Chapter 1 ~Kairi~

For once I finally believed that this whole journey was over. I thought that our lives would return to the way they were before the three of us friends were torn apart from our homes, our families, and each other. I guess a hero's job is never done. I spent a little more than a year waiting for him to return. And now that he's finally returned home, he has to leave again.

The feelings of despair and loneliness slowly come back to me knowing that I'll be without him after I just got him back. I guess that's life for you. I should be happy, the person that I love is a hero…he saved all of the worlds, but I still can't shake this feeling that this is never going to end.

He is to be leaving in a few days, out on a journey of the unknown. I hope that he returns safely.

I can't help but feel…

alone.

I love Sora so much that it hurts to think that I could easily lose him forever. I almost lost him once when he tried to save me, and it pains me to think that I could lose him again.

What's wrong with me? I should be excited for them... but it makes me upset knowing that Sora and Riku can go but I can't. Is it because I'm a girl, or the fact that I can't wield a Keyblade as easily as they can? Sora says that he just doesn't want me to get hurt and that the journey could be very dangerous; but he doesn't understand that I want to go on a journey of my own too.

The closest thing I had to an adventure was getting captured by brainwashed Riku, and Getting kidnapped and held captive by Organization XIII. I wanted a real adventure, where I could travel to worlds that seldom got to visit. I want to get off of this island. Don't get me wrong I love Destiny Islands, but I just want to be free from here for once.

I don't remember anything about my life before I washed up on Destiny Islands, where Sora found me on the shore. I wonder what kind of person I was, what kind of life I had, and what world I came from.

Why can't I remember? I feel so stupid. How can I forget every thing about my past before I ended up on this island? There has to be some reason why I lost my memories of my childhood home. Memories don't just disappear on their own.

And I can't help but wonder, how I got into here, how did I end up in the ocean like that?

These are things that I would like to find out.

But things I may never know...

Chapter 2 ~Kairi~

Tomorrow was the day that Sora and Riku were supposed to set off on their journey to save the worlds again, leaving me to stay here and do nothing until they returned.

No one asked me if I was okay, no one asked will you miss us while we are away. I thought that it was pretty obvious that I was depressed. It only made me feel worse with them not showing the slightest bit of sympathy towards me.

I wondered if they would miss me, the same way I would miss them. Or if they would just be caught up in their adventure and totally exclude me from their thoughts.

Night was near and I dreaded what was soon to come. For once in my life I didn't want the sun to rise. I wanted this night to last forever...but I knew that dawn must come.

I couldn't hide my emotions any longer as I sat on the beach watching the twinkling stars in the sky, with their radiant glow. I knew that tomorrow Sora would be out there among one of those thousands of shining stars. Warm tears streamed down my face, little crystal teardrops that seemed alien to me. It had been so long since the last time that I actually cried. I always felt sad when Sora and Riku weren't around, but I never had the strength to cry.

Only a few long moments later Sora walked up quietly behind me, and sat next to me on the warm sand. The ocean tide just barely touching my bare feet, the water surprisingly warm. "I'm so sorry for leaving you again Kairi, I...I...I just have to go." I could hear the pain and regret in his voice.

"I know you have to go. But..." I couldn't finish, I didn't want to finish that sentence, because if I did, It would have made me fall deeper in to despair than I already was.

"I'll be back soon, I promise." He said this so confidently, but I could still sense a bit of sorrow in his voice. As if he wasn't so sure of what he had just said.

"It...it just hurts not to be with you...I feel so lost, so lonely." I realized to late that I had just said what I was thinking in my head. I looked up at him to see his reaction. His beautiful blue eyes shined so brilliantly in the moonlight. I cried harder knowing that this may be the last night I'll ever see him again.

"I know." He said sadly, "It hurts me too. Just thinking of not being with you tears me apart." He looked as if he was going to cry as well. I couldn't stop crying, tears flowing down my cheeks more like a river now than a stream. He put a hand on the side of my face stroking my hair gently. He turned my head so that I was facing him. "Please don't cry over me. Please don't be sad...I'll be back soon. Hopefully this will all be over, and we can spend every minute of every day together."

