Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, Disney and SquareEnix does. If I owned it there would be no one writing all these fabulous stories because the game would be crap.

Author's Note: Hello again to my readers –pats-. I would first like to thank the coughthreecough people that have reviewed out of the 45 hits I've gotten. But for golly gosh I need the rest of your opinions! Come on! If not for me, do it for the holy pineapple bow-tie-tie Gerard! Tell you what, you review, -sob- you can have his bow-tie.

Eagles Wings

Chapter Two: Keep To Your Word

And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

Aerith shut the door slowly and quietly as they exited the room her eyes darting about for other people and relaxing when she spotted visiting family members across the hall. That patient wasn't much better off than Leon, but was winning by a little bit.

She shook her head sadly and looked through the small rectangular window at her brother, "God be with him." She whispered to no one in particular. "He's been through so much on my account, not to mention for Cloud." She turned to find the doctor leaning up against the wall, his expression grim and set in stone. It was clear what he was thinking, but Aerith already had her story. She had grown accustomed to lying for her brother. As long as he continued to protect her, she would continue to do what she could for him.

Doctor Riku stood up straighter, "While I am aware that it is truly none of my business," he began, forcing Aerith to wonder why he would ask if he knew it was not his business, "It is my duty as a doctor to ask you what happened to your brother." Aerith glared at him, staring into his eyes until he was forced to look away from her.

"If it's none of your business," she snapped, angry with him for being so ignorant, "You really shouldn't ask!" Her voice was low but the pitch was more mad than she could have thought possible. She shook her head and looked down the hall, her acting skills imperceptible to the unpracticed eye.

But Riku didn't take this well, "Nonetheless, you had better tell me." He retorted, "Or I'll have to create my own story for the report and it won't be one you're happy with I assure you."

Aerith's temper flared at this, "You dare to say such a thing to me?" her voice was sharp now. Her retorts bit with venom deadlier than that of a cobra, "While I see no reason now why I should tell you of all people, if it will satisfy your brain, which I might add is the size of a heartless', then I will tell you."

Riku's eyes flashed heatedly at her insults, but he nodded curtly for her to go on, "Do tell."

She glared at him but started her lie slowly, "We were walking toward the park like we do every Friday night, just to hang out because we're pretty close for a brother and sister. Now to let you know beforehand, Leon doesn't have friends, he has allied enemies. They back him up in a fight, but if he makes them angry or if they're looking for a fight, he gets it bad. Well tonight I guess they were feeling extra specially bored or angry because we passed an alley and they jumped us. They were trying to get to me for Lord knows what, but he stood in front of me and pushed them all back. There were three of them and after a beating they got bored again and threw him against the wall and left."

She was fighting back fake tears now and Riku was standing there staring at her, his mouth open. She realized at that moment why he was not qualified to do anything for Leon. They were about the same age! There was no way he'd gone completely through medical school. He was probably interning or something. But whatever reason he had to be here, there was nothing he could say to help her, even if she had told him the truth, he wouldn't understand.

Riku shut his mouth and blinked at her in shock, "That must have been horrible to witness." Shaking his head he put his hand on her shoulder, "But I appreciate the fact that you told me."

Inside she was laughing at him for being so gullible, but on the outside, her acting was holding strong. She smiled weakly at him and spoke softly, "I just want to be with him right now." It was a command in a bad costume that anyone could see through.

Riku nodded, "If you need me press the small button on the right hand side of his bed."

Aerith nodded back and turned to go back inside.

"Oh," Riku started again, "And when you're ready to tell me the real story, let me know."

Aerith shook her head by Leon's side. How had the doctor noticed that she'd made it up? But the thoughts were shoved away from her as two pairs of feet rushed into the room. Their friends had arrived, if somewhat noisily.

The two noticed Leon was sleeping and hushed each other quickly, "Shh," whispered the girl, "He's asleep."

"I'm not blind," the boy replied shortly.

The girl sniffed her annoyance at his arrogance and Aerith smiled, "Let's go into the hallway. At least we can talk out there." The other two nodded and the boy opened the door so they could exit first.

Once they were in the hall the boy reached for the hand of the girl and she took it, lacing her fingers into his. Aerith scowled inwardly at the sight but said nothing.

"So," the boy started, "Same story?"

Aerith nodded, "As always." She looked at the floor, shaking her head, "I need to learn to stand up for myself so he doesn't feel the need to protect me."

The girl gave a sympathetic look and spoke quietly, "Even if you could protect yourself against something that evil, he'd never let you do it. His instincts are too great."

"His love is too great," added the boy.

The girl nodded, "Cloud is right." She said, "If he loves you the way I know brother's love their younger sisters, he's not going to let you get hurt the way he's been."

Aerith smiled weakly, "I suppose so," she started, "But at least I should be able to help him."

Cloud spoke up, "Aerith, I've already made a promise to Leon that I would protect you while he was injured. He knew that this would happen."

"If he knew beforehand what would happen," said the girl, "Then there's no changing his mind."

"Yuffie knows what she's talking about," Cloud said, "I do it for her all the time."

Aerith nodded shortly, her mind occupied by the words of her friends.

Suddenly, Aerith's eyes began to swim; her legs became weak and would no longer support her. As they gave way she felt a strong arm enfold her and hold her tight to the body that owned it. Darkness fell around her, and only her as she fell deep into the attack of the magic that was this creature.

Cloud's voice rang into her ears but she knew all to well he was whispering to her, "Take my hand and squeeze it as tightly as you can." His voice was urgent, "Block your mind Aerith!"

Her head ached furiously and she could not control the pain any more than she could the creature taking hold of her. Sadness stole upon her heart, followed immediately after by a binding feeling. She could not move and was aware only of her back arching in pain. Clouds battle cry screamed in her ears as he fought outside of her now broken world. She felt the breeze of his sword as it blazed just over her face, felt her own blood slide down her face from the creature's claws.

And suddenly it was over and she was staring into the face of Cloud as he took on the pain that she had just endured. But now, for him, there was no way out. He would be a broken body when the creature had finished, but there was nothing she could do but make him as comfortable on the outside as possible.

She must have been crying out in pain as the thing attacked her, for suddenly Riku was there. He picked Cloud gently into his arms and rushed him into the room, lying him down quickly on the bed next to Leon's. Leon shuddered awake and immediately questioned Yuffie on what was happening.

"Aerith was attacked and Cloud took your place." She replied shortly, rushing to Cloud's side as he thrashed about. The creature had bound him and was setting to work on his physical body. She heard the unmistakable crushing of bones and then suddenly his body was still and limp. The creature had gone. Leon lay back in bed, his face relaxing as he traveled into Cloud's mind.

Soon after, Leon's eyes opened again, "Three broken arm bones, a hairline fracture to his knee, and mild trauma. He'll be alright once you've treated him."

Doctor Riku turned to the rest of them and took a breath, "The creature that attacked him went through this girl, am I correct?"

Aerith nodded.

"Then I must offer help to you." He sighed his words.

"How can a doctor help us by doing anything other than healing?" Yuffie snapped angrily, stroking Cloud's hair slowly.

"I can help you," he said, his voice croaky, "because I am the key-bearer."

Wow. Hope this is a little longer than the last one, I'm typing on Microsoft Word so it's hard to tell right now. Please R&R and I'll get the next chapter up and running soon!