AN/ if it isn't obvious, this is like sorta the last chapter from Namine's POV. *shrug*

Chapter 25: Duty and Friendship

"Sora?" Namine asked, worry creeping into her voice. She already knew that something was off, however now she was getting worried. The air was beginning to waver around Sora, and she was starting to see the darkness lash out.

"Shut up!" Sora snapped, turning to her. She swallowed, noting the look of pure hatred on his face. Slowly, she shrunk back, afraid. Sora looked as if he was ready to strike.

"No!" someone shouted, and she relaxed slightly, recognizing the voice as Riku's. A dark corridor opened and Riku jumped out of it, lunging at Sora (because apparently, running was too slow for Riku). Within only a few seconds, he had Sora pinned to the ground.

"Take another guess!" he shouted, jumping out of the dark corridor and lunging at Marluxia. There were many gasps throughout the room, but he didn't listen. He swiped his blade, but Marluxia easily dodged.

"Impossible!" Marluxia shouted.

Namine winced and shook her head, as if to shake the memory out of it. It slowly faded to a stop, and she was able to focus again. Her head was throbbing, though.

"Payback, huh?" Sora laughed.

Payback…? Namine wondered. What is he talking-

She couldn't even finish the thought before the memory came drifting back to her.

Everything was a blur. He heard Kairi scream, and then next thing Riku knew, he was against the wall. And an extremely angry Sora was holding him there.

That would explain what they're talking about… Namine thought.

"Sora!" Kairi gasped. "What are you doing!"

If Sora heard her, he didn't show it. He continued to glare at Riku. "Why are you here?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"I was just talking to Kairi," Riku said slowly, trying to remain calm.

"You're trying to get in the way!" Sora accused.

"Am not!" Riku replied. He sounded as if he was getting angry.

"Let go of me!" Riku gasped. When Sora refused to, Riku shifted into dark mode and shot Dark Firaga at him. Sora went flying, and Kairi gasped.

This memory was quickly followed by another one, and the memories slowly overlapped.

"Want some more!" Riku laughed, shooting Dark Firaga. Sora was knocked back, and Riku smirked. Slowly, he rose to his feet and walked over to the fallen Sora.

"Looks like I win," he said, anger just dripping off of his voice.

"Riku…" Sora said slowly, struggling to sit up. But he didn't look like he had the strength or will to keep fighting.

However, she got no more from the memory than that, as it flickered back to the previous memory. And then the memories just started running together, colliding in one wall of noises and images that came crashing down on her.

A cry of pain escaped her lips, but she quickly tried to fight it down.

Another one! she thought angrily. And just what is with all these memories!

And why do I keep seeing them…?

"Not… again…" she moaned.

Next thing she knew, Riku was picking her up. She couldn't help but relax a little. She somehow just felt safe in his arms, even if she was in the middle of the meltdown. And she noticed that the memories were even fading a little.

Maybe this was nothing after all.

She glanced up at Riku, ready to tell him that she'd be fine, but something made her stop.

Riku said something.

She saw his mouth move.

But she didn't hear him.

She began to panic, as Riku continued talking, and she continued not to hear him.

She couldn't hear him.

Why can't I hear him! I don't see any more of the memories…

But why can't I hear him?

I can't- I can't hear anything!

What's going on!

Her ears were ringing, and slowly everything just faded to black as she fainted.

xxx

Slowly, she drifted her way back to consciousness. She wasn't sure how long it had been. It had probably been a while, as it usually was.

Her ears were still ringing.

She sat up in a panic and then covered her ears, as if it would actually help stop the noise. It didn't. She knew Riku was probably sitting there, confused, but she didn't quite care. She just wanted the noise to stop.

What the heck is this!

It's never happened before…

I just want it to stop.

I want to talk to Riku, and I can't talk to him if I can't hear him. And I won't be able to hear him if this noise doesn't stop!

"What's wrong?" Riku asked.

To Namine's surprise, his voice cut through the noise in her ears and she could hear him perfectly.

Weird… she thought, slowly lowering her hands. I couldn't hear him before…

But… the noise is still there.

It's not as annoying though.

"Are you okay?" Riku asked, starting to sound worried. Namine frowned, wondering why, but then nearly laughed at how stupid and obvious that was. She still hadn't answered his first question, and she had been freaking out.

