A/N: This is written from Roxas's point of view. I'll warn you now that it's a little unusual. Since Roxas is sharing a body with someone else, you'll see "we" and "our" in place of "I" and "my" fairly frequently. Hope it's not too confusing.

Also, it's full of 358/2 Days and Kingdom Hearts II spoilers. You'll need some sort of prior knowledge of both of these games to make much sense of this.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

Chapter One: Contact

He didn't really know I was there. Or at least I don't think he did.

But I knew. I was only too aware of where I was and where I wasn't… And I could feel the sun on his skin, taste the sultry ocean air on his tongue, and hear the sounds of the island around him. It was like they were ours instead of just his, because he shared them all with me, completely unaware.

Of course, the things we shared would never be quite as much mine as they were his. The waves. Rushing in and out, in and out. The sun. Beating down on us, drawing blood up to pool beneath our skin. Our skin, because I could feel it too.

We tanned easily. We were probably at least two shades darker already. But Kairi—poor Kairi—she was probably burnt. She carried the fair-skinned curse of most redheads, if not the freckles.

We sat up and leaned over, extending a hand toward her relaxed figure—then thought better of it. Or at least he did. I would have followed through—I wasn't a pansy like he was. But he had absolute control over everything we did and said. I was just a passenger.

"Kairi," we said, and we removed the wayward hand and put it behind our head. "Wake up."

The words flooded through the fountain of our brain until they popped out on our tongue; I had no control of them once they were that far. But I could try to convince him of what he was going to say before he actually said it. Because he could hear my thoughts, and I could hear his.

Kiss her cheek, I thought. Look, it's all pink and hot from the sun… you know how good it would taste...

Not that I had any personal interest in the girl, but Sora's constant indecision was irritating. After all, I had to witness it on a daily basis. And it was really getting old.

Sometimes he listened to me, but most of the time, like now, for instance, my thought was followed by a stern mental rebuff and an internal shake of the head. I could taste a little fear in the tenor of his thoughts. And I would have sighed, if I could have.

How could he possibly still be worried about rejection? Wasn't it obvious that—

"Kairi." We laughed lightly, but his concern for the girl bounced around our brain. "C'mon. You're gonna be fried."

She took a couple quick, startled breaths, and her heavy lashes drew back, revealing a confused pair of oceanic eyes. After a brief glance around her, she seemed to remember where she was, and let her head fall back to the wadded-up beach towel that she was using for a pillow. "Mmm…" She sighed, and drew her arms above her head in a long, soothing stretch. "I'm awake…" She closed her eyes again. A few strands of dark, lustrous red hair clung to her cheek.

If I'd had a brain to myself, I wouldn't have been dwelling on all these exhausting details, just so you know. But Sora—I mean really—the kid was obsessed. You'd have thought this girl was Megan Fox. Don't get me wrong, she was nice to look at. She had these über-long, thick black eyelashes and amazing legs—but yeah, like I said, not the kind of Hollywood hottie that should be able to take up three-fourths of your daily thought processes with ease.

"No, you're not either awake," we said. Sora's playful adoration colored our thoughts. "Let's get out of the sun. You and Riku have gotta be careful out here, or else you'll end up with skin cancer."

Her eyes popped open again, and a little frown twisted her lips. "Which is so not fair," she pouted. She reached forward—our heart rate increased dramatically—and touched our warm, suntanned bicep. "I mean, really, how do you get so tan? And you never even burn or peel." Her lower lip stuck out. Was she really that upset over something as trivial as a tan? I mean really…

I waited for his subconscious agreement… but it never came. There was only silence, both within and outside of myself and himself. Kairi looked up, waiting for an answer.

But where was Sora? I found him ogling over the seemingly uninteresting feature that was her mouth; how the lips were so full, curvy, and glossy in the midday sun… so beautiful… so… succulent… And how the skin on her neck and pearly white shoulders would feel like satin beneath our hands…

Woohoo? Earth to Sora..? I thought impatiently.

That seemed to wake him up. "Um, what?" We asked.

She laughed a little—and I knew how much he loved the sound of it, because it felt like liquid sunshine was being poured into our brain and chest cavities.

"Nothing," Kairi said, wincing a little as she stood up. Feeling that burn, I'd bet.

She was wearing her usual mini-skirt and tank top, and when she moved her shoulders we could already see the slender white lines that her spaghetti straps had left on her skin. She would obsess about that later. But we would be sure to assure her that she looked great. Sora was pretty good about giving her compliments, even without my prompting.

But sometimes I felt like a babysitter that no one ever listens to. I guess that's what happens when you live on the sidelines of someone else's brain, though. You're just that one, tiny little voice—so much more obscure than a conscience—that comes out every once in a while to toss a thought out on center field for the star player to pick up. And if he does… great. If he doesn't… does it really matter?

