Once We're Gone
Disclaimers: I own this plot and certain characters.
Authors Note:
Alright, I know. Not as fast as promised, but I'm trying! I want to thank all of you who are being patient. A lot has happened these past few months. My mother had brain surgery in August so my household is currently still dealing with that. I have also had to deal with the death of a family friend who died very young due to cancer. I am also suffering from severe writers block. One reviewer of mine claimed the writer's block was merely a "cop out", and that I should map out my story before posting. But I would like to argue that writer's block IS a real thing, and it's something that I experience even in the midst of well thought out story. For this particular story, I have all of the ideas of what I want to happen and when, but the matter of connecting them is where I get stuck. I'm sorry if this bothers this reviewer or anyone else for that matter. I don't make these stories my life. I never will. My family and my education come first. My schedule is letting up a tad but it probably won't be cleared until my mom gets a little better and school settles in a little more.
Oh and a little announcement!
NEW STORY: I have a new story up called "Rancoeur du Coeur" and I would just absolutely love it if you guys would check that out. It has the same couples but it's a lot more angst and mature themes. Tell your fellow fan buddies, it's going to be a wild ride of a tale ;). Thanks friends!
Don't worry; this surprisingly won't interfere with OWG updates because usually when I have a few stories up I feel inspired to get both updates up quicker. (Don't ask how or why but it does lol)
And lastly, I lied to you about this chapter. It's going to be mainly a Naminé/Roxas instead of a Sora/Kairi but there will be a few SK moments in here.
QUICK SUMMARY: What happens to nobodies once they've become whole again? And what effect does that have on the beings that they are merged with? SK RN
Chapter 10: Feeling
Roxas had woken up not feeling any better than he did the previous night. His heart was still torn from the argument he had with Naminé. Today, Roxas was determined to mend the wounds that he had caused. He had his job to take care of first, though.
After changing, Roxas proceeded towards the lobby to receive his instructions from Harxis on where to venture to this morning for work. He was hoping Naminé was already down there doing her own job.
Alas, she wasn't.
The disappointment on Roxas' face didn't go unnoticed by Harxis, who had just arrived in the lobby herself.
"Why the long face, kid?" she asked with sincerity.
Roxas shot her a sad smile. "It's nothing worth discussing." He assured her.
"Then how come you look as if you're dying to talk?" Harxis questioned, unconvinced of Roxas' answer.
He sighed. "It's a long story but the jist of it is, last night Naminé and I had an argument that turned pretty ugly and now…" Roxas let out yet another sigh, "I have no idea where it's going to take us."
Harxis had a sympathetic look on her face. "Rox, if you don't want to work today then I undest-"
"No." Roxas cut her off quickly. "Trust me, working would be the best thing for me right now." He told Harxis.
She abided by his decision and proceeded to give him the day's instructions.
"Alright then. Well today I need some deliveries brought to the east side of town, which is the entertainment district. My place isn't as well known down there as it is over here so I basically want you to bring these pamphlets down there to the specified places. I've talked to the owners in advanced and they'll take care is distributing them to customers. Think you've got it?" Harxis asked after her lengthy directions.
Roxas nodded. "Yeah, I got it." He then continued to finish getting his skateboarding gear and the packages of pamphlets all set to go. "See you in a bit." Roxas said to Harxis as he departed the complex. Harxis sighed as she saw him go feeling the way he did.
"Is he gone, Harxis?"
Naminé appeared out of the corner after she heard the door shut behind Roxas. Harxis nodded.
"I still don't see why you two are trying to avoid each other. If anything you two should be apologizing to one another." She said voicing her opinion on the matter.
Naminé didn't dare look at the older woman. "I know Harxis, but…" she bit her lip, "I just can't face him right now." Naminé explained. "I need some time to think." She said heading up the stairs.
Harxis was about to go after her but decided not to. She frowned. "I wish it wasn't like this for the two of them"
Roxas delivered the pamphlets as slowly as possible. As much as he wanted to talk to Naminé about their situation, Roxas felt that it would be too much for the both of them at the moment.
He arrived at one interesting location in particular; a coffee shop that doubled as a karaoke bar. From what he understood, it was a very popular place. Roxas walked in casually, just like the other places, but this site had a familiar face working there…
"Hey Roxas!"
