good morniiiiiing

so, here we are! last chapter. I'm not gonna lie, kinda weepy about it. this fic has been my baby this entire summer, and to see it finished...damn. I haven't been so happy writing something in an age lmao.

gosh I don't even know what else to say. so I guess I'll let y'all get to it!

for the last time - enjoy!

unbeta'd, and everything has been edited by me

After her Mark of Mastery exam, Kairi slept for three and a half days.

She couldn't wake even if she wanted to, drained in a way that she couldn't explain; her entire body felt weighed down, like she was made of lead. So Kairi slept – a deep, healing kind of sleep – and didn't have a single dream.

When she finally woke up, it was slow, groggily taking in the warm breeze brushing over her skin from her open window and the large, warm hand running over her hair. Wrinkling her nose, Kairi finally pried her eyes open and looked up, slowly, into the eyes of her father.

Somehow, she was back home.

Kairi's stomach dropped into her toes, afraid that it was all a dream – that her exam never happened, and Sora was still gone. Her vision quickly became blurred by a veil of tears, and her distress must have been extremely obvious because her father's face, which had been unreadable as he stared at her, morphed into a warm smile.

"Dad," she croaked, "is this – did I –"

"My extraordinary girl," he said quietly, brushing her bangs away from her forehead. His eyes were slightly glassy with tears, "I don't know how you did it. But you did it. Where've you been these past few days, huh?"

The tears that had filled her eyes spilled over, and Kairi slowly pushed herself upright, huffing and sobbing by the time she leaned into her dad's arms. She noticed that she was still in her protective clothing, crusted all over with days old seawater, but her father didn't care, scooping her up and holding her close.

"Dad," she blubbered into his shoulder, "dad, I –"

"I was wondering what was going on, when you and your sister went off to the play islands and didn't come back for days." He said into her hair, "and then Naminè calls me to help bring you in, passed out, and I see Sora, and I just –"

Shaking his head, Keone pulls back and cups Kairi's face in his hands, eyes roving over her face, and she smiled weakly. "I did it," she admitted in a whisper, "I found Sora. I brought him home."

"You did," he agreed. "And you scared me half to death while doing it."

Keone sighed shakily, brushing Kairi's bangs out of her face one last time, eyes still traveling across her face. "Your hair definitely wasn't this shaggy the last time I saw you." He mused quietly, and Kairi pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

"Sorry for making you worry," she finally said, eyes dropping down to her lap as she curled her fingers into his shirt. Keone chuckled, tweaking her nose, "I'm your dad, Kairi; I'll always worry about you."

Kairi grumbled against the fingers gently clamping her nose, her dad laughing at the honking noise that came out before letting her go. "Alright – how does a bath and some food sound? I can change your sheets for you while you're in the bathroom."

At the mention of food, Kairi's stomach gurgled audibly, and she blushed furiously as Keone helped her to her feet. "That…would be amazing. Dad, thank you."

She almost cried when she got into her bath, finally able to thoroughly scrub away the sweat and dried salt that crusted her skin and hair. By the time she made her way downstairs, freshly clean and dressed in a shirt she 'borrowed' from Riku and some sleep shorts, her dad had just finished placing a bowl of soup on the table next to a grilled cheese sandwich.

"Where's Naminè?" Kairi asked as she sat, realizing she hasn't seen a hint of her anywhere since she woke up. She tore into her sandwich as soon as she's settled, sighing in happiness around a mouthful of bread and cheese.

"Ah, she's been away to check on one of your other friends. She'll probably be back in the evening, but she'll let me know if that changes."

Roxas.

Concern twisted Kairi's stomach slightly, and she hoped that he was doing well, probably feeling as drained as she was from traversing through the Sleeping Worlds. Another thought made her pause – if she and Roxas were out of commission for almost four days….how long would Sora be asleep? When would he wake up?

Would he ever?

"I can hear you worrying," Keone says, placing a glass of juice next to her plate, "turn it down and eat before your soup gets cold."

He placed his fingers near her temple and turned his hand like he was turning a knob, lowering the volume. "Everything is going to be fine." He promised, "so rest until then. Eat, and then get some more sleep. Okay?"

"…Okay." Kairi smiled, the gesture weak but grateful, and turned back to her food. "Hey, Dad?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

The smile she got in return warmed her from the inside out, and her dad placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I love you, too. Eat your food, okay?"

The homesickness that sat heavy in her gut slowly dissolved, bit by bit, and Kairi sank further into her seat, content.

-o-

Naminè didn't return home that night, so Kairi had the entire bed to herself, stretching out under the fresh sheets with a loud sigh.

Kairi wasn't worried; Naminè had let their dad know, as promised, and Lea had sent her a picture – him in the foreground, throwing up a peace sign at the camera, and in the background of the photo was Naminè, fast asleep, curled into a sleeping Roxas' chest with Xion at his back, arms wrapped around him.

So Kairi was on her own, with all the bed space, and after a couple hours of fruitless tossing and turning, trying to find the most comfortable spot, she looked out at the stars and finally admitted that she couldn't get to sleep.

It wasn't because she wasn't tired – even after being unconscious for three days straight, she could still feel the tug of exhaustion. She was so ready to sleep, but she just – couldn't.

The bed was too big. Kairi missed the feel of someone breathing at her back, and after days and days of being alone on so many different worlds, the thought of sleeping on her own was unbearable.

Groaning, Kairi slowly rolled out of bed, resigned, and tied her hair up into a bun, throwing on one of Sora's jackets before quietly heading downstairs. She slipped on her sandals by the front door, but quickly doubled back to the kitchen to leave a note for her dad to find. Couldn't sleep, she wrote, went to Riku's. Everything's fine, be back in the morning.

After leaving the note on the table where her dad would see it, she grabbed her keys and slipped out into the night.

It was warm out, as always, but there was a breeze giving the air a slight chill, and Kairi took her time walking to Riku's house, taking in the stars scattered across the sky. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, relishing the salt in the air from the ocean as she stood in the fact that she was home.

