Author's Note: I'm terribly sorry it's been so long since I posted but, I've been moving around and hoping on planes and that kind of crap that and school is almost back in session so I had to get ready for that! UGH! AND, I've been busy with a ton of other stuff so I apologize and I'll be posting regularly as possible! That's about it and again I'm really sorry!
"Ah!" I exclaimed as Cloud ran after me, slashing recklessly with his sword. I turned to do a series of parries and quickly rolled away. I jumped up as Cloud brought his sword down on me as I blocked, forcing me to kneel under the pressure.
"Oh come on Alexis. We both know you can do better." Cloud teased lightly as I smirked and nodded.
"OK but, you asked for it Chocobo butt." I said warningly, taking the sword and turning it so that the point was leading down to the cement with the edge now towards me. The buster sword slid down like it was a ramp and struck the ground with a loud crack as I flipped back, the edge of the blade's tip barley above the ground. I brought my sword up only to be parried and pushed back. I quickly recovered and flipped over him, using the blade like a spike. Again Cloud simply batted me away with an upward slash to the other side of the 'field'.
I growled and lunged but, to the side and turned, sweeping my feet under him. Cloud smirked and jumped over. I brought myself to stand on one hand, the blonde went to chop my hand off but, I pushed forward so that I landed in the same direction the attack had come from. I went high into the air and a few feet away to land on my knee, one hand placed on the ground in front of me. My head shot up and I looked forward to see his shadow, ready to slash at my back.
"That's not honorable Cloud." I teased, reaching my sword back to block him. I lurched forward at the force of his attack. He really wasn't holding back as much this time. My eyes grew wide and I rolled forward, flipping the sword so that I was gripping the guard instead. Taking it I swung it around so that the buster was knocked over Cloud's spiky head though still in his firm grip. I took my opportunity and rolled forward and away from him before he could recover and attack. I popped back up and turned to face him, readjusting so the grip was in my hand properly and not on the hand guard.
"Yeah Go Alexis, use the boots!" Yuffie cheered on the sidelines, jumping up and down while pumping her fists in the air, one after another. I looked over at her and nodded, though not understanding the last part of what she said. Before I could figure it out though Cloud was running toward me, posing to run me threw. My eyes went wide and did the unexpected, I ran towards him. My body was screaming at me to stop and think about this as I closed the distance. I grinned and lowered my sword to an angle so that the forte was with the bottom of Cloud's blade and the point was heading towards the cement. When I was about six inches away I saw Cloud hesitate for a split second but, it was enough for me to know.
I let myself slip down so that my back was parallel with the ground. I let my sword lie above me in a form of defense. I suddenly started to slide forward. My eyes went wide as I picked up speed and went under him. I smirked, quickly pulling out my own buster sword and reached out; stabbing the blade into a crevice where four of the cement blocks met and swung around, seeing that a set of wheels had come out of the bottom. I grinned and kept going for a few more times before releasing it and gliding to Cloud.
"I knew she could do it!" I heard Yuffie shout as Cloud's and my blades connected, sparks shooting off them to die and litter the ground around us. I frowned as Cloud shoved me away with his sword, sending me flying back and rolling backwards back to my buster sword. I growled and grabbed the grip, jolting me to a sudden stop, hurting my arm ever so slightly. I connected eyes with him as the blonde began to charge me. Pulling the buster sword from the ground, I sheathed my long sword quickly as he closed the distance between us once more. My eyes traced his movements, calculating how much time I had before he would be in front of me. It didn't look like I had a lot either.
I ran a few feet ahead as we both drew closer. Taking the buster sword, I planted it into the ground but, not embedding it. I quickly used the momentum and pole-vaulted onto Cloud's shoulder. He looked at me and smirked as I balled my fist. Jumping off him I flipped behind so that we were back to back, crouching down onto the cold ground as I went to knock his legs out from under him. Cloud just shook his head and caught my leg, swinging me up so that we were face to face now.
