Disclaimer: I hate this things If I owned KH I would have someone writing this things for me

Parings: Sora/Riku

Overall Rating: R

Chapter Rating: PG-13

Warnings: This fic is a YAOI and in case the paring didn't give it away it means male/male relationships don't like don't read. Really very simple. It's also an AU okay. Well having said that enjoy the story.

AN: I have no shame I know it's been forever but know that I'm not giving up on this fic far from it. Sorry about not updating sooner but you know how it is life gets in the way.

Thank you to my reviewers: Shodowsdancingdragon. Swords of chaos. cassier. teaka. animegirl171. Jade Queen of the Damned. Heather Chirsti. Eva Beaver. KaoruFan. Becca. Ani-coolgirl. Joonie. Ocean-eyed songstress, Kahura. Sakura N. Grey Elven-Eyes. BBChan. fallen angel of darkness. fire godess5. Cydcharisse. Riku-the-dark-angel. kurisuchie. Twinstar1. kumagoro-chan. Knoki Rio. Zodd2020. Mystical Kairi. Black Metal Bassit. crow vii. soul-spirit. XxKaskading-DraknessxX. Preator. silent-mousie. and Brittany Felix. Whew! Guys and gals thanks so much you're reviews as always really do help a bunch and I love reading all of them sorry I didn't reply to all of them this time though, but know I read them all. And to put you at ease I will not stop with this story until it is finished even if it kills me err well that's a bit dramatic but I will finish it. Oh and I'm glad you guys know who Shuichi is () gotta love him. Oh and Elven I fixed that whole eyes thing thanks ( ) And guys thanks for all the threats really thanks you and sorry about the cliffhanger (Jin in the back: No she's not) Ignore him. And last of all thanks for the bribes. Pocky! Gawds I love strawberry pocky. If you're looking for a way to bribe me strawberry pocky is definitely the way to go. Well enjoy the chapter and again thanks for the reviews. Love Ya!

Squall stared back and forth Sora and Cloud and moved his gaze to Riku and his companion. Who seemed very surprised at seeing Cloud or perhaps at seeing Sora, he wasn't sure. Maybe both.

But if it was Cloud he was surprised to see. How did he know Cloud? And that surprise he saw on the silver haired man wasn't actually seen by his actions but rather in the slight shift in his posture. Had he been anyone else he would not have noticed but years of hanging around Cloud taught a person how to read even the smallest changes of another person.

Still no one was saying anything, and as much as everyone would have loved to stay in their own thoughts, Riku had had enough of the silence. Besides the surprised stares that were going around; Sephiroth, Cloud and Sora did not please him at all. Not too much about Sora he knew why Sora was surprised, but he was rather confused by the stares between his cousin and his friend they were looking at each other as if they knew the other. Riku had to break the silence.

"Uhh Squall this is Sephiroth"

Riku said motioning to Sephiroth with his head. Sephiroth gave a small nod. Squall raised an unimpressed brow.

"I think that much has been established. What I want to know is what are you doing here and with him?"

By than Cloud and Sora had gotten over their initial shock and were now standing awkwardly next to each other, listening to the words being exchanged.

"Oh we're just going to help out with the crew if you don't mind?"

Riku explained while watching Squall move to the edge of the stage and pick up a clipboard with what looked like notes. Squall only half listed to Riku's explanation picking up his notes skimming quickly over them.

"Fine just don't get in the way"

He said dismissing him not even bother to turn around. Instead he walked back to Sora and Jonathan.

"Alright enough of this scene"

Pausing for a second he looked back down to his notes and nodded his head to some mental argument he was having. Clearing his voice a bit he raised his head.

"Everyone"

The entire cast and crew gave him their attention as always. Sephiroth raised a brow the guy hadn't even raised his voice an octave yet everyone had stopped to look at him. Impressive. Squall when Sephiroth had seen him didn't exactly give off a leader aura but he suppose Squall was like many people he knew. Who didn't exactly want to be leaders but could step up when necessary. A silent leader, Sephiroth mused.

"Take ten"

That voice was not harsh or demanding, but left no room for argument. The crew stopped what they were doing and started chatting amongst themselves. As did the actors on stage who took a seat on the floor or on the edge of the stage. Squall turned to Sora.

