Chapter Twenty Six: A Stand Still

Summary: Fostered in by the famous Shizuoka family, Naminé seems to be leading a perfectly happy life. But what if that changes when she meets the school outcast? RoxasxNaminé

A/N: This is the second last chapter so savor this story while you still can (you guys are all probably thinking, "Is she stupid? Isn't she going to keep this story on where anyone can just read it over and over again?" Haha! Enjoy the chapter!

EDIT: I fixed some minor typos but there are probably more still lingering around. xD

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.

Both Roxas and his father were in his room for a "conversation". Roxas was the first to speak.

"Have you come here to tell me to stop loving Naminé? Sorry but mother kind of told me that over and over again the past few days." Roxas snapped. The anger was building up again—he could care less if he was being disrespectful. He was the only heir of the Hikari Industry, so they couldn't kick him out just yet.

"Roxas, you could at least look at me." His father's words were much kinder than his mothers. Even if he was never that close to his father just like his mother, the man was definitely more of a negotiator—just like a true businessman.

Roxas sighed staring at his father's matching blue eyes; he finally gave his undivided attention but he continued to stay silent.

"Your mother was just frustrated earlier, so please try not to blame her too much. She was just worried on your whereabouts today—especially with your sudden disappearance." His father told, honesty filling every word.

Roxas wasn't sure if he should believe it though. His father was always good at twisting his words unlike his straight forward mother.

"You probably think I'm lying, I can understand that," his father laughed, brushing his fingers through his dirty blonde locks.

Even though Roxas looked more like his mother, somehow he inherited his father's hair and eye color; which was pretty strange considering how his mother's black hair and auburn eyes were the dominant genes.

"Of course I think you're lying," Roxas' voice was filled with exasperation. He was tired after all the stress and only wanted to go to bed.

There was a curtain of silence between them once again.

His father couldn't help but smile though, "How much do you love this girl anyways?"

"Her name is Naminé." Roxas mumbled.

He laughed, "Naminé then, but it's still the same question."

Where could Roxas start? There so much to say that one word could never sum it up, "She was the one person who actually genuinely cared for me no matter what I or anyone ever said." Of course Olette and Hayner cared for him too, but Naminé was the one person he knew that would never abandon him whenever a storm came.

"I see…" his father gave a look of understanding, "You know I was like that once too."

Roxas stared at the man for any sign of a lie, but there was none.

"I met her when I was a teenager too, before your mother. I loved her…" his father smiled as he reminisced. Roxas' father was only thirty eight, so it definitely wasn't too long ago.

Roxas gave a genuine look of interest. Who knew his father could love?

"Haha, don't get me wrong, I only love your mother now. The other woman was just someone from the past." Roxas' father quickly explained.

Roxas smiled; yet another surprise struck him. His parents were actually in love—at least in his father's case. He still wasn't too sure if his mother even knew the meaning of the word.

"Anyways, since I was already in an arranged marriage it was an impossible love. I was forced to leave the other woman behind. She was an understanding and kind. I thought that I could never love any other woman but her. When I was forced to leave her, I dreaded my wedding day even more.

"I married your mother when I was nineteen, while she was only seventeen. Unlike you and your ex-fiancée Olette, I never met your mother until it was our actual wedding day. Luckily we got along, despite her horrible sense of humour—hey don't tell your mother I said that alright?"

Roxas laughed and nodded obediently. He listened to the rest of his father's story.

"After sometime spent together, I just grew to love her you know? We had you a two years afterwards. She was so happy when you came to us, but she knew she couldn't be around you since the company always demanded her presence. Your mother feels so miserable about not being able to even hold you now you know?" Roxas' father was filled with so much remorse, "We love you so much Roxas. So don't just keep telling yourself that we only think of you as our future successor, alright?"

Roxas couldn't believe his father's words—it was definitely the truth.

