Chapter I:

Setting: Castle Oblivion

Date: Day 327

His ocean blue eyes gazed at the stark white ceiling as he awoken from his slumber. His eyes shifted around, processing the rest of his room which was also stark white. The color truly evokes the feeling of nothingness. Solely one thing in his room that was distinguishable from the blandness was the window that stretches on the left side of his bed. It had a vast view of The Dark City that rested below The Castle That Never Was. Neon lights from the skyscrapers clash with the darkness, displaying an array of colors.

Roxas sat himself up on his bed, still hazy from his restless slumber.

"Ugh…" Why do I feel so tired? I have not been sleeping properly… It feels like my body is drained of energy. I don't know what's going on with me.

Roxas got up from his bed, walked to his closet, and got out a new pair of the iconic uniform of Organization XII which consists of a single long silky black leathered hooded coat, loose black pants, and a pair of black leathered gloves. Once changed, he stretched his arms and rubbed his aching neck.

"Ah; I think I'll be fine." Roxas then headed to the lounge (The Grey Area) to receive his daily mission.

XXX

"Huh?" I must have arrived too early.

To his astonishment, no other members were present in the darker shaded room. The various white couches in the room was vacant of organization members seeking comfort, unfortunately, the seats themselves provide no pleasure. On the wall opposite of him was a giant window divided in columns. In the view, the incomplete Kingdom Hearts was suspended in the sky, magnificently illuminating the room with its brilliance.

"All of the hearts collected by me and Xion…" Roxas said faintly as he admired the heart shaped moon.

"Good morning, Roxas. Are you feeling better?" A concerned voice said that startled him. It was a raven-haired girl with azure blue eyes that was similar to his, it was Xion.

"X-Xion, you startled me!" Roxas said with disconcertment in his expression and voice. Normally, Xion would laugh softly at his reaction; however, she was too worried about his sake at the moment.

"Are you okay?" She repeated. He still looks pale… If I am around him any longer, he will soon break down.

"I am fine! You shouldn't worry so much, Xion." He answered, a bright smile appearing on his face.

"Okay…" Her mouth curled into a small smile by his response.

She has been like this for quite a while now, constantly asking how I feel whenever we see each other… It warms my chest when she does though, is that normal?

"I see that you two are the first to be present." A third voice echoed in the room.

The two turned around to discover that it was Saix.

"It seems that there have been multiple accounts of Windbreakers at Halloween Town. Today, you two shall be appointed together to eradicated them. Remain focused and fulfill your mission quickly."

"Understood." Both said in unison in response to Saix's order.

"Let's head out, Xion!" Roxas said with a gleeful tone in his voice. He was happy to have a mission with her.

Xion nodded in agreement and lifted her hand to conjure up a dark corridor in which she entered with Roxas following behind her.

XXX

Setting: Halloween Town

A black portal appeared at the entrance of the eerie town and out came the two keyblade wielders. As the portal lowered into a swirling vortex, the two look at one another.

"Our objective today is to eliminate five Windstormers, seems easy enough. Let's do our best to hurry so that we can have some ice cream together!" Roxas suggested excitedly.

Xion smiled brilliantly at her friend's response. "Yeah, that would be nice."

"Let's go!" signifying their departure as he breaks into a run to the town with his keyblade appearing in a flash of light.

Xion then summoned her keyblade as well, staring down at the giant key in her hand.

"Roxas…" I remembered when I was able to use my keyblade again… It was all due to Roxas lending me his own keyblade, so that I could recall how to bring forth my own. The handle was so warm… It was as if I was holding his hand. Well, he did hold onto my hand when I was able to summon my keyblade again…

Suddenly, her cheeks were flushed red with heat radiating from them. Fortunately, it reminded her of the mission at hand and she began dashing after Roxas.

XXX

Running towards the gate of Halloween Town, he stopped to turn around, only to encounter a hurdling Xion who knocked him down on his bottom along with their keyblades flying out of their hands. The two were on top of one another with Xion being on top.

"Ow… Xion! What was that for?" Roxas exclaimed, pretending to be mad.

"Me? It was you who suddenly stopped!" Xion replied in a fake irritable voice as she got up to her knees and placed her hands on her hips.

Witnessing this, Roxas could not avoid the urge to laugh loudly, still on the ground. It felt good to him to be able to talk in such a way with her. It made him happy.

"Come on, let's defeat those Windstormers." Xion said softly as his laughter filled her up.

Before she could get up, Roxas closed in near her and examined her face by removing his glove and placing his bare hand on her cheeks.

"Hey…are you feeling well? Your cheeks are really red and warm." Roxas said as he gazes into her eyes. There was a hint of concern in his voice.

"Y-yeah…I'm okay." Xion replied nervously as she return his gaze, causing her to turn even redder.

Why is it getting difficult to breath? Maybe I really am not feeling well…

Just then, they were interrupted by five Windstormers spawning in the town's center. They were fairly big dragon-like heartless and were the color of turquoise, aside from their shoulder pads and claws which were solid black. A tail stretched from behind them, forming a hook at the end. Their beady yellow eyes were fixed on the two, ready to attack.

Quickly, the keyblade wielders stood up with their keyblades returning to their hands. The two lashed out at one together, strategically eradicating them one at a time with the combination of thundaga and aerial attacks. Soon, only two remains of the five.

"Thundaga!" Roxas casted at one of the beast's head, however, it evaded his attack by twirling its body at him. He attempted to pivot on his right foot, trying to avoid the attack, unfortunately, it was too late. He collided with the beast and hurled towards a house within the town. Jolts of agonizing pain spread throughout his body as he impacted against the building. His vision became groggy and he began seeping out of consciousness.

"ROXAS!" Witnessing his infliction, Xion became outraged which unlocked hidden abilities that was dormant in Sora's memories. She descended into the air as light engulfed her body until she was completely devoured in light. She then unleashed a powerful light-based attack in the form of beams that instantly eliminated the remaining two Windstormers, resulting in two giant hearts floating towards the sky.

Without observing her victorious deed, she rushes to Roxas' side, placing his head on her knee while grasping strongly onto his hand. She was overwhelmed with a dreaded feeling…

"Roxas! Roxas! Please…wake up! I can't lose you…" Xion pleaded in devastation.

What is this…? Is this what they call…grief?

"R-Roxas… P-please…" She was unable to speak coherently as her voice trembled and quivered as her body had. Tears rushed down her face which dripped onto Roxas' face. She hung her head with hers eyes shut closed.

Am I… crying? But how, how am I able to if I am just a doll…?

Just then, she felt Roxas' hand tightened around hers. Bewildered by his gesture, she opened her eyes to meet a Roxas with deep concernment on his face.

"Hey… Why are you crying?" He spoke softly, trying to comfort her.

She quickly wiped her tears with her sleeves. "R-Roxas! You're okay…!"

"Of course, I wouldn't leave so easi-" His sentence was halted by her embrace. Warmth enveloped his body as she held her arms around his shoulders. She was delicately sobbing into his left shoulder. Roxas then sat himself up and return her embrace which caused her to gasp faintly.

"Don't cry…I don't like seeing my friends sad…especially you, Xion."

"Roxas…" She said in the quietest voice. His words and embrace had filled her up with warmth that replaced her dread and grief, a feeling that she could not explain. Gradually, her sobbing ceased and the two got up and left the town, hand in hand.