Chapter Ten- Forever
I was speechless- I didn't know what to feel, they were all flooding at me at once, canceling one another until I felt numb, and this happened in the spilt milli-second that they kissed before Roxas jerked away. I could see the conflict in his eyes, torn, between me and her- Xion.
"Namine, your back, how did it go?" asked the queen, trying to ease the tension.
"The caterpillar told me I was not the one, that I was to replace her and kill the Red Queen though, " I replied, looking at my feet, ferociously blinking back the tears.
"What did he say exactly?"she stated, slowly.
"He said that the girl that looks like me was supposed to kill the Red Queen, and I am supposed to take her place….and that is all," I decided to leave out the hardest thing you've ever done part.
"That is all?" the queen asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Correct, really, all it did was give me a big headache and several major injuries," I stated.
" Oh! That's right! We should heal you up, Namine!" Xion smiled, obviously not noticing my hatred towards her.
"I can take it," I replied rather coldly.
"Um, what she means is, I'll help her, come on Namine," Sora said, taking my arm and pulling me away.
We walked for a while to a nice, cool creek. I dipped my grimy feet and watched as the gentle current carried all of my filth away. I sighed, leaning back to notice a worried Sora.
"You should be with Kairi," I told him.
"I know I should be, but what kind of a friend would I be if I was never here for you?" he replied.
"We are….friends?" I asked, surprised, turning around.
"Yeah, I would consider you the hyper little sister….that I love," he grinned.
I laughed,"thank you….."
"Anytime, now, do you really need to be fixed up or do you just need thinking time?" he asked.
"I just need to be alone, okay?" I told him.
"Of course, you remember how to get back, right?" he wondered.
I nodded and he left me be. I took my feet out of the water and stared at my reflection for the longest time. What did she have that I didn't? I frowned and stood up. I was just as good as she was, I should not let that get me down. I sighed, if only I could believe that…. So, for the longest time, I paced and paced and paced.
It was now dark out and the forests were lit up beautifully. There was a natural path of glowing mushrooms in a multitude of colors, dragonflies out skimming across the water, dancing around with one another, the moon cast an eerie but strangely calming glow over the water, and all sorts of creatures were out and about right now.
"I wish I could go home," I mumbled to myself.
"Back with Hayner, Pence, Tidus, Wakka, Selphie, and Olette….man, I miss them. Where we would just laugh and do nothing. I even miss Hayner constantly pestering me to go out on a date with him!" I day-dreamed to myself.
I closed my eyes and took and deep breath to refrain from crying and once I opened them, a figure stood behind me. I let out a sharp yelp before realizing who it was. A scowl quickly contorted onto my face and I crossed my arms.
"Namine, please," he pleaded.
"Roxas. Leave, I know you will choose her, I was just your rebound girl….go, I will still fight with you, but that will be all," I told his reflection.
"It is true, I do love Xion…..but I love you too," he said, his hands flailing helplessly as if they would help him.
"Well, who do you like more?" I snapped, my patience drained.
"I….I am not sure," he confessed.
"." I ordered, angry.
"You need to come back to the cottage, it is not safe for you here," he cautioned.
"I'm not going back with you," I snapped.
"Not without you," he argued.
I turned around to face him with a deadly glare plastered on my face. Then, he did something unexpected. He grabbed my arms and pulled me close to him, kissing my lips. I was surprised, fireworks were lighting up my mind and my heart was racing.
I didn't resist, I am ashamed to admit. I wrapped my arms around his neck and felt his safe strong arms around my waist. We soon broke away from the kiss.
"W-why?" I gasped, lightly placing my fingers on my lips as if they were electrified.
"Because, I like you Namine," he smiled.
"You just like me?" I asked, almost disappointed.
He opened his mouth to say something, but of course, Xion appeared claiming she had been worried sick, took his hand, and dragged him off. I sighed and plopped back down by the stream, resting my back against the cool bark of a tree.
