Heehee, going down Memory Lane again.
Riku: Hey! What did we say about head invasion?
You didn't say anything. ^_^
Sora: I feel violated…
Oh hush, I just looked through your memories. I own nothing.
A five- year- old Sora held his mother's hand tightly as they walked up to the one story building. Outside was a sign that said Destiny Elementary and a lot more kids were heading inside with their parents or on their own. Some were bigger and/or older than him and it only served to make him feel more intimidated.
"Momma I don't wanna go." He said looking up at his mother.
Lee Mei smiled down at him as she led him inside, "Don't worry Sora, it'll be fun for you. You'll learn so much and make new friends. School is a wonderful experience."
Sora shook his head and abruptly stopped walking making his mother stop "I don't want to go! I wanna see Riku! Take me to Riku's house! If I go I won't see him again! I wanna see Riku!" he cried.
Kneeling down in front of her son Lee Mei put on a warm smile, "Sora dear, going to school doesn't mean you won't see Riku again. Of course you'll be able to see him. Riku goes to school too after all. Remember all those days you wanted to play with him but he wasn't at home? He was going to school. If you go you'll be smart like Riku, wouldn't you like that?"
"If Riku goes to school too then I want to go with him!" the little brunette pouted.
"I don't know about that, but maybe you'll be able to see him. Now let's go before you're late." His mother said standing up again and leading her son in.
After receiving a kiss on the cheek and a soft goodbye, Sora was left with a nice looking man with sandy colored hair and bronze eyes. He smiled down at the frightened boy making Sora feel a little better.
"Come along Sora; let's meet the rest of the class so you can make some new friends." His teacher said holding his hand out to the boy.
Sora hesitantly took the hand and allowed himself to be led into a room with a group of other five- year- olds. They were all looking at him curiously and Sora wished his mother was still there so he could hide behind her legs, but the man would have to do for now seeing as he was the only adult.
The teacher laughed warmly and spoke, "Okay class, welcome to Kindergarten. I'm your teacher for the year, my name is Mr. Zale. Now since I have two jobs and I can only be here for so long, I teach a first grade class as well and they're be waiting for me outside the door. What I'm going to do is pair each of you up with one of them and they'll be your buddy for the year. If you're confused about something and I'm unable to help you because I'm busy, just ask them. Okay?"
"Yes sir!" they kids said together.
While Mr. Zale went to bring in his first grade class that was indeed waiting outside, Sora went into a corner and sat down with his knees against his chest. He was afraid, he wanted to go home, he wanted his mom or dad to come get him, he wanted to see Riku. He didn't like the school and the other students made him feel uncomfortable because they were staring at him. He only became more afraid when a line of more students followed Mr. Zale into the room and he put his head down, beginning to cry.
He didn't notice when another student walked up to him until he felt a tap on his shoulder. He raised his hand slightly and saw a white teddy bear in front of him "He made me feel better when I started school." The one holding it said.
Sora lifted his head a little more to look at the other student and couldn't help but smile at the familiar face he saw "Riku!" he cried and jumped up to hug his friend.
Mr. Zale came over to them with a fond smile on his face, "It looks like you have a friend here after all Sora. Do you think you can join the rest of the class now?"
Sora nodded shyly and Riku took his hand to lead him back to the group.
"Okay everyone, I'm going to pair you up. The person I put you with will be your buddy for the entire year, understand?" the teacher said.
"Yes sir!" they all said.
But Sora only became afraid again. What if Riku was put with another student? He didn't want someone else with his best friend; he thought if he was separated from Riku the silverette would want to be that kid's friend instead and it made him want to cry again.
Name after name was read off; Sora squeezed Riku's hand tighter as he waited to hear whether or not they would be separated. When Riku's name was finally called, before the other name could be said, Sora cried out and clung tightly to his friend's arm.
"Sora what's the matter?" Riku asked trying to calm the younger boy down.
"He's gonna take you away from me! He can't do that! You're my best friend!" Sora sobbed.
"Sora why would you think I'm going to take Riku away from you? He's not going anywhere." Mr. Zale said in a gentle tone.
Sora shook his head making the brown spikes sway with the movement, "No! You're gonna make Riku someone else's buddy and he won't like me anymore!"
"But Sora, the point of the whole thing is to help you make new friends. Riku won't stop liking you." Mr. Zale explained.
"I don't want new friends! I want Riku! Riku's the only one who's nice to me! Everyone else doesn't like me!" Sora cried.
Riku pulled his arm away from the little brunette but quickly brought him into a hug allowing his friend to cry into his shoulder. He looked up at his teacher, "May I be Sora's buddy? It'll make him feel better, and I'll help him make new friends too."
"Well, I was originally going to have Wakka as Sora's buddy and I was going to put you with Tidus. But if Sora's more comfortable with you, then I guess it's alright. Is it okay with you Wakka?" Mr. Zale said.
