Author's Note: These are basically a whole bunch of flash fictions based off of the khdrabbles challenges. I am not actually entering the competition, but all credit for the prompts goes to them. I've been having an awful time getting anything down on paper here lately, and I'm writing these mainly to break writer's block, so updates may be irregular.

Moments in Time

Challenge 1 Paopu

The gentle breeze danced through palm trees, beating in harmony with the ocean waves. Laughter echoed down the beach, reaching the ears of the most unnoticeable creatures, as the children played.

A startled cry broke the jovial game the trio had been playing. "Riku! That wasn't funny! You got sand in my eyes!" a spiky haired boy said, rubbing his cerulean eyes. When he removed his fist from his eye, he looked down at the older boy sitting a few feet away, sticking his lower lip out as he crossed his arms over his chest.

A soft chuckle filled the air as Riku looked at him, then a familiar smirk found its way across his lips. "It was your fault, Sora. You didn't catch it," he replied, reaching over and picking up the fallen blitzball, brushing some of the wet sand off of it. "It wouldn't have had sand on it if you hadn't gotten it wet, either."

"Would too! We're on a beach," the seven-year-old said.

"Then don't complain about the sand," Riku replied easily, gazing across the horizon.

A small giggle interrupted their argument and both turned to see a small girl with long auburn hair watching them. Her blue eyes sparkled with amusement at the two boys. "What are you two doing?"

"Playing ball. Do you want to play, Kairi?"

She nodded her head vigorously as she slipped her shoes off, preferring to feel the warm sand beneath her feet.

"You two can play, I don't want to play anymore," Sora said, walking toward the Secret Place.

"Come on, Sora! It isn't that bad!" The pair watched as the boy crawled into the cave, leaving them alone on the beach. Riku looked over at Kairi. "It's just me and you . . . if you still want to play . . ."

"I do!"

In response, Riku tossed the ball to her and they began playing various games – of sports, and of make believe. They pretended he was her knight, and she, his princess. He was forced to slay the dragon, as she cheered him on. Next the pair were traveling to other worlds, and were attacked by a band of pirates . . . the list went on. The duo played like that all afternoon, until the sun began to fall.

Kairi and Riku sat on the smaller island, beside a small paopu tree, watching the setting sun. "We'd better get home soon."

"Yeah," Kairi replied, swinging her feet back and forth over the brightly colored waves. She looked up suddenly. "Riku? What's in that tree? You've never told me."

Riku stared at her in surprise, not expecting the question. "It's a Paopu tree. It has Paopu fruit in it."

"Oh." She glanced back down at her feet, before looking up at him hopefully. "Can I see one?"

Riku gazed at her for a long while, before shrugging. "Sure." He walked over to the small tree and wrapped his arms around the trunk. He didn't want to tell her that he had never climbed it before. Carefully he pulled himself up and balanced on it, before reaching up and grasping the star-shaped object. As his fingers wrapped around it, he jumped down from his perch, a triumphant grin on his face. "Here you go."

"Thank you." She turned the object over in her hand, studying it carefully. "Now what do I do with it?"

Riku's brow furrowed and he absently rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know. Maybe you're supposed to make a wish and throw it to the sea, or something." The true meaning of the fruit had yet to be told to him.

A poorly suppressed giggle escaped the girl's mastery, as she tried to mask it with her hand.

"What?"

"You look like Sora!"

The older boy quickly removed the hand from his neck. "I've been around him too much."

Laughter continued to be heard, and finally he joined her, his own mirth drifting through the air. Slowly, the humor died and they both fell silent. "I guess I'll make my wish now."

Riku watched as she closed her eyes, and looked to the heavens, before tossing the fruit down to the sea. "What did you wish for?"

This forced her to giggle again. "I'm not telling."

"Hey guys! What's going on?" Sora called as he exited the secret place.

"Nothing" both replied quickly, before racing to meet him.

The three creatures sitting hidden across the beach, watched as the trio entered their boats and rowed home. "It is done," one murmured.

"Yes, their journey has begun."

"Destiny will take its course."

"No turning back," the first spoke again.

"Their destinies are now intertwined."

No turning back now. The journey will soon begin.

Explanation: I had always wondered if Kairi's and Riku's destinies were intertwined. Riku's and Sora's became woven as soon as Riku tossed Sora the paopu for Kairi, and Sora's and Kairi's when he drew one to her, and she to him. Never once was their one between her and Riku. This may be translated as a Kairiku (which is an underrated pairing, I prefer Sokai in some ways, but Kairiku's are fun), but also keep in mind that they're children in this piece.

Hope you enjoyed it! Constructive criticism and flames are welcomed/encouraged.