Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING FROM KINGDOM HEARTS OR FINAL FANTASY! OR ANY OTHER VIDEO GAME, OR EVEN DISNEY!

(This chapter isn't very exciting, but trust me, I'll get to an exciting part as soon as I possibly can! This is just a sort of, mend for old friendships, so to say. The next chapter is the beginning of and adventure. I really need more REVIEWS PLEASE!)

That night, Riku, Sora, Kairi and Xoe all spent the night out under the stars. It was Kairi's idea, she said it would help clear their minds. Riku had told Sora and Kairi what had happened on the island. At the moment they were all huddled around a campfire on the beach. Riku looked up and saw the moon. What was that? Was that… no it couldn't be… he thought, seeing a black shadow cross across the moon's light. He shook his head and turned to Xoe. She was leaned against him, and seemed terribly frightened. Yet she seemed calmer then before. She was staring at all of the stars. Things were for once, just peaceful. Of course Sora had to break the peace.

"Riku, I have to say this. If you go on an adventure, I'm going too! I don't want to be split from you again. We should always be fighting side by side. Never against each other again…"

"I'm going too!" Kairi said. "I couldn't bear staying here alone again!"

Riku hardly heard her. He was still lingering on Sora's words. He remembered how he had to fight Sora. Ansem had consumed him… he was forced to fight his friend, but every stroke Ansem took with his blade… Riku had to watch. And for a while, he thought he would see his friend die… because of him. Thankfully Xoe didn't have to see that. She would have been mortified, thought Riku. Maybe he should let Sora come… but Kairi.

"Kairi, I want you to stay here with Xoe."

Suddenly, Xoe came alive. She turned to Riku. "I'm not staying here!" she cried. "I'm going with you!"

"But Xoe, I don't want you getting hurt! This is going to be dangerous. It's always dangerous, and you know what could happen!"

"No I don't." Xoe countered. "And neither do you." And for the first time in what seemed like days, she smiled. "Besides, I already decided this yesterday. Do you really think that I don't know how to fight?"

Riku actually hadn't thought of that. She can fight? I didn't know that? I don't want her to go… but still…

"Fine, you can all come if you feel like it! But if you're in a sticky situation, don't say I didn't tell you so! We leave tomorrow!" Riku said, sounding like his old self again.

"T-tomorrow?" Kairi asked.

Riku glared at her. "I want to get this over with as soon as possible…"

"I mean… Tomorrow! Great!" Kairi said with a fake smile, and a giggle.

"Well, if we're going tomorrow, let's get some sleep!" Sora said, collapsing in the sand.

For once, a smart plan, thought Riku with a wry smile.

Riku was the first to wake; or rather he thought he was. The sun was just rising and he sat up slowy, rubbing his eyes. When he regained full sight, he saw that Kairi was gone. I guess she's just packing, thought Riku. But all the same, he got up and went to look for her. He looked around quite a bit, but finally found her on the small island. She sat on the farthest edge watching the sun rise.

When she saw Riku, she smiled and waved him over. That was when he realized that he hadn't been alone with Kairi since BEFORE the whole adventure started who knows how many years ago. He suddenly felt nervous. Yes, he had liked Kairi a lot before… but now, he only liked her as a friend. Well, I can't do anything about that now, he thought as he sat next to Kairi. And of course, Kairi's first words were, "I missed you…"

What should I say? Riku thought frantically. "I missed you too."

Kairi smiled. "She's nice."

Riku looked at her, and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Xoe, she's nice. I bet she's a good friend."

"You can be friends with her too you know. I think that she would like that."

Kairi smiled. "Really, I mean no offense to you, but I don't have very many friends that are girls…" she giggled "…I think I would like to be her friend."

Suddenly Kairi stood up. "Don't loose her," she said.

"What do you mean?" asked Riku.

"She likes you, Riku. Don't leave her."

He thought he saw a tear run down her cheek, but she had left before he could tell. At first he didn't understand it, but then he got it completely. Don't leave her, just like I left you, he thought. Thanks Kairi. What would I do without you?

(Wow, almost made myself cry! Just kidding. It is sort of sentimental though. I think if I don't get to some action soon, people will be very ANGRY with me. Don't you think. Well if you do, TELL ME IN A REVIEW! PLEASE? (Yes I sound desperate, but I really want reviews!))