Each person in the room had their eyes glued out the door, processing the events that had just occurred in front of them. Lea motioned to follow the princess when a hand touched his arm. He turned to see Aerith looking up to him, her eyes showing a gentle expression.

"Lea", she said, "give her time."

"No, I have to make this right," he turned his attention back out the door, but the redheaded princess was out of sight.

Aerith continued, "She's not ready. If you push her, you'll only make it worse."

He sighed, "What should I do? That couldn't have gone worse. We obviously can't train together."

Their teacher spoke up, "It seems best that I train you both individually until Kairi knows the basics."

"Want us to talk to her?" Yuffie asked.

Aerith replied. "No, that might send the wrong message. It needs to be you," she looked to Lea.

Lea sighed frustratingly. "I feel horrible about what I - what Axel - did. How do I make her see that?"

"That's your problem right there," Leon said, "It's not about how you feel, and you can't make her do or feel anything. Sora may have forgiven you, but Kairi hasn't. Try to remember that before you talk with her."

"Well that was blunt," Lea folded his arms.

Leon simply shrugged.

"I'm sure she'll come around," Tifa said with an optimistic smile.

"I think it best to give her some time to think," Merlin said, "In the meantime, Lea, let us continue your training. Quickly, to the chamber!" With that, the wizard disappeared into another puff of smoke. Lea sighed and made to exit the cottage.

"Lea," Aerith spoke. His sunken head turned to her. "Good luck; I really mean it," she said softly.

He half-smiled, "Thanks, I'll need it."

Where she was and how much time had passed, Kairi didn't know. Still, her feet carried her. What was she thinking, running away like that? Kairi could run straight into a dark portal, stand her ground while Saix's Nobodies hurled blows toward her, and jump off of a second-story platform, Keyblade in hand, to save Sora; but now, she was running away from Lea? Some courage that was. Why did she panic like that?

Her body was forced to a halt by a tall gate, closing off a long staircase leading to a large door. It wasn't just any door, however; it was the entrance to the castle overlooking the town. Radiant Castle, currently unoccupied. It looked so different, free from many of the pipes that intertwined the towers a year ago, but not yet restored to the image in Kairi's memory.

Gripping the bars of the gate, Kairi fell to her knees and wept, unable to contain herself anylonger. She hadn't even begun training yet, and she was already doubting herself. If she couldn't even face Lea, how could she face the true Organization? What if Sora needed her, and she failed him? Her hands clung tighter to the gate in frustration, and she prayed that no one would see her. From what Yuffie said, it was clear that the people here expected greatness from her. She couldn't show that she was afraid. No, she couldn't be afraid.

"Sora. Riku. What would you say to me?" she spoke to herself, imagining their voices in her head.

"Kairi, you could never fail me."

"Pull yourself together. Where's the strong girl we grew up with?"

Even if they weren't actually here saying these words to her, picturing them doing so put Kairi's mind at ease. Her thoughts settled, and her breathing slowed. She gradually picked herself up and gazed at Radiant Castle. The damage done to the worlds was immense; could she really help in repairing it all? How much time would pass before the castle would be habitable again?

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Kairi jumped, startled by the voice, though it was soft-spoken. She turned to find it belonged to a short, elderly woman who was approaching the gates. She walked slowly and quietly, explaining why Kairi didn't hear her approach.

Aware of how red and wet her face was, Kairi quickly turned away and wiped her tear-stained cheeks. "I guess it is," She attempted to appear calm, but jumping at a brittle old voice hadn't been the best start.

"It's not what it used to be, but something so magnificent could never be destroyed." The woman approached Kairi and studied her curiously from behind. "Are you alright, dear?" she asked. "You seem lost."

"I'm fine, I just needed some fresh air," Kairi replied, still attempting to regain her composure. She probably looked ridiculous.

Radiant Garden, behold your Princess of Heart.

"Are you sure? You nearly ran into the gates."

"Yes ma'am. I'm just new here, that's all." Kairi desperately wanted to change the subject. "So, you remember the castle from before?"

"Ah, yes," she spoke slowly. "It was stunning, really, an architectural testament to the long history of this world. Why, I could have spent days scouring the old books of the library."

The Library.

