Hmm…
Axel: She's still at a blank.
Riku: Obviously.
Time for school~!
Giggles erupted in Riku's ears as he walked down the hallway to his next class. It was his second week back at school and no one quite got over the fact that he and Sora had returned; he was getting annoyed.
"Hi Riku!" a group of girls chimed as he passed them, responding with a weak wave that received ear ringing squeals.
"Hey Riku!" he turned around and saw Tidus running up to him "How are ya man? Holding up okay?" he asked.
"You know you've asked me that every day since I started school again. How many times do I have to tell you there's no change?" the silverette said as he started walking again with the blonde following.
"Well ya never know. It's not like you were at another school all the time you were gone… Were you?" Tidus wondered.
"You could say I had a good teacher in all the time I've been gone, haven't really missed out on much." Riku shrugged.
In the time Riku spent with King Mickey and DiZ, aka Ansem the Wise, he got a bit of an education. They were sure to teach him about how to use his abilities, the workings of the worlds and universe, and of course the typical stuff he would learn as a normal student. Sora apparently got a good teaching between his battles with the Heartless and Nobodies from Donald and Goofy, and those lessons helped them to pass their assessment tests with flying colors.
They passed another group of giggling girls and Riku suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and snap at them which made his friend snicker, "Seems the lady's man doesn't want to be a lady's man."
"I can still kick your ass in one blow." Riku warned with a glare out the corner of his eye.
Tidus made a 'zip-the-lip' motion across his mouth and ran off to get to his own class as they got to Riku's. The silverette went inside and took his seat next to Sora who had his head down on his desk "Wake up Sora or the teacher will throw the eraser at you again." Riku said shaking the spiky head.
Sora looked up at his friend with desperate eyes, "Tell me again why I decided to go with AP classes?"
"You didn't, they gave them to you. You're lucky you have some with me or you'd be dead by now." Riku said.
Sora had done so well on his assessment test that they thought it would be a good idea for him skip a grade and have AP classes. So now he was in the same year as Riku instead of being one year behind; Kairi had complained that they would graduate without her the next year instead of Sora spending their last year with her when she found out.
"Why didn't I change my classes when I had the option? It's too late now." Sora cried burying his face in his arms again.
"Aw Sor, it can't be that bad."
"Yeah sure, less homework during the week and I don't mind that really. But there's more I have to learn than others! How do you put up with this?" Sora asked.
Riku shrugged in response receiving a pouty glare from his friend that he found adorable [I remember how Roxy would pull that face when I teased him about not letting have anymore ice cream.] Axel said fondly and Riku shook his head.
The teacher came into the classroom, picked up a ruler from her desk, and hit it against the wood top to get the student's attention, "Alright you little brats. Your assignment for today is to work on a creative writing story. High quality! You have all class period and tonight to work on it, due tomorrow in class. No earlier or later. Individual working! That means no talking or you'll spend detention in here for three hours. Get to it!"
The students hurriedly got their supplies out and started their work. Riku stared at the blank page in his notebook wondering what he could use as a subject for his paper but so far not getting any ideas whatsoever.
[Need help man?] Axel asked from inside his head and the silverette shrugged in response, [I know exactly what to write, let me use you for it.] Riku closed his eyes and allowed himself to retreat to the depths of his mind while Axel took over his being.
No one noticed that when his eyes opened, instead being their usual aquamarine-peridot color, they were the color of emeralds. He picked up the pen and started writing furiously on the paper, not once stopping to think of anything, emotions and thoughts pouring from the mind and onto the paper without halt.
Sora noticed his friend's furious movement and pouted, 'Well don't we have a sudden rush of inspiration.' He thought bitterly.
[Oh come on Sora, isn't it typical of him to be the Star Student?] Roxas asked.
That was true; Riku was always one of the top students in school and the ideal candidate for everything! They wanted him to be team captain for all the sports, student body president, a student tutor, everything they could think of! But Riku turned them down saying he had enough to deal with just at home, that was the truth though.
[Why don't you use a part of your journey as a subject?] Roxas suggested [All you have to do is detail it a little. I'll help you out with it.]
And that's what Sora did. As he wrote he listened to when Roxas told him to go deeper in his experiences, to use different adjectives to describe a place or an emotion. He wasn't writing as furiously as Riku was but he was getting a lot down; he didn't even notice when the bell rang for their lunch period.
"Sora, let's go get something to eat." Riku said tapping his head.
