I got a review! Hooray! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! I'm sorry if it
was a little confusing, I'm still trying to get back into this swing.
Listening to Dee mutter on and on about Bionicles isn't good for me-
especially when I have to write what he says! Anyhow, thanks!
Killer Deals and Lover's Chills
Chapter 5: Trading Spaces, Places, Friends
Sora and Blank sat up nearly half the night learning how to act like a woman, and semipass off as being Terra. He really hadn't understood until now, how hard it was. Why Kairi and Selphie always acted so weird just shot right past him. Now that he had a better idea of what was going on, though, he was ready for the Trading Spaces thing.
Or so he thought.
When they woke up at five o'clock the next morning, the cameras were already set up in the family room. The main cast-Paige, Edward, Frank, and Ty-wouldn't arrive until seven, but Blank had to get home. And Sora had to "get ready" for the whole ordeal.
Whatever that meant.
"We're the blue team, Sora," Mom said. "Get dressed-but not in those white clothes!"
"Okay."
Sora still felt bad about dying Terra's nice clothes, especially the "Cutie" nightshirt. According to Blank, it had been her favorite. He clambered into a pair of loose, practical black pants and an old, already paint-spattered black t-shirt. It was obviously covered in oils and acrylics, so that meant it was meant for the job.
Right?
He ran a hand over the sides of his new body. The sixteen-year-old girl wasn't skinny, and she wasn't exactly beautiful. But, for some reason, it suited her. Him. Arg! Which was he!? A girl or a guy!? A guy's mind in a woman's body. Whoever thought this whole thing up seriously needed some Zoloft and sleeping pills-both strong enough to subdue these weird fantasies.
During the night, he'd read several of Terra's writings, and gone through her sketchbook and journal. She seemed just the type to think of something as weird as this-but at least she knew that it wasn't going to spring out on her. Well, it had, but it wasn't totally her own thoughts.
How had Riku and Blank and whoever else was involved come up with all this? He pulled on a pair of boots, laced with silver string, and tied back her weird hair with a silver hair ribbon. At least it was long enough to get out of his face with the proper amount of force. Blank had taught him so much in the span of about five hours.
He just hoped he could put it into practice, at least enough to fool other people. God, he still couldn't believe he was going on national television in a woman's body. A body, he might add, that didn't seem all that good on television.
Sora stared into the mirror, trying to memorize what she looked like now. He would need it for later. No left eyebrow, no eyelashes. She lost them in a fire, trying to save her father, and failed. No wonder Terra was such an outcast. Maybe his friends could change all that. He hoped so, after all, that was the purpose of this whole thing.
Wasn't it?
Then why hadn't she just come to Destiny Islands, and they left him there? Why did he have to play her, with only his name to remember his identity? Some killer deal this was. And, just to add to all the suspense, Terra's eight-year-old crush was going to be there. Exactly how would Terra respond to Kyle? He didn't know.
And he cared a great deal. Sora didn't want to hurt anyone, especially not Blank. She had worked so hard to get this all kicked into motion. But why? Why had she thrown so much effort in this? With a sigh, he pulled the trademark Trading Spaces smock over her black t-shirt, glad, at least, that the color made the pale skin shine instead of make her appear sickly.
"Sora! Come on, Al just left for Renee's," Mom peeked into the room. "That's where everyone's staying, until it's over. Are you ready to meet the Trading Spaces people?"
"Sure, Mom," Sora smiled. "Let's go."
More cameras lined the lawn, where a huge white tent was set up. The TLC Trading Spaces van was parked in their driveway, while three more vehicles lined the street where the two houses were situated. Five familiar faces stood on the front lawn of Terra's house, and one quite unfamiliar one besides.
Paige Davis, Edward, Frank, Ty, and Blank stood beside several cameras set up at different angles and focuses. Blank was wearing the famous red smock, and a man wearing the same color stood beside her. That must be Kyle. Sora felt his heart cringe and twist; her stomach flip flop; her eyes widen.
