Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts.
A/N. Yay, I happened to update in less than a month! (: Isn't that a miracle? x.x;; Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I luff you guys. 3
xXxXxXx
+ ---- The Next Day ----+
"Finally...I thought the day'd never end...!" Roxas sighed gratefully as the bell rang. He filed out with the other students and exited the school building. On his way out the courtyard, something solid yet soft collided with his back and arms latched around his neck, tightening their hold around the top of his chest.
"Roxas!" someone squealed loudly, and very warm breath stung his sensitive ear.
"Gyah!" he yelped, jumping slightly. He turned to find Olette, giggling in his ear. "H-hey...don't go around giving me a heart attack like that!" he scolded, trying to fight back a smile.
"Sorry. I couldn't help it." Olette let go of him. "Roxie, you're so cute when you're like that!"
Roxas turned red.
"Let's go to the hospital again, okay?" Olette went on happily, not noticing his blush. "I made something for Hayner...I think he'll like it."
"Okay."
The couple started walking down the sidewalk. Suddenly, Olette gasped and started to coo.
"Awwwww...what a cute kitty!"
Roxas glanced at the cat that she was gazing at, and it made him remember...
"Look, Roxas...isn't that such a cute cat?" the little blonde girl smiled as she gazed at a cat that was sleeping on the grass. She ran up to it and reached out her hand to touch it -
"H-hey, don't do that! It might- "
The shrill hiss of the cat, who was awakened by the girl's touch, rang in the air, followed by her cry of pain. The cat leapt away and disappeared under a car.
"Oh, no! Are you okay?" he gasped, staring in horror at the thin, long wound on her arm.
To his surprise, she didn't start bawling or crying about how painful it was. She just smiled weakly at him and said, "I'm okay. It's just a cut, no big deal."
"B-but..." he sputtered.
"Don't worry, I'm okay. Anyway, I guess that's what I get for butting in on that poor kitty's naptime."
He stared at her in amazement. That was one of the things that he liked about her. She always accepted the things that resulted from what she chose to do.
"Hey, were you worried about me?" she smiled at him. "You're so sweet, Roxas!"
He gulped. "Uh, I - I ..."
"Roxas?"
He snapped out of his trance. "Huh?"
"Don't you think he's cute?" Olette asked impatiently.
Roxas looked at the cat again. "Uh, yeah, adorable," he said blankly.
"I know!" Olette went on, not noticing the unenthusiasm in his voice. "But he already has a collar, so he belongs to somebody. I wish I could keep him!"
Olette sighed, but went on her way to the hospital, with Roxas following close behind.
xXxXxXx
"Wow, I feel special! Visiting me two days in a row, eh, guys?" Hayner whispered as soon as they entered. Immediately, Roxas saw why he was whispering. The blonde girl was fast asleep. For the moment, he paid little attention to her. He was still annoyed about yesterday, but he vowed not to let it ruin his mood.
"Why wouldn't we visit you for two days in a row - or more?" Olette asked, chuckling at her own joke. "Here, Hayner! I made something for you!" Olette handed him her gift.
"Wow! A crossword puzzle! Thanks, Olette!" Hayner loved crossword puzzles.
"I was sure to make them extra hard. That way, you'll have something to do and you won't be bored."
"Thanks, Olette! I really appreciate it." Hayner turned to Roxas. "So, where's my present, Roxas?" he asked teasingly.
"What??"
"Just kidding!" Hayner laughed. "Well, not really. She got me something, so why didn't you? You're so inconsiderate, dude!"
"H-hey - " Roxas was flustered.
"Just kidding!" This time, both Olette and Hayner laughed. Roxas tried to look annoyed, but he found himself laughing as well. These were the times he missed most, laughing with his friends. Olette and he went to the same school, but Hayner went to a different one. They had so much homework to do that they often didn't have enough time to hang out with each other after school.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" a nurse came in, beaming happily. Her blonde hair was tied back into her ponytail, and her green eyes sparkled with life.
"Oh, Rikku!" Hayner spoke up happily. "These are my pals from school - Olette and Roxas."
"Pleeeease to meet you!" Rikku shook Olette's hand energetically, the golden bracelets on her wrists making a ching ching sound. Roxas felt an electrical jolt rush through his arm as she gripped his hand and shook it eagerly, just as she had shaken Olette's.
"Are you Hayner's nurse?" Roxas asked.
"Yep. I need to take him out into the garden for a walk. Poor guy, he's been cooped up in here for quite a while, so I figured that he needed fresh air." Rikku glanced in the direction of the blonde girl. "Oh, Namie's sleeping. Well, when she wakes up, remind me to ask Yunie to take her out for a walk, too, okay?"
