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

kh2(3)

Kairi jumped up in the air as Aqua slashed at her.

Aqua did an upward slash, and Kairi saw her opportunity.

She focused briefly, and pushed it outward, forming a white, yet clear barrier.

Aqua's keyblade hit it, and she flew back.

But she did a somersault, and landed down on the grass.

Kairi lightly landed beside her mentor.

"That was great!" Aqua complimented. "You're getting good at it."

Kairi felt warmed by her words. "Thank you!"

She waved her keyblade around skillfully and set it over her shoulder.

"Mind if I take a turn?" Riku asked.

"Sparring Aqua, or sparring me?" Kairi pondered.

"Either is fine."

"I think you two should spar." Aqua said. "After all, you're obviously good at fighting together. Maybe it would be better to know each other's fighting styles as if your own."

Riku shrugged. "If you say so."

Kairi got back into position.

Her grip on her keyblade tightened even more, and her fingers felt stiff.

She took a deep breath, and loosened her grip by a bit, and stared at Riku.

He looked hesitant.

"Actually, can I fight you, Aqua?" Riku asked.

Kairi doubled back. "What..?"

Riku disappeared from sight.

Kairi stiffened as she felt something behind her.

"You look tired." Riku whispered. "You should rest."

"But Riku-"

"I'm insisting. I don't want you overworking yourself."

Kairi hesitated in nodding.

Riku knew her too well.

"Thank you."

Kairi flashed her keyblade away, and glanced around the observatory.

There weren't a lot of resting places..

"You could rest over here."

Kairi turned her head over to the shadow of a rock, where Riku was melting out of the dark.

"But would I be a good distance away from the spar?" Kairi asked.

"You should be." Said Aqua. "We won't take up too much room."

Kairi stepped along the grass and rock ground of the Observatory, and sat herself down, letting its shadow cool her off.

She exhaled softly and watched Riku and Aqua spar.

For a while, it looked like Riku had the upper hand, with his shadow warping abilities.

But Aqua was clearly holding back against him.

Riku's body had dark splotches against his skin and clothes, and even over some parts of his hair.

It gave him a neoshadow look, Kairi noticed.

With a painful sigh, she remembered Riku turning into a heartless.

And the feeling of dread that came when she thought she might never see her friend again.

She shifted uncomfortably against the boulder.

Her gaze drifted back to the spar, which was now getting intense.

Riku summoned his barrier as Aqua slashed at him.

Aqua bombarded him with attacks, which moved Riku, his barrier, and Aqua around as they sparred.

Kairi could see the concentration tears in Riku's eyes.

He was taking it a bit to much to heart.

"Riku!" She called.

Her friend glanced at her, but then reverted back to Aqua.

He disappeared from within the barrier, and it pushed itself outward.

Aqua was hit, but didn't looked affected.

Riku hit her hard from behind.

"Riku, you need to relax!" Kairi demanded.

Riku winked at her to show that he heard, and then let himself fall to the ground.

Aqua held her arm as if it hurt, but raised her keyblade and healed herself.

"You fight with the ferocity of a storm, Riku." She said optimistically.

"Thank you." Riku smiled.

"Excuse me, but I'd like to speak with Riku and Kairi."

Kairi picked herself up as Terra and Eraqus came up the Observatory.

She shared a glance with Riku.

His nod confirmed they shared the same thought.

The two adults stepped over to them, which only made Kairi's nerves shoot up.

"Terra informed me that there was a strange feeling in the darkness during our meeting yesterday." Eraqus looked at Riku. "Care to explain?"

Riku suddenly looked small and frail. "I- I hadn't meant to spy. I just happened across the room, and-" he looked down. "I'm sorry, Master."

"I'm proud of you for owning up to your mistake."

Kairi rocked back and forth on her heels.

"Still, a punishment is in order." He looked at Kairi. "For the both of you."

Kairi looked up at him, "what? I had no part in this!"

"You didn't tell him to turn himself in."

Kairi bit back a retort. "I'm sorry."

"Master, if I may," Terra began, "I don't think they should be punished."

Eraqus glanced at him. "Why not?"

"He owned up to it, instead of denying."

Eraqus brought Terra and Aqua aside, and they discussed quietly.

"I'm sorry if I ruined our chance to go out again." Riku whispered.

"It isn't your fault." Kairi said sympathetically.

They both watched the adult's conversation, and Kairi found herself ready if they couldn't leave.

Eraqus approached them, with Terra and Aqua close behind.

Kairi sucked in a breath, which only made the tension worse.

"Go get ready." He said.

Kairi looked up at him with shock. "W-what?"

"I said, go get ready." He smiled at them. "Despite what you did, we all think you both deserve to go out."

Riku's eyes widened, and his voice dripped with awe. "You're kidding." He covered his mouth after he spoke, regret showing in his eyes.

Terra smiled. "Though, you will have designated worlds to go to."

"So we can't just wander freely." Kairi mumbled.

"Exactly. Now go get ready!"