Author's Notes:
Heya! This is Jamfase, here with an offering for you all. I wasn't initially going to post this until I managed to figure out some things (like what in the world I was trying to portray with this) but I think that I'm basically as ready as I'm going to get…for now at least. That being said, a few points of notice: This story will portray both homosexual and heterosexual relationships; if either offends you're free to stay clear. When you're done reading, please take the time to review…I'd love to continue this story, but feedback is unfortunately a must for that to happen- feeling as if you're writing to a black hole isn't really all that encouraging. And finally, I do not in any way lay claim to these characters or the Kingdom Hearts franchise.
Sightline
chapter I: good morning star
Knock. Knock.
Riku groaned sleepily as he turned over, further entangling himself within the plain white sheets of his bed. God, it was too early…
Whoever was behind the door seemed to disagree, however, as the knocking that was disturbing Riku from his slumber continued, getting increasingly louder. Riku tried to filter out the noise by burying his head under a pillow.
The knocking stopped. Riku murmured some sort of sleepy approval and turned over again.
A few minutes passed. Riku was half-listening to the soft 'tick tock' of the old-fashioned alarm clock that stood on the dresser across the room, each tick bringing on another wave of sleepy oblivion. Riku was just about to slip away again when a small beep ensued and the door banged open.
"Riku Okada!" A cheery, sugar-sweet voice called. "It is time to wake up!"
The sheets were then grabbed from Riku's body and thrown asde. Riku flinched as he blearily opened one eye—all the lights had been turned on to full strength.
"It's too early," he mumbled, throwing one arm over his face. "Come back in an hour, alright?"
"Riku," the voice said patiently, "It's one in the afternoon."
Riku, who was opening his mouth to retort, paused. "You serious?"
"Yes. Now get up!"
"Right…" Riku yawned, rubbing his eyes lazily as he sat upright. "Getting up. But before that…who am I talking to?"
"RIKU!"
"Ah," Riku said calmly, recognizing the affronted tone in his companion's voice somewhere in his half-asleep mind. "Sorry, Selphie…"
"I can't believe you'd forget who I am! After that, I'm not even going to bother to apologize for what I had to do to your door to get in here!" Selphie stormed, crossing her arms in annoyance. Or so Riku imagined she was doing. He couldn't be positive, as he hadn't managed to open his eyes just yet.
"Look, Selphie, I'm sor…," Riku paused, rewinding what Selphie had just said. "Wait. What did you do to my door?"
"I broke it," came the flat reply.
"…You broke it. Exactly how did you break it? I didn't hear anything…"
"I detached the hinges. And I disabled the security check."
"…that was the 'beep' that I heard right before you came bouncing in?"
"You've just contradicted yourself, but I would assume so. And I'd visit Marluxia later if you have the chance. He might have something to undo part of the damage," the brown-haired girl commented mildly. Riku groaned. By this point he was awake, but he firmly kept his eyes closed.
"You went to that plant-wielding maniac just so you could wake me up, Selphie?"
"No," she said easily. "But you could put it that way, yes."
Riku sighed. "Fine. Just fine. Which formula…breed… did he give you?"
Selphie shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. "I didn't ask. Just said I needed to get in and you weren't opening up. I'd guess it's something new, though. I'd remember those flowers if I'd seen them before."
Riku finally dropped his hand from his eyes, blinked to adjust to the light, then glanced at the door. He groaned again. The door's hinges had been completely de-attached from the door itself, connected only by a mass of black vines and violently purple flowers.
"Next time, Selphie, just knock louder, alright?" Riku requested. "And I'd better find a new door here and those flowers gone by tonight, or I will know exactly who to go after."
Selphie stuck her tongue out at him. "Meanie."
"Reasonable," Riku countered easily. He stood, stretching out his limbs carefully one by one. He made his way over to the dresser, not bothered by the fact that Selphie was there and he was only wearing his boxers. "So what is it that you want, aside from destroying my door and waking me up?"
"I'll tell you once you're dressed," she giggled, sitting cross legged on his bed and watching him.
He glanced at her, one eyebrow raised. "You're welcome?" he ventured, having a reasonable guess of what she was enjoying so much. She laughed again, green eyes sparkling.
"It's such a rare opportunity to see you in something other than our old-lady uniform," she explained teasingly. "I figure I'd better take advantage of the situation while I can. All the other girls will be jealous of me now…ha, I'm having fun thinking about it already, and I haven't even tried to imagine their faces yet!" She grinned, lost in the soon-to-be-excitement of it all.
