RIKU

I smiled as I pointed to the door on the other side of the spiral stairs.

"Have you not wondered what that door led to?" I asked.

"Actually… I had never noticed it…" She said with a shrug.

"Well, you are going to tell me how to make it and also prevent me from setting the kitchen on fire…." I said with a laugh.

"That would be nice…" Donald implied.

"Alright." Mel said as she smiled with her eyes closed.

She already seemed to brighten up. She followed me to the kitchen. Time, for me, seemed to fly as she tried remembering all the ingredients to the cheesecake. The name didn't seem to make the cake very appetizing, but as all the ingredients came together, it became delicious. Melody began to explain about how her mother and her used to make cheesecakes all the time, as I placed the cake into the fridge. I felt special that she shared a recipe from her mother. It felt like a present to me. I cook but not very often. I had to learn how when my parents died. It came naturally, though I didn't feel very manly. In fact I was somewhat embarrassed at first, but I guess it can come in handy. I guess I find cooking entertaining… to an extent. If it'll cheer up Melody then I will cook for her every day.

What am I thinking? I don't like cooking that much, do I?

"No…" My heart began, "But you do like M.."

"So.. uh.. how long does it sit in here??" I asked quickly.

"For maybe thirty minutes."

Somehow… Melody's stories never seemed to bore me. Maybe it was because she came from another world. I shared stories about how I've always wanted to visit other worlds. I leaned back against the counter with my arms crossed. She sat on the island that was across from me. We laughed and smiled and we both realized how we've became friends over the small amount of days. She never brought up the fact of what I did to her mom and her life and if I knew her like I thought I did, she never would. I'm sure everyone was wondering what we were doing… but I wasn't worried about it. We spent over three hours just talking about random things. Finally, about an hour later, Axel came in.

"Oh…. I was sent in here to make sure nobody died…. Or burned…. But I can tell that everything is fine…so… I'm just going to…" He said as he began to back out of the kitchen.

"No! It's fine…. You can stay if you want… in fact I'm sure by now both of the cakes are done."

Mel jumped off the island and went over to the huge fridge and pulled out the two pie looking things. She cut both into six perfect pieces.

How did she manage that? Practice I suppose. She's extremely talented with that knife….. scary….

She got out two pieces and put them on separate plates, then handed one to Axel and me.

"Okay, you two. Try it out."

She gave us forks. I dug my fork in and took a bite. The cold sensation with the taste of sweet with a little tart mixed in, hit my tongue. It was absolutely delicious!

"Oh….. wow…" Axel said with a full mouth.

It was so good that my mouth watered as I stuck my fork in another piece.

"Everyone has to try this!" Axel exclaimed.

As I nodded she began to take out more pieces and placed them all on plates, and put forks on the plates. By the time she was done, I realized my piece was gone. She instantly put another piece on my plate. I looked at up her in surprise.

"Thanks… but how did you know I wanted another one?"

"A lucky guess…. I guess. I just sort of knew."

"Hm." I said as I shrugged my shoulders.

"I'm going to deliver these. You boys enjoy and help your selves."

Then she walked out the door with three plates. One of them was somehow balanced on her arm.

She is really talented.

AXEL

So I trotted over to the pan of almighty goodness and stabbed another piece of 'whatever cake' and began to devour it. As I happily examined every delicious sensation, I thought about melody and Riku. There was something different between them.

Was it a spark?? Nah. It couldn't be that. Riku can't fall for anyone. He doesn't like getting close to people. I don't think he would allow himself to fall for her. And Melody has changed a lot as well. Maybe not her personality, but her level in experience. She does seem to be getting harder to read, though. I think It's this adventure.

After a while, she came back with empty plates in her hand.

"So…. How did everyone else like it?"

"I don't think Donald liked it… but everyone else might as well not have chewed." She replied as she threw away the plates.

"it was really good, Peaches." Riku said.

"Thanks…. But you did an excellent job in cooking…. And following directions, I might add." She said with a smile.

Riku smiled as he took a the last bite of his …… cake.

"What is this stuff called again?" I asked with a bit of annoyance.

I can't ever remember things that aren't really all that important.

"Cheesecake." She giggled.

"Oh…"

Nope….. not going to stay in my mind. I'll never remember it….

"By the way, Sora says if you need to get some rest then do it now. He's going to give the controls to me while he lays down. Hah hah! I'm going to drive!" She said excitedly.

