Disclaimer:I do not own Inuyasha OR Kingdom Hearts, but I do own Miyu.

A/N: Finally! This chapter is finished! Different title though.

IMPORTANT NOTES IN THE END! I NEED HELP!

Couples:

Sora and Kairi

Hayner and Olette

Roxas and Namine

Kagome and Riku

Charter ages:

Kagome: 16

Inuyasha: 17

Miyu: 8 and 18

Sango: 18 (I think)

Miroku: 19 (I think)

Shippo: 9 (I think)

Riku: 17

Sora: 16

Kairi: 16

Roxas: 16

Namine: 16

Olette: 16

Hayner: 16

More To Come

Chapter 9:

You're Not Alone

"You asked her ... didn't you?"

Riku looked directly into Kairi's sapphire eyes. She didn't look mad nor did she sound it. Instead she looked and sounded tired, defiantly not what he had expected. Riku had expected Kairi to be pissed by now ... because she knew he asked. She knew.

Riku's eyes widened. He took a slow step back, not breaking eye contact with Kairi. She knew. Why isn't she lecturing him in a fit of rage? Riku clamped his moth shut and took a vow of silence. He eyed Kairi wearily.

Just what was she planning?

To trick Riku to think that she is not angry, then get him when he least expects it.

Riku almost shuttered at the thought of that. Kairi was pretty damn scary when she was mad. And he knew that from experience.

The Seventh Princess of Heart closed her eyes slowly. "You're not going to answer me." An exasperated sigh passed her lips.

Riku knew it was not a question. It was a fact. Kairi really expected him not to answer. She should know better. She knew just how to get the answer out of him.

A thick silence fell upon the two friends. Kairi's eyes stared intently into Riku's own, waiting.

Riku shuffled a bit, quite uncomfortably. This was exactly what he meant by Kairi knowing how to get answers out of him. She would just stare at him with her big, ocean blue eyes until he felt uncomfortable. Waiting for him to spit the answer out. Kairi didn't even know she has this power over Riku.

Riku sighed in defeat. He let his guard down. His eyes softened. It doesn't really matter if he tells Kairi anyway. It wouldn't make a difference. What's done is done. Anyway, what was the worst that she could do? Lecture him? He can tune that out easily.

Kairi is determined to get the information out of Riku, though she didn't have the energy to show for it. She really was tired, who could blame her when it's this late. But Kairi had to know if Riku did ask Kagome what he was not supposed to ask her. And if he did, then ... why?

"Yeah ..." Riku murmured. Closing his eyes, he turned his head away from Kairi's intense gaze.

Kairi sighed. Yeah, of course he asked Kagome. It was just the way Riku was. Always disobeying what she and the others tell him to do to go off to do what he thinks is right. "Then tell me ... Why did you ask her? Even when you knew you weren't suppose to."

Riku turned his head abruptly towards her. "I don't see why you didn't bother. Why any of you didn't bother to ask her what happened back there in the hall." He bit. His steel, turquoise eyes hardened a bit.

"What?" Kairi gaped at him shocked. She furrowed her eyebrows. Riku never usually acts this way around her. Why was he getting so defensive about Kagome?

"A true friend ...," Riku continued in a cold, emotionless voice. His eyes were still hard, cold. "A true friend would ask what's wrong with their friend ... even ask where she got that awful gash on her back." He made a disgusted face. "Even if the friend knows that the answer he most likely to get is: 'It's nothing.' At least he showed that he was concerned about her … unlike some people." Riku curtly nodded his head toward his friends.

That was a low blow.

Kairi's voice left her. She stared at her dear friend with shock. Realization hit her quite hard.

"Namine, let's go." The Kay of Destiny didn't like where this was going. He suddenly grabbed his girlfriend's hand. "We have someone to talk to." Roxas began to walk silently towards the door with Namine in tow.

The Memory Witch gave no resistance to her boyfriend. Namine knew exactly why Roxas wanted to leave so suddenly - she wanted to leave for the same reason - and to whom he wanted to speak to.

They both had to get out of the room. It was way too intense for their liking.

The Keyblade Master's attention went suddenly to the departing couple.

