A/N: Okay, a lot of you are freaking at me for putting Rinoa in my story... Believe me, I HATE her...a lot... like she is my least favorite character of all freaking time. But I mean, it was a good twist right? Note to Sqully: Sorry bout the whole Rinoa thing. You shouldn't worry though...

() Thinks evil thoughts () well read on... Oh yah and I know I left Yuffie POV short last time so to make it even, Leon's first POV will be short this time... and this chapter is going to be longer than all my other chappies. Switching back POV a couple times.

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Leon

'Rinoa's alive and all you can think about is Yuffie? What is wrong with you man?' Leon frowned. 'Shouldn't I be happy?' Kicking a rock out of his way, he tried to organize his thoughts. He wasn't really paying attention to where he was going, he had his Gunblade incase he met any heartless. Ever since Leon woke up this morning, feelings had been swimming in his mind about Yuffie and Rinoa. Unable to stay in the hotel, he'd jumped out the balcony. Usually he would go to train to get things off his mind, but this time he couldn't. 'I have to figure this out. This can't be pushed out of the way, it needs resolving' his intellect had kicked in. So here he was, a lone stranger in the third district, head bowed down in deep thought, a mask hiding his real emotions. Leon was so profoundly confused and hidden in reflection that he didn't even hear the light footsteps approaching him.

"Squall...?" 'Its her' his mind recognized instantly. He straightened slowly and curved about, now facing her.

"Rinoa?" He spoke it firmly, as if it wasn't really a question at all. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. He hugged her, shocked and not knowing what to do, but as his mind shot back into action, he quickly detangled himself from her, putting some space between them. "It's Leon now, and how did you find me?"

"Well when I landed it was confusing," she admitted speaking thoughts aloud "but I went through these huge doors and looked for you there and seen Yuffie, she—

"You seen Yuffie?" 'She hasn't left yet' his mind sang at him. He felt something spread over him...was it relief?

"Yah, I thought she would have left already!" She smiled, obviously glad she got to see Yuffie this morning "Anyways, Yuffie told me that she had seen you in the Third District this morning. But when I asked her what you were doing, she said she didn't talk to you. She said you looked deep in thought and she didn't want to disturb you to say goodbye. She asked me to tell you instead" She smiled at him. One of those smiles, the ones that used to make his knees weak, but now it didn't affect him at all. 'Say...Goodbye? Oh no...she can't leave, not yet, not until I figure this all out!' his brain screamed when he suddenly thought of something.

"No, I mean how did you know I was here in Traverse Town?" he looked at her, to see her dark eyes looking lovingly at him.

"Oh that! Last night, Yuffie contacted me in my gummi ship" she shrugged, "She told me to come and see you! And when I found her this morning she said she was glad that I was here for you. Something about how you still loved me and missed me a lot! Yep! That's what Yuffie told me!" she said excitedly. 'WHAT!'

"Did she say how she knew that?" he watched Rinoa frown slightly

"Why do you care Squall? Its just Yuffie! Beside she leaving soon, right after she says bye to Cloud and Aerith. I'm here now! Aren't you happy?" she looked at him expectantly, and when she seen his scowl she sighed, giving in to his request. "Fine Squall, you win! Yuffie told me about your guy's conversation last night. She said she asked if you loved me and you said that you did and she asked if you missed me and you said yes to that too! That's how she knows Squall. Why is it important anyway?" Leon was taken aback at this 'I said that?' his mind raced, thinking about last night on Merlin's roof. Then he remembered.

She had murmured, "Did you love her"

He had sighed and answered "It's Leon now Yuffie. Leon. I did love her..."

"Do you think of her often? Like do you miss her?" Yuffie had inquired.

"I did yah. You know, when you love someone, you think of them a lot. I miss her sometimes. Mostly I think I'm lonely"


Thinking about his words he said glancing to Rinoa "Rinoa... I am happy that your okay and well but..." he trailed off searching for the words to explain. She smiled at him understandingly.

