I think they expected me to look up, and search Roxas's face for a hint that he was lying, and then to burst into never ending tears.
I don't live up to most of my expectations.
I chewed on the sentence for a few moments, and put things together. It did explain why Riku kept ogling her like she was eye candy. It also told me why he was distant, and cold. He was probably bored with me...or suspected something.
But something else came to me.
"So, that day we went to the Skate Park, and you said it was some guy taking a piss on the tree…it was really Riku and Marine you saw, right?" I questioned with a satisfied smile. My hands were folded under my chin, and my head tilted.
Roxas didn't say anything but he looked at the table; a tiny shake came from him. That was all I needed to know.
"Hm, thought so." I turned back to my lunch, stabbing here and there, not even thinking of letting it touch my lips. The others looked at each other as if they had grown another head on their shoulders.
"You're…you're not mad?" Selphie asked dubiously. I wanted to laugh at her facial expression. But I bit my tongue.
"Mad? No, I'm…relieved if anything. Maybe him being with Marine was better for him. They deserve each other." The last words were mumbled but clear enough for the closer ones to hear.
"Who are you?" Kairi gawked at me. "The real Naminè would go over there and-and…"
"Do what?" I rose an eyebrow at her. "Fight? Say some cruel words? Pull hair? Tell Riku what Marine is really like? Um, not happening! If Riku wants some shallow, and skanky girl, then so be it. Just don't expect me to try and take him back." I was fed up with the attitude, and the assumptions that I was going to act out. I was content with letting Riku learn his own lesson. Why couldn't they see that?
I stood up and murmured soft goodbyes. As I left Lunchroom, I had to pass the table with Riku and Marine. Riku and I caught eyes. I rose an eyebrow at the manicured hand gripped to his arm, he looked back to it, but by the time his eyes rose I was out of the room without a peak behind me.
So maybe you're wondering why I'm so calm. Or why I'm acting like I don't care? Or why I'm not mad?
Well, years of practice can teach you on how to veil emotions. I just happened to have aced that class.
My feet wanted to lead me into the abandoned art room, and onto the rooftop, but my brain remembered Seifer. I stood in the hall for a moment. The back of the school seemed like a good enough escape.
Before I knew where I was headed, the landscape changed to the walls of buildings, and gravel floor. After stepping a few feet away from a window, I leaned against the wall. My palms were flat against it, my head looking up.
Tears were finally set free, and ran down my face in competition. They were the silent tears. The ones that don't make you hiccup, and sniffle. So I stood there, letting myself cry but not really weeping.
I heard a door open after a while, and wiped the liquid away as best as possible.
"Hey." He said as he approached. The wind blew as my response, and our blond hair was ruffled. We bore into each other's eyes until I found the little break in him.
"I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry for?" I sighed.
"We both know why he broke up with you." There he said it. It was out, and I heard it. We've both acknowledged it. But I think Roxas was the only one who could accept it.
So I cracked again. My face twisted with pity for myself, and I sobbed this time. Roxas held me though. He told me he never should've "interfered" with my former relationship. He said he couldn't help himself, despite his better judgment.
I choked out a laugh. He joined in, and stroked my hair. It was calming to be around Roxas, even with the bell ringing and telling us to go to our next class. We didn't move, anyway.
"Wow, to think I have that type of effect on boys…" I wiped my cheek, with an escaped giggle. I thanked him for sticking with me, and I looked up for a reaction from Roxas. He was smiling.
Was he aware how our faces were inching closer? What about our nose nudging, and our breath blasting on each other's face? Our lips so close...
Do you think we kissed?
I scooted away, and looked off. My hand placed over my chest. My heart was beating…right?
"I'm sorry…I just…can't."
He nodded. I knew he understood. "Right, not on the rebound."
"It's alr—"I gasped before I could finish the sentence. There was a sharp pain near my chest, no, in my back. It felt like someone had stabbed me. Before I could look down, my world went black, and Roxas was screaming my name.
(Roxas POV)
"Naminèeeeee! Shit, Naminè!" I kept calling but she didn't react. Her eyes lids closed, and she looked lifeless. She was so light in my arms. I scanned her for a weapon, and found an area of her back highlighted purple.
I felt a portal appear behind me. My anger swelled, and patience constricted.
"Xigbar." I growled. I heard him chuckle.
"Roxas, hey, I forgot you were here!" I flipped around to meet him, Naminè's legs dangled over my elbow.
"So, what, now you strike innocent bystanders, huh?" He frowned, and folded his arms.
"Look, traitor, I don't hit innocent people. Get it? Besides, it was an order from Superior."
