Ikurx - Ch 25

Ikurx
By Kitteh and NeoFox
Rating: PG - 13
Warnings: Language, violence, romance
Pairings: Riku x Sora, Axel x Roxas
Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and characters belong to Square Enix and Disney
Summary: After the defeat of Organization XIII, Sora and Riku find happiness in the simplicity of a normal life. A year later King Mickey sends a summons that the fight with the Organization isn't truly done yet. Light. Dark. As long as either exists the battle is never over.
Beta: NeoFox and Kitteh

Chapter 25

The sun was setting low on another distant world, one that had been untouched at least somewhat by the Heartless. It was on such a world that one search was still in progress as tired feet treaded dirt and rocks, but never once stopped. Rounded ears perked at every sound, listening for even the faintest noise that may give a hint as to the whereabouts of two missing friends, but not once had anything that had been heard helped at all.

It had been so long since Mickey had last stopped to sit down, determined to keep looking over every world that was at least searchable or even safe to walk on. It had been even longer since Riku had taken Sora away and Mickey knew not to dwell on it too much, knowing it was the safest decision for the time being. His only thoughts were those of finding out what happened to Donald and Goofy and filling them in on everything that he already knew.

With drooping ears, Mickey just wondered how far away from everyone he really was while he continued to walk.

The shadows were soundless as they appeared behind-

"M-Mickey!" Riku's voice was desperate as he ran towards the mouse. He fell to his knees, grasping the mouse's jacket. "You have to help. Please help Sora." He gave Mickey a shake.

Mickey nearly jumped a foot in the air at the sudden shout. Even all the training in the world hadn't prepared him for such a desperate shout and the grab at his jacket instantly had him turning around to stare with wide eyes at the teenager that clung so tightly. "Riku?" He tried to steady himself after being shaken. "What do you mean? What's wrong with Sora? What happened?"

Apprehension crossed Riku's face, guilt, tinged with self loathing at such failures; all of which he knew Mickey had rightly predicted. Riku raised a hand, and in one graceful motion he pointed behind him to the company he'd brought with him.

Mickey narrowed his eyes in worry as he kept his eyes on Riku. Slowly his gaze lifted and followed the hand that the teen had used to point and immediately his eyes fell on the dark, twitching figure that had taken to the only bit of shade that the sudden sunset had provided. "Oh no..." The hushed words left Mickey in disbelief. "No, no, no."

Feeling all attention on him, Sora quickly raised his eyes to meet Mickey's own. The look on the King's face caused the sad expression that had become a permanent thing on Sora's own face to become worse. He kept on all fours and scooted back a bit in the dark shade, feeling too scared in that moment to come out. Just as quickly as he had met Mickey's gaze he looked away, back down at the ground beneath him.

Mickey took in a large breath of air. There was no mistaking those eyes despite how dulled out they had seemed. But, the darkness that hugged so tightly to a person that was once so in tuned with the light had Mickey's mind completely baffled. "How...?" It was all he knew to ask as he turned his eyes back to Riku.

Riku bowed his head heavily, his hair a silver veil but it did little good to hide his shame. He had told Mickey he'd keep Sora safe. "...R-Roxas."

Mickey flinched at that one name. He remembered what he had been told about Sora's Nobody. How little by little Roxas had been gaining control, but had it really come to this? He was afraid of it being true. Still, the state Sora was in could only be explained from such a thing.

Mickey narrowed his eyes once more and leaned down only to grab onto Riku's shoulders to pull the distraught teenager back up. He looked up at the other, trying his best to shake Riku from the despair it was obvious he was feeling so that he could get a better explanation. Anything to tell him what exactly went on between the two halves. "Riku, explain things to me. What happened between Sora and Roxas?"

"R-Roxas took him over... he left. I don't know where." Riku couldn't look at Mickey, his heart felt too heavy. "You felt it. That light. Some how- Roxas... he left Sora. He's out. And it's hurt Sora." Riku gripped Mickey's shoulders. "I failed... I- couldn't protect him. I should have stopped Roxas."

