Sora came early the following day, fresh food in tow. He'd picked it up at Riku's favorite bakery. This is sure to cheer him up, he hoped.

He pressed the buzzer, bouncing on his heels, impatient. Minutes passed, his movements becoming more frequent with every passing second. He rang again.

Finally, the door unlocked, and he ran inside, making his way swiftly up the stairs and to Riku's door.

The door opened slightly, but before Sora could push through, a page stuck through the opening. Unsure, he stared at it for a while before reaching down to take it.

Please go home.

Reading the words had felt like the air from his lungs had left him. "Riku?", he called to him like a lost child.

Another note appeared. I can't talk to you right now.

Sora swallowed bitterly, unable to shake free from the pain constricting his breath.

"At," he managed, finally. "At least take this," he plead, offering the small paper bag to the slight opening.

After a moment, the door opened just enough for a silver hand to reach out. Sora held his breath, ignoring the voice screaming at him to reach out. I can't… rush him… he told himself.

The hand disappeared and the door closed, its sliver of light returning darkness to the hall.

Sora became once again aware of the weight of the pit in his stomach.

I have to talk to you, Riku. Please. If we could talk, this pain would go away.

Wouldn't it?

He shook his head. Of course it will, but, he breathed. I can't.

Turning around, he ran for Kairi's house.

Riku stared down at the bag, angry at himself for taking it. Angrier still for not thanking his best friend for his efforts.

He put it on the nightstand, next to the slip of paper, eyeing it as he slumped back in bed.

Therapy, huh? He thought, closing his eyes once again.

Kairi had just finished breakfast, now washing the dishes cheerfully as she heard a familiar knock on the door. A famous jingle from Sora's favorite local show. She smiled at the memory of Sora beginning to train with sticks in the hope of becoming like its protagonist. And, of course, Riku had followed his lead.

"Coming!", she called.

"Hi, Kairi," Sora grinned once she opened the door.

"Good morning, Sora," she smiled.

"May I come in?" he asked, scratching his index finger against his cheek bashfully.

She nodded, making way. "I'll put on some tea."

Sora sat back, basking in the sunlight pouring in from the kitchen's tall windows. He closed his eyes and breathed in the incoming breeze. "I always forget how nice your place is."

Kairi placed a cup of fresh fruit tea in front of him, moving to sit down. "Yeah, well," she chuckled. "Dad insisted."

Sora sat up and picked up his teacup, inspecting its animal design. "It's a mouse," he mused.

"And the teapot is an elephant," she chimed in.

Sora laughed. "That's so like you, Kairi," he remarked, taking a gulp of his tea, realizing all too late that it was still much too hot. He swallowed quickly, sticking out his tongue to cool it with rapid breaths.

"Not again," Kairi sighed, grabbing some ice from her freezer. "Here," she reached out. "Open your mouth."

Sora did as she instructed, looking away as he did so. He was rewarded with a large ice cube, providing immediate relief. "Thahs," he attempted, smiling.

She shook her head. "Don't mention it. Just be more careful next time."

He met her tired gaze with a mock salute. "Yessah!"

Kairi giggled, sitting back down next to him.

Sora bit down on the ice, swallowing it. "That's better."

"Anyway," he continued, like nothing had ever happened. "This place is so amazing."

Kairi looked around. "It's a bit more space than I need, but, it is nice. I like it here," she smiled contentedly.

"Yeah," he agreed. "You can actually move around in here."

"What's this all of the sudden?" Kairi chuckled. "Your place isn't bad."

"Not mine: Riku's," he corrected.

"Oh?" she wondered. "I've never been inside his place."

"Really?" he asked, moving forward in surprise. He thought more about it, sitting back. "I guess that makes sense. It's way too small!"

"Is that what you meant?"

"Yeah," he agreed. "I don't know how he takes it." He spread his arms wide. "It's this big! One room!" he practically yelled.

Kairi nodded, dropping a sugar cube into her tea. "But maybe that's how he likes it."

Sora shook his head roughly. "You give him too much credit, Kairi. He's just cheap," he huffed.

"Maybe he's saving for something more important than space?" she offered.

Sora looked down solemnly. "I guess I never thought about it that way."

Kairi reached out to touch his hand, lonesome on the tabletop. His skin jumped.

"What's wrong?" Kairi asked, tightening her grip around his fingers.

"I, um," Sora stuttered. "Nothing," he smiled, keeping his hand still.

She smiled, eyebrows ever so slightly furrowed, obscured by her hair.

"Let's go somewhere," she offered excitedly.

Sora blinked, his confusion soon shifting into relief. "Yeah," he breathed.

They had spent the day at the island's largest zoo, marveling at every animal they could observe in their gilded habitats. Kairi laughed when she saw the hyenas, saying they reminded her of him. Sora hadn't been happy to hear that, instead asserting that he was, in fact, a lion.

I have been a lion, so.

That only made her laugh more.

She turned, noticing Sora was no longer at her side. He was staring at the grey wolf habitat.

Approaching him slowly, she shifted her tone as sweetly as she could. "They're like Riku, huh?"

"Huh?" Sora turned to her, tilting his head. "Oh," he eyed the wolves again. "You mean their coloring?" he wondered. "I can see it," he smiled.

"I mean their nature," she corrected. "Like how you're definitely a hyena."

