AN: OK this time the long delay was totally not my fault, I had a virus and was unable to use my computer which meant no writing. The fact that the virus was probably caused by my excessive downloading has nothing to do with it.

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 8:

Leon was glad he hadn't gone all out during training, the heartless seemed to be more restless than usual that night, and his energy was beginning to become a precious commodity. He hacked and slashed through the streets, weary of the larger more powerful demonic beings lurking about. Ready to succumb to a night's sleep, and actually looking forward to seeing Yuffie again, the gunblader started on the quickest route back to the hotel.

He had just passed the accessory shop when a blur of motion to his right caught his attention. Leon turned, poised for battle, expecting another group of heartless, even though they were less common in the first district. He was a little taken aback when he was faced with a scrawny kid sporting a hairdo almost as bizarre as Cloud's. His bright clothes and bewildered expression immediately pegged him as a newcomer. The older man noticed that the boy seemed only to be armed with something that looked like a large key, passing it off as nothing important, Leon cautiously advanced towards the boy.

The boy had finally noticed him, and was taken aback by the mans fierce appearance. Words passed between the two, and not long after Leon found himself doing battle with the mysterious boy. Even as tired as he was it didn't take him long to defeat the boy. From the way he had attacked, Leon could tell he knew nothing of fighting, that he had no proper training. But he could feel the potential radiating from him; he could feel the great strength that lay behind the mop of outlandish hair, and childlike appearance. The boy would one day turn into a seasoned fighter, a powerful and strong young man.

Yuffie scrambled off the bed as the door opened. She had been disappointed when Leon hadn't come home with Cloud and Aerith, and hadn't been waiting eagerly for his return. Ready to berate the older man on his tardiness, she was taken aback when she noticed a red clad boy hanging off his shoulder.

"Who is that?"

"…"

"Earth to Squall, you do know you have some guy…or maybe a girl…over your shoulder right?"

"…"

"Did you go out and get some poor unsuspecting person drunk again?" Leon gave the girl a pointed stare.

"Could you move so I can lay this guy down somewhere? And it's Leon."

"Yeah, yeah." Yuffie moved out of the way, and Leon made his way to the bed and set the boy down carefully. "So where did'ya find him?"

"First district."

"He's pretty funny looking; how old do you think he is? Can't be more then 12, 13 at the most."

"It doesn't matter, we just need to find out what he's doing here and send him on his way. This town has been getting more dangerous with each passing day, more people keep showing up here, and I won't be able to protect them all."

"…do you think Cloud and I should leave?" Yuffie's face was downcast. 'So that's how he thinks of us, of me. Just another person to protect.'Leon almost looked taken aback.

"You two can take care of yourself." Leon averted his eyes and walked to the joining door that led into Aerith and Clouds room. He knocked on the door, but got no answer.

"They went out for a walk about 15 minutes ago."

"A walk?"

"You know when you put one leg in front of the other."

"…Why would they go for a walk?"

"Because they like each other duh."

"…"

"And people who like each other tend to want to spend extended periods of time with one another. But I guess you wouldn't know that."

"When will they be back?" Yuffie moved to stand next to the older man.

"How would I know, they're probably making out, who knows how long they'll take." Leon just stared at her. Her personality was so fresh to him; she was so young and full of spirit. He almost smiled, but caught himself. 'Hyne, what is she doing to me.' Yuffie continued to ramble on, and he relished in her presence.

"Mmh..." Two heads swiveled in the direction of the bed.

"I think he's waking up!"

The night was cold, and the moon cast an eerie glow across the cobblestones. A strong wind blew through the desolate streets, Aerith shivered. "Thank you for coming, you really didn't have to. I'll only be minute; the hospital is right down the street."

"I can't let you wander through the streets by yourself." Cloud quickly took off his cloak and wrapped it around the flower girls shoulders; she smiled sweetly at him and continued walking towards the hospital.

"Thank you, for coming with me."

"No problem." Silence fell on the pair and Cloud began to feel uncomfortable. Usually silence was his forte, but he felt the need to express himself around his old friend, as if to make up for the years lost. Cloud scratched his head, and scrambled for a suitable topic.

"…"

"…"

"..I"

"…You" Their words clashed, and they eagerly prompted the other to finish, but again ended in silence. The hospital came into view and Cloud let out a sigh of relief.

"What did you need to get?"

"Oh, it's nothing really but I forgot my medical bag, I usually keep it at the hotel in case of emergencies. Normally I would have waited till tomorrow to come back and get it, but I've had a bad feeling all day and I felt it would be best if I had it close at hand."

The pair stepped inside the building, and Aerith flicked on the lights. Cloud followed Aerith down the hall and into a small office. Aerith picked up her medical bag from behind the desk, and turned to leave.

"How long have you worked here?" Cloud asked as they left the office.

"Only a couple of years. It wasn't here when Leon and I first arrived here, but we helped with its construction."

"Do you like working here, being around sick people all day?"

"I like to feel that I can do my part, I can't fight like Leon can, at least this way I feel I'm contributing."

Cloud smiled slightly. 'I guess that's how Yuffie must've felt, why she didn't want to leave, she wanted to do her part and help.'

"I know what you mean." A more comfortable silence fell on the two, as they made their way out of the building.

The wind outside had died down, and a cloud had shifted in front of the moon, covering the streets in a still darkness. Aerith glanced at both ends of the street before stepping out of the building. Cloud followed and closed the door behind them. They started back to the hotel.

