Cloud made his way to the stables at dawn, yawning as he walked. The only thing Cloud could hear as he entered the stable was the straw scratching against the floor as he walked. As he turned to walk to Saffron's stall his eyes widened. Leon had already taken the giant beast, Griever, from his stall and was fitting it with a black leather saddle and reins. As soon as he caught sight of Cloud the giant stallion began to shuffle it's feet and snort, Leon looked up from the saddle he was fastening. His brow was furrowed as he looked at Griever as if this behaviour was abnormal. Leon turned and his eyes found Cloud, they remained on him for a moment then returned to Griever.

'That's not normal.' Leon said to Cloud as he patted Grievers shoulder in a bid to calm him down.

'No, yesterday he was trying to kick me to the other end of the room.' Cloud leaned against the gate of an empty stall.

Leon finished fastening the saddle on Griever and looked at Cloud. 'Aren't you going to get her saddled.' He gestured toward the white mare in the stall to his side.

'Not while that's there!' Cloud pointed at the giant black stallion. 'It looks murderous!'

Leon shook his head and sighed. 'Come here.'

'What? Over there? With that!?'

Leon, though suspicious of Fenrir, found it refreshing, even liberating, that the blonde didn't seem to really care about his position. 'Yes. If your going to be travelling with us he's going to have to get used to you.'

'Does he do this with every new person?' Cloud asked, it couldn't possibly be just him that the horse had taken a great disliking to.

'No.'

Cloud took a few steps forward and the stallion nudged Leon's shoulder as if urging him to move away. As the stallion turned it's head Cloud saw a large scar running along it's left shoulder. Cloud managed to get close enough to touch the horse without it going berserk again. He extended a hand and ran it along the scar on Griever's shoulder. The black stallion was tense, he shifted uneasily. 'What happened to him?' Cloud asked.

'Six years ago, he was injured in the war with the assassins.' Leon said. He kept his eyes on the younger man, waiting for a change in his expression. He was waiting to see if he would slip up, if this truly was an act, then surely it couldn't be kept up… Leon's suspicions lead him to the conclusion that Fenrir, if he was indeed an enemy seeking information, was acting on behalf of an enemy nation, whether that nation was Galbadia or Midgar he did not know.

Cloud headed to Saffron's stall and opened the gate after grabbing the saddle and rein's she originally had fitted, he assumed Cid had taken them off and placed them on the wall with the rest. Leon kept his eyes on the blonde. He had been suspicious of him before, but now, after Griever reaction he was even more suspicious. It was said that animals could sense if a person was a threat. Leon hadn't really believed this, until now. Griever had always been very calm, never having outbursts like yesterday, but now he kept a large black eye on the younger man and nudged Leon's shoulder every now and then.

'Where's the rest of the group?' Cloud called over his shoulder. Leon snapped out of his thoughts.

'They'll be here soon.'

Cloud finished saddling Saffron and fixed the reins, once they were done he turned to Leon who was trying to calm down a shuffling Griever. 'Are we waiting here…or?

'We'll wait at the south gate, but first…' Leon trailed off as he walked around Griever and picked up a few items, he handed them to Cloud. 'I'm sure you were wondering where they were.'

Cloud looked down at his equipment, he was holding a longsword in its sheath in his right hand and had a bow in the other, with the quiver slung over his arm. He realised Leon must have taken them when he knocked him out when he arrived at Hollow Bastion. Cloud heard the sound of clinking and turned to see Leon holding a chain mail shirt. 'You may need this.' He threw it too the younger man and turned his attention back to Griever. Cloud panicked, he was still scarred from the time Leon threw a blade at him the first time they met six years ago, if Leon saw the scar he'd probably remember right away. Cloud wondered if Leon had suspicions of who he was and this was a means by which to prove it. Cloud turned his back to Leon and took off the light black tunic he had thrown on before he left his room. He quickly slipped the mail on and was relieved when his tunic was back in place. Cloud then fasted the belt attached to the swords sheath around his waist and proceeded to fasten the various straps required to hold the bow and the quiver across his back and chest. Leon threw him one more thing before they left, a small knife that Cloud had stashed down his boot at all times. Cloud was more content, now that he was almost fully equipped. His arm itched to have a hidden blade strapped to it, concealed beneath his sleeve. Over the years he had become so used to wearing the weapon that being without one was like being incomplete. When Leon threw the blade at him earlier it was like being reunited with an old friend, it was familiar. Cloud looked up at his target, Leon was watching Griever, his head turned from Cloud. Cloud could see the vulnerable skin of Leon's neck and his hand twitched as if to summon forth the hidden blade from its confines. As if to set free the preying snake.

