A Little Too Far For Me To Reach.

I never mustered up the courage to ask Naminé why she was behaving so strangely at the vet's office. I had a feeling if I asked her she wouldn't tell me anyway.

Oh well.

Friday was approaching, and I was growing more and more nervous. I really wanted to know what Riku was hiding from us. What could possibly be so important that he had to invite me to the party so I could be informed? It had to do something with Naminé...I just knew it. There had to be something involving her. Why else would he invite me?

And why would he invite Axel - I mean...Jacques and Ventus? Even as our alter-egos Axel and I weren't exactly close with Riku. This had to be something big if he was willing to invite us.

Naminé seemed anxious about it too, which was perfectly understandable. Her boyfriend - or whatever he was to her - was hiding something from her. Anybody would be on-edge if they were in her situation.

"Do you think it has anything to do with me?" She asked me Wednesday evening. We were at my place, but before we headed over we stopped by Naminé's to take Salty to the vet for his shots and checkup. She seethed over Aqua - I mean Doctor Uetake - again, much to my confusion. I didn't get what there was to be so jealous over. I thought Doctor Uetake was a nice person.

"I dunno," I shrugged as I prepared Salty some dinner, "Maybe." I walked back into the television room and pushed a bowl of cat food over to our 'baby'. Salty sniffed it conspicuously before shrugging and digging in. "It's gotta be something big, though."

She pulled on her hair. "You think so?" She asked quietly as she watched Salty happily munch on his food.

I took my seat beside her on the couch and ruffled my hair. "I suppose so," I answered slowly, "I mean...it's gotta be something important if he's inviting a stranger like me."

She snorted. "You're no stranger, Roxas."

"To him, I am!"

She pulled harder on her hair. "Oh...that reminds me. Riku was talking to Sora the other day…"

My heart almost stopped. I almost forgot him and my brother were best friends. Oh no, this can't be good.

"He invited him to the party, and Sora said he could go." She turned to me. "I thought you said you were going to visit your dad?"

Crap, I should've called Sora the minute I found out about this stupid party! Why didn't I think of that before? Crap, crap, crap… "Uh," Even Salty momentarily paused his dinner to stare suspiciously at me, "He decided last-minute to go. I guess he really wanted to see what Riku's been hiding too."

She frowned, and I swear I saw Salty roll his eyes. "But...you're still not coming…?"

My neck began to grow hot, and I nervously tugged on my collar. "I already confirmed that I was going home for the day...I'm sorry, Naminé. I didn't know it meant so much to you if I went."

She shook her head. I couldn't help but notice how sad she looked, and it brought an ache to my chest. "No, no," She smiled, but it was still sad-looking, "You're entitled to your family. I can't interfere with that." She rubbed her upper arm and looked away, and I frowned. I didn't like this at all.

Salty mewled and crawled over to her, and she gave him a sad smile and pulled him onto her lap. "See," I chuckled in an attempt to lighten the mood, "Salty knows when his mommy's not okay." I tickled the fur behind his ears, and I smiled when he squirmed in delight.

My shorter companion laughed and shook her head. She leaned in to press her head against my shoulder, and I tried my best not to bury my face into her hair. "I don't know what's gotten over me lately."

To be honest with you, I mentally replied to her as I slowly wrapped my arms around her small body, I don't know either… I closed my eyes against her and breathed in deep, But I would really like to know.

"Riku said his French friends are going to be there," She spoke up, and I looked down at her, "Well, just Jacques and Mateo. The girl can't go."

I began to grow warm again. "Er...what about the other guy?"

"Ventus?" She tilted her head a little, "Yeah, I think he's coming too. Hm, I haven't seen him in awhile. I wonder how he's been."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're saying that as if you've seen the others more often than him."

She blinked up at me. "I have. I saw Jacques and Mateo a week ago or something...I don't remember exactly when. It was a weekday, though."

My eyes widened. "W-what?" It took a herculean effort to keep myself from exclaiming.

Axel was hanging out with Riku without telling me? What the hell?

