•Chapter 2•

I awoke to sunlight shinning down on me through my milk colored silk curtains.

I stretched out and slowly sat up, combing my fingers through my tangled hair. I yawned and opened my eyes to see my bedroom door closed. I didn't close my door when I went to sleep. Panic grew in my stomach, but soon subsided as I recalled last night. My panic grew into a warm ball of fire.

I stood up and hobbled over to my door, still drowsy, I smelt sweet deliciousness as I grew closer. Vanilla with a hint of cinnamon? Definitely some freshly brewed coffee. Mmm, what was he up to?

Just before I opened my door I heard a pan hit the floor and a quiet curse, definitely Sora's deep, sweet voice. I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my lips.

I opened my door and looked at Sora standing in front of the sink, placing a pan, I am assuming the one that had just fallen, into some soapy water. I looked towards the dining room table and saw he had set it—pancakes on two plates and bacon sitting in the center of the table.

He did this for me? But, why? Maybe he felt bad about holding me so close last night. I mentally scolded myself, this wasn't the time to be analyzing his actions, it was a time to appreciate them. Still, I kept my thoughts of him crushing on me to the front of my mind as I denied them. He probably doesn't even recollect last night, he was drunk off sleep, only using me as a temporary pillow.I mentally shook myself and sighed as I slowly approached the table. I plastered a fake smile on my face, although it wasn't completely forced, but, my negative thoughts were still stumbling through my mind pecking at me.

Being careful not to startle him, I leaned against the back of the chair directly behind him. He was poring coffee into two coffee mugs, as he faced me, he held his concentration on both mugs as he carried them to the table.

I smiled, waiting for him to notice me, but instead he bumped right into me. Coffee spilt all over my top and some of my pajama pants. It burned a little, but quickly subsided.

"Kairi!" Sora exclaimed.

Before I could even look back up at him to reassure him I was okay, he was already holding a dish towel trying to get all the coffee spillage off of me. His desperation was adorable, and at it, I started to feel guilty.

Here he was trying to be a good friend and surprise me, and then I come along and tamper with it.

"Does it burn?" He asked frantically, "Kairi, I am so sorry, I wasn't paying attention and—,"

"Sora"I interrupted, while wrapping my hands around his wrists, stopping him. His cobalt blue eyes were bright with worry, he truly looked like he was having an internal conflict within himself.

I couldn't help it, but I started laughing.

"Kairi?" Confusion laced his voice, and my grip on his wrists loosened as each laugh shook my body.

It didn't take long before Sora's deep chuckle joined in. Standing there pool of coffee, we continued to laugh.

Sora's worry seemed to drain from him, and for that I was grateful. I wish everyday could be like this, full of laughter and just the two of us forgetting the situation surrounding us and just existing.

Sora's chuckle subsided and I gave one last giggle before shaking off the remnants of laughter, a true smile curving the corners of my lips. My gaze locked with his, and with it, my heartbeat quickened. He was just looking at me, and with my acknowledgement, a smile gradually drifted across his lips as his eyes softened. A sense of nostalgia burned inside me, it almost felt like old times, and with it, I was being drawn in to him.

In the short time of our gaze, my hands were set atop his chest and I was quietly inching up upon my tiptoes. It was like a trance, and Sora seemed to be lost in the pull with me, his head slightly dipping with each second that passed. I held back a shiver as we continued to close the distance. As my eyes hid behind their lids, I noticed his warmth had suddenly vanished, as did his presence beneath my fingertips. My eyes shot open to find he had turned away.

"Let's not keep this food waiting."

I felt drowsy, as what felt like a spell released itself from me. A pang of hurt shot through my being, disappointment following close after. "Yes, o-of course." I sputtered, drawing my arms back to my sides sheepishly.

Embarrassment washed over me as I looked over myself. I was decently drenched with the sticky liquid. I combed back my messy hair and pulled a hairband off my wrist and tied it up. I grabbed the towel off the back of the chair where Sora left it and dried myself.

"Are you sure you're okay? You didn't get burned?" Sora tossed over his shoulder as he rinsed off the mug.

I shook my head, "I'm fine, but I am going to change into some dry clothes." I replied.

Sora nodded and I headed for my bedroom. I shut the door and threw my shirt and pajama pants into my hamper. I pulled out my usual bubble gum pink zip-up dress from the closet and climbed into it. I zipped the dress up and placed the hood against my back. I ran a brush through my head, smoothing down the flyaways and getting rid of the knots.

Anxiety crept into my stomach as I headed back to the kitchen.

Sora was just putting coffee on the table when I approached. He gave a smile as I took a seat at the table.

"Thank you, Sora. It means a lot that you did this." I said while situating myself.

"It's not a problem." Sora reassured as he took a seat across from me.

A silence hung around us as we ate. I started with the bacon and continued onto the pancakes. I took a bite of the sweet deliciousness and quickly glanced up at Sora.

"This tastes just like the pancakes your mother used to make."

Sora looked at me sheepishly. "Yeah, I, attempted to recreate it."

"It's really good, tastes exactly the same."

