(A/N): Yes! Jelz is back and with her she brings the next chapter…Er…No annoying A/N rambling for the moment so just enjoy I guess…
Chapter II- Turning On The LightsKairi sat on the docks staring out at the sea. Tidus had long ago left with Wakka and Selphie in search of something to do on the main island leaving her with Riku, who was currently sleeping next to his shirt, and Sora, who sat on the paopu tree quietly watching him. How bored Sora looked without somebody to keep him company. Kairi smiled and leaned back on her elbows her legs swinging slightly over the edge of the dock.
Maybe I should go say hello, Kairi thought, but she didn't make any effort to move. Instead she simply lifted her face to the sky and lay back completely. Riku had the right idea. It was a wonderful day to take a nap in the sun. The weather wasn't too hot; the sun wasn't shining as brightly as it always did. The perfect day to just sit and relax on the beach. She glanced over towards Riku again and noticed that Sora had moved and was now stepping over him to make his way towards her.
"Hey Kairi."
"What's up?" She scooted over a bit so Sora could sit down.
"Waiting for Riku to wake up. I think he sleeps more than me."
Kairi gasped. "Sleep more than you? Is that really possible?"
Sora grinned. "Shut up. I don't sleep that much."
"Of course not because a good twelve hours out of the day excluding naps is never too much sleep."
Sora laughed. "Exactly."
Out of everyone on the island Kairi was Sora's second best friend. She had come to live on their small island from the mainland when he and Riku were about six. Or, to be exact, when Riku was six and he was five. Their parents had pushed the three of them-because Sora and Riku never separated- together when she arrived and because of that they developed a special bond with each other. When in a group nobody ever felt like the third-wheel, which is common in some friendships, and individually Kairi managed to form a strong friendship with the boys. Of course she knew that Riku always came first with Sora and vise-versa (whether they knew it themselves or not), but it didn't bother her. She was the first person they turned to when they had a problem they couldn't solve themselves or when they needed someone to talk to other than each other. Also, her position in the friendship gave her a better view of what went on between them. For example, she still remembered the staring incident that happened not too long ago and though they might think nothing of it she was curious to find out what it meant.
"School is starting soon. Excited?" Kairi didn't really care for this topic, but at the moment there was nothing else to talk about.
"The only person around here who is happy when school starts is Riku. It gives him another chance to prove he's good at something." Sora sighed.
"Jealous?"
"Never. But I do wish I could get good grades like him."
"Would you like me to see if he'll tutor you?" Kairi asked.
Sora shook his head. "No. He already has plenty to do during school. I don't want to add on to his already busy schedule."
"You sound sad."
"Summer is the only time we really spend time together anymore. During school he's either too busy or too tired." He gave a short laugh. "People expect so much from him and he hates it, but he can't do anything but meet those expectations. I guess I just wish he had a little more free time. Not even to spend with me, but for himself you know? Just to take a break every once in a while."
"Have you told him this?" She looked towards Sora and noticed how he was no longer looking at the sea but was looking at his lap. Is that…a blush? If she tried to stare it would just look weird to him so she turned her gazed to the sky.
"No, not really. He knows I worry a bit but that's about it."
"I see."
"Hey, want to go get some ice cream?"
Kairi let their previous topic slip but only because she could tell Sora wanted to be relieved of the slight embarrassment he felt for showing that he cared so much for one of his friends.
"Sure. Should we wake Riku?"
Sora stood up. "No, he's already awake. That's why I suggested it."
Sure enough when Kairi looked to where Riku had been he was up and putting his shirt back on. She watched Sora jump off the dock to go and greet him, a smile on his face that quickly spread to Riku's too. She watched them laugh together as they headed back towards her. Sora must have suggested getting ice cream because she saw Riku nod before he made a comment that caused Sora to hit him and dash off. They looked so much happier when they were together.
So much happier…I wonder if they could possibly…"I think you broke your record Sora. That was what? Five cones at one time today?"
Sora grinned. "Amazing huh? You did okay too. You ate four so you didn't lose by much."
"No matter what, you're always one ahead." Riku said.
"Maybe one day I'll teach you my technique."
"Boys." Kairi rolled her eyes. Who could possibly want to learn a technique for eating more than three ice cream cones at a time? Such things didn't interest her but she found their competitions amusing.
"It has nothing to do with technique Sora. It's all about the timing."
"No! There's some technique too."
Riku sighed. "Really now?"
"Hate to interrupt this fascinating argument, but is there anything in particular you guys want to do before the sun sets?"
"Why what happens when the sun sets?" Riku asked.
"Well, for one the mosquitoes come out and two I have to be home early today. I have plans for tomorrow." Not exactly the whole truth, but she was now on a mission and they couldn't know what she was up to just yet.
"Plans?" Sora asked. "Doing what? With who?"
Kairi stuck her tongue out at him. "Don't worry about it."
Riku sighed. "Kids…"
That comment was rewarded with a hit in the head from Kairi.
"What is this? Hit Riku day?" He glared at both Kairi and Sora when they laughed and nodded in response.
"Need someone to walk you home?" Sora asked. He moved to put his shoes back on.
"No its okay. I live down the block. I'll be fine." Kairi smiled. Sora worried about her a lot sometimes. He was always the one to walk her home even when she insisted he didn't have to. She guessed it was because they were like siblings.
"Give me a call later okay?" Riku's way of worrying. He didn't feel the need to walk her to her doorstep but he did care whether she got in without any problems. He gave her more space than Sora, but it all balanced out evenly.
"See you later guys."
The boys sat in silence on the couch for a while after Kairi left.
"So what do you want to do now?" Riku asked. He looked over at Sora.
Sora shrugged. "I could go for a nap."
"Okay. My room or here on the couch?"
"Well, if you're joining me then your room."
"Just try not to take over the bed this time okay?"
"I will if you try sleeping with your mouth closed."
"At least I don't snore." Riku countered.
"One, I don't snore. And two, I would rather snore than wake up drenched in spit everyday."
"I'll spit on you how does that sound?"
"Try it and I'll kick your ass." Sora threatened.
"Kick my ass? I'd love to see you try."
As soon as they stepped foot inside Riku's room they were wrestling. However, this time there was no winner because after a few minutes of wrestling on the bed they both fell asleep. Maybe when they woke up later they could finish, but for now all that matter was their nap and the fact that once again, Sora was taking control of the bed. Though this time Riku was far too tired to mind.
(A/N): Okay yeah. Finished for now. Definitely not as good as the first chapter but no need to compare! Jelz has a plan! She knows what she's doing for once XD. Any who, Uhh…Working on next chapter shortly. While I was typing this, an idea came to mind for another one-shot…A pretty good idea if I do say so myself. So keep an eye out for that though no guarantees it will be out before the next chapter for this is done. Ehh…That's it. Jelz