Title: 100 Steps To Somewhere

Fandom: Kingdom Hearts

Claim: Cloud/Riku

Theme: 044. Power

Word Count: 4,955

Rating: M

Summary: Riku had better appreciate all the trouble Cloud was going to for him, but Cloud somehow doubted it.

Disclaimer: I wish, okay? It's all lies. I don't own Kingdom Hearts, I don't know anyone who owns Kingdom Hearts, and I am not affiliated with anyone who is affiliated with anyone who owns Kingdom Hearts. I think that about covers it.

Author's Note: Fun fact: I watched Advent Children before I wrote this to connect more with Cloud. I hope it paid off.

Step Forty-Four: The Hunt

Cloud left Mickey and Leon by the excavation site as he walked the long path back to the empty house.

Riku was gone. Again. Gone off to fight the darkness in his heart because before Cloud even knew who Riku was, he'd opened the door to the heart of Destiny Islands. Before he held Riku's hands or kissed his lips, Riku felt stifled and alone in a place where he could never embrace his identity because too many people knew his name and had expectations attached to it. He opened his heart to darkness, and by the time Cloud understood Riku enough to say the right things or simply listen, the darkness had wormed its way too deeply into Riku's heart. He had to finish things, because that had all happened before there was a Cloud and Riku. Now that there was a Cloud and Riku, it seemed to have lit a fire in Riku's eyes, fueled his determination.

Cloud could understand; it was the same with him. Back in the days of Midgar, SOLDIER, and Sephiroth, there was a Zack and Cloud. True, Zack was one of his best friends, and at the time, he thought he was in love, but Zack was everything Cloud never was and always wished he could be. He was tall, strong, carefree. Zack was never at a loss for friends or words. He made everything look so easy while Cloud struggled through, and it caused a lot of resentment on Cloud's part. When there was still a Zack and Cloud, he felt worthless and alone in a place where he never really mattered, and trying wasn't enough.

After everything that happened during that time with the darkness and Shinra, with Sephiroth and AVALANCHE, Cloud felt more broken than ever before. He spent more time than he should have searching for the truth, searching for his identity. He put too many people in danger; Zack lost his life. Destroying Sephiroth (who would have been long-dead if it weren't for the darkness in his heart) became a way to atone for his sins.

When he arrived in Traverse Town, it took days to look Aerith and Leon in the eyes. He allowed Tifa, Yuffie, and Cid to tell all they knew about what had happened with Zack and Shinra. Little by little, he further explained the situation with SOLDIER, Sephiroth, and the darkness. Aerith hugged him a lot during that time, became his stronghold, but he couldn't stay. The tension was thick. Though Leon had always been the other best friend, he held an aura of hostility and anger than Cloud couldn't shake. The accusation in his eyes was more than he could bear.

Even when the tension faded, it hadn't left completely. Cloud came and went from Traverse Town, driven mad to destroy Sephiroth. Aerith talked a lot about forgiveness during those days. Her uncanny way of saying the right things at the right time brought Cloud solace and comfort when he needed it the most. In the few short months before he took up with Hades, Cloud knew of nothing else but self-deprecation and the need to erase Sephiroth from existence. He needed to make up for Zack; he needed to protect those close to him that he still had left. His presence in their lives didn't bode well for their safety, and things had to end before someone got hurt again.

The days of Zack and Cloud were long gone now. In its place was Cloud and Riku.

Though their similarities never went unnoticed by anyone, to Cloud their differences were just as glaring. Riku was a lot like Zack in a way. In his circle of friends, he was the leader—the one with the ideas. Judging from what he knew about Sora and Kairi, Riku was the smart one—the one that when someone needed help with something, Riku was the person they called on. Riku was the one surrounded with people that wanted his attention, but Riku did his own thing and already had all the friends he needed. He was graceful and well-spoken with a sharp tongue that never betrayed him. This, in short, was so unlike Cloud, because he felt more than awkward as a leader, was better with his body than his head, couldn't keep on the good side of the friends he already had, and tripped over his words when he could even find them at all.

