Archive of Our Own ^beta

“I once said it was impossible. Was there a way to reach beyond the living? Is there even an afterlife to be? Maybe I didn't understand that a person truly can come back if they're thought to be long gone or even dead.

It should be inconceivable— nobody can just vanish without a trace and disappear for over a year, but there was no body left behind meaning there was a glimmer of hope that he could still be out there somewhere, but not in this world.

So why now does his face stare right back at me?

It had to be impossible, right? It just didn't make sense to me— nothing did anymore.”

The person staring at him looked exactly like him. Has his ghost come back to haunt him?

“I'm sorry…” he broke down, tears streaming down his face. “I'm sorry I failed. I broke my promise, Sora. Now you're gone. You're gone forever because I couldn't protect you.” He kept crying continuously, “but please stop appearing in front of me. Why must you continue to haunt me, ghost?”

Riku took a deep breath and then took a step forward. “I won't be afraid. You disappeared in front of my eyes, but I won't forget. You gave up everything so everyone else could be together. Kairi is here. Naminé too— even my replica but he is his own person too. Xion, Roxas, and everyone is actually living their lives without being tied down to anyone, Sora. I think you would have loved to be their friend too.”

He closed his eyes and laid his arms around the supposed ghost.

Still that face stared at him back. It looked just like him. The only difference was his features were dark and his eyes glowed red.

“I'm not Sora, lover boy.” He finally answered, “You might have heard of me, Vanitas.”

“You're the one that Aqua mentioned who—” Riku cautiously took a step back, “Why are you here?”

Vanitas shrugged, “Your guess is good as mine. I was doing just fine being in darkness and conversing with death, but then I opened my eyes and here I was, alive again.” He crossed his arms with an annoyed expression.

He reminded him so much of Sora, but so different at the same time. Sora was like a cute, cuddly kitten— Vanitas was like a kitten that pretends it hates everything and wants to bite you.

A part of him felt bad. To him it seemed he was just used by Xehanort just as anyone else had. All over his body were scars—deep scars, and old scars that were never treated properly.

Riku smiled softly. “Do you…”

“No. What are you smiling about?” Vanitas scowled, “Oh I know. Say do I look just like Sora? Do I remind you of him? If you want, why don't you kiss me, I know Sora would never have let you. Here take your chance now and maybe this is what it would have been like— something you'd never be able to experience.”

Riku stepped back, “What are you talking about?” Riku shook his head, “I don't— I… Sora was just my friend and nothing more.” Riku shut his eyes as he kept the tears that threatened to rain from pouring.

“But you wanted so much more. You wanted to be with him as those feelings you locked away in your heart.” Vanitas was just purposely bothering him at this point. He didn't actually care.

 He was somehow alive and everyone annoyed him. He hated Xehanort, but he did promise to make Vanitas feel better if he became one with Ventus then it would all go away, but who knows if that would work.  He probably was lying to get what he wanted.  However, the old man was long gone and dead. Those beings of lights he couldn't stand either. They had all the friends and everyone putting on smiles as if that would fix everything. They didn’t even realize Sora himself was suffering.

“I was concerned, okay!” Riku then raised his voice, “I was concerned for you or if you were even okay after everything you've been through. That's why I asked that. I didn't expect to see you, especially with a face so similar to his. I don't think you had it easy, especially being raised by Xehanort. Ven has been remembering more and more, however it's not exactly pleasant— but all of that, you were a part of it too.” Riku closed his eyes. “That's what I wanted to tell you.”

Vanitas stared there in shock. Nobody ever asked what he felt or if he was ever okay. A part of him was moved. He closed his eyes and turned away, refusing to acknowledge that feeling, “I don't need your pity. Also Riku, you keep believing Sora is dead, but what if I told you he is alive in a way.”

Riku stopped, “What?”

Sora was alive?

However, Vanitas disappeared through a dark corridor before he got a chance to.

The next few days and weeks, Riku kept going back to see if Vanitas would return.

He wanted to ask him about Sora, or anything really but he had no luck finding him. He wanted to see Vanitas again, but he didn't really understand why.

Yen Sid, Aqua, and the other masters were still on the lookout for anything dangerous. It was their job to ensure the safety of the worlds. However, Riku didn't report Vanitas to anyone.

One day he checked in when he saw Aqua with her arms crossed and scratches over her body. He assumed it was the usual heartless attack, but maybe it was something more?

“Aqua, are you alright?” He glanced at her injuries.

She nodded, “It's nothing I can't handle. However, it wasn't just heartless. I saw the universe, which means that boy is back.”

“Hold on Aqua, we don't know if it's all his doing or if even wanted to do any of that. Roxas and Xion worked for the organization for a time too. Axel as well.” Riku reminded her gently, “I don't think he's bad. Besides we don't even know if he's around, it could be something completely different this time around.”

Aqua shook her head, “You weren't there and you don't know him like I do. He's darkness and tried to hurt me, Terra, and even tried to destroy Ven.”

That was the end of that. Riku felt more distant after that conversation and he just felt that he was hurt too. It doesn't excuse the things he did, but maybe he doesn't even intend to do any of that again. They forgave him and he's here, so maybe they could give Vanitas a chance too.

He was walking through the streets of Twilight Town to visit his replica and Naminé when in the middle of the forest, he got surrounded by tons of what he assumed were heartless.

He brought out his keyblade, but none of them attacked it was very strange and quite peculiar.

At that moment a boy with dark hair appeared. He had dark red eyes and had similar features to Sora.

“Hey Riku. Do you like them?” He just blinked at the words that were said.

“Uh..” he looked around him. Those heartless —well now he assumed were unversed— were small little creatures that almost appeared cute? “They're kind of cute.”

Vanitas turned away, “Don't hurt them, I can't help, but make them. They won't hurt you though. It's your fault they exist anyways so take responsibility.”

“But people would be scared if they saw them. If any of the other wielders saw them, they certainly would take them out. Also they could attack people if—” Riku's eyes went to his arms which had freshly new scars and scratches as if he was attacked by something. “Your arms! Are you okay?”

Vanitas wasn't used to someone caring. He swatted his arm away like an angry cat, “I'm fine. Also they won't hurt anyone, I control them. They come from me involuntarily. Believe me, if I had a choice I wouldn't make them but I guess they came out stupid this time because of you.” Vanitas shrugged as he glared at one of the floods. “Why are you making that stupid expression?”

