This story has been awesomely amazing for me and I'm sad to see it end but...every great story has to have an ending. (tear, tear) I might put up an epilogue, if you guys want me to. I don't own Kingdom Hearts...blah, blah, blah...

Chapter seventeen

Corlo POV

I raised my arm to cover my eyes as I stepped out onto warm sand. Destiny Islands.

"What took you so long?" I heard some one say.

I lowered my arm and found Riku looking at me hopefully. I shrugged. "Maybe cause I had to stop Xenahort."

"You stopped Xenahort?" I turned toward the blond woman who had spoken. She seemed familiar. I just couldn't place where she was from. "I'm Hannah." she said before I could ask. "I'm your mother, Corlo."

My eyes popped out of their sockets. "Really? Wow..."

She rushed forward and hugged me tightly. I paused for a second, then hugged her back. She pulled away and looked upon me with admiration.

"You've grown so much. I wish I could've been there to see it." she said.

I smiled. "You won't have to miss anymore...Mom." I know I should be freaked out by calling a person I barely knew that but it was really...comfortable. I looked around at the rest of the small crowd.

Besides my parents, there were Sora and Kairi. I frowned. Where was Yuri?

I ran down the beach, looking from side to side. Surely, she would have greeted me. I didn't see her. I collapsed in the sand, close enough to the sea that it licked my feet with every incoming wave. I picked up a handful of sand and let it slip through my fingers.

By my third handful, Sora and Riku had reached me. I sensed their eyes boring into me but I ignored them. I stared out to sea.

Riku plopped down on my left side, Sora on my right.

"She's not here yet." Riku said.

"But she will be." Sora continued, passionately. "I just know it."

I shook my head. "Have you ever thought that she might not come back? I'm sure Kairi did...before she forgot you, I mean."

Riku smiled faintly. "Corlo, you know as well as I do that she will. It just works out that way. It might take a year...or two but she'll come back." He placed his hand on my shoulder. "Trust me."

I smiled back and stood up. "Thanks. I needed that."

Riku stood up. "Anytime."

I nodded and looked up at the sky. It was beautifully accented with pure white clouds. I couldn't believe that I was standing here in the exact same spot that Kairi... My thoughts trailed off when I saw a small comet hurtling toward the sea.

Yuri POV

I saw the light flood around me, then it faded away. I looked around. I was in a small chamber. The walls and floor seemed to be made of small nobody symbols moving slowly in parallels. Betwixt and Between.

I'd actually paid attention to the cut scene that took place in this room. The one time I had paid attention. I chuckled at the irony. Then I remembered that there were two pathways out of here. Which was the right one?

A small figure jumped up out of nowhere. I recognized the King immediately.

I dipped my head slightly. "Your majesty."

He did the same. "Yuri."

"Why are you here?" I asked as politely as I could.

"I'm here to talk to you one last time before we go to our separate worlds." he pulled out a small scroll with a red mickey mouse shape stamped on it. "Give this to Sora, will you?"

I took the scroll and tucked it safely away. I nodded. "I will. How do I get out of here?"

"Well...that way-" he pointed to my left. "-leads to darkness and your conqueror destiny, but that way-" he pointed to my right. "-leads to light and...Corlo."

"Thanks." I said and started toward my right.

"Yuri?" his squeaky voice stopped me.

I turned back. "Yes, your majesty?"

"If you ever need me, send me a bottle."

I nodded. I wasn't quite sure what that meant but I knew Corlo would. "I will."

"I'm proud of you, Yuri. Let's hope the darkness doesn't act up in the future."

I smiled. "Yes, let's hope." I bowed slightly. "Goodbye, your majesty."

"Goodbye, Yuri." He bowed and jumped away, probably back to his world.

I reached my hand in my pocket and gripped the scroll. It would probably be the last we will hear of him.

I removed my hand and stepped through the path to light and...Corlo.

Suddenly, I was falling headfirst toward a small speck of land. I gripped the scroll tightly and closed my eyes. The air rushed by me, causing a whooshing sound in my ears. It was somehow...soothing.

My eyes snapped open when I felt the ground come encroachingly closer. I fell headfirst into the sea. I didn't feel the need for oxygen. I would've stayed there, in that underwater paradise, if it weren't for Corlo.

I kicked my way to the surface and waded up to the shore. Corlo was standing up to his knees in the water. I rushed forward and hugged him, the scroll still in my hand.

"I missed you." I whispered in his ear.

He smiled and positioned himself so our noses almost touched. "I missed you, too." he breathed and kissed me deeply.

I replied softly. He broke away suddenly. "Corlo," I complained. "why must you do that?"

"Sorry, I was just wondering what was digging into my back."

I chuckled and pulled away. "This." I showed him the scroll. "It's for Sora." I turned to my father. He was standing off to my left. "Here." I handed it to him. "It's from the King."

Sora took it and unrolled it. He smiled as he read it.

"What is it?" Corlo asked urgently. "Is it another mission?"

Sora shook his head. "No." he looked up at Corlo and then me. "Just a thank you note. It mentions both of you here."

"Really?" Corlo asked. He tried to run through the water quickly but he stumbled several times. He peered over his shoulder. "Wow...that's so cool!"

I smiled, remembering the first time he'd met Sora. It seemed like so long ago.

Corlo looked over at me. "What are you smiling about?"

I shook my head. "Nothing. Just remembering."

He came over and pulled me into his embrace. "I love you." he said softly.

"I love you, too." I replied and kissed him gently.

There was a soft cough. I broke away from him at looked at my father incredulously. "Yes...Dad?" It didn't feel weird at all to call him that. Just...normal.

Sora smiled at me. "I just wanted to point out that we're still standing in two feet deep of water." he shrugged.

I glanced down. "Right. Come on, Corlo." I pulled him by his hand to the beach. I sat down at the edge of the water.

He did the same. "You know, I've always wanted to fall down into the water like that."

"Really?" I chuckled. "You've always wanted to do anything in the game."

He smirked. "True. What was it like?" He looked at me, longing clear in his eyes.

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Well...it felt soothing and comforting...until I hit the water."

"Cool." He turned back to the ocean. The sun had started to set.

I watched the reds and yellows for a few minuted before answering. "Beautiful, isn't it?" I said and leaned against him. He wrapped him arms around me.

"Yeah," he murmured. "Beautiful...like you."

I smiled and turned my head up toward him. "I'm lucky to have you, Corlo. I could have picked a jerk but I picked you. Kind, sensitive, and understanding but bold, brave, and handsome at the same time."

He smiled back at me. "You really think that?"

I nodded. "Yeah, you did risk your life to save me."

"I guess I did." He moved in closer, my face inches away from his.

"Oh, come on. Kiss her already."

We looked up and found Sora looking at us expectantly. I smiled. "I can't when you insist on interrupting us." I replied smartly.

Kairi was standing next to him. "Sora, we should go back to the mainland. They'll come home when they're ready."

Sora nodded at his wife. "Right." he turned to face us. "You better be back by ten or I'll-"

"Sora, come on. They've been through enough."

I waited until they were climbing into their raft before turning back to Corlo. "Now, where were we?" I teased.

Corlo smiled. "Right about..." he moved close again. "here."

We both leaned into a passionate kiss. I couldn't tell you how long it lasted. It felt like the rest of the world didn't exist. But it did last long enough for me to realize that this was what I'd been wanting. This was what my life had led up to. This was destiny.

Like it? Hate it? I want to know. Please review. Also, if you want me to put up an epilogue, tell me please! It kills me not to know what you want. I might change the title to something less boring like...destiny or something but I want to know what you think. Thanks, guys.