~Disclaimer~: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or ANY of the characters in it.

This is a Squffie story and if you don't like it, please don't yell at me for the coupling. This story is made for the Squffie fans so enjoy! Oh yeah. Forgot to mention this. Aerith/Cloud coupling in this story. Mainly Squffie though…

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Summary: He's back, stronger than ever, with the Heartless, but it's not Ansem. Yuffie, Squall, Aerith, and Cloud plan to stop him, but how can they if Sora's no where to be found? *Squffie*

Chapter Four

The two of the trio

He sat outside the accessory shop with his stare straight on the ground. He wasn't so sure she'd make it. They'd have to wait and see. No Aerith meant not very strong healing. They'd have to use what they had from High potions and bandages. It had happened all so fast. She was taken and cleaned by the moogles. Lucky enough for him, a couple moogles knew what they were doing, but those moogles were so unpredictable.

"Leon." The man brought his face up and shifted his gaze from the floor to the spiky headed blonde. He had a slight smile on his face, which was a great improvement from his fratricide expression he had on earlier.

"Hey," Leon replied, quietly as Cloud took a seat next to him. There was a silence and Cloud was looking up. The sky had cleared up and the stars began to glisten in the sky again. Squall rested his chin his hand and glared at the ground again.

"So…" Cloud began. Squall glared even harder at the ground and Cloud continued, "Yuffie's going to be alright. She just has a slash across her collar bone and a slash across her back and a couple other bruises to deal with." Squall's glare still claimed his eyes, but a tiny smile crept up on his lips. There was a silence longer than it should've lasted, but Squall broke it.

"She's…really going to be okay?" Cloud felt a smile drift to his face and he nodded as his response. "Hmph. She's strong…"

"Yeah… She is, but she still has many things to work on though like her temper," Cloud added. Squall smirked at his comment and gave a small chuckle.

"Yes, but that's what makes Yuffie…Yuffie," Squall murmured. There was another utter stillness and Cloud shifted his clawed hand to his lap.

"Well, Cid got the Gummi ship fixed so we can head out to find Aerith and track down Sephiroth," Cloud said, loathsome towards Sephiroth's name. Squall turned his gaze towards Cloud and asked, "You love her a lot, don't you?"

"Yeah. Sephiroth will endure the most excruciating death and I won't be merciful towards him even if Aerith asked me to be," Cloud exclaimed. Squall raised his eyebrow and said, "She'd ask you?"

"Well, Aerith can do the craziest things like asking me to be nice to the enemy because there is more to him and he only did it for this reason and he has a pure heart and blah blah blah. She does tend to ask those kinds of things," Cloud explained.

"Oh…" Squall whispered. Tonight was going to be a long night…

*****

She didn't open her eyes, but could hear everything around her. It was silent, as nothing was moving. The clock on the wall made a rather irritable ticking noise but that was it.

Tick…tick…tick…

"That's getting rather annoying," Yuffie grumbled. She pushed herself up, but only to apperceive a discomforting ache. She opened her eyes wearily and put her hand to her chest. Bandages were placed there and she could feel a huge sore spot on her back. She couldn't remember what happened until it hit her. Sephiroth…

"Yuffie! It's about damn time you woke up," Cid said, his voice sounded as grumpy but as happy as ever.

"What's it to ya, old man?" Yuffie asked. He gave a quick laugh then gave a glare.

"I'm not old," he uttered, venomously. Yuffie grinned at his reaction, but was cut short from a shooting pain in her chest area.

"Damn lesion," she cursed. Cid laughed at her and she just glowered. She punched him in the arm with some force.

"Ow!! Why the hell did you do that?!" He screamed. Yuffie laughed and said, "Can't laugh at me now!" Cid grumbled a few things before Yuffie gave a smirk of satisfaction.

The door creaked open and Yuffie saw someone peek his head through. Yuffie gave a smile as the blonde poked through.

"Hey Spiky!" Yuffie said, but ceased as pain crept up again. His blue eyes glistened in the light of the Green Room. He came all the way through and gave a slight smile.

"You sound like Cid," Cloud offered. Yuffie grinned and replied, "I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult." Cloud gave a brief laugh while Cid glared at Yuffie. She looked up at him and his expression gave of a feeling of peace.

"Where's Squall?" Yuffie asked, leaning forward. Cloud shrugged and replied, "I'm not sure. He's…a little different." Yuffie raised her eyebrows and asked, "How so?" Cloud shrugged leaving Yuffie clueless again.

"Well…Let's just say…he's colder than usual," Cloud said, toneless. Yuffie shrugged. That was Squall for ya.

"Oh…Speaking of which…What happened between you and," Cloud trailed off not finishing. He must've had a feeling of holding back. Yuffie looked up and then shifted her gaze downwards.