Riku sunk lower on the small mouse, Riku just didn't have the energy anymore. "I messed up. You were right, Mickey. The darkness... I gave in. I give up." He buried his face in a gloved hand. "... I want to stop hurting Sora."

Mickey shook his head at those last few words. "No, Riku..." He let out a sad sigh. "You can't blame yourself for any of this. Sora needs you just as much as you need Sora." He looked back at the small figure that was huddled so closely in the dark shade. "We knew there would be risks. I just never thought they would be as bad as this. I never thought Sora would become a Heartless ever again..."

Sora glanced up at the sound of his name. He locked onto Mickey's gaze, but immediately looked away after a few seconds. His eyes traveled over and stayed glued to Riku's back, watching the other teen as his body seemed to tremble. It had a soft whimper escaping Sora's own lips, feeling Riku's pain.

"No. You don't get it. You haven't seen what I've done!" Riku suddenly sat up, glaring at Mickey through his hair. But just as quickly as his anger came it went and he hung his head again. "Please... please, Mickey, help us." He lowered himself onto his hands on the ground, bowing as low as he could, straight down into the dirt, for his plea. "Please. I'll do anything. Anything it takes."

"Riku..." Mickey spoke his friend's name softly at seeing the other bow so deeply. It was a rare sight. A few words caught his attention though, and before he could actually agree to the help that was so desperately needed he felt there were still some questions that needed answering.

Mickey lowered himself to his own knees and placed his hands on Riku's shoulders once again. "You said that I haven't seen what you've done. Riku, I've traveled with you for so long. I've seen you make mistakes and I've seen you fix those mistakes. What is it that you've done that I haven't seen?" He narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip, urging the other to raise his head. "Tell me."

Riku sunk lower to the ground, his forehead resting in the dust. Mickey, his dearest and closest friend, after Sora, though they hadn't known each other all that long he trusted the mouse with his life. The mouse needed to know, deserved to. Mickey was the only one out of them all who still had a clear head, who would have the best decision; judgment.

"K-Kairi..." The girl's name left Riku's lips in a shivering breath. "I k-killed her." All energy drained from his body. "Her darkness finally took her, so I killed her before she could kill Sora." He buried his fingers in the dirt, dragging them as his hands tightened into fists.

Mickey's hands slipped away from Riku to fall limp at his own sides. He didn't want to believe what he had been told, but Riku wouldn't dare lie about such a horrific thing. It wasn't in the boy's nature, darkness or not. With wide eyes Mickey moved back despite the dirt and rocks under him and took in shaky breaths. "R-Riku..." The other's name almost didn't make it past his lips. "Kairi was...she was..." Mickey didn't know what he wanted to say. The shock was too much and in the end he nearly choked on his voice. "Riku...how could you..."

"... It was very easy." The words were simple as they left Riku's bowed form. "... I gave up everything... to the darkness... And I stabbed her Heartless from behind." His hands began to shake but otherwise his voice was unwavering. "... And even though Kairi's Heartless had hurt Sora, he still begged me not to hurt her." An airy sound left Riku. "... But I did... I went up to her unconscious body and stabbed her through the chest."

And unseen by King Mickey a slow smile curled the corner of Riku's lips. He continued in quiet monotone. "... And I laughed, and laughed."

Sora flinched and suddenly felt very cold all over. His eyes fell halfway as they kept on Riku's form while he heard a few of the words spoken. It was hurtful and had another small sound leaving him before he moved. Little by little he made his way out of the small area he had kept for his own and didn't stop until he was only a few feet behind Riku. One hand rose to touch Riku's back and his own dulled eyes watched the mist that trailed from it as he spoke quietly. "Riku..."

Mickey watched with wide eyes. After hearing what Riku had said, and in such a tone of voice, he wasn't sure whether to grab Sora and pull him away from the unstable teenager or let him stay to keep Riku calm. It was unreal what he had heard. No matter the circumstances he couldn't believe Riku would ever do such a thing to his own friend. "T-That's terrible." He couldn't help the words and ignored the sad look he got from Sora in response to them. "She was your friend, Riku. Did you not think of that at all?"

