A/N:Thank you for all your reviews!

~Thanks you

For being there

Thank you

For stopping my tears

Thank you

For being

You~

Chapter 13: Fight or Flight Instinct

That night Naminé couldn't fall asleep. She laid in her bed, starring out her window while Alonzo was curled up beside her.

She couldn't get her mind off of what her doctor had said. A new medication? Would it work? And if it did, how long? She was tired of taking all these pills. Granted, she has been lucky. Of all the side effects from Chemo, even in pill form, the only one she hasn't had was the hair loss. And she was glad. Call her superficial, but she was very fond of her blonde locks.

Sighing, she threw back her covers (Ignoring the reproachful look her cat gave her for waking him up) and got up to stat pacing.

'I need a distraction' She thought about sketching, but that would only keep her hands busy. She was too restless and fidgety.

'Maybe I'll just wait for Cloud to get home and talk to him' she thought. Even though it was almost 11, he still wasn't home. He must be working the late shift.

Sighing, she made her way to the door when something caught her eye. She walked over to it, and blinked in surprise. It was the charm bracelet. She forgot she had thrown it in frustration with everything; everything being Roxas of course.

Seeing the bracelet gave her an idea. She changed into a pair of black sweats and white tank top with her gray sweater. As a last minute thought, she clasped the bracelet around her wrist.

When she got downstairs on the first floor she left a note in the kitchen for her brother, saying she went for a walk, then left.

Twenty minutes later she got to her destination. The swing set that was on a hill, at the old Drive In. it was the perfect spot to watch the movies without being surrounded by people. Best part was it was only a twenty minute walk from her place to get there. She was slightly surprised to see it was still up. Sora had told her that this place is hardly used anymore, only every couple of months to play either an old movie(70's or 80's) or a new one.

It looked just like she remembered, even if the metal had rusted a bit from lack of care and use.

She sat on the swing, letting her feet drag slightly as she let her thoughts wonder.

Why did she come here? She knew Cloud would be worried when he got home and saw she wasn't there. But she really did need to get out. She had a feeling that after trying the new meds, she'd be stuck at home and not even Riku would be willing to sneak her out.

She was tired of all this. She just wanted a normal life. She wanted to hang out without worrying about the nerves in her legs, without remembering to take medication. Without worrying how long she has to live. A part of her wanted it to just get it all over with, while another was terrified of the didn't know how long she was there for since she stupidly forgot her phone in her impatience to leave.

But when she heard the voice behind her, she jumped and would of fallen off the seat if hands didn't wrap around her own over the chain.

"You really love worrying people don't you?" he said, placing his head on top of hers, preventing her from tilting her head back to look at him.

"Actually I hate it." She frowned. She didn't like this position very much. "And I'm allowed to go out on my own once in awhile."

"Not according to your brother. He'd been calling everyone, asking if they knew where you were. I bet my University fund that Kairi is freaking out right now."

"He even called you?" Naminé Said, surprised.

"Yeah. I know, I was surprised too." he let go of her hands, moving to sit on the swing next to her.

"So, why did you suddenly decide to take off? And at almost midnight no less?" Roxas asked her.

"I didn't...I just wanted to...to think about things."

"Like?"

"Nothing too important."

"Well, apparently it was important enough to leave home," he rolled his eyes. "Come on May, just tell me."

Naminé hesitated. Could she tell him how she was feeling? Or should she lie, and keep him from worrying like she did to Kairi? Would he be able to tell if she did lie?

Yeah. He probably would.

"I just...needed some air. That's all," she closed her eyes, mentally cursing herself. Why did she say that? What was wrong with her?

"If you're gonna lie to me, at least look at me when you do it." She flinched before slowly opening her eyes to see the slight annoyance mixed with amusement in his.

"Sorry," she murmured, looking away. She heard him sigh and glanced at him to see him run his hand through his blond spikes.

