The 15-year old boy stepped off the gummi ship. As if in a daze, he looked around at his surroundings. Everything seemed so familiar, and yet, strange. Looking at the scenery, it seemed like nothing had changed. But oddly, within his heart, he felt like something was different.
He kneeled down and scooped up some sand, letting in run through his fingers. Sora couldn't believe it. He was home.
Sora stood up with a grin. He was back! And finally, after all these years, he could see Kairi again – and stay with her, this time.
Donald and Goofy walked off the ship behind him. Donald started to say something, but Goofy put a hand on the duck's shoulder, shaking his head slightly. Sora had come home, and his friends knew that he would want to talk to Kairi first.
Sure enough, Sora took off running towards the waterfall. Not the waterfall, exactly, but what was near it. The Secret Place. Are you still waiting, Kairi? the boy thought as he ran. Are you still there, waiting for me?
His thoughts were cut short as Sora realized he had reached his destination. He stopped, and for a moment, just stared at the small opening. It had always seemed so big, but now seemed so small. I wonder if I can still fit…? Sora thought nervously.
He thought for a moment, then shrugged and got down on his hands and knees. It was a tight squeeze, but he managed to get through the narrow tunnel that led to the Secret Place. After what seemed like ages (but in reality was only a few minutes), Sora reached the cave that was the special secret of his, Riku's, and Kairi's. He stood up—and stopped.
Someone else was here. A girl lay crumpled on the ground. She was laying so Sora couldn't see her face; her body was turned towards the wall. Sora wondered for a moment who she was and how she knew about this place, but he quickly ran over to her.
"Hey!" Sora exclaimed, reaching down and patting her shoulder. "Are you okay!" There was no answer, so he kneeled down. "Please don't be dead…" he murmured as he took her small hand and placed two fingers on her wrist. There was a pulse, so he concluded that she must just be sleeping.
Sora gently turned the girl over, and froze as he recognized the face.
It was Kairi. She was older, and her hair was longer, and she was wearing different clothes—a pleated skirt and a white blouse—but he knew right away that this girl was Kairi.
"Kairi!" he exclaimed in surprise.
A finger twitched on her left hand. She mumbled something, and her eyes opened a bit. Kairi blinked once, then twice. Her eyes open, fully awake, she sat up, and turned wide, innocent, questioning eyes toward Sora.
He smiled and said, "Kairi!"
She stared at him for a moment, not out of shock, but more like puzzlement. Finally, she said in a soft voice, yet clear, and musical:
"Who are you?"