Text Kingdom Hearts: A Novelization

[Dom Hassett 12]

Hello, readers.  I began writing a novelization of the first Kingdom Hearts game recently and I thought I would share it with this community.  I'm proud of what I have so far and I hope to get a lot of feedback and constructive criticism.  I have made various changes and additions to the story that I've implemented in order to tell the story better in this medium.  Nothing I have added or revised takes away from the story we all love, but makes it a much smoother read.  Please let me know what you think and if you like what I have so far.  Letting me know helps me write better and encourages me to write more.  I will continue to post more as I write it here in this thread.  I hope you enjoy my adaptation of this incredible story!

 

Preface:

 

Long ago, the world was connected, and it basked in a warm and beautiful light.

 

The people of this world loved the light, but their love turned to greed, and it was this covetous love that drove them to conflict.

 

The world's inhabitants succumbed to violence in their lust for the light and fought each other over the very force that connected them.

 

Darkness what born in the hearts of those who fought and it grew as they turned against each other.

 

The darkness swallowed these avaricious hearts and eclipsed the once radiant light that they so desired.

 

A terrible blackness spread far across the world as it was consumed by this new, unstoppable force and it disappeared into darkness.

 

All had seemed hopeless, but it was the glimmer of innocence within children that sparked their world's resurgence from the great void.

 

The pure hearts of children had not been tainted by the greed of so many, and together, those pure hearts created the world anew, gathering the fragments of light within their hearts and shining a new radiance upon their resurrected home.

 

This new world was bright and peaceful, just as it had been before the war over the light, but it was no longer whole.

 

It was all the children could do to abate the darkness and remake their home. There was still hurting, still sorrow, and a great disconnection.

 

The light that once bathed the world was now scattered amidst time and space, waiting to be reconnected.

 

Waiting for the key to their true salvation.

 

 

1

Dive To The Heart

 

 

     I've been having these weird thoughts lately. Like, is any of this for real... or not? Did I find this place, or have I been here all along? All there is darkness. Am I dreaming? Where am I?

    I'm falling, but I feel weightless. How long have I been drifting here? It feels like it's been forever, but I can't remember when it started. Am I asleep, or have I just woken up?

   I'm cold. I can feel pressure on my body. My... body? Awareness envelops me and I can suddenly see. It's still so dark. I see something above me. Is that light? It glows, but it keeps moving farther and farther away. I am sinking, but I'm not drowning. Downward. Spinning. Spiraling. I give in and embrace the plunge.

     My eyes adjust to the overwhelming darkness and I can see a new light. This one is moving towards me. It welcomes me, yet I am afraid. I cannot stop its approach. I must face what lies before me, for I know there is no other way. The light becomes a picture. My fear subsides as I fall towards a circular light. As I approach, I can see a soothing visage of a kind woman surrounded by many different faces that fill me with new feelings, emotions. Are they new? Have they been inside me all this time? More questions. I feel desire. I want to know.

     The light of the picture surrounds me as my descent slows. I feel touch as my feet fall softly against the glowing picture. I look around me, cautious of what is to come. I feel something looming but I do not know what. My fear returns to me yet I do not know why. There is nothing, yet within me there is a weight.

      “So much to do, so little time...” A voice suddenly awakens my ears and I can hear. It is calming, and somehow so familiar.

      “Take your time.” The voice continues. “Don't be afraid. The door is still shut.”

      I know I tell myself, knowing the voice can hear me.

      “Now, step forward.” The voice beckons. “Can you do it?”

      A warm presence fills my senses and I comply. My feet move and I can walk. They take me to the center of the circle of light. They move as if they aren't my own, pushed forward by an outside force. I welcome it. I let myself be overtaken and accept whatever is to come.

     Shapes begin to rise up from the illuminated floor and I watch as strange figures materialize above what appear now to be three pedestals. I am startled, but intrigued.

     “If you give it form... It will give you strength.” The voice rings again through my mind. I know that it is addressing the items above the pedestals. “Choose well.”

      I feel an overwhelming desire to obey the voice and my feet take me to the center pedestal. A sword floats above it. As I look at it I feel a great strength surge inside me.

     “The power of the warrior.” Says the voice. “Invincible courage. A sword of terrible destruction.”

     I admire the weapon's gleaming blade and it's golden hilt, but my attention is quickly drawn to the left pedestal. I walk to over to it and behold a staff. It has a long shaft that ends in three spheres that create a friendly shape, awakening an energy inside me. I am filled with heat and cold all at once, and a tingling sensation runs through my body.

     “The power of the mystic.” The voice again tells me. “Inner strength. A staff of wonder and ruin.”

I still feel the desire. I have not yet found what I seek. I turn around to see the final pedestal. Atop it, a shield. As I walk towards it, my guide speaks to me.

   “The power of the guardian. Kindness to aid friends. A shield to repel all.” Friends. That word resonates in my mind and faces suddenly flash before my eyes, too quick to see, but strong enough to feel. I take the shield from the pedestal. It is robust but feels almost weightless in my hands. The symbol in it's center, like the top of the staff, fills me with a comfort that I cannot explain. Friends I say to myself. I am filled with purpose.

     “Is this the form you choose?” The voice asks me.

     Yes. I tell it without hesitation. The sword and staff immediately shatter as the pedestals beneath them crumble into dust and the voice tells me, “Your path is set.”

      I despair as I feel the power within those items fade within me, yet I am not empty. I know I hold what I desire. I feel strong.

     “Your adventure begins at dawn.” the voice within me proclaims. “As long as the sun is shining, your journey should be a pleasant one.”

     A warm light shines inside my mind. It is still dark all around me, yet I can see and feel a brilliant light and suddenly another shape begins to rise from the ground. As it comes into view I can see that it is a door. It is large and daunting, decorated with intricate designs. I am drawn to it and as I reach out to touch it, the voice continues.

    “The day you will open the door is both far off and very near.”

    The door cracks open just before I can touch it and light leaks through it. As it slowly continues to open, more light spills out and shines so iridescently. I stare in awe at the effulgence.

    “But be warned.” The voice tells me with a darkened tone. “The closer you get to the light, the greater your shadow becomes.”

