Chapter 3:

Glimpse of a Connection

Surrounded in darkness again. Cloud's eyes were closed tight, oblivious to the things that were happening around him, save for the feeling of being carried in a pair of unfamiliar but warm arms. Incoherent noises all jumbled in a competition of which one was louder. Sound of voices shouting orders back and forth, speaking to him too, all from different people. His eyes open very briefly to look up at a blur of white that caused him to immediately close them again.

Darkness.

There was sharp pain on different parts of his body but he just felt too exhausted to do anything about the matter. He was laying on a bed, that much was clear to him despite the huge blank in his head which throbbed painfully. Added to the tormenting pain, a violent cold was assaulting him, goosebumps scattered across his body when he started to shiver.

'where…am….' an incomplete question whispered by a distant voice in his head

Cloud felt what he assumed was a blanket being pulled up by someone gently, to cover him up to his chest. The familiar presence was…comforting.

The door to the room clicked open and the shout of a familiar voice followed "What happened to him?!"

'Ro-Roxas?' before unconsciousness took him again he felt as another set of familiar voices spoke up and the familiar hands of his younger brother encircled around his.

That void was threatening to swallow him whole. Fear dug it's icy grip into his core. He saw the creatures again. They chased him relentlessly and he felt as if they sneered at him at how helpless he was. In the distance he saw Zack again. Cloud reached out for him and Zack shook his head furiously, frowning with deep hurt and concern…then Cloud was pulled under…deep into the unforgiving abyss…

'…darkness….Zack…Zack help…Don't leave'

The pain was incessant, his body started to shake, drenched in cold sweat with and uncomfortable pressure inside his chest. The young man heard himself moan and mumble intelligible words even for his own ears. He shook his head to one side. Paused. The to the other. Paused again to pant and frown in his sleep. He wanted those images out of his mind. Eyes fluttered open and fixated their fuzzy gaze at the ceiling as he felt his surroundings spin around him in a very nauseating manner.

In a blink, he saw the hazed figure of Leon, look down on him with a look of concentration. His heart started to beat faster at the sight of those icy optics. They were looking into him again and Cloud felt defenceless…naked and scared. Unexplained feelings that dissipated when the man's warm hands covered his ears and a pair of thumbs gently massaged his temples, while applying the gentlest of pressure. He saw the other man murmur something to him, but didn't have time to discern what it was: Even though the pain was still there, his body relaxed, and with a comforted sigh, his eyes closed and he felt himself drift away….

"Cloud" the name was spoken in a distant whisper

Cloud's closed eyelids twitched a little as the result of a failed attempt of opening them. He felt drained. Tired. Yet there was this warm feeling all around him chasing away the momentary cold and filling him with an odd sense of peace…whatever pain he had felt had was completely gone.

"Clooouddd" this time the voice sing-sang the name in a playful manner. Cloud kept his eyes closed, but furrowed his eyebrows while he slowly shook his head. That voice was starting to sound familiar…

"Boy, you sure have become a lazy bag of bones lately, haven't you…spike" the voice remarked playfully

'Spike…' his mind repeated, not taking it long before it made all the connections…There was only one person whom would wake him up like this on lazy days…only one person, that affectionately called him 'Spike'….only one person to whom that loving, warm, confident voice could belong to…

"Zack?" Cloud's eyes fluttered open, his vision was a bit hazy so he squinted them in an attempt to focus them

"Hey" Zack whispered kindly, looming over him. The ever warm smile made Cloud's heart leap…just like it always did, whilst reminding him just how much he missed seeing it. His vision returned to normal as his eyes widened in disbelief. Cloud slowly brought up his hand to cup Zack's cheek

"Is this another…dream?" Cloud whispered, his eyes watered and his heart beat hard against his chest.

