C'mon guys! Keep reviewing!

Anyway, I forgot to say a disclaimer, so:

I do not own Kingdom Hearts, Disney, Square Enix, or anything else I decide to add or reference. Just the plot and the O.C.s I'll throw in later.

Chapter 2: The Paupu Bond

The trio's month passed by surprisingly slowly, as King Mickey had hoped it would. The three thoroughly enjoyed the down-time. For a while, it was like old times again, before the they had been sucked into a universe of alternate worlds, Heartless, Nobodies, and other bits of assorted craziness.

They laughed, talked, played, and reminisced. With the added detail that Sora and Kairi were finally together, it was the happiest month of their young lives.

Though, deep in the back of their minds, they all knew that they would be back in action very soon. Back in danger.

Back in darkness.

After thirty-one days of relaxation, Sora, Riku, and Kairi stood on the largest beach of their island. It was sunset. The three gazed out at the horizon watching the sun touch the water, painting it a vivid orange.

Sora and Kairi were holding hands, and Sora decided to give it one more go.

"Kairi..." He started.

"For the hundreth, millionth time Sora, I'm going!!"

"But are you..."

"Yes I am sure!"

"But you know that..."

"Sora I think we've established that she's going with us whether you like it or not." Riku chimed in. He'd decided long ago that if Sora and Kairi became a couple, then he'd have to remind him that he was still around.

"Thank you Riku." Kairi said.

"I just don't want to lose you again." Sora told her softly.

Kairi's eyes widened.

"In the past two years," He continued, "You've been either kidnapped or attacked by the Heartless or Nobodies frequently. If there is anything I can do to make you the slightest bit safer, I'm going to try it."

Her response to this was to kiss him passionately.

Evan Riku couldn't help but smile at the display of affection. The two were just so... right for each other. While it was true that Riku had had his eye on her once upon a time, it wasn't meant to be. Riku had simply rubbed it off as simple infatuation, and moved on.

Sora was perfect for her.

The two separated after a few minutes. Kairi leaned up to whisper in his ear. "You worry too much."

"Odd, that doesn't sound like me. Well maybe you don't worry enough." Sora countered, though he certainly didn't seem to want to leave her behind now.

Kairi sighed. "If it makes you feel better, I have this."

She held out her hand, and the Keyblade Riku had given her appeared. It was a light red and gold blade encrusted with small flowers at the tip. The hilt looked like a wave in an ocean. The keychain dangling from the end on a colorful band was a paupu fruit. It reminded him a great deal of their islands.

When asked, Riku claimed that Ansem the Wise had found it, and had presented it to him as a gift. He had been saving it for someone he thought could use it to it's full potential.

Kairi (though her fighting skills weren't exactly something to admire) fit the bill perfectly.

"Slightly." Sora admitted. The thought came to his mind they he and Riku could help her hone her combat skills.

Riku rolled his eyes. Slowly, he pulled something wrapped in a cloth out of his pocket.

"Hey Sora." He said. The two of them turned to regard him. Casually, Riku tossed his package to Sora saying, "You wanted one, didn't you?"

Sora's eyes widened as he remembered the last time Riku had said that.

"I'll leave you two alone for a moment, shall I?" Riku said over his shoulder as he strode away. "Let me know when the ship gets here."

Sora looked down at the package in his hands, and carefully pulled away it's cloth covering. Just as he had suspected, it was a paopu fruit. Sora blushed slightly, and glanced at Kairi. Their eyes met.

She smiled softly, and broke off a part of the fruit. She nudged him, silently telling him to do the same. He complied.

He was about to take a bite, when Kairi stopped him. She held her bit of fruit up to his mouth. Catching the hint, he held his piece next to her mouth.

"One.. two..." Kairi counted down, "three."

The placed the pieces of fruit on each other's tongues. It was as sweet as they had ever imagined. Mostly because they were sharing it with each other. They continued eating the fruit in the same manner, until it was completely gone about five minutes later.

Once it was gone, they both laid down in the sand, and simply held each other for the next several minutes. There was no need for words.

Their hearts had always been joined. Now their destinies were too.

I'm such a sap. Review please!