Riku was like Zack in the way where he made everything look so easy, but . . . there was something different about him that Cloud couldn't put words to. There was no resentment in their relationship. Cloud sometimes wondered if it was because he'd met Riku at the top of his downward spiral. If they'd met before or after, would Cloud have felt differently about him? Cloud liked to think he wouldn't, but maybe Aerith was right about things happening at a time and place for a reason. Maybe he and Riku had come together when their similarities were most apparent for Cloud to feel comfortable enough to reach out. Maybe Riku in that vulnerable position—stuck in the darkness but not yet drowning in it—triggered something in him. He'd always felt an urge to be strong enough to keep the people around him safe; it was the source of his hostility toward Zack, his feeling of worthlessness at not making SOLDIER, and why he let the darkness in. Maybe seeing Riku and that determination in him . . . Maybe seeing Riku that way and still unable to turn his back on Maleficent . . . Maybe it didn't matter. Maybe all that mattered was it had happened, because now there was a Cloud and Riku.

Because there was a Cloud and Riku, a different light cast over the way Cloud viewed everything. He didn't know if he'd forgiven himself yet for what happened to Zack, but the pain had lessened. He was closer to his friends than he had been in years—even he and Leon were adjusting back to what they'd once shared. When Cloud asked Aerith why she hadn't taken him aside in months for a lengthy conversation on his darkness, she smiled and said, "You've been happy. You don't need any advice from me." Since Riku, Sephiroth moved past atonement for his sins to something that perhaps . . .

Cloud took a deep breath.

Perhaps what happened to empower Sephiroth was simply unfortunate and not his fault at all, but since it was his darkness that continued to breathe life into him, it was Cloud's responsibility to end it.

He knew in his heart that Riku only caused these changes around him indirectly. It was Cloud's attitude that really made the difference, but without Riku . . . Riku had sparked something in him. It was something frightening in a way—heavy. There was a certain level of dependency that had grown in Cloud when it came to Riku. The way he felt when Riku gave him one of those fond little smiles or when Riku's voice pulled tight . . . It opened up a chance for disaster, Cloud thought The chance for heartbreak, tears, and a hopelessness he hadn't felt since he was about as old as Riku was now.

He tried to remain hard and unmoved at the knowledge Riku left without a word. He told himself that Riku needed to do this on his own, and it wasn't a big deal. He had Sephiroth to take care of, and when it was over everything would be perfect. He had to be understanding and impassive about it all. Riku could take care of himself. He knew what he was doing. Above all, he shouldn't listen to Leon about going after Riku because that would be ludicrous and against everything he told himself he needed to do.

Then again, it wasn't like Cloud could really do anything other than hold him and be supportive. He couldn't fight this battle for Riku—that was something he had to do alone. It wasn't as if Leon suggested he step in should things get ugly and a month without work in Hollow Bastion was always promising. King Mickey himself said Riku shouldn't have to go through it by himself. Sure, maybe they had the cell phones, but . . .

Cloud let himself into the empty house. He crossed the living room and sat at the counter, gazing into the ashtray. He laughed.

"Come on, Cloud. Pull yourself together."

There was really nothing quite as pathetic as gazing into an ashtray. What was he going to do next? Go lay in their bed (it had long ceased to be his alone) and sniff Riku's clothes?

Riku's clothes . . .

Riku left that morning without anything but perhaps his Keyblade. Couldn't the boy take care of himself? What was he supposed to do without a change of clothes? And that Organization group was still out there. How much help was that cloak from Castle Oblivion going to give him in Hollow Bastion?

Cloud smiled. He felt sneaky, but the little brat deserved it after running off without at least saying goodbye.

Standing from the counter, he crossed into their bedroom. He rummaged around the closet and then pulled out a large, black bag. As he dropped it on the bed, Cloud leaned over to the bedside table, shuffled around the drawer's contents, and pulled out his cell phone. He dropped onto the mattress by the bag, found Riku's number in the menu, and pressed send. After the second ring, Cloud felt relief in the assurance that—at the very least—Riku hadn't left his phone behind. He answered on the third.

There was a pause at first, and then a nervous sort of laughter that made Cloud smile. Riku was such a little brat.