“Stupid? Are they not very intelligent?” Riku glanced at them, but they seemed capable enough.

Vanitas shook his head, “No, their expressions have that stupid look to them with their eyes and movement.” He rolled his eyes as he knew why. Curse him for having parts of Sora’s heart for a time and Riku being so genuine to him was too much.

Riku shook his head, “Hey, I think it's cute.. It's like a cat or fox. Yeah, a cute fox.”

Vanitas jumped, “A cute fox?!” He then blushed but quickly covered it. “They come from my emotions.”

“Is that it? You know, I don't get it, you're not bad.” Riku muttered, “Aqua is scared you might return but I don't think so.. you're just lost that's all. I was lost once too.” Maybe that's another reason why he was talking with Vanitas. He was once on the wrong side and got stupidly manipulated.

“Of course I'm bad. I am darkness, your enemy. And Aqua is a weak coward who is afraid of darkness.” Vanitas scowled, not wanting to talk about her. He didn't want to hear about perfect, little Angelic Ven’s friends that weren't even his own age. It was like when parents tried to be best friends with their kids.

“I use darkness too.” Then he showed him. “I made a mistake once. I was hurt and I was blinded, but that didn't stop Sora from staying around. And I did everything I could to make it up to him.”

Vanitas watched, “Sora would always forgive you, you're his… best friend.” He scowled at those words. He hates friends and everyone who has them. At that moment, he felt a terrible anguish of pain as he screamed and fell to the ground. “Aurghhh!”

Riku caught him, “Are you alright? You're… you have an injury on your face so suddenly. I can help just—”

Vanitas swatted his hand away and got out of his arms, “Stupid, idiot unversed got itself killed.”

“That's what happens when they get hurt? You get hurt?” Riku widens his eyes and instantly puts his arms around Vanitas. “Listen I don't care what you're going to say but you're coming with me.”

“W-what.. I'm not Sora!” He shook his head. However, it was nice to be cared for.

Riku took him and led him to the apartment that he sometimes stayed at in Twilight Town. He didn't like staying at Destiny Islands especially without Sora it was lonely. Kairi was also often away because she had become Aqua’s own apprentice.

He unlocked the door and set Vanitas down, “Cura!” He casted a simple spell before running to get something to properly treat the injuries. Magic would only do so much to treat them. He came back with cotton and begin applying it to his injuries.

Vanitas winced. “Sorry, does it hurt?” Riku gently asked.

Vanitas rolled his eyes, “Stupid questions, don't deserve an answer.”

Riku chuckles, “Alright then.” He continued to dab the injuries with cotton, “And then just a little more. Now stay still.” He ripped apart a long white bandage before putting it around his arms and even on parts of his face. “And done.”

“That’s actually… no one has ever done that before….” Vanitas whispered so quietly like shadows disappearing, “I've been alive so long and it was just so miserable. I hated Ven because he got everything while I got stuck with Xehanort, but I don't want what Ven has because he ended up becoming stupid which I would hate. And his friends are the worst, I wouldn't want them— but having friends, I wondered how it would feel.” He cleared his throat, “What I mean is thank you, Riku.”

He nodded, “You're welcome. You deserve it after all this time. You're welcome to stay here if you want to, and you can let any of your unversed here so they don't escape or get killed.” He offered his hand.

Vanitas looked down, it would be nice. A place to stay that was warm and someone that was nice to him and seemed to understand him. He felt this weird feeling he hadn't experienced before. “Fine if you insist.”

It has been a few months since Vanitas had been staying with Riku. Still the secret was under wraps. There he was in Yen Sid’s office trying to convince the others about finding Sora again.

      “I think we should open up the case again. What if there's somewhere none of us are looking?” He has his hands on the desk as he shows them his research and reasoning of where he might be, “We can't find him because what if he's not really himself or knows who he is? Or imagine if he's in a different plane from ours.”

The others looked at him in concern, “Riku I know how you feel but we spent too long trying to find him with no luck and it's practically hopeless. Where else could we even look?”

Riku looked down, they were right. He didn't know where to start, but he knew he was out there somewhere and all alone. “I don't know. I just know he's out there. He didn't die. He only vanished.”

Aqua looked at Riku and sighed, “We have to deal with the incoming heartless that have been picking up lately. Mickey has been researching Scala ad Caelum and it's only us right now.” She then turned to Kairi. “However, Kairi thought she saw someone in that organization hood. Is there someone else trying to do what Xehanort was trying to do? It would make sense considering the rise in heartless.”

The girl nodded, “During my mission, I thought I saw several people wearing hoods just like that. There was no mistaking it. I tried to follow them, but then I was surrounded by so many heartless. I had to call for backup, remember?”

Axel was called in to go to her location because there were way too many for her to handle alone and they were so much stronger. However, even with the two of them together, they hardly managed.

Riku noticed that the heartless have been stronger lately. He was surrounded and was very underwhelmed one day and if it weren't for Vanitas coming in and fighting the heartless with his own keyblade and unversed, he didn't know if he'd still be there.

“I suppose that's true. The heartless lately hasn't been easy. I was having trouble myself.” Riku nodded, he was going to have to ask Vanitas more about Sora's location or if they even knew that.

“You? Master Riku had trouble?” Kairi raised an eyebrow at her friend in disbelief. He was one of the strongest people she knew— mentally and physically.

Riku stood there and shook his head, “You know I'm like everyone else. And why must you say my name like that.”

“Sorry ‘ku I just couldn't help but tease you. You've just been so serious lately.” Kairi grinned as she reached up to put an arm around Riku's head.

The meeting ended and Riku was on his way to Twilight Town when he heard a voice. “So you're Riku, the one who is said to wear both darkness and light? You sacrificed yourself, you should be dead but here you are alive. It's as if someone brought you all back and rewritten the fates’ itself.”

Riku stopped when he heard those words, “What?”. He turned around to see several people wearing masks of different animals.

What did he mean by he should be dead?

Keyblades appeared from their hands. “It was foretold, On that land darkness shall prevail and light shall expire. All your hearts were supposed to be forsaken, but here you remain except for the hero whose heart’s been taken.”

Not only was he outnumbered, but Riku was also confused on who these people were. He looked around, trying to find a way out of this. Why did they bring their weapons out and what did they know?