"No, I shouldn't of snapped." He said. "I just...Got really worried when Cloud called and said no one knew where you were. You can't just go off like that, especially this late. You don't know what kind of creepers are out here."

"And you do?" She asked, eyebrow raised.

"A lot better then you know," he muttered before giving her a sharp look. "Don't even."

"What?"

"Don't even try to change the subject."

"I wasn't-"

"Naminé."

"Sorry." She apologized again. Silence fell between them as she tried to figure out what to say.

"I guess...when the Fight or Flight instinct kicked in, I picked Flight."

"Why would you have it in the first place?"

"Because...My doctor called. I have to go see him Saturday to talk about...about medication options."

"It freaked you out a bit, huh?" he said.

"Yeah," she nodded. "He called when Kairi was over. I kind of...panicked and lied to her, saying it was Tifa who called."

"You've gotten better at lying," Roxas noted.

"It's not like I like it or anything," Naminé said, her voice quiet. "I hate lying, it makes me feel awful but…"

"You hate seeing people worried about you more," He finished.

"I get…scared. Really scared that if I tell Kairi, or Cloud, or anyone about how I feel I get scared that…that I'm just…burdening them," The last two words were so quiet that even she almost didn't hear them, so she doubted he did. So it surprised her when he was suddenly in front of her, pulling her up and embracing her.

"R-Roxas, what-"

"You've never been a burden Naminé," his said. She's never heard him sound so serious before. "To any of us. You never have, and never will."

Her eyes were starting to sting. She wanted to believe him, so badly she wanted to. But…

"But my mother…she-"

"That woman was a cold hearted bitch," Roxas snapped, hate clear in his voice. His grip on her tightened, not in possessive or scary kind of way, more of a comforting way. "Get this through your head May. We all care about you. It's ok to tell us how you feel. If you're scared with all this, then say it. If you're angry and frustrated, then scream at us about it."

"But-"

"No 'But's," he leaned away slightly, so he could look in her eyes. Naminé felt her cheeks heat up at the smouldering look in them. "Got it? Or else you're gonna annoy me."

"It doesn't exactly take much to do that," she muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" She instantly smiled. He rolled his eyes, letting his arms fall at his sides.

"Yeah, whatever. Come on, you need to get home."

"'Kay," They walked down the hill, down the familiar path that lead back to the main road. When they reached it, she remembered something.

"Hey Roxas?"

"Hmm?"

"How'd you know where I was anyway?"

"Lucky guess," He shrugged. "When Cloud called and said you weren't at Kairi's or even Riku's-" His lips curled slightly as he said his name. "-I just figured you'd go somewhere familiar and since we practically lived at this place before you moved, I thought I'd give it a try."

The fact alone that he remembered was enough to make her smile.

A breeze came, and when she lifted her hand to move her hair from her face Roxas startled her by suddenly grabbing her hand.

"You're wearing it?" He asked, surprise clear in his voice as he stared at the charm bracelet.

"Well, yeah," Naminé shrugged like it was no big deal. "Why wouldn't I?"

"I thought that…" His voice trailed off as he let go of her hand.

"You thought what?"

"I thought…after everything you'd get rid of it." He confessed. "I was really surprised to see you had it with you that one day."

"I…I really wanted to get rid of it actually," Naminé admitted. "When I got home after-after what you said I was really upset. I even took the charms off and threw them away but I ended up digging them back out that night because there were too many memories tied to them. I…didn't want to lose them. Also…"

"Also…?"

"I wanted to keep them…even if you hated me and wanted nothing to do with me anymore, I wanted to keep them since they reminded me of you."

"I messed up. I messed up big time. But Naminé-" he stopped walking, making her stop with her. He hesitated before placing his hands on either side of her face, which felt like it was on fire now. "Naminé I swear-I promise I'll make you be able to trust me again. I promise I will never hurt you like that again, and make you realise once and for all that you aren't a burden. To anyone. Forget what the bitch said, forget all about her. She told you nothing but lies. Got it?"

