Note: Thanks so much to all of you! -beams and bows- Far too kind. Sorry I didn't update earlier. Having a lot of problems with logging-in and uploading and blah blah blahaha. I appreciate those who like this story and hope this update is to your liking! Review replies are at the bottom.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Kingdom Hearts except the games I've bought. And it's damn depressing.

Warnings: Errm...kissing? But it's not like that's much of a SCANDAL. Uhm...also there's a new character. And mentions of jumping.

Leon practically catapulted himself out of the open window and hit the grass with a soft thump. He straightened up and peered at the closet hill where he knew Cloud was sprawled out on the ground.

At least he hoped.

Cloud loved morning skies. Especially mornings where he had a great view, and this hill gave him the perfect view. Thousands of shades of blue ribbons crossed paths. Fluffy clouds softened the colors and splashed across the skies. He sighed and hugged his knees closer to his body, tilting his head as he thought.

Times like these were also the best time to think. And it was during these times that Cloud thought about everything. His friends and their lives; in this case, Riku and Sora. A small smile stretched across his lips. He honestly wished that one of them would just snap and maybe maul the other to get it over with. The tension was horrible. He understood why Sora was cautious, but Riku? Why would he bother? Riku was the type who always went and tried to get what he wanted, not the shy, worried insecure type. Yet, that's how he acted with Sora. Especially that day he caught Riku with his nose pressed against the glass of the dance studio. If he wanted Sora so badly, what was he waiting for?

'As long as what he does doesn't hurt Sora, I'm fine,' Cloud decided. 'But if it does, I'll simply have to beat him within an inch of his life. Then tie him to a stake and feed him to the mindless masses.' He blinked in surprise. Where had he heard that before? A seventeen year-old with gray eyes that shone when he laughed and chocolate brown hair that he almost ached to run his fingers through flashed in his mind. Leon. That's where he'd gotten it from. Leon was another mystery. He was a very warm person when you really knew him, but it seemed that he almost shut the rest of the world out. He'd told Leon once that he should be this way with everyone…his eyes fluttered shut as he remembered.

Leon only shook his head and gave Cloud one of those small smiles he took so much joy in prying out of Leon.

"Now if I did that," Leon had said, and nudged him. "It would lose all of its meaning."

"Meaning?" Cloud asked, raising an eyebrow. Leon nodded. "I smile for special people. You've got to me special to me to really get me to smile." Cloud thought about it for a second before grinning. "You think I'm special," he said triumphantly, lying back on the grassy hill, eyes closed. There was a silence as Leon looked down at him, before lying next to him. "Yeah," he said. "I guess I do."

Cloud smiled and opened his eyes. He'd been on some sort of high after Leon had admitted he thought Cloud was special. Not that it would be in the way he wanted, Leon already had his eyes on someone else. And it was clear he really cared about him, whoever they were-he could see that from the poem he read. "Lucky bastard," he mumbled sullenly, resting his head on his knees.

"Aren't I?"

Cloud whipped around. Leon stood only a few feet away, chocolate locks blowing around his face in the breeze. He grinned and sat next to the blonde, raising an eyebrow. "Who were you talking to?" Cloud looked away. "No one," he muttered. Leon frowned. It wasn't like Cloud to be like this. "What's with you?" he asked, turning Cloud's chin to look at him, who sighed, keeping his eyes downcast. "Nothing's wrong," he insisted. "I was just up here thinking is all."

"About what?"

"Don't worry about it," Cloud said, briskly. "Want to go back and see if they're playing "Ouch, Ouch, You're On My Hair" yet?" He made to stand up, but Leon reached out for his wrist. "What's wrong with you?" he asked, concern etched in his face. Cloud sighed and looked at him. "Just let me worry about it okay?" he asked, giving Leon an almost pleading look. Blue eyes locked on gray, and the gray-eyed teen shook his head. "Can't do that," he said quietly. "Something's eating at you. I mean you're acting like me over it." Cloud snorted and smiled at Leon affectionately. "I'll be fine," he insisted.

"Sure?"

"Yeah."

