Chapter 3: I Want To Hold Your Hand


It certainly wasn't long before Roxas and Sora's "I'm too cool and smug" parade was evidently rained on by Namine and Yuffie's ecstatic dash into the room.

They came in bearing handfuls of clothes and such, shooing the boys out of dodge as they made their entrance.

Sora and Roxas disappeared into the hall, while Roxas muffled a "see you in ten minutes" from outside the door.

Sora laughed behind him, and Shiki and I were finally re-united with our best friends.

Words weren't really needed at the moment, as Namine rushed into my arms to share an unspoken, desperately needed embrace.

Yuffie did the same for Shiki and then we switched hugs.

"Been awhile, hasn't it?" Namine giggled. She picked up a piece of my long, red locks and twisted it around her hand.

"You've changed." She pointed.

I sneered.

"Is that in a good way or bad way?" I pushed her playfully. For a while there, I forgot how good it felt to have friends.

My friends, our friends. They really were so great.

These were the things worth living for..

Sometimes when one didn't have a family, friends took over and become just that. They were a savior.

"I dunno," Yuffie giggled, leaning in to poke the tip of my nose with her finger. "I think for the bad. Look at you. You're a mess!" Yuffie bellowed out a louder laugh and held her stomach, snorting as she tried to stop.

I poked her in the arm and ran over to the mirror again, picking apart my reflection.

"Yufffiee" I moaned. "I know I'm a mess!

It was true. I was in some unknown outfit that was half undergarments and half an unknown boys T-shirt. Preferably Sora's.

Shiki scooted over and bumped our hips together, pushing me out of the mirror a bit.

"I'm in the same boat." She huffed, pointing at her reflection to show me.

I rolled my eyes. As if. Her hair was brushed and she didn't have as much visible bruises as I did.

"At least. You brushed. Your. HAIR!" I repeated again, laughing as I pushed her one last time.

"Twins." Yuffie shurgged and Namine laughed.

The door creaked open, and I turned to see Roxas peek his head in a bit.

"Jeeze, it's been like ten minutes already and you guys aren't even close to ready." He sighed.

"Roxas!" Namine squeaked. "You should knock! What if we were naked?"

Roxas put on a lazy smirk and wiggled his eye brows. "Wouldn't be that bad of a sight."

Namine turned red and Roxas was bumped on the head with a drum stick by a mystery person behind him.

"You idiot, let them get ready!" Riku's voice exclaimed from behind him, pulling him back.

He now peeked his head in, replacing Roxas. "Sorry, ladies. Take your time." He shut the door behind him.

Shiki laughed. "Is this what you guys put up with every day?"

Yuffie sighed and sat on the bed, sorting through some clothes. "Not exactly. They're just a bit riled up because you guys are here."

She held up an outfit and then looked at me.

"Here, throw this on. Shi theres an outfit for you too. I got some makeup over in that bag by the mirror too." She pointed to a little blue bag over by the dreaded mirror.

I looked at Yuffie and Namine and examined them, just really realizing how much they have changed.

Both the girl's hair had grown into long, luscious locks flowing down to their elbows. Namine's bangs were shorter, and the pale blonde hair framed her face, complimenting her shape. She wore a simple white spaghetti strap tank top that exposed some of her midriff and a short blue jean skirt. She wore simple canvas Van's sneakers on her feet.

Yuffie's long, sleek black hair hung pin straight in one length. She wore blue cut-off jean shorts and a black band T-shirt that was cropped, showing off her flat stomach and belly button piercing. She wore short black biker boots and a bandana around her neck.

When she tucked a strand of hair behind her ears, I could see her ears were gauged. Mine were gauged slightly, I did them myself when I would get bored back at the old house.

Shiki was too skeezed out to do hers, so she settled to sport just a belly button piercing, with a small silver ball.

I walked over to the bed and picked up the pair of tight ripped jeans and grey tank top, along with a pear of flip flops. I let my hair down and flipped it, ruffling it up with my hands a bit.

I walked over to the makeup after to apply some powder, a bit of eye liner and lipgloss. I looked at my reflection and smiled.

