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If all hope is loss, do you give up?
If everything he has tried has failed, what comes next?
Laying his head on the table, Riku had better days. His face was definitely paler, his hair was overly messy— you would think it was Sora— and he didn't look like he had slept in weeks.
However despite his misery, he had one lingering hope but to take it would be the greatest taboo and could even result in a death.
Riku's presence was certainly noticed by the others in the room. Xion and Roxas exchanged glances before Roxas sighed at the sight of Riku.
“I've never seen him so defeated. No one has any idea where Sora is and it isn't like he is D-E-A-D either.” Roxas said the letters instead as he didn't want Riku to hear and feel even worse at the possibility that Sora might truly be gone forever.
It's been over a year since the final battle and Sora disappeared. At that moment, Riku watched in horror as his best friend disappeared from his sight. He ran to the sea— perhaps he just fell off the paopu tree— but that never happened either. He screamed louder than he possibly thought he could. Kairi ran over to him also crying and each other were the only comfort they had.
Sora has told her something, but those words only she knew. Take Care of Him, just like what Riku said back at the end of his first adventure.
Back in the present day of Hollow Bastion, Xion could only think of the horrible fate that Sora gotten.
“Yeah, he just vanished.” Xion frowned, “I wanted to get the chance to actually know Sora. I was in his heart too, but I wanted to get to know him and become his friend.”
She was just a lost memory for the longest time, but it was he who helped her to continue to exist and wanted the replica bodies for all of them to exist again.
Roxas nodded, “I know what you mean. All of us are finally back and together, but then Sora— the one who made it possible isn't.”
It was a cruel fate. Sora risked everything to bring back all that had been lost during the final world, but in turn he had broken the rules. He rewrote history and the ultimate taboo had been committed. He saved everyone with the cost being his life. He was never seen again, despite everywhere Riku had looked. They realized he wasn't in any worlds they've been to and he wasn't in their reality anymore.
At that moment Kairi and Naminé also walked in. “Hi Xion!” The blonde waved to her, making Xion blush instantly.
“H-hi…” She looked down and turned to Roxas, “When pretty girls say hello, I get so nervous.”
And the pretty girl in question was Naminé. Xion turned her gaze to them helplessly. “Oh Roxas what am I going to do?”
“Well you could stop gawking and tell her how you feel?” Roxas offered casually. He may not exactly understand the whole being in love and having crushes thing, but a part of him could understand that Xion really seemed to like Naminé.
Xion turned to Roxas in surprise, “I couldn't possibly. Do you see how she looks at Kairi? She looks at her as if she created her.”
“Well she kind of did?” Roxas points out gently. “Listen, I don't think she could hate you if that's what you're worried about. You're acting like Riku now.”
Even a fool would know Riku is in love with his best friend. After all it was his love that affected both Roxas and Xion. Riku, however, had no idea Sora's true feelings on the matter and as much as Roxas hated it, he inedibly had slight feelings of attraction for the silver haired.
“Except Riku's beloved is missing…” Xion looked down, “And he did everything to get him back only for this to happen.” She remembered how sad Riku looked during that period. Despite all the circumstances, Riku couldn't hate her and saw she wanted to live too. It was just an unfortunate event. She couldn't blame Riku and he couldn't blame her.
Roxas looked at him, his cheeks getting warmer than he liked and was thankful the girls came in to cheer him up. He was tired of him sulking and wanted him to be happy.
However, he wasn't the one who was the key to his happiness.
Xion watched as Kairi and Naminé walked up to Riku. “Hey Riku, I knew I'd find you here. How are you holding up?” She gave her friend a hug from behind.
“I'm okay.” He admitted honestly. His voice was a bit sore when he spoke and it sounded muffled since his head was against the table.
“Riku,” Naminé added, “Let's get your mind off all of this.” She gently put her hand on his shoulder.
