So it ended up like this... "Breakfast is ready!" Namine called from the kitchen, placing freshly cooked food on the table.

"Wonderful, I'm starving," a male voice remarked. From the couch rose a muscular, tall brunette. He had a sharp jaw line, layered, slightly spiked hair, and calm, pale-green eyes. The only thing that stood out from his nearly-perfect face was the scar that ran from his forehead to the bottom corner of his left eye. "Hey, Cloud!" he called to the second floor. "Get down here!"

There was a brief, reluctant snort but Cloud was soon visible walking down the steps, a scowl on his face.

"Namine made us some breakfast," Leon told him, taking his seat at the dining table. "Isn't that just so nice of her?"

Cloud approached the dining table and looked over the pancakes and sausages and eggs laid out before him. Seeing the syrup, his eye glinted. "I don't like sweets," he huffed and left for the couch.

"How rude!" Leon pursed his lips, glaring at the blond.

Namine placed a plate on the table and said, "It's okay, Cloud. After nearly a week of being here, I already figured out some of your tastes."

Did she now? Cloud, trying not to show his annoyance, turned right back around and walked over to the two. He sat down on his side and saw exactly just what was prepared for him. "..."

Namine smiled proudly at her work. "Well?"

"..."

Leon looked at the food and held back a laugh. "Ahem," he cleared his throat. "It uh...looks really...tasty. Pfft."

"..." Cloud peered glumly into his bowl. It was nothing but steam and white, thick, soup-like substance.

"It's rice porridge," Namine pointed out. "No sugar added. It's very good for your body."

"..." Oh, joy. Cloud picked up a spoon, dipped it into the mush, and picked it up again. Some rice poured out and plopped back into the bowl. He took a quick whiff of the porridge and nearly coughed. It doesn't even have any scent. Swallowing away the tightness in his throat, he inched the spoonful of porridge towards his mouth.

W-what is he doing!? "Wait!" Namine squeaked. "That porridge is extremely hot! Don't you want to blow on it first?"

Leon took a bite out of his sausage. "Nah," he chewed. "He's so 'cool' that hot food like that will simply turn cold once it gets into his mouth." He noticed Cloud's glare on him and simply smirked. That's what you get for being so arrogant, my friend.

"Oh, I see!" Namine beamed, obviously fascinated by this. "In that case, I'd like to watch!"

Ugh... "..." Cloud proceeded and stuffed the spoon into his mouth. Without the slightest hint of discomfort, he pulled it back out empty and placed it in the bowl. ...it's hot.

Oh? He actually ate it like that. Leon turned his complete attention on the 18-year old. "How was it?" he sneered.

Cloud did not appear to have chewed or swallowed anything. Instead, he curled his lips, covered his mouth with his hand, and stayed like that. "Woh-toh," he seemed to mumble, blinking away moisture in his eyes. "Geh-muh woh-toh...."

Leon and Namine looked at each other. "...?"

Cloud coughed, hitting his chest.

Oh, water! Namine grabbed the pitcher of water nearby and poured water into Cloud's glass. "Here," she said, handing it to him.

Cloud took the glass and gulped the water down along with the hot porridge.

"Serves you right," Leon sighed.

Namine gave Cloud a napkin. "I'm sorry if I made it too hot," she muttered. "It's just that...warm things are usually good for the stomach on early mornings."

Cloud finished drinking and wiped his mouth with the napkin. "Thanks for the meal," he grumbled and dismissed himself from the table. I'm getting fruits. Egh, my tongue is numb. Rolling his eyes, he stormed out the door.

Namine flinched. Oh dear, he's angry.

"Don't mind him," said Leon. "He's usually a grouch anyway."

"Umm..."

"The creative writing project Cloud is working on will be done by today afternoon. Will you be going back to Twilight Town with him?"

Namine sat in her seat, but did not touch her food. "No," she replied. "I will not."