“Those words, Xehanort said those same words, but in the end we all succeeded.” Riku was puzzled and didn't understand. Who were these people who hid their faces? It was like the organization and their coats except it was different, “What are you after?” he asked as he took a step forward. Could they be the organization part three?

The foretellers all looked at each other. Another spoke up, “You don't remember what happened that day, do you? The reason why Sora isn't here is not just because he brought Kairi back, it's because he brought everyone back and it's time for you to go back where you belong.” Riku narrowed his eyes as he realized they were here prepared to kill him.

He didn't have much choice but to fight back. He held Braveheart and prepared to reflect any spells and attacks they gave him.

They brought their keyblades forward and began to cast a number of spells. It was way too many for him to handle. He was going to attempt to run for it, it's better than dying.

Just in time, a dark corridor appeared and a pair of arms grabbed Riku and took him forward.

Vanitas shifted around, “Here I am saving you again.” He laid lazily on the couch, “right in Twilight Town too.”

Riku was out of it, “Vanitas… you saved me.”. He was out of breath and still injured from the attack.

Vanitas almost smiled but he just looked away. “Yeah… I suppose I did. I happened to be nearby and I was worried I guess. I wouldn't have anywhere to go if you didn't make it.” He was blushing and didn't want it to seem like a big deal. However, an unversed formed and crawled over to Riku with worry.

Riku smiled at the creature as it leaned against him, “Are you worried? I'm okay now.”

Vanitas decided to ignore the actions and sighed, “Stupid thing. Was this part of the reason there are more heartless? It's not my doing, you know. Besides all the unversed are well..” he gestured around him, “here.”

Riku shrugged, “I'm not sure myself. I had never seen them before. They are so much more than I expected, but you know what's the crazy part? They said I died. All of us died: me, Kairi, Mickey, Aqua, Axel— well Lea, and Ventus.”

Vanitas looked down, “You didn't know? That friend of yours rewritten history in a way you can't even imagine. Your sacrifice ensured that, but it also took away yours and everyone's memory of that time. However, now he is paying the ultimate price. He did it once more and then he vanished.” He suddenly put his arms around Riku as he appeared behind him.

He didn't know why he did that actually.

“I sacrificed my life for Sora…?” Riku closed his eyes, “He deserves to live out of anyone, I wouldn't hesitate and I promised to protect—”

Vanitas interrupted Riku's words with his hand and sighed, “And there you go again, both of you are so stupidly in love, always being self sacrificing idiots!”. He laughed, “You know you both are always saving each other and now that he's gone I guess I'm supposed to do that now. I am basically him for you, right? Someday I might not be able to just save you.”

Riku shook his head, “What! No I'm not…” Riku blushed and sighed, “Vani, you are more than Sora. You are your own person. You aren't Ven, you're not Sora either. Just because you look similar doesn't mean anything.” Riku gave him a smile.

Vanitas chuckled for once, “Maybe you're the one who is like Sora. That sounds like something he would say. Now about those people in the masks. Next time you might not be lucky, I can't have you dying on me now.” The unversed who was rubbing against Riku’s leg, now curled up, practically holding his limb— much to Vanitas’ annoyance.

Riku picked it up and began rubbing the flood’s head. “H-h-hey! Stop that!” Vanitas began blushing as if he was being pet by Riku himself.

“What? Do you…” Riku then stared at Vanitas, “Are you blushing?”

Vanitas swatted his hand away, “I thought I said asking stupid questions won't get answers. Why would I be?”

Riku raised his eyebrows, “You said these are basically your emotions and if I pet one like this,” he began petting the flood under its chin,” then perhaps you could feel that too. After all, if one gets hurt, so do you.”

“Who asked you to be so smart?” Vanitas scowled.

Riku grinned cheekily and kissed the Unversed on its head, “I thought you said you hated stupid people.”

“Gah!” Vanitas glared at the gesture Riku just did. He began blushing a bit more as he yanked his hair down, hoping it would cover the redness on his cheeks. The boy felt very warm and if he closed his eyes, he could imagine his lips right there on his cheeks. He hated the feeling that came over him, but at the same time, he truly liked it.

        He truly liked being around Riku. Even if he believed Riku only saw him as Sora, he couldn't help it. He wanted him for himself whether it was as a friend or something more. Perhaps it was selfish of him to want that, but he would never admit it. Another part of him hated that feeling.

         Vanitas frowned “All lights are supposed to be stupid I thought.”

“Do you want me to be stupid?” Riku raised his eyebrows, smiling at the other.

Vanitas slowly looked down before shaking his head, “No… I like you—I-I MEAN I like you better like this.” He wanted to sink into darkness again for misspeaking.

Riku smiled softly at his words, “I like you too, Vanitas.” He leaned down hugging the unversed as he continued to lean into Vanitas.

Vanitas stopped everything, “Hey I didn't say you could do that!” He glared, “Why are you so obsessed with those stupid things? I might as well just kill them.”

He widened his eyes feeling another intense emotion. He had to quickly push it away.

Riku laughed, “I think they're cute. Also it's like if I hugged you, but you're like a cat that doesn’t like being touched.”

Vanitas glared at him, “A-a cat?” He shook his head, “Why do you want to hug me?”

“It helps people feel better. Affection helps all of us after everything. I'm not used to it too much either, but it's nice.” Riku leaned his head on his shoulders.

“Did you do this with Sora?” Vanitas cautiously asked.

Riku shook his head, “It's as you said when we first met, Sora would never let me—”

“Riku I was just…” Vanitas regretted the words he said back then, “being a nuisance.”

Riku sighed, “We used to hug a lot when we were younger but not so much as we got older. Then after the exam, I was so surprised when that happened that I didn't even hug back and now he's not here. When I find him, I want to hug him again, you know.” Riku looked down sadly.

Vanitas had this strange feeling when he mentioned Sora. Would he still be able to be here if Sora was around? He quickly changed the subject, “Are those lights still looking for me?”

Riku shrugged, “I think so. Aqua still believes you're involved somehow. Little does she now, you've been helping me. Oh!” Riku remembered, “They don't even want to open up the case for Sora. They still think he's dead or it would be a lost cause since they're unable to find him.”

“Aqua is always afraid of what she doesn't know. They're all just very stupid—.”

“Why don't you like them? Is it because Xehanort told you they're bad or were they preventing you from getting something?”