He looked exactly like Riku. Except.older. More mature. Longer hair. Still, the silver hair, the smooth, sleek aqua eyes, the steady build, he was Riku in every aspect. Blank glanced over at him, and smiled sadly.
"So you've noticed," she whispered, standing beside him. "Terra fell for his looks, all right. I wish he would go away, he's a real pain in the rear. Don't worry." She giggled under her breath. "He acts nothing like Riku. Kyle is.different, to say the least."
The aqua depths found root on Sora's newly silver eyes. He walked toward them, smiling gently.
"Hello, Sora," he said. "It's been a while."
"So it has."
"I wonder.do you still have that scar, from the cut?"
"Cut?" Sora blinked. Blank slapped her forehead, swearing under her breath.
"Remember when we first met? You were drawing me and Blank fighting," he laughed gently. "I nearly cut off your arm."
"Oh, yes," Sora said, not really understanding.
"I always thought it was brave of you.to keep going, to keep drawing. You really are a good friend, Sora."
Sora blinked and smiled, hoping to get him off so he could ask Blank about it. Luckily, Kyle got the gist.
"What does he mean?"
"That's how Terra and us met," Blank whispered frantically. "We were fighting in the park, and you'd just moved there."
"How did I get cut?"
"He used to sharpen his fingernails," Blank said, her face grim.
Sora cocked her right brow at her.
"Don't do that," Blank said. "Terra doesn't like to draw attention."
"Then how-"
"She isn't a heart-on-the-sleeve person. Sometimes she just starts spewing whatever random things come into her head. It's how she keeps herself and others from asking too many questions."
"But if you don't ask questions, how do you get answers?"
"That's what she's got to learn."
***
Terra woke the next morning to the sound of seagulls cawing just outside her window. Warm sunlight, a lived-in bedroom, and comfortable clothes; this was the way she should have led her life. She knew better, though. Things were never that simple. And they were simplified through withdrawal from the world. Yet, that rule didn't seem to apply to Destiny Islands. In fact, it seemed almost the opposite. If you didn't play and talk and laugh, it was like there was something terribly wrong with you.
Maybe it had been that way in her world, too. But here, it seemed much more obvious. She dressed in colorful clothes, with the red shoes again. Still had the silver chains, but they seemed more natural when there was color all around them. In just the day she had been there, her pale skin had tanned slightly, bringing warmer color to her cheeks.
And Riku.
He wasn't anything like what she'd imagined. The Riku she knew was soft and gentle, protective and strong. She had known him for such a short time, and yet it was like a lifetime.
In fact, it had been.
She just didn't remember it as well as he did.
Terra packed up some clothes and little belongings here and there into a knapsack. Knowing she wouldn't return made her kind of nostalgic; she would miss Destiny Islands. Yet, at the same time, she was ready for the adventure. She was ready to fight to the death at Donald and Goofy's side, when at last she met them.
If she did.
The sunrise painted a glow unlike anything she herself had ever done. A million hues and tones sprinkled the sands with an angelic glow. So this was the dawn. This was her journey.
"Terra! Come on, it's time to go!" Riku and Kairi both were waiting on the Excalibur, waving at Terra to hurry. She helped them tie down the last of the coconuts and her bag, then tugged the strings and ropes that held the sail. The wind was in their favor.
"So long, Destiny Islands!" Riku shouted as they left their small home far on the horizon. Kairi smiled, admiring their handiwork. Perfection in every log, rope and box. Everything was waterproof.
"We left Destiny behind," Terra said, grinning. "But we've set out on something much greater."
"What's that, Terra?" Kairi asked. "Other worlds?"
"Nope," she shook her head. "The journey itself."
***
"Welcome to Trading Spaces, the show where two sets of neighbors trade spaces for some redecorating revolutions," Paige Davis said on the TV screen. "Today, we're in Wichita, Kansas, the Air Capital of the Midwest. Our two teams are taking advantage of a little spring break warm weather to play around. Let's hope there's none of that in our rooms, as they've only got two days to complete everything their designers have in mind."
