Here we go again.

Disclaimer holds.

A/N: Alcoholic reference.


-Chapter Two-
Should've Just Chose Truth

Sora sat up in his bed, reclining his back against his white pillow. His window was wide open, letting air into the room while providing a great view of the night's sky. The stars were out in full display but did little to take his mind off his nerves. Sora sat with his hands clasped together, shaking away the thoughts that filled his mind. He could still hear Riku's voice, the dare replaying over and over again.

I dare you to…

Ah, he just couldn't get around to repeating it. It had stunned him the first time he had heard it. His eyes went from fascination to fear in an instant as the words were drawn out one by one. There was a moment of silence that froze him. He felt like he was staring down the barrel of a gun, thoughts empty until his wits came around. Sora threw his blanket over his head, disgusted with himself. Why did he ever agree to this? For the sake of victory, he was sure. There was no way he could lose. This was his game. This wasn't supposed to happen. Riku had turned the tables just as quickly and Sora found himself with the biggest dillema he ever faced. Fight Maleficent - easy pickings. Befriend beasts and mythical creatures - no problem. Fight gods and the living dead - check. Heck, he was more than ready to sing 'Tik Tok' if needed. This dare surpassed them all. Riku was pure evil.

I dare you to kis…

Sora let out a horrid scream that was sure to wake up the entire neighborhood. Head shaking, he threw open his door and entered the restroom. Turning on the faucet, he submerged his head in cold water, hoping to clear his head. This was all a bad dream he reassured himself.

"Come on, Sora. Breathe. It's alright. Just get some sleep."

He hopped back into bed, turning off the lights, and tried this best to close his eyes. Still, his mind was tormented. Groaning, he flipped over on his side, his hand gripping the blanket tightly. He felt like a rabid dog, volatile and easily irritated. Fighting to overcome his thoughts, he focused his energy into counting sheep, hoping the age-old technique would tire him.

One sheep

two sheep

three sheep

four sheep

six sheep

I dare you to kiss Kairi

seven sh-

Sora opened his eyes wide and violently threw the covers off. Smoke was literally rising from his sweat soaked body and his chest was heaving. That's the last straw! His heart was pounding in his chest, sweat dripping down his neck. Kairi. He fell back onto his bed, the shot of adrenaline leaving his body emotionally drained and weak. Breathing hard, he lifted his shirt to wipe his damp forehead. Kairi. Turning around, his small clock indicated that it was only two in the morning. It only meant he had seven more hours to think about the red haired angel, picture her face, her beautiful smile, and those enticing purple eyes. Kairi. He was in for a long night - not that he was going to mind.

He definitely wasn't going to get any shut eye tonight.

-KH-

Sora woke the next morning from his restless slumber to the warm rays of the sun that lit up his face. Stirring, he slipped the covers off his body and swung his legs over the bedside. The floor was covered in beddings and even his pillow had found its way underneath him. His alarm clock and pictures had fallen from his beside table. What the heck happened here? Before he could assume anything, the smell of pancakes infiltrated his room, turning his attention to the kitchen. His groaning stomach was all the motivation he needed and he stumbled down the stairs, not surprised to see his mom placing a stack of pancakes on a plate.

"Morning honey," his mother said cheerily. "Were you able to get enough sleep? It sounded like a twister rampaged through your room."

Sora nodded as he pulled out the chair and plopped down on the cushiony seat.

"I'm fine, mom. I was just having a rough day."

His mom smiled sweetly as she ruffled her son's hair, distracting him enough to steal a bite of his breakfast. "Are you going out again?" Sora replied with a quick nod. "Well, don't forget to be back before dark. I'm going to get my hair done today," she told him.

Sora quickly finished his breakfast and threw the plate into the sink. Racing back upstairs, he hustled out his sleepwear and threw on his more familiar red clothing and white vest. It was going to be too hot to wear black. He looked around his room and decided it would be best to clean up a little bit. Placing the clock on the table, he scooped up his bedsheets and tossed them onto the bed. After pronoucing his room clean, he threw open the windows and made his exit. With one quick slide down the metal pipes that ran along the house, he was off. Waving his hand through the window, he sent his mom a quick smile before racing for the pier.

Sora found his little rowboat where he last left it, right next to Riku's missing boat. He figured his friend had already made it to the little island, the still water indicating he had departed quite a while ago. Untying the rope that held his boat to the dock, Sora jumped in the water, tipping the side just enough for him to crawl aboard. Grabbing the oars, he rhythmically paddled.

The sound of the rippling waves lifted his spirits and he felt a little song swell in him. Recalling the sailing tunes he heard from Jack Sparrow, he erupted in laughter. Instead of singing about looting, treasure, and deck swabbing, all the lyrics referred to alcohol, taverns, and precious rum. Drinking songs were good for the heart, refreshed the body, and cleansed the mind. Wetting his whistle, Sora did his best Sparrow rendition.

