After it ends, Peace reigns

Fandom: Kingdom Hearts

Pairings: (by order of appearance in this chapter) Tifa/Aerith; Leon/Cloud; Riku/Sora

Rating: Hmm, I'll keep it safe and give it an M for latter chapters.

Summary: Everything has ended. The Heartless are gone, Sephiroth has been destroyed and peace reigns in every world. Sora, Riku and Kairi are trapped in Radiant Garden by some unknown reason. Now what happens?

Warning: Cloud trying to get angsty; sex- addict Sora. Nothing more this chapter. xD

A.N.: Well, it's been a while, hasn't it? I beg your forgiveness -.-'! I've been too caught up in RL and its drama to even have the time to think about fanfiction. That, and my inspiration and motivation seem to have taken an extended vacation these past months. I blame school and fake friends... -.-' Hope you enjoy. Unbeta'd, 'cause I don't care anymore.

Chapter Three:Can I annoy you?

-So... You gave Riku a necklace for Sora? – asked Tifa, her face showing true curiosity.

-Yes, dear. I did. – answered Aerith, a small smile making its way on her face. Her lover always seemed to be interested in the gifts. With all her enthusiasm, you'd think there was some sort of story to tell, right? Well... There wasn't. She was simply fascinated with them. My dear, sweet, childish Tifa, thought Aerith. She always had an infantile curiosity to her. That was one of the things that made Aerith love her.

-And...? – Tifa's eyes were positively sparkling. The self-imposed suspense was driving her crazy and increasing her interest with each passing moment at the same time.

-And...What, my dear lover? – Oh, how she was enjoying dragging this conversation on!

-And...! What does it do?! – Tifa knew Aerith was loving this. Teasing and driving her even crazier than she already was! She could swear there was a little demon hidden beneath all the goodness and sweetness that made Aerith who she was.

-Does it have to do anything other than serve as a necklace? – Aerith knew she was going to pay for this, but it was too much fun to stop at this point. Let me see how much further I can get with this conversation... She had to suppress the giggles that were threatening to burst out.

-Oh, c'mon! Everything you have in this shop has some sort of special ability! Do you honestly believe I'd fall for that, my little cupcake? – Tifa was pouting. She wasn't even trying to hide it, she was getting a little annoyed that Aerith was giving her this much trouble for such a little detail. Well, if she's avoiding a direct answer it mustn't be something insignificant... Oh, I have to find out! I can't take this much longer...!

-I wonder... – Aerith put her finger on her chin and bit softly on her lower lip.

-Yes...? – I'm so close! I can almost feel it! So close! So much anticipation she had accumulated for this!

-I wonder if it would be fair to tell you what the necklace does before Sora himself finds out. - She couldn't stop them even if she wanted to. Her giggles were set free and, looking at Tifa's face, they grew even more unstoppable.

-Arghh! – Tifa grabbed Aerith's hands and kissed her firmly on the lips. – Please don't do this to me... Don't tease me this much! Please tell me what it does! I'll do anything you say!

-That's a very dangerous thing to say, dear. – said Aerith. She took a mental note to take advantage of this some other time. -Alright, I'll tell you...


Well, I think this is as good of a time to carry out my plan as any other. If I do it too late, it'll be useless...Alright! After I close the petshop, I'll go talk to him! Cloud was sitting at the counter of his shop, playing absentmindedly with a feather that had fallen when a bird was cleaning itself. It was of a palish yellow colour. Oh, that's right! I haven't gone to pick up those chocobo feathers from Leon yet. It seems I have the perfect excuse to visit him now! Cloud chuckled. He had fallen for the scarred gunblader and there was no turning back now. Either Leon admitted he felt something –anything- for Cloud or ignored him for the rest of his life. Either way... it would be final -no second chances, no changing your mind. It'd be the end or the beginning of something new and unknown... And it was something for Leon to decide. This scared Cloud and made him even more excited at the same time - his future would be decided by the object of his affections. If Leon said he didn't like him and he meant it, there wasn't anything Cloud couldn't do, but even so...

