2. Promise.

Kairi was in her room, packing some clothing for her trip. She had given a tearful farewell to her mother, who was being extremely understanding of the situation. Kairi appreciated it immensely.

"Now if only I could get Sora to be so agreeable..." she murmured to herself, half a smile on her face. Her thoughts flickered back to that surreal moment they had shared on the beach earlier today.

What was that...? She thought to herself. She wasn't expecting herself to answer.

Hmm... I wonder, Namine said in Kairi's mind. She acknowledged Namine's presence with a flick of her mind.

What's that supposed to mean? She asked, annoyed.

Nothing... I'm sure you'll get it sooner or later. For now you should concentrate on packing. The sooner you pack, the sooner you can see Sora again!

...And what do you mean by that?

Nothing... it's just that that's all you really want anymore, isn't it? To be with Sora?

As soon as Namine said the words, Kairi knew they were true.

So? He's my best friend and we've known each other forever! Kairi assured her Nobody defensively.

Yeah. Riku's your best friend, too. And you've known him for just as long as Sora. But if your being honest with yourself, wouldn't you say that you'd rather be alone with Sora than with Riku?

I... That's so... Kairi sputtered in her mind for a response.

That's what I thought, Namine answered smugly after a minute of silence from Kairi.

Now there's just one thing left to do... Kairi thought, lugging her suitcase as she walked out the door. She shuffled clumsily to her and Sora's Secret Place, taking out a little silver camera. Pushing away the creeping vines that had grown from the ceiling of the Secret Place, Kairi stumbled down the narrow tunnel for what seemed like forever until her eyes were assaulted by a blinding beam of moonlight coming from the Place's natural skylight. She awkwardly put down her bulky suitcase and took a moment to just breathe. She was gazing at the drawing she and Sora had done when they were 5 years old. She smiled as her eyes wandered over Sora's untidy scrawl. Her grin became more pronounced when she saw the paopu fruits they had drawn giving to one another. Kairi snapped a picture of the portraits, wanting to make sure she had it for the trip. No one knew about her frequent visits to the Secret Place.

"Kairi?"

She spun around to see Sora standing in the makeshift doorway, confusement on his face. She grinned sheepishly and serruptitiously hid the camera behind her back.

"Hey, Sora. You coming for a last look, too?" She asked, dropping her camera into her suitcase behind her. He nodded, taking a few steps forward to stand behind her.

"You were quite the artist back then," Kairi joked, gesturing to their drawings. Sora smiled, a blush creeping into his cheeks. A silence filled the cave for over a minute. Suddenly, the same energy that had flowed through them earlier that day returned. Kairi felt her heartbeat speed up hyperactively and she attempted to quiet it's loud, frantic hammering.

"...Hey, Kairi?" Sora asked, still looking at the rock.

"Yeah?"

"W...Why did you draw a paopu fruit on here?" He asked. His probing eyes were finally on hers, searching.

"I could ask you the same question," she pointed out. He shrugged.

"Fair enough. I'll tell you when you tell me. Agreed?" He said, sticking out his hand to shake on it. Their hands touched and Kairi felt a tingle go down her spine.

"Guys... you in here?" Riku called from a distance.

Wow. He's really good at ruining your guys' moments, isn't he? Namine piped up.

Shut up... Kairi answered, warmth spreading to her cheeks.

"Yeah, we'll be right out!" Sora called, picking up Kairi's suitcase.

"No, you don't have to do that," she protested. Sora merely smiled and let out a huff of air as he carried it, taking the rear as they traveled through the dark, winding tunnel to meet an annoyed Riku by the waterfall.

"About time," he said, turning to walk to the gummi ship, where Kairi assumed Donald and Goofy were waiting inside. She took one last look at her beloved home, hoping with all her might that this wouldn't be the last time she saw it. Sora saw the wistful look on her face and placed a comfoting hand on her shoulder.

"I know it's tough," he started, putting as much concern and sympathy into his voice as he could, "but we'll come back."

"You promise?" Kairi asked, looking at him with tear-filled eyes. His own were full of blazing determination, sympathy, and something... else. Kairi just couldn't place it.

"Promise."