"I need to get some notes. When I get back we'll do our scene. If I'm no back in ten minutes just keep going with yours and John's scene"

Sora and John nodded. Squall turned and left the stage. John went to sit with the other actors leaving Sora and Cloud by themselves. Sora quickly turned to Cloud.

"Yap know Sephiroth?!"

Cloud did not reply, his eyes were completely focused on the silver headed man currently heading towards them. Sephiroth in return was staring right back at Cloud, they were communicating with out words just like they had done so at point. As they came closer Cloud broke the eye contact and turned to Sora.

"I have to get these to Yuffie and Kairi"

He said tightly and strode out of the stage before he had to confront Sephiroth.

Sephiroth watched Cloud leave and almost smiled. He would have loved for Cloud to have stayed but unfortunately he had not. He could have also gone after him but he would not. Cloud needed time to collect his thoughts or at least that's what Sephiroth had read in his eyes. Besides he could talk to Cloud later, it wasn't as if he were planning on leaving any time soon. He had always had patience when it came to Cloud, plus Cloud was not avoiding him of that he was certain. With that in mind he stopped in front of Sora and stuck out his hand.

"Hello Sora it's been a while"

Clutched tightly in his hand was a piece of paper containing Sora's measurements, though at the moment Cloud could careless what was in his hand his thoughts were currently on Sephiroth.

How long had it been? Four years? More? He had lost cound but that didn't matter, it could have been eight years and as it had been made painfully obvious his feelings had not changed much. Just like Sephiroth himself hadn't changed much. Still, had that cold aura to him , those cold eyes hair was a bit longer than he remembered and he was taller but that was understandable.

Perhaps he was wrong. Perhaps Sephiroth had changed it wasn't like he had actually stayed to find out. That however didn't mean he was running away oh no. He would talk to Sephiroth just not at the moment. Right now he needed to collect his thoughts.

More like collect his feelings. More or so four years had gone by since he had thought of Sephiroth. Sephiroth was just a memory of something long ago forgotten . A passing thought that once in a while crossed his mind and even than not for long. A reminder of what he once had been in short Sephiroth was a memory or so he thought. He was wrong.

One look. One look was all it took for every thing he thought he had forgotten to come back in his head. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing. What he had, had with Sephiroth was a long time ago, though it had been intense, passionate and, and what? That's what bothered him he didn't know what else it had been, but was sure he didn't want to repeat. Or at least that's what he told himself.

Unfortunately that look Sephiroth gave him brought back pulled back and yanked to the surface from the darkness old feelings believed to be dead by him. Old feelings old unanswered feelings.

Cloud shook his head those feelings should not have been left unresolved. As far as he was concerne he and Sephiroth had not parted bitterly and perhaps that was the problem not the not parting bitterly but the parting part.

"No that's not it"

He said to himself and cut his mussing opening a door to find Yuffie, Kairi and Selphie talking. They stopped at hearing Cloud come in.

"Hey Cloud!"

He nodded his head once and handed the crumpled piece of paper to Kairi. Who took it giving him a strange look.

"Err thanks"

She said trying to open the piece of paper with out ripping it. Cloud's only answer was a grunt before turning to exit the room again.

"Take ten"

As soon as Selphie heard those words she was up and off the floor. She had been sitting with Tidus on the floor still painting when she had seen Riku arrive with a gorgeous man at his side. Selphie of coursed had gawked and had asked Tidus if he knew who the gorgeous man next to Riku was? A mild look of surprised crossed his face before he had replied.

"Oh that's Sephiroth Riku's cousin"

So now that she had the opportunity she was going to go and tell her friends about Sephiroth and how hot he was.

"I'm gonna find Yuffie and Selphie"

She said and left skipping to the exit leaving Tidus.

After watching Selphie leave he smiled shaking his head and stood up. Out of the corned of his eye he watched Squall leave the stage.

"Well might as well go talk to him"

Standing up he stretched to unwind his somewhat cramped muscles from being hunched down on his knees. Relaxing his body from his stretch he sighed and exited the theater in search for Squall.