"I—I don't know what to say…" Roxas admitted. His mother definitely had a weird way for showing her love, that's for sure. She was just overprotective, even he knew that from the start, but she didn't have to smother him like that...

"I know," Roxas' father patted his shoulder affectionately.

"But even though, I can't just forget about Naminé, father!" Roxas told. She changed his world. No one else could ever replace her.

"Love comes and goes Roxas. You've experienced that first hand."

"I never loved Olette that way." Roxas said as-a-matter-a-fact, "but yes, I know what you mean. It's just that… Naminé's so pure, so kind—she knew the real me before I even realized who I actually was. She stood up for me when I was ostracized by the entire school. I've never met anyone as strong as she is. I love her…" she was one of a kind, and Roxas treasured her so much. Couldn't his father see that?

Roxas' father sighed. He was thinking deeply about Roxas' words.

"Alright."

Silence.

"W-what?" Roxas gave an expression of bewilderment.

"I said, alright. I approve of this Naminé," his father smiled genuinely.

Roxas felt like crying, "Really? You mean that?"

"Yes, but it will take sometime trying to convince your mother…" he laughed. Roxas was just so determined—more determined than he could ever be—just to be with the woman he loved. It would be like sentencing Roxas to death if the boy couldn't be near her.

"Thank you…" jumping from his seat, Roxas hugged his father gratefully.

"Now don't go crying on me. You have to stay strong if you want to be the heir of the Hikari Industry." The older man joked, messing up Roxas' natural spikes.

Letting go, Roxas smiled, "I'm glad you're willing to accept her…father."

Roxas' father smiled back. It was the first time either of the two ever felt like a real family.

xxx xxx xxx

It had already been two weeks since Naminé had seen Roxas at Radiant Square and she hadn't spoken to him since. Her thoughts were so lost as she stood by the bus stop for school. The dance would be coming up soon and she hoped so much that Roxas would be there even though she was never one for dances. As long as Roxas was there, she would go anywhere with him.

Stepping into the bus, she saw her usual buddy sitting by the back.

"G'morning," Sora did his daily greeting.

"Morning." Naminé greeted back. She usually met Sora at the bus if he bothered to wake up right on time.

"Heard anything from Roxas?" Sora asked out of courtesy. Lately other feelings were building up inside him at the mere mention of the boy, but he was always courteous of Naminé.

"I still haven't heard anything." Naminé admitted with a frown.

"C'mon, turn that frown upside down!" Sora chastised teasingly, "You still have me you know."

"Of course I do Sora," she smiled.

As they came towards the school Sora and Naminé were so immersed in their conversation that they didn't notice the group coming up beside them.

Brushing against Naminé's shoulder rather harshly, the blonde girl would have tripped if it wasn't for Sora catching her. Sora glared at his former girlfriend for even doing that to Naminé.

"Watch where you're going next time," Kairi scoffed.

"Yeah, the school path isn't yours you know," Larxene said. She was always quick to back up Kairi.

"Yeah loser, you better step away!" Selphie added.

"Neither is it yours!" Naminé snapped back.

"Don't provoke them," Sora whispered to Naminé, but the flaxen haired girl was hardly listening.

"What a whore. I mean two-timing?" Larxene mocked.

"Yeah, what ever happened to that scum bag Roxas?" Selphie laughed.

"You little brats don't even know who you're messing with!" Naminé yelled back.

It was true. After Hayner and Olette appearance, everyone was at Naminé's side for once. She didn't care for it though; all she cared about was for those three particular girls to stop treating her Roxas as if he was dirt.

"C'mon girls, let's go," Kairi ordered. The other two quickly listened. Kairi knew too well what kind of power money had on others.

"Yeah you better run!" Naminé said one last time as the three girls left the scene.

"Geez Naminé, you always seemed to get worked up so easily like that." Sora commented.

