Summery: A boy who lost his heart, after it was locked away by the Keyblade. Everyone was ready to give up all hope for him. Then, came a princess. A story of how a girl found a boy's heart, and a boy who found the girl to share it with. Sora x Kairi

A/N: Little shorter then usual, so I apologize for that. But, it's an updated chapter, nonetheless. Gotta see how long I can keep this up, eh?

You know, it's funny how this story is. Someone pointed this out to me: its either, "OMG KAWAII" or "OMG SO SAD." Nice to know this story is balanced out by two complete opposite elements. XD

Either way, I'm getting a full kick out of it.

And please forgive further updates, I'm getting a mild case of writer's block. X.X IT'S TOO EARLY IN THE STORY FOR THAT! T.T

Here's the point were suggestions are VERY welcome to keep my ideas from spoiling before I can write them up.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts.

The Lionheartless


Those Without Hearts


VII: Teach to Learn


Sitting under the shade, crossing his legs, Riku sat with a rather unpleasant look on his face.

"Tell me why, again," Riku said slowly as Kairi sat down, dragging down Sora to next to her. "That I have to be here for...whatever it is we're doing."

Kairi stuck out her tongue at Riku. "Don't tell me your backing out?"

"I don't even know what I'd be backing out of!" Riku retorted, folding his arms to his chest. Donald and Goofy snickered. "And why are they here?"

Kairi sighed. "Okay, I'll go over it again...for the hundredth time." Goofy started to count his fingers, thinking hard.

"Um, actually, I think it'd be about twelve now." Goofy corrected, Donald slapped his head before yanking down on Goofy's ear.

"This is basically a lesson for Sora," Kairi began. "He just needs more opportunities to interact with people, and who better then the people who know him best?"

"Then why aren't the King and Queen here?" Riku said sardonically. "They have more important things to do...oh, like everyone else does?"

Donald glared at him, he always disliked it when people would talk back rudely. Especially to royalty.

"Well, that's why we're here!" Goofy chirped happily. "We've known Sora just as long as they have, and we got nothing else better to do!" He wrapped an arm around Donald. "Right?"

"Ah, phooey." Donald responded, trying to act nonchalant and push the knight away.

"A'hyuck!" Goofy chuckled. "See? Donald and I are ready for anything, your Highness-"

"Just Kairi." Kairi said nervously, never going to get used fact she was one of the few most important princesses alive.

"Okay, Kairi!" Goofy tested. Riku rolled his eyes.

"As I was saying," She restarted. "Riku, you said you used to know Sora-"

"Used to." Riku repeated, but Kairi ignored it.

"-so I thought it'd be good if you were here, too." Kairi looked over at Sora, who was sitting still and reverently, like a mindless statue. Kairi sighed. She had a lot of work do to.

"First thing I think Sora needs to learn when he's around others is..."

Everyone, save Sora, leaned in eagerly.

"...how to smile."

Donald nearly fell over, Riku went to stand up to leave, and Goofy stared blankly. Kairi tapped her fingers. Why did all men have to make things so difficult?

"Well? Anyone care to demonstrate?" Kairi urged. "Sora's not going to learn anything at this rate."

"Fine. But the first sight of any smile out of him," Riku said, plopping back down irritably. "I'm out of here."

"Sounds good!" Kairi said pleasantly, Riku shooting a look of daggers at her. "Start us off, Riku!" She elbowed Sora to watch him, who was observing him critically.

A pathetic half smile came to his face. "Ah, stop looking at me like that!" Riku said, looking away.

"Looks like you need some smiling lessons, too, Mr. Grumpy."

"I do not!" Riku said back hotly.

Donald went next, but his bill made it a horrible example for Sora to copy. He looked at Kairi and shook his head, rejecting Donald's attempt. Ripping out a hand full of grass, the offended duck threw it at Sora.

Goofy did no better, since he had a muzzle to interfere with his toothy grin. Sora shook his head, scratching his head at it.

Goofy and Donald looked at each other, nodding, then jumped for Riku. Rounding behind him, each of them hooked a finger into the corners of Riku's mouth. Both pulling at the same time, forcing his mouth to curve up and expose his teeth.

"Do this, Sora!" Goofy said before Riku shook them off.

"Get off!" Riku barked as he retreated from them.

Nodding, Sora brought his fingers up, sticking them into his mouth. Pushing them up, Sora showed off his teeth.

