Filter alert! Filter alert! No just kidding...or am I? This chapter only has brief mentionings of Soriku and Akuroku, but instead focuses on Zemyx, Namine (kinda unrequited), Cleon and Sephy! I'm pretty sure you don't have to read this chapter to understand with the story, but I do suggest that if you plan to skip this chappie, scroll down to the bottom to understand what Riku is up to in the next chapter. But...I would much rather have you guys read this!

The song I was listening to for the Cleon section was, hehe, Britney. Gimme More by Britney Spears! I can't help but love that song! So I guess my new 'thing' is to update at midnight or something. I mean, really. This is seriously becoming a habit. This can't be healthy! Anyway...ignoring my random rambling...

Reviewers:

Kira Sakura: (Yay! You liked it! And I got a cookie! Lol, the love is coming, the love is coming...thanks!)

SuperFriendlySoraFan203: (Yeah, hyperventilation is real. You ever seen Runaway Bride? I think that's what Maggie had but I'm not positive. Anywho, thanks for reviewing!)

Kita Ito (for a new review on chap. 1): (Thank you! I hope you enjoy the rest!)

Mentally Insane Fangirl: (I updated! Thank you so much! Yep, I agree, Riku has been being a jerk. But that shall change, darn it!)

Here's the next chapter!

That same day….

In the case of a 23 year old mechanic

Zexion stared at the figure in front of him in disbelief. This boy, this familiar, joking young boy, was supposed to be dead. Not dead as in, he's dead to me, kind of dead. But dead as in, shot in the head, swimming with the fishes, kind of dead.

He knew he couldn't possibly be imagining him, seeing how Zexion's imagination had been locked away a long time ago, sealed with a kiss. But, there was no other explanation. Ghosts weren't real. Were they?

"Is this really the greeting I get after being apart for what? Five years?" The ghost spoke, his voice dripping with humor and happiness. Zexion's eyes simply widened. Maybe he was imagining him. Ghosts didn't have melodic voices or twinkles in their eyes. And ghosts sure as hell didn't look at humans the way he was looking at him now.

It was almost as if…this ghost…wanted to…kiss him.

"Demyx." The ghost stated as he pointed to himself, suddenly furious. Zexion blinked. And then he blinked again. Then again, maybe he wasn't a ghost…

"I'm Demyx." He tried again, this time grabbing Zexion's hand. "Have you honestly forgotten me already?"

Oh. So…so Demyx wasn't a ghost. Ghosts couldn't touch people. Zexion made a strange sound in the back of his throat. So…Demyx was really here. Alive.

In that case…

Zexion grabbed Demyx's wrists and pinned him to the wall, causing his old friend to gasp from the impact. He pulled his body flush against the other's and attacked his lips, parting them and diving deep into his mouth, tears of happiness threatening to spill from his lavender purple eyes.

"Zexion…" Demyx whimpered when Zexion finally let him breathe. He put his forehead to his and tried to catch his breath. Zexion let go of his wrists, instead placing a hand on either side of the "ghost's" head, effectively trapping him in his arms. He wouldn't let him escape.

"I thought you were dead. What the fuck happened?" He growled fiercely.

Demyx seemed to shrink a little under the heavy glare. "Xiggie couldn't do it."

"Xiggie didn't…he couldn't…kill you? But he was-" Zexion began before Demyx cut him off with a glare of his own.

"Ordered to kill me, yeah I know. But unlike some people, he loved me enough to want me to live." Demyx snapped, narrowing his eyes. Zexion was silent. He didn't know what he could say to make what happened seem like it wasn't a betrayal. But he didn't have to say anything; Demyx wasn't done.

"You know, Zex, its funny. Xiggie, who, half the time couldn't even stand me, was willing to die to save me. But you, my boyfriend or whatever the hell we were back then, were willing to let your brother shoot me in the head. What the fuck is wrong with that picture? I wish I was a ghost, just so I could haunt you the rest of your life with the knowledge that you chose ultimate power over a life."

Zexion gazed at the floor. He was right. He was completely, utterly correct. And that hardly ever happened with Demyx. What he did was inexcusable. The only defense he could give was that…he was a kid. He had wanted power, or more so, he wanted to be equal.

