Well, no one seems to be reviewing anymore except Sai-ryo Aura Feana which I thank and this chapter is for you… though there were 2 other reviewers, Yu Mutuo and Reigning Hobbitess. Normally I'd wait longer but no one else seems to be reading… sigh Though if I don't get many reviews for this I don't think I'll continue… If no one reads it, why bother.

However, like I said, I'm putting this up for Sai-ryo Aura Feana, Yu Mutou, and Reigning Hobbitess… Enjoy and thanx!

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Thoughts - Italics

Thought speaking - Bold Italics (I originally put symbols around the speech but they went away so I had to replace it with something else)

Chapter 3

Blood and Tenderness

Cloud opened his eyes, pain ripping through his body. Leaning up slowly, he studied his surroundings. There wasn't much. Just the bed he was in and some torches with blue flames and everything was black. Finally looking down at his body he noticed that the clothes he wore were different. Though he was wearing his usual dark stripped shirt, jeans, and shoulder brace, he was also covered in belts. Mostly around his waist and also two each around his shins. One hand was covered with his usual tipless glove while the other was a clawed glove, gold tipped claws attached to it. Starting at his waist and coming down at least mid-thigh was what appeared to be a metal wing curled around his right leg. Finally, around his shoulders and covering part of his face was a dark, tattered cape that looked similar to Vincent's. He frowned upon remembering, gasping a bit when a hand found its way on his shoulder. He pulled away, whirling to face the intruder.

"Whoa! Hey, there. Calm down now." Cloud eyes glowed an eerie blue, anger washing over his tortured senses.

"You! You fucking bastard!" He took a swipe at Hades who dodged as Cloud knelt down quickly due to the pain.

"Alright now. No need to be like that." Cloud stood, facing him, ignoring the burning sensation.

"Bull! You never mentioned anything about this!" He screamed, his wing extending in his fury. Hades sighed, shaking his head.

"It was on the contract." The blonde was breathing heavily, his anger wearing him down. He glared up, his blue eyes flashing.

"You didn't let me read it. You told me I have to kill someone and then you help me. That's it. This wasn't mentioned in the slightest."

"Doesn't mean it wouldn't have happened. Look, drop it. Worry about it later...."

"But ---" Hades blue flames flickered orange, his cool, collected image breaking. He reached out, grasping Cloud's leathery wing, digging his nails in. Cloud yelped in pain, squeezing his eyes shut.

"No, ears open, mouth closed! You listen to me. We are going to the Coliseum tomorrow. So relax, Cloud, get some sleep. Though I'm sure you've had enough." Hades hissed, tightening his grip a bit. Blood trailed down his fingers and wrist. Noticing this, he let go. The wing folded against his body.

"Had.... enough?" The god ignored him, running a hand through his flamed hair.

"Look, I thought you were in a coma. But moving on, you had better start showing some respect. You never know who might take the heat for it." Cloud flinched.

"What the hell is that suppose to mean!?!" he hissed. Hades grabbed the front of his shirt.

"Now, see? That attitude will get you nowhere," he said. With that, he threw Cloud against the wall nearby, the blonde hitting his head hard. "Now, all you have to do is what I say. Is that really hard? You want your girl, don't ya?" A bit nerved, Cloud stood, wiping the blood from his chin and glaring over at the deity.

"Bastard...." Hades ignored him, fed up. He then remembered something.

"Oh, yeah, and you'll probably be wanting this," He gestured over at the bed Cloud was on a moment ago, revealing his buster sword, now covered in torn bandages. He saw no reason for them but ignored them, lifting it. Its familiar weight seemed to put Cloud at a bit of ease until it vanished.

"Wh-- "

"We go tomorrow. Sleep." Hades pressed two of his fingers against Cloud's forehead, putting him into a deep sleep, his body hitting the floor hard. "That's better. Pain! Panic!" A small, blue demon and a fat, red one appeared in seconds, waiting nervously for their orders.

"Yes, Your UnderWorldlyness."

"Put him in bed. We have a murder to commit tomorrow."

---

Blood speckled against his face, dripping down his cheeks and drenching his clothes. The whole experience, though it had been at least two weeks by now, was still fresh in his mind. Leon could still feel the blood, see the demonic wing rip open from Cloud's back, could still hear that eerie man's voice, the words he'd said.

"...My little assassin will be back... ....just might.... for you......"