"Hey, Cloud. What's up?"

"Why don't you tell me?"

Riku coughed. Cloud smirked and shook his head.

"You know, you won't believe it. The funniest thing happened on the way to Merlin's . . ."

"You're right. I won't believe it, because Leon said you were supposed to be working on the Heartless problem down at the Dark Depths today."

" . . . Right. Yeah, I was, but I was going to check in at Merlin's first . . ."

"Riku, why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"

"I did. In a way . . ."

"You said things were starting to happen again and we were going to have to go our separate ways soon. You didn't tell me that it was going to happen today."

"How long have I been gone?"

"About eight hours."

There was a pause.

"Wow. You figured it out faster than I thought you would."

Cloud scowled.

"Ordinarily I'd demand to know what that's supposed to mean, but you're diverting the conversation. Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"

Riku sighed.

"I wanted to, but I knew you wouldn't understand."

"What wouldn't I understand?"

"You know the piece of Ansem in my heart has been bothering me, and the appearance of the Nobodies made it worse . . ."

"The Nobodies? You mean those things in the white jumpsuits?"

"Yeah. They're the shell of what gets left behind when someone turns into a Heartless. That Organization XIII? They're a group of the most powerful Nobodies."

"Where did you learn this?"

"DiZ. I ran into him while I was wandering around in the darkness."

Cloud felt his heart pull tight.

"You're traveling through corridors of darkness again?"

"I have to. It's my only means of getting around. But, anyway . . . Cloud, don't be mad at me."

"I'm not. I just want to understand."

"Well . . . yeah. There was Ansem, and the Nobodies, and then there's Sora . . . you know, my friend no one can remember?"

"You remembered his name?"

"No, DiZ had to tell me that, too, but it feels right. I just . . . I knew I had to leave. It was time."

Cloud sighed and hung his head.

"That's what you thought I wouldn't understand?"

" . . . Yes?"

"I'm not an idiot, Riku. I get that much. You could have told me. I could have come with you."

"No. I mean . . . It's not that I don't want you with me, but you have Sephiroth to deal with, and I . . . I've been too much of a distraction already."

"You sure like to give yourself more credit than you deserve. Don't you think if I felt Sephiroth moving around, I'd be out there looking for him?"

"I . . . I didn't really consider that."

"He's made of my darkness. I know when he's active. That's how I know I haven't finished him yet. Something's stirring with him right now, but it hasn't manifested yet."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Cloud sighed. He rubbed his palm across his forehead.

"So where are you? What are you doing? Do you have a plan?"

"Yes. Kind of."

"Kind of?"

"Well, I didn't have one when I left, but then I ran into DiZ. He had a mission for me."

"Is this a good or a bad thing?"

"Good, I think. It's about Sora and the holes in my memories. All of our memories, really. Sora . . . Sora's been asleep. Something to do with Naminé taking apart his memories."

"Naminé's that girl you met in Castle Oblivion, right? The one who was going to lock up the darkness in your heart?"

"Yeah, that's her. But Sora's not responding to the restoration of his memories, and DiZ thinks it has something to do with a Nobody in Organization XIII named Roxas."

"What's this Roxas kid got to do with anything?"

"Well, he's a Nobody, but he fights with two Keyblades. Doesn't seem right, does it? If a Nobody doesn't have a heart, but the Keyblade chooses its master based on the strength of a heart . . ."

"How can a Nobody even hold a Keyblade, much less fight with one?"

"Exactly. And this Roxas kid is hard to get a hold of. DiZ's been after him for awhile, but Roxas keeps eluding him. Furthermore, DiZ says they look alike—Roxas and Sora. And Sora's the Keyblade master, so DiZ thinks the two are connected somehow."

"What do you think?"

Riku paused.

"This is going to sound crazy . . ."

"Go ahead."

"DiZ said he thought Roxas might be Sora's Nobody, but it didn't make any sense because Sora seems to be all in one piece. He'd have to have turned into a Heartless for that to happen, but . . . I can't be sure . . . When I was possessed back in Hollow Bastion . . . You remember that dark Keyblade I had? The one to unlock hearts?"