"Sure!" Olette nodded. "Wait...who's Yunie?"
"Oh, sorry!" Rikku apologized sheepishly, getting Hayner into a wheelchair. "Her real name's Yuna, but I call her Yunie because, you know, Yunie sounds much cooler. I think I saw you talking to her the other day. Anyway, see you later!"
"Oh, wait - can we come along, too?" Olette asked hopefully.
"Sure. The more the merrier, right?" Rikku wheeled Hayner out the door. Olette followed her, but stopped when she realized that Roxas was still standing there.
"Roxas? You coming?" she asked curiously.
"No...I'll stay here...if that's okay." Roxas didn't know why, but he felt like staying. It was like an unknown force was forcing him not to go.
"Uhh...okay." Olette shrugged and left. The room was as quiet as a cemetery, and the only sounds were the chirping of birds from outside the open window. With a bored sigh, Roxas quietly walked over to where the blonde girl was and sat on the stool that was next to her bed. Silently, he watched her peaceful, tranquil face, feeling more at ease now that she was asleep.
So her name's Namie, Roxas thought. Funny...it rings a bell, but I don't quite remember.
He continued to watch her and flinched slightly when she twitched in her sleep. She...looks so innocent. And...cute.
Olette's face flashed into his mind, and Roxas immediately scolded himself for thinking that way. But still, even if you were dating someone, that didn't restrict you from thinking another person was cute or pretty, right?
She mumbled something in her sleep, and Roxas blinked, surprised. So she talked in her sleep, he thought.
"Ro...xas..." she murmured, twitching again.
Roxas blinked again. Wait a minute...is it just me, or did she say my name?
"...Roxas..."
Okay, it's not me!
He was so shocked that he gasped and jumped off his stool, knocking it to the ground. The girl's eyes flew open instantly at the sudden noise and she jumped, her blue eyes wide with alarm.
"Wha...?" she mumbled, looking up. Her eyes widened even more as she recognized him. "You...you're the boy from yesterday."
"Y-yeah..." Roxas felt foolish. He picked up the stool and set it properly on the ground. "Sorry for scaring you..." he said clumsily, rubbing the back of his head.
"It's all right," she smiled softly.
Roxas stared at her strangely. Yesterday, she had acted rather cold towards him. Why was she so polite and nice now?
The girl looked over at Hayner's empty bed. "Where's Hayner?" she asked.
"His nurse took him for a walk."
"Oh." The girl looked down at her clasped hands, fidgeting slightly. "Listen...Roxas, is it?"
Have we met? Roxas thought confusedly. But what he said was, "How do you know my name?"
"Hayner told me about you. He talked a lot about you and Olette."
"Oh." Well, I guess that explains it. Still, that didn't explain why she was saying his name in her sleep.
"Anyway...Roxas," the girl lifted her head and gazed into his eyes, "I want...I want to apologize for yesterday."
A sense of relief surged through Roxas' chest. So it wasn't his fault, after all. She didn't hate him for no reason! Roxas breathed a sigh of satisfaction.
"Uh...yeah," he said, trying to seem calm and casual.
"I...I didn't mean to yell at you like that. It was instinctive...I'm really sorry, I can tell I upset you very much..."
"Eh, don't worry about it!" Roxas said reassuringly, waving his hand dismissively. "So, Namie - "
"Namie?" she said, confused.
"Isn't that your name?"
"No!"
"It's not?" Roxas was puzzled. "But I heard Hayner's nurse - "
"Oh! Rikku, right?" she laughed softly, shaking her head. "It's a habit of hers to give nicknames to people. Namie's not my name."
"Oh..." Roxas blinked. Remembering that Rikku had called Yuna "Yunie," his eyes widened. "Oh!"
The girl giggled.
"So...what's your real name?" Roxas asked.
"My...my real name...?" the girl mumured quietly, looking distant and almost sad. "It's...Naminé."
"Naminé...?" Roxas repeated slowly, testing the name on his tongue. It sounded so familiar! Na...mi...né "Ugh," he grunted, feeling a sharp pain rush through his head.
"What's wrong?" Naminé questioned, alarmed.
"Nothing...just felt something weird in my head. Anyway, how long have you stayed in this hospital?" Roxas asked curiously. Naminé was silent for such a long time that he thought that she didn't like the question. "Sorry...i-it's okay if you don't want to answer - I'm too nosy, aren't I?" Roxas sighed, deeply ashamed. "F-forget I said anything."
"No. I was just thinking...it's been a long time." Naminé shook her head. "I think...I've been here for about...five years."
