Disclaimer: The Mad Doctor claims no ownership to the Kingdom Hearts franchise. It belongs to Disney and Square Enix.

Notes from the Mad Doctor: Greetings readers! Here we have some more friendship moments between Kairi and the Never Land crew and the addition of another plot device of my own making. Enjoy!

Chapter 14: For When She Returns

Never Land

A short while later, Kairi, Peter and the rest of their group had returned to the hideout. Currently, Kairi was sitting down with Pluto's head in her lap and Hook's hat still on her head. Peter sat in mid-air nearby with Tink on his shoulder. They were watching the Lost Boys run around the hideout as they talked about and re-enacted their favorite parts of the battle.

"Did you see the look on Hook's face when Kairi knocked his sword out of his hand?" asked Nibs as he knocked a wooden sword out of Slightly's hand with one of his own

"That's nothing! The look after she smashed him into the mast was so funny!" laughed Cubby as he made a close approximation of the goofy look Hook had worn.

The Twins dragged Toodles across the floor by his hand while the youngest Lost Boy pretended to scream with no sound. Clearly, he thought the sound of Hook's screaming as he was dragged through the air by Kairi and Peter was the most memorable thing.

"She really gave Hook what he had comin' to him!" said Slightly.

"And it was so much fun when we all sent Hook overboard together!" exclaimed the Twins.

As she listened to the boys, Kairi chuckled to herself. 'I can't believe how much energy these boys have even after that battle. I'm getting tired just watching them.'

Peter laughed. "Well, they're certainly going to be talking about this for awhile. You know, Kairi, before you showed up, it was getting pretty boring around Never Land. But you coming here sure led to some much-needed excitement for us. I can't remember the last time we had this much fun fighting Hook and the pirates. It is going to be hard to top it the next time though. But we'll surely try."

Kairi shook her head amusedly. 'I can't believe he's actually looking forward to the next fight. But I guess that's just how it is for these boys. Oh! I almost forgot.'

"Peter? Thank you for coming to save me when the pirates got me."

"Hey, don't worry about it. You didn't think I was going to leave you in Hook's clutches like that, were you?" asked Peter.

Kairi hung her head. "Actually, after how I yelled at all of you earlier, I wasn't actually expecting you to come."

"Oh, come on, Kairi. Don't you even think that. We would've come for you no matter what," said Peter as Tink nodded in agreement.

After hearing those words, Kairi reflected on how her initial viewpoint of Peter had changed since the battle. While it was true that he could be pretty immature and thoughtless at times, he was also brave and very loyal to the people he cared about.

'Funny. Now that I'm seeing Peter's better qualities, he kind of reminds me of Sora. They do have a lot in common. Even the immature moments.'

"Still, I shouldn't have been that hard on all of you for playing around with my Wayfinder. You didn't know how important it was. Normally, I don't get that angry with other people if all they're guilty of is not knowing something. But ever since losing Sora and fighting with my other friends, I just haven't felt like myself. Still, that's no excuse for how I acted and for that, I am sorry," said Kairi sadly.

"Well, we may have gone a little too far ourselves. If we knew how you needed it to find Sora, we never would have messed around with it. Right Tink?" asked Peter causing the fairy to nod guiltily for starting the keepaway game with the Wayfinder.

"But you were wrong about one thing, Kairi."

Kairi looked puzzled. "I was? About what?"

"About me not knowing what it's like to miss someone. Because as it turns out, there is someone I miss very much," said Peter.

"Who?" inquired Kairi.

"Wendy," said Peter with a little sadness in his voice.

"Oh," said Kairi recalling Peter's friend who lived outside of Never Land. "How long has it been since you last saw her?"

"Well, the last time I saw her was after I rescued her from Hook along with Sora, Donald and Goofy."

"That was over a year ago. And you haven't been to see her since? Don't you know where to find her?"

"Of course, I do. I could never forget where to find her. Her home in London was very special to me because she and her brothers believed in me. I would always visit there because I loved to listen to her stories about me and then I would come back here and tell them again to the boys," said Peter happily.

Then he became a little serious. "Then one night, I learned Wendy was going to grow up and leave her nursery. That would mean no more stories and I couldn't let that happen. So, I brought her and her brothers here where she could be our mother and tell us stories all the time."

'I bet she didn't know what she was getting into,' thought Kairi. "So, what happened?"

"She was excited at first. But for some reason, after only one day here, she decided she wanted to leave and grow up after all. I never understood why," said Peter.

