Chapter Thirteen

Author's Note: The way I see it, the letter from King Mickey came about two weeks after Sora, Riku and Kairi got back. So for those two weeks we've read about how Tidus and Riku started their relationship up. Now, what happens when the letter arrives?

Title: The Letter (these titles just keep getting more and more creative…)

Time: After KH2

Rating: T (language)

Summary: Tidus should've known it wouldn't last. After all, Riku and Sora had duties to the worlds.

Disclaimer: I'm listening to a song called If I Had it My Way. Think about the title for a moment. Do you get it? Good.

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"Sora! Riku!"

"Hey what's up?"

"Look."

"From the King?"

Tidus watched from a distance in mild disgust. The Terrific Three stood bent over that damned letter. Tidus shut his eyes and tried for a moment to make the letter go away with simply hatred. It didn't work.

Grumbling, he shoved past Wakka and Selphie, each wearing identical looks of confusion, and stormed off down the beach.

He didn't notice the sad understanding way Riku watched him go.

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"So Sora," said Kairi, smiling softly, "does this mean we get to leave on another adventure?" She tilted her head prettily.

"I guess so," murmured Sora, then he looked up as if seeing his best friend for the first time, he grinned, "Yes! Alright! We're going to save the world! Again! And this time…" his voice trailed off meaningfully, "we'll stay together and work together. I'm tired of working my ass off trying to find you guys."

Kairi laughed and Riku smirked a little, he was watching someone else. Someone who was currently walking away from them at a brisk pace.

"Yeah, it's great," he said distractedly.

"How are we gong to tell our parents?" asked Kairi, her sweet smile suddenly fading. She looked to Sora for the answer.

"They'll just have to accept," said the brunette boy, "c'mon let's go break the news!"

Riku followed the two a little down trodden.

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Tidus hurled another rock into the ocean. He was sitting on the beach being depressing and doing a pretty bang up job of it too. He swore and flung another rock, it hit with a violent splash that mirrored the emotions of the one who'd thrown it.

He was so caught up in his rocks he didn't notice when a smaller figure walked up from behind him. He did however look up when he heard the crunching of sand as the figure sat down next to him.

"Hey Tidus," said Riku quietly. Tidus grunted.

Riku shifted a little uncomfortably, "I… We got a letter from King Mickey today." He watched the sandy-haired boy's expression carefully.

"Yeah, I saw," said Tidus irritably running a hand through his hair, "So what does this mean? Huh? Are you off to go slay dragons or whatever?"

"Hm… Something like that," Riku imitated Tidus's posture by splaying his hands out behind him of the ground and leaning back, "Kairi said she didn't want to be the only girl so she invited Selphie along."

"Good for her."

"Sora said he needed a guy-friend who was less depressing than me so… Wakka's coming too."

"Good for him."

"I say I need a boyfriend to come along if I'm going to survive Sora and Kairi's lovey-dovey stares. You wanna come?"

"Good for- huh?"

Riku laughed at the expression on Tidus's face and said, "You heard me."

"I-… Really?" asked Tidus perking up already.

"Uh-huh."

"Good for us!" cried Tidus happily as he hugged the lights out of Riku.

Riku smiled. Yes this time it would definetly be different…

Author's Note: Only two chapters left… Oh well…