Perhaps Love?

Sora x Kairi

Chapter 1: Two Become One

Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to present a very special award to a very special student out of many well-achieved candidates."

Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump

"This award is presented to the student whom is perfect in every aspect this school has ever seen. Grades, discipline, self-presentation, image, reputation and involvement in curricular activities."

Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump

"Without further adieu, the award for Student Of The Year goes to…"

Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump

"Miss Kairi Minami!"

Applause was heard. Cheers from every corner were shouted in my ears as my brain slowly progressed the fact that I, Kairi Minami, had just achieved what I had worked hard for during my years I studied in this god for saken school. My heart was still in an adrenaline state, it's rate hadn't stooped at all. I felt fingers digging themselves onto my arm as I was forcefully pulled up and was walking robotically towards the stage where the principal was awaiting my arrival with a proud grin on his lips and the shiny (God, it was shiny!) trophy grasped firmly in between his fingers.

I carefully made my way up those small steps and could practically feel the smooth surface of the golden statue on my fingertips. My eyes couldn't get enough of it. That little modal of gold was proof of my hard work. MINE! Hah, I showed 'em. I showed them all! I proved that all my work doing the principal's errands, being a good class president, counseling the bullied victims, helping the jocks increase their grades to a D, cleaning the school grounds (which sadly included the boys toilet, ugh!) and saving the school eco-system. Yes, I bloody well deserved this trophy. Yes, siree.

There is absolutely nothing that could ruin this perfect moment. Nothing.

"Oh-… wait a minute… oh my, I'm sorry!"

What? Why are you saying sorry now? What HAPPENED?

"My sincerest apologies everybody but there's been a slight mistake."

WHAT? How could there be a mistake now? How!

"It seems I made a mistake. I accidentally called out the wrong name. Haha! Silly me!"

Wha-what…? Wr-wrong name? I-I-I… didn't win?

"The real receiver of this award is… Sora Hikari!"

S-SORA? WHA-WHAT! Oh no! Please no! Anyone but him! Please! Even the janitor would be fine, dear Lord, but not HIM!

A soft pat was felt on my shoulder and a warm hand rested there. I slowly turned my head to glare at this person who was ruining my angry mode and was face to face with the devil himself. A prideful smirk perfectly marked on his face (oh how I wish I could rip that disgusting smirk off his disgusting face and dip it into disgusting crap!) and his eyes beheld that look that practically screamed 'You just got humiliated in front of thousands of people which is an added bonus beside my shiny award that you thought was yours seconds ago but it rightfully belongs to me because I'm a pigheaded baboon with nine tails that thinks he's so amazingly great with hair that resembles a dead porcupine and smell worse than a baby's diaper after he finishes his business!'

Okay, I may have exaggerated a bit but who cares!

"It's okay, redhead," he commented slyly, still showing off his smirk. "You were a great opponent. Too bad I'm the kind that feels pity to people I like. I would console you now over your loss of that shiny trophy but I think doing that would just waste my time which I should be spending with that golden baby over there so if you could excuse me."

If I had a gun right now, I would shoot his head and cut it off then feed it to the hungry tigers in Africa! GAH!

"Oh and Kairi," I hate how he says my name. HATE IT! "Nice bra. The black actually suits you."

My mouth gasped wide open as I looked down and noticed my bra sticking out brightly over my thin shirt. I had stupidly forgotten to wear my coat that I had left at my seat before standing up to go to the stage! I could hear Sora laughing, his cackles surrounding me as it was followed by others laughing maniacally to my humiliation. I fell to my knees, tears began forming and my hands automatically covered my face in shame. I tried to drown their chuckles, anything to ignore the pain and utter shame I was currently feeling.

Shut up…

"Aww, is KaiKai gonna cry?" His voice forever taunting me. "God, you were always a baby."

Shut up…

"Just accept that I'm better than you in everything, redhead. Kiss the ground I walk because you'll never be above me. Never."

Shut up…

"Remember my name, Kairi Minami, because it will always be called before yours. Always!"

Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!

"Kairi Minami, if you don't wake up right now, you are forbidden to use my credit card at any cost! Ya hear me!"

A grunt softly came after that threat, soft breathing coming out in snores and rustling on the bed filled the room. The white clouds of her mural on her bedroom ceiling slowly came to focus as she tried to wipe her drowsiness away with the edge of her palm. She threw back her floral quilt, her whole body still numb from her reckless sleep. She was wide awake now but the nagging feeling deep in her heart prevented her from being a responsible student and get ready for school.

Another nightmare, another beauty sleep ruined. He even haunts me in my sleep… I HATE HIM!

"Kairi! Final warning! I seriously will hide my credit card away and you will never see it! Never!"