'If her experiences in Never Land were anything like my own, I can't say that I blame her,' thought Kairi.

"Even though I didn't like it, I did end up bringing her and her brothers home after saving them from Hook," said Peter.

"You did a good thing respecting her wishes like that, Peter. But that still doesn't explain why you haven't gone back to see her. I'm sure she would love to see you again so why not?" asked Kairi.

"I don't know. I guess I'm just afraid to," said Peter looking away from the princess.

Kairi was shocked. "The great Peter Pan is actually afraid of something?"

"Hard to believe, huh? You see, Kairi, I'm afraid that if I ever did go back there, she wouldn't be the same. She'll probably have grown up and forgotten all about me and Never Land forever," said Peter.

Kairi gave Peter a gentle smile. "That could never happen, Peter."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know for a fact that growing up doesn't always mean forgetting who and what was important to you when you were young. Take me for example. The most treasured memories I have are of my childhood days that I spent on the islands with my friends. And I'll always carry those memories forever because they'll always be there to carry me through the harder times that come with growing up. I imagine that Wendy will always look back and remember her times with you the same way as she grows up. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if when she has children of her own, she'll be telling your stories to them and they'll do the same for their own. In that way, you'll always be a part of her life no matter what," said Kairi.

'Almost like a paopu fruit bond,' Kairi added to herself.

Peter reflected for a moment on Kairi's words. He then recalled what Wendy had called out to him as he sailed away into the night after he brought her home.

'I'll always believe in you, Peter Pan!'

'Maybe she really will,' he thought as a smile came to his face.

He then turned back to Kairi. "Heh. When you put it that way, maybe growing up isn't so bad after all."

"Think you'd want to give it a try?" asked Kairi in a tone that indicated she wasn't asking it seriously.

Going along with the joke, Peter pretended to think. "Mmmm. Nah. It may be for you and for Wendy and everyone else. But this is the life the boys and I chose and it's what we will always want."

"I thought as much," said Kairi with a laugh. "But trust me when I say that Wendy would never forget you. I mean, who could?"

"I am pretty memorable, aren't I?" Peter said in his usual smug tone causing Kairi to shake her head in amusement.

"Thanks, Kairi. You know what? Maybe I will go see her. Maybe we all will because I know the boys miss her too. Even Tink does, although she won't admit it," said Peter.

Kairi and Peter looked at Tink who turned away from them. Unbeknownst to them, she was hiding a small look of excitement at the prospect of seeing their old friend.

"If there's one thing I've learned, Peter, it's that you should try to have as much time with the people most important to you," said Kairi before she hung her head down again.

'Because you never know when you won't be able to.'

Tink floated over to Kairi's face, put her hands under her chin and gently lifted her head up. Kairi's eyes gazed at Tink and Peter who were smiling at her.

"You're going to find him, Kairi. We know you are," said Peter.

"You sound so sure."

"I am. Because when I first met Sora, he was so happy that he had finally found you. Sounded to me like he had been looking for you for quite some time. So, I'm sure you'll be able to do the same. I believe that no matter what, you two will always find each other," said Peter.

Tink made a tinkling sound indicating she believed it as well. At the same time, Pluto gave a bark showing he too concurred. This brought a smile to Kairi's face.

Suddenly, a bright glow illuminated the hideout. Everyone's eyes, including the Lost Boys' gazed around for the source. Finally, they find out.

The glow was coming from the Wayfinder. It glowed for about a minute before it stopped.

"What was that about, Kairi?" asked Slightly.

"Yeah. Why did the thing on your neck lighted up like that?" asked Cubby.

Kairi held the Wayfinder in her hand. She knew what the glow meant, and she had been wondering when it would. But she was now confused on why it had happened now.

'The woman in my dream said that when it glowed, then it would be time to move onto the next world of my journey. But what did I do to make it glow?'

Putting aside her ponderings, Kairi answered the boys' questions, "It means it's time for Pluto and me to go."

At the end of Kairi's words, the Lost Boys' faces fell. They now looked like they were on the verge of crying.

"You're leaving?" asked Cubby.

"But we were just starting to have fun together," said Slightly.

Toodles wrapped his arms around Kairi's waist. His face wore a look of pleading as he silently begged her not to go.

Kairi gave the youngest Lost Boy a pat on the head. "I'm sorry, boys. As much as I'd love to stay and have fun with all of you, I can't right now. It's time for me to move onto wherever I have to be next on my journey to find Sora. You understand, don't you?"

Unfortunately, Kairi's words didn't improve the boys' moods. They still looked like they would break down in tears at any minute.

