Theme #4: Words

Anniversaries were the worst.

Kairi bit her lip, pulling anxiously at the edge of her school shirt with one hand, clutching desperately at a piece of paper with her other. The piece of paper that held every word of a good portion of her soul in it. One that just didn't feel like enough.

She gave a shuddering sigh, but continued to walk towards the sea shack, despite the growing nervousness in the pit of her stomach. Mentally, she cursed the island's warm weather; ever since coming back from Hollow Bastion, a place she felt a deep connection to, Destiny Islands seemed far too warm for her tastes. Warmer than she was supposed to be useful. Normally, a roll of the short sleeves on the already breezy school uniform did wonders, but at the moment, it did no good.

Stopping short of the shack, Kairi took a deep breath, and looked down at the paper in her hands.

Destiny Islands, for as long as she could remember, had always been a place that most would not consider cultured, but very dependent on traditions. Thinking back on it, she supposed it was understandable. After all, the islands were pretty quiet; nothing much ever happened there. (then again, it would seem that way, now that she'd been out and about to other worlds.) So, the townsfolk entertained themselves through any means they could. A couple she could recite from memory involved the legendary Paopu Fruit, and how it must be shared with one that a person cared about most (a tradition that, admittedly, she'd already participated in) that was said to bring about good luck, particularly on the day that said person came of age.

Another one- one she was far less fond of- was the important exchanging of words on a special couple's anniversary. They could be in any form- spoken or written, poem or essay, it didn't matter. Though not as mystical as that of the Paopu fruit, it was one that was considered sacred.

There was only one problem- she'd never, for the life of her, been good with words.

Simple conversation, yes; eloquent, artistic arranging of words to make them pretty, no.

Of course, never had she heard it said that it had to be professional, or pretty. For all she knew, every other couple sang to each other in goofy limericks.

Even so…she wanted it to be good enough.

For her.

Looking back up, she glanced at the flaxen-haired beauty herself, perched atoop the roof. Her little white sundress had been traded for something slightly more fancy- a longer gown of powder blue, the skirt swishing about her slender legs as she moved. Her hair had been pulled back, though the bangs, as always, had managed to escape, framing her softly-rounded face. Even form where she stood, Kairi could see the pearly grin light up the angel's face. The sun behind, casting a halo around her body, completed the image.

Needless to say, Kairi's breath (along with any ego she had) left her.

"Nami!" she called, waving.

Without warning, Namine leapt from the sun-dried shingles of the roof, being caught at the last moment by an unsuspecting Kairi.

Namine's wide, dark eyes met the princess' own, and the two of them suddenly realized how close they were.

"Um…Sorry…" Namine muttered, quickly regaining dignity and distance. Kairi smiled at the other girl's shyness. " 'S'okay," she responded, rubbing her forearm nervously. "Um…You look…amazing," she added, hoping to quell any awkward silences that could form.

"Oh…Thank you…You do, too." Namine glanced down in modesty, but even from there, Kairi could see a pink hue rise to her cheeks. The girl's modesty and overall shyness made her heart swell.

Despite their best attempts, an awkward silence did rise.

In that moment, Kairi remembered what the two of them were there for. The paper in her hand (she desperately hoped her sweaty palms hadn't smeared it) became suddenly apparent and cutting in her hand, and butterflies seemed to push her heart up to her throat.

Taking a deep breath, she raised the paper, and began to read.

"Namine: From the first time I met you, I knew you were special." Oh, God, what am I doing…? "There was something about you…to this day, I can't say what, exactly…" Are you serious? Oh, she must think I'm the biggest idiot alive! "And…I honestly hope…that…"

In a rare movement, she frowned, and tore the paper in half. "Oh, screw it!" Namine's eyes widened, but she didn't back away, or show any sign of fear; rather, she looked curious. Intrigued, perhaps.

Without thinking, the princess took her love's hands in her own. "Namine, I've never been good with words. Honestly. I don't know how to describe what I feel when I'm around, or how good it feels, or anything like that. Really, I wasn't even sure what love was for a while!"

Unknowingly, Kairi pulled the girl closer. Namine, though surprised, was intent on listening, and had no intention of pulling away. "All I can be sure of…is that I love you."

With that, she gently moved sand onto the halves of the paper. "And Nami…I think that…as long as that remains true, words are meaningless. To Oblivion with tradition! If I obeyed it, would I be here with you right now?"

And for the first time, Kairi really looked at Namine, and was stunned to find tears forming at the corner of her eyes. Shocked, she had no chance to ask what was wrong before her lips met the other girl's.

Her eyes widened, but closed afterwards, as she moved closer to feel the heat that Namine radiated. Her skin was soft, and her lips tasted of warm, salty island air, but with a tint of exoticness; something she couldn't quite place.

And for the moment, it was all that mattered.