Title: Soaring

By: Metamorcy

Rating: M

Pairing: Leon/Cloud, Riku/Sora, Axel/Roxas, Demyx/Zexion

Disclaimer: don't own

Summary: High school was supposed to be normal, that was until the Stife and Leonhart group meet… Cleon, Soriku, AkuRoku, Zemyx AU

Important author note: Alright, there's going to be a poll that will decide the fate of this story. So when you are done, read the bottom, it will say what it's about. And please do it, I beg of you.

Updated 10/10/09- I've added a little part in the beginning.

I don't have a beta so if there's anyone interested, please message me.

Chapter 1: Convergence

Everyone believes that high school was normal, it was just the same day repeating itself every week over and over. Go to school, do a bunch of shit, then go home. Everyday was completely the same and it was okay. You get used to it and fast. It was just another day to one's mind. Now my story might be a little odd compared to a lot of high school students but I like to think mine is special like in that type of special way. And I'm kinda proud of my high school years too. It was the first time I had ever fallen in love so deeply and completely. It had been the best time of my life. And guess what, he's still with me even after ten years. We're like the perfect couple and some people at work, who has accepted me for my sexuality, are a little jealous of us.

At the moment, we're about to have our tenth anniversary and our high school reunion too that's supposed to come later in a few weeks. I'm so happy that it can't be expressed in words. I finally get to see everyone from that time long ago. I wonder how they are all doing…probably still screwing each other in bed as usual or maybe having a romantic outing like me. My boyfriend is currently trying to pack everything for our week long dreamy vacation in France at the moment, trying to make sure that everything has been accounted for. I've already packed everything I think I need. I had the camera put away as the first thing on the list. There's no way I'm going to forget that, there'd be hell to pay if I did. But in the end, I'm so very excited. Our plane is supposed to leave in a few hours but I'll write down everything that has happened during that time, my time during the high school years and how everything happened. How we got together… I can still remember it clearly even now as I'm typing this onto the computer. They were my fondest memories since that was where everything started.

But I'm not going to tell you just my story. There were others too and we were all intertwined with each other. But that's for you to find out and me to write about.

It was during the first week of high school in the cafeteria…

Leon tapped his pencil in frustration against a piece of paper, staring at the math figures called 'demented homework' that seemed to be taunting him before quickly scribbling down the answer. His younger brother, Zexion, was next to him, reading a book that he wasn't exactly sure about since there wasn't a title on it. They sat next to each other, sharing their packed lunch in the far end of the cafeteria. It was the first week back into high school, third year for Leon and second for Zexion, and everything seemed the same as it was before summer break. Familiar faces were in the large area, chattering and eating away, while others like themselves, had settled back into their old route. Cheerleaders hung out at one table, the jocks close by, flirting their way over while gangs sat at the different end of the room and others as well.

But everyone in the school knew the Leonharts. They were loners to almost everyone but each other and were one of the few smartest kids in the building. Everyone wanted to copy off of them for homework and tests alike but no one had the guts to actually do it.

Leon was known for his aloofness and by the scar that ran across his forehead. Everyone recognized him for that mark. He had shoulder-length brown hair that framed the top of his head with long bangs and stormy grey eyes that had a little bit of blue mixed in. Another feature he was known for was his 'glare of doom', it was strong enough to send most people running and ducking into hiding.

Zexion, on the other hand, was just plain silent. His lavender-colored hair covered most of his face except for his left eye that peeked from underneath. The color of his eye was a light blue that matched his hair as it didn't seem to pop from behind the bangs. His glares, however, were colder and sometimes were worst than his older brother's as his meant he was tearing apart anyone that got in his way by just looking.

People would sometimes stare at their direction, whispering something at each other, but the two have learned long ago to just ignore it and it wasn't hard to. The noise the in the cafeteria was enough to drown it out.

Leon glanced over to his little brother when he noticed Zexion shivering at the coldness of the area even though there were a ton of bodies all around. He pulled off his favorite jacket that had a fake fur ruff at the top and wrapped it around the other's shoulders. The younger brother blinked at the gesture, nodded as thanks, and went back to his book, deep in the pages. Zexion shifted a little at the warmth and moved around to secure it around his cold body. He cursed the air conditioner for getting broken again, the third time this week. He had even been prepared for today with a long-sleeve shirt but it wasn't enough. Leon ran a hand though his hair and went back to his homework, wanting to finish it up before he had to go home.

"Hey, guys!" A boy sat down at their table, shaking his head at the sight of the two. Silver hair twirled at the movement and green eyes glanced between them with a smile on his face. He was in the same grade as Leon, though, he was younger due to the fact that he had skipped a grade. Zexion was the same, he was really a 9th grader in a 10th grade class, but Riku was a 10th in an 11th grade class. "Man, I wish I had an older brother that would do that to me, but no, I had to get a douche bag."

