A/N special thanks to Alexx the Hopeless! Thanx for reviewing me and getting into my story. Even if no one else liked this, I’d probably continue it for your sake! And Thanks to Forbidden Secrets who reads all my works! Thanx guys! Now the story...
Chapter 3/

Sora gulped. It was simple. All he had to do was nod... or whisper a ‘yes’ of some sort. But nooo! Sora had to make this difficult!! He stuttered a pathetic response. “T-tell you what?” (hits head against wall) Riku just shook his head slowly at him. Sora refused to look in his direction. He (Sora) stood. Was he ever gonna tell Riku the truth? “Look, Riku. I’ve been very confused lately with the whole Kairi thing. So please don’t confuse me any more then I already am. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He looked down at Riku and their eyes met. Sora drowned in the sight of the icy teal. Riku looked longingly up at him, but Sora didn’t notice the passion that showed in his eyes. “It’s late. I’m heading in.” Sora turned on his heal and made his way to the opposite side of the island. Riku watched him leave.

He sighed and whispered, “Why won’t you just tell me you love me, you baka? You’re just too scared. Get over it, won’t you? . . . . I love you, too, baka!” He stayed until it had grown dark, wondering if he should tell Sora his feelings for the brunette, or to wait for Sora to speak first. He went to bed undecided.

The next morning

Sora walked slowly unto the dry, wooden dock. The slabs of wood warm from the mid morning sun. He took a deep breath of the seaside air. Saltiness ensnared his nostrils with a stinging bitterness that made him sigh in relaxation. He couldn’t help but jump as a head of red appear before him, blocking the fresh sunlight from his face.

“Mornin’ Sora!”

“Good morning, Kairi.” He really didn’t feel like dealing with her at the moment.

“Have you seen Riku yet?”

“No, why?” he asked, a tone of annoyance was hinted in his voice.

“I don’t know, I just haven’t seen him yet.” She shrugged with a smile. “Oh well, you wanna do something?”

“Uhh... sure.”

“Okay... uh, how about a race?”

He smirked at her. “Against you? That’s a little one-sided, don’t ‘ya think?”

She just stuck out her tongue at him, hands on her hips, and leaning in toward him. She shook her index finger from side to side and said, “Nah, I can take you.” Sora felt that an insult and agreed. “Cool. We’ll start in front of the Secret Place. Whoever touches the water and makes it to the island first wins.”

“What do we get if we win?”

“Loser has to share a paopu fruit with someone.” She said with a glint her eye that made Sora gulp a little in hesitation, then he slowly decided to accept.

“Fine!” Walking over to the stone, positioning themselves between the vine-covered wall and the ever-flowing waterfall.

“Ready...” started Kairi. “Go!” Sora darted off toward the ocean. When he didn’t see Kairi next to him, he stole a look back. He saw Kairi running from the entrance of the Secret Place, water dripping from her fingertips as she pulled them away from the waterfall. He stopped and watched her run, laughing, across the beach and into the building where a set of stairs led to the island. His mouth open, he realized she had tricked him, and, smirking, ran after the girl. She laughed as she saw him gaining on her and she forced herself to keep running until she almost fell off the edge and into the water below. Sora skidded to a halt behind, but lost his balance (no surprise there) and sent them both tumbling into the water. When they surfaced, both were laughing at eachother.

“Don’t you think you two are a little too childish?” came an ever so familiar voice from above them. “Really you guys laugh too often.”

“And that’s a bad thing, right?!” Said Sora as he climbed up the ladder. In reaching the top, he just sat in front of Riku and smiled nervously up at him. Riku offered him his hand and pulled Sora to his feet. They’re eyes met and Sora quickly looked away. Kairi was up the ladder and next to them before she started complaining.

“Well, thanks, Sora. Now I gotta go change clothes.” She sighed and began to walk away, before she remembered something and looked back at him. “Meanwhile, you can decide who you’re gonna share your paopu fruit with.” And with that she ran off across the bridge.