Chapter 26: "You're Corny." "Oh yeah? Well, You're HORNY!"
BAND JOKE BAND JOKE!!! Bahahahahahaha! I said the first to Camden since he had a cornet, then he said the latter back, since a trumpet is a horn. :D Anyway... REBA~! HARRY~! WOOT!
Nami's POV
"Ummm..." You can feel yourself start to blush as you sit indian style on the bed. Roxas does the same. In the fading daylight, you can tell he's blushing, too. Is he thinking the way you are?
Knee to knee, you press them together, trying to avoid making yourself look like some sort of a ....never mind.
And you know what comes next.
You open your eyes to find yourself in some sort of lab. Everything around you is a dull, neutral color, giving the place no life at all. Five metal beds with white sheets are in front of you, and you finally see your younger self standing in front of Zexion and Demyx. Jogging over, you notice four other people, but you simply ignore them for now. You've got to know what they're saying.
"Demyx, go tell them it's almost time," Zexion says flatly. "They've had enough time to socialize, and I don't care what Larxene says, I can take this away from her more easily than I can give it to her."
Smirking, Demyx nods and walks right through you, not even halting or stopping.
"Why can't I talk to those people?" the little you asks innocently. Zexion sighs.
"Namida-"
"It's Nami."
"...Nami, these people you see here...they're like you in some ways. All five of you are called Nobodies. I'm a Nobody, too. We don't really exist. We don't have our own hearts. But this...will save you. All those other people over there are like you...some are less likely to make it than you.... However...by bringing you here, we're really meddling in your world's order, because Earth doesn't think we exist. So you're going to have this operation, and then you're going to forget this ever happened."
The little you gasps in disgust. "Says who?"
"Says your other's uncle."
"What does that have to do with anything?" you say quietly. "Who's her uncle? Who would...?"
"Anyway, Axel and Larxene...the two older ones, already found out your name, but just try to ignore them all."
"Can I at least know your name?"
"I'm Zexion...and the blonde guy with the mullet is Demyx, as you probably heard already." The younger you nods. "Go ahead and go on over to where the others are, and just chill for a moment, alright?"
"Alright," the little you sighs in defeat, walking over to where the others are gathered. You numbly follow.
"Omgee," you squeal, slapping a hand over your mouth. "You were so adorable when you were little...Roxas..."
Yes, there he is, in all his Jesse McCartney-esque glory. His hair looks a little overgrown here, not unlike your present Roxas...but it looks a lot sexier on him now. Hah...
"Hello."
The younger you stops in her tracks and turns to look upon Roxas, who has split away from the group to talk.
"Hi," the little you murmurs, lowering her head.
"I've never seen you around before." He smiles, and you immediately smile back, unlike the younger you, who says nothing. "My name's Roxas."
"Nice to meet you," the younger you says quietly, looking up for a moment.
"What, do you not talk regularly?" he jokes, smiling brightly.
"I'm not supposed to. I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Roxas tilts his head, obviously confused.
"I'm telling the truth, you know."
"But why?"
"Enough, let's get this operation underway," Zexion commands, snapping his fingers twice. Everyone mumbles and goes to a certain metal table...then you realize what they look like...operating tables.
"I hope this isn't gory," you say to yourself, following the younger you to a table next to Namine and Roxas.
"Goodbye, Roxas," the little you says, lying on the table, hands folded across her stomach.
"Hey, wait, I never learned your na-"
"Roxas, please, just lay back and be quiet," Zexion says, obviously at the end of his patience level. You smirk, then feel something wet touch your face.
"Huh?"
"Yuki, stop it!"
"Yeech!"
You push your overly-friendly German Shepherd off of you, giggling.
"You silly dog!" you cry, mussing her fur as she bounds on top of you and Roxas. She must sense the tension, because she's acting nuttier than usual for this time of...night. Is it really already dark out?
"Okay, I love you, now get off," Roxas laughs, pushing Yuki down. She licks his hand, then runs over into her favorite corner of the room and lies down, her tail thumping against the floor. You smile at her, then turn back to Roxas.
"What's left?" he asks.
You pause, then reply, "Elbow creases," fearing the now inevitable. "Right."
You can't help but laugh as you both contort your arms to press them together.
"Wonder if I can lick my elbow this way," Roxas jokes. You both make the attempt, trying to laugh and spray spit everywhere.
"Nope," you say with your tongue sticking out. "Try left."
You switch, and you feel the familiar shock again.
Guess you won't get to find out yet.
You watch the little you lift her head up, blinking slowly. Everyone else is already awake and talking again.
"Good morning," Demyx greets the younger you cheerfully. "How are you feeling? Or do you feel at all?"
