The Girl that Never Was

A/N: What's with all the kingdom hearts fanfiction you ask? I dunno, got that bug I suppose and Yuffie IS my favorite character of Kingdom Hearts next to some others.

Chapter Three: A Deal with the Devil

"I trust you know what to do right?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Shmooze a little and lay on the old underworld charm. I mean who can resist me right? Though, let's not forget your end of the bargain right?" Hades said, leaning in his throne. He looked at the hooded cloaked figure in his chambers as he stood there silently with his hood hiding his face.

"Of course..."

"Excellent. I have to tell you it was getting boring around here. Tired of hearing wonder boy winning all the time upstairs and these souls constantly screaming. I mean hey, I like tortured souls for the rest of eternity as much as the next guy, but it gets a little old." He got up as he walked over to the hooded figure. Hades opened his palm as he waved a hand over his opened palm, smoke popping from his hand. It cleared as a figurine was standing in his hand.

"What is that?" The hooded man looked at the figurine closely.

"This is how I take control of people. Strong hearted or not, they do anything I say, but that's only if they agree to a contract."

"So, it's pretty much useless?"

"Not really. I'll take care of that part you just do your part."

Hades grinned as he looked down at the figurine in his hand. Smoke swirling around the figurine slowly as Hades closed his hands around it.

"Heh, heh. You have no idea what's going to hit you."

---

"Hey there it is!" Yuffie yelled out, as she pointed downwards to the Olympus Coliseum. Squall had brought her and Cloud to the Olympus Coliseum to check on the tournaments line-up as so far. Yuffie watched as Leon lowered the gummi down to the Coliseum. Yuffie looked back at him, before she slid the door back on the gummi as she was about to jump 40 feet to the ground. She leaned forward before Cloud grabbed her by the back of her shorts.

"Don't even try it."

"Why not? I do it all the time."

"Have you forgotten your current condition?" Cloud said. Yuffie sighed, as she shook her head a little before sitting back as he let go of her.

"Don't be so wreck less. You'll get hurt that way." He said, leaning back in his seat.

"You know that's how she's always been. I suppose she's just accident prone." He said, as he looked at

the gauges. The Gummi ship lowered to the ground slowly as dust kicked up everywhere before settling down. Yuffie sighed slightly as she looked at her feet.

Wreck less? I never thought I was before. Why does it seem like I'm the last to know how bad my faults are?

"Come." Cloud nudged her shoulder as he moved passed her getting out of the gummi ship. His bandaged wrapped sword on his back, Cloud looked around slowly at his surroundings. Yuffie snapped out of her thoughts before quietly sliding out of the gummi ship as she put her hands behind

"I haven't been here in awhile." Cloud said looking at his surroundings. He noticed some re-construction done back in the area. There was still some rubble to the right.

"Looks like Hercules has been busy getting place back up to like it was since the Hydra attack." Leon said. He glanced back noticing Yuffie was reading the listings on the wall for each cup tournament. She put her hands behind her back.

'She looks so excited...'

"So, you haven't told her yet then?"

Leon turned his head back towards Cloud, as the blonde was looking at him sternly. Leon only sighed rubbing the back of his head slowly.

"I was trying to wait til before the tournament to see if she would be up to fighting or not."

"You know better than I that she won't be at her one hundred percent. Bones take longer to mend you know and I've notice she's been limping very slightly. For her sake Leon, tell her she can't participate in the tournaments until further notice or I will." He said before he walked away from him.

Leon merely looked down as he didn't seem to have a choice. Cloud was right and he couldn't put it off anymore. Yuffie bent over as she looked down at the bottom list of one of the cup tournaments. She noticed Sora, Donald, and Goofy's name written at the top of the list form previous cups. Her and Leon's name was just below their's. She gave a small sigh, as she was reminded of their lost. Well, her lost to put it blunt.

"Hey Lady."

"Hmm?"

Yuffie looked down to see two little kids next to her. A boy and a girl, they both looked pretty excited as they grinned widely.

"Um, can I help you?"

"Yeah, yeah! Are you um...Yuffie?"

"Yeah, that's me!"

They giggled out as they bounced up and down joyfully. Yuffie was a little confused as she didn't know what these kids wanted.