Vanitas shrugged, “I don't even know anymore. I just know they're my enemy and look, I'm darkness. I use darkness, I hurt people with darkness. I'm bad. I'm not good, I don't use light and they'll never accept me even if I wanted it..." He furrowed his eyebrows a leaned down as he took a breath to sight, "I don't need their approval. Ironic as it is, they're just idiots shouting "light is good and darkness is bad”, but is it really?”

Riku listened to him patiently, “You’re used to believing something so much that you don't even know the true reason, I get it. And Darkness,” he shook his head, “It's not bad. I don't think so, neither does Sora or I wouldn't be here.”

“You're a special case alright. You use both.” Vanitas looked at him. He scared previous members in the past with how good he was using both darkness and light. He was one of the strongest and it's why they ended up trying to go after Sora instead of Riku during the exam. “As for Sora, it reminds me of what he said to me. He said I should be free to choose what I want to do or to be. I choose to be in darkness so Sora and Ven can live how they are. I know what I am and there's no changing that.”

There's no changing that, was that alright?  As long as he is okay being that way…

Riku was in the woods and after all this time, his hair has been growing longer. It was not as long as before he cut it for the Exam, but it was still a decent length. Up on his shoulders, hiding in his hair was an unversed. Recently he had decided to take them out some. He felt bad for the little ones, being cooped up there all day so he decided to bring them out one at a time whenever he took walks around Twilight Town.

Sometimes he would run into the others, and that's why he's lucky that his hair is long enough to hide the critters. He hasn't run into any of those foretellers since the first time and he's so thankful for that. Speaking of them, however, the heartless on the rise hasn't stopped.

   In fact, Yen Sid and the others discovered something called the book of prophecies that apparently had foretold all of the events that were to happen. Within that book told of everything since the beginning. There was also a person called the master of masters that constructed all the events. That master of masters has been appearing and causing issues for the rest of them which is why those foretellers attacked them and the heartless have been stronger. They all are apparently making sure darkness is forever snuffed out and ensuring all that is said to happen in the book of prophecies stays the same.

It was very exhausting for Riku and the others.

Unfortunately because of that no one else is working on finding Sora, so Riku and Vanitas have been working together instead. They often stay up late to the early hours of 3 am before they both fall asleep from exhaustion. Sometimes the little unversed, put blankets around the two of them when they accidentally fall asleep on the couch or desk together. Once he woke up to Vanitas holding onto him and smiled. However, when he woke up, he instantly removed himself from the situation and didn't want to talk about that nor the blush that formed.

Riku, who was in the woods at this moment, however had run into his replica, “Hi,” Riku looked down and made sure his hair was covering his shoulders.

“Wow, your hair has gotten long.” His replica remarked staring at the other. Ever since going on the journey of discovering himself, he had dyed his hair purple and black. He even had it up in a small ponytail. “How are you putting up with everything? Nams and I haven't seen you around lately. Sora will come back, I know it.”

“It’s just me now. Everyone else has admitted he's gone, Rie.” He looked down, “There's so much I wish I had told him. I wanted to apologize for so much and I…” he sighed.

Rie smiled softly, “I want to see him again too. He gave me confidence that I am me and my own person, not you.” He put his hand on Riku's shoulder but then he felt something different. “Huh? Is this a—”

Riku quickly took a few steps back sheepishly. “Well I should be going now!” He decided at that moment as he turned around to go back to his apartment. He couldn't let anyone figure that out or see the unversed.

The other stared at him as he quickly ran off, “Wait!” His replica called even though he ran away, “I just wanted to help you find him…”

Riku was already long gone, but that didn't stop him. After all, he knew where his apartment was and he could get there faster.

The other used a dark portal and went inside his apartment, and he knows he shouldn't really be using darkness but he occasionally does it. When he stepped inside he was greatly surprised by the surroundings. “Why are there so many heartless?”

Vanitas however, didn't hear him say that or get remotely freaked out, “Riku, did you just use a dark corridor? I thought you weren't able to anym…” Then Vanitas came face to face with someone who had the same face as him, but much younger and dyed hair. “You're not… Are you the Riku from the organization?” Vanitas widened his eyes, “Is there another organization now? D-do they want me back this time but I… I don't want to go. I like it here!”

Rie shook his head, ”Woah don't worry, there's no organization anymore unless you count everyone who got recompleted. And I'm not Riku.” That always left a sore subject in his mouth. Who was this Sora look-a-like and why was he here? Did Riku grow desperate and pull a Vexen, he thought.

He nodded, “Right, right. Makes sense I mean I look just like Sora, but I'm not him at all. He's way too bubbly and so stupid like the rest of the lights.” Vanitas shrugged and picked up an unversed. With Riku around, he often got used to taking care of them. “You're not going to tell anyone I'm here are you? Not them either?”

“I mean those heartless aren't hurting anyone but—” Rie was interrupted 

“Not heartless. Unversed.” Vanitas corrected, “They come from me and I get hurt if they die or get hurt since they're basically a manifestation of my emotions. They're uncontrollable.”

Rie looked down, “Oh that's…”

Vanitas shrugged, “Yeah, it's annoying and Riku is obsessed with them. He thinks they're cute and even takes them on walks because he feels bad that they're cooped up here.” Vanitas rolls his eyes, “And don't get me started on how he holds and cuddles them because then I can feel that and it just makes me feel stupidly warm as if I'm a light.”

Rei laughed out loud in which he earned a soft punch in the shoulder and a glare, “Oww, I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to laugh, it just sounds like a lot. How is he without Sora, if you don't mind me asking?”

Vanitas nodded, “He's okay. We're trying to figure out where Sora is since the rest of the lights can't be bothered to find their friend.” He then looked down at his hands, “I don't get that. Sora did everything for them and they gave up on him. I think Riku sees Sora as me, which I don't know how to feel. He reassures me he doesn't, but then a part of me wouldn't mind being ‘Sora’ to him.” 

“I get it. I hate being compared to Riku.” Rie smiled, “We used to not get along and we were compared. I was created by Vexen in a lab and they implanted half of Riku's memories to me and the other half of them had replaced both Riku and Kairi with memories of Naminé. I thought he was just a copy, but it was me all along. I hated that I was just a fake and not real, but Sora helped me see I can be my own person too.”

Vanitas got it. He was actually not annoying and he related a lot, “Well to me you're nothing like Riku. He's more annoying”

He smiled, “Thanks, really. Say what's your story? Created by Vexen too?”