Sora looked up from his paper and saw the classroom empty. With a sheepish smile he packed up his stuff into his sling-over bag and followed Riku out of the classroom and out of the school building to the school fountain where Kairi was waiting for them with three bento boxes. The fountain was more like a coy pond with a small fence around it, a few coy fish swimming to and fro around the center statute that looked like a paopu tree on a small island with one fruit on it. Ever since they started high school together that had been their spot at breaks.
"Hey guys, how's your day so far?" Kairi greeted holding out their bento boxes to them.
Riku sat down and took the one wrapped in a blue handkerchief, "Sora didn't hear the bell ring at the end of class believe it or not."
Sora scowled as he sat and took the bento in the red handkerchief, "I was doing my work. I'm almost done with it too."
"I finished mine with fifteen minutes to spare. I just gotta proofread it." Riku said opening his bento and eating an octa- winnie.
"Of course." Sora sighed rolling his eyes "Oh! Tomorrow's Riku's turn to bring the lunches!" he said eating some rice.
"Why don't you ever make anything for us Sora? It can't be Riku and me all the time." Kairi asked.
"I suck at cooking and you guys know this." Sora responded taking another bite.
"Get Roxas to help you then. Maybe he had better cooking skills." Riku suggested then ate some teriyaki.
[I'm not getting dragged into this!] Roxas said quickly.
Sora took a bite of beef and rice as he shook his head, "No go. He won't do it."
Kairi lightly slapped the side of his head, "Don't talk with your mouth full!"
"Who are you? My mother?" Sora pouted.
[Kairi, I bet Roxas would cook if Axel asked him.] Naminé said making Kairi giggle.
"What are you laughing at?" Sora asked.
"Oh it's nothing! Nami's just being a little silly is all, I promise." Kairi said with a smile waving her hand dismissively.
The bell rang as the gang finished up their lunches; Riku decided to walk his friends to class since he didn't have one himself and was allowed to leave the campus and go straight to work. Sora's was the first on the way so they said bye to him then proceeded to Kairi's class "I know you know." Riku suddenly said.
Kairi looked at him confused, "What do you mean?" Riku looked at her and she saw his eyes were a deep emerald green, "Axel?"
Riku smirked, "I see you've kept me memorized. But I'm sorry to say I was addressing Naminé."
Kairi's eyes turned into a celestial blue and she smiled, "It's been a long time Axel."
"I see you're doing well."
"And you too, in a matter of speaking."
Riku shrugged, "Not my own body, but it'll do. But do me a favor; don't tell Roxas I'm here. I already know it'll break his heart and I don't want to see him suffer anymore."
Kairi put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him reassuringly, "I promise, and Kairi won't say anything either. I'll see to it."
The Nobodies retreated into the depths of their hosts mind and the teens noticed they were at Kairi's class "You know those should come with warning signals." Kairi said.
"Too true. Well I'll see you later Kai." Riku said as he started to walk away.
"Oh Riku, let me talk to Axel some time okay? Bye." Kairi said and went inside.
Riku shook his head as he walked back the way he came exiting the building then leaving the campus. Instead of heading for home he went to the town square so he could do his work for the day. He was pretty happy with his job in the market, the customers were plenty nice about everything and he found time to do his homework. Every now and then he would see his friends or their parents to his delight, and occasionally to his displeasure his father.
Getting to the market he was immediately greeted by Selphie's mother who was just finishing with a customer "Hello Riku." She greeted with a smile.
"Hi Ms. Tilmitt. What will you have me do today?" he responded with his own smile that made the woman giggle and blush lightly.
"Well, once you've changed can you take inventory on everything in the back? Then you can do whatever homework you have until I can think of anything else. Today should be pretty easy for you." She said.
The silverette nodded and went towards the bathroom to change from his school uniform to a pair of black jeans, a sleeveless yellow turtleneck that unzipped to a point in the front, and of course his arm warmer. After putting his white sneakers that he wore for school back on he went back out to the counter to put his messenger bag behind it, donned the yellow work apron (must have been Selphie's influence), and took the clipboard he needed for taking inventory.
A few hours later and he found himself behind the counter while Selphie's mom was running errands, with his work for his English class in front of him "Wow, I didn't know Axel was so deep for having no heart." He said to himself.
[Hey! Just 'cause I can't feel doesn't mean I don't remember what emotions are like!]
"Whatever."
"Who are you talking to Riku?" he looked up to see Kairi standing on the other side of the counter.