"Yuffie needs you Squall, and you need her. I can see her in your eyes now; In fact I always could see her, even when we were together when we were kids. You always loved her I think" she nodded staring at his eyes. Her word penetrated him and he realized she spoke the truth, but didn't want to admit it.

"Thank you. Rinoa, I'll always be here for you, but as a friend" she nodded at him and simply waved a hand, as if she knew this was going to be the end all along.

"Hurry or you might miss her"

' I don't love Yuffie, I just have to protect her' he lied to himself, running through the doors.

Yuffie

"Oh Yuffie! Please don't go!" Aerith cried as she refused to let go.

"Uh...Cloud? A little help here please?" Yuffie looked to the blonde for support as she tried to untangle herself from her weeping friend. Cloud shook his head as if saying 'Don't drag me into this'.

"I agree with Aerith on this one Yuffie, I don't think you should go either" he said as if making a final statement. 'Don't do this to me' Yuffie, finally getting away from Aerith hold, shook her head.

"I'm sorry guys. But I will visit often I promise you. Now that I know where you are it should be all good!" 'Besides I don't want you all involved in my problems, or dying because of them' she added to herself. She faked a smile, hoping it would convince them that she was fine.
She recalled her conversation when Rinoa had found her.

"Why don't you stay here Yuffie? Squall and Cloud won't let Sephiroth touch you. Your safer here than out on different worlds all the time by yourself!" Rinoa stated accusatorily.

Yuffie smiled "Rinoa, I'm not wanted here, besides now that you're here Squall will be caught up with you, and Cloud and Aerith are together all lovey- dovey, I'll just be left out of the circle. You should go see him now; he's in the third district. He really loves you Rinoa, and misses you too. He told me so last night when we talked about it." She had almost broken down, talking about Rinoa and Squall together, but she'd held it in.

"Oh really Yuffie!? What did he say this morning when you talked to him about me coming!?" Rinoa was doing an excited dance.

"It's a surprise Rinoa" she laughed "I never told him you were coming. And I didn't talk to him this morning either, he looked all 'in thought' I didn't want to make him mad because I interrupted to say goodbye. Could you tell him for me please?" It wasn't a total lie, she had seen him in the Third District this morning looking awfully confused. Well as confused as he could look, seeing as how he was always hiding emotions.

"Alright! I really wish you would stay here though. Come back often ok?" Rinoa hugged her "and thank-you for saving me"

"Of course!" Yuffie waved away her thanks, also answering about coming back. "Anyways, I'm going to go say goodbye to Cloud and Aerith. I'll be back sometime." She smiled pretendingly. "You can count on it"

"I really should go, I meant to leave an hour ago, but I slept in! Crazy me!" she laughed. She hugged Cloud tightly while soothing them with the same words she had used with Rinoa "I'll be back, you can count on it"

"You better or there will be hell to pay young lady" Cloud gazed at her concernedly "Your sure you want to leave? We can protect you better here"

"Positive. Don't worry over my problems, I'll be fine!" Yuffie said brightly 'Please fool you' "Oh and uh, Rinoa is back now, I sent her to see Squall in the Third District a bit ago" they nodded, not really caring too much at all. They were all about her right now. "I got to go. See you guys later!" She walked out of the door before they could protest, then bolted outside towards the First District doors. Glancing back, a solitary tear slipped down her cheek. "Goodbye Squall" 'I love you'

She walked towards the towards the World Exit, thinking about what her life held in store for her. 'There is nothing out there for me. Face I Yuf, you're alone and nobody really cares too much. You should end it all now.' Now getting into suicidal thoughts, she tried to think of something else. Something happy. 'Maybe I'll go to Destiny Islands and see Kairi! Nah, she'll probably be caught up with mourning Sora's absence ... But Riku? Sure, I haven't seen that kid in a while! What he must be like 16 now? I guess he's not really a kid anymore then.' She was thinking of anything to get her mind off Squall and killing herself.