"Five years?! That's really long! Are you really that ill?"
"...I suppose so." Roxas didn't like the hesitant way she said it.
"You'll get better, right?" Roxas said worriedly.
"...I don't know."
There was an uncomfortable silence. Roxas always disliked silence, especially when it was an awkward one.
"Do you have family?" he asked cautiously, in attempt to break the silence.
"No...my parents died a long time ago."
"But surely you have some relatives or friends who'll visit you, right?"
Naminé smiled remorsefully. "I wish..." she said sadly.
It took a while for Roxas to take this all in. Poor Naminé, he thought. Alone and ill...it was probably really hard for her.
"You must be very lonely," Roxas remarked softly.
"I've gotten used to it. Anyway, I'm not entirely alone now. I have Hayner, Yuna, Rikku, and a few others I speak to often."
"That's true, but what do you do when you're alone?"
"Usually, I draw, but mostly...I just think."
"About what?"
Naminé smiled. "Oh, a lot of things..." she said good-naturedly.
At that moment, Roxas heard footsteps enter the room.
"Oh, you're awake, Naminé?" he heard a familiar voice. Roxas turned to find Yuna, the nurse Olette had consulted for help the other day. "Oh," Yuna said, noticing Roxas. "You're the boy who was with Miss Kamiya, right? Are you a friend of Naminé's?"
"Uhh...we kinda just met."
"Oh? How nice." Yuna smiled. "Naminé, do you feel like going for a walk?"
"Yes! I could use some fresh air."
"Great! Come along, Naminé." Yuna smiled and waved goodbye to Roxas as she guided Naminé out of the room. Naminé turned and smiled at Roxas as well, waving silently at him before turning away and leaving with Yuna. Roxas watched as she left the room.
A few seconds later, Olette stepped into the room.
"Roxas, I'm back.''
"Oh! Welcome back!"
Olette gave him a very strange look. He didn't like the way she stared so silently at him.
"I saw that girl waving to you. Why was she so nice to you all of a sudden?" she asked suspiciously.
"Uh, I don't know. Anyway, she apologized to me, and, you know, we chatted while you and Hayner were gone."
"I see." Olette didn't smile. "Ready to go?"
"Now?"
"Yeah. I'm starving. Let's go for lunch, okay?"
"Uhh...okay. Should we go say bye to Hayner?"
"I already told him we were leaving," Olette said quietly, almost coldly. What was up with her? Roxas thought.
"Olette, are you mad?" he asked.
"No. Why would I be?" she answered quickly. Almost too quickly.
"I dunno...you just seem mad."
"Well, I'm not, okay? Come on, let's go get a bite to eat!" Olette grabbed his arm. "I'm starving!"
Her mood completely changed. That was weird, Roxas thought.
"Okay."
"So, Roxas..."
Olette was talking about the upcoming festival that was being held near their neighborhood, but Roxas was only half listening. He couldn't help thinking about Naminé. The poor girl. He didn't like seeing people with such misfortune. He wanted to do something for her to make her happy. But what...?
He sighed to himself. Naminé...
xXxXxXx
"So, Naminé, have you heard about the festival that's coming up?"
"Yes. Hayner told me about it. It sounds very exciting, but I...probably won't be able to attend it."
"Why not?" Yuna was puzzled.
"Well, for one, I'm not sure I'll be allowed to go...Sir Cid told me I wasn't allowed to anywhere else but the garden, remember?"
"Oh, for pete's sake! Uncle Cid sure is strict!" Yuna sighed. "Not that I can blame him...After what happened last time when Rikku took you out for lunch...but still! Listen, Naminé...you know I really l care about you, right?"
"I care about you, too, Yuna..." Naminé smiled.
"You're like my little sister," Yuna smiled back. "I want you to be happy, and I think you're really going to like the festival. I'm gonna ask Uncle Cid to make an exception this time, and if he says no, I'll get down on my knees and beg!"
"Oh, Yuna...! You don't have to do that."
"Yes, I do! You need to get something out of life, Naminé, and being cooped up in your room all day every day - well, we do take you out for walks in the garden sometime, but that isn't the point - is not my image of fun."
"Yuna..."
"Don't worry your little head about it, Naminé. I promise I'll take you to the festival," Yuna said smoothly, patting the girl on the head. "Say," she said suddenly, " I think I remember that the custom of the festival was for you to bring someone of the opposite gender, and a blood-related relative doesn't count."
"What do you mean by that?" the blue-eyed girl said blankly.
"You know what I mean by that, Namie, dear," Yuna teased, making Naminé blush slightly.
"But...I'm not acquainted with any boy..." Naminé wrung her hands sheepishly.