“Kairi… Naminé it's hopeless. I tried everything and everyone, but he's gone and the only way would..” he shook his head in defeat. He wasn't sure what he wanted to do next. Riku sighed quietly, “Without Sora what am I supposed to do?” He looked at them with the most miserable expression.
Kairi and Naminé exchanged glances. Kairi put her hand against Riku and put her foot down firmly, “First you can stop moping and second you can come with us.” Kairi grabbed his wrist along with Naminé and brought him forward.
“Wait! Where are we going?” Riku exclaimed as he got dragged on.
Kairi and Naminé skipped ahead while still dragging him forward. “You'll see.”
That was how Riku ended up having both girls braid his hair. He let them and it made them happy to. He even allowed them to use his face to test makeup such as eyeliner on.
However, it took Riku's mind off things as he was smiling. “Look, you look absolutely cute!” Kairi pointed out once she and Naminé were finished.
“H-hey! I do not,” Riku pouted — something Sora would often do— and crossed his arms. He even had a small brush on his cheeks.
“Come on, we still love you.” Kairi pinched his cheek.
Riku sighed, “…Kairi. I know you're trying to help distract me but I must confess something.”
“That you are in love with Sora?” Kairi raised her eyebrows, “That wasn't a secret to anyone.”
“Yeah mhm,” Naminé added nodding along, “Except maybe Sora since he is as oblivious as you.”
Riku widens his eyes, “Hey! N-not so loud. I don't want just anyone to know.”
“That totally went over his head, didn't it?” Naminé turned to Kairi.
Kairi laughed, “Come on, Riku. Practically everyone knows you love him.”
Still Riku looks down, “But it's not… I don't want—” Riku pauses and reveals an honest, yet scared expression. “It's not normal.”
Naminé frowned. “Hey Riku I thought we said everyone knew and that means it's fine!”
“I'm gonna get mad y'know. Of course it's normal, silly.” Kairi shook her hand and leaned forward, “Naminé here is similar.”
He stopped in place, “you are?” he whispered softly. The blonde girl nodded.
He didn't expect that. Naminé didn't mind if people knew but she wasn't one to suddenly tell someone she is just because she happened to be.
Riku then looked softly at Kairi, “And you're not mad that I.. like Sora?” Despite everything he didn't want to ruin anything for the two of them. He always thought it would be the two of them even if a part of him wished differently. For him and Sora to be together, that was atypical and wouldn't be fair to Kairi. Well at least that's what he thought.
Kairi shook her head, “Of course not! You can't help it besides I'm rooting for you,” she gave him a thumbs up.
He stared at her and smiled fondly, “Th-thank you Kairi.”
Naminé put an arm around the two of them, “That's right! The others have as well. You should hear Axel and Xion.” At the mention of the other girl's name, Naminé blushed slightly.
Kairi looked at her and smiled softly and went back to Riku. If only there was a way to help him. They didn't even know where Sora might be.
“I know where Sora is.” He finally spoke up.
Kairi widened her eyes and jumped up, “WAIT WAIT... Pause!" The girl stared at her friend wide eyed and huffed. Her hands were up as she held his arms, but no one said a thing as the two friends continued to just looked at each other. "WHAT?! Why didn't you say anything, dummy?”
Riku shook his head, “Because it's impossible to go without breaking a taboo just like what Sora did by overusing the power of awakening.” If he did what he knew to do there was a chance he could never return. A part of him was okay with that, but he didn't know how the others would feel. He didn't want to hurt them anymore. He knew they missed Sora too and we're just somehow keeping it together.
Kairi looked down and Naminé frowned at his words. What could he mean by that? What did Riku have to do to bring Sora back?
Sora then held her hands together, “So it's hopeless? Wait… How did you find out?”
“Sora told me.”
Kairi gave him a puzzled look, “Sora told you? Sora as in the one that's been missing for a year told you?” Kairi wasn't sure what was going on and he sounded truthful, but it was hard to believe him. What did he mean by Sora telling him?
He nodded again, “Yes, in my dreams. I'm his dream eater after all. Every night I see Sora in my deams”
“And he also carries your heart..” Naminé whispered underneath her breath which resulted in the boy getting flustered at that comment.