Naminé couldn't even look at Sora, ashamed at her earlier actions she displayed in front of him, but she hardly regretted it, "I just can't stand there and listen while they talk about Roxas like that. I just get so…" Naminé sighed, "Come on, Sora. Let's just go to class."

Sora didn't bring up the subject again as the two walked into the classroom.

xxx xxx xxx

Classes went by quickly today for Naminé. The lunch bell soon rang and she arranged her books, before looking for a certain brunette boy. Taking quick glances around the classroom, it was strange. Where was Sora?

Shrugging it off, Naminé went to her locker and grabbed her lunch before walking through the school corridors so she could find the door that would lead her outside where Sora and she would usually ate.

"Last I checked, you're the one who left me, remember?" the masculine voice was harsh like a thousand needles, but the voice sounded familiar.

Either way, Naminé had to go through this way in order to take the quickest route to where she and Sora usually sat. She took a quick glance only to find a surprise: It was Sora and Kairi! Sticking closer to the wall so she wouldn't be seen, she listened carefully.

"Don't say it like that Sora!" she sounded desperate. Desperate like the day Sora had been when she was leaving him, "I'm stupid I know that! I know that so well already! Just listen, please!"

"Did you even listen to me that time? You never even gave me a chance and yet you expect me to give you any sympathy?! I mean look at how you treat Naminé!" Sora was well over frustrated. He was angry.

Didn't Sora still love Kairi though? Maybe the situation was more dire than what Naminé had given Sora credit for…

Back to the argument between the former couple, Kairi held onto Sora's shirt as he was about to turn and walk away.

"Just listen! Please…" she sounded as if she was on the edge of bursting into tears, but Sora remained stoic.

"No. Now let go Kairi." Not even waiting for her to let go, he shrugged her off and walked out the near by door.

Kairi gave a stunned expression before running off past Naminé. Frustration blurred her vision; she hadn't even noticed Naminé was there.

Naminé stood there shocked. Was Kairi just about to cry? Even though she was downright low, Naminé had to give Kairi credit for being strong and full of confidence, and yet she looked so vulnerable at that moment. Hesitating to go after her, Naminé shook her head. Kairi didn't need her sympathy, she needed Sora's.

Naminé took a deep breath and walked out the door to follow up after Sora.

By the bench like usual, Naminé waved towards him.

"Hey," he greeted. He was already eating his lunch, which was pizza.

Opening up the bag that contained her lunch, Naminé began to eat too. It wasn't long until both of them had finished.

It was peaceful where they were. All you could hear was the faraway sounds of the streets from the front side of the school and the soft breeze rustling through the trees.

Naminé sighed inwardly, she wanted to ask Sora what that argument was about earlier, but then it would prove she was culprit for being an eavesdropper. Instead she decided to ask something else that might lead into that conversation…

"Hey Sora, do you still love Kairi?"

Sora gave her a look of confusion, but he soon grinned, "No, my heart only belongs to you Naminé." He patted her on the head teasingly.

This was definitely not going to go anywhere.

xxx xxx xxx

Naminé had finished her homework early like usual, so there she was with Hayner in her living room flipping through random channels in their over-sized television.

"Umm…Hayner?" she turned to look at her adoptive brother.

"Yeah, what is it?" his eyes were still glued onto the television. He had found a movie he had never watched while flipping through.

"Have you heard anything from Roxas lately?" Naminé asked trying not to sound as if she was worried.

"Nope. Why don't you just call him?"

"Yeah, I'll just do that." Naminé sighed inwardly. She was never going to get any straight answers from anyone at this rate.

Taking her leave, she walked to her bedroom and got ready to go to sleep. The dance would be coming soon in the next few days, so she couldn't bother herself with things that didn't involve her.

xxx xxx xxx

School was a bit more lively that usual. Everyone on the junior year was getting pumped for the dance. Even teachers could see an improvement with the class' participation—especially due to exams coming up soon (it was either you asked teachers your questions now or flunk the exams). The gymnasium had already been locked down due to the dance's committee members decorating the entire place. It was going to be a typical high school dance.

