My gift to you.
Stars and planets swirled above the majestic, dusty tower that loomed over the grassy space at its foot. Kairi wiped away a bead of sweat as she eyed her opponent. His green eyes like that of a hunter’s, mocking her with a wicked grin on his lips. Keyblades in hand, they circled each other, patiently waiting to see which would strike next.
“Come on, princess,” Lea taunted her, “I know you can do better than that.”
She stared him down, and dashed up to him with quick sweeps of her keyblade. He dodged each swing with ease, and came back at her with a thrust which she blocked. Spinning around him she threw her keyblade down at his back; a narrow miss. He rolled out of the way, clenched his fist and hurled balls of flame at her. She bobbed left, weaved right, and cartwheeled out his line of fire as best she could. A projectile hit her square in the hip and sent her reeling back. She fell to one knee, using her keyblade to keep her balance. Kairi took a moment to collect her remaining strength.
“I’m not getting any younger!” said Lea, now standing with his hand on his hip, twirling his keyblade impatiently.
In the corner of her eye she spied something in the distance. A blur of bright colour in the night sky. As is zoomed closer and closer, she could hear its engines hum. In the thick barrier of the cockpit of the boxy and boisterous Gummi ship she saw two faces that sparked the light heartedness within her.
She lifted her head and saw Lea distracted by the ship. Now was her chance.
With renewed focus, Kairi tightened her grip on her keyblade and leapt to her feet. Charging at top speed she let out a battle cry. With her haste, the force of her strikes dealt much damage on her opponent. Lea grunted in agony with each blow. In an attempt to guard himself from her unrelenting attacks he lifted his keyblade and spun it in his hand. Kairi stepped back but immediately lunged forward. She hammered down her blade to stop his from spinning, kicking her legs up to hurl herself in the air in a perfect twist. She landed gracefully behind him and quickly hooked her arm under his to flip him over, planting him face first into the ground. Keeping a firm grasp of his arm, she pressed her heel at his shoulder.
“Not getting any younger you say?” she said, planting her keyblade inches above his head. She leaned in closer with a stolen smirk.
“I can tell.”
Lea managed a snicker as he rolled onto his back, “Kairi…man, you’re really somethin’” he wheezed, “the guys stand no chance.”
He tried lifting himself up, but any movements he made caused him a bit of pain.
Kairi felt a little guilty with how far she went in overcoming him. The surge of power she felt had no limits in the heat of battle. It was a kind of energy that did not dim the moment the fight was over. She could not explain it.
“Here,” Kairi offered a gentler hand to help him up, but he shook his head.
“Nah, I’m good,” he sighed lying still, “I’ll just… stay here.”
“Whoa! That was amazing!”
Kairi turned to see Donald and Goofy run towards her excitedly. Pride spreading across their animalistic features. Donald shook her hand ecstatically and a Goofy gave her a congratulatory pat on the back.
“Garsh Kairi, you sure are getting stronger! Ah-hyuk!” He congratulated her.
About a metre away, two young men stood there, bewilderment etched into their face. Riku smiled and grabbed Sora by the back of his collar, dragging him over to their friends.
“Riku! What are you—?”
Riku shoved him closer to Kairi, who giggled at the way he almost stumbled to her feet.
“Well done Kairi,” Riku said, “You’ve improved so much.”
She smiled, a warmth inside her growing with the praise she was receiving. This coming from Riku meant a lot to her.
“Yeah! You’ll make Master in no time!” Donald quacked.
She laughed, “Thanks you two.”
Sora was still speechless, he did not realise that he was actually staring at her.
“Kairi? Uh-um…” Sora rubbed the back of his head, unsure of what to say. His cheeks turning pink.
She gave him an expectant smile, one that got him stammering more and more.
“Oh please…” Lea rolled his eyes, trying to supress a chuckle like the others there. Sora made it so obvious sometimes.
Kairi placed her hand on her hip, the other reaching into a pocket to grab a potion to get Lea back on his feet.
“Don’t you have water to fetch for the Master?” she pestered.
Lea chugged it and groaned as he stood up, “Ugh, don’t remind me.”
“I see you’re keeping him on his toes,” said Riku, crossing his arms as he watched Lea walked slowly towards the tower’s steps.
Kairi nodded, “He’s almost as lazy as this one,” she joked, glancing at Sora.
“H-hey!” Sora protested, “Give me a break!”
They laughed as Lea, Donald and Goody went into the Tower to leave the three to catch up. Kairi kept her composure until they were inside, and then turned to her best friends, embracing them both in a tight hug. Once again she felt a warmth blossoming at the core of her being and spreading out past her fingertips. They felt it projecting onto them and returned it wholeheartedly.
“So, how was your trip?” she asked when she let them go.
“It was great!” Sora said, enthusiasm replacing the embarrassed expression almost immediately, “Radiant Garden is really coming along. You should see it now!”