I underestimated how tired I was and soon past out. When I awoke, I saw a pair of eyes staring down at me. I let out a shriek, but it was quickly silenced by a black glove. I struggled as this person pulled me up and began dragging me away by the hair. I clawed their arm, flailed my arms, tried to kick him, bite, but nothing was working. I began to panic and the next thing I knew, I was thrown into a moving wagon and a painful whack was delivered to my skull.
When I awoke, I was lying on grimy floors. Turns out, I was trapped inside a tiny cell where there was no sunlight, the floor had this weird green slime growing, there was a plank of wood for a bed, it was freezing, and I heard to listen to screaming, crying, and pleading. Oh, death the stench of death hung heavily here.
"Hey! Let me out!" I ordered, shaking the cage doors.
There was only some mere snickering. I cursed at them and plopped down on the 'bed'. I wonder if the others were looking for me….they must be! ….Right? I groaned, they probably had no clue what so ever.
It must have been several hours later when a familiar pink haired figure appeared, "hello Namine, her majesty would like to speak with you."
"Don't you mean kill me?" I sassed.
"Both, now let's go, her majesty is impatient today," he snapped.
I grumbled, heaved myself off the rotting piece of wood and walked with him to the throne room. I see they had replaced the table I had been thrown into….and the throne. I cringed ever-so slightly and approached the Queen impatiently tapping her fingers on the arm of her throne.
"We meet once again, Namine," she said with a snide smirk.
"Hello Larxene," I replied emotionlessly.
"So, what did the caterpillar tell you?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
"That I am not the one to defeat you….a girl similar to me is to," I stated.
"Oh really? Then you are of no further use, Marluxia, dispose of her," she said, motioning with her hand like I was a piece of trash.
"Of course," he said, grasping my already sore arm and pulled me out of the room.
"Where are we going?" I asked, struggling.
"The torture room, I am getting you back for that last time you escaped," he smirked.
We were almost there when a sound of yells erupted outside. In the moment he was distracted, I ripped free and sprinted as fast as possible off towards the exit, that is, until the exit was blasted down by a flaming cannonball. I yelped and scrambled over to the nearest window, striking it with my arm and leaping out. I winced as I felt the jagged glass dig into my arm. Gingerly, I pulled the pieces out and began running.
I saw what was going on; The White Queen's army was attacking….and it was led by Xion! Unbelievable! Suddenly, I was filled with anger, how could they replace me so easily! I ducked behind a sturdy looking stone wall and waited for what seemed like forever. Then, I saw her emerge.
"Xion!" I called out to her and she whipped her head in my direction and charged at me.
"W-whoa! What are you doing?" I screamed, ducking out of her way, sprinted, and grasped a fallen guard's shield.
"I will have Roxas!" she screamed as she charged once again.
I protected myself with the shield and hit her painfully in the side with it. She let out a gasp as she tumbled to the ground.
"Give me the keyblade," I told her.
"Xion!" I heard a familiar voice call out and I whipped my head in that direction.
In my moment of weakness, she had gotten up and slash me in the side. I cried out in pain and stumbled backwards. The owner of the voice rushed to my side, yelling at Xion.
"Why would you do that!" he yelled.
"Roxas, she is against us! She wants the Red Queen to succeed," Xion told him.
I looked at her, furious, "I'm giving you one last chance, give me the keyblade."
"I would rather die," she spat.
"Your choice," I murmured before stealing Roxas's sword right out of his hilt and charge straight towards her.
A loud metallic bang sounded from the impact and we fought viciously, I managed to slice her side, she screamed, then knocked her off her feet, and had my sword to her neck, applying the slightest bit of pressure.
"Just give me the keyblade," I told her.
"NO!" she screeched.
I raised the sword and then out of nowhere, a figure came and knocked me to the ground, sword flying off to my right. I shook my head and looked up- Roxas stood before me. I couldn't believe it. We both knew what this meant, who he had chosen.