Somehow 'I'm sorry' just didn't seem to cover letting your boyfriend be killed.

"There's no need for you to be a ghost. Just the thought of what I'd done has been haunting me for the past five years anyway." Zexion said simply response. He met Demyx's glare head on, causing the younger to blush slightly before looking away himself. He groaned.

"Ugh…well, I know you're sorry. Right?" Demyx raised his eyebrows at him for confirmation.

"That would be correct." Zexion nodded.

"Alright, well, whatever. I forgive you. I know why you did it, and I kinda understand. Besides…I missed you." Demyx smiled. Zexion was shocked to say at the very least.

"You…forgive me?"

"Yes! Jeez, Zexion, you really have to learn how to process things quicker. I. Forgive. You." And with that, Demyx leaned up and captured Zexion's surprised lips in another passionate kiss, one that even had Zexion's knees buckling.

In the case of an eighteen year old artist

Namine wished she knew how Axel really felt about her.

True, they indeed were dating, and true, he said countless times that he cared for her, but sometimes…

She saw the way he looked at Roxas. And he sure didn't look at her that way. She hoped Roxas knew how honored he was, to even be receiving a little bit of his attention. Namine sighed and continued to add red to her newest painting. If she just knew that he loved her as much as she loved him. If she just knew that he wasn't just using her to make Roxas jealous or something. If she just knew…

…how Axel really felt about her…

"Namine, have you even tried asking him?" Selphie, one her closest, albeit younger, friend wanted to know from her position on Namine's bed. Namine shook her head silently in disappointment. Sometimes she really hated herself. She was cowardly, too skinny, and much, much too shy.

In her head, she was confident and beautiful, and she looked at everyone when she spoke in a clear, loud voice that she made everyone notice her. But it was only in her head…

Maybe that's why she liked Axel so much. He said what he wanted to say, no matter what the consequence was. He was always so confident and fun…the complete opposite of her. And he had presence. Because she was so quiet, she tended to get lost in the crowd quite frequently. It didn't used to bother her, but now…

Now she was ready to fight.

Namine could remember quite clearly what life was like when she first met Axel, Roxas and everyone on the island when she first moved here last year.

Flashback

Namine was never the most…well, athletic banana in the bunch.

"Please…please give it back!" Namine begged quietly, jumping to no prevail to retrieve her sketchbook from the clutches of the three strangers who were tossing it around. She had just gotten off the train to Destiny Islands, and she ended up running into the bullies of the town.

She was a junior, for Christ sake! She should be able to tell these bullies to give it back to her without her voice cracking or her body trembling.

No such luck.

"Hey! Start picking on kids your own size, you asshole!" Came a voice from behind her. All four of them turned to see a blonde boy, about her height, glaring at the bullies and holding a stick in his hand. He had the most amazing blue eyes Namine had ever seen!

"Why don't you make us, freshman?" The tallest bully challenged, throwing Namine's sketch book into the mud. Namine's eyes widened, and she quickly ran to retrieve it.

"Let's go then!" The boy shouted, running and tackling the tall one. The other two stepped away, looking shocked, as the blonde began pummeling the leader with unbelievable strength.

Namine watched, still a little shaken, as the blonde successfully managed to beat the tall one unconscious.

"Let's get out of here, y'know?" One of them exclaimed, dragging the bully's body away. The girl, the other one in the bunch, nodded in agreement, running after him.

"Yes. Out."

When they were out of sight, Namine turned to the blonde with a shy smile. She stood up and clutched the sketchbook to her chest protectively.

"Thank you."

The blonde hero smiled and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Yeah, well…I have a thing for pretty girls."

Namine giggled into her hands. Was this boy really a freshman? He sure had a lot of confidence! More than she would ever have….

"What's your name? I'm Roxas Haiku, a freshman at Lucky High. Are you new?" Roxas asked her, dusting off his clothes and attempting to get the wrinkles out of his oversized jacket. Namine hugged her own denim jacket in response. It was the fall season, and she should have figured it wouldn't be safe for her to be wandering by herself. But…isn't that what she would be doing?

