Chapter 18:

Nox Noctis Carcer part 2

Roxas was running to the distant castle. The others were running too, but not nearly as fast as Roxas. The only thing that he focused on was the building on the horizon.

Don't worry Naminé, I'll be there soon. Roxas thought as his feet made him rush above the ground.

"Roxas...is a...really fast...runner." Kairi said between breaths.

"Yeah." Sora agreed shortly.

Soon, Roxas was at the gate of the castle. It looked a lot bigger close up, the highest tower's top could not be seen by the three teens from where they stood at the castle's base.

"How do you wanna go in? We could take the front door, but that might also make us obvious. We could try to find a way in, but that would take too long." Sora said.

"Ausea is probably expecting us anyway, so lets just go in through the front." Roxas replied before opening the huge door.

The castle was the exact opposite of Castle Oblivion and The Castle That Never Was, the walls were plain black and had an eerie feeling in the air. The only window they could see, was a huge one that, in a normal world, would be used to look upon the beautiful kingdom on a beautiful sunny day. But this world wasn't normal, it was very likely that the window was there to see the power of the darkness that surrounded this world. Either that or, this world used to be bright and beautiful, and the castle was built during those peaceful and happy times. The four islanders stood in the doorway together to come up with an idea.

"Ok, so we're in, now what?" Sora asked.

"Well, I guess we look around, and see if we can find anything about Naminé while we do." Roxas shrugged.

"Kairi, have you been able to feel her presence anymore since we got in the castle?" Riku asked.

"A little, but whenever I do, the feeling disappears before I even really know what I'm feeling." Kairi responded.

"That's better than nothing, did you hear her say anything?" Roxas asked.

"No, I just feel like she's here." Kairi shook her head.

"Well let us know if that changes." Roxas said. Kairi nodded.

"Lets go up those stairs, they're bound to be what takes us to the rest of the castle." Riku pointed at the staircase as he spoke.

The other three nodded and followed him up the stairs.

"Do these hallways ever end?!" Sora complained.

"Sora, suck it up. C'mon, we honestly haven't been walking for that long." Kairi said.

"Guys shut up! What if she hears your bickering?" Roxas whispered.

"Sorry." Sora and Kairi said in unison.

They soon came to a place with two ways to go.

"Now what?" Riku wondered.

"Well, I guess we split up." Kairi shrugged.

"Ok, who wants to go where?" Sora asked.

"You pick Roxas." Kairi said, facing the blond.

"Well... Kairi, do you wanna go with me, you could tell me if we're going the wrong way or not." Roxas suggested.

"That ok with you guys?" Kairi asked the other two.

Riku nodded, but Sora looked stuck in thought.

"Sora, don't worry, I'll make sure she doesn't get hurt." Roxas said, knowing Sora's thoughts.

"Sora, she should go with him, besides, this way, if Roxas does end up getting in any trouble, he can tell you, and we can go help without Ausea expecting it as much." Riku explained.

"Ok, you watch her!" Sora said sternly.

Kairi walked over to Sora and gave him a parting hug.

"Nothing's gonna happen Sora, I promise." Kairi whispered into his ear.

Sora hugged her tighter before, regrettably, letting go. The teens separated, and Roxas and Kairi went to the right, while Sora and Riku to the left. Roxas and Kairi walked quietly, most of their conversation was only when Kairi felt Naminé getting closer.

"Y'know, I never really thought that this would happen." Kairi said.

"What do you mean?" Roxas asked.

"That I'd be looking for Naminé, I always figured that if one of us went missing, the other would too." Kairi explained.

"Yeah, but you sound just like her. When Axel kidnapped you and then Saïx put you in that cell, she said that she never thought she'd be the one doing the rescuing." Roxas grinned at the memory.

"Roxas, you really love her, don't you." Kairi stated.

Roxas blushed, "W-well ya I guess."

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about, she's a really lucky girl." Kairi smiled.

"Thanks, Sora's a pretty lucky guy." Roxas smiled.

"Whoah." Kairi said, with her hand next to her head.

"What is it?" Roxas asked.

"Naminé. She's close." Kairi told him.

"Where is she?" Roxas looked around.

"I can't tell, all I know is that she's in a dark room."

"Wow, that helps."

"Hey, it's not my fault Roxas."

"I know, I know, sorry, I'm just, stressed I guess."

"Really?"

"Well how would you be if you'd been looking for Sora for this long and you were this close to finding him?"

"C'mon, let's just keep going."

Kairi started walking again, ahead of Roxas. He followed but he was slightly wound up now that he knew they were on the right track.

We're so close! Don't worry Nami, we're almost there. Roxas thought./N

A

Ha! Cliffie!

Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! you guys rock! I can't wait to write more!! (I just didn't want to make this chapter too long ^^)