Welcome Back

Disclaimer- Kingdom Hearts = Square-Enix. Final Fantasy = Squaresoft

A/N- Ah, my second KH fanfiction. . . People whom have read my other KH fanfic you're in for a treat: This one will be longer chapters wise. Like said in the preview-thingy it starts right after Sora defeating Ansem and now the worlds are restored. But what of Hollow Bastion? It is now kingless and Leon, Cloud, Yuffie, Aerith, and Cid have to bring it back to it's glory -- However, not only did Cloud come back but so did Sephiroth. Expect other guests from the Final Fantasy series! (chapter one starts off with that scene in the credits, with Aerith walking up to Cloud in the Bastion library)

Chapter One: So we meet again

Her hands fidgeted.

Her patience was slowly vaporizing and turning into impatience.

"Cid is late." Leon stated bluntly, probably to break the awkward silence amongst the three. Yuffie nodded in agreement then glanced over to Aerith to see her friend looking off in the distance of books with fidgeting hands.

"Hey? Aerith?" Yuffie put a comforting hand on Aerith's shoulder, Aerith looked back to the young ninja and gave an reassuring smile. Yuffie smiled back, but, still comforted Aerith with words. "Don't worry I'm sure he'll come. I mean, we made it!"

"Yes, but we had a Gummi Ship. What if...What if he didn't?"

Yuffie slightly frowned and gently removed her half-gloved hand from Aerith's shoulder and replaced it at her hip. "You can hope!" Was the best answer the ninja could muster up. Leon bowed his head as if that wasn't the greatest line and Aerith faintly sighed. Yuffie shot a glare at Leon saying Oh, and you could do better...

"Aerith," Leon would prove it. It was like mind reading. "If he escaped Hollow Bastion then he will come back. It's simple logic."

"And how do you know?" Yuffie protested.

"Because...I haven't found a spiky haired corpse yet."

"LEON!" Yuffie squealed from being grossed out. Aerith ignored their comments and looked down at the dark green tiling.

"You can't say that! That's nasty!"

"Well, it was better than 'you can hope'."

"And how was it better?! Are you trying to make her have a heart attack?"

"No. I'm just saying the logical thing--"

"AHEM!" A rusty, rugged, old voice echoed and abruptly stopped the small argument. Leon and Yuffie turned their gaze from each other to the blonde haired Cid who stood next to the two open doors with hands on his hips. Aerith didn't turn to Cid, she knew him all too much and kept her sad gaze downward.

"It was hard findin' the kid but he made it. 'Ey! Get your butt in here!" Cid whistled out the door making Yuffie slightly jump from the sudden loud noise, then, a metal jingling sound could be made that was in unison with thudding of thick boots. Through a ruffle of blood red cloak the warrior stood within the doorway.

Yuffie gasped and was wide-eyed. Leon just blinked and re-folded his arms. Aerith blinked as well -- She knew that sound...Slowly, she turned to the this 'kid'.

"Cloud!" Aerith piped out, but barely. Cid nodded with a big grin but had his teeth clenched so his toothpick wouldn't fall out. Cloud just stood there in his heroic way, then, took a few steps forward as well as Aerith did. They came close and Cloud looked shyly down at the tiling with his regular looking hand on top of his Buster sword's hilt. Aerith smiled and kneeled forward to gaze upward at his awkwardly glowing eyes.

"It's really you...Oh, Cloud!" She whispered, unable to really comprehend this. She hoped for this day to come, and, finally it has. It was almost overwhelming.

"He was roaming around tryin' to find you guys." Cid stated then lowered his grin into his normal straight face. Yuffie smiled and clasped her hands together finding this romantic, Cid only rolled his eyes and Leon then spoke up.

"Now that we're finally reunited it's time to get down to business."

"Right. What are we gonna do with this place?" Cid looked around aimlessly at the ceiling with a grim frown then back to the four. Aerith stepped back and Cloud turned halfway to Cid -- But said nothing. Cid made a dull face. "Any suggestions at all?"

"Well," Leon spoke up again. "We need a new leader. Someone who has been a leader before...And is old enough..." Leon trailed off those navy blue irises looking straight at Cid. Leon didn't want to be leader yet again and doubted Cloud would want to be, too, also he didn't trust Yuffie and Aerith would probably decline. Cid blinked.

"Hey, thirty-nine ain't old, kid. And why me? I ain't know nothing about leadership qualities."

"Yes you do." Cloud simply said in his hard yet smooth voice. Cid growled; "They don't need to know that." He murmured to Cloud.

