wayfinder
![](images/wayfinder1.png)
Chronologically, Kairi is not the first to come up with the idea of a lucky charm in the shape of a paopu fruit. Perhaps the best name for this charm is a wayfinder, courtesy of Aqua. Whilst in The Land of Departure, Aqua made wayfinders - blue, green, and orange - for Terra and Ven as well as for herself. Whilst they would grow and change and probably go on separate missions, if they had their wayfinders they would always be connected, no matter what; and, as the name suggests, should they lose their way, she would hope that it would help them find it again. Like Sora ten years later, this trio are often seen looking at their respective wayfinders and thinking fondly of the other two and furthering their resolve by doing so. For Sora it is much the same - it guides him, keeps him strong, a token of his relationship with Kairi (though perhaps a little more intimate for the pair of them). Anyway, whilst Aqua comes up with the wayfinder, she mentions that she hasn't seen the star fruit tree, just heard the legend of it. Similarly, Kairi is unaware that she is making a wayfinder other than that it'll keep them safe and she is mimicking a paopu fruit intentionally. It's unlikely she knew of Aqua's own wayfinders, since she never saw any of them. It's a coincidence, yes, also given that she inherits Aqua's Keyblade - but one that perhaps shows how strong their hearts are.
Kairi's wayfinder has been passed between her and Sora multiple times – presently, in universe, Sora still has it since he took it with him for the Mark of Mastery exam, and when Kairi arrived at the Mysterious Tower, Sora had returned to the dream world to thank his Dream Eaters. It's probable that it may pass again between them a couple more times as Kingdom Hearts III begins; and it's also possible that, given that Birth by Sleep was released long after the first game, Kairi may decide - on a whim - to make a charm for Riku as well as herself. Not the same as Sora's, probably, as that's special; but enough to keep all of them strong in the search for the other Guardians.