Title: 100 Steps To Somewhere

Fandom: Kingdom Hearts

Claim: Cloud/Riku

Theme: 010. Beginning

Word Count: 3,468

Rating: M

Summary: Cloud wasn't getting through to Riku, and one of them had to realize that their fight had needlessly escalated into something it should have never been. Leon could swear he's heard this story before.

Disclaimer: I own Kingdom Hearts. All of it. I'm the CEO watchamajiggy for Square Enix and Disney. I own all those Japanese dudes that made Kingdom Hearts. And I don't just mean I own their work; I own their souls. Sora and Riku are locked in my closet. I keep Cloud in the bed. Leon gets stuffed at the end of bed for easy access. Then I woke up and realized none of this was true and I was still broke and owned nothing related to Kingdom Hearts whatsoever except for, like, copies of the video games, even crappy little Chain of Memories, which I am sick of playing just so I can write this and my Soriku story. So there.

Author's Note: So I visited YouTube and watched the Riku scene in Traverse Town again only to discover that Cid's in there with Sora and co. when Riku's watching with Maleficent. So I jacked that part of the story up, and for that I apologize. Lucky for me, I do not have to rewatch any cutscenes for this here segment, because it is a Cloud segment, and Cloud is hardly in the game. Which I appreciate. Cause it's fun perspective to squish Riku KH scenes into Riku's parts and then just go crazy with Cloud's.

Step Ten: Twisted Intentions

Cloud stared at the cell phone in his hands, turning it over a few times before putting it in his pocket.

Yuffie and Leon were staying in a hotel in Thebes just beyond the Coliseum. Cloud had stayed here when working for Hades; he'd slip out the Coliseum through the back and take the path into town. Cloud liked to avoid crowds and Phil, because though the satyr was a good guy, he was loud, and the path was rarely traveled. The hotel, however, had a great view of the city and Coliseum, and when Cloud had stayed here, he often found himself wandering out onto the balcony. Staying here with Yuffie and Leon was no different. It was, in a way, comforting.

Cloud liked to observe the people walking around below, and it was a good opportunity to keep an eye out for Heartless. They mostly stayed in the Coliseum and the Underworld, but a Heartless or two occasionally snuck into Thebes, and Cloud made it a point to wipe them out quickly. The balcony had another nice point to it beside the view, which was privacy, something he needed lately thanks to his conversations with Riku.

Just last night he'd stood out here talking to Riku, and then talking to Leon about Riku. Leon and Cloud had always been especially close friends—though they rarely spoke to each other as neither was the speaking type. Leon happened to be the best secret-keeper Cloud knew for that reason alone, and he therefore knew Leon would say nothing to Yuffie. He'd even pulled through for Cloud just now when his phone had gone off mid-conversation with Yuffie and all Cloud had to do was give Leon a glance for Leon to know it was Cloud's boyfriend calling.

"Why don't you take that outside?" said Leon. "I'll keep Yuffie occupied."

"Is that Aerith?" said Yuffie, bouncing up on the bed.

"Whoever it is, it's none of our business."

"I'll be back," said Cloud.

Riku had said he was tired, and he sounded it. Tired, angry, hurt, and countless other negative emotions that Cloud didn't want to think about at the moment. He wished he could be there with him. He wished he knew what was going through Sora's head. Cloud had the feeling this was going to get messy.

----------0----------

"You look worried," said Leon.

Cloud and Leon sat on the balcony looking across Thebes. Yuffie had gone off to the Coliseum to get in some practice before dark, leaving the two by themselves. The sun was setting, bathing the city in soft pink and yellow hues. Cloud liked this time of day when the harsh sunlight faded but before the cold detachment of night set in. Neither light nor dark, but the two mingling together in beauty.

"I am worried."

"What was the call about? Is he in trouble?"

"He's . . ." Cloud didn't know how to tell Leon anything without giving too much away. "He's going through a rough patch with a friend right now. His friend's . . . not so crazy about the darkness, you know? And he . . ."

"Doesn't have much of an option. Yeah. You said."

"Sorry I can't tell you more, but he made me promise."

"What's he got to hide?"

Cloud sighed.

"His friend—the one he's having issues with—he doesn't know that he's gay or in a relationship or anything. And his friend never asked anything about what's been going on with him since their world fell to the darkness. So he—"

"Your boyfriend or the friend?"

"My boyfriend. He doesn't want me to say anything that might get back to his friend. Doesn't think he deserves to know if he won't ask."

"That's rough."

"Yeah, but it really hurt him, and he means a lot to me, so . . ."

"You're a good friend like that."

"I know you wouldn't say anything, but what can I do? I promised."

"I respect that."