Roxas turned his head over to the voice belonging to Lexsiphe. He formed a small grin. "Hey Lexsiphe, what are you doing all the way over here?" he asked.
Lexsiphe pointed to her nametag. "I work in the coffee area." She stated with a smile.
"That actually works out nicely for me," Roxas began, handing her the small box, "Now I don't have to hunt down employees to deliver these things."
"From Harxis, right?" Lexsiphe questioned.
"Yeah, you know her?"
Lexsiphe smiled. "I used to stay there before I got my own place." She told him. "So did the owner. I met him there actually and that's how I got the job down here. When Harxis needs to advertise we gladly spread the word." She explained.
Roxas had a small smile on his face. "She's been really sweet to me and Naminé." He said.
"Oh, where is Naminé now?"
Roxas' face soon changed to a more dismal expression.
Lexsiphe set the box down on a counter. "…was it something I've said?" she asked. Roxas shook his head.
"It's no big deal." He assured her.
"I want to help if I can." Lexsiphe stated.
Roxas let out an amused sigh. "You guys were my last stop, so I have the time to chat but I'd hate to interfere with your work." He elucidated.
"HEY BRAXTON, I'M TAKING MY BREAK NOW!"
Lexsiphe turned around to face the blonde again and chuckled. "I've got time." She said with a grin. "Sit down over there and I'll get you a mocha latté." Lexsiphe stated as she went to make the drink.
Roxas had a wry smile upon his face as he sat down. If he couldn't talk to Naminé about the situation, it was nice having someone else discuss the matter with.
Naminé was lying on her bed in her room. Mondays she didn't work and yet somehow it was something she wanted to do very badly. If she had work to think about then Naminé concluded that she wouldn't be thinking about him.
She groaned as she turned over on her side. "Why is this whole thing making me crazy?" she wondered aloud. "After all, I thought we came to the conclusion that we couldn't feel." Naminé snapped bitterly.
But she did feel.
She felt awful and her heart kept twisting on the inside. Roxas could not escape her mind. He consumed her thoughts and it was driving Naminé insane. She sighed.
"I know I care for him," she started to say, "But just mere concern alone doesn't make you feel this way…" Naminé stated. "It's something more." She whispered.
She was smart enough to know that fifteen was much too young to be in love, but at the same time Naminé couldn't seem to find any other explanation to her feelings.
Naminé clutched her pillow as her eyes started to glisten.
"I hate this…" she whispered
"Ugh, I hate this…"
Kairi leaned over the boat's edge, green in the face. Sora put his hand on her shoulder while giving her a sympathetic look.
"Getting a little sea sick?"
Kairi nodded, quite unenthusiastically.
"You should probably go below then," Sora suggested. Kairi motioned her head up and down, agreeing with the idea. "Do you want me to go with you?" Sora questioned.
"No that's ok; I'll feel better in a bit." She assured him as she started to go below.
Kairi found herself a little cabin that was big enough for her to lie down on. Her sea sickness was getting a tad bit better, but by not allowing Sora to come, the pain in her heart was returning.
"Argh, that was dumb." She muttered. Kairi let out a small chuckle though, despite the pain. "But come to think of it, I don't think this cabin could hold the both of us." She said. Kairi closed her eyes and attempted to rest her pain away.
Naminé felt a stir in her soul as she realized she was slowly fading away from her body.
"What the-?"
Before Naminé could finish, she was whisked away into a tiny cabin, where a very familiar red head was resting. Her eyes widen. "…Kairi?"
At the mentioning of her name, Kairi fluttered her eyes open to see the holographic state of her counterpart. She shot up immediately. "Naminé?" she gasped. "What…how…what are you doing here?!" she asked.
Naminé was as stunned as Kairi. "I honestly have no idea."
Kairi's lips formed a smile. "Well however the cause, I'm glad to see you."
"Me too," Naminé said. "Roxas explained to me that he had a similar meeting with Sora much like this." She continued.
"That's what I've come to understand from Sora." Kairi responded.
Naminé bit her lip. "How are you doing?" she wondered, "I mean, with the pain and all…"
"With Sora I'm fine but," Kairi shot Naminé a smile, "Ah well, I just try to deal. In fact, I'm dealing with it now." She stated.
"I'm sorry you guys have to experience it."
"I'm even more sorry the distress it's causing you and Roxas." Kairi said. Her eyes grew concerned. "Was I keeping you away from him just now?" she asked. "I was feeling ill so I left Sora to come down here." Kairi explained.
