Pairings: RikuSora, AkuRoku, Zemyx, and others. (Anyone want to try and guess the others? Come on, give it a shot! It can't hurt!)

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy, as they belong to Square Enix (and Disney, in the case of KH)

Shiro: Okay, this one starts off in Riku's Point-of-View and then switches 3 more times. So it goes from Riku to Axel to Roxas and then to 3rd person POV. And should I warn you that Axel is really childish in this story or is it a little too late for that?


It Must Be Destiny

Chapter 3

We survived our first week here in Twilight Town, which is a miracle. The people around here are crazy, our neighbors in particular. Demyx and Yuffie are nice and all, but they can be overwhelming when you're around them too much. The one thing Axel and I agree on is that we are having fun and can fit in with the kids here, but we refuse to say it to our mom and dad. Mom would never let us live it down and dad would just smile and get that annoying, "See, I told you it wouldn't be that bad" look on his face.

So even though Axel has been calling me at odd hours during school just to talk because he misses me and we've spent every day after school hanging out, the two of us have decided to set aside this whole weekend to spend with one another with no interruptions. Or at least, that was our plan.

Said plan flew out the window the minute Demyx and Yuffie showed up at our front door and decided we had to help them with a surprise party. Now Axel and I usually love parties and planning them, but not when we've already made plans. Of course, Yuffie and Demyx ignore our complaints and explanations and proceed to tug us apart to do different things.

Axel's hauled off by Demyx to go to Sunset Terrace, wherever that is, while Yuffie literally drags me by the arm out to the school to meet up with the rest of the group. I really wish we weren't going to meet in front of the school. We see it enough during the week and I don't want to see it on the weekend too.

"Yuffie, I was going to spend today with Axel." I tell her, even though I know she won't listen. "Couldn't you have told us earlier that we were going to be planning some surprise party today? Then me and Axel wouldn't have made plans!"

"Well, Sora and Demyx would have said something to Zexion." Yuffie explains. "They're the reason we always wait until the last minute to start planning a surprise party. Besides, it makes things more interesting when you have to set up a surprise party and get all of the supplies in just a few hours."

Yeah Yuffie, that's so helpful. Who the hell is Zexion?

As if reading my mind, or maybe the confused look on my face, Yuffie says, "Zexion is Demyx's best friend. You'll meet him later at the party. Anyway, some of our usual group is over at Sunset Terrace to help distract Zexion and to just stay out of the way. I just hope they don't make a huge mess of things." She sighs. "But that's highly likely seeing as how we put Demyx and Sora in the group. Those two just can't keep a secret."

I smile and nod, even though I'm even more confused than I was before. Yuffie has the tendency to not make much sense when she gets excited.

We soon reach the school and I look around to see that most of the usual group is there, although there are a few people that I don't recognize at all. I spot Hayner, Olette, Roxas, and another boy who must be Pence standing together. Roxas mentioned that he spends most of his free time with the other three, so I'm assuming that the brunet in red is Pence.

I watch as Kairi, who I found out was Yuffie's sister halfway through the week, runs over to join the four and then I look around to see who else is here. I spot Xigbar and Xemnas talking to some creepy guy with blue hair and an x-shaped scar.

"That's Pence," Yuffie points to the one I assumed was Pence. "And that's Saix." I look in the direction she's pointing to the blue-haired guy. "I'd stay away from him as much as I could if I were you. And I definitely wouldn't try and provoke him. The last time Xigbar did… well, you see his scars."

I shiver. I'll definitely be staying away from Saix lest I accidentally invoke his anger.

"Well, I need to see Xigbar and see if I can convince him to not pop a bunch of balloons while we're setting up!" Yuffie cheerfully says. "I'm sure Kairi and the others would love for you to join them!" She smiles at me and then skips off in Xigbar's direction, leaving me to walk by myself over to the more sane part of the group.

I sigh. It's going to be a long day.


"Weeeeeeeeee're here!" Demyx loudly announces when we reach a small square in Sunset Terrace.