Namine would be living by herself in a small apartment not far from the local college she planned to attend when she graduated. She would be alone, she knew that when she first decided to move here, but maybe if she made some friends…

"I'm Namine Stone, and yes, I'm new. I'm a junior." Namine introduced herself, looking at her shoes. When she peered back up again, Roxas looked surprised, but seemed to catch himself with a grin.

"Well, Namine, I guess it's my duty to show you that not everyone in Destiny Island is a jerk. In fact, I was just about to return this jacket to my boyfriend's house. I think he said that all our friends were there. Do you want to come with me?" Roxas asked. Namine blinked a little. Did he say boyfriend?

Roxas held out his hand to her. Staring at it, she nodded slightly. This was her chance to change. She took a risk. She took his hand.

By the time Roxas and Namine reached Axel's house, they were already good friends. There was something so…relaxing about Roxas. He was funny, playful, but most of all he was sincere. He seemed so much older than his age.

"Okay, so don't be overwhelmed, okay? You seem kind of shy, so just stay by my side and you should be okay." Roxas told me hastily, not giving Namine any time to respond. With their hands still intertwined, he opened the door and dragged her inside.

When they entered, Namine was standing in front of four teenagers, all of which who were sitting cross legged on the floor. They all looked up. Namine immediately dropped her gaze down.

"Hey guys, this is Namine. She's new, and she's a junior." Roxas turned to Namine. "Hey, Namine, you know Axel's a junior too. Unfortunately the rest of us are all freshmen."

Namine peered up at Roxas through her eyelashes. "Your lover Axel?"

Roxas blushed slightly at the teasing looks he received. "Yeah, my boyfriend."

"That'd be me. Hi, I'm Axel. A-X-E-L, got it memorized?" Someone was speaking to her. Namine raised her head and looked up at the speaker…only to drop it again in embarrassment. This guy…this guy was breathtakingly gorgeous! He had hair the color of a rose, eyes the color of a lime, and a body that was buff and muscled without being large. In fact, he was quite skinny looking and really, really tall. Namine could feel the crimson red heat on her face.

"Talk about blank with a capital 'B'. Man, oh, man, Roxas, where did you find this shy little cutie?" Axel wanted to know. Namine snuck a glance up at him. He was smirking down at her. She couldn't deny it, this man was beautiful. Beautiful as in…the way she found Picasso's artwork breathtakingly beautiful…

"Seifer and his goons were messing with her. But it's cool; I taught them what happens when you play with fire." Roxas explained with an eye roll. Axel laughed and rustled Roxas' already strangely shaped hair.

"That's my Rocky!" He said affectionately, placing a kiss to the top of Roxas' head. Roxas blushed and Namine averted her eyes. That's right. Axel was already taken. She had no right to ogle him like that.

"Hi, I'm Sora!" A voice called out from the ground. Namine looked over to see a brunette boy getting up to go greet her. Unfortunately he ended up stepping on his own shoelace and went tumbling to the ground in front of her feet. She giggled.

"Don't mind him; he's pretty much a klutz. I'm Selphie!" Another brunette introduced, holding out her hand in Namine's face. She was a pretty girl with curls in the ends of her brown hair, and her eyes were full of excitement. Namine liked her already.

"And last but not least, I'm Kairi. You can usually find me hanging around these bozos." The introducer, Kairi, said with a little giggle. Namine giggled as well. Kairi was so pretty and friendly; everyone was.

Namine was in over her head.

"Another painting of him? Jeez, Namine, you've got to broaden your horizons!" Selphie exclaimed, watching as Namine propped up her most recent painting of Axel onto her wall.

Namine sighed wistfully and put down her painting utensils. She couldn't lie, she had loved Axel from the moment she met him. And Roxas…she really did like Roxas. She just didn't like Roxas liking Axel. She just had to break them up.

Unfortunately, she didn't want to do this with Axel knowing so. She knew he would stop seeing her if he thought she was trying to worm her way into his heart like this. She had decided to take an indirect approach, as in, agitating Roxas to the point where he got angry at Axel every time he saw him.