Zexion glanced up so did Leon. The brunet sighed at the remark. "Well, Riku, you have three cousins, surely one will be on your side, and Sephiroth would probably save you if anything happened anyway."

"Are you kidding me? Sephiroth? Coming to save me? The day that happens is the day you stand on top of this table and start singing about sunshine to everyone." Riku snorted, stating it sarcastically and grumbled for a few minutes afterwards. Soon after, he leaned to the side and started snickering at the thought he had about Leon. "As amusing as that would be, it'd be pretty scary. And anyway, my cousins are always together as a tight bunch, there's no way I can get involved. They don't even come to this school."

"That's true…" Leon nodded, heading back to work.

Riku bit into his food, wincing at it before continuing, he was hungry, anything would do right now. His eyes glanced over to the table four feet away and eyed one of the brunets that were sitting there, smiling and talking happily. His eyes stayed trained on the other for a few moments, momentarily forgetting about eating.

Zexion detected the pause and raised an eyebrow when he saw who Riku was staring at. "Why don't you ask Sora out for a date? We all know that you've been pinning for him ever since he arrived to this school."

"As if." Riku sighed, tearing his gaze away. "If I could I would have done so a long time ago but no one tries to date the Stife brothers especially Sora with his two brothers looming over him."

"Maybe you should try and win the brothers over instead before going after him." A new voice cut in from behind. It was a person with bright red hair that was spiked upward in multiple directions. He plopped down in front of Leon and next to Riku. His green eyes were smirking and the green upside down triangles lifted upward at the face movement. "I mean, you have a good reputation, good grades, even got into a good college this early. You're the perfect candidate for anyone, even the Stife brothers. Actually, the Leonharts are good for anyone of them too."

The brothers looked up at that.

"Axel, shut up." Riku sighed, pushing his food to the side in disgust. It was a waste of three dollars and quietly sipped on his coke to get rid of the taste. "I have no problems in getting along with anyone or them importantly, it's just my brother. It's either you love him or hate him and you know the Stife and Genova family line are arch-enemies. Especially Cloud and my bother, they hate each other to the point of actually killing, who knows what will happen to me if I try anything. I bet they'll say that I'm just as corrupted as him or something."

The red head shook his head, knowing it was true. He leaned forward, throwing his text books onto the table without care. His spiky red hair made him the center of attention of all eyes everywhere he went, he wasn't hard to miss in the first place. He waved a skinny hand to his friends across. "Well, wake me up when the bell rings. I'm going to catch some extra Z's." Axel snuggled into his make shift pillow of his arms, forgetting all about the conversation.

Leon blinked, packing up his materials after finishing his remaining homework that had been given in his morning classes. His stormy grey eyes turned to the table Riku had been once staring at, curious about this Sora person. He examined the teen, finding the boy far too innocent for his own good, and then traveled over the rest of the group. There were the twin siblings Kairi and Namine, then Tifa, Aerith, Zack and even the cousin of the Stifes, Demyx. Eventually his eyes rested on the oldest sibling, Cloud, but he shook his head and turned away soon after, going back to his brother. It was a table for the populars, the people most well known among the school and the ones that everyone wanted to join or go out with.

They were the opposite of them.

Now his group wasn't the least well known but they weren't popular. They were more of a group of nobodies, people that others know about and depended on but didn't bother getting any closer than classmates. Axel was known for his troublemaking, his red hair, and for being a large pyromaniac. Everyone loved his antics, his pranks, all teachers knew about him but the only best friends he had was Riku and the Leonharts. People may love him but they didn't want to be categorized in the same way as him.

Riku was popular to draw girls, teachers, and sometimes boys too to his side. He had the beauty and the brains, everything, but it was his family that gave him a bad fate. Sephiroth, a senior, was known for his insane tendencies and his cousins, who pulled pranks that weren't even normal and tended to go too far, sometimes sending a person to the hospital. Because of that, no one wanted to get on his bad side and no one wanted to get too close.

They were nothing but a group of outsiders.

Riku glanced over to his best friend. "You know if you don't eat, you'll only get skinner. And you're already a twig. You'll put all the girls who are trying to get that size to shame."

"Oh shut up…" Axel growled from underneath the mass of arms and clothes. He pulled his head up slightly to glare. "What about you, pretty boy? Your beauty puts the girls to shame as well. Are you sure you're a guy?"

"Are you sure you two aren't a married couple?" Zexion retorted, glaring at the two to keep it down, he was trying to read.

