Author's Note-I'll just say that I don't own Kingdom Hearts. There? You lawyers happy? You're so cruel! ...Anyways... ^_^; I've been looking at pictures, watching the trailer numerous times, and watching a bunch of music videos that shows Kingdom Hearts 2. I've checked over the theories, characters, ect. This basically has most of my analysis in it, with a few slight changes that may not be changes. I dunno. So yeah...I'm basing this off of what I've seen and read by far. So...on with the fic!

"I'm still having trouble believing that you won that race today, Taro." Hyotoko said.

The blond holding a large gold trophy smirked. "How so? I'm holding my trophy right here. If you want to race me yourself..."

"No, no, I'm fine!" said the brunette, grinning and holding out his hands.

The other thirteen-year old, a girl with red, shoulder-length hair, giggled playfully. "I'll race you." she said.

"No way. You're probably the last person in this town that I'd want to race. I got my speed from Uncle A's training. If you're his daughter, I'd hate to think how fast you are being trained full time, Sakura." Taro said.

"Oi! What about me, Taro?! I'm her brother!" a young boy with shoulder-length black hair demanded.

"You're also eleven." Taro pointed out.

"What does that have to do with anything?! Just because you're fifteen-almost sixteen-and older than everyone else...!" The boy's voice trailed off as Taro laughed.

"Give it a rest, Kiyoshi. I think Taro's arrogance has been boosted up a level after defeating those pushovers after school in the race today." Sakura said. The three kids-the exception being Taro-all laughed.

Taro shook his head. "Joke all you want-I still won."

There was a long silence as the four kids on the roof of a tall skyscraper watched the sunset.

"Oi! The stars are comin out!" Sakura exclaimed, pointing to the first star to appear in the sky.

"You know, I once heard that the stars were different worlds." Hyotoko said thoughtfully.

"And one of these days, I'm gonna see them all!" Taro said eagerly.

"From down here. Better hope that's a wishing star, Taro. I don't think there's a chance in hell that we'll be able to leave this place anytime soon." Sakura said.

"Like you do every night? Wish on a star?" Kiyoshi teased, grinning.

"You know, I should have the right mind to push you off this roof..." Sakura grinned, her hand rising playfully.

Kiyoshi scooted away quickly. "Psycho sister, psycho sister! Help!" he joked.

Taro smiled, looking up at the star, then lowered his head, his eyes closing. 'Star light, star bright-'

"Oi!" A voice said behind them. They turned to see a platinum-haired boy wearing a blindfold. "I've been looking all over for you guys. Mrs. Kimoto and Mrs. Insei say it's time to come home."

"So can I stay here?" Hyotoko asked brightly.

"Nope. Mrs. Takani agrees with them entirely."

"Dang."

Taro stood up and walked over to the boy. "And how could you look for us, Riku? You're blind." He said, his hand lifting to poke the blind boy.

The boy-Riku-snapped his hand out caught the blonde's and grinned enigmatically. "You gain senses you never had when you lose your sight." He said.

Taro blinked, then grinned. "If you say so." He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked up at the sky, which was now fading in the darkness, only to be pin-pricked by stars. "Riku, do you think there are different worlds out there?"

Riku shrugged. "It's possible, but heck if I know. Either way, I'd never want to leave home if I was there..." he said, the last part a bit wistful.

"You think you're from another planet, Riku?" Kiyoshi asked.

"Anything's possible..." Riku tilted his head upwards, towards the sky as the breeze toyed with his long silver hair. He smiled again, only this time, did the kids see a bit of sadness in his smile? Sadness and nostalgia...

"Anyways, I'm outta here. I'll wait for you at the front door." Riku said, turning to the stairs.

"Alright. We'll be down in a minute." Hyotoko said, standing up. Riku nodded and left.

"Oh, by the way..." Sakura said, standing up along with Kiyoshi. She pulled four little orbs out of her pocket.

"...What are those?" Taro asked.

The globes were small-small enough to fit in a person's hand, different colors, and looked like they were made out of glass.

"Destiny balls or oath orbs-whichever you wanna call them. I bought them at that new accessory shop."

"...What do they do?"

