Inseparable

by tebrighteyes

Set after COM. SoraxRiku SoraxKairi. The first time Riku fights Roxas things go very differently resulting in a chain reaction of devastating effects. Riku is incapacitated, Kairi discovers her true power, and Sora wakes up to a nearly destroyed world.

10. Remembrance part 2

Chapter 8: Remembrance Part 2

One moment Kairi had been sitting on the beach with Selphie, the next she felt something pulling at her mind. She bit back a cry, lifting her palm to her forehead, tightly shutting her eyes. When she opened them she was nowhere, it was the best way she could describe it. Kairi could see nothing except for white, it was endless, bright, blinding, and closed around her every inch of her like a thick mist. Her vision was blurred and she felt fuzzy as if she wasn't altogether there, yet she knew this wasn't a dream.

There was no sound or feeling in this place, everything was deadly still and Kairi felt her stomach lurch into her throat, feeling as if she was standing on air. She took a deep breath, clenching her hands together and steadying herself, walking unwaveringly forward. "Hello! Is anyone there!?" Her words echoed and come back to her, bouncing off non-existent walls.

"Kairi?" The redhead heard her name spoken in a voice that was barely there, soft and musical like a whispered breeze. Kairi ran toward it, knowing she needed to find whoever had said her name. She stumbled determinedly and blindly through the sea of white, not knowing which direction to go but it didn't matter, there was something from within her, guiding her. It wasn't long until she found a girl kneeled in the vast array of nothingness. Kairi forced herself to come to a stop, breathing hard.

The girl seemed as if she almost belonged here. She looked frail, skin pale, hair a muted shade of blonde, and she was wearing all white. Slowly, she stood and Kairi met her distant blue eyes, instantly feeling something between them, something that bounded them together and ran so deep Kairi couldn't see the end of it. An invisible thread was pulling her toward the girl and Kairi felt a piercing sense of familiarity even though she knew she'd never seen the blonde in her life.

Kairi felt whole standing in front of her when she didn't even realize she'd been so empty. The redhead was waiting for the boy to replace the whole in her heart but somehow this girl was able to fill a piece of it just from being near. Kairi could tell there was much more to her then at first glance, sensed something haunting, an ethereal aura that surrounded the blonde, secrets and answers to questions that ran behind her blue gaze that Kairi couldn't quite comprehend yet. Distantly, Kairi was reminded of her dream with Riku but without the fear, still it made her leery. "Who are you?"

"My name is Naminé" The girl said calmly. "And I'm you or at least a part of you."

Kairi frowned, blinking in confusion. "You're apart of me? How is that possible?"

Naminé shook her head. "That's not important right now."

"Then what is important?"

Naminé didn't answer right away, studying Kairi's face as if she was trying to remember, every line, every curve. "Kairi there's so much to tell you…and I've wanted…I've wanted so long to meet you." Naminé took a step forward, her expression almost desperate.

Kairi couldn't help it, she flinched but stood her ground.

There was a dejected look in Naminé's eyes but she didn't try to move closer. "Kairi I'm the reason why you or any of the others can't remember him. It's because of me you've gone through so much. I want you to know I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

"The boy?" Kairi asked frantically "Are you talking about the boy?"

Naminé nodded slowly. "Yes"

"Then his name, can you tell me his name? I've tried so hard to remember it."

"Eventually it will come back to you but only when he is complete."

"Complete? How long will that take?"

"I'm not sure, so many things have happened and it's complicated but I can-"

Kairi hastily cut Naminé off, forming her hands into fists, knuckles turning white, tears of frustration forming in her eyes, her voice desperate, just on the verge of breaking. "Listen I don't care what happened or how you know him. None of that matters to me. I just want a name. Please just tell me his name!"

Naminé swallowed, moving forward again and Kairi watched her every step, expression unsure and guarded but not flinching again even when Naminé was standing directly in front of her, didn't move when the blonde lifted an arm, placing her opened palm on Kairi's shoulder.

It felt right somehow, the two of them together like this. Naminé breathed in sharply but it sounded more like a choked gasp and Kairi snapped her head forward, looking into Naminé's face, seeing her eyes shining with so many things the redhead couldn't identify but there was hope, pain, and strength even if the rest of her face was void, unmoving, and dead, making Kairi hold back a shiver. Naminé looked ready to fall, ready to break, as if she was created from a dream, destined for a cruel fate with nothing holding her together but her own will. It made Kairi wonder how much of her own life was missing, what was supposed to fill the blank spaces in her mind, how much had happened she hadn't been aware of, what the blonde in front of her had gone through. "Naminé…"

Naminé didn't answer but let her fingers curl gently around Kairi's shoulder. Kairi felt the tension leave her body, her hands becoming limp at her sides and raised an arm, covering Naminé's hand with her own. Naminé jerked, startled but smiled slightly and Kairi turned their hands, interlacing their fingers, suddenly not wanting the other to disappear and afraid she would. "I've been so lost for so long" Kairi whispered. "And you are too aren't you?"

Naminé shook her head. "No, I was once but I'm not now, not anymore and you don't have to be either because I can…I can give them back to you."

Kairi had no idea what Naminé was talking about but felt excitement run through her blood, her heart throb with cold anticipation. "Give what back?"

"You want his name" Naminé said softly. "But I can give you more then that. I can give you back your memories. It's not much but at least now you'll know who you're waiting for."

Kairi felt hot tears rush to her eyes and placed her free hand to her mouth. It was all she could do to keep standing, to not break down and cry until there was nothing left. She held back the sobs in her throat, forcing herself to speak. "It's everything."

The corners of Naminé's mouth twitched upward, offering Kairi one last smile. "I think that someday we'll meet in the real world."

Kairi didn't know how to reply, wanted to say something but Naminé had closed her eyes and turned her head away, body tensing in deep focus, mouthing something that Kairi was barely able to make out.

His

There was a warmth, a connection between their joined hands that flowed through Kairi, gentle and alluring but as much at it soothed her, it was sharp, like tiny shards of glass cutting into her soul and unlocking her mind but Kairi didn't pull away, only grasped Naminé's hand tighter. Everything started to fade, becoming blurred. Flashes of white light danced all around her, covered every inch of her skin. She closed her eyes but even then it flickered behind her eyelids, blinding and burning. Kairi wasn't sure if she was standing anymore, everything was falling, spinning until she was the only thing left. She couldn't even feel Naminé anymore. Memories played before her, voices, sounds, feelings that only laid half-forgotten and in the middle of it all there was a boy with blue eyes and spiky brown hair.

She'd been building a castle on the beach, seeing its foreboding and shadowy yet dazzling form in a dream. She spent nearly the whole day on it, trying to get every edge just right but the sand wouldn't stay how she wanted it to and the castle came out lopsided, not looking like anything from her dream. That was when she first met him. He saw the castle, seeming interested, helped her to finish it, even if all he did was scatter the sand further, ruining most of her hard work. She hadn't really cared, but he looked so sorry that she had to laugh. He smiled at her, took her hand, ran to introduce her to Riku and everyone else, had said he and Riku were board and heard about how she came to the island on the night of the meteor shower so they decided to seek her out but now he found her first. She was mysterious to him, someone new to play with.

They were friends ever since, hardly even apart. He was always there for her, laughing, caring, strong, adventurous, a little naive, and so many other things. She would never be able to voice them all. He showed her the island, made her feel as if she belonged, watched sunsets with her, dreamed with her, took her to the Secret Place, where they drew pictures on the walls of themselves sharing a paopu fruit, promising to stay together forever. She told him to never change.

Name

They built a raft to go to other worlds. He wanted to see them all, find her real home. To Kairi, Destiny Islands was home and would always be. It was where her friends were, her first memories, where she was happy but a part of her wanted to find what was out there, know her past, where she came from, and no matter what happened she knew they would always have Destiny Islands to come back to. Then the night before they set sail the storm came. She ran from her home and through the dark to the Secret Place, knowing for some reason she needed to get there, felt something calling her. Wind whipped through her hair, thunder crashed behind her, but she didn't so much as take a breath until she reached it.

She felt alone, lost, afraid, and stood before the locked door, not knowing where to turn, wishing he was beside her. Everything felt off, distorted like she was underwater and all she could do was stand in front of the door and wait for something, anything, the unknown, but he came for her like he always did, standing at the entrance, calling out to her. She answered him, saying his name but her body was heavy, her throat thick and it came out breathless and forced.

Then the locked door he, Riku, and herself had spent so many days trying to open flew outward. She was engulfed in wind, could feel a heavy pressure in her chest, realized she was losing her heart, gave it to him with her last thought, she trusted him with it, with her life, and now in a small way she would still be with him, wherever he went. Then there was nothing but darkness so thick she felt as she was suffocating in it. She couldn't scream, couldn't move, not even to blink, and it was endless but once again, he managed to find her, breaking through the darkness by stabbing himself through the heart, to restore hers', to call her back.

