Chapter 10

The next day followed, today was a very special day, it was the last day before half term started and that meant a 6 week holiday! Exciting for some, terrifying for others but collectively there was a sigh of relief to be heard for those who were pleased to have no homework.

The class members waltzed in one after another, Chiyo being amongst the rabble. She stopped momentarily to see where her place was, only to find an empty space where the desks had been divided into two. Never the less, the girl phased threw the empty crowd and took too her usual spot.

"Chiyo, hey!" Bellowed a voice, strong and piercing.

Someone called her name, her eyes darted for the face but couldn't find- then he popped his head out. Brown spiky hair, ocean blue eyes, a smile that welcomed her to his side; Sora.

Sora called her name.

What a sweet sound, she hesitated at first 'Did he mean me? I'm Chiyo, right. Duh! Go, go, go, say hi.' She smiled and waved back, walking up to him with the same encouraging smile. They both supported the wall, talking amongst themselves until the teacher arrived.

Several moments later and the new teacher assigned to their class had arrived, she seemed perky with black hair tied up in a laced ribbon, a smile that gleamed with an aura of cheekiness. A total contrast from their previous tutor.

"Now I know what you're thinking, where is 'Mr blah, blah, blah'? That was his name right? Well, he's on extended leave. For now, just call me Teach or Miss." Boomed a voice, it was the new teacher. She really did like keeping things short and simple, even she was more enthusiastic about leaving earlier than any of the other kids. "So, anyway, enough about that junk, it's not like we actually care about him. So, who's got a partner for the dance?"

At first the kids looked on both amused and slightly confused; however mention of the dance had all of the girls cheering whilst the boys remained pensive.

"Oh me, me, me, me!" chanted the children.

With a smirk the Teacher looked on. "Oh you do? Well then, show me you're moves." She said simply.

"Huh?" The children collectively said in a chorus of moans and groans. Dance? You're kidding, kids don't dance at a dance, they part sides; girls on one end boys on another staring at opposite sides until someone gets enough minerals to dance.

The woman sighed, plugged in her stereo then took centre so that she could properly dictate to the children her passion. "What, you can't hope to whisk a lady off their feet by just looking at them. Today's lesson, I'll teach you kids how to dance…"

The kids were partnered up, each one with random hosts. This was really bordering on the imbecilic but as the music began to play so did Chiyo's legs. Just like jelly, they wobbled, her nervousness really did make her do the goofiest of things. Chiyo stared pensively at her partner, she could feel her glowing orange eyes were giving him discomfort and it washed over her like a tsunami wave.

"Chiyo eye contact! You scared he's gonna eat your eyes?" Roared the teacher. On command, the tanned teen looked at her partner, well his collar, but she was still looking.

Dancing? Partners? all of this wasn't her thing but she was forced out of comfort in order to partake in this foolish event.

"Chiyo, what's wrong, you scared he'll gnaw you're face off? Get closer, closer! A dance is meant to be an intimate action."

"y-yes" She gurgled. ' Always with the face eating. Why is she picking on me?' Who is she? Did she say Mr Blah, blah, blah…Actually that was kind of funny.'

The annoying thing was though, every time she moved forward, he'd move back, what did she have B.O breath or something? 'Why did I get paired up with Biggs anyway?' Her mind mentally huffed. How could she possibly hope to dance when her partner was being so awkward.

"Can't you pick on someone else?" She suddenly barked, some kids just stared at her whilst others ignored and continued to jig. 'A-ah I guess I just snapped, oh kay.. Here it comes, detention, after school detention? Letter home?'

"Well, you won't learn unless I brutally nag you? I guess I'll let ya off for now." Said the teacher coolly, and so she did, moving to the next couple who were dancing out of tune.

'What!? That worked? Really? Halliujah!' Still, having the teach lay off did very little in developing her crappy ass dancing skills. At least some of the pressure was put off of her now so she could concentrate.

