Broken Masks
Notes: Thanks so much to everyone who has review; I love you all so much.
Sorry this took a while, but I'm a perfectionist and I've had a million
tests to take.
Not Beta'd . . . I need a new one desperately. Chapter 3
Sora approached Leon cautiously. He was unsure if he should go near the pacing man swinging his sword viciously through the air. Sora stood still, wondering if the man would notice his presence, and he had been standing still for a while. "Uh, Leon?" Sora said, moving just a bit closer.
"I saw you there fifteen minutes ago, Sora." He did not falter in his exercises. "What did you want?" Sora scratched the back of his head, a goofy look on his face.
"I just wanted to come and talk to you about a few things." Leon stopped swinging and was now giving his full attention to the young boy. "It's about the heartless. Cid just installed this wicked cool gummi block to a new world, the only problem is it's crawling with heartless bigger and stronger then anything I've ever dealt with."
"It's because you're moving closer to the origin of the heartless. This will continue to happen until the heartless are gone. Perhaps you should go visit coliseum." Sora nodded.
"But I was kind of wondering if I could rest here for a while. I know the heartless get stronger every second that passes, but I'm kind of worn out on fighting at the moment." Leon was silent making Sora nervous. "I also know it'll be cramped, with Cloud here and all."
Sora jumped back in surprise as Leon gave him a harsh look. "Cloud won't be here for very long, he's leaving tomorrow." Leon stated, crossing his arms, his Gun blade now resting on the floor.
"Well, uh-" Sora stuttered.
"You can stay, but you'll have to stay with Merlin, and only if he approves." Sora nodded happily. "And you'll have to go patrolling with me." Leon looked past Sora suspiciously. "Where are the King's aids that are always following you around?"
Sora dropped casually to the floor, sitting Indian style. "Donald and Goofy went back to Tarzan's world. They promised to help him and Jane with something, and it could take a while." Sora leaned back. "I would like to speak with Cloud though, could you tell me where he is?" Sora asked.
Leon picked his Gunblade up off the floor. "A sparring match. If you win, I'll tell you where he went. But if I win, you have to spend the whole day and night here fighting me." Sora gulped hard and brought up his Keyblade to block as Leon lunged at him.
~*~
"I don't wish to speak about the subject, Yuffie." Aerith said, as the two women walked towards Merlin's house, having just made it to the second district doors. "And no amount of constant begging will change my mind." She added in for good measure, because one could never be too subtle with Yuffie.
"But I'm the one who got Leon out of the room! So you and Cloud could have some time alone!" The young woman stated. "I at least deserve to know the details." Yuffie continued to whine.
"One question." Aerith mumbled her words making Yuffie cheer and jump in the air slightly.
"Are you a couple now?" she asked, hearts in her eyes.
"No." Was the calm answer.
Yuffie, expecting the other answer, tripped in her surprise and dropped to the floor. "What?" She asked, outraged. "Why not?! You and Cloud are the perfect couple; we've all known it since our childhood. What did he say to you?"
Aerith was by mature a clam woman. And after having recovered from the pervious days events already, she felt comfortable enough to speak. "I said one question and you have asked three now."
Yuffie sighed. "Can you give me a strait answer? If you do I promise I won't ask on the subject again." Aerith gave her a knowing look. "Well, not for a while." The younger added in just seconds later.
"This Cloud is not the same one we grew up with." Aerith's voice was calm and collective. "He has changed, changed in ways I never thought possible. Cloud has let the darkness seep into his heart-and his soul." Aerith's own heart crushed at this revelation she had been denying until this point. "I'm not sure if he knows, but he's been touched by the darkness for a while, aiding what we are fighting."
Yuffie frowned. "Have you told Leon or Cid yet?"
"And break Leon's heart? Crush what little Leon can still feel?"
"I just-" Yuffie started, the conversation having gone sour just moments ago.
"I've seen the look Leon gives Cloud, looks he himself is not even aware of. Leon lusts for Cloud, possibly even loves him."
Aerith bit her tongue from talking further. Ever since her world had been invaded and they had been drawn to Transvers Town, Aerith had carried her hope. Hope that Cloud would return to find her and offer her his love. But her hope had been broken when she had observed Leon and Cloud in the same room. Leon wanted Cloud, she mused, and more then she wanted Cloud.