Is

She woke up to see him disappearing before her eyes in a wave of golden sparkles. She called his name and ran forward, arms outstretched to catch him. He vanished completely the second she made it to him, her hand passing through air. Everything happened so fast after that. She was in some cold and foreboding place she didn't recognize, didn't even know why she was there but his friends were there who she learned later to be Donald and Goofy and so was Riku, but they were all in danger and Riku was being held back by someone, something, screaming for them to run.

She followed Donald and Goofy, there wasn't any chance to look back. They were soon surrounded by heartless and that was when she found him, recognized him when no one else did even through the claws, deformed body, midnight skin, and vacant yellow eyes. She protected him, used her own body as a shield against the heartless, and brought him back from the darkness like he'd done for her. He had held her in his arms, thanked her. She was his light when everything else went out and he was hers'.

Later when everything had slowed down, when they were back at Traverse Town, and she had time to understand what was going on, he told her he needed to stop Ansem, to get Riku back. She'd wanted to stay with him because they were stronger together, always had been. If he had to defeat Ansem, she could help if only he'd give her chance but he only smiled nervously at her, laughing if off, and racked a hand through his hair. "You'd kind of be in my way Kairi."

So she told him she would always be with him and gave him her charm. It was the best thing she could do at the time. "Take this. It's my lucky charm. Be sure to bring it back to me."

He promised he would.

He'd won, restored Destiny Islands, but Riku was still gone, still in danger and so was Donald's and Goofy's king so his journey wasn't over yet. It felt like as soon they'd found each other he had to leave again but for him, there wasn't a choice and at the time it was impossible for her to stay with him. He had ran to her, taking her hand, as they stood on two separate worlds, told her he would always be with her too. His path led to adventure, new worlds, new friends, more enemies, more battles, and hers' led back home. She could have been happy to go back, she found out what she was, a princess of heart. She'd seen where came from, Hollow Bastion, even if it was falling apart at the time and it was only a brief glimpse, but still she saw it and for her that was enough, but to go back to Destiny Islands alone, without him was unimaginable, not after everything that had happened, not before she even had a chance to prove herself.

Their hands were tightly connected, her grip slipping as she was being pulled away and her arm straining from fighting to hold on, the space between them growing further and further apart and eventually she was forced to let go.

"I'll come back to you!" He called out in desperation.

Her reply echoed through her head. "I know you will!"

She watched as he still reached out to her, watched until he was out of sight and all around her Destiny Islands was coming back to itself, land reforming, palm trees springing up from the sand and the sky was dark but streaked with banners of purple and blue light and a wave of never ending stars. Everything was glowing, beautiful, and falling at the same time like snow set on fire. She opened her hands, letting the fragments of light fall onto her fingers, they were warm, wispy, hardly there. She'd closed her eyes and smiled.

He was the chosen one, the keyblade master, savior of the worlds, her friend, but his name… His name is…

"So-ra" Kairi mouthed, voicelessly through dry and slightly parted lips.

"Kairi! Kairi! Kairi!"

Kairi was lying on the sand, could feel Selphie's fingers digging into her upper arms from where the other girl was kneeled beside her, shaking her, voice panicked. "Kairi, please answer me!"

Kairi shot up nearly knocking their heads together, making Selphie fall backwards with a small shout of surprise. The redhead blinked placing a hand to her forehead, moving her hair away from her face, everything still feeling vaguely muddled. "Selphie?"

Selphie was back beside her in an instant, helping her to brush the sand from her shoulder. "Kairi are you okay? You just collapsed and I couldn't wake you up I was so afraid. I didn't know what to do."

Selphie was visibly shaking, biting her lower lip, looking as if she was on the verge of tears. Kairi shifted her eyes so she wasn't looking directly at Selphie's face, feeling her guilt return. "It's alright Selphie, I'm okay." She tried to say reassuringly.

Selphie used the back of her arm to wipe at her eyes. "Are-are you sure? "

"I'm sure."

Selphie leaned forward on her knees, peering at Kairi anxiously, as if judging for herself, before waving a hand in front of the redhead's eyes. "What happened? Are you feeling sick?"

"No…I'm fine I…" Kairi replied automatically as she batted Selphie's hand away but trailed off, as everything that had just happened came rushing back to her. She'd been trapped somewhere, inside her own mind, another reality, she wasn't sure but it had been real, as real as anything. Kairi could still feel her hands shaking, her stomach up in the air, and there had been a strange girl with long blonde hair and haunting eyes that she felt like she should know somehow but didn't. The girl had said her name was Naminé, had said that she was apart of her and Naminé had given her back her memories, told her the boy's name. His name is…

"Sora" Kairi whispered.

Selphie blinked. "What?"

Kairi eyes widened, pure joy rushing through her every nerve and she smiled genuinely, wanting to laugh, scream, and cry all at the same time. "Sora" She repeated more firmly.

Selphie frowned. "I'm not sure I'm following you."

Kairi didn't reply, her smile broadening as she launched herself at Selphie with a shriek, wrapping her arms around the other girl's shoulders and knocking them both into the sand.

Selphie awkwardly patted the redhead's back. "Kairi what?"

Kairi was already moving away, standing, and spreading her arms out, spinning on her heel. "That boy. The boy I've been waiting for his name is Sora."

"Sora" Selphie repeated, sitting up and looking as if she was thinking it over and then just shrugged.

"Sora, Sora, Sora" Kairi chanted, still spinning, now that she remembered the name wanting to say it almost endlessly. She wondered how she ever could have forgotten, all Sora had done to rescue her, everything they saw and went through together, all the times they'd spoken, played, explored, built sandcastles, drew pictures, she'd forgotten it all.

"And I remember" Kairi said tightly. "I remember everything" Kairi pointed out to sea. "Sora, Riku, and I used to swim out there. Sora and Riku always tried to see who could go out the furthest, and we would race in the sand, and lean against the paopu tree, and sometimes sleep out in the Secret Place, just the three of us. We were going to build a raft to see other worlds. It was Riku's idea but then the storm came, Destiny Islands disappeared and we were all separated…I lost my heart."

Kairi glanced at Selphie to see her friend looking at her oddly. Kairi didn't care much about what Selphie thought of all of this, was just glad to be telling it to someone, anyone, and quickly continued but soon found she couldn't stop herself. "And then there were a lot of things that happened, danger, keyblades, and fighting with Sora and Riku in the middle of it all. But Sora saved me, gave me back my heart and brought back Destiny Islands but he had to go look for Riku who is still out there but he promised he'd come back to me."

Selphie opened her mouth, then seemed to think better of it and closed it before opening it again, finally settling on "What's a keyblade?"

Kairi turned to Selphie, running a hand through her hair nervously. "Well…it's a giant key that Sora fights the heartless with which are these creatures that steal hearts but…anyway the keyblade can undo any lock and Sora can use it to open new worlds and seal them because he's the keyblade master."

"Okay…" Selphie said, scrunching her eyes in confusion. "You're really sure you're alright because I think maybe you hit your head when you fell."

"Hey! Wait!" Kairi shouted in building excitement, completely disregarding Selphie. "That's right! We saw other worlds. I found out where I came from."

"You did really?" Selphie asked, her confusion partially replaced with mild interest. Kairi was always somewhat of a mystery on the island, arriving on the night of the meteor shower and not knowing anything of her past and just about everyone had discussed where she actually came from at least at one point or another. "Where?"

"Hollow Bastion" Kairi said with a smile. "I'm a princess."

"You're a princess?" Selphie asked skeptically.

"Or it's more like I'm a princess of heart and there's seven of us all together and we were all used in this plot to open Kingdom Hearts which is what everyone's basically after since Kingdome Hearts is like the ultimate power and it's the source of almost everything including all hearts, worlds, and the heatless so Sora had to…" Kairi trailed off when she realized she'd lost Selphie again and the other girl was staring blankly up at her. "You know I think that's enough of the story for now."

"Hang on" Selphie said as she held up a hand. "Let me get this straight. Riku and Sora or whatever his name is, are in other worlds and Sora is out looking for him and because he's the keyblade master he opens new worlds to fight these creature things called heartless, using a giant key so he can get to Kingdom Hearts and get ultimate power, which he needs you to get to in the first place since you're a princess of heart but you lost your heart so technically you should be dead. Although, Sora rescued you and somehow you magically got back here to Destiny Islands which according to you disappeared but…wait Sora restored that too." Selphie finished panting slightly.

"Umm…no not quite…" Kairi said, shifting a foot through the sand, her eyes shinning with distant humor. "But it's a start!"

