Disclaimer: The song Light is copyrighted to Utada Hikaru and is from Kingdom Hearts 1. It is my understanding that it is the Japanese version of Simple and Clean. The original name of the song is Hikari.

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Unsung Hearts

IV. Light
Normal POV

"Sora?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry." Riku stood leaning against the paopu tree and Sora leaned against his shoulder. Both of them had been watching the ocean in the coming darkness before Riku had broken the silence.

The brunette turned his head as he pulled the arm that surrounded his shoulders tighter around him. His questioning gaze met Riku's. "About what?"

Riku dipped his head slightly, averting his gaze from Sora's. His long silver bangs fell, shadowing his face. "About everything. The list is getting pretty long." He sighed softly. "For getting separated from you. For letting Maleficent convince me that you had replaced me. For letting the darkness overtake my heart. For fighting against you. For getting trapped inside Kingdom Hearts. For taking the form of darkness. For letting you see me like that…" He said it slowly, and then paused with a laugh. "Take your pick."

Sora didn't interrupt him yet. He watched the shadows playing upon Riku's face and listened. The sound of the boy's voice calmed him, like a music box. It made him feel safe. It always had.

"That's why I kept you waiting." Riku said after a moment. "Why I stayed away when all I wanted to do was run to you. I got trapped in that body…"

"Riku." Sora interrupted then. Listening to that music was nice but the panic that flashed across Riku's face wasn't worth it. "Look at me."

With a pause of hesitation, Riku did as he was asked, bringing their faces mere inches apart.

"I am only going to say this once, okay? So listen." Sora lifted his right hand to Riku's face, his fingers tracing the silver haired boy's jaw line slowly. "I don't care." He said flatly. "I don't care what happened and I don't want to discuss it further." His fingers moved up to trace Riku's lips softly.

The sensation sent a shiver through Riku's body. With a smile, he opened his mouth slightly to nip at the tip of Sora's offered finger. "Agreed."

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She stood in the doorway, frozen to that very spot. Her gaze was on locked on the pair of boys leaning together against the tree. The darkness of the stairway behind her shielded her form from eye sight if they happened to look back her way. But she was certain that wouldn't happen.

Bits and pieces of the spoken conversation between the two boys over the past hour had drifted her way. Confessions and declarations and sweet words. She knew it was not meant for her ears, but she could not step away at that moment, nor could she step forward and announce her spying presence.

Lifting a hand to swipe away a lock of red hair, Kairi smiled genuinely. She should have been shocked, angry, or at least surprised, but she wasn't. Somehow... she had known. She might not have admitted it to herself before, but she had always known. She was best friends with both boys. Perhaps that was the real reason why Sora wouldn't and couldn't return her love. Now, though, she knew everything would be different. But sometimes... Different isn't always bad, after all.

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"Axel! Axel where are you? Axel?" The door opened easily enough for the blonde boy to slip in. He wasn't sure how he got there… he wasn't even sure how he had separated from Sora. He shouldn't exist in a world where his literal other half was. And yet… he found himself standing outside of the giant door.

"Kingdom Hearts..." It existed and he would find his heart there. He was sure of it now. "Axel?" His voice rose loudly against the consuming darkness. He bit his lip, feeling the dark tendrils reaching out to him. "You called me, called my name!" But his calls only brought silence. "Axel!" Fear caught in his throat as the darkness got closer to him. Perhaps he was too late. Perhaps he was wrong. Maybe he only imagined the redhead calling to him. "I'm here! Where are you?" Another silent moment passed. Roxas sunk to the unseen floor beneath him. He hugged his knees to his chest as silent tears threatened his eyes. He was too late.

"Roxas..."

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Sora pressed his lips harder against Riku's for a moment before he pulled away, his face flush. He turned around, pressing his back firmly against Riku's chest. It still felt all too new to him. He couldn't touch Riku without turning six shades of red at once. And doing so always earned him a laugh from the silver haired God.

And as if on cue, Riku laughed. Sora could be so innocent and childish at times. It was one of the many things Riku loved about him. He hoped that Sora would never change.

"You're laughing at me again." Sora said softly.

Riku didn't comment at that. Instead, he leaned harder against the paopu tree behind him. He pulled Sora's body more heavily against his own, earning himself a prized giggle from the spiky haired brunette.

