A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks to those of you that read/reviewed the first chapter! Also, I didn't realize before but now anonymous reviewers can leave their reviews as well now. Whoops. I fixed that, so now you all can review! hint hint

Summary: AU: Riku's band has the chance of a lifetime--they've finally made it to the Nationals. Between a wild road trip to the finals, band bonding and heated rivalry, which band will rise above the rest for a shot at fame? Sokai, Namiku, AkuRoku. Rated for strong language and suggestive themes.

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Square-Enix and Disney, except for the band name. That was my oh-so-creative name, I know. :p

LiD: Rise and Crescendo

Chapter Two: Goodbyes and Welcomes

Riku ran a hand through his silver hair as he studied his belongings. He was sure he had gotten everything he needed… guitar (check)… clothes and whatnot (check)… his music sheets… his mp3… and last but not least, his books. No matter where he went, Riku made sure to bring his favourites with him to keep him occupied.

Knowing that Tidus was outside waiting in his car for Riku, he quickly zipped up his suitcase and picked up his guitar case. As he did so, there was a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach; he still had to tell his dad that he was leaving.

Riku glanced down the hall and saw the light in his father's study was on; he figured now would be the time to put his stuff into Tidus's car. That way, in case things got a little… hectic, with his father, there wouldn't be anything stopping a mad dash. Not that Riku ever ran away from anything – no way, buddy. Nuh-uh.

Slipping as discreetly as possible out the front door, Riku saw Tidus' car parked in front his house. The top of his convertible was down, so Tidus waved him over.

"Hey! About time, dude. I thought I was going to have to have the sleepover in my car! Yeesh," Tidus commented. "Let's go already." Riku rolled his eyes, as he set his stuff in the back seat. He then leaned over the door of the passenger side and said,

"Well, you're going to have wait just a bit longer. I gotta go do something."

Tidus blanked. "Whatever man. Make it quick." Riku said nothing in return and re-entered the house.

His father looked up when he entered the study. "There you are, boy. I thought you were fiddling around with your guitar again." Riku scowled at the emphasis, staring coldly at his father. "Don't look at me like that – I need your help with this order for motor boats, so if you could just…" he trailed off when he saw the stoic expression on Riku's face. "What?" his father demanded.

The 17-year-old didn't how to start, so he went straight to the point. Feeling the stony mask on his face crack slightly, Riku replied as firmly as he could,

"I… uh… I'll be gone for a while. Two weeks maybe – I don't know. I'll be with my friends, and we're going to… Twilight City."

His father dead panned. It was a while before his father chose to respond. Riku stood staring his father down, hands jammed in his pockets.

His father huffed, his voice dangerously quiet. "Whaddya mean you're going to Twilight City?"

"I mean," Riku pressed on defiantly, "we are going to Twilight City." He turned his back.

"Dammit, Riku! You're just leaving? You have responsibilities here! What kind of man are you?"

Riku turned back around and looked hard at him. "Dad—I want this. I've been waiting for this," Riku stressed, aquamarine eyes glinting slightly. If his dad would just get it, if he'd just…

His father snorted.

"Your music ain't going to get you anywhere, boy; it's childish and useless, not to mention unsteady. When are you going to smarten up? Get into a steady business like your old man, and make a decent living," his father blazed. "Think whatever you want. But it's never gonna happen. So you can just sit your sorry ass here and help me with the new orders I got. Stay."

Riku's eyes were livid. After that, and his father still had the nerve to keep him locked up in this place? Bastard. Like hell that was going to happen.

He turned back around and said over his shoulder,

"Not happening. It's set; I'm going. Take care of your own business." And with that, Riku headed out the door, slamming it shut behind him.