Wakka smiled, "No problem at all ya!"
Riku smiled and patted Sora's head, "It's alright Sora; I'm gonna be your buddy okay?"
Sora sniffled and looked up at the older boy, "R-really?" Riku nodded and Sora smiled in return "Okay! But I'm tired now."
Riku nodded and led Sora to a part of the room where a bunch of beanbag chairs were. Riku sat down in one first and Sora sat beside him, cuddling into his side and laying his head on his friend's shoulder, his eyes fluttered closed and his breathing evened out showing he was asleep now.
"He fell asleep already?" Mr. Zale asked quietly.
"Whenever he cries like that he gets sleepy after he calms down. He'll wake up again soon and be really active." Riku explained.
"Okay then. I'm counting on you to watch out for him Riku." The teacher said.
"I will."
About an hour and a half after Sora fell asleep he woke slowly, his blue eyes hazed over with the drowsiness of his tearfully induced nap. He heard a gentle, steady rhythm in his ear and he was warm; he felt a hold on him and he was pressed against a warm body. He looked up at the one he was held against and blinked to get rid of the sleep in his eyes until he could focus.
"Are you awake now?" the voice sounded far away but warm with a hint of amusement, and familiar.
"Riku?" Sora yawned rubbed his eyes until he was able to focus on his friend "Was it all a dream?"
Riku laughed a little, "What was a dream?"
Sitting up Sora stretched his arms over his head, "I dreamt Momma took me somewhere called school and a man was gonna take you away and make you be friends with someone else."
The silverette laughed again, "Silly, it's real. You did get a little upset but you calmed down after I told you I would be your buddy, then you fell asleep. C'mon, wanna go play now?" Riku stood up and held his hand out to his friend.
Sora nodded and took his friend's hand allowing himself to be led to a group of other kids. One was that boy Wakka; he was with a sandy haired boy around Sora's age and a brunette girl in a yellow dress.
"Wakka, meet my friend Sora. He's the one I told you about." Riku said bringing Sora up next to him.
Wakka looked up from the other two and their block castle to look at the boy, then smiled and held out his hand, "How ya doin' ya? I'm Wakka, and this is Tidus and Selphie. Riku talked about you a lot when I first met him."
Sora looked at his friend, "You talked about me?"
Riku smirked, "Why not? You are my best friend after all. Can't I brag that I know the coolest person on the island?"
Sora looked down at the carpet, "You're lying."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Riku asked confused.
"You're the coolest person on the island, not me." Sora explained.
Riku looked at him then at the others. Wakka and the other two blinked back at him.
Then the girl, Selphie, smiled brightly, "Then you're both the coolest people on the island!"
"What are you talking about Selphie?" Tidus asked.
"Well Sora thinks Riku's the coolest on the island, and Riku thinks Sora's the coolest on the island. It's best to say they're both the coolest on the island so they don't fight right? If they're best friends then they can't fight so they should agree on something, right?" Selphie elaborated.
Wakka just laughed, "That's pretty smart ya! You're right, since they are best friends so they shouldn't fight." He looked at the two friends "Don't you agree?"
Sora and Riku looked at each other, silently asking each other their opinions on Selphie's philosophy on their friendship.
Sora smiled brightly, "I think it's a great idea! Right Riku? We think each other is the coolest?"
The older boy smiled, "Yeah that works great."
"So what are you guys doin' ya?" Wakka asked.
"If you're doing nothing, I still need two knights to protect me." Selphie said.
Tidus adopted a sour look, "She roped us into it too, literally. But you can still run! Save yourselves while she still hasn't pulled out the jump rope!"
"Um… Riku I don't get it." Sora said.
"Selphie where's your first grade buddy?" Riku asked.
"Mine was sick today, does that stink or what?" Selphie responded and they all laughed.
Sora figured, as long as Riku was with him, things would be okay, and having new friends wouldn't be all that bad.
X_X_X_X_X
All Riku knew was that he was angry, flat out angry, at what he was seeing. Sora was standing by the swings talking with the new girl, the one that washed up onto the beach after the meteor shower and was adopted by the mayor and his wife.
After a few breaths to calm his nerves he walked up to them "Hey Sora, what's going on?" he greeted.
"Oh Riku! See Kairi, this is Riku. He's my best friend. Riku her name is Kairi, she has no one to play with. Can she play with us please?" Sora asked with his best puppy eyes face.
Boy he hated it when the brunette pulled that card, he could never say no to that face! With a sigh he answered reluctantly, "Fine, I guess we could use another person for Red Rover."
"Yeah! Selphie will be happy to have another girl to play with! Come on, let's go!" Sora exclaimed taking both Riku and Kairi's hands and running off to meet up with Wakka and the others "Hey look! We brought someone else to play!" he called.