"Well hell! If it ain't Yuffie Kisaragi! You runnin' off without saying hello to an old man first?" a rough voice called to her. She turned around and smiled at her old nickname for him. A real smile.

"Cid. Cid. You ARE an old man now aren't you?! You must be at least sixty now right?" she poked fun at him.

"Hey watch it!" he said at her through slotted eyes, "Where you off too? Didn't you just get here?" He said pointed a finger at her uncertainly.

"Yah, but I gotta run old man, I'll sit and talk with you later" Yuffie responded turning around again.

"Hey kid" Yuffie glanced back with a quizzical gaze. "Leon was by a few minutes ago, muttering something about 'find Yuffie' he asked me if I had seen you. Then he jogged off when I said no. You wanna leave a note for him or something?" Yuffie hesitated 'Just say no and go on your way' her brain muttered. She knew she should listen to it, but she didn't.

"Yah, sure why not?" she walked up to Cid "you got a pen and paper old man?"

He grumbled but lead her in the accessory shop anyways "I'm not old, kid"

"And I'm not a kid old man" Yuffie smiled, she had missed these argument with Cid, she had forgotten how fun it was, to live free without worry. 'Don't get caught up in it. God obviously doesn't want you happy Yuf' she thought to herself.

After scribbling a message on a scrap piece of paper and folding it up, she handed it to Cid, who immediately threw it in his pocket. "Cid I need you to do something for me please." She asked. After Cid's nod, she whispered something in his ear, like it was important for the walls and floors not to hear. Then she handed him an object before turning back and smiling "Well old man, I'll chat with you later. Make sure Squall that note you hear?" He nodded.

"You damn well better come back" He said turning to go back to work. Yuffie heard him muttering "Damn kids these days, running off like they own everything"

Yuffie laughed and walked out. 'That guys is good for a cheering up' She back flipped towards the World Exit, finally feeling hope for her future. 'Maybe things will take a turn for the better' She pushed through the World Exit and into her gummi.

Leon

' Where did she go?' irritated beyond words, Leon pushed through the First District doors, only to see what he had seen the other times. No Yuffie. No light in his darkness. 'Wait, what is that?' from the corner of his eye, he seen her. She was finishing off a back flip right beside the World Exit. Afterward, to his absolute horror, she pushed through the doors. "YUFFIE!" he bellowed. But he was too late. Yuffie was gone, he felt it deep down. The feeling he had gotten when he had first known she was back, that wonderful blissful feeling, was gone. It left him in a state of despair. He ran towards the World Exit, but was stopped by Cids booming voice.

"Hey Leon! I got something for you!"

"Not now Cid! I have to go after Yuffie!" he said, not bothering to stop.

"She'll be back Leon. She told me, I could tell she meant it. Now get your bum ass over here. Yuffie left something for you" Stopping in the middle of a dead run, he almost tripped, but caught himself and whipped around.

"What? What did she leave?" He knew he sounded eager, which would be surprising, coming from him, but he really didn't care. It wasn't until he walked up to Cid that he realized he was holding his breath. Cid jammed his hand into his pocket and withdrew a folded piece of paper. He handed it over to Leon, who in return yanked it from Cid's grasp. 'Please say your coming right back'

"Damn kids can't wait a friggin minute!" Cid mumbled as he stalked away.

Leon read over the note. Read it again. And again. The letter was like a riddle. A riddle he didn't understand. Here's what it said:

Squallie:

Can you do something for me? You have to promise before I tell you though. I know you will promise though, so I guess there is no point in asking really is there? Promise me you won't search for me. Promise me you'll stay here with your light. You don't have to worry about me, I'll be ok.

Now that you promised me, go talk to the old man.

I didn't forget my promise to you, I will owe you forever.

Yuffie

"CID!" Leon yelled. 'What the hell is she talking about?' .

Cid's head poked out of the window. "What you yelling for kid, I'm right friggin here!"

"It says I have to talk to an old man. Yuffie always called you 'old man'" Leon scowled at him angrily. Cid rolled his eyes.