"Yes." Riku answered as casually as if Mickey had asked him a common question. "But I hated her more.” He hissed the last word.

Sora snatched his hand back at such words as if he had been burned. A pained expression came over his face as he pulled his knees up to cling to them tightly. His gaze finally fell away from Riku to fall to the dirt and rocks, but still he kept closed in on himself.

Mickey watched Sora's movements after such harsh words. The darkness had a hold of both teenagers, but Riku's own condition was effecting what had become of Sora; a true Heartless. With sad eyes Mickey looked back at Riku while he finally tried to stand on shaky legs. "I don't believe that, Riku. She was just as much your friend as she was Sora's. You both tried to help her in some way so long ago, but you were tortured." His expression hardened. "You've let the darkness become your master. I thought you were stronger then this, Riku."

"... I thought I was a lot of things too." Riku shook his head, he could taste the dust on his tongue, but he didn't care. "But I've failed in all my attempts; as a friend, and- whatever I am to Sora. It doesn't matter anymore. I'll do whatever it takes." He crawled on hands and knees, across the dirt and rocks to grasp Mickey's shoes. "I'll let Sora go... -if it means you can heal him. I don't deserve him. P-please, damnit!" He dug his nails into the grip on the mouse's shoes despite the thick gloves he wore.

With everything he had just been told there was a part of Mickey that wanted so badly to agree with Riku on that last little bit and it was that part of him that spoke up above everything else. "If you would kill one of your friends so easily with no real thought to it, then no, you don't deserve him." The words were harsh, but Mickey felt them to be the truth. "The light you need is the most important thing, but you should never forget your friends either."

Mickey shook his head after those sad words and allowed his eyes to close. "I wish everything could be as easy as just healing Sora, but with Roxas gone there would be more to it then that. Sora needs Roxas to be whole, but you said yourself that he's gone." He opened his eyes and looked towards the Heartless. "And it's more then obvious they've been separated just by looking at him."

Riku's breath quickened, stirring up the dust beneath his face. "Roxas left Sora before. He was fine then. Why now- why is he not okay now!?" He grasped Mickey's ankle. He hunched over the ground, clawing at the dirt with his other hand. Nothing worked; nothing they tried to do went right. "This is your fight! You brought us back-- and you have nothing to offer to compensate for Sora's loss!?” He spat the words angrily as he grasped tightly onto Mickey's clothes.

Without really thinking about it Mickey reached out to grab Riku's wrist, pulling the teen's grip off of his clothing. After what he had been told he wouldn't take as kindly to the other's anger as he had before. It was unsettling and had him on edge. "If I were you I'd be careful not to lose my temper as easily as you usually like to, Riku. You aren't the only one suffering because of it right now." He let go of Riku's wrist and gestured towards the Heartless behind the teen.

Dulled eyes had shut tightly long ago against the rush of emotions pinning Sora's entire being down. Every feeling that was negative surged inside of him and it had the usual darkness that surrounded him growing more intense. Claws scrapped at dirt, but even when he felt eyes on him once more, Sora only dug harder.

Slowly Riku pushed himself up on arms; just enough to glance back at Sora. He swallowed hard, ignoring the grit of dirt that got in his mouth. He wanted to turn and capture Sora up in his arms again, and cling to him just as desperately as they'd done on the beach. But it wouldn't have done them any good, and Mickey would have disapproved all the same.

Riku lowered his head again, staring blankly at the ground. "... I'm sorry, Sora." So many apologies, those two words were becoming so meaningless from over use.

"You know why Sora wasn't as deeply affected by Roxas' separation before as he is now?" Mickey's voice cut through Riku's quiet apology and Sora's sad noises. Before the older of the two could answer he went on, lowering his head only slightly. "It's because Sora willingly gave himself up to save Kairi. Roxas was created from Sora's sacrifice and Sora was saved from the realm of dark without needing Roxas at all. Sora gave his heart. It was his choice."

