A.N.) Thank you, everyone who gave me your feedback on my question regarding the end of this story and with your guys help, I have come to a decision on how this story has to end! I have been having so much fun writing this, and it was really cool to have that kind of interaction with you guys, so I'm really happy about that too. ^_^

According to my notes, there should be about five more chapters at least.

Disclaimer) I do not own Kingdom Hearts. (I've been doing this disclaimer. Always will do it.)

At First Sight

Chapter 8: Last Kiss

It seemed Xion had guessed wrong where he would go, didn't know the area well enough to think of any other place, or was just so sad she needed a familiar, special setting to give a comforting vibe.

Fuu stood at the borderline of the Station Heights to the Station Plaza, staring up at the balcony of the Clock Tower where her only female friend sat with the moonbeam highlighting her tears. Poor little thing, she'd finally been given something to awaken her sleeping heart, and now it seemed it was suffering more than it had ever cheered. The feather of Xion's cloche hat swayed to the rising winds that came with the cold, cloudless winter's night, and bobbed with her shaking sobs.

Fuu found it strange how much she felt badly about this. Of course she adored Xion, but as a girl basically rose up with thuggish, egotistical males, boyfriend-troubles sounded like grounds for being made-fun off or at least pushed. It was such a lame thing to be crying over: your boyfriend is leaving. Boo-hoo.

But this was Xion clamping her hands to her face both to hide shame and wipe away tears before her face swelled, ruining her makeup. Like said, Fuu really cared about her.

And it wasn't that simple for the two lovers. It was once very naïve in situation and solution but the transgressions made against Hayner and Seifer left them in a bind that merely coming clean wouldn't solve. If they came out and told the truth, neither group would be on their side. Hayner and Seifer were so similar in how reckless and emotional they act, Fuu knew they would abandon them and possibly (more with Seifer than Hayner) try to make their lives hell. Seifer intentionally wanted to make Roxas disappear; his mind never thought, "kill", just for his enemy to be gone. Forever. And Fuu wanted to believe Seifer wouldn't treat Xion badly if she were to refuse him for Roxas, but after that show they put in the Sunset Terrance, he definitely would. And that might mean Rai and Vivi would too.

That was what bothered her the most. Hayner and Seifer would outcast their dear friends for being in love with each, maybe even harm them first, but after about a month or year they would reject it, when it'd be too late to keep them. Their prided idiocy was going to wreck everything.

They could be pitted against each other if they didn't do something though. Xion might have to openly reject Roxas if she were to stay and vice versa. A relationship just beginning would end like the blowing out of a birthday candle, with a wish that may never come true. The groups, with or without them, were going to have all out warfare no matter what they did. And not to mention Roxas was in deep trouble with his people from the Destiny Islands; who knows how that was going to go down.

It was over. Roxas and Xion couldn't coexist without hurting others they valued,

—Their integrity,

—Or each other.

And these stakes were much bigger than some generic relationship soap drama.

Despite how she couldn't care less about Roxas, Fuu was gaining newly ablaze willpower to help Xion. If the spiked-blonde was what she really wanted, well, she couldn't be blamed for not wanting any guy from their group.

Fuu groaned as she saw Xion tensing her fingers like claws, pressing them to her chest as her sobbing became more frantic.

Since Roxas wasn't showing here, she had an idea where he went instead, being acquainted with the spots of her enemies. She turned on her heel and jogged down the Station Heights to the Back Alley.

With Xion still waiting up on the Tower, as one would get closer and closer to her, they would hear her cranked voice weeping to air as she clenched her chest.

"My—My heart… Something's wrong… with my heart," would be followed with more moans.

Lea stomped through the threshold of the Usual Spot with a stress-headache beyond that which he'd never encountered since his rebirth as a Somebody.

He had figured his hormonal friends would be taking their time, so he went back to his ice cream parlor to finish what he started by finishing the other 27 flavors he didn't get to eat earlier. He'd gotten through thirteen when he saw Kairi frantically squeezing through the Twilight Town citizens, obviously looking for something important. He was a nice guy, so he mournfully left the other fourteen cups of deliciousness to go help.

It was when he talked to her did he get the scoop on what happened after he left his boneheaded best friend. Roxas got into a fight with that bratty gang-boss of Xion's, and now Sora and Riku declared the hunt was on to catch him and take him back to the Islands. That was the gist, but apparently what was making everyone so worried was that they were told from Seifer's posse, as the only available witnesses because Hayner's crew had disappeared to tend to their fallen frontrunner, that Roxas used his Keyblade against the guy.

