A/N: Well, it has been a while since I uploaded. This chapter was hard to write out since I wanted to get the speed right without cutting out detail. Hopefully, I've accomplished that. Hopefully.

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Fear. Any person could tell you that it made anyone do brave things, or quite stupid things, to overcome or run away from the emotion. It took someone incredibly brave to overcome a fear, but sometimes that amount of bravery was necessary. Especially if people you care or have come to care for are in danger.

In Cloud's case, yes people he cared for and had come to care for were in danger in his mind. But Leon was there too. Cloud just could not let anyone even scratch the king. After all, Cloud was saving his blade for Leon's neck. Wouldn't be as satisfying if Leon was a corpse, and if he still didn't have his beloved homeland in his grasp. He kept telling himself that as he forcibly dragged Reks through the streets of Rabanastre towards the palace, trying to ignore all the good qualities he was beginning to see in the scarred brunet.

"Cloud slow down!" Reks yelled, almost losing one of his shoulder guards when they sped past a large Seeq carrying iron water jars hanging off a pole on his shoulders.

"We have to hurry! Everyone could be in danger!"

Cloud had barely acknowledged the Archadian guards that were harassing a stall owner, brushed past Viera hunters that had slung their feathery catches over their shoulders, and bumped into a blinded Bangaa, though Reks had slowed them down to apologise before the blond dragged him off again.

Leon can not die, he had told himself. He wouldn't allow it. There was no way in the numerous pits of hell he was going to let Leon die.

Cloud had been gone for the whole afternoon so far, it had been reported to the king. And he might not be back from his trip out until that evening after the –somewhat enforced– dinner with Dalmasca's queen, her consort and Lord Vayne.

And that was where Leon was now, at a round table that sat low on the floor, sitting on a cushion while watching Vayne warily. The onyx-haired man was lounging comfortably, looking and acting like the perfect courtier in polite society. Leon glanced at Dalmasca's royal couple with one eye in the silence that still reigned supreme.

Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca was a pale woman of nineteen years, with pale grey eyes that had subtle hues of green and amber within the irises. Her light blonde hair was cut short, as was the fashion for Dalmascan ladies, and her creamy-white face was very strongly built, like a warrior queen. Fitting for her as it was well known that she was a good sword-arm and could fight with the best of her knights, especially with her husband. Rasler Heios of House Nebradia was practically the perfect Dalmascan noble: pale to the extent that his hair was almost sheer white, eyes the colour of smoky diamonds and skin as pale as the new moon, covering muscles built from hard work training as a warrior. He was only one or two years older than Leon, but he never acted like his age and was always cautious over what his next move will be. Both royals were keeping their eyes on the older figure that was among their company, tense as they clearly were more used to facing him on the battlefield than in times of peace.

It was Leon who had broken the silence. "We should move the treaty signing forward."

"Oh?" Vayne looked over to Leon, dark eyes searching for answers within the younger monarch's. "And why is that?"

"I'm sure you would want to make a swift return home to Archadia before winter settles in. Archades is a long way from your borders after all."

"And I suppose you would want to get back to your home in Borealis, correct?" Ashe asked her friend, having some knowledge of Radiant Garden's climate in the winter seasons.

"The moors will get more boggy than usual if it doesn't snow. It'll be nearly impossible to cross."

"Afraid of getting your feet wet, Lord Leonhart?" Vayne dryly suggested, looking at him in an almost challenging way.

"Oh no. I don't fear my kingdom. I fear for your well being."

"My well being?"

"Didn't you know that the seas become more enraged when it is winter time? Surely you intend to travel by boat rather than trek through the mountains and forests of Archadia." The comment had been spoken with a little bit of mocking venom Leon would have to admit, but seeing that undying smug look falter slightly had given him a sense of satisfaction.

"Yes. Yes I suppose you are right." The onyx-haired man managed to regain his composure, taking a slow gulp of the wine that was in his ornamented goblet. Vayne knew that he had been made a fool of by a king that had never travelled by sea himself, but at the same time the young 'whelp' was of a higher status than him. It made Leon wonder what stung more to the more mature man. An Archadian soldier came in at that moment before some other remark meant for mocking was said, silencing the party. Vayne stood up. "If you would excuse me, majesties, I have something I must attend to."

