[A/N] Wow! This story is so weird, so weird that I have been skipping the
author's notes for lack of a good description of my feelings. Goodness. I
know you're probably like 'what's dis Lei? I don't undastand.' This is
expected, for I don't even quite get the gist of it yet. This is by far the
most bizarre story I have ever put my time into. Thanks for reading it so
far... And I'll try to finish this one this time. I ponder what is to come in
this chapter... It's weird, but kind of interestingly unique. I like it
Kairi awoke to the blinding light of the dawn, surfacing over the horizon. The profusion of light was slightly held back, not being able to reach its full extend of intensity in the tiny room.
Kairi yawned and slowly sat up in her bed. She was back in the familiarity of her own room, of her own house. The impulsive chaos of the past few days suddenly seemed to fade away with the awakening of a fresh new dawn. The equally familiar and comforting scent of potpourri and French vanilla filled the air. She tucked a lock of her hair behind one of her ears and moved over to the side of her bed. Her feet dangled freely in the air, swaying just out of reach of the light, hardwood floor.
A soft creak caused Kairi to turn her head in slight shock as she gazed over at the opened doorway. Staring back at her was a pair of aqua marine eyes set in a state of almost anger. Kairi frowned.
'What's wrong?' Kairi questioned as she put her feet to rest and touched her socked toes down to the floor to stop them from swaying any further.
Riku shook his head, looked down to the ground, and laughed slightly. He slowly looked back up and his smile quickly faded. 'I think you know perfectly well Miss 'I think I'm going to run out in the middle of the night and give Riku a few sudden heart attacks when he wakes up and notices that I am not there'!' Riku exclaimed, anger visibly rising in his eyes.
'Riku, I...' Kairi's voice trailed off as she looked back at Riku. She hadn't previously thought about how her leaving might have affected him.
'No Kairi... I'm fine. If you put aside the small fact that I stayed up for hours trying to think of where you might be... You could have at least left a note or something!' Riku shouted. Kairi shut up quickly. When Riku gets mad, it's hard not to avoid loud shouting, the throwing of valuable items, tears, and the occasional broken heart. Kairi was experienced in all these areas with this type of thing with him. Though this time she knew that she might be able to save a few broken items and maybe a broken heart if she just sat there and not argue against him.
'I was worried to death Kairi...' Riku added in a more hushed tone. The anger in his eyes settled a little and he bit his bottom lip. Kairi let out a long sigh and stood up. She walked over to where he was standing and wrapped her arms around his back.
'I'm sorry Riku, I wasn't thinking,' Kairi replied lightly, the sound of her voice muffled by the fact her face was burrowed into his shirt. She absolutely hated seeing Riku angry, and every time she did her mind instantly flashed back to a single occurrence that I won't get into right now.
'I know... I'm sorry too,' Riku whispered as he wrapped both his arms around her, pulling her closer to him than humanly possible. 'I'm sorry for yelling at you,' Riku added.
'It's okay,' Kairi replied softly as she turned her head to the side and rested her full weight into his arms.
'I just don't know what I'd do if something had happened to you... I couldn't live without you Kairi, you know that,' Kairi nodded and lit a small smile.
She walked into the kitchen, moments later. Riku sat at the small table reading the back of a box of Lucky Charms. She rested her elbows down on the counter top and cupped her head into her hands. She saw a small, unfamiliar piece of paper lying beside her arm. She picked it up and gazed down at it.
Dear Kairi,
I'll be back later.
-Love Sora
Kairi frowned as she reread the note. She placed it down in front of her and her gaze shifted in Riku's direction. 'Where'd Sora go?' Kairi questioned leaning up against the counter.
'I don't know,' Riku shrugged, completely captivated by said box of cereal. Kairi gave him a questionable look and then walked over to Riku and sat down in a chair on the opposite side of the table facing him. She rested her head, again, in her hands. Riku set the box down and stared at her. 'Seriously Kairi, I don't know!' Riku exclaimed. Kairi shrugged and stared at him harder. Riku gave her an annoyed grunt. 'I have no I idea in all of the worlds where the hell Sora went! He only said: 'I'm going to be back late. Will you please watch Kairi for me while I am gone?',' said Riku firmly, trying to imitate Sora's voice. Only he rather imitated Sora's voice when he was twelve. Unlike what most people think, Sora's voice did in fact change and he no longer sounds like a twelve-year-old. Yes, he did get older. I know it's hard to believe. Only gay guys sound like they're twelve forever. Sora is not gay.