Leon and Cloud made their way to the southern gate in silence. Axel was already there apparently arguing with an irate Sora.

'I'm almost sixteen! I can fight!' Sora was shouting.

'Not yet.' Leon said when he was close enough to be heard.

Sora spun around. 'Why not?! I'm tired of being left behind while you go off to fight!'

'Go home.'

'No!'

Leon narrowed his eyes at the younger brunette. 'You can glare all you like, it's not going to make me go home!' Sora challenged, wearing an expression that mirrored his brothers.

'You are not going to fight, you're not ready.' Leon's expression softened slightly.

'And when will I be? You're letting me train, but your not giving me a chance to use the skills.' Sora shouted as he stormed away from the gate. He left a heavy silence in his wake. Cloud understood how Sora felt, he had first fought at the age of sixteen, he thought he was ready but Alexis was too worried to allow him to enter the fray, preferring that he waited a few years. He didn't listen. Cloud had dashed to the armoury to get equipped as soon as he got the chance. He regretted that now, realised how foolish it was, he wasn't ready. He had nearly gotten himself killed along with Alexis. His hate for the brunette to his right stirred and became greater as he thought back. As he waited he became lost in thoughts. Memories of Alexis, the risks of his current mission and the welfare of Aerith and Kai back in Midgar.

He remained lost in thought until more of the group appeared. He recognised two of them, he had sparred with them. He looked around when the group was complete, there was around forty people. He recognised Cid, the man from the stables. He was holding a large spear in his right hand and the reins to a large grey mare in his left.

'You all know what we are striving to achieve.' Cloud turned to see Leon standing by the gate, Axel at his side. He seemed different. He seemed more guarded, he spoke with vigour, encouraging lively shouts and replies from his people. He seemed to grow physically taller, though Cloud knew it was impossible. He found himself unwilling to look away.

The plan was simple yet effective, there would be two groups, two attacks, north and south. Axel would lead one while Leon would take the other. Cloud was riding alongside Leon ducking to avoid the lower branches of trees.

'How long have the Galbadians occupied the south?' Cloud asked Leon. Though he had learned much about Hollow Bastions relations with Galbadia there was still a lot he didn't know.

'Two years.' Leon said. They were ahead enough that no one could really hear them. There was a few moments of silence, but Cloud noticed that it wasn't awkward like with some people. Griever had seemed to calm down around Cloud a lot since their first encounter. Cloud looked at the stallion.

'Well at least I don't have to fight off an angry horse as well as Galbadians…' Cloud muttered, not really intending for Leon to hear, however he heard the brunette laugh slightly. Leon patted the side of the great horses neck.

'He's calmed down, but I don't think he's gotten to indifference just yet.'

'Hmm…I've known people that have had a similar reaction to me.' Cloud laughed, though he was entirely serious, he had become well known in Midgar and the surrounding areas. He was one of the best assassins ever to come out of Midgar. Some believed he was a descendant of a legendary assassin whose true name was lost in history, though people referred to him as The Viper, for his supposed use of poisoned tipped arrows. The Viper was said to be the greatest assassin that ever lived he never failed a mission, never missed a target and never let his emotions get in the way of his duty. Alexis had told Cloud stories of the legend and like every other aspiring assassin Cloud strived to be like him, to be remembered, however that was long ago, Cloud didn't want to be known now. He preferred to be anonymous. Various images of faces contorted in terror as they realised who stood before them ready to deal out death flashed before his eyes. Anonymity meant he wouldn't have to see those faces, they wouldn't show terror, they wouldn't see death coming. His eyes turned briefly to Leon, who rode looking ahead, would he look on in terror? Would he see death coming?