LiD

Practically dancing to her radio, Kairi continued to throw everything into her suitcase that she was bringing with her. Shirts, skirts, pants, make up, cosmetics, necklaces, earrings, the perfume that Sora had gotten her for their 2nd anniversary, magazines, a few books, deodorant, nail polish (assorted colours, of course), photos of her family, her sister Naminé's framed sketch of their band "logo"…

…Twilight City… holy crap, after all this…Excitement racing through her, Kairi barely noticed when Naminé slipped into the room.

"Hey Kai… before you left, I just…" Kairi's blond haired, 15-year-old sister fiddled with the silky fabric of her simple white dress. Moving to her bed, the girl sat down and beamed up at her older sister. Kairi frowned and sank down on the bed next to her.

"What's up?" Kairi asked, rubbing Naminé's forearm affectionately. Her younger sister was so sensitive sometimes, honestly. She needed to toughen up, like Kairi. Not let no man get in her way, nuh-uh. Kairi realized she had stopped paying attention to Naminé. Looking deeply at her, Kairi asked, "You're upset because I'm leaving, right?" Naminé looked up quickly, blue eyes widening with surprise and guilt.

"No! I'm happy for you!" she exclaimed, one hand tightening its grip on Kairi's bedsheet. "You guys were awesome at the State Finals—LiD deserves to go!" Naminé, along with Kairi's parents had traveled to the State Finals to watch their daughter perform.

They had managed to make it back sooner then LiD though; they hadn't been stuck in one taxi during downtown rush hour. Sora's and Tidus' families had also come, cheering them on. Only Riku's father did not bother to show up. Then again, Kairi thought with a grimace, it's not like anyone had their hopes up.

"It's just…" Naminé shrugged, and then gave a sheepish grin. "Yeah, I guess I am gonna miss you. Doesn't mean you shouldn't go though, sis!" Kairi smiled sadly at her younger sister.

Despite the cheerful exterior, Kairi knew deep down in Naminé's heart there was still a lingering sadness from the previous school year. Dropping her gaze, Kairi's eyes wondered to a portrait hanging on her wall Naminé had painted of her.

She's such an amazing artist… but all she does is sit around and play her flute and draw her pictures… she can't even do that lately either. She's been way too upset to draw, she doesn't go outside to try and cheer herself up… Sighing, Kairi asked Naminé,

"So what are you gonna do for the summer then?"

"Nothing much. Try and get back to drawing some more, maybe get a head start on those essays Professor Xenahort assigned…"

"You have homework already?" Kairi gaped, flabbergasted. Naminé went to the most prestigious art school in the nation over the school year—The Radiant Garden Academy for Fine Arts—and that was also why Kairi rarely saw her sister. Radiant Garden was a year round boarding school, with students only coming home for winter holidays, spring break and the summer.Before students were let out for this summer though, their dedicated Headmaster, Ansem the Wise, had passed away. Ever since she had come home, Naminé had been even quieter and more reserved than usual. Kairi, being female and thus containing an emotional capacity (in Kairi's opinion, anyways, except for Sora), had let her sister mourn in peace.

Kairi knew that Naminé had respected and cared about her former Headmaster very much, and with his passing he had taken some of Naminé's artistic soul. Naminé wouldn't admit it and barely talked about it, but Kairi could tell. It was that capacity thing kicking in again.

She doesn't have any friends around home…they're all at the boarding school. Mostly Naminé would hang around at home painting and playing flute; go to the theatre where she volunteered as an usher; meet up with her "quartet"—unofficial and they only did it when they felt like it—and perform at local business parties, gazeboes and open jazz nights. Sorta like me and the band… Kairi grinned.

An idea had just occurred to her.

"Hey… how would you like a more interesting way to spend your summer?" She asked, a playful smile on her face. Naminé asked her outgoing sister warily,

"What do you mean, interesting?"

"Come with us!"

"What? With you guys?"

"Yeah! To the Nationals! Come on!"

"I don't know…"

"It'll be so much fun! We're going on an awesome road trip down and then we're gonna get to stay in a five-star hotel suite and perform live on TV at the Nationals and you have to be there!"

