Topazia: Thank you for the reviews! They've fed my ego nicely. ^^

Riku: What ego?

Topazia: *sweatdrop*you never have anything nice to say do you?

Riku: no.at least not to you. *smirk*

Topaiza: *growls and tosses a Sora plushy over my shoulder* Go fetch!

Riku: *raises eyebrow*

Topazia: You know you want to...anyway, on to answering reviews. I'm a quiet (Riku: bullshit...) person (well when it comes to new people, other than that I can get pretty "weird".) and I don't usually do this but I decided, what the hell? ^^

Fantasymichelle14: Kairi is awful isn't she? I have plans for her. ^^

Kelsey: Lol glad you like it! And don't worry, I'll continue, I don't plan on leaving this alone. Oh, and as far as the cookies...can they be chocolate chip? O.o'

Twilight-Heartless: Thanks for the compliment. I hope this chapter will be just as good. I don't know, I don't usually right in first person format but hey, like they say...you gotta broaden your horizons right?

Chibi_suppi: I like how Riku talks to himself too, isn't it adorable? I have a bad habit of doing that too.

Leann-chan: anticipation is a pain in the ass isn't it? I'll try not to keep you waiting!

Sora Otaku: Thanks for reviewing!

Psychotic Z: Thanks for the input, I wasn't sure if I should continue or not.

Jaded eyes: There will be more, and plus I'll let you in on something. I've already started on the future chapter so I won't fall behind in updates because of homework. Yay!

Remember that thing Riku was hesitant to tell Sora? Let's just say it slipped, that and many other things. Fluff...^^

*~*~*~*~

The Flame that Burns

I stared up at the night sky. Somehow I found way back to my favorite perch on the Paopu Island. Let's just say I needed some time to think before turning in for a nights sleep.

The stars twinkled merrily, reflecting on its beauty on the sleeping sea below. It was calm and silent, mysterious in it's on way. I could stay out here forever, drinking in the night sky, wondering what it would be like to stare up at the sky in a different place. A city maybe yeah, a big city...

"Ahem." My eyes shifted over in the direction of the noise an interrupted my dreamlike peace.

"Sora...? What's wrong?" I sat up, my voice dripping with concern. I'm being melodramatic I know but...

"I came to check on you. You've been spending a lot of time out here lately." He came and sat up next to me and I let him, stiffening a bit. It was a pain to have him sitting right next to me and not being able to caress him.

"I'm fine." I lied. "Just star gazing." I pointed a gloved finger up at the night sky and the brunette's eyes followed, widening slightly at the sight before him. I had to smile, Sora's cuteness was indeed something to behold.

"It's beautiful Riku." he cooed softly. "You're lucky to have this all to yourself." He leaned back on my tree and I let him, enjoying his company for the time being.

"It's not mines to claim." I muttered. "It's there for everyone." I yawned softly, then turned my head slightly to face him.

"Do you think Kairi would like to see this?" he asked suddenly, and I frowned, not liking the sudden change in subject. Of all the people he had to bring up her. What a mood killer...

"I don't know." I shrugged. The words came out a little harsher than intended and he picked it up immediately.

"You don't like it, do you?" he asked quietly sounding hurt. He lowered his head; his thick bangs fell over his face, covering his eyes from view. I've done it know.

I knew exactly what he was talking about, but just because I did didn't mean I couldn't play stupid and pretend, now did it? "What do you mean?" My eyes shifted towards the ocean.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about (so much for playing stupid) Riku! Why do you hate her so much?" he snapped. The warm atmosphere that had been created when the younger boy first appeared had suddenly turned cold, very.

"I don't hate her I just-"

"You just what? You don't like the idea of Kairi and me being together do you? Is that it?" That one hit kind of hard. Didn't expect him to take it this hard. And besides, I'm perfectly fine with them being together (sort of...) I just don't like how's she's using him.

"No I just-"

"Then what is it?" I turned away from him, not wanting to look at him or face him. It was building up inside. That desire, that need to have him as my own was growing and something about his anger was alluring.

But he just didn't understand, I'm trying to protect him. "Maybe it's just that I care about you!" I shouted, jumping up from my seat on the tree. "Maybe it's just that I care about you so damn much that I'm trying to prevent you from doing something incredibly stupid! Kairi is using you!" I shouted. Oops, pretend I didn't say that. Maybe he didn't here it. Yeah right...

Sora stared at me, hurt written all over his face, but I didn't mean it, I swear I didn't mean it. The words escaped my lips before I could stop them and now I'd give anything to take them back. "Sora...I..."

