A/N: OK, now that I've started school, things will get a lot more difficult in the updating route. So...give it a few days more or something. Anyway, this is the final chapter before we get to the halfway mark of the winter vacation story arch, which means its Christmas time next update (hooray!) OK, review replies. I'm gonna keep these short and sweet because I really need to get to sleep:
Malik's Bunny Mika: I think the perverts will be striking back soon and I'll go looking for 'Guardian Angel' when I get the chance. I may use it if I like it enough (smile)
LonelyRollingStar: You know, it's nice getting a review that tells you how much one's improving on one's writing skills once in a while. But getting it called perfection...thanks! You're a sweetheart!
Hypothetical.Wonder: Well, if Axel wouldn't be so stubborn about his feelings, things would be speeding up a lot faster. But oh well, what can a writer do about it?
Nathali: True true. I hate it when an author forgets important details in their own story. For example, rape is a hard thing to recover from (Sora's willingness to do it just proves he's strong enough to put it behind him and just go with the flow) but you get some writers who make the rapee (eh...made it up) go at it like fifty seconds afterwards with his/her love interest. Doesn't happen in the real world. So yeah, I agree with you (so much for keeping replies short and sweet (cries))
ONiONLADi777: (looks at you strangely) My dear, maybe you've been born with a smut-sense. So totally true. I love how Sora's developed in the story. He's gona from angry child to strong willing adult (starry eyes with floods of tears). Though, I'm afraid you might not have to worry about Demy and Zexy for long either...but oh well. Hope you do write the tickle-zemyx (thumbs up and accepts cookies, which in turn are devoured savouringly. Yummy! Icing!)
Lavender341: I think that is the question everyone is asking: just what did happen to the dinner? Well, I may answer that...but not here (teehee) I have to say, looking at Soriku pics that include strawberries and whipped cream on DA does wonders for your writing I found out. But yeah, now we just need Axel to get his act completely together and our main couple should be fine.
Wondering Wolf: True that. Demy wouldn't be Demy if people knew what to expect. And let's just say that Riku's self-control had been tested to the limits for about (checks timeline) a whole semester (and that's a lot of time considering that his love interest was angry at him for the first month, was put into a princess dress, possessed by an evil spirit, raped and so on and so forth) the poor guy must've been feeling completely frazzled. And yeah, I know what you mean about Axel and Roxas' relationship. It's sort of...complicated on one side and not so complicated on the other.
Chocola Emo Shizzle: Aw, don't worry. As long as you're enjoying the updates. Actually, on that note: sleep, eat and don't do drugs (nods while pointing finger in the air in an attempt to look wise) Well, the drugs thing was a bit unnecessary...
Indiesin: Well, they won't be the only non-angst couple for long. I can tell you now that the Cloud and Leon are going to have a really cute story arch after the next update. Which will be the Crimbo party since you asked about it.
hanakitsunechan7: (pats head) don't worry about it so much. I can't say this turned out to be a bloodbath (mainly because I really cannot for the life of me do battle scenes all that well) but yeah, the wonders of cream and who knows...maybe Vexen will have a larger part in this...but probably not.
Launch shinra: (accepts cookies) Well, that makes two of us. Darn school (shakes fist) But yeah, hanging around Yuffie may not all be an entirely bad thing if it leads to smutty chapters like that.
Niinella: Now that's something I'd like to see (the smile). As for Axel and Roxas, they probably went out to a bar and sat it out until they felt it was safe to come home again.
Zakell: I'm glad you did. I hope you'll enjoy this one too.
Thr0u6hTh31c3: Well, I have really no idea what spawned the supernatural arch but I guess it helped develop Cloud and Leon's relationship a bit. But yeah, it makes good practice. A good author should expand into other genres so to explore what s/he can and can't do I think, so I stick to that as a general rule (I will never give up my dramatic love stories though. I love them too much)
shadowtailmon: oh dear. Riku, run as fast as you can. (sees Riku dash off to hide) Just to be safe though. (smile)
Colonel Roxas-chan: Indeed, comrade-in-arms. (still unhappy about iPod)
Kai Sakamoto: They probably did since they were so busy. Axel ain't going to be happy.
Following Padfoot's Pawprints: Meh, don't worry. If you leave for long periods of time, you get a complementary glomp from me (anyone will tell you that) As for Sora...well, my timeline hasn't exactly been clear but then again Sora's shown immense courage so it could be either of those factors.
Demyx-KillingMeSoftly: Yes there is.
iloveshiek21: that he did, that there was and that I am (egotistical or what?)
soraXxXriku: wow, I got a six...out of six? Full marks! Whoo hoo! And I did warn you to play the most annoyingly cheerful song you could find.
phaz: (offers tissue, realises you can't take it, and proceeds to clean up and revive you) Well, Sora's probably gonna come back a lot more confident and happier than ever and Roxas...well, we'll see. Anything can happen in the Christmas and New Year period(wink wink)
-literary license-: I'll think about the marriage proposal and I don't think anyone would mind so much if Sora became a sex fiend (more lemons for us lol). And thanks for the compliments in the other review.
