Thanks to all those who reviewed! mOOnlite-dUSk, fantasyrider-kh, and DREAMER1389, you all rock!
Here's the last chapter. I warn you all, the end is incredibly sappy and fluffy, so. Be warned. And read it anyway then give me tips on how to tone it down if necessary. And it's necessary. So...here goes!
Fun fact(s): Sora is a feminine Japanese name that means "Sky" and Riku is the Finnish nickname for "Richard". And I couldn't find the name Kairi, although I know "Kai" is Hawaiian for "Ocean". (It's my nickname because those are my initials. Cool.)
Disclaimer: Still don't own Kingdom Hearts. (Not for lack of trying :p)
Chapter 3: Redemption
Sora got up, preparing to go home. But something in his heart told him to wait. "Alright...I'll wait. But why?" He shouted to the sea, "Kairi! I'm sorry. I only...only..."
"Only what?"
Sora spun around.
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Kairi ran towards the beach. She could see an outline getting up off the dock. The outline had spiky hair. Nearing the dock, she could hear his voice. He was talking to the sea. "...Why? Kairi! I'm sorry!" Kairi stepped onto the dock. "I only... only..."
Kairi found her voice. "Only what?"
Sora jumped, and then spun around to face her. He was speechless for a moment, then his eyes narrowed and went icy. "Never you mind," he snapped. "It has nothing to do with you." Kairi found herself being glared at. "Leave me alone, we're not friends, remember?"
The words stung and Sora knew it: compassion and forgiveness mixed with the hard features, but dissolved quickly. Kairi deserved this.
Kairi took the verbal blows. She knew she deserved this and hung her head instead of snapping back with an insult. Sora was angry and had every right to be. She replied as calmly and evenly as she could, not letting her voice waver. "You said my name. You must have been talking about me. So it has everything to do with me." She stepped forward a few paces. "I was so angry today. I thought ...that...you were trying to-" She swallowed. "Trying to play a joke on me. I was wrong; I knew you would never do that. I guess I just... forgot." She finished lamely. Sora watched her cautiously, but the hard features were melting away. "And of course we're still friends. I was just so mad. And- oh, good God." Kairi breathed out the final words, horror-struck. A bluish-purple mark accented his left cheek. She reached out and traced it lightly with her fingers.
Sora flinched but let her trace her handiwork. "I slapped you. Sora...could you ever forgive me?" Her eyes glistened. "I am so sorry." She whispered. "So sorry." Tears dripped down her cheeks and suddenly, she was being held in a warm embrace. She rested her head on his shoulder and put her arms around his waist.
Sora turned his head toward her and she could see that he was crying too. Softly he said "I only wanted to let you know that... I love you, Kai." He blushed. I had to let you kn-" He was cut off as Kairi kissed him. His eyes widened, then closed as he returned the kiss.
Kairi gently pulled away, smiling, and looked him in the eyes as she said "Sora, I love you, too."
Sora smiled and pulled her close to him, resting his head on hers as they watched the last rays of the sunset together, before walking home, hand in hand.
-the end-