Sorry if I deleted Disney Castle School. It was starting to get dull and I've thought of a better story than that one. And this is the one I'll replace it with. Hope you like it! And oh, don't forget to give me lots of reviews! : D

Disclaimer! I do not, I repeat, I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any characters and plot of it. Look at the manual of the DVD and you might find who created it. Unfortunately for me, I can't read mine. It's not that I don't know how to read or anything like that… it simply means that I can't read Japanese characters. I can barely read some of it and worse is; I can't understand what I'm reading! XD anyway, enough about that Japanese and whatever characters! I just want you to know that I don't own anything that's really popular and cool and all the good things you can think of. And oh! SquareSoft made it! Disney owns all Disney characters of course and I think SquareSoft still owns the other characters that were taken from their very well-known creation: Final Fantasy.

Now, the story: (Enjoy!)

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Shattered Dreams

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In the busy capital called Ziire, there stood a large market place, the city hall and all other stuff; sellers were calling out for attention for their products—vegetables, fruits, and things. It was noisy. It was smelly. But that was how their life cycled on a roller coaster. There in a corner, stood a beer stand, where most soldiers of the army usually hang out. It was also busy inside. Laughter of barbaric men, the sound of glasses hitting with another, shouts for those beautiful waitresses. It seemed to be noisier inside than out. Near the counter was a young man with shoulder-length, blue hair. His uniform was the same with other lower class soldiers but some pins were attached on the left of his chest. His sword hung at the side of this waist. He leaned on the table and held a glass of beer beside him, minding his own business as he watched the other men do theirs.

The doors of the store swung open and inside came a young man, about his late teens. He had brown spiky hair and wore a uniform just the same as with the others. He walked up towards the man with blue hair.

"Riku." He said as if he was greeting him.

"Sora." Riku said after he gulped a mouthful of beer. "So… how's it going?"

Sora ordered a glass of cocktail from the bartender. "Nothing much" he replied.

"Aren't you going to quit from the army?"

Sora smirked. "You kidding me?" he asked, his face seemed to be confident at that time. "I just got in and now you want me to leave." A glass of cocktail was placed in front of him and took it. Sora had just entered in the army about last month by the help of Riku. If he wasn't there, he could've never been part of this.

"To think you're that young could actually be a part of it." Riku gave a comment. He called for the bartender again and asked for another glass.

"I'm making myself to be a legend."

"Yeah right." His companion said sarcastically. "Here you go again."

Sora finished his glass before he could say anything. "I am! One day, when the time comes, my life would change and I would be the one who would be standing there as the general." He declared.

"Hey, aren't you leaving me out there?" Riku asked jokingly.

"And you could be my secretary." Sora answered, laughing at his own joke.

"Aren't you taking this a little too serious?" Riku asked. They were already out from the bar and were walking down on the busy streets of the market.

"Too serious? Am I?" A sigh came out from Riku as he heard him said that. "Or are you the one who's taking this stuff a little too simple?" Sora continued with another question.

"I've been with the army since the last two years…" Sora watched his friend telling him about his life in the army. "If I was taking this thing jokingly, I would've been kicked out by the general." Riku reasoned.

"Is that yes to being serious or a no?" Sora teased him. A slight knock on his head hit him.

"A yes" He saw a cry person on a horse, bringing news with him and a piece of paper rolled up in his hand. "A Kadra (Author's notes: I made that thing up since this is a make-believe world, I can make the names make-believe too! ^__^), I wonder what might've happened," he mumbled. Sora watched him looking at the cry person and he turned to look what he was looking.

"News?" he asked and both walked slowly towards the forming crowd.

The Kadra waited for his audience to gather up around him. And when he saw that there we no more people left to join in the crowd, he started: "The General has given a warning to the people!" he said in a loud voice, enough for the large crowd to hear. Not far from him were Riku and Sora, listening to his speech sternly. The Kadra rolled open the paper he carried along with him and there, a picture of two persons—a man and a woman. "These people are rebels to our society! Watch an eye for them. And if ever you see them, report immediately to us." He finished his report and rolled the paper back. Behind the crowd were lower class soldiers, putting up wanted signs of those people. The crowd started to leave and went back to their respective places. Sora and Riku went to a nearby wall where a sign was being put up.

