Kairi's POV

"I can't believe we're all together again…" I said breathlessly. Sora looked at me, smiling his trademark full toothed grin as he chuckled slightly.

"Me either. But am I glad. I feel like I've been away from home… and you and Riku… for so long."

I placed my hand on top of his for a moment.

"Me too, Sora." I removed my hand, and I could've sworn I saw him blushing. I probably was blushing too, I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I looked away and back at the sun setting over Destiny Island's shore.

"Where's Riku?" Sora asked. I shrugged.

"Said he wanted some time alone to think."

"I can't believe I'm going back to school tomorrow… feels like forever since I lived a… "normal" life."

I peered over at him as he leaned back against the paopu tree on his palms.

"You'll be just fine, Sora. Trust me. Only thing is, you won't be taking your afternoon naps on the beach anymore." I said laughing a little.

Sora groaned. "I'm going to definitely miss that… all the heartless I fought, give a guy a break!"

We both stared at each other, then burst into a fit of unified laughter. It really did feel like old times here on the island. I admit, I was worried before the three of us reunited that things wouldn't feel the same. But here we were… back home… like no time had passed. Like nothing had changed, though we all knew it had.

"Guess we better head home and rest. No being a lazy bum tomorrow." I teased.

Sora scratched the back of his head, smiling. "I'll try my best, Kairi."

We leaped off the paopu fruit tree's long, sturdy branch, and walked along the shores together until my house came up.

"Night, Kairi." He said softly.

I smiled, leaning in to embrace him briefly. I could feel him tense up against me, probably in surprise, but he soon relaxed, and his arms encircled my frame gently in return. He felt warm. He felt safe. He always did. When I pulled away, Sora asked,

"What was that for?"

"That was because… I, I missed you."

Sora's face was definitely beet red this time as he stared back at me, and digested my answer to his question.

"I missed you too. Every day."

I blinked. "Really?"

He nodded. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, so fast I could hardly hear myself think.

He turned around to leave, and then turned on his heel to face me again.

"Night, Kairi."

"Night."

As he disappeared from view, I went inside and changed into my pajamas. As I waited to drift off to sleep, my mind naturally wandered to the question of how in the world you were supposed to tell your best friend that you had feelings for him. I came up empty, but decided that was okay for now, as long as I kept it in mind. I closed my eyes, feeling exhaustion take its course shortly after.

Sora's POV

My alarm going off made me jolt out of bed to the point where I fell out of bed, colliding with my carpeted floor. I groaned in pain, but then closed my eyes, curling up into a fetal position, trying to fall asleep again. There was a knock at my window, which gave me a scare all over again in my daze.

"Sora, it's me. Get ready for school, you lazy bum."

I could hear Kairi's cheerful voice through the window.

"But I don't wanna go to school… I'm sooo tired~"

I whined. Kairi leaned her head through my open window.

"You'll have plenty of time for sleep now that we're home. Now get ready so we can grab breakfast at school."

I sighed in frustration, picking myself up the best I could in my sleepy state. I grabbed my school uniform and headed for the shower. Thirty minutes later I emerged, freshly showered, dressed, and ready for school. I met Kairi at my front door, and couldn't help but notice how cute she looked in her school uniform: A white sleeveless blouse, blue plaid tie tied loosely around her collar, matching blue plaid skirt, navy blue knee stockings, and black shoes.

"Ready to go?" She asked. I nodded.

Kairi's POV

In 1st period, which was English, I could tell Sora was already struggling to stay awake. I didn't blame him. He hadn't been in school for a while. It would be a serious adjustment. I passed him notes here and there to keep him awake the best I could.

Don't fall asleep, Sora! You don't wanna snore, do you? You're pretty loud. ;)

Haha. Very funny, Kairi. :p

Seriously though. You'll get used to this. It'll just take a little time, okay?

Thanks, Kairi. :) Really.

Swimming after school?

Is that a question? :p

I smiled, folding up the paper and putting it in the back of my notebook. The rest of the day went by pretty quickly without incident. That is, until I waited for Sora at the beach. I sat by the shore, in my bathing suit, waiting patiently.

"Kairi. Going swimming?" My heart jumped and fell all at the same time, when I realized it was Riku's voice and not Sora's.

"Yeah. By myself it looks like unless you wanna join me. Sora forgot all about our plans."

Riku thought for a moment before responding. "I'm sure he has a good reason. Sora's not like that. You know that."

I shrugged, stepping out into the water slowly.

Riku got out of his school uniform and joined my side in his swim trunks.

"Don't overthink it. He'll explain when he can what happened."

As Riku and I swam, I tried to relax, and clear my racing mind. But as the hours went on, and the sun began to set, I felt my worries and frustration stirring inside me.

"Wow, sunset already. I'm gonna go home and get some rest. See you in the morning, Kairi."

He placed a hand on my shoulder, smiling at me before disappearing along the sand into town.

"Bye Riku."

I said softly. As I sat on the paopu fruit tree alone, I picked a paopu fruit from the tree and held it in my hand.

When two people share one, their destinies become intertwined. They'll remain a part of each other's lives no matter what.

I remember Riku telling me and Sora about the paopu fruit legend just before the three of us got separated. I remember thinking that I wanted to share one with Sora. But not having the courage to ask him to. And now… now I just felt… like my feelings weren't returned by Sora. The thought truly hurt me. More than that, it broke my heart. I needed to go home...eat some dinner… and go to bed. Hopefully things would be better in the morning. When I laid in bed, closing my eyes, I heard my name.

"Kairi!"

I recognized his voice, and felt my jaw clench in irritation, looking at my clock. It was 9:32pm. I sat up, turning to face my window where Sora was leaning his head into.

"Sora… where were you? You promised-"

"I know… I'm so sorry, Kairi."

"Where were you?"

"Emerald offered to tutor me after school. I was really struggling today, so I accepted. And it took forever. I completely lost track of time."

I rolled my eyes hearing her name. "I could have helped you, you know…" was all I could think to say. I didn't like how this girl being around him was making me feel. This wasn't me.

"I appreciate it, Kairi. But Emerald asked me, and I took her help. I wanna make it up to you. Let's go swimming tomorrow."

"You sure you're gonna be able to make it this time?"

Sora frowned, but then smiled at me.

"Yes. You have my word."

"Okay, Sora. See you tomorrow."

"Night Kairi."

As he disappeared from view, I laid down, feeling an uneasy feeling in my stomach that I had never felt before. This Emerald girl… what exactly did she want from Sora?