Author's Note~

Thanks for the reviews SkyHearts and guest! It means so much that you like my story!

The song I use is Black and Gold by Ellie Goulding.

Kairi and Vanitas interacting is just so fun to write. They won't get romantic for a while because that's just the way it has to be. I think it would be odd if Kairi dumped Sora suddenly and jumped right into his cousin's arms. So bear with me as I expand their relationship bit by bit, but don't worry! The romance will happen!

I don't own any Kingdom Hearts character.

Review and thanks for reading!~

Chapter 4~

Kairi flew through the test in a blur. She didn't remember half the questions let alone what she wrote down for them. Like that, one period was gone in a confusing cloud. Preparing for the lab was worse. She spent most of the time showing a rather unresponsive and petulant Vanitas where the equipment was and how to use some of the newer tools.

He was obviously avoiding looking at her; it was just as unnerving as when his golden eyes were trying to burn through her. When they got around to starting the lab, which was really more chemistry based than biology, Vanitas suddenly took control and deftly mixed chemicals in a way that made Kairi wonder if he really knew what he was doing. Apparently he did as nothing exploded or spontaneously combusted.

"Do you know a lot about chemistry?" Kairi asked curiously.

Vanitas made a gruff sound that remotely sound like "yah".

"O...kay..." Kairi trailed off not knowing what else to say. He really didn't want to talk to her and Kairi was more than eager to abide...if she didn't have to stay after school to help him catch up with the curriculum.

Kairi wrung her hands in her lap as the bell rang and people rushed out of the classroom ready to get out of school. Namine and Xion stopped by her and gave their poor red-haired friend pitying looks.

"Do you really have to stay after today?" Namine asked worriedly. She knew Kairi was uncomfortable around Vanitas, in fact everyone who looked closely could see it.

"You should ditch." Xion pronounced giving Vanitas, who had his back to Kairi and her friends, a purposeful glare. "He's a waste of your – no – everyone's time." She grabbed Kairi's arm and rattled her. "Come on!"

Kairi sighed wistfully wishing she had Xion's sheer disregard for anything that didn't suit her. Sadly, Kairi told Professor Jasmine she'd teach Vanitas and she had to keep her word.

"Sorry guys..." Kairi had to blink back tears. The school year was coming to an end soon and she wanted to spend as much time possible with her friends before they parted ways.

"Next time." Namine promised giving Kairi a reassuring hug that she really needed.

"Good luck." Xion sympathized. "I'll win you a dolphin, your favorite." She winked before whisking out the door with Namine in tow.

"Bye." Namine waved before Xion jerked her away.

Taking a deep breath and steeling herself, Kairi walked around Vanitas to face him with her hands on her hips.

"I want to clear a few things up before we start." She put up one finger. "Are you serious about learning this?" She put up a second finger. "Are you actually going to listen to me when I teach?" She put up a third finger. " Are you going to continue to be a jerk?" At that Kairi waited for a response ready to take whatever he threw at her and work with it.

"No, maybe, and yes. Not in a particular order. Guess you'll just have to find out, huh?" He leaned forward so their faces were an inch apart.

Vanitas's telltale smirk and proximity both irked Kairi and made her pulse throb, but she refused to step back. In that moment, or perhaps during what she overheard in the library, Kairi decided she was going to play this game with Vanitas. She needed to see if he was really as bad as Sora made him out to be. She needed to see if he was really as bad as he made himself out to be. Kairi didn't like games that had high stakes, but this one she had to risk. Not merely for her curiosity, but for Sora. She wanted to see her Sora carefree and smiling without a worry again.

"Game on." Kairi whispered under her breath not realizing she spoke aloud.

Vanitas's gold eyes widened in momentary surprise before a pleased expression fell across his features. His lips lilted into a devilish grin.

"Game on." He reiterated with a purring voice. There was an unspoken promise in his tone that made Kairi wish she ditched him after all. She was so out of her league.

'I looked up into the night sky

And see a thousand eyes staring back

And all around these golden beacons

I see nothing but black

I feel a wave of something beyond though,

I don't see what I can feel'

After an hour of Kairi attempting to teach to no evident avail, she regretted making a promise to herself to unearth Vanitas's good side that she now felt sure didn't exist. Every time she made an attempt to explain something, he made a biting remark or corrected her with smugness. If anything, Kairi felt like she was the one being taught. Thoroughly embarrassed, she wondered if Vanitas really needed to be caught up with the curriculum. He seemed to know enough as it is.

