A/N: Okay, well, first off I'm sorry if I made anyone dissapointed.

Personally, I thought the secret was obvious from the beginning, but others might have not thought that. I actually did that on purpose, but yeah. xD

Oh well! I hope you still like this chapter! I try.

Thanks again for reviews.

Chapter Five: Things Will Never Be the Same

It had been days since Kairi had talked to Sora. She had seen him once, talking to Riku, but she had quickly turned around and walked the other way. And no matter how much she wanted to forget what he said to her she couldn't.

'I..I l-love you.'

Those words seemed to keep repeating themselves in her head, over and over again, giving her a constant headache. It wasn't that she hated Sora, that was definitely not it.

It was also not that she didn't return his feelings.

It was more that she was afraid. Afraid of change.

It was kind of a silly thing to be afraid of, or even to dwell too much on. Change was natural, it was bound to happen, but Kairi found it hard to accept it. Everything was supposed to be back to normal when they got home. She wanted it to be, she had hoped it would be…

But now things were changing. She couldn't deny that she herself had been feeling things a normal friend wouldn't for Sora. She knew in her heart she wanted to be with him, that deep down she loved him. But how are you supposed to accept those feelings when you've called that person a friend for so long?

Kairi sighed. She was getting herself all worked up over this. She didn't even want to think what she did to Sora. She closed her eyes and felt tears slowly slip down her cheeks, as she laid back in the cool sand. The sun was setting and the last pieces of sun were slipping away.

Kairi was lost in her own thoughts and unfortunately didn't hear someone behind her. "I can't believe this," Kairi mumbled to herself, sitting up, still unaware of the person behind her. "Why did he have to say that?" she asked herself sadly, to no one in particular. "I mean, yeah, maybe…" she trailed off. "But I mean, come on! Why now? Why can't everything just be the same!" She sighed. "He makes me so confused…I don't know what to think. I mean, I don't hate him, but I know I don't…no, that's lying to myself…but! I can't just…we can't just…" she sighed again in frustration. "This is so ridiculous!" Chuckling from behind her. She quickly whipped around in shock and fear and sighed in relief.

"Talking to yourself?" the person joked. "You're just as bad as Sora." Kairi rolled her eyes.

"Riku! You know, you shouldn't sneak up on people like that!" she sighed. "Oh well. And yes, I was talking to myself, but only because I'm extremely confused. I mean, what am I supposed to do?" Riku shrugged, smirking a little.

"Kairi, I don't think I can tell you what to do. I don't even think I can give you advice at this point. I think you need to do what you think is right," Riku said, shrugging and sitting down next to her on the sand. Kairi was quiet for a few moments, not sure of what to say.

"Is that really all the advice you can give me?" she asked quietly, sadly. She needed advice right now. Badly.

"Nothing besides 'listen to your heart'. But I'm sure you've heard that plenty times." Riku grinned. "Everything will be fine. I can't exactly promise it will be, but I can hope and guess it will be. I'm sure it'll all work out in the end." Another moment of silence as Kairi thought over Riku's words. She sighed, finally.

"…Riku…if me and Sora…" Riku waited, "well, you know…become…well…" Riku smirked and Kairi became a cherry color, her cheeks heating up.

"No, I don't think I do," Riku said, smirking. Kairi rolled her eyes and hit him playfully on the shoulder.

"You know, together," she hissed finally. She sighed again before taking another pause. "What will you do?" Riku shrugged.

"Be happy, I guess?"

"Are you sure you'll be okay with it?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, it would be…you know…changing things!" Riku laughed a little.

"Kairi, change isn't anything to be afraid of or dislike. It's bound to happen. I think you noticed how much me, you and Sora changed. I think you realized our lives will probably never be the same. But maybe it's for the best." He shrugged again before grinning. "I knew this whole time Sora liked you, if you hadn't guessed. I knew you guys would eventually be together from the moment we got back to this island. It was obvious. It was…well, bound to happen," Riku finished, nodding as if to confirm what he said. Kairi smiled.

"So, you're okay with it?" Riku nodded again.

"The question is…are you?" Kairi sighed, shaking her head sadly.

"I don't know Riku, I just don't know," she felt like crying again, but she forced the tears back, set on not making a fool of herself. Riku nodded and smiled, although it was a sad kind of smile.

"Want my advice?"

"Yes!"

"Talk to him." Kairi sighed.

"Do I have to take it…?"

"No, but it would be for the best…"

"Fine," Kairi mumbled, standing up and brushing herself off. The sky was getting darker and stars were beginning to shine. "Can I wait 'till tomorrow?" she asked, grinning. Riku chuckled.

"I think that's acceptable." Kairi giggled a little.

"Bye, Riku," she said, about to turn around and leave, "and thanks." He nodded, grinning.

"Bye, Kairi," he said, waving lazily from his spot still on the sand, "and you're welcome." She nodded, gave one last small smile and hurried off.

---

Later that night, Kairi sat in her bed, thinking over the day. "I guess thing's can't ever be the same," she said, sadly, "but Riku was right. Maybe it's for the best."

That night in her sleep, Kairi had a dream…a dream she wished desperately was a reality, despite herself.

Sora sighed, took in a deep breath and came out with it.

"I..I l-love you." Only this time instead of being silent and then running, Kairi smiled. She stepped closed to Sora and nodded.

"I feel the same way, Sora. I love you too." Sora looked surprised.

"Really, Kairi?" Kairi giggled and nodded, bouncing on her toes a little.

"Of course, silly," she chirped, smiling bigger now. "Why did you not want to tell me that?" she leaned forward, and she was pretty sure he leaned forward too…

They were so close…lips almost touching….

Kairi woke up from her dream suddenly, tears in her eyes. "No," she whispered to no one, her room empty, "things will never be the same, ever…" she closed her eyes, blinking out tears.

"Because I love you too, Sora," she whispered into the night.