Exiting was exactly what Sora felt like doing with Riku's cousin there. Unfortunately such an option was not available to him at the moment. Instead he swallowed whatever he was feeling and not wanting so seem rude he took Sephiroth's hand.

"Hey Sephiroth. How have you been?"

Sephiroth shook Sora's hand holding his hand just a bit longer than necessary just for the hell of it and to see Riku get all protective.

"Oh you know same old. Which is less than I can say for you I think a congratulations is in order."

Sora cocked his head to the side and looked at Riku who was. Blushing?

"What are you talking about?"

Sephiroth gave a hearty chuckled that as much as it sounded warm was empty as it resonated through the theater.

"I mean you and Riku of course. It was about time you got together"

Sora gave him a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of his head.

"Is there anyone who didn't know?"

Sora asked playfully, though it seemed to him like everyone knew.

"Well it seems like only you and Riku were the only ones left out"

Than he gave a sigh and smirked looking at Sora.

"Though as happy as I am for you I'm also a bit disappointed"

Both Riku and Sora gave Sephiroth confused stares. Which only made Sephiroth's smirk grow. And he was more than happy to elaborate for them.

"That means I'll have to stop flirting with you"

Sora raised a brow and Riku shook his head in amusement. Sora rolled his eyes. Half the time Sephiroth's advances had made him feel uncomfortable and the other half it made him feel just plain out silly. He was certain a good half of the flirting was done with a half joking tone and the other half was completely joking. What made him feel uncomfortable was that uncertain half joking but now he knew, it was all made up.

Sephiroth wasn't seriously trying to flirt with him, he just couldn't believe how long it had actually taken him to realize it. That bit of enlightenment made him feel better and less nervous to be around Sephiroth. For the first time since he had met Sephiroth he relaxed.

With his new found courage he stepped up to Sephiroth who was much taller than he was and draped an arm around his shoulders patting him lightly. Sephiroth and Riku were both startled and Sephiroth realized Sora had just figured out all his flirting had not been serious. Too bad. Good thing Riku still didn't' know.

"There, there Seph "

He said soothingly. Riku frowned and crossed his arms. Sora began walking with Sephiroth towards the edge of the stage with Riku close behind.

"'I'm sure you'll mange to get over me..."

Giving Riku a quick wink over his shoulders he sighed sadly and continued.

"Somehow"

"Where did I leave them?"

Squall asked to no one. With his head inside his locker searching for the play notes he needed. Squall disliked disorganization, he was always very good at keeping thing organized it made for finding things quickly and with out much hassle. It was very unlike him to be so unorganized, so to say he was frustrated for having missed placed his notes would have been putting it very lightly

"Need help?"

With his hand half way to lifting a book he froze and stuck his head out of his locker to see Tidus leaning casually on the closed locker to his right. Looking over at Tidus he knew the other was not really there to help, he was sure there were other things Tidus was surely more curious to know. Giving up his search he turned to Tidus.

"Did you really come here to help me? "

Squall asked already knowing the answer. Tidus seemed to think the question.

"Well if you don't mind I'd much rather talk. Why did you leave like that? Was it something I said?"

Tidus asked quickly before loosing his nerve. Squall sighed and leaned his back on the locker to the left of his opened one and proceeded to slide down until he was sitting on the floor, leaving his locker door open between him and Tidus.

"It's a long story"

Tidus followed Squall's movement and sat down as well, knees drawn up arms hanging loosely from his knees.

"I don't mind, long stories are my favorite"

Giving a small smile Squall stared straight ahead to the lockers in front of him on the other side of the hall. He turned his head to the left but instead of seeing Tidus all he saw were his knees and legs his opened locker blocked his face completely and that was fine with Squall, it made it easier for him to say what he was about to say. He took a deep breath.

"What you said that day... it brought back a memory I thought I had forgotten"

Tidsu tilted his head back looking up at the ceiling.

"Which part?"

Squall was silent contemplating how to explain to Tidus what he felt. Sensing his hesitation Tidus was tempted to reach out close the opened locker door which felt like a barrier a physical barrier to the emotional one he felt between himself and Squall. He wanted to tear that barrier down talk to Squall face to face.

"Squall"

Before he could go any further Squall continued.

