Chapter 2

- A Blind Meeting -

Roxas x Naminé

Romance/Fantasy

Rated T

-x-

Authors Note: Thank you, Kailee, for beta testing! :)

-x-

"Come on Roxas, FOCUS!" The crowd roared all around the stage, the same word engraving itself into his memory. Focus. Roxas squinted as another baton plummeted towards his shoulder; he dodged quickly, feeling the small vibrations when the attack collided with the ground. He grimaced and jumped away, watching his opponent waste time by cursing.

The blond's scorn turned into a grin. Seizing the moment, he leaped into the centre, guiding his mace towards the taller blond. Roxas swore as his attack was blocked; it hit with a hard thump, knocking both boys in opposite directions. Roxas smashed into the concrete head first with such force that even his spikes seemed to feel it. He winced in pain and reached for his weapon. It was no use, both his arms were dead.

He could briefly hear the crowd - his friends - shout, "Roxas! Get up!"

The boy struggled to pull himself back up but his chest suddenly ached as something slammed into it, pushing his back towards the ground once more. It was as if the surface had electrocuted him, coursing his mind into darkness. Everything was turning bleak and foggy; Roxas could feel his body giving way.

"Wake up, Loser. I want you at-least conscious for my moment of gloating," a voice called out, forcing Roxas to groan. He had thought in advance that this fight would be worth-while and that he could handle a few "Seifer-taunts," but Roxas had never pictured losing to him. The spiky haired teen instantly felt shame.

"U-ugh..." Roxas mumbled, still trying to regain his posture. He ran his hand over his chest, trying to find where the pain was coming from; his eyes grew wide when he felt a boot press hard against his chest. Seifer was leaning over him, smirking evilly as he pressed his foot down harder onto Roxas' frame.

Roxas couldn't bear it. "G-get off!!" He yelped in pain, feeling a shock barging into him again.

As Seifer removed his boot from his chest, he instantly began gasping, hurting with each breath. When he looked up, he noticed Seifer being towed away by the referee. The teenager sighed inwardly, staring around the stage for his friends. He frowned vividly when they were no-where to be seen.

"Needing everyone's help to fight?! He is weak! As weak as they come!" Roxas shuddered as Seifer screamed out. He wasn't directing it at Roxas; he was broadcasting it to the world. Seifer was showcasing Roxas' fears.

I shouldn't need anyone else to fight... so why do they always jump in and intervene? I don't always want them to get hurt! He thought helplessly, cracking knuckles as his fists clenched.

The shuddering didn't cease even after Seifer had finished. Roxas suddenly felt a trembling within him; a gashing pain inside him. He fell to his knees, throwing his head down as his hair flew around him, soaked with sweat.

A voice called out, "Shut up, Seifer! You always turn these fun events into bloodbaths!" and Roxas recognized it instantly. He turned his face around slowly, imagining how bleak he looked. Hayner stood in a goofy but impressive stance, the kind you'd see if he were to jump in front of Roxas. Though, he wouldn't jump in front. He wanted Roxas to win for himself and their two other friends in the sidelines – Pence and Olette. All three smiled at him. Roxas tried his best to smile back, forcing his legs to work so that he could stand. He hoisted himself up, smiling fully as he heard the crowd cheer.

The referee and host exchanged glances and the host turned to Roxas. He lifted the microphone and spoke enthusiastically, "Well, folks... the new-comer is up and we can get ready to-" He froze, scrutinizing his face strangely. Roxas tilted his head, noticing that the small man was fixated on the sky. He looked up himself as the rest of the audience mimicked. Awe filled the air.

What... what is that...? Roxas limped his arms, loosening the grip on his defence until it fell to the floor with a soft swoosh. He felt strangely at peace, almost as if... he had seen it before. Almost as if he knew what the captivating blast of beacon headed towards Destiny Islands was. An image flashed past his cobalt eyes quickly, catching the disorientated minor off guard. It was too blurry for him to make out. For a moment, he felt like he would give way; having no memories was even more of a burden when having something spark one. Clenching his fists, he sighed inwardly and looked at the ground instead.

The blond shook his head harshly. Much too familiar.

"Wow..." A voice murmured, startling Roxas. He turned to face her and sighed. She was so easily distracted and still staring at the sky.

"Olette," he groaned, finally attracting her eyes. "What are you-" He stopped abruptly, this time scaring Olette.

Olette studied him worriedly, "Roxas?"

Roxas wasn't listening. Olette would be lucky if he could even hear her words; he was too busy looking at the small blonde haired girl hiding behind her. Their eyes met, blue reacting with blue as Roxas could see a certain panic within hers.

