Kingdom Hearts: Simple and Clean

by SoKai4ever

The beginning of an adventure that will change lives, both for the good and the bad. A novelization of the first Kingdom Hearts.

13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Sora's eyes crept open.

He was alive.

Somehow.

Some way.

He was laid upon a soft bed, and he could hear a low, friendly assortment of folks talking in what seemed like the next room over. Speaking of which, where was he?

It was a well lit, little bedroom and he could hear the faint crackle of a fire near his feet. He was going to bring his hands to his face, but noticed something else, immediately as he did. His chest was rising and falling, but it had a weight on it. He tucked his chin in and his eyes widened. Upon his chest, laid a head of beautiful red hair. His nostrils were suddenly filled with a wonderful scent.

This was her hair and her scent. She must have noticed him stirring and lifted her head, opening her own eyes.

Then, theirs met.

Sora felt goosebumps all along his skin as she did hers. However, he frowned. He knew the drill.

He'd been out cold and dreamed most, if not everything about Hollow Bastion, up to and including this moment, right now. But then again, wouldn't that have been more of a nightmare? Until this moment, right now? Sora's mind couldn't take anymore cruel tricks, apparitions, or hurt. If this was all just some manifestation of his wants and needs, again, then he needed to know. Right now.

"Please tell me this is real..." he croaked.

Kairi almost laughed, her mouth turning up at the corners, ever so slightly. Then, her soft, delicate hand reached up to cup his cheek. She gently rubbed the wound on his face, the very same she'd cleaned up earlier, with her thumb.

"Real enough for you?" She asked with a hitch in her quiet voice, as a small tear formed in her left eye and trickled down her pale cheek. Sora's eyes now too, began to pool and more than one tear flew from them. They weren't tears of sadness, or pain, for once. They were tears of relief. They were tears of thankfulness and relaxation. How long had he wanted this moment, right here?

"I..." he managed to choke out, much to her enjoyment.

"It's okay." She replied, moving her other hand to cup his other cheek. "You're okay. You're safe. And I'm right, here, Sora. For real, this time. You..." it was her turn to trail off.

"Then, everything that happened on Hollow Bastion..."

She nodded, "Yeah. The good, and the bad."

Sora finally cracked the weakest of smiles, "I'll take it." He replied, moving his hand up, grabbing at hers and squeezing. She finally removed her own and helped him into a sitting position. He groaned as he came up, causing her pain as well, just not physically.

"I can't believe it. How am I..." Sora brought his hands to his head and rubbed his temples. She stood and went to fetch a glass bottle of water from the nearby table. With a 'pop!' she'd uncorked it and handed him the container.

"I don't know. You were, well..." she stopped short, "...a Heartless. And, somehow, even in that form, you managed to find us. When you did, I knew it was you. I don't know how, but, I just knew it."

Sora nodded along as he took a big gulp, "Yeah. I remember, drifting, through endless Darkness. Then I heard your voice and saw a light. Then, then..." Sora paused, "...then, that's all I remember." Kairi leaned against the bed, taking half a seat upon in, just in front of him.

"Donald clobbered you. It didn't work." They shared a childish giggle.

"Donald." Sora smiled, widely, "Donald? Goofy!? Where are they?" Sora asked. Kairi gestured with her head to the door on the far side of the room.

"In there. They're safe too, don't worry."

Sora glanced in the direction, "Good. But, where are we?"

"Traverse Town? I've been told you come here alot."

Sora breathed a sigh of relief, "Traverse Town? So, Leon, Yuffie, Aerith, everyone?"

Kairi smirked, "And even that old chain smoker, yup. They're all here. We're in the house in the Third District. They're all out there."

Sora raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Right, so then why are you..." Kairi looked away, trying to conceal her blushing cheeks.

"Sora. There's no way I was going to leave you alone. Not for one second. We've spent enough time apart." It was Sora's turn to blush.

"Oh, right. Well, thank you..."

Kairi chuckled, "Don't thank me. You saved me. I would still be comatose if it wasn't for you."

Sora looked back at her, "So, you know about everything?"

She shook her head, "Not even close. But, I do know the important parts." Sora smirked and leaned back, a little.

"Like what?" He asked. It was her turn to smirk.

"Like how you're the Keyblade Master, apparently. And that Donald and Goofy are sworn to stand by you, because their King sent them to find you and stick by you, until you can all be brought together. Somewhere in there, you three have been traveling to a bunch of worlds, locking Keyholes, and looking for their King, Riku, and me. Meanwhile you've been fighting these Heartless, the whole time, and they said that Riku wasn't acting like himself. They said it'd make more sense, coming from you." Sora looked away.

He was ashamed. He didn't even know why, but nonetheless, he was.

"I don't know. Maybe he was, or maybe he was just slowly becoming himself, more and more." Sora thought aloud.

Kairi cocked her head to the side, "How do you mean?"

Sora's eyes met hers, "Well, remember the last couple of days on the islands? Like, he was jealous, or something?" Kairi nodded.

Sora continued, "We met back up a few times after everything went down, and he was really determined to save you. Like, no matter the cost. He was willing to kill, if he had to, and he nearly did. I called him out. I fought him, but, I don't know. I still can't get a read on it. He was either serious, or he had just been so influenced, but you know Riku. He's not the type to be influenced."

Kairi looked down, "I don't know, Sora. He kind of is. I mean, you've always been a really positive influence on him, but, maybe since we all spent so much time apart, he got caught up in doing what looked good, rather than what was good. He liked showing off, and acting up when it made him seem cool, or mysterious, but whenever you two hung out, he wasn't such a trouble maker. You know?" Sora thought for a moment.

"I guess." He replied, softly. Sora's head perked up, "Wait, 'is'?" Kairi seemed confused.

"Yeah. Is." Sora's eyes lit up, slightly.

"You've seen him? He's alive?" Kairi wasn't sure how to answer.

"I think so? I mean, when Hollow Bastion started to fall apart, he showed up, somehow. He stopped that Ansem from making mince meat of me, Donald, and Goofy." Sora smiled, widely.

"Really?"

Kairi nodded, "Really."

"I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. I mean, I'm sitting here, right now."

Kairi giggled, "Yeah. At this point nothing should shock you." She glanced back at the door, and bit her lip.

Sora noticed, "What's up?" Kairi hung her head, and stood, as if embarrassed.

"Well, it's just..." she paused, turning away from him, "...I know I should go let everyone know you're awake and okay and everything, but it's been so long since we've been together. I guess I kinda just want you all to myself, right now." She said with a humorless snicker. Sora blushed hard.

'What did she just say?'

He rubbed the back of his neck, "No, I get it. This is nice. So, tell me, what happened after I..." Kairi turned again, smiling this time. Their eyes met, once again and both felt that electric feeling course through their veins.

"After you sacrificed yourself, to save me?" She asked.

Sora grinned, "Yeah." Kairi's eyes never left his, as she took a seat on the bed, again.

"Well, Donald and Goofy tried to get me-"

"Sora!"

"Sora!"

As if summoned, the loyal pair had just cracked the door open to check on them, only to discover that dreams and wishes really do come true.

Sora was alive and well!

With that, they burst into the room and made a beeline for Sora, both wrapping him in a tight hug. "Hey, guy- whoa!" He exclaimed as the force they came in with was enough to knock him back.

They pulled away, and were both smiling from ear to ear, Donald bringing his finger up to Sora's face and wiggling it, "Don't you ever do that to me again!" He chided. Goofy meanwhile, laughed, that signature laugh of his.

"Gee, pal! I sure am glad to see you!" Kairi stepped back a bit, and while instinctively reaching forward when they crashed into him, she knew they meant no harm and that it was more of a shock to Sora, than actually painful.

"Hey, guys! Everything okay?" He asked as they finally separated.

Donald quacked, "No! We thought you were dead, ya big palooka!"

Sora chuckled, "I know. But I'm fine. Quit you're worryin'! I meant everything else!"

Goofy groaned, "Oh, Sora. Not really. But look, you still need some rest. Why don'tcha take it easy for a bit? We can talk about that other stuff, later." Kairi liked this plan. Donald helped Sora to his feet as he clambered out of bed.

"C'mon. There's some folks worried sick about you." He quacked. With that, the four of them stepped out into the main room, to an assortment of 'Sora!'s. Leon patted his shoulder, Yuffie checked his face, Aerith smiled brightly, whilst Cid merely waved through a cloud of smoke.

"Hey, guys." Sora said softly. "Sorry to worry everybody..." he said sheepishly. Kairi found a nice wall to lean against, whilst Donald and Goofy took their seats at the table, tucking back in to the bowls of food Aerith had made.

"Yeah, well ya should be. You gave us all one hell of a fright, junior." Cid groaned.

Sora smiled, "Well, at least now I know you really do care, gramps."

"Huh!?"

The room was filled with a light laughter, as Aerith pulled a chair out for Sora, allowing him to take a seat. He did so, and a bowl was now set in front of him, with the same ramen dish Donald and Goofy had.

"Thank you." He said, before grabbing his utensils and digging in. He was starved. He guessed committing suicide to save someone you loved really worked up a hunger.

Wait a minute...

"So, Donald and Goofy filled us in." Leon spoke.

Sora took a tentative bite.

"Oh yeah?"

He nodded, "If Darkness really is just pouring from that Keyhole..."

Yuffie finished his thought, "Then that's why the Heartless have been even more aggressive." Sora laid his utensils down.

He readied to stand, "Then there's no time to-" he felt a pair of hands connect with his shoulders and push him back down.

"Relax, Sora. There's nothing you can do, right now." Aerith said softly, yet firmly. Sora looked back. He wasn't sure if he was irritated, or grateful. God was he tired. But still, he was the Keyblade Master. He didn't get to be tired.

