A/N: Okay it's official. I am (unfortunately) a SUPER slow updater. 5 months since I started this? Whaaaaaat. It really doesn't feel that long. I'm sorry guys! I haven't gotten the time to sit and write in a while. I've been juggling school and job hunting and everything else in between. But I haven't forgotten about this little project! I'm back for the time being! :D I hope you enjoy!

Belonging

Wicked memories corrupted her conscious, causing her to shoot up in the middle of the night, eyes wide and caught in a furious pant. After reaching a shaky hand to her forehead and gently parting her drenched bangs to the side, the blonde let out a soft sigh. She felt gross, covered in sweat and able to taste the salt on her lips.

Naminé blinked slowly and leaned her back against the brightly pink wall of Kairi's bedroom. The air felt thicker than normal; the heat was unbearable. The fact that it was a summer nightfall made it worse. Sapphire eyes zigzagged around the area, receiving nothing but a few red numbers from a digital clock on her nightstand. It was dark and quiet, besides the occasional, soft snores from the opposite side of the room.

Silence. Darkness. Combined together and it feels like she's drowning, trapped in oblivion, and confined to the organization once again. Curling her legs up to her chest, the petite girl wrapped her arms tightly against the lower portion of her body, settling her face on her knees. In her sleep, she was a witch, a slave, an associate of injustice. While awake, she was just a girl trying to cope with an ordinary life.

It's been about a month since Kairi and her family took her in, labeling her as Kairi's sister. When her parents discovered the source of the blonde's existence, they drew her into a tight hug, with every intention of treating her as their own. She could vividly remember the way her mother's eyes welled up as she pulled her into another snug embrace. It was something she had never experienced before.

To be accepted.

The organization would have never-

Naminé lifted her head up and unraveled her limbs, pushing herself up so that her bare feet hit the wooden floor. She swiftly darted across the room, to a window that was slightly open- allowing a gentle breeze to pass through the curtains. She let out the breath she had been holding, and directed her gaze towards the sleeping redhead, dreading the thought of accidently waking her up. Acknowledging that she was in the clear, Naminé discreetly pushed the soft drapes away from the window and began to slowly lift up the hinge of hefty glass. Scooping down slightly, she grabbed a pair of sandals that were tucked nicely beside the wall and hopped out soundlessly.

She inhaled deeply, getting some much needed air, but was stopped short as she cringed at the uncomfortable feeling of rocks digging into her skin. Dropping her usual blue sandals onto the ground, she slipped her feet, one by one, into the straps and began walking down the pathway of neighboring houses. Flickering streetlights aided her vision through the dark and the sound of clashing waves guided her in the right direction, but she knew she was getting close when she could taste the salt water in the atmosphere. Or maybe it was just the sweat.

It must have been a few minutes of walking before she saw a shadowy figure in the distance. She wasn't far from it, but she wasn't close either. Squinting her eyes, she tried to make out the shape as much as she could. It looked like a man, tall but not to exceeding heights. Skinny, but also muscular. As she got closer, she saw spikes.

Sora…

And before she knew it, she was standing right behind him- his back facing her, hands in the pockets of his baggy shorts.

"…Sora?" She found her voice, genuinely surprised to see him there at such a late hour. It must have been past midnight. But who was she to judge.

Jumping slightly, Sora hastily turned around with a stunned look on his face. It took a few moments of staring to realize the origin of that voice, which caused the blonde girl to blush and shyly avert her gaze. His marginally agape lips turned into a toothy grin, as he turned his body fully towards her. "Naminé! What are you doing out here so late?"

Moving closer to him, she tilted her head in confusion, a small smile displayed on her pretty face. "I could ask you the same question."

Cerulean eyes beamed in delight as he chuckled, "Couldn't sleep, so I snuck out through the window." His index finger rubbed gently against the skin of his upper lip as he snickered. The expression on her face was a mixture between bewilderment and revelation. It was as if he knew she did the exact same thing. She felt exposed.

Laughing, he voiced exactly what was on her mind. "You too?"

She blushed, shyly twisting her foot into the sand as she scratched her chin in embarrassment. A playful smile reached her lips as she purposely refused to lock eyes with him. Sora let out another giggle before taking a seat in the soft, silky sand. Beaming his infectious smile, he crossed his legs and patted a close spot next to him, urging her to sit. She quickly complied, putting her weight on her hands as she stretched her short legs, cladded in blue pajama bottoms. A few moments passed as they looked up at the stars, silently mapping out the constellations in their heads. The frantic waves were loud against the sound of a gentle breeze, but a soft voice interrupted the uproar.

"Y'know I'm glad that you and Roxas and Xion get to live a real life. It makes me happy."

Naminé gaped towards the side-profile of the young man. He straightened out his arms behind him, holding his weight as he slightly leaned back, staring into the deep abyss of wondrous light. Stars, planets, worlds, and everything in between. "You all deserve it. You all belong here."

She could see a small smirk of compassion and determination settle upon his features. She felt her face growing warm, a pink tint spreading across her cheeks. She's never seen anything so… what was the word… handsome.

She thought she felt something flicker in her chest.

A beat.

The spiky brunette turned to her with a toothy grin.

The quiet blonde smiled back.

Thump, thump, thump.

Thank you, Sora.