Chapter 9

"NAMINE! CRISIS!" Kairi shouted, banging on my front door with all of the force in her body. I rubbed my eyes groggily as I dragged my feet along the carpet to the door. Why was Kairi here, at five in the morning, shouting at the top of her lungs? It made no sense. Even Kairi would need sleep after a party like that. She wasn't invincible; and besides, I had the flu. She knew that.

Roxas slumped over from around the corner, glaring daggers at the doorway.

"Kairi…" he hissed, narrowing his eyes. I didn't even have time to let her in properly; she broke the doorknob, burst in, and grabbed me by my shoulders, shaking me around roughly.

"Namine! Huge, huge, huge, huge, HUGE omega problem." she said, ignoring Roxas's long string of profanities.

"What is it, Kai?" I asked sleepily, stifling another yawn. I tried to pull away from the red head's tight grasp but she wouldn't loosen her hold.

"Namine, the Queen of Disney castle just asked me to join her for tea tomorrow!" she hissed, shaking me more violently as the desperation came out of her eyes. Roxas clearly stiffened, as did I.

The Queen. The Queen!

"The queen of the Disney Castle asked You to come join her for tea?!" I said breathlessly. I was suddenly wide awake. Kairi nodded her head, starting to hyperventilate. Kairi had worshipped the ground Queen Minnie walked on since the day she was born. Everything about Kairi came from Queen Minnie; her look, her fashion ideas, her job, even. Queen Minnie wasn't called a Queen for nothing; she owned Destiny Islands, Twilight Town, and Radiant Gardens, along with everything and everyone that resided in those towns.

"Kairi! Stop shaking me! Breath! Relax!" I ordered. She let me go immediately, taking deep breaths and pacing around the room. This was the first time I had ever seen her lose her cool.

"Ok. First things first. Do you have an outfit?" I asked slowly, like I was talking to a three year old. Kairi nodded her head frantically, pulling out a large white plastic bag.

"Ok. You need to change into it."

"I can't!" She cried.

"Why not?"

"Because I can't!"

"Oh boy…"

"Can you come with me?" she asked, dropping to her knees. "Please! You'll get paid double! You too, Roxas!"

"Yes, yes, just head into my room and change." I sighed, patting my best female friend on the back. There goes my Saturday…

I followed Kairi up into my room, helping her through sobs as she slipped an elegant purple cocktail dress on. It was strapless velvet, ending at her calves, with a beaded finish at the top. She slid black heels on her feet and tied the laces up her ankles, grabbing a small black clutch to match. I sat her down and did her hair for her, separating it and curling it into a beautiful bun with five thousand dollar hair clips and pins. She smiled then stared at me.

"Namine, go get your best dress." she ordered, stomping out of the room. Was Kairi on her period? She never had mood swings like these….

Sighing and saying 'what the heck?' I trudged into my closet and started filing through my presentable dresses. There was one, and it was one I wished never to think about again. The wedding dress. I tore it out, throwing it into a far corner before searching again.

Kairi had stocked my closet behind my back. It was jam crammed with dresses of my favorite colors- white, baby blue, sky blue, and soft, grass green. My normal casual clothing was no where to be found. Sighing, more in defeat than anything, I grabbed the first dress my hand touched and pulled it on.

"Oh. My. God." Kairi exaggerated, standing in the doorway in her purple dress. She looked me up and down and gave a thumbs up. Roxas wandered up behind her, wearing a signature black tux, and whistled when he saw me. I blushed. I looked down at my feet, held my breath, and turned to the mirror.

It was gorgeous, naturally a baby blue Rinasaki designer runway dress I saw Rinoa wearing on TV the other day. It had a circular neckline, the thinnest of all spaghetti straps, and it was sequined like that of an ice skater's leotard. It actually ended mid-thigh, but a layer of see-through fabric flowed past to her ankles in the back, and barely showing her shins in the front. It had a low arched back, ending just above her thighs but with a blue ribbon sliding through it. Kairi threw white heels at my face, and I slipped them on wordlessly.