"How can you say that, Aerith? I'm the on-"

"She's right, kid." Cid said. "You ain't gettin' back there until I install a new Gummi on board. There's just too many damn Heartless around ol' Hollow Bastion. Y'all gone need a mighty powerful cloakin' device."

Donald turned to meet Sora's eyes, "He's right. We've been talking about it. If Cid can get a strong cloaking device installed, we can land near the Keyhole and lock it, fast."

Leon shook his head, "Still, no one knows what will happen, once you do seal it."

Sora finished a bite, "We can't just do nothing. I've got a friend, back there."

Leon closed his eyes and thought, "They told us about Riku too. His Keyblade. It must've been born of the captive princesses' Hearts. Just like that Keyhole. Of course, without Kairi's Heart," all eyes in the room turned to her, "it remained incomplete." Leon's eyes opened.

"Once that Keyblade was destroyed, the Princesses' Hearts should have been freed."

Sora's eyes widened, "Oh no..." he sighed.

Leon smirked, "Don't worry, Sora. Their Light will keep them, and your friend safe. For a while, anyway. If anyone can save them though, it's you." Kairi felt a warmth in her chest. The faith these folks had and trust in Sora, was nice to hear.

The room was silent for a moment, before Cid took a long drag from his smoke, "Well, I better get to work, then. It's gonna take me a while, though. This is gone be one hell of an installation." He stepped forward, and rolled his neck, before pushing the door open. "I'll make sure to let you boys know when you're good to go." He groaned.

"Thanks, gramps." Sora smirked, finishing his meal and pushing his bowl away. Donald and Goofy had already done the same. "And thank you, all of you. It's nice to know we're not in this all by ourselves." Sora said. Leon looked away, closing his eyes. Yuffie smiled and Aerith did the same.

"Of course, Sora. You've been nothing but good to us. And, well, everyone."

Yuffie giggled, "Sure have. Hey, speaking of which..."

Kairi's eyes kept being drawn to some papers that had been laid out on a nearby table. Them, plus a few trinkets were the contents of Sora's pockets. Sidestepping closer to the small table, she reached down and picked up one sheet. Her eyes moved back and forth:

To study the Heartless behavior, I picked one out for observation. It wiggled its antennae and, as if sensing a target, headed deep into the castle. In the deepest part of the castle, its antennae began vibrating, as if searching for something. Suddenly, a strange door appeared. I'd never known of its had a large keyhole, but didn't seem to be locked. So I opened the door. What I saw on the other side mystified me. What was that powerful mass of energy? That night I observed a great meteor shower in the sky. Could it be related to the door that I have opened?

She frowned. "Uh, excuse me..." she said softly, causing all talks to halt.

"What's up?" Sora asked, turning in his seat and standing.

She handed him the paper, "What's this about?" Sora read it next, before passing it to Donald.

"It's a report, from Ansem. Their leader." Sora said, gesturing toward Leon. "We've found a one, Maleficent dropped when we defeated her."

Kairi turned her head to the side, "That guy who possessed Riku and tried to kill us all?"

Sora nodded, "The very same."

Leon had been the last to receive the report, placing it back down after having gone over its contents. "He went insane. Then everything fell apart and we lost our world. We thought he died along with it. I guess he's still out there." He said, softly.

"There's still more out there." Aerith claimed.

"We'll find them. Somehow." Sora affirmed, causing all the grin. That damn positivity and optimism of his. It was infectious.

"Speaking of finding things..." Leon grabbed the small orb Sora had collected in the very next fight. "Do you know what this is?" He asked, tossing it to Sora, who caught it with one hand.

"I've got an idea." Sora remarked.

Leon smirked, "Then you know who to see." Sora nodded.

"The Fairy Godmother. Same place?" Sora asked, stretching his arms.

Yuffie chuckled, "Never one to take it easy, are ya?"

Kairi smiled, "That's new."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sora asked.

Everyone laughed.

Sora rolled his eyes and playfully brushed past Kairi, to gather up his things. "Who went through my pockets, by the way?" Sora asked.

All eyes fell upon Kairi.

She shrugged, "What? Like you care?" Sora thought for a moment.

"Good point." He chuckled. He looked over his things and noticed he'd collected quite a few pages with those characters. He wondered if he had enough. He figured he'd take them to Merlin, since he was heading over there, anyway. Pocketing the last thing, he turned.

"Okay. Ready, guys?" He asked, glancing at Kairi, Donald, and Goofy each.

"Sure am, pal!" Goofy said with a smile. Donald's eyes cut in his direction.

"Uh, actually Sora, we should really get some supplies for the ship."

Goofy looked down, "Huh? Well, sure, Donald. Let's do the same as last time. You go get the stuff and meet us at Merlin's!" Donald scowled, shooting him a look Goofy didn't understand.

Sora was confused as well, "Yeah, and besides, didn't you just resupply last time?" Sora asked. Donald couldn't believe how dense either one was!

"Yes, but the trip to Hollow Bastion..." Donald's mind looked for excuses, "was pretty long! We used a lot of supplies!"

"But we didn't even eat-" Goofy began, but was cut off by Yuffie. Her eyes had found Kairi's and with a playful wink, she piped up.

"Hey, Goofy, since the Heartless activity has gone up we've started a shift type of guarding the town. Tonight is my turn and what with you being a knight and all, I know I could sure use some pointers and the extra set of eyes!" Goofy turned to face her.

"Oh! Well, sure, I can help! Guard duty is part of basic trainin'!" He laughed. Kairi blushed, her eyes darting away from Yuffie's.

How did she know? Was Kairi that obvious? Or had Sora said something before?

Donald meanwhile certainly appreciated the help, "Right! And I've got stuff to get! Sora, Kairi, looks like this one is on you two." He quacked.

Sora shrugged and looked at her, "I guess it's just you and me, then."

Kairi looked away, "Yeah, I guess so." Aerith and Leon looked at each other from across the room, a smirk finding both of their faces.

How cute...

---

"Right there! That's where it landed. This big, mean, armored Heartless and I'm thinking I'm a goner, ya know?" Sora recalled with a smile as he gestured toward the square in the middle of the Third District.

"What happened?" Kairi asked with wonder. Sora grinned.

"It shoots one of its armor gauntlets directly for my face and I'm still in shock from everything. I hear this metal sort of 'clang!' and then I hear Goofy's voice. 'Ya may wanna wake up pal!' or something like that." Sora laughed as he told his story, Kairi joining in as they casually made their way to Merlin's.

"Wow, sounds scary. Good thing they found you when they did."

Sora nodded, "No kidding. Left, here." He said as they took the turn and headed down an alleyway. He didn't walk ahead of her, they remained side by side. If he was being honest, he didn't want to take his eyes off of her. They'd spent far too long apart and he'd had enough of seeing visions of her, rather than her.

"Say, does the sun ever shine here?" Kairi asked.

Sora thought for a moment, "You know? I don't think so. It's always been nighttime whenever I've been here." He said, as they slipped inside the door marked with a fire emblem.

"Watch your step. Just follow my lead, okay?" Sora asked, looking into her eyes and smiling. A grin she returned. Sora hopped carefully along the stones, ensuring to look back on every one of them, before making it to solid ground, just in front of the run down, old house. Kairi was right behind him and with a final, small leap, she took his offered hand and now too, stood on the ground.

"Thanks." She said softly.

"Of course. This way." Sora replied, strolling around the side and through the ripped curtain. He pulled it aside for her and with a small gasp, she was shocked to see the interior. It was so different from the outside!

"Whoa..." she said quietly, stepping through. It was warm and cozy, a far cry from the dilapidated shack it appeared to be! Across, atop a round, stone platform, stood a man with a robe and long, white beard.

"Merlin!" Sora called, stepping forward leading Kairi to the old man.

The man looked up from his book, "Ah, Sora! How are you, young man?"

Sora smiled and shook his hand, "Great! Merlin, I want you to meet Kairi." Sora said.

She offered her own hand for a shake, "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Your place is so nice. I love all the books..."

"Thank you, Miss. The pleasure is all mine. A friend of Sora's, is a friend of mine." He replied. Merlin closed his book and slid it away from him.

Sora produced the summon gem from his pocket, "I need to speak to the Fairy Godmother. I'll be right back." Merlin nodded and offered a seat to Kairi across from him at his little tea table. She took it.

"So, how do you and Sora know each other, dear girl?" Merlin asked. Kairi glanced over at him in mid conversation with an elderly woman.

"We're from the same world. Destiny Islands. We've known each other for over ten years now..." she replied taking an offered cup of tea.

Merlin stroked his beard, "Ah, I see. You're one of his companions he sought, then."

She nodded, "Yeah. Me and his best friend, Riku."

Merlin took a sip from his cup, "Best friend? Ah, so then if this Riku is his best friend, then I'm assuming you're his second best friend?" Merlin asked.

Kairi's shoulders raised, "Oh no. I'm more of his..." Merlin raised a curious eyebrow. "Well, I'm sort of like, you know, in a way, his..."

Merlin smiled and set his cup down, "Ah, I see. It's really none of my business, dear. Just making conversation!" Merlin ribbed. Kairi was mortified.

"No, wait, it's not like that. I just-"

"Thanks, ma'am!" Sora called as he approached, thanking the Fairy Godmother for her assistance. Kairi sighed in relief. Sora to the rescue, again.

"Say, Merlin- Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt." Sora said rubbing the back of his neck.

Merlin chuckled, "Not at all, Sora. All well, I hope?"

Sora nodded, "Well, yeah. Sort of. I mean, this poor guy lost his world, but I'm gonna get it back for him. Hopefully he can help me out, along the way, somehow."

Merlin took another careful sip, "Indeed. Only you can save their worlds, my boy."

Sora pocketed the orb, "I know. I will. I promise." Kairi smiled. Sora's grit and determination made her proud. He was such a strong willed, and optimistic guy. He was infectious. He was so good.

