AN:

Welcome to my first Kingdom Hearts story! I'm a big fan of the series and thought it would be awesome to try to give writing a story a shot. As this is my first fan written work, it will surely be riddled with the nuances of an early writer, so please review honestly so I can better myself as a writer. I'm also not sure what I'm going to rate this fic, as I would have no problem adding a lemon to the story. When the time comes, I will most likely change the rating then, or maybe write the lemon elsewhere to preserve the T. In any case, without further ado, I give you the first chapter!

EDIT: This chapter has been melded with the second one, as I didn't like the short length of the chapters so far.

Chapter 1: Nightmare to Happiness

Sleep came naturally to Sora. One minute he was up and about, the next he was sound asleep. Tonight... tonight was different. The spiky-haired boy rolled over side to side, sighing and silently cursing his inability to drift into la-la land. Sora tossed himself over one last time before giving up, and sitting up on his bed.

The young brunette shifted his eyes around his room, gazing upon the calm blue wallpaper and fading brown trimming. Memories surrounded Sora in the form of pictures his mother framed and hung, which previously resided within Jiminy's journal. Fingers brought themselves to the boy's eyes, rubbing the rest of the weariness that had ahold of him.

He was never one to brood, as Sora rarely spent over a minute thinking over one topic, brisking back and forth subjects in an excitable mood. But tonight was different. As much as the Wielder of the Keyblade would refuse to admit, there was certain head of crimson hair that was plaguing his every thought while he closed his eyes and attempted to count sheep.

Sora quietly left his bed and proceeded to tip-toe his way down the hallway. He made it about half-way down the squeaky stairs before a booming voice announced itself.

"And where do you think you're going, young man?" Jenova leaned against the door to her bedroom and crossed her arms. Sora visibly winced, and slowly turned around to the receiving end of a hard stare from his mother.

"I... uh... just needed some fresh air is all," Sora replied, inserting a little bubble of happiness at the end to lighten the mood. Jenova clicked her tongue and shifted her arms while maintaining her piercing glare. Her curly brown hair was tied back into a ponytail, and her eyes had bags underneath them, tainting her otherwise youthful look. She wore a white sleeping gown with matching slippers.

"I hope you're not planning on taking the Gummi ship again, are you? Because this time I took the liberty of having Dale change the lock," Jenova snapped, tapping her foot impatiently. "I do not appreciate you running off without so much as leaving a note!" she continued, leaving no time for Sora to explain himself.

"That was..." Sora paused, "That was different. I don't have the nightmares anymore mom. There's nothing to run away from now," he assured.

"Oh? Then what are you doing now? Running off to go on another adventure, leaving me to sit and worry about you for another two years?" Jenova retorted, her voice rising in pitch with every word. Sora sighed and rubbed his eyes again wearily. "Look mom, I've just had a bunch of stuff on my mind lately and need to clear my head. I promise I won't be gone long," he pleaded.

Jenova's eyes shifted to sympathy and her tensed muscles eased. She walked over to her son and rubbed his shoulders. "I know you won't lie to me, or anyone for that matter. I trust you Sora. Whatever is on your mind, I hope you'll figure it out, whether it be my help or someone else's. Just don't be afraid to take help when you need it, okay?" Jenova reasoned. Sora brightened, and nodded his head. Jenova kissed him briefly on his temple and closed her bedroom door behind her. Sora glanced at his mother's door for a few moments, and resumed thudding down the stairs.

The stars seem brighter tonight. The young keyblader laid his head on the signature paopu tree, gazing up into the dark blue sky. He dug himself underneath the cold top layer of sand and into the warmth underneath. He wrinkled his nose at the scent of the ocean entering his senses, a smile spreading on his face as he remembered fighting Riku on this very island a little over two years ago.

"Not sleeping so well, are you Sora?" a familiar voice echoed, tearing the brunette away from his thoughts. In an instant, he sprang to his feet with the keyblade materializing in his hand without a second thought. Sora quickly turned around, only to fall back into the sand pouting.

