Vesper's Heroes

Sorry for the delay in updating. Class started up again this Monday and I have a full time credit load with lots of homework. It sucks. And I got a head cold on top of that, no doubt from all the stupid non stop rain and resulting mold playing hell with my sinuses. Add in that I’m getting a new job and my free time all but dies.

Rage.

Moving right along is another Riku chapter for you.

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The day was lost and most of the night as well before Riku showed any sign of waking up. He didn’t want to when he did as dawn broke anew for fear that as soon as he moved his head would explode with pain. After nearly 18 hours that had felt like 18 days of training and teachings by Kingdom Hearts to bring him up to speed with anything he could need to know, real sleep would be heaven.

He would have let dreams claim him if not for that small book that started this whole mess staring at him from within arm’s reach of his face. Even in the dull light of the tent it was easy to see the leather volume. It was clear that Hosep had reclaimed it and had been writing again but by leaving it out in the open, it was a sure sign that Riku was welcome to open its pages once more and indulge in what had been drafted. For now though he refrained from doing so and just enjoyed the moment.

He was beginning to think that man was part ninja. Without disturbing him at all, the scout had managed to curl around Riku’s prone carcass as the night progressed. He had spooned up against his back with one arm around his waist holding him close as that warm breath tickled his neck. He felt not only physically warm but emotionally as well, feeling loved and safe.

But even with those feelings, his curiosity was starting to gnaw at him to reach out and open that book no matter how comfy he might be. I’m still worried about a headache. Kingdom Hearts said I should be ready for one as soon as I move from all the magic I worked with last night. He sighed, feeling no pain but definite pressure in his skull, a sure sign of what was to come.

“Continue with your musings and you will never get back to sleep.” Thankfully he didn’t jump as that voice intruded on his thoughts. A hand came up to pull his head around to meet a pair of lips for a chaste good morning kiss. “You have issues?” The wince as his head started to throb was answer enough. Riku felt the hand leave as he screwed his eyes shut against the stabbing pain, curling into a ball on his side. He felt Hosep rise to dig for something in their tent. That hand came back, pulling his face upright while prying open his mouth.

Something cool, liquid, and slightly bitter was forced down his throat. The taste wasn’t too bad but not something he would have ever chosen. Once that was gone, another glass was pressed to this lips, this one with a simple juice to wash out the flavor of whatever medicine he had been given. Again his let his head flop back to the pillow, letting his heart settle. Even as he remained as still as possible, forcing his body to relax, he couldn’t stop his heart that kept an even rhythm of reminding him that he over did it.

Again Hosep pulled him out of his current position, sprawling him on his back over the cushions. One teal eye peeked at his surroundings as he felt his appendages rearranged into a more comfortable position. The scout was fluttering about without a word being spoken or more importantly a light being lit.

Movement, loud noises, and bright lights were the triggers for the migraine he had. Right now, on a scale of one to ten, Riku was suffering through a nine. A ten would warrant crying and/or screaming from the pain despite the fact that said actions would only make it worse. A nine was just below that were moving was the very last thing you wanted to do. He let his eye slid shut again, trying to get his body to relax.

Gently, carefully, strong hands lifted his skull to replace the pillow underneath with a warm lap. Then those hands moved to allow probing fingers to circle over his temples accompanied with a slight pressure. Riku allowed himself an appreciative hum, feeling it work some of the edge off.

“You have about ten years to stop that,” he whispered, feeling the answering chuckle as much as he heard it. A kiss was pressed to his forehead as those magic fingers carried on to work at that very location. “And in case you are wondering, though you might have all ready guessed, Kingdom Hearts wanted to talk again. But this time we did a lot of training so I’m just magically overworked.”

“Obviously. It was clear from the way you acted. That is why I gave you a pain potion we normally reserve for the mages,” was the reply. Riku smiled, still only looking at the back of his eyelids. “I will tell Tik’va what has happened when you’ve settled again. Not all if it mind you, but enough.”

The younger man couldn’t argue with that logic as he felt his mind grow fuzzy. His thoughts were slipping away with the pain in his skull as he felt himself falling asleep again.

I’m just going to sleep life away at this rate. Any further contemplation was stolen away with him into hopefully empty dreams.

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Riku felt himself wake up a second time that day but this time around there was no migraine. The only bodily responses to greet him were a nearly painful need to take a leak, ravenous hunger, and a bit of stiffness. The call of nature was easily remedied with the chamber pot left by the tent flap. His stiffness was also easily taken care of as he moved about, finding clean clothes waiting for him along with a scribbled note from Hosep that he had gone to see Tik'va.

{:Are you sure you are up for this?:} He didn’t give an outward response to hearing a voice in his head. That had been the lesson in his last nap as it wouldn’t take any magic and would actually allow Kingdom Hearts to block his pain. {:This will not be an easy battle.:}

{:But putting it off will only let them get stronger.:} He replied, letting his eyes close to better concentrate. {:I’ve done enough running in my life. I’m not going to back out now.:} He snatched a cloak and his sword, just about to cross the threshold when it spoke up again.

{:Hosep was supposed to be a keyblade wielder too.:} It was whispered so for a moment Riku didn’t think he had heard it correctly. {:He was infected with blight for too long though, leading to a taint on his core that can never be removed. It does not endanger him but it does change his future.:}

Riku didn’t have a reply for Kingdom Hearts as he exited the tent to be greeted by the later afternoon sun. He had been sleeping for nearly the clock round and he needed to eat something to help replenish his magic before seeing his commanding officer.

