Chapter XIII: The Other Promise

I won't let you be alone. I'm a prisoner of love.

Secret Report 13

Tomorrow, Sora awakens.

The boy, Roxas, is unlike any other Nobody. He shared an unusual birth with Naminé, and somehow developed feelings and emotions. His ability to fake them is remarkable.

Naminé was far from cooperative, but she still did as she was told. The journal Roxas carries, it was a device used by Organization XIII to keep their comrades complacent. Being acting out of line so drastically—such as Roxas did, and the reset button shall be activated. Any sense of self could be wiped. I ponder the usage of memory this way, and how they came to the conclusion that this would be usable in this way. A journal or report was a recollection of a person's thoughts and feelings. Surely the ties to a heart, or lack of one in the case of a Nobody, are not so tightly woven together as they believe. Naminé however, believes in it as well.

No...any theory posited now, when everything is nearing completion, would be meaningless.

Roxas, Ansem, Naminé...

They defy all logic, yet there they are: singular exceptions to the rule.

The theories proposed by me and by Organization XIII have been blown to pieces by a handful of strong-hearted individuals.

Sora, Kairi, Riku.

My drawn-out revenge against my students is nearing completion. It is pointless to consider my pondering over recent events. The acquisition of Roxas, Naminé's open defiance in everything, Ansem—Riku's descent into darkness

Kairi's recent awakening bodes well for Sora. Ansem spent more time worrying over her than watching over Roxas, understandably. He will provide for her until the morn, when Roxas goes to the mansion and reunites with Sora, allowing his long slumber to come to an end.

A part of me wishes I could have found a better solution, with how Naminé looked upon Roxas with a passion and protection I had not seen for years. He looked at her like he knew her from a time before.

Love. The most complex of all emotions, and comes in many forms.

When all this is over, it is my fervent hope that Riku and Kairi shall return home to Sora on their island.

If I can, I should like to return to Radiant Garden, to look once more upon the beautiful water, the lovely flowers, and the hopeful smiles of the people.

Dear King, my friend!

I believe that, at some point in time, you will come across these, my truthful accounts.

How I wish I could have chatted with you again.

I was a fool, obsessed with revenge.

Forgive me.

When Naminé awoke from her endless, dreamless slumber, she was on the floor of her room. Her hand instinctively went to her wrist. The charm bracelet was still there, which mean Roxas' presence was still with her.

But where was he? All she remembered was being thrown into the darkness, feeling such a cold desolation around her, sucking her into a stranglehold.

She should have perished in the realm of darkness if it was as far into it as Xemnas claimed.

The question is why didn't she? Her bracelet felt warm against her wrist like Roxas was holding her hand with gentle care. Sitting up she leaned on the wall, her body sore from her extended rest.

Riku walked into her room. His broad shoulders relaxed in relief. "You're alright," he said in his unnaturally deep voice. He crouched down to her level. "What happened?"

Naminé rubbed her eyes, trying to think of when all this went wrong. "It's a long story Riku."

He wasn't fazed in the slightest. "Go on."

And so she explained everything. Roxas breaking into her room the first time. Her eventual realization of who Roxas is. Her discovery of where Sora's most vital memories went. The stalling on Sora's progress and restoration.

The only thing she was hesitant to explain was the warmth she felt from Roxas. She referred to him as a friend the entire time with a half-hearted tone. She was a Nobody, she shouldn't feel anything.

But how could she explain her tears, her loneliness, when Sora made her a promise? How could she explain her fears, her yearning when Roxas was around? When he was gone?

"And?" Riku asked when Naminé paused for too long to get lost in her thoughts.

She snapped out of her reverie. "Roxas tried to show me how to use a dark corridor to get around but he was followed by the Organization. They took me and tried to throw me into the deepest darkest abyss as Xemnas called it."

Riku tensed up, his breathing loud and rugged. "But Roxas saved you?"

"He did. I don't remember anything after I was thrown in," she explained. "How did I get here?"

"I found you in the courtyard."

Roxas wouldn't have left her there like that, but her only logic for it was he was too exhausted. "No one else with me?"

Riku shook his head. "No one."

She sighed. "I wonder if he's even alright."