"I'm not sure myself to be honest…all I know is that I heard you calling…next thing I know I'm here"

Zack cupped both of Cloud's cheeks and caressed them with his thumbs as they stared into eachother's eyes. Longing, need, desperation, joy…sadness; all invaded Cloud, prompting him to rapidly wrap his arms around Zack's neck and pull him down towards him into a strong embrace. Zack sighed into Cloud's shoulder while snaking one hand under Cloud's shoulders and the other cupped the back of Cloud's head

"I miss you…" Cloud sniffled "So…much…I…I" he sobbed, there were so many things he wanted to say, too much for his mind to process. Furrowing his eyebrows, Cloud settled with placing a kiss on the crook of Zack's neck.

"Sshh…I know…And I miss you…" Zack pulled himself up from the embrace to capture Cloud's lips in a loving, passionate kiss, both softly ran their hands through eachother's hairs.

So many questions rushed through Cloud's mind, so many emotions plagued him…but he ignored it all…dream or not, he couldn't care less, he just wanted to relish in the moment. Zack was there…as he always had been… Zack parted from Cloud's lips and rested their foreheads together, staying like that for a while just enjoying eachother's presence. Then Zack pulled himself up and smiled sadly at Cloud.

"Spike…I love you…."

Somehow Cloud knew what that smile meant, his chest constricted, dread swarmed Cloud's heart, the feeling made him feel sick, as he felt the world crashing down on him again.

"No…please Zack…please…don't leave…" tears were starting to fall again but Zack was quick to wipe them away, he planted a kiss on Cloud's forehead, prompting both of them to close their eyes. Zack cupped both sides of Cloud's head and they looked deeply into eachother's eyes again.

"Please don't be sad anymore…Search for the light, Cloud…"

"You are my light Zack" he clung to Zack's shirt. Zack smiled kindly at him while shook his head.

"Mine will always be with you, but it can guide you no longer. You need a new one."

"How?... I don't want…" his answer trailed off, uncertainty flooded him

"Yes you do…don't be afraid Cloud. You are much stronger than what you give yourself credit for."

Cloud opened his mouth to counter, but Zack's hand gently covered it while shushing him. The older man then hovered his open hand down Cloud's face, the latter's eyes closing as the ghostly touch passed by.

"Listen….I think something's calling to you Cloud."

"What?"

Zack smiled sadly at him again as he cupped the sides of Cloud's head, massaging the temples. An action that was already seeming familiar to Cloud…

His head was throbbing hard with pain again. Yet the pair of hands didn't leave their initial position, still massaging his temples while a slight pressure was being applied. The throbbing on his head calmed down a little, leading to a relieved sigh.

"Zack?" Cloud mumbled with his eyes still closed, unknowingly burying his face further into the warm, soothing touch.

When he heard no answer, Cloud's eyes blinked open, squinting them to clear the haze that perturbed his focus. When the sleep induced haze cleared, his eyebrows creased in confusion, for a moment thinking that he was still dreaming or hallucinating. The man that was now retrieving his hands while still looking down at him, was definitely not Zack.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Strife" Leon said calmly, and what Cloud would have sworn was a hint of relief.

Cloud's sky blue pupils flickered as they searched the man before them as if confirming he was really there. Afterwards, they moved on to scan the room that surrounded them, eyebrows slowly etching confusion: A monitor to read his heart beat to his right. Cloud looked down and saw how both his arms had scattered purplish bruises on the patches of skin he could still see: His left forearm was bandaged while his right arm was enveloped in a cast, supported by a sling. His mind was having a fit; both processing information and trying to recall events. Confused, he looked at Leon whom had simply stood there, patiently waiting for Cloud to process his surroundings

"Wha-What are you… What happened?" Cloud finally spoke turning a groggy look to Leon, his voice was gravelly and raspy.

"It's ok Strife. You're in a hospital. You have been unconscious for almost two days now."

"TWO?!"

Leon calmly nodded to which Cloud responded by stammering and talking in one breath

"Bu-but I can't afford this! Wha-what 'bout Roxas? Where is he? Why are you here?"

The older man calmly raised his opened hands in front him in a gesture to placate "Calm down Strife. I'll explain"

As Leon looked at Cloud pointedly the latter took a deep breath, closed his eyes as he ran his good hand through ruffled spikes, then released the breath opening his eyes again and hand fell back on his lap. Cloud looked up at Leon and patiently waited for the man to begin to speak.