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Sora cursed his brother as he walked through the crowded city streets. Leon was treating him like an incapable child. He was competent with the blade and with the bow, he could fight. He should fight. These thoughts plagued the young brunettes mind as he travelled. He stopped dead when he heard the clinking of metal to his right. He turned to see the blacksmith working on a new blade, bright sparks flying every time he struck the glowing metal. Sora smirked as an idea formed in his mind. He set off at a run dodging people as he sprinted until he reached his destination.

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Cloud and Leon were crouched in the bushes scanning the town ahead. It was large, with many soldiers. From their point they could see the best point to enter. Within the town were two main roads running north to south and east to west.

'I think I'll be able to take out the archers there.' Cloud pointed the two soldiers standing on either side of the open wood gate.

'You sure?' Leon asked sceptically, judging the distance between Cloud and the archers.

'Yeah, have a little faith.' Cloud smirked. He pulled the bow off his back and got an arrow ready. He aimed for a moment then let the arrow fly. It was fatal, striking the first of two in the heart. Leon raised his eyebrows in surprise. 'What do you think? Two out of two?' Cloud said taking aim.

'Just for that arrogance I hope you miss.' Leon muttered..

The arrow flew and embedded itself between the second archers eyes.

'Amazing.' Leon breathed. He could here the chaos starting within the town. 'Come on.' He stood from his hiding spot and lithely jumped up onto Griever's back. Cloud sprang onto Saffron while Leon signalled for the rest of the group to move.

Axel could hear the chaos from the other side of the city. He waited for his archer to take out the two Galbadian archers. He was trying to get close enough. Once they fell Axel gave the orders to storm the place. By the time they had entered the northern gate the battle was already in full swing. The residents of the town took up arms and fought against the Galbadian soldiers, jumping at the chance to save themselves from oppression. The sounds of swords clashing, horses hooves pounding the ground and screams filled the town. Cloud hastily sheathed his blood soaked sword and readied his bow. He was still on Saffron. He was about to shoot an arrow at a Galbadian with his back turned to him, his blood stained sword raised to strike an already injured blonde male, when the force of an arrow embedding itself in his shoulder knocked him from Saffron's back. He cried out as he felt the arrow snap as his back collided with the ground. He screwed his eyes shut at the pain but snapped them open when he heard a snarl above him. A Galbadian soldier held his sword high, the sunlight reflected on it blinded him, he raised a hand to his eyes as pain shot trough them. He saw the sword being plunged down, but it never struck. A blade exploded from the soldiers chest, causing a blood to splash around the surrounding area, including on Cloud. The blade was pulled back and the soldier fell to his side. Leon stood in his place, a hand extended to help Cloud up. Cloud hesitated but took the hand and Leon pulled him up.

'You alright?' Leon asked. The battle was dying down, with the last few soldiers being dispatched quickly.

'Yes.' Cloud was infuriated. To be saved by such a man… Cloud thought. 'Thanks.' The word had a taste of its own, bitter. Cloud hated thanking this man. He would have been killed if it wasn't for the man before him, and yet, it was the very man he hated with a passion. The people were already beginning to leave the town, many came up to Leon thanking him, praising his abilities as a leader before they left for the city. The city fell silent.

'We should get that sorted.' Leon pointed out the arrow protruding from Cloud's shoulder.

Cloud tried to beat his fury down enough to control his voice. He couldn't. Leon led the way through the town searching for someone. Leon walked up to a spooked horse and tried to calm it down enough to look through the bag on the side of it's saddle. Still looking around the town from time to time.

'What are you looking for?' Cloud asked when he calmed down…slightly.

'Two things…this…' He held up some white material, Cloud looked down at his hand, it was the same material. 'and Vexen, a medic.' Leon looked around once more but found nothing. Axel appeared from around a corner, riding a russet mare. 'Have you seen Vexen?' Leon asked when Axel was close enough.

'No.' Axel's expression changed to one of worry as he looked around. 'I'll scout around and see if I can find him.' He set off without another word.

