(I own no copyrighted material in this story.)

Friday evening…the moment of truth. Sora was in his bedroom rummaging through his closet to find something to wear. He had to find something that said "I rock" but didn't say "I'm a freak". He needed to make a good impression, he wanted to win this battle of the bands. Sure it didn't really mean anything, it was more of a friendly competition with a trophy at the end, but Sora wanted to win. He didn't want anything more in his entire life than to be admired as he played his guitar on stage in front of screaming fans. Sora began to fantasize.

The girls were screaming, blowing kisses at him as he just finished his guitar solo. Sora gave the devil's horns when he struck that last note and everyone cheered. He smiled. Nothing was better than this moment right here on this stage in front of millions of people. He had done it, he had lived his dream.

"Thank you everyone for coming to my concert! I hoped you liked it and I want you all to drive home safely! ROCK ON!!!"

The crowd cheered once again as Sora gave a final bow and headed off stage. There waiting for him was his beloved girlfriend. Naminé Snow. The ultra-pop star of the decade and the most beautiful girl he could even fathom. She twirled her hair with her finger and puckered her lips flirtatiously. Sora took her entire body in his arms and kissed her in a dipping fashion. He completed the kiss as he ascended back and Naminé lead him outside to the limo. Thousands of screaming fans were asking for autographs and Sora happily obliged as Naminé pulled him to the limo. Once they were in, Naminé looked at him hungrily as she closed the tinted window between their compartment and the driver as she unbuttoned his shirt…

Sora warped back to reality as his mother walked into his room.

"Sora the dance is in half an hour why aren't you dressed yet?"

"I'm nervous Mom."

Mrs. Osment was taken aback. "Nervous? Son when have you ever been nervous about playing the guitar?"

"It's not that Mom it's just that…well this is the first time I'm playing with a band in front of the whole school, and I mean its not like I am going to graduate and I won't have to deal with those kids again if I mess up."

"Sora honey, they are all going to love you. You practice with that guitar day and night. On top of which, I was ready to kill you boys you were making so much noise! But, as you practiced more I found myself actually liking what you were playing. Your band is going to do spectacularly."

"Thanks Mom...that really helps."

"Anytime sweetie, your father and I love you very much. Go out there and rock and roll. Oh and before you go Kairi said to meet her backstage at least 15 minutes before the start of the dance. So you better get going mister you don't want to keep such a lovely young lady for a date waiting."

"Mom she isn't my date. She's just my best friend. She was designing our band logo."

"Oh okay my mistake son…but you know she could turn into something more if you finally let go of that Ms. Snow person."

"Whatever mom, I'll be right out get the car ready"

Mrs. Osment exited the room as Sora finally picked his outfit. He wore a black T-shirt that said "I sold my soul to Rock and Roll!" paired with a matching black vest and faded blue jeans. He put on his favorite pair of black converse and decided to put on his pinstripe gangster hat and wear fingerless black gloves. He was ready to melt some faces.

Sora exited the house and locked the door behind him as he got into his mom's mini-van.

"Sora don't you look like a regular rock star?"

"Stop teasing me Mom!"

"Haha alright son, I'll get you to that party ASAP."

Mrs. Osment drove quickly but safely and Sora arrived at the scene only a minute or so late. He kissed his mother goodbye and got his guitar out from the trunk. When Sora's mother drove away, he heard a loud whistle. There was Riku dressed in skinny brown pants with a loose fitting violet dress shirt that was a bit open and boots.

"Yo lead guitarist, get your ass in here! We need to get our setup ready!"

"Aye aye cap'n!" Said Sora as he grinned widely and ran up the stairs into the banquet hall where the party was being held.

Riku led Sora backstage where the rest of Keychained were. Rolling his drums into place was Tidus dressed in a yellow polo with navy shorts and yellow Nikes. Sitting on an amplifier tuning his bass was Roxas dressed in light tan cargo pants and a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, complete with thin black neck tie and rings galore on his fingers. Finally there was Hayner discussing something with a member of the stage crew wearing a brown T-shirt covered by an open forest green button up short-sleeve shirt and dark blue carpenter jeans. They looked good. Some hearts were going to be broken tonight that was for sure.

