Author's Notes: Wow, this took a while. I'm sorry, I'm a major procrastinator. I figured that I could get this out before finals if I really tried, so I pushed myself a bit and here I am. I hope it makes up for the few weeks, and if it doesn't, well, then, sorry.

To Lain of the Weird, Schu, Mahon, AngelKairi, Baroness D, boredperson, Chaos-Empersonified, hikari-enzeru, Salki, queen of happy, Yersi Fanel, Tolea, Hoobastank3003, PyroFirePower, Tama-Kitsune, Kyle Begay, Kiimahaku Akari, yllom21, Iris Night-Eye, and Ickis Krumm . . . thanks for all the reviews! You've been great and I love you all!

I have to say, though: don't feel bad, AngelKairi. I didn't mean to make you feel guilty, I was only saying. I did appreciate the thought of correcting me, though. Don't worry!

And Kyle Begay, if you use my idea ('but mold it into your own image'), I ask that you give me some kind of credit. Thanks for giving me a heads-up, and I'm glad you like it enough to want to use it, too.

Warnings: None really.

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You've got to have an ace in the hole
A little secret that nobody knows
Life is a gamble a game we all play
But you need to save something for a rainy day
You've got to learn to play your cards right
If you expect to win in life
Don't put it all on the line for just one roll
You've got to have an ace in the hole

George Strait

"Ace in the Hole"

-

Cloud had his fist hovering in the air in preparation to knock on a red door. He was pondering over his actions, deciding that he could still back out if he so wished to.

He had found himself in this position due to an earlier event which had taken place. Cloud had decided that he needed decent advice, so who did he turn to? Aerith always had the answer to these types of problems, so naturally he had approached her and asked how he could amend the damage he had done. Her advice had been simple enough; go to his house and apologize. This was three days ago.

After much procrastination, he was standing in front of the door to Leon's apartment thanks to complimentary directions that came along with the advice for no extra cost. But he found himself questioning his actions, wondering if it was even worth it anymore. With enough luck, Cloud could protect everyone from harm and be on his merry way, but the wing embedded in his back did not allow that. The black, feathery appendage seemed to have picked up a new trick—it burned every time he even thought about walking away. This burning sensation would sear at his back, blinding his vision out of sheer pain.

"Come on, Cloud!" Oh, and he had his own cheerleader. Yuffie had decided to take it upon herself to follow him, making sure he actually got the job done. She was waiting around the corner, peering around every now and then to check for progress, of which she found none.

Sighing, he knocked on the door. He knew he would regret this later.

Sounds of movement came from behind the door and after a few short moments, it opened to reveal Leon. At first he looked puzzled by Cloud's appearance at his doorstep, but he let the expression die into an annoyed look. "What is it?"

"Hi," Cloud started lamely, crossing his arms in a pre-defensive manner. "Look, I just wanted to apologize for," he paused. Wait, why was he apologizing? Leon was the one who pulled the smart ass apathetic routine. Should he not be the one apologizing? "…" The blond promptly narrowed his eyes and gave the man an accusing look.

Leon returned the look with an impassive one of his own before taking a step back and shutting the door in his face.

Cloud looked surprised by the action and dropped his defensive stance, his fists pulsing in aggravation. "Bastard," he growled, looking ready to kick the door in fury. He was pushed out of the way before he was able to do anything, looking to see Yuffie standing where he had been, a determined look plastered onto her expressive face. She then proceeded to bang on the door with enough force to shake it.

"Squall Leonhart!" she yelled, "Get out here right now before I come in after you!" When there did not seem to be any response, she held her hand out to Cloud, "Give me your sword. I'm busting in!"

Cloud stared at her, tilting his head a bit in confusion, "What?"

"Give me your sword, Cloud!" Yuffie ordered again, stomping her foot with impatience.

There was a click and creaking noise, and there stood Leon looking all but happy. Obviously, he was in no mood to fix a busted door. "What the hell is with you people?" he asked roughly, raising a hand to massage the bridge of his nose.

Yuffie instantly poked him in the chest, her other hand resting on her hip. "Now you listen here, mister. Cloud was here apologizing to you and you just shut the door in his face! What the hell is wrong with us? What's wrong with you?"

Leon frowned deeply, not willing to play those games with the young ninja. He grabbed her by the wrist and pushed her back a bit, "Just leave me the fuck alone."

Cloud stood up straight, his eyes shifting between the two before he finally sighed. "Leon," he started, his tone sounding distressed, "I'm sorry. I don't know what I did to piss you off like that but I'm sorry anyway."

The brunet gave him a sharp look, something working behind his cold eyes. His lips remained in their frown, scrutinizing Cloud without a hint of empathy. "You don't know what you did?" he echoed.

"I know I made you mad," was the answer, "But I really am sorry." He was such a liar; he was not sorry at all. In fact, in all honesty, he could not care any less.

"Decent, but not very good," Yuffie evaluated the apology with a shake of her head. "So, Leon, you accept it, don't you?"

"No," he answered flatly.

"Yes you do!" she argued instantly, the anger highly noticeable on her features.

Leon was ready to shut the door again. "No, I don't."

"Squall," Yuffie whined, "Just accept it and move on with your life. You can't hold a grudge against him forever. Cloud didn't mean to make you mad, he's just stupid sometimes."

Cloud shot her a look, "Excuse me?"

Apparently, she did not hear him. "Let it go, okay?"