I look around to see who's already here and spot Naminé and Marluxia sitting on a small wall beneath a waterfall and Sora and Zexion over near a rail overlooking part of the railroad system and lower Twilight Town. Two people I don't recognize at all are sitting on a bench playing some card game.

"That's my sister Larxene and my cousin Luxord." Demyx says, pointing to the two card players. "They both go to Twilight and they'll be graduating this year. And a word of advice," He leans closer to me. "Never, ever play strip anything with Luxord. Especially not poker." Without saying another word he bounds over to Sora and Zexion and jumps right in on the conversation.

Before I can walk over there to join them, Naminé calls my name and then she and Marluxia motion for me to join them. I sigh and stuff my hands in the pockets of my jeans and walk over to them.

"Did Demyx tell you what's going on?" Naminé asks me as soon as I get over there.

I shake my head. "Not a word." I tell her, trying to keep my tone uninterested. I refuse to be curious about anything that's going on today since my plans are ruined thanks to whatever is going on. Normally I don't like having a plan because plans get in the way and can go awry, but it was just a very basic and loose plan that Riku and I made up.

Naminé motions for me to take a step closer and I do, although I keep my distance from Marluxia. I don't care what anyone else says, pink hair on a man is scary as hell and when you add flowers to the mix… I fight back a shudder and then listen to what Naminé has to say.

"We're keeping Zexion busy so that everyone else can get the surprise birthday party set up." She whispers. "It's a little difficult since Demyx and Sora really want to tell him, but they're the only two that can actually distract Zexion and keep him busy." She looks pointedly over at the three and I follow her gaze to see Sora standing up on the rail and a stressed looking Zexion trying to get him down.

Naminé giggles. "See what I mean?" She asks.

The three of us- me, Naminé, and Marluxia- watch as Demyx joins Sora on the rail and nearly falls off. Fortunately, Zexion grabs Demyx's arm and prevents him from doing so. I sigh again and get up. Normally I'd be content to just sit back and watch but I figure that since it's Zexion's birthday he deserves a break. That and I really want to get away from Marluxia.

I walk across the square, ignoring Naminé and Marluxia's questioning looks, and start helping Zexion. It takes us a few minutes to get them down, but we did get the eccentric duo off and away from the wall.

"It's going to be a long day, isn't it?" I ask Zexion.

Zexion just nods and keeps a sharp eye on Demyx and Sora, who seem to be plotting their next bout of mischief.


I dully wonder how I got roped into working with Riku and Saix and then I remember that this whole thing is Yuffie's fault. Although, I could really go further and blame Zexion since it's his birthday and then blame Naminé and Sora for bringing up the idea of having a surprise party. Sora's going to get it when I get home. First I'll make sure to hide his plushy shadow heartless- the one he doesn't know that I know that he sleeps with still- and then I'll hide all of the Mountain Dew in the house and bring out one can at a time so I can torment him. Revenge is sweet.

"Shouldn't this be a girls job?" Riku asks, breaking me out of my thoughts of revenge.

I start actually reading the cake box now, trying to figure out what we're suppose to have to bake the cake. "Don't let Yuffie, Olette, or Kairi hear you say that." I warn him. "Xigbar made the mistake of calling women weak and the three went completely postal." Man, Sora's the one with the cooking skills, not me! The last time I cooked I ended up burning the macaroni and cheese and we had to order pizza!

"Is that how he got those scars?" Riku asks and he dumps the powered cake mix into the large pink bowl we found.

"No, he got those fighting with his friend Xaldin." I explain. "Xaldin likes sharp and pointy things a little too much." I roll my eyes. 'A little too much' is an understatement.

Riku rolls his eyes as he cracks open an egg and then lets the gooey matter fall onto the mix. "He sounds like my brother, only my brother has a fascination with fire and all things explosive. Although the explosive part only started after he hung out with one of our cousin's for two weeks."

"Great, a pyro." I mutter. I've had a bad experience with a pyromaniac and since then I've stayed away from anyone who likes fire more than what is normal. "Just what our group needs." As if there's not enough psycho's in our little group. We already have a loner, an emo, a flamboyant pink-loving nut, the village idiot, the preppy one, and a whole bunch of others. Now all we need is a gay cowboy and a stripper. Not

I pick up the measuring cup and brush past Riku as I head to the sink. I turn on the faucet and let the water pour into the cup. I get too much in and have to dump out some of the water only to dump out too much water. I try again and get close enough that it shouldn't make too much of a difference and carry the cup over to the bowl and dump in the water. I wrinkle my nose when I see how it mixes with the eggs, mix, and oil. And we really eat all of this?

"He's not that bad." Riku tells me and I wonder briefly what he's talking about before I remember what we were talking about.

"And he only almost burnt down the house twice."

My right eye twitches. Only almost twice? Once would have been too much, but twice?!

Riku finally gets the hint and stops talking about his pyromaniac brother and plugs in the beaters so we can get this thing stirred up and cooked before we run out of time. Why Yuffie waited until the last possible minute for us to make this I'll never know. Heck, why she chose me and Riku to do this when we have no idea what we're doing I really never will know.

I watch as Riku sticks the beaters in the bowl and turns it on. Just a minute too late I remember a warning Sora always gave me when it comes to using beaters. Well, I think as I lick a spot of the chocolate mix off my hand, we'll never forget why you don't turn beaters on high when the powder hasn't mixed at all with the other stuff.


Three hours later they have finally finished setting up Zexion's party and are waiting for Demyx and the others to bring the quiet teen. Miraculously the house (Riku eventually learned that the house belongs to someone named Marluxia and that he's the reason for the cherry blossom scent that permeates throughout the entire house.) is still standing and there have been no major accidents.

"Everyone quiet!" Yuffie yells as she runs around the living room trying to get everyone to be quiet and hide. All of those who know about Zexion's sensitive nose hope that the cherry blossom scene will cover up their own scents. It's the very reason they chose Marluxia's house.

"Shh!" Yuffie hisses. "Xigbar! Turn out the light!"

"Dude, he'd totally notice if the light suddenly went out!" Xigbar hisses back.

He and Yuffie have been bumping heads the whole day as they try and get everything set up and everyone is sick and tired of it.

"Both of you shut up!" Roxas growls. "If you two argue over one more stupidly ridiculous thing I will punch both of you! I don't care that Yuffie's a girl, I'll hit her too!"

Yuffie and Xigbar fall quiet and the lights remain on as the other half of the group walks down the driveway. The door opens and Marluxia walks in, talking loudly to Demyx. Right beside Demyx, most likely being dragged along by the blond, is Zexion. Upon seeing him the majority of the "decorating committee" jumps out of their hiding places and shouts, "SURPRISE!!"

Zexion looks less than surprised by the exclamation, although he does show a little surprise when Demyx suddenly hugs him. Riku notes with some amusement that there appears to be a faint blush on Zexion's cheeks, but before he can think about it too much Axel comes out of nowhere and pulls him over to the side.

"Demyx said this will be finished quickly." Axel says. "Zexion insists on opening presents straightaway before they eat and then he spends the next three hours trying to get everyone out of his house, which is why they're having the party at Marluxia's this year." He points to the pink haired male who is leading Zexion over to the table of presents. "That's Marluxia, by the way."

Riku nods. He could have figured it out on his own, seeing as how Marluxia is the only one with pink hair.

"Anyway, Demyx said we'll be able to sneak off after we eat since everyone will be busy keeping an eye on Zexion." Axel says. "Then we can go spend the day together like we planned! Albeit, it won't be the whole day, but we have tomorrow too!"

Riku breathes a sigh of relief. "That's good. I like hanging out with them and all, but it'll be nice for it to just be us."

An hour later Riku and Axel manage to escape from the house after almost being caught by Larxene and Luxord. The two breathe a sigh of relief once they're a few blocks away.

"So where should we go first?" Riku asks. "I heard Hayner and Olette mention something about a beach nearby. We could go home and get our stuff and then hit the beach."

Axel considers that for a moment and then nods. "Sounds good to me." A wicked smirk crosses his face. "Race you home!" He yells as he takes off running.

Riku curses and then takes off after his brother. "Axel!" He yells angrily. "You bastard! That's cheating!"

The only response he gets is laughter.


Later in the week after a long day at school, Axel wanders into Riku's room and flops down on the bed beside his brother. Riku gives him an annoyed look before trying to concentrate on his math homework.

"Riiikuuuu." Axel draws out the name in a bored tone. "Whatcha doing?"

This time Riku glares at him. "Homework. Don't you have your own to do?"

"Nope!" Axel cheerfully says, poking Riku's nose. "I finished mine at school."

Riku rolls his eyes and shoves him off the bed, smirking when he hears Axel hit the ground with a thump. Axel glowers as he stands up and walks out of the room and Riku relaxes and picks up his pencil to get back to work.

Not five minutes later Axel walks back into the room with his bright red pillow. Riku looks up and gives him a dark look.

"Axel, don't you even think about it." He warns as he sets aside his pencil. With Axel in the room with him he knows it's pointless to even think about getting any work done.

Axel ignores the look he's getting and practically bounces back across the room and springs back onto the bed. "Riku, I'm sleeping in here with you tonight!" He announces.

Riku snorts. "Not a snowball's chance." He mutters as he kicks Axel off of the bed for a second time.

Axel is prepared this time. As he tumbles from the bed he throws his arm out and hits Riku in the face with his pillow. He hit's the floor with a grin on his face and then rolls out of the way as Riku leaps from the bed with his navy blue pillow clutched in one hand.

"Axel, I'm going to kill you!" Riku yells, lunging for his brother.

Axel rolls out of the way again and then leaps to his feet only to have to dodge Riku's pillow. He laughs and whacks Riku with his pillow again before running from the room and down the hall. Riku chases after him, determined to get in a hit.

The two run all over the house hitting one another with their pillows and grabbing other pillows and cushions when they lose their own. When they're finally done with their pillow fight the two are out of breath and there are pillows and cushions spread throughout the house.

"So," Riku leans back against a wall. "Are you done causing trouble now?"

Axel grins. "Maybe. You done hiding out in your room?"

Riku scowls. "I was doing homework, Axel. I have to do it in order to get good grades and pass school."

"I know that." Axel says. "But you could come and keep me company. I feel lonely." He pouts.

"Demyx and Larxene and Yuffie and Kairi live right next door." Riku pushes away from the wall and starts walking back to his room. "Go bug them."

Axel scowls. "Fine." He mutters. "By the way, my drama group is coming over this weekend." With a wave he heads for the door to go talk to Demyx.

Riku mutters something under his breath and kicks a nearby cushion before he goes to his room to finish his homework. He knows that when he's done with that he'll have to go clean up the mess they made before their parents get home.


End Chapter


Shiro: This was a fun chapter. The first three parts were rewritten and put in first-person POV and I really like the way they turned out. Writing in Roxas's POV was really fun and I'm surprised at how easy a time I had writing it. Now I want to write about Roxas's revenge... maybe it'll become a one-shot later or something. Who knows.

Demyx: Yay! I got to give Zexion a hug!

Shiro: Yeah, yeah. But now you have to wait a while.

Demyx: Aww... why?

Shiro: Because I still have to have Riku meet Sora and have Axel meet Roxas. (snickers) And then Axel's I'm-gonna-stalk-Roxas phase will start.

Roxas: (sarcastically) Oh joy, I can hardly wait.

Demyx: And then I'll be able to hug Zexion all I want?

Shiro: Well... not quite. You should probably establish a relationship with him first.

Demyx: We're best friends, that's reason enough for me!

Shiro: (sighs) I now know who will be causing problems for me next. Demyx... (pulls Demyx aside to talk to him)

Sora: ROXAS! WHERE'D ALL MY MOUNTAIN DEW GO?!

Roxas: (smirks) You lost it again, Sora? Geez. (walks off to pretend to help Sora)