“I mean I am using a replica body if that's what you mean, but no.” He shook his head, “I am part of Ventus and Xehanort decided to strip the darkness from Ventus and I was born— well I was there for a long time before that, I joined with Ventus a long time ago and I practically became a part of him until I wasn't.” 

Rie then frowned, “What is taking Riku so long? I thought he would be here by now. I want to know why he's hiding a person in his apartment and being sneaky.” He rubbed his eyebrows, “I'm not Yen Sid, I'm not going to care. I was even going to ask to help him with Sora. Naminé would be able to help too.”

“Well I'll look forward to seeing you more I suppose, you're not incredibly stupid either.”

“Uh thanks?” He shook his head, what a compliment.

Rie slightly reminded him of the Riku from the organization, but he knows that was just a copy of this one here.

Finally the door opened and Riku arrived, he stared a bit shocked to see the two conversing, casually as if they were friends. It was nice to see him be with others.

“You!” Rie crossed his arms, it was a little unnerving seeing his own face— but younger glare. “Why didn't you tell me anything? You know me and Naminé hate Yen Sid and Ansem the unwise.”

Vanitas laughed, “Unwise! That really suits him. He really is stupid and unwise.”

Rie looked at him, “So what's Vanitas to you?”

Vanitas was like a cat caught in headlights as he glared at Rie for asking such a question.

“Vanitas? He's… He's my friend.” Riku looked down, though, friend felt a bit weird of a word choice. He had no idea why.

Vanitas turned away, when he heard that. Friend, he thought warmly. He liked that, but also just like Riku felt strange with that word choice, but unlike Riku, he knew why.

Rie smiled, “I'm glad.”

Vanitas scowled, “Don't ask stupid things.” He turned to Riku, “He said he and someone named Naminé wanted to help with finding Sora.”

“Oh… okay. Sure, I trust you both. I'm not telling anyone about him because they think he's up to something, but that's not even true. He's a good person who just been misguided.”

“I'm not good. I'm darkness.”. He rolled his eyes, “This idiot thinks I'm good.”

Rie smiled, “I also use darkness sometimes. Though, I try not to. Yen Sid doesn't trust me either and I especially cannot stand Ansem the wise.”

“I don't know how Mickey puts up with him,” Riku agreed somberly. If it weren't for him, there's a chance he could have found another way instead of harming Roxas and Xion. He still felt guilty about that. Roxas got fed up with Riku constantly trying to apologize. Xion forgives him and knew he was trying to bring his friend back which was everything she could understand.

Vanitas didn't know that Ansem super well, but he knew of the seeker of darkness. However, from their reactions and how Yen Sid was, he knew he had to be similar.

Thus, the three of them and Naminé planned to find out what exactly happened to Sora.

There were papers scattered everywhere, a board with red lines, and pictures attached. Naminé— a girl with curly hair, wearing a seafoam blue dress— had a pen in hand.

Vanitas, who had a book in hand which he had stolen previously from one of those masked people.

Riku and Rie both had been writing and looking at other books.

“Sora is not in this world, that is what we already confirmed. However, not just this world or Destiny Islands, but it seems that it is another reality itself.” Naminé wrote down in her journal. “That's what we know.”

“Unreality.” Vanitas spoke up, “I remember that younger version of Xehanort said Sora will pay the price for saving all of you.”

Rie thought deeply, “When I finished off the replica of me along with Ansem, Sora had already rewritten fate at that point.”

Riku nodded, “Everyone was gone except for me and him and then I had given myself up too.”

“For love,” Vanitas added, teasing him.

“Hey! No! He's just my—” Riku was certainly flustered at that point. His hair seemed more messy and his cheeks were redder.

Rie laughed, “You're not fooling anyone here. Nams here knows all about Sora's memory and she could see everything I— I mean that you did.” he shrugged as he leaned back and picked up the clipboard.

Riku sighed.

“Okay focus!” She clapped her hands, “We can talk about Riku's obvious-not-so-secret-crush afterwards!”

Riku sighed, “So how can we get to unreality? How can we find him?”

“Seriously? If you go there, there's a chance your fate will be the same as him, but then again both of you are always throwing your lives away.” Vanitas spoke up. “It's not getting there, it's how can we bring him back here without sacrificing yourself.” 

“Okay then what's the plan? If we cannot go there? Are we back where we've started, unable to move forward?” Rie took out some more sticky notes and began writing more things such as “advised not to go to unreality”.

Vanitas shook his head, “Do you really think he will return if we go there? There's a good chance he got separated into pieces and giving those pieces to him is the key to his return.”

“What?!” Riku exclaimed.

He nodded, “His heart and body. When I woke up here I didn't know how I was alive, but that idiot must have done something to save me too.” He sighed, “I've been alive for awhile, but you were the first to actually run into me Riku.” This time it was him whose voice got softer than Riku ever heard it go. Vanitas' voice was usually rough, spiteful, or snarky, but it was more gentle for someone like him. “I do appreciate that I suppose.”

“You're welcome?” Riku looked away. The two of them were blushing. Riku didn't understand it, ignoring that he simply muttered, “So parts of his heart are inside yours. Where would the others be?” Vanitas chose to take out his annoyance on feeling those emotions on the poor unversed who instantly shivered at the sight of Vanitas glaring.” 

“Would Ven have it?” Rie then shook his head, “No, cause if he did it to save you then it most likely would just be Vanitas, so none of the others would have it.”

“The other pieces are in the in between.” Naminé realized, “Sora was in pieces before when he was on the brink of death and there was a lingering feeling keeping him there. It's this place known as the final world and he collected all his pieces there before. If we get that and the pieces within your heart maybe he'll be back.”

Vanitas nodded, “And then there's the problem. He's still in unreality.”

“I'll go.” Riku easily volunteered. “I'll get him out and bring him home.”

Vanitas shook his head, “I thought I said you can't. You'd get stuck there. Let me go that way, it will be easier for everyone.” His voice was rough,”You won't have to worry about hiding me and those stupid lights won't have to worry about a thing.”

Riku looked down, “But… you can't. You should be your own person too— not Ven and not Sora!” His heart was racing.

Rie put a hand on Riku's shoulder, “Vanitas.. Riku's right. You're practically recklessly sacrificing yourself now too.”

