Disclaimer: See Chapter One and Two.

"I believe that humans and fish can coexist peacefully."

-George W. Bush, Current President of the United States.

Alright, I'd like to thank the readers who have reviewed so far individually.

Gothic-Fairy-Kiko: Thank you :D

Iced Perfection: Perfect stories, as ever. Update soon, and thankies for the review.

Aprocot.pie: Thanks a bunch for your support :D We all love you.

Flames Rising: FUCK YOU. And thanks for your reviews.

The War is Over: Wherever the hell you are, thankies :D

DarkPrincessNamine: Thankies.

Deliahgirl: I am so sorry, it's that I have a bunch of stuff to do. But thanks a lot for your reviews.

Nethernity: Thanks.

Dragonflysky: Thankies.

Hurkydoesntknow: Yes, you're special :D Thanks a bunch!

Z3ON: THANKS SO MUCH. Yes, I would to, and I agree on the screwed up comments. Thanks a bunch!

Oathkeepera: Yes, we all love you and your reviews! No, Riku's not jealous, he's just overprotective. Remember, he had some bad stuff happen with humans.

Lafayette722: Thank you.

StarLightSeraph: I will write more, and thanks so much.

Before I continue, just to clear up…

-Jade will be introduced in the last of the trilogy. In what form she will appear is a total surprise, but I will give a few hints every now and then in the seond part of the trilogy :D

-Riku is not jealous. Again, he is overprotective, since his "sister" is mingling with people he doesn't really seem to trust. And Riku will be alone in the trilogy until the last Fanfiction.

On with it!


Chapter Six: A Kiss… Almost

"Kairi."

Riku was leaning on the door of one of the stables horses, watching Kairi make a thalassa shell charm for one of the horses. There was a race tomorrow, and thalassa shells always were a sign of good luck.

Kairi looked up at her brother. He looked sad, almost angry. His arms were crossed across his chest in his usual pissed off manner, and his hair was in his face.

"Riku? What's wrong?" Her hands stopped working, one shell falling silently on the floor.

"Those humans." He looked to the side, his eyes cats down. "I don't trust them. And I don't trust the brunette one, either."

Kairi put on an angry face.

"Sora's fine, as are Roxas and Namine! Riku, not every human's like the sailors that mistreated you. There are good people out there, only if you look close enough!"

"I can't trust anyone, Kairi. Not after what happened on that ship."

"Well," said Kairi, "What about that girl?"

Riku looked up, confused. "What girl?"

"There was a girl there, I saw her. She was the one that told the captain to let you there. She was brunette. Riku, she couldn't just let you die, but she saw what was happening and helped you out. There are people like that in both worlds, Riku, and Sora's a really nice guy."

"Whatever. I just don't trust him."

"Why don't you trust him?" Kairi asked fiercely.

Riku shrugged. "I just don't, Kairi. It's hard for me to make friends and keep them, and I can't be friends with the same kind that tortured me."

Riku swam out, leaving Kairi sighing.

"I'm gonna go and see Namine."

Kairi's head popped out. The setting sun gave the sea a beautiful colors, rays of soft light gliding across the surface. Kairi spotted a male figure sitting on the dock.

Sora.

Her heart raced. She really did like Sora. His blue eyes would always watch her; his touch drove her crazy.

She approached Sora, and Sora gave her a smile. She felt herself melt, and she smiled back.

"Hey, Kairi."

"Hi, Sora. What's up so far?"

Sora shrugged. "Not much. I was just wondering, why is Riku so…" Sora trailed off, trying to find the right word to describe the white-haired boy.

"Introverted?"

"Not exactly. I just get the feeling that he doesn't trust me."

Kairi sighed. "Well, did I ever tell you the story about him and the ship?"

Sora shook his head. "Not that I remember."

Kairi took a deep breath. "Well, I think I was six and Riku was seven. We were just swimming along, you know, minding our own business, joking about random things. You know, stuff friends do?"

Sora laughed. "Yeah, I get it. Continue, please," he said, making a grand sweeping motion with his hand and placing a kingly accent in his voice, which sent Kairi in laughter.

Sora liked her laugh; soft and full, like silver tinkling bells. It was just music to his ears.

"Well, we were just swimming, and for some reason there's this huge boat on top of us, and some humans were looking at us. Soon there were nets cast, and Riku and me were trapped.

"Riku managed to let me go, but he wasn't that lucky. I swam off and watched from where I was safe but I still saw what was happening.

"Riku was being tortured. Poked at, hit, thrown on the floor. I heard talk that they were going to put him on exhibition. The captain just nodded.

"Suddenly, there's this brunette girl Riku's age that told everyone to stop. Everyone looked like they were going to throttle her, but the captain told them to do as they were told. And Riku was set free."

Sora nodded. "So that's why he doesn't trust the humans. Wait a minute."

Kairi just stared at Sora. He cast his eyes down in thought.

"How did the girl look like again?"

Kairi tipped her head to one side. "Um, I think she had brown hair and green eyes. I'm really not sure."

"Do you think Riku could trust her if he ever met her?"

Kairi shook her head. "He doesn't even remember the girl anymore. Either that or he doesn't want to remember. I'm just really worried about him. You know, he's like the brother I never had."

Sora nodded. Silence reigned.

Kairi grabbed the wood and pulled herself up to sit on the dock. Sora made some space for her, and their arms touched.

God, how she loved his touch. It was warm and welcoming. Kairi wondered how it would feel around her.

"Kairi?"

"Yeah?"

"You told me that shell gave you the two things you wanted most?"

"Yeah. I really want to walk on land. I really do."

They just looked at each other. Their eyes never wanted to separate.

"Maybe it's not what you want the most. Maybe there's something else that'll be stronger than any wish you've had."

Kairi looked at Sora's face, and her lips parted slightly. "Yeah. I think so."

Sora leaned in, and they were just about to kiss when the trumpet sounded.

Sora blushed. "Sorry, Kairi. I.. I-I gotta go."

Just before he stood up he planted a quick kiss on her cheek and ran off like the wind to the castle.

Kairi was surprised. Slowly she touched the place where Sora had just kissed her. A small smile painted itself on her lips, and she got in the water again and swam off.