"Well, isn't that wonderful," Riku drawled sarcastically, turning back to the wardrobe and withdrawing a black and dark blue uniform with gold trim. "And you call this an old lady uniform? I doubt anything out of your entire collection of clothing at home is as fancy or as beautiful as this…lovely…garment."
The green-eyed girl giggled again. The uniform in question consisted of a simple, functional pair of black slacks and collared shirt, along with a deep blue vest. Any and all identification and ranking labels of the wearer were to be pinned to the right side of the vest. All three pieces of clothing were also trimmed at the edges with gold braid. The attire for females was identical, but the vest was instead of blue a dark red.
Selphie was noticeably not wearing her uniform, opting instead for a pair of tight black jean Capri pants and a sparkly red tank top. She was also barefoot. "The uniforms are so stuffy. I feel like my body can't breathe or something."
"I notice that you weren't brave enough to dress outside the coded colors, though," Riku noted, slightly amused, as he pulled on his shirt and began to button his way down.
"Or maybe it's because I'm smart enough to realize that less people will bother me like this," she offered with a smile. "You never know."
Riku smirked, pausing mid-button. "When you get brought up before the Committee for 'failure to submit to the accepted and pre-determined attire of the Organization', do me a favor and make sure to tell me so I can laugh at you."
"So mean, Riku!" Selphie pouted.
"You've said that already," Riku said loftily, donning the vest and buttoning it quickly. Now fully dressed, he grabbed a small back band from his bathroom counter and held it between his lips. He then reached behind him and quickly twisted his long silver hair into a simple braid, using the band to tie it off.
"Your hair looks better loose, you know," Selphie informed him.
"It gets caught on things and tangles if I leave it loose. Braids are more functional. Now, what is it that you want with me?"
"Oh, that." She waved a hand in front of her face lazily. "I'm just here to tell you that Auron wants to see you later."
Riku raised his eyebrows in surprise. Selphie was one of the few people he knew who could place a meeting with Auron under the classification of 'oh, that.' The Commander and old veteran was somebody that everyone in the compound kept in high regard; least of all that he could probably take down any one of them at any given time, aged as he was. If Auron wanted to meet with him, then something important was definitely on the rise.
"Auron wants to see me," he repeated, running it over in his mind. "That's not what I expected. You're sure about this, Selphie?"
"Do you think I would have bothered with your door if I wasn't?" She reasoned, leaning back against the headboard.
"I don't know. You would probably do most anything if it meant you could get sugar. Or if you had already eaten copious amounts of sugar. Either works."
The brown haired girl grumbled but did not bother to contradict what Riku had said, knowing that she would be fighting a battle that was practically lost anyways. Instead she just asked, "Well, do you want the whole message or what?"
"Please."
Selphie let out a breath, looking up and keeping her gaze at the ceiling before beginning. It was a habit of hers that Riku had noticed before but never bothered commenting on. "'Riku Okada is requested to make his presence known at the office of Auron Landel, First-Rank Commander of the Organization XIII. He is requested to arrive between the time period of two-thirty this afternoon and six o' clock this evening. Currently, there will be no further explanation on this matter,'" she concluded, lowering her gaze to meet Riku's eyes.
He shrugged. "So no info until I show up, huh? How helpful… I'm not expected for what- an hour?" He glanced at the clock. "Too bad. I was hoping to get some training time in today, but I suppose I won't be able to unless Auron's not planning on keeping me."
"Well, in any case, my job's done," Selphie said lightly. "So I'll guess I'll see you later, Riku." She hopped down from the bed and made her way to the door, taking the handle gingerly with the tips of her fingers as to avoid the black vine slowly winding around it. Riku waited for her open the door, then stepped through into the hallway behind her.
"Make sure you get it fixed, Selphie," he warned her, but his lips were twitched up into a smile. She pouted playfully at him and mock saluted.
"Yes, sir."
Aerith was barely listening to the click-clack tap of her keyboard as she typed up the most recent analysis of the situation at Traverse Town. Her fingers flew lightly over the keys, forming sentences describing the barrage in the Third District. She paused, and brushed the computer screen with her forefinger, switching the window to show a video play screen. Another light tap on the screen and she leaned back a little as the recording began again.
"Computer," she said quietly. "Please change the settings of the analysis document to allow oral dictation, then copy everything said from this point in the video onwards into text format."