Roxas was just opening the door for Namine, letting her go through first. He lifted his eyes to meet with Sora's own. Roxas looked at his counterpart for a brief second, gave him a curt nod for departure, then walked out the door; closing it with a silent click.

Sora gave a nod back though Roxas had already left. 'See you two later.' His intent gaze turned back to Kairi and Riku. Sora had a feeling he knew where the two were going. He wished he could go too, though it seemed he was more needed here.

Releasing a small sigh, Sora spoke up.

Roxas and Namine walked down the empty hall, hand in hand. The pair was in a comfortable silence as they walked. Not the least bit intimidated to break it.

Namine released a small sigh of relief.

"Glad to be out of there?" Roxas turned toward the small blond. A crocked smile graced his lips.

The Witch swiveled her sapphire eyes to glance at her boyfriend. She smiled. "It was quite ... intense in there." Namine blushed a little at Roxas' smile and shyly looked away. Thanks ... for um getting me out of there."

"Anything for you." The Key of Destiny's smiled slowly turned into a grin seeing her blush. "I will agree with you though. It was getting intense in there. But can you blame Kairi for getting a little annoyed at Riku though? He does do whatever the hell he wants. Regardless of anything or anyone else. He did ask Kagome something personal."

Namine nodded in agreement. "True ... but I can see where Riku is coming from in this situation." She paused for a moment to put her thoughts into words. "What Riku said back there ..." Namine continued after a moment, "about being a true friend ... I can't help but agree with him on that."

"Ah, so you too."

Namine's head shot up to look at her boyfriend. "You ... you agree with me?"

"Of course I agree. Anyone would." Roxas turned away from Namine to look ahead of him. "It's just common fact that a true friend would do that." He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm positive Kairi will see that too once she is done talking to Riku."

"Positive?"

Roxas nodded. "Positive."

Namine smiled a serene smile. "Then I suppose you're right, she will see." A small giggle passed her lips.

Roxas chuckled as he looked to the girl he adored so. Her giggles sounded that of bells. It completely hypnotized him. He hadn't plan for what he did next.

Roxas' grip tightened on Namine's small hand. She blinked. She turned to look at Roxas. But before Namine could get a good look at his face, she was suddenly pushed back into the nearest wall. Her eyes closed at the sudden impact.

Roxas grabbed her shoulders in a firm but gentle hold.

Namine opened her eyes slowly to look at Roxas. His body was close to hers. His head hung low causing his sandy, blond hair to fall over hooded eyes. A dark smirk played his lips. One Namine was familiar with.

"Roxas -" The Artist gasped in protest. Namine was shut up when Roxas' lips came crashing down on hers.

Namine blushed madly. Roxas' lips met hers with such a forceful hunger, causing her heart to burst. Her eyes widened then closed to enjoy the moment. She kissed back just as passionately. At the moment, her mind was completely blank.

The Key of Destiny soon pulled away from Namine's lips, both were a little short of breath. Caressing Namine's fair cheek, Roxas' smirk deepened in pleasure. Under his finger tips the heat radiate from her burning cheek.

From under his eyelashes, Roxas looked up at Namine. He approved of the expression she gave.

Namine's usually shining sapphire eyes were now glazed over, a dazed look. Her swollen lips were slightly parted as light pants escaped.

Namine made eye contact with Roxas. The look in his eyes made her feel ... giddy. Her heart throbbed against her chest. Faster and faster it went.

Roxas placed his hand under her chin and tilted it up. He smirked as he brushed his thumb against her lips. "You're so beautiful." He murmured.

"Roxas ... w-what if someone-"

"Sees us? Namine, you know as well as I do that I just don't care and I know that you don't care either ... besides," He whispers, "We haven't had any time to ourselves today ... I got to make up for lost time."

Slowly, ever so slowly Roxas' head descended. He closed his eyes. His lips brushed against hers again so softly, tenderly, passionately; not a trace of the dark hunger was there. He felt heat radiate from her cheeks and smirked against her lips. How it amused him to make her all hot and bothered.