Leon looked up at her. "But aren't you two in the same class?" In fact, why isn't she even doing this project as well? "Besides, he was just lucky to contact me at this time. I had about a week and a half off from my work of photography. I won't always be here."

That's right... Leon graduated 2 years ago. Cloud was his closest junior so of course they'd still be good friends up until now."There's....someone whom I do not wish to see back in Twilight Town. Seeing him will only cause everyone pain and misery." Namine bowed her head. "It's best if I forget about him."

"...and he, too, feels this way?"

Namine felt her heart jump at the question. I suppose? No... There's no way I had that strength to ask that.

"Did you even consider this person's feelings?"

"...I..." Why can't I answer him?

Just as I thought. Leon sighed and shook his head disapprovingly. "Namine, are you aware that what you're doing is selfish?" He received his answer from the surprised look on her face. "You're basically running away."

"I'm not running away!" Namine defended. "I'm doing what is right and distancing myself from everyone so that they won't get hurt anymore!"

"Everyone, everyone. Is that the best you can do to cover up your selfishness?"

"...what do you mean?"

Leon leaned across the small round-table and looked at Namine straight in the eye. "The truth is," he whispered. "You were AFRAID that they were going to blame YOU for everything. You didn't want to be disliked."

Namine's eyes widened a tad, her face turning pale. My...my chest hurts again.

"Running away is not the best solution. Studying you over the past few days, I can tell that you're feeling very guilty. Don't think I don't notice when you try to sneak away a tear or two when preparing meals in the kitchen. In fact, every time you look at the bed or couch, you look like you'll break down any second."

It can't be helped. "So I'm that easy to read, huh?" Namine sniffed. "I get it..."

Leon grinned and gave the girl's forehead a playful poke. "Go back with Cloud," he said. "If you stay here, your eyes will fall out from crying too much."

"L-Leon..."

"Hmm?"

Namine grasped his hand and allowed herself to release all emotions of sorrow and painful guilt. "I'm terribly sorry for troubling you and Cloud," she sobbed. "I didn't mean to! I was just...just-"

"Ssshhh...." Leon chided gently and ruffled her hair. "It's alright. Don't apologize." Holding her hand tightly, he went around the table and embraced her as she cried on his chest. You've been hiding too much of your feelings. He looked up and saw Cloud standing by the doorway, a forgotten apple at hand. He smiled and nodded.

Cloud's stoic expression refused to change one bit as he nodded back. Leon sure can work wonders.

Namine felt Leon release and turn her around. There, her eyes met with Cloud's. Feeling a little ashamed, she averted his gaze. "Please, don't. I don't...want you to see me...like this."

It's best I pretend I didn't see anything at all. "Pack your things," the blond male enjoined gently. "We leave in a few hours."

"But I really can't go back!"

"..."

"I promised Axel. He asked me not to go back to Twilight Town anymore because it'd only make everyone really sad. I don't want that. I only want...to see them smile..."

"Do you seriously believe that with you gone, your friends can continue to keep their smiles?"

Namine wiped the tears from her eyes. "What?" she asked.

"Losing an important friend," Cloud spoke solemnly, eyes saddening. "Is a very painful feeling." I should know. "It's hard to smile and feel happy around others again, knowing that friend is gone. You want to be happy with them, too."

Leon looked away. "..."

"If this is your resolve, then I definitely will not let you go back with me."

My resolve... Namine held her own hand tightly. How do I answer him?

Cloud closed his eyes and breathed. "Life is all about resolve," he elucidated serenely. "Outcome is secondary. Reaching that resolve is what makes life worth living. That is where we see the real value in our existence. But if one were to reach a resolve that they did not choose willingly, the life they had lived has gone to complete waste. Their existence meant nothing- they were insignificant. That is why..." He opened his eyes, which now held shimmering, nearly invisible tears. "I cannot let you return...with the hesitance you have now."

"..."

"..."

Why is it so quiet all of a sudden? Cloud turned around to find Namine and Leon looking at him with empathetic eyes. "...?"

