Drops of Jupiter

Chapter 1 – The girl with the broken smile.

Ships: Leon / Yuffie . Aerith / Cloud and . Sora / Kairi later on

PG-13 – Language, innuendo later on

Summary of Chapter 1:

LY, AC –Cloud wakes up...and whatever happened between Yuffie and Leon?

Special Text:

"Blahblah".= Dialogue

'Blahblah' = Thoughts

[A/N: blah] = Author's notes that might just be around here and there.

Ages:

Aerith- 25
Cloud- 24
Squall- 26
Yuffie- 17
Cid- 35

Disclaimer: Hey, hey, I have a joke for you all! Two men walk into a bar. They must have been really stupid cuz after one of them walked into it, the other one should've watched his head! Ahahaha! ...and I don't own KH. I own the plot & any original characters. By the way...Don't you think that Hugh Jackman looks perfect for playing Squall? I don't know. Seems like it. And a very blond David Boreanaz for Cloud...? Maybe not for Cloud...Vincent Valentine.

By the way, THANK YOU SO MUCH to my reviewers! THANK YOU! You guys don't know how much that meant. 6 reviews! For the prologue! That's pretty damn good. And I'm sorry I haven't updated in like a week... it's been busy.

Cid whistled as he made his way to Aerith's room. As soon as he got there, he stopped, sighed, and knocked on the wooden door.

"Hey, Cid!" Aerith greeted as she held the door open for the Gummi pilot. He nodded at her and grinned. Aerith looked at him in confusion.

"Kiddo, I got a surprise for 'ya," Cid took out a roll of paper. She took it from his hands and unrolled it- And she gasped. It was a blueprint of the Highwind. She was sure of it. Only it was Gummi form. Aerith, speechless, opened her mouth and closed it again. She hugged him tightly.

"I remember, back in Gaia, before the Sephiroth time...you said you wanted to ride the Highwind. And you were never able to, 'cause of Sephiroth. But when I realized I had enough materials to build a new Highwind for us, I thought, hey, what the hell. I mean, I realize I've built a Gummi for Yuffie and Leon and even Sora, but not you! So... Highwind. The old gal's to be finished in about a month and a half- surely you can wait that long?" Cid explained to the young girl. Aerith nodded enthusiastically.

"Of course! Thank you so much, Cid. You don't know how much this means to me! Oh, and you came to see Cloud! Yes, of course... Come on," Cid walked to Cloud's bed, whistling a low tune. He sat down next to the bed. Aerith left the room to give him some privacy.

"Hey, man," Cid grunted. "I know I'm not the mushy type, ye? But Aerith's real worried bout'cha. If you don't wake up soon, she's gonna lose it. I mean, yeah, you've returned alive, but what's so great if you're just a vegetable on her bed y'know? So you better wake up soon. Yuffie's gotten big. You should see her. And Leon, I bet he's dying to duel you again. He told me that you and him fought together in the Coliseum- He said you were possessed by Hades and you didn't remember him."

Cid was just about to leave when he felt something move behind him. He spun around and hurried next to Cloud again. He decided that he must have been hallucinating and noticed the smile on Cloud's face.

"What'cha smiling about, kid?" Cloud's hand twitched. Cid backed away.

"A-Aerith...? ...Aerith! AERITH, get your SKINNY ASS IN HERE RIGHT NOW!" Right at that moment, Cloud shot up and stared straight ahead. Aerith opened the door again and covered her mouth.

"Oh, Cetra- I- Cloud- Cid- YUFFIE!" Aerith yelped and pointed to the door. Cid nodded and ran out to get the ninja and Leon.

"Oh, Cloud...You're awake! I thought you'd never- I thought you'd..." Aerith stuttered. Cloud groaned and put a hand on his forehead. Then he looked at her and smiled. He didn't really get the chance to talk to the healer when Yuffie nearly walked into the door and burst it open. Her jaw dropped when she saw Cloud awake. Then...she made a ruckus.

"CLOUD!" She shrieked, not pausing once as she pounced at him. "Cloud! You're awake! Oh my God, your awake! I was getting worried-I-" She began crying uncontrollably here- "I mean, Aerith probably would've killed herself if you didn't wake, Oh, God, so that was really you in the Coliseum, ugh, SQUALL you should have told me!! Cloud it's been so long I-... WHAT THE HELL IS THAT COMING OUT OF YOUR BACK?!"

