Fast Food Madness: The Epic Return V2

Roxas blinked slowly, his lips forming a soft smile as he looked down at the girl in front of him. His hand left hers and found her waist. He wasn't sure if the silence was meant to be broken, so he didn't say anything. He let the room stay full of peace, something they had both wanted for a while.

 

When Roxas released her hand, Namine brought it up and wrapped it around the back of Roxas' neck, her other hand going back there was well as they held each other. She kept her forehead against his for a few more moments before she gently pulled it back, then moving it forward so that it rested on his shoulder as she brought herself closer to him.

 

Roxas moved his hands from Namine's waist and wrapped his arms further around her, embracing her in the silence. He sighed softly in comfort and peace, glad that Namine reacted well to everything tonight. He briefly thought back to the garden at the masquerade ball and the surprise he had for her there. It was similar, both in detail and her reaction. Roxas smiled a little more. Everything turned out well tonight.

 

Namine kept her eyes shut, exhaling a soft breath. Roxas' surprises today had been wonderful, and much needed. She hadn't felt at peace for a long while, and Roxas had made her feel whole again for the first time in months. She would have thanked him for it verbally, but she felt that her gesture expressed her gratitude already.

 

Roxas held Namine a little tighter, at the same time bringing her a little closer. He thought that was impossible, though; they were already very close, physically and emotionally. She knew him well, just as he knew her. It was that kind of connection that got them through everything, and he hoped it would get him through the darkness and the memories that still haunted him. She was his light, after all.

 

A Week Later...

Sora slashed through his final Heartless with Oathkeeper, the Neoshadow fading out of existence. He and Riku had landed in Hollow Bastion earlier that day, and before they could get five steps away from their ship, the Heartless began to spawn. Sora didn't really care, though; the Heartless weren't really a match to him and Riku anymore. And besides, they didn't have any place to be today--they just came to Hollow Bastion because there were often a lot of Heartless there.

 

Riku stood in his fighting stance, watching as the last Heartless he had been fighting faded out of existence. He relaxed once the heart floated up to the sky, his Keyblade coming to rest at his side as he turned around to face his comrade. The last month had been full of nothing but battle and finding out information on the Heartless. Because people still held Darkness in their hearts, the Heartless were still running around. Of course, it was his and Sora's job to finish them off.

 

Sora took one last look around, though he knew by his instincts that there was no longer a threat. He stood upright and lowered his Keyblades to his side, twirling the Kingdom Key absently in his grasp. when he felt a gaze on him, he turned to Riku and nodded once, silently saying that there were no more Heartless that were going to appear at that place.

 

Riku nodded and started forward, keeping Way to Dawn in his grasp. He wasn't an idiot; if Heartless attacked them as soon as they stepped off the ship, the next area was just as infested with them. He walked past Sora, heading further into the town with serious eyes. He was used to this, as sad as that was. Riku had been doing this for nearly three years, and he knew it wasn't going to end soon, unfortunately.

 

Sora followed behind Riku, his Keyblades in his grasp. He started thinking, and he realized that the Heartless were diminishing in strength and numbers. They may have come out right away when they stepped off the ship, but other than that, the Heartless weren't appearing as often as they used to. Sora could only accredit the work he and Riku had been doing over the last month; they had been fighting nonstop lately, no drama or injuries hindering them these days.

 

One thing that was fortunate over the last month was that Riku didn't have to worry about Sora giving into the illusion Heartless' antics anymore. That had been one of the worst things they had experienced together, among a couple others when Roxas had been with them. Thinking about it now, that had been a while ago, when they sent Roxas home. The Nobody didn't seem happy about the decision, but he wasn't needed anymore. Riku and Sora were handling things fine on their own.

 

Sora absently looked around, though his senses were still sharp as he thought through a few things. There was no denying that things were different. Not only were the Heartless not as tough on him and Riku, but Sora himself was different. He was more serious than he was before, and more battle-oriented. He noticed he held himself like Riku did, calm and collected on the outside. He didn't know when this change began to occur, but he knew the reason behind it. After traveling with Riku alone for the past two months, it was obvious that his best friend's demeanor had rubbed off on him.

 

"We should probably talk with Leon," Riku said then, speaking over his shoulder slightly at Sora. "See if anything's happened lately." They visited Hollow Bastion often, mostly because it was like a haven, though it did still have some of the toughest enemies. The numbers had dwindled thanks to the defense mechanism and his and Sora's help, but the Heartless were relentless.

 

Sora nodded, looking at Riku as he walked. "Right," he said, agreeing. He doubted that anything happened since their last visit, but then again, it had been a little while. He supposed that there was always a chance things changed, but he wasn't expecting anything earth-shaking.

 

Riku turned his focus forward again, his weapon still gripped tightly in his hand as they grew closer to the Bailey. He wasn't getting an odd vibe; nothing seemed different. But Leon did surprise them with news not long ago, when Roxas had to leave. There was always the chance of that happening again, but Riku didn't expect good news anymore; he never felt disappointed when he didn't hear it.

 

Sora absently twirled Oathkeeper as he walked, looking around at Hollow Bastion. It was amazing how that place never seemed to change. No matter how often he and Riku came here, it seemed like everything was the same as their previous visit. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not, but he liked that something was constant and predictable.

Leon stood at the top of the Bailey, gunblade in hand. He had to fight a few Heartless to get to his current position by the stairs, but it wasn't that bad. Now, he was just taking in the fresh air, actually enjoying the peace. But his thoughts weren't at peace; he had gotten another letter from the King. Whenever Sora and Riku came to visit again, he would have to pass on his message.

 

Riku climbed up the stairs that led to the Bailey, ignoring all the rubble that still needed picked up after the attack from the Heartless a while ago. He was surprised he wasn't tired of fighting by now, but it had pretty much been his life. Not only that, but he was traveling like he always wanted. He supposed that was what helped him get by, but there were always times he just wanted to sit back and relax.

 

Leon noticed movement and he looked down, seeing both Riku and Sora climbing the stairs that led to his position. Speaking of Sora and Riku, he thought to himself, frowning. He didn't like being the bearer of news, whether it was good news or not. Well, it didn't matter what he liked; he had a job to do.

Sora looked up at the top of the stairs, seeing the person they were looking for standing at the top. "There he is," he told Riku quietly, gazing up at the man's position. Leon had his gunblade in his grasp, but he didn't look like he felt there was a threat; he was probably just holding it out of habit, like Sora was doing now.

 

Riku looked up from watching his feet, his eyes falling on Leon. He continued climbing the steps as he took note of Leon's position; clearly he had just fought off some Heartless himself, which left them some time to talk. Must be good timing, he thought silently.

 

Leon turned when he noticed Sora and Riku nearing his position, and he summoned away his gunblade immediately. "Riku. Sora," he said in greeting, giving them a nod. Good timing, he thought, his serious eyes on the two teens in front of him.

Sora silently nodded, coming to a stop at the top of the stairs, a few feet away from Leon. When he noticed Leon summon away his blade, Sora did the same with his weapons, Oathkeeper and the Kingdom Key disappearing in shrouds of light. Obviously there wasn't a threat here; he felt no danger lingering in the air, and apparently Leon felt the same, since he was weaponless.