AN: Sorry about this taking so long, my muse left me for awhile and I had severe writers block. But it's done! Finally, I hope you enjoy this chappy is by far my favorite. Also a BIG hug and a piece of pumpkin pie (Thanksgiving on the mind) to heartsoblivion for the reviews they mean a lot!

Disclaimer: Sadly enough I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any other Final Fantasy characters that may appear in this story. Places too.

Postponing the Inevitable

Chapter 5: Strip Poker and the Morning After

Yuffie twisted in the sea of blankets. An intoxicating smell meeting her nose. Her eyes fluttered open, she expected to see the green of the wall or possible an empty room, she was met with the pale skin of a mans back. Her eyes widened and she hurriedly backed towards the wall, not exactly sure what to make of the sleeping form next to her. Instinct kicking in she pulled the blankets from her chest, and let out a sigh upon seeing her fully clothed self. Still unsure of how she ended up in the same bed of an unknown man, the events of the pervious night slowly filtered back into her head. She quickly realized the sleeping man was not unknown to her but in fact Leon. Why they were in the same bed was still not crystal clear, but noticing there was no couch led her to assume it was this or the floor. Finally having all the answers she needed, she stretched her arms above her head, and looked for a possible way out of the bed without disturbing the older mans slumber. Finding no immediate exits aside from climbing over him, she decided to snuggle back into the warmth of the sheets. Having made herself comfortable once more she closed her eyes to rest again, but was promptly smacked in the face but what seemed to be Leon's arm. Unbeknownst to her Leon had shifted from his original position and was currently laying on his stomach, his arms sprawled at his sides. She shifted the mans arm so it wasn't blocking her breathing or crushing her windpipe, and quickly noticed the pleasant view she received. Instead of going back to sleep as she had originally planned, she took the chance given to her and gazed upon Leon's sleeping form. His handsome features were given an almost boyish charm in his sleep. His hair fell gracefully across his face, his mouth slightly ajar. Yuffie was about to flick a piece of his hair out of the way to better her view, when her ears were assaulted with a high-pitched scream of unnatural volume.

"SQUALL LEONHART! WHAT DID YOU DO!" The man in question awoke with a start, not used to being woken by a hysterical Aerith. His eyes snapped open and locked onto Yuffie's eyes which held a look somewhere between bewilderment and holy crap what just happened. He also noticed her outstretched arm, which she quickly retracted, while looking away sheepishly. Having almost forgotten the reason he had woken up in the first place, he was kindly reminded by another round of yelling from Aerith.

"YOU MET HER YESTERDAY! SHE'S 9 YEARS YOUNGER THAN YOU! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!" Leon or Squall if that's what she had just called him, sat up casually.

"Aerith please calm down, it's not what it looks like."

"NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! I WALK IN HERE TO FIND YOU IN BED NAKED WITH A 16 YEAR OLD GIRL, HOW IS THAT NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!"

"First off we're not naked, and would you please calm down!"

"I AM CALM!" Leon climbed out of bed and walked to the chair where his pants were currently hanging, giving Yuffie a brief but much appreciated look at his boxer clad behind. A blush spread across her face, and she averted her eyes and reached for her gloves and other articles of clothing at the end of the bed.

By now all occupants in the room were fully clothed, and Aerith had been brought a glass of cold water. Leon had calmly explained the whole situation, and Aerith was quietly muttering her apologies for jumping to conclusions.

"It's all right, from where you were our position probably looked a bit compromising."

"Oh no I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions, I know you would never do anything like that Leon, and I shouldn't have judged you either Yuffie."

"It's ok, you had full rights to judge me I was really rude to you last night, I'm sorry." Yuffie bowed her head, not wanting to meet her gaze.

"Oh you don't have to apologize for that, Cloud explained to me what you guys are going through I know you've been under a lot of stress lately."

"I still shouldn't have blown up at you, or Cloud I guess I was just jealous."

"It's ok we understand. Now!" Aerith clapped her hands together and stood up. "How about some breakfast!"