During the classroom session sessions though, Naminé couldn't help but notice Kairi taking quick glances towards Sora's direction. She looked hesitant—the girl wanted so badly to at least have a conversation with Sora. Whenever her friends came up to her though, Kairi would put on a fake smile for all of them. Naminé felt she had to do something.

Routine bells had rung like always signaling that is was now their next class.

"Hey Sora…" Naminé began. She and Sora were walking down the hallway to their next class, "You should…erm…have a talk with Kairi, you know."

Sora scowled, "Did she send you to tell me this when I wasn't with you? All her friends have that's for sure. I can't believe she would stoop so low into using you…"

"N-no!" Naminé protested, "I was just thinking, because when I saw her in class it looks like she wants to make up with you or…"

Sora smiled, "Don't worry about it Naminé. She just wants to use me again, I can see that now. So just don't worry, okay?"

"Alright," Naminé glanced towards the ground.

"Let's go before were late for class. C'mon!"

Sora was way past forgiving Kairi. It would be impossible to try to get through him.

The lunch bell had soon rung and Sora went up to Naminé's desk.

"You can just go ahead of me today, alright. I need to stay behind."

"For what?"

"English, I flunked our latest test. Haha!" Sora grinned in embarrassment.

Naminé gave a smile of reassurance, "Well, good luck!"

"Thanks." Both of them had left the classroom and had now parted ways.

All the other teens had pretty much all scattered into the cafeteria while Naminé had eaten alone outside that lunch. With no one to converse with, Naminé put her lunch box away in her locker and grabbed her bag which was full of the books for her upcoming classes.

Planning to wait by the door of her next class, she heard something coming down the empty halls; was it crying?

Forgetting about her earlier plans, she walked closer to investigate. It was coming from the girls' washroom. Everyone was at the cafeteria though, so only she could have heard them. Naminé knew too well who these sobs were coming from.

Stepping into the washroom (which was surprisingly clean for most high school washrooms), she quickly spotted some one sitting on the floor and sure enough she was right.

"Kairi…" Naminé knew even before she stepped in. She never liked the sight of seeing other's drowning in their sorrow, even if it was the girl she hated the most.

Kairi wiped away her tears and looked up. She scowled, "What have you come to mock me like Sora?"

"No…" of course Kairi would assume that. They were enemies.

"Well, I don't care! Just go away!" Even if Kairi tried to stay strong, her voice cracked. More tears were already cascading down her face. Her make-up was smeared.

"You really love Sora, don't you?" Naminé gave a look of sympathy. Even Kairi wanted to at least be beside the person she loved the most, despite their situations being totally different.

"So what? He loves you now…" Kairi wasn't even looking at Naminé, but fortunately her sobs had ceased.

"No, he doesn't," Naminé assured, "Even I can see that he loves you more."

"You just lying just so you can see me fall again." She assumed.

Suddenly Kairi's vulnerable expression turned to one with rage, "God, why won't you just leave! I don't need some rich girl's pity! Your life is perfect! Your life is set! You know how hard I have to work to get good grades and this reputation!? I worked my life for all of this unlike you, who probably could pay your way through life! You have two great guys in love with you while I have nothing! All my friends are fake—for god's sake, I'm fake! And to top it all off the boy I love the most won't even listen to me on my last few days here!"

Kairi had let it all out. All the anger, all the frustration and now she was shaking from the tears all over again. Her outburst had stung Naminé, but it wasn't true.

"It's not true…"

Kairi looked up at the other girl's sapphire eyes. Was she trying to mock her?!

"It's not true at all!" Naminé stared down at the girl who was feeling sorry for herself, "There's only one boy I love and he's off trying to convince his parents if he can even be with me! His parents hate me and are threatening to ruin my family! My current family isn't even my biological family! You have both parents—my mother died when I was younger! Don't even dare say that I don't know what pain is…" Naminé sighed. It hurt to say the truth.