"...I feel...sad..." the little you admits, frowning.
"But at least you feel...and that was our goal. Congratulations, Nami."
Demyx pulls her to her feet, and she wanders over to a corner, crossing her arms against her chest tightly.
"I wonder if I could still remember stuff here," you wonder aloud, your feet leading you to your littler self. You look skinnier than usual, and tired and you can see scars all over already, burning a bright pink color. "You don't have any idea what's about to happen here, Namida Lee...and neither do I."
"You okay?"
You whip your head around at the sound of Roxas's voice instinctively.
"Right, I can't be seen," you say, rolling your eyes at your stupidity. "Duh, Nami."
Roxas walks over to the little you, smiling in a friendly manner. The younger you nods politely.
"Homesick?"
She sighs, smiling a little. "Well, a little, but I-"
A sudden explosion cuts her off, and you whip your own head around. Everyone screams and huddles together. What just happened? Then you notice Zexion hunched over, a piece of glass piercing him. Roxas shudders, and you find yourself doing the same.
"What's going on?" Larxene shouts over the chaos.
"P-power...overload...through the wires..." Zexion mutters, falling to his knees. "...Circuits...are..." He falls to the ground, either dead or unconcious. You assume unconcious, though. Hopefully this would be okay...but wait! Why would you care? You weren't even going to remember! Ugh, this is so confusing! Why couldn't they have just left your memories be?!
"Get out of here! Now!" Demyx shouts, being serious for once. Everyone but yourself hesitates. "NOW!" Everyone grabs each other's arms and begins to run out of the lab. It's then you notice that Roxas had actually grabbed the little you's arm. You sigh a little. Why did you have to forget?!
"NO!" Roxas suddenly shouts. You turn around quickly to see Demyx and Zexion both dead. As in, definitely dead. As in, there's no way in Hades they're going to come back this time. The younger you's expression looks horrified, but you can only imagine what you look like now. You can feel tears behind your eyes as you watch everyone run off, leaving the lab to burn with the deceased Zexion and Demyx inside. The lyrics to Tamaki Nami's Sanctuary begin to run through your head as you dumbly stand amongst the destruction. Giant pieces of burning equipment fall beside you, but you feel no heat...no pain. You just stand there, slack-jawed, tears running down your cheeks.
"Wait, I should be following my younger me!" you shout, running outside. Thankfully, your target hasn't gotten too far. In fact, everyone is already resting on the ground. Axel looks angry...you watch as he punches a nearby lightpost, crying out in agony. Larxene simply hoods herself with the white robe she's wearing, grimacing. Roxas and Namine are together, Namine crying and Roxas looking very upset.
And then you see the little you, just sitting there, probably not knowing what to think.
As the familiar people begin to fall asleep, you sit on the ground, still watching the younger you, who doesn't move.
"Roxas..." you whisper, looking at him lying on the ground, wide awake. He finally sighs, frustrated, and looks at the little you. She turns to him and smiles a sad smile that you would sense yourself doing a lot.
"I'm only going to forget you, Roxas," she says, then falls to the side. Ah, that line is familiar; you can remember hearing it in your head in India.
"Hey!" Roxas cries, crawling over to the little you.
"But then I get you back," you say with a smile that you just can't hide.
"Well?"
You sit upright, shaking your head.
"You were right...it's depressing," you admit, pressing your lips together.
"No, don't be sad! If this is going to make you depressed-"
"It won't, don't worry. There are worse things ahead," you murmur, a lump forming in your throat.
"..."
You know he hates it when you say things like that, but you're telling the truth, and he knows it!
"Just...umm..."
You pause. There are officially only three options left: on either side of your neck, your stomach, or over your heart.
God forbid against the last one.
Going for the easiest of the three, you throw your arms around Roxas and press the side of your neck against his. A shock occurs again, this time a little more painful, and you black out.
"Nnngh..." the little you groans, opening her eyes. "Wh...at...?"
You're back in your room, like when you started.
"NAMIDA!" your "mother" shouts, throwing her arms around you.
"What happened?" the younger you asks weakly.
"Sweetie!" your "dad" shouts, looking relieved.
"Mom, Dad," she whispers weakly. "What happened to me?"
"You were in an accident, Namida," your "father" says. Both you and the little you cringe. You know why she did. You don't like that name. Why can't it be different? But you ...you know better now against what they're saying to you. You hate being lied to...and about something this serious is...is...terrible.
"No, don't call me that! Call me Nami."
"Nami, dear, can you remember anything at all?" Susan asks the little you.
"...No..."
"Now I do," you say bitterly, a sarcastic smile on your face.
"Oh..." Susan whispers something to Warau, and he nods, smiling. Ugh, they disgust you so much!!