Silence settled over them and it was only now that Leon noticed how close they were, noses no more than an inch away from each other. He swallowed hard and his eyes flickered from Cloud's lips to his eyes. 'Just do it,' he thought. 'It's not that hard. Just lean in and…'

Leon never finished the thought. Cloud's lips were pressed firmly against his own. He felt deliciously numb as his arms snaked around Cloud's waist. The kiss was warm and sweet, and just as Leon really began to enjoy it-it was over. Cloud scrambled away from him, rapidly coloring red, and stammering. "I'm so sorry," he spluttered, seeming horrified at what he'd done. "I know that was wrong of me, I know you're after s-someone else and I-sorry." He hopped up and took off down the hill. Leon stared after him, fingertips on the corner of his mouth, trying to comprehend what had just happened.

Cloud had kissed him. It was a great kiss sure, but why did he run away like that? What was wrong? Six words echoed in his mind.

"I know you're after someone else."

It clicked and Leon shook his head. "Idiot," he said affectionately, and stood up. He ran down the green slope. "Cloud! Wait!"

Sora was too close. Riku wondered for the umpteenth time how he'd gotten in this position anyway. Back pressed up against the wall, and a smirking Sora leaning in closer by the second. He could make it all end. Easily. All he had to do was tell Sora some explanation about why he had drawn him in the first place.

But did he really want it to end?

Also for the umpteenth time, Riku's gaze flickered from Sora's round lips, to the door, into Sora's eyes, and back to his lips again.

"Riku? Aren't you going to say something?" There was something in Sora's voice that made Riku shiver pleasantly and he took a deep breath. "I-"

The door flew opened and banged against the wall. Riku and Sora sprang apart and whirled to look at the entrance. Cloud stood there, shaking slightly and on the verge of crying. He didn't seem to realize he'd interrupted something. "I'm mental," he whispered shaking his head. Worried, Sora moved to his friend's side and put a hand on his shoulder. "Cloud? What's wrong?" The blonde looked at him sadly. "What made me do it? What possibly possessed me to do it? He was just too close and-oh what made me do it?" He put his face in his hands, cheeks still burning. Sora looked at Riku, who only shrugged and moved to Cloud's other side. "What happened?" Cloud broke from the two and sat on the edge of Sora's bed. "I was up on our hill thinking," he started, looking at his shoes, "And Leon came up. He wondered what was up with me and I just tried to brush him off. I mean, I couldn't tell him." Sora nodded in understanding. Riku frowned for a moment, confused, then his features softened. "Oh." Cloud nodded and continued, "So there we were and he kept asking what was wrong with me and I wouldn't tell him and next thing I know our faces are way too close to each other and-I snapped!" He groaned and put his face back in his hands.

"You kissed him?" Sora asked, delighted. Cloud made a muffled confirming nose. Riku grinned too, but then frowned. "So what's the problem?" he asked. "He's into someone else Riku!" Cloud wailed through his hands. "You're his best friend, don't you know that?" Sora and Riku both opened their mouths to speak, to explain things to the blonde, but the door opened again. Softer this time.

Leon stood in the doorway, with a concerned expression. "Where is he?" Riku and Sora parted, revealing Cloud, who hadn't looked up. "Go ahead and yell," he said in a defeated tone. Leon frowned and strode over, getting to his knees in front of Cloud. "I'm not planning to yell at you. I would appreciate it if you looked at me though," he said quietly. Surprised, Cloud looked down at him. "No?" Leon grinned and shook his head. "No." Cloud frowned. "But what about the other guy? The one all of the poems are about?" he asked. Leon chuckled. "You mean the ones about you?"

Cloud was floored. "What?" he wondered, eyes wide. Leon shook his head and went to retrieve his notebook. He handed it to Cloud. "Read them." Cloud opened to the first page and began to read. As he turned the pages his expression changed from shocked, to delighted, to embarrassed, to teary, to delighted again. He closed the notebook and tossed it on Sora's bed, then looked down at Leon, who was crouched in front of him, anxious. "Well?" Cloud stared at him for a long moment. Then he leaped on him, kissing him fiercely. Leon's eyes were wide in surprise as he hit the floor, Cloud on top of him.

But he quickly got over it.

He raked his nails up and down Cloud's back, making him shudder and-

"HEY!" Riku bellowed, cringing. "We're still in here!" Sora's eyes were fixed on the ceiling, a rose tinge painted across his face.