"But you and Cloud were always together, right up until the heartless invaded our world." Yuffie reasoned back. She knew the deep feelings that Aerith harbored for Cloud, knew the way the woman was breaking. In an ironic twist it was the same way Yuffie herself had broken when she had heard Leon calling out for Cloud in his sleep some months ago.
"He doesn't remember anything of that sort. He confided in me that his oldest memory is the coliseum that Hercules resides in. He's forgotten all about me, but not him."
Yuffie frowned at the tone of her friend's voice. "Who?"
Aerith paused in the middle of the district and clenched her fists. "Leon." Yuffie felt the tension in the air. "Cloud remembers Leon." Yuffie was suddenly concerned at the tone of her friend. She had never witnessed the brunette angry, and Aerith was something much more then angry. She was Jealous.
"Let's just get to Merlin, we need those new protective charms." Aerith stalked ahead, leaving a confused female ninja in her wake.
~*~
Cloud was concerned. More precisely he was worried, must more then he had been in the pervious month. He sat cross-legged on top of Merlin's roof, the one flat spot it offered. Lines creased his forehead, the pressure in his chest intensifying.
He had known from the start it was a bad idea to come to the town. He had known he would draw the others with him, draw them to Yuffie, and Aerith, and Squall. He had known they would easily have picked up his trail from the coliseum. And yet he had still allowed himself to come to the town, and more so interact with the people here.
Cloud's gaze settled on nothing particular as he rolled his thoughts over in his head. His original reason for traveling to the town was to allow his body enough time to heal. The wound he had acquired had been laced with a poison that blocked all his attempts to magically heal himself. He had assured himself he would be in and out of the town within a week's time. More then enough time to heal and avoid them.
One arm cradled his broken ribs while his other fingered the blade of his sword. Uncharacteristically he found himself allowing his mind to wander further and further into his situation. He felt slightly lifted that Squall had wanted him to stay, but terrified of what would happen if he stayed.
It was no big secret to Cloud that he was in serious mortal danger. He was being hunted, hunted by something that neither slept, nor ate, not paused. And he would be damned if he involved Squall in the matter. Cloud was sure he could take care of himself; he had been doing so for a while.
"Thought I might find you up there." A calm voice called out.
Cloud need not have looked down to realize it was the old man who had so graciously allowed him to rest on the roof. Slowly he uncurled his feet, and slid to the edge of the roof so he could see Merlin. "Do you require my help?" He asked, his ribs hurting him more then before.
"I'd like to talk to you." Gone was the happy smile that always seemed to line the man's face. As was the optimistic attitude that had forced Cloud to think lightly.
"Is this the young man?" Came a new voice.
An older woman dressed in a blue gown stood next to Merlin. Cloud had never laid eyes on this old woman before, and was by nature wary of anyone he could not trust. See seemed nice enough, but Cloud remembered his past mistakes, mistakes that had hurt him greatly on his quest.
"I'm Cinderella's fairy godmother, dear." The old woman stated. Cloud nodded and slipped down from the roof, arm dropping from his ribs when he came into view.
"If you've come to inform me that I must leave because of what I draw to this town, I am well aware and will be departing shortly." Cloud remained defensive.
The fairy godmother chuckled lightly and Merlin smiled. "No dear, I would never ask you to leave nor would Merlin. All beings have the right to reside here, this is a place of piece."
"But you do know what clouds my soul. You know what hunts me." Merlin gave a short nod.
"I want to offer you protection." Merlin stated. "But I doubt by that look you'll accept it." Cloud immediately became emotionless again; refusing to have the old man read his emotions so well again. "My magic is much stronger then Maleficent's, or-"
"I appreciate the gesture." Cloud cut him off. "But I was foolish enough to create the problem, and now I must find the solution, however painful it might be. I will be leaving this town within hours; I cannot risk bringing any of them here. They cannot know that this town exists."
At this both the fairy godmother and Merlin nodded. "This is possibly the last escape for those who have lost their homes. If anyone associated with the darkness was to find this place, the results would be devastating." Merlin said.
But at the man's statement Cloud gave him a hard look. "Then why do you trust me with this secret? How do you know I will not tell Maleficent the exact location of this town and who resides here?" Cloud challenged. "Perhaps I'll lead heartless here myself and take over this town."
"For the same reason Hercules gave you the location of this town." Merlin informed him. "Because you have been misled. You harbor troubling darkness in your heart, but that does not make you evil. You have been drifting for so long you have forgotten the feel of your own heart. You need only to rediscover it and the darkness will flee your body."
