Hello! :) Back with chapter 4! I do apologise if this chapter seems a bit rushed. I'm struggling to write again and I'm trying to keep going and not give up again! ¬¬ But yeah! Thanks for the reviews, favs and follows! :D

I don't own anything in this other than the story and Kairi's parent's. They are my own made up characters.

A short amount of time had passed since that night. Myself and Kairi had agreed to see each other often! It was nice having someone so quiet around. She was quite reserved, like Namine, but not completely the same. Namine could be loud when she wanted to be. It made a difference to Xion's boldness too.

All we did was meet up at the beach and watched the sunset together. She became quite interested in my life, asking how school was, asking what my friends were like, siblings, parents. I became a subject of her liking. I tried to ask things about her, but I almost never got a response.

She'd always dip her head and frown a little.

"Not much to say" she'd often reply with after her silences.

Why was she so reluctant to tell me anything?

One night after we'd done our usual routine, we walked towards the fenced exit. She held her hands behind her back and I had mine in my pockets. She still wore my jacket I gave to her 2 weeks ago.

"Do you wanna hang out tomorrow?" I spoke softly. As we stopped outside of the gate and faced eachother.

"Yes, if you want to that is?" She smiled as she tucked some of her auburn hair behind her ear.

"Yeah I do, but do you wanna do something instead? My friends are planning a camp out over at the other island. I thought that, maybe you'd like to come? It must get boring over here"

Kairi didn't answer me for a moment.

"Your friends?..." she started. "Do you think they'll like me?" She mumbled.

She looked and locked her gaze with mine. I saw in her eyes that she had her guard up. Not surprising, the last time she had contact with others, it didn't end well.

I let out a short breath of a laugh, and smiled contently at her.

"Kai they'll love you! They love meeting new people. They're also really friendly so you have nothing to worry about. Yeah, I guess Xion can be a bit boisterous and loud but that's just the person she is"

I saw that she was debating with herself whether to or not.

"You don't have to if you don't want to. I just thought it'd be nice for you to meet some nice people. Since you've only dealt with asshats in the past"

I scratched my head in awkwardness. She still didn't answer. I pursed my lips together. Wondering why I had even brought this up. Of course she didn't. She didn't do well with others. She only got on with me because I was nice to her and didn't make fun of her like others did. I was about to speak up telling her not to worry when, she spoke up.

"Okay...I don't have anything for camping though..."

I raised an eyebrow.

"You sure? And it's alright, we'll have most of the gear. You'll just have to bring a blanket and some spare clothes."

Kairi closed her eyes and nodded. She clearly didn't want to. I could tell from her body language. She was just going along with it.

"Yeah I'm sure. I'm sure it'll be fun" She smiled.

I looked at her with a raised eyebrow. I wasn't convinced and she knew that.

"Sora, I really do want to, but...I guess I'm just a bit nervous about it..."

Kairi's P.O.V

I could tell that he sensed something was up. I could feel it. Did I really want to meet his friends?

Would they figure out who I was in a heartbeat?

I didn't want to risk it, but I didn't want to be alone anymore. I feared that because I didn't want to, he'd stop talking to me. Before I met him, I was so miserable. I could barely form a sentence before I met him.

"What time do you want me to meet you guys here?" I smiled.

"Uhh...12.00 on the dot! Xion likes to be on time. It actually irritating."

I giggled and placed my hands behind my back.

"Okay. I'll meet you here"

"Do you want us to call for you at your house?"

My heart jumped to my throat.

'Quick! Think of an excuse!' I thought frantically.

"NO!" I ended up shouting.

It threw him off guard a bit, as he took a step back.

"I mean uh, no. You see my mum will flip if guys started calling on me. I don't really wanna have to deal with that you see" I lied through my teeth.

I just hoped he'd fallen for it.

"Okay... We'll just meet you here then" he smiled. "Just remember to bring spare clothes and a blanket"

We soon went our separate ways.

I watched as he walked up the path away from the beach. He turned his head back a few times and flicked his hand at me to say bye.

I wish I could have gone home. My home wasn't home anymore.