Naminé starred at him, completely speechless. She closed her eyes, hoping she was imagining the tears that were forming in her eyes. She's heard this from Cloud, Kairi, Sora, Riku, and others. But hearing from him…actually made her believe in it for the first time.

"Thank you, Roxas," She smiled. He smiled back before kissing her forehead.

"Good. Now, let's get you home before Cloud starts hunting me down wondering why I haven't brought you home yet."

When they got to Naminé's Cloud looked like he didn't know whether to be relieved that she was okay, or pissed off that she made him worry in the first place.

"Upstairs. Now. We'll talk in the morning." Naminé nodded, and did as she was told after saying "Bye" to Roxas.

"Thanks for bringing her back," Cloud said, turning to the younger blonde.

"No problem."

"Still. Kairi said you'd know where to find her. But I didn't know if she would be right."

"Kairi said that?" Roxas was surprised.

"Yeah. She said you'd know better than anyone where was she anyway?"

"Just the Drive In. We used to hang out there." Roxas shrugged.

"I see," Cloud frowned. Roxas shifted his weight, uncomfortable being left alone with the elder Strife. He won't lie, the guy scared him most of the time.

"I'll…just go now," he said. He turned to go but Cloud called him back.

"I don't think could handle it if you left her like that again." He said when Roxas turned back to look at him. "So be careful. If something happens to her because of you, or that gang you're a part of, I won't hesitate to hurt you."

"Will you stop hiding? It's pathetic." Zexion sighed.

"I can't! She's terrifying! She's trying to kill me!" Demyx, who was standing behind him with his hand on his shoulders, said.

"She hugged you."

"Exactly!"

"Wow," Axel shook his head before turning to his girlfriend, who looked very satisfied. They, along with Demyx and Zexion, had come to see Larxene off before she left. Roxas was supposed to come but he had something to do with Sora and his Aunt and couldn't get out of it. "Why did you do that?"

"He gets more scared when I act nice," Larxene said innocently, looking at her nails. "How could I resist?"

Axel rolled his eyes. He should have figured as much.

"You remember your mission, right?" He asked, catching Demyx and Zexion's attention right away.

"Of course I do, I'm not stupid," Larxene said. She put left hand on her hip, using the fingers on her right to count as she spoke in a bored tone. "Check out activity in Travers, find out why Simmons has connections there, what reasoning XI would have to work with him, and why Heartless gangs are coming to Twilight when they know they're not welcome in our city. Anything else?"

"Yeah, keep a low profile, and don't get your ass kicked cause I won't be there to save it," Axel smirked.

"Report anything you find back to as soon as you can," Zexion said.

"Yeah, I-" She stopped, her eyes fixed on something over Axel's shoulder. The three boys turned, to what it was and saw a familiar cop was on the platform, not even attempting to hide the fact that he was watching them as he spoke with a building security guard.

"If he keeps looking at me like that I'll-" Larxene started but Axel cut her off.

"You'll do squat. You know he'd love to have an excuse to get an Organization member, especially you, behind bars."

"I wouldn't mind if it meant he'd stop harassing me."

"What do you mean?"

"He's been following me for a week. He even confronted me once. I finally lost him yesterday at the park."

"Why didn't you mention this yesterday?"

"I can handle it myself."

"If that's so you'll have to be extra careful there, and us here." Zexion said before an argument could break out. Larxene nodded as a voice over the intercom announced the arrival on her train. Sure enough, ten seconds later it showed.

"Just try to stay out of trouble, okay?" Axel said.

"No promises," Larxene smiled before pulling him closer for a kiss. This one was actually sweet, making Demyx gap and Zexion raise any eyebrow at how gentle it was and at the fact that it looked like both were blushing before looking away.

When they broke apart Axel handed her a bag.