"Figures. Be right out" Cid strolled outside and stood in front of Leon, as if sizing him up. 'What the hell is going on' confused, Leon felt ready to punch the first person that got in his way. "You promise Yuf?" He said suddenly.

Leon was taken aback. 'Promise Yuf?' He looked at the note again realizing what Cid met. ' Can I really promise her that?' he thought doubtfully. Then he looked at the stars, and he felt her presence there, a comforting presence that filled him. "Yes" he said quietly "I promise" Cid eyed him suspiciously, then seeing the tears in Leon's eyes, decided it was genuine. He reached in his pocket and handed an object to Leon, then without a word, turned back and walked across the street, to his shop. Leon stared down in his hand. It was a small object, no bigger than his thumb. But it still wounded his dying heart even more than it already was. He crumpled, sliding to the ground. He felt like his heart was ripped from him.

LEON - FLASHBACK

"Hey Squall guess what!?" a pudgy five year old tugged on his shirt.

"What is it Yuffie?" He smiled down at her, one eyebrow raised in question. Yuffie's faced scrunched up suddenly in thought.

"I forget!" She giggled. Squall laughed with her, picking her up and swinging her around in a circle. "AHH! Squallie! Put me down!" She tittered. He obeyed, setting her lightly on her feet, watching her sway slightly with dizziness. "Hey Squall!? Will you do something for me please?" she said, all innocence. He didn't trust that look. Since when was Yuffie ever innocent?

"What would you like Yuf?"

"You gots ta promise that you will first!" She gazed at him with puppy dog eyes. How could he say no?

"Alright, I promise I will" he smiled "Now what's up?"

"I wanted something to eat, but Aerith and Cloud were in Aeriths' room, and the door was locked. I don't know what they were doing that they needed the door locked" She looked puzzled. Squall, who knew plain well they were probably having a major make-out session, smirked at her. Yuffie continued her story in a rush "And I was really hungry so I grabbed a chair and opened the cabinet and picked up a plate. But I tripped on my way off the chair...and...and..." She looked up with tears in her eyes "I didn't mean to break it! It was all shattered in tiny pieces!"

"I'm sure it will be fine Yuffie, nobody will be mad at you. It was only a plate" Squall said, trying to comfort the bawling girl in front of him.

"That's not all though Squallie!" she choked through the sobs "It was the pink plate! It was-was Aeriths' fav-favorite plate!" she sniveled.

"Oh Yuffie! You should have asked me to help! Aerith will be disappointed in you" he scowled lightly at her. "What would you like me to do about it?" he said fearing the worst.

"Cou-Could you take the blame for me please Squall?" She silently whispered. Squall sighed, knowing he couldn't refuse her, knowing he'd already promised her.

"Yes Yuffie, I will take the blame. Now go – go bug cid or something" he smiled at her. Suddenly feeling better and more light heartened, Yuffie scampered off to reek more havoc.

Later, when Aerith had found out, Cloud, angered that his loved one was so upset and sad, had come after Squall. Needless to say, they got in a fistfight. Squall was unable to say that it was Yuffie, he HAD promised her after all. Plus, she was only five. Both Cloud and Squall received good blows; Squall a broken nose, and Cloud a stomach that remained bruised for two weeks. They had taken it quite seriously.

After, a small child appeared in Squalls room. "Squallie?" her small voice reached his ears.

"What now Yuffie?" he turned on his side to face her and she gasped. Around his nose was swollen, and one eye was swelling up too.

"Oh Squallie!" She jumped up on the bed and hugged him tightly, her face buried in his chest. Detangling her from him, she wiped her eyes of tears " I-I'm sorry, I should have taken the bl-blame" she sniveled.

"Yuffie, it's fine. Really, I'll be ok. Cloud and I weren't fighting over that" he lied. She looked up.

"Squallie I was hiding behind a plant! I know you were!" she said accusingly "but I wanted to thank-you...I'm going to owe you forever...so...here" she kissed him on the cheek "I'll love you forever!" and with that she jumped up and skipped away.