Leon shook his head, looking across the First District at a girl with short, black hair and yellow eyes talking with Yuffie. Her name was Kumi. She was wearing a dark red halter with no back and a black, leather mini-skirt with slits down the sides, held together with criss-cross thread, and black boots with dark red laces. Other then that she was wearing a headband and around her arms tattered cloth both a dark red, the tattered cloth tied on with block cord. She'd ended up in Traverse Town not too long ago. She was an excellent fighter and often found herself sparring with the Gunblade wielder. She would only call him Squall no matter how many times he'd ignored her or told her to stop. It'd had gotten to the point where he didn't care anymore. But only from her. Though he'd respected Rinoa's memory, he had fallen for Kumi. Walking toward the two girls, Leon gained Kumi's attention, asking her if she would spar with him. He'd needed to cool off after those bad memories.

"Sure, Squall," she replied, bringing her hands behind her back, "but don't think I'll go easy on you." At his smirk, Yuffie rolled her eyes, bidding them her goodbye.

"I'll come check on you guys later. In the meantime, I'm gonna go and talk to Merlin He says Sora found some more pages of that book in Wonderland."

"Isn't he almost done exploring that world?" Kumi inquired, tilting her head.

"Yeah," Leon replied. "Well, we'll see you then, Yuffie." She nodded, running off.

"Ready to get owned?"

"We'll see about that, Kumi-chan." She faltered a bit, startled by the pet name.

"H-hai." They began their walk to the Secret cavern, Leon swinging his Gunblade over his shoulder. 'Yuffie, told me he was mean. He hasn't been that way with me and what he just said proves it. That or I'm going crazy..... He did seem kind of scary at first....' her thoughts were interrupted as they reached the entrance. Wading through the water, the two came to an underground cavern hidden within the waterway. Kumi really liked it and understood why Squall also liked it so much. It was a place to escape, to be alone, something she did often.

"So, you ready?" She nodded, getting down in a stance, bo in hand. Her weapon was a bo with blades on either side. She named it Final Legacy. Leon readied himself, neither moving for quite awhile. Finally, Kumi broke the silence, charging forward. Leon started to do the same, meeting Kumi in a clash of weapons, sparks flying. Breaking off and jumping back, Kumi swept her leg down, attempting to knock Leon down. He jumped over her leg, bringing down his Gunblade to meet her Final Legacy, only to be pushed back. More blows were exchanged, Leon spinning and striking, meeting a block and parry, causing him to falter a bit. He paused, smirking. "Not bad."

"You as well." He gained his footing, giving her a feral grin.

"It'll be better when I have you pinned."

"Try," she taunted. Leon froze.

Flash

"I'll get you eventually." Cloud glared at him from the bed, clutching his injured side.

"Try."

Flash

Anger that had welled inside over the pass few days surfaced, clouding him. He charged, sending a slew of strikes down upon Kumi, each being blocked, some just barely.

"Squall?" He slashed horizontally, nearly nailing her in the chest. However, she jumped back. "Squall?!" She jumped back again as he took another swipe. "Squall, be careful!" Her back hit the wall, panic taking it's toll. "Squall? Please stop...." He snapped out of his trance, finding Kumi crying, against the wall practically pinned. "You got me. You win. Just please, stop....." He dropped his sword, the metal clanging to the floor, the sound echoing off the walls.

"Kumi..... gomen nasai... Oh, God, Kumi. Daijobu ka?" He came up, wrapping his arms around the frightened girl.

"What happened? Why were you so mad?" He kissed her forehead, hugging her tighter. This just startled her more.

"It has nothing to do with you. Gomen ne. It's not you I'm angry with."

"Okay...." He pulled away, looking into her eyes.

"You're okay?"

"Yeah.... now..." She slid down the wall, now out of his arms, and sat on the ground, her weapon discarded on the floor near her. "I'm glad it's not me you're mad at. I'd have left already."

"Left?" His expression sank, sitting down next to her. She quickly covered her mouth with her hands.

"Oh! Yeah, I wanted to tell you. I'm going to the tournament that the Coliseum's holding."

"Oh, that. That's good." She noticed he seemed relieved.

"I'm leaving tonight," she murmured, drawing her knees in. "Hey, uh, promise me you won't lose it again. You frightened me, Squall."

"Yakusoku."

---

Next morning

Opening his eyes, Cloud found himself on what appeared to be a Greek sofa.... with Hades peering down at him.

"Ahhh!" He jumped up, causing the god to back away. Hades made a 'time-out' gesture.

"Wow. Hey, there. Red light. Calm down, Cloud, baby. It's just me."

