Disclaimer: I tell you I do now own Kingdom hearts, but I love writing about them.
Favorite Reviewer of Last Chapter:
Sayshello3
Weixuan18
I AM SO SO SO SO SO SORRY. I'm sure half of you don't even read fanfiction anymore and I don't expect any more reviews, but I'm continuing for my sake. I hate leaving things incomplete.
I also am going to just put this out there…I'm sorry if the plot is a little shaky. I haven't read this in years so this chapter may seem completely out of context! I'm going to reread the whole story this week and fix up this chapter accordingly!
Can't Live With You, Can't Live Without You
Chapter 10: Epiphanies
"Kairi!" The voiced shouted frantically, "Kairi…"
From the ears of the red-wined hair girl laying on the floor the voice sounded like it was under water or in slow motion. Why it sounded so dreamily she didn't know. All she knew was that there was a throbbing pain in the back of her head and that she wasn't entirely awake. How she got like this her half-awakened memory could not process.
"Kairi!" The voice pleaded," Oh Kairi! Wake up!"
Kairi could feel someone gripping her shoulders and shaking them, but a sentence kept replaying in her mind like a broken record. "You're. In. Love." What that meant or why it was in her mind she honestly did not remember. She was too 'not-awake' to remember anything.
"Kairi! Kairi please wake up!" The voice screamed so loudly. Kairi felt her shoulders being shaken more violently and suddenly her eyes shot open as she awoke.
Unfortunately reality had sunk in and as Kairi's brain finally began to function, her memory began as well. The scene began playing over in her mind on fast-forward as she remembered every little detail…
"Kairi I know why you're acting like this," Namine stated simply as Kairi's eyes widened in excitement. "You do? Thank god because I need the truth and I need some answers," Kairi demanded. "Three words," Namine paused and took a deep breath, "
"Wha—what happened?" Kairi asked Namine as she sat up.
"Oh Kairi! Kairi! I was so worried about you. I'm so glad you are okay," Namine cried as she hugged Kairi tightly, "I didn't mean to give you a fright. I just…I wanted to try to tell you the truth."
"What?" Kairi asked still a little light-headed.
"You fainted," Namine explained, "Are you all right?"
"I'm uhh…yeah?" Kairi mumbled a bit confused.
'Fainted?' Kairi wondered in shock, 'But wait…do I love…no…impossible.'"Do you need anything?" Namine asked.
"I should probably go home…" Kairi said as she attempted to stand up, but struggled at first. Her knees were about to give in and the throbbing pain in the back of her head made everything dizzy a bit, but she managed to maintain her stance.
"Kairi I don't think you're in any condition to walk home. That fall really took a toll on you," Namine stated.
"I'm fine trust me. I just need to go home and get a lot of sleep," Kairi denied as she began walking to the door and pretending everything was fine, "Plus I need to sort out my emotions and stuff."
"Kairi—"
"I'm fine…honestly," Kairi assured as she walked in a straight line, "See? I can walk."
Namine wasn't completely sure. "I can walk you home," Namine offered.
"Namine please. Just let me go home by. Myself. I need time to think," Kairi emphasized.
"Oh—all right…" Namine muttered sadly since she still felt a little guilty. "Call me if you need anything."
"In that case I won't be calling you," Kairi retorted, "Bye Namine. Yes—I'm fine."
"Oh…okay. Bye," Namine waved to Kairi as Kairi opened the door and walked out of her house.
"Click."
"And today's headline news…a strange young female claims that she's really a man trapped inside a girl's body," The TV projected.
"Click."
"But James…" A sob came from the actress on the screen, "I really do love you. James, I love you!"
"Click." A final click and the TV shut as Namine groaned for the millionth time so far. It was all ready 5:30 and for the past hour and a half Namine felt bored, tired, and most of all lonely. She had tried reading, watching TV and even doing her homework, but nothing worked.
"Argh…" Namine groaned. She usually never felt this lonely and she usually enjoyed having the house to herself so what made today so different?