Everyone slapped their forehead.

"No, no, no!" Kairi grumbled. Sora took out his fingers, looking at her, completely confused. "Don't use your fingers!"

Kairi walked over to him on her knees, then leaned up and used her hands to push up his cheeks as she pulled back his skin. Holding it until it sunk in for Sora to memorize, he took her hands and lowered her arms.

"Okay, now try."

Again, Sora's hands came up, pushing back his skin with his palms. Kairi fell forward, burying her face in the ground. Riku was howling in laughter, almost rolling around the grass from hysteria.

"Face it, Kairi!" Riku guffawed. "He's just hopeless!"

Springing up, Kairi pounded her fist on the ground. "He is not!"

Getting up, Kairi sat down, face-to-face with the Keyblade Master.

"C'mon, Sora." She said, her finger pointing at herself. "Like this." Kairi then forced herself to smile wide, her pearly white teeth showing off. Her cheeks nearly aching from the strain of the smile.

Sora's eyes squinted, studying it carefully. She had to lean back, as he was invading her ever shrinking personal space. Drawing away, Kairi let her face relax.

"Got it?" He nodded. "Alright, show me."

Bowing his head, Sora breathed in and out deeply, preparing himself. Puffing up his chest with air, his head popped up, showing his result. Sora's teeth were baring and his gums were in view, his cheeks pushing his eyes to be half-closed. The overly exaggerated grin was enough to make everyone, even Riku, start rolling on the ground, laughing.

"That's one funny face!" Goofy gasped in his fit of laughter.

Donald was speechless, too busy hugging his sore stomach as he rocked back and forth on his back while kicking his legs in his mirth. Riku was bent over, his shoulders shaking and head down as his hair covering his face, his sides ready to split.

Kairi covered her mouth, using every ounce of control to hold back the laughs cracking through. Reaching up, she pinched the edges of his mouth so they curved up slightly to complete his first smile.

"Perfect." She said, before falling over in his lap, laughs bursting out of her lungs.


Goofy and Donald chatted away, both never looking more pleased and happier then they had in long time. Walking through the double doors and dodging the children rushing past them.

Mickey had just finished demonstrating another sparring lesson to they're newest group of recruits. Spotting the two, Mickey went over to them, crossing his arms.

"Where'd you two run off too?" He said, tapping his foot for an explanation. "I had to ask Leon and that Auron guy to help me out on today's demonstration. And everyone wanted to see your magic, too, Donald. They were really disappointed-"

"Your Majesty!" Donald jumped up, too eager that he had to interrupt. Mickey instantly knew it had to be important. Donald usually was the one who was hard on people who interrupted superiors while they were speaking.

Goofy nodded. "It was great! 'Ya won't believe your ears when 'ya hear!"

"What is it?" He wasn't sure whether to be nervous or excited. "Something happen?"

"You bet!" Donald said, smiling wide. "It's about Sora, too!"

Mickey straightened. "Yeah?"

"Kairi, she did it! She got me and Donald, and that Riku fella was there, too!" Goofy explained, but was too vague for the King to understand.

Together, both Donald and Goofy exclaimed, "Sora smiled!"

Mickey blinked, mysteriously going deaf as they spoke. "Sora...he...what?"


Sliding underneath Riku's legs, Sora forced his body into a tumble, rolling around the ground. Once the soles of his feet came in contact with the ground, Sora pushed up his legs, then let his arms come out to catch him as he forward. Performing an impressive front flip, Sora didn't stop and kept running as the Dark Firaga fireballs biting at his heels.

"Giving up already, Sora?" Riku taunted, conjuring another ball of blue and violet flames in his hand.

Throwing back his arm and hurtling it forward, a large ember broke off from the fire clinging to his arm, shooting for Sora. Stepping around carefully, almost in the form of a dance to dodge more of the shots. Sora swung his Keyblade over his head, slashing down, the fireball split in have, extinguishing its life.

Riku rolled up another flame, then winding up for another throw.

"Batter up!" Riku laughed, remembering their practices when they were children, when they had thrown large blitzballs at each other to improve their timing.

Something clicked in his mind as Sora remembered the exact same thing. Holding it up his Keyblade like a baseball bat, Sora slid his foot back to position himself.

"Now we're getting somewhere." Riku commented, then swinging his arm down hard, another full, Dark Firaga ball rocketing for Sora.

