The Magic of the Earth and the Sky
by Flare Haynekie
Disclaimer: …………
Warnings: AU, OOC-ness, shonen-ai, Kairi-bashing?
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Chapter 19: Remembering old friends
Sora quickly got used to being spoiled by Selphie as she did her best to make him very happy. Although, happy for Selphie was more of letting them be together than anything else, but all in all, Sora was glad to have met her. Cloud on the other hand, was quickly warming up to Riku and the gang, but he still looked around in hopes to see the brunet from earlier again. By midday, Tidus had decided that it was time for lunch and they all agreed that the easiest thing to get was pizza. Not to mention that Sora and Cloud had instantly agreed to pizza since they usually always ate it back home.
"I guess pizza is like music." Selphie said as they all sat on a large table, the pizza arriving.
"What do you mean?" Sora asked, as he joined the rest in getting a slice.
"Haven't you ever heard that music is the international language?" Riku asked, at which Sora nodded. "Well, it's somehow similar to pizza. Everyone has at least eaten one in their life."
"Oh, I get it!" Sora exclaimed biting into his slice.
Everyone quiet down as they ate, then resumed the window-shopping. Well, window-shopping until Sora stopped by a game store with Riku, the rest not even noticing.
"Why are we here?" Riku asked as he looked around, making sure Sora didn't let go of his hand and get lost with all the people there.
"I wanted to check if there was a new game that I wanted. Back were I used to live I reserved a game, but since we moved, I wanted to check if it was possible to change the reservation to over here. I think they'll understand."
Riku smiled. Sora could be clueless sometimes, but he knew what to do when it came to things he loved. "Okay, then. Let's go ask."
Sora nodded, rushing towards the counter, Riku never letting go of his hand.
"Welcome to Game World, how may I help you?"
Sora looked at the clerk closely. He had short spiked brown hair, blue eyes just like Sora, and deep scar on his face. "Um…"
"Yes?"
"Oh! Eh… I wanted to ask if there was someway to move a reservation made on another Game World store…"
"Another? You mean, from off the island?"
"Yeah. You see, I come from Kuri City and I reserved a game there, but then I suddenly moved here and I think the game is out already…"
"I'll call the store in Kuri. What's your name?"
"Sora Barzahd."
The brunet nodded, grabbing the phone. After Sora confirmed which game it was, the clerk agreed to give him one of the games in the island after he paid whatever he owned. Riku just stared at him. He looked somehow familiar… then it clicked.
"Aren't you Leon?" Riku suddenly asked, the clerk looking at him curiously.
"Yes. And you might be?"
"I'm Riku Akisuki, Yuffie's cousin."
"Yuffie Kisaragi's cousin? She isn't around, is she?"
"No. Anyway, thanks for helping out Sora."
"It's my job." Leon stated, just as Cloud appeared.
"There you two are! We've been looking all over for you!" the blond exclaimed before he noticed Leon staring at him.
"Cloud? I thought you guys saw me come in here…" Sora pouted.
Riku chuckled, walking out the store with Sora and dragging Cloud with them. "Stop drooling at Leon, Cloud. He's an anti-social prick, although it's a wonder that he's working at a game store."
"His name is Leon?" Cloud asked, at which Riku and Sora nodded. "Cool."
Selphie caught up with them and scolded them. "Honestly! Getting lost like that is no good, Sora! We were all worried!"
"I'm sorry." Sora apologized.
"Huh? What are you guys doing here?" a voice asked, everyone turning around to find Yuffie holding a few bags.
Cloud stared at her carefully. He didn't notice before, but she looked strangely familiar. She reminded him of the perky girl that he met at the university when he took a two-week course in the island a few years ago. He smiled at the memory. Yuffie saw him, quickly gave Riku the bags she was holding and grabbed Cloud, cuddling him.
"You're soo cute when you smile!" she squealed, everyone taking a few steps away from Yuffie.
Riku twitched. He remembered Cloud now. "I can't believe I forgot. Cloud was here once." He stated, looking at Sora, then at Leon who had finished his work for the day and was on his way to leave the mini-mall. "Hey, Leon, do you remember Cloud? He was with you and Yuffie when you all took that silly two-week photography special course thing at Yuffie's university ages ago. Didn't any of you remember?"
Everyone suddenly stared at Riku, then back at Yuffie, who decided to let go of Cloud.
"You know, I think you're right." Yuffie stated, patting Cloud's hair. "How could we all forget?"
"I'm not sure." Cloud said, rubbing his head as Leon helped him up.