The screen showed Sora's "Mom" and Blank playing a quick game of paintball while Sora sketched the scene in his notebook. Apparently, he'd gotten Terra's little artistic ability, and was glad that at least he could play that off. Kyle stood on the sidelines, dodging the paint as best he could. Despite not being one of the players in the game, he seemed to be the one being hit the most.
Sora watched, trying not to laugh.
"Our designers, Frank and Edward, and carpenter Ty, also seem to be having a good time. But will they have enough in their minds to stay within budget and time?
"Sora and her mom, Freda, both are wondering what on Earth Edward is going to turn their family room into." The half-red family room appeared on the screen, with only the desk and an old, beat-up sofa Sora's "Mom" had snuck in the night before. "The addition to their house, which is already quite colorful, began its journey toward red, but apparently stopped by the news that we were coming to town."
"We love wild colors, contemporary/modern rooms that just go nuts," Mom said, seated next to a nervous Sora. "I just got that couch last night, to tell the truth."
"Color-oriented is the way my mom is," Sora said. "As long as I can get to the TV, I'm okay. Comfort and wacky, random colors. That's us." He smiled broadly, hoping that Terra's so-called "randomness" had worn off onto him in the night preceding.
The camera switched over to Blank and Kyle.
"And Blank and Kyle, a brother and sister who live on their own, need a new kitchen/dining room/living room." There was a quick view from the front door of the house, in which the living room, kitchen, and dining area all appear together.
"I don't know, it's just all kind of spread out, ya know?" Kyle said. "Maybe something to divide things up, even if it is just a color scheme. We're not quite as wild about color as Sora's mom is, but we're good with anything. Just no geometry. I'm still cross-eyed from my college professors."
"As long as the kitchen table stays or gets replaced, I'm fine with whatever Frank comes out with. I need it for homework and stuff. I'd be interested to see what the creative, random minds of Sora and Frank could come up with, though. Go wild."
Sora, Mom, Blank, and Kyle stood on the front lawn, holding knapsacks and watching Paige hold on to their keys. The cameras were on them, and they were ready with what they had rehearsed.
"Well, since three of you are still in school, I expect you all know what rules are!" Paige shouted. "And two of you were in JROTC, so, rules are to be followed all the way, right?"
"Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" Sora, Kyle, and Blank yelled. Mom glanced at Sora in surprise but shrugged it off.
"So, rule number one!" Paige pointed at Kyle.
"Ma'am, cadets are not to see their own room until finished, ma'am!"
At Blank.
"Ma'am, designs are not to break a specified budget of one thousand dollars, ma'am!"
At Sora.
"MA'AM, the rooms are to be completed within a two day deadline, MA'AM!"
"And you're going to follow all rules, right?"
"MA'AM, YES, MA'AM!"
"All right, let's trade spaces!" Paige handed the key to Sora and he took off toward Blank's house.
************************************************************************
"Riku, are there any more islands around here?" Terra stretched out on the Excalibur's deck, feeling as if she was bacon in a nonstick pan. "As far as you know?"
"Getting bored already, Terra?" he laughed.
"No.well, okay, yes," Terra said. "When are we going to reach our first new world? This place is so big, so open."
She was right. Blue water stretched out in every direction, the 360 degree horizon showing them no breaks. The watch Terra was wearing said it was almost twelve o'clock, seven hours after they'd shoved off.
"Think everyone will miss us?" Kairi said.
"Of course they will," Terra said, turning over on the deck. "I don't think they've noticed that we're gone yet, though. Mom thought I wouldn't be back till later."
"You didn't tell her?"
"I left a note. She wouldn't have let me go if I just told her outright."
"True."
Riku stared out over the water, silent. The box on which he sat held our food and an extra sail. Terra followed his gaze out over the water. White, fluffy clouds were building on the horizon they were chasing, and a thin line of black was forming beneath them.
"Land," Riku said. "We'll land there first. We should eat what we can while we approach."
"He's got a point," Terra grinned. "Come on, Kai, let's get somethin' ta eat."
