A/N: Shoot me now. Kill me later.

Th1rteen R3asons Why

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

The Freeshooter

I kocked thrice on my best friend's door and waited with impatience. Tap…tap…tap… my muddied green trainers resounded throughout the empty street as they synced to the beating of my restless heart. When's he gonna answer the damn door? I asked myself frustratingly. I raised my hand to knock again but the door swiveled open in that instant. I was met with a disheveled-looking blond in camouflage pants and an over-sized jade-green shirt. Yep, that's Hayner for you. He probably stayed up until three in the morning to finish the latest catch (ahem, video game). "Hey, man," I said as I stepped through the door.

Hayner extended his arm to stop me from entering. He shook his head, eyes sullen with dark rings underneath them. "Dude, what the hell do you think you're doing? It's like, nine thirty in the morning and I haven't got three hours of sleep yet, for God's sake." From inside, I smelt the tempting aroma of crispy bacons and scrambled eggs. Grumble, my stomach said. Ugh, I never realized I was this hungry.

"Maybe you should lay off the games for a while, Hayner," I suggested, stepping back a bit because it was way too awkward to be standing near him that close. To my left, I saw a gaggle of gossiping geese giggling and pointing towards us. I seethed, gritting my teeth and turning back towards my best friend.

Hayner blinked, incredulous that I had made such a statement. He cleared his throat and placed his hand over his heart in mock allegiance. "You're right, man, I should stop playing. I mean," he paused to sigh, "look at me. I look like absolute freaking shit and I don't even have to look in the mirror." He sighed once more. "Dude, you're right. Come in, we're having breakfast right now." Hayner beckoned me inside and I entered gladly, following the scent of nicely-cooked food. "We're having bacon and eggs – the usual," Hayner informed me as we passed the stairs leading to the bedrooms on the second floor. His house was actually quite cool. Plain light-blue walls, green carpeted flooring, comfy beige sofas, a huge plasma TV… he's got everything. Complete with the king-sized breakfast that now lay before me on the table.

I sat there, drooling, breathing in the bacon and the surreal-looking eggs. "Hayner, how does your mom cook such…" I couldn't even finish my sentence. OK, I might be exaggerating a tiny bit but seriously. Hayner's mom is like, the world's greatest chef. Even breakfast tasted like a full-course dinner at an extremely expensive restaurant. For a moment, all memory on the walkman and the songs was forgotten and I was able to eat with Hayner in peace.

That is, until Hayner brought up the subject of her suicide.

"So…Naminé Strife—"

"I've got to go now. Need to go over to Vanitas' for a project," I stood up abruptly, bringing my more or less clear plate over to the sink. Manners, duh. "Thanks for the food. See you later, Hayner."

And just like that, I ran back outside without allowing my videogame-addict-best-friend say goodbye.

Welcome back. And thanks for hanging out for part two.

Discreetly, I pocketed the walkman into my pants pocket. I felt guilty for having left Hayner hanging but, well, I don't know, really… I sighed. I'm just gonna listen to these tapes. No more arguments.

So… she dragged out her 'so'. You're either Xemnas who is listening on, unafraid from last song and only continuing this pointless CD to get some dirt on people, or you're Uncle Xiggy a.k.a. Xigbar the Freeshooter confused and lost like most people probably are just listening to me or you're just the next person in line from my list who wants to find out why you're on these songs.

In CD, Naminé sounded like a whole new character. She was far from the quite, shy girl I've seen hanging around the library or the arts block in school. Far from it. I rounded the corner of the street and ended up facing an old café entitled 'Seventh Heaven'. Really, could they have given it a cheesier name? Opening the front doors, I listened to Naminé's voice again.

Huh… Tell me, uncle, did you expect to be included in the causes of my suicide?

I hit PAUSE on the walkman. Well if he didn't answer that, I say YES. Sitting myself down on one of the stools in front of the counter, I raised my hand and clicked to get the waitress' attention. She was slim and had a figure most beauty-obsessed girls would die for. Short black-brown hair and silver tinted eyes. More like a performer in a gymnastics show than a waitress.

"Can I help you, spiky-dude?" she asked me whilst wiping the counter clean.

"Uh, I'd like some hot chocolate, please," I replied, remembering Naminé's favorite beverage. My fingers drummed on the wooden paneling of the counter as I waited for the waitress – Yuffie, I learned her name was – to come back with a steaming hot mug of chocolate. To be honest, I've never liked sweet things, however for the sake of a lost friend, I'm going to find a way to commemorate her. And this was it.

