Chapter One: A Dance

I remember, when I was younger, I always wanted to make Kairi laugh and smile.

That fact still hasn't changed.

Sure, sure. I know. Kairi already loves Sora that much is easy to see. I still remember their meeting in the Castle that Never Was…

…She looked happy to see me, but seeing Sora was like watching a dream come true. The loving disbelief in her voice when she found out Sora wasn't an illusion was like watching a romance movie.

But much more real.

I thought I had fought jealousy, wrestled with it, and subdued it already. I swore to myself I would never do anything to hurt Sora or Kairi again. Now that I look back, I can't believe I let myself do that. Sora didn't deserve any hate or other negative feelings; he was such a friendly, caring individual. He didn't give up on me, even when I had given up on myself.

He was such a good person.

A friend I didn't deserve.

Then came Kairi. So caring, so kind, ready to fight for Sora's sake even though she had little experience on the matter. Went through a lot, and probably could have avoided this whole Nobody mess if I hadn't submerged myself in Darkness in my younger years. If I had just let Sora help me save her…

And because of that, I lost her. I'm sure that's what caused it.

I was finding it hard to return to normal life, Sora also, but he fit in better. I was tormented by the thought that I had destroyed Destiny Islands, even temporarily. I was tormented by the fact that I had tried to kill Sora.

I was tormented by the fact I put Kairi in danger.

We were having an End of the Year Dance, I was sure Sora and Kairi were going together. I would probably get ten different girls asking me out before the day was out. I walked home with my friends, not really hearing what they were saying. Sora was walking with his arms folded behind his head, Kairi was laughing at some joke he made.

I looked at the crowd of kids leaving the school, and I saw Tidus and Wakka smirking and snickering to themselves over some new strategy for their ball game, I saw a group of girls giggling to themselves.

I looked at them out of the corner of my eyes, but I didn't see anyone that caught my attention. I looked at Kairi, and saw everything I was looking for. The smile, the eyes, the laugh…

"Riku?"

I jerked, looking at Sora. His expression was, as usual, grinning and carefree.

Brave, brave Sora. Sora, who was willing to get down on bended knees before his enemies to beg for Kairi's whereabouts, he wasn't too proud for that.

It was obvious he loved her. He deserved her.

Sora's voice again, a memory in my head that always played.

"You've been hanging out in darkness too long."

I didn't deserve his forgiveness; he was so ready to take me back as his friend…

"Riku?" Sora sounded concerned now. "Not having dark thoughts are you? Think…"

"Positive." I finished, smiling slightly. Kairi grinned wider.

"Well," she said casually. "We're having that dance on Friday…"

My heart convulsed.

"I don't know who to pick, before both of you corner me and ask." Kairi narrowed her eyes, watching our reaction. Her adorable fury was always funny to me, but there were moments when she really was dangerous.

Like when she was trying to save Sora.

Sora yawned, but I knew him well enough to tell when he was nervous. His eyes flicked uncomfortably to the side.

"Okay Kairi, we don't have to go at all if you want." He said calmly.

"Riku?"

"Ah…well…"

Sora's eyes got huge and Kairi giggled.

"You actually want to dance?"

I didn't say anything, to tell the truth, I wouldn't mind…maybe if I could have just one dance…

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Quit it.

Kairi sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Sure, why not? I don't see why I can't dance with both of you. See you later!"

She ran off to talk to her friend, Selphie I think, and Sora and I were left alone on the road that held our houses.

"Well," Sora said, refolding his arms behind his head and ambling down the street. "I bet we get asked out a lot before this day is over."

An echo of my thoughts. I groaned.

"I know. I'm gonna go find a tuxedo, it isn't a casual dance." He grinned hugely, fixing me with his sincere smile, and then sprinted off down to his house.

A dance.

Funny how I didn't mind fighting Heartless and Nobodies, but the idea of a dance with Kairi made me feel sick.