Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, nor do I own Kingdom Hearts II. If I owned any part of the game I would not be writing this story I would be answering angry letters about the songs in Atlantica or whatever that place is called.

Author's Note: Well hello again! Pleasure to see you…or rather type to you! I do hope you've enjoyed my little amusement here, though I am rather annoyed. Come on people! 76 hits and 5 reviews is hardly what I would call chapter worthy! If you want me to continue my story, you'd better start reviewing, flames or not. And if you do, you get a vacation with Leon, Cloud, Riku, or maybe even…-drum roll- Gerard the holy pineapple bow-tie-tie! And now, on with the story. Enjoy!

Eagles Wings

Chapter Three: Show Me Your Heart

The snare of the fowler will never capture you, And famine will bring you no fear; Under His Wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield

Silence fell on the room as Riku spoke. Sure, there were stories of the legendary Riku retiring to this area, but none of them had thought that this was him. Riku was a common name these days, and many kids at their school had it. "I'm not a doctor. I'm only trying to stay hidden for the time being, but it looks like that isn't an option any more."

"Are you saying that you know what this creature is?" Yuffie was the first to regain her composure.

"I do know what it is, and I can tell you right now that very few people will be able to stop its reign of terror over you." He hung his head, "I myself can not defeat it."

Yuffie sneered at him angrily, "Then how could you possibly help us?"

Riku stood up, eyes blazing, "I can offer you guidance to those who can help you." He snapped, "But for me to be willing to do so, you must make sure that you are willing to hold your tongue."

Yuffie looked stunned. She raised a finger and opened her mouth to retaliate, but after a short moment of mulling it over, she thought better of it and retreated to a corner. Riku nodded, pleased.

Leon spoke now, "She is right though, I must say. How can you guide us to those who can help us if we are constantly being attacked this way?"

"There is protection from such a creature, though the only way to come by it is a very difficult task." Riku shook his head, "You may find it to dangerous to complete."

Aerith stood after kneeling at her brother's side, "If it will save my brother, I will go."

Leon growled angrily, "Aerith, you will not. I will go, Cloud will protect you as he always has."

Aerith glared at him, "What is your right that you may tell me such things? You are not my mother, you are my brother. You, my brother, are the reason that our mother can no longer protect us!"

Leon flinched and Yuffie gasped. Leon was the first to recover, his anger overcoming his hurt, "The reason our mother can no longer protect us is because your insolence caused her to be driven mad!" he snapped, "You are the reason she is gone!"

"I am not the one that drove a sword through her side!"

"To protect you!"

"You shield me from nothing but physical pain! There is so much more."

"I shield you from what I can; you show no thanks or gratitude!"

"I cannot show gratitude to a murder! You stabbed her and when she did not die you slit her throat!"

Yuffie stepped between them and Aerith shoved her away, "You dare to say you have protected this family?" she cried out in question, "You have ruined this family!"

Leon stared in shock at his sister, "Aerith, I -"

"No!" she cried, cutting him off, "You wanted to protect me? I'll tell you how. Leave me, and our family, alone!"

She stormed out of the room, tears streaming down her face. Leon called after her, "Aerith! If you walk out that door and want me to leave, I will! But I know that's not what you want!"

Yuffie sobbed against the wall. She hadn't gotten up when Aerith had pushed her. Now she stood and spoke, "Leon…Leon I'm so sorry!" She ran to him and kissed him.

Leon, surprised by this action, blinked a few times before his eyes shut gently. His mouth opened slightly and so did hers. He placed his arms around her waist and her arms wound around his neck. They kissed deeply for what felt an eternity to the watching eyes, though to them it was no more than a second.

When Yuffie drew back, it was sharply. She stood rigid and her eyes were on the wall behind Leon's head. Leon was in shock himself. Cloud was the first to speak, "YUFFIE! YOU BITCH!"

Yuffie looked over at Cloud, "Oh, Cloud! No, it's not what you think!"

Leon shook his head, "It was my fault Cloud, take it easy."

But both of them knew his temper to well to assume that he would take Leon's advice. "Yuffie," he said softly, a dangerous calm in his voice, "Why?"

Yuffie's tears flowed freely down her cheeks and she moved toward him, "Cloud, please. Let me explain!"

"No!" he shouted, "You can not begin to explain what I just saw! We're done Yuffie. Done."

Doctor Riku had slipped out the door just as Leon's lips had met Yuffie's. He was standing outside the door, Aerith in his arms, trying to comfort her. "Aerith, he's your brother. You mustn't fight with him this way. Not after the sacrifice he's made for you."

"But Doctor!" she sobbed, "I c-c-can't let h-him d-do this an-anymo-ore."

"Just call me Riku, I'm off duty as of five minutes ago." He said, smiling a little, "And yes you can. And you must."

Aerith took a deep breath and tried to speak, then took another and her words emerged, "I know I should, and I have to, but what he did to my family…I can't…"

Riku hugged her tighter, "It's alright Aerith, I understand."

She looked up at him, "You do?" Their eyes were locked now and he nodded.

"Yes. I understand perfectly." He watched her smile weakly and he smiled back.

Her hand moved to his face and she traced his jaw line with her thumb, "You are an amazing man Riku. You saved my brother, and then Cloud. Now me."

"I've not saved you!" he exclaimed, "I've only shown you that you must forgive your brother."

"That's an equivalent to me."