Chapter Fifteen: Heartfelt

My reflection looks back up at me as I gaze into the water, lost in thought. The sun is just beginning to set across the ocean, casting warm rays of light against my face. I smile slightly, taking off one of my gloves to trail my hand in the warm water. Roxas, Lea and I have been on these islands for a little over a week now. We've had to stay put and wait for news from Yen Sid. A wizard whom I have never met. I really like it here, itt's so peaceful...no fighting. Just what most people consider day to day activities.

Staying on these islands have been hard on both Lea and to some extent, Sora. Lea's worried about Isa, and how everything with Xehanort is going to end up. He's also been following Roxas and I around, worried that Xehanort's going to take us too. I'm sure the man still wants us for his plans.

"Hello. Who are you?"

I jerk my hand out of the water, spinning around to look up at whoever just walked up behind me. My eyes fly wide when I see who it is, and I get to my feet with a smile.

"Kairi...right?" I ask. But I already know. I still have memories of she and Sora, and our faces are identical. I hold out my gloved hand. "I'm Xion...Lea and Roxas's friend."

She smiles warmly. "It's...nice to meet you... I just got back from a mission. You look...just like me."

I look down at the sand. It must be rather strange for her, seeing someone with her face. Then again Naminé also looks a lot like her, so maybe it isn't entirely shocking. But to explain why I look like her, that could take awhile.

"That's a long story," I say, still not meeting her eye.

She walks past me to stand at the waters edge. "Well, I have plenty of time."

Kairi doesn't act as if my explanation is far fetched at all, and only nods at the end of it, gazing out across the ocean. I trail my fingers in the warm water again. Biting my lip I look over at the red head.

"Kairi...I need your help," I begin.

She smiles. "What is it?"

I focus on the water, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Well, it's about this guy..."

When I peek up again I see that her smile has turned into a grin and I can't help but smile a little in response. Maybe, just maybe she can help me figure out what to say to him. Not to mention how to work up the courage to say something.

"Roxas?" she asks with a knowing look.

My expression quickly changes to one of surprise. "No, not Roxas. Lea."

It's her turn to look surprised. "Oh, really? Hmm...either way, I'd love to help."

Roxas's Point of View

"I never even knew this place existed," I say, looking around in wonder.

I stand outside Yen Sid's tower. Sora brought me here in order to remove Xehanort's heart from me. It took awhile to get ahold of the wizard, apparently he's pretty busy trying to help everyone prepare to fight against Xehanort. They need one more wielder of light, which is where I come in I guess. But first, I need Xehanort's influence on me gone. Yen Sid is supposed to be able to help me, or so Sora says.

His tower appears to be on the edge of Twilight Town, and I recognize a train that drives by as one of the seven wonders, that, once upon a time, I looked for with data Hayner, Pence and Olette. I wonder how they're doing now... I should pay them a visit. I hope they remember me from when I met them in the town before.

"Yeah, it's pretty cool isn't it?" Sora says with a grin. "Come on Roxas, let's go inside."

I follow Sora into the tower. Near the doorway is a flight of stairs and Sora heads up them while I trail slowly after him. A short time later and we've reached a room with a large desk directly across from the door. An elderly man is seated at said desk. His eyes are closed when we first enter, his hands folded in his lap. He looks over at us after a moment though, upon hearing Sora and I approach his desk.

"Ah, Sora, Roxas," Yen Sid says. "Good to see you. Let's get Xehanort out of your heart immediately, Roxas."

He gets to his feet and walks around his desk. His palm glows with magic as he approaches me. Without thinking I step back, not really trusting the man since I just met him. But I guess Sora does, so he must be okay. I hold still as he shoots the light into my chest. Sora's points his Keyblade at me and a moment later I feel a sharp pain before seeing a small piece of a heart floating out of my body. I fall to my knees, gasping for air. The heart floats away and Sora walks over to me, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"You okay?" he asks worriedly.

It takes me a moment to respond as I contemplate his question. Yes, on the one hand. I feel light again, no longer burdened by Xehanort's heart, and the evil presence of it. As the pain fades from my chest I nod, smiling at him.

"Much better. Thanks Sora...and you too, Yen Sid, sir," I say.

Yen Sid is turned away, facing a glowing orb. Sora meets my eye and shrugs. Getting back to my feet, I wait beside him for Yen Sid to face us again. At last he does so, his forehead creased in worry.

"I have received a message," he says gravely. "Xehanort has gathered all of his 13 darknesses. It seems he briefly had 14, when his heart was still within your own Roxas. It is time for you and your friends to prepare. Sora if you would."

Sora summons his Keyblade again and offers it to me. I frown but take it. I look at it different ways before meeting Sora's eye again.

