Naomi's Tale

Part 1: Dance on a Sharpened Blade

Chapter 10: Uninvited Guest

Theme: Pride by Saliva

Album: Back into Your System/Clean

Riku and Tobias sat across from each other at the kitchen table. Mickey had disappeared mysteriously; which wasn't unusual, and Mark had his nose in a book. Tobias was peeling an orange, while Riku sat strumming his fingers on the table. They were once again, left behind to baby sit Naomi.

Blindfolded boy interlocked his fingers, face haloed by silver. It was longer then ever, and probably needed to be cut. But they never had time for such matters, really. Tobias freed one of the sections of orange, and ate it. Emerald gaze glanced upwards towards the entrance of the loft. It was midday and Naomi was still sleeping. Her habit of sleeping in was becoming more common- surely a teenage girl didn't need that much sleep. Tobias mused, picking off more of the orange's peel.

The two of them sat in silence, despite random murmurs from Mark at his desk. The man always did manage to keep himself busy. A couple hours passed; Riku sprawled across the couch napping while Tobias meditated.

"Riku." He said suddenly, without opening his eyes. Riku grunted, sitting up.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Someone's coming."

Together they waited, Riku's gaze at the door. Mark too, put down his book and wondered. He really didn't have enough room for any others to stay at his house. But he would accommodate if need be. The man's brow twitched as he thought about it.

There it was; a weak rapping at the door. Riku stood, and went to the door. Mark merely watched. This was dangerous country, so it was better that someone much more skilled in defending themselves answer the door.

He opened it, looking around. Tobias stood, as if on cue. For Riku spotted the source of the knocking. Lying on the ground in front of the door was a boy. Riku took him to be unconscious until the boy pushed himself up on one arm and looked up at them weakly.

"Can… You… Help… Me?" The boy breathed weakly before collapsing again, body shuddering. With Tobias's help, they set him on the sofa. Mark silently fetched some blankets from the cupboard built into the wall.

The boy was dressed in dark clothing of maroon and black, bordered with red and gold. Sandy hair fell over a pale face. Riku shifted uneasily. Everything about this kid said 'bad news' to him. Like a bad vibe. The blindfolded boy did not voice his concerns, instead looking to Tobias. He was stoking up the fire while Mark bundled up the boy, muttering to himself. He then busied himself making a fresh batch of tea. The boy clutched the blankets tightly around him, trying to get warm.

"Who are you?" Riku asked warily. The boy didn't reply, he had fallen unconscious. Tobias now watched the boy in silence.

"How do we know we can trust him?" Riku asked, studying the boy.

"You get a bad vibe as well?" Tobias asked, Riku nodded. "Hmmm… We'll just have to keep an eye on him."

Tobias and Riku sat at the table, both watching the boy carefully. But he has yet to stir. Mark had his nose back in his book at his desk. Riku strummed his fingers on the table uneasily. Neither truly trusted this stranger and both nearly jumped out of their chairs hearing the boy groan. The boy sat up stiffly, pushing off some of the blankets. Mark realized his guest was awake and got the tea that he had been keeping warm on the stove. He gave it to the boy, mentioning that it was quite hot before returning to his book. Tobias and Riku stood in front of the boy, who took a sip out of his tea. After realizing Riku and Tobias were standing there, the boy swallowed.

"Thank you. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't find this place… I can't thank you enough for your kindness." The boy said gratefully, bowing his head before taking another sip of the tea.

"How did you get up here?" Tobias asked.

"My world… It was attacked by these creatures… They destroyed it, and everything was black… Then I woke up in these mountains. I have been wandering for hours…" The boy gazed into the fire sadly. Riku scratched the back of his head, this boy seemed innocent enough, but still… Face was kinked into a frown; he wasn't sure what to do at the moment.

Naomi opened her eyes, finding herself looking at a pale orange sky. Immediately she sat up. How long have I been asleep? Why didn't they wake me up? Naomi thought as she got out of the sleeping bag. She threw on her shoes and made her way to the ladder. She slid down and turned to find herself face to face with a visitor. Hazel and hazel met each other, and stared.