"I think I'll let Professor Jasmine know that these after school sessions are unnecessary." She announced rather pleased with herself for thinking of a way to escape being around Vanitas more than needed.

Vanitas hummed thoughtfully. "Are you sure about that? You seem to be missing something."

Kairi stopped in confusion. "What?" Maybe she didn't want to know. Why couldn't he just stop being so...frustrating and leave her alone?

Silent and grinning like a feral cat he protruded a pink flip phone from his backpack. "You forgot something during our first...encounter." His words slithered out of his mouth sounding sensual.

Kairi blanched at his suggestive tone and reached out for her phone.

"Ah ah ah!" He snatched it back shaking his head in disappointment. "This is a game, pretty-girl. Winner takes all."

"What do you mean?" Kairi demanded. She had called the continuous farce between them a game, but really, what kind was it? What were the rules, the objective? How did she play exactly?

"This is my game pretty-girl. I get to decide everything. Starting with this," He put up one finger. "You keep tutoring me in Biology and whatever other class I ask." He put up a second finger. "You don't tell anyone about our game, or," he jerked his thumb across his neck and wagged the phone at her. And then he put up a third finger. "You stay away from me out of school unless I say otherwise. You stay out of my business. You don't try to interfere with my relationships with my family. You don't try to fix anything." The playful tone he'd been using was replaced with a serious one and accompanied with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

Kairi was stunned speechless. She reluctantly followed her phone with her eyes as he dropped it none too carefully into his backpack. Her attention snapped back to him as he started speaking again.

"I've seen your type before. Arrogant in your belief that you can change people, that you can make a difference." He scoffed and stood up, towering over her. She dimly noted that he was taller than Sora. A good few inches taller. She stared up at him helplessly.

"So...got it?" He brushed past her not waiting for a response.

"Wait!" Kairi leaped up and rushed out after him. "How long?" She had to jog to keep up with his long-legged pace.

Vanitas eyed her with mild interest, as if she were his prey that he already had cornered and was waiting for the right time to dispatch. He took until they stepped outside to respond. "Indefinitely."

"W-what...?" Kairi couldn't help but stammer in despair.

"This precious phone of yours seems important. It can't be hard for someone like you to get a replacement." He looked her up and down disdainfully. "So I figured I'd keep it for a while."

"Why?" Kairi asked reluctantly, pleadingly. She was following him through the nearly emptied parking lot. She wasn't terribly surprised when he stopped at a sleek black motorcycle.

"Just to keep things interesting." Vanitas answered flippantly. He grabbed his helmet and straddled his motorcycle. Before he could turn the key in the ignition, Kairi stepped in front of it and placed a hand firmly on the front tire.

"Wait." She tried her best to glower at him.

Vanitas threw his head back and sighed in exasperation. "I'm going to run you over and I could care less." He turned the key making the vehicle roar to life.

Kairi ignored his jibe. "You made me miss my ride and you have my only form of communication. It's too far to walk to my house, or anyone's for that matter. You owe me a ride."

Vanitas laughed straight in her face. "I don't owe you shit. Get out of my way." He revved the bike threateningly.

Kairi stood firm. "If you don't give me a ride, I'll go back into the school and make a big scene about how you left me here stranded. I'll ruin your reputation with the teachers."

Vanitas's gaze felt like it was seering her straight to the bone. "You're not the dramatic type. Just call your parents to pick you up in their convertible."

She knew now that he wanted to keep his reputation clean with the teachers for some reason beyond her. "My parents are out of town." She refused to let her hard stare waver. "I really have no choice. If I did, I certainly wouldn't be here with you."

Vanitas's eyes darkened as he looked at the girl before him; hand still planted on his bike's tire in a defiance he couldn't help but admire from one so delicate-looking as her.

"Get on." He growled thrusting his helmet at her.

Kairi nearly sagged in relief, but refused to show him how much this really helped her. Inwardly she felt more than a little proud, she definitely just won a round in their game. She thrust her chin out, snatched the helmet from him and shoved it on her head. She got on the bike with less grace. The position was awkward and intimate. She leaned back not sure where to put her hands. This was her first time on a motorcycle, but she'd seen plenty of movies where the girl glued herself to the guy's backside and wrapped her arms around him while zipping down the road. She refused to touch him in any such manner.

"You better hold on." Vanitas snapped unkindly. "I don't need you falling off and getting me sued." He grabbed her hands and wrapped them around his torso.