Leon and Cloud broke apart-for air. Sora had the suspicion they would've ignored them completely if they hadn't needed to breathe. He was right. "So leave," Leon murmured, latching himself onto Cloud's neck, who sighed and titled his head to give him more access. Riku opened his mouth to argue, but Sora shook his head and dragged him away, closing the door behind them.

In the hallway, that same thick silence hung over them. "Sooo…." Sora started, not knowing what else to say. "Sooo…" Riku repeated.

"Right."

"Right."

"Okay. See you."

"Later."

They parted ways. Somehow that exchange meant that what had just happened between them…hadn't just happened. And neither was okay with it.

Two days. It had been two whole days since it had almost happened. This also meant that Riku only had five days left.

He was going to lose. But he couldn't lose. That just didn't happen.

Still, the repeated sight of Leon marking off eight weeks on his calendar, Riku's calendar, and Sora's (who had no idea what it meant) made the platinum haired boy uneasy.

He'd just have to work harder that's all. Spend as much time as humanly possible with Sora. Somewhere inside of him, he knew that this bet wasn't the only reason he wanted to be around Sora. But, that was a very small part. Small and hidden.

Putting his plan into action, he slung his bag over his shoulder and walked over to Sora, who was sitting on his bed, lacing up his shoes. "Want to walk to class together?" he asked, smiling. Sora straightened up and raised an eyebrow. "Don't we always?" he replied. "Well yeah, but I don't know, maybe we could talk on the way," Riku explained, shouting at himself for being so sheepish. 'I'm doing this to win,' he thought.

Leon scoffed. "What about Cloud and me?" he asked. "Don't we count?" Sora snorted. "Yeah well…since you two got together you always leave on the way to class, and then come in late grinning like idiots. Don't act so insulted," he said grinning. Leon opened his mouth to argue then shrugged, knowing Sora was right. "Besides," Sora added, swinging his bag over his own shoulder. "I can't today-meeting someone before class." Riku quirked an eyebrow and folded his arms. "And who would that be?" he asked rather harshly. Leon rolled his eyes behind his back and Sora frowned. "Does it really matter? You guys are great, but you're not my only friends. See you in class." He shook his head and left.

"And who would that be?" Leon mimicked, crossing his arms and adopting a very Riku-like stance. "Shut up!" Riku snapped, dropping his arms. "Aren't you even curious?" Leon sighed. "Of course I am," he said calmly, striding to the door. "But Sora's a big boy, he can handle himself. Judging by the way he was looking, I'd say he might be interested in whoever this guy is. Might have to work harder Riku." Riku frowned. "What? Oh right…the bet. Don't worry, I've still got time," he said quickly, shaking himself out of his thoughts. Leon sighed again and stepped into the hallway, leaving a very angry Riku behind-who had no idea why he was so angry.

Cloud was waiting for Leon at the end of the hallway. The blonde kissed his boyfriend on the cheek and tilted his head. "Well?" he asked. Leon shook his head. "Still doesn't get it," he reported, lacing his fingers with Cloud's. "Some part of him does, and that part's pissed about whatever Sora's doing right now…" Cloud grinned. "Oh that," he said slowly. "Yeah…Riku's going to hate that." He seemed oddly pleased about whatever 'that' was. "What do you mean?" Leon asked. Cloud only shook his head and pressed his lips firmly against Leon's. "You'll see," he said in an airy voice and tugged his boyfriend along. "Come on, I don't want to miss any of this…"

Cloud opened the door and peeked in. He pulled his head back out smirking. "Excellent," he said quietly. "Substitute today. Now there's no one to get in the way…"

"Way of what?"

"You'll see. Come on."

They weaved their way up to seats in the back of the room, next to Riku, who was scrawling absent mindedly on the back of his notebook. Cloud peered over his shoulder and grinned. "That's a lovely pattern you've got." Nonplussed, Riku blinked at him. "What are you talking about?" he asked. He then looked down and gaped at the scribbles. Leon leaned over and said, "Know something? I think that's some sort of record. 'How many different ways can you write Sora's name?' Let's see, there's one, two, three, four…" Riku rolled his eyes and flipped it over. "So, no need to ask what you're thinking about," Cloud said, taking a seat on the other side of Leon. "So?" Riku snapped irritably. "I was just wondering if he would be late or not. It's the first time he hasn't come to a class with either one of us you know." Leon and Cloud nodded slowly, lips twitching. "Whatever you say Riku," Leon said stretching.

