The New Me

A/N: ZOOT! Testing is done. So now, I’m back to writing! At least until the middle of next month…but that’s ok. I got lots to hold you over!

And to all of you who reviewed: YEA!! THANKYOU!! LOVE!!! THIS STORY BROKE 100 REVIEWS!! ZOMG I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH I’M TEMPTED TO CAVE TO ALL THE REQUEST AND KILL KAIRI!!!!

…but I probably won’t… but it was a fun tease wasn’t it? Heh. Don’t kill me…I swear, you’ll still like what’s coming. Really.

So anyway, I hope you don’t mind, but I don’t feel like sitting in the trail do you? Don’t worry were not skipping it, I’m just giving it to you second hand. Sorry.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.


Three days.

For three days Naminé and Sora hadn’t seen Riku. Naminé had gone over to his house the day after Sora was discharged, and was sent away by his angry father and had her book returned to her.

The most she had been able to gather from gossip down at the flower shop was Riku got caught.

“It’s all my fault,” Naminé sighed as she flipped through a book on the magical potency of flowers and herbs, “I should have never have given him that book!”

“Its ok, Naminé. You didn’t know that was gonna happen…” Sora smiled at her as he sat next to her on his couch. The two had been hanging out for the past three days when Naminé wasn’t at the shop covering for Axel.

“It is my fault! I’m such a terrible friend…but don’t worry! I’m going to help him out!”

“How?” Sora began fishing around in the couch cushions looking for the remote.

“Simple,” Naminé held up her book, “Most of these plants we have at the nursery. I’ll buy them, make a truth potion, and we’ll give it to Kairi! Then she’ll tell the truth and you and Riku will be off the hook!”

Sora shook his head. “I don’t think that will really work.” He stood up and flipped over the cushion he was sitting on.

“Why not?”

“Well, for one, do you really thing Kairi will drink anything from the two of us?”

“….We could force her.” Sora laughed and pulled out the remote.

“No, Naminé, though it would be funny…we can’t do that.” He sat back down on the couch and turned on the TV.

“Well then…what should we do?”

Sora sighed. “I have no clue…wait and hope for the best?” Naminé sighed. “Well….” Sora looked around, ‘This is crazy. Waiting around for the next big thing…I wonder how this is all gonna resolve?’

Sora let his head fall to rest on the back of the couch. He really didn’t feel up to anything. The first day of the trail was in two days. His mother was meeting with the lawyer again today, he had to go with her tomorrow. It was depressing. He still hadn’t gone outside since the incident, and only Naminé was able to come over and see him. How was he supposed to patch things up with Riku if he couldn’t see the boy? It’s not that he didn’t want Naminé around…it’s just that he wanted his silver haired neighbor over too.

“So,” Naminé realizing Sora wasn’t going to make a decision, but not willing to sit in silence spoke up, “Small talk?”

“…Like what?” The two had been engaged in ‘small talk’ for the past few days. Well, that and reading Naminé’s manga.

“Hm…” She looked down at her book, “Favorite flower?”

“Hmm, sunflower.” He smiled at her.

“Cool, I like white roses. Favorite season?”

“Fall. What’s your favorite animal?”

“I like crows. When’s your birthday, mines in October?”

“Well mine is-” Sora stopped in realization, “It’s in three days.” He muttered the second part. His birthday was in three days…He had been so upset about it before, but now, with the whole Kairi problem, he had let it fall by the wayside. What did it matter, he was still going to spend it away from home…now he just had a few more reasons for it to be the worst birthday ever.

“You’re birthday’s in three days!” Sora turned his head and nodded at the girl. “Why am I now just hearing about this?”

“Well…I haven’t said anything about it before.”

“And why not!”

“Because, it just never seemed too important.”

“Not to important?” Naminé shifted closer to him, “How old are you turning?”

“Um…sixteen.”

“SIXTEEN!” She jumped off the couch, “Sora! That’s important! We need to celebrate!

Sora shook his head, he didn’t really feel like celebrating. Besides, what was there to celebrate?

