Chapter 2

--

Nikko sat at a wooden table in the Cafe. He read a book quietly and sipped coffee. Most of his bruises have healed up, and now he didn't look like he's been in some bad car wreck. His knee still gives him some trouble though, but it's getting better. He's been living with Lola, and has recently gotten acquainted with more of the locals. Leon, Aeris, and others like him had had their world destroyed, and Nikko got a lot of his questions answered. Or, half answered. Unfortunately there's still a lot of mystery to the Heartless. Nikko has also found it very healthy for him here in Traverse Town. Back home, he was stressed all the time, and had serious...well, anger management problems. It was all his mom's fault, for neglecting him. He has always been alone, for as long as he remembered. The only person he could relate too was his dad, but seeing as how he had disappeared for about a decade now, Nikko hated him for abandoning him like this. Like then.

I have a new life now, Nikko constantly thought to himself like a prayer. This was whenever un necessary memories from "The Past" came back to haunt him. He was doing the best he could to forget all about it. His new life was here, in Traverse Town, with Lola and the other locals. Unlike before, when everyone just ignored him and made fun of him and never listened or cared-

I have a new life now...

Nikko let out a long sigh and continued reading the same paragraph he had been reading for about twenty minutes now. He gave up and set the book down. He got up, now bored, and decided to walk around. His favorite hobby which he had attained was usually leaning against a wall, watching strangers and seeing what they do. He felt safe and mysterious that way.

At night he liked to jump across the roofs of houses, and spend the night under the stars. He didn't know if it was because of his happiness, or Traverse Town, but he sometimes stayed up all night and still have energy the next day. As a matter of fact, a lot of changes within him have been occurring the longer he stayed.

Due to one time when Nikko was angered at the fact he couldn't move correctly with his knee (this was around the time he first came) and Koga kept running around him and got him distracted, he let out an angered yell. At this, he could actually feel his eyes pulsing red. Lola had walked in to find out what happened and cried out in fright at Nikko's eyes. It was then that Nikko realized that whenever he felt heavy emotions his eyes changed different colors. Up till now, he had no idea. He had to convince Lola he was normal, really, he had JUST found out about this abnormal characteristic of his. She just laughed it off at the sight of Nikko and soon all was fine again.

On the outside. Nikko had a restless night, not believing he never knew about this. He knew he sometimes got out of control...but his eyes actually changed colors? And pulsed? To him it was like he was the Hulk or something. Losing control, getting angry...

I have a new life now...

Nikko shook it off his mind. Lola later explained for him not to get worked up about it, that there were lots of magical and different people around here. Yes, but I'm not FROM here, Nikko had thought after she said so. He soon found out though, that there were different people around.

He met Merlin, an old magician, and he even trained with him for awhile. Nikko knew some basic spells now, that would help in battle. To stay on the topic of "unique things" Nikko accidentally one day also found out his eyes not only served for decoration, but they also had a use. He had three different powers: Night vision, Invisibility, and to be able to see things from a distance. Lola also noted to him, while watching him perform, that his eyes glow a different color with each power. Nikko didn't mind those powers as much...they were pretty nifty. But it was just the fact that nobody else could do it was what got him peeved. But he still enjoys walking around at the darkest of night, and be able to see everything perfectly.

Speaking of nightly strolls, with his lack of sleepiness for some reason, Nikko also didn't find the need in eating. He was seldom hungry, almost never. Eating too much when he felt like that (which was getting to be always) would make him sick. Another strange thing to add to the list of course. But there are also some good things. Like how he's been also working with Leon on blade techniques, with Nikko using a keyblade he got from Leon for his 17th birthday. It was an advanced keyblade that Leon no longer used, but it was so special to Nikko he kept it hidden under his jacket at all times.

--

Nikko now walked to a wall, the day growing late, and he leaned against it bored. He fingered his steel blade lightly, polished it, and swished it around. "If only some girls were around...," He muttered with an absent mind. It was quite often that he wished more people of his age were around, even though back in his old world he was used to being lonely.

As if on cue, he heard a groan and a thud. Curiousity getting the better of him, he put his keyblade in its rightful place and went to go check what happened. Walking a little ways until he reached the courtyard of the First District, his eyes widened from the scene in front of him. A girl with long black hair, baggy, dirty, and bloody clothes was on her knees breathing hard. Nikko thought of getting help, but couldn't move. He sort of just gawked at her. He didn't know what caused him to do this; whether it was the sudden shock of having his absent wish come true, or the fact that he hasn't seen anyone his age for quite awhile now. Especially a girl. She suddenly looked up and stared back, with wide and alert hazel eyes.

"Are, are-you um, ok?" Nikko asked finally. The girl's unbrushed black hair was all over her face and with a dirty, bloody gloved hand she pushed all of it away. She blew her bangs off her eyes too, and got up. Her legs wobbled a tad, but she stood up firm and managed to give Nikko a "don't mess with me" glare.

"Where am I?" She demanded. Nikko suddenly felt a bit annoyed. Here she was, in the worst state, and yet she acts as if she's somehow superior, going around demanding where she was as if she owned the place.

"You seem to have managed very well on your own in whatever you were doing. You got this far, why don't you figure it out for yourself?" Nikko growled. The girl's eyes shone oddly, like she was expecting a different answer. Which she was.

