Hello to all! This is my first attempt at a Kingdom Hearts fic, so don't be too harsh, please. Enjoy the read, and tell me what you think, kay?

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, or any of the characters involved in this fic.

Warning: Light swearing. Leon/Cloud action in later chapters.

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Mako eyes shifted over the shabby town, taking in his surroundings carefully and analytically. An Accessory shop, and Item shop, a mail box with a face… The man shuddered, shaking his head. The fact of the matter is, well, the blonde armor-clad warrior was stuck here. Stuck, ha. He thought, running a pale hand through his bright hair, only to have it stick right back out as it had been. It's better than the Coliseum, that's for sure… He then sighed, walking towards the middle of the town from the world's exit, the blood colored cape trailing behind him carelessly. "Traverse town… Hn." He took a look at the people just standing around, plus a little white and red moogle, the couple of misplaced trees, then to the sky. It was night out, so the stars were dimly alight through the light pollution of the town. Pretty… It's nice to finally get out of that dump… His thoughts led to the fresh memory of how he had gotten here.

The blonde walked up to the Coliseum gates, eyes narrowed and movements quick. "Hades!" He called for the blue god, stopping just in front of the entrance. His hands were both fisted at his sides tightly as he awaited the god of the dead to appear. "Hades, come out here!"

"Yeah, yeah, what do ya want, blondie?" Hades answered his calls, appearing behind him, cleaning out one of his ears with his pinky. He spun around, facing Hades with a look of distaste. You asshole… He snarled with the thought, straightening and then arching his back for intimidation. He walked to the god with long, elegant, but quick strides, then reached out with his brass claws, grabbing Hades robes so the taller being could come down to the man's eye level. The claws tore through part of the robe, but effectively made it so Hades had to lean with the grip he had.

"I've done everything you've asked me to. It's time for you to keep your part of the bargain. Take me to my light." The blonde demanded, faces only inches away from Hades. Hades pushed him away, waving his hands in front of him.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, kiddo. Don't worry, I've got it all figured out." The god placed a hand on the warrior's shoulder, leaning over as he led him to the world exit. "You want your light?" He snapped. "You've got it. I'll just send you to the world and we'll go from there, okay?" They stopped in front of the doors to leave this world.

"…" The blonde was skeptical, but desperate. "Fine." The black, feathery wing on his back twitched lightly.

"Good. Once you find your 'light' your wing will disappear and the contract is over with. Have fun." Hades opened the door, practically pushing the warrior out into the portal.

Just like that, he arrived here, in Traverse town. If he walked back out the exit without a gummi ship, he'd just end up transporting back here. He had tried it at the Coliseum, many, many times… All to no avail. Working at the Coliseum for Hades had been hell. Even though he completed his missions easily, he had had shitty living arrangements and hadn't eaten a decent meal in a good year. He blinked as he looked at the sky, breathing in deeply. Maybe things would be different here… Once he found what he was looking for… Hearing some different voices out of the otherwise quiet town, he blinked again, looking to where the voices were coming from. Three people were walking towards the Accessory Shop, straight ahead of him, two of them chatting excitedly about something or other and carrying some brown paper bags full of groceries. The two talking were both female, and very familiar looking to the blonde. One of them had short, straight black hair, and was wearing a very small green T-shirt and jean shorts with black suspenders. The other was wearing a very simple pink button up dress, her hair in three different braids, her bangs first defying gravity, then falling downwards, framing her face nicely. Cloud froze, his breath catching in his throat. A… Aeris? The other walking with the group was forgotten.

Aeris was smiling, then glanced over as something caught her eye. She dropped her bags as her bright green eyes met those glowing Mako eyes of the blonde. Yuffie stopped talking, following Aeris's gaze to the man. Her eyes widened as her face lit up. "Cloud!" She squealed, fisting her hands as she ran up to him with ninja speed and skill. "You're alive!" She jumped on him, wrapping her arms awkwardly around his neck over the armor and cape. His eyes wide, he smiled, laughing. His arms made their way around her, hugging tightly as Aeris and another man made their way to them. "I can't believe it, I thought we'd never see you again!" She dropped from him, smiling up at him with her hands still on his shoulders. Cloud looked at her, then glanced over to Aeris.

