Emooooootiiiooooooooooonnnsssssssss - Basically that's the summary of this chapter. I'll be getting into battle and more info after this. WOO.


"What'd you find?" Sora yelled to Soku, running down the main stairs that lead into the town square. The sun was starting its trek down to the horizon. It was time for the street lamps to be been turned on and the two found that it lent an extra golden hue to the area- a romantic feeling like in old movies or books.

"Well this town in Traverse Town, the First District of three, to be precise." Soku explained what she had found out, while leaning on her left side and tapping one of her right foot on the bricks below her. "There should be a map in district three, but we'll have to explore through District Two. The pass between one and three is under construction." She pointed her thumb over her shoulder to the gargantuan wooden door behind her. Sora nodded with a look of understanding on his face. It was a rare sight; Sora being serious.

"Well, I walked around and into one of the stores." He replied. "The owner's name is Cid and he said if we have any questions, to ask him or find some guy named Leon. Cid's shop sells accessories for you or your weapon if you have one. The store catty-corner sells items like: potions, weapons, and something called an ether." Sora crossed his arms over his chest and clicked his tongue in the sort of way that people do subconsciously (like taping their foot, or popping their knuckles). He looked all over the court yard and the people lazing around. Soku could tell what he was looking for, or rather who. Traverse town seemed to be the place you find yourself when you're world starts to fall apart into nothingness. It was only natural to think that those two would be here. Soku was happy he still had someone to look for. She, on the other hand, had no one. Rio was gone.

"Soku!" Sora said in a sort of stern raised voice, only inches away from her ear. His hand was on her shoulder again and she realized how cold she really was on the inside.

"What?" Soku yelled back; surprised. Sora doubled back and gave her a strange look. One she had seen before. It was the same strange look he had given her as she slept like the dead in his lap. Concern was the face of the day.

"Are you OK?" he questioned slowly, in syllables like he was speaking to a deaf person. She looked at him with a blank face and wondered.

"Yeah, of course I am," She tilted her head, "Why wouldn't I be?" She was happy just a moment ago, thinking about how Sora would soon be reunited with his close friends.

"You're..." He hesitated between words, "crying." He continued, as if he didn't know how exactly to say what he was thinking but found himself saying something rather blunt. Crying... that wasn't possible.

"What are you talking about?" Soku found herself asking while she reached up to touch her cheek. "I'm not-" she stopped as warm drops of water fell off of her chin and onto her finger tips. The feeling of tears was not foreign to her though she wondered if it was simply warm rain that she had a ghostly memory of. Maybe... Somewhere in the back of her head. Her brain knew that Rio meant more to her than she could remember. Maybe it was more painful than losing the only person in the world who knew her. It was just painful losing the only person she knew. It was just painful losing the person.

"I'm sorry-" she said with a frighteningly straight voice. "I don't- no, I know what it is..." She shook her head and closed her eyes, trying to will the tears to stop. "I'm just sorry." was all that she could say. There was warmth in her shoulder that she recognized from before. Sora placed his other hand on her shoulder to reassure her. She sniffed loudly and tried to smile. He shouldn't have to do this. She didn't mean anything to him but he was such a good person. the smile that she tried to pull out of nowhere just added to the creepy feeling of her calm crying. She reached her hand out and grabbed at his jacket for a second before he could pull her into his arms. He was far too nice. She reprimanded herself for doing this to someone so kind.

"I understand," Sora said quietly, still holding her to him at the bottom of the courtyard stairs. "It probably doesn't feel like I do, but I do" She sniffed into his shirt and for some reason all she could think about was how much salt water was getting into his clothes and how little he seemed like he would care. He still smelled like the sea and it was almost calming. The warmth radiating off of his skin, the soft cloth of his jacket, the soothing smell of the sea, and like that the tears were gone. And as soon as they were it was awkward.

Soku released her death grip on the red cloth of his jacket and dropped her arms to the side. Still he didn't move. His arms were like a straightjacket around her and she couldn't move anything but her arms below the elbows. She was overly grateful for his comfort but found herself not sure of how to let him know that she was alright for now. Slowly and extremely hesitantly, she lifter her arms and wrapped them around his waist. She leaned up and spoke in his ear.

"Thank you." She said before giving him a tight squeeze and releasing him. He followed suit but when she took a step back she saw that his face had a slight tinge of pink to it. "It's a little warm here isn't it? A different kind of warm than the island, that is." She smiled over to him with her most radiant smile.


There ya go! hope you like how things are developing. :D I'd appreciate reviews! go ahead and send me some questions, comments, or concerns! Thanks guys!

SIDE NOTE: So sorry guys but it'll probably be a long while before I update again. I've gotten distracted by Mass Efffect. SO if you like that game go ahead and check out the chapter I'm about to post.