In his search he found Vexen crouched by a blonde male. He dismounted his horse and walked over to the medic. Vexen stood and nodded to Axel and walked back the way the red haired warrior had come. The blonde leaned against the wall heavily.

'You alright?' Axel asked. The blonde nodded with a sigh. The blonde was deathly pale, Axel looked down to see his arm fully bandaged, a small amount of blood was making it's way to the surface though. 'The name's Axel, got it memorised?' The redhead smirked.

'Roxas.' The blonde murmured.

Leon turned back to Cloud and inspected the arrow. 'Well, at least it's already broke.' He mumbled more to himself than to Cloud. He braced one hand against Cloud's shoulder to keep it in place, and took hold of the arrow with the other. 'On three.' He stated. He pushed against Cloud's shoulder slightly. 'One…two-' Cloud gritted his teeth against the unexpected pain. He brought a hand up to the bleeding wound the arrow left.

'That wasn't three.' He breathed.

'Well it worked, didn't it?' Leon asked brandishing the broken arrow. Cloud glared at the brunette. Leon shook his head. 'How did it get through the mail though?' Leon muttered to himself. 'Anyway, let me bandage it.' Cloud panicked again, though his face didn't betray the emotion. I cant let him see the scar!

'No, shouldn't we get moving?' Cloud pitched hopefully.

'You're bleeding, Fenrir.' Leon looked like Cloud had lost his mind.

'I'll sort it out.' Cloud said quickly.

'Alright…if you insist.' Leon said wondering what was making the blonde act so.

They had moved on to the next area, it was a small village, it would be easier to take out the soldiers, there were fewer than in the town. Cloud hadn't sorted the wound yet, he hadn't gotten the chance, he leaned forward slightly on Saffron, breathing deeply. It was easy to gain entrance to the village and the soldiers never stood a chance. The battle was over as quickly as it began. Though as they regrouped things took a turn for the worse. A single arrow sped through the air, intending to hit the king, but Leon moved back on Griever and narrowly avoided a fatal wound. Cloud whipped out his bow and took aim into the surrounding trees. He along with several other warriors let their arrows fly and a few grunts and screams of pain erupted from the bushes. Several Galbadian soldiers then leapt from their hiding places. The area that was quiet moments before was now filled with the sounds of battle. Cloud continued to fight with the bow but he found it increasingly difficult to aim as everything became undefined and obscured. He put the bow on his back and reached for his sword. He slashed at an attacking Galbadian as he unsheathed it. Everything began to grow dark and he lost his grip on the sword, it slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.

Leon had been keeping an eye on Fenrir, worried that he hadn't treated the wound from the arrow. He watched as the blonde's sword fell. He turned Griever and dashed towards the injured blonde attacking those in his path. Once he reached the younger man he grabbed him and pulled him from Saffron and onto Griever. He kept one arm around the blonde's waist and held his sword in the other. He felt Cloud slump forward as he slipped into unconsciousness. He swung his sword at those that tried to attack him. Night had fallen by the time the battle was won.

Leon jumped off Griever and carried the unconscious blonde to Vexen. He laid him down on a sheet that had already been laid out. Leon crouched down beside him.

'Go, they need you.' Vexen gestured toward the other warriors. 'I'll look after him.' He gestured toward Cloud. Leon left without a word, tending to the wounded and gathering the fallen. Those that were able took the dead back to the city, they were to return by morning.

Cloud woke up just as the sun was poking through the tree's they had decided to rest by. He became aware enough to realise that he had no shirt on, his chain mail was gone too. He bolted upright but was pushed back down by two strong hands. 'You shouldn't move that suddenly!' The voice was reproachful. Cloud inwardly cursed when he realised it was Leon. He brought a hand up unconsciously to his scar only to find it was completely covered by a bandage. The white material covered his wounded shoulder and crossed his chest to disappear around his side. Cloud calmed slightly, maybe he hasn't seen it. He thought.

'Was it you?' Cloud asked as he settled back down.

'What?' Leon asked confused.

'Did you pull me off Saffron?'

'Yeah.'

'…Thanks.' Cloud muttered. Hating having to thank the brunette again. 'So, how many more towns are there?'

