What's this? A new chapter? OMG!

They were all sitting by the Papou tree. Kairi and Sora were sitting on the tree, holding hands. Riku was leaning against the tree, Hotaru right on his left. Both were trying to keep their distance from Sora and Kairi, who were talking about sharing a papou fruit.

"You're destinies are supposed to be intertwined when you eat that, right?" said Hotaru.

"You've heard already?" asked Kairi, a little surprised. "I guess," said Hotaru, focusing. Where had she heard that?

"I think it's about time we shared one," said Kairi to Sora. "After all, I know you wanted to forever ago."

"Huh? Really?"

"Of course, Sora!" said Kairi, smiling. Sora blushed. "It's about time somebody around here finally tried one!"

"You guys are too adorable!" said Hotaru, shaking her head but smiling. She reached and picked up the star-shaped fruit. "It's just a fruit, you know. Although I have always wanted to try one of these."

"Have anyone in mind?" asked Kairi, raising her eyebrows.

"N-no," stammered Hotaru, blushing, "but I do wonder if it's true."

"Let's all share one—the four of us!" said Sora. "That way, it doesn't have to be as awkward."

"I still think it's awkward," protested Riku quietly. Kairi fake pouted. "I wanted just the two of us to share one!"

"Come on, Kairi! Our destinies couldn't be more intertwined no matter what. We don't need some magic fruit to keep us together." Kairi smiled and pushed Sora backwards behind the tree. She then pounced on top of him and they started kissing.

"Eew! We're right here!"

"Do I need to get the hose on you guys?"

"You're just jealous!" said Kairi, getting off of Sora. Sora rolled to his side, facing Riku, and said, "You'd be less grouchy if you had a girlfriend."

"No I wouldn't!" said Riku, a bit too harshly. They sat for a minute and Hotaru broke the silence and said, "So, we gonna eat this fruit or not?" Riku smiled a bit and said, "Sure, why not?"

They split the fruit into four pieces. Sora held his piece up and said, "To friendship!"

"May we always be a part of each other's hearts," said Hotaru.

"No matter what the cost," said Riku.

"An unbreakable connection," said Kairi.

"Yeah," said Sora, "and—hey! Riku's piece is bigger than mine!"

"Sora, don't be an infant…"

"I'm taller, so I need it!"

"You too?" sighed Kairi.

"As the newest member of the group, I need the biggest piece! I need more destiny magic!"

"I'm the hero! So I should get it!"

"Oh brother…really Sora?"

"What? You were the one who told me never to change!"

"A little change might not be so bad…"

"If we're talking changes, I have a few suggestions…"

"Oh yeah? Well I vote that you get the hair out of your eyes!"

"Good one! All in favor say 'I'!" "I!" "I!"

"Screw you guys!"

"Why Riku, I never knew you felt that way…"

And they all rolled on the ground, laughing uncontrollably at how corny they were.

Because that's what friends do.

Kairi and Sora had walked home together after much protesting from Riku and Hotaru. The latter two were still on the island; they had moved down to the beach right by the water. They were both laying on their backs and watching the stars.

"They're so pretty…" said Hotaru. She then blushed at the silly comment, but Riku let it go. "You know, they say that the stars are really the light of other worlds shining down on us."

"Interesting…so is that what you tell allthe girls?" said Hotaru mischievously. Riku laughed. "Don't be silly. There are no girls," he said, a little more solemnly. Hotaru turned and faced Riku. "Do you still have feelings for Kairi?"

Riku snapped his head. "What? No! And what do you mean still?"

"You always seem so bothered by Sora and Kairi being together. Unless…"

"What?"

"It's really Sora you're jealous about!" teased Hotaru. Riku blushed a deeper shade of red. "No way!"

"Oh, so that's the reason you don't have a girlfriend yet!" she teased. She waved at his angry face and said, "I'm just joking. Although all the girls do talk about you. You could easily get any girl you wanted. But your heart belongs with her…" she said in an overly dramatic voice. Riku couldn't help but laugh along with her. "What makes you ask that anyway?"

Hotaru blushed. "Well, Kairi was telling me stories about you and Sora. You guys are always so competitive about everything; I thought it was pretty obvious you were competing for her attention."

Riku blushed too as he remembered and looked back at the sky. "I guess that was a part of it." He paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "Sora really loves her. And she loves him. I think she always did. My feelings could never match that. Besides, I didn't deserve her. Not after what I did."

"You always do that," said Hotaru. Riku cocked his head questioningly. "You always act like you don't deserve to be happy. What did you do that was so bad?"

"I…" he hesitated. Could he trust Hotaru with the truth? No, it was better to keep their adventures a secret. "I can't tell you. I'm sorry."

"I get it. Everyone needs some privacy. I have noticed there are some things only you, Sora, and Kairi talk about." She rolled over, turning away from Riku. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm not part of your group at all…"

"No! That's not it at all!" said Riku, sitting up quickly. "You're definitely one of us Hotaru." He reached his hand to her shoulder. "Besides, we shared a papou fruit, remember? We're stuck with us whether you want it or not."

Hotaru smiled and turned back around. "See Riku? You are a good person."

"Wait…were you faking?"

Hotaru stood up, ignoring the question. She pulled something out of her pocket and handed it to Riku. "I can't remember who gave it tom me, so it must not be that important. Plus, I have two of them for some reason."

He took it from her hand and stared. It was a white Wayfinder with a silver heart in the center. The Wayfinder shimmered as he inspected it.

"Hotaru—"

She shushed him. "You need it more than I do. It'll help you remember that the light's always there, even if you don't use it."

Riku frowned. Did she know? But, she couldn't, could she?

"We should probably get going. It's pretty late," said Hotaru walking off. "Yeah," said Riku, and he followed after her. "Oh, I just remembered! Come to mine and Kairi's house after school. I just remembered I know how to play the piano!"

"Piano huh? Cool."

"I'm pretty awesome too. I might just write you a song." Riku was glad Hotaru was already leaving, because his face was bright red.

.com/watch?v=plyP2VnXGJ0 This is a link for the sucky trailer I made for this fanfic! YAY! This might help you get a better understanding of what will be in it.

And...some HotaruxRiku action? Ooh...

And it is about time somebody tried a paopu fruit. I mean geez, forget the charms, just eat the actual fruit!