"Sorry, but, I cannot let you kill her, Namine," he said, emotionlessly.
"Well, I hope you know you just sided with a murderer," I told him, shakily rising.
"You're a liar," he snapped before running straight for me.
I ducked and sprinted over towards Xion who was still milking the whole 'damsel-in-distress' act. I had almost reached her when Roxas grasped my arm and threw me down to the ground. His sword struck the grass where my neck had been just moments ago. Before he realized he had missed, I was already running towards her once again. This time, I had made it over to Xion and ripped the keyblade out of her arm and made a mad dash towards the castle doors.
"Namine! Come back here!" Roxas ordered, right behind me.
I do not believe I had ever ran this fast in my life. This would be my third time in the castle and thankfully, I remembered where to go, bad news, so did Roxas. He blocked the door.
"Please, Roxas, trust me, let me fight her," I told him, trying to show him I meant no harm.
"Namine, why would you side with her?" he asked looking at me in a betrayed manner.
"Two can play this game," I cautioned, " why would you believe Xion and not me? Face it Roxas, it was always her, it was never me, now I understand why you liked me- because we looked alike, it was never about my personality, you only saw me appearance deep!"
"N-Namine! That isn't true!" he objected.
"Aw, look at the lovebirds!" cooed that ever familiar voice.
We both focused our attention on the owner of the voice. He still wore his black cloak, but it had tears in it, and his pink hair was fluffed up in awkward places, and had leaves and mud, and I believe even some blood in it.
I hardly noticed Roxas step beside me, until he whispered into my ear, "I do love you Namine, and I do trust you still, do not betray me, go, I will kill this monster, you go kill the Red Queen."
"T-thank you," I stuttered before making a swift exit to the throne room.
"About time you arrived, Namine," sneered Larxene.
"You ready to die?" I asked.
She laughed and she threw a knife straight at my heart, I ducked and charged at her. We went at it for what seemed like a lifetime of death glares, clanging metal, and gasping for air. No surprises, but Larxene likes to cheat, so she shot an electric bolt and I dodged, but was not fast enough and it struck my arm. I screamed in pain.
The cloth that used to cover that part of my arm had been burned away, the skin looked like it was a horrible sunburn that way it was blistery, peeling, and bright red, and had blood threatening to spill in any second. I scowled at her and while she was cackling I had knocked her to her feet.
I drew the blade to her neck and in that split second, terror filled her eyes, it pained me, she looked like a little child the way she was so scared, but she was a murderer and deserved to die….right? No, not right, because the second I kill her, and then I take her place as a murderer. Well, my thoughts of confusion were interrupted by her laughter. I then noticed her gaze was fixed on the door.
Marluxia and Xion were smirking widely and they each held Roxas back. My eyes widened in fear. He looked dead. His head was drooped, his whole body limp, and I was unable to see his constant, comforting breathing. Terror instilled in me as I looked at Xion.
"What did you do to him!" I demanded.
"Now now Nami, be a good little girl and listen, or your dear Roxy here will pay the price," taunted Larxene, rising and placing one of her icy hands on my shoulders.
"What do you want?" I asked through grated teeth.
"For you to join me, of course, you are but the strongest fighter and well, Xion will soon be married to Roxas, so, what would you really be doing?" Larxene asked, I could just picture her evil smile.
"Roxas does not love Xion," I told her, putting on a poker face.
"Oh, that does not matter, he will marry her if he wants to see you live," she laughed.
I bit my tongue restraining myself, "I want to talk to Roxas."
"Suit yourself," she stated, clicking her tongue to teeth.
She sent a jolt of electricity at him and Roxas coughed and gasped, Marluxia and Xion dropped him to the ground and I sprinted to him, sliding on my knees beside him, placing his head on my lap, and stroking his golden-blonde hair.
"Na…mine?" he asked, almost confused.
