what's the difference?

[got it memorized 3]

ok, so we have Terra performing the rite of succession with Riku, and Aqua unintentionally performing the rite of succession with Kairi. i got that much. what exactly was the difference between those two occurrences that gave Riku the ability to summon a keyblade but never gave that ability to Kairi? yes, she can wield a keyblade, i got that too. but in terms of like, getting her own keyblade, what was different that she wouldn't get her own keyblade?

[Cricket 1,180]

It is pretty different and rare for Kairi since she is a Princess of Heart, but she was completely unaware (I believe) that she could even wield a Keyblade. I am not sure why she did not have an Awakening, but I believe it may have something to do with her Princess of Heart role....I don't know, it is confusing to explain.

[gonald doofy 0]

this is my personal take on it. terra only performed the rite of succession because he sensed a strong heart in riku and figured riku could already have the strength and ability to weild one. aqua didnt see this in kairi and did it by accident; she never meant to. nomura has said that there are lots of things that determine if you can weild a keyblade. strength of heart is one and i dont think kairi had a strong enough heart to have her own keyblade to herself, which is why shes able to weild one if someone gives it to her (like destiny place given to her by riku) but only then since it isnt her own.

[hatok 6,413]

Keep in mind Riku gets his Keyblade offscreen, it's not like he innately was able to wield it, msot like XehanortsHeartless did something,or Maleficent.

[Handsome_the_Wise 20]

It is pretty different and rare for Kairi since she is a Princess of Heart, but she was completely unaware (I believe) that she could even wield a Keyblade. I am not sure why she did not have an Awakening, but I believe it may have something to do with her Princess of Heart role....I don't know, it is confusing to explain.

 

I agree with you on Kairi being unaware. That in my opinion is probably the largest reason. As far as her not having an Awakening, could it be from her heart being inside Sora's body? Also, like you said, her role as a Princess of Heart makes someone who is protected rather than a protector.

 

If I remember correctly, in an interview (I believe it's in the Birth by Sleep Ultimania) Nomura did say that one of the upcoming games is going to have multiple main characters. Maybe Kairi will be one of them and will have an Awakening then.

[heartless101 83]

Aqua unlike Terra didnt tell Kairi that she could weild the keyblade