The Legend of the Papou Fruit.
I opened my eyes. At first I was unsure as to if this was reality or not, but my thoughts were soon shaken as my eyes became unclouded, allowing myself to see the island, and a very curious Kairi standing above me.
"Hey, are you alright Riku? That must have been some run, to knock both you AND Sora out?", she questioned. She indicated towards a now awoken Sora, who instantly peered over to me.
"You got knocked out too?" He asked seriously.
"I was just resting." I assured him. Kairi laughed.
"Sure sure, Riku, you look exhausted!"She said. "I say we take a break and get some lunch".
The rest of the day ran fairly smoothly. After lunch, we returned to the water to cool off.
After the sun hit its peak, and slowly began to fall, we walked to a small nearby island, home of the papou tree. Regretfully, as I sat on the twisted branch of the papou tree – much like a chair, I noticed a hint of sunburn on my shoulders and back. I'm fairly sure Sora noticed it too, as he came up from behind me, and slapped my back, before sitting in front of me, with his legs dangled over the edge of the island. "Gah, thanks Sora". I said, as I tried to spot any slight redness on his skin, to no avail.
Kairi landed a spot next to myself, and we all gazed over to the sunset.
The sky had become a warm pleasant orange colour. It whisped into the clouds, tinging them with a cream pink. There was a soft cool breeze in the air, which flew past the papou tree leaves, and onto my face. Kairi closed her eyes, relaxed her head back and smiled, and she swung herself slightly back and forth on the wonky branch.
"Today was fun", she stated.
"I agree, it was a nice day", Sora commented with a broad cheerful smile.
I said nothing, and just sat there with them, watching the sun set again. It was nice, it was peaceful, but I longed for something else. Something more. I had to get away.
The dreams had never been so clear before. In addition, they had never occurred during the day, and intentionally knocked me out. They were becoming stranger, and those dark creatures were all too familiar from my nightmares. It was getting eerie.
As the scenery became darker, and the first star appeared, Kairi fled with a cheerful goodbye and another "I'll see you in the morning". I guess that meant I wouldn't have a sleep in tomorrow morning either.
It was just me and Sora. Once Kairi was out of sight, Sora stood up, and stretched.
"Hey Riku–", he began. "Did you happen to have a dream when you passed out on the beach today?"
I was intrigued as to what had provoked this question. These curiosities lead me to answer him truthfully. "I did actually. Why do you ask?"
He paused. He was thinking, before making a decision and smiling.
"I'm going to sound weird", he proposed.
"You always sound weird."
"Point taken." He laughed. "I had a dream, and I was in darkness. It was weird, because I could hear this girl calling out to me, but I couldn't find her. And there were these dark shadow creatures, who were after my heart, or something. The girl told me that..." He stopped again.
"Haha, continue. I won't laugh." I became intrigued by this story.
"She told me that my heart was my greatest weapon, or something like that", I saw the embarrassment appear on his face. I wondered why he was talking to me about this, as I began to chuckle. I guess it's just in my character to do so.
"Oh, shut it Riku." he said with a shy smile.
"Ah, I'm sorry, I said I wouldn't laugh." I stopped myself. In all honesty, I was listening keenly. "So who was the girl?".
"Well that's the thing... The girl was Kairi.", He became embarrassed again. "You care about her, right?"
"Well yeah, sure. You guys are my best friends." I told him, looking out over to the dying sunset.
He gave a slight chuckle. "Well, I guess I'm worried about her. I've had other dreams like this, and it's pretty much the same thing every time. But this time was different, I felt as if Kairi was lost."
I understood him perfectly.
"Anyway, I better go to bed. Let's just keep an eye on her okay?" He said coolly. And with that he walked off.
I had decided not to tell Sora of my dream.
It was around that time that my curiosity about these dreams increased. It was also around that time that I wanted to get some answers.
I continued to sit on the branch, as the sky became darker and darker. The sun had now disappeared, leaving the sky a dark navy. I much preferred this part of the afternoon.
The next day, I decided to get up decently early in order to beat Kairi to the punch. But maybe too early, perhaps, since the sun had only just risen. I found myself still a little tired and worn out when I left the house, leaving me a little regretful. But the feeling resided as I was able to catch a glimpse of the sunrise.
I found myself dawdling to Sora's house. I stood out the front, and called out his name.
"Aye Sora. Why aren't you up?" I yelled.
I saw through his bedroom window, not even a squirm in his bed. I walked through his garden, over to the window, and knocked on it four times. I got to him this time; I swear he jumped a meter high as I knocked.
His head turned my way, and he fell off his bed. My legs collapsed below me, as I broke into an enormous laugh. Sora was hilarious.
He soon emerged from the side of his bed, and to the window. He opened it.
"Oh, give me a break Riku!" he scratched his ragged hair, as he watched me laugh.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Nothing, I'm just bored", I told him. He sighed.
"Okay, okay. I'll be out in a sec. Let me dag some clothes on."
I was slightly excited as we marched our way to Kairi's house. Only a little, mind you.
She was always the one waking us up. Revenge was sweet.
So of course I was a little disappointed when we caught her on the front step at the door to her house. She was already awake.
"She must've sensed that we woke up early today", Sora whispered to me. I chuckled.
"Good morning!" Kairi said politely, waving to us.
Sora and I gave her a broad fake smile. We'll catch her another day, I assured myself.
"So what's up! You guys planned anything for today?" she asked.
"Nothing in particular", Sora responded.
We started to walk along the shore. The wind blew a cold and refreshing breeze from the water. The sky was a calming orange, and the sun hovered above the ocean in all its glory. It had been a long time since I had seen the sunrise.
As we walked, I couldn't help but notice Selphie over by the pier, with her legs dangling over the water. As Kairi and Sora talked amongst themselves, I slowly dropped from the group, to make a quick trip to the pier. I saw their heads turn as I dawdled away, but they continued to walk without me. I took no offense to it at all. They just knew that I would come back once I was done.
As I found myself at the end of the pier, Selphie looked up at me.
"Hello Riku", she said politely.
Selphie seemed to be a bubbly character. She was a year younger than me, and in Sora and Kairi's class at school. Her hair flicked out, and she would always wear her cute orange dress anytime she could.
"Hey," I said, continuing to hover above her. "It's a nice view of the sunrise from here", I commented; as I saw the sunrise gradually lift from the water.
"I agree." she said, adding a small giggle. "It's not like you to be social Riku"
I lifted the side of my mouth in smirk.
"Thanks. You looked exceptionally lonely this morning, is all." I told her.
I noticed her smile, and realized she was quite content with staying here.
I gave a slight chuckle, and took a step back, about to depart
However, she caught me before I had a chance to walk off.
"Have you heard of the legend of the papou fruit?" she asked.
"Vaguely"
"Well, it is thought, that if you shared a papou fruit with someone you really cared about, you would be bound by an everlasting love"
I gave off a chuckle.
"Oh really?" I asked.
She looked back at me and laughed too.
"See you Selphie", I said with a wave, and I took my leave.
I remember that moment very clearly. That moment on an early morning walk in summer on our island. The wind blew a cold and refreshing breeze from the water, and they sky was a calming orange, and the sun hovered above the ocean in all its glory.