"So, you're the Great Ninja Yuffie then? Who fights with Leon?" The girl asked. Yuffie rubbed the back of her head embarrassed. She didn't think she had fans like this. Well, she knew she might have had 'some'. She knew Squall's cheering section consisted of love sick girls.

"Yeah, I am. Hehe."

"See, I told you!" The boy said. The girl shyly took out a piece of blank paper and a pen from behind her back.

"Me and my brother was wondering if you could give us your autograph."

"Autograph? Sure, why not. You're sweet kids." She smiled, before taking the pen and paper as she signed her name at the bottom before handing it back to the squealing children.

"Gee, thanks lady." The boy said.

"Yeah, thanks! Can't wait to see you in another match soon!"

The kids then ran off as they waved back to her. Yuffie waved back to them smiling a little.

"Least someone has some confidence in me..."

"Hey, buddy long time no see."

"Huh?" Leon turned around, as he didn't see anyone. He scratched his head before he felt a tug on his pants leg.

"Down here, Leonhart."

Leon looked down as he saw who was talking to him. He folded his arms as he smiled a little.

"Hey Phil, how are you? Looks like you been busy getting this place up and running since the Hydra incident."

"No kidding, Leon. Though with my kid Hercules helping, it's as easy as pie. Nice to see you and Strife here. He looks...different." Phil said, putting his hands on his hips. Cloud said nothing, as he stood there silently as always. He only spoke when necessary.

"He's been through some changes." Leon shrugged, not going into details. "When do think this place will be up to normal?"

"We're still working on fixing the ring up here, that creep Hades has most of everyone participating in his tournament. We're losing business here!" Phil fumed. Cloud flinched a little as the sound of Hades name.

"Really? A underworld Tournament..." Leon rubbed the bottom of his chin.

"Yeah, maybe you can enter down there, at least until this place is up and running again, but I have to warn you it's pretty dangerous down there. You and legs might not have a chance."

"Legs...?"

"You know, that curvy cutie I see you with."

"Yuffie?"

"Yeah. You're pretty lucky."

"Hardly. Me and Yuffie are just comrades." Leon said rubbing the top of her head. "Plus, she isn't exactly lady like."

"That's what I like about her. Nothing more attractive than a woman that can defend herself, eh?" He nudged Leon in his leg as kept his arms along his sides. Leon didn't seem too interested in continuing the conversation. It made him feel uncomfortable. Phil was such a skirt chaser.

"I mean hey. Girls that are pretty flexible are probably pretty..."

"OK. Let's not talk about her like that again? Okay? Okay then." He said frustrated.

"Where is Hercules anyway?" Cloud asked, changing the subject.

"Oh, wonder boy? He's training as usual." Meg said as she approached them. "Always working hard you know to finish fixing up the arena. He's a one man working crew, you know?"

He nodded, before Yuffie came up beside him. He noticed her facial expression as her arms were folded across her chest. Her weight shifted to one side, as she stood there quietly. Something seemed to be bothering her, though Leon thought it best not to ask.

"Hey, there's my favorite Ninja. How are you doing kid?" Phil said.

"I'm fine Phil and my face is up here." She said, waving her hand up a little. "So, I see the arena isn't completely done yet."

"Got that right. It's been a pain in my posterior. Know what I mean? Most of the action will be down in the Hades Coliseum. I've heard the battles are more brutal than before."

"Hah, that's not gonna stop me and Squall from kicking some underworld butt all around like before!" She said, as she threw a few quick punches in the air. "Hyuh, hyuh, hah!"

"Yuffie..." Leon began, but was cut off.

"Oh, so you two are going to enter then? That's great to hear. Maybe you can keep those goons there under control."

"Yuffie it's..." Leon sighed, as he was cut off again.

"You know it! Can't wait to kick some butt. Me and Squall here been training hard." She grinned.

"Yuffie you can't enter the tournament!" Leon said loudly. Cloud, Meg, Phil, and of course Yuffie looked at him from his sudden outburst. Yuffie looked at him silently as she turned to him.

"You...can't be serious about that right?" She asked.

Leon looked at her silently with a stern look covering his face. Oh, she could tell he was serious. Leon wasn't one to joke around either. That was just one of those few rare moments he did. A frown came to her lips as he didn't answer her.

"Come on. I mean it was just two ribs. It doesn't even hurt that much anymore. You know no one can even catch me in the tournaments."

