After their revelation, leisure time in Twilight Town would have to be postponed. The pair didn't even wait a day before taking off back to Radiant Garden.
Riku held himself differently on the return trip. From her seat behind him at an angle, she couldn't take in all of his features, but what she could see was enough. His posture had already been fairly polished, but now he held his head slightly higher than normal. The normally tense focus gave way to a relaxed smile. He looked...happy. More so than during their group trip to Destiny Islands.
She wanted to say something, but feared that speaking too soon would break this joyous trance he'd placed himself in while mindlessly flying the gummi ship. So trying her best to not alert him, she pulled her sketchbook into her lap, slowly turned to an empty page, and began to draw.
His features were difficult to describe, somehow both soft and sharp at the same time. Though his hair was light and silver, it reflected the colors around itself more vibrantly. She'd observed as such in the warm sunlight of Twilight Town and the tropical backdrop of Destiny Islands. Now more than ever, she wished for an expanded color set. Charcoal pencil would have to do for the moment.
She was able to work in silence until pain hit her throat, and she coughed on instinct before she could stop herself. This time, just a few wasn't enough. It felt like something was in her throat, trying to crawl its way out.
Atleast she'd managed to flip her sketchbook closed before Riku turned his attention to her. "You okay?"
"I-I'm fine, Riku," she croaked when her voice allowed it.
He raised an eyebrow. "You've been sick all day. You should see Aerith when we get back."
The urge to cough and dislodge whatever was there wouldn't let up. Until one final cough, when she felt something soft and feather light hit the palm that covered her mouth.
She dreaded looking, but what she found was quite the opposite from what she'd expected. A small yellow flower petal greeted her, whole and clean.
As far as Naminé knew, they hadn't come across any such flowers in Twilight Town, and she certainly hadn't inhaled any. Even on the chance that it came from that morning's tea, how many blends had whole flower petals in them? Confusion wracked her, which hadn't gone unnoticed.
"Naminé?"
She lifted her gaze, and found his simple inquiry had turned to mild concern. How long had she been staring silently at her hand?
Her hand closed over the small petal. If her confusion was any indication, she certainly didn't want to freak Riku out with this affliction.
"I'll visit Aerith, but I still want to see Kairi first." She reassured him with a smile. "This is more important."
Her pilot only looked partially convinced. He opened his mouth to speak, but instead closed his lips into a tight, straight line. He yielded with a nod, "Okay."
Thanks to their quick departure, the cool winds and rocky surroundings of Radiant Garden soon greeted Naminé for the second time in two days. They didn't wait to be escorted back to Ienzo's lab, and neither did Naminé care whether Ansem the Wise was there or not.
Riku made the dramatic entrance, throwing open the laboratory doors and startling Ienzo. An instinctive crackle of magic sparked on his fingertips for a moment of panic, but his shoulders quickly relaxed as he let out an irritated sigh.
"You have a phone, you know." He shook his hands loose. "You're lucky I wasn't doing any delicate work."
He nodded to the reclining seat in the lab, where Kairi was halfway to her feet already.
"Sorry, but we rushed back," Riku said, and stepped aside for Naminé to make her way through.
Kairi leaned forward intently. Hope had always been present in her eyes, but now more than ever was the sentiment present as she gave them her full attention.
"Did you find anything?" she asked.
Naminé took a deep breath and loosened the grip on her sketchbook. She didn't regard the scientist in the room, but the girl who she knew would be happiest to hear the news. "I saw one of Sora's memories. A new one."
Kairi was on her feet and across the room in a second, throwing her arms excitedly around her former Nobody. The third hug she'd gotten that day.
"Oh, Naminé! I knew you could do it!" She cried.
"That's incredible!" Ienzo, whose voice was normally so calm, betrayed his own enthusiasm in his pitch.
"What's even more incredible," Riku added, "she sketched her vision, just like before."