"Aeris…" He breathed out, smiling fully. Yuffie moved for Aeris to walk past her, smiling as the two embraced. Cloud closed his eyes, resting his head on her shoulder. It felt so good to see familiar people again… "God, I missed you…" His quiet voice tickled her ear, and she smiled.

"I did, too." She pulled back, hands on his sides, and looked him over. "You look like you haven't been eating right." She then put a hand on the side of his face, rubbing her thumb over his cheek. "And you look pale. You're cold. What have you been doing? Why are you wearing all this armor? What's with the wing?" Cloud laughed, smiling under the crimson cape.

Before he could answer, the sound of someone clearing their throat distracted both between their interaction. The third person, who was walking with them, was standing with his arms crossed, giving the two a cold look. Yuffie giggled, jumping to his side and smiling at him. Aeris also laughed softly, letting Cloud go to face the man. "By the way, Cloud, this is Squall. His world got taken by the heartless, too." Yuffie introduced, receiving a glare at the mention of his name.

"It's Leon." A soft, deep, and very monotonous voice came out of his mouth. Cloud smirked, just now "checking him out". He was a good-looking guy, with dark chocolate hair that hung loosely to about his chin, longer on the bottom and in the back. He had a scar running from his forehead across the top of his nose to his cheek, raising the question of how he had gotten it. Dark blue-gray eyes that reeked of hidden emotions stared at Cloud emotionlessly, through the loose strands of hair that hung in his face. A black leather jacket covered his arms and broad shoulders, but stopped right under his rib cage, open and showing off a simple white shirt under it. It was tucked into black leather pants, adorned with belts criss-crossing and keeping together his pant legs. On top of all that, he had combat boots and a final accessory of a silver chain necklace with a cross on it. Cloud bit the inside of his cheek, raising an eyebrow as he waited for some type of greeting from the man.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever Squall." Leon winced, giving her another cold glare. "This is our good friend Cloud. You know, the ex-SOLDIER we always talk about?" Yuffie explained to him, hands resting on her hips. Leon nodded, eyes shifting back to the blonde.

"He's kinda short to be an ex-SOLDIER, don't you think?" He deadpanned. Taken aback, Cloud first widened his eyes, and then narrowed them to a lethal glare. What the fuck is that? He scowled, crossing his arms over his chest defensively. Yuffie hit Leon in the back of the head, her other hand still on her hip. Aeris laughed, probably used to this sort of behavior from the two.

"You jerk! That's no way to greet our friend!" The ninja scolded as Leon rubbed the back of his head, his gaze still on the blonde. He shrugged, crossing his arms back over his chest. Cloud still glared at the brunette, both holding eachother's gaze, neither willing to waver before the other did. Yuffie looked from Leon to Cloud, then exchanged a look with Aeris. Aeris seemed to have the same idea, so they both giggled at their little secret exchange. "You two are too alike… I swear, if you were gay you'd make an awesome couple." Aeris covered her mouth with her hand as Yuffie spoke, holding in her laughter.

Cloud broke the gaze first, his slight blush covered by the cape, thankfully for him. He looked down to the ground, not comfortable with how much eye contact he had been making with the other man. He could still feel the others gaze on him, however, which made him fidgety. He wasn't usually like this, but there was something different with Leon that just intimidated him… Kind of like with…

"We were just heading back to our little house in the Third district. You're coming and getting a decent meal at least. Don't you dare trying not to. You're welcome to stay with us as long as you like, also. Cid's there, too, and you know he'll be excited to see you again. There're only three rooms, though, so if you stay, you're going to have to share Leon's room. We can just get another bed tomorrow. For tonight, you can sleep on the couch." Aeris told Cloud, grabbing onto his arm and leading him to their home. Cloud smiled, thankful for her kindness. Yuffie followed at Aeris's side, and Leon fell in place behind the others, keeping quiet and to himself as they walked.

"Plus, you can tell us what you've been up to and we'll tell you what we've been doing!" Yuffie piped in. Cloud nodded.

"Thanks." He told them, his voice still quiet. Aeris looked at him and grinned, holding onto his arm tighter. He smiled, somewhat bitterly, as a scary realization came over him. As he walked, Aeris clinging to his arm, he found that his feelings had changed over the time they've been apart. He found that… He didn't really love her anymore.