Sea Salt Ice Cream (open to all)

It was approximately 9:30 in the morning as Roxas stretched his arms up towards the skies above. He had fallen asleep the night before just outside of Radiant Gardens under a large oak tree. Oddly enough the tree had made quite a comfortable pillow for his head.

After he finally stood up, he walked over to a nearby stream and bent over, dipping his right hand under the surface of the water and bringing it to his dry mouth to quinch his thirst. The water was pure and cool, sliding down his throat with ease. He sighed in relief as he stood and turned back towards the town.

Moments later his feet carried him past the gates of Radiant Gardens and into the bustling market place. He was surprised that it was so busy this early. Perhaps there was a special event going on, or maybe some good sales. Regardless Roxas made his way over to his favorite stand where he could purchase some of the town's famous Sea Salt Ice Cream.

"Just one today sir." he said to the man behind the counter as he placed his munni on the counter.

He was handed a single bar of the delicious substance and was quick to take the first bite. The flavors were unmatched by any of food or desert one could think of.

It was the perfect start to what seemed to be a good day.

Ren sighed as she walked around the place. Nothing seemed interesting, and nothing new was really happening in the worlds. She had not received news about her 'mother', Yuffie, but she was hoping that maybe she could find someone that could help her.

Being young, she decided to stir up some catastrophe by going into one of the weapon stores. Nobody paid her any attention, except for when she tried to pick up a weapon they told her to put it down.

With a sigh that made her sound more mature than she was, she walked out of the store and decided that maybe she would get some ice cream. "Just one sir, and um... She looked around and saw that there was only one other person near, but this would have to do. "Have you ever heard of the ninja who is named Yuffie Kiseragi?"

It took him by suprise to be asked such a question. Before he turned to see who was the one asking, his mind began to run a hundred miles an hour. To what purpose would it serve if he had known the young ninja?

He slowly turned, trying to hurridly finish his previous bite of sea salt ice cream. Roxas' eyes soon fell upon a younger lady that seemed to be of no immediate threat nor harm to anyone.

He felt safe in answering, "Yuffie?...Yeah I know her...why do you ask?"

It was an odd question indeed, or so Roxas thought. Nevertheless the individual asking him seemed nice enough and could possibly just be trying to find a friend.

Ren looked at the man and soon gave a small smile. "Do you mind telling me where you've seen her..." The smile faded as she turned to look at the ground.

"She's my mother you see... my adoptive mother... we got separated..." Ren's eyes got clouded as she thought of the time with Kuja and Yuffie. "Because of things," The girl continued as she turned to look with big eyes at the stranger. "It would be a big help to me if you could tell me.

Roxas was slightly confused, but of course with his big heart, or lack there of, he was always wanting to help those in need. The nobody took another bite of the sea salt ice cream and pondered for a moment, trying to remember the last time he had seen Yuffie.

He walked over to the nearby tables and took a seat, looking over the town on the elevated seating area. Roxas' eyes gazed back at the young lady...even thought Yuffie was her supposed adoptive mother, they had a slight resemblance, yet that had to be a mere coincidence and nothing more.

"Mam...I have seen her here in this town on many occassions, but it has been a few months since I have been here...when did you last see your mother?"

This young lady must feel terrified to be away from her mother, even if it had only been a short period of time. Never the less, Roxas would do what he could to help out.

"When mommy and daddy were having a fight...she and I fled away from daddy..." She said looking down and trying to look as innocent as she could.

Taking a bite of the ice cream she bought, she looked around with wet eyes close on the verge of tears.

It was quite heart wrenching to hear the torment this young lady was under...except he had no heart, but he could imagine what it would be like if he did. Roxas scratched his head for a bit and then looked around the square. There were easily a hundred people walking around and none of them stood out to him.

"Where do you suggest we begin our search?"

With that said Roxas took a few steps towards the stairs that led down to the main market place where citizens walked around like a large pile of ants. It would be rather difficult to find one particular person in all of that madness, but it was a journey worth taking.

Ren looked around, innocently still, as she was hoping that maybe they might find the woman. "Honestly sir, I have no clue where to start." She decided that maybe this place would not be a good place to start. "Well, we can try places where stuff could be stolen." She said quietly.

Places where stuff could be stolen? That was a tricky one...things could be stolen in many different places. Perhaps the market place? That would be where the most people were gathered and could possibly be pickpocketed...or if the "theif" did not want to approach so closely to their prey, perhaps their homes would be a better fit since not a lot of people would be there during the day.

All this thinking was causing Roxas' head to spin. He began to look around the town, what little bit he could see from where he stood. Nothing really stood out to him.

"A place where things could be stolen?...hmmm...Do you have a particular place in mind?"

"I've already checked the market place. Is there an even that is happening soon? Or maybe even a crowded place?" Ren said as she looked around.

The black haired ninja was not in this crowd and Ren was getting upset. She said that they would meet up somewhere, but she couldn't remember where. So Ren was taking it one world at a time until she reached, or found, her adopted mother.

Roxas was a bit stumped...he was trying to think of a crowded place, yet not the market place. The market place was the most crowded place in Radiant Gardens, but they had already both searched it over and had no luck finding her.

He walked over to the edge of the balcony they were standing on, peering over at the mass of people gathered in the market down below. He then walked to the right a few steps, standing in front of the large staircase leading downwards.

"Let's try our luck elsewhere. There's plenty of places to look, perhaps that old buidling past the rift would be a good spot to start." He said to the young lady as he motioned for her to follow him as he began the trek down the stairs.

Ren looked at him curious. Yuffie wouldn't hang out there, but it could be a shot. The woman was always full of surprises when you least expected it. "Sure, we can try that." Ren said at she started to follow Roxas.