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"Axel!" He had heard the voice, far off and weak as it was. His eyes strained against the bleakness and a flash of red caught his eyes. "Axel!" Roxas ran forward, ignoring the pain in his strained muscles. It was worth it when he saw him. He threw his arms about the much taller man, nearly colliding with him.

The force knocked the wind from the surprised Axel. "Roxas..." His voice came out in a hoarse whisper.

"I heard you Axel!" Roxas held tighter against him. The tears that blurred his eyes spilled over and soaked into Axel's black robe.

"Roxas... I..." Dizzy. He felt dizzy. So tired and weak... Without warning, his knees gave out and he slunk to the floor.

"Axel!" Roxas jumped backwards as the man collapsed, his eyes wide. "I'm sorry... I got overly excited." Roxas stammered as he took another step back, near tears once again. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

Axel lifted his bowed head slowly to meet Roxas's gaze. Then he lifted his hand, offering it.

Roxas hesitated a moment before he stepped forward and touched his fingers to Axel's. The simple contact drove a shiver throughout his entire body and he wasn't exactly sure why.

With a smile, Axel pulled Roxas down before him and then drew his smaller form into a tight hug. "You could never hurt me."

The comment brought a blush to Roxas's cheeks. He pressed his face deeper against Axel's neck, hoping the latter hadn't seen.

"Just tired." Axel breathed, his tone apologetic.

Roxas pulled away and his face brightened as an idea formed in his head. "Destiny Islands..."

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Finally finding that she had control of her body once again, Kairi turned silently towards the darkened stairway behind her and slipped into it. She pulled the door shut silently behind her. The darkness that surrounded her seemed to penetrate her mind, turning her thoughts momentarily.

"How long?" She breathed out. "Just how long?" How long had the two boys been keeping their relationship a secret from her? When were they planning on telling her? Were they ever going to? They were supposed to be best friends, all three of them. "Why?" She questioned the darkness. Tears invaded her eyes and she attempted to blink them away. It just wasn't right that they shut her out like that.

"I've lost them both." But had she really? Or was she just thinking the worst of the situation in haste?

Kairi closed her eyes tight and breathed in deeply for a few moments, trying to calm her nerves. She pushed the negative thoughts from her mind. She was freaking out for no reason, over nothing. They had all been friends for years, hadn't they? And it was clear to her now that feelings had been mounting between the two boys for quite some time. So why would things change now? All of a sudden?

Letting a smile spread across her lips, she turned back towards the door. She pressed her palm to the knob and then threw the door open, smiling as she heard the clatter it made. If they wanted to keep it secret, she would allow them to. It wasn't her place after all to tell. But she wouldn't let them leave her behind t his time.

Things would be different, but different didn't always mean bad.

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Hearing the door behind them open, Sora immediately pushed himself from Riku's embrace and stepped away. Yet again, another blush threatened his face.

Riku smiled as he watched Sora panic. The boy thoroughly amused him, among other things. He pushed back against the paopu tree and turned around slightly, curious to see who was interrupting their happy moment. What his eyes saw didn't surprise him. "Hey Kairi!" He called, lifting his arm to wave at her.

Kairi offered a smile and waved back. "So there you are Riku! And who is that with you?" She said, pretending that she couldn't quite see.

"Yep! You found me!" Riku replied as he elbowed Sora's side. "And don't mind him. Just a little mouse that won't leave me alone."

"Hey!" Sora snapped and shoved Riku away slightly. "Don't hit me! And don't call me a mouse!"

Riku laughed and took another jab at the brunette. "Who? Me?" He feigned innocence.

"Ah! So it is Sora! It's awfully rude to hide from me Sora!" Kairi commented as she moved around the tree to stand in front of them. She lifted her hand to wag an accusing finger at him.

"I… umm… yeah… hi Kairi." Sora stammered and scratched at his head. "I… uh… didn't hear you…" Sora lied.

Kairi's eyes widened slightly and she gave Sora a questioning look. She wouldn't come right out and ask, but she would give them the opportunity to tell her, if they wanted to. "You look like you've been caught Sora. What have you two boys been up to?"

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"So… Destiny Islands..." Axel said as he looked around with smiling eyes. It was nice to be there without the Organization hanging out his head. Already, he felt better.

Roxas nodded slowly. "I haven't been here before… not that I remember... Sora and his friends live here..."