What could she do? She could call Kairi, but she didn't want to intrude. After all Kairi kind of made it pretty clear she wanted time alone and Namine was still very guilty for making her faint.
But was it really her fault for stating the truth? Kairi had asked for it anyway.
Namine muttered a string of curses to herself and mentally kicked herself for being so stupid. And why was she so lonely anyway?
"If your parents aren't at home spend the night at my place. My parents won't mind." That sentence replayed in her mind. Namine tried with much difficulty to refuse the tempting offer, but the more she refused, the more it sounded appealing.
"No…no Namine you can't just go intruding on Roxas's property!" Namine lectured herself.
'He said his parents wouldn't mind! And he invited!' Namine's conscience argued, but Namine shook her head in response.
"I can't!" Namine yelled and from far away Namine might have looked a bit crazy.
'Why not? He said it wouldn't be that big of a deal. Plus a sleepover with a guy like Roxas. Don't you want to see what he looks like in just his boxers with his eyes closed?' How that thought got in Namine's conscience she didn't know, but what she did know was that it didchange her mind a little.
"What the hell? I can't believe I just thought that!" Namine mumbled in complete shock. "Oh whatever. A sleepover does sound kind of fun," Namine thought in the spur of the moment.
Namine didn't know what came over her, but she began packing frantically. 'Toothbrush. Check. Pillows. Check. Clothes and undergarments. Check. Cell phone. Check. Charger. Check.' Namine checked in her mind as she began putting the stuff in her bag.
Namine then grabbed her house keys, wallet, and her small handbag. She began putting a few important things in the small handbag and grabbed her larger bag and slung it over her shoulder.
'What am I doing?' Namine thought as she walked outside and locked her door, 'Too late to turn back now.'
Namine began walking toward Roxas's house, which was only 7 or 8 minutes away. At first Namine took her time just in case she wanted to turn back, but no matter how hard she tried slowing down she ended up walking even faster. By the time she got to Roxas's house it had only taken her 5 minutes.
Why was she so excited anyway?
When she walked up the front step and was about to ring the doorbell she froze. 'Why am I here? Oh dear. I should turn back and walk away or—'
Suddenly the door opened and Roxas stood opposite her with eyes widened in shock.
"Namine? What are you doing here?" Roxas questioned as he raised an eyebrow at her.
"I…I…" Namine spluttered, "You offered!"
"What?" Roxas asked completely bewildered.
"I…I mean…you said…you said I could come here if I was feeling…" Namine trailed off as she lost her nerve.
"You were feeling lonely?" Roxas asked, "Well come in, come in. I was actually going to visit you and see if you were okay since your parents would be gone for the week again." Roxas smiled at her and then shouted, "Mom! Dad! I have a friend who's sleeping over today!"
Namine smiled to herself as she felt Roxas put his hand on the small of her back and guide her to his room.
"Mom? DAD?" Roxas shouted, "My friend's staying over!"
Finally a female voice responded that sounded similar to Roxas's mother, "Oh is it your cousin Sora? Oh it is isn't it? I told him that we don't have anymore apple pie left!"
Namine giggled and Roxas shook his head.
"No, it's Namine!" Roxas shouted back. Namine then heard footsteps coming toward Roxas's room.
"Oh! Hi Namine," A male voice greeted as the door slowly opened.
"How are you doing my dear? We haven't seen you in a while!" The female voice exclaimed as she followed the man behind the door.
Namine analyzed both of Roxas's parents. Roxas's father seemed to have the same gravity defying hair, but it was chocolate brown (probably because he was related to Sora's dad), while his mother had normal straight hair that was very blonde (probably where Roxas got his hair color from).
"I'm fine. How about you?"
"Oh we've been quite fine." Mrs. Hikari smiled warmly.
"Uh Mom," Roxas began, "She's staying over okay?"
"Oh of course! Your parents aren't home this weekend again?" Mrs. Hikari asked concernedly. "It must be awfully scary being alone in that house of yours."
"Well, it's not too bad. Sometimes it gets a little lonely though," Namine shrugged. "Thank you so much for letting me stay here. It's a pleasure seeing you again," Namine said kindly.
