Let's take a trip down Memory Lane.
Roxas & Axel: Stay outta our heads!
Oh! Lulu and Shane, it's true about Sora and Riku but I sadly have to say if Sora doesn't ask Kairi out eventually there won't be a story.
Riku: She has a point.
Sora: *pout* I don't wanna ask her out though…
Axel: C'mon Sor, it's just for the story.
Sora was lost in his own thoughts as he sat waiting for his teacher to get back so the class to continue, but she had been gone for ten minutes now! Other students we crowding around Riku asking him more about what he had written; Sora just laid his head on his arms and blocked them out as his eyes closed.
Dreamscape…
"Roxas, are you sure you have a heart?" Axel asked before taking a bite of his ice cream.
The blonde shrugged, "I dunno. It's not like I can just look inside… But, you and I are an item. That's gotta account for something right? In terms of a heart?"
Axel nodded slowly, "Maybe." He stood up and stretched "C'mon, let's RTC." He tossed the stick away and opened a portal.
Roxas stood up and tossed his stick away, following Axel through coming out on the other side in the Gray Area of The Castle That Never Was "What do think Xaldin's making for dinner tonight?" he asked.
"I think Saïx said something about curry. I dunno; something that involves spices." Axel answered in a board tone.
"Hey Axel! Hey Roxas!" Demyx said happily as he popped out of nowhere.
"You look happy." Axel noted.
"Why not be happy?"
"Because you take it from everyone else?" Roxas offered.
The dirty blonde pouted, "Aw you guys ruined all my fun now. I'm gonna go play my sitar." He sulked away.
Axel led Roxas to his room and they just sat on the bed holding hands waiting until it was time for dinner "Roxas, you ever get the feeling this may end soon?" the redhead asked.
"What do you mean?" Roxas responded.
"I dunno; I just feel that for some reason, it'll be over soon… That I'll never see you again for some reason." Axel said squeezing his lover's hand tightly.
Roxas raised his free hand to Axel's face to make the Pyro look at him, "Maybe it will, maybe it won't. But that doesn't mean we'll truly forget each other right? Heart or no heart, I love you, no matter what. You're thinking too much about the future Axel, stay in the present and put your mind at ease why don't you?"
Axel smiled at the boy and put their foreheads together, "Your right. I love you too Roxy, heart or not." He leaned a little closer, about to touch their lips together….
"Sora!" the brunette's head snapped up and his eyes landed on Riku "You fell asleep. C'mon, class is over and Kairi's waiting for us."
Sora rubbed his eyes; he didn't even realize he fell asleep! Once he had his stuff gathered up he followed his friend out to the fountain where Kairi was waiting for them "I had the weirdest dream. Again." He said as he sat down in the grass.
"What happened?" Kairi asked taking a bento box from Riku giving him a smile in thanks.
"I saw Axel and Roxas; I think they were at the clock tower in Twilight Town. They were talking about having hearts and stuff. Then they went back to their castle and Axel said something about something ending." He explained.
"Ending? What was ending? You're being vague Sor." Riku said giving his friend his bento.
"… I think he was talking about them. Apparently they had a thing going on. They said they loved each other." Sora explained opening the box.
Kairi started giggling, "Aw, that's so cute!"
"Well that's something unexpected." Riku said taking a bite of his lunch.
"You don't look so surprised." Sora commented stuffing some teriyaki in his mouth.
"Nothing really surprises me anymore." Riku shrugged and chewed on a pickled plum.
Sora pouted and Kairi giggled; then something clicked in the girl's head and she turned her attention to the brunette "Sora, you said you had a dream like that before. What happened the first time? Or times?" she inquired.
"It was only once actually." He took another bite of his food "I saw Axel looking down at me, holding me, and he called me Roxas… I guess I was seeing things through his eyes. He said something about making up for lost time since Roxas had been asleep."
Kairi tilted her head, "What did he mean by that?"
"Kairi put two and two together. Axel was looking down at him and holding him, what could that spell out?" Riku said eating his teriyaki.
The redhead ate some rice as she worked the puzzle then she blushed lightly, "I think I got it. Um… Sora do you know why you're seeing Roxas's memories?"
Sora swallowed his mouthful of food and blinked in confusion, "Roxas's memories? How do you know that's what my dreams are?"
"Well you're seeing stuff from his POV and Axel's in it. I think it's safe to assume they're his memories." Riku commented.
[They are, sorry Sora. I have no idea why you can see my memories.] Roxas said sheepishly.
Upon that information Sora blushed, "I can't believe I've been seeing his memories, and they were those moments with him and Axel! I feel wrong now."
"What are you talking about?" Riku asked.
"I feel like I've been intruding. That's what I mean."
"Well it's not like you can help it. They just flow in when you least expect it; in this case when you sleep. But hey, maybe seeing those memories is a sign to you." Kairi commented.