All I had was an old abandoned hut in a corner of the beach around the back of the island. Nobody came around here.

I wondered how long I'd live this lie. Heh. What does it matter? I'm already dead.

My life ended years upon years ago. After my death, I was the talk of the town. I had to hide. I stayed away from everyone, hidden from the whole world.

My body had sank to the bottom of the ocean, and they never found me. Which is why my soul isn't at rest. Why people can still see me. It's a curse. 15 years have passed, since that day. Most people have forgotten about me, what I looked like. I figured it was safe to come out of my hiding place. I just didn't speak to anybody. That was until Sora approached me.

Every evening, I'd walk down to that part of the beach and wait. Who was I waiting for?

That was the night the sea took me. The night I found the note in my parents room and I learned the truth. I'd found out that I'd been lied to.

'Please take care of our little girl.

We are explorers and the sea is too much of a danger for a child.

When she's old enough to understand, we'll come find her.

Until then, she is not to know of our existence. She must live the life of any normal person. If she finds out about us too soon I fear she'd come and find us herself and get herself killed.

Her name is Kairi Hikari. But please, change her last name. There are some enemies of ours who would love nothing more than to take our precious daughter for what we have.

Thankyou. Kind regards, Cal and Rissa Hikari.'

*Flashback*

I was so angry! Nothing was gonna stop me from finding my real parents! Question them as to why they left me in this place! With all these people who treated me like an outsider. Someone who was different to all of them!

I was human like them, but apparently alien to all of them.

I packed a bag and went down to the beach and let the waves wash over my feet. The wind was starting to pick up, but I didn't take any notice. Tears streaming down my face. Where was I gonna go? It was a freakin' island! I stood there for a good while, before a flash of lightning ripped through the sky, and a huge clap of thunder followed it. I told myself this was a stupid idea. Soon the heavens opened and down poured the rain. Drenching me completely. I went to turn away and head for the path, but my feet had secured themselves in the sand, the waves that went over my feet had made my feet sink and covered my feet in excess sand brought in with the crash.

I panicked. What was I gonna do? I struggled to free myself from my sandy prison, just then a huge crash of water hit the shore, it engulfed me with it, and dragged me out with it. I lost both of my shoes in the sand. The pressure of the waves keeping me underwater, I couldn't breathe. I needed air and fast! I finally managed to fight my way to the surface, only to take one breath of air and be shoved right back under, with such force, I hit my head on a rock which caused me to loose the air I had stored in my lungs. I could feel blood pouring from my forehead and mixing itself in the water. The water forced me down again and I landed on more rocks. Jagged ones ripped at parts of my dress, body and yanked off my black necklace with a pearl on. I saw it float to the surface with such ease. I tried and tried to fight my way to the surface once more, but it was like something was dragging me back down every time I got close. I was running on no air. I was suffocating. In a blind panic, I breathed in through my nose and let in a gush of water. In reaction to this, I opened my mouth and in came the water that way too. I panicked more. I was drowning! I could feel my lungs filling up with water and my body became weaker. My entire world faded to darkness, It didn't matter how I tried to fight it. It had already won.

I was suddenly able to see everything around me. In the corner of my eye, I watched as my lifeless body sank to the depths of the ocean. Ruby red hair floating all around my face, blood still spitting it's way out of my wounds. My skin a pale white. I wanted to scream! I wanted nothing more than to grab my body and yank it to the surface! But I couldn't! I tried to grab my bodies hand, but it slipped right through mine. It was then I realized I wasn't alive anymore. That's why I could see myself floating away into the abyss.

The day after, I saw people down at the scene. I hid away behind some bushes, my adoptive mother had my necklace in her hands and was sobbing into my adoptive father's arms. I had caused them so much grief. I felt guilty. Why was I so stupid!? So selfish?!

I heard someone say they'd just seen me, I knew this wasn't true. How can you see someone who doesn't exist?

I ran and ran until I found this old abandoned hut. It had ivy growing all over it's rotting wood. It didn't smell to great either. It used to be a lifeguard hut, but since nobody came to this part of the beach anymore, I figured it was safe to stay here.

