Living In The Shadows
Author: Sorasgirl333
Summary: Kairi's POV (as always, but possibly some of Sora's POV) Kairi, Sora, and Riku were the best of friends as they were growing up in Elementary school. Kairi and Sora even started dating. Sadly, Kairi and Riku lived in a different school district then Sora, meaning they'd get separated at Middle School. The time comes to go to their new school, because of this Sora and Kairi break up and the three lose contact with each other. In eight grade, Riku and Kairi start dating. Tragedy occurs when Kairi gets the news that her dad only has a month left to live because of Cancer. She gives up all her hopes and dreams and even starts to hid herself away from everything after he passes away. The time for High school comes and the trio meet up once again. However, Kairi kept her sore feelings towards Sora for breaking promises and not being there. Everyone seems to have surprises of their own. Kairi thought the love she had for Sora died, but she soon sees that it's still there... unfortunately for her Sora has a girlfriend and Kairi has Riku. But there's a catch... Kairi has a secret admirer who she starts to fall for. Who is he?
Disclaimer- I do not own Kingdom Hearts and obviously everyone knows that Square-Enix does, so I don't know why we have to have disclaimers but whatever. I also give credit to the singers of the songs I put in here.
Author's Note!: Yes I am back with another Story! This one is completely different from my others, different twists, different situations, different everything. Different pairings too… kinda (you'll understand later on in the story). I figured it'd be nice to have a little change and I'm hoping I'll attract new readers along with my old ones. I really do hope you like this story! I ask for no flames but I'm open for any suggestions. Also if you've noticed, What A Life 3 gets updated almost every week, Dear Diary 2: Beyond The Pages every 2 weeks and this will be between 3 to 4 weeks because I need time to do homework and have a life too lol.
Chapter 1- Seeing You Again
I sighed looking through my closet, trying to find something to wear. I really don't know why I bother, I'm not popular in anyway. Yeah, I may be dating the most popular guy at school, but yet people continue to not even recognize me. I don't really have any friends since my dad died and I went to high school.
You're probably wondering how that's even possible, huh? I'll explain everything to catch you up on how I am where I am today.
Back in elementary school, I had lots of friends. Riku and Sora were my best friends. We were really close. The three of us hung out all the time. The two were best friends before I came along. Sora had asked me out in fourth grade. It was really cool to be going out with one of my best friends.
First it was more of a casual little boyfriend girlfriend crush, but as the year progressed, in my opinion, we started falling in love. Yes, we were only fourth graders; soon to be fifth graders but we were prefect for each other. We went to each other's houses all the time. We were close to the other's parents as well.
Unfortunately, there were two different middle schools. Riku and me were going to attend Twilight Middle School but Sora lived in the district where he was supposed to go to Ocean View Middle School. I was heartbroken. The three of us didn't want to separate from each other. Sora and I said we would always stay close once we changed schools, but I knew it wouldn't last.
It didn't. By sixth grade, we broke up and went to our different schools. Riku and I started making a lot of new friends. Everyone started to admire Riku. He actually was very mature for our grade. The girls swooned over his shoulder length silver hair and his aqua marine eyes. All the guys liked him do to his athletic side and his competitiveness.
Riku and I heard less and less from Sora as the year carried on. Every time I attempted to call Sora, he was busy. That was Riku's luck too. So we soon gave up. I began thinking that my feeling that I was in love with him wasn't love at all. I was hurt that he never bothered to contact me anymore. I gave up on Sora for good. My dad told me not to but I did. Sora and my dad were close when Sora and me went out and even before that.
Later on in my eighth grade year, Riku asked me out. I accepted. The relationship was great. However, the year went out. Riku was sweet when it was just us, but when we were at school, he wasn't him. All the girls soon became jealous of me and ignored me. I know I should have called it quits but I didn't. When I was seriously considering it, my dad got the news he only had a month to live because he had cancer. My mom and me were so upset. My dad and me spent that month together almost the whole time. I couldn't afford to lose another guy in my life, so I never broke up with Riku.
Now it's my first day of ninth grade. Twilight Middle School and Ocean View Middle School combined together at Blue Cove High. I wasn't thinking about it much. I've changed my look since my dad died. I wear my should length red-brown hair up in a ponytail leaving some of my hair that wont fit in the ponytail to fall over my left eye. I wore baggier clothes since I'm slightly self-conscious about my figure. My violet-blue eyes scanned my room for my backpack. I spotted the lilac bag and put it on. I walked downstairs.
"Good morning Kairi." My mom smiled.
"Morning mom." I replied. She looked at me and frowned.
"Why are you wearing that big sweater? And why such baggy pants?" She asked. "Why not a cute blouse and skirt?"
"I'm not into that." I said.
"Aw but you used to."