Namine's protests died away with this kiss. All coherent thoughts melted away as she went with the flow. Roxas was right; they didn't have time for themselves at all today until now. He was just taking advantage of the time they had alone.

The Memory Witch slowly closed her eyes. Her arms rose up, lacing them around Roxas' neck, bringing him closer to her. Her heart was pounding rapidly and she was sure Roxas was able to feel it as well. His chest was practically pinned down to hers.

Both Roxas and Namine didn't care that they showed their love for each other in public. They didn't have a care in all the worlds. Because they could love. They have hearts. And because they have hearts they wanted to explore every emotion possible as if it was their last day of having one. The one emotion they especially want to explore the most ... is love...

... Unlike their Somebodies.

(A/N: 1)

"Hey, Riku," Sora said as he made his way to Riku's side, "Calm down ... You're starting to growl." Placing his hand on Riku's shoulder with slight pressure on it, Sora held his friend down.

To Sora, it looked almost as if Riku was about to pounce on Kairi, with his murderous eyes and coiled body. He knew no matter what though; he had to protect his Princess. Even if that meant Sora had put their childhood friend back in his place. Kairi just couldn't protect herself from someone as powerful as Riku.

The Keyblade Master watched Riku with pitied filled eyes.

It has only gotten worse. And it will continue to get worse, as long as nothing is done.

But there was nothing to be done to help Riku. Nothing at all. Not even his friends or the King can help him. It is something that Riku has control on his own.

Sora Kairi ... Roxas Namine ... everyone ... has to continue to watch Riku with pitied eyes. Hoping that someday Riku will get over his ... condition ... himself ... or with some form of help from another.

Heh, yeah right. That is less than likely to happen.

Sora sighed mentally. If only the day will come already. Riku's ... condition ... was not getting any better.

Realization hit Riku like a ton of bricks.

What's the penalty for disrespecting one of the Princess of Heart and a long time friend? A not so good one, he suspected. Closing his eyes, he raked his hand down his face. "Sorry, Kairi ..." He murmured. "I got carried away ..." 'Almost lost it there as well.' Riku thought furiously to himself.

"... It's okay. I-I understand." Kairi shook her head in protest. The Princess smiled warmly at Riku, making her way to stand in front of him and Sora.

Kairi truly did understand. She had forgotten that Riku has been more on edge lately. "I ... we all should have been a little more considerate to at least ask Kagome what happened. At least to show her that we do care in some way."

Riku said nothing. He nodded his head in understanding.

Kairi and the others just wanted Kagome's trust. Her trust was something Riku recently found out he wanted too. But they were still capable of gaining her trust even if they asked what happened.

Riku didn't dare point this fact out to Sora or Kairi. He had a strong feeling they already knew.

"Well, at least one of us showed her they cared about her, right Riku?" Kairi was practically beaming, a giggle escaping her lips.

Riku averted his eyes from Kairi's own blue orbs. A blank, emotionless expression plagued his face. "I was just being ... friendly." The word sounded wrong on his tongue

"Exactly."

Riku snapped his eyes back to Kairi in shock.

Kairi leaned forward towards Riku with her hands behind her back. "You never exactly act 'friendly' towards anyone new that joins our little group. You would usually cast them aside or ignore them until you finally notice they are not going anywhere any time soon and eventually warm up to them." A sigh passed her lips. "But with Kagome ... You -Riku the loner- warmed up to her ... on the first dayyou met her."

Riku raised one questioning eyebrow at Kairi. So what, big deal. He got used to her on the first day. Big whoop. "So?" He murmured.

"So? So?" The Princess said in disbelief. "Riku, if you haven't noticed you don't get used to anyone new in at least a month -two months tops, three months if you really don't want to- let alone on the first day you meet them."

Riku cursed himself for having such an observant best friend that knew him all to well. But he wouldn't have Kairi any other way. Maybe that was one of the reasons why he had admired her long ago...

Of course Riku noticed he didn't 'warm up' to anyone as quickly as other people usually do. He was just different, that was all. He likes his space -his alone time- and the friends he first had.

(A/N: 2)

Letting new people in ... it just didn't sit well with him. New friends would just distract Riku or hurt him by some sort of betrayal. Or they could hurt him even more once they leave.