"I don't think I understand...unless, are you giving me the power to wield a Keyblade?" I ask.

Yen Sid is the one who answers. "Yes Roxas. We need one more light Keyblade wielder, and I dare say, you are worthy of it. Now, Xehanort's plans are complete. Get some rest, and perhaps some training in. You have until tomorrow evening, when we will meet Xehanort at the Keyblade Graveyard, one final time."

Xion's Point of View

I step out of a portal into Twilight Town behind Lea, drawing my hood down again. The familiarity of the town brings a smile to my lips and I just look around for a moment before following Lea to the sea salt ice cream stand. He asks for three, since Roxas is planning to meet us here after he gets his heart returned to normal by Yen Sid and Sora. I hope it all goes smoothly. I want to see Roxas smile again, his normal smile that reaches his eyes. I also really want to see he and Lea acting completely like best friends again.

Lea hands me one of the ice creams with a small smile before slinging his arm across my shoulders as we walk up the flights of stairs to the top of the clock tower. There is an elevator, but we've never used it. Funny, I don't really know why.

Upon reaching the top he removes his arm from my shoulders and stretches, standing as he gazes out at the sunset. I stand beside him, suddenly nervous as I take a small bite of my ice cream. Before he can sit down I grab his arm suddenly and he looks at me curiously.

"Everything okay Xion?"

I nod sharply, sliding my hand down his arm so that we're holding hands. Lea still looks at me quizzically, which doesn't really help me not feel nervous. I look anywhere but his face for a few moments, but at last I make myself meet his eyes.

"Lea...remember when you showed me what a kiss was?" I say, tripping over the words.

His grip tightens on my hand as he smirks, nodding. "Of course..."

"Well, I think—I think I like you," I say, forcing myself to speak slowly. "Like really, really, like you. You're my best friend, but it's also completely different somehow. I can't really explain it exactly..."

While I was speaking I watched his expression change from mild surprise to happiness but now he's grinning. With the hand that isn't holding the ice cream he reaches out and cups my face.

"Really? I thought you might like Roxas," he says quietly, his tone entirely serious. "Are you sure...that you like me?"

I smile at him shyly. "Roxas is my best friend, but I don't like him like that. Kairi thought I did to, I hope Roxas didn't..." I trail off with that thought, before reaching upwards to place my hand against his cheek as well. "I've given it a lot of thought, and, I'm sure Lea."

"Well then. I like you too Xion, a lot actually," Lea tells me.

The smile he gives me makes my heart skip a beat and I look down briefly before meeting his gaze again. He tucks my bangs behind my ear.

"I don't really know how this works...what do we do now?" I say quietly, and he chuckles in response, grabbing my hands in both of his.

"Well, since we have established that we both like each other, romantically that is, we'll go on dates, and see where life takes us...how does that sound to you?" he asks with a slight chuckle at the end. "But, whatever happens, you and me, we'll stay good friends. Okay?"

I grin at him. "Sounds good, Lea."

Placing my hands on his shoulders I stand on tip toe to kiss his cheek. As I move to step back he places his hand under my chin, tilting my face up to kiss my lips. It doesn't last long as I hear the sound of a nervous laugh behind me. I turn around slowly to see Roxas standing a few feet behind me, he looks between Lea and I couple times before smiling slightly.

"This is going to take some getting used to..." Roxas says, something behind his eyes that I can't quite place. "But I'm happy for you guys."

Lea grins widely, walking forward and clapping a hand on his shoulder. "Thanks, buddy, really. You okay?"

I walk over to Roxas and smile at him. "Did they remove Xehanort's heart from yours?"

Roxas nods to both of us. "Yeah, I'm good now. Oh and I have my own Keyblade now too."

I grin at him, very nearly jumping up in excitement for him. Instead I merely give him a hug briefly before stepping backwards again. "That's great Roxas!"

"Yeah, I'm really happy about that, but—" he breaks his words off, frowning. "Xehanort has all of his 13 darknesses now... Yen Sid says we'll have to fight him tomorrow."

Lea draws in a breath which he lets out slowly. He places his other hand on my shoulder and grins first at Roxas than me. "Don't worry, we'll defeat him, and we'll all be fine."

We sit down on the edge of the clock tower and look out across the way to the sunset. Looking at this sunset now, I feel happier and the most like a real person that I've ever felt. And I think I really am now, since I have my own heart. But finally, I understand what it feels like to be real. To feel like maybe, I belong in these worlds. And I'm optimistic, about the confrontation with Xehanort.

Authors Note: Hi! I'm very sorry for taking this long to update, I haven't had as much time to write lately. However, this is the second to last chapter. But I'll probably end up writing an epilogue as well. I hope you all have enjoyed the story thus far. And thanks so much for continuing to read this! :)