    The light from the door floods my senses and blinds me. I step backwards away from it, but I do not turn away. The light is so beautiful. It is all I can see and all I can feel. My vision clears as I back away from the alluring door and I notice a blackness at my feet. It tears my attention from the light behind the door as it twists and contorts. Suddenly it leaps from the floor and gains shape. It looks like a boy. I know him.

     Sor-. A deafening rush of darkness interrupts my thought as the shadowy boy transforms into a massive being of dark terror. A huge gap opens in the thing's chest and I can see with horror that it has no heart. Fear comes rushing back to my mind and I begin to panic. The gigantic black thing rises even higher and as I look upwards, I see dark tendrils squirm ceaselessly and two terrifying yellow eyes stare through me. It can see the fear in my heart.

     A pool of darkness swells beneath me and I am helpless to keep it from swallowing me. I flail, I thrash, I try to scream out in fright but the terrible darkness drowns out my voice and paralyzes my body. I cannot escape and I cannot breathe. The voice returns to me.

      “Do not be afraid.” It says. “You hold the mightiest weapon of all.”

       I do not understand.

      “So don't forget” The voice tells me as I am overtaken by the darkness.

 

      “You are the one who will open the door.”

[Dom Hassett 12]

Part 1 of Chapter 2: Beyond the Horizon

 

 

2

Beyond The Horizon

 

    The sun's warm light shown brightly across the golden beach and shimmered across the calm sea. Crystal blue water washed over the shore, leaving glistening sand in it's wake as it was pulled back into the gentle ocean that stretched far into the horizon. The tides were coming in and the water inched towards a young boy asleep at the shoreline.

    A cool wetness rushed softly through the boy's dark brown hair as he slowly opened his eyes. The rays of sunlight that poured through his senses made him blink many times before his eyes adjusted to the brightness and he saw the tranquil beach that surrounded him. He felt the silky sand between his gloved fingers and smelled the salty scent of the sea as a gentle breeze blew from the east.

    “Wake up, Sora! You lazy bum!” A girl's voice suddenly broke the boy's peaceful trance and he sprang up. “How did I know I'd find you slacking off down here?” She asked as she giggled at the boy's bewilderment.

    “Oh, Kairi.” Sora replied. He was still gathering his senses and found himself staring blankly at the young girl, eyes wide and mouth agape.

    Kairi laughed. “Yes, it's me, silly.” She said. “You've been asleep all morning! And if I didn't know better I'd say you're still dreaming.”

    Dreaming. Sora thought silently before responding. “Was it a dream?” The question was targeted more at himself than Kairi.

    The girl smiled at him. Kairi's smile always had a way of pulling Sora out of distress. He smiled faintly back at her and crossed his legs, brushing the sand off of the red fabric of his shorts.

    “You're always dreaming, Sora.” Kairi told him, her smile still wide on her face. “If you spent half as much time helping out around here as you do laying on the beach day dreaming, the raft would be done by now!”

    Sora blushed as Kairi gave him a facetious look. Kairi was a source of many feelings for Sora. The friendship he felt for her did not come without a fair share of confusion. There was something deeper than that which he did not fully understand. What he did know was that she had given him a true purpose and direction.

    There was much mystery surrounding Kairi. When Sora and his childhood friend, Riku discovered Kairi's unconscious body washed up on the shoreline, it had baffled them. They were very young and Kairi's strange arrival fascinated the boys with the prospect of other worlds residing beyond their own. Since then, Sora and Riku had shared a dream of leaving their home on Destiny Islands and discovering these unknown places to find where Kairi came from and seek exciting adventures away from their stagnant home.

    Sora loved his home but Riku had convinced him that he could have so much more if he took the chance to look for it. Riku had always been more ambitious than Sora. More brave. Sora was reticent to leave the comfort of the islands. Things were simple here. There was never anything scary or out of the ordinary, but that was exactly why Riku had pushed him to leave it behind. It was always easy for Riku to persuade him. He was a whole year older than Sora, and the younger boy looked up to him as a role model. He was right after all, life on the islands was secure, but not fulfilling. It was all he needed, but was it all he wanted? Riku's persuasions told him it wasn't, and he agreed that it was time they make their dreams a reality.

    Kairi's arrival to the island was proof that that reality was achievable. She had come from somewhere far away from Destiny Islands, and though she had no memory of her original home, the simple fact that she had come to the island from a different place opened so many possibilities. Ever since they met, Sora felt very strongly for Kairi due to his wonder at her mysterious origins. Riku of course felt the very same feelings, as it was his curiosity about her that sparked his great desire to explore the unknown. Riku would tease Sora about Kairi whenever she wasn't looking, as he could tell he felt more than simple friendship for her, and though he knew it was all in fun, it made Sora feel inferior to the older boy. He knew that Riku had a much better chance of impressing her than he would ever have. Though these feelings about Kairi confused Sora, what he knew was that he cared about her and he wanted desperately to know make her happy. It was in the search for new worlds that he saw an opportunity to achieve both Kairi's happiness and entertain Riku's curiosity, so he agreed to help his friends build a raft that would take them across the vast seas in search of discovery and realization.. Riku was right, it was finally time for something new. Destiny Islands had captivated Sora as a child, but now he hungered for more. He was ready to find whatever lay beyond that far away horizon. For Kairi, he would face any challenge.

    “Sorry I dozed off, Kairi.” Sora apologized. “I've just been feeling strange recently. I keep having these dreams and...”

    “Well, look who decided to wake up.” A male voice interrupted Sora and he turned to see Riku, silver haired and almost a foot taller than Sora, sauntering over to the two carrying a large log over his shoulder.

    “I was starting to think I'd be the only one working on the raft all day.” Riku said with a raised eyebrow and a snide smile. “And you're just as lazy as he is!” He barked playfully at Kairi. Riku tossed the log off of his shoulder and let it fall on top of Sora with a thud before he could brace himself.

Kairi laughed as Sora grunted and rubbed his head. “So you noticed.” She told Riku. “Okay, we'll finish it together. I'll race you!”

    “Huh?” Sora looked up at Kairi, still massaging the back of his head.

    “Are you kidding?” Riku rolled his eyes.

    “Ready?” Kairi raised her hand and Sora reciprocated the sly grin that Riku gave him.

    “Go!” Shouted Kairi, and the two boys sprang up from the sand, running spiritedly across the beach to the wooden shack on in the southernmost end of the island.       The boy's competitive smiles stayed painted on their faces as their colorful shoes made deep imprints in the golden sand. Kairi lagged behind, laughing and cheering the boys on.