Sora looked at her with confusion, "Did Riku taint your food or something?"
"Hey!" Riku snapped flicking his head making the brunette pout.
"Anyway, why the hell would Roxas's memories be a sign?" he asked.
"Who knows?" Kairi responded.
[What are you doing? You're up to something and I want in!] Naminé said.
The bell rang and they had to go. Sora and Kairi went to their classes and Riku went straight to work since he promised to be in early; after saying good-bye they went their separate ways, Sora and Kairi going to their classes. Just before Kairi left him Sora caught her arm, "I'll call you later okay? I need to talk to you about something."
Kairi's heart jumped in a nervous way and thumped hard in her chest "Uh… Sure, I'll be expecting it. But um… how about after school we go see Riku at the shop, huh?" she said trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice as she spoke.
"Awesome idea! Maybe we'll get free Pocky this time. See you later!" he said happily, going into the classroom.
Kairi slowly walked down the hall to her class in a nervous daze, this was not how she hoped her plan would go. You see dear readers Kairi had decided when she found out about Riku's feelings for Sora that she would try to get them together! She like the idea of them getting together, she wasn't bothered by boys with other boys at all. She just didn't think it would be her two best friends. Though she thought it would be just as awkward if it were them just as it would be if it were her and Sora, but if it were them she would be very comfortable with them.
[Kairi, are you okay?] Naminé asked.
"I think… I think Sora's… going to… Nami, what will I say?" Kairi murmured.
Naminé was silent for a moment before she answered quietly, [I think you need to talk to Riku about this. But wait and see if he does ask first.]
X_X_X_X_X
Riku finished stalking the refrigerated area of the shop when he heard his name being called. He went up to the front to the counter "Yes Ms. Tilmitt?" he said.
"I'm going to run a few errands. Could you watch things here for me until I get back? You can go home after words if you like." She said.
"No problem. I got things under control here." Riku smiled.
"Thank you dear." And with that she left.
Riku sighed somewhat content and he went behind the counter watching the window for possible customers thinking about how short his work day ended up being. Things seemed a little quiet to him though and he decided to turn on the radio not too far from him on the counter; the DJ was talking about some upcoming event on the Islands called the Paopu Festival then a song started playing, a mellow song that reached into Riku's very being before the lyrics were even spoken. The song started with the piano followed by a male voice.
"Fukaku shizumari kaeru...
tsutsumikomareta sora to karada wo
kogasu taiyou, anata ga kieteiku
Nani wo motome samayou no?
Hitorikiri no boku wa..."
Riku closed his eyes as the lyrics filled his mind, and as his sight was taken by the temporary darkness provided by his pale eyelids, images filled his head. He saw Axel in the Dark City leaning against the building with his arms crossed, as if he were waiting for someone.
"Sameta hitomi no oku de nikushimi wo dakishimenagara
jibun o urande mo itami wa kie wa shinai
Eien ni ikiru kanashimi o dakishimete"
Roxas came up the street, his deep blue eyes narrowed and resembling a storm during a fatal hurricane. Axel watched him with an expression of indifference but his green eyes were filled with fear and desperation, watching the blonde as he walked by.
"Your mind's made up?"
"Why did the Keyblade choose me? I gotta know!"
"You can't turn on the Organization!"
"Kieta kimi wo omoitsuzukeru koto shika dekinakute
boku no kawaru koto no nai kimi e no omoi wa
fukaku fukaku ima mo,
sou...aishiteiru"
"You get on their bad side and they'll destroy you!"
"Tsuki-akari ni terasarete
kuchizusanda kimi no na mo kaze ni
sarawarete kieta"
"No one would miss me."
"Yoake ni hohoemu kimi ga oshiete kureta ano uta wo utaitsuzuke
hoshizora ni kaeru namida wo kazoeteta
nando mo nando mo tada kurikaeshiteita yoru
aa, fukaku fukaku ima mo"
"That's not true! I would."
"Sou...aishiteiru"
Roxas kept walking on. Axel watched him go sadly, making no further move to stop him. The redhead sounded so desperate to make Roxas stay; Riku couldn't help but feel pain in his own heart for the Nobody that became his friend.
"Riku?" he opened his eyes and saw Kairi and Sora staring at them; the song was now over and some commercial was playing.
"Riku you liar! You can so sing!" Sora exclaimed with a smug smile.
The silverette blinked. He was singing? Riku never sang! He didn't trust his voice! And for all he knew Sora could just be trying to not hurt his feelings. Then again, Sora never lied to him. Still… "I was singing?" he asked.
Kairi nodded with a bright smile on her face, "And well I might add."
[Nice set of pipes ya got there dude.] Axel agreed.
Riku ignored him, "So what's up you guys?"
"Oh! I wanted Pocky! Be right back okay." Sora said and he took off to another part of the store out of earshot of his friends.
