Chapter 1

I Love You More Than Anything Else

Leon lay awake that night, just staring at the ceiling… and thinking… about her. There was no one else, in all the worlds, he cared about more than her. She meant absolutely everything to him. Leon sighed. If only he could tell her how he truly felt about her… then he wouldn't have the weight of the whole world on his shoulders. He usually didn't show much emotion… but for her; he'd do anything.

"If only you knew…" Leon whispered.

"If only you-".

"Leon?" Yuffie said, opening the door to his lightless room open and looking in on him. Leon sat up in his bed and looked at her.

"What?" he said nonchalantly.

"I heard you talking and I wasn't sure what was going on", she said, turning a bright shade of red. Leon nodded.

"No, I'm fine", he said.

"You may want to get some sleep, Yuff. We've all got a big day ahead of us". Yuffie nodded.

"You never did tell me what we're doing tomorrow", she said, as if she had just remembered.

"I know", he said.

"It's a surprise". And with that, Yuffie gave a sigh and closed his door as she left. Leon lay back in bed and blew some of his hair of out of his face. Leon continued his thoughts. But, what if she did find out? What would happen? For one of the first times ever, Leon was actually scared. He was afraid of rejection. That she already loved somebody else. He couldn't stand the thought of her loving another man. The thought sent a chill down his spine.

"Maybe I shouldn't think about that", Leon grumbled. He sighed again. Maybe he should get some sleep as well. That was his thought… until he heard talking in the hallway.

"I wonder where he is…" he heard Aerith's enchanting voice say. Leon felt a twinge of jealousy surge through him. She was bound to be talking about Cloud or Sephiroth; certainly not him. Aerith almost always knew where he was. Even if no one had told her; she somehow knew. It made him wonder. Of course, it made everybody wonder. Sora had once teased him and said that he and Aerith had a 'special connection'. Leon had hit him on the head when he said that; but who wouldn't? Leon heard the light switch of the hallway flick off, and Aerith retreat to her room. The drowsiness that had overcome him earlier swept across him again, and he slowly closed his eyes and drifted off into sleep.

Cloud walked through the streets of Traverse Town… looking for his beloved Aerith. He had promised her he would come back to her… and he intended to keep that promise.

What if she found someone else? Cloud thought. He wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer. He waved the thought out of his head.

"Come on, Aerith, where are you?" he said in a frustrated tone.

"Excuse me, sir? But are you looking for Aerith?" said a woman with a strong New York accent.

"Um, yes, I am", Cloud admitted. The woman smiled.

"She is in the hotel over in second district", she said. Cloud smiled.

"Thank you…Miss…" Cloud said, unsure of the woman's name.

"Lora", she smiled. Cloud gave a little bow.

"Thank you, Miss Lora", he said, making her laugh. He turned and headed towards second district. He felt overjoyed. He would finally get to see Aerith; the girl he'd loved ever since he laid eyes on her.

I can't wait to see you, Aerith, he thought.

I promised I'd come back, and I had all intentions of keeping that promise. I'm just afraid that you found someone else. I love you, Aerith; more than anything else.

"I love you, Aerith", Leon grumbled in his sleep.

"More than anything else".

Hey, guys. Hope you guys like it! It's my first Kingdom Hearts story ever. Well, again, hope you guys like it! Sorry if you don't! Please tell me what you think. Flames are welcome. Talk to you guys later!

Blood

Dedicated to SOx (Kris), Josh, and Lexi; some of the best friends anybody could ever have. You guys rock. I know you probably don't like the couples much, but, these are just couples I like. I just couldn't change it. Sorry guys.