    Sora was panting when Riku hit is fist on one of the shack's wood panels and turned to an exasperated Sora. “Riku wins!” Kairi yelled, still many yards behind the boys.

    “What a surprise.” Mocked Riku without a single deep breath.

    A flicker of frustration sparked within Sora, but it was quickly extinguished and Sora scratched the back of his head and smiled. “Fair and square, like always.” He admitted.

    “You just don't push yourself enough, Sora.” Riku told the boy. “You hold back when you should be giving it everything you've got.”

Riku was always telling Sora to let go of everything. To relinquish his control and realize his “true power”. Whatever that meant. Sora admired Riku, but he was not like him. He didn't know how to simply let go of caution the way Riku did, and he didn't know if he even considered that a good thing. Riku was the strongest person he knew, so he must be right, but there was still a doubt in Sora's mind that made him cling to his constitution.

    Before Sora could tell Riku he was right for what felt like the hundredth time, Kairi inferred. “Great race!” She said. “Now lets get going on that raft like we said we would. We have to finish it today if we want to set sail tomorrow!”

    Riku snickered and gave Sora a friendly punch on the shoulder as he walked past him and Kairi and over to a pile of thin logs and rope they had collected the day before and silently started working on the base of the raft.

    “Looks like he's found his job.” Kairi told Sora with a chuckle. “Lets see what else we still need.”

    Sora watched Riku work on the raft as Kairi's voice trailed off in his mind. Images of his childhood flashed through him. He and Riku playing on the beach, building forts and wooden swords together, finding Kairi alone on the shore that day. Things were so much different now then they had been before she came. Riku never acted so competitively before. He had always had ambition and courage, that was what made Sora admire him so much, but since Kairi, those qualities had shifted into pride and vanity. But Sora cared for him all the same. No matter how Riku acted, Sora would never hesitate to do whatever he could for his closest friend. The friend who he would travel all the world and beyond with. The friend who showed him the beauty of wide wonder and the importance of seizing all that life could offer.

    “Sora? Are you even listening to me?”

    Again, Kairi's voice broke his calm, forcing him back to the present. He shook his head bashfully, his reddened face looking down to avoid those clear blue eyes that always made it difficult for him to concentrate.

    “You really are hopeless.” Kairi told him in the same effervescent tone she always had. “All we need now is some food. See if you can catch a few fish. Who knows how long it will take us to find another world, so get as much as you can and bring them back to me and Riku here at the raft when you're done. You got that?” She finished her instructions with a coltish inflection.

    Sora looked back up and nodded, the big silly smile he was known for plastered across his still pinkish face. “Got it!” He told her.

    “Great!” She said. “Don't take all day!”

    “Don't worry.” Sora said with a small laugh before taking one last look at Riku and heading towards the shoreline.

 

Chapter 2 to be continued...

[Philip Ellwell 5,487]

O.O

COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO* Takes Breath*OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

 

I like it! 

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Wow, I really gotta say that this is incredibly impressive stuff!  The way you perfectly narrated every single detail in each chapter and the way you include subtle changes really immerses me in this story.  Haha, you know, this script could be used for a Kingdom Hearts anime! Anyways, I'm very impressed and will be looking forward to more of your story.  And let me say welcome to KH13!  I hope you enjoy your time here!  And keep on posting chapters of this story! ^_^

[Dom Hassett 12]

Thank you very much! I'm glad you feel immersed.  That's exactly what I was going for with all the added dialogue and "inner-stuff" with Sora.  The rest of chapter two is in progress so I'll post it here as soon as it's finished.  Thanks for reading and let more people know if you can!

[Yuya Sakaki 5,212]

I know I have said this in your introduction thread but I really like this novelisation. One of the interesting things you did was alter the dialogue a little. And here I was afraid that it would remain the same as the game. Please complete this. One thing I hate is that I am reading a story/fanfic that I really enjoy and find out later that it is incomplete, ESPECIALLY if the author has left it on a cliffhanger. That is just the worst. Anyway keep on writing and I will be looking forward to your updates.

 

Peace.

[Dom Hassett 12]

I know I have said this in your introduction thread but I really like this novelisation. One of the interesting things you did was alter the dialogue a little. And here I was afraid that it would remain the same as the game. Please complete this. One thing I hate is that I am reading a story/fanfic that I really enjoy and find out later that it is incomplete, ESPECIALLY if the author has left it on a cliffhanger. That is just the worst. Anyway keep on writing and I will be looking forward to your updates.

 

Peace.

Thanks a lot!  I'm working hard on getting the Destiny Islands/Disney Castle chapters done.  I hope everyone knows that if it takes me a long time to post, that only means I'm working extra hard on completing it.  I want to be as thorough as I can be with this so there will be a lot of time between posts.  But keep coming back and I'm sure you'll be happy you waited!

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

The wait shall be worth it, just like waiting for KH3!  I'll happily wait for the next chapters Dom!  I'll be waiting for the awesomeness! ^_^

[Dom Hassett 12]

NEWEST ADDITION TO THE STORY:

 

I just finished up the last of the second chapter and here it is, Part Two of Chapter 2:  Beyond the Horizon

 

    Something was weighing on Sora today. He didn't know what it was, but he had a strong feeling that something, or someone was observing him. Not just looking, but studying. He knew it was nothing though, for the only people on the island were his friends and other children playing on the beach. There were never any adults on this island anyway. They were all on the southern island either working or cooking while they waited for their kids to come home. Sora found himself looking forward to going back home to escape the looming feeling that he couldn't shake off. That was just as strange as the feeling itself. He had always been disappointed to see the setting sun, the reminder that life on western island was only temporary and he had to paddle his way back home for dinner. Today was different though. He wanted to be back home.

    As his yellow shoes touched the soft tides at the beach's shore, Sora realized. He was leaving tomorrow. This was the last day he would see the islands. The last day he would see the sun set and the last night he would fall asleep in his own bed. The last day he would see his mother. Setting sail for new worlds was easy for Riku and Kairi. They didn't have any parents to wonder about them. To miss them or even go out looking for them. There was no way Sora could tell his mother what he planned to do. She would never allow him to go sailing across the ocean on a handmade raft in an aimless search for the unknown. Sora knew that leaving the islands without a word would devastate his mother, but this was bigger than her. Bigger than all of Destiny Islands. This was about finding the truth. Maybe if Sora could discover the truth about Kairi, about who she was and where she came from, he could better understand why he felt so inexplicably connected to her. And if he could best his fears and prove his courage, he might be able to finally call himself equal to Riku.