Vanitas was scowling, why was Riku caring about what could happen to him? He hated how Riku seemed to care whenever he got injuries or got hurt or whenever his past with Xehanort abusing him got brought up. Riku cared and he couldn't stand it. He thought Sora was the sugary sweet one so why was he like this? Why were the others caring as well? He thought he was just a placeholder for Sora. Once Sora arrives, that's all it will ever be. He will go back to being just a shadow.

“Then we'll find out how one can leave unreality.” Naminé passed the two of them the book of prophecies. “You both should go and come back with Sora.”

Riku looked at Vanitas before nodded, “Alright.”

...

The final world was nothing like anyone expected. Naminé was there, but Rie had to stay behind. The place was like the sky, but it was peaceful like the calming of the sea. Water tripped around wherever you stepped. It was also silent, very silent. There was no wind, there was just nothing.

There were twinkles of stars and other lost souls, but that was it. Whenever they'd go past one, there would be a cry of help. A stranger would wonder where they were. That person would wish, bring me home. But they could only look in sadness for it was not the soul they were here for.

They ran around sensing and finding a fallen piece of his heart. They collected the pieces only a little at a time until finally they had made a small simple heart.

His heart felt warm and just perfect. “So these are pieces of his heart?” Riku kneeled down holding several pieces very delicately. “It's so beautiful and pure, but also dark and sad.” Riku held them to his face before closing his eyes.

Vanitas rolled his eyes, “Now I'll take them for safekeeping. Now if we can use this, we can find him.”

Naminé smiled as she watched them descend.

A light appeared and with their hearts, they followed where it guided them.

Before they noticed, they landed in a world of shadows and tall buildings. It was a world where little to no magic existed. Everything was like nothing they had seen before. It wasn't any reality they were familiar with. “Wow..” Riku sighed in amazement, “This is actually pretty incredible. I have to say, I'm glad I'm not alone.”

Vanitas almost smiled, but he caught himself. “Yeah without me, you'd be lost.”

“Maybe,” he shook his head. Another thing about being there, it was so captivating. Riku would frequently stare at all the buildings and everything around him. He watched as the rain dropped from the building and saw as people held umbrellas and wrapped themselves in raincoats. He couldn't help but stare as people would run in the rain and jump in the puddles and laugh. That last part especially reminded him of Sora.

Sora would love it here, he realized. Sora was so excited when he went to that one world that he kept taking pictures and sending videos. It made him smile. He had to stop to respond despite the fact he was fighting heartless. Mickey forgave him for it later after a scolding. He felt like a disappointed son dealing with that.

He watched as humans screamed, “Is that a bug for the new superhero movie: Marvel Hero vs Shadow Bugs?”

Another voice cried out, “I don't know but I want to leave!”

Riku watched as the humans ran past them and then he realized why they were upset: there were heartless all around them.

The two of them worked together, covering each other backs as they fought the heartless.  Every other person looked in awe at the strange two individuals who were fighting them with quite particular weapons.

A girl who was watching widen her eyes as if she recognized it, but she shook her head as if she forgotten it right away. Besides, she had to get somewhere.

The girl bumped into him and he felt a pang in his chest, what was that feeling?

Was it Sora?

“I'm sorry,” the girl— she had orange, long hair and white clothes and it felt more particular than anyone else he had seen.”I'm late, I need to help my friend.”

She ran across the street and into a store.

Riku stared at Vanitas fondly.  They defeated the heartless and he could have sworn he felt Sora.  Vanitas finally looked at Riku, “What's with that stupid look?”

Riku sighed and he put his hand into his hair, “Call me crazy but when she bumped into me, in my heart I felt Sora's.”

Vanitas raised his eyebrows, “That… I wasn't expecting.” However, now that he mentioned it when that girl passed he felt a presence that was familiar somehow, but he wasn't sure it was because of Sora but something else entirely.

Riku then saw the little store, “Let's go here.” Riku knew Sora was close. His heart was telling him just that and if that girl knew him then he had to go.

Vanitas held one unversed in his arms, “They are quite nice..” he turned to him. “Once you find Sora just don't forget about me. Come visit me too and I'll even let you pet one of the unversed.”. Vanitas put his face into the being, covering up the blush that was onto his cheeks. For some reason, Riku helped him appreciate them and like them.

Riku stopped, “I will never forget about you. I know how it is to feel abandoned and I wouldn't do that. Just because I find Sora, doesn't mean you have to leave. Where did you get that from?” He put his hands on his shoulders.

Vanitas shrugged it off, “Just testing you obviously. I had to see if you would leave without me or not.” He quickly came up with such an obvious lie.

Riku sighed, knowing that he was pretending, “Vanitas…. Well let's go then.”  Inside the Mart was a boy similar in age to the two of them. He has brown spikey locks, and eyes that were filled with a great sea, but lost memory. He was just a soul doing the daily things without anything thought. He has barely any of a memory and constantly forgot just them.

He didn't know his name. He only knew he worked here and earned a wage. He worked here forever, he thought. He ate a sandwich, he took a shower, he went to work and then he came home. Then the day repeats. There was nothing else on his mind. He sometimes would get vague flashes of memories, but he couldn't tell.

He had two friends all his life— that he knew. His silver hair, he was so serious, but he swore to save him from any danger— that was him.

The orange-red hair, the smile, trustworthy and always looking out for others— that was her.

Suddenly he felt a pain in his head and he felt dizzy. “Hey Sky, are you okay?” His second best friend leaned down.

He shook his head, “ufh bad.. headache..”

The girl frowned, “Alright, we'll fix you up.”. She went to the employees only door and shouted, “Hey, can someone take over? Sky isn't feeling well!”

“I've got this ‘Litzia,” a taller person comes through. “Was it another migraine? He mentioned that this morning.”

The girl— Strelitzia nodded her head, “I think so. He is dizzy. Hey, Sky, can you tell him what happened? He could figure it out since you guys live together and have been close since forever.” 

Sky nodded his head. That's all he remembers. The girl and that guy being his best friends and they wanted to go somewhere together, but now this strange pulse of memories is coming through “I remembered something. We used to live somewhere more tropical. There was this fruit. We said whoever wins would share it with her. You won and I got upset, I didn't want you to share it. You kept talking about doing it too.”