'A fair few, but two of them much larger than the others. I've arranged for more warriors to join us.'

Cloud nodded slowly. 'You still up for it?' Leon asked leaning back against a tree.

'Yeah.' Cloud sat up slowly and was surprised to see that he and Leon were isolated from the rest of the group. The others were a bit further down, out of earshot.

'Why're we up here on our own?' Cloud asked.

'I prefer being alone.' Was the simple reply.

'You do realise what alone means?' Cloud asked wondering why he was there.

Leon's jaw tightened. 'I do.' Leon seemed to be lost in thought

Cloud sat against the same tree as Leon. He lost himself in his own thoughts. He caught sight of Leon out of the corner of his eye. The brunette was the strangest king he had ever heard of. He isolated himself from his people, even though he walked out in the city among them or fought by their side, He didn't really associate himself with them. He didn't act like a king at all, most of the things Cloud said would have offended another…but Leon…he was different. Cloud looked away and sighed.

They were ready to go, they were just waiting on their backup to appear. Leon had given Cloud back his chain mail, shirt and weapons. He had been reunited with Saffron whom, Cloud was very happy to see, was completely uninjured. Cloud stood stroking Saffron's neck absentmindedly, waiting to set off.

'How's your shoulder country-boy?' Axel said as he came up behind Cloud on his russet mare.

'Better.' Cloud said.

'Heard about you collapsing yesterday. Heard Leon was your night in shining armour too.' Axel smirked. Cloud gritted his teeth, trying to hold his tongue. Axel laughed, he opened his mouth to continue his taunting but closed it again as their backup appeared. About another twenty warriors left the cover of the trees. Soon enough they set off again.

The tree's grew denser as they travelled. It was the perfect place for an ambush. Cloud, being completely familiar with ambush tactics, expected a Galbadian to attack at any moment. Cloud was travelling in the middle of the large group, he couldn't stand to be near Leon now, not after he saved his life. Twice. He couldn't forgive him for that. Cloud looked up slightly over the people ahead to see that the trees were growing less dense as they pressed on he could see more light strike the ground.

Cloud heard it, the string of a bow being pulled back. He looked around frantically for the source of the noise as he pulled out his own bow. The arrow was set free before Cloud's eyes met the Galbadian that fired it. Someone was lucky, Cloud assumed the arrow missed as there was no cry of pain. The forest soon became a flurry of flying arrows and the warriors began to fall. He heard shouts from the group like 'They were warned!' or 'It's futile! We should retreat.' They were severely outnumbered. Cloud aimed his bow blindly hoping to strike. He heard various calls from the front, no doubt it was Leon. 'Retreat!' 'Fall back!' Cloud knew it was the best plan of action, Galbadia seemed to have been warned about the previous ambushes by Hollow Bastion. There was a blind rush when everyone split up and forced their mounts to dash into the cover of the denser trees. The larger of his sparring opponents fell from his mount as an arrow pierced the flesh between his shoulders. Cloud continued on without looking back.

Cloud was alone, the sounds of arrows flying past him and the screams of those hit filling his ears. He heard the pounding of a horse hooves grow closer until it was beside him. He looked to his right, but only saw a solid wall of trees. He wondered if the Galbadians were following them on horseback. There was a large break in the trees and Cloud saw a blur of black. Leon caught sight of Cloud and pulled on Griever's reins to bring him closer.

'I guess they were alerted to our attacks.' Cloud shouted over the pounding hooves. Leon opened his mouth to argue but instead looked forward in time to see a Galbadian soldier swing his sword toward Griever. The horse cried out as his chest was cut, he stumbled and fell throwing Leon from his back. Cloud immediately turned back, for two reasons. He needed Leon, he was the best source of information he could have hoped for and also there was no way was he going to let the brunette die by another's hand. Later, when he looked back he would curse himself as he realised he felt a sharp thrill of fear when Leon fell.