"Not fair, Riku! You can't sneak up on me like that! What if I hurt you?" Sora cried while waving his arms frantically, keyblade disintegrating as quickly as it came.

Riku simply laughed, "Right, like you could lay a scratch on me! Who's the Master of the Keyblade here, again?" Sora grumbled and let himself be pulled up by a laughing Riku.

"Are you here to insult me or to talk?" Sora whined, taking a seat on the bent tree next to his friend.

Riku grinned. "Maybe a little of both!" he cried. Sora pouted again, and Riku scowled. "Fine, fine. Just stop pouting, alright? You're too cute for your own good," Riku sneered, pinching said brunette's cheek.

Sora pulled back violently, "I knew you had the hots for me Riku!" Sora exclaimed. The friends erupted into a chorus of laughter, followed by Sora wiping tears from his eyes.

Riku returned to his normal, stoic look and turned his attention back to Sora. "In all seriousness Sora, what brings you out here?" the silver haired boy questioned quietly.

Sora quickly shifted his gaze to the sand, brushing the grains around with his toes. "To be honest Riku, I've been having weird thoughts lately... mostly... about..."

"About...?" Riku urged and slowly leaned forward, his curiosity peaked. Sora looked up into turquoise eyes, and quickly returned his gaze to the sand. "Kairi," he sighed.

Riku punched Sora square in the arm. "Hey! What was that for!" Sora whimpered.

"Idiot! For making me worried! I thought you were gonna say you wanted to pine after Tidus, run away, or anything else but that!" Riku proclaimed.

Sora scoffed. "Right, like I swung that way, especially for Tidus!" he snickered.

Riku returned his snicker back at him, "So, its about time you made a move on her. Here I was thinking I might steal her away!" he teased.

Sora's pout returned. "Hey! That's not funny Riku!" he retorted.

Riku fixed his gaze back into cerulean eyes. He assured, "I know, Sora. Believe me, I saw the cave drawings." Sora turned away, face tinged with red. Riku chuckled at his friend's antics.

"So. Young Sora finally is deciding to grow up and find a girl to woo, eh? Only this isn't any girl. A Princess of Heart, no less!" Riku exclaimed.

Sora shook his head. "That's what makes me nervous! She's more beautiful than the sunset at Twilight Town, sharp like a keyblade, and she's also a leader of an entire world!" Sora shouted with distress.

Riku scowled and slapped his hand to his face. "Sora. Quit with the cutesy similes and metaphors, you're giving me a headache. Just because you found out she has a new title doesn't mean you have to view her any differently. She's still the same best friend we've played with for the past 12 years," he offered.

Sora returned his gaze back to the stars. "I know, you're right Riku... but every time I see her lately... I stumble my words and can't help but blushing. I'm worse than a crushing schoolgirl!" he pouted.

"Well Sora, sometime you just have to man up and confess. Otherwise, who knows? She could get tired of waiting, you know," Riku teased with a wink, before getting up. Riku began his walk down the wooden bridge before he was interrupted.

Sora shot up and whirled to face the fading figure. "Riku?" Sora mumbled, barely audible, looking down at his feet.

Riku turned around to study the brown spikes. "Yes, Sora?" he offered impatiently.

"Do you think... do you think I have a chance with her?" Sora choked.

Riku gazed down upon his friend with sympathy, before smacking him in the head. "Idiot! Is that what's really eating you? She drew herself giving you a paopu for Zeus's sake! What more hints can she give you?" Riku scolded.

Sora rubbed his head absent-mindedly, still gazing anywhere but Riku's direction. "Yeah... you're right again. Thanks... Riku," he beamed, returning Riku's stare.

Riku reached down to ruffle Sora's excuse for a hairstyle. "Don't mention it buddy," he smiled, and resumed walking down the bridge. Sora sighed and returned to his happy place, once again burying himself into the sand. This time, a large weight felt lifted off of his shoulders, and he was able to breathe in full breaths again.

