They didn't start out as friends. Oh no, at first Zexion thought she was just a dumb little pawn of Marluxia. Not worth anything, really – just there to assist with the 'master plan', whatever that was.

He didn't even bother to pity her – if they had no feelings, what was the point?

So when he was approached by Axel and told to go guard the girl, Zexion frowned. It would take away from his valuable time. He had better things to do than babysit. It wasn't like she was going to escape or anything.

He walked in, causing the blonde to look up from her sketchbook, startled.

Zexion detected a faint sigh – probably of relief – from Namine; she was glad it wasn't Marluxia or Larxene.

The Schemer strode over to the other end of the table, pulled out a chair, and sat. Hopefully this would be over soon.

Though it wasn't Marluxia or Larxene, Namine was still nervous – she'd never really seen this silver-blue haired man, and didn't know what he would do. He didn't seem to want to be here.

"Um, what's your name?" Namine shyly squeaked out, eyes averted from his and focused on her sketchpad.

"Zexion." He replied, his answer short and to the point.

A bit later, he stood and left the room. She heard Axel on the other side.

"Have fun, Zexy? Good – you're on duty again tomorrow."

And so, their little 'meetings' continued.

The next time, Namine gathered her courage and asked Zexion a few more questions. It started with 'Do you like to draw?' which Zexion denied with a quick 'No.'

However, she could tell that he was at least warming up to her – Zexion answered all of the questions, even though the answers were curt.

Zexion started to not mind going to watch Namine, and asked her some questions, too.

Eventually it could be said he actually enjoyed it. They were friends, of a sort.

A really odd sort.

Zexion would go and sit in his usual chair across from Namine.

He would make her an illusion once in a while, so she could pretend to be whatever she wanted - a princess, usually. But then he'd get annoyed and stop.

Sometimes they would talk, asking questions about the other and what was going on lately, discuss little things such as what was being drawn or thought about.

Other times, they would sit and daydream. About anything, really – their others, Kingdom Hearts, Sora, Organization XIII, Heartless, Nobodies…

Then that fateful day came.

When Zexion walked into Namine's room that day, nobody was there. Just an abandoned set of crayons and a sketchbook, and a chair that looked like someone had gotten up suddenly.

He was angry. Not just because this could get him into trouble, but because she could get hurt out there. Friends did not let friends get hurt.

Zexion frowned – when exactly did he start looking out for other people?

He didn't know – not much to do about it now. Too late.

Now he noticed something – there, on the table. Partially underneath her sketchpad was a piece of paper. He seized it from the surface and scanned the message.

Heya Zexy,

Don't know about you, but we're outta here. Me and Namine both.

Axel

P.S. – There's a surprise waiting for you outside.

"Axel..!" Zexion growled. This 'surprise' could not be good, not at all.

He had to go…he'd be safe in the basement.

Zexion opened the door and stepped outside. From the shadows came the Riku Replica.

He tried to escape, cloaked in the shadows.

It didn't work.

As Zexion faded away into nothingness, he thought.

Maybe friendship was just an illusion.

Just a daydream.

VI

apply disclaimer.

sorta angsty. tried to make it happy, but it didn't work out.

poor zexion.

contest entry for warm.summer.nights