Cloud nodded and stepped down the stairs to the moving, floating rocks that would take him away from Merlin's house. "This town's secret is safe."
"There are those who would protect you here." The fairy godmother spoke. "Particularly one young man whom cares deeply for you."
Cloud stiffened. "If you are speaking about Squall I can assure you that man feels nothing for me aside from anger."
Cloud froze in his actions when a small giggle was heard from the old woman and a contained laughter from the man. "What?" He inquired, uncomfortable with the woman now.
"You cannot see what's right in front of you, can you?" She asked. Squall Leonhart is head over heals in love with you. He might just now be realizing that, but it does not dispute that it is a fact. That man would protect you to death."
"That is the very problem." Cloud turned away. "I cannot risk the lives of anyone here. And by staying I do that very thing. I thought I could avoid them." He confessed.
"My dear boy, fate is very much inevitable. You would have found some way to reach this town." Merlin informed him. "You are heading to Hollow Bastion, are you not?"
Cloud nodded. "But Ansem is still controlling that boy, and Maleficent is still in power. Won't you wait until Sora-" The godmother spoke up.
"I need to take the chance. I need access to that library. The library holds my history, or at least something I can use. But this really isn't any of your concern." Cloud hopped from the platform to the first floating rock. "Would you please greet Sora for me, I did wish to speak with him again."
"You can see him now." Cloud faced towards the old man's house, to spot the young man brushing past the cloth covering the entrance. Cloud could never understand how the old man knew so much. But on closer inspection he spotted a figure behind Sora, the very man he had been hoping to avoid.
"Cloud!" Sora took off in a dead run towards the man. And Cloud was very thankful when Merlin intercepted the boy, asked to speak with him about his travels. It did not, however escape Cloud's eye that the old man had purposely nudged Leon towards him. 'Meddling old man.' Cloud ground his teeth together, watching Leon move slowly towards him, and Merlin lead the old woman and Sora away.
"You're really going." Leon noted. "Not yet healed."
Cloud stood silently. "I was not under the impression that I had misled you when I informed you I would be leaving in a short time. My apologies, but certain circumstances have required me to leave earlier then planed."
Leon moved onto the small platform before Cloud. "Why?" One set of eyes locked on the other and Leon refused to back down. "Why are you running?" He demanded.
"I am not running." Cloud made to hop to the next rock when a warm hand reached out to grasp his wrist. The stand off began as Leon edged forward and Cloud tried to pull away. "Release me." Cloud ordered.
"Not until you tell me what you're running from. Why you are running from the only friends you have?" When Cloud tried to jerk away for the fourth time Leon pulled back and was able to easily pull the blond onto the platform, and very much close to his body. "Who are you running from?" He demanded again.
"You!" With a burst of energy Cloud ripped his hand away and moved back as fast as possible. Unfortunately for the blonde the stones in the water did move. And while the first one might have been right in front of the platform seconds before, now it had moved completely to the right. Cloud's foot reached for something solid he would never find and hit the water with a loud splash.
Cloud allowed himself to sink down in the icy water. His lungs did not burn for air yet and he was suddenly appreciative for the moment to solitude he found in the water. His eyes searched the murky waters for a place to come up for air, a place that would not contain Squall Leonhart.
When he could find none and he was in dire need for air he began to move towards the surface. But in the darkness of the water a sleek shape moved quickly. Cloud saw this immediately and in his surprise he lost what precious air he had been holding. His lungs were red for air and his ribs burned. He found himself kicking less and less until he felt himself, weighed down by his sword, sink to the bottom.
Suddenly strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist and he felt his head break the surface. He was now gasping for air and clinging to the figure that had pulled him from the watery tomb.
"Are you alright?" Leon asked him, his arm around Cloud's back supporting him. "I thought you were just joking around." Leon chuckled, trying to calm his breathing. "Then I realized that you don't joke."
Cloud regained his senses and pushed away from Leon. He climbed to his feet, knees shaking slightly. "I have to go."
Leon was on his own feet and rushing after Cloud. "Wait." He caught the man in another embrace, ignoring his mind chiding him for becoming so emotional. "Don't run. Don't you dare run from me."
"I have to." Cloud was actually allowed to pull away.
"Don't leave me." Leon said taking a step back. "Stay here, help me protect what is left."
