Heartstrings and Beach Things
By ASortof wing
Disclaimer: Wahh. I don't own any content of Kingdom Hearts/2.
Beginning Note: Thanks to SorazSydeSqueeze, Sora Plus Kairi Equals Love, Darkwing13, R.A. Pointless, and to everyone who's enjoying the story thus far. W00t.
The Story thus far: Sora has finally returned to the place he calls home after years of trying to rid the world of darkness. Yet, even though two years have gone by since his first day back, it is still hard for him to tell Kairi, the love of his life, how much she means to him. Riku, Sora's best friend, notices Sora's trouble and suggests he gets a move-on!
Sora and Kairi have joined their friends at a fun day at the beach. Since the train ride to Destiny's Islands, Kairi has noticed that Sora is more affectionate now than ever. Finally, after a few tense moments, Sora found his confidance and confessed his undying love to Kairi in the calm waters of the sea.
Yet, if Sora can talk the talk, can he walk the walk?
Chapter Four: Rumble in the Jungle.
The sun was hot and fat in the sky when Riku immerged with Lita that late afternoon. It beat on them from it's lazy place in the sky like a housewife would beat dirty rug. Riku could hear distant sounds of music coming from the shoreline. When he looked, he spotted everyone running around, dancing, laughing, having a generally great time in eachother's company.
"Looks fun down there, huh?" Said Lita, looking a little excited to go and join the others while they began walking down stairs.
"Sure does." Said Riku. Clunk Clunk Clunk.
"Hey." Stopped Lita, grabbing Riku's arm and turning him around to view her.
"Huh? What's the matter?" Asked Riku, bewildered.
"What's up with you, all of a sudden?" She asked, folding her arms. "Ever since you saw Kairi and Sora come together you've been acting weird. What is your deal?"
"I haven't been acting weird - Your girl senses must be out of whack." He said, rolling his eyes.
"Don't roll those eyes at me, pal. My girl senses are extra sharp and working perfectly." She said, taking a step toward him. "Now, c'mon, what's the matter?"
Riku looked away for a moment. How embarrassing..
"Well, I um.. I kinda.."
"Spit it out, Buddy." She said.
"I well, hadasmallcrushonkairi." He said, sputtering.
"What? English."
"Well, When I was younger, I had a crush on Kairi." Began Riku. He started slow, but it all began to splurdge out after the first sentance.
"I was so used to always being on top of things. The Best. Sora was no match for me back then. I could out run him, out swim him, I could climb higher trees, swing longer I-"
"Alright, I get it. Move on." Interrupted Lita.
"Right. Well, it's just weird seeing him.. well, Come out on top. You know?"
Lita furrowed her eyebrows. "Do you still love her?"
Riku's eyes widened. "No!" He said, reaching out to put his hands on Lita shoulders. "No, I don't love her anymore - I love you."
Lita relaxed a little.. This was all very confusing..
"I do. It's just. Weird. He deserves her, he does." He said, staring down at a little crack in the wood below him.
"Well," Began Lita, giving Riku a small peck on the cheek, "You're his friend. Support him. It's probably new for him, too, yano."
Riku nodded. "You're right, Thanks. I have an idea."
Clunk Clunk Clunk.
Meanwhile, near dance extravaganza, Olette and Kairi were having an emergency analysis under a palmtree next to the waterfall.
"And thats when he turned me around and.. Kissed me!" Exclaimed Kairi, her hands depicting the scene.
"Oh, SHH, already, cripes!" Said Olette, eyeballing around for any eavesdroppers.
"It felt so right, I felt like it's been meaning to happen forever.." Kairi went on, dreamily.
"I can imagine. You're so lucky!" Said Olette, folding her arms. She glanced over into the water where Hayner, Pence and Sora were having a water fight.
"I wish Pence could be as charming as Sora is.."
--------
"And thats when I leaned over and kissed her!" Said Sora, wiping salt water out of his eyes.
"Aw man, That's awesome. You guys are really meant for eachother." Said Pence, sending a wall of water over to Hayner, solking him.
"Pffaugh!" He said, falling. "So, Sora, Is she hot?"
"Hot?" Said Sora, blushing a little. "Well, you saw her-"
"Yeah," Interrupted Hayner. "But you felt her. .. Is she soft?"
"Hayner!" Said Pence, splashing madly at Hayner, embarrassed for him.
"Well," Sora ran a hand through his hair after the barage of water stopped. "Maybe a little soft.."
He saw Hayner's eyes glisten over as he listened intently and even Pence seemed to be listening.
"Hey, back off!" Said Sora, Splashing what seemed like half the ocean at the two of them.
"Hey, Sora. SORA!"
"I said, Kairi is mine!" Said Sora, splashing in the direction the voice came.
There stood Riku, solked, with a red face, his hands in his pockets, hair all over the front of his face like a sheep dog.
"Idiot."
"Sorry, Riku, I thought.." Said Sora, itching his cheek a little.
"It doesn't matter, Listen I-" Riku Began.
"Hey," Asked Sora, glancing over Riku's shoulders, "Where's Lita?"
"She went over to talk to Kairi. But listen- " Riku said, putting a hand on Sora's shoulder, turning him to face away from the water. The two of them began to walk.