As she and Kairi opened coconuts and some dried beef, the black line grew and colored. Greened and blued, the white clouds suggested civilization. It became obvious that the clouds were coming from the island, small as it was. Terra drank her coconut milk and ate her beef. She chomped into the meat of the coconut as the island grew.
As they cleaned up, individual trees and a long white beach came into view. No people on the beach. Plenty more coconuts were right on the beach, along with more seagull eggs and a freshwater stream coming from the undergrowth.
Finally, they beached the raft. Riku and Terra pulled it up, away from high tide, while Kairi struck the trees for more coconuts. The boxes full again, she washed the sail in the fresh water.
"Kairi, stay and guard the raft," Riku said. "Terra and I will explore."
"You be careful."
"We will!"
Into the strange woods they dove, weaving under the fronds and branches. A snake dangled from one of the branches, a tree full of fruit bats, a pig dozing in the mud. No sign of intelligent life. Terra followed Riku, hoping that he knew what he was doing, at least.
"Riku, I'm beginning to think this island is uninhabited."
He sighed. "So am I."
"Let's get some of these mangoes and get going," Terra reached up and picked a pinkish fruit, smiling. "These look really good." She chomped into one. "Not only that, they are good! Mmm, try one, Riku!"
He smiled, trying not to laugh. Did not succeed.
"What are you laughing at?"
Instead of answering, he threw himself on the ground, laughing so hard his face was a bright red. Half-eaten mango cooled it off nicely.
"Hey!"
"Hey, yourself!" Terra giggled. "Here." She reached down to help him up. Riku took her hand, but instead pulled her down, right on top of him. "Riku! Lemme go!"
"Nope!" he held her tightly to him. Terra struggled to get up, only to have his grip grow firmer. "I won't ever let you go, Terra!"
"Riku.you're hurting me," Terra's breath came up short, her lungs squeezed. He instantly loosened his grip, but did not release her. "Will you please let me up?"
"Nope." He smiled at her.
"You know, this is really uncomfortable," Terra said, her eyes darting left and right. She knew that if her silvers were caught by aqua jewels, she would be in trouble.
"Terra, are you okay?" Riku studied her face, his own lapse and mirthful.
"I'm fine. Now will you please let me up?"
"All right." He released her, pushing her and himself to their feet.
"Hey, guys!" Kairi waved as they walked over the sands toward them. She'd already re-rigged the sail. Time was not on their side-high tide was halfway in. Riku and Terra pushed the raft back onto the sea and away they sailed. One of the boxes-the coconut box Riku sat on-was untied.
"Just leave it," he said. "I'll be okay."
Scene
"Look, another island!"
"Thank God," Terra said, her eyes skyward. "Looks like we'll have to camp there. Storm's coming this way."
Black clouds ruffled the edges of the horizon behind them. A purplish glow was over them, and Terra knew what was happening. But wait.Sora had gone into the Secret Place! What if Terra didn't get taken from Destiny Islands and into Traverse Town?
What if she was destroyed with the world?
What if Riku was destroyed?
But wait.
Riku said that they had delayed it. He said that. Perhaps that meant the location she was in when it happened didn't matter. Terra kicked the coconut box Riku was seated on.
Why did Riku's memory have to be erased?
"Terra, help!" The box was tipping.tipping.tipping.SPLOOSH! Riku fell into the ocean. He surfaced seconds later, spitting and sputtering for help. Terra reached over the side and grabbed his hand.
"I'm sorry, Riku, I forgot we untied the box!"
He only laughed. "Thanks, Terra, I wanted a lovely dunk before we got to the second island."
"I said I was sorry." Terra could feel her face heating up. Though her skin was significantly darker than before, her skin was still very pale, making it all too obvious that she was blushing. Riku took no notice and hauled himself, with her help, back onto the raft. Kairi watched the dark clouds on the horizon, ignoring her friends.
"You should have seen your face! You were as red as-"
"What is it, Kairi?" Terra interrupted him.
"Someone's coming."
Over the choppy waves, a small boat cut through the water faster than a torpedo and just as deadly. ************************************************************************ Cliffie! I left a cliffie! :P ^__^ Stay tuned for the next installment of Killer Deals and Lover's Chills! Should be up in a week. Review. Please?