"We already know, anyway Cid. You've commandeered a great ship called the Highwind and helped Cloud with that whole crisis in your world." Leon wouldn't give up. Yuffie and Aerith started to coax Cid.

"Yeah, c'mon Cid!" Yuffie pleaded.

"You would be a good leader, Cid." Aerith nodded.

Cid groaned. He was being cornered by kids. "Leon! How come you can't do it? You were in that SeeD thing and got 'em skills!"

"It's time to pass off the name to someone else." Leon smirked. Cid just slapped his hand across his forehead.

"Fine, fine! I'll be the leader. Can't believe this is happenin'..."

Meanwhile in Rising Falls. . .

The common-people of Hollow Bastion watched as the fog and endless abyss around the Hollow Bastion castle slowly vanished and started to form back into their homes and work areas. Rooves with wooden shingles shot out from the fog and soon walls and streets, the windows came back in tact. Soon, the city along with the walls and courtyard leading up to Hollow Bastion castle were all back.

People cheered and hurriedly went back home trying to find and re-group their families or what were left of them. Some people didn't make it through the fall of Hollow Bastion so some stores and buildings would lack employees. Even the soldiers of Hollow Bastion -- Or what was remained of them -- Came back. During the collapse of Bastion and the rise of Darkness they had protected the city until the end, so, only few made it. Including...

"G-General Sephiroth?" A soldier cautiously stepped closer to the six foot figure that was near the edge of the circular stepping stone to the entrance of Hollow Bastion which was now a giant gate and walled up with people pouring inside of it. The silver haired man looked over to this lackey and frowned.

"Indeed. Don't stutter it shows you're nervous therefore weak." Sephiroth replied. It was certainly he, for any soldier of the Bastion Army could indicate their general by looking at his back where a dark blue and black wing is planted firmly on the left side. Right now that wing was folded inward at his back with that elaborately long silver hair and mako stained eyes.

"Yes-sir! It is good to have you back, sir!" The soldier quickly got into his formation stance, saluted, then ran off into the crowd of people trying to get inside and soon vanished.

Sephiroth closed his eyes. In one ear came the tranquility of the water that made the illusion of actually moving upward rather than down like normal waterfalls. In the other ear were the hustle and bustle of people's chatter and yells along with feet thudding against the stone steps. However, he could feel the presence of his rival and a smirk slowly came upon his face while eyes re-opened.

"So you are here. Long have I waited for the perfect moment...And soon...It will be here." He whispered to himself, then, slowly lurked off into the remaining people pouring in and stepped inside the large and maze-like city itself. His first destination was the Hollow Bastion Barracks to re-group his soldiers...Or what was left of them. That made him frown. All that he worked for was lost by Darkness. Though cold himself he utterly hated that thing...Darkness...And was glad that now some kid destroyed all of it.

"Looks like the people came back...We should probably tell them about our ideas." Leon stood at the giant windows near the stairway to the second level of the library. Yuffie leaned on the banister of the wooden stairs while Aerith and Cloud stood next to each other by the bookcase. Cid was up stairs sorting through some papers on the desk.

"You think they'll listen and obey?" Cid called back.

"They should...I doubt they have any ideas on what to do next."

"It ain't easy like that. People won't just nod and smile, plus..." Cid trailed off piling the papers all in one somewhat neat stack then stood up looking down at Leon. "We've got 'nother thing to worry about. Just ask Cloud."

The gaze of the ninja, Gunblade wielder, and flower girl all fell on the spiky headed warrior who blinked and gave out a small sigh.

"While I was in a different world...I bumped into Sephiroth."

The girls gasped, but not Leon -- It was almost as if he expected that comment and nodded.

"Of course. We'll never get rid of him." Leon muttered. Cloud slightly shrugged in his regular demeanor.

"I bet he has the same intentions, too. He wants revenge, and he'll do anything to get it."

"But, Cloud," Aerith's voice was shaky. "What will he do? You know him more than any of us."

Cloud frowned, though it was hidden away by his blood red scarf it still could be animated within his brow. "I...Don't know. He's clever, so we'll have to keep our guard up."

"This is gonna be a bumpy ride..." Cid groaned and muttered to himself and shook his head.

End of Chapter One.

A/N- Uh. I have a few things to say before running off.

One- I forgot what the library looks like...Kind of. xD So I don't know if the tile is actually green or if the Bastion library has any tile at all. Same with the windows.

Two- Here's how I want it to go with romance: Aerith/Cloud. MAYBE Yuffie/Leon, or Yuffie/? and Leon/?

Wonder who those question marks are... (probably obvious for Squally.)

Anyway, RnR and see you in the next chapter!