Sora had finished eating and was getting ready to leave. Riku and Kairi were dragging him off to see someone but they wouldn't say who it was or where they were going. He had shooed his friends away to downstairs and was rummaging through his dresser looking for some clean clothes. Across the room, the ghostly image of Roxas was watching Sora with an expression of amusement across his face.
I really don't see why you should be hurrying like this, Sora. I mean they can wait all day for you, right? the blondes voice said inside Sora's mind. The teen rolled his eyes and pulled out a long towel from one of the drawers and threw a pile of clean clothes onto his bed.
Grinning, Sora replied,
Yeah you're right...I've eaten and now I think I need a shower. Being asleep for three days has made me feel a little dirty... he shuddered a little and walked to his door, opening it just enough for his voice to echo downstairs. "Hey guys, I'll be down in ten minutes. I'm going to shower really quick," he shouted to his friends waiting downstairs.
"Okay, we will be here," said Riku from the couch in the living room. Kairi had heard that too and was texting the person they were going to see, saying that they would be about ten or fifteen minutes late. A few minutes later came the reply. Their friend didn't mind waiting at all.
Upstairs, Sora was getting undressed as Roxas gazed at his other half. Sora didn't mind that his Nobody liked watching him. They were one, yet different at the same time. Sora's body was Roxas' body. To Sora, seeing Roxas was like looking into an odd mirror, except that the reflection had lighter blue eyes, deep golden blonde hair, and a lighter skin tone. Sora had changed out of his clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist, slipping into the bathroom that was only accessible from his room. He liked having his own personal bathroom.
Roxas let out an inaudible sigh, now bored as he knew Sora didn't like being watched in the shower. Respecting the brunettes privacy, he left Sora's room and ventured downstairs, curious to know what Riku and Kairi were up to. They were busy talking about how worried they were about Sora and why they didn't check on him sooner. Riku had assured Kairi that they would find out what was going on with Sora no matter what.
Back in his private bathroom, Sora began to collect his thoughts and consider what could be happening. He turned on the water in his shower and adjusted it to his liking before removing his towel and stepping into the steam and heat. Sora could not help but completely relax and let the water melt away those bad images the nightmare left in his mind. He reached for his favorite body wash and squirted a small puddle into a washcloth and began to clean himself, his body becoming obscured by suds and bubbles.
Riku and Kairi were now watching TV. The minutes seemed to drag by for them, but lucky for Sora they were the patient types. Occasionally Riku glanced at his watch.
What's taking Sora so long? the silver-haired teen thought to himself. He sighed and turned his gaze back to the TV, which was showing a yellow sponge with a very annoying high-pitched voice and a retarded pink starfish. Riku wasn't amused but Kairi was giggling and laughing at the cartoon. She thought it was cute and adorable whereas Riku saw the show as immature and stupid. The silver-haired teen let out another sigh, wishing Sora would hurry up.
Meanwhile, the Sora's Nobody was growing bored again. He had left the living room and silently headed upstairs again, seeking the company of his other half. Roxas didn't have anyone else to talk to and had grown close to Sora over the last couple years and shared pretty much everything with him. He always looked forward to their conversations and always watched him when he had the chance. What was surprising to Roxas was that Sora let him roam around in this ghost-like state, even though he could never be seen or talked to by anyone else which was perfectly fine by him as long as Sora spent some time with his other half.
Still in the shower, Sora was rinsing the shampoo from his hair. The brunette was starting to feel much better already now that he was clean again. His hair was starting to feel silky and smooth to the touch, making Sora run his fingers through his brown hair a few times before turning off the water and stepping out of the shower. He picked up his towel and wrapped it around his waist before stepping in front of his mirror to gaze at himself for a moment or two. His reflection was the same cheerful smile and bright blue eyes that he always known. After quickly drying off his hair with a towel hanging next to the mirror, he opened a small drawer and reached for a comb. His hair really never wanted to do anything other than just go everywhere, so he gave up on trying to comb it and finished drying himself off. Satisfied with his personal hygiene, he wrapped the towel around his waist again and left his bathroom to get dressed. Roxas was sitting on his bed waiting for him.