Cloud leaned back in his chair, hardly settled, when his phone rang.

"Boyfriend?" said Leon.

Cloud shrugged and pulled the phone out of his pocket, checking the caller ID.

"Yep. Must be back."

"Where did he go?"

"Another world. Doing some research on the Heartless."

Leon nodded.

"I'll give you your privacy."

"Thanks."

Cloud flipped open the phone as Leon stood from the chair and headed over to the door.

"How did it go?" said Cloud. He smiled at Leon as he disappeared through the door.

"Crappy," said Riku. Cloud furrowed his eyebrows and sat up in his chair. Riku's voice sounded tight, as if he were restricting tears.

"What happened?"

"I . . . I didn't do anything. He came in right after I got off the phone with you and started yelling at me to let the damn puppet go. I wasn't even holding it. It wasn't my fault that Heartless captured him. All I'd been trying to do was talk to Pinocchio the entire day to see how it worked, and I got nothing. Then he got all knocked out and I thought he lost his heart, but he was just woozy—"

"Pushing your worries about Kairi off onto the puppet, huh?"

"Kairi has lost her heart, but that's not the point. Sora came in and he was acting like a complete jackass, and he implied I don't have a conscience."

"Wait. Back up. What about a conscience?"

"He said that whether or not Pinocchio had a heart, at least he still had a conscience. I have a damn conscience. I was trying to help Kairi. I wasn't going to steal the damn puppet. I didn't even hurt anyone. I never even took Pinocchio out of Monstro. I was just trying to figure out how to help Kairi. And then Maleficent came around—"

"Maleficent?"

"I don't know. The bitch is probably following me. But she started lecturing me about losing my heart to the darkness because I was teasing Sora earlier. Then she was here on the Jolly Roger when I got back to tell me what was wrong with Kairi. Her heart's really gone. She's like . . . nothing. Just this lifeless body, except . . . you know . . . the still breathing part."

"I see. Any more plans?"

"Not yet. But can you believe he even said that?"

"Actually, I think that was pretty nasty for even him. Was your teasing playful? Or did you sound like you were provoking him?"

"How am I supposed to know? Don't tell me you're siding with him!"

"I don't know, Riku. How am I supposed to know without hearing his side of the story? From what I do know, that comment was undeserved and plain mean, but maybe he thought he was justified in it."

"I have a conscience!"

"I know you do, baby. I don't think what Sora said was right, or even remotely true, but I think he may have thought he had a right to say it."

"You called me baby."

"So? It's a term of endearment."

"I know. I'm not stupid. You endear me?"

Cloud smiled at this. Riku was so thick sometimes. It was actually pretty cute how easily distracted he could become.

"Yes, I endear you."

"I endear you, too."

"I know. Listen, Riku, why don't you—"

"I don't want to hear anything about how Sora could have thought he was right, okay? He was wrong. I don't care what he thinks. I'm sick of sitting around and wishing I could go back. I can't. I can't do anything about what's happened, but I'm doing my best. Things are hard right now, and he doesn't know me. He doesn't know me at all anymore, and he had no right to say any of those things. I mean, sure, I said all he seemed interested in was waving around his precious Keyblade, but I said it seemed that way. I didn't say that's how it was."

"I understand that."

"So I'm done with that. I'm done with him. I'm starting over. I'm not trying to be friends with him anymore. I'm only going to worry about you and helping Kairi."

"Considering how you feel about the situation, I think that's a good idea."

"Me too. So . . ." Riku sounded uncomfortable and relieved, as if he had been waiting for Cloud to press the situation further. Riku may not be stupid, but neither was Cloud. Riku's mind was set and there was no changing it. "What have you been up to?"

"Just hanging out with Leon. Yuffie's been off practicing like crazy. She's got a lot of energy to expend."

"That's . . . good. I mean—sorry, I just don't know what to say about it. I don't . . . really have any friends anymore."

Pangs of sympathy tugged at Cloud, begging him to say something to console Riku. Sure, Cloud had been lost in the darkness, tempted by Sephiroth, even lost Zack, but he'd never lost all of his friends. They'd all been together when leaving Hollow Bastion, and even now Leon was just inside the hotel room, waiting patiently until Cloud was off the phone, and not pushing the secrecy issue. Riku's friends were all gone, in one way or another. Cloud couldn't imagine how it must feel.

"I'm sorry, Riku."

"Why? You didn't do anything. It's my fault, really."

"It's not your fault."

"Sure it is. I let the Heartless in. That's when Selphie, Tidus, Wakka, and my family went. I landed in Hollow Bastion. I don't know where Kairi and Sora ended up, but Kairi lost her heart, and now she's gone. I'm in the darkness, and Sora's the Keyblade master, acting like he's ruler of the universe, which, I guess in a way, he is. He's gone. You're really all I have. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm crazy about you—"

"I know. You endear me."