Selphie let her shoulders slump and groaned. "I'm so lost…that really sounds like…" Selphie paused, trying to find the right words but came up empty. "Some adventure" She drawled.

"And it all happened."

Selphie clutched her shoulders, hunching forward, breaking out into giggles. "Someone's been daydreaming again."

"I'm serious" Kairi shot back defensively.

Selphie only laughed harder, looking up through half lidded eyes. "Right…Where do you come up with this stuff?"

Kairi lifted a hand to her mouth, stifling her own laughter as she collapsed back on the sand beside Selphie somewhat winded. "It really doesn't matter much. Does it? Since you don't believe me."

"Whatever you say princess."

Kairi snorted, leaning back on her elbows, meeting Selphie's eyes. "Seriously, though the name Sora doesn't sound familiar to you at all?"

Selphie shrugged, looking vaguely apologetic. "Sorry Kairi, it doesn't ring any bells."

"That's okay."

"But I'm glad you remembered his name" Selphie said cheerfully, shifting so she was sitting cross legged and letting her hands fall into her lap. "And hey if he promised to come back to you then he has to right?"

"I thought you didn't believe me."

"Maybe I believe some parts."

Kairi gave Selphie a half amused and half serious look and nodded solemnly. "We'll see each other again."

The two girls lapsed back into easy silence before Selphie lifted the back of her hand to her forehead and moaned. "Oh man jeez I forgot."

"What's wrong?" Kairi asked, slightly concerned.

"Nothing really, I was just supposed to be making this banner for the blitzball game and I just remember it. I've barely even started on it yet but you know me. I can be such an airhead sometimes."

"Oh"

Selphie picked herself up, straightening her dress. "I'm sorry Kairi but I really need to go."

Kairi sat up fully, her elbow digging into her leg as she rested her chin in the palm of her hand, staring at the swelling waves. "Alright."

"You gonna be okay?"

Kairi turned her head, meeting Selphie's downcast expression and forced a smile. "Selphie it's alright really, go ahead. I'll be fine."

"O-okay then" Selphie said as she turned to leave a bit hesitantly. "I'll see you around right?"

"Sure."

Selphie only took a couple of steps before she paused and glanced back over at Kairi. "Are you sure you don't want to go?"

"What?"

"To the blitzball game I mean. Are you sure you don't want to go?"

Kairi studied Selphie, the brown haired girl had clasped her hands behind her back and was leaning forward slightly, smiling expectantly, her eyes a mixture of hope and worry, sparkling with life. Selphie was her friend, always had been and Kairi had been distancing herself from her, from everyone and for the first time Kairi felt as if she was missing something. There were so many little things she didn't know about her friend's lives, so much time she could have spent with them but didn't. For so long, seeing Sora again was really the only thing that mattered to her but without Sora, without the keyblade master, they were all at great risk on this island. The darkness would come, it was even written in the sky and Kairi could sense it like a bomb waiting to go off.

Kairi didn't know how much longer she would have left with Selphie, Wakka, and Tidus, how many days until everything crashed, until it was too late. Selphie's figure suddenly became blurred in front of her as if sweltering with heat. Then flames appeared, growing rapidly, dancing around Selphie's head, scorching her skin, burning through her eyes. Kairi was reminded of paper, of a picture, the corners curling into themselves, shriveling with a low whine until there was nothing left but black ashes.

"Kairi?"

Kairi jolted, instantly coming out of her trance, shaking the image away. She'd just seen something, a vision, a premonition maybe. "Huh?"

Selphie sighed and crossed her arms. "There you go zoning out again. Hello, blitzball game?"

"I'll go with you Selphie." Kairi replied without thinking.

"Oh well…Maybe you can come to the next…" Selphie stopped short and smiled widely. "Hey wait a minute you just said yes!"

Kairi nodded

Selphie made a sound between a squeal and a shriek and raced over toward Kairi, grabbing her forearms and pulling her to her feet. "Oh wow Kairi you won't regret it. We're going to have so much fun!" Selphie was on her toes, nearly jumping off her feet, spinning them around in a circle.

"Okay, okay," Kairi said with a small laugh as she pulled out of her friend's over energetic grip. "Calm down it's just a blitzball game." Kairi paused then added. "At school."

"But you're going to be there!" Selphie said eagerly. "And it's not just some school event it's for the championship. Tidus and Wakka will be so glad you're there. I can't wait to see their faces! Oh and just wait until you see Tidus play."

"Wow Selphie if I only knew this is all it took to make you happy I-"

"Aww don't worry about it." Selphie said quickly, cutting Kairi off with a wave of her arm. "And we have to be there really early tonight because it's going to be really crowded and we want to make sure we get good seats."

"How early?" Kairi asked nervously.

"Ummm, I don't know lets say we meet in front of the stadium at six."

"Six? Isn't that an hour before the thing actually starts?"

"Yeah, but like I said it's going to be really crowded so we'll be glad we went early and how are Tidus and Wakka going to see us if we end up sitting in back?"

Kairi wanted to point out that Tidus and Wakka would probably be more focused on the game then on them but she didn't think that would have much of an impact on Selphie. "Okay" Kairi said weakly instead. "Six it is."

"And you can't back out" Selphie mock glared. "You said you'd come so you have to be there."

"I promise I'll be there" Kairi replied definitely. "Six in front of the stadium. Got it."

Selphie pursed her lips, seeming to think it over for a moment before looking satisfied. "Alright, I'll see you then" She said brightly, before running down the shoreline. "But I really do have stuff to do." Selphie called from over her shoulder, then stopped and waved. "Don't forget!"

"I won't" Kairi shouted back.

Selphie nodded, taking off at a run again and Kairi watched until she was out of sight.

Kairi sighed, looking back out to sea. She'd just gotten her life back, her memories, She'd just gotten Sora back. She had renewed hope, a reason to keep moving forward and she felt happier then what she knew was possible. Kairi glanced up to the sky, thinking of Sora. She could picture him clearly, the haze completely gone, could see him and herself playing in the surf, splashing each other and she blinked back the sudden hot tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.

Then the icy horror ran through her whole body as her vision of Selphie burning came back to her, playing through her mind like a picture show and Kairi felt both fear and determination roll inside of her, her doubt from earlier completely gone and Kairi knew whatever happened now she'd face, would survive, because she had little choice and Sora was with her again just like he promised he'd always be, his memory once more safe inside her heart.

Kairi had Naminé to thank for that, the cause of her memories being taken, of them being restored. Kairi felt a longing in her heart as soon as Naminé's name entered her mind and the strange and abrupt desire to see her. Kairi closed her eyes, finding that if she concentrated she could nearly feel Naminé's presence, hear her soft voice. Kairi glanced up at the fractured sky, the building storm. "I think you're right Naminé" She whispered longingly. "Maybe someday we will meet in the real world."

0o0o0o0

Roxas opened his eyes in sync with Naminé's, blinking hazily still feeling her hand on top of his. They stared at each other without moving, neither one wanting to break the silent understanding, the twisting bond flowing between them. Roxas swallowed heavily. "What was that?"

Naminé smiled softly. "I think we just found Kairi."

"She really is okay then" Roxas confirmed with faint relief.

"She's okay."

Roxas flexed his hand uncomfortably underneath Naminé's but didn't try to take it back. "But, what happened? I still don't…understand."

"Maybe it's not important if we understand or not. We found her right? That's what matters."

"I guess…" Roxas agreed reluctantly but he still wanted more of an explanation and it crossed his mind that DIZ probably would have had a ready one so there had to be more Naminé could tell him. "How did you know?"

"I didn't. I just knew I needed too, like I could feel something telling me what would happen and since you were with me, the opportunity was there. I couldn't pass it up."

"Because of what you said right?" Roxas questioned neutrally. "Sora's and Kairi's hearts are connected?"

"That's part of it." Naminé looked downward toward the bench and Roxas had a feeling she was choosing her next words carefully. Naminé breathed in deeply before staring back up at him. "And I wanted it so badly because I don't like seeing you in pain like that so I knew I had to make it work." She stiffened expectantly. "Do you feel better that we found her?"

Roxas did, now that he allowed himself to think about it, now that along with Naminé he'd felt Kairi's presence for himself. The irritation and worry from earlier was gone and he felt lighter somehow like part of a shadowy fog had been lifted. "Yeah."

Naminé's eyes visibly brightened. "I'm glad."

Roxas leaned forward, his hand shifting until he could feel the tips of Naminé's fingers against his wrist. "Thanks." He whispered.

Naminé made no attempt to move away and locked her eyes with his. "Of course Roxas, I'd do anything to help you."

Roxas scowled, feeling his natural defensiveness return, instantly searching for an alternative motive to Naminé's words. There should be no reason why Naminé wanted to help him, or to even speak to him. He'd done nothing for her, expect to push her away "Why?" He snapped. "You don't even know me."

