SORA

I was taken aback. Her blade looked more dangerous than Riku's!

"So…. It's true… I'm sorry…I didn't mean to-"

"No it's fine," Melody said, "It took me quite a while before I believed it myself." She smiled kindly.

A thought came to mind. I, too, felt as though I knew her.

RIKU

I stepped away from all the commotion and looked out at the sea. Once again I secluded myself. A light breeze came by and my hair blew across my face. I turned back around and watched Mel. Her ice blue eyes swept from person to person, her smile was extravagant. I smiled to myself. She reminded me of Sora. Axel, Kairi, and Sora surrounded her and she seemed happy. She acted as though she had never been around friends before.

MEL

I never knew what I was missing until now. I wish I had a lot more friends.

"So… will everyone be my friend?" I asked.

Everyone smiled and nodded. The one face I didn't see was Riku's. I looked passed everyone and saw Riku standing by himself.

He's a little different in person then in the game.

Riku's eyes lifted up and looked into mine. I smiled at him. He slightly smiled back.

I can now honestly say I have friends…..but I don't want to steal them from someone…

"I know you don't have a place to stay….so do you want to stay at my house?" Kairi asked.

"Sure…well….as long as I won't be a burden.." I answered.

"No! Never! It will be like a sleep over! You'll be able to stay as long as you need to…" She replied excitedly.

"Axel… do you have somewhere to stay?" Sora asked.

Axel scratched the back of his head and looked to the ground.

"Not really… but I'm sure th-"

"You can stay with me if you like…." Sora said.

"Only if you want me to…"

"Of course, man! We can catch up on things. As long as Mel stays with Kairi, you can stay with me…"

"Hey guys…" Riku said.

Everyone turned around and saw a beautiful sunset.

"Wow!" I said.

"Riku, Kairi and I watch it together every day. We always have since as long as I can remember… you guys don't mind it they join us, do you?" Sora asked.

"Of course not!" Kairi said cheerfully.

"Nope." Riku said quietly.

I walked to a palm tree beside the Paupou tree that Riku leaned against. Axel was on the other side of my palm tree. Sora and Kairi were sitting side by side on the Poapou tree. We all silently watched the sun go down to end the day.

"Well…I guess I will turn in for the night… are you coming with me, Axel?" Sora asked.

"Um… yeah… hey, Mel, will you be okay?"

"Yes… thank you…" I laughed.

"If you need anything just say my name. I'll hear you."

Then Axel and Sora walked away.

"Well… goodnight Riku. I think we're going to go too… right Mel?" Kairi said.

"Go ahead… I'll meet you at the dock, alright?"

She smiled then also walked away. The stars shined brightly in the sky. I walked over to Riku and jumped on the Paupou tree next to him.

"Thank you for saving me…" I said quietly.

"Oh… you're welcome." He said turning to face me.

"……I'm sorry that I've caused a bunch of trouble here…."

"What do you mean?"

"Well…. I'm afraid I am separating you from your friends."

Riku kind of chuckled.

"No… it's not you. I'm doing that to myself. Ever since I had first given my heart to darkness…. I've felt myself pull away from my friends. I don't do it intentionally…. It just…. Happens."

"Perhaps you need a little more light in your life?" I snickered.

He smiled at me. Not a fake smile. Not a weak smile. A true, genuine, Riku smile. One that made my heart warm up. The game could not even come close to capturing his real smile.

"Yeah…. Maybe." He said.

I smiled back. I felt happier than I had in a very long time. At my high school I was thought of an outcast because I would speak my heart. I would speak freely of what I believed in. On Earth… people don't like that all too much, so I learned to close myself of to the world. I couldn't even talk about my beliefs with my dad. The one person I could talk with was my mother, but she was gone.

"Can I ask you something?" Riku suddenly asked.

"Sure…"

"How can you feel that you know someone…. When you've never met the person?"

"I-I don't know for sure…."

"My heart's telling me that I know you…. But I've never met you before. I will be perfectly honest…. You've appeared in my dreams before as I slept in darkness…"

I looked away.

What is he saying?

"Sorry…. I didn't mean to creep you out or anything…"

"No, no it's cool. I just feel like I know you…. better than anyone else. I mean… in my heart I do…"

"I know… I have that feeling too." He said quietly, "I also feel that I know you well enough that I can tell you everything…. But my mind does not agree…." He said as he massaged his forehead.

"Well…. If you do need to tell me anything, feel free to do so. I know we've only met…but I think our hearts know each other. That's why Sora and Kairi know me as well. Perhaps we've all met in a past life or something…in any case. Don't get too worked up on it."

Riku put on his usual weak smile and then looked down

"Hey…"

His eyes met mine.

"Try to find your light, okay? I have a sixth sense and it's telling me that Kairi and Sora are worried about you…"

"They usually are," He chuckled. "Melody…. Thanks…"

"You're welcome," I said as I jumped down from the Poapou tree. "Keep the chin up, Tiger. I'll see you tomorrow." I said as I slightly tapped his arm.

"Tiger?" He asked in a monotone.

I laughed and his bright smile came back. The real one.

"Alright 'Peaches'…" He laughed, "See you tomorrow."

I began to walk off but I asked 'Peaches??' Riku only laughed, then faced the sea again. I met Kairi at the boats.

"It took you long enough…" She smiled.

Then we went to her house and crashed for the night.

RIKU

I was just called 'Tiger'.

I smiled to myself. I liked her. She seemed to be a lot like Sora. She made me actually feel like I belonged. Like I was welcomed. She may even have a stronger heart than Sora and that's hard to beat. I put him through so much because of my jealousy.

I was so stupid!

I began to grow angry and I began to feel the darkness in my heart, grow.

No.