AN: Woo...this is getting good...heh heh. Thanks so much for all the reviews. You guys are the best!!!! Well, I hope this chappie is good enough too. For those of you who are reading my poems, I'm trying to make some new ones but yes, alas, writer's block. I'll try to put one up eventually though if I can. For now, sit back and relax and read...

Disclaimer: Don't own Kingdom Hearts...or Riku, Kairi, or Sora...too bad.

Chapter Six: Going My Way

As I stepped through the door, all I could see was a bright shining light. But then I could see the outline of a few palm trees. I started to hear the faint sound of the waves. Then I could see some clouds, and I started to feel the sand beneath my feet. This went on until all of Destiny Islands was in my view.

I could hear the seagulls screeching, and the soothing sound of the small waterfall. It was kind of hard to believe, but it seemed like I was hearing these sounds for the first time in years. It felt strange to breathe the salty sea air and stand on the beach.

Then a thought popped into my mind. It actually had been years since I'd done those things...since I'd seen Destiny Islands. Two years to be exact, because Sora and I had ultimately switched places.

All of the things I was feeling right now were exactly what Sora had been feeling. But I could still think for myself. And I still remembered all that had happened with Ansem. My lungs filled with air, and I exhaled loudly.

My aquamarine eyes scanned the island, which I never remembered was so beautiful. I started to walk along the shore, the waves moving close but not enough to get my feet wet. The sky was a magnificent color. Actually, it was the blend of pink, orange, purple, and some blue.

Yep...the sunset still reminded me of Kairi. At first I never knew why. But now I actually thought I knew the answer. A sunset is beautiful, like her. But then night slowly overcomes it. I felt that Sora represented the dark of the night, and that trapped within him were the stars...which still represented Kairi. He took her away from me. I could see the stars, but they were not within my grasp. Unattainable, just like Kairi.

Until now. I knew soon that Kairi would be leaving the secret cave and see me, while Sora would watch everything through his window, just like I did.

I turned my attention to where the secret place was, waiting for Kairi to emerge. And then finally, after what seemed like such a long time, her lovely figure exited the cave. At first she didn't see me. She rubbed her eyes. I assumed she must have been crying...crying for me...

I still held on to the Keyblade, but let it hang loosely. I took a few steps forward, waiting for her to look up. And then she did. Even though we were a fair distance away, our eyes met and locked. She seemed at first to be in disbelief. She rubbed her eyes again. Yep...I was still here.

Then she smiled, and began running towards me. I did the same, dropping my Keyblade so I'd be able to hug her. We met in the middle, and embraced.

I looked down at her lovely face, a smile on mine that I thought I never could make. "I kept my promise," I heard myself saying. That's right. I promised to come back. And here I was...just like Sora had done.

Kairi smiled, though tears were falling down her cheeks. "I...I thought you might...that you might not-"

"It doesn't matter. I'm back now and that is all that matters," I interrupted, wiping away some of her tears. Then I reached into my pocket, lifting out a star-shaped item. It was her good luck charm, and it showed signs of wear and tear from being a keychain, though it was still intact. I placed it carefully into her hands, and she held it tightly to her chest, cradling the treasured item.

Kairi looked up at me with her ocean blues eyes and there seemed to be several things I could see in them. For one, relief that I had returned, and also happiness. Yet there was something else that I saw that made me jump inside. It was what I had longed for all those years. It was the one thing that she had reserved...it was...love. I saw love in her eyes.

And that love was for me.

"Kairi...I love you." I held my breath for a moment, hoping to hear her response.

She leaned in closer to me, tears no longer falling onto the sand. "I love you too, Riku. More than I have ever even realized."

I leaned forward, and her lips met mine. We stayed in an embrace, the kiss being more than how I imagined it to be. It was passionate, yet gentle. I could swear there were fireworks inside of me, or a roller coaster. I don't think I felt so alive.