"Roxas, I'm sorry…." I apologized, looking away and tucking a loose blonde strand of hair away.
"Wha….what are you talking about?" he asked, confused.
"That's enough! Have you made up your mind?" Larxene asked, beckoning me closer to her.
I rose, no emotion written on my face, knowing of the impending doom settling itself slowly down on my shoulders, "yes."
She rested a hand on my shoulder, "and?"
"I say…..it's time you die," I stated, shoving the keyblade through her stomach.
That look on her face would haunt me forever and forever, and then, watching the light slowly fade from her eyes. I shuddered and pulled the keyblade out of her, not looking at it for the fear of getting sick to the stomach.
I saw Xion's gaping mouth and Marluxia's bewildered eyes, the two sprinted out of their as fast as possible. I let out a true, genuine laugh, sure, it was small, but it was a real laugh. I walked over Roxas and pulled his arm around my shoulders and helped him to his feet.
"Come on, we have to tell the innocents the blood bath is over," I smiled at him.
"You are one amazing woman," he grinned back.
I kissed him on the cheek and we emerged from the rubble once known as the Red Castle. We saw all of our soldiers' just stop and stare in silence as did the other army, and then, all at once, a cacophony of cheers erupted from the White Queen's side.
Kairi, Sora, Demyx, Riku, and Axel all rushed over to us. Kairi hugged me and I gave her an awkward one armed hug back. Of course, the other army, seeing that they had lost, fled as quickly as possible. The feeling of victory was indescribable.
Later that night, I was walking down the rows of tents the white Queen's soldiers, my ears made out each of them swapping their heroic feats or even admitting when they thought they would die, but most of all, the atmosphere was exploding with pride and happiness.
I smiled to myself and stopped at the large bonfire at the center of our camp. The fire burned brightly and kept anyone within in a ten foot radius nice and toasty warm. The flames danced from oranges to reds to yellows and the occasional blues. Oddly enough, this fire comforted me.
"Hello," purred a voice into my ear, wrapping their protective, loving arms around my waist and holding me close.
I placed one of my frail hands on theirs and replied, "Hello Roxas."
"I need to ask you something," he breathed into my ear, sending shivers up and down my spine and back again.
"Ask away," I told him.
"Okay, but come with me….you trust me right?" he asked, but with a little too much uncertainty.
" With my life," I replied back.
One of his big, warm hands intertwined with mine as I walked blindly into the woods with him. It was all so calming, the owls hooting softly, the moon shining beautifully above us, fireflies lazily making their way from tree to tree. I had to bite down on my tongue to stop myself from giggling like a little school girl.
He stopped right on top the most magnificent hill I had ever seen. Gorgeous glowing white flowers bloomed all across this hill. He plucked one and tucked it gently in my hair. We plopped down on the edge, our feet dangling. Below us was a lake.
"This place is beautiful," I gasped, still taking in all of my surroundings.
"It's where I used to go as a child….actually, my mom showed me it," he confessed.
"Umm, if you do not mind my asking, what happened to your family?" I asked.
"The Red Queen killed my dad for he was a loyal knight to the White Queen, and my mother just up and vanished," he sighed.
"I am so sorry for your loss," I told him, placing a hand on his leg.
He pulled me close to him, "it is okay, all these actions shaped me into who I am today, and I am proud of who I am."
"When I first met you….I thought of you as the Mad Hatter….because of your hat," I confessed, a light blush appearing on my face.
He laughed, "that is my favorite hat!"
"It suits you perfectly, and I could not picture anyone else wearing it," I smiled up at him.
He kissed me gently before getting really serious, "Namine, I want to ask you something."
"What?" I asked, getting lost in those gorgeous blue orbs.
"I want you to stay with me….forever," he said, staring back into my eyes.
Author's Note: Sorry it took me a while to update! School was busy with homework and then all of the drama going on! Oh well, hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)