Brightness and Darkness
Prologue

Pairings: Sora/Kairi, Riku/OC, Cloud/Aerith, Leon/Yuffie, and maybe Riku/Sora

Warnings: No sexual content…YET! Angst, romance…the usual. Strong language and violence. This is the direct sequel to Something About Us. If you haven't read that story, then you must read it before you can understand this one.

Author's Note: The prologue and first chapter will be in the same document. Meaning, the first chapter will come right after you read the prologue. Oh, and the prologue will be in Kairi's point of view.

Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts belongs to Square Enix and Disney. I do not own any part of the game. Kaze Yuki, Kioko, and Laiktu belong to me and I wish to keep it that way.

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Kairi…

I didn't come here to stay. I came here to see you…

Go to sleep, baby. It's been a long night…

I'll be here with you wake up…

I love you…

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"Kairi, you should be in bed resting."

Kaze's voice didn't phase me as I sat outside on the balcony, covered in a blanket. I just stared straight ahead; not bothering to look behind me, knowing my friend was probably giving me the "look of death". I didn't care. I hadn't cared since that night. The night Sora had left me…

Call me selfish, but I still wish he was here with me. I didn't think my body was able to produce so many tears. At night, I would cry into my pillow. I had no motivation to get out of bed, to eat, or to sleep. I wanted to stay awake and wait for my love's return. It wasn't fair. Why was he chosen to help protect the other worlds? Why couldn't he stay here with me? Kaze tells me that it was fate.

Damn the fates. They have no right to meddle in people's love lives, but they did. I'm powerless to stop them. I've tried wishing several times that Sora could appear before my eyes, like he did that night. The night he told me he loved me and would be by my side when I woke up. He had left though. Leaving me behind naked and heartbroken. At that time, I had nothing to remember him by except for his necklace.

He's been gone for eight months now. Eight months, three days, sixteen hours, and thirty-two minutes. I don't know why I've kept up with all that shit. It gives me something to do other than sit around and sulk in the dark. I guess I'm just obsessed with his return that I'm forgetting about my own health. Sometimes I pretend that he's just gone to visit his friends back at Hallow Bastion, but that really doesn't work. Ah…dammit…

Kaze placed a gently hand on my shoulder and squeezed. She was going through the same thing I was…somewhat. Sometimes I don't even think she cares about Riku. She acts so cold when I mention his name and stalks off to her bedroom to be in seclusion. I just don't understand her sometimes.

"They will come back, Kairi. Sora promised he would, and I'm sure he always keeps his promises."

I know I should listen to her, but it's hard. I can't help but think Sora and Riku may be in trouble, and I'm stranded here on this God forsaken island waiting for them to return. Sounds sort of cliché if you ask me. The stars seem to be growing dimmer each passing day, and I worry more. I want to know what's going on, dammit!

Even though he's gone, I can still sense his presence, just like he said. He's with me wherever I go, and I feel some sort of comfort knowing that he's watching over me. Kaze is still angry with him for leaving me like that, but she shouldn't care. Riku left her just like Sora left me. I don't know if I should even say left, they're still here with us, growing rapidly.

Because Sora, you didn't leave alone with nothing. In fact, you gave me the greatest gift of all.

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Brightness and Darkness
Chapter One: Seven Years After

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"It's mine!"

"No! It's mine! I found it first! Give it back!"

"Not a chance, pipsqueak!"

"I'm not a pipsqueak! I'm the same size as you are!"

"Whatever shrimp!"

"I'll show you a shrimp, you overgrown clown fish!"

Two broken vases later, Kairi and Kaze had ran into the living room to see the two children on the floor, rolling around. The boy, apparently the stronger one of the duo, was holding the sword away from the girl, who was on top of him, reaching for the sword with one hand while pulling his hair with the other.

"Laiktu! Kioko! What are you two doing?" Kairi demanded, tapping her foot lightly.

Laiktu's downy sliver-blue hair cascaded behind his head like a running waterfall. His aquamarine eyes danced with excitement as he was still trying to keep the girl away from the item in play. Lifting his head to look at his mother and Aunt Kairi and smiled slyly.