"Tell me what happened..."
"You, um, got into an accident on your way home from school. You were in a coma." She fakes smiles. "We didn't think you would make it, your condition was so bad. You'll have scars for the rest of your life."
"I...I was...? I will...?"
"Unfortunately, and most of the scars are emotional!" you cry.
"Yes, Namida..."
"It's Nami...please..." You know what Namida means. It means "tear." You want something halfway happy as your name. Like your "dad", Warau. It means "laugh." You thought maybe you might change your name to "hohoemi," which means "smile." But that might be a bit of a mouthful.
"Nami, you just rest," Warau says quietly. He and Susan exit the room.
"O...kay..." The younger you closes her eyes weakly, then suddenly an image fills your own head. A boy...blonde, around your age...he has beautiful blue eyes...Roxas. Of course.
"Who are you?" the little you mouths.
"He's our savior."
"You okay?"
You lift your head up off the bed and blink a couple times.
"Yeah," you reply quietly.
"Have you remembered everything?" Roxas asks, his chin resting on his knees.
You think for a moment.
"I...don't know. I think so, but...something just...doesn't seem right."
You rack your brain for answers.
*Why would I be put with those...terrible excuses for human beings in the first place? Did I CHOOSE that? Or was I forced to go there? I don't know...because...I don't remember...* Pursing your lips, you close your eyes in deep thought. *I remember being enrolled in school, but I was with them at that time. How did I get there in the first place...? Why would that memory be hidden from me, and where would it be hidden? ...I don't know... My heart just doesn't have the answers...*
That's it.
Your heart.
Dang.
*Um, um, um, um...* You twist your hands together nervously. Roxas just sits there, oblivious to your jittery thoughts. *How am I going to pull this off...no pun intended...?*
"...There's one more thing," you murmur.
"What's that?" he asks, lifting his head in interest.
"I...um..."
*We're wearing button down shirts,* you suddenly realize. That's the fourth day in a row you've dressed with the same style...O.o
Thanking the higher power that it's dark out and he can't see you blushing, you sit indian style on the bed and begin to unbutton your shirt.
"Uhh...what are you doing?" Roxas asks, his voice shaking slightly.
"There's one more thing," you repeat, tossing your shirt to the floor. "And I know....this is the only way." Gently you touch the scar where you know your answers are waiting.
"I...understand," he says quietly, nodding once.
"..." You can't really bring yourself to say anything at the moment. As he mimics your actions, you self-conciously fold your arms across your chest. If this works...this will be it. You'll have everything in place, and you will have part of your burden gone from your heavy shoulders.
If not...that is WAY too awkward to even THINK about.
"Okay," he says, and you immediately turn red. Well, you wouldn't know it in this lighting, but still, you can feel it. The still-vivid memories of Hawaii pop into your head, and you feel your hands start sweating. "Nami?" Only moving your legs to one side, you sit still as ever, thinking about how to approach this.
*I'll give you three counts, Namida Lee,* you say to yourself, quoting your old choir director. She was one of the few that called you Namida, but she added your middle name. *Three, dos, ichi, go!*
With more swiftness than you've ever possessed before, even in dancing, you embrace Roxas tightly, pressing your heart to his.
Roxas's POV
Nami suddenly grabs you and hugs you tightly. You jump, startled. She's got guts...you were starting to doubt that.
Now unconcious, her grip on you is loosened, and she falls backward on the bed.
Uhhh...
...
No, you don't roll that way. Instead, you pull your own shirt back on, then do the same for her.
It's kind of weird...she feels almost like...a dead person. Her arms are cold, and she is completely limp in your arms. You've got to wonder what she could possibly be remembering, since you don't feel anything yourself.
She did say you were right about this whole thing being depressing. And it's true; nobody likes to see people die, especially friends or people that have helped you. It's a disgusting feeling, and you can hardly imagine why anyone would want to remember something like that experience.
But you do understand where she's coming from. If you were in her place, you'd probably feel the same way.
A glimpse of moonlight comes through your window, and it temporarily illuminates the room. You notice the look on Nami's face, and you sigh.
Why does she have to suffer so much...?
That's it. You're done with this.
When this stupid ss war comes, you'll be ready. You'll protect her. You'll knock down anyone that even THINKS about getting in your way. Maleficent, Pete, Emi, whoever. You'll kick their sses. All of them. Just wait.
You'll be ready.
Nami's POV
"No...this is not my home."
"If you say that one more time, I swear..." you mutter, clenching your teeth.
For the past...how many ever minutes, you've been following this little girl around. She's stopped at every house on this street, looked at it, and has said-
"No...this is not my home," she says again, looking at a house near the corner.