Now, as soon as Lea let it all sink in, he immediately saw holes in the story that everyone else was too exhausted and irritable to think about. Why would Roxas even need to use his Keyblade if he could easily have just fought with a bat? Hayner was down with a slice at his torso. How did that happen? If it was Seifer's doing, how? If that was Seifer, wouldn't that make him dangerous enough for Roxas to try and detain him as quickly as possible? And where the hell was Xion during all this?

Maybe they weren't thinking about this stuff because Seifer's posse was full of nimrods that would lie through their teeth to protect and justify each other. Lea knew that if Seifer did something, chances said his crew was leaving out information with the intent to make him sympathetic and throw Roxas in front of the train.

After Lea gathered his pieces and questions, he parted from the princess, saying he'd go look for Roxas, but not mentioning that he didn't aim on turning him over to them.

The Usual Spot was where they agreed to meet, and none of Hayner's crew was going to go there. It sounded like the safest place to hide for the time being, so that's how Lea understood it was where the fugitive went.

As he looked over the compacted, darken area he scrutinized one pitch-black section of junk-furniture after another, shouting, "Roxas, get your butt up! We got trouble," with a lecturing tone.

"Hey Lea," the kid's voice garbled through the shadows, helping Lea see he was sulking on the tattered couch. "Come to take me back to the Islands?"

"Nah, you know I've got your back," Lea replied unshaken at his friend's cynicism. Having a conversation with darkness sounded too nutty for Lea's tastes, so he harnessed a compressed flame in his palm to act as a torch. "You wanna give me your side of the story? Because so far, everyone has only heard Seifer's, and that's dealing your situation."

Lea didn't think he'd ever seen Roxas so miserable before. He sort of resembled the depression he had when Xion had disappeared from the Organization with the sadness of the deaths of millions. On his back to stare at the tattered sheet roofing, Roxas looked too lethargic to care that his discovery would deal him big-time suffering.

"Xion and I decided to separate and meet up again later to meet you here (because Xion couldn't remember the layout of this town too well). She was going to the Sandlot to find Seifer and his posse to tell him the truth, while I tracked Hayner and the others to the Sunset Terrance so I do the same. Turns out Hayner and Seifer were fighting, I tried to stop them."

"Okay, then what? Because Sora thinks you dealt out your Keyblade against an under-armed Seifer."

"Well that's not how it went."

"Enlighten me then."

Never budging, Roxas told the tale of how he tried to stop Seifer when he received a real, dangerous weapon, but when Hayner was defeated he became so angry and worried that he fought Seifer with the Keyblade and beat him. "I just panicked and left after that."

"So they weren't telling everything…" Lea declared, getting into a provoked stance.

"Maybe they just didn't know how to explain it without sounding crazy."

Lea walked closer. "Doesn't matter. Consider yourself banished at this point by Sora because he'll drag you to gummi ship if you're caught."

"Why not just kill me then?"

Smack! Lea jabbed the boy over the head.

"Don't be stupid! You're lucky that he's not thinking about taking you to Yen Sid!"

Defensive, Roxas sat up with one hand ready to launch him upwards if needed. "Everything is nothing without her! If they make me leave now, who knows how long it will be until I can return? How long will my heart ache till I can see her again? What if she needs me? Or how about the worst of all—What if she hates me now?"

"Roxas—"

"That arrogant chauvinist can associate with her, even the most disgusting creature in all of Twilight Town can be blessed with the sight of her gorgeousness, the sound of her melodious voice, her serene mind or her beautiful soul!" Roxas looked away, completely out of his mind. "I cannot talk to her or hold her or kiss her. It's like never seeing daylight again…"

"Will you listen to me?"

"Why? You're clearly not seeing the situation here."

"Oh, I'm definitely seeing something—!"

"Quiet!" a rasped shout came from the gateway.

The boys turned and while Roxas identified her as Fuu, Lea was skeptical.

"Xion," Fuu said, which made them relax. Xion. Not Seifer.

Fuu looked at the pouting mess that chopped down her friends be in the heart or the chest. How could she justify saddling Xion with a blundering excuse for a man? "GET UP!" she growled.

Roxas jumped from the couch and approach the silent shark with a mix of excitement and melancholy. "How's Xion? What has she said about Seifer? Does she hate me?"

"Crying," was her answer.

It seemed like that sole word had destroyed him. He scraped a sigh and ran his fingers through his spikes. Eyes showing a further descent into self-loathing. What could he do to be rid of himself to give his lady peace of mind?

SMACK!

"Ow!" Roxas grunted.

