[RL] Locked to Riku

[shroudedinchaos]

Riku knelt on the beach, a storm of emotion flooding through him. He had just witnessed Axel, Sora, and Kairi vanish through a dark portal, and Riku didn't have even a clue as to why it all happened.

'They're gone. I'm alone...'

'Why was Axel here?'

'Sora didn't have to go after him. He didn't look like he was chasing him to fight him, either. So, why...?'

'Kairi went after Sora...why didn't she stay with me...?'

'I can't fight anymore; I would've just gotten in Sora's way. That's why I didn't go after him. And- and someone had to stay with Kairi. The Organization...'

'But then she went too.'

'I tried to go with her...I tried...'

'I'm alone again.'

Riku stood up, walking back up the beach toward the area where he always used to play with his friends when he was younger. He didn't know where he was going, or why he was going there. As he walked, some of the shock wore off, and his thoughts became more coherent.

'...I couldn't protect my friends. If I still had the Keyblade, this wouldn't be happening - I could've gone after Sora, and even brought Kairi with me. The three of us could've gone together.'

The silver-haired boy walked over to a palm tree.

'Whatever Axel wanted, he probably didn't get it. As soon as I showed up, he took off - '

Realization collided into Riku's mind with as much force as Twilight Town's train.

'As soon as I got there, he left. It's my fault.'

'It happened again. I was trying to help...and I only made things worse. If I wasn't there, Axel would've kept talking, and then maybe Sora wouldn't have gone after him. He chased him because I interrupted whatever they were doing.'

Riku clenched his fists and blinked back tears.

'Why am I like this? Why am I so weak? Why are all of my efforts for nothing?'

A fist slammed against the trunk of the tree.

'I'm sick of my friends being in danger!

Another fist.

'I couldn't even do anything against Axel! Now Kairi and Sora are gone,

The tree trunk was now vibrating steadily with each blow.

'And I...'

"I made everything worse, AGAIN!" Riku suddenly shouted. Anger at himself, at Axel, and at the Organization who was causing all of this filled his being. Unbeknownst to Riku, his fists had wisps of Darkness curling around them, and the bark of the tree was beginning to splinter from his assaults.

"I HATE THIS!!! I'M POWERLESS! WHY CAN'T I DO SOMET--

And instead of making contact with the solid surface of the tree as it had so many times in the last minute, Riku's fist flew through the air. He nearly fell over; not only from losing his balance, but also because of the unbelievable sight that had taken the tree's place.

Comments

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*nervous too, though not flipping out yet*

A, about five minutes ago when we went through the portal! I tried to bring him with us, but he missed my hand at the last second...

*a little clingy here, standing close for reassurance ohnoes Riku D:*

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*silence... trying to think and actually really comforted by Kairi's closeness. Scanning the nearby area for clues.. Keyblade senses tingling?*

*to himself really* It doesn't feel right.. *is quiet for a second, trying to figure out what to do*

..We've gotta find him. *looks Kairi in the eye* He's not okay, Kairi. If we don't find him...

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*a little scared by the "he's not okay"*

Any idea where to look?

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

We've gotta search the island!

*thinks*

The secret place, let's go! *grabs Kairi's hand and jets*

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*running as fast as she can to keep up*

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*slows down while approaching the cave, stopping when they reach the entrance.*

*realizes he's holding Kairi's hand.. sal;df*

I- uh- I- Sorry. *blushes and quickly lets her hand fall*

Let's go. *walking insiddee*

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*a little surprised by the handdropping, but that isn't important right now - follows him closely, almost shoulder to shoulder*

...nothing...

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*looks around a little helpless, lingering his eyes on the cave drawings, immersing himself in nostalgia-- hey waitasecond.*

*walks over to the wall, studying one of the more popular drawings...*

K-kairi.. did y-you draw.. that..? *points to the paopu going to Sora's mouth, blushes, looks away*

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*smiles just a little*

Well, who do you think drew it? R...riku?

*a little choked up there, swipes at her eyes and starts moving back out of the cave* He's not in here...

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*would smile or blush or something, except Kairi is sniffly, and that just can't happen*

*catches up to her and puts a hand on her shoulder, turning her to him*
It's gonna be all right, we're gonna find him. We've gotta.

*and here goes an awkward attempt at a hug*

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*hugs back* Both've you keep disappearing on me...

*brightens, though* You're right! No point in getting discouraged.

*starts out of the cave again*

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*glad he could lift her mood some, cause he's still worried about it*

*walks behind her, until they're greeted by the sun* Now where..

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*forced cheerfulness*

Hmmm...~

*notices THE TREE*

Uh~ Sora? This wasn't there when we were here earlier, was it? *touches the scarred bark*

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*Stops and stares. Now something REALLY doesn't feel right. Goes over to inspect the bark.*

Riku.. *looks around as if expecting to see Riku assaulting another innocent tree, but sees nothing.*

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

You think he was in a fight?

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

With a tree?

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

Maybe he was fighting near the tree?

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*considers*

.. do you think Xemnas..

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

I don't know. *standing close for comfort again*

We've got to find him, Sora.

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*still having a nagging feeling that it was something.. worse? Inspects the damaged tree again..*

Wait. There's only one tree.

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*just looks at it*

...

Should have stayed, but that's water under the bridge now.

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*Immersed in thought, *snort**

If.. if Xemnas did visit, wouldn't there be more broken trees? Heck, wouldn't there be broken trees?! *voice is getting excited at the revelation*

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

He must have done it on his own.

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

But what would make him do this..

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

Riku needed us more than Axel, I guess...

How are we going to find him?

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

....He saw us go into that portal. D- Do you think he tried.. looking for us?

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

Maybe.

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*considers this for a while, still looking at the tree trunk*

*hesitates* Kairi, I don't know why but... I feel like he isn't on the island anymore.

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*very quietly* Yeah.

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*looks up at her* You feel it too?

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think I do.

...*turns away abruptly, maybe tearing up a little* I should have stayed. We have to find him.

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*hands on her shoulder, turning her back around to him* This isn't your fault! We're going to find him, I promise.

I.. just don't know how. *thinks* You want to ask that community?

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*leans against his chest* Yeah...

I guess! Someone there might have an idea!

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*hesitates, then wraps his arms around her and hugs her tightly*

I hope.. If they don't.. *trails off and just.. holds*

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*lol platonic comforthugging*

They'll have to. We can't get discouraged. We're the ones who have to be light for him.

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*totally not taking advantage of grief and hugging tighter, no way*

I know you're right, I told him that too.. I just don't like the feeling I'm getting now. It reminds me of last time Riku was gone..

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*yay snuggling*

Yeah.

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*pulls away a little to look into her eyes again*

We're gonna find him. And we're gonna find him together, this time.

[dawntide.livejournal.com]

*smiles a little, tremulously*

Right!

((think that about wraps that up. XD))

[keybladeslaash.livejournal.com]

*smiles back, grabbing her hand*

Let's go! *runs back towards home*

((yuss, I'll make the DDD post in a bit <3))