"I hope Leon made it back alright. I just don't have a good feeling about tonight, something awful is going to happen." Cloud wrapped an arm around the flower girls shoulder.

"Don't worry about it, he can take care of himself."

"You're right, I just can't shake this unsettling sensation."

Their footsteps echoed through the street. Cloud's heavy boots moving slow but cautiously, Aerith's pace quickening with each step. Cloud stopped.

"Did you hear that?" Aerith's head whipped around to survey the area.

"Hear what?" Her voice sounded frantic.

"Never mind, it's just my imagination; I didn't mean to scare you." 'I could have sworn I heard footsteps behind us.' Cloud took one last look before he began moving again. They had only taken a few steps before the sound started up again. Cloud decided not to stop but instead analyze the sound to the best of his ability. They were footsteps alright but it sounded like more than one person. It also sounded as if the footsteps were getting quicker, like the person or persons were trying to catch up to them.

Cloud whipped around Buster sword at the ready, but caught only a glimpse of an orange shoe before the suspects disappeared into an alley.

"Cloud what is it?" Aerith squeaked out in a panic stricken voice.

"We're being followed. Aerith you need to get back to the hotel, I'll handle them."

"I'm not leaving you here!"

"It's okay, you just need to be safe."

"I'm not leaving without you Cloud." It seemed as though the flower girl had lost her frightened demeanor, as she stood there with her hands on her hips glaring at Cloud.

Cloud could tell this wasn't a battle he was going to win. "Fine, follow me."

He quickly ducked into a nearby alley, grabbing Aerith's hand and pulling her in after him. He put a gloved finger to his mouth, signaling to stay quiet.

Minutes passed, and the footsteps outside the alley began again. Cloud sidled to the edge of the alley peering into the dark. Coming towards them were two figures, still shrouded in darkness. 'If they'd just move a bit closer.' As if his silent thoughts had sent out a warning the figures turned and bolted in the other direction, leaving the street clear.

"What's going on?" Aerith whispered.

"They ran away." Cloud turned to face the younger women.

"Is it safe to go out?" Aerith leaned over Cloud to see the deserted street for herself.

Cloud stiffened as Aerith's body pressed against his. Her scent wafted through the air as she stretched to peer into the street. She smelled faintly of flowers, the aroma brought back memories of his youth, pleasant memories which left a sensation of comfort and a feeling of safety. The swordsmen's eyes closed in a state of euphoria, savoring this uncommon moment of peace.

"Okay, lets go." Cloud snapped out of his dream like state. Aerith had moved and was standing in front of him, staring at him curiously. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Aerith quirked an eyebrow at his response, but didn't say anything.

The two headed out of the alley, cautiously making their way through the streets. As the lights of the hotel came into sight, Aerith's face brightened. They quietly made their way upstairs and into their room.

The sound of a door closing and movements next door shifted Leon and Yuffie's attention from the awakening visitor. Yuffie quickly bounced up from her position on the bed and ran to the adjoining door. In less than a matter of seconds she was back in her position on the bed hovering over the mysterious boy, Aerith and Cloud trailing behind her.

"Look what Squall found!" Yuffie began bouncing up and down on the bed, rapidly gesturing towards the boy.

"Oh my Hyne! Is he all right? Is he injured?" Aerith's motherly instincts kicked in.

"He's fine I just knocked him out. And it's Leon." Aerith rounded on Leon, a glare firmly set in place.

"Violence isn't always the way Leon." She pointedly drew out his name, as if to mock him. Leon gave no response.

"Shh you guys, you don't want to scare him with your arguing." Yuffie commented from her spot inches above the unsuspecting boy's face.

"Your right, because you hovering right above him and breathing down his neck wouldn't scare him at all." Yuffie tried her best to give the stoic man the evil eye, but her attempt wasn't nearly as powerful as Aerith's perfected talent.

Yuffie turned her attention back to the boy underneath her. His eyes fluttered open lazily. Yuffie stared down into the depths that were his eyes. Soft blue like the ocean, they were beautiful, young and spirited the exact opposite of Leon's stormy gray.

"K..Kairi?" Yuffie bent her head to the side, pondering the young boy.

"I'm not Kairi silly! The names Yuffie, the greatest ninja ever! Pleased to meet you." Yuffie backed up a little and extended her hand. The young boy shifted backwards until he hit the wall. "Don't be afraid kid, I'm not gonna hurt you."

"Where am I?" His voice was smooth, but still held its boyish quality.

"You're in Traverse Town silly. Old Squall over there found you and brought you here to the hotel. Don't worry you're safe here." Somewhere in the background a mumbled "That's Leon." Was heard, but was paid no heed.

"How did I get here?"

"I just told you…Maybe Squall hit you a little to hard."

"No I don't know how I got here, to whatever you called this place, Travelers Town?"

"Traverse Town, dear." Aerith came over and sat down on the edge of the bed. The flower girl exuded warmth and comfort, the boy instantly shifted to sit next to her.

"I remember being on the island, I think it was under attack, and then Riku disappeared and then just blackness."

"You're tired dear I'm sure after some rest it will all come back to you."

"Under attack? Was it the heartless?" Yuffie regained interest in the conversation.

"I don't know what it was. Man, my head hurts." The boy cupped his head in his hands.

"Come on you should get some rest, maybe something to eat?"

"Thank you." Aerith steered the boy across the room.

"Wait!" Yuffie called out. "What's your name?"

"Sora."

AN: Finally finished, damn I guess the challenge will have to wait for next chapter. Hope you liked it! Please Review!