Here it is! The end of this long journey! Hope you all enjoy this last chapter!!
See you around everyone!!
Review and tell me what you think, ne?
love ya!
Lighting the Darkness
Cloud sighed as he looked out the window. They had been home for a week now, and still no sign of Leon. They hadn't seen Quistis and the other angels since they left Twilight Town.
The Organization was also quiet, keeping away from them. The only ones staying around were Demyx, Axel and Xehanort.
Sephiroth came around because Xehanort came around. They were inseparable, and Cloud was happy for the two. Sephiroth was lightening up, so it was good.
Demyx and Axel stayed around in their physical forms most of the day, helping around the house and working. It was fun to see them, fight and tease each other.
Sora, Riku and Kairi were still there. They had to go back home, but they kept saying they needed a vacation. Cloud knew they did not want to go without seeing Leon first.
Kairi and Namine were like twins, finishing their sentences for each other and knowing what the other was thinking. Cloud guessed the boys were the same, except being boys, they really did not show it. Riku of course was happy with his two boys, Roxas and Sora. Cloud was not sure how that relationship worked out, but it was. As long as they knew what they were doing, it was fine by him.
Vincent and Cid were not a dovey lovey couple, but one could tell. They stood very close to each other, and here and there were some touches of comfort. Vincent was more talkative and open, all cause of Cid, Cloud was sure. Cid was also a bit more serene and calm. They were perfect for each other, they balanced each other. Cid was like the day and Vincent was the night. Cloud was being poetic, how wonderful.
Aerith, Tifa and Yuffie were single. Actually, Tifa and Aerith seemed pretty close, but it was their business. They probably were taking it slow. Yuffie, he knew, had problems with people letting her have a boyfriend. Cid and Vincent always protected Yuffie in that aspect.
Cloud sighed as he looked out the window. The birds were chirping happily, flying around. He hated those birds.
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It had been two weeks now, and still Cloud was no closer to finding Leon. He turned over to his side and stared out that window. He'd done a lot of starring out windows lately. He couldn't help but sigh and turn on to his back. He hadn't been getting a lot of sleep lately.
…..
…..
…….
"Hey, my boy. I finally get to meet you."
Cloud whirled around and found himself looking into playful emerald eyes.
"What the?!" Cloud took a step back.
"Well, you are a looker. My son sure knows how to pick'em."
Cloud frowned, looking at the man before him very closely. He had long raven hair and emerald eyes, with a very catchy smile.
"My name is Laguna, your father in law. My boy did not want me to meet you, but I couldn't resist!" Laguna smiled sheepishly. Cloud frowned, trying to process what Laguna had said.
"Where am I? And father in law?" Cloud's mind was reeling.
"Well, this is the library, somehow I always end up meeting people here. You are together with my baby boy, Squall, or Leon. Like every one says, a rose by any other name!" He chirped.
"You can't be his dad." Cloud looked at Laguna, puzzled.
"Yes, we get that a lot. Squall just a bit more serious, but it has to do with his mother dieing." Laguna sighed sadly.
"Okay, umm, so this is a dream or am I dead?" Cloud asked, still confused.
"A dream. You haven't found Squall yet, and so I decided to help!" Laguna smiled kindly.
"Okay……" Cloud nodded, still unsure if to believe him or not.
"Look, I know you don't believe me. Just, go to the ruins behind the Ansem Castle. There should be a rather small building. That is where he was born, before we moved into a bigger house." Laguna explained.
"So? He'll be there?" Cloud felt hope began to rise in him once again.
"He'll be there. Time for you to go wake him up." Laguna smiled, hugging Cloud before vanishing.
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Cloud woke up with a start. He looked out the window and noticed it was morning. He grinned, scrambling out of the bed. He needed to go and get Leon.
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"Cloud? Don't you find it weird that we are following what some guy told you in your dreams?" Cid grumbled, but he kept on walking.
"What happens if its not there?" Yuffie asked, afraid of getting her hopes up.