"You said, "you're not alone". She said that to me once"

Tidus was quiet She? Who was Squall talking about?

"It was during the summer I remember because it was hot I was on the swings at the park, she came that day and she told me to never believe I was alone because I never would be. All I had to do was look around and see I wasn't alone"

She? Who was this she Squall was talking about? But as tempted as he was to ask he couldn't Squall seemed to be on a sort of trance.

"I thought at the time. Of course I wouldn't be alone I had her"

He scoffed sounding bitter and sad all at the same time.

"I had her. But you see Tidus I didn't have her for long, she died of leukemia and left me alone. But now I know why she said what she did back then. It wasn't until the day you said what she had once said to me that it clicked."

Squall felt hot tears stinging his eyes but he wouldn't let them come. He fought against them, he needed to let out what he was feeling he felt that if he didn't he would drown in his sorrow. Drown with the knowledge he had longed for. So long ago.

"She had come back from the doctor that day, that day had been the day she found out I was not a match for her bone marrow transplant. I know now I was their last hope."

He closed his eyes for a remembering what the had pushed back. He had pushed back all those memories, of going to the hospital and the pain of having that needle stuck in him the test they had to do to determine if he was a match or not. He had blocked it all out.

Tidus opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. His lips merely opened and closed a few time before he gave up and sat quietly listening to squall.

"That's why she told me what she did that day. She knew she wouldn't be with me for long"

"Who was she?"

Was the whispered question asked by Tidus who somehow managed to find his voice. Squall took in a shaky breath and ran his hand through his hair staring at the floor.

"Ellone. My sister"

Tidus cringed he had sensed the she Squall had been talking about was his sister when he spoke of the cancer and the bone marrow transplant, Squall hadn't been a match for. Slowly he turned his face only to see that damn locker door, when all he wanted to see was Squall's face and know he was okay.

Taking a deep breath he lifted one hand and gently close the last barrier between Squall and himself. Thus the last wall of defense Squall had put up. What he saw did not please him. Squall's face was emotionless his body seemed relaxed his gaze was unfocused and his eyes were shinning with suppressed tears.

"I was their last hope and I wasn't a match I could do nothing to save her"

It was a mumbled phrase more to himself than anyone else. It hurt so much to know he hadn't been able to do anything to help his sister. The person who had loved him and he had loved the most. Even before her death she had tried to make sure he would be okay by telling him to never feel alone. He was too lost in his thoughts to notice when Tidus closed the locker door. Too lost to see him move forward kneeling next to him only when he felt a gentle hand on his cheek did he remember Tidus was there with him.

"Squall I'm so sorry"

Looking at Tidus he felt a lump in his throat but he would not cry. Tidus only looked at him with sad eyes full of understanding and acceptance, it made Squall want to trust him and let himself open completely.

"I miss her"

He chocked on the words Tidus wrapped his arms around Squall with out hesitation. That warm embrace undid Squall as he closed his eyes and silent tears streamed from his closed eyes. He hugged Tidus back tightly. Held the other tightly as if he were an anchor, he needed to feel himself anchored down he needed to feel secure so he wouldn't fall into that pit of black numbness he had know so well when Ellone had died. He was tired to feeling numb he wanted to feel again even if it hurt. At the moment Tidus was his anchor holding him assuring him he was still there and not alone.

Those words again. "Not alone"

Not alone, their words Tidus's and Ellone's words. He knew he wasn't alone had known that for quite a while but what Ellone and Tidus had failed to realize was he was alone by choice.

After a few minutes he managed to get a hold on himself he stopped crying and just let Tidus hold him. It was a few more minutes after he had calmed down that Tidus realized Squall was no longer crying and slowly he pulled away, still feeling very guilty.

"Squall I'm sorry"

He looked away for a brief moment and hung his head unable to face squall.

"If I had known my words would bring you those hurtful memories I would have never said anything"

A mere whisper and Squalls lips formed a small warm smile.

"Don't say that. I'm glad I remembered. Ellone was and still is a very important person to me and I'm glad I remember what she said back than. She was always looking out for me."

Biting his lower lip Tidus lifted his face slowly still unsure.

"Are you sure?"