"I'm...sorry? Is everyone who dwells here a grouch?" She asked, an air of revenge and annoyance in her own response.

Nikko felt like kicking himself. Here was a girl in need...a very pretty girl at that, and he has already snapped at her? She has after all just landed here, and she needed help knowing where she was. Wasn't Nikko himself in her place quite a long time ago?

"Sorry I, haven't been having a good day. I'm Nikko," Nikko introduced himself and extended a hand. The girl looked at it for a moment, and returned the action.

"Lucrecia," She replied.

--

Nikko was looking into her eyes to see if she should be trusted. She didn't look like the girls back at his world...hopefully she didn't act like them either. They both realized they've both been gripping each other's hands for awhile, and Nikko pulled back. He casually tried to flatten his hair, hoping today it wasn't the usual mass of tangles like always.

Lucrecia looked around, then at her feet. Her eyes traveled upward to herself and she realized she was covered in dirt and blood. "So, uh...where are we?" She asked. But Nikko had long since turned away and walked off. The rapid footsteps behind him came before the "Hey! Wait!" of Lucrecia. He stopped.

"What?" He asked. She breathed slowly and looked at him.

"I-I need help...," She said finally and carefully, as if she was ashamed to admit it. She looked down. So far this Nikko gave her a bad first impression, snapping at her like that. But she had to be nice to him no matter how much of a jerk he was. She was lost and scared and needed help. "Please?" She added softly.

Nikko stopped and sighed. He did owe her for what he said.

"Follow me," He muttered and headed toward Lola's house. Lucrecia obeyed silently, wishing she didn't look the way she did, like she had gotten in a bad car wreck of some sort.

Nikko whammed the door open, and Lucrecia noted the small room with simple accessories and such. "Stay here," Nikko ordered and went through another door. Lucrecia's situation suddenly hit her, like that, and she felt like crying her heart out. She was in some alien world, with only horrible memories of what happened fresh in her mind. She thought of...him. Her only one true friend whom she couldn't save because of those demons. Her silent tears warmed with anger. She stood there, her vision blurred by the tears. Suddenly a middle aged woman with dark hair came from the door Nikko had gone through, her eyes filled with kindness and worry. Lucrecia couldn't stop the tears once she had started, and just watched helplessly as the woman came to her and put her arm around Lucrecia's shoulders.

"Aww...it's ok Sweetheart," The woman murmured. Nikko watched leaning from the doorway. He had been like that once (not crying of course). Helpless and lost, and definitely scared. He was only lucky that Lola found him. Lola calmed Lucrecia down and talked to her like she did to Nikko long ago. Nikko didn't really want to stand there and watch, so he just walked out.

Lucrecia looked down at her coffee, then softly asked, "What's with him?"

Lola stirred her own cup and chuckled. "Nikko? Nothing at all. He's as fit as a fiddle, why?" She asked. Lucrecia looked at Lola.

"You're...kidding, right?" She asked. Lola gave her a puzzled look. "He's...well, a jerk!" Lucrecia couldn't help blurting out.

"Oh...did he uh, get mad?" Lola asked.

"Well...he certainly didn't make a very good first impression when he saw me in need of help," Lucrecia replied.

"Oh, you'll have to deal with it...he gets like that sometimes, it's...complicated. Teenagers I guess," Lola said shrugging.

"Oh," Lucrecia replied.

"How about you rest awhile huh?" Lola suggested once she noticed Lucrecia finished her coffee in a matter of seconds.

Lucrecia nodded relieved. "Please," She said.

"Anytime! You know...don't tell Nikko I told you but, the same happened to him. It was only around a year ago the poor love was found by my dog, beaten as a rock. He healed of course, and found my home a refuge. I'd love it if you stayed as well, you know...," Lola explained.

Lucrecia looked at her and forced a weak smile. "Um, I'll sleep on it. But seeing as how I have no choice...," She trailed off and the information she'd gotten from Lola reviewed over her mind. Different worlds? Heartless? People's hearts getting taken over, and-...well, it seems now impossible to find her friend. If it was even possible in the first place.

"That's fine love," Lola replied softly. Lucrecia yawned for good measure and Lola lead her to a room with a nice bed that seemed to call out her name.

--

"YOU DID WHAT?!" Nikko cried.

"Shh! She's asleep! The poor thing must be scared out of her mind, tired too, and you have enough nerve to snap at her?" Lola replied. Nikko went red.

"I-I didn't-DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT! How could you leave her in my room?" Nikko asked again.

"That's the only spare room I have-"

"Then why my room? Why not yours?" Nikko asked.

Lola shook it off with her head. "Don't bother her; she's had quite a night," Lola said instead, pointing a finger at Nikko. It was pretty late, and Lola blew out all the candles except for one. "Good night," She said and left to her room.

Nikko growled under his breath and clenched his fist. He wanted his own bed, to be there for him, so HE could sleep in it. Not that he really was that tired. He walked in quietly to his room once Lola wasn't in view, and by the soft candle light he gazed at Lucrecia sleeping. Her breathing was steady, and her brows were concentrated together, like she was thinking hard. She also had a frown on her face. He couldn't help but think that she was a little pretty, even like that. He decided to leave her alone after all, and after blowing the candle out, he left through the window.