It was at that moment that the domineering tutor came into contact with Sora, who was by far the worst dancer she had ever seen. He had been staring at his feet the whole time chanting '1,2,3. 1,2,3' And what was with those big shoes anyway? "Okay, stop, stop, stop, everyone gather around Sora, and uh. Tina right?"

As instructed the students gathered like hogs at a waterhole, each one giggling or snorting something about Sora and Tina together.

As they stared noisily at the kids on display, The teacher parted Tina away from Sora momentarily to demonstrate how to hold a woman, making sure that every student saw. "No, Sora you have to hold her, like you're going to have you're way with her, right there on the dance for." The teacher (and quite provocatively too), took Tina and pulled her all the way down her before Tina tumbled onto her butt.

Chiyo scoffed with laughter, possibly the most awkward and hilarious thing she had ever seen. Tina huffed before returning to her spot.

"Huh? Oh, you mean like tennis?" Said the azure eyed boy in a confused daze.

"No Sora, not like Tennis, let me show you."

"UH Miss can we go to the bathroom?" Said the boys in a collective manner. the boys then scuttled off to adjust their manhood whilst the girls awaited patiently.

"Kids today. Trust me it gets better when you get older."

Moments later and the dancing progressed. They had been practicing the same motions over and over until they were fluent memories, there were a few kids that showed promise whilst other remained goofy footed. I think it was time to have a dance off.

"Okay, Sora, Chiyo. You two seemed to have gotten the hang of this. Front and centre please."

As instructed the two moved to the centre both looking a bit preoccupied by the request.

"Now, if you may, will you show the class what you have learned?"

"uh..uhm"

No, NO she couldn't… Not with everyone ogling her, eyeing her every move judging her every step. And I doubt Sora would-

"Sure!" He said happily. He walked up to Chiyo to close the gap, his palm ready to be clasped by the jittery teen.

"Shall we dance?"

She gulped hard before biting the bullet along with her anxieties. "Okay. Let's do it."

Before the music began, Chiyo and Sora decided too pop off into the robot, giggling at each others childish antics to dispel the serious tension.

The music began to play but before they moved, Sora shifted to her ear. "Don't be afraid to look at me Chiyo." With that her hesitated gaze was locked on him. "When we look into each others eyes, you'll understand that it's only the two of us that matter." With that they both closed the gap between them.

He took her in his arms for the first time, his hands started at her shoulders, caressed slowly down her smooth arms then reached around toward her tiny waist. She could feel his hot breath heave deeply along her neck, as they were so close to each other now she could almost feel their hearts beat at once.

Sora's eyes were trained carefully on her, with Chiyo's attention securely placed on Sora. As the music started to get passionate, their hands wove idly between one another, swaying slowly yet gracefully to the music. Sora seemed to be the only person who wasn't afraid of her gaze, he'd almost invite her in, all the time smiling warmly. He was so gentle with her, swaying her in sync with her own motion, was this what they meant when '2 become 1?'

As the song finished, so did their dance, both his and her bodies were shuddering, hot tendrils of sweat rolled off their brows each fixed on one another. He took in her scent, it reminded him of when he first stepped into her garden, wild flowers with a hint of citrus. Sora's smile had dissolved into an inviting pout, their noses were now touching, the only thing against them was a millimetre of space. His lips called to her, would she close the gap?

'Was this still part of the dance?.. I don't want to move away.. He's not moving either…'

The shocked silence from the class erupted into wolfish whistles and catcalls.

"Eureka! They can be taught!" The Teach cheered clapping.

It took sometime but Chiyo was the first to pry him off her, he lowered his hands away from her hips both finally out of the trance. When she came too, she suddenly realized about these new confusing and scary feelings, why was her heart beating so fast, why was her face so hot? What was it about that boy?

Sora's own feelings were still ambiguous, the pre-teen was like that, he had no social skills when it came to talking to women as desirable objects but when it came to seeing them as respectable members of society with very little do with attraction, he had no problem. Now, with these newly discovered feelings that could only be linked to adulthood, his chest had begun to gurgle, his heart had been doing summersaults and his cheeks were almost as red as his jumpsuit. What was going on? Why was this going on? And why did he only feel it with her?

