Title: Soaring

By: Metamorcy

Rating: M

Pairing: Leon/Cloud, Riku/Sora, Axel/Roxas, Demyx/Zexion

Disclaimer: don't own

Summary: High school was supposed to be normal but that was until the Stife and Leonhart group meet… Cleon, Soriku, AkuRoku, Zemyx AU

Thanks for all those that reviewed and cast a vote, here is the result.

CloudXLeon - 2

ZexionXDemyx - 3

AxelXRoxas - 2

SoraXRiku - 1

The winner for the first couple is…

Dum dum dum…

Zemyx!

Now it's time for the second couple to be voted on! Please vote in the reviews so I can keep count. And thanks again, I'm giving you all imagery cookies. Choose any type you want!

I don't want to go into the couples setting until later since I want all four to be chosen so give me a while to get everything set up. I'm currently changing all my plans to center around Zexion and Demyx but I will still go to other groups along the way. Right now, a little bit of history of one of our characters. Enjoy!

I don't have a beta so if there's anyone interested, please message me.

Also, I should update close to the weekend, either Friday or Saturaday! So keep watch!

Chapter 2: Ridge

"Hey…"

Leon's eyes snapped open, instantly turning his head towards the voice in the distance. Sweat dripped down his cheeks and his fists were bleeding and throbbing but the pain never reached his mind. He was more concerned about the newcomer, he didn't know if the person would bring him more trouble or something else. He took a deep breath and let his eyes examine over the scrawny teen that was holding a bag that carried…what…Leon wasn't sure what was inside. The brunet looked around him to make sure that this wasn't a trick or another sneak attack. None, no one else was around. He straightened his body, standing tall and firm, his feet were slightly apart from each other for a quick response. A hand ran through his shaggy brown locks, pushing the sweat-socked hair back to see better but it just fell into its original position. He ran a tongue over his split lip, not even wincing as a sharp pain echoed though his body. Leon cold taste the copper flavor and swallowed. Around him were only wrecked bodies, beaten half to death by him. Some had broken limbs, other's bleeding from the mouth and nose, and all had bruises that would obviously show up later on. Leon, on the other hand, only had a slit lip and bleeding hands to show in response. His blazing eyes glared at the person, a boy, in front, daring him to come and attack him.

The boy stepped closer, cautious, but there was an air around him that seemed to calm Leon's racing heart. Bright green eyes looked over the teen then to the group of people that were groaning in hurt or were unconscious. His shadow danced on the ground, going over the bodies, the sun on his back. He was dressed in elegant clothes, obviously rich, and wasn't scared to show it. "Wow, you sure did them in. I'm impressed."

"Are you here to fight as well?" Leon snarled, squeezing his fists shut, getting ready just incase.

The other shook his head, his hair fluttering at the movement. "No." He gave an amusing smile and leaned over. "I thought you might need some help seeing as you were outnumbered one to…" The teen quickly counted the bodies, his eyes looking all around. "Twenty-six." He whistled at the large number. It was obvious that the brunet was used to this sort of thing or he wouldn't have gotten this good. But he had never seen someone this good. It also seemed like Leon was undefeatable like a boss in a game that had an instant death move but the brunet was different, he wasn't a boss, he was just a normal person defending himself. But what had caused these people to go after him of all people?

"There's no need for you. Go…" Leon turned around, stepping away and brushed off some dirt that had managed to get on him. He grimaced slightly when his hands went over the rough fabric of his clothes but hide it well, however, the other person managed to catch it.

"I can see that but I still want to offer some sort of help. It's not right if I don't do anything and I'd probably feel guilty if I let you go away without some medical supplies." The other teen came closer, pulling up the see-through bag with some items. He jiggled it to make his point. "Take it. You need it more than I do."

Leon paused in his steps, blinking his eyes curiously. He raised an eyebrow at the bag. "Probably?"

"Hey…Don't question my reasons. I just felt like it. Now take it and I'm not going to take a 'no' for an answer." The teen, younger than Leon, pushed the items into the brunet's hands, who just looked down at it. There were so many medical supplies that it basically covered anything and everything from cuts to blisters to headaches. But Leon also noted that this stuff was expensive.

"What's your name?" Leon asked, wondering as to who would actually help him. There weren't many that would try to talk to him, not even in school. Everyone that did just wanted to screw his life over and make it into a bloody fucking mess. Everyone didn't like him for being so abnormal and for being so odd in the groups of people at school so they picked on him. It was to make their point, to make themselves feel superior to someone that had nothing. That was all. However, the fights became increasingly frequent and intense. More people were catching on and more joined the fight to see when the teen would fall. So Leon fought to the bitter end, no longer caring what he did to his opponents, not caring if he nearly killed them every time, as long as he went on. But this one was different, different than all the others. This person had sparked his interest which was unusual. Never had he been this fascinated before, not even in the subjects at school.

"Riku. Riku Genova. You?" The green eyes smiled, the rosy lips twitching upward.

"…Leon Leonhart."

"You're pretty good at fighting…How'd you get so good, anyway?"

"I just am. I've been fighting since I was eight and have learned a few things on the streets." There was a pause on Leon's side when he noticed just how easily it was to say that. He was far to used to fighting for his life, for everything, and he had to get strong if he wanted to survive. No, he had to survive…for his brother's sake. He wouldn't let Zexion get abandoned and he won't allow his brother suffer either.

Riku tilted his head, the silver locks falling to the side. "And how old are you now?"