"Well, I'm different now." Her eyes saddened. I kissed her cheek. "I better go. Bye mom. I love you."
"I love you too." I walked outside. I let out a sigh. Today was going to go horrible. I could feel it. There was a slight breeze. It blew my bangs around in front of my face. I stuck my hands in my pockets and walked to school.
Blue Cove High came into view. The two-story brick building had a lot of chattering students around it. I took a deep breath and headed up the stone steps. I opened the doors and walked in. Since my locker was on the second floor. I headed there first. I kept my head bent low until I got to my locker. I dialed the combination in and got out my history binder and put everything else away.
"Hey." I jumped looking to see who it was. Riku laughed.
"Oh, hi Riku." I gave him a faint smile. He hugged me.
"Why don't you wear your hair down anymore?" He asked examining me. I shrugged closing my locker. "Let's go to class."
"Alright." He put his arm around me and I held my binder close to me as we headed to history. Riku and I sat in the middle next to each other of course. Tidus, a dark blond haired boy, Wakka, a fiery red head and Selphie, a bubbly brunette walked in and sat by us.
"Hey Kairi!" Selphie smiled.
"Hi Selph." I smiled back. If anything, Selphie was the only person I would really consider a good friend that was a girl. Riku, Tidus and Wakka are my other close friends. We've all known each other since elementary.
"So, have you seen Sora yet?" Tidus asked.
"No. Have you guys?" Riku replied. They all shook their heads.
"Have any of you talked to him since we switched schools?" I asked.
"No, man, he's too caught up being the big shot at the other school." Wakka said. Sora was never like that, yet nor was Riku. Everyone's changed… even me. I used to always wear my hair down and wear sundresses and skirts. In middle school, I wore semi-tight jeans and cute little tops. I'd wear very light colors if I wore any make-up. Even when the girls started to hate me when I dated Riku, Selphie told me not to change for anyone. Once my dad died, I started taking my girly look away slowly. I would wear big sweaters over my cute tops. My pants soon became baggy. My cute shoes were regular sneakers. I took away the make-up and wore my hair up. Now I'm where I'm at today.
"Okay class…" Our teacher walked in and we started class. Once class was over, I headed to P.E. with Tidus and Wakka. After, I had Choir with Selphie. My dad always said I was a good singer and that I should join it at high school since it had the best choir. The last class I had before lunch was Art with Selphie, Tidus and Wakka. I was thankful to have a class with someone I know for every class. I still hadn't seen Sora. Same with the others.
Finally lunch came. We all got our food and sat down at a vacant table in the corner. I sat next to Riku and Selphie. Tidus sat in between Riku and Wakka. People kept coming up to our table to ask how Riku's summer was. Especially the girls. I put my elbow on the table and rested my cheek in my hand while I twirled my spoon in my mashed potatoes.
"Aren't you going to eat Kai?" Selphie asked. Her emerald green eyes full of concern.
"I'm not all that hungry." I managed a small smile.
"Hey, who's that guy?" Wakka pointed behind Riku and me. We all turned around. Someone was standing in the middle of a crowd. I couldn't even see who was in the middle since there were so many people. It was as if the person in the middle was a celebrity. The crowd started to separate as the person walked between everyone. A very pretty blond girl with stunning blue eyes that matched her tank top and had black tight jeans on was waiting patiently outside of the crowd as a tall slender boy walked out. The girl wrapped her arms around him and he did the same. They both smiled at each other before they kissed.
"Is that… is that…" I stuttered.
"Sora!" The other four called out. The boy and girl looked at us. Suddenly he smiled and ran over to us pulling the girl with him. Riku stood up and the two guys hugged. They both pulled away after a pat on the back.
"Dude Sora. Never thought I'd see you again. Man you sure have grown up." Riku laughed. Sora had defiantly matured since we last saw him. He was a little shorter then Riku still. His spiky chocolate brown hair was defiantly wilder. His skin was smooth and tanned. He had on a red jumper with a black, gray and white hoddie. He also had fingerless gloves on, a blue belt, a chain with crowns hanging off the side, and yellow and black shoes. He was wearing a crown necklace… the same one I had given him when we went out. I looked down.
"Wow, it's good to see all of you. Riku, Tidus, Wakka, Selphie…" He got quiet. I could feel him looking at me. "Kairi?" I looked up. His blue eyes were more magnificent then before. I didn't smile, I only nodded. I don't know why but I was scared to see him. "You all look so… different."
"Same do you buddy." Tidus said. The girl next to Sora coughed politely. We all looked at her. Sora smiled.
"Guys, this is Namine, my girlfriend." Sora said. She smiled at us.
"Hi." She said.