She was the secret lover. And she was sending the cards.

She felt so pathetic.

And yet…she'd never felt more powerful in her life.

In the case of a 33 year old stoic rock

Leon remained quiet as he watched Cloud and Riku cuddle in their sleep. They really were cute together. Honestly, he had never even seen a connection like the one Cloud and Riku shared. It was like, they needed each other or something, despite the many, many arguments they participated in.

He looked out the window with an inaudible sigh. If only he and his father were that close. It had always been his brother, Sunny, who had his father's attention. It was always about Sunny.

But of course it was. Sunny was a guardian, and Leon was merely a mercenary. One took rank over the other. Of course guardians were loved and adored much more than mercenaries. Who could love an assassin?

And now, he was to learn that Cloud was a guardian? The same Cloud that had given him a lap dance? The same Cloud he had fucked senseless only a couple of days ago? That Cloud?

It figured the first person he would become close to in years was the one person he needed to stay away from. Cloud…

He could still clearly remember what it felt like with Cloud.

It had been his birthday a few days ago, he was turning 33, the big 3-3, and his best friend Yuffie wanted to do something special for him. He figured, why not? Lord knows how he never let Yuffie have any fun when she was with him, so why not let her do something nice?

Then

She took him to a damn strip club in Radiant Garden.

Not just any strip club, oh no, she took him to the most expensive, popular, public strip club there was around, where every one of his employing partners could see him. Okay, sure, so he didn't see any of them there, but still.

"Oh, Leon, isn't this place hot? It's called Seventh Heaven!" Yuffie had exclaimed, ordering them rounds of cosmos. Leon downed three in ten seconds. He would have to be drunk to get through the night.

He spent half the night drunkenly fending off other guys who wanted a one nighter, and the other half making sure Yuffie wasn't fucking raped, seeing how she kept trying to strip her clothes off and wouldn't stop making out with random men.

Yet, she wouldn't let them leave. Leon found himself drunkenly wondering how many favors he would have to make to get this club closed down in three weeks. Just when he was about to physically drag Yuffie out the club and into his limo, the lights all shut off and all talking ceased.

"We hear it's someone's birthday tonight, and Seventh Heaven would like to give him to present him with a present." A quite sexy female voice spoke into the microphone. Oh no. It wasn't him, right?

"Leon…err, Leonhart." The voice declared, and a single spotlight landed on him. Leon froze as the crowd in the club burst out in jealous applause. Fuck.

Suddenly blue fog erupted from the run way, and all of the strippers retreated to the back.

It's Britney bitch.

A shadow appeared at the end of the runway, and suddenly water began falling from the ceiling over him in rain drops, making the shadow's hair go from oddly spiky, to smooth and silky.

Every time they turn the lights on.

Just want to go that extra mile for you.

You got my display of affection.

Feel's like no one else in the room.

And then, Leon saw him. The sexiest man Leon had ever seen came to the middle of the runway, causing the whole audience to gasp in awe. The man had muscles that were just begging to be touched, his blonde hair was down and wet, and the color was one that could rival the sun and his eyes…oh, those eyes…were the most brilliant blue Leon had ever seen.

We can get down like there's no one around.

We'll keep on rocking.

We'll keep on rocking.

And his present began to dance. Other strippers came out from the ceiling in cages and gift wrapping, but Leon only had eyes for the man who was sliding and licking the pole like it was a….well, a very sensitive male body part. One that was already hard and ready on Leon.

Cameras are flashing my way.

Dirty dance.

And they keep watchin.

Keep watchin.

It seemed his present only had eyes for him as well. Perhaps it was part of his job as his object of affection, but somehow there was this electricity between them. The guy began to strip off his pants, still staring directly at Leon, and licked his lips. Leon growled. Oh, this guy who so asking to be fucked.

Feels like the crowd is saying...

When the pants were off, and all that remained was a simple blue thong, Leon already knew he had to have him. He wasn't even aware of Yuffie staring at him, or the crowd going wild for his present. All that he was focused on was the stripper who was somehow bringing out a part of him that he thought was gone.

