Chapter 1 - Near Death Experience

"Kai! Kaaaai!"

The cries of a young Rito girl echoed through the cliffs of Dragon Roost Island. People looked around, shocked.The girl called again.

"KAI!"

Kai, who had been sleeping near the broken-down bridge to Dragon Roost Cavern awoke with a start. She carefully rose from the ground and looked for the source of the noise. It seemed to be coming from the cliffs upstairs. Shaking the sand off her short blonde hair, Kai set off in a slow jog towards the source of the noise, earning many scoldings about running indoors.

CRASH

Kai hadn't been paying attention to where she was going and had crashed straight into Prince Komali. They both fell over, and Kai nearly fell off the edge of the stairs. She quickly pulled herself up again.

"Oh, I'm SO sorry, Prince Komali!" she cried, "Are you all right?"

Komali stood up and brushed himself off.

"I'm fine, Kai. You shouldn't be runn-"

"Yes, I know. But somebody's looking for me Prince Komali."

Komali laughed. "I told you, none of that 'Prince' stuff. You know that I don't mind if you just call me Komali."

"...Okay... Pr- er, Komali." Kai mumbled, a little embarrassed.

Komali took Kai's hand and pulled her to her feet. His red eyes locked on her emerald, and they both blushed and looked away quickly.

Komali muttered, "Medli is looking for you. I'll take you to her."

Not letting go of Kai, Komali headed in Medli's direction. Kai sighed and began daydreaming about Komali. She had steadily grown a crush on him since the moment she set foot on the island. It had been two months ago...

She and Her friend Mizu were wandering around Windfall Island, against the adult's wishes. A few weeks before, Mizu's cousin and another girl had been kidnapped by a giant bird. They noticed the postbox wriggling and went over to check it out.

It had been a good idea, since the letter inside was for Kai.

"Dear Kakui," she read, scowling at the use of her full name,

"I hope you and your firend Mizu are safe. I heard the news about your last test. Grandma is so proud! I've sent you some spending money; it's enclosed in the other paper.

Also, I heard about the kidnappings. Did you know the girls? How are their parents doing?"

Kai stopped reading and glanced over at an old man by the big pine tree - Maggie's father. Ever since Maggie had been abducted, he had been moping by the tree, chasing random passersby and begging them to save his daughter. Ordinairily, Kai would have thought this quite funny, but she had known Maggie too. The girl was kind, and told good stories. Kai shook her head and kept reading.

Most of the letter was lecturing Kai and Mizu of the importance of staying safe. But something caught Kai's eye.

"Oh, and while we're on the subject of kidnapping... (you might want to sit down for this) Aryll was kidnapped last week, on your birthday. By a gaint bird, just like in Windfall."

Kai, who had not been sitting, slumped down against a wall, in shock, and couldn't continue reading. Mizu took the letter from Kai gently.

"Should I continue reading?" asked Mizu gently, patting her friend's shoulder. Kai, who also seemed unable to speak properly, nodded shakily.

"Fortunately, your brother had rescued the captive the bird had taken before - a pirate girl about your age named Tetra - and has left with her to find Aryll. They should be home soon, so don't worry TOO much.

It's a shame you missed your birthday here. If Aryll hadn't have been... well, taken... we would have had a nice party. Here's your present from Grandma. (Again, enclosed in the other paper)

                                Tell Mizu I say hello!
                                                       Stay safe, love Grandma"

Mizu opened the second paper. A red Rupee and a purple Rupee fell out. She handed them to Kai, who quickly put them in her bag.

"Poor Aryll..." Kai moaned, her voice breaking, "Why... why would someone...?" Kai trailed back, pushing back tears.

"Kai? Is that you?" called a masculine voice from behind the girls. Kai turned around to find her twin brother, Link, behind them. But there was no Aryll.

"She must be with the pirates," Mizu said softly as she watched her friend race into her brother's arms, sobbing.

After a few minutes, Kai asked, "Where's Aryll? Is she with the pirates? I've heard about Miss Tetra! I've always wanted to-"

"Aryll... I..." Link's expression gave him away as he looked away shamefully.

"You couldn't save her?!" asked Kai in disbelief. Link shook his head.

"Well, where are the pira-"

"Gone. I don't know. Instead, I met a talking boat."

The rest of the morning had passed in a blur. Kai had left with her brother to Dragon Roost, and had stayed behind when he left, to help the Rito get back on schedule with thier deliveries.

"Kai?"

"Huh?" Kai blinked. She had forgotten that she was just remembering. Medli and Komali were staring at her, worried.

"Sorry... I got to involved in my memories again..." she mumbled.

Medli laughed. "That's okay! Hey, I was thinking: I don't have to do any studies today, neither does Komali, and today is your day off! Let's go to the beach!"

Kai and Komali cheered. A few minutes later, they had managed to pack a picnic lunch, get permission from the adults, get some books and games, and run down, screaming joyfully like babies.

Komali turned to Medli. "I dare you to run in, fully clothed!" He pointed to the water.

Medli shook her head. "No way!"

Komali turned to Kai, knowing she couldn't resist a dare. "Well then, I dare YOU to go in fully cloth-"

Kai was already splashing around in the water, preforming said dare. Komali blinked in amazement. "What a girl..." he breathed.

Medli was laughing - until she noticed Kai was headed straight for Beedle's Shop Ship!

"Kai! Watch out! You're gonna--"

It was too late. The young girl had collided with the ship and was pushed underwater, the force of the boat pulling her even deeper. Kai coughed and sputtered, trying to get back to the surface, but it was no use. The water filled her lungs, slowing her breathing; choking her.

"This... is the end..." Kai thought, eyes closing. She could feel a bright light, yet at the same time, everything was going black. Faintly, she heard so much screaming. It seemed to be getting farther away...

The last thing Kai felt was a pair of hands picking her up...