At the Mysterious Tower, Kairi was asked to come by Master Yen Sid.

"I've heard from Riku that you might have lost confidence in yourself," spoke Yen Sid. "Is this true?"

Kairi hung her head, standing awkwardly as she listened.

"I guess..." she answered

"Why's that?"

"I felt like I didn't do much in the battle against Xehanort. Not only that..." She rubbed her arm as the memory came back. "I can feel like it's my fault. If I hadn't been taken by Xemnas..."

"Now, now, don't be too hard on yourself. You fought just as hard and bravely as everyone else there. There was no way we could have predicted what would happen." Yen Sid's tone turned serious. "What happened to Sora was not your fault. He made his choice to save you, despite the consequences, and I know, he would not want you to continue being sad."

Kairi tried to smile at Yen Sid's attempt of cheering her up, but failed. Yen Sid sighed as he pulled on his beard.

"So, in light of this, I'm sending you on a mission to find the three remaining Princesses of Heart."

Kairi's eyes widen in shock. "What?!"

Yen Sid nodded. "From what Sora, Donald and Goofy told us, there are a new Seven Princesses of Heart, which includes you. Three have already been found and identified. Even though the worlds are no longer in danger, I figured it'll be safe to know who and where the remaining princesses are. Plus, we still have Maleficent and Pete to worry about."

"But, why me?"

"You need something to boost your confidence as well as to to take your mind off your loss. Technically, I thought you would be more excited to visit a new world?"

Kairi giggled a little. "I am. Maybe this time I won't be unconscious, kidnapped or held prisoner to actually enjoy the world I'm in. Am I going alone?"

"No, Donald and Goofy have volunteered to help you on your search. Speaking of which, Riku should be here soon. I also have a mission for him."

"Alright." Kairi stood straighter and bowed. "Thank you, Master."

Yen Sid nodded in return. With that, Kairi turned and left the room.

On her way down the steps, Kairi stopped short a few steps when she saw Riku waiting by the front door.

Riku noticed her and waved. "Hey."

"Hi." Kairi continued down the steps, until she got onto the ground floor. "Waiting to wish me good luck?"

"That," he answered ", and I have something to discuss with Master Yen Sid about my my mission."

"Really?" What is it?"

Riku put a finger over his mouth. "Secret." He said, grinning.

"Hey, no fair!" Kairi pouted.

Riku chuckled a bit, before frowning. "Are you going to be alright with this?"

Kairi stopped pouting and slowly nodded.

"You're sure?"

In actuality, Kairi was super terrified about leaving. Even though Donald and Goofy would be there to help her, it would be her first actually exploring a new world. But despite the past experiences she dealt with when going to a new world, she was also excited and determined to see this mission through. Kairi clenched her fists and looked at Riku with a determined look on her face.

"Uh-huh. I'll be just fine."

Riku looked at the determined look on her face, and started to laugh.

"Hey! What's so funny?"

"Your face. It look so much like Sora's whenever he's determined to do something, whether its reckless or stupid. I hate to say this, but maybe it is a good thing he's not here. You take too much after him."

"Hey!"

She slapped him on the arm as he walked past her, towards the stairs. He laughed from his teasing. Kairi pouted, but quickly came up with something equally as teasing.

"I hope you don't miss Namine too much, Riku!" The said person stiffen when he heard that. "I can just picture you two snuggling and cuddling each other the moment you get back!"

Kairi struggled to hold in her laughter, when Riku turned around and she could see that his whole face was blushing red. It was so funny and cute, she couldn't hold in the laughter anymore.

"K-Kairi! Don't say stuff like that! That wasn't even remotely funny! We haven't even held hands yet!" He quickly covered his mouth the moment he realized what he said, but it was already out. Kairi laughed even harder. "Hey!"

Kairi stuck out her tongue in a playful manner. "Nah! That's what you get for teasing about me and Sora!"

Riku stuck his tongue out and Kairi stuck out hers even longer. When they realized how silly they both look, they laughed even harder. When he finally managed to stop, Riku went over and gave Kairi a hug, surprising her.

"You'll be fine," he whispered.

He ruffled her hair, before saying good luck and running up the stairs. Kairi pouted as what he did, ruffling her hair and leaving without saying good-bye. As she fixed her hair, she realized that she wasn't feeling nervous about leaving anymore. She gave a small smile.

"Thanks, Riku."

Kairi came out of the Mysterious Tower, seeing the Gummi Ship just coming out of a portal and land a few feet away. The hatch opened up and Goofy and Donald hopped out.

Goofy was the first to see Kairi. "Howdy, Kairi. How you doing?"

Kairi waved. "Hi Goofy. Hi Donald."

"Are you ready for your first mission?" asked Donald

"Yep." Se answered as cheerfully as she could and gave a small smile. The two looked at each other, then look back at her. "Wh-what?"

"Didn't Sora tell you? The Gummi Ship is run by happy thoughts, so you're suppose to be happy." Donald explained

"I'm- I'm happy!"

"You don't sound like it." he replied skeptical

"Don't worry, Kairi. It's easy.." said Goofy. "All you have to do is make a funny face."

'A funny face?' Kairi thought. "Is that what you told Sora?"

"Yeah, why?" asked Donald

"Personally, I think you said that just to tease him." she replied. Her answer shocked Donald, even though it was probably true.

"Hey!" he yelled angrily.

Goofy just laughed. "Well, it still doesn't hurt to try. It'll make you feel better too." he suggested.

'Maybe their right,' Kairi thought for a minute, then nodded. "Alright, I'll try."

She hid her face behind her hands, then pulled the funniest face she could muster (up to the reader's imagination). Donald and Goofy laughed as Kairi went red from embarrassment.

"A-alright! I did what you said. Now let's go!" She quickly walked towards the Gummi Ship.

"Hey! Don't forget about me!" Kairi stopped when she heard a voice, but she didn't see anyone. "Over here, Kairi." She looked on her shoulder and saw that it was Jiminy Cricket.

"You're Jiminy." She held out her hands and he jumped into them.

"That's right. We met in Master Yen Sid's Tower before the big battle. It's nice to meet you again, Kairi." He took off his hat and gave her a small bow.

"What are you doing here?" she asked

"Why, I'm here to record your journey, just like I did with Sora."

"Really?" She looked at Donald and Goofy, both who nodded.

"That way, when you see Sora again, you can tell him about the adventures you took."

Kairi's shoulders sagged a little, hearing the mention of Sora's name. The three friends looked at her, worried.

"Are you going to be alright?" asked Donald

Kairi took a deep breath, then looked back at them and nodded with a smile.

"Ready?" asked Goofy, excitingly.

"Ready." She answered

"Then let's go!" cheered Donald

The four friends laughed as their new adventure begins.