Play: At Dusk, I Will Think of You… - Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

Axel was all by himself at the clock tower when Roxas and Kirux arrived, greeting him as they sat in their respective spots.

He looked at the two, saluting them with his ice cream bar, "So, job well done today?"

Roxas quickly took a bite of his bar, "Yep, no sweat!"

"Speak for yourself," Kirux said as he winced in pain. His free hand was grabbing at this side, just above his abdomen, "Has Xion been here?"

Axel shook his head, "Haven't seen her. What happened to you? The Heartless mess you up?"

"Yeah, it got me a couple of times. I got the last laugh though."

"Wanna tell me how that went?"

Roxas turned to Axel, "Before we do that, can Kirux and I ask you something? It's been on our minds since leaving our mission."

With an eyebrow perked Axel intently listened, ready to give some "Axel the Wise" knowledge on his younger Nobody friends, "What's that?"

…

"Axel, do you know what love is?"

After hearing the question from Kirux, he nearly choked on his ice cream, "Excuse me?"

Roxas explained their question, "We learned about love on our mission today, from Xaldin of all people. He said it's something powerful."

Axel was gathering himself to answer, clearly not ready for the question he had been asked.

"Well it is, but…"

"But we'll never get to experience it."

Kirux asked the next question, "Why is that?"

"You need a heart, guys."

That fact made both the young Nobodies sulk, an action that perplexed their fireheaded friend, "Don't sound so disappointed. I thought you two would know this by now."

Roxas was the one to answer this time, "Well, it's kind of disappointing to ask about something and always be told, "You need a heart to understand.", y'know?"

"Exactly why you two should focus on your missions and keep your minds off of things like this."

…

Roxas just shook his head and looked away, taking another bite of his ice cream. Kirux, however, continued to push for answers.

"So, is love something you experience with those you're close to? Like friends?"

Axel sighed and looked back over to explain, "It's a bit more than just being friends, Kirux. It's more about being close between two people."

"We're all pretty close. Does that mean we could all love each other?"

"Well, yes and no. Love between friends is certainly a thing, but it's not the kind of love I think you two saw today. Love is a…special feeling. You'll both understand it more one day when we get hearts of our own."

Roxas was focused on his ice cream by now, shrugging while muttering "If you say so." Kirux, however, was deep in thought.

"Something special between two people. Like…me and Xion?"

He put a hand up to his chest, and absentmindedly asked out loud, "Do you think if we had hearts, we could love? Like you said?"

"Who knows? We have to get hearts first before that can happen."

…

After that conversation ended, the trio sat in silence for a good while. Until Axel finished his ice cream and questioned the two on their mission.

"So, what exactly did you do that's got you all hurting, Kirux?"

Roxas eagerly turned to Axel, "Oh man, you should have seen it. He stopped a Heartless attack head-on and then froze it in place. Then he smashed it into a wall with only one hit! It was awesome!"

"Alright, alright! I get it! Where'd you even get the power to do that?"

Kirux, wanting to keep his using darkness a secret, would have given Axel a fake answer. However, Roxas spoke over him and drowned out any words he could have said.

"He used this sort of dark energy. I've never seen it before. Now that I think about it, where did you learn to do that, Kirux?"

…

Axel's face changed after hearing Roxas's words, his smile fading and his eyes narrowing on a face-palming Kirux.

"Is this true, Kirux?"

The younger Nobody's only response was him lightly grumbling under his breath, "Goddamnit Roxas…"

His blonde friend could only respond indignantly, "What did I do?"

"Kirux, you know what happened last time you used the darkness like that?"

"Yes, I do. And I know I didn't pass out immediately this time, so it's fine."

"Oh really? Is it fine that you were nursing your side as you walked up today?"

Kirux looked down to his right hand, which was still holding the area just above his abdomen. The pain flared when he pulled it away to adjust his seating, and his hand soon returned to its spot.

"I'm fine. I can take care of myself, you know."

Axel was now absentmindedly pointing his finished ice cream stick in Kirux's direction, "You know what can happen if you use the darkness too much. It's going to get worse if you start running around blasting everything in your path with it."

