Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts officially belongs to Square Enix.
Sapphira-hime: Chapter 3 up! Did it take a while? I hope not. I was revising my other fic and it took three weeks for me to finish, and I have to update it too. Oh well, I'll finish Scarlet Temperament till the end regardless the situation. Please continue supporting my fic, I love this story and I wished you feel the same way. Thanks for reviewing! I really appreciate your feedbacks. It keeps me going.
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Scarlet Temperament
Chapter 3: Collect the Pieces
By: Sapphira-hime
Would choosing to forget vanish fear?
"Wait! Don't go yet! Who are you? Tell me!"
I woke up gasping for air, my body trembling.
"It's the same dream," I told myself, still breathing hard. The white room, the mysterious voice, and the unchanged words it kept on repeati-. No, wait, that wasn't right. The owner had said something new and...rather unexpected.
"I'm sorry, it seems you're life is going to be harder because of me."
"I've finally found you."
"And I'm going to take you back no matter what the cost."
"I'll bring you back, I promise."
"So please Namine, wait for me."
I couldn't understand any of it. What did the owner of the voice mean? I looked up when I heard a knock from my door.
"Namine, are you alright? I heard you screaming." Tifa's worried voice floated through the door before entering.
"I had the same dream again."
She gave me a worried look before sitting on my bed. "Namine, I really think you should start taking those dreams seriously. You've been having them for quite a while now."
"But we've already tried going to a psychiatrist," I informed her, frowning. I never liked the troubled expressions she got on her face, especially when I was the reason for her anxiety.
"The doctor said that there was nothing wrong with me. He just gave the usual take a rest and don't stress yourself thing."
Aunt Tifa sighed before replying, "I meant that you should start contemplating your dreams. Try to find some answers."
"I tried but the mysterious voice won't respond to my questions," I told her, sighing as well. "I'd do anything in my power to solve this dream of mine but I just don't know where to start."
She didn't say anything and waited for me to continue.
"Bu-but, I'm not sure if I'm ready to face the truth behind this dream. A part of me is scared of what might happen afterwards," I continued, a bit hesitant. My body began to shake lightly, an unknown uncertainty was starting to surround me.
Aunt Tifa moved closer when she noticed me trembling. Allowing my head to rest on her shoulder, as she wrapped her arms around me.
"Namine, you don't have to worry about anything. Roxas and I will always be by your side no matter what happens."
I couldn't explain it, but when aunt Tifa uttered those sentences, everything seemed wrong. The dread inside me grew stronger and only one thought came.
I'll lose them.
The three words kept repeating inside my head and the vow of the mysterious voice resurfaced in my mind.
"And I'm going to take you back no matter what the cost."
I shivered with the thought.
'What's wrong with you?' my common sense suddenly screamed at me, 'Why are you letting this dream frighten you? It's not even real!' I could hear the admonishment of my own voice, and it was right too. Even if this dream was real, there was no reason to be terrified. Namine did not get scared.
"You know, sometimes I wonder what it feels like to have no emotions."
"Huh? Aunt Tifa, what are you talking about?" I asked, puzzled.
She looked at me solemnly. "I wonder what it feels like to be forgotten. It must have hurt."
"Where did you get that thought? From my dream?"
She ignored my question, her eyes detached, "If given the chance, what would you choose? Live without a heart and feel nothing or have one and get hurt?"
Okay, Tifa was officially creeping me out now.
"How should I know? I have a heart for as long as I could remember and it's not like I've been forgotten by someo-."
I stopped. Somehow, that thought brought an unexplainable feeling inside me, something I didn't like one bit.
Oblivion.
I didn't like the existence of that word ever since I learned its meaning. It never failed to give me this unpleasant emotion that I was having now.
"I…I don't want to experience it, to be forgotten," I told her, shivering even more, for reasons I couldn't fathom.
"Namine, everything will be fine. That's not going to happen to you," aunt Tifa soothed, her eyes turning soft again. "He's not going to allow the same fate to happen to you again."
Questions were piling up in my head. Why was she suddenly comprehending my dream? What fate was she talking about? What did she mean 'happen to me once more?'
However, the only question I could ask was, "Who is he?"
"Namine, don't you remember? He i-"
A floorboard creaked.
Aunt Tifa and I turned towards the door to see Roxas standing there with an unreadable expression.
"Roxas, come here," I told him, motioning for my little brother to sit beside me.
I was surprised when he suddenly hugged me as soon as he reached my side. I glanced at aunt Tifa with a questioning look.
"Namine, you know how much Roxas likes you. He was anxious to see you while we were at the hospital," she told me, "but when we arrived home, you were asleep and he didn't want to disturb you."
"Is that true Roxas?" I asked. The fear surrounding me was beginning to be replaced by warmth. Roxas never failed to ease my discomfort.
He just replied by hugging me tighter. From the moment our parents died, Roxas had stopped talking. There was nothing I could do to make him speak. He hadn't mentioned a single word for four years now.
"I'm sorry if I made you wait, do you want to sleep with me?" I asked him, my fingers gently stroking his spiky golden blond hair which greatly resembled his. I scowled, my good mood faltering slightly. Now that I thought about it, Roxas did look a lot like Sora.
Coincidence, perhaps?
Roxas nodded eagerly, a small smile on his face.
It hadn't been easy to make him open up again, but I didn't give up. I tried and tried and eventually he came to trust me. Roxas may have been traumatized, but that didn't stop me from loving my brother. I'd protect him no matter what.
"I'll bring you back, I promise."
'What if I don't want to go back?' I asked silently. Then my common sense spoke up again.
'It wasn't real,' I told myself. 'The dream was just that, a mere dream.'
I wasn't going to let anyone separate me from Roxas. If searching for the answers meant being parted from my loved ones, then I'll just have to stop looking.