So bring me two piña coladas

One for each hand

Let's set sail with Captain Morgan

And never leave dry land

Troubles I forgot 'em

I buried 'em in the sand

So bring me two piña coladas

She said good-bye to her good timin' man

Sora let the last note ring, knowing that the captain would have sang it better. Exhaling deeply, Sora felt the bottom of the boat dip into the wet sand, ushering it to a complete stop. Sora hopped out and unwound the rope to tie the vessel to the dock. Instead of meeting at the base of the paopu tree, he decided to make a quick stop.

Moving in stealth mode, he entered the secret cave that he and Kairi found when they were both younger. Actually, Kairi found it; Sora just happened to stumble upon it while playing hide-and-seek with Riku. He ran a hand along the side of dark tunnel, letting it lead him to the inner chamber. There was a ray of light that illuminated this part of the cavern. Sora walked around, noting the flowstones surrounding him and draperies that hung over head.

Usually, Sora had done most of his thinking in his sleep (which meant he didn't do much thinking). This cave, though, was where Kairi spent a lot her time looking at the pictures she and Sora drew of each other when they were little. A crooked smile formed on his lips as he glanced at his depiction of Kairi. It wasn't well drawn. The more times he saw it, the more he convinced himself it didn't look a thing like her. Kairi's hair was much fuller and she possessed a beauty that couldn't be described, let alone depicted. A little smile came to his mind as he pictured the girl in his mind. The first thing he always noticed were her lips. Sure, her eyes were striking and her red hair was unmistakable, yet those lips were what made her absolutely stunning. Her smile was to die for and everytime he saw it, made his heart skip a beat. He decided, she was much more beautiful happy and when she was laughing.

Sora fell on his butt; his eyes were pinned on the drawings. He just couldn't keep his mind of Kairi. He was hesitant to approach her and he hoped he would fare better in the presence of a horribly drawn picture. Scratching his head, he tried to focus.

"I have to get that kiss somehow," Sora confessed. Oh man. Kairi will never forgive me for this.

Resting his head on his hand, the elaborations continued. "Asking her is just stupid. What about mistletoe? No, that wouldn't work. It's still six months before Christmas. I know. What if I have to give her CPR? That could definitely work."

Sora thought for a moment. Kairi lived on the island for as long as he could remember. Everyone knew how to swim. You have a better shot at finding someone who didn't like sea-salt ice cream than catch Kairi drowning. Sora sighed; this was going to be harder than he feared. He should have just chose 'truth'.

His emotions were in a bind. He liked Kairi; it was obvious by their friendship and he was the kind of guy who enjoyed the company of his friends. Though they got annoying and rowdy or sometimes even hardheaded, their company was loads of fun. With Kairi, though, he felt this friendship was on a deeper level and there was a fine line he wished not to cross. He couldn't afford to lose her - not again, not after dying once. Or was it twice? Sora rubbed the spot where he stabbed himself with Riku's keyblade. That was one. Where was the other?

That's right, he was sleeping for a year. How could he have forgotten?

All that aside, friendship was good enough. There was no need to push it. He was content just to be around her.

Sora thought back to all the times he sought her counsel and, in retrospect, all the times she needed a shoulder to cry on. He couldn't tell you how many shirt changes he had gone through. Brushing the thoughts away, he knew he needed expert help. He needed to talk to Selphie. She was one of Kairi's closest female friends and, not to mention, the town gossip. News of all sorts, especially those that dealt with teenage romance was a favorite topic of hers. Assuming her portfolio was chalk full of varying experiences, Sora was hoping she'd have an answer to his dillema.

"Sora?" a voice called out to him in the darkness.

Sora's eyes grew wide and his heart began to pound in his chest. No one was supposed to be in here. This was a secret cave for crying out loud! What was the point of it being secret if someone knew about it? Fighting the adrenaline in his body, Sora backed away slowly, stumbling as he came into contact with the wall. Of course, there had to be a dead end.

"Sora." The voice grew louder and he jumped out of his skin when a tender hand touched his arm.

"Relax, it's just me."

"Oh, it's only you," Sora gasped. He could clearly see her now and she was really close. He stepped aside, two extra steps for added measure. "You scared me for a second. I thought Heartless were attacking again."

"No, it's just me. Riku has been looking for you," Kairi stated. "He wants to talk to you."

"He's probably still mad…" Sora muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" Kairi asked as she pivoted in front of her friend and caught his eye.

"N-nothing. I was just thinking to myself."

"He told me you challenged him to a truth or dare contest and I heard from Selphie that she saw him running around the island without underwear on."

"Oh yeah. Haha." Sora laughed. "You should have seen it! On second thought, there wasn't much to see. But it was great. Oh man, you should have been there."

"I can imagine. I'm sure it was something," Kairi said as she shook her head. Her best friends acted like kids sometimes.

"This was the greatest idea I ever had. Man, I hope Selphie took pictures. That would make great for blackmail."

Kids. Kairi smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. For once, it sounded like he was winning. She hoped so. "So what did Riku dare you to do?"

"Huh? Oh, uh…um…I-I don't know actually," the brunette lied. "That's probably why he wants to talk to me, right? Right. Well, I better go. See ya later, Kairi."