"Whoa… Kai… slow down…"

"Aww! Come on! The guys won't mind—I'm sure! And besides, we all got an extra VIP pass for one guest to come along!" She really wanted Naminé to come. Of course, she knew that Naminé could eventually come down with their parents, but Kairi shook her head internally. She wanted Naminé to come earlier. This way, Naminé could get out and maybe forget about the sorrow of Ansem's passing. Plus it might be that extra boost of self-confidence her younger sister so sorely lacked. In a last ditch attempt, Kairi burst out,

"At least do it for my sake. There's no way I'm gonna survive two weeks surrounded by only guys… I'll go insane! Please? Come—for your big sis?" Kairi pouted, and Naminé laughed, chucking a pillow at her older sister.

"Okay, okay, you win. I'll come—but… only if it's okay with the rest of your band." Kairi nodded happily, and went back to packing. Her band would be absolutely, positively, happy about it. I'll make sure, she thought as she picked up her cell phone, smirking.

Before making the call, she shooed Naminé out of her room, and closed the door.

LiD

Shaking his head, Sora picked up his cell phone after reading Kairi's name on the display. Flipping it open and putting it to his ear, he winced slightly when he heard the extra sugary-sweetness of her voice. She wants something, I know it.

"Hey Sora!" She cooed. "How've you been?"

"Umm… the same as I was about an hour ago when you saw me get out of the car…"

"Right!" Kairi answered, not sounding particularly fazed. "Anyways, I was thinking… you know those passes we got?"

"Uh huh…"

"Well, you want me to be happy and like, get all the support I need for this, right?"

"Of course!" Sora replied quickly. Worry set in—is she sick? Is something wrong with her? Wait… how come I can't support her? Aren't I enough? Isn't she happy now that the band's won? Pausing for a minute, Sora realized she had gotten him right where she wanted him—in a self-doubting panic. He heard Kairi speak again.

"Well…"

"What is it, Kai?"

"… I was just wondering…"

"… Yes…?"

"If maybe… my sister could have my extra pass?" Sora cocked an eyebrow though he knew his girlfriend could not see him. Why do I need to know that…?

"… And…?" Sora prompted, knowing there was more to come. Wait, wait—she's hinting at something. She wouldn't have told me this unless—

"It's going to be hard for her to get to Twilight City though… parents won't be able to… so what should we do?" asked Kairi, sounding very much like she knew exactly what to do. Sora's suspicions were confirmed, and with a grin he replied,

"Hey! I know! She could come along with us! Tidus has an extra seat in his car, so why not? Tidus is a great guy, he won't mind—and Riku just doesn't care either way… so, what do you think?"

"That's a great idea Sora! You're so brilliant! You always keep me happy—I love you!" She cried out, managing to fake her surprise quite well in Sora's opinion. "I'll bring her to the sleep over, and you go tell the other guys, okay?" Sora told her he would, and then hung up, flipping shut his phone.

Swinging his legs up so he was lying on the couch, he saw Riku and Tidus come in through the front door with Riku's stuff. Dropping Riku's bags in the front hall, Tidus raised an eyebrow at Sora as Riku sorted through some of his things.

"What is it?"

Sora's grin broadened. He was still extremely proud of himself for having figured out what his girlfriend had wanted—he was definitely getting better. Women could be so complicated sometimes though—Sora didn't get why Kairi hadn't just come out right and ask.

"Kairi's bringing Naminé along; and she wanted to know if it was cool with us," Sora replied. "I told her it was fine." Tidus laughed and shook his head as he asked,

"Naminé? Who's that?" Sora replied,

"Kairi's little sister."

"Little sister? What? I don't wanna do no baby-sitting—"

"Relax; she's only a year younger then Kairi." Tidus raised an eyebrow.