The redhead groaned and forced her body upright, her auburn locks pointing in many directions as her fingers smoothed them down temporarily. She edged to the side of her bed, slid on her bunny slippers and groggily made her way towards her window. Her pink curtains was once a barrier between her room and the bright sunlight but it was soon lit up as she pulled apart the décor and was immediately blinded by the sun's rays.

One thing Kairi liked most about her bedroom view was that she could see the whole district. Her neighborhood was a warm one, everybody familiar with each other and many events held which was widely celebrated with every single person whom lived there. She knew everyone and which house they lived in – Paper Boy, house with apple tree, Mrs. White, house which always smells like pie, Mr. Flounder, house which always had a neat lawn, you get the idea. Kairi always made it a habit where she would visit every neighbor at least once every month. If there was one thing she prioritized in her life, it would be her social skills.

There was one house she hated though. Not because of its inhabitants, just one in particular and as though God wanted to test her, it had to be beside her house.

The Hikari's. Nice people. A family of four that was always sociable and kind to everyone. Mr. Hikari was a business man and was always out of the house by 6.30 a.m. He was a polite person but Kairi had never had a conversation with him that lasted over 5 minutes but she respected him. Mrs. Hikari was a different person altogether. Not only was she beautiful and sweet and kind, she was also an excellent cook. Her prepared dishes would always be delicious and she would invite neighbors occasionally for meals or tea just so that they could taste her amazing cooking.

Their first daughter, Olette Hikari was a future Dawn (its standard is as high as Yale or Harvard) student. She had everything. Looks, grades, personality and popularity. Everyone at Twilight Academy knows Olette. Just mention her name and guys would fawn over her whilst girls would sigh on how they wish to be just like her. Kairi admired Olette just as any of her fans but one thing that ruined Olette's image to her was one thing. Actually, it was more of a person. No, that wasn't even close to right. Spawn of devil suits it better.

Sora Hikari. The cause of all her misery and pain. He was the youngest member of the Hikari's and the bad apple among them all. He was her age, her class and happened to be her neighbor. They had met when Kairi was five and she had a birthday party. Her dad, trying to be the enthusiastic father of the year, decided to invite everyone in the neighborhood as he thought (as quoted by him) 'Kairi bunny! It'll be good for you! You'll make new friends and you won't be so lonely anymore! This will be fun. YAY!'

But it was the start of her real life hell. As soon as the Hikari's introduced their only son to her, her nightmare began. Not only did he dip her pigtails into a bucket filled with worms, he pushed her from the bouncing castle and put mud on her chocolate cake which she ate by accident. And thus, their rivalry began. Every single year, they somehow would always end up in the same class and it was torture for poor Kairi. He would find any way to bring her down whether it be by insulting her in front of other students or by beating her in every single thing she had a passion for.

Now, at age nineteen, Kairi was determined to beat him instead. Since it was her senior year in Twilight Academy, she only had one more year to prove that she could be better than Sora Hikari. She could beat him at his own game. She could be number one for once instead of number two. No, not could. Would.

As Kairi continued gazing to the scenery outside her window, the sound of a car starting diverted her attention to Mr. Aladdin who had just pulled out of his driveway. That's funny, Mr. Aladdin doesn't go to work until sev-AH! I'm late! NO! She quickly rushed to the bathroom and started doing her morning preparations. Since Kairi was never a good multitasker, everything she did at once was just ruined. Her hair had toothpaste stuck at the ends, her comb stuck between her hair due to tangles, her school uniform worn backwards, her socks didn't match and she had a small zit on her forehead.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

"I told you so, Kairi Bunny!" called a voice from downstairs, satisfaction could be heard straining in his voice. "This is what happens when you wake up late and ignore my credit card threat!"

Heehee, it always works like a charm, haha!

"Boy Kairi, you look like a whirlwind ran over your face or something."

"If you're trying to be comforting or an enthusiastic friend Selphie, you're not really doing a good job. Take lessons from Namié."

A brunette girl giggled as she accompanied her friend who was still in an early morning cranky mood. Kairi huffed as she pushed her bangs in front in hope it would conceal her face blemish that so happened to pop on her forehead where everybody could see. Although it did hide a part of it, anyone with a sharp eye (namely the porcupine-haired baboon who lives to torture her) could make it out and expose it's blemish-y yuckiness.

"Don't worry, Kai. It's barely noticeable," cooed Selphie, hoping to lighten her best friend's mood. "I'll fix you up before first period. You know I never go anywhere without my portable mini make-up kit!"

The redhead giggled and nodded in gratification to the bubbly girl beside her as the two made their way as fast as they could to Twilight Academy. Kairi heaved a deep sigh and looked up, noticing the large brass bell that was located in the school's west tower even from afar. That was always the first glimpse of the academy she would see every morning she walked.