He took a few steps backwards, his eyes never left mines. Then he ran...took off running to who knows where. I didn't even bother going after him. If Sora didn't want to be found, trust me when I say you would never find him.

Damn life was so complicated, you try to help someone and it backfires and slaps you dead in the face. Maybe all of this was just a nightmare that I couldn't wake up from, a horrible dream. Shoving my hands in my pockets I started the seemingly endless walk back home.

*~*~*~*~

Sora's POV

I was relieved when Riku didn't chase after me. He was the last person I wanted to see right now. Riku was wrong.Kairi wasn't using me, she wouldn't do that, she just wouldn't!

My running had led me to Kairi's place. Damn Riku and his jealousy. Kairi was as sweet as they come. She'd never do anything to hurt me, never. Maybe Riku felt left out. That could be it. It seemed that ever since He had gotten closer to Kairi his rival seemed to slowly drift away from him.

So jealousy was the natural explanation. I couldn't help but smile. It was actually kind of cute. Riku of all people was jealous. He could get any girl he wanted I mean look at him, he was strong, smart, nice, sexy, gorgeous... Okay...that was new. I'm scaring myself more than usual.

I yawned softly, stepping up to the front door and knocking. The door slowly creaked open, revealing a surprised looking Kairi. "I had to come see you." I said with a smile.

She gave me a look of puzzlement but let me in. "What's wrong Sora? What happened?" She sat down on the couch in her living room, motioning for me to sit next to her.

"Nothing...just had a fight with Riku." I shrugged it off nonchalantly, leaning back against the soft pillows of the couch.

She frowned. "Sora, you and Riku never fight." She said sternly. "What happened?"

I sighed and shook my head. "I rather not talk about it right now." And it was the truth. Besides, if I did, it would only piss me off and I'd soon have the sudden urge to hunt Riku down and attempt to beat the snot out of him. Yes I said attempt. I'm not that strong, yet.

Kairi shifted in her seat next to me, her eyes not meeting mines and for a moment I wondered what she was thinking. "It's not the same. I'm so used of you two being together all the time." She smiled. "Oh well, you'll get over it, you always do."

I smiled too, suddenly feeling a lot better. "Yeah, yeah you're right." This was stupid, to let a girl get in the way of our friendship, one that's be around since...well...forever.

I'd met Riku tomorrow and we'd go on as if nothing had ever changed. Yeah...that's it, we'd be best friends again, just like before.

After thanking Kairi I left, heading towards my own home and a good nights sleep. I didn't even bother to change into pajamas. Sleepwear was a foreign word now as far as I was concerned. All that mattered was sleep...blissful sleep.

Well what would be blissful if Riku's words hadn't came back to haunt me. 'Kairi is using you!' My eyes snapped open suddenly at the familiar words and I looked around to find myself sitting on the beach. Kairi waved to me from a distance and I smiled, trying to stand to reach her.

My body didn't move, that was probably what scared me the most. That or that fact that Kairi had started laughing at me now and for some reason I was falling...falling into darkness. Darkness...so dark and amongst it all the one figure that stood out through it all was...

"Riku." I sat up abruptly, wiping the sweat from my face. Let's just say I have weird dreams. My eyes scanned the mess in my room and finally fell on the digital clock on my nightstand. 6:47am. Oh well, not like I'm going back to sleep after that mess.

Getting up I stretched, ready to take on today and all of its challenges (At least I think I am.). I walked to the closet and dug through it, pulling out a pair of old shorts and a t-shirt and throwing them on. Nothing too fancy, besides, the color would change after Riku finished knocking me around anyway.

It would go from the usual nice clean colors to the dirty evidence of a serious beat down brown, lovely huh? But I didn't mind, nope not at all. Getting my head knocked around actually made my day special, that and the promise that I'd get stronger and beat the shit out of Riku. Yeah...that was my American dream!

Riku was most likely somewhere on the beach and now would be the perfect time to get in a quick battle. Besides, I didn't have anything else to do anyway. Picking up my 'sword' I quickly raced through the door, nearly tripping over my feet to get outside.

I spotted my prey (as expected) on the edge of the beach. What was Riku's fascination with waking up early I'd never know. Oh well. My feet treaded softly against the soft sand and I quickly dived behind a nearby tree as he turned my way.

The element of surprise that was what I was aiming for... He stretched then reached down and pulled his shirt up over his head. Curiosity got the best of me for that one moment and I found myself staring. He took slow deliberate steps towards the shoreline, letting the water lap gently against his feet for a moment before wading further out. His movements were so graceful...and I found myself wondering how in the world was it possible for someone to be blessed with so much beauty.