He couldn't stand this standstill between them. He may have had a drastic personality makeover, but that didn't mean he should be involved in even more sorrow than he already had been. Making Leon realize he felt something other than friendship towards Cloud was one thing, waiting for him to do so was a completely different one.

One characteristic of his that hadn't change, he realized, was his impatience. He never had been the kind of guy who would sit patiently and let things take their course when it mattered to him. If it's important to you, you have to take matters into your own hands. If you let others live your life, what will you be left with? Nothing! And with nothing comes darkness! You should know that by now.He had told himself these same words countless time before, and still they were present in his mind. He didn't have to worry about darkness anymore, but the rest was still undoubtedly true.

With this in mind, Cloud started closing up his shop. Leon better be prepared, or else he was in for quite a headache. Cloud could be really annoying when he wanted to. Maybe it was because he spent so much time being annoyed himself by Yuffie. The unwilling student mastering the relentless teacher's technique, the prey observing its predator's movement and copying them in order to survive and becoming their equal, the annoyed giving up his demeanor and becoming the annoyer. Whichever way you put it, it was ironic as hell! Poor, unsuspecting Leon.

Yes, forcing my presence at him may be a little too much, but that's the only way I can possibly think of to make Leon face the situation and keep him from dating, marrying and having damned rat babies with his big friend denial! If I don't do it, nobody will do it for me. This is the only way of showing him the truth, being as stubborn as he is. It's an awful way of doing things, but it's for both our sakes. I doubt Leon's happy with our predicament as it is. He can deny his feelings and prevent himself from thinking about all this. He can wrap this situation up with logical reasons as to why he can't like me in that way in his mind, but he will never silence that little voice coming from his heart. He can't control his impulses; he can't control his dreams and wishes. When it starts to hurt, he won't find solace in thoughts of impossibility. He'll only find peace with me or thinking of me. I know this because I've been in denial myself. Over him, in fact. Only when I started being around him more and I gained my true personality did I realize. All those times when my eyes would roam over his figure, when I'd find myself heading towards him without realizing it, I even found out his voice was the only sound I couldn't ignore. And he didn't do anything; he simply carried on with his life as usual. I doubt he even knew I was falling for him, but I can't blame him. Even I didn't know. It took a change of heart and an increase in proximity for me to finally understand what I was feeling. I can't do anything about changing his heart, and I'm sure I wouldn't want him to change who he was if he had the opportunity to do so, but I can do something about getting closer to him. I just hope that more of one of the "conditions" can balance the other. No, even more important than that… I just hope that he does indeed feel something towards me in a romantic way. If he doesn't…All of this would have been a mere attempt to make my dream come true. In vain, it would seem. If that's the case, I…don't know what to do…


"Three blind mice, three blind mice, see how they run, see how they run. They all ran after the teacher searching for strife,who took out his magic stick and turned them to pie. Did ever you see such a thing in you life, as three blind mice, three blind mice?"

Joy, thy name is Yuffie. The young and energetic ninja decided to take a walk around the town, seeing as she didn't have anything else to do. Since it was Saturday, she didn't have school. Thankfully. She thought. Aerith had said from the beginning that she didn't have to work on Saturdays. "You spend all week going to school and then coming to work. I think you need some time for yourself. You need the time to study in case you're not doing so well in class, or to spend the money you earn. Most importantly, you need the time to have fun and to be with your friends. Being a hard worker is great, but your work and your studies aren't your life! You need to be satisfied with your life if you want to be useful to yourself or to others, and spending all your free time working won't make you the happiest, now will it Yuffie?" Were her exact words.

This was fine by her. It meant she had the entire weekend to hang out with her friends or to simply annoy them! She loved seeing their expressions when she said just the right thing at just the right moment and they'd get really embarrassed, or when she constantly repeated something and they'd get angry since she was being "obnoxious" as they once called her. It was a part of her personality, one she could resist. Everybody knew she was just being playful, so nobody took anything she said or did to heart.