Twilight Academy was a rather prestigious school. It was the best educational facility for any budding student that wished to do well in life and enroll in the best college Twilight Town provided – preferably Dawn. Although it was prestigious, it wasn't really expensive. Some students received a scholarship to the school for their remarkable performance in middle school and wasn't required to pay for anything except the uniform and extra curricular classes.

Of course, Kairi was one of the students. Which was one of the many reasons she wasn't recognized much at the academy. Most people would know her as the infamous teacher's pet considering her eagerness to help teachers and the principal at all times. She wasn't an outcast but she wasn't miss popularity either. She wasn't a loner – she was perfectly happy having two very amazing friends – and she did socialize with the school's status quo equally. Even if she thought the cheerleaders and the jocks were a little on the 'no brain' side, she still hung out and discussed school dance ideas or events that needed their opinion.

People also knew Kairi as to be the daughter of one of the brightest students in Twilight Academy. Her mother. At certain times, Kairi wondered whether the reason she got her scholarship was not because of her own excellent grades but her mother's excellent results when she was a student there. The principal had been close to her mother, that was another fact to take count. Her friends had cheered her up and said it really was her own hardwork and not her mothers but she still couldn't shake off that nagging feeling that she would always somehow be shadowed by her mother, even when she wasn't there to tower over her.

"Kairi! Selphie! Wait for me!"

The two girls stopped in their tracks as they waited for their blonde friend to join their stroll to school. Naminé beamed at them as she clutched her sketchbook firmly in between her arms and walked beside Kairi. "Morning Namié," greeted Kairi and swiftly stole a bite out of Naminé's blueberry muffin which was clutched in one of her hands. The blonde merely smiled and offered some of her breakfast to her brunette friend who politely rejected it.

"Sorry Namié but I've just gained two more pounds. I'm staying away from food for a week."

"Selphie," scolded Kairi, going in her maternal mode. "How many times do we have to tell you, you look fine! Don't go on that stupid diet. It's not even a diet! It's starvation!"

Selphie scoffed. "Easy for you to say. You eat like five meals a day which consists mainly of fats and yet you still stay thin! You gotta tell me your secret Kai!"

Naminé giggled to this comment which she hid with a cough. "Her only secret, Selph, is she has a high metabolism. Either that or she's been silently visiting the gym five times a day without telling us!" Kairi stuck out her tongue childishly to her friends and the trio burst into a fit of laughter as they continued walking to the academy, arm in arm.

Twilight Academy was always a busy place. Every single second, students would be bustling through hallways and corridors, lockers would be opened or locked with the sounds of the whirls of the combination soaring around, chitter chatter filled the area – eagerly discussing classes, dissing teachers or just plain gossiping. Each student with their own click, each with their own gang, each with their own kind.

Kairi gripped her backpack with an annoyed scowl on her face. It only took being in school for roughly a minute and already two jocks and a nerd had noticed her stupid pimple and had laughed at it (the nerd didn't laugh but he tried to get a closer look which resulted in Kairi punching him unconscious). God, why! Why! Why me? Why couldn't it be someone who doesn't have a life! Why did you choose me!

She turned right whilst playing with her bangs and due to her unfocused attention, she managed to make a fool of herself again by bumping into something. Or rather, someone. Textbooks fell to the ground and papers floated gently as they joined the books on the floor. Kairi hid behind her hair as she tried to hide her blush. Great, first I have a huge pimple that's just as big as Abraham Lincoln's mole and now I knock down someone! You're just not having a good day, are ya Kairi? Sheesh!

"I'm so sorry! I-I didn't see you," stammered as the redhead began collecting the books and papers. She heard a soft chuckle which immediately caused her to stop dead in her motions. That chuckle, it's sexy. I know it! Bracing herself, she slowly raised her head and was eye to eye with dazzling and electrifying emerald eyes that pierced right through her and trapped her in their pools of green.

Axel Misaki. The hottest boy she had ever seen. Ever since they had shared an umbrella one rainy day during her freshman year, she had fallen head over heels in love with the redheaded jock. She remembered it well…

"Come on dad! Where are you?" scowled Kairi, clutching her pink umbrella tightly as the rain got heavier by the minute. She was currently standing alone at the Bus Stand, the wind blowing raindrops on her face and making her hair have a mind of its own. She glowered as she attempted to straighten her locks but only made it worse so she just stopped after the first minute. People of all ages ran back and forth in front of her – holding umbrellas of various colors and sizes or wrapping themselves even more in their coats.

