A friend and I have been doing a RP for a while now, and it has been scattered across several threads on two different sites. It started as a group story (about fast food of all things ) but then it transformed into something else entirely.

 

We request that nobody join in this RP or post anything on this thread; if you wanna say how awesome we are, message us some other way.

 

Um...You're free to read this for fun if you want to, but this thread has major Birth By Sleep spoilers. And since we've been doing this for a while, we will probably refer to things we've done in the past and you will have no idea what we're talking about. So if you want to save yourself from confusion, then you probably wanna stay away. If not, hey, whatever.

 

The plot was discussed and posted on another website, but here's a quick summary of the whole thing: It's the return of Xehanort.

 

Characters:

Peanut: Sora, Namine, Leon, Aerith, King Mickey, Terra, Ventus, Xehanort, etc.

Forever Love: Riku, Kairi, Roxas, Yuffie, Aqua, Vanitus, Tron, etc.

 

I believe I've said everything that needs to be said...Forever Love, let's get this show on the road, eh?

Seeing Riku walk away from Lightning, Kain knew that this would be one of his few chances to speak to his friend. He walked over to her and stopped in front of her, seeing her blue eyes dance over him with an unsurprised look. She surely expected that he would approach her. "Lightning," he greeted. "Would you care to dance?"

 

Light shook her head faintly, not putting her hand in Kain's outstretched one. "...Let's walk," she said, jerking her head in the direction of the door. She started towards it right away, not noticing Kain briefly consider putting a hand on her upper back before he lowered it back down to his side and followed her. This was going to be a serious conversation, so it would be best to get away from the crowd.

Riku stood with Kairi and a few other Keyblade warriors, who were females he actually recognized. Clearly the ladies were interested in a story Kairi was telling about Riku, something he could obviously put his side into. But even as Kairi spoke again, he couldn't help but notice Lightning moving out of the corner of his eye...with Kain. Where were they going?

Lightning opened the doors of the building, Kain stepping out behind her and not shutting the door behind him. When her eyes landed on him, she noticed that he was distracted. He...was taking off his suit jacket, and after a moment, he held it out for her to take. Slightly surprised by the kind gesture, Lightning only shook her head and folded her arms over her chest. It was still winter, and it was night, but the cold wasn't that big of a deal.

Riku fought the urge to follow them, but even from where he was he knew they were on the balcony. But why? Was it so they could talk...about their past together? Light told me not to worry, but... Riku turned his head, glancing in that direction. He was still worked up over this; he really didn't want to lose Lightning.

Regardless of Lightning's response, Kain draped his coat over Lightning's shoulders. The fact that she wrapped her arms over her chest only showed that she was cold, and he didn't want her to be cold when she didn't need to be. The soldier looked a little surprised at the move, but she didn't remove the coat.

 

"Bold," Lightning finally said, looking up at Kain's taller height and meeting his purple eyes. Draping his jacket over her, just like that? He knew she was taken, but he still did something a boyfriend or a gentleman would do. And Kain wasn't that much of a gentleman, from Lightning's memory. He spoke like he could have been, but his actions proved his nature was different.

 

"I suppose I don't have much to lose at this rate," Kain responded, taking a few steps forward so he stood at the edge of the balcony. He looked back at Lightning, who remained still. "I trust you've been thinking the past few days about all that I've told you."

Kairi looked over at Riku when one of the warriors asked him a question, but when he didn't even answer (obviously not paying attention), she blinked. "Riku?" she called gently. What was he doing? She went to follow his line of sight, but he spoke before she could turn her head completely.

 

"Sorry," Riku replied quickly, muttering it. "Excuse me." He then left the small circle, surely leaving Kairi and the other girls to stare after him in confusion. Regardless, something was going on outside, and he wanted to see exactly what it was.

"I have," Lightning confirmed with a small nod. "I haven't really been able to get it off my mind. Ever since I accepted what you told me to be truth, the memories started coming back to me." She remembered the quest for their crystals, and serving the goddess Cosmos. But mostly, she remembered the violent deaths of her, Yuna, Vaan, Laguna, Tifa, and Kain. That was a memory that haunted her dreams every night.

