Chapter II – A Broken Connection

It was a quiet night on Destiny Island. The ocean waves gently brushed against the shoreline as calm as can be. The breeze silently blew across the beach. On a small piece of the island, where the paopu tree rested, sat the young teenage girl, Kairi. She stared out into the open ocean that glimmered in the moon light. The dark blue color of the ocean itself was enough to remind Kairi the painful sadness that has been casted on her heart. The terrible pain of loss affected her greatly. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted after hearing footsteps approaching her from behind. She turned her head to see Riku, one of her childhood friends.

"You okay, Kairi?" he asked in a concerned tone.

Kairi turned her attention back out to the open waters. "Yea... I'm fine." she softly answered.

Riku knew she didn't want to talk despite not being the stubborn type. He walked over and leaned against the base of the tree next to where Kairi was sitting and stared out into the watery horizon. He glanced over to his friend to see her body shaking and tears starting to run down her cheeks. He hopped up onto the tree and embraced Kairi within his arms causing her to let loose more tears.

"I... I said I would protect him... But instead... He saved me again. He gave up his own life for mine... If... If I wasn't so helpless, I wouldn't have been caught... And he would be here with us. It's all my fault." Kairi's voice cracked as she spoke.

It has been over a week since the battle with Xehanort had ended. In the end, the Guardians of Light won against the Seekers of Darkness. But it didn't feel like a win to neither Riku or Kairi. After Xehanort used Kairi to complete the X-blade and fighting Xehanort, their best friend, Sora, exchanged his own life for Kairi's. They lost; someone who they cared about deeply, their childhood friend, their savior, their ally, their light that would cast away even the darkest from of darkness.

The others however had it easy. Xion, Roxas, and Isa, formally known as Saix, were reunited with Lea, Hayner, Pence, and Olette and are currently living out their lives in Twilight Town. Aqua and Ventus finally have Terra back in their lives and are settling down in the Land of Departure after having a funeral for their old master, Eraqus. Even Mickey, Donald, and Goofy returned to Disney Castle. Then, there was Namine who now currently resides along with Kairi & Riku on Destiny Island after finally receiving a body thanks to the researchers at Radiant Garden.

"No, it's not your fault. He chose to exchange his own life for you because it's something he felt was right to do." said Riku.

"Um...he's actually not gone." piped up a voice.

"It's quite the opposite." spoke another.

Riku and Kairi turned to see Namine and Roxas standing on the wooden bridge that connected the miniature island to the bigger one. Both have connections to Sora although formally being Nobodies but have now become completely human and real thanks to Even, also one of the researchers at Radiant Garden, and his Replica Program research.

"Roxas?... Namine? What are you saying?" Riku asked.

"Are you telling me Sora is still out there?" shouted Kairi.

"Well...it's more or less like he just...appeared again. Just a little while ago, I felt something stir in my heart and I saw a man in a black coat. Then I asked Axel to make a gateway here. Apparently Namine had a similar experience. I'm unsure if Xion felt anything. I should have asked now that I think of it." Roxas commented.

"A black coat? Are you saying that they're back?" barked Riku.

"No... This man is not part of the organization... Although I could sense something strange about him. He did say something to me however, "Make sure he doesn't end up giving up his life again or dying." And then he disappeared and came to and I saw Roxas appear." Namine answered.

Riku glanced over to Kairi and saw her saddened expression change into one filled with hope. He looked down and thought about the information that the two had given them. The man in the black coat... Usually members of Organization XIII wore those excluding Axel who sometimes had it on from time to time. Although, if what this man spoke is true, and if Sora has been brought back from the dead... then why isn't he here? It could be a trap for all they know. But since Roxas was Sora's nobody and Namine can see and change people's memories if she wanted to, there was no way he could NOT believe them.

"Well, if he is back. He obviously can't travel to other worlds. And who knows what kind of dangers he is facing. So, we train and then..." Riku turns to Kairi. "We find our friend."