Ah, here we are! Another one, just as I promised! Let us continue~
I don't own Kingdom Hearts.
Walking deeper into the forest, I listened to the sounds of the wind and ocean, the two making a combination that I had heard ever since I was young. It had been the one thing that I would never tire of hearing. Squall walked briskly beside me, his posture stiff, as if irritated. Aerith walked a little ways ahead, lighting the way for us. I took note of the landmarks that showed we were getting closer; that odd tree with blue-ish leaves, the tiny stream that ran along the right side, barely noticeable in the night.
"We're nearly there."
"Yes. Almost." Aerith sighed happily, her feet quickening slightly.
Leon stayed with me, refusing to leave my side. What was the matter with him? I had seen the hostile way he had spoken and looked at Seifer, and it was clear that they didn't like each other much. But…to be so rude, especially to a newcomer, was not something Leon did on a daily basis.
"So, what's up with you?" I dared to ask him.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not that dumb, Squall." He twitched at the name. "I've noticed the way you and Seifer have been treating each other; what's with the malicious tension?"
"…I don't trust him. I don't understand how you and Fuu can." He gave a look. "Have you even told Sora and Roxas about him?"
"No, but they've probably already heard the news about it. I've been able to speak with them in a while."
"It still doesn't change the fact that he was the king's general, Hayner." Leon retorted angrily.
"Look who's talking, ex-prince." Leon flinched. "Exactly. So give me one good reason why you can't trust him."
"He was closer to the king than I was, Hayner. I was only the heir to Hollow Bastian, not part of the Enchanted Kingdom." the brunette snapped. "You haven't known him for very long, and I don't trust him."
It was obvious he wasn't going to change his mind easily, which would only make it harder for other gypsies to trust and accept him. Leon was basically the leader of all gypsies, and a good one that had us thriving among the rest of the human race. Of course, he had been in a similar situation when he had first came to join us. Which is why I couldn't comprehend why he wouldn't give Seifer a chance.
I watched as Hayner and Squall conversed quietly, and they were too far away for me to eavesdrop, either. No doubt they were talking about me.
"You worry easily." Fuu commented.
"Shut up."
Hayner leaned closer to Squall, half of his face glowing green due to the green orb Aerith used. The gypsy boy looked furious, whispering to Squall in a way that seemed angry. What was going on over there?
"Hayner." Aerith's voice interrupted them, getting Hayner to look at her. "Would you like to do the honors?"
I walked closer as Hayner grinned and ran up beside her, trying to see the entrance to this hideout of sorts. But, instead of some simple opening, we were stopping before a large, rock wall that was covered in moss and ivy. Where was the-
"Candid deschidere." I heard Hayner breathe.
Frowning, I darted closer, passing Squall without acknowledging him, going up to Aerith and Hayner, who had his hand pressed to the rock. Aerith stepped back, Hayner doing the same, just as a crumbling sound began, the rock shaking, raining pebbles down onto us. They were all unaffected by the odd event, looking at the rock, waiting.
I turned to see it begin to move, its rock formation disappearing like puzzle pieces, one by one. And there, on the other side, was the greatest sight ever to see.
"Whoa…"
"Come on." Hayner slipped his hand through mine, pulling me to the entrance. "I can't wait to introduce you to Roxas and the others."
I yanked Seifer into the hideout, where two torches were stabbed into the dirt, lighting the way into the large, rounded area. I could see thousands of carriages and horse around the place, men and women walking about, talking and laughing, kids playing or eating around the place. Mini fires were about the place, standing out just as much as the people. And there, not far from the entrance…
"Roxas! Sora!"
I ran towards them, dragging Seifer with me, over to them. The two had turned at the sound of their names, and I saw Roxas and Sora both light up with smiles, running at me. Many of the people around us, stopped what they were doing to look and stare, and some began to shout out to me. I ignored them as my friends came up to me, both pouncing on me into a hug, grinning widely.
"Where the hell were you?!" Roxas shouted, shaking me when he had pulled away. "You were supposed to be here earlier!"
"I had some delays, Rox'. Relax, would ya?" I turned to Sora. "I'm glad you're awake. How you feeling?"
"I'm fine." He frowned, then smacked my arm roughly. "But that's what I should be asking you, moron."
I chuckled, assuring them both that I was fine. Roxas's eyes flittered over to Seifer, and those blue eyes narrowed suspiciously, saying nothing as Sora spoke up.
"By the way, have you heard the great news?" The brunette grabbed my shoulders. "Terra and Ven are together!"
I raised my eyebrows. "Really? About time. I didn't know if the whole mission thing was going to work…"
"You set them up?" Roxas asked.
"Yeah. Aqua was fine with it, so I'm not worried."
Roxas nodded, but was suddenly interrupted by Sora, who moved behind me.
"Who's this, Hayn'?"
"Guys, this is Seifer Almasy. He's here to join us. He came all this way with the Josei Gypsies and I to this place, and I want you to welcome him kindly." I gave Roxas a pointed look, not wanting a repeat of Leon. "He's staying." I confirmed.
"Wow, it's nice to meet you!" Sora cried, wrapping his arms around the surprised man. I held back laughter at the look on the ex-general's face. "Which group will you be joining?"
"He hasn't chosen yet, so let him decide on his own." I said. "Now, we're all very tired. I just want to sleep right now."
It was the truth. Exhaustion had finally caught up with me, tiring me to the very bone. I needed sleep, and lots of it. Seifer and the others were, no doubt, the same. Speaking of which…
"Did Olette and the others come before us?"
"Yeah. They got here just fine, and they're all sleeping now." Roxas informed me.
I nodded, yawning. Gosh, it was getting hard to keep my eyes open. Seifer shifted closer to me, his hand being the only thing that was keeping me awake.
"Come on, let's get some sleep." he whispered, and pulled me away from my friends.
I allowed him to guide me to the carriage, where all our tents were sent up around it, Donald and Goofy grazing nearby. I would have gone to say something to them, but my body was much too fatigued.
My eyes slipped shut for a moment, then opened to find Seifer had picked me up, carrying me. I looked up at him, and he smirked.
"Be lucky I caught you, siren."
"Hm…shutup." I mumbled, yawning again.
He chuckled, and I shut my eyes, completely exhausted now. Sleep took over then, and I let it.
Hayner was fast asleep in moments, right as I had bent down to slid him into his tent, throwing two blankets over his body. I stayed there for a moment, staring at his relaxed face. He hummed in his sleep, turning on his side, still deep in sleep.
"Night, Hayner." I whispered, and exited the tent.
Standing to my feet, I found Roxas already there, arms folded in an intimidating manner. I knew he didn't trust me, either. The look on his face as Hayner had introduced me had been the same one Squall had.
"What're you doing here? What made Hayner even think about letting you come with him? Even Fuu has been fooled. What lies have you told them, General Almasy?"
"None." What a lie that was in itself. "I quit being a general to be a gypsy." Roxas stayed skeptical. "Is it that hard to believe?"
"Well, for starters, you let a pirate into his carriage." he said quietly, glaring.
Uh oh.
-_- ohhhh yeahhhh...forgot about Axel didn't you, Seifer? Idiot.
Oh, Hayner is so adorable when he's asleep, isn't he, Seifer? Too cute!
Well, there you guys are! I will be putting another up during my Thanksgiving break, which just started today. Look forward to it~