Summary: In a time of turmoil and crisis, the fighters always led the people, protecting them for the bandits from the west and clans from the east. But when there are only two fighters left what will happen to the world? LeonCloud Akuroku

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, only the ideas and the plot.


:Twenty feet beyond you: Cloud mindspoke to his brother. :Watch the teeth. They are very sharp:

:I see it: Roxas replied. :I'll wait for your signal: Cloud shifted his weight to the balls of his feet, bending his knees and sprung lightly to the branch of the elm above him.

:Go:


If anyone asked Cloud Strife who he was, he would reply that he was an ordinary young man. He would, of course, be lying, so the appropriate follow-up question would be "Why are your eyes so different?" And, of course, he would simply smile and say quietly, "They have seen too much." The curious observer might continue to press him, but no answer would be forthcoming.

That was simply the way Cloud Strife was.


"Welcome," mumbled the young acolyte as Cloud placed his sandals carefully of the mats next to the bamboo screen. Cloud nodded to him and continued deeper into the temple.

:Thanks, Cloud. Just leave me to deal with the boars.: Roxas remarked sarcastically as he entered the room as Cloud pulled open the screen. The acolyte hurried over to take Roxas's sandals from him.

:Hey, it was your first kill. Not mine.: Cloud replied smugly. He smiled gently as Roxas's mind voice slowly retreated from his mind as the boy dragged the freshly killed boars over the temple main room. The boars would be prepared for sacrifice there. After the blood had been drained, a process witnessed only by the high priest and the one who brought in the sacrifice, the boars would be taken to the kitchen to be prepared for the evening meal. Cloud shuddered in his head. Roxas would not enjoy his first draining. The first one was always stomach-turning. Cloud could remember how as a boy of seven, he had watched the crimson liquid pour out of the long red slit on the gigantic animal's throat. He had forced his innocent eyes open, struggling not to squirm away from the bloody carcass. Cloud remembered dragging that same carcass across the open space of the courtyard to the kitchens. He had made it all the way to privy before throwing up luckily.

:Akawara, toyo: He sighed. He could feel the apprehension in his brother's mind. But Roxas would survive. All the fighters had to. Failure was not an option.


Cloud had been a fighter ever since he could remember. His parents had been killed in the Toka raids, and he had been homeless ever since. The monks had picked him up, after he had lived on the streets for a year. He could not remember that year in memories. He only remembered the pain and hurt and confused emotions that had filled every pore of his being.

The monks had taken him in and trained him. From dawn to dusk, he trained. Through rain and snow and hardship and toil, he had worked through the ranks and had his first kill at the tender age of seven. He had not been assigned the boars like Roxas had been. He had gone after a mountain lion. The high priest had suggested it. Cloud had gotten the beast, but had been so seriously wounded that the monks thought he would die. He had watched his first draining while his own blood spilled out of his wounds covering the already slick marble surface with the crimson liquid. He had become a true full-fledged fighter but just barely.

And then the true trials began. He was given a province that lay in the surrounding area and was tasked with defending it with his life. So that was what he did. Neither bandits nor beasts nor daemons bothered his region. With the number of fighters and prospective fighters ever decreasing, Cloud got piled with more and more land to defend. Soon he was defending the entire region.

His entire day consisted of waking at second chimes in the temple and eating a small meal before heading out to protect his areas. He got in an average of eight fights a day. Some were against fierce animals that terrorized that village and others were against bandits. But recently, he had been fighting against the Toka clansmen that invaded.


Beware of those who fight

Fear them for their might

Fear the mountains from which they come

But remember they break at one hundred to one


The biggest fear of the region was bandits from the Western Woods and the Toka clans from the Eastern Drylands. While the bandits were no problem for Cloud, the Toka clans were getting more and more bold. It was said a man had fought his way through the clan hierarchy and united the clans for the first time in three centuries. The attacks from these barbarians were more organized and more persistent than had ever been seen in the valleys. The villagers no longer felt safe in their towns. Cloud was constantly on the lookout for anything amiss. A stray dog. A sick person. Anything out of place could be the difference between life and death. Nights were not kind to the fighters.

Tonight had Cloud especially on edge. The region had been covered by clouds that rumbled ominously, but no rain would fall. Instead the hot thick air pressed down on the countryside, causing the villagers to mark themselves warily, fearing daemons at work in the sky.

Cloud ran swiftly between his sections the whole day, helping where he could. He lashed things down, helped herd livestock, anything to get the people ready for the looming storm. Roxas, on his first run as a real fighter, had tagged along, helping Cloud and villagers alike. He practiced his newly acquired skills from the previous nights draining as he ran alongside Cloud.


Snap.

:There.: Cloud thought firmly.

:Yes, definitely Toka clan.: thought Roxas. :What should we do, Cloud?:

:We avoid a fight if at all possible. Drag them out into the open. Hopefully, they will recognize us as fighters and leave before we hurt them.: Cloud thought back. He crouched low against his cover, a bunch of barrels covered by a strong brown tarp that lay near the center square of the Nisi section of the province. He watched as a low black shape darted across an opening halfway down the street.