Anyway...
'Okay, fine,' said Kairi as her gaze shifted from Riku, to the floor, then back to Riku. 'You know I don't need a babysitter,' said Kairi at last.
'I know,' Riku replied. He smiled slightly. 'But what's wrong with hanging out with you're good old pal... me?' Riku questioned.
'Nothing...' said Kairi a little intimidated by the way Riku was handling this situation. Not that there was a situation at hand, but whatever. A long pause ensued and Kairi ripped her gaze from Riku once again. She looked down at the tiled floor and mouthed a few things silently.
'Did he tell you what time he's coming back?' Kairi questioned. She took her hand and drew it through her hair to try and keep it out of her face, but it only fell down back in front of her eyes.
Riku shook his head. Kairi nodded in response to his answer. 'You know there's supposed to be some sever thunderstorms tonight. They're supposed to last into tomorrow. Thought you might like to know, you used to be scared to death of them,' Riku stated matter-of-factly.
Kairi's eyes grew wide, 'and I still am...' her voice trailed off. 'And all the way till tomorrow? Riku!' Kairi shouted in protestic outrage. 'I'm going to die!!!' Kairi exclaimed throwing herself out of her chair.
Riku eyed her curiously. She glared at him and then threw herself back down, crossing her hands over her chest and giving him a pouting face. 'I hate weather...' she mumbled.
'Don't worry about it, I'll be here,' Riku smiled. 'Just like old times.' Kairi looked at him and opened her mouth a little too quickly.
'I want Sora to be here,' she replied. Riku's smile faded as quickly as it came and he leaned back into his chair, crossing his arms over his chest [OoO burn (sorry! couldn't resist)]. Kairi quickly realized what she had said and suddenly flashed back to her tender, dumb-red-head self. Her eyes went wide, knowing she had just morally offended the last person anyone would ever want to morally offend.
'Oh,' she sighed placing her hand in front of her mouth to show that she really hadn't meant anything personal. 'Riku, I...'
Riku sighed knowing that Kairi hadn't meant anything person. Of course it had definitely damaged something deep inside of him, but what else would you expect from a pair like them? Every second they are ripping out each other's hearts with every word that is said. 'It's all right Kairi, I know what you mean. If I was you and had to be with me for a day without Sora I suppose I would be pretty bummed out myself,' Riku replied, back I his normal, monotonously sarcastic style.
'Riku, you know that's not how I feel,' said Kairi, raising her voice a little. Obviously she was in a little bit of a rebellious-towards-Riku- mood lately. A little suggestion, never ever raise your voice to such a powerhouse as this guy. Well, Kairi was the one exception. It does seem to help if he is desperately in love with you. Of course, you have to subtract a few points on his behalf seeing as Kairi does not love him in the same way. So obviously he'd be a little tender in this area. [clears throat]
Anyway...
Riku sat up straighter and looked her in the eyes. He wanted so much to just resurface past problems right now, but he also didn't want to have to deal with her like that for the umpmillionth time in his life. But when he gets urges like that, it's hard for him to control.
He shook his head, 'Why did I ever break up with you Kairi?' Riku questioned himself as a grin slowly crept across his face. Kairi's eyes went wide and she desperately searched for air. She could feel herself start to lose consciousness within seconds. She sat completely still. 'Oh, have I hit something?' Riku questioned as he noticed Kairi's obvious state of discomfort.
'Why would you even have the nerve to bring that up right now?' Kairi said in an angry whisper.
'Me? You were the one mentioning all that crap about wishing Sora was here!' Riku exclaimed.
'I told you, Riku, that I didn't mean it! It just slipped!' Kairi shouted back, daring to raise her voice further.
Riku let out a small [well... not really] laugh. He shook his head slightly. 'Oh, really? I thought you said that we could still be friends, that you'd try not to mention anything like that,' Riku replied in anger.
'Well I have, haven't I? Things slip Riku, you should know that. One mistake, okay? I am only human!' Kairi exclaimed. She could feel the tears welling just thinking about it. She could feel her heart breaking, again. 'And we are still friends aren't we? I'm sorry that I love Sora. I seem to have to be sorry about every little thing I do recently!' Kairi cried as she firmly held back her tears, letting anger take over her sadness.