Riku defiantly didn't want the unnecessary pain. He didn't want to deal with problems he didn't have to deal with. He only wanted to help the close friends he already had.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

But still...

Riku did get used to those new people who joined their 'little group' not that long ago. He became good friends with most them regardless of his own high standards.

The so called 'little group' that previously only held three people now held up to 11 people; and that was now including Kagome. It was not so little anymore.

"Riku," Riku snapped his attention back to Kairi. "Did you know how much you did for Kagome in the one day you met her."

Riku stood quiet. Yeah he knew what he did for Kagome, but it looks like Kairi was going to reminded him again.

"You didn't brush her aside; you actually talked to her like a human being. You didn't grunt and walk a way like you usually would have. You got her food when she was hungry and had no money. You played games with her, you were curious when she suddenly up and left, and you didn't want to ruin her life here by bringing dark forces upon her so you decide not to tell her what we are all capable of. You caught her before she hit the ground in the mall, you were concerned, worried, and frustrated when her pain over took her in the hall, you helped her sit up as well through the process, you carried her all by yourself to the infirmary, you wanted to check up on her ASAP, and Riku the list just goes on from there." Kairi said all of this with out missing a single beat. A grin was all the while placed on her face.

Wow ... just wow ... Riku sure as hell DID NOT know he did that much for a complete stranger in one day. Especially on the day they first met. Looking like a fish out of water, he opened his mouth and then closed it. Baffled, Riku had no comment.

Innocently, Kairi asked: "So ... why would a loner do all of this for a stranger?"

Riku just looked at Kairi in disbelief. When the hell did this turn into an interrogation?

Riku finally decided to answer with probably the most stupid reason he could ever came up with. "I ran into her this morning ... it was all a way to show her to forgive me ... about ... that ..." Who the hell was he kidding! Defiantly not Kairi, who is giving him a skeptical look. Defiantly not himself ... or probably even Sora for that matter.

Riku had not one clue on how to answer Kairi's question. He himself did not know why he did all that for a complete stranger. It was bothering the hell out of him. It confused and frustrated him to no end.

Riku balled his hands into tight fists. All he knew was that he just did all of that because ... it just felt ... right. No reasons, he just did it.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Riku unclenched his hands. He will figure it all out later when he was alone.

As of now he had to answer Kairi with something. Riku told her the truth: "I don't know!" With that he looked away from her again, ending this discussion now. At least until he found the answers for himself.

Kairi didn't bother to question her dear, best friend anymore about the current situation. He looked angered by something after she asked him. Not to mention, his tone sounded final when he said he didn't know.

Kairi believed in what Riku had said. He truly didn't know why he helped Kagome out so much today.

Riku turned his gaze to Sora. His best friend was defiantly way to unusually quiet throughout that whole conversation he was having with Kairi.

Sora was standing there next to him smiling like an idiot. Sora's eyes were sparkling with mischief Riku was all too familiar with.

"Stop." Riku dead-panned.

Sora grinned big. "What? I'm not doing anything." He replied innocently.

"Yeah, but you're thinking of something I don't want to know about."

Sora laced his hands behind his head, leaning back leisurely. He was still giving Riku the look.

A few seconds in and Riku finally had enough. Walking away from Sora, he maneuvered out of Kairi's way -ignoring her questioning look-, and started to make his way to the boy's dorm.

"W-wait! Where are you going?" Sora asked as he unclasped his hands when Riku got to their dorm.

Riku gave Sora and Kairi a side way glace. He grimaced. "What does it look like I'm doing?" He returned his attention back to the door. "I'm going to get changed." Opening the door silently, Riku walked inside, closing it shut behind him.

Sora stared at the door for a few seconds than turned his attention to Kairi. She was looking around the large room. Her delicate eyebrows were scrunched together. It was as if she was looking for something in particular.

Sora made his way a little closer to Kairi. Azure eyes looking to and fro, he did a quick scan of the room himself. "What's wrong, Kairi?" He didn't see anything out of the ordinary.

