Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts (II), Sora, Kairi, Riku, etc.

Author's Note: I just want to say that right now I'm not a supporter of Yuffie x Leon, I just couldn't find Yuffie another pairing so…don't go jumping to conclusions that they like each other or anything.

Warning: BETRAYAL.

Quick Author Babble: YAY!!! I like how I get so many reviews so quickly.

Chapter 4: Hold Me

Kairi waited outside Destiny High, tapping her foot impatiently on the ground. It was Thursday afternoon, and she and Yuffie had to shop for their outfits for the semiformal dance. Kairi had held it off for as long as she could, but it was the last day before the dance and they had to go dress shopping.

"Where is she?" Kairi muttered, looking at her watch for the tenth time. "Yuffie seriously needs a class in time management."

Suddenly the doors burst open and Yuffie raced out, a huge grin on her face.

"There you are!" Kairi shouted. "What were you doing? I've been waiting here for half an hour!"

"Sorry, but I was held up," Yuffie said. "I was talking to Leon!"

Kairi crossed her arms.

"Oh, you were, were you?" she asked. "Did he ask you out?"

"No!" Yuffie shouted. "Don't jump to conclusions! We just…talked."

"You talked for half an hour?" Kairi said.

"Don't scowl at me!" Yuffie cried. "You would've done the same thing if Leon started talking to you! Heck, I could've been the one waiting out here for half an hour!"

"But you weren't!" Kairi remarked. "I was!"

Yuffie sighed.

"I know, I know," she said. "I'm sorry! But are you ready to go dress shopping?"

"More or less," Kairi muttered. "I hate wearing dresses. This is going to be awful."

Yuffie smiled and patted Kairi on the shoulder.

"Hey, I'm no fan of them either," she said. "But we've got to do what we've got to do. We can't go to the semiformal in T-shirts and jeans."

"Why isn't Sora coming?" Kairi asked. "I want this to be as fun as possible. I want all my friends there!"

"I asked him if he wanted to come," Yuffie answered. "He said he'd rather go alone. He doesn't want us to see him in a tux more than necessary."

Kairi and Yuffie burst out laughing.

"I have the same feeling," Kairi said.

"Oh, stop!" Yuffie cried as they started to walk along the sidewalk. "You'd look beautiful in a dress."

"I'd rather wear a garbage bag," Kairi stated, rolling her eyes.

They walked to the mall, arguing about wearing dresses and wondering if it would've been better to make Sora come. The mall wasn't very big, but it had lots of shops with great clothes.

Kairi opened the door and they walked in. Yuffie pointed to Ella Bella, a well-known dress shop.

Kairi cringed at all the dresses with sequins and sparkles on them. She wished they had something more plain.

"Let's find a dress for you first," Yuffie suggested. "Ooh, Kairi, look!"

She pulled out a dark green dress with gold strands hanging from the bottom.

"No way," Kairi said, shaking her head. "I am not wearing that."

Yuffie pulled out a bright pink, leather dress and quickly put it back.

"That…was just wrong," she muttered.

Kairi laughed. She rifled through the many dresses, looking at a short, black one with a big white stripe in the middle.

"Kairi, no offense, but black isn't your color," Yuffie stated.

"I know," Kairi sighed, putting it back. "I just want something simple…"

Yuffie suddenly gasped. Kairi looked up. Yuffie's eyes were wide.

"What is it?" Kairi asked.

"Kairi, look…"

Yuffie reached into a bunch of dresses and pulled out a light blue one. It had waves running through it, and thin straps were holding onto the hanger. A single bow was tied to the top of the dress. It seemed to shine.

"It's gorgeous," Kairi said.

"Try it on!" Yuffie cried, shoving it into Kairi's hands.

"What?" Kairi muttered, looking down at it. "No! You try it on! Blue's more of your color anyway."

"Are you joking?" Yuffie remarked. "You'll look angelic in this! Just go try it on! After all, it's pretty simple, right?"

Kairi nodded. The only thing on it was the bow. She sighed.

"Alright, I'll try it on."

