Disclaimers: I don't own anything but the game merchandise and this story. OTL The challenge, however, belongs to HawkRider.

A/N: I like some of this chapter and then I don't. D: Honestly, this was not the scenario I was envisioning for this chapter so it could lead into the next, but I guess I can't do anything about it now. The first scenario I had involved a lot of people. OTL Guess I will just have to save that for the future. :P Kairi, you little troublemaker. xD It's hard to say if she'll get better or worse with time (and I mean that in an affectionate way). :'D Also, Larxene appears and she has a mouth, but that shouldn't be nothing new. LOL

Anyways, thanks for reading and reviewing, guys! Please enjoy and R&R!

PS: Those picture icon things are a little weird aren't they? My artistic skill in design is severely lacking. OTL


.: o12 | Challenge | o12 :.
~ Innocent Swan ~


Naminé practically begged me as she stood over my desk. "Kairi, please don't follow through with this. You're better than that!"

Sighing for the umpteenth time, I stopped packing my school bag and looked up at my younger cousin while seated in my chair. Class ended a few minutes ago, but it was during last period that I happened to let Naminé in on the secret of Terra's affections and what I was going to do about them. Needless to say, Naminé frowned upon my 'adjusting' of the revelation and continued her attempts to talk me out of my plans, but I was stubbornly set in my decision. I was glad that Naminé was the only one I had to deal with; Sora and Riku have yet to hear anything, but that was because I didn't want them to know. I wasn't sure about Sora, but I knew Riku would turn this into an 'I told you so' moment. Ugh, that smugness of his…

"Maybe you can find someone better than Terra," Naminé repeated while biting her thumbnail.

Shaking my head, I stood by my decision as I grabbed my bag and began to leave. "I'm sorry, Naminé, but I just can't. It has to be Terra; I can't see myself with any other guy."

It was sort of funny (though confusing) how Naminé was suddenly panicking. "But what about—"

"Oh crap, I'm late!" I quickly cut in when the alarm on my phone beeped. It was that day of the week where Terra and I would hang out at the Rhythm Mixer for ice cream. After we (partially) made up, Terra saw nothing wrong with continuing our little routine even though I did. How am I supposed to act now that I'm aware he's treating our ice cream dates as 'the-closest-thing-I-can-get-to-Aqua' dates? Talk about a kick in the stomach! Turning on my heel, I rushed. "I'll call you later, Naminé! Remember: keep this a secret from Sora and Riku."

"But—"

"Secret, Naminé!"

I heard her sigh with a mumble as I reached the door. "Fine…"

"Thank you!" I grinned and finally headed out. Now, I usually don't ignore Naminé when it concerns something big, like this situation unfolding before my love life, but the only person I ever had eyes for was Terra. He was my first love and the only experience I ever wanted in that department.

¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨·..·¨

"You know, if you were any slower, I would've gone and bought ice cream by myself anyways."

"And look like a loner doing it? Hmm, a serious-looking guy going out of his way to buy the sweetest ice cream on the menu… Yup, that's definitely attractive."

"…Touché, Kairi." Terra lifted an impressed eyebrow while I grinned at him in victory. He narrowed his eyes in good nature and applauded me as we strolled towards the Rhythm Mixer. "Touché."

I laughed while locking my hands behind my back. "Thank you; I try." That got Terra to laugh as well and I felt accomplished.

There was no denying that some part of our relationship was different. After breathing out his confession to someone – me, the lucky victim – Terra was a lot more accepting of any jokes that had to do with his dating status or how he could possibly act in front of any potential girlfriends. It was like…after telling me that he was in love with Aqua, Terra became that more determined to get my sister to feel the same way. He didn't need to appear appealing to any other girl as long as it was Aqua who noticed him. Well…sorry to burst your bubble, Terra, but I'm actually trying to remedy that. This was going to be quite a challenge.

Just as we closed in on the entrance, I saw – through the window – a sight for sore eyes from the angle of where I stood. Aqua was inside the Rhythm Mixer at a small booth with Larxene. From how there were books spread out across the table, my sister and the blonde were studying…or at least trying too; Larxene didn't look convincing enough since she was filing her nails.

…Terra and I were about to enter a place with Aqua in the vicinity. This was bad considering I sensed a fight in the very near future or Terra might use this chance to try warming up to my older sister!

…Or maybe I could use this situation to my advantage…

Without warning, I quickly latched on to one of Terra's arms, catching the brunet by surprise and he looked down at me before he could even open the door. "Uh…what are you doing?"

"Nothing wrong I hope." I smiled innocently, pretending that I was playing around. Though on the inside, my mind was going just a little bit insane when I confirmed just how well defined Terra's arms were. Feigning a pout, I looked down discouraged. "It's not okay?"

Suddenly he was beating me at my own game. Terra had leaned down and unflinchingly placed a chaste kiss on the crown of my head and smirked smugly with a small bow when I glimpsed at him with an extremely red face. I know he was teasing me, but his voice was that of a charming host! "Not at all, princess. I would be happy to escort you if you'll have me as your prince."

…I wanted all of you, Terra.