"Urgh...get off of me, Yuffie," He playfully pushed her away and ruffled her hair. "And it's called a wing. It grew out...The Mako in me and Sephiroth finally kicked in, and we both..grew...a wing." Yuffie hugged him again and sobbed.

The group was interrupted by the sound of heavy leather boots on tile. Leon has finally graced them with his presence. Everyone turned and fell silent as the door opened, revealing the gunblade wielder. His eyes rested on Cloud, and he slowly made his way to him.

"Strife." Leon growled. "It's about damn time."

Cloud laughed and held out a gloved hand. Leon took it. The look of mirth on Cloud's eyes turned into one of respect.

"Leonheart." The older man drew his hand away and waited for the other to speak. "It's been too long, old buddy. Some things just never change." Their fists collided- just like the old days.

"And some things just do," Squall replied coolly.

They let Cloud sleep for the rest of the day...he was still very exhausted. He woke up at around five o'clock though, and Yuffie persuaded him to have dinner. She insisted on cooking. Aerith, of course, was delighted to help.

"Great. I wake up to have to taste Yuffie's poison. I might as well have died in the hands of Sephiroth," Cloud grumbled. Leon smirked. This was one of the very few emotions he chooses to show; sarcasm, anger and smugness.

"Hey, bite yer tongue, Blondie, you might actually like it. Yuf's a decent cook. Whether it's luck or not, every time I eat anything she makes it turns out pretty good," said Cid in reply. He really was wondering what the two girls were cooking.

The three sat in silence for a while.

"Hey, Blondie. What's up between you and Aerith?" Cid asked curiously. Leon's ears perked up; Cloud's gonna start fumbling now. He knew from way back when that Cloud was madly in love with Aerith.

"What? I-uh- nothing, she doesn't seem to think there's anything, so why would there be? I mean..." He sighed exasperatedly. "She's so hard to read."

Leon snorted. "Aerith? Hard to read? Strife, admit it. You're clueless."

"I am not!!" Cloud fumed. "Look. Fine. FINE. I'll talk to her tonight."

In the basement kitchen, Yuffie grumbled as she tossed the cookbook aside. She was in charge of making "Rosemary Roasted Turkey" since she volunteered to make the entrée. Not used to following cookbook instructions, she struggled. She was more of an improvising type 'cook'. If you could call her that. Aerith was making her special Caramel Apple Pie...This flower girl loves to bake. Aerith hummed happily as she made the pie shell.

"Need some help, Yuffie?" She asked. Yuffie sighed and nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, yes, that would be PRECIOUS," She answered. There was a naked turkey in front of her, and she figured that all the luck she had in cooking before wasn't going to help her now.

"Alright, well, cookbooks won't help you much. Just combine all the ingredients over there- wait-" She made sure they had enough of each ingredient. "Yes. Combine ALL of them."

"All of 'em?" She began putting them in a bowl. "Hey Aerith, do I need salt?" Aerith nodded and Yuffie sprinkled some salt over. Aerith began cleaning the turkey. They were in silence for a while.

"Aerith?"

"Yes?" The flower girl answered. Yuffie was being weird. Volunteering to cook was one thing, but struggling to find something to say...

"What's going on between you and Cloud?"

F L A S H B A C K

16 year old Aerith smiled contently. She was sitting on her bed of flowers in the chapel. She liked it very much here. So peaceful, and this was the only place in Midgar where the flowers survive. A familiar sound of boots on the loose soil outside the chapel destroyed her chain of thoughts.

"Hey Cloud," Aerith said without looking behind her. She knew it was him. The clanking of boots on the tile was just way too familiar.

"Hey, Aerith..." He almost whispered. He sat down on one of the benches that were still standing. Aerith was always here. It's almost like her second home. If she wasn't babysitting Yuffie for some Gil or teaching at the Orphanage, she was here. And if he wasn't training or babysitting Yuffie for some Gil, he was with her. Saying that he didn't feel anything for her would be a lie.

"It's...um...It's a nice day," He stammered. 'DUH! Cloud what the hell are you saying??' Cloud mentally punched himself. Aerith nodded.

"Yes, isn't it?" Aerith said. "I want to get out of here. I want to ride an airship. I want to travel Gaia."