END FLASHBACK

Leon opened his hand. A little pink ceramic piece of a plate laid silently taunting him.

TIME LAPSE: ONE YEAR

Yuffie

A tired looking nineteen year old jumped in her gummi ship. She looked at the world map. 'Where to now?' She had been to Destiny Islands, Wonderland, Halloween Town, the Coliseum, and to her under distaste; Arabian Desert. 'God Aladdin is annoying!' It had been a year since she'd seen her friends in Traverse Town, it felt like a lifetime.

But Yuffie had no time for that, she'd just come from the Arabian Desert where Aladdin was being perverted and annoying saying stuff like 'Jasmine means nothing to me! I swear Yuffie!' She had ended up punching his face in of course. Anyways, right after she kicked the crap out of Aladdin in his house, 'If you call it that' Yuffie rolled her eyes, she had seen him. The one that caused the pain. Sephiroth hadn't seen her, thanks to her ninja skills. She had scaled the walls in Arabia and ran to the world exit and jumped in her Gummi ship. And now here she was. ' I'm not strong enough for him' Yuffie sighed ' I need protection and I know it. I can't just keep running, he will find me. But who could protect me?' Yuffie knew that she couldn't ask Sora, he already had enough on his shoulders with sealing the keyholes and all. Then it hit her. ' Am I ready to face him? Him together with HER' Unexpectedly, she thought of what Riku had admitted to her: "I liked Rinoa for a while...but she was all grieving over Squall. I thought it was best to leave her alone" 'Aw, poor guy!'

Yuffie made her decision. Plotting co-ordinates for Traverse Town, she went into the back to take a extremely long shower.

Time Lapse: One hour later
(Still Yuf POV)

Yuffie leaped out of her gummi ship. She was really starting to hate traveling, there was nothing to do! 'It's going to drive me nuts' She walked over to the accessory shop, remembering that she told Cid she'd talk to him when she came back next. 'No time like the present' Yuffie smiled, telling herself she didn't really want to see Squall just yet. Walking in she yelled "Hey Old man, you here?"

"Hell! Yuffie that you? I'm in the back!" came a distant reply through the back door. Yuffie pushed the door open and peeked inside, feeling her eyes widen. All around her were weapons and gummi parts. Blades varied on the wall, some were as small as her pinky and some were as big as her!

"Where'd you get all this?" she asked a dirty Cid. He was fixing the Highwind engine and had muck all over him. It looked kind of fun to Yuffie.

"Huh? Oh that's right you don't know! Well, I opened a weapon and gummi part shop, oh... about three years ago? Sure comes in handy now with all the heartless, people are wanting protection, you know?" Cid replied looking around.

Yuffie's eyes wandered "It's amazing Cid" she targeted some familiar stars hanging to her left. "You even have ninja stars! I'm impressed" she winked at him.

"I try" he shrugged and smiled, "You can take em off the wall if you want. Not many people buy those, in fact I think I've never even sold one before"

Astonished at the shruiken handy work, she took a couple off the wall. Inspecting one, she seen it was the usual four-point star, except all the edges were ragged sharp. The other was a boomerang, and the third had some sort of aiming mechanism on it. She fell in love. " I'll buy these three!" she said excitedly, preparing to grab munny from her pocket.

Cid eyed her. Maybe it was because she was truly happy for once, maybe he was just in a good mood, Yuffie thought later. But for whatever reason Cid said "Tell you what it's a buy one get two free Yuffie sale today." He smiled. Yuffie's mouth open and closed abruptly.

"Cid! I can't!" she said puzzled.

"You can't but I'm the one taking munny aren't I? I own this shop and I demand you to pay for the least expensive one" he looked at her expectantly.

"There is no winning against you is there? Alright fine here" she gave him the munny for the boomerang shruiken. "Can I help you with the Highwind? It looks fun" Cid shrugged in agreement.