"Yeah," My shorter friend shrugged nonchalantly as she continued to play with Salty's fur, "Remember that one day I said I couldn't have lunch with you at work? It was because Riku and I had lunch with them." She giggled behind her hand as she thought back to some past pleasant memory. "They're really funny."

Now that I think about it, there was that one day where Axel, Demyx and Naminé were suspiciously too busy to have lunch with me...

I felt lightheaded for some reason. I brushed my bangs away from my face and shook my head. "Huh, that's interesting. I guess it'll be nice to see Ventus again."

She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I'm actually eager to see him for some reason. He's interesting to talk to."

A lump grew in my throat. I could feel Salty's eyes on me. "But you've only talked to him once before...and didn't you say he was weird or something?"

"Yes, but...I dunno," Naminé shrugged as she fiddled with Salty's ears, "His weirdness is admirable. Kind of like you."

My eyes dulled. "Are you saying I'm weird?"

She grinned up at me. "Duh." When I poked her sides she twisted around and giggled. "Well, in a general sense I always try to see the quirky side in everyone. I think that's their most attractive side."

Curious, I leaned in a little. "Why?"

"Because I personally think the weird side to a person is their most honest side," The blonde replied softly as Salty began to climb up to her shoulders, "I feel like you're most like yourself when you're weird. Basically the weirder you are the more you you are." She leaned against me again, and my pulse began to stutter. "And," She added in a quieter voice, "The weirder you are...the more I like you."

I scratched my head. "Huh, I guess that makes sense." Salty crawled from her shoulder to mine; he was almost on top of my head now. His paw was finally beginning to let up, so it was easier for him to climb and whatnot. "So...exactly how weird am I to you?"

Naminé watched Salty hang the upper portion of his body over my head so he was covering my eyes (I think he was trying to swipe at my bangs), and she giggled before prying him off of me. "You're probably one of the weirdest people I've ever had the fortune of meeting."

My face was probably entirely red by now. I think Salty was laughing at me.

Was she implying something? I really hoped she was.

I wonder how weird she thought Riku was?

After Naminé and Salty went home I decided to call Sora to see what's up. I was still beating myself up over not thinking of calling him when I found out about Riku's party. Seriously...it should've been one of the first things I should've done…

"Oops," Sora mumbled sheepishly on the other line once I finished explaining everything, "Well, I didn't-"

"I know you didn't know," I sighed, "It's not your fault. Don't worry...I think I have it all cleared up."

"Do you?"

"Yeah," I wandered into my room and sat on the edge of my bed, "I managed to give Naminé another stupid excuse but I honestly think she thinks I'm lying."

"I would if I were her," My twin brother added cheekily, "You're horrible at lying."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks. Anyway I think she bought it...but at the same time I think she knows I'm up to something."

"I wouldn't blame her."

"Shut up. So...who's gonna watch the kids? I'm gonna be busy pretending to be Ventus, remember?"

"Ah, Kairi said she's gonna sit this one out," Sora replied casually, "I know Riku probably wants her to come but she insisted on staying home for some reason. I think it's because she knows something's gonna happen."

For some reason I agreed with my brother's wife. "I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case. I mean...from what we know so far it's pretty much a setup for something to happen: Riku is hiding something from everyone, Axel, Demyx and I are there in disguise…"

"It'll be interesting to see how things play out, at least." Sora chuckled. "Anyways, I have to go. I guess I'll see you Friday?"

"Yep," I rumpled my hair, "But you have to remember that I'm a total stranger to you! Pretend you don't know me or Axel!"

"Gee, Roxas...I 'm not that dumb."

I chuckled. "Just making sure. Later."

On Thursday I was so nervous for some reason I couldn't even sit still.

I guess this is what happens when I over-think things.

"For the billionth time," Axel rolled his eyes as he crossed his hands behind his head, "He's not gonna propose to her. Will you calm down already? You're starting to freak me out."

"Maybe Riku found out something that changed his life," Demyx shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe he found out he's gay and he wants to come out to everybody at the same time so he doesn't have to go through the trouble of repeating himself." When everybody wordlessly stared at him he shrugged again. "Well, it made sense to me."