Cloud didn't know what to say. Instead, he picked up a yellow flower and handed it to her. "I'll take you. I mean-... I'll try." Both he and Aerith stood up.

Cloud took her hands in his. Hell, if now was the time, he might as well do it. If Aerith didn't feel that way, at least he'll know.

She stared at him wide-eyed. Was he really...?

"Aerith, I like you...a lot. I've been thinking about this for a long time now, and I know you don't feel the same way...I just thought you needed to know this. Before I lose my chance to. You're one in a million...you're pure, sweet, kind...and innocent, which I value very much," Cloud said in a low voice. Damn it, when had his voice become so husky?

"I don't know what to say!" Aerith squeezed his hand gently. "Oh Cloud, I like you a lot too. I have for a very long time."

She smiled and entwined her arms around his neck, letting the flowers tell her story.

E N D F L A S H B A C K

"I don't know, Yuffie. I really, really don't. I still love him. You know this much. 10 years is a long time though. Maybe he found someone else," Aerith answered. She washed her hands. "Yuffie, I think you know the rest. All I needed to do was clean it. I'm sure you can figure out what to do."

"Alright. Well, Aerith, you shouldn't give up not knowing. Talk to him. Tonight, after dinner," Yuffie replied, spreading the rosemary mixture on the turkey. She put it inside one of the ovens. Aerith sighed, knowing the ninja was right. She sliced up the apples.

"I know, I know... I will."

Four hours later, dinner was served. The dining room was surprisingly in good shape, with a fairly average sized dinner table, good lighting, and ceilings that didn't leak. Yuffie and Aerith were still in the next room, making last minute touches. The guys were sitting in the dining room. Cid complained loudly.

"I'm starvin'! Where's my fucking food?!" Cid snarled. Cloud snickered.

"Calm down, old man. Don't get your panties in a bunch."

As if on cue, Yuffie sauntered in carrying a platter half her size. There was a huge turkey on it, elaborately decorated.

"Itadakimasu!" (Let's eat!) She said happily. Aerith came in after her, with cranberry sauce and stuffing in two big bowls.

"Looks good," Squall said quietly. Yuffie stared at him. He began getting irritated. "What!?"

"It's nothing. You just gave me a compliment," Yuffie replied. Whew, that was weird. "Wow, the great SQUALL actually acted like he's normal, complimenting other people."

"It's Leon. And I wasn't complimenting YOU. I just said that the food looked good. So stop flattering yourself," Leon snapped icily.

"What crawled up your ass, SQUALL? Normally you thank a person for cooking your dinner with a simple 'Thank you' or even a casual nod of the head. Ya don't bite other people's heads off for joking around. Well, I should've never thought that. Because 'LEON' is soo much higher than all of us. Soo much STRONGER. It's just too freaking bad you think I'm an annoying little girl who WON'T shut up, and I won't change for shit!" Yuffie never flinched as she met his icy glare with a formidable one of her own. Squall stood up and looked her in the eye. Time seemed to freeze as the two of them had a little staring contest.

"Come see me when you grow up," Squall turned around and pushed the door open. Yuffie snarled and went after him.

"You should be one to talk, thinking you're so mature! At least I forgave myself for everything I failed to do in the past!" She said quietly, though she was quite sure he heard her. He paused, but continued to walk away. 'I shouldn't have even bothered...'

Without her knowing, a tear fell down the ninja's cheeks. She choked as more kept coming. What frustrated her even more was that she couldn't think of anything that would make her cry at this moment. Aerith walked towards her, almost afraid to come near the ninja. She hasn't seen her cry. Ever.

Cid and Cloud came out of the dining room, surprised. Yuffie? Crying?

The ninja stood up and wiped her face with a wrist. She walked right past the other three, like she didn't know they existed. 'I need some time alone...I need to think about this.'

She gracefully jumped off the balcony and down to the bottom of the Rising Falls. Maybe it's time to see her father again.

"Where is she going?!" Aerith asked frantically. Cid shook his head. Cloud was standing against the door frame, thinking.

"Aerith, you and Cid better have dinner. I think I know where Yuffie might be," Cloud finally spoke up after a few minutes of silence. Aerith sputtered.

"What? Where are you going??" Aerith saw the look in his eyes. He knew what he was doing. "Alright. But come back, okay? And take her with you."