Leon scoffed, looking over the items then to his hands that were still bleeding but not as bad as before. He had no reason to refuse the items and he couldn't return home looking like he did or his brother, Zexion, would worry. "Fourteen." Six years he had been fighting, he sighed at the thought. And everyday was the same, wake up, fight, go to school, fight, leave school, fight, return home, and then to wake up again to restart the process. He no longer allowed himself to wear anything nice since it usually came back torn and dirty and he spent little time at home until he was sure that he could get in without Zexion seeing him. Leon didn't want to see that sad look into the blue eye. He didn't want to see it.

"Same age as me…" The silver-haired teen perked his head up when he heard numerous footsteps coming their way. He listened in on them for a moment then growled. His green eyes turned to Leon and walked closer, noticing the brunet stiffen, before holding out his hand. "Look I live nearby, you can hide there until things have cooled down."

"Why?" Leon narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Because I want to and I'm selfish." Riku smirked, taking Leon's hand forcefully, dragging him off without much resistance. He smiled as he looked back and noticed the confusion in the stormy eyes. Behind them, after a few moments of running, were shouts and screams in the area they had left. Leon glanced behind for a second before rotating back to Riku, who had also looked. "Don't worry, I won't sell you out."

Leon blinked and just followed, his left hand holding the bag tightly. He sighed, shaking his head. "Alright…and thanks."

Riku didn't reply and just chuckled quietly.

Squall "Leon" Leonhart knew about many things that went around him and some that he wasn't too sure about. But even with all that, he kept a firm watch on all those that were close to him, friends and family alike. He had to protect them, mostly his little brother, who was dependent on him even though Zexion wouldn't want to admit it. It was his duty and one he liked. Now he wasn't too overprotective since he didn't care much for what Zexion did in his spare time or what Riku and Axel got in trouble for, he just didn't want any harm to come their way like those bastard bullies that once harassed him when he was younger. He won't let anyone touch those that are close to him. It didn't matter who, he'd take them down. That is the way he is, a fighter to the end.

At home, things was the same yet different. Leon was the one that handled everything in the house. He used the money their father sent to them regularly to pay for the bills, groceries, and anything else that was necessary then saved the rest for later or for other items that might have to be added on his never ending list. His father, Lagura, was a good man and he knew that, both brothers did. But he was never home, traveling around the world to earn enough for his sons to live peacefully. Leon respected that and kept quiet about their little situation, so did Zexion, in case the authorities wanted to make it a big deal about it. However, eventually, the secret had to get out to Riku and Axel since they were the only ones that bothered with the Leonharts and came over quite often, mostly uninvited, especially at dinner and sometimes the weekend. They were there for the food. However, the two friends didn't care. Riku had waved it off, stating that it was none of his business and knew that they could take care of themselves. He never brought it up again and remained as if nothing had happened. And Axel was close in the same situation as them but that is a story that will be told later on. The red head just gave that mischievous beam and went off to stuffing his face with food, completely ignoring the fact that the two under-aged brothers had been left alone for years.

Their mother, on the other hand, had passed away long ago. Leon couldn't even remember what she looked like or her name since the last time he had saw her in person was twelve years ago (he's seventeen right now). He never bothered asking about her as it only brought pain into his father's eyes and there were no pictures either. They had all been thrown away. On that fateful day, Zexion had only been three at that time, his hand was intertwined together with Leon's as they watched her leave into the airplane, waving and smiling happily. It was just another trip she had to make, just another one that happened three times a month. It wasn't until they arrived home that they learned the truth just a few hours after the flight. The plane had crashed. They watched the recording of it on TV as some person had managed to catch it as it flew out of the sky, smoke surrounding it. They saw the plane coming down and then explode upon contact on the ground, parts of the machine scattering into the air. She died in the burning flames. Leon had somehow managed to make some sense about what had happened when he never saw her again nor her body when an empty coffin was lowered into the ground with his father crying out beside him. Zexion, at that time, didn't know what was going on and cried out for a mother that wasn't coming back. Leon had done his best to explain but even he didn't know what exactly was going on, he was after all only five. When he was eight, he researched what had happened to the plane after going through some lessons at school about how to use a computer. He had found out that a bird had gotten caught in the left engine, shutting it down and plunging the airplane to its death.

His outlook on life hardened afterwards.

It was during that time after the accident that the brothers began to retreat from people and the outside world and instead depend on each other. Lagura, who had been crushed by the death of his wife, tried to put a positive expression on at every living second but without the extra cash they had gotten from his wife's job, he had to leave and search for a new job to earn more money for the sake of the family. This action left the brothers alone to fend for themselves and only resorted in pushing further away, that was when Leon was ten, Zexion eight. Their father was rarely home except for holidays and sometimes birthdays but he always sent postcards, multiple of them, from wherever he went, explaining things and wondering others.

But as Leon watched over his little group of friends, he couldn't help but smile inside. It was nice to feel welcomed and needed even if it meant more work for him. He sighed as he watched Riku and Axel snarl at each other again at the cafeteria table, attracting looks from students and teachers alike, and reached over to get a book from Zexion for a weapon. The younger brother glanced at him and tilted his head at the strange look on his brother's face. Leon made a half-smile before shifting over to slam the hard end of the book on his friends' heads.

He chuckled silently at their pain.

Everything was okay right now and he hoped that it never changed.

Just some insider information on Leon/Squall. I'll be doing that for each character every other chapter. I didn't want to start on the story line yet like I said before since I need to know who the third and fourth pairing is. So please review and vote for me! There's only three pairings left, take your picking for the second couple!