“Oh, come on Sora, it’s just what you need to take your mind off this whole mess.”

“Easier said than done…” he muttered. Sora brought his head forward to rest in his hands. His birthday was coming; by the time it arrived, his last letter home would be in Leon’s hands. God, what a great thought, the by the day of his birthday, he would officially be over with his first love.

Naminé leaned over and rubbed the brunette’s back, “You ok, Sora? You look upset all the sudden.”

“I’m fine. I just really don’t feel like celebrating this year, Naminé. Can you understand that?” He looked up at her. And for a while, the locked eyes, finally she nodded.

“Can I at least get you a gift?” She twisted her lips into a bit of a smirk, Sora smiled t her. Might as well let her do it.

“Sure. You can get me a gift.”

“Awesome!” The blonde pulled back from him. “Then I’m gonna go.”

“What? You’ve only been here three hours…”

“I know. But I need to get to work on your gift. After all, I’ve only got three days!”


Naminé waved to Sora from his front lawn. She watched the boy retreat from his porch back into his house. As soon as he was out of sight, the girl ran from his yard to Riku’s. She rounded the house to the back yard, careful not to be seen through any of the windows.

She stopped in the back yard and began inspecting the windows. She remembered Riku’s window lined up with an old tree in the back corner of his yard. She glanced around and picked up a pebble. Hopefully he was home, and no one else was in his room.

Riku walked out of his shower, towel wrapped around his waist, hair dripping wet, and body covered in a thin sheen of water. He hadn’t been in a good mood since he had been grounded. It drove him nuts being in the house. At least before he could have people over, but now he was denied even that.

“Stupid Kairi…” he muttered as removed the towel from his waist and began drying his hair in front of the mirror. “I could kill that girl I swear.” He turned his head and began wringing out his locks in the towel. The rest of his body dripped cold water onto floor.

The water was cold, not because he had been out for long, but because he found being denied access to Sora was bad for his imagination. But man! His imagination could take ten pages of Naminé’s manga and create some interesting situations…

Riku smirked and shook his head. “I can’t take a nap today…mom’s gonna kill me if I keep taking shower’s like th-” He stopped and turned his head. Did a bird just fly into his window?

He stared at the glass portal for a while, waiting to see what would happen. He still had his towel in his hands and up to the side of his head. He finally looked around the room to see if something had fallen. Nothing. He finished drying his hair and began working on his body.

And there it goes again. He looked over at the window. ‘I’m crazy…’ He started to dry off again.

This time the sound came much louder, almost like it would have broken the glass. If that wasn’t a bird, then someone’s throwing rocks at his window.

He walked over and threw the swinging glass pane open. Yep. Someone was throwing rocks.

“Naminé? What are doing?” Riku hissed at her.

“I’m trying to get your attention.” She whispered.

“…What?”

“I’m trying to get your attention!” She said it a bit louder. Riku shook his head and leaned out the window.

“What?”

“I said I’m trying to get your…Are you not wearing pants!?”

“You’re trying to get in my pants?” Riku raised an eyebrow at her.

“Where are your pants, Riku!” Naminé was talking slightly louder now, but still not loud enough to attract anyone.

“You can’t have my pants, Naminé, you know I’m saving that for Sora.” He winked at her.

“You’re saving for Sora? Did you know it was his birthday?”

“Birthday?” Riku stopped for a moment and shouted. “IT’S SORA’S BIRTHDAY!”

“SHHHHHHH!!!” Naminé held her finger over her mouth. The two reminded silent for a moment before the girl spoke up again. “It’s Sora’s Birthday in three days. He told me I could get him a gift, so I’m getting him party.”

Riku nodded. That sounded like fun….but three days? He’d still be grounded.

“So, you gonna come?”

“How do you suggest I get there?”

“Sneak out, duh.” She hissed. Riku nodded.

“Meet at Sora’s house?”

“Nah, that’s too obvious…I figured we’d take him shopping.”