"Namine, next time, your wearing the runway grand slam." Kairi commented, making me blush just that much more. She skipped around, pulling out her phone and slamming her fingers on the buttons as she left. Roxas walked up to me, handing a light sky blue shawl to me. I wrapped it around my slim figure, thanking him and taking his hand. This would be some vacation, I just knew.


Kairi had pulled out her own private jet just for the occasion, and at the moment she was having a battle to the death in guitar hero against Sora. Owl City was humming softly somewhere in the deep, deep background, trying to make itself known through the heavy metal rock crap Kairi was playing, but failing miserably in it's attempts. It was also blocked out by the constant screams of victory from Kairi and the baby whining from Sora, who was wearing the same penguin suit as Roxas, who at the moment was sitting silently by my side on the first class seats off to the side of the TV and game station, but across from the indoor bar. No one went near that; bad memories like that don't leave you so easily.

"Do they always do this?" Roxas asked halfway through the flight. I looked up from my magazine, popping my gum bubble.

"Pretty much. I know what your thinking; how did those two ever find each other? Well, destiny, and luck, and fate, and karma you could say. All things that hate my guts." I pouted. Truth me told, I didn't attract the right things for me. Nothing; I attracted Riku, and he ended up being a total jerk. I attracted attention, something I've hated since I was a baby. The only good things I've ever attracted were Kairi, Sora, and Roxas. And I didn't know how long it would take for them to bolt on me, the god awful unlucky girl. That was all I was. Unlucky, damaged, and unhappy. I was a burden to all of the ones I loved…a burden. Nothing more than a burden.

"What's wrong?" Roxas asked, concerned. I looked at him, confused, until I noticed that his entire head was blurry and unfocused. I blinked, uncertain of what was causing my vision to go haywire, until I discovered the small wet spot just under my eye. I tapped it, and I was crying.

"N-no, I'm fine. Honest." I stuttered pathetically, sniffing as I dabbed at them. Now was no time to show weakness, Namine. I reminded myself. Roxas wrapped his arms around me nonetheless, trying to comfort me.

"Hey, I don't know what the water works are for, but whatever reason, I'm here for you." he cooed, shushing me and rubbing small circles on my back. I blushed at the contact.

It was weeks after the party, weeks after I confessed my subconscious mind told me I loved him. It wasn't awkward between us, and instead, our bond had grown stronger. He was like a brother, a father, a best friend, even a dog to me, always there for whatever reason I needed him. And I was his sister, his mother, his best friend, and his cat for whatever reason. But lately, I was beginning to doubt my sanity. My subconscious mind had predicted love to sprout and grow between us, and lately, I feel like it had. It was like a bomb, slowly ticking away and waiting for exactly the right moment to explode, blowing my heart to tiny bits and forcing me to open my eyes to what was right in front of me. But alas, the sane portion of my mind was the person standing there with wire cutters, trying to figure out which wire to cut to diffuse the tragedy. If I fell in love with my best friend, all hell is unleashed, or so I've been told in books and from girl friends. Unless he felt the same way, he would leave, never come back, never be my friend, father, brother, or dog ever again. He would go, just like that. But of course, if he returned the feelings…

But what were the odds of that? Who could love little broken old me? I was like that since the beginning, since I was born; damaged goods. I was frail, pale, and I needed someone to look after me, badly. Riku had taken his toll on my life. And I paid for that mistake through pain. It had ceased now, gone away, died off inside of me with Roxas around. I was unlucky and unhealthy for anyone, a burden, A problem, a mistake. One who was the sole survivor of a plane crash, while her boyfriend died protecting her. I was that girl.

Bad analogy, I know. But whatever.

"Namine! Your slower than molasses in January! Come on!" Kairi whined from outside. I jumped at my name, looking around only to find the small lounge empty and the door by the bar open with the sun shining through. I hurried to unbuckle my seatbelt and scurried out the door.