"I know enough." Naminé replied unshakably.

"Which is?"

"You're you."

Roxas felt his doubt immediately fade. That was something he'd always wanted to hear. You're you not Sora. Roxas didn't reply, didn't know what to say or how to even express what that meant to him but soon realized he didn't need too, since Naminé seemed to sense it and he could see the faint rise of her lips, her hand very slightly tightening on his. They were close but he wanted to move closer, just glad she was there.

"Hey Roxas!"

Naminé and Roxas quickly jerked apart at the sound of Hayner's voice. Roxas picked his head up, surprised he hadn't even heard his friend approach and seeing Hayner was only standing a few feet in front of them with his arms crossed.

"Hi" Roxas greeted.

Hayner didn't answer, his eyes on Naminé before he turned his head toward Roxas and grinned. "Who's the girl?"

"Right ummm" Roxas said, seeming lost, glancing toward Naminé . "This is…Naminé, isn't that what you said your name was?"

"It's Naminé" The blonde stated without emotion, looking away from both of them and Roxas wasn't sure if it was because she probably hadn't had much contact with others over the last few months or because he was suddenly acting like he just met her which really wasn't that far from the truth.

Hayner focused his attention back on Naminé, pointing a finger at Roxas. "Hi Naminé. I'm Hayner, this guy's friend."

Roxas decided Naminé wasn't nervous when she smiled evenly up at Hayner. "It's nice to meet you."

"Same here" Hayner replied, a little over friendly. "I don't think I've ever seen you around before."

"She's not from Twilight Town." Roxas cut in quickly.

"Really?" Hayner asked curiously, raising an eyebrow. "Where are you from?"

Naminé lifted a finger to her lips in thought. "Far away" She answered after a moment "You probably wouldn't know of it."

Roxas was trying to come up with another answer in case, Hayner decided to press the issue but luckily, Hayner just seemed to lose interest. "Sure, fine" He shrugged, "Anyway Roxas, I was board and you weren't at home so I was passing through and saw you over here and thought I'd ask if you wanted to go hit the arcade or something…but since I see you're busy I'll catch you later tonight for the movie." Hayner started to walk away, waving a hand dismissively, grin broadening. "Unless you decide not to show up, then I'll completely understand and I'll let Pence and Olette know. So see ya."

"No, wait!" Roxas called.

Hayner craned his neck around. "What is it?"

"It's not like that! You don't need to leave, Naminé and I just met a little while ago and started talking but she's only going to be in Twilight Town for the day and she can only stay here a few minutes because she's visiting her sick…" Roxas trailed off, looking at Naminé for help, silently pleading for her to go along with it.

"Cousin" Naminé said at the same time Roxas said "Aunt."

Hayner blinked. "What?"

"My cousin's aunt" Naminé confirmed.

"Of course your cousin's aunt. Why didn't I think of that?" Hayner replied sarcastically. "So Naminé, I've been in Twilight Town all my life anyone I would know of?"

Naminé shook her head, trying to think of an unfamiliar name. "No, you wouldn't know…Aerith-"

"Larxene!"

Hayner didn't look like he knew if he wanted to laugh or just stare in confusion. "You two have got to stop doing that…wait who?"

"Aerith Larxene." Naminé supplied happily, as Roxas placed a hand to his forehead, shutting his eyes in frustration.

"That's-" Hayner started to say.

"It's not her real name." Naminé interjected, face serious but her voice brimming with fake sadness. "You see it's very tragic, she has multiple personality disorder. The family likes to keep her a secret."

Roxas nearly choked on his laughter, instead settling on coughing to cover it up. "Right" Roxas forced out in between breaths. "Isn't that what you told me Naminé? One moment she wants to bake you cookies and next she's talking to her own personal collection of knives?"

"That sounds dangerous…" Hayner said dryly.

Naminé nodded, tapping the side of her head. "Yes, she's a little insane."

Roxas continued to cough.

Hayner gave his friend an odd look. "Roxas are you okay?"

"Fine!"

Naminé lost her straight face, breaking out into laughter and Roxas soon followed her.

Hayner scowled, obliviously realizing he was left out on the joke. "Something tells me I don't even want to know."

Roxas picked his head up. "You're probably right." Then motioned to Naminé. "Hayner can you give me a minute and I'll catch up with you okay?"

"Sure, I'll be waiting over there." Hayner pointed to some random shop a fair distance away. "Let me know when you two figure out whatever it is and you don't have to rush because of me or anything." While leaving he smirked at Roxas over his shoulder. "Take your time and maybe I'll see you again Naminé."

"Alright, maybe."

All traces of laughter were gone as soon as Hayner was out of earshot, Naminé speaking instantly. "You don't want me around your friends, you don't want them to know about me" She didn't sound hurt at all only interested.

Roxas uncomfortably brought his foot up on the bench, resting an arm on his knee. "It's not that but if they see us together or get to know you then they'll start asking questions and I don't want to lie to them more then I already have."

"Like we just did?"

"That doesn't count since no one would actually believe it."

"But there's something more, isn't there? Another reason why besides the lying."

Roxas sighed, it was true and he couldn't deny that especially from Naminé. "There's more."

Naminé waited because it looked liked Roxas was about to say something else but she soon realized he wasn't going to and she didn't try to question him further. "Hayner seems nice. What you have with your friends is something I've always wanted but I've never been able to keep for long. I used to imagine what it would be like all the time." Naminé looked wistfully in front of her without seeing anything. "I'm happy for you. It must be nice."

"It is" Roxas answered but there wasn't anything behind the words.

Naminé tilted her head, searching Roxas's face, not understanding why he was suddenly being so distant from her. "I feel like I've done something wrong."

"You haven't."

"Then what is it?"

Roxas stood up from the bench. "Nothing, I have to leave."

"Roxas I didn't mean to intrude on anything." Naminé folded her arms tightly over her sketchbook, eyes desperate but her face and voice empty "I'm-I'm sorry."

Roxas turned his back to her, not sure, if he could look at her any longer, his fingers trailing over the seat of the bench until his hand traveled up the black metal armrest, gripping it tightly. He felt the fractured feeling of remorse rise in his stomach, knowing mostly Naminé shouldn't have been the one apologizing. "I already said it's not you."

"Alright" Naminé said quietly. "But just know the time, the time you have left with your friends, hang on to it while you can."

"I intend too," Roxas snapped out of what Naminé had just implied and his own tension, spinning to face her.

Naminé didn't move, waiting. Her calm reaction, making Roxas feel drained, his face turning expressionless and his eyes dulling when he met Naminé's shallow blue, his voice softening. "There's something I need to tell you first, why I sent Hayner ahead, the other reason why."

"You can tell me."

"It's hard to say. I don't even know if I want too."

Naminé continued to look at him but Roxas remained stonily silent and Naminé decided to break it. "Roxas-"

"Naminé."

Just like that, everything between them was fine again, lighter somehow and Naminé had to bite her lip to stifle a giggle. Roxas just snorted. "Hayner's right we've really got to stop doing that." Then added offhandedly. "You go first."

"Umm alright." Naminé said, appearing vaguely startled and nervous. "I really like spending time with you and I was hoping that maybe we could do it again sometime."

Roxas's face changed to indifference almost distant anger and he closed his eyes. "I should have gone first" He reopened his eyes, his hand curling tighter around the armrest. "The other reason, when I'm around you I start to feel things, remember things that I don't want to think about. It's like you bring everything back before what I am now, before I was Roxas and I want to stay as far away from that as possible, so it's not really you but I don't think we should speak to each other again for awhile."

Naminé looked back out in front of her. "I thought it would be something like that."

"I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine." Naminé said hastily and emotionlessly, clutching her hands together in her lap and leaning forward, hair tumbling across her cheeks. "It's fine." She repeated as if trying to convince herself. "I understand, I really do. It was a bad idea anyway. I'll be fine."

Roxas nodded, turned away again, about to leave but glanced back. Naminé looked so small, alone, lost and he knew he needed to say something to her. "You don't need me."

Naminé jerked her head up, eyes distant but completely focused on Roxas as he walked back over to her almost eagerly, kneeling before her so they were eye level, hesitantly moving a hand to cover her wrist. "You never did."

"Life" Roxas continued assuredly. "I used to think it was just something endless and void, that was draining and could swallow you whole but then I broke free from the organization, made my own path, met Hayner, Pence, and Olette, and I realized it's not so bad. For the first time I feel like I could actually have a future and maybe next year if I'm still here I could even try that school thing Olette's been bugging me about."

"In other words." Naminé said amusedly, uncurling her hands from her lap. "You're telling me to get out more."

"That's the thing you have to be willing to go for it, to take the risk even if it means having the organization out for your blood but it's better then the alternative of never knowing, you have to be willing to fight for it, search for it. I've learned that. You told me yourself, to solve something you need to act."