Cloud paused and thought for a moment. It felt like ages ago. He nodded.

"Yeah. What about it?"

"Remember when I first got back to Hollow Bastion and told you everything that happened? When Kairi's heart was hiding in Sora?"

"Yeah . . ."

"Well I told you that Sora stabbed himself with it. Released the princesses' hearts that were in it and Kairi's, too. Then he disappeared."

This all sounded very familiar. Cloud closed his eyes.

"Yeah, I remember. That was right before you went into the realm of darkness."

"Yeah, and I didn't see Sora again until I closed the door. Well . . . I don't know. I just thought that maybe . . . Maybe this Roxas kid is Sora's Nobody. Maybe when Sora did that, he unlocked his heart, too, and when he disappeared . . ."

"Maybe for a brief span of time . . ."

"He was a Heartless," Riku finished.

Cloud considered this.

"So you're going to look for this Roxas kid?"

"Yeah. I guess I'm more eligible for the job being able to wield a Keyblade myself and everything. DiZ said that Organization XIII has a stronghold in this world . . . oh, what did he call it? The World that Never Was? I don't know. Something like that. It's really far north of Hollow Bastion, so I'm on my way there to check it out."

Cloud looked to the bag beside him and nodded.

"The World that Never Was, huh?"

"Yeah. Fitting place for a bunch of Nobodies, huh?"

Cloud snorted.

"That it is."

"Do you think I'm right? About Roxas?"

"I think it's possible."

"But is it probable?"

"I don't know, Ri. You're going to have to go with your gut on that one."

There was another pause.

"I guess . . . I think I am. I don't know. Maybe I have to meet Roxas first. I think I'll know for sure then."

"Where are you going to be staying?"

"I don't know. I'll find out when I get there. I really should go, though. Corridors of darkness aren't the best place to be distracted in."

"Take care of yourself."

"I will. Send everyone my love, okay? Except Leon. I know how that gets your boxers in a twist."

"You're a little shit. Run off without telling me and then have the nerve to tease me."

"You know you wouldn't want me any other way."

"I love you, little shit."

"I love you, too, jealous psychopath."

Cloud pressed end on the phone. He stood from the bed, dropped the cell in his pocket, and walked to the closet.

----------0----------

Three days, one short phone call with Riku, and two lengthy bitchfests with Leon later, Cloud felt as if the Gummi ship was running out of north to travel. He was about to call Leon to complain some more when a blip showed up on the Gummi radar. Only it wasn't really it a blip—it was more like a monster of a dot. Cloud sat forward, staring out the window as the world grew closer, and just as he moved to take the ship off autopilot, he hit a barrier.

"What the . . ."

Riku had called yesterday to say he made it into the World that Never Was, and looking at this entity, it seemed just as Riku described it. He changed the controls to manual and moved around the barrier. Darkness poured from the world, infiltrating Cloud's senses. This was worse than the Heartless, worse than even Sephiroth. Cloud was irritated. He'd flown all this way, actually found the place, but couldn't land. The barrier circled the entire world.

How the hell had Riku . . .?

Corridors of darkness. Cloud was glad Leon wasn't here to see how pleased with himself he was at the revelation. Riku didn't have a Gummi ship. His only means of traveling were the same paths the Heartless used to move from one world to the next. Cloud celebration didn't last long.

Sure, he had darkness inside him. A lot of it. He'd heard of these dark passages long before he met Riku and knew those who used them, but he'd never actually opened one himself. Didn't even know how to go about it. Even if he'd managed to open a dark portal, he wouldn't know where to go or how to navigate within it. He could call Riku, but that would be awfully suspicious. He was being sneaky here, damnit. And stealth. And he wasn't going to give Riku the opportunity to shoot him down.

After all, a month's worth of Hollow Bastion Restoration labor was riding on this little reunion.

Cloud turned the Gummi around and searched the radar for the closest world. He set on his target, switched the controls to autopilot, and sat back.

It just figured. Where was Sephiroth when you needed him?