"Here ya go, spikes," said Yuffie as she placed the white mug in front of me. "It's hot so sip with caution." She laughed at her own joke (I must admit, it wasn't even funny); and her laugh sounded like a loud guffaw. "I tell that to Daddy-Spikey-Strife almost all the time. Hot chocolate is, like, his absolute favorite."

I stared at her – although it was unintentional. She caught me staring and asked (no, more like demanded) me why. "You…You know Cloud Strife?" I said, letting my chocolate to cool down before I drink from it.

She nodded, a nostalgic expression on her face when she began to speak of their long history as 'best buds'. I discovered that Naminé's dad was the leader of a group once but then disbanded them after three years. Yuffie never told me what they did as a group and she said she never will. "Top secret, I tell ya! Now aren't you gonna drink your chocolate? It tastes disgusting if it gets cold." She pointedly stated.

Bringing the mug to my mouth, I obediently sipped. Delicious. I should come here for the hot chocolate more often. Plus, Yuffie seems like a good person to converse with. I heard her sigh and saw her lean forward with her hand cupped in her hands and grey eyes staring off into space. "I just…miss the old days… Now that Chocobo-head's gone and lost his kid to his big-ass sword…everyone's more distant than before…" she trailed off, not knowing what to mumble about anymore. "I mean, I've still got Vinnie and all but I miss all my friends." She exhaled softly and straightened. "You OK there, boy?"

"My name is Roxas," I said, sipping my chocolate.

"Riiiiight," she drawled. "I'm gonna head off to the kitchen. Call me if you need anything." She bounced off into the kitchen, leaving me in silence.

I brought out the headphones again and pressed PLAY.

Yeah, yeah, I know, it's hard being the adopted brother in the family but that doesn't mean you can blackmail me and shove me around as you please.

OK, it's just like in YouTube where it goes:

Commenter: Mom, I'm going out to kill (insert number of people who disliked video here).

Mom: OK, are you going to be alright? (or something like that…)

Commenter: Yeah! I've got (insert number of people who liked video here) covering my back.

Mom: OK, good luck!

Except there's only one person against two strong, burly men who are probably twice my size. Not good.

You used to confide in me all the time, telling me your best and worst secrets. Like the time when you went into the girls' bathroom when you were in high school. You're probably hating me for spilling that secret out into the open where twelve other people can listen to it but at least you can't hurt me anymore. I'm dead. Duh.

But, there came a time when you thought it was OK with me to do things for you without my permission. Remember that I also told you my secrets and you promised to keep them but oh my living days. You used them against me.

Blackmailed.

Bribed, although rarely because you're always broke.

Threatened.

Cornered me in an alley much like what Xemnas, had beat me up in.

Illegal stuff. Drug stuff. Not a nice situation to get involved in, uncle.

So Naminé had been involved with drugs. That's sort of…unexpected for a girl like she had been. I thought I heard some shuffling in the kitchen but I ignored it. Yuffie can take care of herself. Oh, right, my chocolate's nearly done. I'm going to come back tomorrow to get another one if that can ever be possible. I might not be able to sleep knowing that Naminé's voice would still be ringing as clear as day in my head.

I remember. "Hi, Nami," you said as you entered my room timidly. I was doing my art homework, erasing my errors furiously as you sat yourself down on my lovely black-and-white duvet.

"Hello, Uncle Xigbar," I grinned at you without looking up. You made a show of being tired and laid down on my bed staring at the ceiling.

"I've got something for me and you to do today," you turned your head towards me, your surfer accent both annoying and refreshing to the mind. I don't know why I found it so cool back then but now I know that it's beyond all sense of irritation.

"Like what?" I was interested now. Just thirteen years old. Four years ago – or, I don't know when you're listening to this. The Key of Destiny could've chosen to keep this until the end of his days but who knows? It's up to him, remember?

You – Uncle Xigbar – took out some rolled up paper from your plastic bags which I had thought were groceries and handed them to me. I don't really know what happened next but from what I deduced, you were lighting a cigarette. "Uncle, Daddy won't like it if you smoke in my room. He said it's bad for me," I told you.

You only grinned and said, "Well, I'll tell you a secret, Nams: your Daddy used to smoke too. Ad pot as well! He smoked pot!"

Well, I'll be. Mr. Strife actually smoked pot. The calm and collected, now grieving and broken man used to smoke illegal drugs. I'm pretty scared now.