I glanced up at Sora every once in awhile as we ate. He looked so focused and lost in his thoughts. I wondered what he is thinking about.

It wasn't long until I was finished and began to clean up the table. Sora tried talking me out of it, but I was persistent. I could handle a few dishes. It's one of the things I could handle.

Sora stood by watching me and offering his help, which I denied. I wasn't mad at him, but I was disappointed with myself. I felt every time I tried to get closer to him, the farther I ended up pushing him.

It was around noon when Sora told me he had to go. He told me he had keyblade practice planned with Riku. I was glad Riku and him were both rekindling their brotherhood. It warmed my heart to see the two laughing and hanging out with the other. Although, I wanted the two to bond over other activities than keyblades. It was when I found the boys holding their blades that I was reminded of their tasks and responsibilities outside of our world.

I engrossed myself in reading and chores for the rest of the day. Sora didn't like me watching their practices. Maybe he sensed my unease at the sight of it. Or maybe he wanted to keep that part of him a secret from me.

Riku never voiced his opinion aloud on what he thought of me watching. He used to joke that Sora was too paranoid; afraid that I might get to close to them and get hurt. The comment made me laugh, but I knew their was probably a seriousness to it. Perhaps Sora voiced that thought to him. I didn't know if I would ever know the real reason behind it all. A part of me wanted to know, but then again, maybe the truth would hurt to much.

—-

It was just before midnight when I received a knock on my door. My heartbeat quickened at the thought that it may be Sora. I quickly shot the idea down as I drug myself to the door.

Riku stood before me with a smirk on his lips. "Hey, mind if I hang for a bit?" He asked.

I gave him a smile as I moved out of the door way for him to come in.

"How was keyblade practice?" I asked as I closed the door behind him and took a seat on the couch along with him.

"Eh, same old, same old." He said while placing his hands behind his head as he leaned back. He appeared exhausted. I wondered how long they had been practicing for.

"I was hoping we could take some time off, but Sora keeps insisting we be ready for anything." He shrugged.

My eyebrows furrowed at his longing for a break. So it was Sora who wanted to practice, not so much Riku. The thought surprised me. It was incredible how two personalities managed to switch. Riku used to be the one demanding we ready ourselves for anything before he became a keyblade wielder. Yet now it was Sora.

"Wow, it seems so unlike Sora to want to practice." I muttered aloud.

Riku nodded his head, "kid never liked practicing before. He was more the type to come up with a plan as he went along."

I felt like Riku, too was speaking his thoughts aloud. It seemed I wasn't the only one noticing Sora's new behavior. The realization gave me a sense of relief, I wasn't as alone in this as I thought I was.

"But it's whatever, I'll do what I have to keep him happy. Practicing puts him more at ease." Riku added.

The gesture warmed my heart. Riku always felt like a big brother to me, he always looked out for me, as well as Sora. Even when he had given into the darkness and became trapped, he still never let his concern wander from the two of us.

"I wish he would take a break though," I said with the shake of my head.

Riku gave a flick of his head, moving his bangs out of his eyes, "Ask him."

I shook my head, "He won't listen to me."

"Hell yeah, he will."

He seemed confident that Sora would hear me out, but I wasn't so sure.

I shook my head once more. "Kairi, seriously, ask him, he'll listen," he replied matter-of-factly.

"Yeah..." I trailed off, clearly I didn't buy it, and my expression must have said it all.

"You don't believe me?" He asked with a smile tugging at his lips.

"It's not, I mean, he's been off, Riku."

"I've noticed."

"He hasn't mentioned to you what's up?" I wondered aloud.

"If he hasn't mentioned anything to you, he definitely hasn't told me."

I began to realize I was nearing the end of the road. I trusted Riku, of course, but how did I know he wasn't keeping anything from me as well. Surely he had some idea as to what was going on, he always does.

I nibbled on my lip nervously, the thought of talking to Sora one on one and asking he quit practicing sent chills along my skin.

"Kairi, don't worry about it. I'm sure he will come through, he always manages to. He did mention he spent the night here last night." Riku mentioned with a raise of his eyebrows.

"He did spend the night, but he was way to drowsy to get home." I explained, a blush lightly coloring my cheeks.

"Uh-huh" Riku smirked, he was clearly unconvinced.

"Riku! I'm serious!"

"Oh, I believe you" he chuckled, the heat of his gaze looking over my cheeks.

I was actually feeling a little bit better, talking to Riku was helping, even though none of my internal feelings were being let out.

"So, why are you over here?" I asked, taking control of the subject change.

" I was just checking to see how you were doing," he reassured me. "I didn't see you on the island, so I was a little worried." He started to get up and inch to the door, I followed him.

"Thank you, I am glad you stopped by, do it more often."

Riku shot me a smile, "I'll try to, and keep in mind what I said about Sora. Talk to him, he'll listen, even though he's acting out of sorts."

I gave him a nod as I pulled the door open for him, "okay, I will." I reassured him with a smile.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I think I will make my way out there."

He gave me a grin and a wave and I closed the door, leaving me and my thoughts alone for the night.