CHILD'S PLAY
By Starflower Sakura

DISCLAIMER: Kingdom Hearts don't belong to me. I wouldn't be writing fanfics for it if it was, ne?

To readers/reviewers: Hmm… why in the world am I writing for Kingdom Hearts? I have no idea. Probably 'cause I like the characters and I believe that Riku and Sora would make a wonderful couple! I certainly am writing a lot more than usual nowadays. It's supposed to be a good thing, but that also means new stories (like this one) and that is a bad thing since I am known to procrastinate… a lot. Oh well… I can't help it so you'll just have to work with me here. Hope you enjoy this fic!

Summary: Sora and Riku is the couple of the year. At least until Riku broke it off by saying that Sora was "too childish" for him. Now Riku has to deal with a coy, seductive Sora who's determined to prove that he isn't childish at all.

Rating: M (R)
Warning(s): AU, Shounen-ai, Seductive!Sora
Pairing(s): Riku x Sora, Leon x Cloud, Tidus x Selphie, Kairi x OC

Started: Sunday, January 29, 2006
Completed: Monday, February 6, 2006

Child's Play
Chapter 1 – Wildfire

"Can you believe it?"

"Guess being Couple of the Year doesn't mean they have to stay together for the remaining year."

"It's a shame, really."

"At least they're both single again."

"How long do you think it'll take Sora to get over it?"

Kairi Koyama clenched and unclenched her fists as she walked down the hall towards her locker, trying to keep her anger in check. Obviously she wasn't trying hard enough. Her face rivaled her red hair when she whipped around, ready to tell everyone to "shut up!" only to have that anger dissolve when she came face to face with her best friend, Sora Hirata. The subject of today's newest gossip, or at least half of it.

She noted the downcast eyes, and the sniffles coming from her usually cheerful best friend right away. She felt that anger flame up again, but this time towards only one person. Riku Kitano. He was the one who broke Sora's heart in front of the entire school during lunch without even one trace of remorse to show for all those times he and Sora spent together. She knew he couldn't be trusted, but Sora insisted.

Dammit Why didn't I listen to my instincts and stop Sora from dating him in the first place? Kairi thought bitterly to herself, hating herself immensely so at the moment.

She turned her attention back to Sora who was looking intensely at his shoes, or maybe it was the floor. She couldn't be sure. Although they were best friends since before they could even remember, they were never in this sort of situation before and Kairi had no idea what to say and even if she did, she was quite certain she wouldn't know how to start. So she started with the first time that came to her mind.

"Sora," Kairi murmured in the now silent hallways save the small incessant whisperings from people who don't have anything better to do with their lives then to go around talking about others Kairi thought wryly.

Kairi felt everyone's gaze on them and she shot them a glare that gave her a satisfactory feeling when some of them cringed. Turning her attention back to Sora, she was just in time to catch the weak half-smile before he tentatively stepped to the side and continued walking down the hall, trying his best to ignore all the eyes on him.

Kairi turned around and hurried after him. It was the end of school and most people were busy shoving their way out once they got everything they needed and talked to everyone that needed to be talked to before heading to wherever they went after school. So the halls emptied quickly, and Kairi breathed a sigh of relief when Sora's pace didn't quicken as she caught up.

She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly shut it when she saw Sora tense. She sighed, and gave him a sympathetic look before looking away from her gloomy friend. They walked along in the mostly empty halls, pausing briefly only for Kairi to put her books in her locker, in a slightly uncomfortable silence with Kairi looking anywhere but Sora.

He's my best friend! Why can't I say something to him? Anything! Sure, there's the fact that Sora doesn't seem to want to talk, but he'll have to sometime or another!

Kairi was itching to talk to Sora, but kept her mouth closed until they were outside and away from anyone that might be able to eavesdrop and understand their topic of conversation. They walked outside and Kairi noticed offhandedly that the ground was vaguely damp from the sprinklers, and the grass was just recently cut. She never was quite sure whether she liked or disliked the smell of fresh cut grass. It differs every time the scent comes wafting by. This time, she likes it though. It proves to be a refreshing scent, and relaxed her a bit and glancing over at Sora, saw that it had the same effect on him. She smiled.

Walking even more still in silence, they passed by people from their school who, to Kairi's annoyance, always stopped what they were doing and stared. They weren't even trying to hide it! Kairi felt that anger bubbling up again, but a touch on her shoulder and a slight shake of Sora's head dispelled the feelings of irritation she felt towards their disrespectful classmates. They were saved from her wrath. For now, at least.

