Finally after my long week vacation and new summer job starting I found time to write the next chapter! Trust me, this story is FAR from over :)

Is Love Joy or Sorrow?

CHAP. 11 Someone's Missing

A month later:

Riku and his girlfriend Natalie walked down the hall toward Kairi's locker.

"Hey, Kairi!" Riku called.

She turned toward them and waved, "Hey, guys!"

Natalie spoke, "So…Riku and I were thinking…would you and Sora like to go on a double date with us?"

"Well, that sounds fun! What were you both thinking we'd do?"

"The usual," replied Riku, "Dinner, movies, and the like."

"Kay, when should we do it?"

"Is tonight good with you?"

"Sure, I'll tell Sora."

"We're gonna have fun! C'mon, Riku, we'll miss English class," Natalie grabbed his hand.

"Ok. See you later, Kairi."

"Bye," Kairi went back to what she was doing and shut her locker, carrying books to her next class.

After class was over and she was ready to head home, Kairi ran into Sora before she headed out the door.

"Hey, Kai," he kissed her on the cheek.

"It's a good thing I found you, otherwise I couldn't have let you know."

"Let me know what?"

"Well…you know how we're going on a date tonight?"

"Yeah."

"I figured since we already had that planned you wouldn't mind."

Sora sighed, "What is it?"

"Natalie and Riku wanna double date."

"But, Kairi. I was looking forward to hanging out with just you…alone….you know?"

"Well we can always do that when the date's over."

He sighed again, "Okay. If you want to," he smiled.

"Thanks, Sora. I'll see you then."

"Still 7:00?"

"Yup, sounds good. You can meet us at the theater."

"Ok, bye."

They kissed and parted.

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Sora walked into his house, "Hey, mom, I'm home! How was work today?"

He couldn't find her nearby.

"Mom?" he was puzzled. "You here?"

Sora then heard a soft sob coming from upstairs and ascended to his mom's room.

He found her sitting on the bed, face buried in her hands.

"Mom? Is…everything ok?"

She looked up at him, face red and stained with tears, "Oh, Sora…I…"

"What is it?"

"Well……"

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"I wonder what's taking Sora," Natalie thought.

"Yeah," Riku agreed, "He's already thirty minutes late. The movie's already started!"

"Guys! I'm…pretty sure something just came up," Kairi hoped she was right, "How about we go over to his house and find out? It can't hurt."

"But-"

"We can go to the late show and eat first instead. C'mon, Riku, let's get to your car. Hurry!"

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"Honey…" his mom's eyes glanced to the corner of the room.

Sora looked as well, and his heart wrenched inside of him at the sight.

"Mom…it…it can't….." his eyes soon closed and anger filled him as he turned to her with clenched fists, "This is all your fault!" he exited and ran down the stairs.

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Kairi, Riku, and Natalie pulled into the driveway of their friend's house, noticing that the lights were on.

"Obviously he ditched us. His mom's usually at her night job now," Riku noted.

"C'mon, let's go already!" Kairi exclaimed.

She didn't even bother to knock or ring the bell, knowing no one would care. As it creaked open she called, "Sora?...Sora?"

As the others followed behind, Kairi came to the living room, halting dead in her tracks. Her heart stopped, many thoughts raced inside her head, and sorrow filled her eyes.

"Uh…what?...He…" Riku couldn't finish.

Soon they heard a sobbing Sora coming down the stairs. He walked in the room, at first not noticing them. But, when he did, he dropped what he was carrying and lowered his head.

"Sora…is it…" Kairi could barely speak.

He turned to face them, revealing a horrible pain when you looked in his eyes.

Kairi just stood there, motionless…unwavering…her throat dry. She glanced again at what she had seen…..Boxes…boxes stacked up and piled high, and all marked with simple writing: Sora. Obviously he had been packing this all night.

"Kairi…" a tear trickled down Sora's cheek when he spoke.

"No," she shook her head, "You…you can't!"

She ran out of the door, unable to look back.

HAHAHAHAHA! You guys didn't want me to do it but I did anyway! MUAHAHAHA!