[Chapter 2! So it's not anything great and action-packed, but necessary. Riku's starting to get very suspicious of little Sora. I hope you read and enjoy!]

Sora beamed as the full blast of the glorious day hit him. He forgot for the time being, his injuries and his worries. The day had never looked more beautiful to him than it did right then.

He treaded through the sand, following behind Kairi, feeling the warm sand beneath his toes. They walked to the shade of a large cluster of Paopu Trees, where Kairi put her beach bag down. Sora started to take off his shirt when he remembered the incidents from the night before.

Hastily, he smoothed down his t-shirt again, looking around to see if they had noticed. Kairi was already skipping into the aqua waves; Riku, however stared at him questioningly.

Sora's cheeks flushed as he tried to ignore his best friend's stares.

"Aren't you swimming?" he inquired. He knew something was wrong with Sora. In the split second that the boy had decided not to take off his shirt, Riku saw an unfamiliar look in his eyes. He looked…sad…worried? He wasn't sure.

Sora stuttered slightly. "Umm, I'm kind of tired actually. I didn't really get any sleep last night."

Riku opened his mouth to question him further, but decided against it. Sora sighed gratefully.

Riku pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a pale, ripped chest. His muscular arms flexed and Sora had to keep himself from staring.

"Sora! Riku! Come on!" Kairi called from mid-waist in the ocean.

"Let's not keep her waiting," Riku said, flashing a small smile.

He followed his tall friend out into the sun. He felt the cool breeze ruffle his shirt and hair and he sighed in content. It was so much easier to just pass the days with Riku and Kairi out on the beach. But he always had to go home at the end of the night.

Riku followed Kairi out into the ocean while Sora sat at the edge of the golden sand where the illuminating waves crashed against the shore.

"Sora, aren't you going to come in?"

He shook his head, his blue eyes dazzling. Kairi's face fell a little. Riku muttered a few words to her, and her face lit up.

Sora eyed them suspiciously. They were planning something. He leaned back on his forearms, careful not to lie on his back. His body was still sore, but he refused to let any sign of what had happened to him.

He watched happily as Riku splashed Kairi with water. Kairi would dive in under the crests of the waves, disappearing for a moment, before bursting through the water, holding up different assortments of glimmering shells.

After only an hour, the two returned to shore. Kairi went to her bag under the shade, retrieving brown lunch bags.

Riku plopped down next to Sora, grinning as he shook his wet hair all over Sora. "Hey!"

"You have sand in your hair," Riku observed, ruffling the boy's hair. "How in the world did you get sand in your hair when you've been sitting here like this for the past hour?"

Sora blushed as Riku's hand brushed his hair.

Kairi dropped a sack lunch in Sora's lap. "Thanks Kairi," he said gratefully.

"Here's yours, Riku," she said, handing him his own paper bag.

Sora hadn't realized just how hungry he was. He opened the sack lunch, removing a ham and cheese sandwich and a juicy mango. He looked around and saw they all had the same meal, with the exception of Riku, who had an apple instead.

After lunch, Sora, Riku, and Kairi went to the dock where Sora watched them dive off. Kairi flipped off the dock, splashing him in the face. As she resurfaced, he said, "That was too cool-"

He felt hands push hard against his back, right where the shards of glass were still embedded. He gasped, pain clouding his eyes as he tipped forward, headfirst into the ocean. His cuts screamed as the salt water flooded over them.

He reached the surface, kicking and sputtering, tears at the corner of his eyes.

"Sora, are you alright?" Riku asked, grabbing his friend by the arm. The pressure on his wrists hurt. He lifted Sora back onto the dock, worriedly checking him over. "I was just messing with you," Riku said, apologizing. Kairi swam to the dock.

"Are you okay?"

Sora shook his head, his back throbbing. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Sora retorted, brushing the tears from his eyes. Riku seemed taken aback by the sudden bitterness in Sora's tone.

He stood, rubbing his shoulders, careful not to irritate the cuts or bruises, as he stalked away slowly.

Riku helped Kairi out of the water, watching Sora nervously as the boy sat down under the shade.

"What happened?"

"I don't know," Riku said heatedly, throwing his hands up. "I just pushed him in."

"Is he okay?" Kairi asked softly, watching her best friend as he rubbed his eyes.

"I don't know. Let me talk to him."

Sora's back was killing him, as was his ribs when his body smacked the waves. He sniffed again. He didn't mean to snap at Riku, but it had hurt so badly. After being so careful not to aggravate his cuts, Riku did the worse thing possible.

But he didn't know better. Sora sighed. His face reddened with shame as he realized what he had just done.

"Sora? Are you okay?" a timid voice asked.

Sora nodded. "I umm…I guess I hurt my back when I fell yesterday," he lied quietly. He turned to face Riku and lowered his head in shame. Riku kneeled next to him, his aquamarine eyes worried.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you, Riku," Sora said, staring at the sand. "You didn't know."

Riku flashed a small smile. "No harm, no foul, Sora."

Sora looked up, slightly more cheerful.

"Let me see your back. Maybe I can help?"

"No!" Sora clapped a hand to his mouth. He wanted to hit himself in the head over and over with that mango he had for lunch.

"D-don't worry about it, okay?"

Riku narrowed his eyes. He saw a flash of pain and fear cloud Sora's face when he asked him the question.

"Okay," he drawled, making Sora fidget under his gaze.

"I umm, I think I should go home," Sora said quietly, refusing to meet Riku's eyes.

"You sure you don't want any help?" Riku asked, pulling Sora to his feet.

"No, I'm fine, I promise," Sora lied, faking a smile. He headed home, once again feeling Riku's gaze across his back. His skin prickled and he picked up his pace.

Kairi trotted up to Riku. "Is he okay?" she asked, worried.

"He says he's fine. But I don't think so. Not at all."

[So, that's the end of Chapter 2! Riku's going to be in for a big surprise when he finds out what Sora is hiding! Please Read and review! Chapter 3 in the making. Enjoy!]