Kairi went into the change rooms and when she came out, Yuffie gasped. Everyone in the store looked up at Kairi. She blushed and tucked a lock of red hair behind her ear.

"Kairi, you look beautiful!" Yuffie squealed. "If you wear that to the semiformal, I guarantee at least a hundred boys will ask you to dance!"

Kairi looked at her reflection in the mirror. The dress fit her form perfectly—it was like it had been made for her. She seemed to sparkle. Kairi looked down at the price tag.

"It's a bit on the expensive side…" she told Yuffie. "I have just enough money to pay for it. Do you think it's worth it?"

Yuffie nodded excitedly.

"No one else will be able to wear it more perfectly," she stated.

111

It was Friday night. Kairi looked at herself in the mirror. The dress still looked perfect, and it was accessorized with light blue, high-heeled shoes, a long, thin scarf, and a purse. Kairi started put in her silver and sapphire earrings. She still felt nervous about going to the dance.

"Are you ready?" Naminé asked, appearing at her bedroom door.

Naminé was dressed in a short, black dress with a gold chain around her waist. A very long, grey and yellow sweater was wrapped around her, being held at the top by a pink, rose ribbon. Open toe, orange shoes were on her feet. Kairi sighed. She was sure Naminé looked much better than her.

"Yeah," Kairi replied. "I've just got to get these earrings in…"

She quickly clipped them in her ears and drew in a big breath.

"Okay. I'm ready."

"Kairi!" called Mrs. Ire. "Your friends are here!"

Kairi raced out of her room and looked down the stairs. Sora and Yuffie were standing at the bottom of the staircase. Yuffie was in a light orange dress with small, pink flowers all over it. She had tried to make it look less girly than it actually was by putting a long-sleeved, pink sweater overtop and tying it all together with a brown belt. Instead of wearing high heels she was wearing long, brown boots with a bit of a heel to them. Orange stockings were peeking out of the boots. A small, orange purse was swung casually over her shoulder.

Sora was pulling at a black bowtie around his neck. He looked very uncomfortable in his black tuxedo. It was obvious his hair had tried to be tamed with hair gel and a comb, because his spikes were a little closer to his head than usual.

Kairi took in a deep breath. Did she look as nice as them? Sora and Yuffie looked up as she walked down the staircase. Sora's face turned bright and red and Yuffie broke into a grin.

"Oh, Kairi, you look great!" she squealed.

"So do you, Yuffie!" Kairi said. "I love your boots!"

Sora remained strangely silent as Kairi and Yuffie continued to talk about each other's outfits. Kairi looked at him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing," Sora said, shaking his head as if to wake up. "It's just…you look really nice tonight."

Kairi turned bright pink.

"Thanks," she said.

A car started honking outside. Naminé ran downstairs.

"Oh, that's my ride!" she chirped.

"Your ride?" said Sora, looking at her in confusion.

Naminé nodded and raced outside. Yuffie, Sora, and Kairi exchanged glances and they followed her. Kairi's eyes widened as she saw Riku in a bright red convertible, Selphie and Tidus in the back. Naminé waved and jumped into the seat beside Riku.

"Riku can drive?" Sora cried.

"That's a total waste of gas!" Yuffie remarked. "Destiny High is only five blocks away!"

"Naminé knows Riku?!" Kairi shouted.

The convertible pulled out of the driveway and raced down the road. Kairi looked after it.

"We'll just walk there," Sora said. "After all, I'm in no hurry to get to the dance. My bowtie is killing me!"

He pulled at it again. Yuffie sighed and with one swift movement, she untied it and pulled it off of his collar and quickly threw it into the neighbor's garden.

"Thanks," Sora said, rubbing his neck. "I can breathe!"

"You look better without the bowtie anyway," Yuffie giggled.

Kairi nodded and they started off down the sidewalk. Kairi nearly tripped several times.

"Whoa!" Sora cried, catching her for the fifth time. "What's with you?"

"Ugh…it's these stupid heels!" she shouted. "I don't know why I wore these."

"That's why I wore boots," Yuffie said, gesturing to her boots.

"And that's why I wear shoes," Sora remarked. "Why do you girls always have to wear such complicated footwear?"

