6H: Oh wow, my 16th chapter of Wind. I never thought I would get this far!

Anaretsu: It was a slow painful road...

6H: Be nice!!!

Sora: This chapter will be so sad!!!! sobs

6H: Sora, get a grip!!!!

Wind-By the Six of Hearts

Chapter 16-Failed Love on the Tennis Courts

Five days into their super vaction and the girls they had just met became instant members of the group. Of course, no one had told them about Kairi's powers-it was not a matter that had to concern them. But it was like they had known them forever.

In some strange way or other, Cloud and Aerith were becoming a couple. Pretty strange, considering Cloud hated communicating with others...will, excpet his parents, but other people weren't on his social agenda. Until now, that is. The two of them often detached themselves from the group and took long peacful walks on the beach. One such walk occured on Thursday, four days from when they arrived. The two had accidently ended up together-everyone else had decided to head in for the night, even though the sun had barly set. So the sunset beach was all to themselves. They walked near the water as it rushed onto shore. Aerith carried her sandles to keep them dry. Cloud just work his usual shoes, (don't know what they are.) and didn't care about them getting wet. Some say he never took of his shoes, he just slept in them. Of course, rumors were that he slept sitting up too.

Anyway, they walked, hand in hand, peacfulyl quiet. And even though it might have been hard to tell, Cloud was very content being with another person for once in his life. Aerith made him calm and...happy, a mood that rarly graced Cloud with it's presence.

"Cloud?" she asked him of out no where.

"Hmm?"

"Do I bother you or annoy you? Tell me the truth. Because sometimes it seems as though you'd rather be alone."

"No."

"Really?"

"hmm...." Most of the conversations were like this.

Meanwhile in the girl's house, Kairi and Yuffie sat on their beds. Yuffie was just coming up with the perfect plan to confess her feelings to Leon.

"I spend the day talking with him, you know, just hanging out. Then, while the sun is setting, I'll just come out and tell him!! Then he'll say that he wants me forever and we'll have a simple wedding on the beach..."

"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself?" Selphie asked. "High school things never last."

"One can dream! Right, Kairi?" but Kairi wasn't paying attension. "Kairi?"

"Uh, yeah? Sorry, I was thinking about something."

"Something, and not someone right?" Sel asked slyly.

"Come on, guys! You know me, and I would tell you guys if I liked someone."

"Which you do." Yuffie chriped.

"No, not at the moment." Kairi insisted. But in the back of her head, she wondered how true tat statement really was.

The next day, all of them split up. Yuffie went off with Leon, Tidus, Wakka, Selphie, Lulu and Rinoa. Aerith and Cloud went off but themselves. Rinoa was going shopping on her own. Riku and Rikku were going out on a boat tour of the bay. That left Kairi and Sora by themsleves. Kair was pouring herself a glass of water when there was a knock on the door. Sora was standing on the other side of the screen.

"Anyone home?" he asked.

"Come in Sora! I'm in the kitchen." she called. He walked in and kciked off his shoes, joining her in the aformentioned room. He sat in a chair at the coutner.

"Planning on drinking water all day?" he teased.

"No, I think I'm gonna go out to get gifts for my mom and dad. Just a little something. And maybe a few postcards. I collect them from the places I go."

"Sound great. I'll tag along. Make sure you'll be okay. Wouldn't wany you to go out into the city unprotected."

"Now nice of you." she said jokingly. So they got their shoes on and walked out into the fresh morning air. The sun shone down happily on everyone below. The blue ocean streched out to meet the blue sky, and all was peaceful. Until the early evening, it would be this way. The two friends walked to a gift store and looked around. After Kairi bought what she had intended to buy, they went back to the house, dropped off the bag, and decided to go to the hotel pool today. The pool was near the main building that lied on a cape extending to the ocean. The pool didn't get deeper than five feet, and was occupied by a few guest. Random assorments of hottubs and smaller pools were scattered around.

"Nice digs." Sora remarked.

"Yeah, I guess. Come on! We didn't come here to stand around and look at the place." she said, pulling him along.

Riku and Rikku stood on the side of the boat they were on, looking at the waters beneath them. A few fish swam by, taunting the boat as it moved across the blue expanse.

"Hey, Riku. When we, you know, head our seprate ways, can I write to you? I think it would be cool to have a pen pal." she asked. Riku turned his head, trying to hide the damn blush that was appearing on his face.

"Well, yeah...that'd be great. I'l leven write back." he joked. Rikku smirked to herself. He was obivously embarassed. She just didn't know why. But she did want to se his face turn more red.

"Riku, that's so cool of you." she started to say.

"What is?"

"Even though you're embarassed, you still keep your cool! You must be like 'Mr. Cool' in your town right?" Just as she thought, he blushed more, and was failing miserably to hide it.