When we finally broke away I couldn't help but look in the direction of my old home...Sora's home now. I glanced up at the window, and...sure enough that crazy old spiky haired goof was staring down at us. And he was frowning.

Yes...it was all coming together. Going my way. I had looked up at him for a split second, then turned my attention back to Kairi. I would be able to see soon enough the anguish Sora was feeling. Kairi then sighed.

"I've missed you so much." She told me. I couldn't help but return the phrase.

Kairi grabbed my hand, turning towards my home. "You should get cleaned up. It looks like you've been battling nonstop."

I remembered that my clothes were tattered and ripped, and that I was dirty as well. I guess I had hardly noticed. I was glad however, to say that my clothes were almost identical to what I had worn a few years back. Except that they were larger since I had grown and only a few parts were different. Like, for instance, around my neck was a silver crown necklace, like the one Sora had. I knew I'd need to clean up and change, so I nodded to Kairi, gently squeezing her hand.

"I guess I do need to fresh up in the powder room," I responded. Kairi giggled just like when she was younger. We continued to walk along the sandy beach until I reached my home.

She told me to go to her house when I was done. Then we would go tell Sora the good news. Yeah...good news for me, I thought. But not for him. We kissed again before we parted, then I rushed into my home, taking about one of the quickest showers I think I've ever taken.

It was kind of strange being in Sora's old house, but since I virtually did live there before, I was used to it. It was nice to see that most of my room was just the way my old one had been. Yep, I was always pretty much neat, like Kairi. Unlike Sora who threw his dirty clothes down on the floor then a week later he'd wake up and grab any old unwashed wrinkled shirt on the ground and throw it on.

I had to admit he wasn't too lazy or messy, but he pulled that stunt often enough to just annoy me so much. Especially when his clothes smelled really bad.

I was rushing like crazy, anxious to hurry up with my great luck with this whole 'going into the past' thing. I sat on my bed, pulling a blue unbuttoned shirt over my white cotton shirt. I couldn't help but realize that Sora must have had a lot...and I mean a lot of cuts and bruises on him. Because I sure did.

Sitting there, the sunlight filtering into my room, I started to really think. I was a little confused. Sora and I had ultimately switched places, yet we were still able to keep things from our original selves.

I still had my clothes, and my room status, and my thoughts, yet there were parts of Sora that had been put in...like his necklace, or the stuffed teddy bear that was lying on my bed. It was a little odd, but I decided that they were minor details that didn't matter.

What was bothering me the most was about Ansem. I still hadn't forgotten about him, like he had asked. I wanted to know if he really was living a normal life with no trouble like he had said. But then again, the Heartless were still alive. And somehow I knew that Ansem must still be controlling them, and that he had lied to me. But why? If I was happy here on Destiny Islands with all that I wanted, why would he care to lie to me? I was going to leave him alone anyways....unless of course he attacked Kairi or myself, or this island.

I shook all of these thoughts away, knowing that I should stop thinking about them. Why should I stress out about these little things that weren't making any difference in my life right now anyways? I shrugged everything off, pieces of Kairi taking their place in my mind.

I pulled on my blue and black sneakers, then rushed out of my room, down the stairs, and out of the house. My silver hair was still partially wet, but I didn't mind. The beads of water that still clung on to it made it seem to glisten even more, especially in the sun.

I hurriedly made my way to Kairi's place, clumps of sand flying everywhere as I tried to reach her as fast as I could. I reached her door in what seemed like only a few seconds, knocking steadily.

And she answered the door right away. My angel, my life. Kairi. She had filled that void inside of me that had been empty for so long. And I felt complete...not that broken emotion of longing and wanting but never receiving that I had felt not too long ago. Kairi had saved me.

She smiled, and I beamed right back. "You look really nice," she commented.

"Thanks." I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her closer to me. We turned and began to walk as I said, "Let's go tell Sora I'm back."

"I'm sure he'll be pleased."

"Yeah...." I muttered. "Really pleased."