"Just pick a house already!" you shout.
Truly, you don't know WHY you feel compelled to follow her. She doesn't look familiar...she's kinda scrawny. Maybe she's an orphan or something. She can't be that old. Maybe in third grade or something.
"No...this is not my home."
"Then where is it?!" you cry, smacking your hand to your forehead.
The little girl, obviously oblivious to your prescense, turns the corner onto a street you recognize.
"No..." You look up at the sign in a desparate attempt to squelch your thoughts, but instead, they're only confirmed. "Fir Tree Lane...then she's..."
In horror, you chase after the little girl, who's approaching a more familiar house now. A young woman with auburn hair is out gardening.
"Stay away from her!" you shout after the little girl. But she ignores you and continues on with her mumbling.
"No...this is not my home," she says, walking next to the red-brick house where the woman is.
"NO! STOP, GO BACK!!" you shout, your throat closing up.
But you know it's too late when the woman sees the little girl. Gasping, she shouts out someone's name, and young, Asian man walks out, obviously startled by this whole thing.
"Stop," you say pathetically. You can feel your knees shaking.
The young woman says something to the man, and he nods, although hesitantly. He then approaches the little girl, who stands there, almost ready to meet him.
"Sweetie, are you lost?" he asks. The girl shrugs. "Where are your parents?" She shrugs again. "Do you remember...?" The girl shakes her head no. Her long, jet black hair waves around. No... "Would you like to come inside?" The girl shrugs once more. "Can you remember anything at all, sweetie?"
"Leave her alone!" you cry. This is how it happened?! Just like this?! Were you some sort of robot or something?! It feels like you're watching some sick horror movie.
"No," the girl answers. "Can you be my daddy?"
You can't take it anymore. Your knees buckle, and you fall onto the sidewalk, sobbing.
The man stands there, confused. "I...I...Sure, sweetie." The man then takes her hand and leads her inside.
Was it really like this?! Were you that STUPID?!
"Why...?" Feeling utterly pathetic, you curl up into a ball and cry even harder.
Roxas was right. It was too painful. You should've left things alone.
"Nami...Nami? Nami..."
You feel a hand on your shoulder, and you inhale sharply, choking on your tears.
"Are you alright?" Roxas asks you, sitting you upright.
"You were right," you wail, your chin falling to your chest. "I didn't need to remember those things."
"But you wanted to," he points out.
"I know...that just makes this even worse."
You feel a hand touch your cheek, then your chin. Roxas forces your head up, so that you're facing him and his innocent blue eyes. Then his lips start to move, and you nearly have a seizure as to what comes out of them.
"I don't want another pretty face, I don't want just anyone to hold, I don't want my love to go to waste, I want you and your beautiful soul," he sings, every single note on pitch. Oh geez... "I know that you are something special. To you I'd be always faithful. I want to be what you always needed; then I hope you'll see the heart in me. I don't want another pretty face, I don't want just anyone to hold, I don't want my love to go to waste, I want you and your beautiful soul. You're the one I wanna chase. You're the one I wanna hold. I won't let another minute go to waste. I want you and your beautiful soul. Your beautiful soul, yeah.
"You might need time to think it over, but I'm just fine with moving forward. I'll ease your mind if you give me the chance. I will never make you cry, c'mon let's try. I don't want another pretty face, I don't want just anyone to hold, I don't want my love to go to waste, I want you and your beautiful soul. You're the one I wanna chase. You're the one I wanna hold. I won't let another minute go to waste. I want you and your beautiful sou------l."
You feel shivers go up and down your spine. That was awesome...that note is just...ahhh...
"Am I crazy for wanting you? Baby do you think you could want me too? I don't want to waste your time. Do you see things the way I do? I just want to know that you feel it too. There is nothing left to hide. I don't want another pretty face, I don't want just anyone to hold, I don't want my love to go to waste, I want you and your beautiful soul. You're the one I wanna chase. You're the one I wanna hold. I won't let another minute go to waste. I want you and your beautiful soul. I don't want another pretty face, I don't want just anyone to hold, I don't want my love to go to waste, I want you and your beautiful soul. You're the one I wanna chase. You're the one I wanna hold. I won't let another minute go to waste. I want you and your beautiful soul. Your beautiful soul, yeah. Ahhhh, yeah, your beautiful soul, yeah..."
Roxas's POV
Hesitantly, you remove your hand from Nami's chin. With a pleasant sigh, she falls backward onto the bed, eyes closed.
"Are you okay?" you ask, peering over at her. She smiles, nodding twice. "Are you sure...?"
She sighs again, brushing her hair out of her face.
"Oka-ay," she says, opening her eyes, "I'll admit it. You beat me."