"Eh? Only a year… interesting… so she's fifteen..." Sora rolled his eyes and continued,

"Anyways, you haven't met her 'cause she's at some fancy-art-boarding school all year—she's only home during the summers really."

"Why haven't we met her then?"

"Eh, she's a homebody. I'm over at Kairi's a lot though, so I've seen her every now and then. She's all right." Tidus smirked.

"The more the merrier." Sora laughed, and looked expectantly at Riku who had gotten what he had searched for—a thick, paper back novel. Few outside the band knew it, but Riku could be quite the book worm when he had the time.

"Whatever," Riku said, shrugging casually, entering the living room. He hadn't seen her in quite some time either—he could barely remember what she looked like. "As long as she doesn't make any trouble, I couldn't care less." He dropped down on the single couch beside Sora's, pushed his headphones on, and flipped open his book. Sora frowned at the indifferent response.

Sure, Riku was always in his own little world, but that was even more blunt than usual. Sitting up, Sora put a hand on one of Riku's shoulders—earning a glare from his year older friend. Sora frowned down in concern. Seeing the question on Sora's face, Riku slid off his headphones and replied,

"It's nothing, okay? Dad just wasn't too happy that I was leaving, no surprise." Sora tried to grin optimistically.

"Well… at least maybe he cares, right?" Riku snorted, dropping his gaze.

"He cares all right. Cares 'cause I'm not doing whatever the hell he wants." Pushing Sora's hands away, Riku leaned back in the couch and slipped his headphones back on, attention shifting back to his novel.

Grimacing, Sora moved away and sat back, flipping on the TV. Tidus was about to join when suddenly the doorbell rang. He answered it, and there was Kairi and her sister Naminé.

Sora saw Tidus's shocked look when he saw the blonde girl next to her auburn haired sister. Jumping up from the couch, Sora kissed Kairi, and proceeded to hug Naminé in a friendly fashion.

"Naminé!" he said as he pulled away from their hug. "How've you been?" She smiled politely and mumbled something about "being fine" while looking at the floor. Sora grinned and grabbed Kairi's bag for her, as she waved good-bye to her parents who had dropped them off.

Tidus followed suit, picking up Naminé's bags as he made light chatter to break the ice. Sora saw the girl smiling and answering politely as Tidus took her bags and moved them to where Riku's and Sora's already were.

Naminé followed Tidus equally in awe; this was the first time she had met him. Sora chuckled to himself—he wouldn't be surprised if Naminé developed a little crush on the outgoing flirt of Tidus. It'd only do her good, to be around someone who was more of an extrovert than she was. Sharing a significant smile with Kairi, Sora was certain she was thinking the same thing.

I really am getting better at this whole women thing…

LiD

Pushing a blonde strand behind her face, Naminé thanked Tidus for carrying all of her stuff and then proceeded to follow him into the living room. Tidus continued on in his friendly, slightly flirty banter.

"… So yeah, I think we should be there in just a few days, I mean we can make a few stops along the way… I mean, we have to—" Tidus laughed here and flipped her a wink "—a young lady like yourself has got to need beauty sleep to look that good, right?" Naminé felt her face heat up, making Tidus laugh.

Naminé could see her sister, who was sitting on the couch next to her boyfriend, roll her eyes.

"Don't mind him, Naminé," Kairi called out. "He's a charmer but a lazy ass." Tidus grinned cheekily and plopped down on an empty sofa. No other spots being available, Naminé sat down carefully next to Tidus.

Turning to her right, it was then that she saw him.

He probably didn't see her, because his headphones were clamped around his head and a thick book was in his lap, which he read intently. One leg hung over the arm rest, a picture of solitude.

His silver hair fell down in wisps, and he occasionally shook them out of his way. It brushed just to his shoulders and was wild and raggedly cut—but not unpleasantly so. His eyes were aquamarine orbs, shining fiercely even though indifference was written all over him. He was wearing dark, somewhat 

baggy navy jeans with a leather black belt that held them securely to his waist, but still let them sag slightly and shaped around his legs. On his chest was a sleeveless, white shirt, simple but it complimented his toned arms. The only accessories he had was a chain on his belt; a few thin necklaces and a wristband that Kairi had given the band a while ago, with their individual names on the inside and LiD on the outside.

