There always has to be a balance. Sora and I were looking at things from extreme angles, but what we needed to do was look at things from the big picture.
Since talking to him obviously doesn't work (thanks a lot, Selphie) I'll have to form new ways of delineating the concept.
Now, if only I could remember where I put that old football…
Don't Be a Gentleman: Physical tests…
It wasn't every day that Riku, Sora, and I got to hang out together. After the battle with Xemnas, we all finally came home and confronted our parents.
Let's just say…facing Organization XIII was nothing compared to the wrath of our old folks.
Sure, they all greeted us with hugs and kisses at first. After all, it had been almost a year since they had last seen me. For Sora and Riku it was especially emotional because they had been missing for about two years…
It was quite frightening coming home to such overwhelming atmospheres. Being captured was no picnic itself, but when I got home it was rules and regulations per hour. I felt like a prisoner in my own house, and it felt even worse going outside.
No matter how much Sora and Riku complain, I'm sure their homecoming experience wasn't half as bad as mine. Just another perk of being a guy, I guess…
Hopefully, today I can shift things a little more in my favor. Time to put them in their place!
The last statement is not meant to be taken as a feminist outburst (I'm not that desperate!). Rather, it is simply part of my series of positive phrases to improve my attitude.
I have to prep myself up because this is probably going to be one of the most arduous challenges I've ever faced.
Sora and Riku are extremely competitive. Despite the fact that they haven't joined any sports teams (I constantly berate them about this) whenever they play together you can literally see the testosterone burning out of their pores. Once they get into the mood NOTHING can stop them.
This is why I'm currently holding a bag full of volley balls, soccer balls, and last but not least…a football. They'll be hesitant the first time around, but once we get to football their minds will be too focused on the competitions to care about my physical state.
I smile dimly at the thought. The plan just seems perfect in my eyes. It was simple but it also contained hard tasks that I'm more than ready to conquer.
Unable to contain my excitement, I waste a good amount of energy running to the park.
It was a rather warm, sunny day. The parks disposition brightens considerably when I see my two best friends standing in the middle of the playing field.
"Hey guys! I'm glad you could make it!" I run into both of them, my hug sending us all crashing into soft pounds of grass.
Riku chuckles while Sora coughs loudly. "Kairi…can't…breath…"
I laugh before getting off of them. I wrap one arm around my boyfriend's waist while I use my other one to ruffle his hair. "You actually got him to come! Not too bad for a lazy bum…"
Sora smirks before giving me a peck on the lips. "Like there was any doubt. I always pull through for you, Kairi."
Riku rolls his eyes beside him. "Alright, lovebirds. Break it up."
I blush lightly before giving them both more space. "Sorry…"
Sora grins sheepishly before surveying the items in my bag. "So what are we playing first?"
Riku crosses his arms, his voice taking on a haughty tone. "Whatever it is, don't pick soccer. Sora screws up with his kicks every time."
"I do not!"
Before an unnecessary argument could break out, I pull out the volleyball. "Let's warm up before we decide on anything. I want to practice my serve."
My silver-haired friend gives me a soft smile. "You're going to play with us?"
Sora raises an eyebrow before pointing at me with accusing fingers. "Who are you and what have you done with Kairi?"
I smile at the comments. When I was younger I would always be the referee. I'd never actually get myself involved in their complex games or races. I was just happy to sit on the sidelines and call out the winners.
But not today! "Yep! I figured you guys would need an extra opponent. To spice things up, if you know what I mean."
They gave each other one of their 'secret' stares before turning back to me.
Sora's smile blossomed on his face, though it does look a little hesitant. "Sure! That sounds like fun! Have to beat someone other than Riku now."
Said teen scoffs at the statement. "Right…"
I give each of them a wide smile. Well, that wasn't too bad.
With one deft hand I maneuver an old white volleyball out of my bag…
xxXXXxxXXXxxx
So far, the day is going by very smoothly.
The weather is perfect, the grass is ripe, and here I was hanging out with two amazing guys. The memories of our island are flashing in calming intervals in my head while we switch to soccer.
Sora and Riku are smiling genuinely now and playing as hard as they did when they were kids. I'm happy that I can keep up with them.
I'll admit, I didn't really surpass them in any of our games yet, but they definitely didn't get their victories easily. By the time the sun is close to the horizon we're sweating like crazy.
My sore muscles are begging me to stop but I can see from Sora and Riku stances that they were far from burned out. If they can last a couple more hours, then so can I.
I let out a hefty breath before bringing out my football. "Okay, I guess this will be the last game since I don't have anything else…"
Riku nods as a full blown smile spreads across his face.
Sora smirks before crushing his fists against each other. "Let's do this!"
