Author's Note: This is the revised edition of Carousel that you are about to read. This project was started on 10/9/06.

Note: This was (I believe) my third Kingdom Hearts fanfic, in which my first three were very unsucessful. Believe me, if I noticed how lame they were I wouldn't have tried posting it. But over the years I improved dramatically and hopefully as the years progress, I will improve even more to an advanced level of writing.

Please enjoy this first chapter.

Chapter One: The Clash between the Opposites
Carousel

I.

A pair of eyes squinted as the sun’s rays grew brighter and unbearable by the minute. She shield her eyes from the sun with her book and sighed as she suffered, literally being baked alive under the hot steamy sun. The young girl paused, wiping the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. ‘It’s so hot.’ She thought. The girl known as Kairi smiled as the ocean’s waves hit her feet. ‘I wonder where Namine went.’ She thought curiosity-stricken. She brushed off a few strands of her red hair and looked around in hopes to catch sight of her best friend.

“Namine!” Kairi called out as she stumbled upon her friend’s home. After moments of not having a single sight of her friend she decided to might as well go to meet her. She looked up from the grand house calling out. “We’ll be late for school if you don’t hurry!”

“I’m coming!” Was what Kairi heard as a reply. She watched as the blonde ran out of the house and laughed. “Sorry about that Kairi, I was just finishing up my new drawing.” She explained. Questions ran through the red-head’s mind. “It’s okay. So am I going to see this new drawing of yours soon?” Kairi asked, surprisingly causing Namine to blush the shade of a tomato.

“Of course you’ll see it! But...it’s someone I really like. You promise not to tell anyone who it is?” She asked. Kairi promised, though she already knew who her friend had been crushing on. In fact, Kairi wouldn’t have been surprised if the whole school knew by the way Naruto was always glancing at him. “It’s a sketch of Riku, you know Sora’s best friend from school…”

Riku was a man whore in Kairi’s eyes, usually known to get together with various girls and dump them at a week’s best. Kairi sighed, letting some sort of depression escape in her tone of voice but at the same time she was happy that Namine had a sudden love interest. “Oh Namine, I didn’t know you had it in for him!” Kairi lied, causing Namine to blush ten shades of red. “Okay, I’ll stop torturing you!” Kairi added sarcastically. Namine sighed in relief, afraid Kairi would tell the whole world about her crush on Riku.

That’s if the whole world didn’t already know.

Riku was perhaps your basic dream guy, with his silver hair and beautiful aqua colored hues, so beautiful that a single glance was enough to capture but a maiden’s heart. His voice was deep, usually using this to his advantage when speaking to a girl, seductively and with respect. And for this, anyone could fall easily head over heels for him. It was easy. But it wasn’t so easy for his best friend and the school’s very “special case”.

Sora was not as muscular or mature like Riku. He had average spiky brown chestnut hair. Always wore old baggy clothing and never really talked unless it was to snap or curse back at teachers who often disrespected him. What made him even more popular was the fact that he lives for danger. Sora had taken up many dares and had never backed out on a dare-unless it had something do to with a girl wanting to go out with him...then he’d back out. But that was what most girls liked about him, he was bad. But Sora often thought girls too troublesome.

“You look so tired don’t tell me you’ve stayed up late just to draw...the picture?” Kairi asked. Again Namine blushed and nodded. “Wow...” Kairi and Namine walked towards their lockers-which happened to be next to each other-and left to go to their next class. “So, when do you plan on talking to him?” Kairi asked.

“I don’t know.” Namine replied, attempting to fight the crowds that began to gather in the hallways. “He’s always with those group pf girls...I-I don’t think I-I can.” Kairi patted grabbed her to pull her out of the crowds and only stared when Namine looked down, saddened. “I’m too ugly.”

This made Kairi grunt in reply. “No you’re not! Namine, don’t ever say that.” It was such stupidity to call Namine ugly. She was beautiful, with large blue eyes that looked that of an angel. And her innocent complexity made her seem even more angelic. As for Kairi, well…she was herself. She was neither ugly nor beautiful but not exactly ever admired by guys as much as Namine was.

“Thanks, Kairi.” She said, smiling. Kairi nodded.

….

“That’s another girl you’ve dumped Riku, congratulations you’ve got to your twentieth girlfriend...and you’re only a freshmen. Go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back.” Sora mumbled, bitter sarcasm hinted at every word of his sentence. Riku, who was smiling at this point listened, gave himself a pat. “I didn’t mean it literally.” Sora commented.

“Oh well. So how many girlfriends do you think I can get before senior year?” Riku asked. Sora only shrugged his shoulders. Though as much as Sora hated the fact that his own best friend was whoring around with girls, he had to admit that everyone of his girlfriends were funny to make fun of and the way Riku dumped them each. The last one had been dumped over dramatically, Riku stating that he was actually gay with Sora. “Hn…had to make up such a stupid thing.” Sora grunted.