*End Flashback*

I made myself comfortable inside the hut, and led down on an old mat on the floor. I curled myself up in a ball, and cried myself to sleep.

Sora's P.O.V

Last night kept running through my mind. There was something she wasn't telling me. I wasn't gonna force it out of her. It was her decision to tell me or not. Maybe she just didn't feel comfortable with telling me stuff yet...ugh. Thinking about this stuff is making my head hurt.

I rubbed my hands over my face and let out a deep sigh. Swinging my legs out of my bed, I let my feet touch the hard, cold laminated floor and sat up for a moment. I stretched my arms out and let out a yawn.

I went through my usual morning routine. Showered, got dressed, dealt with my brother's vile stories about the night before and ate breakfast.

"I won't be here tonight by the way" I said to my parents between mouthfuls of toast.

"Oh. How come?" My mother asked as she held her cup of tea in both hands.

"Going camping with my friends. We're going to the other island"

"Make sure you're careful! And stay away from that water in the dark. We don't want you to end up like that girl did one night" she said.

"Yeah I know" I rolled my eyes in annoyance. I thought it was common sense? Clearly she didn't think I had any.

A knock came at my front door.

"Boy! Get the door will ya?!" Bellowed my father from the table to my brother in the living room.

"Alright alright! No need to shout!" he called back, sounding annoyed.

"Sup, he's in the kitchen" he greeted. He showed the guests into the kitchen. I turned to look and saw Riku and Xion staring at me.

"Sora, what have we said about bringing stray animals back to the house" and scuffled Xion's hair.

Riku couldn't help but smirk at his remark.

"Hey!" Xion's cheery disposition melted into an angry one as she punched Vanitas in the chest.

"Oww" he moaned as he rubbed his torso as if it were going to ease the pain.

"It was a joke!"

"It wasn't a very funny one" She remarked, folding her arms and glaring at looked at Riku for a second.

"Don't look at me man. You know how she reacts to things in a violent manner" He chuckled.

"OW!" he then yelped. "What was that for?!" He moaned and turned to Xion.

She didn't answer. She just turned to me, and began talking to me.

"So are you packed?" She smiled. Completely ignoring the boys behind her.

"Packed? We're going for one night. I didn't think I needed to" I quirked an eyebrow.

"Ugh! You boys are absolutely useless! What about the essentials?"

Xion rambled on about bringing shit we didn't really need, I looked to Riku and he just shrugged his shoulders at me. Clearly he'd been through this already this morning. I felt for the guy.

Vanitas trailed off back into the living room. "Women. Only good for one thing" he muttered carelessly. Too carelessly infact. Just as Xion stopped talking. So she heard the entire sentence.

"Wanna repeat that?" She spat quirking an eyebrow in anger.

I don't get these two. They have never been able to get on.

"Can I kick his ass?" Xion said as she turned to my parents.

"Knock yourself out sweetheart" my father said.

Xion went rushing down the hallway after Vanitas, I heard him scramble upstairs and around the house away from her. With the odd yell and screech here and there.

"Anyway!" I started. "I didn't know you guys were coming over so early?"

Riku and I carried out our conversation, before retreating upstairs. Xion was still chasing after my brother. They were like kids.

I shrugged my shoulders and ignored them and proceeded into my bedroom.

Riku slumped himself into my computer chair and swung himself in in slightly from sie to side.

"So did ya see Kairi last night?" he asked.

"Yeah. We just hung out at the beach and led under the stars. It was quite nice actually..." I trailed off. I thought of the way she looked amazed when she looked up at everything. She was like a child.

"That's real cute" I heard my best friend snicker.

"Whatcha gonna do next? Make Daisy chains together?" He grinned.

I glared at him.

"That's not funny!" I snapped.

"Come on, I'm teasin' ya. I hate to admit it, but I've got a soft side, but that only comes out when I'm with Shi alone" he grinned.

"Yeah TMI. I don't wanna know" I poked my fingers into my ears. I could see where that was going. I didn't want to have a repeat of that one breakfast I told my parents about Kairi. That morning will haunt me forever.