"Finally, a breather. I've been trying to keep myself from shaking since school let out." Kairi sighed.
"Whys that?" Riku asked.
"Sora's making me nervous."
Before the girl could elaborate another girl came into the store wearing their school uniform. Riku recognized her from one of his classes; she was in his and Sora's grade. Her blonde hair was cut so that the back only came to above her shoulders, and on the sides of her head it fell to her waist, brown highlights streaking through. Black eyes were accented by eye shadow of the same blue as the uniform.
She put herself in front of Kairi and rested her elbows on the counter as she stared at Riku flirtatiously, clearly not noticing his annoyed expression or ignoring it completely "Hey Riku." She said in a voice that was dripping with so much flirtatiousness the silverette could have hurled.
"Hello Del. Is there anything you need?" He said trying to keep the board tone out of his voice, but it was even noticed by Kairi and Sora when he came back to the front.
"I just want to talk to you, is that so wrong?" she asked with a pout that made him want to roll his eyes.
If any girl annoyed Riku at all, it was Del. She wasn't the nicest of girls on the Islands and she gave other girls who said so much as a syllable to him so much shit that is was enough to make them transfer schools, and she made her so-called friends do the same thing! Though that only happened if she was nearby watching them. But her reign of terror had been running ever since they were in Elementary school and Riku was tired of it.
"I'm afraid I'm still on the clock, I can't socialize right now. Sorry." He shrugged.
Del scowled and looked back at Kairi, not even noticing Sora who hid himself behind her "But you can go ahead and talk to her all you want? Just because she's the Mayor's daughter?" she snapped.
"Kairi is my friend and she came here with Sora who is trying to buy something right now. So if you'll please move so I can help him with his purchase?" he said gesturing for Sora to come forward.
Sora slowly walked toward the counter with the Pocky boxes in front of him hoping they would act as a shield; his friends didn't blame him, Del gave him more shit than she gave any other girl! He set the Pocky down and tried not to look anywhere else but at his hands.
"You're buying more Pocky than you need Sor. Planning something at home?" Riku asked casually.
"One for me, you, Kairi, and my mom." The brunette said quietly.
"Great, now I owe you money." Sora smiled at the comment "1500 munny."
Sora paid the amount necessary and took the three boxes handed to him with his famous smile on his face. He handed one to Kairi and put the other two in his bag "Oh by the way, Momma wants to know if you'd like to come over tonight." He said.
"I might swing by." Riku responded.
"Oh! I forgot, Riku does the store have soy sauce? I need it if I'm going to make our lunches for tomorrow." Kairi said.
"Fourth aisle on the left hand side." Riku said and Kairi went to the location.
"Excuse me! Did you forget I exist?" Del snapped.
'Is that a problem?' Riku thought while trying not to roll his eyes, "Sorry Del. But seriously I'm on the clock. Can't we talk some other time?"
Del shoved Sora aside taking up her original pose with her original expression but with extra flirtatiousness, "Fine then, I'll make it quick. I know the Paopu Festival isn't for a while, but I need a good date. You game?"
Riku wanted to laugh in her face for asking such a question, but he resisted the urge and put on a polite smile "Sorry I can't. I wouldn't be able to take anyone if I wanted to. You see, Kairi's mother finally got me, Sora, and Kairi in as the musical entertainment for the day of. I won't be able to leave the stage unless it's necessary." He explained.
"My mom did what?" Kairi asked upon returning back to the group "She finally got us into that spot? Oh man! Now I'm nervous!"
"No worries Kai, we can do it! Riku's gonna write the best songs and we'll sing 'til our lungs give out!" Sora cheered confidently. (A/N: LOL, Fall Out Boy)
Del turned her glare to the redhead, "You little bitch! I bet you begged and pleaded to your mom to do that so you would have an excuse to get Riku to yourself! I know what you're doing; you're just using your little so-called "crush" on that airhead Sora as a cover for your actual crush on Riku! Well guess what, forget it because I'm gonna have him! He doesn't deserve sluts like you!"
"That's enough Del! You went too far! Kairi and Sora are my friends and no one speaks of them like that! Especially in front of them! And as for you getting me, forget it! I've dealt with enough heartless, selfish beings over that past year I've been gone and I don't want to come back to it! Now please leave before you make me really mad." He said growling out his last sentence.
The three other teens listening were in shock, Riku never snapped like that. And if he wasn't mad now they didn't want to see him any madder. Well… it was kinda too late for that on Sora's part; he saw what Riku could do in a fit of rage when they fought that last battle with Xemnas. Riku went nuts, berserk when the Superior Nobody targeted all his attacks at the brunette to the point that Sora couldn't move.
"Ri- Riku… But it's… it's true. All while you were gone Kairi was going on about how she missed you but was more worried about Sora, when she finally remembered him! You can't really-!"