Kairi knew she was blushing despite the clear dislike both she and he had for the intimacy. She'd never been so close to another guy like this besides Sora; not even, Kairi chided to herself, she'd never gone farther than kissing him. Having her chest pressed firmly against Vanitas's broad back made Kairi feel giddy in a way that she despised herself for. No one should make her feel excited like this except for Sora. Although, she had to admit there was something tantalizing and poetic about riding on the back of a motorcycle with a guy. Kairi's inner writer just couldn't let the movie-like moment pass without further inspection of herself and said guy. Kairi felt butterflies in her stomach that she supposed she could pass off for nervousness of being on such a dangerous vehicle with a person she barely knew. That made more sense, Kairi decided immediately. The odd feeling she had pertained to discomfort rather than absurd attraction. Not so poetic after all! She felt more relaxed understanding her situation. Vanitas on the other hand was all hard and taut muscle. Kairi could feel his toned abdomen through his thin button down where her hands lay. His back was tense as he revved the bike again and took off out of the parking lot. Kairi was shocked by the sudden speed and clung to Vanitas harder than she intended. The wind whipping at her hair made her question if he pertained to speed limits. Despite having a helmet on, she closed her eyes and shielded herself with Vanitas's back. Kairi hoped he wouldn't crash as she heard cars whistling past. The impact would kill them both. Not once until they came to a screeching stop did she wonder where he was taking her exactly.

"You can let go now." Vanitas snapped although there was a trace of amusement in his voice. "Unless you don't want to." he added sinuously.

Kairi practically fell off the bike in a hurry and tore the helmet off her head. When she shoved it into his chest, he let out a barking laugh. "Were you scared pretty-girl? You held on pretty tightly." The way he said that made it sound inappropriate. Kairi cringed inwardly, why did he make everything sound flirtatious? She would never ever do something inappropriate with someone like Vanitas. Guys like him only spelled trouble; Kairi had a sixth sense for trouble and avoided it at all costs. Her sixth sense was telling her Vanitas was definitely something to be avoided. Unfortunately Kairi had already made the mistake of calling a game between them; Vanitas seemed to think the same thing as he gazed at her expectantly.

Kairi made a face at him but instead of replying looked around to see where she ended up. To her utmost surprise, he brought her to the pier. The boardwalk was lit under glittering lights and the setting sun over the ocean beyond added to the festive ambience.

"Why did you bring me here?" Kairi asked feeling suspicious. He couldn't have done this out of good will. By now she realized Vanitas always had a motive for things, whether it was being nice to the teachers to get on their good sides or making fun of people to get power and popularity. This, alike him constantly teasing her, was on the list for unknown motives. There was a reason but she didn't figure it out yet.

Vanitas stretched showing a glimpse of his well-toned abs. Kairi refused to let the image stick in her mind. "I have plans. And I know my dear cousin is here."

Ah, so that's it. This was a way to get rid of her along with meet up with his 'friends'. Kairi felt a bite of disappointment. Deep down she hoped he had done it out of kindness. This made much more sense though.

"But how am I supposed to find them without my phone?" Kairi hoped he would hand it over now.

Vanitas smirked. "Our game just started. You don't get out that easily." He replied scornfully as if she had tried to cheat. "Besides. I think some of your friends already found you." He jerked his chin towards the boardwalk.

Kairi turned around to see Namine, Xion, and Selphie gawking at her. Slowly she looked back at Vanitas who was tapping away on his phone with a bemused expression.

"So no phone?" She asked again already knowing he wouldn't give it to her.

He didn't even glance at her. "Nope."

Kairi sighed. "Well thanks for the ride. Bye!" She started to walk towards her friends but an arm around her shoulders stopped her.

"Let me escort you." He grinned wickedly like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland.

Kairi demurely let him keep her tucked under his arm as they approached her friends. Namine looked slightly ruffled compared to Xion who was visibly seething in anger. Selphie on the other hand was staring at Kairi and Vanitas in wonder and envy.

"Hey there." Vanitas tilted his head giving each girl a personal, charming smile. Namine and Xion were having none of it while Selphie was beside herself in adoration.

"Hi Vanitas! How do you like Destiny Islands so far?" She gushed not even trying to conceal her infatuation with him.

"It has its perks." He purposely looked at Kairi while speaking as if insinuating something special.

Selphie's eyes went wide as she looked at Kairi. Before Selphie could open her mouth and say something wrong, Kairi unwrapped herself from Vanitas and said, "Thanks again for giving me a ride. Better go our separate ways, right guys?"

Xion and Namine nodded still looking between Kairi and Vanitas with furrowed brows. Kairi linked arms with Selphie and dragged her away not saying another word to Vanitas.

"See ya 'round pretty-girl!" Vanitas called behind her.

