Sora's Point of View

The minute I saw Yuffie, everything changed. I didn't want to get into anything until Kairi returned from visiting with Merlin, but knowing that Brittany had been taken out of school, temporarily or not, made my blood boil. "Where's Riku?" I asked.

"He went for a walk," Yuffie answered.

"And why is Brittany here?" I questioned.

"Because Riku and I decided it would be best for her to stay with us until the coronation," Yuffie replied.

"That wasn't our agreement," I growled.

"Look, I'm sorry. What do you want me to say?" Yuffie huffed.

"Cut the crap, Yuffie!" I snapped.

"Dad?" Brittany gasped.

I looked behind me, thinking that Riku had come back when I realized she was talking to me. "Girls, go next door to Merlin's house. Tell Kairi that she needs to get over here," I ordered. Brittany and Alison rushed past me to get to Merlin's. I knew I would need to explain later, but I pushed those thoughts away.

"It was a stupid agreement," Yuffie grumbled.

"It was what you and Riku agreed on with Kairi and me. Brittany would stay at the school until we all decided that she was ready to live here with you and Riku," I shot back.

"She's our daughter, Sora! She should have been with us all along!" Yuffie shouted.

Kairi walked in. "Didn't you say we were going to do this rationally?"

"Brittany's here! They brought Brittany from school!" I exclaimed.

"I know. Just settle down, Sora. Yuffie, excuse us. I think we probably all need a little bit of time to cool off before this goes any farther," Kairi advised.

Yuffie didn't respond. I went outside with Kairi. "This is ridiculous," I groaned.

"That's not an excuse to be reckless. You were right. Riku and Yuffie are our friends. There's no use in ruining our friendship over this. The best thing we can do is talk it out calmly," Kairi said.

"What are you two doing here?" Riku inquired as he approached us.

"You know what, Riku, you can-" I started.

"Sora!" Kairi shouted.

"Right. I'm calm. We came here to discuss things about Brittany. Much to my surprise, I found her here and not at school where we agreed she would be," I stated.

"Sora, I'm not talking about this with you. She's my daughter. This doesn't concern you," Riku replied as he passed us to go into his house.

"He's not going to even talk to us," I sighed.

"Oh, he will. Merlin is going to see to that," Kairi assured me.

"What are you-" the sound of a slamming door cut me off. Riku had left his house and knocked on Merlin's door. Merlin answered it.

"Where's my daughter?" Riku demanded.

"Come now, Riku. That is no way to talk to an old friend. Your daughter is safe, but I'm afraid you cannot see her until you have sorted things out with Sora and Kairi. Every moment you argue with each other is another moment that girl's heart breaks. You go and work things out with Sora and Kairi, and I will get Brittany for you," Merlin insisted.

Riku shoved past Merlin but came back out soon after. "Where is she?" Riku snapped.

"She's with a friend of ours. I assure you, it isn't someone who you would find disagreeable. I will tell you when you all have made up," Merlin answered.

Riku walked back into his house and slammed the door behind him. "Now we just have to wait until they're ready to talk," Kairi commented.