There are more lore documents made! Go check them out!
And this ties into a future fic I plan to write!
Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy © to Disney and Square Enix!
Final Fantasy © to Square Enix!
All OCs © to their respective creators!
Chapter 27: A New Tide
"Hey!" Axel waved as two figures entered the area.
Isa glanced over. Xion and Roxas were too caught up in their dancing to notice their guests.
A boy with aqua eyes and short silver hair, dressed like he had the last time they saw him, walked over, smiling softly. "Good to see you."
"Nice to see you too, Riku."
Axel grinned at the girl just behind Riku. "Look at you. You're not the same shy girl I remember."
"A lot has happened." The girl, Naminé, giggled.
She certainly looked different, no longer dressed in her white dress and sandals.
Now she wore a white top with long ruffled sleeves and a yellow skirt that went down to her knees. On her feet was a pair of ruffled socks and soft blue flats. A tan canvas bag hung from her shoulder, covered in embroidered flowers and a blue bow. Her hair, now hanging down to her waist, was pulled into a ponytail, and atop it she wore a soft blue beret with a navy band. And now she had glasses too.
"Riku?" Roxas and Xion came off the dance floor, hand-in-hand.
"Wait…"
"Naminé!?"
"Hi there."
Xion gasped. "I hardly recognize you!"
"I know," the girl giggled, "a lot has happened, and I've come out of my shell a little."
Isa smirked. "Here to see Jiminy, right?"
"Yep. He said we should come during the festival week, so we could have some fun too."
"Good plan."
Riku's eyes shifted to Roxas and Xion. "Looks like you two have come out of your shells as well, and then some." His eyes shifted down to where their hands were clasped together. "I'm glad."
The two blushed slightly.
"Why don't Riku and I go unpack while you two continue to enjoy the festival." Naminé offered.
"I'll join you." Axel hopped beside them. "Follow me."
Roxas gave a little wave. "See you later then."
"See you."
Axel kept an eye on Naminé as they walked through town and approached the mansion. He and Riku noticed the girl tense as they came in sight of the house.
The house she'd spent so much time in.
"You ok?"
"I'm fine… There's just a lot of memories here."
"The outside may look the same," Axel said gently, "but I think you'll find it's changed a lot. Maybe that will help."
"Maybe."
The older man noticed Riku stepping slightly closer to her as she gently grabbed at his jacket for support.
Looks like Roxas and Xion weren't the only ones growing in certain areas.
Opening the door, he held it open for the teens.
Naminé immediately gasped.
Not only was everything spotless, unlike the last time she'd been here, it was decorated. And a moment later, the patter of feet carried Kosho around the corner. The dog stopped, cocking his head at the two strangers.
"Oh!"
"Kosho, come here boy."
The dog slowly approached, eyeing Riku.
"He's friendly. You can pet him if you want, Naminé. He might take some time to warm up to you, Riku. He's not trusting of men he doesn't know."
The girl knelt down, holding out a hand. The dog walked into her touch and panted as she scratched him. "He's sweet. I saw the pictures of when you first got him."
"Technically he's Isa's dog, but we all love the rascal." Axel ruffled the dog's fur as he walked on. "I'll show you to the guest rooms."
He led them upstairs, pausing as he saw Naminé staring at one particular door.
"Want to see it?"
The girl stared at where her old white room used to be. "I don't know…"
"It might help. It's nothing like you remember."
"Really?"
"Really."
"I guess I could…" Slowly, the girl walked toward the door, Riku shadowing her. Her hand touched the door and pushed it open.
The white walls, table, and décor were gone.
A warm tan covered the walls. There were bookshelves, a window seat, and a big desk.
"This is Isa's office. He works for Mr. Scrooge."
The girl smiled, her mood lifting. "It looks nothing like it. It's like a different place."
The rooms of her trauma were gone.
"What about the basement?" Riku asked.
"Cobweb central? We haven't opened that thing in months. It's probably filled with spiders and rats at this point. I wouldn't go near it." Axel grinned. "This way." He led them to two bedrooms. "There's a bathroom across the hall. Roxas and Xion sometimes use it, but it's all yours. We will want to hear about everything later, but I'll let you get unpa- Kosho!"
The dog ran past Naminé and jumped on her bed, tail wagging.
"We just washed those sheets you mutt!"
The dog just yipped happily.
"I'm so sorry about him…"
Naminé giggled. "It's fine. I don't mind."
"Fine. Let me know if you need anything."
"Ok!"
"We will."
"How late did you two stay out?"
"Um…" Roxas rubbed the back of his head. "It wasn't that late… was it?"
Isa grabbed his coffee. "Ten o'clock. You two would've danced all night if I'd let you."
Roxas and Xion blushed.
"Um," the girl sighed, "where are Riku and Naminé?"
"I'm not sure… I think one of them is in the shower."