Panic. It coursed through Sora like the blood in his veins. His sleeping face contorted, eyes dashed wildly beneath closed lids, a sheen of sweat stuck to his pajamas like a second pair of skin. Sora shot straight up with a gasp, his breaths ragged and sporadic. The boy closed his eyes and waited for his heart to even out its pace again.

I thought the nightmares were over... but I can't remember what it was about this time. I suppose that's a good thing, right?

Sora shrugged off his thoughts and leapt off his bed. As soon as he hit the ground, Sora knew something didn't feel right. He looked around cautiously and spotted the clock with a yelp.

"Gah! Are you serious? It's only 6 AM, I can't be up this early! Stupid dreams." Sora grumbled as he fell back on his bed. Just as he was about to fall back asleep, somebody knocked sharply on the door. Sora sighed at his misfortune and slumped off the bed again. His eyes went wide when he was tackled to the ground by a blur of strawberry.

"Sora! You lazy bum, it's time to get up!" Kairi exclaimed cheerfully from her perch... which happened to be Sora's chest. "Kairi, you know I don't wake up until at least another four hours!" Sora whined.

Kairi wagged a finger in his face. "Not today, buddy! It's been a week since we've got back, and we haven't done anything special!" she proclaimed.

Sora blinked owlishly. "Sp...Special?" he stammered. The two teens suddenly realized they were on top of each other and quickly jumped off. A hint of pink stained their cheeks as the pair gathered their footing.

"So...erm... meet me at the dock in ten minutes, okay Sora?" Kairi finished with a giggle and left as quickly as she came. Sora stared at the open door for a couple seconds before shaking his head.

"What...was that all about?" Sora pondered. He shrugged for the second time this morning, and performed the daily morning ritual of his five-minute shower, a change of clothes, and a bowl of Paopu Puffs. Sora waved his smiling mother goodbye and walked down the trodden path to the beach.

Sora stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes glued to the beach stretched in front of him. The sun was beginning its ascent and the boats rocked in the calm low tide. Seagulls sounded in the distance and the sand was littered with shells that washed up before anyone could scavenge them. What stole his attention was the girl sitting in the sand at the center of it all, oblivious to the perfect symmetry of nature and princess.

A startled Kairi jumped as a hand laid on her shoulder, and the owner plopped down beside her in the sand. She returned her gaze back to the shimmering water. "It's beautiful... you wouldn't know, Sora, I doubt you've ever been up this early!" Kairi teased and rested her head against Sora's shoulder.

Sora inhaled sharply before relaxing into Kairi, wrapping an arm around her waist. The teens sighed in contentment, inhaling nothing but the spray of the ocean and the smell of Sora's unobtrusive cologne. The brunette closed his eyes and wished that this happy moment would never end. Of course, that never works out the way anyone plans.

"Am I interrupting something, or are we headed down to our island?" Riku interrupted with crossed arms and a sly look. Both Sora and Kairi jumped, scrabbling to their feet in a remarkably similar way from this morning with the same tint stained on their faces.

"We, err... Yeah! Let's go! I'll race you to the dock!" Sora challenged and took off running, leaving a grinning Kairi and Riku.

"Oh, you are so on! Guardian!" Riku shouted, and an intimidating orange ghost wrapped in bandages took form behind Riku. The Guardian grabbed Sora in mid-run and tossed him into the ocean. Sora popped his head out of the water a moment later, spraying water from his mouth.

"Hey! No fair! You totally cheated!" Sora pouted as he swam back to shore. Riku simply smirked from his perch at the edge of the boat, Guardian fading away while Kairi giggled.

Sora finally reached his two friends dripping wet with a sour face. "Come on, let's go before I summon Bahamut to kick your butt!" he teased. Riku paled slightly, nodded his head and clambered onto the boat.

Sora sensed Riku's distress and shook him. "Riku, I was only kidding! Get some color back, I don't think I've ever seen you pale like that before, buddy!" he taunted. Riku spun around to meet Sora's gaze and smiled.