"You too Namine," Mr. Hikari smiled.
"Oh and Namine…" Mrs. Hikari began, "What would you like for dinner?"
"Honestly anything would be fine," Namine explained as Mrs. Hikari nodded. Then the two parents walked out of the room leaving Namine alone with Roxas.
"Hey Namine," Roxas began, "I'm glad you came. Really. I wouldn't have anything fun to do tonight and we've got a small vacation this week so I'm happy that I could spend it with you."
"Yeah…" Namine smiled as Roxas sat on the bed next to her.
"So do you want to sleep here with me or in the guest room? Well, the guest room is kind of under construction," Roxas laughed as he leaned forward, causing Namine to lean back a little.
"I don't care. Whatever you want," Namine answered as she felt her heart pounding way too fast to be healthy.
"Well, in that case you're staying right here with me," Roxas replied as he grabbed her waist and Namine couldn't help, but lean into his touch.
"I…I don't mind," Namine stammered as she leaned her head in closer.
"Good," Roxas replied as he leaned his head forward, almost as if to kiss her.
Click!There was a sudden flash in the room.
"ROXAS! MOMMY WANTS YOU TO CLEAN YOUR ROOM!" The small brunette shouted, "Oooo! Roxas has a girl in his room! Roxas has a girl in his room! Oooo!"
Roxas and Namine suddenly jumped apart and Roxas gave the little boy a dirty look.
"Pence! Shut up!" Roxas demanded, "Give me that camera!"
"NO! I have blackmail on you now!" The little brunette name Pence declared happily as he waved his camera in front of Roxas, while taking a step back so he was officially outside of his room.
"Pence! Stop bothering us!" Roxas sighed and decided to talk to Pence more calmly, "Pence. Can you just leave please and I'll let you borrow my skateboard?"
"YES! SCORE!" Pence shrieked as he walked away from the Roxas's room and down the stairs.
"Sorry, he's too smart for his own good and he's obsessed with his camera," Roxas explained.
"Wow. Pence has gotten so much older. He looks nothing like you! He's still so adorable though," Namine stated.
"For an evil devil maybe. He looks more like my dad that's why, but he's still a mix of my mom and dad. So he ended up looking like an alien," Roxas laughed.
"Roxas…" Namine stated in a daze, "Has anyone told you that you have gorgeous eyes?"
"What?" Roxas asked totally taken aback, but in a good way.
"Can I draw a picture of you?" Namine asked immediately.
"Umm…sure?"
"Great pass me some colored pencils and a blank sheet of paper," Namine commanded.
Roxas scurried around his bedroom and after a while he found a set of 24 colored pencils and a blank sheet of printer paper.
"Is this good?"
"Perfect," Namine smiled, "Just perfect."
Roxas, being unaware to Namine's thoughts, didn't know that Namine was actually thinking that he was just perfect.
Kairi frowned as she took out her key and opened the door. She wasn't in the mood to face her mom or Sora. It was basically a losing situation.
"Mom?" Kairi called out as she tried to find her mom.
"Kairi?" Hana asked.
"Hey Mom! Long time no see," Kairi smiled.
"And where have you been the whole day?" Hana asked.
"I went for a little morning walk and then I went to Namine's place what about you?" Kairi asked.
"Oh Keiko and I went out to breakfast since we couldn't find the two of you. We just assumed you guys got a head start without us," Hana smiled and then winked.
"Oh…oh no…you did not just do that. We were just having a casual breakfast!" Kairi shrieked.
"Sure," Hana smiled and then winked again.
"Mom! You're joking right! I mean I know you have decision making issues and you're a little slow sometimes, but this is ridiculous!" Kairi almost screamed.
"It's okay Kairi. He's an attractive young man—" Kairi coughed loudly at that one, "And you guys were best friends for about 5 years when you were in elementary school—" Kairi rolled her eyes, "Not to mention the fact that you guys are now living under one roof—" Kairi then muttered a "thanks-to-you" under her breath, "Honestly hon, I don't mind. Just as long as you do age appropriate things while we're gone—"
"MOM!" Kairi suddenly snapped, "This has got to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard on EARTH! I've barely even agreed to be friends with him and now you're jumping to conclusions that we're dating!"