"I was." Riku came in, his hair slightly damp. "Good morning."
"Morning!"
The boy sat down at the table next to Xion. "Nami will be back soon."
"Where is she?"
"Jogging." He looked up as Isa handed him a cup of coffee. "Thanks."
"Want sugar or cream?"
"Nah." He drank the coffee. "She told me that she has a strict exercise routine in the morning."
Axel blinked. "She does!?"
They heard the front door open and footsteps coming their way. A sweaty Naminé poked her head into the kitchen. "I'll be in for breakfast in a few minutes."
"Ok… anything in particular?"
"Omelet with vegetables?"
"Gotcha."
The girl vanished upstairs and all eyes turned to Riku. "That is NOT the same girl we knew before."
"I know." He laughed. "But it's not my place to explain. I'll let her do so."
Roxas sighed. "So, how's the search for Sora going?"
At this, Riku's gaze fell. "Nothing so far. I've been bouncing around between worlds, sometimes going with Donald and Goofy, sometimes going with Mickey, and sometimes checking in on Terra, Aqua, and Ven. Jiminy has told me to calm down a little. So I spent a little time on the islands, just recuperating. I've been checking in on Kairi, and by extension, Nami."
"How is Kairi?"
"Asleep. Ansem and the others are searching her heart for any clues to Sora's whereabouts."
"And how are you feeling?" Xion rubbed her hands together.
She, like Naminé, knew what Riku was like in some of his darker moments.
They both could see a similarity to that time in him.
"I'm ok, I guess. That's why Jiminy wants to see me. He's put me on the same calling schedule as Aqua; twice a week."
"Oof." Axel flinched. "Well, take it easy while you're here."
"Yes." Isa nodded. "Xion, want to help me make some omelets?"
"Sure!"
Riku watched the girl jump up, taking a place alongside Isa, as the two began cooking.
She wasn't the same girl he knew from before either.
She looked happier, and freer.
A few minutes later, a freshly clean and dressed Naminé came in. "Sorry about that. I hope I didn't delay breakfast."
"Not at all!" Roxas stood up, offering her his chair. "What was that about anyway?"
"Oh… I'm just training."
"Training for what?"
The girl shyly played with one of her long bangs. So, her shyness was still there. "I'm… well… I started ballet."
Axel raised an eyebrow. "Really? That's cool. Do you like it?"
"I do. I wasn't very strong before, but I'm getting there, and I'm not doing it alone." She looked down as a cup of coffee was placed before her; she began putting some milk and sugar into it. "Actually, after we went to… to the beach… I went back to Radiant Garden."
"I'm a little surprised. I would've thought you wouldn't want to be near Ansem and the others anymore." Isa placed the omelet she asked for before her.
She took a sip of her coffee. "Well, I didn't really know where else to go at first. So, I stayed in the castle. I did see how different Ansem, Ienzo, and Even were. Ienzo especially is very nice. I learned how the world worked and was able to watch as Ansem changed the government. He abolished the monarchy and created a council to rule instead."
"Really?" Axel glanced at Isa. "That's a huge change."
"It was. The people got to choose who was on the council, or as they called it, the Chamber of Radiant Garden. Ansem was actually chosen to be on the chamber, as a way to atone for his past."
Isa nodded slowly. "I'm not surprised. The people of that town always were pretty forgiving."
"Another member, a former pirate who gave all her money to the city to rebuild, was chosen to handle commerce and finances for the world. She… well, she had rescued some other girls and adopted them during her travels, and she offered to adopt me too."
"Really!?" Xion gasped. "You have a family!"
Naminé nodded. "My mom's name is Mercedes(1) Anaya."
"Naminé Anaya then?"
"Yes, though all of you can just call me Nami now. Everyone does." She began eating her omelet. "I have three sisters now too. Shelke is eighteen, and she's the one who got me to try ballet. Kyrie, or Rea, as she is called, is seventeen, and she's pretty wild, but she does help me with school and with social situations. Lilja is also seventeen, and she's really smart; she's pretty shy like me, but she is really good at school(2)."
"Do you like school?" Roxas asked.
"I don't really go to school. Since Mom is part of the government, the three of us have a private tutor. It's really good for me, since I'm so behind on schooling."
"Wow." Axel sat down. "Do you live at the castle?"
"Yes I do. It's very different. The labs that Ansem still runs have been moved out of the castle entirely, and he mostly stays out there. We have a very large apartment in the castle." She sighed. "But enough about me, what about you four? What's been going on?"
"Wow! Your art has gotten even better!" Roxas gasped as he looked down at a realistic portrait of a woman with flowing hair.
"Thank you!" Naminé put her sketchbook away. "I've been trying out different art mediums lately. I'm working on painting and sculpting. But please, show me your photos!"
