Akari sat, estranged from her friends. She had become more and more distant with Sora, Riku, and Kairi, ever since the redhead had washed up onto the beach. The reason was, because although Kairi held no memory of their previous encounter, Akari remembered every moment. She remembered Kairi from Radiant Garden. She remembered picking up flowers for Aqua with her. They had been friends. They were still friends,, even if Kairi forgot.

Akari just didn't know what to do. She had tossed her wayfinder away, and now she was too scared to go find it. The truth was, she was desperately worried for her three friends. Now, with Kairi here, she didn't know what to do.

"Are you okay?" Akari looked up to see sea-green eyes staring back at her.

"Riku." The boy sat down next to her. Akari hugged herself, refusing to meet his eyes. Riku sighed and looked out at the ocean.

"This place is so boring. One day, I want to leave." Akari turned to him in surprise.

"Leave?" Riku nodded.

"There are definitely other worlds out there that are more exciting than this one. And if we all go together, I know we'll have a great adventure!" A small smile crossed Akari's face as she rested her head on her knee.

"Yeah. . . that would be fun." She murmured. Riku glanced at her in surprise and was about to ask what was wrong again when Akari suddenly stood up.

"I'm sorry! I have to go!" She ran off, leaving Riku on the beach, confused.

Akari had felt a small hollowness ever since she had lost her wayfinder. Ever since Kairi had arrived, she had just grown more awkward around Riku and Sora. But since Kairi found a way to Destiny Islands, Akari had to find a way off it. She clutched her necklace tightly, the one Aqua had gifted her.

"I'll find a way.

The sky was darkening, and it was time for Riku, Sora, and Kairi to leave. As they got onto their boats, Riku couldn't help but glance at the small vessel bobbing in the water. Akari's boat. Why was she still here? Kairi noticed where he was staring and also wondered that.

"Hey. Riku, Sora? Aren't you guys close with Akari?" The question had just suddenly popped into her head. Sora grinned

"Yeah we are! We're all best friends." Kairi smiled at his cheeriness.

"But then, why is she always by herself?" Both Riku and Sora's faces fell.

"We...don't know…." Riku replied quietly, "A few weeks ago, before you showed up, Akari had vanished for awhile. When she finally returned, she barely spoke to us. . . ." Kairi saddened a bit.

"Do you think, she was able to get to the outside world?" The young girl asked. Sora stared at Riku expectantly, but the silver haired boy shrugged.

"I have no clue." He jumped into his boat, a way of ending the conversation, and they all left.

Akari watched them from afar. They were all her friends. Even if they didn't know it. She'd keep them in her heart forever.

But this was something she had to do.

Akari raised her hand, and closed it into a fist. She thought of everyone again, Aqua, Ventus, Terra, Kairi, Sora, and Riku. They all meant everything to her. She grabbed her necklace, and stepped into the water.

"Wherever you are, please, I'm always with you." A small tear ran down her cheek, as light began to expand from her necklace. She had never done this on will before.

As the light folded over her body, wrapping itself around her, she closed her eyes, and let the world fall away.

I'm capping it off at that! Thank you for reading Kingdom Hearts Beginning Light! I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy KH3 (comes out today/tomorrow for the rest of the world)

I'm actually really happy this book was thirteen chapters because that's a pretty siginificent number in Kingdom Hearts. Also, I am so glad we're moving past four year old Akari cuz as you can clearly see, I cannot write a four year old child. XD

Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed this story!

Akari will return soon so don't worry!