It was hard to breath, hard to move. Everything he tried resulted in only a waste of energy. He didn't understand. What was he doing wrong? He swung his hand in front of him and waited. And waited. But the Keyblade he had gotten so used to never came, the air never even shimmered. He was alone and defenseless. The Way to the Dawn was gone, and he was lost once more in the darkness.

Riku's thoughts were far from the sunshine of the beach that sprawled in each direction around him. As he came out of his dark thoughts he saw that he had gotten completely off course. He was supposed to be heading to Kairi's house, which her parents had left her. But he was near the docks, where their boats were tethered.

'To imagine that we actually used those once. And for such childish fun! It's hard to think like a child anymore. I miss it; I miss the innocence we used to have.' Riku thought to himself. While Sora had found the median between being serious and childish, Riku had not. He didn't know how Sora did it. Sora, who had been so much of a child before this had all started, was now the only one taking being back home well. Riku, and Kairi as well, had both suffered. Kairi had been dragged on a terrifying ride and didn't remember most of it. Riku…he had gone through what could only be described as hell.

He shook his head. 'What is this, Riku remembering stupid shit day? Enough already!' He chided himself. He looked around and then turned around. 'I got to get to Kairi's.' Riku laughed at his next thought. 'I wish I had a Sora to race.' He looked around, almost expecting Sora to be there. But he was no where nearby. He had told Riku that he was going to the little island, and would be back by sundown. Riku shook his head and kept walking.

As he neared Kairi's house, he felt a smile tug at the corners of his mouth. Riku and Kairi had been spending a lot of time together, dreaming about the past and wondering about the future. He put his head on her doorknob and thought about what she had asked him last night.

"Riku? If I asked you something, would you promise not to tell Sora until later?" Kairi had asked.

"Sure. But what's so important that we can't tell Sora?" Riku had responded.

"Well…Riku? Would you go out with me?"

Riku had sat in silence for several minutes. And then said, "Kairi, of course I would. I'm just amazed you chose me over Sora. Why?"

"I have my reasons. I like Sora, I do. But..."

"But what?"

"I just…I don't love him the way I love you."

"I'll consider it."

"Come to me tomorrow?"

"Sure."

Riku had left after, needing the smell of the ocean and the sounds of the wave to calm his mind. But now, as he stood on her doorstep, he felt sure of his answer.

He knocked and heard Kairi's voice say, "Come in!" from somewhere in the house. He entered and the smell of baking cookies filled his nostrils.

Kairi came out of the kitchen wearing an apron covered in flour and dough. A smile was on her face as she met the blue eyes of her visitor.

"Hey. Baking cookies?" Riku laughed.

"Yeah, I am. Funny, hu?" She smiled at him, but her blue eyes held a question.

"Just a bit. I guess I have a question to answer, hu?"

"Straight to the point, hu Riku? Yeah, you do. So…"

"Yes. The answer is yes. I'll be your boyfriend."

Kairi stood for a moment, dumbfounded. Then, she pounced. She tackled Riku, covering him in flour and dough. He stood there for a moment and then he wrapped his arms around her.

"Oh, Riku! Thank you! You have no idea of what this means to me! Thank you!" She buried her head in his neck and he smiled. Her breath on his neck tickled.

They stayed like this for a few more minutes, and then Riku gently put Kairi back on her feet. "So are you going to tell me why you're baking cookies?"

She laughed and her hand came up to cover her smile. "No reason. I was just happy. And considering that was before I knew about this." She smiled an evil smile. "Next it'll be a cake!" She laughed.

Riku laughed as well. How could one not laugh, when Kairi was obviously emitting so much joy? He looked her over and then flopped onto her couch. "So I guess I'll be here awhile just getting fat, hu?" A smirk worked its way onto his face.

"Teehe. Yeah, you will be. 'Cause you get to sample all my food first." She smiled as a timer went off. "Ready to be my victim?" She asked as she pulled the cookies out of the oven.

Riku sighed dramatically. "If I have no choice." He got up and came over to her, wrapping his arms around her stomach. He swayed back and forth, making Kairi giggle and nearly drop the cookies.

"Rikuuuu! Stop!" She giggled again and put the cookies on the counter. She turned in his arms to face him. "Knock it off. You almost made me drop the cookies."

"I'm sorry. Put don't I get rights to wrap my arms around my new girlfriend?" He smirked again.

"Yes, but not when I'm holding a tray full of burning hot cookies. Okay?" She looked him in the eyes and raised an eyebrow.

Riku saluted. "Yes Ma'am!"

Kairi giggled and rolled her eyes. "You've been around Sora too long I can see." She swayed and pushed up against him. "Now that the cookies are done, do you want to go for a walk? We can take some of them with us." She said, trying to bait him.

Riku smiled and decided to bite at the bait. "Sure. But what if we see Sora? Do we tell him we're dating now?"

"Yeah, we can tell him. I just didn't want you to tell him till it was decided."

"That makes sense. What do you think he's going to say?"

"I don't know. I'm sure he'll act all happy about it but…"

"You're afraid that on the inside he'll be simmering, aren't you?"

Kairi nodded. "Yeah, I am. And I don't know what to do if he gets mad at me. How do we handle an angry Sora? I've never seen him angry."

"Me neither. If it comes, we'll handle it, together."

"Promise?"

"Promise."