A/N: Aaaah! I created a monster (otherwise known as Riku)! I'm sorry everyone, especially OdeadheadO, that Riku and/or Sora seem OOC, but I just feel like I don't have much to go on since I feel like the game doesn't give them a clear sense of personality. Shows I can do, because you see the same character over and over and their personality gets engraved in your brain, but as for games… they're a little harder for me. So, I apologize again. This is the 2nd to last chapter so I figure I won't bother to change it, but I'll definitely try harder to keep them in character for the next KH fic I write (which, btw, already has 1 1/2 chapters).

RIKU

I got up bright and early the next morning and got ready, then rushed out the door. Today I would work my magic on Jaelyn. It was a good day already.

My fight with Sora came to my mind. I remembered how mad I'd been at him, and just thinking of it made me mad as I walked to his house. Didn't he know me well enough to realize that I treat my girlfriends with respect? Didn't he trust me with a member of his family?

I began to wonder why I hadn't been mad at him at the end of our fight, but then I remembered the look on his face when he'd apologized for the second time. If there was one thing I couldn't stand, it was that look. I'd had no choice but to answer with a smile.

I got to his house and knocked on the door, and his mother answered. "Oh - hello, Riku," she greeted. "I assume you're here for Sora?"

"Jaelyn, actually," I corrected as I stepped inside the house. "But I could settle for Sora."

She smiled. "They're both up in his room."

"Okay, thanks."
I walked up the stairs and opened the first door in front of me to enter my friend's room. They were both sitting on his bed, but there were blankets on the floor where one of them had slept. Probably Sora.

"Hey," I said. They both looked at me.

"Hey, Riku," Sora welcomed. Jaelyn sent me a small, private smile.

"Hi."

I walked over to the bed and sat on the other side of her. "Do you wanna get going?" I asked.

"Oh… yeah, sure. Just let me change clothes." She opened a chest and pulled out some clothes, then left the room.

"So, are we cool about last night?" Sora asked. I nodded in response.

"In the end, we always are. I've given up on trying to stay mad at you."

"So, are you a sentimental guy now?"

I blinked. "What?"

"Now that you "don't like violence," you have to be all sensitive. Don't you?"

I shrugged. "Maybe."

"So then… don't let her break your heart, k?"

I smiled. "Yeah. Since I cry so easily."

Jaelyn appeared by the door brushing her hair. "Okay, I'm ready," she told me. She set the brush down and I stood.

"Talk to you later, Sora," I said. "Meet by the raft at noon."

"Okay," Sora agreed. "I'll tell Kairi. Bye."

Jaelyn and I walked out of the house. I turned left and she followed me. "This whole place is so beautiful," she commented as we passed the waterfalls.

"Yeah, it is," I agreed.

"I never want to leave."

"Maybe you'll never have to," I said quietly. She looked at me and gave me a weird sort of smile, but I'm not sure if it meant she was happy. And it was small… almost entirely insignificant.

"Sora told you, then."

"What?"

"Why I'm here."

I nodded. "Oh… yeah, he did. I'm really sorry."

"Don't be."

"Mine are gone, too."

She looked surprised. "But Sora said something about your parents. I thought…"

"I was adopted," I explained.

"Oh." She spoke softly next. "When… when did it happen?"

"3 years ago, when I was 12."

"Can I ask you… does it ever stop hurting?"

I stopped walking and turned to look at her. "It stops bleeding, but the scar is still there. I have a feeling it'll never go away."

"I don't know if that's comforting or not."

I looked over to the small piece of land connected to the island only by a wooden pier. She followed my gaze.

"That's so cool," she said. I smiled.

"Let's go, then."

I led her over there and we approached the bent palm tree. "This place is nice and quiet," I told her as I helped her up. She sat down on it facing the ocean and I hopped up beside her. "Well, usually quiet."

"I love these islands."

"Yeah. Me, too." My insides were twisting as I spoke. Seeing someone else discover this beauty for the first time was almost like me myself seeing it for the first time, too. And a part of me, like her, never wanted to leave. But that was where the conflict laid, because I had to leave. The raft was finished and everything was ready to go. Kairi, Sora, and I would probably push off in a few days… and maybe we'd never make it back.

"Riku… are you okay?"

I looked to Jaelyn, realizing that I'd zoned out. "Yeah… I'm sorry. I was just thinking."

"About what?"

I wasn't sure how to respond. "Traveling," I replied finally.

"Traveling… away?"

I smirked. "Well, traveling just wouldn't be the same if I stayed here."

"But why are you leaving?"

I shrugged. "I like to explore, I guess. There's gotta be more out there somewhere, and I just wanna see it."

She seemed content with my answer and we sat in a peaceful silence for a bit, when she finally said, "Listen, Riku, there's something I should tell you…" She tried to hide a smile.

"What?"

"Well, you know my thing on violence and the swords and stuff?" I nodded. "Well, I made it all up."

I blinked, surprised. "What…? I don't understand."

Jaelyn laughed. "I'm sorry, I just felt like having some fun."

"You were joking?"

She nodded. "And you're the first boy I've ever met that "agrees" with me."

"So… you're fine with pushing and shoving and stuff?" She nodded and a smile appeared on my face as I thought of a way to get her back. "Well, in that case-"

Splash!

I shoved her off the tree and straight into the water below. That'd teach her.

A/N: One more chap left, just to wrap it all up. Tell me what you think!