“Shopping!” Riku groaned. Shopping. Sounded like what his mom took him to do with his birthday money. And it was always for clothes. ALWAYS.

Riku rolled his eyes, but then a thought hit him. Sora clung to that dress Leon kissed him in…he wore a dress Leon gave him the day that they met. The silver haired teen couldn’t help but smirk.

Naminé eyed him with suspicion. ‘Why does he look so maniacal all of the sudden…’

“Ok, Naminé! Shopping it is!”

“Great! Meet us up the street at one on the second day of the trail!” The blonde waved and scampered off. Riku shut his window.

That was right. The trail was this week too…wow, Sora was gonna be bummed. A party to cheer him up was a good idea. He had to hand it Naminé. Plus, it gave him a way to one up Leon.

“You might not let go of your first love Sora…” he flopped down on the bed, “But I’ll give you a reason to try at this game again.”

Two days came and went. And the trail was like a three ring circus as far as Riku was concerned. He was sure it wouldn’t last more than a week. But good lord, Kairi was gonna get her fifteen minutes of out this if it killed her. And it probably would.

Riku watched her out of the corner of his eye the entire time. She looked a nervous, ailing, wreck. She didn’t look up, barely moved, and seemed to randomly begin shaking.

If the lie was so hard to maintain why not tell the truth?

‘Because telling the truth now would just get her thrown in jail…’ Riku sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He was leaning up against his family’s car. They had just been let out. It was mid after noon, they had started around twelve; little things like this didn’t take long.

And thank God they didn’t, because at this rate Riku was going to need a trail of his own once he jumped Wakka and knocked the stupid glare off his face. Oh yea, they were still fighting.

The silver haired teen slammed his palm into his fist. He really wanted to beat Wakka senseless, but he knew he couldn’t. Especially not with everyone there.

All the kids families, a few close family friends, and a random spectator or two. It was on their account that Riku thought the whole thing was a mess. People can be real shit heads sometimes. Everyone sitting around looking over at him and Naminé like they’d sided with Satan on the day of the apocalypse. So they sat on Sora’s side of the room. Fuck them. That was still no reason for them to carry on like they did. And his parents? What a fuss…his dad was going to smack as soon as he saw him. He knew it. But he was fine with that.

Riku looked up, here comes Naminé.

“Hey.” She said quietly.

“Hey.” She didn’t say anything else. “So…we still on for tomorrow?”

“Um, yea! Sora’s got no clue. I’m gonna take him down Bay St. You meet us there. Then we’ll go shopping and pick up an ice cream cake for him. How’s the sound?”

“What kind of cake?”

“Cookies n’ Cream. It’s the best kind to get.” She winked.

“Ok. We’ll meet two hours after we get let out?”

“Sure.” She paused and looked at him a little bit worried. “You…you don’t think, this is going turn out bad, do you?”

“Hm?”

“For Sora I mean. The guy Mr. Akai got for a lawyer is really fiery.” Naminé rubbed her hands together.

“So. The guy Mrs. Hikari got can take him. He’s from the main land I’m sure of it.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, I never remember anyone mentioning a lawyer named Ansem before. Do you?” Riku smirked at her. “Don’t worry about Sora! He gets his turn to talk tomorrow. And then everyone will see how bad he turned out. I mean, even everyone has to wise up after they get a look at his injuries!”

“I guess you’re-OH!” Naminé shook her head. “Here comes your dad…I better get gone.”

“Yea. See you tomorrow. Tell Sora I said hi!” He waved to her as she took off. He wasn’t sure she heard him get out the last part.

Riku stood off the car and turned to his dad. Yep, a smack in the face. His dad was so reliable.

“You know…out in public like that. That’s child abuse.” He smirked.

“Keep it up and it will murder.” He pointed in the direction of Naminé. “Was that that little blonde girl? The one that hangs out with the tranny?”

Riku rolled his eyes. “Yea that was her. And Sora’s not a tranny.”

