Ignus's hand shot up and grabbed the Frisbee inches from his face. "Lea! If this thing comes over here again I'm stuffing it down your pants!"

"It wasn't me!" Lea complained. "Learn to throw, Ven!"

"I'm trying, okay?"

Ignus sighed and tossed the disk back, settling back against the rock and lacing his fingers back through Aqua's. The sun was setting over the water, and the Destiny Islands sparkled in the red glow. Terra was swiping at Riku and Roxas in some game of tag. Hayner, Pence, and Olette were engaged in some sort of sand sculpture contest. Xion and Naminé were combing the water's edge for shells. Isa, Ventus, and Lea were flinging around one of Lea's Frisbees.

"Where did he even find that old thing?" Ignus wondered aloud. Aqua giggled and snuggled closer against him. Ignus's thumb ran absently across her finger. "So this is what peace feels like." He mused. "No fighting, no hiding, no fear. No regrets weighing us down. Just the sun, and the beach, and the people we love." He turned to kiss the top of Aqua's head.

"Not for everybody." Aqua reminded him quietly. Both of them looked over to the paopu tree, where Kairi sat, staring at the ocean. No one had approached her since she'd sat down. "Come on." Ignus and Aqua got to their feet and climbed up the cliff. They approached quietly.

"Kairi?" Aqua spoke cautiously.

Kairi took a second before turning around. The light sheen of half-dried tears were tracked down her face.

"Can I sit?"

Kairi nodded.

Aqua sat down on the trunk beside her. Ignus laid a hand gently on Aqua's shoulder before silently backing up to give them space.

"It's going to be dark soon. You're staying in the treehouse tonight, right?"

Kairi again responded with a nod.

"Good. We're going to be heading home, but you can always call us if you need anything. Riku and Naminé will be here tonight too, in case you get lonely."

A long pause passed.

"You're worried about him, aren't you? Whether he'll come back?"

"He'll come back." Kairi said softly. "He'll find his way back home. After all, that's who he is."

Ignus's story will continue...

Notes:

I used shipping here to cover up my latent rage. What the hell happened to Sora? Did he actually fade or was that symbolizing that he wasn't there? Did he sacrifice himself for Kairi? WHAT HAPPENED?