"Umm… Hello." The boy said kindly. Naomi frowned, tilting her head to the side.

"Who are you?" She asked bluntly. Hazel blinked, as a free hand brushed away some sandy locks.

"My name is Eros." The boy replied simply; before sipping deeply from his cup of tea. Eros finished, looking at her expectantly. "And you?"

"Naomi." The brunette replied, biting her tongue. Tobias and Riku looked at each other, puzzled. Naomi got his name out of him faster then they ever did. Naomi watched him in silence, before leaving for the kitchen.

"Mind?" She asked Mark. He waved a hand. "Feel free." He said simply. Naomi snatched a pear- and wondered how Mark always had fresh fruit here. She bit into it as she grabbed a chair from the kitchen table. Naomi sat it right in front of the boy, sitting on it backwards so she could face him. She rested her chin on an arm across the chair's back, head bobbing as she chewed on the pear. Riku and Tobias watched her curiously.

"He's still not completely well, Naomi." Mark commented. "Don't bother him too much." Naomi's gaze returned to Eros, who continued to sip his tea.

"Naomi?" Tobias asked. The girl looked to him, brow furrowed.

"Where did you find this kid?" She asked, jerking a thumb at him. Eros sad nothing, occupying himself with his tea. Riku was the one to speak, frowning.

"He came to our doorstep… Literally." Naomi's gaze returned to the mysterious boy, expression clouded in thought.

"I think I'm going to bed." Mark said suddenly, pushing his glasses up onto his nose. With his book he walked into his room, the tiger following behind him, and shut the door. Tobias and Riku both shrugged and went back to the table to play cards.

The pear was finished, core tossed into the hearth behind her. Naomi crossed her arms atop the chair, resting her head on it. She wasn't tired, she was just musing. There was something tugging on the back of her mind. Something she was suppose to remember- but she couldn't think of what. It was like- bad deja vu. The prospect of some strange boy arriving on the doorstep seemed exciting, although Naomi didn't really know what to say to him. Instead she said nothing at all, just enjoying his company. He looked about her age, after all.

Brunette closed her eyes, and a face came forward from her memory. It was one of her dear friends. Zeke. Tall, dark hair, striking blue eyes… Naomi shifted uncomfortably, opening her eyes again. Thinking about him just now had created an odd feeling in her chest. A very… lonely feeling.

Naomi took a deep breath, trying to forget about it. Eros was now laying on the couch, bundled up under the blankets. He looked as if he was sleeping very soundly. She looked out one of the windows. There was no snow tonight, just a sky full of stars.

After a couple of hours, Riku and Tobias went to bed. Tobias now having to sleep in the loft. Naomi sat, eyes drooping. She had slept all day but- she felt sleepy just out of boredom. So the brunette rested her head on her arms and dozed. A nap would make the morning come faster…

"Get up."

Hazel blinked groggily- to find a blade pointed at her neck. And not just any blade.

"…You!" Naomi hissed, swallowing hard. She was wide awake now- a rather devilish Keyblade pointed at her. It was black, and had many sharp points. It was then that something dawned upon her. Like a voice whispering in her ear. Slowly she stood, a hand venturing to the hilt of Tobias's sword. The boy's sienna gaze glowed in the dying fire's light. Naomi's gaze narrowed.

"Tich. All I have to do is scream to wake everyone up." Naomi stated quietly, eyes never leaving him. Eros cocked his head to the side, sandy blond parting to reveal a smirk.

"Is that it then? Scream like a helpless little girl for people to run and save you?" He sneered. "They will only die faster." Brunette gritted her teeth as his words struck a cord of her pride. Expression wrinkled back into a snarl, blade drawn in a blink of an eye. They stood, blades pointed at each other's throat.

"You will meet your end either way." Naomi growled. The boy smiled smugly, his free hand gesturing to the door.

"Perhaps we should take this outside. No need to wake the soon to be dead."