Then Roxas smiled at her, really smiled and it wasn't lost on Naminé how his entire face lit up, how his eyes seemed to glow and Naminé had to wonder if anyone else had been the recipient of it. Even if Roxas told her, he didn't want to speak for a while with after what he just said Naminé felt oddly happy and she couldn't help smiling back. "Alright, I'll get out more if you smile more."

Roxas bit back a laugh, moving his hand from her wrist and tapping his knuckles against her knee. "In the famous words of Luxord, it's a deal."

Naminé leaned her head towards his, eyes shinning, smiling softly. "I'll see you later then."

"Until that time." Roxas agreed, moving away from her, standing up, and walking toward the shop Hayner had pointed out, wanting to put as much distance away from himself and Naminé as he could before he had the chance to turn back. It was all he wanted to do, turn back to her but he kept his eyes focused ahead, knew if he saw her sitting alone once more he might follow through with it and Naminé's presence alone was a threat to his life here, he couldn't risk it, couldn't risk her.

He pushed her from his mind, it was harder then he expected, harder to walk away. He never had problems with it before and didn't understand why it should be any different now but with Naminé it was. Roxas nearly gritted his teeth at the realization, making him walk faster, feeling as if he failed at something. He wasn't one to allow emotion to get in the way of anything, it was usually easy when he wasn't supposed to have it in the first place and he told himself he was only feeling shaky because of his dream earlier and finding out about Kairi, nothing more.

Roxas soon found Hayner, his friend's hand pressed to the shop window, staring at a green lava lamp.

"So let's go" Roxas said coolly, stalking past Hayner.

"Huh?" Hayner jolted, startled and then on seeing Roxas quickly raced to catch up with him so they were walking nearly shoulder to shoulder. "Oh right." He grinned, turning on his heel so he was walking backwards and Roxas assumed he was eyeing Naminé. "Cute girl, wait until I tell Olette about this."

"No, don't," Roxas groaned. "Or I'll never hear the end of it."

"Relax, I wasn't really going too, anyway did you get her number?"

Roxas narrowed his eyes slightly in annoyance. "Somehow I don't think that would do much good."

"Why not?"

"She's only in Twilight Town for the day remember? Besides she doesn't have a phone."

"How do you know?"

"I asked."

"I think you're passing up on something, you two looked really close when I walked up on you." Hayner leered, lowering his voice. "She probably likes you."

Roxas sighed, joining Hayner in walking backwards, seeing if he could still see Naminé. It was hard since she'd grown distant and other people kept getting in the way but he could just make her out, hunched over her sketchbook, scribbling something down. "That doesn't make any difference."

Hayner shrugged. "Well you could have stayed with her or asked her to come hang out with us. You didn't have to ditch her like that."

"She had things to do." Roxas said, turning around.

"Right" Hayner rolled his eyes, sliding his hands into his pockets, shifting to walk frontward with Roxas. "The sick aunt's cousin or whatever."

"You're just girl crazy." Roxas replied, trying to focus Hayner's attention away from Naminé.

"I'm fifteen," Hayner said as if he'd just solved everything in the world, then after a quick pause added. "Over half way to sixteen. What do you expect? You're just antisocial."

"Which makes you hypocritical." Roxas countered easily.

Hayner chuckled, about to reply when he heard someone running, shouting at them. "Hey kid! Wait up!"

Hayner and Roxas paused glancing behind them, seeing a lanky man with his arm raised, trying to maneuver his way through a maze of shops and people. He reached them shortly, nearly doubling over, placing his hands on his knees, breathing hard. "Good" He wheezed. "For a minute there I didn't think I'd catch you in time."

Hayner looked completely dumbfounded but with vague amusement, Roxas noticed it was the ice cream man from earlier. "You gave me too much munny." The man blurted, taking out several coins, handing them to Roxas before the blonde had a chance to say anything. "1,000 to be exact."

"Wait I-"

The man laughed good naturedly, clapping Roxas on the back. "Can't have one of my most valued customers, getting away with that."

Roxas gave up, not that he really cared. "Thanks."

"No problem, just glad I realized it and caught you but I really do have to be getting back to my store." He headed away giving a parting wave to Roxas. "Make sure to double check your munny next time!"

With the man soon out of sight, Hayner lost his stunned look, rounding on Roxas. "What was that about?"

"The ice cream guy." Roxas replied blankly. "I bought some sea salt ice cream earlier."

"How the heck do you give the ice cream guy 1,000 munny?!"

"But I didn't I-" Roxas quickly scanned the area behind him, squinting to where Naminé had been, finding the bench completely empty.

Hayner followed Roxas's line of sight. "Hey, that girl's gone."

"Yeah, she does that."

"Does what? Disappears randomly?"

"Something like that." Roxas said smoothly with a smile in his voice, one thing he did have to admit was Naminé could be unpredictable.

"Huh, weird."

Roxas ignored Hayner, taking out his munny bag and adding the coins, before starting to walk forward again, repeatedly tossing it high into the air. "It's not 10,000 but I'm not complaining."

"You shouldn't" Hayner murmured, following Roxas, taking longer strides to catch up, his eyes on the munny bag. "Would you stop?"

"Stop what?"

"Tossing that thing in the air, I know you probably have a gold mine in there and you're going to drop something. It's making me nervous."

Without pausing Roxas tossed it even higher so it was barely visible, angling it so as it fell back down the string caught on his thumb without him having to move his hand and the munny bag rolled neatly into his palm. "Like that?"

Hayner was used to Roxas doing these kinds of things by now and remained unimpressed. "That's not possible."

"I just did it."

"I don't care it's still not possible." Hayner said dryly.

Roxas put his munny bag away unconcerned. "So you still want to go to the arcade?"

"Sure, I don't care, either the arcade, the mall, or go gang up Seifer, which reminds me I still have a score to settle with him in air-hockey."

It was strange but after Roxas had beaten up Seifer, he and his gang had became a lot more tolerable, not showing up for a few weeks after the incident but when they did, Seifer had acted like nothing had ever happened, even jokingly referring to Roxas as 'killer'. Seifer, Fuu, and Rai still walked around liked they owned the place and they were all still bitter rivals but it was more of a friendly rivalry now.

"I say we go to the mall," Roxas said after awhile. "There's a music store that just opened up I want to check out. Then we can go to the arcade and make fun of everyone playing DDR."

"Sounds like a plan." Hayner agreed, then his eyes narrowed, giving Roxas a suspicious glance. "Wait this isn't going to be another one of those times where you completely collapse the store displays is it?"

"Well I wasn't planning on it but who knows."

"I'm not helping." Hayner said definitely.

"You never help anyway all you do is laugh like some kind of manic, Pence cheers me on, and Olette tries to escape the line of fire."

"Right that one guy's face was…" Hayner snickered, before catching himself. "Never mind, how many stores have you gotten us banned from anyway? Like thirteen?"

"Right, thirteen" Roxas answered. "But I can't leave it there, it has to be at least fourteen."

"Why?"

"I don't like thirteen."

Hayner snorted but didn't argue, instead resolving not to say anything, knowing on matter what he said, he doubted he could make his friend change his mind. Roxas had his own twisted sense of logic and those types of answers were normal for him.

"I'll race you there." Roxas said, seeing Hayner wasn't going to respond.

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"Because you'll just win." Hayner replied absently. "You win at everything. Why do you want to race anyway?"

"I don't know I just feel like running, come on I'll even give you a seven minute head start."

"Seven minutes? The mall's a ten-minute walk from here at most." Hayner shook his head in disbelief. "You really don't have much faith in me. Do you?"

"No, not really."

Hayner crossed his arms. "I don't think so Roxy."

Roxas put a hand on his friend's shoulder, forcing them both to come to a stop. Hayner automatically turned his head toward Roxas and Roxas schooled his features but glared dangerously. "You did not just call me Roxy. Say it again and die."

"Why so defensive?" Hayner asked with a grin, ducking out of his friend's grip and distancing himself by a few feet. "I bet that's what little blonde Naminé calls you. That sea salt ice cream you bought was so obviously for her. I wouldn't even be surprised if the munny the ice cream man said you left was a cover up, you probably bought a whole tub of it for late…at night..."

Roxas scrunched his nose in disgust. "That's sick."

"I can hear it now." Hayner continued, raising his voice unnaturally high, so it hitched painfully. "Oh Roxy Roxy Roxy!"

Roxas scowled, threateningly advancing on Hayner. "And you die."

"Hey, chill out" Hayner shot back defensively, taking a step back. "It was just revenge for saying you don't have much faith in me. Besides if you'll remember, I get a head start."

Roxas's lips rose into a half smile, his eyes shinning dangerously. "Changed my mind."