"I dunno," Larxene was scarfing down a box of Chinese noodles beside the redhead, "It's kinda entertaining when he's all bothered like this." She paused just as she was about to stuff another wad of noodles into her mouth. "Ugh...I want to stop but it's soooo good…" She glared at the redhead sitting beside her and threateningly snapped her chopsticks at him, imitating the jowls of an alligator. "This is all your fault."

And I thought non-pregnant Larxene was scary enough.

"Now that Sora's going to this party I think it'll be easier for us to get to know Riku a bit more," My male best friend snickered, "If we ever need a distraction your brother would probably be the best candidate for it."

I mussed up my hair. "Yeah, I guess...but that doesn't stop me from worrying about what Riku's hiding from everyone."

"I don't think anything will." Larxene muttered with her mouth full of noodles.

"And hey," Demyx rubbed the underside of his nose, "I mean, if Riku does end up proposing there's always a chance Naminé could refuse."

I buried my face in my hands. "She'd have to be insane to do that. We can all plainly see she's madly in love with him." I sighed and sat up straight, throwing my head against the backrest of my seat. "Ugh, I have a bad feeling about this."

"Don't be such a negative ninny," Axel rolled his sharp green eyes, "This thing Riku's hiding from everyone...I bet it isn't even a big deal. I know for sure it's got nothing to do with Naminé, so I'd really prefer if you stopped moping about it."

I leaned into my palm. "I know...but I can't stop thinking that it is. You don't know how difficult it's been for me lately," My voice hardened as my frustration bubbled inside of me, "I mean, now that I know Riku a bit better...it's obvious to see I have little to nothing against this guy." As quickly as it came my anger disappeared and I hung my head. "Naminé won't waste her time on a guy like me."

"Y'know," Larxene slammed her box of noodles on my desk to capture my attention; I looked up and noticed that she had leaned forward so that her elbows rested on the edge of my desk, "I'm getting really tired of you complaining about the same thing over and over again. You've been wallowing in your self-pity for so long you can't even catch a glimpse of the fact that you do have a chance, even if it does seem a little slim."

I would've never imagined Larxene as the type who would give an encouraging pep-talk, so I decided to listen. I was pretty sure Axel and Demyx were thinking the same because they grew silent all of a sudden. "Er…"

She rolled her hazel-green eyes. "Ugh, I don't even know why I'm bothering to help a loser like you. Must be the hormones." She shook her head. "Anyway, back to what I was saying...there's gotta be a reason why she's giving you all of these mixed signals."

I blinked in confusion. "Um...I don't follow."

She smacked her own forehead. "Of course you don't. I think she does feel something for you...but at the same time I don't even think she's aware of it. You guys do crap best friends aren't supposed to be doing, right?" When I nodded she smirked. "Yeah, see - she probably does like you but because this Riku dude's in the way she's sort of distracted."

I scratched my head and pointed my eyes towards my shoes. "So...what do you suppose I do, then…?"

"You don't give up, that's what you do. Isn't it obvious?" When I blinked back, still confused, the blonde groaned. "You are so useless - do I have to explain everything for you? God, all men really are the same." She ran a hand through her slick hair and heaved a sigh. "If you keep complaining about how you'll never be good enough for her it's gonna come true. You have to keep telling yourself that no matter what you're gonna end up with this girl, because that's the way you want things to be. When you want something, you don't give up until it's yours. Got it memorized?" Her eyebrows knitted together in confusion for a second and she smacked herself again. She swiveled around in her chair and glared at Axel, whose eyes widened by just a fraction. "You idiot - look what you're doing to me!"

I was sort of starting to feel bad for their future baby now. I straightened up and combed my fingers through my hair. "Y-yeah...I can see where you're coming from. Thanks, Larxene." I was pretty sure she didn't hear me because she was currently bickering with Axel.

Demyx smirked and crossed his arms. "I've never seen two people so in love before."

I stared up at him. "That's love?"

The dirty-blond grinned down at me. "Depends on how you look at it."

Thursday passed quickly, and before I knew it Friday afternoon was upon us. I was walking with Naminé out of the office and into the elevator. I noticed the crestfallen expression on her ashen face and I gulped.