Speaking of her friends, Kairi had been reading some magic books that looked to be as old as Merlin was at home and she said she wanted to be left alone. At first, she had thought it was strange, but then the redhead explained that she was having difficulty learning how to do a certain spell and – before Yuffie had time to offer to help- she told her that if the always-happy girl stayed, she'd only get distracted and wouldn't learn the spell by the end of the day. If that happened, she'd have to spend the next day studying too, and then they couldn't go shopping like they had planned. Yuffie understood, of course. Who wouldn't get distracted by the epic awesomeness of the Great Ninja Yuffie? Nobody, that's who! She felt glad that Kairi acknowledge her attention-attractive power and that the redhead respected the plans she had made with her, to the point she would suffer from that terrible thing called "extra homework" earlier than it was meant to.

She had thought about hanging around with the boys, but then she remembered they had a date later on and that they'd probably be busy preparing for it by now. Yuffie decided to leave them to their preparations. After all, everybody deserved a break at some point. Even so, she couldn't keep herself from wondering what, exactly, would the date consist on.

Noticing a familiar face approaching, the easily excited ninja made a mental note to pinch all the details out of her sometimes-partner-in-crime, Sora, later. The young man had blond hair, vibrant blue eyes and the way he walked let everyone know he felt comfortable being himself, and she didn't mean this in a bad way. It wasn't like the man in front of her was conceited, no, definitely not! He just gave the impression that he was truly happy being who he was, and that he didn't need or want to change himself. Well, that's a change to the best! I was really getting tired of his aura of melancholy. She said to herself. The man was a sight to behold, "handsome" would be the term others would use to describe him, or maybe "beautiful" or "pretty darn hot". If you like that, of course, but that's not my case. But I'll give him that –he is pretty. I guess I still see him as an older brother who lets you dress him up in girls' clothes. She thought,and inevitably giggled at the mental image. Yes, Cloud Strife could be called any of those names. The question was if he would like it if someone other than the one he cared about the most did that. But that's a matter for another time. I still have to make him tell me who he likes the most! It's obvious he's in love. For Shiva's sake, he keeps on daydreaming and blushing while at the same time smiling in a lovestruck way all the time! I'm crazy ,but I'm not stupid…Shut up inner Cid!

-Cloudykins! How're ya doing? – The black-haired girl greeted while at the same time she threw herself at the one she was talking to.

-Uff! Yuffie! Let me go, you big airhead! – His words may have seemed upset, but he couldn't stop himself from chuckling. – I was doing just great, but if you keep on choking me I'll probably fall unconscious from lack of air!

-And then I'll get big, strong Leon to give you mouth-to-mouth and you'll say: "Oh, Leon, you're my hero! I loooove you soooo much!"- She replied, knowing full well that it would annoy the other.

-…Hm? What?! I-I… What do you know?! – Cloud's face and voice went through various emotions, ranging from confusion and embarrassment to hesitation and shock.

Oh, goody! Right thing to say, as usual, Yuffie my dear! I admit it was a lucky guess; I'd imagined that Cloud might swing that way so that didn't come as a shock, but him being head over heels in love with Leon? Now that's something that never crossed my mind!...I'm not lying, inner Tifa! But, looking back, it makes sense! I remember noticing with my amazing observational powers of ninja awesomeness a couple of times when Cloud looked to be completely fascinated and positively smitten over Leon every time he was nearby!...Or at least as fascinated and smitten as he could look, which wasn't much. But I did see it! And nobody would dare say it isn't true, right?!

-Me? I didn't know anything about your crush on Leon, Cloudy! Until now, I mean.

-Oh Shiva, why do you do this to me? You're smarter than I gave you credit for, Yuffie. – The blond man sighed. He didn't mean to hide what he felt, but when the make-believe ninja knew something, it would turn out to be public knowledge soon. He wasn't ashamed; shame was not what he felt when thinking of the brunet gunblader and the relationship he wished he had with said man. He just believed that, if someone as Yuffie knew, they'd only make matters worse.