Riku laughed. It was a nice change.

"Yeah. I'm just not accustomed to this, and I can't even see you because I have to work on this Kairi thing. I'm just glad we have these phones."

"You should come see me when I fight in the next cup."

"Won't Sora be there?"

"A lot of people come. It won't be hard to hide in the stands if you don't want to see him. And you could spend the night with me wherever I'm staying."

"I'd like that."

"Good. I want to see you."

"I want to see you, too. I miss kissing you."

"I miss kissing you, too. Leon's been asking about you."

"What? How? You didn't tell him anything, did you?"

"No, I didn't tell him anything. My friends just know me too well and figured out I was seeing someone. I did tell Leon a very vague version of your story, being in the darkness and fighting with Sora, but I didn't tell him your name, or details, or anything. He did ask, but I said I promised you I wouldn't tell."

"Did that seem suspicious?"

"He said he was worried by that, but that's when I explained your situation with Sora—sans names and details of course—and that you don't want him to know though the grapevine or anything. Said I knew he wouldn't say anything to anyone, but, you know, I promised. He was cool about it. Made him promise not to tell anyone anything about it. Leon's never spilled any of my secrets before. He's not going to start now."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. He sure wants to know more. We've been friends for ages; it isn't hard to tell, but don't worry. I won't say anything. He even keeps Yuffie occupied when you call now so I don't have to sneak too far away."

"Oh. Okay, then. He sounds like a cool guy."

"He is. I hope you two can meet some day. You'd like each other."

"Maybe some day. I just—he's friends with Sora."

"I know. But believe me, Leon's decent. He doesn't say much, and when he does, he doesn't spill secrets."

"Well. . ." Riku seemed to hesitate for a second as if he were thinking. "Maybe I can meet him sooner than someday. I mean, I can tell it means a lot to you."

"I really like you. Can you blame me for wanting to show you off to my best friend?"

Riku laughed.

"I guess not. I wish Kairi were awake so I could tell her about you. I mean, I did anyway, but she doesn't have a heart, so I doubt she heard."

"You told Kairi?"

"Yeah," said Riku, still laughing. Cloud couldn't help but laugh with him.

"And you're giving me grief about talking to Leon?"

"Shut up. So is Leon waiting on you, then?"

"Yeah. I'm out on the balcony. He went back inside when you called."

"Don't let me keep you. I have . . . a lot of stuff to figure out, anyway. I just . . . wanted to call. Wanted to hear your voice."

"You were feeling pretty down."

"Feeling pretty shitty is more like it."

"Don't worry about it."

"Oh. I forgot to tell you. Maleficent has infused me with the power of darkness again. I can control the Heartless now."

A feeling of unease settled within Cloud's heart. Riku could control the Heartless?

"Really?"

"She called it a gift," said Riku. His voice was strained again. "I'm afraid I'm going to lose my heart."

"Be strong, baby. I know you can make it through this."

"I'm sure as hell going to try."

"I don't want to let you go when you're upset like this."

"I'm going to be okay. It just . . . sucks. I can use it to help Kairi, though, right?"

"I guess. Just be careful."

"I will. I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay."

"And I'll think more about this Leon thing."

"All right. I'll talk to you soon, Riku."

"See ya."

"Bye."

Cloud pressed end on his phone. He didn't know what to do. This was an unexpected turn of events, especially so shortly followed by Riku's encounter with Sora today. Riku sure wasn't kidding when he said he was starting over. Cloud got the feeling this was the beginning of something bad, the beginning of some of the darkest times of Riku's life, and Cloud didn't know how to stop the train before it wrecked.

He extended one hand and knocked on the door to the hotel room. Leon stuck his head out.

"You done?"

"Yeah. Is Yuffie back yet?"

"Nope."

Leon walked out on the balcony and sat next to Cloud, propping his feet up on the railing.

"You look ill."

"I just had a bad conversation."

"Fight?"

"Hardly. He had a nasty day today. Nasty fight with the aforementioned friend. The darkness is gaining more control over him through no fault of his own. It's kind of a disaster. I told him about you, though. Might get clearance to tell you more."

"Don't press it if he says no."

"I won't. I just . . . think he could use another friend right now. And I know you two are going to get along really well."

"If you get along well with him, I don't see why I wouldn't."

"That's what I figure."

----------0----------

Cloud walked down the Coliseum the following day with Leon and Yuffie to watch the Pegasus Cup. He wasn't surprised to see Sora there; Leon and Yuffie had said he signed up. What did surprise him, though, was how angry he felt meeting up with Sora after the tournament.