"What?!"
Xigbar looked smug. "Yup, a direct order from the Big One himself. So if you'll hand her over—"
I tightened my grip. No fucking way was I letting Xigbar get near Naminè. I looked at her. She was breathing fine, so I supposed that he hit her with a tranquilizer of some sort.
But why would Superior, that bastard of a pathetic being, order Xigbar to shoot Naminè? As if reading my thoughts, Xigbar spoke.
"Apparently, this Miss is causing a very serious uproar with the Heartless. If we don't use her as bait, we will have war on our hands."
"Don't we want to kill them?" I questioned while trying to make it sound like he was mentally retarded.
"If you ever came to the meetings, you'd know that these Heartless are different than the others we've handled. They've…'adapted', at least that's what Vexen said after he was attacked the other day." I cocked an eyebrow. They breached HQ? And managed not to be obliterated?
"And for some strange reason, they want Naminè. Some of us think it's because she's as close to the 7th Princess of Heart as they can get, others think she's been…creating alliances with them. Maybe promised them something…would you know anything 'bout it, eh, traitor?" He had a shifty look to him. He looked from me to the other Nobody in my grip.
"Naminè hasn't seen any Heartless for a while."
"You sure?" He was trying to implant doubt in my mind. And doing a damn good job of it.
"She would've told me."
"Like she told you everything last time, right?"
"Xigbar, fuck off! She hasn't spoken to any damn Heartless, and if you want her, you're going to have to go through me, get it?!" I shouted. He brought out his guns, and aimed at me. I stayed still, and still confident. Let him hit me; he'll have Hell to pay with.
His finger pulled the trigger, and I saw the lasers fly out…past me.
I knit my brows together, and glanced over my shoulder. I saw a Slayer scream and shrivel into death. I snapped back to Xigbar with a confused expression.
"Still think she's telling you everything?" I took as a rhetorical question.
"I'll go."
"Where? You mean with me?"
"Yeah…I need to talk to Superior about this."
"Be careful," I quirked an eyebrow again. "We don't want to pay for any of your mistakes." He left through a portal without another word.
I took this all in. What was I doing? Going against all rules again? But it was for Naminè. I stared at her face, and remembered what she was like back at the castle. She was worth fighting for. No matter was the circumstances.
But what would I receive in return? Would she return any feelings I had for her? I mean, the last moments gave me hope, but now, I don't know, she seems different. And last time she "changed" she stepped out of my life for a while. But just because she couldn't deal with the plan, she found herself in this damn false life.
I sighed. This is what got me into a mess before.
"Dammit." I murmured before making a doorway out.
(Naminè's POV)
"Naminè, you have to tell me what's wrong…where did you get these scars from?" Roxas questions. He lightly touches the bruise on my arm. I recoil back. Superior has good aim.
"Who did this?" He catches on. But he'll never guess it is Xemnas. I don't want him know either. I know he'll try to kill him.
"…I fell." I lie. He's not convinced, and I still keep to the window. Hm…Larxene is trying to kill Axel.
"You're telling me you fell and somehow got a bruise on your arms, leg, and a scratch on your cheek?" He rubs over the cut slowly. I suck my teeth.
"Yes." He shakes his head, and murmurs a blue streak.
He bangs the wall. "Dammit what—"He sees my arms raised and my body shaking. His feature softens, and he crouches to my level on the daybed.
"Oh God, Naminè, I'm sorry…just please…tell me. I want to know so I can prevent it from happening again." He's scared, I can tell. My hands are at my eyes, but I can feel his forehead on my knees.
"Do you promise you won't go after him?" I ask.
"Yes, I promise." I feel his breath on my legs.
My hands slip from my visage. "…It…it was…it was Xemnas." His head snaps up so fast I think he's going to break it. His eyes are dark. There's a storm raging in Roxas right now. He's not very careful when he's angered.
"He did this to you?" His upper lip curls. I bite mine, and nod.
"But it was my fault…I spoke out of my place…" He isn't even looking at me anymore. He's glaring at his reflection in the window. I touch his cheek. He's shaking with rage.
"Please don't do anything…you promised." He looks back, losing his temper.
He sighs. "Yeah, I promised."
(Roxas POV)
"Where is she?" Superior asked in a "superior" voice. Asshole.
"Asleep, in her old room." My face was hidden by my hood. I was grateful for that because then he would see the blush on me. Yes, the Awesome Roxas blushes. Actually, Naminè was in my room. First place that came to mind, so please, let's not dub me a pervert.
He nodded. "Have you discovered anything important?"