"N-not you got the wrong idea!" He waved his hands in front of his face.
Kairi, however, had heard her too and giggled, “That's right.. I’ve almost forgotten. So you can talk to him in your dreams?”
Riku's expression soften before answering Kairi's questions, “I can go into his own dreams and we can talk. He misses everyone, but he doesn't want anyone to find him. That idiot thinks staying there will cause everyone to be safe. Apparently something dangerous is going on over there and he and some girl who is also another keyblade wielder is taking care of it,” Riku then shrugged. "However, sometimes my dreams aren't peaceful and I'm constantly fighting someone that looks so similar to myself."
Naminé tilted her head, "Another Replica? I thought the only one was.." her words cut off just before she mentioned his name. Once Riku's memories and data were taken by the former nobody Vexen, thus creating a replica that looked too similar to him. However, he had grown and became his own person outside of Riku. Now his best friends were Naminé, Vanitas, and he even got close to Olette, Hayner, and Pence too. He sometimes even enjoyed being around Roxas and Xion as well.
Riku shrugged, "I'm... I don't think so. I hope not at least. I'd rather not more versions of me get created." He carefully spoke, still unsure about the whole matter. He didn't know exactly who it was, but he was someone that was in the way of reaching Sora.
He remembered the events well for a dream with Sora. Lately whenever he tried to dream he would show up and it's why sleep has been making him feel tired instead of rested.
So you're the one named Riku. I've finally found you. Not only are you pretending to wear this same false skin, but you're lying to Sora about who you truly are.
If I defeat you, then Sora will be free. I can save Sora finally but you're in the way of us.
Despite any pleas, the other would never hear him out. He would try to explain everything but it would never work. He couldn't say how they were friends since childhood nor could he explain how Sora broke a taboo and was sent here. He was unable to explain how much he loved him.
"Hmm," Kairi then turned to Riku, "I think Sora must be saved.
“Yeah, what are we waiting for?” Naminé reached out her hand.
Kairi nodded, “This time we'll come with you and fight. If you spent a year saving Sora while Naminé healed his memory then we can do this together!”
Riku looked down, “No, I have to do this. If something happens to me, who else will protect the world here?”
After everything he's been through and done, he felt like he had to do it alone. He also knew there's no one else he trusted more to protect the place more than Kairi.
Kairi stomped her foot, “I'm tired of being left behind! You and Sora can't go off alone again!” She was sick of it. She hated how everything kept changing.
She never wanted any of it to change. She was content on that small island with her two best friends. They wanted to leave more than anything. She was afraid what would happen. However, she changed, Sora changed, and Riku did too. She wasn't as close to them and she hated it. She want her friends back. She wants to understand them again. She was jealous. She was jealous how close Riku and Sora were— she always has been.
Riku faltered. “..I know we've left you behind lately and that's not my intention. Someday we will go on adventures like we planned to. Me, Sora, and you. However, I also don't want anything to happen to you too. If I don't come back then you can be here and protect everyone. There's no one else I trust to do that.” Riku gently gave the girl a smile and then handed her a charm.
“Hey isn't this…” Kairi widened her eyes in recognition, he still thought of her as a friend enough to give her a charm. It was just like hers.
She once made a charm so they wouldn't get lost. She then handed he charm to Sora at the end of his first adventure. She now has it again, but she was going to make two more for both of them. Kairi just has been so distracted ever since they both returned to the destiny islands and then they were off to take the mark of mastery exam. However, now Sora was lost.
“You made one for yourself and were planning on making two more, but you weren't able to. Now I've got one for you since Sora has yours.” Riku smiled and held his keyblade to his heart. How did he know about her plans?
Friends always know. Perhaps some things are still the same.
Now the three of them each had a charm.
After all Sora already had a charm from Riku. It was a crown heirloom he gave him years ago when they were only children.
He was ready.
May my heart be my guiding key.