"Come on, men! What do I always say? Never let'em see you cry," said Peter.

At the end of Peter's words, the Lost Boys scampered away to other areas of the hideout. Once they were completely out of sight of Kairi and Peter, they immediately started bawling.

Kairi, amused as she was at the literal interpretation of Peter's saying, reached out sympathetically. "Come on, boys. I may be saying goodbye now. But it's a not a forever goodbye. I plan to come back."

The boys came back into view. But they didn't look very reassured.

"Couldn't we come with you?" asked Nibs.

"We're great at finding things. You saw how we finded the treasure," said Cubby.

"Yeah. With all of us, we could find your friend in no time," said Slightly.

"I'm sorry, boys. Not that I wouldn't mind your company, but this journey I'm on could be too dangerous for all of you. You're better off staying here where you'll be safe."

As she saw the disappointed looks on the boys' faces, Kairi couldn't help but reflect on how she had been in a similar position. 'This is just like when I wanted to go back with Sora to Hollow Bastion after we escaped. I may not have liked it at the time. But looking back now, I probably would have just been in the way even if I knew I could wield a Keyblade then.'

"This is really for the best, boys. I do wish there was a way to bring you all along," said Kairi.

Then, to everyone's surprise, a ball of golden light formed in front of Kairi. Everyone shielded their eyes until the light died down.

When they uncovered them, they saw a strange card hovering in the air in front of the Princess of Heart. With caution, Kairi reached out and grabbed it out of the air.

The moment she took the card in her hand, an odd feeling came over her. She felt like the card contained some kind of magical power.

Kairi took in the card's details. It was shaped like a heart with a three-pronged crown on the top of it. It had a golden border surrounding a picture of what appeared to be Never Land, as seen from a Gummi Ship.

Then Kairi heard Tink tinkling something. She looked at the fairy and saw that she was pointing to the back of the card. Kairi turned it over and gasped.

On the other side of the card was a picture of Peter, Tink and the Lost Boys. The picture was very unusual because all the people within it were moving like a video. They were all smiling and waving as if they could see her.

'Where did this card come from? Did the Wayfinder create it? And if so, what's it for?" wondered Kairi.

"Where did that come from, Kairi?" asked Peter echoing Kairi's thoughts and snapping her out of them.

"I wish I knew. I can't explain but it feels like this card has some kind of power though I don't know what exactly. It looks like my journey has another mystery for me to solve," she responded before smiling. "But if anything, I'll be able to look at this card, which I think I'll call a Memento Card from now on, and always remember the first group of new friends I made on my journey. So, I guess, in a way, I will be taking you all with me."

"But you're still coming back, right?" asked the Twins.

Kairi stowed the Memento Card away in her pocket and said, "Of course, I am. And when I come back, I'll have Sora with me. You'll all finally get to meet him. Also, I'm sure we'll have plenty of incredible stories to share with all of you. Would you like that?"

Excited smiles slowly appeared on the Lost Boys' faces. Clearly, the idea of new stories was enough to raise their spirits.

"Now how about a goodbye hug?" asked Kairi as she knelt down and opened up her arms.

The Lost Boys immediately rushed up to her. Once they reached her, they surrounded her in a giant group hug.

After embracing for a few minutes, Kairi broke away from the Lost Boys. She then reached up and took Hook's hat off of her head and handed it to Slightly causing all of the Lost Boys to look puzzled.

"Why are you giving us this, Kairi?" asked Slightly.

"Yeah, we'd thought you'd want to keep it, so you'll always remember the time you beat Hook," said Nibs.

"I knew that, boys. It is indeed a reminder of something I'd like to keep remembering. So, that's why I'm trusting you all to keep this in a special place. Maybe in your treasure chest?" she asked causing the boys' grins to return.

"That's a great idea!" exclaimed the Twins.

"Now we'll always remember the fun time we had together!" exclaimed Cubby.

"Thanks, Kairi!" exclaimed all the Lost Boys.

"You're welcome. I'm really going to miss all of you."

Then she felt something around her waist. She looked down and saw that Toodles was giving her one more hug as well s his usual sweet smile.

Kairi chuckled. "Especially you, Toodles."

Then, as Toodles released her waist, Kairi heard a tinkling. She turned in the direction and saw Tink hovering in front of her.

"I know you're not too fond of having other girls around, Tink. But I'm glad that didn't stop you from getting help for me or coming to my aid during the duel. I'll never forget that. Thank you," said Kairi.