Riku nodded underneath his hood. She could faintly see the face that was not his own. "He sounds tough. He probably is. I didn't tell DiZ you were missing for a while. He doesn't suspect a thing."

"Thank you, Riku."

"Now, you should rest up. You went through a lot. Can you stand?"

She pushed herself up the wall, taking a couple of unsteady steps forward before getting her balance in check. "Yes." She moved to her chair, her sketchbook lying on the table along with her pencils.

Riku caught sight of the black notebook sitting next to the vase of flowers. "What is that?"

She reached out to it, running her fingers over the white lettering. XIII. "It's Roxas'."

He didn't pry anymore. "I'll be back."

Out of fear that it was the wrong journal, she opened it up to the first entry. There was text in it. Seeing only that, she closed it, relief washing over her.

"I have one more thing to ask of you," Roxas said, his fingers reaching into his inner coat pocket. He took out two black journals. "Please take care of this." He presented them to her, both with white letters painted on it. "Organization XIII threatened to wipe my memories using this."

"Which one is real?" she asked with wide eyes. The Organization's experiments on memories were far more potent than she thought. A mere device such as a journal could be used to wipe his memories?

He opened them both to a random page. One had written words in it, the other was blank. "This one," he pushed the journal into her hands.

She felt every thread within Roxas in her hands. It was terrifying to think about how he poured his soul and existence into this small book and easily it could be used as a weapon. "I promise to keep your memories safe," she said, holding the book tight.

He placed a hand on her shoulder with a deep gaze of endearment. She felt warm and secure whenever he touched her. "And I promise to always protect you."

Axel lay upon his bed, the moonlight of Kingdom Hearts illuminating his dark room.

He wondered how long it would be before Xemnas caught onto the fact that he had let Roxas go. Saïx should have caught onto it but he said absolutely nothing since the incident.

Surely he would be punished, but how? He only could think of many. Turned into a Dusk. Forced to give up control over his assassins—fat chance there.

Forced to find Roxas. Forced to eliminate him.

He knew in his gut this would happen. Eventually, the sad reality and nature of Organization XIII would catch up with Roxas, his only friend here, and he would perish. Even worse, Axel knew he would probably be sent to do the dirty work while Xemnas kicked back on his throne.

That's all he was good for in this Organization, being the one doing the icky jobs.

He could leave, but would that do? He'd end up just like Roxas. Just like the traitors of Castle Oblivion.

Axel sighed.

There was a popsicle stick on his window sill that said WINNER.

Naminé lay down on the white table, sleepy after a long day of wondering where Roxas was. Her sleepiness took over. Her thoughts on everything lulled her right to the edge of rest. She had to find him and...And do what? Tell him she was thankful for him saving her life? That she was sorry he had to risk it at all?

She heard his swift footsteps, his boots clunking on the floor as he climbed back into her room. His gloved fingers brushed her hair aside as she wrestled herself awake. "I will...I promise to set you free, Naminé," he whispered.

Mustering up remaining energy, she forced herself to sit up. Everything was cloudy still. What was he going on about? "Roxas?" She mumbled, trying to look at him clearly.

He just stood there for a few moments before leaning in and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Something was terribly wrong. Normally, Roxas was a chatterbox, or moody in his usual way. This, this was far different. He looked incredibly sad at her.

Her gut twisted as he turned on his heel and jumped out her window. "Roxas!" She cried out to him, her voice hoarse.

No...No. Naminé wasn't losing him like this. She wasn't losing anyone else. She would spend an eternity trying to get the remaining memories, the loose threads, if it meant saving Roxas. She knew this was selfish, how could she not, but she kept this goal in mind anyways.

Riku busted into the room, finding a distraught Naminé. "What happened?"

"He just...Left," she said, trying not to cry. "He's going to do something reckless I know it! Riku please, help me. I need to get to Roxas."

He nodded. "Where would he go?"

"To The World That Never Was," she said. "But..."

"We don't know how to get there without the Organization breathing down our necks," Riku said.

She sighed. "I know… Unless..." She looked to the journal on the table. She picked it up, feeling Roxas' memories bound within. She reached out to the threads, finding the most recent one made of the dark city. Axel was in it too. He has been there before, that is where he will be. "I know where to go, Memory's Skyscraper but I cannot make the dark corridor," she pleaded. "Please Riku."

