~…And I will say

Time.

Someday, things will be right

But until then

Time is all that is needed~

Chapter 10:Getting A Second Chance

They were standing in the soccer field of their school. The wind blew harshly, showing the end of fall as winter approached.

"Wh-What?"

"Are your ears starting to stop working now also?" He said. He didn't want to say this. But he had to. It was the only way she would listen. "Go. I don't care. It'll be a relief, really. It's been a burden having to always watch over you so much, I don't know how your brothers stand it. It's really annoying and honestly? A bit sickening to do it almost everyday. Just get lost already."

"A burden…" he could barely hear her voice above the wind. It was quieter then usual but he could still hear the hurt in it as if she shouted it. He didn't want to do it. But the hurt was too much; he had to turn to look at her and instantly regretted it.

Tears flowed down her face like a never ending river, making her cerulean eyes shine brightly. He turned back around.

"I guess…I'll leave then," She said. "I'm sorry I…I b-burdened you for so long…Good-Good-Bye then, Roxas."

He didn't turn around this time. Just listened as her foot steps grew quieter and quieter.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, he started to leave to soccer field, whispering, "Good-Bye Naminé…I'm…I'm sorry."

Roxas groaned, holding his jaw, stumbling back a few paces. He forgot Kairi had a hard hit. Sure, he's gotten harder hits before but that didn't mean it still didn't hurt.

"You did what?" She yelled.

"Calm down Kairi," Riku held her back.

"You jerk! How could you-your such-Bastard!"

"Kairi, calm down," Sora said. He stepped in-between them, his hands held up.

"How can I when he-?"

"Yo, Roxas!" The spiky haired blonde had never been so grateful to see his friend in his life. Carefully and quickly, he managed to get past Kairi, albeit tripping slightly because of Riku sticking his foot out last second, and made his way to Axel, who looked like he was trying not to laugh.

"Sora, would your family be mad if I killed him?" Kairi asked, glaring at the doors her boyfriends cousin disappeared through.

"Er, yeah. My mother actually likes him, and Ven would be upset," Sora said.

"Well that just sucks," Kairi muttered under her breath before saying, "Riku, you can let me go now."

"You sure you're not just gonna run down the hall after him?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I would, but as much as I hate to say it, the guy's faster than me and probably found a place to hide already." The redhead said bitterly.

Reluctantly, Riku let her go which surprised her slightly; not the letting go part, but the reluctant part. She thought for sure the silver haired boy would be the first to want to hit Roxas. Unless-

Her eyes widened.

"You knew." She said, turning to face him. "You knew this whole time, didn't you?"

"I didn't find out until after she moved back," Riku ran a hand through his silver locks. "When we went out that one day she dropped some hints and I guessed from there."

"Um, I don't mean to interrupt your-uh-conversation," Selphie said, looking slightly uncomfortable. "And I don't want to sound like bitch but, so he said some awful things to her. I mean, really awful things but, couldn't she get over it? It's been, what? Two years, right?"

"It's not that simple Selphie," Sora said.

"Why not?"

"Er, well…" he looked at Kairi, as if almost asking for permission.

Sighing, Kairi sunk down into one of the chairs.

"Naminé's dad died when she was three or four. It was about then she started getting sick, but it didn't get worse until she was about five. That's when they started her on a bunch of drugs to help her. She ended up coming to the hospital because her fever got so dangerously high. I think that's when she met him," She jerked her head towards the doors where Roxas and Axel left through.

"Anyway, after she left the hospital her…Mother-" Kairi practically spat the word as though it were poison. "-started to abuse her."

Olette, who had been really quiet the whole time, just watching, looked shocked.

"A-Abuse her? How? She-She wasn't hit was she?"

"No," Riku shook his head. "She never laid a hand on her. Instead, she hurt Naminé with words. She'd tell her how useless she was, how she didn't know why she took care of her." His turquoise eyes narrowed. "Burden; that was the worst one. That word is basically Taboo. Naminé's Mother, Anita Strife, would use it to the point she would start crying. The Emotional Abuse was probably worse then if she was Physically Abused."