"Yuffie don't make this harder on me. My decision is final. You cannot enter the tournament."

"But Squall..."

"Leon." He corrected her. The expression on his face didn't change. "I don't want you to participate in these tournaments at all. As of right now, you are not my partner anymore Yuffie."

The words seemed to hit her like a bullet through her chest. Her eyes widened as she looked as Leon. He turned his head as he looked away from her. She didn't know what to think or say. Honestly, she didn't see that coming at all.

I'm...I'm not his partner anymore?

There was an uneasy silence, as everyone seemed uncomfortable. Her eyes felt hot as she could begin to feel the tears coming up now. Those brown eyes glazed over as she felt her vision began to blur. She looked down at the ground seeing that she didn't have to will to look Leon straight in the eyes. Fingers curled up letting her hand ball up into a fist. She didn't want to cry, not in front of him.

"I...need to go."

She said quietly, before turning on her heels and running from them.

"Whoa, a little harsh on her weren't you?" Phil said.

"It's for her own good. She's just going to get hurt." Leon mumbled.

"A bit too late for that." Meg said, before she ran off to find Yuffie.

Leon sighed, as he looked over to Cloud who said nothing the entire time nor did he want to say anything. It was pretty clear what he was gonna say.

It's for her own good. She'll just slow us down after all...

--

"I...can't believe he said that..."

Yuffie was sitting on the ground quietly as she had ran downstairs from the Olympus Coliseum to the Underworld. Her arms wrapped around her knees as tears slowly ran from the corner of her eyes. She put her head down against her arms as she cried to herself. Why was she crying for and why did it hurt so much when Leon said that? Sure, who hasn't yelled at her before, but...

"So, it is true. Leon wasn't going to let me compete...but not to be his partner anymore...?"

I'm weak...just weak...

Her eyes shut tightly as she drew in a sharp breath trying not to cry uncontrollably. She was alone, but crying was just another sign of weakness. Of all the time she's been with Leon, she never seen him cry. Not once, except that one time a couple of years back. It'd seem like Leon made some vow to himself to never show that kind of weakness again.

"Here."

A handkerchief was brushed against her hand, before she took it as she used it to rub her eyes. Leaning up a little she dried her face coughing a little.

"T...thanks..."

"Now, what's with all the water works toots? This isn't exactly a place to be crying at."

"I'm just..."

Yuffie looked up, blinking as she wasn't expecting to see a tall strange man in a dark robe. He had blue skin and fiery blue flames burning on top of his head. She looked at him puzzled as she sat there. "W...who are you?"

"Hades. God of the underworld. Prince of Darkness. Maybe you heard of me." He said, waving a hand in the air as business card appeared in his hand in a puff of smoke. Yuffie cautiously took it looking at it then back up at him.

"What do you want?"

"Nadda. Just heard you cryin' and was wondering what a pretty thing like you would be crying in a place like this." He said nonchalantly.

"I wasn't crying!" She spat as she rubbed at her eyes standing up

"Could have fooled me kid. So, I heard 'blow'heart out there say you can't compete in my very 'safe' tournaments."

"You...heard that?"

"Hey, news travel pretty fast down here." He said, as he put a hand on her shoulder. "Walk with me, talk with me. You know...I'd be willing to help you. Free of charge."

"Free of charge?" She tilted her head.

"Yeah, you could participate in the games."

"You could?" She said excitedly, but then narrowed her eyes. "Wait, what's the catch?"

"Catch? What catch? There's no catch."

"I don't know..." She said wearily, as making a deal with the god of the underworld didn't seem to be such a good idea.

"Come on. Does this face look distrusting?" He grinned.

"Umm..."

"Okay okay don't answer that, but have I did anything distrusting to you unlike the 'blow'heart upstairs?" He said. Yuffie looked down for a moment as she shook her head slowly.

"Well no..."

"Glad we're seeing eye to eye. Now, how about we go over the details. He said before he snapped his fingers as a piece of paper appeared in front of her in dark smoke.

"What is this?"

"Oh, just a small contract. Just telling I'll do this for you and yadda yadda yadda. Just some small print and that I'm not responsible for any loss of life and things like that. Just the usual legal stuff."

"Stop!"

Yuffie turned her head as she looked back to see Meg rushing down the stairs and running towards them. Hades sneered slightly from the interruption as the contract disappeared, before he put on his best smile.