Mickey turned his eyes back on the twitching figure that had once been their hero. "This obviously wasn't Sora's choice at all and because of that it's affected him much differently then it did in the past. This time he needs Roxas more then ever." He looked back down at Riku and the narrowed gaze he had given the other slowly fell away. It was replaced by one of regret. "But I don't believe that half will be as willing to join back with Sora as he was before even if we were to find him."

Riku's glove squeaked as he tightened his fists. "... It's not fair." He clawed at the ground. "I love Sora. And Kairi hated me for it." He squeezed his eyes shut. "I love Sora. And Roxas despises me for it." He slammed his fist into the ground. "Kairi nearly kills Sora. And I give up everything to save him. And I-" Riku slammed his fist into the ground again, and again and again. A choked noise left him as he smashed his hand one final time into the ground, his fist gone numb though it still shook with the tension. "-- It's a lie when they say 'love conquers all'. A lie! Friendship, caring, love-- none of it saved us!" His choked sob twisted into a sad laugh. "No matter what I do, Roxas will always hate me. A part of Sora will always hate me." He laughed harder.

Mickey let out a heavy sigh. "Roxas had a free will of his own for a very long time. While he was free from Sora he developed his own memories and his own thoughts. Even though he went back to Sora, it wasn't entirely of his own free will. So many hands had a part in it and now that Axel is alive once more Roxas is more determined then ever to get the freedom he had back." Mickey shook his head. "And I'm sorry to say it Riku, but you're one of those people that took that freedom away from him."

Sora had opened his eyes during Riku's angry shouts despite the pain still brewing inside of him. It was the last few things that the older teen said which hurt Sora the most, along with Mickey's own words. As carefully as he could despite his small spasms, Sora crawled closer only to stop beside Riku. A clawed hand reached out to place itself on top of Riku's tightened fist that had slammed away at dirt. "I'm sorry..." The sad apology was for everything. The heavy weight of guilt fell on his shoulders suddenly.

Riku's fist relaxed under Sora's. Riku was so tired of taking the blame. No decision he made was right. He was never a good leader, not in silly games back when they were children and not now when it truly counted. He was born to follow, conscious of it or not; Maleficent, the darkness, King Mickey, Sora.

Riku slumped. "... What do I do? What do we have to do?"

Mickey relaxed a little more then he had been and turned his eyes up to the darkening sky in thought. "You said there was a sudden light. That's how you found Sora I'm assuming. You must have also found him in the state he was in already. This meant that Roxas had already split apart from him. Something caused the split. We just need to figure out what." He turned his eyes back on Sora. "The two of them shouldn't have been able to split apart at all. Even with Roxas gaining control it wouldn't have been enough. We need to find both the cause that split them and Roxas." His eyes narrowed once more. "Whatever it was that broke them apart might be able to give us a clue as to how to force them back together."

"... Even if Roxas is returned, he'll fight Sora inside. And this will start all over again." Riku weakly shook his head. "I won't go through this again, Mickey. It won't solve anything forcing their amalgamation."

Mickey only shook his head in response to Riku's worries. "Sora told me what happened, remember? All of this started after the battle the two of you had against Axel. It was the first time Roxas made his presence known which makes it clear that Axel is behind most of this." His voice fell lower. "If Axel is taken down then Roxas will have no reason to stay in this world and keep apart from Sora. He will have no reason to fight against his other half so desperately." Mickey turned his attention back on Riku. "He might even learn to accept you Riku, and give into the fact that he's just the other half."

"... Kill what's left of the one he loves.” Riku stated quite bluntly. He raised his red rimmed eyes up to look at Mickey.

Those words had Sora blinking in a dazed way. He remembered feeling the hurt while he looked at Axel and Roxas and for some reason he still couldn't shake it. It haunted him and stayed in the back of his mind. His hand tightened a little around Riku's own as he turned his own gaze on Mickey as well.

Mickey flinched at both gazes locked onto him. They were both so desperate for answers when it could have all been avoided had he just let the two teenagers stay back on their small island. "It's harsh, but..." Mickey started out quietly as he tried to keep his own gaze steady. "We have to remember that Axel is a Heartless. He has to be taken out just like the rest. Especially if it brings Roxas back to Sora."

