Disclaimer Oh how I wish I owned Kingdom Hearts…but I DON'T!!! nooooooooooooooooooooooo…..Hum…. Now onto the story.

Squffie pairing and some Aerith/Cloud….

A/N: Hey…I know it's been a while. I would've updated sooner but Sat 9 (if you know what that is) it's a test that we had to do for a whole week and then Aims…I'm sure most people know what that is. I didn't know we had Aims so I had to study and crap and then last weekend, I gave my friend her surprise party…Very busy and also after school sports (track) and chores and school homework but now that's over… :( and since you know that I've been taking a while, this chapter is extra long to make up for it! Plus, it's summer!!

Chapter Six

Yuffie followed Aladdin as he showed them a better place to talk. There were always eavesdroppers so Aladdin knew the best spot. He led her up some steps and above a shop into a building. She gazed around in curiosity. Arching her eyebrows, she then smiled in a daze as she saw the view they had. It was the palace and it gleamed in the rays of the sun. Squall followed behind them, glaring and snapping at everything that bothered him. Cloud backed off after a short moment, noticing Squall's fits. Cid was just the odd person in the group. He was left out of everything, but didn't mind since he was quite happy to be left out of Squall's anger flash.

"Wow," Yuffie breathed, "This is really nice." Aladdin looked up at her then back to Squall, who was glaring at him. Aladdin grinned evilly and Squall gawked at him. He was meaning to do this to Squall. He recovered quickly though. He didn't like being seen in this mode. He turned his head the other way and acted as if it were nothing at all. Yuffie would look the other way if he made the move…right?

"You like?" He asked, peacefully. Her brown eyes looked around slowly at the beautiful colors. She let a smirk go to her lips and nodded.

"It's nice." Aladdin, satisfied, turned his head over his shoulder and whispered to Squall, inaudible to Yuffie's ears, "What are you gonna do? Can't stop the street rat?" Squall clenched his fist tightly, as Aladdin said that. Cloud must've heard because he gave Aladdin a warning look. Yuffie flipped her short mahogany color hair out of her face before moving to the windowsill and putting a leg over the edge to sit down.

Squall hissed back, virulently, at Aladdin, "Don't you have a girlfriend? Isn't her name something along the lines of Jackie or something?"

"Jasmine," Cloud whispered, behind Squall. Squall twitched his mouth before moving his lips to say, "Whatever." Aladdin seemed to take this quite coolly. He straightened his vest up, as something crawled over his shoulder. It was fury and had a tail along with wearing a vest. Squall tilted his head at the thing, which he now realized was a monkey.

Aladdin gave a slight grin, while saying in a quite daze, "I wish. Jasmine, the princess of Agrabah, would never look my way." Squall couldn't help but retort sarcastically, "I wonder why." Aladdin ignored the comment and walked up to the window seal and sat on the edge next to Yuffie. His footsteps echoed everytime he took a step on the cold stone floor. Yuffie could only put forth a smile; not that she was forcing herself. It came a little too natural to her, which was not to Squall's liking.

It then hit him. Aladdin wasn't with Jasmine? Weren't they going to get married before? He acts as if he had never talked to her before. Squall turned around quickly and gripped Cloud's cape, dragging him across the room and spoke inaudible to the others.

"Cloud, Aladdin said he has never had a relationship with Jasmine," Squall facilitated. Cloud gave Squall a look of question at the comment before shaking his head.

"I thought that was a bit strange as well. Weren't they supposed to be getting married? Now he claims he's never had any contact with this woman," he explained, in a hushed voice. Squall converted his gaze towards Aladdin, whom was whispering things to Yuffie. Yuffie seemed curious at the secret conversation only between the two. She was playing with her fingers, while Aladdin said things. She gave giggle here and there, but Squall learned to ignore it.

