If it Never Happened: A slice of life take on what the Kingdom Hearts characters from the FemSora universe would be going through if the events in the game never existed.
Author's note: Just a reminder to readers, I want you guys to know I take opinions into effect. I like hearing suggestions and opinions on fics and if you guys have any requests or things you want improved don't hesitate to bring them up with me. Not just with this fic but with all my stories. I live to serve!
Chapter: Summer Blues
"Hey there, Sora." Axel patted Sora's shoulders causing her to jumps and whirl her head back in surprise.
"Axel… you startled me."
"Sorry about that," He grinned. "Just wanted to wish you luck." He pulled back so she could turn around and face him. "Win this and you and I can work on the island with no interruptions. I've already decided to hold a big party, and took the liberty of inviting some of your friends."
"Really?" Sora's eyes went big and wide. "A big party with everyone on the island, that sounds totally awesome!"
"You bet it does… so do me a favor and win this one for me okay?" He took her chin in his hand and leaned in smirking. "If you'd like I can give you a kiss for good luck."
Sora's face turned beat red, she began to stutter and fidget her eyes darting around. "Uh, well, I-"
"That won't be necessary, Casanova." Phil approached them with a scowl. "She's already won."
"Say what?" Sora glanced over to Phil and Axel stood up straight crossing his arms.
"Seems everyone who qualified resgined from the competition. None of them believe they can best you so they're backing out." Phil huffed and rubbed his beard. "Even Aqua and even I had reserves about whether or not you could win against her."
"What?" Sora's eyes widen and she turned fully to face Phil. "That's not right, I should at least run the track, even if it is by myself."
"That's what I said, but Aqua was insistent. All the girls from the other classes backed her up too. Looks like your reputation is coming in handy." Phil laughed a bit.
Sora narrowed her eyes and looked around. She spotted Aqua surrounded by girls from other classes who were disappointed in her decision to back out. Sora too was a bit disappointed she wouldn't get to race either… but with her ankle it probably wouldn't have been a fair race anyway.
"It still feels wrong."
"Eh I'll talk it over with the Principle. See what he says. In the meantime why don't you watch the boys-"
"Hey, that's it." Sora pumped her fists. "How about I race with the boys, Phil? That way it won't feel like I'm not earning my keep."
"Hmmm…" Phil rubbed his goatee and nodded. "Yeah, why not? Okay get ready then." Phil called Herc over to set it up and Sora began to stretch again.
"You sure about this?" Axel wondered. "You know Riku and Terra are the senior representatives, right? They won't be pushovers."
"I still technically won against the girls, but it doesn't feel right unless I race. I want to feel I've earned my keep."
Axel smiled and he twirled the end of her ponytail around his fingers and gave it a playful tug.
"Then here's some good luck." He leaned in and brushed his lips on her cheek. The heat ran into Sora's face and she watched him walk away with a dazed expression on her face.
Riku had seen the interaction…. And was pissed. His hands clenched into fists as Axel moved to walk past him. He raised up a arm blocking his path, turning his head just enough to exchange glances he spoke in a dark tone.
"You and me... After school… if I win, you keep your distance from Sora."
Axel eyed Riku, smirking at his threat and he deliberately moved Riku's arm away from him.
"Think I'll pass… you're gonna have your hands full already trying to beat Sora, herself."
"What?" Riku's eyes flickered and he whirled around snagging Axel by the sleeve of his shirt. "What the hell do you mean by that?"
"Didn't you hear? All the girls backed out of racing her. So in fairness Sora volunteered to race against the boys. Isn't that something?" Axel smirked. "Though it kinda makes you wonder just why the girls backed out in the first place."
Riku went pale and his hand dropped down at his sides. He glanced over at the other contestants for the boy's race. Aqua had no problem getting the girl's on her side. She was loved and admired by them… but the boys all had pride and ego, and weren't about to let a girl beat them. Especially Terra, he hated to lose.
Riku rushed to Sora grabbing her by the shoulders and whirling her around.
"Back out!"
"Huh?" Sora blinked in confusion staring up at Riku wide eyed. His face was pale with fear and his eyes panicked.
"I said back out now! You can't race against the boys!"
"I can and I will," Sora's chin lifted in defiance. "I've raced against you and Axel and the other boys before and have won."
"This isn't about whether or not you can win or lose, it's about you getting hurt! You're already injured, don't make it worse!"
"How did you…"
"Kairi told me… but that doesn't matter. Please Sora, don't do this!"
"Let go of me, Riku! I'm racing and that's that!" Sora pushed him away. "Stop trying to tell me what to do, and stop trying to protect me! I don't NEED your protection! I can take care of myself!" Steamed and riled up Sora took her place on the starter's mark.