Kairi's eyes opened wide. An elderly woman who enjoyed the library? She couldn't be her grandmother, could she? If she was, would she even remember her? She spun to face the woman, whose eyes gazed back up at Kairi softly. Her body was petite, covered in a long, short-sleeved dress, and her thick, white hair was tied back into a bun. Her voice, her appearance, everything about her resonated in Kairi's memory. Her heart dropped at the possibility. Should she even ask her? What if this wasn't her grandmother, and Kairi just came off as more crazy?

"Do I...know you?" Kairi asked hesitantly.

The woman smiled and nodded her head gently. "That is a lovely necklace you have on, dear."

Kairi's hand rested on her small necklace, the only possession that she still carried from her childhood in Radiant Garden. By appearances, it seemed insignificant compared to other gems, but to Kairi, it was priceless. Not only was it her trinket from home, but the spell within it is what brought her to Destiny Islands - to Sora. There was only one other person who would recognize the meaning of her necklace. Any amount of self-control left in Kairi vanished as she closed the gap between them and embraced her grandmother for the first time in over a decade.

"I-I can't believe-" Kairi cried.

"It's alright, dear," her grandmother spoke as she hugged Kairi back. "I'm just happy you're safe."

"You're here," Kairi muttered, "You're really here! I thought that-. I was afraid that-"

"Yes, Kairi, we're both here," the woman held Kairi tight as tears of joy poured from them both.

Kairi's heart soared at hearing her grandmother say her name. For what felt like minutes, Kairi just held onto her in utter disbelief that the woman before her was real. She smelled of aged book pages, triggering more memories within Kairi. She recalled sitting within her grandmother's humble cottage as she was being taught to read:

"Gra-ma, do I have to?"

"You can do it, dear, it's only a few more pages," the woman responded, calmly.

"Please?" Kairi pouted, "Your voice is so pretty, and you read so much better than me."

Her grandmother scooped her up into her lap and gave her a tight hug. "How about this? For every chapter you read outloud to me, I will read another to you."

The young girl's blue eyes brightened. "OK!" She eagerly re-opened the book to resume reading.

More tears poured from Kairi's eyes as she clung tighter to her grandmother. This was the woman who raised her for four years, taught her to read, and demonstrated what it meant to have strength of heart and compassion towards others. Was her grandmother remembering more too? She became even more self-conscious of her current state, though her grandmother didn't seem to care. She was just gently stroking Kairi's back.

The woman finally pulled out of their hug and looked Kairi up and down. "You've grown into such a beautiful young woman," she said proudly.

"I don't understand." Kairi said, "Why didn't I see you when I arrived?"

"I knew it was you who was coming, and I wanted to be the first person to greet you. But there were so many people going, I didn't want to overwhelm you. I was on my way to the wizard's cottage to surprise you when a young redheaded woman ran past me. I felt a ping in my heart and just had to see if it was you."

"Oh," Kairi said shamefully, "I'm sorry about that." More embarrassment came upon her as she realized that her grandmother witnessed her little breakdown. Regardless, she seemed surprisingly calm about it and didn't press the issue any further.

"It's quite alright. Come, this is no place for a reunion," her grandmother said, "Let's go sit down and talk. I don't live far from here." She took Kairi's hand and began leading her out of the square.

Minutes later, Kairi was still in disbelief that everything happening to her was real. She'd pinched herself several times, convinced that she was in a dream, but nothing had happened. She was still sitting within her grandmother's small cottage, warming her hands with a cup of ginger tea. This house actually felt like a home; there were paintings hanging on the wall, decorative pillows scattered on the furniture, a wooden coffee table marked with ring stains in the center of the group of sofas, and a dining table with enough chairs for several guests. For the first time in Radiant Garden, there was a real sense of home, like Kairi could actually live here. She twirled the string of the tea bag around her finger and stirred the warm water, watching it become more opaque with each movement.

"Take your time to relax, my dear," her grandmother spoke calmly, "I'm sure you've had a long day."

Even though this was her grandma, Kairi still didn't want to address the situation with Lea. That would just be starting off on the wrong foot. "How did you know I was coming?" she asked.

"I've known for some time. When the world was restored and you were nowhere to be found, I feared that your heart was lost forever. However, a kind-hearted young woman - Aerith I think it was - reassured me that you were safe. "

Kairi's head perked up, "Aerith knew you?"

The woman nodded, "She would visit me from time to time so I wouldn't worry about you, keeping our visits private of course."

"That was...very sweet of her," Kairi said. Though she was pained by the guilt of worrying her grandmother, her admiration for the Restoration Committee only grew.