"By the way, I think I found all of those pages of that book!" Sora said enthusiastically, pulling the pages from his pocket. Merlin took them from him and after giving them the once over, concurred.

"I say, son, I believe you have! Well done! Would you like to return them to the book?"

Sora looked at Kairi and smiled, "What do ya say?"

Kairi nodded happily, "I'm game for anything!" With that they made for the small book on a table next to Merlin's desk.

Sora glanced back at the old wizard, "What should we do?" He asked.

Merlin shrugged, "How should I know, dear boy? I've never had it, in its complete state!"

Sora snickered, "Right." He gripped the edge and slowly opened it to a part where a page had clearly been torn. Nothing happened.

"Maybe try and place it in there?" Kairi suggested, as Sora pulled the stack of pages from his pocket. He gingerly placed one down and still, nothing happened.

"Hey, Merlin, I guess these aren't the right pag-" Sora was cut off as both he and Kairi were suddenly blinded by a light and somehow pulled into the book, itself.

Merlin and the Fairy Godmother exchanged confused looks, before hurrying over to investigate.

---

They found themselves in a field.

"Huh?" Kairi asked, looking around. Sora, to some extent, was surprised as well, though this was much more old hat, to him.

"I think..." he paused, stepping forward and holding out his arms, turning to face her, "we're in the book!" Kairi turned her head in confusion.

"We're in the book? How?"

Sora shrugged, before walking further ahead, "I've found it's best to not ask too many questions. Honestly, this isn't even in the top ten of weird crap that's happened to me." He said, causing both to giggle.

"Yeah, well, all this is still new to me, Sora!" Kairi said, playfully shoving him forward.

"Hey!" He exclaimed, readying to push her back.

It was bright and warm, here. They stood in a large, open stretch of green and the blue sky above didn't have one cloud in the whole of it. A woods encircled the open range they found themselves in, but more pressingly was the log in the middle. It was old, obviously from a fallen tree many years ago, but on the log sat a tubby, little, yellow, red t-shirt wearing, button nosed, adorable, bear. He tapped at his forehead with his little paw, and appeared deep in thought.

"Think, think, think, think..." he chanted. Kairi deftly dodged Sora's horse play and spotted the little guy.

"Oh. Sora?" She asked, as he found his balance again.

"Oh no you do- huh?" He asked, sidling up to her and looking at the bear as well.

"Do you..." Kairi began to ask.

Sora shook his head, "No, never seen him."

Kairi smiled, "He's so cute." She said, stepping forward. Sora followed, but it was Kairi who engaged, first.

"Hello there. Are you okay?" She asked. The little bear didn't look up, he only kept at his thinking.

"Think, think, think, think..." She looked at Sora, who shrugged.

"Uh, hello? What're you thinking about, pal?" Sora asked. That seemed to get his attention.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing. Just thinking about how to say goodbye to Pooh." Sora and Kairi shared a confused, yet amused glance.

"Uh, and who's Pooh?" Sora asked.

The little bear smiled, "Me. Winnie the Pooh. Pooh, for short. What's your name?" Kairi hopped aboard the log, next to him.

"I'm Kairi."

Sora hopped up on the other side, "And I'm Sora."

Pooh glanced between the two, "Hello, Kairi. Hello, Sora. Have you come to say goodbye to Pooh, too?"

Sora and Kairi chuckled, "Well, no. Why would we do that?" Kairi asked.

Sora nodded, "We've only just met."

Pooh frowned and hung his head, "Because everyone has gone away..."

Sora cocked his head to the side, "What do you mean?"

Pooh looked up, "Well, we all lived here, in the Hundred Acre Wood, together. We'd take walks together, or play Pooh sticks. And, everyday, I'd eat some honey. Just one small smackeral would taste very good, right now. But now, everyone's gone. All my friends and my favorite honey tree too." He groaned.

Kairi frowned, "So, you're all alone?"

Pooh nodded, "Everyone must've gone away while I was napping. I think. I fear I may end up going away as well. I never got to say goodbye to them, so I wonder, how do I at least say goodbye to myself? Think, think, think..." Kairi's eyes tried to meet Sora's, but she could see that look of determination in his. He had a plan.

"Oh, my tumbly is rather rumbly..." Pooh cried.

Sora hopped down and patted his chest, "I'll help you find your friends. I'm sure they're here, somewhere." Pooh's ears perked at the suggestion.

"You will?"

Kairi nodded, "Me too! With all three of us looking, we're sure to find them!"

Pooh slid down from the log, "I'd be ever so grateful, Sora. Kairi. Follow me." He said through grunts as he began to waddle forward, toward a break in the trees. Sora turned and offered his hands to Kairi. She placed hers on his shoulder, whilst he grabbed her waist. With a lift, he'd helped her down, to her feet.

"You sure you don't mind?" Sora asked.

Kairi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Of course not! He needs our help!" She replied with another playful shove. She followed behind Pooh, leaving Sora to watch them both.

'What a gal...'

---

"Keep up, Sora!" She cried, as she slipped inside Pooh's ramshackle little house.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Sora jogged forward and stopped short, before stepping inside. A little campfire next to a log bench sat out front of a little house that had a sign reading, 'Mr. Sanderz', in crude, backwards letters. Sora figured the little bear must've been the one to make it. He gently pushed the door open, only to find Pooh on the floor, looking very melancholy, next to an empty pot. Kairi was searching his cupboards.

"No more honey. Oh bother..." Pooh sighed.

Kairi placed her hands on her hips, "Nope, nothing here, Pooh. Didn't you say something about a honey tree?"

Pooh nodded, "But it's gone away. It used to be just down the path there." Sora glanced back outside and indeed, down the path, saw a large, tall tree in the distance.

"Uh, Pooh?" He asked, causing the bear to raise his head. "There's a tree, a ways off, there. Is that it?" Pooh stood and waddled outside. He paused, before increasing his speed and moving toward it, without a word. Sora looked back at Kairi, who was admiring a picture Pooh had of a boy who looked younger than herself, or Sora.

"I wonder how you lose a tree?" She asked.

Sora snickered, "I don't think he's too bright, Kairi."

Kairi smirked, and stepped forward, "Sora!" She chided.

"Look!" Sora pushed the door open and Kairi saw the honey tree, now.

"Oh. It's, right there..."

Sora smiled, "Yeah. See? Not too brigh-Ow!" She stamped on his foot, lightly.

"He's sweet!" She said with a grin and stepping back outside. Sora rubbed the back of his neck and followed. The path winded left, then right, before opening up to a small patch of grass. To their left sat a fairly deep pond, with a few lily pads dotting its surface. To their right were a bramble of bushes and directly in front of them stood the impressive, thick, many branched, tall, honey tree. Pooh looked up, seemingly perplexed. Whilst Sora and Kairi stood behind him.

"I don't think he should climb that..." Kairi said, softly.

Sora nodded, "I'll do it."

He stepped forward, only for Kairi to grab his wrist, causing him to turn, "Sora, just..." she paused, a visible blush on her cheeks. Her gaze never left his, however.

"I know." He replied with a warm smile, "Are you kidding?" He asked, her grip releasing him.

He kept walking forward, "Careful is my middle name, Kairi. I'm so careful that Donald and Goof-Whoa!"

Sora was so focused on looking back at her, he'd tripped clean over poor little Pooh bear, leaving both of them on their backs, under the honey tree.

"Oh bother..."

"Oh man..."

Kairi shook her head and snickered.

"H-Hello? I-Is somebody t-t-there?" A small, timid voice called from the nearby bush. That got her attention.

"Hm? Hello?" She called back.

"Wh-wh-what am I to d-d-do? I'm all a-alone..." it responded. Pooh perked up and subsequently, sat up.

"Piglet? Is that you?"

"P-Pooh? Oh Pooh bear! Thank goodness, it's you!" Kairi watched, as the owner of the scared little voice ran from the bushes, into the open arms of the seated Winnie the Pooh. They collided in a hug and if Kairi had blinked, she might have missed the little guy. He was the smallest pig, she'd ever seen. Pink, with big ears, and the signature nose, he was equally adorable as the bear himself.

"Aww..." she sighed at the sight of their embrace. Sora meanwhile had also sat up and was rubbing his head.

The pair pulled apart and Piglet nearly leapt from his skin, "Oh, d-d-dear! P-Pooh! Wh-Who're they?"

Pooh giggled, "They're my new friends. Sora and Kairi. They're ever so kind. They've offered to help me find you and the others."

Piglet's trembling began to subside, "Oh, s-s-so, you k-know them?" Pooh nodded. "Oh..." Piglet appeared to sigh with relief.

Sora chuckled, "Don't be afraid. We're only here to help." He affirmed.

Kairi agreed, "Right. Piglet, do you know where the rest of your friends a-"

"I do believe I smell something..." Pooh interrupted. "A delicious something. Something like honey!" He exclaimed, standing and moving for the tree trunk.

Sora too found his way to his feet, "Whoa there, Pooh bear! Let me handle this. I'll get you the honey, you need." Sora said confidently, jumping to grab a hold on a low hanging branch. With a pull upward, he was standing on a sturdy limb and repeated the process. Limb after limb, Sora was getting quite high, when something dawned on Kairi. Something funny, but also inconvenient.

"Hey, Sora!" She hollered. Sora grunted through another pull upward, sweat pouring from his brow.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"How exactly are you going to get the honey down to him? Fling it onto the grass?" She asked, much to Pooh and Piglet's dismay.

"No!" Sora called in response. "I, uh..." he struggled for words as he struggled to reach a higher branch.

Kairi rolled her eyes and smiled, "I'll go fetch some pots!"

"I was gonna use honey pots! Oh, right! Good idea! That'll save us some time!"

