Wow. Hour Four. That means four chapters. That means I'm, more or less, half-way done. -weeping-

Omigawd, though, I thought this chapter was great. I really don't know why, and you probably won't agree, but I loved this chapter. And, it has more redeeming quality (I think) than the last chapter, where they mostly just named random things the whole time. Don't get me wrong, I loved that chapter, too, but, well, I think this one's much better.

I'm loving the progress of this story, too. Thanks so much, you guys!

Disclaimer: Ugh. I wish I may, I wish I might, own, yes own, that game tonight! Pfft, who am I kidding?

Hour Four – Twelve p.m.

"This is a waste of time."

Sora rolled his eyes and rested his head in his hand, elbow on the table propping him up. That was...what? The fifth time she'd said that since they'd exited the bus? He drummed his fingers thoughtfully, recounting it in his head. She'd said it walking through the door, as he pointed to where he'd chosen where they'd sit, when she'd rifled through her bag for something she couldn't find, now…

He rolled his eyes. Nope. She'd said it four times. How could he be so mistaken?

"I'm sure you'll fill it by complaining," he drawled, glancing around the little restaurant. It was…quaint. Cozy. Small.

She glared at him. "Jerk." And then she sighed. "But really, why can't we just drive through lunch, huh? We'd get there quicker, and people could eat then."

"Three reasons," he said, staring at her. "Food, gas, and bathrooms. None can be found on that bus." He smirked. "Unless they're in your backpack somewhere."

"Why are you sitting with me again?"

"Because I'm paying for your meal, since I'm a gentleman."

"Tch. If you're a gentleman, I weep for the men in our civilization."

"Oh. Real nice."

Kairi rolled her eyes at him and then sighed heavily, as if it sucked the life out of her very being to hear him talk. That was flattering.

Then, after flicking her eyes to him and then moving her eyes around the restaurant in a great sweep, she brushed a strand of hair out of her face, drummed her fingernails quickly on the table, and made to stand.

He sat a little straighter. "Where are you going?"

She looked at him oddly a moment, and then brushed another strand of hair out of her eyes. "I'm gonna use the bathroom."

With that, an arrogant smirk spread across his face, and she groaned a little. "Ya see?" he said, grinning still as she fully stood. She just shot him a look and walked off.

Sighing in amusement, Sora used his left hand to drum his fingers on the table again. The meal had been ordered already, and all there was left to do was wait for it, which Kairi hadn't been too pleased with. But with Kairi gone for the moment, all that was left for him was the normal boredom. If he didn't have someone to tease, where was the fun in waiting?

After all, that was why he was still alive on their bus trip. If not for Kairi, and their inevitable fighting, and the few games she'd begrudgingly suggested to pass the time, he was pretty sure he wouldn't have been able to stand the eight hours of minimal leg room, roaring engines, and stuffy, impatient people around him.

He wrinkled his nose in distaste just thinking about it.

Really, though, he couldn't believe Riku. When he'd opened his mail and found an invitation to their wedding, plus a prepaid bus ticket, he was beyond happy. All thoughts of how horrible a bus ride would be fled his consciousness, because, well, it was a free eight-hour bus trip. And then, all of a sudden, he'd bumped into Kairi, and he knew right away. It was no coincidence.

All had been planned.

Shaking his head, he chuckled. That Riku…

"What's so funny?"

Looking up, he blinked to see Kairi seat herself across from him, hair pulled back neatly into a ponytail now. He frowned slightly, not understanding why she had to be sure her hair was so flawless, neat, and kempt, and wishing she'd just wear it down, and then grinned, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Riku's a jerk."

"And that's funny how?" she murmured, folding her hands on the table and looking off to the side, probably so as not to have to look at him.

Really, the things she did to avoid him.

He followed her glance, finding it irritating that she wasn't bothering to pay attention to him, and said, "Because he wanted all along for us to be stuck together for eight hours." His brows knitted. "And yes, they're checking you out, so get over it."

She looked back to him, startled, and then narrowed her eyes. "You're a real jackass, you know? And what do you care if some guys are interested in me?"