"Alright everyone, the slacker is finally here!" exclaimed Riku to the band"

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" replied Sora in objection.

"It means you should have been here earlier we could have used this time to rehearse!" said Hayner from behind Sora.

"Guys that doesn't matter now. What matters is that we are together" proudly smiled Tidus.

"Yeah! We are about to tear off some heads and break some hearts!" said Roxas as he got his fellow band members into a big group hug.

"Aw how cute! But a band is nothing without its fans! And I'm your first and truest one!" said a feminine voice from the door.

They all turned to see one very good looking Kairi with some boxes in her arm. She was wearing what looked to be two T-shirts complete with pink lo-top converse and a black jean skirt. She had wristbands and bracelets to accessorize and a pair of guitar shaped earrings. The boys smiled and smirked at how good their number one fan was looking and she blushed at the looks she was getting.

"Alright boys lets stay on target! Just like a band is nothing without their fans, a band is very little without an image! Tidus!"

"Yes?"

"Show me your bass drum please?"

"Yeah it's right over here."

Kairi walked over to the drum set up and bent down to face the large bass drum. She got a round box out from under her arm to reveal a plain white disk. She carefully plastered it onto the bass drum.

"Kairi!! What are you doing to my bass drum?"

"A band says a lot with its image Tidus and what better image than your very own logo!"

Kairi peeled back the white paper of the disk to reveal the band's new logo expertly stuck onto the bass drum. The band members widened their eyes as they saw the gorgeous piece of artwork that would represent them as a band from here on out. The logo was a black heart in the middle with 5 silver key chains hanging from it. From left to right there was the symbol of Tidus's birthplace, (A/N Zanarkand's symbol), a Struggle bat, what looked to be a dark heart with an X over it (A/N Heartless symbol), a crown-shaped symbol, and finally a shuriken-like symbol with a half heart at the bottom (A/N Nobody symbol). At the top along the hearts curves in sharp angular letters was the band's name. The boys couldn't believe their eyes. This was the perfect logo.

"Kai! How long did it take you to make this?!" said Sora.

"A long time and many tries. I finally got it perfect and I got it made for a good price. Do you guys like it?"

"We love it!" said the whole band.

Kairi giggled and smiled at Sora in particular. She tilted her head and looked at him with those eyes that said "I did this for you". Unfortunately for Kairi, Sora was too consumed with the logo to even notice her longing looks.

The rest of the band kept smiling at the logo until Riku noticed Kairi's double T-shirts and wondered why that was.

"Kairi, why are you wearing two T-shirts? I mean it can get chilly in there but its summer time already."

"Oh! That's because…" Kairi reached for the bottom of her first T-shirt and removed it to reveal the band's logo on the undershirt!

"Woah! You made a custom T-shirt too!" exclaimed Roxas.

"Mhm. I am going to be your biggest fan and your walking billboard. Check out the back side!"

Kairi turned around revealing a bulleted list of the band member names, along with their respective logos and descriptions.

Tidus: The Blitzing Percussionist

Hayner: The Rhythmic Champion

Riku: The Heartbreaking Serenade

Sora: The King of Solos

Roxas: The Steady Somebody

"That's so wicked cool! Kairi I am so getting you a sea-salt ice cream after the party!" proudly cried Hayner.

"You might as well buy me the whole shop after you see what's in the other boxes"

The band peered closely as Kairi slowly opened the rest of her boxes. Inside were Kairi's shirts! And not only that but keychains, buttons, and baseball caps! All the boxes were loaded with Keychained paraphernalia!

"Kairi you did all this for us?! How much did this cost you?"

"That's not important. I made an investment in you guys. We will split the sales 50/50. Then you guys can decide what to do with it amongst yourselves."

"Geez, what a con artist" said Hayner playfully as he stuck his tongue out at Kairi.

Kairi laughed and stuck her tongue right back out.

"I can't wait for you guys to start! I'll be in the audience cheering all the way."

The band cheered and went back to their duties, except for Sora whom Kairi had restrained to talk to.

"Sora…"

"Yeah Kai?"