Kairi laughed, "Right! Totally your idea!" She ribbed as she ran back to Pooh's house.

Pushing the door open, she gathered up as many of the honey pots as she could and slipped back out. She carefully made her way back and, once there, found Pooh and Piglet in the same spot, looking up. Sora, however, was nowhere to be found.

She set the crockery down, "Uh, Sora?" She called.

Piglet pointed upward, "He s-slipped in there! The honey hole!"

Kairi cupped her hands around her mouth, "Sora! I'm back!" A few moments of silence followed, before Sora jumped out of the hole in the tree, and narrowly grabbed a branch with one hand.

"Sora!" She cried, in fear. He summoned the Keyblade and with a well placed and timed swing managed to scare away a horde of bees. The pollinators scattered, yet Sora still hung from the branch by one hand, offering Kairi a salute with his hand that held the Keyblade.

"Hey!"

"I told you to be careful!" Kairi scolded.

Sora smiled, as he hung freely, swaying back and forth, "In my defense-" he pulled himself to standing on the very same limb, "You never actually said that! And besides, this is way more careful than I usually am!" He laughed.

"Oh, that's comforting!" Kairi replied, picking up a honey pot and standing just beneath the tree.

"You're way too high up!" She called. Sora glanced around.

"Damn it..." he said softly. He was much too high.

"Hello, Sora." Pooh said casually as he floated alongside the Keyblade Master.

"Hey, Pooh." Sora replied. "Alright, I'll climb down a bit and- Pooh!" Sora realized and quickly grabbed the little bear's ankle as he began to float higher. With a tug downward he set him upon the very same limb he stood on.

Unbeknownst to him, or Kairi, Piglet had acquired a balloon and politely gifted it to Pooh. Who, in turn, began to float higher and higher to his desired destination. The honey hole.

"Pooh!" Kairi cried, her head snapping back down to a trembling Piglet.

"Oh, d-d-dear! They're ever s-s-so high!" He squealed. Kairi scooped him into her arms, dropping the honey pot.

"It's okay, little guy. Shhh." She shushed, "Sora won't let him get hurt."

Piglet still shook, "A-A-Are you s-s-sure?"

She nodded, "Positive. He'd hurt himself first..." she said softly, worry evident in her voice. She liked little Pooh plenty, but she loved him.

Wait a minute...

"Look, I'm just gonna give him a minute up here and then we'll come back down!" Sora hollered.

Kairi nodded, "Okay! Be safe, though!" Sora lifted little Pooh up and into the honey hole and boy was he in hog heaven now. The yellow bear ate and ate and then he ate some more. Sora could hear him, from the outside, groaning in pleasure and gluttony.

"It is rather funny, what I will do, for honey." Sora heard his garbled and muffled voice. He stood for a few more minutes and began to get the idea that Pooh wasn't going to be stopping anytime soon.

"You, uh, almost done there, pal?" Sora asked. The only response was more loud smacking.

"Okay, bud. That's enough. Let's get you down from here." Sora said as he reached in to lift Pooh back out. Only, he was much, much heavier now.

"Holy cow!" Sora exclaimed as he extracted Pooh from the tree. The extra weight proved to be deadly for the limb they stood on. With a deep, resounding crack, it broke though not entirely.

"Whoa!" Sora hollered.

"Sora!"

"Pooh!"

Kairi and Piglet cried.

Sora made a quick decision. With a careful hop down to the next branch, he landed. With another crack.

"Oh crap." Sora mumbled. With another small leap and another crack, Sora began to make his way down the honey tree, his arms burning as they held little Pooh bear. Leap after leap and crack after crack, Sora somehow managed to safely and carefully reach the bottom. He finally relieved the burn in his arms as he set down the plump Pooh, and before he even had time to wipe the pouring sweat from his brow, he felt her arms wrap tightly around him in an embrace.

"Huh?"

"Don't do that to me!" Kairi chided. Sora chuckled, placing his hands on her back, gently.

"It's okay. I'm fine." He said softly.

She pulled away and their eyes met. She stared into his and he hers and for the briefest of moments, theirs head tilted to the side, just a bit. They leaned in an-

"Yaaaaargh..." the most awful of growls caused both of them to snap their head in the direction of the sound.

Pooh looked down, "Oh dear. There still appears to be a rather loud rumbly, in my tumbly."

Sora and Kairi separated, both blushing hard as they looked up and away. Had they nearly just-

"Rabbit usually has some spare honey around!" Piglet suggested.

Pooh liked this idea, "Yes, Piglet. To Rabbit's!" He ordered, waddling in the direction of their next destination. Sora finally looked at her.

"Uh, after you...?"

She shook her head and giggled, "You lead the way. I'm right behind you." She needed a moment to compose herself. She watched as Sora followed Piglet and he followed Pooh, before trying to catch up.

'What a guy...'

---

The gang strolled up to a small clearing in the woods. Just ahead were several vegetable fields and a small stream that separated some of the fields. A little bridge covered the gap and led to another tree, though this one had a door, mailbox, and even a window. Sora and Kairi both figured this must be the aforementioned Rabbit's house. Pooh waddled across the bridge and inside, Piglet following suit. Sora reached the door and waited for Kairi.

"Should we just...?"

Kairi shrugged, "I don't think knocking is really a thing, here." They chuckled. With that they readied to walk inside, but were met with a small, yellow rabbit pushing past them.

"Oh, no, Pooh! I-I'm sorry! No honey here, no sir! Just my vegetables, see?" He asked. Sora smiled as did Kairi. Pooh followed Rabbit outside and boy was that bear unreadable.

Piglet followed alongside Rabbit and glanced around, "Hmm. He's right Pooh bear. It looks like we'll have to- Pooh? Where are you going? Pooh?" He asked as the little bear simply wandered back inside. Rabbit shook with anxiety.

"There he goes. Oh, I know he'll find it, eventually. That nose of his can sniff out honey from a mile away..." Rabbit hung his head. Sora approached and placed a hand on his shoulder, crouching down.

"Hey, it's okay. You can always make more honey, right?" Rabbit sighed.

"I suppose. Wait, who are you?" He asked.

Sora smiled, "I'm Sora. This is Kairi." Kairi stood with her hands behind her back, before giving a friendly little wave.

"Sora? Kairi? I don't recognize you. Wait, are you Christopher Robbin's frie-"

"Rabbit! It turns out you did have some honey!" Piglet called from inside. Rabbit visibly cringed, before walking back inside, slowly. He looked defeated.

"Oh joy..." Sora smiled sympathetically.

"Poor guy. I guess Pooh isn't exactly the asking type, huh-" Sora turned and found that Kairi was now down by the stream. He approached and sidled up next to her. "Thanks for just walking away when I was saying something!" He teased.

She giggled, "Oh, sorry. I just wanted to check out Rabbit's farm." Sora scanned the area. That was a lot of veggies.

"It's pretty nice."

Kairi nodded, "Yeah. I feel like I wouldn't mind running a little farm, like this. Someday. You know?"

Sora smirked, "Yeah. Like, once we get the islands back. Well, and once we graduate. And figure out how to make munny." They shared a chuckle.

"Right." She replied softly. Kairi's eyes seemed to wander along the fields of crops, until they found his face. He too was lost in the scenery for a moment, but she couldn't shake his phrasing.

'We?'

She looked down. She spotted a few pebbles and picked one up. With a flick of her wrist, she skipped the little stone twice along the water's surface. Sora noticed and picked up a stone of his own. With that, he too skipped his own rock a few times. The wind blew softly, shaking a few leaves from the trees and rattling Rabbit's wind-chime.

"Sora?" Kairi asked after a few silent moments.

"Yeah?"

"You said, 'when'."

"Hmm?"

"You said, 'when we get our islands back'. Not 'if'? How do you know we'll get them back?"

Sora smiled and shrugged, "I don't know. I've just got a good feeling, is all." He replied, skipping another stone. Kairi laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. "What's so funny?" Sora asked.

Kairi's laughter died down enough for her to speak, "You. You've always got a good feeling, Sora! We could be in the middle of a disaster and you'd have a good feeling!"

Sora rubbed the back of his neck and snickered, "Yeah? So? Isn't that a good thing?" He asked with a knowing smirk. Kairi nodded, placing a hand on his arm, gently.

"Yes. It is." Their eyes met once again and in that instant, Sora felt like a bolt of electricity. Inside, his stomach fluttered with butterflies and his pulse raced. He'd displayed tremendous courage throughout this whole journey and here he was, frightened to say something that still confused him. His mouth felt like cotton.

"Kairi, there's something I wanna tel-"

"Oh Pooh!" Rabbit chided as the couple turned at the sound of the front door flying open.

Rabbit ran around the side of his home and Piglet wasn't far behind, "Not again!" The little pig cried.

Kairi turned, "What's going on?"

Sora began to walk forward, "I don't know." They rounded the house and found quite the sight. Pooh was stuck in a tunnel that Rabbit used to quickly get in and out. It was a narrow tunnel and, after having gorged himself on a few pots of Rabbit's scrumptious honey, Winnie the Pooh was fatter than he was when he'd entered the domicile. Once he'd finished what he'd found, Pooh's keen nose picked up the scent of more, just outside in Rabbit's backyard.

Only, he didn't go out the way he came in. He elected to go the straightest route possible and attempted to wiggle his way out through the tunnel. His midsection stuck, his shoulders forward were outside, whilst his hips downward were still firmly inside. Sora scratched his head, and Kairi barely contained laughter.

"Uh, Pooh?" Sora smirked.

Pooh glanced up as best he could, "Yes, Sora?" The Keyblade Master knelt down.

"You're stuck. Inside Rabbit's house."

Pooh looked down, "It appears I am." Rabbit sighed.