"You kids really know the spirit of dance, it's a form of expression that no one can take from you. Learn it well." The woman concluded looking both satisfied and happy for reasons only known to her. 'Congratulations Sora, you've discovered puberty.'

"Oh, forgot to tell ya. It's not really likely you'll be doing the Tango at this dance but it's just so you guys loosen up at the real thing."

The cries of the girls and boys chorused into one big score of--

BRIIIIINNNNNNG

"Saved by the bell. Well, what are you waiting for? scram!" The kids ran out of the room one after another save one girl; Chiyo.

She had remained in one spot, eyes brought up so that she could see her teacher. Tears welled up in her eyes, feeling the trail roll down her cheek to her chin. Why was she crying?

"Chiyo? What's wrong?" The woman was smarmy, cheeky and sometimes even brash but when it came to caring for her students she'd always be there to lend an ear.

There was silence, only the melodious breeze coming from the windows could be heard. There, as she stood in the light, her mouth parted so that she could say….

"Teacher…"

The pause was so painful, but the words needed to be expressed, with one final breath she hiccupped and said.

"I love him." She gushed with cheeks red and puffed

The woman sighed sympathetically, her eyes looked at Chiyo with warmness and greeting. "Are you really going to leave him, just like that?" The woman's voice was gentle yet stern.

"I know, I'll never be allowed into his life. I know, I'll never be able to be the one. So why did it have to be him?"

"You can't see it? The way he smiles at you" She replied softly.

"It's not my place. To have his eyes on me." She stuttered as the teacher came closer to her, bringing a compassionate arm to her shoulder.

"Maybe this will be you're only chance, who says you can't take charge of your own destiny instead of leaving it to someone else.. Just try waiting for the right guy, I dare you, then you'll realize how sad and lonely this life really is, never knowing you're true love because of some act of self-less ness...

Have you ever acted on a selfish desire?"

"I stole the last doughnut from the fridge once." She said innocently, rubbing her eyes dry.

"Spend the day with him, and if you really think you can't spend a day with him without laughing at his dreadful jokes, or telling him his hair's too big without melting at his pouts, finding every gesture an act of sexual seduction, being with him every minute of every day, finding heartache in goodbye.. Spend a day with him then tell me love is worth throwing away."

"Just a day?"

"Just a day."

'But what if those feelings grow? I can't bear to know this feeling any longer.'

Two guys and a girl were walking gingerly down the halls toward the exit of their school. This was it, end of term, and how bittersweet it was. Still, they were all eager to hit the island as soon as possible.

"Say, I wonder why people don't sign peoples T-shirts anymore, like when we used too back in primary school?" Sora moaned whilst loosening his choking tie.

"I think.. Maybe we just grew out of it. I've still got mine though." replied Kairi hugging her presents she got from random friends and admirers who wished her well for the future.

"I still have mine. It was weird but I…I remember drawing a big "SO" on some persons shirt, I think they were crying because they didn't get any signatures. I wasn't able to finish my name so instead I wrote "RA" on the back of my own. Now, If we were ever to meet again I would know it was that person."

"Brilliant. But how likely is it that the kid you did see is ever going to wear that shirt again? Let alone parade it round? Face it, that memory should be dead and buried." Riku remarked with a dry smile.

"Doesn't matter! I know we'll meet again." Sora barked childishly.

Before the boys could start another tumble, they heard they're names being called from afar.

"Riku, Kairi, Sora!" chimed a high pitched voice.

The image behind them started to grow until the face was recognizable, as she panted toward them Chiyo arched her back to catch her breath before speaking.

"Would you guys…Would you like to hang out?" She said in a hopeful tune.

"Sorry, cant, I'm doing some stuff for my dad at home. Kairi ?" He looked toward the redhead.

"Sorry Chiyo, I promised Selphie I'd go round hers, we're going to have a girly night in then get ready for the dance." She said cheerfully. The red head then looked toward Sora.

