My goodness! It's been ages since I've updated anything :'D I sincerely apologize for that. My creative juices just haven't been up to snuff lately, but I hope this chapter can make up for it!

Chapter Eight: Cracking

Just like Riku had asked, more like demanded, Namine showed up at the tree in front of the school once school had let out. She was all kinds of nervous, but also excited. Although, something was nagging at her in the back of her mind. Then, it hit her. This is the tree Sora found me at a few days ago... the first time I entered the Riku Space...

And just like before on that day, Namine sat and doodled on the ground. She drew a papaya, followed by other fruit, all strategically placed in a fruit bowl. She stopped to admire her work when a boot stepped on it, clearing it away. Namine looked up, ready to reprimand whoever it was who wrecked her drawing, but bit it back when she saw that it was Riku.

Namine stuttered as she addressed Riku, "W-well? What did you want to talk to me about?"

Riku just stood there, staring at Namine, making her even more nervous. She felt a blush creep up her cheeks when Riku's hand shot out in front of her. She took it, and he helped her to her feet.

"I'd rather we talk somewhere more... private," he said.

Namine nodded and asked, "Do you have someplace in mind?"

"I was thinking we could go to my place?"

Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod Riku asked me to go to his house ohmygod what do I do...

"Um... ah, y-yes, that sounds wonderful," Namine said, speaking to Riku's boots.

"Great, well, let's get going then," Riku replied, pulling Namine along, for he still had her hand in a tight-iron grip.

Well, I guess he is being a little forward but... there's nothing wrong with that! Heehee...

• * ~ * ~ * ~ * •

Kairi, Roxas, and Sora walked out of the school building just as Namine walked off with Riku.

W-where is she going? Wait.. t-that doesn't matter. She can go where she wants...

"Sora? Sora, are you alright?"

Kairi waved a hand in front of Sora's face.

"Of course! Never better, why do you ask Kai?"

"Hmm.. if you say so then.."

The three friends rounded the gate, walking a block behind Namine and Riku. Out of the corner of her eye, Kairi noticed Sora tense up.

That's it, he is coming to my house and we are having a total heart-to-heart, she thought.

Roxas was blabbing on and on about something involving skateboards, as usual. Sora smiled, laughed, and nodded at all appropriate moments, but his heart really wasn't in it. Today just hadn't been his day...

"Kay well, I'll see you guys tomorrow, bye Kai, Sora!" Roxas said, turning onto the street where his house resided.

"Yeah, bye," Sora replied halfheartedly.

Once Kairi knew Roxas was out of earshot, she rounded on Sora.

"Look," she said, grasping his shoulders, "You are coming to my house, and we are going to talk about whatever is bothering you. You can call your parents when we get there."

"Talk about what? You don't know if there's really anything bothering me Kai."

"Oh, don't give me that Sora. I've known you my whole life, I KNOW you. And I can tell there is something bothering you, and we are going to talk about it."

Kairi stood in front of Sora, arms crossed across her chest.

She can be really stubborn sometimes...

Sora sighed. "Fine, but-"

Before he could finish, Kairi grabbed his hand and started running to her house.

"W-wait! Slow down! I can't keep up with you Kai! I'm going to fa-"

As he tried to say it, Sora fell flat on his face. He picked himself up quickly, hand over his face.

"You... okay there Sora?"

"Yeah... yeah I'm fine," he answered from behind the hand.

"Then let me see your face."

Slowly, Sora lowered his hand back to his side and looked anywhere but at Kairi. An embarrassed blush started to creep up his face, but no one would've known for his face was red from the initial fall to begin with. He heard Kairi snort, then a soft thump as she collapsed on the pavement in laughter.

"H-hey! It's not funny Kai! Stop laughing!"

She continued to laugh, arms clutched around her ribcage.

"I said stop! Stop! Fine, then I'll just have to tell Roxas how you really feel about him, won't I?"

Kairi stopped laughing immediately.

"If you tell him... I swear to you I'll... I'll..."

At a loss for words, Kairi decided that shaking her fist in front of Sora's face would suffice.

Sora chuckled softly. "Okay okay, I get your point. Let's go."

• * ~ * ~ * ~ * •

Riku finally let go of her hand once they were standing in front of a very fancy house. Riku unlocked the door, and stepped aside.

"Ladies first," he said.

Namine nodded, stepping into the foyer. The house was dark, like no one was home during the day. Riku came in behind her, and shut the door. Since Namine hadn't moved, Riku was standing very close to Namine's back. She could feel the heat radiating from his body; she could hear his heartbeat. She wasn't expecting it when he wrapped his arms around her in a hug.

"R-Riku, what are you-"

"Shhh," he said, "Please. Don't turn around. I don't... I don't want you to see my like this."

Namine stood there, as he asked. Her hand moved on its own, to rest over one of Riku's. Then she heard a sound. Muffled, it seemed. She couldn't place it until she felt Riku's head rest against her shoulder. Riku was crying.

Phew! Tried to spice things up a little and give you all a little interaction ;D I didn't want to blow it too out of proportion, since Namine is an innocent girl after all. But maybe something will happen next chapter, only time will tell.. ;3 Please review, it definitely gives me more motivation to keep updating!