"Um well…do you like all this stuff?"

"Like it? I love it Kairi! It's the best thing that anyone has ever done for me! Thank you!"

Sora hugged his best friend. Kairi was taken slightly aback but soon melted into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder and took a big whiff of his scent. He didn't smell like anything in particular, just kind of smelled clean, but it was like being in a meadow of flowers for Kairi. She had become hypersensitive of everything about him. His clothes were soft and she could feel the smooth skin of his neck against her head. Her paradise vacation was cut all too short by Sora pulling away from the hug. She looked down at her feet with a longing expression on her face.

'I wish you would love me too…no stop Kairi, you have to stay strong for his sake and yours. So that one day you can love each other forever.' Thought Kairi.

She looked back up on him with a big grin on her face and Sora returned the gesture, completely clueless to the thoughts going through Kairi's mind. After a bit of silence, Kairi spoke up once again.

"Sora…can you…maybe…"

"What is it Kai?"

"Could you…save the last dance for me? At the very least?"

Sora scratched his head clearly confused as to the reason for this request. Surely Kairi had a lot of other boys who found her stunning and wanted to dance with her, why save the very last and most important dance of the evening for Sora?

'Oh well, can't hurt to say yes, we are best friends after all. I do owe her too for making all this cool stuff. Yeah I'll dance with her!'

"Sure Kairi, I'll dance with you. It'll be fun!"

Kairi lit up and smiled with an unrestrained joy.

"Awesome Sora! I can't wait. Look for me in the audience ok? I'll be cheering you on the loudest I promise!"

"I'll look for you Kairi! I'll give you a thumbs-up to let you know I saw you. I promise!"

Kairi smiled and waved as she exited the back stage to go help her mother to set up the booth at the entrance that would sell all the Keychained merchandise. It was going to be an awesome memorable night.

Sora waved until Kairi was out of sight. He turned around to nearly bump into Roxas's face.

"She likes you."

"What?"

"Sora, you must be a really big idiot."

"Hey! That's not funny!"

"Maybe not but this is" said Riku as he flicked Sora's forehead while he passed by.

"Ow!" yelled Sora as he rubbed his forehead. He began to ponder what Roxas meant.

'Kairi liking me? No way. We've been best friends for so long. Besides there are plenty of other great guys for Kairi to date and she has. Why me? Yeah no, Roxas is just teasing me like he always does when I hang out with Kairi. Yeah that has to be it! But, I'm sure the stage would look awesome if flames came out from it…'

"SORA!" yelled Roxas.

"Eh what?"

"Get your ass over here man, we need to hear the briefing from the stage director!"

"Oh right! Coming!"

Sora trotted to his bandmates and noticed several other musicians in a semicircle around the stage director, Ms. Gainsborough.

'Those must be the other bands' thought Sora.

"Alright young ones, I am sure you have heard all this before the last time you all were here at this dance but I'll reiterate them just in case you all forgot. Each band will play 3 songs that will be scored by our judges and by the cheers of the audience. The champion of this friendly competition will be announced at the conclusion of the party. Everyone understand?"

Every musician around Ms. Gainsborough nodded their heads in understanding. She continued.

"The line up will be as follows. First up is Silver Bullet. Second is Refreshing Wind. Third is Ocarina. Fourth is Banshee Queen and last but not least is Keychained to close our competition. You are all dismissed. Silver Bullet you are up in ten minutes. Please move your equipment to the stage."

The members of Silver Bullet proceeded to the stage as everyone else regressed to their spots. The members of Keychained were very anxious. They were the last ones, the grand finale. They had to win it.

"Man I can't believe they put us last! The nerves are going to eat away at my guts before I even play!" complained Hayner.

"Chill out. They saved the best for last, everyone else is just the opening act. Stay cool and stay focused. We are here to win and have fun" stated Riku.

The rest of the band nodded in agreement and tended to their instruments trying to keep away the pre-show jitters. They heard the beginning riffs of Silver Bullet as the students cheered for them. The band members of Keychained rolled their shoulders and cracked their necks in preparation.