I wasn't going to lose another important person in my life.
Important person…
I felt a tinge of pain in my chest as those words echoed in my head…and for the life of me, I couldn't tell why.
The glow of the grand chandelier welcomed him as he entered the mansion. The interior was beautifully decorated with various paintings hanging on the walls. He smiled lightly and thanked the butler who offered to take his coat off before proceeding to his destination.
He walked along the hallway, adorned with ancient and beautiful artifacts surrounding him. He continued smiling, acknowledging the maids bowing to him as he passed by.
A friendly and openhearted atmosphere welcomed him as he went inside a room adorned with Victorian furniture and vibrantly painted walls.
"You're finally here," a beautiful woman with long brown hair and emerald eyes uttered, her face filled with warmth.
"Aerith," he spoke kindly, "it's been a while since I last saw you." He looked at the other person inside the room who was leaning on the wall. "The same goes for you, Cloud."
The latter smiled lightly. "Took you long enough to get here."
"We were worried about you, but we knew you'd make it," Aerith told him before heaving a sigh. "What you're doing, it's dangerous an-"
"Aerith, we both know that there's no stopping him," Cloud cut in, "isn't that right?" he continued, his gaze not leaving the new-comer.
"I'm not going to allow him to take her," he said with an indifferent tone. "I won't let him succeed."
"But he's strong, he has the…"
"I don't care. I'll fight him if I have to," he said, cutting her off.
"He's your friend!" Aerith exclaimed, a hint of hurt evident in her voice. "Are you really going to go against him?"
He didn't answer. His face was expressionless, neither Cloud nor Aerith were able to tell what he was thinking.
"He just arrived," Cloud informed him. "What are you going to do if he tells her the truth?"
"He wouldn't do that, at least not just yet. Knowing him, he'll wait for just the right moment."
"The heartless are appearing more often," Cloud continued informing.
"As long as there's a shadow inside our hearts, the heartless will never disappear."
"Will he fight the darkness surrounding this world?" Aerith asked, although they all knew the answer to that question.
"He will. It wouldn't be him if he ignored it."
To be Continued...
Sapphira-hime: I would like to thank the following for putting me and Scarlet Temperament on their favorite list: Crauxian, IchigoRenji, Karin Ochibi-chan, KingoftheForgotten, Mluvmoi4life, NaminexSora lover, Parrot-san, Pryce69, SecretAgent99, Triforce Guardian, Twisted Madness, Yoshipower321, bobmanv2.0, jugularpiercer, xXbladeXx, and Pikachu407. I know you know who you are but still, I want to regard you one by one to show my appreciation.
Oh, and of course! I'm also grateful to the people who reviewed my fic. Everyone, thank you very much. It meant a lot to me.
IchigoRenji- I'm glad you liked the way Sora acted around Namine. I hope you like this chapter as well.
SecretAgent99- About Namine having amnesia or a car accident…hehehe, I can't tell you, for now. If you read my profile, maybe you'll get an idea. In your own opinion, am I updating slowly? Let me know and I'll try to work faster (smile).
NaminexSora lover- Hey, I'm glad you liked the previous chapter! I wish and pray that you enjoy or enjoyed your vacation (since I updated so late and you're probably back or maybe not). I tried my best to update before you return (because I want to please you) but my other fic wouldn't let me. I'm happy and hyper again! All feeling well, thanks to you guys. Yes! There's definitely a twist! Cliffhanger, we'll see about that. Thank you very much for your support, really appreciated.
Craxuan- Yay! I'm improving! I'm happy you liked the previous chapter. I was a little nervous about it. To be honest, when you reviewed chapter one, I got the impression that you're not the type of reader who is easily pleased. Well, in my opinion at least. I definitely won't stop, expect me to strive harder!
Yoshipower321- Thanks for reviewing not only the previous chapter but also chapter 1! I'm pleased to know that you liked my story. Me too, I'll probably avoid Sora. I don't want to turn into an ice popsicle from the lasses' cold glares. Hope I can keep you entertained. Tell me more about what you think on each chapter. I love hearing from each and every one of you.
Karin Ochibi-chan- Thanks for the orange soda! I can't wait to read the SoMine chapter of Love at First Write. You are one of my favorite authors! To tell you the truth, you're the reason why I got inspired to write this Kingdom Hearts fic. Back then, I wished that I could be as awesome as you Karin Ochibi-chan and until now, I still do (smile).
xXbladeXx- You think so? I don't think Leon is the 'too' silent type. About the dream, continue reading this fic and you'll find out.
imlittlepenguin- I'm feeling hyper again! Thank you for worrying about me. Eternally for You will be updating constantly since I'm done with the corrections (it took me three weeks). This Kingdom Hearts fic is on the move again as well. This is one of the twist! But I won't tell you anything about it, wait and see! After all, I love keeping you on the edge of your seat.
Loverly Light- Glad you liked chapter 2! Did I make you wait for too long? I hope this chapter didn't disappoint you! I'm really anxious about this one. It might be boring for you (wah, please no). I'll update as soon as I can. I'll probably start updating every now and then and I wish that you'll continue supporting my fic.
Abysilityy- I'm thrilled to know that you liked the previous chapter! About the last blurb on the previous chapter, it has something to do with Namine's memories though I won't tell you much about it (to make things more exciting). It could be an interpretation from KH: COM or an AU. I'll leave you hanging for a while (grin). Did this chapter give you a glimpse of Sora's secrets? Or did I just make it more confusing? Lol!
Pikachu407- Me too, I wished nobody created the 'nerd' word. It wasn't Namine's fault if she was born a genius. Don't worry, I'll finish this story and I'll try my best to update as soon as I could. Thanks for reviewing! I hope you'll continue letting me know what your thoughts are about this fic. I love hearing from you!