"We need carrot top juice. It'll help slim you down, Pooh. Okay, everyone, let's-" Rabbit stopped speaking as his shoulders raised. He'd heard something. Apparently, something awful.

He jolted again, and this time Sora heard it too. It was a sort of springy bounce. Kairi squinted in the direction of the sound and spotted a small creature bouncing high in the air.

"I think someone's coming." She said.

Rabbit slowly turned, visibly shaking, "Oh so I didn't imagine it. Here he comes..."

Closer and closer a small, orange and black cat bounced upon his tail. He bounced in one of Rabbit's fields, ruining a ripe cabbage. He bounced again, squashing a squash. He bounced again, destroying a pumpkin. He bounced again and again and again, taking down more veggies, a fence, and even the little bridge. Rabbit watched on in horror, before slumping over in despondency, whilst the bouncing figure made one big, final bounce.

Directly for Sora.

"Whoa!" He hollered as the little cat's front paws collided with Sora's chest sending them both to the ground.

"Hey there! Name's Tigger! T-I-double guh-R! That spells Tigger!" Kairi flinched as he slammed into Sora, and instinctively went to help him up.

"You okay?" She asked, helping Sora to his feet, and Tigger off of him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks." He replied, as Tigger smiled at the pair.

"Say, I don't think I seen you two around, before. What's your names?"

Kairi brushed Sora's shoulders off, "He's Sora. I'm Kairi." She replied.

"Hello Tigger. I'm glad to see you've still got your bouncing skills." Pooh said from his compromised position.

"Heya, Pooh! Say, you're lookin' mighty uncomfy today! Is this some new exercise? Bouncin' is a lot more fun!" Tigger began to bounce on his tail, in one spot, happily. Sora and Kairi glanced at one another.

"Why do you bounce around so much, Tigger?" He asked.

"Why!?" Tigger asked with a gasp. "Because bouncin' is what Tiggers do best!" The excitable cat began to spring into the air over and over, now heading for the rest of Rabbit's vegetable patches.

"No!" Rabbit cried. "Tigger! Please! Stop!" He begged. Sora watched as he either didn't hear him, or didn't care. He was just going to trample through all of Rabbit's hard work. Sora groaned.

"Keep an eye on Pooh, make sure he doesn't hurt himself." Sora ordered, before taking off after Tigger.

"Right." Kairi smiled. "Though, how can he? He's stuck in a hole..." Sora didn't hear her last comment. He was too busy trying to catch up to Tigger. He watched as he bounced high in the air.

"Tigger! Wait up! You don't wanna ruin Rabbit's garden, do you? C'mon man!" Sora hollered. It was no use. This Tigger wasn't exactly the listening type. Sora saw that Tigger was just about to land on what looked like a prize turnip.

He slid, narrowly avoiding a few himself, and, like a volleyball player, held his hands together giving Tigger's springy tail somewhere to land. With a strong push, it did just that, and he flew, even higher into the sky.

"Whew..." Sora sighed, only to see that Tigger was coming back down. Directly on top of a bed of corn.

"Oh, man..." Sora groaned, before booking it to the bed and repeating the process. Rabbit watched as Sora single handedly saved veggie after veggie, firmly believing that each time Tigger bounced, Sora wouldn't be able to stop him.

Yet, he did.

Pooh couldn't properly see, whilst Piglet was trying to rub his sides with more honey, in the vein hope that it'd somehow free him. Kairi meanwhile sighed as she watched Sora commit yet another selfless act. She tilted her head to the side and admired his athleticism. Sora wasn't the exact same as the last time she saw him. He'd grown. Both physically and as a person.

Gone was the skinny, kind of lazy, and even mischievous boy of Destiny Islands. He was better muscled, faster, stronger, and even a bit taller. He was always good natured, but now willing to do so much more than she ever knew him capable of, including risking life and limb, apparently, let alone help a little rabbit keep his garden safe from a little tigger. He'd become a young man and while Kairi was happy with him just the way he was, she felt something different now.

Something that made her chest feel as if would explode if she thought about it too much. She was so full of pride, watching him, and that other tricky emotion that she just couldn't pin down. Could it really be...?

Tigger landed, and took several deep breaths, while Sora placed his hands on his knees and did the same.

"What's goin' on? Nobody keeps up with Tiggers! Maybe there's somethin' wrong with my tail..." The cat moaned.

Sora looked up and smirked, "Ah, don't stress it, Tigger. I'm kind of a big deal..." he said with a cocky little smile and a point inward.

'You sure are...' Kairi thought, her eyes never leaving him.

The two began to walk back to the house, exchanging comments about the other's quickness. Kairi tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear as they approached.

"Hey. Nice job." She said softly. Sora smirked,

"Were you impressed?"

"Very." She replied with a snicker.

"Very good bouncing Tigger..." Pooh moaned.

"Hey! I got an idea! Pooh bear! I'll bet I can bounce ya out!" Pooh tried to glance over at him, whilst Sora smiled, wide.

"Yeah! I bet that would work!" He said.

"Yeah, I don't really think that's a good ide- and there they go." Kairi watched as Tigger, Sora, Piglet, and the worried Rabbit rushed inside.

She sighed and shook her head with a grin.

"Well, boys will be boys and all that." She muttered to herself. "This place could use a woman's touch." She commented, before sauntering around to where Pooh still sat.

"You okay?" She asked, crouching down.

"I suppose. You and your friend are ever so nice. I wonder, where do you come from?" He asked. Kairi could hear rustling about, inside.

"I'll tell you later. For now, I'd cover your eyes." Pooh complied.

"But why?"

Kairi stepped back and sighed, "Three. Two. One."

A loud crash could be heard inside as somehow Tigger had managed to slam into Pooh's rear end, sending him flying out, widening the tunnel by a large margin as he did. He flew, several feet, through the air and ultimately crashed into Rabbit's stack of honey pots. The poor little bunny was mortified.

"Oh dear..." he groaned. Sora smiled apologetically whilst Tigger bounced with pride. Kairi jogged over to help the little bear up and Piglet was actually having fun! The four returned outside and found Kairi helping Pooh to his feet. His head was now lodged in a honey pot.

"Oh bother. Tigger? Where have you bounced me to? It's ever so dark." He moaned.

Tigger frowned, "Oops."

Sora rubbed the back of his neck, "Uh, sorry about that Pooh bear. Pooh?" He asked. The only sound coming from inside though, was a loud smacking. Piglet and Tigger laughed. Sora and Kairi laughed. Rabbit felt like crying.

---

The growing gang had made it to starry hill, perhaps the tallest place in the Hundred Acre Wood. Rabbit had stayed behind to tend to his farm.

Atop it was a tall, old oak tree with two ropes hanging from it that tied to a wooden plank, serving as a swing. Below the hill, ran the same stream from Rabbit's farm, only it was more of a small river, here. A larger bridge spanned its gap and the sound of the rippling water was like music to their ears. That, with the lovely birdsong and the gentle blow of the wind, and this forest setting was absolutely ripe for a nap or a picnic.

Sora thought for a moment and noticed that this place seemed to come more and more alive with each new area they stumbled upon. The group, led by Pooh, crossed the bridge, but stopped upon the little bear's command. He stepped closer to the railing and looked over.

"Hello, Eeyore." He called.

There, in the water, floated the most melancholy little donkey.

"Eeyore! Are you okay?" Piglet, called.

Eeyore glanced up, "Hello Pooh. Piglet. No." He answered in a deep, bellowing voice.

Kairi too stood at the railing, "Well, of course he's not okay. Here, take my hand." She offered, leaning forward and trying to scoop the little donkey out of the slow moving water. She grabbed at his tail and with a yank, pulled it clean off of his behind.

"Huh?" She asked, examining the purple tail with a pin sticking out the other end. "Oh!" She exclaimed, accidentally flinging it somewhere into the nearby bushes.

Sora stifled a laugh, "Nice goin'."

She frowned, before shaking her head and snickering, "Shut up."

She moved, from the bridge, to the water's edge and retrieved the rest of poor little Eeyore, helping him out of the river and to his feet. With a shake that was reminiscent of a dog, he dried off and sighed. He turned at the neck and sighed as he gazed upon his hind.

"Wasn't much of a tail, anyway." Sora smiled, sympathetically.

"We'll help you find it, Eeyore."

"Well, sure! Findin' things is what Tiggers do second best!" Tigger offered with a spring. Kairi couldn't help but feel as if his offer was really more of an excuse to bounce around, pretending to look.

Piglet scratched at his head, "I think it went off, into the bushes, just there." Sora walked over and began to push the brambles aside.

"There's just too many. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack." He groaned. Kairi turned and noticed the incline, just past the bridge.

"What about up there? You'd probably have a better view." Sora turned. He watched as Pooh began to waddle toward the hill without saying a word. He sure was a bear of few words.

Sora straightened up, "I'll tag along, Pooh."

"No, I'll go this time. You've almost gotten yourself or him hurt, both times." Kairi teased. Sora threw his hands up in mock defense.

"Yes ma'am. Whatever you say, your Majesty." He smirked.

Kairi raised a curious eyebrow, "Your Majesty?"

"Well, you are a princess and all." Sora barely contained a laugh.

"Oh that is so not becoming a thing." Kairi replied as she began to follow Pooh.

"It kind of is now, though." Sora said. Kairi stuck her tongue out at Sora, playfully as she began to ascend the hill. He dismissed her with a wave and a laugh. He turned and noticed that Eeyore was collecting, and subsequently stacking, the several twigs along the ground. He was lining them up, almost as if he was trying to make a tent, or hut. Sora was curious.

"Whatcha doin'?" He asked, bending at the waist and placing his hands on his knees. The donkey didn't look up, but answered through grabs of branches. He was using his teeth, afterall.

"Buildin' my house..."

"Oh. Can I help?" Sora received no response.

