A/N: Behold, the long awaited update! I'm sick, so I've got a little time to work. Happy Halloween! Sorry I haven't got a themed something to give. This oneshot is alot longer than I anticipated. The original idea has been floating around in my head for the longest time. I mean, like, since before I thought of Whipped. However, it hasn't been until now that i've managed to figure out how to put it together in a decent way. But the scenario i've had for a long time. I actually had figured that I'd never actually post a story out of it because it was just such a vague and kind of corny idea at the time. But, I've managed to actually make it cute.

I've filed this story under Romance, and yet there has been a deficit of fluff. I present my endevor to fix that.

Sokai fluff with implied Roxine.

Disclaimer: After ten chapters, I think you get the point.

Fault

"For the millionth time, it's NOT a date!" Sora was really getting quite tired of telling people this.

First his mother, who had nearly laughed herself to the point of suffocation when he'd told her he was just going on a walk with Kairi; and then his grandmother who his disbelieving mother had felt the need to call and inform. Then of course Riku, who had made a professional sport out of teasing him about Kairi since they'd returned home, was having a field day with the information. And then there was Selphie, romantic that she was, who had cornered him to ask if it was true that he'd finally asked Kairi out on a date. After that, Tidus and Wakka had congratulated him about "you know what we mean, mon." And once they figured out that Sora truthfully did not know what they meant they came right out and asked about Kairi, to which Sora informed them that no, it was not a date.

Sora would gladly have gone through all of those awkward moments again if only to avoid this one. Now it was Kairi's father who he had to convince that it wasn't a date.

The man raised an eyebrow at Sora. Clearly he didn't believe him. Sora was at a loss. He'd always been on good terms with Kairi's adopted parents. They'd always liked him. They'd always considered him a 'nice young man' who, as Kairi had once told him back in the days when the thought of being in love had seemed repulsive to them, her parents hoped she might start dating once she got old enough to really like boys.

Apparently now that she was old enough to like him, her father no longer shared the sentiment.

"Look here, boy. My daughter means a lot to me…" Sora sighed in defeat and leaned back on the flowery couch in Kairi's living room. He steeled himself for the whole "Things you must understand if you're going to date my daughter" talk; he figured he'd have heard it eventually. Just because he hadn't yet gotten the courage to ask her on a real date didn't mean he never would.

As the mayor began to lecture him about how being a public official did not mean he was above murder if Sora dared ever hurt Kairi in any way, Sora began to wonder if it was really taking Kairi this long to get ready, or if her father just wanted her out of the way during this lovely chat.

Honestly, Sora wondered, how long could it take her to get ready for a walk? That was all it was, really. They were going for a walk through town, to catch up on everything that had happened since they'd parted, and maybe get some ice-cream. They used to do this sort of thing all the time. A year ago their parents wouldn't have thought anything of it. Now it was like they were getting married or something.

Seeing as her father was just beginning to inform Sora that he fully expected his daughter to graduate high school a virgin, Kairi could not have picked a better moment to come bounding down the stairs. Sora practically jumped out of his seat. The mayor abruptly ended his lecture, since he certainly didn't want his daughter to hear this part of the conversation. He turned to look at the stairs behind him, giving Sora the opportunity to mouth "SAVE ME!" to Kairi.

Kairi smiled. "I'm ready to go. Not being too hard on poor Sora, are you Daddy?" She frowned at her father.

The man laughed as he stood up and put a hand on her shoulder. "Just talking to your date."

Kairi glared at him as her face tinged pink. "Dad, for the last time, it isn't a date. How many times do I have to tell you?"

Sora sighed. "Thank you." He said aloud. Judging from the look on the mayor's face, he probably shouldn't have said it aloud. However, Kairi was beaming at him.

"You sure are dressed up, though." The mayor was right. Sora had been to busy thanking the heavens for his escape that he hadn't noticed Kairi's apparel. Instead of her normal pink dress, she had opted to where a simple white cotton sundress. It wasn't much longer than her other dress, but the skirt was fuller, and there was a curling flowery design embroidered in light blue along the hem. A simple white crotched sash cinched at the waist, and showed just how narrow the girl was. Since her purple sneakers would have looked ridiculous with this dress, she had donned white sandals.

She looks like Namine.

Sora wasn't sure if that thought belonged to Roxas, or to himself, but it was certainly true.

"Not much," Kairi replied, her hands on her hips as she faced down her father. "It's supposed to get really hot today; I just wanted to wear something to keep me cool."