Erinicole12: I think I need to raise the rating up or something (but then again, in the next story I may or may not put up here it's going to be really hot and heavy so this is elementary stuff at the moment) but oh well, it stays as a T for now unless I get complaints.
SUFFERINGLOSTSOUL: Yep, Axel is taking a long time but he seems to be cracking already. So it's only a matter of time until finally -poof!
cherryblossom-demon: Definitely. If it had been Yuffie, that would've been bad for Sora and Riku!
Faye Silo: Well, they did and they enjoyed it (Axel managed to kick a few perverts asses so he's happy) Hope you enjoy this.
Kiki Lelsissia: Well, I thought I gave both couples the same amount of attention but then again, who am I to say? It could go either way. But yeah, I know how you feel.
almost.arwen: lol
Right, thanks and cookies to everyone whose read and reviewed. Please read, review and enjoy and goodnight. Need to go to sleep now.
The Warrior's Promise
Another heavy –thunk!- of the bamboo stick hitting the rock floor, releasing more water into it's own little pool, echoed in the silent night air. The two men were in no hurry to leave their heated sanctuary of water and rocks, looking up at the starry sky that was surrounded by a canopy of evergreen trees, dressed in white snow. Last night, it had snowed heavily much to the delight of the dojo children. Leon shovelled a pile of snow into his hands, compacting it into a tight ball and watching it shrink in the steam. Cloud across from him had his eyes closed, looking like he had fallen asleep.
"Hey," Cloud said, eyes still closed. He had recovered fully from the poison and was good to travel after the ceremony was finished tomorrow. And Leon was grateful that Fate was in favour of their relationship. He didn't know what he would do if Cloud was taken away from him.
"Yeah."
"Do you think…Zack will do it?"
Leon strode over to the blond, sitting next to him and holding his hand under the water.
"Are you worried about him?"
Cloud nodded, opening his eyes. "Zack's good. But he's never fought with Sephiroth before. I have."
Leon noted that there seemed to be…fear in his eyes. Not the usual anger or hatred that Cloud showed whenever Sephiroth Kurotenshi became the subject of the conversation.
"He's terrifying," Cloud continued. "He could take out a rookie in three seconds flat and show no remorse. He could take on a whole colony of berserker chocobos and live to tell the tale. And that sword of his has a long reach so Zack can't use his usual tactics. Even I found it hard fighting against Sephiroth. I was so glad he was on my side before…before…"
Leon wrapped an arm around Cloud's shoulders, his other hand squeezing Cloud's hand under the water.
"I know, I know," he whispered comfortingly.
"What if he gets killed…what then…?"
"You need to not worry about it."
"Excuse me?! But you don't have a crazy cousin who's probably going to get himself killed!!"
"True," Leon stated, lifting Cloud up to make him sit on his lap facing him. He cupped Cloud's face, his grey eyes showing mirth. Cloud looked at him with frustrated blue eyes. "But I have a crazy sister, a crazy father and a mother who is probably going to lose her sanity because of them. Does that count?"
"Whether that counts is not the issue," Cloud scowled, not believing that Leon wasn't taking this so seriously. "The issue is whether I'm going to have a cousin or not tomorrow!"
"You will," Leon smiled, tapping Cloud on the nose. "I know me and Zack have a… unique relationship as such."
"'Unique'?"
"Well, he did figure it out that we were together didn't he? Didn't you notice that Zack's been testing on whether or not I'm good enough for you when he wasn't torturing Axel?"
"Oh…actually…I did wonder why he was grilling you that one time."
"See. But either way, Zack's a good guy. A tough guy. He saved you don't forget. And I'm grateful to him for that." He brought his blond into a kiss, smiling as Cloud obediently opened his mouth for Leon to take advantage of. His hand trailed down Cloud's back, finding a particular spot he was very attached to. Cloud broke off and breathed sharply.
"Leon, no," Cloud squirmed.
"Why?"
"It's only been a few days since I got over…ah! Leon!"
Leon smirked knowingly. Only a matter of time before Cloud would completely and utterly give in.
"Leon, we'll get caught," Cloud said, but it sounded more like a whine.
"Just a little while," Leon whispered quietly into Cloud's chest.
"What if everyone hears us?"
Leon had an answer to that. He wrapped up one of the nearby hand towels into a neat little ball.
"Open your mouth," he ordered. Cloud did so, letting the ball of cloth slide into the opening. "It'll mute us down. Just remember to breathe through the nose."
Cloud could've said something very snappy at that point but a muffled moan erupted in his throat as he felt the first thrust slam into him.
