AN: No need to say anything other than give a great big THANK YOU! to all my readers and reviewers who continue to stay up with this story even as I start to lag in my other one. ^^;; I hope everyone's enjoying what I've got so far and are anxious to see what's up next! Because, as far as we know, my legs are out of it, but my fingers aren't! Zax rolls his eyes and comments, "But that's because you kept running and jumping around playing with laser guns at Rak's party." #^^# Eeh, so maybe I was. Heh. Well, I'm out of shape, okay? ^^;;

Ah, but that's not important! Stories are! So, let's get going!! Yeah!!

Tides of Fire

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Chapter Six

Sora sighed inwardly as many people crowded him and the other main actors of the play. He smiled occasionally, but his body, mind nor heart was into all the joy and celebrations. As soon as he got the chance, he changed into red cargo-like pants and a long-sleeved white shirt with a hood attached to the back. His usual red outfit was bundled up in a bag that he somehow obtained. As he tied up his bag, he threw it in the shack leading to and from the Paopu island. He didn't want to join in the celebration — not with all kinds of things on his mind. He sat on the Paopu tree with a frown on his face, trying once again to suppress his wild thoughts and the unknown waves and melodies that disturbed his though pattern. What was wrong? He needed to—

Shaking his head, Sora turned and laid back on the tree, stretching along the length of it and turning his gaze toward the sky. How ironic: like in the play, the day was setting, the air calm as if waiting to stir, signal great trouble. And like the lay, it was from the setting sun to night that the events surrounding Kingdom Hearts came into play. So what does that mean now?

"Sora?"

The brunette turned his head toward the voice, sitting up to greet the approaching figures. Kairi, Riku, Leon and the gang were coming toward him, a more or less happy expression on their faces. Sora grinned and waved them over. "Hey guys!"

Kairi hugged Sora and smiled. "Hey, why aren't you at the party?"

Sora chuckled. "Ah, I think I'm too embarrassed from the play to meet everyone now."

Yuffie bounced up to hug the brunette as well. "What? But you did so well!"

Sora looked skeptically at the female. "And you weren't surprised or the least bit ready to laugh when you saw me in those dresses?"

Aerith shook her head, replying kindly, "I will admit that I was indeed surprised, but nonetheless you were terrific, Sora."

Leon nodded from his spot with Sephiroth, Cloud and Riku in the back behind the women. "She right; we all think you did really well. Kairi told us that you took the role because Jasmine couldn't at an unfortunate last minute."

Sora nodded, swinging his legs around to face them fully. "Yeah. And since I inconveniently had all the main roles memorized after many rehearsals and narrating between scenes and over their lines, I was chosen to take Jasmine's role."

Yuffie laughed and ruffed the boy's hair in a playful manner. "Oh, c'mon, Sora, it couldn't have been bad, huh? I mean, the only downside was the dresses, right?"

The brunette wrinkled his nose. "You forget the fact that I was in front of a large audience."

Yuffie laughed again. "Oh yeah! And you had to kiss in front of them too!"

A blush spread across the teen's face as he glanced over the women's shoulders to Riku who averted his gaze. Aerith smiled and lightly patted the brunette's shoulder to reassure him. "Don't worry, Sora, only those nearest to this island could really see."

Sora puffed a bang. "And where were you guys sitting?"

"On the closer half."

Sora sighed and bowed his head, shaking it. "I can't believe this. All around people will know me as the homo keybearer."

Kairi shook her head. "That's not true, Sora!"

Sora lifted a brow and turned his gaze toward the crowd in the sand. "Then why are those near us staring at me with weird expressions on their face?"

Indeed, as the group turned, they caught a good hand of people staring at Sora, several whispering amongst themselves. Sora shook his head.

"See?"

Kairi laughed and hugged the teen, yelling over his shoulder toward the crowd, "He's not a wall ornament! And he taken!"

Sora whipped his head around to face the redhead. "What does that mean?" he inquired.

Kairi pulled back, shrugging. "Oh, just a few words to get them away. I heard it worked in books, so maybe it works for real."

Sora laughed and turned to the rest of the group. "Well, what are you guys doing over here anyway?"

Riku walked up, the men following. "Hanging out with the drag queen."

Sora playfully punched the older on the shoulder. "Shut up."

All present on the Paopu island laughed and shared the rest of the party with Sora so not to leave him out (even though he wanted to be alone for the moment). The party seemed to last forever, heading on into the night and well past 'bed times', all the guests eventually leaving. Only Leon, Aerith, Yuffie, Cloud and Sephiroth remained. As they stood before the door to leave, Sora, Kairi and Riku stood by to bid them farewell. Selphie, Tidus and Wakka went home well beforehand like many of the other guests.