He tapped a finger to his head answering, "Give you one guess."
Kairi giggled shaking her head, "He can't be that much of a bother to you can he?"
"You have no idea." Riku smirked.
[Hello, I'm in here!]
Kairi giggled a little more, then her face fell "Riku, I want to talk to you about something." She said quietly.
"Hm? What's up Kai? You look like you've hurt someone." He said putting a hand on her shoulder.
"I feel like I'm about to hurt someone." She sighed.
His eyes narrowed in confusion, "What are you talking about?"
Kairi looked out the windows of the shop to make sure no one was coming anytime soon then looked back at her friend with nervousness coloring her face, "You see Sora walked me home today, and he was walking next to me a little too close. His hand kept brushing against mine, and on purpose I think. I can't help but get the feeling he might ask me out soon."
Riku felt his heart crack again "Well what's the problem with that? You like him don't you?" he forced himself to say.
"Well yeah, but that's the thing. I don't like him like that. And even if I did, things would be awkward between the three of us and I know you-!"
"No."
She blinked at his interruption, "Wh-what?"
"I don't Kairi, not like that. There's someone else." He explained.
Kairi quickly forgot her worries and started giggling, "Ooh! Tell me who she is! Please!"
Cue Anime sweat drop "Um could you calm down please?" he asked.
"Oh. Right, sorry. So tell me please? Do I know her? Is it Selphie?" she asked.
"Gods no! No offense towards her or anything, but I'm not all that desperate." He said with a slight shudder.
"Then who is it? I'm anxious to know." His friend pouted.
Riku nervously rubbed the back of his head and avoided eye contact, "I dunno how to tell you this. You might think something's wrong with me."
"Eh? Why? What are you hiding?" she asked trying to get into his line of vision but was expertly avoided "Tell me Riku!" she said with a scowl.
"Well, ya see… It's not a girl." He mumbled.
Kairi blinked again, "Huh? I couldn't hear you."
"It's not a girl." He repeated just a little louder, enough for only her to hear.
"Not a… Oh! Well, that's unexpected." She said as if they were talking about the weather.
"Huh? What do you mean? Isn't this the part where you freak out and run away?" he said as if he were accusing her.
"It's unexpected because you're every girl's dream Riku! And no, I won't freak out because I wouldn't really be your friend now would I? What do you take me for? I'm insulted." She said crossing her arms and turning her back to him with a playful 'humph'.
Riku blinked a few times and chuckled a little, "Then I guess I should say thanks for being supportive, right?"
She turned back to him with a smile, "That's better. So who is it?"
He rolled his eyes at her persistency, "If you must know, it's… It's Sora okay."
"Sora? Aw, now I'm going to feel worse if he asks me out!" she whimpered putting her head to the counter and she noticed Riku's homework in her face "Hey what's all this?" she asked picking up her head and the paper reading it over, "This is beautiful."
"Axel wrote it believe it or not." Riku said indifferently.
[I never would have guessed!] Naminé said genuinely impressed.
[Hey! That hurts!] Axel manifested next to Riku, "I heard you Naminé! And I am NOT pleased!"
Naminé appeared next to Kairi giggling, "I'm sorry Axel, but a lot of people would agree with me!"
"Hello Naminé." Riku greeted with a fond smile.
"Nice to see you again too Riku." The blonde responded.
Kairi giggled, "Axel you're perfect to be Riku's Nobody if he had one. You're so much like him!"
"Kai, when do I overreact to something someone says like that?" Riku asked pointing a thumb towards Axel.
"Anyway. Kairi, your reaction to Riku's confession?" Naminé asked.
"Nami, why do I get the feeling you knew about this for a while?" Kairi asked.
"Riku told me. During the time Sora was asleep I would see him by the pod all the time if he wasn't doing anything for DiZ. I finally asked him one day why he was so dedicated, and he told me it was his fault Sora had suffered. He said even if Sora returned his feelings, Riku wouldn't deserve his love. I figured it out from there really." The blonde explained.
Kairi looked at Riku with a caring smile on her lips, "And that's how you two are alike, the one you love is so near and yet so far away."
"Um… Is that supposed to make us feel better about all this? 'Cause I still feel lousy." Axel said.
"Ditto." Riku agreed.
"So anyway. Riku, if Sora does ask me out what should I do? I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I don't want to hurt yours either." Kairi said.