"Well, well if it isn't Meg. Wonder boy's main squeeze." He said.

"That's Megera to you Hades." She said, stepping in front of Yuffie defensively. "You shouldn't associate with someone like him kid. He's bad news."

"Really Meg is that any way to talk to an old friend?" He said, as the woman looked at him in disgust.

"Oh, don't even go there. Like you have friends. Come on let's go, kid." She said, as she grabbed Yuffie's hand led her away.

"But..."

She looked back at hades, who just waved them off.

"We'll stay in touch." He said, watching them leave up the stairs.

"I trust everything went well."

Hades looked over his shoulder, seeing the hooded man standing behind him with his arms at his side.

"So impatient aren't you? Well, it went well enough. Though 'meg' had to come interrupt everything, but doesn't matter. I'm sure the girl trusts me more than Leonheart for now." He said dusting himself off.

"If not it's not a big lost. She of course trusts her new friend...'Xias'..."

Gloved hands came up to his hood as he slowly pulled it back along his head. Strands of his hair brushing against his cheek as his hood rested against his shoulders. His face no longer hidden by the shadows of his hood. A X went across the middle of his forehead .

"It won't be long before Yuffie Kisaragi is mine." Saix said, as a sly smile came to his lips.

---

The trip back to Hollow Bastion was pretty quiet. It didn't quite feel the same without Yuffie bouncing around in the gummi. She just stared out the window the whole time. No continuos annoying chatter, no poking to the back of his head while he tried to drive, and no 'Squall are we there yet?". It was just silence a disturbing silence at that. Even Cloud himself felt a little uncomfortable, but more from the odd vibes Yuffie seemed to be giving off. The Gummi soon landed back in Hollow Bastion. Yuffie was the first to get out, as she made her way down the stairs to the market place. She reached the bottom of the stairs before someone grabbed her by arm making her look back. It was Leon. He didn't look to happy either.

"What exactly were you thinking hanging around Hades?" Cloud asked in a stern voice.

"Nothing you should be concerned about." She turned her head away from him, "He just popped out of no where. It is HIS underworld."

"Yuffie this isn't a game. Hades is very dangerous and he can't be trusted." He said.

"What do you care? I'm not your 'partner' or anything." She said quietly.

Leon frowned, as he pulled her towards him as he held her shoulder looking her in the eye. Though she avoided his gaze continuing to look away.

"Yuffie, I am still your fri..."

"Hah. Don't give me that Squall...excuse me 'Leon'. Don't think I didn't hear you with Phil. 'We're comrades nothing more.'" She quoted, looking at him in a distasteful manner.

"I didn't mean it like that." He sighed.

"Whatever, you've made your point clear. Now let me go." She said trying to pull back as his hands kept their grip on her shoulders.

"Tell me, what he was talking about to you. Did he do anything to you?" He questioned her as he wasn't going to leave her alone until he got a satisfied answer. She still said nothing. He wanted to know if Hades had hurt her in any way. She didn't seem to have any scratches on her, but it would take but a word from her and he'd go back to the underworld to have Hades head. He shook her a little making her look at him.

"Yuffie answer me." He said. For a moment, he could have sworn her eyes flickered from brown to yellow as she looked at him angrily.

"Hello, have I've come at a bad time?"

Both Leon and Yuffie looked back to see Xias standing there looking at them. Yuffie's face seemed to brighten up as she saw him. Leon of course held the same disgruntled expression every time he saw this man. Yuffie used this time to slip out from his grasp as she ran over to Xias to hug him, which only added more fuel to Leon's growing fire.

"Well, well I wasn't expecting such a greeting from you." He said putting a hand on the small of her back.

"Just glad to see you is all." She pulled away as she smiled at him. "Of course not."

Why does this guy always pop up at the most convenient time...for him.

"Who is that?" Cloud came up behind Leon as he walked down the stairs.

"Xias. Someone I don't like hanging around Yuffie." Leon said, balling his hand into a fist.

"Yuffie do you mind if I talk to you more...privately?"

"P-p-privately?" She stammered a little as she was a little embarrassed. Her gaze shifted back to Leon and Cloud before back to Xias who smiled to her.

Go with Xias...or a pissed off Leon...no contest. I can't be around him right now, I need some breathing room.