Naminé recoiled bashfully, and lifted her sketchbook to take her place in the limelight. "I couldn't have done it alone. Revisiting the mansion wasn't without its memories."
"Nonsense," Kairi said. "It was your idea to go in the first place."
Both her and Ienzo eyed the sketch closely, but neither of them showed the same recognition that Riku had.
Ienzo tapped his chin. "I don't know this place, though I suppose the tall buildings might resemble The World That Never Was. We'll have to search for leads."
"Actually, we might already have one," Naminé smiled and turned to Riku. "If you're comfortable telling them..."
Riku nodded. "I thought it was just the heavy emotions, but the night Sora disappeared, I had a dream that I was in a dense city, similar to the one here. It was dark and raining. Even though it was empty, I felt like someone was watching me."
Ienzo rapidly took notes, and Kairi smiled in acknowledgment. "Hearts, memories, and dreams. They're all so connected. I wonder…"
"What is it, Kairi?" Naminé asked.
"It's been only a day, and you both have already found connections to Sora. Meanwhile, there's been no luck with me yet. I hate feeling so useless…"
Riku approached her and held her shoulders. "Hey, none of that now. If anyone's closely connected to Sora, it's you. Your ties to Sora are there. You just have to find them."
"To trigger this one memory took both Riku and I, and quite the emotional experience," Naminé reassured her. "I'm sure with all three of us, we'll find even more connections."
Kairi smiled. "Thank you both. Whenever I think of my memories, I can't help but reflect on the missing ones from my childhood. If dreams and memories are connected, then maybe I have to...dream to find them."
"That would be quite the experiment," Ienzo paced in thought. "But if those memories are deep, then it may take quite a bit to reach them. A controlled, long-term induced sleep, perhaps?"
The suggestion was barely the final verdict, but Kairi nodded with determination. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes. For Sora."
"You won't be alone, Kairi," Riku said. "I'll check in on you every day."
"Me too," Naminé smiled while still clutching her sketchbook. "Not just for Sora's memories, but for you as well. You've been my model for bravery for my entire existence. Remember that you're not alone in your dreams, okay?"
Kairi returned her smile, and heartfelt tears began to form in her eyes before she pulled both Naminé and Riku in for a tight hug.
"Aww you guys!"
Ienzo cleared his throat to remind everyone of his presence. "Well if I know one thing so far, it's that Sora is lucky to have all of you."
Kairi gave everyone one last hug before entering into sleep, not wanting to wait another second. For a moment, Riku and Naminé waited, both worried about her state and unsure when she was actually asleep.
"I believe she's stable," Ienzo finally said. "With dusk approaching, I suggest you both figure out your sleeping arrangements. I'm sure you're both welcome to stay in the castle if you'd like. We've certainly the rooms to spare."
Riku crossed his arms and looked to Naminé. "That might be our safest option, if you're comfortable."
Naminé thought for a moment. Could she live under the same roof as that man again, even if it was within a giant castle? The odds of crossing him were narrow, but she steeled herself for the possibility. "I'm not ready to confront or even forgive him, but I think I'm ready to atleast be in his presence."
"You can leave the talking up to me. I'll speak with Ansem."
If he was going to do a favor for her, then the least she could do was ease his worry in return. "Then I'll visit Aerith while you do."
Despite Radiant Garden having been aptly named, the flowers surrounding and decorating Aerith's home put the rest of the town to shame. Living on the outskirts afforded her more space to decorate, and the healer had made use of every inch. Flowers of all shapes and colors surrounded Naminé as she walked the cobblestone path to her wooden door. The gradient of the landscape flowed seamlessly through each shade, from warm to cool to black and white.
As she stepped closer to the door and noticed the hand bell mounted to its side, Naminé was hit with a sudden bout of nerves. So far, she'd always been around people she'd already met. And while Aerith's kindness and approachable demeanor had been emphasized by everyone, she still worried about making a good first impression.
