Chapter 6 Connection to Kairi

Sora's POV

"Wait a minute", Riku started. "Sora, remember how you and I got out of the Realm of Darkness when we were there?"

"We got out…thanks to Kairi."

"That's right", Riku said. "The letter she wrote arrived in the Realm of Darkness, and after we read it…a door of light appeared, and it led us back home."

"Who is Kairi", Strelitzia asked.

"She's a childhood friend of both me and Sora", Riku revealed.

"I see", Strelitzia said. "You must have a strong bond with her."

"Well", Riku started. "Sora definitely does."

"What do you mean", Strelitzia asked.

"They shared a Paopu fruit", Riku revealed. "When two people share one, their destinies are forever intertwined. They'll be a part of each other's lives no matter what."

"That's sounds like a wonderful thing", Strelitzia stated. "To forever be connected to the person you care about the most."

"Yeah", I agreed with a slightly sad smile.

"Yeah", Riku agreed. "And this connection could be our key back home."

"Really", I asked in shock. "How?"

After I asked this…Riku began to think.

"Strelitzia", he started. "Tell me…is there a beach nearby?"

"A beach", Strelitzia asked in confusion. "Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking", Riku started. "If we go to a beach, maybe we'll find another message in a bottle Kairi wrote?"

"You think so", I asked hopefully.

"It wouldn't hurt to check", Riku replied. "Strelitzia?"

"Well", Strelitzia started. "There is a beach here, but we're gonna have to take a train to get there. It's also getting late, so I suggest that we wait until tomorrow to head out there."

That Night

Instead of sleeping on the coach like I did the night before, I instead slept in the bedroom with Riku.

We were both sleeping on futons on the tatami mat floor.

"So", I started. "How's things back home? What's everyone been doing in the past year while I've been gone?"

"Looking for you", Riku replied.

"Really", I asked.

"Really", Riku replied.

"What about Kairi", I asked.

"We have her to thank for finding out where you were", Riku replied.

"We do", I asked in confusion.

"Yeah", Riku replied. "She let herself be put to sleep for a year so that her heart could be studied for clues as to where you were."

"What", I asked in shock as I shot up.

"Don't worry", Riku reassured me as he sat up as well. "She's awake now."

"Thank goodness", I said in relief. "So, what's she doing now?"

"She wanted to come with me", Riku revealed. "But then she realised that she should stay and finish her training."

"Oh", I said sadly.

"What", Riku asked. "Am I not good enough for you?"

"What", I exclaimed. "No! I just…"

"Calm down", Riku reassured me. "I was just joking. I know how much Kairi means to you."

"Yeah", I replied sadly.

"Don't worry", Riku reassured me. "I'm sure you two will be together again soon."

The Next Day

We had arrived at the beach.

While Strelitzia went off ahead, Riku and I stayed behind.

"You okay", Riku asked.

"I'm okay", I replied. "It's just…being on a beach again…kinda makes me feel nostalgic."

"I know what you mean", Riku said. "I feel the same way."

After Riku and I said this, we continued to stare at the ocean water for a moment.

"You know", he started. "It's strange. Just a few years ago, I wanted nothing more than leave our tiny island behind."

"Yeah", I said. "We wanted to see what other worlds were out there."

"And then", Riku started. "We got to do exactly that."

"Yeah", I agreed. "We got to go on amazing adventures."

"Yeah", Riku agreed. "But if I'm being honest. I sometimes miss the days of us just goofing on the beach together."

"Yeah", I agreed. "I feel the same way. You think our lives will ever go back to the way it was before?"

"Who knows", Riku replied. "Maybe."

"Sora", Strelitzia called out, interrupting our conversation. "Riku! I think I found what you two were looking for!"

As soon as Strelitzia said this, Riku and I went up to where she was.

She held up an item, and we were surprised at what it was.

It was…a message in a bottle.

"Is that…a message in a bottle", I asked.

"It could be what we're looking for", Riku pointed out.

With that, I took the bottle from Strelitzia, took the paper out of it, and began to read the message written on it.

Sora

I'm not sure if you will ever receive this later, but even still, I will write it.

As I am writing this, Riku has just gone off to the place known as Qudratum to look for you.

I wanted so badly to go with him, but I knew that I couldn't.

I need to finish my training. I need to become strong enough to be worthy of standing by your side.

I decided to finish my training under Aqua. After all, she's the reason why I can use a Keyblade in the first place.

I hope that Riku finds you soon. I hope that you'll come home soon.

I still remember the last words you spoke to me before you disappeared.

"I'll come back to you someday. I promise."

You told me these words before, and you kept your promise back then. That's why I have faith that you will come back to me again.

I'll be waiting until then.

Love,

Kairi

When I was done reading the letter, I held it close to me.

Then, I looked up…and frowned in disappointment.

"What's wrong, Sora", Strelitzia asked in concern.

"A portal didn't appear", I pointed out.

"No", Riku said. "However, the fact that this message reached us proves my theory."

"What theory", I asked.

"That Kairi could be our key to getting back home."