Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts! (Surely it is not necessary for me to say this!) Also, some points are of FF12, and if I own that stuff, I wouldn't tell you!

My Notes: Warning! Warning! Warning! This fic falls under the category - - - YAOI. If you are someone who finds this genre disturbing, then it may be wise to NOT read it. Quite honestly, I'm also one of those who . . . uhhhmmm . . . repudiates this kind of stuff. But thanks to a close friend of mine, I realized why this kind of category continues to exist. I'm not really over this, so I guess the best way to be cool with is to write a fic about it. Heehee . . . But in reality, this fic won't reach any ultimately intimate encounters. (I wish you're not that dense to not understand me XD). Just lay eyes on it, I swear it won't make your stomach hurl. Three (3) chapters. Coz it may look so boring if you see the scroll bar too small over there (to the right) too small. Read and review please. Also if you review, kindly suggest the BEST hentai you know ----- for i will really need it in order to stay in tuned with my . . . maleness . . . XD giggles.

Shout out: Numina-Namine, I hope you like this one.

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-o-

o- Again, I am at home -o
Chapter 1

-o-

"The blinding light of the setting sun . . . What could be more fitting . . . than this companion? Wait . . . what am I holding?"

Eyes were shifting slowly, focusing on an object dangling on his right hand. Keening on them, he stared at the bouquet of red roses.

"What . . . is this?"

Moist and still naturally damp, each petal radiated well as the shine of a red sun shimmered upon it; soft even before touching, each whispering 'sniff me, please?' Nothing could be more crimson. Nothing else can be compared to these blooms. Handpicked by him, each, carefully trimmed as if plucking an angel's feathers, best tried to give pleasure instead of pain. A lifetime spent to merely find these gems of the pageant. Even Shiva may be seduced by it, regardless of the fiend who offers them.

"These roses . . . are . . . so pretty . . ."

Swinging the same arm upwards, he tossed the bouquet right in mid-air. Eyeing the best part of it, he found what to target.

These beautiful roses, pure and innocent, sincere and truthful, its destiny met the edge of a bastard sword. A mighty slash, more than its rightful punishment, was delivered. The single hack of this blade made the petals annulled from each other like blown pile of ash.

"The blinding light of the setting sun . . . What could be more fitting . . . than to watch it with dying roses?"

A rough breeze arrived even before he could pull his weapon back. The lacerated petals drifted away, rotting almost immediately.

Affixing his comrade on the ground, he set his stiff eyes on another object beneath him.

"Why is it . . . that whenever I look at you, I feel nothing but pain?"

The man picked his cellular phone on the ground and laid a last look on the message.

I cannot come to our meeting place. I am with Selphie. I am sorry . . . Forgive me, Cloud . . .

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

I clutched on a goblet. It came to me that I could no longer take my hand off it-perhaps it is glued? I found it nearing my lips and without my awareness, my mouth sipped this strange liquid. A burning sensation engulfed my throat as the fluid traveled down through me. I found myself wishing that it would reach the frozen layers of my heart.

"Why is my presence here? Am I dreaming? And how come my chest hurts so much?"

My droopy eyes stared blindly onto what exists near. Though darkness is in place, I see these tables, each accompanied by a lonesome individual. Perhaps they are the same as me? There are these creatures, dressed so elegantly, they keep nudging the other creatures in sight. A senseless tune kept resonating within my ears. There is no sound, but it's so noisy. What in the hell is going on?

It was soon until I realized that I was drunk. My mind dwelling with a thought-I've been here eternally. I feel so desolated watching myself humiliate its own repute. To be seen here will truly scar what is left of my image.

With the abscence of my own freewill, I just found my eyes turning into a person approaching. The hazy flavor of the air is not evident as a hindrance for I knew who that person is the moment every girl turned their faces towards him.

This person, I knew him for a long time, but it was only recently did I realize that he justly flaunts an immense standard. A man of respect and reverence. It would take anyone more than a miracle before seeing a flaw in his character. His hair, gratis at every angle, feathery as if fur of a newly hatched Chocobo. He walks so manly, so strict yet relaxed at the same time. He seemed chained into an obligation but his every movement delivers a message of 'I'm a freelance'. He sure is aware of the attention worming unto his very sight yet he regards it as if a whiling breeze. You may consider yourself a Goddess of beauty if and only if he lays his eyes on yours. But such scenario must be first permitted by God before it can happen. I, myself, must be free to brag about him for he has been my friend for so many years now.

"Cloud, do you think I have the need to ask while your eyes speak so loudly?"

