Wonderful World (the extension package):

My thanks to everyone who reviewed Wonderful World.

I'm also in need of more ideas...so...

...help?

The Very First Step
Prequel to the parody Wonderful World, based on the AU parody inspired by "As Good As It Gets".

To those sitting on their front steps waiting for that someone to come home.


He was still sitting there. Just as he had been sitting there in those brief minutes before classes started, and during lunch period while eating the academy's distributed army rations, and during each and every break they were given.

Right there, upon the front steps, and upon the very first step. He even had the same posture throughout each sitting; his back was slight hunched as he leaned forward, his elbows rested on his knees, and his head rested in his palms.

All the instructors had identified him by his first name, without stating any last name. That had merely served to fuel the flames of the rumors that the new cadets were already starting to spread among themselves; ugly rumors about self-mutilation, parental abuse, homelessness, experimentation, a freakish accident, even criminal offense...really ugly rumors.

Many were obviously ridiculous and impossible, but yet were somehow enough for the other young cadets to give him a wide berth.

"Why are you staring at me?"

The boy was looking his way now, although his posture was still the same.

"I'm not staring."

"You've been staring at me since this morning."

Busted. One could either deny and start a petty fight, or admit and resolve.
The latter it would be.

"Okay, I was; sorry."

The boy returned his focus to the front gates of the academy, no longer regarding the other who was standing there.

Finally, he walked up and stood next to him.
"So...what are you doing?"

"None of your business."

"I swear I won't tell anyone?"

He looked his way again. "Cross your heart, hope you die, and hope Hyne condemns your soul to oblivion?"

"Cross my heart, hope I die, and hope Hyne condemns my soul to oblivion.
"Now tell me what you're doing."

A nod of approval, and a reply.
"Waiting."

"For who?"

"Sis."

"Who?"

"Sis", he stated again, as though it was obvious enough. And as he spoke, he pointed to the gates.
"She went off with soldiers from the other nation; told me she'd be back soon."

"When did that happen?"

"When I was three."

"Two years ago?"

"So she should be here any time now."

And the boys fell back into silence, one resuming his vigil and staring at the gates, the other staring at him and unsure of his next move.

It was a few beats of strange silence before the latter spoke again.
"Is it okay if I sit a while and wait with you?"

The former shrugged. "Whatever; do what you want."

The latter did not need another grant of permission as he sat himself on the same step, side by side with the other boy. The two of them continued to stare at the gate, watching and waiting for whom might possibly come through them.

Then the latter turned a little, his eyes not leaving their point of focus.
"By the way, I'm Cloud."

The other did not move, and did not respond right away. But he eventually did.

"I'm Squall."


RogueFanKC: Thank you very much for your last review; it really touched me and made urged me to keep trying with each day. It's for readers such as yourself that I keep writing.

Niana Kuonji: Longer...chapters...twitch-twitch-twitch-twitch-twitch.
Actually, yes, I understand what you mean; I often kick myself for short chapters that I just can't seem to make longer. Everyone likes to get more out of an update; even the writer.
I'll keep trying, I mean it! ...this from the guy who just threw some short-stuff here...
...ARGH! I KNOW I can make the next chapter longer...I just know...-splat.

Angstluver: Well, here's a little more for your reading pleasure; hope it meets the par.

Shiri Matakami: You did? Thanks, that made me feel better. I'm really unused to writing uber-happy for people like Leon (then again, Kingdom Hearts II didn't have a problem turning him into Mr. Social.)
Oh, and the next chapter has Laguna, so here's hoping you like it.

Shinigami7: I'm sorry about Leon, too. The original ending was too upsetting for my alpha of beta-readers, so she insisted that I salvage the situation SOMEHOW. Then...things...happened. And I spent several hours sitting with my legs crossed.
And yes, I too like how Sephiroth came out. No one in the universe of Square Enix could do the job I assigned him. Here's to one of the greatest gaming villains of all time.

Ashti: Thanks for reviewing again; it means a lot to me. Well, I hope this "extension package" meets the standards of its predeccesor.

Darth Maligna: I'm glad; it's been a while since I came back to the story - gathering reference for this one - and I often wondered if my writing suddenly looked more...fan girl-like. Then again, most of my beta-readers - and consequent advisors - are fan girls. Except Flypipe, who fiercely defends both his gender and his sexuality. I'll take what I can get. XD