Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and related characters belong to Tetsuya Nomura and in no means belong to me. Written in 1st Person, contains hints of RokuNami, RokuShi, and VenNami.

~ xWhitexWindx

Broken Chains

I felt stupid for even coming to see her.

I felt like a moron because no matter how much I swallowed, that stupid lump continued to scorch my throat.

I felt weak because no matter how much I tried to prove myself, no matter how high my level of maturity was, in the eyes of the world I was still just a kid. A useless kid who couldn't even control his emotions enough. I disrespected my own mother - the woman who gave life to me - and the worst part was I didn't even care anymore.

How could I?

She stopped being my mother years ago.

"Ven…"

"Please…just…leave me alone right now."

I turned, stuffing my fists into my hoodie pockets as we walked through the Sector 5 slums. I had barely spoken two words since we had left Sector 6, with Lightning shadowing us. Naminé left me be as I had asked, but one glance over my shoulder and I could see she was struggling to mask the rejection she felt.

I'm sorry, Nami. I just don't want you to ever see me cry.

Reaching the entrance to the old church, I quickly walked inside. The wood beneath my sneakers creaked and moaned under the weight, and there was a flower bed that grew towards the front of the church, near where the alter used to be. I crouched down a moment later after I had reached them, just trying to take a deep breath.

I wiped my face with my sleeve, allowing myself a silent cry for a few moments. The door to the church hadn't opened yet - I guessed Lightning sensed I wanted a moment alone and was staying outside with Naminé. Thinking back to my childhood friend, I paused and wondered if she was hurting right now, knowing that I was to the point of tears. I had hurt for her when she was in the same state; we were close, so it wasn't a wonder that my dismissal of her comfort had stung.

Taking a deep breath, my fingers brushed against the soft petals. I thought back to the stories that Zack would tell us, of the days when he first joined SOLDIER, and how he met Aerith. I smiled, glancing up at the hole in the ceiling, knowing he had came crashing down through it and these very flowers had broken his fall.

The door opened just as I quickly plucked five of them and tied them together with a rubber band I found in my pocket. I didn't straighten though, simply blinking as I glanced over my shoulder at Naminé. She had discarded her petticoat, wearing her little white dress that she was always fond of. Her fingers nervously played with the ends of her hair, falling over her shoulder as she tipped her head a little to the side, that sweet smile in place but her eyes like winter inquiring.

My lips twitched into that smile that always managed to appear around her, before I straightened while slyly hiding the flowers behind my back. I approached her, with Naminé hesitating before stepping forward, now pressing her hands together and lacing her fingers in front of her.

"Are you feeling better now, Ven?"

I nodded, "I am. Thank you."

"So…um…Reeve is here. He's talking to Miss Lightning outside."

I chuckled, "Don't think she'll handle the formality so well." Pausing, I bit down on my lower lip as I held out the flowers to her.

Naminé's eyes widened in surprise, before her cheeks tinged pink as she took the bouquet, bringing them close to smell them. I rubbed the back of my head nervously, closing my eyes for a moment. I had never been confident enough to do this before, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

"H-Hey…"

I staggered a bit as her full weight hit me head-on, opening my eyes a moment later to find her embracing me, her face buried into my shoulder and her arms around me.

Why do I have to turn red now?!

That's when she pulled back, her arms still around me, our faces only inches apart. I could count every fleck of silver in her icy eyes, the light reflecting and once again reminding me of snow. She was so beautiful - in a way that was so natural and so pure. I doubted she honestly knew how beautiful she really was.

Her eyes left mine only briefly, glancing at my lips. I swallowed hard.

O-oh…s-she wants me to…

I slowly brought my hand to her face, her cheek gently brushing my white and black checkered wristband as my fingers tucked a loose strand of wheat behind her ear. Fighting my hesitance, I then ran my fingers through her hair, allowing the silken strands to wrap around my fingers as she continued to look into my eyes. It almost felt as if she was starting to lean closer.

I did the same, trying to ignore the thumping in my chest or the nerves twisting my stomach into knots. I heard her breath catch seconds before her eyes shut with her cheeks still dusted with that rosy glow and her lips barely pursed in anticipation.

I had imagined this moment a thousand times.

It felt like I had waited a thousand years for this.

So there wasn't any way I was going to let this chance slip through my fingers.

...Rose…

That was the first thought that came to my mind.

It started out light, just a brush of our lips - hers feeling as soft as the inside of a rose. It last only a few seconds before she withdrew slightly. Just when I went to step back, I felt her hands gripping my shoulders and pulling me back down. This time, the kiss was much firmer than before, our lips lightly pecking every so often.

My heart feels like it's about to burst! I-I can't believe it! I'm kissing Naminé!

The girl I had basically been in love with my entire life.

Was kissing me!

After what seemed like forever (in actuality was maybe a few minutes), I felt her pull back. She opened her eyes seconds after I did, looking a little flushed and suddenly very flustered. I chuckled a bit at the adorable reaction as she brushed her fingertips to her lips in disbelief - like, did that really just happen?!

"Hey, kids, we need to go now!"

Shoot!

I had completely forgotten about Lightning and Reeve. Naminé turned and quickly retrieved her coat from one of the pews, putting it on and still holding her bouquet. Lightning noticed it a moment later, raising a brow in surprise as she looked at me with a calculating gaze, then putting two-and-two together. She then snorted softly in disbelief - something that made me pout a bit - before we hurried over to the man in a nice suit.

"So…uh…we get to go see my father now, right?" I asked, once again rubbing the back of my head sheepishly.

Reeve nodded after giving a soft chuckle, "I could tell immediately that you were Lavitz's son. You act just like him."

"Is that a good thing…or what?"

"It's a great thing. He's one of the most honest people I work with." Reeve turned to Lightning, "I got this now, if you want to head back."

She nodded and then paused, "I'll take those, so they don't die." Lightning indicated to the bouquet of flowers in Naminé's hands. Nodding, the blond handed it over and Lightning glanced at me one last time. "Hey, Ven."

"Um…yes?"

"After school ends this semester, call me and we'll see about getting you set up in Radiant Garden. Okay?"

Blinking, I nodded at once. "Thank you! So much!"

She turned and left.

"Well?" Reeve turned to look at us, "Shall we get going them?"

"Yeah," I said, beaming as I felt small and nimble fingers brush against my own before I laced my hand with Naminé's. "Let's go see my father."

Maybe coming here wasn't a big mistake after all… Dad will listen. I just know he will. There's nothing else in this world he lives for other than us.

Unlike my mother, Dad didn't have a choice with his job.

He still made time for us. He actually had been home maybe two weeks prior to all the chaos. I could still remember it like it was yesterday - the three of us playing soccer in the backyard, laughing.

Dad…

I just hoped that he would be able to help us.

A/N: I like, died, from gushing so much over that scene :3 Review guys! Please! Reviews make Ven and Nami happy! (AND ME!)

-xWhitexWindx

Musical Inspiration: A Flower Blooming in the Slums - Crisis Core OST