-I don't need to be smart to notice something obvious. Plus, you didn't put up much of a fight trying to hide it. – She grinned from ear to ear, almost as if she wanted to replace some sort of pink and purple cat living in some faraway land filled with wonders. She was doing a good job of it too! She'd probably give that feline a run for its money in everything except the use of wits and cryptic remarks.

-I don't want to hide it.

-Then you'll let me help you win Leon over, right? Right?! I won't accept anything but a yes, just so you know! – There it was. This was what he was afraid of. Unfortunately, there wasn't a single thing he could do to keep Yuffie from sticking her intrusive little nose in this. He had figured that much out from having her around all these years.

-…You don't give me much of a choice. Alright, but promise me you'll keep the "help" to a minimum. – Cloud had to draw some boundaries. He didn't even want to imagine what the hyperactive raven-haired girl would do otherwise.

-But, Cloudy-muffin! –Before she could say anything else, the ninja was interrupted.

-Promise!

-Alright, alright, don't get your man-panties in a twist. – She took a moment to think. Why would Cloudy want to keep her from doing what she did best? Other than spreading her joy all over town, that is. It must be a momentary show of senility. She thought and shook her head. You can't put limits on my wonderful abilities! But I also can't tell Cloudykins I won't do as he says, and lying is not my thing… What should I do? What would the Puss in Boots do? By Merlin's crooked knees, I've got it! I promise I won't do anything I think will keep you from having your love next to you.

Judging by Cloud's slight blush and soft smile, Yuffie guessed he was pleased with what he had heard. Thank you inner purple cat, but you'll never outsmart me! Thankfully, the blond shopkeeper dismissed the ninja's fist shaking in the air as a consequence of not getting her way.


-You're screwed! – He said, his hands shooting up and torturing his chocolate brown spikes. – Sora, you've done it now! How could you leave choosing what to wear for the last minute?! Can you not see the importance of today, especially? Argh! What can I do with myself?!

Forgetting about the fact that he was the only person in the room and that, thus, he was talking to himself, he kept on asking if someone was "happy being stupid". He started to get bored when no answer came and rapidly realized he was wasting precious time. Being late was not an option and, although he knew Riku would really enjoy the sight of him in boxers and socks – and proceed to some intimate activities that the youngest of the two would appreciate as much as, if not more than, his silver-haired counterpart – he wanted to delight himself with the opportunity of an entire evening in which they'd only have the company of each other and all of their attentions focused on one another. Being ravished could wait – even if he was eagerly awaiting having his lover all over him.

-I need sex… - He sighed and let his head pend down while he began pondering why he had this intense urge. Suddenly, the blue-eyed teenager seemed to remember something and his mouth formed a perfect "O" shape. – Clothes! I need clothes, not sex! …Alright, I need sex. But right now I need clothes! Maybe sex clothes? Or clothes with pictures of sex? … That would be nice! – And he goofily grinned. – Maybe I can take a picture when I'm doing it with Riku and make a shirt… out…of…it…RIKU! I have a date with Riku! I need to get ready! Now where are my sex clothes? … My sex! I mean, my clothes, dammit! I have to check my blowjob… I mean my wardrobe! OK, I'm shutting up now…

Frustrated with the lack of control over what he said, Sora opened up his wardrobe and started rummaging in a pile of shirts. I need to be tidier. I'll definitely clean this up… One of these days. He grabbed onto something and pulled it out of its prison. It was a pink t-shirt with a picture of a white unicorn cartoon wearing a princess tiara and a speech bubble underneath it said: "Welcome to Fairyland!"

-When the hell did I get this? – He began searching his memories for the answer and soon found it. – Oh, Yuffie's dress up game at her birthday party! I'm glad I didn't keep those pink frilly butterfly wings! I still have nightmares sometimes when I remember that day.