"What's happening? It's like he had never even met her…that's not possible unless time switched, which isn't possible," Squall replied, "right?" Cloud turned his gaze back to Squall and began to wonder the possibility himself. Squall's eyes grew smaller again into a glare. This wasn't happening. Yuffie being flirted with, him jealous, and Aladdin never having Jasmine as his girlfriend. He just made a low sound in his throat, while twisting his body towards Cid. He was leaning against the wall being bored as usual.

"Okay, we have to get down to business," Cloud whispered, as he sauntered by Squall. He glanced back at him; a frown came back to his face.

"Aladdin," Cloud echoed through out the sandstone building. The raven hair orphan turned his attention towards the swordsman. His attitude seemed quite careless and nonchalant at the moment. Maybe he wasn't even willing to listen in. Squall eyed him dangerously before deciding that he shouldn't even bother. "You know who Sora is…right?" Aladdin raised his eyebrows and laughed boldly; a little too boldly…

"Of course I do."

"Liar."

They all turned their attention towards the door. Aladdin drew out his sword at the tall man with the parrot flying above his shoulder. Squall drew his Gunblade out slowly not knowing what this man would do. "Don't even try," he spat at them, sending shocks towards their weapons. They both let go instantly from the burning heat wave that hit them. His Gunblade hit the floor with clank and so did Aladdin sword.

"Liar?!" Squall said, turning his face towards Aladdin. Aladdin just crossed his arms and tipped his head the other way.

"He's the liar," Aladdin said, as he pointed towards the tall man, "Jafar!" Yuffie had turned her attention towards Jafar who was eyeing her quietly, but with lust. Yuffie trembled slightly, hoping he wouldn't say anything to her.

"Right," Jafar muttered, sarcastically. "The girl…she comes with me," he said, his eyes shifting to her trembling body. Squall stepped in front of her and growled.

"Not on your life will you be able to get her," He growled, venomously. Yuffie felt some of the fear remove itself from her, but she wasn't so sure Squall could hold up.

"Pity. I thought you'd actually be smart enough not to go and kill yourself," he spat back, calmly. Jafar lifted his staff and the parrot laughed at Squall. Yuffie gave a slight gasp, Cid stood defensively, and Cloud whipped out his Buster Sword. Jafar began to cackle evilly and a large grin was plastered on his face.

"Jafar was a man of iniquity who was threatening to kill and take Yuffie. Not good," Squall thought. Cloud had already whipped his blade at Jafar. A stentorian resonate was the after effect of Cloud's sword. It blasted off the shield Jafar had generated. His evil laugh filled the air as the air and light of the room began to dim. Yuffie looked out into the open and covered her mouth. The light of the sun was eclipsing. She felt something cold touch her leg and she gave a shriek. She smacked away the cold heartless and withdrew her Ninja Stars.

"I won't stand for this!" Yuffie grabbed her Conformer and threw it, breaking through many of the heartless coming their way. Squall took that chance to grab his Gunblade. He dodge rolled around the heartless and Jafar and gripped the Gunblade swinging it up. Cloud was already on the heartless, fending them off to protect Cid. Yuffie took the chance and swung her Conformer once more to break the main force of Heartless. Her attention was directly towards the heartless and that led to her downfall. A cold metal came around her neck and brought her back against Jafar with force.

"Yuffie!" they all said in unison. A portal began to form in the middle of the room and Jafar began to step back. It all happened in slow motion to Squall. Jafar had a pernicious grin on his face while he chuckled. Squall lunged forward, desperate and scared that he was going to lose Yuffie while animosity filled his heart. Yuffie held out her one hand and said his name. He could only see her mouth motioning his name as he held out his hand. It almost touched hers. It was so close…he felt her finger tips…and then she was gone. Jafar had taken Yuffie to an unknown place. Squall looked around wildly and realized the Heartless were gone as well.

"Yuffie?! Yuffie!" Squall called, as if she were to answer back. He pounded on the floor only to hear thuds. All his anger was streaming out and no one was going to dare stop him. Well, no one but Cloud. He felt the hand rest on his shoulder and struggled to stop until Cloud whispered fiercely, "Focusing your energy on anger will get you nowhere and that's something undesired." Squall sat on his knees trying to recall the event. Jafar had come and taken her. He could do nothing to stop it and he hated that.

