As the weekend followed Sora grew anxious about returning to school, his last encounter with Axel had been an unpleasant one and he didn't want to repeat it any time soon. Yet in the back of his mind he knew it was needless to worry. He had got himself involved so it was quite obvious what was to follow.

As Monday morning rolled around he found himself oddly relaxed. It was as if his lungs had agreed to cooperate for once and let him breathe easily. And as third period approached he wondered what could possibly calm his nerves so suddenly, curious, he cocked his head to the side and sighed as he realized Roxas' seat was unoccupied.

The bell had rung for lunch and he shuffled out of his seat leisurely stuffing his books back into his bag. Glancing towards the door he realized there was a silhouette of a slender girl by the door but he paid no mind. When finished he packed up and hurried out. But just as he exited the room a pair of tiny hands quickly wrapped around his arm.

"Hi" a friendly voice chimed. He starred down at the stranger in silence. This close up he realized it was the same red headed girl from before, and just as cute as he remembered.

"Hey" he replied a little surprised by her presence. Releasing his arm she took a step back and smiled.

"Thanks for what you did the other day."

"You don't have to thank me, Im just glad you're all right. I was worried about you afterwards I wasn't sure if got away safely"

"I did thanks to you, you kinda saved my life" she said as she tucked some hair behind her ear. She cast her gaze downward as she continued.

"By the way… Im so sorry I left you there." She said cleary ashamed.

"If it's any conciliation I ran back with a teacher but by the time we got there everyone was gone. I freaked thinking what axel could've done to you but when I saw you in the hall this morning I was so relieved." For a moment Sora starred in disbelief that a complete stranger would worry this much about him.

"Um I'm kairi by the way" she said as she graciously extended a hand

"Sora, nice to meet you." He replied as he returned the gesture.

"This may seem out of the blue but would you like to eat lunch with me? I usually take lunch in the court yard with my friend Riku, but I could introduce you."

"Um sure why not" She flashed him a smile that lit up her face and he couldn't help but smile back, feeling for once things were going right.

"Rikuuu! Hey Riku! Over here!" Kairi yelled as she waved her arm frantically in the air. The court yard wasn't too crowded that day yet whoever was around had their eyes glued to loud little kairi. Sora watched as a tall silver haired boy caught sight of the strange girls behavior and ran in the opposite direction.

"Riku don't you dare avoid me!" she yelled again, this time digging into her bag and fishing out an apple throwing it directly at the boys unsuspecting head. With a painful thump the fruit met his head causing him to tumble forward. After a moment Sora and Kairi exchanged worrisome looks at the image of an unconscious Riku.

"Um Kairi… I think you killed your friend"

"Oh god I'll get the nurse!" she said sprinting back into the building.

"Hey man you ok there?" After a brief silence Sora poked him in the ribs causing the supposedly unconscious to smirk.

"Is she gone?" he whispered. Sora looked up for a moment and leaned back down whispering back.

"Yes for now"

"Good, that girls nuts. Mind giving me a hand?" he said as he rolled over and extended a hand for Sora's assistance.

"Riku" he said as he rose and held on.

"Sora" he smiled back.

"So I take it you're the guy that saved Kairi? She's been talking non stop about the incident"

"It was nothing, just wrong place wrong time"

"Well it's a good thing you were around when you were, not a lot of people would go out of their way to make it on axels bad list"

"It's not like I had a choice when I was already on it" Sora shrugged. Riku looked at him a bit surprised.

"Really? Just what did you do?" Sora took a step back and kept quiet, it was clear that topic was off limits.

"Hmm I wonder where Kairi went?" Sora said quickly changing the subject. Riku took the hint.

"She probably forgot. So how come I haven't seen you around?"

"I'm new here" Sora replied

"Well new kid, Kairi is probably terrorizing the nurse so I should go find her. I'll see you around." Riku said with a smile and with that he was off.

Later that day as Sora deposited his books in his locker he heard light footsteps quickly approaching; he turned to see an out of breath Kairi. And waited for her to collect herself before finding out what she wanted.

"I didn't think I'd catch you" she began, smiling as her breathing regulated.

"But was wondering if you were doing anything Saturday" Sora took a moment to assess the situation.

"Kairi… are you asking me on a date?" and in moments the tiny girl turned scarlet as she realized her brashness.

"No.. no I didn't mean…" she fumbled

"No don't be sorry. But yea I'm free on Saturday, why?"

"Well there's a concert at the park that day and me and a few friends are going. And I was wondering if you wanna join us? You're new, you could use some socializing" Sora mulled it over for a moment.

"Im not so sure. I don't know anyone."

"Come on, it'll be good for you to get out there. We'll show you a good time." she said nudging him with her elbow.

"Let me sleep on it" he said trying not to laugh at her attempt of a pouting face.

"Fair enough" she said smiling as she turned to leave.