Some Things Never Change

Summary: Even though they were the best of friends, nothing could prevent their separation. What happens after Sora and Kairi reunite 10 years later?

Chapter 1: Long Time, No See!

"Talking"

Thinking/Thoughts

"YELLING"

emphasis

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"C'mon Sora! You're gonna be late!"

"Yeah yeah, I'm comin'!" Can I even get a few seconds to throw my shoes on?

A spiky, brown-haired boy, Sora, readies himself in his room. Today is Riku's 16th birthday and he'd promised to be at his party. However, knowing the crowd that Riku liked to hang out with, Sora had to decide what to wear. He had been up in his room for the last hour putting different combinations of clothes together. Even at this very moment he couldn't make a precise decision, but settled on what was recently becoming his favorite outfit (A/N: Picture Sora in his Kingdom Hearts II clothes). Now his mom was rushing him out the door for absolutely no reason at all. Riku's party didn't start for another hour and it only took 20 minutes to drive to his house.

"Sora!" his mother yelled."

"I'M COMING!" Sora shouted back.

Sora began walking out of his room, doing a mental check of everything he needed for the party in his head. Riku's present, I-Pod for the drive, cell phone, swim trunks, all set! Oh wait! Almost forgot! Sora ran back into his room and grabbed his crown chain necklace from his dresser (A/N: You know, the necklace Sora is always wearing. That's a cool necklace. I want one so bad!).

Can't believe I almost walked out without it.

That necklace was Sora's most prized possession. It was a necklace given to him from a friend long ago. A friend whom Sora had not seen for 10 years. Kairi was Sora's childhood friend and a person Sora would never forget. He could remember it like it was yesterday, but he didn't have the time, for his mother was yelling at him to hurry up or he wasn't going. Sora rushed downstairs to his impatient and aggravated mother.

"What took you so long?"

"I'm a 15-year old guy, mom. What do you expect? There are people who 'expect' things from me. I have to look, dress, and act a certain way."

"Sora, you expect too much of yourself. You are probably one of the most physically fit young men I have seen in this neighborhood, I buy you all the clothes you could ever want, and your personality is so charming I'm surprised we don't get phone calls every two minutes from girls who blush at the very sight of you."

"Mom, what are you talking about? Riku's the one that's more fit then me, and there aren't any girls running after me."

"You'd be surprised. I've been watching. Every time you pass a cute girl, she turns around and takes a second look at you and blushes and you don't even know it. And if it is only because you're in good shape, then it's because the girl who likes you for who you really are is just around the corner."

There's only one girl I know who would be like that.

Wanting to change the conversation, "Enough about me. We're going to be late" Sora reminded his mom.

"You're the one who keeps saying we won't."

"Anyways."

"Alright, alright."

After the house was locked up, the duo proceeded to the car.

"You know," Sora began, "I was wondering. Why are you watching girls blush at me?"

His mother, a little shocked by the question, "It's not that. It's just when I see them do it, it reminds me of your father. The way you do everything you do, you're almost like an exact copy of him: your good looks, your attitude, your personality, you're just like him."

Sora's mother looked at her son and began to think she might have said something wrong. His usually bright, cheery face, was now replaced, with a sad, gloomy look. Sora got into the car quietly, his mother did the same.

Sora looked like he was on the verge of tears. Sora's mom started the car up.

"Mom, what was dad like? I was only five when he died so I don't remember a lot about him."

"Well…he was a kind and gentle man." She backed out of the driveway and proceeded to drive to Riku's house. "He was very good-looking and liked by everyone. Everybody knew who he was or had at least heard of him. Your father was one of those people who stood for justice. He didn't allow the people he cared about to be hurt physically or emotionally. If there was something he could do for someone, he would do it in a heartbeat. He was a courageous man too. No matter the obstacle that stood in his way, he gave it his all. If he should succumb to defeat, he could still say proudly that he did his very best."

"I see."

"Don't you realize just how much you are like him?"

"You really think I'm just like him?"

"Sure. You were only together for five years, but so much of him has rubbed off on you."

"Hehe. Thanks mom."

"No problem kiddo. Now no more sad faces. You're going to a party and you have to look a certain way right?"

"Hehe. Right."

Sora brightened up considerably. His once gloomy face dissipated and his cheery look returned. He flashed his mom with what was starting to be known as his cheesy grin.

Sora sat up in his seat. He heard a clanging noise and looked down to see his necklace.

Kairi. It's strange. You were a lot like my dad too…

Sora could remember the very sad day. The day of his father's funeral. None of the events leading up to the funeral had settled in Sora's mind until he saw his dad's lifeless body. Even for the mind of a five year-old, who doesn't understand very much, the pain of loss is still hard. Finally Sora just couldn't hold it. He sat there in the pew listening to the eulogy, crying as the words were spoken. He was controlled though and didn't make loud crying noises like most young kids did. But the tears still overflowed his face. It would have been a very, very gloomy day if it had not been for one person, Kairi. Even while Sora sat there crying, Kairi consoled him. She held his hand and hugged him to comfort him in any way she could.

