Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, and whatnot. :P

Quick note: This is going to happen a bit differently, as the chapter title would indicate. The full note is after Namine's story (since I'm not supposed to post a chapter that's nothing but note), so enjoy. But please do read the note at the end, because it's important.

For only a few days, I had been away from Branis. Away from that cursed village. But of course, when I was weak and alone, hoping for rescue, the one to come to my aid was the same man I'd been running away from.

Cillan found me, and he tried to bring me back with him. I fought as best as I could, struggling and punching, but I didn't have the strength to fend him off, and he didn't want to miss out on the opportunity he saw. A 12 year old, uncared for by the rest of the world, in need of help? Perfect for him. Terrible for me.

After all, everyone in town would just think that he's so generous. What a nice man, isn't he? Looking after that poor girl? That poor, useless girl... and of course, they'd then fall back into gossiping about my parents and how I must be guilty by association.

Not once did I ever regret getting away from that horrible town. But as I was being dragged back, all I could hope was that I'd be given the chance to regret getting away.

Then, before he could take me back, something happened. Something wonderful, I thought.

A boy wandered out from the trees, paused, and, in one swift move, knocked Cillan out with his book.

I was worried for a few moments. Frightened that this stranger would try to hurt me, too, but it didn't happen. Instead, he knelt beside me, as I'd fallen to the ground and scrambled backwards a few paces, and he just stared at me.

His eyes... they were entirely emotionless.

But his actions were kind enough, and I tried to ignore that icy gaze.

He held out his hand and helped me up, introducing himself as Ienzo. I thanked him, through a few sobs, and introduced myself in turn. We sat in the grass, staring at Cillan and talking a little bit about unimportant things. I could tell he was getting impatient, but I wasn't sure what to do. I tried to tell him he could go on his way, that I was alright, but he gave me a look that made me think he knew that wasn't true.

He pulled food and water from his pack and let me start getting my strength back.

Agitation was clear in his tone, and he obviously didn't really care much about me, but he muttered something about an irritating cousin, and how he'd like to stall for a while longer.

Help was help, and I needed anything I could get. So I told him my story, and he seemed bored, but he offered to let me travel with him until we could find a place for me to stay.

My home came in the form of a small seaside shack. It was tucked away by an opening in the rocky coastal cliffs by Twilight Town. Seclusion was the biggest problem, and the biggest blessing. I soon learned to survive on my own, to catch fish and garden and make it through the winter. I managed to sew and recycle my clothes, though as I grew, I never really got more material, so I had to stop by the town and try to get my supplies better.

Sometimes, though, I had help.

Ienzo dropped by once in a while, just to say hi. He was cold, and he wasn't the nicest boy I had ever met, but he had saved me and I'd never forget that.

It's difficult to explain now... how it happened.

How we fell in love.

But we did, somehow, and I'll always remember what tore us apart.

"Namine... what would you say if I told you that we could be together, suspended in youth, forever?"

"Why would you tell me that?"

"What would you say?"

"I'd say... forget happy endings. A happy eternity would be so much better."

"I love you, Namine."

"I love you, too..."

She had been so wrong. One day... he kissed her, and she felt cold.

When he explained what he had done, she was understandably upset. She couldn't comprehend why he thought it was okay to do this to her, but nevertheless, what was done... was done. The group he worked with discovered her existence, and they got together a good set-up.

She didn't want to be involved in their methods, so she would simply run errands for them. So they said. But she quickly realized she was more a slave to them than anything, and isolation took its toll as she grew apart from Zexion. On the rare occasions she got to meet with people, she found herself behaving simultaneously sweet and blunt, at least when she needed to be blunt.

And then one day, she was on her way to meet Demyx at Midgar, when she ran into a blond boy...

A/N: I'm really, really sorry about the wait. I've got excuses, but they really don't matter. Anyway, I am changing the set-up of the story. I probably won't be going back to change anything, but the next chapter is going to be a little different in its organization. To get done what I need to get done, however, I'll have to take some time. So I ask you to wait a bit longer. :/

But I am actively working on the story, now, so have no fear! New chapters will eventually be here! :P

In other news, I'm not going to bug you guys anymore about reviewing. I don't think it really has any effect. :/ But the 300-word incentive (if you can call it that) is still going on, and something new is in the works.

I'm thinking that, perhaps... I'll pick a random number, higher than however many reviews I have at the time, and whoever hits that number with their review (like the eleventh reviewer, or something) will get some sort of prize... I think for the first one, I'd just ask what you want. It can have to do with the story, like you get to make some decision, or you get to choose a character to have added. Or a special bonus chapter, or a quirk you absolutely love that you want me to put in...

Get the picture? :)

So there it is. I've got a number in mind, so... if you're up for it. *shrug* No pressure. :)