"What about Hayner?"
"Um...I think...he wouldn't want to go with me."
"Why not? Any guy in their right mind would want to go with you!" Yuna teased.
"But...he told me he likes...another girl," the blue-eyed girl mumbled awkwardly.
"Oh. Right." Yuna acted as if she already knew that. "Um, what about that boy you were talking to before?"
A dim glimmer flickered in Naminé's aquamarine eyes.
"He...already has a girlfriend."
"Oh? That's too bad..." Yuna sighed, unaware of the distant look on the girl's face. "I'll try to find a boy for you to bring! Hm, what boys around your age do I know? There's Sora, but he's got the hots for some redhead, I think. There's Riku, but he's not really interested in girls, darnit - "
"It's okay, Yuna. It's only a tradition, not a requirement." Naminé still looked distant. "I suppose I'll be the only one without a partner, then, right...?"
Yuna looked at Naminé worriedly. "Naminé..."
"It's okay, though." Naminé smiled. "I'm sure to have a wonderful time there nonetheless."
xXxXxXx
"I had so much fun today, Roxas! Thanks so much!" Olette smiled that beautiful smile of hers, and Roxas found himself blushing.
"Uhh...no problem."
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Roxie." Olette kissed him on the cheek and walked to her porch, turning and waving at him, before she turned back and went into her house. Roxas sighed and started walking to his house.
"Wow...they're beautiful!" he heard a girl say. He turned and saw a couple standing on the opposite side of the street. A boy his age had just given his girlfriend a bonquet of flowers, and she took them eagerly, inhaling in their sweet scent. "I love them!" she smiled. "Thank you, cutie!"
She then threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, to which Roxas quickly turned away awkwardly. He didn't want to seem nosy.
He suddenly had an idea. He quickened his pace.
He needed to pay the flower shop a visit.
xXxXxXx
"Welcome to our shop!" a female voice - a familiar female voice - called out as soon as he entered the shop, embraced by the smell of flowers. Roxas turned, startled, to find Aerith at the front desk.
"M-miss Aerith!"
"Oh - Roxas!" Aerith looked both surprised and pleased. "Are you here to buy flowers for someone?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Your girlfriend?" Aerith smiled.
"Mmm-hmm," he mumbled. "Hey, Miss Aerith - "
"Ah, ah, ah!" Aerith held up a finger, as if to scold him. "It's Aerith. There's no need for formality."
"Uh, yeah. Aerith...um, what kind of flowers are the best kind to give to ...girls?" This last part he said flushing slightly.
"Hm, well, it depends! What are you trying to convey?" Aerith asked curiously.
"Huh?"
"What are you trying to express to her?" Aerith clarified.
"Um, well..." Roxas thought long and hard. "Admiration."
"That's all? Don't you want something...well, romantic?" Aerith giggled softly, snifling her laugh behind her hand. "Something like roses? Roses represent true love, after all!"
Roxas flushed. "N-no..." he murmured, embarrassed. "Just admiration."
"Oh, okay. I think these will be perfect then!"
Aerith walked over to an aisle of flowers and Roxas followed her. She gestured to a row of light purple flowers, smiling at him. According to their tag, they were called lavenders and meant "admiration, solitude."
"You want them in a bonquet, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Well, for a bonquet of 10 flowers, it costs 100 munny. How does that sound?"
100 munny? Roxas moaned inwardly. I only have 50 munny! And...Roxas quickly did the math in his head. If I buy five flowers for the amount of munny I have, that wouldn't be much of a bonquet then, would it? Darn it, I knew I shouldn't have bought that rather expensive pie at that cafe...
"Well? What do you think?" Aerith waited.
"They're...perfect. But..." Roxas sighed, jamming his hands in his pocket.
"I'll tell you what." Aerith recognized the look of someone who didn't have enough money. "I'll cut the price for you...say, by half the price!"
"Oh - would you?!" Roxas could feel hope and relief surging through his chest.
"Of course. Do you still want it?"
"I want it!" Roxa nodded his head like a rag doll.
Aerith laughed. "Okay, then."
Roxas paid for his order at the counter and Aerith handed the bonquet to him.
"Thank you very much."
"No, thank you." Roxas smiled. "Oh, by the way, Miss - erm, I mean, Aerith...I thought you worked at that shop down the street?"
"Oh, yes, I do. I work part time there, but I own this shop."
"Really? That's neat."
"Yes. Welcome to our shop!" Aerith called to the man who entered the shop.
"So, I guess I'll be leaving now, then. Bye, Aerith, and thanks again!"
"Bye, Roxas." Aerith waved after him.