"The rebels" Riku called them as he looked at the unfamiliar faces. The woman, who was on the right of the paper, had short black hair with a headband on her forehead. The man beside her had shoulder length hair and a scar across his face. "They corrupt the social order of this world." His hand slid on the wall, about to tear the paper from it.

"They have their own ways of life." Sora said to calm his friend down. "We have ours."

"But still…" Riku tried to reason but he did not bother to continue. He fell silent until a few seconds, he said: "Let's get back to the headquarters." And he slowly walked away.

Sora glanced one more look at them. Trying to familiarize their faces, in case he sees them one day. Then he paced up with Riku who was in the lead. "Hey! Wait up!"

Inside Headquarters

"Riku." A man in a different uniform from them called. He had white short hair and a mustache. "Good thing you're here." He said, his tone cheery. Riku watched him come towards him as he closed the door behind him. Sora stayed outside since new and less experienced soldiers were not allowed inside unless they are called specially.

"What is it, captain Wes?" He asked, respectfully.

"I'm going to take you as my right hand." Riku's eyes sparkled as he heard these words. After that long two years, finally he gets promoted! "I thought of asking you first if you wanted the position but with that look of yours I think you wanted it all along." His smile didn't fade as he continued to say his good news. He held out his hand for him to shake. "Congratulations!"

"Th-Thanks" Riku said, stammered by the news. He took the hand and shook it.

"Tomorrow, we'll announce it to the public," Wes informed. "Be sure to look good there." He said his final words to him that day and a wink.

"Sure." Riku said and left the room. He found Sora trying to eavesdrop through the wall, his ear leaning on the wall. "What are you doing?"

"Listening." He simply replied, not noticing Riku was out already. He gave him a slight poke on his forehead to get his attention. Sora looked at him. "Oh… I thought you were still inside."

Riku shook his head helplessly at his friend and started to leave him. "So, you heard everything?" he asked when he saw Sora caught him at the corner of his eye.

"Nah…" he answered. "The wall was too thick and you talk too low." He reasoned. "What did you talk about anyway?"

Riku smirked. Sora was now getting interested on what he was about to say. "You'll find out tomorrow morning." Sora felt disappointed, hung his body and frowned. "You seemed to enjoy what you heard…" he remarked, looking at Riku's beaming face with a frown.

"I am!" and he giggled his way out from the building.

"Ugh…"

"Bye!" Sora said, waving his hand a good bye to Riku. Riku raised his hand like a wave to him as a respond. They both went separate ways, back to their respective boarding houses. Sora wasn't able to take a room in Riku's boarding house because it was already full, thus, he needed to look for one in the city. It may be far from the assembly grounds in the city, but it was worth the pay. After moments of tireless walking, he finally saw the outline of the building. It wasn't that big though since it charged lesser than the other boarding houses.

"Welcome back!" a girl from the front desk greeted him as he entered the building. She had

"Aeristh." the name of the girl. She was the daughter of the owner of the inn. "Thanks." Sora appreciated her welcome and smiled warmly at her. "You've eaten dinner already?" he asked.

The girl nodded confirming a yes. "Just now." She added. "And next week's the end of the month." She informed him. "Better pay your bills."

Sora let out a faint laugh under his breath and scratched his head. "Uhm… yeah…" he said as he stepped on the stairs for his room. "Better be going." He said and left her in awe by his sudden change of actions.

Aeristh watched her step on the stairs and walked away. She stood there silent and suddenly giggles when the coast was clear.

Sora took off his army uniform and threw it on the floor carelessly and closed the door behind him. He jumped on his bed and made a loud groan. "Ugh… bills…" he said when he thought about what Aeristh reminded her. He reached out for his pillow as he crawled on his bed. His blanket was laid under him. He moved aside and took the blanket and covered it on him. It was a tiring day. The night was perfect for him to rest, even if he didn't take dinner at that moment.

Morning

It was a sunny day; ideal for anything that's going to happen. "Aeristh told me I'm having a good luck this day." Sora thought as he went out to face the day. He still wore the same uniform from yesterday and his sword hung on the side of his waist. "Now, to the assembly grounds!" he shouted, full of energy.

When he reached the assembly grounds, he found men starting to gather that morning. He noticed one of them. It was his first friend from the army, besides Riku of course. He called up to him. "Wakka!" The man looked everywhere to find where the sound came from. "Over here!" Sora called once more.