At the time, I had no idea what 'pot' was. When you attempted to blow a smoke ring, I smelt the distinct odor of sweet-and-sour. You left at that moment and the next morning, I went to school and headed straight for the library. I love, wait – loved, the library. Silence had a place and that was where. Not many people go there, though, or not many went during my time. When I entered, there were only the usual visitors sitting around, looking for books or just talking in hushed voices. I scanned the room for someone – someone that could help me understand what Uncle Xigbar was talking about.

After a few moments, I found him. Zexion Schemer, the smartest kid in our school and yet an anti-social bookworm. Yep, you're probably thinking of stereotypes and all but really, Zexion isn't that bad. That is, until later.

Wait – Zexion was in this? He's…He…He's got nothing to do with…oh, screw it.

So I asked him and he told me. And the next night you came over, you offered some to me and I blatantly refused.

"What? Come on, Nams, just one cig," you prodded. I rolled my eyes.

"You're so stupid, Uncle. Marijuana is illegal. Zexion said so and he's the smartest person in our school," I said, crossing my arms.

You furrowed your eyebrows and scowled, obviously angered. The cigarette with that 'ew' substance was shoved right in front of my face and I struggled to get away from it. "Ew! Stop it, Uncle Xiggy! I DON'T WANT ANY!" You must've loved the screaming because you forced that thing into my mouth. I didn't swallow it, of course. It's a cigarette. It's meant to be used and not swallowed. I didn't breathe while that thing was in my mouth. My eyes were starting to wet. I couldn't take it any longer. I was suffocating myself.

"Sooner or later, you gotta try it," you sneered. Evil, malicious bastard. I didn't budge. "Breathe or else I'm telling my brother you're a conniving whore! Your father, my brother, would surely disown you." Smug. I hate your smug smile.

But I didn't deny your accusations. Rather, I couldn't. However, yes, sooner or later, I did breathe.

It was not a pleasant experience, but after that, I couldn't stop.

Inconceivable. Unbelievable. I guess it explains her tardiness to classes in school – and her failing grades. I may not know this Xigbar guy but I'm going to vow to find him and…and kill him in his sleep. Was Naminé really a…a…whore? Why can't Naminé be left alone? Why am I on these songs? I didn't do anything to her! All I did…

I gasped. The school trip.

Oh, my fucking God the school trip.

I stood up, pressing STOP on the walkman because I could not take anymore. Not today, at least. I need to get home, call my mom while I'm at it and just forget for at least one moment about this. I called to Yuffie that I was leaving and thanked her for the hot chocolate. She said that I'm welcome and that I have a nice evening. Tch, if only.

The streets were dark when I got out of the café. No cars to be seen for miles, although I must admit, this is small Twilight Town we're talking about. I could skateboard through it all in a day and come back just in time for bedtime. The silence was ruined by the ringing of my phone. Fishing my pockets for the black cellular device, I pocketed the walkman again. Ring! Ring! Ring! "Ugh, damn, just wait," I told no-one in particular. "Aha!" I had finally acquired it and checked the caller ID. I deflated instantly. My mom. "Hello?"

"Roxas, when are you coming home? It's nearly four and the streets are getting dark," my mother said. Wow, I'd been gone for six hours? I never knew.

"I'm just exiting the Seventh Heaven café, mom. I'll be home soon; don't worry," I reassured her. Hanging up, I began walking, passing by Hayner's house, Vanitas' house and advancing towards mine. I hope I get a good night's rest tonight. I'll need it if I'm listening again tomorrow.

One thing's for sure. I'm not using those songs for the talent show. That's for sure.

And, also, I need to pay someone a visit tomorrow. I hope they're home…

A/N: omg, it's time to kill me. NOO! I'm really, really, really (x1 gazzilion) sorry for this EXTREMELY late update, I'm not even going to find excuses to explain myself. JUST KILL ME QUICKLY. PLEASE. WAIT. I have some last words.

CupcakeLerman, the deal is ON. xD.

Second, thank you for all the lovely reviews last chapter. I've tried to follow all suggestions, making it a little more in-depth but as for the crossover, I did consider it but I felt that the story is a little different from the original. Yes, it contains themes from it but it stops there, at least, for now.

Please review, even if you hate me. :( which I hope you don't. I'm too young too die.

Oh, yes, and please vote in my poll. it's crucial to the story but I'm not spoiling anything.