Killer Deals and Lover's Chills
Chapter 5: Trading Spaces, Places, Friends
Sora and Blank sat up nearly half the night learning how to act like a woman, and semipass off as being Terra. He really hadn't understood until now, how hard it was. Why Kairi and Selphie always acted so weird just shot right past him. Now that he had a better idea of what was going on, though, he was ready for the Trading Spaces thing.
Or so he thought.
When they woke up at five o'clock the next morning, the cameras were already set up in the family room. The main cast-Paige, Edward, Frank, and Ty-wouldn't arrive until seven, but Blank had to get home. And Sora had to "get ready" for the whole ordeal.
Whatever that meant.
"We're the blue team, Sora," Mom said. "Get dressed-but not in those white clothes!"
"Okay."
Sora still felt bad about dying Terra's nice clothes, especially the "Cutie" nightshirt. According to Blank, it had been her favorite. He clambered into a pair of loose, practical black pants and an old, already paint-spattered black t-shirt. It was obviously covered in oils and acrylics, so that meant it was meant for the job.
Right?
He ran a hand over the sides of his new body. The sixteen-year-old girl wasn't skinny, and she wasn't exactly beautiful. But, for some reason, it suited her. Him. Arg! Which was he!? A girl or a guy!? A guy's mind in a woman's body. Whoever thought this whole thing up seriously needed some Zoloft and sleeping pills-both strong enough to subdue these weird fantasies.
During the night, he'd read several of Terra's writings, and gone through her sketchbook and journal. She seemed just the type to think of something as weird as this-but at least she knew that it wasn't going to spring out on her. Well, it had, but it wasn't totally her own thoughts.
How had Riku and Blank and whoever else was involved come up with all this? He pulled on a pair of boots, laced with silver string, and tied back her weird hair with a silver hair ribbon. At least it was long enough to get out of his face with the proper amount of force. Blank had taught him so much in the span of about five hours.
He just hoped he could put it into practice, at least enough to fool other people. God, he still couldn't believe he was going on national television in a woman's body. A body, he might add, that didn't seem all that good on television.
Sora stared into the mirror, trying to memorize what she looked like now. He would need it for later. No left eyebrow, no eyelashes. She lost them in a fire, trying to save her father, and failed. No wonder Terra was such an outcast. Maybe his friends could change all that. He hoped so, after all, that was the purpose of this whole thing.
Wasn't it?
Then why hadn't she just come to Destiny Islands, and they left him there? Why did he have to play her, with only his name to remember his identity? Some killer deal this was. And, just to add to all the suspense, Terra's eight-year-old crush was going to be there. Exactly how would Terra respond to Kyle? He didn't know.
And he cared a great deal. Sora didn't want to hurt anyone, especially not Blank. She had worked so hard to get this all kicked into motion. But why? Why had she thrown so much effort in this? With a sigh, he pulled the trademark Trading Spaces smock over her black t-shirt, glad, at least, that the color made the pale skin shine instead of make her appear sickly.
"Sora! Come on, Al just left for Renee's," Mom peeked into the room. "That's where everyone's staying, until it's over. Are you ready to meet the Trading Spaces people?"
"Sure, Mom," Sora smiled. "Let's go."
More cameras lined the lawn, where a huge white tent was set up. The TLC Trading Spaces van was parked in their driveway, while three more vehicles lined the street where the two houses were situated. Five familiar faces stood on the front lawn of Terra's house, and one quite unfamiliar one besides.
Paige Davis, Edward, Frank, Ty, and Blank stood beside several cameras set up at different angles and focuses. Blank was wearing the famous red smock, and a man wearing the same color stood beside her. That must be Kyle. Sora felt his heart cringe and twist; her stomach flip flop; her eyes widen.
He looked exactly like Riku. Except.older. More mature. Longer hair. Still, the silver hair, the smooth, sleek aqua eyes, the steady build, he was Riku in every aspect. Blank glanced over at him, and smiled sadly.
