Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and related characters belong to Square Enix and Tetsuya Nomura. Reviews would be appreciated. Contains hints of Namiku, Sokai, Haylette, Rokushi, Vanqua, Terqua, and Venfuu. Slightly AU.

Longing For Yesterday
Chapter 3: Saviour

Exhaustion became something my body was used to. With Larxene's and Fuu's homework on top of my own, sleep was a rare luxury. It had only been a week, yet the bags under my eyes appeared as if I hadn't slept in months.

I refused to fail at completing their work correctly though. I took the time to make my handwriting resemble their own, took the time to reword everything as if it was something they would say. I wasn't going to give Larxene an excuse to abuse me; I'd rather just allow them to bully me.

Riku hadn't told anyone about my breakdown. I was beyond shocked that he hadn't of at least told Sora. I did begin to notice that Riku had started to keep his eyes on my a lot whenever I was around them.

The name of my tormentor stayed locked behind my lips. I was protecting Riku by not telling him who was hurting and abusing me. Larxene was cruel and she would torment him for just becoming involved, even knowing.

I was good for being submissive…

"Naminé,"

His voice was sharp, stopping me in the corridor. I clutched my book to my chest, feeling that sickening feeling that I got whenever I was nervous or anticipating something dreadful. Slowly, I glanced over my shoulder, seeing him approach. His school bag was slung over his shoulder and his hand was slipped idly into the pocket of his pale khaki pants.

"Walk with me?" Riku inclined his head toward the doors of the courtyard.

His request took me aback, but nonetheless I couldn't refuse, even if I wanted to. I had been heading back to Olette's and my dorm room to simply tackle the massive amount of combined homework out of the way, desperate enough to skip dinner if that meant getting it finished.

Riku and I walked side-by-side, emerging out into the warm late summer air. The sight of girls giggling while gathered on the grass watching boys playing football greeted us. These were students enjoying the remains of summer, laughing in a carefree manner, not having to worry about anything other than doing well in class or if the person they liked maybe liked them too.

"Nice day." Riku noted as I walked silently beside him. "You're looking pale. You should get outside more."

"Can't. Don't have time."

I even had to drop out of the Art Club, the one club I had joined, just so I would be able to get all of the work done without failing any of my courses. Art was my escape and Art Club was a place I had actually felt like I was useful. Now that was gone as well.

"Naminé… come with me."

I squeaked a little as his fingers clasped around my arm, dragging me across the courtyard. I blushed hotly at the look Sora gave us, the teasing smirk on his face. If there was one thing I didn't have to tell Sora, it was my feelings for his best friend. Riku continued to drag me until we reached the other side of the courtyard, which held the gardens for the Gardening Club.

"In here,"

He pulled me toward the small sitting area inbetween the moonflower and sunflower gardens, underneath the large weeping willow that grew against the wall, sheltering over the bench that had been placed there. Suddenly I found myself sitting on the cool concrete, staring up into eyes flickering in concern.

"R-Riku –"

He cut me off before I could even question him. "You don't have to keep pretending. I can help you."

Immediately I found myself on my guard, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Look, I'm not trying to be a knight in shining armor or whatever. We're friends though, Naminé, and I won't tolerate anyone bullying them. You haven't been sleeping, you're not eating, and it's just…really starting to worry me."

"Why…worry about me…?"

"Because I care about you."

I lowered my eyes to my lap, gripping the hem of my skirt before I took a deep breath. It felt like I was breathing, really breathing, for the first time in the past week. When I looked up again, teal eyes had softened with Riku reaching down to slowly touch my face.

"It kills me not to know how you got these scars, Naminé. Only you know of the true events that happened in Castle Oblivion. We spent some time together when trying to rechain the memories of Sora's heart. I resented you for doing that to him, but after awhile, I finally realized you didn't have much choice. You didn't get a say in your existence - not like the rest of us."

"Riku…I'm still so…very sorry for doing the cruel things I did. Even if I didn't have a say, what I did was so horrible… I never want to hurt you two again. Sora…he's the first friend I ever had… and then you… you just… you were different but it…even if it hurt that I knew you hated me-"

"I don't hate you."

Blinking, I looked at him in surprise, "You…don't?"

"I don't have the answers for the questions you still have, but I don't hate you. I'll save you, Naminé."

"Save…me?"

"I know it's Larxene."

"W-What?! H-How did you find out?!"

Riku sighed, "You know the student teacher under Terra? Ventus?"

I blinked, "Of course."

"He's got a thing with Fuu. She told him. Like you, she doesn't really have much say. She's stuck rooming with Larxene and she honestly doesn't know how stand up for it. But she's getting there - and you can too. But dammit, how can anyone help you if you won't ask for help?"

"I-I'm…sorry…"

"Stop apologizing, would you? You always take the blame for everyone and everything. Just…stop."

As he looked at me, I wondered what was going through his mind. Riku took the seat beside me and took my hand in his, just holding it.

"It's cold. But it's soft and even if your existence isn't a whole one, I'll find a way to make you whole again. You, Roxas, and Xion too." Riku sighed and closed his eyes, "When I first saw you, I didn't know how I felt about it. Because I had long left go of any resentment I had toward you, but it was obvious you didn't know it. I'm…not good with telling others my thoughts or feelings. But it…bothered me that I during the time we were apart, I wondered if anyone else would remember your face…a face that this world seems to have forgotten about." Riku paused and then gave a small smile, "Not anymore, though. No one will ever forget you again."

He touched my face, and I felt a strange shock go through my system. For an instance, I could read his thoughts.

Seldom do these words ring true when I'm constantly failing you, like walls that we just can't break through until we disappear…I just want to save you while there's still something left to save…

It was too much to take in.

To think he honestly felt that way towards me.

"Namine…I'll protect you."

"Why?"

"Maybe…I want to try my hand at being a knight."

My face flamed as I looked down.

Then, I felt it.

Something that was out of place.

My first heart beat.

A/N: So, I really liked this chapter. And I am really loving the reviews. . 3-5 Reviews before an update, lovies! Let us continue to support the Namiku love 3

-xWhitexWindx