Kairi’s heart skipped a beat. She had few memories of her past prior to her arrival at Destiny Islands. When she saw what it had turned into after years of neglect and being overrun by the darkness, it haunted her for months after. To know that they were hard at work restoring her birthplace was reassuring, but she could not shake the images from her mind. There was also the slight weight on her heart; the guilt harbouring itself somewhere that she had been away for so long, and not helped.
She exhaled, casting away those feelings. This was not the time or place they should manifest.
“I’m sure it’s as wonderful as you say,” said Kairi, managing to keep her sorrow from resurfacing.
“We’ve come to pick up a few things,” Riku calmly told her, “Then we’ll take a break and… well, we might have to leave again.”
“Oh…okay,” said Kairi, her confidence shaking. Hopefully they would not notice.
Sora held her by her shoulders, “Kairi, one of the things we’re taking with us is – Glgh!”
Riku hooked his arm around Sora’s neck, pulling him back to his side and kneading his knuckles into his head. It was not long before they started horsing around with each other. They had not changed one bit.
“Master Riku!” a deep and powerful voice called from the tower steps. In his blue robes and tall hat Yen Sid glided closer to them with his signature commanding glare. Though his presence held the authority of a man who could crush mountain at the snap of his fingers, he had shown nothing but kindness and patience towards his spirited young apprentice.
Riku and Sora separated, standing at attention to this great sorcerer. Their expressions solemn and ready to receive orders. Such discipline and body language almost scared Kairi. Maybe they had changed.
Yen Sid ordered them inside to speak with the King. Kairi followed them, but was stopped by the master.
“Kairi, have shown much improvement in your studies and training,” he said, “Your light has remained strong through this entire ordeal, your friends are most proud of you.”
She bowed her head in modesty, “Yes, but I still have so much to learn, Master.”
He nodded, stroking his grey beard thoughtfully, “Indeed, you do,” he agreed, “While you have seen many a world outside that of your home, there is still much to see and experience. I only hope, that when the opportunity arises, you will take that chance to understand the worlds you have sworn to protect.”
He paused, pacing around the lush green surroundings of the tower, “That chance, may come sooner than you think. However, it is not one that requires your keyblade, rather your mind and your heart.”
Kairi looked up.
“Be weary, dear princess,” he warned, now giving her the stare he was known for, “there are outside forces that will try to tempt you from your path; they will cause you to doubt yourself and your light. You must always remember that it is among the brightest that this universe has left. A great burden it is, but it is also a gift.”
She took a deep breath at a thought at the back of her head. A voice from so long ago, and a fairy tale she committed to memory sparked images in her mind of her grandmother.
“Believe in the Light,” she mimicked from her subconscious, “and the Darkness will never defeat you.”
She repeated those words when she lay awake in bed that night. There was a feeling she couldn’t shake; it was the same one she felt the day Riku and Sora left for their Mark of Mastery Exam. She was not jealous, nor was she upset that they had to leave. But she was worried. She knows they can take care of themselves; that they would take care of each other, nevertheless, there was always that fear. She was scared that something would happen to them. Being separated from her best friends, it silently killed her each time. She knew how dark the world was now, and it was getting darker, she did not trust those lurking in the shadows. Is her light strong enough for all of them?
In the silence of the night, a soft tap at her door broke her out of her deep thoughts. She sat up curiously, then summoned her keyblade, ready to defend herself if it was an intruder.
“Kairi!” Sora whispered from beyond the door, “It’s me, can I come in?”
“Oh, sure,” she said, letting him enter.
“Alright,” he said with an excited smile on his face, “Pack your things, we’ve got to go before Yen Sid catches us.”
“W-wait, what’s going on?”
“Hurry, I’ll keep watch.”
“Sora! What are you up to?”
She then heard a low hum of engines igniting outside as the Gummi ship hovered closer to her window. Riku was in the cockpit alone, gesturing for them to hurry aboard.
“We’re going to Radiant Garden,” Sora informed her, “and you’re coming with us.”
A jolt of excitement kicked her into action. There was barely any thought to it, she immediately packed what she needed; her lucky charm, her books and extra potions, and a single little package that she rummaged for underneath her bed.
“Come on!” Sora called, about to jump out the window. She took his hand and they leaped as Riku opened the cockpit to give them a softer place to land. Down below at the foot of the tower, Donald was stomping furiously as Goofy scratched his head and Lea laughed. The Master looked on from his study, smiling to himself as he watched them zoom into the atmosphere and off to another world.
“Okay, boys, I’ll bite,” Kairi pried as she observed the stars streaking past as they flew through the cosmos, “What’s this really about?”
Riku steered past asteroids and space rocks, “We figured you needed a bit of a break from training so hard. And since the Restoration Committee was hosting a bit of a Christmas Party, it would be the perfect opportunity to get you away from that tower, and with other people.”