Banshee Queen finished its third song and came back feeling pumped and making faces at the members of Keychained. The lead guitarist, Seifer gave the band the finger, making everyone very angry. Roxas nearly went to go tackle Seifer before Riku stopped him.

"Don't Roxas. Come on we are better than that. We will show him and his band who the real rock stars are in this school."

Roxas nodded and the band moved their equipment to the stage. The announcer began to speak as they got ready.

"Here we have our final act of the night before we proceed to judge the victor. They are a fairly new band, only started a week ago, but their sound is like they have been together for years. Please put your hands together for Keychained!"

The crowd roared for the new band. Sora looked out into the crowd to see if he could find Kairi. He was having no luck and almost gave up before Roxas turned Sora's head towards a jumping and squealing redhead in the crowd with the band's T-shirt. Sora gave the signal; a thumbs-up. Kairi returned it with both thumbs up and yelled as hard as she could to support her new favorite band.

Riku got the microphone and began testing everything out as his fellow band members did the same.

"Hello Destiny Islands High School!"

The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.

"Are you ready to rock and roll? Because now your listening to Keychained!"

The crowd cheered yet again.

"We got Tidus on the drums, Hayner on rhythm guitar, Roxas on the bass, Sora on lead guitar, and me…Riku on the microphone. And ladies?"

The girls in the crowd squealed at Riku's suave voice.

"Don't we look great?"

They went into fits of delight and fainted in approval of their looks.

"And fellas?"

Deeper voices were heard in response.

"Do you want to know why the ladies cheer?"

They yelled variations of the word "Yes!"

"Well…it's because every girl's crazy 'bout a SHARP DRESSED MAN!"

Sora played the riff to the song as Tidus, Roxas and Hayner joined in simultaneously with his smooth guitar melody. The entire building was shaking with the sound of the music and the sound of the crowd. After a while, Riku began to sing. (A/N this is Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top, I do not own the song, and I personally find it helpful to read the song part then play the song afterwards to envision the whole moment in its entirety, very useful imagery trick for song fictions).

"Clean shirt, new shoes
And I don't know where I am goin to.
Silk suit, black tie,
I don't need a reason why.
They come runnin' just as fast as they can
Coz every girl crazy bout a sharp dressed man.
Sora was playing that guitar like he was born to do it. He felt sharp and well dressed just playing this song even though he most definitely was. He found Kairi once again in the audience and smiled. She was cheering the hardest out of everyone there. What a loyal friend she was. Roxas was playing his smooth bass line with a confident smirk on his face, as Tidus was head banging to his drum beat. Hayner was keeping the harmony to make the sound even richer, staying next to Roxas on the right side of the stage (A/N facing the audience). Sora felt even more alive and picked up his energy, head banging and doing little tricks while playing.
Gold watch, diamond ring,
I ain't missing a single thing.
And cufflinks, stick pin,
When I step out I'm gonna do you in.
They come runnin just as fast as they can
Coz every girl crazy bout a sharp dressed man.

Top coat, top hat,
I don't worry coz my wallets fat.
Black shades, white gloves,
Lookin sharp and lookin for love.
They come runnin just as fast as they can
Coz every girl crazy bout a sharp dressed man!"

The song soon came to a close and the crowd roared. The girls squeals were heard over anything else as Riku winked and Roxas blew a kiss. Sora gave dual devil's horns as Hayner applauded and Tidus thrust his fisted drumsticks in the air. Riku spoke once again.

"Now that song was great wasn't it? But, the girls and guys aren't dancing? What's wrong? Are we in CHURCH? This is a party! You all got to cut loose!"

Tidus started up the drums as the rest of the band clapped to the rhythm. Soon after Roxas got his bass groove on and the guys were asking girls to dance. Sora looked out into the audience and spotted Kairi once again. A guy was asking her to dance. Sora felt a little sad for some reason, but he shook off the notion and gave Kairi a thumbs-up when she looked at him. He saw Kairi nod and the boy and she began to dance to the guitar riff that Hayner and Sora were laying down. (A/N Footloose by Kenny Loggins).