Naminé took a deep breath. She hadn't known Terra when she'd reached out to his heart during the fight against Xehanort. If she could do that, she could knock on Aerith's door and introduce herself.
The bell gave off a pleasant chime upon being rung, neither too loud nor too pitched. The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder, and a moment later, the door was opened.
Naminé didn't even have to introduce herself.
"Oh hello! You're Naminé, right?" The woman smiled, her deep green eyes wide with a pleasant surprise. She stepped aside and gestured for Naminé to enter. "It's great to have you in Radiant Garden. The more, the merrier!"
"Y-yes. Thank you." Naminé nodded shyly as she crossed the threshold of Aerith's home.
If the landscape of her home reflected Radiant Garden, then its interior reflected the forest surrounding Twilight Town. No attempt had been made to cover the wooden frame of the roof and ceiling, but the extra open space only allowed more warm light to fill the area. Greenery poured from pots that hung from the windows and ceiling.
"It's nice to be the first to meet a new person for once. Normally Leon jumps the gun," Aerith giggled. "What can I help you with?"
Aerith pulled out a chair at a small round table just inside her home and ran to her kitchen to begin brewing tea. Naminé took her offer in the open chair and took the time to gather her thoughts. She wasn't sure how to begin describing it, so she started from the beginning.
"I hate to ask for help on our first meeting, but I've had this strange...affliction since I awoke."
"Medicine and healing are what I'm best at. What's the trouble?"
Naminé waited to continue until Aerith returned with tea and sat across from her.
"It started with a small tickle in my throat, and has only gotten worse. Now I'm coughing very often, and…" she pulled out her sketchbook and turned to the empty page where the yellow flower petal had been pressed. "Yesterday, this came out."
Aerith leaned forward, and her brows furrowed, not in disgust, but with thoughtfulness.
"Out of your...throat?" Aerith asked.
Naminé nodded. "I know it sounds impossible, but I don't know what's wrong with me."
"I see," Aerith shifted her focus from the petal to Naminé. "This may sound like a strange question, Naminé, but are you...close with anyone?"
It definitely took the girl aback. She'd expected her to ask about other symptoms, her diet, or where she'd travelled, but not about her friendships.
"My powers are connected to Sora. I'm close with Kairi, and I've spent time with Riku, Xion, Roxas, and everyone since I awoke, but it's only been a few days."
Aerith giggled lightly. "I mean a deeper sensation. Is there anyone you feel close to emotionally?"
"Like...a crush?"
"Exactly like a crush."
Naminé's gaze shifted to the teacup cradled in her hand. She couldn't quite distinguish the strong emotions apart from one another, but one person did come to mind immediately. Perhaps it was only because she'd spent so much time with him recently, or that she'd gone through quite the emotional journey while he'd been present.
"Maybe? Many emotions still feel so new," she paused, coming back to the reason for her visit. "What does that have to do with this?" she pointed to the petal.
"There's only one disease I've heard of in which patients cough up flower petals, but I've never treated anyone for it."
With that, she stood and made her way over to a tall, well populated book shelf. The wait was anxiety-inducing as the woman walked her fingers along the dozens of book spines before withdrawing a large tome. Naminé grounded herself in her teacup's warmth and citrusy smell to calm her nerves. If Aerith could put a name to her affliction, she could likely treat it as well.
She flipped the pages back and forth a couple of times before landing on a page with both illustration and text.
"Hanahaki Disease," Aerith said, pointing to the title. Just below it, an illustration depicted a man, otherwise healthy and normal, with his head tilted back, his eyes closed, and dozens of flowers blooming out of his mouth. Naminé would have thought it to be a lovely piece of art if it weren't printed in a medicinal tome.
"Sometimes, very rarely, when someone loves another person, and it is unconfessed or unrequited, a flower representing that love will begin to bloom within the admirer, rooting itself within their lungs."