Kairi's sapphire eyes swiveled to look him in the eyes. "Uh ... Where are Roxas and Namine?" Her eyes sparkled with such curiosity and they were looking at him with such intensity. Sora couldn't help but blush. It was odd that the little things Kairi do cause him to go a flame.

Sora turned his eyes away from Kairi's. If she did something else that was cute, he would find it hard to control himself. He did not want to do something that he might regret. Sora scratched his cheek, blushing madly. "They … uh left while you and Riku were talking."

A sharp pang went through Kairi's heart when Sora suddenly looked away from her. Did she do something wrong? Kairi made her way to stand in his line of vision again. "Really? I haven't noticed that they left." She released a small, fake laugh. "So, where they leave to?"

Sora did not look away from his princess this time. "They went to the other side of the campus to only other place they could go to at this hour that isn't our dorm." He replied with a nonchalant wave. Sora knew it didn't make much sense, but Kairi was smart. She should know what he was talking about.

"Ah, so they went to speak to him." Kairi murmured to herself as she looked down to the floor in deep thought. Lifting her hand to her mouth, she released a yawn.

Kairi was caught off guard with what happened next.

Sora grabbed the hand she was yawning with and pulled her into a deep embrace. Kairi went beat red, her heart thumping against her rib cage like crazy. She was almost positive that Sora could feel it against his own chest.

Sora sighed. "Kairi ..." He held her as tightly as he could without breaking her small, fragile frame. Kairi could almost hear the smile in his voice as he held her. "It's late ... I think it is time for you to go to bed."

Sora stooped his head down. If it was even possible, her blush turned to crimson red.

Wait...

Kairi's heart skipped a beat.

... Was Sora ... was he going to finally-

Sora placed a small, light, warm peck on Kairi's cheek.

-No ... no he wasn't going to...

Kairi's heart fell in complete despair, shattering into small pieces.

Sora slowly untangled himself from his girlfriend. She didn't want him to let go of her. She wanted him to hold her a little longer, even if only for a little bit. Why couldn't he just...

"Night, Kairi." He held her at arms length, smiling brightly.

Kairi forced herself to put on a fake smile. "Goodnight, Sora." She nodded. She tried her hardest not to show her disappointment in her eyes or voice. At least, not now.

Sora released his grip on his Princess. He watched Kairi as she stepped away from him, making her way to the girls' dorm.

Kairi paused for a second at the door and took a deep breath. "Um," She turned her head to face Sora, placing on the brightest smile she could muster up, "Sora, could you tell Riku goodnight for me?"

Sora looked at his with love clouded in his eyes. She was always so considerate of others. Another reason why he loved her so. Sora wondered what he did to deserve this beautiful princess that stood before him. "Sure." He nodded to her.

"Thank you." Opening the door, Kairi stepped in the room, shutting the door silently behind her. She stayed there for a moment, deep in thought, with her back to the door.

Kairi slowly brought her figure tips to the cheek Sora had just kissed. Closing her eyes, she slid them to her pink lips.

Why ... why was Sora always like this around her? Why wouldn't he just kiss her on the lips like a boyfriend is supposed to do? Why wouldn't he be her first, real kiss? He wasn't shy, Kairi was positive of that. So … why?

Kairi released a breath of air. She moved herself away from the door to get ready for bed. She was silent the whole time as she gathered her pajamas and got changed in the bathroom.

The whole time she didn't think about anything, or at least tried not to think of anything. She just wanted her mind to be numb of any thoughts until she got to the comfort of her bed.

Once the Princess of Heart was done changing she walked up to the left side of bunk beds. She left the dim light on for whenever Namine came back. She made her way up the ladder to the top bunk. Kairi released a small sigh as she brought the pink blanket up to her chin.

'Nothing much has changed ... has it?' Kairi thought, looking up at the ceiling.

It was true, nothing much has changed between her and Sora since they started going out. It was like they were still the best of friends they were up until a while back ago. Not boyfriend and girlfriend.

They were more like friends with benefits. They hugged every once in a while when they were friends. Now the only thing they did different as boyfriend and girlfriend was the pecks on the cheek and the even longer embraces.