"Not a face I want to wake up to..." he murmured, rubbing his eyes a bit. He ignored Cloud's comment.

"I signed you up." The blonde glared at him a bit before looking around. Getting up, Cloud walked out to watch the battles before his first. "Hey, where ya going?"

"It's good to observe how your opponents move. Study their strategy. Besides, why should I hang around you? As long as you get what you want, ne?"

"Listen, there's this kid that I want you to keep your eye on. He just arrived out of nowhere and well, I sorta gave him a ticket and now he's here. This kid .... he's different. I mean, compared to the others he's the real deal." Cloud leaned against the wall in the shadows, crossing his arms over his lean chest.

"Yeah, well, you're not measuring him against much, now, are you?" he replied, watching the Fat Bandits emit fire.

---

The Heartless at the Coliseum were unbelievably weak, which surprised Cloud a bit. He was hoping for some sort of challenge. That was mainly what was there aside from Sora and his companions.... until something caught Cloud's eye. In the corner of the arena, warming up, was a young girl. She looked to be a little shorter then he was with short, black hair reaching her shoulders. She wore a deep red halter top with no back and a black mini skirt with slits on either side with criss-cross red ties, and black lace-up boots. Around her arms were what looked like tattered, red cloth tied with black string and a wide headband whose color matched her top. Cloud's attention was broken away as his name was called.

"Next up is Cloud vs. Kumi!" Phil announced from his pedestal. Cloud pushed off the wall, slinging his new sword over his shoulder.

'Is that girl Kumi?' he thought, walking onto the battle platform. As if to answer his thoughts, the girl appeared before him, getting into a battle stance. Her weapon of choice was a bo with blades on either side. Cloud still stood sideways, glancing at her. Finally, he got down in his own stance, Hades mentally calling out to him.

Take her out, he hissed in the back of Cloud's mind.

She didn't do anything....

... There was a pause. Fine, but you will win. Cloud grinned.

I said I'd spare her, not give her the match. Phil's voice drew his attention back.

"Let the fight commence!" Immediately, the two charged, a series of quick blows were exchanged. Finally, one caught, each fighting to overpower the other.

"Well, well, looks like there is some talent here," Cloud mused. Kumi smirked, bringing her foot behind his and pulling backward, sending him to the ground on his back. Once on the floor, she pinned him, trying to break his weapon away from him. "I give you credit for the effort," he breathed, setting his foot on her stomach and throwing her over his head. She flipped, landing on her feet, turning in time to watch Cloud jump up on his feet. He spun, swinging and having his attack blocked. Blow after blow was exchanged, each blocking the other. Suddenly, Kumi jumped up, the sunlight blocking his vision, and came down, ready to strike. Just before she did, Cloud countered, blocking her hit and turning his blade on the broad side. Once the dust cleared, Kumi laid at his feet on her side, seemingly unconscious.

"Cloud wins!" Phil exclaimed. Cloud knelt down, setting his buster sword down next to him, lifting her up. She stirred, her eyes opening.

"You okay?" She blinked, feeling herself blush under his intense gaze.

"Y-yeah." He set her down, frowning, and proceeding to pick up his sword.

"Gomen ne. I really didn't want to hurt you." She picked her weapon up, smiling at him.

"It's okay. You're pretty good."

"Likewise," he said, turning and leaving the platform. She stared after him for a moment, waiting for her dizzy spell to go away before turning to tell Phil she was leaving the Coliseum.

"That was great! You looked fabulous!"

"Can you leave me alone?" Cloud asked, leaning against the wall again. Hades rolled his eyes.

"I can't even compliment you? Sheesh, and people think I'm cranky."

"I'm not cranky, I'm pissed. There's a difference." Hades tilted his head a bit in interest.

"Oh?" Cloud crossed his arms as he spoke, his bangs covering his eyes.

"If I was cranky, I'd be avoiding you. But I'm pissed, so I feel like killing you."

"Hey, can't kill what's already dead. But on a lighter note, think you're ready to take on that kid." Cloud's eyes wandered out to the arena where Sora was starting his next match.

"More then ready."

---

TBC…

A/U: Well, that was longer then the last one at least. Hope you like it… Like I said before: no reviews, no chapters. And just so you know, the next one's typed up already… If there is anything confusing you could e-mail me (check my bio)… Please review, arigato.

Ja ne,

Hotaru 'Chi' Sasaki

Check my fanart out on – DeviantART under Blue-eyed-Demon