The friends snapped, gapping at the bookworm.

Then the bell rang.

"Hey, that was low, Zex!" Axel cried. "Real low."

People jumped, gathering their things together, saying goodbye to friends before heading off. Leftover lunches were thrown away into the trashcans, though, some didn't care and left it on the table to be cleaned up. Leon stood, picking up his backpack, knowing that it was time to head to class. "Yet, it's true."

"Hey!"

The brunet waited for his brother to catch up, leaving the two behind without any thought. They caught up, sharing a look and shrugged their shoulders. Their classmates were crowding the hallways, blocking people's paths and the four had to squeeze their way through to get into wider areas.

"Well back to hell known as class." Axel retorted, his backpack hanging off one shoulder. "With the wicked teacher, Xemnas. Right, Zex!" He tossed an arm around Zexion's shoulder and pulled him in closer. It happened that the younger Leonhart and Axel were in the same grade. "I swear I'm going to get the guy back one day, just you wait and see. Have any ideas?"

Zexion stiffened at the touch and wiggle himself out of the grip. "Don't put me into one of your schemes. Ask Riku, he'll be more than happy to give you a few."

"I know, I know but it's more fun this way. And yours are always foolproof. I've seen one from you before. You're the ones that broke that couple, Vexen and Marluxiz apart, right? I don't know how you did it or why but you did a miracle."

Riku caught wind of the conversation as they passed through the hallways. It was crowded with people, everyone was bumping into one another constantly. The students were chattering, not bothering in glancing at their way. "Wasn't Vexen a competitor in grades with you? Didn't he pull that fake 'new discovery' thing and tried to embarrass you in the middle of class?"

Leon nodded, remembering that time and to respond to his brother's silence.

"Holy shit, man! I definitely want you on my, no, our side!" Riku corrected himself when he looked at Axel in agreement. "I mean, yours would be the best this school has ever seen!"

The silver-haired teen was walking backwards, right in front of his little group when something or someone turned the corner and slammed into him. There were two cries and then the scattering of book and papers. The Leonharts and Axel raised an eyebrow at the scene and then turned to the group that Riku had crashed into. It was the Stife group. Some people stopped to stare then went on while others threw them a look. Teachers that were nearby didn't bother to come over and help, talking to others about certain students and grades.

"Roxas, are you okay?"

Sora Stife was the first to move, rushing forward, going to his brother's side, who was rubbing the top of his head.

"Ow…" Riku massaged the back of his own, one eye closed at the pain. Axel came forward with a grin, bending over to outstretch a hand and lifted his friend up to his feet. The silver-haired teen turned to the person he had bumped into to apologize but stopped. He instantly noticed the glare from the older sibling since Cloud had recognized him as a Genova sibling. Riku kept his calm and put on his innocent face. "Ah, sorry about that." He kneeled down, helping in lifting up his books and backpack. Axel helped with gathering Roxas' stuff and stepped closer to the blond-hair teen that was still on the ground.

"Here." He outstretched the stuff, watching as the twins stood up together. Roxas huffed and grabbed his things, keeping a fair distance from the two.

"Thanks…" The shorter student tilted his head when he managed to get a good look at the person in front. He stared at the red hair at first then to the green tattoos below the striking eyes. Roxas narrowed his own at them. "Don't you look like a clown."

Axel blinked then laughed out loud at the response. He didn't care if it was an insult, he just found it funny that someone actually had the guts to say that to his face. "A clown? No, more of a trouble maker that likes to piss off the entire school and teachers." He waved his hand in reply with a wide grin on his lips. His eyes were twinkling in mischief. "Anyway, the name's Axel. A-X-E-L. Got it memorized?" He pointed a finger to his head and leaned forward, enough to get in Roxas' face. The shorter teen went back in return not comfortable with Axel so close.

"Must you use that ridiculous catch phrase?" Riku sneered. "It's so stupid. What am I saying, someone in this group has to be overly done in that way."

"Hey! I can tell an insult when I hear one!" Axel turned to the other, hands on his hips.

"Didn't think you were smart enough to know one."

Leon shook his head, reaching out towards Zexion with his hand. His brother handed over the book he had been reading without question and closed his eyes at the headache he was getting from the two. The brunet stepped forward to the arguing duo and handled the book with care, trying to find the right grip. With two swift movements, he slammed the rim on both heads at the top, hard, and it instantly silenced them. They kneeled down, cradling their head between their legs and groaned softly, rubbing the spot.

"Enough, you two. The warning bell has just rung. Its time to go." Leon tossed the book back and Zexion caught it easily in mid-air. They were used to such antics and knew the perfect way to deal with it. After all, it happened all the time. "Come on."