    It was minutes before Sora felt a dampness around his feet and noticed the tides had risen above his ankles. With a start, Sora jumped back and collected himself for the third time today. It must just be nerves about tomorrow. The boy thought to himself. It has to be. Sora let himself fall to the sand and began undoing the many straps and buckles on his bright yellow shoes.

    “Finally had enough of those big ol' things?” A young boys voice called from nearby.

    Sora looked to his right to see Tidus, a nine year old boy from the northern island walking up to him with that long red pole he was always practicing with.

    “Hi Tidus.” Sora greeted him. “You're just jealous cause you know their better than yours.” He teased the younger boy with a smirk.

    “Oh yeah?” Tidus shot back. “There's nothing better than these things!” He exclaimed proudly as he pointed to his bare feet.

    Sora scoffed at him playfully and continued unfastening his shoes.

    “Is it true?” Tidus asked him. “Are you guys really gonna do it?”

    Sora's head shot up quickly. “Do what?” He asked inconspicuously.

    “Come on, Sora.” Tidus jeered. “Everyone knows what you, Kairi and Riku are up to.”

    “Really?” Sora asked surprisedly.

    “Yeah! Riku's been telling everyone!”

    Sora's heart sank. That everyone knew he was leaving would make it all the more difficult for him to go. What if the adults found out? His mother.

    “You can't tell the grown ups anything!” Sora pleaded.

   “Don't worry, Sora. I've never told grown ups anything in my whole life and I'm not gonna start now.” Tidus sounded especially proud. “Besides, it's only me, Wakka, and Selphie that know anything. Riku would never tell the little kids cause they'd just blab it all to their parents.”

    Tidus seemed to always think he was years older than he really was, trying to fit in with the older crowd. Sora liked that about him. He reminded him of how he used to act not too long ago. Sometimes Sora felt like all the time he spent with Riku had made him mature too quickly.

    “Well that's good to hear then.” Sora told Tidus as he ruffled his blonde hair. “Just make sure it stays that way! It's a secret mission.” Sora finally finished the laborious process of removing his shoes and walked back into the shallow waters.

    “Do you have a net anywhere, Tidus?” Sora asked.

    “Sure do!” Tidus exclaimed, pulling a handmade fishing net with a thin wooden pole from his belt loop.

    “Great! Help me catch some fish.” Sora told the boy.

    Tidus joined Sora in the water, splashing wildly as he ran through it and laughing as the fish scattered about.

    “Gee, thanks!” Sora said, annoyed but mostly amused.

    Tidus calmed down and the two boys started catching the minnows darting through the clear ocean water. They fished in a concentrated silence until Tidus asked a question that seemed to be on his mind for a while.

    “Why are you guy's leaving anyway?” Tidus asked Sora.

   Sora looked up from the water at the young boy as he continued. “What's so bad about it here? You don't even know if there's anything out there. It could be dangerous.”

    “You're right.” Sora responded. “I'm nervous about what could happen. And even if we do find anything, I'm not sure what we'll do with it all.”

    Tidus looked somber.

    “But you know what?” Sora continued. “That's exactly why we're going. We're gonna go out there and find amazing things we've never seen before, and when we do, we're gonna come back and tell everyone on the islands all about it! Then everyone will be able to have all the same adventures we had. Someone's gotta do it first, and we want to be the ones to do it.”

    Tidus' frown became a smile and Sora saw the very same boy he had once been in those wide and wondering eyes. It felt good to be able to inspire someone like that. Even if it was just a child. It made him feel like Riku. He never could tell if Riku felt any pride for what he had done to inspire him, but in that moment, Sora felt like he had been to Tidus what Riku had been to him. He hoped Riku knew how much he inspired him and had experienced this feeling. It was the least Sora could do to repay him for the courage Riku gave him.

    “You better find something!” Tidus said excitedly. “A whole bunch of new worlds! And when you come back, I'll go explore them too. Then I'll go see them with Wakka and Selphie, just like you, Riku and Kairi!”

    Sora felt another warm swell of pride. He smiled at the enthusiastic boy and tried to gather as many fish as he could before his excited splashing scared them all away. Though he was very happy to see Tidus so excited, the uneasy feeling still loomed in the back of Sora's mind. The possibility of failure. The danger of the unknown. The foreboding sense of being watched.

    Sora shook the feeling off as best he could and thanked Tidus for the net.

    “Sure thing, Sora! Take it with you!” Tidus said. “I'm gonna go tell Wakka and Selphie all about the adventures we'll have when you come back!”

    Sora laughed and said “Okay, but tell them to keep it to themselves alright? And that goes for you too!”

    Tidus made a zipper motion on his lips and ran off to the docks where his friends were playing with a blue blitz ball.

    Sora returned a wave that the three of them gave him, and took Tidus' fish-filled net back to Kairi and Riku at the raft.

    When he returned, Riku had finished the base of the raft and was fastening a large cloth to a long mast pole that jutted out of the base's center. Kairi was sitting on the wood of the base tinkering with some seashells.

    “Nice work, Sora.” Riku told him, eyeing his catch. “Looks like you might be useful on this trip after all.”

    “Wow, Sora!” Said Kairi. “That's enough fish to last a week!”

    “We're gonna need more though.” Riku said. “This isn't just some vacation.”

    Sora placed the net with its pole against the base of the raft and sat down next to Kairi. He's right. Sora thought. Who knows how long we'll be out there.

    “I'll be sick of fish by then anyway.” Riku said. “Hopefully there's some good food on the other worlds we find.”

    Kairi had a sly look on her face. “Maybe we should bring some paopu fruit with us too.” The two boy's heads spun towards her. “You know, to share!” She was unable to control her giggling.

    Riku and Sora gave each other awkward looks before looking back at a hysterical Kairi.

    “Hahaha! I'm just kidding, you silly heads.” She held her side as she laughed. “You should see your faces!”