Naminé's hand gravitated to her neck, mimicking how the figure clutched his own. Would she look like...that? "That sounds painful," she said.
"It can be, and if left untreated, could lead to...suffocation."
A pit welled in Naminé's stomach. She'd just gotten her heart, her life, back, and now she was at risk to lose it again? All for an emotion she wasn't even sure how to feel yet? She steadied her breathing and focussed on the glimpse of hope in Aerith's words.
"There's treatment?"
Aerith nodded. "Several, both physical and emotional, each with their own side effects. The first, and most ideal option, is to confess your love and have it returned. The flower will wither and die, and you live on happily."
That sounded easy enough, though the 'have it returned' part was risky and far out of her control.
"The second is to force yourself to stop loving them. More emotionally painful, but the flower will still disappear. The last resort," Aerith paused and turned the page, where a close-up illustration of a pair of lungs was detailed, "is to surgically remove the flower itself."
"Last resort?" Naminé asked. "Because of the risky surgery?"
"That too, but there are also side effects. You will lose all love for the subject, but also...all memories of them."
Ah. There it was.
Naminé had taken away the memories of many people. How ironic it would be for her to lose some of her most precious memories permanently.
Perhaps it would be the universe's way of getting justice.
Naminé felt a grip on her shoulders, and her gaze snapped back to reality. Back into the small humble home, with Aerith smiling at her gently.
"I only tell you the worst case because you need to know. I doubt it would ever come to that, Naminé."
Naminé relaxed her shoulders and let out a long exhale. The knowledge that a flower - an actual flower - was living within her chest was discomforting, but for now the pain was tolerable, and only came rarely.
"What should I do?"
"I think you know the answer," Aerith winked at her. "You don't have to tell me, but based on your face, you probably already know who it is. If you're comfortable, you should tell them how you feel."
But how could she tell him how she feels if she could barely even articulate it within her own head? Riku wasn't one to express emotions so openly and freely. How would he take it? Could she actually love anyone right now?
"Emotions are still so new to me." Naminé folded her hands in front of her chest. "I don't even know what love is. Could you tell me?"
Aerith giggled lightly. "It's alot of things. I'm not sure I could do it justice. But," she tapped her chin in thought, her gaze drifting off as if she were revisiting an old memory. "Generally, when you love someone, you want them around, to be with them through everything. You put their needs and happiness before yours. And even when you haven't seen or heard from them in a long time, you think of them everyday, hoping to get to see them again."
The description was alot to take in, yet at the same time had left her fully enraptured. Could she really feel that way? She recalled her heart's stutter when she saw him for the first time again. The excitement at getting to travel with him alone. How safe she'd felt when he'd held her, if only for a brief moment. The hypnosis he'd put her in just by being happy. She'd do anything to see it again.
The room grew dizzy, not from her illness, but the rushing thoughts in her head. She rested her forehead against her hand. "I-I need time to think."
Aerith took her free hand. "Of course. It's still in the early stages, so you don't have to act today. This stays between us."
Naminé nodded. "Thank you. It's quite embarrassing that I've developed this so quickly."
"Maybe it's been there all along," Aerith squeezed her hand. "I don't study Heartless and Nobodies as much as the others do, but perhaps a strong emotion like love has been sown within you, waiting for a heart to nourish and grow it."
Naminé smiled, recalling her positive memories within the mansion. "I hope you're right."
"And love is nothing to be embarrassed about," the healer added. "No matter how quickly you fall."
Naminé returned to the castle, carrying the medicinal herbs Aerith had given her to help slow the symptoms. Her eyes had been on the floor, and her mind in a million different places when she collided with someone and nearly dropped everything.
"Naminé! Are you alright?" Riku's voice would never sound the same after her revelation. Every modulation and leap in pitch was noticeable. When she looked up to him, she wasn't even sure she'd be able to look at him normally again. "What did Aerith say?"
