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 grunted roughly, caught off guard with that strong punch.Her cry echoed in the alley as she squeezed her eyes shut. As tears appeared, her one arm came across her stomach. Slowly, she sank down to the ground, her back leaning against the wall as she fought the urge to groan in pain. She knew that Zane was strong; he had knocked her out before with the Struggle bat. The punch only proved that it wasn't a lucky hit; he really did have the muscle. Now she was becoming scared.

"Hey!" Riku called, his voice echoing loudly down the alleyway. He saw that, and his Keyblade was ready to materialize in his hand. At his cry, Zane cowered back, then sprinting down the opposite side of the alley. Riku didn't hesitate running to Lightning's side, crouching down beside her as soon as Zane disappeared. Light...

Lightning gritted her teeth, lowering her head so that more of her hair was in her face. That was very painful. She didn't want Riku to see her eyes right now. They would show an emotion that she rarely experienced: fright. There was no place to run! She had all the plans to run away, yet no place to go to. She was an idiot. The court was right; she really couldn't protect Serah. She couldn't even save herself now.

Riku put a hand on the side of Lightning's head, knelt down in front of her. "Light..." he said, worry heavy in his voice. He just witnessed something he wished he would never have to see--a woman being beaten, and it was one of his friends to top it all off. He blinked in shock at the realization, his fingers resting in her hair as he gazed at her. The other hand rested on the arm over her stomach, hoping she was alright. But after a hit like that...he doubted it.

Lightning grunted, though it was directed at multiple things. The pain in her stomach, and at Riku. That was the only response that she could come up with at the moment to his concerns. A tear dripped from her eye and conveniently landed on Riku's hand. She knew that the tear left, but she wasn't sure if it was because of pain or all her emotions. She was so close to breaking completely. So, so close.

Riku glanced down at the wet drop that landed on his hand, and he lifted his eyes back to Lightning's face once more...even if he couldn't really see it. He didn't know what to say. All he could do was lift his other hand to the side of her head, his fingers in her hair as he tried to think of what to do. "...He won't get away with this," he managed, still in shock from what he saw. How could this have even happened?

Another tear dropped. "He very well could." Lightning locked her jaw, trying so hard to be strong. But a seventeen year old girl who now was having absolutely everything taken away from her could only handle so much pressure. This was too much. She couldn't face it. Somehow, she had to run. Escape this trap. Or die trying.

Edited July 13, 201213 yr by Peanut

Riku shook his head a little, though he didn't say anything more. No. He wouldn't let Zane get away with this. Hitting a woman in Riku's eyes was one of the worst things someone could do in society, and he proved that not too long after he and Lightning met. That still stood.

Lightning didn't see Riku shake his head, since her eyes were shut. She assumed that he agreed, at least a little. She opened her eyes and lifted her hands, wiping underneath her eyes to make the moisture disappear. Crying was weakness. And weakness couldn't be shown at a dire time like this. Or any time.

Riku wanted to say he could fix this...but how could he? He couldn't get in trouble with the law...not if he wanted to establish the Corps. But...wasn't Lightning more important than that? Riku's heart screamed yes, but his head said no. Wordlessly, the young man adjusted his hold on Lightning, bringing her head to his chest as he wrapped his arms around her as much as he could. He wasn't sure what else to do, and he had a feeling she needed someone to hold her for once. And Riku...he hated to admit it, but he needed it too.

Edited April 12, 201312 yr by Forever Love

Lightning had her hands lowered when Riku suddenly had her in a full embrace. This had never happened before. Sure, he saved her from falling before by wrapping his arms around her back, but this was different. It wasn't reflex. She shut her eyes as more warmth flooded her already-flushed cheeks and the tears began to gather again. She wasn't one to whine about fairness, but none of it was fair to her. Life was always against her.

Riku didn't say anything, only holding Lightning in the silence. "I'm sorry" and "It's okay" were not going to make things better. He knew better than to say something so ridiculous at a time like this. He was sorry, and he did wish for things to be okay for her again, but they wouldn't be. Not at this rate. But there had to be something that could be done...

Lightning stayed in Riku's arms for a time, unsure of how much of it flowed. Eventually, she came to a conclusion. "...We need to get out of the alley," she said quietly without moving. For one thing, she wasn't sure how well she could move. Or how badly she wanted to. Riku's arms felt like a safe place to be, at least for a little while. But not safe enough to keep her from Zane.

If we do, you'll have to go with them, Riku thought, but he would never voice it. He couldn't. It would only make things more difficult for Lightning... "Right," he murmured with a small nod. He slowly released Lightning, his arms resting on her shoulders for a second before he pulled back completely. It was time she faced reality, even if it was rough.