I been working so hard
Keep punching my card
Eight hours, for what?
Oh, tell me what I got
I get this feeling
That times just holding me down
Ill hit the ceiling
Or else Ill tear up this town
Tonight I got to cut
Loose, footloose
Kick off your sunday shoes
Please, Selphie
Pull me off of my knees
Wakka, get backa
C'mon before we cracka
Lose your blues
Everybody cut footloose
You're playing so cool
Obeying every rule
Dig way down in your heart
You're yearning, burning for some
Somebody to tell you
That life ain't passing you by
I'm trying to tell you
It will if you don't even try
You can fly if you'd only cut
Loose, footloose
Kick off your sunday shoes
Oowhee, Kairi!

She looked at Riku and jumped up and yelled in approval
Shake it, shake it for me
Whoa, Lulu
C'mon, c'mon let's go
Lose your blues
Everybody cut footloose
First - we got to turn you around
Second - you put your feet on the ground
Third - now take a hold of your soul
Four - whooooooooa, Im turning it
Loose, footloose

Kick off your Sunday shoes
Please, Selphie
Pull me off of my knees
Wakka, get backa
C'mon before we cracka
Lose your blues

Everybody cut footloose!

The audience kept on dancing even though Keychained had stopped playing. That tune was just that good! There was only one more song to do and the members of Keychained were going to make it count. They were going to make it a tad bit slower…and make it a love song.

"I wrote this song to go out to all the boys and girls here that are still looking for their one and only! Keep strong everybody, it will happen one day!" said Roxas into the microphone at, seemingly the entire crowd, although Kairi knew deep in her heart that Roxas was speaking to her, because of her unrequited love for Sora.

Riku started out a capella and soon after was joined by his fellow band members into a song that touched Kairi's heart because it was so true to her at that moment. She began to dance with the unknown boy as the song continued, but every moment she wished she was dancing with Sora. (A/N Gotta Be Somebody by Nickelback).

This time I wonder what it feels like
To find the one in this life
The one we all dream of
But dreams just aren't enough
So I'll be waiting for the real thing.
I'll know it by the feeling.
The moment when we're meeting
will play out like a scene straight off the silver screen
So I'll be holdin' my own breath
Right up to the end
Until that moment when
I find the one that I'll spend forever with
`Cause nobody wants to be the last one there.
'Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares.
Someone to love with my life in their hands.
There's gotta be somebody for me like that.
`Cause nobody wants to do it on their own
And everyone wants to know they're not alone.
There's somebody else that feels the same somewhere.
There's gotta be somebody for me out there.
Tonight, out on the street out in the moonlight
And dammit this feels too right
It's just like Déjà Vu
Me standin' here with you
So I'll be holdin`my own breath
Could this be the end?
Is it that moment when
I find the one that I'll spend forever with?
'Cause nobody wants to be the last one there
'Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares.
Someone to love with my life in their hands.
There's gotta be somebody for me like that.
`Cause nobody wants to do it on their own
And everyone wants to know they're not alone.
There's somebody else that feels the same somewhere
There's gotta be somebody for me out there.
You can't give up!
Lookin´ for that diamond in the rough
you never know but when it shows up

Make sure you're holdin` on
'Cause it could be the one, the one you're waiting on
'Cause nobody wants to be the last one there.
And everyone wants to feel like someone cares.
Someone to love with my life in their hands.
There has gotta be somebody for me
Ohhhhhh.
Nobody wants to do it on their own
And everyone wants to know they're not alone.
Is there somebody else that feels the same somewhere?
There's gotta be somebody for me out there.
Nobody wants to be the last one there
'Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares.
Is there somebody else that feels the same somewhere?
There has gotta be somebody for me out there.

The song ended and everyone applauded at the brilliant performance. Sora and the others sighed in contentment and fulfillment. They started to walk off the stage. They had done their part in the battle of the bands. Or so they thought until they heard cries of "Encore! Encore! Encore!" from the screaming crowd behind them. They all looked back onto the crowd and widened their eyes at how many people were cheering for an encore performance. Riku called them into a huddle immediately.

"Riku what do we do?!" cried a worried Tidus.

"Yeah, we don't know any other songs! We have nothing to play! We should just walk off stage!" reasoned Hayner.

