Riku didn't say anything as footsteps came toward him. He was sitting on the oddly lopsided tree that grew on an upraised cliff overlooking the sea on Destiny Islands. He tried to judge who it was, just by listening.

Most likely, judging by how there was no friendly or teasing greeting it wasn't one of the boys on the island. The footsteps were softer and lighter, and he knew instantly it was probably Kairi.

His heart twisted.

Kairi.

The girl he had loved since they had first met all of those years ago, the girl who he had shamelessly fought and teased Sora over.

He felt like such a fool.

He had blamed Sora for taking Kairi away from him, began to hate him and because of that, fell into the Darkness. He had let himself be lied to, let himself be blinded by jealously.

The truth was, Kairi hadn't been stolen from him. How can something be stolen from you if you never had it? Looking back on his arrogant younger years, Riku really did feel like a fool. Most likely Kairi had fallen for Sora because he was so kind and pure, while he was...

She sat down beside him. "What's on your mind?"

Riku muttered, "Nothing."

Kairi placed her hands on her hips, looking just like her younger self, blue eyes blazing. "Don't lie to me, I can tell when you're thinking about something."

Riku smiled slightly, then sighed. "This is all my fault."

"What?" Kairi asked, confused. "What is?"

"Everything! How the whole of the Islands here was destroyed by Heartless, how you got kidnapped, the danger I brought into your life, and Sora's. It's all my-"

"What? Why do you always keep blaming yourself? Okay...you made a mistake, but it wasn't your fault completely. Sora said he saw someone in the caverns before...you know...the incident with the storm."

Riku heaved a sigh. Maybe she was right, Sora too. They both said he tried to blame himself for everything. Sora's words came back to him.

"You've been hanging out in darkness too long."

Kairi smiled, and his heart stuttered.

Idiot, don't start this again. You already know who she likes.

There was a companionable silence for a while, comfortable and calm. Then, Kairi said:

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything. I'm not stupid, I know how hard this is for you. Everything you did to save Sora, and me, from the Organization and how...you know...your appearance had changed...you really are brave, Riku. You're a hero too, but different from Sora."

Her praise seemed to warm him, but he asked curiously, "Different from Sora?"

"Sure, sure. Haven't you noticed? Sora usually charges into whatever trouble there is, takes care of it, helps everyone along the way...but you, you operate behind the scenes. You helped Sora all throughout the Organization trouble we had earlier, did everything you could to help him along the way. He couldn't have done it without you."

Riku shrugged. "He would have found a way."

Kairi suddenly scowled, it was funny to see on her face. It was like, to Riku, an adorable kitten trying to act scary.

"Don't you ever do that again though! Don't make me and Sora think you're dead, only because you're worried on how we'll think of you!"

Riku smiled and leaned back. Kairi grinned too, and pushed his silver hair from his eyes. She stared at him.

"Don't think Sora and I are going to treat you different on how you look. It's how you act that matters. I know you tried to save me from Maleficent in your own way back when all of this first started, and I'm thankful. You have a good heart, you know. You just seem to forget sometimes."

Riku and Kairi sat silent again for a while, the sun setting into the sea in a blaze of red and orange.

"The sea never changes." Riku said softly.