She was home.

A tiny smile curved her lips, and then she was moving again, back on the path towards Riku's, and she resolutely didn't look at the way she knew would lead to Sora's.

When she got to Riku's house, she saw that the window to his room was open, as usual; the three of them always kept their windows open, so they could hop in and see each other whenever they wanted. Now, though, Kairi felt like her legs were made of lead, and couldn't bear the thought of trying to make the leap into his room.

So instead, she sat down at his porch and sent him a text. Riku, she sent, are you awake?

His reply was instantaneous. Yes, he said, Are you okay?

Yeah, she replied, I just need you to open your front door 'cause I can't climb to your window right now.

Riku didn't respond, but that was alright, because the front door was yanked open a minute later and he was staring down at her with wide eyes.

Kairi grinned at him, rising to her feet, "Ri-kuuu," she sang quietly, holding her arms out for a hug, "I'm back." She was quickly swept up into his arms, and she happily shoved her face into his shoulder, muscles already relaxing at his touch.

"I had no idea you were awake," he said in a trembling whisper, "when did you – are you okay, I should've –"

She placed the tips of her fingers over his lips, silencing his worries. "I woke up this afternoon," she said in a soft whisper, "everything's – I'm fine, I just –"

Kairi shrugged, sheepish, "I just couldn't sleep."

She tried not to sway on her feet too much as Riku took her in, messy hair and all, and his eyes softened, arms tightening around her waist. "Well, you look like you're about to pass out on my porch, so let's go inside."

Riku waited for her as she kicked her sandals off by the door, and then he led her up the stairs into his room, quietly closing the door behind him while Kairi made a beeline for his bed, flopping onto the blankets with a happy sigh.

"Wow, I missed your bed," Kairi hummed happily, shimmying out of her jacket and making her way under the blankets. Riku scoffed, sliding beneath the blankets once Kairi had settled, "oh, my bed – is that the only thing you missed about me?"

"Your bed's the most comfortable out of all of ours," she said solemnly, "I'm obviously only using you for your bed." Riku snorted with laughter, and Kairi wiggled close until they were nose to nose, happily enjoying the green flecks in his turquoise eyes.

"I missed a lot of things about you," she admitted in a whisper, "the exam was horribly lonely. Naminè, she's still over in Twilight Town with Roxas, and I've just – I've been alone for so many days."

Riku's smile was sympathetic now, understanding, and he gently brushed Kairi's bangs away from her face. "I understand."

She knew he would, out of everyone, but hearing it still made her relax more into the bed, relieved. "You did it, though." He wound his arms back around her waist, pulling her even closer, "how's it feel, Master Kairi?"

Her cheeks heated up with a blush, and she covered her face, trying to hide from Riku's snickering. "Stop," she groaned quietly, "I haven't even had the time to think about it!"

Kairi's heart thrilled at it, though, and she repeated the title again in her head: Master Kairi, she said to herself, Keyblade Master Kairi. It felt like a dream.

"I just can't believe I did it," she confessed, breathlessly happy, "I woke up at home and I – I was so afraid none of it happened. But it did. We brought Sora home."

"You did." Riku confirmed, "you did amazing. Both of you."

Kairi soaked up the praise silently, becoming lost in thought as she looked away, her eyes drifting. "…Have you seen him?" She finally asked Riku's collarbone, twisting her fingers around the hem of his shirt.

Riku knew who she was asking about, because he'd stiffened, his hands tightening a little around her waist. "…No." He finally answered, "I…it didn't really feel right. Trying to go see him without you."

She nodded, understanding, and looked back up into his eyes. "We'll have to see him eventually," she said quietly, hoping none of her fear showed on her face. "Soon, I think."

"Soon." He agreed, "but right now, we're going to sleep, okay?"

"Alright. Oh! Wait, I forgot something."

Riku blinked at her, confused, and Kairi tipped her face up towards him, expectant. It took him a minute, but he laughed silently once he understood, and leaned in to give her a soft kiss goodnight. She hummed happily against his lips, relishing the contact, "I really missed that." She said quietly, chasing after him a little once he pulled away. "Come back, I want another one."

"Sleep, we're going to sleep." But he was laughing, leaning in to give her one more kiss despite his protesting. "We can kiss a lot more tomorrow, go to sleep."

"Is that a promise?"

"If it'll get you to sleep, sure." He ran a palm down her back, and Kairi melted, leaning into Riku with a gusty sigh. She was finally comfortable, her breathing falling in time with Riku's, and her eyes slowly started to droop closed. She wanted to talk to Riku a little more, and Kairi tried to speak, but exhaustion finally dragged her down, and her voice slurred, slowed, stopped.

She slept.

-o-

It took her two more days to find the courage to see Sora.

During those two days, Roxas had finally woken up, Kairi getting the news through another picture from Lea – this time of Roxas grinning widely at the camera, determinedly making his way through an impressive stack of waffles.

And it's not to say that Kairi didn't try to visit – she knew the way to Sora's house by heart, could probably walk there blind – but every time she tried to make her way there, she just….froze. She couldn't find the reason why – maybe she was just afraid to see what's happened, since they'd washed up from the Sleeping Worlds.

Afraid to see what's become of him.

But that reasoning didn't feel right. Kairi couldn't do it, either way – her last attempts of going on her own over the two days ending in failure.

Until the next day, when Riku showed up on her doorstep in the morning.

"Ah, Riku!" She heard her dad say as he opened the door, "long time no see! What brings you over?"

"Hi, Keone. I'm here to pick up Kairi," he explained, "we're going to see Sora today."

Kairi stiffened up at the table and Naminè, back from Twilight Town, gave her a long, searching look.

"Oh, that's great! Let me know how he's doing, will you? I've been worried."

"Of course."

"Good, good. Well – come on in! We were having breakfast, so I'm sure Kairi's heard you."

