They needed a new Struggle strategy. As it was, Hayner's team would beat them the next time around, and Fuu was not about to tolerate another bout of Seifer's temper.

It led to scouting the peaceful streets of Twilight Town… and finding a mountain of a man in the plaza. With a weapon. But, in her mind's eye, she could probably liken it to the Struggle bat – if somewhat adapted to fit the man's frame.

Lexaeus sees the pale-haired girl approach him. Fairly fearless, to walk over to him. It would probably mean Vexen berating him for his lack of stealth. But that was a concern for another time – she might have information on the Heartless to take out. And at the very least, silence will drive away most people.

"Hello." She is in front of him now, a bat in her hands. He has heard of a combat-like sport in this world – maybe she practices it. Unfazed by his lack of an answer, she lifts it in question.

"Good?"

Clueless. So, she'd probably not tell about an odd man in her town. To her, he posed competition. So he shows a couple of swings, an attack or two. She watches attentively… possibly trying to figure out an opponent countering the same movements.

"Teach."

So, she met her new Struggle 'coach'. Her gang would wonder at times who was the newcomer – it ended with a silence and barely a word or two. A communication-impaired person, or succinct with words. Like Fuu herself – but he was a good coach, and 'earned' his stay with them.

Although, they all felt like most of the conversation was via ellipses and telepathy. So in the end, the one who got the most of their training was their silent teammate.

It ended with a Struggle match, a couple scrawls of paper and his continued absence. Belatedly, Fuu realized she didn't know his name. And he didn't know hers either…

Wait. The paper had, among other tactics, a name. Lexaeus… odd, but if the others had a 'Roxas'…

"Words needed." She forgot most of this anyways.


A.N. – I lied… the challenge sounded quite awesome to let it simmer for a while…

Two things: I'm taking 'couples' as 'the guys I'm centering it around'… don't have that amount of creativity for romance… and doing it in disorder as well (meep... apologies on that!)

And, as for all fanfiction: nothing belongs to me! Challenge by xDarknessAngelx, characters by Square-Enix and Disney where appropriate, now please enjoy!