She bit her lip and shivered, the cold wind making her wish she was at home with a mug of hot chocolate in her bathtub filled with hot water and bubbles. Darn rain, if I get a cold, I will hunt you down and make sure the sun pierces your evil cloudy body and make sure you never come down again! And dad, you're next on my list! How dare you come late when it's a raining day! Why of all days, today you decided to be fashionably late! Why!

"E-Excu-cuse m-me…"

Clenching her teeth in anger and annoyance, she prepared a series of insults and scolding to yell to the dude that had ruined her raging tantrum towards her father and turned to punch the guy (no one makes Kairi mad when she's annoyed, they'd be sure to leave with a black eye) but instead, she was met with the most amazing and exotic eyes she had ever seen. He was tall and a little built, his arms were incredibly long. His spiky red hair was a little droopy thanks to the rain and his outfit (which looked like a basketball uniform at first glance) was drenched wet.

But the one thing that made Kairi so entranced by this beautiful stranger was his eyes. She had never seen such deep and lovely green irises. They just had this magic where she was immune to everything around – she didn't even shiver from the cold anymore. They snaked around her like a vine and made her stuck to the spot, slowly suffocating her with their emerald gaze.

"I-I'm so-sorry if I-I botheri-ring yo-you but I-I wa-wanted to ask i-if I-I co-could sha-share yo-your umbre-brella wi-with you?" Poor thing, he was so cold until he was shivering to the bone. It doesn't take a genius to know why he was cold, the dude was wearing a bloody sleeveless shirt with short baggy shorts! At first, the redhead couldn't find her voice. He was still smothering her with his tentative look (those eyes, damnit, those eyes!) but she slowly regained her composure, blinking a few times and licked her lips slowly to answer his question.

"O-Of course you can," Smooth, Kairi. That's it, don't stutter too much. "I mean, this umbrella can fit t-two people I guess."

He smirked at her. God, even his smirk is sexy! He inched closer to her and shielded himself from the droplets pouring down. It was getting lighter and it wasn't as cold but somehow, Kairi found him moving closer and closer to her. She didn't want to be bigheaded so she ignored it but after a few minutes, they were practically shoulder to shoulder. Well, not exactly. Her shoulder was on his upper arm. Damn, he was tall! Her breathing began to come out in puffs as her heart beat gained pace.

He smelled nice. A mixture of cologne with something that smelled like roses. Even though that was a little girly, Kairi found it made him even more irresistible. Wh-why am I blushing? Stop blushing! You don't even know the guy's name, for God's sake! Don't be such a love struck bimbo! AH!

After five minutes and forty-five seconds (She wanted to treasure every precious second) later, the rain stopped completely and the sun was beginning to break through the dim sky – lighting up the area. He stepped out of the umbrella (No please! Don't go!) and ruffled his hair thoroughly, allowing the droplets resting in his hair to be shaken off. Kairi found it was still stupid of her to have the umbrella so she shook it too then closed it tight. Now's your chance, Kairi! Ask his name, his number, his secrets, his family, his ex-girlfriends, his school, his friends, his likes and dislikes, every single detail!

"U-Um, I-I…"

"Thanks for sharing your umbrella with me!" he grinned, white teeth glistening under the sun's rays. "You just saved me from getting a nasty cold and missing the basketball championship!"

Oh, so he is a basketball player. Explains his outfit and height.

"N-No problem!" Stop stuttering you idiot! "I-It wasn't much."

He grinned and waved to her goodbye, speeding off to the opposite direction of where her house was situated (which was a slight bummer) and slowly disappearing away from her sight. She heaved a frustrated sigh and hit herself lightly with the tip of her umbrella. Stupid, stupid, stupid! You couldn't even ask him a simple question! God, you're stupid! Ow! Kairi groaned and rubbed the spot where she accidentally hit herself too hard, feeling even more stupid then she already felt.

A few days later, Kairi still couldn't forget the emerald-eyed stranger. He somehow had crawled his own way into her mind and she couldn't stop thinking about him. She knew it was pointless because she was never going to see him again but as though God wanted to fate them together, she found out he was in Twilight Academy as well when she saw his picture in the school newspaper. He was a sports major so the chance of being in the same class as him was striked out but she found out he was the Captain of the basketball team and would be staying after school for practice.

That's usually when Kairi stays back, just to see him practice from afar. His little fans stood at the bleachers, screaming his name and cheering him on but Kairi had never dared herself to talk to him after their umbrella moment. Call her shy but she was afraid he wouldn't remember her. I mean, who does remember someone you shared an umbrella with? It was illogical if he did. So she did what she continued to do until senior year, watching him from far and admiring his perfection silently.

Until now…

"Hey!" His voice had gotten a little deeper since their last encounter at the Bus Stand. Of course, silly, that was like four years ago! Of course he'd had matured! God! "I remember you."

Her throat suddenly got dry. "Wha-What?"