"Oh… it's you!" Wakka said pleased to see someone he knew from the army. "I didn't see you there." He apologized for giving him a blind eye.

"No worries." Sora bought his reason. "So, any news about what's going to happen this day?" he asked. They both walked up towards the wooden stage in front of them.

"Not really. But hey! Future can tell." Wakka said to pay up for not knowing. "Where's Riku? I heard he's getting a promotion today." He guessed, searching for Riku.

"That might be what the captain told him. No wonder he was too optimistic at that time. And to think he's my friend. He never even told me… instead, he wanted to surprise me. Well, that is a better way to tell your friend something good." Sora thought. He wasn't listening to Wakka anymore.

"Hey! You listening?"

"Uhm… no."

"Ugh…" Wakka let out a moan. His eyes rolled up to the sky. "I was talking about the rebels. Were you able to spot them?" Sora shook his head. He didn't even bother to look for them. "Well, you should! I thought you wanted to be in a higher position than a mere soldier? See? Riku's taking a step ahead of you." His smile seemed to be annoying to Sora's eyes. "I heard you'd get medals and promotions in case you get to capture those rebels."

"Maybe. I didn't know that anyway." He said sadly. He was feeling a little jealous about Riku getting a higher position than him now that Wakka said those things to him.

Men started to form straight lines behind them. It was a signal that they too should form their lines. Both stood composed in front of the lines; Sora in front with Wakka behind him. Their captain walked on the wooden platform and a man followed him from behind and an immediate hush fell on the soldiers. Wes watched them sternly, looking for lack of manners, in case he sees it. He cleared his throat and on with his speech:

"As you all know, one of our fellow soldiers had perished his life for the government…"

"I wonder who that is…" Sora asked himself.

"He had contributed a lot for us, especially to me as he worked for me as my right hand in order. Zidane's life would not be forgotten in our minds." His tone was saddening and some of the soldiers seemed to be crying. They must be Zidane's close friends. "Now that his life was taken, a position has become available for anyone who was fit." His voice now seemed to be alerting and urgent. "I've chosen the best amongst you and I've decided who that would be." The soldiers were starting to whisper to each other, guessing who that person might be. "SILENCE!" Captain Wes demanded. And quickly, the noise had become a soothing quietness. "I would like any of you to acknowledge one of the best soldiers to take Zidane's rank." He paused and stepped aside the platform and said "Riku!" in a loud voice. Riku, who had been standing beside the steps of the platform, walked up on it, his face lighted up, delighted with the honor he was given. "Riku will be my right hand in command, to take Zidane's position." Applause was given to him and the man who walked along the captain, who was carrying a medal, bowed before the captain, showing the medal for him to take. The captain took it and pinned the medal on Riku's left side of his chest, making three medals pinned.

"Thank you." He said respectfully.

"Why didn't tell me you were promoted?" Sora asked, feeling happy for his friend and at the same time, jealous.

"I wanted to surprise you." Riku said casually.

The assembly ended already and it was time for training. Wakka was with them, tagging along. He placed his hand on Sora's shoulders and said: "Hey! Come on, it's training time." Sora wanted to shrug it off and miss the training but Wakka had his shoulders pulled. "You don't want to be late…" He advised. Sora had to go with him. He watched his best friend walk away to the building, following the captain.

Sora was slightly angered by Wakka's interference but somehow; he wanted to thank him for doing that. If he hadn't done that, he would've been suspended from the army. And that could ruin his dreams.

After the training, the soldiers were given rest for the day. Of course, they'd hang out inside beer stands and any place that's close to that. Sora was there too. But today, he was with Wakka. Riku's too busy to join him at that time.

"I can't believe it." Sora mumbled, his face a little red by the alcohol.

"Believe what?"

"Just because he gets to be promoted, he'll leave me." His eyes showed signs of tears.

"Hey, hey…" Wakka wanted him to feel the other way around—happy. But he can't. "He didn't leave you."

Sora watched him cheer him up. "…"

"He just had to do more work than before."

Sora turned his head back to his glass. Half of it, filled with alcohol. His eyes were weary from the drink he had. "Well, if that's the case…" his voice told his companion that he was drinking way beyond his line. "We're not friends anymore…" he declared and drank the glass to its bottom.