Roxas laid out some of his favorite photographs. "I've been practicing composition lately. The girls on the school paper keep asking if I'm trying to take newspaper photos or competition ones."
"These are really good." Riku picked one up. "You've got an eye for it."
"Thank you." Roxas smiled at Riku. "And you should see Xion sing and dance."
Riku glanced over at the girl. "We saw the video Isa posted of her. I'm assuming you'll let us know when the full show is. I know everyone would love to come."
Xion blushed. "Uh, sure… of course."
Everyone coming to her show!?
Riku glanced up at the clock. "Nami, your appointment with Jiminy is soon, you should probably get going."
"Oh yes." The girl stood up, putting on her beret and adjusting her glasses. "I'll see you all later."
Isa came inside. "Xion, there is a group of ladies outside looking for you. I think they want to head out to the vineyards for the juice tasting."
"Oh yes!" Xion jumped up. "And I know… no wine."
"You're not old enough yet anyway." He ruffled her hair. "Have fun."
"I will!" Out the door she went.
Axel stretched. "Looks like we men have the run of the place today."
"I'm going to practice." Isa walked over to a cabinet and pulled out his violin. "I'll be in the garden if you need me."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "He plays violin?"
"Yep."
Riku leaned back. "I'm really glad to see all of you doing well. And what I saw last night…"
Roxas turned a little red. "Well, that's a newer thing."
"I'm happy for you both." Riku picked up a photo Roxas took of Xion. "I knew she cared a lot about the both of you when we were on the run. You two were all she talked about, especially you, Roxas. It was like talking to Kairi sometimes; some days, all she would talk about was Sora."
"These feelings are new for both of us, but I'm happy."
Axel leaned forward. "And what about you and Nami? Don't think I didn't see her holding onto you last night."
Riku turned a deep shade of red. "I uh…"
"Hah! Who knew you'd get so flustered so easily!?"
"Sh-shut up!"
Roxas laughed. Seeing Riku, months later, and like this, he didn't feel as angry anymore. He could see Riku as another friend. A survivor of painful circumstances like himself.
He felt glad to get to be friends with him.
Genuine friends.
"Naminé are you certain?"
"I am." The girl fiddled with her canvas bag as she looked over at the cricket. "I'm tired of doing nothing, and I know they are too. And this way it won't be a strain on any of us. It's not a problem for me at all, and I don't have to do it all the time."
Jiminy closed his tiny notebook with a sigh. "If you're certain about this, I won't stop you, but make sure the others are ok with it as well."
"I will."
The cricket smiled. "You've grown. When I first started calling you, you were so quiet and unsure of yourself. But I see a confidence in you now. It's nice to see."
The girl smiled warmly. "You can thank my family for that."
"May I see them?"
Reaching into her bag, the girl pulled out her gummi phone. Flipping through her photos, she came to one that made her smile.
"Here."
She held out the phone.
Jiminy looked at a picture of a smiling Naminé. A tall and proud woman with wavy brown hair, wearing a purple coat, stood behind her. Beside her stood three girls. One in pink with short orange hair. One with black hair, wearing a navy hat. And one with blonde hair and long yellow-furred rabbit-like ears.
Her family.
Looking back on the photo, Naminé remember this day… the day she was officially adopted into the Anaya family.
…
She remembered the warm smile of Lilja, her Viera ears twitching happily. "This is so exciting!"
She remembered Kyrie throwing her arm around her immediately. "Another family member! This is gonna be awesome! I'll have to show you my favorite hangout spots!"
She remembered the gentle sigh and smile of Shelke. "I hope you'll be happy here."
She remembered the warm hug as Mercedes pulled her close. "Welcome to the family, Naminé!"
A tie-in to the Riku and Nami story I will eventually write! Also, thank you to a guest on FFN for inspiring Nami's family. Also, chapter 6 and 11 have been updated to go with the new lore for the story that named all the months of the year for Twilight Town, so if you want to see the changes, go check it out.
Footnotes:
(1) Check the lore documents I've been making on tumblr or Deviantart to see more on Mercedes. And Mercedes is a character from "Final Fantasy Brave Exvius".
(2) Shelke is the character from "Final Fantasy: Dirge of Cerberus". Kyrie is the character from "Final Fantasy VII Remake". Lilja is an NPC from "Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers".
VAs:
Lilja Anaya-Sjasaris- Sasheer Zamata (Adria, Jade, Helenor, Sally, Denise, Ayana, Kara)
Kyrie Anaya-Canaan- Erika Harlacher (Kyrie Canann, Ann Takamaki, Kurapika, Venti, Shinobu Kocho)
Shelke Anaya-Rui- Kari Wahlgren (Shelke the Transparent, Celty Sturluson, Saber, Haruko Haruhara)
Mercedes Anaya- Myrna Velasco (Green Lantern/Jessica Cruz, Torra Doza, Carla, CJ)