"Then we search somewhere else." Cloud stated.
"I don't think we'll have to." Sephiroth stopped and pointed over to the small building found behind the Ansem castle.
"It is there." Tifa grinned, feeling like maybe things were going to be okay.
"He's there. I just know it!" Cloud called out, rushing into the building.
……………..
"Well, this place sure is old." Sora muttered as they moved around, deeper into the building.
"I don't see him." Riku sighed, looking worriedly around the room.
Cloud kept on walking, deeper and deeper. He HAD to be there. Finally he made his way into the last room. His breath caught in his throat. There on the bed, laid Leon.
"Leon?" He whispered, afraid to break the silence. He slowly made his way over. He smiled as he looked down at his Leon, who had a soft smile on his lips.
"Can you hear me?" Cloud asked softly, reaching over to caress Leon's cheek. He bent down and pressed his lips to Leon's. He sat back and looked at Leon, hopefully.
"Normally the princess wakes up with the Prince's kiss." Cloud muttered brokenly.
"Did you just call me a girl? Do I look like a girl?"
Cloud looked at Leon, eyes wide with shock. Leon's eyes were barely open.
"Leon?" He choked out, hands shaking as he reached to touch Leon's cheek.
"Yeah. I'm sleepy." Leon muttered, smiling softly before falling back to sleep. Cloud couldn't stop himself; he began laughing as he took Leon's hand in his.
"Hey, what are you…." Sora trailed off when he saw who was lying down.
"Leon!" He cried out happily. This caused every one else to rush in.
"Shh, he's sleeping." Cloud told them.
"Sleeping?" Kairi frowned. Cloud nodded and stood up and back, allowing them to see Leon's rising chest.
"Thank God." Namine smiled in relief.
Cloud walked over and picked Leon up.
"Let's go home." Cloud smiled, brightly.
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Leon sighed in relief, arching up on the bed, stretching his back. He moved his head to the side and took a deep breath. He looked out the window and smiled.
"Hey, finally awake." Cloud leaned on the door way.
"I feel well rested." Leon grinned in return. He felt better than he ever had, and it was amazing.
"You should, you've been sleeping for a whole month!" Cloud shook his head, but he was grinning.
"Hmm, I'm hungry!" Leon looked imploringly at Cloud. Cloud rolled his eyes but went off and came back with food for Leon.
"Thank you so much." Leon smiled, sitting up and taking the tray from Cloud. Cloud just sat next to him, watching him eat.
"I thought I had lost you." Cloud muttered after a while. This caused Leon to stop eating and look at him.
"I'm sorry. I'm here, though." Leon smiled comfortingly, reaching over and kissing Cloud on the cheek.
"I know, and I'm glad. You have no idea how glad." Cloud smiled, just enjoying seeing Leon eat.
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"Leon! You need to be resting!" Cloud rolled his eyes as Leon helped him fix the water pipes.
"I'm fine, I've been resting for three months now! I'm bored!" Leon sulked. Cloud shook his head but allowed Leon to help. He enjoyed having Leon with him.
Things were back to how they use to be, except better. Cloud smiled as he watched Leon tighten the pipes. Leon looked up and noticed Cloud staring at him. To Cloud's pleasure, Leon's cheek flushed and a shy smile played on his lips.
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Seifer sneaked up behind Quistis.
"What are you doing?" Quistis smiled and leaned back into Seifer's firm chest.
"Just checking up on them." Quistis motioned down to Leon and Cloud.
"How are they doing?" Seifer asked, nuzzling Quistis' neck.
"They are going to be fine." Quistis smiled, turning around and kissing Seifer.
"Well, my Queen, we survived the war." Seifer grinned.
"Thanks to my Knight in shining armor." Quistis smiled, resting her head on Seifer's shoulder and just enjoying being with him.
……………………….
"Irvy! You said you were going to teach me!" Selphie pouted. Irvine laughed and took her hand.