"I…now I never said that—"
"You were implying it," Kairi groaned, "Don't act like I'm acting paranoid of my secret nonexistent relationship with him. The only reason why I'm nice to him is because I don't want to be sent to prison at such a young age."
"You have to admit that he charms you. I mean you said you hated him and now you're friends," Hana winked yet again.
"I'm friends with him because I'm civil and he has finally got a personality makeover and is not the jerk he used to be. He's matured; I've matured. That's all. And you know, he's nice and different than before. But I don't jump every nice and different boy out there, do I? If that was the case I would have already been married by age eleven," Kairi argued, "Honestly mother this is ridiculous."
'Why is everyone linking Sora and I together? First Namine then my mom?' Kairi thought in a very annoyed mood.
"Well, you guys have been spending an awfully lot of time together. Not to mention that you guys were sleeping on the couch together and had plenty of days alone—"
"Mom please stop talking," Kairi demanded, "I only spend time with him because it's vacation! What am I supposed to do? Pretend he doesn't exist? I mean you're the one asking me to be nice and hang out with him! And I'm doing what you say and now you jump to conclusions! Plus it's not like we hang out everyday! Today I was just hanging out with Namine! You know how Namine and I are friends and hang out? You never say Namine and I are dating! But then Sora and I hang out and you say we're dating! Are you on crack or something? Because if every person I hung out with automatically meant I was dating well then I'd be one well-known slut in this world!"
Hana was a little surprised at Kairi's outburst, but brushed it off, "Okay hon, I was wrong alright just calm down."
"I am calm. I'm just a little tense," Kairi replied as she began to walk away, "Well I'm going to finish my homework."
"Tell Sora I said hi!" Hana smiled.
Kairi grumbled.
As Kairi walked past Sora's room (and lucky for her the door was wide open) Sora called out her name, "Kai!"
"Uhh..yeah?" Kairi asked somewhat annoyed.
"How come you went to Namine's?" Sora asked.
"I just had to sort out some stuff with her that's all. What'd you do while I was gone?" Kairi asked.
"I actually went to that shed where we put our projects in and fixed up the projects so they're good as new," Sora smiled proudly.
"Well I'm glad you were my science partner," Kairi replied sarcastically, "Maybe next time you can do my English project."
"Shut up," Sora teased.
"Gladly," Kairi smiled as she sat on his bed.
"So I heard you argue with your mom," Sora began.
There was a long pause.
"Are you going to talk?" Sora asked.
"You told me to shut up," Kairi smiled and Sora let out a sigh of frustration.
"Well?" Sora asked.
"Did you hear everything?"
"Well, no. But I did hear the 'well then I'd be a well-known slut in this world'!" Sora explained.
"My mom was jumping to conclusions again," Kairi explained.
"So I can tell," Sora added.
"It was a stupid argument. Nothing really important."
"You sound kind of tense. Was something bothering you?" Sora asked.
"You have no idea…" Kairi groaned as she walked to her room.
"Roxas! ROXAS!" Pence suddenly bounced into the room with his camera in his hand, "Mommy and Dad are taking me to the camera convention in the city! Mommy says that we'll be back in two hours! Dinner is on the table!"
"Okay. Have fun," Roxas replied coolly.
"And Mommy says that she knows you're a responsible adult who won't burn down the house!" Pence grinned cheerfully, "I JUST LOVE CAMERAS!"
"Pence. Shut up. Have fun and don't install cameras in my room…" Roxas groaned as Pence bounced out of his room.
"BYE ROXAS!" Pence shouted from downstairs as the rest of Roxas's family drove off.
"Okay…where were we?" Roxas wondered, "Oh yeah. Should I pose or something?"
"Just sit like you would if you were relaxing," Namine explained. Roxas's knee bent upwards and his elbow rested on it. His face was leaning on his palm and he had a tired expression on his face.
An idea suddenly sprang in Namine's mind, but she immediately blushed.