“A break?” she nearly gasped, a little offended that they even considered the thought that she needed one, “I shouldn’t have a break, not when—”
“Kairi,” Sora interjected, taking her hand and looking into her eyes, “It’s so great to see you’ve gotten so strong, but there is such a thing as overdoing it.”
She broke his gaze, “I can handle myself.”
“We know that,” stated Riku, “And you will, but until then, you should at least relax. Save your strength, maybe have some fun.”
Kairi sat in silence. She knew the risk of overdoing it, but it dwarfed in comparison to the risk of not doing enough.
“Kairi, come on,” Sora pleaded, “It’s Christmas.”
She could not argue with that, nor with him, especially when he made that face. She loved Christmas, but those blue eyes were just as effective as a five year old’s begging their parents to open a present early.
It must have been fate; she had a gift prepared herself. The little package kept close on her person as the descended to land near the castle. Last she saw it, it was consumed by darkness, barely holding onto itself. Now it showed promise of returning to its former glory. Sora was right, the Restoration Committee was doing a wonderful job.
“Riku! Sora!” an older man’s voice called out from the castle postern, a man of long blond hair wearing a pristine white lab coat, “Ah! And Kairi! The committee are waiting inside, Follow me.”
They greeted the man as he lead them all into the castle. Sora and Riku conversed deeply with Even about various concerns with the progress they were making as they walked through long, dark hallways and past many different rooms. They eventually found themselves in the old castle library. Upon its sight, a surge of melancholy and nostalgia hummed deep in the pit of Kairi’s stomach. Near the stairs Leon and Yuffie were helping Aerith set up a decent-sized table with delectable food and drink, Huey, Dewey and Louie assisted Merlin in putting together the finishing touches to an enchanting Christmas tree. Cid and Scrooge McDuck were in a heated debate about business. All last minute preparations ceased when Aerith caught sight of the trio standing in awe at the decorations and scrumptious spread.
“Merry Christmas!” Aerith greeted them sweetly in her melodic soft voice. What followed that was a cacophony of holiday wishes and many warm embraces from the more affectionate individuals.
Any regret she thought she would have of coming here seeped out of Kairi’s head. This was the kind of Christmas gathering she did not know she needed. The comfort of everyone’s presence and cheer, fuelled the glow inside her.
After the makeshift feast, they moved onto the gift-opening. Riku received a fishing pole and some books from Ienzo and Even, Sora was pleased with a guitar given to him by Aerith and a new skateboard from Scrooge. The triplets gave him a trainset that they had built themselves, which he had to let them play with when he was not around to use it. Merlin had gifted them all with a magic mirror that could transport them to a space where they may practice their magic.
Kairi held tightly to the package, hesitant to give this present in front of everyone. It was not the right time for the main addressees to open it.
“Hope you two haven’t been getting into too much trouble,” said Leon, after they had set aside their new gifts.
“Yeah!” Yuffie cheered, “Not without me at least!”
Aerith giggled, noticing their seemingly calm composure, then looked over to Kairi, “They wouldn’t dare misbehave in front of a princess,” she teased.
“You’d be surprised,” Kairi said, “I remember the time our neighbour would snore so loudly when he would take a nap outside. It would scare me as a kid. So one afternoon, these two climbed over the fence, stomped on his vegetable patch and tried to slay this ‘monster’. Poor Mr Jecht; I’d never seen him so mad.”
Riku and Sora blushed as everyone around them starting laughing.
“How sweet, they tried to protect you,” Aerith assumed.
“Ha! They already had grudge on the guy for not returning their ball when they accidently kicked it over the fence.”
“We borrowed that ball from Wakka,” Sora tried to defend himself, “If he found out we lost it to Old man Jecht…”
Riku shook his head, “Tidus was the one that returned it in the end.”
“I remember,” said Sora, “they were best friends after that.”
“And Selphie got jealous.”
“That’s right, she had a bit of a crush on Wakka, didn’t she?”
“But he was into that other girl…”
They each laughed to themselves, leaving the others in the room out of the loop. It was nice to just reminisce about the islands and the childish shenanigans they used to get into. Eventually, they would all take turns telling stories about the events that had led them to lose as well as find each other again. So much had happened throughout the years; a lot of hardship and fighting to keep the worlds safe. Despite the obvious disdain for the man behind a lot of the pain, he was not mentioned.
With every tale they would share, there was a gleam to their eyes that resembled one no different to one Kairi could see in them as boys.
No, they were men now. As they spoke of the adventures she longed to join them in, she realised how much they had grown and learnt. In their eyes she could see wisdom and strength that cleared away the innocence they used to be so full of. It was the kind of twinkle that held the universe inside them. She made a vow to herself in that moment; one day I will be like them.