He looked at me so sincerely, It made my Heart ache. Then he leaned closer to me, and kissed me gently, so sweetly, I wondered why he was being so delicate with me. It was like I was a fragile thing that could easily be broken. I kissed him back, not as gently as he had, He ran his fingers through my hair, and I put my arms around him, I had never felt so alive in my life. This was our first kiss, and I knew that It could very well be our last.

Chapter 3 ~Sora~

I couldn't bare to see her cry anymore, I already had to deal with the fact that I wouldn't see her for who knows how long, and now I feel even worse knowing that I'm not the only one that is going to be effected by it.

I love her so much that the thought of losing her hurt worse than actually leaving her. I tried not to think about it, so I put my arms around her and whispered in her ear "It's going to be alright, remember what you told me...'No matter where you go, I'm always with you.' I'm always with you Kairi. No matter what happens where we are, I'll be there with you."

The tide was getting lower and we lay down on the warm sand. We just laid there not saying anymore. We were to busy gazing at all of the magnificent stars illuminating the night sky.

Chapter 4 ~Sora~

We must have fallen asleep under the blanket of stars, because the first thing I heard when I was close to being awake was the gentle sound of waves rolling to the shore. I opened my eyes to see Kairi curled up next to me still asleep. She looked so beautiful in the warm, radiant glow of the sun. The next thing I heard though wasn't so relaxing...

"Sora WAKE UP!" it was Riku, "I can't believe you guys fell asleep out here! What were you guys doing out here anyway?" I knew exactly what he meant by that, which made me blush.

"It's not what you think idiot! Don't talk so loud you'll wake up Kairi." I didn't want here to wake up yet, but then I didn't want to have to leave, without her not even knowing I had gone. But she needed all the sleep she could get after being so emotionally worn out yesterday. Why is saying goodbye the hardest thing to do?

"Oh, I'm sorry, lover boy. I'll just leave you two alone. But oh, wait..." finally he talked a little more quietly. Well...I spoke do soon. "WE have somewhere we need to be in a couple of hours!" This time he was yelling. Kairi tossed and turned a bit, but never really woke up. Thank goodness.

"Stop it," I said. "just let her sleep for a little bit longer." Now I was upset.

"Sure, sure." he said, walking away. He left without another word. Then it was just me and Kairi, and no one else. It was like the rest of the world didn't exist. But I knew that soon, she would have to wake up and I would have to leave...

Chapter 5 ~Riku~

They obviously wanted to be alone (well Sora did, considering Kairi wasn't even awake.) But I guess I can't blame him for wanting to spend as much time as possible with the girl he loves. We may never return here again. Sora just feels too much, it seems that he feels what other people are feeling. I can remember that time when we were little kids...Sora felt that someone out there in one of the worlds we sad. I don't know where they were or how he knew but he DID. Well that's Sora for you.

I looked back to see that he hadn't so much as even sit up in the sand. He just lay there like a lump on a log. Sora...that lazy bum.

And sometimes I think the thinks about others too much. I mean Kairi's gonna have to wake up sometime, and we are supposed to leave in a few hours, what does he plan on doing.

Maybe...maybe he just wants to be with her, you know? What am I doing, I'm practically talking to myself, only in my head. I have other things to be worried about...

Chapter 6 ~Kairi~

I woke up finally from surprisingly the best sleep I'd ever had. The first thing that I saw was Sora lying next to me. I jumped slightly. All he did was smile and say "Finally you're awake." He looked at me sincerely, and put his hand on the side of my face, gently stroking my hair.

We must have fallen asleep on the beach last night. I'm surprised the tide was so low, It was several feet away from us, even now.

Now I understood why I had slept so soundly. I had Sora next to me the whole time. It all made sense now...

"When do you have to leave?" I asked, as I sat up.

"In about an hour." he replied as he helped me to my feet.

I didn't want him to leave, it as simple as that. I felt the emptiness creeping up on me again, knowing that it was almost time to say goodbye. I fought the tears that began to well up in my eyes.

Be strong...I told myself be strong.

Chapter 7 ~Kairi~

This is what I was worried about most...things left unsaid that needed to be said. This is because there is a chance that they won't be coming back.