Piglet spoke up, "Don't mind Eeyore. That's just his way."

Sora scratched his head, "Being sad?"

"I suppose." Piglet shrugged his shoulders. "I've never really thought of him that way. Just as Eeyore." Sora nodded.

"Well we'll help, right? Me and Piglet and-" Sora watched as Tigger bounced aimlessly in the distance. "Well, me and Piglet will help. C'mon." Sora said cheerily as he began to search for twigs, branches, stones, anything. Piglet too joined in, but couldn't help but comment or Sora's enthusiasm.

"Gee, it sure is awful nice of you to be so helpful, Sora. And brave. I wish I was like you..."

Sora smiled as he gathered up a bundle of sticks, "Ah, c'mon Piglet. Be glad you're you. You can't be anyone else, so there's no reason wishing you were. Believe me." Piglet sighed as he gathered more, smaller twigs.

"It's easy for you to say that. You're already brave and strong and kind. I'm too afraid to be brave..." he moaned. Sora smirked, crouching down so that he and Piglet were eye to eye.

"Piglet, being brave isn't about being unafraid. Being brave, is being scared to do something, but doing it anyway, because it's so important or means so much to you." Piglet paused, in thought.

"Really?" He asked.

Sora nodded, "Yeah." Piglet smiled and began to pick up more branches. Sora stood and dropped off a bundle for Eeyore. He looked up at the hill and watched as she pushed Pooh on the swing, higher and higher. He didn't even notice how high Pooh was getting, because he was so lost in thought. He wondered. Did he need to listen to his own advice?

---

"Destiny Islands. It's a beautiful place." Kairi replied, answering Pooh's once again asked question.

"I see." Pooh replied as she gently pushed him forward on the swing. She wondered if his idea was all just a ruse.

'Push me on the swing, that way I'll be able to see better!'

Really?

That was just an excuse to get her to push him on the swing. She smiled, though. She didn't mind. He was like a fat, fluffy little ball of love. How could she deny him his fun?

"And how long have you and Sora known each other?" Pooh asked.

"Over ten years, now." She replied with a gentle shove forward.

"My. That's quite a long time. You must be good friends then." Kairi smiled softly, her thoughts elsewhere.

"Yeah..." she replied.

"And, how then, did you get here?"

Kairi was snapped from her thoughts, "Oh, um. I'm not entirely sure, myself." Pooh didn't have anything to say to that. Kairi though, became lost in thought, again. She pushed and pushed and pushed, and Pooh was getting higher and higher and higher.

'What was he going to say, back at Rabbit's? What the heck was that, after he got down from the honey tree? Did we almost...'

"I say, I am getting rather high, Kairi."

'No way, right? This is Sora. We've been friends forever. Why now? Why all of the sudden does he feel like this? Why do I feel like this, all of the sudden? I guess it's not so sudden, really. We've been heading down this path for a long time, haven't we? Oh, make me so happy. I guess that's that what this is, then. This feeling. It's so strong. It must be-'

Kairi was once again broken from her thoughts as her hand pushed nothing but air, this time.

Evidently, she'd pushed Pooh so much, she'd pushed him right out of the swing itself! He was flying in the air, careening toward a little tent of sticks that Sora, Piglet, and Eeyore all stood in front of.

"Watch out!" She cried, causing everyone to look. Pooh was headed straight into it, but, like a bolt of lightning, Tigger bounced just in time and intercepted the little bear, but both crashed into poor Eeyore's house with a resounding thud.

"Oh d-d-dear!"

"Whoa!"

"It figures..."

Kairi began a mad dash down the hill, across the bridge, and toward the group.

"Pooh! Are you okay?" She asked, slowing as she approached. Sora was busy helping the pair to their feet.

"Oh, and I'm the one who nearly killed him, huh?" Sora turned and smirked.

Kairi wasn't kidding around though, "Oh, please tell me no one got hurt."

Sora waved a dismissive hand, "Aw, they're fine. Right Pooh? Tigger?"

Tigger sprung up with a smile, "Well, sure! Tiggers can't get hurt. Tiggers are made out of, out of..." he scratched his chin and thought for a moment.

"...Wait, what are we made out of? Tiggers are made out of Tigger! That stuff bounces off everything!"

Pooh brushed his front off, "Yes, I believe I am."

Kairi breathed a sigh of relief, whilst Sora examined the situation.

"Yeah, everyone is fine except for Eeyore's house. We were almost done! I was gonna add another half a bath!" Sora teased.

"I'm sorry, Eeyore..." Kairi moaned. The donkey merely looked down at the pile of twigs.

"It wasn't much of a house, anyway..." he replied. Sora knelt down and picked something up, however.

"Hey, look!" He produced Eeyore's tail, causing everyone to smile. Sora turned and pinned the tail back onto Eeyore.

"Well I'll be." He groaned and turned to look at his newly found tail. It wasn't quite a smile, but it was the happiest Sora had seen him. He thought. It was hard to tell with this guy. He was kind of a letdown!

---

With Eeyore and his tail in tow, the gang now had arrived at Tigger's much ballyhooed bouncing spot. It was a shady little stretch of woods, with several tree stumps and even a log seesaw. Along the way, they'd also acquired a new friend. Roo.

The tiny kangaroo, who wore a blue t-shirt, apparently really looked up to Tigger and couldn't wait to tag along on any and all adventures he could. He reminded Sora of himself and Riku. He reminded Kairi of them, as well, though much gentler and far less mischievous.

Tigger might not have been the best role model, but for a little kangaroo? Who could be better?

Sora's fingers were threaded behind his head as they walked through the forest, and Kairi was right by his side. Once they'd stopped, Tigger and Roo began to bounce away, as happy as they could be. Piglet, meanwhile stayed attached to Pooh's hip, helping him search for honey anywhere and everywhere. Eeyore meanwhile noticed quite a few choice sticks lying about and couldn't help but try building another house. If he was anything, it was actually the opposite of sad.

He was an optimist, at his core. No matter how many times his house fell down, he'd build another one. What an excellent attitude to have, Sora thought. That left the two of them to stand and observe, but it also left them alone.

They had a chance to talk, but what about?

Neither really knew how to move forward about what they were feeling. Sora's eyes watched as Tigger bounced higher and higher, little Roo doing his best to keep up.

"Hey, Tigger! Look at me! I'm bouncin' pretty high!" He giggled.

"Ya sure are, kiddo! Keep it up!" Tigger replied. Kairi watched as Eeyore picked up stick after stick and smiled. She too admired his spirit, even if he did seem a little uninspired at times.

"He doesn't give up, does he?" She asked, aloud.

Sora shook his head, "He's too young to keep up with Tigger, but no. He keeps trying. I did too when I was that age." Sora laughed.

Kairi turned to look up at him, "Oh, no, I meant Eeyore." Sora glanced in the donkey's direction.

"Oh. I guess that applied to both situations, huh?" He asked.

She laughed, "Yeah, you're right." She nudged his shoulder, "And, you still do."

"Still do?"

"Keep trying. Even at your age, now." She clarified.

Sora nodded, "Yeah. I do. Speaking of which..." he said softly, looking down and away. He rubbed the back of his neck, again. A nervous tick, that most would notice, let alone her.

"Speaking of which...?" She repeated. Sora suddenly felt at a loss for words.

"Well, it's just that, I've been thinking. A lot, I guess."

"About what?"

"My adventures. And, how I wish you'd been there. I mean, in more than my dreams and hallucinations." Kairi too turned away, concealing her crimson red cheeks.

"Yeah. But, I was, in a way, right? Because my Heart..."

Sora nodded, "Was right here. Within mine." She too nodded. "I saw you, so many times. I swear, every time you weren't really there, just made it worse."

"I get that. Like, it's better to not feel close, if you aren't."

"But, it's weird. It kind of kept me going. Knowing that you might be around every corner. This crazy place with talking cards and a weird cat, I saw you in a painting." Kairi smirked.

"Then, I saw you in a tree house on this jungle world. I thought of you under the ocean, saw you in a graveyard, fought for you in an arena, and even dreamed about you picking shells on the beaches back home." Kairi's cheeks were red hot.

"Thanks, Sora, I..."

"It's been the thought of seeing you again that's kept me going, more days than not. When I thought you were gone, for good, that's why I was willing to-"

"Stop. I know what you did. I can never thank you enough, Sora. But, I don't want to think about that. I mean, how close did we come? To my living in a world where you'd sacrificed yourself, just so I could live in it, without you?" They turned to face one another.

"And I'd do it again."

"I know you would." Their eyes met. "But you won't have to. We'll keep each other safe, from now on." Sora's eyes left hers. "What's wrong?" She asked. Sora was hoping to avoid this subject.

"Kairi, I know you'll be safe, but I've got to-" a loud crack of thunder rolled across the Hundred Acre Wood, causing all heads to turn in its direction.

The bouncing stopped, the foraging stopped, even the house building stopped. Another roll of thunder sounded, that was even louder.

"Hey, guys, let's head back to Pooh's house, or somewhere safe. It sounds like it's about to come down." Sora suggested, separating from Kairi. They hadn't realized how close they'd gotten.

The Hundred Acre Wood gang voiced their various sounds of approval. They hated rain, especially thunderstorms. They began to retreat, back to Sora and Kairi, so that they could leave as a group. Only, as they did, another terrific crack of thunder sounded, but this time a bolt of lightning came with it. The electricity zapped a nearby tree and the resounding boom caused everyone to jump, and most to panic.

Pooh, fell flat on his face, Piglet bolted deep into the woods, Tigger bounced as high as he could, Roo ran off, and Eeyore high tailed it in the nearest direction as fast as he could manage.

"Guys! Wait!" Kairi hollered. They couldn't hear her though. They'd panicked, hard.