Kairi furrowed her eyebrows, completely aware that something wasn't quite right. Unlike Riku, Sora wore his heart on his sleeve. When he was sad, he was sad. His joy was unmistakable. He had a genuine smile and a laugh that he couldn't fake. Sora had always been honest around her. She always hated when he resorted to lying. Just what is he hiding?

-KH-

"Man, there you are! Sheesh, I've been looking everywhere for you," Riku said as he came up beside his friend. A smirk graced his face and he nudged Sora's arm. "So, did you do it yet?"

Sora shook his head, his eyes downcast. "I don't know how I'm going to do it. I just can't say 'hey Kairi. I'm going to kiss you now, ok? Close you eyes.' I don't think it works like that."

"Sure it does. Works for me all the time," Riku commented as he cracked his knuckles. "Who wouldn't want to kiss Riku, the epitome of all things manly and sexy?"

Not to mention, "the king of running around naked" Sora thought.

"The girls love me!"

Sora could only shake his head. "But I'm not like you. I could never do that. I can't do that."

"Sounds to me like you're chickening out, Sora. Just got for it."

"No. I never kissed a girl before. You know that. I'm pretty sure Kairi hasn't kissed a guy yet, either. I don't want to ruin her first kiss. Besides, she probably doesn't like me that way."

Riku rolled his eyes at his oblivious friend. There were tons of signals that indicated Kairi felt something more than just camaraderie towards Sora. Their talks on the beach, the bond they shared, the times Kairi went to Sora for advice. If those didn't cut it, Riku figured, his keyblade would. Maybe pounding some sense into the boy would do him some good.

"You're a nice guy Sora, you know that? And you know what they say about nice guys, right?"

Sora shrugged. "They have big feet?"

"They finish last! And you're going to finish last, again, until you get that kiss," Riku said as he slapped his friend on the back. "Good luck, lover boy."

-KH-

Sora trotted up the street and across the lawn that grew before Selphie's enormous yellow house. The lawn had been recently cut and tended to, the smell of fertilizer wafting in the air. Skipping up the porch steps, Sora rang the doorbell once and calmly waited until the door opened.

"Oh, hey Sora," a vibrant Selphie greeted as she threw open the door and embraced Sora in a bone crushing hug. "What brings you here?"

Sora rubbed his neck having forgotten Selphie's formal method of greeting. "I need your help."

"Is this about a girl?" she immediately asked.

Figures. Sora nodded halfheartedly.

"Well, come on in, spikey, and tell Selphie what's on your mind." She pivoted around Sora and eagerly ushered him inside, pushing him from behind. Throwing him into a chair, she situated herself across him, laying her cup of hot chocolate on the coffee table beside her.

"So, who's the lucky gal?"

"Uh...um-"

"-hold it," Selphie interrupted. "Let me guess!"

Sora shrugged. Selphie was kind of a hyper girl and Sora knew better than to get in her way.

Selphie glanced up at Sora's face and stared deep into his blue eyes. She tapped her chin, clearly in deep thought. "Hm...it's not me."

"Right."

"Shh..." she whispered, silencing him. She needed absolutely quiet to perform her task. "It's Kairi, isn't it?"

"..."

Selphie giggled as she saw a pink blush creep its way onto Sora's calm face, breaking his stoic concentration.

"I knew it! Ah, I love it when I'm right," she rejoiced. "Aww, Sora. You and Kairi would make such a cute couple. That's nothing to be shy about."

Sora could only look on. Left utterly speechless, he listened as Selphie practically read his mind.

"I'm guessing you need me to help you get with her, right? This is going to be so much fun!" She rambled on and on about dating, gentlemen etiquette, the do's and don't-do's. For good measure, she even gave a sermon about the birds and the bees.

"Whoa! That's a bit too much info, Selphie. I just want to get a kiss."

Selphie frowned, disappointment written all over her face. "Just a kiss, huh?"

"Is there something wrong with that? I heard you say something about kissing on the first date, right?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, second date actually. But Sora, I had bigger plans for you. You have so much potential. It's a waste to let it end on just a simple kiss."

"Gee, I'm sorry Selphie," Sora said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "It was just a dare that Riku wanted me to do after I dared him to run around naked."

"Wait! That was you!?"

"Yeah."

"Well, why didn't you say that sooner!? Did you take pictures?"

"Actually, I was thinking you did since you, you know, normally look out for those kind of things."

Selphie dropped her head, knowing she had missed a golden opportunity. Riku was one desirable piece of meat and a picture of the silver haired hunk would have cemented her spot as the #1 gossip/rumor queen.

"Do you think you could get him to do it again?"

"Sorry Selphie," Sora answered. "I don't think he took it too well. Anyways, about my problem..."

"Say no more. I know just the thing." Selphie reached into her pocket and pulled out what seemed like a pair of tickets. "Movies."

"Movies? Like a d-date?"

"BINGO!"


So there you have it. We're going with the tried and true "ask her out to the movies" routine. Hopefully it works but if it doesn't prepare for the next chapter. Before I forget, I'm on Spring Break starting tomorrow. So yes, if your break coincides with mine, think of this as your Easter egg hunt hidden treasure prize. Chocolates for all!

Thanks again for reading!

Rock out, party hard, live hardcore