Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy Characters. I wish I did though.

1000 Ways to be A True Warrior, A Father~

Chapter 2: To The Darkness Forever

Lightnings' POV

We brought Sora home immediately after the incident that had just transpired before us. It was hard to think that Sora wouldn't awake from his slumber anytime sooner, and to make things worst we lost another important member of our family. Riku was kidnapped by an evil force that was not currently known to us, and so was the Princess of Hearts. Mother was crying while Father was issuing orders to whoever would be able to take them. I was reluctantly ordered to stay put and safe, and since the order was from the King I had no choice but to obey it. I'm hurt yes, but I know the feeling for Sephiroth must be much more painful than I can even ever imagine.

Cloud is doing his best to comfort his love interest the best way he can, yet I know much of nothing will bring the general a calm nerve. I just had only wished we were not attacked like we were, or at least knew what was going on. Even I do not have that information as to whom would cause such destruction and malice. I was about to leave the room until Sora groaned in his sleep whimpering about 'not understanding' and 'why?' Mother rubbed his face trying to coax him to reality but he remained yet again asleep, and so I left. I had to find answers, and some right now.

I made my way towards the royal hall avoiding any guards that I knew would try and stop me. I quietly summoned Odin to land by my side before mounting him. I was nearly about to leave until a voice stopped me. I knew the voice all to well, and it was almost surprising to hear it because I knew the owner of it was on a business trip to Palumpolum. I remained where I was, refusing to turn around to meet the gaze of the (1)red eyed prince.

"Lightning, I see that you are leaving already Princess...?"

I paused because eventhough I should be attacking him for calling me such a title, I just can't. I continue to remain quiet as I move the reigns to make Odin move forward. The only thing I give his highness is a soft, "Goodbye Sir Noctis..." I can tell he's smiling behind my back, and I also know I must now owe him for keeping my secret departure a well kept secret.

Noctis, a prince, the last heir to a dynasty ruling over the last kingdom to control Crystal Keys. From his family's throne, he defends the kingdom from marauders and barbarians who seek to conquer the city and claim the keys by force. Crystals Keys are said to be able to open doors to Heaven or Hell and even the unknown dimensional space. He is also my future betrothed in waiting, and by waiting, I mean I am not ready to be married to a man I do not know quite yet. Odin jumped off without anyone else knowing, besides that man.

POV End

The whole kingdom fell silent when the best of the best wizards could not awaken the young prince, nor know as to why he couldn't awaken. The queen once again placed her head down and just cried for one of her prized children seemed to be lost. She cried for the sake that one of her adopted as her own Riku was also lost. She cried for her husband, her people, for the sake of all who felt the same pain that couldn't be shown. It was only five hours later that they found out that Princess Lightning had gone missing, and thinking it was the same culprit, the national guard began the search for her.

Furious, the King called for his entire royal court, including his help. Sephiroth was the first to step up with his siblings not that far behind him. They all stood on point as the King gave his order to find the fend, and recover the lost Princesses. The orders was given and the knights of the kingdom were told they had only a mere hour to get ready for departure.

Cloud watched from the sideline once again for he would not be able to join the man on the trip. The young male sighed deeply making his way out of the room and into the main hall. He closed his eyes sliently cursing the crown in which he and his family bared. To him, it was the cause of all their ill fortune, it was why they were targeted all the time. The blonde continued his long walk until he reached prince Noctis leaning up against the wall. He would have gave him a proper greeting, but he figured a false happy greeting was not what the other man deserved.

He did though nod at the other, and in turn Noctis did the same. Yet, the raven haired prince grabbed the passing blonde by the arm only shortly after asking,"Your sister, has gone to find the enemy alone, are you okay with this?" Cloud stopped momentarily before glanceing at the raven answering, "I know she is strong, and I would love to go after my sister. Though, I am afraid that I cannot. My orders are to stay put, and be safe. That is what I must do..."

Noctis closed his eyes and finally released the other's arm before commenting, "The man whom you love is about to leave, his pain still unrelinquished, are you not going to go after him? Yet, if you decide to choose your own fate, I have a gift for you. For if you truely wish to not just be a royal in his eyes, to finally prove yourself to him, look towards the royal courts near the fountain." With that the raven walked away from Cloud, leaving the other male to ponder on just what he should do. He wanted to prove to Sephiroth that he was strong, and not just needing protecting all the time, but just how was he suppose to do that?

He stood there a little longer placing his hand on his face, clearly torn from the royal order or to follow his heart. Serah smiled at one of her eldest brothers before slightly punching him in the gut. "Cloud, are we not Hikari Strife? Hikari as in heart, we are the family who follow our hearts even in the mist of Strife. Noctis is right...go, or you will forever regret it." Cloud stared down at one of his youngest, the exact twin of Lightning in the flesh, Serah.

"Yeah, I should go..."

"Yup!"

Cloud ran past the corner towards the grand courts, but stopped when the living chambers of the knights flashed in his head. This after all was going to be the last time he could say something to the general, why not now? He paused softly while inching closer to the man's room, seeing that he was currently strapping his battle attire on. The blonde softly knocked on the door and waited for the other to turn around. The tall silver haired male did turn only to see who was it at his door before pausing in his ministrations.

"Cloud, what brings you to my quarters?" He asked while glancing as the blonde make his way into his room. He frowned when the younger male didn't quickly respond to him with an answer.

"I...well just wanted to wish you good luck, and hope you come home safe with Riku...and the Princess."

The general nodded sliently looking at his gloves that he had yet to put on. Cloud copied his frown before smiling sadly. "Well I wanted to give you somthing...for the trip ya know.."