They reached their tranquil neighborhood where there was no fear of speaking aloud about the incident at school and having someone understand. From what they know, they were the only two living in that neighborhood that actually attends Shimura High. The rest were either too young, too old, or their parents sent them off to private schools or something. Sneaking a worried glance at Sora who was uncommonly quiet the whole day (and for good reason), Kairi took a deep breath and hoped for the best.

"Sora, about—"

"I don't want to talk about it," Sora interrupted softly, speaking for probably the first time today. "We just weren't meant to be."

"I understand the part about 'not meant to be,' but what he did was not acceptable!" she cried, sounding and looking angrier than Sora did all day and it didn't even involve her.

So much for going about this in a calm manner, Kairi thought dryly as she noticed that her emotions were getting the better of her again.

"Just let it go, Kairi," Sora pleaded, puppy dog eyes doing their best to try and convince her to drop the subject.

Thankfully, or unthankfully in Sora's case, being friends for so long has made Kairi long since immune to those puppy dog eyes. It's worth the try, though. Sora, knowing that it didn't have the effect it had on everyone else, pouted.

"We shouldn't have spent so much time together when we were kids. My infamous puppy dog eyes no longer has an effect on you," Sora muttered, trying to subtly change the subject. Kairi wasn't so easily deterred, though.

"Don't try to change the subject, Sora," Kairi chided lightly.

"I wasn't," he countered. "I was just voicing what was going my mind at the time."

"Whatever the case, you forgot that Riku Kitano made a promise before you two started dating to never make you sad," Kairi reminded with a huff. "And I promised him a world of pain if he doesn't uphold that promise!"

"You can't expect him to keep that promise if he… doesn't like me anymore." Sora muttered the last part dejectedly.

Kairi was getting frustrated again. She felt like tugging her hair, or his hair, or something to that extent. She couldn't believe that she was feeling the injustice of the whole situation more than Sora! And he was the one who was dumped! She settled it by banging her head against a nearby lamppost as Sora watched a couple feet away.

"I wouldn't be holding it against him if he broke it up in a gentlemanly manner! But to do it in front of the entire school…" Kairi growled, "that is absolutely unacceptable!"

The banging stopped for she was gaining a headache and fast. She merely rested her forehead against the cool surface and let her eyes fall shut for a while. A breeze blew past, but neither one of them paid any heed to it. Feeling that she should be able to control her emotions about now, she lifted her head from the pole, but kept a hand on it to maintain her balance since the sudden movement turned her forming headache into dizziness.

She sighed disconsolately when she saw Sora's downcast eyes. "I'm sorry. I know you don't like this conversation, and I don't blame you, but do you really think he should get away with it?"

"Of course not!" a voice behind them replied.

Turning around, they were met with the sight of Selphie Tilmitt, one of Riku's friends. She grinned brightly at them, and they had no idea how to respond.

"What do you want?" Kairi asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes at her.

"Whoa!" Selphie exclaimed, holding up her hands in a surrender motion and backing away slightly. "I might be one of Riku's friends, but I'm with you on this! I like Sora and he shouldn't have been treated like that!"

Sora blushed slightly and focused even harder on the ground.

"And why should we believe you?" Kairi asked.

"Sora and Riku already broke up. What would I gain if I helped you on this revenge mission?"

"Nothing," Kairi stated bluntly.

"Exactly! And yet I'm offering you my help because 1) Riku was a total jerk today and 2) he needs to be brought down a notch. A very big notch."

Kairi looked hard at Selphie and finding in her nothing to arouse more suspicion, she relaxed visibly. She and Selphie are actually very good friends and it was through their friendship that Riku and Sora noticed each other. Despite their friendship, though, Kairi is very protective of Sora and in the current situation, being a friend of Riku's was being the enemy.

"Okay, then what kind of pain do you suggest we inflict on him?"

"I don't want to hurt him, Kairi!" Sora cried, his concern for Riku's wellbeing clear in his voice.

Selphie smirked, "It won't be physical pain, so don't worry, Sora! The plan I have in mind will mess with his mind and hopefully his heart a bit. If everything goes well, our dear Riku will not only be suffering, but he'll also be confused, distracted, and jealous."

"Jealous?"

"Very."

"Of what?"