"Alright, alright." Axel stood up, hands on his knees as he did so. "Man, you hit hard."

"What do you expect? It's Squall-no-my-name-is-Leon-damnit Leonhart!" Riku grinned and it only got wider when the said person turned to glare. Shivers went down people's spine, those who happened to be around, even the Stife brothers had felt something at that look but Riku remained unaffected. He just waved it off without any thought. "Well off to Chem."

"Well, I've got 'Intro to Anthropology' but all Xemnas talks about is the darkness in one's heart. The man's crazy and probably has at least twenty bolts loose in his head."

"That's true. But Axel, sometime this year, we have to blow up the chemistry teacher during a lab. I can't wait to see Professor Xigbar's face afterwards!" Riku ran up to Zexion, trying but failing to put an arm around the shorter teen's shoulders. "Zex, you seriously have to help us on that."

"No."

"Don't coax my brother into something like that."

The Stife group that had been left forgotten watched the exchange in interest. Roxas raised an eyebrow and turned to Sora, who had the look of confusion, not really sure at what they were saying. Leon noticed the stares and nodded towards all of them as if saying 'goodbye' before pushing and shoving the bickering friends off. His eyes lingered on Cloud for a moment then moved on when Riku decided to throw a light punch Axel's way. Leon really felt like he was babysitting children instead of fifteen to sixteen year olds.

"They're an odd bunch…" Sora stated. "But they look like fun."

"Yeah but I still say that that Axel guy is a clown." Roxas huffed, keeping his eyes on the red hair. "Even for a moment, I had forgotten that that Riku guy was a Genova. They seemed so buddy-buddy." He turned to his siblings then rested his eyes on Demyx. He gave a smirk tauntingly, knowing his cousin's secrets well. "And there goes your crush, Demy."

The blonde with hair styled as a Mohawk turned his green eyes to the youngest twin. He had a bright blush on his cheeks and twitched his fingers, looking around to see if anyone had heard. "W-What are you talking about? I don't have a crush!" He gazed back at the younger Leonhart brother, Zexion, and felt his cheeks growing warmer. He just wanted to get near the teen, it had been his dream for a long time, ever since that time…

"Are you having…some impure thoughts about Zexion Leonhart?" Roxas cooed. "Just imagine the older brother coming after you. I've heard that if anyone tries anything to a friend of his, like that last freshmen that didn't quite get the hint when he was trying to win Riku over, they'll be crushed." He smacked his fists together to empathize his point and made Demyx jump with a loud squeak. "The poor guy wasn't seen for the next couple of months, I think he came out with plenty of broken bones and a major concussion. The guy was muttering about rainbows and daises for a while."

Demyx instantly paled, fidgeting in his place. He could already image the horror of the older brother finding out and the glare coming his way. He turned to his older cousin, Cloud, with pleading eyes and tried to give the puppy dog face. "Cloud, can't you take Leon out for a while? I don't want to die!"

"Huh?!" Cloud snapped out of his daze, his bright blue eyes blinking in shock. "What are you talking about? I don't even want to go out with Leon."

"Well, can you at least draw him away for a while? I can't go to Zexion if he's there. I don't want to get beaten or worse killed!" Demyx reached forward to grasp the black sweater shirt in front. "Please! You're the only one in his grade." He tried to use his old trick in convincing Cloud, the watery eyes.

Cloud grumbled, pulling himself away, not bothering in answering. "Come on, let's go to class. We'll be late."

"Fine, fine." Demyx slumped his shoulders and ran off. The twins were next and then Cloud. The spiky blonde-haired teen glanced in the direction of the Leonhart group and chuckled. This was defiantly going to be interesting.

Alright, here is the poll description.

I want you guys to decide which couple is to get together first in this story, and the next one, etc. This will change the entire story since I'll be writing it along the way, depending on who gets chosen. There are only four pairings - Cleon, Soriku, AkuRoku, Zemyx, chose from this list. During this time, it will only be for the first couple, the next post will be for the second and I will not take into account any for the second couple until in the next chapter since it's possible that your first one might not get chosen depending on the number of votes and you'll probably want to try again with that same one. I'm trying to be fair with everyone. And if there are any ties on two pairings, I will either let it continue to see which one will win or ask my friend to decide since I don't want to have any part in the processing except for counting.

The poll is to be stated in the reviews or PMs since I can't really figure out how to do the poll on my bio page yet but I'll get it up sometime.

Also, it ends the moment the second chapter is up but please continue to review even afterwards so that it can be taken into account for the next one on the second couple that will get together next but that is only after the second posting. Any questions, message me.

So please vote. Thanks.