"Damn it! Let's get moving!" Squall cursed, getting up quickly. He walked over towards the door. Since Squall was in such a hurry, Aladdin took that time to put his foot out and trip Squall, who was knocked face-flat. He was on the floor and cursed many unforgivable things then got up faster than the speed of light and grabbed Aladdin by the vest and lifted him in the air.

"I have no time to deal with you," Squall clarified. He glowered darkly at Aladdin who had no time to cut his own word in.

"I want to go too," Aladdin said, solemnity detectable in his voice. His brown eyes looked at him like a sad puppy that didn't have a home. There was no hesitation in Squall's reply.

"No."

"What?! Why not?!" Aladdin yelled back. Squall threw Aladdin back and turned around towards the door.

"Hey! Don't you walk out on me!" Aladdin said, angrily and jumped on Squall back. Squall stumbled for a moment as Aladdin choked him. He then grabbed Aladdin arms with the best grip he could get and threw him over his shoulders and onto the ground. Squall glared hard at the powerless figurine beneath him.

"No because that would be meddling," Squall made clear, as he gave Aladdin one final glare of daggers and left. Cloud watched Aladdin, who was still on the floor, as if he were possessed to be so still. He shook his head once before he walked by the shocked Aladdin and out the door. Cid was already gone. Probably left right after Squall had made his scene.

"He could've just said so," Aladdin whispered, getting up and looking out the window to see Cloud catching up to Squall. "Don't worry, Yuffie…I'll save you," Aladdin whispered once more before turning the other way and going towards his bed and pulling something out from underneath his pillow and began to rub…

Squall gave a growl or two to show he was angry so no one would bother him. He hopped right into the Gummi ship and was about to sit in the driving seat when Cid rushed in and jammed in between to get to the driving seat.

"Hey!" Cid had left when Squall did because he knew Squall would want to leave and with all that anger, he knew it wouldn't be a pleasant flight especially if Squall was flying.

"I ain't letting you drive this ship! You'd kill us all!" Cid closed the door quickly, as Squall hit the Gummi ship. He then let it pass and got into the back. Cloud was getting in on the other side and Cid took off as soon as everyone was set. "We're going back to Traverse Town. It's the only place right now that we can go to and think," Cid finalized. Squall crossed his arms, as he tried to control his temper.

"Hurry it up then," Squall whispered. Cloud thought he would just stay out of Squall's temper range for the moment. He would just cool down at Traverse town and then Cloud would think of a reasonable plan. Squall was usually quiet--kept to him. Yuffie sure did do something to make Squall act like this. Maybe it was because he cared for her so greatly and would never admit to it until it was too late.

Cloud turned his teal eyes to take a quick glance at Squall. He was beginning to return to his normal grumpy self; the way he was at Hollow Bastion. Squall's hair was scrunch up with the look of anger, but his facial expression was as quiet as can be. It was a much greater improvement from before with temper. This was the first time he didn't have a scowl on his face. He expression had no emotion to it, as if he were a mindless drone. Maybe he was thinking about what had happened. You know, reviewing the facts and coming up with a plan to save the girl he loved.

The ship lifted off the ground slowly and out of Agrabah. It bound for the familiar road of Traverse Town. The ride back was hushed and soundless except for the sound the aircraft traveling. It was better to be quiet so the grieved group could think. Cloud relatively thought about what was happening with Aeris and Yuffie. He remembered back then how Sephiroth was the commander and head of Hollow Bastion's military unit. Ansem was the sovereign everybody loved. He was friendly, he was respected more than anyone was, and he had great wisdom. Sephiroth was right behind him in that line. All the women adored him, gave him the attention he wanted, and pretty much worshiped him. The only other woman that never paid much attention to him was Aeris. She was too busy babysitting Yuffie and working in the infirmary.

