As some of you may know, Peanut and I are crazy about Roleplaying, and it's clear, since this is the second one on this site that belongs to us. And we aren't even done with the first one! Regardless, that won't stop us from starting this new roleplay, Rude Awakening!

 

Kinda dark and mysterious title, eh?

 

As stated in the title, this RP is one on one, no exceptions. Please refrain from posting in the RP. Instead, follow us on this new journey!

 

Peanut, my amazing friend, let's begin!

Lightning instinctively lifted an arm to protect herself, feeling the Guardian latch onto it instantly. She looked up at him with fear filled eyes, knowing what happened earlier when they were in this position. He wasn't in contact with her skin this time since she had on her jacket, but she doubted that was going to stop him from doing anything.

Ansem chuckled from where he stood, watching the Guardian yank Lightning roughly to her feet. "At this rate, she'll be our vessel in no time," he commented, satisfied. Riku couldn't protect this girl. The Master was already struggling to defend her and her honor. It wouldn't take much longer.

 

"Not on my watch!" Riku cried, back on his feet. He focused on teleporting, vanishing from his spot only to reappear right beside Lightning and the Guardian. Riku swung his Keyblade down at the demon's arm and sliced right through it, removing it from the Guardian's body. Because of this, it's grip on Lightning loosened, but the Guardian also shrieked. The beast disappeared from its place right next to them, the Keyblade Master seeing Ansem also in pain from the blow. He and the Guardian were connected. The beast's pain was Ansem's pain.

Light breathed a breath in relief and surprise, seeing the part of the arm gripping her fade into the air. Nevertheless, her arm remained up slightly in a guarded position as she shifted her gaze to Riku. Her eyes were still quivering in fear, though moisture wasn't present. Now was no time to be crying. At least she could control that much of her behavior.

"He's distracted," Riku panted, lifting his hand to Lightning's hand and grasping it. "Let's go." He started down the ramp again, making his way through the open, multi-level area. There had to be a hiding spot around here somewhere... Riku just hoped the others were okay. All of the noise he and Lightning made with Ansem must have set the others off.

Edited September 26, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Light kept up with Riku again, and though she was even more tempted to look back than she was before, she didn't. This could have been their only chance to get away from Ansem for good. Little did she know that they were almost out of the castle and to the world, the latter having a lot more hiding places and shadows to hide in.

Riku continued running, managing to reach the end of the Castle within a few minutes. He and Lightning were on the outside. He released her hand and took a few steps forward, pointing his Keyblade at the city below. A beam of light shot out and extended to the cliff a couple hundred feet off. They would have to steady themselves and slide down the beam. He turned to Lightning, offering his free hand out to her. Come with me.

Lightning looked from the beam to Riku, only hesitating a second because she was a bit overwhelmed. Earlier today, everything had been completely normal. Then she was knocked out, kidnapped, harassed, chased, and now this. And to top it all off, she was seeing Riku for the first time in two months. Yet she put her hand in his anyway, unsure of what was going on but trusting him.

Riku wrapped his fingers around Lightning's, gazing at her while they had some peace. She trusted him... He knew she did. If she didn't, she wouldn't have taken his hand. "Don't let go," he told her lowly, voice showing his seriousness, but also his care. This girl was his to protect, whether or not she knew it. He would defend her.

Light nodded faintly, locking onto Riku's eyes in silence. I won't. She wouldn't let go of his hand for even a second until he said that it was alright. Whatever he had in mind, she would stay with him. Even after he disappeared without a word of goodbye for two months, she had an incredible amount of faith in him.

Riku turned and approached the beam that awaited them. It was wide enough that they could balance on it with ease. He stepped on, trusting Lightning to follow as he started to slide down the beam. His hand never left hers, his grip secure.

Lightning glanced behind one last time, seeing nobody there. It seemed like they were leaving unseen, though she was certain that Ansem would pursue them again soon. Nevertheless, she kept her mouth shut and body level on the beam of light, sliding down it along with Riku without losing her balance. Finally, something wasn't going wrong. That was, until, she felt a raindrop land on her nose.

