Rachel and her brother are both gone and it's all my fault. I couldn't save them.
I failed... What's the point of fighting anymore... if...
Riku awoke with a groan, remembering everything that happened. He sat up instantly, scooting back as Braveheart came into his hand, and eyeing Ryan warily.
But the dark glint was gone from his eyes, and in its place, worry. And guilt. A lot of it.
"Lie back down. You shouldn't overdo it."
He relaxed, letting his Keyblade disappear and doing as told.
"...I'm so sorry," said Ryan, "I screwed up-- Rachel lost her heart and-- I got so mad-- and then when--"
"Don't worry about it. It's... my fault. I attacked you first, and said something I shouldn't have."
"Anyway... how are you feeling?"
Riku smiled, "I'm fine. You're pretty strong, you know that?...Wait, if you're here, then that means--"
He leapt off the couch and bolted down the hallway. The desperate search in almost every room was proving fruitless.
One more room.
He was so close, he was right there...!
Rachel... where are you?
Riku's head spun with dizziness and his knees buckled-- he almost collapsed.
Almost.
Then someone's arms wrapped around him, easing his fall and murmuring gentle words.
"It's okay, baby, I've got you." Not just any voice. The voice-- her voice.
It's a trick... I have to get away, I have to find her...!
"N...N-no, I have to-- have to f-find my-- find R-Rae..."
The aftermath of his battle with Ryan was catching up to him rapidly, and Riku knew he should be resting, but Rachel was far more important.
"I'm right here, tough guy. Look at me."
Tough guy. No one else has ever called me that.
He looked up, and his jaw went slack.
Those eyes, that smile...
And that warm brilliant light that belonged to no one else.
She was there, she was alive...
Rachel hadn't expected Riku to hug her. It sent her back a few steps, but she didn't mind. She wrapped her arms around him, and could've sworn she heard a small sniff before he spoke.
"Don't you ever-- I was so worried..."
She brought him back to the living room and onto the couch.
"Oh, you're awake!"
Riku looked toward the source of the vaguely familiar voice. A figure in black was standing across the room.
"You...! I recognize you," said Riku, "I don't know who you are, but... you've been taking care of me, right? What's your name?"
"That's for me to know. Not you." The nameless figure turned to leave, but he called out to them-- no, her-- again.
"Wait, ma'am! I wanted to thank you."
"...Ah!" Ryan's mind caught on Riku's phrasing. "A girl?"
"When I was lying down... I saw a sliver of her face. It was only for a second, but--"
They all looked towards the stranger... but 'she' had already left the room. He ran after her.
"Wait!" Ryan chased after the nameless girl.
Let me be right... Let me be right!
"Hang on for a second. Please!"
Finally, she stopped in her tracks.
"...Shira?" It was a longshot, but there was no harm in asking.
"I'm sorry. I've never heard that name."
Ryan sighed. "I figured... I'm not even sure if the woman I'm looking for wants to be found. Sorry for bothering you."
"It's alright. I could hear it in your voice: you really want to find her, huh?"
"Yes. There are things I need to say, feelings I need to sort out."
"Don't go searching." she told him, "When she's ready to talk, she'll talk. You can't force something like that, got it? Same for me. I'll take off this hood when I'm ready, but... not now."
She turned to look at him, and Ryan could have sworn he saw something familiar underneath the hood.
"But I'd also like... to wish you luck. I hope things work out between you and that girl."
YOU ARE READING
My Dark Heart: Ryan's tale (a Destinies Intertwined, Riku x Oc sequel)
FanfictionA year after Master Xehanort's defeat, Ryan comes to two terrifying realizations One: His sister has gone missing Two: Briefly being controlled by Ansem had left a dark stain on his heart (The only Oc's are Ryan and Rachel and their parents) (and th...
