REWRITE/EDITED

-Where Tear Drops Fall-

-9-

-EPILOGUE-

My stay at Destiny Rehabilitation for Troubled Boys and Girls was finally over.

When I look back at my time there, I no longer see it as a jail like I once did. I see it as not something that held me back, but something that gave me a firm enough nudge to finally let me spread my wings and fly. It was an odd feeling, really, thinking of the girl all those months ago who walked into the Center, refusing to talk, refusing to cooperate, and realizing that that girl was me. Even when I look at myself from merely a month ago, the time when I said my goodbye's to Sora and Roxas, I was different.

I bit my lip, a small smile playing at my lips as I looked out the windows of the bus, ocean scenery passing me by. Honestly, I was now happy I stayed that extra month at the Center. I felt light, like nothing was left of my shoulders anymore. I felt stronger, rejuvenated too; a new person. I felt simpler, cleaner.

I wondered absently if my family would recognize me when I stepped out of the bus in the mass of people, or if their eyes would pass right by me, not knowing it was me. I couldn't blame them if that were the case. I was only beginning to realize how much of a mess I actually used to be. Now, I was cleaned up (much thanks to Naminé, and more importantly, to Sora, someone who actually bothered to mend my body and soul) and just normal looking.

I was wearing light jeans, the pair that used to be my favorite and completely forgot about during my stay at the Center, sandals, and a violet, thin T-shirt, something I hadn't worn for months. I stopped hiding my arms around the end of the month, thanks to much goading on Yuna and Naminé's part, and thus was now wearing short sleeved tops. My scars were still there, however fainter than ever, so faint that it blended into my arm hairs, giving it an odd, but not too striking, texture on my arm.

Starting the first day of the month, I had started putting on Neosporin and other creams that decreased scarring two times a day. Better late then never, right?

My hair was lighter than ever and free of split ends much thanks to, again, Naminé. My face was clear and clean; no oiliness, no stray eyebrow hairs, and no dark circles. You could say Naminé made a project out of me. I had been unwilling at first, however I realized it was inevitable, considering that I knew she would go as far as cut my hair as I slept if I gave her the chance, so I gave in. And I was sort of glad I did. It was all about confidence, I realized, and I was gaining it little by little. I was far from outgoing, however I was also far and way past being mute. So I was making slow, steady progress, I suppose. I wasn't in a hurry though, I had a whole life ahead of me to learn.

I shifted in my seat, clutching my sweatshirt close to my lap and played with the frayed edges. The bus was driving along a long bridge that connected the mainland to the main Destiny Island. I watched as the ocean, deeper and bluer than I could ever remember, passed me by. I didn't feel hesitant or dreading as I watched it. These were feeling I felt long ago. I welcomed it now, breathed it. I had no idea home would have this kind of effect on me.

A woman and her two young kids were now walking down the isle of the bus. I probably would have felt unnecessarily nervous if this occurring a few months ago, worried about my scars or is she would glare at me, as if she would have known what I was, what I had done. No, now I just took a passing glance, noticing that she and her kids' faces did not linger on my arms. Instead, they just took a glance at my face like any other human being. I smiled.

I was still trying to get used to the outdoors and new, strange people. It was an odd transition. I wondered if I would ever get used to it. Naw, I probably would. It would just be a minor change, small enough that it would just slip my mind when I would wake up one morning, knowing exactly where I am, the thought never passing my mind to why I wasn't waking up to a dull white ceiling and gray sheets and blankets. Things would change for the better, much like how alot of things were turning out lately.

However even as I tried to busy myself with these thoughts I couldn't suppress the nerves that nibbled at my stomach. I was about to face a world I'd been running away from for months…whas I really ready now? What would my parents feel when they looked me in the eye for the first time in months? Doubt? Hesitance? Relief? I wasn't quite sure, however I was about to find out, considering the bus was coming to a stop, the ocean gone and sidewalks and small stores taking its place.

