Chapter 42: Don't Ignore This

-April 17, 2009-

Elena's POV

It was early the next morning when we arrived at Traverse Town. Sylvia was a decent human being, not antagonizing anyone. She was almost vibrating when we stepped through the door. She glanced to her left past the café. I raised an eyebrow at her. She shrugged and hurried further ahead to a familiar face near the stairs.

The ninja smiled as the group approached, "Hey guys! Glad you're back! You might wanna go see Leon. He's in the underground cavern in the alleyway of the Second District. He's usually training down there! Doesn't have a fun bone in his body!"

Sylvia snickered, "Squall'll come around! You'll see!"

"Let's hope… so…" Everyone turned to the object of her horrified stare.

Cloud stiffened at the quiet whisper of his name. She smiled a soft smile, "…Glad to see you're alive and well."

"…You too." He nodded stiffly, "You too.

It was a tense silence before Sylvia took the initiative to lead the group to the second district alleyway. We were forced to swim through the small river and up to the rock bed Aerith and Leon resided.

You could feel the ice emanating from Cloud behind us, "Aerith…"

Aerith gasped and faced us, "C-Cloud…!"

The sword in Leon's hand slipped, falling with a splash a few feet away. He spun around to face us with the greatest look of shock I've ever seen. He whispered the blonde's name. It echoed loudly throughout the cave.

I felt like we were intruding. Discretely, I ushered the other boys to the side of the cave. Aerith, Leon, and Cloud stood still.

"…Squall… It's been awhile…" Cloud smiled weakly.

"…I-It's Leon now…" He mumbled.

"…You'll always be Squall to me." I almost didn't catch it, he was so quiet. By the look on Leon's face, he caught it.

Aerith gently put her hands to her chest, "Cloud… It's good to know you're safe…"

"You too, Aerith…" His smile fell.

Leon stiffened and began walking past Cloud. However, as soon he set one foot in the water, Cloud gripped his arm, "You can't possibly be ignoring what happened?"

"I think I have a right to ignore it. Not after everything." His eyes narrowed. The girls exchanged a look. Sylvia shoved a hand over Sora's mouth with a quiet hiss of warning.

"I've apologized so many times I've lost count. Please…" He whispered so quietly I almost missed it, "I love you…" Everyone gasped.

I blinked once and Cloud was on the ground holding his cheek with a pained expression. Leon dove into the water and swam away.

Everyone was silent inside the underground cavern. No movement. Sylvia couldn't take it anymore, "Did… Did we just witness a Cleon moment?"

Kassy smacked her arm only to be ignored. I ran over to Cloud with a frown, kneeling down next to him. I cautiously put a hand on his arm. He turned away, shrugging it off. I sighed, looking down at my hands in my lap.

Aerith smiled down sadly at Cloud, "Can we do anything for you, Cloud?"

"There's nothing you can do. Don't worry." He closed his eyes, pain twisting his features.

"…Alright, Cloud. We're here for you, though. Please know that." Her smile fell, eyebrows dipping in worry.

Sylvia grumbled under her breath, "God… Don't be such an ass to Aerith…"

My eyes flashed angrily up at her, "What the hell are you doing?!" I scrambled to my feet, shoving a finger roughly to her chest, "Did you actually not comprehending what just happened?!"

Rolling her eyes, she smacked my hand away, "Calm the fuck down, 'Lena. You and I both know I could have been a lot worse."

"That's not the point and you know it!" I yanked at my hair, "You're an idiot! Would you learn to be mindful of other peoples' feelings, you heartless bitch?!"

To my surprise, she laughed, "Heartless bitch... That's a good one..."

A felt a smile crawl onto my lips despite my anger, "Shut up! This isn't supposed to be funny!"

Cloud stood with a shake of his head, "I'm not needed here anymore and I'm not ready to face Squall right now. Come find me when we're ready to leave."

Donald shook his head, "We're actually going to stay the night and resume travel in the morning."

Aerith held out a bunch of keys, "Here. There are four rooms in the hotel, make yourselves at home."

Cloud took one of the keys with a small grateful smile, "Thank you…" He dove into the water and swam away.

Aerith frowned, turning to us, "You'll be okay right?"

Kassy's eyes widened, upset that she had been worrying her, "Of course, of course! We'll all be okay! Including him! You don't have to worry!"

"I believe you." She smiled with a nod, "You should find Cid. I think he wanted to see you."

Sylvia grinned immediately diving into the water and kicking away. The others soon followed. Sora and Hazel ran and canon balled into the water, swimming after Sylvia. Goofy and Kassy dove in after them. Donald and I calmly walked in, following close behind.

When we stepped out of the sewer that was cleaner than it should have been, Kassy tugged on my wrist with a large smile.

She motioned with her hand to my whole self. I looked down to see my clothes had changed to a navy neckless top with crossed over plum straps over my chest and off shoulder black short sleeves. Navy capris clothed my legs, a plum skirt draping down to mid-thigh with a large split up the left side, pinned by a black heart buckle. On my hands were fingerless gloves –the right in plum, the left in navy- to my elbows, black hearts placed at the top. A black choker wrapped around my neck with a navy heart resting in the middle.

After admiring for a minute or two, Sylvia led us through the courtyard and in through a stained glass window covered door. We found Leon in the front entryway, petting two adult Dalmatians, puppies scattered about the room.

I bit my lip, debating whether I wanted to go over to him or not. Sylvia, the bitch, decided to end my internal debate for me, shoving me towards him.

I managed to just avoid one of the puppies as I fell to my knees beside him. Kassy immediately dragged Sora to a different corner, cooing over a group of puppies.

Leon glanced up for a moment before continuing to pet the dogs. One of the puppies jumped onto my lap. I smiled, cooing over his cuteness.

After a few moments, he stood up, holding his hand out, pulling me to my feet. He turned to the group. Kassy and Sora hurried closer, puppies in hand, "So, you found the keyhole?"

Sora nodded, avoiding one of the puppies tongues with a smile, "The Keyblade locked it automatically."

The older brunette nodded, "Good. Every world among the stars has a Keyhole. And each one leads to the heart of the world. There must be one in this town as well."

Sora attempted not to look confused. Sylvia rolled her eyes, "Ansem's report, idiot. The Heartless enter through the Keyhole and do something to the world's core."

Leon nodded, "That's right." I wasn't surprised that he didn't think it strange she knew about him. I suppose it had to do with the Darkness Maiden.

"What happens to the world?" Sora asked with a worried frown.

"In the end, it disappeared." She couldn't fool me with a somber tone and expression. She was so excited to quote something.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy's eyes widened, "What?!"

"That's why your key is so important." Leon continued, "Please lock the Keyholes. You're the only one who can."

Sora mumbled so low I almost missed it, "I don't know..."

"Seeing other worlds would probably serve you well." He added.

Donald perked up at this, "Yeah!"

Goofy nodded, "We gotta find your friends! And King Mickey!"

Sora nodded after a moment, "I guess you're right... Okay!"