Wakka was getting worried what might happen to him when he drinks too much. "I think you've had enough of that." He took the glass from Sora and kept it from his reach. "You're drunk already."

Riku came inside the bar and found Sora drunk with Wakka. He watched his best friend in disgust with his face. It was his first time to see him drunk like that, and red. "Tsk… tsk… tsk…" He walked towards them silently. Until he was already at their backs, they still didn't notice him. "I see you getting drunk…" Riku mentioned, he grinned at Sora when he turned to look who it was. "What's wrong with you?"

"Oh… it's you." He said with indifference.

Riku turned to Wakka for some answers why Sora's drunk. "Drank too much?" He answered his look.

Riku wasn't pleased with his answers. His brow raised, patted Sora on his back. "Let me talk to you." He whispered on his ears. Sora stood from his stool and started to walk towards the exit. Riku followed from behind. Wakka didn't bother to tag along. It was something he thought would be very important for both friends.

Outside

Riku watched his best friend gaze at him with weary and red eyes. "Didn't I tell you not to drink too much?" he warned. Sora didn't reply. He didn't budge an inch. Riku sighed at his friend's composure and attitude. "Anyway, I want you to take care of someone."

Finally, Sora said something. "Me?"

"Yes. This may not be that important but I do want you to do the job."

"But why me?"

Riku didn't answer. He kept silent for a few seconds and continued: "Some soldiers found her riding a horse at a high speed. The creature created havoc in the market, thus, causing damage in the stands and roads. The captain does not wish to see such dirty actions again. Although the girl was unconscious when she rode it. That is why I'll give you the job to look after her."

"Me? Look after a mere girl?"

Riku nodded. "Don't worry, I know you can't support her needs as you can't support your own." He smirked at him.

"What do you mean by that?" Sora asked, his tone getting angered.

Riku ignored him and continued what he was supposed to say. "The government will be the one who'll spend for the both of you. But since there are no more available inns and hotels to stay in, we've decided that she'll come with you." He paused and turned his back. "She'll arrive there by night." And he walked away.

Sora watched him, confused.

The night had chased away the day and a moon shone and hung on the starless night, telling those people below that it was nighttime, a time of silence.

Sora waited for the soldiers to deliver the girl whom he'll take care of. Aeristh came outside to accompany him. "I see you're saved by the government." She said as she sat beside him on the bench placed outside the building.

"How'd you know?"

"Well, they came this morning and paid all your debts and added for this month. But they also paid for another one. I guess you're waiting for this someone." She assumed. Her voice was soothing and sweet.

"Yeah. She's a girl."

"Oh!"

"I don't know why she's that important but I have to thank her for her coming." He chuckled as he said that.

"I hear them coming."

Footsteps came from afar and figures started to form in the night. Three outlines came to show from the darkness as they stepped into the light made by the lamp placed beside the two.

"Sora." A voice called. It was one of his fellow soldiers of the army. It was Xello, but he wasn't close with him. "You're awake so late…"

"Thanks to Riku." His lips formed a smile. He saw a small person in a hood beside him. "Is this her?" he asked. He couldn't see her face very clearly because of her hood.

"Yeah… she doesn't talk much though."

"I'll take care of that."

Aeristh smiled at the girl even though she can't see her looking at her, but somehow, she felt she was looking at her. "What's her name?" she interrupted, but her voice very polite.

"She never said anything except the word 'Kari'" Xello informed. "Riku called her that."

"Kari huh?"

"I guess we'll just leave her to you." He said about to turn to the opposite side. "Good night." His tone of voice finished their conversation. And both soldiers went to back to their respective inns.

Kari stood there, motionless and quiet. Sora went closer to her, his lamp in his hands to take a closer look at her. "Come on in."

The girl raised her head up and watched Sora's eyes warmly. His smile seemed to be the warmest but she wasn't affected. The lamp showed a clearer view of her face. "She's cute." Sora thought. Aeristh went back inside the building, knowing they'll follow in just seconds. "Hey." Sora called to the girl's attention once more but still, no reply. He placed his arm by her shoulders and started to move towards the door. She walked with him. But that silence between them seemed unnatural.

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End of chapter

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To be continued… if ever you people would send me reviews! : P

I apologize for the short chapter… and no action… ^__^ everything starts there, right? XD

I want to read at least one review from this story.

REVIEWS…

kulz (Carla, LinJiaRen, Karura)