A Dream's End

[a.n.] Alright, if anyone needs to know, I have quite a bit to say before you read my little chappie two. Here goes:

AHHH!!!! AND NIINII RETURNS!!!!!! --Glomps her until she dies--

Edited the first chapter like three times, couldn't get the forking italics to work correctly, but whatever, so the paragraph before the reverie and the paragraph right after it are supposed to be italics; please 'member that when reading Chapter I, or when referring my story to others. Also, I changed hardly-noticeable mistakes in the time period between the Bastion's downfall to the Heartless and the present in my story. If any of you remember, Leon mentioned the Bastion being invaded as happening 'nine years ago'. So, as the events of Kingdom Hearts happened a year ago, that means, to Yuffie and the others in my story, the Bastion fell ten years ago – meaning Yuffie was nine years old, Aerith was thirteen, and Squall and Cloud were seventeen. I fixed it in Chapter I; if you happen to see it, then there ya go.

To my beloved readers: SHOULD I WRITE ANOTHER CHAPTER TO "HAVE YOU EVER"???????

ANSWER MEEEEEEEEE!!!

My revvies: Lithe, Pingpong867, Annjirika, Aniiston, Lvkishugs (oh, you really like it? I'm glad you do! Not many like my work. I'm a novice compared to some novelists that I know. ), Rednight-rider – I'm glad you liked the chapter! Now here's another for your Turkish Delight… [araclyzm]

To Whisper to Skies

p.o.v. Yuffie

Despite the poor hospitality shown by the waitress (who later I would learn was named "Lilee"), my waffles were absolutely delectable. I was the first to finish, leaning back in my chair and relishing the goodness of waffles. Whoever created them, I must give you credit, for you've created one of the greatest things in notable history.

I sneaked a sideways glance at Squall. He really has changed so much since we left. He used to be much more free, much more kind. Sure, he most definitely had a serious persona then, but it intensified tenfold when we came to Traverse Town and began to relive life. Squall never bothered to tell anyone how much the defeat of the Bastion affected him, but I had a clue; Cloud's disappearance for nine years plus the loss of his home and probably the only person Squall had ever loved caused him to think differently about life.

I can't say I disagree with him. Despite my ever-consistent optimism, I never thought of anything the same way. No one did. The Heartless destroyed us in more than one way on that day in the Bastion.

Soon after breakfast, Aerith pulled me aside, wanting a quick word with me before she went to spend time with her dearly loved Cloud.

"Yuffie…I want you to do me a favor," the flower girl said as soon as Squall and Cloud had left us alone. I stared at her, my expression telling her to continue. "I'm going to give you something to read later and I want you to think about it, okay?"

"What are you going to give me?" I asked her, confusion obvious on my face.

She shook her head. "Please, just do this one thing for me. Just read it and tell me what you think, alright?"

I looked at her then in my strange way that meant I understood, but I didn't know why. "Okay…sure. Fine. When shall I receive this 'thing'?"

"I'll give it to you by tonight," Aerith exhaled, relieved. "Thank you, Yuffie. And remember, read it and tell me what you think."

"Yes, Aerith, I heard you the first time." I smiled, still unsure. "But okay." I started walking away. "See you."

Aerith waved and ran over to Cloud some feet away. I didn't see Squall, but at the moment I didn't truly care where he was.

I would have loved to bask in the sunlight, or spend time lazily under the drawling rays for the rest of my day. But there is no sun to shine or rather to speak of in Traverse Town; it is a world of eternal nighttime. When I spoke of this town as 'dismal', I meant it. So many people who have fled from their worlds besieged with Heartless have come to this place, which was once just as filled with Heartless as the others. Their pasts were their own businesses, and to ask about it was as bad as cursing their name. Their pain reflected the attitude of the town: indifference and silenced ache.

Of course, our town was the first place Sora had come to, and with the help of us as well as others we fought to keep the Heartless at least out of the First District. All but the stoutest hearted turned away from the challenge of going beyond the tiny square that was the First District. There were very few of those. But those few traveled in packs to the closest locations, like the few stores near the door between the First and Second District, and the Hotel.