What I found shocked me to death. I wasn't outside; I was in some kind of gummi ship hanger. The light I saw was not sunlight, but artificial lights bright and blinding from the ceiling. Kairi, Sora, and Roxas all waited patiently with their bags by the door up on the second flight of stairs. I grabbed my back, running after them.

"Sorry. I guess I dozed off." I said, smiling sheepishly and rubbing the back of my head. Kairi rolled her eyes, taking Sora's hand and skipping through the big double doors up ahead. Roxas took my hand, gave it a gentle squeeze, and we followed after the red head.

Real sunlight greeted me through the double doors, and I absorbed it greedily. It felt wonderful, tickling my skin and playing with my hair. I glanced around, realizing we were in a garden…with large animals cut out of the shrubs. A pig playing the trumpet, a cow with drums, and a duck with a trombone. Weird.

"Come on! Mrs. Mouse is waiting!" Kairi squealed, now enthusiastic about our arrival. We followed her, through a small side door, up some more stairs, and down a long hallway. She stopped at the giant double doors in the center, looking up in awe.

"She's in here, lets go!" she whisper screamed, excitement leaking out. Is Kairi bipolar?

She knocked on one side of the door, then pushed it. I imagined the giant thing swinging open ever so slowly, inching along the carpet, but a small side door popped open instead. Roxas and I stared at it, dumbfounded. Sora chuckled.

"Yeah, we know. Weird, huh?" he commented, going through. We followed silently.

A small figure waited all the way down there, on the other side of the long room. I sighed in defeat, dragging my heels along the marble towards the throne, dejected. Kairi and Sora giggled while Roxas smirked.

"Welcome, guests." a high pitched, yet still lovely voice called, and I realized the queen was addressing us. Kairi immediately went business mode, running up to the throne and kneeling down. Sora mimicked her, and Roxas and I walked up, confused as ever.

The queen…was a mouse? Seriously a mouse?! A mouse. Minnie mouse was really a mouse?!

"Silly Kairi, rise! Sora, Donald and Goofy have missed you." the queen giggled, and Kairi lit up. She lunged, and picked up the queen in a hug. Sora sighed as well, looking excited.

"Where's the king?" he asked.

"He's in his study." the queen replied simply, and Sora was out the door in a heartbeat. Roxas and I stood awkwardly off to the side, unsure of what to do.


(Kairi's POV)

"Minnie, are you still up for my master plan of romance?" I whispered quietly so Namine and Roxas couldn't hear.

"Of course. Look at the two of them. It's like destiny." she whispered back, and we giggled to each other.

"Nami, Roxie, this is queen Minnie Mouse of Disney Castle, owner of everything we love." I explained, and I saw Namine roll her eyes at me but bow down nonetheless.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Queen Mouse." she said softly, with her wind chime tinkle-y voice. Roxas bowed as well, never releasing Namine's hand. I smiled at that.

"Please, please! Call me Minnie." my little mouse friend said, smiling warmly. "Follow me, and we'll go find Sora and start our discussion."

We followed Minnie out of the chamber, Roxas and Namine being slow and lagging behind us. I took this opportunity to fill Minnie in on the master plan.

"You know that party you host every five years? The Silk Masquerade? I have plans. Notice their outfits, along with mine. Were crashing your party tonight, Minns." I whispered, smirking.

"I would figure you would crash it, Kairi. You always do, but what's the plan for those two?" Minnie asked, inconspicuously jerking a thumb at the blondes.

"Simple. Roxas loves to play music; it's a masquerade. No one will know it's him playing a song he wrote just for Namine, I dug it up in his room," she added when she received 'the look' from Minnie, "but uh-oh! The lights go out! And Roxas is unmasked. Perfect ploy, I must say. And I'll make sure he dedicates the song to her, I swear." I finished, already triumphant. Minnie looked skeptical as she opened the door to Mickey's study.

"Are you sure that would work? What if Namine leaves the party unexpectedly?" she asked.

"No way. I won't let her take a step out of that room."

"Ow! Pluto, stop it! That hurts!" Sora wailed, laughing as the dog pounced on him and licked his face. goofy, Donald, and Mickey were surrounding him, chuckling but with obvious joy. They were happy to see their friend.

