Namine was at the deserted Sandlot, moping. She walked around kicking rocks that were in the way and sighed. "Roxas and I usually hang out together during Saturdays," she muttered to herself sadly, "But now that he has a girlfriend..." She trailed off and faced the wall.

Roxas ran down the stairs from the Back Alley and arrived at the Sandlot. "See you later, Neyla!" he shouted. He continued to laugh until he saw a very familiar blonde girl in a tight, white dress wearing baby blue sandals. His heart sank when he said, "Namine?"

Namine gasped. She was really hoping that Roxas wouldn't notice her. She toook a quick glimpse at him and ran to Tram Common.

"Namine!" Roxas called once more and ran after her.

Namine ran up the slope and then through the shops. She never turned back, no matter how many times Roxas called her name and pleaded her to stop. She kept running and running, but then halted in front of the huge hole in the wall.

"Namine!" Roxas shouted as he started to catch up to her.

Namine took in a breath of air and dashed into the dark, gloomy woods. "Leave me alone, Roxas," she whispered, knowing he couldn't hear her, "Please!" She tripped on a root and fell on the ground, scraping her knees a bit. She grunted as she got up and headed for the mansion.

Roxas saw Namine enter the abandoned mansion and followed. "Namine!" he called again as he barged into the big house, "Where are you?" He looked around. It was empty, dark, and quiet. Dusty as well. "Namine?" His voice echoed throughout the old walls. He walked up the stairs and decided to check the white room. His heart pounded wildly when he saw a blood trail leading to the very room he was trying to get to.

Namine sat in her chair, treating the wound on her arm. As she was running in the mansion, she slashed her arm by passing a broken blade. "Sssss!" she hissed as she tried to stop the blood from flowing too fast. The pain was almost unbearable.

"Namine..." Roxas' concerned voice soothed, "Are you okay?" He placed a hand on her shoulder.

Namine flinched at his touch. "Stop," she whimpered, "I-it hurts." She closed her eyes and removed her hand from the wound.

Roxas' eyes widened at the sight of blood on the young girl's hand...and arm. "Hold on." He took a piece of cloth from his pocket and wrapped it around her arm carefully. "That should help a bit. We need to get you back home so that we can treat that."

Namine laughed softly.

"What's so funny?"

Namine turned around to face the blonde boy. "Don't you get it, Roxas? This IS my home. Always has, always will."

Roxas was flabbergasted. "What? But then, why did you always ask me to just leave you at Tram...oh. I see." He smacked himself on his forehead. "I'm such an idiot! But Namine, that's dangerous! Coming here all by yourself everyday for another two years? I won't have it! Dusks and Heartless could attack you!"

"No they won't," Namine mumbled, "They no longer come here since their work was done years ago. I'm safe here." She stood up and exited the room.

Roxas followed her to the Dining Room and watched her heal herself with some ointment. "You okay?"

Namine nodded.

"Why...Namine?" Roxas asked sadly, "Why do you always like to be alone?"

"I was destined to be that way." Namine felt like her arm was on fire. She quickly blew on it and closed the bottle of herbal ointment. "I was never meant to be the type of person who deserved company...even though I wanted it so badly."

Roxas looked at her sympathetically.

Namine saw Roxas' expression and forced a small giggle. "Don't worry. I'm used to the isolation and darkness. It's no big deal. You should consider yourself lucky that you have the ability and privilage to have friends and make them. Enjoy your life, Roxas. Don't let me drag you down on your relationships. I'd feel really guilty if I did such a thing."

Roxas looked down at the ground. "Yeah. I guess. But you NEVER drag me down, Namine. You're always there for me, you always make me believe in myself, and you...you make my life worth living."

Namine smiled at Roxas. "Thanks."

"Why did you run away from me?" Roxas blurted.

Namine searched her mind for an aliby. "I-I had this...um...drawing I didn't want you to see. It was so awful!" She laughed nervously as she placed a bandage on her wound.

"But your drawings are never awful," Roxas protested, "And I didn't even see you carrying your sketch book!" He crossed his arms.

Namine sweatdropped. "I uh...was...carrying a...um...small one! Yeah! That's it! I left it in the white room and no I am not showing it to you!"

Roxas was suspicious, but decided to let it slide. "Mmm...okay."

"You'd better go," Namine murmured, her pain in her chest growing, "Neyla's probably waiting for you at the Sandlot." She took out something from a small box on the table. "Turn around," she said, walking up to Roxas.

Roxas, knowing that he could trust Namine, turned around. "Huh?" he asked when he felt something being shoved down his back pocket.

Namine led him out the door. "Don't look at what I gave you until you reach Tram Common, promise?" She gave him a hopeful smile.

Roxas nodded. "Promise."

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Roxas stepped out of the hole and sighed. "Now," he muttered, reaching his back pocket, "What did Namine put in there?" He took the item out and found that it was a condom package with a small note attached to it. He blushed and read the note.

Roxas, I don't want to tell you why I gave this to you. But just enjoy IT with Neyla, okay? I'm not stopping you. Just have fun.

- Namine

Roxas crumpled up the note, feeling guilty and upset. "Why would she think I'd do IT with Neyla?" Roxas thought out loud. He threw the foiled package on the ground and angrily headed for the Sandlot.

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"Hi, Roxas!" Neyla cheered when she saw her boyfriend approach her. She ran up to him and gave him a big hug.

Roxas reacted by hastily pulling away. "Hi," he grumbled.

Neyla pouted. "What's wrong? Something make you mad today?" She smiled mischieviously. "I bet a kiss would make it all better." She cupped his cheek and leaned up to kiss the very shocked blonde.

Roxas stood frozen. What the-?

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It's funny when you find yourself looking from the outside.

I'm standing here, but all I want...is to be over there.

Namine sadly watched the young couple share their kiss from afar. A few teardrops fell from her shimmering blue eyes as she tried to keep a smile on. "I'm happy for you...Roxas," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Though, following you was a bad idea. It only broke me into smaller pieces."

Why did I let myself believe miracles could happen?

'Cause now I have to pretend that I don't really care.

She wiped away her tears and ran back to the mansion unnoticed. "Isolation isn't loneliness," she told herself, "Just a test in your emotions. Be strong, Namine. Be...strong. You don't need Roxas to get through life. You can make it on your own just fine."