Y'know, after reading the entire story from start to finish, with this chapter being the last one, I came to the conclusion that this story sucked. It sounded like a good idea when I first started. Then it went down the drain.

So, if anyone still cares to read it, here's the last chapter...

-Chapter Four-
Fate

Sora turned on the sink letting the crisp cool water run along his hands. He was thankful for the break, a final moment of solitude to calm his nerves. Kairi's decision was coming up, and he couldn't help but feel a tad nervous. Hopefully he made the right moves to impress her. He didn't have honey filled words like Riku or the fiery spark like Axel. His honesty would have to be enough. Deep down, he wanted to tell Kairi how much he cared for her, how much he loved her, and how she meant the world to him. It had broken his heart to see her so depressed. The happy girl he once knew had become withdrawn and distant.

Thinking back, he remembered that fateful night on the beach. He sensed something was not right, and it irked him. Sleep was impossible. Sora reached for his jacket and slipped out of his house. The last time he had this feeling was about a year ago when news broke that Kairi and Cloud were an item. His stomach was tied in knots, and a panging feeling kept hitting his heart. He felt sick. His thoughts took him on an emotional roller coaster ride with turns of jealousy and hatred that made him want to scream out. Eventually he felt the cool breeze blow past his face and the crunch of the sand beneath him. Looking up, he found Kairi sitting there down by the water. Fate was cruel tonight, for she was the last person he wanted to see. Sora stood at a distance, watching the moon illuminate her cherry red hair. Slowly, his ears picked up the faint sounds of sobs. The girl was crying. He bit his lip, knowing that he could never be mad at her. Shedding his pride, he quietly approached the girl and took a seat at her side.

Kairi had her face buried in her hands, her chest heaving from all her crying. Sora lifted his hand and placed it gently on the girl's shoulder giving it a comforting squeeze. The girl looked up. At first the tears in her eyes and the dark night made it impossible to see the person beside her. But after a while, the brown locks of spiky hair told her that Sora was here. She smiled, perhaps, for the first time today.

"Are you alright, Kai?" Sora asked as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.

The girl nodded, sniffing. She cleared her throat and brushed the hair away from her face.

"Wanna talk about it?"

Kairi shakily exhaled. She told him about what Cloud did to her and the amount of pain it caused. Never before had she ever been humiliated and distraught in all her life. Sora just listened, rubbing circles along her back to calm her. It seemed to work. The girl had stopped shaking, and her voice returned to its calm nature. He was even able to get to her laugh.

As he listened, he couldn't help but thinking about his own feelings for the girl. It was tough for him when Kairi was dating Cloud. All their frequent talks had slowed to the point where he feared they would finally cease. Out of respect, he steered clear from the couple. There was no way he wanted to be a third wheel. The feeling of being excluded, coupled with his jealousy and sadness would prompt him to do something he might regret. He had recurring thoughts of punching Cloud in the face. It would make him feel better. As a matter of fact, he was feeling better now. They had broken up, and here he was comforting the girl, drying her tears and making her smile.

Sora turned off the faucet and dried his hands on the paper towels. He could hear people running through the halls outside, and he knew they were getting ready for the finale. I should get ready too. Sora exited the room and traced his way back to the stage. Slipping behind the screen, he waited as he pictured Kairi's smiling face. Reality hit him as butterflies fluttered in his stomach. Kairi could pick him. Axel. Riku. The chance of her picking him was looking slim. The time in the restroom was supposed to be calm him, yet he was now troubled. He had been disappointed once. He wouldn't be able to handle it a second time.

Kairi might not pick me.

-KH-

Selphie sat on her couch. The show was finally concluding. Excitement filled her. On screen Kairi, too, sat. However, her face was stoic with no sign of tipping her hand. There was a hush that filled the auditorium. It was the deciding point.

"Come on, Kairi!" the girl cheered from her seat. "Choose number 2!"

The lights dimmed to the sound of a low drum roll. The entire stage grew black. A lone spotlight shone down on Kairi.

"It's time, my dear," the host whispered to her from offstage. "Make your pick." Kairi could imagine a glint in his eye though it was dark all around her. She got up and started walking.

Each step she took on the quiet stage sounded like a bass drum was being hit. Selphie chewed on her fingernails, eyes barely open as if she was watching a horror film. The truth was indeed scary. She could choose bachelor two, but what would happen if she didn't? The thought ran through the hyper girl's mind, and she crossed her fingers for luck.

Bachelor number two had all the qualities she had deemed perfect for Kairi. He had a touch of boyish personality to match his sincerity. Simply put, he seemed like a good guy. Kairi needed someone like that in her life. Selphie had nearly fallen on her face when Kairi told her that she was dating Cloud. She had enough information on the guy to know that he meant trouble.

"What do you mean you are and Cloud are dating?" Selphie asked, shock written all over her face.