"Sora! Come here for a second!" I called. He pushed the yellow dog off of him, smiling as he approached.

"What's up?"

"You know the silk masquerade is tonight, right? It's time."

"Time? For…"

"Yup."


(Namine's POV)

I have terrible ideas.

First, I noticed Kairi and Queen Minnie whispering to each other, huddled up as we walked. They also shot a couple of mischievous looks our way. Then, once in the office, she pulled Sora aside and was whispering to him, and they shot us the mischievous look. I'm scared…

"Another muffin, miss Suzumiya?" King Mickey asked.

Wow. Miss Suzumiya. Didn't expect to be called that ever again. What was it that I was expecting? Mrs. Kurosawa. I shivered.

"Please, your majesty. Call me Namine. And yes, I'd love another."

Just thinking about the mere name of that awful person sent chills up my spine. It was a strange feeling, hate. I didn't like it at all.

"You ok?" Roxas whispered quietly, truly concerned. I blushed under the intensity of his gaze.

But Mrs. Akamura…Namine Akamura. Not bad, not bad at all. Mrs. Roxas Akamura. He was kind, sweet, gentle, handsome, caring, loving….

STOP RIGHT THERE, NAMINE.

Ugh! Thoughts were so confusing! So very, very confusing. My subconscious was slowly becoming conscious, and my sanity was in check, again. I noticed that the wire cutter sane side of my brain came this close to cutting the wrong wire and forcing the bomb to blow, ruining everything. I had to keep myself distracted.

"Hey Kai? Since when did you guys know the Mouses?" I asked, the first random thing that came to mind. But my question did flare some curiosity deep down inside.

"Oh. Before I made Rinasaki inc. Minnie was my founder." she explained quickly, measuring my response. I narrowed my eyes but did nothing else.

Kairi was hiding something from me.

Dear god, I'm scared to death.

"So, Namine? Are you coming to the Silk Masquerade ball later tonight? Starts at nine, ends at three?" the king asked, pushing his chocolate pudding away. A silk masquerade?

"But I don't have a mask…" I said lamely.

"Nonsense. You can borrow one of ours. All of you can." Minnie jumped, obviously trying to cover for something.

Kairi is a great liar. Minnie, was not.

"Whatever." Roxas said, rolling his eyes. I just nodded my head, my narrowed eyes never leaving Kairi.


"Welcome, guests."

I peeked up from my random daydream, looking around the room through the eye holes in my mask. I was seated at the royal table, with Kairi, Roxas, Sora, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy. All around at other orderly tables sat various other people, including Zidane and Garnet, Rinoa and Squall, (also known as Kairi's parents) Demyx, and Yuna and Tidus. Everyone was wearing flashy dresses and masks, most likely worth billions of dollars.

"Our meal is over, and now I welcome you to our dance floor, made of glass and overlooking our garden." Mickey announced, and a panel in the floor slowly slid out, creating a stage in the far side of the room and a glass dance floor. Kairi immediately jumped at the chance, dragging Sora with her.

"Awesome, dude." I mumbled sarcastically, slamming my head on the table. Roxas chuckled.

"Wanna dance, Blondie?" he smirked, and I blushed again. He really wasn't making this easy for me. I don't want to fall for you, idiot!

"Sure." crap. I took his hand anyway, letting him lead me to the dance floor. A nice, slow, disturbingly emotional song was playing, and Roxas led us to the beat, swaying peacefully on the dance floor wit everyone else. I did catch Kairi's eye once, and I noticed that she did look hopeful. I'll kill her later.

"Are you having fun?" Roxas asked, breaking me away from my thoughts. I stared up at him, nodding with a smile, but my eyes never left his, even though the cerulean ocean-ish blue was hidden behind a half black half white mask. It was heartwarming, to see those bright, happy orbs, and with the way they shone, it made me feel like the only person alive on the planet. My heart skidded around erratically inside my chest.