Namine suddenly burst into tears, unable to control her emotions any longer. "Oh, Cloud!" she cried. "That was really heart-breaking! Your words moved me... Now I know why Aerith and Tifa like you so much."

A faint shade of red appeared on Cloud's pale cheeks. "Please be silent," he grunted, turning his back to the two once again.

"That's the first time I ever heard you talk so much..." Leon commented. "I was moved, too."

"Didn't you hear what I just said?" Don't ignore me!

Namine regained composure and giggled softly. "Cloud truly is...a kind person." She smiled fondly at the somewhat embarrassed blond.

Cloud grimaced, his face getting redder. "..."

Roxas put on his black, long-sleeved shirt and then the star chain-necklace. Today's the day I get discharged. But it's too late... Who knows WHERE Namine is now. Looking at the bathroom mirror in front of him, he blinked away nights of lost sleep. In the end, I couldn't do anything but wait out the storm.

"Roxas!"

"Ah?"

"Are you almost done in there? I'm getting kind of tired just standing here."

"If you're tired, Xion, then just go. I didn't ask you to wait."

Xion sensed the bitterness in his tone and took a long pause to think of what to say next. "N-nonsense!" she told him through the door. "I will never leave your side. I'm here for you always." The door opened, surprising her a little. Standing by it was the skater, lucidly exhausted beyond words. Roxas...you've suffered so much. She gasped when he looked up at her. All for just ONE girl?

Even though I don't like her anymore, I can't really treat her like dirt. After all, she's stood by me all this time. He smiled warmly at her.

Xion blushed. "...!"

"I'm sorry for troubling you," he said and gave her a gentle pat on the head. "It won't happen again."

"U-uhn..."

"Well, I'll be going now." Roxas' large hand left the girl's head as he began walking towards the door, making his exit. What's going to happen now? I can't go look for Namine. It's hopeless- I have no lead.

"Wait!"

Roxas stopped and turned around, arching an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Xion ran up to the blond and held his hand. "If you really ARE sorry about troubling me then...go on a date with me!"

"Eh?"

"Tomorrow! At 5 pm. You must meet me at the Moogle Café down by the Market Place. Okay?" Seeing as he was about to refuse, she shot him a threatening glare. "You owe me, Roxas."

She had a price set for me this whole time? How torublesome. Oh, well. I guess it can't really be helped. "Fine," he sighed. "A date it is."

Xion beamed, eyes glittering with joy. "Fantastic!" she squealed.

"Well uh...I gotta go now. From the past few visits, I noticed that Axel seemed a little down. I'm kinda worried about him."

"Need me to go with you?"

"No, it's cool. I got this." Roxas opened the door and slowly trudged out. 'Don't be late!' he heard Xion call from behind and rolled his eyes. "I won't..." he grumbled. To his surprise, he found Axel waiting for him by the counter, head down and in a slump. "Axel?"

The red-haired model looked up, eyes red and hollow. "Hey," he greeted half-heartily, forcing a smile. "How are you feeling?"

Roxas ran to him, worried. "I should be asking YOU that."

"I'm fine, just fine. A bit of insomnia. Heh, got it memorized?"

Roxas smiled at that remark. He's somewhat still at good health. "Sora got discharged two days ago," he said, sitting down on a chair beside his best friend. "How is he doing?"

Axel rubbed his temple. "Last I checked, Kairi was taking good care of him. He's still slightly bed-ridden."

And Seifer is still recovering from surgery... At least we made it alive. "That's good- he's okay."

"Uhn."

"Axel, you've been looking really depressed lately. Did something happen?"

"Nah. I just...kinda miss 'her' that's all."

Axel... Roxas looked down at the ground, lips quivering. "Yeah," he uttered. "I do, too. A lot." It feels empty without her here. "I wish she'd come back."

Axel felt something rip in his chest. She won't, Roxas. And it's all because of me. "Uhn..."