He leaned back, arm on the back of his booth seat, and shrugged. "I don't," he said casually, staring her down and making himself the picture of indifference.

She tilted her head at him, curiosity making her eyes sparkle. His cheeks prickled again. "I think you do."

He smirked. He would make it obvious that he didn't care, no way, no how. And he didn't. It was just annoying that she found their presence more important than his.

Obviously.

"Why would I? It's not like we're together. They just seem like sleazy characters."

"Oh, like you're really a step up from them."

He sighed and surveyed her tiredly. How wonderful, that he had to deal with this, now. "You seem to have this built-in impression of me that I'm some awful person. That's too bad."

"Too bad? It's true!"

He clenched his teeth tightly, temper flaring inside of him. He leveled her with a gaze colder than he'd regarded her with the entire trip, eyes narrowed at her. "It's not. The hell it's not," he snapped, surprising her. "So stop acting like you're such a princess and take your nose out the air for once."

He stood up, having heard their order called, and walked to the counter, leaving a startled Kairi behind. He was offended now. No, beyond offended. He was insulted, irritated, and slightly hurt, but he'd be damned if she knew the latter part of that. After all, why wouldn't he be? Why shouldn't he be? She'd pushed and jabbed at him, called him names and said he was childish, but now he was a bad guy?

He'd never once done anything to her the entire trip but tease or try and get on her good side. How he was the bad one, he would never know.

"Thank you," he said with a forced smile, taking the tray and walking back to the table. He made sure he walked slowly, however, not wanting to even acknowledge her, he was so angry at the moment.

Kairi averted her eyes when he went to sit, looking quite embarrassed, and mumbled a soft word of thanks when he passed her her meal. Sighing, he stared at the fast food awaiting him for a moment, a bitter taste filling his mouth, and guilt slowly seeping into his mind as he remembered his words, and then he shook his head.

Her accusations had been uncalled for, but his retaliation had been equally nasty.

"I didn't mean it."

"Just…you know what? Stop trying to redeem yourself to me. I don't care."

"I'm not trying to redeem myself. I felt bad."

Her eyes flicked to him, and then she sighed in exasperation. "What is with you, anyway? You're a jerk one minute, and then you apologize for it the next?"

"I," he snapped, slamming his burger on the table, making her jump, "am not a jerk." His voice was cool, but inside he was furious. He didn't understand why she chose to try to see the worst in him. Always around Riku, around Naminé, around Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie, she'd picked out the good things in them, smiled, and praised them. But he…he was a different case, apparently.

Why was he so different, though? Why did she despise him – him and only him – to the very extent where she couldn't even see a glimmer of good in him or his actions?

He didn't understand. And he was so, so frustrated.

"I am trying really hard to deal with you. And you---!"

"Deal with me?" she hissed.

He looked up to the ceiling, trying to control his temper. "You're difficult, all right? So damn difficult. And you just get under my skin." He grinned and looked back at her. "You're the only person who can make me lose my temper." He tilted his head in thought. "No, Riku can, too."

"And this amuses you now."

"Mm…" he said, nodding. "I guess it does."

She sighed and picked up a fry, letting it hover before her mouth. She pinned him with a questioning look a moment, too, and the rolled her eyes, shrugging her shoulders as she made a silent opinion of him. "You have a serious problem."

"With you? Couldn't agree more."

She rolled her eyes and popped the fry into her mouth, causing him to smirk slightly at her. The mood had changed considerably, she not as sheepish, he not so tense, and he found it was better this way. So he was comfortable enough to go back to eating his food, satisfied somewhat that he'd gotten that off his chest and things hadn't stayed awkward between them.

If there was anything good about their absolute lack of chemistry, too, it was that even though they were always fighting there were never periods of awkwardness for them. Well, disregarding their most recent fall-out moments ago. But still, they went back to hating each other gracefully, if one could do such a thing. And they did it well, too. They always had something to insult the other about.