"You?" I asked in return. He chuckled.

"Perfect night. Were at a party, having fun, were together. It's all good." he replied, cracking a grin and blushing slightly. Aw! He wanted to be together with me. That's so sweet! I love him, the little teddy bear.

"I-I mean, you know, as friends-" he stuttered, misreading my expression. I giggled.

"It's ok, Roxas. I love you too." I joked.

He sighed in relief, and I noticed a new, brighter twinkle. He wasn't just giving me his usual warm, happy smile, he was glowing. Literally glowing. His normal smile pulled back into an ear to ear grin, all teeth showing, and his eyes were wider, a lighter shade of blue with out a name. the way he looked at me…was like he loved me. I sat down in my seat, waiting for him to take the one next to me.

"Well. Bye, Nams."

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Where in the Sam heck are you going?

When my head snapped up, I only caught a glimpse of his retreating shape, disappearing in the crowd that gathered. No! why is he leaving? Is he going to go ask some random girl to dance? Why? Why is he leaving me?! No!

"I'd like to dedicate this song…to someone special. She's the one that completes my world."

Oh. There he is. What is he doing?

I jumped up in my seat, scurrying awkwardly into the crowd and jumping to get a glimpse of him. People scolded me, telling me to stop jumping, but I ignored them. I have more pressing matters to deal with. Where is Roxas?

"Namine, wherever you are, this is for you."

What's for me?! I'm so confused! What's happening?! Oh my god! Someone please explain!

An acoustic guitar started playing the sweetest notes I ever imagined possible, and I froze. That kind of playing… it was Roxas's playing. Why was he playing? What was he playing? He said this one is for you, Namine…the song was for me? Let's listen…

"Take me where I've never been

Help me on my feet again.

Show me that good things come to those who wait…

Tell me I'm not on my own

Tell me I won't be alone

Tell me what I'm feeling isn't some mistake…

Cuz if anyone can make me fall in love…

You can."

A chorus of 'aw!' s echoed in the room while I stood frozen in shock in the center of the dance floor. Did he just use the L word? And the song was dedicated to me…it was safe to like him? Whoa! Wait! I don't like him! It's all a ploy! No! he'll hurt you, Namine…he'll leave. Then what would happen to you?

"Save me from myself, you can

And it's you and no one else

If I could wish

Upon tomorrow

Tonight would never end,

If you asked me I would follow

But for now I just pretend

Cuz if anyone can make me fall in love,

You can."

He said it again! Maybe what Kairi told me before many multiple times is true. a lot, after work or a day at the café or something, I would call Kairi and vent my mixed feelings to her. She always kept telling me, 'he loves you so much more than you know, stupid!' but I never really listened to her. I thought she was lying. Maybe not…? She also told me that I loved him too, but I was to much in denial to admit it. But the thoughts…the weird blushing at random times, my movements to be around him…they all pointed to the L word.

Love.

"Baby when you look at me, tell me what do you see.

Are these the eyes of someone you could love…"

Dear god yes. That's not a question to ask. I love the strange bright blue color of his eyes. It's beautiful.

Cuz everything that brought me here,

Well now it all seems so clear

Baby you're the one I've been dreaming of

Cuz if anyone can make me fall in love, you can."

I can make him fall in love? With me? Me?! The burden, the problem, the mistake? He loves me?

"Save me from myself, you can

And it's you and no one else

If I could wish upon tomorrow

Tonight would never end

If you asked me I would follow

But for now I just pretend

Cuz if anyone can make me fall in love,

Baby you can take me

Sailing in your deepest eyes

Bring me

To my knees and make me cry

And no one's ever done that

Everything was just a lie

And I know

Yes I know…"

"Namine? Where are you?" he asked, speaking instead of singing. As soon as he called my name I was pushing ands shoving again, making my way to the sound of his voice. Seriously, where was he? This is impossible… oh! There he is. I timidly walked up to the stage, and he smiled that ear to ear Cheshire cat grin.

