Chapter 6: Growing Up
Two years have passed to the day since Sora, Riku, and Kairi returned home from their adventures.
Sora, now at the age of 18 years old, looks more like his dad now, as he has spiky hair but it is shorter then it was when he was 16 and he has a goatee growing. He still wears the same set of cloths that the three good fairies gave him almost three years ago. The magic in the cloths allows them to be whatever size Sora needs them to be.
Sora and Kairi's relationship is going strong and they only keep getting more in love with each other. Sora is a senior in high school and works for the Shinra Company, under the management of Rufus Shinra, as a member of their Research and Development Program, and his job title is being a Turk. He works under Senior Turks: Reno, who's a really laid back guy, and Rude, who's a quiet guy.
Kairi, who is also 18 years old, is getting more physically mature. Her breasts have gotten larger and her hair longer. She wears a pink outfit similar to the one she usually wore when she was 16. Kairi is a senior in high school with Sora. She works as a singer at a bar called Sanctuary.
Riku, who is 19 years old now, graduated from high school a year ago. He has been working as a representative to the newly formed Alliance of the Realm of Light. He is a delegate of Destiny Islands. Riku has also been in a relationship with Yuffie since he started working as a representative because he stays on Radiant Garden for most of the time. Whenever Riku comes back home to Destiny Islands, Yuffie comes with him and they both stay in his apartment but visit with his family every time. Riku's family loves Yuffie. Riku wears the same style clothes he wore two years ago and his hair stays the same length as it did for two years, in which it is down to his mid back.
The Gullwings have adjusted well into being residents on Destiny Islands. Rikku, Paine, and Yuna work together as singers at Sanctuary with Kairi, but call themselves the Gullwings. Rikku does side work as a mechanic. Paine works as a barkeep in training at Sanctuary. Yuna is dating Tidus, one of Sora's childhood friends.
Tidus is a star sports player with his blitzball team. Tidus now wears a more armor covered outfit than he wore when he was younger as he has been practicing martial arts under the mentorship of Auron. Tidus and Wakka are still best friends. Wakka is the captain of the blitzball team. He wears an outfit that fits his athletic lifestyle. Wakka recently began dating Lulu, a local shopkeeper. Lulu works as a local shopkeeper of a doll shop. She wears a gothic style dress. Selphie is a senior with Sora and Kairi. She is a very enthusiastic student and meditates with Auron in the local monastery. She wears an outfit that goes with her school and relaxed lifestyle. Auron works at the local monastery as a Guardian, in which he teaches martial arts to potential Guardians. He spends most of his time in recent days, meditating with Selphie or training his students, his best pupil being Tidus. His hair has gotten a little greyer, but he is still very healthy and fit for his age.
Over the last two years, Sora has become wiser and more relaxed with his personality. He has even taken up the practice of meditation. As of right now, Sora is sitting on the floor with his legs crisscrossed now, meditating in his bedroom.
"Sora," says Sora's Nobody, Roxas, who also has gotten more mature with the time. His voice has gotten deeper.
"Yeah, Roxas?" Sora replies with his eyes closed.
"You ready for tonight?" Roxas asks.
"Yup," Sora says.
Roxas astral projects himself out of Sora's body. Roxas looks the same as before, except he is taller and more filled out, like how Sora is, and has a goatee of his own. "You sound sure about this, but if you aren't one hundred percent sure…" Roxas teases.
Sora laughs about this and responds, "Roxas, you know I'm ready for this. But are you ready? Because this will affect you just as much."
Roxas sweat drops and laughs, "I didn't think about that one."
They both share a laugh. As the laughter dies out, Sora says, "Roxas, I am sorry that I haven't been able to separate us yet…"
"Its' okay, Sora, I know you've been trying. Hell, we've all been trying to find a safe way to separate ourselves," Roxas says as he remembers that everyone from Radiant Garden and Disney Castle have been trying to help Sora and Kairi generate a physical form of their Nobodies.
"I wish that for today, you and Naminé could be there to see all of our important events in our lives and also, for you two to live your own lives," Sora says sadly.
Roxas places his astral hand upon Sora's shoulder. He looks Sora straight into his eyes and says, "It's not your fault that Naminé and I are unable to have physical bodies, but you and Kairi gave us a chance to exist outside of your bodies. So don't beat yourself up, and please, don't dwell on it. Today's a big day for you. You-know-what is going to happen and also you are graduating tonight." Without another word, Roxas closes his eyes and rejoins Sora. In Sora's mind, Roxas says, "Now get out of here and go see Kairi." Roxas ends with a laugh.
"Fine," Sora laughs as he stands up. He leaves his room and goes into the streets. He walks past the blitzball arena and catches a glimpse of Tidus and Wakka playing in their final game for the season. He sees the Gullwings, Lulu, Selphie, and Auron in the stands cheering for Tidus and Wakka.
