All That Never Was (Kingdom Hearts) (Discontinued)

Chapter Fifteen:

What scared me most actually wasn't the fact that Vanitas was standing right in front of us, threatening to take us away. No. What scared me the most was that Riku looked as if he was seriously considering Vanitas' offer.

"R-Riku! You can't-" I was cut off as Riku turned to face me. He looked right into my eyes and the cold, hard, cool look that was normally there had been replaced with a look of concern and fear. Concern and fear for his best friend. Riku closed his eyes and I could tell he was seriously considering the offer. A gentle voice beside me made me jump.

"Riku, what would Sora want you to do?" I was surprised to see Axel laying a hand on Riku's shoulder.

Riku looked down at the ground.

"Is my offer not good enough for you?" Vanitas smiled evilly. "Then maybe," He snapped his fingers and another corridor appeared, "this will convince you." My eyes widened as I realized that, captured in this new corridor was Kairi.

"K-Kairi!" Riku stammered. He clenched his fists. Then, before anyone could stop him, he ran forward, fury lighting his eyes, but Vanitas just threw out his hand toward the silvernette and Riku was immediately sent flying backwards. He hit the ground with a thud and skidded a few feet back. He winced slightly in pain as he tried to get back to his feet.

"Now if I just let you have them then that wouldn't be fair would it? If you got all four of them and left me with none." Vanitas smirked and I felt rage boil inside me. I just wanted to run over to him and smack him in the face. But seeing as what happened to Riku, I decided that that wouldn't be the best thing to do...

"You coward!" Riku shouted to the dark haired boy. Vanitas just shrugged.

"Call me what you like, Riku, but the real coward is you. You are hiding from the darkness. Now that, my friend, is cowardly."

Riku looked absolutely enraged now. He gritted his teeth and glared at Vanitas with more hatred then I'd ever seen in any ones' eyes before.

"Riku, you can't attack him..." I reminded him. "he might hurt Sora..."

"I know." Riku sighed and unclenched his hands. He looked thoughtfully at the ground again. There was a long silence, broken by an impatient sounding Vanitas.

"Well, Riku? What's your decision? Your friends? Or the children?"

"Children? Do I look like a child to you!?" I glared at Vanitas and shook my fist at him, wanting to flick him the bird, but refraining from doing so.

Ignoring me, Riku looked up at the dark-haired boy, the cold, calm look returning to his eyes. "Alright. I'll trade you. Just let Sora and Kairi go free."

I gasped and a huge smile spread across Vanitas' face.

"R-Riku! You can't do this! What the hell are you thinking!?" I was cut off as the silver-haired boy turned to face me. The look in his bright turquoise eyes told me that he was planning something and he mouthed the words, "Just play along". I gave an extremely subtle nod which Riku returned to me.

"I thought we were friends!" I screamed, hoping I sounded like I was actually angry.

"Yeah! How could you do this to us!?" Tim asked with real anger in his voice. I decided not to let him in on the ruse. That way it would be more realistic.

"I knew you'd come to your senses." Vanitas snapped his fingers and the portals holding Sora and Kairi suddenly vanished. The two friends fell to the ground, Kairi landing on her hands and knees and Sora doing a face plant in the stone pavement. Riku immediately ran over to them and helped Kairi to her feet. Kairi was paler then usual and her eyes were wide open.