The male looked down, “Sky, I was lying.. We aren't—”

Sky smiled, “I know. It was complicated. It wasn't her. It was actually me. I know it now. You swore to protect me. You became my personal star protector and unknowingly became a star to protect me. You love me.”

The person stared wide eyed, “That's…”

He smiles, “It still hurts, but I'm suddenly remembering so much.”

“Here, why don't I take you to the back to rest.” The girl offered with a smile. He nodded and the two of them left.

The man stared at himself, he didn't mean for things to end up that way. He lost his memories after he fought him. And he has been going through a false life believing it's real. However, whenever he regains anything, he suddenly believes it's the two of them in that picture when actually it isn't.

All he knows is that he was the key to finding the person he truly wants to protect and it wasn't this “Sky”. His name wasn't even Sky but because he fell out of the sky, that's what they've been calling him.

Riku and Vanitas walked into the store. He felt something shifting like the presence is now farther away.

“Hey, I don't suppose you have another secret twin?” Vanitas suddenly asked as he stared at the main at the counter.

Riku hasn't even noticed yet and looked down, “Huh? No, why..?” Then he got his answer. At the counter was a person with silver hair and eyes two different colors with one being red and the other blue.

Riku walked up to the counter and frowned, “Who are you?”

Vanitas crossed his arms.

The person was taken aback by the question, “This is a general store, how can we be of service.” He answered instead before thinking how odd it was to say that. “The name is Yozora.”. He finally answered.

“Have you seen a person about 63 inches and spiky brown hair? He has these two adorable eyes and it's like the ocean can fit into them.” Riku spoke up next.

Yozora knew who they were referring to immediately, “I'm on a shift, but we could talk later, just meet me after this.”

Vanitas scowled, “We're in a hurry. We need to find him as quickly as we can or we will be trapped here forever.”

The reason why it was so dangerous was that the longer they stayed, the harder it was to return. The longer you stay dead, the harder it is to regain your life.

Yozora stared wide eyed. Unlike anyone else, he was from this place. His person was taken from him and the only clue was Sora who he believed was stealing the name of his person.

Yozora shook his head, “It's useless. The person you want will never go with you or even be with you. He thinks I'm you and that we're best friends. It's quite sweet, but then again haven't you done the same thing?” Yozora pointed to the scowling figure beside Riku.

Riku shook his head, “No! I would never.” He crossed his arms, “Vanitas is not a replacement! It's different from Sora— he's not him!”

Vanitas looked down, did he think of him as different?

“It doesn't matter if he sees me as Sora or not. Why does Sora think you're Riku?” Vanitas asked the real question here. Why was it that he believed this.

“His name is Sora?” Yozora asked quizzily. “That’s actually his name? He wasn't being controlled.”

“Of course his name is Sora! It's always been. Why wouldn't his name be that?” Riku crossed his arms making an expression that was all too similar to Vanitas. Perhaps he was rubbing off on him after all.

“Because the person I've been trying to save is named just that.” He stared at the two in front of him, “Your Sora, however, just believed we're his friends whenever some memories come back to him. We didn't do anything and we thought it was better not to say anything. He barely remembers a thing after all.”

A part of him did disliked that this Sora kept thinking they were friends, Riku stared at the person ahead, “So Sora doesn't remember me or anything.. He just believes he is your friend.” He looked down, unsure what to think.

Then Sora stepped back into the store with Strelitzia, “Sorry about having to call you.”

Riku stared at him and everything felt special. All this time apart made him miss Sora so dearly. His hair was not as spiky— not it was towards the side now. Riku missed him so much and the freckles that would always kiss his sunbathed skin. He wanted to hug him, but as this Yozora said he had not memory and that ached at his heart even more.

“Sora!” Riku called out regardless of the warnings, he had to see for himself.

Vanitas looked down, he knew how the other felt. He would never be in the picture. He hated that feeling too, it just annoyed him. Why did he end up feeling this way?

Riku noticed Vanitas went outside and stared after him. Why did he leave? He was afraid he was feeling that he didn't matter because of Sora but that wasn't true at all. They bother were important to him in different ways.

However, he couldn't just leave either.

He stared at Riku with a puzzled expression. “S-sora?” He tilted his head in response. Was that his name? It sounded right.

He closed his eyes, that's right. He was called that a lot. It was his name after all. However, what confused him was this stranger. How did he know that?

Sora took a closer look and then realized that he reminded him of Yozora. “You remind me of Yozora..”

Riku stared back. What a joke. Yozora was the one that seemed to be copying him, not the other way around. “You don't remember me do you?”

Sora shook his head sadly, “I'm sorry.. but you look like my best friend.”

“He's not… I mean I'm I don't know how to explain this but we've always been close but then something terrible happened and you disappeared. You saved the person you liked, Kairi. She's both of our friends.” It hurts Riku to say all of this. Riku believed it was Kairi that he liked, but he couldn't be more wrong.

Sora looked down, “I disappeared? For a girl name Kairi?” His felt his head and several memories came to him. This time instead of Strelitzia, he saw Kairi finally.

He heard a voice too this time and it wasn't Yozora's. That voice taunted him about Kairi, “I know.” The boy smirked at him as he leaned forward closer than anything he'd done before. “You want to try it.” He held the fruit right in front of him before taking a bite. The boy ran off and he was stuck with a fruit. “With Kairi of course,” he added later as if to save his face.

The scene ended and then it was him and her, “I think he has changed. What if something happens to him? He's been focused on leaving so much but what if what's out there isn't good?”. Kairi that girl spoke again before lowering her head. However, Sora disagreed at that point.

“Kairi? Maybe it's you who's changed!” Sora defends him right away. The girl ended up agreeing before recalling more memories.

He saw that boy again. There he was, “We’ll be together soon, never apart again.”

Sora was so happy to see that boy, but then he disappeared. That boy was actually being manipulated to fight him. He crossed his arms so uncooly, “Huh, you care more about them more than Kairi?”

More memories trickled and they were at a door, “Sora don't give up,” His name was said. “Together we can do it and Kairi.. just take care of her.”

It seemed as if a long time past as he found himself in another memory, “I finally found you. I've looked everywhere and I just missed you so much.” He saw himself on the ground and the hand he was holding wasn't Yozora or that other boy he kept seeing.

However, the voice that spoke was just that bit, “I'm sorry. I had given into the darkness and you.. I failed you and Kairi so how could I show myself or even come back?”. But Sora watched as his past self shook his head and made him realize he has a home back with them.