"Nothing!"

Kioko turned around and shook her head, her messy, chocolate brown hair following the movements. Her big sapphire eyes glazed over with tears. She pointed to the object the Laiktu was holding over his head, and pouted at her mother.

"The big dummy won't give it back! I found it first!"

Kairi's face paled at the item. It still looked brand new, but it held so many memories. It was the same wooden sword he used before he became the Keyblade master. Sora. The two children still fighting yanked Kairi from her reminiscence of the past.

Laiktu stuck out his tongue, "But I took it from you. So that means I get to keep it."

"Finders keepers, losers weepers!" Kioko shot back.

"You must be the loser then."

Kaze sighed and rubbed her temples in slight annoyance. If Riku was here, I'd strangle the life out of him for this. She marched over to the two on the floor, and bent down, taking the wooden sword away from her son. He snapped his head up and glared daggers at his mother.

"Mom!" Laiktu shouted and shoved Kioko off of him. "I was playing with that."

"No, you were fighting over it," The twenty-six year old corrected her son. "I've told you two a thousand times that if you can't share, then you don't play. Why can't you just get along?"

Kioko stood up, rubbing her backside, "We do get along, Auntie Kaze. It's just when he's being a big butt muncher, meanie, clown fish that we don't get along."

"Same goes to you!" The silver haired boy said.

"ENOUGH!" Kaze said sharply, quieting down both kids automatically. "Until the both of you, yes, don't give me that look Laiktu," she said sternly as Laiktu stuck out his lip and crossed his arms. "Until both of you learn to share without trying to strangle the other, none of you will have this...wooden sword. Now go play."

When neither child moved quickly enough for her liking, she stomped her foot down hard, making them scatter instantly. Kaze sighed and rubbed her temples.

"It's to damn early for this shit," She whispered harshly. Looking up, she caught Kairi still staring at the wooden sword like the red head was in some kind of trance. Kaze raised one of her white eyebrows and looked over the sword, "Hmm…it's a brown, shaggy wooden sword. What's so interesting about it?" The girl still didn't move.

Kaze twitched out of annoyance. She clinched her fists tightly, "Oi! If you keep staring like that, you might as well get married to it."

Kairi finally shook her head and stared up at her friend of nine years. She blushed and scratched the back of her head, "Sorry."

"Would you mind telling me what is so interesting about this damn sword?" The white haired girl rolled her ice blue eyes. Irritation was written all over her face.

"It was Sora's old sword. Riku's is around here somewhere," Kairi whispered. She lowered her head as an apology. "I didn't mean to stare at you like that. I'll take the sword and – ouch!"

Kaze smirked and walked past Kairi, shaking her head, "Never take your eyes off the enemy."

"Ah…" The twenty-three year old rubbed the spot on her head and bent down to pick up a sword. She glared daggers at Kaze's back. "Next time, give me a warning."

The older girl on raised her right arm and shook her head, "The Heartless don't give warnings. And stop staring at me like your going to kill me. I'd hate to have to freeze your face like that." She walked into the kitchen started rummaging through the cabinets for a cup.

Is it just me or does she look like Riku doing that? Kairi frowned. Kaze had been acting weirder than usually the past few months. Kairi decided to just let it go and not poke her nose where it didn't belong. She walked into the kitchen with her friend and helped prepare breakfast for the family.

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Author's Note: I cannot believe I'm actually writing this sequel. I highly thought against it because Something About Us wasn't very popular, but two people pushed me to do it. I want to take this time to thank Silver-hair Angel and Meilin Rae. They pushed me to my limit. Plus, I kept thinking about the sequel so much that I couldn't get it off my mind. I also want to thank everyone who reviews Something About Us. waves frantically Arigatou!

Next chapter: Kairi and Kaze get in a little argument and the children over hear the conversation. Stay tuned.

Winter Peacecraft-Yuy

Kaze: Winter Peacecraft-Yuy does not own Kingdom Hearts or anything affiliated with it. I'm just here to make sure the disclaimer is understood.