There you are Sora. I missed you the ghostly blonde said to Sora with a warm look in his light blue eyes and a smile on his lips. Roxas was laying on his belly while propped up on his elbows. His legs were angled towards his body and crossed at the ankles as he slowly kicked his feet back and forth. Sora smiled back at his Nobody as he removed the towel from his waist and took his boxers in his hand.
Wow Sora, you always look good naked... Roxas said with a grin as he eyed the brunettes toned body.
Sora felt his cheeks turning pink as he stepped into his boxers and pulled them up to his waist.
Oh, Roxas you're so naughty sometimes he replied with a chuckle. Sora sat down on his bed next to his Nobody and put on his socks, then looked over at the blonde.
Besides, I like it when you watch me he told Roxas, who turned a slight shade of pink.
Yup, you know I do he chirped as he gazed at Sora, who was pulling on a pair of blue jeans. He hadn't told him yet, but Roxas really liked Sora, maybe more than he should. Sometimes when Sora was at school and he was all by himself, Roxas would daydream about one day becoming a Somebody and what it would be like to be with Sora.
Now dressed and finally ready to go, the Keyblade master grabbed his cell phone and wallet, then waved to the ghost form of Roxas, who waved back and blew a kiss to the brunette. He blushed again, then left his room and descended the stairs into the living room where Riku and Kairi were waiting.
"I'm ready..." he announced to his friends. They turned off the TV and got up, Riku leading them outside to his car. He fished around in his pocket for his keys so he can unlock the car. "So, who are you taking me to see about my nightmares?" he asked as he climbed into the back seat of the silver and black sports car.
Riku had started the engine and waited until everyone had buckled their seatbelts before driving off down the street. "You'll know when you get there, ok? Besides, it's not that far," he replied as he concentrated on driving. Kairi was busy texting her parents, saying that she would be home later than expected.
Sora stared out the window in the car, watching neighborhoods go by. He wished that his friends would tell him where they were taking him. What annoyed him more is that they wouldn't even give him any hint or location to where they were headed. He trusted Riku though. After all, they practically went through hell and back together. He sighed and looked around to his right, where Roxas was sitting comfortably watching Sora. He didn't expect to see the blonde there, as he assumed that he would stay home in his bedroom.
What, you think that I would stay behind and miss finding out what's been going on with us? Roxas asked with his arms folded across his chest and his tongue sticking out. Sora chuckled at the blonde and resumed gazing out the window so that it would seem like he was watching the scenery.
Yeah, you're right, Roxas. It's a good idea that you come along too since the nightmares affect us both equally he said to the reflection of Roxas in the window. Sora really never understood why Roxas had the ability to hang around like a ghost, but he was glad that he did. Merely having his Nobody in his heart wasn't enough, he wanted to see his face every day and talk with him about anything, even if the conversations were more or less telepathic. A thought suddenly occurred to Sora.
Hey, what if my strong desire to be able to see you and talk to you is what allows you to look like a ghost to me?The blonde pondered that same idea and shrugged.
Who knows? I'm just glad you allow me to project myself beyond your mind and be somewhat free, although what I really want is to be a Somebody like you. After all Sora, you're like...well, you're my open book..'you're my life force'''you're my whole world'''you're my''' Roxas blushes and reached his hand out to touch Sora.
...You're my everything. Hearing those words coming from Roxas made him smile and feel really special. That was the truth and he meant every word of it. When Roxas brushed the back of his hand up against the Keyblade master's bare forearm, Sora swore that he could almost feel it. The tender moment seemed to last forever, but it was soon interrupted by Riku, who was announcing that they've arrived.
They had pulled up to an elegant mansion with a sloping front lawn. Sora guessed that they were somewhere in Radiant Garden, but he didn't recognize any of the surroundings. He exited Riku's car and walked up an iron front gate, which was adorned with a pair of decorative lions. Riku once again lead the way while Sora and Kairi trailed behind. The silver-haired teen walked up the front steps and up to the front door. The knocker was also fashioned like a lion, with the long tail being the swivel. He reached up and knocked three times, then stepped back and waited. A few moments later, the door opened a tall man with long flowing brown hair and a scar going across the bridge of his nose appeared. His eyes lit up when he recognized Sora and his friends and he offered his hand to the young Keyblade master, who smiled back and shook it firmly. Riku merely smiled and Kairi bounced over and hugged the gunblader around the middle.
"It's good to see you again Leon," said Sora as he beamed at his old friend.