"A very trustworthy woman, indeed. She told me how you were friends with the boy who saved the worlds."

"Sora." Kairi instinctively smiled upon saying his name.

"So that's his name," she replied, "I never got to meet him face to face, but from what the townsfolk tell me, he seems very nice."

"He is," Kairi nodded, "We grew up together on Destiny Islands, along with our other best friend, Riku."

"Well, you seem very fond of him, so he must be something special," her grandmother smiled at her, "I'd love to hear everything, Kairi, all about you and your friends, how you grew up, and all your adventures. If you don't mind, that is."

"Of course not," Kairi returned her smile.

Kairi and her grandmother talked all afternoon. She told of how Sora was the one who'd found Kairi washed ashore with no memory of her home, and how the mayor had adopted Kairi as his own daughter. She recalled how quickly her friendship had formed with Sora and Riku: how they'd been very competitive over Kairi's attention growing up, but that all three were equally protective of each other. She explained their poorly-thought-out plan to see other worlds by building a wooden raft with a single sail, and they both laughed at how absurd it sounded in hindsight.

"I'm so happy that you had a joyful childhood," her grandmother said, "These boys sound like wonderful friends."

Kairi nodded. "They really are, but-" her voice caught in her throat. Kairi had been given the privilege of a good home, a loving family, and loyal friendships for the past decade, all while her grandmother was lost or worried. Thinking about everyone on the islands, she wouldn't trade her time with them for anything, but she wished her grandmother had been there with her. Tears began to swell in her eyes.

"Kairi, what's the matter?" her grandmother asked. She moved to sit next to her on the couch and wrapped her arm around her. Kairi rested her head on her grandmother's shoulder.

"You should have been there with me," Kairi said, "It wasn't fair. Why was I saved, but you weren't?"

"Hush, dear, it's alright. We're okay now; that's all that matters." She gently stroked Kairi's back as she held her. Her touch was comforting. Why was it so easy for her to be at peace with everything that had happened?

"Grandma?" she asked.

"Yes?"

"If it's not too much to ask," she paused, pulling away to look at her grandmother, "would you mind telling me a story?"

Her grandma's smile brightened, "I've waited so long to hear those words," she said as small tears began to fill her eyes. "What would you like to hear?"

Hours later, Kairi stood before the familiar door to the wizard's cottage. Night had fallen, but a light shone through the window of the home. Shadows were moving under the door as well, so she knew the house was still awake. Kairi took a deep breath and knocked on the door quietly.

The small commotion inside ceased, and the door opened to the wizard dressed in a nightgown and a droopy pointed hat.

"Kairi?" he seemed surprised.

The princess looked at him for a moment, then slowly dropped to her knees and touched her forehead to the ground before him.

"I apologize, Merlin, for my actions earlier. You and the committee were so kind to host me, and I disrespected your household. If you would still have me, I would be honored to train under your guidance. I promise that any disputes I have with Lea," she paused, realizing she hadn't said his name out loud yet, "I will handle them between the two of us."

Taken aback, the wizard just stared at her a moment. "Oh my, well, you're quite alright, my dear. Come on, get up now. The ground is filthy."

"So, you'll still train me?" Kairi rose and dusted her hands on her skirt.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I?" he responded, motioning her inside, "And regarding my other pupil, we all understand why you reacted the way you did, even the man himself."

"He understood?" Kairi was puzzled. Maybe Lea and Axel were different from each other, like Sora and Roxas.

"Indeed. I should've waited until you'd had time to settle in to bring you two together. Until you are ready, I'll be training you one-on-one."

"Thank you, Merlin, I promise I'll do my best." Kairi bowed gently.

He laughed, "There's no need for that, dear, we're not formal at all around here. Would you like to see where you'll be staying?"

"Um, sure," Kairi said, realizing she hadn't thought about that.

He took her to a modest house in the outer section of the town, surrounded on all sides by flower gardens. Merlin knocked on the door rhythmically, and moments later it was opened by a young woman in a long pink dress. This home was Aerith's.

"Kairi, I'm glad to see you're okay," she smiled.

Merlin spoke, "Aerith has kindly offered to let you stay with her during your time here."

"Thank you, Aerith, and I'm sorry about before," Kairi said.

"That's okay, no need to apologize," she motioned Kairi inside, "Come, I'll take you to your room."