"Oh my," Olette cover her mouth with her hand.

"Is that why Naminé never talks about her mother?" Selphie asked. She sat next to Kairi, looking a bit dazed.

"One of them," Sora said. "Actually, Nams mom up and left. And when she did, she said she wanted nothing to do with Naminé, and said basically everything Roxas did only crueller."

"So you can see why Kairi freaked the way she did," Riku said.

Kairi didn't say anything. She started rubbing her hand, looking deep in thought.

"Hey-" Selphie stood up, looking up and down the hallway.

"Where's Olette? She was just here."

"Wow, she really socked you good."

"Oh shut up." Roxas rubbed his jaw, wincing at how sore it was.

"Hey, it could have been worse." Axel shrugged.

"Yeah," Roxas couldn't argue with that. Though if it weren't for Riku, she'd probably cut off his head without a second thought. Good thing Axel provided a good distraction so he could get away until they got outside.

Not that he blamed Kairi for her reaction. Actually, after he finished telling what happened she just stood there in a daze for a few seconds.

Then she punched him.

"On a different note, there's a mission for us tonight." Axel said.

"Forget it, I'm not leaving here." Roxas said quickly.

"It's just a few hours."

"I'm not leaving her."

Axel sighed, clearly frustrated. He didn't want to do it, but it was time to play the dirty.

"What if I told you that it'll give us answers about not just Marluxia, but Xion as well." As expected, he saw Roxas flinch.

"That's not fair Axel." He said quietly.

"Life isn't fair. Being part of the Organization means hard choices and sometimes sacrifice. Got it memorized?" Axel started walking away. "Just come to get us in, then you can leave. We'll do the rest. I'll come by to get you in a few hours."

"Whatever," Roxas muttered, leaning back against the wall.

"You really like making things difficult for yourself, huh?"

"Wha-" Surprised, he turned to see Olette walking out.

"Oh, hey," He said, feeling awkward. Not many people know this, but he and Olette used to go to École Sunset Hill with him in the Ninth grade but then just after the second semester her family moved across town, and she had to transfer schools. "What do you want?"

"I wanted to see if your okay," She said, leaning against the wall beside him. "It looked like Kairi hit you pretty hard."

"I'm fine. Can barely feel it anymore," And it was true. He almost forgot he even got punched in the jaw. "Honestly, I was expecting worse."

"You know, I've never seen Kairi not get along with someone before."

"We get along okay. That's is, until May is involved," Roxas snorted. "I think she shelters her too much, and acts like she's a little kid half the time. Though I can't say I don't understand it. Cloud's like that too. If he had it his way she wouldn't leave the house."

"May?" Olette looked confused.

"When we first met she introduced her self so quietly I only heard the 'né' part, but it sounded like she said 'May'. So I call her that sometimes."

"You really like her, huh?"

"How can you tell?" Roxas didn't bother to deny it. He really didn't see any point too.

"For one, you always shut away people you care about." Olette said. "Remember, two months before I switched schools you stopped talking to me. I thought it was because you didn't want to be my friend anymore, but really it was because you were getting more into your gang and you didn't want me involved. Right?"

Roxas stared at the ground, his eyes slightly narrowed. Yeah, he did remember. He also remember how hurt she looked because of it.

Before he could apologize for being a jerk back then she went on.

"And Second, you get this look in your eyes when you look at her. Even at school I noticed it."

Roxas looked up at the Brunette, confused.

"What look?"

"Your eyes shine. But they also have a little pain in them. It's obvious she's special to you."

"Yeah, she is."

"But, sorry if I sound mean, what you did was rather cruel. Especially with what happened with her mother."

"Kairi told you?"

"And Riku and Sora."

Roxas sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"I know. It was lower then low, and that's why I'm not mad at Kairi for hitting me. Sure, I don't like her sometimes but if I found out someone said that to Naminé, I would hit them too. Hell, I'd do worse then that."

"What are you going to do?"

"Anything." Roxas said firmly.

"You're really devoted to her, huh?" Olette smiled. For some reason, her words made him blush slightly.