That's it. Nothing more.

Unlike their Nobodies, who kissed whenever they wanted to without any shame. Not to mention their friends who did the pretty much the same thing except they say those lovely three words to one another. The words that would send any girls heart soaring.

Yeah, nothing much has changed.

Placing the blanket over her head, Kairi turned to lay down on her stomach, leaving a hole open so she could breath. Her heavy eyelids closed. Letting sleep finally over take her.

Releasing a heavy breath of air, Sora's shoulders sagged. That was close. To close to kissing his Princess on her perfect lips.

Sora had no clue what took over him when he pulled her in for that hug. He guessed it was because she was so lovely and cute when she yawned that he just couldn't help himself.

Sora just lost himself in the spur of the moment.

Straightening himself out, he closed his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck. "It's just getting harder and harder to resist kissing her."

"Pathetic."

Sora's back stiffened when he heard the familiar voice. With nerves eyes he whipped his head around the room. Not there … or there. No one seemed to be in the room other than him. Then a thought clicked in Sora's head as his gaze turn to the couch in front of the TV that was left on.

The Keyblade Master made a mad dashed to the couch. And low and behold, he did find someone. Someone he expected.

Riku.

Riku was just lying on the couch like nothing. He was now dressed completely different, wearing a large gray T-shirt and baggy, blue comfy pants. His shoes were deposed of, now wearing his socks. Riku's long, silver hair was now tied back into a pony tail. His long bangs still slightly covered his eyes. His emotionless steel eyes were placed on the TV. His lips were turned up in a smug grin.

Sora pointed an accusing figure to his best friend. "Wh-when did you get here?" He blurted in shock.

Riku took a side glace at Sora, grimacing. "I walked in on the part when you grabbed Kairi for a hug. It looked like you two were having a blast so I didn't disturb." Rolling his eyes he scathed his head. "I just sat down and watched TV until you two were done." Shrugging, Riku turned his head to face Sora. His eyebrows narrowed. "Pathetic." He shook his head in sympathy.

Sora cocked an eyebrow. "Huh? Who is pathetic?"

"You." Riku retorted, making his way off the couch. He walked past an awestruck Sora.

Sora followed, hot on Riku's heels. "Me?" He pointed to himself. "Why am I pathetic?"

Riku release a heavy sigh. "You are completely oblivious when it comes down to your own girlfriend." Standing in front of the door to the Study Room, he grasped the knob.

Sora stumbled to a halt. "Tell me something I don't know." He murmured, scratching the back of his neck.

Riku grimaced. "Hn."

"... Wait ... i-is there something I don't know?!" Sora gaped, shocked.

The silver-haired wielder turned. Looking at his freaking out best friend, Riku cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Yeah. Kairi-"

Azure eyes bugging out, The Keyblade Master grabbed two fist fulls of Riku's shirt. Frantic, he asked: "I-Is she d-dumping me?!" Sora jerked him forward. Their noses were practically touching.

Riku stared at his friend in disbelief. "Kairi is not-" He shoved Sora away to a more preferable distance. "-dumping you." He defiantly did not want to be that close to Sora. "Though I don't see why she doesn't." He murmured.

Sora calmed down slightly. "What do you mean?" He asked warily.

Riku raked a heavy hand down his face. "You don't know the one thing she wants the most from you, do you?"

Sora silently shook his head 'no'. What did Riku mean by Kairi wanting something from him?

Riku raised an eyebrow Sora. "You really are oblivious when it comes down to her." He shook his head in disappointment. "I'm her best friend and I even know what she wants from you just by looking at her."

Sora clenched his teeth. "Alright, Riku, then why don't you tell me already? What does Kairi want from me?" He didn't want to be kept in the dark any longer. Especially if it was something about Kairi. When silence was his answer he pressed on: "Well?"

Riku grunted. "Why don't you think about it for a second." His mouth twisted into a fake grin, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Sora did think about it. He thought about it long and hard. What he came up with was ... absolutely nothing. Though he was still uncertain, he continued to ponder on what Kairi could possibly want from him.