Then Sora sealed the keyhole and we were soon able to venture far past just the beginning of the Second District. But how did I get from why the sun doesn't shine in Traverse Town to Sora's achievements? Really, I do think my mind wanders way too much.

Stopping with that thought, I scanned my surroundings. I was standing in the now-busy Second District Square, beside the tiny fountain. Around me, a few children played, their innocence almost laughable.

Smiling, I muttered, "I have the attention span equal to that of a walnut."

Someone giggled.

I looked towards the source.

"Saeta," I said, my smile growing. "And just what are you laughing at, ya little runt?"

The six-year-old Saeta grinned, showing several missing baby teeth. The girl who I met once at this very spot was wearing schoolgirl-like apparel, her long amber hair held into a ponytail with a red silk ribbon. In her chubby little hands she held a brown paper bag.

"Good morning, Yuffie," Saeta greeted, curtsying slightly, her big green eyes shining with glee. "How are you today?"

I smirked. "Nuh-uh, don't you get that polite tone with me." I winked. "I'm just fine, thanks. And yourself, young'n?"

"Great! I'm going to school now," Saeta answered delightfully, pointing towards the Gizmo Shop. I almost forgot that it served as a school as well as its name. "I can't wait to go! My friend Jiji said it's a lot of fun."

I looked up at the gizmo shop, reminiscing on my own days in school. I first began going when I was only four, at my mother's kind insistence. It was then that I met an eight-year-old girl named Aerith Gainsborough, who I immediately grew close to.

The school I went to was not just a place to gain an education with mathematics, reading, and writing. My father made sure that I learned every language they could stuff into my head plus more; every little tidbit of information that they could come up with was to be taught to me. Of course, even at that young age, I was easily distracted by other things, not truly caring about school, and didn't learn as much as I was supposed to. I was also taught the ways of the shinobi, completing my training only after I came to Traverse Town.

Snapping back to the present reality, I looked down at the little Saeta, ruffling up her pretty hair.

"I suppose you'll have fun, little one," I whispered, bending down and handing her a small bit of munny. "Promise me not to get into trouble though."

Saeta accepted the money with a surprised but appreciative face. "Yes, Yuffie, I promise! Thank you!" With that, she turned and ran towards the gizmo shop as the bells began to chime.

Watching Saeta run toward the Gizmo Shop with such childlike eagerness almost made me laugh. But as soon as I made sure she was inside the large shop, I went through the hotel to the back alley. At least maybe I would find something else to do besides think – meaning train – in the Waterway.

Normally, on days – or should I say nights – like today (tonight – but I'll just say days for days and nights for nights), you'd expect everyone to be outside. With the stars shining brightly enough to be considered a sun, and the artificial lighting coming from the lampposts being just as brilliant, it would resemble something of a nice day. The usual dark sky had brightened with the stars' shine, which, while not uncommon, served as a change from the regular bleakness, and a light breeze had picked up, coaxing in some clouds.

Then again, Squall Leonhart wasn't like everyone. As I've said before, the events from Hollow Bastion changed him. He was completely unpredictable at times – and at others I could map out his thinking like I would my own. So when I predicted that on such a nice day he would be inside the grimy waterway, I wasn't surprised to find that he was.

And, normally, I wouldn't have wanted to be in the waterway at the same time he was – partly because there were times when I just couldn't hold down my thoughts-leading-to-blushes, and partly because, whenever I was around him, I made a horrible fool of myself. You'll see what I mean in a minute.

Wading into the water and through the iron gates, I heard the ever-so-familiar swishing of a sword as it lacerated the air to destroy a foe none but the wielder of the blade could see before I even entered the cave. Slinking delicately toward his unguarded back, a small smirk crossed my face as I wondered how I should surprise him this time.

The surprise was on me, however, when he turned around, that smooth, aloof-like quality painting his features.

"Didn't even try this time, did you?" he said evenly. I must have looked perplexed, but all the more almost amazed, because his eyebrow arched in a familiar manner and he swung the gunblade up to his shoulders. "My hearing's much better than you think, Yuf."

