Destinations (a drabble)
--by Sakura (RikuxSora)

The blond sat alone, his back leaning against the outer walls of the Coliseum. He was tired of training, ready to leave this world and continue his search. His long weapon sat beside him, wrapped in cloth, tattered and torn. He sighed to himself, feeling a slight breeze on his face. The day was coming to and end, and Cloud found himself thinking the all-too familiar thoughts of finding her. He was just beginning to relax when he heard voices approaching.

"I can't believe we lost to that kid!" an annoyed female voice shouted, which was followed by a deep, masculine grunt that could have been taken as a "yeah."

Cloud looked up, only to see a tall lean man walking slowly behind an extremely hyper woman. She jumped around the man, infuriated. The tall brunette didn't seem to mind, nor did he seem agrivated. He simply nodded in acknowledgment every once in awhile.

"Squaaaalll!" The shorter girl pouted, stomping in front of the man in leather. Cloud watched, slightly amused, while the hyper girl whined and complained to the male who didn't seem to care. "How can you not be upset! He's just a kid! And he beat the BOTH of us! Practically by himself!"

"I know." The man spoke deeply, looking at the ground, his hand in his pocket, "And it's Leon."

The girl rolled her eyes. "Whatever. But seriously, what is Aerith going to say about that?"

Cloud jumped up immediately, almost in instinct, shocked at what he had just heard. He was glad that there was a wall directly behind him, because he had almost fallen over the second he arose. Could it be true? Was it his Aerith that they were talking about? He hoped so, dearly. The sudden movement caused a certain hyper brunette to look over at him.

Aerith...

"Ooh, Squall, look! Do you know him?"

She's...alive?

The muscular man glanced at Cloud, examining the shocked expression on the blond's face. He shook his head. "No. Don't know him. ...Where are you going, Yuffie?"

She's still out there...

Cloud didn't seem to notice as Yuffie approached him, followed by a silent Leon. Yuffie smiled, standing directly in front of the blond. "Hi!"

It wasn't long before Cloud snapped out of his daze, staring into a pair of large eyes. He was about to say something, anything, when she smiled.

"We noticed you were staring. What's your name?"

Cloud grabbed his sword and stepped around an amused Yuffie, walking past Leon. Could this be happening? He stood silently, his hand clutching his sword. "Cloud."

He heard footsteps approaching him, growing loud then silent again. Cloud turned to see where they were going, only to see the two figures walking toward the world exit door. Leon seemed to feel the stare and turned to face the blue-eyed man. Yuffie turned soon after, smiling.

"Well, see you around, Cloud! We've gotta head back to Traverse Town."

She turned to leave, but Leon stood his ground. He and Cloud simply stood there for minutes, staring at eachother. Neither said a word, nor acknowledged the fact that they were wasting time and cramming the atmosphere. Yuffie soon became annoyed and began pushing the large brunette out the door. "C'mon, Squall! Aerith is waiting for us!" she said loudly as they disappeared behind the door.

In an instant, they were gone, and Cloud stood speechless. He knew it was her. Aerith was alive, and she was out there...

...in Traverse Town.

Cloud now found himself with a new destination.