All was quiet in the dojo, since no one knew about the event taking place in the hot spring, muffled by snow and cloth.
Zack was up at the crack of dawn, polishing his Buster Sword with great care and precision, making sure it was gleaming and sharp for the fight. He did everything that any good swordsmen should do. Including praying to the gods for a swift victory…or a painless death if that was the hand Fate was going to deal him.
He sighed, looking at the photo of him and Cloud as kids. He smiled slightly, but he knew that there was probably a hint of sorrow in it as well.
"Well Spiky, it's been a long road. And even though I never got the chance to fight you, I hope you're happy with Leon." He closed his eyes. "You deserve each other."
He put it down, not wanting to think anymore about the past. You only did that if you were having your last moments on earth or very old.
He heard a small tap on the frame of his door. Zack looked at the door curiously. Who could be up at this hour?
"Door's open."
He found out just who would be as they slid the door open.
"Aerith?"
She walked up to him, her eyes filled with concern. She looked tired.
"Did you sleep?" Zack asked, restraining himself from going to her to see for himself. Wouldn't be appropriate for him in this situation.
"I couldn't," Aerith admitted. "I was too worried about you."
"About today?"
Aerith nodded her head. "So…I came here to wish you good luck."
Zack looked at her, dumbfounded but then his lips stretched out into a smile. "Thanks."
He walked over to her, looking down into her emerald green eyes. His hand raised up to the back of her head, tugging the hair ribbon so that her brown hair fell loose. Aerith blushed.
"What are you…?"
"You know," Zack started, "there's a legend that a warrior is given good luck if he's wearing the colours of his lady. So…" He started tying the ribbon around his wrist, the pink contrasting to his tan skin. "…this will be my good luck charm for today."
He winked at her, chuckling to himself as he saw a healthy shade of pink tinge her cheeks.
"Anyway, you better get moving before people start thinking we're having an affair or something. It's hard enough as it is having to cover up Cloud and Leon's escapades."
Aerith blushed deeper. Zack laughed. "See you later. And I promise you, I'll give your ribbon back."
The stage laid out was looked upon grimly by adult and child alike. Cloud and Leon were already there, making sure that there was a suitable distance between them so that Cloud wouldn't grab for Leon's hand automatically. And so that Aerith could sit in between them. They had a feeling that Aerith was going to need all the support she could get since she had become very close to the laid-back swordsman.
They appeared, dressed in their battle attire. Sephiroth's sword was at his side, his grip loose. Zack had slung his Buster Sword over his shoulder; his eyes were closed, as if in prayer. What was said before the contest just came out in a blur as the tension increased in the icy air.
There were predictions that snow on the ground was going to be stained with blood today. Whose blood was anyone's to call.
Cloud looked to see if Aerith was OK but something was different about his friend. Something missing…
"Aerith, where's your hair ribbon?" Cloud asked as he realised that was what was different. Her hair was down. He had never known Aerith to wear her hair down at any event.
"There," Aerith whispered, pointing at Zack's wrist. The pink ribbon fluttered in the breeze. Cloud's eyes widened.
Whoa…I do not believe it but…
"Go!"
Sephiroth went on the attack but Zack jumped out of the way, deep blue eyes fully opened now.
Zack…the worst flirt I've ever known…the one kid who swore he wasn't going to ever give up his ways…he's been…
Sephiroth swung his sword at where Zack was but the black-haired swordsman brought his Buster Sword down onto the Masumune, a loud clank echoing in the still air.
Aerith's tamed him!
Zack smirked and tossed the Masumune into the air, going for a downward slash but Sephiroth dodged it, catching his sword by the hilt.
"You're good," the silver-haired man said.
"I told you not to underestimate me," Zack grinned, giving him a thumbs up. "You never know what could happen."
Zack came in for a charge but at the last minute changed his footing and attacked from the side. Sephiroth barely guarded the attack.
"My mistake it seems."
"Yeah, you better believe it."
"Then I guess you shouldn't be taking me so lightly either," Sephiroth chuckled evilly.
Crap crap crap!
Sephiroth powered his sword upwards, flinging Zack up into the air. Zack contorted his body in the air so that he managed to land on his feet, nearly crashing where several children were.
"You guys OK?" Zack whispered. They nodded. "Good. Keep out of the way. This is gonna get messy."
Sephiroth stood there, tauntingly, sword only in his left hand.
Wait a minute, he's a lefty. How come I didn't notice this before? He closed his eyes. That means that as long as I keep changing direction, he should be as good as open.
He charged straight for Sephiroth's left side.
"Idiot!" Cloud gasped.
"What is it?" Aerith asked. Leon gave Cloud a quizzical look.
"Sephiroth is left handed! He's going straight into a danger zone!"