:Follow my lead, Roxas.: he cautioned as he sprung silently and invisibly to the roof of the building behind him. The two fighters slipped quickly across the rooftops until they found where the main force of the invading clan lay.

:Jathe'ka!: swore Roxas :There are too many for us! How in the six hells did they get in without our detecting it?: Cloud could not answer him. At least five hundred men lay in wait in the valley surrounding the village. He had run patrol past here five times today alone. No force should have been able to slip past him. Especially one this large!

:Don't swear, Roxas. We have no choice, but to confront them, I suppose.: he sighed wearily. :I am set against having you go out like this on your first night, but there is no help for it.:


Squall Leonhart looked out over his silent troops. The sound of muffled horse hooves approached him from behind.

"No sign of action within the village, sir," barked out his lieutenant.

"Good," he stated quietly, "Any news of the fighter?"

"No sir. He hasn't been sighted for over an hour. But we figured that yo —"

"Damn it! Find him. Find him now, lieutenant. If you value your life,find him," snarled Leon angrily as he tensed, "Well? Did you hear me? Lieutenant. Lieutenant."

"Sir, I ... I've ... found him," spoke the man as he swallowed audibly. Leon swore loudly as he spun around. Above him on the hill he could make out the shape of a man. The ease with which the man carried himself gave it away immediately. It was the fighter.

"Let him come," Leon whispered to his surrounding men. The men ran out the other ranks and spread the word quickly. The army stopped moving as one and Leon paced forward to meet the fighter.

But, something was wrong. This man was no man. He was a mere teenager. Probably only fifteen. Any yet he had the bearing of a fighter. The sword – no, swords plural– were all wrong for the fighter they had been tracking the past few months, too. The boy stopped short of the ring of light the torches surrounding Leon and his men cast.

"Why are you here?" the strange boy asked quietly, holding his two intricately stylized oversized katanas easily by his side.

"To take back what is rightfully ours," Leon said stepping closer to the figure. He really was quite beautiful. His face was round and still baby soft, unhardened by time. His lips were full and his eyes. Oh daemons above, his eyes were simply incredible. Blue with swirling green just below the surface.

"You cannot make it past me," the boy said, still quiet with no emotion coloring his words.

"I know you, fighter," Leon smirked, "I've heard the rhymes. I have more than one hundred men with me. You will not win."

"Is that so?" asked the boy politely as the mists around him began to blur, " I am sorry to hear that." His shadow lengthened along with his body. The mists did not part for several seconds, but when they did, it took Leon every bit of his power not to step back. In a few seconds, what had once been a boy was now Fae. The boy was no longer a boy, but a tall, willowy figure with pointed ears, fangs, and slitted pupils. He spun his katanas lightly into a guard position and shifted his feet ever so slightly. His eyes narrowed and the green that Leon had noticed before began to expand. Soon the boy's blue eyes were a deep emerald green. The creature paused for a long minute, eyes looking down at the ground. Suddenly, his body tensed.

Something is different. thought Leon. He is bearing himself differently. Indeed, the fighter's stance was now slightly wider and more relaxed, but miles more deadly.

"Do you still believe you can take me on, Squall Leonhart?" questioned the fighter. Leon once again had to prevent himself from moving. The eyes were now focused on him. The rest of world seemed to disappear and only the fighter was left. His voice was deeper and richer now, but was still emotionless.

"How do you know my name?" he whispered, knowing that the boy's elongated ears would pick up the sound easily.

"We all know you," hissed the voice. Leon gulped audibly. The hatred that suddenly filled those words was so incredibly tangible.

How did I ever set this beautiful creature against me? Leon thought desperately, closing his eyes. The invasion. Leon, concentrate. Remember the invasion, the plans, everything you've worked so hard for. When he finally opened his eyes, the stony mask was back in place. His eyes flashed a stormy blue-gray.

"Come then," he hissed in return, his own hatred shining through his words, "Daemon, monster, you horrible thing." The Fae seemed to flinch with every word. Suddenly, Leon could see the child again. Hiding behind this hideous form, a child cowered. Leon shrugged away his thoughts, focusing again on the figure in front of him.

Suddenly, the fighter shifted again and dropped his guard, motionless. His eyes narrowed and then he transformed back slowly to the boy from before.

"My brother tells me I can take you without my power," said the boy smirking, showing another bit of emotion for that night, "But he wants to come help. I think you know him." Another shape seemed to appear from nowhere. This one was taller and longer. Hard muscles were visible even in the dim light. If the boy had been beautiful, the other was gorgeous. The same face on the boy was thinner and longer on the old one.

He must be...what? Seventeen, at most? Just child. thought Leon incredulously. Daemons above. Why are they so young? The figure paced forward until it (No, it is a he, Leon thought) was level with the other fighter. Both crossed their arms and stared across the open space and into Leon's face and those of the soldiers surrounding him. Then, as one, they drew their swords. The soldiers murmured amongst themselves, unnerved by the blank looks that covered the faces of the two fighters. The swords had been silent. There was not even a single screech of metal as the deadly weapons slid out from their sheaths.

