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!

Like last time, there was that hand on Lightning's shoulder. Not this time, Riku, she thought. He wasn't going to keep her down in Zane's presence. But when she tried to prop herself up more, she realized that Riku wasn't giving her the option to move at all this time. He was intent on keeping her down. With anyone else, she would have been angry, but she did deserve a little bit of scolding from him since she engaged in this stupid fight.

"You're going to regret that, freak!" Zane hissed, taking the struggle bat in his hands and moving quickly across the few feet that separated him from Riku. What he didn't expect was the guy moving so fast, standing up and over Lightning and meeting his bat...with a blade.

 

Riku held his ground, his Keyblade against the Struggle bat that Zane held. "You sure you want to do this?" he asked, voice low and threatening. He was going up against a skilled swordsman. He was going to get hurt.

Lightning dared to look up and see what was happening, even if it was right in front of her. Fortunately for her, Riku's body blocked much of the light. But she blinked when she saw what had blocked Zane's bat. The Keyblade. Her heart jumped in anticipation. Riku could have scooped up her bat and blocked him, but he used the Keyblade. Was that because of instinct or because he was really furious enough to use a sword against Zane?

Zane's eyes were alert, but they held a bit of fear in them as he glanced at the sword. "T-the Keyblade," he murmured. He had never seen one before, up close. He grunted when Riku took his distraction and used it against him, pushing back again.

 

Riku brought his arm up, getting into his stance as he looked at Zane. "Answer the question," he ordered. Did Zane want to do this, right here and right now? If he answered positively, he was going to get hurt. Bad. Riku wasn't going to hold back on this punk.

 

Zane ground his teeth together, looking from Lightning, to Riku, and then to the magical weapon. "...You don't scare me," he said, but there was a slight tremble in his voice, which alerted Riku to the lie.

 

"You sure?" Riku asked, expression showing no amusement as he glared at Zane. "Your heart rate's picking up, your hands are shaking, and your grip on the Struggle bat is too tight for someone so fearless." He looked down at the boy's hands before returning his gaze to his face. "I think you're lying."

You tell him, Riku, Lightning wanted to say. Zane was obviously afraid, and he had a right to be. Riku was ticked off, but even more furious than what was showing on the surface. If a fight was going to break out, Lightning wasn't in a good place. Moving would be a good idea, except that she wouldn't be behind Riku's protection. But all she was now was something he could trip over. She slowly began to sit up again, regrasping her own bat just in case.

Zane was not going to be humiliated in front of Farron again. Riku wasn't about to change that. He grunted, swinging his Struggle bat with all his might, only to have it blocked with ease. In fury, he tried again, and again and again.

 

Riku moved his blade, holding it with one hand as he blocked another strike. "You done?" he asked, gazing at the guy who refused to give up. Another swing was his answer, and Riku decided to get this over with. He blocked another swing with his Keyblade before bringing his leg up, kicking Zane square in the chest and sending him to the floor a few yards away. The sound was a dull thud, but it was enough for Riku to know Zane didn't land comfortably. Riku started toward him, blade in hand.

Lightning propped herself up on her elbow, not bringing a hand to her head as she watched Riku walk away. She was...surprised. He was angry the other night when Zane taunted her, but with a weapon, he seemed so much more serious. Deadly even. The dark tone he used and the calmness would have frightened even her if he ever walked towards her like that. She nearly spoke and told him not to kill Zane. But she knew he wouldn't. Hopefully.

Riku approached Zane, who was groaning in pain. But the nineteen year old didn't cut him any slack. Riku reached down with his free hand and grabbed Zane by the collar, forcing him up against a nearby wall. His adrenaline was pumping and his anger was controlling his movements, but it was instinct to protect innocent people, especially those who were just injured. He pointed the tip of his blade underneath Zane's chin, causing the guy to stiffen up. "If I have to tell you one more time to get out of my gym, I'll treat you like you're nothing but a Heartless. Got it?" he ordered, voice low once more. He was not going to take Zane's stupidity anymore, and neither was Lightning. Zane nodded stiffly, but Riku wasn't done. "And stay away from her, and her sister. Mess with them, and you deal with me." Zane nodded again, swallowing thickly, and Riku took that as his final answer. He pushed Zane roughly against the wall before dropping his weapon to his side, and the kid didn't hesitate leaving the property. He was gone within seconds.

Edited June 17, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Lightning's eyes were wide as she watched Zane flee the scene. Riku may have spoken lowly, but she heard every word he said. And saw how he pressed the tip of his blade against Zane's neck. He would have killed him if he stuck around. At least that was what he said, and what Zane believed. Lightning was compelled to believe the same. And that...was a bit frightening. Riku killing a seventeen year old boy because he knocked Lightning unconscious, and because he mocked her about her parents. It was an extreme reaction to a situation that had become so normal for Lightning. Zane hadn't been the only one to mock her.