I took a shaky breath and gathered what little stuff I had. I felt a pang in thinking that I wish I had Sora with me, staying close to me as I faced my past. The last time I'd seen him was on Visiting Day (which felt way too long ago in my opinion) with a soft, tiny smile and news to tell me.

I was walking down the isle now, trying to keep in pace with the line of people who were all too eager to leave the stuffy bus. Before I reached the open doors I stopped and took a steadying breath. It tasted like salt and something homey that I couldn't quite place; exactly how I remembered it. I could already feel the warmth of the air wrap its eager arms around my body, soothing me, beckoning. I realized it had been months since I had felt this warmth. I hadn't realized I missed it so much, even with the cold temperatures at the Center.

I finally found the will to take a step down on the pavement. For a moment I wasn't sure if even the concrete would be sturdy enough to hold me up, it had failed me before, all those months ago with Riku. But there it was, hard, sun bathed, and holding my weight. The corner of my mouth pulled up in the slightest.

I finally looked up, my eyes searching for three distinct people. I panicked for a moment when I couldn't find them immediately. Did they even come? Did they forget?

"Kairi!" a familiar voice yelled, calling my name. I whipped around to the direction of the voice. It took my eyes a moment to take in all the people, the hustle and bustle, but they finally focused on a tall guy with spiky hair, grinning proudly at me. I looked at the two people beside him. My mother, her hair a chestnut brown and her large, brown eyes wide with emotion, which even from the distance I could tell were watering up. She had both her hands to her mouth, but even as she did this, I could see a watery smile through the cracks of her fingers. To her left was my father, his dark red hair graying in some parts, with his right arm around my mother's waist. He was looking at me with an expression that I hadn't seen since before I met Riku. It was pride. Pride.

My father was proud of me.

I felt my walls dissolve, the countenance I was determined to keep strong crumbling under my very nose. My jaw went slack and I felt my lip tremble. There was a strong pulse of a happiness so great, it almost knocked me over. My eyes and throat were burning with a fire I never knew existed. I was suddenly shaking and I honestly didn't care if my oaths of strength I made all the way through the bus ride were now null and void, shattered at the very sight of the people I loved. And I certainly wasn't thinking this at the moment, I was too busy running.

"Mom! Dad! Reno!" I cried, my voice breaking as I sprinted my way toward them. I crashed into them, all three of them surround me, wrapping their arms around me, protecting me. I soon realized that I was crying, all of Naminé's hard work going to waste, and not too much longer after that they were crying as well.

Sometimes, you missed someone so much, you didn't even know it until they were in your line of sight, there. And in my unbiased opinion, this was the best kind of reunion. It was funny how I didn't even realize it either. But the past didn't matter now, because all I knew was that they were there, ready, and I wasn't going to disappoint them ever again.

I walked into my room.

The air was too hot and stale, like it hadn't been inhabited for years. Which was almost right. I never used to use it too much, anyway. The walls were still a dull pink, my bed a decorative white. It was oddly satisfying to walk in there. Like a lot of other things, I didn't think I would miss it so much.

I made my way over to the bed, running by fingers along the soft fabric. I dropped my stuff on the wooden floor (on a count of that it was too hot for rugs in Destiny Islands) with a mild thud and sat on my bed. It was soft, so much softer than my bed back at the Center. I continued to trace the embroidered patterns on my bed. Was I ever going to get used to a life outside the Center? I had lived there for so long, it became such a normality for me to live like that; regulations, patrols, and snoopy attendants. Now I had freedom, and I really wasn't sure how to manage it.

There were old pictures on my walls, paintings, photos, collages. I felt like I was in the twilight zone; had it really been me who did all that? I could vaguely remember me cutting, cropping, and decorating a piece of paper and making scrapbooks just for the fun of it. Just like the good, thorough girl I was. Thinking this caught me off guard. The differences between me now, and me then had never been so raw. But then, I thought, maybe it wasn't so bad. I grew up, hadn't I?

I quietly lay down on my bed, my body molding in with my mattress just like it used to, like it was waiting for me, or like I was never gone at all.

