One Change - A KH "What If?" (DISCONTINUED/MOVED)

CoM(7)

"I told you. We're waiting."

Kairi just about had enough. "It's been three days, Riku. Sora's probably wondering what he did for us to not save him. Now, we're going to go find him, or I'm leaving you behind."

"But you can't leave me behind, I'm the only one who can get you to another world." Riku objected.

"Wanna bet?"

With a long sigh, Riku looked away. "Fine. I wasn't trying to argue."

Kairi smiled apologetically. "Neither was I. But days have gone by, and Sora's still out there. We need to go and look for him."

Riku nodded. "Let's go then."

Kairi relaxed a bit more. We're on our way, Sora. I hope you can keep up for a little while longer.

Kairi followed Riku into the Third District, but he stopped suddenly, and turned back at her.

"You okay? We should hurry and look for Sora." Kairi looked into his green eyes, seeing different emotions fly past.

"Yeah, we'll look for Sora in a moment."

"'In a moment'? He's out there, worried. We need to find him before something bad happens." Kairi insisted. "Please, Riku, he's your best friend."

"I know. I guess, it just seems that you care more about him than you do me."

"What? That's stupid. You're my friend too, Riku. But we don't have time for this. We have to-"

"-look for Sora? You've been saying that for the past three days."

"Riku, what's wrong with you? Of course I've been talking about that, because we need him."

"No, you need him. As far as I'm concerned, you hardly care about me."

Kairi groaned into the sky. "Riku, quit it already. You mean as much to me as Sora. Now, let's go look for him, or-"

Riku rolled his eyes and smiled, though it looked blank. "I was just joking. And you won't be leaving me behind, okay?"

Kairi rolled her eyes. "Fine, I won't."

She stared at the looming doors of the Third District, and, with Riku's help, pushed it open.

Her heart raced as they approached the spot where Sora disappeared. They were only moments from getting their friend back.

The District seemed to have a shadow looming over it, a cold atmosphere.

She stepped over the stone, feeling the chilly nighttime wind blow across her face.

Right, it's always nighttime here... Kairi followed Riku up the steps, drawing in a sharp breath.

Riku turned to look back at her. "Ready?"

Kairi nodded. "Let's go save Sora."

Riku closed his eyes, held out his hand, and a corridor of darkness appeared in front of him.

For the first time in a while, Kairi felt wary about going into one. Sure, she was a Princess of Heart, and she could go into one without being affected, but there was one problem.

Riku.

Kairi stopped Riku from going inside, looking up at his clear green eyes.

"Something wrong, Kairi?" Riku asked.

Kairi nodded. "I don't want you going in. You're.. not yourself. And if you stay like that, the darkness may stain your heart even more."

"Kairi, I'm fine. I've put it all aside, okay? I'll be careful."

Kairi still felt doubtful. "I need to believe you. Riku, even though we are just friends, I care about you just as much as I care about Sora."

Riku was silent for a moment. Quite a long moment, in Kairi's opinion. His jaw unclenching, and his eyes relaxed.

Finally, he said, "Sora needs us."

Kairi felt oddly reassured, and backed into the corridor, Riku following in suit.

Her breath was taken away by the lovely looking city.

It was dark, sure, but the faint lights looked promising.

"Are you sure Sora's here?" Kairi asked.

Riku shrugged. "This is where he led us."

Kairi felt unsure for a moment. And then she realized,

The connection to Sora had gotten stronger.