We were walking toward the palm grove now, with Kairi by our side. I could feel how badly Sora wanted to hold her hand. It was that itchy, bite-your-lip type of feeling that is sure to spawn regret if you don't obey it. And the way she had her hand at her side, with her palm turned slightly outward… well, it was obvious enough that she felt the same way.

Dude, grab her hand, I thought irritably. Look, she wants you to. She even told you so, remember?

We grimaced as memories of the initiation of their official "relationship" came to mind. It had been less than idyllic. In fact, Kairi had been the one who'd taken the first step.

We could still remember the day she'd gotten tired of waiting and had finally just kissed us herself—and we remembered how he (I do not take any credit for this) stood there like a deer in the headlights and let her run off on her own afterward, thinking that Sora wasn't interested in her after all. She'd been crying and stuff… ugh, what a mess that had been. All because of a lack of communication…

And now that they were officially "together" as Selphie so casually phrased it, Kairi obviously wanted him to hold her hand and treat her like his girlfriend. But he was still so careful about it that it was frustrating for both me and her.

C'mon! I thought impatiently.

Okay, okay, Sora seemed to agree. He initiated the deep breath that poured into our lungs—and then we reached out and caught her hand in ours. It was warm and oh-so-soft… like silk left out in the sun. On the beach. With the waves rushing in and out, in and out…

She turned and looked into straight into our eyes, smiling in a way that made our insides melt into an irresponsive puddle of goo.

And as she gazed into the windows of his soul, something in her eyes caught my attention.

My attention. Mine. Not Sora's or anybody else's—because what I saw there was meant for me.

It was a bright white smile, and a flash of silvery-blonde hair falling in sheaves. Roxas, she thought.

Woa. There was no reaction from Sora… Did that mean he couldn't see or hear her?

Roxas. She thought it again, a little more desperately.

And in that moment I could recall her face so easily… probably because I was looking at Kairi's, and they were so much alike… but Naminé's had its own touch of originality—the subtle roundness around her chin, the wider space between her eyes. And her voice… it was amazing. It sounded just like you'd expect an angel's to.

These were things I'd noticed as a Nobody, but things that weren't so powerful to me at the time. Probably because my emotions hadn't been so intense. Though I could have sworn I'd felt at least something for her…

Naminé, I thought, willing with all my might that the word might reach her. It had to. I mean, Sora and Kairi had such a strong connection, and we lived inside of them, after all. When they were together like this, it was so much easier to remember Naminé—to see her face in my mind, to see the tips of blonde hair that tickled at her bare shoulders… And maybe she could remember me, too.

Roxas, how are you? She thought. She sounded so concerned. Hearing her voice was a miracle in and of itself, but the fact that she was worried about me made me feel just as good. If that made any sense.

I answered carefully, trying to direct the thought to her rather than Sora. I'm fine. What about you? Are you… happy? What a stupid question; how could she be happy?

But she surprised me. Oh, yes, she answered serenely. Very much so.

How could that be? She was just as trapped as I was. But it would've been rude to call her out on it. That's… good… I thought carefully.

Amusement flooded through her thoughts. She must've had some understanding as to how I really felt, despite my efforts to keep her in the dark. Roxas, she began, I was worried that you might be struggling with this… transition. But I just want you to know that I—

But then a voice came smashing through our reveries—all four of them. "Sora! Kairi! You been on the beach, ya?" Sora and I almost jumped out of our skin.

It was Wakka. He was grinning and walking across the sand toward us, volleyball in hand. "Kairi, you look like a tomato," he added laughingly.

And suddenly, all traces of Naminé were gone. When our eyes flashed to Kairi's again, they were like a slate that had been wiped clean of all its hidden messages.

"Oh, great," Kairi said, putting a hand on her cheek to test its temperature. She sighed. "This really gonna hurt tomorrow."

"It'll hurt in ten minutes, probably," We said as we eyed her over. Wakka had hardly been exaggerating—the girl was burnt. I took note when Sora worriedly pulled our eyebrows together—not that I needed to know that to recognize his anxiety. His thoughts said it all.

Wakka, on the other hand, didn't seem overly concerned. "Hey listen, we're doing a bonfire here tonight, so you guys should stay for it, ya? We're gonna roast hot dogs and marshmallows."

Kairi's face lit up. "Oh. Hey, that'll be great! I don't have to work tonight!"

"Yeah, I'm not busy either," We added hastily.

Your mom said you had to help her get the yard ready for tomorrow, I reminded him. She was having some kind of barbecue.

Sora did a mental double take. Crap, he thought. But I already said I wasn't busy… and I want to spend some time with Kairi before school starts, so… I think I'll stay.

Your funeral, I carelessly returned. Sora's mom was nice, but stern. We'd be in big trouble when we got home.

"Great," Wakka said eagerly. "Me and Tidus are gonna go back to the mainland and pick up the goods, okay?"

"M'kay," We said. Then as an afterthought, "Get lots of soda."

Wakka laughed. "Ya, man. Sure."

