Character Corner: Kairi

For the moment, I'm just using shots from the game.  I'm not too thrilled with my artwork of them anymore (especially since they've changed in my head since the end of AtP).  I will probably (when I have time) re-render them.  I was thinking about doing it digitally.  Anyway...

Name: Kairi

Age: 16

Weapon: Before her Destati: Oathkeeper.  After her Destati: Destiny's Embrace.

Quote: "Remember how I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up? Ever? How I always gave the lame answer of a teacher or a nurse because I just never knew? Well, the Worlds have given me a job, and I don’t need to go to school to do it."

The Princess with a Keyblade.

Kairi grew up quite a bit since Destiny Islands first fell into darkness.  Upon Sora and Riku leaving to take their Mark of Mastery Exam, Kairi insisted on going with, not wanting to be left behind any longer.  Granted, until she had her own Destati, she had to borrow Sora's Oathkeeper in order to fight, but that didn't slow her down.  She also learned magic and combos and spent quite a lot of time trying to catch up to Sora and Riku in their abilities.  All the while, she did not mention to anyone her feelings for Sora.  She knew that she liked him, but didn't want to be the one to make the first move.  Unbeknownst to Kairi, she is the reason why Sora fights.  

While this is all going on on the outside, Kairi also has quite a bit going on on the inside.  Inside her own head and heart, she held conversations with her other persona: Namine.  Namine is possibly more determined than even Kairi, and sometimes, Namine can be seen through Kairi.  The two of them are almost like sisters, and are described as being so to Kairi's adoptive parents.  It is actually because Namine was inside of Kairi's heart that Kairi could not summon a Keyblade.  However, Kairi did not realize this, and Namine only hazarded a guess about it.

After Kairi and Namine are separated, Kairi experiences her Dive into the Heart at the first large Heartless she comes in contact with.  After her Dive, she can weild and summon a Keyblade of her own: Destiny's Embrace.

Kairi can utilize attacks purely made from light due to her Princess of Heart status.  This will eventually translate to her becoming a good "white mage" and healer.  She has minor healing abilities, more than even she knows about.  She does not know the extent of her magical abilities, but she is certainly making an effort to learn all of her abilities.  Currently, she is honing in on her Light Attacks and Holy magic and everyone is giving her an excuse to practice.  

In regards to her and Sora's relationship, one of the most crucial moments was during the battle with the last Xehanort Replica, where Kairi was shoved off a cliff.  Sora jumped off after her and almost told her his feelings for her.  However, she silenced him, telling him that she already knew.  It wasn't until after both Kairi and Namine and Sora and Roxas are separated that Sora and Kairi confirmed their feelings for each other.  During the final battle with Xehanort, Sora asked Kairi to become his girlfriend in the middle of a battle with some Nobodies.  After that final battle, they are prompted by their friends to kiss.  When they do, everyone silently applauds. 

Now Sora is Kairi's trainer for Keyblades.  Sora even trains her in magic, but accepts that sometimes, she needs to go seek the help of people like Aerith and Rinoa, who are professed mages, not hack-and-slash fighters.  However, though he may be her trainer, he is her boyfriend first, and she does not hesitate to remind him of that.

Kairi is still very much a Princess of Heart.  Now she just also has the ability to wield and has the focus to hone in on her magical abilities.  She is quite the promising fighter.