Kirux scoffed, "Oh, come on. It was one time against one Heartless! I can handle using it every once in a while."

"Not until it starts consuming your mind and corrupting your body, Kirux. Seriously, you should know better than to do that."

"If using that is so bad, then why is using the dark corridors no issue?"

Roxas was the one to answer, "Our coats ward off the darkness. It protects us when we traverse the corridors."

"Well, then problem solved! I got the coat, so I'll be fine!"

Axel sighed heavily at that, which only made Kirux even angrier, "Kirux, it doesn't work like that, and you know it. I'm just trying to-,"

"To help me. Yeah, I get it. But trust me, Axel. I've got this under control. You don't need to worry about me falling to the darkness or anything. I'll keep it in check."

He didn't get a verbal response at first. Axel just sighed and looked away from him back to the sunset. After about a minute, all Kirux got back from him was a "If you say so."

Kirux frowned at that and looked down at his dangling feet, regretting what he had said at that moment.

"Maybe using that power wasn't such a good idea…"

…

…

…

Kirux decided to leave the clock tower early that day, unable to take the awkwardness in the air after his short argument with Axel. He didn't have any ideas on where to go, other than knowing that he didn't want to go back to the castle just yet.

So, he decided to hop on the tram to the southern side of town, an area he hardly got to see due to his missions. Once he departed the station, he went on a quick stroll through this area, taking in the sites. The area itself was nothing special, but his ending destination was what caught his attention.

It was only a small clearing at the top of a hill with a fence lining the peak with a couple of benches. However, it included a recreation of the clock tower he was so familiar with. And it had a perfect view of the sunset, much like that clock tower. A sign on the side of the path on the way up told Kirux that this was called "Sunset Hill", and he could see why.

He was leaning against the fence, watching the sunset. His mind was stuck thinking back on what Axel had told them earlier, about love.

"Love is a special feeling. Something that is felt between two people."

He then went to think about the one friend he hadn't seen that day, one that had been occupying his mind frequently since he and Roxas left their mission earlier.

"The day I first met Xion, I remember feeling something. I remember feeling nervous and…I dunno, entranced? Maybe that's not the right word for it, but I felt it then. I've felt it plenty of times with her ever since then."

Those memories continued to go through his mind. Their missions together, the day they were training in the woods of Twilight Town, the pinky promise they made to one another. So many memories that have been made in such a short time between the two of them.

"That feeling I felt when we first met, and all those other times I've felt it with her. Was that love? Is that what love feels like?"

He put a hand up to his chest, continuing to think, "But…aren't us Nobodies not supposed to have emotions? Feel emotions? If we don't have hearts, then how can I truly know whatever it is that I feel?"

…

…

…

His thoughts were interrupted as he heard voices approaching, familiar voices, but not the ones of his dear friends. He turned back and saw a trio approaching him, a group he had not seen in what felt like ages.

It took him a second for him to remember, and another second for them to notice his presence, but it finally clicked for him.

"I met these three. The day I was…"born"? Let's go with born."

As it turned out, the girl in the group remembered him, "Oh, it's you!"

The larger of the two guys also spoke up, "It's been a while! Where have you been?"

Kirux had been caught off guard by their arrival and was flubbing a response. He did eventually get out the words, "I've…been all over the place, it seems."

The last guy, the one he distinctly remembered was hostile in their first encounter, decided to chime in, "You ever figure out what your name was, by the way?"

"Oh yeah. I didn't have my name when I met them."

"Kirux. You guys are Hayner, Pence, and Olette."

Hayner gave Pence an elbow to the forearm, "Told you he would remember us."

…

Olette came up to Kirux and offered him a hand, "It's nice to officially meet you, Kirux."

Kirux took her hand and shook it, "Yeah, likewise."

"Like the new look, by the way. Where'd you get it?"

"Let's just say I found a group of people just like me. They took me in and gave me this coat."

Hayner and Pence also walked up to him, with Pence asking, "Just like you? What does that mean?"

Kirux hesitated with his answer, "It's…complicated. I think it's best if I spared you the details."

"Well, it's good to know you're safe. We were starting to worry we wouldn't see you again."