She snapped her fingers, making a small wisp. Riku sighed and made the wisp larger and larger using his own darkness. Putting the notebook down on the table, she nodded to him. "Keep the channel open. I will be back."

He didn't say or do anything as he watched her walk into the corridor. Once she was out of sight, he spoke words he didn't want her to hear.

"You love him, don't you?"

Riku made his way through the mansion, looking over the status of Sora on DiZ's computer. Still stalled. But now he knew where the progress was stalling. Roxas carried Sora's memories of Kairi.

He had to laugh at the irony. Roxas and Naminé formed a relationship independent of Sora and Kairi. They were mirrors of reality. A product of their emotions.

"If we can get to Roxas before he completes Kingdom Hearts," DiZ mused. "Then we can extract his essence to complete Sora if we have to."

Riku swallowed dryly. Something told him that Naminé would not be able to convince Roxas from his suicide mission. "DiZ, I might know where Roxas is. He left the Organization."

DiZ paused in his typing. "Then bring him to me, so Sora may awaken at last."

The teenager stood there, trying to hide his reluctance. Without a moment to spare, Riku left.

Naminé stood there, watching the back of Roxas run out into the rain. Her lips were trembling but she had to remain strong, or she told herself that.

The rain continued pouring. It was far too wet out for her to follow after him. She waited with bated breath for a few minutes, hoping she would be a far enough distance away so she wouldn't be collateral damage...Again.

But she had to make sure he was alright.

The rain lightened. It was safe to move about.

She found no Heartless or Nobodies around. Did Roxas eliminate them all? Moving through the alleyways towards Memory's Skyscraper, something in her stomach sank.

She knew she couldn't convince him to give up his relentless task of eliminating Organization XIII, but still, it could lead to something worse. Something terrible could happen to him. She berated herself internally. His memories were safe with her, she needn't worry.

When she came upon Memory's Skyscraper, a dreadful sight greeted her.

Roxas was laying on the ground, his keyblades gone, his hood fallen off his head. Riku stood there, thoroughly exhausted.

His eyes met hers. His expression was full of sadness and regret. "I had no choice, Naminé."

Her throat was tight. It really came to this. Rather than risk Roxas be turned into a puppet and lose Sora, it was only natural that Riku would make his choice. Eventually, DiZ would come to the conclusion to force Roxas into the no-win scenario, the less risky scenario, but no less painful.

She tried, she really did.

Naminé ran over to Roxas, cradling his head on her lap. "Roxas..." She breathed out, trying to choke back her cries. Tears slipped out, dripping down her cheeks and onto Roxas' face. "I'm so, so sorry." she brushed his heavy bangs aside, trying to look at him one last time. "Everything," she hiccupped, trying to get the words out. "Everything will be alright. You'll... You'll be whole."

Her tears ran out eventually. She watched from the shadows as DiZ transported him into a fake, virtual Twilight Town.

And then DiZ found the journal, asked her what it was. Naminé swallowed as she recorded his memories down in her sketchbook, keeping them intact as she wrote into his journal new, fake memories on the blank remaining pages.

It killed her on the inside, but she couldn't muster up any more tears.

She knew he would always remember her.

As she watched from the curtains of her room, Roxas stared at her. A passion, a deep sense of hope and unwillingness to let his ultimate fate be to forget, to lose his other promises, she would do anything and everything to defy her orders and let him remember who he was.

She continued back to her work. The threads of Sora's memories were easy to catch now, and soon, once Roxas returned to Sora, she would return to Kairi, finally at peace. Putting pencil to paper in the journal, Naminé wrote another line to his life. Another side, another story.

His name was Roxas. He would never be anyone else, not as long as she was there to remind him of it.

The end.

Dedicated to the Rokunami: Love in Twilight server.

A/N:

The end...For now XD

Thank you to everyone who read and favorited and reviewed this fanfiction. I will be returning to Lines In-Between soon to finish Roxas and Namine's story once and for all. This is truly not the end for them.

Q-A the Authoress: Oh snap indeed haha. Thank you for all your reviews :)