Once he had turned to leave, an expression of relief fell upon the young queen's face. Her consort kept an even air about him, though his eyes watched Vayne with the same wariness that Leon felt. Vayne seemed to prolong his retreat, taking slow steps that made a soft chink against the stone floor.

Ashe heaved a sigh once he was gone. "That man is too much."

Leon took a huge swig of his drink, needing something to calm his already frayed nerves. Rasler slid an arm around Ashe's shoulder, soothingly rubbing it to assure her that she was doing fine. "He seems unwilling to sign this treaty," he commented, having seen through the masquerade. "I don't think he even plans to."

"But he has to. Vayne may be a calculating man in battle, but I'm sure he wouldn't want to be at war with us for much longer."

Leon slammed his goblet down. "That Vayne is a warring man. He only acts the part of the peacemaker." He glared at where the onyx-haired one had been, as if he were cursing the place so that Vayne would drop dead the next time he sat there. "We've seen how he sends his armies out to fight us. We know that he killed his older brothers without a hint of remorse. Why would he stop killing now?"

"Leon, you're no saint either," Ashe replied, knowing her friend was more suited to times of war, though he was an admirable leader during times of peace. "You have your fair share of blood on your hands."

To this, the scarred brunet could say nothing, though he looked like an angry lion that's pride had been slighted.

"And neither are we, Ashe," Rasler continued. "There are very few who don't play their part in our fight with the Archadians, or with any other state that threatens to conquer us."

"So do we believe him?" Leon asked. "Or should we continue to be wary of him?" He leaned back lightly, looking up at the decorated tiled ceiling that looked like the starry night sky. "Personally, I trust him as far as I can spit a rat."

"We shall see. We'll try to move the signing forward." Ashe then shivered lightly. "The sooner I get rid of those brutes from my home, the better."

Cloud battled with the Dalmascan guards' spears that blocked his way, pushing and shoving with all the strength he could muster. "You need to let me speak with the king!"

"He's already ordered us to escort you back to his quarters," one guard droned for what seemed like the hundredth time. Reks had already been pulled away for guard duty, leaving the concubine to face the obstacles alone.

"But it's important! I swear if you don't let me through-"

"We're only following orders," the other droned, still pushing the blond back. Cloud was not going to give up though. And knowing that words would not get what he wanted, he resorted to dirty tactics.

With a resounding kick to a guard's groin, followed by a punch to the other's ribs, Cloud pushed through, heading straight for the private dining room. Wherever it was, that is.

Leon had excused himself from the table, stating that he needed a moment of fresh air to calm his nerves. Vayne had still not returned to the table, which had only made the scarred brunet more agitated the more he tried to figure out if Vayne really was trustworthy or not.

As he walked through the ornate corridors of the palace, his thoughts only grew to become more troubled as he reflected upon the matter more. What's more, with no word of Cloud's arrival back in the palace, his worries only worsened.

If Cloud ever caught wind of how much of an effect he was having on him, Leon was sure he'd never hear the end of it.

"What do I do?" he whispered to himself as he walked into one of the palace's many atriums, looking up at the sky in the enclosed opening of the roof. There was a crescent moon out tonight. If Edea were here, she would've been prophesising the next course of action that Leon should take just by looking at the phase the moon was in. "What do you think I should do?" he asked again, talking to the spirits that waltzed in his mind.

They were silent.

And then something else broke the silence. "Leon!" The brunet looked down the hallway, seeing the had-been-absent concubine standing there, his cheeks flushed and panting heavily. He blinked, coming over to where the blond stood.

"What's the rush?"

"Are you alright?" the blond demanded, looking at him with a hard look. Leon had noticed a gash in the blond's side, the fabric cleanly cut.

"I should be asking you that." He pointed to the cut. "Where did you get that?"

"Got on the wrong side of a spear…but that's not the point!" Cloud shook his head, looking at Leon with a determined expression, something Leon hadn't seen in a while. "I think one of the Jenova's is here."

Leon just stared at Cloud, as if trying to comprehend what had just been said. He shook his head to clear it. Jenovas. Why hadn't he thought of that? "Are you absolutely sure on that?"

"I can't be certain, but I thought I saw one of them. Or at least, I caught a glimpse of them."

Cloud seemed to be quite sheepish as he trailed off, slowly realising he might've been quick to his conclusions. Leon sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "Don't worry me like that."

