More than Friends

Summary: Sora, Kairi and Riku are really good friends. They've always had good times together, especially on the island. What Kairi doesn't know is that Sora likes her – a LOT. Will Sora's feelings toward her ruin his friendship with Riku, and possibly Kairi?

Rating: T

Genre: Romance, Friendship, Angst (but that's later on...)

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or any of the characters. Square Enix is just too awesome for me. I do own the plotline though.

Here we go, Chapter 2...

~ Chapter 2: Thinking of You, Wherever You Are ~

Sora sat in his Algebra class trying to focus on the lesson the teacher was giving. He figured that he was doing okay with a C but wanted to pass with at least with a B before the end of the year. He wasn't that good at math anyway, but he sure did not want to fail this class.

He began to write down notes about the Quadratic Formula but suddenly stopped halfway through and put his pencil down. Putting an elbow on his desk and resting his chin on his hand, he started to daydream.

Kairi…

That Sunday only proved he forgot how much Kairi meant to him. He liked- no, loved her- ever since she came here to Destiny Islands. It's been a long time since Kairi's arrival, and yet he still continued to love the auburn hair that reached her shoulders, her smile that brought warmth to his heart whenever he saw it and her eyes of piercing blue.

His feelings for her were really strong. The only problem is that he couldn't confess his feelings to Kairi just yet. Not only would it make it seem awkward, he could jeopardize his friendship with both her and Riku. Sora didn't want that. Maybe when the time comes- and he hoped that it would be soon- he could tell her everything.

Sora then started to reminisce on his recent reunion with Kairi in the Castle That Never Was, not too long ago…

Enter Flashback

"Kairi, you were great!" said Donald.

"Oh?" said Kairi, turning around to see Sora, Donald and Goofy standing there. She giggled and flicked a lock of hair back with her hand.

Sora walked closer as she did the same.

"You are different, Kairi, but I'm just glad you're here!" said Sora.

"You and Riku never came home, so I came looking for you," said Kairi.

Sora looked down and turned his head.

"I'm sorry."

But Kairi ran to him and embraced him. Sora just stood there, slightly surprised by her gesture. It felt like a while before she spoke.

"This is real…" Kairi murmured.

With that, Sora returned the hug.

End Flashback

Oh, how he wished he could hold her forever; hold her and never let her go…Sora wondered if she felt the same.

The bell rang as he finished that thought. He gathered his things, picked up his backpack, slung it over his shoulder and left the classroom. Out in the hallway, he was putting his Biology book in his locker when Riku walked up to him.

"Hey, Sora," said Riku.

"Oh, hey Riku."

"So I noticed in Math today you were daydreaming. Wanna tell me about that?" asked Riku with a smirk. Sora blushed lightly but Riku didn't notice it.

"Uh…I don't wanna talk about it," replied Sora.

"Come on, Sora. I knew that look on your face when I saw it. You've been thinking about Kairi, haven't you?"

Now Sora blushed so hard and started making excuses about not thinking of Kairi that Riku just laughed.

"Don't worry, Sora. I know that you like Kairi, don't deny it," said Riku.

"How do you know?" asked Sora.

"Well, for one thing, when we first met Kairi I saw how you looked, it was like you were love-struck. You thought I might not notice it, but I did. I knew that when I looked at you two together you were perfect for each other," said Riku.

"Oh…well then, I'm sorry, Riku. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner," said Sora apologetically.

"It's all good, Sora. This kind of "secret" is between us until you can face Kairi yourself. Okay? I'm with ya every step of the way," said Riku.

Sora nodded.

"Thanks, Riku."

"Hey, since we're still talking about this, let me tell you- I once liked Kairi too," said Riku.

"What? Really?" Sora gasped.

"Yeah. At first when I keep seeing you two together I got kinda jealous, but I eventually let it go after a while. Like I said, you two are perfect for each other," said Riku.

"Thanks, Riku…but, what about you?" asked Sora.

"What about me?" replied Riku.

"With me liking Kairi and all…I feel like you're going to be the one left out," said Sora.

"Oh, don't worry about me, Sora. Everything will work itself out."

"Okay, Riku…we're here for you, alright? Me and Kairi," said Sora.

"Alright, Sora, just don't get all mushy with me," said Riku, playfully punching him in the arm.

Sora laughed as he closed his locker and walked out of Destiny High with Riku and went home.

Later that night, Sora was tossing and turning in his sleep…

Sora's Dream (/Flashback)

"Maybe we've gotta go wake Kairi up," said Goofy, turning around to look at Kairi.

"I think you're right," said Sora, also turning around. "If we can free her heart..."

"But…but how?" he wondered aloud, clenching his fist and looking up.

Sora's eyes fell on the Dark Keyblade Riku (or Ansem, the Seeker of Darkness, who possessed his body) left behind.

"A Keyblade that unlocks people's hearts…I wonder," said Sora, closing his eyes tight. Now he knew what must be done…

Sora started walking over to the Dark Keyblade…

"Sora?" asked Goofy, wondering what he was about to do.

Sora finally reached the Dark Keyblade and stopped before picking it up.

"Sora, hold on!" yelled Goofy, now realizing what Sora was about to do.

"No, wait!" called Donald, realizing this too.

But Sora was examining the Keyblade in his hand, then turned around to see Donald and Goofy's shocked expressions on their faces. He just smiled his goofy smile, hoping that they would understand…

He then thrust the Keyblade into his heart, and all of the captive princesses' hearts were released from the Dark Keyblade and returned to their rightful places…

Finally, Sora/Kairi's heart was released from Sora and returned to Kairi, waking her from her slumber.

Sora felt his heart leave, and from the corner of his eye he saw the flash that signaled the completion of the Keyhole…he smiled, knowing that it was done. He closed his eyes, slowly starting to fall, now waiting for what is to come…

"Sora… Sora!" exclaimed Donald, running towards the now falling Sora.

Kairi stirred and looked up to see Sora surrounded in light and falling.

"Sora!" said Kairi, quickly getting up and rushing to Sora.

She went to catch him, but once she reached for him, he disappeared, and balls of light where Sora once was flew upward and into nothingness, while Kairi looked up, shocked about what just happened to Sora…

"Sora! Come back, Sora!" cried Donald, raising his arms with fists clenched and looking up.

Meanwhile, Sora fell through what seemed like a never-ending darkness…

"What's…what's happening to me?" asked Sora.

"Falling…falling…into darkness."

End of Dream (/Flashback)

Sora awoke with a start.

Oh…it was just a dream, Sora thought. Kairi…I will do anything for you, even if my life is worth it…

And with that, Sora fell right back to sleep.

END OF CHAPTER 2

Yay! Another chapter done! I thought this was an especially important chapter, and I kept flashbacks within the original canon. Please review, as it means a lot to me! If you review, I'll make a shout out for you in my next chapter! Thanks everyone! See you at the next update... (: Smiles! :)