"No." He nodded again. "Dismissed." I was beginning to leave before another sentence parted his mouth. "The Memory Witch is to stay here now. She's had enough time in the hologram. It's time she wakes up."
Shit...it's too soon! She just got over Sir Fucking Not Charming.
"What of the others?"
He laughed loud."I've forgotten about them…I think we'll use them again. Entertainment, possibly. What do you think of a wild goose chase, hmm, DiZ?"
"I think it's a stupendous idea Sir." DiZ…what a kiss ass. Him and Saix both.
"Wonderful," he clapped. "We'll use Naminè to erase their memories…"Xemnas lost his train of thought after that.
"Release them, and produce a false letter from King Mickey. We'll let them rake in the Hearts for us, and then once they return, we'll capture them once again. We would only bring them out when necessary." DiZ explained his idea as if he had planned it. It was pretty obvious that it just blurted out of his mouth. Well, it obvious if you've been living with him for 2 years.
"Brilliant, DiZ. I think this shall work very well." I took this as my actual dismissal. Honestly, I couldn't help but let out a smile. Good Guys: 0 Us: 2. If you count the new evil plan, it'd be 3 to nothing.
But I knew Naminè wouldn't like it. Lucky me, I had to convince her.
(Naminè's POV)
"Naminè…" Hot breath in my ear gave a chill down my back, and I rolled over.
"Mmm?" I opened my eyes slowly. Roxas grabbed my attention. He leaned over me, reaching down to move a bang.
"Hey." I blinked before rubbing my eyes.
"Where am I?"
"Castle That Never Was." I narrowed my eyes. The Hell? Castle that never was…oh, it's one of those supernatural things. I nodded and sat up.
"OK, where's that?"
"Another world." I rolled my eyes. OH great, more stuff to complicate my already horrible life.
"Never mind. Why am I here?"
"Superior wants to see you." Superior. That name angered, and scared me at the same time. That title appeared in my dreams often these days. In fact, it was just mentioned.
"…He's…real?" I choked out with a frightened expression. All I could see was his lips, and tufts of hair. The rest was lost to his hood.
"Unfortunately. C'mon." He helped me up, and I finally realized how the whole room was black. The carpet, the furniture, the walls, even the accessories.
"Wow, dark much?"
"I like it that way, thank you." I saw a smile, and it made me feel less afraid.
(The Head Honcho)
I was brought to an all white room (jeez, what's up with the black, and white?) with extremely tall chairs against the walls. I guessed that the people in black cloaks were the 13 Members. Some I instantly recognized. Others were new.
"Ah! Memory Witch! How did the hologram suited you?" My first impression of Superior was cruel, and repulsive. Now I could add mentally disturbed to the list.
"Er, excuse me?" I narrowed my eyes, and shifted them to Roxas. He turned into a dark cloud and shifted through the air until he was sitting at a large chair. So I guess I was all alone.
"So no one has told you?" He looked at the others before beaming down at me. I admitted his smile scared me near death.
"Naminè, that life was an imitation. It was pieced together by memories of your original, and Roxas's, and the one that bears the Way to Dawn."
"The what?" I was beyond stumped again. Why is it that I'm always left confused in these tight situations?
"He means Riku." I knew that was Axel without looking at him. I just knew by his voice, even though it was cold.
"Sora is my original." I knew that one too. Roxas, of course. I took in everyone's face until I reeled back to…Xemnas.
"Since you're so baffled, why don't we have DiZ assist you?" Xemnas, made a gesture with his hand, and the hairs on the back of my neck rose. I looked over my shoulder.
But DiZ appeared in front of me.
"DiZ? You're not a hologram? And…you know them?" I asked. I thought he was merely a computer system built to respond to voice. But he's an actual person. Which means that I've made a huge mistake.
He laughed heartily. Call me blonde, but I didn't understand the joke here. "Know them? I'm in league with them, you fool!" Before any protests or smart comebacks, I was grabbed by the arm, and pulled forward harshly. He stabbed a needle in my arm that made me yelp. I tried to jerk away but he had a stone grip.
The strange serum entered my veins and everything went silent. Still. Numb. I thought my pupils dilated because they began to ache, and my hands trembled. It felt like I was being pulled but my body was still. I knew this feeling. I was experiencing the same things right before I had one of the dreams. My sight swirled into a black abyss.
Flash
"Roxas I can't stay here! Not when Xemnas is going to—"
"Going to what?! You keep saying that he's going to do something horrible, and then you stop! What is it?"
"…H-h-he's—"
Flash
"I hate you, so much." I murmured.