Just as the final bell was ringing, two boys dove into class and landed in a tangle of limbs. One had flaming red hair that neither Leon nor Riku recognized (Cloud just smiled and hummed to himself) and detached himself from the other boy, still on the ground and out of their view. The redhead then bent down and helped the other boy up, who turned to the teacher, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry about that," Sora apologized, brushing himself off. The lady smiled and reached up to pat him on the shoulder. "It's alright dear," she said. "Why don't you and your friend take a seat?" Sora nodded and motioned for the other teen to follow him. As he climbed the stairs, Sora gaze fell on his friends and he waved, grinning. Cloud and Leon waved back; Riku raised an eyebrow and mouthed, "Who's that?" Sora frowned and tilted his head, in confusion. The redhead appeared behind him, one hand on his shoulder. Riku narrowed his eyes, and huffed when this boy proceeded to whisper something in Sora's ear that made him grin. They took seats next to each other, two rows in front of Cloud, Leon and Riku and started a hushed conversation with many grins and bouts of muffled laughter. Riku faced Leon, who had his head in Cloud's lap, who was running his fingers through Leon's chocolate strands. "Who is that?" Riku demanded frowning. "Dunno," Leon said, eyes closed.

"Cloud?"

"Ask him yourself first Riku."

Riku sighed, and hissed Sora's name to get his attention. He tried this several times and thought about just waiting until after class, but when he saw Sora look down blushing and smiling shyly, he dropped the thought. Ripping a page out of his notebook, he crumpled it up and threw it. Said paper ball richoted off the back of Sora's head, who turned around, looking annoyed. His blue eyes fell on Riku.

'What?' he mouthed.

'Who's that?'

'What?'

'Who's that?'

'What?'

Riku rolled his eyes and ripped out another sheet of paper, writing hastily on it before, crumpling it and throwing it. Sora caught it and read it, mouthing something that looked oddly like 'What the fuck…' He tapped the redhead for a pen, who handed one over. Sora smiled his thanks (Riku once again rolled his eyes) and scribbled back, tossing the note. Riku opened it quickly, and he scoffed at the small message inside:

'Who is who?'

He frowned and scribbled, then threw it back. Sora opened it and read, taking on his own frown.

How about the guy with flaming hair you came in with?

'I told you already, he's my friend.'

I didn't know people blushed when they were talking to their friends. Looked more like flirting.

'What are you, my mother?'

No but…you aren't interested in him are you?

'And if I am?'

Riku scowled at that, and wrote furiously.

…You shouldn't be.

Sora read that and looked up in disbelief.

'Why? Know something I don't?'

No.

'So why?'

Because. Besides, he looks like his head is on fire. Like a human match or something.

'…That was the stupidest thing you've ever come up with. Don't talk about him like that either. Why do you really care so much about who I'm with?'

Because Sora. So, what's his name?

'You completely changed the subject Riku! Tell me what's wrong with him and I'll tell you his name!'

Just stay away from him okay?

'You're unbelievable. No.'

Sora threw the note back with such force it shot through Riku's outstretched hands and his him square in the nose. It hadn't hurt, but Riku winced at the power behind it. He knew what he'd done before he opened the note. Sora was pissed. At him. Damnit.

"Nice Riku."

He turned around. Leon and Cloud were engaged in a vicious battle of thumbs. "Pissed him off didn't you," Cloud said calmly, not taking his eyes off his hand. "Yeah," Riku sighed. "Bravo. His name is Axel by the way." Riku scowled again and Leon and Cloud gave up their thumb war for one of tongues instead. That's how the class went: Riku sulked, Leon and Cloud stayed attached to one another's faces, and Sora flirted. At least that's what Riku thought.

After class, Riku hurried to Sora's seat, to apologize, but found the brunette was already gone. He scanned the crowd quickly and as he spotted Sora, his face fell. Sora was already at the end of the stairs, chatting animatedly with Axel. He looked back, smiled at Cloud and Leon, then…frowned at Riku, who sighed and looked away.

This was going to be a long day.

"Sora!"