The message 'UNDERSTOOD' flashed on the screen momentarily, then vanished. Aerith sighed, taking off her glasses and placing them in her lap. She rubbed her temples wearily before calling, "Olette!"
A few moments later, a petite, green-eyed young woman with waved brown hair turned the corner. "You called?"
Aerith smiled and nodded, turning her chair to face the other woman. "I'd like to ask you or Pence to take over here temporarily, if you could. If you think that running the wing short-staffed would be a problem, then I could leave it on its own, but I'd rather have somebody here in case something comes up."
"Pence is better with computers than I am," Olette admitted. "I think he went for a short break about half an hour ago. I can try and find him, or—" Aerith cut her off with a small shake of the head and a smile.
"No, don't bother him," she said, turning back to the computer. "The ward has been so busy lately; he deserves as much rest as he can manage. You too," she added, seeing Olette was about to protest. "I can't allow anybody getting sick or faint on me. Go on, take a break. I can manage the ward."
"But the analysis—"
"Can wait," Aerith said firmly, turning back to the computer. "Computer, please pause all file functions, then revert to standby."
'UNDERSTOOD' moved across the screen again, followed by 'NOW ON STANDBY'. A moment passed, and the screen went black. Aerith moved her head from side to side as she revolved to face Olette again, trying to work out the kinks in her neck.
"Who's on the shift tonight?" she inquired, placing her glasses back on again and standing.
"Me and Kairi."
Aerith sighed. "I wish I didn't have to assign double shifts, not with all the work we're doing. I'll need to ask the Commanders for more volunteers later…"
"Miss Gainsborough, you're working harder than anyone," Olette said softly. "I don't mind doing double shifts, and neither do the others."
"I mind that you're doing double shifts. Staying up for eighteen hours at a time is not healthy. Honestly, if I could get Regulation changed…" Aerith muttered, before shaking her head wearily. "We'd best get back to work. We can only do what we can for now."
Olette nodded and began to walk back to the ward, Aerith following behind her. When they reached the main hallway, Olette turned left into the room holding the people with more minor wounds.
"Olette," Aerith warned. Olette sighed.
"I'll rest after Pence gets back, Miss Gainsborough. I promise."
Aerith smiled. "That's all I'll ask." She then kept walking until she reached the victims of serious injuries.
She paused by each bed, checking to make sure that each inhabitant's condition was stable. There was sadly only so much curative magic could do, and she knew that many of the patients in these beds chances of survival were slim. Despite that, Aerith would continue trying to heal them. As the head of this infirmary, she owed them that much at the very least.
Halfway through the room, she stopped, looking down. Bending at the waist, she pressed her palm to the base of the patient's neck. A small stream of pale pink light flowed from her hand down the patient's body, pooling around their chest. Aerith's lips tightened, and she straightened. The light vanished.
Moving to the small keypad besides the bed, Aerith pressed a key. A holographic screen six inches across appeared, listing the patient's name, date of birth, and other personal information. She pressed another, smaller key, and the header DECEASED preceded the rest of information, now including the date and cause of death. Aerith read the answer given for the latter, even though she knew what she would find:
"Currently unknown," Aerith whispered, reading it. So many deaths in the last few weeks had been caused by 'currently unknown.'
Letting out a small heave, Aerith closed the hologram and moved the hospital sheets so that the deceased's face was covered. She would be picked up later that day and brought to her family before being buried in the Organization cemetery.
Squaring her shoulders, she made her way around the rest of the room without further incident. She was finishing up with the last patient when the sound of footsteps announced another person's presence. She glanced up and smiled sadly when she saw who it was.
"Commander Strife."
"You know that it's Cloud, Aerith," Cloud said, smiling back at her. "How…how are things here?" He looked around, his gaze falling onto the bed with the sheets pulled up. "Oh, no…"
"She's the third one this week," Aerith murmured softly. "The burial dispatch will be here to pick her up in an hour, to bring her back to her family."
"Nothing is effective?"
Aerith shook her head despairingly. "No. We haven't even managed to identify what's causing it."
Cloud sighed, his mouth twisted. "Aerith, I know this isn't the best time, but Landel needs to talk to you. Now, if possible."
Aerith looked over the room again, then nodded. "Alright. Just let me tell somebody first…"
"I've already spoken with the brunette," Cloud told her. "She asked me to try and keep you away from here so much. I think she's right. You need a break." He followed her out of the room and down the hall.
"I'm fine," she insisted, turning into the same ward she had left Olette in earlier. The brunette was still there, talking quietly to a heavy-set, black-haired boy. When she and Cloud entered the room, they turned and quickly saluted.