"To look nice," Kairi answered. "Not that I'm happy about it."

Sora laughed. Destiny High came into view. The lights were on and music could be heard from outside. Sora attempted to brush down his spikes one more time before opening the gym doors.

People were dancing all around. It was normal music—not too slow, not too fast. Kairi looked around and immediately saw Naminé. She looked at her with a smug smile. Kairi took a deep breath in. She knew that stare too well. Naminé was planning something.

"Come on!" Yuffie cried, grabbing Kairi's arm and pulling her across the gym. "Let's go look for new SCARF members!"

"Hey, wait for me!" Sora called, racing after them.

Kairi looked around the crowded gym. She saw a blond boy with blue eyes leaning against a wall and drinking some fruit punch.

"Do you think he could be in SCARF?" Kairi asked.

"Him?" murmured Yuffie, looking at the boy. "Hmm…maybe…"

Kairi approached him. The boy looked up from his punch.

"Hi," Kairi said. "I'm Kairi."

"Um…hey," the boy greeted. "I'm Roxas."

"Do…do you know Riku and Naminé?" Kairi asked.

Roxas smiled.

"Who doesn't know them?" he asked.

"Well…we…want to stop them," Kairi said. "You know, cut them down to size."

"Really?" Roxas stated.

"Yeah, and we were wondering if you'd like to…help us."

There was no normal way to explain that to someone. Roxas looked at her hopeful face and he smiled and nodded.

"Riku's a real pain in my butt, but Naminé…she's…" Roxas said, and he turned red and quickly looked down into his cup. "She's not so bad."

Kairi raised her eyebrows and Yuffie giggled.

"Do you like her?" Yuffie asked.

"No!" Roxas cried defensively. "Well, maybe…a little…"

"You can join just to get back at Riku then," Sora said. "That's what I'm doing."

"Okay, then I'll do it!" Roxas remarked. "I don't see why not. But there aren't many of us. What are you planning to do?"

"We'll see," Kairi said. "Bye, Roxas."

Kairi told herself to add Roxas to the list of SCARF members when she got home.

"Great!" Yuffie chirped. "We got another member! We should keep looking around…"

"Hi, Yuffie."

Yuffie froze at the voice and she slowly turned around to see Leon.

"H-Hi!" she squeaked.

She turned back to face Kairi and made a gesture like she couldn't believe it. Kairi giggled and turned her back around.

"Do you want to dance?" Leon asked.

"Uh…" Yuffie stuttered, giving Kairi an alarmed look. "Sure!"

As Yuffie and Leon walked off, Sora smiled.

"'Not going to get a date' she says," he said. "Yeah, right."

Kairi giggled.

"She's having fun. That's all that matters."

Kairi cringed as more dancing people bumped into her.

"It's kind of crowded in here," she said. "I'm going outside."

"Good idea," Sora remarked. "I'll come with you."

They left the crowded gym into the cold night. Kairi sat down on the bench outside. Sora joined her.

Kairi looked up at the night sky. It was a lovely, navy color and the stars were shining brighter than ever before.

"It's beautiful out," she remarked.

Sora smiled and nodded.

"Just like you."

"What?" Kairi asked, looking up.

"Oh…nothing," Sora said quickly.

Kairi hit him lightly on the arm.

"Next time you say something, make sure I hear it!" she stated.

"Hello, Kairi, Sora."

Kairi looked up. Naminé was walking towards them, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Um…hi," Kairi said, standing up.

Naminé just pushed past her.

"So, Sora…" she said in a flirtatious voice. "Would you like to dance with me?"

"What?" Sora asked, eyes wide.

He looked at Kairi.

"Well…uh…o-okay," he stuttered.

Naminé smiled excitedly and grabbed his arm and pulled him into the gym. Kairi looked after them. She was completely alone now.

She clenched her hands into fists. Naminé had taken Sora, one of her best friends, away. Kairi felt anger rise up inside her. She finally gets a decent friend and Naminé takes him away!