A just question. After all how could Squall take so much pain so easily almost as if he were used to it. That thought didn't sit well with Tidus. Squall gave him a small nod.

"Than why did you leave when I said that?"

The blond asked his voice with a hind of hurt. Squall looked away briefly before turning his eyes to Tidus. That was what the needed to explain. Tidus seemed to believe that the memory of Ellone had hurt him. It had not it had merely taken him by surprise besides no memory from Ellone could ever hurt him.

"At the time I was overwhelmed by the memory. I won't lie to you it hurt not because I remembered but because it reminded me of what I no longer have. It was so vivid as if it had been yesterday. There was Ellone talking to me sounding so strange telling me things that didn't make sense. Remembering those words and than realizing why she was saying those things. It was too much, so I left"

Tidus nodded and closed his eyes. He could understand where Squall was coming from. However he could not even begin to imagine what Squall felt he had never experience the loss of a loved one so he wouldn't even pretend to understand what Squall was feeling.

Feeling a gentle caress on his cheek his eyes snapped open. He stared startled at Squall who was is turn staring at the hand tracing Tidus's jaw bone.

"I finally understand what Ellone said. But you know something. I've known for a while that I'm not alone. It only seems that way because there's only a handful of people I can trust"

Squall said his hand making it's way down Tidus's jaw, Tidus felt his eyes drifting close at the gentle caress and didn't even question Squall actions or his own when he shifted closer to squall.

"I've never told anyone that before"

At that Tidus's eyes quickly snapped opened as the words sank in and a sudden thought came to him.

"Do... do you... trust me?"

He whispered not trusting his voice to come out stronger. Squall stopped the movement with his hand and look straight at Tidus. Whose heart skipped a beat at the look squall gave him than sped up to a thunderous pace.

"I trust you"

Tidus felt himself smiling felt a warm feeling fan out from the middle of his stomach through out his entire body leaving him feeling warm and tingly. That statement had made him feel good. Better than any compliment he had ever received in his life.

Squall's hand dropped from his cheek and Tidus fought the urge to graon at the loss of contact.

"Thanks for listening, I really needed that"

Tidus only nodded and watched as Squall stood up and went to open his locker again and stick his head in searching for something.

"What are you looking for?"

A grunt was all he received for an answer. Squall cursed and shifted things inside his locker.

"My notes I can't find them. I'm sure I left them in here"

Tidus scratched his head and smiled a little.

"They wouldn't' happen to be in a blue notebook labeled play notes would they?"

With a frown Squall straighten up hearing Tidus describe the note book he was searching for.

"Where is it?"

Tidus sighed.

"I saw it on a chair in the auditorium next to your clipboard"

Squall looked up and sighed raking a hand through his silky locks. Now he remembered he had in fact set them down on a chair when he had arrived, how had he over looked that.

While Squall ponder his sudden forgetfulness Tidus was busy brewing a plan. Squall was clearly taking on too much and was too stubborn to admit it. Even though he was great at what he did signs of exhaustion were beginning to show like him forgetting where he had placed his notes. Which brought him back to square one trying to help Squall. He hoped that with the conversation they had just had Squall would be a bit more lenient towards his proposal.

"Hn guess I forgot"

Squall said.

"Squall"

Tidus began slowly and Squall knew by the tone Tidus was using that he was about to say something he was not going to like.

"Why don't you let me let us help you? You know let me Cloud, Yuffie, Selphie help you. I mean you say you trust me right? Can you trust me to help you? It doesn't mean we think you can't pull this through it means we are worried and besides by giving some of you responsibilities to others you can concentrate more on the actual play than the production part of it. What do you say?"

Squall didn't look at Tidus who was standing next to him. Instead he stared ahead at nothing. It was difficult for him to accept help he just wasn't used to it. To him having help meant he was incapable of doing something himself. which didn't sit well with him. Though Tidus had a point by trying to do everything himself he wonder if he was instead causing harm. The acting could be better and the production could be going a lot faster than it was. The reason it wasn't was because he couldn't be in a million places at once.

Could he trust them? He knew the answer to that. It was time to put his pride aside. Besides Cloud, Yuffie and Selphie were his friends he could trust them. Even Sora, Riku and Kairi he felt he could trust. And of course Tidus.