Next to her, she felt Cloud shift uncomfortably. He had never gotten fully used to all the protocol that his position demanded of the lower-ranked officers.
"I'm afraid I'll have to leave you two alone for awhile," Aerith began. "I should be back soon, so just keep checking on the patients. Olette, please, take a break. I'm sure Pence can handle the ward alone for a little while."
Pence and Olette shared a glance, before Pence said, "Yes, ma'am."
"Thank you," she smiled at them as she walked past. Cloud nodded at each of them in turn before following her out into another hallway and into the main entrance of the wing.
"She's not going to take a break," Cloud stated as they exited the room, turning right on the way to Auron's office.
"Probably not," Aerith admitted, "But that just means I'll have her take two breaks this evening."
"She'll accept that?"
"I said that I'd have her take two breaks, not that I'd ask her to take two breaks. She won't have a choice," Aerith said tartly. Cloud's face remained passive.
"You should take your own advice," he said seriously. "Rest."
"I can't. We still need to complete the analysis, and we're understaffed. We need more people, Commander," she said.
"…I know," he said slowly. "I'll see what I can do, Aerith. As for the analysis, that's partially what Landel wants to speak with you about."
"And the rest?"
"I can't say it here."
She raised an eyebrow at him, but let the matter drop. Turning another corner, they strolled along silently, passing through several gathering squares where throngs of people chatted unconcernedly. Many of them saluted Cloud as they passed, and the blonde carefully nodded back at each person.
After another minute's walk and climbing several staircases (neither wanted to bother with the traffic the elevator or the warp would bring), they reached their destination.
Cloud pressed his hand to a while box attached to the wall near a plain doorway, and waited. A moment later, the door opened.
"Come in," a gruff voice called. "And shut the door behind you."
Approximately an hour and a half after his wake-up call by Selphie, Riku made his way through the smaller, less-traveled corridors on the way to Auron's office, lost in thought.
In all honesty, Riku knew that he shouldn't have been surprised when he found out that one of the Commanders wanted to speak with him. He had simply never given the idea much thought, because it meant thinking about what the meeting would entail. That was what Riku was currently thinking about—he had a couple of ideas, and he didn't care for either of them.
Sighing, Riku raked a hand through the front of his silver hair and turned another corner. He was getting nowhere by brooding over this. What happened would happen. Worst come to worst, he could run and just hide out at Sora's place.
After another few minutes, Riku stopped. Well, he was here. He placed his hand on the standard white box and waited.
"—Name and business."
"Riku Okada. I was requested for a meeting," he replied.
"Make sure to shut the door."
The door opened, and Riku stepped inside, kicking it lightly closed. Commander Auron Landel sat at his desk, leaning back in a comfortable leather chair. He wore his customary red jacket, his left arm propped in it as if he wore a sling. His black hair was streaked with gray, and his dark eyes regarded Riku calmly from behind shaded glasses.
He was not the only other person in the room. Sitting in a chair across from Auron's desk a woman with a pink bow in her brown here smiled at him softly. And resting against the wall with his arms folded across his chest, a spiky-haired blonde with blue eyes nodded.
Riku recognized both of them and straightened immediately. Auron's lips twitched upwards.
"Sit," he gestured with his good hand towards another chair.
Riku nodded and sat down, still watching Cloud with the corner of his eye. Not just one, but two Commanders? This did not bode well. "You wanted to speak with me, sir?"
"Yes. You've been given a new assignment," Auron said flatly. He shuffled through one of the drawers on his desk, withdrawing a small metal card and tossing it at Riku.
Riku caught the card easily, blinking. "…A new assignment?" Was that really it?
Auron smirked at Riku's expression. "Don't give me that look, kid. You've been off the assignment rosters for months. You can't tell me you hadn't thought about it."
"I…" Riku floundered. Good lord, he was an idiot…
"Well, in any case, this is it," Auron continued, cutting Riku off. "A new Project is going to be put into effect starting two days from now, and you're in. Short version is you'll be taking over the analysis of the war zones currently being provided by Miss Gainsborough," he nodded at Aerith respectfully. "The long version's on that card, so I won't keep you."
"…"
It was obviously a dismissal but Riku, something nagging him in the back of his mind, decided to push his luck and remained seated. Auron raised an eyebrow at him. "I take it you have something to say."