Hayner, Pence, and Olette were now leaning on the fence, much like Kirux was a minute ago. He turned back to the fence and leaned forward onto it with them.

"Is that so?"

Olette interjected before Hayner could speak again, "What Hayner meant is that he was worried you had forgotten about us."

"Hey! You didn't have to go and tell him that!"

Olette and Pence both laughed, even Kirux chuckling along with them before speaking to the group, "I didn't forget you guys. If I'm honest, I should be thanking you. You sending me towards the mansion that day led to me getting to where I'm at now."

Hayner smiled and gave him a thumbs up, "Glad we could help."

…

"So, Kirux. What's got you over on this side of town?"

Kirux shrugged, not looking up to meet the eyes of the other three, "Not much. I was in the area and decided to check it out. Haven't been to this side of town before. What about you guys?"

"We come up here most afternoons to watch the sunset. It's a nice spot and pretty quiet during this time of day."

"We would go to the clock tower, but there's always people up there. I always wonder who else would be crazy enough to do something like that."

Kirux just laughed awkwardly at that, "Hehe, yeah…I wonder."

"But you still haven't answered Olette's question. About what you were doing up here."

…

He felt Hayner, Pence, and Olette all staring at him, as his eyes remained forward on the setting sun, as it was now barely peaking over the distant mountains.

"I needed a place to think, somewhere quiet and away from everything. Seems like almost every day, something weird or strange has been happening in my life, and I have had to process most of it on the fly."

"The day I met you all, I woke up with no memories and no idea what my name even was. But since then, I've met all sorts of people, made new friends, and seen all sorts of places. And yet as more time passes, it's almost as if my place in the world gets more and more…I dunno, confusing? Murky? Something like that."

He then looked down at his hands, "To put it simply and as least confusingly as I can, I got a lot going on and I'm just trying to figure things out. This place just…seemed like the best spot to think things over."

…

There was a minute of silence before anyone spoke again, which ended up being Kirux, "Sorry for dumping all of that on you guys. I just…have a lot on my mind."

"Well," Olette started, "I hope you figure it all out. And remember: if things get too tough, you can always rely on your friends for support."

She gestured towards Hayner and Pence, "You can rely on us, whenever you need."

The two boys nodded in agreement, and that made Kirux smile.

"Thanks, you guys. I…appreciate that."

Although Kirux hardly knew these three, he had to admit. It did feel good to have other friends in the world. Especially friends outside of the Organization.

After his last statement, Kirux stood from his spot on the fence and turned away, "I gotta go. I'll see you guys around, okay?"

All three of them gave their pleasantries as he walked off. Olette turned and said, "Bye Kirux!", while Hayner and Pence shouted over their shoulders, "Don't forget about us!" and "See you soon!", respectively.

Kirux waited until he reached the bottom of the hill and ducked inside an alley before summoning a corridor to the castle. Part of him was hoping that he could stay longer, but he knew he really shouldn't.

Stop: At Dusk, I Will Think of You… - Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

The wind was cold tonight, something you would not expect from a tropical island in the middle of the ocean. A small rainstorm had just come through, and it brought with it a cold front that chilled the air and winds.

As he stood on the secluded rooftop, overlooking his familiar hometown, he was reminded of why he had come here. It was something that he had picked up since his mission on waking Sora had started, but today was different.

Of all the days he could have picked to come and check on her, this was the worst possible one.

Play: Kairi - Kingdom Hearts II

He watched from the roof as a group of teens gathered on the beach, huddled around a campfire. They were all chatting away, occasionally laughing at a joke one of the group had told.

Among those teens was a girl, one that Riku knew vehemently. They had, at one time, been close friends and dreamed of sailing the seas between worlds. Then the darkness came, and it ruined everything.

Her name was Kairi.

Riku had taken up the task of checking on Kairi (and his home by proxy) every so often. Just to make sure the Organization or Heartless weren't causing any trouble. He always kept a distance, never once even thinking about going down to talk to her or anyone he had once known. This place was his home, after all. He would be recognized almost instantly if he tried.

But tonight, his mind wasn't fully on Kairi. As he watched her and her group, his mind was on someone he had met recently.