His voice came to me as if a steel of masculinity. I feigned a smile as I welcomed him to this requiem I have been celebrating so gladly.

"My sincerest congratulations for your promotion." I stood up straight. Respect is what he deserves. "It's hard to accept that my closest friend turned out to be the Admiral of the 37th fleet, Alexander XXIII. Will you ever cease to amaze . . . Leon?" A friendly handshake was in place.

"A lie shall it be if I disguise myself not. Thank you, Cloud." How does he do that? Speaking with words subliminal of his character. Just hearing him utter will paint his whole life before your eyes.

It was only when he seated himself that I was able to catch a vagrant snuffle of his perfume. What should only be a fragrance offering a mere pleasure, an enticing and most soothing sensation for the soul. There was a rumor of an astrayed soldier once took hold of a precious perfume, given only by Gods who only exist in an unsearchable world. Sometimes I wonder if that person is Leon himself.

"Will I hear the secret entangled within your thoughts?" Leon said so easily as he relaxed himself, eyeing his thanks to the bartender who placed his Martini on the table.

I had fear portrayed before my every word. "I know that they never mention this in the military, but will you find it childish if my words are of love?" I could not place my stares at the high-ranked person for I think he sees the immaturity I am yet to go over with.

Smirking so evidently, Leon pilfered a sip of his drink before chuckling his response back. "Charming to see a jester in you, Cloud. In spite of my state now in the martial, you do not sense a dent in our a friendship, do you?" His most charming eyes assisted in his smile by sharpening slightly.

"I am sorry . . ." I had my eyes relieved contradicting to what I have just said. "It's of Aerith. . ."

"I take time with my drink, a flaw my fellow officers have observed." I knew what he meant. Its that he'll listen to my story.

"I asked her to meet up with me on the rooftop of the Gizmo Shop, a usual spot marked in our memories. I felt I deserved it for we have not been together for a long time now. I miss her. Yet I fear that she do not feel so similarly. If I'm not mistaken, it has been like this for . . . four months. I really don't know why but I can't help but see the love we have disintegrating. And now, I feel like she's maintaining a big gap between us." My wavering eyes trembled freely on the goblet I kept wiping with my hands.

"Maintaining a big gap because she is no longer meeting with you? Or is my assumption erroneous?" Leon sounded like an expert to this. Him being a high-ranking officer and a friendly psychiatrist really makes a picture mosaic. He took hold of the cigar from his lips and blew a slow moving fog. I've always loved the frangrance of that cigarette.

"I do think so. It was sudden when it happened. Just like a candle losing its light on its wick, Aerith just took away all of her love for me. I really see no reason why. Its like I'm filling a Jigsaw puzzle with no piece of the picture in hand and with my eyes blindfolded. I am lost in stupor." The liquor in my glass appears to disappear so quick. I wondered where it has been dripping to.

I looked at Leon and seeing him signal the bartender refill my glass was enough to tell me that I should continue speaking.

"We had been so good together. All that smile and laughter. We would kiss before making signals to each other. And whenever I hold her close, I feel something undeserving of my comprehension, a weird sensation, like . . . I feel at home. But now that putting my arms around her only exists in my dreams, this home I felt . . . is now in ruins. I wonder when shall I be home again."

A moment of silence was in order to sign that my testament is adjourned. I simply shook my goblet to hear the slightest sound created by the ice cubes.

"In order to learn what lies in the horizon, Convey the vessel onto a high vintage point. - 1st Chapter of a pirate, Marquis Ondore XIV. You must be situated where you shall see the truth in her heart, Cloud. And the only way to know what she keeps hidden is to ask her directly. The sudden change in her must have been caused by a vital deed you have done; that are not aware of. Don't ask for a chance to meet her, thieve an opportunity to find her submissive. Once you know where the rocks point, you shall be given the guidance you need for your inclination to the proper path."

It was too late when it came to my mind that my endless stare at him might be found inappropriate. He spoke in riddles yet every sense infiltrated me so clearly. A strange twinge came into my heart as I gain knowledge of what I must do, but I'm not really sure if that's all of it. This man in front of me, who taught him to be so charismatic? In what way does he sleep and how many times does he blink his eyes in a day?

Though he is still the friend I've always known, a lot of things changed him and I just appear too blinded to see it. Just being with him makes me feel so soothed, so free and so relaxed. I feel secure just by knowing that this friend of mine is a friend of mine. I admire him for his wit and concern he has for me. Is this a dream I can ever wake up from?

-end of 1st chapter-