Hayner gave Roxas a weary look before it changed to one of underhanded confidence and he sprinted forward. "Fine, just try and keep up!"

Roxas chased after Hayner, right on his heels, people quickly moving out of their path in fear of getting run over, the two of them laughing the whole way, all thoughts of the organization, dreams, falling worlds, Naminé, Kairi, and Sora vanishing away. In the moment, Roxas was just having fun with his friend, talking about girls, acting fifteen, and it was enough.

0o0o0o0

Kairi had thought Selphie was exaggerating about how crowded it would be at the blitzball game but she hadn't been and even though Kairi was an hour early just like she promised, the dome like stadium was packed, large metal bleachers nearly filled. It was strange seeing it this way when she was used to seeing it so empty. Like everyone, Kairi had heard rumors and stories about Tidus but she never really paid any attention to them. She found herself wondering if Tidus really was just that good or if this was just because of the championship. Kairi had a hard time picturing the gangly boy she'd know for years and watched play fight could draw this much attention.

Kairi wished she and Selphie would have been more specific with deciding a place to meet because all she'd been doing for the last twenty or so minutes was standing in front of the stadium, scanning the crowd for Selphie and seeing no trace of her. Kairi was about to give up and find a seat when she heard Selphie's all too familiar shriek. "Kairi!"

"Over here!" Kairi waved her entire arm, shouting over the noise of the crowd.

Kairi watched as Selphie ran towards her, reaching her in just a few seconds, and throwing her arms around the redhead's neck, causing Kairi to lose her footing for a moment. "You came!"

"Of course I came." Kairi said, trying to pry herself out of Selphie's vice like grip. "I said I would."

"But now you're actually here!" Selphie squealed, letting go of Kairi but linking their arms together. "Come on I found Tidus and Wakka. They have to see you before the game."

Kairi let Selphie lead her to somewhere just aside of the stadium, past the crowd, the redhead's eyes running over various people and several kids she knew she'd never seen before, chatting and waiting in the bleachers. "This crowd seems a little excessive don't you think?" Seeing Selphie was about to say something, Kairi quickly added. "And I know it's for the championship but still it's just one blitzball game. I really don't get it."

"It's because of Tidus." Selphie exhaled happily. "And besides that blitzball's romantic."

"Romantic?" Kairi repeated doubtfully but not really surprised by Selphie's answer, her friend finding something cute or romantic with just about everything that moved. "How can blitzball be romantic?"

"Just think," Selphie, continued distractedly, expression far away. "One man and one blitzball surrounded by water and thousands of cheering fans and his true love, sitting in wait on the bleachers. Only she doesn't know he loves her yet."

"Selphie."

"So he has to dive into the water's dark murky depths to prove himself by swimming with the dolphins and finding the largest pearl on the islands."

"Selphie."

"It's really to bad his true love is already seeing his best friend but that won't last for long because they were destined to be together and-"

"Selphie!"

"What?"

Kairi smiled faintly. "You've gotten into the romance novels again, haven't you?"

"Mayyyyybeeeeeee" Selphie then cut herself short, her face brightening, and her arm sliding from Kairi's to latch around the redhead's wrist. "Look! There they are!"

The next thing Kairi knew was that she was being pulled behind Selphie and they were running underneath and toward the back of one of the few outside bleachers, coming to a small secluded area obscured by palm trees and some wispy strands of grass, poking out from underneath the sand, plus the sun was setting, making Wakka and Tidus barely visible. Tidus was leaning back on his heels, looking comfortable, a blitzball in the crook of his arm, talking quietly to Wakka.

"Hi guys!" Selphie shouted.

Wakka and Tidus both jumped, twisting around and tensing but relaxing again once they saw it is was only Selphie.

"Selphie, don't do that." Tidus hissed, looking around nervously. "Did anyone see you?"

"Of course not. Stop being so antsy." Selphie said carelessly. "But moving on guess who I brought with me!"

Wakka's and Tidus's eyes traveled to the form that Selphie was enthusiastically shielding behind her back but not coming up with anything, they looked blankly back to the brown haired girl. "Ahhh…" Wakka started to say.

"Give up?" Selphie asked, pushing Kairi out in front of her. "It's Kairi!"

Selphie swayed on her feet, hands clasped behind her back, waiting for a reaction but the other three didn't move, staring speechless and Kairi took the time to study Wakka and Tidus. They looked different to her, small changes she hadn't noticed before. Wakka had his shirt off, his skin deeply tanned, a lot more muscular then she remembered. Tidus was paler, blonde hair falling in front of his blue-green eyes, and wearing so many belts and buckles Kairi wasn't sure, how he was able to put them all on. It wasn't like she was unused to seeing them, they all sat together in school, passed each other in the halls, even if it was like Selphie said, her mind was always someplace else but still Kairi wonder why this was the first time she ever noticed.

Wakka was the first to break the silence, his stunned expression melting into a wide grin until Kairi could see both rows of his wide flat teeth. "Glad you could make it Kairi ya."

Tidus seemed a lot less thrilled, his eyes narrowing in cold disinterest. "Hi Kairi" He said neutrally. "Great of you to drag yourself away from the island."

Kairi could hear the accusation in his words. You were never there and it stung but neither Selphie or Wakka seemed to notice and Kairi didn't allow anything to reach her face. "Hi Wakka, hi Tidus. It's good to be here."

Wakka rested an elbow on Tidus's shoulder. "You're in for a treat Kairi. We're going to beat them real bad, Tidus ya?"

"Of course we are." Tidus said heatedly, pushing Wakka away from him. "We never lose."

"But Kairi's here." Selphie protested. "So it makes it special."

Wakka cracked his knuckles out in front of him with a professional air. "Right we can show her some of those new moves we've been working on ya."

Tidus shrugged. "Sure Wakka."

New moves, Kairi repeated in her mind, noticing where they were standing, hidden and away from everyone which wasn't exactly normal with a big game just around the corner. "Hey, shouldn't you guys be with your team or something?"

Selphie bit her tongue, holding back laughter, her shoulders shaking with the effort. "Tidus is afraid of crowds."

"I'm not afraid of crowds."

"Then tell Kairi what you're doing over here, o' brave one."

"Hiding from the mob." Tidus replied tentatively.

Selphie wagged her eyebrows. "You mean all your adoring fans."

"But won't your coach get worried?" Kairi said swiftly, before Tidus and Selphie could go on any further.

"We'll head out in a little bit." Tidus resolved but he wasn't looking at Kairi, his head turned to the side focused on everyone piled inside the stadium. "I'm just waiting until the coast is clear."

Wakka chuckled. "And give coach another aneurism in the process ya."

Tidus tossed his blitzball up in the air, catching it one handed, spinning it on his finger, and Kairi swore it stayed on a whole minute. "He'll survive."

"Guys in case you haven't noticed." Selphie chided, "More people are coming not leaving."

"I know that Selphie." Tidus said dully.

"Then" Selphie offered helpfully. "I think your best bet it to make a run for it."

Wakka stroked his chin, looking to think it over. "Probably right ya."

Tidus tucked his blitzball under his arm, unworried, heading out from behind the bleachers. "Fine we're out of here."

"Okay" Selphie waved gleefully. "We'll try to sit in the front row and we'll be cheering for you. Oh! And my banner is hanging up somewhere on the inside too."

"We'll keep an eye out ya." Wakka said, walking past Tidus.

"Good luck." Kairi called, not sure what to say but wanting to say at least something before they left.

Both Wakka and Tidus turned back to look at her. Wakka winked, making his way out into the open, disappearing from her line of sight. "Thanks, though we won't need it ya."

Tidus lingered for a moment and Kairi noticed he wasn't acknowledging her, his eyes on Selphie as if she was the one who'd spoken. "See you later Selphie." He said at last, before disappearing after Wakka.

As soon as Wakka and Tidus were gone, Selphie, dragging Kairi with her, making a mad dash in the opposite direction to find seats. They were lucky getting ones in the first row. It felt nice inside the stadium, air-conditioned with a slight mist from the huge pool of water in the center. The game started soon afterwards and Kairi soon saw how into it everyone was as they stood up, shouting and cheering. Kairi sat passively, with her back straight, and hands on top of her knees but completely focused on the pool in front of her.

Much of the attention was on Tidus, nearly the whole stadium erupting into applause and chanting his name as soon as he entered. Kairi was more then surprised, had thought Selphie was exaggerating about Tidus too but she soon found Tidus was good, really good. Gliding through the water instead of swimming, launching himself into the air and falling back down to kick the blitzball, as if he could almost fly, all in a series of twists and turns that looked nearly impossible.