    Sora's face glowed with red, which was no surprise, and he thought he could make out the tiniest pinkness on Riku's cheeks as well. Kairi knew the boys would have that reaction. Everyone on the islands knew the myth about the native paopu fruit. If two people share the same one, their destinies become intertwined and they are forever connected to one another. It was just a silly story, but the two boys had never tried it's accuracy and the thought of sharing a paopu with Kairi made both of them uneasy.

    “Whatever.” Riku said, nonchalantly brushing the subject off and regaining his demeanor. “You guys don't really believe that kid stuff do you?” He went back to this work on the raft's mast.

    The redness of Sora's face was still subsiding as he looked at what Kairi had been making with the seashells.

    “What are you making?” Sora asked her, half out of curiosity and half in an attempt to steer the subject away from paopu fruit.

    “Oh, this?” Kairi said, faint laughter still in her voice. “It's a necklace I'm making out of thalassa shells.” She held the unfinished necklace up for Sora to see. “In the old days, sailors would always wear thalassa shells when they set sail. They were supposed to ensure a safe voyage.” She spoke with a studious tone. “It's like a good luck charm.”

    Sora knew about the legend, but he liked to let Kairi teach him things. He knew she enjoyed feeling smart, and she was. She had been on the islands a much shorter time than Sora and Riku, but she had learned much in her short years. It always made Sora feel good to let her give him history lessons even when he already knew everything she told him.

    “I'll make one for you guys too!” Kairi said.

    “Who needs luck when you've got a captain like me?” Riku said with a smug smile.

    “Hey! I didn't know we already picked who's gonna be captain.” Sora shot back.

    “Don't worry, Sora.” Riku replied. “You can be fist mate.”

    “Then what does that make me?” Kairi pouted playfully.

    “Well the raft will probably need some cleaning sooner or later.” Riku told her jokingly.

    Kairi huffed and put her hands on her hips and the three of them laughed together. Maybe this adventure wasn't going to be so bad after all. His friends were all he really needed. Their laughter and the comfort of their presence gave Sora all the security he needed. As long as he had Riku and Kairi, he could face anything.

 

Thanks for reading chapter 2!  The next chapter will be called, Blinking Out.  Keep coming back for updates!

Edited September 17, 2013 by Dom Hassett

[Yuya Sakaki 5,212]

Nice ending to the chapter. I cracked up when Kairi joked about the Paopu to Sora and Riku and nice insight of Sora's aspiration to be like Riku. Looking forward to the next one. Take as much time as you need.

 

Peace.

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

This was just amazing.  Sorry for not replying earlier, the site had crashed on me, so I wasn't able to comment, but wow, I keep getting impressed the more I read this story.  You know, you should really consider talkling to Disney and Nomura about letting you do this novel adaption of Kingdom Hearts, because believe me that it would be a hit!  Keep on going bro!

[Dom Hassett 12]

Hey guys!  Here's a short update on the next chapter of the story.  Chapter 3 is still not complete but I thought I'd share what I have for it so far too keep you interested and to ensure I haven't given up yet.  Here is part 1 of Chapter 3: Blinking Out

 

3

Blinking Out

 

    Soft rays of sunlight gleamed against the tall white towers of Disney Castle in the serene silence of a peaceful morning. Birds could be heard chirping among the bushes of the courtyard and squirrels could be seen chasing them out of their nests and darting about in a frivolous frenzy.

    Within the walls of the magnificent castle, The King's Court Wizard marched down a long carpeted corridor. His white tuft of a tail bobbed about as he proudly stamped his webbed feet across the red carpet and his wizard's coat, blue with purple accents, swayed with each step. A satisfied grin was spread across his yellow bill as he made his way to the hallway's corner where he turned right and continued his dutiful strut towards a tall door that stretched far up to the ceiling's limits. Upon his arrival at the massive door, the wizard fixed and smoothed his coat, and rapped a quick knock. An instant after, a small rectangular opening swayed open, just tall enough to fit the no more than three foot tall wizard.

    He walked through the opening and gave a silent curse when his elegant wizard's hat was almost knocked off by the lowness of the auxiliary doorway. Collecting himself, the wizard continued his waddle-like march down another long carpet that spanned all the way across a wide open throne room. Pristine white walls lined the four corners of the massive room and red banners bearing the King's seal hung from its rafters. At the very end of the great hall sat a the King's throne, where he could always be found awaiting his court wizard's morning briefing on the state of the kingdom.

    “Good morning, Your Majesty.” The wizard squawked as he approached the King's throne with a self-important air. “It's nice to see you this morn-”

    The wizard's greeting was cut short when he was close enough to the throne to notice something was amiss. The great King's throne was vacant. It was unlike the King to be absent for the reading of the morning's agenda, and the wizard was frightfully worried.

    The wizard's head was spinning. The King had never missed his briefing in all his days as ruler of Disney Castle, and there was no reason this day should be an exception. The wizard spun around when he heard a sound coming from behind the throne. The King's loyal dog, Pluto held what appeared to be a letter in his slobbery mouth. A letter that bore the King's seal.

    “Pluto!” The wizard exclaimed. “Where's King Mickey?!”

    He ran to the dog and took the letter from him. Frantically tearing the seal and opening the parchment, he poured his eyes over its contents. A moment later, he gave a blank stare to Pluto, then back to the letter. After absorbing the words, the wizard bolted out of the throne room, squawking and shouting, unable to retain his decorum after reading the contents of the letter.

    The court wizard burst out of the castle and into the lush courtyard, immediately disrupting the tranquility of the space. Scores of birds and other wildlife erupted from the perfectly trimmed hedges, frightened by the babbling wizard.

    “Goofy!” He shouted as he barreled towards the King's Captain of the Guard asleep beneath a large hedge in the center of the courtyard.

The knight snored loudly, his wet nose pointed high in the air and quivering with each exhale. Even through the wizards shrill cries, he lay undisturbed in the soft grass.

    “Wake up, Goofy! Wake up!” The wizard pleaded. “This is serious!”

    When it became clear that the sleeping knight would not be easily woken, the wizard raised his feathered hand and with a squawk he summoned a bolt of lightning from the sky that shocked the knight to a conscious state.

    “Gawrsh!” The knight exclaimed in an oafish tone.

    “We've got a problem, Goofy!” The wizard told his comrade.

    “Oh hey there, Donald. G'mornin!” Goofy said, clearly still oblivious as to the matter at hand.

