Hey there, everyone! Sorry this chapter took so long to get up. I've been so unbelievably busy! Anyway, just to let you know, this chapter is all Leon. It breaks every once in a while, but the POV doesn't change, mkay? I read through this chapter severals time trying to catch mistakes, but I did them all so fast that I apologize if there are still quite a bit in there.

Well, hope you like this chapter. Reviews are lovely!

The Fifth District

I followed Yuffie through the streets. It was early morning and the place was beyond crowded. My usual café had an hour waiting time and there was a line to switch districts because so many people were trying to get through.

"I hate it when it's like this."

I nodded my agreement and glared as a man accidentally brought an elbow to my ribs. Every few weeks, traders from the furthest districts came down here to sell their goods for a few days. Once they left, people from our districts brought their stuff to the other districts. It was a constant process. The place would go from completely packed to completely empty, then for about a two weeks time, it was normal.

All in all, Traverse Town had over twelve districts. I stick around the first three districts because they are the only ones I know well enough to roam freely.

So when I remind myself of how boring and tedious this world is: I ignore the fact that there are still nine districts to be explored. Some day I will walk through them though.

"I'm hungry." Yuffie looked back at me and frowned.

I rolled my eyes, "Well, what do you expect me to do about it?"

She should know, as well as I, not to expect much food on the whole three days that the traders were here. Aerith was constantly out and Cid disappeared in some of the stranger shops, hoping to find some rare gummi piece or another. Leaving Yuffie and I alone to fend for our-selves. Neither us knew how to cook and neither of us wanted to learn. The wait at each restaurant or café was always an hour or longer and we were too damn impatient to sit calmly. Therefore; we barely ate.

Yuffie's face suddenly brightened and she hopped up and down, "I know! I know!"

I raised a curious eyebrow and motioned for her to go on.

"Let's just enter the fifth district. I'm sure they have some kind of eating-place! And since everyone keeps to the first four districts during the first week of festivities, it'll be empty!" The look on her face was price-less as it became a mix of thought and excitement; It reminded me of the face someone would make if they just now understood the answer to a joke that was said weeks ago.

"I've never left the first three districts… ever." I said flatly.

She waved that off, "Yeah, me neither! Who cares! I'm sure all the districts are the same. Besides, if anything goes strange or weirdies follow us, you're there to protect me!"

I couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped my lips as she gave me her best puppy face, "Please? I'm staaarving!"

"Fine." I sighed.

She thrust a fist in the air, "Yes! Fifth district, here we come!"

I rolled my eyes as I followed her out the doors of the third district and in to the fourth. We both stopped for a moment to look around. It looked a bit like the third district, except there was no memorial statue, and we cautiously snuck through the masses of people. No one even seemed to notice us.

"So uh… where's the entrance to the fifth district?" Yuffie scratched her head. I shrugged and scanned the walls.

"We'll ask someone!" Yuffie suddenly jumped up. A strange hunched looking woman stalked by and Yuffie carefully stepped in front of her, "Um… hi… do you know how to get out of here to the next district?"

The woman smiled and first pointed the way we came, "Sure dear, the third district is located there and the fifth is behind the library."

Yuffie smiled and thanked her while grabbing my hand and yanking me in the second direction. A small building labeled 'Library' appeared as we pushed free of the crowd. The building was friendly looking and we both stopped to stare. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of books one would find in there. Records? Stories? Biographies? Reference books? Cook books? What could the people of Traverse Town possibly be interested in reading about?

"I think I see the doors." Yuffie grabbed my hand again. I followed her through an alley. The road was made of cobblestone and the walls were covered in vines. A black gate separated the path in two and I guessed one side was for incoming people and the other for out-going. A few men wheeled carts full of merchandise by on the other side of the gate and we tried to look over.

"Come on, let's keep going!" Yuffie suddenly grabbed my hand again and pulled me through the doors.

The fifth district was absolutely breath taking. The walls were high and had large murals painted on them. A park sat in the middle of the entire place and a gold gate went around it. Shops lined all the walls and the place had an oldtown feel about it. Several kids ran by playing tag. We dodged them and slowly walked forward.

"Wow." Yuffie stared wide-eyed.

I nodded my agreement.

"Why are we living in the second district when we could be here?"

"No clue." I grunted.

The district looked like a giant replica of my cavern. The murals that lined the walls were made of moons and stars on one side and suns and clouds on the other.

"It's pretty. Reminds me of your little hide out." Yuffie glanced at me.

I nodded.

"I wonder what the other districts look like." She rubbed her chin.

"Come on, let's find somewhere to eat."

It wasn't long before we found a small diner towards the middle of the district. A young girl, about fourteen, smiled and ushered us in. She was middle height, not much shorter than Yuffie, and her skin was very dark. Her black curly hair was pulled back in to a ponytail and the end reached the middle of her back. She looked almost too young to be working.

