Certainty
There were some things Kairi was absolutely certain of. Some of them were typical.
She was certain that the sun would rise, every day. The sun represented hope and life, and all things good. Light was supposed to be life, right? That was why she always made Light synonymous with Sora.
She was certain that the Darkness wasn't evil, just misunderstood. Once, she would have said it was the opposite of life, death and destruction. However, then she met Riku, who had changed thanks to his exposure to the Darkness. Perhaps for the better. Now he was on what he called "The Road to the Dawn".
Sora and Riku. Night, and midday. Her best friends...
One, perhaps, closer than a friend.
She was certain that she could trust the pair of them. She was certain that good always triumphed over evil.
Then, there were these new, conflicted feelings. The thing she wasn't sure about.
She found herself drawn closer and closer to Sora, and though she didn't drift away from Riku, Kairi didn't go toward him either. It was like...she was a flower, and Sora was the sun. The bright, gleaming sun that plants need to survive. Riku...was like the moonlight. Only glowing because of the sun.
She...thought she loved Sora...because she knew, back when she couldn't remember his face or name, that her life felt like it was missing something.
She...had felt like the wind carried the sound of his laughter that she couldn't quite catch, and when she had remembered his face, happiness like she had never known had surged through her. His face and name, these two things, had brought a grin to her face.
Sora. Her childhood friend. Happy, upbeat, loving Sora. Protective...Determined...Had he really traveled to so many worlds looking for her and Riku?
Riku. He had tried to save her in his own way, but that still didn't change the fact he had...succumbed to the Darkness, and hurt Sora. Hurt his best friend. For her.
Had...she been the one to taint their friendship? Kairi suddenly felt dirty, contaminated even. Arguing over her...
Night and day were so different, but had she been the one to bring the two together? Or distanced them?
Even as Kairi walked toward the bent paopu tree on the little raised cliff, she couldn't keep her thoughts from straying to him.
How he had looked, hands outstretched, eyes closed, as his heart floated away. Had...basically killed himself, to save her. To revive her. Return her heart, which he had had inside his own.
How he had looked, framed by light, as little golden balls fell around them while their home was restored. Eyes shining blue, smiling, calling her name.
"Remember what you said before? I'm always with you too. I'll come back to you! I promise!"
"I know you will." She said quietly to herself, walking toward Sora on the tree. He turned to smile at her, and more thoughts went through her mind.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked her as she sat down.
"The time you came...to rescue me..."
Sora hummed a response before looking at her quizzically.
"You don't have nightmares, do you?"
"No. Of course not."
Sora shrugged, placing his hand on hers in a casual motion. He smiled slightly at her, then looked at the sea.
"No matter what happens, remember this, okay? If you get captured, or hurt, or even if I'm gone for a long time..." He looked at her. "I'll always come back to you, don't ever give up hope."
Kairi leaned against his shoulder. "I know. I never give up hope. I know you'll come."
Sora scratched his neck, looking nervous, then smiled and leaned back. "Yeah."
And they enjoyed this simple moment. And then, Kairi was certain.
She loved him.
***
I felt like doing some Kairi and Sora stories, I love their relationship together.
