AN: Well, here we go, part 3. Sorry it took awhile *writer's block.* Also, if I forgot to mention it before, this takes place after Riku captures Roxas and takes him to Twilight Town.

I rubbed my forehead as I sat up. Hazy-eyed and obviously sleep-deprived, I walked downstairs to find some breakfast. Maybe I had eaten too much ice cream. Since I discovered that Xion was not only tied to the train station but to sea salt ice cream, I had bought many of the frozen treats. Now, my mind was paying for it with some form of belated brain freeze.

I opened up the freezer hoping to find some waffles or something. No. More ice cream. For a moment, I felt nauseous. I'd have to wait to eat more of those. I turned to the cabinets next. Oh good, a bowl of Frosties might help me. Right when I was about to devour the cornflakes, my doorbell rang. Hopefully it wouldn't be Seifer. He'd laugh and pull me out in the streets to take pictures of me looking quite pathetic in my pajamas. I cautiously grabbed the knob. Please don't be him, please…

"Roxas! Whoa man! Put some clothes on!" Hayner laughed as he covered his eyes. I looked down at my outfit, thinking I might have rolled out of bed naked or something, but no. My normal oversized T-shirt and gray boxers. I playfully punched him in the arm.

"Man, shut up," I said turning back towards the kitchen. Hayner followed me rolling his eyes.

"Calm down, Mr. Dramatic. Jeez, don't you know what time it is?" he asked lounging in the chair across from me. I gave a confused mutter through my cereal. He rolled his eyes yet again. "Roxas, it's almost one o' clock."

I would have spewed Frosties bits at him but my stomach was too hungry for that. It's not like me to oversleep. Well, not for school or days like this. And today was very important. Hayner looked wide-eyed at me.

"Did you forget?!" he yelled leaning over the table. I looked down at the floor. I would have said yes but I was too embarrassed. He continued looking in disbelief. "Roxas, how could you?! It's her birthday!"

"I-I know. But I've just had a lot on my mind recently and-"

"So much that you forgot Olette's birthday?!"

"W-well…I'll think of something. Don't worry. I got this."

"You better! You were supposed to come up with the surprise part of the surprise party!" Hayner growled before standing up. He walked over and grabbed the door handle. "I'll be back later," he said before slamming it behind him.

I sat there in the several moments of awkward silence that followed. He was right. What kind of friend was I? I looked down at my bowl of cereal guiltily. Well, I guess I wouldn't be finishing breakfast.

I took off into the small town… dressed of course. There was only so much in this place. Not much would surprise us anymore. Our group had already explored most of the nooks and crannies of Twilight Town. I walked into one of the stores.

"Roxas! How's my favorite customer doing?" the blonde said from behind the counter. I smiled at him.

"Fine just…shopping…for…," I stuttered. Crap. I didn't even know what to buy her. I stared at the shop's items. What could a girl possibly want? Olette seemed the sensible type but… I scratched my head. The shop keeper snickered at my confusion. I turned to pout angrily at him.

"What's so funny?" I said crossing my arms.

"Roxas, you don't need to think so hard about her birthday," he said smiling.

"H-how did you know?"

"Hayner was in here earlier buying a cake."

"Oh," I muttered, embarrassed. "Well what do you suggest? I have to come up with a surprise but I have no clue."

"Why don't you just share your time with her? Maybe take her somewhere she's never been," the blonde said grabbing a dust rag to clean the counter.

"But we've been-," I paused. No wait. We hadn't been everywhere. I smiled at the shop keeper, who returned it. "Thanks! I've got the perfect idea!"

"Not a problem for my best customer," he said turning to clean some items on the shelf. I happily trotted out of the store. I had it; the perfect plan.

"Roxas, where are you taking me?" Olette asked reaching out wildly. I grabbed her hand to guide her so she wouldn't trip. She fumbled with blindfold as it began to slip.

"It's just a bit further," I said helping her up the stairs. Hayner and Pence both gave me a doubtful look. Not that I could blame them. I gripped the door handle to exit the staircase. "Alright Olette, here's your surprise!" I chirped opening the door. At the same time she ripped off the piece of cloth that covered her eyes.

All of them gasped aloud at the scene before them.

"Oh my… Roxas it's beautiful," Olette said in awe. She took a step out, Hayner and Pence following. I had brought them to the top of the clock tower to show them the sunset. I proudly puffed out my chest slightly.

"So what do you think?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"It's wonderful! I love it!" Olette squealed hugging me tightly. I couldn't help but glance over at Hayner. He growled slightly. He had forgotten her birthday as well, but I had easily out matched him. Besides, all he had to do was to get a cake.

"That's not all," I said as she released me. I turned to dragged a small cooler out from the staircase. Inside were four sea salt ice creams. My stomach felt queasy for a second but I swallowed it down. I was going to enjoy it for today. It would be silly for me not to join them. Pence looked curiously at the ice cream. For being a master of food, I was pretty sure he hadn't eaten these before.

"Roxas, what are those?" he inquired hungrily.

"They're called sea salt ice cream. I discovered them the other day," I replied handing them out. Hayner looked at the treat, skeptical about the taste from the name. "Don't worry; they're really tasty," I said taking a bite. Olette and Pence followed my example, each smiling as soon as the salty sweet flavor hit them.

"Wow! It's so good!" Olette chirped happily.

"Yeah, it is! Salty, but sweet. Nice choice," Pence commented as if he were some food critic. I laughed slightly sitting down the ledge, feet dangling. Hayner cautiously sat down beside me, now eating the ice cream as well.

"Come on! It's safe," I encouraged as I patted the seat beside me. Olette plopped down beside me smiling as she continued to consume my gift. "So Hayner, is this enough of a surprise?" I asked smirking.

"Aw, be quiet!" he growled.

"I better not have you griping at me next time then! You forgot too!" I said playfully shoving his arm. Hayner snickered as he shoved back.

"Roxas, this is one of the best birthdays ever. Thank you," Olette said giggling as she often did when Hayner and I rough housed sometimes. I gave her a smile in return.

Friends.

Sharing a moment together.

I looked at the sunset, the red hues smearing across the sky. Friends; friends I'll keep forever.

I slowly bit into the ice cream, not wanting my stomach to disagree.

"Roxas?"

I froze suddenly. That voice… It couldn't be…

"I can't go back…"

I shuddered all over as my mind pierced with pain. My head felt it was going to split open. In the corners of my eyes, blackness started to crawl forth. I could barely feel my friends rushing to grab me. I couldn't see anything but that sunset… and her.

"Am I… the one that did this to you?"

"No… It was my choice to go away now."

I desperately gripped the edge of the building. I could feel myself fading in and out of consciousness. "X-Xion?" I mumbled falling back.

"You're both my best friends. Never forget…"

Both? What-?

"…that's the truth."

I crashed backwards. Olette screamed in fear as Hayner tried to shake me awake. I couldn't though. My mind was aching with the pain of this…memory. Right before I passed out, I saw that familiar smile.

"Xion?"