「The Outside World With You」

Chapter 6

Lost and Found:

   When Xehanort went on ahead to think, he found a path of rushing water. The river shimmered under the sunlight and shone a bright blue, reflecting the clear sky of day. He bent down and touched the surface with his left index finger. The books he always read when spending his free time up the tower only described what things would look like. There were rarely any illustrations beside the covers.

   Cupping his hand slowly and pulling it back, he took a couple gulps of the liquid. He didn't care much if he got sick. There was ways to fix it. Breathing in the cool air, he adjusted his position and crossed his legs over the large and small stones. If only he could stay here forever, watching the fish pass by, bathing under the sun's light and watching sparrows zip through the air.

   For a moment he thought he heard something rustle in the bushes but when he turned to look, nothing but birds fluttered around. His silver eyes scanned a little longer before returning to the river.

   "Xeha!" Eraqus yelled out. It was so distant that he almost didn't hear him.

   Before he could turn to respond, his words got trapped in his throat at the sight. In front of him stood his master. His wide silver eyes could only stare as he came closer. The boy was only able to mouth words as when he came up to him.

   "Xehanort." It was almost like a dream. "I've been searching for you everywhere. A restless day it has been," he says bending down to sit next to him. "I was very concerned."

   He was capable of ripping his eyes away. "I'm sorry, Xemnas."

   The man let out a deep laugh. "Why do you insist on calling me that still? It was much more reassuring when you used to call me father. Perhaps the books have influenced you?"

   The sound of running water filled in the silence between the two. Xehanort was afraid of the consequences but he refused to let that express. His heart was beating against his ribs and his eyes were burning, threatening to make him cry. "I'm sorry," he said again, bringing up his legs to hold them. "I should've listened to you."

   Xemnas peers from the corner of his eyes to the boy's hair. "That man you stole life from was a person I met long ago. He was a man that was on the run for seducing youths but was never caught after three years. I'm very relieved that you're okay."

   When he reached out to touch the dark strands, he mustered up the courage to look back at him. "Why is it that you're able to still live after interacting with it? You told me that it's life threatening to others, didn't you?"

   The man in the black cloak pulled out a comb and sat behind him, brushing down the knots and curls. "My reasoning is a secret that only I know of. All those who I've told have died long ago. I don't think you'll be ready to hear the news. The other reason depends you, young one."

   "Wha—"

   "Xehanort?!"

   "Xeha!!"

   When the voices got closer, he stood up. Xehanort scrambled to his feet and looked up at him. "Aren't you upset?"

   He shook his head lightly. "As long as they keep you safe, there is no reason for anger," he says, stepping away. "We'll make rendezvous at the kingdom soon. There is something I must attend to. Promise me that you'll take care of yourself, son."

   "Yes, father." Xehanort watches him walk the same direction similar to the current, feeling his heart ache again. He clutches his chest and looks down, barely spotting the white comb on the ground. Picking it up, he travels with the river and into his thoughts once more. Why did it hurt so much to watch someone leave?

   Eraqus was almost sure he had lost him. Even though it had just been about thirteen minutes, he couldn't stop himself from spiraling into anxiety. Vanitas had to keep knocking sense back into him so he wouldn't die of a stroke before they found the other. "I refuse to bring you in dead."

   Both found the lone boy at the river just a minute after and the raven couldn't hold back his need to hug him. The silver was shocked when Eraqus threw his arms around him and squeeze him tight enough for his breath to get caught in his lung. "Gods, I thought I lost you for good!" Pulling away, he looks him dead in the eye. "Don't attack my heart like that."

   "Sorry?"

   "You better be. Oh, you fixed your hair." Then he mentions how the ribbon had gone missing.

   Feeling a tug at his scalp, he flinches. It struck him like a rock to his head that he was touching his hair. "Eraq—"

   "You were keeping such soft hair like this from me? Man, you're so unfair, Xeha."

   His fingers ran through his satin like silver hair like water. It was so satisfying that he almost forgot to stop. When he was finished, the two stared at each other for the longest time. Eraqus became flustered, noticing how he had his hands on him like it was nothing. Xehanort was still confused about why he wasn't affected in the slightest.

   "AHEM!! Are you finished with your little reunion?" Both pull away in unison. "Listen, the kingdom shouldn't be that far from here now. We might actually make it this afternoon if we don't laze around."

   "Really?" asks the silver with a hint of excitement.

   Eraqus nods and scratches at his head. "Hey, I'm sorry that we left you. We just have a bit of bad blood when it comes to good ol' history." Then he glares at Vanitas.

   "Fine," he groans. "I apologize for wasting my words on a lowlife." Then he mutters, "And I'm sorry for leaving you behind."

   Shrugging he said, "Good enough, I guess."

   Xehanort shakes his head. "I guess I should've stayed and waited for you two to make up. You guys are just like the little kids in the books I read, fighting over something as small as the past. Learn some self control?"

   "Xeha knows how to lecture apparently. Hurry, let's make our way to Scala ad Caelum!"

   Together they followed the trail of flowing river. He was still sad that Xemnas had went on ahead to do his task and yes, he did feel a tad bit lonely. But now, Vanitas and Eraqus were here with him to guide him through this new world. He was no longer alone when his father was gone. The smile that spread across his face was inevitable.

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I think you'll love the next chapter because it'll gonna be nice and long. I couldn't stop smiling at it.

Thank you all for 100+ reads and I hope you stick around until the end!

A quote from the next chapter: "There he goes again, attacking my heart."

[06|12|19]