Riku placed his hands on his lap, crossing his fingers together lazily. Leaning back, he met Auron's gaze with his own. He didn't want to appear unconfident here. "…There's something you haven't mentioned, Commander. I'd like to hear what it is."
"What makes you say that?"
"Earlier this afternoon, I was woken up by Selphie Tilmitt. She was ordered, by you, to relay the message that I was to come to your office. I was admittedly not expecting this, but I went along with it. I arrive to find not only you, but the head of the infirmary and Commander Strife here as well. And the only thing you wanted to speak with me about was that I had a new position? It would have been easier for you just to send this chip directly to me if that was all you wanted."
"You think I'm hiding something," Auron mused.
Riku shrugged, glancing at Cloud again. "You, or possibly Commander Strife. It's a well-founded suspicion, at the least."
Cloud's gaze hardened considerably. "You—" he began tersely, but a gruff chuckle cut him off. The blond turned. Auron was smoothing the edges of a smile from his lips.
"Let it be, Strife," the old veteran advised, placing his hand back on the desk. "You have to admit, the man has a point. Very well, Okada," he turned back to Riku. "I'll try and set things straight. I called Miss Gainsborough here to tell her she was no longer required to finish the analysis she has been working on as of late. Commander Strife is here simply because he agreed to escort Miss Gainsborough to and from the infirmary. Because the new Project you have been assigned to concerns both of them, I found no reason to make you wait for their leave or to send them out of the room.
"As for the project itself, it's true I should have mentioned two other things. The first is you're heading it along with one other officer. The second is why you have this position." He stopped and looked directly at Riku, who finished the sentence for him.
"I'm ex-NOCTURNE," he stated quietly, his hands clenching on his lap.
"Correct."
Riku took in a deep breath and released it shakily. "I'm…not sure exactly what to say. This isn't what I wanted, to start."
"We know," Auron said. "That is partially the reason for the co-command. We are assuming it will be easier for you."
Riku nodded, his head a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He had known it had something to do with NOCTURNE, he had known…but that didn't make hearing it any more pleasant for him. He stood stiffly and began to make his way to the door. "I understand. If you would excuse me."
He didn't wait for Auron's reply as he walked out and shut the door behind him.
"Ah…" Selphie sighed, falling back with a soft 'plumpf' on the bed. So comfy…she lay like that for a few minutes, her eyes closed and her breathing even. Wow, no wonder Riku hadn't wanted to get up…this bed was really, really nice…
Much more comfortable than her own, in fact. Selphie's nose scrunched as she considered this. Now that she thought about it, Riku's room was better than hers in a lot of ways. Softer bed, bigger bed, bigger closet, bigger bathroom…
"Not fair…" she whined pathetically to herself, rolling over so she was on her stomach. She closed her eyes, sighing as she relaxed.
"What's not fair? And why are you in my room?"
"Comfy," Selphie explained, eyes still closed. "Fixed your door."
"I can see that," Riku said, moving past her towards his desk. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew the card Auron had given him ealier and plugged it in. Sitting down, he hit a few keys lightly with his fingers. A hologram screen appeared, filled with row upon row of text.
"What're you doing?" Selphie mumbled sleepily.
"…" Riku didn't reply, his eyes scanning over the page.
"Answer me, Rikuuu…"
"…"
"…" Selphie opened her eyes, flipped over, and quickly crawled across the bed so she could see what Riku was doing. She blinked as she took in the header and several of the sentences beneath it. Then she screamed. "Not fair! Not fair at all!"
Riku spun, clamping his hand down over Selphie's mouth. "Shut up, Selphie," he warned her, aquamarine eyes flashing dangerously. He removed his hand, ready to bring it back down if necessary.
"But you're moving!" she exclaimed, gesturing wildly at the screen. "You get to move to the Third Wing! Do you have any idea how nice the rooms are there? They're twice as big as this one, and this one is already bigger than mine! What're you gonna do with all that space? You won't be able to even use it properly!"
"Honestly, Selphie? I couldn't care less."
"Exactly!"
Riku pinched the bridge of his nose- a habit of his that betrayed that he was annoyed. "Selphie, if you're not going to calm down and be intelligent, leave," he said harshly. "I don't feel like dealing with a hyperactive twit at the moment."
"Fine," she sniffed, jumping down. "I'll talk to you later, Riku." She didn't even glance at him as she strolled across the room, thrust open the door, and threw it shut behind her. Riku just sighed and turned back to the screen. It was her fault he had snapped anyways.
