Takes place between Sora and the Forty Thieves and Law of the Jungle

"So you knew about the talking parrot too?" Kairi asks, giving Riku a teasing look as she leans back in her chair. The pair sit on the front porch of the Princess of Heart's home, relaxing in the wicker seats. It's a beautiful day out, a sea breeze keeping them cool despite the shining sun overhead.

"Yeah," Riku replies, smirking. There's a twinkle present in his eye that Kairi hasn't seen for a long time. It's good to see. "But I thought there were some things you should experience for yourself."

Kairi shrugs. "Hey, I don't really care. It was just a shock initially. After I got to know Iago, the fact that he was a talking bird entirely took a back seat to him being kind of a jerk."

The twinkle disappears from Riku's eye, and he looks away. He could just be focusing on the beautiful day that has graced Destiny Islands, but Kairi knows better than that. She's about to say something when he starts speaking.

"At least he's trying to change," the silver-haired young man says, his voice flat. "Second chances, people believing in you… That's important."

"It is," Kairi agrees, her posture straightening. "Anyway, as far as visits to other worlds go, I really enjoyed this one. I think Sora was pretty upset when the Heartless got involved though."

"But you were kind of excited, I imagine," Riku says teasingly, giving her a playful side-eye. "Getting in on the action again."

"Can't deny that," the redhead admits, smirking. "I get the feeling I don't have this Keyblade of mine just as a souvenir. It feels good, protecting others. Helping." She looks at Riku, a bit more serious suddenly. "Speaking of which, we could have used you around. Plus, you missed the city riding atop a giant turtle's back."

The silver-haired young man starts to get visibly uncomfortable again, shifting in his seat. "No, it was better I didn't. I would have just… Well, anyway, nobody wants the bride's former kidnapper to be part of the champagne toast."

Kairi can't help but roll her eyes. "That was a long time ago, Riku. Besides, Jasmine probably never even saw your face. We wouldn't have even needed to mention it." She leans forward, taking a breath. "So… What's the real reason you didn't come?"

"Kairi…"

"No, no," she admonishes him, literally wagging her finger. "Don't start being evasive on me, Riku. You can tell me. You can trust me."

Riku is silent for a long, long moment. After a while, he shakes his head and a bitter laugh bursts out of him. "Okay, fine, fine." He sighs, finally returning his full attention to the girl he's talking to. "I'm just not sure it would work. I don't fit in with Azlyn and Telary. It's not like with you, having this shared history together."

"A history that has, until recently, proven itself more of a hindrance than anything helpful," Kairi interrupts him. "It wasn't until Telary and I agreed to focus on moving forward that we found our real connection."

"Maybe I should retract that last statement," Riku decides, wringing his hands together in his lap. "After all, I've got plenty of history with those two. It's just not a good one." Seeing Kairi is about to protest, he holds up a hand. "I know, all is forgiven and we're all moving on and… That's easier with you and Sora. Again, history proves to be the key. They just look at me and see the guy who mistreated them over nothing but jealousy. Don't even argue with me on that, Kairi." He sighs, leaning back and shaking his head. "I just don't fit in."

"And you're never going to."

The sudden hardness in his friend's voice, not to mention the words themselves, startle Riku. He gives Kairi a perplexed look, asking a wordless question.

"Not if you don't try, at least," she clarifies, shrugging. "Honestly, avoiding them is just going to make things worse."

Riku can't argue with that, not effectively anyway. Especially considering his recent history of avoiding his problems to the point of insanity. Kairi can clearly tell she's won this round. She gives him a playful smirk that, for just a moment, reminds the silver-haired young man of old feelings he's forced himself to put aside.

For once, Kairi doesn't seem to pick up on his hidden feelings. "We were talking about taking some sort of trip in a few weeks. Camping or something like that. You should definitely come."

"Okay, I'll think about it," he says, trying his best to remain outwardly composed. In the end, though, he can't hold in his feelings. "Thanks, Kairi."

"It's no problem," the Princess of Heart replies serenely. "It's important to have a person you can talk things through with. As close as you and Sora are, I get that there are some things you might not want to bring up with him. If I can help…"

"That's just it," Riku interrupts, smiling softly. "You still want to help me, Kairi. After what I did to you…"

"Riku…"

He doesn't let her complete the thought. "I know, we're putting everything behind us. But still… I don't think I've ever actually apologized. And what I did to you was wrong, Kairi. Maybe even worse than what I did to Sora. I took a good friendship and made it something else in my mind. Something wrong."

"Thank you, Riku," Kairi says, giving him the brightest, most earnest smile he's seen directed his way in a long while. "It means a lot to hear you say that." She moves quickly, placing herself beside him on the wicker couch. He shifts away instinctively, but doesn't flinch when she puts a hand on his arm. "Being honest, I think those old feelings of yours were holding us back from having the really great friendship we're supposed to have. Now that it's all behind us, I think we're going to be even better than before."

He places his own hand on hers. "I think you're right, Kairi. I really do."

"Never get tired of hearing that." Suddenly, the earnest expression on her face gives away to something more playful. She stands, looking down at Riku with a grin. "And, of course there's that other thing we share. Something Sora and I could never replicate."

He gets her meaning immediately. "Aw, c'mon Kairi. It… It's been so long since we… since I…"

"It's like riding a bike," the redhead scoffs. Reaching down, she wraps her hands around his wrist and pulls up hard. He allows himself to be tugged, which means Kairi has already won. She lets go and heads into the house, trusting him to follow her.

He does, not saying anything as she walks into the little room just off the entrance hall. It's a cozy reading area, lit brilliantly by the sun streaming in from two windows. Two plump chairs sit by the view, but Kairi ignores them. Instead, she takes a seat on the wooden bench in front of a baby grand piano. Riku joins her with a sigh, pulling up the wooden cover and exposing the white and black keys beneath.

"When was this thing tuned last?" he asks, a last ditch attempt at averting what's to come.

"Yuki does it every once in a while when she cleans the room," Kairi explains, referring to the mayor's longtime housekeeper. "I'm sure the piano will be fin. The player on the other hand…"

"Playing to my ego won't work here," Riku admonishes her. "Because I have just as little faith in my skills as you do." Still, he can't deny that there's a certain urge. After all, the instrument is sitting right in front of him. It's been a long time, but old instincts die hard. It takes barely thirty seconds of preparation before he's playing. A moment later, Kairi picks up the song and begins to sing along in a soft voice.

It had been one of the things that had attracted her to him, all those years ago. The way she sang along as he played, their skills blending into something beautiful. Sora had wanted to join in, of course, but as skilled at many things as the boy is, a singer he ain't. No, this had been something just for Riku and Kairi.

And it still is, he realizes. The same feelings may not be involved, but just as Kairi said, that could be for the best. And so, Riku pushes into his song with more gusto than before, his redheaded friend stepping up her own game in response. He smiles at her, and she gives him one right back.

Riku plays on, happy to have a good friend by his side to make his song all the richer.