*Namine's POV*
I awoke in the morning in my room. I had the same nightmare I had the night we left. But now it didn't bother me because I know he would never hurt me.
*~*~*~*
He was downstairs helping his mother in the kitchen. My nose stung as the sweet smell of pancakes filled my nostrils. I skipped to him as he was listening and humming to a song on his iPod. I recognized the song as 'Life After You' by Chris Daughtry. I gave him a quick kiss on his cheek and he smiled back.
Axel, Demyx, and Sora looked confused, but grinned knowingly. Leon and Cloud took knowing glances at each other and went back to setting the table and cooking.
"Aw! Roxy has a girlfriend!" Sora and Demyx squealed. Roxas blushed and told them to shut up.
"Now I'm really scared about them sharing the same room." Axel said flipping some of the batter. Roxas threw some flour at his father. Axel smirked and returned the favor.
Sora joined in while Demyx laughed right before Roxas hit him with some extra flour. It was war.
*~*~*~*
*Roxas' POV*
Everyone was out of breath as we ate. The sweet smell of Namine out did everything else. Her head rested in the crook of my neck. My head rested on her own pale blonde hair with our hands intertwined.
*~*~*~*
After cleaning up, we made our way to the living room to watch a movie. I wasn't really paying attention to it but it was funny considering everyone was laughing. I stared at Namine every chance I got.
Dad got up and motioned for me to follow him. We went to Mom and Dad's room.
"Have you been feeling un easy lately?" He asked his eyes hard.
"No. Why?" I asked curiously while staring at him quizzically.
"I dunno. I just feel like… something's wrong." He said seriously.
"Well, what do you think's wrong?" I asked.
"I don't know. Just a bad feeling, but I would feel better if we patrolled the area, ya know. Just in case." He said shaking his head.
"Oh ok! I'll go help!" I said pumping my fist.
"Okay. Then let's leave now." He said walking towards the window.
"What about Mom?" I asked.
"We'll be back before Demyx notices anything. That's why it's a good thing he has the attention span of a retarded fly." He said chuckling and opening the window.
"Why are we using the window?" I asked after shaking my head and chuckling.
"Because." Dad said climbing out of it on the tree.
"Because why?" I asked climbing out.
"Because it's cool!" He said transforming.
"But you're not cool!" I said grinning before transforming too. I could hear him cursing in my mind and I laughed in his.
*~*~*~*
*Sora's POV*
Roxas and Uncle Axel had been gone for about ten minutes. Uncle Demyx didn't notice anything. Which was good because he would go on a mental breakdown if Axel AND Roxas were missing. Not that he isn't already mental, but you know…
The movie was finally over. I wasn't paying attention. I was to busy thinking about Kairi. I love her. Everything about her I love. Her smell like papou fruit and strawberries… Her beautiful eyes… The way she always stares at me when I'm in her room and we-
The wild vibration of my phone interrupted my thinking. It was a text. My eyes lit up as I thought it could be Kairi. I looked at the caller ID but it was only Roxas. My face dropped but I looked anyway.
They're here.
My eyes grew wide as I realized what he meant.
"Guys we have to leave. NOW!" I said urgently while standing up.
"What's wrong?" Namine asked.
"They're here!" I growled through clenched teeth.
"Who's here?" Namine asked confused.
"The council." I said as I transformed. Everyone followed suit. Roxas and Axel landed in the front of the house, out of breath.
"I want to come!" Namine said slightly worried.
"No! You have to stay behind!" Roxas said transforming to his human form to communicate with Namine.
"Why? They're after me too! I can go!" Namine said daring to challenge Roxas. No one ever challenges Roxas because he never loses any argument. You can thank Axel for giving Roxas his fiery spirit and determination.
"I don't want you getting hurt!" Roxas said getting slightly annoyed.
"But this is my fight too." Namine said just as determined.
"Yes it is. But they won't get a scratch on you, until they kill me first." Roxas said calmer but growling.
"Fine…" Namine said puffing out her cheeks in a pout.
"Thanks." Roxas said kissing her forehead.
"CAN WE GO NOW?!" I screamed getting frustrated. More so of the fact that I couldn't do that with Kairi at the moment.
"Yeah. Yeah." Roxas said waving me off.
"Idiot…" I said to myself.
"You're the idiot, idiot." Roxas retorted. I growled.
"Oh yeah? Well, you're-"
"You're both idiots! Now let's go!" Axel said annoyed. Mom, Dad, Demyx, and Axel transformed and left. I shook my head, grabbed Roxas by the collar of his shirt, and took off after them.
*~*~*~*
*Roxas' POV*
We flew across the shimmering blue sky. I regretted it. It was so beautiful and here we are about to fight to the death in a war with some of our closest friends.
"We need to be prepared. No chickening out now. Got it memorized?" Dad said smirking and trying to cheer us up.
"Yeah, but seriously. Are we ANY match for the council?" Sora said slightly worried.
"No. We aren't, but I'll die protecting Namine." I said flying ahead.
"Roxas don't be rash." Mom said calming me down. I slowed down and felt as the cold air of the almost winter stung my scales.
"My brother is right. It won't help us at all if you rush in and don't pay attention." Uncle Cloud advised. I wanted to rip the council's heads off.
"Roxas you will surely be killed if you run into the battle blindly fighting." Uncle Leon said.
I sighed. I knew they were right. When going up against elites you have no choice but to be cautious.