At that moment, Zack changed direction again, slashing at Sephiroth. Silence as neither moved. The crowd watched tensely, not sure if either would fall or make another move to continue the fight.
"Not bad, Zack," Sephiroth said. "You actually managed to make me bleed."
It was true. Where Zack had slashed just above Sephiroth's hip, a bloody gash had appeared. Zack didn't turn to face Sephiroth's back.
"But the thing is, how can you attack me when you can't see me?"
Sephiroth turned quickly and was looking to ram his sword at Zack. Aerith gasped, hiding her face into Leon's shoulder. She didn't want to see the point facing out of Zack's chest. An almighty clash rang in her ears. When she looked up, she saw that Zack had guarded the attack by just placing his sword behind his back. He was smiling at her.
"Don't worry Aerith. I don't die easily."
He turned and pushed Sephiroth away, holding his sword in front of him. Sephiroth's Masumune was held out, the tip mere inches away from Zack.
"So the girl is the person you care about?"
Zack didn't answer, just tightening his grip on the hilt. The ribbon fluttered in the breeze. Sephiroth saw it and grinned wickedly.
"You know, once I win, I will make Cloud stay here, make the dojo be used for other purposes on a wider scale and maybe put the girl out of her misery while she grieves for you."
It was at that point, something inside Zack had snapped. A burning rage he had never felt before coursed through his veins, making his whole body tense and his sword felt even lighter than ever.
"You can do anything to me. You can do anything to this dojo. But if there is one person who I'll protect to the very end, if there was one person that you could never harm without provoking me, dead or not…it's Aerith!"
He charged forward, taking the tall silver-haired swordsman by surprise.
"If you ever hurt Aerith or make her cry, I'll kill you!"
Zack came from above with an overhead strike, forcing Sephiroth to move his sword in front of him to block the attack. Eventually, Sephiroth pushed back again, sending Zack flying right near to Aerith on his back. He grunted in pain. Sephiroth took the air but Zack hadn't noticed this.
"Huh? Where did he go?"
Aerith had and she was looking right above him. Sephiroth was poised to kill Zack!
"Zack! Look out! He's above you!"
Zack looked up and in the nick of time blocked the attack by a well time slash. Sephiroth's Masumune went flying to the other side of the stage. Sephiroth had landed on his back painfully. When he opened his eyes, he saw Zack standing over him, the tip of the Buster Sword poised to go through his throat.
"I guess this means I win," Zack smiled as the official made the announcement that Zack had passed the test. A drop of blood trickled down his face from his mouth. Sephiroth narrowed his eyes but sighed, resigned to his fate.
"Well, make it quick please," he pleaded, opening his trenchcoat slightly slowly so that Zack had access to his snowy white chiselled chest.
"What makes you think I'm gonna kill ya?"
"Hmm?"
Zack had a huge grin on his face. "Don't you think it's a worse punishment having to go on living knowing you lost to such 'pathetic weakling who wouldn't measure up to anything' than dying with honour?"
"Wha-----WHAT?!"
"Yeah, Sephy, you're banished but not executed. You can deal with the whole suicide thing on your own if you want but I'm not gonna give my go ahead."
Sephiroth just looked on with astonishment, unable to comprehend what Zack had just said. Cloud stood where he was, smiling broadly as he saw Aerith rush up to meet the laid-back swordsman.
"A dojo leader who thinks so little of himself that he doesn't see the point of ordering suicide," he mused. He closed his eyes.
"Maybe that's what this place needs," Leon said. "They need a complete nutcase to make them see things in a different way."
"Yeah."
The two lovers couldn't help but feel relieved when they arrived at Leon's apartment, the events at Niebelheim a million miles away from their minds. Cloud sunk into the white linen sofa, relaxing for the first time in what seemed like weeks. Leon soon joined him, having Cloud's head in his lap.
"No place like home, huh?" Cloud whispered.
"Any place seems OK as long as you're around," Leon replied honestly. Cloud couldn't help but look at him expressionlessly. Ever since Niebelheim, Leon had been a lot more open about his affections. An 'I love you' had become a common occurrence, even if only one a day at the very least. He learned from Aerith (who had gone back home in Midgar for Christmas. Zack had to stay behind in Niebelheim despite all his begging) that while he was out, Leon wouldn't leave his side and she had heard those three precious words slip out of his mouth. Now…he just had to find out if that would all stop now that he was in no immediate danger.
"Leon…"
"Yeah?"
"All those times you told me that you…loved me…do you still mean it?"
Leon's eyes didn't lie. They didn't seem so sharp or stormy like they usually did.
"I still love you," he said firmly. "The day I fall out of love with you will be the day Yuffie falls out of love with boy-love."
Cloud couldn't help but smile softly. He lifted himself up until he was sitting on Leon's lap, capturing his lips with his own.
"Sorry for the delay but…I love you. Love you too."