'Tis a new story for your reading pleasure! Have a heart and see it through, will you? It's a Cleon/AkuRoku fic rated M for language and lemons and such. Eh, that's it. Okay R&R please! I love you!

Disclaimer: Does not own!

Scarred

Axel

I swung my back pack over my shoulder and snatched my keys off the counter.

"See you mom," I said walking past the living room on my way to the front door. Something caught my eye.

"Have a good day, dear," she responded as is routine for us.

I took a couple steps back halting at the edge of the room where my mom was sipping her coffee and casually watching the morning news.

There was a sense of panic strewn across the screen. Somewhere near the coast several life boats were fleeing towards a team of Navy ships that were drawn back at a safe distance.

"So what's going on here?"

"Oh, it's so sad. There was an explosion on a ferry off the Coast of Destiny Islands. Apparently it had been running between the two main islands and the mainland for almost twenty years before this. Look at all that smoke! Doesn't it break your heart?" she asked as the camera shifted to the massive crowd of people watching the spectacle from the shore line.

"Yeah," I mumbled staring at the screen.

"Apparently the mortality rate is already up to seventeen and the injury rate is almost fifty!"

To be honest, it didn't faze me. I know this sort of thing is supposed to touch the hearts of people all around the world but when I see something like this, it just fascinates me really.

"Well what caused it?" I asked locked onto the mantra of concerned people. There was a string of worried mumbling as in the distance the lights went completely out aboard the distressed vessel.

"Well at first they thought there was a problem with the mechanics of the ship but then it was reported that the explosion started from the main hold so they suspect foul play."

"Hm…."

By the time of day I could tell that this wasn't a live recording. The dark night had been set ablaze by the turmoil. Countless search lights from ships and helicopters lit the bay circling hopelessly. Tufts of fire surged through only some of the visible windows licking at the glass like a dog begging to be let outside. The wind played with the mass of smoke, bending it and twisting it; molding it like clay before it disappeared into the abyss above. It was breath taking.

"Axel, should I be letting you watch this?" mom asked eyeing me cautiously.

"Huh? Yeah I'm fine," I said wiping a bit of drool from the corner of my mouth.

"Okay, but sometimes I worry," she said with a 'tisk' in her voice.

I smirked, "Later mom," I said turning on foot back towards the door.

"You drive careful!" She shouted after me.

Unlocking my car door I silently wondered what it was like being in a real fire. If I burn my finger on the stove it tingles for a couple days and if I drink scalding hot coffee things taste funny for a while, but to actually be completely engulfed in flames? That sounds…..

Roxas: One month later

I awoke in a cold sweat. This room was far too hot! Getting off my tired ass I crossed the room and opened a window pushing the screen to the other side so I could hang my head out of it for a second. I smelled rain against bark; the bark of thousands of trees. That's right, I was home again. Actually, I was in some near empty apartment with my brother in the town I was born in. And according to the clock on my cell phone, or the one on that tower peaking above the other buildings, it was 5:15….ish. Great. Well, maybe I could use an early start. After all, the last time I saw this place was seven years ago.

I cracked my aching neck and back hoping it would relieve them some. No such luck. We'd gotten in late last night and all of our stuff wasn't supposed to arrive until this evening which left me to sleep on my new hardwood floor using laundry for pillows and blankets. I don't know if you've ever slept on a hardwood floor, but it's not as fun as it sounds.

Grabbing jeans and a T shirt out of my little nest I threw them on and shot Cloud a quick text telling him I'd be going before slipping on my shoes and walking out the patio door. This sucks. I don't even have my skate board to go exploring with! And what way do I go? I don't remember this part of town at all!

I decided to head toward that tower. If I get to the station I know I can find my way around and luckily we didn't live too far from it. Entering a neighborhood I followed a curved road hoping it would let me out on the other side. Unfortunately it looped around leading me straight back to the apartment complex. So that sucks. I retraced my steps deciding to turn at another road. First thing I'm doing when I make it down town is finding a coffee shop.

After winding through the area for at least thirty minutes I found myself exactly where I started. AGAIN! Okay, that's weird. I hate this neighborhood! One more try! This time I was determined! Entering the maze of houses hopefully for the last time, I walked along looking for a road I hadn't tried yet. Since I didn't want to go through the same shit as the last two times though, I tried my luck opening the gate to someone's back yard and jumping their fence winding my way through people's back yards until I came to a new road I was sure I'd never been on. It's like six in the morning on a Monday and the sun is just rising, okay? I'm sure no one saw me.

I glanced up at the tower. It was much closer now! A little more confident I continued on the road dreaming happily of the warm beverage soon to be in my belly. Paradise! After another forty five minutes of walking however, pretty much all of that confidence was lost. Where the fuck am I?

I quickened my pace as the houses grew taller and more expensive looking. I really think the neighborhood decided to eat me and now I'm lost in some kind of wealthy house purgatory! Crap! I'm not ready to die!

