Prologue
They've changed. It was the first thought that popped into Kairi's head when she had been reunited with Riku and Sora down on the beach. Both had grown taller, more muscular, but both seemed unfazed about the events that had transpired. At least not at first, but that changed as well.
Sora was never without Riku, and Riku, Sora. It was as if they dared to let the other out of sight, they might disappear. Where Riku had once worn a condescending smirk and dared to toy with fate, he now wore a smile that bespoke of hardship and quiet suffering. And though Sora acted just like he always had, Kairi often caught him watching Riku with an air of sadness about him, as if he felt he had let the older boy down.
Kairi could remember a time when Riku would constantly tease the spiky-haired brunette and she would have to intervene. When they had walked together, Riku led and Sora would always follow. Now, she watched silently as Riku walked beside Sora, as equals, daring anybody to try and degrade his friend. Sora might know how to defend himself, but he never had to with Riku around. It was as if Riku was trying to make up for lost time.
Kairi knew what they were. Sora was light, a pure innocent untouched by the darkness that he had faced. Riku had not been as lucky. He knew both light and darkness and he carried the scars and memories as a reminder of what he had almost done.
Kairi knew. She knew that it was time to remove herself from the equation. There had been a time when Sora had loved her. He would have done anything for her, but somewhere along the lines, that love had died. He still had love for her, she knew, but now it was only as a friend. In his heart, she had been replaced.
He and Riku were a Yin Yang. Perfectly balanced, they were able to keep themselves grounded to the reality of the present day. Kairi had quietly accepted the fact that to Sora, Riku would always mean more to him than she ever would. She knew that it was time for a change.
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