"And this was all she left me." Roxas took from his pocket the wrinkled piece of folded paper and unfolded it. Looking at it, he let out a pained chuckle. "Of all things...a farewell note with a picture of me on it. And it doesn't even look like Twilight Town."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, wanna see?"

Axel took the paper and studied it. "That's because it's NOT Twilight Town," he stated with a frown. "This is Traverse Town."

Roxas' eyes widened. "Eh!?" he toned in bewilderment. "Really!? How do you know?"

"Trust me- I've been there enough to know it at first glance." I'm a model after all. Axel gave the paper back and ran a hand through his hair. "But why would she draw Traverse Town instead of Twilight Town?"

"...!" Roxas sharply stood from the chair, staring intensely at the paper he held.

"Roxas?"

"This is where she is!"

"...EH?"

"Traverse Town!" A new spark of hope lit within Roxas as he paced the lobby, holding the paper up high. "I finally know where to look! There are only three districts there, I heard. So it shouldn't be too hard to find her, right?" I'm not about ready to let her go just yet.

FIND her!? Axel stood up and grabbed the skater's shoulder. "Why would you do that!?" he shouted.

"...Axel, what are you-"

"WHY THE HELL ARE YOU SO DAMN PERSISTENT!?" Axel's hold tightened. "You...you're really..." He gritted his teeth and bowed his head. "Fuckin' irritating."

"..."

"Despite all that Namine has done...putting everyone in pain... You still want to see her? Where have all your senses gone, Roxas? Wake up already! You two weren't meant to be together!" I know it first-hand...

"...even so." Roxas stood his ground firmly. "I just can't seem to give up. Even if I want to." Which I don't.

"'Namine'...what IS she to you?"

"I'm very serious about her. That's why I can't find the strength or will to let go."

So that's how it is...

Roxas glanced at the wall clock. "Time is running out," he said, folding the paper and putting it back inside his pocket. "I've gotta get to the station and FAST. I know this is a bit sudden, but I'm no longer in control of the situation here. I'm sorry, Axel." Please. Don't be too mad at me. Giving one last, pained look, he marched out of the hospital, head down.

Axel sat back down. I can't believe he's this determined.

Roxas skateboarded to the station and then dashed up the stairs. It's barely morning. I don't think I'll be too late just yet! He pushed the door open and heard a loud thud behind it.

"OW!"

Oh, crap. I hit someone. Roxas peered behind the door. "So-sorry about tha-" A glint appeared in his eye. "Riku?"

Riku, dressed in a janitor's suit shakily stood up, hand on his hip. "Aw, man..." he groaned. "That really hurt." He fixed his ruffled silver hair and then put his hat back on. Blinking a few times, he recognized the culprit at fault. "Ah, Roxas!"

"You're a janitor now?"

"Only for the time being. Sora and Kairi moving in have really strained my budgets. I've gotta work at least two to three part-time jobs now. It's terribly troublesome."

"Sorry."

"No biggie." Roxas scratched the soft tip of his brow. There was something REALLY important I had to say to Roxas, but what was it? Ugh, I can't remember! "Er...you see..."

"I've gotta go."

"Eh?"

"I'm off to Traverse Town," Roxas said as he brushed past Riku and headed to the line-less ticket booth. Good thing I got here early in the morning. First train leaves in about three minutes, I see... After retrieving the ticket, he headed for the trains. "I'm off to bring Namine back!"

...OH! That's right! "Roxas!" Riku called. "Namine is in Traverse Town!"

Roxas cringed as he boarded the Traverse Town Line. I believe that was established already. He sat down on an empty seat and waited impatiently for the doors to close and the vehicle to move. "Please don't let me be too late..." he muttered to himself. To his relief, the doors finally closed and the train whistled.

Last minute passengers had to stand because almost all of the seats were full.

The skater looked out the window and found that they had at last begun to move. A smile traced his lips.