I noticed he'd let loose a slight aggravated tone, and I smirked, pulling myself out of the water to walk daintily over to the dry stones.

"Oh, yes, I know," I said, allowing a teasing mockery to attend my casual voice, "But isn't a swordsman only supposed to depend on his sight and naught much else?" If this didn't sound like something I'd say, don't hold your breath; I'd heard it quoted from Cloud a day ago.

This, however, I did not convey to Squall, but he didn't seem astonished that I'd said it, either.

"Where'd you hear that from? Blondie?" he said after a moment. "A swordsman uses not just his eyes, but his ears as well. Lose one, and you have the other. Lose one, and you don't happen to be affiliated with that second sense, then you're as sure as dead." He nodded at my dripping physique. "Didn't bother entering through Merlin's, huh?"

That infuriating blush crept up on my neck and I grunted with something bordering amusement – amusement that Squall was so quick to change the subject – and embarrassment.

"Well unlike some, I choose the hard labor of swimming," I announced, forcing a grand tenor into my voice.

Squall smirked. "Swimming through a dank and musty cavern filled with muddy green water and decaying insects is certainly considered hard labor," he answered agreeably, pulling his gunblade from his shoulders in an action that presumed he would be continuing in his training.

The burning blush on my neck dripped toward my cheeks. "Well it's better than jumping across an even bigger body of muddy green water filled with even more decaying insects via demented stones that are hell bent on throwing you into said water!" I retorted quickly, trying to squeeze some of the icky – my word, and yes, I admit the stuff was disgusting – water out of my shirt by pulling at the bottom and wringing the cloth.

His only response was to give me a weird look suggesting something along the lines of, 'Sure. Right. Whatever you say,' before he turned his back on me and began thrusting his sword into the hearts of invisible enemies. Glaring at the man through the hair now plastered to my forehead, I flicked the bangs out of my eyes and started to stroll toward him.

Of course, that was the second he chose to swing around, scaring me half to death, thus leading me to fall flat on my butt.

Did I mention that the cobblestone floor was very slippery?

I must have banged my head hard, because, in addition to the ache pounding at my brain, three pairs of Squalls were bending over me, a mask of amusement hiding what I couldn't tell was worry. My brain, of course, conveyed me as in heaven, and therefore, the first stupid thing to pop out of my mouth was:

"Uh…"

Yes. Very smart, right?

"Are you sure you're a ninja?" Squall asked with an insincere visage of bafflement. And there was that amusement factor, too.

I glowered, sitting up slowly as I tried to stop the visions. "Shut up," I mumbled. Wasn't I in a perfect position right then? I'd just tripped, hit my head hard, was dripping from the murky olive water, and for some reason Squall was now the one with the upper hand. Translation: there I go again.

So what do I do so as not to make myself even more of a fool?

I retaliate, and that's when my tongue goes out of control.

"Squall," I drawled, dragging the single syllable out just to vex the guy, "It's your fault I'm in this position. Your idiotic insinuation of a battle move could have toppled any shinobi, not just me." That last word escaped as more of a hiss rather than a spoken thing.

And, as sure as the day isn't night, his automatic response was, "Leon."

I swear, the guy gets faster every day. It's like he's some kind of robot mechanically programmed to react whenever I say 'Squall'.

"And Yuffie?" He'd lost his sense of humor by now, staring blankly at me with not a look of stupidity, but a look of quiet displeasure that saw arguing with me as a total waste of his time. "It's called training, not an 'idiotic insinuation of a battle move'. And you roving around is absolutely no help at all." Then, shouldering his blade one last time, he added that final sentence that never failed to make my wonder yet again why I happened to love him. "The Heartless could be attacking at any minute, and training is a virtue." The tone in his voice told me I should have known that.

He didn't say more – he didn't have to, as that last phrase usually signaled the end of our conversations – and didn't take his time in leaving, exiting through the stairs to Merlin's hut. I heard the humming noise of the lift as it brought the soldier to the Magician's Study.

"Ah yes," I mumbled to myself – then again, who else would I mumble it to? – as I leaned against the pebbly wall and sunk slowly to the ground, "once again, I ruin any chances of friendship."