Edited July 13, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Lightning brought up her legs a little, setting her feet on the ground. Her hands came to the concrete beside her and she began to push herself up. Pain radiated from her stomach. She grunted again, squeezing her eyes shut as she paused. This whole thing was awful. The only good thing was that Serah wasn't here to see it; she was already at home. Probably with Noel comforting her, but that was okay for today.

Riku put a hand on Lightning's knee. "You still have until tomorrow," he said. He gazed at Lightning, his eyes gentle. "I'll take you back home, so you can be with Serah." They didn't have much longer together, unfortunately. They only had hours.

Edited July 13, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Light nodded briefly without looking up, still sitting on the ground and nearly writhing in pain. She wished Riku hadn't said that. But anything right now could trigger her now. Serah. She was losing her. Her sister would have a good family, at least, but Lightning wouldn't. Running away wasn't an option anymore, with no place to run to. She was dead meat.

Riku moved his hand along Lightning's knee and then to her arm, his hand lingering on her wrist. "C'mon," he encouraged her gently. He had never been so gentle with anyone, except for Kairi or Namine. It was odd, being this way with someone he wasn't as close to. But he had a soft side, and could be a gentleman, just like his mother always said. But this was different, somehow. Right now wasn't the time to think about it, though. He needed to focus on the situation at hand.

Lightning nodded faintly once again, her hands both still on the ground. She turned the one that Riku held so that instead of holding her wrist, he held her hand. Though a part of her wanted him to hold her hand for emotional reasons, she changed the position for logical reasons. She winced and pushed with her other hand on the ground, trying to stand up again. She couldn't stay in this alley forever.

Riku rose with Lightning, though his free hand went to her side to help her steady herself. She took a hard hit, and as hard as that was to admit, he was going to be there to help her out. Somebody had to, and he actually preferred it to be him. He kept his grip on her hand, helping her to her feet in silence.

Lightning kept her head lower than usual when she was on her feet, her gaze on Riku's chest. Tears appeared in her eyes again, due to different kinds of pain. Physical and emotional. She thought she stuffed her emotions a long time ago, but Riku changed that. She hated him for that. Yet loved him for the same reason. He made her feel alive again. But after tomorrow, she would be dead again.

Riku kept his gaze on Lightning, his hands remaining where they were. He wasn't sure what to say, since he knew nothing could really help. Lightning's life was falling apart, as was Serah's. How could he just stand by and let it happen? But then again, what could he even do?

Later

 

Lightning was in the bedroom that she shared with Serah, staring at the bed sheets. Nothing was packed up yet; they would have time after the court decided what to do with them. She wasn't rushing to pack anything up. But Serah... She looked over at her sister, seeing her take some clothes out of her closet. "What are you doing?"

 

Serah jumped, turning around to face her older sister. "Just...Um, you know..." But Lightning didn't know. She didn't know what Serah and Noel had discussed earlier, about this possibly being a blessing in disguise. Lightning wouldn't recognize it that way.

 

"Serah?" Lightning asked again, more serious. Something was going on here, and she wanted to know what it was. Now.

It was late, but Riku was still out, cruising on his bike. He was searching for his target, Zane. And he found him, just outside town as he walked along the streets with a friend. But that friend wouldn't be sticking around for long. Riku revved his bike before speeding toward Zane, catching his attention.

 

Zane and his friend stopped in their tracks at the loud engine, seeing a single headlight coming at them. His friend cursed loudly in fright, but Zane remained frozen in surprise. The motorcycle screeched to a halt with a spin, nearly hitting him. His friend made a run for it at that point, though Zane only took a step back. "What the--?" He stopped short when the helmet of the biker was removed, and that was when he recognized him. A smirk instantly formed on his lips. "Ah, Keyblade loser. What has you around these parts?"

 

"Cut the act," Riku snapped. He marched toward Zane and grabbed him by the collar of his jacket, then throwing him against a brick wall nearby, keeping him pinned. "You're going to hear what I have to say, got it?"

Edited July 13, 201213 yr by Forever Love

Serah sighed. "Lightning, I've been thinking," she finally said, deciding to be perfectly honest. "We both know that we're not going to win tomorrow." Lightning furrowed her eyebrows and looked away, but she didn't disagree. "I think maybe...this is for the best."

 

"What?" Lightning grunted. Serah did not just say that.

 

"I mean, you won't have to be a parent anymore!" Serah said quickly. "You can actually enjoy your life without being responsible for me."

 

"I like being responsible for you," Lightning said with furrowed eyebrows. Serah was actually serious about this? Did she lose her mind? Yeah, Lightning sacrificed a lot for Serah, but that was worth keeping her as her sister. She would do absolutely anything for her sister, anytime, anywhere.