"Oh man..." Sora moaned as the rain subsequently began to come down. A light sprinkle turned into a down pour within moments and now the couple stood in the rain, with their new friends scattered amongst the woods.

Sora sighed, "Shall we?"

"You go left, I'll go right." Kairi replied. With that, they split and began the search for the spooked little animals.

---

"Piglet! C'mon, Piglet! Where are you?" Kairi called as she trudged through the mud and the rain. Her feet squelched forward as she wiped her eyes clean of the falling water.

"Roo! Tigger! Eeyore! Anyone?" She asked.

"I'm here! Help!" She heard the distinct voice of Roo and headed for it.

"Where? I can't see you!" She said.

"Here! In the tree! I'm scared!"

Lo and behold the little kangaroo was somehow bounced himself up, onto the high branch of a tree and was too afraid to leap down. She neared the bottom and held her arms up, high and open.

"Jump down! I'll catch you!" She called.

"I can't! I'm too scared!" He answered. Kairi frowned.

"Okay! It's okay, Roo! I'll come up there and we'll get down together!" She replied.

"R-R-Roo! Y-You've got t-to be b-b-b-brave!" Kairi heard Piglet call as he did his best to trudge through the mud to sidle up next to Kairi.

"There you are!" Kairi said, as she knelt to scoop him into her arms.

"We'll catch you R-Roo! I p-p-promise!" Piglet said.

Kairi was pleasantly surprised, "I thought you were afraid of the storm, Piglet!"

"I am! But being brave is about doing something that's important to you, even when you're afraid!" Kairi smirked, before looking back up at Roo.

'Sora taught you that, didn't he?' She thought to herself.

"That's right, Roo! Trust us! We'll catch you! We promise!" She called to the petrified little kangaroo.

"I..." Roo paused, "O-Okay! Here goes..." he moaned, before leaping down with a screech. His jump wasn't perfect, but it was close enough for Kairi to sidestep and catch the little guy, with her free arm.

"Gotcha!" Roo shook with fear, and held on tightly to her. "C'mon! Let's get you two outta here. The rest are yours Sora..." she said softly, before plodding back through the mud and water. It was easy to get turned around in these woods, so they'd agreed on gathering everyone back at Starry Hill, the tallest landmark in the Hundred Acre Wood. Kairi could still see it, though just barely, ahead of her, through a dense forest of trees. She flicked wet hair from her eyes, with a snap of her head and kept up pushing forward.

'You stay safe in this...'

---

Sora too was busy plowing through muddy puddles and downpours. "Rain, rain, go away..." he chanted to himself with a smirk. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he called as loud as he could.

"Tigger! Eeyore! Guys?" He kept pushing forward, until he made it to a cliff face, of sorts. With a cave like entrance. He slipped inside, finding respite from the rain and found there, Winnie the Pooh.

"Pooh! There you are! You okay?" He asked, kneeling down.

Pooh nodded, "Yes, I'm fine. I was hiding in here from the thunder. Is it gone?" Another roll echoed across the woods and Sora chuckled, shaking his head.

"Afraid not. Have you seen Tigger? Or Eeyore?"

"No. I haven't seen anyone." Pooh clarified.

Sora sat, and leaned his back against the cave wall, "Right. Well..." he sighed, "Let me know if you do. Look, once the storm is over head for Starry Hill, okay? That's where we're all gonna meet, tonight." Pooh nodded.

"Okay, Sora."

Sora stood and smirked, "Good. Alright. I'll see you then." He slipped back out into the rain and thankfully spotted something, just ahead on a fallen log. A shivering, orange figure sat atop it.

"Tigger!" Sora called.

"H-Hello?" The little cat responded.

"It's me, Sora! C'mon! Let's get you outta here!"

"Oh, S-Sora! I don't like the r-rain! Or t-the thunder..." Sora stepped closer.

"But you do like bouncing, don'tcha?" That seemed to catch his attention.

"W-Well, sure! Th-that's what T-T-Tiggers love b-best!"

"Then bounce on over to Starry Hill! The gang is meeting up there!" Tigger's head popped up and with that, he sprung to his tail.

"N-Now that I can d-do!" Sora smiled. If there was one thing Tigger could do, even when he was terrified, it was bounce. Sora turned and knowing that Tigger was bouncing to safety and that Pooh was tucked away inside the cave, set off to find poor Eeyore. He called for him, a few times.

The rain had strengthened some and Sora's vision was obscured between the dimness of the forest and the rain in his eyes. He plowed through shrubs and mud, before making it back to Rabbit's farm. Thankfully, Rabbit was tucked away, inside, but Eeyore had somehow fallen back into the stream. He was floating along and even though he'd only been here for a short while, Sora knew where to! Starry Hill! He ran to the stream's edge.

"Eeyore! Hang on!" He called. Sora tried to carefully slip inside the water and extract Eeyore, but the rain had caused the ground to become so soft, it simple gave way underneath his feet, as he did.

"Whoa!" He exclaimed as he slipped and began to slide into the water as well.

"That's what happened to me..." Eeyore said, barely audible to Sora's ears. The both of them caught in the current now, and neither able to gain any purchase they floated along, at the river's lazy pace. Sora had stopped struggling. It was actually a nice feeling.

"I guess this isn't so bad, right?" Sora asked.

Eeyore sighed, "Most things aren't..." he groaned. The rain was beginning to slow and the thunder was retreating, farther and farther away. Eeyore and Sora floated on.

"Hey, Eeyore. How come you want to build a house so bad? Why don't you just bunk with Pooh, or Rabbit?"

The little donkey floated beside Sora and replied, "Home is where the Heart is..." Sora smiled.

"Right." They floated along even further and night had officially fallen upon the Hundred Acre Wood. The rain had stopped and the crickets had begun singing their song as Sora and Eeyore drifted toward the bank of the river.

---

"There you are!" Kairi said with a smile as she helped them from the water. Sora took her hand and after getting Eeyore onto dry land, turned to face her.

"How'd you make out?"

"Oh, you know. You?" Kairi said with a chuckle, looking down at her muddied and wet clothes. Sora snickered, giving himself the once over.

"About the same." He replied.

"Well, at least everyone is safe." She said softly.

"Exactly." They checked the small crowd, ensuring that all were present. Indeed. They'd all made it.

"Boy, a day like today sure can tucker a Tigger out!" Tigger said with a yawn.

Piglet nodded, "Too much excitement." They all laughed. It was true, however. The adorable little inhabitants of the Hundred Acre Wood were downright sleepy.

They'd had a long day, by their standards. The whole gang ascended Starry Hill and took their seats at the peak. Pooh sat closest to the edge and Piglet was parked next to him. Tigger was to the far left, balanced on his tail and Eeyore and Roo had cuddled up over to the left. Sora and Kairi sat, together, in the middle.

His forearms rested on his knees, whilst she leaned back on her elbows as all eyes were drawn skyward. It was an absolutely beautiful sky, at that. Perhaps the prettiest Sora had seen, yet, throughout the whole adventure.

"I'm so glad we're all together, again." Piglet commented with a giggle. He continued, "I didn't know what to do when I was all alone..." he sighed.

Tigger chuckled, "Aw, Piglet, ya gotta be strong!"

"You weren't lonely, at all?" Piglet asked.

"Lonely? Are you kiddin'? I'm a Tigger! The most wonderful thing about Tiggers is that I'm the only one! But, I do admit, friends are awfully fun too!" He laughed.

Pooh tapped at his forehead again, "Think, think, think..." he chanted. Sora and Kairi shared a sideways glance.

"Say, Pooh. What're you thinking about now?" Sora asked.

Pooh stopped and turned his neck, slightly, "Oh, well, I'm just thinking about what to think about now..." With that comment, everyone shared a chuckle. The next few moments were silent.

The wind blew softly, the water babbled below and the crickets sang. Tigger had curled up tightly, Piglet was leant against Pooh bear and the whole group was fast asleep. Except for Sora and Kairi. He'd leaned back and she'd done the same.

With a wriggle sideways, she'd pressed herself against him and placed her hand upon his chest. Her head found it's way into the crook of his neck and Sora's arm had wrapped around her shoulders, as they looked up at the moon.

"What a wonderful day..." she'd said softly.

Sora nodded, "I know. I wish..."

"It'd never end?"

"Exactly." Sora smirked, "Well, except for the part where I fell in the river." They giggled.

"Yeah, or the part where I trudged through mud." Kairi added.

Sora laughed, "Well, if things always go too well, it'd be boring, right?"

Kairi smirked and looked up at him, "You've got a funny idea of boring, nowadays." Sora's eyes met hers, again.

"Yeah, I guess I do."

They stared at one another for a moment, before Kairi began, "What were you going to say, earlier?" Sora thought for a moment.

"Which time? We haven't exactly had a long time to talk, alone."

"Back, at Rabbit's- No." Her mind raced. She still wanted to know what was wrong, at the bouncing place. "When everyone was playing in the woods. Just before the thunder." Sora once again couldn't face her.

"There. There it is. Why won't you look at me? What's going on?" She pressed. Sora took a deep breath.

"Look. When I go to seal the-" Sora was once again brutally, painstakingly, and cruelly cut off. His hand began to tingle with anticipation and he watched as the stars above began to form a familiar shape in the sky. They both watched in awe, as the Keyblade appeared in his hand.

Sora stood, helping Kairi to her feet. Once both were, the Keyblade instinctively aimed for the heavens and with another fantastic beam of light, it locked this world's Keyhole. They turned to face one another, the Keyblade vanishing as they did.

"So..." she began.

"Yeah. That's pretty much how it works. This place. It's safe now." She smiled.

"Good."

He nodded, before looking around, "Now though, I'm wondering. How are we going to get bac-"

A display of sparkling light began to envelop the couple and within moments, they were simply gone. Returned to Traverse Town and the confines or Merlin's rundown house. The Keyblade Master's mission was complete.