Squall Leonhart wasn't necessarily not my friend. He wasn't my enemy, of course, and I trusted him far more than he trusted me, and yes, I knew just about everything that I could tease out of him. But our relationship wasn't exactly friendly. We were more of acquaintances – acquaintances that knew more about each other than strangers, but not enough as friends.

When I was certain that I had fallen in love with him, I'd begun trying, however discreetly, to advance our relationship to something more 'mature'. Then again, I'm a ninja, not a miracle worker.

Pulling five stars from the leather pouch that hung on the belt loop of my shorts, I pulled myself to my feet and walked a few paces so that I was standing before the sun mural on the other side of the Waterway. Concentrating on the very center of the sun, I closed my eyes and slunk low, keeping a mental image of the mural in my mind. Then, brandishing two of the five stars, I aimed them carefully and threw them.

Hearing a low thud, I opened my eyes again and saw, to my smug amazement, that not only had the stars hit the very center of the painting, but were exactly next to each other, one of both their points stuck to the wall.

Smiling slightly, I repeated the same actions, this time with the other three stars, happy to have the same result. Wading into the water to retrieve my throwing stars and then back, I slid to the floor again, my back to the wall. Casting a wandering gaze around the cavern, I felt a small knot form in my stomach. It wasn't from fear, though, because I'd long ago ridden myself of any fears that I wasn't fond of. Being a proud ninja, I couldn't very well be afraid of petty things like the dark and being alone. What I did fear was harm to my friend, and being caged. But that's not of any real relevance, huh?

Sighing, I looked once again around the cave. It looked lonely. That's what made that knot.

Sepulchral, I thought, recalling a word Squall mentioned once. Like a single great building that had been long abandoned by its gigantic owners.

Like myself, too, my thoughts added hastily, as though not wanting to leave that particular idea out. I grunted, having been half expecting my brain to supply the additional words. It was just like me to pity myself, even when my general guise disallowed it.

Exhaling deeply, I finally stood, brushing at my shorts. Looking from the steps leading up to the Mystical House to the dark water leading to the Alleyway, I weighed the possibilities.

Just when I was thinking of paying Merlin another visit, I thought of something else, and left through the water.

.

Sitting on the balcony of the room she shared with Cloud, Aerith gazed almost longingly at the sky. Her tan face was virtually blank, save that shine of longing, her pale pink lips set in a small frown of contemplation, her eyebrows furrowed as she thought.

Aerith Gainsborough was a gentle young woman who was genuinely concerned with everyone's welfare, especially her friends'. It was a fault in some cases, where some would mistake her compassion for intrusiveness. But she was a considerate medicine woman and active helper in everything that called for her occupation. Not only that, she was a flower girl.

Even she wasn't sure what that meant.

Suppressing the smile of amusement that touched her thinking pose, Aerith had to admit that it was kind of funny to think of herself as a flower girl and not even know what her profession called for. Whenever she heard the term 'flower girl' she immediately thought of gardens and weddings.

Not unexpected when coming from her.

A general romantic and worrywart, they used to call her. That visage slowly became one of patience and empathy throughout the years.

At the moment, however, her visage – nix the suppressed smile – suggested that her mind was on other things. Yuffie, for the most part. And what was really bothering her was what she'd seen two nights before, atop the Gizmo Shop, where she knew for a fact Yuffie would be, avoiding a huge birthday bash for one of Traverse Town's more popular residents…

The party was being held in the Third District, as was usual for any kind of large parties. A silk tent thin enough to see the night sky covered a considerable distance, with the imminent expectance of rain having been the cause for the tent in the first place. Three long tables of polished mahogany wood were lined against three sides of the tent, all piled high with food and drink enough to feed the entire town at least three times – which was good, considering the entire town had turned out for the celebration. Lights glittered like firelight, on and off and this color and that one.

It gave her a headache.

Aerith had never been one for parties, but the celebrant himself had requested her presence at the gala. Scolding herself several times for even thinking of saying no or even lying, she had agreed to go, asking if her friends would be able to attend as well.