{:Perhaps you can change his future too.:} Now he came to a dead halt in mid-stride. {:Go eat my Champion. Worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.:} He nodded, knowing it would be relayed to the entity as he resumed his course.

The mess was pretty empty, letting him have some privacy to scarf down what would be equal to two meals. No one questioned him though some did give a few suggestive comments as to why he was so hungry. Of course it brought the question of limping.

“Who says I’m the one on the receiving end?” he replied with a smirk, letting that comment be his last as he took his leave to find his errant captain. Hosep is never going to forgive me for ruining his reputation like that. Even so, he was sure to be forgiven since they hadn’t gone that far yet. Riku wasn’t naive but he was still, ‘untouched’ so to speak. Yet another wonderful aspect of education and general home life I’ve missed out on. He did not need the ‘bird and the bees’ speech. It had been highly embarrassing on both their parts to get that from King Mickey. He knew how things worked. He just hadn’t DONE them.
And certainly not with another guy. He gave himself a mental shake as he ducked into the command tent, happy to see only the high-ranking officers there. Tik’va and Jamel were again looking at a map as they compared a few lists. Hosep had taken over an armchair where he too was looking at bits of paper. Without announcing his presence, Riku decided to be a brat and simply dropped into Hosep’s lap, letting parchment scatter around them.

“Hi again,” he beamed. The scout returned his smile even though his work had been sorely interrupted. Being the horn dog that he was, Hosep of course pulled Riku down for a kiss, invading his mouth while his hands pulled the younger one close. Tik’va and Jamel both looked at them sniggering under their breaths before one of them coughed loudly to recapture their attention.

“If you two are quite finished?” The pair of them only shook their heads no, favoring their captain with a leer as they kissed again. “Gentlemen, we do have a war to win here. I need you minds out of the gutter and into strategy.” With a theatrically sigh, Riku gave up and stood on his own two feet to amble over to the map table. Still playing along, Hosep curled behind him, letting war stained hands cross over Riku’s belt buckle while his chin came to rest on his shoulder. Giving up on them, Tik’va continued, pointing to a dot.

“As I was saying before the two of you decided to favor us with a show, we’re moving again. The last city of Dalton is just a few days from here and that is where we have confirmation of the halflings.” A nod was favored to Jamel who left to carry out orders that only he was privy to. Tik’va paused, weighing and measuring the pair that remained in her tent. “Are you two up for this?”

“You mean I finally get to choose?” Riku asked wiry. Indulging in a small laugh, he shook his head. “Honestly, I don’t think there is enough time in the world to prepare for this but we don’t have a choice in the matter. This has to be done.” The captain’s lips pressed into a thin line but she didn’t argue.

“All right then. Go and get ready. You two will be rear guard so take your time. We should be there by morning and in the thick of battle by tomorrow night.” Nothing more could really be said on the matter so they both saluted and took their leave.

It was clear as they backtracked that Jamel had been telling people that they were on the move again. Half the came was being broken down while a few slipped away into the darkening gloom to scout ahead. Hosep separated along the way to fetch them a pair of horses, as most of their gear would be in the wagons. They had to travel light so they could easily catch up with the main group if trouble showed up.

{:Are you certain you are ready?:} Riku didn’t answer right away as he rolled up their blankets. He let the silence stretch between them as he worked, trying to be efficient and not let his mind dwell on tomorrow. {:Riku?:}

{:What?:} he finally replied, feeling exasperated. Even with nearly 24 hours of sleep he still felt worn and drained. Even with Kingdom Hearts riding shotgun in his skull he still had a headache. Even though he had just been with Hosep only ten minutes ago he wanted nothing more than to find him and curl up in his arms again.

Great, I’m turning into a female, a pissy one at that with separation anxiety and a craving for chocolate mousse. He rubbed at his forehead as he tried to wrap his brain around just how much he had changed since landing here. Six and a half months did a lot to him in a lot of ways. The bubble of a laughter that he knew wasn’t his didn’t help matters either.

{:Calm yourself my Champion. As I said before, worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.:} He felt a warmth wrap around him, soothing away the last of the drain headache and finally restoring some of his energy. It lingered for a while longer, like a parent holding a child in a storm. That was an apt description the maelstrom in his head but it could be dealt with later. Right now he enjoyed feeling cared for. {:Better?:}

{:Yeah. Thanks.:} Phantom arms gave him a hug before it vanished along with the warmth. {:When we finish off the halflings and lock the world, what then?:}

{:Your next adventure. I suggest you seriously consider who to have as your party members.:} Riku didn’t get an opportunity to question that bit of cryptic advice as Hosep had just returned. The scout only gave him a once over before dropping the bags in his hands to sweep up his sword partner in a hug. The lieutenant didn’t even have to ask if something was wrong, he could just see it. The keyblade wielder let out a shuddering breath into the worn leather jerkin, feeling the weight of the world.

“This must be done Riku. It will all be over soon and then you can rest,” Hosep murmured into his hair. One hand was stroking his hair while another simply kept him pinned in place. He nodded, feeling a bit numb again but soon Kingdom Hearts rejoined the battle to keep him from becoming an emo. He again felt that warmth in his head and again felt a second pair of arms grasp around him. “Are you ready?”

“As much as I can be.”

“Then let us be off.”