Chapter Five

Destiny's Summoner

New Destiny Island

Destiny Village

By nightfall the villagers were in full celebration along with their newly appointed Summoner and his Guardians. Riku stayed near the inn and watched Sora move about the men, women and children so he could answer their questions about the first Aeon he summoned up. There were already talks of Sora setting out to seek the second Aeon wherever that was. Roxas, Leon and Cloud stood near the small brunet, their eyes narrowed and shadowed with sadness.

Riku didn't dare approach them and at the same time he was scared of going up to Sora. That look in the brunet's eyes was as effective as a dagger through the heart. The silveret knew he couldn't avoid Sora all night and he still needed to tell him about the Fayth. Pushing away from the wall Riku made his way towards the young Summoner.

"Hi there Riku." Sora waved at him and for a moment Riku could pretend that he was the Sora he knew.

"Looks like you've got quite the following." Riku motioned at the cheering villagers.

"I'm their new Summoner. I'll have to get used to that once we leave the island." Sora sighed heavily.

"You've never been off this island have you?" Riku raised an eyebrow.

"What about you?" Sora questioned.

"I've seen other worlds, not all of them are as nice as this though." Riku looked away. "But there are some places I liked."

"I'll be seeing at least six of them. The Aeons are scattered across various worlds." Sora looked at the quite silver haired stranger. "So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"You're gonna think I'm insane." Riku smirked.

"Try me, I'm open minded." Sora beckoned. His bright smile squeezed Riku's heart.

"I woke up on the Ruins of Destiny. When the Al Bhed rescued me a Fayth appeared and told me to find you. So here I am."

"Wow...that is quite the story." Sora amended. "So the Fayth sent you to help me?"

"I'm not sure of anything now but if you want I can help you." Riku offered with uncertainty. "So what exactly does a Summoner do anyway?"

"Roxas told me about the toxin you were afflicted with. A Summoner calls upon Aeons of power to battle Sin and bring the Calm to the Known Worlds." The little brunet grabbed Riku's hand suddenly.

"What are you doing?" Riku blushed profusely.

"I want the villagers to meet my new Guardian of course." Sora giggled and pulled Riku's hand.

"Are you high Sora?" Roxas sputtered when he heard his twin's declaration.

"He saw a Fayth and it sent him to help me. I think he should come with me." Sora stated with finality.

"I don't trust him Sora." Leon growled.

"That's because we don't know him yet." The little brunet replied with a smile.

Roxas and Leon looked on the verge of a full blow argument with their little brother while Cloud looked doubtful. Riku decided to keep his mouth shut while Sora demanded that he be made his new Guardian. The silveret felt so out of place among them. He felt so lonely but he kept it well hidden as he backed away towards the bonfire set up in the centre of the village. The people kept their distance from him and for that he was grateful. Sighing he left Sora to plead his case. He was tired and weary and wanted nothing more than to just go to sleep. Collapsing onto the nearest bed Riku fell into a dreamless slumber.

"Time to get up!" a voice yelled happily. Riku slowly opened his eyes. His vision was blurred but then he spotted familiar sapphire eyes. "You're a heavy sleeper Riku. We have to go and catch the boat."

"What?" he slurred as he sat up.

"We have to leave now so we can make the next boat." Sora explained. He was bouncing around the room.

"So I'm coming with you?" Riku raised an eyebrow.

"Of course you are silly. You're my Guardian now." Sora smiled widely.

"Leon and Roxas are letting me tag along?" Riku snorted.

"I get to pick my Guardians so they have no say in the matter." The tiny Summoner answered with a wave of his hand.

"I get the feeling I won't be welcome." Riku sighed.

"They just need to get to know you that's all." Sora answered.

"I guess so." Riku didn't look convinced.

When Sora left the silence began to thicken considerably. For a moment Riku thought that this was all just an insane dream and he was back home with Kairi and Sora. He never knew just how much he'd end up missing that small island that had been his home for fifteen years of his life.

Stretching his sore muscles Riku made his way out of the inn and into the crowded village. Sora was talking to the people who were in tears. Leon looked disgusted as did Roxas while Cloud glanced nervously between Sora and his brothers. Riku held his head high as he approached them. He had survived within the darkness; he could survive Leon and Roxas.

"So you're coming with us?" Leon grunted.

"Yes I am." Riku nodded stiffly. "You don't need to worry."

"Let me be the judge of that." Leon sniped. His steel eyes flashed angrily. This was going to be a fun trip.

Sora motioned for the others to follow him down to the dock on the beach outside the small village. From what Riku saw of the island he was impressed. The place had ancient stone ruins littering the banks of a waterfall but they looked like they belonged to a temple of some kind.