"She did," Naminè called out, "We're gonna go upstairs really quick so she can get ready." Grabbing her hand, Naminè tugged her out of her seat and led them up the stairs to their shared room, and Kairi woodenly followed.

"What's wrong?" Naminè asked once the door closed behind them, "don't you want to go see Sora? I thought you'd be happy."

"I am." At Naminè's unsure glance, she insisted, "I am. I'm happy that he's back, it's just –"

Her words died in her throat – just what? She wasn't sure. And she was happy that Sora was back home with them, where he belonged – she was. Every time she thought about it, all that she went through to try and bring him home and succeeding, the pride and joy that rises in her almost chokes her. She was happy.

But.

"I don't know," she finally admitted in a whisper, "I'm just really confused. I'm feeling so much, I-" She twists her fingers together nervously, and looks up into Naminè's sympathetic eyes.

"…I get it." She finally said, reaching out to pry Kairi's anxious fingers apart, holding them tightly. "it's a lot. But Kairi, you should go see him. How you're feeling will make sense to you eventually, okay?"

Kairi nodded, hesitant, and Naminè squeezed her hands before letting them go. "Okay. Go get dressed, quickly. Go see him."

So she did. She picked out some clothes. She showered. She made her way downstairs.

Riku was in the kitchen with her dad, waiting for her, and he smiled at her, understanding.

"Kairi." She turned to face her dad, and he smiled at her, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead. "You're worrying too loudly again." Once more, he turned the imaginary knob at her temple, lowering the volume, "go see Sora. Check on how he's doing. It'll be okay."

Pressing her lips together, she nodded, giving him a tiny smile, and with that they were out the door. Once the front door closed behind them, Kairi took Riku's offered hand as they stepped off her porch.

The walk to Sora's house was quiet, and Kairi clutched at Riku's hand the entire time.

Aouli looked surprised to see them when he opened the door; he looked a little unkempt, like he hasn't slept for a while, and his blue eyes were rimmed with red. "Kairi! Riku! What a nice surprise, it's good to see you. Are – are you here to see -?"

"Yes." Riku nodded, "I'm sorry it took us so long to stop by. We would've brought something, but –"

"No, no! Come in, please."

Aouli moved to the side, giving them space to enter, and as they kicked off their shoes, he closed the door. "Really, you don't need to bring anything," he continued, "gifts feel like overkill at this point. You –"

His voice broke, and he coughed a little, blinking rapidly. "You – my son. You brought me back my son." Aouli shook his head, "never – nothing could ever –"

A tear slipped down his cheek, and he swiped it away, laughing wetly. "Riku, Kairi – I don't know how you did it, but thank you. Thank you."

Kairi felt frozen, a lump rising in her throat, choking her, and at her side, Riku inhaled, shaky. "I – of course." Riku finally said, "Aouli, of course. We –"

"We love him too much to just – let him go," Kairi finally said, her voice faint. "We were the only ones who could reach him. So we did. We had to."

She couldn't bear to stand there anymore and watch Aouli cry, so Kairi let Riku go and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his middle, squeezing him tight. Sighing, still shaken, Aouli squeezes her back and presses his cheek to the top of her head, grateful.

"Alright," Aouli finally said, wiping at his eyes as he stepped back, "go on upstairs – he's in his room."

They made their way up the stairs, and by the time they reached Sora's room, Riku's hand had found hers once again, and Kairi was holding onto him like he was the only thing keeping her from running back down the stairs and out the house.

The door to Sora's room was open, now, and the room was filled with sunlight in a way it hadn't been for months. The windows were open, warm, fragrant air from outside taking over the staleness that had covered the room, and there, lying in his bed – Sora.

Still asleep.

Kairi's stomach dropped, but she couldn't look away from him – wouldn't look away from him, eyes locked on his face, taking in his fluttering eyelashes as he dreamed.

"Kairi. Riku."

Jun was there, sitting on the bed near one of Sora's limp hands, looking up at them with wide brown eyes. Nalani was curled up in the cradle of her arm, fast asleep, her mother's shirt caught tight in her small fist.

"I figured you two would come visit sooner," Jun finally said, eyes pulling back to Sora, magnetized. "I'm sorry," Kairi said, "it was my fault. I was kinda – unconscious. For a few days."

Jun turned back to her, eyes searching, and Kairi squeezed Riku's hand, nervous. "I said I'd tell you," she said steadily, "and I meant it. But I can't – I can't do it without him." Jun's eyes darted between the two of them, thoughtful, and then she nodded slightly, turning back to her son.

Gentle, she brushed his bangs away from his face with her free hand. "I thought it was a dream, when Riku brought him to me." She finally said, "that I would wake up because my alarm went off, or Nalani started to fuss, and that none of it was real."

She ran a thumb over Sora's bisected eyebrow, tracing over a scar he got from a fall off the docks when he was five. "I still fear that now," she continued, "that I'll come in here one day, and it'll be like he was never here at all.

Every day I sit here, and check on him, and it's the same thing, always – just. Him, here, asleep. Always asleep."

Her eyes were scared, questioning as she looked back over to them, "do you think he's going to wake up? Will he ever?"

Kairi didn't know what to say in the face of the one fear that twisted her up inside, and when she tried to open her mouth, to say something, the words just stuck in her throat.

"Of course he will."

Riku's words pulled her back to earth, and he glanced between the two of them, lips curled in a reassuring smile. "Sora just needs the rest," he explained, "when he's ready, he'll wake up."

Once he's recovered. Riku didn't say the words, but Kairi heard them clear enough, and a knot loosened up in her chest. Jun said nothing, eyes back on Sora as she cupped his face running a thumb over his cheek, but some of the tension left her shoulders. "I know Aouli has probably said this already," she said softly, "but I want you to hear this from my own mouth, as well. Kairi. Riku –"

Jun smiled at them, tears slipping down her cheeks, "thank you," she stressed, full of feeling. "Thank you for bringing my son back to me."