Olette's phone rang then. She took it out of her purse, answering it.

"Hello?…Sorry. Where did you say you were again?…Kay, I'll be two minutes." ending the phone call, she turned back to the blonde.

"Selphie and I are going back to school with Riku and Sora. They're on the other side of the parking lot." She said. "They want to give Naminé some quiet time."

"Alright," Roxas nodded. "And um…thanks for the, uh, talk."

"No problem," Olette smiled again. She gave him a hug, surprising him. "You should hang out with us more. You and Hayner and Pence would get along great."

"I'll think about it," He said. She nodded and, just as she started walk away he added, "Hey, Sorry…for being a jerk."

"Heh Heh. Don't worry about it." She said.

When Roxas returned to Naminé's room, Kairi was walking out and shutting the door behind her.

"So there you are," The Redhead said when she saw him.

"Here I am," Roxas said. He went to go into the room, but she grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"Hold on," she said.

"What?" He raised an eyebrow.

Kairi glanced at the door before pulling him a couple paces away from it.

"Look, I'm not going to apologize for hitting you." She said. "What you did definitely made her fear of being a burden to people, and getting abandoned worse."

"Yeah, I know." He really wasn't surprised she didn't want to apologize to him.

"But I will apologize for calling you a jerk and a bastard." Now that took him by surprise.

"Why?"

"I thought about it, and realized you probably had your reasons for doing it," Kairi's voice turned gentle. "I do remember how you used to look at her, and even though you act before you think I know you wouldn't make a big decision like that without thinking it over first."

"Uh, thanks?"

"That being said, just because she might forgive you right away doesn't mean I will," Kairi put a hand on her hip. "It's going to take a lot of convincing before I trust you with her again."

"Even though I'm not the one planning to sneak her out first chance Cloud is gone?" Roxas said, making Kairi snort.

"How'd you know Riku was planning that?" She asked.

"It's Riku. He's always done what Naminé wants," Roxas rolled his eyes. Both chuckled briefly before Kairi spoke again.

"Roxas, I know we don't get along sometimes, but please. Don't hurt her again. I don't think she could handle it."

"Yeah, you told me how-"

"I mean her health as well," Roxas was confused to see a few tears escape Kairi's blue eyes. She hastily wiped them away.

"What's wrong?"

"That Medication she's on, it's an Experimental Drug," She paused. "She's going to kill me for telling you this."

"What?" his chest suddenly grew tight.

"It's…it's a drug for Leukemia. It's su-supposed to target the cancer cells more specifically without any side effects."

"Why would she be on a drug for Leukemia if-" He stopped. The room seemed to start spinning.

"Roxas!" Kairi grabbed his arm as he stumbled slightly.

"It-it came back?" he choked out. "H-How? I thought-"

"This is a different type. It's Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. She inherited from her dad." This time Kairi didn't bother to wipe the tears that escaped.

"You-You can't inherit Leukemia!"

"Yes you can. It's very, very, very, very rare, but you can."

"So Naminé…"

"That's why they came back." Kairi said quietly. "When they found out Naminé had it, she became really depressed. So please. If your going to come back into her life, don't you dare hurt her like that again. I never want to see her heartbroken like that again."

Roxas swallowed, trying to find his voice again. He remembered something Sora told him the night of Selphie's party.

"…Right now, Nams needs all her friends."

He now understood what he meant by that.

"I'm-I'm going to get something from the Cafeteria," Kairi said after awhile. "Cloud went to make a phone call so Nami's in the room by herself."

"R-Right." Roxas shook his head as Kairi left down the hall. He slapped his cheeks, willing himself to get together. But how could he after what Kairi just told him?

He went to the door that lead to Naminé's room, and with a sigh, opened it.

"Idiot!" He hissed, running towards her just in time to catch her. Apparently she had feeling back in her legs for she had tried walking though her legs were shaking like crazy. "You know you shouldn't try walking yet."

She ignored what he said and instead asked, "Is-Is it true?"

"That you're an idiot? Yeah it is. You're lucky I-"

"N-No. Cl-Cloud said…he said you don't…don't hate me," Those last three words were barely a whisper that he almost missed them.