'And I'm sorry that I love you,' Riku yelled back. 'I have always been sorry that I love you. Damn God for making emotions so God damn uncontrollable!' Riku exclaimed. He had long since been standing up. I had only forgot to mention that... So he is standing... Yeah. Maybe Kairi should be standing too...
Kairi rose to her feet to come into better eye contact with him, but he only looked away.
'You were the one that broke up with me, remember?' Kairi said in a less yelling, but still angry tone. 'If you loved me so much, why'd you do it?' she questioned trying her hardest not to give into the tears that were pushing at her heart.
'Because Kairi, I thought that maybe I'd learn to forget!' said Riku assertively. 'I thought that maybe I could have my best friend be my best friend again,' Riku murmured. His volume dropped suddenly and his gaze shifted aimlessly around the room.
Kairi fell silent and stared at Riku. 'You... did it for... Sora?' Kairi questioned in a sudden whisper. Riku nodded lightly. He closed his eyes tightly and rubbed at his forehead.
'Of course I did it for Sora,' Riku said in an almost hoarse voice. He sat down in the chair again and slouched his head down, running his hands through his silvery hair. Kairi kept staring at him. 'Ever since I saw you walk away, I hated myself. I could tell how much pain I put you through when we lived in each other's silence for a while there. I didn't have Sora right away either, because he was too busy helping you heal. But then, I guess it doesn't really matter how much it killed me, because I just wanted you and Sora to be happy in the end... right?' said Riku so quietly that Kairi almost had to stop breathing to hear him clearly.
Her heart stopped, but it was nothing, for she could tell that Riku's heart had stopped a long time ago. She shakily walked over to where he was sitting and crouched down by his side. She took his hands and brought him around to face her. Riku kept his gaze aimed at the ground. She took her hand and lifted up his head so that they had eye contact. She lit a sad smile and wiped away a tear from his cheek.
'Why didn't you ever tell me?' Kairi questioned softly as she took both of his hands in hers.
'I don't know,' he replied in a whisper. He sat still and just stared into her, almost like he was staring straight through her.
'I never got over you Riku,' said Kairi sadly. 'I moved on, but I will always...' Kairi's voice trailed off as her gaze drifted to her hand. She lifted her eyes back to his. 'I will always love you,' she whispered as she leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips. After she pulled away she smiled. 'And I would love more than anything to spend the rest of the day with you,' she finished. A barely noticeable smile, but it was still there, formed on Riku's lips. He nodded slowly and wrapped both his arms around Kairi as she tightly hugged him back.
Kairi awoke to the blinding light of the dawn, surfacing over the horizon. The profusion of light was slightly held back, not being able to reach its full extend of intensity in the tiny room.
Kairi yawned and slowly sat up in her bed. She was back in the familiarity of her own room, of her own house. The impulsive chaos of the past few days suddenly seemed to fade away with the awakening of a fresh new dawn. The equally familiar and comforting scent of potpourri and French vanilla filled the air. She tucked a lock of her hair behind one of her ears and moved over to the side of her bed. Her feet dangled freely in the air, swaying just out of reach of the light, hardwood floor.
A soft creak caused Kairi to turn her head in slight shock as she gazed over at the opened doorway. Staring back at her was a pair of aqua marine eyes set in a state of almost anger. Kairi frowned.
'What's wrong?' Kairi questioned as she put her feet to rest and touched her socked toes down to the floor to stop them from swaying any further.
Riku shook his head, looked down to the ground, and laughed slightly. He slowly looked back up and his smile quickly faded. 'I think you know perfectly well Miss 'I think I'm going to run out in the middle of the night and give Riku a few sudden heart attacks when he wakes up and notices that I am not there'!' Riku exclaimed, anger visibly rising in his eyes.
'Riku, I...' Kairi's voice trailed off as she looked back at Riku. She hadn't previously thought about how her leaving might have affected him.
'No Kairi... I'm fine. If you put aside the small fact that I stayed up for hours trying to think of where you might be... You could have at least left a note or something!' Riku shouted. Kairi shut up quickly. When Riku gets mad, it's hard not to avoid loud shouting, the throwing of valuable items, tears, and the occasional broken heart. Kairi was experienced in all these areas with this type of thing with him. Though this time she knew that she might be able to save a few broken items and maybe a broken heart if she just sat there and not argue against him.
'I was worried to death Kairi...' Riku added in a more hushed tone. The anger in his eyes settled a little and he bit his bottom lip. Kairi let out a long sigh and stood up. She walked over to where he was standing and wrapped her arms around his back.