"Don't you remember? Pink umbrella? Bus Stand near Twilight's First District?"

Her lips cracked. She suddenly found it hard to breathe. H-He remembered? Even the place?

"Isn't that you? Oh, sorry! Must've gotten the wrong person-…"

"No!" she interrupted, surprising him and herself. "Tha-That was me. Hi."

"Hey, it's been years hasn't it," he commented smoothly, a grin still on his lips. He stood up with his books and so did Kairi holding tightly to some of his papers. She was still appalled when knowing he still remembered her clearly, even after four years. Could this be a sign? "I didn't know you were at this school."

"Ye-yeah. I'm in the Arts Department. Ya know, creative writing." She giggled after that and was horrified to hear her laughter to be so bimbo-ish and unnatural. What is happening to you? You're finally talking to the guy you've been crushing on since 9th Grade! Buck up, girl!

He merely laughed back. "Well, I'm in the-"

"Sport's Department. Yeah, I know…" Oh my god! Why did I say that? That sounds totally stalker-ish! He's gonna think I'm some kind of freak that follows him around and watches his every movement and knows his timetable by heart and knows every single update about him! Oh wait… I do know that. OH NO!

"Wow, guess I'm pretty popular if even you know that. Haha!"

Come on Kairi, think of a back up plan, think think! "W-Well, who doesn't know Axel Misaki, the person who took our school to the Interschool National Basketball Championship and scored the winning basket." Smooth, nice save!

He laughed and rubbed the back of his neck as though in a nervous manner. He's nervous? That's good! Right? "That's unfair. You know my name and I still don't know the name of the lovely maiden who saved me from the deathly raindrops of evil." Kairi couldn't help but snort laughter to that and soon, the two were laughing as if there was no tomorrow. It actually looked like they were a couple, from an outsider's point of view. As they settled down, Axel grinned and stuck forth his hand in a friendly manner. "I'm Axel. Nice to meet you, Miss…?"

Kairi scoffed and took his hand gently. "There's no miss, thank you very much. Just Kairi. Kairi Minami."

"Kairi, lovely name for a lovely lady such as yourself." God, how could one guy make me blush THIS much? "So, I'll catch you later, Kairi," he continued. He makes my name sound so much better when he says it. Sighs. "Come to my practice one day, if you can and we could get to know each other better sometime."

And with those words said, he slowly took his papers from Kairi's grip and walked off, grin etched on his lips and twinkle sparkling in those gorgeous eyes. Kairi was left rooted to the spot with realization slowly forming in her mind. D-Did Axel Misaki just ask me out? Oh… my… god… A wide grin plastered itself onto her face and she couldn't contain her happiness anymore. "AXEL MISAKI ASKED ME OUT! YAY! YES! YES! YES!"

She quickly covered her mouth after that though, thank God everyone was too busy to acknowledge her outburst but she couldn't stop the smile from sticking on her lips. This has got to be the best day ever!

3 p.m. Time for all the students and teachers to pack their bags, bid their goodbyes and retire home after a long day at school. The bell rung three times, signing the time for the students to leave the school grounds fast or the guard would lock them in and sleeping overnight locked in an academy which was rumored to be built on a graveyard wasn't really Kairi's idea of fun. But she wouldn't even know because she was still gleefully in bliss after this morning's incident.

I still can't believe he indirectly asked me out! He asked me out! Kyaaaa!!

Instead of stopping by her locker like normal days to get her books for extra revision at home, she simply made her way through the hallways and out the main exit – finding the sunny day to be extra vibrant than usual. She began making her way home, kicking leaves up in the air along the way just to express how happy she felt. Having the guy you admired for four years unexpectedly give you a hint he's interested would make any girl happy so Kairi thought it wasn't out of character for her to be excited and joyful too.

The walk home was shorter than usual which disappointed Kairi in away. Somehow, when she reaches her house, she would have to put on a brave mask for her father – to show that she wasn't affected in being independent at a young age. Most girls would be learning how to cook or clean at her age but Kairi was doing everything herself. Do her family's laundry, iron them, cook them meals, go grocery shopping, gets the mail, does the gardening and many other errands that would've left a nineteen year old too packed to have her own life.

But the redhead had no choice. Other people had mothers to guide their daughters through life. Kairi had 'lost' her mother when she turned ten. Growing up had to be one of the hardest things for her because whenever she faced any girl problems, she couldn't ask her mother. The only person that could give her advice on boys, studying, being a good girl and staying away from bad habits was gone. Not literally gone. Just spiritually. Her mother's heart may be beating but she was just a cocoon – the butterfly had long left it.