Selphie giggled, "Of anyone that gets within 10 miles of you." Seeing their confusion, she smiled even wider. "Can I explain at Kairi's house or something?" she shivered when a harsh evening wind blew by. "It's getting pretty late and definitely really cold."

Sora and Kairi exchanged similar glances before Kairi agreed and Sora, quite dubious of Selphie's plan, got dragged along after them.

-------

"No, no! Lower your eyelids halfway. Yes, that's right!"

What kind of dumb plan is this anyways? Sora thought, a cute little pout resting on his lips.

Selphie's plan was simple enough. 1) Get Sora trained in the art of seduction. 2) Get Riku to notice new "improved" Sora. 3) Get Riku jealous and 4) Humiliate Riku in front of the school like he did to Sora. Getting through Part 1 was much harder then they expected. Half was due to the fact that Sora never flirted in his life, and the other half was due to the fact that Sora felt stupid and didn't even want to do it in the first place.

"Now smile that coy smile we showed you earlier."

Sora groaned, but seeing Selphie glare was enough to get him to do as he was told. Both girls squealed as he did so.

"To think he already looks so sexy with the basics, what will happen if we go onto the advanced art of seduction?"

Sora blushed brightly, which caused the girls to laugh. He turned away, willing the blush to go down, and once it did, he asked, "So does that mean I can go?"

"No!" was the reply and Sora couldn't help but wonder just where this was going. From the looks of it now, though, he predicts that it will end him in a lot of humiliating situations. Oh the joys of life.

"Now… about the walk…"

"There's a special walk too?" Sora shrieked, having had enough of all this insanity.

"Of course. Kairi, would you care to demonstrate?"

Sora's eyes bulged as Kairi walked across the room with a subtle, but hardly unnoticeable sway in her hips. In all the years he's known her, he never knew she even knew such things! She was always such a tomboy, after all, and he never seen her flirt with anyone before. And, oh god, he was going to have to walk like that?

"I can't walk like that!" Sora shouted, a heavy blush already risen and took their place on his face once again. "I'll look girly!"

"To most guys, yes, they'll look weird and 'girly,' but I have a strange feeling you'll be able to do it," Selphie said taking a closer look at Sora in a way that seemed like she was trying to figure out just what exactly she saw that led her to that decision.

If it was even possible, Sora's blush deepened under her scrutiny.

"So," Kairi began, "how long do you think Part 1 will take?"

"Maximum two weeks."

"Two weeks?" Kairi and Sora asked, their surprise utterly evident.

"With constant practice, I think Sora will manage in two weeks. Besides, any more than that, Riku will begin to suspect something."

"What do you mean?" Sora asked before grabbing a cookie that Kairi brought in before they got started and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Riku's smart. Everyone knows that. If we take too long, Riku will possibly suspect that Sora got trained since he never had that knowledge before, and if he spreads that suspicion, we're already done for. Two weeks will probably be short enough for no one to suspect a thing, and it should be long enough for us to get the basics down. Besides, no one is expecting Sora to recover from this incident for at least a while, so two weeks should also be a short enough time to prove them wrong. It would be a nice way to prove Riku wrong too…"

"What do you mean 'prove Riku wrong too'?" Kairi asked, clearly interested in anything that will bring Riku down from the high pedestal people have put him on.

"Well…" Selphie paused, taking a quick glance at Sora who looked at her, waiting for her to continue. She sighed. "Well… today… right after he broke up with Sora, he was joking around with the guys and saying things like Sora will probably cry himself to sleep for a whole year or so if not longer, and that Sora will probably crawl back to him asking for a second chance, and… well… things like that." Selphie, normally not known to be a quiet person, said all this in a voice that became softer and softer with each word spoken.

"HE WHAT?" Kairi shrieked, that familiar anger returning.

In a voice that both of the girls had to strain to hear, Sora inquired, "Do… people really think that… I'll have a hard time getting over Riku? Do they really think so little of me?" His voice grew louder as his anger grew. Sora might not be considered arrogant, but he was still very prideful and the thought of people thinking he'll be moping over Riku for a long time hurt his pride a lot.

"Well… from today's gossip, most do think you'll have a hard time getting over him."

Looking over at Kairi, Sora saw her nod slowly in agreement with what Selphie just said.

"And…" Sora gritted his teeth. "Did Riku really say all that?"

Selphie nodded slowly, wondering if it was really that wise of her to spill such information even if it was the truth.

His blue eyes flashed. "Two weeks, if not less, is all it'll take."

