So I realized that a lot of people were asking for another chapter. I said this was a one-shot, but I made an exception. BUT THAT'S IT. No more chapters after this, got it guys? TWO-SHOT.

Summary: What if Sora, Riku and Kairi were able to leave the island? *Bonus: "I feel like I'm supposed to be helping someone."

Unborn Journey

Aqua sat by the waters edge, wearily dusting sand off her legs.

She had no idea exactly how long she had been here, but it had to have been at least a few years. After all, her hair was already below her shoulders.

Once upon a time, she had had hope that one day someone would save her. But who? Terra? Ven?

Last time she saw Terra, he had silver hair and had fallen into the darkness. He was probably still fighting Xehanort for his body.

Last time she saw Ven, he was asleep in the castle she created, stuck without his heart. He probably felt pretty lonely in that little room.

And then there was herself. Trapped in a cold, dark abyss, where there was a large possibility that she would never get out.

Burying her head in her arms, Aqua let out a shaky sigh.

Hope just seemed like a silly thought now.

Ven's heart roamed through the darkness, alone.

If a light didn't show up soon, he would remain bodiless for who-knows-how-long. And eventually, in its broken state, his heart would fade, leaving nothing but an empty body. Or perhaps even that would fade away once his heart was gone. He really didn't know.

Sora's heart had been his home for ten years. Suddenly being forced out because of his host's sudden demise left Ven feeling more lost than before. Desperately searching for a new heart that would be willing to take in another was be difficult. Throughout his long search, not a single heart was willing to open and share its warmth with his. What Ven wouldn't give to have the warmth and protection of Sora's heart back. After all, he was one of a kind.

Maybe he could've helped him. He should've helped him. Maybe he could've reached down further into the depths of Sora's heart and somehow given him the strength to push his way back up to the surface.

But he didn't. Couldn't. And because of that, the worlds had lost a very extraordinary boy.

Somewhere, far away, a tear rolled down Ven's sleeping face.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

Not only had the worlds lost a boy like no other, but also a dear friend.

Riku and Kairi-whom had both miraculously survived on that fateful day...and had washed back up on the shores of Destiny Islands where they had set off- stood side-by-side on the same shore, not knowing what to say to each other. Sora was usually the one to fill in the silent gaps between them.

"Even after that day a year ago...you still want to leave?" Riku spoke sullenly, blowing his long bangs out of his eyes.

"Yeah," Kairi replied softy, "It still hurts...and it still terrifies me when I think about last time...but I have to do this."

"I won't let you," the silver-haired teen told her sadly, "After what happened to Sora...I can't let you go out there. You're not going out there alone."

"That's for me to decide, Riku," she climbed into her boat, "I'm doing this so Sora...and I...can rest in peace. We need to know what's out there."

Riku crossed his arms over his chest, "What else?"

"Huh?"

"What other reason is there for you to leave the Islands?"

Kairi hesitated, looking down at her shoes, "I...I've been having these weird thoughts lately...like, is any of this for real or not? If my whole life has a meaning, or if I have a bigger role out there in other worlds?" she placed her hand over her heart, "And I keep getting this feeling...that I'm supposed to be helping someone."

"Maybe you are," Riku considered, "You've always been helping others, and there's always been this...warmth around you."

"Well, warm or not, I'm still going."

"Without me?"

The girl immediately looked up, straight into his eyes.

"I said that you wouldn't be going out there alone. If...you really want to go," the male ran a hand through his long hair, "Then...let me have today to prepare, and we can leave tomorrow morning. We can take our boats and split the supplies."

Her gaze softened, "Thank you, Riku."

That night had almost felt surreal, as if it was just a dream, but Kairi remembered every detail of it. Like how she had walked all the way to the edge of the island at 2am since she couldn't sleep, and how she kept having this aching feeling in her chest.

Laying her hand over her heart, she looked up to the sky, wondering where time had gone. A year ago, she had been speaking with Sora, and giggling at his antics. Now, she was here, alone. She hadn't truly smiled since the day they took off on the raft.

Would Sora really want this? For her and Riku to risk their lives out on the sea once again? Or would he rather have them safe on the Islands for the rest of their lives?

She desperately wanted to ask him, but knowing she would get no answer, she closed her eyes, her face to the stars, hoping she would find her answers there.

Next thing she knew it, she found herself on a pink platform, with her body as its main focus. Confused, Kairi spent a moment gazing at the mural beneath her feet.

Sora's face was in a bubble, at the top of the whole image, followed by Riku's. Below them, were a few silhouettes that she couldn't make out. There also seemed to be several hearts surrounding the platform.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" she wondered, looking around.

As if answering her call, a bright light appeared, descending down towards her.

A young male voice, sounding awfully sad, echoed throughout the dark above her, "I heard your voice. It cut through the darkness around me. Just like...his voice."

Kairi glanced upwards in awe, lifting her hands to cradle the ball of light, "Who...or what...are you?"

"I'm a heart that's wandered through the darkness for a long time...I've been put to sleep, and...there's really nothing I can do except look for a place to stay until I wake."

Although not fully understanding, the girl nodded to herself. Maybe he was the person he was supposed to help, "Would you like to stay with me?"

"Are you sure?" the light responded back quickly in disbelief, "My heart's been broken...I don't know if you'll be able to handle it. The last person I was with...he had enough light in his heart to share with me. Will you be able to share some too?"

Kairi mulled it over, remembering how people always told her how bright and kind-hearted she was. That had to count for something, right? And this boy...he was obviously in a lot of pain. What would Sora have done?

She inwardly laughed. What a silly question.

"I think I have more than enough light to share."

Letting out what she assumed was a sigh of relief, the light floated towards her chest, "Thank you." The light gleamed before completely fading into the girl's heart.

Almost immediately, Kairi felt her spirits getting lifted. She felt a presence she never thought she would feel ever again.

Somehow, Sora and this new heart inside her had been once connected.

Through this heart within her, she could feel Sora.

And she was never letting go of him again.

So here's basically what happened, to those who got confused.

-Sora, Riku and Kairi set off on the raft.

-Sora dies after being pulled under during the storm.

-Riku and Kairi survive and wash back up on the islands.

-A year after, Kairi decides to set out again, along with Riku.

-At the same time, Aqua is still trapped in the Realm of Darkness, and Ven's heart wanders, searching for a new heart to take him in.

-Ven's heart encounters Kairi's, and Kairi accepts him into her heart.

Everything in Birth by Sleep remains unchanged, but everything goes on in KH1 without Sora, Riku or Kairi. Maleficent and Ansem still carry out their plans, Mickey still roams the worlds, and Goofy and Donald are still searching for the Key. But what happened to the worlds in that whole year? What happens after Riku and Kairi set out once again? That's up for you to decide.

Thank you for reading.