"Yeah, well I've seen the damage that thing can do! Don't even joke about him!" Riku chuckled. The three friends departed the beach and began the row 20 minute row to their secluded island.

"So Kairi, what have you got in store for us today? Don't tell me you woke me up early for nothing!" Sora groaned. Kairi looked back at Sora from her boat and smiled mischievously.

"Oh you'll see! It's a surprise!" Kairi giggled, and spoke no more. Riku mumbled something about hating surprises and the three continued the trek. At long last, the wielders arrived and docked their boats, surprised that there were an extra three boats already tied up. Sora scratched his head inquisitively.

"Huh? Who would be on the island this early?" he wondered. Riku threw a shell at the unsuspecting teen's head.

"Sora! Who's the only other three people who come to the island? I swear, I don't know what you use that brain of yours for!" Riku sneered.

Sora recoiled from the blow and rubbed his head where the shell struck. "Ow Riku! My pride! Also, my head!" he complained. Kairi and Riku laughed and waved him off, jumping up onto the dock. Sora grumbled and followed behind, sulking only for a minute before he was bouncing again like his normal self.

The three friends were lead to the other side of the island, where the door separated the two halves. Kairi stopped abruptly, startling the boys. "Alright guys, the surprise is just on the other side of this door! The King and his two engineers have been working hard on this surprise for the past week, you better like it!" she snapped. Sora and Riku sputtered and stole a glance at each other.

"The King?!" they both shouted, smiles making way on their faces. The two boys scrambled past an unsuspecting Kairi and burst through the door. Both boys' jaws dropped simultaneously. Stretching across the beach was an enormous Gummi Ship, complete with a launch bay and Gummi Garage. A crowd of people waited patiently at the base of the launch bay, among them was a pair of rounded black ears. The three friends grinned ear to ear and made their way towards the group.

"Hiya fella's! How's it go..." the King began, but was cut off by the crushing hug of Riku and Sora. The mouse was put down shortly and he regained his composure. "Aww, I missed you guys too! Well, we thought it was only fair by passing the Mark of Mastery Exam, Riku, and saving the world several times, Sora, that we gave you some kind of reward. I give you the first ever, Gummi Cruiser!" Mickey cried, opening his arms.

"This is... Wow, I love it!" Sora exclaimed, running up to the ship to touch it. The King simply chuckled.

"Yup, she's equipped with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, command center, and living room fitted with the latest 8k 90 inch TV!" a small voice chimed in. Sora looked down and smiled at the two chipmunks.

"Chip, Dale, you guys really outdid yourselves! Thank you so much!" Sora praised as he lifted the two rodents into the air. Selphie, Tidus, and Wakka made their appearance known and stepped up to the three friends.

"Hey guys. We came to see you off, we figured you wanted to take her for a spin, ya?" Wakka greeted in his usual Besaid accent. Riku threw his fist into the air.

"Hell yeah we want to take her for a spin! What do you say Kairi, Sora?" Riku inquired. Sora and Kairi exchanged glances and nodded their heads, beaming. Mickey walked up to the ship and pressed his hand to the panel on the outside of the ship, and a ramp extended down to the ground.

"Alright fella's, let's head out, Minnie's probably wondering why I'm not at breakfast right now!" Mickey exclaimed. The group made their way into the ship while waving Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie goodbye. Sora took the captain's chair and began preflight checkups, before fastening in and starting the engine.

"Buckle up everyone, it's time for takeoff!" he bubbled excitedly. The ship groaned, shuddered, and took off, winking off the face of the planet in mere seconds.

AN:

Thanks to SoraxKairi7, GhostWriterX, and The Master of Chaos (even if it was just a correction) for reviewing! We're almost there to the juicy bits! At least you get a little bit of SoKai to tie you over until the next chapter! Which, by the way, I might upload later this afternoon. Please leave a review if you enjoyed, give me some feedback! :)