She felt like she could only move in slow motion as her eyes travelled down to the bag in her hands. Words. How did she form words?
"Medicine," she said and immediately wanted to shrink. Full sentences now. "I have medicine."
She held up the small bag of herbs, partly for clarification, but mostly so her face could hide behind something.
"Oh," he said. "Well that's good then. Hopefully you start feeling better soon."
If only he knew. "Me too, Riku."
For a moment, she just stood and fumbled with her bag, words and thoughts seeming to evaporate from her mind. A quick glance to him told her he was doing the same, but why could he possibly feel flustered?
"I was just-"
"Well it's-"
They cut each other off, staring and both waiting in silence for the other to continue before giving into awkward chuckles.
"It's been quite a day. I think I need rest."
His eyes widened. "Oh, right, your room." He led her down the hallways to a larger room than the one she'd stayed in before. "Figured you might want something a little better since you're staying a while."
It was still simple to her liking with a small writing desk in the corner, on which she placed her sketchbook and her medicine. She turned around to catch Riku before he could find an excuse to leave.
"And how are you, Riku?"
He averted his gaze and shrugged. "I'm fine."
With his height, it was easy for her to lean down and read his expression. "Are you sure? With how I'm feeling, I can't imagine how this must've been for you."
"I...I think so," he said. "I don't know. Happy with what we've found, but frustrated that things never settle down. There's always something gone wrong, or some mysterious force working up to something."
"You thought you'd all be done with Xehanort?"
He chuckled, "When you say it outloud, it does sound ridiculous."
"It's not, Riku," she smiled and dared to touch his arm in reassurance. "Who wouldn't want peace and happiness, to know everyone they care about is safe?"
He jumped at the sudden contact, but didn't pull away. Naminé decided not to push the boundary too much, and retracted her hand. She gave him space to find what to say or allow the conversation to end there if he wanted.
"It sounds so far away, but then again, if my job is to protect those around me, then real peace would put me out of a job." The corners of his mouth curled up into a small smile, and she giggled.
"Don't worry, Riku. As long as I'm around, I'm sure I'll always need protection from something."
The final words had made it out before she even realized what she was saying.
When you love someone, you want them around all the time.
Her room suddenly felt several degrees warmer, and Riku was painfully silent in front of her, wide-eyed and turning pink as well. The source of her affliction began to act up again at the base of her throat.
"T-thank you for that today, by the way," she said, trying to divert her point. "I don't know if I could've done it alone."
"Uh- of course," he said. "Though, if I'm being honest, it was you who helped me. With Sora's memories."
"Oh." The pressure had grown, forcing her to clear her throat. "I'm glad."
"I guess it was a coincidence. Us being together must've triggered the memory."
"We should do it again sometime," she blurted out before quickly covering her mouth. Why couldn't she think before she spoke? She cursed the disease for distracting her so much. "It could trigger more memories, perhaps?"
He watched her for a moment, his eyes focussed as if he was trying to read through her expression. And she swore his face hadn't been that pink moments earlier. "I was going to suggest the same, actually."
Naminé cleared her throat again, but the pressure only grew. The lump in her throat was rising, and not just from her many slips of the tongue. She turned away before coughing into her elbow, doing her best to cover her mouth just in case another petal slipped out.
A look of shock crossed Riku's face, as if he just remembered her predicament. "Are you okay? Do you need anything?"
She waved it off. "No, no, don't worry. I just need to take medicine," she lied.
Riku didn't look fully convinced as he crossed his arms, but he still nodded. "If you say so." He turned to leave her in her room, but stopped just outside the doorway. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
Despite the growing discomfort in her throat, she managed a smile. "Yes. Tomorrow."
If he wanted to see her too, maybe it wasn't such a far stretch that he felt the same.
A/N: Naminé and Riku both give off confused dial-up noises when they're flustered, and converting that into dialogue-form has been an interesting exercise. I love them! Thank you for reading and for all the support :)