Gimme gimme more. Gimme more. Gimme gimme more.

And suddenly, he was holding his present's ass in his hands. Leon blinked up at him. Whoa…this guy was much more…fragile looking up close. Not fragile as in he thought he might break, but a much more elegant sexy. It turned him on.

Gimme gimme more. Gimme more. Gimme gimme more.

"I'm Cloud." The guy, Cloud, whispered in his ear as he ran his hands over Leon's length. Leon tightened his jaw. He was not going to come in front of all of these people. And this Cloud guy…he was giving him a damn good lap dance.

"You come here often?" Cloud asked casually, arching into him. Leon growled under his breath. If this guy was only here to give him a lap dance, why was he chatting him up?

"No." Leon said gruffly. Cloud paused for a second, but then he was right back to grinding into him.

"You don't seem to like me very much, Leon." Cloud pointed out, breathing on Leon's neck. Leon couldn't help it; he let out a moan. Cloud seemed to smile in victory.

"You're only here to strip, correct?" Leon retorted gruffly, shutting his eyes when Cloud began to lick behind his ear. That was the most sensitive part on his body.

"Aah!" Leon moaned fairly loudly. Cloud chuckled slightly against it and ran his hands down Leon's hard chest, placing butterfly kisses against the spot. Leon covered his mouth to block out the streams of moans preparing to erupt.

"So, would it be completely inappropriate for me to ask you if I can buy you a drink?" Cloud murmured against his neck, pausing to hear an answer. Leon blinked in surprise. Wha…?

I just can't control myself.

"Why?" Leon wanted to know, sounding a little suspicious. Sure, he knew he was very attractive, and he was successful. Women and men asked him out loads of times before. But it was never this intimate. It was never this…hot.

"You're ridiculously sexy, and it feels like gravity. I'm so attracted to you it hurts." Cloud answered, running his hands in Leon's hair. But his hands…they were shaking.

Mo- Mo- Mo- Mo...MORE.

"Yes, it would be completely inappropriate." Leon answered. Cloud sighed in disappointment and began to get off of him. Leon shook his head and grabbed Cloud's hips, forcing him back down on his lap.

"But frankly, I don't give a damn."

They want more? Well I'll give them more, aww!

It wasn't long before Leon was fucking Cloud in every way. And they never did have those drinks.

It wasn't until morning that Leon realized he was never really all that drunk. Cloud was sleeping quietly in his arms, so it wasn't like he could just leave. Besides…did he really want to?

They were lying in Leon's king-sized bed in his giant mansion in the outskirts in Destiny Island. And it was funny…the house had never seemed so big before but now that he actually had someone here with him…he realized that he didn't want to be alone in it.

And Cloud…oh, sweet, shy Cloud. He didn't seem so shy and quiet in the club, but once he got in his pants, Cloud was so hesitant and nervous that he couldn't help but melt a little. Leon would never admit this to anyone, but, last night…he never really fucked Cloud. They made love.

There was a huge difference.

"Leon…?" Cloud asked groggily, opening his eyes slowly. Leon felt something strange bang in his heart. Maybe he was just hungry.

"Yeah, I'm still here, I didn't leave." Leon answered softly, combing his hands through Cloud's hair. It was spiky again. Cloud smiled and sighed in content.

"Good. I don't want to leave either." Cloud murmured, snuggling deeper into Leon's bare chest. Leon gave him a soft look before turning over to the clock. It was noon. Hmm…he had a meeting in thirty minutes.

"Cloud, I hate to do this but, I have to get to a meeting. It's pretty important." Leon whispered in his ear. Cloud nodded in disappointment, but he sat up anyway.

"What time is it? You have a meeting this early?" Cloud said in amusement, leaning over Leon to see the time. His eyes bugged out of his head.

"It's NOON! Sephiroth gets off work at one! I've got to go- oh no, Riku! I'll bet he's worried sick about me! We were supposed to move out today! Now we'll have to wait a couple of days, and he's going to hate me! I have to get back! Oh shit, my car! I left it at the club!" Cloud continued to ramble as he shot out of bed and hurried to put his clothes on. Leon propped up on his elbows and smirked at him.