My heart bursts with pride. They didn't even question it! That's pure luck right there.
I hold the football to my side, giggling hysterically. "If you want it you'll have to catch me first!"
Before they can protest, I pump my legs out and start running as if my life depended on it. My feet scream from the rough impacts with the grass, but I have enough adrenaline to keep my body moving at a rapid pace.
My heart blasts deep in my chest as I feel their footsteps get closer. I'm just about to tease them for being so slow when a sudden force sends me to the ground in an unnatural fall. Riku is breathing heavily above me, clutching the football.
I see some of the valor fall out of his eyes as he takes in my position. "Hey, Kairi are you—"
He almost had the question out when Sora crashs into him, dancing like a maniac when he gets his hands on the ball. "Ha ha, you'd better pay more attention, Riku!"
I laugh while forcing my tired legs to stand. "So should you!"
His glances at me quickly, mischief shining brightly in his blue orbs. "Please…"
He holds the ball out towards me. I growl before attempting to snatch it from his hands but it disappears in a flash. My body crashes yet again as my momentum forces me into the grass. "Darn it…"
He chuckles above me. "You'll have to do better than that."
"Sora…" I hear Riku's cautious voice as someone places a hand on my shoulder.
I shake it off with a grimace as I force my body up. "No…I'll catch him!"
With one last burst of energy I force my feet into a run. Sora brings his hands to his face in mock fright before sprinting, his humongous black shoes carrying small specks of green as he runs.
We chase each other for a while, zooming through various trees and bushes in a mad cycle. I'm just about to give out when we reach the top of a large hill.
He's slowing down!I take in a big breath and force all my weight into him, slamming him effortlessly to the ground. I was about to grab the football when I notice our bodies tilting. I look down and see that we're about to fall down the hill.
I squeal as strong arms embrace me before we tumble down in spirals. It's slow at first but as the rolling continues it becames more rough and rapid. My body jumps forward and back as my hands claw at the dirt in vain.
We're going too fast. Panic seizes my stomach as I realize we might not be able to stop.
Before I can utter a sound, Sora squeezes me tighter. He shifts his body in various positions that allow him to take the brunt of the force as we continue to bounce against the hill.
With a large grunt, he shoves his feet into the ground. They act as efficiently as any break and stop our twirling motion with one push.
I gasp into his stomach, breathing raggedly as he lessens his hold on me. "Sora…you okay?" I ask with a cough.
His soft chuckles vibrate through his chest, sending my face up and down. "Yeah…"
I lift my head so that I can take in his face. He's smiling lazily at me, cupping my hair with his hands. "Ha…that was fun…" His is light and airy.
My cheeks flare as he gazes into my eyes. "Yeah…"
He sighes contently. "Man…I can't remember the last time I had to run so fast. Since when did you get so good?"
"When you started being lazy all cooped up in that house of yours…" I rub his stomach absently.
He pouts before answering. "Aw…that's not fair. You know I have a curfew…"
I shrug before punching him lightly in the shoulder. "That's no excuse. I want you to shape up!"
He smiles, showing his teeth. "Yes mother!"
I gasp in mock horror. "Oh no! Anything but that!"
His arms circle around me again as he kisses my cheek. "Ha ha, you're blushing again…"
I place my hands over my cheeks, frowning at him. "Ugh, don't you ever get tired of it?"
"Nope."
I'm close to protesting when he presses his lips against mine. All the negative replies vanish from my mind as I kiss him back, bringing my hands up to his hair. He pushes me roughly into the grass before shifting his lips to my neck.
I kiss his forehead lightly as I tug at his beautiful brown locks. His skin is oddly cold, and I move my hands to his forehead.
He gasps at the contact, pulling away sharply as if my hands were on fire.
I lift an eyebrow. "What?" I shake my hands. He almost felt feverish, is he hiding something?
His face is blank, as if he had been dozing off. He's closing his eyes tightly, and I can see his bottom lip trembling.
I lift myself into a sitting position, glancing at him with worry. "Sora? Hey, what's wrong?"
He doesn't answer. Instead he gets up slowly and turns away. He starts walking, his feet shoveling forward in random intervals.
I blink rapidly before following after him, more than a little ticked off. "Sora, what are you doing?"
I reach out to grab his hand when he turns his head towards me, opening his eyes. They're completely black and solid. It almost looks like he doesn't have eyes at all.
I flinch and take a couple steps back as he glares at me.
His voice is cold and hard. "I have to go."
All I can do is stand on the lower half of the grass hill while his form disappears beneath the swarming group of trees…
Hah, there we go…
It was going perfect until I got to the end. My siblings goofing around in the background probably had something to do with it…
Anyway, thank you for reading!
Last Edit: June 9 2013