In her arms, Nalani began to squirm, fussing as sputtered cries slipped past her lips. "Ohh, we're getting upset, huh?" Jun cooed, wiping her own tears away before rising to her feet, "it's probably time to eat, isn't it? You two, take your time seeing him, I – we'll be downstairs."

Placing a hand on their arms as she passed, Jun slipped out the door and down the stairs, heading to the kitchen before Nalani's fussing turned into full blown wails.

As soon as they were alone, Riku's breath left him in a huge gust, and Kairi sagged against the doorframe, pressing her free hand over her racing heart. "This is –" her voice cracked, and Kairi cleared her throat, "this is, uh…this was really –"

"Yeah," Riku agreed, "it was a – I didn't expect this to be….a lot."

And it was a lot, this weight of gratitude more than they were ever ready to bear. Slowly, they made their way to Sora's bed, and Riku occupied the spot where Jun previously sat while Kairi made a space for herself among the pillows, Sora's head resting by her hip.

They stared at him, quiet, taking him in after almost a year of absence; his hair was a little longer, now, and some of the roundness in his cheeks disappeared. Kairi started to reach out, to brush his hair away from his face to see him better, but her hand froze halfway, afraid to touch.

Riku had no such hesitations, and he scooped up Sora's limp hand between his, holding it to his cheek. Kairi's face screwed up, trying not to cry, and she pulled her hand back to her chest, clutching at her shirt. "I can't believe he's here," she admitted, her voice squeaking with suppressed tears. "I'm looking right at him and I still can't believe it."

"I know." Riku sighed deeply, pressing a kiss to the back of Sora's hand, and looked over at Kairi with glassy eyes.

"I –" she bit her lip, "I don't even know what I'm going to say to him. When he wakes up." Kairi laughed quietly, feeling shaky, "just the thought of – of being able to really talk to him is just –"

Her voice failed her, and she shook her head, pressing her lips together.

"It feels like a lot," Riku agreed. "When it's not through – through dreams, or anything like that. We didn't lose him – we brought him back. All this –" His voice faltered a little, and he cleared his throat, blinking rapidly. "All this pain," he finally said, "it feels like – I dunno, not that it had a purpose, but – I can't really explain it."

Kairi looked down at Sora's peaceful face, mulling over Riku's words, "…I think I get it." She finally said, "what you're trying to say. I understand."

Between them, Sora sighed quietly in his sleep, and Kairi's palms itched, she wanted to touch him so badly. But her hands stayed tangled in her shirt as something held her back.

The two of them fell silent, watching over his slumber until Jun called them down for lunch.

-o-

A week after returning from the Sleeping Worlds, Sora finally woke up.

Kairi didn't know this right away – there wasn't a change in the air, signifying that something big happened. She didn't receive any messages about Sora's awakening, and so she went about her usual routine since she's woken up.

She eats. She sleeps, often. She takes walks around the island to slowly regain her strength, drained from the exam. She'd tried to summon her Keyblade, once, and practice her stances at the play islands, and she slept for the rest of the day after that attempt.

So Kairi tries her best to take it easy, for now, and sticks to walking along the beach – sometimes with a friend, but usually on her own. It was nice to enjoy a little peace, to take in the hum of the waves in time with the cries of birds, and the bright dots of ships across the water. She soaks in the sun and fluffy white clouds, the warm breeze ruffling her hair, and she feels her strength come back to her, bit by bit.

It's during one of these walks that she sees him, a little ways down the beach, and it makes her jerk to a halt.

He was standing in the surf, looking out at the sea with an unreadable expression while the water lapped at his bare feet, shoes discarded in the sand. He wasn't in his charmed clothing anymore, instead in a simple tank top and shorts, and even though he still looked a little tired, he looked – good. Healthy.

Alive.

Something caught his attention, and Sora looked down, his face brightening up with a smile as he stared at Nalani, perched on his hip, safe in the crook of his arm. She reached up with a pudgy hand, batting at his chin, and Sora laughed, grabbing her tiny fingers and pressing them to his lips, miming eating them until she screamed and sputtered with laughter.

Hitching her up on his hip, Sora laughed as Nalani began to gnaw on her fist, rubbing her face against his shoulder in that clumsy, earnest way that babies do, and his smile softened as he hid his face in her soft fluff of brown hair, holding his sister close.

Kairi felt frozen, legs rooted into the sand, and a tangled knot of feelings roiled up in her gut.

She could talk to him, right now. She could go over there and speak to him, and touch him, and resolve a violently aching longing that's hounded her steps for months.

But she can't. She can't.

I'm not ready, a part of her cried out. I'm not ready!

In stiff, jerky movements, Kairi turned on her heel and started to walk back the way she came. She prays that Sora doesn't see her, doesn't try to chase her – prays that the prickling at her back is just her being paranoid.

Kairi slowly makes her way back home, calling out a tired greeting and sighing heavily once she made it to her room, dropping onto her bed. Blindly fumbling for her nightstand, she picked up her gummiphone, rolling onto her back as she stared at her lockscreen, considering.

Just because she was avoiding him doesn't mean that everyone else had to be left in the dark.

With that, she opened her phone and sent out a mass message, two simple words before dropping her gummiphone at her side.

He's awake.

-o-

Even though it was a rather expansive place, at the end of the day, Destiny Islands was still a pretty small town, and Kairi couldn't avoid Sora forever.

The doesn't mean she doesn't try.

For about three weeks she was able to avoid seeing him, and she tried to use that time to figure out why she was so reluctant at the thought of seeing him in the first place. Kairi's tried so many times to try and see him – walking around their usual hang out spots in the main islands, heading to his home – but always, halfway through the trip, she just…freezes.

The conflicting jumble of feelings in her belly have increased, and the longer she drags this out and avoids him, the worse she feels.

"Is it like that time a few months ago?" Naminè asked her one day, "when Riku left for a while?"

Kairi licked at her ice cream, considering it, swinging her legs as she thought. "…Maybe." She finally said, "I think so. I dunno."

