Title: Drought
Category: Kingdom Hearts/Yaoi
Disclaimer: Not mine, or Cloud would have died somewhere at the end of AC or something and therefore not be in this fic at all…
Chapter Three
(AN: I know I mentioned the one winged angel thing, but it was just a passing note, he IS in fact in AC/KH2 clothes.)
The sound of a loud explosion rocked the first district, sending sharp points of light dancing before Cloud's eyes. A low sigh escaped him quietly. He would have given almost anything to have a quiet day. Instead, he was forced out of bed early because a bunch of half-baked heartless decided to test their room service abilities. How the hell did they do that anyway, Cloud thought angrily. Try as he would, he could never enter a world though a building from the corridors of darkness. Probably because they were a lot smaller than he was, he decided as he hurried to the first district in order to ascertain the problem.
Cloud entered the courtyard and stopped dead in his tracks. From the scattered remains of the world exit, it seemed as though one hell of a ship had ploughed right through them and dropped anchor in the middle of Traverse Town. Its captain was still running about the deck still shouting orders to his exasperated crew, who nevertheless obeyed. Irritated as he was, even Cloud couldn't ignore the comical situation. Torn between the urge to laugh, and the desire to simply watch the situation play itself out, he opted instead to find out what was going on. As he approached the grounded vessel the conversation on deck became loud enough to hear.
"Up, up! No, no not like that Gibbs! Can't you see this is NOT the Isla de Muerta?"
"Aye cap'n, but there's no telling where we've come aground, oughtn't we to…ascertain the situation 'fore getting ahead o' ourselves?"
"Aye, but I want movement! I want those sails up! Where are we?"
Cloud quickly scaled the side of the craft and lighted upon the deck beside a man who looked as though he had been drinking heavily for the past week. The drunken captain swayed on the spot as he realized that there was someone next to him.
"Oi, you, who are you and what are you doing on my ship?" He asked in a slurred voice. Then after a cursory glance at the blonde, a glance which took in his hair colour, extraordinarily pretty face, and larger than normal weapon, he changed tactic.
"Scratch that, where are we?"
Cloud grimaced. This man was obviously mad. It would be best to simply get him out of the town as fast as possible. Tonelessly he replied.
"Not where you want to be." Motioning to the flag above the black sails, he continued "You're a pirate aren't you?"
The man appeared to take pride in that statement and swung backwards on his heels for a moment.
"Aye, Captain Jack Sparrow, and this is my ship, the Black Pearl. My crew and I were headed to the island of Tortuga when we ran into darkness deeper than we could pierce. The next thing we know, we're here. In this place, as you so accurately stated, being the unfortunate recipient of our unwilling anchoring, that is, not where we want to be. Perhaps you could aid us expediently hastening our impending departure?" It was an inquiry, but so eloquently phrased that Cloud could not help admiring the man, even though he appeared to be an idiot. He took a quick look around the ship. At the helm, Cloud spied something interesting. It looked like a small colourful object imbedded into the wheel. He nodded to Captain Sparrow who immediately ignored him in favour of barking orders to his crew. Cloud kneeled before the wheel and examined the spot. It appeared to be a gummi block, but he couldn't be sure. It seemed that it was hastily installed, and after meeting the captain, he was sure it was not mounted with his knowledge, but before he could confirm his suspicion a familiar voice interrupted.
"You certainly have a sharp eye Strife." It was the voice from the night before.
Cloud looked up sharply. Behind the helm was a red robed figure wearing a white death's head mask. Cloud stood slowly. The person's voice was just as it had been before, deep and sinister but there was a child-like quality that he failed to notice before.
"Is this your doing?" Cloud asked softly. The man laughed.
"No Strife, not my doing. I have no interest in other people's affairs. Just yours." He cocked his head slightly at that and smiled at the blonde.
"Who are you?" Cloud demurred, wondering at the same time why no one else had noticed his presence. As if in answer, the man's image faded slowly from view. Cloud darted around the wheel and grasped at him, though he knew it would be to no avail. "Who are you!" he asked again, louder this time. As the figure vanished, he whispered.
"My name…is…"
Cloud swore silently. This day was getting better and better. Someone poked his shoulder insistently. He spun around to see the captain wearing an expression of confused disgust. It quickly changed into a smile as Cloud raised an eyebrow. He rolled his eyes and waited for the dazed man to speak.
"Right, who can I trust to see to my ship, and how am I getting out of here?"