'I'm sorry Riku, I wasn't thinking,' Kairi replied lightly, the sound of her voice muffled by the fact her face was burrowed into his shirt. She absolutely hated seeing Riku angry, and every time she did her mind instantly flashed back to a single occurrence that I won't get into right now.
'I know... I'm sorry too,' Riku whispered as he wrapped both his arms around her, pulling her closer to him than humanly possible. 'I'm sorry for yelling at you,' Riku added.
'It's okay,' Kairi replied softly as she turned her head to the side and rested her full weight into his arms.
'I just don't know what I'd do if something had happened to you... I couldn't live without you Kairi, you know that,' Kairi nodded and lit a small smile.
She walked into the kitchen, moments later. Riku sat at the small table reading the back of a box of Lucky Charms. She rested her elbows down on the counter top and cupped her head into her hands. She saw a small, unfamiliar piece of paper lying beside her arm. She picked it up and gazed down at it.
Dear Kairi,
I'll be back later.
-Love Sora
Kairi frowned as she reread the note. She placed it down in front of her and her gaze shifted in Riku's direction. 'Where'd Sora go?' Kairi questioned leaning up against the counter.
'I don't know,' Riku shrugged, completely captivated by said box of cereal. Kairi gave him a questionable look and then walked over to Riku and sat down in a chair on the opposite side of the table facing him. She rested her head, again, in her hands. Riku set the box down and stared at her. 'Seriously Kairi, I don't know!' Riku exclaimed. Kairi shrugged and stared at him harder. Riku gave her an annoyed grunt. 'I have no I idea in all of the worlds where the hell Sora went! He only said: 'I'm going to be back late. Will you please watch Kairi for me while I am gone?',' said Riku firmly, trying to imitate Sora's voice. Only he rather imitated Sora's voice when he was twelve. Unlike what most people think, Sora's voice did in fact change and he no longer sounds like a twelve-year-old. Yes, he did get older. I know it's hard to believe. Only gay guys sound like they're twelve forever. Sora is not gay.
Anyway...
'Okay, fine,' said Kairi as her gaze shifted from Riku, to the floor, then back to Riku. 'You know I don't need a babysitter,' said Kairi at last.
'I know,' Riku replied. He smiled slightly. 'But what's wrong with hanging out with you're good old pal... me?' Riku questioned.
'Nothing...' said Kairi a little intimidated by the way Riku was handling this situation. Not that there was a situation at hand, but whatever. A long pause ensued and Kairi ripped her gaze from Riku once again. She looked down at the tiled floor and mouthed a few things silently.
'Did he tell you what time he's coming back?' Kairi questioned. She took her hand and drew it through her hair to try and keep it out of her face, but it only fell down back in front of her eyes.
Riku shook his head. Kairi nodded in response to his answer. 'You know there's supposed to be some sever thunderstorms tonight. They're supposed to last into tomorrow. Thought you might like to know, you used to be scared to death of them,' Riku stated matter-of-factly.
Kairi's eyes grew wide, 'and I still am...' her voice trailed off. 'And all the way till tomorrow? Riku!' Kairi shouted in protestic outrage. 'I'm going to die!!!' Kairi exclaimed throwing herself out of her chair.
Riku eyed her curiously. She glared at him and then threw herself back down, crossing her hands over her chest and giving him a pouting face. 'I hate weather...' she mumbled.
'Don't worry about it, I'll be here,' Riku smiled. 'Just like old times.' Kairi looked at him and opened her mouth a little too quickly.
'I want Sora to be here,' she replied. Riku's smile faded as quickly as it came and he leaned back into his chair, crossing his arms over his chest [OoO burn (sorry! couldn't resist)]. Kairi quickly realized what she had said and suddenly flashed back to her tender, dumb-red-head self. Her eyes went wide, knowing she had just morally offended the last person anyone would ever want to morally offend.
'Oh,' she sighed placing her hand in front of her mouth to show that she really hadn't meant anything personal. 'Riku, I...'
Riku sighed knowing that Kairi hadn't meant anything person. Of course it had definitely damaged something deep inside of him, but what else would you expect from a pair like them? Every second they are ripping out each other's hearts with every word that is said. 'It's all right Kairi, I know what you mean. If I was you and had to be with me for a day without Sora I suppose I would be pretty bummed out myself,' Riku replied, back I his normal, monotonously sarcastic style.
