For some reason, I feel like not putting author notes in the beginning is wrong. So hi! XD

Something to Fight For

Chapter Two: Her

The way she looked at me…

Why can't I stop thinking about her?

"Riku…?"

I mean, she's no one special. At least, I don't think so…

Maybe I've seen her before?

"Riku?"

But I would remember that… wouldn't I?

Then… why did she look so familiar?

"RIKU!"

I jump, only to realize that Sora's glaring at me with an annoyed expression that quickly transforms into an embarrassed smile. "You're so out of it, Riku," he chuckles.

"I am?" My voice does sound dazed, even to me, and I laugh. "Okay, maybe."

We're at the Paopu tree. Sora's sitting on the thick branch while I'm leaning against it. It was Sora's idea to come here, since we didn't get to yesterday. He seemed worried.

He actually came up to me yesterday, after Kairi had left.

"You okay?" he'd murmured, scanning my face as if the answer would be written there.

Typical Sora: always asking if I was okay. All I did was make him worry.

"Yeah, Sora, why do you ask?"

He wasn't looking me in the eye. Rather, his eyes were drawn to the sand. "You seem a bit… down lately."

I looked away, towards the skyline. "I'll be okay," I answered. He looked up suddenly to read my expression, and I gave him what I hoped was a convincing smile. "I always do, don't I?"

He broke into his usual grin. "Yeah… But Riku, if there's ever anything I can do… just tell me."

"Definitely." I nodded, and he seemed at ease.

That's one of the best things about him: he doesn't pry. He might still be worried, but he knows when to stop asking questions.

Sora tilts his head towards me, his eyes bright like always. "Wanna share?"

"Share what?" I sound skeptical; I already know the answer.

Sora narrows his eyes. "What you were thinking just now."

I feel heat rush up to my cheeks before I can understand why. "Huh? Nothing." I answer quickly, averting my gaze. What's gotten into me?

"Yeah sure." He smiles. "Is it a girl?"

I almost fall forward in surprise. Since when was Sora so perceptive?

"What? Of course not!"

He hops of the branch, landing softly beside me and leaning back, putting his hands behind his head. He stares at the clear sky. "I can't explain it, but you look like… how I felt. In Port Royal."

"Where?" I ask blankly.

"Port Royal," he repeats. "It's a world we went to. We met this guy named Will, and helped him save Elizabeth. I don't want to go too much into it, but long story short, when we saved them they hugged, and… I started thinking about Kairi." He has a faraway look, smiling at the memory. "I can remember it almost perfectly. Goofy pointed at me and went," – he imitates his friend's way of speaking— "Hey Sora, how come your face is all red? And I was like, what? it is not red!"

I find myself on the brink of laughter as he covers his face with one hand, trying to act supposedly like he did on that day. "And then Donald joined in. Aw, I know what you're thinking about." He puts his hand on his hips, trying his best to mime the duck's voice. "They started laughing, and…" he looks at me suddenly. "You remind me of that time."

I shake my head slowly. "You had a lot of fun, didn't you?"

He notices the subject change, but again, he doesn't pry. "Yeah, we did. I got to be a pirate!" the way he says it, he sounds like an eight-year-old again, and I laugh.

"What?" he asks instantly. It's strange, how Sora can be so insightful and clueless at the same time.

"Nothing," I answer teasingly, and he crosses his arms.

"Sure."

I laugh, and he joins in.

"Do you miss it?" I ask suddenly.

He understands what I mean right away. "I do. But… it's nice to be home." He looks at me and sees the understanding in my eyes.

"Sora, I gotta go." I've suddenly realized the sun's about to set, and this was when that girl appeared at the zip line.

"What, where?" he seems to have noticed something in my eyes, because he suddenly nods, smiling a bit too understandingly. "Okay."

I don't realize I'm running until I reach the small wooden door that leads to the back of the island. I can't understand why I'm so into this girl. Why do I want to see her so badly?

I open the door gently, looking around. I can't help but feel disappointed.

And then I spot her, sitting under a tree on the opposite side of where I'm standing, but there's someone with her. It's a boy, I grasp, with a strange sense of anger. He looks about our age, with short, messy brown hair. I watch, almost too intently, while she makes some gestures, her mouth opening and closing. I know she's saying something but I can't hear her, and sadly, I can't lip read. My breath catches in my throat when she leans forward, throwing her arms around the boy and pulling him close. My fists clench as he wraps his arms around her. When they pull away, seemingly ages later, she holds onto his hand. I can't get myself to look away. I lean onto the wall behind the bark of a tree, watching. I feel slightly ashamed for spying, but for some reason, the reason being her justifies it.

It's only a few minutes later that he stands up, brushing himself off. She stands up too, and her movements give me the idea that she doesn't want him to leave. I don't know why, but I can feel sudden sadness enveloping me. What was I even thinking, coming here? I don't even know her!

He motions towards the main island, and she sighs. I can tell he's leaving, but apparently, since she seems let down, she isn't going with him. I'm suddenly elated. After he leaves, it's my chance to…

What is wrong with me? Why am I still chasing after her, even now that I know that she already has someone special?

I can't leave though. I have to try.

I suddenly register the fact that the boy is leaving, his boat having been tied to the island on this side. I watch excitedly as his boat drifts away, and instantly make my way towards her, before stopping in my tracks. Wait, if I go now, she'll think I was watching.

No, I should wait a few minutes…

I feel dark suddenly... the way I felt when… when I was in Ansem's body.

I shake off the feeling. No, darkness doesn't control me. Not anymore.

I look at her figure, standing at the edge of the beach, staring at the now small boat in the distance. And for the first time, I realize how she looks so incredibly alone.

Okay, I decide. She may have a boyfriend, but I can't just stand here and watch her as she stands there so helplessly! How dare he leave her? What could have been more important than the love of his life?

Slowly, I walk towards her.

She turns around suddenly, and my eyes widen. She's more beautiful up close. She has deep-set, hazel eyes that compliment her light brown hair. It curls around her face, going slightly past her shoulders. She has a small figure, but at the same time her presence is hard to ignore. Her cheeks are freckled lightly, some of them spattered across her nose, and her lips are full. She looks at me suddenly, shocked, and I can tell she recognizes me from before. She cocks her head slightly, her eyes curious, and for a second I forget why I'm here.

And then the words rise to my lips almost automatically, because I suddenly want to make her smile.

"Hi, I'm Riku."