As Kairi entered Aerith's home, she turned to Merlin and smiled. "Thank you, Merlin."

"Get some rest," the wizard winked, "Your training begins tomorrow."

Aerith's home was warm and welcoming, similar to her grandmother's. Floristry was obviously a hobby of hers, judging by the surrounding gardens and various flowers decorating the interior. Kairi didn't mind, though, for the scents were light and refreshing. This world was called Radiant Garden for a reason.

"Did you meet her?" Aerith asked while walking Kairi upstairs.

Kair looked at her curiously, "I'm sorry?"

She turned to face the princess, "Your grandmother. You were gone for so long; did you find her?"

"Actually, she found me," Kairi smiled.

A bright smile formed on Aerith's face, and she touched her fingertips together. "That's fantastic, Kairi! I'm so happy! Such a sweet woman, she was so worried about you." Aerith continued walking, "I had arranged for her to come surprise you when you arrived, but it seems like fate had it worked out regardless."

Kairi looked down as she walked. "I felt so terrible, yet so happy at the same time."

"Terrible? Why?"

"I felt guilty. She deserved better than all that happened to her. All of Radiant Garden did."

Aerith stopped and opened a door to one of the rooms, "None of that was your fault, Kairi. It does deserve better; that's why we're working to restore it, to erase what the Darkness did to us."

"Right," Kairi nodded, "That's why I'm here."

Aerith smiled gently at Kairi, "And we're happy to have you." She gestured into the room, "This is your space, Kairi, make it yours however you'd like."

As Aerith turned to leave, Kairi called out to her, "Hey, Aerith?"

"Yes?" she replied.

Kairi met her eyes, "Thank you...for what you did for her."

"Of course," Aerith smiled, "I always love a happy ending."

Kairi returned her expression. "Still, it means more than I can say. You and the Restoration Committee, Sora is lucky to have friends like you." Though Sora's eagerness to make friends everywhere sometimes worried Kairi, at least he always made the right ones.

Aerith giggled, "Sora's lucky, alright, but not because of us." She winked as she spun to depart once again, leaving the princess to settle in for the night.

Kairi didn't realize how drained she was until she was in bed. Only one day had passed, yet everything felt different. With her determination renewed, Kairi extended her hand and focused her mind on all she had to fight for. Destiny's Embrace materialized into her outstretched hand for the first time since her reunion with Sora and Riku in the World that Never Was. Kairi smiled to herself, thinking Aerith would probably like its floral design interweaving with the metal.

"For my family. For Sora. I'll make it right, I promise."

Lea fell exhaustively onto his bed. He was in Radiant Garden, so, technically, he was home. With how things had gone, however, it sure didn't feel that way. Everything about the world had changed, and Isa and Roxas were both gone.

He wasn't really sure what he'd expected to happen that day, but it all happened regardless. He'd predicted that she'd be angry, justifiably so. When he'd caught her eyes, however, it was like something else entirely, almost like she didn't want to be angry. Then, he'd gone and screwed everything up again. He'd had this whole apology planned out, but seeing her made him feel...guilty.

Lea chuckled to himself. It was a funny thought - him feeling. Not too long ago, he hadn't been able to feel anything. For a decade, all he could do was cling to memories of emotions, a task that'd become increasingly difficult over time. Even then, the closest he'd come to an actual feeling were in times of abandonment - whether by Saix or Roxas. It was like an intense sensation would come over him. Was it anger? Fear? Axel hadn't remembered by then. Regardless, adjusting to having a heart was proving difficult. Each time an emotion would come over him, he'd just freeze. In time, he was told, he'd re-learn how to process them.

The damage that day, however, had already been done. All he ever did was destroy: his and Isa's chance at a normal life, his friendships, and possibly his chance at redemption. Well, fire WAS the element of destruction, right? Maybe that's all he was meant to do. He closed his eyes and slowly inhaled. Merlin had said that the power of fire comes from the breath, and as Lea filled his lungs with air, he could sense it within himself. He exhaled, extending his hand in front of him, and a flame grew from his palm. It neither burned him, nor caused him pain. When the flames died, it was replaced by his Keyblade.

"The Keyblade gave me a chance," he said to himself, "Why?"

The metal gave off a red glow, as if responding to him.

"For Isa, for Roxas. I'll make it right. I promise."

A/N: Thank you for reading! I apologize for the delay; I got stuck in a few spots on this chapter. Again, all feedback is welcome!