Roxas walked alongside Sora while Cloud stayed at Leon's place. The blond was unusually quiet and it slightly unnerved the silveret. When they made it to the dock a small crowd of people had gathered there to see off their Summoner on his Pilgrimage. The boat wasn't that big but it looked like it could last through a decent storm. It reminded Riku of the ships he often saw around Port Royal. The captain was 

yelling orders at his crew to get the sip under way once the Summoner and his Guardians were on board.

"So where are we going to first?" Riku asked once they were on the deck.

"The nearest town to receive an Aeon is Port Royal." Sora answered. Riku almost choked when he heard the name. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing...just that I knew a town by that name...back home." Riku murmured thoughtfully.

"Really?" Sora's eyes shone. "Well the Aeon can be located on the Isle de Muerta. It's located just a row boat's ride from the town."

"Sora, come inside. You should rest up." Roxas called as he threw a nasty glare at Riku.

"Well, we should talk later." Sora followed Roxas below decks to the cabin.

"You're really out of place here aren't you?" a soft but firm voice asked. Turning around Riku saw Cloud staring at him.

"How could you tell?" he muttered sarcastically.

"Well I am greatly perceptive." Cloud smirked and Riku grinned in response. "You don't seem like a bad guy though."

"I appreciate that." Riku turned so he could face Cloud properly. "But Leon and Roxas hate my guts."

"Roxas is just stubborn and Leon is over protective. Sora and I usually calm them down." Cloud remarked.

"So you're a Guardian too?" Riku cocked his head to the side.

"Yeah...I practice Black Magic." The spiky blond smiled. "I don't handle a weapon because of that."

"You can't fight with a sword?" Riku asked.

"I don't like them." Cloud made a face. "I've always had an affinity for magic. I think it's more reliable."

"To each his own I suppose." Riku shrugged.

"What kind of weapon can you use?" Cloud asked. His blue eyes widened when Riku summoned up his Keyblade.

"I prefer this to anything." The aqua eyed boy replied.

"That is amazing magic. Can you teach me?" Cloud laughed.

"I thought you didn't like swords." Riku teased lightly.

"But it could be useful for Leon and Roxas." Cloud countered. The blond was always willing to learn useful new spells.

"I'm not that good a teacher." Riku shook his head.

"That's too bad." Cloud pouted then laughed at the look on Riku's face.

As the two conversed Leon made his way out of the control booth of the ship in time to see Riku and Cloud laughing about something. The brunet felt hot jealousy strike his heart. He should've warned Riku that Cloud was off limits. He may not be an expressive boyfriend but Leon could be possessive when he wanted to be.

He had had a girlfriend before Cloud but it didn't feel right to him. The moment he saw gravity defying blond hair and bright blue eyes he had fallen like a ton of bricks. Stomping over to his boyfriend of five years Leon scowled at Riku.

"Stop flirting with him." He growled. Cloud rolled his eyes at that.

"I was just making conversation." Riku challenged.

"Leon, he was just showing me his weapon." Cloud commented airily. The brunet turned his patented Glacial Glare on Riku.

"I don't know what you're really doing here or where you came from but stop the flirting or you'll get a close up of Lionheart." Leon warned the young man.

"Stop being jealous baby and come with me. I'll give you a reason never to doubt me." Cloud promised in a sultry voice.

Riku watched in bemusement as a flustered Riku was pulled away by Cloud who had a hungry look in his eyes. The silveret turned back to the sea and thought about his situation. At least Cloud talked to him without Leon turning into a jealous bitch. He wasn't brave enough to approach Roxas and talking to Sora was just too painful.

That look in his eyes killed a piece of his heart every time Riku looked into them. All he could do now was bear it until he learned why that Fayth had picked him to be here. Sighing heavily he made his way to the cabins to think.

Cloud groaned as he lifted his hips then slammed back onto his lover's pulsing erection, his hands remaining planted on Leon's sweaty chest. Ok so he was planning on going one round but the brunet's stamina kicked in and the blond was rapidly approaching his fourth orgasm. When he finally reached his nirvana he fell against Leon with a wide smile on his face.

"Now stop being jealous." Cloud drew patterns on the tanned skin before him.

"Fine..." Leon managed to slur out. "I won't kill the kid."

"Good boy." Cloud giggled. Leon rolled his eyes. "But Riku is pretty cute."

"Don't even go there Strife." Leon growled as he flipped Cloud onto his back. The blond minx gave Leon a saucy wink before letting the brunet have his way with him again. Not that he was complaining.