'So Cloud told her' he thought.

"No, I don't hate you. I've never hated you May," He told her. He picked her up, and carried her back to the bed.

"You're a jerk for making me think that," she said, not looking at him.

"I've been told."

"Why…why did you…?" Her voice trailed off.

"Honestly, I don't know," He didn't know what the real question she wanted to ask was, but figured this would be the best answer he could give for now. Instead of sitting in the chair he sat on the edge of her bed, close to her so his arm lightly brushed hers. "Probably because I still love you."

He felt her stiffen before she finally looked up at him.

"You-" she stopped, her cerulean eyes widening.

"What?" he asked.

"Someone…told you?" She said. He was confused at first then caught on.

"Yeah. Kairi," He said. Ignoring the tight feeling that returned to his chest he asked, "How'd you know?"

In response she lifted her right hand, lightly brushing below his eyes. He'd like to think he didn't blush from the contact.

"Your eyes always get red around them when you try not to cry," She said quietly.

"So, it's really…?" he didn't finish the sentence but she understood.

"Ye-yeah."

They fell into a silence. Roxas thought about what Kairi told him, and how he knew she wasn't taking it.

"Why weren't you taking the Medication?" he asked. She hesitated before answering.

"It…it wasn't helping. It's not compatible with my system."

"It has to build up in your system first. It can't do that if you spit it out first chance you get."

"You don't take yours!" She retorted.

"Nice try. I don't needs meds anymore, and you know that." he snorted.

"I wasn't talking about that, I know your healthy now." she said. "I meant the other ones."

"I don't need them anymore." How did they go from talking about her to him?

"Liar."

"Even if I am nothing bad happens if I don't take them-"

"No, you just get violent, that's all."

"Stop trying to change the subject," He pinched the bridge of his nose, his jaw clenching. Now he remembered. She had a knack for diverting things that made her uncomfortable. "You have to take them. Aren't you scared that you might-"

"Of course I'm scared Roxas!" Naminé almost shouted. "What if I don't get better this time? I can't handle it anymore, I-I hate being careful all the time, I hate doctors looking at me like I'm-I'm some experiment!"

"Naminé-"

"I can't do it anymore! I can't-" Naminé's words were cut off as Roxas pulled her into his arms.

"Calm down," he said.

"I can't!" Tears started falling from her eyes, thick and fast. "I'm so scared Roxas."

"Hey," Roxas's voice grew gentle as he stroked her hair. This action seemed to calm her down slightly. "If you're so scared, why didn't you take them?"

She didn't reply right away.

"I just…wanted it to be over." she finally said.

Ignoring the way her words made his blood run cold, he said, "It'll be okay. Don't worry. Everything will be okay Naminé."

"H-How?"

"No idea." He said, making Naminé smile at how blunt and casual he was saying it.

They didn't get a chance to talk more after that. Naminé was feeling exhausted from everything and fell asleep soon after. Roxas hung around for a few more hours just sitting by her, occasionally holding her hand or brushing strands of hair away from her face while she slept, all the while thinking how lucky he is to be getting a second chance.

BANG!

Axel winced at the loud noise of the slamming door that followed the enraged snarl.

"Okay, that was just plain scary," Demyx stuck his up from under the table. Everyone was in the meeting room of their HQ. well, almost everyone. Xemnas left two minutes earlier, Roxas was still with Naminé and Larxene was the one who just slammed the door.

"She'll get over it," Axel shrugged his shoulders before standing. He glanced at Saïx, and said, "If she snaps on you, I'm not stepping in."

"You three should leave now. You still need to grab Roxas," He said, clearly ignoring Axel.

Rolling his eyes, Axel left the room, Demyx, and Xigbar behind him.

"Dude, I swear her eyes went red in there," Demyx shuddered.

"Like I said, she'll get over it."

"I don't know, she seemed pretty pissed. Even for her," Xigbar said.

"Huh, don't tell me your actually worried about her," Axel smirked.

"Worried. As if." Xigbar scoffed. "You should know this by now, but there's only so long you can keep a Hellcat caged before she snaps."