She was a nice lady, he thought, walking out of the shop. But then something was bothering him. Aerith seemed like an expert at romanctic things and flowers, so why did she suggest lavenders, which meant "solitude," if she thought that he was buying flowers for Olette?
"Ooof - sorry!" He had been so busy thinking that he bumped into someone's shoulder. He looked up -
"Sora!"
His cousin, who seemed to look more like his brother, grinned at him.
"Hey, Roxas! What are you doing here - " Sora's eyes fell upon the bonquet in his hand - "with a bonquet?"
Roxas blushed at the suggestive grin on his face. "Wh-whatever, Sora," he mumbled. "They're for - "
" - Olette?"
"Mm-hmm." Roxas nodded absent-mindedly.
"Well, aren't you the lady's man!" Sora joked.
"B-be quiet.What are you doing here?" Roxas said, trying to change the subject.
"Isn't it obvious?" Sora jerked his head towards the bags that dangled from his arms, which seemed to be carrying groceries. "Mom told me to buy stuff for dinner. Hey, by the way, are you going to the festival?"
"Uh, probably. You?"
"Uhhh...maybe."
Roxas grinned. "Are you going with Kairi?" he teased, referring to a crimson-haired girl with blue eyes that Sora seemed to be interested in.
This time, it was Sora's turn to blush. "None of your business, Roxas," he mumbled.
"Revenge is sweet, dear cousin," Roxas smirked.
"Whatever..." Sora rolled his eyes, forcing back a grin.
"Anyway, got to go. Later." Roxas started to walk away.
"H-hey, wait, Roxas!" Sora called, to which Roxas turned around and gazed at him questioningly. "Isn't Olette's house that way?" Sora jerked his head towards the opposite direction.
"Uh, yeah."
Sora looked questioningly at Roxas before shaking his head.
"Never mind. See ya."
Roxas sighed inwardly. "Later."
xXxXxXx
"Oh - excuse me!" Roxas called, running up to two nurses who were talking to each other. They both turned around, and he realized that they were Yuna and Rikku.
"Oh - you again!" Yuna smiled. She glanced down at the bonquet of flowers in his arms with interest.
"I don't recall Hayner saying he liked recieving flowers," Rikku remarked.
"They're not for him." Roxas could feel his face heating up.
"Oh? Are you visiting someone else here?" Yuna asked curiously.
"Y-yeah. I scheduled an appointment to meet with Naminé."
"Those are for Namie? How sweet!" Rikku cooed. Yuna smiled and nodded in agreement.
"She'll like those. They're her favorite." Yuna gazed at the bonquet of lavender.
"Really? How coincidental! So I can go to her room now, right?"
"Of course! Go on!"
Roxas thanked them and went straight to Naminé's room. Hayner was fast asleep, but Naminé was awake and drawing in her sketchpad.
"Naminé!" he whispered loudly.
She looked up and gasped slightly. "R-Roxas! How nice to see you!" she smiled.
"Here! These are for you!" Roxas handed her the bonquet, smiling at the astonished expression on her face.
"R-really?" Naminé didn't take the bonquet, but she fingered the petals and inhaled deeply. "They're so beautiful and they smell so nice..."
"Yeah, they cost more than I could afford, but don't worry. The storekeeper was so nice that she cut the price for me."
"I couldn't possibly take it!" Naminé smiled shyly, wringing her hands.
"Of course you can!" Roxas shoved the bonquet in her arms and grinned. Naminé blushed.
"Th-thank you, Roxas." Namine took the bonquet and inhaled their sweet scent again. "Lavendars are my favorite flowers."
"Yeah, Yuna told me."
"Thank you again!"
"No problem.'' Roxas paused. "You know, Naminé, you're like this girl I used to know."
Naminé looked at him strangely. "Really?" she said softly, seemingly amused.
"Yeah. Whenever I gave her gifts, she would always say things just like that," Roxas smiled, his thoughts drifting away to his childhood memories.
"Oh." Namine was silent for a while. "Are you going to the festival tomorrow?" she asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"I don't know. I guess I'll go if my girlfriend asks me. She probably will, though. She loves festivals."
"Oh." Naminé set down the bonquet on the table beside her and began to draw in her sketchpad again.
"What about you?"
"Probably not..." the girl sighed unhappily.
"Why not?" Roxas was disappointed.
"Well, Yuna says she wants me to go, but I don't really feel like going..."
"How come?"
"Well, as much as I love Yuna, I feel...like it'd be more fun if I had someone my own age to go with." Naminé looked away. "You think I'm selfish, don't you?"
"Wh-why would I think that??" Roxas was alarmed.