Yuffie at times would think of Sephiroth, but then she would insult him and many of the people near by would gasp at the child and call her names under their breath. Yuffie just stuck her tongue out at them and then they'd whisper about to one another, "She's just a child. She has no knowledge." One day, a couple months later, Yuffie came to Aeris crying. Aeris tried to comfort the girl. Cloud remembered the day well. It was when Yuffie first met Sephiroth and the day he was promoted in the military and when a horrible event occurred.

"Yuffie?" Aerith could only get out before the child of six years flung herself into Aerith's arms. Aerith stroked Yuffie's short mahogany hair that would shine in the light that had shown that day, as Yuffie wiped away the tears that cascaded down her small, yet plump cheeks. She then turned her head against Aerith's shoulder for comfort. At the moment, the ceremony was going on. She had to hush Yuffie up real quick. It was actually no problem at all for Aerith. Yuffie was as quiet as she had ever been. Not even a peep came from her. Drums began to roll and horns began to blow then seize their music. Yuffie perked right up and got off of Aerith. She moved right up to the edge to watch since they were on the second story.

"Look! It's Cloud!" Yuffie whispered the feeling of happiness and warmth returning to her face. Her cheeks began to have the rosy color that usual appeared when she bright.

"Yes and we get to see him after he's promoted," Aerith whispered back, and a giggle following. Cloud was being promoted from a soldier to a captain. They watched him go through the ceremony. He apparently got a new sword because of the job he had now. He was to go to the armory and pick one out. He'd probably have Cid make him one for his benefit.

After the ceremony, everyone split to go to where they needed. Aerith and Yuffie went to go and meet Cloud. Aerith was ahead and holding the hand of the anxious little girl. They weaved in and out of the people to get to the new captain. Yuffie looked around at the people who were leaving. Some of the women who worshipped Sephiroth were giving her glares. Yuffie just glared right back and then turned her head to the side to see him. The one and only great commander talking to Ansem. He gave a chuckle then looked over. It was all in slow motion. His gaze turned to Yuffie.

She looked at him with her chocolate eyes as he looked at hers with his knowledgeable ones. Her face couldn't find an emotion to express what was happening. It was a little longer than Yuffie expected to look, but was broken off when he gave a smile that looked more like a smirk. Her curious eyes took one last glance at the commander then focused on not tripping.

"Aerith," Cloud called, echoing through out the room, yet no one paid any attention to it but the two. Yuffie was pulled right a long to the teenager captain, who was waiting for them. Yuffie then looked up to Aerith's face and realized that Aerith had that smile she had on when she was excited to see Cloud. It was the only time she used that smile. They reached the stage area of where Cloud was standing, actually smiling. Aerith let go of Yuffie's hand so she could walk around the area.

"Hey," he began. Aerith replied, "So Mr. Captain Strife. What are you planning to do tonight?" Cloud stroked his chin and thought to make Aerith laugh, which it did.

"Well, I have to go and get my weapon, meet with my family, clean my room, do my laundry," he began, as Aerith's face began to go into disappointment, "but I can do that tomorrow so I can go hang with my girl." He was grinning and Aerith let the smile take over her face again and then a tiny voice came from a couple feet away.

"Congrats Cloud," Yuffie said, as they turned their attention towards her. Cloud smiled and Aerith giggled while Yuffie rolled her eyes.

"Thanks Yuffie," Cloud said, proudly. Then he scratched his head and asked, "Yuffie…you never congratulate me on anything. What made you do it this time?" Yuffie looked up at him and grinned, "Well I knew that this would be the one and only time that you would accomplish something so I HAD to congratulate you." Aerith burst out laughing while Cloud dropped his mouth and put his hand to his chest and fake shot himself and acted hurt. Yuffie laughed with Aerith and Cloud stood back up straight.