“It’s amazing just how far you three have come…” Scrooge said in his thick Scottish brogue.
“Oho yes, far indeed!” Merlin agreed, “Especially you I see, dear Kairi. There is strength in you yet!”
“Oh man you guys should see her!” Sora praised, “Yesterday she took Lea down like a pro.”
“The Master is very proud of her,” said Riku, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder, “As are we.”
Kairi heart swelled with a deep love for everyone in that room. She felt so content having her friends surround her at a time like this. She wanted it to last forever.
Unfortunately, that could not be so. They all had a duty in stopping Xehanort, stopping the darkness from devouring the worlds. She was not going to let it happen, just like everyone else with her at that moment, just like the many living in other worlds ready and willing to fight back. Her burdens started weighing heavy on her shoulders again. Yet still, she would not show it. Instead she gracefully stood up with a content smile on her face. Riku and Sora followed suit.
“Thank you everyone for today,” she said, “This has to be the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
“Yer welcome lassie!” said Scrooge, bowing politely at her, “A Merry Christmas to you my dear!”
“Make sure y’all come back now,” Cid requested, saluting them before taking his leave, “and Merry Christmas too ya!”
Aerith stood and gave them each a warm hug, “We’ll miss you all,” she said pleasantly, “Please visit soon.”
“Good luck you guys!” Yuffie exclaimed, high-fiving Sora then ruffling his hair playfully. Leon gave them a curt nod and went on to help Aerith pack up.
Huey, Dewey and Louie gave Sora one last dog pile – or perhaps a duck pile – until Scrooge called for them to let the trio leave.
As the ships engine started up, they waved goodbye to those who followed them outside to see them off. Once they broke through the atmosphere, Kairi stared out at all the stars again. All the worlds, and in each one was no doubt a family that was celebrating a holiday like theirs. She placed a hand over her heart and swore to them, that she would make sure they would get to have such a celebration next year and every other year to come.
Now that the three were alone in space, she felt it was finally time to give them her gift.
“Sora, Riku,” she called to their attention. Riku turned from the navigating systems and Sora stepped out of the pilot’s chair.
“What it is Kairi?”
“I didn’t get the chance to give you guys a present.”
They shrugged.
“It’s alright,” said Sora, “spending Christmas with you is all we need.”
Kairi sighed, “Even so, I don’t think I’ll ever get a better chance to give you these.”
She reached into a side pocket and took out the little brown package haphazardly wrapped with a bright red ribbon she tied it with.
“I made them for you two.”
Sora and Riku thanked her and tore open the package. Inside were two beautiful star-shaped charms, handmade with blue and yellow tinted seashells. Both closely resembled Kairi’s own lucky charm, only this hinted more practiced hands.
The boys looked at each other, their faces brightening up endearingly as they admired them.
“Wow,” gasped Sora, “Kairi, are these–?”
She nodded, “Yes, these are your very own charms. I, uh, tried my best to–”
“They’re perfect Kairi,” said Riku, “thank you.”
There it was again, that light feeling, the joy she always felt around them.
“I was once told, by my grandmother, about a world with a star-shaped fruit,” she told them, “She said if you made charms that looked like them, and gave them to people that you cared about, you would always come back to each other. You would be bound together for eternity. It’s funny how the world I ended up being sent to, after my own was taken over, was the very one that had that fruit. The Paopu fruit.”
She paused, fishing for something else deep in one of her other pockets.
“When I found it was true, I wanted to try it, I just didn’t know who with. But then I met you two.”
Sora shifted nervously. Riku looked over at him with a smile on his face, like he had been waiting for her admit something since they had left the islands.
Out of her pocket, Kairi revealed a large, ripe, almost golden Paopu fruit. As bright as the stars outside.
“When we were on the Islands, for a while, I was unsure, but now I have never been more certain…”
She sighed, her heart beating rapidly, and yet, she was so calm. It felt right.
“Sora, Riku, you have been there for me, and for each other, through thick and thin. I care a lot, but when I’m with you both, that’s when my light is the strongest.
“And while I care about you in different ways,” she blushed, “it doesn’t mean I care less about the other. So I figured, if these charms don’t work, then this should.”
“Kairi…” they said simultaneously.
“I don’t know what Xehanort holds in store for us. But, I wanted us to share this, just in case…”
Sora and Riku exchanged glances, then took her hands which held the fruit in between them all.
“This is the best gift ever,” said Sora.
“Of course we will share it with you,” said Riku.
In unison, the each took a bite out of the fruit. It was soft, sweet and citrusy. They each smiled at each other, happy to have finally tried this after so many years of wondering what it would be like. When the fruit was no more, they held each other in a tight embrace, laughing at how underwhelming the taste really was.
“Thanks Kairi,” said her best friends.
“Merry Christmas,” she giggled in bliss.