"Quit acting like an emotional teenager and think like a man," Lea scolded his best friend, returning his hand to his side after slapping the back of the kid's head again. "You're much stronger than this! Xion is still out about in this town, alive and waiting for you. Think! This isn't a hopeless situation. What's going to happen to her if you off yourself, stupid? You two shared a paopu fruit, so you're connected! If you break that bond by doing nothing to fix this, than we'll just have to assume everything you ever said to her regarding your 'eternal love' was a hollow lie! Not to mention killing yourself is a huge middle finger to everyone that cares about and helped revive you!"

The space became still as Lea waiting for his words to settle. Fuu watched as Roxas's misery started to gradually convert to fierce drive. His body no longer slouched with fatigue, but instead cloaked over bravery. Tough love had succeeded, she confirmed, cross her arms.

"You're right. I'm sorry," Roxas said, smiling at the blazing lanky guy.

"S'alright," Lea shrugged, closing his eyes for a brief brainstorming period, only to have an idea and look at his two-member audience.

"Where's Xion at, girl?"

"Fuu," Roxas inserted.

"Fine. Where's Xion at, Fuu?"

"Tower," she answered, glancing to its direction.

Lea nodded in acknowledgement. "Kay then. Roxas, go to Xion there, mend whatever damage there is, but make sure to leave before that fireworks ceremony 'cause those are large gathering events, and Sora and company will definitely search around for you at that peak. After that, go and hide in the Old Mansion. From there I'll—"

"We'll," Fuu interrupted.

"—We'll try tell the others about what really happened with Seifer. Sora will understand and call off the chase. You can return to the good graces of society, and handle the other issues of your relationship, and make it known. Fairly straight-forward."

"Impressive," Fuu murmured. Even she believed that could work. It wasn't victimless but was much better than any idea she had thus far.

"You think you could try to make sure they don't have a surprise visitor from your crew, Fuu?" Lea asked.

Pretending not to care much, she roughly nodded.

"Great. Then I'll handle Sora and the others."

Agreeing "reluctantly" again, Fuu ran out to complete her mission.

Lea watched her go, and when he looked back at Roxas, all he could do was laugh. "Aw, you're happy again!" he teased the teen, ruffling his pointed headpiece.

"Very happy!" Roxas nodded.

"Well, that's what friends are for. Now get going!" he said with a stoic, mother-hen expression, pushing the thirteenth out. "I think we know someone who will be in favor of this secret of yours and can act as a messenger with anything that happens after you get to the Old Mansion."

"Hate to rush off so quickly after all your help, but the lady I treasure is waiting for me!"

"Do. Not. Tell. Xion," Seifer said slowly, emphasizing every word so the two could truly understand the depths of how much this mattered to him.

Rai and Vivi didn't want to have to travel far carrying him, despite the fact that Rai had more than enough hulking strength to carry him around Twilight Town with barely any effort. That was how Seifer came to waking with a splitting headache on Sunset Hill, instantly recalling his defeat to Roxas and wanting more than anything to keep it hush.

"Why not?" Vivi asked innocently turning his head sideways. "I think she'd be worried about you."

"She'll think I'm a loser and probably fall for chicken wuss!" he hissed back. It was an ultimate embarrassment to have failed someone as fragile and charming as Xion. She'd never be his girlfriend if she thought he couldn't protect her.

"I think she'll do what we tell her to. How about Vivi and I just go and tell her you like her and to be your girlfriend, y'know?"

"And at the fireworks ceremony you two can make it publically official!" Vivi cheered.

Seifer smirked. "Well, when you guys put it like that, I wish this night would go faster."

"Then let's go get her!" Vivi assured with his most thrilled voice.

"Xion?" Roxas asked emerging from the shadows of the staircase to the elevated Clock Tower balcony where his girlfriend had been waiting for him. He desperately prayed it would be a happier reunion than the sight of his love curled up with her knees supporting her chin, but it wasn't. As he got closer, it was proved that Fuu did not lie. The white-clad ravenette was shaking hysterically with muffled sobs.

He sat near her, enclosing the delicate beauty in his devoted embrace. "I know you heard. I'm so sorry about how I acted. I was angry."

"It's not that!" Xion spat with much force as if there was a lump in her throat. "I—I know you were just defending yourself…"

"He had his own real weapon, so I figured using my Keyblade was fair," he explained, hoping it would help her understand and maybe forgive him.

"Really?" Xion croaked. The feather of her hat pinged as she abruptly raised an inch. "That explains so much! Why didn't Fuu tell me that though…?"

Roxas stared ahead, trying to word his next sentence properly. "I don't think she quite understood that was what happened. She's still helping us now, so I still trust her."

"How?" she pressed, feeling comfortable enough to hug him back.

