kh_drabble | (no subject)

Challenge [134] Gestures
Title: Promise
Word Count: 544
Notes: Um...high on the word count to make up for all my low ones from before? ^^;; It would be longer, if not for the limit. ^^ No spoilers here, unless you haven't played the first game. Enjoy!

Riku beckoned to Sora, holding up the draping vines and ushering him inside the damp, cool cave where their voices echoed oddly and the light was dim. Standing in the middle of the cave, eyes glowing and hands on his hips, it was obvious how proud he was of this place—and how happy he was to share it with Sora. With another hand, gripping onto Sora's wrist, he led him deeper inside. He wasn't going to let him go and they'd explore the cave properly together.

~

Sora was the first one to eagerly show Riku his drawings on the cave walls and they soon competed back and forth. Childish scribbles covered the previously unseen walls.

"Think we can show that new girl this place?" he suggested. "She seems kinda lonely, being so far away from home and all—"

Riku frowned at that, he wasn't sure he wanted to share his secret place with any more people, but…"I suppose it would be okay, but… she's a girl and you can't be certain what girls will do. They might…tell someone." Riku, being the oldest, felt he was the ultimate authority on girls. Sora just nodded solemnly. "I promise," he hooked his pinky with Riku to seal the promise.

~

Riku held out his hands to Kairi, who was slipping on the wet sand and looking annoyed at the loss of a shoe. She wasn't used to the beach or the ocean yet and the shifting underneath her still unsettled her movements. But as uncertain as he had been about her before, he was going to be there for her, always. He was strong and she could depend on him.

"I wish I could go home," she cried. Five years old, far away from home in a place that was hot and sandy and held no one familiar—she was tired of this vacation already. She wanted her family.

Riku's eyes widened and he hugged her quickly. "I'll find a way to bring you home," he promised. "Pinky swear." He hooked his pinky with hers before she could reply, eyes wide and still bright with tears.

He wouldn't let her down.

~

A cloaked figure held a hand to Riku, expression hidden beneath a hood. "Would you like to find out where the girl comes from?" it murmured, Riku took a step forward, nodding. He would do anything for Kairi.

The man stepped aside and there was a door there where there hadn’t been one before. "When the time is right, you will open the door to bring the princess home."

Riku nodded again and then stared when he was alone in the cave. He pressed a hand to his heart, nearly tripping over his feet as he stepped backwards to get away. Now that the man was gone…it made Riku shiver.

But still… he wondered if he'd open this door…

~

When Riku snapped his fingers, darkness sprung up around him, puddles that glided and glinted, acid-yellow eyes glinting up. His hands directed clawed fingers and shifting feet to do his bidding. To grab and take and search for the ones that would help him.

He would find Kairi and her heart and bring her home.

Just like he promised her all those years ago.