That girl with the Organization, the one with the Keyblade.

He knew Organization XIII had a Keyblade wielder. That could not be denied. But it was not the fact that she was wielding such a sacred weapon that bothered him. It was the fact that when he saw her face, it was one that he already knew.

He saw Kairi's face that day. Only it was not Kairi under that coat, fighting him on that bridge.

"So why did she look just like her?"

…

Then, much like with many of his problems, there came the issue of Kirux. Kirux, the Organization member who somehow looked just like him.

He had seen Kirux and that girl together numerous times before. If anything, he could not think of anyone else that he had seen Kirux with more than that girl. It was not a coincidence that he had shown up to try and help her after Riku beat her.

And as much as Riku hated to admit it, this only made their needing Kirux's help even more of a priority.

…

Riku decided enough time had passed, and stood from his spot. He watched as Kairi and her group put out their fire and began returning home.

He watched them walk away and sighed.

"Hang in there, Kairi," he whispered to himself, "Soon, I'll fix this. And then I'll bring him home."

Stop: Kairi - Kingdom Hearts II

Kirux was walking on his own when he overheard a quite loud conversation. Around the corner from him were Demyx and Luxord, talking in the halls toward the Grey Area.

"What do you mean she just collapsed?"

The term "she" piqued his interest, and he walked closer to listen in.

"It's just as I said," Luxord answered, "She returned after failing her mission, and fell into a deep sleep afterward. Nothing to wake her thus far has worked."

Kirux's eyes widened and he, quite quickly, turned the corner to yell, "Xion collapsed?"

Luxord and Demyx both looked over, one not surprised to see him and the other very surprised. Luxord spoke loudly, "I should have known you would be close by. She's in her room if you dare to check."

Kirux did not wait for Demyx to say anything. He turned and sprinted toward Xion's room, repeating the words "Please be okay" over and over again under his breath.

…

When he arrived, he basically kicked the door open and entered, stopping only when he saw her.

Play: Missing You - Kingdom Hearts II

Luxord had been telling the truth. Xion was there sleeping soundly, completely undeterred by Kirux's sudden intrusion.

He walked over to her bedside, taking a moment to look over her. She was simply breathing slowly, her right hand on her stomach and her left outstretched next to her. She had no signs of physical injury, thankfully.

Kirux put a hand on her shoulder, shaking it lightly as he called out to her, "Xion? Xion, you okay? It's me, Kirux. I'm here."

She didn't react, neither to his touch nor his words.

Kirux felt a sinking feeling in his chest, as he sighed and said aloud, "How did this happen to you?"

"It doesn't matter."

…

He looked to her doorway and saw Saïx standing there, eyes narrowed and arms crossed. Almost as if he was upset Kirux even existed in this moment.

"Its failures should mean nothing to you. Leave it be."

Kirux clenched his fist and turned toward him fully, ""It"? SHE has a name! How could you say that about one of your own comrades?"

"Up in arms over a Nobody. What's gotten into you, Kirux?"

He walked over to her door, keeping his eyes on the taller Nobody, "She's my friend. You would know how it feels if you actually had any. Now leave her alone or you'll have to deal with me."

With that, he grabbed Xion's door and slammed it in Saïx's face. He stood there, holding the door for a minute to make sure he didn't try to enter, and when he didn't, Kirux sighed.

"I really hate that guy…" he said as he turned away and returned to Xion's side. He grabbed the chair from her desk and sat next to her bed.

He spent the next few minutes just watching her sleep, thinking about his thoughts from earlier. He was getting the feeling again, just like he had many times before with her.

Although he didn't understand it, he was pretty sure what this was. This was love. Or at least as close to love as he could feel.

Did that mean he loved Xion? He didn't know, there was a lot he did not truly understand about it still.

Regardless, he reached over and grabbed her hand, taking it into his own two and holding them tightly.

"Xion, I dunno what I'm feeling right now. I…have an idea, but I don't really understand it all that well. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm right here. And I'm always going to be right here. No matter what."

And although he knew it was impossible, he could have sworn he felt Xion's hand squeeze his own.