    “Somethings happened!” Donald said, trying desperately to convey the significance of the occasion to the ignorant, Goofy.

    “Well what's goin on, pal?” Goofy inquired.

    “Shhh!” Donald scolded with a finger to his bill. “There's a letter from the King. But we can't tell anybody!”

    “Uuuh, Queen Minnie?” Goofy said, looking past Donald's shoulder to the courtyard's entrance.

    “Not even the Queen!” Donald said, shaking is head vigorously.

    “Daisy?” Said Goofy, still staring off behind his frantic companion.

    “NO!” Donald shouted. “It's top secret!”

    “G'mornin, ladies.” Goofy greeted Queen Minnie and Lady Daisy with a lazy but cordial smile as the approached the two fellows from the south end of the courtyard.

    Donald immediately froze and his eyes widened. He slowly turned to see the two Ladies of the Castle and gave a nervous laugh of embarrassment as they made their way towards them.

 

Chapter 3 to be continued.

Edited September 25, 2013 by Dom Hassett

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Dude, this chapter is looking pretty epic so far!  Well, I could easily give your story a ten out of ten, but numbers don't do it justice!  Keep on writing, and I'll keep on reading, my fellow sir!  Oh, and if you don't mind, would you like to read my story The Keyblade War?  I finished this story a long while ago, so you can read it whenever you want.  If you want to read my story here's the link, enjoy!

http://kh13.com/forum/topic/18439-the-keyblade-war-chapter-1/

 

P.S: Before reading my story, you'll notice the link of the prologue right before the first chapter.  Please let me know what you think of my story! ^_^  By the way CaelumMare, feel free to read my story too, pretty please! ^_^

[Yuya Sakaki 5,212]

This chapter is almost identical to the game, which I don't mind since it gives it that nostalgic Disney feel. I always laugh when Donald runs and screams after reading the letter . Looking forward to the next update.

 

Dude, this chapter is looking pretty epic so far!  Well, I could easily give your story a ten out of ten, but numbers don't do it justice!  Keep on writing, and I'll keep on reading, my fellow sir!  Oh, and if you don't mind, would you like to read my story The Keyblade War?  I finished this story a long while ago, so you can read it whenever you want.  If you want to read my story here's the link, enjoy!

http://kh13.com/forum/topic/18439-the-keyblade-war-chapter-1/

 

P.S: Before reading my story, you'll notice the link of the prologue right before the first chapter.  Please let me know what you think of my story! ^_^  By the way CaelumMare, feel free to read my story too, pretty please! ^_^

I shall and am looking forward to it.

 

Peace.

[Dom Hassett 12]

Hey readers!  I'm back with a new update to the story.  There will be a bit longer pauses between updates due to school and all that.  You know how it is.  But I hope you're all still interested in the story and looking forward to more!  Here's the rest of chapter 3: Blinking Out.

 

             It was a short but gloomy walk to the King’s study for Donald.  Even in the bright morning sunlight, the stormy clouds of worry weighed on his mind.  So many questions swirled in the tense atmosphere.  What did the King mean by what he had written?  What was the Queen about to do?  She seemed purposeful in her demand for him and Goofy to join her.  What would happen when they arrived at the King’s study?  Donald gave an annoyed look at Goofy as he walked nonchalantly down the castle corridor, his long arms waving carelessly and his head bobbing with that blissfully ignorant grin he always had.  Goofy was always one step behind, or even a few more than just one as far as Donald was concerned.  The wizard had learned to accept his comrade’s witlessness, but that didn’t stop him from being aghast at his inability to recognize the seriousness of the situation at hand.

  When they reached the end of the corridor, Minnie opened the small door to reveal the King’s study.  It was a moderately sized room with a green and white checkered pattern that covered the floor and reached up the walls and the high ceiling.  A prominent wooden desk lay in the room’s center and Queen Minnie walked up to it and placed the letter down on its surface before sitting in the cushioned chair that accompanied it.

  When the Queen’s subjects were all gathered, she began to read from the letter:

 

 

 

Dear Donald,

 

Please forgive me for leaving so suddenly…

But trouble is brewing and there’s no time to lose.

I’m not sure why, but the stars have been blinking out one by one.

I hate to leave you, but I have to check into this.

As King, I have a favor to ask you and Goofy.

I can’t explain right now, but there’s someone out there with a key.

The key to our survival.

I need you and Goofy to find him and stick with him.

Without that key… we’re doomed.

Go to Traverse Town and find Leon.

He knows something about this key.

 

P.S.  Would you apologize to Minnie for me?  Thanks pal.

 

 

  “What does all this mean?”  Daisy asked.  “Do you have any idea, Minnie?”

  “I don’t.”  The Queen replied quietly.  “But we have to trust the King.”

  “Gawrsh.”  Chimed in Goofy.  “I hope he’s alright.”

  Donald felt a rush of relief that he was not being punished for trying to keep the letter a secret from the Queen, and a wave of duty came over him.

  “Don’t worry, Your Highness!”  He told Minnie.  “We’ll find this key, and the King too!  There’s no mission too hard for me and Goofy!”

  Minnie looked at Donald and gave him a weak but appreciative smile.

  “Thank you.”  She said.  “Both of you.”

  “Daisy.”  Donald said meekly to the Lady of the Castle.  “I… umm…”

  “It’s ok, Donald.”  She said with a smile.  “Your King needs you.  Just be careful out there.”

  “Oh!”  Minnie exclaimed as she opened the top drawer of the King’s desk.  “And to chronicle your travels, he will accompany you.”

  Suddenly a tiny dot jumped out of the open drawer and onto the desk.  Donald and Goofy squinted to see what the Queen meant and noticed a well-dressed cricket remove a top hat and bow to them.

  “Cricket’s the name!”  The cricket said.  “Jiminy Cricket, at your service.”

  “Uh-Hyuk!”  Laughed Goofy at such a bizarre sight and walked over to the desk, picking up Jiminy and dangling him between his thumb and index finger.  “Where’d you come from, little guy?”

  “Well hey now!”  Jiminy shouted.  “Careful with the suit!”

  Donald kicked Goofy and Jiminy flew out of his hand and crashed back onto the desk with barely a sound.

  “We found him asleep on a leaf in the courtyard just yesterday.”  Explained Minnie.  “He got lost somehow so we’ve been keeping him safe.”