He moved his feet apart, a stance signaling he was ready to defend from an incoming attack. "Enough with that!" he cried.

Her only response was laughter.

"Hm," he wondered, straightening up. "Riku's like a wolf. Edgy."

Kairi shook her head. "Think about it," she chidded him.

"Then what animal are you, Kairi?" he asked, suddenly curious.

She looked over to the aquarium area. "I guess I like nudibranchs."

"The sea slug things?" Sora grinned.

"I guess," Kairi chuckled. "They all look so different and colorful."

When she saw his gaze drift back to the wolves, she could have sworn his smile faded.

"Let's go look at the aquarium," she suggested.

As he turned to her, she moved towards him, taking his dangling hand in hers.

She could feel it jolt in what she guessed was surprise, but she held steadfast, until his shaking subsided. "O, okay," he managed, his face shaped by a new smile.

"I really love the ocean," she sighed, walking along. Sora moved to match her brisk pace, almost being dragged along.

"But we've been around it most of our lives," he wondered aloud. "Aren't you a little tired of it?"

She shook her head, looking forward. "I love it here."

They entered the large, cave-like building, the sun disappearing. Suddenly, the lights of the enclosure filled the space, bright yet subdued in intensity, transforming the area into a mishmash of backlit colors.

Kairi's steps were becoming more and more hoppy, her excitement apparent. "Don't you wanna see other worlds?" he wondered.

"Of course," she balked, turning to face him. "But this will always be my home," she smiled warmly.

He unsteadily looked down to their hands, his mouth forming into a mess of jumbled lines. She laughed at the sight, causing him to look back up to her face, and then away in shame.

She led them to the jellyfish exhibit, Sora nearly tripping from the unexpected movement. He caught his breath as Kairi revelled. Looking up, he gasped as he saw the whole wall had been covered in one solid glass enclosure for the tendrilled creatures, lights enhancing their coloration.

"Wow," was all he could say, the rest of his words stolen by the sight.

"See?" she gestured up towards it. "There's always something new to discover," she turned to him, hopeful. "Even in just one world."

Turning to meet her gaze, his grin broadened. "That just made me really excited!", he exclaimed. "I'm even more fired up to see other worlds."

Her grip on his hand faltered momentarily.

She looked up, watching the colored lights accentuate their shapes. "You're more like a bird," she remarked, rectifying her previous observations.

"Huh?" he tilted his head. "I'm like a bird?"

She faced him, nodding, lips ever so slightly upturned.

"I like it," he remarked. "What kind?"

She shook her head, lips curving upwards more and more. "You can be whatever you want."

He looked up to the obscured sky, eyes turning suddenly distant. "So we're all in different places," he stated, tone solemn.

It was her turn to wonder. "Different places?"

"You, me," he breathed. "And Riku."

Kairi looked down. "A bird in the sky, a slug in the sea, and a wolf on land," she said to herself, her eyes alight with the revelation.

"Let's go look at the nudibranchs," he turned to her, his usual smile making her doubt what she had just seen.

She did her best to smile back.

She held his hand until they reached her front door, the evening chill stirring her to move closer.

"Today was fun," she smiled, letting go of him, noting his hand's lack of movement.

"Yeah," he smiled. "Thanks for hanging out with me again."

She let out forceful chuckles. "Stop acting like it's something you have to thank me for," she said sternly, before softening her features and tone. "I care about you."

He gave her that familiar grin, and turned to leave.

"Sora?" she called after him.

"Yeah?" he craned his neck to look in her direction.

"Birds can reach both the sea and land, ya know?" she remarked, a sad smile playing across her lips.

He looked up and away. "I guess that's true," he agreed. "Then, I can be a seagull," he smiled before dashing off.

Kairi watched him leave, whispering so only she could hear.

"A seagull still has to live somewhere."

As soon as he couldn't see Kairi anymore, the darkness played tricks on his eyes. His slow walk quickened with every shifting shadow he couldn't quite make out in the corner of his vision.

Is Riku mad at me?, he wondered. I should go check on him.

Running and out of breath, he bent over to rest his hands on his knees, all thoughts focused on refilling his air supply.

The necessity fading, he quickly pushed the buzzer for Riku's apartment number.

A minute passed, and the voice returned, clearer now. He's definitely mad at you.

He pressed again, finger lingering for a longer sound.

Another minute passed, and his breathing became labored.

Is it because of Kairi? He panicked, remembering how her hand gripped his. Am I… supposed to push her away? His heart squeezed. She's my friend, just like you are.

And that's, he thought back to the time he gripped Riku's, and his thoughts turned hazy.

I don't like this feeling, he cried, his breaths flurrying further. Why do I… feel like this?

He shook his head forcefully. I'm worried about him.

"Riku," he stated to the open air, hoping he could hear him but knowing he couldn't.

"I need to talk to you," he begged, silence reminding him that this was just a mock conversation.

"I'll be back tomorrow," he offered sadly, turning around.

Riku woke when he heard the buzzing, but made no effort to move. His eyes found the unopened paper bag, as he realized how empty his stomach felt.

His hand just barely moved when the thought of eating brought on a fit of nausea. He quickly covered his mouth, coughing.

Another buzz. Longer this time, he noted vaguely.

Pulling a pillow over his ears, he focused on the ambience his touch combined with their fabric provided.

Anything not to think about who was at the door.