Swinging the Keyblade, the two forces collided, the fireball then reversing its direction. Diving for it, Riku reached and summoned the magic back to him. Clinging to its creator, Riku rushed for Sora, throwing it back.

Also charging for him, Sora knocked back the same fireball, the two starting a very dangerously modified game of catch-and-throw.

"What are they doing?" A guard leaned to another, both confused, yet now entertained. "This their idea of training?"

The other guard shrugged. "Looks like their goofing off, to me."

Kairi covered her mouth to keep from laughing, so they wouldn't know she was listening to their conversation.

"I didn't think Master Sora was capable of having fun," The guard's tone was both critical, but also seemed to be enjoying the display between the two long-lost friends. "

Getting bored with the usual, Riku decided to make it more interesting. Taking the original flame, he split it in two, making it so he had one in each hand. Feeding the fires so that they were both three times as large, sweat coursing down from the stress, Riku picked up the pace.

Not expecting the sudden change, Sora leaped out of the way instead of hitting it. Instinctively raising a hand, the Keyblade switched hands on its own, absorbing the Dark Firaga instead of it hitting Sora directly.

Sora looked up, a dangerous yellow glint in his eyes.

"SORA!" Kairi shouted, spotting Sora's sudden change of aura. "FOCUS!"

The sinister light lifted from his eyes, Sora now staring blankly at ahead. At the last second, he clumsily knocked away Riku's attack. Disappointed, Riku stopped, letting his arms drop and purposely shooting the fireballs to the ground. Dusting off his hands, Riku held up his hands, calling off the match.

"Must of run out of magic," A guard assumed, leaning over to his friend again. "Oh well, would have ended sooner or later. The kid's good, yeah, but could never beat Master Sora."

"I'm impressed he kept up with Master Sora..." Getting off the benches, some still politely applauding Riku and Sora. The small crowd of four guards, three maids, and six servants dispersed quickly to return to their duties.

Regaining his composure, Sora looked around, half wondering what was going on. Riku put a hand on Sora's shoulder.

"Once I get a decent sword," He said, hiding his smirk. "We're going all out."

Kairi rushed up to them, stopped at Riku for a moment, hitting his arm. "What was that?" Riku playfully rubbed his arm, pretending Kairi's slap had actually hurt. "It was going great, until you had to go and make things-"

"Kairi, it's training. We're not supposed to have fun, it's supposed to challenge us so we can-"

"-improve on your skills, yeah, I know!" Kairi said, rolling her eyes. "You have any idea what you could have started, though?"

Riku raised an eyebrow, curious.

"Oh, uh, never mind," Kairi stopped herself. "Forget I said that."

Of course, that only made Riku more suspicious. Shrugging it off, Riku muttered his usual "Whatever" and walked away with his typical strut-like stride.

Kairi felt a cold tap on her shoulder, knowing it to be Sora. His touch always sent chills down her spine, be it for one reason or another. Still, Kairi couldn't help but wonder how long he had been standing there.

"Yes?" Kairi said as she turned around to face him.

Sora pointed at his throat, opening and closing his mouth.

"You want a lesson?"

Sora nodded.

"Now?"

He continued to nod.

"Okay...on one condition." Kairi said, trying to act as the strict teacher role. "You have to say please."

Straightening, Sora's arms went to his sides until he was stiff as a board. Bending down to his waist, he held the position of a bow. Kairi was about to correct him, to tell him that he actually had to speak, but then she hear a barely audible plea.

"...please..."

Kairi could have jumped for joy, clasping her hands together. "There you go!"

Sora stood up, letting out an relieved breath.

"First thing we probably should work on," Kairi observed, starting to circle him. "Is how loud you talk. Once you can say something clearly, we can go from there, okay?"

"...o...okay..." Sora whispered back.

Kairi frowned slightly, but still appreciating his effort, nonetheless.

It wasn't the matter of that she knew it would be difficult, but the fact that just speaking wore out Sora quickly. He would have to build up some sort of endurance, also meaning that Kairi had to know his limits. Which is what frightened her. She didn't want to push him too hard, but that would probably be the only way for him to make noticeable progress.

"Well, we should probably find a more private spot to practice..."Kairi thought aloud.

Sora pondered for a moment, then his head went up proudly. Grabbing her wrist with both hand, urging her to follow. Of course, Sora would know the best places, having lived at Disney Castle most of his life.