Naminé looked at her sadly. "No," she began, "You weren't." Naminé sighed, "Even if you were, it would probably be for the best."
"Why's that?" Kairi asked with unease.
"We've…had a bit of a rough time these past few days but particularly last night." Naminé explicated. She frowned. "It's my fault really, I grew angry with him and kind of provoked the argument." She confessed. "I got mad at him because he was wondering if some of the feelings he has for me were caused by you and Sora." Naminé said.
Kairi's face became filled with wonder. "…So he thinks the only reason he cares for you is because…Sora cares for me?"
"Bingo,"
Kairi frowned. "Oh Naminé, I'm sorry." She said. Naminé shrugged.
"Not your fault." She told her.
"But still," Kairi began, "I feel bad." She said.
"Don't worry about it." Naminé stated. "He was right anyways; Nobodies can't feel a thing." She said with a little crack in her voice.
"Bull,"
Naminé looked up into Kairi's eyes with blinking astonishment.
"You're feeling right now aren't you?" Kairi asked. "Sad, you're sad right now. But I'm not…so clearly I'm not having anything to do with you being sad at this moment." She said. Kairi smiled. "Naminé, I'm not in control of your feelings. YOU can feel. And you can feel by yourself, without my influence."
"But everything I've learned about nobodies clearly indicates that we can't-"
"Forget everything you've learned!" Kairi exclaimed. "Forget your knowledge and go with what's inside of you." She stated.
Naminé felt a single tear suddenly go down her cheek. She whimpered slightly. "Thank you," she whispered. "What you've just said was what I wanted to hear from Roxas last night." Naminé confessed. Kairi had a empathetic look on her visage.
"You really care for him, don't you?"
Naminé wiped her tear away. "I know I do. I wouldn't be so torn up about the whole thing if I didn't."
Kairi smiled. "Did you let him know that?"
"I-I did but," she paused for a moment, "After last night I think I need to let him know again."
"Then go for it…"
Naminé beamed at the red head. "You know, I had to be a nobody but…I'm so grateful that I am yours."
Kairi smiled back but her eyes suddenly grew large. "Naminé…I think you're heading back…" she stated as she saw Naminé begin to fade.
Naminé observed herself. "I guess I am," she said.
"Don't worry about this Naminé, Sora and I know of a cure and we're on our way to find it!" Kairi exclaimed.
Naminé gave a grateful nod and said, "Thank you…" before she finally disappeared.
Kairi was pensive for a moment. She smiled when she came to a certain thought. "It's worth the sea sickness…" she said getting up and heading back up to Sora.
Lexsiphe leaned back in her lounge chair as Roxas was wrapping up the tale of his predicament. "Good gosh," she exclaimed. "You two have really been up and down these past few days," Lexsiphe stated.
Roxas sighed. "Yeah, we have." He muttered sadly.
Lexsiphe shot him a sympathetic look. "It'll all work out." She assured him.
"How can you be so sure?" Roxas wondered.
Lexsiphe leaned in towards Roxas. "I can tell you guys really care for each other. And believe me, I know it's not because of your counterparts." She said. "Maybe other nobodies believe we can't feel emotions. I think it's all bogus." Lexsiphe continued. "I mean, we're here now, talking and feeling together. You're feeling miserable, and I'm feeling compassionate. I highly doubt that this is caused by our counterparts."
Roxas eyed her seriously.
"You like Naminé, because you like Naminé. Not because this Sora likes Kairi, but because YOU have your own feelings." Lexsiphe informed. "I mean, every living and breathing thing has to feel, right? Existing is one thing, but living…is a whole other thing." She said with great feeling.
He smiled at her. "You've made a good point." He stated.
"I know it might be a little hard but…go and see her. She'll like that, believe me." Lexsiphe advised.
Roxas had a wry grin appear on his face. "I think I will," he said. Roxas got up and gave Lexsiphe a quick peck on the cheek. "You've really helped me today Lex…thank you."
Lexsiphe blushed a bit. "Aw, heh it was no problem." She chuckled and then came to a short pause. "Naminé's a lucky girl to have someone like you care about her so much." She whispered.
"Lexsiphe, you've been on break for over 40 minutes!" the voice of her boss echoed the vicinity.