"Ok, so in order: Don't worry about the medical bills, we've all decided that we will help you with them."

Leon had barely finished his sentence when Cloud quickly countered "But why? you guys don't even know me…'cept for Cid"

"True that. But you're new in town, there's no else who can help you according to Cid. We don't mind giving you a hand. But we can all further discuss this when you're recovered. Ok?"

"…..Fine"

"May I proceed then?"

Cloud nodded.

"Ok. Second: Roxas is fine, he's been staying at your house but Cid's been keeping an eye on him. We knew that he would be the one you would trust so, you can be at ease on that account. And right now, Roxas is my younger brother, they went to the cafeteria and should be here shortly."

At least these people seemed reasonable enough to take both him and Roxas into consideration and mused that the brothers would not feel comfortable with the idea of people they just met parading into their home…still, he would ask Roxas just to make sure.

"Lastly, I'm here because I've been the one keeping an eye on you here…not only because of the things I mentioned before, but also because the creatures that attacked you not only harmed you physically…they had started to feed of your heart."

At that Cloud swallowed hard, he knew about the creatures. But then that made Cloud question "What…do you have anything to do with that?" he looked up with a soft questioning frown to Leon's face, though avoiding at all costs to look into the slaty eyes.

Just when Leon was about to answer, the door to the room opened and from it, Roxas emerged along with Sora.

"Pnudran, you're awake!" he exclaimed with relief making his way to the bed in a few quick steps. Sora uncertainly walked in leaning against the door after he had closed it, his arms tucked behind him. Roxas wanted to embrace his brother, but he was afraid of hurting Cloud in his injured state, so he resisted the urge.

"I've been worried sick, man" Roxas sighed running a hand through his own spiky hair proceeding to then sit down by Cloud's legs.

"I'm okay Rox…." Cloud replied with a detached tone, once again trying to brush off his younger brother's concern. For the moment Roxas did not let indifferent attitude get to him, he was happy to see that his older brother was well on the way to recovery. Hence why the teen simply sighed offering Cloud a small smile that Cloud looked away from, diverting his sigh towards the door where Sora was standing.

"Who's that?" the elder Strife asked casually

"That over there is my brother Sora." Leon said as he turned over gesturing with a soft jerk of the head for said teen to come over. Sora hesitated at first, before he sauntered over to stand at Leon's side and cleared his throat while putting his hands on his pockets. Leon took this as a sign that he could proceed.

"Hi…Mr. Strife."

Cloud winced as he tried to sit up a bit more straight on the bed, courteously the man lifted his good arm in a offer of greeting. "Cloud" he corrected casually.

Sora nodded faintly taking one of his hands out of his pockets accepting the offered hand shake "Cloud" he repeated to show that he understood, his more characteristic friendly smile and demeanor back in place.

"U're lucky Leon got there in time to save you" Roxas pointed out with unmasked relief on both the eyes that were so similar to that of his brother's and in his young tone.

"Save me?" the tone a soft baritone with bewilderment

"From the dark entities" Sora clarified cheerfully, the pride he felt for his brother evident.

"I…don't…." Cloud closed his eyes, furrowing his brows in concentration. He searched his thoughts for a moment and then vague flashes of memories started to pop up in his mind.

Him making his deliveries. When the creatures appeared out of nowhere to attack. He had tried to escape…then he got knocked off his bike….then the creatures cornered him. He was done for…or at least that's what he had thought…

'until….until….' he thought harder 'ice….magic….then someone….' he knew someone had come to his aid, he remembered the sword…the movements. Hadn't it been Zack? No. That was impossible. He felt a sting in his heart at the thought, but quickly managed to concentrate on the task at hand. Then it hit him; back then he had somehow confused the image of Zack with someone else. Someone, he had not expected to see…

Cloud opened his eyes in realization, to slowly lift his head and look up at Leon, Cloud's eyebrows knitting together as he did. The strange feelings, the creatures, the magic, the sword…How didn't he notice it before.

"You're a Heartinvoker" it was a clear statement spoken in a what sounded like a begrudging tone as he slowly looked up at his savior with a slight frown.