She had finally recovered enough to return to her Keyblade training a couple weeks ago, and she was now at the play islands, sitting on her usual paopu tree enjoying the sea salt ice cream that Roxas brought for them.

"Kairi, you've got to go see him." Roxas, already done with his ice cream, peeked around Naminè to speak to her, placing his chin on her shoulder. "I promise it'll feel a lot better when you talk to him. And he misses you."

"I know." She mumbles into her ice cream – and she does, she knows Roxas has a point, that it would feel better to just talk to him. Roxas barely waited a week before coming to the islands to see Sora, and Kairi had run into Sora again on her usual walk along the beach just in time to see Roxas burst from a corridor of shadows, wide eyed.

Kairi watched Roxas and Sora stare at each other for a moment, and slowly began to back away, not wanting to intrude. But then Roxas' face screwed up, and he was running, kicking sand up behind him as he slammed into Sora, almost sending both of them tumbling into the sand as he threw his arms around his neck.

"You're so damn stupid!" She heard Roxas yell, his voice breaking, echoing across the beach, and Sora's shoulders shook as he wrapped his arms around Roxas, squeezing him back tightly.

She was still far enough that they wouldn't notice her, so Kairi quickly went back the way she came, not wanting to intrude on their reunion as much as she already has.

"Hey, don't let your ice cream melt." She was pulled out of her thoughts by Naminè's gentle nudge against her side. Kairi halfheartedly licked at the melting treat, and Naminè and Roxas looked at her with searching eyes.

"You'll see him when it's time," Naminè finally said, finishing off the last of her ice cream. "It'll be alright, Kairi."

"Yeah, just don't throw a fireball at him like you did to Riku." Roxas said, teasing, and Kairi scoffed. "I make no promises," she says, haughtily putting her nose in the hair, and her heart warmed as her friends laughed.

She felt a little better, heading home, hugging Roxas goodbye and departing with Naminè in one of the rowboats back to the main islands. Kairi promised Riku she would stop by and see him after, so once she got home, she quickly showered off the sand and sweat sticking to her skin and skipped out the door once she told her dad where she was going.

The sun was starting to set as she made her way to Riku's house, and Kairi enjoyed the changing colors, the soft pinks and golds of sunset. Hopping up the steps, Kairi knocked on the front door and rocked back onto her heels, waiting, grinning once Minato opened the door.

"Kairi!" She exclaimed, smiling, "what a surprise! You're looking a lot better, how are you?"

"Hi, mom!" Kairi chirped, entering the house once Minato stepped aside, "I'm doing a lot better now, thanks for asking!" Kicking off her shoes, she swept Minato up into a quick hug, "I told Riku I'd come see him today – is he here?"

"Oh, yes; he's up in his room. He hasn't been there long, he only just got home a little before you arrived."

Kairi's eyebrow ticked up a little at that, curious. "Alright, then." She said thoughtfully, "I'll just head up to see him now."

"Will you be sticking around for dinner? Nanami and I are about to get started making something now."

From the kitchen, Nanami's voice piped in, "oh, Mina, is Kairi here? Hello, Kairi!"

"Hi, mama! No, I probably won't stay for dinner this time. Thank you, though! Maybe next time."

Slipping up the stairs, Kairi made her way to Riku's room, knocking on the door to alert her presence before entering his room. He looked up at her when she closed the door, and her stomach dropped with concern when she saw him. Riku's eyes were red, face blotchy crimson, and he looked like he'd been doing an equal measure of crying and kissing.

Kairi stared hard at him, leaning against his closed door. "You saw him," she stated, eyes narrowed, and she felt a stab of guilt at how accusing her tone came out.

Riku wasn't fazed by her tone, however, and just blinked at her, slowly. "I did," he finally said, his voice hoarse, "I was…I was coming back from the shops, 'cause my moms needed stuff for dinner. And I just –" His voice broke a little, and he coughed, clearing his throat, "I – I saw him."

Kairi continued to stare at him, saying nothing, so Riku continued to talk, babbling, "I didn't…know what to say to him, at first. He helped me with shopping. We walked around for a little while. And I didn't…I just –"

He shrugged sheepishly, "it all just kinda burst out of me. I might have yelled at him a little."

"Oh, 'a little'," Kairi finally said, sarcastic, and Riku sputtered out a laugh, placing a bashful hand over his face.

"It might have been more than a little," he admitted, his hand dropping down to his lap, "but…things are alright now. I've missed him so much, Kairi. You know? I've missed him. And now he's here." He sounded so amazed, saying that – like he still couldn't believe it was true, and Kairi could sympathize with that feeling.

"He told me he hasn't seen you, yet." Kairi stiffened, and Riku picked his head up to look at her, his eyes so sad. "What's wrong, Kairi? He misses you, you know that."

This is the second time today that she had to hear that, and she couldn't help the annoyance that rose up in her chest. "I didn't come over to get a lecture from you," she ground out, trying not to snap at him, "I'm tired of people asking me why I haven't seen him yet! I don't have to see him if I don't want to! I'm not ready, I -!"

"Kairi."

Riku's voice was soft, and he held a hand out to her, silently asking her to come over to him. Closing her eyes, Kairi took a deep breath, trying to calm down the ire that swelled up in her, and after a few more breaths she slowly walked up to him, taking his hand and letting him pull her in. With gentle tugs, Riku pulled her close until she was standing between his legs, and he looked up at her, concerned.

"What's wrong, Kairi?" He asked again, wrapping his arms around her and lacing his fingers at her back. Her shoulders drooped, and Kairi sagged into him, leaning in until her forehead rest against his.

"I really miss him," she confessed in a whisper, "and I want to see him so badly – I do. But every time I get a chance, or – or try to go see him, I just –"

She sighed, and Riku let her go long enough to rub a comforting hand down her arm until she could gather her words.

"I just feel – a lot, about everything. Now that – now that we brought him back, it's like everything I've just kinda…put to the side is just…" She shrugged, unable to properly explain it.