There they were at the beach and it was the two of them. He heard this boy express doubts of jealousy and now they were relaxing like nothing else mattered. “You're special to me Sora,” the other looked down and smiled.

“You're special to me too, Riku.” he saw himself finally say his name. It was Riku, that was his name. It made him feel all warm.

More memories.

He felt very sleepy and he heard Riku's voice calling him to wake up. As soon as it was over he hugged him like never before. “You're safe!” He was happy for this boy for Riku.

Though, it was strange because where was Yozora? Sora didn't understand where he was. He heard his name being called and Sora came to see Riku. The two of them teamed up together forming the most perfect bond and keyblade between them.  

Another memory flashed by and he was alone except for Riku. “They're gone… How can I go on without them? They are what held me together and made me strong.”

Riku shook his head, “Sora but I know you are your own strength too. I believe in you, just remember.” He watched as he faced the heartless before he disappeared and soon Sora did too, but another memory came.

Riku watched him. His past self was looking beyond, “I can't go back yet. I won't until everyone is safe and we can go home together again. Kairi has to be with us too.” He looked down and then that was it.

Sora opened his eyes with those memories. Something was strange, this Riku person he had never heard of, but it reminded him of his relationship with Yozora.

It was almost as if he wasn't Yozora or Strelitzia’s but Riku and Kairi's instead.

“That's right, I disappeared.” Sora looked down “and I came here where I faced Yozora and then I lost my memory. I believed it was Yozora and Riku that were my friends.” Riku smiled. He was remembering.

“Sora, I have something for you.”

It was his heart.

Meanwhile when Vanitas ran outside, the rain was pouring down. He still held the unversed in his arms and it was making him feel worse and worse. Envy. He hated how annoyingly nice Riku was to him and that feeling of cherish that came with it. He hated how a stupidly nice person of light could make him feel that way. It was the same way Sora always was nice to everyone and he hated that so much, so why was this different? Sora made him upset because he wasn't him. He understood that and he would never want to be him, but a part of him knew if he was Sora then everything would be better. If he could just be Sora then maybe Riku and him could….

Vanitas sighed and a new flood came to be in the form of envy. He held it closer and started crying. He hated crying, it made him weak. He remembered Xehanort would often hit him whenever he did that. He said he should take the pain and it would make him stronger.

He was just Sora to Riku, but now that he's here where does that leave him?

Nowhere.

He's just lost and lonely again. Maybe he should just stay here after all. It would be better that way. He could take Sora's place as a resident of the Quadratum and Riku and he can return. They can both be happy together. Rie has Naminé too. But he— Vanitas didn't have anyone. He was just the other person.

Just at that moment, he heard a voice,”Vanitas?” Riku was smiling softly, “Are you alright?

He wanted to say no. He wanted to say no so badly and tell him everything, but that would complicate things. However, that would also mean finding out if he did actually care for him outside of being someone to replace Sora with.

“Riku, am I just Sora to you? How do I know I'm not just another Sora?” Vanitas looked at him with so much honesty and sincerity that he had to answer.

He shocked his head, “No, never. To me Vanitas, you are yourself. When I first met you I'd only heard of you and could only think it must have been hard. I didn't tell anyone because I think there is more to you then what meets the eye.” Riku was blushing this time, “It wouldn't be the same without you. I only just met you several months ago, but your impact is so strong.”

Sora was standing behind as he watched the two. He was happy for Vanitas and that Riku was there for him.

He then turned to Yozora and Strelitzia, “Strelitzia and Yozora, thanks for everything. I'll miss the two of you. If you ever go to the destiny islands, come visit me okay.” Sora hugged both of them.

Yozora was shocked with the affection despite lying and trying to hurt him. He thought he was the enemy but that wasn't it at all. “I'll find my friend and then we'll visit.”

Strelitzia nodded, “I'll miss you so much. I have to stay with Yozora. I can't leave him by himself but after we find her, we'll come to you.”

Sora grinned, “I’ll see you then.”

He went outside to see Riku and Vanitas, they were still talking and seemed to be in a serious, but intimate conversation. “How is it that I am in love with more than one person, Vani? I don't want to do that to Sora or.. the other person”

Vanitas' blush deepened and he realized what Riku meant or rather who the other person was. “Go be with Sora.”

Riku shook his head, “I couldn't! I still—”

He knew that Vanitas knew, “I'll be okay.”

"I don't even know if Sora feels the same. He is with Kairi and I still love you too.”

Vanitas looked down, “I know.” He held an unversed close to him, “The more I spent time with you, it was annoying but you made me feel like no one else.”

Sora widened his eyes when he heard their words. Riku loved him? He thought he was going insane during those years when he didn't understand love and thought he had liked Kairi, but then things changed and he almost felt those feelings for Riku. It's why love confused him.

However, he didn't want to take that away from Vanitas. Vanitas deserves this too and it was mutual. He would be okay as long as the two of them were happy. He had been friends first before anything else.

Then Sora had an idea, he smiled, “Riku! Vanitas!” He went over to them.

Riku looked at Sora and back at Vanitas. Vanitas felt sad but he knew it was for the better.

Vanitas looked down. Riku managed to get him to open up and allowed him to experience having friends for the first time. He liked it. He was often annoyed how it made him feel. Vanitas didn't want to even admit it, but he enjoyed being with Riku and he even met Naminé and Rie where he felt that he belonged.

“You can go home now, Sora.” Riku smiled.

Sora shook his head, “I already have my home, it's with you and Vanitas is yours too.” Riku blinked at his words. What was he trying to say? Sora interrupted their thoughts when he held both of their hands, “Come on, both of you, let's all go together!”

Riku then looked at Vanitas and back to Sora. He didn't have to choose.

He loved them both and that's okay.  Sora kissed Vanitas' cheek, “I'm glad I could help you be here.”

Vanitas stared in awe, so it was him who brought him back.

Riku blinked and ruffled Sora's head, “Come on don't get too comfortable, we have a long way to go.”. He looked behind, “Vani? Are you coming?”

Vanitas, still thinking about what just happened nodded, “Yeah. With both of you, I think I'd like that a lot”

The three of them still had a lot to figure out, but they were going to make it work. They were three people who loved each other.

Riku held an unversed softly, Vanitas leaned against him, and Sora held Riku's hand. But they were together and that's all that mattered.