A/n: holy crap! I'm back! I am so sorry for not updating this. My brother took my Dissidia game to new york for a year and I lost the urge to write this story. But! I have it back now. So, I'm gonna try updating this again. Hope you guys are still interested. A short chapter to get back into things.

Chapter 6

A short figure crouched atop a crumbling pillar in an ancient, decrepit church. He watched shafts of moonlight seep through filthy stained-glass windows. Gloved fingers gripped the smooth marble of the pillar and balanced him on top as he watched around the entire church from his vantage point.

He huffed softly, blowing golden bangs out of his eyes. His gaze drifted down to the floor, two dark-haired teenage girls rested below the pillar. One slept and the other watched over her. Their guardian on the pillar sighed and flicked his tail.

"How is she?" He asked softly, not wanting to wake the sleeping girl.

"Sad… but, she has gotten through to him." The younger of the two girls said softly.

"Good. Squall's in danger… Her link to him may be our only way to get to him and his team." The boy frowned softly, "And through them, maybe we'll find Vivi…" He gritted his teeth and stood up, quickly jumping off the twelve-foot pillar. He did a flip half way down and used his tail to help him land on his feet. He walked up to the girls, gently stroking the cheek of the awake girl. She smiled at him and leaned into his touch.

"Can we really help everyone?"

"We can try, Princess, we can try…"

~KH~

Cloud surveyed the party from a corner of the room. Yuffie played games with the Island children while Tira and Aerith talked with Cid. The restoration team were keeping their feelings about Leon hidden well but Cloud could still see them hidden in the eyes of his family. They were frightened in their own way and were doing their best to deal with it.

Cloud sighed, frustrated with the whole situation. He tiredly closed his eyes and turned from the group of friends. He silently slipped from the room and was suddenly pulled aside. He looked up to see Cid grip his sleeve. The older blond frowned and dragged him outside.

"I know yer lyin' about Leon, kid. What's really going on?" He grumbled quietly as he lit a cigarette, tired of chewing on toothpicks. Cloud blinked and shrugged off his grip gently, shaking his head.

"There was an incident at the work site. Leon was attacked and severely injured, we were unsure if he'd make it." Cid's eyes widened slightly as the words left Cloud.

"Is he gonna be alright?"

"We believe so. The girls have done everything they could for him." Cloud crossed his arms, "He needs to rest and heal. It'll take time."

~KH~

The party had passed pleasantly. Yuffie had received many lovely gifts from her friends and everyone had tired themselves out. All the guests had ended up falling asleep at Merlin's house, leaving Yuffie the only party-goer left awake.

She hummed softly as she sadly cut a small slice of cake. She held the plate of cake close as she grabbed a fork out of the drawer. She nibbled her lip gently as she stealthily slipped through the living room and up the hall. She walked up to Leon's room and silently slipped inside.

"Squeeon, you awake?" Yuffie called softly, using her private nickname for him. She closed the door behind herself and started towards the bed.

"What do you want, Yuffie?" Her friend tried to sound grumpy but only came across as sounding tired. The sound made Yuffie frown as she sat on the edge of the bed, petting his blanket-covered hip with a hand.

"I thought you might be hungry… I brought you some pasta and cake." She nibbled her lip and placed the plate on the nightstand. She wanted to ask how he was feeling but knew that would upset him.

"The party was fun. But it wasn't as fun with you." She commented, trying to act casual. She pouted slightly wrapping her fingers in the tattered red cape she was wearing, "… or him…" She sighed and looked away, this made Leon peak out from under his blanket at her.

"You know, it's been two years since we lost Vinny… I-I feel so lonely without him." She weakly took his hand, "D-do you know what I mean, Squeeon…?" She waited, not expecting an answer. She was shocked when he whispered to her.

"Yes, Yuffie, I do…"

~~~A/N: yes, I am a Yuffietine shipper but you don't have to see it as that. you can see it as a really close friendship.