He was… different. Is this… it has to be… Riku? It's been so long… In spite of herself, Naminé continued to stare, half curious, half because she could not take her eyes away from him. He seemed to notice though.

Eyes shifting up with a slightly raised head, Riku arched an eyebrow almost lazily at her, as if asking, "What?" Naminé fought a blush and quickly looked away—Staring is rude, she reminded herself.

Chancing another glance at him, she saw that he was still watching her, one eyebrow still raised.

"Hi?" he asked quietly, giving her a funny look. Naminé nodded quickly in response and looked away again. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Riku shrug and go back to his book. You nodded? What kind of greeting is that to someone you haven't seen in almost half a decade?

Realizing she couldn't stay away for long, Naminé slowly cocked her head sideways so she could just see him out of the corner of her eye.He wouldn't have heard you anyways, with those headphones. Watching him for a few more moments, Naminé turned to the other three members of LiD.

Tidus, Sora and Kairi had their eyes glued to the screen—some show that made fun of mainstream celebrities was on… Naminé would watch, but she never bothered to keep up with mainstream. Her painting and flute were far more important to her.

Pretty soon, time had passed and they ordered pizza for dinner. Well, tried to anyways. They probably should have decided before Kairi picked up the phone to make the call. Kairi had asked, "Is Tropical okay?"

"No way am I having fruits on pizza," Sora argued.

"Hey! I like fruits! But tell them to add pepperoni as well!" Tidus burst out.

"Hey wait—I'm a vegetarian…" Naminé said softly.

"Then we'll get half cheese, half supreme," Riku suggested.

"Who said anything about supreme? I hate olives!" Kairi snapped, still clutching the phone face down to her chest.

"Pick the olives off then!" Riku said, rolling his eyes in exasperation.

"You pick the olives off!" Tidus retorted pointlessly. Riku dead panned.

"That didn't make any sense. I like olives."

"Whatever!"

"Guys… this is stupid... " Naminé began.

"Let's just get cheese, how about that?"

"Dammit, I want meat! I'm a growing boy; I need it!" Tidus responded.

"Ha! You're never gonna grow up Tidus, so what's the point?" Kairi said.

"If you want meat, then what's wrong with Tropical?" Riku said.

"Nothing.But I want pepperoni as well! I love pepperoni!"

"Eww! No fruit! That's gross! I only want cheese on my pizza!" Sora said.

"That's it!" Kairi called out. Putting the phone back to her ear, she dictated that they wanted two mediums, one with half vegetarian, half cheese, and the other one with half tropical and half pepperoni.

That kept everyone happy, though Tidus would have to eat from two different pizzas to get his pepperoni and Riku gave up meat to just have veggie as well. Some time later, the pizza boy came and dropped off the pizzas, with Tidus ending up being the one to pay.

Once the five had sufficiently stuffed their faces with greasy, hot pizza, they all got ready for bed. Tidus's living room was more than large enough for them to roll out their sleeping bags in, and Tidus's parents still had not returned from the State finals. Tidus's dad had wanted to spend an extra day in their hotel to go sight-seeing.

All dressed in their pyjamas, they now sat around on their sleeping bags—save Riku, who was already lying in his, "asleep"—and were chatting excitedly about the upcoming finals.

"This is going to be so awesome!" Kairi squealed, earning a tight hug from her boyfriend. Tidus laughed,

"As long as we don't make too many pit stops along the way. We need to get to Twilight City in time to enjoy it too!" Kairi nodded in agreement,

"We'll leave tomorrow and eat breakfast on the way, then stop at a diner or something for lunch. That way, you can fuel up and do whatever to your car to get us there faster."