Here we go, shivered Leon.


Cloud perched precariously on a branch of the old oak on the outskirts of the forest surrounding part of the village. He narrowed his eyes and suddenly the leader of the army came into clear focus. He had paced forward and was now talking quietly with Roxas.

:Akawara, toyo: he cautioned :That man is dangerous.:

:I am dangerous too, shisaru.: Roxas gently reminded Cloud :I am a fighter too.:

:I know, toyo. But, still I urge caution.: Cloud sighed, Roxas had no experience with this. His recent addition of new powers had puffed up his ego. Cloud could feel the surge of emotions as Roxas began to transform. :Roxas: he cried sharply :Don't transform. Not yet.: But he could already tell that it was too late. Roxas had transformed completely to his other form. Jathe'ka! Even his eyes transformed. Oh Roxas, it is too soon, too soon for me to let you do this. he moaned.

:I'm sorry: Roxas chagrined mind voice spoke to him. :I ... I didn't mean to.:

:Calm yourself . Can you transform back?: Cloud replied slowly. He could feel Roxas's power fluctuating as he tried to change back.

:Yes, I can. But, I can't keep this conversation up and transform back.:

:Relax. I'm going to take over for a few seconds. You figure out how to transform back and I will talk to this man.:

:Thank, shisaru.: The relief in Roxas's mind voice was palpable.

:Of course, toyo. I'm coming in.: Cloud let his mind surge along the link to his brother, pulling himself carefully into Roxas's mind.

:If I'd known you were coming over, I would have tidied up.: quipped Roxas's voice. Cloud smirked.

:It wouldn't be a problem if you did you mind exercises.: he admonished gently, stepping carefully over and around his brother's floating memories. Roxas killing the boar. Roxas at last night's draining. Roxas running with his brother. :Pull them in, Roxas. They will overwhelm me otherwise: he called softly. He felt a gentle wind on his back and heard the sucking sound. The memories were gone. Cloud was left alone in Roxas's mind. He could still feel Roxas in the corner where he had retreated to.

:Take over external control, shisaru. I can't hold on anymore: Roxas's mindvoice came to him again. This time it was filled with the tension of holding himself both in and out of his body. Cloud shook himself out of his reverie and grabbed control of Roxas's body. He looked up into the eyes across from him.

"Do you still believe you can take me on, Squall Leonhart?" he asked quietly, watching the man's face for a reaction. He heard the man's breath catch in his throat.

"How do you know my name?" the man questioned. Cloud could feel Roxas's rage surging through him even as his brother struggled to maintain his inward calm.

:Steady, Roxas. Let me handle this: cautioned Cloud. He turned his mind back to the current situation. He forced back most of the hatred that Roxas had tried to channel outwards. He shouldn't have been able to hide that hatred from me. Cloud thought concernedly. As hard as he pushed though, he could not get rid of all of the anger.

"We all know you," he hissed, as he grappled with the confusing emotions in Roxas's head. His ears twitched as he heard Leon swallow. :Roxas. You. Must. Control. Yourself. I can't help if you don't relax.: The emotions immediately were pulled in by the same wind from before.

Cloud watched as Leon closed his eyes. When he opened them again, it was Cloud's turn to be surprised. Those eyes were so cold. The fighters were known for their lack of emotion, but this was not lack of emotion. This was barely suppressed rage and envy? These were unhealthy emotions in anyone even when they weren't held in so tightly.

"Come then," Leon hissed in return, his own hatred shining through his words, "Daemon, monster, you horrible thing." Cloud could feel Roxas shudder as the words pierced his body like daggers. Suddenly, the emotions were back full force, but instead of hatred, pain, sorrow, and ultimate despair filled the void.

:Transform.: Cloud cried as he tried to push off the feelings. I have to get out. He'll kill me without knowing it. Cloud pulled back just as he felt Roxas's body finally relax and transform. The moment he got back into his body, Cloud jumped off of his perch and ran out to Roxas and the army.

He slowed as he reached the hill that separated him from the army's sight. He waited until he heard Roxas call out.

:Come, Shisaru. And make your entrance dramatic or at least surprising: he heard Roxas whisper fiercely.

:With pleasure.: Cloud smirked. He walked slowly up and over the crest of the hill, pausing just slightly for effect. Then, he walked down to join Roxas.

:I say we scare them a bit.: Roxas smirked.

:Definitely. On the count of three, we cross our arms and at ten we draw our swords. Silently. Like we were taught.:

:One...two...three: They both crossed their arms and stared at the army and Leon.

:Eight...nine...ten: Cloud pulled his huge sword out of it scabbard on his back as Roxas drew his two katanas.

:Here we go.:


End Chapter 1.

Notes (These will be notes on the language used in the chapter.This is my language. It's not real.)

1. Akawaru -- This means "good luck." It literally translates to "caution to save you."

2. Toyo -- This means younger brother with the connotation of beloved.

3. Shisaru -- Similar to toyo, this means older brother with connotation of beloved. It also implies revered and honored.

Please read and review and tell me if I should go on or not! Thanks.

Lalaria