He threw the offending piece of cloth aside and finally found something he liked. A white long sleeved shirt. He was glad it didn't get wrinkled alongside all the other thing Sora had in his closet. He threw it on the bed and hastily started looking for something to cover up his lower half. When the brunet finally found what he was looking for, he set it next to the shirt to see if it looked good. Dark grey baggy short with a black belt and a white shirt; it looked nice. He put it on and after scavenging underneath his bed for a pair of shoes, he went to look at himself in the bathroom mirror. Not bad, not bad at all! Good job, me! But my hair looks awful. Chocolate brown spike were pushed and pulled, directed and redirected until they were in a position very similar to that in which they were before. Now it's perfect. So that's it for the hair. What am I missing…? I know! That cologne that Riku gave me some time ago. The anxious teenager sprayed some on himself and sniffed the air in appreciation. This smells nice!

He left the bathroom and entered the bedroom. It was really nice; they had two beds and three bedside tables, one of which Riku and him shared. It was easy to see which belonged to whom. Sora's was a complete mess, the sole blanket slightly retaining the form of what once looked like a cocoon. He had a stuffed moogle which was part of a pair – the other one belonging to Riku, who unexpectedly took really good care of it – which Sora and his silver-haired lover had bought one time when their little group of friends went to a carnival fair sitting peacefully amongst the disorder. Even the pillow was in the wrong place. It's not my fault that it's so fluffy that I can't resist hugging it! On the other hand, although not the tidiest bed in all of Radiant Garden, Riku's at least looked better than Sora's. The blanket was dishevelled, like he had done his bed in a hurry – which he hadn't – and the pillow was non-existent. Riku sleeps with it, but he's afraid of something tearing it up, so he keeps it in his closet. Kinda silly, but I love him nonetheless. Even so, it didn't look like someone waged war in it.

Noticing his lack of worry and haste, it seemed his mind decided to send distress signal coursing throughout Sora's slim body. He started to panic and quickly looked at the clock on their shared bedside table – it marked 17:59. Huff, I'm one whole minute early. If that's not a good sign, I don't know what it is! As if on cue, when the clock showed it was precisely 18:00, he heard a knock at his door. It's him, my lover! Quick, Mr. Mogs, hide under the bed or he'll think we're having an affair! He went to open the door.


Well, that's it then. This story has become quite an impulsive little brat that only does what it wants with no regards to what I had planned… Who am I kidding?! I love that it's like this. Even I don't know what's going to happen next. :D

I'm trying to make this story seem a little more interesting by creating a sort of plot that doesn't involve romance. Did you notice anything like that? No? … Alright, fine! Just ask yourself: "What is Kairi doing? Is she really trying to improve in magic? Is something troubling her?" Yes, no, maybe? As I've said, even I don't know. We'll see. ;D

I seriously love Yuffie. She's awesome! I really like writing her, 'cause she's so random you could make her do anything, as long as it bother someone. xD Oh, and Sora? Yup, I love him too. And his lines? I wrote it after eating about 5 chocolate bars or so, so it was easy being random.

I suck at dressing characters up. -.-' Next time, I'm asking someone addicted to fashion to help me.

Yeah, I'm trying to steer clear from anything remotely angsty. I've realized I'm no good at it. I'm sticking to fluff and crack, thanks.

I've kinda neglected some characters (such as Merlin, Cid, etc.), but I'll give them some appreciation one of these days… I think. And I'll give more attention to Tifa and Aerith when I finish this Riku/Sora part. I'm guessing they'll occupy a chapter or two more? I make no promises.

The next chapter will take some time coming up, since I'll have a couple of exams soon (for which I haven't even studied (I hate you, Math -.-')). And then it's convention time! (My first one! I'm really anxious.) And after that it's exam time again. (Sarcastic) yey!

I don't think I have anything else to say, except that you can always send me a message with any questions you have, and I'll try to answer them as quickly as possible. Thanks for reading, hope you'll keep on doing it until the end.