 

"Rather unpleasant, isn't it?" Kain asked with a grimace, turning his head to look at Lightning. She wasn't looking at him, though, her gaze down on the ground as she nodded. "My apologies," he said. "I didn't mean to cause you distress. And I hope that I haven't caused conflict between you and your Riku." He was envious of that boy, who had the heart of the woman he loved.

Riku let the music cover the sound of his footsteps as he approached the balcony, though he hovered by the wall. He leaned against it, tucking one hand into his pocket as he caught the last of what Kain said, which included his name. You have, he thought of the statement. At least a little bit.

Lightning nodded slightly, hearing sincerity in Kain's voice. "...I love him," she said after a moment or two, lifting her gaze to Kain. She loved Riku more than she thought she was capable of loving. She thought her heart was hard and hollow, but she was proved wrong by Riku. He made her realize her potential, and not just with all the things she could accomplish. He made her realize who she could be.

 

"I know," Kain responded with a nod. "You love him much more than you ever loved me." He wasn't deluding himself with some lies; he realized the truth the moment he saw Lightning and Riku together. He couldn't deny how much Lightning adored her boyfriend. She could never have that same adoration for Kain, not after what he did.

Riku's eyebrows furrowed at the conversation being held, listening in quietly. They were definitely talking about him, and Lightning. But the fact that Kain admitted he saw there was no competition in the love Lightning had between him and Riku was almost...flattering. Riku would have been at a loss for words if he was included in the conversation.

"I couldn't love you like that, or ever trust you completely. Not after..." Lightning blinked, her memories hitting a blank spot. She knew Kain gave her some reason to distrust him. Even lash out against him. She remembered fighting a battle with him. Then it hit her. "You tried to kill me," she realized aloud, eyes widening with the realization. Kain tried to kill her in the past; that was why she felt uneasy around him.

 

"No!" Kain said quickly. He shut his eyes briefly, regaining his composure and calmness as he turned to look at Lightning. "I tried to save you, by removing you from the war. I believed you would stand a better chance when you awoke into the new cycle."

 

"It all makes sense now," Light thought aloud, lifting her gaze to Kain. "That was why I could never trust you completely. You tried to control me."

 

"An error on my side," Kain responded with a nod. "I should have known better." Lightning wasn't a person who liked others making decisions for her.

Riku felt himself stiffen at the news, something Lightning had never revealed to him before. How could she fail to mention that? It sounded like she just remembered it, actually, so Riku would accept that as the answer. But...it made him dislike Kain even more, despite that he was trying to save her at the same time. It didn't make much sense, but Riku would ask for an explanation at a later time.

Light noticed Kain look away after a few moments of silence, and she felt...sad. "I'm sorry, Kain," she said, her voice a little softer. She was sorry that he awoke in this world and hoped to pursue her, but didn't have a chance. "I know we had something, but..."

 

"It can't compare to what you have now, with somebody else," Kain finished with a nod. "I know, Lightning. And I accept that. As long as you're happy and where you're meant to be, then I will not interfere." He noticed her smile weakly, probably relieved that Kain wouldn't cause drama with her relationship. "But there is something else I would like to speak to you about, while we have the privacy." Upon seeing her questioning look, he elaborated. "...I'm concerned for you."

Riku felt his eyebrows come together again. ...Concerned about what? he wanted to ask, but he couldn't show himself now. That would ruin everything. Besides, Kain wouldn't discuss this unless they had "privacy." Riku had to keep quiet for a little longer.

"I don't want to see you get sucked into another fight for a goddess like you did with Cosmos," Kain said, looking over at Lightning as she approached and stood beside him. "That battle took place while you were asleep, so fortunately, even if you died, you were able to return here. I fear that the next fight won't allow you to survive."

 

"...The next fight?" Lightning asked in confusion, looking over at Kain. She thought she was done fighting, at least for a little while. Did Kain know something she didn't know?

 

"The armor you wear gives me the most ominous feeling," Kain responded, shaking his head. "I know the armor, along with those powers, were granted to you by the goddess Etro. What did you do to acquire them?"

 

"Nothing," Lightning said. She didn't do anything.

 

"Then it is worse than I thought," Kain said lowly, partially to himself. "You cannot expect to utilize this power without paying some kind of price, Lightning. Etro will expect payment, and she will probably force you to fight some war for her if she is anything like Cosmos." And if the war was like that one, Lightning wouldn't make it out alive.