"Can I see you again?" Leon asked him, still smirking and letting his bangs fall into his eyes. Cloud looked over at him and paused. A slight blush covered Cloud's face and he blinked a little.

"S-Sure! Here, I'll give you my number." Cloud fished in his pocket for a small business card and tossed it over to Leon. He caught it.

"Alright, that's all I needed. I'll give you a ride. Let me just take a quick shower, and we'll be out of here."

Perhaps the most surprising thing to Leon, however, was that when he dropped Cloud off by his car, the blonde leaned in and gave him a sweet, short kiss. And the big shock was that…he missed him from the second he closed the door.

Now

"We're here." Leon told Cloud, nudging him gently. Cloud and Riku both stirred at the same time, unaware that they had just been cuddling a second ago. They were parked in front of Cloud's new apartment, where they were staying until "Sephiroth cools down and realizes that he needs me, dammit!" as Cloud said.

"Thank you so much, Leon." Cloud smiled at him, taking his hand. Riku rolled his eyes and shoved by them. "Thanks Leon." Riku mimicked before slamming into the apartment. Cloud looked at him apologetically.

"Sorry. He's still a little sensitive because of Sora. He really is a good kid." Cloud explained quietly. Leon just nodded and brought Cloud's hand to his lips.

"I'll miss you."

Cloud blushed, and peered up at him shyly. "I think I'll miss you too."

As Cloud exited the car and waved, Leon sat back in the limo seat, letting out a sigh. The limo driver, John, chuckled from the front seat.

"That Cloud and Riku are something, aren't they? Where to next?"

Leon prepared to tell him until a flyer caught his eye. He picked it up. A party, huh? For the little jerk-off Riku, huh? That probably meant Cloud would be there. Hmm…this could work in his favor.

He really didn't mind all that much that Cloud had a significant other. Just the fact that he still wanted Leon around after cheating on that other with him told him that Cloud felt something for him. And for now, that's all he needed.

He would claim Cloud's heart.

"To Yuffie's house."

In the case of a 34 year old guardian

"What is Cloud doing?"

"Oh, Sephiroth, why don't you just come down and see him? I know you miss him."

"I have not done anything to indicate this."

"I can just tell, Seph. Come on! I miss you, Aerith misses you, Sunny misses you, and I'm pretty sure Cloud misses you too!"

"Zack…how is Riku?"

"…Well, I haven't had a chance to see him yet, but there's a big welcome back party for him over at Kairi's. Remember her? She was the little girl who always came over and asked if he could play. We used to think she was the most annoying little girl in the world."

"Oh yes. Her. And the other two?"

"Roxas and Sora? I'm pretty sure they're still pissed off at him for leaving."

"Oh."

"Sephiroth, I'm not going to beg, but come on! You know the party will be fun! And you're my best friend…I haven't seen you in three years since you freaking eloped with Cloud. I miss you."

"…"

"Please."

"Fine. But only to see how you are doing."

"Yes! The party is tomorrow at six!"

"I'll be there."

In the case of a 16 year old party planner

"Okay Riku, remember. All you have to do is show up at Wakka's Surf Shack tomorrow morning, somehow distract Sora until five o'clock, and then drop him off at my house." Kairi explained to Riku as she walked him to her door. Riku nodded determinedly.

"Gotcha'. And then I change into something sexy, come back at the house around six thirty, and wait in the closet for further instructions." Riku recited. Kairi smiled happily.

"Excellent! Alright, go get some sleep. We can't be having bags under those pretty little eyes of yours!" She giggled. Riku snorted but otherwise exited the house.

Kairi watched him hop back onto his bike and pedal off with a grin. Little did Riku know that she had a little something cocked up that would surprise him as well.

Just so you guys know...there will be two more chapters until the party chapter, which is pretty awesome if I do say so myself. So...yeah...I like reviews very much, as indicated, so I would love it if you could review as well as alert. Criticisms (sp?), things I could work on more, things you like or dislike, questions, comments...you know, just things I could use to get my act together and grow as a writer. But to those who just like to read it, thank you for following this story so far! We have a long way to go!

-BB