from seeing it, and yet it was mutual. Sadly, he has to nod once more.] Yeah. Him.
[Riku still hasn't forgiven himself for falling to that Heartless' plans, for letting himself slip so badly, but to know that he at least had a handful of others to turn to and to keep him from drifting away again... It melted away some of the outrage and helped him keep an even calmer head. He wasn't alone. Even if he wanted to be sometimes, in this case. He pulls out his SFC, playing back the conversation. "Impossible! You have been eclipsed."] Someone didn't have a very good welcoming party.
[Smirk. It all had amused him to no end as to how the others reacted.]
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But now he was back. And you know, Riku, it's true. Both of you would have been beaten by the Darkness had Kairi not been there, right? And back then, when she had her heart taken and was unfortunately carted, unconsciously, across worlds...she needed both of you to be there for her and bring her back, right? So it had to work. And nobody would ever be alone. Ever. Or feel like that. When she told him, again, that she loved him, she meant it with the added message and hope that this time they would actually stay together and never feel like anyone was excluded or alone anymore.
That was her hope at least. Now back to the situation at hand.
Riku's nod of confirmation to her question had her release a shaky breath she didn't know she was holding in until after the conversation finished. But he was smirking...so maybe...] I...I can't believe that...he... [shakes her head, finally letting go of his arm. Uhm...what she says next...]
I think now would be a good time for me to learn how to really defend my friends. And...not get caught and become unable to help. And we can fight against him together...it shouldn't be one person on their own...
[biting her lip, she quickly takes his hands and looks up once more at his blindfolded eyes; This...she...she had to get this done first. Sure Ansem was a threat now, and she would need to know how to fight...and she knew this was rather bold of her to say such a thing so, instinctively a teasing tone fell into her voice although he could feel her hands trembling just the slightest] But...I really don't think you can fight him without sight. I'm sure you're a natural at fighting blind but...I'm just worried. I guess I can blame everything that's gone on that I'm more worried for you and Sora...when ever he returns here...than I used to be. I feel like the blindfold is keeping something in you away...a part of you that I used to see...it's not there anymore. And if the darkness has changed you...changed your eyes...it does not matter to me. I know you are still Riku...and I'll help you no matter what.
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But he was confident that he could win over the Heartless again if the time arose that he needed to face it again--he'd done it before, right?
That didn't seem to cancel out Kairi's fears though, it seemed. Riku listens patiently, nodding again.] I'll do what I can to teach you- [But that hesitation though, and what is said afterward... This was what he'd been afraid of: her suggesting for him to take off the cloth covering his eyes. Even though it was a teasing tone, there was really nothing he could say without admitting the truth to her. Though he'd really rather not say or show her.]
...I can and I will. [It's blunt. He wants to believe in her, wants to be able to confide in her with this tiny part of him and of what he's been holding back... but how can he, when he can't even look at himself? It hurts him more than anything to not be able to show her just how much he's changed, to let her see straight into his eyes, but Riku just can't let her see just how much the darkness has affected him--changed him from being the cool and collected boy she and Sora knew to the envious and spiteful prick that had lost it all and then finally to what he is now: the young man who has lost everything and then some only to regain his body and scarred heart--a small part of his old self forever marred by his choice to discard his family, friends, and home for freedom.
And what did he gain from it? What did he have to show for his actions? Not much, seeing as how he couldn't even keep Sora from sleeping this long when he should have been protecting Kairi.
He lowers his gaze, shaking his head. No... Thinking like that would get him nowhere--he had to stay strong for all of them, and find a way to finally be free of this cursed shadow. And yet as Riku speaks, he fears his voice would crack if he spoke at a normal volume.] ... I can't. [Can't take it off, can't show you what the darkness has done to me... There was so much pain that he'd kept bottled up inside that he just couldn't bear to let her see it but didn't she see it anyway, in how he was reacting to such a simple request? ...He couldn't answer her as he looked down toward the trembling hands that held his own that had begun to shake as well.
He kept his eyes from betraying him, but his voice and hands were another story. There wasn't much he could do with this, and he was growing all the more uncertain that this cage could hold him much longer by the minute.
Riku changed so much in the time he was gone, that much was certain... and he didn't have the strength he needed to stand on his own without the darkness. It still sickened him, to be honest. So much for that smirk.
His heart ached, wanting to be able to see her and Sora smiling with his own eyes but knowing he couldn't. It hurt.] I'll teach you how to defend yourself with the Keyblade, but I can't take this off. Not until the fight is over.