"War?" Riku whispered, the music drowning out the word as he stared at the ground. What was that supposed to mean? And who was Etro? She was clearly the one who granted Lightning new powers and armor, but...who exactly was she?

"I'm nobody's servant," Lightning said, shaking her head.

 

"Do not take this lightly," Kain ordered strictly, his voice harder and very firm. "Cosmos didn't give you a choice, and neither will Etro. This may not be something you can avoid as long as you keep utilizing the power that was given to you."

 

"...What do you suggest I do?"

 

"Don't use the powers Etro gave you. She wants you to gain strength for some reason; don't fall into her plans. ...And stay away from anything that could drag you into another realm, or another battle." He shifted his gaze to Lightning. "Does this all make sense to you?"

 

"...Unfortunately," Light responded with a nod. "...I nearly got sucked into another realm, right before I got this armor. Somebody said I was their 'fated rival', too." She was referring to Caius, who she met in Orphan's Cradle. She still didn't know what that was about.

 

"Then you know what to avoid, and who to avoid," Kain said. He looked over the balcony, his hands curling on the railing. "...But you still may not be able to avoid this, Lightning. It may be too late." She could get dragged away from this realm and never come back.

Riku closed his eyes at the words Kain spoke, his free hand curling into a fist. He wasn't sticking around to hear anymore of this. Riku pushed himself away from the wall and walked into the crowd, getting lost in them. He didn't know where he was going, nor did he care; he just had to get away from that balcony.

"...I'll be careful," Lightning said with a small nod. She sensed the conversation coming to a close, so she shrugged off the jacket and handed it off to Kain. "...Thank you." She truly did appreciate all of this, even his concern for her. She would be on her guard against anything that could take her away from this life.

 

Kain accepted the jacket, though he didn't put it on. "...Before you go," he said. "I'd like one dance." He held out his hand, which Lightning hesitantly looked at.

 

"...Just one," Light agreed, accepting Kain's hand. A part of her did want this, because Kain was an interest of hers in the past. In a way, this would bring her closure.

 

Sora noticed Riku walking by himself, and he looked distraught. The brunet made his way over, cutting him off. "Hey, man, what's up?" he asked his best friend. Was everything okay?

Riku halted instantly, grunting slightly because of Sora appearing so suddenly. "Nothing," he lied smoothly. "I just need some air. Packed room." That wasn't entirely a lie, though he did just need to get out in the open for a little bit. Outside would be nice, since the beach wasn't too far off. Hearing the waves would calm him down enough to function.

"Oh....Okay," Sora said, nodding faintly. He normally could tell if Riku was flat-out lying, but this time, he couldn't know for sure. That was why he figured Riku was probably telling the truth. Still, with a slow song playing, he wondered why his friend wasn't with Lightning. But then again, the same could be said for Sora and Kairi. But the latter got distracted with making new friends, and so did Sora. The two of them would dance later.

Riku couldn't help but smirk at Sora's concern, his softer side making an appearance. "Relax, would you?" he suggested, ruffling Sora's hair as he stepped past him. He then started toward the doors, that way he could go stand outside. It was time he got some air.

"Ha," Sora laughed softly, lifting a hand to his hair automatically. Of course it wasn't out of place; his hair always went back to its natural place. He watched his friend exit the scene, and then he decided it was time for him to go find Kairi. He disappeared into the crowd to try and find her, hoping that the rest of his friends were having a good time as well. The ball was a big hit.

Roxas stood just outside the warriors dancing, his eyes catching Riku walking out. Where's he going? he thought immediately, his eyes following Riku through the area. It was strange, seeing Riku alone; he usually had Lightning right beside him. Roxas figured he was looking for Lightning, since the place was so full of people now. It made sense, at least.

Namine walked away from a group of warriors, her and Kairi having just been speaking with them for a while now. But the group fell apart within the past minute or two because of men coming over and asking girls to dance. Fortunately, Namine and Kairi weren't asked, but she supposed it was pretty clear that they were taken. And with that thought, she decided it was time to find Roxas. When she saw him standing all by himself, not talking with anyone, she approached him. "Roxas," she scolded lightly. "If you're not dancing, you should be talking to someone! Everyone's really nice."