SAND Chapter 2:The Hapless King

AN: Sorry, this chapter is a little shorter than the last one. If you like it let me know! I would be thrilled to hear what everyone thinks! Now prepare for some more mystery and confusion! YAYYYY!

CLOUD

Cloud found himself sulking in one of the far corners of the elaborate throne room; one black booted foot tapping against the white tile. 'Click, click, click.' He wore the kingdoms colors tonight. Dark-blue tailcoat, grey shirt, and black pants perfectly straight and neat. Very much unlike his wild, spiky, blond hair. He stared through his bright blue eyes with an extreme sense of distaste. Notable figures, highly viewed dignitaries, and friends of the royal family filled the room before him.

He had been overwhelmed with their congratulations and best wishes most of the evening. Eventually he had to excuse himself and went on the hunt for wine. Three glasses later, still unsatisfied.

Music, and the smells of food and perfume hung heavily in the air. His father, most likely off entertaining the guests and being a considerably better host than Cloud was being at the time.

The party was held in Cloud's honor and he gave it his all to hiding his sense of sullenness. As in having slipped past the crowd and into said corner and away from the nagging denizens. Tomorrow was his coronation day and he would be replacing his father as the new king of Radiant Garden; Cloud being the oldest of three sons and next in line for the throne.

His father had come to him on his twentieth birthday announcing his withdraw from the throne and for Clouds immediate succession.

The King telling him, "You are still young and ruling this kingdom is never what you have wanted. I've known this ever since you were a child. Yet it is in your right to take my place as my first born. I wish you would see that you are more than capable of becoming a great King. I will be here, after all, to council alongside you."

Cloud could only agree and said nothing to argue the fact. His fate was sealed at his birth and there was no escaping it. He had always known this and spent most of his life preparing for the day he would be king.

His only real fear was that he would not be as great a king as his father was. The renowned 'King Ansem Strife of Radiant Garden' regarded for his wisdom, and strong yet kind heart. A title more than befitting his respectable father. Maybe there was the fear of marriage but he had the next year to figure out that problem. Maybe he just needed more wine.

He let out a groan, tilting his head backward in exasperation, as two individuals came striding toward his peaceful corner with cheerful faces.

"My noble Prince Strife." The first bowed, arm turned under him.

"Or should we say King Strife?" The second bowing and both snickering.

"You aren't making this any better!" He used each of his hands to smack his twin brothers over their heads, causing a man and woman standing close by to look at them all with prim faces.

The boys stood rubbing their heads. Cloud was three years older than the twins and a few inches taller, but they had the same blue eyes and untamable spiky blond hair that was inherited by all three Strife siblings. Ventus' hair, being a shade darker like their fathers, was the one thing that differentiated him from Roxas, other than their conflicting personalities. Roxas being capricious and wild, Ventus, on the other hand was more kind although a bit obnoxious at times. When together, they were a force to be reckoned with and constantly caused trouble. Cloud was without doubt the most well-mannered of the three.

"Ow! We're just joking around, sheesh!" Roxas said, still rubbing his sore head.

"It's not a joke," Cloud replied, crossing his arms and scowling at his younger brothers.

"Yeah yeah we know, but you're more worried of the underlying causes, no?" Ventus pointed an accusing finger at his older brother whilst smiling.

Roxas having found this the perfect time to chime in with, " Dad's going to make you get married soon you know."

Some things Cloud could handle, and right now his brothers weren't one of those things. Yes, his father had mentioned the importance of marriage to him time and time again, Cloud choosing to ignore it mostly. It wasn't on the top of his to-do list and completely hated the idea.

'You can't fall in love within a year.'

Cloud was terrible at relationships and he realized he would probably end up marrying some girl whom he did not love for the sake of joining two kingdoms.

Blue eyes narrowed at the twins, " So where exactly is Aqua at anyways?I was sure she was supposed to be keeping an eye on the two of you." The two looked at each-other with fearful expressions at the mention of her name, frantically turning their heads around the room.

"Uhh...we have to go!" Ventus grabbed his brother by the arm and dragged him through the crowd, not bothering to excuse themselves as they pushed through the crowd.

Ignoring his imminent doom, Cloud couldn't help but laugh for the first time that evening.

AQUA

The merciless, tall, and fierce woman-otherwise known as Aqua-had caught the two trying to exit the throne room unseen. Ventus practically cried at the sight of her as she stomped toward them looking rather irritated. Roxas just looking indifferent as she scolded them.

They stood down the corridor outside of the throne room, next to an open window in which Aqua leaned out ranting. Moonlight flooded over her, making her blue hair and eyes shine. She wore a black, sleeveless, corset top, black shorts with a blue skirt, and a Keyblade strapped to her side. Just as about stylish as a female in the Radiant Guard could possibly be.

She and her brother Terra came to Radiant Garden as teenagers, and having apprenticed under a master swordsman back in their home-land, decided to become candidates for the Radiant Guard. It was there they met Zack, who was Cloud's personal guard at the time. He put in good word for them and not soon after, both trained and joined the ranks despite their age. The twin princes were then put under their protection. Both quickly becoming friends with Zack and the three Strife brothers.