"Stay here." Cloud growled and stalked off the ship. A small crowd was gathering. One of them would aid Sparrow with his ship till Cloud returned. He headed to his bike. The only person who could get him back where he belonged was Cid. But that would mean going back to Hollow Bastion. It would mean facing Leon again. He shook his head. It didn't matter. He had already promised his help to the misguided drunk. There was always the chance that Cid was still at Disney castle. He would start there. And God help him if he couldn't control himself this time.
The gardens were lovely as always. The sea of green somehow always seemed to please both the eye and the mind. It was peaceful, so unlike everything outside it. Cloud looked up to the Astronomy Tower. There were obvious signs of repair even at this distance. In all likelihood, Cid would still be there.
"Why hello Cloud, are you looking for someone?" It was Queen Minnie that had spoken. The words made Cloud smile, despite himself. Or maybe it was the garden.
"Yes, actually. Is Leon here?" The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself. He had meant to ask for Cid, but it would do no good if he tried to change it now. Instead, he made a mental note to never set foot in Hollow Bastion again. The Queen smiled and nodded.
"Sora came to visit and since Leon was already here, they decided to talk to King Mickey. I don't know where they are though, I'm sorry to say."
Cloud nodded. Glancing up at the Astronomy Tower again he asked, "What about Cid?"
"Oh yes, he is repairing my telescope for me."
Cloud nodded again and made a small, barely noticeable bow before walking past her to the stairs. So Leon was here. Cloud felt himself grow uncomfortably tense. If he met the man again, he wouldn't know what to say. It was clear that he wanted the mercenary very much, but did Leon know that? After his reaction last time, it wouldn't surprise him at all if Leon didn't even acknowledge his presence. He wasn't ready to face that, especially because he didn't know how he felt about the beautiful man. Oh he lusted after him, yes, but underneath that, was there anything at all? To Cloud's considerable awareness, there had always been a mutual, respectful, loathing between them.
Cloud was so caught up with his own thoughts that he didn't even notice when another blonde man walked out from behind a corner holding a large piece of metal over his shoulder.
"Whoa, hey Cloud, watch where you're going!" Cid voiced in his heavily accented tone, swinging the metal back so as not to take off Cloud's head.
"Oh, hey Cid, you busy?" Cloud asked, eyeing the metal warily.
"Mm? Oh this, yeah I guess I kinda am. But I'm free at the moment if you want to take a walk with me?" He replied giving Cloud a strange look.
The ex-soldier nodded and fell into step beside him.
"I need you to look at something for me. It looks like a gummi block, but its not something I can identify."
"Really? How so? Do you have it?" Cid asked.
"No, it's attached to something…considerably larger than my pockets. I'll need you to come to Traverse Town to see it. It's strange to me because as far as I can tell, you're the only person I know who can program warp gummi's to travel through darkness." Cloud looked askance at him as he said this. Cid's expression changed rapidly. He was suddenly interested.
"You don't' say. I'll be there later; I just need to get this last section done." He frowned for a moment and walked off to the second landing nearly taking the blonde's head with him as he swung the metal haphazardly. Cloud watched him go. He turned to leave, but as he walked past a half open door, he heard voices. One of them was Leon.
"Are you absolutely sure?"
"Yes, there is no doubt in my mind. Even if you are dead."
"Hn. I see, then kiss me."
Curiosity burned in him. Along with something much darker. Who the hell wanted Leon to kiss him? Inching closer to the open door, he stole a quick look inside. Leon's arms were wrapped around a stranger's neck, his hands entangled in his hair. The stranger was tall, with brown hair and wearing the clothes of a summoner. Their bodies were pressed close together and rubbing urgently in time to some feral, silent music. The stranger's hands moved down Leon's back to lift up his shirt, baring for an instant his pale skin beneath.
Cloud swallowed in an effort to control himself. Jealousy blazed within him, fueled by anger. His fingers clenched into a fist as he fought desperately for control. The sight of Leon's lips melded together with this impulsive son of a jackal awakened a heavy urge to kill something. Unconsciously his hand moved to the sword he kept strapped to his back. He was going to lose it completely and be claimed to the darkness, but heaven forbid this man escape with his life.
"Cloud?" A feminine voice interceded cautiously. "Are…are you alright..?" Cloud exhaled as somewhere in his head, the voice struck familiarity. He forced his hand to his collar in order to explain its unusual position. His blank look returned as he turned around to face Aerith.
"Yes. Tell Cid to meet me in second district later." He replied. She nodded, clearly relieved that there was nothing the matter with him. Casually nodding to her, he headed back to the stairs. It was time to leave. He didn't know where he was going, but the Coliseum suddenly felt like a damn good place to be.
(AN: I know the Summoner bit may seem a little far out…but hey, this IS fiction lol. Review willya? )