Sora arrives to the mayor's house and knocks on the door. Kairi's father, Uryo, the mayor of Destiny Islands answers the door. "Well hello there Sora," Uryo greets with a smile on his face.
"Hey there, Uryo, is Kairi home?" Sora asks.
"Why yes, she is, I'll go get her." Uryo says. He goes inside and yells, "Kairi, Sora's here."
"Coming, Dad!" Kairi calls down as she runs down the stairs to go outside to see Sora waiting for her.
"Now make sure you get her back in time to get ready for graduation," Uryo says to Sora with a smile on his face. He turns to his daughter, "Have fun." He gives her a kiss on the cheek and waves at the couple as they leave.
"So, Sora, you said that today is going to be unforgettable," Kairi says as she wraps her hand into Sora's.
"Did I?" Sora says with a smile. "We've got to first get to the docks," Sora says as they continue to walk.
"Really, are we going to the island?" Kairi asks.
"Yes, I want us to go one last time as kids," Sora says.
"One last time?" Kairi says in deep thought as how this is their last day of being considered children.
"Hard to believe, isn't it?" Sora ponders out loud. He turns to comfort Kairi and says, "We've been through a lot over the last few years, but this is going to be an unforgettable day." He squeezes her hand gently as they arrive to the docks. At the docks, he takes her to a two person sized rowboat. "I rented it from one of the local shops for this special occasion," he smiles as he gestures for Kairi to get into the boat.
"Special occasion?" Kairi asks with a smile.
"Yup," Sora says as they both get into the rowboat. He keeps her guessing what he is up to as he starts his rowing to their island. Once the boat hits land, Sora takes Kairi by the hand and leads her into the Special Place. "Do you remember what happened two years ago from today?" Sora asks Kairi.
"You returned home and back to my life for good. And how could I forget that you made me the happiest girl in the whole universe on that day," Kairi smiles as she recalls that wonderful and unforgettable day of that life.
"You made me the luckiest boy on that day," Sora smiles. He takes a deep breath and continues, "Kairi, you've been my light, since the first time I've ever laid eyes on you. I only fall more in love with you as each day goes by. Two years ago, you made me your boyfriend and the happiest boy in the universe." He gets onto one knee, "I love you and I want you to make me the happiest man in the universe." He pulls out a little box from his pocket and opens it. Inside the box is the most beautiful ring she has ever seen before. It is a ring that has a sapphire as a stone instead of a diamond. He knew that Kairi's favorite stone was a sapphire because it reminded her of the sea. He proposes, "Kairi, will you marry me?"
Sora's Journal
Destiny Islands
Sora
He is the main hero of our tail. He is one of the Keyblades' Chosen Ones and a Keyblade Master. He saved the worlds in the past from the forces of darkness while traveling the worlds with Donald and Goofy. He is about to graduate from high school. He works for the Shinra Co. R & D Div.
Kairi
She is Sora's girlfriend for the last two years. She is one of the Keyblades' Chosen Ones and a Princess of Heart. She is about to graduate from high school with Sora. She works at Sanctuary as a singer.
Roxas
He is Sora's Nobody. Former Number XIII of Organization XIII. AKA "The Key of Destiny". He currently resides within Sora.
Tidus
(Final Fantasy X –2001)
He is a childhood friend of Sora, Kairi, and Riku. He is a blitzball player.
Wakka
(Final Fantasy X – 2001)
He is best friends with Tidus since childhood, as well as been friends with Sora, Kairi, and Riku. He is the captain of the blitzball team.
Rikku
(Final Fantasy X – 2001)
She is one of the Gullwings. She was turned from a pixie to human two years ago by Merlin and has been residing on Destiny Islands since.
Paine
(Final Fantasy X-2 – 2003)
She is one of the Gullwings. She was turned from a pixie to human two years ago by Merlin and has been residing on Destiny Islands since.
Yuna
(Final Fantasy X –2001)
She is Tidus' girlfriend. She is one of the Gullwings. She was turned from a pixie to human two years ago by Merlin and has been residing on Destiny Islands since.
Lulu
(Final Fantasy X –2001)
She is Wakka's girlfriend. She is a local shopkeeper.
Selphie Tilmitt
(Final Fantasy VIII – 1999)
She is one of Sora, Kairi, and Riku's childhood friends. She trains under Auron to be a better martial artist.
Auron
(Final Fantasy X –2001)
He helped Sora fight Hades when Sora was at Olympus Coliseum. He served as a Guardian to the Gullwings since they arrived on Destiny Islands. He trains Selphie on becoming a better martial artist.
Uryo
He is Kairi's adoptive father and mayor of Destiny Islands.
Author's Note: Kairi's father was given the name Uryo from Japanese "waterfall". With the end of Chapter 6, we see that Sora asked Kairi to be his wife. This day is going to be one of the biggest days in Sora and Kairi's lives. Graduation and a proposal, what do you think of that? In Chapter 7: Graduation, we see what Kairi's answer is and the return of Riku and Yuffie.