So this chapter is really short... like 1,600 words... But I believe this fact should be overlooked for the fact that I just got two updates done within like 3 days! That has to be a record on my part (But you could probably thank all the snow days as well)! And besides, the chapter needed to end where it did, just to keep things clean.

TheFallenOnes: That actually cracks me up to think about, because when I ever I read the word Squall, I think of a squirrel... and now a fat little squirrel...

SporkFilledDeath345: Yes, Rox's story is coming to an end, but the whole story it most surely not! Lol, I actually have a little more in store... and as much as I wish I could've kept any corniness out of the last chapter, I don't think I'm a good enough writer to be capable of such things lol and on a final note, I find it very random, yet fun, that my story is being associated with RENT, because I love that musical.

an-angel-in-hell: I know the feeling... I've gone many sleepless nights, just because I wanted to keep reading someone's story...

EvilLeo01: Anything that involves Axel makes it good. :-D

SarahXxUnlovedxX: I'm glad you love it!

slightlee-.-sarkastik: I think a drunk Leon is funny too, because he's normally so composed all the time... and serious.

Oh, and before I forget to tell you, I've been wanting to start a side story to this one. It'd probably be pretty short though... hmm.... anyway, it'd be like Cloud's version. I've always wanted to write a Cleon fic, but I don't really want to go through the whole new plot and all that stuff... so it'd work out perfectly if it was off this story, I think... Idk, what do you guys think? Should I?

Well, read it, review it, love it, or hate it (w/e you prefer), and embrace this quick update! (Hopefully there's more to come)

Chapter 20
Crossroads

The left isn't better
It's just more of the same
Condemning all these people
For what they believe

I climb to the top of that mountain again
Noone is going to save me this way
And the closer to the top I get
The more they take aim
But I'm not you

I may not be perfect
But I've always been true
I may not be worthy in your eyes
Climb up from the bottom
For the last time
The last one the last one
The last time

If I was perfect
Then this would be easy
Either road's plausible
On both I could drown
I walk through the center
With no rules to guide me
I realize it's difficult
But now I can see

Roxas

There was a loud noise ringing somewhere in the kitchen. I groaned tiredly and tried to rolled over. I couldn't move though, because for some reason, I was sleeping on the couch, and there was something heavy sitting on my legs.

"The fuck?" I muttered, sitting up.

Yuffie was using my knees for a pillow and next to her was Aerith. I glanced to my left and saw Cloud shifting sleepily from his spot on top of Leon. Everyone peeked open a grouchy eye and looked to the tall brunette.

"It's the phone." Aerith clarified, yawning. Leon gave a sad sigh, glancing at the clock that read 2:08. Cloud was the only one still sleeping. Him and his ability to drown out anything.

"God damn." The eldest cursed, pulling himself off the couch. The phone continued to pierce the night with it's obnoxious ring, and I covered my ears until Leon stumbled over to it, nearly dropping it in his haste to pick it up.

"Mm-yeah?" He sighed.

Aerith glanced curiously at him over the back of the couch, suddenly more awake. Yuffie sat up as well.

"Huh?" Leon perked up, holding the phone closer.

I exchanged a look with the girls, shrugging.

"Right now?" He asked in to the reciever.

...

"Where at?"

...

"I'm on my way." He hung the phone up quickly, jumping to his feet.

"Who was that? What's happening?" Aerith asked worriedly.

"I'll be back." The brunette grabbed his coat and pulled on his boots, slipping out the door before we could ask anymore.

"Wonder what's going on." Yuffie rubbed her eyes, turning on the t.v. I was too curious to go back to sleep so I left to grab a blanket, wrapped it around myself, and sat back on the couch with the others, watching Spongebob.

Cloud had yet to wake up and the girls began their cooing.

"He's so cute when he's asleep."

"Look at his face, he looks so little!"

"Remember back when he used to follow Leon around, looking like a little lost puppy?"

"Cloud is a little lost puppy, just look at him!"

"Aw."

"Aw."

I rolled my eyes, something akin to 'girls' rolling off my tongue. Yuffie reached out to rub my hair, poking my nose on the way, "Don't worry. You're just as cute." She giggled and Aerith joined in as well.

More cooing.

"Look at him, he's like a mini version of Cloud."

"They probably looked like twins when they were little."

"No, triplets! Because Sora was there too!"

"Aw... triplets... so cute!"

"Aw!"

"Shut up." I groaned. It was too early, or late?, for that. I wanted nothing more than to go back to bed.

"I love Spongebob." Yuffie suddenly said. I was pretty sure the older kids were still a little tipsy from earlier, not exactly being able to sleep it off yet.

The door opened and Leon stepped through, dragging a certain silver headed boy behind him.