PROJECT: MORNING STAR
Information, ObjectiveThe objective of this project is to complete all current and future analysis of the situations of all war zones, as well as of the enemy- commonly known among the general populace as 'Heartless.' In order to receive the maximum amount of information possible, several Operations will also be placed throughout the length of the Project. Operation locations, dates, and personnel are currently unknown and will be scheduled at a later date.
All analysis is to be completed either in the field or within the Organization XIII headquarters, 3rd (third) floor. All Project personnel not currently residing in the Third Wing are requested to change residences within 24 (twenty-four) hours of receiving this card.
The first meeting of the Project is currently unscheduled.
Project Head: Squall Leonhart, Riku Okada
Assignment (Riku Okada):You will be in co-command of Project: MORNING STAR, responsible for the accuracy of information provided on every analysis. You will report weekly to Commander Auron Landel on the comings of the project. Additionally, you will be in charge of training any and all personnel for any given Operation whose objective relates to the Project.
Riku's lips twitched into a humorless smile. Well, that was good at least. He wouldn't be getting out of practice…
You are also requested to keep note of your co-commander, Squall Leonhart. If situations arise in which he is unable to perform his duties, or prevents you from your own, please report to the office of Commander Cloud Strife.
...and Leonhart, whoever he was, was probably going to be on the same orders to watch Riku. How wonderful. Skimming through the rest, he turned of the computer and stood. "Well, time to get a room change," he muttered to himself.
Leon shut the computer down wearily, and removed the card. Twirling it in his fingers for a moment, he tossed it to the side and slowly raised himself out of the chair.
So he was in command of a new Project. Well. He could always yell at Cloud later.
Stretching, he meandered over to one of the many bookcases he had had moved to his new room. Now that he had enough space to actually possibly want to remain in his room, he was going to take advantage of it. Who knew how long this Project was going to last.
Selecting one of the thick, leather-bound tomes, he laid back on his bed, flipped to the first page, and began to read. He was halfway through the first paragraph when a half-muffled shout and large banging sound came through his back wall.
"---shit!"
Leon frowned and looked up from his book momentarily, but upon no further distractions returned to reading. A minute or so passed, and Leon was on the third page. He was about to forget the incident entirely when he was interrupted yet again—this time from a solid pounding on his door.
The brunet considered his options. He could ignore them, and try and read through the sounds, or he could answer, ignore them, and read in silence. He decided to try the former.
However, after a good thirty seconds with no pause in the sounds, Leon set his book down, stalked over to the door, and threw it open.
"What?" he asked irritably, taking in the man before him.
He was tall, Leon noted, but the newcomer was still two or three inches shorter than he was. His pale skin accentuated shining, silver hair pulled into a loose braid hanging over his shoulder, and his pink lips, pulled into a small smirk. The most notable feature about him, though, was his eyes—a bright, startling aquamarine framed by uncommonly long lashes. All in all, the man was undeniably attractive- but Leon was too annoyed at him to admit that.
"You're Squall Leonhart, I take it," the man said. His voice matched his face perfectly- smooth, silky, and more than slightly arrogant.
"…" Leon didn't answer, waiting for the other to get to the point.
"I'm Riku Okada," the man—Riku-- said. "I'll be working with you for a while on the new Project, so I thought I'd…introduce myself." He stopped, examining Leon carefully before continuing. "I won't pretend and say I look forward to doing this, but don't take it personally."
Oh, Leon wouldn't. In all honesty, he couldn't agree more.
"That's about it," Riku commented. "I'll see you on Monday, then." Not waiting for a response, he turned and walked away. Leon watched him for a moment, then closed the door.
So. That was his new partner. Leon walked over to his computer and looked around, locating the chip on the floor a few feet away. Plugging it in, he scanned through the text until he found what he was looking for.
You are also requested to keep note of your co-commander, Riku Okada. If situations arise in which he is unable to perform his duties, or prevents you from your own, please report to the office of Commander Cloud Strife.
Leon knew how to read people- it was a skill he had acquired bit by bit over the years. He also knew when to trust his gut instinct.
…He'd be seeing a lot of Cloud in the near future.
…and so ends the first chapter. You guys should all know the drill from other fics, so please take the time to leave a review. I'm not the type of person to ask for a minimum amount of reviews per update, but leaving one would really, really make me happy- and I'll be sure to respond as long as you're signed in. Also- I currently have no beta. English is my mother tongue, and I'm confident in my writing abilities, but if somebody would like to volunteer for that, I'd be really grateful. (bows slightly) So see you again soon!