(A/N): School has been horrendous but somehow I managed to get this chapter done. I'm splitting it up into two parts and (obviously) this is the first. So, enjoy!

Chapter V- Pushing Them Together Pt 1

Early the next morning, before the sun rose, Kairi woke and slipped out of Riku's arms. After carefully picking as much grass as possible out of her hair, Kairi quietly slipped up to Riku's room to gather her things.

After tripping over a bowl and bumping into a chair left in her path, Kairi was finally able to reach Riku's desk and turn on the small lamp located there. She looked over to Riku's bed and saw that Sora was still sleeping; his messy cinnamon spikes the only thing visible from under the covers.

She quickly gathered her things and was prepared to walk out when Sora's sleep voice stopped her.

"Kairi? Where are you going?" Somewhere in there was a yawn, during which Sora rolled over on his side.

"I'm going home."

"But it's early." Sora whined.

"I know, but I have something to do."

"Where's Riku?" Sora asked.

"He fell asleep outside." Kairi said.

Sora sighed and Kairi wasn't surprised to see him gather his blankets around him and shuffle past mumbling a 'see you later,' as he went. Kairi closed the door to Riku's bedroom and was able to glance out the window in time to see Sora take the spot she'd been laying in next to Riku on grass. Riku shifted a bit, but he didn't wake up when Sora moved him so he could be used as a pillow.

Kairi sighed and left the house as quietly as possible through the front door.

- - - -

Once Kairi successfully made it home, she immediately set about her work. After making a cup of coffee, Kairi grabbed her phonebook and armed with a pen and a sheet of paper, she sat down at her dining room table and began listing the names and phone numbers of good restaurants on Destiny Islands. Of course she would have to wait until later to call, but she was hoping by that time she would have chosen the restaurant she wanted to make a reservation at.

"Kairi, what are you doing up so early? I though you were at Riku's house."

Kairi sighed and looked up from the phonebook. "I was at Riku's but I came home early."

Her mother took a seat across from her and took a sip of her coffee before talking again. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to plan a date." Kairi answered. "I can't pick a restaurant."

Kairi sighed and pushed her list towards her mother, who picked it up and scanned it before quickly placing her finger over a name.

"This Italian restaurant is pretty good." She suggested.

"Do you think you could call there for me and make a reservation for two on Friday at seven?" Kairi asked as she stood up.

"Sure but where are you going?"

"To take a shower and then a nap. Thanks mom." She kissed her mother's cheek before leaving the room.

- - - - - -

A few hours later, after checking with her mother to make sure the reservations were made, Kairi went to speak to Sora, or as it would seem to other islanders, a coconut tree.

"So, what are you doing this Saturday?" Kairi asked. There were a few coconuts scattered about and she kicked one with her foot.

"Saturday? School's starting Monday, so I think mom's making me shop with her." The reply was followed by a grunt and promptly after that a coconut fell to the ground.

Kairi watched it drop before continuing. "What about Friday?"

Kairi stepped back in shock when Sora hung down on the branch by his knees so he could see her. His red shirt flew into his face as he hung so he held it away.

"I might be able to get away. Why? What do you want me to do?"

He released his hold on the tree and used his hands to help him tumble before he stood and scurried up another tree.

"Goodness Sora." Kairi huffed. "What are you doing up there anyway? If somebody walks past they'll think I'm crazy for talking to a tree." She looked up the tree she had seen Sora climb and noticed that he somehow managed to switch to a nearby tree without coming down. Damn monkey...

"I'm look for coconuts. Riku and I are going to use them for something." He tossed one down and Kairi stepped back to avoid being hit. "How does that one look?" Sora asked.

"Like a coconut." Kairi rolled her eyes though Sora couldn't see it. "So, about Friday?"

"Yeah." A ruffling of leaves could be heard as Sora jumped down from the tree. He brushed his clothes off before gathering the coconuts he dropped from the tree. He handed a few to Kairi. "What do you have planned for Friday?" He asked. He was leading them to Riku's island.

"I'm setting you up on a blind date." Kairi whispered; Riku was only a few feet away.

