A/N: It's me again! Yep, this is a short chapter, but what can I say? I was on vacation. Anyways, I hope you like and I promise the next chapter will be longer! Please read and review and let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I love Kingdom Hearts... but I do not own it.

Chapter 3: Whisperings of the Past

When Riku realized that he had been partnered with Selphie, he wanted to cringe. It's not that he didn't like Selphie, she was just a little too hyperactive for his tastes. Of course, she hadn't looked real happy when Riku had walked up and shown her his number. She had wanted to be partnered with Sora that much was obvious when the blue-eyed, spiky-haired boy had walked past. Selphie's eyes had followed him to the back of the room and Riku noticed that an ugly frown had replaced the slight smile she was wearing only a moment before. Curious, Riku turned around and immediately realized what had happened. Sora was paired with Kairi. Sora stood there looking at Kairi, not knowing what to say. Kairi, on the other hand, wore an emotionless face.

"Great," exploded Selphie, throwing her hands in the air in exasperation.

Riku did not even bother to look at Selphie. Although he did not know the reason for Selphie's outburst, he shared the same sentiment. This was not good.

"I'll fix it," said Sora to Kairi, his hands up in a calming gesture. Sora left Kairi sitting and headed to the door to find Miss Aerith, who had stepped out to her office after seeing who was partnered together.

Turning to see Selphie sitting in the desk, staring off into space, Riku quickly muttered, "I'll be back" and followed Sora out the door.

"Sora," Riku yelled, getting the boy's attention before he reached Miss Aerith's office.

"What," asked Sora walking back to meet Riku, a very confused look on his face. Whether the confused look involved Kairi or the fact that he had actually spoken to Sora, Riku did not know.

"You can't work with Kairi," said Riku blatantly when Sora had reached him.

"I know that," said Sora, the anger evident in his voice. "I don't need you to keep reminding me."

Riku stared hard at Sora. The boy seemed to hold an ocean of pain behind his eyes. Riku could sympathize.

Having heard the boys' voices, Miss Aerith stuck her head out of her office. "Is everything all right," she asked kindly as she walked toward them.

"Miss Aerith, I can't work with Kairi," said Sora bluntly. "We don't really get along all that well and…"

"I'm sorry Sora," said Miss Aerith gently. "You choose your destiny and now you have to live with it. Besides, that's what this project is all about. Maybe now you'll be able to fully understand why you don't get along."

Sora was getting nowhere and he and Riku knew it. Riku could tell that Sora was trying to find another argument when a thought suddenly struck him.

"Miss Aerith," began Riku, "in all honesty, Sora's afraid of getting in trouble with Selphie since she is his girlfriend. Selphie can get kind of jealous at times."

Riku hid a smile when he noticed exactly how far Sora's mouth could drop when taken by surprise. Riku threw an arm around Sora's shoulder in an attempt to bring Sora out of shock. Sora said nothing, but Riku could almost feel the anger that seemed to be radiating from the boy.

Miss Aerith thought for a minute then sighed. "I'm sorry Sora," she said slowly, "but it's just not fair to the rest of the students. But since you are so concerned about it, I'll talk to Selphie for you and assure her she has nothing to worry about."

Sora was about to say something when Riku slapped his hand over the boy's mouth. Riku was getting desperate now.

"I don't think that will be enough," said Riku quickly. "Are you sure there's no possible way…"

"No," said Miss Aerith with a tone of finality in her voice. "Sora will just have to tough it out.

Being unable to think of another excuse, Riku sighed and looked at Sora. "Come on," he said and both boys turned around and headed back to the classroom. When they were out of hearing range, Riku stopped Sora. "You'll just have to fail the assignment," said Riku. "You have to stay away from Kairi."

Riku saw the flash of aggravation in Sora's eyes. "Riku, this is stupid. We can't keep being afraid of what some man told you years ago. I'm so sick of living my life in fear. Besides, I don't think that one assignment will hurt. I mean we've been in the same class for half a semester and nothing has happened. What damage can two days do? What's more, I have no intentions of her and me failing this class. She's mad enough at us as it is."

Riku could tell that Sora wasn't going to give in. Sora had a valid reason in his own mind, but Riku also knew of Sora's hidden desire for Kairi. He knew because it very much matched his own. From the moment they met Kairi, both had been instantly attracted to her, even though it was a form of puppy love. But, that love had grown through the years even if their friendship had become nonexistent. Riku had a fleeting suspicion of what might happen if Sora was allowed to work with Kairi. Not only would Kairi be in danger, but Riku didn't think he would be able to control his jealousy. Riku was putting together his final say-so when Kairi walked out of the classroom and over to them.

Before Riku and Sora could get a word out, Kairi cut them off. "I'll meet you on the island an hour before sunset. If you're not there, I'll track you down and make you wish you were there. You and Riku will not control my life anymore." She looked them both straight in the eye and then turned and walked off having said her peace. Sora and Riku both stared after her eyes wide and mouths slightly open. True, the three of them hadn't really talked in years, but neither Riku nor Sora had ever heard Kairi talk to anyone like that.