Cloud contemplated his options. He could go back to Hollow Bastion and give up on his mission or he could find someone who'd tell him how to get in. The first choice wasn't much of an option. There was a shovel waiting for him back there, and Leon, who would insist Cloud hadn't tried hard enough. Aerith might have something useful to say—some light to shed on the present situation, but it wasn't worth the Leon thing. Riku was in that world, alone, and preparing to square off against some kid that didn't know what was coming.

In a way, Cloud felt bad for this Roxas character. It wasn't his fault he was a Nobody with some sort of connection to . . . Sora, was it? He probably had no idea why he could wield the legendary Keyblade, and this kid had two of them. Sure, he was a member of Organization XIII, but Cloud doubted the boy was malicious. Nothing that came out of Sora could ever have malicious attributes. He was probably just lost, the Organization took him in, and now he was going to feel Riku's wrath over something he had no control over. To make matters worse, once Riku beat the shit out of him, some guy that even Riku didn't care for was going to poke and prod him while the witch girl knocked him off just to wake Sora up.

And people thought Cloud had issues with getting up in the morning.

Cloud shook his head and sighed. He found Leon's name in the contact menu.

"What do you want now?" said Leon.

"I have issues," said Cloud.

"Yeah, no shit. Now why are you calling?"

"Fuck off, Leon. I have issues. I found the World that Never Was, but there's a barrier around it. The Gummi can't get in. And there's so much darkness coming off it I want to vomit. I can smell it inside the Gummi. Through the barrier."

"So what do you want me to do?"

"I don't know, but Riku got in through one of those portals of darkness. You reckon it might be the only way in?"

"Could be. Land somewhere and try to use one."

"Easy for you to say. I'm already headed to the nearest world, but I don't know how to open a dark portal, much less where I'd be going in one."

"Well I don't have a fucking clue, either. You're the one who plays in the darkness, not me."

"I know that. I was hoping you could ask the king for advice or something. Because he knows how to use them, right?"

"Yeah, I think so. Where are you landing?"

"Fuck if I know. I've never seen this world before. The paths have been all different since Sora and Riku closed the door to darkness."

"All right. Let me go talk to the king. Hold on."

"Will do."

----------0----------

After a long explanation that took a great deal of focus to understand, Cloud learned he was in Twilight Town and needed to infiltrate the old mansion there to enter the dark corridor. Cloud figured King Mickey must have really gotten around to know that much from the little Cloud could tell him after landing. He hardly had time, though, to dwell on the wonders of the many travels regarding the mouse king. The townsfolk of this world seemed to think he was crazy when asking about the old mansion. It was, apparently, haunted. Just as it seemed he might get on his way after a nice old lady pointed in the right direction for saving her cat from the awning above her shop, he had the displeasure of meeting some kid with a big mouth who called himself and friends the Twilight Town Disciplinary Committee. It seemed that Cloud was sniffing around where he didn't belong and would have to suffer the consequences. One ass-kicking later, he made his way through the woods and into the mansion.

Cloud wondered if Riku had to go through all this trouble every time he wanted to enter a portal of darkness or if this was the easy way. It was possible, Cloud figured, since he'd never opened one of these portals before, and perhaps King Mickey gave him the open door admission reserved for those who had no idea what they were doing. It was more trouble than it was worth, really. He cursed the barrier as he struggled over the fence (the gates were, of course, locked) and into the mansion.

More to his dismay than the big-mouthed brat, Cloud discovered the mansion was not haunted, but occupied. The voices of a man and a young girl sounded into the foyer. He thanked his foresight to make a quiet entrance as he crossed to the stairs and walked in the opposite direction of their voices. King Mickey said the entrance was in the basement, but he had to take the stairs to the door on the far right of the second level. At least something was going right that the voices were in the opposite direction.

Riku had better appreciate all the trouble Cloud was going to for him, he thought as he descended the steps into the basement. He passed through the computer room. It was just as Mickey described. He was thankful for small fortunes that the king gave better directions than Leon when he saw the portal.

Cloud took a deep breath. It was now or never. He stepped through.