"But what if it's true? What if one of them is here?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

"Don't tell me you haven't even thought of the possibility!"

Leon kept silent, just taking Cloud by the wrist and leading him away from the atrium. A disgruntled sound escaped from the blond, glaring at the back of the brunet's head. "You haven't, have you?"

"Let's just get you somewhere where you're not going to be tempted to upset more Archadians."

"I resent that remark!"

"Just be quiet," Leon snapped, glaring at the blond sharply. Cloud looked shocked, looking away from him in frustration.

"Idiot…" he growled.

Ashe had slowly made her way over to the window in the small private dining quarters overlooking the royal gardens, looking to the crescent moon in hope for inspiration. Dare she trust an enemy she had come to hate so much and risk her people receive the inkling of resentment, or should she continue to war against him at the price of many more lives? Either way, she was not sure if the choice would be popular. She felt a soothing hand settle on the small of her back, rubbing it very, very gently.

"What do you want to do?" Rasler asked. His voice had always been a great comfort to the young queen, even in the darkest hours of the early days of her reign.

"We can't keep fighting a war that never seems to end," she whispered quietly, knowing that if she said what she truly thought, Leon would probably disagree or ignore it. That man was stubborn; there was no denying. "The more we fight, the more we forget the real reason for the conflict." She sighed. "I don't even remember why Dalamsca and Archadia are at war anymore. It all started when I was just a little girl."

Rasler smiled a little, leaning over to kiss her forehead affectionately. Ashe blushed a little; even now after two years of marriage she found herself acting awkwardly around him like an adolescent child around her first crush. "War is a battle of egos in the end. Everyone knows that deep down. The trick is how to resolve it without getting swept up into the storm."

"Is that meant to comfort me or to warn me?" Ashe mumbled, her hand creeping to Rasler's on the windowsill.

"To advise you," Rasler chuckled, taking her hand and squeezing it gently. "You have a good head on your shoulders Ashe. Maybe what this situation needed was a woman's touch." He then laughed slightly. "Besides, you know how embarrassing we men can get when self-prides are involved."

"Don't I?" she laughed quietly, having grown up in a court dominated by men. "Don't I know that…" She paused for a moment. "Rasler, I-"

Leon came in at that point, coughing for their attention. "Vayne hasn't come back yet?"

"He still hasn't arrived," Ashe replied, turning to greet him with a smile. "I hope you didn't force him into a corner to lick his wounds."

"I did no such thing," Leon smirked, though the thought of Vayne cowering in a corner had definitely lifted his mood a little. He sat back down at the table, relaxing against the cushions. The royal Dalmascan couple sat down with him, looking over to the Radiant Garden monarch. His once amused face had changed into seriousness. "So what do we do?"

"We can't continue this war. We'll have to place our trust that he won't try to break the treaty," Ashe responded, sounding very unsure of herself. "Otherwise, this war will keep on becoming worse and worse and more lives will be lost. I can't risk the lives of my people any more."

She knew that the answer had not been the one that Leon had wanted to hear, but the one that they all had to accept. Dalmasca's army was still recovering from the last battle they had with the Archadians, while only a small portion of Radiant Garden's troops were with their king. Not to mention that a war with Archadia could have some serious consequences on them since they conquered a new border with the Archadian Empire. He sighed, nodding his head. "Then I guess we have no choice then."

"Goddammit let me out!" Cloud screeched as he kicked and banged at the door in vain, enraged beyond belief that Leon had the audacity to lock him up when, as far as the blond could tell, he could possibly in danger. The tall iron-wrought doors refused to budge, holding their wretched captive in that large room, away from curious eyes. Cloud panted heavily as he paused for a moment, leaning against the door and sliding down to the floor, giving it one last punch for good measure. "Damn it…"

Leon didn't trust him. Cloud had gathered that fact. But he was telling the truth! He was genuinely concerned! Not just for Leon, but for everyone else too! Cloud pulled his legs to his chest, glaring at the floor as if it were its fault. If only his word had more weight to it, he had glowered. If only the last time Jenovas were mentioned he had not sided with them. That incident with Yazoo must have been influencing the brunet's judgement.