I leaned over to Riku with my hand covering part of my mouth.

"Are you sure we'll be able to rest? I think I'm more worried that she's driving instead of Sora…" I hissed.

Riku laughed as Mel slapped me on the shoulder. I just shrugged it off…. But it really hurt!

"Well… please get some sleep. I promise I'll be good. Besides Donald will watch over me." She said softly.

Riku glanced at me. That made me feel better. I really wasn't about to leave Mel alone, and it looks like Riku had been thinking the same thing.

"Alright…. I guess I could use a nap." I finally said.

I walked out of the kitchen after telling Mel, 'good luck.' After that I sneakily put my ear on the door so I could 'over hear'.

"Be careful, Peaches. Also if any Heartless come let us know. Most importantly, don't over do it. If you get tired of driving let someone know…."

"Alright Tiger," Mel said as she laughed, "I'll let you know."

She said 'you' so she still likes Riku. But does he like her? There had to be a little something there, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered to tell her anything. I quickly went down the spiral stairs and hid in my room, before I was found 'over hearing'.

MEL

After Riku left and Sora, Goofy went to sleep in their rooms. I slowly sat down in the big chair and grabbed the controllers. Donald had already walked me through everything and even he accidentally fell asleep. It felt strange to be alone. I really didn't feel very comfortable. Donald sleeps like a rock and so I didn't feel like anyone was with me. I wished I had someone to talk to.

"Riku…." Said a voice

The voice sounded like mine…. But I didn't say anything. It wasn't that I was thinking about him. It felt like something, somewhere…. Called out to him.

What is this?

I flew the ship onward. I realized that it was easier than driving my crappy Honda at home. I looked around me and noticed that the lights in the room were off. They must have turned off automatically since I haven't moved for the last thirty minutes. I felt claustrophobic, the darkness seemed to creep up on me. I wasn't scared or afraid of the darkness, it just bothered me. It was like a parasite looking for a host. I really didn't like being alone.

"You called?" Said a voice.

"Riku??"

"Uh… yeah? Who did you think it was?"

"Well…. You just surprised me…."

The lights had flickered on but Riku quickly crossed the room and sat comfortably in Goofy's chair, pushing a button, making the lights turn off again.

"Sorry….. but I like the dark." He said quietly.

"It's fine with me…. But what did you mean by the fact that I called you?"

"You called my name…. So I came…"

"But…. I never said your name…"

"You didn't?"

"No… why would I run down to your door, call your name, then run back here with the lights turned off? I didn't use the intercom either."

"No, I know. It sounded like you were right next to me. It sounded like you were so close. That's really strange. I could have swore I heard you call my name…."

He began to get up and leave, but I quickly took my left hand off the controller and caught the edge of his white and yellow vest.

"Riku…. I know this sounds stupid…. But …. Will you stay with me? I feel… sort of alone. I mean… I know Donald is here and everything… but presence doesn't really reassure me…."

"Yet…. Mine does?"

"I guess it's because I can actually talk to you. You're awake."

"Sure…. I'll stay. It's not like I can get to sleep anyway. I know it sounds impossible…. But I haven't slept in about five months…"

"How is that possible?"

"I guess the darkness in me has kept me awake and kicking…."

Now… I could feel the darkness shrink back. It didn't feel like it was trying to reach out and choke me anymore. With Riku with me….. I felt safe. What I want to know is how he heard me call his name, when the voice cam from inside me. Was it…. No…. It's couldn't be…. Could it? Was it…. My Heart?

No…. I haven't even known him in person for but a week.

But yet…. My Heart…. It seemed to tell me that I've known him all my life.

"What are you thinking?" He asked as he carefully watched me.

My eyes quickly lowered to the controller. Sometimes, I felt like Riku could see right into my mind and even my heart.

"Um… nothing important."

"I have a question, anyway." He began. "Do you…. or at least… are you and…. Axel… you know….dating? Or at least are you falling for him?"

The question hit me lie a punch in the stomach. I almost began to laugh.

"What?"

"Well…. You and Axel seem to be getting a little close. I was just being a friend by asking what's going on."

I was somewhat relieved. I thought…. Well… it didn't matter anymore.

"No way! I think of him as an older brother…. I'm not quite sure about his side of this story, but I don't like him like that. I've never had a brother or a sister so he's like the one I never had. No… he's just a friend, a brother, and a guardian." I said with a bit laughter between breaths.