Cloud came back for Aerith. Aerith was so happy now she couldn't stop smiling. Cid's woman never appeared, but he and Merlin were living together in Merlin's house now, forever coming up with new projects.

Yuffie was afraid all over again. Everything was returning to normal, everyone was going home.

But she didn't have a home to go to anymore. She had nowhere to stay, and who would want her now?

It happened one night, when everyone was sitting in Merlin's house drinking tea. Aerith and Cloud got up to leave and Cid and Merlin, old men that they were, had already gone to bed. Yuffie sat across from Leon and tried not to stare at him.

She didn't want to stay in Merlin's house anymore. Besides, there weren't enough beds.

Finally Leon got up, having not said a word in the time he and Yuffie had been sitting together.

She stared into the bottom of her cup as he walked away, trying not to pout. She supposed she could sleep on the floor, and try to get out before Cid or Merlin woke up and realized she had spent the night there. She didn't want them feeling sorry for her.

"Are you coming?" Leon asked. Not as if he expected her to come, not even as if he wanted her to come. He was just wondering.

Yuffie looked up. Leon was standing by the door, looking back at her. There was only the little light from the candle left, so she couldn't see his expression, but he could see her wide smile when she said, "Yes. I'm coming."