"... I'm sure Axel and Roxas would say the same thing about us." Riku looked down at the hand that tightened around his. "Just a problem to be eliminated. I think you're also forgetting you're talking to two Heartless right now." Riku looked at the ground. "But if killing Axel is what it takes to bring Roxas back, and fix Sora, I'll do it without question. Roxas doesn't care about Sora, or I, I won't bother to care for him either." Riku bowed his head. "Anything to redeem Sora." If a dark and blood splattered path was the way to the light, then it was a path Riku was willing to walk.

Mickey walked the few steps forward that he had moved away from Riku. When he was close enough he knelt down to be completely eye level with the teen and placed his hand on the other's shoulder. "In the end, some way some how, you'll both be redeemed Riku. Don't think for a second that all hope is gone for you." He looked down at the dirt between them and to Sora's clawed hand tightened so desperately around Riku's own. "I just wish we actually knew where Axel and Roxas were."

A quiet sound left Sora at those words. He leaned forward, burying his face against Riku's shoulder afraid to actually speak, but knowing that whatever he knew would need to be said. "I saw them..." His voice echoed quietly among them. "A portal. They took it to escape." His eyes darted back and forth between Mickey and Riku. "I don't know where, I'm sorry, but I do remember they weren't alone..." He let out another small sound and buried his face further.

Riku turned his attention onto Sora, his eyes narrowing on the Heartless who pressed near. "Who?" Whoever they were, accomplices, lackeys, or friends, they weren't going to last long in his wake.

Sora shook his head before he raised it only a little to look into Riku's eyes. "I-I don't know, Riku..." He frowned at the fact he wasn't being any real help and his body gave a small spasm at his own turmoil. "I think they were a Heartless. I'm pretty sure, but, there was another that I don't really remember all that much about." He lowered his gaze.

Mickey sighed and shook his head as he tried his best to smile for Sora's sake. If only to help ease the other's sudden stress. "Its okay, Sora. It does help to know we won't be surprised if we find others aiding Axel." The smile fell away and he looked back down. "Still, it makes me worry. I didn't think any of the Heartless were aligning themselves with Axel, and about that other that Sora spoke of, I wonder if they might be one of the Heartless as well..." He trailed off.

"It won't matter. They'll all be dead soon." Riku pulled himself away from Sora, slipping his hand free of the other's tight grip. He brushed away the dirt and dust from the black clothing that clung to him. "...And so, I should get started on that." Riku stood, all previous torment wiped as clean from his expression as the dirt that had been on him. A new cold apathy replaced all that had been on Riku's face.

Sora's head snapped up to watch every move Riku made. The sudden look on his friend's face caused Sora to wish for the contact back that Riku had pulled away from. Anything to make that sudden look leave. With one hand he reached out desperately to cling tightly to the cloak that was part of Riku, wishing that he never had to let go among all the bitter pain he felt inside.

Mickey stayed as he was on the ground and watched both boys for a few seconds. Riku's words had him worried. He knew the teen would do anything to help Sora, but this was much more dangerous then just trying to get revenge. They didn't even know the exact circumstances. "Riku, don't do this on your own. Who knows what could happen. It's not only Axel you'll be fighting. We have no clue who the other Heartless are and it could be a disadvantage." He hesitated for a second before going on. "And sadly, I fear that Roxas might try to fight you as well."

Riku drew his fingers over his eyes and soon dark mist trailed round to form his blind fold. His hand lowered to a tightened fist at his side. "This is nothing new, Mickey." He 'glanced' down. "And Sora is in no condition to fight." He tilted his head upward, cocking it to the side as he 'looked' at Mickey. "Besides... you all would only get in the way."

Sora quickly took his hand back at those words. He stared up at Riku with that same sad expression before he slowly lowered his head, shaking it from side to side before he went as still as his body allowed.