Every time she's seen Sora, emotions from the past year rose up in her like bile, and all the things she's wanted to say to him get lodged in her throat, the words sticking behind her teeth, and she just – she freezes up.

Riku doesn't say anything, but Kairi knows that he gets it, that he understands what she's feeling – she can see it in his eyes. "I'm not going to push you to see him," he finally said, "but don't take too long."

He smiled, "you know that we're absolutely hopeless without you."

Kairi felt like crying, and she plopped herself down on Riku's knee, letting him pull her into a hug. "I'm sorry I'm being stupid." She mumbled into his shoulder, and he shook his head, holding her closer.

"It's not stupid," he promised, "we've had kind of a rough year."

"That feels like the biggest understatement ever."

Riku laughed softly in her ear, giving her a squeeze. "Are you going to be sticking around to eat with us?"

"Your moms already asked. I'm going to eat at home this time. Being gone for the exam, and then after…it shook my dad up a little."

"I understand that. Next time, then. Want me to walk you home?" He set Kairi back onto her feet before pushing off the bed, tucking a lock of hair behind is ear.

"Yeah." She said, lost in thought. Kairi followed Riku downstairs, waving goodbye to his mothers as he told them he was walking her back to her house. As they walked, Kairi reached out and grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers together.

"Thanks, Riku," she said softly, and he must have known she didn't mean for walking her home, because he smiled, running a thumb across the back of her hand.

"Of course, Kairi. Don't worry about it too much, alright?"

-o-

Turns out, Kairi should have worried about it too much. She wasn't worrying about it enough, even.

Because she thought she would have a little more time; Kairi thought that she would be able to get the time to get her shit together and find the words she wanted so that she could finally talk to Sora.

But she forgot that Sora was one of the most impatient people in all the worlds, and after almost a month of radio silence on her end, of course he was going to come to her. Of course he was going to chase her all over the islands until he found her.

She should have known better.

"Kairi!"

Kairi felt every muscle in her body lock up when Sora's voice hit her ears, and she whirled around in disbelief, eyes wide. His chest was heaving, and he looked winded, like he'd run around the entire island, trying to find her, bent over his knees as he tried to catch his breath. When he finally straightened up, he looked at her like she was the best thing he'd ever seen, and Kairi's toes curled into the sand, her muscles tense as she floundered over whether she should just leave her bag and shoes behind and run.

She wanted to; she wanted to sprint away from the beach until she was back home and hide until she could swallow down all the words, all the feelings, until she could untangle them and make sense of it all.

Her desire to flee must have started to become obvious, because Sora's expression went from awed to desperate, and he practically tripped over his feet to get to her. "Please don't walk away from me!" He begged, rushed, "Kairi, don't go –"

He was a lot faster than she expected, and she stumbled backwards, unprepared for the lightning that jolted up her arm when his hand grabbed hers. I'm not ready! that terrified part of her still screamed, over and over - but slowly, slowly, it quieted down more and more, as Kairi gradually realized that Sora was touching her.

He was touching her. His hand was warm, and a little sweaty from all the running he'd done, and his grip was strong. Desperate.

Sora was touching her, and he was still here.

He started to babble nervously, readjusting his hold on her hand, "I – Riku said I should give you some space but I, I mi – I really, really missed you, and I haven't seen you since – since, y'know, and –"

Kairi wasn't really listening, her eyes darting between his face and his hand, still wrapped around hers. He was still touching her. He was still here. Bit by bit, her muscles slowly relaxed, and Kairi took the smallest step closer, wondering.

Sora didn't notice, still speaking in a rush, and his brow wrinkled with anxiety the longer she was silent, "– and I just, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and stuff, so I –"

She placed her free hand on his chest, right over his heart, and Sora immediately fell silent.

Kairi stepped a little closer, and they were almost chest to chest at this point, but she barely noticed, enraptured by the rapid, nervous beating of Sora's heart against her hand. It pounded away in his chest, and it was strong, so much stronger than the weak flutter from before that haunted her for days.

She took in how close they were, the heat coming off his skin, and she finally picked up her head to look at him, really look at him. His eyes were as blue as she remembered, and still so pretty, even when they were confused; that horrible pale pallor was gone from his skin, and he looked as healthy as ever, his skin back to its usual warm, healthy brown tones.

His heart beat away in his chest, and his light was as bright as ever, shining stronger than before. I'm alive, everything about him promised. I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm here.

Her hand was still wrapped up in his. He hasn't faded away.

He was really, truly here.

"…Kairi?" Sora finally said, his voice small, "are you mad at me?"

Kairi grabbed a fistful of the tank top he was wearing and roughly pulled his face down to hers.

The kiss was rough, biting – clumsy, after so much time apart, and Sora trilled against her lips happily because, wow, he couldn't kiss Kairi for months and months, and this was wonderful. His hands had hovered over her back, unsure, but now they slowly closed in, intent on keeping her close to him after so long apart, after all the time he spent chasing after her.

But before he could properly hold her close, Kairi placed her hands on his chest and shoved him with all her strength, sending him tumbling into the sea with a shout.

Sputtering, Sora quickly sat up, shoving his soaking hair out of his face with one hand. "Kairi," he whined, laughing, "that was mean – how could you –"

He looked up, grinning, but his smile quickly died when he saw the tears in her eyes.

"Oh, no. Kai –"

"How could you just –" She clenched her teeth, the words sticking in her throat, and she tried, she tried to swallow them down, but she couldn't hold them back. Naminè was right - Kairi was angry. She was pissed, and the feelings from the past year, the whole tangled mess rose up in her -anger at being left behind over and over, loneliness, blame - bubbling up and over out of the deep well of her grief. "How could you just leave us like that? How –"

"Kairi, I had to. I had to, I couldn't just leave you, not after what – what Xehanort did, I had to bring you back, I –"

"Well you shouldn't have!" She cut him off, her voice shrill, "you shouldn't have, if the cost of it was your life! I had to – I spent months, having to look your parents in the eye as they grieved, and I – I –"

She didn't know when she started crying in earnest, but tears poured down her face, boiling, as she curled in on herself, sticky, poisonous guilt rising in her like tar, choking her. Kairi was back to those early days after the war, where Sora's loss was fresh and unbearable. It should have been me, that foul, guilty part of her howled. It should have been me, how could you, how could you, it was my fault, all my fault, I wasn't worth it, I was never worth it –

"Kairi."