"Yuna's done so much for me...everyone's done so much for me...but I'm so selfish...I keep wanting more." Naminé exhaled a deep sigh.
"That's not true!" Roxas protested, feeling the need to comfort her. "You're not selfish! I think it's natural for anyone to want more than what they have! It doesn't make you selfish! It just makes you...well, human."
"You think so...?" Naminé gazed at him hopefully.
"I don't think so - I know so!" Roxas also thought that someone who was ill and had been in the hospital for five years had the right to want more than what they had. He suddenly had an idea. "Hey, I have an idea...why don't you come with me and Olette? I'm sure Olette wouldn't mind."
"I couldn't," Naminé said flatly, in a tone that made him think of the day when she had snapped at him.
"Why not?" Roxas was puzzled.
"Well, you guys...are a couple. It'd be wrong for meto come along with you two."
"That's rubbish! Of course you can go!"
"Maybe you wouldn't mind. But..." Naminé hesitated. It was like a lightbulb suddenly clicked on in Roxas' mind. Of course! he thought. That was why Olette seemed so upset the other day. It was because...
"You're afraid Olette will get jealous, right?" Roxas said quietly. Naminé flushed, as if embarrassed, but nodded silently. Roxas sighed and thought for a while. It'd be fun to have her along, but he didn't know if it was worth having Olette getting the wrong idea.
"Well, don't worry, Naminé," he said finally. "I'll try to talk to her, okay?"
"...Okay." But Naminé didn't seem that pleased.
He tried to change the subject. "So, does the hospital let you go out anywhere?"
"Unfortunately, no. It'd be nice if I could go anywhere, but I can't." Naminé had a sad look on her face.
"That sucks." A weird idea suddenly popped into his head. "How high is it from here to the ground?"
"I don't know..."
Roxas leaned out the open window and gazed down. It didn't look that far, but he wasn't sure if he would be in one piece if he jumped out. He glanced at the tree that stood about a foot or so away from the window, and a grin tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Hey, Naminé!"
"Yeah?"
"Keep your window slightly open tonight, okay?"
"Why?" Naminé was surprised. "You know, the hospital doesn't allow the windows to be open at night, even if it's hot. They're scared that, you know, some burglar might climb in through the window or something."
"Oh." Roxas was disappointed, but nonetheless, he was still determined. "Well, when the clock over there," he pointed, "says 8:00 P.M, leave your window open and you'll be in for a surprise, okay?"
"Roxas..." Naminé was doubtful.
"Don't worry, you can trust me."
Reassured by his warm smile, Naminé nodded, smiling as well.
"Okay."
xXxXxXx
"Sleep tight, Naminé," Yuna murmured softly as she turned on the fan and air-conditioning.
"Okay. Good night, Yuna." Naminé watched Yuna close the window and pull the shades aside. When Yuna left, Naminé glanced at the clock. 7:59.
5...4...3...2...1...
8:00.
Naminé quickly got up and opened the window a crack, glancing around frightfully, worried that Hayner or somebody would hear. But nothing happened. She jumped back into her bed and pretended to be asleep.
Was that rustling outside her window? Naminé couldn't help but be scared.
Whooooosh...
She could feel the wind rush over her as the window opened silently. Naminé glanced up and her eyes widened at the shadowy figure before her. She opened her mouth to scream, but -
"It's okay, Naminé, it's me!" the figure whispered.
Her eyes widened. "R-Roxas?'' she sputtered. What was he doing here?
"Who else?" By the bright gleam of the moonlight, she could see him smiling.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" Naminé couldn't get over being shocked. He was basically trespassing!
"I'm gonna take you out, of course! C'mon, there's no time to waste!"
Was this guy nuts? Naminé thought, bewildered. Yet she couldn't help trusting him.
"Okay..." she said hesitantly. She quickly put her pillow under the covers so if anyone looked in the room, they would think she was asleep, draped under her covers.
"C'mon!" Roxas grinned. "Get onto my back!"
"Wh-wha?!" Naminé almost exclaimed.
"Shhh!"
They froze, watching as Hayner twitched, but did nothing more. They both sighed in relief.
"Just trust me, okay?" Roxas smiled. Naminé hesitantly got onto his back. Wow, she's light, Roxas thought. Naminé's skinny arms draped around his neck, clutching him tightly.
"You'll be scared at first, but don't scream, okay?'' Roxas crept out the window, balancing on the windowsill carefully. "Just hold on tight."
"What are you - " Naminé began, but she yelped as Roxas leapt over onto the tree. "R-Roxas!" Naminé felt like screaming, but she knew better than to do that.
