PAIRING: SoRiKai


SHARING GOLDEN STARS


Riku stood on the shore of the smaller island of his home. His long silver hair was blowing lightly with the wind as the waves lapped against the shore at his feet. He breathed in the scent of salt-water ocean. Nothing had changed.

In his hands was the letter from the King. Soon, he and Sora would be leaving again. It had been a while since they had last left, and even though Riku was glad to be home again, he also couldn't wait to leave. Knowing he could always come back here... that he still belonged here even after everything that happened... it was a comfort to him. But there was still so much that he wanted to experience, to see. And he still needed to be strong.

The distant promise from his past, the one he still had told no one about. It still had gone unfulfilled, but, maybe, this was the step toward finally letting it happen, for real. The more he thought about it, the more he couldn't help but to smile. Maybe he wasn't wrong to believe after all.

Tomorrow, they would leave, but, tonight, Kairi had asked them to come to the island one final time. Sora and Riku didn't ask any questions. They regretted having to leave Kairi behind, but, they knew it wasn't going to be long before they would be back again, and then, maybe she could finally join them. She didn't have a Keyblade of her own yet, but, one day she would. Riku even considered training her, but, then they got the letter.

"You're here early."

Riku looked over at the voice. Kairi was standing beside him, her arms folded behind her back as she smiled. They both looked out at the sea in front of them.

"No, you're just late," he replied.

"Hey, it was my idea," she replied, hands now on her hips. "I can't be late if it's my call."

Riku let out a short laugh. "Fair enough."

"Sora's running late," Kairi said, as if knowing what Riku was thinking. "He said he'd try and make it here quickly, but, you know him."

Riku nodded. "Right."

"It's a nice night though," she said, "you want to sit with me?"

"Sure. Paopu tree?"

Kairi nodded. They made their way over to the Paopu Tree, sitting on its trunk. There was a small silence between them as they looked out over the water. It had been the first time they had been alone on the play island in some time. In fact, it was one night in particular when a storm had formed over the islands.

"Riku, what are you doing!?"

"I'm doing what we've been struggling to do, Kairi. I'm going to open the door, and then we can finally leave."

"Riku..."

"It's the only way."

"We have the raft, Riku. You don't need to do this."

"The raft isn't going to work, Kairi. Look around. This world is a prison, surrounded by water. We'd go around in circles before we got anywhere that mattered."

"I can't let you do this. If you open that door, everything is going to disappear!"

"I have to do this. You, me, and Sora. This is what we've been working towards. This is what we've been trying to do for years, Kairi. Beyond that door, is another world."

"Please... Riku... don't."

"I have to."

Kairi looked away from the sea to her friend. Though they hadn't said anything about it, she knew that he, too, was thinking of that night. Had Kairi tried harder; had she tried to help Riku with his darkness when she first knew of it; maybe things would have panned out differently. But she was too afraid.

"I'm sorry," Kairi said, knowing that even though those two words would never make up for how much she let down her friend and herself, that it was all she had. All she could hope was that, in those two simple words, Riku could see the amount of torment she had over it. Riku had started to lose his heart that night, and so did she.

"Me, too," Riku replied quietly.

Kairi placed her hand on Riku's, her eyes still out to sea.

Riku felt the squeeze of her hand, and squeezed back.

And that was all they needed to say.

"Hey guys!" Sora called out.

Kairi and Riku pulled their hands back as they looked over their shoulders to Sora who was running over towards them. He jumped up onto the Paopu Tree, sitting down where their hands previously had been. He shot a childish grin.

"Sorry, I'm late."

"It's alright, you're here now," Kairi said with a smile.

"Why'd you want us to meet up anyway, Kairi?" Sora asked.

"You guys are leaving tomorrow. Again. Who knows how long it will be until I see you guys again."

"We're going to be back before you know it," Sora interrupted.

Kairi didn't object to this, but just gave off a knowing smile and a shake of her head. "I wanted a proper goodbye, until we see each other again. I also wanted to let you guys know... that this is going to be the last time we're separated. Ever."

Sora and Riku exchanged looks.

"I talked to Tidus and the others. Starting tomorrow, I'm going to start training. I know it's just play fighting or whatever, but you guys got pretty good at it, and I want to, too. I'm tired of being left behind, of getting in the way... I want to be able to fight, too." She looked over at Riku. "I want to be able to protect what matters to me, too."

Sora and Riku smiled.

"And," Kairi began. She jumped off of her spot on the tree and faced the two boys. She pulled from her pocket a golden star. "There's this."

"A Paopu fruit?"

Kairi nodded. "We heard about them since we were little kids," she said, twirling the green leaf of the fruit with her finger. "People who share them, their destinies become intertwined, so they are a part of each other's lives no matter what. I remember thinking it was only for romantic stuff, you know, like flowers and whatnot. But, why does it have to be? You two are my best friends. I always want us to be together."

"We want that too, Kairi," Sora said.

She smiled. "I'm glad. So, I propose, we share one. This one. I know it's just a myth or whatever. But, I think I'd feel better if we did."

Sora and Riku nodded. Kairi tore up the fruit into thirds, giving one to each of them. At the same time, they took a bite, swishing the tangy flavour, letting it rest on their tongues before swallowing. They didn't... feel... any different, but maybe it wasn't something you couldn't see or feel—the bonds that connected them.

Kairi finished her piece of the Paopu with a smile on her face. "You guys remember that night? Gosh, it must have been like... ten years ago now. When we all met for the first time, and we made a promise under this same sea of stars?"

"Of course," Riku said, having just finished his own piece.

"Y-yeah," Sora mumbled through his full mouth.

"That's my first real memory here. It's kind of what made me... I don't know. I felt lost until then. But, now I know. This is where I belong. With you guys. Here. Sharing a Paopu fruit."

Sora and Riku got off of the tree, the sand shifting where they landed. Not even needing Kairi to tell them straight out, they stretched out their hands, resting them on top of each other. Kairi laughed before placing her own hand on top of theirs, and, in one loud yell, their friendship rang throughout the world—

"All for one, and one for all!"