LEON'S POV

It's been a while.

Yes it has.

Stop talking to me, I need to think. Alone.

You're never alone.

Rinoa, you're dead. I accepted this. Please, don't come into my life again. I've moved on.

You've never moved on. Why do you need to think? What do you need to think about?

Many things. You, Yuffie.

Yuffie.

Yep. I acted like an asshole again, can you believe it?

...Yes, yes I can.

I never meant to hurt her.

I know.

It's for her own-

Good. It's for her own good. I shouldn't get too close. I can't put them in danger. I know, Squall. I've heard it all before.

Then stop-

Bothering-

Me. Ugh, stop it. Do you know how annoying you are?

Yeah, well, it's the guardian angel's job to annoy her human.

Stop talking like you're lower.

Stop telling me to stop doing things. Besides I'm not acting like I'm lower. Stop flattering yourself.

Ugh. That's what I told Yuffie...

I know. That's why I said it.

You know I never...NEVER...wanted to hurt her.

Yes. I know... It's not your fault, but maybe you need to loosen up a little.

That's what she told me...

I know. That's why I said it.

You're IMPOSSIBLE!

END LEON'S POV

"You're IMPOSSIBLE!" Leon shouted out in the rain. It had begun raining and he hadn't even noticed. He was in the old dojo where Yuffie's father used to train them. A rustling behind him told him he wasn't alone. And there she was, dripping wet. She moved hair out of her eyes and placed a hand on her hip. Typical.

"Were you screaming at yourself?" Yuffie asked monotonously. He didn't seem fazed, but he bit back an icy remark.

"Yes, I was." It was partly true. Yuffie ignored this.

"I'm leaving, Leon," Yuffie whispered. He turned around to face her. She didn't call him Squall. Alright, he deserved it for being such a jerk earlier. He kinda missed the way she said it, though.

"What?" He asked, not sure he heard correctly. The ninja repeated herself.

"I'm leaving, Leon. I need to set things straight for me. I can't stand the Bastion, you know that. It still...I still hear the people screaming. I don't want that. I want to be at peace," She looked into his eyes, awaiting a response.

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay a while
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved
And she will be loved

-Maroon 5, She will be loved

"Is that what you really want...?" Leon asked. He didn't know why, but he dreaded the response. He didn't know it at the time, but Yuffie was his lifeline. She kept him sane. She was endlessly by his side, helping him, hell, annoying him. Until now.

"Yes." This triggered something in Leon. His eyes became narrow.

"You say these things...You say, Squall, don't give up. Squall, it's not your fault. Squall, you can't run away. And here you are, doing everything you told me not to," He spat bitterly.

"Advice is easier given than followed. Besides, you all would be better off without me. Aerith and Cloud have each other, Cid has his Gummi, and you...You have yourself. You can just continue living everyday, training for nothing. You can continue without any bother. You know you don't want me here. I know you don't."

Squall was quiet.

"See. You don't. You all don't. I just don't belong here. You think I don't notice how you all leave me out of 'important' meetings. I notice. I see how Aerith and Cid and you keep things from me. I see how you think I'll screw things up. I'm not naïve, Leon."

"We do-"

"No you don't."

"..." Squall looked away. He can't give in. Not now. "Fine. Fine. You think you're so great, huh? Then go! You think you can take care of yourself. Then go. Right now, all I see is a little kid who thinks she can take on the world. You're nothing but a brat, Yu-"

THAT'S ENOUGH, SQUALL.

He stopped himself at Rinoa's voice and his own conscience. Out of the blue, he felt something punch his face. Really hard. 'Dammit...' That couldn't have been Yuffie. Then he was lifted off the ground by the collar. Strife.

"You bastard!" Yuffie began crying silently, but the rain disguised her tears.

"That's enough, Cloud." The blonde threw the older man into the ground. Leon's eyes were hollow, like he was scared.

"I didn't-..." Leon kneeled on the floor, his head in his hands. 'I never meant to hurt you, Yuffie...Fuck, don't cry...Shit...Stop crying, Yuffie!'

Yuffie was in Cloud's arms, sobbing slightly.

"I'm leaving tomorrow, Cloud."

Aw, Yuffie's leaving...but...I reached almost 3000 words!!! 9 pages, baby!

thank you to all my previous reviewers...now...

REVIEW PLEASE!!! =D