She then gulped hard. Taking this opportunity to brace herself for disappointment. 'That just leaves…Sora..?'

"Sora?" She cooed.

All eyes were on him now. He seemed to study each individuals glance before turning his attention toward the chestnut haired girl.

"..Where do you wanna head first?" He beamed, hand out wide for her to grab.

Chiyo let loose a chuckle of excitement before clasping hold his hand gently. "Hehe C-cool! Great. Uh. Actually I don't know any good places." She sighed almost faltering her grip for Kairi's sake.

The boy's mischievous grin grew wider, he tugged her hand and before they knew it they were off.

"Chiyo, Chiyo. Boy have you been missing out big time. I'll educate you on how we do Island fun. Lets get goin."

Hand in hand they sped for the Destiny Island festival, he had almost forgot it was on today, what a treat. It was just like being back on the island when he took her hand like this, running with adrenaline in there blood with pure unsalted excitement.

"Are you alright with this Kairi?" Breathed Riku sharply.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" She said confidently, innocently looking into the distance.

The Festival.

"HOLAY CRUD!" Gawped the island dweller with eyes wide with surprise. "This is the festival?" Chiyo bellowed, running a hand through her hair. What marvellous music, the fanfare, the lights, the parades, the colours, the sound, the smells.

"Yup, every year." I glanced at her, edging closer. I had noticed those exotic eye's spin with so many shades of orange; when I had looked into her eyes, it was as if I was staring into the horizon.

"And you've never been here?" I asked questioningly, pulling out of my wistful daze.

"Not once. I'm kinda like a hermit when it comes to these things." She said shyly, her little nervous twitch would start about now, the one where she'd rub her elbow or fidget on her feet. It was the first thing I had been keen on when I first met her.

"What are we waiting for?" I replied cheekily. Chiyo then lolled her head up, with her nervous frown dissolving into a beaming smile.

"hehe, this is so exciting, let's go!" This time she took my hand, her smile was engaging, warm, and her laugh was contagious.

Suddenly we where off, it wasn't hard to keep at her pace, with Kairi I'd usually be dragging her effortlessly, with Riku I'd be straining just to keep up, but with Chiyo we'd sort of glide. I took another chance to stare at her again, I had been doing that a lot lately, I'm not sure why, my heart was doing that churning cartwheel thing again. I hope it wasn't flu?

I halted our movement when I saw the first stall "Chiyo, here." I said, handing her a stick. "This is called bobbing for turtles." As expected she looked at me with bewilderment. I simply chuckled and demonstrated what was to be done. "Like this; Get the stick, and try to hook the plastic turtle with the hooky part at the end."

She nodded at me "Hookie, sticky, pully, grabby, got it." She chimed, repeating the steps in order to claim a free turtle.

It was funny seeing so much concentration on her face. "Alright, you're in the zone!" She stuck out her tongue with one eye blinked, then she started squatting. It was weird but laughable.

"The first times free but you have too-"

"I GOT IT!"

"Woah! What!?" My mouth formed a big 'o', maybe for 'Oh my gawd no way!?' "A turtle, you got a turtle!? I didn't even know they gave away real ones, this is so cool I cant beleiv- Chiyo you rule." We laughed and both did a victory dance, Riku would probably be blasting a palm to his face right about now.

As she took her prize I noticed her smile on me, even more astounding where her cheeks that were beaming a bright shade of red, I guess it was hot out. "Shall we name him? Maybe a combo of our names? Since you helped."

"I did?" I replied.

She cupped the turtle happily in her hands, being so gentle with the water dweller.

"Yeah you're a great instructor. Thank you Sora! Chira? Soyo?"

"Haha, how about… Reggie?" I patted the new arrival hearing it croak made me hiccup a little with laughter. "You know, turtles are good fortune on the island. Maybe he'll give you good luck." I beamed.

"Maybe Reggie here can help you win a few prizes" She giggled with amusement. Taking that as a personal challenge I rubbed my nose and grinned. "Heh, let's put it too the test."

