Fabricated Affections {RepliRikuXVanitas/KH FanFiction}

Chapter 5: The Thoughts

Riku watched the stranger leave, still not knowing his name. He hoped that Xehanort would reveal it when acknowledging his pupil but to no avail. Instead, he stared at the empty spot the boy once presided as his thoughts wandered.

That's all he could really do, anyway.

Riku held the bowl of soup once again, staring down into his reflection. He glared at himself as he could only see the original with that view... The person he wasn't.

Riku.

That original Riku.

Sullenly Riku sent ripples of that image with the spoon and began to eat once again with the intention of avoiding any ill thoughts. The original won fair and square their last fight, he needed to accept that. Besides... That battle was ages ago, right? How long was he stuck in the Dark Realm? It had felt like years... Such long long years.

Riku gulped down the soup by tilting the bowl to his lips. He felt his anger grow from within, and without having anything else to take his anger out on he needed something. Anything. He wanted to throw something, to trash something.

"I'm just the phony. The fake." He gasped to himself between swallows. "Always have been, always will!"

With what room the chains gave him Riku slammed the bowl to the floor and watched as it shattered, the rest of its leftover contents spraying. Riku only watched with rage in his eyes, his attempt at maintaining a cool demeanor shattering along with the bowl. Why didn't he die when his original killed him? Why did he fade to the Dark Realm instead? He received a fate worse than death, and now he wished he would have died during that battle.

"I don't know what they want from me... Why I'm here." The Replica clenched his hands to fists. "Was I better off dying to the hands of the Heartless?"

One last angry kick sent the bowl shards scattered across the cell and he plopped to the floor. He had lived his entire life thinking he was the original, with his memories and everything. Maybe his life would have purpose now. Maybe he should play along with Xehanorts plans to get some meaning to his life.

"If you didn't like the soup you could have just said so."

Riku snapped away from his thoughts and found that boy standing behind the bars, his toes mere inches away from the glass shards. Riku looked to the floor, almost too embarrassed to meet his gaze.

"You're back soon." Riku commented.

"I heard clattering." The other explained. With one mistful swipe of his hand the mess desintegrated by darkness.

Riku watched him work his magic. "Hey uh... I never caught your name."

He earned an annoyed sounding groan. "Vanitas."

Riku somehow found himself smiling just a bit. He had a good name; a proper name. "Vanitas." He repeated. "A strong name. Let me know if you have any extra lying around, I may need a new one."

Vanitas snorted an amused puff of air from his nose, placing a hand on his hip. Riku could physically see his muscles relax, as if his one joke was able to set a more positive aura for the room. "I'll see what I can do."

Vanitas turned to leave. Riku stiffened, feeling as if some force lifted his arm without his consent. Desperation filled up inside him... He didn't want Vanitas to leave. Riku had several thoughts inside his head on Vanitas' departure that filled him with sorrow. He didn't quite understand it, but still that feeling of being alone again in a place like this...

"Wait..." As Vanitas faced him, Riku's voice caught in his throat. He wasn't sure what to say or how to explain that anxiety; or if he should even admit that his anxiety was rising. Riku had to come up with something and quick. "Uh... How long will I be in here for?"

"For as long as Xehanort needs you."

Riku bit his bottom lip. A short and vague answer.

"But what does he need me for... Exactly?"

Vanitas used a finger as he began to tap on his helmet. "I shouldn't say, but since you seemed to have enjoyed my soup so much I guess I can tell you." Riku smirked with amusement and Vanitas continued. "To keep it simple, Xehanort wants Kingdom Hearts. There's a specific way to get that and he wants you to be part of it."

Riku hummed to himself thoughtfully. He didn't have any knowledge on how to obtain Kingdom Hearts or the plan behind that, but he didn't like how he was involved. Vanitas was open to join in on the dark humor, but Riku was aware that Vanitas wouldn't open up so quickly. He needed to ease him in... Befriend the masked Keyblade Wielder.

"Well..." Riku clicked his tongue, staring at the mask and hoping he was looking the other in the eye. "Let me know what you need from me I guess."

"Right now, you can wait."

Riku felt a twinge at his chest as he watched Vanitas leave through a corridor and inevitably leaving Riku alone once again. A sigh escaped his lips as he settled back against a wall and prepared himself accordingly; he was going to be alone for quite some time. He needed to get used to it.