I had to say what was needed to be said, something that Sora may already know but I haven't said aloud to him.

Those three words that everyone, someday, wants to hear...

Chapter 8 ~Kairi~

"Well... I guess this is goodbye for now Kairi. I'll going to miss you. Just don't get yourself captured." Riku said winking at me.

"I'll try my best." I said winking back. "I'll miss you too Riku."

I turned to Sora. He was several feet away. I ran to him, he embraced me, hugging me tightly. "I don't want you to go." I said, tears streaming down my face.

"I know. I don't want to leave either, but I have to." He sounded just as sad as I looked.

"I know you do." I said, miserably. I pulled away from him slightly. I just had to say it, I just had to...here it goes... "Sora...there's something I need to tell you. I...I..I love you Sora." I cried even harder, a mixture of emotions that was very strange to me. Sadness, because of our parting, and happiness for what I had just said.

After all the years that I have known Sora, I had never had the courage to tell him what I had just told him. I have loved him ever since the day that he found me washed up on the shore of the islands. He was always so kind and gentle, and he still is. Even though at times he doesn't seem like he cares about some things, but I know that he really does care.

He hugged me again, more tightly. Then, there was a long pause. He didn't say anything for a moment, and my Heart sank. But then, he finally said. "I love you too Kairi...I'm sorry it's taken me so long to say it but I do; ever since I found you on the shore when we were kids. You were so beautiful; I knew that there was a reason why you ended up on our island." I looked up at him and he was crying too now. I hadn't seen him cry since we were small. This is something you don't see everyday. I felt better now about him leaving. And suddenly,...I didn't feel alone anymore.

Chapter 9 ~Riku~

Standing here, ready to leave and them all acting so lovey dovey, just made me feel like a third wheel.

I couldn't even look at them, it was just too mushy. So I turned away to give them some privacy, but no matter what I did, even if I couldn't see them...I could still hear them.

I didn't even get a hug...not that I wanted one, but I know that all we will ever be is just friends.

I know that I've done some bad things in the past and made some terrible decisions that affected not just me, but everyone around me. And that I captured Kairi when her Heart was separated from her. But...I don't know.

I wonder if she remembers that...I mean what happened when she was captured, or if she just remembers what happened after her Heart was returned to her. I hope she isn't still mad at me about that if she does remember, I mean, that was more than a year ago, almost two. She must have gotten over that already. Gosh! I really need to stop thinking about this.

I turned back around and saw them still talking. I walked past them, "Come on loverboy. We have a place we need to be soon, hurry it up." No answer. "I said...HURRY UP!" Still no answer. I knew that he could hear me, but he was too busy to reply.

I gave up. I kept walking and only seconds later Chip and Dale showed up right on time to pick us up in their Gummiship.

Now he had no choice but to say goodbye. Then all of the romantic junk will stop for a little while at least.

Chapter 10 ~Sora~

I can't really believe it is time to go now. I wish I didn't...but there are tons of things in life that we don't want to do, but have to. It's my duty, my job to protect the worlds from falling to darkness.

The only thing that keeps me here is...Kairi.

Well...and Riku too, but I mean I love Kairi, and I'm ready to go to her no matter where she is. I'd do anything for her. Riku too.

But I'm not leaving Riku. Kairi is the one who always gets left behind. It's nothing personal, but...I can't stand the fact that she could easily get hurt. I couldn't live with myself if something bad happened to her.

We said our goodbyes, tears flowing from her eyes like a river. I'd never seen her cry so much in my life. She occasionally cried when she was really really sad...but not like this.

I turned away and walked to the Gummiship, Riku was already onboard. The doors closed and our journey began...

Chapter 11 ~Kairi~

So that was it...they are gone now. I may never see them again, but then again maybe they'll be home soon.

I hope so.

I believe in you both.

So now what am I going to do now that they're gone?

I want to have an adventure of my own. By myself. But...I don't even know how to get off this island!

"You seek a way off this island?"

It sounded as if this mysterious voice was inside my head rather than behind me. "Who's there?" I said. Despite my efforts to make my voice loud enough for whomever it was to hear, my voice was barely audible. That didn't matter...he heard me.

"I am only here to help you."