King Mickey made it sound easier than it really was. Follow the light. Hah. He was in a corridor of darkness and the stench that poured from the World that Never Was was highly potent—darker than anything he'd smelled before. He didn't know how Riku did this so often—the place was devoid of light. His awareness of Sephiroth stirring was more powerful than ever before. How hadn't Riku lost his heart traveling this way? How hadn't Ansem seized him sooner?

Cloud was starting to get impatient. It felt like years walking through these passages, working his way toward the smell that was just a little less dark than the air around it. He fought off Heartless and Nobodies as his feet carried him. Cloud made a mental note to build Riku a Gummi ship. This was no way to travel.

When he emerged from the passage, there was hardly a difference. The world was black. Heartless teemed all over the place like the Dark Depths back in Hollow Bastion. Neon lights shined down upon him, but their light seemed dim, swallowed by the heavy, consuming air. He was now faced with two more challenges. The first was to find Riku. The second was to make his way through all these Heartless without getting his ass toasted.

Riku had really better appreciate all the trouble Cloud was going to for him.

He worked his way through the city. It seemed like an eternity rooted in one spot fighting off the Heartless until he could move to the next and the Heartless would attack again. He pitied poor Riku in this world. The Heartless were more drawn to the Keyblade, and Cloud wasn't even a Keyblade master. Riku's Way to the Dawn must have gotten one hell of a workout around here.

After what felt like hours, he took another weary swing at a Shadow when the rustle of fabric caught his attention, and the cling of a Keyblade cut through the air. Cloud whipped around to face a hooded figure. In his hands were two Keyblades. He resisted the urge to run like hell.

"Who are you?" said the boy. "You aren't a Heartless, and you aren't a Nobody. You don't belong here."

Cloud stared.

"I'm . . . I'm looking for someone. Riku . . ."

The boy snorted.

"That fool? He's probably hiding somewhere, crying for his mommy."

"You're Roxas, aren't you?"

The boy paused. He drew both Keyblades.

"Look, I don't know who you are, but you better get out of here. You don't belong in this world. I don't know where Riku is, but . . ." He brandished his Keyblade in the direction of a nearby alley. "He ran off in that direction. When you find him, you better get him out of here, too. He won't succeed in his little mission, and I don't have time for his stories."

The venom that dripped from his words caught Cloud off-guard. He took a step back.

"Riku already found you . . ."

"Yeah, and he'd lucky I let him live."

The boy—Roxas—turned and walked away. Cloud's brain hadn't caught up fast enough to say anything before he disappeared from sight. And then it all sank in very fast.

That was Roxas. Riku had already fought him, and Roxas was . . . and he said . . . which meant that . . .

Cloud blinked. His legs felt numb as he walked into the alley, his mouth agape. He paused and stared ahead. The alleyway was short. Cloud closed his mouth, bit his lip, and pulled the phone from his pocket. He dialed Riku's number and waited. The ringing reached his ears within seconds, and as suspected, Riku did not answer the call. Cloud pressed redial, waited, and moved closer to the sound. The third time he called, Riku answered, and his voice sounded in both ears.

"Hey . . ." said Riku. "Sorry, I was . . ."

Riku sighed. Cloud's footsteps were soft as he pushed open the door. He caught sight of Riku's back for a second before he whipped around, Keyblade brandished. The phone fell from his hands.

"What the . . ." said Cloud.

Instead of staring into aquamarine, Riku's eyes were bloodshot orange.

I finished this chapter, reread, sat back, stared in awe, and went, "Yes. That is just fantastic."

So, hey. At least I like it, right?

Don't fear. The next chapter is Riku's, after all, and you will get to see what happened between the time he talked to DiZ and now, which includes the alluded first encounter against Roxas. No, I didn't cut it out. Next chapter.

Review replies:

koyuki-san: Ah, yes. Cloud has just seen Riku again. And I think Riku will not be too happy about it, don't you? Yes, Riku means a lot to Leon and entire Snarky Gang. So what did you think of our brief encounter with Roxas? I was a little nervous about writing him since so many people adore him, but I'm rather pleased with myself.

