They sat close together on the beach, feet just above the tide as it rolled into the ocean.
It seemed to Riku to be logical, in a way. Even if the waters reached up onto the land, they'd eventually return to the sea; just as he'd returned to this tiny island.
He watched the waves roll and considered what had brought them back here and him back to her.
"You chose Sora."
"Well of course, silly, you got lost."
Lost? "Hmmm, I guess."
"You know what I mean."
"I just wanted to get away. From here." From me.
"And you did. You just went a little too fast for the rest of us."
"And myself it seemed."
"But we caught up with you; once you stopped running that is."
"You mean once that fool Ansem had nailed my feet to the floor."
"…"
"Sorry Kairi, I-" "No, you're right; I can't keep running either."
"I'd follow you if you did. We promised; we both promised." We wouldn't let you get lost; like I did.
"Of course, running away usually entails looking for something."
He heard the wind breathe through her hair as she turned to look at him, or perhaps at the space between them.
"You were looking for adventure back then."
So I thought, but now? It should have been a place to belong, and friends to share it with.
"And Sora left looking for friends that he'd lost."
The waters rose up, and he watched as they soaked the soles of her shoes before returning to the ocean. He didn't need to speak.
"I guess you both eventually found what you were looking for."
Just too late.
"I just wish-"
He felt himself turn towards her, reaching to pull her to his chest. They'd done this so many times now; there wasn't anything more they needed to say. But somehow he needed to acknowledge it; to voice their wish.
"Yeah, I know."
That we hadn't lost him on the way.