"Hi." Everyone replied but me. Me, well, I was looking at Sora's smile. His smile and eyes left me completely breathless. What was I thinking! I had Riku. Sora and I have moved on. I'm not going to let Sora ruin my life.
"Excuse me." I quickly got up and ran out of the cafeteria.
"Breath Kairi, breath." I took deep breaths before heading into the nearest bathroom. I looked at my reflection. I slowly pulled the hair tie out of my hair. My layered hair fell neatly around my fair colored face. Someone walked in the bathroom.
"Kairi?" Selphie's voice called. She walked around the corner. I started fettling with my hair getting ready to put it back up when she pulled my arms down. "You should really keep your hair down. You look so pretty with it down."
"I can't." I said quietly putting it up again.
"Why?" She asked. I shrugged.
"I just can't." I looked down.
"Kairi, what's wrong?" Selphie said.
"I don't know. Selphie, I thought I was over Sora." Tears filled my eyes. "He's going out with Namine and I have Riku. We're both happy…"
"You're not happy." I looked at Selphie. "You're sad."
"Ever since we realized the three of us were going to two different middle schools my life's been full of ups and downs." I began to cry a little. "When Sora left, I was so sad. When my dad died, everything collapsed. My dad was close to Sora. I lost two out of the three guys I loved the most." I broke down. "I didn't want to lose all three of them. That's why I never broke up with Riku."
"Oh Kairi…" Selphie hugged me while I cried on her shoulder.
"When I see Sora, I feel scared that if I get close to him again, I'll lose him all over again. I don't want to hurt anymore. My heart can't take all the pain it's suffered through already."
"Shhh. I'm so sorry Kairi. It'll be okay." Selphie said quietly.
"No it won't!" I backed away. "Ever since I've gone out with Riku and he's changed and became popular, everyone looks at me differently! And when they find out about my dad, they think they'll hurt me worse if they say anything! No one notices me!" I cried out.
"I'm here for you." Selphie replied no louder than a whisper. "Riku, Tidus, Wakka, your mom. We're all here for you. We all love you Kairi. I'm sorry about your past. I know it hurts you, but if you keep living in everyone's shadow, no one will notice you for the beautiful person you are." I sniffled.
"I'm sorry for yelling." I said.
"It's okay. You needed to let it out." Selphie smiled. I smiled back wiping my tears away. "How about we hang out this weekend?"
"Okay." She smiled at me again.
"Let's go." We walked out of the bathroom to see Riku.
"Are you okay?" He asked hugging me.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied.
"The bell's about to ring. Let's go to English." Riku said taking my hand.
"Bye Selphie." I said as Riku and me walked away. She waved back. The two of us walked into our classroom and sat down. Not too long after, Sora and Namine walked in and sat by us.
"Are you alright Kai?" Sora asked. I nodded. The bell rang and our teacher walked in. I sighed in relief. I didn't want to talk to Sora. After class ended, I hurried Riku out with me. We went to our final class of the day. Science. Once again Sora was in this class, except without Namine. Sora sat on the other side of Riku.
"Another class together?" Sora smiled.
"Looks like you're stuck with us." Riku joked. I smiled faintly. Once again we started class right after. I really couldn't wait to go home. That's all I wanted to do. I was thankful to hear the final bell. I pulled Riku with me once again. We went to our lockers before heading home.
"So did you like the first day back?" Riku asked.
"It was alright I guess." I replied.
"Hey! Wait up!" We turned to see Sora. He stood next to us… great.
"Where's Namine?" Riku asked him.
"Her mom picked her up. She has a dentist appointment." Sora answered him.
"So how long have you two been going out?" I asked quietly.
"Since the beginning of eighth grade."
"About the same for Kairi and me." Riku said. Sora smiled.
"So how's your family Kairi?" Sora looked back at me. My stomach turned.
"My mom's okay." I answered.
"And you're dad?" I stayed quiet. I didn't want to answer him. He wasn't there for me when he died…
"He passed away last year." Riku answered for me.
"Oh, Kairi. I'm so sorry. I didn't know…" Sora said quietly. I looked at him. My eyes full of tears.
"Of course not! I even called to let you know! I called since you and my dad were close! You weren't there when I needed you most!" I let it out. Riku and Sora looked at me shocked. I turned around and ran. Ran far away from them. When I reached my house, I ran straight to my room and cried on my bed. I sobbed for the longest time.
When I started to feel a little better, I headed to our backyard and cut a rose off of the rose bush my mom grew when my dad and her first bought this house. I walked back in. My mom was in the kitchen.
"Mom, I'm going to Sliverstone." I said. My mom gave me a small smile.
"Tell him I love and miss him." She said. I nodded heading outside. I held the red rose to my nose as I walked down a few blocks. A hill came into view with trees, bright green grass and tombstones. I walked through the gate and up to the only oak tree in Silverstone. I sat in front of a large gray tombstone and read what was engraved.