"Looks like we've got a partner in crime huh Sora? C'mon Reggie, to the next game."

The three of us launched ourselves toward the next games, each one getting harder and harder to accomplish. There was a wave of disappointment but I was determined to win something. I didn't want to look weak in front of her. I was so tense, maybe the thoughts of Riku's constant competitive streak had finally got to me.

"Sora, relax, you can do this." she said gently, calmly. She rested a hand on my shoulder, I stuttered slightly, the touch made me unwind, made me feel at home at ease.

I did as she commanded, the coconut was being stubborn but I had 3 more balls left. 2 more left…One more.. And..

"YES!" I bellowed, taking the puffed out stance I usually made when I had won something- then I leapt for joy, claiming my prize with both hands out.

"Winner!" Cried the announcer.

"Gimme, gimme!" I chanted.

We where well into the afternoon now, our School uniforms tugged onto our sweaty bodies like glue, all that didn't matter as the refreshing drinks and snacks at our side had allowed us the refreshment we needed. We were sat in the park, Chiyo had found us a place which had the most amazing scent, she called it Apple grass where the grass, well, smelled like apples. I had no idea we had a place like this on the island. To the tell the truth, I had no idea she existed on the island either.

Next thing we knew it was all jibber jabber- our voices drifted into the air as we talked about everything and nothing. I'd find myself leaning toward her; then just as close as I came, I retorted back.

Chiyo…Her skin was a healthy rich tan, she'd often be seen daydreaming or looking into the distance. The girl had a simple nature, she liked the outdoors but feared people and large crowds, her hobbies was freelance fighting that she developed herself so she could show her Dad, I'd always seem to compare her to Kairi as she was the first girl I made friends with. She was unlike Kairi in everyway. When Kairi would smile it would draw you in whilst Chiyo's smile seemed troubled, like she was constantly

"Looks like Reggie and Sora. Jr are enjoying the apple grass." I mused.

"Yeah, I bet its gourmet to they're tastes." She replied briskly. "I wouldn't recommend eating it though."

"Heey, I'm already stuffed."

We both laughed, her body eased toward me, I was nervous but showed no signs of retreat, apart of me just wanted her close. "Look!" Pointing upward, I found my eyes scaling her hand toward the source of her fascination. There were fireworks, they had just started but something was wrong, the girl beside me was shivering.

"Ehhh" She uttered out a hiss as quiet as a church mouse.

"C-chiyo, what's wrong?" I arched over her, noticing her knees were brought to her chest and her fingers plugged tightly into her ears, blocking off all noise.

"T-that noise. Will it hit us?" she stammered.

"Those are fireworks, they're alright." I said. However my voice wasn't reaching her. She looked so delicate at that moment, fragile, like she was made out of porcelain china. Each crackling roar of the firework's lead her to squirm further inside her shell.

"I..I'm scared. I cant..I I want to g-go home…"

It didn't strike me as odd that she was scared of fireworks, most people where, but too the point of tears? I had never seen someone so vulnerable, so helpless.

Then it dawned on me. Suddenly my body was reacting all by itself, with my lips curved I whispered gently..

"Chiyo?" I uttered in her ear. "I'll help you. Don't be scared."

"I…I trust you." She replied. Her eyes peeping over her shoulder.

It was so comforting to hear those words.

I nodded "If you're with me Chiyo, then I won't let anything happen to you…I'll drain out the noise."

"With my heart."

Like that her body loosened, she stared into my eyes for the longest time then, we just looked at each other and I could've sworn at that moment I felt some kind of connection.

I found myself reaching for her body, keeping eye contact, there wasn't a moments hesitation by either of us, as if we accepted. I cupped her head moving it gently toward my chest, my heart began to thump, With her weight along with mine, I allowed ourselves to drag backwards.

A cushion of flowers and grass grave me a soft landing. She seemed to be still, her body was shaking though. As we laid there both our breezing became steady.

"The rhythm is so calming."

I chuckled heartedly.

"So-sora?"

"Yes?" I hummed.

