A/N: This chapter is a flashback chapter, taking place when Sora and Kairi are seven and Riku is eight. It is also unplanned, meaning the next chapter will also focus on the trio.

Trane (Tears)

Eleven years ago, a great tragedy befell Kingdom Hearts. But none were more affected by it than young Prince Sora...

"Sora, Kairi, hurry up!"

Sora looked up at his best friend as he took hold of another rock, trying to glare but failing. "We're trying, Riku!" he called, pulling himself up. "We can't all climb almost vertical rock faces as fast as you. Besides, why do we have to go up here to see the sunset? I know what it looks like, I designed it."

The smirk on Riku's face was smug as he reached down to pull the young sky god the rest of the way. "Because it looks prettier up here," he explained, turning to do the same with Kairi. The redhead had a small sheen of sweat forming on her brow, as she was not as fit as the boys. She nodded her gratitude to the silveret, collapsing onto the ground.

"That's not a good enough reason-" Sora began to protest, but Riku placed a finger against his lips, effectively silencing him.

"Ssh," he hushed, before seating himself on the ground. Sora stuck his lower lip out in what was meant to be an irresistible pout, before reluctantly giving in and plopping himself down beside his friend. He'd forgotten Riku always won.

"So, what surprise do we get to see today?" Kairi questioned with a smile as she slid along the ground to be next to them. The brunet returned the smile.

"Wait and see!" he replied, raising a hand to the sky. He closed his eyes, summoning an image of the perfect sunset into mind. Slowly, as he concentrated, shades of pink and purple began to creep across the sky like a flower in bloom. He heard Kairi's gasp of awe and delight, and opened his eyes to his two best friends gazing at his masterpiece. He was certain he saw jealousy in Riku's cerulean eyes- it wasn't like the balance god could create wonders that were admired by the entire kingdom.

"It's beautiful, Sora," Kairi whispered, a hand reaching out as though she could touch his artwork.

"Thanks," he acknowledged, flashing a smirk towards Riku. The challenge wasn't lost on the older boy, and a lazy grin curled across his lips. Sora barely had a second to register the mischievous smile before he was pinned on his stomach, his arms held behind him. He struggled fiercely for a few moments, before resigning himself to his fate. For the second time in less than an hour, he'd forgotten Riku always won.

The fingers probing his ribs were agonizing, even under his multiple layers of clothing. Then again, this was Riku, his best friend- and apparently, it was a law of the universe that best friends must know where you are most ticklish. Desperately, he tried to hold in his laughter, but failed, squirming as Riku continued his incessant torture. Through tears and gasps, Sora begged for him to stop, but to no avail. He could tell his friend was gloating without even looking.

"Riku! There you are!"

The tickling stopped immediately. Sora looked up to thank his savior, but it died on his tongue as he found himself looking up at Terra, Riku's mentor.

"I finished my daily practice," Riku muttered, pushing his shoulders back and glaring up at his teacher. Terra met his pupil's gaze evenly.

"I'm aware of that," he replied tersely. "It's not what I'm here for." His gaze turned to Sora. "Your Majesty, it would best if you return to the palace. It is about your father."

Sora felt a stab of fear. His father, the king, had recently been heavily wounded in a fight with one of the banished gods, Xeha-something. Riku had explained to him that sometimes, when a person had enough injuries, they would fall asleep and never wake up. Sora didn't want that to happen to his father.

His fear grew when his friend's defiant posture fell away, and he stood, gesturing to Sora and Kairi to do the same. "We should go," he murmured.

Sora silently obeyed.

Sora quickly made his way to his father's bedside, scanning him. The first thing he noticed was that he wasn't breathing. That scared him. Riku told him that was a sign of someone who would never wake up.

"Dad?" he whispered, a hand reaching out. He looked up as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Riku stood there, shaking his head.

"Sora, he's… gone. I'm sorry."

"NO!" Sora screamed, wrenching his shoulder away. "No! He's going to wake up! He… he…" One leg gave out as the reality of the moment hit him, the other following a moment later. Riku's strong arms quickly circled his torso, keeping him standing. "He's… going to be fine…" Thick tears rolled down his face as he began to weep, his body quivering.

"It's okay, Sora," Riku whispered, rubbing his back in a comforting manner. Sora wondered how he could say that, because things were not okay. His father was going to sleep forever. He had left Sora! He tried to voice as much, but all that came out was a few more choked sobs.

"Come on, Sora. Let's go to your room. You need to sit down." Sora nodded, continuing to spill his heart out through his eyes. He allowed his friend to half-drag, half-carry him to the familiar room, lying him down on his bed.

"Why?" he whispered, finally managing to silence his tears for long enough to form coherent words.

"I don't know, Sora," Riku managed, fingers combing his brown spikes. It was a soothing gesture, one that eased his pain, even if it didn't erase it entirely. "I don't know."

The silence enveloped them like a cloud of fog, only broken by the quiet sounds of Sora's sobs. It stayed like that for a little under an hour.

The silence only became absolute after Sora finally fell asleep.