Sephiroth glanced back at him before looking down at the blonde holding something in his hands. He was unable to see just what it was due to the fact that the blonde had both of his hands enclosed around it. So instread of asking what it was, he placed his own hands out. Cloud moved closer to the love of his life and placed his hands into Sephiroth's. The younger male glanced up and ordered the other to close his eyes, in which he did.

This made the younger male the most happy even if it would be for mere minutes or even not for the same reason. Yet, here he was with his hands in Sephiroth's with the grace of the moon on their bodies. Cloud mentally sighed before placing the item gently in the other's hands, and making him cover it like he was sporting before. "Keep your eyes closed until I say okay?"

"Fine..." Was all the general replied before lips graced his own in a shy manner. The tiny action caused the silverette to pause and question all at the same time. Cloud leaned and whispered, "You may open your eyes after you slowly count to ten, do you understand your order?"

Sephiroth softly answered a 'yes'

"Good, now start counting please, and good luck Sephiroth," And with that Cloud's hands and warm inviting presence left the room. Sephiroth bit his lip as he started to count, but only to about four and a half before moving to the door not seeing a simgle speck of blond hair. He glanced down at his hands to reveal a rare yellow Chocobo feather, a symbol of life, honor, and eternal love.

"Cloud..."

Vanitas, Ventus, and Serah all watched as Cloud made his way passed the open door that they left for him. They didn't know why their eldest siblings figured they had to work alone for whatever reason they had, but they would support them nevertheless.

Ventus sighed outloud causing the other two to look at him. "Lightning is gone, Cloud's gone, the whole Royal Knights are leaving, what are we going to do?" Vanitas shrugged before glancing at the open trail behind them commenting quickly, "I don't know, but I'm not going anywhere. Some of us needs to stay home you know..."

Serah was quick to shake her head 'no' "Well, I don't know about you too, but I have a plan. You know Noel's a dimensional space traveler right? Well how about I go and ask Caius and Yeul for guidance?"

Both brothers yelled out 'no', yet Vanitas added a hell in there with some other words. Ven questioned,"You are forbidden to leave the palace after you nearly died while traveling the last time remember? Not to mention, we are not suppose to know the future remember, we are not of that tribe we just can't!"

The young pink blonde sighed before rolling her eyes, "I know, but if it will help Sora not to mention Riku wouldn't you do it? I have an extra artifact we can use, just let me call up Noel!"

"Give up on yourself, and you give up on the world." Came a voice that was calm yet still held the tone of knowing it all. The trio all glanced back to see Joshua landing before them in all his glory. The blond smiled gingerly before giving his trademark greeting alowing his wings to softly fold behind him.

"Hm hm. Predictable..."Joshua annouced before tapping his cheek. "I suppose you have a point Serah, yet I wonder is it really okay to do such a thing. You might be helping your dear Nii-san out, but what is the equivalent of doing such.

Vanitas sighed loudly, "Oh great here we go with the fortune cookie tale of the day."

Joshua closed his eyes befrore speaking,"Everyone has their own little internal world - a secret garden only they can enter. Each world follows its own internal logic - individuality. And the logic of one world means nothing in another. Understanding other people isn't hard...It's Impossible. What do you choose Serah?"

"Well...I choose-"

The swirls of optimal space that surrounded Riku's body began to cradle the child in a warm embrace. The darkness itself tried to give the boy some comfort by holding him closer and closer. It's black clawed hands gently rubbed Riku's face gazing at him with yellow eyes. The creature seemed to be like a heartless looking Sora, nuzzling into Riku's hair.

The young boy slightly stirred in his dead sleep while the creature held him. Terra watched from the other side of the dark room as the boy seemed at ease with the creature giving him so much attention. Terra didn't know as to why the creature would be showing so much care to the boy, but he figured either way Master Xehanort would not be happy with the outcome.

The teen brunet stood up slowly to make his way over to the pair when the heartless looking child stared deadly at him. His claws seemed to grow ever deadly and it's mouth opened to reveal black streching goo, like it's mouth was sewn together. Terra remained still watching the creature protect the young boy, until a keyblade came flying down destroying the creature. The dark being twitched as if it was feeling pain before cressing Riku's face once again before dissapating in darkness.

The taller man frowned, because he knew that the creature must have been some sort of threat to Xehanort for him to send his blade to kill it. So, Terra thought that maybe it was some sort of guide trying to save the boy from loosing himself. With that in mind, the teen moved closer to his young protege and picked him up. He knew for sure that the boy would have to go through many trials to get back home, if he even could.

Xehanort laughed. "You think that you can save this child, when you can't even save yourself. Now Terra, I thought you be more intelligent than that my boy..."

"This boy is special, and I don't know if you can even feel it, but he will be the death of you." Terra retorted to the old man. He glanced down at the still sleeping child in his arms before looking back at Xehanort. "I know you seen it, a creature of darkness is highly fond of him. It's willing to protect him in the name of someone else."

The old man glared at his puppet before curling his hand out. "That may be true, but I still hold all the pieces to puzzle..."

Sora's Internal Conscience

Riku I don't know what is going on, I don't even know where you are. It's crazy because I somehow can feel that you're sad, and that's the least thing I ever wanted you to feel. I wish I could be where you are, to keep you safe and warm. I want to help you and get this misunderstanding out of our way. I messed up bad by saying what I said, I get it now. We both messed up, and we both have a lot to do. I can't seem to wake up, neither can you. Yet, I will send my heart to reach you, and to keep you safe so that one day I can see you once again. Please wait for me Riku, there's still time. Just don't give up, I'll save you...

Authors Note

1. I know that Noctis' eyes are actually blue, but I know they can change to red. I rather perfer his eyes being blood red so that's why I changed it.

Also I hope you like this chapter! I worked really hard to make sure it came out okay. Um as some has asked yeas Sora has a big family. It's like Italy really, or the family closeness at least! Thank you for reading and hope you review!

Love

~Yuki