"…Why?" Roxas raised his head from his arm lazily.
"Because, you're a boy. And boys are treated fair when it comes to certain things. Like how Marluxia let Demyx pick flowers from his favorite garden, but not me!
Because I'm a 'clumsy girl and could hurt his precious babies'! " I huffed, and he laughed. He returned to sleep without another word. I smiled.
Flash
"Hey, Axel. Have you seen Marluxia? I need to bring him his shampoo back." The redhead flipped another page in the porn mag then smiled.
"In DiZ's office last time I saw him..." He turned the magazine on it's side, and the rest of it folded out. "Whoa." Axel murmured.
I rolled my eyes, and set off again. I reached the office a bit later, finding a stricken Marluxia there.
"Uh...Marluxia?" I spoke, and he jumped. The papers he had flown into the air.
"Holy Gauco--Naminè! It's just you...why are you here, darling?" He threw a strange look my way. I held up his bottle.
"Your shampoo? Unless you don't want your hair to smell like 'Lavender Roses in the Midnight Breeze'." I giggled while he rushed to me. He snatched up the bottle.
"Oh Goodness, my set would've never been complete without it! Thanks, hun." We gave mock air kisses, and he left.
I looked at the mess he neglected to clean, and put it upon myself. But the papers held secrets within them. I read them, and lost air.
Flash
"Naminè, you're not listening!" DiZ roared at me. I remained on my feet instead of cowering like my old self. Now that I understood their goal in P.L.A.N., I wanted to confront them about their decisions. Didn't they understand the consequences?
"I don't listen to the likes of you!" I shouted back. His temper rose as did his tone.
"Don't you understand that the P.L.A.N. is to HELP you?!" I saw straight past his mind tricks. No, he wouldn't change my judgment.
"That's not the point, DiZ! The originals deserve to be free! We don't have the right to do things like experiment on them like they're...like they're animals!"
"But Naminè, that's what you do when you're the bad guy! You do what's necessary to achieve your goals!"
"Well, bad guy or not, I don't want any part in this." I spoke sternly. Sure, I wanted my own heart, but to take it from Kairi...no!
"Im sorry, but you play a very big role in this. Whether willingly or by force."
"You wouldn't dare touch me!"
"I wouldn't, but Superior would." It was then that I felt a strong hand wrap from behind me, and cover my mouth before I could scream.
Flash
"…H-h-he's--...H-he might s-sacrifice us!" I finally said it. I handed him a certain paper, and he read it with a perplexed look. After he was done, he looked like he was about to give me The Look.
"It says we'll have to take our Originals' hearts to get our own. Big deal." He shrugged.
"But don't you see? Our Originals are us! There apart of us, Roxas!" I couldn't believe that he didn't care. Maybe he really was as heartless as I refused to believe...
" A part that we need to have our own hearts. Why do you care?" He seemed just as disbelieving as me.
"Because...! It's not right--"
"Naminè, were not supposed to do the right things!" He laughed.
"Not you too..."
Flash
"I don't want to do this but you're causing a very annoying problem within my plans." Xemnas smiled in a way to taunt me. I struggled from Saix's grip.
"I still won't help you when I come back!" They both laughed.
"You won't have a choice, you ungrateful Witch." Saix tightened on me when I shuddered.
"It's time Number VII, throw her in." Saix acted without hesitation. He literally threw into the green tube, and pressed Enter on the keyboard. I saw my legs flutter into green data, and lead upwards. In fear, I banged against the glass that separated me from the other three Nobodies in the room.
"Roxas." I whispered to him helplessly, standing far off near the door way. I pressed my palms against the clear wall before I materialzed into the city DiZ created: Twinkling City.
(Roxas's POV)
She gasped after DiZ injected the needle. Subconsciously, she gripped his sleeve, and he held her there for a moment or two. Then everything went into slow motion.
Naminè let a breath then closed her eyes. She lifted herself up from the previous hunched over position. Suddenly, Naminè reached into DiZ's pocket, took out his taser, and zapped him with it.
Time reverted to normal, and there were shared gasps or muffled cackles. Wow, Naminè had balls. But the most important matter was if she remembered everything.
(Naminè POV)
After giving DiZ a very large amount of electricity to his abdomen, I turned to Xemnas with a straight face. He didn't even seem to notice DiZ on the floor whimpering.
"Have you regained your memory, Witch?" (was his comment clichè or irony?) Xemnas's resembled that of a rock: stone-cold. I kicked DiZ sort of softly.