All four of them turned down the request with mutual contempt and dislike written on their faces.

However, with much of her pleading, they had no choice but to give in, though Cid put his foot down hard in saying that he had other things to be doing, other things that included only him and his gummi repair shop. Aerith let him alone – thus earning disapproving hisses from Yuffie, and almost annoyed looks from Cloud and Leon.

Aerith loved them all because they put up with her. But she really hadn't wanted to go to the occasion alone.

Now, however, with the entire town cramped under the tent, milling around the refreshments and dancing way too close for her taste, Aerith found even she – she, with all of her understanding and fortitude – could not stand the thundering lights and sound any more.

Hoping to seek out her friends so maybe they could leave – they'd promised to come and they did, so now they were taking an early departure – she tried to get out of her seat, only to start being knocked about by the hundreds of people moving around.

"Excuse me," "Pardon me," "Now really," was all that seemed to escape her mouth as she moved painstakingly through the crowds and finally into the fresh air. The music still rumbled on, but at least now she could breathe.

She stood on her toes, trying to see if Cloud, Yuffie, or Leon were somewhere near the entrance, which was more likely than them being anywhere inside.

Cloud was the first one she saw. Before they'd arrived for the festivities, they'd said all four of them would stick together like glue.

Then again, they hadn't realized all of Traverse would be attending.

They were easily shaken apart and Aerith had lost track of the other three in no time. Now, however, she realized that he'd either been keeping an eye on her or had just the same intentions as she, for he emerged from the tent soon after she did.

She tried to speak over the deafening noise, but her voice was lost. Cloud saw her trying, however, and motioned with a quiet hand toward the First District. Aerith quickly obliged, skipping toward the First District/Third District door with Cloud not far behind. Once in the near-empty district (near-empty meaning Cid in the Accessory Shop, and Huey, Dewey, and Luey asleep in their apartments above the Item Shop), Aerith pulled Cloud toward the Item Synthesis Shop, sparing a quick glance at the clock hung on the far wall.

"Midnight," she murmured, looking over at Cloud. "Have you seen Yuffie or Leon?"

Cloud shook his golden mane. "Not since we arrived. I was looking for them, but I only found you." He rubbed his temple. "But for once Aerith, I really have to tell ya…"

Aerith shook her head quickly. "No need; we're not going back. Might as well get to bed."

"As if we could, with that racket. We'll hear it even from the Second District."

Aerith smiled slightly. "You sound like Cid."

Cloud had the grace to look affronted. Or mock-affronted, considering the tone of voice he used next. "You dare compare me to that old man?"

Aerith giggled a little. "You go back to the Hotel, Cloud," she said, leaving the store with Cloud in tow. "I'll go find Leon and Yuffie-"

"And promise never to make us go to another party again?" Cloud finished with a manner that was almost pleading, followed by a yawn that indicated he was tired.

Aerith shook her head, but smiled. "And make sure they don't want to give me away."

"I'd never let them," Cloud muttered, kissing her a soft goodnight before leaving her to go to the Hotel.

Her smile wider and her spirit higher, she turned back to the First District/Third District door, re-entered the third district, and immediately wished she hadn't as the deafening music exploded into her ears and the square, most likely disturbing, if even for a millisecond, the sleeping ducklings.

She shut the two doors quickly, retreating back into the First District. No, she thought quickly, looking around the empty region of Traverse, they wouldn't be there.

Maybe they went back to the Hotel, her mind provided hopefully. Thinking this the most plausible, she walked across the cobblestones, her boots making a quiet clickety-clack noise that sounded much louder than it actually was. Up the steps and through to the Second District; the Hotel lay at her right. She made for it at once, noting with displeasure that the sound of that bothersome gathering in the Third District resonated even there.

The Hotel manager wasn't there, as was expected, but she didn't need him in the first place, and preferred to go about her business without him at all. Shoving her metal key into its lock, she pushed the door quietly open and looked around, half expecting to see Yuffie raiding her closet for a t-shirt or lost munny or something else rather unimportant that Yuffie would have the mind to search for. It gave her an excuse to come into Aerith and Cloud's room now and again simply so she could get away from the dull monotony – or so she dubbed it – of her own room.

But Yuffie wasn't there – though Cloud was, and he was half asleep on the bed – and when she checked the room Yuffie and Leon shared – which was connected to hers – she found that neither of them were there, either.

Looking at the clock on the wall again, Aerith bit her lip, a sign to anyone that she was getting worried. Where were they?

Quietly closing the connecting door to Leon and Yuffie's room, she exited her own room through the balcony after making sure her door was shut and locked tight. Falling gracefully on her feet, she glanced down the Alleyway, but the iron gates were shut. If Yuffie and/or Leon were there, then they would be open, because you couldn't open them from the inside.

She left the Hotel again, via Leon and Yuffie's room this time, and walked with a measured step among the shadows of the district, quiet eyes searching. Scanning all of Yuffie's favorite haunts, her eyes landed on the Gizmo Shop and she wondered why she hadn't thought of the place first. She looked straight at the roof and there, hidden, but barely, by the shadows, sat Yuffie, her eyes glued to the sky. It was such an unlikely pose for the ninja that Aerith had to do a double take to make sure she saw what she was seeing. But it was definitely Yuffie there up on the roof. As Aerith watched, she opened her mouth.

At that distance, Aerith didn't hear what she said, but the expressions on her face showed that she was receiving an answer. Unless Yuffie was insane, Aerith was willing to bet all her munny – and her friendship with Yuffie – that Leon was up there with her.

Quickening her pace, she entered the Gizmo Shop, none too astonished that it wasn't locked, went through the back, and climbed slowly up the ladder. Recent renovations with the Gizmo Shop – renovations including the school that the Shop now served as – had prompted the managers to pile the empty rooms with boxes of school supplies, books, and items. But being as their only empty room was the main shop, the second floor, and the room with the ladder, they also stacked the roof with many boxes.

Upon reaching the top, Aerith heard speaking. Having never been one to eavesdrop, Aerith didn't want to start now. But she didn't want to leave unless she was absolutely sure Yuffie and Leon were both okay and weren't mad at her, and the moment didn't seem right to suddenly walk in and interrupt. She spotted a convenient spot behind a pile of packages and slipped behind it. Her vision was obscured, so she knew they couldn't see her at least, and she had to strain her ears to hear.

What she heard made her freeze.

"Leon, Yuffie, my name is Leon," said the voice of Leon. "I really wish you would get it right."

When Yuffie responded, there was a grin in her voice, and she was using that Genie-of-the-lamp kind of character most likely meant to mock Leon. "Truly Squall? Is that what you wish?"

There was a low growl, probably from Leon, before he said, "Forget it."

"Ah, Squallie, Squallie, Squallie, Squallie…"

Their conversation continued in an almost civilized manner. This being virtually impossible considering Leon and Yuffie's none-too-hidden cool endurance of the other, Aerith could hardly suppress a gasp.

Tuning herself out of as much of the exchange as possible, she almost didn't have time to shift her position when she heard Leon's loud boots coming toward the ladder, the signal that he was leaving. Aerith waiting until she could no longer hear him, before stepping out from behind the boxes.

Opening her mouth to speak, Yuffie stood, cutting her off.

"If there is anything up there, besides stars and skies," she whisperingly began, her voice wavering but assured, "then I wonder if you'll listen to me." Her eyes belonged to the stars by now, and she seemed not to notice Aerith's presence. That struck Aerith as saying something, since Yuffie was a ninja and trained to hear even Aerith's quiet footfalls. Then she began to wonder if Yuffie knew that she'd overheard some of her words with Squall.

Before Aerith could begin to question anything else, Yuffie spoke again.

"Do you enjoy tormenting me?" Her voice had turned bitter. "The one thing I can't have… the one thing you won't give me… I have no choice in the matter, do I?" She emitted a sigh, her face sweeping the ground below. A pang of panic hit Aerith, but Yuffie didn't jump, though she leaned on the right hand pillar sheathed in darkness, still ignoring Aerith.

"People call me selfish. They call me immature, childish, naïve. But no one gives a damn about what I think or what I say. So here's the only thing I'll ever ask of you: I want to be loved."

After that, Aerith couldn't think to overhear anything else Yuffie might slip out, so she quietly stamped her feet to signify her walk, and pretended that she had just arrived. Aerith was obviously a very good actress because, despite raging internal protests, she was able to convince Yuffie she'd just come up to see if she wanted to go to sleep instead of back to the party and that she'd heard nothing. If Yuffie knew, she showed no sign of it, and gratefully obliged in going to bed.

But her words echoed through Aerith's mind all night. She knew exactly what Yuffie had meant when she asked the sky to be loved. For there was only one thing she never told Aerith that was so obvious that she didn't have to.

And so the next day, Aerith asked around the town for a specific book until a certain helpful citizen pointed her in Merlin's direction. After requesting the wizard's help, he promised to look for it in his cluttered study, for he knew it was there somewhere. He'd found it last night, which was why Aerith and Yuffie went to retrieve it this morning.

And with a plan slowly forming in her mind, Aerith rose to her feet, collecting the papers piled neatly on the table that took up a corner of the balcony. It was the revision of Romeo and Juliet that she'd taken the day to write in a way Yuffie would understand, while Cloud was helping Cid at the Accessory Shop. Where Yuffie and Leon spent their day wasn't much of a mystery, but Aerith didn't need to know.

Placing a paperclip on the sheets of paper, she went back inside the Red Room, put the stack on the table near the wall, and left the room for her shift at the Infirmary.

.

If Traverse Town wasn't peaceful enough, the most peaceful place in it was the Dalmatian's House. When the Heartless came to Traverse, they left the pup-filled place alone. Pongo and Perdita often allowed visitors to come inside, most especially since Sora retrieve all ninety-nine puppies. My personal favorite was a tiny pup with a black patch over her left eye. She was shy, unlike her brothers and sisters, which for some reason made me like her all the more. Often I would sit in the anteroom with little Patch in my lap, just talking to her and pretending she could hear.

It was the place I chose to be after my encounter with Squall in the Waterway. Even when I knew that I had friends like Aerith, Cloud, Cci, and sometimes even Saeta to talk to about just anything, it was as if Patch was the only one I could really speak to and not expect anything back, no criticism, no scolding, just her sweet little love. No one could truly understand how much talking to the little pup meant to me. Not even Aerith, I'm sorry to admit.

"So, Patch," I began, petting her head. She looked up at me and seemed to smile as she barked once in hello. "I'm sure your day was fine, huh? Is Mr. Lucas taking good care of you and your family?" Mr. Lucas was the appointed inhabitant of the Third District to watch over the family of Dalmatians, even if they were pretty capable of taking care of themselves.

Patch responded with another bark and settled herself in my lap. I looked absently down at her.

"Good, I hoped as much. Any sign of trouble, and you let me know, hear?" The pup stirred slightly, but didn't move anymore, though I felt the soft rise and fall of her breathing against my hands that lay on her back. Now was the perfect time to talk to my little friend. With one last look around the room, and seeing that only Pongo and Perdita lay on one another in a far corner of the room, I began.

"Aerith woke me up again…"

{tbc}

[a.n] Note to all: forgive me for the two-day delay. On Saturday, I was at a block party with my bf on her street, 114th. Then on Sunday I went to Dorney Park! And I think it's safe to assume by now that I've become a bit of a daredevil: NO ROLLERCOASTER CAN TAKE ME!! All DAY on Sunday I was upside down on just every single ride I could get to. Including one that went like fifty stories in the air and then dropped you. The only thing I didn't get done was a caricature. Yep. Only put-down of the day, lest you include being stuck with an old meanie for the afternoon.

Monday…well…I was busy writing the four-and-a-quarter length reverie of this fourteen page, 5, 575-word chapter, and I hope you all enjoy it.

And I do believe Aniiston has gone as cuckoo as Lingle. Three cheers for her!

(Those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, don't bother asking.)

=) Questions? Comments? Then review and set your mind at ease. [araclyzm]