The boy in question rolled over on his mattress, turning away from the dying sunlight outside. "What?" he asked dully, raising his eyes to meet apologetic ones. "I want to say that I'm…I mean, I need to…"

Sora raised an eyebrow. "What?" he asked, confused. "Riku wants to apologize," Leon called from the doorway, one arm wrapped protectively around Cloud's waist. Sora frowned. "Why can't he?" he asked. Leon shrugged. "He doesn't do it very often," he explained. Sora rolled his eyes. "Yeah well, until he's ready to apologize, I'm not ready to let it drop. Tell him that." Leon nodded and turned to Riku. "Hey, Sora says that-"

"I know," Riku snapped. "I'm right here." He turned to the sulking brunette. "Sora I…I mean, I want to-look, I'm…"

"Go hit him on the back and see if he spits it out," Cloud whispered. Leon snorted. "Sorry Sora," Riku blurted out, frowning. "I'll be damned," Leon muttered. "Riku that was what, the sixth time in your life you've apologized? I thought you swore you'd die rather than get past five." Riku nodded and sighed dramatically. "Guess you all know what this means," he said, walking to their window and looking below.

"That you've gained a point in your "broken promises and/or oaths" category?"

"No. I've got to do it. I'm going to jump."

"You're insane," Sora mumbled, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Very much so," Riku agreed, turning from the window. "So-forgive me? Cause there's no way I'm going to say it again." Sora chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, we're okay. Just don't talk about Axel."

"What, the human match again?"

"Riku!"

Review thanks:

FallenFaythful: Thank you! And I hope this is the energy of which you speak. :

BeuitifulDisgrace246: Hehe. I saw Benchwarmers before I wrote this so, yeah. That was funny. Thanks so much for always reviewing, means a bunch. Hope you like and sorry if I was still unclear.

Red Headed Sexy Axel: Really? Yeah I know the feeling...then you get that whole 'what if?' thing. Here's your update and thanks for always reviewing!

Rae and Arakni: Thank you! Same plot or setting? If both then well...heh. I didn't know that. But glad I made it original though!

meet me in my dreams: I came back! And know you know what happens. Thanks for reviewing.

Veritas4Eternity: Ohhh gosh. I want to confirm or deny that, but I don't want to give it away. Damn. Thanks for reviewing though.

TasuKitty: -grins- Sorry I made you chew your shirt. Or maybe...did you chew my shirt?

DancingMistress: Uhm...it wasn't soon...but close...sorry! Thanks for reviewing again.

new moongirl:Also thanks to you for your multiple reviews. -hands cookie- And you're right...maybe it is better when Riku doesn't think rationally...

Lotus Aia: Awww. I didn't mean to hurt your heart. Am sorry I am. : Glad you enjoy!

LovelessRitsuka: Hehe. Sorry if you were disappointed.

juumou: Live! And thanks.

WorthlessShadow: -beams- Glad you like my story muchly.

Chemical Chocolate: Merci! And I do like your name. Greaaatly. ;

GypsyofShadow: -shuffles feet- I do hope you've slept...Here here.

Ess-Jay: Don't hurt me again! You already shoved me out into a busy street! lo

Scarlet Echoes: I looooove your story! Hehe. And colors fly, last time I checked. Thanks for reviewing hun.

KittyBlue: Am I still as mean? Geez, I hope not. I don't want to be a mean writer. Cynical perhaps...

Keyblade Rebellion: Hehe. But he's a prick on a mission. And thanks!

PuraTuri: You deserved the cookies for your kindness. Have another. -hands cookie sandwich-

grlkat: Thanks and it's up. Go read and review if you'd like. I'd love it. Thanks again!

Hitori-Hoshi: Thanks! And yep yep, I love LeonxCloud too. A bunch. Hope you liked this chapter.

lilc: Hope you haven't died! I'd not be able to live with myself. Thanks for the praise! Makes my day.

Ja ne, Kat: It did seem cruel, but it was more of a help than a hinder.

SoraKitty: Worry not, I have no intent to drop it! Thanks so much!

Well, here they all are! Thanks also to all readers and alert/favorite adders. Muchly appreciated. If you get half a chance, go see my other story won't you? It's got promise, I...well...promise. Review it if you wouldn't mind. I'd love you skillions.

Thanks for reading and plleaaaase review!