"Much better." I commented.

It really was. The jeans had a tight fit and hugged my minimal curves, while the tank top was tight as well which looked nice. I felt.. pretty for once.

Which excited me, because through all the bullshit that was going on in my life the only thing that was on my mind was impressing Sora.

I looked at Shiki who did the same thing, only she was wearing a crop black T-shirt with a money sign on it, a jean mini skirt and short brown Ugg boots.

"Okay, so we ready to go?" She smiled.

I nodded. "Ready!"

Namine grabbed her black hobo purse as Yuffie rushed out to let the others know we were ready.


"Well it certainly took you guys long enough to get ready." Sora laughed, turning the key into ignition.

He drove an old black Jeep.

I liked it. It was…my cup of tea you could say. Not flashy, but had a cool, rustic style to it.

You could smell the gasoline as the vehicle shook to life. I can't even begin to remember the last time I was in a car.

"Where are the others?" I asked as Shiki, Namine and Yuffie scooted in next to me and Roxas hopped in the shot-gun seat.

Sora looked behind him, backing in reverse, making swift eye contact with me for a split second.

God.

He smiled for a moment and pulled out of the drive way.

Once on the road, he met my eyes again through the rearview mirror.

"So Riku is driving Tidus, Olette and Selphie. Selph claims to have some sort of surprise for you and didn't want to see you till she had it ready. She's so corny like that."

I smiled. "Yeah, she is."

I looked out the window and relished in the passing houses, beautiful palm trees, the shops all in which I haven't seen in so very long.

I noticed Shiki was doing the same. For some reason I sensed her to be a bit uncomfortable, shuffling in her seat every so often.

I looked back down at my lap and sighed, huffing a piece of stray hair out of my face.

It hurt to think that Shiki and I have missed such simple things so much.

I shivered a bit at the thought, until Sora's voice pulled me out of my trance again.

"Alright." He said. "We're here."

I looked up at the strip and smiled. There was a movie theatre, a vast variety of hip shops, a music store, and the boy's cafe and bar.

It was quite large, and arguably the center of attention at the strip. It had a large neon sign that read "Star Bar" with a little paopu fruit that lit up on top of it.

I could cry being back here. Was this for real?

Was there really a God who had suddenly answered me and my sister's prayers?

In all honesty, I couldn't think of an answer. But for a moment, I was happy. And if I could have this moment, this time to spend with my friends.. with Sora.

Then I was just going to simply live. I was going to face the world again, and let whatever happens happen.

"Wow." I heard Shiki speak for the first time the whole car ride. "This is incredible!" She squeaked, bouncing in her seat.

I giggled and smiled with her. She made me stop being so brooding a lot of the time. She made me feel younger than I was. She always had that way about her.

I heard Sora stifle a laugh from the driver's seat. "Relax, home girl. It's just a shopping strip."

I could see his quick regret as he probably realized just how long it might have been since we have been to one of these shopping centers.

Although Shiki didn't take his little remark to heart.

He ran a hand through his hair and smiled a cheesy grin, which was achingly attractive, mind you, and turned around to face us.

He lifted his body up slightly, grabbing a fat black wallet from his back pocket.

Shiki and I eyed him up and down before we realized what he was doing.

I opened my mouth to protest, but Sora beat me to conclusions.

"There is no if, ands or buts miss." He smiled and handed Shiki and I both three hundred dollars.

"I want you to get absolutely everything you need. And if you don't have enough money, don't hesitate to let us know. I mean it girls, everything. Makeup, Advil, tampons, shampoo, lotion, nail polish, clothes, swim-suits, bags, anything you can think of that you may want or need."

Shiki opened her mouth to protest as well but Sora just sighed.

"Look guys, I don't know what went on with you two and Van and Ven, but I know for a fact they have been acting VERY fucking freaky lately. And after knowing now that they kept you two from all of us for so long, there is no way in hell I'm allowing you two to be back in their care."

I wanted to roll her eyes at the choice of the word "care" but decided to let it go. I was too busy adoring his sense of protection over us.

I smiled at him and looked over at Shiki, who couldn't help but speak.