Luckily, Axel was saved from saying anything for his phone rang. He checked the number before answering.

"Hey, we're gonna be there soon-"

"Not going." Roxas interpreted.

"Dude, we talked about this already."

"Three things." Axel felt his eye twitch. Damn, it was annoying when the blonde ignored him like that. "First, four is too many to go. Increases the chances to get caught. Second, it's a waste of time for me to go just to unlock some files and a few doors."

"And thirdly?"

"Thirdly, I talked to Demyx, he knows what to do."

"Demyx?" Axel looked at the blonde next to him, who grinned.

"Surprisingly, he's not bad with this stuff. I think Zexion's been teaching him."

"You don't say?"

"Yeah. Gotta go." right away, Axel could hear his tone change. But before he could ask about it the boy already hung up.

"What was that about?" Xigbar asked.

"Rox isn't coming. Apparently, this blondie-" He jerked his thumb at Demyx. "-Knows what to do."

"So we have to rely on the Towel Boy?"

"Looks like it."

"We're screwed."

"Looks like it."

"Night in jail?"

"Looks like it."

"Hey!"

She was running down the never ending hallway. No matter how far and long she ran, it just went on forever.

Then she saw her. A tall woman with short blonde hair, and green eyes.

"Mama! Wait!"

"I have no use for a helpless child." She said coldly before turning around.

"Mama! Don't-Don't go! Please!

Don't leave me again!"

Naminé's eyes jerked open as she gasped for breath. She sat up, brushing her hair out of her face. A nightmare. That's all it was. Just a stupid nightmare. But even though she knew that she couldn't stop the sob that escaped her lips.

"Hey, what's wrong?" she turned to see Roxas entering the room. The only light in the room came from the door that he opened and the dim lights that came through the window so she could barley see his face.

When she didn't answer he walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"It's-It's nothing," She choked out. "Just a-a bad dream."

At first he didn't say anything. Then he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him.

"It's because you're here, isn't it?" he said quietly. She nodded, trying to get rid of her tears.

After she was sure they stopped she asked, "What-What time is it?"

"Just after midnight." he said, surprising her. She probably slept for ten hours, give or take, yet she was still tired.

"Oh." was all she said. "Um, what…are you still doing here?"

"Told you I wasn't going to leave you. Remember?" Yeah, she did. She just didn't believe him. Even now, with him next to her, his arm around her, she didn't know if she believed him. When she stayed silent he asked, "Do you want me to leave?"

Naminé's eyes widened, and before she could stop herself she said, "No!"

Roxas sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"Hold on," He stood up and walked around her bed to shut the blinds so it was almost completely dark, saved for the light the escaped the cracks in the door.

"Lay back down," He said. Hesitating at first, she laid on her left side. She could feel her face heat right up when she felt him lay next to her, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Um, can I ask you something?"

"Go right ahead."

"Why…why did you…kiss me?"

"Don't know." She'll admit, that answer did annoy her. He seemed to sense this because she felt his body vibrate as he chuckled.

"I wasn't lying when I said I still love you." he whispered in her ear, making her shiver.

She didn't say anything. She just focused on how warm his arm around her waist was as he pulled her closer.

She felt her eyes starting to get heavy. She didn't want to fall asleep yet. She wanted to keep talking to him.

"I don't know…if I'm ready to…trust you again…" She said, ending the sentence with a yawn. how could she be tired when she already slept for so long?

He was silent at first. Then he said, "I know."

"Give me time. Okay?"

"Time…" He murmured. "Yeah. That sounds like a good idea."

A/N: Has it really been almost a month since I last updated? Scary. I've been un-grounded for a week now, but I got stuck on a part in the story and just spent time making some Kingdom Hearts videos. Just finished one about Terra that made me depressed...but that's not important.

Chapter Fact:

Yes, you can inherit Leukemia. I asked my doctor about it, and he said it's not impossible, but very unlikely to happen. So, me being me, used to not part to my advantage.

It's almost 3 in the morning where I live, so I'm sorry that if I missed some mistakes while editing this.