Pushing the front foor open, she was surprised to see a few extra pair of shoes in the shoe rack. Dad probably has some visitors. Better see who they are. Trudging happily to the kitchen, she saw the back of her father's head, cooking furiously over a stove and was fiddling with what looked like a kettle. Kairi laughed, her father was useless in the kitchen. She sneaked silently behind her dad and ever so gently, tapped his shoulder.

"I DIDN'T DO IT! I DIDN'T MEAN TO SPILL WATER ALL OVER THE FLOOR! I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO BOIL WATER! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!"

"Dad! It's just me!"

Mr.Minami faced his daughter and sighed with relief. "Oh, Kairi, you scared me. You arrived just in time! Tell me how to work this bloody kettle because I can't get the lid to open!" he yelled, pulling at the metal cover to emphasize his point. Kairi raised her eyebrow and shot him the look that said 'This is why you're not allowed in the kitchen because you can't even operate a simple electronic kettle'. Rolling her eyes, she took the kettle roughly from her dad and pressed a button at the back of it which caused the lid to pop open and ready for use.

"See? It's as easy as ABC. You should try it sometime, dad. It's called a b-u-t-t-o-n!"

Mr. Minami blushed with embarassment and took the appliance slowly from his daughter. Kairi realized she was a bit harsh (Forgive the poor old man, he hadn't touched a kettle in years!) so she wrapped her arms around his waist and cuddled closely to him, heaving his wonderful scent. "My silly daddy! This is why I stay in the kitchen while you only come in to eat. Got it?"

"I know, Kairi Bunny. It's just that, we have guests and I want to serve them something!"

"Who are they?"

"The Hikari's."

If she had drank a glass of water at that time, droplets of it would've been forcefully spat out as she looked at her dad with a worried glance. "The Hikari's? What do they want? Please don't tell me Sora's staying over because I am not going to waste my beauty sleep by hearing his rhinocerous snores coming from downstairs!"

"At least it isn't louder than your hippopotamous snore. Man, do I pity your folks for having to hear that every night," came a sly comeback from the kitchen door. Kairi turned to glare at Sora who was currently still wearing his school uniform – minus the tie. "What're you doing here? Unless you don't know, we don't welcome aliens here," she retorted, feeling glad to snap him back.

"I see, that means you're not very welcome here then." Ah! Curse him with his sneaky replies!

"Now now kids, we're all together here for a very important matter. The Hikari's and I have to discuss something with you two," informed Mr. Minami seriously. Kairi looked over at her father and saw his expression so serious. She decided to ignore Sora who was currently pushing himself into her irritation and she was having a hard time keeping it cool for her dad. "Sora," continued Mr. Minami. "Why don't you go sit with your folks in the living room and me and Kai will be there soon."

"Sure thing, Mr. M," came his response and he left the kitchen with one of Kairi's muffins in his hand. He owes me a chocolate chip muffin, that jackass! The kettle whistled, telling them that the water had finished boiling. Kairi grabbed a couple of tea bags from the upper drawer and started making tea for the guests whilst her father was putting a couple of Kairi's baked goods on a plate to serve to them as a light appetizer.

"Dad," called Kairi, her voice straining and soft.

"Yes hun?"

"Is… this about mom?"

Mr. Minami winced softly and gave her a nervous smile before giving her that look that always told Kairi that everything was going to be alright but something horrible will come first. Kairi didn't like that look. It made her even more curious. Finishing the tea, she placed it on a tray along with the sweets then made her way to the living room accompanied by her father.

"Well look who it is," greeted Mrs. Hikari, a sincere smile on her lips. "My, Kairi, you've grown well!"

A scoff came from a certain brunette. "Yeah, grown into a pain in the ass."

"Sora!" exclaimed Mrs. Hikari, appaled by her son's words. Sora gave her a shrug and continue to stare at them from a corner. Mr. Hikari was sitting in front of the table with a paper file in his hands. Something tells me that whatever's going on has something to do with that file. The redheaded girl placed the tray on the table and sat down slowly beside her father. Mr. Hikari cleared his throat and placed the file on the table, sliding it over to Mr. Minami who took it as though it were a sacred item.

"Sora, Kairi," Mr. Minami's voice was clear in the silent room. "We have to tell you sommething important. But first, you have to promise me you guys won't overreact or start a tantrum or do anything childish like that. Both of you are nearing adulthood. Behave your age, especially you Kairi." This earned a sneer from Sora and a blush from Kairi.

"Kairi, your grandmother's lawyer came to see me a few days ago," continued Mr. Minami whilst facing his daughter. "He gave me this will where it states your mother is the heir of your grandfather's property and you know how wealthy he is right?" Kairi nodded obediently. She still had no idea where all of this was going. "Well, your mother is not in a rather well state to be the heir, as you can see…" At this, all looked solemnly down. Hearing about Mrs. Minami's condition was like a rain day. It turned everyone down.

