Some Things Never Change

Summary: Even though they were the best of friends, nothing could prevent their separation. What happens after Sora and Kairi reunite 10 years later?

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(A/N: Sorry it's taking me long to update. I'm having another case of writer's block. Also, I'm still disappointed in the number of reviews I'm getting. The count hasn't reached where I wanted it to, but I'm gonna continue to write anyway just because there are a few dedicated readers who always say they like my stories. So, I'm going to continue writing for them.)

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"Talking"

Thinking/Thoughts

YELLING/SHOUTING

Emphasis

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Chapter 4: Letting Go

The sand was soft and cool. The waves were even. The sun hung low against the horizon. The cool breeze felt great against the two teens' skin. The beach was just like it had always been…peaceful. Since moving, Kairi had never really been able to enjoy the beach like this…another reason she liked Sora. It seemed he was always able to show her things that put her at peace and made her happy, even when she had the worst emotions flowing through her.

"This is great Sora. It's been a while since I've felt this kind of feeling before."

"Haven't you gone to the beach since moving?"

"Yeah, but not as much as I used to when I was still here. I rarely ever go anymore."

"Really? How come?"

"I don't really know. I'm just not able to enjoy it the way we used to."

"I see. Well, hop in." Sora motioned towards the boats tied up against the dock.

Those small little boats were the only way of getting to the island anymore, unless you wanted to swim all the way. Sora and Riku had done it before in the past, but it was farther than they had originally thought and they were exhausted. From then on, Sora decided it was best to use the boats.

Sora began to get into his boat when he noticed that Kairi hadn't moved from where she was standing. She stood there with her head down and eyes closed. Sora could barely see a tear beginning to fall from her eye.

"Kairi, what's wrong?" Sora asked.

Her expression had completely changed from a moment ago. She began shaking a little and tears started to fall from her eyes. She brought her hands up to face and just began crying.

Sora quickly moved toward her and tried to comfort her. He had already figured out why she was crying. He had been in this same position ten years ago when his father had died. Now, Kairi had to go through the same loss of losing her mother.

It was so hard to bear. Losing your parents at a young age was something Kairi could not have seen coming. Minus the fact that Kairi had moved away from everything she had known when she was little, she lived a very happy life. Now, it seemed that fate had decided to toy with her life and make it go downhill. So many things had gone wrong in the past couple of weeks of Kairi's life and her emotions had finally gotten to her. She could no longer hold all of her feelings inside her and cover them up with a smile. It was time to let them all out and that's exactly what she was doing now. Normally she would feel embarrassed about doing this sort of thing in front of other people, but Sora was a different story.

He was her best friend. He always had been. Just like he had said before, ten years wasn't enough to break the strong friendship that the two of them had. Sora made her feel safe and had always found a way to cheer Kairi up when she was feeling down. Once again, here he was doing what he did best…being the best friend that he could be.

Kairi continued crying. She had slowly dropped to the floor onto her knees. The shaking in her legs just wouldn't let her stay standing. Sora knelt down next to her and rubbed her back, attempting to sooth her and calm her down.

"I'm sorry Sora. It's just so hard. I never expected this to happen to me."

"It's okay Kairi. Just let it out. I know it's hard. Remember, I went through the exact same thing."

Kairi just looked up at him and threw her arms around him. She just wanted someone to hold her. She wanted someone to be there for her and tell her everything was going to be okay. She wanted a friend. She wanted…a family. She wanted a family she thought she would never have anymore.

"Thank you for everything Sora."

"But…I haven't done anything."

"You've done more then you know Sora. Just being here with me is doing a lot. I don't feel alone when you're near me Sora. You do so much for me and you don't even know it. I love that kind of trait in a person."

Sora began to blush at this comment. He didn't know if it was out of embarrassment or because the word "love" made him get butterflies in his stomach. He told himself that he would definitely find out.

"Well then, I guess…you're welcome."

Sora just flashed her his cheesy grin. Kairi just giggled. She always had to laugh when she saw him grin like that. He just looked too funny to her. Sora reached up with his hand and gently wiped away the last tear falling from Kairi's eye. She blushed slightly at this.

"Kairi…you'll never be alone. You'll always have me in your life. I promise I'll never leave you alone."

Kairi was a bit shocked at hearing this. A few seconds ago, the two of them were joking around a bit. But now, Sora had gone to a level of seriousness that Kairi had never seen in him before. He really did care about her and that was all the reassurance that she needed.

Sora kissed the top of her forehead and pulled her into a hug.

"Anytime you need a friend or you're feeling lonely, I'll come running."

Kairi tightened her hold on Sora. This is the kind of "family" she had been longing for, someone who would always be there for her and never let her go.

"Now come on, there's something I want to show you. I'm sure it will cheer you up a little bit too."

"Haha, okay Sora. Lead the way."

Sora stood up and offered his hand to Kairi which she gratefully took as Sora pulled her up.

They walked over to the shore and untied their boats. It had been a while since Sora had been to the small island he used to play on when he was a kid. He had grown up now into a fine young man, but now, he used the island more as a place to think in peace rather than a place to play around. It was kind of a funny thought. Riku always did that too. Maybe his friendship with Riku had influenced him to do the same thing.

The two friends pushed their boats into the water, grabbed their oars, and jumped into their boats. After giving themselves a good push away from the shore, they began rowing over to the island. There was something that Sora wanted to show Kairi. It was something that they had started when they were kids, something that lay within their secret place within the cave on the island. The one reason why the two of them had remained bound together even after all these years.

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(A/N: I know that chapter seemed kind of short, but I was sort of making up for the last chapter. Chapter 3 kind of lacked the emotion Kairi should have when being in a situation like this. So, this chapter was intended to add in the emotion that should have been there. I hope to get to chapter 5 soon. Read and Review please! Until next time)