Leon narrowed his eyes and folded his arms over his chest with a casual expression, he was a little taken off-guard by then sudden mix of fear and anger that was in the younger man's heart. The Leonhart hoped that it didn't have anything to do with the fact of him being an Invoker. Even when Leon's intuition was telling him otherwise….

"Something the matter, Strife?" a bit of an air of challenge brewed between the two adult men. Sora exchanged a worried look with Roxas whom gulped nervously.

Then after an intense moment of silence Cloud spoke "…No."

The tenseness in the air diminished, the edge on Cloud's overall demeanor eased and Leon relaxed just a little. Sora let out a puff blowing some strands of his bangs before shooting a glance at his older brother while Roxas discretely cleared his throat as he rubbed the back of his neck. Another small awkward silence brewed none of them knowing how to break it until Leon spoke

"Well, I trust, you'll be alright now" the gunblader decided that there was really no point on getting angry at Cloud for his reaction. Perhaps the man was still shaken. And it was not like it was the first time someone reacted that way towards Leon for being an Invoker. The brunette was long used to it.

"Yea…I guess…" Cloud replied, dejectedly fiddling with his thumbs

Then the emotions shifted again, it threw Leon completely off. There was a lot of sorrow, anger and hurt hazing a heart that wished to be healed….but was being unheard in its plea. He was finding Cloud to be rather…difficult to read…enigmatic…perhaps even intriguing.

'Quite a cloud of strife indeed.' His mind couldn't help but remark at the irony of the name.

"Anyways, Cid said he would be here in a few. And Sora here wanted to see how you were doing" Leon gently ruffled the teen's hair.

"I just don't like seeing people getting attacked by those spirits" Sora remarked with a sheepish smile, to which Cloud nodded with a casual expression on his face.

"We better leave you to rest Strife. We'll be seeing you"

"See ya later Roxas! Hope you feel better soon Cloud!" both Leonharts headed towards the door and just before they could exit Cloud called out to them.

"Wait." The Leonhart brothers turned to look over their shoulders back at the Strifes.

Cloud was not exactly happy or comfortable with the idea of his new boss being an Heartinvoker. He had sworn up and down that he didn't want anything to do with Invokers, magic or any of that nonsense…not again…But the man had saved his life and by the looks of it had even made sure he was taken care of and offering much of his help...

"Thank you…for saving my life. Really..." Cloud added in a humble tone with his head bent down.

The gunblader blinked a few times, lips formed into a straight line as he looked at the pale man…the gratitude was genuine.

"No problem." and for reasons he couldn't place, Leon responded with a slight smile adorning his features. He had just simply felt like offering that small smile.

For a very brief moment, Cloud thought of Zack as he looked at that smile. Cloud looked down at his hands faintly nodding his head shortly after he heard the door gently close shut.

"Leon's a very nice guy!" Roxas sated happily looking from the closed door back to the injured man. Cloud was slightly hunched forward, half lidded sad eyes looking down at the bandages of his left arm; Cloud seemed out of it, Roxas knew his brother was dwelling in unsavory thoughts…How his pale eyebrows furrowed, features forming a subtle expression of pain had Roxas scooting a bit closer to Cloud.

"So…it seems…." Cloud responded, only the tiniest bit of pain was allowed to escape. Why did he thought of Zack? That bright smile…how much Cloud missed it. The dream he had had only made it worse.

How frightened Roxas had been when he had been when Cid had told him, Aerith, Yuffie and Sora about the incident. The adolescent scanned the damage done to Cloud's body…a fractured arm, a set of claw marks Roxas could envision from under the bandages…yet, the ones that really bothered him were the black bruises contrasting on white skin. Those bruises reminded Roxas of something, reminded him of many things in fact.

Himself cowering in a corner, tears running down hastily down his cheeks and the image of a younger Cloud stood in front of him protectively….

Roxas shook his head, he did not want those thoughts inside his head. Away they went, but only to be replaced by the idea of how close he came to losing Cloud…it reminded him of Zack's own death…

Roxas' chest twisted and he reached out to place a shaky hand on top of Cloud's left arm; it had been the best way for him to restrict the hug he wanted to give Cloud: The hurt of rejection and the desire to remain strong were a strong motivation. Yet….