She felt his eyes on her until she turned down the boardwalk and vanished from his sight.

Kairi took in a deep breath and let it go with a tired sigh.

"Ah-hem." Xion tittered crossing her arms. "Please explain what that was."

"Is there something going on between you two?" Selphie demanded, her green eyes shining at the potentially juicy drama. "Because that would be so weird considering he's Sora's cousin and they don't get along! Wowie! Your life is like a TV show right now! How exciting!" She rambled on unaware of Kairi's dismayed and mildly horrified expression.

Were Xion and Namine thinking the same thing? Kairi wondered worriedly trying to decipher her friends' expressions. She hoped they didn't think she'd betray Sora at all, let alone with Vanitas, the epitome of pompous jerks.

"Kairi?" Namine prompted an explanation for the awkward arrival and encounter.

She bit her lip before trying to pick out the words to explain what she honestly didn't know for herself. "Well you know I had to stay after Vanitas to help him with Bio..." Kairi started slowly.

"Uh huh." Xion pursed her lips.

"That went terribly, as expected. I ended up asking him for a ride and he brought me here. That's all." She finished looking at her friends.

"Why did he have his arm around you?" Xion scowled clearly doubting Kairi's short explanation.

"I don't know !" Kairi exclaimed. "He keeps teasing me and taunting me as if he wants something! I don't get it!" Her sheer aggravation thankfully conveyed to her friends. This whole thing with Vanitas was getting on her nerves. Sora was right, he really could get under anyone's skin.

"He probably just wants to get in your pants." Xion deadpanned.

Kairi felt her face flush. Thankfully Selphie rejected the suggestion for her.

"What?! No way! He totally wouldn't go for a girl like Kairi, no offense." She interjected sheepishly. "But seriously. Girls like Meredy are more his type." She seemed off put by her own conclusion and looked down at her jean boy shorts and green striped sweater. What she saw made her wrinkle her face in distaste.

Kairi had a similar reaction although it wasn't as obvious as Selphie's. She was still wearing her school uniform, but besides that her closet consisted mostly of pastel colored clothing. Was that not good enough in Selphie's assumed opinion of Vanitas's preferences? Or was it her goody two shoes personality? Scratch all of that, why did she care what Vanitas thought of her? That's right. She didn't. Sora liked her as she was. She liked herself as she was. And that's all the confirmation she needed.

"Vanitas is probably using Kairi to get to Sora." Namine spoke softly breaking Kairi away from her thoughts.

"I agree." Xion nodded thoughtfully.

Kairi opened her mouth but Namine put up a hand and started explaining. "We all have heard that Sora and Vanitas don't get along. What better way to bother Sora than use his most important person?" Her pale blue eyes looked directly into Kairi's darker blue ones.

"Oh..." Kairi's stomach twisted in guilt. She was going to be the weapon Vanitas used against Sora? She somehow felt that all of Sora's despair over the past week was suddenly her fault, even though realistically it wasn't. But any oncoming hurt for Sora would be indirectly on her head. Even though she wanted nothing to do with Vanitas, she couldn't exactly make him go away permanently.

"Don't look like that." Namine gently put her slender hands on Kairi's shoulders. "Don't blame yourself for things that you can't control."

"Especially not now!" Selphie bounced up and down. " We're here !" She gestured to the booths and rides and boisterous crowds. "Let's have some fun !"

Kairi smiled weakly. "That's more like it." Xion bumped her friend's shoulder. "Let's go find the guys."

"Where did they go?" Kairi questioned looking around curiously. Their group didn't typically diverge on outings.

Xion rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. "They're off being boys. AKA they're doing the shooting game and strength tester to see who's better."

"You should have seen Riku and Roxas facing off!" Selphie giggled. "I was sure one of them was going to throw a punch."

"No way." Kairi tried to imagine Riku and Roxas fighting. "They would never!"

"You never know." Namine said ominously though her eyes shone with amusement. She glanced quickly at Xion before adding. "Boys think in strange ways."

Xion laughed. "Absolutely. Let's go find our idiots."

The four girls walked off arm in arm to where the boys were indeed arguing schematics of the accuracy of each gun at the shooting range.

"Boys." The girls muttered amongst themselves despite clearly enjoying the rough-housing happening.

"Love." Namine whispered to herself looking to Xion who was picking up a gun between Roxas and Riku and talking animatedly to the two; and then to Kairi who was watching Sora become hysterically infuriated with the supposedly defective gun he was using. Love was the one emotion that had the power to keep them all together or tear them apart, forever.

"Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop." - H. L. Mencken