Riku shook his head, "Don't worry about me Kairi, seeing Sora happy is enough for me to get by."
"Even if it means he can't be with you the way you wish?" she asked sadly.
"Right. Just do what you can to make him happy. Please." He said pleadingly.
Kairi nodded, "I will. I promise. It won't be easy for me, but I promise."
Riku walked around the counter and hugged her, "Thanks Kairi, for being a good friend."
X_X_X_X_X
Sora finally put his pencil down for the last time that night as he finished the last of his homework "Thanks for all your help Roxas." He said with a content sigh.
[No worries. It actually feels good to be a regular person.] His Nobody said.
Sora laughed a little, "Isn't that irony?"
[Watch it. I got lessons from Zexion and Saïx whenever I wasn't on missions so I know what it's like to be a student.]
"Yeah, I get it. So Roxas, do you think it's okay for me to ask Kairi out? We have been spending time together like crazy, all three of us. And with Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie too." Sora said lying on his bed.
[Hmm… Well I guess things are back to normal for you. Yeah, go for it and see what she says.] Roxas responded.
Sora yawned, "I'll wait until tomorrow." He turned out his light and fell into the recesses of sleep.
X_X_X_X_X
The next day at school though showed that Sora hadn't gotten as much sleep as he would have like to have seeing as by the time of his English class he once again had his head on his desk grumbling about how tired he was and how he regretted taking AP courses.
"Hey Sora. Are you pouting again?" Riku asked with a chuckle as he took his place next to his friend.
"I'm just glad my last class isn't an AP or I'd have killed myself our first week back!" the brunette whined.
"Shut up! It's time for class!" the teacher snapped upon coming into the classroom "Take out your homework, you'll be presenting in front of the class."
Groans filled the room along with the movement and unzipping of bags, and the shuffling of papers "I didn't know she was gonna make us read 'em!" Sora whined.
"Yeah, well she's a bitch." Riku whispered back.
"Riku, you're up first." The teacher said.
"I think she heard you." Sora commented.
"No, that group of girls over in the front by the door asked her to call on me." Riku pointed to said group and they saw them giggling after quickly averting their attention from the silverette "They never leave me alone." He said picking up his paper.
"I thought you'd like the attention?" Sora snickered then pouted with a whimper when he was lightly hit in the back of the head as Riku went to the front of the room.
What no one noticed was that Riku's eyes changed to emerald green, "No one knows how much it hurt to lose the little light I had in the darkness. Small as it may have been they were like sunshine on the beach on a summer day, especially with that hair, golden and so unbelievably soft to the touch, wild yet tame. And if anyone wanted eyes to get lost in I know just the pair, one could drown in them if they wanted! So deep and blue like the ocean.
"I wondered, every time I looked at them, what have I done to earn such a wonderful person? Everything I've done, that I can remember, was not for the greater good. In fact it was for the complete opposite! So why? Why were they in my life? I didn't deserve them! But I'm grateful to have had them, to have had some kind of hope my life could change for the better. I guess it did in the end, even though they had left and I couldn't say good-bye properly. Maybe that was best though.
"I made mistakes with that one blessing in my life and they turned their back on me. I never told them what was really in my heart… But then again, my heart was practically non-existent. Still though, I regret not telling them, not treating them better, I regret taking them for granted. If I could have one more moment with them, at least, I would express everything good and bad. All the pain, joy, love… Everything. But it's all just a dream. How fate can be so cruel to a person.
" First they leave me, then when I think I have the chance I hope for… I leave them, and I can feel the tears falling from our eyes. I hear their voice begging me not to go, oh how I wish I could stay. But I know I can't and it hurts. I wish I could have had one more moment with the light that penetrated the darkness of my empty heart. Now I suffer alone, and in silence."
The whole class was silent with tears running down their cheeks, even the teacher was crying! But everyone was too lost in the depth of the story they'd just heard to be shocked "Riku, where did you get the idea for that?" one student asked.
Riku shrugged, "Well I've seen and heard a few things while I was gone. It's just the memory of someone I had met who was lost to the world. They asked me to tell their story one day, so I have."
"I'm gonna step out for a moment. When I get back, we'll continue." The teacher said walking out of the room.
Sora wiped his eyes and his face then noticed Roxas had appeared next to him "Roxas what is it?" he asked only for the Nobody to hear.
Roxas was staring at Riku with tears falling from his eyes, "Axel… Those were Axel's words…"
Heh, I hope that was good. ^-^;