Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts. So there.
Warning: Read the first chapter.
Author Note: There're another chapter for you! I want to thank my reviewers once again. They motivated me to write this chapter. I am not too sure when I will update with the next chapter but I will try to get it up at November 12. I want to give my thanks to my friend, she beta-read my story for me.
The warmth of sunlight beamed at my sleeping face. I groaned as the intruding, bright light refused to darken when I tried to will it. I threw my hand over my eyes to block the light. I slowly opened my eyes, didn't really remember where I was. It took me a while but I realized I was in my bed. It was quiet… I rolled around to check my alarm clock. It's nearly noon…
"Noon?!" I screamed and bolted out of my bed. I was so late for my job! Oh, the boss won't be too happy. "Damn you, alarm! Why didn't you go off at six in morning?!" I cursed at the alarm then hurriedly searched for any clothes to wear. I decided to not take a shower; it'll just make me way even more late. Within only two minutes out of my bed, I was ready to leave for the café.
"Your alarm was broken?" The boss said, rising his eyebrow. "You used that excuse for like the fifth time now."
"Well, this time I'm serious." I protested. I recently arrived at the café and just as I expected, my boss wasn't too happy with my late arrival. He stared at me for quite long time. I was becoming even more nervous, pondering what will he do to me. Maybe he will hang me upside-down at the ceiling? No wait, that was my old coach and besides my boss was too nice to do that.
"You missed the work far too many times." My boss said, and then went off to his work behind the counter. I sighed in relief that he didn't yell at me. "Of course, you will have to work the late shift to make up for your tardiness."
"Aw, boss!" I whined but he ignored me. That's new. He has never given me the late shift before… I guess he must be really irritated with me now.
Rest of the day went by so fast. I toiled behind the counter, nearly to my exhaustion. Well, not really. Mostly all I did was just sit on the stool and wait for the customers. Tidus came by to say goodbye since he is leaving the island and won't be coming back for a couple of weeks. I sighed and wished my boss didn't give me the late shift.
I watched through the windows to see the darkened sky. It was getting darker. There would be definitely no customers until next day. I impatiently waited for my shift to end, andoften, I glanced at the clock on the wall. I rushed out of the café without saying anything to my boss when my shift ended.
"Surprise, Sora!" I yelped in surprise when I walked into my apartment. "Happy Birthday!" There were the few people in my apartment, hollering at me. I was stunned, unable to think about anything. The few minutes passed and my mind finally started to work. I recognized the three people. They were Tidus, Kairi and Wakka.
"Looks like he's speechless." Wakka chuckled, and nudged me to sit on the couch.
"Wakka? Aren't you supposed to be somewhere else?" I managed to speak and sat down on the couch. Kairi and Tidus sat besides me while Wakka went to fetch the wooden chair from my kitchen. Did I just forget my own birthday? Dammit, I had been too stressed lately. Well, I'm at least thankful that my friends were there to remind me.
"I lied." Tidus said, chuckling. "We wanted to surprise you really good. It worked, didn't it?"
"You lied about going to fish as well?"
"Well, I lied about leaving now. But I'll be leaving tomorrow though."
"Oh." Wakka put the wooden chair down front of the couch and sat on it. I tried to hide my disappointment about Tidus' fishing tomorrow.
"How are ya?"
"Still in shock." I mumbled. "I actually forgot my own birthday. I can't believe it." Tidus and Wakka sniggered at me while Kairi just giggled. "You got me the presents?" They laughed louder this time. I can't help it but was very curious what they did bring me for my birthday. I felt like I was ten years old again, eagerly waiting for the presents.
"Of course! But the beers first." Wakka jumped from the chair and took off into the kitchen once again.
"We had been waiting for like ages for you to come in! Where had you been?" Tidus frowned.
"Oh, Boss gave me the late shift."
"That's so?" Wakka entered into the living room with the six-pack in his hand. "Want abeer, Kairi?"
"No, thank you." She shook her head. Wakka shrugged and handed Tidus and me the beer cans. He took one for himself and put the six-pack on the floor before settling on his chair. "Why did your boss give you the late shift?"
"I was very late." I muttered, and opened my beer. "Presents?"
"Here." Wakka threw me the wrapped box. I impatiently tore the wrapping off and opened the box.
"What the…? Boxers?" I picked the golden colored boxers out of the box.
"Yup! Those are my good luck boxers! Never wash it, bad luck, ya." I let out the short scream before hastily dropped the boxers back in the box. "Everyone needs good luck. So I thought to give you mine. Good present?" I was not sure if it is a joke or not. Who would give the dirty boxers to the people as the presents, anyway?
"It's my turn." Kairi giggled and handed me the somewhat large box, covered in the dark red wrapping with the white letters on it, 'happy birthday'. Having forgotten about the boxers, I tore the wrappings off merciless and opened it. Inside were the roller blades.
"Oh, I can't believe it! How do you know that I always wanted these?"
"I know because each time we passed by that store, you're always looking at the roller blades and drooling."
"I don't drool!" I pouted. "Tidus, I don't drool right?"
"Huh? Hey, don't get me involved." Tidus protested. "Here. For you." He pulled the bag from behind the couch and threw it at me. I took a look inside the bag and realized it was just a pillow.
"Why did you get me a pillow? I already have one."
"One for the bed. One for your butt when you're out with those roller blades." At that, Tidus and Wakka broke into the laughter. I admitted, I was really clumsy and probably need the pillow. Damn it, I can't help it but laughed along with them. I put my beer can on the small coffee table.
"Good one!" Wakka punched Tidus' shoulder lightly, chuckling.