Sora's competitive spirit was back, and it was fueled by pure unadulterated anger. Sora could've forgiven Riku, he really could've. Sure, breaking up with him in front of the whole school was really harsh, and pained Sora a lot, but he could've forgiven him over time. But to talk about Sora so poorly after they broke up, and hurting his reputation and pride even when he wasn't there was something that Sora could not take. Wasn't embarrassing him in front of the school enough? He still has the nerve to talk about him like that

"Are you sure, Sora?" Kairi asked, laying a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to do this, you know."

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Alright!" Selphie shouted. "We'll go shopping for new clothes tomorrow, then!"

"What? You never said anything about shopping!"

"If you want to look seductive, you'll have to get a new attire, Sora!" Selphie argued.

"What's wrong with what I wear now?"

"Nothing's wrong with it. It's normal, and casual, and cute. What we need to get you is something sexy. Something that will turn heads. Something that will shock and surprise Riku."

"If I knew shopping was involved, I wouldn't have agreed," Sora moaned, burying his head into his arms as he laid on Kairi's bed and the girls couldn't help but laugh.

-------

"Come out, Sora!"

"NEVER!"

"Why not?"

"Because I look stupid."

"I'm sure you don't! Now come out!"

"I'm not coming out!"

"Should we barge in, Kairi?"

"If he continues to refuse."

Sora's eyes widen as he heard the two "insane" girls talking outside his dressing room door. Barge in? As in ramming the door open? As in letting the world see the awkward outfit he's in? As in attract people's attention when they're in the mall? Oh shit!

"Alright! I'm coming out!"

He heard the girls snicker and said, "I knew you'd see it our way."

The door to the dressing room door slowly slid open and Sora's head peeked out. Rolling her eyes, Kairi pushed open the door and walked in with Selphie closing the door behind them.

"Eep!" Sora squeaked, knowing for a fact that the dressing room was not meant for three people. "What are you two doing in here?"

"Knowing you, you'll probably prolong coming out and since you're so insistent as to not be seen, we decided to come in instead."

"Isn't it just a little crowded?"

"Well, that's your own fault for not coming out, now isn't it?" Kairi asked.

"Hmph." Sora folded his arms across his chest.

"Now!" Selphie squealed. "Let's see how Sora looks in his new outfit!"

It could be considered casual. A sleeveless, light blue shirt was put on his slim figure, hugging all the right curves, and showing a sliver of his tan stomach whenever he moved and showed even more when he stretched. That is, if you don't take the pants in consideration. The khaki pants were normal enough if the waistband didn't hang so low like it does now, revealing more stomach then the shirt was intended to reveal. A silver chain hung casually around his neck with a small crown as its pendent.

"I thought we were going for the sexy look," Selphie pouted. "Like outright sexy. Not a subtle cute-sexy look."

Kairi laughed. "We do have to take it slow, you know. This is Sora we're talking about. If he began wearing anything that's considered, in your case, sexy it would provoke a lot of unwanted suspicion."

"But later on, we will right?" Selphie asked, her eyes already bright with ideas on what Sora could—and would if she had any say in it—wear.

"I'm assuming we'll have to if we want to catch Riku's attention."

"Don't I get a say in this?" Sora whined. He really didn't like trying on clothes, and wearing anything that showed even a bit too much skin made him uncomfortable. And here he was, with two, what he would describe as "mentally unstable" girls, doing both.

"Well, you would if you would actually put in some good suggestions," Selphie grinned.

"But my suggestions are good!"

"Going home and sleeping is not a good suggestion, Sora."

Sora pouted again, and tried to send a glare in their direction. Too bad he was too cute, and the glare only made him seem cuter, and added with the pout made him completely irresistible. A loud rapping at the door stopped whatever was going to happen next.

"Hey! Only one person is allowed in each dressing room! There are plenty of empty ones so I don't think it's necessary for you to share one!"

Selphie, Kairi, and Sora filed out, all three of them looking sheepish. The lady raised an eyebrow at them, shook his head, and muttered, "Kids these days. Don't know how to control their hormones."

Kairi and Sora blushed deeply while staring after her in shock and all Selphie did was try and cover the giggle that escaped anyway.

To be continued…

Um… this chapter sucked. –moans- And to think I had such high hopes for this story too! No matter how I try, though, I just can't to seem to make it any better so you'll have to live with what you've got! And this, unfortunately, is what you get. I feel so ashamed to be posting this story, but maybe there's hope?

- Starflower Sakura