"Alright.." She began. "But are you sure this isn't too much?"

Then Sora surprised me by grabbing my sister into a gentle embrace. He pulled away and looked her gently in the eyes.

"Shi, don't worry. I promise I'm going to take care of you and your sister." His eyes glided over to me for a split second before looking back at Shiki.

My grinned stretched further as I heard Sora call my sister "Shi." It was a name I thought only myself and a very selective few people would call her.

It was cute.

"Believe me. It iis most definitely not too much." He walked over to me and embraced me as well.

I was growing more and more embarrassed, wondering if he could feel the intense heat radiating from my very soul.

He bent down slightly and whispered into my ear.

"I'm not giving up on you this time, and I will never hurt you. Just remember that."

Yeah, I'll tell you something.

I think you'll understand.

When I say that something.

I want to hold your hand.

Confused by this statement, I looked at him for an easier explanation.

As if.

"Ew, Sora. Quit being so mushy!" Yuffie pointed out, as Namine stifled a giggle, clinging to Roxas's arm.

Sora turned red for a quick second before clearing his throat.

"Well aren't you intuitive, miss Yuffie." Sora cut back sarcastically. "Then let's get going. We'll hit all the stores and get everything you ladies need, and then well hit Star Bar to get some food and drinks, sound good?"

Everyone nodded except Shiki and I, who were obviously still a little shocked about this all.

And confused on how we were getting drinks.

Shiki was the one to make the remark. "We aren't old enough to drink just yet." She said quietly, almost a bit sheepishly.

Roxas cracked a laugh and snorted. "We OWN the bar, for crying out loud. You'll never have to pay a thing for food or drinks in there. And you can drink whatever we say you can drink."

Namine nodded in agreement next to him.

Sora rolled his eyes, seemingly at Roxas's smug answer to Shiki's timid question.

"They have the absolute BEST margaritas!" Namine added.

Shiki and I laughed as well and looked at eachother.

"Then let's go I guess." I smiled lightly. Why were they doing all this… for us? I couldn't get over how incredibly baffled I still was.

"One more thing." Sora stopped us before we skipped across the parking lot to the strip.

I looked up at him in confusion, until I realized he was reaching into his pocket once more.

My mouth gaped open and I stared at him like he was a serpent with 7 spiky heads as he pulled out two iPhones.

One had a Pink case and the other was Purple.

He held them out to us and returned the same 7 headed serpent expression.

"Aren't you going to take them? I think its best if you two have a phone you can reach us on. All our numbers are already stored in the contacts, the rest of the stuff is up to you to do what you want with."

Shiki slowly reached out and grabbed the purple case as I grabbed the pink one.

Our favorite colors.

I began to stifle out a "thank you", but was silenced again by Sora's creepy mind-reading.

"Don't thank me. You need it." He insisted. "NOW we can go!"

My mind just melted in euphoria. I felt so safe now. So secure.


Shiki danced along Yuffie and Namine skipped along with Roxas and I think I may have just swallowed my heart when Sora grabbed my hand.

Oh please, say to me

You'll let me be your man.

And please, say to me

You'll let me hold your hand.

I looked at him, my face redder than my hair and he took a minute to notice my suprise.

He laughed quietly and ruffled my hair with his other hand. He bent down and planted a soft, subtle, electrifying kiss on my forehead.

"You don't know how much I've missed you, girl."

And when I touch you I feel happy inside.

It's such a feeling that my love.

My blush deepened, if even possible. And I choked out the first response that came to my mind.

"I missed you more." I said quickly, almost ashamed of my corny rebuttal.

I can't hide, I can't hide, I can't hide.

He laughed again. The sound was music to my ears. It almost hurt to think that he actually sang.

"Agree to disagree. But lets get you a shit ton of clothes, and anything else you want that will make your pretty self happy. Because right now, nothing else matters to me."

I couldn't help but be surprised. I've always felt some sort of way about Sora. Some way I've never felt about anyone else in the world.

It has always been him and always will be as far as I was concerned.

But before it was all friendly flirting. Although it was some years ago now, why all of a sudden was he acting like he was so serious about our…relationship?