"Hey," She looked up at me and I smiled my best for her, "Don't look so sad. You're going to a party tonight."

The corner of her mouth twitched a little, but she didn't smile. "I know…" She reached up to pull on her hair, "But...I dunno. I'm just really anxious about what Riku has to say tonight…" She then added in a much quieter voice, "And I really wanted you to be there…"

I chuckled nervously, though my hand was speeding through my hair. "I dunno why it would matter if I was there or not. Riku and I have only met once."

"But this isn't about Riku," She replied in a whiny voice as I pressed the elevator button, "This is...t-this about you and me."

My heart was screaming for its life. I slowly turned to face her, fully aware that my face was probably a tomato-red. "W-what do you mean?"

Larxene's lecture from the day before replayed in my head:

"She probably does like you but because this Riku dude's in the way she's sort of distracted."

Could that really be true? Maybe that conversation we had before we discovered Salty stirred something inside of her. Maybe she couldn't stop thinking about it since then. Maybe she was finally beginning to realize she really feel something for me, and she's just confused because she still had feelings for Riku. My chest was swelling with the possibilities.

"I…" She threw her eyes to her shoes, "I really have a feeling this announcement has something to do with me. I don't mean to sound conceited or anything but I really, really have a feeling I'm going to be affected by this somehow," She bit her lip for a second, "And...I wanted you to be there because you're the only one who would make me feel better."

The elevator doors slid open and we walked inside. "Naminé," I addressed her, and when she looked up with me with tear-glazed eyes a painful lump grew in the middle of my esophagus, "You know there's a possibility of you getting positively affected by this...announcement thing."

She shook her white-blonde head. "But I have a feeling it's going to be bad. I've been dreading and anticipating this day for awhile, but lately the dread's been overcoming the anticipation and…" She clamped her eyes shut and gripped her head, like she had a terrible headache. "I just don't know anymore, Roxas. I'm so confused."

I didn't know what else to say. I was afraid if I said anything else the mood would only worsen, so I did what any other person in my situation would've done: opened my arms to her. She laughed a watery laugh and stepped into my embrace, nuzzling her head against my shoulder and squeezing my neck with her skinny arms. I hushed her and rubbed her lower back with my hands to cease her crying.

Ever since I found out I was in love with her seeing Naminé hurt was probably the worst things I've ever experienced. It wasn't like she didn't look appealing when she was crying or whatever - I personally thought she was beautiful no matter what - it was just the feeling I got whenever I saw her in pain. It made me feel like I was in pain too, like whatever was hurting her was hurting me at the same time.

Personally I would've rather have myself get hurt if it meant nothing would ever hurt her anymore.

The dinging of the elevator scared us apart, and we smiled at each other shyly before making our way out. Maybe one day I'll be able to tell her that. I wonder if that would make her happy...or feel really awkward.

There I go again with my negative thinking. I should really heed Larxene's advice - who knows what she would do if she found out I wasn't…

"So," I felt her fingers against my arm and I looked at her, "I'm guessing you're leaving for your parents' now?"

"Yeah," I dug into my pockets for my keys, "Well, I'm heading home for a few minutes to get a few things and then I'm off. I should be back by tomorrow morning, though, so if you want to tell me what happened I'll be around tomorrow - that is, if you can't wait 'till Sunday."

She giggled behind her hand. "I probably won't be able to wait, so expect a call from me." She hugged me again and stood on her tiptoes to daintily plant a kiss on my cheek. I sucked in a sharp breath and hoped she didn't notice. "Thank you, Roxas. You've done so much for me."

I raised an eyebrow once she let go of me. "I have?"

"Yes," She smiled vaguely, "You have. Trust me." She waved before skipping off to her car.

"Don't miss me too much!" I hollered back jokingly as I began to make my way towards my own car.

"Tell that to Salty!" She shouted back before ducking inside the driver's seat.

First Riku with his 'lucky guy' quote, and now Naminé - well, Naminé's always been vague with these sorts of things but this one was probably the hardest to decipher.

Why couldn't anybody be straightforward anymore?

A/N: Chapter Inspiration: Always Be by Jimmy Eat World.