Snow
-Squirrel Tamer


Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.


Chapter 4:Weak





Point of View: Squall...no Leon...whatever...





She started moving. I let out the breath I hadn't realized that I was holding. She was alive. Frozen to the bone, but alive nonetheless.

She whimpered softly and then was silent. I picked up her frail body and began walking towards the hotel. The image kept replaying over and over in my head.

She had been angry at me, I could tell, although I didn't know why. I guess she had been trying to prove something when she stepped onto that ice. She had turned around and smiled just to spite me. Then she fell through.

The next thing I know, I'm dragging her cold, wet body out of the water. How I managed to make it back without going under myself is beyond me.

I know she's alive but there's still a fear wrapped around my heart. When she started to fall I...I...

I felt Leon start to slip away.

For a moment Squall came back...I felt weak and scared...

But Leon didn't want that to happen so he ran out there and saved her.

While Squall cried on the ice.



~~~~~



"She's going to be okay, right?"

I don't care that I've already asked Aerith that three times now. I just can't stand the thought of losing someone else.

"She'll be fine Sq-Leon. She just needs some rest."

Aerith gently places her hands on my back and pushes me out of the room.

And I stand there looking at the door with expectant eyes. Like a dog waiting for its master.

Once I realize she isn't coming out, I sigh and turn away. I pace back and forth while turning something over and under in my mind.

Why do I care so much?

I didn't pace for Kairi or Cloud. I didn't worry continuously. And I hadn't had a hard time thinking clearly then.

So why all of this for Yuffie?

Maybe I'm feeling guilty because she only went out there to prove
something to me. Or maybe its because it seems like she's changed.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about her since she reminded me of the snow. Squall loves the snow. Leon doesn't. I feel myself begin to tear inside. I'm beginning to think I'm going crazy. Squall and Leon are the same person I remind myself. But I realize it isn't going to work.

I may be able to fool my friends, but I can't fool myself. Actually myselves.

There's two people inside my one body. There's Squall, the weakling who couldn't save his friends and gave away a little girl. Then there's Leon, the strong man who everybody loves and adores.

I'd much rather be Leon than Squall.



~~~~~



She's awake.

Aerith just came out to tell me. Yuffie's awake. Aerith says she wants to thank her hero.

The hero doesn't care that she's awake, but Squall does. The hero simply nods and follows Aerith into the Hotel Room.

As soon as I go in Aerith goes out. I guess Yuffie wanted to thank me privately.

The Squall part of me leaps with joy when it sees Yuffie wide awake and alert. On top of her are what seems like a thousand blankets. I go over to her and Squall almost makes me smile but Leon forces him back.

"Hey."

After three hours of pacing in front of her door and all I manage to say is 'Hey'.

"Hey yourself." Her voice is hoarse, but her smile is huge.

"I'm...glad...your okay." Why is it so difficult for me to say that?

"Thanks to you."

I just nod.

"I shouldn't have gone onto the ice. I just wanted to prove to you that I'm not a kid anymore. That I don't need your help."

Something in me panics. The idea that Yuffie doesn't need my help is starting to make me angry. I don't know why.

"Damn Yuffie! You sure have a funny way of showing that your an adult dont'cha?"

I'm yelling at her and I don't mean to do it.

"Squall I-"

"Its Leon!!!" I scream this at the top of my lungs. I want everyone to know. I don't want the Squall part of me anymore. He's weak. He's a baby. He's nothing.

"Leon saved you not Squall! Squall is dead! Squall is gone! I am Leon!!!"

She stares up at me, frightened. But I need to make sure she understands.

I grab her shoulders hard and she whimpers from the pain.

I stare straight into her eyes and whisper:

"Don't you ever forget it."



~~~~



A/N: Squall...Ack! I mean Leon has some weird personality issues going on there. How is poor Yuffie going to deal with it?

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