"Listen," he started, resting his exhausted head on her hat. "She, Lea and I talked out a strategy. I'm going to go to the Old Mansion for a little while, so Lea can go and straighten things out with Sora (because he's not going to believe what I say at this point), then we can resume the plan of telling the truth."

Xion groaned. "I just really want us to stay together. Why do they have to make this so difficult for us!" She started to cry again.

He tightened his hold, lightly rubbing her back.

"It's okay, Xi-Xi. Your heart is very young and new, so you're being bombarded with really strong emotions cluttering; it happens. But everything is going to be okay. We just have to get through tonight."

"Why can't we just leave? They won't find us in another world."

"Yeah, but I suppose Lea's analogy of a 'huge middle finger to everyone who cares about us' applies to that," he sighed. Why couldn't he make that selfish decision to not care?

"I guess if I disappeared with you to the Old Mansion, Seifer would go on a blood hunt for you…"she added, defeated. "We have no other choice."

The quietness was humid with their grief. For some time, they sat in silence, holding one another. On a spur of will, Roxas pulled them back so they could lie down on the cold stone walkway and gaze at the stars. Xion was so tired from just drama, she didn't notice until he spoke again.

"I love you, Xion," he murmured, gently pressing his lips to hers.

"And I you," she gasped, when they pulled apart for air. "I'm not so sad to have to deal with this anymore, because if we work hard and do the best we can, maybe we can get through this. Just knowing this makes that aching in my heart go away!" she sighed, relaxing her head on his shoulder.

None of the lights that paraded in the sky, Roxas discovered, compared to the dazzling gleam of Xion. "Do you remember when we were together in Beast's Castle, when I loaned you my Keyblade?"

"Yes, I also recall you using a stick as a surrogate and failing miserably at magic," she giggling.

"Ouch, my pride," he laughed. "I think I've gotten better though at light and fire magic (Lea wouldn't let me stop training till I could do one firaga 'correctly' by his definition.)"

She leaned over to peck his cheek, causing a blush on both their faces. "Left over gratitude."

Her affection made his heart flutter.

She caressed his cheek, and smiled at him. "Thank you so much…" she whispered and pulled him into a more adoring kiss. They'd never pressed this closely previously, nor had any of their previous kisses been so long and energetic. And when they finally pulled apart, Roxas let them have two deep breaths before putting one hand at the back of her head, the other at her waist, and heaved her to his lips once more. More of their time was spent with them kissing, pulling apart, only to begin another kiss. It was like being wrapped with the other's love overflowing from their hearts. It was a bond that never wanted them to part again.

But the universe would not compromise for them. They had limited time, and though he indeed enjoyed the kissing and cuddling, Roxas felt it was important that they discuss something.

Very reluctantly, he moved the hand on her head to her cheek and pulled away.

She smiled at him.

"Xion," he started, eyes both serious and nervous. "Putting everything aside, would you want to be with me on the Destiny Islands or stay here in Twilight Town or anywhere else?"

She blinked her wide eyes. "I'm happiest with you, so I'm in favor of the Islands—"

"Then we'll work something out. I promise."

Though he knew he'd have to leave eventually, it was precedent that he made the most of what little time he did have left with her.

They just talked. They talked about new interests they discovered since their revivals with the ability to associate as normal as a Keyblade wielder could be. It was great way to build more from where they left off, and it was like creating new memories even before they would happen.

They decided once all the bull was over, they'd see a movie together in the theater because Roxas found the surround-sound speakers to be wicked cool. Which kind of movie, was debated viciously though.

"Don't you get tired of seeing an hour and thirty minutes of unnecessary explosions and bad scripts?" Xion reasoned when Roxas told her he liked the action genre. Males.

"Sometimes, they can reach 'so bad it's good' territory, but again, Xi-Xi, those surround-sound speakers make all the abysmal dialogue worth it," he rebutted with a whimsical smile.

She sighed. "How about this, when we do get to the theater, I'll pick a movie and you'll pick one. Then we'll flip a coin for which we see?"

"Sounds fair," he nodded, flashing a goofy grin.

When they were finally free, they were going to eat a meal together.

"Sense you like cheeseburgers so much, we could go to this restaurant that Sora, the others and I go to sometimes after school."

"No complaints," she sighed happily at the thought of more burgers.

Once it was over, they'd go to school together.

"Will you dance with me at those gatherings schools usually hold?" Xion asked, voice sauced with sweetly highness, looking at him with a controlled smile and big eyes.

"They are actually called 'dances' Xi, and you know I can't dance!" he laughed, instead of protest.

"Yes you can! I've seen you! And I know you can sing too. Anyone who had ever passed your door in The Castle that Never Was knows it!" she defended, a scorching flicker in her pupils.

