AN: Prompt number 35 - "Drifting away".
It had been six months since Sora and Riku left Destiny Islands behind to traverse the pathways between worlds and fight the Heartless. Six long, boring months since the three of them had built the raft that Kairi was now staring at. The boys had been having another one of their silly contests – something about finding the wood, a paopu fruit, and her. They'd tried not to talk about it when she was around, but they had loud voices and she had good hearing. She'd felt slightly hurt that they hadn't asked her if she wanted to share a paopu with either of them, but somewhat flattered that they wanted to. That had been six months ago, and they'd promised to return. She'd even given Sora her lucky charm. Now, she was beginning to wish she hadn't bothered.
Six months ago, they'd all still been kids. She didn't know about Sora or Riku, but she felt as though she'd been forced to grow up suddenly during that time. Looking at the raft, it felt like a relic from a childhood long left behind. Making a decision, she stood up and walked towards the raft. Untying it from the log they'd moored it to was harder than she'd expected, but she persevered, and at last the rope came free. Pushing forcefully, the raft floated out to sea. Smiling, she watched it drifting away. Now, finally, it was gone, and could no longer silently taunt her with memories and thoughts of the boys who had abandoned her here.
If they returned, she'd welcome them back. If they didn't, she could move on, free of the guilt that had been haunting her.
AN: Reviews, as ever, make the world go round.