Damp arms wrapped around her hips as Sora pressed his face into her stomach, holding her close. "You are worth it." He said firmly, and she wondered when she started to say those words aloud. "You are always worth it. Kairi –"

Sora looked up at her, his chin digging lightly into her belly, and tears clung to his lashes. "Kairi, you're my best friend," he said thickly, "I love you. Of course I was going to bring you back, are you kidding me? I won't hesitate – I'll do it all again, bring you back a million times, if it meant you got to live."

He was serious as the grave, and Kairi wanted to scream, wanted to push him back into the water. Instead, she curled her fingers into his wet hair, giving the strands a gentle tug, "I don't want that," she reprimanded, "Sora, you have so many people here that love you. You, you can't just – throw yourself away like that. Not ever again."

Her jaw trembled, and more tears slipped down her cheeks. "I can't bear it," she said in a thin whisper, "my heart can't go through this. Not again."

Sora opened his mouth, starting to say something, but a fierce look from Kairi made him fall silent. "I remember that dumbass thing you said, about how you're nothing without us. Sora, you – you can't just throw yourself away like that. Not ever again. We – we need you here. I need you here. Riku and I were a mess without you. Your parents were heartbroken."

He looked devastated at that, and Kairi gently tugged his hair again, hoping the message came through. "Never, ever again," she stressed, "if – if we fight on, we fight as, as a team. No – no more throwing yourself at things until your heart gives out. No more. Do you promise?"

"But, I –" Sora pressed his forehead into her stomach, hiding his face, "I promised – I promised I'd keep you safe."

"And I promised that I would keep you safe. So do you really think I'm going to let this go on? We're a team, Sora. You, me, and Riku. Like always. You don't have to do everything on your own all the time."

Kairi sniffled, tears still streaming down her face, "I missed you." She said, her voice small, "I still miss you, even right now. I feel like you're going to disappear again any second now."

"I won't." He swore, shaking his head, "I'll – Kairi, I promise. I won't ever do that to you again. I promised Riku that, too, and I mean it, I swear. I'm staying. I'm staying."

He repeated the promise again, so earnest, and Kairi felt the last bit of resistance in her melt away, her knees giving out as she sank down onto the sand, grabbing Sora's shirt again and pulling his mouth to hers.

This kiss felt more like an apology, like relief, and Sora sighed happily at the contact, tangling his fingers into her shirt at the small of her back and pulling her in even closer.

"I'm still upset." She mumbled against his lips, and Sora hummed, still very much wanting to kiss her instead of talk. "You have a lot to make up for. You're lucky I didn't throw a fireball at you like I did at Riku."

"You did what?" Sora exclaimed, pulling back in awe, and actually, Kairi didn't like that at all, and would very much rather get back to kissing. "Kairi, you threw a fireball at him? How'd you do that? Did you use your Keyblade? Did you –"

"I am a Keyblade Master," Kairi sniffed. "I can do loads of cool stuff now."

Sora's eyes sparkled, and Kairi could almost see the hundreds of questions building up behind his lips, and she made quick work to stop the flow before it started, pulling him back in for another kiss.

Kairi felt like she was about to burst with the amount of happiness that filled her, with the relief that sank deep into her bones, and she wondered if Sora could feel it, too. He was here – he was here, and he would stay, and he would never disappear under her hands again, never fade away like a ghost in the rays of sunset. She could feel his heart, beating against her own, and it was strong. And he was alive.

She couldn't stop the giddy curl of her lips even if she tried.

-o-

Kairi and Riku invited everyone to the islands a few days later, to have a small get together now that Sora was back with them. Kairi and Naminè made their way to the play islands around noon, where Sora and Riku were waiting for them, and when Sora saw Naminè his face brightened up, and he ran up to meet them, quickly scooping Naminè up into a hug.

She yelped, not expecting the embrace, but it quickly turned to laughter as Sora spun around, twirling her. "Naminè!" Sora said happily, "I can finally tell you, after all this time! Naminè – thank you!"

When he released her, Naminè's face was blotchy, and her eyes shone with tears. "Sora," she laughed, swiping away the few tears that escaped, "I'm so, so happy to see you again."

They placed their bags and towels on the sand, and Kairi brought the snacks she bought over to the small table Riku had set up, shoving ice cream bars and bottles of juice into the bowl of ice provided. Naminè had sat down on her towel, her hat swaying in the sea breeze, and Sora had sat next to her, hands gesturing wildly as he talked.

"Roxas is bringing more food, right?" Riku checked in, and Kairi nodded, "yeah, he should be here soon."

And as promised, a familiar portal formed a few feet away, and Roxas appeared with Xion in tow, Lea and Isa not far behind. He was holding a familiar cake box in his hands from Twilight Town's bistro, and he grinned as Sora hopped to his feet at their arrival.

Xion gasped loudly when she saw him, and she darted over, grabbing his hands. "I'm so glad you're back!" she cried out, squeezing his hands, "so glad! Don't do that anymore, okay?"

"I won't," he promised, "I'll be right here."

"You better be," Roxas said as he passed by, quickly heading to the table to deposit his treat so he could wrap Sora up in a hug. "I can't believe it!" Lea exclaimed, swooping in to ruffle Sora's hair, "I was shocked when I got that message from Kairi, but look at that! You're good as new!"

"Lea," Sora complained, laughing as he shoved his hand away, "cut it out!"

"Don't harm the boy, Lea, he just got back." Isa said quietly, smiling slightly as he passed by, a bag of food hanging over his arm. "It is good to see you well, Sora," he continued. "The last I'd heard of your condition was…grim. I'm glad you beat the odds."