Riku crossed his arms impatiently. "I would like your answer before the worlds are consumed by darkness." He was getting tired of waiting for Sora to figure it out. If he ever did figure it out it would probably be 1,000 years from now. Yup, that's how oblivious Sora is.

Sora released an exasperated sigh. "I give." He announced. "Riku, just tell me ... What does Kairi want?"

"Fine. I'll tell you. Since you and I both know that you're defiantly not going to get it." Chuckling, Riku shrugged his shoulders. The only reason why he let Sora off the hook so easily was because he didn't want to be there any longer. In the dark, quiet room that was just behind him ... now that was where he wanted to be. Suddenly Riku's playful features disappeared. Like it never etched his face before. "I'm going to answer your question with one simple question." His face was sullen, serious.

Understanding, Sora nodded his head vigorously. He wanted to know. Not even wanted. He needed to know. The Keyblade Master would do anything to get whatever his Princess desired.

Blanked faced, the silver-haired wielder bluntly asked: "Why don't you kiss her?"

Sora raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What do you mean by, 'Why don't you kiss her?'" Sora pffted, waving his hand. "Riku, I don't know where you've been the past year, but if you haven't noticed by now I do kiss Kairi." He laughed. And here he thought it was something huge that needed to be made a big deal out of. Sora got all worked up over nothing.

Sora completely misunderstood Riku's question. "Sora, I've been here the whole year, but I have not noticed once that you kissed Kai-"

"Well, you must've been blind the whole time." Sora continued to laugh.

Riku smiled smugly. How dare Sora underestimate him? "A real kiss?" He countered.

'Oh. Crap.' Sora's smile vanished. That abruptly ceases his hysterics. He took a sudden sharp intake of breath, causing him to go into a coughing fit

Sure, The Keyblade Master would do anything to get whatever his Princess desired. But he won't do that.

Riku waited until Sora stopped coughing to answer his question. When silence was his answer, he pressed: "Well? Why don't you give her a real kiss?"

Sora looked up at his best friend. He gritted his teeth. "Riku …" He whispered harshly.

Riku raised an eyebrow. "Well what is it-" He shot Sora another question like rapid fire.

Sora looked Riku square in the eye. "-It's none of your business. I don't want to talk about it-"

Riku grunted. "-What? Are you scared-"

"Yes!" Sora admitted, groaning. He looked down to the floor, ashamed. He did not wanting to meet Riku's piercing gaze.

Riku was at a loss for words. He looked at the Keyblade Master with his mouth slightly open, appalled. He had meant the 'are you scared' part as a joke. But apparently … it was true.

Sora was scared of really kissing Kairi … but for what reasons exactly?

Riku's mouth opened and closed like a fish, trying to make a coherent question. "A-alright," He cleared his throat, "you're scared, but for what reasons? After all these years, you guys are finally together."

When Sora didn't say anything, Riku released an exasperated sigh. "We got this far. No point in hiding the rest." He shrugged.

Sora knew it was true. There was just no point in hiding the rest. He gulped. Beads of sweat were starting to make a presence. "I-I'm afraid because ... I don't want things to change." He looked Riku in the eyes.

Riku just stared at him, confused.

When Riku didn't say anything, Sora continued: "I-I want to." He whispered. His gaze met the floor once more. "So badly I want to. And as sickening as it sounds, I absolutely crave it. B-but I just can't bring myself to do it. Not to Kairi …" Not to my princess, he wanted to add. "… Because I don't want things to change."

Riku stared at Sora blankly. "What do you mean?" He asked emotionlessly.

"That once I kiss her … really kiss her, everything between me and her will be completely different. I don't want that … I don't want things to be different. I want it to be the same." He grimaced. "You have no clue how hard it is to hold back … to resist these types of urges. What I fear the most though … is that I don't think I would be able to control myself to do something I might regret …" Sora trailed off.

"You are absolutely selfish."

Sora's eyes widened. He snapped his head up, bared his teeth, and glared at Riku. "I know that." He growled. He did know that, but Riku didn't have to say it so bluntly, so emotionlessly. At least show a bit of sympathy. Here he was, spilling his guts to his best friend, and Riku just shoots him down like he has no feelings.

