Anai stood in the seaside shack, gazing out of the small window and onto the beach that was spread out before her. Sora was sleeping in the sand, and looked a bit restless, but Anai wasn't really looking at him. As she stared at the ocean, at how vast it seemed, she began to think. What was out there, just beyond the horizon? Was it another world? More water? There had to be more than just these islands, right? She had so many questions and no way to get answers, and that's what always caused her to get lost in her own head.

"Whoa!" she was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of Sora shouting in surprise, and she glanced up to see that Kairi had woken him up. It was obvious, even from where she stood, how much Sora liked her. He was always a little goofier, a little more air headed, when Kairi was around, as if he didn't know exactly how to behave.

Kairi strolled past Sora to stand at the water's edge. It seemed to Anai that that was one of Kairi's favorite spots, a spot where she could think. And although she couldn't hear what they were talking about, Anai was willing to bet it had to do with Kairi's history. She could tell by the determined set of the girl's shoulders; determination to find her home.

"Hey!" she was once again pulled out of her thoughts by a familiar and welcome voice. Riku was making his way to the two on the beach, carrying a log in his arms. That was enough to get Anai to rush out of the shack door and towards the beach with the others.

"Aren't you guys forgetting about me?" she heard Riku say as she approached from behind. "So, I guess I'm the only one working on the raft." Riku tossed the log to Sora, who fell over into the sand.

"No way!" Anai cut in, getting everyone's attention. "I'm working hard too. In fact, I think I'm working the hardest of all. Much harder than Mr. Lazy Bones over there, taking naps on the beach," she said, poking fun at Sora.

Riku chuckled and made his way towards Kairi, causing something to stir in the pit of Anai's stomach. "And you're just as lazy as he is."

"So you noticed," the red haired girl giggled, playing with her hair. "Okay, we'll finish it together."

"Good idea," Anai stepped forward to stand next to Riku and Kairi. "We're almost done!"

Riku turned towards her and smiled. "Thanks to all your hard work."

His compliment caused her cheeks to go a little red, but, luckily, Kairi cut in before he could notice.

"I'll race you!" she giggled.

"Huh?" Sora exclaimed, still sitting in the sand.

"What, are you kidding?" Riku shook his head a bit.

"Another race?" Anai sighed, but a small smile played on her lips.

"Ready? Go!" Kairi shouted, jumping a little in her spot.

Sora, Riku, and Anai all glanced at each other for a brief moment before taking off from their spots with Riku in the lead and Sora and Anai closely behind. While Kairi lagged behind, Anai could tell by her continuous laughter that she was having just as much fun as the others.

-

"I have a list of supplies for everyone to get, does that sound okay?" Kairi asked her group of friends, who all nodded in agreement.

"Okay Riku, you need to find us bags to carry our belongings in, some big, some small. And some blankets, too," Riku nodded and took off as soon as he was given his task. "Anai, I need you to find life jackets, water shoes, and anything else you think we might need in case of an emergency."

"On it!" Anai nodded to her friend and took off across the beach, her eyes peeled for anything that might be useful. She knew she had a few life jackets in her room, so she rushed to grab those. Whenever she was given a task, she took joy in completing it to the best of her abilities. She was never a slacker, and felt that if she always put in her best in everything she did, her hard work would pay off.

As she made her way back with her arms full, she spotted Riku on the small island across from the shack and decided to go say hello.

"Hey Riku, what's up?" she called out as she approached him.

"Just…thinking," he said, glancing back at her as she came to stand by him.

"As always," she giggled. "Maybe it's time to give that big brain a rest."

"Maybe you're right," he chuckled, running a hand through his silver hair. "But I just can't stop wondering…what's out there? Will we ever make it away from this place? It gets…frustrating for me sometimes."

Anai nodded, because she knew exactly how he was feeling. They'd talked about it multiple times for hours on end, and they both had the same desire and thirst for travel and knowledge.

"Kairi's from another world…" Anai began, letting her head drop a bit. Riku nodded in agreement, this was common knowledge. "Is that why you're so fascinated with her? Because she's the only one that's been to another world?"

Riku's eyes snapped over to Anai, searching her face, and she instantly regretted saying anything. Before he could respond, however, the sound of someone running across the bridge interrupted him.

"Hey guys!" they both turned to see Sora running towards them. "Wanna battle?"

Anai knew he was really asking Riku, the two of them were always way too competitive with each other, so she turned and started heading back down the small island and towards the bridge.

"I have to turn my supplies in to Kairi, but you two go ahead," she smiled and nudged Sora with her arm as she passed him. "Go easy on him!"

"Never!" Sora laughed and jogged the rest of the way towards Riku.

Anai spotted Kairi as she heard Sora and Riku start to go at it, and she made her way down the stairs to turn her supplies in.

"So you found everything okay?" Kairi asked.

"Yep!"

"Great, thanks," the red haired girl tilted her head a bit. "This is really happening, isn't it?"

"Yeah…it is," Anai smiled at her friend. "We're going to see the universe."

"I can't wait!" Kairi giggled and jumped in her spot. Her excitement was infectious, one of the qualities that Anai suspected attracted their two other friends.

"Me neither," she smiled. "But for now, I'm going to head home."

"Okay! Meet me in this same spot tomorrow for the next, and probably last, list of supplies to collect," Kairi informed her, leaning in for a brief hug. "See you!"

Anai hugged her back before stepping away and heading in the direction of her house. They had a big day tomorrow, considering it should be the last time they needed to make any adjustments for the raft. She wanted to get to bed early, wake up early, and get a move on.

"Tomorrow," she mumbled to herself as she made her way back home. "Tomorrow is when it all begins."