"This is where it all begins

So tell me it will never end

I can't fool myself

It's you and no one else

If I could

Wish upon tomorrow

Tonight would never end

If you asked me I would follow

But for now I just pretend

If anyone can make me fall in love

You can

Show me that good things come to those who wait…"

The crowd cheered, applauding and screaming and dancing. Roxas put his guitar down, looking at me fearfully. I stretched my hand out for him to take, and he hoisted me on stage. Another slow song started playing in the background.

"Listen, Namine. I don't care if you don't feel the same way, but…I…I've loved you since the beginning. Second grade, Mrs. Awakara's class." he fumbled out, looking anywhere but at me. I froze at the words.

So it was possible? My subconscious mind was right? It's safe to love him? But what about our friendship? Where would that go? I don't know what to do…

"Roxas…I love you too. But…"

"But what?" he asked, finally peeking at me. He looked dejected, pushed away.

"I need some time to think. My head is pounding." It wasn't a lie. My subconscious mind, or the ticking time bomb, was getting closer and closer to exploding on me. I couldn't allow that to happen! No! no…

Suddenly, out of no where, the highest of all high pitched screams shot throughout the room, making my head spin.

"FASHION EMERGENCY!" Kairi wailed over the crowd, pointing to a tear in her dress. It was silent for about ten seconds then all hell broke loose. People were screaming their heads off, running around frantically, heels were snapping, and ties, hats, and masks were flying high up in the air. Roxas and I, alarmed, threw ourselves into the crowd, searching for Kairi.

And then, a dark purple high top sneaker can flying at my face.

And it was black all around.


(Roxas's POV)

"Namine? Namine! Wake up!" I shouted frantically. The shoe that had knocked her unconscious rolled away. I checked her forehead, which was visibly changing colors, and cursed under my breath.

"Is she all right?" Kairi asked, running up to me. She picked the shoe up and shoved it into her purse. I glared at her.

"Your dumb little plan didn't work out very well, now did it?" I spat. She rolled her eyes.

"Roxas, it's all according to plan. Sorry for knocking her out, but she was about to make a big mistake and I needed a cover up." she smiled sheepishly as I cupped the small, sleeping blonde into my arms. She was surprisingly light.

"So your whole idea was to make it so that I would sing that song, to her specifically, and then suddenly it's happily ever after? Kairi, this is the twenty first century." I scolded, letting her lead us to a side door. As soon as I closed the door behind me, she smacked me with the same purple high top that knocked Namine out.

"What the Hell?" I shouted, noticing Sora in the room as well. He was edgy, walking around in circles in a panicky state.

"Stop talking like that! She loves you. She's told me so many times, it's retarded. She always says things like, 'I do love him, Kai, but what if he doesn't like me back? He'll leave. Then I'll be alone again.' or 'What if it ruins our friendship?' so you need to man up and love her, but treat her the exact same way." she explained, running up to Sora and telling him to breath. I pondered her words. She did…love me back? Really? But she was afraid I would leave her. It makes sense.

"Kairi? I'll do it."

"Do what?" she asked, confused.

"I'll be there for her. Tomorrow, get her to understand her feelings, then send her to me." I explained, and Kairi's face lit up. Sora collapsed, and then she was back with full attention to him.

I really hope I'm doing the right thing…


Purelywhite-nami? PURPLE SHOE OF DOOM!!! :)

yeah, all of you peps out there, i am extremely sorry. i had the WORST case of writers block and it would not go away! writers block is the devil's pet dog. fo sho, man.

you know how in the beginning of this story i said me and my friends would do a party in the USA vid? well, it changed since New Moon came out. were doing... *drum roll*

A TWILIGHT MUSICAL PARADY!!!!!!!! *crowd cheers*

for all those who never have seen our ohter vids, go watch them! we are the Lamoey, and we rock. our vids kill. go watch! go go go go go go go go go!!!!!

i love all of you for being out there and supporting my story. it'll end in about two more chapters! :( but that gives me more time to write On The Outside Looking in! :)

btw, OTOLI has EXTREME writers block. so sorry!