"So you've noticed," she whispered, standing beside him. "Terra fell for his looks, all right. I wish he would go away, he's a real pain in the rear. Don't worry." She giggled under her breath. "He acts nothing like Riku. Kyle is.different, to say the least."
The aqua depths found root on Sora's newly silver eyes. He walked toward them, smiling gently.
"Hello, Sora," he said. "It's been a while."
"So it has."
"I wonder.do you still have that scar, from the cut?"
"Cut?" Sora blinked. Blank slapped her forehead, swearing under her breath.
"Remember when we first met? You were drawing me and Blank fighting," he laughed gently. "I nearly cut off your arm."
"Oh, yes," Sora said, not really understanding.
"I always thought it was brave of you.to keep going, to keep drawing. You really are a good friend, Sora."
Sora blinked and smiled, hoping to get him off so he could ask Blank about it. Luckily, Kyle got the gist.
"What does he mean?"
"That's how Terra and us met," Blank whispered frantically. "We were fighting in the park, and you'd just moved there."
"How did I get cut?"
"He used to sharpen his fingernails," Blank said, her face grim.
Sora cocked her right brow at her.
"Don't do that," Blank said. "Terra doesn't like to draw attention."
"Then how-"
"She isn't a heart-on-the-sleeve person. Sometimes she just starts spewing whatever random things come into her head. It's how she keeps herself and others from asking too many questions."
"But if you don't ask questions, how do you get answers?"
"That's what she's got to learn."
***
Terra woke the next morning to the sound of seagulls cawing just outside her window. Warm sunlight, a lived-in bedroom, and comfortable clothes; this was the way she should have led her life. She knew better, though. Things were never that simple. And they were simplified through withdrawal from the world. Yet, that rule didn't seem to apply to Destiny Islands. In fact, it seemed almost the opposite. If you didn't play and talk and laugh, it was like there was something terribly wrong with you.
Maybe it had been that way in her world, too. But here, it seemed much more obvious. She dressed in colorful clothes, with the red shoes again. Still had the silver chains, but they seemed more natural when there was color all around them. In just the day she had been there, her pale skin had tanned slightly, bringing warmer color to her cheeks.
And Riku.
He wasn't anything like what she'd imagined. The Riku she knew was soft and gentle, protective and strong. She had known him for such a short time, and yet it was like a lifetime.
In fact, it had been.
She just didn't remember it as well as he did.
Terra packed up some clothes and little belongings here and there into a knapsack. Knowing she wouldn't return made her kind of nostalgic; she would miss Destiny Islands. Yet, at the same time, she was ready for the adventure. She was ready to fight to the death at Donald and Goofy's side, when at last she met them.
If she did.
The sunrise painted a glow unlike anything she herself had ever done. A million hues and tones sprinkled the sands with an angelic glow. So this was the dawn. This was her journey.
"Terra! Come on, it's time to go!" Riku and Kairi both were waiting on the Excalibur, waving at Terra to hurry. She helped them tie down the last of the coconuts and her bag, then tugged the strings and ropes that held the sail. The wind was in their favor.
"So long, Destiny Islands!" Riku shouted as they left their small home far on the horizon. Kairi smiled, admiring their handiwork. Perfection in every log, rope and box. Everything was waterproof.
"We left Destiny behind," Terra said, grinning. "But we've set out on something much greater."
"What's that, Terra?" Kairi asked. "Other worlds?"
"Nope," she shook her head. "The journey itself."
***
"Welcome to Trading Spaces, the show where two sets of neighbors trade spaces for some redecorating revolutions," Paige Davis said on the TV screen. "Today, we're in Wichita, Kansas, the Air Capital of the Midwest. Our two teams are taking advantage of a little spring break warm weather to play around. Let's hope there's none of that in our rooms, as they've only got two days to complete everything their designers have in mind."
The screen showed Sora's "Mom" and Blank playing a quick game of paintball while Sora sketched the scene in his notebook. Apparently, he'd gotten Terra's little artistic ability, and was glad that at least he could play that off. Kyle stood on the sidelines, dodging the paint as best he could. Despite not being one of the players in the game, he seemed to be the one being hit the most.