"I had woken up and it was pretty dark for being only six at night. I figured I should find Aerith so I went to the Red Room. I heard voices saying things to one another. I heard Aerith say, 'never.' I don't know why though," Yuffie stopped. Cloud just studied the brunette and waited for her to continue.

"So Sephiroth was in the Red Room before hand?" Cid questioned. Yuffie nodded and continued, "Yeah. I burst in there and then a fight began. I -was- winning until he unleashed his stupid Masamune-"

"Wait. You mean you were fighting him at first bare handed?" Cloud interrupted in question.

"Well, I had my Conformer and trusty Ninja stars but he then grabbed me and threw me into the wall, which explains the huge dent in the wall," Yuffie pointed out.

"And it explains the huge bruise on your back," Cid added. Yuffie nodded, eyebrows creased down with irritation. She didn't like to be reminded of her feebleness.

"Anyway, he whipped out his stupid Masamune and threatened to hurt Aerith. I, being a moron, didn't believe he would try that and provoked him, bursting his bubble. He sliced me in the front when I turned to try and protect Aerith and that spun me around. He then sliced me in the back with great force, knocking me over the bed," Yuffie finished.

"Oh…wow," Cid said.

"Yup and that's when she let that scream she does, which was freaking bloody loud! He took her and I," she trailed off.

"You what?" Cloud asked, anxious to hear what she had to say.

"I listened to him say he killed Sora…No wait. That was after he threatened Aerith or sometime during the time I was defenseless. He said he had found Sora and killed him, but I have a feeling he was lying. I dunno why but I just feel he was lying," Yuffie said, referring to the dream she had had the night before.

"So, the Great Sephiroth lying. Seems like him," Cloud said to himself.

"Yup." A strong silence hit the room. Yuffie made herself get up from the bed and stood up. Pain threatened her greatly, but she wouldn't let it take her.

"Yuffie, I don't think you should be up and about yet," Cloud said.

"You think? I -know- she shouldn't be up yet," Cid said, ushering forth and pushing her back on the bed.

"H-Hey! I'm fine!" Yuffie argued.

"There you go again," a cold voice said from the door. Yuffie felt her stomach jump because the voice sounded like Squall but it had a dangerous tone added to it. "You think you're fine but you're not. Lay back down before I do something that you won't like." Yuffie looked up to see Squall with his usual glare on.

"We'll be leaving now," Cloud said, pulling Cid out of the room. "Cid, show me the Gummi ship," his voice faded, as they went down the hall. Yuffie looked up at Squall and tilted her head.

"What's up with you?" Yuffie asked. Squall glared even harder and Yuffie sat up. He looked down to the carpet as if there was something interesting to watch. "You don't seem like yourself."

"What makes you think that?" Squall snapped. Yuffie winced from the yelling and then pointed to him.

"That, That right there. You're just as cold as ever, Leonhart," Yuffie accused. Squall just glowered at her giving Yuffie the chance to grin.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, coldness still purely visible in his voice. Yuffie arched her eyebrows then continued to grin.

"Oh fine. Just a couple strikes of pain here and there but no biggy," Yuffie explained. He nodded and leaned back against the wall of the Green Room.

"After you heal, we're leaving Traverse town," Squall said, breaking the silence. Yuffie's eyes widened and she smiled. Finally, a chance to leave the small town and not have to be nagged to stay behind for her safety.

"Oh really?" Excitement began to fill her, leaving her brown eyes wide with delight. She was mentally cheering in her mind. Everything was turning out okay so far except the fact that Aerith was kidnapped… 'Aerith?! Shit! I forgot to ask about her!' Yuffie thought.

"What happened to Aerith?!" Yuffie suddenly burst out. Squall's eyes moved to hers and he shook his head.

"Gone." Yuffie didn't like that response and frowned.

"Never found any clue of where she's at?" Yuffie tried again.

"Uh uh." Squall shook his head. Yuffie rested her chin in her hands and her frowned seemed to grow.

"Stupid Sephiroth," she muttered. Squall shook his head and gave a slight smirk.

"Is that all you have to say. 'Stupid Sephiroth'," Squall mocked. Yuffie gave a chuckle and brushed her bangs out of her eyes.

"Nice imitation," Yuffie laughed.

"I try," Squall said, getting another laugh from Yuffie.

"Oh GAWD! Is Squall actually joking around?" Yuffie kidded.

"That's Leon," he corrected.

"Ah, you're no fun," she pouted, crossing her arms. She stood up and Squall watched her walk towards the door. She was going to open the door but Squall stepped in front of her. "Hey…"

"Where are you going?" He asked, coldness now back in his voice.

"I'm going out of the room obviously," Yuffie retorted. He got a numb look in his eyes and Yuffie frowned.