Axel nodded as he turned to gaze at the ocean behind them. He said nothing as he closed his eyes and reached to take Roxas's hand.

Yanking his hand from Axel's reach, Roxas stepped away from him. "I don't want to hurt you again..." His gaze dropped to the sand, refusing to meet Axel's penetrating stare.

Axel sighed slightly as he opened his eyes and turned. "You didn't..."

"But I did!" Roxas insisted as he met Axel's eyes. "I heard you! You said... I made you have a heart... and I left you..." He lowered his gaze once again. "I don't remember it all... but I did it. You must have..."

Axel stepped forward and drew the smaller boy into his arms. A smile spread across his lips as he felt Roxas's weight against him. Axel pulled away enough to hook his finger under Roxas's chin. He tilted the blonde's head back slightly and smiled. Before Roxas had time to react or protest, Axel dipped his head forward, pressing his lips softly against Roxas's.

Roxas felt a blush spread across his face but he didn't have the sense at the moment to care.

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"Roxas…" To avoid the question Kairi directed at him, Sora had averted his gaze down to the beach. The glow from the moon had illuminated the sandy expanse as well as the two figured that stood upon it. It took a moment to realize he knew who both were, though he hadn't expected to see either again. It took another moment to realize what they were doing. Eyes widening slightly, he turned back towards Riku and Kairi.

"Roxas?" Kairi placed her hands on her hips. "What does he have to do with anything?"

Riku, as well, gave Sora a questioning look.

"Well… nothing really." Sora said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Except that he's standing down there." Sora pointed down towards the beach without turning. "He's got Axel with him, I believe."

"Here? Really?" Riku smiled slyly. "I'll race ya!" Without waiting for an answer, he ran for the back ladder.

"Riku! Wait!" Sora called after him.

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Slightly breathless, Roxas leaned back, pulling his lips from Axel's.

With a devilish grin, the taller boy straightened up and dipped his gaze. "So… what now?" His arms still encircled Roxas's waist, refusing to relinquish their hold.

Roxas seemed to debate the question for a moment before he lifted his shoulders in a shrug. He didn't know. His goal had been to find Axel and he had done that. He had made no further plans. "I didn't think beyond finding you." He admitted slowly.

The comment pleased Axel immensely. He was about to reply when a vaguely familiar voice broke his thoughts. "Seems we have company." He said as he dropped his arms, releasing his captive.

"Hey Roxas!" Sora repeated again as he, Riku, and Kairi approached.

With wide eyes, Roxas stepped away from Axel to greet them.

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The sky had grown black as the time was well past midnight. The only light on the whole of the island was the small fire that lit up the beach. Five figures surrounded the small fire, the flames of which caused their shadows to dance upon the sands.

A tall, slender figure stood, practically hovering over the fire. His dark eyes were downcast as if mesmerized by the flickering red of the flames. Every few minutes a breeze would blow by, playing with his long red hair as well as the flames of the fire.

On the other side of the fire, two figures, a boy and a girl, sat chatting in hushed voices. The boy lounged facing the fire, his back to the girl. A smile lit up his face as he felt the girl behind him. She was kneeling at his back; her hands weaved in his long, silver hair. She selected three locks of hair and then proceeded to braid them together in a tiny, tight braid. Half of the boy's silver hair had been reduced to just the same.

The last two figures sat further away from the fire then the others. The blonde sat with his gaze fixed on the fire while the brunette exchanged glances with the silver haired boy.

"So… how can… this be possible?" The brunet asked, leaning back slightly.

The blonde boy shrugged his shoulders as his fingers drew shapes in the sand. He knew what Sora was asking. How could they both exist, separately, in the same space? Roxas could reach out and touch him. But it shouldn't have been possible. He was the counterpart of the brunet. "I honestly don't know. I don't know where I was or… how I got there or anything. I was just… there… and I heard him… Axel. I heard his voice… and I followed it. And… we came here."

Sora was silent for a moment, thinking. He believed Roxas' words. He had no reason to doubt him. And thinking about the fact that Roxas was actually him and yet he was sitting beside him… it was making his head hurt. He shook his head slowly and smiled. "Why here?"

Roxas shrugged again. "Neither of us have a home… and you're the closest thing I have to family… Destiny Islands just popped in my head."

Sora nodded. "I'm glad of it." He said with a smile. "As weird as it is… it's nice to see you… and Axel."

