Disclaimers for chapters three, four five and six: see first two chapters.

A/N: Sorry again for the delay, it was exam week, and I couldn't find the time to write or update.

            Anyway, not much to say for now except thanks to the ones who reviewed chapter 5. I'm glad somebody liked it even if it was so short. This one will be longer, I promise. Sorry if the characters are a bit, or a lot, OOC, but, hey, I had to improvise on the situation.

Inner Conflict

            'The link's about to break, kid, good luck.'

            'Hang on! I forgot to tell you something!'

            A foggy gray mist suddenly obscured his vision as the telepathic link suddenly cut without warning. Energy seemed to rush out, leaving him as if he just came from a long mission. Opening his eyes slightly, he was forced to shut them again as blinding light rushed in from the library window.

            'Ugh, the kid wanted to tell me something…ran out of time…what could he have found?'

            He held his head with one hand as thoughts sprung out in his mind. Tired and worn-out, he decided to figure out what questions and doubts he had later and take a rest before anything else happens.

            …

            No such luck was bestowed upon him.

            "Squall!"

            The ex-commander groaned partially from being disturbed, and partially from being called the name of which he wished to forget. Turning his head, he glared at the bouncy ninja who grinned at him from across the room.

            "Yuffie…"

            "Yeah, yeah, I know," she teased, then in a low voice added. "it's Leon."

            He continued glaring at her but she just grinned again, unfazed by his antics.

            "C'mon Leon, admit it!" she continued. "You're worried about him!"

            "He needs the advice," he said. "there's a difference."

            "Leave him alone Yuffie." came another voice. "He needs rest after that."

            Yuffie turned to the source of the feminine voice.

            "Aerith, he's worried about Sora! You know it, I know it, he knows it…"

            "We're all worried about him." Aerith interjected. "Leon just did what he what he did before."

            "That doesn't change the fact…"

            "How are you sure the light will lead him to safety?" another voice asked.

            They all turned to a figure leaning on one of the bookshelves. Leon folded his arms over his chest and answered simply.

            "Because it worked for me."

            "You're another one, Cloud." Yuffie said. "Worried about Sora yet not admitting it!"

            The ex-SOLDIER's brow furrowed dangerously at his bubbly companion.

            "That's enough, Yuffie." said Aerith. "Keep playing with fire and you're going to get burnt. In this case, you're playing with two."

            "Fine, but I better get an answer from them soon!" said the ninja, skipping to the door. "If anyone wants to find me I'll be helping Cid."

            "I'll go with you, you might get lost again." said Aerith humorously, as she walked out the door ahead of Yuffie.

            "That was an accident!" exclaimed Yuffie, running after her friend and shutting the door.

            A few moments of silence passed before Leon growled under his breath and turned to the only other person left in the room.

            "What do you want, Strife?" he asked sternly.

            "A convincing answer." said the blonde.

            "Aerith put a spell on that Keychain." Leon responded. "It makes sure that the beholder is pointed in the right direction."

            "Fine." Cloud stated, pushing himself from his position from the wall. "However, if anything happens to the kid because of your so called 'advice' I'll be putting the blame on you. As much as I hate to admit it in front of another, I'm worried about him and I want to help, but it seems that you're the only one who is capable of doing that now while I can only sense him."

            That was the longest thing Cloud has ever said since coming to Hollow Bastion, and as the blonde walked out of the library, a flap was heard and Leon assumed that the other has flown to wherever he might please.

            'Like I'd ever want him to get in trouble.' thought Leon.

            He sighed and leaned back against the chair while shielding his eyes from the glare of the sun.

            'Not now…not after what happened to me…my world…my allies…my friends…'

            ~*~*~*~FLASHBACK~*~*~*~

           

            Balamb Garden. Students roaming around, eating in the cafeteria, chatting in the halls, instructors scolding them for not studying, future SeeD members taking their field exams while those who passed are sent to missions or coming back from one. It had a set pace to follow and everyone had a part in it. However, that was a mere shadow compared to what it became. Heartless had sprung up everywhere and began their plague of destruction.

            It all started when Cid disappeared without warning. Once again, Leon, or Squall as he had been called back then, had to take full responsibility and take charge. That's when the Shadows started to appear and attack. When he heard of the sudden surge, Squall called his companions to the bridge to from two parties. As usual, the girls, led by Quistis and Edea, who decided to help in place of her husband, made one party while the guys, led by Squall, of course, made the other. Everyone said their good lucks and went to their separate stations.

            Carefully making their way to the front gate, Squall, Zell, and Irvine looked around for the Shadows, ready to strike. Usually, Seifer would have been helping them, but he was sent on a mission not too long ago.

            "It's when we actually need Almasy when he's not here." stated Irvine.

            "Who cares?" replied Zell. "It's not like we'll actually need his help anyway."

            "Quit it." Squall said. "Something's coming."

            The other two looked around to see black creatures with yellow eyes crawling to them from every direction. The three tensed up, and waited for the creatures to make the first move. One jumped at Squall, only to be slashed by the Gunblade. Each Heartless gave an attempt to take out one of the three fighters, and failing in the process. Soon enough, the three were able to clear the entrance of the Garden.

            "What the hell were those things?" asked Zell, still tensed up.

            "I don't know." said Squall. "But they're nothing like what we've ever encountered before."

            "And that's saying something." added Irvine.

            "Let's check outside." Squall stated.

            The Gunblade wielder led the others past the front gate and took a good look around.

            "See anything?" he asked.

            "Nothing." replied Irvine.

            "Uh, guys?" said Zell, pointing to the cave of Ifirit. "What's that?"

            The other two looked at the cave, noticing one thing in particular: a doorframe surrounding the entrance, which, in particular, showed only darkness. Not even the lava's glow could be seen.

            "You don't think…?" Irvine started.

            "Maybe." Squall replied.

            "Should we…you know, check it out?" asked Zell nervously. "It might be where those things are coming from."

            Squall merely nodded and led the way to the cave. Suddenly, he felt something wrong about the situation. Gripping the handle of his weapon, he quickly stopped in his tracks.

            "Anything wrong?" Zell asked, earning no response.

            "Squall?" said Irvine, snapping his fingers in front of the shorter brunette's face, also receiving no reply.

            Shrugging, Zell began to move forward.

            "ZELL! DON'T TAKE ANOTHER STEP!" Squall shouted.

            That's when it happened, so quickly, that Zell and Irvine didn't know what just occurred in front of their eyes.

            As Zell turned, Squall ran forward as something tried to pull the blonde to the 'door' and pushed him back and in doing so, taking the place of the martial artist. A black, vine-like object swiftly wrapped around Squall and hauled him to the entrance. Zell and Irvine's eyes widened.

            "SQUALL!"

            ~*~*~*~*~*~*~

            That was all that he remembered. When he came to his senses, he was here, in Hollow Bastion.

            Slamming his fist on the table in front of him, he tried to calm his thoughts.

            'I won't let the Heartless win again.' he thought. 'I'll make sure of that. I'll protect Sora, no matter what the cost. He's the only chance we all have left.'

A/N: Right, I hope that was enough for now. Sorry again, but I just couldn't find the time! First year's really booked up. Oh well, 'till next time! Don't forget to R&R!