Chibified

Shizuka Usagi

Chapter 2

Roxas gazed off at nothing in particular. The sky held the same setting sun as always, except—since it was actually dusk—the atmosphere had an indigo tint to it…though it would never turn black. Few stars were visible, mixed in with the reddish orange and purplish pinks hues radiating from the sun. None of this fazed him, however. The inhabitants of Twilight Town were as used to the continuous sundown as the residents of Transverse Town were used to the everlasting night.

Sunset Hill had come to be his thinking spot. He rarely left it and rarely had a need to leave—apart from coming home and the gang's pestering to spend time with them. Eventually, they came to respect his need to be alone. They knew of his struggle of his past life and his current one, but they didn't quite understand it.

Hayner appeared to be indifferent to Roxas' unusual behavior. He thought Roxas didn't care about them anymore. Even though, that was far from the truth. He was just annoyed that Olette paid more attention to Roxas than everybody else. He did care about him. He was his best friend after all…he just wasn't the type to show it.

Pence was upset because they weren't as united as they used to be. The photographer had all his photos laid out on the floor of his bedroom. His favorite one was the group picture. He sighed as he remembered all the goods times they had together, wondering what would happen to them now. He remembered something that Hayner once said:

We won't be together forever, you know…

Olette, the responsible one of the group, often worried about him and his sudden aloofness towards everyone—even them. She was reluctant to let Goofy talk him into leaving Twilight Town. He just came home about a week or two ago. Sora had been the vessel of Roxas for quite awhile, but neither Olette nor anyone in town knew that or of his history in the Organization.

What Olette feared most was that he might not come home again. This most likely wouldn't be the case, but she couldn't help but think so. She made Goofy promise her to bring him home once Sora was well. She hoped he would be well soon—not only for his sake but Roxas as well.

Then again, she had the most peculiar feeling, deep in her heart, that this might also help Roxas find the answers to his questions. She hated to admit it, but most likely he wouldn't be able to find the answers in Twilight Town.

Lucky for him, school would be closed for a month longer.

—

Goofy ambled up Sunset Hill. Once he reached the top, he spotted Roxas, alone, with a distant look on his face.

"Um…Roxas? You there?" Goofy waved a hand in front of his face.

"Huh?" Roxas' vision cleared and he noticed a gloved hand waving frantically in front of him.

"Hiya, Roxas. How ya doing?" Goofy chortled.

"Goofy? What are you doing here?" Roxas asked, taking a step back. He wondered if he was hallucinating again.

"Well, to make a long story short, Sora's feelin' under the weather and I need you to take care of him." Goofy summarized.

"Why me?" Roxas said cautiously.

"Everyone else is busy with the Heartless and Nobodies. You and Yuffie are the only ones left." Goofy responded.

'Yuffie…? Oh, right.' Roxas' memory automatically flashed back to the time Sora and Yuffie first met:

"Kairi… you're okay," Sora said with relief and joy.

"Kairi? Who's that?" Yuffie asked in confusion. "I'm the Great Ninja Yuffie." Yuffie bore a resemblance to Kairi, except she had black hair and a taller structure. However, they had the same dusk colored eyes.

"Yuffie is a gal about your age. She works for the Restoration Committee in Hollow Bastion, where Sora currently resides." Goofy explained.

'Hollow Bastion? Isn't that the place were Sora fought Ansem?' Roxas thought.

"It's a world to the west of Twilight. It's a fortress that surrounds a town." Goofy described.

"Do you know what made him sick?" Roxas asked.

Goofy shook his head. "Unfortunately, nobody knows. Not even Merlin, a wizard from Hollow Bastion. He specializes in magic and spells."

"What can I do to help?"

"Stay by his side and make sure he doesn't overdo himself." Goofy instructed. "If his condition worsens, you are to tell Merlin."

"Do you really think I can help him? I'm not a certified doctor or anything…" Roxas reminded.

"Sure I think you can help Sora. If anybody knows him better than himself, it's you." Goofy informed.

"Well, if you say so. I suppose I can—" Roxas began, but was interrupted by Goofy's triumphant whoop.

"That's great, Roxas! C'mon, you got to see our new gummi—"

"Hold up, Goofy. I wasn't finished." Goofy nodded fervently, allowing him to continue. "Just make sure I get back home before school starts again. Or they will start to worry." 'Not only that, but Olette will probably kill me.'

"No problem. I'm sure Sora will be better by then." Goofy assured. Then he looked up in surprise when he saw three figures running up the hill.

"Roxas, wait up." Olette called out, breathless. Hayner and Pence were at her heels.

"Hayner, Pence, Olette. What are you guys doing here?" Roxas asked.

"We were about to ask you the same question." Hayner said, somewhat angrily. "Were you going to leave without telling us?"

Roxas exchanged looks with Goofy.

"Look, Roxas. If you have to go, then you can go. But…" Olette paused. "You have to promise us you're coming back."

"Of course, I'll come back. Olette—"

"Promise." Olette said in an almost threatening tone.

"I promise." Roxas said with a grin.

Suddenly, Olette threw hers arms around Roxas in a friendly hug. "Have a safe trip."

Hayner's indifferent expression faded and a small smile appeared on his face. He punched Roxas hard in the shoulder. "You better or you'll be sorry."

"Here, Roxas, take this with you." Pence handed Roxas their group photo, his prized possession. "So, you won't forget us."

"Pence…" Roxas said kindly. "I'll never forget you guys. We'll always be together in our hearts."

"Pssh…you're starting to sound like Sora." Hayner said, not really meaning it. "We won't be together for—"

"Don't you say another word, Hayner!" Olette said, yanking Hayner's ear hard.

"Ow…Olette I didn't really mean it. I was just joking." Hayner insisted as Olette's eyes blazed with fury.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Olette let go of Hayner and handed Roxas a ton of homework.

"You've got to be kidding me, Olette." Roxas grumbled, holding up the pile for everyone to see.

"Not in the least." Olette said. "Remember I'm always keeping your minds in top shape, even if you are light years away."

"Olette…" Roxas complained before Goofy placed a hand on his shoulder.

"C'mon, Roxas, let's go. The gummi ship is here."

"Alright, time to go guys." Roxas waved, getting inside the gummi ship along with Goofy.

"See ya." Goofy called out, as the gummi ship was ready for take off from Sunset Hill. Hayner and the others watched from a safe distance.

Along with their cheers, the last words Roxas heard were: "Don't forget to do your homework!"