"Ask him." I gave myself a pat on the back for literally shocking him. When I bent over, I could see the weapon clearly in his cloak pocket. The opportunity had my name embroidered on it. How could not use it against the one man who had fooled me back in the hologram? How could I resist the temptation to induce pain on the same man that tortured me by focing me to live that false life? Revenge was sweet.
"Meeting is adjourned. Number XIII, escort the Memory Witch to her room, and brief her on the new plan." Some members dissipated into a dark cloud, teleported from their seats, or jumped from their chairs to land next to me.
"Nami, are you really back?" Demyx asked, while circling me and rubbing his chin. I tripped him when the chance came, and he fell with an 'Oof'.
"Anyone could do that." Axel said and stepped to me. He smirked, and I rose an eyebrow.
"Still reading Porno for the Pyro?" My lips curved considerably upward, and the others laughed. Axel's face spread into a mile long smile.
"So you finally got it memorized, eh?"
"It's good to have you back, Naminè." Zexion said before he walked past me.
"Likewise." I nodded.
Of course, I wasn't really back. No, the hologram produced a stubborn me that believed everything that DiZ said. She wouldn't disappear without a fight. But being traped within my own mind for God-knows-how-long can teach you a few things. So, may the better me win.
"Naminè?" Roxas stepped forward. The others, started to nudge each other, and whispered. He gave them an irked look over the shoulder, and they disappeared.
"Yes?" I titled my head, and smiled. He returned it times five. I mentally swooned, but remained my composure.
"Well? What are you waiting for?" He took my hand, intertwined his fingers, and we both entered his called transportation.
(With Roxas)
"Are you going to fight back this time?" Roxas inquired with dismay on full-blast within his voice. There was hope behind it but mostly clouded by doubt.
"Nope." I said and flipped a page in the packet that contained ot whole new idea to follow. And I read right, I would the main star in this gig.
Roxas grin liked a chesire cat, but cleared his throat, as if he was trying to act casual. "Why?" He couldn't hide the tremor of glee going about his tone.
"Being stuck in the computer program made me think, why should I care? We deserve hearts too, and who the hell says we have to live within Sora and Kairi, or fade into Kingdom Hearts? If it wasn't for their idiotic mistakes, we wouldn't even be here in the first place. So, I should have a heart just as much as the next Nobody. Besides, I don't have any guilt or resentment to hold me back."
"Really?" He didn't sound as unsure as before.
"Really." I glanced at him, and blushes were shared when we both smiled at one another.
For the few minutes that had passed by, I had fought for control again with the Fake me. She was really annoying and kept on complaining about taking her sister's heart. Then I had to tell her that she was actually just an obstacle in my way of achieving my own existence. After that, she got depressed and cried over Riku. Which reminded me: there's no more rebound! I'm in control, and soon Riku will be out of the picture. Possibly forever.
I mean, it's not like I don't like the guy. It's just Zexion's original is missing...
So I told Roxas that the whole i-got-dumped-so-you-have-to-back-off-for-a-while thing was over, and I swore I didn't even have time to slightly giggle before my crush planted one on me.
It was light at first, just to make sure I wouldn't revert and yell at him, and then it became a passionate frenzy (yes, tongues and all). I've missed these kisses. The ones that make my stomach flutter and my nerves buzz with electricity.
And I've missed the contact most of all. Being in DiZ's computer caused me to literally crumble and some data-made me to form. I never felt anything she went through, and was forced to watch it all. She had all these great moments, but I was forced to see it through her eyes, and experience nothing. It was torture worse than death.
Which brings me to why I want a heart so badly. It would be just like this moment but ten times better because I'd finally feel my heart soar, and tell Roxas 'I love you', and mean it.
I was aware of the small beat in Roxas's chest, and pulled back, gasping. I really felt it! Exictedly, I squeezed him near death, and the little pang picked up some speed. I giggled, and I knew he was beaming down on me. God, I wished this moment could last forever...!
"We're not that far...from getting our own..." I whispered into his chest, and finally knew that soon I could everything I've ever wished for.
A/n: Yeah, it's still here. Thanx to special requests. Im sorry this chapter was long, and sort of got crappy near the ending but i had to squeeze everything in, and-and...i promise you'll LUV the next, and last chapter![expect ripping of hearts!im so excited Which will be updated tommorrow or later so i can get this story off my To Do list, and completely concentrate on Free Fate[another namixas but with namiku/namiluxia/somine. SO...yeah...it's almost done!yay!...?
Sora: Did she just say she was excited about "ripping out hearts"?
me: yup, and your gonna be a victim!muhawawawaawa!being evil rox![high fives roxas&nami
C YA L8TER!--randomness: you're so far gone--