"No Yuffie," Squall said. Yuffie couldn't keep her mouth closed and poked Squall in the chest.

"No Squall. I'm getting out of this room," Yuffie growled at him. He shook his head and blocked her path.

"It's Leon! Yuffie, get back over there or else!" Squall growled. She glared at him and then replied, "Or else what?" Squall grabbed her by the arms and pushed her against the wall. She let out a small cry from the sharp pain in her back. Squall held her against the wall and leaned in to whisper in her ear.

"You don't want to know," he whispered harshly lightly brushing his lips on her neck. Yuffie was under his control. He did it once again with his mind controlling actions. How did he do that? He always left her muzzy and she hated it. He pulled away slowly, giving Yuffie time to think of his actions. He backed up and crossed his arms. He opened the door and left.

"Jerk," she muttered, as she slid to the ground. She didn't move nor felt like moving either. The pain subsided in her back and she sighed. She began to drift off. Cid was right…she wasn't ready to be up and about. It took too much energy to do anything. She sighed then closed her eyes and drifted into slumber…

*****

Comfy… I like comfy… Why am I comfy? She opened her eyes to see Squall lying next to her. He was asleep, the only time he looked at peace, and Yuffie realized he had put her in the bed. She glared at him but glaring at his back wouldn't do anything useful would it?

"Thanks a lot," Yuffie muttered. She couldn't move though. Her injuries were stopping her from doing such or severe pains were the consequence. Yuffie sighed again and just layed there. She listened to the annoying clock tick again and again, which was driving her nuts.

"Just think it'll all be over soon," Yuffie uttered to herself over and over again. She closed her eyes and just let herself flow back into sleep. It wouldn't be long before she would be woken again.

*****

A couple days had gone by and Yuffie was up and about, as energetic as ever. Her wounds had closed up almost fully though her bruise was still visible. They'd be leaving in a while and Yuffie was in the First District looking at the valuables for the last time.

"Wow. I'm really leaving! I can't wait!" Yuffie squealed to herself. Squall and Cloud were with Cid preparing the ship as best as possible before they left. She'd visit a couple places before they left though so she could keep some memory of what they had. She smiled at the items placed before her and picked up the Omega bracelet. "This will come in handy. I wonder if Cid will let me have it. Oh too bad he's not here cause I'm taking it anyway," Yuffie laughed evilly to herself. The people in the accessory shop began to give her weird looks and she ignored them. She just waltzed right out of the Accessory shop into the First District.

"Heh heh. I think Cid would like a nice visit from me, wouldn't he?" Yuffie asked herself. She smiled in delight and pushed through the doors that led to the Gummi ship and she could see Cid working on it. He was putting a couple things in place when Yuffie quietly snuck next to him and pulled the bar from it place since it was holding the hood up. The hood fell down and smacked him right in the head and profanities filled the air. Yuffie laughed and Cid pulled himself out from under the hood.

"YUFFIE!" Cid yelled, danger clearly in his voice. Yuffie realized her mistake and stepped to the side quickly as Cid advanced on her.

"Heh…Uh, sorry Cid. Accidents happen," Yuffie tried to reason with him. Nope. He was too damn mad at the moment. "Great. I'm going to have an old man on my tail the whole time." She turned to go before he would kill her and saw the spiky headed blonde dueling against Squall. She plopped down on the ground and watched them. It was kind of fun watching them work hard and unleash attacks against one another and then the arguing and name calling added a little spice to it.

"Leonhart can't even touch me. How touching is that?" Cloud joked and Yuffie hugged her knees. She knew it was going to backfire on Cloud. Whenever she did that with Squall, it never turned out good.

"Strife doesn't know what he's talking about," Squall growled, as their swords met. Cloud had a smirk creep up his face and Yuffie counted down.

"Are you sure about that?" Cloud asked, forcefully. Squall's expression grew with anger.

"Five," Yuffie began, "four, three, two, one." There it was. Squall's Gunblade had exploded into overpower mode leaving not the best results. Cloud's body soared all the way across the launching area. Yuffie watched as he hit the ground with a loud thud. A smirk came upon Yuffie's face. Never mess with her partner unless you knew of the consequences.

"I'm sure," Squall commented, tipping his Gunblade over his shoulder. Yuffie smirked at that and just gazed downwards. Do you ever get that feeling that feeling that someone's watching you or standing over your shoulder? Well, that's how Yuffie felt at that moment. A shadow appeared over her shoulder and she slowly turned her head to look over her shoulder and squeaked.

"Oh shit!" She hopped up. The crazed mechanic held a bar.