"And let down all those fans? And Kairi? After all that hard work she did for us? No way we have to play something! Something we all know!" replied Roxas.

"Roxas, we don't have any other songs. We just have that other one that I helped you write" Said Sora.

"Yeah and you said it was too high octane for us to perform at this show remember?" said Hayner.

"I guess you're- Riku?"

Riku got up to his microphone without saying a single word. He lifted his hand and motioned for his band mates to follow. They nervously went back to their respective spots. Sora looked around the whole audience frantically looking for Kairi. He was like a deer caught in the headlights, nervous, scared and unsure of what to do.

"Sora!" Riku suddenly spoke out into the microphone.

Sora looked at his friend questionably. Riku smirked.

"START THE REVOLUTION!"

Sora immediately knew what Riku meant. They were going to play the unintended song. Sora broke out the riff followed by Tidus, Hayner and Roxas. The high energy of the whole next song completely blew the minds off the audience and gave them a show to truly remember. (A/N Audrey, Start the Revolution By Anberlin).

Maybe tonight we'll get back together
Sound the alarms and break all the levers
These streets are ours
Our anthem rings
You'd know the truth
if these walls could sing
Amateur youth sling down the signs
Gather the masses, friends of mine
I've got your back if you got my hand
This isn't over, it just began

If this isn't love (If this isn't love)
This is the closest I've ever been
Do you think we have a chance tonight?
As streetlights sing on Sora's song

If this isn't love (If this isn't love)
This is the closest I've ever been
Do you think we have a chance tonight?
As streetlights sing on Sora's song.

Remind your parents we're tomorrow
Lead with morals and we'll follow
When they wake up they'll see
that youth fades
and glory days deceive

What are you waiting for? Let's move on this
Time is of essence, like your kiss
So say you're in with cards down
And guns drawn, this is it

If this isn't love (If this isn't love)
This is the closest I've ever been.
Do you think we have a chance tonight?
As streetlights sing on Sora's song.

If this isn't love (If this isn't love)
This is the closest I've ever been.
Do you think we have a chance tonight?
As streetlights sing on Sora's song.

And now it stops at this
We could take it all
if only we would risk
You can be what you can conceive
Red letters kill your disbelief

We all make mistakes sometimes
We all have failed where we stand tonight
Look past, learn, and move on
We're all here, you're not the only one

If this isn't love (If this isn't love)
This is the closest I've ever been.
Do you think we have a chance tonight?
As streetlights, sing on Sora's song.

The encore was a complete success. The audience was roaring like never before and louder than any other band that played that night! It was a sure thing! Keychained was going to win the battle of the bands!

"Thank you Destiny Islands High School! Good Night and catch us down on the dance floor!" announced Riku.

The band exited the stage with their equipment and managed to put it all away into Riku's Volkswagen Mini-Bus. They shared stories of how they felt on stage and how awesome they played. They were all smiles and giggles…until the reentered the party.

They were swarmed by adoring fans! Wanting them to autograph T-shirts, baseball caps and human bodies! They had become a booming success within the hour. Sora looked above the crowd of squealing girls and rowdy boys to find Kairi and her mother frantically taking the money for all the Keychained merchandise they were selling. She gave Sora a thumbs-up and he returned the gesture with the biggest grin he has had in years. He was living the dream, even if it was just on a very local scale.

Unfortunately Kairi had to frown when Sora was being dragged away by at least six girls at a time to dance with them as the dance's formal DJ was just starting his routine for the rest of the night. It was ok though, Sora had promised and he never broke a promise before. The dance went on pretty uneventfully after the battle of the bands. Kairi just waited by her now empty stand with her mother whom was counting money. That was, until Roxas came up to her with his hand out.

"May I have this dance?"

"Huh?"

"Would I have the honor of dancing with a very lovely young lady such as yourself?"

Kairi giggled and blushed a little, but she tried to fight it back. Sure Roxas looked a lot like Sora, but he wasn't and could never be him. They were too different and she was in love with Sora Osment and Sora Osment alone. But, what is one dance going to hurt?

"You may have the honor, Sir Roxas of Bassland" chuckled Kairi.

