"We were never supposed to meet,"

Bright blue eyes opened blearily, blinking away the sleep clinging to long eyelashes. He realized he had fallen asleep on the beach. Sora yawned, looking for the voice that had awoken him. Sitting up, the brunette shook away the sand in his spiky hair. A tiny giggle was let out at his antics and Sora looked up to see a girl with short black hair.

"Who are you?"

The girl in question sat down besides Sora and smiled brightly.

"Sora, you lazy bum. I knew I would find you snoozing down here. At least, I know because of your memories."

Sora stared at the girl, confused. Her eyes were the same as Kairi's and she had the same pretty face as her too. She had the same petite frame and the same breathtaking smile. The likeness of the mysterious girl to his crush was so close that Sora felt a pang in his heart, the thought of Kairi making his stomach fill with butterflies.

But, there was something different. The brunette heard it in the singsong tone of her voice. Her smile, though beautiful, was fake. Her eyes shined not in joy. While Kairi was full of life and happiness, this girl was…she was sad.

"Why are you sad?" Sora asked.

The girl that wasn't Kairi chuckled. "What do you mean? I'm not sad. I'm fine,"

"Yes you are. I can tell."

"How?

"By your eyes."

Blue eyes that weren't Kairi's widened in surprise and the girl bowed her head

"Of course. My eyes. Is this irony?" She laughed, though it was humorless. It was in pain.

Sora couldn't stand to see someone so hurt. It hurt him. In a show of comfort, he grabbed the girl's hand. Her fingers laced together perfectly with his, and he squeezed gently.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"For what?" she said, her face teary. Yet, her lips were pulled into a wan smile. "This was my choice. I didn't want to leave them. I wanted to be with them forever and eat ice cream while we watch the sun set. But that would have been selfish. And I couldn't let Xemnas have his way. I'm ok that I am nothing more than just a fading memory." She caressed his hand. "I belong with you."

Pain. Joy. Guilt. Love. Sorrow. He could feel every emotion she ever felt. It was overwhelming and crushing and just all too much. And it is then that he knows that, yes, she is like Kairi in a lot of ways, but she's different too. She is her own person. This girl is strong and kind and brave. And she is much more than a fading memory

He wished he could do something to ease the hurt. Sora knew he couldn't erase it. It was etched in her being forever. But maybe he could do something else. Maybe he could mend it.

Another tear slipped down her cheek. Sora leaned over and kissed it away.

"I will always remember you, Xion," he murmured. "I promise."

Sora barely felt the ghost of a kiss on his lips. "Thank you Sora."

Then she was gone.