"That's not true, Riku." Mickey stood and took only a step towards his friend. "We fought alongside each other before, especially you and Sora. For you to say either of us would be in the way, that's just something even you have to realize as a lie." His ears lowered along with his tone of voice. "The darkness is just as strong as the light. You know this as well as anyone. Sora may be going through the harshest times of his life right now, but he's not at all weak and I'm sure just as determined as you are to save him, he's willing to do the exact same for you."

Mickey took another few cautious steps towards Riku and stopped to look directly up at the teen, staring at blinded eyes. "You came here wanting my help and asking me for guidance. Please trust me like you once did before, Riku."

Riku stared at Mickey, the cold expression chiseled on his face. It was hard to say if the mouse's words got through to him. He then lowered his head to look down at Sora. He wanted to know what Sora wanted.

Sora slowly blinked his eyes and turned his gaze back up towards Riku. He had heard each word Mickey said, but didn't expect Riku to actually turn his attention on him, since throughout most of the conversation he had been in the background only listening, barely offering anything. He kept his eyes on the dark blindfold before he dropped his gaze to the other's hand, reaching his own clawed one out to grab at Riku's and hold on tightly. "I won't let you go alone." He whispered the words, but still they carried on. "I want to help. I want to fight as best I can alongside you." With a loose hold he tried his best to link their fingers, but the small twitches his hand made, made it nearly impossible and had him letting out a small whimper. "I want to help us be happy again..."

As subtle as it was Riku's cold facade cracked. He leaned down and with firm careful movements he linked their fingers together like Sora had tried. He squeezed the twitching hand that held his. But Riku didn't stop there. With his free hand he took Sora's other arm and pulled him up to stand, slipping his arm around the other's middle keeping Sora upright with his own body.

The sudden movement had caused Sora to let out a startled noise. Dull eyes blinked wide open, but he didn't protest at all at being held so close, although, his legs did shake. His new form wasn't able to stand upright like he used to. He clung tightly to Riku with his free hand and turned his head up to glance at the taller teen. He tried his best to give a small smile, but failed and only managed to bite at the corner of his lip before he spoke in quiet confusion. "Riku?"

"... We'll dance together." Riku rested his head down on Sora's. "Like I promised. I haven't forgotten." He dusted his fingers through Sora's dark hair. "And we'll dance whatever embarrassing dance you want." He shut his eyes behind the blind fold. ".. You remember too? Right?"

"Remember..." Sora echoed the one word quietly before he slowly nodded his head beneath Riku's own. "I remember, Riku. You promised me..." The words weren't nearly as excited or joyful as they once had been when spoken about the few times before. Sora wanted to feel all those things, remembering tiny bits and pieces on the beach and back home, but he wasn't allowed to feel that happiness anymore and it made the pain inside grow worse.

Riku's expression fell, what little hope had been lit there was snuffed out. The tone in Sora's voice, all that life that had kept either of them going, it was all gone. And apathy once more replaced itself on Riku's face. He placed a brief platonic kiss on Sora's cheek. After he then lowered Sora back down onto the ground. "... Someday."

Sora moved one hand up to touch his cheek while he still refused to let go of the tight hold he had on Riku's hand with his other. The closeness that he had lost with Riku had the sad expression coming back to his face, but still he moved on, giving a desperate little noise for only the taller boy to hear. "Please don't go alone, Riku." He dropped his one hand to wrap it tightly around the hold he had with his other around Riku's hand. "I don't want you to go alone." His voice fell quieter while the darkness around him licked at the air. "We're supposed to stick together..."

Riku's fingers twitched sandwiched between Sora's. He was forced to crouch down. He lowered his head, his hair falling down in a silver mess over his face. "... Sora." His head fell lower to rest on Sora's top hand on his. "... If you think that's best."

Sora lifted his head to stare with wide eyes at the top of Riku's head. All the previous sadness that had been permanent in his expression vanished in an instant, but was only replaced by a calm, yet blank one as he stared at Riku. Slowly, he pulled his hands free and crawled closer, pushing Riku back a little so the older teen lifted his head. In a quick second he was soon clinging to Riku with arms wrapped around the other's neck. All he could feel was pain, sadness, despair, but for this one instant he wanted to hold on as tightly as he could to his friend for having the chance to stay by his side.