As I thought that I came across what looked like a main road. Finally! Maybe now I can get someone to help me! Running to my freedom the last of the houses broke away revealing… My apartment complex? FUCK! WHERE THE FUCK AM I? WONDERLAND? GAAHHH!

I closed my eyes and pressed my forehead against a nearby lamp post hitting it with a clenched fist softly but angrily. Maybe I should give up.

"Do you need help?" a very sarcastic voice asked probably having seen my entire display.

"Yes!" I screeched, my eyes shooting open, "How do I get to the closest coffee shop?" I burst out turning to face whomever it was that took pity on me. Ooooh. That figures.

"Oh I don't know, I don't go to coffee shops. Fuu?"

"Edison," Responded the girl next to him.

"Edison?" asked the sarcastic ass who addressed me first.

"Oh yeah! You go straight for a while then turn AFTER the neighborhood y'know? Then you take your first left and right on Edison and it's like right there y'know," Added the last of the bunch.

"Great thanks!" I said attempting to walk away. Of all the people I could run into first, it had to be Seifer, the guy who beat me up in elementary school every day.

"Waaait," he called after me. Weird even that sounded sarcastic.

Despite my better judgment I stopped, "Deja vu," Fuu stated in that monotone voice of hers.

"Yeah, I was just thinking that. I know you from somewhere, right?" he asked approaching me.

"I don't know," I said not turning. I didn't want him to get a good look at me.

"Oh I think you know," he said spinning me, "We used to go to school together."

"God damn it how did you know?" I asked angrily. What an angry morning!

"Well shrimp you didn't grow much for one," he said, "You're not very sentimental, are you?"

I just glanced at him questioningly.

"You didn't keep in contact with anyone after you left. Not even those friends of yours."

"Well, when you're nine it's hard," I snapped.

"Whatever. You're going to get raped if you keep wandering around aimlessly at dawn. Next time stay home. Come on guys," he commanded adjusting his back pack before the three of them walked away in the opposite direction.

Okay, well that wasn't fun and now my feet are dying due to almost two hours of stupid pointless walking. Let's ponder this for a second. Now I know where the nearest coffee shop is, but is it really worth it to go? I glanced at the rising sun, bright and obnoxious. There were birds fighting in the grassy courtyard of the apartment building. Coffee….. Yeah, worth it.

Cloud

I tipped the movers as they were leaving. There were boxes everywhere and the apartment looked like crap but at least we had furniture now. And my bike! Big bonus! It wasn't supposed to arrive until tomorrow!

"Should we start unpacking?" Roxas asked eyeing a mountain of unmarked boxes so high it nearly touched the celling. I shuddered. We'd have to take care of that eventually.

"Nope," I said pulling my cell phone from my pocket, "We have somewhere to be."

"We do? Where?"

"None of my old friends except Tifa know we moved back here, so she decided we're going to surprise them tonight."

"So why do I have to come?" he asked bitterly.

"What else are you going to do? Sit here and watch T.V. all night? Good luck finding it," I pointed out. Again he eyed the mountain of boxes. Where ever it was, it wasn't revealing it's self without a fight.

"Fine," he groaned, "Where are we going anyway?"

"Zack's place," I said casually.

"Zack's place….?" Roxas questioned.

"Yeah, you remember Zack. We used to be inseparable."

"Of course I remember Zack. I just didn't know you even kept in contact with him after we moved."

How could I not? Zack was my oldest friend. We'd known each other practically from birth. In fact, I have a confession to make. After the ferry explosion, I was lost and scared. My parents were dead and my brother was hurt but I was safe at home. I thought I lost them, so I called Zack because he was the only one left that I….. Never mind, I guess. But that phone call got me through Roxas' hospitalization. He managed to give me a little hope, and that's, as bad as it sounds, most of the reason I decided to move back. I figured it'd make both Roxas and I a little happier if we left the island. Left behind the bad memories, never had to see that stretch of sea that became our parent's graves. But the reason I chose Twilight town? Old friends, new hope. Dang, I kinda made myself sad. I hope it wasn't a mistake.

I ignored him and quickly scanned my contacts. T: Tifa, I pressed call.

"Hey there!"

"Well we're done moving for the most part. Is it too early to come over?"

"Already? It's only six! That was fast! Well everyone who matters is here so go ahead! You sure you don't want a ride?"

"No, that's okay, we've got it covered. Just tell me where I'm going once I hit his apartments."

"Oh, it's the second building from the entrance. I'll make everyone go outside so you can find us."

"Alright, thanks."

"No problem! See you soon!"

"Bye."

"Have a nice little conversation?" asked my little brother.

"Yep," I said repocketing my cell phone, "Let's go."

We grabbed the helmets I'd made a point of finding before the destruction of my apartment and hopped on my bike. I missed my baby, man it felt good just turning the key.