"Wakka, give him the present." Kairi said, "It's a bit rude to hold it off for long time." Surprised by that, I turned to look at Wakka who scowled at her. It was probably because she spoiled the surprise.
"The boxers were a joke, right?" I glared at him but soon lost the effort to do that since I was not really that mad. Wakka chuckled and then took off to the kitchen… again. We were silent and waiting for Wakka to come back with my present. When he did, he was holding the blitzball. He didn't even bother to wrap it. I noticed there were some words on the ball. He threw it at me and I caught it easily. I took the close inspection at the words and realized they were the autographs from Wakka's teammates. Wakka had also autographed the ball.
"It's awesome!" I beamed my smile at Wakka. "It's awesome!" He smiled back.
"Aw, man! I want that!" Tidus exclaimed, "Remind me to steal it when you're sleeping."
"No way! Do that and I will hunt you down." I held the ball protectively and gave him the half-heartedly glare. Kairi giggled at my reaction.
"Okay, okay. I won't touch your precious ball." Tidus threw his hands up. "Wakka?" He turned to Wakka, "Why didn't you give me the autographed blitzball at my last birthday?"
"'Cause of the blind date."
"I knew it! I knew you're going to throw that at my face." Tidus mumbled angrily, "It was not intentional!" I chuckled, and then realized all that chuckles and laughs had really made me thirsty. I turned to get my beer from the table only to find out it was gone. Did I put my beer on the table or somewhere else? I jerked my head around, trying to locate my beer but no luck.
"You took my beer." I accused Tidus who raised his eyebrows in surprise. Then he blew up.
"Great! Now everyone accuses me! Oh yes! I stole your beer! Why don't you guys just throw me in the jail while you are at it!"
"Tidus, quit being a drama queen." Kairi said, trying to calm him down but only angered him even more.
"Everyone knows that you like to steal the beers." Wakka said, "Give him his beer back, ya." That only resulted the glare from Tidus. Tidus grabbed the beer from the six-pack… well, two-pack now. And then shoved it at me.
"Here! Enjoy." We decided to not make him even angrier and didn't speak about the beer stealing and that double date thing. I opened my beer and took a sip. We talked and joked about each one until well into the night. Wakka was first one who left, because he had to attend the practice session early in the morning. So we exchanged the goodbyes and watched Wakka left.
Later, it was Kairi. She was just too tired and couldn'tstay awake any longer so she decided it was time for her to leave. Tidus, however, decided to stay at my apartment for the night. He slept on the couch while I made my way to my bed. Earlier when Tidus was awake, I told him to wake me in the morning if the alarm decides to not to sound off again. I closed my eyes and slowly drifted into the deep sleep.
The sun was blazing high in the sky. But it was not too hot, thanks to the towering trees. They blocked out most of the sunlight so the hikers were grateful for that. They grunted and sweated as they made their way to top of the mountain. They were blind to the danger waiting for them while they approached the top. Among the hikers was the young, muscular man with long silver hair. He was in the lead, searching for the best course to take.
He was also blind to the danger. A cougar watched them keenly, kept its eyes on their movements. The hikers disappeared behind the trees. The cougar softly growled and silently broke into a run for the boulder at the top so it could get a better look at the enemy. It jumped on the boulder, unaware of the danger underneath. The boulder was slowly overturned by the sudden weight of a cougar. A cougar stumbled and managed to get out of the way.
The falling boulder crashed through the thick trees, knocking everything down in its path. Luckily,it just only barely missed the hikers. The boulder flew as it rolled over the cliff, and then made a nasty crash below. The hikers breathed a huge sigh of relief. But the relief was short. The cliff collapsed all of a sudden. The hikers turned back and managed to flee from the danger. But the silver man did not make it.
He fell along with the cliff, his eyes filled with fear and horror. The piercing scream came forth from his mouth as he freefalls. But nobody can help him.
"Aahhh!" I screamed and jerked my eyes open. Panting, I stared at the ceiling. I realized it was the dream. No, it was the nightmare. Soaked in my own sweat, I groaned and pushed myself out of my bed.
"Sora! Are you all right?" Tidus burst into my bedroom, with worry on his face. "I-I heard the scream."
"I'm fine, Tidus. It was just the nightmare." I croaked. "Just go back to sleep."
"Do you need anything?"
"Well… I amrather thirsty…" And why was it freaking hot? Last time I checked, it was the autumn, not the summer.
"The water is coming up!" He shouted with a small smile and disappeared from my bedroom. I sighed, and then sat on my bed. I turned to glance at the windows. I can see the sky was turning a bluish colour. Dawn must be coming soon.
"Here's your water, your highness." Tidus entered my bedroom, held the cup of the water. I rolled my eyes at him while he handed me the cup. "I'm going to sleep. It's too damn early."
"Thanks." I watched him went out of my bedroom then turned my eyes to my cup. My eyes slowly drifted back to the windows. I took the gulp of the water and got choked on it little.
It had been long time since I last had that nightmare. Damn, I thought I finally got over it. I always dreamed of him, falling from the collapsed cliff. I hated it. But most of all, I hated that he suffered. I remembered back when I was talking to the hiker. I was shocked to find out that Riku actually survived the fall. He didn't die right away at the impact. Instead, he lingered and battled against his death. But the hour later, he lost the battle.
Sometimes I actually wished that he would die immediately at the impact. So he won't have to suffer for a whole hour. And also sometimes I wished he would battle even harder, just for a half hour more so he might have good chance of surviving when he was rushed into the hospital. But it happened. There was nothing for me to do. I was out, enjoying my time at the beach while he was fighting against his own death. It was cruel.