Kingdom Hearts - Kairi

Kairi (カイリ) is one of the three main characters appearing in Kingdom Hearts, and Kingdom Hearts II . Kairi lives on Destiny Islands along with her companions, Sora and Riku. She is the love interest of the two, who compete for her in the first part of the series.

In the original game Kairi is separated from Sora and Riku when they are taken from the island. Riku later finds Kairi, and uses the power of darkness to restore her (which eventually leads to Riku being possessed by Ansem). Sora also tries to find her, to no avail, until he (along with Donald and Goofy) is captured by Captain Hook's pirate ship. On the ship, he finds Riku, who is taking care of Kairi, and trying to heal her. Riku takes her to Hollow Bastion, and it is revealed that she is one of the Princesses of Heart. Sora and Riku engage in a battle, Sora emerges victorious, leaving him control of Kairi's empty body. By using Riku's Keyblade, and by sacrificing his own heart, Sora brings Kairi back to life, and Sora is turned into a Heartless. Kairi, Donald, and Goofy later find Sora in his Heartless form.

In "Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories" Kairi did not appear in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, she did play a very important role. In Sora's story Naminé tried to take Kairi's place in Sora's heart. However, she said that she could never replace Kairi and that she was only Kairi's shadow. When Sora was about to go to sleep she told him that if he remembered Kairi's name, his memories would restore faster. In Riku's story, Naminé took Kairi's form to help Riku control the light and darkness in his heart. In the credits for Kingdom Hearts: re-Chain of Memories, Kairi is shown waiting for Sora and Riku's return.

Kairi, now 15 years old, lives her life normally on Destiny Islands. She misses Sora but does not remember his name. After the conclusion of Roxas' story, she remembers his name to be Sora. One day, Axel comes to the Destiny Islands and tells Kairi to come with him. She refuses until Axel summons a group of Nobodies. She then runs off into a nearby portal with King Mickey's dog, Pluto, into Twilight Town and meets Hayner, Pence and Olette. Eventually, she is found by Axel who takes her to The World That Never Was as a prisoner, but she is eventually freed by her Nobody, Naminé. The two attempt to escape but are stopped by Saïx and some Nobodies who offer to take Kairi to Sora. Once she refuses, Saïx gets ready to send the Nobodies to attack the two girls only to be saved by Riku, whose appearance has changed to that of Xehanort's Heartless. Riku leads her to Sora and is attacked by a group of Heartless. He hands Kairi a Keyblade, and they successfully fend off the remaining Heartless. She is then reunited with Sora and shows him that the look-alike of Xehanort's Heartless is really Riku. After Sora and Riku lock Kingdom Hearts, she is sent back to the Destiny Islands, but is once again separated from her friends. After they defeat the final boss, they also return to the islands, where they are reunited with her. After the credits Kairi is seen running to Sora and Riku. Sora asks her why she came and as an answer she holds up a bottle containing a letter with King Mickey's seal on it. They read the letter together, although it is hidden from the player.


Kairi's Personalities
Kairi is a caring and kind-hearted girl, but despite her seemingly delicate appearance, she can be extremely determined and courageous when she needs to. She also can act rather spunky and tomboyish when she hangs out with Riku and Sora. She makes new friends easily, and quickly befriends Hayner, Pence, and Olette after fleeing from Axel. She is also fiercely protective of her friends, even to the point where she is willing to risk her life to protect them, as seen when she throws herself into danger twice to try to help Sora; Sora and Riku's friendship with her is exactly the same. While the mystery of her origin would bother others, she takes it in stride, and enjoys her new life on Destiny Islands.