The three left the hotel and made their way through the early morning streets to the café.

"Aerith, where's Cloud?"

"Oh he's meeting us there, or he was meeting us there 20 minutes ago, that's why I came into Leon's room I was coming to get you guys I just got a little...sidetracked."

"You think he'll understand, about my little escapade?"

"I'm sure he will." Aerith said with a wink. They were silent until the café came in sit. As soon as Yuffie saw Cloud she bolted towards him, enveloping him in a hug. Cloud almost spilt his second cup of coffee down his front, surprised by the young ninjas actions.

"I'm sorry." She spoke into his hair. "I'm really really sorry, I didn't mean any of it I was just being stupid and immature."

"It's ok." Cloud said while setting his cup down carefully and turning in the young girls arms to face her. "I know you didn't mean it, I heard what you said last night." A confused look crossed Yuffies face. "When you were in Leon's room, I was in Aerith's next door, I just happened to hear you talking."

"You really need to stop eavesdropping you now...but I'm glad you heard it. I love you."

"I love you too, and I always will no matter what unfortunately happens to come out of your mouth." They smiled and hugged each other again.

"Great! Now that that's taken care of, what's for breakfast?" Aerith and Leon joined them, having waited while the two made up. They ordered breakfast and made light conversation, which consisted mostly of tales of Cloud's childhood antics, Yuffie sat engrossed in the topic soaking up every little detail. When the meal was eaten and payed for, the group headed back to the hotel.

They entered the green room, Aerith and Cloud sat at the table while Yuffie skipped over and jumped on the bed. Leon grabbed some extra ammo out of his case and headed for the door.

"Where are you going Leon?"

"Waterway."

"What's the waterway?" Leon turned his head to look at her.

"It's where I train."

"Cool! Can I come?" Not expecting to be turned down, Yuffie leapt off the bed and trotted to the doorway.

"No." Leon quickly closed the gap between him and the door, closing it behind him.

"What? Hey! Come back! Why can't I go?"

"Oh Yuffie don't feel bad, he can be rather curt. He's actually been rather talkative the last few days."

"That's talkative?" Rather disappointed Yuffie slumped back towards the bed. "I thought he liked me, he was so nice before, why wouldn't he let me go?"

"I'm sure he likes you, he just shows it differently. I don't think he's ever let anyone in the waterway, even I haven't been down there. Leon takes his training very seriously he doesn't like to be disturbed. And you shouldn't be offended if he doesn't say much to you, that's just his way, he can go days without saying over 20 words, this morning was probably the most I've heard him say all week."

"What happened this morning?"

"Oh, when I came in to get them they were sleeping in the same bed, and I sort of jumped to conclusions and well threw a tinsy little fit."

"Oh...wait, they were sleeping in the same bed!"

"Oh Hyne Cloud not you too, grow up jeez." Yuffie rolled her eyes and flopped backwards onto the bed. "So what do you do around here for fun?"

An hour or so later the three of them were sitting around the table playing, due to Yuffie's incessant whining, strip poker. The girls had taken it upon themselves to gang up on Cloud, who was currently shivering due to his lack of clothes. Cape was gone, shirt and pants too, which left the poor swordsman in his boxers playing with all his might to keep his last article of clothing and his dignity. Yuffie had managed to only lose her scarf, gloves and one stocking, Aerith had miraculously lost nothing.

"Yes! Booyaa I win!" Cloud punched the air, gloating over his first victory. Yuffie pulled off the other stocking and Aerith was in the midst of untying her bow, when the door opened and in walked Leon, followed by Cid. Both men stopped in the door, shocked and slightly embarrassed at the sight of Cloud in his boxers.

"Man Spikey, we leave you alone for a couple of hours and your already over the ladies."

"Eww Gramps." Yuffie cringed, and Aerith blushed.

"Put some damn pants on."

"Why? Is he just too tempting?" Yuffie grinned mischievously.

"I'm not gonna even dignify that with a response." Cid replied and flicked his toothpick at her, hitting her square in the forehead.

"I wasn't talking to you." She smirked slyly at Leon, the other man raising an eyebrow.