The lack of awkwardness, though, was partly why he didn't want to change their present…relationship was the word? Sometimes the fighting became too intense, when one of them overstepped the invisible boundary on their most sensitive feelings, but for the most part it was enjoyable, what they had. He found it so, at least. And though he couldn't hate her, he found enjoyment in annoying her, as well. A little too much, too.

"Hey!"

He smirked and ate her fry, which he'd stolen from her when she curiously looked aside again. She slapped his hand away when he went for another one, and he chuckled warmly.

"Serves you right for wanting their attention."

"I don't want it," she said, shaking her head as she picked up a piece of chicken and bit into it. "It's just…kinda weird. I'm not used to being checked out."

He snorted, and she stared at him, startled. "You're not?"

"No. Is that so hard to believe?"

"Yeah, considering you're gorgeous," he muttered, biting into a burger and considering putting his foot in his mouth as well.

'Here we go,' he thought.

"You think I'm what?" she asked softly, leaving her food where it was and giving him her undivided attention.

He swallowed and then rolled his eyes, putting his food back down. He knew he shouldn't have opened his big mouth. Always, he got himself into these predicaments.

Riku was right. He just didn't think.

"You heard me. You're gorgeous. Breathtaking. Hell, you'd be cute too if you didn't have such a fiery temper." He smiled fondly at her, and then looked out the window. "Practically every guy in high school had a thing for you. Probably college, too. I wouldn't know, though."

"Why are you so bent on teasing me?"

"Kairi," he said, looking back at her seriously. "This has got to stop. Just…you know what? Never mind. But if you weren't so busy, you'd notice these things. You captivate men, Kairi. You just do."

She looked uncomfortable and picked up another fry, and he tapped his fingers on the table, thinking of words to say. This wasn't going right. It was a simple compliment, wasn't it? He'd just admitted that he, Sora, the person bent on teasing her, thought she was beautiful.

He blinked. 'Crap.'

Clearing his throat, he wracked his brain for something distracting, for the teasing he had such a knack for around her.

"See, you notice this now because you're not at work. You're having a good time, and with me no less. Admit it."

Her eyes narrowed, and he felt satisfied. That was the trick. "A good time with you? Don't make me sick."

Still, he grinned and shook his head at her, unable to get angry. Picking up his burger, he watched as she casually took a sip from her drink, eyes closed.

Throughout the meal he vaguely wondered why she wasn't so interested in those guys anymore.

They lingered in the booths even after the meal was long done, not willing to get back and sit on the bus until it was time to board. And at least now they had a little privacy, with the generously spread seating. It was far too crowded on the bus, and it always seemed like everyone was looking at them.

Though that could be true, since they'd been at each other's throats since the time of boarding. They certainly didn't do it quietly, either.

"Thank you," she said again, looking slightly sheepish as she looked out the window. "That was…" She searched for a word. A nice word, even.

Apparently, the thought of him deserving nice words was difficult for her to fathom…and accept.

She tried again. "That was…nice of you."

He grinned and shook his head, charmed nonetheless. And then he reached forward, gathering her trash onto the tray, not bothering to give a reply. It wasn't needed, anyway; the fact that she'd actually thanked him didn't need to be ruined by any of his comments.

She looked to him curiously when he then stood, and he gave her a small shrug.

"I'm gonna throw this away and use the bathroom. If you wanna go, go ahead."

She looked away, back out the window. "There's no way I'm boarding that bus yet."

"Suit yourself," he said, but as he turned his back he felt a flutter in his stomach.

He just rolled his eyes and decided to ignore the feeling, however, dismissing it as nothing. He placed the tray on top of the barrels when the trash was disposed of, then headed to the restrooms. Anyway, there was no reason he should be feeling that way, and about Kairi, no less. She hated him.

And he was nothing but a nuisance to her.

After washing his hands he dried them with a paper towel and left the bathroom, searching out the seat to see if Kairi had, indeed, stayed. And she had, he noted with a smile, feeling quite pleased, and that smile remained until he saw that his seat was suddenly occupied.

"Aw jeez," he muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets as he noted that one of the guys that Kairi had been so curious about was now flirting with her.

And she looked slightly uncomfortable.

Well, that wouldn't do. Besides, he was in his seat.

