(A/N: I felt like writing a story that shares the same name as my penname for some reason, don't ask why. Anyway, this may sound like a normal SoraRiku, but it's actually RikuRoku, go figure. ^^ I hope you enjoy this story and remember to review to encourage me to continue this. I need all the encouragement I can get!)

Title: Winter Sleep

Chapter 1: The Winter Princess

"Hey, Riku, did I ever tell you the story of the Winter Princess?"

A small smile appeared at my lips as the naivety in his voice rang through the warmth of the living room. I lowered the book I was reading, tucking the tip of my index finger between the pages and set it on my lap, leaning back against the sofa and raising my eyebrows as the boy before me continued to stare out of the large windows, intrigued by the falling snow outside. Of course, I've never heard of the 'Winter Princess', it hadn't existed until now, most likely. Sora was a curious friend of mine; he would make up fairy tales to amuse himself from time to time and then tell me tall tales of princes on horses, fierce dragons and magical worlds untravelled. I don't know what it is about his stories, but they always seemed to entertain me.

Humouring him, I gave my head a small shake of 'no', a soft chuckle escaping me as he jumped up from the daybed by the window and rushed over to the couch. Jumping on the cushion beside me, he grabbed a large, fluffy pillow and cuddled close to me by the golden glow of the fireplace. His sapphire gems were wide and excited, brimming with the impatience to narrate his latest work of art, something named the 'Winter Princess'. His shoes were kicked off and left helter-skelter on the rug by the sofa and he grinned as I threw the blanket I was using over him as well, pulling him close.

"May I know the story?" I questioned.

"Okay!" I knew he was waiting for me to ask that the entire time and it always seems to make my day, watching how hyped-up he gets over his stories. Clearing his throat in a high and mighty sort of way, he sat up straight but slouched back down a second later.

"There was a faraway world called 'Destiny'," he began. "It was a wonderful world full of big mountains and radiant flowers and everyone lived happily in the country of 'Hope'. This place only had spring. There was no summer, no autumn and no winter. All of the townsfolk were content with this but the King and Queen, they always looked up to the skies with dread." There was a dramatic pause and he gazed up at me to see if I was still listening; I smirked down at him and poked him in the ribs, earning a loud giggle from him. There were small gales of cheerful laughter before he continued. "The King and Queen had a daughter, a little girl at the age of seven. Her name was Ivory and she was a pretty and joyful little girl, full of laughs and always smiling. But her parents never smiled back. They were told of a prophecy that couldn't be avoided; one that said that if they were to ever have a child, that child would be the end of the eternal spring.

"The little princess tried everyday to make her parents smile but they would ignore her and look up at the sky, sending her walking away, disappointed. A hundred days after her seventh birthday, Princess Ivory locked herself into the tallest tower of the castle and cried seven tears of her sadness. Suddenly, in the sunny spring sky, dark clouds began to gather, spreading out from the tallest tower like a horrible plague. The King and Queen wept, knowing that the prophecy had finally occurred, unaware that they were the cause of it happening in the first place. The first snow of the first winter shot down to the ground like a shooting star and more followed, shocking everyone in the country. The princess leant her head on the windowsill, watching over the whiteness until she fell into a deep, deep sleep…"

Sora let out a small sigh before he leant against me again, his eyes looking straight up into my own eyes and I raised my eyebrows. Was that it? Was that the end of the story? I've never heard him tell such a sad story before. "And that, Riku, is the story of the 'Winter Princess'," he announced, giggling and reaching up a hand, tapping me on the nose playfully. Rewarding him with a roll of my eyes, I snatched his wrist, holding it gently, and tickled him at his side once more. His eyes grew wide as he let out a loud squeal, followed by his ever-contagious laughter, his free hand shooting to shield himself, squirming about on the warm couch. Fighting to free himself, he twisted and turned his body about, laughing his heart out. How can someone be so happy all the time?

I finally released him a few moments later, leaving him to pant and wheeze for air as he pressed himself against the pillows at his back. "You didn't say 'The End' this time," I commented, grabbing him by the waist and dragging him to lie his head on my lap. He did so without resisting, blissfully smiling up at me with that childish twinkle in his eyes. His brown hair was in a mess from the bouncing about on the chair and his cheeks were flushed a light shade of pink, still breathing deeply through his nose.

"Well, that's because I can't end it that way, can I?" Sora simply answered, giving a shrug of his shoulders. "Every story deserves a happy ending and I'm going to give the little Winter Princess one."

As expected from him. "Can I know the ending?" I asked.

"Nope," he replied with a laugh.

"And why not?" I raised my eyebrows once more.

"Because I haven't thought of one yet!" he finally admitted but he was still as proud as ever. "Just give me a little time, okay? I'll find a happy ending for her."

"Can I help then?" I offered jokingly.

"Of course!" So, he was serious, then. "The Winter Princess needs all the help she can get."

"Okay," I nodded my head slowly. "I'll write it down for you once I find an ending for her, then."

"Thanks, Riku."

"You're welcomed, Sora."

Exactly seven days later, he fell into a coma.

(A/N: Remember to read and review! Encourage me to continue, people! ^^)