"I said get out Del! And don't fuckin' bother me or my friends, any of them, again!" Riku snapped, his voice bouncing off the walls making everything so silent inside a pin could be heard hitting the floor if one was dropped.
Stunned and at a loss for anymore words Del straightened up and walked out of the store, hopefully no one would hear no more of her and her attitude.
"Wow Riku…" Sora whispered.
"Sorry, but she really pissed me off."
[Can anyone say "Bitchier than a PMS-ing Larxene?"] Axel grumbled.
[PMS-ing Larxene times 20!] Roxas commented.
"Um… Kairi the soy sauce is 689 munny." Riku said and he took said amount from the girl just as Ms. Tilmitt was coming back.
"Riku, thank you for your help today. I'll see you tomorrow. Oh Sora, Kairi, nice to see you both." She said with a cheery smile, receiving quick hesitant smiles in return.
Riku nodded silently and took off the work apron he wore. He set it on the counter and picked up his bag swinging it onto his shoulder as he headed for the door with his friends following. They all walked home in silence feeling it would be too awkward if they tried to break it. They stopped in front of Kairi's house since hers was first on the rout and she gave them each a hug, still unable to speak.
Once they saw she was inside Sora and Riku continued on passing Riku's house which was quiet. Sora noticed his friend waving up at the attic window and he saw the elderly woman looking down at them with her ever warm smile. Sora waved at her too and saw her laugh as she waved back at him "She always seems cheerful about thing huh?" he commented.
Riku nodded with a small smile, "She's always been the optimist of the house, like you. She's one of the reasons I'm able to survive my dad, she has the same attitude as you."
"I dunno if I should be flattered or insulted right now." The brunette pouted as they started walking again.
"I'm not comparing you to her. I'm just saying you both help me survive. Is that so bad? I think I'll just turn around and go back home. Give Lee Mei my apologies." Riku said turning around mid-step.
Sora gave a whine and caught his friend's arm, "No! I'm sorry. Please come back with me! Momma misses you. Please?"
The silverette smirked, "Ha! I got you to beg. Well I guess I could come if it's your mom asking. I owe it to her anyway, since she took it upon herself to replace mine after she left. C'mon already."
Pouting again Sora released the other's arm and they continued to his house, joking with each other along the way as if the incident at the shop never happened. When they came in sight of Sora's house they saw his mother at the door waiting for them.
"I'm glad you could come tonight Riku." She said in her warm voice.
"I only wish I could stay long, but I got spotted with this knucklehead." Riku said hooking an arm around Sora's neck and tousling his spiky hair.
"Argh! Lemme go!" Sora struggled in the hold on him.
Riku released his with a chuckle and turned back to Lee Mei, seeing she was holding out a bag to him. He took it graciously, "Thank you. You spoil me, I swear."
"Good then. You'll need to reheat everything later. There's enough for you, you father, and your grandmother. I hope you can stay longer next time you come over Riku." She said.
"I will when I can. Thanks again, Lee Mei. See you at school tomorrow Sora." Riku waved at them and started back for his house.
Sora waved back and followed his mother inside. He went to his room and changed into a white T-shirt and black shorts then settled at his desk to start his homework for the day, which wasn't a lot and he was quite grateful for it. He got it all done by the time his mother called him to eat dinner and they had an interesting conversation "I think I might ask Kairi out soon." He said shyly.
"Really now. Aw, my little Sora's growing up, soon he'll move out and I'll be alone!" she said dramatically.
Sora couldn't help but laugh, "Oh dearest mother of mine, trouble your bless-ed heart no more! Your dearest shall never abandon you! I will visit you often even if I must cross through Hell fire to get into your loving arms again!" they laughed at their dramatic display as it was something they loved to do every time the issues of life aroused.
"But really Sora, are you sure about Kairi? You don't feel you're rushing?" his mother asked.
"I've waited a while since we got back Momma, I think I'm ready." He assured with a bright smile.
X_X_X_X_X
Riku fell onto his bed with a content sigh. The food sent home with him from Lee Mei was spectacular as always. He had talked with his grandmother while they enjoyed the dinner and he even got his dad to eat; that was an accomplishment in his book. His phone rang and he let out a huff, "I try to get to sleep and someone calls. Why!" he got up and left his room for the living room to pick up the phone, "Hello?"
"Riku? It's Kairi."
"Kairi?" she sounded shaky "What is it?" he asked.
"I just got off the phone with Sora. He… He asked me to go out with him this Saturday."
Riku nearly dropped the phone.
Oh here we go!
BTW, the song is Hoshi No Suna by the ever so awesome and gorgeous Gackt and Del's just an OC. Hey, I need someone to play the bitch in this story since I can't have Kairi do it this time!
I think I might be able to develop this story a bit better now that we reached that phone call but ideas are still appreciated.