Chapter Text
It had taken a year and the combined might of everyone connected to Sora's heart to bring him back and defeat Braig. Although reluctant to admit it, this also included Naminé herself. It hit her especially hard when Riku performed the Keyblade Bequeathing cermony with her after she awoke in her new body.
"Why me?" she'd asked Riku as they flew in the Gummy Ship on the way to Yen Sid's Tower after Sora first disappeared. "I'm not strong like you or Sora."
"You have your own strength, Naminé. We're going to need your integrity, compassion, and kindness if we want to bring Sora back."
Riku's aquamarine eyes met Naminé's sky blue ones as he summoned Braveheart, his Keyblade. Turning it hilt side up, he held it out to Naminé, who hesitated for a moment before grasping it.
"In your hand, take this key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking...its wielder you shall one day be. And you will find me, friend—no ocean will contain you then. No more borders around, or below, or above, so long as you champion the ones you love."
From there, Naminé had been taught how to use the Keyblade in training sessions with Kairi and Axel that were supervised by Yen Sid. Merlin had also taught her magic spells, and she became particularly adept at using ice magic.
Her white & wood colored Keyblade, Tabula Rasa, reminded her of a blank slateboard. With this weapon, she drew herself a new destiny as one of the denizens of light.
Yet, Naminé felt uneasy since Sora's welcome back birthday party. Sure, she and everyone else had been glad for Sora's return. She even got her long awaited "Thank you" from him at the party when they had the chance to speak privately. Despite that & what Riku said at her Bequeathing, Naminé couldn't shake the thought that Sora and the others only appreciated her for what she did, not who she was.
Naminé mulled over this laying in her sky blue bed in her and Xion's room in Twilight Town's old mansion. The mansion had been graciously presented to them, Roxas, and Axel by Diz as atonement for his behavior toward them. With the exception of the basement, the entire mansion had been refurbished and redecorated to their liking. Naminé and Xion had become close friends, while Roxas and Axel had been dating since they defeated Xehanort.
Xion and Naminé's room had elements of both of their owners. There was a small white piano for Naminé in one corner that Aerith had taught her to play. Light blue walls were covered in Xion's photographs and Naminé's watercolor pencil sketches. A black dresser drawer was covered in Xion's seashell collection as well as some hair brushes, Xion's blue she/her pronoun pin, and Xion's smart phone.
"Still in bed, Naminé?" asked Xion, her raven black hair poking in the doorway. She had a tray in her hands containing plate of fresh chocolate chip pancakes, orange juice, and silverware. They smelled sweet and delicious. Naminé's stomach growled and she sat up as Xion walked in the room and went to her.
"What's the occasion?" Naminé knew Xion only made her favorite pancakes when something was up.
"You've seemed sad lately. I'd thought these might cheer you up."
Naminé gave Xion a small smile and thanked her as the tray was placed in her lap. She picked up the knife and fork and ate quietly as Xion went to the dresser drawer. Xion rummaged before discreetly taking something out and turning to hide it behind her back.
Naminé was curious even as she admired how pretty Xion looked in her black double button shirt, matching belt, and white skirt. Not to mention, the black & beige boots.
At first, Naminé was just happy for Xion because she finally got to wear the clothes she wanted and be addressed as the girl she knew herself to be. Now, there was something more.
Naminé was demi-romantic and mostly experienced aesthetic attraction. After bonding with Xion in the past year, she was starting to feel romantic feelings stir.
"Earth to Nami."
Naminé blinked as she heard Xion's voice and saw that she was standing directly by her bedside. Her hands were still behind her back.
"Is there something bothering you? If you want to talk, I'll listen."
Talk about crushing on Xion and possibly lose her as a friend? A friend that she never thought she could have? No, thank you.
Naminé shook her head.
"So..." Xion said shyly. "I made you something."
Xion held out her hands to reveal a blue five pointed star made from blue Thalassa shells. Naminé moved the tray off her lap and took the Wayfinder charm in her hands. It was small, smooth, and had a hole to attach a chain to.
"Is this for my Keyblade, Xion?"
"Yes, but it doesn't have to be. You could also wear it as a necklace if you want to."
Naminé sighed as she tried to hand back the Wayfinder charm.
"Thanks Xion, but I don't deserve this. I may have the Keyblade, but I'm no hero and I'm nobody important. I'm just a witch making up for her past mistakes."
Xion shook her head in disbelief and gently pushed Naminé's hand back. "That's not true. You are hero that tries her best to do what's right, just like me. You are important because you bring people together."
"Exactly, Xion. I'm needed for what I can do, not who I am."
Xion started to reply, but was interrupted by her smart phone ringing with her ringtone, "Musique pour la tristesse de Xion". The sad yet beautiful piece had been composed for her by Naminé.
Axel's spiky red locks filled the screen and the sound of Roxas grunting and swinging his Keyblades could be heard in the background. "We've got Demon Tide Heartless at the Station Plaza!" he yelled. "We need backup now!" His green eyes barely glanced offscreen before a swarm of Heartless surged toward him. The screen cut off as Axel screamed.
"There's no time to waste!" yelled Xion, running to the closet and pulling out her old Organization XIII coat. She might not be a Nobody anymore, but the coat still gave her the ability to travel through corridors of darkness. After the battle with Xehanort, Xion never wanted to wear it again unless it was an emergency.
Quickly donning the coat, Xion summoned a dark corridor to take them to Station Plaza before summoning her orange and gold Keyblade called Treasured Memories.
Come on, Naminé!" After Naminé quickly summoned her Keyblade & attached the Wayfinder charm, she and Xion dove into the darkness to save their friends.