Kairi helped Sora up from the shallow water. When his hand let go, she stared in wonder at her charm in her hand.
"See?" Sora said "I never forgot." Kairi smiled, and gently clasped the seashell charm.
"Thank you."
The moment was ruined by a squawk from Donald
"Hey Sora, isn't there something you want to tell Kairi?"
Sora stiffened and blushed "W-well you're charm's back, so... heh..." he stammered weakly, brushing the back of his hair with his hand. He grew even redder moments later, and began biting the inside of his cheek.
"Sora, is the Keyhole sealed?" Mickey asked. Sora blinked "Oh yeah! It isn't!"
He dashed off, but stopped about halfway down the beach.
"Hey Donald! Goofy! Visit sometime, okay?" Sora's friends smiled and waved back in agreement.
Sora had a little trouble squeezing into the small cave. Gosh, it seemed so much bigger when I was younger, he thought, gonna have to widen the hole or something...
Inside, he forgot his duty and lost himself in the childish scribbles that lined the rocky interior. He smiled softly, brushing the chalky surface with his hand.
"Heh, this one looks like Donald- and that's Goofy!" he laughed, seeing drawings he had made when he was around five. "Who knew I had a gift for foresight?" Funnily enough, he had always felt a familiarity around the two.
He stopped, hand still lingering on the wall. There was one small drawing that grabbed his attention. It was him and Kairi. They'd drawn it when they were young, but Sora had added one small wish before his home was destroyed: there was a arm extending from drawing-Sora to drawing-Kairi holding a Paopu fruit.
And Kairi had repeated the gesture. Sora crouched down, touching the worn stone canvas of his small desire with shock rendering him numb. He smiled, tears starting to build in his eyes as he traced Kairi's drawing.
"She likes me back..." he said softly "She really likes me back..." he let his tears of joy fall a bit before brushing them away. Yes, he still needed to ask, but at least he knew that she'd say yes.
He stood, his hand lingering on the drawing before being replaced by the firm hilt of his trusty Keyblade. He took a deep breath, knowing it had been a full year since he had sealed a Keyhole, and held out his Keyblade. A beam of light pierced the Keyhole, and it faded into the wood with a loud, echoing click.
Sora sighed contentedly. His home was safe. Safe and sound. No Heartless, no Nobodies, no threats, no danger. Not for awhile, at least.
When he managed to crawl back out, Riku and Kairi were laughing and splashing around in the small lagoon outside their secret place. Sora smiled, knowing that Riku finally found a little peace amidst the chaos of his life this past year or so. Sora dashed over to the rim, and jumped into the pool, yelling "Cannonball!" The resulting splash caused Kairi and Riku to shout back playfully
"Hey! Watch it Sora!"
Wet clothes and all, Sora tackled them both.
"It's great to be home, guys."