Wait hold the phone! Since when has Riku been beautiful? This is Riku your friend Riku! I looked up again after the short battle with my mind only to find him gone, so much for stalking my 'prey'.

With a soft sigh I got up, racing to the bridge that would lead to the little island. Man, Riku sure knew how to ruin a mood. My sword clasped tightly in my hand I slowly tiptoed across the bridge, lightly jumping over the ones I knew would creak and alert him to my presence.

I had spotted him again, lounging lazily across the paopu tree, with his hands crossed behind his head. His shirt, long since forgotten lay on the sand. His body seemed to glow mysteriously from the tiny beads of water and sunlight from the morning sun. Once again he was a sight to behold.

"What are you looking at Sora?" I shook my head again, upon realizing I had spaced out again. Oops. Riku sat up, a smirk on his face.

"I uh...nothing, I was just thinking." I admitted. Well I was thinking, right? At least I think I was. He must have seen the wheels attempting to turn in my mind because he started laughing.

"What are you doing up so early, you're usually sleep?" He asked, shaking the remaining drops of water from his hair.

I shrugged and sat next to him, looking down at the weapon in my hands. "I guess I just came to apologize." He wasn't expecting that, the expression on his face was priceless, adorable even. "Yeah...I'm sorry for getting so mad at you. I realized it was stupid so...yeah." A sheepish grin played across my face and my hands somehow found their way to the back of my head.

"It's alright, but just because you apologized doesn't mean I'm going to change my opinion about Kairi." He replied, sliding off his branch. "You came here to fight right? Come and get it."

He stood tall, looking down on me with that high and mighty smirk of his. And for that moment and that moment only the world stood still and all that mattered was the fight.

Riku started off with his favorite move, you know, the little spin technique he uses to bash my head in. A loud crack sounded through the air and I didn't know who to feel sorry for, Riku's sword or my head. He goes through about 7 every month thanks to yours truly.

I saw an opening and took it managing to take him down to the ground. That was a first. I think that after this I'll just grab my skates and head on down to hell. It's frozen over you know. I've NEVER been able to take Riku down...I didn't feel any stronger...any different.

My moment of awe was soon interrupted when he leapt up, grabbing me by the collar of my shirt and slammed my back into the hard bark of the paopu tree. Now don't get me wrong, the paopu tree was a very nice tree, one of my favorites (that sounds so weird), but...did he have to pound me against it?

"Riku...Riku! I can't breathe!" I choked. No, seriously it hurt. Was he trying to kill me? The boy had gone psycho.

"Sora." He purred, sending a small chill down my spine. Pain had been forgotten at this moment, all that mattered now was Riku, the one that was supposedly my best friend was scaring the shit out of me and I was about two seconds away from peeing in my pants.

"Are you feeling okay today Riku?" I managed to squeak, my fingers trying unsuccessfully to pry my shirt from his iron grin. A small smirk formed on his lips, another bad sign. Riku's smirks usually meant something bad was going to happen, mainly to me.

I closed my eyes, waiting for whatever punishment I had coming. Surprisingly nothing after a few minuets I opened my eyes to find nothing wrong. He loved torturing me! What the hell is going on!

He chuckled softly before forcefully crushing his lips to mines. My eyes widened significantly and I'm sure at the current moment I resembled a dear in front of headlights. His lips were warm against mines, so warm till the little bit of courage I had built up to push him off and beat the shit out of him faded, leaving hunger in its wake.

His tongue beckoned my lips to open and I obeyed, curiosity getting the best of me. A soft moan escaped my lips as he explored my mouth and I could slowly feel myself slipping away into a peaceful bliss that is until she brought me back.

I shoved him roughly away, the image of Kairi still burned freshly within my mind. What in the world had I been thinking? 'Absolutely nothing.' my mind answered.

He stumbled back a bit until he regained his footing, a stern frown on his face. "You see, you care about her so much." He said. "In your eyes she can do no wrong, she's blinded you. But when her mask falls and she leaves you shattered I'll be here to pick up the pieces."

And with that Riku turned on his heals and left. Not once did he bother to turn back, he just left me there all by my self, suddenly feeling very lost and confused. Damn him.

Topazia: How was that? Did you enjoy it?

Riku: No...

Topazia: Shut up! No one was asking you, and besides, everyone knows you had fun.

Riku: *blushes* I uh...gotta go. *runs away*

Topazia: Lol. Anyway, in the next chapter Sora confronts Kairi and all hell breaks lose. If I get 10 more reviews I'll update in four days. ^^