Here's the next update (took me long enough, didn't it?) Sorry, but remember I'm kinda stuck on what the "filler/gap" chapters will be about. At the end of this story make sure to read my comments!

Is Love Joy or Sorrow?

Chap. 21 There's Hope

"Natalie is doing fine. She is recovering quite well and should be out of here in a few days."

Riku was a little confused, "How...how is there bad news, then?"

"...While doing the x-ray we found something...unexpected."

"Wh...What?"

"I'm afraid...she has cancer."

Despite the shock that Riku vividly showed in his facial expression, he shook it off and tried to show he was calm about the situation.

"Oh...I see," he said in a monotone voice.

"Apparently she's had it for a while now. I guess she didn't want to tell anyone." (A/N: got this idea from the movie "A Walk To Remember"...sounds familiar, huh?)

Riku didn't say anything.

"Would...you like to see her again?" the doctor asked with concern.

Riku just nodded, showing no emotion.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Natalie groggily awakened, her vision blurry from sleep.

"Uhh...wow. I must've been resting for quite a while."

She glanced over at a nearby chair. She saw Riku with his head down on his lap.

I guess he's pretty tired, too.

"Riku...are you-"

"Why?..." he mumbled.

Natalie was taken aback since she didn't expect him to be awake.

"Huh? Oh, Riku...I didn't think you..."

"Why didn't you tell my anything?"

"...What?" she slowly sat up in her bed.

Riku looked up at her with a tear stained face.

"Riku..."

"You knew...you knew you had cancer and you never thought of mentioning it to me?"

The pain in Natalie's heart after hearing that was unbearable.

"Riku, I...I didn't know that you..."

Moisture trickled down her cheek as she spoke.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...I just don't want you to worry about me...that's all."

"Natalie, I just wish...you would have told me sooner."

"I know. I should have."

Riku took her hand, "Have you at least been taking care of yourself? Doing treatment and such?"

"Yes. My dad takes me to the hospital every now and then."

"Then..." Riku's eyes were full of compassion, "I'll go with you, too. From now on I'll watch over you."

"...Thank you."

Riku's other hand now stroked the soft follicles of her hair.

Natalie questioned, "Are you sure you aren't worried too much?"

Riku smiled, "I'll be fine. Just know that you can tell me anything, and I'll listen."

He kissed Natalie's forehead, and then kissed her cheek ever so slightly, making her shiver with delight.

Natalie whispered, "Riku...I love you."

Riku slowly closed the space between them, placing a kiss on his girlfriend's lips. This kiss was a turning point in both of their lives. They now knew the difficulties ahead, but wanted to treasure the moments they had left with each other.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Selphie and Tidus walked down the hall, heading to their science class.

Selphie brought up, "I haven't seen Riku at all today."

"Well, he told me he's going to stay with Natalie at the hospital until she fully recovers," Tidus answered her.

"I see."

Tidus noticed her head hanging down and comforted her, "Don't worry. Riku said she should be back home by tomorrow."

Selphie looked up, grinning, "Really?"

"Yup. It sounds like she's just fine."

A young, blonde haired girl waved at the two as she ran towards them.

"Namine'!" Selphie exclaimed happily.

"Hey!" Namine' seemed excited about something, "Guess what?"

"Lemme guess," Tidus rubbed his chin in thought, "Roxas is now coming to this school, right?"

"Sadly...no," her mood changed suddenly and she was silent.

Selphie couldn't take it anymore, "So what's the news then, Namine'!"

"Oh. Whoops," she smiled at them sheepishly.

"Hey, guys," Sora came up by them with Kairi's hand in his.

"What's going on?" Kairi wondered.

Namine' was now ready to tell them what happened, "Well, I found out from a teacher that the school's going to get a foreign exchange student! They'll be coming today or tomorrow sometime."

"Cool!" Tidus thought this would be interesting.

Sora asked quizically, "So, where is this student from?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I do know that it's a guy," Namine' informed him.

"Oh, boy," Kairi rolled her eyes, "Just what we need! All the girls here are probably gonna be going 'goo-goo eyed' over him!"

"That's not all!" Namine' surprised her friends with the next sentence she spoke, "He's already graduated from college and works in the police force back where he lives!"

"What?" Tidus was confused, "So...why is he back in high school again?"

"I'm not sure. We should ask him when he comes."

"I just want to live a normal teenage life for once," said an unfamiliar voice behind them.

They turned around to see a tall boy with blue hair and glasses.

Namine' shrugged, "Or maybe we won't need to."

Kairi, Selphie, and Namine' were surprised to find him quite attractive...and drop-dead gorgeous, to say the least.

Selphie quickly walked over to shake his hand, "Hi, it's nice to meet you! I'm Selphie Mimoko!" (A/N: Weird last name, I know...couldn't think of anything)

Tidus was getting a little jealous seeing her swoon over this foreigner.

"Who does this guy think he is?" Tidus silently spoke to Sora.

"What do you mean?" Sora was puzzled for a moment, until he saw the same weird look in Kairi's face as well, "Oh...now i get it."

Kairi greeted him as well, "I'm Kairi...and this is Namine', Tidus, and Sora."

The boy nodded, "It's nice to meet you all."

"So, where are you from?" Namine' wanted to know.

"Japan. My hometown is called Azumano." (A/N: Any of you figure it out yet?)

The girls awed in wonder.

"Hmph," Tidus was now ticked off, I don't see what's so special about that...

"Oh, we're so rude!" Kairi realized they had forgotten to ask him something, "What's your name?"

Okay, you guys: If you have no freakin' clue who this person is, I'll tell you...

Does the anime D.N. Angel ring a bell at all?

Yup, yup, it's none other than Satoshi Hiwatari! (So...hott...LOL, I'm obsessed, huh?)

This idea is just helping me for "filler" chapters I need. Please review and tell me if you like what I'm doing! There's gonna be quite a bit of jealousy coming from Sora and Tidus in the next chapter. They won't be fond of this guy from the start! LOL