*~*~*~*
We finally arrived at the battleground. Sure enough the members were there, glaring at us as we made our way to land. I could feel my body heating up as my anger and power rose just like the sun. A short but menacing growl ripped through my throat.
Xemnas stepped forward, his glare as hard and cold as his heart.
"If you surrender now, we might just spare you pathetic lives." Xemnas spoke in a voice that said he clearly wasn't sorry for what he was about to do. I growled in response.
"…Never…" As soon as Dad said that, we clashed as hard as we could.
Dad was fighting Vexen and was sending out his flames as hot as he could. Vexen was trying to freeze him but of course it wouldn't work. Dad's heat was to much for him.
Mom was fighting Lexaeus. Mom knew how to face him. Mom kept flying over his head and all Lexy could do is throw rocks at him which Mom dodged expertly. Lexy can't fly. He doesn't have wings and they wouldn't be able to help him fly.
Cloud and Leon were fighting Xigbar, Xaldin, Zexion, and Luxord. We may be outnumbered but we are strong. Cloud and Leon balanced each other out with their light and darkness.
Marluxia and Larxene were nowhere in sight. Knowing those two they didn't come and they didn't care about us. I'm not complaining at all though…
That just left Sora and me with Saix and Xemnas. Sora decided to take Saix while I got Xemnas. From what I could see, Sora was using his speed not strength.
Xemnas and I stared down. Xemnas summoned up his aerial blades. I summoned my own dark blade called Oblivion. This blade was black same with the hilt. It had dark energy surging around it. The other blade I summoned was one crafted in pure gold. I named this one Oathkeeper. It shined in a brilliant golden light.
Xemnas took the first move and I moved swiftly as my feet barely touched the ground. My ears rang loudly as I could hear metal clash with metal. I could also hear the sound of everyone's elements clashing and canceling each other out.
I saw countless bodies fall. The science team that consists of Zexion, Vexen, and Lexaeus fell first.
As each body fell my anger and anticipation grew. Xemnas was so heartless and I couldn't wait to kill him.
Soon after Xigbar, Luxord, and Xaldin fell. Once again Xemnas was as emotionless as a rock. That only made my rage the only more intensifying.
I managed to slice Xemnas with Oblivion. But when I went to finish him off he vanished. I looked around panicky and nearly died at what I saw.
Xemnas captured Namine and now had her in a headlock ready to snap her neck in two. His aerial blade right at her neck ready to split it even if we blink… I felt ready to throw up and felt like someone was slowly choking me. My breathing became heavy as my heart beat fast with the combinations of worry, fear, and anger.
I could see it. She had tears in her eyes but they refused to fall. I had to kill Xemnas but at the same time save Namine too… There was only one option left…
*Namine's POV*
I sat there watching Roxas face turn to shock then anger. Roxas looked ready to die. Of course, I'm in a much better position to die right now, but… I never doubted Roxas before and I won't start now.
I watched with determined and somewhat stubborn eyes as Roxas dismissed his swords and walked towards Xemnas. His face was dark so I couldn't see his expression.
He dashed forward faster then lightning. I saw Xemnas' eyes grow wide as he fell to the ground. I was about to cheer out in happiness until I felt a stabbing in my stomach. The pain was so sudden I fell to the ground.
My eyes grew wide as a sudden realization hit me. The tears I was hiding fell as my heartbeat grew slower and slower with each passing second. Roxas had his own silent tears falling as his family members faces were shocked.
*Roxas' POV*
I watched Namine's face as the cause of my earlier action sunk in. Yes. It was true. No matter how much I regretted it. I killed Namine. I stabbed her. It was the only way to save her and kill Xemnas.
Tears fell from my face as I crouched to her level, took her in my arms, and whispered a final 'I love you.'
As her eyes slowly and finally closed… It was the hardest thing I ever did and I regret it… But she'll come back… I cried all that night until the day of her funeral, which was two days after it all…
*~*~*~*
My family and I walked to where her coffin was. Everyone left a few hours ago. We didn't bother to dress in black. I had my IPod on full blast as my hoodie shielded my from the cold. My favorite song 'Life After You' was playing on full blast.
I looked towards the sky and watched in fascination as the crystallized water fell to the ground and slowly evaporated. I've seen snow many times in my lifetime but it has never been this beautiful before…
I finally made it to where she rests in the funeral home. Her face is as pale as the snow above. The sun had just risen.
"The sun's light will save you from the darkness." I said the ancient words that are powerful enough to resurrect someone from the dead. I will lose my immortality for this, but I'd give up my entire soul for my snow angel. I still am a dragon and keep my powers however.
"Please! Rise Namine!" I said as I gave her my own life force to live. She shined in a brilliant light before slowly opening her eyes. I smiled.
"Hm… Roxas…?" She asked dazed.
"Yeah. It's me Namine." I said as my smiled brightened.
"Roxas… I missed you…" Namine said cuddling up to me.
"I missed you too… I want to show you something…" I said as I picked her up bridal style, not giving her any time to argue.
I walked outside with her close in my arms. I watched, as her eyes grew wide with fascination as the snow flakes fell down and she tried catching them in her mouth. I chuckled.
*~*~*~*
We played all day that day, until it was late and she needed some sleep. I put her in bed and tucked her in. I gave her final good night kiss. Before I took off one final thought went through my head and I whispered in her ear:
"Happy birthday, Namine."
That's why I exist. To protect the secrets of the past and guard the promises of the future… Our future.
Our secrets and promises…