"Quite the acting Captain Strife," a voice echoed behind Yuffie. Since Yuffie wasn't expecting it, she jumped right back against Sephiroth and hit him with a thump. Her weight did not even cause him to budge. She turned around quickly and hopped right behind Aerith with rosy cheeks of embarrassment. Sephiroth gave a little chuckle at the young girl. "Now who is this young girl?"

"This is Yuffie," Aerith said, quickly and quietly. Sephiroth eyed her again, as he had done before.

"Oh yes. The child from before," Sephiroth whispered. Aerith eyed Sephiroth suspiciously. Why was he interested in Yuffie?

"Cloud…its best Yuffie and I be going now," Aerith said, grabbing Yuffie by the hand stepping off the stage. Cloud looked at Aerith and waved goodbye.

"I'll drop by later!" Aerith nodded curtly, and took off out of the main room. Yuffie looked up at Aerith and whispered, "You don't like him do you?" Aerith just glanced at her and kept going. "I guess that's a no." Sephiroth watched as Aerith took Yuffie away and Cloud smiled. Sephiroth gave a not too welcome chuckle.

A knock came to the door and the blonde turned his towards the door. He got up slowly and looked at the time.

"1:00a.m…This better be good," he muttered. He slowly opened the door and a teary-eyed Aerith stood there. "Aerith?"

"Y-Y-Yuffie's…She's gone! Someone took her!" Aerith cried, as she held up a piece of paper. Cloud grabbed the paper and read it.

"'Her corpse will lie within the darkness and the city will surrender to the ones with no hearts.' Ah damn it!" Cloud cursed, and put his shoes on. He grabbed his newly acquired sword and led Aerith down the to the head military hall to the chamber where the head chief of the military rests. Sephiroth could care less in Cloud's thoughts, but a terrorist had been discovered and then he would do something. Cloud knocked on that large door to his head quarters and waited with the sobbing girl behind him. A shuffle and then the door opened to find the Great Sephiroth still awake.

"Is this an urgent message?" He asked. Cloud gave him the letter and he read it with in seconds. "Is this note talking of the little girl?" Aerith nodded slowly and Sephiroth replied, "Searches shall be done. A threat has been made to Hollow Bastion and shall be dealt with. Captain Strife…Gather your platoon. You're going on a mission." Cloud's eyes stayed calm, yet became serious.

"Yes sir," Cloud said, and marched off quickly to call out to the men. Aerith gave one last look at the emotionless Sephiroth before leaving hurriedly. She sure didn't like Sephiroth but would have to trust him for now. Sephiroth smirked in the darkness that covered the hall and went back into his room to grab his master sword The Masamune.

"Men move!" Cloud commanded, as they moved forward towards the Rising Falls. The mission was to stop any oncoming forces starting from the Rising Falls. "To your positions!" They stood in defensive positions, cautious of what might attack. Red lights of warning were all over Hollow Bastion to let the civilians know that they were under threat and were to hide.

He stepped over the fallen blocks on the dark ground barely lit by the red lights. He held the Masamune in his left hand and his right hand was clenched. He was after the problem that was after the city…The Heartless. He had an idea of where they were and Yuffie as well. The Heartless had already begun to attack. Sephiroth jumped off the edge he was on and slid down towards the bottom of the castle where the Heartless lay. His silver hair blew in the brutal wind that had come upon the city. He took one last look at the city and saw nuclear light in the sky. He predicted it was to be the biggest challenge Hollow Bastion has ever yet to face.

"Don't worry…I'm coming for you," Sephiroth whispered, and disappeared into the darkness below.

He searched everywhere and hard. Squall turned every corner looking for the six-year-old. Only being fifteen at the time made it even worse for him. He had only a small sword to fend away monsters and it wasn't too helpful.