"Sure, we can go right now!" She said quickly grabbing his hand as she ran off making a hasty escape from Leon and Cloud.

"Hey!" Leon yelled out.

"Don't worry Mr. Leonhart, I promise I won't keep her out too late." Xias said.

"Why you..."

Leon was about to take off after them, when he heard Cloud grunt out loudly. He turned around seeing the man down on one knee on the steps holding his violently shaking arm.

"Cloud are you all right?" He kneeled down to his level to inspect him.

"I'm fine...it's that...pain.." He growled a little, before the pain slowly passed quickly to his relief.

"I'm...all right now..."

Cloud looked around wearily, as he was looking for someone. Nothing. There wasn't really anyone around except for a few towns people doing some shopping.

What's going on?

---

"Phew. Didn't think I'd lose them."

Yuffie had manage to drag her and Xias through the ruined bailey and down to where the gates of Hollow Bastion was at. There was no one here of course, as it was pretty deserted. The moonlight lit the dark area as spots of light luminated from the sky. Clouds slowly passing by the moon covering the orb in the sky as light peered from between ths spaces of the clouds.

"Happy to be of help." He said in a unchanging low tone. Smiling as looked around the area. Now, that they were alone there wouldn't be any further interruptions. This might be one of the only few chances he'd get to be alone with the girl, so he'd better make use of this time. "I've noticed you looked trouble. Is there anything wrong?"

"Oh, I don't really feel like talking about it." She said, wanting to keep Leon off her mind right now. Hands touched her shoulders as Xias stood behind her holding her tensing shoulders that slowly relaxed.

"Come now, if you tell me it might make you feel better."

"It's just...Squall won't let me compete in Hades Tournament and now he doesn't even want me to be his partner. I just don't understand." She said quickly, as it was hard enough to form the words from her mouth.

"Well, Yuffie maybe they're just concerned about your health."

"I doubt it. Squall barely cares about anything, cept for..."

"Accept for who?" He asked curiously.

"No one. Forget I said anything. Can we talk about something else?" She sighed to herself, as whatever she was thinking had further made her feel agitated and depressed. As much as Xias wanted to probe at it, he left it alone...for now.

"Very well, let's talk about you then."

He spun her around so she faced him. Her eyes a little wide as she looked up at him in surprise.

"How do you feel about me Yuffie?"

"W...w...what?"

Yuffie could feel the blood rushing up to her face. She could feel her cheeks were sore as they burned a little in embarrassment and shyness. The moonlight slowly crept over Xias's face outlining his very handsome features in the light like this.

Ba-bump

"I do so hate beating around the bush. I just wanted to tell you that I am very..." His hands slid down her arms to her hands where his fingers laced with hers. He lifting her hands up gently holding them as he leaned forward slightly. "...infatuated with you, Yuffie."

Ba-bump Ba-bump

Yuffie felt her heart pounding against her chest as it's steady pace would quicken. Well, it felt like her heart had jumped up into her throat, since she couldn't managed to form any words from her mouth. For once in her life, she was pretty much speechless. Her head felt hot, as she got that fluttery feeling in her stomach. Though least she knew it wasn't something bad she had eaten.

...bump...bump...

"Um, um...I don't know what to say...I think this is going way too fast for me." She said, as she began to pull back from him. Only 'some' sense was coming to her head, as she had barely known this man and vice versa himself. Though, there was something about him that always seem to change her mood when she was around him. It made her feel happy inside, but at the same time it scared her.

"Oh? Forgive me. Here, let me...slow it down for you then." He said. His hands leaving her's and seeming to find their way to her hip. The other moving to her chin lifting it up as she couldn't avoid his gaze anymore. The light of the moon reflecting off the lense of his glasses. She felt herself being pulled forward to him. To be honest, this wouldn't be how she would have envisioned her first kiss at all; not to mention the guy she'd share it with. She was suddenly feeling light headed and her vision was blurring while she looked at him. He whispered something to her, though she couldn't quite make it out. Everything felt like it was spinning as she felt dizzy, her breath felt like it was taken away. Soon, everything just went dark.

I want your heart...Yuffie Kisaragi.

TBC

Happy now? I updated like I promised. Working on the other chapters for, Purest of Heart, The Blood Stained Diary, Returning Shadows and something else. I forgot. XD Thanks for reviewing.