"Your right, he's downright hot and I'd like to take him right here." Yuffies eyes bulged and Cloud scrambled for his lost clothing. Cid threw his head back and laughed.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were trying to be funny." Cid said, and slapped Leon on the back still chuckling. A fully clothed Cloud sat down looking rather uncomfortable.

"Could we not talk about me anymore."

"Yeah, yeah"

The evening passed in a rather uneventful fashion. When the clock struck 10 Cid took his leave, in the form of storming out of the room, well rather being chased by an enraged Yuffie.

"Stupid old coot." The other occupants rolled their eyes. Aerith yawned, daintily covering her mouth.

"Well it's getting late I suppose I'll go to sleep. Goodnight everyone!"

"Night!"

"Sleep tight!"

"..."

"See you all tomorrow." Cloud and Yuffie waved goodbye. Yuffie scooted closer to Cloud and whispered in his ear.

"Where are we sleeping?"

"Well last night I slept in Aerith's room-"

"Ooo Cloud getting fris-"

"On the floor." Yuffie continued to snicker, until Aerith poked her head back through the door.

"Yuffie, you can stay in my room if you would like."

"Oh, ok." Yuffie quickly hid her look of disappointment, she had really hoped to bunk with Leon again.

"It's just, you understand it would make more sense if Cloud and Leon stayed together."

"Of course."

"Yeah...of course." Cloud who was beginning to look slightly uncomfortable nodded silently.

"You ok Cloud?" Yuffie, having lived with Cloud for over 8 years could often tell what he was feeling, and had noticed his slightly delayed response.

"What? Oh, I'm fine...it's just..."

"Just what?"

"...nothing."

"Tell me."

"No, really it's nothing."

"Spit it out Cloud."

"Fine! I don't wanna bunk with Leon cause..." Cloud had begun to trail off as his explanation progressed. But Yuffie had distinctly heard "tempting" and "take him right here." Piecing it together Yuffie smacked here forehead with her palm.

"Your not still on about what Leon said this afternoon are you?"

"..."

"Oh my Hyne Cloud, he was joking!"

"...still."

"Fine. If he makes you that uneasy, I'll sleep with him." Yuffie was doing back flips on the inside, enthraled with the prospect of getting to share a bed with Leon again.

"I don't know about this." Yuffie back flips did a nose dive at Aerith's words.

"Bu-but why not?"

"It just doesn't seem right."

"Aerith it doesn't matter, if Nancy Boy over there can't take a joke than he can stay with you." A double handspring and she was back in. Since Leon's word was final, Yuffie settled into her new room. Aerith and Cloud left saying their goodbyes, and Yuffie got ready for bed in the bathroom.

She unlocked the door and walked back into the green room. Skipping to the bed and plopping down on it. Leon walked through the connecting door from Aerith's room carrying extra blankets and pillows.

"I don't think we'll need that many blankets."

"We won't but you will."

"Huh?" Leon dropped his armful unceremoniously onto the floor.

"If we're sharing a room your going to have to sleep on the floor, I've already got bruises from you kicking last night."

"What! I don't kick!"

"Tell that to my shins."

"Hmph." Yuffie crossed her arms across her chest. "I'm not moving, there's no way I'm sleeping on the floor!" Without a word of warning Leon stepped over the blankets and picked the young ninja up, then dumped her in the pile.

"Hey! You son of a bit-" Leon didn't hear this though as her words were fortunately being muffled by the pillow she had landed on.

Leon pointedly ignored her whines and protest and flicked off the light. Upon hearing the older mans breathing steady itself as he succumbed to slumber, she relinquished her attempts to regain his attention. Moodily she spread out her blanket and wrapped it around herself. Falling asleep with the discouraging thought that she may have won the battle, but she had most definitely lost the war.

Done! That took me way longer then it was supposed to. I'm glad it's done, but I have no clue what chapter 6 should be about. Hoped you liked it, and Nikore I hoped you enjoyed your brief slash moment! Review!

Laurel Leonhart