Chapter 11 – Vacation Time, Part One

"VACATION!" Akira and Kosuke screamed in the other room, making Kairi wake up in frustration. She didn't understand why they had to leave at five o'clock in the morning, and it was really bugging her. Sora laughed a little as Kairi hid her face under the pillow.

"Oh come on…" He tickled her sides, making her jump up. Kairi decided to give in and get out of bed. The twins were prancing around the house happily.

"Put your stuff in the car." Sora called out to them. Kairi let out a big sigh.

It was going to be a long day. Twilight Town's train took about six hours just to get to Destiny Islands. (And that's a hell of a long time) Kairi and Sora hadn't been there since they moved. She was sure her family would be happy to see them, especially the twins for the first time…

It was pretty sad that Kairi's mother hadn't ever met her grandchildren, but they just never got around to it. Kairi was going to really surprise her…

Sora lifted the last suitcase into the trunk and closed it. Akira and Kosuke jumped into the back seat eagerly. Kairi always brought her pillow on long trips, and she was going to use it on the train. The only reason they were using the car was because of all the luggage. The station was about a ten minute walk away.

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As they loaded the train, their luggage was safely put elsewhere. Akira and Kosuke whined and complained when they thought some random guy was stealing it, but Kairi and Sora were able to explain it to them.

"Now," Sora said, "you two are going to have good manners on here, you understand?"

"Yes sir!" They saluted. Already they were being too loud and drawing attention to themselves. Akira and Kosuke sat in the seat in front of them.

Kairi looked out the window. It was like they were traveling through space, which was probably another reason this trip was so expensive. Sora leaned his head on her shoulder.

"This is going to be fun." He said.

"I can't believe they're missing school, though." Kairi mentioned.

"Oh come on, how many days have they missed so far?"

"Okay, it's fine. They can miss three days."

"You see, that's why I was thinking… we should stay for the whole week!" Sora blurted out happily. Akira and Kosuke heard this and turned around in their seats excitedly.

"What?" Kairi's eyes widened. Would her boss really let her do that?

"Come on, Kairi! It'll be so much fun!" Sora pleaded.

"Yeah, mom! Please! Can we?" The twins begged. Kairi was outnumbered. She shrugged and agreed to it.

Kairi could've sworn she fell asleep, because the next thing she knew, everyone was shaking her saying that they have arrived. Still a little out of it, she didn't really believe them at first, but when she looked out the window and saw palm trees everywhere, she couldn't have been dreaming. She shook her head back and forth and followed Sora and the twins off the train. They claimed their suitcases and left the station.

From what she could tell, North Destiny Island hadn't changed much at all. There was still the old dock that her and her friends used to hang out by, the lush green palm trees with the coconuts that fell on people's heads, and the warm sand that could burn your feet if you weren't wearing shoes.

A Volleyball net was set up and kids were playing. Sora knew he needed to hide before he was discovered as the famous Sora Kiyamoto, star Blitzball player. He put on his sunglasses and a red hat to attempt at covering his identity. Kairi giggled at the appearance of Sora wearing a hat.

"I think it's sexy on me." Sora joked, making a weird pose. Kairi raised an eyebrow and grabbed his arm.

"Mom! Kosuke and I want to go surfing!" Akira whined.

"We have to get to our hotel and meet your grandmother first. Then you can go out and play." Kairi said firmly. The twins groaned. Their hotel was up ahead.

It was a pretty fancy hotel… if you considered kool-aid coming out of water fountains fancy. Kairi had only been around this side of town once, and that was for a soccer game. Inside was huge. Sora checked in and they made their way over to the elevator. There was so much space in the main lobby.

Akira and Kosuke begged to push all the buttons in the elevator, but Sora and Kairi told them not to. However, knowing them, they knew the twins would play around on the elevator sooner or later. The family was staying on the fifth floor.

"Room 236… here we are." Sora took out the key and opened the door. They set their bags down right when they walked in. The twins rushed for the bed and started jumping on it, getting sand all over the covers.

"Hey!" Sora shooed them away. The room had two king sized beds next to each other, one TV, and looked pretty normal. The view of the ocean through the window was magnificent, however.

Kairi and Sora decided to let the kids play at the beach for a little bit before heading over to her mother's house. They raced down to the beach with their surfboards that they had really no idea how to use. Kairi set up two chairs for her and Sora. She was in her new bathing suit, but was hiding it under a towel. Sora had already disposed of his shirt and was ready to dive into the ocean.

"Come on, babe… take off the towel!" He teased, making Kairi's face go red. She hadn't worn a bathing suit in the longest time, especially not in front of him. She finally got rid of the towel.

"You're gorgeous." Sora complimented, holding his hand out. She took it and followed him over to the water. Of course it was cold, which was another reason why she had never been too fond of actually going in the ocean. She was also afraid of big waves. Yes, Kairi was a coward.

"Oh, it'll be fine…" Sora pulled her into the water. Kairi started to shiver, but he held her close trying to make her feel a little better. Akira and Kosuke were trying again and again to mount their surfboards and actually stand. Kairi thought it was adorable, but was still worried about their safety like a normal mother would.

"Mom! Watch me!" Akira yelled.

"No! Watch me!" Kosuke yelled louder.

"We'll watch both of you!" Sora called out. They laughed when their sons fell into the water once again. Akira popped his head out of the water… but where was Kosuke?

"I'm going to try again! Watch!" Akira got back on the surfboard. However, Kairi wasn't paying attention. She didn't spot Kosuke anywhere. Sora noticed after about thirty seconds that Kosuke never came up out of the water and began to swim over to where he saw him last. Kairi was panicking.

The lifeguard immediately rushed down once he realized there was trouble. He went over to Kairi and asked what was going on.

"My child is drowning somewhere! Please, help him!" Kairi shrieked. Akira had stopped trying to get himself on his surfboard now and was looking for his brother. The lifeguard dived into the water, pushing Sora out of the way.

"Oh my gosh…" Sora pulled Akira out of the water. Kairi stood next to them, hoping that Kosuke would be all right. The lifeguard came to the surface, holding Kosuke in his arms. He rushed over to the shore and lay the boy out in the sand. Sora, Kairi and Akira ran over to him.

"My baby!" Kairi freaked, putting her hands over her mouth. The lifeguard pressed against Kosuke's chest and tried pumping the water out of him. After many tries, Kosuke coughed and his eyes opened.

"OH THANK GOODNESS!" Kairi wrapped her arms tightly around Kosuke. He coughed a little more and started to wonder where he was.

"What… happened?" He asked weakly, still out of it.

"You almost died." Akira said bluntly.

"He did not." Sora corrected him.

"This nice lifeguard right here just saved your life!" Kairi smiled. The lifeguard removed his sunglasses and grinned at the boy. Kairi noticed something familiar about him…

"Thank you so much." Sora said to him, also noticing something weird.

"No problem. You can call me Riku."

Sora and Kairi gasped.

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A/N: Riku? Uh ooh! Why didn't he remember them at first? How strange… well, I'm off!