John Hikari
July 8, 1969 – December 3, 2004
A loving husband and father
"Let the light fill your heart with warmth
and guide you in the right direction." –J.H.
"Hey daddy. It's me, Kairi." I smiled. I placed the rose down at the base. "I brought one of moms roses. She really loves and misses you. I do too. I wish you were still alive. It was my first day at high school. I'm in choir like you wanted." I managed a small laugh.
"Guess who I saw. Sora. He sure has changed dad. He has a girlfriend. Her name is Namine. She sure is pretty. Daddy, when I saw Sora today, an old feeling came back. In away… it seemed like you were there too. Since he looked up to you, it seemed as if I saw you in him." I was quiet. "I know it's not possible but it seemed like it. I guess that's why I was so scared to be with him. Boy, seeing him sure does bring back memories." I laughed again. "Remember the day I realized I liked Sora? Hm, I sure do."
(Reliving the memory back in fourth grade)
I was getting ready since Sora was coming over to hang out. I wore a pink skirt and a white tank top. I was singing loudly and happily, just like I normally would.
I know we've been friends forever
But now I think I'm feeling something totally new
And after all this time I open my eyes
Now I see you were always with me
Could it be you and I
Never imagined
Could it be suddenly I'm fallin' for you
Could it be you were right here beside me and I never knew
Could it be that it's true
It's you and it's you
It's kinda funny you were always near
But who would ever thought we'd end up here
And every time I need you, you've been there for me
Now it's clear I've been waiting for you
I skipped down and into the kitchen. You and mom were in there. I looked at you guys, smiling.
"I see you're in a good mood." You said smiling at me. I remember your dark brown hair and green eyes. You were 'tall, dark, and handsome' as mom would always say. Mom laughed.
"It's because Sora's coming over." She smiled. She tucked her long and beautiful light brown hair behind her ear. Her violet-blue eyes were full of joy. She was 'the most beautiful soled woman ever' as you would put it.
"Hee, hee. Yep!" I giggled. I leaned on the counter and whispered. "And you know what?"
"What?" You both whispered back.
"I think I like him." I smiled.
"Aw my little girl has a crush." Mom hugged me.
"And a fine boy he is too." You chuckled.
"He sure is daddy!" I said. The doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" I ran out of the kitchen to the front door. I put on a smile before opening it. There stood a boy my age with light brown spiky hair. His blue eyes met mine. Sora was holding a daisy.
"Hi Kairi." He smiled walking in. I closed the door and put my hands in front of me.
"Hee, hi Sora." I giggled.
"This is for you." He gave me the daisy along with a note he pulled out of his pocket.
"Thank you." I smiled unfolding the note. I read it.
Kairi, I know we're only friends, but I really like you. So I was wondering if you'd be my girlfriend. Love Sora.
"Of course!" I jumped up and down clapping.
"Really?" He seemed shocked that I said yeah. I nodded enthusiastically. I hugged him and he hugged me back. I kissed his cheek and when I backed up, I noticed he was blushing madly.
"Aw!" Mom squealed from the doorway with you. "You two stay right here. I'm going to get my camera!" Mom ran upstairs.
"You take care of my daughter Sora. She only deserves the best." You winked at him.
"Of course I will." He grinned. Mom came back with her camera. I held onto Sora's hand. She took the picture.
(End of memory)
"Heh, I still have that picture. It's in my room, framed and put next to my other ones." I told the gravestone. "Daddy, I wish you were here. I need you to talk me through things." I sighed getting up. "Well, it's getting late and I need to go home and eat dinner. I'll tell mom you love and miss her. Bye daddy, I love you." I turned around and jumped from surprise.
"Woah! Sorry Kairi." Sora said quietly.
"How long have you been here?" I asked.
"Since you started your trip down memory lane. You still have a beautiful voice." He said. "I'm so sorry about your dad. I promised him I would take care of you and I didn't. I broke that promise and I'm so sorry that I did. You didn't deserve all the pain you've lived through. I should have been there for you."
"But you weren't. When my dad found out about us losing contact with each other, he told me not to give up on you. He believed in you Sora. I'm sure he still would if he were alive." I said with a straight face. "I got to go."
"Bye Kairi…" Sora said quietly as I walked past him. When I got to the gate, I looked back at the top of the hill where Sora was looking at my dad's, his hero's, gravestone.
"Bye Sora." I looked up at the sky. "Daddy, please watch over Sora for a while. Use your famous quote that we put on your grave marker. You always know what's best for others." I sighed as I looked back and headed home.
A/N: So what did you guys think of it? Hopefully you all liked it. I'd love to see reviews in my inbox! XD