"KEEP YOUR PANTS ON BRAXTON I'M GOING BACK TO WORK NOW!" Lexsiphe yelled back. She gave a sheepish grin towards Roxas. "Well, duty calls." She said. "I'll see you guys later this week at the game."
Roxas' eyes grew wide. "Oh man I totally forgot about that…"
Lexsiphe smiled. "Eh don't worry. You guys can get in a few more practices and you should both do great." She stated. A smirk appeared on Lexsiphe's face. "Oh and by the way, the Zacx guy from your story is the captain of the team you guys are facing."
The sheer thought brought Roxas great delight.
"LEXSIPHE!"
"ALRIGHT ALREADY!" Lexsiphe groaned. "Catch you later Roxas!" she chimed as she headed in the back of the building.
Roxas gave her a nod goodbye. He then proceeded to exit the shop and headed in the direction of the Boarding House.
"Is she here?"
Harxis peaked her eyes out from over her book to see a exasperated Roxas eagerly leaning over the edge of the desk in the lobby. She perked an eyebrow up. "Just how fast did you rush back here?"
"Erm, I am not exactly sure."
Harxis shook her head. "Forget it then. I had a feeling you'd ask me that question sometime today." She said with a smile. "She's in her room. It should be unlocked but even if it isn't I have a feeling she's wanting to see you too."
"You think?"
Harxis grinned, remember how earlier Naminé came rushing down to tell her that she wanted to see Roxas when he came back. "Call it a sixth sense," she said.
Roxas smiled as he rushed up the stairs. "Thanks Harxis!" he yelled back.
The woman nodded and went back to her book, with a great smile overcoming her face.
Naminé was at her vanity getting ready for bed. She was a bit disappointed that Roxas was not yet back. "Maybe Sora and Kairi are still apart…" she reasoned.
All of a sudden, Naminé heard her door open and in the mirror's reflection, she saw Roxas standing there in her room.
"You were right," she heard him say before even turning around.
He had a wry smile appear on his face. "It's not because of them." Roxas said softly.
Naminé slowly got up and faced him. "You think so?" she asked, almost with some amusement in her voice.
Roxas got closer to her. He took her hand and placed it on his chest. "Feel that?" he asked.
"It's a heartbeat…"
He leaned in close to her ear. "Does that answer your question?"
Part of her understood him, but the other wanted more confirmation that that.
"We have hearts…we have feelings." Roxas went on. "I don't care what we were made to believe." He said. "I feel too many things around you to believe that lie." Roxas whispered starting to hold her closely.
"…what are you feeling now, Roxas?" Naminé whispered, slightly trembling in excitement and anxiety.
"This," He answered kissing her forehead. "And this…" he continued kissing her cheek. Roxas' face was not even centimeters away from her own face. He looked at her deeply with great sincerity in his eyes. "But most of all," he whispered. "This…" Roxas finished kissing her lips.
Naminé returned the kiss with no objections whatsoever.
They're kissing somehow made their way to Naminé's bed and a little while later, and a few swollen lips after; they ceased and just looked at the other for a great while.
A few tears formed in the back corners of her eyes.
"Do you think…" she began in a whisper, "It's possible at our age to feel something as strong as love?"
Roxas stared into her baby blue eyes. "Anything's possible Nam," he said softly. He paused for a moment. "What are you feeling now?" Roxas asked repeating her question.
She got closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "This…" she said closing her eyes.
Roxas smiled as Naminé slowly fell asleep on his shoulder. "I guess I'm sleeping here tonight…" he mused.
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to make love to be in love. The two were far closer to love as they were like that than if they were doing anything else at the moment.
Roxas closed his eyes himself and started to drift away.
What was he feeling now? Pure happiness at its highest form.
I thought this was a nice chapter, letting things flow and develop. Actually, it was one of my favorite chapters, just because of the ending and the conversations between all of the characters ;). Next chapter should be a lot more active paced.
(AGAIN) NEW STORY: Once again,I have a new story up called "Rancoeur du Coeur" and I would just absolutely love it if you guys would check that out. It has the same couples but it's a lot more angst and mature themes. Thanks friends!
Next Chapter: Roxas and Naminé finally get their chance in the arena…against Zacx's team :D.
Thanks to my reviewers!
(Oh and since about half of you decided to change your pennames, I'm keeping them as they are b/c I can't keep up with all the change.)
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