Cloud shook his head and began to move from the rock to rock. "I can't stay, you just don't understand."
Leon clenched his fists and began to move after the man. Leon found it much more difficult to keep his balance on the floating rocks, being weighed down by his wet clothing and Gunblade. He watched in astonishment as Cloud moved seemingly effortlessly, but determinedly. "Then at least promise me something!" Leon yelled, his voice echoing loudly. "Promise me you'll come back!"
Cloud hopped onto the sand of the shore and looked back to Leon halfway from the small house. "You seem to know me so well." He stated. "So you must know I cannot make that kind of promise."
Sora had now exited the house and was racing towards Leon and Cloud. "Wait, Cloud, don't go!"
Cloud felt the small urges of a smile beginning to surface. "Hello, Sora." Sora rushed past Leon as fast as possible, meeting the much taller figure on the shore.
"You were going to leave without talking to me, weren't you?" Sora accused, crossing his arms. "Aren't we friends?"
Cloud moved down onto one knee, keeping Leon in side view. "Of course we are friends, Sora." His voice went low. "And being such I must ask you to do something very important for me. Would you please keep an eye on Sq- Leon for me? That man is very reckless at times."
Sora chuckled nervously. "You want me to keep an eye on a guy with a sword as big as me?"
"I'm trusting you with this Sora, as one of my closest friends." Sora nodded, accepting his new side mission. "Just for the duration of your stay is all I ask, while I'm away."
"Where're you going?" He asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"To my old home. There is something I need to do there, someone I need to speak with. Hollow Bastion has been in the back of my mind for some time now."
"Hollow Bastion? I've never heard of that place."
Cloud shook his head. "It isn't important to you yet, there are still many worlds for you to visit before you encounter a place such as Hollow Bastion." When Cloud had moved but five steps away Sora spoke again.
"Maybe you can't keep your promise to Leon."
Cloud smirked. "Ever the perceptive one."
"But I will keep my promise to you-under one condition." Cloud raised an eyebrow. "Don't do anything reckless."
Cloud nodded. "Far enough. I will try my best to honor your request."
Cloud disappeared away from the house and Sora hopped back to Leon. "Why-" Leon began to ask while Sora moved past him.
Sora chuckled. "And all those years Riku said I was dense."
Not Beta'd . . . I need a new one desperately. Chapter 3
Sora approached Leon cautiously. He was unsure if he should go near the pacing man swinging his sword viciously through the air. Sora stood still, wondering if the man would notice his presence, and he had been standing still for a while. "Uh, Leon?" Sora said, moving just a bit closer.
"I saw you there fifteen minutes ago, Sora." He did not falter in his exercises. "What did you want?" Sora scratched the back of his head, a goofy look on his face.
"I just wanted to come and talk to you about a few things." Leon stopped swinging and was now giving his full attention to the young boy. "It's about the heartless. Cid just installed this wicked cool gummi block to a new world, the only problem is it's crawling with heartless bigger and stronger then anything I've ever dealt with."
"It's because you're moving closer to the origin of the heartless. This will continue to happen until the heartless are gone. Perhaps you should go visit coliseum." Sora nodded.
"But I was kind of wondering if I could rest here for a while. I know the heartless get stronger every second that passes, but I'm kind of worn out on fighting at the moment." Leon was silent making Sora nervous. "I also know it'll be cramped, with Cloud here and all."
Sora jumped back in surprise as Leon gave him a harsh look. "Cloud won't be here for very long, he's leaving tomorrow." Leon stated, crossing his arms, his Gun blade now resting on the floor.
"Well, uh-" Sora stuttered.
"You can stay, but you'll have to stay with Merlin, and only if he approves." Sora nodded happily. "And you'll have to go patrolling with me." Leon looked past Sora suspiciously. "Where are the King's aids that are always following you around?"
Sora dropped casually to the floor, sitting Indian style. "Donald and Goofy went back to Tarzan's world. They promised to help him and Jane with something, and it could take a while." Sora leaned back. "I would like to speak with Cloud though, could you tell me where he is?" Sora asked.
Leon picked his Gunblade up off the floor. "A sparring match. If you win, I'll tell you where he went. But if I win, you have to spend the whole day and night here fighting me." Sora gulped hard and brought up his Keyblade to block as Leon lunged at him.