When I saw Riku laughing, I took my fingers out of my ears. I gathered that he'd got the message.

"Say, speaking of a certain red haired girlie, did you invite her?"

"Uh..." My skin flushed red. "Yeah...I don't think she's gonna show though"

"How come?"

"She's not that good with people. You know? She doesn't really get out much. She's home-schooled because of issues with school. She was constantly picked on, so ever since, she's just been a bit weary of others." I said as I moved over to my window and sat on the windowsill. I looked out towards the beach. I don't know why I did. I just did.

I felt sorry for the girl. I really did.

"You never know. She might turn up" He added, in hopes to make me feel a little better.

I stayed silent and continued to look out of my window. I sensed that Riku was searching for something to say.

Just then, Xion burst through my door, I noticed that the ruckus had stopped a few minutes before.

"Done killing each other?" I moaned.

"He started it" she said as she rubbed her hands together as if to get rid of any filth on her hands.

We all hung out at mine for a while before we went and called on Roxas and Namine. Once they'd joined us, we all made our way down to the beach.

"Is Kairi joining us Sora?" Namine asked.

"Uh, I dunno. If she does, she'll be waiting for us at the beach already. Since SOMEBODY made us late!"

I glared at Xion.

"Oh come on! I was neck and neck with Riku on that shooting game! I was gonna kick his ass!"

"It's called Call of Duty Shi. And no you weren't. You just got a few lucky shots in there"

Riku remarked.

Xion folded her arms and refused to look at me or Riku.

Namine giggled quietly but then spoke up.

"Hey Sora. There's a girl at the beach. Is that her?"

My heart raced. I placed my hand above my eyes to sheild the sunshine from them.

There she was. She was sat on the fence, waiting. I ran straight to her.

"Kairi!" I called out. She turned around, then saw me and smiled. She jumped down from the fence and walked to greet me. I stopped right infront of her.

"Uh, hey. You made it"

She smiled and placed her hands behind her back.

"Yeah. I said I would" she giggled.

The rest of the gang approached me from behind.

"UH! Kairi? These are my friends" I introduced them all to her. She seemed somewhat nervous at first, but surprisingly it didn't take her long to warm up to the girls. Especially Namine.

"I'd hate to break up the party girls, but we've gotta get going to the other island" said Roxas.

We got our boats ready and grabbed what we needed. Kairi shared a boat with me, Riku with Xion and Roxas with Namine.

I paddled slowly across the water. The waves were calm today, so it was easy to maneuver the boat. I noticed Kairi tense up when she was in the boat.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Yeah! I just...I can't swim" She said sounding worried. She took deep breaths.

"It's alright. I'll get ya if the boat sinks" I laughed.

Kairi tried to laugh it off. She looked around at the water on the outside of the boat and gripped hard onto the edges.

Finally, we'd made it, along with Roxas and Namine not far behind us. I got out of the boat first, and helped Kairi out of the boat after. She gave me her hand and I pulled her up. I didn't realize how hard I pulled and it forced her to bump into me. Our faces were just inches apart. I stepped backwards and looked away to hide the redness on my face.

"Uh...sorry" I spluttered as she looked away too.

"It's okay" she replied.

Awkward.

I couldn't help but notice that her skin was still cold though. It was bizarre.

In the distance, I could see Riku messing around in his boat. He was stood up with his paddle in the air. Rocking the boat to freak Xion out.

"This cannot end well" Roxas commented. We all watched in anticipation for something to go wrong. It didn't take long. Riku had lost his balance whilst rocking the boat and fallen in the water. We all roared with laughter. Clapping along too. Xion couldn't contain her laughter in the boat either. Riku tried to pull himself back onto the boat. His long silver hair stuck to his face.

They finally arrived at the dock.

"Nice day for a swim" I commented, still trying not to laugh.

"Yeah alright, I was showing off and it backfired. So what?" He shrugged. I knew deep down he was embarrassed about that. Ah well.

We all grabbed things we needed and set off for a spot on the beach.

Thankyou for reading! :D