In hindsight, Cloud knew that he should never trust a Jenova as far as he could throw a stone –with exception to Riku since the younger Jenova brother had severed his ties to them completely. But at that time, when Cloud had wanted his freedom and his home more than anything, Yazoo's offer had sounding like the best possible course of action. But now…

"Now I know the Jenovas would kill me at the first possible chance…" He sighed quietly, pressing his head against his knees. "But they want to kill Leon first and foremost. Even an idiot would know that."

So what could he do? He was trapped in this room with no means of getting out. He couldn't force his way out of the door; couldn't get out through the balcony since it was too high up and there wasn't an opening below the room that was accessible. He pondered hard, trying to solve this conundrum.

And that's when he heard a scream come from the gardens.

Roxas' eyes were wide as twin moons, a look of shock glazed over them.

He had just seen someone killed. Murdered. An arrow was sticking out from where the unfortunate victim's heart should be, a look of pure surprise and terror crossing her soft features.

Her name was Alaleh. She was a maid in the queen's service. She had just come to fetch Roxas as a favour for Sir Axel who was currently dining with some of the knights in Dalmasca's service. She couldn't have been more than seventeen.

What shocked him the most was that only a few seconds ago, he had been in that exact same spot as she had been; leaning against the wall and watching the stars and the moon make their torturously slow procession across the sky.

He had no idea how long it had been while he was just staring at that dead brunette, her glassy eyes staring back at him soullessly, but it had been a pair of guards patrolling that had found them, raising the alarm immediately. At that, time seemed to rush by, with people running about to and fro trying to cover up the body and the bloody mess it left before others saw it, all the while ignoring Roxas as they tried to figure out why the poor and innocent serving girl had been murdered in such a callous way. It was only when he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder that he looked up, seeing the emerald-green eyes of Axel staring at him with severe worry.

"Are you alright?"

The small blond just nodded, but his body had now broken into shivers, a trembling hand reaching out to clutch Axel's tunic. The flame-haired man seemed to understand, helping his squire up to his feet slowly, supporting him as best as he could.

"Sir Axel, your orders?" one Radiant Garden soldier asked, standing rigid in position.

"Make sure that everyone knows in this palace knows what's going on, and for pities' sake make sure this doesn't get out into Rabanastre. If the common folk catch a whiff of it, they're going to be stringing up Archadians before we even know it." Axel knew far too well that this would be the excuse the common peasant would be looking for to get vengeance on their unwanted guests, and he knew that murders were not what he needed.

What's more, he knew that the girl hadn't been the target. She had just been unfortunate enough to be in the way. The real target had been Roxas, but whether it was because he was a thorn in someone's plot because of his regal roots or because he was affiliated with Radiant Garden was yet to be seen. Either way, it was clear to Axel that if Roxas wasn't safe, neither was the king or his concubine. He felt Roxas quake against him, holding onto his tunic in a death grip. "Make sure the king and his concubine are guarded carefully."

"Sir."

Basch on the other side of the room was barking out orders to double the guard surrounding the queen and her consort, his battle-hardened face wracked with rage that there was a killer in the castle. Axel had only walked off, almost carrying the traumatised squire away to the guest chambers he had been given. He was in no mood to leave Roxas alone after what had just happened.

Cloud had moved himself to the bed after overhearing the commotion as best as he could from the balcony, unable to make out though what had happened. As best as he could interpret it, someone had been hurt. Badly. He pounded the bed lightly, hating the feeling of being useless. "Stupid Leon…stupid lock…stupid, stupid, stupid."

He heard the clink of the lock being undone and the creak of the door opening, turning to it to see a blanched scarred brunet walking into the room almost ghostlike, in disbelief of what had happened. When his startled storm-coloured eyes rested on Cloud, he stormed over, cupping his face and looking straight into his face, as if searching for answers. Cloud only blinked in response…and then dared to ask, "What happened?"

"A servant's been murdered," Leon muttered, still staring at Cloud in that searching way.

"And you think I had something to do with it."

"It is entirely possible."

"But I warned you about something like this happening, so it couldn't have been me. Plus-" He lifted his arms up wide. "-there's nothing here that I could've used in this room and at this height. I wouldn't be able to see what was going on."

"And I doubt you'd target your own brother."

"Yes I-" Cloud stopped mid-sentence looking at him in shock. "WHAT?!"

"Axel thinks that it had been Roxas that had been targeted. However, it could also be possible that this is just our assassin having target practice."

"Is Roxas alright?" Cloud demanded, uncaring about whether or not the killer was practicing or not.