"Okay, I'll follow...you..."Kairi trailed off, Sora taking off like a speeding race horse out of its stall. Kairi shook her head, then jogged after him.


Sprinting to catch up to him, only having a glimpse of him as a clue to where he was going. Kairi huffed as she bent over, then leaned against the wall for support, trying to catch her breath. Unlike Sora, she was not in a perfect psychical shape.

Nearly screaming when she felt his sudden touch on her arm, his hand traveled up onto her shoulder. Bending down to look at her, he was doing his best to show his concern.

"Just...need a...minute," Kairi gasped. "To catch...my breath."

Sora inclined his head, understanding, then leaned against the same wall next to her, waiting. Kairi glanced over, trying to read what he was thinking.

Usually, she was quite good at seeing how people felt. But with Sora, it was a whole different story. Much like trying to read a book with smudged letters on the pages. In Sora's case, however, he was a large tome with all empty pages.

"Okay," Kairi said, pushing herself up. "Try not to go so fast this time, alright? I'm not as fast as you are."

Sora bowed apologetically, then slowly reached for her hand. Ears going a little red, Kairi was now very aware of her sweaty hands. His grip on her hand, however, was squishing her fingers together, forcing her to wrench her hand away.

"Let's try it this way," She said nervously, trying to cover up her action as to not offend him. Entwining her fingers with his, she looked up with him and gave her usual, friendly smile. At least now, it wouldn't matter so much as to how much pressure he used to hold her hand.

Starting off with a slow walk, Sora gradually quickened his step. Ever since the incident at the marketplace, Sora seemed to treat her more like she was a fragile piece of glass. One of the things Kairi could not stand being treated as. Feeling helpless and as a burden was something Kairi hated, and unfortunately, she commonly felt that way. Especially around the ones that constantly tried to protect her.

Increasing their walking speed, they were just going faster then a jog, but barely slower then a full run. It was already beginning to get dark outside with the sun setting into the mountains, so Kairi could not really blame Sora for being in such a hurry to reach their destination.

Sora suddenly came to a stop, Kairi not expecting it, and running straight into him from behind. Looking back, Sora checked to see if she was fine. Patting his back, she grinned sheepishly. Sora turned from his waist, then pointed up.

"The Clock Tower?" Kairi observed, then met his eyes. "We're going up there?"

Sora nodded.

Kairi head went to the side. "That's wonderful, but, Sora...I don't see a way in." Kairi prayed he wasn't planning on doing what she was thinking. "So, how are we gonna get up there?"

He pointed at the long latter that towered up to the top. Kairi's stomach churned at the sight of it. She never was one to like being in high places, and was now subconsciously backing away. Sora noticed she was putting more distance between them, and looked back at her. In an uncoordinated motion, Sora stumbled to grab her arm and pull her back while she was still within his arm length.

"Can we..."Kairi said, trying to get her arm back from Sora, but he was much stronger then her. "...please, go somewhere else?"

Sora looked at her, letting go of her arm. Kairi's heart thumped against her chest. Was he mad? Disappointed? She had no expressions or facial clues to go by...Kairi suddenly beat the thoughts out of her head. That's precisely how everyone else treated Sora, not bothering to really dig deeper to what he was really experiencing. No one treating him like he was even a human being.

Kairi bit back her fears, containing her phobia by clenching her fists. Looking back up, her reflexes pushed her head back down, her eyes slamming shut. As much as she wanted to do this for both herself and Sora, she simply didn't have the courage to do it...

That's went she felt two hands gently grab her wrists.

Guiding her hands around his neck, Sora twisted around until his back was to her, then stepped back until he walked into her. Holding onto her arms, he continued to back into her, then leaning forward while pulling her arms. Forcefully sliding onto his back, Sora reached back and held onto Kairi's legs for a moment, helping her position her legs before he set out to climb up the impossible latter.

Holding her breath as put his foot on the first bar, Kairi buried her head between the back of his neck and shoulder blades. Afraid she would suffocate Sora by clinging too hard and cause both of them to fall to their doom, Kairi claws at her arms to try and put less weight holding against Sora's throat.

Doing her best not to think of the fact they were leaving the precious, solid ground, Kairi desperately searched for distractions. It was a long climb, and every step up only made her heart skip faster. Sora grunted, then paused. Was she squeezing too hard?