"Terra gets to lead the guard with Zack tonight and what do I get?I get stuck with the two of you-" she turned, pointing and narrowing her eyes at them,"who keep running off and doing- you know what?I don't even want to know!"

Aqua had been left alone with the trouble-making twins while her brother helped with the watch due to the increased security around the castle for Cloud's coronation ceremony. That and the kingdom was overflowing with nobility.

She'd have to explain to her brother later what the meaning of 'fair' was. The two were a handful.

"You really have to quit with this sneaking off you know. You're getting too old for it." She turned away from the window to stare at the boys.

"It's hard to do my job when you're gone every time I blink."

"Maybe you should do a better job then." Her eye twitched. Roxas really was a smart-ass.

"Or maybe I could go get Terra-" Ventus cut her off looking more horrified than he had when she caught them.

"No, no, no, we're okay! Sorry for sneaking off! Right Roxas?" His brother just grumbled, arms crossed, staring at the wall. Ventus elbowed him in his side making him jump.

"Yeah, sure. Sorry."

She had to admit she had a soft spot for them, and to an extent they were like her brothers too. Reprimanding them was part of her job, and while she was strict with them, Terra could be far worse when it came to discipline. Roxas never gave a care when he was in trouble, but Ventus always tried his best not to make Terra angry with him. Especially after the time Terra made him cry for sneaking off on his own, though her brother apologized to the young prince later, saying nothing but smiling and ruffling his blond spikes. Terra, didn't show his affection often, though she knew how much he cared for him, even for Roxas in whom he frequently went head to head in arguments with.

Over the past six years they had all become close but soon, like when Zack's duty to Cloud ended, she and Terra would join the guard on patrols. Ventus and Roxas would be eighteen in about a year and they would all see significantly less of each-other. Terra and Zack had been taking the boys to the training grounds lately(she assumed for this reason) showing them how to use a sword and how to defend themselves. Cloud being taught by Zack before the two parted ways.

The past two years Cloud was off being polished for King, and she knew how miserable he had become. They hardly saw him anymore and when they did he was considerably reserved and distant, his friendship with them all suffering more and more as the days went on.

She looked back out the window a little bit sad now, "Next year you guys will be on your own you know." At this both boys faces fell. The day drew closer, they all knew.

"Cloud doesn't want the throne." Ventus said suddenly, Aqua a little surprised. He walked to the window and stood next to her looking out at the night sky. She gave a few pats to his blond hair.

"No, I don't think he does, but he won't ever dishonor your father."

Roxas leaned against the stone wall to their left. "I feel a little mean for picking on him. He must've felt the same way."

Aqua gave him a reassuring smile."Cloud's going to be king tomorrow, if he can handle that, I think he can handle his little brothers picking on him." Roxas didn't reply, but leaned silently against the wall.

"I wish there was some way to make him even a little happy." Ventus said.

"Why don't we go see-" She didn't finish her sentence. The night sky erupted with brightness, spilling red and orange licks of light through the open window, filling the dim corridor. Roxas rushed to the window where the two stood stunned.

A fire burned strongly at the gates.

'How did it spread so quickly?'

Shouting from the courtyard below traveled to their window.

'Unless...'

The metal gates to the castle flew open and through the fire came dark-cloaked figures wearing hoods that hid their faces and evil-looking blades in hand. There had to be over one-hundred of them.

A look of terror and confusion passed over her face as the guards and the macabre figures started clashing swords far below. Roxas and Ventus beside her apparently just as confused.

'But how did they manage to breach both the city and castle defenses so easily?'

It couldn't have been that easy going through the three levels of defense and the hundreds in the guard. There was never a warning of the first of the gates being breached meaning they moved fast. Her instincts were what finally told her to move. She came away from the window, face serious, and drew her keyblade.

"We have to hurry and find Cloud and the King!" Ventus didn't move.

"But Terra and Zack are down there!" Ventus cried, hands gripping the stone windowsill, knuckles turning white.

She pulled Ventus away from the window and turned him to face her, her hand on his shoulder.

"Ventus, they are going to be alright. We know how strong they are. Right now its imperative that we find Cloud and your father and get you all to safety. Understand?" He nodded though still shaken by the events unfolding.

"Roxas come on, both of you stay close to me and listen to every single word I say!"

LEON

Leon wasn't too happy when people woke him up with nonsense and now was one of those times. It was hard enough trying to get even a few hours sleep.

'Shit dreams.'

It was mid-day; the sun at it's hottest was beating down on him as he strolled along the deck of his Tri-Sailor. Then, when wasn't it when you were in the middle of the desert?He was in an extremely foul mood. The leather straps that held his gunblade in place becoming hot and burning his bare chest; the metal of the blade radiating heat onto his back. His favorite tight, black, pants didn't agree with the heat of the sun either. Those were more far more favorable at night when the desert became cold, but he still found himself wearing them day or night.

Below deck was nice and cool, it had to be to kept so, for the engine and mechanics of the ship to run smoothly. Right now, that's where he'd prefer to be. Sleeping in his comfortable quarters, alone, and no one bothering him.

