Dude, you guys totally rock!
&&&
Sapphire eyes fluttered open only to be seal shut again from the intense light of the snow outside the window. Roxas, hearing only the steady breathing of his friends, began to drift back off into dreamland. Though not before snuggling closer into his 'pillow.'
'Ah...' He nuzzled his nose against the soft object, leaving him to enjoy the tingling sensation it left. 'This cushion is really soft and warm and...' His eyes crunched in thought.
'Makes gurgling sounds?'
Tentatively, Roxas slid his orbs open, only to shoot back to the other end of the tiny sofa; a cute red staining his cheeks.
On the opposite side of where he sat, Namine was sitting in an upright position, her head leaning back against the top of the love seat. The girl still remained sleeping as Roxas eyed her up and down.
His cheeks deepened in color as he noticed that blond's midriff was poking out beneath her sweater. So...that's what he was nuzzling.
Taking his gaze away from the pretty nymph, Roxas surveyed the room with a scrutinizing eye. He wanted to make sure nobody witnessed his little snuggle-fest with Namine's tummy.
Completing his task, Roxas sighed in both relief and joy.
Everyone still was snoozing.
Riku had left during the wee hours of the morning, claiming to supposedly have a dentist appointment early the next day.
Yay!
Suddenly, it came without warning. Roxas keeled over, clutching his head in agony. It seems that he had partied to hardy the night before. He briefly remember something about a keg and a funnel, but that didn't matter at the time as the young adult rolled carefully off the couch and ducked into the hallway bathroom.
Upon reaching the lavatory, he glanced at his reflection who, in turn, glanced back.
Slightly reddened eyes and the dark circles under his eyeballs greeted him, causing him to groan.
"Damn, did I really let myself go or what?"
Roxas chuckled, wincing as his head throbbed. He finally decided not to speak or think anymore until he had consumed some pain relievers to sooth his cranium. After administering his pills, the blond spiky-haired stud proceeded to wash his face of impurities.
An Hour Later
The rest of the gang rose in a cantankerous mood only to find a refreshed Roxas, blaring the volume on the television to rock music.
Olette narrowed her eyes to slit as she glared daggers at her long-time buddy.
"Roxas...Do you have any idea what TIME IT IS?"
Casually, Roxas glanced towards the clock.
"Why yes. It's about eleven o' clock, Olette."
The brunette scowled deeply.
"Don't get smart with me, Roxas or I'll-"
Olette, just as he this morning, grasped her skull in pain as did many of the others. All except for the still snoozing Namine who didn't dare touch any hard liquor.
"Heh. I figured you crazy bastards would need some of this." So Roxas, being the kind, responsible adult, handed out the hangover reducing medication.
"Thanks, Rox. You're the best."
Kairi moaned out tiredly as she snuggled closer to Sora.
"Anytime, Kairi."
Selphie, reviving quickly from alcohol induced stupor, ran off into the kitchen, chanting something about breakfast and rum.
Everyone rolled his/her eyes at their friends' inability to succumb to being drunk and having this much energy in the morning. It simply astounded them at times.
"Ugh, what's going on? Why's that damn t.v. so loud anyway?"
Pence lowered the volume and continued to talk with Hayner. Roxas took a seat next to Namine who was rubbing the fatigue from her eyes.
"Good morning, Namie. Did you sleep well?"
Namine turned and beamed brightly at Roxas, causing him to turn away slightly while trying to hide the blush forming on his face.
"Yeah, I actually did. Though I had this bizarre dream."
"What about?"
Roxas unconsciously leaned forward; his hand accidentally falling on top of hers. Both didn't seem to notice, but Kairi and Sora did.
"Hmm, let's see now...It involved you, me, Cleo, and Riku. And...ahh...oh, crap. I forgot the rest."
Namine pouted childishly, making everyone in the area laugh. Suddenly, Namine's cellphone began to glow and emit some techno tune. She wondered who would call, but when she reached to retrieve it, Namine blushed at her and Roxas' hand.
Roxas, following her stare, quickly pulled away, muttering an apology. The girl just dismissed his concession with a tiny smile.
"If you'll all excuse me for a minute..."
She then faded away into the shadows of the hallway. Everyone glanced at one another with a baffled eyebrow raised.
What was with Namine's distant look when she checked the caller ID? Why was her voice so monotone when she exited the room?
"I wonder who could be calling her." Kairi thought aloud. "I mean it couldn't be Riku. He doesn't have her new cell number yet."
"Maybe it's her papa."
Selphie muttered as she re-entered the vicinity with a tray full of pancakes and eggs.
"You know. To check up on her and all."
The group nodded in agreement and began to munched on their food. A few minutes later, Namine returned, her face pale and clammy.
"K-Kairi..." Everyone looked up, startled by Namine's sudden reappearance. The blond, spunky teen had seem to lose her vigor, and she looked as if she was about to cry.
Kairi removed her from the table and rushed to her grieved friend.
"Namie! What's wrong?"
Namine's eyes watered as a few droplets fell.
"It-It's mom, Kai. D-Dad said that-that she..."
Kairi pulled her "sister" to her bosom and comforted her. Kairi peered towards her group of amigos with pleading eyes.
"Roxas, could you please move your car. I need to take Namine to the hospital. Now."
"Why? What's the matter?"
Kairi shook her head, refusing to answer and practically dragging Namine out the front door. Sora went to assist her while Roxas threw on a jacket, grabbed the keys, and went to move the car.
After that, Kairi and Namine pulled out, but not before Kairi rolled down her window.