"I'm sorry…" Kairi mumbled, "For everything…"

"Me too. I'm sorry." Kairi wasn't the only bad guy in this situation. Naminé suddenly remembered Kairi's words, "What do you mean last days here anyway?"

Naminé gave Kairi a hand and she gladly accepted it. Standing up, Kairi answered Naminé's question.

"After the dance, after the last day of school. My family is planning to move to another city for my last year of high school…"

"What? How come?" Naminé couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"My daddy found a better job in Destiny Islands, so I have to go there. All I want is Sora's forgiveness before I leave…"

Naminé stayed silent for a moment before speaking again, "You should try talking to him again."

"But he won't even listen to me!"

"I'm sure he would if he hears at least a glimpse of what you had to say." Naminé smiled, patting her on the arm.

After a long while, Kairi smiled: a real genuine smile, "Thank you."

"Come on Kairi. Lunch is going to end soon, let's fix you up." Naminé smiled changing the subject.

Kairi frowned, "I probably look terrible."

"Just wash up your face, I have a make-up pack from my friend Olette that you can use. She insisted I brought it to school." Naminé laughed. She knew that Kairi always relied on make-up despite her naturally beautiful face.

Kairi laughed along. She soon cleaned up her face and Naminé handed over the small bag that contained a few pieces of beauty enhancing tools.

"You can keep it, I'm not really good with make-up and all," Naminé admitted.

"Thanks again."

"It's no problem. I'll leave first so none gets suspicious."

Kairi nodded understanding the situation and Naminé soon separate from her newly found friend. All that was left now was to help convince Sora to at least give a moment to the other girl.

xxx xxx xxx

A few days had passed and it was already the last day of school. Exams were over and later that day would be the dance and yet Sora and Kairi had still needed a moment to be alone together for a small chat.

"Hey Naminé, you better go home ahead of me today. I'm going somewhere else after school." Sora informed.

"Alright," Naminé didn't need to ask anymore questions.

The bell had rung signaling the end of the day. Naminé quickly spotted Kairi and dragged her to a place where they could get more privacy.

"Kairi! Why haven't you talked to him?" Naminé just couldn't understand. Where had all this confidence that Kairi once had go?

"I-I know…" Kairi stuttered, playing with her fingers, "I'll just talk to him over the summer. I'm not exactly moving until mid-August…plus I know where his house is."

"Just don't prolong it to the point that you are going regret everything." Naminé reminded.

"Yeah…well I gotta go. The dance is going to be later tonight and all."

The two waved each other goodbye and separate. Naminé sighed, the dance.

She still hadn't heard from Roxas, despite Olette's phone calls of reassurance. A wave of nostalgia hit Naminé as she began walking through the empty halls. Everyone was gone, excited that exams were over or awaiting the junior's dance—or prom if you were a senior.

Going all the way upstairs she climbed all the way towards the rooftop. How long had it been since she had seen her beloved sanctuary that was only known between herself and Roxas? Too long…

Hearing the calming breeze, Naminé opened the door that led her to the rooftop. The infinite sky was everywhere, but seeing something else there had caught her line of vision instead.

"S-Sora?" what could he be doing here? Naminé flushed. For a moment she thought it had been Roxas if it wasn't for the brown outrageous spikes.

"Hey Naminé," Sora smiled.

The two walked closer towards each other and stopped as soon as they were less than two feet away.

"What are you--" her words were quickly interrupted.

Taking her wrist, Sora pulled her into his arms.

"I love you," he confessed, burying his face in her hair; taking in her sweet scent.

Naminé couldn't even speak. Her sapphire eyes widened in shock.

Cliff-hanger, right at the second last chapter too! xD Wow this is also the longest chapter I've written for this story. Hehe! At least it makes up for the short chapter yesterday. Please review!