"Alright"

Tidus was speechless, that had been easier than he had expected and he sighed a breath of relief before he grinned.

"Really?"

Squall merely nodded before crouching down trying to put his locker back in order.

"That's great"

Tidus said and began thinking out loud telling Squall how they would help him.

"Yuffie can take over costumes she's great with that and I know Kairi would love to help her, Cloud can take over crew and Wakka'll help him and Selphie can over look set design and I'll help her I think I have a pretty good idea of what you want. And we'll just check with you before we make a decision that way you know everything that's going on with out splitting yourself into a million pieces. That leaves you free to concentrate on the play and your characters and exactly how you want things acted out"

Tidus finished and Squalled closed his locker door finally turning to Tidus.

"Sounds like you've thought this out perfectly, but don't you still have soccer?"

Tidus frowned at the soccer name but decided to ignore it. Squall began to walk and he followed him as they made their way back to the theater.

"We only have a few games left"

Squall nodded and they walked in silence. Tidus was feeling rather happy to say the least. He had actually gotten Squall to agree with him and had gotten Squall to open up about Ellone. He felt incredible and that feeling he felt when squall admitted he trusted him wouldn't go away and he didn't want it to. It almost felt as good as when Squall touched him at that thought he frowned a bit. At the time he hadn't given Squalls action a second thought but now he wonder. What exactly was between them? Was it just friendship? Because it sure as hell felt like more. Was he willing to find out?

Unknown to the thoughts in Tidus's head Squall walked on just happy things were finally clear between them. He still wasn't sure why he all of a sudden cared what Tidus thought or why he felt the need for Tidus to understand him. It was just a feeling. Squall left it at that and turned to speak to Tidus only to see the blond not there next to him just empty space..

Looking back he saw Tidus had stopped walking and was in the middle of the hall looking lost. Squall frowned and walked back to Tidus.

"Tidus. What's wrong?"

Instead of responding Tidus turned his face away and looked out one of the windows to his right. Slowly as if in a trance he walked to the window and sighed. Outside the sun was shinning brightly, the wind was blowing wildly shaking the last remaining leaves from the seemingly dead trees. Leaving them bare, while the ground got covered in beautiful Autumn colors of golden yellows, soft browns, purples and faded greens. Leaves fell, and the wind caught them before they fell twirling, mixing them together in a beautiful whirlwind of colors. Beautiful, though Tidus saw non of that. He needed to know. He felt Sqaull place a hand on his shoulder and he turned to face the taller teen.

"Squall"

He began unsure, he took a deep breath and forced himself to look up at Squall.

"What... what exactly are we? I mean, what's this between us? If there's anything at all"

Tidus heard himself say and was aware of how stupid and scared he sounded. Squall was silent for a moment. He looked pass Tidus's shoulder and stared out at the small whirlwinds of leaves on the lawn of the school.

"I like you!"

Squall said and both he and Tidus were startled by the statement. Looking into Tidus's shocked eyes Squall continued.

"I like you"

He said again mentally nodding to himself satisfied with his answer.

"But this that is between us I don't know where it's going I can't tell you were we go from here. All I can tell you all that I know is right now it would be difficult for me to give my heart to anyone, I don't' think I'm ready for something serious. So where that leaves us I don't know Tidus"

Tidus seemed to be thinking the answer over. He liked Squall too but was that all? He knew the answer to that was yes. He liked Squall and felt a very close bond with him though that didn't mean he was ready for anything serious. He wasn't exactly ready give his heart up to anyone just yet. But was he willing to risk the trust he had gain from Squall by developing their relationship further? More importantly could he just ignore his feelings and the feelings that Squall felt for him?

"Squall I like you, and I want us to give what we feel a chance and if it doesn't work we move on. But we stay friends. You want nothing serious right?"

Squall nodded and Tidus smiled.

"I can do that. And as to where we go from here how about we take it one step at a time?"

The sun light coming from the window bathed Tiuds in a soft shimmering light making him look almost angelic. That was if angels wore a wicked grin like the one currently playing on Tidus's lips. Squall smirked.

"One step at a time"

He repeated Tidus's words.