"Not too fast though," Sora joked. "Riku's already a speed demon on the road; we'll be lucky if we only get pulled over once or twice." Naminé, who was sitting in front of Riku's "sleeping" body, felt him twist around slightly.

A pillow flew from Riku's hand, just missing Sora. Instead, Kairi became the target.

"Hey!" Kairi called out. Leaping to her feet, Kairi grabbed the pillow and towered over Riku. Naminé quickly scrambled out of the way—she had been in enough pillow fights with her sister to know what she was capable of.

Naminé couldn't help but feel a bit pleased to see Riku flip around on his back, pushing himself to a sitting position.

"It was an accident?" He offered in a mock-innocent voice, one eyebrow raised again. Kairi smirked, and before the silver haired boy knew what was happening, the pillow had smacked him hard in the face.

Toppling backwards, Riku laughed and tried grabbing the pillow from Kairi, but to no avail. The red-head continued to ruthlessly beat him, so he threw his arms up in defense despite his laughter.

"Kairi—grow—up—serious—ly," he choked out between smacks and laughs. Finally, Riku was able to roll away from the onslaught of attacks and grab another pillow. Quickly, he started smacking the still-standing Kairi's legs. Laughing, she collapsed, and Riku was able to pretend to suffocate the girl with the pillow over her face.

"Don't tell me you're giving up already!" he called out over Kairi's laughing and thrashing about. Sora grinned at his friend's playful mood and leaping gallantly to his feet he called out,

"Fair lady! Dammit Riku, leave her I say!" But as he made his way to the two, he tripped over the cross-legged Tidus and landed smack over Naminé.

"Hey!" Naminé called out, struggling out from under Sora. She too grabbed her pillow within reach, and started beating Sora. "Get off!"

Sora laughed, but was quickly toppled over by Naminé and she continued pounding him with the pillow. Tidus quickly joined in, running to Sora's aid, but not before sharing a quick grin with Naminé. Naminé laughed when Tidus too began to beat Sora with his own pillow.

"Tidus!" Sora cried out. "You should stick by your friends, stupid!"

"Sorry buddy, I'm taking the winning side!" Tidus replied, as Sora rolled away and right smack into Riku. Groaning, Riku shoved Sora playfully. Kairi, Naminé and Tidus used this as a chance to gang up on the two, surrounding them.

Eventually the three dog-piled on top of the two boys, using their pillows to beat them over their heads.

"Okay, okay! Mercy!" Sora cried out, voice muffled through the onslaught.

"Yeah, give it up already!" Riku added, struggling to get up. Naminé, however, noticed the quick exchange of smirks between the two friends. Just as the trio of attackers began to slow down the attacks, Sora and Riku each grabbed one of Kairi's feet, and took their revenge.

"Stop that!" Kairi gasped out in laughter. "That's—that's not fair guys!" Attempting to kick her feet away from the two, Kairi toppled over from the top of the dog pile. Sora and Riku used the moment to push themselves up from underneath, sending Naminé and Tidus flying.

Tidus was the first to recover, and throwing a glance around he jumped to his feet. In a shift of alliances, he began beating the two girls with his pillows.

"Come on guys! Let's get 'em!"

Sora and Riku, however, were lounging on their sleeping bags, watching the now corrupted trio.

"Guys? Eh?" Stopping, he turned to look at the two guys. Kairi and Naminé jumped up, and tackled Tidus to the ground.

"Fine, you win!" he called out in defeat. "I give in, I give in…" Exhausted but still laughing, the three made their ways to the sleeping bags.

Finally stifling their laughter, the five managed to fall asleep. Contently, Naminé snuggled under her sleeping bag.

Maybe a road trip with these guys won't be so bad after all.



A/N: This chapter was even more fun to write than the last one. Really random scenes, woot! Anyways, leave a review if you want more chapters! Much love,

XX-diamonds-XX