"Well...I...Rikku, stop-!" She took his face in both hands, forcing him to look at her.

"Stop what?" she said, her forehead resting on his. She giggled.

"What now?"

"You're sooo cute!" she exclaimed playfully. She stepped backwards and released him. "I'm going to get a drink! Want anything." He shook his head no, still a little baffled. "Okay then!" She bounced happily off. Riku leaned over the railing, confused as he was. The girl with the name like his could really bewilder him sometimes.

It was getting late, as the sky turned gold and the sun was ready to rest for the night. Yuffie decided now was time for her plan of action. She and Leon had finally got away from the rest of their group, and presently they were walking near the tennis courts, just talking like friends would.

"I love it here. Don't you Leon?" she asked him.

"Yeah. It's like a dream- like of none of this is real. I come to this place where I finally meet my dream girl." Yuffie mentally sighed. He DID like her back. She knew it all along!!

"None of this does seem real. It's just too good to be true." Yuffie said, playing along. "Um...Leon? Can I tell you something?"

"Sure, Yuffie. Tell me whatever's on your mind." The two stopped walking and she turned to stand in front of him. Taking a deep breath, she gained her wits and began to put the final phase of her plan in action.

"Leon, you're a really great person. And I just wanted to say that I like you...alot. The letters you gave me in my locker were so sweet. I'm just sorry I waited so long to tell you..." She looked up at him to see a ouzzled look on his face.

"What letters, Yuffie? I'm sorry, I never put any notes in your locker."

"What? The notes...and the flowers weren't from you?" she asked, shocked, and trying to hold back tears.

"And...I don't like you...you know, like that. You're a great person too-so honest and optimistic. And funny...you could cheer up anyone when they're sad. But I only like you as a friend. Can we still be friends?"

"It's Rinoa...I can tell by looking in your eyes it's her you love most." Yuffie said, her voice nearly cracking.

"That's true...Yuffie, are you okay?"

"What? Yeah, I'll be fine....um, I'll see you later!!" She turned and ran off as fast as she could, not looking back at Leon.

Take your time, baby, your blood needs slowing down.

Breach your soul to reach yourself before you gloom.

Reflection of fear makes shadows of nothing...

Shadows of nothing...

Yuffie payed no attension to where her fast moving legs carried her, but soon she ended up at a lookout near a lighthouse that had a veiw of the bay from a cliff. She walked slowly to the side and leaned on the railing, wiping the dampness from her eyes. She metanly kicked herself for being a fool-it should have been obivous all along. Leon never even sent the notes to her in the first place. But she couldn't help but be mad at him, still. Was it because she couldn't reach his heart even though she had tried so many times? Or because Rinoa had just walked in and gotton there so easily? She wasn't sure.

Sniffing a little, she tried to straighten out her head and wipe away all the crying she'd done. Yuffie wasn't weak and she didn't cry, not in front of anyone, anyway. She was turning around to head back when Tidus walked up onto the lookout.

"Yuffie? You okay?"

"Yeah! Everything is great, Tidus! Just, you know, enjoying the veiw!!" she lied. He wasn't fooled.

"If everything is so great, then why are you crying?" he asked.

"Um...well...no reason, really. Just out of happiness, I guess." she tried to insisst. But he wasn't fooled.

"I don't buy that." he said, walking closer. He leaned on the railing next to her while he looked out on the ocean. "It has to do with Leon, doesn't it?" he asked.

"Well...yeah..." she admitted. "He doesn't return my feelings."

"I thought he sent you those notes?" Tidus asked.

"I thought so too, but he told me he didn't. It must've been someone else."

"I know who. But I'm not gonna tell you."

"Why not? Come on, Tidus! Please!!"

"He asked me not to. Sorry, but I don't go back on my promises." Yuffie sighed.

"It still...kind of hurts, ya know? I really thought they were from him, and now I feel stupid..."The two friends looked at each other.

"It does suck, doesn't it?" Yuffie couldn't hold it in any longer. She broke down completely in front of him. Tidus just slowly put his arms around her back and held her, while she cried like never before. He was silently thankful for this moment to be alone with her. The setting sun the perfect back drop for such a scene.

"Thanks Tidus..." Yuffie whispered, clutching his sleeves to steady herself. He nodded in reply.

You're still blind if you see a winding road.

Cause there's always a straight way to the point you see.

END Chapter 16--------

6H: Are you crying yet? Was that sad enough?

Anaretsu: sleeping

Sora: crying

6H:Okay...Next chapter-the gang says goodbye to their new friends and head home! Who's gonna couple up at the end? This story is far from over, cuase after they get home, it's time for the annual Founder's Day party!! The they all head off to High School! So you all got lots to look forward too! This is Six-out!