"Cloud…." the youngest Strife spoke tentatively in a very low tone, almost a whisper, downcast eyes looking at the white sheets.

The soft call of his name snaps Cloud back into reality and the uncertain touch on his arm make him look at a crestfallen Roxas. Cloud was at a loss on how to react: what to say, what to do. Underneath the numbness a far away feeling was trying to push him into action. It was something he was familiar with…but he just couldn't bring himself to do it…there was nothing, yet, that thought caused an heaviness in him.

"It's alright Roxas."

But Roxas was not convinced, he knew better. However, discussing it would only bring discord between him and Cloud, for that reason Roxas retrieved his hand and looked away from Cloud to the floor.

"I know u said that u didn't want to know more about Heartinvokers, Cloud, but-"

"I'll deal with it" an immediate flat response "And I don't wanna talk more 'bout the subject"

Of course he wouldn't, Roxas was not really surprised there. If Cloud didn't want to talk about it then fine, he wouldn't push. Though at the very least, Roxas had hoped that his brother would have tried to listen to him instead…

Leon and Sora had headed to the Fountain Court, the young Leonhart enjoyed taking detours so he had asked his brother if they could stop for a little bit of fresh air. Leon wasn't much of a 'detour' kind of person, but it was nothing a couple of puppy eyed looks from Sora couldn't fix.

They sat on one of the benches eating the take out dinner they picked up on the way. The dusk air took the shape of mist and danced slowly, pleasantly cooling the previously warm afternoon air. Color changing lights put up a beautiful display on the falling waters: Purple, dark pink, green, blue and yellow. Some people walked leisurely around, others sat on the benches. Sora found it was a nice peaceful place, even though ever since they left the hospital, his mind had been jumping around one thing he had noticed between his brother and Cloud...

"So….big brother" Sora spoke as he finished swallowing some food. The way Sora had drawled his words let Leon know that he was up to something

"Yes, Sora?" Leon squinted his eyes while one eyebrow arched.

Sora smirked a bit then, tucking one leg under himself when he shifted in his spot on the bench to face Leon. He placed the take out box on his lap and asked "What do you think of Cloud?"

Leon stopped midway from bringing the fork into his mouth, directing his attention towards Sora, eyeing the younger brunette with an arched eyebrow.

"I've just known him for three days and he's been unconscious for two of them" a flat reply as the fork was placed down in the 'to go' box that was cradled on Leon's other hand. "Why the random question?"

"Hmm. I'm not sure but….your heart….it seems to…'quiet down' a little when he's around you" Sora squinted, tapping the fork on his teeth as he looked closer at his older brother.

"'Quiet down'? You mean as in his feelings don't impose themselves into me and I get overwhelmed, is that it?" Leon's words were more of an observation that he was already aware of rather than a question. Sora looked up to the sky pursing his and rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Well, yea…you know that doesn't happen often. Especially when not using this" at that last word Sora hooked his pointer finger around the silver chain around his neck causing the crown pendant to slide a little, producing a light clinking sound. Narrowed slate eyes darted down to the crown shaped pendant as it rode down the chain to one side of Sora's neck.

"We don't actively use that Sora…most of the time anyways. My powers have been decently under control." the adult looked from Sora's necklace to the fountain as he brought up his fork with food to his mouth.

Sora pulled his lips to the side, crossing his arms over his chest, each hand gripping the upper arms "Hmmm. You did seem a bit troubled -still do, a little- with Roxas tho."

"Yes, but it's not overwhelming me, like it should. I'm managing it and I think I'll be able to be normal around the kid" Leon shook his head dismissively, turning back to Sora's face.

Sora hummed lowly through firmly pressed lips, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the upper arms, the deep blue eyes looking slightly to the side.

"Ok Sor, what's your point?"

"Well….I'm sure you've seen it….felt it, more like it….but Cloud needs help…that attack only confirms it…" arms still crossed, Sora shrugged looking up at Leon with a concerned face.

