"Namine, this isn't the answer!!" Axel argued as he tried to stop Namine from packing more clothes into her small luggage. "Roxas, wouldn't want this. As his best friend, I am more than a hundred percent sure he wants you to stay. He'll be miserable without you!"

Namine slid past Axel and threw the last of her things in. I'm sorry, Axel. But I just can't...

Infuriated, Axel grabbed her shoulder. "Are you even listening to me!?"

"It's not about what ROXAS wants!" Namine screamed and snatched her arm back. "I don't care what he wants...I can't stay with him." I do care, but what can I do?

Axel's eyes widened in shock at the girl's response. "What..." came his faint whisper. "So this is...what YOU want?"

Namine closed her luggage and locked it. "...yes."

No. This can't be true. "But why!? Didn't you and Roxas really like each other!? Why would you want to leave him!?"

"This doesn't concern you."

Silence fell. The room seemed to grow cold at Namine's bitter statement.

Axel's eyes narrowed, his throat tightening. "You're wrong..." he uttered. "I...really like the both of you...a lot. Roxas is my best friend, in that way he is important. And you... Must I say it again? You're the girl who stole my heart..and never gave it back."

Namine looked at him guiltily. What am I supposed to say to that? I can't answer his feelings. I still...love Roxas.

"That's why you two are very important to me," Axel continued, gritting his teeth. "If you were to break apart, you and Roxas...won't be the only ones to feel lonely and sad. I will, too."

"...Axel..." Namine whispered quietly.

Axel felt his eyes become moist and quickly rubbed them. "Damn it," he sniffed. "I hate saying sappy stuff... But I gotta. Namine, what I'm trying to say is..." He gazed at her with small tears trailing down his cheeks. "I want the three of us to stay together."

Seeing the red-head's shattered state, Namine herself could feel tears form in her eyes. For that, she looked away, refusing to cry.

"At least until you two...y'know...get married."

Marriage. Namine shook her head furiously, face flushed. "No, that was all a lie," she muttered. "There's no way...Roxas and I can get married. I can't stay with him, I just can't!" She grabbed her luggage, and ran for the door. However, she was quickly denied passage by Axel. "Let me through. I don't want to talk about this anymore."

"Just answer this," said Axel. "Without Roxas, can you really move on?"

"...!" Namine heard gasp slightly at the question. No. "I...I can." I need him. I don't think I can love anyone else as much as him. "I'll definitely move on."

Is she for real... Axel closed his eyes. "If that's the case, then don't ever come back."

Namine could feel her chest ache at those words. Axel. Is he angry with me? She watched as he stepped aside, the door now available for a hasty exit. Strangely, her legs refused to move. "...I don't...understand. Why are you saying these things, Axel?"

"I don't want Roxas to ever get hurt again. Seeing you again will just remind him of the pain he suffered being with you."

"..." That's right. It's my fault.

"And I really...don't want to see you either."

"Ax-"

"If you're gonna go, then GO ALREADY!!" Axel bellowed, his voice shaking with rage. Without even considering, she wants to leave. I can't accept that. I don't like it. "...you're an eyesore."

You have every right to hate me, Axel. I know the others feel the same way. They blame me for everything that has happened. "I'll catch the last train then," she choked and ran out the door.

Axel listened quietly as the blonde's footsteps rapidly made their way down the stairs and through the living room. The door opened and closed with a hollow click. He leaned against the wall and slowly descended to the floor, his face covered by his hands. "Is this really the only answer she sees?" he asked the empty room. "Isn't there any other solution?" Someone, please answer me. Anyone.

Xion gently brushed the fair bangs from Roxas' face. "I do hope you'll wake up soon," she mused. "I can't wait until your brilliant, blue eyes open again and you smile at me saying, 'Xion, thank you for staying by my side.' Oh, how great!"

I haven't heard Namine's voice lately.

"We've been close for more than 5 years, Roxas. I WON'T let anyone destroy what we have."

Why is it that I can hear her crying? No... I don't want her to cry.

"We were meant to be." Xion laid her head down beside his arm. "I don't want to let you go. I'M the one who deserves to be by your side. Now and forever. One stupid girl can't change that!"

Namine, please...don't cry anymore. Light shone through the darkness. Roxas opened his eyes to find himself staring at a white ceiling. His nose came to meet the hospital smell. "Ugh..." he groaned, trying to shake away his dizziness. "W-whe...?" I'm in the hospital? Oh, that's right. After that fight, I..I think I actually fainted.

Xion felt the skater stir through her fingertips and beamed, sitting up. "Roxas!" she squealed. "You're awake!"

Roxas stiffly turned his head. Xion? What is SHE doing here?

"It must have been my words, right?" Xion fixed her hair and giggled. "They reached you. And...you...you feel the same way. You still love me! Oh, I knew you couldn't have possibly TRULY loved that Namine girl!"