Leon was on the ground his sword pointed at the oncoming soldier. Cloud knew he wouldn't get close enough in time so he whipped out a blade he always kept down the side of his boot and threw it without hesitation. It struck the soldier in the back of his neck. Cloud slowed Saffron to a stop and hopped off her. He walked over to Leon and extended a hand when the brunette showed no sign of movement. Cloud looked down and saw an arrow had pierced Leon's boot and gone through his foot, just between his heel and ankle. He felt a bit happier, Leon wasn't untouchable. Leon finally took Cloud's hand and used the tree as leverage to stand up. Griever came walking over of his own accord and, to Cloud's surprise, the horse bent down so Leon had less to climb on his injured ankle. Leon mounted the prostrate horse.

'Thank you.' Leon muttered to Cloud. He looked around. 'It doesn't look like there are anymore here now.' Cloud didn't say anything as he walked and pulled his knife from the deceased soldiers neck. He cleaned it on the soldiers sleeve before stashing it in his boot. Cloud looked down at his blood stained hand. Griever had already started walking. Leon looked back. 'Aren't you coming?'

Cloud stared transfixed by the blood. To think the blood on my hands once bothered me. He thought. This thought ran through his mind many times, he couldn't believe that he had once been upset by the blood, even disturbed by it, but now, he felt nothing. Killing was his profession. He didn't like it, he didn't hate it. He felt nothing.

'Fenrir?' Leon had turned Griever around he was now staring at the blonde.

Cloud looked up. One thought ran through his mind.

Will I feel anything when it's his blood that stains my hands?

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Cloud lay staring at the ceiling in his room overlooking the Market Place. It was a decent room. The walls were a rich cream, the bed was comfortable with thick warm sheets. There was a large window with a great view of the cramped streets below. To the left side of the room was a large wardrobe. To the right of the bed was a desk with an unlit candle sitting on it. Cloud thought about the events of the last two days. Leon had gone out of his way twice to save Cloud's life. Cloud hated him more, if that was possible. The brunette was going against the barbaric image Cloud had created within his mind. Cloud wondered why Leon saved him. He kept telling himself it was because Leon was suspicious of him and wanted to keep him around in case he was needed for information. Cloud had been feeling like his mission was hopeless, Leon displayed no weaknesses, he had bested Cloud already, even saved him, but Leon wasn't as invincible as Cloud thought. Leon could have died if it wasn't for him. Cloud also reminded himself of the scar running along Leon's face. He had created that scar. He had bested Leon. Cloud sighed and got off the bed. He headed out intending to go to the stables.

Once Cloud reached the stables he heard a raised voice from within.

'But, going out there alone?!' Cloud recognised the voice as Axel's. 'Of course I'm coming with you, but…the Galbadians are still out there…and it'll just be two of us…'

'Would you rather I leave him out there?!' Cloud recognised Leon's voice, but it wasn't raised like Axel's, it was low, lethal, daring chose that time to walk into the stalls.

'You…' Axel whispered.

Cloud looked from Axel to Leon. 'I…I just came down to see Saffron…but uh…if you two-'

'It's fine.' Axel said.

Cloud got a good look at Leon's expression. He was trying to guard his emotions as usual, but not succeeding. He looked worried, terrified even.

'Are you alright?' Cloud asked Leon hesitantly.

'No, my brother's gone missing-' Leon's voice was oddly strained.

'Presumably he followed us out of the city, you saw how he wanted to fight the Galbadians.' Axel cut in.

'And he hasn't returned?' Cloud asked, he directed his question at Leon rather than Axel. Leon just shook his head. 'Are you going to look for him?'

'Yes.' Leon stated bluntly, ignoring Axels noise of protest. He mounted Griever careful not to injure his ankle further.

'I'll help.' Cloud said as he hastily grabbed a saddle and reins for Saffron and put them on her. Axel finished saddling his russet mare and they set off.

Night had fallen as they navigated the woodland area south of the city. None of them spoke. Leon wanted to shout. He wanted to scream for his brother and to hear his brother call back, but that would alert any remaining Galbadians to their position. The had now reached the area where they had been ambushed for a second time. They had decided to split up to cover a wider area. Leon was panicking even more now, this was where many of their men had died, they hadn't gotten the chance to gather their dead yet for fear that the Galbadians were still lurking about. Leon looked along the ground searching for Sora among the fallen warriors. He found nothing he travelled so far that he came to the end of the trees. Cloud appeared seconds later. Leon turned to him. Cloud shook his head. Leon turned his face away, but not before Cloud caught sight of the pained expression that crossed Leon's face.