"Wait, what?" Sora pulled Kairi back behind a palm tree in shock, a coconut falling out of Kairi's arms and rolling into the water.

Riku raised an eyebrow as he leaned back on his tree. That was strange...

"A blind date." Kairi repeated slowly. She watched as Sora's eyes froze on her face but he wasn't looking at her, he was thinking about what she had said. "Don't worry. I think this person is perfect for you. It should all work out fine."

"But Kairi..." He gaze shifted over to Riku.

"I know." Kairi said. "And I know I also said not to worry about it. Just trust me okay?"

"For you." Sora said.

"Thanks Sora. I won't fail you."

Sora shrugged. "Maybe I'll end up thanking you."

"Maybe." Kairi giggled. Most definitely is more like it.

After finally walking over the bridge to Riku's island, Sora dropped the coconuts at the base of the tree and Kairi did the same. Sora grinned and Riku gave a nod of approval.

"We only need the shells." Riku said as he pulled out his pocketknife.

"I don't think you can open it like that Riku."

"I know." He fished around in his pocket for his orange.

"What are we going to do with them Riku?" Sora asked. Riku offered him a piece of fruit and Sora took it while mumbling a thanks.

"Well, if we can fill them and manage to get them to crack open on impact I know two boys I wouldn't mind bruising up without having to use my fists or a sword." Riku smirked which caused Kairi to roll her eyes. She had a feeling a lot of people were going to go home bruised today.

"Love to stick around but I have to uhh...see Selphie. To you know, check on the baby turtle and all. I'll just talk to you guys later."

Riku waved and waited until she was nearly out of sight before turning to Sora. "What were you and Kairi talking about?"

"When?" Sora asked. He sat on the tree next to Riku.

"Before." Riku said, "When you pulled her behind a tree."

"Oh that." Sora laughed nervously. "I thought she found out my biggest secret."

Riku rolled his eyes. He knew Sora was lying. "Help me with these coconuts."

- - - - - -

A few hours, coconuts, and bruises later, Riku was trying not to track shaving cream, mud, and other substances through his house. He sighed as he stood in the doorway and began stripping off all his clothes except his boxers.

Though he and Sora had enough time to enjoy how the mixtures splattered over Tidus and Wakka when hit, when the boys realized what was going on they quickly retaliated. Though it was too late for any of the boys, the girls were able to escape the "battlefield" unscathed.

After tossing his dirty clothes on the floor in the laundry room, despite knowing his mother would lecture him about cleanliness later, Riku was heading towards his kitchen when the doorbell rang. Quickly changing his direction, he answered the door and sighed heavily.

"Busy?" Kairi asked. She glanced at Riku's body. "Nice boxers."

"Thanks." He leaned against the frame of the door. "What do you need?"

"Blind date, you, tomorrow night. Absolutely no time for you to refuse because the reservations are already set and whatnot."

"I'm not going."

"But Riku why?" Kairi whined. "It'll be fun."

Seeing that Riku was no longer paying attention to her she followed him into the house. She found him in the kitchen drinking from the juice carton.

"Nasty." Kairi made a disgusted face.

"You're not drinking any of it so why worry?" He sat on the counter, placing the carton next to him.

"Sora's your date." Kairi blurted out. She couldn't let all her efforts go to waste, and there was the fact that she wanted to see them happy.

Aqua eyes went wide with shock. "You're kidding right?"

Kairi smirked, proud of herself. "Nope."

"Definitely not going."

Kairi's smirk faded into an angry glare. "Sora is expecting a date with someone I told him is perfect for him. You are not going to stand your best friend up because I'm sure he'll be hurt when he discovers his best friend, whom he has a crush on but is too shy to say anything, won't give him a chance."

Riku opened his mouth to speak but Kairi wasn't finished yet.

"I didn't tell him anything Riku, but please understand why I'm doing this. You two may not notice it but I can see the way you look at each other."

"Kairi..."

"Please Riku." Kairi pleaded. "At least do this for me. I want you two to be happy."

Riku sighed. "Fine. I'll do it."

(A/N): Have to leave it there or I'll mess up my own planning. So crossing fingers that the second half of this chapter will be posted double A.S.A.P. Jelz