'No way! You can't ask him to do that!' Namine scolded, but it would be her first time drawing something like that. The more she thought about it the more appealing it sounded. 'If he says no…then it's not that big of a deal anyway…'
Namine so far had only drawn his head…
"You okay Namine?" Roxas asked curiously, "Your pencil stopped moving so I just thought…"
"Would-you-mind-if-you-took-off-your-shirt?" Namine rushed into one breath. "I mean…you're going to keep the picture, but I've never…well I—uhh…I've never really drawn someone…well okay you don't have to…"
But it was too late. Roxas was already taking off his shirt.
"Should I take my pants off too?" Roxas teased and Namine threw a colored pencil at his face. "Okay! Okay! I was kidding!"
Namine had to admit that he had an amazing body. His abs were absolutely perfect and Namine thought she definitely enjoyed drawing Roxas a little too much.
Her hands copied his figure perfectly. She drew every detail she could see and kept trying to perfect the picture as much as she could, but Roxas was already so perfect.
After fifteen minutes Namine was finally finished.
"It's not my best work, but I have to admit the picture is really beautiful," Namine smiled as Roxas leaned over to see the picture.
"Wow, you make me look…great…" Roxas whispered in surprise, "I mean…you are such a great artist you can make anything look absolutely stunning."
"But I…I don't think…" Namine stuttered, "I think it's all you…"
"Namine did you just call me attractive?" Roxas teased as his eyebrow shot up in curiosity.
"Not necessarily," Namine replied indignantly as she hopped off Roxas's chair and sat on his bed so they were a good distance away from each other. Namine prayed that Roxas didn't hear her heart pumping five hundred miles an hour.
Roxas rushed over to the bed and was directly in front of her face now.
"I think you did…" Roxas smirked.
"That's rather subjective don't you think?" Namine asked.
"Possibly," Roxas leaned closer.
"Well, so we agree I'm right?"
"If I say you're right can I do whatever I want?" Roxas asked curiously.
"Why should you get a reward when I was right?" Namine wondered.
"You accept?"
Namine had no idea what she was getting herself into all she knew was that she wanted to say yes.
"Yes?" Namine replied back unsurely.
Roxas closed the gap between them and kissed Namine on the lips.
Namine was surprised at first, but how could she resist him? Especially when he wasn't wearing a shirt…
He smiled as her fingers traced circles around his abs. He pushed closer against her and kissed her more passionately. He couldn't stop. He wanted more and she wanted more. It seemed like a fair trade…
Namine pulled away first.
"Maybe…" Namine gasped, "Maybe I shouldn't sleep in your room tonight…"
"After this?" Roxas laughed, "There's no way I'd let that happen…"
"Good…because I don't want to go either…"
It had been a good half an hour.
And Kairi still hadn't come out of her room. To put it simply, Sora was concerned.
Sora paced in front of her door for a good five minutes, but wasn't sure if he should knock. After all, if she wanted to be alone then he didn't have a right to intrude.
"For the love of God. Just get in there already…" Kairi's mother whispered from the end of the hall.
Sora jumped back in surprise and was about to come up with a good excuse as to why he was in front of Kairi's door, but Kairi's mother was already gone…
Sora knocked on her door a couple of times, but there was no response.
At first he thought she wanted to be alone, but then he wondered if she snuck out. He had to check just in case. After all, that's what friends were for…
He opened the door to see her lying on her bed asleep. Of course, Kairi would sleep like a rock even despite the loud knocks on her door.
She murmured a few unintelligible sentences in her sleep and then turned around so her body was facing the door.
He watched as her lips parted each time she took in a small breath of air and laughed when she murmured, "Mom green out."
Maybe, Sora thought as he slowly crept out of her room. Maybe, next time I'll tell her.
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WOW.
I am so so so so so so so sorry that this took forever.
Again, I apologize for any grammatical or plot/context errors.
WHEN WILL THE NEXT KINGDOM HEARTS COME OUT! SHEESH! (and I mean kingdom hearts iii…not the other ones without Sora!)
- Elle