Disclaimer: As you all know, I don't own anything Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, Disney, etc. I do, however, own my own character, and any keyblades I make up.

Tehn's Note: This is definately going to be a Rikuxoc, but it might take a while for that to happen. It's not going to be a three-chapter love story, just to warn you. If you're willing to stick it through, read on! Please enjoy.


Chapter One: Message in a Bottle

Kairi ran down the wooden ramp to where Sora and Riku were standing.

"Sora!" she called. "Riku!"

"What's up?" Sora inquired as Kairi doubled over, trying to catch her breath.

"Look," she breathed.

"From the King?" Sora grabbed the bottle that Kairi held out to him, the parchment inside quickly rolling out. He opened it, reading intently.

"What does it say?" Kairi asked impatiently, trying to peek over Sora's shoulder. Riku scanned the letter.

"There's something called the Guild of Protectors-"

"What is that?" Kairi interjected.

"Doesn't say," Riku let his irritation at her interruption out in his tone. "but apparently we're supposed to find one of them."

Kairi gave Riku an innocent, apologetic look that lasted only a minute before she started her rant. "The king wants us to find someone who claims to be a Protector? This is the all-important letter? What's so dangerous about this?"

Sora finished reading. "Uh, Kairi, it's your Protector."

***

Riku clambered onto the gummi ship, bent over under the low roof.

"Why is it that Donald never had a growth spurt?" he grumbled.

"Donald's a duck," Sora answered, smiling at the fact that he wasn't nearly as tall as Riku and so could fit more comfortably. "Be happy he's as tall as he is."

Kairi daintily stepped in next. "At least we don't have to worry about running out of room sideways."

Sora and Kairi broke out in childish giggles, Riku contributing with a couple quick chuckles, until Donald peered from around the pilot seat.

"So…where does the message say to go?" Riku asked Sora, noticing his pocket bulging with the folded letter.

"Erm," Sora stalled, fishing the letter out. "First stop, Hollow – I mean, Radiant Gardens."

"That's where the Protectors are?" Kairi questioned. "Wouldn't you have run into them before?"

"It just says to go there, so I'm not really sure. I'm pretty confused. This is just like geometry class……" Sora moaned, beating the back of his head against the gummi hull.

"Just sit back and let us take care of the flying," Goofy offered from his co-pilot seat. "We'll get you there in no time."

"Thanks," Sora replied sincerely, then cheerily, "Let's get this show on the road!"