Roxas nodded and looked down at the sand. "Yeah."

They were silent a moment as Sora glanced over at the fire. "So Axel, huh?" He looked back at Roxas with a smirk.

"Yeah." The blond stated simply, nodding.

Sora shook his head slowly. "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."

Roxas turned towards Sora, giving him a blank stare. "I could say the same for you."

Sora smiled goofily as he averted his gaze, a blush threatening his face.

"Besides, I was a part of Organization XIII at one point as well." The blonde turned his gaze upon the red hair at the fire and smiled. "He made his decision to leave. And saved your life, if I remember correctly."

With a nod, Sora smiled. "You got me there." He sighed softly and allowed his eyes to seek out Riku, who still sat talking with Kairi.

"Summer school, huh?" Kairi released the finished silver braid and started on a new one. "Are you looking forward to it?"

Riku rolled his eyes. "Why the hell would I be looking forward to school? During the summer? It pisses me off that everyone is insisting we go back now."

Kairi smiled and laughed. "If we want to graduate on time then we better. Or else we'll be left behind. We were gone from the islands for a long time."

Riku nodded slowly but was still sulking. "Yeah, but it still sucks."

"Stop moving your head!" Kairi snapped tugging on the braid she was working on.

"Ouch! Don't pull on it!" He snapped back. "Why the hell are you doing that anyways?"

Kairi stopped a moment. "Uh… I don't know." She let the braid fall from her hands. "Because you're letting me?"

"How about you stop then?" Riku leaned forward and turned around slightly. "You'll end up pulling it all out. And I don't think I would look good bald."

"Oh come on!" She pushed against his shoulder, forcing him to turn back around, and started braiding again. "I'm almost done. And besides…" She paused for a moment. "I'm sure Sora will think it looks sexy."

Riku's eyes widened slightly and his smile broadened. "You think so?" His eyes flitted towards Sora.

Sora smiled, catching Riku's gaze, and dipped his head slightly, his gaze falling to his hands in his lap. "Roxas… will you two be staying here?"

"Maybe…" Roxas leaned forwards slightly, drawing circles in the sand again. "For a while. Depends on what Axel wants."

"What Axel wants, huh?" Sora's smile faded slightly. "What about you? What do you want?"

Roxas stopped and lifted his gaze to meet Sora's. With a smile, he turned his gaze to the fire. Instantly, he was on his feet and running. "Axel!"

Axel glanced up from his place at the fire and saw the look on Roxas' face. "What's wrong?"

"You're on fire!" Roxas grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the ocean.

Axel glanced down to see the flames flickering on the bottom of his robe. "It appears so." He said with a laugh and turned back around, pulling Roxas with him.

"I told you not to stand that close!" He glared at the taller man and gave him a hard push.

Still laughing, Axel landed on his ass in the shallow water. The fire was quickly put out and Axel was soon soaked. With a smile and quick movements, Axel grabbed Roxas's robe and pulled the blond down on top of him.

Sora laughed from his previous spot, watching the two.

"Looks like fun, huh?"

Sora glanced up to see Riku hovering above him. He hadn't heard or seen him approach. His eyes widened slightly as he took in Riku's new hair style.

Riku smirked slyly and repeated what he had said.

With a smile, Sora jumped up and stepped back. "You are not getting me in that water! It's freezing!"

Kairi stepped away from the fire and took a few steps towards the water. "You guys better get out of the water now!" Kairi called in a mother-hen voice. "It's freezing and in this wind you're both going to catch colds rolling around in the water!" She placed her hands on her hips. "I mean it!"

Roxas, who was lying under the perched Axel, leaned up enough to throw his arms around the taller red haired man, crushing their lips together.

Kairi threw up her arms. "Oh get a room!" She turned on her heels. "They are NOT staying at my house!" With a smile, she strode closer to Sora and Riku. "I'm tired so I'll leave you boys to yourselves." She winked as she said it. "See you tomorrow!"

Riku lifted his hand to wave at her but stopped as he felt Sora punch him. "What was that for?" He turned to glare at the brunette.

Sora crossed his arms about his chest and returned Riku's glare.

"Don't look at me." Riku feigned innocence. "I didn't say a word."

Sora opened his mouth to protest but was suddenly rendered helpless by a pair of lips on his own.

The light known as you finds me.