Souls Of Time : A Kingdom Hearts Story

Chapter 7: Torn Departure

Hikari nodded to Hato in approval and the rest went into their rooms to wait for dinner to start.

I decided to go look around the rest of the castle. I walked all the way across the hallway and past the staircase. I found a door that was open that led out onto a balcony. It was still dark out. The crisp night breeze hit my face. It wasn't cold, but it was refreshing.

Finally I can relax by myself for awhile, to think and get things straight.

I walked up to the railing and leaned my arms against it. There were frogs croaking in the distance. I looked up to the stars.

Why do I feel like I'm missing something? It's so close. It's practically screaming at me to be found. Was it my friends?

Then I sensed a presence behind me. I wasn't alone. I quickly turned around and saw that a person was leaning up against the castle wall, it was Riku.

I sighed in relief. "Oh, good it's just you." I said.

But how did he get here if I just saw everyone in the hall?

"What, did you think I was that hooded guy?" He asked.

"Yeah, he's kind of creepy." I told him.

He slightly chuckled. "It's hard to get any time away from everything." Riku admitted.

"But it is nice when you get to stay in a place like this, and get a break." I told him.

"It gets boring after awhile. All the same stuff everyday." Riku stepped up to the railing.

"He never lets you leave?" I asked.

"I never asked. But Kairi wasn't supposed to even go outside of the castle, especially the maze." He said.

"That sounds terrible." I answered.

I looked over at Riku, his face was still serious.

"I've been trying to think about something. It's so hard to remember. But, I feel like I'm forgetting, and it's so important, that I need to find it." I told him.

He was silent for a moment before he answered.

"It will come to you eventually. You just have to wait for the right time, and it will come." Riku told me.

"It's just out of reach, what should I do?" I asked.

Riku looked at me and I saw a glimpse of a smile.

"Search for what is most important to you, and you will find it." He said.

For some reason those few words meant so much to me, yet the meaning behind it was hidden. Riku turned and started to walk away. I looked to him.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

He paused from leaving.

"I just, have to go." Riku answered.

He waited in his tracks as if thinking deeply about what he was going to do, then continued and went inside the castle, down the hall. I sighed.

I wonder if all these memories nagging at the back of my mind will ever come?

I took one last look of the courtyard down below then went inside. I didn't see Riku anywhere, so I went to inspect my room until dinner was ready. I went back down the hall to my room. Inside it was very cozy, with a fire place. But it wasn't lit, must be only for cold nights. The floor was scattered with little designs. A big painting hung above the bed of a green lush forest, It looked very old. There was a queen sized bed with dark wood and blue drapes around it. There was also a tall dresser and two night stands.