The Songs in Our Hearts Book One: Reaching Out

Chapter Six: The Last Sunset

It was getting late by the time Sora had returned to Kairi with the rest of the provisions. Riku had already given his share to her. When Kairi saw Sora enter the cove, she waved at him. Sora ran to her immediately.

"I got everything you asked for," Sora told her, showing her the items he collected.

Giving her friend a bright smile, Kairi said, "Great, just put it in the storage compartment." The boy nodded and began placing the food in the container. As Kairi watched, she realized how real the idea of leaving the islands was becoming. This place had been the only home she ever knew since all memories of before the islands were gone.

Thinking about returning to her actual home and not recognizing it terrified her. She had hoped that if she did return one day that eveything would just fall into place— that her homeworld would feel like home to her, but what if she didn't feel that rush of nostalgia? What if something happened on their journey. and they can't come back to the islands? Where would her home be then? With a deep sigh, Kairi leaned against the mast of the raft and took out the charm she had been working on for the past few days. The charm was made out of pastel pink, yellow, and blue thalassa shells, and there was a small, golden crown in the center. It was made to look like a paopu fruit. A braided, minty-green yarn was tied to the shell at the top. Only one more thalassa shell, and the charm would be complete.

"Hey, what's that you've got there?" Sora's question interrupted Kairi's thoughts.

"This?" she asked, holding out the charm and pushing down her thoughts. "I'm making a necklace of thalassa shells," Kairi explained, keeping her pale blue orbs on the charm.

"What's it for?" Sora further questioned, curious to know what it was.

Kairi let out a light giggle before answering, "In the old days, sailors always wore thalassa shells. They were suppose to ensure a safe voyage." She then let the charm dangle from the yarn it was tied to. "See this? It's a charm to help us find each other if we ever get separated. The three of us will always be together," she said warmly, with a cute smiled forming on her lips.

"You're worried about being separated?" the brunette inquired, his bright blue orbs full of worry. Kairi brought her gaze to Sora.

"I mean... it's not like we know what's going to happen out there," the red-head whispered solemnly.

"But that's the fun of having an adventure!" Sora cheered. "It's just like watching a movie for the first time, right? And whatever's bothering ya, I promise I'll make it go away," the boy grinned. As Kairi stared at her friend in awe, she could feel her cheeks burn.

"Thanks, Sora," she smiled back. Noticing that the sky was now orange, Kairi suggested, "How about we start heading back?"

"Sounds good," he replied, flashing a quick thumbs up at her. As they made their way out of the cove, Kairi glanced over to the horizon. The sun was setting, and the ocean glittered under its light.

Realizing that this might be the last sunset they would see on the islands for a while, Kairi grabbed Sora's hand and chirped, "C'mon! Let's watch the sunset for a little bit." She pulled him to the dock where their boats were. Their shoes knocked against the wooden surface.

Kairi took a seat at the edge of the dock, and Sora followed her. Watching the sunset always made Kairi feel a little better, and knowing that the three wouldn't be able to see this view for a while meant that Kairi had to make the most of this moment. She knew this was not her last sunset on the islands because she knew they would come back soon enough. Right?

"You know, Riku has changed," Kairi thought out loud, recalling how the fifteen-year-old preferred spending time with Sora to hanging out with her. It took time for Riku to let Kairi into the friend group, but now she could tell that she was the source for the boys' competitve natures. The red-head felt bad for creating that kind of conflict; she wanted to tell Sora so badly, but that also meant hurting Riku.

"What do you mean?" Sora inquired.

"Well..." the red-head trailed off, unsure of what to say. Something else had changed earlier that day as well. It was something that Kairi couldn't quite describe about Riku. He just seemed to have a different vibe now, and there was something ominous about it.

Concerned for his friend, Sora asked, "You okay?" Kairi pursed her lips as she thought of a response. She wanted to tell him, but at the same time, she couldn't. Not when it still meant that someone would end up getting hurt in the end.

"Sora, let's take the raft and go— just the two of us!" she chimed.

Sora's face turned bright red. "Huh?"

"Just kidding," the girl giggled, hoping he wouldn't see through her.

"What's gotten into you?" Sora questioned, bringing his gaze to look at her. "You're the one that's changed, Kairi," he pointed out. There was a brief pause between the two of them.

"Maybe..." she sighed, folding her hands in her lap. "You know, I was a little afraid at first," Kairi began to tell Sora. "But now I'm ready," she grinned, think back to what Sora told her. Bringing her pale blue eyes to the water, she continued, "No matter where I go or what I see, I know I can always come back here." She paused for a moment. "Right?" she asked, turning her head to Sora.

"Yeah, of course!" Sora cheered, flashing Kairi a bright grin.

Turning back to the setting sun, Kairi whispered, "That's good." Sora always made her smile, and she was glad that they would always be together. "Sora, don't ever change," she cooed sweetly.

As she got up from her sitting position, Kairi heard the spiky-haired boy let out a noise of confusion: "Huh?"

"I just can't wait," Kairi started, a warm smile forming on her lips. Thinking of the three of them – both she and Sora together – exploring new worlds filled her with fear and excitement. "Once we set sail, it'll be great." Sora hummed in agreement. As the two focused on the sunset once more, Kairi wondered what the sunset looked like in other worlds. Would it look different? Or do all the worlds share the same sky?