Remembrance( A Kingdom Hearts Fanfiction)

Inner Demons

Since their return to the "Mysterious Tower" Mara had remained within her room. The wounded Keyblade Weilder keeping herself secluded from the others. Especially Riku. Who's presence continues to haunt Mara's every waking moment. Mara sitting in the corner of her room, darkness of the room draping around her. Keeping Mara hidden from sight, as she clutched onto her rapidly beating heart. For since the incident with Vanitas coming into contact with Mara. And ultimately stripping Mara temporarily of her heart had indeed opened up old wounds. Ones that Mara would have rather remained hidden from plain view. Tucked within the very confines of her mind, hoping to forget herself. But with her past being put to light and with Riku of all people seeing Mara in such a weakened state. Over and over again. It was something unbefitting of a Master.

This could not continue. Mara knew this but in her current fragile state Mara was no match for the upcoming darkness. Let alone her own past that continues to wreck havock in her life once more. It would always follow her no matter how much time had passed. Mara would never beable to escape the scars of her past. And in truth Mara was unsure if she could truly conquer it alone. Gripping onto her trembling form the voices of not only Terra but Aqua filled Mara's mind. The pain still evident in Mara's heart even now. For she could vividly picture Terra himself his broad back to Mara as he faced Aqua herself. Who too begged Terra not to leave them. Not to walk the path of darkness that no Keyblade Weilder should walk. "Don't do this Terra please! What would Master think? And Ven-" Aqua shouted her words visibly shaking Terra who gripped his hands into tight fists. Before angrily turning to Aqua to meet her gaze which was blurred with tears. "How can I respect a man that has only lied to me? Kept us all in the dark!" Terra roared his voice riddled with utter anguish that broke Mara's heart even more.

"What are you talking about? Master would never do that!" Aqua objected rather angrily not believing the words that spew from Terra's lips. But Mara knew back then all too well that what Terra said was true. There were infact secrets being kept. Ones not only about Ventus and the infamous "X-Blade" but about Mara herself. Something that she strangely did not recall completely. Although something within her told her to protect the unknown secret with her life. Being told by even Master Eraqus himself that Mara was a unique Keyblade Weilder and for that reason she would be in danger. Even more than others in her ranks. He would not tell her much, but to always stay strong and to protect the secrets within her special heart. But what made Mara's heart so special?

Still Mara did not know the answer, but back then all those years ago. Terra did. And it was of that reason that Terra pushed Mara away. Afraid that his knowledge would only put her in even more danger. And was another reason that pushed Terra forward. Wanting answers and how to save Mara's fragile heart. Though Mara did not know all she knew was that Terra was pulling away from her. And she did not know why. With tears in her eyes Mara looked away just as she did years ago. Unable to look her beloved in the eye. All the while Aqua shook her head not believing that Terra would turn away from them. His family. "Master only wants to protect us! It's always been that way!" "So it's away for him the just lie like that?!" Terra retorted making Aqua grow silent unable to answer Terra shrugged his shoulders at Aqua. Knowing he had won. "Please don't go." Mara whispered her words broken and hollow that shook Terra to the core. Struggling to turn his gaze to Mara. Her amber orbs overcome with sorrow. Begging Terra with all her might not to leave. For him being away not only would put him in the path of darkness. But Mara would be unable to push his own darkness at bay. Without her his darkness would soon consume him.

"This is for the best...for all of us." Terra breathed as Mara shook her head vigorously objecting to Terra's words. "Why are you lying to yourself like this,Terra?" Mara whispered her words making Terra turn away from Mara. Struggling to hold himself together knowing what he had to do. "I'm not lying to you, but everyone else is." Terra stated before beginning to walk away from his two family members. Aqua calling out to Terra once more but he ignored her. Dissapearing deeper into thin air. Along with Aqua who slumped to her knees. The image slowly dissipating into shards of white light. Though Aqua's tears were still evident in Mara's mind. Her body trembling even more as a sudden pain in her chest made itself known to Mara.

Gritting her teeth, Mara now lay splayed across the floor. The pain increasing in her heart, causing tears to form in Mara's eyes. Unable to do anything but writhe on the ground Mara let out a breathless cry. Sobbing for the pain to stop feeling as if her heart was about to break. But something happened, for barging into the room was none other than Riku. Closing the door behind him, Riku was quick to rush to Mara's side. Pulling the pain wracked Mara into his arms, who continued to clutch onto her chest. Begging for it to stop. For all of this to stop. Watching the painful sight unfold, Riku pressed the palm of his hand to Mara's clammy cheek. Caressing her soothingly which seemed to temporarily take Mara's mind off the pain. Her amber gaze now glued upon the kind eyes belonging to Riku. Who smiled down upon her despite her fragile state. "I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere." Riku whispered his words bringing tears of not only joy but gratitude to Mara's eyes. As the pain in her chest slowly began to fade away and instead began to beat to the sync of Riku's own heart.

The two Keyblade Masters gazing into the others eye. Mara overcome by unrelenting kindness that came off Riku in waves. Pulling Mara in no matter how much she tried to fight it. But she knew, she indeed had feelings for Riku. Which would only continue to grow as it did now. As Riku opened his mouth nervously to speak. His hand still upon Mara's cheek, who brought her hand to hold Riku's. Mara finding herself smiling and even nuzzling her face into Riku's grasp slightly. The touch making Riku turn bright red before Riku brought Mara even closer to him. His arm wrapping around Mara's torso, the two mere centimeters from one another. "Mara-" Riku whispered before the breathtaking woman before him. Never seeing anyone as beautiful and most of all strong like Mara. She was special not only was her heart. But she was special to all who met her. And Riku was no different.

He had fallen for her, and was well aware of not only her secret origin but her fragile heart as well. And just as Terra had wished for Riku wanted to save Mara. And forever mend her broken heart,and perhaps this was the first step to do just that. Riku had to save Mara and if his feelings for her would aid in this, then that was fine. She deserved to live, and Riku refused to see her in pain ever again. With this in mind Riku leaned down towards Mara. Pressing his lips against her warm ones. Causing butterflies in the pit of her stomach ti flutter, as Mara gently returned the kiss. Her heart bidding her to do so, to embrace the man before her. That swore he would never leave her side. The young man whom had made himself a permanent place in her heart. The two refusing to break the kiss for sometime before slowly parting ways. Mara's face as bright as a tomato after her deeds.

Riku smiled shyly towards Mara his hand still upon Mara's waist. The two still unable to take their eyes off one another. It was beautiful something Mara had not felt even with Terra. There was just something about Riku that felt so right. So comforting that Mara found herself clinging to Riku tightly refusing to let him go. Silently pleading for his words to be true. That he truly would never leave her. With this in mind Mara asked Riku to stay with her for the night. To which he agreed. Carefully carrying Mara to her bed, placing her upon the mattress and even covering her up with her blanket. Now snuggly in her bed, Mara blushed rather brightly as Riku rhen climbed into the bed as well. Now laying on top of the blanket, his left hand held out for Mara as a pillow. While his other hand brought Mara's curvaceous form close to him. Riku nuzzling his face into Mara's locks before whispering to Mara once more. "I'm here, im here." Hearing this Mara soon drifted off into a peaceful dreamland for the first time in many years. And she was not alone. For Riku too had fallen asleep, enjoying the warm of Mara's body against his. As Riku silently prayed that all would indeed be well. They he could and would save Mara. No matter the cost.