Suddenly, Tidus burst out of the trees. "Hey guys! Been looking for you everywhere," he said excitedly. Then, "Wow Kairi, you're really red!"

"So I've heard," Kairi said with a short, musical laugh.

Wakka chuckled, then said, "C'mon, Tidus. We gotta hurry if we want to make it back by seven. We still gotta invite Riku and Selphie."

"Okay. We'll be back in a bit," Tidus said, as he and Wakka moved toward the canoes that were tied up at the dock. Then an amusing idea seemed to occur to him, because he turned around and smirked at us. "You two be good while we're gone. Keep it P.G.," he said, wagging a finger at us.

Wakka laughed, and we scowled mutinously. I was sure Kairi must be blushing, but it was impossible to tell, because of the sunburn and also because of the fact that Sora didn't have his eyes on her directly. I could only see her in his peripheral vision.

Wakka and Tidus got in their canoes and paddled away. A touch of awkwardness hung in the air after Tidus's little comment; Kairi looked at her shoes and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Great, I thought sarcastically. Now it's up to Mr. Smooth to make things right again…

Sora seemed to agree with my jab at his ineptitude. I felt blood rushing to our face. "So…" we said slowly, "What should we do… until they get back?"

Kairi shrugged. "Um, I dunno. What do you want to do?"

Sora pondered for a moment. I examined the ideas that bounced around in our brain as soon as he released them. Most of them sucked.

Sometimes I wondered what he would do without me. He didn't know I was here, but he'd sure know the difference if I wasn't.

Should we just walk on the beach? Holding hands? He wondered.

No, she's already been in the sun too long. I curtly replied.

Oh… right. Swimming?

You see any shade over the water? No.

Well… maybe volleyball? A little hesitantly, because he wasn't really into sports.

Sora! The net's on the beach! Sun-equals-bad, okay? Can you keep that in mind?

Well freak, what are you supposed to do on a tropical island that doesn't involve the sun, anyway?

…Maybe you could sit in the shade and share a snack, I thought slyly.

Like what? I don't have any food.

Like… that Paopu fruit you've been daydreaming about?

No! No way! His reply was abrupt and juvenile—similar to the shout of a six-year-old who's been confronted by his friends for liking a cootie-infested girl. Not yet anyway, he added as an afterthought. And… what if I suggested it, and she didn't even want to… Oh, gosh, I would die.

Okay, okay, I thought irritably; why did he have to be so difficult? Then, with a touch of sarcasm, Well then… how about checkers?

He made us sigh, frustrated at direction our thoughts had taken—thinking they were his own thoughts and that the snide voice inside him was only his own self-disgust. Ugh… I suck at this, he thought, rolling our eyes. What am I supposed to say?

"Sora?" Kairi asked, jarring us from thought. She frowned a little. Obviously wondering what we were thinking about.

"Oh, sorry," we said quickly. Our little mental exchange had only taken a few seconds—our thought processes were no slower than a normal person's —but still, it took longer than it should have considering the simple nature of the question that had instigated it. "What did you ask, again?"

She laughed and flashed a pretty, affectionate smile in our direction. "I asked what you wanted to do, Sora. We could go back to the mainland, if you wanted." The corners of her lips turned down a little; just enough to show that she didn't want to. Of course, Sora was too oblivious to pick that up.

"Um… do you want to?" he asked. He was frowning, too.

"Only if you do," she said quickly. She bit her lip afterward, as though she wished she could recall her words.

Ugh. The whole thing was freaking retarded.

If I'd had a body of my own, I would have laughed my head off at them. Then I would have said, "You guys are idiots. Good luck," shaken their hands, and left in a canoe before they drove me completely insane. But since I didn't have that option, I decided then and there to coach Sora through this. Because if I didn't, I would literally lose what was left of my mind.

She doesn't want to, I thought. Look at her! See how her lips are pointing down at the corners? That's called a frown. It means that she doesn't like what's going on—in this case, all the talk of leaving. So tell her you want to stay—that you'd rather be here with her than anywhere else in the world. Because it's true, and you know it.

He was befuddled; I could feel it. Probably amazed that he'd come up with such a simple (though somewhat snide) solution on what he thought was his own.

Not that I was exactly what you would call an expert on romance. Heck, I'd only been alive for a couple years; how could I be an expert on anything? But there was one thing about having been a Nobody that gave me an advantage over Sora. I was still good at weighing facts, examining evidence, and making decisions. Nobodies are logical. Things like emotions don't get in the way of solving problems, for us.

Tell her. Go on.

"Um…" we said slowly, "I… I'd rather stay here with you, if that's okay."

Bravo, I thought, though I was rather unenthused. Couldn't he do better than that?

But Kairi beamed; you'd have thought the boy had declared himself. "Oh, yeah, that's fine. I mean— I—I'd like that," she said, smiling and bashfully avoiding our gaze. "I'd like that a lot."

A/N: Please review. I really need to know if this is even understandable before I update again. :)