"Just somethin' to keep you from getting pushed around again. I don't like you not having something on you, especially at night," He said quietly. She nodded, taking it. He was about to leave with the guys when she called him.

"Oh Axel," he looked at her to see she held her right hand up by her face, her index finger and pinky extended, with a smirk playing on her lips. "If I hear that you so much as looked at that Ayden chick while I'm gone, you're gonna regret giving me this. Bye," With a little wave, she walked away, disappearing into the crowd to get to her train.

"Damn, she's hot." Axel laughed.

"Whatever you say," Zexion rolled his eyes.

They walked to the entrance, only to have their way blocked.

"Good afternoon Chief Bradley," Axel said, stepping forward. Zexion hated this guy with a passion and Demyx always became unusually quiet around Authority figures so Axel was the best bet to talk.

"What are you four up to?" He asked. The best way to describe Bradley was that he looked like he could be the love child between Lucius Malfoy and Criss Angel.

"Four?" Axel looked around for a second before facing the man in front of him again. "I think you're mistaken. There's only three of us here, sir."

"Where's your girlfriend going?" Bradley ignored the fact that Axel even spoke.

"I don't think that's any of your business, but since I'm such a nice guy, she's going out of town."

Bradley gave him a cold look before turning his gaze to the two behind him. Demyx looked bored while Zexion's hand twitched. Axel, who noticed this, sent him a warning look. They didn't need to start something in broad daylight.

"You-" Bradley said, looking back at Axel. "-and that girl have slipped through the system too many times. Keep it up, and your luck will run out. Same goes for your little protégé."

Axel let his calm demeanour slip. It was one thing to threaten him, but threaten his girl and best friend?

"Funny, I'm pretty sure that same system says there's a law against stalking and harassing." Axel hissed.

"I'm watching you." Bradley said before turning around and leaving through the side exit.

"Good to know, sir." Axel gave him a mocking salute. "Let's go." he said to the other two. Once they left through the front entrance Demyx sighed.

"Man, I seriously don't like that guy."

"Neither do I." Zexion muttered.

"None of us do." Axel said. "He's the reason we've lost two of our members. He won't get away with it."

"What can we really do though? He's a cop, not even the Organization can do anything to them. For one, they can throw us in jail, remember?" Demyx said. They stopped in front of the entrance to the underground tunnels. Looking around quickly, Axel put up his hood before entering, his two friends following suit.

"I lost two friends because of that corrupted bastard. Who knows, maybe I lost a third-"

"But he wasn't he there when-"

"I don't care. I don't trust him, or any other cop in this town. That's why we're here. I've lost one best friend because they didn't do their damn job, I'm not going to let Bradley get away with threatening us."

Demyx and Zexion glanced at each other, both thinking the exact same thing.

There were ten members left in the Organization. Two, maybe three, were killed because of the Chiefs interference, or lack of. There was no way in hell they were going to let a corrupted Chief rule their town.

A/N: Sorry it took so long. Still on vacation and online time got severely cut until a few days ago. Plus got distracted by Theatrythm Final Fantasy. I'll admit, I got teary during Aeriths theme in that game. If they had put Why? from Crisis Core I probably would have cried hard core (No pun intended). I recommend it to anyone who loves the songs from the FF franchise and wants to celebrate the 25th anniversary.

Now onto the review replies and Notes are up on LJ, link in profile.

Animelove3: sorry for the slow update, hope you liked this chapter too. I love ZeKi too, (And Shima) so it was kinda hard writing support for YuMe. I don't hate I just…don't care much for it.

Hiddensecret564: yeah, that line basically explained Naminé's and Roxas's relationship. Nams can identify a bit with Yuuki so that's why she likes that couple. Vampire Knight is a good series, so I really do suggest it if you're interested.

Guest: I am so sorry if I offended you with that line! It's just Naminé teasing Riku even when he's not there. A lot of my guy friends watch it and we always get into arguments about it. You really should read the Manga, it's great and confusing.