  “In the King’s desk!?” Donald was aghast.

  “It aint’ all that bad to tell ya the truth.”  Jiminy said, regaining his composure.  “As far as desk drawers go that is.”

  “Daisy and I want to know everything that happens out there on your journey.”  Minnie said.  “So he will join you and write down all your findings.”

  “So no funny business, Donald!”  Daisy said reproachfully.  “Or else we’ll know!”

  Donald gave a huff and crossed his arms.  “We’ll be fine!”  He retorted.  “You can count on us Minnie!”

  “We await your safe return.”  The Queen told the three soon-to-be adventurers.

  “Good luck Donald!”  Goofy said, clearly unaware of his role in the situation.

  “You’re coming too!”  Donald shouted as he grabbed Goofy.  Jiminy jumped from the King’s desk to Goofy’s shoulder and the three of them headed toward the study door.

  Minnie and Daisy looked on with somber gratitude as the three companions walked out the door and began an adventure they were sure never to forget.

 

Keep checking back for the next chapter! Just as a little tease, Chapter 4 will be titled, Connected.

Edited October 10, 2013 by Dom Hassett

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Amazing, I am loving this!  I will look forward to reading more of your awesome novelization of this gaming masterpiece!  Please keep going my friend!

Edited October 10, 2013 by Golden Fighter

[Lalalablah 1,538]

I attempted to type all the dialogue in the kh1 game and create a story out of it when I was 13. I congratulate you for actually doing it. Good job

[Yuya Sakaki 5,212]

Cool an update. You never cease to impress me. Nice work! As always I am looking forward to your next update.

 

Peace.

[Dom Hassett 12]

Since I haven't posted anything in a while, I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm hard at work on chapter 4.  Classes and personal life stuff has made it more difficult to write everyday but be on the look out for Chapter 4: Connected within the next few weeks!  Thanks for sticking with me!

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Since I haven't posted anything in a while, I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm hard at work on chapter 4.  Classes and personal life stuff has made it more difficult to write everyday but be on the look out for Chapter 4: Connected within the next few weeks!  Thanks for sticking with me!

I hope you can be able to resolve your personal issues and class issues!  I'll be looking forward to the next chapter!

[Dom Hassett 12]

Hello, readers!  After FAR too long of a break, I am happy to present the first part of the next chapter in my Kingdom Hearts novelization!  Chapter 4 has been taking me way too long to complete due to that bitch of a time sucker called life so I decided I would post at least what I have of chapter 4 to sate whatever appetite you may still have for my take on the story.  I hope my absence has not deterred you from further reading and I hope you will continue to be patient with me as I slowly yet exuberantly retell the story we all know and love in my own way.  Updates will sadly still be far between but I assure you I will keep this going even if it takes me years.  (which it probably will)  Anyway, enjoy what I have written so far for chapter 4: Connected.

 

4

Connected

 

  The sun was beginning its slow decent from its highest point in the sky.  Dusk was always a sight to behold on Destiny Islands.  The sun’s soft hues would soon bathe the sky in reds and yellows, signaling the close of the day and the children’s imminent return to their homes on the Southern Island.

  Sora sat next to Kairi on the low-hanging trunk of a palm tree that grew from the small circular island that he, Riku and Kairi always spent what few hours of sunlight they had left in their time on the Western Island.

  “Kairi’s home is out there somewhere.”  Sora said pensively as he stared out across the calm water.

  “It has to be.”  Riku replied, leaning against the trunk Sora and Kairi sat on.  “We’ll never know unless we find out for ourselves.”

  “Here we go again.”  Kairi said rolling her eyes.  “At least we’re finally going tomorrow.  If I had to listen to you go on about ‘other worlds’ and ‘finding what’s out there’ for one more day I’d take the raft and go by myself!”

  Sora chuckled to himself as Riku raised an eyebrow at him and Kairi.

  “How far could a raft really take us though?”  Sora asked.

  “Who knows?”  Said Riku.  “It’s all we have.  It’s better to try and fail than to never take the chance.”

  Sora felt a chill at the thought of the raft falling apart in the middle of the ocean or being stranded on an island too far from home to swim back to.  Kairi gave him a soft nudge on the shoulder and smiled at him.  There it was again.  Her smile was impossible to avoid mimicking.  All his worries were erased for those few seconds she smiled at him.

  “What are we gonna do if we find another world anyway?”  Kairi asked.

  “It doesn’t matter.”  Riku said immediately.  “All we have to do is find one.  But the questions don’t stop there.  If there are other worlds, why did we end up on this one?  Why did Kairi wash up on our shores instead of another world’s?  If we can even find one other world, then that means there have to be more, and that would mean that we are just a little piece of something much greater.”

  Sora felt a mixture of unease and excitement.  Riku always had a way of saying things that made him eager to follow, even though the prospect of what he said was daunting.

  “That’s why we need to go out there and find out.”  Riku continued.  “Just sitting here won’t prove anything.”

  “You’ve been thinking a lot lately.”  Kairi told him.

  “Thanks to you.”  Riku said in reply.  “If you hadn’t come here, I probably would never have thought about any of this.  Sora and I could have spent our whole lives here on the islands without ever caring about what’s out there, and cheating ourselves out of knowing the truth.”

  Riku looked at Sora and gave him a kind, friendly smile and as he returned one, Sora saw the boy he grew up with for the first time in a long while.

  Riku turned his head to Kairi and said “It’s because of you that we don’t have to live like that anymore.  You’re the greatest thing that’s ever happened to us.”

  Kairi blushed at that.  “Thanks.”  She said with an embarrassed laugh.

  “No, Kairi.”  Riku said.  “Thank you.”

  Sora was surprised to see Kairi’s face take on a red that must have matched that of his own earlier that day.

  “You’re welcome.”  She said timidly.

  The three friends talked until the sun finally made its decent to the horizon and when the pink and red hues began to cover the sky, they knew it was time to leave the western island and head back home.  Possibly for the very last time.

  “Sora.”  Riku called to his friend as they walked across the wooden bridge connecting the small island to the rest of the western island.

  Both Sora and Kairi turned curiously.

  “Shouldn't you get going Kairi?”  Riku asked her, clearly indicating he was only interested in speaking with Sora.