Strolling forward, he walked at a leisurely pace, making sure he attracted no attention. And then he stopped, tilting his head.

"Name's Hayner, by the way. And you have the most gorgeous eyes."

He wanted to vomit, he really did. Could the person be any cornier? Or sound any more desperate? Really, he should learn some tact.

Actually bother to have a real conversation with the girl.

Wait. Why…did he care?

"Hey, Hayner."

Both Kairi and Hayner looked up, startled to see him there. He smiled coolly, shoving his hands calmly into his pockets. For all that kid knew, he wasn't bothered in the least that he was sitting in his seat and talking to his…his…Kairi.

He cleared his throat. To Kairi. Not…not his Kairi. To just plain Kairi.

He wrinkled his nose slightly, eyes narrowed. He still didn't like it.

"Now, would you mind getting your butt out of my seat and stepping away from my girlfriend?"

His eyes flicked to Kairi, hoping she wouldn't ruin this excuse. His mouth twitched in impatience to find that she looked absolutely horrorstricken, too, as opposed to only his discomfort. But he'd deal with that later.

Hayner snorted. "I'm having a conversation here."

"In my seat," Sora pointed out, nodding to him.

"So?"

Sora sighed, impatient and somewhat disgusted by how rude and inconsiderate the little…runt was acting. And he wasn't about to stand for this kid just taking what was his.

He stopped that thought process a moment. He was being mighty territorial for a person who'd lost his seat at a fast food place, and about a girl who thought it the most disgusting thing in the world for the names "Sora" and "Kairi" to be paired together by the word "couple".

Really. What was his problem?

Frustrated, by both his confusion and Hayner, he decided going about this nicely wouldn't solve anything. So, making up his mind, he grabbed Hayner by the collar with his fist, smirked confidently, and threw him out of the booth, sending him sprawling onto the floor. Wiping his hands together then, dismissing the matter, he sat himself down comfortably.

"No reason," he replied simply, leaning back and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Sora!"

His eyes flicked to her, and he smirked. "Yes, dear?"

She made to protest, but her eyes went back to the irritated male getting to his feet next to them still, and she turned and smiled. "I'm sorry about this. He's a little short-tempered sometimes."

"You never mentioned---"

"She's shy," he said, looking to him and biting back an amused snort. Yeah, what a lie that was. "And you make her uncomfortable. Now, if you don't mind, we'd both appreciate it if you left us alone."

Hayner huffed in agitation and stomped back over to his table. When he neared it, a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes, a companion of his Sora had noticed and had been unsettled about, was laughing. His arm was around a girl, though, whom he'd failed to catch sight of before for some reason or another, and she was leaning against him, brown hair falling into her eyes as she giggled against his chest. And a third boy, a little younger, was grinning in amusement as Hayner sat down. He said something, Sora catching his lips move and a grin on his face, and, looking angered, Hayner shoved him out of his chair.

There was another uproar of laughter.

Smirking in amusement, he looked away and forward to see Kairi glaring at him. He grinned casually, not unnerved in the least by her reaction, and arched an eyebrow, waiting for it.

"Your girlfriend?"

"So I got creative." He shrugged it off, like it was nothing.

"Tch," she said, looking back out the window. She didn't say anything more, though, didn't argue it, and didn't add some witty insult, and his grin softened.

It was a welcomed change of pace, he had to admit.

Sora leaned back, then, content to just sit out the rest of the hour with his eyes on her.

Ooh, Sora, you bad boy.

Hahaha, that sentence sounds so funny.

Omigawd, I think he's freakin' hilarious in this story, if I may say so myself. He's so...witty. And blunt. And sarcastic. Gawd, he does make sarcasm so hot, doesn't he?

And, if you noticed, there is the slightest change in Kairi (at least...I tried to make that so). Hmm...

I love this chapter! Sure, I had to edit it a lot, but now I love it even more! But okay, okay, I'm good. Well, review please! The destination was revealed here, and a tiny bit more of their social lives comes out next chapter! Wow!

Heh, just review, please, so I can stop embarrassing myself.