"You've improved in your fighting a lot," said Leon.

"Enough to beat us both!" said Yuffie.

"You know Cloud, right?" Leon motioned to Cloud as he joined them outside in front of the Coliseum gates.

"Yeah," said Sora. "How's it going with your light?"

Cloud stared hard at Sora for a second and swept his fingers through his hair. This was the kid who, just yesterday, had fought so brutally with Riku, and now he was smiling like he hadn't a care in the world. Cloud knew it had to be hard with the pressures of being the Keyblade master, and that surely between what Riku called teasing and Sora's responsibility, their fight had needlessly escalated to something it should have never been. He understood that Sora must have taken Riku the wrong way just as Riku must be seeing Sora in the wrong light. Still . . . he couldn't help wanting to shake some sense in the kid. If one of them could get the ridiculousness of the situation through their heads, maybe they could just forgive and forget. It was obvious Cloud wasn't getting through to Riku.

Still, Cloud couldn't help but notice that Sora immediately asked him a question about his life, and yet hadn't bothered to ask Riku anything. That alone had sparked something inside Cloud that he couldn't quite push away.

"I'm still searching," said Cloud. "What about you? Have you found your friends?"

The look on Sora's face said it all. Riku wasn't the only one hurting.

"I . . . I still don't know where Kairi is. I saw Riku, but . . . he's not the same."

He says the same thing about you, kid.

"He's working with the darkness, I think," Sora continued. "I'm not sure what he thinks he's doing, but—I want to be friends with him, but I don't want him to be doing the things he is."

"Sometimes you have to use darkness because there isn't another way. People don't always do the best things, but sometimes they do them for the best intentions," said Cloud.

Cloud didn't miss the knowing look Leon briefly shot in his direction.

"Yeah," said Yuffie. "Like Cloud here. He's used darkness to fight Sephiroth. It hasn't really gotten rid of him, but that's cause Sephiroth is empowered by Cloud's darkness. Wait . . ."

"Yuffie's gone and confused herself," said Leon. "Big surprise."

"Shut up, Squall," said Yuffie, playfully punching him.

"That didn't sound very convincing," said Sora, laughing.

"You'd just . . . be surprised what people do when they think there's no other way," said Cloud.

"But there is. There's light."

"Maybe Riku doesn't have that option."

"Everyone has that option. He's just being a jerk. He even said he found Kairi, but he won't tell me anything about her."

"Did you ask?"

"Yes! Repeatedly. I told you, he's just being a jerk. I don't know what he thinks he's doing, but I don't like it."

"Maybe he's trying to help Kairi with what he's doing."

"Cloud, can I speak to you for a moment," said Leon. "Excuse us, Sora."

"Yeah, no problem," said Sora, still smiling, though Cloud felt he might have troubled the kid a little.

"Follow me," said Leon, leading Cloud back into the now-empty Coliseum. Leon turned to face Cloud. "Maybe Riku doesn't have that option? Cloud, don't tell me . . ."

"Tell you what?"

"Riku? Sora's Riku?"

"What about him?"

"Don't play stupid with me, Cloud. I can put two and two together."

"I really don't know what you're talking about."

"You don't know what I'm talking about? When you're out there trying to convince Sora that Riku doesn't have an option other than darkness? That whatever he's doing that's upsetting Sora so much is based on good intentions? That Riku isn't what he thinks he is?"

"Leon."

"Just admit it, Cloud; I don't care what you promised."

Cloud sighed.

"Couldn't hide it forever, huh?"

"Riku? Sora's friend, Riku?"

"Yes, okay?"

"You're dating Riku."

"Yes! Now stop talking about it before Sora wanders in here and hears you!"

"How did that even happen?"

"It's a long story, and I'm not up to talking about it right now. Especially not here. Let me get Riku to agree to this first, okay? He does not want Sora to know under any circumstances."

Leon nodded.

"I won't breathe a word to Sora. Okay?"

"Yeah. Okay."

"You owe me an explanation."

"Okay. You'll get one. Just not here. And you cannot let anyone know."

"I won't. I promised you already. I won't say anything to anyone. Not Sora, Yuffie, Aerith, anyone. But I do want to know how it happened, because this is a little bigger than what you initially made it out to be."

"I know. I already told you I'll give you one, just not here, and not right now."

Leon eyed him before nodding, and walking back toward where they'd left Sora and Yuffie.

This was a beginning all right. The beginning to something that Cloud feared was about to become very rotten.

Yeah, so I wrote two in one day. Wanted to make it an even 10. Now I'm 10 through the fic. Geez. It sounds so much better than saying only 90 to go.

Ah well.

Please read and review. Thanks. Love and kisses.