"Personally, I had rather chosen to forget the whole two weeks." Leon stated, holding Cloud's hand longer than intended before letting it go. "I'm out of here." He said, walking away from the group, and out the mini-mall before Cloud rushed after him, Yuffie almost doing the same if Riku hadn't held her still.
Riku gave Yuffie all of her bags back, and walked off with Sora. Selphie stood there clueless, while Tidus and Wakka made plans to go play some Blitzball before the day was over. While Riku and Sora walked back home, Leon was trying to out run Cloud.
"Don't you give up?" Leon asked, carefully keeping his breathing even as he ran.
"No! Specially if you're running away from me." Cloud exclaimed.
"Just leave me alone, Strife."
"I told you I'd be back! Why the hell did you have to suddenly cut off all ties with me?"
"I told you I was going to get over you, stupid."
"Don't call me stupid, jerk! And watch where you're going, you'll slam in a tree."
"I know this place better than anyone. I live here!"
"I know you do, you anti-social prick! Just stop so we can sort all this out."
"No way! If I stop now you'll want to get back with me. I already told you it's over, Cloud. Get over it."
"I won't! So stop being so childish and listen to me."
"Why should I? You've clearly got more friends now. You even have a little brunet with your same hair style."
"Leave my cousin out of this! And while you're at it, fyi Sora was born that way!"
"Sora? His name is Sora?"
"Yeah. Why, is there something wrong?"
Leon stopped, Cloud glad as he stopped and plopped down on the sand to catch his breath. "Is he the one that's connected to the legend?"
"Sora? Yeah. He and Riku are connected to the legend. That's what I was told." Cloud ruffled his hair, looking up at the sky. "Hey, Leon, what happened to us?"
"You left, that's what happened."
"It was a two-week class… I was bound to leave."
"And now? Why are you back again?"
"I'm doing a report on Destiny Island's legend. After that, all I have to do is hand it in and I'm done. Graduation is next, but I don't really have anything else planned with my life. If you want, I can come live with you after that."
"You're crazy, Strife."
"So are you for falling in love with me, Leon."
"I didn't started, you did. You broke my concentration the first day you arrived into class."
"It was at the hall where I was lost."
"Same thing."
"No it's not."
"Yes it is."
"No it's-" Cloud was cut off as Leon pressed his lips on Cloud.
The blond closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of Leon's tongue over his.
"I hate you." Cloud stated once they broke for air.
"No you don't. And that's what makes it impossible for you to leave again."
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To be continued!
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(Author's note)
Um, this is a very weird chapter. It all started with me reading the earlier chapters to make sure I wrote Kuri right… yeah. So, Cloud, Yuffie, and Leon all knew each other before! Yay! So much for keeping things simple. Anyways, um, shameless plug! I wrote a Naruto one-shot based on the song "The reason" by Hoobastank, so if anyone wants to read it, it should be up by the time this chapter is up. It's pure Kakashi/Sakura with hints of SasuNaru. Heh. End of shameless plug!
(Things you should know)
Nothing really. Everything's cool in this chapter. Except, there's no Game World in real life. I was gonna pout EB Games, but decided to be a bit original. That just gave me a headache, so I put whatever came first to mind. Heh. Oh, and never eat pizza and stay awake at 12:15 am with itches to see the new Naruto episodes (guilty of that right now).
(Thanks to)
1. piggiesofdoom – yay, the 100th reviewer! Congrats, shu! Hehehe. Sankyu, sankyu! Yes, Leon will make (or should I say, has made) things interesting for Cloud who was getting bored! Yay!
2. ria-aeon-hunter – it's okay if you can just review when you can! Don't worry, you don't have to review in every chappie. And sorry, you're 101! Like the Dalmatians!
3. yaminakathy – sorry, it's just that you kept repeating it. And yes! I'll update when I can, shu!
4. cammy-world666 – hehe, go you! Beat that writer's block! And yeah! Wait till I finish reading your chapters and I'll post a review cuz I'm reading it all in one go! Go me shu! Not saying more tho!
5. Sora Jr – sankyu! Yes, Leon is hot and sexy! Especially in the Kingdom Hearts manga! Hehe.
6. LovelyRikaru – erm, thanks! Oh, meaning to ask you, your email says boriqua, did you just write that for fun, or are you related to Puerto Rico??? Curious, curious…
7. synchu – good luck! And you better come back cuz you need to finish reading this story shu! Shame on you if you don't finish it!
8. Kidie, Vanessa, Rei, and Kai – never forget your backpack! That's the most important thing after lunch! Hehe. Yes, RikuSora forever! Weee!
Thanks to everyone, and I'll see you all on the next chapter!
----Flare