Riku shook with anger and frustration. Why wouldn't she listen? Why did she always insist on doing the exact opposite of what was best for her? Was she stupid!? Damn it, he was sick of worrying about her, sick of having her twist up his emotions like this. Fine! If she wasn't going to listen he just wasn't gonna care anymore.
Growling between his teeth he took the spot on the opposite end of Sora. Phil and the other teachers all gathered up and phil shouted out to the students.
"Your target is one mile. The track has been laid out for you and it leads across the campus. So long as you stay within the boundaries of the outlined track it's a sprint to the finish. So on your mark, get set, GO!" He blew his whistle, and the race began.
Sora had meant to start of slow and easy, but Riku's words had lit a fire in her. She barely registered the ache in her ankle as she sprinted ahead of the pack with Riku and Terra close behind and the rest of the class trailing. All around them the students shouted encouragement and waved up banners with the class names on it, but it was all a blur to her. When she ran, she was lost in her own world. Her thoughts, her senses, and her body all were separated from the outside world. All she could feel was the burn of her muscles, all she could hear was her own thoughts and heavy breathing, all she taste was the sweat of her fatigue.
Still, somehow, Riku was pushing on her private bubble. She could hear him coming up behind her, the crunch of his feet on pavement, the rapid puffs of his breath… She turned her head just a little to glance back at him before turning her head back to look straight ahead. It had only been an instant, but she'd seen the burn in his eyes. He didn't want to lose to her, and she didn't want to lose to him.
The familiarity of the scenario had her nearly laughing. She wished she could hear the sound of the ocean, wished she could feel the spray of water on her face as they cross the beach. The scent of it would calm her, the taste of the air would ease the burn in her lungs.
"Giving up already? Come on Sora, I thought you were better than that."
"Huh?" Sora snapped out of her daze to realize Riku had pushed ahead of her. Her eyes narrowed and she punched out another burst of speed. She felt the twinge in her ankle and the throb of it shoot up her leg, but she ignored it and pushed. Behind them Terra was gaining ground and they could both hear the roaring shouts as he pushed his well toned body to its max.
They were reaching the end of the stretch. The teachers had a strip of white tape pulled across the finish line and were shouting at the students to keep it up. Sora could see the finish, could see her victory within reach. She looked to her side as she pulled up next to Riku… he looked at her, and his face broke out into a smile… and stopped her heart.
The momentary shock of it had her faltering. She lost her footing and tripped her body skidding and rolling across the ground. Terra broke ahead to win and Riku behind him. Sora hissed and tried to hold back the tears as she tried to get up but her ankle wouldn't let her. She struggled and crawled. Her blurry vision barely made out the teachers running toward her, she could hear the muffled shouts of her friends and others asking if she was alright. She wanted to get to the finish line, she wanted to complete the race. A pair of arms hauled her up princess style and on a jog carried her the rest of the way to the finish line.
For a minute she thought Riku had come back to help her… just as he's always been there. However when she looked up, she saw Axel's face.
"Axel…"
"Don't worry, I've got you." He held her close and glanced down at her ankle. The shoe had come off and the swollen bruise was very apparent now. "You're way too reckless. Racing like that on an injury."
"I'm sorry… I guess Riku was right. It was stupid." She buried her face in his shoulder to hide her embarrassment.
"Yep… stupid… but…" he nudged her face with his and pressed their foreheads together. "Admirable."
Sora's eyes widened… and then a smile broke out across her face as she laughed.
RIku watched from a distance, panting from his run. He was pale and shaking, his body not quite in his control. Sora fit right into Axel's arms… she was smiling and laughing despite being injured. He hadn't seen her fall, hadn't noticed until after he'd cross the finish line and expected her to be right there beside him. He'd forgotten, just for a few moments that she'd been injured, vulnerable.. And now he was paying the price for it.
He hung his head, his fists shaking at his sides and his teeth clenching tight. Why? Why the hell did things go so wrong just as they were going right. For just those few moments he'd been close to her again… he'd seen his Sora, and he'd been her Riku again.
Now… now someone was stepping in, stealing her right from under him. Axel was becoming the closest one to her… Axel was the one making her smile, making her laugh, Axel was the one she wanted to spend time with.
"Riku?" Aqua approached him from behind and put a hand on his shoulders. "Are you okay?"
"Why is it no matter what I do, nothing goes the way I want it to." Riku spat out and kicked the ground and rubbed the sweat pouring from his forehead.
"You mean no matter how much you try to get close to Sora, you just seem to keep pushing her away?" Aqua smiled and laughed as Riku glared at her. "You're an open book to those who take notice, Riku. Your face and expressions say it all."
"Do you have a point?"
"Mmm, I do. I think your main problem here is Riku is you love her for who she is, and yet you seem to want to keep changing her to make her easier to manage."
"What?" Riku whirled. "What do you mean?"