When the shock had worn off, Sora looked at Riku. "Well, you heard her, and I'm not fool enough to not show up."

"If you know what's good for her and you, you won't," started Riku again, but Sora cut him off.

"Listen Riku, no offense or anything, but I more afraid of Kairi than I am of you. Besides, just because you couldn't protect her doesn't mean that I can't." Sora turned and walked off leaving Riku to fume. If Sora put Kairi in danger…

"What's going on out here," asked Selphie as she walked into the hall. "Where's Sora?"

Riku turned to face her and suddenly had a wonderful idea. "He already left, but he told me to tell you goodbye."

At this, Selphie blushed. "So where do you want to meet tonight," she asked, trying to change the subject.

"How about the dock on the island an hour before sunset," asked Riku impressed with his quick wit.

"Um, ok," said Selphie not really caring about anything but Sora at the moment.

"Alright, I'll see you then," said Riku as he began walking towards the stairs. "Oh and Miss Aerith said she wanted to see you before you left."

Selphie murmured a thanks to Riku and headed towards Miss Aerith's office. Riku waited at the top of the stairs long enough to hear Selphie's squeal of excitement emanate from Miss Aerith's office before he continued walking down the stairs, smiling to himself.

"Did you find them," asked Mickey as him and Riku strolled along the peaceful streets of Destiny Islands, most of which over looked the ocean. Mickey and Riku had stopped and eaten at a small restaurant that was famous for its seafood. It was funny. No matter what universe they were in at the moment, Destiny's Way always served up delicious food and Mickey and Riku made it a point to stop there at least once. After eating, Riku had gone in search of the three friends while Mickey had gathered supplies and information about this universe.

Riku stopped looking out at the shore. The sun was halfway through its descent in the late afternoon sky and the tide was rolling in. Riku watched a crystal wave crash against the sand before replying. "I saw Kairi leaving the school and Sora soon followed. Neither one of them looked real happy. I never did see my alternate."

Riku sighed. Most of the upset expressions that he had seen on Sora and Kairi's faces in their excursions through these alternate universes were a direct result of the alternate Riku's actions. He doubted this time was any different. It appeared his friends were destined to relive the pain of his betrayal for eternity.

Mickey seemed to understand the pain in Riku's sigh. "Riku, things always work out the way they do for a reason. If they didn't, Sora would never know that he's a key bearer, Kairi would never know of her previous life, and you would never know that other worlds existed outside of your little island. Besides all that, you and I would have never met." Mickey looked up at Riku with a smile. "Riku, I'm glad we met even if it was under these circumstances."

Riku beamed inwardly. Although Sora and Kairi were his best friends and would remain that way if they could forgive him, he still had a tendency to feel like a third wheel. Somehow he had always known that Sora and Kairi would end up together. Yes, there had been many times that he had wished it was Kairi and him instead, he had learned to accept what destiny handed him. Mickey, on the other hand, was his mentor. He looked up to the mouse that he stood almost twice as tall as. Mickey had no reason to judge him, and Riku, having never known him previously, could talk openly without worrying about the hurt that would most surely appear in Sora and Kairi's eyes when he was able to find them again.

Riku nodded, never being one to reveal much about himself. "So, what's the plan," he asked turning away from Mickey to stare out at the ocean once again. Oh, how that body of water held the whisperings of adventure…

"Same as always, I guess," chuckled Mickey as he too looked out at the ocean. After a moment's contemplation, he spoke again.

"Riku, does something feel out of place here?"

"I haven't noticed anything," answered Riku recalling everything that had happened since they had entered this universe. "It seems to be playing out just like always. Why?"

Mickey thought for a moment more before shrugging his shoulders. "Oh, no reason. I was just wondering." Mickey once again picked up walking and Riku followed. Riku knew that he would get no more out of the king on the subject until Mickey was willing to share more information. In that regard, Riku and Mickey seemed to be quite alike.

"So where do you think our friends are," asked Mickey. Riku thought for a moment before looking out across the aquamarine water and pointing to a small island.

"I would guess there," replied Riku. Mickey nodded. No matter what universe they were in, almost every story started at that island. As a result, Mickey and Riku had spent many hours sitting on the same little island with every door they had gone through.

"Well," said Mickey slowly, a smile forming on his lips. "The last one there has to do the cooking tonight!"

Mickey took off like a streak of lighting before Riku even realized what had happened. "Hey," yelled Riku laughing as he too began to run in a sorry attempt to catch up. The mouse could out run him that much was obvious. Mickey had already reached the dock and was climbing into a boat. Riku knew that he would end up doing the cooking tonight. But, it didn't matter. Riku was thankful to feel like a kid again, even if it was only for a moment.

A/N: Hope you liked it. Please read and review. Pretty please...? God bless!