Aerith hugged the trio, a smile and exchange of happy words to each of them before stepping through the door. Yuffie ruffled Sora's hair, hugged Kairi, and shook Riku's hand in her turn to leave. Leon and Cloud merely nodded when they left, leaving Sephiroth. Kairi smiled and bowed slightly to the man and said her own good-bye before heading off to return home herself.

The silver-haired man nodded to Sora. "You have many talents, Sora. Congratulations on the play."

Sora nodded at his old opponent in the ring. "Thanks."

To Riku the man added, "'In time the sky darkens. Then, it wears the moon as a pendant. ...A light in all darkness.' Remember that."

Though confused about his words, Riku nodded as the man left, knowing somehow that he could trust the man even with his all-too-similar appearance. He stared after the man before turning to Sora as he summoned his key, locking the door once again. "That's it?"

Sora nodded and waved his hand, the key disappearing into his heart. "Yup."

Riku nodded and started going outside. "Today was so lively."

Sora agreed as they walked out onto the sand again. "Yeah. It's weird, really, after so much that has happened, so many people feel safe in traveling to this island just to witness a play. Not long ago they would've been afraid just to travel out of their own houses."

Riku stopped at the base of the shore, letting the tips of his boots be teased by the waves that continued to wash in and out. "Yeah. But after what you'd done for them, they're confident that nothing would happen."

"Then am I just some tool of war? Then they're here merely because if something wrong happened, I would surely save them all?"

Riku quickly turned around, shaking his head vigorously. "No! How can you think that? I- I didn't mean to phrase it that way. Though you indeed hold the light, you are also friends of many. People look up to you and adore you. You, unlike me, helped them, saved them. You did so much for them!"

Sora shook his head. "But even so, just by your words, wouldn't it seem like I am only some savior to them, a hero that will keep them safe forever more?"

Riku laid a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "You aren't, Sora. Don't think otherwise. Look, I think we both should rest up for the day, okay? Today has kept us so busy that we deserve it."

Sora nodded and they walked toward the docks where Sora started to untie his boat.

Riku watched as he told to his friend, "Hey, while your out there, don't think too much about your role in this Kingdom, okay?"

Sora chuckled and stood up as he finished untying his knot. "Same to you, Riku. You have played the role of a 'bad guy' once, but you made up for it. You shouldn't think about your role in this Kingdom."

Riku half smiled and nodded, walking back to the tree house as he called over his shoulder, "Sure. Thanks, Sora."

The brunette waved and waited until the silver-haired male disappeared into the tree house before he moved. Could now be his chance? ...He was close in telling the other, but dropped it immediately. How could he tell him? No... It wasn't possible. He'd have to deal with it himself. ...Tomorrow. Riku was right, he had to rest for the night. Yeah, tomorrow he'll deal with it. Tomorrow, after a good long rest.

Turquoise eyes shifted from side to side, scanning the area. ...That was weird. What happened to...? Riku spotted Kairi jog toward him, a frown across her face.

"Riku?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you seen Sora around?"

Silver locks swayed from side to side. "No. In fact, I've been looking for him for some time now."

"Maybe he's still in bed?" the girl asked. "What time did he leave?"

Riku shrugged. "I'm not sure exactly, but probably right when I left to go sleep. The last time I saw him was at the dock. He had untied his boat and was getting ready to hop in when we separated. Sora may be a lazy bum, but he doesn't stay in this late."

Kairi nodded. "That's why I'm concerned."

"Well, I don't know where he is. Have you stopped by his house yet?"

Kairi shook her head. "No, not yet. I will, though." She turned around and jogged back across the bridge, disappearing into the shack and reappearing on the sand below where she made her way to the dock, quickly untying her boat and setting off back to the mainland where the homes were.

As Riku watched her go, he turned out to the sea like his old routine and started to wonder. Where could Sora have— Shaking his head, Riku crossed the bridge in order to look for the idiotic brunette once more. After searching high and low, only one place remained. Doubting that the teen would be there, Riku sighed as he headed inside what once was labeled the 'Secret Place'. Here, the children of the island drew on rock surfaces, the pictures mementos. As he looked around, he spotted an addition to one of the drawings. It was of Kairi and Sora from the earlier times of their friendship. Riku had not been present when they drew each other on the cold, smooth surface, having been sick that day and unable to come out. Kneeling before it now, there certainly were a few additions to it since he last saw it. A hand holding a paopu fruit extended to each other, no doubt signaling an eternal friendship between them. Looking at it now, imagining both drawing the new features, Sora's face in a goofy grin while Kairi probably was a soft smile, tears rimming her eyes, Riku felt a tug at his heart. What was this feeling...?