~*~
"I don't wish to speak about the subject, Yuffie." Aerith said, as the two women walked towards Merlin's house, having just made it to the second district doors. "And no amount of constant begging will change my mind." She added in for good measure, because one could never be too subtle with Yuffie.
"But I'm the one who got Leon out of the room! So you and Cloud could have some time alone!" The young woman stated. "I at least deserve to know the details." Yuffie continued to whine.
"One question." Aerith mumbled her words making Yuffie cheer and jump in the air slightly.
"Are you a couple now?" she asked, hearts in her eyes.
"No." Was the calm answer.
Yuffie, expecting the other answer, tripped in her surprise and dropped to the floor. "What?" She asked, outraged. "Why not?! You and Cloud are the perfect couple; we've all known it since our childhood. What did he say to you?"
Aerith was by mature a clam woman. And after having recovered from the pervious days events already, she felt comfortable enough to speak. "I said one question and you have asked three now."
Yuffie sighed. "Can you give me a strait answer? If you do I promise I won't ask on the subject again." Aerith gave her a knowing look. "Well, not for a while." The younger added in just seconds later.
"This Cloud is not the same one we grew up with." Aerith's voice was calm and collective. "He has changed, changed in ways I never thought possible. Cloud has let the darkness seep into his heart-and his soul." Aerith's own heart crushed at this revelation she had been denying until this point. "I'm not sure if he knows, but he's been touched by the darkness for a while, aiding what we are fighting."
Yuffie frowned. "Have you told Leon or Cid yet?"
"And break Leon's heart? Crush what little Leon can still feel?"
"I just-" Yuffie started, the conversation having gone sour just moments ago.
"I've seen the look Leon gives Cloud, looks he himself is not even aware of. Leon lusts for Cloud, possibly even loves him."
Aerith bit her tongue from talking further. Ever since her world had been invaded and they had been drawn to Transvers Town, Aerith had carried her hope. Hope that Cloud would return to find her and offer her his love. But her hope had been broken when she had observed Leon and Cloud in the same room. Leon wanted Cloud, she mused, and more then she wanted Cloud.
"But you and Cloud were always together, right up until the heartless invaded our world." Yuffie reasoned back. She knew the deep feelings that Aerith harbored for Cloud, knew the way the woman was breaking. In an ironic twist it was the same way Yuffie herself had broken when she had heard Leon calling out for Cloud in his sleep some months ago.
"He doesn't remember anything of that sort. He confided in me that his oldest memory is the coliseum that Hercules resides in. He's forgotten all about me, but not him."
Yuffie frowned at the tone of her friend's voice. "Who?"
Aerith paused in the middle of the district and clenched her fists. "Leon." Yuffie felt the tension in the air. "Cloud remembers Leon." Yuffie was suddenly concerned at the tone of her friend. She had never witnessed the brunette angry, and Aerith was something much more then angry. She was Jealous.
"Let's just get to Merlin, we need those new protective charms." Aerith stalked ahead, leaving a confused female ninja in her wake.
~*~
Cloud was concerned. More precisely he was worried, must more then he had been in the pervious month. He sat cross-legged on top of Merlin's roof, the one flat spot it offered. Lines creased his forehead, the pressure in his chest intensifying.
He had known from the start it was a bad idea to come to the town. He had known he would draw the others with him, draw them to Yuffie, and Aerith, and Squall. He had known they would easily have picked up his trail from the coliseum. And yet he had still allowed himself to come to the town, and more so interact with the people here.
Cloud's gaze settled on nothing particular as he rolled his thoughts over in his head. His original reason for traveling to the town was to allow his body enough time to heal. The wound he had acquired had been laced with a poison that blocked all his attempts to magically heal himself. He had assured himself he would be in and out of the town within a week's time. More then enough time to heal and avoid them.
One arm cradled his broken ribs while his other fingered the blade of his sword. Uncharacteristically he found himself allowing his mind to wander further and further into his situation. He felt slightly lifted that Squall had wanted him to stay, but terrified of what would happen if he stayed.
It was no big secret to Cloud that he was in serious mortal danger. He was being hunted, hunted by something that neither slept, nor ate, not paused. And he would be damned if he involved Squall in the matter. Cloud was sure he could take care of himself; he had been doing so for a while.
"Thought I might find you up there." A calm voice called out.
Cloud need not have looked down to realize it was the old man who had so graciously allowed him to rest on the roof. Slowly he uncurled his feet, and slid to the edge of the roof so he could see Merlin. "Do you require my help?" He asked, his ribs hurting him more then before.
