Arguments on the Islands: Sora's Perspective
"Another sunny day." I said to myself as I was enjoying the beautiful tropic weather that was not too cool, but not too sultry either. My eyes scanned the great fetch of water surrounding our home, the Destiny Islands. The main island cradled our quiet town. On the other hand, there was the smaller island that was like a giant clubhouse for all of the kids. That was where I was heading to right now in my own little boat.
"Hey Sora, are we going to get the raft done today?" My oldest friend's voice spoke from behind me. Riku paddled up right next to me, expecting a response.
"Yeah! Then we'll set sail tomorrow." I responded briefly. Such palaver had become common between the two of us. Riku had developed somewhat of a brash attitude ever since he was little. In fact, when Selphie, Tidus, Wakka and I all go four on one with him in a duel, he whips us mercilessly. When I turned to look back to Riku, he was already several yards ahead of me, so I just took my time.
It wasn't too long before I had reached the island with my little boat. The first thing I had to do was to find Kairi. She was pretty much the one behind this whole plan of ours. We would build a raft and the three of us would set sail for other worlds! Just like a group of horse-riding desperadoes in those old stories dad used to tell me! It was going to be great! I got exited just thinking about it!
"Hey Sora!" I heard Kairi's melodic voice calling to me. She had a very sweet disposition that was somewhat child like. I jogged over to Kairi, who was standing on our little skiff, almost ready to sail. She was so dainty, just like a flower.
"Sora, have you seen Riku?" Kairi looked at me curiously.
"I saw him before I got here. I'll go find him!" I turned and started to run off for the rest of the beach, but I didn't have to go far. Riku was standing on a patch of sandy ground next to the shoreline, just staring out at the ocean.
"Riku! Kairi is looking for you!" I said to my spaced out friend.
"Hey Sora, what do you want to name the raft?" Riku turned to me slowly, not acknowledging what I said. I thought about his question for a moment, then replied.
"Excalibur!" I said excitedly.
"Highwind. That's what I think." Riku responded. I immediately knew where this was going. Sure, it was fun to have a rival like Riku, but sometimes it got aggravating. In fact, it seems like it hasn't been the friend I know at all. Riku wasn't always so haughty. Ever since we started to make the raft, it's like I've been hanging out with a Riku impostor.
"Are you two going at it again?" Kairi strolled toward us with a grin on her fair face.
"The usual?" Riku motioned to the obstacle course like cove in front of us.
"You're on!" I pumped my fist into the air, ready to race him.
"The usual rules apply. Both of you will race through the cove, touch the star shaped tree, and then come back here. The first one to make it back wins." Kairi raised her arm up in the air, ready to signal the start of the race.
"So…If I win, I'm captain!" I looked over to Riku and grinned.
"If I win, I get to share a paopu with Kairi." Riku spoke, not making eye contact.
I think I actually felt my heart stop. He didn't mean the paopu fruit, did he? The legend goes that if two people shared the same star-shaped fruit, their destinies would be intertwined…no matter what…Didn't Riku know that I cared for Kairi in more than a friendly way? I winced at the thought of him sharing the star shaped fruit with Kairi.
"Wait!" I began to fidget nervously.
Before I could respond, Kairi began to shout.
"Ready? GO!" She swung her arm down, and all I could do was run as fast as I could.
My feet flew like seagulls across the sand as I slowly but surely began to catch up to Riku. I ran over the decks, when I heard the boards behind me collapse. I'll just have to jump over them on my way back. I sped across the sand, through the ocean, and began to climb my way up to the star-shaped tree. I began to hear the shifting of the sand caused by my rival behind me. I leapt up to the cliff's ledges and slammed my hand against the tree, Riku only a few inches behind me. My heart pounded as I jumped off a short distance from the sand and weaved my way through the palm trees, making my way back. I leapt up the sandy slope and started to run across the deck, leaping over the fallen planks. I was almost there! I'm coming Kairi! Behind me, I could hear the thumping of Riku's shoes against the deck. He was catching up! I can't lose! Riku was now running right next to me. Both of us were giving it all we had. This is for Kairi! With a forced burst of energy, I crossed the finish line before my rival. I won!
I couldn't help but smile and I jumped into the air, pumping my fist.
"Yeah! Now the score is 1 to 0!" I said with pride. When I turned over to Riku, he had a stern look on his face.
"Lighten up man, it was just a joke." Riku said briefly.
My jaw dropped, and so did my heart. How could he do that to me? He knows how I feel about Kairi! How could he think that it was funny?
"Hey! How about another round?" He asked with an amused look on his face.
"No!" I spat at my rival. I gave him a cold look and turned back to Kairi. I knew she wouldn't do something like that to me. I think Riku was trying to talk to me, but I just ignored him. Hopefully tomorrow would be better.