The silver-haired teen laid a hand over his heart and closed his eyes, the emotion subsiding slowly. Shaking his head, his eyes opened. This longing wouldn't do. He stood up and brushed himself off, turning to face the door to the world. What didn't surprise him was the fact that it was closed as if never opened. What did was the fact that a strange pulsing light surrounded the door, seeming to be coming from the other side. Why would there be light coming from around the door like light under a bedroom door at night?

Approaching the door, Riku was not ready for what was to happen next. As soon as he touched the door, the smooth wooden surface seemed to move under his hand, the light tracing the door glowing and pulsing more quickly. Why was—? Before Riku had the chance to even finish his thought, blinding light surrounded him, coming from the door he touched. By reflex, he squeezed his eyes tightly shut, unable to do anymore as it seemed like he passed though an unnamed, probably once solid, object, feeling a pull at every part of his body.

What's going on?!

He cried out mentally as his body felt like it was being drawn downwards, a wave of fright, surprise and irritation flowing through him.

Darn it! Not again!

When his body seemed to jerk to a stop, the silver-haired teen opened his eyes only to quickly close them again when nothing but white met his vision. Waiting a moment or two, he reopened his eyes, slowly this time. He winced at the whiteness, but his eyes eventually adjusted, showing him what would seem like a white room, no definite top or bottom, nor walls or doors or windows. Funny, it seemed like the opposite of his dream not but the other day...

Cautious, he drifted forward, letting himself float in a random direction, wondering where he'd end up. After some time, he closed his eyes and folded in himself, listening to the faint beating of his heart.

Heart...

Did he really have one? ... What was he thinking? Of course he had one! Shaking his head slightly, he turned, continuing to float. It was only when the ghostly feel of hands wrapping around his shoulders did he uncurl, opening his eyes once more. Though he couldn't see anyone, he felt their presence and their touch.

"Who...?"

Riku...

The silver-haired teen turned again, only to see nothing but forever white. "What? Who are you?"

Riku... Listen...

"To what?"

To the melodies... They are the paths... Their tones stress their need...

"Need? What need?"

Need...

"I don't understand. What do you mean?"

Key.... Music.... Paths....

Turquoise eyes narrowed slightly as brows came together. Irritation rose in him as he said, "What are you talking about? I don't understand you."

Find them... Look for them... They will help... They will.... Key...

Them? What was 'them'? People? Things? What? Riku shook his head, unable to comprehend what this mysterious voice was trying to communicate. But even so, he waited as patiently as he could, listening to the rest of its sentence.

He... Help... Needs... Girl is...

Riku frowned as the words sounded like broken-off sentences, only revealing parts of it. "What about a girl?"

She will help... Danger... Great risk... Find....

After that, the voice disappeared, leaving Riku alone with only his thoughts. Find 'them'... and find a girl? And what was this about melodies and paths? How would listening to music help him? He didn't understand. What was he supposed to do? Sighing, he closed his eyes and withdrew once more, letting himself ride it out, not wanting to think of anything related to music or keys or trouble anymore.

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AN: As a first note, I've started using html as my format for my fan stories and thus the reason why everything is to spaced out. (Well, at least more than usual, anyway.) Secondly, I hope nothing's falling apart in this story for I (unfortunately) rushed typing this chapter as well. It's hard to type all these this and struggle with my other story when work at school is suddenly piling up. Ooh, not good at all. See, I'm trying to keep this updating schedule with my library schedule (you know, update at the library when my books are due), but it doesn't always work too well. I just hope everyone is happy and grateful of what I'm attempting to pull off. Zax wags a finger at me Hey! What now? rolling his eyes, he answers, "Knowing you, you aren't really reliable." Oh, be quiet! swats Zax I'm doing my best!

Sora: nods Yeah! Leave her alone!

^^ Thank you! Well, please review. Like? No like? Do more? Drop dead right now? Go do the homework I've neglected to do? What?? Please tell me! Comment por favor!!

Oh yeah, and thirdly, I'm sorry for the short chapter! (I'm pretty sure it's not even ten pages! T-T Not at all!) I just had to knock it off at this part until next time. Bad cliffie, but I hope you'll forgive me for what I've given. Well, please review and I'll see you all next time! (No promises on the exact date.)