Kairi leaped up, steaming. She entered the gym and felt her angry words catch in her throat—it was a slow song. Everyone in the gym was ballroom dancing. Kairi could see Leon and Yuffie dancing rather clumsily and laughing whenever Yuffie nearly fell over. Kairi pushed her way through the people, trying to find Sora and Naminé.

She felt a tap on her shoulder. Kairi turned and met Riku's ice blue eyes.

"You looking for them?" he asked, pointing.

Kairi followed his gaze to Sora and Naminé, who were also ballroom dancing. Sora looked a little nervous and Naminé was smiling and laughing.

Kairi felt a wave of emotions hit her as Naminé said something and Sora laughed.

"Aren't they perfect for each other?" Riku sneered.

"Shut up," Kairi whispered, but it didn't sound very threatening.

The song was coming to an end. Kairi was quite relieved. But just as the song ended, she didn't feel quite the same way.

Sora and Naminé smiled a little at each other as the song came to an end, and it wasn't long before their lips met. Kairi covered her mouth with her hand. Everyone in the gym looked up at them. Yuffie quickly left Leon to run over to Kairi.

"Kairi, are you…alright?" she asked. "I mean…I'm not suggesting anything but…you look kind of…pale."

"I…" Kairi began, but she couldn't speak because a sob escaped.

Tears gathered in her eyes. Everything was a blur. But Kairi refused to let any go—not when she was in front of the whole school.

Kairi turned and raced out of the gym before anyone could see the tears now streaking down her cheeks, but they did notice her racing out.

"Kairi!" she heard Sora yell.

Kairi couldn't see where she was going. Tears were blocking her vision. Finally, after she'd turned onto another street she couldn't see, she wiped away her tears.

She immediately wished she hadn't. Kairi found herself on the street where she'd gotten pushed in front of a truck. She could still remember the person's masked face coming out from behind the tree.

The pictures of the person's masked face, the truck's headlights coming closer, and Sora and Naminé kissing rushed into Kairi's mind. She felt her legs weaken underneath her and she collapsed.

"Kairi!" cried a familiar voice. "Kairi, thank God!"

Kairi didn't look up. It wouldn't have mattered anyway. More tears had blurred her vision.

"Kairi…what are you doing here?" the voice continued. "I thought you hated this place."

Kairi replied with more sobs. She felt warm arms wrap around her.

"Please don't cry."

The voice was becoming choked, as if it was starting to cry itself.

Kairi quickly wiped her tears and looked up at the person. As the spiky-haired person came into view, it came clear to Kairi that it was Sora.

"I'm sorry," Sora whispered.

Kairi almost relaxed in Sora's arms, but she quickly pulled away.

"Leave me alone!" she cried.

She raced away, making sure no tears blocked her vision as she stumbled home. She threw open the door and ran up into her bedroom. Kairi collapsed on her bed and sobbed into her pillow.

"Kairi, what's wrong?"

Kairi looked up to come face to face with her mom. Mrs. Ire came and sat down beside her.

"Mom?" sniffled Kairi, wiping her eyes.

"What?" Mrs. Ire asked.

"Hold me."

"Oh, Kairi…"

Mrs. Ire put her arms around her daughter and Kairi cried into her shoulder.

Nohime: I saw a movie Sora's voice actor, Haley Joel Osment, acted in. The Sixth Sense—it was an awesome, horror movie! "I see dead people…" – Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense. Guess who Yuffie's voice actor is? Christy Carlson Romano. She acts in Disney movies…and some shows. In fact, I know most of these people. Well, anyway, I HAVEN'T passed you in Fan Fiction writing! (But this is definitely my favorite story.)

MOOnlite-dUSk: He IS full of surprises! Thanks for reviewing!

Zestychicken2: Thanks! Here's your chapter!

Isler: Sora didn't actually tell everything when I was writing this chapter. He just said that. And I don't know much of his past, nope. Sorry to disappoint you. But here's your chapter anyway!

Valor999: Thanks for reviewing!

SimplySarah1221: SOME of the humor was intended! Thanks for reviewing!

I love writing this story! Thanks for reviewing, everybody! But still, REVIEW MORE!!! I won't be writing in this story for, at the very least, three days, so…convince me! Bye!