"I promise that later on we'll talk about it. Olette, Hayner, Pence, and Selphie should be able to explain it before I could."
They soon departed.
&&&
As the twins came back inside, everything was silent.
"Hello?"
Sora called out as he and Roxas walked into the living room. There sat their friends, food cold and everything quiet. A sense of gloom shrouded the house in despair.
"Does anyone care to explain what just happened?"
The quartet shot a glimpse at one another, debating on who should tell. Finally, a decision was made and Olette took a seat of the couch, patting it so the two boys could have a seat.
"It's kinda long."
"We have time. Don't worry about it, Olette." Sora added politely.
"Okay." Taking a deep breath, the emerald-eyed brunette began.
"As you've heard, Namine's mother is in the hospital." Both guys nodded. "Well, it started about two years ago. Namine was just a sophomore and she really had it all. A lovely family, wonderful friends, and artistic talent. But...That's the year Riku decided to move away, leaving Namine and Kairi devastated. It was also the time Namine's mother started to grow paler and weaker with each passing day."
A another deep breath.
"Finally, Mr. Yugowa convinced his wife to go for a check-up with the family physician. What they found that day would ruin Namine mentally. In her stomach, they had found a tumor. It was proven to be malignant and already at stage three. The doctors tried to remove the mass, but failed numerous times. They said she would die within a year, but she managed to hang on for two more then expected. I'm afraid this might be the end of the road."
Selphie sniffled a bit while Pence patted her on the back. Roxas and Sora were shocked especially Roxas. Upon hearing the tragic news, he covered his face with his hands.
He felt really terrible right now. Not just for Namine, but for himself too. He mentally reprimanded himself for being such a jackass to Namine at school. If he would have known this, he would have immediately tamed his teasing habits.
"Any idea of the hospital name?"
The question startled the small group.
"Roxas...You're not planning to go there, are you? I think it would be best if Namine and her family are alone right now." Hayner stated a matter of factly. Suddenly, he found himself suspended in mid-air by the collar of his shirt. Hayner stared nervously into the burning embers of Roxas' eyes.
"Hospital name. Now!"
"Saint Matthew's Hospital in uptown Artemis."
Roxas thanked him and put him back down, grabbing his heavy jacket and keys once again, ready to depart.
"Wait! Roxas!"
Roxas turned slightly one eye looking at his brother.
"What?"
"Who's going to take me home?"
"I'm sure Pence or Olette could bring you home."
Both brunettes acquiesced willingly to Roxas suggestion. Roxas grinned.
"Thanks. You guys are the coolest!"
And with that said, he left.
&&&
She sat next to her mother, tightly gripping onto the older woman's hand. Namine was afraid to left go, for if she did, her mother just might dissolve away into nothing.
No. She wouldn't let that happen.
Kairi, her father, and Haku had split, giving Namine the chance to be with her mom alone. She smiled warmly at the woman sleeping in the metal bed. Mrs. Yugowa had gone bald due to all the chemo-therapy she had endured.
The blond girl truly did admire her mother's strength. All the torture she went through just to still be there...Right next to her.
"I love you, mom."
"And I love you, my sweet Namine."
Tears began to spill from the girl's eyes as her mom opened her dazzling, green eyes sparkling. Removing her hand from her daughter's, Mrs. Yugowa brushed away the tears.
"Namine. You know I don't like it when you or your brother cry over me."
Namine tried to hold in a sob.
'I know, mom. It's just that I don't want you to leave us. You're too strong to let that happen."
Mrs. Yugowa chuckled lightly.
"Death is part of life, my dearest. I know deep in my heart that I've lived my life to the fullest. I have a wonderful, caring husband and my two little bundles of joy. You and Haku have definitely brightened up my life."
"Oh, mama."
"Namine, you've grown into such a beautiful, young woman and I'm very proud of your progress in school. Your future is very bright and prosperous. I also want you to find love and be as happy as I have with all of you."
Namine opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a knock at the door. She gasped lightly as Roxas, with a vase of full of red and white roses, entered the room. He bowed lightly in respect to Mrs. Yugowa.
"My, my, my! What a handsome, young man, Namine. Is he your boyfriend?"
"No!"
The two yelled in unison, blushing fervently. Mrs. Yugowa chuckled/wheezed pathetically. Namine rushed forward to help, but her mother protested against the action. She smiled kindly at Roxas, making him immediately feel comfortable and welcomed.
"You two remind me so much of me and your father, Namine. In high school, we were the same way."
"Mom, can we please switch the subject."
"Of course, dear." An easy silence fell between as Roxas placed the vase of the nightstand next to the bed. Suddenly, he remembered that he forgot to introduce himself.
"Excuse my rudeness, Mrs. Yugowa. I'm Roxas Nasumi."
Namine's mom gladly took Roxas' hand in her own and shook it tenaciously.
"Ah. I've heard about you and your family's accomplishments, Roxas, but please call me Nozomi. I'm not really one for formalities."
"A pleasure, Nozomi."
Nozomi watched the clock strike noon as she, her daughter, and Roxas conversed about almost everything.
"Roxas. Namine. I believe you two should leave now and have some lunch."
Namine and Roxas were about to protest when Nozomi held her hand up to quiet them.
"Oh and don't worry. This old bag of bones isn't ready to kick the bucket yet."
They all shared a short laugh before the duo left the hospital in search of some grub.
&&&
-stretches- Oh, man. I think that was my longest chapter yet. It's about 12:30a.m. here, so I'll let you guys read and tell me what you think.
And there you have it. A bit about Namine's mommy. I swear i was tearing up at that one part.
Stay tuned and Good night!