Riku felt his short hair whipping from the wind as they sped down the beam, but he also had to squint because of the rain. It was sprinkling now, but this world had a tendency to welcome thunderstorms. He jumped lightly off the beam, keeping his grip on Lightning's hand since she was right behind him. He had to get her somewhere safe. Heartless liked to spawn in the city, and he wasn't sure what villains were out here. If they were out here.

Lightning looked back up at the castle, and seeing it from the outside, she realized just how huge it was. It was a miracle that she and Riku ran into each other; that was for sure. She couldn't forget the immense feeling of relief she experienced the moment she realized who he was. To know that he was with her, to know that he was alive... She felt weak with relief, even now.

Edited September 26, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku kept his grip on Lightning's hand, looking back at her before his eyes followed her gaze. He instantly frowned, turning his head to look at the city that awaited them. There were plenty of hiding spaces here. It would just take a little while to find them.

Or was that real weakness that Lightning was feeling? Absurd, she thought. You're stronger than that. As if she'd be weak after doing so little that was productive. She looked to the city and then to Riku, trying to decipher his expression. Even she knew that standing here in the open like this wasn't a good idea.

Riku felt Lightning's eyes on him, but he continued to look at the city. No, hiding spots weren't an option. He had to get Lightning to the portal that was nearby. It would get them out of this world completely. Riku squeezed Lightning's hand, tightening his grip as he started forward in the rain, feeling it start to come down harder. He had to get Lightning to safety. She was the new target.

Lightning followed without a word, the castle being blocked by high buildings as they got deeper into the city. The rain soon had her pink hair pressed down against her head and her body chilly, but at least the falling rain was covering any noise that they were making. Did they even have a destination? Riku was walking with purpose, so she assumed they did.

Riku turned around one corner, but that was when he immediately backtracked, pulling Lightning back with him. The portal... It was being guarded. "Damn it," he cursed lowly, frowning as he glanced to the building opposite them. Xehanort had all of the exits blocked then, didn't he?

Lightning leaned her weight against the wall, breathing a soft breath when they were stopped. She assumed there was somebody ahead, but she didn't bother double-checking. She couldn't deny this weakness now. Her feet had been dragging and her pace slowing enough that Riku looked back at her a few times as they walked. Why did she feel so terrible...?

The portal was out, that much Riku knew. The Gummi Ship was parked near the Castle, so that was too far. And too dangerous. They couldn't go back to where they were nearly killed. Or, well, Riku was nearly killed. He turned his head to look at Lightning, seeing her exhaustion all over her body posture. The buildings here were abandoned for obvious reasons, and Riku figured they could at least go to one of them. "Only a little farther," he whispered, not wanting to be heard by the enemy around the corner. Riku could take her somewhere she could rest.

Lightning looked up at Riku from behind her wet bangs, seeing the concern and care in his expression. "Riku," she said quietly, her voice just a whisper. But it was enough to convey what Riku was already seeing in her posture. She was exhausted and didn't know how much further she could go. All her adrenaline faded and she was out of steam for some unknown reason.

Riku shook his head. Don't give up, he begged silently. He stepped over, keeping his hold on Lightning's wet hand. "C'mon," he encouraged her gently, keeping quiet for obvious reasons. The rain was falling hard, but they had to get out of it. The closest inn would do.

Lightning nodded her head softly just to please Riku. Obviously she wasn't going to just give up and sit here; that was completely against her nature. Her hand remained in Riku's, though she wasn't gripping his hand back now. Whatever energy she had was going into staying on her feet.

Riku walked a few feet, but Lightning's lack of grip on his hand and her slow movements made him stop. He turned to her and silently moved her hand so her arm was wrapped around his neck. He then used both arms to lift her to his chest. Wordlessly, he started toward the building with a bright neon sign. It was the inn, and that would do for a hideout for now.

Lightning leaned her head against her own arm around Riku's shoulders, feeling weak and pathetic in his arms. "What's wrong with me?" she asked quietly, partially to herself and partially to Riku. This weakness was so unlike her. On any other day, she would have been keeping up with Riku just fine. Yet now she was at the point where he needed to carry her? Pathetic.