"I'm going to go for a walk." I told my mom when I entered the kitchen. She was currently cutting some carrots, an apron wrapped around her waste, her hair tied up in a knot. This was how I remembered my mother. I was nice to see it in real life again.

I saw her put the knife down and use that hand to wipe away the perspiration off of her forehead, and then put her hands on her hips in a contemplative manner. "Sure, hun, just be back by 5:00; I'm going to need your help with this pot roast…" she said, staring at the numerous ingredients scattered across the kitchen in distress.

"Okay."

"But don't rush, hun. Enjoy it." she said, smiling, and then picking up the large knife again to resume her cooking.

"Thanks, mom." I said. She looked at me for a few seconds, almost as if wanting to say something more. I waited, but when she opened her mouth slightly to say something, she only shook her head and smiled, swatting me away to enjoy my walk. I bit my lip as I pulled the front door open and walked onto the sandy front porch, the sun blazing. A sudden breeze blew across my face, bathing me in the sweet scent of salt and ocean. I skipped down the stairs and started to walk on the pebbled road, fresh, beach grass growing alongside it as my front lawn. I walked on the dirt road toward the southern beach. I lived on the west end of Destiny Islands. It was known for having a more beachy feel than the rest of the island. Which was alright with me, I felt that it captured the essence of Destiny Islands more than the quaint town did to the north. I continued to walk down, a car or two passing as I tred along. I could have sworn that the people inside them had stared at me. But I didn't really blame them, everyone knew everyone here, and I'm sure I made talk when I disappeared for about five months.

I took a right off the dirt road along a sandy, wooden boardwalk that was faded to gray and had given me splinters all through childhood. But it was okay, they couldn't touch me now.

As I walked, the mass of crystal blue loomed close and closer, putting my memories of it to shame. It was even better than I remembered. It was wider, bluer, and the breeze that lifted off of its waters was saltier than before. The seagull's chirp was more melodic than I had originally thought, and the steady pattern of receding waves made a more of wish-wish sound then I remembered. The sun beat strong on my back, already descending toward the horizon. I just stood there for a moment at the edge of the wooden platform, drinking it all in.

I smiled. I had been away from home for too long.

Suddenly, I felt a vibration in my pocket. I reached for my phone curiously; it had been ages since I'd received a text message. It was really weird knowing that there were other ways to communicate that talking. And even weirder for me to think that. But I couldn't help but let my face spread out in a wide grin when I read the message.

You free yet? I was beginning to think you'd rotten in there.

Roxas

I shook my head, still smiling, and closed my phone. I would answer later, when I had the time. Right now, I had something to do.

I struggled to keep my hair at bay as I reached down to take my sandals off my feet, strands of red flying everywhere. The beach was quiet and empty except for the low whistle of the wind, the beating of the sun, and the song of seagulls. But I liked it like this, this was how it was supposed to be.

I walked across the warm sand, the soles of my feet sighing in content. I continued to struggle with my hair as I walked, feet warm above the grainy sand, also proving to be real challenge with its hills and creases. I finally reached the water. I hesitated before I let my feet feel the edge of the it, biting my lip. It felt amazing, it really did. My toes curled delicately at the feeling. It was just so warm.

I looked to my right, my hair finally blowing in the opposite direction, and saw a figure walking this way. The person's walk was slow with long, paced steps. He was wearing a long-sleeved button shown shirt that rippled in the wind and khaki shorts with bare feet. His hair was blowing against his face, but he didn't bother to fix it, his hands in his pockets.

And he was walking. He was walking toward me.

I smiled a timid smile, turning toward him, my hair whipping back behind my head. He was closer now, and I could see his face. Tanner than before, Sora stared steadily at me, his eyes an even greater contrast than before. He came to a stop in front of me, the ocean's tide crawling and creeping around our feet. I soaked in his face, hungry, because I hadn't seen it in so long. His hair was still spiky, perhaps lighter than before, whipping across his face in tandem with his white, cotton button down shirt.

