Sora felt almost like he was walking on air – something he had a bit of experience with actually given his wisdom form, so he had something a reference point. He was back. Kairi and Riku were safe and sound. His home was back to normal, and everything was peaceful. However, that was not what had him grinning even wider than usual.

It had been a few days since he and Riku had been brought back from the darkness with the help of Kairi's guiding light. It was a feat that even now, they did not realize just how impressive it was. He had spent the past few days resting and getting reacquainted with everyone. His parents were informed of what had gone on while he was said to be traveling abroad for the past year to everyone else. Technically true.

This was the first time he had managed to get away and head back to the island since he got back. He was so eager to go that he forewent his boat altogether and simply glided over from a high enough hill. No one saw him. Probably.

No one else was there when he got to the island, so he opted to just do some exploring and relish in the childhood memories that felt like an eternity ago. He did several laps around the small island until he finally worked up the courage to go into their secret place which now that he was older, he knew the adults had probably known about it, but that didn't make it any less special to him.

It did, however, hold some less than pleasant memories as it was where everything had really begun. It was where he first lost Kairi. That was not why he had been putting it off though. The real reason was the last drawing he had added there. He was scared. What if Kairi had seen it? It was not exactly subtle. She would have to have known what it meant. The idea of her turning him down gently with that sweet smile ached, or worse, her laughing it off as a childish crush. It scared him more then the Organization ever could. He knew that going in there would not change the fact, but it was a reminder that it existed. That she might know even the slightest hint of his feelings for her.

However, what he found was beyond anything that he had expected. There was the drawing, but it was not as he remembered. There were the crudely drawn heads of him and Kairi along with the addition of Sora's, but there was a newer addition. Now, Kairi was reciprocating.

Sora felt lightheaded for a minute trying to think about what this meant. The idea that someone else added it crossed his mind, but, no, none of their friends would have done that even as a joke. Everyone knew how much it would have meant and how much it would have hurt. It had to be authentic. His heart knew as much.

So, once he swallowed the lump in his throat, a massive grin covered his face. She liked him too. He could barely contain the repeated giddy laughs and chuckles as he walked back out of the cave after spending a few minutes letting his heart soar.

That was how that Sora ended up practically skipping through the island until he realized that he was not alone. There was a boat there. Looking it over, he was pretty sure that it was Kairi's assuming she was still using the same one. This only made his smile deepen.

It was not hard to find her. She was on the paopu tree where they had spent so much time lounging both alone, together and as a group. Sora could barely contain his happiness as he walked across the bridge to get to her. He made no efforts to mask his approach, yet for some reason she seemed almost startled when he took a seat next to her.

"Watcha thinkin' about?" Sora gave his best goofball smile for her. The ones that usually made her happy, but she did not smile.

"Oh, Sora," Her voice seemed sad, "Don't worry about it."

This made Sora worry of course and his smile faltered, "Is there something wrong?"

"Forget it," Kairi forced a smile, "You're back. That's what matters."

"Not if you're upset," Sora shifted in place to better face the girl of his dreams, "I don't just want you safe, I want you to be happy."

"Sora, you…you're too kind to me," The redhead could not look at him any longer sending the boy into a mild panic.

"What? Don't be ridiculous!" Sora blurted out with excessive gusto, "I could never be too nice to you of all people."

That only seemed to make matters worse though as Kairi visibly flinched, "Even after I forgot you?"

"What?" Now Sora was even more confused. Was that what she was so upset about? "Kairi, that wasn't your fault."

"I tried so hard…" Kairi started as if she had not heard him, "I wanted to remember. I-I knew something wasn't right." She put a hand vaguely over her heart, "I could feel that something was missing in my heart. It was all wrong. I knew there was someone missing from my life, but I couldn't do it. I wasn't strong enough to remember."

Now Sora could see the start of tears and his panic returned in full force. It was enough to break through Sora's reservations as he pulled the girl into a tight hug, "Don't talk like that!" He pulled back and gave her the biggest smile he could despite how much seeing her like that made his heart ache.

"I'm here, Kairi. That's what matters. We're together again. And, hey, you did better than most. You knew something was wrong. You have no idea how much that means to me. So, please, don't cry. I hate it when you cry."

Kairi sniffled, but no tears fell, "Are you sure you're not mad? Even a little?"

"Nah," He grinned nonchalantly, "I'm not sure I can even get mad at you, Kairi."

"Be serious, Sora," Kairi admonished, but her tone was a bit more lighthearted.

"I am," He smiled, "You're too important to me to get angry at you like that. Especially over something that wasn't your fault. We'll always find our way back to each other, and you proved it."

"I…did?"

"Yeah! Even when you had forgotten me, your heart never truly did. So, I believe that no matter what we'll always find each other. No matter what comes, I'll do my very best to be there for you."

"And I'll be there for you," Kairi spoke with a fierce determination underneath her usual kind voice, "I don't want you to have to go it alone, and I know you have others that have your back, but…I want to help you shoulder those burdens. I promise that if you're ever missing again, I'll find you.

"You don't have to do that," Sora smiled fondly.

"I know," Kairi returned the gesture, but it was genuine this time, "I want to, and don't you dare tell me no."

Sora chuckled, "Alright then." After all, what else could there be to threaten them? Looking at her smiling face, Sora could not help but smile. That would be enough for now. He could address their feelings another day.

A/N: I actually used to really be into KH, but it kinda took so long for III (not that I would have had a means to play it anyway) that I kinda moved on, but I got the means to play it and the collection recently, so have a story.