Delphigirl689: Here's the next chapter and, fair warning, there's a bit of a time skip in this one. Not much, but a little ahead. Thanx to all you who reviewed!

Kairi talking

Naminé talking

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(Kairi's POV)

Three weeks…

Three long, agonizing weeks…

That's how long I've been Lightning's pupil in the art of fencing.

But despite the aches and pains, I kept on going.

It really wasn't the training that was painful. Lightning told me I was progressing pretty fast for a beginner. I told her if there was one thing in the world I was good at doing, it was learning at the speed of sound.

Anyway, the real challenge was shifting my daily routine to fit with training hours, and let me tell you: it's the worst thing you can do to yourself.

At school, my grades were relatively the same as before my training, but my classmates have become distant. They probably feel as though I'm ignoring them out of spite when I just don't have enough time anymore. Under different circumstances I'd hang out with Selphie, Lulu, and Refia, but I have to keep training.

I'd tell them, but they wouldn't believe me.

Right now… moments like this… walking home from school alone… it really makes me think I made a mistake.

Maybe I should stop?

"DON'T!" cried Naminé.

I stopped in my tracks at the sound of my Nobody's voice.

"Don't give up, Kairi! You've already come so far!" she said pleadingly.

I breathed a heavy sigh, trying to hold back the tears, "I…I can't…I can't do it anymore! My rhythmic gymnastics teammates think I'm abandoning them because of all my tardies and absences! My classmates won't talk to me at school! Even my parents are growing distant from me! How can I…how can I keep moving if I'm all alone?!"

It was then the tears came rushing down my cheeks. I fell to my knees and covered my face with my hands in hopes of somehow stopping them.

Then a warm hand touched my shoulder. I looked up and saw Naminé looking right into my eyes empathetically.

"I know what it's like to be completely alone, even with others around me," she said sadly, "But you're not alone; not completely. If your friends doubt you, tell them what's happening. I'm sure after all that's happened these past few years they'll believe you. So will your gymnastics friends and your parents. And if that doesn't work, you'll still have me on your side."

Looking at her, I could feel the sincerity flowing from her like a calming breeze in the midst of a maelstrom.

My streams of tears slowed and I wiped them away with my arm.

Naminé…you're not a Nobody…you're just like a sister.

"Thank you, Naminé," I told her finally, "I'm glad I have you here."

She smiled sweetly as she faded back into me.

I knew she was right; if I gave up now, I'd never forgive myself.

So what if the road is long and hard!

If I can make it through, I'll be one step closer to realizing my wish: to protect everyone I love.

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Delphigirl689: There you have it! Sorry it's so short, but I promise it will be longer next time! Until then, Read and Review, pretty please!