Riku turned, looking out one of the windows to see Zane hurrying down the road. He sighed, frowning. "Punks like that..." he started, though he didn't finish. He hated them with a passion, a hatred he'd had since he was thirteen and they picked on Sora. But Riku took desperate measures with Zane, simply because he knew he was going to beat her to a pulp. That wasn't happening on his watch.

Worry about it later, Lightning told herself. There were bigger issues here than Riku's death threat to Zane. She set her other hand solely on the ground, the bat forgotten as she pushed herself into a sitting position. Her head was pounding and the nauseous feeling was sticking around longer this time than before. But at least she felt like she wasn't disoriented.

Edited June 17, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku turned around, looking over at Lightning. Seeing that she was sitting up, he dismissed his Keyblade and started over toward her, kneeling down in front of her. "You alright?" he asked, eyebrows still furrowed. He was disappointed that he let this happen, but he stepped in just like Lightning told him to. At least Zane wouldn't be coming around anymore.

"Other than the headache and damaged pride," Lightning said with a faint nod, glancing up at Riku's eyes. As long as she didn't have a full blown concussion where she wasn't sharp mentally, she would be fine. She could cope with any type of pain--physical or emotional. She had years of experience with the latter.

Riku nodded slightly, though he was still sticking to his plan. "I'm still going to take you to the hospital," he said. "That last hit probably made your condition worse." Of course, he would pay the bill, though she didn't know that just yet. But he would take responsibility; this happened in his gym.

There was no "probably" about it. "It's worse," Lightning said quietly, lowering her gaze. She felt bad earlier, but this was a lot worse. The nausea, headache, and dizziness weren't pleasant. As much as she hated hospitals, she knew that she had no choice but to go to one today. She was just glad she had already texted Serah and told her to stay at a friend's house for the night.

"C'mon," Riku said then, holding his hand out for Lightning to take. He would stick around at the hospital. He wasn't sure if they would keep her overnight. If they did, he would take her home the next morning. If not, he would take her back home tonight.

Lightning accepted Riku's outstretched hand, and slipped her hand into his more gently and smoothly than would be expected from somebody as aloof and tough as she was. She couldn't explain it, but she felt a little different around Riku. Almost like--no, she wouldn't allow her thoughts to go there. She couldn't admit that to even herself.

Riku rose to his feet, carefully helping Lightning as well. What just happened, with him being incredibly protective, he hoped it didn't change her views of him completely. He was defending her, for good reason. Zane nearly kicked her, and hitting her over the head was where Riku drew the line. Kicking was going way too far.

Lightning rose along with Riku, though she wasn't as balanced as she had hoped she could be. She swayed slightly on her feet, but managed not to stumble on either foot. She did, however, shut her eyes when she was on her feet and the world briefly swam. Stupid Zane. But hopefully he was out of her life for good now.

Riku kept his grip on Lightning's hand, his grasp gentle but firm since she was swaying slightly on her feet. They wouldn't be walking to the hospital, since it was too far; they would take his bike. He hoped she wouldn't mind that.

Lightning looked up at Riku because of his grip, which didn't reflect any of the anger that he felt only one minute ago against Zane. It was gentle, caring. But it didn't make Lightning feel like she was being patronized or looked down upon. "You're a confusing guy, Riku," she said after a moment. ​Really, really confusing.

Riku lifted an eyebrow slightly, both at the comment and how he was pretty sure that this was the first time Lightning said his name. It sounded...interesting. "I'll take that as a compliment," he said. He then started to walk, bringing Lightning with him as his hand held hers. "C'mon, we're gonna take my bike."

Lightning walked with Riku, thinking over her own words and his. He said he'd take them as a compliment, but was that really what she meant by what she said? Maybe it was. He was so confusing because at first, he came across as really egotistical and pushy, but now he was the opposite much of the time she was with him. Considerate, wise, and...maddening. But not in a bad way. She was just having a really hard time figuring him out.

Riku already had his keys in his pocket, so when they left the gym, he released Lightning's hand and turned around, locking the gym up. He doubted anyone would trespass and damage the property, but some people were stupid enough to do it. Once that was done, he motioned for Lightning to follow him, as he started to round the building, his bike on the side.

Lightning followed Riku, but her thoughts were wandering. He said that they were going to take his bike. Of course that didn't mean a regular bike; he must have had a motorcycle. Funny how she never saw him riding it around the Islands. But that was beside the point. She'd probably have to sit really close and wrap her arms around him. It was just business--how things needed to be. Why was her heart telling her it was more than that? Why did she...want to sit closer than necessary?