Sora watched, trying not to laugh.
"Our designers, Frank and Edward, and carpenter Ty, also seem to be having a good time. But will they have enough in their minds to stay within budget and time?
"Sora and her mom, Freda, both are wondering what on Earth Edward is going to turn their family room into." The half-red family room appeared on the screen, with only the desk and an old, beat-up sofa Sora's "Mom" had snuck in the night before. "The addition to their house, which is already quite colorful, began its journey toward red, but apparently stopped by the news that we were coming to town."
"We love wild colors, contemporary/modern rooms that just go nuts," Mom said, seated next to a nervous Sora. "I just got that couch last night, to tell the truth."
"Color-oriented is the way my mom is," Sora said. "As long as I can get to the TV, I'm okay. Comfort and wacky, random colors. That's us." He smiled broadly, hoping that Terra's so-called "randomness" had worn off onto him in the night preceding.
The camera switched over to Blank and Kyle.
"And Blank and Kyle, a brother and sister who live on their own, need a new kitchen/dining room/living room." There was a quick view from the front door of the house, in which the living room, kitchen, and dining area all appear together.
"I don't know, it's just all kind of spread out, ya know?" Kyle said. "Maybe something to divide things up, even if it is just a color scheme. We're not quite as wild about color as Sora's mom is, but we're good with anything. Just no geometry. I'm still cross-eyed from my college professors."
"As long as the kitchen table stays or gets replaced, I'm fine with whatever Frank comes out with. I need it for homework and stuff. I'd be interested to see what the creative, random minds of Sora and Frank could come up with, though. Go wild."
Sora, Mom, Blank, and Kyle stood on the front lawn, holding knapsacks and watching Paige hold on to their keys. The cameras were on them, and they were ready with what they had rehearsed.
"Well, since three of you are still in school, I expect you all know what rules are!" Paige shouted. "And two of you were in JROTC, so, rules are to be followed all the way, right?"
"Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" Sora, Kyle, and Blank yelled. Mom glanced at Sora in surprise but shrugged it off.
"So, rule number one!" Paige pointed at Kyle.
"Ma'am, cadets are not to see their own room until finished, ma'am!"
At Blank.
"Ma'am, designs are not to break a specified budget of one thousand dollars, ma'am!"
At Sora.
"MA'AM, the rooms are to be completed within a two day deadline, MA'AM!"
"And you're going to follow all rules, right?"
"MA'AM, YES, MA'AM!"
"All right, let's trade spaces!" Paige handed the key to Sora and he took off toward Blank's house.
************************************************************************
"Riku, are there any more islands around here?" Terra stretched out on the Excalibur's deck, feeling as if she was bacon in a nonstick pan. "As far as you know?"
"Getting bored already, Terra?" he laughed.
"No.well, okay, yes," Terra said. "When are we going to reach our first new world? This place is so big, so open."
She was right. Blue water stretched out in every direction, the 360 degree horizon showing them no breaks. The watch Terra was wearing said it was almost twelve o'clock, seven hours after they'd shoved off.
"Think everyone will miss us?" Kairi said.
"Of course they will," Terra said, turning over on the deck. "I don't think they've noticed that we're gone yet, though. Mom thought I wouldn't be back till later."
"You didn't tell her?"
"I left a note. She wouldn't have let me go if I just told her outright."
"True."
Riku stared out over the water, silent. The box on which he sat held our food and an extra sail. Terra followed his gaze out over the water. White, fluffy clouds were building on the horizon they were chasing, and a thin line of black was forming beneath them.
"Land," Riku said. "We'll land there first. We should eat what we can while we approach."
"He's got a point," Terra grinned. "Come on, Kai, let's get somethin' ta eat."
As she and Kairi opened coconuts and some dried beef, the black line grew and colored. Greened and blued, the white clouds suggested civilization. It became obvious that the clouds were coming from the island, small as it was. Terra drank her coconut milk and ate her beef. She chomped into the meat of the coconut as the island grew.