Like Sora wasn't feeling crappy as is?

Riku was disgusted. "Kairi absolutely adores you. You guys have been going out for a year now – a year! You cared for each other since we were kids. And here you are saying you can't do the one thing she wants the most from you – a real kiss – because you don't want things to change between the two of you? Because you fear you can't hold back you lustful urges? That is the whole point of being friends then having feelings for each other, things change! This so stupid, Sora."

"Riku!-" Sora snarled with a hiss.

"-So selfish. What about Kairi? What about her wants and needs? Huh?" Riku continued on relentlessly. His words … were so cold, so uncaring and unemotional. "The Princess wants you - her Prince - to kiss her, and yet you refuse? It is your duty, Sora, as her boyfriend and as the Keyblade Master to fulfill her every desire. To make her happy. So stop acting like a fearful pansy and just do it."

It was all true. Every single word Riku just said … was nothing but the truth.

Sora knew that.

But he didn't want to hear it.

Sora didn't want to believe it.

Sora's spiky brown hair covered his eyes, he looked at Riku with his hidden orbs, and balled his hands into tight fists. He grimaced. "What … what makes you think you can talk about all of this 'mushy' girlfriend stuff that makes you think you know anything about any of this? Last time I checked you even don't have a girlfriend, or for that matter, anybody to love." He snapped harshly. His body was tense. His lips were set in a hard, firm line. His eyes were angered and cold.

That was a really low blow.

Riku's long bangs shielded his steel eyes. He turned his back to Sora and placed his hand on the door handle. So this was what he got for helping his long time friend with his current problem.

A stab to the heart.

Riku pulled the door slightly open, walking halfway inside.

Realization dawned on Sora. "W-wait!" He reached his hand out slightly.

Riku stopped where he was.

Sora's features were back to normal except for the small frown that tugged his lips. Sure, he felt like crap before … now he feels like a worthless piece of shit. Some friend he was. He should've known better than to bring up a sensitive subject like this. "Riku … I-I don't know what came over me." He stammered. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"-It's true though … what could you be possibly sorry for if it's true? Sora, you of all people should know why I refuse to be with anyone …" His voice sounded empty, devoid of life. "I was never met to be happy … never meant to be loved. I'm meant to stay alone. That is how I am supposed to live out the rest of my life … the rest of my futile destiny." He grimaced acidly. A fake smile curled his lips. "Besides," He shrugged, "I never want to put the one person I love in so much pain ... so much sorrow … because of what I am." He banged his fist into the door. Hard.

Sora cringed.

"I don't want to see the one I love go through that. I rather spend the remainder of my life … alone." Riku made his exit, slamming the door behind him – Sora cringed again – and locking it.

Sora looked at the door with sorrowful eyes. "… You're wrong, Riku …" He whispered softly. "… You are not meant to be alone. No one should be alone in their life." He smiled sadly. He turned away form the room his was friend locked in, and made his way to his dorm. "Not even … the worst person in all the worlds."

It's a really long day huh? This day ends at the end of chapter 10.

Sorry for the late update. Especially with a not so good chappy.

Thank you all for your reviews! You have no idea how happy it makes me to see them!

I Hug all of my readers

Review Please! At least enought to reach up to 60-75!

Anyway, I changed the title because The original version of this chapter was 37 pages long. Wayyy to long for one chapter I think. So I cut it down to 17 pages and saved the other half as chapter 10. Witch is already typed out and ready to post ... in two weeks.

I figured, why not make you guys wait a bit more.

A/N:1 - Yay for Namine and Roxas steamy fluff! I consider them as the Naughty Couple! The whole 'nobodies having hearts' will be explained later in the story.

A/N:2 - Riku's first friends are: Sora and Kairi. In case any of you were confuzzeled.

Important:1- If you could rename this story what would it be? I feel like changing the title. It's too long.

Important:2- Yeah, how old do you guys think Axel is? It a year after KH2 and He has to old enough to pass off as a teacher and yet young enough to hang out with teenagers and not seem like a creeper.

Review Please! At least enought to reach up to 60-75!