Riku grinned. “Well at least she didn’t believe it. Or else everyone here might think we’re gay, Sora!” He exclaimed. Sora scanned the room to see that fortunately no one had heard Riku’s loud outburst. Sora grunted. “So, who’s the next unlucky girlfriend?” He wondered.

“Hey! They are lucky enough to be chosen to be my girlfriend! Unlike you...whose had...no girlfriends!” Riku commented. Sora gave him his oh-so famous death glare. “What? I just tell the truth.” Riku said, crossing his arms.

“Yeah, well the truth sucks.” Sora commented bitterly. “So, who’s the next one?” He asked. Riku looked over at a few girls who were glancing at him. They all waved at him, one screaming on top of her lungs for Riku to pick her. Jesus, Sora slapped his forehead. It was like a young boy walking into a dog shop to adopt a pet. The comparison made Sora grin, thinking Riku’s fan girls as nothing but whiny puppies.

“Um...maybe not them.” Riku mumbled, backing away. Sora couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. The silver-haired boy turned to his brunette friend, arms crossed. “How about you, Sora? Why don’t you get yourself a girl?”

Sora leaned against the wall, looking down. “I’m not interested in any of these girls.” He replied, but the fact was that there weren’t any interesting girls for him to actually pay attention to. Every girl was the same, always going out of their way to look so perfect for guys. It was disgusting in Sora’s eyes. Riku glared at him. “Fine. For your sake...I’ll give one of these unlucky girls a shot.”

“Dammit, when is the damn art teacher coming in?” Riku complained. Sora looked around and spotted a particular girl. His eyes observed her carefully. Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted when he felt Riku patting him on his shoulder. “Eh...so she’s the lucky girl?” He whispered.

Sora only shook his hand off his shoulder. “No, I’m just looking around.” Sora said. ‘Shit...this is like shopping for girlfriends...’ Sora thought. He shook off the thought and sat in the back with Riku.

….

“Hey Namine, that’s wonderful!” Often Kairi would find herself feeling jealous of her own best friend, whenever the art teacher, Mrs. Lockhart, would compliment Namine. More or so, she would glance at Kairi and tell her she’s doing okay or not say anything at all. The teacher took a look at Kairi’s drawing and laughed slightly and pointed. “Um...Namine you mind giving Kairi with her drawing?” She asked.

Kairi smiled, figuring art class was just her time for Namine to shine.

“Sure.” Namine replied. Kairi rolled her eyes but smiled still. If Namine hadn’t wanted the class so badly then Kairi would have never signed up for it. But due to the blonde’s shyness, Kairi couldn’t help but join anyway. Namine hovered over her just as the teacher was leaving and smiled. “Thanks for signing up.” She said.

“No prob.” It was a lie, because Kairi had to sacrifice music class for art. “So, are you going to show me the sketch of lover boy?” Kairi asked, wanting nothing ore but to kill time by talking rather than just painting a bunch of fruits that sat in front of her. Namine seemed to blush again, causing Kairi to hold back a laugh. Namine looked around the class and then took out a paper from her bag, handing it to Kairi.

Kairi stared at the picture, amazed that Namine would draw realistic people so wonderfully. “Whoa...Namine! He looks so nice...unlike the real him.” Kairi whispered. “It’s so...beautiful.”

“Thanks!” She said. She quickly hid it as kids passed by the two. “Only you and I can look at it.” She said.

“I feel honored.” Kairi teased. The two giggled in despite of themselves. “Come on, Riku’s right there! And he’s all by himself! Go!” The red-head encouraged. She looked down, feeling her self-esteem suddenly stopping her to achieve her ultimate goal. Grinning, Kairi gave her a slight push. Namine let out a yelp as she bumped into Riku just as he caught her from falling on the floor.

Sweat dropping, Kairi turned quickly. ‘I over did it!’ She thought. Kairi only hoped that Namine wouldn’t hold it a grudge against her.

Blue eyes locked on one another as Riku caught her, smiling. “Hey Namine, you should be more careful.” He said, softly like he meant to sing it. Namine might’ve died and gone to heaven. Shaking the thoughts away she nodded, reddened. “Y-Yeah...sorry about that. I slipped.” She explained. Riku looked at her and smiled. “Um...thanks.” She said and walked past him. Riku scratched his head before trailing after her.

Kairi bit her lip hard. ‘She’ll have my head for sure.’

….

Namine walked quickly past Riku and towards the empty part of the art room where supplies where stored. The blonde made a mental note to kill Kairi later, but she gave her friend the least credit for she got a chance to talk to Riku. “Hey Namine!” Namine froze in her spot, glued to the floor almost and didn’t dare to turn.

Her heart skipped a beat.

“Riku?” She asked, he smiled-showing his white pearl teeth. “Um...uh...what’s up?” She asked, laughing nervously.

“I was hoping you can help me with the assignment.” He said. Namine stopped and quickly nodded. “Thanks, oh...by the way...are you okay? You seemed kinda nervous back there.” Riku pointed out. Namine’s mind screamed. ‘Oh, great after everything he noticed THAT..’