"Like this"

Tidus smiled watching Squall take a step towards him closing the distance between them. Tidus continued smiling but did nothing he waited to see what Squall would do next.

With one hand on Tidus's hip he brought the other one up to touch Tidus's face. Tidus leaned into the touch and thought Squall was going to kiss him.

Leaning slowly down Squall stared at Tidus and paused he brought their lips close but instead of kissing him he proceeded to do something which surprised Tidus even further.

"Tidus. Can I kiss you?"

He whispered his lips ghosting teasingly over Tidus's. Startled by the sudden request Tidus blinked a few times. Had Squall really just asked him if he could kiss him? That was unexpected. Tidus of course didn't mind at all, but didn't think Squall would ask for permission either. Maybe he was just trying to make up for the first time. Or maybe he was just being chivalrous he mentally scoffed at that thought. He didn't know nor did he particularly care. All he wanted at that moment was those incredibly soft lips on his.

"Okay"

With his arms wrapped around Squall's neck he brought their lips together consenting to Squalls request. It was much like their first kiss slow and curious but this time there were no seconds thoughts no barriers of insecurity. Just them slowly exploring the other becoming familiar with the others unique taste and feel.

Sora frowned at the line he was reading mouthing the words and waving his hand around. He paced back and forth in front of Sephiroth and Riku who were sitting down at the edge of the stage. The silver haired men watched on amused by Sora's actions. Finally Sora threw his arms down in defeat.

"I give up"

Sephiroth chuckled and Sora glared at him.

"Let me see that"

Sora made a face but handed him the booklet non the less. Riku and Sora exchanged glances, Riku shrugged. Sephirtoh scanned the pages Sora had been reading and mentally scoffed at the irony. He wondered idly who had written the play before the turned to look up at Sora who was standing in front of him.

"Do you need help?"

Sora shook his head leaning down taking the play back form Sephiroth's hands.

"No not with my lines I just need someone to read theother lines"

He turned to Riku and smiled wickedly. Riku held up his hands shaking his head.

"No. You know I can't act Rah"

Stcking out his lip in a pout Sora scowled at Riku, but before he could say anything Sephiroth spoke.

"I'll help you"

Being a bit shocked all Sora did was stare than his eyes brighten.

"Really? Okay. Thanks"

He turned and stuck his tongue out at Riku who just blinked. Sephiroth chuckled and stood up taking the play Sora was holding out for him.

"You don't have to act it out I just need you to read Malekai's lines"

Sephiroth nodded and Riku narrowed his eyes. Wondering when Sephiroth had become interested in school plays. Than he remembered the play and what the play was about and cringed. Sephiroth must have read something that hit close to home.

Clearing his throat Sephiroth moved to center stage and faced Sora. Sora began.

"Your Majesty?"

Sephiroth turned his back to Sora like it indicated in the p and took the opportunity to quickly scan his lines. Sora took a tentative step forward.

"Trin are you alright? I'm worried about you"

Sora said in a concerned tone.

"Why?"

Sephiroth asked his voice low. Sora looked down.

"You've been acting strange lately and ..."

"No!"

Sephiroth spun around and Sora took a step back and Sephiroth continued.

"I mean why do you care? Because I'm the king and that's your job?"

Sora looked confused but didn't move otherwise.

"I ..."

"Tell me Ash. If I were not the king would you even care?"

Drawing his eyes brows together Sora set his shoulders square and stare straight at Sephiroth.

"Of course I would. That however doesn't change the fact that you are the king and that is my job. I'm your appointed advisor."

Sephiroth scoffe.

"And are you not sick of it? Does it not bother you to have had you life decided for you with out you having a say in it? To have been "appointed" with a duty with no say at all?"

Sora only frowned deeper.

"I might have been raised for that role but I feel honored your Majesty and you should too feel honored to be king"

Sephiroth threw his arms up in the air in anger his eyes flashing with fury.

"Honor! Honor you say! There is no honor in being handed your life in a silver platter Ash"

Sora shook his head.

"Why is this troubling you so?"

Walking away from Sora a few paces Sephiroth glanced at the play and turned sharply and walked back to Sora.