"I'd like to talk to you." Gone was the happy smile that always seemed to line the man's face. As was the optimistic attitude that had forced Cloud to think lightly.
"Is this the young man?" Came a new voice.
An older woman dressed in a blue gown stood next to Merlin. Cloud had never laid eyes on this old woman before, and was by nature wary of anyone he could not trust. See seemed nice enough, but Cloud remembered his past mistakes, mistakes that had hurt him greatly on his quest.
"I'm Cinderella's fairy godmother, dear." The old woman stated. Cloud nodded and slipped down from the roof, arm dropping from his ribs when he came into view.
"If you've come to inform me that I must leave because of what I draw to this town, I am well aware and will be departing shortly." Cloud remained defensive.
The fairy godmother chuckled lightly and Merlin smiled. "No dear, I would never ask you to leave nor would Merlin. All beings have the right to reside here, this is a place of piece."
"But you do know what clouds my soul. You know what hunts me." Merlin gave a short nod.
"I want to offer you protection." Merlin stated. "But I doubt by that look you'll accept it." Cloud immediately became emotionless again; refusing to have the old man read his emotions so well again. "My magic is much stronger then Maleficent's, or-"
"I appreciate the gesture." Cloud cut him off. "But I was foolish enough to create the problem, and now I must find the solution, however painful it might be. I will be leaving this town within hours; I cannot risk bringing any of them here. They cannot know that this town exists."
At this both the fairy godmother and Merlin nodded. "This is possibly the last escape for those who have lost their homes. If anyone associated with the darkness was to find this place, the results would be devastating." Merlin said.
But at the man's statement Cloud gave him a hard look. "Then why do you trust me with this secret? How do you know I will not tell Maleficent the exact location of this town and who resides here?" Cloud challenged. "Perhaps I'll lead heartless here myself and take over this town."
"For the same reason Hercules gave you the location of this town." Merlin informed him. "Because you have been misled. You harbor troubling darkness in your heart, but that does not make you evil. You have been drifting for so long you have forgotten the feel of your own heart. You need only to rediscover it and the darkness will flee your body."
Cloud nodded and stepped down the stairs to the moving, floating rocks that would take him away from Merlin's house. "This town's secret is safe."
"There are those who would protect you here." The fairy godmother spoke. "Particularly one young man whom cares deeply for you."
Cloud stiffened. "If you are speaking about Squall I can assure you that man feels nothing for me aside from anger."
Cloud froze in his actions when a small giggle was heard from the old woman and a contained laughter from the man. "What?" He inquired, uncomfortable with the woman now.
"You cannot see what's right in front of you, can you?" She asked. Squall Leonhart is head over heals in love with you. He might just now be realizing that, but it does not dispute that it is a fact. That man would protect you to death."
"That is the very problem." Cloud turned away. "I cannot risk the lives of anyone here. And by staying I do that very thing. I thought I could avoid them." He confessed.
"My dear boy, fate is very much inevitable. You would have found some way to reach this town." Merlin informed him. "You are heading to Hollow Bastion, are you not?"
Cloud nodded. "But Ansem is still controlling that boy, and Maleficent is still in power. Won't you wait until Sora-" The godmother spoke up.
"I need to take the chance. I need access to that library. The library holds my history, or at least something I can use. But this really isn't any of your concern." Cloud hopped from the platform to the first floating rock. "Would you please greet Sora for me, I did wish to speak with him again."
"You can see him now." Cloud faced towards the old man's house, to spot the young man brushing past the cloth covering the entrance. Cloud could never understand how the old man knew so much. But on closer inspection he spotted a figure behind Sora, the very man he had been hoping to avoid.
"Cloud!" Sora took off in a dead run towards the man. And Cloud was very thankful when Merlin intercepted the boy, asked to speak with him about his travels. It did not, however escape Cloud's eye that the old man had purposely nudged Leon towards him. 'Meddling old man.' Cloud ground his teeth together, watching Leon move slowly towards him, and Merlin lead the old woman and Sora away.
"You're really going." Leon noted. "Not yet healed."
Cloud stood silently. "I was not under the impression that I had misled you when I informed you I would be leaving in a short time. My apologies, but certain circumstances have required me to leave earlier then planed."