He looked down at me, closer then before, with an expression I could not comprehend. He smiled, teeth blinding me, "No sweatshirt?'

My lips turned up as well, answering his question, "No sweatshirt."

I felt him run his hand down my bare arms, letting him feel my textured wounds. My legs and arms tingled in contentment, fighting a sigh from escaping my lips. He kept doing this, bringing them to his chest, eyes concentrating on my arms. He smiled again, finger tips tracing my most recent scar. I always knew he could make me feel good, warm, but never did I believe he could make my scars tingle, healing them as if they were never there.

"I like it better this way."

I nodded. I couldn't help but agree.

The wind continued to blow into my ears. His hair was tickling my forehead now, just like I remember it did before. I stared into his eyes, knowing that I would never have to look away again. He didn't live on my immediate island, but on the one adjacent to it, only ten minutes away. He wouldn't go to my school like I had hoped either, but things couldn't be perfect, could they? And anyways, I might just steal him everyone once in a while, forcing him to come to my school for a day. I knew for sure I would need him on my first day. Or perhaps I wouldn't, maybe it was finally my time for me to face my past ghosts alone. I had become strong enough, hadn't I? And he wouldn't be too far away.

But I couldn't think about these things now, not really. I was too focused on his eyes, and how it felt when he reached up his hand to hold my face, stroking it, and his other hand on the small of my back.

He smiled a large smile, as if he finally realized something. "So this is it, isn't? We're back now, forever." He was even closer now, eyes swimming with blue warmth; my favorite kind. But I just shook my head slighting under his touch, lips turned up on the edges.

I could still hear the seagulls chirp, the wind blowing, my past finally falling silent. And I kept telling myself that this is how its supposed to be. This is how its going to be. The future was suddenly in view, spread so far ahead, I had to squint my eyes. But it was there, and I could finally take comfort in that. It was no longer a mystery, it was no longer a speculation, a hesitation. It was there, and it was coming fast.

"Not back, really. We're home. We're both finally home."

And he just smiled the way I loved, pulled me closer, and leaned down so that our lips met, so soft and tender, that the wind couldn't compete againt how this took my breath away.

My future was on its way, looming closer and closer with each step, with each breath. And now I knew that Sora would be apart of it, by my side until a whole new chapter began, and maybe even beyond that. I smiled in our kiss, a warmth I only felt with him intoxicating my body, diffusing through my veins. We would be together, and my past could no longer hold us back.

I could get used to that, I thought.

I could no longer feel the scars on my arms. They were finally gone, lifted off of my skin from the blow of the salty wind, just like everything else, just like the past that I left behind four months, fifteen days, and twelve hours ago; the end finally in sight.

the [actual] end.

So its finally done; its over. Kairi lives on in good health, healed, with Sora by her side. It has been a real pleasureand learning experience on my part, and i hope the same for you.

I find it mildly ironic that I myself live on an island, where most of the story during her stay in the cold environment of the Center has been written on my computer there. However now, as she returns to her own island, where warmth is abound, I write this as I am in Colorodo, much like the weather in the earlier and middle part of my story. Perhaps its a sign. Perhaps not. But if some supernatural phenomenon occurs, I'll be sure to tell you guys. Ahaha.

I hope you, as readers, can appreciate the struggles that a lot of people go through, alowing you a chance to get in someone's head who is going through the same thing. Because one of the most important truths in life, in my opinion, is that you never really know how someone else feels. Think about it, it is one of the few things i am sure about. Sure, Kairi isnt real, but this gives you a taste; something which was my only goal in writing this. Like I've said before, I have not personally experienced this kind of situation, and although, like i also said just now, i may never know how someone like Kairi would actually feel, I also learned. Sometimes the best way to learn is to try to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Which is exactly what I've been doing as i wrote this.

So with that note (and also the one i left at the top of the last chapter, which i want EVERYONE to read), i say goodbye. I'll see you in my next journey, whatever that may be.

Review please, its your last chance, after all.