"It is not that hard, Selphie." Irvine stood behind her and raised her arms up. He summoned his shotgun and taught Selphie how to hold it.
"Be careful, don't mistreat my gun."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Selphie teased.
"Focus, now. Look straight at the target and gently pull the trigger. Be careful because sometimes it jumps." Irvine warned, helping Selphie aimed. Selphie jumped just as the gun jumped.
"Told ya." Irvine grinned, resting his head on Selphie's shoulder, his arms going around her waist.
"We are back together Irvy." Selphie relaxed.
"I know." Irvine smiled.
……………………………
"Rinoa!" Zell whined as he chased Angelo around.
"Come on Zell, she is just a dog." Rinoa teased him. Zell stopped to catch his breath and glare at her.
"Come on!" He whined, pouting.
"Fine, just don't look at me like that." Rinoa gave in, taking the gloves from Angelo's mouth.
"Here you go." Rinoa grinned placing the gloves in Zell's hand.
"Ewww, saliva!" Zell poked the gloves in his hand. Rinoa laughed, lacing her arm with his.
"You are one of a kind, you know that?" Rinoa smiled at him.
"I know." Zell grinned back as they walked off, Angelo at their heels.
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Xigbar cocked his head to the side as he looked down at his book.
"Hey? How's the book going?" Xaldin asked, looking over Xigbar's shoulder.
"Bad." Xigbar sighed, closing it and pushing it away.
"Can I read it?" Xaldin asked.
"Not until I am done, you know the deal." Xigbar smirked.
"Hmm, how about if I make dinner?" Xaldin asked, hopefully.
"You do remember we do not need to eat, right?" Xigbar reminded him.
"I was going more for the sentiment than the actual food." Xaldin chuckled.
"Fine, you make a romantic dinner and I'll let you see it." Xigbar laughed.
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"Marluxia, I can't find that stupid book!" Larxene huffed as she searched through the piles on the table.
"Oh? Which one are you looking for?" Marluxia asked, looking up from his own pile of books. They were being punished by putting the books in order, but it wasn't much of a punishment.
"The Platinum Era or something like that." Larxene grumbled.
"Or something like that?" Marluxia chuckled, but looked through his pile.
"Is it this one?" Marluxia held the book up.
"Yes!" Larxene grinned, snatching the book up and kissing Marluxia.
"Thank you!"
Marluxia shook his head, before resuming his work.
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Luxord smirked as he looked down at his cards.
"How did I get roped into this?" Lexaeus grinned ruefully as he looked down at his own cards.
"We should be working." Vexen pointed out, looking down at his hand.
"Work? We are working!" Luxord grinned.
"I see no point to this, we have no money to spend anyhow." Vexen hissed.
"We don't have to play, I guess." Luxord sighed, putting his cards down. Lexaeus shot Vexen a look.
"Don't be stupid Luxord, what else are we going to do." Vexen grumbled.
"Besides, I may end up winning this time." Lexaeus grinned, hopefully.
Luxord looked at them, hesitantly.
"Come on Luxord, let's play." Vexen smiled. Luxord grinned and picked his cards back up.
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"Zexion, do you ever get tired of so many books?" Saix asked, a bit of curiosity in his voice. Zexion looked up and looked at Saix, thoughtfully.
"No, actually, I don't." Zexion answered after a few minutes.
"Do they every bored you?" Saix asked, looking at the books curiously.
"Sometimes, to tell you the truth." Zexion answered after thinking about it.
"What do you do when they do bore you?" Saix asked, clearly surprised that Zexion would get bored from all the books.
"I hang out with you." Zexion smiled softly. Saix looked at him, surprised, before allowing himself to smile.
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Demyx sighed as he looked down at the music sheet. He was hoping to write a song, just like how he use to. Nothing was coming to him.
"What is my musician doing?" Axel grinned, plopping down next to him.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing." Demyx groaned, smashing the music sheet into a ball and throwing it over the bed.
"I have no inspiration!" Demyx whined.
"Maybe I can help you with that." Axel grinned playfully.
