Dear Sora,

Today was another long day of training. I'm getting better, I think. I can summon my keyblade without any trouble. I still don't know how you managed to master that so effortlessly. Maybe it has to do with your big and strong heart.

I learned a few more spells. I even got water down. I remember you commenting about how hard that one was for you to master, so I was pretty happy that I got it down pat. Guess I'm a bit better with the magic than I am with the brute force which is fine I guess. Maybe I can at least be good support for you and the others.

I can still hardly believe it. That I'll finally be fighting alongside you. Maybe I should have actually joined in those spars back on the play island. I used to think they were silly, but it was kind of flattering to have you and Riku fight over me. Between you and me, I was always rooting for you. Though, I think Riku knows that.

Things were so much simpler back then. I miss those days. Goofing around doing whatever came to mind. Thinking a raft could get us to other worlds. It was mostly Riku's idea now that I think about it, but so long as you went, I would have followed you anywhere. It's still true you know. I want to be strong enough to go with you so that we never have to be apart again.

That's what I miss most about our time on the island: being together. I took it for granted, though I never imagined any of this would happen. However, I've come to realize that home isn't so much a place, but rather, I feel like I'm home whenever I'm with you. I love my parents and other friends of course, but when I'm with you, I feel safe, comfortable, and happy. Like I'm home no matter where I am.

Look at me, spouting sentimental and romantic ideas like that when I cannot even tell you how I feel. I know life has been busy since you came back, but that hardly excuses before all this started. I thought I had more time, and I wondered if maybe it was just a shallow crush. I don't think that anymore, but a lot has happened lately. All the more reason for me to hurry up and become the best keyblade wielder I can be, right?

But enough about me! How are you doing? Donald and Goofy keeping you on your toes? I know Donald can be a bit grumpy, but I know they're very good friends to you. I'm glad you have such dependable companions to keep you safe while I can't go with you yet. I'll have to be sure to thank them somehow.

What kind of worlds have you seen? I just know you've already made friends wherever you've been. It's in your nature and something I hope you never lose. You'll have to tell me all about them when we meet up again. I do love hearing about your adventures. Even if I'm not fond of the danger parts.

I know you're trying your best to gain the power of waking and recover your strength. I just know you'll succeed. You always pull through for me when the chips are down, and I believe with all my heart that you'll do the same here. Don't let it get you down if you don't have it yet. Just keep on persevering. Keep on being you, and I'm sure you'll get it!

I hesitate to bring it up, but how are you holding up? We haven't been able to talk since that day on the island. The status updates have been mostly about mission statuses, but I don't think anyone else even knows to ask. It makes me all the more glad you have Donald and Goofy with you as they really seem to be able to cheer you up almost like they're surrogate uncles at this point, but I worry sometimes anyway.

Seeing you so distraught was painful. I hate seeing you like that. I hate knowing how close I was to losing you. I just hope that you don't blame yourself anymore though. You were tricked by a man who has manipulated events for years. Don't feel bad, and don't let anything you saw in those nightmares haunt you. That wasn't you. You would never hurt me after all. You're my keyblade warrior after all. Even if you won't believe in yourself, I always will. Remember that if nothing else.

I have faith that you and the others will see this through. Knowing what we're up against can be scary to say the least. I know I'm still green, and no amount of training will give me that real world experience you and the others have. I'm still going to give it my all though. So long as I'm fighting by your side, I'm confident that we'll pull through. You're strong, Sora. Maybe stronger than you know. If for some reason, I don't make it – which may be about the only way you ever read these – then I want you to know that

You know what? Never mind. I'll just have to tell you myself in person. Hopefully sooner rather than later if life will ever give us the chance and I don't lose my nerve. In the meantime, you had better stay safe, you hear? I'll try not to take too long here.

Yours now and forever,

Kairi

The redhead sighed as she put the paper face down on her lap before gently folding it and putting it in her bag with the rest. She looked over the beautiful valley as the sun set. These letters really did help her cope. She just let the words flow, and for a brief time, she let herself feel like she was actually talking to Sora. It was not the same, of course, but it would do for now. She should really tell him how she felt, but that would be another day.