Title: Best of You
Drabble #2: Burying the Hatchet
Theme: Introduction
Pairing: implied Riku/Yuffie
Words: 624 (damn, I went over the limit)
A/N: ANN, I FINALLY DID IT! I WROTE A YURIKU!...even if it is just a drabble, but it has to count for something, right? I've been itching for FOREVER to write this pairing. Gah. I'm seriously plotting writing a full out Yuriku. But I still have a story to finish, so I suppose that will have to wait. -pouts-

I think I've found my other half
I swear I've found my better half
- The Spill Canvas, "Aim Snap Fall

When he'd returned to Traverse Town with Kairi and Sora, he was greeted with "the Look".

As Sora introduced him to various people, they all gave him "the Look" - that knowing look that said, "Oh, this is the kid who turned against you and worked alongside the Heartless." He couldn't blame them though. The Heartless had nearly decimated this town, so it was expected of them to be wary of a Heartless puppet such as himself.

"C'mon, Riku," Kairi urged, pulling on his arm. "There are so many more people you have to meet!"

Riku stifled the urge to groan and roll his eyes, but allowed Kairi to drag him along. Sora led the way, swinging his keyblade as he walked, a habit he'd picked up over the past two years. "Hey Aerith!" Sora greeted cheerfully as he neared the cafe.

A green-eyed, chestnut-haired woman turned at the sound of her name. "Sora! Kairi! It's great to see the both of you again." Her eyes landed on Riku. "And who's this?"

"This is Riku," Sora introduced, gesturing to the stoic teen.

Her eyes shone a bright jade with realization. This is exactly what Riku was getting tired of. "Nice to meet you," Aerith responded pleasantly nonetheless. At least this woman didn't make it blatantly obvious that she despised him. She had the decency to be polite.

Kairi jabbed Riku in the stomach. "Nice to meet you, too," Riku replied quietly. "I'll be right back, I forgot something in the Gummi Ship." He stalked away without another word and, moments later, he somehow found himself in an alley, wandering aimlessly. What was he doing here? Riku knew that Sora and Kairi meant well, but it was too soon. He needed some time.

He was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't see the teenage girl standing in front of him until he nearly collided with her. "Hiya!" the girl said brightly.

"Gyahh!" Riku jumped nearly a mile into the air and looked up. A strange girl stood about a head shorter than he did, clad in a tank top, shorts, and large orange sneakers that vaguely reminded him of Sora's clown shoes. She had dark, short hair that contrasted with her brandy colored eyes. "W-who are you?" Riku wondered.

The girl stuck out her hand and grinned. "The name's Yuffie. I bet you've heard of me," the girl said pompously.

Was this a trick question? "...I can't say I have." Yuffie, Yuffie...have I heard that name before? he thought for a moment, completely forgetting about Yuffie's offered hand.

"The Great Ninja Yuffie?" she asked, sounding slightly put out.

Riku shook his head. "Nope."

Yuffie dropped her hand. "Aw, you're no fun." She paused for a moment, narrowing her eyes at him. "And who're you?"

"My name's Riku." He ducked his head a little so his bangs hid his eyes from hers. He was getting pretty damn exhausted of "the Look."

"Pleasure. There aren't many people my age around here."

His head snapped up so he could look at her. Perhaps she didn't understand. "...Sora hasn't told you about me?"

The ninja thought for a moment, cupping her chin in thought. "Don't think so, no."

This was strange. There was no "Look", no mutinous glares. Maybe she didn't hear his name. "Riku? The kid who worked for the Heartless?" She looked at him, confused. "The backstabbing best friend?"

Yuffie shook her head vigorously. "Nu-uh, doesn't ring a bell."

Riku felt a small smile creep across his lips. It'd been a long time since he'd last smiled - a true smile, not a smirk."I'm staying in the Yellow Room at the Hotel," he spoke up after a moment. "Could you show me the way?"

"Sure!" Yuffie said enthusiastically. Riku had a feeling that he and the Great Ninja Yuffie were going to get along just fine.