"The parts are over there. Just...Do whatever. DO NOT break anything though ok Yuf?" he laughed as she pretended to look shocked.

Oily and dirty, Yuffie left the shop and walked toward the Second District. 'That was great!' she sang happily to herself, pushing through the doors only to find Aerith and Cloud strolling towards her, both staring lovingly into each other's eyes. 'They don't even see me! This is going to be great!' Yuffie slipped around the corner, waiting for them to pass her. When they did she jumped out on top of Cloud. "Gotcha!" she laughed. 'I love being happy and carefree again!' Cloud, obviously realizing her weight was too light to be a heartless didn't reach for his buster sword, and when he heard her voice he jumped. Yuffie hopped off.

"YUFFIE!" Aerith and Cloud said both hugging her instantaneously.

"I-Can't-Breathe!" Yuffie gasped, and they left go. She smiled "much better! But you both paid for hugging me!" she pointed at them. The both were dirty now. She winked "I gotta go take a shower. I think maybe you guys should too you think? I'll have one in the Green room and uh, you guys have one in the Red Room?" she questioned, holding in a giggle. They nodded blushing at the fact she had suggested they both take a shower together.

They talked on the way. "Yah Rinoa and Leon aren't together anymore. In fact the day she got here, they decided it was better to be apart. But then Riku came and confessed his love to Rinoa! It was seriously adorable" Aerith babbled while Cloud rolled his eyes at Yuffie. Aerith could go on for hours about how adorable things were.

Yuffie laughed. "I get it Aerith. So where is Squ-Leon now?"

"Training I suspect. The waterway?" Cloud answered for her, Aerith nodded in agreement. 'Squall didn't stay with Rinoa? But I thought he loved her! And she loved him! What happened I wonder? Is he okay?' Yuffie had too many questions on her mind.

Getting to the hotel room, Yuffie jumped in the bathroom. She had her suitcase with her and instead of leaving it in the room, she just brought it in the bathroom. 'Time Get ready to face him, the one you love, who doesn't love you back. This is going to be so exhilarating. You did basically proclaim that you loved him forever' Yuffie turned on the water and sprang in.

Leon

Leon gave up training like he did everyday. He couldn't get his mind cleared from her . 'When will you come back to me Yuffie?' he thought desperately on his way back to the hotel. Rinoa had left with Riku after the guy had proposed his undying love to her. Riku was a good guy, with good intentions, so he had been happy for her, though of course, he didn't show it. He hid even more behind his wall, the last time he showed any true emotions was the day Yuffie left, when he'd broken down and cried in the middle of the First District. 'Thank god no one was around to see that' he growled as he entered the hotel doors. He stalked gloomily up the stairs towards his room.

Entering, he went over to his dresser and dropped his Gunblade in its case. Then he opened the dresser cabinet, not really knowing what he was doing. 'She's not in there you idiot' then he heard water running, coming from the bathroom. He stiffened, someone was in his bathroom. 'Relax you dope! It's probably just Cloud using your shower again' Easing his mind he went over and flopped on his bed, flipping on the television, settling in for another lonely night.

Mindlessly surfing through channels, he suddenly heard the water shut off, and the shuffling of feet and clothes as someone got dressed. 'I wish you were here Yuf' He had finally admitted to himself that he loved her. 'She is my light, she takes away my darkness' He let the façade slip now, there was no one around. But it came instantly back up as the bathroom door opened revealing... "Yuffie..." he said breathlessly. 'You've come to me so many times over this past year...Please be real this time'

"...Squall" she whispered. At her simple reply he felt his heart jumped and he shot of the bed and stood in front of her. Yuffie peered up at him through soft lashes. She touched his arm lightly and he jerked involuntarily.

"God your real!" he was shaking badly now, his wall torn down, he felt it crumble revealing only him.