"Yuffie! Where are you?" He hollered. He ran around the corner and stopped abruptly to fight the Heartless that had appeared in his way. Squall finished off the last of the Heartless and made his way around to continue to search……

"The haven of the fiends of darkness. They're lurking around behind in my shadows-" He sliced the black figure that jumped at him. It dissolved at the touch of the acrid blade. "And they don't know when to stop." He walked down the cold stone path that led on deep into the dark territory of where the yellow eyes were. He could see them from many yards away so he'd be ready. He sliced right through the packs that launched themselves at him. It was easy…too easy. In the crack it the middle of the roof, a light shown down onto one spot.

"Found you," he whispered once more, but took a step back as the Heartless attacked him. He jumped back again because of the attacks the monster was throwing. This wasn't going to be as easy as he thought. "So you're ugly and fast. Just what I wished for." He struck the Masamune at lightning speed. The sword went right through the heartless…and it was still alive! Sephiroth chuckled then froze. Why wasn't it dying? It began to glow a dark gray and then darker. It was doing a final move against him…Kamikaze! He had never seen such action from a heartless but then again; it wasn't a normal heartless.

The explosion was huge. It shook the walls of Hollow Bastion. Cloud and his platoon watched up as a great light burst through the way from the bottom of the castle. Squall, who had currently bumped into Aerith, grabbed Aerith and jumped from the area they were in to keep from burning from the fire. It was a great fire. It was one that could be seen from all over Hollow Bastion.

"Oh no! Yuffie!" Aerith said, as she cried. Squall looked over and frowned deeply in worry. He had failed to find her and save her. Aerith cried into her hands while Squall got mad at himself. He was thinking hard, harder than he had ever done before. He blocked out the sounds of the grieved teenager and thought hard.

"Huh?" Aerith stopped her crying and turned to the footsteps she heard. Squall was still in his deep thought when a shrill cry came from behind him. He looked back at Aerith then whipped around quickly to see the black figure. He was hurt. The head of the military was hurt, yet he carried her. Yuffie was unconscious in his arms with her head against his chest. Sephiroth walked slowly as he radiated in the red light that burned off the flames.

"She's alive!" Aerith said, as she took her from Sephiroth and rushed her to the infirmary. Squall took one long look at the commander then went after Aerith. Sephiroth smirked evilly as Squall left and then began to chuckle.

They got out of the Gummi ship. Squall was first to take off and that was towards the Waterway. Cloud watched him go knowing he needed the time to think and let it sink in. Hell, all of them were tired and grieved so he supposed he'd go back to the hotel and sleep.

"Why do I feel this way? It won't stop even if I try to make it go!" Squall murmured. He paced around the Waterway for hours thinking of what he would do. He finally gave up and plopped down on the ground with his face buried in his hands. "Yuffie…just give me the sign that you're alright…"

"I am alright." Squall froze and stopped his breathing. "Oh come on Squall. I'm gonna be all right." Squall turned his head to the voice and frowned. Nothing was there.

"I'm just imagining things," he said.

"Actually, you're not. I'm just here giving you the sign." Squall whipped around to the voice and his eyes widened. There stood the petite eighteen-year-old.

"Yuffie," Squall began, "Are you sure you're okay?" Yuffie tilted her head to the side and looked down with a smile.

"Yeah. Don't worry. Just come and find me and I know then I will be fine." Squall got up slowly and walked towards her with the click of his boots beneath him.

"Don't worry. I will find you." Yuffie then looked up at him and smiled.

"I know." Squall reached her and was only inches from her. He put his fingers under her chin and brought her face up. He leaned down then felt her fade away.

"I will find you…I will find you and Aerith," Squall promised, "I will."

A/N: Yes! I finally finished this chapter! Okay…it's 12:05a.m. I would've update 6 minutes ago but ya know…I was doing the finishing touches…haha j/k! Well, I will most likely be working on the next chapter after I get home later today and the other chapters for my other stories. I'm happy and not in a writer's block. The only way I won't be able to type the next chapter when I want to is when my siblings are on the computer. Okay I thank you guys for putting up with the wait and I'm very glad that I have persistent reviewers who push me to finish and update! I THANK YOU ALL!!!

Starling94