What should I tell him, though?

I feel kind of… embarrassed… now.

But how would I explain this?

"Namine?" Riku asked, sounding even more worried.

"What?" she said, turning to him, a bit shocked. "Oh! Sorry," she laughed nervously.

Riku slowly smiled. "Don't apologize," he told her. "I was only getting a bit worried, that's all. What's up?"

Namine scratched her head, still unsure of how to explain it. "It was really weird…" she muttered. "There was this ringing in my ears, and it wouldn't go away. It's gone NOW of course. But… it was really freaky. I couldn't hear anything."

"You can hear now though, right?" Riku asked.

Namine laughed. "Well no duh, silly," she said.

Riku grinned. His grin, however, quickly fell.

"Why do the meltdowns keep happening?" he asked, voice quiet. "I thought they didn't happen this often. And I know this can't be left over from the last one."

Namine nodded. "I know it's not. This one felt completely different."

"But why don't they stop?"

"I-I don't know," Namine stuttered. Riku winced, noticing this. "Maybe we just have to wait. I'm sure they'll stop soon. I mean, Castle Oblivion is where all your more painful memories happened, right? I bet they'll stop once I've seen all that there is to see."

She actually had no idea about this. It seemed to make sense though, and she had to say something. Riku didn't look too happy. However, at this suggestion he brightened a little.

"Yeah, I suppose that's right," he said. "And if it's true, I'm sorry."

Namine frowned, confused. "What for?" she asked.

"Most of these memories are quite painful," Riku muttered. "I don't like the thought of you having to live through that."

Namine laughed slightly. "Don't apologize for that, it's not your fault. And I'll be fine, especially if you're with me." This last part was an afterthought, mainly just said because she knew that it was what Riku secretly wanted to hear. And even so, she wouldn't mind him being with her.

A smile slowly played on Riku's lips. "Yeah! I wouldn't mind doing that at-" he paused, smile falling again as he turned away. "Well… I can try. I promised Sora I'd help him fight his darkness." He frowned, and then turned back to Namine. "Did Sora hurt you?"

Namine shook her head. "No. I'm not hurt."

"That's good. But I suppose this means I need to get back to helping Sora soon," he sighed. "It's not much. All we do is go to some random world, kill Heartless for a couple of hours and then come back. It's not like I'd be gone long."

Namine laughed. Riku was worried about being gone too long.

"It'll be fine," she assured him. "And you should probably go now, if you plan on going soon. If I have another meltdown, it won't be right away. So you'll have better chance of returning before the next one happens, if one happens."

Riku nodded, rising to his feet, suddenly more excited. "Right!" he said. "I'll be right back then!"

"I'll be waiting!" Namine called with a grin as he ran out of the room. She sighed as once as he left though.

She had forgotten to ask about her sketchbook.

Maybe she'd ask Joseph…

xxx

Vexen's Research

Goodness, that's three meltdowns. Riku mentioned that she had them, but he never mentioned that they were this frequent. In fact, if I remember correctly, he tried to blow it off as if it were nothing. This isn't nothing. Obviously, these memories are plaguing her. Now, are they her memories or his? I am led to believe that they are his, but I would have to ask one of them-well, technically, her. Riku won't answer any of my questions regarding this, so I would have to ask her. If she would tell me. Though, she seems to be a rather nice, trusting girl.

Oh dear, I'm rambling. I must be spending too much time with Joseph. Where was I? Oh! Right: this New Namine's memory meltdowns.

I wonder what triggers them. I wonder if Sora's darkness had anything to do with it. Though, I am surprised that Riku didn't do more than just pin him to the ground. Riku is very protective of this New Namine.

The connection between them is deeper than even I had originally expected, I shall have to observe more to further grasp its depths. Though, observing would be much easier if Riku wasn't so intent on staying away from me-and thereby keeping Namine out of my observations as well. Perhaps when (if) he leaves to help Sora conquer his darkness, I will be able to speak with Namine.

Or observe a meltdown more closely.

Someone should stay with her if she has one when Riku is not present. And that someone should not be Joseph-he's too young to be exposed to such horrors. 29 already berated him for the last time he did that. Though, perhaps having Joseph there would be more comforting to this New Namine, considering they are closer in age. It would keep Joseph out of other people's hair...

Seriously? I'm rambling again...