Kairi, you comforted me just the way my father probably would have comforted anyone. Wherever you are, thank you.

"We're here," Sora's mom announced.

Sora got out of the car and proceeded to walk away.

"Ahem, not so fast mister. Aren't you forgetting something?"

"Umm…thank you, I love you, you're the best?"

"As flattering as that is, that's not what I'm talking about." She reached in the back and grabbed a box. "I think you wanted to give this to Riku."

"Wow! Riku's present, I almost forgot."

"I believe the term is you did forget."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

"Anyways have fun. I'll pick you up at 10."

"Ten!!! C'mon mom."

"What are you complaining about? That's the normal time I pick you up from anywhere."

"But mom, it's Friday and we have a four-day weekend off from school. It's Riku's party and we might go to that new amusement park that just opened. Can't I stay later?"

"How late are you talking?" Sora's mom questioned.

"Knowing us…after midnight?"

"After midnight! Are you crazy?"

"C'mon mom just this once. Please?"

"How are you planning to get there?"

"There are a lot of people with cars. We're gonna drive."

Sora's mother looked at her son.

Well, I do worry about him most of the time, but I guess he is mature enough to handle himself.

"Do you have your house keys?"

Sora fished around in his pocket until he felt them and heard them jingle.

"Yeah."

"You owe me big time mister. 3 o'clock will be the absolute latest. Understand?"

"Yes!!! Woo-hoo! You're the best."

"Yeah don't push your luck. Have fun kiddo. See ya later. Call if you need anything. Make sure you get a ride home because I'm not coming to pick you up after midnight. I'm going to be out like a light."

"Bye."

Sora's mom drove off and Sora proceeded to walk up to Riku's house. The music was pretty loud and Sora wasn't even at Riku's doorstep yet and he could hear it. He figured knocking or ringing the doorbell was out of the question. He was surprised to find the door unlocked. Sora opened the door and walked in. Music blasted his ears the second he put one foot in the house.

Am I late? I thought the party didn't start for another half-hour. There's nobody here so I don't think I'm late.

The music stopped suddenly.

"Riku! Where are you?" Sora shouted.

"I'm out back Sora."

Sora walked out to the backyard. Party decorations were everywhere. Balloons, tables, chairs, Riku's pool, and a stage.

It must be fun being rich.

"Hey Sora."

"Hey Riku."

The two friends high-fived each other.

"Man, this party's going to be awesome," Riku said.

"Only because of the performance later on.

"Oh yeah, about that. It looks like we have to cancel our performance tonight."

"Huh? How come?"

"Well, Roxas is really under the weather. He's been sick for a week. Also, Wakka is out of town for the weekend. So we're short two guys. We talked it over and decided to cancel it. I was gonna call you, but you never answer your cell phone!

"About that…my battery was dead and I didn't find my charger until last night."

"Right…"

"Changing subject, why was your music playing so loud earlier?"

"Gotta let the neighborhood know where the party is." Sora flashed him a confused look.

"Just kidding. I was making sure the amps and speakers were working. I didn't know the volume was turned up all the way."

"Well, it looks like you're all set up." Sora said.

"Not quite. There are a few more things to do. Do you mind giving me a hand?" Riku asked.

"Sure. No problem. Oh, here." Sora handed Riku his gift. "Enjoy that later."

"Of course. Thanks man."

Thirty minutes passed by and people began showing up. Friends, classmates, people from the neighborhood, etc. Everyone was here to have fun. Sora was walking around and went inside the house to use the bathroom. Problem was that Riku's house was huge and there was a bunch of people to squeeze through. Eventually, Sora made it. After doing his business he walked into Riku's kitchen and grabbed a soda from the refrigerator. Sora stepped back without looking and bumped right into someone.

"Oh, my bad." Sora said.

"It's okay," said a girl.

That voice.

Sora turned around and looked at the person he bumped. She was almost his height. She looked only a little bit shorter. She had long, auburn hair, nice curves, and was wearing a pink tank top with a matching miniskirt.

The girl was also looking back at him. She was admiring his toned features.

The two stared at each other's faces for a moment. Their blue eyes locked together in that moment.

It can't be.

"Sora?"

"Kairi?"

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(A/N: Well, I changed it again. Only grammatical stuff though. The story is all the same. It's still a good beginning to what will hopefully be a great story. Feedback please. Review, review, and review some more. Tell your friends about the story. All kinds of reviews are welcome, good or bad. Thanks!)