The water and sand mixed around Soras and Kairis naked feet. They had sat down together at the water's edge, stretching their legs out so that the water washed halfway up their shins. They'd talked about little things, then about the past. They'd hesitated on the moment in Hollow Bastion when she had saved him from his heartless form as a shadow, their separation after Sora's fight with Ansem, and again at their reunion in organization XIII's castle.
They'd talked about what the thought the future would be like. That topic soon turned awkward though as Sora was embarrassed to bring up how he wanted her in his life, long into their future. Then they'd sat silently, watching the sun set. After its orange glow had sunk below the horizon and only the silver of the moon was above them did they talk again, but as Sora opened his mouth to speak Kairi rushed ahead of him.
"Sora, I wanted to tell you something." She seemed slightly flustered and her cheeks were red.
"I... I wanted to tell you that it's been good." She must have seen the confusion on Sora's face because she rushed on to clarify. "Our time together, not just now but over the years. You've been so kind and you've always been there for me. Even when things were bad." She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them looking at her feet. "Over the years I realized that trouble always seems to find you, or you seem to find it."
Suddenly Sora felt defensive. "I can't help it." He said, reaching out in front of him, and with a flash of light the kingdom key appeared in his hand. "It's just ever since I got this I can't seem to get out of trouble." He knew he was just making excuses, trying to move the blame, but he didn't want Kairi to think he was all trouble, or at least that it was his fault.
She nodded understandingly."It's not all bad though." She said then looked at him.
"It's not?"
She shook her head. "No. Trouble or not I always feel the same about you. Suddenly convinced, he stood and turned towards her, if he didn't do it now he never would be able to. Sora reached into his pocket and pulled out a star shaped fruit, leaves trailing from the bottom making it look like a shooting star. He held it out to Kairi, she looked at him with a surprised expression. "I know its sudden Kairi, but I want you to know how I feel too," he felt awkward standing there but he continued on. "I always look at you Kairi, even when I don't mean to. You're always on my mind, and these last few months its felt like hell, it's like you've been avoiding me. And I'd understand if you said no but I have to ask, or I could never forgive myself. Kairi, will you please share this Paupu fruit with me?"
She gaped at him for a moment and then started laughing. Sora felt his heart sink. This was it, her rejection. But she stood and grabbed both his hands and the Paupu fruit. "You dummy, I had this big embarrassing planned that I practiced with Yuffie just to find out you had the same idea." She reached into her own pocket and produced a Paupu fruit. "I thought it would be a good symbol of my feelings, just like the drawings we have on our hidden cove."
Sora felt himself blush; he'd forgotten he'd drawn himself giving Kairi a Paupu fruit, long before any of this had started. She reached out and grabbed his fruit and placed hers in his hands. Then winked at him. "Before you change your mind." Then she took a bite out of yellow fruit. Sora looked down at the one she'd given him and following her lead, took a bite. He'd eating Paupu before but never one he'd shared. All the others had been too sweet and juicy to really enjoy, but this one was so much better.
The sweetness wasn't too much, it seemed to be just perfect. It had a strange smooth texture that reminded him of a smoothie. The juice wasn't warm but it wasn't cold either, and it made him feel light and happy.
So together they sat on the beach, eating their Paupu, talking and laughing. It couldn't have been better. In ease and comfort they sat enjoying the company of the other. Finally comfortable talking about the future that they wanted together. And neither of them saw the 6 figures walking along the beach, each with a key blade in their hand.