Cloud, Axel and Leon had been forced to return to Hollow Bastion without Sora when they heard approaching Galbadians. There had been complete silence the entire journey back. Cloud now lay on his bed staring into space. He was cursing himself. Leon's pained expression kept invading his mind, and every time he saw it he felt a stab of pity. He saw a side to Leon he never expected; a devoted brother. It shook him, to see such a person caring so much for another. Though Cloud felt some amount of pity he felt something else…satisfaction? Cloud had lost Alexis, and to him it was like losing a brother, he felt like walking up to Leon and screaming 'So how do you feel? You did this to me!' However the pity attacked him again. He forced himself to push his thought's from Leon to Sora. Sora was just an innocent kid…it was true that Cloud wanted revenge on Leon, but to allow an innocent boy to be hurt, maybe even killed, for his own revenged fuelled scheme? Cloud was on two minds, Leon would no doubt begin a full scale search tomorrow, hell, Cloud was sure Leon would start a war to save his younger brother…a horrific thought struck Cloud. If he had the chance to bring Alexis back, would he really care if he had to kill people in order to do it? Wouldn't he start a war if it was necessary?

'Am I…like him?' Cloud whispered into the darkness.

Leon hadn't got much time, the sun would rise within an hour, if his plan was to work he needed to act now. He ignored the searing pain in his ankle as he moved as fast as he could towards the stables. He leaned against the gate to Griever's stall as soon as he reached it. As soon as he caught his breath and made sure he hadn't worsened the wound the arrow had caused he grabbed a saddle and reins and headed back to Griever. He hadn't noticed the man watching him from the other end of the stable until he spoke.

'Heading off to Galbadia?' The unknown man said. Leon turned at the voice, he knew who it was even before the blonde stepped out of the shadows. Cloud had made his way to the stalls as he couldn't sleep, he had planned on seeing Saffron. He had had a feeling that he would meet the brunette here. Leon didn't answer the blonde. 'I wouldn't advise it, your hurt and the Galbadians know what you look like.'

Leon looked away, obviously he knew these things, but to have them spoken aloud confirmed them. 'What else can I do.' Leon muttered. It wasn't a question.

'Well…they don't know me.' Cloud said. He leapt at the chance to prove himself trustworthy, for him to travel to Galbadia and search for Sora would show that he was an ally. It would defy Leon's suspicions.

'You're not going.' Leon said with finality. Cloud was determined to go, determined to pull Leon into a false friendship by rushing off to save his brother.

'They'll recognise you, and then what'll happen when they figure out the king of Hollow Bastion tried to infiltrate their city?' Cloud said shrewdly. Leon winced as though he was hit, he knew what would happen, Galbadia would retaliate on all of Hollow Bastion. 'If I go there's less chance that I'll be caught.'

'No.'

'No?'

'I cant-'

'You cant what? You don't think I can do it, do you?' Cloud walked forward but stopped for a moment when Griever gave a warning snort and shuffled in his stall, he rolled his eyes and continued disregarding the horses discomfort at his presence. 'Leon…you know it's better if I go.'

'I'm not letting you go alone.'

'Well you're not coming with me!' Cloud laughed humourlessly. 'That'll defeat the purpose.'

'I-'

'Leon, You know I'll have a better chance!' Cloud interrupted the brunette. 'In any case, were not even sure if he's there.'

'…' Leon was contemplating it, as much as he hated to admit it, the blonde was right, he would be recognised instantly whereas the blonde was unknown, just another anonymous face in a crowd. He couldn't bare the thought of sitting back and waiting for Fenrir to return, but what other choice did he have. Leon cursed his predecessors dying wish. And it wasn't the first time.

After some more persuading Cloud had managed to get Leon to stay while he travelled to Galbadia. He had taken Saffron from her stall and got her saddled, he was ready to depart, but a thought struck him, maybe he didn't have to travel alone.

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Next stop: Galbadia! X3

Review? Pwease? ^-^"