"So your grandmother changed your grandfather's will before she passed away. She turned it over to you."

"Me!" exclaimed Kairi, her eyes practically bulging out as her mouth gaped wide open. "I-I'm the new heir? But how? Why? When? What?"

"Calm down, honey," cooed Mr. Minami, holding his daughter's hand. Kairi could feel it shivering against her palm. Why was her father acting this way? Was this bad news? Good news? She still couldn't understand very well. "Yes, you're the heir to your grandfather's property but your grandmother made a rule. And she will only pass down your grandfather's property to you until you have fulfilled this rule, understand?"

"Yeah dad, what's the rule?" asked Kairi impatiently, curious to know what was going on.

Mr. Minami looked to his friend whom gave him a nod in response. He sighed and turned his gaze back to the redhead. "Her rule was that you marry before you receive it." Silence followed after that. Everyone was quiet as they waited for the girl to say something but she didn't show any signs that she would respond. Kairi blinked repeatedly, slowly absorbing these new facts in her head and understanding them. She focused on her dad and gripped his hand firmly. "Is that it? I have to marry before I get the property? Well, that could wait a few years right…?"

Mr. Minami coughed again, looking at Mr. Hikari for assurance and the man gave him another firm nod. Another sigh followed suit. "Tha-That's the thing. We need your grandfather's property now."

The redheaded girl looked bewildered. "What! Why?"

"W-Well… your mother's condition isn't doing very well," his voice turning even more hopeless with every word. "She'll need multiple surgeries for the cancer to be fully removed from her body before she can get better. Surgeries costs a lot of money and insurance can't cover that much and-"

"So you're using me as a tool to pay for mom's surgeries!?" snapped Kairi, unexpected tears forming in her eyes. "Dad! This is my life we're talking about! I can't marry now! I'm still a student and I'm just adjusting to adulthood! I'm not ready to fall in love and have a husband just yet!"

"Kairi, wait, I'm not finished…"

"No dad! You listen! I don't care if I have to work double jobs if it's money you're worried about. We can loan from a bank, we can borrow from people, we can find another way! Please! Please don't tell me this is the only way!"

Mr. Minami looked down with a frown etched on his lips. "I-I'm sorry Kai. There isn't enough time. Believe me, if we did have time, I would work three jobs if it would mean avoiding this but we don't, Kairi. We don't… Your mother's getting worse day by day and-"

"I don't want to get married dad!" Kairi yelled, streams of tears pooling out of her eyes as she stood up, glaring at her father. "I can't believe you're willing to sacrifice my life for mom's! My own father! You're supposed to help me through life but here you are throwing it away!"

"Kairi, please, listen-…"

"No, I don't want to listen anymore!" snapped Kairi and moved to storm out of the room when an arm blocked her exit. She turned to glare at the person with puffy red eyes and saw it was Sora who had a serious expression marring his face. "Oh for God's sake, suck it up!" Everyone gasped as to the brunette's actions and harsh words to the sobbing redhead but nothing could beat the surprised look that Kairi beheld.

"Wha-What did you say?"

"I said suck it up!" repeated Sora, lowering his arm from the door. "You act as though this marrying thing is the end of the world. You're really selfish, ya know that? Because you don't wanna marry because you're 'too young', your mother's life will slowly come to an end! Do you want that? Do you want your mother to die just because of your stupid pride!"

"Shut up! Shut up! You're not the one getting married so you just shove you comments back in your mouth and keep them there you jackass!"

Sora lowered his gaze and was silent for awhile before he let out a bitter chuckle. Kairi growled even more at that gesture. Here she was, crying her eyes out, and he found her rebellion humorous? He's a jerk! A jackass! I hate him! I hate him! Sora then raised his head and looked at Mr. Minami who was now letting a tear roll down his cheek, heartbroken to his daughter's wails. "As a matter of fact, I think I am…"

Kairi looked at him with confusion. "What?"

"I think I know why I'm here," Sora then went to Mr. Minami and sat in front of him. "You don't need a husband for Kairi do you? You just need someone to 'marry' her and pretend in front of a few people for awhile that they're married so that the court would pass the property to Kairi and then you can pay Mrs. Minami's surgeries…" His azure eyes then popped wide open as realiazation sunk into him. It was silence for awhile until the brunette spoke again. "Finding a guy that is willing to marry Kairi as an act would be hard… right?" Mr. Minami nodded solemnly and lowered his head in shame. Kairi turned to Sora and snapped, "Where are you going with this Sora?"

The brunette smirked sadly and leant his head to the wall. "Don't you see yet redhead? I'm the one."