He smiled again, and then went over to the table, unpacking some sandwiches and depositing a few bars of sea salt ice cream into the ice bowl.

Food dropped off, the newcomers began to lay out their own towels, unpacking bags and slathering sunscreen on their faces. It was an hour into their small gathering when a gummi ship touched down within the trees surrounding the play islands, and Naminè was out at sea with Xion and Roxas, the three of them laughing as they fell into a splash fight. Isa and Lea were tossing a frisbee back and forth with Riku, and Kairi was sitting on her towel, leaning against Sora as they cheered Riku on.

"Sorry we're late!" They heard Aqua call out, "Ven wanted to pilot the ship, and we had to make a couple of stops."

"Sora!"

Sora had jumped to his feet at the voices that burst across the beach, and he immediately started to cry as Donald and Goofy ran to him at a full sprint, sandwiching him between them as they hugged him with all their strength.

"We were so worried!" Goofy blubbered, placing a large hand over Sora's head.

"Don't you ever do something like that again!" Donald shrilly demanded, furiously checking over him to make sure he was alright.

"I won't, I promise," Sora wailed. "Donald, Goofy, I missed you! I'm sorry!"

It took a minute for the three of them to calm down, and as they parted, sniffling, Terra, Aqua, and Ventus appeared, small bags of their own thrown over their arms, King Mickey bringing up the rear.

"Gosh, Sora!" King Mickey said as Ventus wrapped Sora up into a hug, "I'm sure glad to see you back with us!"

"Thanks, Your Majesty," he sniffled, squeezing Ven tight, "I'm happy to be back, too. I'm – I'm so happy."

Sora's smile was a little watery, but he glowed with happiness as he looked around at everyone, cheek smooshed up against Ven's, and Kairi felt the familiar prickle of tears at her eyes.

She didn't mind it all that much, this time, since they were tears of happiness.

This was how it was supposed to be, she thought as she rose to her feet, making her way into the water. This was how it should've happened, that day.

It should have been all of them, celebrating, just like this – finally able to relax and have fun after so much pain, so much fighting. Kairi took in the sounds of joy that surrounded her, of reunions and celebration, and she smiled, truly at peace for the first time in days.

Better late than never, she supposed.

-o-

The large bonfire they set up threw golden sparks up into the night sky and bathed their part of the beach with a warm, golden glow.

The sky was resplendent with stars, and Naminè leaned into Roxas and Xion, smooshed between them as she traced out constellations she's learned for them with her fingers. Lea and Isa were sitting closer by the fire, making sure to keep an eye on the trio as they quietly talked, Isa nursing a glass of paopu wine Lea got for him.

Aqua was sitting by the fire as well, talking to King Mickey with a tired, content smile, and on her opposite side, Terra was handing Ventus a couple of freshly made s'mores.

Closer by the shore, Donald whooped loudly, swearing to Goofy that he just saw a shooting star, and that they had to make a wish, and Kairi took in the noise and chatter happily, dreamily, as she slipped into a light doze.

It was just like she'd dreamed, months and months ago – her, sandwiched between Sora and Riku, though the three of them were lying on their towels instead of a bed, overlapped to make enough space for them. She was curled up in the middle, like always, and between that and the reaching heat of the bonfire, she was plenty warm.

Riku was at her back, arm draped over the curve of her waist, and Sora was at her front, and she could feel his hand curved around her ribs, thumb gently brushing back and forth.

They spoke in soft murmurs, and even though she was so close, she couldn't hear what they were saying – but that was fine, with her cheek pressed to Sora's chest, their words drowned out by the content beating of his heart.

There was a lot left to do, still; they needed to clean up after their long party, needed to stomp out the fires and say their warm goodbyes as everyone went their separate ways. They needed to talk to Sora, to ask him what he thinks about telling their parents everything – everything- so that they no longer had to worry whenever they disappeared.

Even now, content and drowsy as she was, Kairi could hear Yen Sid's words echo in her mind, about how the Realm of Light wasn't done with the Keyblade wielders yet, and that there was still much in store for them. That they would need to prepare.

So much left for them to do.

Riku's arm tightened around her waist and Sora laughed, a rumble in his chest, as Kairi felt him press a kiss into her forehead. She relaxed further into her boys, a small, sleepy smile curving her lips, and she cast those worries away for now.

One thing at a time – no matter what the future held for them, Kairi wasn't afraid. If this year taught her anything, it was that she had the strength to bear it and push through, and that she can -and will - fight with all she had for the future she sought.

For now, she was exactly where she wanted to be. Exactly where she was meant to be.

Completely at peace for the first time in months, Kairi leaned into her boys' arms, and she slept.

DONE. WOW. wow okay. emotion. a little shorter than I expected, but I'm so content.

I started this whole thing 'cause, as mentioned in chapter one, I thought kh3 sucked! it bummed me out so bad! and one of the top five things that pissed me off the most about it was what happened to kairi. and I just wanted SOMETHING where she gets to rise up in the full potential that I know has been there since I was 12. where she gets to try and struggle and SUCCEED.

so you gotta be the change you wanna see in the world I guess.

like with how the shit ended, it only makes sense for kairi to get a chance to bring sora back. so no matter what happens when the dlcs and final mixes and kingdom hearts fragmentary passage 3.9 comes out, this will be here. something that I WOULD like to happen in the games but probably won't. this small bit of wish fulfillment lmao.

guys - thank you. thank you for reading, for commenting, for all the favorites and follows. I've never had so much fun writing something and it's all because of the interactions I had with you! you all made me work my hardest to get to the end, 'cause I want kh fans now and later to have this little something to enjoy.

so yeah! it's officially a wrap. and right on time too since I start school in literally four days lmao. if you wanna stay in touch, I'm spacebeyonce on tumblr. and maybe I'll be back with some more kh fics when I get some more free time again lmao.

thank you, everyone. bye for now!