Why did he care so much all of a sudden?

I had to ask.

"Why?" I spat out.

God I was horrible at talking to him. The boy just shot my nerves.

"I mean, um..I'm just confused I guess."

Sora stopped walking and looked at me. I looked back up at him and past him a bit, only to realize Shiki and the others have already walked into one of the shops.

Yeah you, you got that something.

"Look Kai." He put a hand through his hair, a nervous habit I have noticed in him for a while, and emitted a small sigh.

I think you'll understand.

"I don't know where to begin. But I guess I owe you some explanation. I've always been close with everyone, but you especially. Van and Ven were my two good friends, and to me, your brothers. What Shiki was getting at was morally fucked up, and what Van and Ven have been up to lately is sketchy too. I'm getting the feeling that something really wrong has happened to you guys.. and it freaks me out."

He looked up and met my gaze, an uncomfortable look dancing about his beautiful blue eyes.

"It was all so shocking to me when you two came blasting back into our lives, especially in the way we came to meet again. Jesus Kairi you were knocked out on the floor when I got to see you for the first time again. And that made me enraged. I wanted to kill them. But I wanted to see that you were safe first. And thats when I realized something I never have before."

He sighed again and turned around with his back toward me, and quickly did a nervous turn around again to face me once more.

When I say that something.

"The only logical explanation for the way I'm feeling is that I care about you as more than a friend, Kairi. I don't know what any of it means right now. I'm so overwhelmed and I didn't know how to approach this because I know you're overwhelmed too. But one thing I do know is that I'm going to take care of you. I'm going to see that your needs are met by any means possible and I'm going to see that you're protected. You're life has some sort of unwritten meaning to mine, and by God until I figure out what it means I'm going to keep my damn promises."

I looked at him in utter shock. I refuse to believe that my life is on a one way track to Heaven. That is just not right.

Life doesn't just fuck you for most of your life and then all of a sudden decide to free you and let you smell the roses.. does it?

I wanna hold your hand.

"I want to see you happy, Kairi. I don't know what happened to you and Shiki, and I don't need to until you're ready to open up to me about it. But I know you weren't happy there. And now you two will be."

There was still a longing, a sadness in his voice that was oddly clear to me. I realized his thumb was smudging my face and snapped into reality.

I wanna hold your hand.

I was…crying.

Sora smiled again and nudged me playfully, attempting to take the edge off for now.

I guess you could say it worked. He seemed to have a talent for taking my mind off things.

"Come on, Kairi girl. Let's go get you nice and spoiled."

He then walked on and turned slightly, waiting for me to catch up.

He acted as if he knew I was his. Could I really complain? I wasn't one to be toyed with like this.. but I couldn't help but feel completely comfortable with the way he acted with me.

It wasn't forced, it was natural and playful. But then again, something has felt a little off with Sora.

I wasn't sure if it was about me and Shiki, or if it was about whatever was going on with their group and Ven and Van, but I was determined to get to the bottom of it at some point.

Not now, but soon.

I followed him forward in the parking lot with shaking legs and looked down at the phone he gave me in my hand.

I already had a text from Shiki.

Hurry up, slow pokes!

I laughed and sighed, feeling the warm breeze and sunshine of the island on my face.

And there it was again.

My fears. My worries and constant anxiety were all washed away in the tropical breeze for another glorious moment.

I looked back at Sora and he gave me one last breathtaking grin before reaching out his hand again to grasp mine.

I wanna hold, your hand.


A/N: OMG GUYS OMG. So the next chapter is going to be from Shiki's point of view. I have decided since the story focuses on the trials and tribulations of BOTH characters, that it is important to understand where Shiki is coming from as well. Also, you will begin to learn more about the characters by seeing them from the girl's different perspectives. I hope you like this chapter! Sora and Kairi's romantic interest in each other is beginning to blossom! Shiki will have romance involved as well… but it will NOT be what you expect. I'm almost positive of that! But beware...as I said before, drama is not over!

Please leave a review! I hope you enjoyed chapter three! Until next time loves!

xox