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Even if he's from a different time in her life he's still her Riku...and she squeezes his hands tighter before tearing her hands away and then, again, tightly embracing him, face buried into his chest and close to his off-beat heart. His tremblings snapped the Princess into attention; her poor Knight, her best friend, one of two loves that had her heart, he was...scared. That's how she saw it; it was a fear of falling again, further than before. A fear of losing everything, and the way his confident but blunt voice soon turned to a whisper with the realization of what she had asked...
The hug was supposed to be a comfort, a reassurance, and Kairi found herself in a situation where she didn't want to let him go. Ever. If she did she feared she would cause the darkness to take away every other part of him that remained. So she would fight it in her own way. She wouldn't ever let him go out of her heart. If he was still there, then he would be safe...right?] ...That's okay. I'll still be here to fight alongside you. The Darkness may try to separate us but our bond is much stronger than it. It will never break that, even if it tries to consume us all. [that much said was muffled into his coat, because to be honest she couldn't bring her voice any louder than that at the moment. She loved him so much that to see him in this sort of situation wounded her inside. If he won't remove it because Ansem's hold on him, the hold of the Darkness on his Heart, is that strong, it's okay. She can fight with him outside, being his support and guiding him. Like she always had.
And maybe to lighten the mood she lifts her head and gives him a small smile while she speaks] And...Riku...when we do train, please go easy on me at first, okay? I'm not as strong as you are...at least, not yet.
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He blinks behind the veil of black, a little surprised at the sudden hug. Riku feels himself stiffen momentarily as her arms wrap around him, and his words simply failed him. Just like the King... He should have known better than to think she's shun him for what his path has caused him. It's all a... huge relief, really. Riku isn't afraid to fall--he's resolved that he would fall back into darkness and maintain control if that meant making sure his friends were safe. Funny thing about defeating the wannabe puppet master: you end up becoming the puppet master. ...Light, that is one of the most ironic statements ever mentioned.
What he is afraid of, though... is that it not being enough and that if he ends up falling again for them and finds that to be true- what would happen to his heart, then? Would it simply fall prey to that dark power again? He didn't know if he could handle such a blow again. Then there was the possibility of him getting stuck in that form and--he can't think about it; it would only succeed in making him even more paranoid and thus weaken his already weak heart. -- And that connection between himself and Kairi? He's leaning even more heavily on it. Just so much relief that even in his current state... He really is an idiot for being so worried about something like this.] ...Thank you. [What else could he ever say to one of the three voices that had called out to him in the darkness? Everything she said meant so much that he really couldn't say much beyond that--the words just wouldn't be enough.
Thank you, sweet, sweet subject changes. He even chuckles a bit.] What's 'easy'? [Obviously he's teasing, if the faint tug at the corner of his lips were anything to go by.] I'll behave... Somewhat. You may even get stronger than me one day.
[...That was a scary thought.]
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She finally lets him go because her arms now ache slightly from how securely she had been hugging him. She knows he can't see her when she nods, but she makes a small sound like an affirmation, giving him a warm smile despite the fleeing glossiness from earlier emotions in her eyes.
And then his teasing come back and the smile changes to a pout. Yes, a pout. She crosses her arms over her chest and playfully glares at his blindfold] Oh, I forgot that the teacher had his easy training in the play-fights with Sora. And wooden swords, not Keyblades.
[All in all she can't help but giggle after his comment, giving him a mischievous, light push on the arm] You always have to behave around a woman else they might slap you for being rude or something. And if that situation comes around, Riku, I really don't think it would be in fighting. Maybe magic or something. [And then she couldn't help but add it with a little laugh] Or we could see the day that a certain Princess of Heart manages to defend herself against two friendly neighborhood Keyblade wielders."
[The chance that she'd be able to beat both of them? Not very likely...but the fact that she would be able to harness her abilities (or whatever she possesses) to defeat Riku...I would feel bad for Ansem the day that happens. *shot*]
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No, no that was not a hint of pink on his cheeks. Not at all. He's dumbfounded for a moment, unable to really answer the response to the teasing for a good five seconds before he snapped out of it. What in-? And was she pouting? He just couldn't tell~] Exactly. So you're going to have it a bit more difficult just by default unless we find wooden swords to practice with, first.
[Which shouldn't be too hard--hey, hey! Easy with the light shoving there!] And yet I never did back home. Why change now? [He's obviously kidding, and--yes. Yes it would be in magic, because he fails horribly at that subject. Attacks and darkness he could manage, but magic? The thought sent a shudder down his spine. Well, maybe not. Who knows.] It would be the end of the worlds as we knew them.
[...He'd be selling tickets for the show; just saying.]
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