Hello again! I wrote this story a while ago, but I changed it almost completely to make my OC less Mary Sue-ish. Well, here it is. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or the game. They all belong to Square. Don't sue me.

Chapter 1: Departure

White sand, tropical island breeze, the gentle setting sun giving its last farewell. This is the description of a normal evening on the Destiny Islands. Five children were playing on the beach.

Wakka, a boy with tanned skin and flaming red hair, was running on a rampage throwing his new blitzball at any object he saw. Tidus, a small boy with spiky blonde hair and blue eyes, was chasing another girl, Selphie who had long brown hair, bright green eyes, clad in a yellow dress, and throwing sticks at her. Sora, a boy with spiky sepia hair and beautiful sapphire eyes, and Kairi, a girl that had recently moved to the island, were playing a game of tag.

"OW, Tidus! Will you stop throwing those stupid sticks at me?!" Selphie screamed at Tidus.

"No, this is too much fun!"

"You're mean, Tidus!"

Meanwhile, Kairi pushed Sora, causing him to fall on top of Wakka. Then, Wakka hurtled his blitzball at Tidus's head.

"HA! Tag, now you're it!" Kairi yelled.

They all tumbled to the ground in mirth and laughter.

While that was happening, two other kids sat in the Secret Place immersed in conversation. There was Riku, an eight-year-old boy with long-ish silver hair and pretty aquamarine eyes and Casey, a short, seven-year-old girl with sparkling emerald eyes and long ebony hair pulled back into two pigtails. She moved to the island when she was three years old and like Kairi, didn't remember her home world. She and Riku were often found talking with Sora and Kairi in this cave.

Riku was an energetic kid, and she really enjoyed his company. Sometimes, she considered him to be more than just a best friend. She almost loved him.

"So what is this idea of yours?" she asked him.

He looked at her and smiled. "I say that someday we're gonna get off this island and see other worlds!"

She giggled slightly. "You always have some crazy idea in your head."

"So Casey, what was your home town like?"

"Like I told you, I don't remember. I don't remember the name, where it is, or anything about it.

"Wow, I guess I forgot about that."

Casey chuckled nervously and wined a bit.

He looked at her with concern. "Hey Casey, are you okay? You look sad."

The truth was that Casey would be returning to her home world. Part of her was excited to see her old home and finally learn something about it. On the other hand, she didn't want to leave her friends. Her parents informed her of the move a while ago, but she never mentioned it to anyone because she didn't want to upset them or herself. She had a bad habit of bottling up her emotions. Now that that day was drawing nearer, she found she could no longer avoid the situation. She had to tell everyone, including him.

"What's wrong?" he questioned again.

"Oh… it-it's nothing."

"Come on, you know you can tell me. What is it?"

The girl took a moment to gather herself. She had an even worse habit of getting hysterical when she was upset. "Well, the truth is … mom and dad were talking one night… and they said we were…moving away."

Riku stood there astounded, his mouth agape. "No way! Why didn't you tell me sooner? When are you moving?"

"In about two weeks."

"Will I ever see you again?!"

She looked at him and started to cry. "Maybe not…"

The silver-haired boy rarely ever cried, but this was an exception. One of his best friends was moving away, and he would never see her again. He tried to suppress a sob, but he couldn't.

The hysterical duo calmed themselves after quite a while of crying. Casey wiped her face and made her decision: she had to tell Riku exactly how she felt about him.

"Um… Riku, there's something I've gotta tell you."

"Yeah, what is it? You know you can tell me anything."

She buried her head in the silver-haired boy's shoulder. "I… I… I lo-" She was cut off by the sound of another voice.

"RIKU! CASEY! Where are you guys?!" It was only Sora.

"We're in here Sora," Riku replied.

The cobalt-eyed boy came running into the Secret Place.

"Come on, you guys! My mom's gonna kill me if I'm not home by dark! Wait a minute, why do you two look so sad?"

Casey had to break the news to him as well. "Um, Sora? I didn't tell you this… but… I-I'm moving away."

He was speechless. "You-you're moving? To where?!"

"Back home."

"Man, that's harsh."

"Omg! This is so UNFAIR!!!!!" And with that, she sprinted home without sparing another word.

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Two weeks and two days later, Casey's parents were all prepared to move. They said their goodbyes and were ready to go. The only thing missing: their daughter.

"Casey, where are you? You're making us wait!" they called.

"…" There was no response.

The seven-year-old girl was looking for Riku. She looked everywhere until she found him sitting in the Secret Place. She approached him and tapped him on the shoulder.

He became slightly startled. "Casey? I thought you already left."

"Me? Why would I leave without saying bye again?"

"I guess you wouldn't."

She leaned forward and gave him a fierce hug, but he didn't seem to mind.

"Hey Riku? Could I tell you something?" she asked nervously.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Well, I tried to say it earlier, but we were interrupted."

"Go ahead."

"I-I-I-" She was cut short once again.

"CASEY! Get over here right now! This isn't funny!" Here came the booming voice of her dad.

Before she knew it, her dad entered the cave and separated the two. "Come on, it's time to go."

"But dad…" she whined.

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but it's time to go." He said carrying her to the little boat waiting for them. Before they departed, she had time to spare him a few words.

"Riku! I-I'll come back and visit you someday if you want me to!"

"Okay, I'll be waiting right here!"

"I'll miss you!'

"I'll miss you, too!"

And with that, she was out of sight.

Don't forget to R&R. Please. smile Constructive criticism is welcome, but no flames, please.