"Again: Your point being?" the gunblader drawled the last word with just a twinge of annoyance in it.

"That you could help him big bro!" the younger Leonhart threw his arms to the side in just a bit of exasperation.

"Sora, I'm NOT going to invade into Strife's business-"

"But You saved him!" Sora exclaimed with a light frown

"So?"

"'So', my point is: You 'touched' his heart, didn't you? You've been absorbing some of the darkness in him during these last two days!"

"Just because I saved his life that ONE time, doesn't mean I'm now to become his 'guardian' if that's what you're thinking. Plus, I needed to absorb that negative energy from him, otherwise he'd still be unconscious and it would've taken very ill effects on his body" Leon closed his eyes with a stern look on his face taking a bite of his food a bit spitefully.

Sora narrowed his eyes, though his expression was more of a pout as his fists rested on his hips. Leon could feel his little brother's stare on him but before he spoke again, he calmly chewed on the food in his mouth: Thinking back at Cloud's reaction when he had pieced together that he was an Invoker.

"Plus…he didn't seem to be too comfortable with the idea of me being an Invoker"

"Maybe he was still scared…and there's more to it than just that…" Sora offered scratching his head, keeping his eyes on the older Leonhart.

"And how are you so sure? hm?" Leon challenged sceptically, raising both eyebrows.

"Bro, I'm an Invoker too remember? I can see what's going on in others' hearts…" Sora frowned a bit sadly, his tone trailing off a bit towards the end. Leon sighed and shook his head again.

"Leon, I think your heart is looking for something…..and you're just ignoring it."

"Alright Sora, 'all seeing eye' of people's hearts, what is that 'something' I'm supposedly ignoring?"

Sora closed his eyes and folded his arms again, his head lolled as he took a few moments to answer the question.

"I….I'm not really sure….but…I think that helping Cloud will help you find that answer."

Leon scoffed incredulously, repeating in a grumble under his breath the answer Sora had given him, looking away and taking another bite out of his food.

"Hey, I don't always have the answer! I'm only letting you know what your heart and my heart are saying! You may want to ignore it but it doesn't make it go away..."

"Whatever."

Both brothers fell silent for a little while, the sound of the cascading water from the fountains filling in the silence as they ate the last bits of their meal. Once done eating, Sora, out of the blue, while staring at his empty box mumbled

"I think you need a girlfriend…or boyfriend."

Leon huffed letting his head hang loose and shook it helplessly. "You know my….'issue' with that. I've given up on that sort of thing Sor."

"But you're only twenty-six! Surely you can still find SOMEONE"

A tired sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose "Sora, let's just drop it, ok?"

"Whatever" Sora threw his arms above his head and then put them behind his head, completely giving up on the argument.

"I thought that was MY line" Leon scoffed.

The two brothers enjoyed a few more moments of silence as they contemplated the fountains, each lost in their own thoughts. Sora's words for some reason kept resonating inside Leon's head. He couldn't deny that from the moment he met Cloud, there was something about that mourning soul that sparked his interest. But of course, Squall 'Leon' Leonhart has always been, a stubborn man.

A Heart's Passage:

What a strange man…

He's a Heartinvoker like I was.

Is it because of him that I was able to see you again?

I miss you, but please…

Don't be in such a hurry to be where I am…You are still needed…I know it.

Your heart hasn't really given up.

And…it can get pretty boring up here, trust me.

I want you to live, I want you to be happy again…

There are things that are simply beyond our control.

We have no option but to deal with them.

I just hope, that you can learn that before grief consumes you further…

A/N: By the gods this friggin' chapter...it was a PAIN to write, it went through SO many revamps and re-writes. Main reason for this is because I wanted to start establishing the connection between Leon and Cloud and ideas kept occurring to me, which then lead to my indecision. I just don't want to rush their relationship but I don't want to drag it on either...I would love to know what you guys think, as always, I'm open for suggestions. I would really appreciate the feedback to know what things I could improve an' I love listening to other people's ideas. Anyways, here's chapter 3, I hope you enjoy and excuse the long wait :)

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters here, they belong to Disney and Square. This is for entertainment purposes ONLY.