"It's alright now." I saw her body rise but only a little, her peaceful gaze on me. She then gently stroked my face, picking the stray bangs away from my eyes and almost instantly my cheeks were beginning to heat up..

"Sora, would you…Do you want to…Want to rest on me?"

I took a moment to contemplate before nodding nervously.

I swallowed, something about this felt so- why was I getting all shy?

Suddenly we were in reverse positions, my ear was pressed in between her chest, her supple breasts where soft enough to fully loose myself on. Her heartbeat was running a mile a minute but it was actually soothing to hear. My eyes began to grow heavy, my hand laying still of her stomach. There we slept.

When we awoke, two hours later, we both were staring pensively into the night, the apple grass coming into contact with my senses. I was the first to rise, realizing her body was unmoving I mimicked the same gesture, I stroked her cheek, toward her lip then down toward her neck.

What was this feeling? I just couldn't describe it, once when we were doing the tango then now. It was scary but exciting, does she get this with me?

With her eyes fluttering open I stopped, her cheeks blushed redly as our eyes met.

"Oh!" Surprised she slowly reeled herself up "Sora, can we go to the sea?"

"Sure, what for?"

"Hehe. Well…" She giggled.

At The Beach.

'A surprise huh? I wonder what kind of surprise'

"I was thinking about these turtles, I don't think I'd feel right about keeping Reggie as a pet. It would be nice to have the little guy round but, I'm sure he needs to make his own way, find a family."

"what about your luck?"

"Let them make they're own luck. Let them be free to love."

What she told me made so much dense, why should we keep them stored away like toys when they could be out there living their tutrtle-like lives too the full.

"RIGHT! Yeah, lets do this!" I took Sora jr and placed him in the rushing waters from there he made his way out, Reggie following suit. We both shared a laugh of excitement then a sigh of melancholy.

"I hope they'll be okay?"

"Yeah." I said "And Don't worry, if they get into trouble, they know who too call."

Then there was an awkward silence, like the inability to talk was just given to us. I wonder what she was thinking at that moment? Well, It also gave me time to think too.

'Maybe this is the time to say it. I can't ignore my feelings any longer, I have to tell him even though I'm scared of rejection. '

"Sora…I…Sora, this'll be hard for me too say but…"

Please say you'll miss me, that you want me too stay. These past week with you has felt like a dream, like everything I've always wanted. How can I say this is more than a crush…I became attracted to you the more we spent time together . You're the only one who didn't care about the way I looked. Oh Sora, I'm so glad I met you and I'm happy.. I'm happy we could spend this much time together. You're so compassionate about all things, friendly and fun. Your competition with Riku.

"Oh no, the dance!"

"huh? Oh!" They both must've forgotten whilst they were at the festival, how stupid! Kairi, oh poor Kairi must be there dressed and waiting for him.

"I-It's today, I was meant to take Kairi, I'm sorry Chiyo I got to go, I hope you can understand." The boy ruffled his brown spikes in frustration, pacing around the sandy beach to find answers.

Chiyo nodded calmly, "No.. It's alright. Don't panic you can still make it, but you'll be 10 minutes late. Go to her."

"Chiyo."

"Have a good time, really." The teen smiled

"Okay but tomorrow we'll come back to this conversation." With that he jogged out into the horizon running as fast as his legs could carry him. Just when he was out of sight, the girl collapsed into tears.

"But Sora I wont be coming back, this is the last time you'll see me."

The very. last. time.

A/N

Ahhh finished! Totally worth it though. This chapter was meant to have the dance straight after but instead it would've been too long, now I have to split it into sections but that's fine with you for all who R&R, I do post alot of Chiyo pictures on my DA account and I'm also planning on turning this into a Flash. Watch this space, pease out & becareful of swine Flu! The Festival is written in Sora's perspective, we now understand Chiyo's feeling a little better but for Sora they still remain disclosed, now we find out just how far their connection goes, however the end result is tragic. Read on! The next Chapter will also reveal his feeling for Kairi and Riku's contained darkness.