“Um...yea I’m not feeling too well.” She lied; pencil in hand ready to snap into two. Her nervousness suddenly showed as she shivered every time Riku spoke. Her heart literally fluttered when his eyes where on her. “Yeah...I was trying to um...get to the nurse but I’m feeling a whole lot better.” Namine added, suddenly feeling the urge to really get to the school nurse.

“Oh.” Was his only response. “Nice to know your feeling better.” He said.

Silence.

Riku looked down at his feet, almost ashamed to ask. He kicked himself mentally for acting so corny in front of her. “So, can you come over my house?” He asked. Namine looked at him as if he had asked her to marry him. Riku let out a laugh in comic relief. Namine snapped out of her trance suddenly.

“Um...uh...sure.” She replied finally, feeling her heart flutter inside her body.

The bell finally rang.

Kairi looked all over but couldn’t find a single trace Namine anywhere. Kairi bit her lip, hoping she hadn’t made her cry...or else she’d hate her forever. ‘I really did it this time.’ She looked around...still no Namine. “Damn it.” She cursed.

Panic arose as Kairi turned and hit her nose on something strong and fell on the floor. The force was so strong that the red-head couldn’t control her anger. “Watch where you’re going next time!” She yelled. Looking up she saw that she’d bumped into Sora, who stared back in her in disbelief. Sora crossed his arms like he suddenly had a stick shoved up his ass. “My bad.” He hissed. ‘It’s not ‘my bad’! It’s ‘I'm sorry!’ Kairi thought. Uncharacteristically like, and to everyone’s surprise, Sora bent down to hand her books she’d dropped.

“Um...thanks.” Kairi said, all traces of anger suddenly lost. He ignored her thanks and walked past her, in fool mood. Kairi stared back as he left without a word and stuck our her tongue when he went out of site.

….

‘Why the hell did I pick up her books? She’s the clumsy one…’ Sora thought angrily. “Where the hell is that Riku?” He hissed out loud. Sora angrily brushed the strands of hair of his face and began to walk to the out fields of the school. Cutting class was his only relief; after all, what good would history do him if he wouldn’t have to know it in the near future? His mind raced back to the girl he’d bumped into…no the girl who had bumped into him.

He admitted the girl was pretty bitchy but she was good-looking.

Sora shook the thought away once more and sat, taking out a cigarette in which he dared never to spoke but rather look at. At six his father had died, the type of good natured man who had collage education and earned money to support his own family. If the man had still been alive then they’d all have an easy living. But bad things always happened to the good natured, Sora figured. His father had been jacked from his car by a group of mad men who wanted to get away from a bank robbery. Shot, his father only whispered his son good bye in his death bed.

“Fuck.” Sora twitched as he dropped his cigarette.

Soon after the brunette met a gang, and they showed him the way of life outside of home. And how cruel the world could actually be and has been for the past centuries since man was even alive. With these newly survival skills, Sora became something that resembled that of a gang member. Tough love, Sora knew, but he was determined to live his life even if the whore of his mother wouldn’t.

Lonely and wild-it was his life.

Later

“What do you mean you’ve getting another girlfriend?” Sora demanded. Riku crossed his arms, smiling. The brunette oh-so wanted to slap the smile from his face. “You dumped number twenty and now you want to get with another girl?” Sora leaned back against the wall and looked at him with cold eyes.

“Of course. Her name is Namine...she seems pretty shy. I kinda like her...she’s different from other girls.” Riku said, smiling again only to be glared at. Riku knew that Sora thought of him as the kind who liked to toy with a girl’s emotion. But the fact was...Riku just got bored with them. Namine seemed different, and so the silver-haired boy figured she would be the least bit of fun. Sora only grunted in his reasoning.

“Namine? Doesn’t she hang around with that other girl? Kairi?” Sora asked. Riku nodded at this, and raised a brow in curiosity. “Why? You wouldn’t happen to like her, would you?” Riku asked. The younger boy shook his head. “Then why do you ask?”

“Just curious.” He replied. The older boy looked at him, searching for a smile or at least a hint of blush on his face but found none. Sora was just that good at hiding his emotions.

“Okay, whatever you say.” Riku growled. “I think she’s a pretty little thing though…” He replied. Suddenly, he turned to change the subject. “So, have you given someone a shot?” Sora shook his head and looked at the sky, perhaps thinking why he was still friends with someone like Riku.

“No...but I am considering someone.” He confessed. Riku looked at him as if he had just murdered someone. Sora casted him friendly glare but one that also meant to back off.

“Whoa...who is it?” He asked. Sora smirked when Riku grew impatient. “…Tell me.”

“Okay...can you keep a secret?” Sora asked. Riku nodded. “Good! So can I!” Riku fell over as Sora walked away laughing.

“So lame.” Riku growled and trailed behind.