It was hard for Kairi to believe this was actually Tidus that the same boy she sat with at lunch who came up with the worst jokes, who stuffed food into his mouth until he could hardly breathe, could be capable of this, could have the crowd in a complete uproar. Kairi couldn't tear her eyes away from him while Selphie was just completely giddy beside her and repeatedly screaming in her ear but the redhead was watching for a different reason, a small smile slowly forming on her lips, anticipation welling inside of her.

Tidus and Wakka had been right, even though the other team could more then hold their own, against Tidus they never stood a chance.

It was late at night when Kairi was finally back out on the beach. She had just gone through Riku's routine again or really her routine now, she modified it enough to call it her own, added some things, took some things out, made the movements quicker, made it more difficult. She could do it perfectly now, without trying even with her eyes closed, she knew because she'd tried that before too.

Kairi was lying on her back, looking up at silvery stars, her ears buzzing with the sound of chirping crickets, hands behind her head, the wooden sword that she claimed as her's by her side. The sword felt as if it belonged in her hands, for reasons she couldn't figure out, felt right when she held it, even if over the last few months with constant use, it slowly continued to deteriorate, the wood splitting, breaking off into even more cracks, and smelling of nothing but rotting seaweed but still it held together, never let her down and Kairi wouldn't trade it for anything. Unconsciously she reached out a hand, running her fingers down the sword's edge until she could feel a familiar half circle slice, her thumb resting comfortably inside of it and the memory came back.

It was Halloween, years ago when she was hardly seven and Sora had dressed up as a pirate, wooden sword held proudly in front of him, later when she, Riku, and Sora were out on the beach after eating their fill of candy Sora with his sword in hand had climbed an oddly shaped tree, crawling out on an unsteady limb to show how fearless of a pirate he was but with Riku's taunting he'd stood up, walked forward, and for one heart clenching moment he'd almost fallen.

The sword was swung violently to the side in panic, hitting the sharp edge of a rock. Nothing had really happened, Sora was able to catch himself and Riku had sulkily gone up after him to get him down, but the sword was chipped, a small half circle slice on the side that grew over the years, but at the time Sora had only smiled, shrugged it off, later wrapping tape around it to cover the hole, and when that didn't work he'd tried rope until it seemed unimportant and the incident was forgotten about.

Kairi felt the familiar tightness return to her chest, knowing the sword had been his and she hugged it to herself her fingers curling around the hilt where once Sora had gripped it, Kairi could almost see the faintly darker lines where the tape and rope had been. "This was yours wasn't it Sora?" She laughed into the empty night, sitting up and holding it tighter, with her memories once more intact, each moment seemed unreal, different, new, and the sword that much more powerful, as if she could feel an electric charge vibrating underneath the wood, making it look to glow faintly and feel warm and pulsing to the touch, like there was something she was supposed to do, tap into, pull from it. Kairi closed her eyes, concentrated…

Then came the distant dull thud of a blitzball hitting the ground before bouncing off a tree and the sword again became ordinary. Kairi could just make out Tidus's heavy and rushed breathing followed by a grunt as he started his nightly practice from a little ways off.

Kairi felt a bit disappointed that she wasn't able to continue with whatever it was she'd been trying but the sound was what she'd been waiting for and Kairi stood up, sword in hand, making her way to the other side of the beach, until she could see Tidus and walked up quietly behind him, pleased with herself when he didn't notice her in the shadows, hadn't heard her approach.

"Hi Tidus."

The blitzball fell into the sand where it rolled limply before coming to a stop, Tidus spun to face her with wide eyes, face drained of blood, a hand on his chest, taking a gasp of air, his surprise quickly draining, replaced with indifference as soon as his eyes found her face. "Kairi" he said slowly. "First Selphie now you. You scared me."

Kairi always made sure to finish practicing before Tidus started his but now she was sweaty, hair sticking to her face, a little out of breath, and it was strange seeing Tidus in this way especially out in the dark with only the light of the moon and stars. Kairi offered him an apologetic smile. "Sorry."

"What are you doing over here?" Tidus asked, voice hard. "What do you want?"

"Nothing, and it's just I know you come out here to practice. I hear you all the time from where I'm out at night and I wanted to congratulate you on winning the game." It was a good of enough reason Kairi thought, after the game, she and Selphie hadn't had a chance to get close to either Wakka or Tidus, the crowd all gathering around Tidus, wanting to speak with him and before Kairi knew it, Wakka and Tidus had already left with their team.

"Right the game, what were you even doing there? Did Selphie force you?" Tidus asked defensively, his eyes shinning in suspicion as if daring her to deny it and Kairi could feel the regret pool inside of her again because she knew Tidus had every right to feel that way. She'd barely spoken to him over the last few months, knew almost nothing about his life or even showed she had an interest in it and even though they were friends, they were distant, almost strangers to each other. When Kairi was around the others and with Sora and Riku gone, it had always been her and Selphie, or Wakka and Tidus or the four of them together, it was never her or Wakka or her and Tidus.

Kairi shook her head. "No, it wasn't like that. I just felt like spending some time with my friends. I miss you, and Selphie, and Wakka. That's all, I wanted to be there."

Tidus looked away, turning his back to her, rolling the blitzball underneath his foot. "You never cared before."

"I did even if I didn't really show it. I should have been there more and I'm sorry. I never even realized how good you were."

"Well maybe you would have known if you ever bothered to come to one of my games." Tidus said mockingly. "But all you do is sit out on the beach, waiting for that boy to show up. You say we're your friends but you never bother to tell us anything. I mean why should I care if you waste your life away. You're only my friend right?"

Kairi felt hurt, couldn't think of how to respond but a name formed in her mind and she found her lips forming a reply before she even had a chance to think it over. "It's Sora."

Tidus glanced back at her. "What?"

"His name, the boy I'm waiting for. His name is Sora."

Tidus laughed bitterly. "He has a name now?"

"He always did," Kairi answered somberly "It's just I remember now that's all. I remember everything."

Tidus picked his blitzball up from off the sand, tossing it. "Sora's a jerk if you ask me."

"Why do you think that?" Kairi asked curiously.

"He left you here to wait didn't he? Day in and day out with nothing."

Kairi placed her hand on the trunk of a nearby tree, leaning eagerly forward, looking for any trace Tidus might remember the name, remember anything. Her voice rising in excitement, words coming out in a rush. "So you believe he's real then?"

"I'm-I'm not sure." Tidus replied thoughtfully, stilling the blitzball. "Sometimes I feel like there's someone missing but it's only a feeling everything else is blank and I try not to think about it too much. Maybe it's best if I don't know."

"Tidus…" Kairi said disbelievingly. "He was your friend."

In response Tidus threw his blitzball hard against the base of his tree, catching it easily with one hand before repeating the action. "And he left all of us here to rot!"

"No he didn't, he didn't have a choice." Kairi stated definitely

"There is always a choice." Tidus breathed, evenly matching her tone.

"Not for him," Kairi countered, blue-violet eyes glistening in astonishment. "How can you say that anyway? Did you even see yourself out there? You were amazing. Everyone loved you. You could leave this island so easily, if that's what you want, get a scholarship somewhere, do anything, be anything."

"So what if I could, it wouldn't make any difference. Nothing would change."

"What wouldn't change?" Kairi asked softly.

"That I'll never be able to compare to my father!"

"Tidus what are you talking about?"

Tidus let the blitzball bounce against his knee before kicking it violently, where it struck the tree, zooming to the side, past Kairi in a rush of air, splashing into the waves of the ocean. Tidus didn't say anything for awhile, his hands curled at his sides, breathing hard but when he turned to Kairi all traces of anger were gone, his face looking back to being indifferent, drained. "My mother is dying" He answered tonelessly.

The following silence was so thick Kairi thought she could drown in it. She felt something sharp run up and down her spin, felt numb at the same time, let herself sink down into the sand, letting her head fall back against rough wood, folding her legs and resting her arms around them. "I'm sorry," She whispered. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

"No one knows."

"How long? I mean do you know how long she-"

"I'm not sure. A few months, years, it's anyone's guess."

"What's wrong with her?"

Tidus stoically looked down at the ground, shifting a bare foot through the sand and Kairi didn't think he'd say anything but after a minute he looked up, emotionlessly answering her. "You've probably heard of my father. Jecht right? Named the best blitzball player in the world."

Kairi knew the name even though she was never into blitzball, everyone knew it. Jecht with the dark hair and eyes who was on the cover of countless magazines and set nearly every record in blitzball who everyone wanted to be like. Jecht who mysteriously disappeared several years ago, who no one could find. Kairi felt cold realization wash over her and dug her fingers into the sand, leaning forward on her arm, staring wildly at Tidus. "Jecht's your father?! The Jecht? Jecht who disappeared?"

Tidus carelessly shrugged her reaction off. "Yes, the Jecht. He left when I was just a little kid. He was never around much in the first place but when he was my mom's face would light up, she always ignored me for him and she had always been sick but when he left it was like she lost the will to live."