  Kairi stuck her tongue out at him and continued walking to her small wooden canoe parked at a dock on the other side of the island.

  As soon as she was out of earshot, Riku tossed Sora a yellow fruit in the shape of a star.  He fumbled with it as he caught it against his chest.

  “You wanted one, didn't you?”  Riku said.

  Sora was caught off guard.  It was a paopu fruit.

  “Why would I want one of-”

  “C'mon, Sora.”  Riku interrupted.  “You can stop pretending.  Do you really think I haven't noticed what's going on between you and Kairi?”

  Sora's heart started racing.  He mumbled, trying to find a response.

  “It's okay, Sora.”  Riku said, snickering.  “She feels the same way about you.  Can't you tell?”

  “I... I don't really know.”  Sora said.

  “Seriously?”  Riku sounded annoyed.  “The way she looks at you and talks to you.  Are you really still such a kid, Sora?”

  Sora was nervous and confused about what Riku meant.

  “But I’m not…” Sora began, stuttering midsentence.  “I thought she was… you know.”  Finishing this sentence was likely the hardest thing Sora had ever done.  “I thought she liked you more.”

  Riku stared at him for a moment in dead silence.  He suddenly cracked a smile and began to laugh harder than was characteristic of him.

  “You really think she likes me more than you?”  Riku asked between breaths.

  Sora looked worriedly to where Kairi was, sitting on the dock across the island.  He hoped she would remain uncurious about his and Riku’s conversation.

  “Kairi likes me just fine, Sora, but there’s something more between you two than whatever she feels about me.”  Riku settled down and finished with a hand on Sora’s shoulder.

  Sora looked up at him.  He felt sick and foolish.  He was still unsure about what Riku was saying.  He was acting strange all of the sudden, like he was hiding something.

  “Hey, if you’re not convinced I’ll just give the paopu to her myself.”  Riku joked.  “Then you might actually be right for once.”

  The pit in Sora’s stomach grew and he held the paopu close to his heart.  It was some kind of automatic reflex and it surprised the boy.  Though he didn’t know exactly why he did it, he didn’t care for some reason.  All that existed in his mind was the thought of losing Kairi to Riku, and he knew he couldn’t let that happen.

  “Gee, fine.”  Riku said, startled at his friends quick reaction.  “It was just a joke.  Relax.”  Something in Riku’s tone sounded more like regret than anything else.

  Riku began walking to the dock and Sora took a moment before following him.  What’s going on with me today? Sora thought to himself.  Nerves about tomorrow’s journey was one thing, but this was an entirely new feeling.  Sora was no stranger to jealousy when it came to Riku and Kairi, but this was different.  It seemed more real than ever now, and it was up to him to decide whether or not he would do something for himself for once or let Riku win like he always had.  Sora stuffed the paopu in his pocket and walked toward his friends.

  Kairi was sitting on the edge of the dock, her feet dangling off it and swinging with the calm breeze.  Sora watched from afar as Riku jumped into his canoe and paddled towards the southern island without so much as a nod in her direction.

  “What’s up with him?”  Kairi asked Sora after he arrived at the dock and sat himself next to Kairi.

  “Don’t worry about Riku.”  Sora told her.  “You know how he gets sometimes.”

  “You’re sure right about that.”  Kairi laughed.  “I wish he wasn’t so mysterious all the time.  He’s so hard to understand sometimes, but he always knows what to do, doesn’t he, Sora?”

  “I guess so.”  Sora said with a sigh.

  “He didn’t always used to be like that.”  Kairi continued.  “Riku’s changed.”

  Sora knew all too well how much his best friend had changed.  And the reason for it was sitting right next to him.  She didn’t know it, but he did.

  Kairi’s face became solemn and Sora looked at her concernedly.

  “Are you okay?”  He asked her.

  There was a short moment of complete silence between them until Kairi suddenly took Sora’s hands in her own.

  “Sora!”  She practically shouted at him.  “Let’s just take the raft and go!  Just the two of us!”

  Sora was dumbfounded.  For a moment he didn’t even believe she had actually said it.  It felt like he imagined Kairi telling him exactly what he wanted to hear.  He wanted to say yes so badly.  He would want nothing more than to run away with her, away from Riku, away from everything so that he could finally figure out what he felt for her.  So many thoughts rushed through the boy’s head that he lost himself inside them.  When he finally registered Kairi’s waiting stare, all he could reply with was a short, “Huh?”

  Kairi’s face returned to her solemn expression for a split second before she masked it again.

  “Just kidding.”  She said, giggling.

  Did Sora just miss another opportunity?  Could he have actually gone away with Kairi alone?  Why could he never take the chances he was given?  Questions and uncertainty stewed within him as he felt the contours of the paopu fruit in his pocket.

  “I guess I’ve changed too I suppose.”  Kairi said.  “I used to be terrified of the ocean when I was little.  Remember?”

  Sora smiled and nodded, his fingers outlining the paopu.  Should he ask her?  Was this another opportunity he was going to waste?

  “I used to be scared of so many things back then.”  Kairi went on.  “But you and Riku helped me.  You two changed me.  I’m not scared anymore.  I don’t think I ever will be as long as you’re with me.”

  Sora’s heart was beating faster than ever as he listened to Kairi tell him that.  He couldn’t let this be another wasted chance with her.  He put his hand in his pocket and touched the soft paopu fruit.

  “You’re the only one that’s always been the same.”  Kairi turned to Sora and he froze.  His hand was still in his pocket, holding the paopu fruit.  “I like that about you.”  She continued.  “You’ve always been the same clumsy, sweet, and funny boy you’ve been since we were little.”

  Sora’s face turned a shade of red that rivaled the sky as the sun was setting before them.  There was another short pause, but Sora stayed frozen, hypnotized by Kairi’s blue eyes.  He wanted to show her the paopu so badly, but his hand was impossible to force out of his pocket.  Why?  Why couldn’t he do anything right when she was around him?  Why couldn’t he change too?  He knew that was his problem.  He couldn’t change.  He couldn’t overcome his fears like Kairi did, he couldn’t be brave and strong like Riku.  He wanted to change so badly.  He needed to if he ever wanted to tell Kairi about how he felt.

  Kairi stood up and looked out to the crimson sun as it sank below the horizon.

  “Sora,” Kairi said.  Sora looked up at her.  “Don’t ever change.”