Trying to refocus, I weakly retorted. "J…Jerk…" As expected, he only laughed at my expense, but not once did he try to remove me from his side. I had to be thankful with how easy-going Terra was around me; otherwise it would've been difficult to attain physical contact, but then again… As I snuggled up to Terra's arm like a happy little kitten, I overlooked the fact that I was probably abusing my right as Terra's (favorite) childhood friend for my own benefit.

We entered the café while Terra analyzed and mauled over his choices of what kind of ice cream he wanted to taste today, but I was nonchalantly spying if we gathered the attention of 'specific other people'. Everything was going according to plan when Larxene caught us together first and I could work with that… Glancing up at a rambling Terra like I was listening, I nodded with a smile and added a giggle to make my performance look convincing; as if I didn't even realize my sister or her friend were here.

3…2…1…

"Well isn't that cute?" Hiding my smirk, Terra and I looked over and found Larxene eyeing us with a disgusted frown. She tapped her nail file on the table while resting her chin on top the back of her manicured hand. "Terra, I had no idea you were into younger girls, unless this is a new fetish of yours I was previously unaware of."

Terra frowned at the accusation and automatically replied. "Say what you want, Larxene. Seeing as how you and Saïx haven't been talking for a while, I'm free to think you're spouting nonsense again."

Larxene wasn't the least bit deterred, though she stopped tapping her nail file. "So you'll only talk to me if I was with Saïx? God, you have a shallow mind! Not as small as that idiot's, but closed-off all the same. And you're obviously pampering Aqua's brat sister; how is that not acting like her 'sugar daddy'?"

"Hey! I happen to like Kairi!" I held Terra back when he took a daring step forward to argue. He narrowed his cobalt eyes. "If I want to hang out with her, I will—"

"Kairi?" Suddenly, Aqua – who was hidden behind the booth she and Larxene sat at, effectively obscuring Terra's initial view of her – poked her head out from around her seat and drank up the sight between me and Terra.

It was like a pin drop could be heard; Terra instantly frozen in his spot when he realized what he said and how he appeared while Aqua… Knowing my sister, I'd say she would be 'mothering' me soon enough from the way I was clinging to Terra like he was my – ahem – boyfriend, and thanks to Larxene's biting comments, I believe it made the situation that more awkward.

Phase One of my plans complete.

"Aqua!" I gasped in 'shock'. Subtly fidgeting in my spot while tightening my hold on Terra's arm, I bit my bottom lip and looked around. "I didn't know you'd be here…"

"I forgot to tell you I wouldn't at the college this afternoon," Aqua replied, her mouth set into a thin line while her eyebrows knit together. "Larxene wanted a change in scenery so… What are you two doing exactly?"

Luckily for me, Terra was still drawing a blank as I answered for the both of us. "We were going to get ice cream like usual… Oh! Um, if you haven't ordered anything, I'm sure Terra wouldn't mind buying you some ice cream too?"

The scowl on Aqua's face only grew bigger. "Sorry, but I think I'm capable of getting that myself."

And just like that, Terra's selective hearing kicked in and his response was an automatic reflex to Aqua's jibing. "What? My munny's not good enough for you? Or do you think I'd be short on cash?"

"No one was saying that." Aqua narrowed her eyes as she dropped her pen on the table. Huffing, she calmly explained even though it looked like she wanted to say something far worse. "I'm a mature adult, Terra. I don't need you to hold my hand if I wanted something as simple as ice cream."

"Tch, who said I even wanted to hold your hand?" he mumbled under his breath. Suddenly, Terra immediately shifted with ease and grabbed my hand with his bigger one. Needless to say, even I wasn't expecting him to be so bold that I instinctively blushed while Aqua eyes widened momentarily before fury settled in. Terra ignored her sneer readily and began walking away with his nose held high. "Your hand is probably as cold as ice anyways."

No more words went around, though I was sure Aqua was heavily offended with what Terra said. It honestly hurt me just as much because Terra was ragging on my older sister, but…Aqua would just have to deal with Terra's attitude problem for a while longer until his feelings for her ran their course. Terra and I eventually sat at a table far away from Aqua and Larxene; most likely so we couldn't hear each others' conversation even if their booth was already out of our line of sight.

I was still a little overwhelmed by Terra's impulsiveness that I couldn't talk, but he eventually broke my stupor when he dropped his head on the table and hissed while clawing at his brain. "Frick, I'm so stupid!"

Blinking, I tried to console him. "Terra, it's okay—"

"How is it okay? I can't say anything to Aqua without sounding like an ass!" Terra panicked, causing me to jump. Wow, and I thought my definition of 'freaking out' was bad. Calming down some, Terra sighed and looked at me apologetically. "Sorry, Kairi. I didn't mean to take my frustrations out on you. It's harder than it looks to break my bad habits towards your sister."

"It's okay. I understand where you're coming from." I smiled comfortingly. If it was going to be this hard for Terra to act remotely normal around Aqua, then I think my 'Keep Away' plan might work a lot faster.

He nodded. "Thanks…though why did you say that? About the ice cream?"

"I, uh, was trying to help you." I lied, struggling to remain calm. "You know…break the ice?"

Terra remained silent for a moment, but thankfully, he accepted my answer. "I see. Well, thanks for the help."

My heart hurt a little; especially when Terra smiled tiredly for me. "Yeah…no problem.