Kairi gave her hand to Roxas as her mother waved her off. They went to the dance floor to dance to a rather slow song that neither Kairi nor Roxas recognized. It didn't matter though, they were content with just dancing to whatever tune struck their fancy. Kairi didn't rest her head on Roxas chest or shoulder but she did stretch her arms and look into his eyes while she conversed with him.

"You did awesome Roxas."

"Thanks Kairi, you were an awesome best fan."

"Now you're just making fun of me."

"No, really I'm not. Just man were you squealing and screaming. Were we really that good?"

"Definetely. You were putting out those bass grooves to perfectly match everyone else. Tidus was banging on those drums and Hayner was sure keeping that harmony. Everyone adored Riku's voice and who didn't love Sora's guitar melodies?" She said the last part rather quietly, as if she was troubled.

"I know you like Sora a lot Kairi. Just give him time, he is a little clueless. That and he still thinks he has a shot with Naminé Snow, like that's gonna happen. He will come to his senses soon enough and see just what a ravishing and spectacular girl you really are."

Kairi smiled and blushed a tiny itty bit.

"Thank you Roxas, you made me feel a whole lot better. You're right he has to see me sometime. You're sweet beyond compare."

She leaned up to kiss his cheek to which Roxas was absolutely delighted with. He smiled and looked off to the distance as Kairi returned to her original position. He spotted Sora finally without any girl to dance with.

"Kairi, Sora is all alone now you can get that dance."

"Oh you're right! Thanks Roxas you're the best!"

Kairi ran off to quickly snatch Sora before he was taken away yet again. Roxas watched her go with a bit of longing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by the surprise he was shocked with when a dozen girls got to him asking him to dance.

Sora saw Roxas nearly get mugged and then laid his eyes on Kairi. She was smiling and trotting over to him.

"Remember your promise Sora?" she said.

"Of course! What kind of best friend would I be? I had to beat off those girls with my guitar just to keep this promise y'know!"

Kairi giggled and put her hands around Sora's neck as he rested his on her waist. They moved slowly to the beat of the unknown song and Kairi almost immediately put her head on Sora's shoulder. She once again took in his scent and the feel of his body. He was everything to her and, thanks to Roxas's words, soon enough she would be everything to him. It was all just a matter of time. Kairi complimented Sora on his playing that night and afterwards they said nothing just enjoying the silence with each other. The song came to its conclusion as Ms. Gainsborough came to the microphone.

"Attention everyone! The judges have come to a verdict! The winner of this year's battle of the bands is…"

The entire student body held their breath. Every band member that participated hoped it was them. Sora had to close his eyes.

"Banshee Queen"

Sora and the rest of Keychained as well as a good number of the audience dropped their jaws as the members of Banshee Queen accepted their trophy. They just couldn't believe it. Banshee Queen was good true but it wasn't nearly as good as the performance by Keychained. Keychained got an encore! How was it possible? Sora and the band went to Ms. Gainsborough to ask for an explanation.

"I'm sorry boys. We were going to make you the victors but Seifer brought up a point we almost overlooked. You guys were great but…you played FOUR songs. Every band was only supposed to play three. Keychained was disqualified."

The band was about to lay down their protests, until they realized how futile they would have been. They hung their heads in shame and began to walk out of their building as Ms. Gainsborough announced that the dance was over. Kairi ran up to the band and hugged each and every one of them, although staying by Sora's side for the longest. Nothing could change the way they felt now. They thought they played such a great show and they didn't win. The whole night was ruined. Well…almost ruined.

"Excuse me, are you the members of Keychained?" said a mysterious pleasantly high-pitched voice.

"Yeah? Who wants to know?" replied Riku.

"I do."

Out came a man in a business suit with bright flaming red hair. He had beautiful green eyes that complimented his burning locks and a smile to die for, but it didn't impress anyone.

"What do you want with us Mister?" asked Tidus.

"Oh my dear rock stars; it is not what you can do for me. It's what I can do for you."

"And what exactly would that be?" asked Sora keeping Kairi behind him protectively.

"That would be me, making you into the next big thing. Because my little music makers, I am Axel...I am from Organization Records and I want to sign you to our label."