As she felt his tense against her, she knew she had him caught.

"Really?" his weak voice peaked.

"Yup! I can't wait to spend our days together. Maybe school won't be as dull with you there."

"Same here. But can I ask you a favor?"

"Of course!"

"It's almost inevitable for me to pass out in 3rd period science. Wake me up before he turns around to look at us," he chuckled sheepishly.

"You don't like science? How come?"

"I hate it. It's so tedious. I don't care about solar energy! The sun is there and I know it gets offended if you stare at it!" Roxas groaned, rubbing his palm to his forehead to ease the pain that came with the thought of having to listen to his instructor. "Why? Do you like it?"

She looked to another corner of the sky, humming.

"It's okay. I do like math a lot though. Because I can do that easy! Once you know the tricks it's really fun sometimes. Like puzzles. But writing… I cringe."

Roxas gasped overdramatically. "It seems we've reached an impasse."

"Yeah, well, I get that you're good with words," Xion laughed. "I'm not. I end up using the same words and sentence types over and over—when I actually did the work. Eventually, Fuu and the others just told me to forget about it. Turns out they were making other people do it for me," she recalled frowning. "They're bullies, no doubt about that, but when they care, they care with all their hearts."

Roxas found one star that must have been pretty far to gleam so much brighter than the others. "I guess I can understand that. Hayner's a headstrong idiot most of the time, but he knows the value of a friendship. And we both know how Lea can play people who aren't on his side."

Xion nodded. "We all need to get some sea salt ice cream after all this."

"You said it."

In the farther distance, a single red flare shot into the sky and erupted into a star-like picture of sparkles, though was followed by no others. Not yet at least.

"That was a test run," Roxas thought out load, feeling his ecstasy deteriorate. "I have to go now, Xi-Xi," he grudgingly declared. He undid his arms from her rosy form and stood up.

Shocked, she launched from her place and hugged his arm. "It was just some guy playing with fireworks on his lawn! You don't have to go!" she forced, begging him.

"It was a test, meaning they'll start soon. I have to go now so I can get to the Old Mansion. If I don't, someone will catch me, and either drag me away or kill me depending on who that someone is."

"I… I can protect you," Xion muttered. Tears in her eyes started to show, reflecting the light of the moon. "I don't have my Keyblade, but I still have magic…"

The view of seeing the person he cherished most on the verge of crying, his longing heart completely blocked out anything his mind was trying to push for. His heart knew that he wanted to stay, so he intended to.

He hugged her close with a smile of peace. Fondly, he cooed to her ear, "I don't care anymore if they catch me. I'll perish in the Realm of Darkness before I'm forced to leave you again. I'd be content with that as long as that's what you want. I wish to stay with you much more than I need to go. So then, that light in the sky was just an amateur playing with fireworks in his yard, not a test flare. We still have plenty of time. Let's just talk. How are you feeling, Xion, my girlfriend?"

Still, time did not compromise for them. Xion felt the responsibility to be rational, even if she didn't want to. Their entire future rode on whether or not this plan worked out.

Though her eyes had tightened shut, the tears still escaped. She hated to have to do it, but she shoved him away.

"Fine! You were right! It was a test run! You should go now!" she exclaimed in one breathed before breaking into sobs. A pain in her heart resurfaced.

In denial, Roxas tried to pull her back. "No it wasn't. We still have time."

"We're out of it. You have to go," she said more controlled, grabbing the hands that attempted to encircle her. Utterly overpowered emotionally, she didn't have the strength to do more than look down and hope he'd leave. For his own sake.

His hands were lifting. She assumed that meant he was going.

But they still gripped her own, bringing them to his lips. He lightly kissed the back of each hand, the palms, the wrists, and when he thought she was relaxed he tugged her into yet another kiss of intense love and thirst.

She gave into it for a moment, but upon remembering how urgent time was to them once again, she pulled away.

The look of desire that lingered in his eyes told her he would have never stopped on his own. And the worried look in hers was the only thing that made him turn on his logic back on.

He sighed. "Just one more?" he pleaded.

Xion nodded solemnly, and their last kiss was kind.

"Are you sure we'll see each other again…?" she whispered to him as they separated.

"No doubt about it! I won't let this be the end!" he fought to assure. "Think of it like this, this will make at least a half-decent story to tell in the future."

"Tell who?" she perked innocently.

His dreamlike smile without a worded answer made her franticly blush upon understanding.

"Y-you—!" she stammered between embarrassment and fury as Roxas left—laughing at her expression.

A.N.) I felt bad for splitting them apart again. Just awful.

Please review because you feedback is greatly appreciated and I hope you have a better day than I had today! ^_^