A/N: From now on, the italics represent a character's thoughts, mainly used when thinking to oneself. Though that might not always be the case...

Disclaimer: All characters, direct quotes, locations, and anything else that I didn't think up on my own are copyright to their respectful owners. So basically, I own nothing.

--CHAPTER TWO--

Riku walked into the secret cove, which he discovered with Sora while they were playing Island War. The cove brought a lot of memories back to him, and he often visited the place whenever he felt like reminiscing.

In the secret cove, there was a door without a doorknob. Riku had tried to figure out how to open it, but to no avail, as it would not budge. He thought it must have been a magical door, perhaps leading to those other worlds he had always wanted to see.

He found the cove...the door, with Sora, and that's who he wanted to share the experience with. Not Kairi, nor any of the other children on the island. Riku wasn't sure if Sora felt the same way. Ever since Kairi came to the island, Sora didn't spend as much time with Riku. It was like Sora had replaced his childhood friend with someone new, and for this, he had a strong grudge against Kairi.

Riku didn't like to show it though. He preferred to be kind to her, in case if a problem ever came up between Sora and Kairi. It was a lot of trouble though. It seemed that Sora believed Riku liked Kairi, and that sometimes built tension between the two friends.

Sora... if only Kairi would have never shown up, we could be far away from here now, exploring those worlds that we've always wanted to see, he thought, sadly.

Riku walked over to the door and touched it softly. He could feel some sort of soft vibration, but nothing else seemed any different than usual. He wasn't sure about the vibration though, he'd never felt anything like that before.

Perhaps something is going to happen soon, he thought for awhile. Though it seemed unlikely, especially since the day was as beautiful as ever-- bright and sunny, just like normal. He tilted his head to the side, and saw the drawing out of the corner of his eye.

The 'stupid' drawing, as he liked to call it. Though he wouldn't let anyone know he truly meant it. It was a drawing of Sora and Kairi. He wasn't sure who drew it... Sora or Kairi. Or perhaps they drew it together, though he deeply hoped that wasn't the case. But somehow, he had a gut feeling that they did. It made him feel even more left out, and looking at the drawing started to fill him with anger.

He didn't have too long to get worked up though, for suddenly he heard the sound of rustling leaves, which could only mean one thing: someone was coming. And this someone had to be Sora, because he was the only other one who knew about the Secret place. Riku turned and jumped behind some tall rocks nearby, just in time, for Sora soon appeared in the circular cavern.

Sora, what are you doing here...? Riku thought to himself. I haven't seen you come in here for ages...

He stuck his head out from behind the rocks only enough so that he could see. Sora was now standing in front of the drawing. Riku secretly wished that Kairi had done something to upset Sora, and he had came to scribble out the drawing. But what he did was something completely opposite of what Riku had wanted.

"Kairi..." Sora whispered. He held his hand up to the drawing, and reached for a nearby peice of white, hard clay.

So he is going to scribble it out, huh...? Riku hoped. He looked on at Sora, full of anticipation.

And then, Sora started to draw. Riku pondered on this, thinking that it wouldn't take too long to scribble something out, especially if a person was full of hurt or anger. But it seemed that Sora was taking his time...actually wanting what he was doing to look nice!

It seemed like it took ages, but finally Sora finished. He stood up and looked at what he had drawn. Riku could barely just see, but he wished that he wouldn't have seen at all. When Sora stood back, it was clearly obvious to what he had drawn.

Nothing had changed from the actual drawing of Sora and Kairi, nothing except.. an added arm, holding a paopu fruit! To Riku, this was horrible. It seemed as if Sora wanted to share the paopu with Kairi...but why? Wasn't Riku's friendship enough for him? Or was there something that Riku alone couldn't fulfill?

Riku was angry now. He didn't care about Kairi, about Sora... or the paopu fruit that he had drawn. All he cared about now was getting off of the island. And he was going to find a way to do that, even if it was the last thing he did.

"Wh- who's there?" Sora said. Riku was unaware that someone else had appeared into the cave, but this was a stranger. The person was wearing a big, brown cloak.

"I've come to see the door to this world," the stranger said. Riku looked down to the ground, deep in thought. The door... to this world... that must mean... he can or has been to other worlds!

"Huh?" Sora asked. Riku scowled behind the rocks. How ignorant could Sora get? he asked himself. If it were Riku in his shoes, he'd have a lot of questions he'd ask the guy.

"This world has been connected..." the cloaked man said. Riku smiled to himself. So it must be true! He must mean that Destiny Island had been connected to all the other worlds that were out there...right?

"Wh- what are you talking about?" Sora asked. Riku was starting to disbelieve him. How could Sora not understand? How could he not have any questions for the hooded man? He and Riku had been dreaming of going to other worlds ever since they were children, and now the time has come, yet he doesn't understand?

"Tied to the darkness...soon to be completely eclipsed," the guy said. This statement troubled Riku. He didn't like the sound of the darkness bit. Then again... he was ready to get off the island. And with his best friend choosing a weak girl over him... he was starting not to care about the darkness.

"Well, whoever you are, stop freaking me out like this. Huh? Wh- where did you come from?" Sora asked.

Finally... Riku thought. He was kind of surprised that it took him this long to actually ask the guy a question. Then again, after thinking about all that's happened, he figured that Sora had a lot on his mind. But still...

"You do not yet know what lies beyond the door." The door. Riku knew there was something special about that door. And finally... perhaps he was going to be getting an answer. He sure hoped so, anyways.

"So, you're from another world!" Sora exclaimed. At last, he finally understood. And it took him long enough. Riku wasn't sure of how much longer the hooded man was going to stay there. He hoped he'd stay long enough for him to get answers.. yet he had to remain hidden. He didn't want Sora to know he had seen...

"There is so very much to learn. You understand so little." The hooded man was seeming to get impatient with Sora. Yet... his voice remained calm even still. Riku secretly agreed with him, not feeling a tad bit sorry of his friend's stupidity.

"Oh, yeah? Well, you'll see. I'm gonna get out and learn what's out there!"

Oh really? Are you sure you don't want to just stay here with Kairi? After all, you want to share a paopu fruit.. do you not? Riku thought to himself. He didn't know why he was feeling so bitter towards his friend. Either that... or he was unaware...

"A meaningless effort. One who knows nothing can understand nothing," the hooded man said. Once again, Riku agreed with him. He had learned that lesson through past experience... then again, it was his nature to believe he knew everything.

"Huh?" Riku heard Sora say. He looked up to see that the hooded man had disappeared. Hmm.. that's strange. Where could he have gone?

"Hm.." Sora sighed, and walked out of the secret cave. Riku finally came out too, stretching a bit, then walking up to the door.

"So... you really are my key to other worlds, huh...?