Hey it's me again! Love the reviews, thanks. And also, I'd like to say sorry about the short chapters; it's been difficult finding the time to write longer. Our entrance exams for next year are coming up. The Spanish one is two weeks away- I think! *rubs her head and shrugs*

They call me crazy, and I agree. ~Snell Tawen

Almost 16

Chapter 3: From Long Ago Cold

           

            Kairi felt like a small child as she lay in her bed. She felt cold inside- empty. No one knew she was awake and for now, she wanted it to stay like that. Time was needed to sort out her thoughts.

            'I remember falling into the water, but it seemed like I never got wet. Hmmm…' she rolled over onto her side. 'That's when all light disappeared and I was launched into a dream… a dream where I stood in front of… Sora…' She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. How she wanted to go back into that dream and find him there, and he'd be hers.

            Kairi punched her pillow and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She was at the breaking point as her frustration pushed her closer to the edge. Then, all at once, Kairi felt hungry.

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            The kitchen and living room was empty when she stumbled in. Her legs were a little stiff and her back hurt just a bit, but she stood up and made her something to eat. Sun light shone in through the windows and covered the floors. It looked like a beautiful day and when Kairi finished up her food she decided to change (a blue dress with yellow splotches that came above her knees) and walked outside.

            As she saw how truly the beauty of the day was all worry and memory of what had happened faded into a smile. A smile that was honestly rare. One that was usually only given to Sora and Riku, but today was an exception. She no longer felt cold inside, and she felt great. How she wished she could feel like this for the rest of her life, but Tidus proved that impossible.

            Kairi had walked half way across the island until finally, she reached Selphie's house. She wanted to get back on track and not think of what had happened, well that is until she saw the boy (well, young man) Tidus, sitting on the front porch.

            "Oh, hello Tidus." She said sweetly

            "Kairi! You're better!"

            "Yup!"

             He paused and got up and walked over to Kairi. "What happened to you? I mean, with the water and… um… every thing else."

            She sighed but told him any way; she could tell he was worried and had been anxious for answers. Then, after she finished, he told her his side of it.

            "Wait you didn't see the snow?" Questioned the longhaired girl.

            "Snow?" he shook his head. "But you know what? I'd never thought I would be the one to save you-"

            "Oh, yeah thanks." Muttered Kairi, but Tidus didn't hear her and just kept on talking.

            "I mean… I thought it would have been Sora, not me…" He finally realized what he'd said and silently cursed at himself for being so dumb. "I'm sorry… I just meant."

            Kairi tilted her head down. "It's okay… he's not coming back any way…" 'Thanks Tidus for helping me forget all of that stuff!' her thoughts said sarcastically.

            "Sure he is!" he said heartily. "He promised-" His sentence was cut short by Kairi raising her head up, revealing tears, and her backing up.

            "Well, he lied! He's never coming back!" she cried. "He left all of us, he left me! They both did!" She then turned around and ran.

            "Kairi!" Tidus watched in anxiety as she dashed through the sand, and he was about to go after her when someone touched his arm.

            "Don't go after her." Tidus turned around to see a fully rested Selphie at the door. "Smooth move boy."

            "It's not like I meant to."

            "I know… she must really love them… I hope they come back for her sake."

            Then they linked arms and sat down on the porch together. 'I know this is selfish of me but maybe this time we can get that kiss thing right.' mused Tidus's thoughts.

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            Without noticing Kairi's feet had led her down an unusually familiar path to a place that she had avoided for approximately a year. The cave was dark as she entered through the trees that now hid the opening. A musty scent with a fragrance of fresh rain hung in the air, and Kairi wondered why she hadn't been here in so long, but answered herself. At the end of the cave there was a room of sorts. Pictures and markings covered the walls and memories of small children ran wild; each drawing had his or her own story, but one caught her eye.

            It was tale of a young boy and young girl who loved each other dear, though they did not know this yet. They trusted each other with secrets and helped each other when sad; neither left the other's side. That boy was the first to understand his feelings and gave a mysterious fruit that was supposed to keep two people together forever, to the girl. And after the boy had left had she taken the fruit and wanted so much to give half of it to him.

            Kairi ran her fingers over the wall where Sora, her, and the Paopo Fruit they shared stayed.  Author: Forgot if that's how you spell 'Paopo' or not. Correct me if wrong! She felt her knees get weak and leaned on the wall for support.

            "No more crying, dammit!" she rarely cursed but at the moment she was mad with her self for being weak. 'I do not know where they are, and do not know if they will ever come back. All I can do is hope and keep them in my heart until the day I die. But for now I must have more faith and try my best to keep a smile on my face.' She turned and left the Secret Cave to be secret once more.

            Kairi thought it best to straighten every thing out with her friends and when she rounded Selphie's house a 'stirring' sound met her ear. She walked along the shadows and peeked her head round to see indeed something stirring. One of those 'rare' smiles washed over Kairi's face as she saw a lovesick couple sitting on the porch. Tidus's arms were around Selphie's waist while her arms were around the boy's neck. They were engaged in a very energetic kiss that made Kairi giggle like a little girl.

            "Kairi?" breathed Selphie, as they pulled apart. Both flushed parties stood up. "What are you doing?" Kairi tried to suppress her laughter that threatened as she saw Tidus blush, but failed and as she asked, "Nothing, but what are you two doing?"

            They both turned bright red and Tidus scratched his head, while Selphie murmured something incoherent. She felt bad for them and asked a less embarrassing question, "So… do you guys want to do some training while I'm in the mood to be bossed around?"

Selphie eyes widened and Tidus smirked. That was a 'yes.'

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Author's Note: Hey this is a longer chapter, but I'm afraid that all the CRAZY STUFF isn't in here but will DEFIANATELEY be in the next chapter that I already have but won't be posting till tomorrow. Hope you liked it!