The name sent fire coursing through Roxas' veins. He immediately sat up and grabbed Xion's shoulders, shaking her violently. "WHY ARE YOU HERE!?" he shouted. "Where's Namine!?"

How foolish. Xion stared at him blankly. "Can't you see? She has abandoned you."

Roxas' hands trembled. "Wh-what?"

"The way you fell into a coma like that, she couldn't handle the pressure and stress. She even called me to take care of you in her place. She RAN AWAY. It's obvious- she dislikes you."

Roxas shot the dark-haired girl an icy glare, silencing her instantly. "Like HELL I'd believe that shit!" he spat. "That's not how Namine feels about me!"

Xion rolled her eyes. "You don't believe me?" she mocked. "Then confirm it with your best friend." She held out her cell.

Reluctantly, Roxas released Xion and took the phone. He dialed Axel's number and placed the device to his ear. It's impossible. There's no way Namine would do that! But still... Why is Xion the one who is beside me? It should have been her.

The other line picked up. "Hello?"

"Axel!"

"R-Roxas!? Is that you? You're awake!"

"Yeah, I know. Where's Namine?"

Axel froze. First five minutes waking up, and SHE'S the first thing that comes into his mind. He licked his dry lips and swallowed. "She...she left," he said darkly.

Xion smirked in triumph. Good answer.

Roxas could feel his head spin and his thoughts become hollow. "...c'mmon, man," he tried to laugh off. "Quit messing with me. Where is she?"

"..."

"A-Axel...?"

"I'm not messing with you. Namine really left."

Roxas lowered his head, his chest aching. Suppose this IS the truth. "Did she...at least say why?" he asked hesitantly. I don't want to know.

"I guess..." came Axel's heavy reply. "Everything was just too much for her."

"........." Roxas fell into slump, eyes wide and mind running through a thick forest of nebulous confusion. Why did I even ask that? Was it because..I was already aware of the answer but needed it confirmed?

"Roxas?" Axel called. "Hey, you there?"

That's enough. Xion took back her phone and cut the call off. "You see?" she spoke softly. Her blue eyes studied the speechless blond. "She couldn't find the strength to support you through this. She was disloyal."

Roxas' eyes remained ever unblinking, stuck on the wall before him.

"But I'M here, Roxas." Xion sat on his bed. "I didn't run away. In fact, I stayed with you the whole night and watched over you."

Why did she leave? I still don't understand.

"I'm the one you should always have by your side," Xion purred and pressed her lips against his. Just like before...

Roxas closed his eyes, too weak and broken to resist. Namine...why did you give up on me?

"Hey, Miss!"

Namine jumped in fright at the angry tone of the ticket seller's voice.

"Are you gonna buy a ticket or not!? I've got other customers to deal with before the last train leaves!" He sat back in his chair, glaring at the blond. "WELL?"

"Ah, y-yes," Namine fidgeted. "A ticket for the Traverse Town Line please."

"That'll be 2,000 munny."

Namine gave the man her savings and received a yellow paper ticket in return. "Thank you," she bowed and walked up the station stairs. That man was so scary. She approached a pillar and shivered as the cold wind hit her. I know this is the right thing to do and that it's for the best of everyone but...

"Traverse Town Line has arrived," the intercom announced. "Please step inside with caution- watch your step. Have a nice trip."

Namine picked up her luggage and walked inside the train with some various other passengers. Why does it feel like I am making a huge mistake?

"Ah, how troublesome," Riku sighed as he walked inside the station. "My next part time job is cleaning up this place? It's HUGE! Oh, well... With Sora and Kairi here, I gotta-" He stopped mid-sentence when he saw from afar a very familiar blue-eyed blond girl inside the Traverse train with a luggage beside her. "Is that...no, it couldn't be!"

The train doors slowly closed and Namine turned away, unaware of Riku's presence. I guess...this really is goodbye.

But what is she doing getting on that train!? "Oi!" Riku called, running for the train. "Namine!!"

It was too late.

"Gah!" Riku covered his face as the majestic machine whistled proudly and sped off into the dark tunnel. "NAMINE!!!" he shouted one last time.

All that was left were some pieces of forgotten paper floating around and dust flying into the air.

Riku coughed, waving away the debree. What the..? What's going on!?

Author's Note:

Thank you to all my faithful readers and reviewers for staying with me this far. (^-^) This is my longest story ever written and I think I've turned it into some sort of...shoujo manga thing (idk). I know I haven't replied much to some reviews. I apologize for that- tight schedule now that I work at the library (x_x) yuck.

And for those who contributed thoughts and ideas, kudos! (-^.^-) I'm happy that you did heh, thank you.

Please don't abandon me until the end... (T-T) I need reviews to motivate me to finish this story. It relieves me to read reviews that say things like 'I was really moved by this and that' or 'This really made me feel yada yada'. Knowing that the readers can connect their emotions with this story makes me really happy.

Well, I think I wrote somewhat of a short essay on my thoughts ehehe...sorry. Thank you for your time! And please- keep reviewing!