RIKU

I smiled at her then watched as Sora sat down in his chair. Donald and Goofy spread out among the entire ship to make sure everything was working. I walked over to Sora and sat down in Donald's seat.

"How's it going up here?" I asked.

"It's great! Another twelve hours and we'll be there!" He said cheerfully.

"….. Mel told me something a few days ago… and I won't replay the entire conversation… but I'm sorry for everything I did to you. I'm also sorry for not being emotional at our final reunion as well."

"Riku," He chuckled, "You're just not a very emotional guy. You need to let a few tears slide every once in a while…" He said smiling and clapped a hand on my shoulder.

I smiled happily. I felt some darkness just lift away from my heart.

I never realized how much I have dwelled upon all of that, sinking me into my own darkness. Thanks Mel..

"Yeah… I know. Sometimes I wish I could do that. Sometimes I feel like I'm just hollow inside. My heart has feelings…. But it's like my mind refuses to let my heart show them. That's why I never cry… or get upset…. I don't even get mad as often I used to."

"I know what you mean. When I had been trying to find you and then rescue Kairi again…. I cried quite often… though not on purpose. It just sorta'…. Came out."

I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed it affectionately.

"Thanks, Riku. Even though you didn't need to apologize, it was cool that you did anyway."

"Why wouldn't I need to apologize? I did lots of horrible things."

"Well, a lot of it wasn't your fault and because you're my best friend. I forgave you. It was hard at first, but my heart just… wouldn't allow my mind to stay mad at you. So I couldn't."

"Thanks to you though, you have been my role model on how to follow my heart. I've learned a lot from you, but my heart was telling me it needed to say it was sorry. I feel much better now that I did."

"So….. Melody told you to apologize to me?"

"She advised me that if I didn't then my mind might separate us further. I'm sorry I've also been isolating myself. It's not been myself….. my mind, I mean."

"So that's why you made breakfast for us that morning!"

"…. Yeah…"

"After that talk you've obviously felt better."

"Yeah…" I smiled a bit.

Sora smiled at me with amusement as my eyes wandered back to Melody who was now peacefully sleeping.

"You seem to be smiling a lot more, too." He observed.

I looked back at Sora and smiled again.

"Yeah… I feel…. Happy…Or happier… I guess."

"What…. When Mel is around or what?" Sora teased.

"No…. just to… feel like I belong with my friends again."

SORA

It seemed to me… that Mel liked Riku to an extent. It was probably just because she is surrounded by Real Heroes. She just treats us with respect and giddiness. That's how a normal person would react…. I guess. Something about Riku was confusing me though. Usually, I can tell what sort thoughts Riku is thinking but he seems to be blocking everything from me.

What is he hiding??

A flicker of amusement came to Riku's smile.

"What are you thinking?" He asked.

"Oh…. Nothing…"

He gave me the expression that read, 'yeah, right.'

"Alright…. Whatever you say…" Riku said as he got from Donald's chair.

I stood up as well, only coming up to his chin. He was still much taller than I was. We both looked over at Mel and watched Axel fix the blanket over her feet.

"They make a good couple…." Riku said with a soft voice.

There was a tone in his voice that didn't quite fit with the sentence he said. Was he bothered by Axel and Mel being together? Nonetheless, a smile ran across his face, as if to hide his irritation. I looked up at him in surprise.

So…. Riku is a bit weird about Mel and Axel likes her??

Axel had a small smile on his face as he stepped away from her, but it quickly turned to a sheepish grin as he found us observing him. His hand found it's way to the back of his head as the grin remained.

"Uh… so…. How long is it until we get there?"

Riku crossed his arms and continued to wear his false smile. I brought both my hands behind my head and stood back comfortably.

AXEL

They just stared at me with greedy and expectant little eyes.

"What?" I asked.

Riku raised an eyebrow as Sora's moved his in Mel's direction.

"Oh…. That…" I began coolly, "I was just uh… looking after her is all."

"I have a feeling it's more than that…" Sora cooed as he put his index finger to his chin, his eyes were gleaming.

So…I was beginning to fall for Mel…. So what? No biggie… right? It was just a small crush, what could it hurt? I rolled my eyes with a smile.

"So what? Yeah, Sure, she's cute and all….. it's only a crush…"

Riku and Sora glanced at each other.

"What?" I whined.

"Oh nothing… I just want you to know that if you two do get together I will find out everything about you and if you hurt her…. If you even think about hurting her I swear that you will beg for me to end your life when I get done with you…." Riku growled.

I swallowed hard. His greenish-blue seemed to be glowing.

Riku's just as protective over Mel as she is over him….. maybe even more…

I was kind of nervous now. I wasn't even thinking about asking Mel out. I can't imagine her as a girlfriend…. I don't think I would be able to keep up with her high energy and free spirit.

"Hey…. Calm down, man. I'm not taking her away from you…" I said nervously. "I'm just treating her with respect. I really don't want to date her or anything…. Besides… if her fate… I don't think I could handle having her so close to my heart and then just ripped away from it. It will already be hard enough if it happens just be being her friend. Nope…. Not gonna happen."

Riku's eyes seemed to dim down. Sora was watching him the entire time. I turned around, looked at Mel for a few seconds, then walked down the spiral stairs.

SORA

Riku has never threatened anyone like that before….. not ever with me at least.

"Er…. Riku?"

"Yeah?" He asked, turning to face me.

"What was that all about?"

"Look…. She's had a hard life. I'm responsible for a lot of it. I think she deserves the best. I feel…. Somewhat responsible for her now, since the King told us to keep an eye on her…. But also because I ruined her life. I want to make sure she is happy."

I suppose there's nothing wrong with that. I guess he thinks he's basically her older brother…. But I see something else. Donald and Goofy came back and so I jumped into my seat. As I took the controllers Donald and Goofy sat in their seats.

"Sora."

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Why did she want to sleep in here on a chair? Why not in her room…. In a bed?"

"She said she didn't want to be alone. She didn't want to sleep by herself. I suppose she gotten so used to being around us that now she feels safer and more comfortable."

Riku made a satisfied exhale and looked over her. A small smile crept across his lips as he walked down the stairs.