Did Olette not notice her? He wondered.

Olette waved her hand in front of his face, annoyed. "Hello? Earth to Roxas?"

"Huh...?" Roxas murmured absently, still musing over the girl. He slowly reached towards her and she quickly backed away, frowning hard. Roxas shifted abruptly as everything else seemed to freeze around him, time twisting to a halt. The girl glowered at him for another moment before retreating from Olette's shadow and into the crowd.

The blond took after her, pushing carefully past the frozen crowd in the process, scared of knocking anyone over. Noticing the strange girl run into the opening, towards the stairs, he finally got a good look at her.

Purity.

Her light blonde hair was complimented valiantly by a simple yet beautiful silk dress - completely white. On her feet were a pair of soft blue sandals which appeared to have two small clippings in the shape of wings.

"Wait!" He cried, turning the corner. Roxas slid to a halt when he found that she was nowhere in sight. He called, "Where are you?" and ran ahead, turning onto the main street. The shops were bleak and empty with all the lights out; everyone was still at the Struggle Tournament. As dusk approached, it became very hard to see. A speck of white flashed past his eyes, and squinting fast, he noticed the girl heading towards Sunset Hill. He immediately pushed forward again.

-x-

She pressed her hand against the wall, breathing heavily and gasping for air. "L-lost.. him..." She fluttered with relief. Hiding in the shadows, the girl felt slightly at ease. She could still feel the town's silent stares. Time had unfrozen moments after she retreated from the Sandlot, and they were all memorized by the entity. It was still falling rapidly from the sky, amazing her also. She glimpsed at it, letting her mouth loosen a little and fall open. She knew all too well what it was, and knew all too well that the fear growing inside her was real. Very real. As if by instinct, she moved away from the wall in a jaggedly, zombie-like way, moving into a centred position with the light.

She spoke clearly now, no longer gasping or whispering. She spoke confidently, and just in time for Roxas to peer around the corner – catching her in the act.

"Kairi."

Roxas' face puzzled as he scanned the word. Kairi? Who was Kairi? He thought.

The girl took a step towards the edge, staring at the object with which she was perfectly aligned. "Why are you falling? I don't understand... you're not supposed to-" She paused, startling Roxas. He gaped at her for a moment, suddenly feeling rather conspicuous. "- be here." She finished. Roxas wasn't sure if it was directed at Kairi or him.

The petite blonde started again, "Kairi... I'm so sorry; I'll come send you back." She began sobbing silently. Roxas suddenly felt the air lift around him, the familiarity again...

What is this... He thought, gripping the edge of the wall lightly when something swirled past his eyes. It landed just in front of him, and – being the curious boy he is – he bent down to pick it up. His eyes shot wide as he looked at it, and almost found himself smiling. He twisted it around in his hand, shocked at how light somehow reflected from it so brilliantly so late in the day - and he noticed one other thing about it.

It was warm.

Roxas really did smile now, holding it closer. He hugged it against his heart, feeling aptitude flowing with its beat. The feather really was something. "Wow..."

"Huh?" A voice rang out, awakening Roxas from his trance. He immediately looked up, feeling the need to run. The girl was staring at him grimly. "Why are you following me?!"

"U-um... I... I can explain!" Roxas rambled, not convincing her. He stood up, trying to feel more confident.

The girls face seemed to smooth as she continued to watch him. Closely. "You followed me..."

Roxas' face fell. "Yes."

She frowned. "I see."

They seemed to simply observe each other for a while, shifting uncomfortably every so often. Roxas' view began to move away from her, and she noticed, mimicking his movement. As his cerulean eyes drifted upon the small water fountain a few metres away, fear shadowed him. His feet moved backwards slowly, as if someone or thing was about to attack and kill him. The small girl looked at the reflection and back at him, and suddenly looked very close to crying.

"Don't go! Please... you're the first," she stammered, reaching out to him, "that can see..."

Roxas stopped in his tracks and tilted his head at her. Their eyes locked for a moment and he ceased moving altogether. The girl smiled a little and began pacing towards him. She was at reaching distance of him when she paused and giggled lightly, pulling a hand over her mouth to hide it.

"I'm sorry... I forgot to ask you your name." She wiped away the tears she shed moments ago and put on a sincere smile for him. Roxas hesitated, still staring at the mirror image in the water. "You can see them. You can see what no human can - not even in a silly reflection."