"You worry about her, you want to protect her, but Sora isn't the kind of person who wants protection. She's naive and oblivious but she has pride and strength, all qualities you admire. You asked me to back out, and convince the other girls to do so because you knew if you asked her to back out she'd have said no. Just as she told you no when you tried to tell her not to race against the boys."
Riku humphed and made Aqua laugh. She pat his back and walked a bit away before calling over her shoulder.
"If you really want her back Riku… I suggest you let her grow up at her own pace. Sora is a free spirit, and she learns best when given free reign."
Riku's expression softened as he contemplated Aqua's words. He stared up to watch Axel set Sora down so Phil could ice her ankle. Despite the pain she was talking a mile a minute, laughing and gesturing. Axel said something and she grinned ear to ear putting her hands behind her head in her trademark gesture.
"Grow up at her own pace… heh…" Riku laughed snarkily and crossed his arms over his chest. "At the rate she's going, she'll be fully grown at the age of ninety."
~First Day of Summer~
Sora whined as she lay back on her bed her leg elevated. The injury on her ankle had been far serious than she'd expected and had her bandaged and off any kind of strenuous activity for at least two more weeks. Which meant she hadn't been able to go down to the beach to help Axel, which meant no party.
"Why does nothing ever go right? I finally got a free pass on my tests and I can't even enjoy it." She pulled her pillow into her face and groaned into it. This was gonna be one blue and boring summer.
The tap on her glass had her lifting the pillow up. She shifted her weight so she could look out the window and saw Riku standing out front with a handful of pebbles. He waved at her and she lifted the window to glance down.
"Riku? Why are you throwing pebbles? You know mom would let you in if you ask."
"I know, but I doubt she'd let you out of the house with your ankle messed up."
"Huh?" Sora raised a brow. "What do you mean let me out of the house?" She watched Riku climb up the side of roof and crouch in front of the window.
"I'm busting you out, Sora. Come on," he held out his hand. Sora's eyes blinked in surprise and she smiled and held out her hand letting him heft her up and out. She glanced down and her face turned a bit blue. "Okay now how are we getting down."
"Easy, climb on." He crouched and motioned for her to get on his back. Sora whined a bit uneasily but climbed on him so he was carrying her piggy back. "Hang on tight to me okay?" Riku carefully made his way down, though the extra weight made it a little more precarious than he'd like he made sure not to drop her or make himself fall. When they reached the bottom she moved to get down but he bounced her back up.
"I didn't say you could get down. We're not in the clear yet." He jogged and carried her down the street. Bouncing a bit from the run Sora kept her arms around his neck her breath on his ear. She wondered where he was taking her, and what had brought on this sudden change of mood of his.
When they reached the docks her eyes blinked in surprise as he had a boat big enough for both of them waiting and he gently lowered her inside before casting off and paddling towards the little island.
"Riku…" Sora started but he motioned for her to stay quiet by pressing a finger to his lips.
"Just wait."
Sora frowned and leaned her head into her hand wondering what the hell was going on. When they got closer to the island she finally saw it. Her eyes brightened and her smile burst wide open. The bridge was complete, and across the expansion was a big banner that read "Congratulations."
There was a big bonfire set up, food and drinks were set out, and there was music playing. Kids were scattered across the island, friends both new and old all shouting and laughing and having a good time. Axel was at the dock to meet them and he waved a hand grinning.
"Yo! I see that rescuing the princess was a success."
"Yep," Riku helped get Sora up and out first before climbing out himself. He pushed Axel's hand away from hers and carried Sora himself out to the party. "No you don't, I'm the knight today."
"Knight?" Sora laughed. "Since when?"
"Since I carried your heavy butt down from the roof and to the docks!" Riku plopped her down on the brick wall by the beach and put his hands on his hips. "Show a little gratitude!"
"You're right… thanks Riku." Sora smiled at him, earning one in return.
"That's better. Wait here, I'll get you some food." He walked over to the food set up by the campfire and started arguing with Tidus and Wakka about the mess they were making of the display. Axel in the meantime strolled up and leaned on the wall beside her and tilted his head in her direction.
"So what do you think?" He asked.
"You finished it…" Sora whispered. "You finished it all by yourself."
"As admirable as that would make me sound, I didn't do it alone. Your knight in shining armor over there helped out and got a punch of your other friends to lend a hand as well."
"Really? Riku?" Sora watched him her eyes soft and lips curled into a sweet affectionate smile.
"Yep, he knew you were bummed about it, and offered to help out. Says it's his way of apologizing about the race."
"He didn't have to do that."
"But he did… how does that make you feel, Sora?" Axel asked inching closer to her. He watched her face change expressions as she thought it over, but her eyes never left Riku's form.
"I...don't know."
Weeeee I so happy I has 2.8! Mmm I'm looking at all the Soriku moments in DDD and it make me squee!
Next Chapter: ABC… Artists, Bikinis, Confessions