In response, the fairy flew up to Kairi's face and nuzzled her nose with her own. Kairi giggled in response.

"Kairi?" asked Peter causing her to turn to him.

"I just thought of something. Before you go, would you like to try flying again? Maybe the happy thought of winning against Hook will be the one that'll finally keep you up," said Peter.

Kairi considered Peter's offer. It was true that her first real victory against a major villain had brought happiness to her. If she tried to fly again, there may have been a chance that she would succeed.

Still, there was something that was keeping her from accepting.

"Peter, it would be great to try to fly again and maybe it would work now. But I think I'll save it for when I come back. It's like you told me: Sora wanted to take me flying when we came here together. So, if you don't mind, I think I'll put off trying to fly again when I came back with him. Then I'll know for sure it'll work," said Kairi.

"Well, okay then. I just wish I could give you more help because I'm sure it's what Sora would want me to do."

"You've already done plenty for me, Peter. I'm very grateful and I'm sure Sora would be too for helping me out during my visit here," said Kairi as she moved in to give Peter a hug.

But before she could wrap her arms around him, she felt something tugging at the hood of her outfit and holding her back. She turned her head and saw Tink was the one responsible.

"Really, Tink?" asked Kairi with an amused smile causing Tink to return it with one of her own before saying something in her tinkling sound.

"What did she say?" asked Kairi.

Peter chuckled and said, "She said, 'Alright. Just this once.'"

Tink released Kairi and allowed her to hug Peter. After a few moments, they parted with smiles on their faces.

"Kairi, I think I speak for all of us when I say we look forward to your return. We can't wait to hear all your stories especially the one about you finding Sora. I know it's going to be a good one."

"And when Sora and I come back here, I hope you'll tell us a few stories yourself. Like about the other Keyblade Wielders you've met: Terra, Ventus and Aqua," said Kairi.

"Oh! You know them?" asked a surprised Peter causing Kairi to nod. "Well, how about that? Its been so long since they came to Never Land. In fact, I hadn't thought about them until after I met Sora and saw he had one of those Keyblades like they did."

Then Tink chimed in. She tinkled a great many things causing Peter to look surprised.

"What?! Tink, you met another person with a Keyblade and didn't tell me?" he exclaimed.

The surprise spread to Kairi. "She did?!"

"Yes. According to Tink, he actually looked like Ven. But the strange thing was that it actually felt like being around Sora. And even more strange, he was dressed in a black coat like those bad guys who captured you. But Tink says he didn't seem like a bad guy like they were. Same with his friend: a guy with wild spiky red hair," said Peter.

Kairi's surprise increased. "Roxas and Axel were here too?!"

"You know them too?"

"Yes. Wow. I can't believe that how many other Keyblade Wielders have come to Never Land but also that I know them all," said Kairi.

"Well, Tink and I will be glad to tell you and Sora everything about them when you get back, Kairi. Especially the other two which I had no idea until now," said Peter shooting an annoyed look at the fairy causing her to sheepishly grin.

"I look forward to it, Peter. Now I think it's time I got going. Come on, Pluto," said Kairi as she walked toward the exit of the hideout with her canine companion trailing behind her.

Before they began to ascend the staircase to the outside, she turned around and said, "Bye, everyone! Until we meet again!"

"Goodbye, Kairi!" exclaimed Peter and the Lost Boys with Tink tinkling her goodbyes.

As the girl and the dog climbed up the stairs to the outside, they could still here the various shouts and calls. They were all wishes of good luck and hope for her return.

Then she heard Peter's voice call out, "Kairi, don't forget: if you ever to need to find your way back to us, just head for the second star to the right and straight on 'til morning!"

'I will, Peter. And I will be back. With Sora.'

"Oh! And when you see the other Keyblade Wielders Tink and I have met, tell them we said hi!"

"I will!" she called back although, despite her curiosity about the others' adventures in Never Land, the thought of the last time they were together still stoked an angry feeling in her.

'At least, I will once they admit they were wrong in wanting to give up on Sora.'

But Kairi couldn't dwell on that. Right now, all she wanted to do was find a spot in Never Land to write a letter to Sora. After that, then it truly would be time for her to move onto her next destination.

Notes from the Mad Doctor: So, what is the deal with this mysterious card that just appeared out of nowhere? Well, the answer is same one regarding that mysterious power that Kairi showed two chapters ago: you'll just have to keep reading to find out! Next one is the Letter of Departure chapter which, due to being a short one, will be up by the week's end. Reviews are much appreciated! Stay tuned!