"I'm getting to that, Taro! ...If you look into the orb, you see an image that only you can see. Mine has a sakura grove in the spring and a serene island. If you make a promise on it, that promise stays for life. Here." She tossed a yellow orb to Taro. The blond easily caught it in his free hand as Sakura tossed two others to Hyotoko and Kiyoshi.

"What promise do you want to make, Sakura?" Hyotoko asked curiously.

"That the four of us stay friends forever."

Kiyoshi chuckled. "Friends? We're siblings-we're stuck with each other."

"Yeah...of course we'll always be friends..." Hyotoko said, a hint of concern in his voice.

"We don't need oath balls or whatever the heck they're called to hold our friendship together. Now c'mon, let's get going. It's getting late." Taro said, sticking the globe into his pocket and heading towards the stairs.

Sakura sighed and followed, followed by the other two boys. They walked through the dark hallway, past offices and cubicles, computers with their starry screen savers. The kids took the elevator down to the ground floor. They exited the building through glass doors and into the dark streets lit only by the lights of a few apartments and neon signs.

"Well, see you guys tomorrow. Bye." Taro said, waving to the others.

"Yeah, see ya. Stay safe." Hyotoko said, walking backwards and waving.

"Please. We're ninjas and fighters. It'll be okay." Sakura said. "See ya tomorrow!"

"Bye!" Kiyoshi added.

The three kids walked off, leaving Taro with Riku. "...Let's head back..." Riku said, turning on one heel and walking swiftly down the street.

"Er...yeah..." Taro said, skittering after the older boy. His mind flashed back to when his family found Riku.

*flashback*

"Bye, mom! Dad! Headin out! Taro called, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and stepping out the door to walk to Twilight Town High School. He checked his watch. "Oh, damn. Gonna be late at this rate...better take a shortcut..." he muttered, turning the corner. He began to pass an alleyway.

"K-Kairi...Sora..." he heard a voice moan. He stopped to see a boy about his age lying against the wall. The boy had long, silver hair and had a black coat draped over him. His eyes were shut tightly and he was very pale, as if light hadn't touched his skin for at least a year. He looked like he was in pain and a bit feverish. His face was streaked with dirt.

"Kairi..." the boy moaned again. Now Taro knew that this was probably just a homeless bum, but the guy was probably sick and his age. He wasn't heartless. He reached out to give the boy's shoulder a light shake.

"Um...hello? Oi, you all right...?" he asked a bit hesitantly.

The boy twitched slightly. "Sora...?"

"Er..." Taro glanced around. A small white lie to gain the boy's trust and save his life, right? "Yeah...you're going to be all right...it's me, Sora...just come with me, alright?"

"I'm...I'm sorry...for everything... Is Kairi okay...?"

"Kairi's gonna be just fine...c'mon now..." Taro assured him, draping one of the boy's arms around his shoulders. They both slowly rose and made it back to the house.

*End of Flashback*

"I wouldn't take something like an oath orb so lightly, Taro. Especially if it's used for a promise like friendship. Even the strongest of friendships can dissolve..." Riku said, snapping the boy out of his thoughts.

"You heard us?" Taro asked incredulously.

"Heightened hearing." Riku explained, as if this was a common, everyday thing.

"Oh..."

"Anyways, every planet has something like an oath orb." Riku continued.

"So you /have/ been to different worlds?!" Taro asked.

Riku was silent for a moment, caught off guard, then said quietly, "No, I'm just guessing." Before Taro could reply, Riku tossed a black package to the boy. "By the way, happy birthday, kid."

Taro blinked as he caught the package. "But my birthday isn't until tomorrow."

"Yeah, but I have the feeling that you'll want it sooner." Riku replied, a bit distracted.

"O...kay..." The blond blinked again and watched Riku suddenly frown a bit.

"Listen." Riku said. "I have to go check on something. Go on ahead home. I'll see you there soon." With that, he walked off, his black coat blending him easily into the darkness. "If you need me," he called back, "Meet me at the skyscraper-I'll be on the roof."

Author's Note-Did I mention that Taro, Hyotoko, Kiyoshi, and Sakura are mine? ^_^; Anyways, please review! It will be highly appreciated. ^_^ Ja ne!