"It's okay!" Roxas reassured her. He couldn't explain the excitement he felt within his chest as he slowly climbed down the tree. "It's okay."
xXxXxXx
"Wow! The city's so beautiful upclose!" Naminé couldn't remember the last time when she had been outside, gazing up at the buildings with their bright, flashing neon lights.
"Yeah, it's great, isn't it?" Roxas smiled. "You hungry?"
"Somewhat," Naminé said truthfully.
"Okay. Name your favorite food."
"Taiyaki," Naminé smiled, unaware of what Roxas had in mind. "I love that stuff, but it's been years since I last ate it."
"Hey, I love that stuff, too!" Roxas was pleased. They had something in common. "I'm getting hungry for taiyaki."
"Really?" Naminé smiled as she followed Roxas into a small food store.
"Yup." Roxas went straight to the counter and pulled out his wallet.
"What would you like to have, sir?" the man at the counter asked politely.
"Taiyaki for two, please."
Two?! Naminé gawked at Roxas, who didn't seem to notice.
"Large, medium-sized, or small?"
"Large!" Roxas said.
"That'll be 450 munny, please."
Roxas handed the munny to the man, who smiled and said, "Your order will be ready in a few minutes."
"Thanks."
"Roxas, you didn't have to buy any for me!" Naminé protested. She felt guilty that Roxas had spent so much munny on her. Munny was hard to earn these days.
"It's no problem. Besides, you need a treat once in a while."
The order came quickly, and Roxas handed a bag to Naminé.
"Careful, it's hot," he warned.
"R-Roxas...I can't thank you enough..." Naminé said shakily, a grateful smile upon her lips.
"It's no big deal, I promise you. So where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere!"
"Okay, then. Let's go to one of my most favorite places."
xXxXxXx
"An ice cream shop?" Naminé said in half disbelief and half amused, staring up at the sign that hung over the entrance of the ice cream shop. According to the schedule, it was open 24 hours a day every day except Sunday.
"Yup!" Roxas grinned proudly. "And I'll introduce you to one of my most favorite things - sea salt ice cream!"
"What's that?" Naminé frowned, imagining an ice cream popsicle made out of ocean water.
"You'll see." Roxas went up to the counter and ordered two sea salt ice cream. He handed one to Naminé.
"Is it good?" Naminé gazed suspiciously at the popsicle, as if she thought some worm intended to poke its head out of it.
"If it wasn't, would I be eating it?" Roxas grinned, licking the popsicle with great enthusiasm.
"I guess you're right," Naminé smiled. She hesitantly stuck out her tongue and trailed it upon the popsicle. Her eyes widened. It was actually very good! It wasn't salty like she thought it would be. It was actually very sweet.
"Mmmm!" Naminé found herself sighing.
"Yeah, mmm. I told you so." Roxas chuckled.
Naminé smiled. I...like the way he laughs. "Why is it called sea salt ice cream when it's sweet?" she asked curiously, licking it again.
"Who knows? And who cares? As long as it tastes good, that's what counts."
Naminé thought for a bit. "True," she agreed jokingly, to which they both burst into laughter and walked out of the shop, licking their ice cream happily.
xXxXxXx
"Wow! What a huge mall!" Naminé gazed in awe at the building.
"Yeah. Let's go check it out!"
They both went in and walked around. Naminé's eyes lit up at the sight of cute plushies at a small store nearby. She headed straight for it and Roxas quickly followed.
"W-wow...Roxas, isn't this cute?" Naminé held up a dog-like plushie with fur as white as snow, a small, dark nose, floppy ears, and circular, ebony eyes. "It's called Pochacco," she read off the tag. Her face fell. "It's 225 munny. Oh, well. It's really cute, though."
She sadly put it back, but started walking around the store, touching and smiling at more plushies. But Roxas knew she had her heart set on the Pochacco. When she was in the back of the store, Roxas quickly took the Pochacco plushie and went to the counter to buy it. He ran out of the store out of sight, and walked into the store, looking as if he had just arrived.
"What'd you buy?" Naminé had come back to the front of the store and noticed his black bag.
"Just some action figures for my little cousin," he lied.
"How nice." Naminé smiled. "I'm done looking here at this store. Can we go look somewhere else?''
"Sure." Roxas followed Naminé as she walked around aimlessly, finally settling on a store that sold keychains, candy, fake jewelry, and other merchandise. A couple of times, she tried on bracelets that had interestingly-shaped beads for the fun of it, but she didn't seem that interested in them. She walked around some more and studied the keychains aisle. Roxas quickly noticed the familiar star-shaped keychain. He was surprised to see that Naminé seemed to be staring at it. Did she want it? he wondered. It was the type of thing that girls liked.
