Reunion

Chapter 2

By Wildfire

Riku nodded, "Fine by me." We walked out of my mom's house; her and Selphie lounged in some lawn chair, and were gabbing away. Those two were kinda scary the way they acted toward each other.

We walked in relative silence Ansem disturbing it occasionally by pointing at something in excitement. Apparently Riku had not lived by the ocean. Not with how excited Ansem was over it. I was kinda nervous that Riku was going with me to see Jake; I hoped he behaved. I'd never hear the end of it if he joked like that in front of Riku. The teasing would just be horrible. And of course Kairi would find out than and she'd tease me too. Why does everyone tease me?

"You're pouting again," Riku said and looked down at me; smiling.

"Out!"

"Pout!" I corrected, "And I am not; I'm just thinking."

"Pretty serious thinking for you. What about?" He asked, he was staring to intently at me; did I have something on my face?

I shrugged; maybe I could get Riku to wait outside? "Nutten... Just thinking. Why'd you move back?" It wasn't close to what I was thinking, but I was curious.

"I grew up here; I want Ansem to grow up here. Where you don't have to worry about where they are during the day. Because you know they're safe, no one's going to take em." Riku gave a little shrug his attention turning back to the little toddler.

"Says one of the boys sucked out of this world," I rolled my eyes. Really? No one took us? I didn't say that part out loud though. It would just make him tease me more.

"Hey that happened to the whole world, I was lucky enough not to be destroyed," He pointed out with a victorious little smile. He had won that argument.

"oyed!"

Riku smiled brushing the boys hair back. "You are too cute," he tapped Ansem's noise.

I stuff my hands into my back pockets, "You've gone soft."

I could practically feel Riku glaring at me; I made sure not to look, "Is that so? Well before we head to bed tonight, we'll have to spar, see who's gone soft."

My eyes light up, "Really!? With the key blades?!" I know I'm a bit pathetic, but that's the nice thing with Riku— he doesn't care.

Riku laughed, "Yes, with key blades. Hopefully I won't hurt you too bad."

"Ohh you wish! I'm going to cream you!" I gestured slightly wildly with my hands.

I was way excited; I'd get to fight with the key blade again! I felt like skipping. Ok maybe not that happy but I was really excited, until I realized we had arrived at my work and we were both standing in the kitchen. Dang I have got to stop zoning out.

"Sora, you're glowing. You look delectable," Jake's voice cut me out of any remaining zoning.

I jumped at the voice right behind my ear. I whirled around to find myself about an inch from Jake. I start to move back only to have his hand on my waist holding me there. Alright this is nerve racking "Jake! I heard you had my wallet," Really couldn't he step back NOW! I could smell his breath he was so close.

"I do," His voice was low, almost a purr. What man purrs?

"Can.. I have it?" I leaned back trying to get some distance but his hand stays firmly on my lower back. I can't imagine what Riku must be thinking.

"Whatcha gonna do for it?" He totally just leaned in further, I'm leaning back enough now that if he did remove his hand I'd probably fall, but if I tried to straighten I'd run right into his head.

"D-do?" I stammard, what did he want? Money? He had my wallet!

"You know my reward..." His voice had a strange tone to it, was I suppose to be getting this? Because it's just creepy! And I really can't think with him this close.

He could NOT be getting closer! Our noises are practically touching now! "Re-" I gasped as I'm suddenly jerked away and I find my back pressed into Riku's chest-- well half his chest, Ansem's on the other side. Riku's arm was around my chest; not even going to try and understand.

"Certainly a man of such respect and honesty would just give it back, knowing of course he'll be repaid with Karma." Riku's voice sounded funny; it was thick, like he was really mad but also trying to be... polite? Since when did Riku believe in Karma?

Jake smiled, and straightened up, "Well as gracious as I may be, it's only polite that Sora shows his appreciation for me finding his wallet."

"Say thank you Sora" His arm tightened around me; his voice tighter.

"Thank you Jake..." It almost sounded like a question when I said it; I really didn't understand this.

Jake was looking between me and Riku now. "I don't believe we've met I'm Jake. You touring the islands?" Yeah right, since when do I hang out with tourists?

"No, I'm native here, moving back home," he let me go and handed me Ansem. I stared at the child; he stared back at me. Clearly we were both shocked that he was in my arms. I quickly look back at the other two men. Who seemed to be closer now.

Were they going to fight?

"I see," Jake's voice was also rather tight now. "Well Mr. Native here, I look forward to seeing you again. You'll have to come and eat here sometime; we'll have you seated in Sora's section."

"Of course, and of course you'll see me also when I come and walk Sora back home. We will be roommates after all." Riku said, his eyes had that dangerous glint to them. Well, 'least it wasn't aimed at me.

Plus why would he walk me home? What was I five?

"That's very kind of you, though I do wonder what you'll do with that little boy back there. After all Sora does get off very late sometimes, much later than his bed time I'm sure. Perhaps I will walk him home for you on those nights?" Jake responded back, leaning against the counter.

Seriously why is everyone saying they'll walk me home?

Jake wore a tight smile now. They did seem to be getting closer. Riku glared slightly.

It took Riku a moment before he responded. "How very kind of you to offer. However in light of the fact that you don't even want to return Sora's wallet without payment I think it would be more beneficial for him to not owe you for your protection."

"Obviously..." Jake smiled though it seemed forced. "So what does he pay you?" He pulled out my wallet, and tossed it roughly at Riku, who caught it easily.

Riku smiled, "That's between us," his voice had lowered, and he now looked amused.

What the hell did that mean?!

He turned around taking the bemused Ansem and handing me my wallet. "Let's go Sora." He was already walking out; clearly I was to follow.

"Ahh, see you tomorrow Jake!" I waved as I ran to catch up with Riku. He was waiting for me outside. "Riku what just-"

"You shouldn't be alone with that man," His voice was tight again, was he mad at me?

"Why?" I asked walking easily beside him. After all it was just Jake, he was weird but not dangerous.

"Sora he was about to throw you to the ground!" Riku hissed at me, he gestured back toward the restaurant.

"Huh? You think he was mad at me? I wonder-" It would make sense, he hadn't wanted to give me my wallet. Maybe he was thinking I was too-

"Not like a fight Sora!" Riku snapped interrupting my thoughts, "He was trying to get into your pants!"

"Ants!"

We both froze looking to Ansem. Riku sighed, and looked back at me.

It took me a second longer to realize what Riku meant. "He was just teasing Riku. They all do that to me. It's harmless!" I should be laughing at the situation, but oddly I didn't find it funny.

"All?" Alright now he just sounded dangerous.

"Well all the cooks I mean," I lowered my voice, I almost felt as if I was being scolded.

"How many cooks-"

"Three!" I cut him off, jeeze what's with him? "Just three. It's just a joke."

"Do the three of them get along?" He stared at me, and eyed me as if he thought I was going to lie.

And what the hell did that matter? "Yeah... Jake and Frank live together. Connor's always around too so I assume he's pretty close. It's just a joke Riku!" So much for me thinking Riku would tease me over this, but why was he mad?

Riku stiffened more, "And they all treat you like that?" He pointed back to the restaurant.

"Well Jake does the most. Frank and Connor just kinda follow." I thought it wise not to bring up that they all grope now. It was just a joke... wasn't it? "They're nice guys, Jake did return my wallet"

Riku's eyes widen "Sora! He probably took your wallet!" He grabbed my arm pulling me further from the restaurant seating me on a bench before putting Ansem beside me and kneeling down. "Sora, you are 23 now. Twenty-Three years old! You've fought and killed, you know the world isn't perfect, you know people don't always have good intentions! You know bad people are out there!"

I stare at him, he thought Jake was... bad? "Riku..." I started; thinking over my words. "I think you just got the wrong impression, Jake's not like heartless. He's a good guy. He just has an odd sense of humor."

"Ohh yeah, 'cause any normal, nice person gets enjoyment from teasing someone to the point that they've gone bone white! Who is obviously not enjoying any part of said teasing. Yes, nice people do that all the time!" He was glaring at me; this wasn't my fault!

"It's really not this big of a deal... it's not like I couldn't tell him to back off..." I mumbled the last part a bit.

"So why didn't you? His hand was low enough..." He trailed off "Is that how he got your wallet?!"

My eyes widen. He had... but surly he hadn't...

"That son of a BITCH!" He jerked up, glaring back at the restaurant.

"Itch!"

My eyes widen.

"Ansem that is a bad word! You do not say it!" Riku snapped, and turned back his heated glare aimed at Ansem; Ansem's cheerful face fell at his father's anger. Anger coursed through me seeing the little face tear up.

"Don't yell at him because you're being delusional!" I didn't like the kid but he didn't deserve to be yelled at for doing what he always does. "How's he suppose to know it was a bad word!" I picked Ansem up setting him in my lap. Riku looked slightly lost at my words. Ansem on the other hand started bawling, loudly.

Riku reached forward taking the screaming child from me. Which I was more than happy to let him do. "Alright, alright," he rubbed little circles on Ansem's back. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have yelled. I just don't want you saying that word... Daddy shouldn't have said it either. Should I yell at myself?"

Ansem sniffled looking up at him and nodding.

"Riku! Don't say that word!.. But-But... No you never say that word!" He said to no one using a deeper voice than he really had. Ansem erupted into giggles as Riku started tickling him. "Better?"

"atter! No ad ords!"

"That's right," He looked back at me slightly sharply I might add. "We are not done discussing this."

My eyes widen and I stood up "We are too!" I stomped off he followed right behind me. "I'm not a child Riku, like you said, I'm 23! Let me handle it!"

"You're not handling it! If he started molesting you would it still be a joke?" He said as he quickly caught up.

"Oke!"

"He's not like that! He wouldn't do that!" I snapped right back; again not mentioning the groping.

"And if he did?!" He was back to glaring; did he really think that helped?

"I don't know! I'm sure I could fight back, it's not like I'm helpless! I've certainly took on worse enemies than some middle aged cook!" And if that wasn't the truth than… well than… ahh?

"And his two buddies" Riku pointed out; like that mattered.

"Yes AND his two buddies. Hell even if the whole restaurant decided to molest me I could probably get away! I've fought HUNDEREDS of heartless. I think I'll be ok with out of shape old people!" I was nearly yelling at the end of my sentence.

"Yes, I'm sure you're able but could you? Sora they are not heartless, could you really harm a regular human just so you could get away?" He asked softly; he was still staring at me, but no longer glaring.

I stopped walking. He was right, Jake has no magic, no weapon... nothing. Could I hurt him? What if I accidentally killed him? Could I hold back? I've never had to hold back before, even with Riku I give it everything I have. Course with Riku I've always had too otherwise he creams me.

He looked back at me, "You finally get it?" His voice was still soft. I definitely got it.

"It doesn't matter! Jake's not like that! He wouldn't hurt me, he'd stop if I asked him to!"

"Wanna make a bet?" He challenged, though his eyes were still serious.

"A bet?" I asked.

"Yeah I bet you anything you want that if you ask him tomorrow to stop this teasing he won't do it." His eyes locked with mine, he was dead serious on this.

"Fine, and if I win than you apologize to him and you won't walk me home!" I snapped, I didn't need any one walking me home.

"Fine, when I win I expect you to invest in a cell phone and you have to call me when you get off work late." Danm he looked smug; making me call in like some unruly teenager.

"Fine! Only because I know he will!" I retorted back; he would stop, I know he would.

"Sure... I'll start pricing phones for you." He adjusted his hold on Ansem; danm why did he had to look so smug. He would stop... I know he would.

***

Wind, blowing around me, surrounding me, whooshing past me. It's gone, now it's water, the wind that had been forced me deep into the water. The water turning a dark blue before I finally stop my descent. I swam upward breaking the surface with a gasp and a smile. I looked up toward the cliffs where Kairi's waiting to jump. I quickly swam out of the way so she can. Getting to the beach I spot Riku laying in the sand. He was so pale, how did he not burn? I crawl up plopping beside him, grinning like crazy. I loved the little island. Riku looked over at me smirking.

"Glad to see you're having fun." He said, and turned on his side to watch me.

I didn't respond before Kairi emerged from the ocean. "Come on Sora, let's go again," She wouldn't look at Riku, or acknowledge him in any way. She started heading toward the cliff again.

I sighed looking to Riku, "She's still not talking to you?"

Riku just smiled putting on some sun glasses and getting comfortable in the sand. "Not yet, she's stubborn I'll give her another day."

I rolled my eyes. Apparently Riku saw this as a game, scary thing was I think Kairi did too. I stand up racing after her. The day was perfect!

Hours later I plopped down on the beach, closing my eyes breathing hard. The sun was starting to set. We'd go to the movies still and catch dinner before calling it a night. I yawned, my mind drifting for just a little bit.

**RR**

Riku stared down at Sora as the boy slept. He looked up as Kairi came and stood beside him. "He hasn't changed at all."

"Not sure if that's a good thing?" She smiled slightly, as if knowing a secret.

"You know anything about these men from his work?" Riku crossed his arms over his chest, the wind blowing his hair back slightly, and sand stirred under their feet.

Kairi let out a sigh, "Not really. I know Sora doesn't think much of it. I've only see very little of it though. Why you think it's serious?"

"Yeah, I do. I went with him today to get his wallet. The guy was..." He stiffened and shrugged. "I think he'll take it further if Sora doesn't put a stop to it soon. If he doesn't I may."

Kairi suddenly smiled "Riku, you've been gone five years. Don't tell me you plan on stepping back in as his body guard. He's been doing fine you know..."