After eyeing them both a moment longer, the mayor surrendered. "Alright then, have a good time."

"Bye Dad," Kairi said, kissing her father's cheek. "Bye Mom!" She yelled, and her mother returned the adieu from the kitchen.

"Come on," Kairi grabbed Sora's hand (which he began to regret leaving ungloved) and pulled him out of her house.

The second they were out of earshot of Kairi's parents, Sora heaved a sigh of relief and turned to Kairi. "Why does your dad suddenly hate me?" He asked, desperate to know the answer, and desperate to find a way to distract his mind from how angelic Kairi looked in the midday sun. The combination of the bright sunlight and the white dress made it seem that Kairi was glowing.

His companion sighed and released Sora's hand. "Because," she began slowly, "He remembers what he was like at fifteen and doesn't trust you anymore."

Sora blushed. This was turning into a very interesting day. "He trusted me a year ago," he said.

Kairi smiled at him. "A year ago you still sounded and acted like a kid," she said matter-of-factly, "Now you're more grown-up."

Sora wilted at the smile she was giving him. Was she aware of the effect she was having on him?

He became very glad there was no one else on the path.

She slipped her hand into his again, sending a shiver up his spine. "You've changed a bit, you know." She continued. "You're so much taller, and I swear your hair is lighter, not to mention messier. And thank goodness your voice has stopped cracking."

Sora couldn't respond. His mouth was very dry, and his brain was having a bit of difficulty putting together coherent thoughts.

"Sora?" They'd stopped walking. Kairi was looking up at him concernedly. "Are you okay?"

Oh, sweet heavens, she was close. She'd taken both his hands in hers, and her blue eyes were staring in to his.

Sora tried to say "I'm fine." But he only got as far as opening his mouth as he realized he couldn't remember how to speak. He closed his mouth and tried again.

Still nothing.

Kairi frowned and pulled him over to a nearby bench. They sat down and she turned his head to look at her. "Sora, what's wrong?"

So, so close. Sora could feel his heart racing. She couldn't hear that, could she?

"Sora?" She was really looking worried. Sora was really feeling worried. She was so close he could feel her breath when she spoke. He didn't trust himself around her this close.

And with good reason.

It couldn't have lasted half a second, but he'd done it nonetheless. He'd only allowed his lips to touch hers long enough to get a brief taste, before the shock had kicked his brain into gear and allowed him to realize the stupidity of his sudden action.

He pulled back immediately. He looked down as his face turned scarlet. After a moment of silence, he chanced a glance at Kairi. She was staring at him with wide eyes. She clearly hadn't been expecting anything of this sort.

Sora needed an excuse, and Sora needed one fast. He couldn't tell if Kairi was pleased or upset at his action; it seemed that she was still in too much shock at what he'd just done.

Suddenly, Sora had a brilliant and preposterous idea: Blame it on Roxas.

"Roxas always really liked Namine." he said, once he'd found his voice.

Kairi blinked at him. "Oh, did he now?" She replied, sounding somewhat breathless.

Sora was finding it increasingly difficult to breathe. "Um, yeah. He, uh, thought she was…nice."

Kairi was beginning to regain her composure. "Oh, really?"

He nodded. This was turning into somewhat of a game. And Kairi was playing along. "Yup. He always thought that she was…was really beautiful. And…you…that dress…" Oh, goodness, he was starting to mess it up. "…you look…kinda more like, like her."

"Hm," Kairi was starting to smile now. "And, I suppose, since Roxas is a part of you, he wanted to let Namine know how much he cared for her?"

Sora swallowed hard. The look on Kairi's face was somewhat, well, the word that came to his mind was coy. "Um, y-yeah. He, uh, he did." Very hard to breathe….

Kairi wasn't buying this, but Sora continued to play the game anyway.

"So," Kairi said, leaning in close to Sora, "Since it would seem that Namine didn't quite get Roxas's message," she was way too close now, "that he ought to try again."

She was really close now. But Sora was starting to understand. The game had changed. And he was more than happy to play along. He mirrored her smile, albeit nervously.

"Yeah, I guess he should." Sora was shaking but he leaned closer anyway. His heart was beating so fast it sounded more like it was humming.

"You know," Kairi breathed against his lips, "Namine always really liked Roxas too."

"So, for their sake?" Sora whispered.

Kairi smiled as she closed what little distance there was between them. "For their sake."

LE FIN

A/N: I don't really know what to say. I'm just amazed I managed to make something out of the scenario of using Roxas and Namine as an excuse. Wheee.

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