"Yeah, Cloud and I are going out. It's great isn't it?" Kairi could sense some tension flowing from her dearest female friend. "This is what you wanted, remember? You wanted me to go out with a guy."

"But not Cloud! Seriously, Kai, the guy is bad news."

"How do you know that? He brought me roses, for crying out loud! I'm sure you're over exaggerating," the girl said as she took of a whiff of the freshly picked flowers. The bouquet consisted of a mixture of red, pink, and a dash of white roses. Baby's breath was added for decoration, and lace was tied around the vase.

Selphie shook her head. Her friend was obviously smitten, but she was about to slap some sense into the girl. "Cloud is only doing this to get back at Tifa," she explained. "Kairi, you're putting yourself into the crossfire."

A crossfire of Cupid's arrows Kairi thought to herself. "Cloud said he loves me, and I believe him. You don't have to take his word, but at least believe that I'm making the right decision."

Selphie, uncharacteristically, closed her mouth. She forced a smile and whispered in her ear. "Don't let me say 'I told you so', ok?"

That was before Kairi and Cloud's breakup. She hadn't said I told you so. Now she wished she could be there on stage with her friend to tell her to pick guy number 2!

I'm telling you, pick number 2!

-KH-

Kairi could feel her heartbeat quicken as she approached the silhouettes of the three boys. Her original plan of just taking the money and run was out the window. She was ready to love again with him. Thoughts of Cloud filled her head. She had chosen him and had come to rue it. What made her think she could make the right choice this time around? She glanced at the camera wishing that Selphie was here to help her. She needed her beaming smile and overzealous personality to calm her. During the break, Kairi had given her choice much thought. There was uncertainty, and the choice that seemed plain as day had vanished the moment the spotlight beamed on her.

She was going to choose the guy that she felt comfortable talking to. Sure the other two had much to say, their points valid and interesting. Yet, he had spoken with such plainness and openness. There was no alternate motive behind his words. Kairi had thought back to the talent and hobby portion of the telecast. She had been courted by wild athleticism, tender words, and burning passion.

Kairi's thoughts shifted back to the present. All around her, she could feel the stare of the audience on her back. It was time.

The girl walked up to the silhouette and reached out her hand. Grabbing the rope, she hoped for dear life she was making the right choice.

The audience gasped as the sheet fell. It slowly wafted to the ground revealing spiky brown hair, blue piercing eyes, and a cheesy grin.

"YES!" Selphie boomed. "Booya!" Kairi chose bachelor number 2, er…Sora. The girl fell on her butt, a tear falling from her eye. Only you Sora… I should have known. She let out a breath at the pleasant surprise.

Kairi, too, looked surprised and stood there for a second before her brain kicked in. Standing before her was Sora. In the stadium, on the beach, was he. Fate had an ironic way of working, she figured. However, there was no strangeness in this moment as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Loud, blaring music played overhead as the veils uncovered the other two contestants. Riku and Axel smiled as they approached the couple to offer their congratulations.

"Way to go, Sora," Riku said as he clasped his best friend on the shoulder. He stepped off the stage as he shared a laugh with Axel.

Kairi lifted her head, her eyes catching his. "I don't know what to say," the boy whispered.

"Let's start with why you didn't tell me sooner," she suggested with interest. "I never knew you felt that way about me."

Sora scratched his head for a moment. This story was going to take all day and maybe all night. He had more than 10 years of feelings he had to mow through.

"I liked you the first time I saw you smile," he said. So that was what...since we were kids. From then on I always wanted you to be happy. I wanted to see you smile so that's why I always goofed around and joked all the time. Then you hooked up with Cloud. I realized that if I couldn't make you smile, I hoped he could. Then you stopped smiling. You're beautiful when you smile, you know? Don't ever forget that..."

Kairi cut him off and placed a hand on his cheek. Their eyes locked, and she nearly felt herself be overwhelmed as he gazed down at her. She could see all the love he had for her, mixed in with the sincerity and boyish innocence she always remembered. There were tears in her eyes that made her realize he was here all along, watching her. She rose to her tippy-toes and made a slight advance towards him. Sora leaned in, covering the remaining distance. Gently their lips touched.

The kiss was shortlived before Kairi pulled away. She smiled as she buried her face into Sora's chest.

The host looked on. He had been right all along as he recalled the words he had spoken to Kairi.

I think it would be fate if you two hooked up.

END

I'm sorry for the pain caused by the horrible quality of this monstrosity. Happy Spring Break to you all!

To reviewers: Kenny IV- The Epic Ninja, dearlybelovedangel, Sugax, Ghost-Drive, Shire Folk, retroactive/premium heart, DestinyKeyblader28, KuriousNainai, Ziddy2343, Goldenpeltthewarrior, and any other readers, I promise my next story will be better.

Rock out, party hard, live hardcore