Riku blinked behind the blind fold, but soon he was slipping his arms around Sora, hugging him loosely. He rested his chin on Sora's shoulder. "... I wish I could say we'll be alright. But... I don't want to continue to lie to you."

A hand rested itself on the shoulder that Sora wasn't occupying of Riku's. "The two of you have gone through so many obstacles together." Mickey spoke up quietly among the sudden peace that had fallen over the two boys. "As long as you continue to keep some amount of hope and never, ever, abandon it then you really will be alright. You'll both get through this." He dropped his hand. "I've always had faith in you. Both of you..."

"Then we'll do this together. We'll figure it out together." Riku finally held Sora tighter, hugging him closer. "Together we'll fix this." He nuzzled his cheek against Sora's head. He murmured near Sora's ear for only the boy to hear, "... I've always believed in you Sora. Please believe in me, just a little longer."

Sora gave a small little noise against Riku's shoulder while he tightened his clinging embrace. "I believe in you, Riku." The words were hushed and only for the other's ears much like Riku had spoken only for him. "I do..." Clawed fingers buried themselves in silver hair while Sora shut his eyes tightly; wanting to keep as near as possible even though he couldn't feel what it was he wanted to.

Riku squeezed Sora back in return. He rested his head down, subdued for the most by the clawed fingers in his hair. "We'll be able to fix this.” he quietly spoke.

Mickey gave a relieved sigh at the turn of events before a small smile came over his face. Things may have seemed down, but for the most part at least Riku was willing to have some help instead of going it alone. It was a small step in the right direction. Still, there was one hurdle that they had to overcome and it had that smile falling away as quick as it had come. "We still have no idea where they went off to." Mickey bowed his head after the realization. "They could be on any world."

"We'll follow the light." Riku firmly spoke up. "Where ever that light happens, the Organization is sure to follow. And that's where we'll find Axel and Roxas."

Riku paused and in one motion he pulled down the blind fold to look at Mickey. "So... I guess... you know about Sora and I." He glanced away. "It's not hard to see why and what kept us from helping sooner." Riku didn't know why he was telling Mickey about personal business, but he felt the mouse had a right to know what dictated his heart so fiercely. "I... I only hope you can understand... and forgive me."

Mickey glanced back up, nodding as he gave a sad smile for his friend. "I did wonder why my first letter was ignored and worried a little, but I thought that with everything that happened you all just needed some peace. You, Sora, Kairi. You three were back home safe. I wanted to let you all have that peace. I'm only sorry that I had to tear you both away from something more then just normalcy. That I tore you away from each other."

Mickey shrugged a shoulder after those words before he continued. "I understand why the two of you did what you did. Why you've done what you've done. The two of you have always been so involved with each other's lives, one always searching out the other, I don't blame either of you for anything, thus, you have nothing to ask for forgiveness for, Riku." He looked away from his friend. "I'm the one that should be asking for such a thing since it's come to all of this."

Riku shook his head, while in his right mind he didn't blame Mickey. He smoothed a hand through Sora's bouncy hair, pleased to know that whatever comfort he was giving his friend was calming the small twitches.

"No matter how I seem to change... I'll still be me in my heart. And that part could never hate my friends." Riku looked at Sora and gently nosed his cheek. "As long as we're together we'll fix this.” He softly spoke the words more for Sora.

Sora pulled back a little after the gentle nudge and soft words, and stared into Riku's eyes since they were once more free of the blindfold. He gave a small nod before he opened his mouth to speak, a somewhat content expression on his face. "We always do...somehow..." They were the only positive words he had spoken in a long while, but it was a welcomed change from everything negative.

Riku wished he could smile for Sora, but he didn't have any smiles left inside. Without Sora's light, it was hard to be strong for the both of them. Still he weakly nuzzled Sora's cheek. "We do, don't we? And this time it'll be no different."