Kairi's eyes snapped wide open. Her heart beat began to increase as she slowly put the pieces inside her head and solved the puzzle. A puzzle she wanted to destroy and burn with the flames of hell. Unkowingly, tears began streaming down again and she tried to hold them back but they wouldn't stop. "Y-You're ma-marrying m-me?" She hiccuped. Sora looked to his parents who were quiet and had the same expression as Mr. Minami. That confirmed everything.

"Guess so. You're not the only victim here, redhead, so stop woeing."

"How can you say that!?" yelled the redheaded girl, her whole body trembling. "We're nineteen Sora! Nineteen year olds don't get married!"

Sora stood up and faced her. "They do if it's for the benefit of someone."

"So you're telling me you'd risk your freedom, your life for a woman who isn't bloodly related to you?"

"Just because Mrs. Minami isn't my actual mother doesn't mean she's not a mother to me!" argued Sora, his glare piercing through Kairi's sobbing body. "She treated me like I was her own son and I've always looked at her as a guardian, someone I can talk to if my own mother won't. I don't care if I have to marry a selfish person like you, just as long as Mrs. Minami stays alive and continues breathing. I'll do it, I won't hesitate."

Kairi slowly lowered her gaze from Sora's glare and washed her face of tears gently. She felt ashamed, ashamed that for a second there she had put herself before her mother and cared more about her own future rather than her mother's health. What kind of a daughter am I? She raised her gaze to Sora who looked more softer than he did a few seconds ago, he even looked a bit apologetic for being so harsh to her. She ignored him and went to her father who couldn't bear to look at her for feeling ashamed.

"K-Kairi, you don't have to agree to this," whispered Mr. Minami. "I-I'll find another way. I-"

"I-It's okay dad… I'll do it," she whispered back. "Sorry for being such a brat just now." She slowly hugged her father and began crying once more. "I-If Sora's ready to go with it… I am too." She felt her father's warm arms wrapping themselves around her trembling body. Mrs. Hikari went to hug her son, unable to hold her tears anymore. Sora merely smiled bitterly and hugged his mother back. He received a pat from his back from Mr. Hikari whom nodded at him with gratification.

As they each hugged their families, they slowly snuck a glance at each other. Each of their eyes sent a telepathic message to each other. It was a silent message just between them. A message saying how each were confused as to why they agreed to this, why couldn't there be another way and how were they going to go through this 'marriage' if they can't even stand five minutes next to each other? Kairi groaned inwardly. She had just signed a deal with the devil and she was going to pay for this soon.

This is the worst day ever!

A/N 1: Wow, it feels great to be writing again! This has to be my longest first chapter yet. I'm pretty proud of this. Anyway, this is a joint fic between me and one of my friends, Shasha, who doesn't have an ff account but it's alright. She told me to go ahead and post on my account first since it's like… dead. Sorry guys! Reason I've been missing is busy. That's all I have to say. Exams, family probs, friends, studying, school, all those have kept me occupied for a long time but now that my schedule has been calm lately, I thought I'd focus on writing again since I miss it so much!

And I deeply apologize to those people whom I owe a fic to. I don't think I'll be writing any oneshots in the nearest future but once I get into my writing muse, I'll be sure to write an awesome oneshot! Again, I'm so so so so so so so sorry!

Not to mention I see a lot of people moving from SoraKairi to other pairings (like SoraNamine. BLEUGH!) No offense to Namora fans but I find that pairing wrong in so many ways. Also, I don't like Naminé. I find her an even bigger Mary Sue than Kairi. Again, no offense to Namora or Naminé fans! So please, keep up the Kaiora love! SoraKairi is canon, nuff' said. (I'm being such a hypocrite considering I love Roxiri a lot too! XD)

Mostly conversations here but the plot will begin showing even more next chapter. I find writing lovate fics like suits me better than angst or anything like that. Haha! Guess I love Romedies (Romance + Comedy) more than other genres. I hope you guys like this because as soon as I get enough reviews, I'll post the second chapter which has been written already. XD This plot just wouldn't leave me alone! I had to write it!

I'm hesitating to continue Autumn's Sonata, not because I don't like it. It's just I lost intrest in it and many authors know what that feels like right? So, I might continue, I might not. I deeply apologize to fans of that story! Especially weixuan18 and Sora177 since that story was dedicated to them. Consider this story dedicated to the both of you because this story is a definite continue. (I even have the ending bobbing in my brain already. XP)

A/N 2: This plot came from inspiration of many people and dramas but I have to say, the biggest influence is Princess Hours, the oh so famous korean drama. Me and Shasha got our inspiration from there so go support it by watching it! D (Shameless promotion)

Enjoy and don't forget to review, review, review if you want me to continue this story! If not, I might still continue it… -thinks- Just review! D

-angie-chan/Lily