She hadn't realized she was digging her nails into his skin. Bunching up the fabric of his shirt in her hand instead, Kairi then noticed her hand was over his heart. But, with this much exertion, Kairi knew something was missing.

Sora had no pulse.

Dismissing it, or at least trying to, Kairi reasoned her hand wasn't in the correct spot to feel a heartbeat. Casually moving her hand, she tried to feel for the standard thump that gave away a heart's existence. But, she couldn't locate it. Next, Kairi pretended she had a unbearable itch on her shoulder and absolutely had to scratch it. Her hand moved so it touched the side of his neck just below his chin. Trying to carry both himself and Kairi up the stairs would make his pulse stick out like a sore thumb.

Still, there was nothing.

Putting her hand back in position, Kairi bit her lip. All the doubting thoughts had completely receded and vanished as Sora lifted them up over the last bar. Straining his spine to lean back, he set Kairi down until her feet touched solid ground.

The sky was now on fire with bright oranges, faded pinks and streaks of yellow. Still only on the shadowed side, Sora waved at Kairi for her to follow her up front.

Rows of elegant lions guarded the clock, their protective wings curving around their chiseled bodies. What Kairi admired about the gargoyles the most was the fact that none were the same, all of them roaring in their own unique position. Same, but different. Kairi liked the thought of that. Where people could be the same to understand one another, but still retain their own individual qualities. Basically the definition of a friend.

Going to meet with Sora, a thought came to her. Did that mean that she could include herself and Sora to be friends?

Sora's head poked around the corner, their heads almost colliding before Kairi suddenly halted in surprise. Reaching his arm around, he took her wrist and pulled at her eagerly.

Awing at the view, Kairi cupped a hand over her mouth at the live painting before her.

"Gorgeous..."Kairi said breathlessly. Sora motioned his head in agreement, but wasn't looking at the sunset.

Looking down at Sora as he sat down, making room for her, she received her confirmation.

Friends.

"Shall we begin?" She said, seating herself next to him. He turned to face her, using the lion statue beside him as comfort to lean on.

Thinking of where to begin, she looked around, trying to find an object to inspire her. A children's game she used to play with other people during their journey came to mind.

"Alright, Sora," She moved to the side. "Tell me what this is?"

Licking his mouth, Sora muttered something. It took a moment for the sound to reach her ears, but she had already read his lips.

"...lion..."

"Good," She said encouragingly. Kairi was never really the type to critique. Try speaking a bit louder at every time, okay?"

Sora bobbed his head, yes.

"What...is..."Her eyes rolled around, looking for another thing for Sora to say. Then, she pointed to the side. "This?"

Turning his head, Sora said. "...clock."

"And, what about this?"

"...Kairi?"

Kairi's stomach fluttered at the both the sound of his voice and her name intertwined to one. She vented out the feeling by laughing. "No, silly! I meant my nose!"

Sora scratched his nose and tilted his head...Kairi stifled a sigh.

"Alright, now say it." Kairi instructed. Sora pointed to Kairi's nose, then his own.

"...nose."

Going through most every thing in sight, Kairi was running out of things for Sora to say, and had been left with the only option to be creative.

"What color is this?" Kairi pointed to her blouse.

"...pink."

"And this?"

"...white."

A chilly night wind flew past them, reminding them that it was not after dark. Kairi looked down, gulping at the realization at to how high they were. Lights from the city outside of the castle died, one by one. Dinner at the dining hall was probably over, and it was must have already been close to the time people were beginning to return to their beds to sleep for the night. Kairi wondered if people were wondering where she and Sora were.

Thinking it best to end their session as soon as possible, Kairi decided to have him finish with two last things.

"...moon." He said. She was lightly hinting to him that it was getting late.

"Alright, you did really good Sora!" Kairi said, still considering what else he hadn't named. They had gone through every article of clothing they were wearing, their surroundings, even the colors. Glancing down, she looked at her hand. One thing she missed.

Taking his wrist, she held out his hand to him.

"Last one, okay?" He nodded. "What is it?"

Sora was silent for a moment, worry gripping at her. He was probably exhausted from all of the talking by now. He continued to stare at his wrist, looking intently at Kairi's fingers. His mouth open and closed, and he blinked several times.

"Well, what is it, Sora?"

He looked up at her, then back down. Unexpectedly, his other hand came around and touched the one holding onto his wrist. And for the first time, he spoke clearly enough without her having to listen for it.

"Warm."