"Safe for now. You, on the other hand…" Leon leaned forward, his storm-coloured gaze locked with Cloud's vivid sapphire eyes. "I'm not letting you out of my sight until we get back to Radiant Garden."

"That's going to be hard for you," Cloud pointed out in a droning voice. "And I think you know that." Leon stared at him evenly. It began to dawn on Cloud. "You wouldn't dare."

"I'm keeping you in this palace at all times until the assassin is seized or until we get home."

"You can't keep me locked up in here!"

"Try me."

Roxas hadn't moved a centimetre from his spot on Axel's lap, clutching tightly to him, head buried in his shoulder. Axel felt a bit awkward, having long since let go of Roxas, leaning back a bit on the bed.

"You can let go you know. No one's going to try and kill you." Roxas had only tightened his hold. Axel sighed, patting his back lightly. "It's alright Roxas. I'm here." Roxas was still silent, not having spoken since the murder had happened. "You've seen people kill before. You weren't this scared then."

"…at least I saw who it was who killed them…"

Axel looked a bit shocked, glancing down at the boy. "You're afraid…?"

"I don't know who did it. I don't know who wants me…or anyone else dead. What if…what if…"

"What if…?"

"What if something happens to Cloud or…to you…?"

If there was one thing he was thankful for, it was the fact that Roxas wasn't looking at him, more content to hide his face away in his shoulder. If he hadn't, Axel would've had a hard time trying to hide a blush that was creeping on his face. And for the flame-haired warrior, this was completely unusual for him to even show an inkling of embarrassment or shyness at all. So instead, to cover it up, he smirked broadly.

"Hey, I don't die easily. Remember? I'm the walking medical miracle that somehow avoids amputations and infections after battles. Vexen's still trying to figure out how the hell I manage it."

"You're not immortal, Axel. You should know that by now."

"I know. What I'm trying to say is that you don't have to worry about me. Just worry about yourself."

"Easier said than done…"

Axel pursed his lips, wondering if he was going to try and pry Roxas off of him, or if he was going to leave him as he was. He decided that the latter would probably be best for now. "We're safe here. And the guards are going to be extra vigilant about their duties. I promise you Roxas, no one is going to get killed."

"You shouldn't make those promises."

"What else is going to comfort you then?" A small shrug answered Axel's question, making the man shake his head lightly. "What am I going to do with you?" Another shrug. Roxas still hadn't shown his face. "Well…I guess we're in for a long night then. Hope you're comfortable."

Roxas barely stirred from his position. Axel hadn't the heart to move him. He placed a small press of lips on Roxas' temple, just like he had done months ago when Roxas first started to settle into life in Aurelias. He felt Roxas only tighten his hold a bit, before releasing it, signalling that he had finally calmed down to sleep.

Axel hadn't seen the bright red tinge that had graced Roxas' face.

After hearing the final locks and bolts being clicked into place, Ashe sprawled across the large bed she shared with her husband, mentally exhausted from the day's events. With murdered maids, injured soldiers, and possible assassination attempts on top of tense treaty talks, it was all in a day's work for Dalmasca's youthful queen.

"Do you think all these measures will really keep me safe?" she asked Rasler, who was currently double-checking the doors and windows. "I feel more like a caged bird than a protected queen."

Rasler smiled, coming over to the bed and laying next to her, wrapping an arm carefully around her waist as if she were made out of fragile glass. His armour lay discarded in its compartments, laying in wait to be worn again the following day. Softly, he left a ghostly kiss on her neck, tangling their fingers together with his free hand. "Would caged birds be allowed to sleep and be with their husbands?"

Ashe merely smiled, soft breaths escaping from her soft lips under her husband's kisses.

A marriage of convenience it was supposed to be. And yet, Ashe had been happy, maybe even too happy, to marry Rasler. If one were to be honest, Ashe would've admitted that she loved Rasler. She was one of those few lucky ones who had been in love with her intended. And fewer were those who had a husband that loved them back.

"You were going to tell me something before Leon interrupted," Rasler whispered, lavishing her jaw line with his attention now. Ashe had to hold back a content sigh in order to answer him.

"I'll tell you after the treaty has been signed."

"Tell me now."

"Be patient. I want the news to be joyous, not greeted with fear."

"That only further scares me, my dear."