I reeled my fist back, ready to give him a black eye. He simply enclosed his other hand around it, I smiled. Quickly, I twisted it around the back of his neck and to his extended arm. My hand swiftly landed a blow to the arm holding me up as his other one returned to his side. The quiet blonde dropped my ankle, just as I planned. We both smirked before I grabbed onto Cloud's arm and swung myself back under him. He growled and went to turn around. I grinned and jumped on his back, my legs and arms wrapped around him tightly like a hug. I heard the buster sword drop as Cloud began to flail.
"Get off!" He exclaimed, trying to reach around to push me off. I giggled and shook my head.
"No!" I exclaimed, as the audience laughed at the pair of us. Cloud finally got a hold of me and pulled me around so that I was facing him. I grinned and tried to hug him but, he quickly held me further away by the back of my jacket that was supposed to go to my waist was now around my shoulder blades.
"Are we done now?" I asked, smiling at him as Cloud smiled and nodded. I grinned and began to struggle in his grip that he had on my jacket and shirt. He dropped me onto the ground in a heap. I coughed and glared up at him.
"Thanks for letting a girl down gently Cloud." I said, sarcasm soaking my words to their bone.
"Anytime," He said before reaching a hand down to me. I grinned and took it as he hauled me up to my feet again. I looked down to see that the wheels were gone. I picked up one of my feet and looked at the bottom; there was no sign of ever having the inline wheels.
"Way to go Alexis!" Yuff exclaimed, jumping over and crushing me in a bone cracking embrace. I wiggled around in her arms as I tried to get my own free which were trapped to my sides.
"Thanks." I rasped as I started kicking my feet that were now off the ground becomes Yuff's extreme hug.
"Yuff…can't….breath!" I gasped, trying to worm my way out of her arms. She let go of me and I stood doubled over for a few minutes, trying to regain and refill my crushed lungs.
"Thanks." I said again breathlessly, straightening up and looking at Cid, Aerith, Cloud, Yuffie, Merlin, and Leon. I grinned and began to laugh. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy, exchange some glances with each other and began to laugh. Even Leon and Cloud chuckled.
"You guys are the best!" I exclaimed, jumping around like an idiot. Cid looked at everyone else and smirked at me.
"Well why are we the best?" He questioned me, making me stop and cup my chin in my hand.
"Because you're my family, you guys are told me the truth about Leon and how he was my brother. You let me stay with you; you let me do so many things." I said everyone's eyes softening as I spoke.
"You guys helped me with discovering who I really was." I stated, Cloud gave a sadistic smile and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I smiled when my other shoulder connected with his chest in a brotherly hug.
"Aw!" Yuffie exclaimed, hugging Cid and Aerith in the same bone crushing hug that she had given me a little while ago. Leon and Merlin cast sad looks in my direction as I hugged Cloud back.
"Oh that reminds me!" I shouted jumping into the middle of everyone who eyes all shone with curiosity as I bounced around before finally deciding on what I was going to say.
"Why did everyone's gifts have a wolf on it or the letters A.S?" I asked as everyone quickly exchanged looks with one another. Cid scoffed one of his shoes against the ground, Aerith fiddled with her thumbs, Yuffie clasped her hands behind her back with her head bowed, and the others stayed the same.
"What?" I asked, noticing the sudden mood change from the life of partying to doom's day gloom. Merlin walked towards me as Cloud released my shoulders and stepped back. Merlin placed his hands on my shoulders where Cloud's arm had been seconds before.
"Alexis. We haven't been entirely honest." Merlin stated, his large eyes gleaming with a sad aura. Everyone else seemed to have the same feelings. I began to worry, what just happened? I turned to look at Leon who had his eyes on the ground, though he still had his regular arm crossed pose.
"What…do you mean?" I asked hesitantly, standing stock still. No one spoke for a moment. All I asked was about the wolves and letters. I didn't really see what they couldn't be 'entirely honest' with.
"I'm not your brother." Leon stated, walking away to the Postern. I looked after him. I looked around at everybody. I guess my eyes gave away how I felt: scared.