"Tidus…" Kairi started to say but she was still partially in shock and anything she might have said died in her throat.

"So I tried to be him." Tidus continued dryly, not seeming to care. "I thought if I could be him I could make my mom happy again. I've done everything I could think of, I've tried to step up, pushed myself at blitzball until I can hardly stand but none of what I do matters."

"You can't be your father." Kairi rationalized, her surprise over Jecht, quickly fading away the longer she listened to Tidus.

"No, I'll always be stuck in his shadow and there's nothing I can ever do about it. Sometimes I dream about leaving to go out into the unknown, the sea, wherever it takes me just so I can find him."

"Maybe," Kairi resolved, trying to sound hopeful. "Someday you will find him."

Tidus shook his head, face hardening. "It's just a dream but sometimes I feel like there's more out there. Blitzball, I'm good at it but I'm not sure if it's what I want to do. It was my father's legacy not mine, I just…I feel like there's something more I should be doing." Tidus laughed lightly. "Pretty crazy huh?"

"It's not crazy." Kairi replied firmly. "I stare out at the ocean for hours on end and know next to nothing about my past remember? I feel the exact same way."

"That's right," Tidus said with a grin. "I forgot about the raft idea."

Kairi shook her head in denial and Tidus started to laugh again.

Kairi glared at him slightly. "What is it?"

"Man, I just thought, now I'm even starting to sound like Riku with all his talk about leaving the islands and finding other worlds. How he said he was going to build a raft and set sail. I always thought he was just bragging but he was actually going to go through with it and then it's weird, it's like he just vanished. He probably drowned out there."

Kairi looked out to sea, at the gentle lapping waves barely reaching the edge of the shore. The ocean could be beautiful at times, sparkling and soothing, could give her something to look forward to, sustain her dreams but then Kairi looked out at the deeper water and the black of the constantly building storm that stood out even in the night and she knew it could just as easily take her dreams away, the ocean could be cold and dark, unforgiving, could kill, just as it supported life. Kairi shivered, reminded of Riku, what he'd been through, what he was capable of. Kairi was half terrified and strangely half amused, the concept of the silver haired teen drowning, feeling so surreal when she knew the truth. "That's what you think happened? Riku the best swimmer on the islands drowned?"

Tidus shrugged. "What else could have happened?"

"Ever think maybe he did find other worlds?" Kairi asked with a glint in her eyes. "Even if they weren't exactly what he thought they'd be."

Tidus joined her in looking out at the ocean with shielded eyes but his expression was longing. "I don't believe it" He said at last. "But I hope you're right."

Kairi didn't reply and Tidus soon went to retrieve his blitzball, stepping out into the surf and shortly coming back to stand in front of her. His hair damp from the spray and the edge of his shorts wet, the blitzball dripping with water where it had been half submerged.

"Tidus" Kairi said when his eyes lingered on her face, before he had a chance to say anything. "Do you remember when you, Wakka, and Riku used to spar with those wooden swords and Selphie would use her jump rope?"

"Of course I do," Tidus smirked. "How could I forget? Riku would always win too. I swear that guy was inhuman. No matter what we did, he won at everything. If you're right and he did find other worlds, if he ever comes came back I'd like to see him try and beat me at blitzball he wouldn't stand a chance." Tidus said confidently, holding the blitzball under his arm, against his hip.

"Probably not," Kairi teased. "Exactly like he wouldn't believe Jecht's your father either. Is it alright if I tell him that, when I see him again?"

"You can do whatever you want, it's not like I'm trying to hide anything."

Kairi suddenly wanted to see Riku so badly, only to tell him. Out of their trio Riku had been the most interested in blitzball, which really wasn't that much but Kairi, could guess what his reaction would be, eyes wide in disbelief, stunned, but then laughing to cover it up like he'd known the whole time. Kairi's heart gave a painful thud and she swallowed back the yearning. "Tidus?"

"Yeah?"

"I lied."

"Lied?"

"Earlier," Kairi clarified. "When I said I didn't want anything, maybe I do."

Tidus frowned slightly at her, the beginning of distrust starting to return to his eyes. "What is it?" He asked neutrally.

Kairi stood up from the sand, with her sword, holding it out in front of her. "Want to spar?"

Tidus looked vacant for a moment but then smiled slightly. "With you?"

Kairi looked around, scanning the beach before looking back to Tidus. "I don't see anyone else here."

Tidus shook his head partially serious and partially disbelieving. "But why now? I haven't spared in such a long time."

"It wasn't that long ago." Kairi countered.

"You were never into this kind of stuff before why the change?"

"I'm not sure really." Kairi said, speaking quickly, her voice rising with exhilaration at finally telling someone. "But its just I found this wooden sword out on the beach and ever since I've been practicing every night, following Riku's old routine and I've got it down pretty good but there's only so much I can do by myself and I wanted to try fighting against someone."

"You've been practicing." Tidus repeated as if he couldn't quite believe it.

Kairi sighed. "Yes, watch." She began one of the more difficult steps of the routine, her arm making quick movements until she could hear the sword cutting through the air. It was as if she was dancing, her technique well practiced, flawless, swinging her feet around until the point of her sword came directly at Tidus's forehead.

Tidus awkwardly took a step back, his eyes wide. "Wow that's just…how long have you been…wait never mind that's just…wow."

"So" Kairi smiled slyly. "Do you want to spar?"

There really wasn't a reason for Tidus to decline but he hesitated still looking a bit awkward. "I don't have my sword anymore."

"That's an easy fix." Kairi said, walking over to the tree, she'd just been leaning against, finding a foothold in the trunk and hoisting herself up until she was able to snap off a branch. Jumping back down she stripped the access limbs off, throwing it Tidus's feet. "Here use a tree branch."

Tidus picked the branch up, it was sturdy, long, the wood thick. "That's kind of unfair isn't it?"

"For who?"

"You," Tidus answered, running his eyes over Kairi's sword. "That thing looks pretty flimsy, especially against a tree branch."

"The sword's faster." Kairi replied easily. "Plus I like it."

"Alright fine." Tidus said, face coming alive. He'd always been one to live in the moment, anything to get his mind off things, and after talking to Kairi, he was glad for the challenge. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

Kairi shifted into a defensive position, leaning forward, holding her sword tightly with both hands. "Someone is confident."

"Why shouldn't I be?" Tidus smirked, twirling the branch in one hand. "I used to be the second best at this next to Riku."

"Third best." Kairi corrected. "You're forgetting about Sora."

"Sora doesn't count if I can't remember him."

Kairi relaxed her position, letting her shoulders slump but she didn't lessen her grip on the sword. "Right, but since you're so confident lets make a bet."

"Kairi-"

"Come on unless you're scared." Kairi pressed challengingly. "If you win what do you want?"

"You mean when I win." Tidus taunted, but folded his arms thoughtfully before placing a finger to his chin. "But alright fine, you have to do my ten page English paper that I haven't started on yet. That's due in a week."

"Okay." Kairi said without hesitation. "And if I win then you know the storm that's been building up?" She waited until she saw Tidus nod. "You have to promise me that when it hits, you'll go into the deepest cave, tunnel, whatever you can find, and not come out until it's over and if it's at all possible you have to take Selphie and Wakka with you. And I'll still help you finish you're English paper on time but I just won't do it for you."

Tidus gave her an incredulous look. "What kind of bet is that?"

"Well, if you're so sure you're going to win then you don't have to worry about it. Do you? So do we have a deal or not?"

"Fine" Tidus relented. "But if somehow you do manage to win, then I also get a rematch."

Kairi shifted back into position, eyes focused determinedly on Tidus. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Are you sure about this Kairi?" Tidus asked, following her example, getting into his own fighting stance but offering her the chance to back out.

"More then anything." Kairi replied firmly. "I'm not going to turn my back on the friends I have anymore. I've had enough of waiting, it's no longer enough. I'll never stop believing, never stop holding out for Sora but it's time to actually do something about it."

Tidus grinned. "Glad to hear it."

Tidus made the first move and Kairi blocked. Fighting against someone was so much different then practicing alone. Kairi, found herself acting on reflexes, with no time to think and she gave everything she had to stay one-step ahead of Tidus. Tidus was strong, experienced, a good match for her but the blonde soon realized she wasn't going down easily. Their match was long, drawn out, and as it went on their movements became more desperate, more chaotic. Kairi liked not having to think for once, liked testing her abilities, and strangely fighting had came easy for her ever since the first time she'd picked up that wooden sword, it was something she knew she could do even if it had taken countless hours of practicing.

It took a moment before Kairi realized she'd won but not before Tidus thoroughly challenged her to a rematch and threatened to bring along Wakka next time.