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!!" Cid hollered his expression homicidal. She backed away as he advanced on her. She backed as far away from him as possible and groaned. She was in so much trouble…

*****

They were ready to leave Traverse town. Yuffie promising never to go near him when he was working on something, which was a promise she'd never keep, resolved her problem with Cid. They got into the ship and loaded a couple things. Yuffie stood in the First District, letting the wind blow her hair. The last time she'd feel that. She smiled giving a sigh, closed her eyes, and murmured, "Goodbye." She turned around and walked to the Gummi ship. It time for her to leave Traverse town for a long time. She turned around came face to face with Squall.

"Hey," was all she said. He gave her a slight smirk. Yuffie just rolled her eyes. "Coming to say goodbye?", she asked. Squall shook his head and replied, "I came to get you."

"Oh."

"Oh? Is that all?" Yuffie nodded and smiled, pushing past him.

Squall didn't answer and followed behind her. Yuffie hopped in to the Gummi Ship. She sat in the front next to Cid, which she thought was a mistake because he glared at her like knives had just pierced through him. Cloud and Leon sat in the back and Yuffie just looked out the window. Cid pressed a couple buttons making the Gummi ship lift off. Yuffie was as silent as ever, hoping not to get in an argument. Right now wasn't the best of times.

"Well, where are we headed?" Cloud asked. Cid glanced in her direction and replied, "We're heading towards the Coliseum."

"Why?" Cloud questioned.

"There is a tournament going on and Sora might possibly be there," Squall began.

"If he wasn't dead," Yuffie muttered. 'He might not be…' her mind echoed.

"And possibly Sephiroth. He was there last time and could be there now," Squall explained, reassurance wasn't in his voice. Yuffie frowned and turned her head to look out as they traveled. It was a while and some arguments later that they arrived. Yuffie just got out of the Gummi ship and walked ahead, arms crossed with her gaze stuck on the floor.

"Leon," Cloud called for him. Leon grabbed his Gunblade, turned around swiftly to face the blonde. He gave his cold expression to Cloud and he continued, "Isn't there something different about Yuffie?" Leon arched his eyebrows and looked over at her form moving towards the entrance of the coliseum. He thought a moment and replied, "She's quiet."

"Yeah, I noticed that part. You guys hardly got into a fight on the way here," Cloud pointed out. Squall just shrugged it off before turning to follow. Cid was already ahead behind Yuffie. Both Squall and Cloud knew that he was glaring at Yuffie. They had to admit it was pretty funny what she did, but they knew Cid would kill them or do something to their weapons.

Yuffie hurriedly went up the steps and pushed open the doors to the coliseum. There standing in the room by the arena entrance was the strongest man in the world. Hercules, the man of an ability who no one has matched yet not even the devil himself. Yuffie gave a smile of relief. She wondered if Hercules would remember her from the last tournament. She had met him while waiting to compete. They had a nice little talk and introduced one another. What she didn't realize was that he was so strong and when she saw him stop Cerberus from killing Sora the first time.

She walked up towards the arena to meet him. He turned to her with a grin engraved in his face and waved.

"Yuffie, how long has it been?" Hercules asked in a blissful tone. Yuffie smiled and replied, "Almost two years."

"Yeah. Are you here to compete for the tournament?" Yuffie shook her head then pointed backwards.

"No, but those bozos probably are." Hercules looked over her shoulder and a smirk appeared onto her face.

"I see."

"Hey, have you seen Sora?" Yuffie asked, hope clearly in her voice. Hercules looked at her and shook his head.

"No I haven't, but he might be here. It's not like Sora to miss a tournament," Hercules uttered.

"And it's not like Sora to disappear," Yuffie whispered. Hercules raised his eyebrows. Hercules ignored the comment not wanting to get Yuffie upset. Squall and Cloud came in the lobby. Yuffie turned high heel and went through to the arena area to watch the fights. Both men didn't know why Yuffie was acting as such but they knew she was acting different.

Hercules gave wave towards them and said, "So you're back again. I remember you. You were the one I saved-"

"Yes, while the three-headed monster tried eat us both," Cloud interrupted. He didn't like to be reminded of that very often and right now wasn't the time to be reminded.

"Right," Hercules replied, scratching his head innocently. Cloud gave a slight smirk and Squall walked right passed them to the arena area where Yuffie had gone. He saw her in the distance and she was walking. She stopped abruptly and gasped. He wondered why she had done that and a smile had crept up on her face. Squall got over to her and she looked up at him with a smile, but it faded.

"Look," she said, plainly. She pointed and grinned blithely. Squall's gaze wondered over to where she pointed and he arched his eyebrows in surprise. He never expected they'd be here.

"Donald! Goofy!" Yuffie shouted.

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A/N: Yay! I got it done! Wow! That took a very long time…School tried to kill me this past week because Spring Break was coming up and now I'm on Spring Break so more chapters will be coming faster!!!!! YAY!!!!!! Please Review! It actually does make me write faster.

Thanks!

Starling94