Roxas placed a hand behind his spikes and flushed, his eyes still trying to unlock from hers. When she laughed, it only made him flush more. Crazy,he thought. She changed her personality so quickly just because I... I saw them?

The girl flicked at her hair in a frustrated manner. "Well?" She ushered quietly.

"I'm Roxas," he mumbled, watching her reaction shift again.

"Roxas, huh?" She lost herself in thought for a moment, "Roxas. I actually wanted to meet you, at least once."

Roxas blinked twice. "Me?"

"Yes. You." She chorused, beaming.

The blond's eyes were no longer at wars with her. "And you are?" He asked.

The petite blonde's eyes closed. She pressed one hand to her heart and began to hum a song. The song sounded familiar to Roxas but he didn't dare say it out loud. The atmosphere amended again and she half-opened her eyes and began to speak.

"Angels In Flight."

Roxas grimaced as a wind shoved past, almost sending him flying. His eyes closed to stop any dirt getting trapped inside and after a while, he became afraid to actually open them. His body began to strain as he fell to his knees.

"Roxas?" The girl's voice called. Roxas didn't need to hear her to know she was moving close to him, he could feel her. The warmth. It comforted him. "Roxas, I'm sorry... I forgot that the laws won't let you see."

Laws? He asked himself, curious. So it's not just me being a coward?

"You were able to see before... but that was an accident. I'm sorry if it scared you," she said, sounding sad.

Roxas shook his head and stood up, no longer caring about the pain. He tried to smile but wasn't sure if he was successful. "Don't be so sad. I'll see it sooner or later."

He heard a soft sigh and groaned. "You can open your eyes now."

He did was he was told and his eyelids flashed. The first thing he saw was the sky. The empty sky. "It's gone..." He mused quietly.

The girl answered abruptly, "Yes, she is." She was quite a distance away from Roxas, looking rather cheerless and confused. Roxas wanted to go and at least comfort her but a small voice in his head told him that that was a bad idea. They looked at each other again before she turned to leave. Roxas jumped; this time it was his turn to shout.

"Wait!"

"I can't. I have to go before it's too late," she answered simply, concealing all emotion. Her body began moving towards the stairs but Roxas rushed in front of her with an annoyed expression.

"Oh? Are you not interested in meeting me now?" he patronized.

Offence slashed across her face. "What are you talking about? We did meet, and now that's over."

She tried to push past him but in the end he was much stronger. "Let me try and see your wings one more time. I can see them, I swear-"

"-Wings? Well, well, has the Witch committed that offence? Oh my, how I would love to see how the punishments work." A voice chimed out from beyond them both, startling Roxas and scaring the girl. "Naminé, it's been a while."

Naminé... so that's her name. Roxas thought, feeling his shirt getting tightly pulled back. He could tell that leaving that way was now the last thing on her mind. Instead, she cowered behind him, shaking violently.

He suddenly felt very angry. "Who are you? What did you do to her?!"

The man seemed amused as he stepped up to Roxas. His face was masked in a series of red fabrics, much similar to the long cloak he wore. He scowled at the blonde, casting a reflection in Roxas' eyes. Roxas remained perfectly still, with his arms still spread out – except now they were protection more than a wall. He breathed lightly and calmed down. "Who are you?"

The man chuckled madly and looked as if he had just heard the world's best joke. "Why, you've never heard of me? She has! The rest of her kind have! Many people in this forsaken town have! And yet, the one boy who can see this Witch's wings hasn't?! This place truly is a disposable paradise for these insects!"

Roxas felt fear creep over him. This man was scary, and in the worst way possible. He distorted at the so-called "answer." Roxas twisted his head around to see Naminé; she could not stop her silent tears. The man's voice rang out again, attracting the teen's attention.

"You can call me D.i.Z. Also, if you must know, I am a researcher of The Sanctuary, and all the vermin who live or are even connected with the place." he glanced at Naminé, "Truly disposable."

Naminé retreated from Roxas' side - her tears were no longer silent, they were there for the world to see.

"Naminé!" Roxas called after her, ignoring D.i.Z's chortling. "Wait! Naminé!" He ran up the hill after her, scared for what she may do. 'Please... come back...'

-x-

Roxas chased her to the end of town, but she had disappeared. As he headed back to Sunset Hill for the third time, he noticed something different about it. Sitting alone on the bench was a single white feather. He picked it up and spun it, hoping for another light to appear, but nothing happened. The light had faded, and this feather was far from home.

I want to meet you, Roxas thought, walking to the edge of the hill, at least more than once.

He tossed the feather over the edge and it gracefully took to the sky.