"Of course I'm –'' her reply was cut of by Leon's lips covering hers. He moved her sideways against a wall, his lips moving over hers with increasing intensity. 'Oh god this is good. It feels so right. So wonderfully right' His tongue moved across her mouth, silently asking her to open them, and when she did he was in heaven. Leon didn't think she knew how close to the edge she pushed him, but when he went over, she would be there. 'I love you Yuffie' he thought silently. Little by little she turned the heat into a slow almost hesitant flame. 'Your driving me crazy'

To his disappointment Yuffie broke their kiss and ducked under him, breaking their passionate embrace too. "Squall...this isn't real..." 'Sure as hell feels real'

"What do you mean?" She refused to meet his gaze he noticed, she was twiddling with her fingers.

"This" the waved an arm around to illustrate she was talking about what had just happened, "is fake. If one of us doesn't feel... that way about the other... then this shouldn't go any further" Leon felt himself slump to the ground, his heart too.

"I thought that this is what you wanted" he whispered more to himself than anyone else, "What about what you wrote in that note, what about" he reached in his pocket and pulled out the piece of the plate "this"

"Squall...I...it just doesn't feel real because we obviously don't feel the same way... about each other. I...I...can't explain it" tears were streaming steadily down her face. He thought his heart couldn't break anymore, yet it cracked straight through with her next words "Like you said...When you love someone, you think of them a lot. Y-You miss them all the time. This...Us...It's just...I don't know how to explain it Squall!" she slumped down too, as if her legs couldn't hold her up "We can't change what we feel, so I guess there's not much to say...It's just tricky rhythm..." she ended silently. Then she bounded up and moved toward the balcony door. 'Go after her!' his mind screamed, but he couldn't bring himself too 'She doesn't love you! She just said so!'
He watched her hesitate as if making a agonizing choice. Yuffie turned to him, and hope flooded back to him. 'When was the last time you felt hope?'

"I always keep my promises Squall...Always..." She looked sorrowful "I loved you endlessly, without a fuss, even when Rinoa came back. I wished for someone like you, hoped and prayed for one second of your touch, but I don't think life's that simple. I tried... to give you everything...everything you needed, wanted...I guess god thinks I'm better off alone" Yuffie jumped outside and off the balcony. There was so much hope for her answer that it took a minute to sink in what she had said. When it did, he was like a bullet, leaping up and bolting out the balcony 'She thinks YOU don't love her!'

"Yuffie!" he seen her freeze halfway too the First District doors "wait!" To his surprise she did just that. She waited for him to catch up to her. He was sure she would have kept running. When he reached her, he agitated his breathless condition by kissing her fully. She pushed away.

"Didn't you hear me? What I said?" She asked half screaming at him.

"I did. I think you have something mixed up Yuf. Do you love me?" he asked 'Please say yes'

"I-I tried to ignore it, push it away. But the feelings wouldn't walk away. I can't apologize...that would mean I would be apologizing for telling the truth you know? These are my feelings and...and...I love you" Leon stared at her soundlessly 'She loves me! ME!'

"I love you too Yuffie, with every piece of me, and that's what's real. Through crowds and faces, I always see you Yuffie. Always" She looked deep into his eyes and then she shocked him by standing on tiptoe and leaning every available body part of hers against him. Her arms went around his neck, her hands sliding through his dark mane. She taunted him, her lips inches from his, their breaths mingled. "Why must you tease me Yuffie? I can't get you off my mind. You drive me insane" She kissed him lightly then pulled only her head away, but it was closer than before.

"You leave me wanting more" She whispered in his ear. Then returned back to her original state, inches from his mouth.

"I can't take this" he lowered his mouth over hers unfalteringly, no hesitation at all. He lifted her, taking her to the hotel room.

'This is what its all about'

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A/N: That felt long! Was it as long as it felt? Probably! ;) Anyway, as always, I wanna here your thoughts on this chappie. Hopefully you're all happy. No Rinoa! More Squiffieness! YAY! EVERYBODY CHEER! RINOA IS GONE! Haha.. hold on a second while I regain composure...

..........

Ok! ReViEw! YAH YAH YAH! Go now! PLEEEEAAASSSEEE!