Leon moved onto the small platform before Cloud. "Why?" One set of eyes locked on the other and Leon refused to back down. "Why are you running?" He demanded.
"I am not running." Cloud made to hop to the next rock when a warm hand reached out to grasp his wrist. The stand off began as Leon edged forward and Cloud tried to pull away. "Release me." Cloud ordered.
"Not until you tell me what you're running from. Why you are running from the only friends you have?" When Cloud tried to jerk away for the fourth time Leon pulled back and was able to easily pull the blond onto the platform, and very much close to his body. "Who are you running from?" He demanded again.
"You!" With a burst of energy Cloud ripped his hand away and moved back as fast as possible. Unfortunately for the blonde the stones in the water did move. And while the first one might have been right in front of the platform seconds before, now it had moved completely to the right. Cloud's foot reached for something solid he would never find and hit the water with a loud splash.
Cloud allowed himself to sink down in the icy water. His lungs did not burn for air yet and he was suddenly appreciative for the moment to solitude he found in the water. His eyes searched the murky waters for a place to come up for air, a place that would not contain Squall Leonhart.
When he could find none and he was in dire need for air he began to move towards the surface. But in the darkness of the water a sleek shape moved quickly. Cloud saw this immediately and in his surprise he lost what precious air he had been holding. His lungs were red for air and his ribs burned. He found himself kicking less and less until he felt himself, weighed down by his sword, sink to the bottom.
Suddenly strong arms wrapped themselves around his waist and he felt his head break the surface. He was now gasping for air and clinging to the figure that had pulled him from the watery tomb.
"Are you alright?" Leon asked him, his arm around Cloud's back supporting him. "I thought you were just joking around." Leon chuckled, trying to calm his breathing. "Then I realized that you don't joke."
Cloud regained his senses and pushed away from Leon. He climbed to his feet, knees shaking slightly. "I have to go."
Leon was on his own feet and rushing after Cloud. "Wait." He caught the man in another embrace, ignoring his mind chiding him for becoming so emotional. "Don't run. Don't you dare run from me."
"I have to." Cloud was actually allowed to pull away.
"Don't leave me." Leon said taking a step back. "Stay here, help me protect what is left."
Cloud shook his head and began to move from the rock to rock. "I can't stay, you just don't understand."
Leon clenched his fists and began to move after the man. Leon found it much more difficult to keep his balance on the floating rocks, being weighed down by his wet clothing and Gunblade. He watched in astonishment as Cloud moved seemingly effortlessly, but determinedly. "Then at least promise me something!" Leon yelled, his voice echoing loudly. "Promise me you'll come back!"
Cloud hopped onto the sand of the shore and looked back to Leon halfway from the small house. "You seem to know me so well." He stated. "So you must know I cannot make that kind of promise."
Sora had now exited the house and was racing towards Leon and Cloud. "Wait, Cloud, don't go!"
Cloud felt the small urges of a smile beginning to surface. "Hello, Sora." Sora rushed past Leon as fast as possible, meeting the much taller figure on the shore.
"You were going to leave without talking to me, weren't you?" Sora accused, crossing his arms. "Aren't we friends?"
Cloud moved down onto one knee, keeping Leon in side view. "Of course we are friends, Sora." His voice went low. "And being such I must ask you to do something very important for me. Would you please keep an eye on Sq- Leon for me? That man is very reckless at times."
Sora chuckled nervously. "You want me to keep an eye on a guy with a sword as big as me?"
"I'm trusting you with this Sora, as one of my closest friends." Sora nodded, accepting his new side mission. "Just for the duration of your stay is all I ask, while I'm away."
"Where're you going?" He asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"To my old home. There is something I need to do there, someone I need to speak with. Hollow Bastion has been in the back of my mind for some time now."
"Hollow Bastion? I've never heard of that place."
Cloud shook his head. "It isn't important to you yet, there are still many worlds for you to visit before you encounter a place such as Hollow Bastion." When Cloud had moved but five steps away Sora spoke again.
"Maybe you can't keep your promise to Leon."
Cloud smirked. "Ever the perceptive one."
"But I will keep my promise to you-under one condition." Cloud raised an eyebrow. "Don't do anything reckless."
Cloud nodded. "Far enough. I will try my best to honor your request."
Cloud disappeared away from the house and Sora hopped back to Leon. "Why-" Leon began to ask while Sora moved past him.
Sora chuckled. "And all those years Riku said I was dense."