Kingdom Hearts (My Way)

Chapter 5

[Riku’s POV]

     I woke up to my whole body aching.  I glanced at the clock.  It was a bit late, but I didn’t care.  I didn’t have the energy to pull myself out of bed.  I shut my eyes tightly and tossed in bed, trying to go back to sleep.  But I couldn’t.  My stomach churned.

     Oh crap…

     I quickly got out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom.  I leaned over the toilet and— well, you know.  There was no way I was going back to sleep after this.  If Estrell and I were connected or I was feeling this bad over what happened yesterday, I needed to talk to her… badly…

****

     I flushed the toilet again and leaned back against the wall behind me.  The sour smell filled my nostrils.  Agh…  I don’t even know how long I’ve been in here.  I needed to see Estrell, but my stomach was keeping me from doing so.

     Shakily, I get up from the floor and made my way to the window.  I rested my head in my hand on the sill.  I sighed heavily and watched the waves slowly moved back and forth.

     “Hey Riku!!”

     I looked down.  Great, just to make things worse, he just had to show up.  “What’dya want Sora?” I groaned.

     “What?  I jus’ wanna fight you.  Estrell doesn’t have time to fight me cuz she’s talking with Kairi.  And I’m bored.” Sora said with a goofy grin.

     “Agh… not now…  I’m feeling a bit sick.” I said and then clenched my jaws tightly together feeling my stomach churn again.

     “Oh… alright…” Sora said and turned to leave.

     Swallowing hard, I managed to open my mouth to speak again.  “Where did you see Estrell and Kairi?”

     Sora looked back up at me.  “Some ways down the beach.” he said, pointing.

     Quickly I rummaged around my room to find something to wear.  I guess this’ll have to do…  I flung off my tank top and shoved on a yellow shirt and pulled some blue shorts over my boxers.  I ran downstairs and out of the house before anyone could ask me where I was going.

     As I ran, I thought about everything.  About Estrell.  I did care about her.  I didn’t need to be told twice.  I had let her win that match yesterday.  Though I was trying to stay out of her sight, I kept trying to see if I could see her those past few days.  I can’t explain my feelings about her…  It’s just like, I want to be around her.  But something’s always stopping me.

     I stopped running and rested my hand against the tree next to me...  I saw her.  Estrell.  She was walking with Kairi down the beach.  I sighed and watched her for a moment before realizing I was standing next to a paopu tree.  I grinned and grabbed one of the star fruits and broke it in half.  I felt as though my heart was on wings…  Was this love?  Oh boy, I sure hoped not…

     As I came closer, I started feeling nauseous.  What was wrong?  I felt so great one second before some wave of sadness hit me…  Was it Estrell?  I looked at her from where I stood behind her and Kairi.  Yes, Estrell was depressed…  Oh God…  I wanted to say how sorry I was, but I felt a lump in my throat…

     “Es-strell?”  I croaked.

     She and Kairi turned around…  Estrell had a look of sorrow on her face and didn’t seem to brighten when she saw me…  Instead, she covered her eyes with her bangs.

     “What do you want?”  This time, it was her voice that showed no emotion.

     “I… I…”  I had no clue what to say.  I dumbly held out one half of the paopu fruit to her.  “Here…”

     Estrell looked at it.  She put her hands around mine, and then pushed my hand away.

     “I’m sorry…  I can’t accept it…  Not after what I put you through.  I know it’s what I’ve always wanted…  But I can’t…  You’re better off without me…”  And then Estrell walked away.

     I stood there…  Dumbfounded.  Why didn’t she accept?  I thought she said she liked me.  I guess I liked her a bit…  She was strong.  As strong as me…  But...  Why?  Why did she work so hard to get me, only to push me away in the end?

     “Riku?  Riikuuu….?”  Kairi was waving a hand in front of my face.  “You okay?”
     “Huh?  Oh… yeah…”  I said.  I was lying.  Nothing was okay.  Something was seriously wrong with Estrell.  And I had no clue what was going on.  “Kairi, could you talk with Estrell?  For me please?”

     “Um.  Okay.  I guess I have nothing better to do.”  Kairi said.  “What do you want me to say?”
     “Just tell her I’m sorry…”

     Kairi nodded and left.  I felt so sorry for Estrell and ashamed of myself.  I was as stubborn as Estrell was.  I just hoped she would forgive me and we could still be friends.  We’re pretty much the only kids on the island besides Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie.

     I sighed heavily and threw the paopu fruit halves out to the water with all my strength.  I watched them make a small splash far away and I headed up to the forest and sat down on a rock.  I looked at the ocean before me and began thinking again…

     What about other worlds out there?

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