Chapter Eleven: Sharper than Knives

Namine peered into the kitchen. She was hungry again and her stomach just couldn't take the pain anymore. As far as she knew, all of the members were busy today. At least, Roxas told her so. She smiled. What would she do without that boy to tell her everything she needed to know?

Seeing that the coast was clear, she sighed and opened the door fully. She nearly squealed as she ran to the fridge. Larxene had gone shopping yesterday, so the fridge was full and untouched by the Organization members. Another tip from Roxas.

She quickly made herself something to eat and cleaned up after herself. Yeah, that hit the spot. She was about to leave when she noticed someone dangerous standing in the doorway. She gulped and looked for a place to hide despite the fact that she knew it was too late.

It was Xigbar, and he looked especially trigger-happy today. Namine's face paled as he slowly began to stride towards her with that crazed look in his eyes. He mindlessly played with one of his knives as he neared her.

"I'm sorry," Namine repeated, lowering her head. Xigbar stood before her, not saying a word. The small witch couldn't bear to look up. She knew he was the craziest out of all the members mentally. Although he seemed fairly laid back when you left him alone, Xigbar could suddenly change his mind and attack you.

"I want apples," he said.

"Huh?"

"APPLES!"

"Y-yes, sir!" Namine squeaked, rushing to the fridge and grabbing two apples. She rinsed them gently with water, put them on a plate, and presented them to him. Xigbar scowled.

"Cut them for me. Make it nice."

Namine shook as she nodded her head and sat at the kitchen island. She looked for a knife but couldn't find one. Her hands quivered. Had Xigbar known she would have come here once Roxas told her that everyone would have been gone? No way in the entire world was Namine going to ask for a knife. NO ONE asked Xigbar for a knife. They would rather slice something with their bare hands before asking Xigbar.

Sadly, Namine couldn't make it look nice without a knife. She glanced at Xigbar, who had been staring at her the entire time. She nearly squeaked again. She was in so much danger. She would kill for Demyx to come and save the day. Or Axel. Or Saix. Maybe even Roxas.

Namine gulped and went up to Xigbar. Tears welled up in her eyes as she asked, "May I use one of your knives pretty please?"

Xigbar stood there for a moment, seeming as if he was assessing her rather than her request. He threw one at her feet. Namine jumped, surprised he didn't impale her foot into the ground. She bowed her head in thanks and picked up the knife. After rinsing it off, she began to cut the apples. The air was so thick that she could probably cut it with the knife she had in her hands. Speaking of which, the knife she had was in really good condition. She supposed it made sense, seeing how he was so fond of them. Maybe Xigbar wasn't so bad after all.

"Umm, you know, I think a lot of people fear knives because they're initially known to hurt people," Namine said quietly. Xigbar leaned against the fridge, his stare still focused on her. She took a slight breath in, hoping that she wasn't being too crazy by talking to Xigbar. "Though, knives are also very helpful if you're just right with them. In fact, they can even make artwork if you're patient enough."

Namine set down the scene of apple bunnies and butterflies in front of him. After tossing the leftover cores away, she presented the apples to him. Xigbar didn't say anything but continued to stare at her. He took a moment to stare at her creation that she made for him.

"Are you happy with what you've made here?" Xigbar asked quietly. Namine blinked. She had never heard him so civilized before. Xigbar glared at her, the craze returning to his eyes. "Are you?"

Namine jumped a little bit, but she nodded at the same time. She gave a small smile. "I'm very happy."

"Good," Xigbar said, staring at the apples. "I think people believe that knives are a certain way, so knives end up being that way. The lines between reality and peer pressure blur sometimes."

Namine tilted her head slightly. Was Xigbar opening to her?

"Now get lost before I cut you," Xigbar stated. Namine jumped and began to run to the doorway. Xigbar grabbed her hand, stopping her. He pointed at the knife that she had used. Handing her a sheath, he said, "The knife is yours. Take good care of it."

Namine knew better than to ask him why. She took the knife and put it in its sheath. The sheath was a pure white and made of a firm, but soft cloth. Namine's eyes widened. If she used this as a weapon, she would have chosen a simple sheath like this. She looked closer at it and noticed that Xig was seared into the inner lining of the sheath. Did he make this for her?

"Now, really, get lost," Xigbar said before Namine could think anymore.

Namine ran out the door. Xigbar leaned against the fridge and mindlessly tossed one of his knives in the air. What had he expected by encountering the small witch? He shook his head and caught the knife. He didn't expect her to talk to him about one of the issues that bothered him the most. He bit into one of the apple creations that she made with the utmost care.

"I even gave her my favorite knife," Xigbar sighed.

For whatever reason though, he didn't mind it. Not after their conversation.

"I'd like to talk over apples again, Namine," he said, even though he knew she wasn't there anymore. He smiled.

She was much sharper than he thought.

::Author's Note::

All right. A little XigbarxNamine. Xigbar is already really crazy, so I knew he wouldn't care about what she wrote about him in the diary anyway. This chapter might seem like a tangent, but it's not. I promise. It'll all make sense once I get through every member's diary entry and Namine encounter. I want to retouch on Demyx and Namine again, but I think it'd be better if I got through all of the members.

I also want to say that this isn't a romantic XigbarxNamine. It's more of a "So little twerps can understand inner hearts too" sort of feeling. Although I frequently display Xigbar as a crazy knife man, I think he's actually very chill. XD

This one wasn't nearly as funny as it was sweet, so I hope none of you mind. I'll try not to be too sweet anymore and go back to the comedy.

Thank you for reading!