Alright, moving right along…

So yeah, Nam is a prostitute. It happened, sad to say, to a lot of girls that age back then. Poverty breeds these sorts of situations and baby, New York was full of poverty.

If you're wondering where Naminés family is, the guess is up to you. They could both be dead or just good for nothings. Or maybe she's a run away and they're worried sick. Whatever makes you happiest, you go for it.

Other than that, enjoy! :D

Little did I know that one night would change my life forever. Everything happened so fast. Everything went black.

That next morning, everything changed.

… … …

Naminé awoke to find herself laying in soft, warm sheets. The room was dark, lit only by the light of a single candle. She tried thinking back on the last thing she could remember. She remembered watching Marluxia walk into a ritzy hotel. After that her pimp approached her furiously and demanded she hand over the money she'd been given. When she refused, he began to shove her. She remembered slipping on the melting snow, she fell. Blackness… She looked at her surroundings curiously and wondered just exactly where she was and how she'd gotten there. She didn't have to ponder for long. Marluxia's face came into view, those same piercing blue eyes staring not at her, but through her.

"Good morning." Marluxia reached into a bowl filled with cool water and pulled out a rag that had been soaking there. He rung it out and pressed it delicately to the girl's head. "How are you feeling?"

Naminé furrowed her brow in confusion and tried to sit but she was met with a striking pain in her skull. "Wh-what happened?"

"You had a nasty spill." Marluxia smiled calmly and continued to dab the cool cloth against her flesh. "You also had a fever, no doubt it was exacerbated by the fact that you were out in the snow, scarcely clothed. Aside from the pain likely racking your head, how are you feeling?"

Naminé paused in thought. How was she feeling? Hungry, for one. Confused and even a little embarrassed. Otherwise, she felt fine. "I'm alright."

"Would you care for some breakfast?" Marluxia put the rag back into the bowl and reached for the tray of food sitting a few feet away. "I had room service send up a vast array of foods. I didn't know what you might like."

Naminé looked up at Marluxia, wary of trusting him. Nobody had ever been this kind to her without wanting something in return. There had to be a catch. "Why are you doing this?"

Marluxia forced a smile. "Can't you just accept my kindness and be happy?"

"No." Naminé stared hard at Marluxia. She felt a bit guilty for seeming so ungrateful, but she couldn't help it. Everything had a price. Everything.

"Alright." Marluxia sighed and shrugged. "I suppose it would do no good for me to lie to you. The truth is, you remind me of my sister."

Naminé cocked an eyebrow. "Your sister?"

Marluxia nodded. "You look a lot like her, actually. Your height, weight, and even your cute little cheeks." He paused to reach out and pinch her cheek playfully but she didn't seem to find it too entertaining. He sighed sadly and looked away from her. "She died a year ago. She… There was an accident."

"I… I'm so sorry." Naminé looked at Marluxia apologetically. Now she felt even more guilty for distrusting him.

Marluxia shook his head. "Don't be. Anyhow, I think it was fate that we met. You know, she would be about your age now. You're about eleven or so, aren't you?"

Naminé looked away from Marluxia sheepishly and nodded.

"So, you see? I couldn't just leave you to a life like that. Not being so young…" Marluxia reached out and cupped the girl's face gently. "You've been through more than most children your age should have to endure. Really, I think she'd be happy things happened this way."

Naminé looked at Marluxia, captivated by those beautiful blue eyes pouring out so much emotion. "What now?"

Marluxia ruffled the blonde's hair gently and smiled. "Though I know you can't replace my sister, I'd like for you to take her place in our home."

Naminé blinked at Marluxia in awe. "What?"

Marluxia clasped the girl's hand. "You have nothing for you here. Once you leave this hotel room, where will you go? Back to your pimp? Or will you try to make it on your own? Manhattan is a dangerous place for a girl your age, especially alone. But there is so much waiting for you in Massachusetts."

Naminé felt as if her head was spinning. This was all happening so fast. "Massachusetts?"

"Yes." Marluxia nodded eagerly. "Where I live with my mother and father. We have a lovely estate, but it has been lonely this past year. I've worried for my mother, because my father is often in New York on business and with me being away at school, she'll be alone. She adored my sister. We all did. Though you could never replace her, having you around the estate to fill the emptiness would be all I could ask for. It was fate that we met, now I see it. I was meant to save you from this life and you were meant to heal my broken home. Please say you'll do it, for my mother."

Naminé closed her eyes, her head now throbbing with all these thoughts bouncing around in her mind. It sounded like a dream. It sounded too good to be true. Did she even care? No, she didn't. "Alright." She opened her eyes and nodded slowly. "I'll return home with you."