"Do you want that?" he asked.
Naminé looked like she had been in deep thought, but she immediately jumped a little and shook her head.
"No," she said softly, getting up and straightening her gown.
"You sure?"
"Yes," she responded quietly, almost boldly. She glanced at the clock. "Hey, Roxas, we've been out for pretty long."
Roxas glanced at the clock. "Only for an hour!" he said. He couldn't believe that time had gone by so quickly. "Are you tired or something? If you are, we can leave."
"Yes. I'm...not used to going out much, you know." Naminé looked away uncomfortably. "That...that is one of the reasons why I was restricted from going outside."
"Oh, because you might get even more sick?" Roxas thought that was understandable.
"I suppose so. Anyway, every room in the hospital is checked every few minutes, so I can't hide the fact that I'm not asleep in my bed forever, you know." Naminé smiled a bit.
"Oh, okay. I'll take you back to the hospital then."
xXxXxXxXx
"So we're going to climb up the tree to get to my room?" Naminé gulped and stared up at the tree.
"Don't worry, I'm gonna do the climbing," Roxas smiled. "You just have to get on my back."
"Again?"
"Yes, your Majesty," he teased. She blushed, but obediently got onto his back. "Hold on tight," he advised her, even though she probably didn't need him to tell her that. She was clinging on to him for dear life as he slowly ascended up the tree. He peeked inside the window and was relieved to see that there was only Hayner in there, who was fast asleep.
He pushed the window open quietly and slowly until there was enough space for them to get through. He carefully climbed in.
"It wasn't as scary as the first time," Naminé whispered thoughtfully as she climbed off his back.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the first time when you were carrying me down the tree, I was really scared." Naminé smiled sheepishly. "But the second time I wasn't as scared."
"Really?"
"Yeah, because I knew that no matter what, you wouldn't let me get hurt." Naminé's smile grew more shy yet wider. Roxas could feel his cheeks growing warm, and his stomach had a funny tingling sensation in it. "Anyway...I just wanted to say...thank you, Roxas. It was...very nice of you to take me out."
"No problem." Roxas smiled. "So I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, hey, I almost forgot! This is for you!" Roxas gave his black bag to her. She looked at it blankly, but made no move to open it.
"Isn't this for your cousin?"
"No, I lied," he grinned. "Sorry."
"Oh." Naminé was still staring at it. "My...very own action figures. Thank you, Roxas."
Roxas chuckled softly. "No, it's not action figures, Naminé," he grinned.
"Oh." Naminé looked embarrassed, but she reached into the bag and her eyes widened as she pulled out the plushie. "Pochacco..." she whispered, stunned. "You mean...you bought it for me?"
"Yeah."
Naminé could feel her eyes growing hot with tears. "Roxas...you're so sweet," she whispered. Before she could stop herself, she threw her arms around him. "Thank you...thank you so much."
"Uhh..." Roxas felt as if his body temperature had shot up 100 degrees. "N-no problem, Naminé."
Naminé let go of him. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then, Roxas," she said softly.
"Yeah," he said awkwardly. "Bye."
Roxas climbed out of the window and onto the tree. "Wait, Roxas...!" Naminé called him back desperately.
"Yeah?" Roxas turned.
Naminé gazed directly into his eyes, her blue orbs full of happiness. "Thank you again for tonight, Roxas," she whispered, her lips curling into a soft smile.
"You're welcome. It was fun," Roxas smiled back. He waved silently before descending the tree, and Naminé waved back and closed the window silently. She stared down at him until he was gone.
Roxas, you're so sweet. Olette is lucky to have a boyfriend like you. Naminé smiled wistfully as she sighed and locked the window.
"So, Naminé..." a very familiar female voice murmured in the dark. Naminé's eyes widened, and she almost gasped. She whirled around slowly until she was staring up into the serious eyes of the shadowy figure.
"You went out tonight, even though you weren't supposed to."
Naminé swallowed. She was caught doing something that nobody in this hospital had ever dared to try. What was she going to do?
She could only whisper the young woman's name in helpless dismay.
"Yuna..."
xXxXxXx
A/N. Wow. So much drama. Namie's BUSTED. D:
I know it may seem annoying that Roxas blushes so much, but I couldn't think of any other reaction. Eheh... .
Anyway, I know Olette is supposed to be super nice and sweet, but there will be times when she acts a bit mean because of Namie hanging around Roxas. Don't worry, I won't make her SUPER SUPER evil and like some pyscho witch trying to kill Namie later. O.O
I hope you don't mind that the romance will be a bit slow. x.x.;; I guess that's all for now and please review! (: