A crossover AU story of Final Fantasy VII, VIII, X, X-2, Advent Children and Kingdom Hearts. It's in the Kingdom Hearts section because… the pairing I was aiming for exists only in this game, hehe ;;…

This fic is inspired by those Squffie fics in FFNet. And my little sister, who, when I was first playing KH a few years ago first commented they're cute. Then suddenly it all clicked, and I went slightly mental…

All mentioned things above are owned by Square Enix. And so on and so forth.

-----

It was always afternoon there… when the other kids were playing in groups, involved with strange, fancy or outrageous stories that one always realized in the worlds of make believe… but children will eventually lose that as they grow older, and see the world outside the orphanage may not be as grand and as good as they used to think. It was a slow, sad way for a child losing his innocence, but Matron Edea always knew it had been inevitable.

But for now, the children were blissfully unaware of those shadows, and were making the best of it in their young lives… save one.

A little boy no more than eight years old was trying his best not to cry in the small corner of an old wall leading to the forest. The Matron had always told the children never to leave the walls without her permission, so it was the best place for him to be alone with no one to bother him. The bruise in his cheek still hurts though… and he couldn't help but shed a few tears of pain and frustration.

"Hey…" a voice of a cheerful young girl said overhead.

The boy didn't look up, but bend his head further to his knees; he didn't want her to see him like this.

But the little girl who was only nine years of age simply snorted in annoyance as she sat beside him and firmly but gently made him face her. She looked at him in an indifferent expression, as though she didn't notice his tears or the bruise on his face as she laid her glowing right hand on his face, "Matron didn't know I borrowed the cure materia. She's gonna raise a lot of fuss if she finds out you've been fighting with Seifer again."

The boy glared at her, unfortunately with his very young expression, it made him more endearing than threatening. "He kept telling me Big Sis Ellone is never going back." It was like having huge grains of salt was being rubbed on a raw open wound.

In a way, it was true. Ellone was adopted by a very rich couple who lived in a very far country, and it was unlikely she could ever visit them again. The girl knew that Ellone and this boy were inseparable ever since he was a toddler. Even before Ellone left, she had specifically asked her a favor to look after him, since he never made friends with the other children, and her sudden absence will not help him make any now.

"And you know she won't." the girl said, deciding that being frank would be kinder. "But I'm sure Big Sis wouldn't want you to get hurt on her behalf. What will she say if she sees you like this?"

The boy stopped. "But he wouldn't leave me alone."

As though in an afterthought, the girl leaned closer to him, looking mischievous. "I have an idea…"

Later that night, there was a huge commotion regarding Seifer being turned into a frog. And although the girl admitted the crime and was duly scolded and punished by the Matron, Seifer learned his lesson to leave the boy behind from his teasing. He began doing it to another kid named Zell instead.

And from that day forth, the boy would always run up to the girl and hold her hand… assured that this new big sis will always be with him.

-----

"Damn." Yuffie said, feeling sick. Mostly from the part she was on top of a giant moving turtle being led by a short moogle. The small part was the sinking feeling from that dream that always haunted her sleep.

No matter how hard she tried to forget, the little boy was always in her thoughts. And along that reluctant smile from his was also her feelings of regret and sadness. "Damn it to hell…" she muttered, lying on her back, staring at the strange red moon. Now she'll never fall asleep…

It certainly didn't help with her partner either… Tidus was snoring again. And from her sharp hearing he was saying along the lines of some Blitzball tactics he was telling to his dream friends. Yuffie envied his simple ability to sleep anywhere and anytime, even when he didn't have to.

So she was forced to stay up, looking at the moon, trying to shut off the snores without resorting to murder, and fighting off motion sickness at the same time. She was sarcastically hoping that this could be her lucky start. Or the universe is telling her something.

-----

"And Yuna is there, and Maria… the girl who asked for my autograph a few months ago, remember her?.. Is there, and they both want me to go along to watch the stars from the beach… it was a great dream…" Tidus was telling her dreamily over breakfast when they have finally found solid ground to stand on after the trip. He grinned at her direction, hoping to hear some feedback from her.

Yuffie stared at him in annoyance. Lack of sleep was making her cranky. "Uh, in case you didn't notice, I'm female too. For the last time, I can't help you decide which girl is your type, got that?"

"Ah, but you're… Yu!" Tidus said. "You're the closest guy for a buddy I could find."

"Gee. Thanks a lot." Yuffie said. "No wonder Wakka insisted I should come along too," still, she couldn't stay mad at Tidus for long. He has a good and kind heart, with a sense of humor that was comforting. It was probably the only reason why she stayed in the Besaid islands for a while, a break from that all the places she had been ever since that terrible incident, living with his family. "That's a strange trip you're heading though…"

"This isn't just a trip!" Tidus said, getting agitated. "It's a Rite of Manhood."

"An outdated Rite of Manhood." Yuffie corrected him. "No one does that stuff anymore for fifty years now. And it actually made sense, really…"

"Regardless, I've heard a materia is hidden there in the cave." Tidus pointed out, "Wouldn't it be nice to find a legendary caliber one?"

"That's what you told me in the beach two years ago, remember? And it was a Speed Plus. In the riverside, and it was a Chocobo Lure, in your future sister-in-law's hut, it was also a Chocobo lure."

"But you have to admit freaking ice-cold Lulu was fun."

"It is… if you happen to be a lightning rod."

"You're still pissed about that?"

"Damn right I should be. I'm beginning to think we should get a divorce after this." Yuffie said good-naturedly as she slung her backpack over her shoulder. She and Tidus were an unlikely pair: she was wearing an all black outfit while Tidus in his bright colors of blue and yellow. Though both can manage the trek on this island on their own and strong fighters, Wakka insisted they should be together. Both suspected it long ago that it was one of Wakka's attempts for them to be an item. That idea alone made them both laugh by the sheer ridiculousness of it.

"Wakka'll be disappointed," Tidus said with a straight face. "But we're both leading unhappy lives. We're not meant to be…"

"Yeah, well he'll get over it." they finally found the cave near the beach just like Wakka described to them when Tidus suddenly grabbed her arm.

"Oh, you got your healing potions, stocked up there? We can't always depend on our materias…If you run out, we'd be in trouble if our random encounters are strong."

Yuffie looked at him, "Why are you talking like that?"

Tidus blinked… "I don't know. But it's good to be prepared."

As soon as they entered the cave, Tidus began again. "We could use certain items to give us a view of the maze. That way we can easily avoid traps… however, some of these routes could have hidden treasures we might use, so it's really up to you where we should be going."

"Gawd, you almost sound like an instructor or something." Yuffie said, exasperated. "I know that too, ok? Stop treating me like a three year old."

Even their first monster he was acting weird. "Yuffie, use your special ability 'mug'! You can steal and damage the enemy at the same time…!" he stopped when the ninja, fed up, took the time to move away from the small crablike monster and hit the back of his head with her palm. "OK, shutting up now." Finally taking a hint.

It was good to have strange constants like these in their lives…

-----

Two hours later from wandering in the mazelike underground methodically, they finally found the place most likely a materia could be housed.

"Strange, the Orb is telling me this is the place. But it's empty." Yuffie said, looking around. Though there were stalagmites, rocks, boulders, stalactites… but no materia.

"Damn, someone got here first?" Tidus said, kneeling to ease his legs a bit.

"Seems like it." Yuffie said, trying hard not to sound so disappointed, as well as not remembering the discomforts she had to go through just to get here. A materia can grow again in this spot, but that will take many years for it to even form physically. "We're not the only Materia hunters in Spira, really…"

"And in all accounts, we are noobs."

"We are not!" Yuffie said.

"Well, I'm a Blitzball player, and you're a ninja. But we're just new to this." Tidus corrected himself hastily when Yuffie was staring at him now with an evil glint in her violet eyes. The last time he made her pissed like that was back when they were 13, she literally hauled him and his pants on top of a flagpole (used to warn the villagers of an attack from ocean) on top of the mountain for the rest of the villagers to see, when he called her a weak little girl while helping him out carrying the lumber. He was surprised to find out that he was definitely wrong with that statement. He later insisted he was just being nice, while she accused him of being a chauvinist. It took Wakka and Yuna and many days to make them talk to each other again though.

Silly as it seemed now, Tidus was probably the only person who saw the whole island from his trip with the pole. In a way, it was a great, though not elegant, experience.

"Well, we're new. But we're not noobs!" Yuffie said, backing down a bit. "You should take pride in your work, Ti! How will you be able to protect Yuna with that attitude?"

"Hey, keep her out of this." Tidus snapped, but he was blushing like an adorable schoolboy.

"Well it's true. You know that as soon as she finished her training you'd be joining her to the Capital as her bodyguard with Kimhari." Yuffie said.

He knew it was pointless, but he began anyway. "Are you sure you don't want to come along with us? It'll be more fun that way."

Yuffie was always tempted by that offer, but the vision of a small hand holding hers flashed in her mind. "No. I'll leave after Wakka's marriage ceremony. I've really shouldn't have stayed this long. I've still got places to go…" she knelt near the altar, pretending she was still looking for any lesser materia around, so she couldn't see Tidus' crestfallen face.

Tidus knew that she had been collecting money and combat training for the past five years preparing herself for that long journey. She had always told him of her dream to go beyond the sea and visit far away countries, but now that the time has finally come, he had always been uneasy. They were both kindred spirits, in a way, and even though this friendship of theirs did not evolve into something else, they both genuinely liked each other. He was still nervous with Yuna nowadays, and having the stoic Kimhari around watching him over his shoulder will never help the trip either. It won't be the same without her making him act childish over silly things.

He felt it was unfair of Yuffie to leave him so soon…

With a grunt, he gave a good kick on the wall, this was probably their last materia hunting together, and they didn't find anything. However, he managed to say a loud "WOAH!" as the ground suddenly gave way beneath him.

"Ti!" Yuffie immediately dropped whatever she was doing and ran on the edge of the hole. "Hey, are alright? Can you hear me?!"

"… yeah!..." Tidus' weak reply shouted back, relieving her fears somewhat. "I landed on something slimy though."

"I'm going down there, hold on!" Yuffie said, pulling a rope that was neatly stored from her backpack. Though she had motion sickness to deal with, she has no fear of heights. It was a quick trip for her. And soon, her own black sneakers landed on the same sticky, wet substance that was clinging on Tidus' baggy shorts when he landed there on his butt.

"How're you?" Yuffie said, unconcerned as she realized that he wasn't as bad off as she originally thought.

"My backside's sore, but other than that it's not serious." Tidus knew that Yuffie was laughing at his expense, though she was trying to keep a straight face. He looked around at the strange new level he accidentally found. Instead of rocks, the complex seemed to be full of a green like glow from the mosses that grown over it. These were the same stuff that made the ground beneath them slippery as well.

Then from the small chamber they heard a distinct rumble.

"I really hope that's your stomach Yu." Tidus joked nervously. But both friends were slowly inching for their weapons, Yuffie her small shurikens that fits nicely in the palm of her hand, and Tidus with the sword that his brother gave him.

Suddenly the water beneath them exploded, raining the slimy water on them, as a giant snakelike creature literally reared its ugly head at them and snarled.

Tidus with amazing speed and grace, charged at the snake, sword drawn, while Yuffie supports him from behind by throwing three shurikens from each hand, in deadly accuracy towards the monster's face.

However the monster showed incredible intelligence by moving its head away and using its own tough scales to deflect the impromptu missiles. And Tidus nearly gaped when he saw his own sword bounce off from the monster's body. The reptile recoiled by using its tail and made Tidus to make a painful introduction to the wall.

Yuffie threw a bag of blindness powder on the snakes head, temporarily blinding it, as Tidus quickly drank a light healing potion from his flask, retreating from the thrashing tail as he looks for an alternate way to fight this thing. "Are we screwed?" he asked her.

"I hope not."

"Seems the monster should be more sensitive to magic if it's that tough enough not to be harmed physically."

Yuffie frowned. Although she had knowledge on materia, she's unsure if she has enough spiritual energy to concoct one. "I'm not a black mage, you know…" she said, slowly. "But I think a well placed fire spell should do the trick."

"I'll use my spell to make us move faster." Tidus said.

"I can only fire it once, don't mess up." she warned him. Tidus simply nodded. "NOW!" she shouted as a fireball formed from her fingertips, Tidus, moving twice as fast, used his own sword to be engulfed by the flames and drove it right into the monster's skull.

What happened next completely took them off-guard. The monster gave the most terrible shriek, which went twice the volume in the underground cave that the two friends staggered back, clutching their ears in a vain attempt to block off the sound. In anger and desperation, the monster whirled on them, attempting to crush them both in retaliation.

When another fireball came out of nowhere and hit the wounded part of the reptile's head. The monster howled no more, as the unknown fighter jumped on it's head, and with a powerful swing from his sword, dealt a lethal blow.

The reptile crashed to the ground, its decapitated head rolling on the water, mixing with its black blood. Yuffie was still trying to recover from the ringing sensation in her ears that she didn't hear that person approaching her, knelt beside her, and asked her if she was alright.

She looked up, and saw piercing blue eyes staring at her in intense concentration. Though in another scenario she would be offended and asked him haughtily what the hell he was staring at, she was instead struck her most was his long brown hair reaching his shoulders, a distinct scar from his forehead, and the age that was written all over his grim face. Somehow, she deducted that the man must be in his late twenties… and that he was a very big man too. From her vantage point he was very tall, and somehow quite threatening, she felt like a dwarf beside him.

She then realized that he was talking to her, and she had to concentrate harder to pick up the words. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." Yuffie said, at least the ringing sensation was beginning to fade away. She stood up, frowning that the water also messed up her own shorts. "You alive, Ti?" she called out.

"Ugh, don't shout." He groaned. But Tidus was alright, slightly shaken, but was able to sit up. "Man, for a second there I thought I'd be deaf for the rest of my life."

Yuffie felt that strange man was staring her again. She quickly looked over her shoulder, but he seemed to take a great interest in one of the areas near the cave. She looked back at Tidus, I'm just being jumpy, that's all.

"And I suddenly realized if that happens, I'll never be able to hear Yuna say how much she loves me. And that would suck…"

The ninja frowned, "I thought you liked Marie."

"Well, it's Yuna the first person I remember, anyway…"

"Sheesh, Ti. Please don't be existential on me now. Angst doesn't suit you. We're all gonna be fine." She looked around. "We'll just have to climb out of here…" then her eyes widened in shock when she realized that something's quite not right with the picture. And then it struck her: the rope that she tied from the upper level was now lying on the floor. "Hell, no." she said. Rope lessons was not her forte, but she was experienced enough to know that the rope was cut. From a sword. And since Tidus was down here getting his butt kicked with her, the only logical conclusion was… from that man.

Suddenly angry by this, Yuffie literally stormed in to the part of the cave where she saw that man wandered off, then was so surprised what he was doing in there that she blurted out instead. "What the hell are you doing?"

Calmly, systematically, that man summoned his fire magic to destroy a large nest of eggs. The sight of fire and writhing bodies of the unborn monsters forced Yuffie to turn away in revulsion, it had greatly disturbed her.

"It's probably why that thing attacked you as soon as you got here." The man said, still staring at the fire he caused. "She's a mother."

"Then why'd you toast her babies? There's no need for that." She didn't mean to sound so harsh, but she couldn't help herself.

"There is." The man said, still not looking at her. "This monster's been terrorizing the nearby village here. Preparing food for her kids. I was paid to get rid of her. And since it's likely the brood would just be a threat… it's better off they die as well."

"I see. You're a mercenary." Yuffie said, walking away.

"Yes…" The man said. "My name's Leon."

"Yuffie. My friend over there's Tidus. Thanks for the help, though." She continued walking a few more feet away when she heard him say in quiet seriousness.

"…you're telling me to go away?"

That stopped her. For a brief moment, she could have sworn that he sounded hurt. Yuffie turned around, placed her hands on her hips and stared at Leon in disbelief. Wondering at his strange choice of words and where this was going. "I didn't say that." She said. "But considering that we just met, and you've just completed your mission, I'm sure you have somewhere you've got to go."

"I'm not in a hurry." Leon said calmly. "Even without that giant snake there are still monsters scattered about in this area. You'll need an extra sword."

"And it certainly is no use to let you wandering off on your own. There is safety in numbers. If only my rope was still tied up there we could have leave instantly."

"I'm sorry for that. I was using that rope too climb down here. But when I heard the two of you shouting I have to cut it to reach here faster." Leon said, closing his eyes deep in thought. "But I'm sure that snake has a way out leading to the surface from here. We'll just have to look for it."

"Well…" Yuffie said, thinking it through. Having Leon might be handy, but… "I'm kind of saving my money for something else. And I'm sure people like you charge pretty high…"

"I don't need money." Leon surprised her by saying this. "Just let me accompany you two until we all reach Shore Village."

It seemed fair enough, but her past association with mercenaries made her slightly suspicious. "You're a very strange mercenary." Yuffie said, "I never heard anyone working for free before."

"I'm eccentric."

"Maybe." Yuffie extended her hand. "I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Leon."

The man hesitated for a moment before he clasped her hand with his own. "Just call me Leon." And even though the huge hand looked strange holding hers, it struck her that he has a very gentle touch underlying the black leather glove. Suddenly insecure, she released his hand and said quickly "We should be going back to Ti and tell the change of plans."

"…"

Well, he's certainly talkative. Yuffie thought as she continued her pace. She never really shown interest in men… be it young boys or older guys… ever since she reached the age that she should be. But somehow Leon made a strong impression on her. And she could never figure out what that could be… or meant.

I don't know him. He's just a stranger. A person I've never met before. That's all. Get a grip. She chastised herself.

"Yu!!!" Tidus shouted, delighted, waving his hand as soon as he saw his friend, "Look what I found!" Needless to say that he took the time to actually search the body carefully.

And when Yuffie did see what he was holding, a huge smile was plastered in her face as she hugged him, realizing what it was… a summon materia… a very rare find indeed. "Tidus!" she laughed. "I could just kiss you!"

"You will?" Tidus teased, used to this sort of talk and where it was heading.

Her face made an expression of mock contempt. "Hell, NO!!!"

Leon simply looked away, unimpressed by their childish behavior, no doubt, as the other two began to pick up their bags.

----

Leon took the lead of the expedition with an Orb in his hand, as a sort of apology for making them walk, maybe, with Yuffie and Tidus trudging closely behind.

"Are you sure he's familiar with this place? We've been in here for hours." Tidus said.

"Well… we did go in very far." Yuffie said. She was getting worried as they wandered into more tunnels … but knew it wouldn't do to make Tidus panic as well.

"We'll be alright." Leon assured them, as if he had just read their minds. "As long as we stick together and not draw vampire bats…" nasty critters: when latched on human skin in its attempt to drink warm blood, it was literally a pain getting it off.

"Gawd, do you really have to say that." Yuffie shuddered, not bothering to end that sentence with a question. She had not yet seen the things, but she heard the horror stories from so many people who encountered them that she didn't doubt the danger.

"…"

"So." Tidus said, trying to break the ice. "Where're you from, Leon?"

"I've been around." The taller man replied.

Sheesh. His attitude reminded him of Kimhari's. "So, you've traveled." Tidus persisted.

"You could say that…"

"From your clothes, and that Griever symbol in your neck… you don't look like you're around here. You came from the Mainland?" Yuffie asked him, getting curious as well.

"… not really." And he let it at that, clearly indicating he was not interested to pursue this conversation. Yuffie shrugged, slowed her pace to walk side by side with Tidus, studying the small materia in her hands. "I think it's a Shiva…" she assessed. Though they had to make sure by identifying it in a nearby shop. Though powerful in its own way, it was also quite common.

Tidus looked disappointed. "So much for a legendary one." They were both whispering, so that Leon can think in peace as well as not making noise loud enough to invite nearby monsters.

"Actually, finding this is almost a miracle." She replied, pensive. "I'd be sorry to sell it…"

"I'm sure you'll find better ones along the way."

"Yeah…" Yuffie said, pocketing it. "But it's the memory that counts, right?"

Tidus frowned at her. "You always say that, Yu. Stop it… just because we're parting ways for now doesn't mean we'll never see each other again."

Yuffie managed to keep herself from sighing out loud. "Yeah, you're right. Of course we'll see each other again…" she relented. "I'm sorry."

Tidus cocked his head in puzzlement, "You know, you never told me the story about that saying."

"I wish I could." Yuffie said. "But I'm not sure myself why I can't." It was Matron Edea's last words to her… and so far she can never understand what it really meant either.

Or maybe she already understood… she just couldn't accept it. She looked up at Leon's broad back, wondering if talking their immediate future plans was such a good idea as he may overhear them. Probably not… it doesn't concern him.

At long last, the trio emerged from the caves. And it struck her that it was already dark out, and the moogles and their transportation only work in the day. And that they were lost in the caves much longer than she expected.

"Shit." Tidus said, hand on his head, feeling a headache forming. "Wakka's gonna have our hides for this."

"Think of it as an adventure." Yuffie suggested.

Tidus for once, seemed more upset by this, "You do know Yuna's going to start her Song soon, that is if she hasn't left the temple already."

It was kind of nice to see Tidus going all mushy on someone so needlessly. Yuffie almost envied him. "Not until the next full moon she won't. Two days from now. We still have time… no need to rush."

"We really should be going." Leon said sharply, surprising them both. They had almost forgotten he was also there with them. Feeling guilty and behaving like a noob, Yuffie and Tidus hurried over to where the other man is. There was a reason why no one dared to travel during night time, and that they should get to the village as quickly as they could.

-----

Shore Village was a bit like Besaid. Complete with a bonfire and the Lesser Singers; all three maidens singing in perfect unison, blending with the cold night air as they sung the ancient lyrics of protection from the evil Gi spirits that wandered in the darkness. Their song gives energy to the good spirits of the earth and the ocean, providing a safe haven for the people who were in need of rest.

Tidus was sleeping comfortably in his cot. Yuffie couldn't sleep… as usual. In a way, she decided she should find a way to cure her insomnia one of these days, as it's not a healthy practice in a long run. Leon could not find his employer, and so in interest for a cheap lodging they also invited him in the room. Upon waking up from that sad dream again, she found out that his bed was empty. And as she tossed and turned in her bed in a futile effort to doze off failed, she gave up and decided to have a small walk, hoping it would tire her out.

She saw Leon near the balcony, watching in obvious fascination at the orb forming from the fireplace, where the three Singers were stationed. "I heard cities from the Mainland don't do that now… so long as the head Sorcerer was strong enough to create barriers." Yuffie said. "Not that I have been there, of course."

"I don't really care." What a wonderful way to start a conversation. She was wondering why the hell she even bothered. But apparently he changed his mind and continued.

"What is that?" he asked her, pointing at the blue sphere.

"A Temporary Plane. Sort of like the Farplane of sorts in the Temples." Yuffie said, remembering the whole conversation with Wakka and Yuna when she was younger. "The people of the village call upon their loved ones who died to guide and protect them. They're drawn by the voice and the spiritual energy of the Singer, in which they would, in turn, use the spirits to create this barrier, preventing the Gi to kill people," she pointed at the light blue sphere above them. "The barrier surrounding this place is the souls of the dead people who were uncorrupted..." A Gi flew overhead, screeching as it was repelled by the spiritual energy. No one really knew why the Gi attacked the living, and how they came to be… and how to get rid of them, as they only returned even after defeating it in combat. The people had to rely on their deities and their Songstress to ensure their safety.

"Uncorrupted?"

"Well, there were legends saying the Gi were Heretics who discarded nature and the deities in favor of machines, the Uncorrupted are the souls of the righteous ones who became one with the world… or something. I don't know the details, but that's what the people from Besaid say. I never knew all the stuff from where I came from."

"So you're not from here? You and your boyfriend…" here Leon stopped as Yuffie began to laugh as soon as he said it, it was a conditioned reflex… Tidus would have done the same every time a girl asked him if the girl in black standing behind at his shoulder was his date or something. Realizing she was getting rude she attempted to stop, but she couldn't. It was ridiculous, really, a man she can barely talk to was assuming too much in such short a time. She wondered what the other people she knew for a longer period of time thought of her. "He's not my boyfriend." She said, calming down. "He's a very good friend. With a very good heart."

"Really." Somehow he doesn't sound convinced.

"Really." Yuffie said. "He may not look it, but he's very weird…"

The Singers were now singing a different song, their small congratulations to the soon to be Singers for the Full Moon. Yuna must have completed her training by now, and was most likely resting to have sufficient energy for the coming task. She would have been disappointed that both of them weren't there to congratulate her. Yuffie inwardly grimaced, she shouldn't have insisted to this trip if she knew they'd be delayed by this.

Yuffie looked at Leon, who was now watching the bonfire in avid fascination but was silent as a rock. And the ninja left without making a sound, she was very good at this… she managed to tease Lulu and Wakka whenever they'd walk off on their own with her following. And she liked to scare Tidus when they were younger.

Back in her room, Yuffie did a head stand. It's one of those things her teacher taught her when he found out about her sleeping disorder… by tiring her out as well as increasing strength in her arms and improve her balance without bothering anyone else in the middle of the night; this was the best thing he can think of. Even after all these years she still couldn't figure if her sensei was a genius or a real idiot. But it worked, it draw strange stares though, but it always works.

She was still doing it, even after Leon came back in the room, stared at her but made no comment on her exercise, and lied down on the couch. Soon afterwards, Yuffie felt herself getting tired as well, sat on the floor to catch her breath, before she too plopped on her bed. Closing her eyes, she saw the dream again, but she was too tired to cry anymore.

Omake:

Tidus: I'll do it, Yu! I'll tell Yuna my real feelings on the matter in private!

Yuffie: That's the spirit!

Tidus: Come with me.

Yuffie: What?!

Later

Tidus: Yuna, truly I… I… I… I…L…Lo…lo…

Yuna stares, smiling.

Tidus: WAH! I CAN'T DO IT!!! (sobs in Yuffie's arms)

Yuffie: Hm… five seconds, a new record.

Leon (staring at Yuna's picture in Tidus' room): Whatever…