"It's going to storm later." Said Riku.
"Huh?" Said Sora, quirking an eyebrow. "But it's gorgeous out!"
Riku grabbed Sora's chin and turned it to look at the nearby clouds. They were heavy, black, and threatening.
"See what I mean?" Riku said, stopping and standing infront of Sora. "Now listen. Once we start to hear thunder, everyone's going to want to go home, right?"
"Uh.."
"Right. So, We'll get ready and in line to catch the last train home when all of a sudden, you'll forget something."
"Riku," Said Sora, putting his hands over his eyes, a headache looming, "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying," Said Riku, a sneaky tone coming forward, "Stay. Stay here with Kairi tonight."
"Whaa!"
"Just catch the next train ride home in the morning. No sweat." Said Riku, smirking. What a genius.
"Kairi'll never fall fo-"
"She will." Said Riku, leaving Sora to meet Lita who was walking toward them with the other girls.
Sora stared after him, blankly. This would never work.
"Sora," Said Kairi, smiling a little. "We're going to have lunch on the little island. Let's go."
Sora nodded and smiled a little. His mind was very much elsewhere.
He began to walk, his feet stinging from the hot sand, his hands at his side when he felt something brush up against the side of his left hand. It was Kairi's. Sora did not hesitate this time as he took it and laced their fingers. Kairi blushed a little and looked forward, gratified.
...
Lunch was going well on the little island when out of nowhere-
Rrrrruuubblee...
-a low, threatening sound of thunder was heard way off into the distance.
"Did anyone hear that?" Said Pence, mid-chew.
"Uh.. Maybe it was Hayner's stomach." Said Kairi, giggling a little.
The group shrugged and continued eating.
Sora, however, looked up slightly across his way at Riku, who winked at hm.
Sure enough, a second rumble rolled across the island - this time a little louder.
"No, that was thunder." Said Hayner, looking towards the highest point of the island. Low and behold, the cloud was slowly filling the clear sky above the island with black.
"Sure is coming on fast." Said Riku, standing a little. He balled up his garbage and shoved it into his pockets. "Maybe we should think about getting ready to catch the train home?"
Everyone nodded and began to pick up whatever was left with their lunch.
Sora glanced over at Kairi - she looked sad. Maybe dissapointed the day was going to come to an early end.
"Everyone got everything?" Said Pence, glancing around him after a few moments.
"Yep, I think so." Said Kairi, eyeing her backpack.
Sora glanced in his - it was pretty much empty except for his wad of clothes at the bottom. Something then struck him as everyone began to walk onto the bridge. Kairi got the edge before stopping and turning to face a still Sora.
"Sora.. You coming?"
"Uh," Said Sora, smiling sheepishly. "Y-yeah. I'll catch up. I dropped something."
Kairi nodded and turned to run and catch up with Olette and Lita. Sora watched her for a second before he turned and faced the oodly shaped tree infront of him. On it's branches hung one, juicy, yellow fruit ripe for the picking.
...
When Sora finally caught up to everyone, they were rolling up their beach towels and packing them into their backpacks.
Shoot! I forgot the towel.. I don't have room for this now. Oh well.
Sora grabbed his towel, shook it, and bunched it up under his arm.
"Lets go, guys. The train'll be here soon." Said Hayner, looking around to see if they forgot anything. Riku and Lita led the way, hand in hand while everyone else followed, chatting about the day's events.
Sora and Kairi were last, like usual, holding hands and chatting as well.
When they reached the platform, Sora's heartbeat quickened. This needed to be fast and discrete - but
Kairi had to come with him without anyone catching onto something weird.
Riku glanced back at Sora.
What a dunce. Look at him, all shakey and nervous.
Suddenly, a large sleek train came up from the tunnel to their right and came to a slow, complete stop infront of Riku and Lita. Sora took a deep breath.
Wait for it.. Waitt..
"Ladies and gentlemen. Please gather all your belongings and watch your step as you enter the train."
Just as Olette began to step onto the train, Sora gasped, making Kairi jump.
"Ahh! My necklace! I forgot it when I. uh.. When I got changed!" He said, looking at Kairi, who looked back at him bewildered.
"Sora," Kairi whispered, "You'll miss the train if you go to look for it. Just come back tomorrow..?"
"N..No, I really need that necklace- Come back and look for it for me, the others'll hold the train." He said, backing away from the platform.
"Sora.." Said Kairi, looking from the train to him. Oh, bugger.
Kairi took a step forward and Sora smiled. "C'mon, let's hurry."
They ran off, towards the cave, a looming storm above them.
Meanwhile, Riku watched the scene unfold in his seat.
"They're not catching the train, are they?" Said Lita.
"Nope." Answered Riku, leaning over to kiss Lita gently. "I guess not."
"Ladies and gentlemen. Please hold on. The train will be departing shorty."
"But what about Sora and Kairi?" Asked Olette, looking out the window for her friends.
"They'll be fine." Said Riku, stretching out to relax. "They're big kids now."
Authors Note: -shifty eyes- Whuh-oh. I intended this chapter to be a lot longer.. But when I thought about It, I realized I would need to sit here all day to write it all in one shot! ( So, to make things easier for everyone, I cut it into two chapters.
So, this is not the end, never ph34r. See you next time! )