"Why, you ask? Doesn't it bother you? You were never given a choice as to what you wanted to be who you wanted to be. Because honestly Ash I'm tiered of it. Tired of having been born the heir to the throne always being watched told what to do what to feel how to talk. I have no freedom and I'm tired of it."

Sora stared at Sephiroth and momentarily lost himself in the emotions in Sephiroth's eyes. They were so real almost as if he weren't acting at all. Sora stuck up his chin and looked up defiantly at Sephiroth while wondering if Sephirtoh had ever considered taking up acting.

"Well Malekai Trinadorian Siphir the III King of the Kingdom of Travers that may be so but you have a responsibility you were born with and yes it is unfair but what could you possibly want to do that is more important than you kingdom. A dynasty your lineage many generations back struggled to build"

Sora said sounding incredulous. Riku just stared back and forth the two amazed at how good they were. Riku knew Sephiroth truly felt what he was saying, but Sora. Sora was just amazing. His gaze traveled back to Sephiroth who was speaking again getting closer to Sora.

"At the sacrifice of me! Don't you see Ash I'm not indispensable I could die right now and no one would care. I'm just a puppet and when I break another shall surely take my place. I accept my responsibilities as it is my duty. All I ask all I want is for people to let me live my life. To stop trying to control my every move even how I walk is monitored because God forbid the king walk strangely."

Sora's eyes were full of confusion as he tried to understand the person who was suppose to be the king.

"Trin why do you care all of a sudden? Why is this bothering you so much?"

Sephiroth closed the distance between himself and Sora in three graceful long strides. He stopped in front of Sora and placed his hands on Sora's shoulders pulling him close.

"Why? Why? Because for once I wish I wasn't the king, and people wouldn't' give a damn about my life. So no one would care what I said or did. Because for once I wish I could just forget everything and everyone. Because for once I want you to ask if I'm alright and know it's not out duty, because for once I just want to do what I want. Do you know what I want?"

Sora was dumbfounded at Sephiroth's ability to memorize lines so quickly. The play was held in Sephiroths's hand and he only glanced at it once or twice. Following his lines Sora shook his head forgetting what the next line was. If he had remembered he would have stopped before he shook his head which was the indication for Sephiroth to continue with his line.

Taking a quick glance at the play in his hand which rested in Sora's shoulders Sephiroth smirked mentally. He leaned closer to Sora who had obviously forgotten what came next.

"To kiss you"

Sora sucked in a breath and froze unable to move as those green eyes locked on to his and that handsome face inched closer and closer.

Jin: You are such a slacker. A dead slacker at that, cause I think that was a cliffhanger.

Cardel:(waves a hand in dismissal) It was not and I am not a slacker. I have five chapters already written just not typed ( )

Demak: I don't think they want to hear that.

Cardel: Hear what?"

Demak: That you already have five more chapter written which you're withholding from them.

Jin: You're dead you know that right?"

Cardel:(gulps) Well it's not my fault I hardly get any computer time and when I do it's for school (shudders )

Jin: Excuses, excuses

Cardel: Urusai

Demak: (clears throat) That was Japanese it means shut up. (looks around) Hey didn't ff.net ban these sort of dialogue type things in a story

Jin: What's your point.

Demak: (shrugs) no point I guess.

Cardel: (takes deep breath) Well that's true I guess I have a problem following "rules" Just look at that one fic that shouldn't really be there but is heh but you guys won't tell right? err well moving on I hope that chapter was okay, I hope I didn't move too fast with Squall and Tidus I mean one minute they're crying and the next they're snogging like horny teenagers...

Demak: Uh that's 'cause they are.

Cardel: That's not the point, well tell me what you think.

Demak: Hey! How come you're unusually quiet. By this time you'd be bitching about the lack of angst.

Jin: (smirks) Because the angst I have planned for later is keeping me quiet satisfied thank you.

Demak; (goes Heero Yuy) Omae o korosu.

Jin( narrows eyes) Since you're a guy with pink hair mind you but a guy non the less I can kick your ass so bring it.

Demak: Kuso! What's wrong with pink hair?

Cardel: uh guys? (Demak and Jin not listening) Oh well let them go at it don't forget to review and next chapter I'll get Sephiroth and Cloud in with some Riku and Sora kawaiiness. Ja-ne!