Riku looked down at her slightly before shrugging, "I don't worry about Sora being able to handle something. But I'd rather stop it before he has to handle it. The guy I saw today had no respect for Sora; he plans to take what he wants when he wants it, and who cares what anyone else has to say. 'Course I'm sure he'll share with his buddies!" Riku practically bit out the last part.

"Riku... you can't really think it's that bad do you? I mean he has worked with them for over a year now. Maybe you're just being a little jealous?" She asked in a somewhat hopeful voice. The last thing she wanted was to see Sora hurt as well.

"I am not jealous!" He hissed out glaring down at Sora's sleeping form. He was still the same height as he was when he had left but his face wasn't as carefree as it once was. He had matured, well somewhat. He still pouted adorably.

"Ansem's really cute... What happened to his mother?"

Riku looked back at her before sighing "She died; complications from birth."

"Ohh" she looked down growing silent. "Did you..."

"No, not romantically" Riku let out another sigh, "We need to wake him if we're going to make a movie. Want to go get everyone else?"

Kairi nodded. "Riku... welcome home." With that she ran off to find the others.

Riku smiled before kneeling down in the sand beside his friend. He ran a hand gently through those spiky locks. Somehow it was soft, how Sora got it to stick up like this even when wet he never understood. Though knowing Sora, he didn't have a clue either. Probably didn't even realize it was different from most people's hair. He sighed running his hand once more through Sora's hair.

***

"Sora... Wake up"

I was in blissful memories as the voice interrupted my dreams. I didn't want to wake up, which I expressed through an angry grumble and a slap backwards. I was dreaming of Donald and Goofy, they were all playing together, though I didn't know what to think when Goofy started petting my head.

"Sora," The annoying voice tried again.

It was more firm, I didn't care. I made another noise of frustration, curling up. Why can't people let me sleep?

I let out an, admittedly, girly scream as cold water was suddenly on me. I scrambled backward in a crab walk. My sleepy brain desperately trying to catch up with what the HELL just happened. Riku, standing on the beach, holding an empty cooler. Wet sand and ice chips on the sand where I had just been. "Wh-what..." It clicked I stood up pointing a finger at Riku, "YOU!"

He just started laughing setting the cooler down, "Hey I tried to wake you nicely. You just wouldn't wake. Since the cooler needed to be emptied anyway, I thought 'why not kill two birds with one stone?'"

I glared sitting back down; shaking my head a bit to rid myself of the water in my hair. Well at least I wasn't dressed yet and it was only my swim trunks that had gotten wet. It's not like I've ever been able to stay mad at Riku. "Gee, thanks" I said sarcastically; he sat down beside me smiling.

"You're welcome. So Mr. twenty-three year old. What movie are we going to go see?" He asked watching me.

"Narnia." I said with a growing smile, ohh he'd hate that.

Riku glared at me, "That's a kid movie." He said in a deadpanned voice, he never disappointed me.

This time I knew I was pouting but hey it was on purpose now. "I wanna see it! It looks good!" It did look good, adventure with no romance. My kind of story.

"What about something a little bit more... adult?" He hinted non to gently.

"Sure, in two weeks when it's YOUR birthday we'll go see the boring movie. Today, on my birthday, we're going to see the GOOD movie." I was totally ready for the stare down that I was sure was about to happen. However he surprised me when he just started laughing.

"Alright Sora... we'll go see the little kid movie. And for that I'll make sure to pick out the most boring documentary movie for my birthday."

My eyes widen, and I think I paled slightly. "A documentary?" I whined "I'm gonna be sick for your birthday!"

He just laughed more, "You wish." He stood up pulling me with him, with surprising ease. He frowned down at me, again. What did I do now? "You need to gain weight... don't you work at a restaurant?"

I was tempted to smack him, but that would be far too girly. "I eat just fine! I just stay busy."

Riku smirked, what did he always find so amusing? "Sora..." He just shook his head. "Let's go see that movie of yours."

That's not what he was going to say. I know that's not what he was going to say! "What were you going to say?"

"That you should go find everyone." He said with that easy smile of his. Stupid annoying smile.

"No it wasn't!" I crossed my arms trying to put on my best glare; it wasn't easy when your heart wasn't in it.

"Are you calling me a liar?" His voice has a mock hurt sound to it.

"Yes!" I crossed my arms over my chest; I wanted to know what he was going to say!

"Fine! I was going to say, you should change." He was struggling to keep his face straight.

"LIAR!" I almost stomped my feet at him, but luckily I didn't. Hey, I was twenty-three.

He laughed, "Well go do it anyway."

I was sulking extra hard as I stomped away. Mumbling under my breath, well it was more of a grumble.