"Maybe." Demyx smiled, pulling Axel down into a kiss.
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Yuffie looked down at her letters. Tifa frowned as she looked at the board.
"Okay, I clearly think we three suck at this." Yuffie huffed as she looked at the ten words that had been place in halve an hour.
"No, we just don't have good letters." Tifa grumbled.
"Well, maybe Scrabble is just not for us." Aerith giggled.
"Maybe, Monopoly?" Yuffie looked through the board games they had.
"I say we play Charades! Sounds fun!" Yuffie grinned, bringing the box up. Aerith and Tifa looked at each other, before smiling and nodding.
"It's better than Scrabble." Aerith grinned.
…………………..
"Wishing you could fly, Highwind?" Vincent muttered, wrapping his arms around Cid's waist.
"No, actually. I'm happy here." Cid answered, sincerely.
"Good." Cid could feel Vincent's smile, even if he couldn't see him.
"I'm glad you are here." Cid placed his hands over Vincent's.
"Me too, Cid. Me too." Vincent turned Cid around in his arms.
"You are just like I remember you." Vincent smiled softly.
"Old?" Cid raised an eyebrow.
"No, beautiful." Vincent whispered, kissing him gently.
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"I told you he was straight." Kairi said smugly. Namine laughed at the indignant sound Riku made. Namine looked down and smiled at Kairi, who smiled back at her. Namine ran her hand through Kairi's hair. Kairi was laying on the love seat, her legs over the arm rest and her head on Namine's lap.
"Whatever, he's straight! So what?!" Riku huffed, before breaking into a smile when Roxas ran his hand through his hair.
"Does it matter, really? Can we just watch the movie?" Sora rolled his eyes, enjoying Roxas' petting.
"I agree, let's just watch the movie." Namine spoke up.
"He/She started it!" Kairi and Riku chorused.
"Shush!" Roxas muttered as he raised the volume of the TV.
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Sephiroth looked out at Radiant Garden.
"You love heights don't you?" Xehanort smiled as he sat next to him on the edge of the Bailey.
"Not really, it is just a beautiful sight." Sephiroth motioned to what was indeed a magnificent sight.
"Every thing is back to normal. Cloud is not revenge bent anymore." Xehanort looked at Sephiroth.
"So? Good for him." Sephiroth shrugged.
"What are you going to do now?" Xehanort asked, curiously.
"Nothing, doesn't really matter as long as you are around." Sephiroth shrugged. Xehanort smiled and nodded.
"Well, you don't have to worry because I'll always be around." Xehanort responded, lacing his hand with Sephiroth's. Nothing else was needed to be said.
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Leon sighed as he looked out the window.
"You know, I spent most of my time looking out that window." Cloud muttered as he walked up behind Leon.
"My father, he says you are a good catch." Leon smiled and turned his head to look at Cloud. Cloud flushed, embarrassed.
"That's nice." Cloud was flustered.
"Cloud Strife, flustered? That's new!" Leon teased. Cloud scoffed, but he couldn't fight his smile down. He reached up and ran his hand through Leon's hair.
"I'm not going away, Cloud." Leon reached up and laced his hand with Cloud's.
"I know…..it's just…" Cloud shuddered.
"You were in my arms….and were so cold….so still…." Cloud muttered.
"But I'm here now." Leon hugged Cloud.
"You know what hurt me the most?" Cloud asked, after a few minutes of silence.
"What?" Leon frowned, pulling back to look at Cloud.
"I never got the chance to tell you." Cloud looked at Leon, guiltily.
"You don't have to, Cloud. I know." Leon smiled.
"But I-"
"I know, Cloud. I do to." Leon smiled, he started doing that a lot, lately and it felt good.
Cloud did the only think he could think of at that moment. He kissed Leon.
"The light." Cloud muttered.
"And the darkness." Leon smirked.
"Forever in balance."
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The END!!!
There you go, tell me what you think? Ne? thank you all for reading!!
see you all around!!