"Did you guys have a preference as to a booth or table?"

"Nah." Yuffie shrugged, "Wherever you can fit us."

The girl smiled and led us to a cozy booth in the corner. She smiled once more before leaving to greet the next customers.

"So." Yuffie said as she pulled off her jacket and leaned forward.

"So?" I sighed.

"How are you?" She asked innocently.

"How am I? Yuffie, you should know how I am. I'm with you day and night."

Yuffie shrugged, "That doesn't mean you speak more than three words a day."

I shrugged as well, "There's nothing to talk about."

"It's kind of nice to just get away from the hotel, don't you think?" Yuffie slouched in the seat, changing the subject.

I blinked, "Yeah."

Ever since Cloud and Tifa left (about a month ago) it's been unbearable. Aerith is running herself thin trying to be all our mothers, keeping the place clean, and feeding us all; and Cid is even grouchier than usual. Yuffie and I, well, we're still our normal selves. She doesn't shut up and I don't say a word. Surprisingly enough, she was now my best friend.

The waitress reappeared at our booth and smiled," Did you guys want anything to drink?

Yuffie answered for both of us, "Just water."

"What about to eat?"

Yuffie rubbed her chin, "Um… do you guys have breakfast still? Because I want some pancakes."

The waitress nodded and turned to me.

"He'll have French toast. Lightly buttered and barely any sugar." Yuffie suddenly said.

The waitress looked from Yuffie to me and shrugged, "Sure thing."

"Wait." I sat up.

The girl stopped to look at me again.

"How old are you?" I asked.

She gave me a weird look, "Thirteen."

My eyes widened slightly. Thirteen? Did people even hire at thirteen?

"Only thirteen." I said thoughtfully.

She looked a little uncomfortable as she waited for me to say something to her.

"How much do you work?"

"About every day."

"Why are you working so young?" I frowned.

"Just trying to make a living, I guess. No parents."

"Where are they?" Yuffie asked.

The girl shrugged, "I don't know."

We sat in silence and the girl took her cue to leave.

"Wow." Yuffie sighed, "I sure hope Sora finishes this some time soon."

After brunch we explored the fifth district a little more. The sun was warm on my face but the breeze was chilly. I pulled my jacket on a little tighter and sighed. The weather and temperature was very weird here in Traverse Town. They only had two seasons: a form of autumn and a form of summer. No snow and no flowers in between.

"This place is pretty interesting." Yuffie's eyes darted everywhere.

"It's the same as every other district." I did my best to look bored.

"Oh, stop it! You know you're ecstatic to be here!" She punched my arm.

I rolled my eyes and followed her. The place was absolutely deserted of adults, but kids were everywhere. Playing in the golden park, running around, yelling at each other, and even fighting. I've never been a big fan of kids: useless in my eyes.

"I hate kids. They're annoying. Pointless too." I grunted as one darted right between us.

Yuffie snorted, "Please, Leon. Like they can help it. I doubt they asked to be born."

I glared at the little running hazards, "I don't care."

She grinned, "You were a kid once too, you know."

"Yeah and I hated myself back then."

She laughed, "Well, without kids, we'd kind of die out. So therefore they are kind of necessary. But, I guess you'll never have to worry about them because you're gay."

My mouth dropped, "I am not gay!"

She giggled, "Mmhmm…. riiight."

"I'm not." I crossed my arms and stopped.

She stopped next to me and raised an eyebrow, "So then who do u like? Men or women?"

I stared at her for a moment, thinking this over. I never actually thought about it before now. No one, boy or girl, has ever caught my eye, besides Sora and Cloud. Well, they are both guys, but I don't think that makes me gay. I mean, I never even thought of them as guys. I just liked them, their personalities. I wouldn't consider myself gay or straight. I was nothing.

"I hate people in general." I said calmly.

She studied me and frowned, "I know you do."

We kept walking.

"Why?" She glanced at me.

"Why what?"

"Why do you hate everything?"

"Why shouldn't I?" I shrugged.

She went quiet for a moment.

"Not everything's horrible or pointless." She whispered.

I chuckled and repeated her words, "Not everything's horrible or pointless."

She narrowed her eyes.

"I mean, think about it, Yuffie. In the end, everything's pointless. Why get used to a world if it's just going to disappear? Why have material possessions if one day you're just going to die? Friends… family… why make them or have them if one day you're just going to lose them?"

She shook her head, "So I'm guessing you don't have a very high opinion on love then."

I snorted.

She stopped again, "Seriously, Squall. Love is the reason to live. It's what makes life exciting and special."

"What? People can't have fun or be happy with out it? It's other people that help make you happy, not love. People can go their whole life without it and be just as happy. Love is just something of your imagination. People are brought up reading about it or hearing about it, or being taught to do it, which causes thoughts to get into people's heads that they must love. That they are incomplete without it."

