the paopu fruit
the legend
The legend of the Paopu Fruit states that two people who share a Paopu, shall have their destinies intertwined, and that no matter what, those two people will be a part of eachother's lives forever.significance
The Paopu is a symbol of love. On the Islands, Riku acknowledges their presence often. He sometimes teases Sora about sharing a paopu with Kairi, which is the surefire way to ruffle his feathers. Coincedentally, Riku shares a paopu with Sora. *flashback* Don't you guys remember Riku nonchalantly tossing a paopu at Sora on that bridge with the sun setting and all? He (although it was indirect) shared a paopu with Sora. Also, Sora, even though he didn't actually share a paopu with Kairi, did express the desire to in the Secret Place. Kairi, in the end, discovers the drawing, and expresses her wish to share a paopu with Sora as well. They both wanted to share a paopu, and in essence, they did. (This is where all the Riku fans feel terrible, cause poor ol' Riku has no one to love).