"Why?" Leon asked finally, his impassive stare never wavering.

"Well, because," she fumbled, "he, uh, wants you to?" She finally seemed to remember Cloud's presence and side stepped to stand next to him, nudging him in the gut with uncertainty, "Right?"

With another sigh, Cloud rejoined the conversation, "Right." Forgetting his pride, if only for this time, he explained, "I was hoping that we could get passed that. I need a sparring partner…"

Leon quirked a brow and shook his head, "You want me to be your sparring partner?" When he received a nod in return, he fell into silence. He seemed to be mentally debating it, which Yuffie noted was entirely predictable. Leon never said anything until he had made a complete decision and he never wavered on it.

"Fine," he agreed at length. "Go to gym in the third district in an hour," and with that concluding statement, he walked back into his home and shut the door, leaving the two in the hallway without another word.

Cloud sent a side glance to Yuffie and furrowed his brows, wondering what that was about. He had not expected him to actually agree to it, though he could not say that he was disappointed. "Okay then," he breathed out, shaking his head and beginning his trudge towards the exit.

Yuffie followed after him, smiling widely. With her hands clasped behind her back, she fell into step with Cloud and beamed up at him, giggling gently.

"What?" he asked, tilting his head to one side.

"Cloud has a date," she teased.

He quirked a brow, "People dating don't usually want to practice inflicting harm upon the other."

"Yeah," she agreed with a mischievous grin, "But you and Leon are different than usual."

Cloud only shook his head and opened the glass door to leave, Yuffie still on his heels. He then began to head towards his own apartment, though the girl did not turn to part with him.

"I think it's cute," she pointed out, "that he actually likes you enough to want to spar. Leon's hard to understand sometimes but I think you have a chance with him."

"I never said that I wanted to date him, Yuffie. Remember that," he explained with a frown as he tossed her an exasperated stare.

"I think you should." She jumped in front of him, blocking his path, "You two are perfect for each other. You both have problems, you're both really annoying and you both like to fight."

Cloud looked dumbfounded, "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well," she grinned, "Nothing. I just think that since you two have some common ground, you can work off of that. Leon's been through some bad stuff and I think that you can help him out. You've been through some awful things, too, and he needs someone to sympathize with him, not pity him. We don't all understand like you would, so maybe if you got him to tell you, you'd see what I mean." Yuffie looked at him with wisdom and maturity flickering in her eyes, "You two can work through everything together."

He shook his head and stepped around her, heading along the cobblestone street to ignore any further conversation. However, Yuffie had other plans.

"You're not as independent as you think you are, Cloud. You aren't stable alone," she told him before he was out of earshot. She did not bother to express any further feelings she had because she knew that Cloud would think about what she had said. There was no need to say anything more.

With a smile, she turned around and walked lightly in the direction of the third district, ready to report to Aerith. There was still a lot that needed to be done.

-

Step, hack, block, jab, pivot, spin, swipe.

The two warriors mimicked the other's steps, dancing to the metallic songs of their weapons meeting forcefully. They swayed, swung and stymied one another with strength and agility. Together they created hypnotic movements that had attracted quite a crowd. Both were extremely well trained, and it showed from both their form and precision.

Their muscles rippled from the extensive usage, their heavy weapons meeting repeatedly in their deadly dance. It was morbidly beautiful, erotic even. It took a high amount of energy and work and the results left you hungry for more.

The crowd stared in awe at the two dueling men. The broad sword once again hit the gunblade with a high-pitched, resounding shtang, and the two men were instantly locked in a power struggle. Both were baring their teeth, pushing against the other blade as their knuckles turned white from force.

Cloud must have blinked and missed it; his sword was no longer in his hands and Leon's blade was touching the sensitive skin on his exposed throat. He drew in a sharp breath and met the stormy eyes of the brunet, taking a step back and nodding to him, "Good job."

"Stay awake," Leon commanded, "You lost focus too easily."

Cloud picked up his buster sword and frowned. They had fought for a good hour or so and it was amazing that either of them had any energy left. Both of their chests were heaving in exhaustion, but they were both still standing no matter how tired they were. It had been a good spar as far as Cloud was concerned; he only hoped that the other realized that as well.

"I didn't do that badly," the blond said in quiet defense.

Leon only spared him a look before he sheathed Lionheart. His eyes were mildly hazed, making it obvious to Cloud that he had truly not done that badly. That sort of look was one that only a warrior got after a challenging battle, a look that the blond was quite sure he was wearing himself.

The crowd that had gathered whispered amongst themselves, commenting on both of the men and their amazing abilities. Neither of the men seemed to notice, however, as they collected their belongings and headed out of the door. They walked in silence together, regarding each other with glances until they reached the second district. There they would get prepared to part ways, but Cloud stopped in the center of the main street and looked to Leon. The brunet was already walking away, but soon he stopped as well. He then turned to look at the blond, giving him a short nod, "Tomorrow; same time."

Cloud nodded in return, offering Leon a short wave before he turned around and disappeared into his apartment building. They were bonding somehow, he could feel it.

"Only a matter of time," he told himself darkly, shutting the door behind him. Tomorrow would be another day; another chance at befriending the lion. He really had the ace in the hole and soon all of the pieces would fall into place. This was his game now.

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Author's Notes: I'll try and update this more often, and since summer's soon enough, I should have enough spare time to keep this going. Thanks for the encouragement!

Please keep reviewing! My goal is to get 100 reviews . . . at some point.