"Help me to get off of this island? That's not what I really want."

"I am aware of that. You wish to have an adventure of your own."

"Yes, that's correct." I didn't want to say too much, I had no idea who I was talking to. But somehow the voice sounded somewhat familiar. I couldn't match a face to the voice though.

"Do you wish to know who you really are? Where you came from and why you are here on this pitiful island? If so then I will show you the way."

Just then a Corridor appeared in front of me. I hesitated, should I really go through? What if it was a trick, could the voice really be trusted. It sounded so familiar...not sinister but not friendly either. "Do you wish to know the truth?"

"Yes." I answered. I had made my decision. This was my chance for an adventure, I mean a real adventure. It was something to do while I wait for Sora and Riku to return home.

It was time to have fun by myself for once, to live a little. I needed to escape before I drove my self crazy.

I took a deep breath and stepped into the Corridor, the dark corridor to a world unknown...

Chapter 12 ~Sora~

We had arrived at Yen Sid's tower at last. The King informed us in this letter that he had a special mission for us.

Gosh, I hope that Kairi's alright. I mean, it can get really boring really quickly when you are all by yourself on that island. All that counts is that she is home...and she is safe.

Chapter 13 ~Kairi~

Darkness. Nothing but darkness. It was all I could see. Or maybe I was not seeing darkness, maybe it was just nothing...I was seeing nothing.

I pushed on, it was too late to turn back now. I didn't even turn around; I just kept moving. I wouldn't stop...I couldn't. I desperately want to know who I really am...where I came from.

The lonliness set in again. I didn't know where I was, dead maybe, and I had no one...and again I was...

alone.

Chapter 14 ~Riku~

Sora was just staring out into space when we arrived at Yen Sid's tower. We had only been away from home a few hours and he looked more depressed than I had ever seen him.

It didn't seem like he was all there, you know? Like his mind was somewhere else, and that his body was unable to follow.

He hadn't spoken to me the entire trip here. I kind of feel bad about it now, that I didn't ask him if he was alright. But...I already knew the answer to that question...

no.

Chapter 15 ~Kairi~

Finally in the cold darkness that I was in, in this corridor, I felt a sudden, faint warmth. Then I found it's source.

An immensely bright light far off in the distance. It seemed so far away.

Chapter 16 ~King Mickey~

They were here. Finally.

I didn't exactly know how to tell Sora that he wouldn't quite be himself if it weren't for Ventus' Heart merging with his.

I wonder what would happen if Ventus awakens, what will happen to Sora. Will the separation damage Sora's Heart, Like Vanitas was separated from Ventus' Heart? Gosh, I hope not.

I hope that it doesn't have to end that way. I hope that they can coexist without one being lost forever.

Gosh, I don't know how I'm going to tell him, but I just gotta. He has every right to know that it is a possibility that he will not return home from his journey.

Chapter 17 ~Kairi~

I felt like I had been walking for years, and maybe I had; but I finally found the way out.

I walked into the light, not afraid of what lurked beyond it. The light was warm, inviting. It beckoned me to pass through it. So I did.

"Are you okay miss?"

I opened my eyes and saw that I was on the ground. I must have passed out, after I entered the light. I looked around; I seemed to be in a place that I don't recall ever seeing, but It seemed so familiar.

There was a man standing in front of me. He had a scar on his face right in between his eyes. It was probably from fighting Heartless.

"Ye...yes." I replied, my voice coming out more soft than I intended it.

"Thank goodness." he replied, then continued. "You aren't from here are you? I've never seen you before...what's your name?"

"Kairi. What's yours?"

"Oh, I'm sorry where are my manners? I'm Leon." He helped me up, I was suprised to find it hard to stand. What had hapend to me when I was walking through the Corridor?

"Come on. Follow me." I followed.

We walked through the streets. I stumbled a little every now and then. I was trying to keep up with him, but he was fast. He led me to a house, smaller than the rest of the neighboring buildings.

"Come on in." He said hospitibly.

He opened the door, so I stepped inside. There was junk everywhere, and tons of things that I had no idea what they were.

Then I knew. I was in another world. I had made it. Finally off of the islands. I was...

free.

Chapter 18 ~Yen Sid~