The sun, reflected on the calm ocean, glistened a thousand times as it slowly set on the distant horizon. Many beautiful shades of pink, red, orange and gold created patterns that danced on the water's surface. Two people sat on the edge of the Destiny Islands' furthest island, reached from the rest of the main islands only by a long wooden bridge. Admiring the view, they shared something more than friendship.
From the largest of the islands, Riku waded in the cool, shallow water and watched as far out on the small island in the distance Sora stood up and balanced himself on the bent palm tree that Riku always used to sit on and look out toward other worlds that he knew were there. The tree extended out over the edge of the island, and at the very end a single Paopu fruit, the shape of a star, hung over the ocean. It was said that if you were to share a Paopu with someone, your hearts would be forever joined.
Sora carefully edged along the trunk, and looked down at the long drop below to the sea. He had dived from here before. But he was not here for diving this time. He wobbled, and the girl still dangling her legs from the island giggled. Far behind, Riku watched as his outstretched hand clutched the stalk of the Paopu fruit. He plucked the star from its branch and carefully made his way back along the palm and hopped onto the island.
He sat back down next to the girl and looked out at the sunset once more, the Paopu held tightly in his folded arms. He edged closer, and the watching Riku began to get more and more frustrated. Turning to look at her, he smiled and broke off a piece of the ripe fruit. He held it up to her face and she opened her mouth. He pushed the fruit inside and let her chew it. He then ate some himself. She smiled back at him. Riku could hardly bear to watch.
Their faces were so close he could feel her breath, smell her beautiful auburn hair. He lay the large Paopu on the ground next to him and put his arm around her. "Now our hearts will always be together, Kairi," he said. She parted her lips and they began to kiss, first tenderly and then more passionately. Riku saw what was happening and kicked the water violently before walking away, tears beginning to form in his eyes.
The sound of his splash was carried a long way in the still night air. It surprised the entwined couple at the distant island and they lost their balance and fell from the edge. They plunged into the now cold water as Riku brushed away his tears and found the Secret Place the three of them had discovered many years ago. Just before he went in, he looked back after hearing a loud splash and, with a satisfied smile, pushed away the overgrown plants and entered.
Back in the water, Sora and Kairi were soaked through. Her wet pink dress was see-through and he held her tight against him. "Come on," he said to her, "we'll go back and get dried out." They began to swim ashore as the sun's dying rays were cast across the water.