“Whatever, point is, the boy’s not right. I don’t care what made him think it was ok, you don’t go around telling people you’re a girl when you’re not.” Mr. Endo opened the back door and began fishing around under the seats.

“So, then, if he dressed up and had told people he was a boy, would you still have a problem with him?”

“…yes.”

“Why?” Riku’s dad pulled himself out from the car to look at his son. His face was twisted into and odd expression, but Riku could read it clearly. “I already told you, Dad, I’m probably bise-”

“Riku, shut up.” He slammed the door. “Come on.”

“Do you think mom would care it I brought home a boy.”

“You’re not bringing home a boy, son.”

‘At least not yet…’ Riku muttered and followed his dad.

The two walked a short distance to the Akai’s car. Everyone was gathered there, everyone but the Akai’s, they were still inside talking to their lawyer. The adults greeted Mr. Endo and began talking instantly. Gossip was very annoying.

Riku hung back, he would have gone to lean on the car, but Wakka was there. Arg, Wakka, Riku just wanted to go pop him in the mouth. And by the looks of things, it seemed like he’d get that chance. Wakka got up from his place on the hood of the car and walked over. Tidus and Selphie watched.

The brunette put her hands together and lowered her head, ‘Please don’t let them fight. Please don’t let them fight. PLEASE don’t let them fight!’

“Stop that, you’re making me nervous…” Tidus swatted her and turned back to the older boys.

“So, Riku. Nice to see you, ya.” Wakka smiled weakly and waved his hand.

“Hn.” Riku raised an eyebrow and looked out to the side of his eye.

“We saw you inside too…you were sitting on Sora’s side.”

“Mm-hm.”

“You’re mom was really upset. So was-”

“Who cares how Kairi feels.”

“Who cares? Riku she’s your best friend!” Wakka reached out and grabbed him by the shoulders. Selphie started to pray louder and Tidus joined in. The parents hadn’t taken notice yet.

“She was! I mean, I was willing to forgive her before! She told me she was going to tell the truth! And look what she did, she turned on me!” Riku looked Wakka right in the eye, he didn’t bother to remove his hands from his shoulders.

“You turned on her first,” he growled, “From the day it happened you turned on her.”

“I never turned on Kairi. I still want my best friend back! I still want her to come around! She’s the one who’s turned! She’s changed. And I refuse to accept the ‘New Kairi’; just because you’re fooled by her doesn’t mean I have to be.”

“So you’d rather be fooled by Sora?”

“At least he tells the truth!” The stood like that for a moment before Wakka let go.

“You’re wrong about Kairi, Riku. She not the one that’s become someone else, you have.”

Riku shook his head, but before he could answer Wakka continued, “You used to always stand by your friends. And now you’re perfectly willing to abandon them for someone who lied to you. And why? Because you have a little crush, ya? You even know good and well it’s a boy.”

Riku shook his head again, “It’s more than that!”

“More than that? What, has Sora got something over you? Is that why you’re siding with the lying bastard?”

“No! I mean…” Riku looked up and shook his head again, “It’s more than a crush,” he muttered the last part. For a while Wakka looked at him with a blank look on his face. He watched Riku’s eyes flick over him trying to read it, but there was nothing there. He had nothing to say.

Riku was in love with a boy? How crazy was that? Kairi was right.

Wakka turned around and walked away. Riku watched him make his way over to the others. He walked past them and waved the other two kids over. Tidus came willingly, but Selphie turned around and walked up to Riku.

He smiled at her, “Hey.”

“Hi…” she whispered. “So…um…what did you think of today?”

“I think Kairi’s story will fall apart once Sora gets to tell his side.” Selphie tried to smile, but she looked sad at best. “Don’t worry about Kairi, it’s her own fault. Pulling all this, and for what?”

“Because,” Selphie looked up at him, “She really does love you, Riku.”

“….I know.” He ran his hand through his hair, “But she knows I don’t love her.”

“Yea…she told me. She told me you’re in love with Sora.” Riku stopped for a moment and looked at her confused.

“What?”