"Riku?" I jerked up, surprised.

He didn't acknowledge that I had just spoken, just looked around the room quickly and settled his eyes on the floor.

"Riku, you okay?"

He still didn't look up. The girls glanced to Leon, curious.

"I don't know what's up. He wouldn't respond to anything I said, either. I think he might be... on something, you know?" He shook Riku for good measure, and the boy didn't lose focus on his feet.

"Where was he?" Aerith stood, rushing to silver headed kid, and pulling up his face.

"Up in Traverse Town with a bunch of kids I've never seen before."

I studied my friend for a second, "Was he who called?"

"Yeah." The brunette nodded tiredly, "He told me he needed a place to crash but he didn't know where he was. That's when I figured he was either drunk or high or.. on something, because he then proceeded to tell me where he was."

"Well, I'll take him upstairs and get him to bed. He just needs to sleep it off," Aerith offered, grabbing the boy's hand and leading him up the steps, "Roxas, do you mind if he stays in your room?"

"Uh, no, of course not." Concern laced my voice.

They disappeared upstairs and Leon sighed, "I am so tired."

"Go to bed then." Yuffie didn't look away from the television screen, "And take Cloud up there with you, that way there's more room on the couch." Leon rolled his eyes and bent down to wake Cloud up,

"Cloudy..." He whispered, nudging him. The blond brushed him away and rolled in to the couch, "Come on bud, let's go upstairs." Leon pulled the blond to him, cradling him in his arms. Cloud really wasn't all that much smaller than the brunette, so it was kind of funny to watch.

"I'm going to sleep." Cloud muttered, nestling his face in Leon's neck. His older companion chuckled, making his way up the steps, slowly, "You're already asleep."

"Hm."

The door to their room shut and Yuffie stretched, "At least now there's more room for us and Aerith."

I smiled and agreed, laying back down.

Olette

...

"That's it?" I asked, sitting back, "There's nothing more?"

He laughed at the expression on my face, "Come on, Olette, I'm not dying. Of course that's it... I've landed where we are now. Nothing major happened between then and becoming friends with you. My story has more yet to come, but this time... you're here to experience it, not hear about it."

I thought about this before asking him, "But what about this summer? Selphie said you went on a trip with Aerith."

"I did." He admitted, shrugging, "But it was just to check out the damage in Hollow Bastion. Nothing exciting happened there, trust me."

I frowned and lay my head back against my wall, "Is that really where it ends? This sucks."

He smiled and clapped me on the shoulder, "But like I said, now my crazy life is thrusted on to you, and you get to experience it all with me, you lucky girl."

I laughed and twirled my hair around a finger, "Sounds promising."

"I'm sure it will be." He muttered, closing his eyes.

"So... I know that Yuffie and all them are planning to move soon... you're probably going with them, right?" I asked.

He stared up at the ceiling, tugging at his hair in an attempt to flatten it, "I don't know where else I'd go."

"Good point." I nodded.

"What about school? Are you ever going to go back and finish your Senior year?"

He scowled and gave out a frustrated huff, "It's not just my senior year I need to make up... I missed most of my Junior year too. I really don't want to go back to do them over. I was originally supposed to return after three months and start my second semester of the 11th grade, and then take senior classes next year, but I'm not sure if I want to. I mean, I'll be turning eighteen in a week and a half."

"Wow.. you're old." I joked, "I'm still fifteen."

He laughed as well, shrugging nonchalantly, "Oh well."

We stared in different directions, me on my bed, and Roxas on the floor.

"You know, that day we met..." He began, looking up at me, "When we were eating breakfast up in the station, remember?"

He trailed off there, thinking.

"Uh, yeah I remember." I shifted, trying to gain his attention again.

He pulled out of his thoughts and wrapped a blanket around his torso, "The moment I saw your face, I thought back to the wish I made on my seventeenth birthday. Y'know, about getting Namine back? It was like the instant we met, I felt it was the world's way of granting me my wish. You looked so much like her."

"Really?" I blinked, catching a glimpse of myself in my mirror. I still didn't see the resemblance.

He continued, "That's why I wanted you down in the Sandlot with us. Cloud even thought you looked like her. I wanted to talk to you or spend time with you or something, to see if I was right. And I think I was, because everything you did was like her."

...

"I think my wish came true." He finally said, glancing up at me. I bit my lip, sitting up straight, "But you still keep in mind that I'm Olette, right? I mean..."

He grinned, "Of course, 'Lette. When I look at you, I see you. It's as simple as that. You're my friend."

"Good."

We both lay back and sighed. It was getting late.

"Let's sleep." I offered. I saw him nod his head in the dark, rolling on to his side.

"Night." He whispered.

-Jaspen