As they cleaned up, individual trees and a long white beach came into view. No people on the beach. Plenty more coconuts were right on the beach, along with more seagull eggs and a freshwater stream coming from the undergrowth.
Finally, they beached the raft. Riku and Terra pulled it up, away from high tide, while Kairi struck the trees for more coconuts. The boxes full again, she washed the sail in the fresh water.
"Kairi, stay and guard the raft," Riku said. "Terra and I will explore."
"You be careful."
"We will!"
Into the strange woods they dove, weaving under the fronds and branches. A snake dangled from one of the branches, a tree full of fruit bats, a pig dozing in the mud. No sign of intelligent life. Terra followed Riku, hoping that he knew what he was doing, at least.
"Riku, I'm beginning to think this island is uninhabited."
He sighed. "So am I."
"Let's get some of these mangoes and get going," Terra reached up and picked a pinkish fruit, smiling. "These look really good." She chomped into one. "Not only that, they are good! Mmm, try one, Riku!"
He smiled, trying not to laugh. Did not succeed.
"What are you laughing at?"
Instead of answering, he threw himself on the ground, laughing so hard his face was a bright red. Half-eaten mango cooled it off nicely.
"Hey!"
"Hey, yourself!" Terra giggled. "Here." She reached down to help him up. Riku took her hand, but instead pulled her down, right on top of him. "Riku! Lemme go!"
"Nope!" he held her tightly to him. Terra struggled to get up, only to have his grip grow firmer. "I won't ever let you go, Terra!"
"Riku.you're hurting me," Terra's breath came up short, her lungs squeezed. He instantly loosened his grip, but did not release her. "Will you please let me up?"
"Nope." He smiled at her.
"You know, this is really uncomfortable," Terra said, her eyes darting left and right. She knew that if her silvers were caught by aqua jewels, she would be in trouble.
"Terra, are you okay?" Riku studied her face, his own lapse and mirthful.
"I'm fine. Now will you please let me up?"
"All right." He released her, pushing her and himself to their feet.
"Hey, guys!" Kairi waved as they walked over the sands toward them. She'd already re-rigged the sail. Time was not on their side-high tide was halfway in. Riku and Terra pushed the raft back onto the sea and away they sailed. One of the boxes-the coconut box Riku sat on-was untied.
"Just leave it," he said. "I'll be okay."
Scene
"Look, another island!"
"Thank God," Terra said, her eyes skyward. "Looks like we'll have to camp there. Storm's coming this way."
Black clouds ruffled the edges of the horizon behind them. A purplish glow was over them, and Terra knew what was happening. But wait.Sora had gone into the Secret Place! What if Terra didn't get taken from Destiny Islands and into Traverse Town?
What if she was destroyed with the world?
What if Riku was destroyed?
But wait.
Riku said that they had delayed it. He said that. Perhaps that meant the location she was in when it happened didn't matter. Terra kicked the coconut box Riku was seated on.
Why did Riku's memory have to be erased?
"Terra, help!" The box was tipping.tipping.tipping.SPLOOSH! Riku fell into the ocean. He surfaced seconds later, spitting and sputtering for help. Terra reached over the side and grabbed his hand.
"I'm sorry, Riku, I forgot we untied the box!"
He only laughed. "Thanks, Terra, I wanted a lovely dunk before we got to the second island."
"I said I was sorry." Terra could feel her face heating up. Though her skin was significantly darker than before, her skin was still very pale, making it all too obvious that she was blushing. Riku took no notice and hauled himself, with her help, back onto the raft. Kairi watched the dark clouds on the horizon, ignoring her friends.
"You should have seen your face! You were as red as-"
"What is it, Kairi?" Terra interrupted him.
"Someone's coming."
Over the choppy waves, a small boat cut through the water faster than a torpedo and just as deadly. ************************************************************************ Cliffie! I left a cliffie! :P ^__^ Stay tuned for the next installment of Killer Deals and Lover's Chills! Should be up in a week. Review. Please?