Wakka smiled in approval, "Awesome ya! Who is it?"
Sora pushed the shy girl forward a little, "This is Kairi. She's new to the island. Kairi, these are our other friends Wakka, Selphie, and Tidus."
Selphie started squealing in delight, "Yay! I'm not the only girl anymore! Okay time for teams! Me, Wakka, and Tidus against Sora, Riku, and Kairi!"
They split into the teams, Sora stood in between Riku and Kairi holding their hands with a bright smile on his face. Riku didn't feel too happy that Kairi suddenly joined their little group, she looked to interested in Sora for his taste, that was the first time he felt jealousy of anyone. But he dealt with it for Sora's sake; he liked it best when his friend was happy.
They played their game, calling out names and running when called, sometimes breaking through the clasped hands and sometimes not. It wasn't long until the bell rang signaling that recess was over and they had to go back to their classrooms.
"Riku! Carry me please? I can't walk!" Sora cried.
"How can you not walk?" Riku asked.
"I ran too much." The brunette answered with a pout.
Riku sighed and knelt down with his back to his friend "Honestly Sora, you didn't even run all that much."
Sora jumped onto the other's back and was lifted off the ground "Running tires me out. I wonder what Mr. Zale has for snack time today?" he thought aloud as Riku started walking.
"Sora, do you always thing with your stomach?" Tidus joke.
"The stomach helps the brain! We may as well think with it!" Sora declared pumping a fist in the air.
"I think your stomach may have replaced your brain." Kairi said making everyone laugh.
Riku laughed the hardest at her joke because sometimes it seemed it was true in Sora's case. The brunette often thought with his stomach so much it was as if the organs had switched places in his body. It seemed Riku could tolerate Kairi, maybe like her over time. But for now he would watch her closely, make sure she wouldn't try anything to put Sora against him.
X_X_X_X_X
"Sora, Riku, do you want to come over to my house? My parents are having a Christmas party. Your parents can come too." Kairi said.
It had been four years of friendship between the three and thing were wonderful. Riku proved himself wrong about what he thought about Kairi, she was really nice and what really made her interesting was the fact that she came from a totally different world! Sora and Riku really liked her and she really liked them, they were far from inseparable.
"I like that idea! Right Riku?" Sora said.
"Yeah, it's a good idea. I'll tell Dad and Granma, and see what they say." The silverette responded.
"Momma and Daddy will say yes without a doubt!" Sora added.
Kairi smiled brightly, "Great! I'll tell my parents what you said and to wait and hear from you soon." She ran off towards home.
Sora and Riku continued walking home in a comfortable silence until Sora broke it, "Riku, wanna come over to my house? Momma misses having you around."
Riku shrugged, "Maybe. I have to see what's going on at home."
The younger stared at his friend in concern, "Riku, I know it's been a few years, but how are you doing?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You're mom. I know it's none of my business, but ever since that day you woke up and found out she left you haven't really been the same. You seem more distant and I'm worried about you."
"Of course you're worried about me, everyone I know is. I'm grateful that people care, but there are just some things I can't control and have to deal with on my own."
Sora stopped walking, "But you shouldn't have to deal with everything on your own…" Riku stopped walking at his words and looked back at him "You're my best friend Riku. But what's the point of that if you won't let me help you?" Sora was crying now.
"Hey, c'mon Sora. It's not like I don't want to be your friend anymore." Riku put a hand on the other's shoulder.
"It might as well be that way!" the brunette sobbed.
Riku brought Sora into a gentle hug and rubbed his back to sooth him, "I'm sorry. You're right, I haven't been the same. Three years and I still don't know how to deal with it all, it just really hurts."
Sora clutched the silverette's shirt tightly bringing himself closer to his friend's body, "Then let us help you! Let me help you! I hate seeing you like this."
"I will, I promise. Now please stop crying, you'll fall asleep before you get home." Riku said.
"If I fall asleep, carry me!" Sora demanded making his friend laugh.
X_X_X_X_X
A few days later Sora and Riku found themselves at Kairi's house for the Christmas party they had been invited to along with Sora's parents. Because the house was so big, the adults took up one room and the children took up another, all with room to spare seeing as only a select few were invited.
"Sora, Riku, would you two like to spend Christmas with me here? My parents said it was okay." Kairi said giving her friends some punch.
Sora looked a little guilty, "We would Kairi, but Riku spends Christmas with his grandmother and me and my parents go to his house too so it doesn't seem so depressing. It's been our tradition since his mom left."
Kairi looked to the floor feeling a little guilty herself, "Oh, I'm sorry." Then her face brightened as she got an idea "Hey! How about I ask my parents if we can come too? I'm sure it'll be fun!"
Riku smiled warmly at her, "I think that's a great idea Kai, Granma would love the company."
"Yeah! We can have another party too! This will be one of our best Christmases!" Sora exclaimed.