"I think you're just afraid." She wiped her eyes. Was she crying?

"Afraid of what?" I snapped.

"Being in love." She looked at me.

I moaned, "You're crazy."

She sighed, "We both have our fears, Leon. You're afraid of falling in love… of completely giving your mind, body, and soul away. And I'm afraid that I'll never get to… that I'll never be given the chance. There's only one perfect soul mate for everyone and sometimes… I fear that mine already fell in love with the wrong person."

Once again, Yuffie amazed me. Where did she come up with this stuff?

"Yuff." I said.

She wiped her eyes a final time and gave me a big smile, "No worries though, right? Like you said, people can be happy without love, right?"

"Yuff." I took a step closer.

"Right?" She gave me a pleading look.

"Of course." I pressed my lips in to a thin line. She gave me another smile and started moving, "You'll never have any worries though."

"What do you mean?" I matched her stride.

"I mean… you're a good-looking guy. You've got a nice body, amazing eyes, and the most gorgeous hair I've ever seen or felt." She shrugged, "Gay or straight: any guy or girl would love to have you."

I smirked, "Yeah Yuffie, but first I have to be willing to have them as well."

I sat at the kitchen table, sipping warm milk, and watching Yuffie pace the room.

"Gods! I'm so hungry!" She kept a hand on her stomach.

It was now well in to the night and Aerith was still out. We've only had one meal so far and I could hear Yuffie's stomach growling.

"Calm, Yuffie." I chuckled.

"Calm! CALM! I'm soo hungry, Leon! I'm feeling light-headed!" She nearly jumped up and down.

I grinned and took another sip of milk. Suddenly we heard the lobby doors open and shut. Both of us jumped up and waited as Aerith strolled casually in to the kitchen. Her arms were full with bags and she gave us a questioning look as we stared at her.

"I brought back some dinner."

"YES!" Yuffie nearly tackled her as she ripped the bags out of her hands.

"Jeez, Yuffie. Why not kill her while you're at it?" Cid suddenly appeared in the doorway. He nodded to me before sitting down at the table.

"I'M HUNGRY!" Yuffie growled and searched the bags some more.

Aerith abruptly ushered her away, "Sit, sit! I'll get it."

She slowly peeked in to each bag before finding what she was looking for. She pulled a container out and smiled, "Now, you guys need to share."

We glared at each other before trying to obtain dominance over the small meal. We caused potatoes to fly everywhere and we almost dropped the chicken on the floor. Yuffie pouted as I grabbed the bigger piece.

"No fair!" She stomped her feet.

"Shut up." I rolled my eyes.

"Jeez, you two are like a pair of four year-olds." Cid watched us.

I glanced at him, "Yuffie is the four year-old here."

"Yet it appears that she found a new playmate." Cid smirked.

I sent him a death glare, "As if."

Cid chuckled and leaned back.

"So what did you two do today?" Aerith started wiping off the potatoes.

Yuffie squealed, "We went to the FIFTH district!"

Aerith raised her eyebrows, "Really? What's it like there?"

"Beautiful!" Yuffie smiled through her mouth of potatoes, "Absolutely breath-taking!"

"That's gross Yuffie." Cid made a face.

"Whatever." She shrugged.

Aerith sat up, "I wish there was a district that had trees or flowers. The lack of scenery is driving me insane!"

Cid rubbed his chin, "I think the Seventh District has a greenhouse."

"We should visit it some day!" Aerith suddenly jumped up in a very non-Aerith way.

"Yeah!" Yuffie jumped up as well.

They started holding hands and twirling in a circle, "It'd be amazing!"

I raised a very amused eyebrow and watched their dance.

"Oh, come on Cid!" Yuffie reached for the older man's hand but he grunted and backed away.

They giggled and turned to me.

I stared back.

"Come on Squall!" They both grabbed an elbow and threw me in to their little circle. I groaned.

"Did I miss something? What are we celebrating?"

Everyone stopped the merriment and turned to the eager voice.

"SORA!" Yuffie scrambled over to give him a hug.

"That's me." Sora beamed.

"I thought you said you might not be back?" Cid asked.

Sora shrugged, "I didn't think I would be and well… I hate to say it, but… I'm further away from finishing this than I originally thought."

We all stood in silence for a moment before Aerith cleared her throat, "Ah, well, let's just enjoy the time we have together! Anybody want to come with to see that greenhouse tomorrow?"

"Greenhouse?" Sora asked.

Yuffie clapped her hands, "Oh, oh! I'll go, Aerith!"

Cid sighed, "I think some nature would do me some good."

Sora looked around, "I wanna go too, I guess."

"What about you, Squall?" Cid asked.

They all looked at me expectantly and I sighed, "Fine."

-Roxis