A/n: New fandom for me. Let's see what comes of it shall we. Cloud x Aerith x Leon (Squall). This is going to be difficult considering how close Leon and Cloud are in personality. I will try my best to distinguish the two with out straying too far out of character.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.
The
Best of You
A Little More Poise Than That
It was raining the night they met. Icy, dark droplets descending from an inky black heaven. Pouring down cold and burning through his skin to send soul shattering shivers up his bones. It was freezing and he was thankful as his skin numbed against the unrelenting weather. It didn't stop the pain though, and it didn't stop the bleeding.
Groaning in discomfort, with mere traces of strength he propped himself up against the alley wall. His navy eyes narrowed, peering down in disdain at the series of gashes extending from his torso to his knees. He was bleeding profusely, the thick substance traveling down his leg to end in a diluted pool of crimson at his feet. So I might die after all,he thought, not that it matters...
He had no idea what evil had spawned the creatures that attacked him. Their shadow-like bodies twisting and contorting clawing their way towards him and his companions. They came in unimaginable numbers, swarming in flocks until the entire world was consumed. He tried to hold onto everything he knew, his home and his friends but it was all lost. Lost in the endless sea of darkness. He had no idea how he came to be in a place like this.
He discovered the true weight of his body as his legs could no longer hold it. They caved beneath him as his back slid down the brick wall. The gunblade hanging limply in his right hand screeched loudly against the cement as it followed his trail. He landed in an exhausted slump against the ground. What an awful place to die.
He could finally feel his tired muscles relaxing; giving way to the beckoning dark. It had engrossed everything else in his life. Why fight it any longer? As the rain cleansed the blood and grime from his face he closed his eyes. His fate was undeniable. His only concern now was for the unfortunate person forced to find him in the morning.
Then came a sneeze. It shot through the silence and pounding rain like an arrow straight to his ears. Someone was watching him. Feeling questioning eyes upon him, he raised his own to greet them. A young girl, sheltered beneath pink umbrella lingered curiously in the alley entrance.
"Are you hurt?" her voice was soft but not in the least bit meek.
"Hm," his strained vocals struggled to form the words, "I'm fine. Please, leave me be."
"Here?" her emerald eyes searched beneath her umbrella. "In a place like this?"
"I'm fine," he repeated. "Please, go."
Closing his eyes he expected the girl to comply. Lounging his head against the stiff surface of the wall he wondered if death always took this long. He just wanted to rest, to have the painful throbbing of his wounds subside. To forget all that he had lost.
The sound of heavy boots trekking through water approached him. He sighed in annoyance. Doesn't she have anything better to do.
"Look I told you-" he reopened his eyes to find the girl's face hovering inches above his own.
She was crouched down beside him carefully examing the damage to his side. "See you are hurt!"
"It's none of your business," he ground out.
The girl hesitated and stared down at him pensively. What could she say to change his mind? She could easily treat those wounds, but if he didn't come with her soon he would surely die. Her wide eyes fell to the blade clutched at his side.
"Aren't warriors suppose to die with more dignity than this?" she said brusquely.
He released a disgruntled, "Hmf."
Who was she to say such things. She had no idea what he had been through. He cast eyes to the ground.
"You're dress...it's getting wet," he noted.
"Hmm..." she looked down in surprise at the hem of her blushed colored dress. It was stained dark.
"It's no big deal," she giggled.
"Oh," he shrugged casually, "I thought girls cared about those kinds of things."
"Most of them do," she breathed, rising to her feet.
"Now," she whispered, extending her hand to him. "Won't you come back with me?"
He took the time to study her at full stature. She had a kind face accented with large, serene eyes and a saccharine smile. Her long chestnut hair fell in rolling tendrils over her round, delicate shoulders. She had made her determinatioin evident but it didn't effect the fragile innocence her body potrayed.
He glanced to her out reached hand. It almost seemed as warm and inviting as her smile. He needed something to hold onto. Something to pull him out of the darkness creeping up around him. He vowed to himself that if she could save him just this once he would protect her for the rest of his life.
He felt the warmth of her hand as it connected with his seconds before succumbing to the dark.