The sun began to rise, hours later and with it, the little friends and neighbors of this magical place. Tigger yawned, Roo stretched, Eeyore rolled over, Piglet stood, and Pooh rubbed his eyes.

"Hoowee! Do I feel better!" Tigger exclaimed.

Roo was stirring now, as well, "Me too! I feel like bouncin'!" He hollered.

Eeyore just snored.

Piglet's keen little nose could smell something delicious. "I think Rabbit's making breakfast!" He squealed, causing all to leap for joy.

With a rush, they hurried down the hill and headed for the sour, old bunny's house.

Except for Pooh.

He waited behind and his gaze kept being drawn upward, to the sky.

He wondered aloud, "Sora? Kairi? Where have you gone?" He sat alone, once again. This was just like when Christopher Robin left. He'd been gone, so long now. How Pooh longed to see his best friend.

"I do ever hope you come back..." he said softly, to any of the three, if not all. "Well, we'll always be here, waiting for you. If you ever care to visit again, that is." He said with a smile. Pooh was an optimist, it was in his nature, but even he couldn't help but wonder.

Would Christopher Robin ever return? Would Sora, or Kairi? He guessed only time would tell. That was one thing he had at least.

Time.

So many others seemed to be constricted by it, but Pooh could wait, for a long, long time, if he had to. He just wished he didn't have to. There were a lot of things that were confusing about the Hundred Acre Wood, but one fact remained.

No matter how old one became, or how far away one got, it would always be there, waiting for you. If one was ever so lucky to have visited. Pooh figured he'd have a little honey, until he saw one of them again.

Actually, maybe more than a little.

---

"Great heavens above!" Merlin exclaimed.

"What happened, dear?" The Fairy Godmother asked.

"Those pages! They seemed to have sucked those two straight into the book and the story itself! I do hope they're doing well. I've never given it a proper read throu-"

Before their eyes, from sparkling light appeared Sora and Kairi, just as they looked when they'd been dragged into the book, itself.

"What?"

"Huh?"

The couple glanced around the room in confusion.

"Oh my! You're back, awfully fast!" Merlin commented.

Sora titled his head to the side, "We are? We were gone for like a whole day?" Kairi nodded in agreement.

The Fairy Godmother only chuckled, "Oh, no, dearies. You were gone for a mere moment or two. Only enough time for Merlin and I to theorize where you'd gone in the first place."

"Seriously?" Kairi asked.

Merlin confirmed as such, "Indeed. Why? How much time passed, in there?"

Sora shrugged his shoulders, "I'd say about a whole day. I mean, when we went in it was sunshine, and when we left it was dark, so..."

Merlin stroked his beard, "Fascinating. The confines of that book, appear to be a world of their own! That operates on a different schedule than ours!" Sora scratched his head. Frankly this was all over his.

"Right. Well, we locked the Keyhole. The little guys are safe." He smiled. Kairi did as well.

"Excellent! Splendid! Marvelous! Care to join me for a cup of tea?" Merlin asked.

Sora shook his head, "Thanks, Merlin, but we've gotta get going. There's still some stuff to deal with, before we head out." With that, the goodbyes were in order and Sora and Kairi had skipped back across the rocks and back into the Third District.

"C'mon." Sora said, grabbing her hand. "There's somewhere I wanna show you."

"Okay."

---

Riku walked forward. He had to just keep walking. He didn't even know why. God how he wanted to stop. He felt like death. Was that what this was? His mind raced and all around him was a never-ending Darkness. His feet shuffled through some sort of grey sand and his body would occasionally pulse with unbearable pain. It'd bring him to his hands and knees, but he'd ultimately find some sort of inner strength and get back up. It kept getting harder, though. What a mess he'd made of things...

"Sora..." he groaned. "Kairi..." he said softly. "I'm sorry..."

He kept walking, but he began to be able to sense it. One of those surges of pain was coming.

"No." He growled. "Is this the Afterworld? No, I'm not ready. Not yet. I..." he paused, cringing, "...I need to see them. One last time. Make this right..." he said through gritted teeth. Suddenly, he heard the most unlikely of things.

Another voice.

"Riku! Can you hear me? I'll be there soon! Just hold on!" It was high pitched, but determined.

"Huh?" He asked in shock. "Wh-Who are you?"

"I have the other Keyblade. The one that belongs to this world." It replied.

"Wha...?"

"I've been trying to get through to you, Riku. But the Darkness in your Heart, it's kept me out."

Riku frowned, "Who are you? Answer me. What is going on?" Riku demanded.

The voice called back, "Your Heart won the battle against the Darkness, in the end. But, it was too late for your body. That's why you're here. In this place of Darkness, where lost Hearts gather."

Riku sighed, standing, "Alright. What do I do?" He asked.

"The Door to Darkness will open soon. It's a door we can't enter. It has to be closed, from both sides. To do this, you need two keys and two Hearts. Maybe..." the voice paused, "Maybe that's the reason you're here. Just like me, it's fate." Riku began to walk forward, again.

He rolled his eyes, "Fate, huh? You just know everything then, don't you?" He asked. "Tell me:" he continued, "Are Sora and Kairi okay?"

The voice almost chuckled, "Don't you feel the echoes of their Hearts? You already know the answer, son. Look inside your own Heart."

Riku's pace began to increase.

Come to think of it. He did sense them. Somewhere. Maybe that's what this will to go on, was. Maybe...

Riku smirked, softly. It was the first time he'd smiled in a while.

"Okay."

---

The pair stood atop the Gizmo Shop and gazed down at the bustling crowd and the glowing lights of the city. A little band played, just in front of the flowing fountain and whilst one could see this as a jolly and cool night, it was actually a sad sight. All these people were refugees. Sora had filled her in on the situation.

"When I first came here, it was like a ghost town."

"So, all these people..."

Sora nodded, "Yeah."

"That's horrible." Kairi bemoaned.

"I know." Sora concurred.

Kairi could sense the uneasiness in him. Even he, of all people, needed a little cheering up, from time to time.

"But, Sora, there's a light, at the end of the tunnel always. We'll figure this out. You're good at that now, right?" She teased. "You'll save all these people's worlds, just like you'll save our hom-"

"You can't come with me." Sora's eyes stayed fixed ahead, but Kairi's snapped to him.

"What?"

"You can't come with me." He repeated.

"And why not?" She asked in irritation.

Sora sighed, "Because, it's way too dangerous. I can't-"

"C'mon Sora." Kairi nearly shouted. "Don't give me that crap. You know full well-"

Sora turned and grabbed her shoulders, their eyes now meeting in a much more fierce manner than either was accustomed to.

"Kairi, I need to be at my best for this. I've got to seal the Keyhole on Hollow Bastion, try and save every world out there and somehow find and save Riku, in the process. I can't have to worry myself sick every time I hear a spell go off, or a weapon swing. I need to know that you're safe, if I'm going to do this. Don't you understand that? After everything I've been through?" Kairi looked down and away.

Sora gently released her, "I'm sorry, it's just..."

"No, I understand. Just, how is this supposed to make me feel? Happy? You want me to be glad that I'm useless? That the Keyblade Master has some big mission and I just have to sit by and hope that you're okay?"

Sora shook his head, "I know. Look, I get it. It sucks, but I promise, I'll be safe. For you. No matter where we go, or how far apart we are, we're always together, right?" He asked.

Kairi nodded.

Sora sighed.

He hated this, too.

"You win." She said softly. Her hand reached out to grasp his. She shoved a small trinket inside and closed his fingers around it.

"Take this, though. It's my lucky charm, so be sure to bring it back to me." She ordered. Sora gripped tightly.

"Of course." He smiled, pocketing the charm. They turned to face one another and he took both of her hands, in his.

"Kairi..." he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's something I need to say." She shook with anticipation. She knew where this was going.

"I know. There's something I want to say, too." She replied.

Sora smirked, "Me first." Their eyes stared into one another's. Both felt that wiggly feeling in their tummies and both couldn't help but feel as if bolts of electricity flooded their veins.

"Look, after everything I've been through, all the Heartless, the running, the jumping, the fighting, swimming, falling, winning, losing, there's been one thing that's kept me going. It's the way I feel about you. There's a lot of stuff I don't get, Kairi, but I finally get how I feel about you. About us. I can't believe it took all this to show me, but I'm glad I finally saw it. Kairi. I lo-"

Her right hand left his and her index finger touched his lips.

"No. Don't." She muttered.

Sora pulled her hand from his face by the wrist, "No, Kairi, I need to say this. I-"

"Stop, Sora. Right now." She commanded. He was confused.

"Wha...?" It was her turn to speak.

"I know what you're going to say. I feel the exact same way. I want to say it too, but we can't. Not now."

"But, Kairi-"

"Sora, if you say it to me, right now, I'm coming with you. And there's nothing you could do to stop me. I want to tell you how I feel more than anything, but here's the situation. You come back to me. You swear you will and then?" She asked through short breaths, "Then you can say it to me. And I'll say it to you. One hundred times over, I'll say it to you. But only if you come back to me. You understand?" She asked, her eyes nearly on the verge of tears. Sora nodded.

"Okay. I swear then..." he replied softly.

They stepped closer and her hands snuck up to his cheeks, whilst his arms wrapped around her waist. His hands made their way to her back and with a tilt of their head and a close of their eyes they leaned in. They moved with fluidity as if they'd done this a hundred times, though they'd never done anything like it.

Atop the Gizmo Shop, looking out over the busy and merry Traverse Town, the most magical thing happened, for the young man and woman.

Their lips met.

Their foreheads remained pressed together, before Kairi whispered against his lips, "Don't you ever forget. Wherever you go, I'm always with you."

They leaned in once more and unbeknownst to them, the folks of Traverse Town cheered loudly at the finish of the musician's song.