They had been in the middle of the Sea of Sand for over a week on a looting spree. He was on the verge of becoming nocturnal and would lead their foray almost always when the sun set. Stealing from merchants, bandits, anyone they would come across, though would stay his blade from the innocent. He didn't need his mother and father scolding him in the afterlife. Besides, his mission wasn't to kill anyone, his motives ran a lot deeper than what was shown on the surface. Just the way he had wanted it to be, needed it to be, and the way they had planned it to be.

Leon had become quite infamous these past years but he didn't have a liking of bandits other than his own companions of Desolo. As hypocritical as it seemed it was true. Unruly as they could sometimes be, any member of Desolo was under his leadership and no one would dare go against his command when one was given. That and Yuffie would also put them in their place if they forgot why they were out here in the first place.

'One day we won't have to do this.'

As he walked along, he looked off the starboard side of the ship. Mountains of white sand rolling with waves of heat. Yes, they would be leaving the desert very soon. Yearning for the Atlantician Coast and skies began to grow as each day passed and it was about time they left this hell for a while.

He almost had forgotten about Yuffie who had followed behind him onto the deck. She had seen him staring off at the sand, probably knowing what he was thinking because she said, "We should leave soon, I know you hate being out here for too long. Rinoa and the guys expect us back at base anyways." Rinoa would find him, murder him and then murder him again, if he didn't go back first. It was his duty after all. But the ocean seemed so nice right now.

"Fuck. I need a break Yuffie." His sister walked a few paces behind him, he didn't bother turning to talk to her.

"You'll get one soon 've been out here for so long already, why give up now."

"Exactly my point." He did turn to his sister at this blue eyes staring at dark brown ones, as they walked to the group that had formed at the bow of the ship. Marluxia with his ridiculous pink hair stood at the back of the group with Dilan behind him, Dilan was always near him. Leon walked up to them.

"Leon, I'm surprised you managed to make it up here."

"I'm delighted." He pat the pink haired mans shoulder only to have Dilan stare at him with his dark eyes, grip tightening on the spear in his hand. 'Overprotective prick'

He couldn't see past his crew members huddled in a tight circle. No one else heard him arrive.

"So why exactly did no one discourage Sora to bring this person onto my ship?" It was more of a demand for an answer than a question being asked.

It was Yuffie who had replied, "I think he may be important Leon." She stood beside him in her ninja-esque appearance, hands behind her back, rocking on the balls of her feet.

"How so?" Marluxia and his sister glanced at the crowd and then each-other. He was obviously missing something.

"Out of the way fuckers!" Everyone turned at this, scrambling back and out of the way. Sora was kneeling next to the body on the ground. Leon walked closer, face emotionless like he liked to keep it, and staring daggers at Sora.

He looked at the injured body on the ground. Sora had placed the mans blue tail-coat beneath his head. His grey shirt was torn and bloody, black pants and boots dirty, and chest rising slowly. There were bruises on his face and arms, blood crusted and dried in his blond hair. He saw why they all thought he was important. He was definitely someone of nobility.

"Leon I know you're mad but I couldn't just leave him. He would have died, or is still dying! He looks...important."

Sora waited for an answer. Leon still said nothing, just looking over the blond as his chest rose with slow, ragged, breathing.

Blue eyes opened slowly to look at him. He didn't think it was possible for someone's eyes to be more blue than Sora's. He blinked. Once, twice, three times. The blond sat up so quickly that it scared Sora, making him fall backwards onto his butt with a 'thump.' He looked around at the ship and the crew. Scanning over all of them, stopping at Leon.

"Wh-who the hell are you?" His voice was shaky.

"Who are you? You are on my ship after all."

"Ki-Prince Cloud Strife of Radiant Garden." Murmurs echoed throughout the group. He looked around nervously. "And if you don't mind I'll be going to find my brothers." He scrambled to his feet, taking only a few steps before falling forward. Leon reached his arm out as he noticed the blond begin to fall, catching him against his chest. He slumped helplessly against Leon's body, unconscious and fresh blood seeping into his grey shirt. The blond was light for being only a few inches shorter than himself, his blond hair soft against his bare chest.

All surprised eyes were on him.

"Get to your posts!We make ascent in fifteen minutes." The group disbanded quickly at his order, rushing to prepare the ship.

"Marluxia, Dilan!Take him below deck. Patch him up so he won't die before Aerith can look at him." He held the prince out with his arms, as the two grabbed hold of his arms and waist, taking him slowly toward the ramp that led below deck.

'What the hell am I doing?' He shook his head, long brown spikes swishing along as he dragged his feet to the helm of the ship, he didn't bother going to put a shirt on.

"Douse the sails!" He shouted at his crew, not soon later the two giant steel-woven sails flew down the masts, glinting as the sun hit them.

Yuffie and Sora stood waiting at the control panel next to the wheel of the ship.

"Boost the engines." They both flipped an array of switches. The engine came to life with a 'thumm' and a purplish hue emitted from below the stern of the ship. It began to slowly raise off of the ground where it had been positioned for the past day. Sand cascaded down the wooden and silver metal siding of the ship like a waterfall.

He clenched the wheel tightly, "Rinoa is going to kill me."