Beatrisu::snickers at the spork cannon:: I don't know if it's weird that I sent Cloud after Riku. I had planned on it ever since this story became a Cloud/Riku, and I've been dying to get to this story arc, but it seems like a lot of people expected them to be apart for some time once this shit started. Not to say they won't be apart soon for quite some time, but . . . hm. I'm looking forward to Chapter 46. That's all I'll say right now. takes a moment of silence to appreciate Leon's sex appeal All right. I'm better now.

Lady Karai: Ah, KHII. Riku has so few appearances in that one, and they are so far in-between. And random. Like the photo and the ice cream bar after the thousand heartless battle in Hollow Bastion. Which is also a part that Cloud makes an appearance in. I don't look forward to tracking Riku down through KHII, but it should be fun.

Jediempress: Why yes, I did put up two chapters just to show you up. Just kidding. No, but I really love your story, and your Sora has made me desperately want to get him back into mine. So I'm just trucking along. I did give you credit, though, for inspiring me to get my ass moving. I'm actually so happy I've inspired other people to write stories for this coupling. I had hoped it would happen because I spent so much time trying to find a Cloud/Riku story to read that wasn't a one-shot and actually got updated that I had to write it myself. And now that I can't read Sora/Riku anymore because he just belongs with Cloud in my demented head, the extra stories are staving off my drought (there's a C2 community now! and I didn't have to start it!). You couldn't imagine how many times I wish someone would just share my brain, take my ideas, and write them for me exactly the way I want them. It takes a lot of time and energy working on this story what with staying true to canon and all. I know I've already messed up so many times, and it really drives me crazy. The great thing about your stories is they aren't my ideas, but they are just the way I'd write them, and I love that so so much. There hasn't yet been any major plot twist that just makes me go, "Oh, that is just unnecessary," and makes me stop reading the story. ::sigh:: Happens to me so often, really. And about Final Fantasy VII: I forget to use the directional pad every time I turn it on, and it pisses me off for a while until I realize I'm an idiot. You aren't alone.

Soul Writer of Dark Truth: Good luck with your band. Have fun with FFVII. I really should finish my game one of these days.

ChibiFrubaGirl: Heh. Yeah, I work at Hersheypark. Not as fantastic as it sounds, I promise you. You will never find as miserable people as you will at an amusement park. Go figure. Yeah, actually, I really like my take on Leon, too. He's far friendlier toward Sora in the second game, more talkative, even a little playful with Aerith and the others at times, so I wanted to start bringing that out now, especially with the concern he shows for Sora, Donald, and Goofy after the thousand heartless battle. And, um, yeah. The blindfold is on it's way. And he will be facing his shit on his own. Just as soon as Cloud leaves, anyway. Hee.

-find.me.please-: I simply love this review. 'Look out Roxas, here comes Riku.' It prompted Cloud's thoughts about Roxas feeling Riku's wrath. T'was funny.

MordeMe: You're allowed to be happy no matter how long it's been since it's been posted. Cause it's my story and I say so. There's a little more Cloud/Riku time before he really faces shit on his own, but yeah, we're getting into KHII. And, yeah. ::smile:: Riku will be insanely jealous, and Cloud will be paid in full. Not that the teasing will end, but yeah. With interest, I think, because Riku has amazing abilities to make an ass out of himself.

Mangled Euphoria: I've only touched on Roxas a bit here, but I do hope you'll enjoy him. He'll be fun to write, because we all know he's got split personalities between Organization XIII Roxas and Twilight Town Roxas.

The Glass Slipper: 2342.81 miles is a lot. Very sad. I did send you a PM so I hope you got it. After reading your reviews I had to go back and reread the chapters. I hadn't thought it was that emotional or heartbreaking. Silly me. I forgot Riku's leaving scene in chapter 43. I even thought, "This is so very sad. It's wonderful," while I was writing it. Your comments always mean a lot to me as I adore your work so very much. I may not write a Leon/Sora, but I will be sure to put it in an upcoming short or something, because they are so fabulous together, too.

Big thank you to those who read and didn't review.

Let me know what you think. You can hate it. I won't mind. I'm sure I've heard worse in the past.