Selphie ran up to them with something hidden behind her back and a sly smirk on her face "How goes it?" she asked in an innocent voice.
Riku took a step back, "What are you planning?"
"What? Who says I'm planning anything?" Selphie responded.
"We know you by now." Sora, Riku, and Kairi said at the same time.
The girl looked defeated for a moment then smiled again, "Well in that case, you three are in the perfect position." She was referring to how Riku was standing between Sora and Kairi "Now if you would stay like that, I can do this!" she pulled her hand from behind her back and held a sprig of mistletoe over Riku's head "You know the tradition~!" Selphie singsong-ed.
Riku looked like he was ready to murder, Kairi was giggling like crazy, and Sora looked downright embarrassed.
"Selphie you're giving me a reason to keep your gift this year." Riku growled.
"Aw come on Riku! It won't hurt, just a couple of pecks on the cheek from your two best friends." Selphie responded fearlessly.
"You've been planning this haven't you?" Sora whimpered.
"Is that so wrong?" the other brunette asked innocently.
"With you yes." The three friends deadpanned.
Selphie pouted, "Aw please? Just do this and I'll leave you alone!"
Knowing she was getting ready to cry, which was nothing short of annoying, Riku sighed, "Fine."
Kairi smiled as she shook her head and stood on her tip-toes to kiss Riku's cheek, the silverette acted as if it were nothing. But when Sora hesitantly did the same Riku's heart jumped a little. He looked at his friend seeing the boy with a light blush on his face and avoiding any form of eye contact.
Selphie squealed and ran off leaving her three friends feeling slightly awkward.
Tired of the silence among them Riku ruffled Sora's hair and started for a table with a bunch of games on them "Why don't we play Santa Bingo?" he suggested holding up the bag with the game cards and whatnot in it.
Sora suddenly got a competitive smile on his face, "I'm so gonna beat you this time!"
"Looks like I'm ref-ing this game. Again." Kairi laughed.
X_X_X_X_X
It was Christmas Eve now. Sora and Riku were in the attic turned bedroom that belonged to Riku's grandmother listening to Christmas stories while carols played softly over the radio, mugs of hot chocolate in their hands. Basically a typical Christmas activity in a typical Christmas setting. Sora's parents were down stairs with Riku's father in the living room doing they didn't know what. Somehow Lee Mei convinced the man to leave the alcohol alone for the holiday.
Riku's grandmother finished up the story she was reading, The Nutcracker, and took a sip of her own hot chocolate "So what did you boys think?" she asked.
"Sounds like something Kairi would've liked to hear." Riku commented.
"Would a rat really come out of a hole in a wall and shrink us?" Sora asked in a frightened tone.
"Uh, how old are you?" Riku asked.
The old woman laughed, "No Sora dear, it's just a fairytale. And besides, if any did I'm sure Riku will protect you."
Sora looked at Riku desperately, "Would you Riku?"
The silverette smirked, "Of course I would. I'll protect you from anything and everything. I promise."
The door opened and Sora's father came in, "Alright boys, time for bed or you won't see those presents tomorrow."
"Okay Daddy!" Sora responded.
The boys finished their hot chocolate, Riku kissed his grandmother's cheek and Sora hugged her, then they both went down stairs to brush their teeth while Sora's father took their mugs. A few minutes later they were in Riku's bed trying to fall asleep. Sora was too excited about the next day and Riku was feeling irritated by his friend's hype.
"Sora please, go to sleep or you won't be awake for very long tomorrow." Riku whispered.
"I can't help it; I can't wait to see what I got! And Kairi's gonna come over! It'll be the first time the three of us spent a Christmas together since we've known each other." Sora responded.
Sighing Riku got out of bed and rummaged around in one of his bottom drawers of his dresser. He pulled out what looked like a conch shell and set it by his alarm clock. He pressed a button and a soft melody played from the object; Riku got back in bed and Sora immediately snuggled up against his friend feeling drowsy. Riku knew the music box would work, it always did.
The morning Riku woke up and found his mother gone he found the music box in the very spot he had it in at the moment with a note from his mother saying she was sorry she couldn't take him with her. He was upset about her leaving, but grateful that she couldn't take him too, he didn't want to leave Sora alone.
Riku petted Sora's hair and the younger boy hummed in delight. Smiling Riku leaned in enough to kiss Sora's forehead before he fell asleep himself.
Yays! Another filler chapie! … Wait a sec that's a bad thing isn't it? Oh well.
Any who, this onetook a while because my sister from Texas was visiting so I wasn't on my laptop much. ^^; Oh c'mon! I haven't seen the girl in five years!
Sora: I don't think they care Saki.
Oh-! Go… suffocate Riku with your tongue or something!
BTW, I got the Santa Bingo thing from my grandmother, it's really fun.