'Riku, you know that's not how I feel,' said Kairi, raising her voice a little. Obviously she was in a little bit of a rebellious-towards-Riku- mood lately. A little suggestion, never ever raise your voice to such a powerhouse as this guy. Well, Kairi was the one exception. It does seem to help if he is desperately in love with you. Of course, you have to subtract a few points on his behalf seeing as Kairi does not love him in the same way. So obviously he'd be a little tender in this area. [clears throat]
Anyway...
Riku sat up straighter and looked her in the eyes. He wanted so much to just resurface past problems right now, but he also didn't want to have to deal with her like that for the umpmillionth time in his life. But when he gets urges like that, it's hard for him to control.
He shook his head, 'Why did I ever break up with you Kairi?' Riku questioned himself as a grin slowly crept across his face. Kairi's eyes went wide and she desperately searched for air. She could feel herself start to lose consciousness within seconds. She sat completely still. 'Oh, have I hit something?' Riku questioned as he noticed Kairi's obvious state of discomfort.
'Why would you even have the nerve to bring that up right now?' Kairi said in an angry whisper.
'Me? You were the one mentioning all that crap about wishing Sora was here!' Riku exclaimed.
'I told you, Riku, that I didn't mean it! It just slipped!' Kairi shouted back, daring to raise her voice further.
Riku let out a small [well... not really] laugh. He shook his head slightly. 'Oh, really? I thought you said that we could still be friends, that you'd try not to mention anything like that,' Riku replied in anger.
'Well I have, haven't I? Things slip Riku, you should know that. One mistake, okay? I am only human!' Kairi exclaimed. She could feel the tears welling just thinking about it. She could feel her heart breaking, again. 'And we are still friends aren't we? I'm sorry that I love Sora. I seem to have to be sorry about every little thing I do recently!' Kairi cried as she firmly held back her tears, letting anger take over her sadness.
'And I'm sorry that I love you,' Riku yelled back. 'I have always been sorry that I love you. Damn God for making emotions so God damn uncontrollable!' Riku exclaimed. He had long since been standing up. I had only forgot to mention that... So he is standing... Yeah. Maybe Kairi should be standing too...
Kairi rose to her feet to come into better eye contact with him, but he only looked away.
'You were the one that broke up with me, remember?' Kairi said in a less yelling, but still angry tone. 'If you loved me so much, why'd you do it?' she questioned trying her hardest not to give into the tears that were pushing at her heart.
'Because Kairi, I thought that maybe I'd learn to forget!' said Riku assertively. 'I thought that maybe I could have my best friend be my best friend again,' Riku murmured. His volume dropped suddenly and his gaze shifted aimlessly around the room.
Kairi fell silent and stared at Riku. 'You... did it for... Sora?' Kairi questioned in a sudden whisper. Riku nodded lightly. He closed his eyes tightly and rubbed at his forehead.
'Of course I did it for Sora,' Riku said in an almost hoarse voice. He sat down in the chair again and slouched his head down, running his hands through his silvery hair. Kairi kept staring at him. 'Ever since I saw you walk away, I hated myself. I could tell how much pain I put you through when we lived in each other's silence for a while there. I didn't have Sora right away either, because he was too busy helping you heal. But then, I guess it doesn't really matter how much it killed me, because I just wanted you and Sora to be happy in the end... right?' said Riku so quietly that Kairi almost had to stop breathing to hear him clearly.
Her heart stopped, but it was nothing, for she could tell that Riku's heart had stopped a long time ago. She shakily walked over to where he was sitting and crouched down by his side. She took his hands and brought him around to face her. Riku kept his gaze aimed at the ground. She took her hand and lifted up his head so that they had eye contact. She lit a sad smile and wiped away a tear from his cheek.
'Why didn't you ever tell me?' Kairi questioned softly as she took both of his hands in hers.
'I don't know,' he replied in a whisper. He sat still and just stared into her, almost like he was staring straight through her.
'I never got over you Riku,' said Kairi sadly. 'I moved on, but I will always...' Kairi's voice trailed off as her gaze drifted to her hand. She lifted her eyes back to his. 'I will always love you,' she whispered as she leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips. After she pulled away she smiled. 'And I would love more than anything to spend the rest of the day with you,' she finished. A barely noticeable smile, but it was still there, formed on Riku's lips. He nodded slowly and wrapped both his arms around Kairi as she tightly hugged him back.