Selphie nodded. “She told me you were in love with Sora despite what happened. She told Tidus and Wakka too…and some kids from our school….” Selphie let her words drop off as she watched Riku’s face. He was smiling. Smiling and almost laughing.

God, Kairi was telling everyone he was into Sora. That’s great. He tilted his head back.

“And what have they been saying in return?”

Selphie shrugged, “Stuff….mostly that well, they figured you’d eventually turn to guys…”

“Really?” He looked at her surprised.

“Well, you can’t keep a girl…” Riku laughed. Selphie smiled. “It does seem like it was bound to happen sooner or later.”

“Yea.” The two laughed a little bit more, before someone called Selphie’s name. She turned around, Kairi was here now.

“I’ve got to go…I’ll see you later.”

“Wait!” Riku grabbed her arm and whispered to her, “Tomorrow, meet me on Bay St. about two hours after we get out tomorrow, ok. And bring some money.”

“Um…ok!” Selphie ran to Kairi’s side as soon as Riku let go. He took note of the strange looks the crew gave her, but let it go. He had to get home and prepare for how he was going to get to Sora’s party tomorrow.

Mrs. Hikari sat in her kitchen with her lawyer. He was from the main land, so he didn’t have an office they could meet in. Before she had gone to his hotel room, but today it was her turn to host.

Sora was upstairs resting in his room and she had just put on some coffee. It had been a terrible day, but hopefully things would start looking up tomorrow.

“Don’t feel bad Marie,” she looked up at the man sitting across from her, “Things will go in your favor. You’ll see.” She smiled lazily. She knew he was right.

From the looks of him, you’d never know he was from the main land. His dark tanned skin, reddish eyes, and long white hair would suggest he came from an exotic local, but really he was from the same place as Marie.

“You know, Ansem, you didn’t have to come all the way out here to help me. I could have gotten another lawyer.”

“Nonsense, and have you pay some hack who wouldn’t care? You know I’ll do a good job Marie.” He shuffled a stack of papers and packed them away in a suitcase.

“But, I feel so guilty!” She got up and began fixing their coffee, “I should pay you something. I mean, after all you came all the way out here from home! And on a plane, jet lag must be killing you!”

“Actually, I think it’s the weather. I’m not used to a sky that actually looks like it changes with the day.” He took his coffee and took a sip, “Hmmm, I miss the constant twilight of home.”

Marie sat down and nodded, “That’s why I moved us to Traverse Town, the sky there looks like its always night. I figured Sora would enjoy it; maybe it would remind him of home. But I’m afraid he doesn’t remember it too well…”

“Well you left when he was five, of course not! And even then you shuffled him around for years until you settled in Traverse Town.” Ansem put down his coffee and leaned over the table. “Marie, you always move Sora around when things go bad. When your husband died, that incident at Traverse Town, and now this? Do you really think it will help?”

“I just- I think a fresh start is what he needs! And this place! God I thought the middle of nowhere would do it!”

“Marie, that’s the problem. You can’t change Sora by changing his setting. He’s going to be this way, now and forever.”

She sighed and put her head in her hands. “How did things get this bad? How did I become such a bad mother that I let my boy turn out like this?”

Ansem took a sip of coffee again, “You’re not a bad mother, Marie. And Sora’s not a bad kid he’s just not what you expected.”

“…So what should I do?”

“What you should do?” He leaned back in his chair, “What we’ll do, is beat these charges against Sora. Then, what you’re going to do is sit down and talk with your son. And then, you’re not going to move, and neither is h-”

“But all this mess!”

“All this mess is fine! Leave him here. Let him live. And just make sure you stop trying to make his life. Things will work out better between you two, trust me.” He smiled at her. She stared at him for a moment before allowing herself to smile as well.

“Ansem…what would I do with out you? How is it that you know just what to say?”

He tilted his head back and shrugged, before looking up at her, “If I didn’t know what to always say, you wouldn’t have made me Sora’s Godfather.”

Marie smiled. If worse comes to worse. She could always send Sora back home. But she would take her best friends advice first.