It was a short drive to Zack's apartments really. I took a taxi to check it out earlier; they looked way nicer than ours. We entered the open gate and rounded the first building. There was a small group of people gathered on the lawn of the second building drinking and laughing. That must be our party.

I saw every single one of their heads turn as I parallel parked right in front of them. I turned off my bike. Okay, moment of truth. Roxas got off first, tearing off his helmet and ruffling his hair. Unfortunately he wasn't blessed with my uncanny ability to never get helmet hair. I swung my leg over the bike and removed my own helmet.

"Hi," I said raising one hand as a sort of greeting.

"No way. CLOUD!" called my best friend who jumped up and nearly tackled me.

"H-hey!" I said patting him on the back. I just had to smile, it's been seven years since the last time he hugged me.

"I can't believe you're here! So are you-"

"Hey spikey! You finally decided to come home!" Reno cut him off as we joined the group.

"Yep. I see you're exactly the same as I left you," I responded.

"Why mess with perfection?"

"Perfection doesn't drink until it throws up on its girlfriend," I said bluntly.

"Hey, perfection was young once too you know," he said laughing at the memory.

"Alright, it's my turn," Tifa said pushing past the red head and wrapping her arms around my neck, "You don't know how happy I am that you're back," she said in my ear. It gave me a chill, but then again, it was Tifa.

We stayed that way for a second before she noticed my awkward little clone standing behind me.

"Wow Roxas! You're like, practically a man! Jesus, how'd that happen?" she asked ruffling his hair.

"What! There's no way that's Roxas!" Zack shouted. "Let's see, seven years," He started counting on his fingers, "thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen- Oh my God you are Roxas. Dang grandpa just calm down and be young for a while!"

"Zack, you're twenty two. If I'm a grandpa then you're Zeus."

"I am pretty godly, aren't I," he said with a cocky smirk.

"Hey, Sora's sixteen. Why don't I call him so Roxas has someone to talk with while he's here?" asked… wait, who the hell is that?

"Oh Cloud! I didn't get the chance to tell you about her!" Zack beamed standing next of the girl in question, "This is Aerith, my girlfriend."

I swear to god it got colder, but even so I could feel my heart melt. The world slowed down as if time had granted me a moment to stew in this new realization. Girlfriend? Why does it surprise me that Zack has a girlfriend? I mean, I always knew he was- not like me. The weight of the situation fully hit me.

There have been many occasions in our past where I hit Zack and he deserved it. At this point though, I had to hold myself back from kicking him right in the stomach. Why? It's not his fault. Its mine. Completely. Only in my mind would Zack hug me the way I wanted it and say to me that he'd never let go and that he'd wash away all the bad memories. I feel sick. Now, more than ever, I want to talk to mom. I wanted to cry but I didn't. That's not me.

Time picked up again.

"She's too cute to be your girlfriend," I said in an attempt to hide my disappointment and shame. She giggled in response.

"And this is my older brother," she said lightly pushing a man towards me, "His names Squall but don't call him that or he'll get mad."

"Well what do I call him then," I asked her half-heartedly. I don't give a fucking flying chocobo's ass feathers about you OR your family lady!

"Leon," he said holding out a hand, "Nice to meet you."

I took it and muttered a "you too" in response.

"Are you okay?" he asked still holding onto my hand.

This surprised me, "Hm? Yeah, why?"

"You looked like you were going to pass out there for a second," he said as half-heartedly as my own reply.

So I didn't hide it very well then, did I? Weird. Three friends and my brother here and a guy I've never met is the one that picks up on my shock. And he doesn't even care.

"Sorry, I've been moving in all evening so I guess I'm a little tired," I said detaching my hand. It's strange that he didn't let go.

"So you're staying?" asked Zack. I could practically see his imaginary tail wagging.

"Yep, we're back for good."

"YAY!" he screamed hugging me once more. This time I didn't touch him at all, just felt him against me. I wonder, would he ever touch me again if he knew?

"Sora said he'll be right over. I convinced mom to let him borrow the car," Aerith said sliding a cell phone into her bra. I don't understand why girls store things there. Doesn't it get itchy or something?

"So Cloud, how have you been handling it," Zack asked pulling me aside for a second, his tone changing completely.

"So you didn't tell them?" I asked perplexed.

"I only told Aerith. I've been worried sick about you two. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. We're both fine. It's weird; we don't talk about it or even acknowledge that it happened. I almost feel like I didn't give him enough time before we moved, I mean, I don't want us to just forget them."

"I think it's better this way," he said patting my back, "A kid always remembers his parents. You'll see, in time things will change. Besides, you were just looking out for him."

No I was looking out for myself.

"Hey you two, break it up! We have some drinking to do!" Reno shouted raising a beer bottle.

"Reno, I'm driving home."

"Then I guess you'll just have to stay until you sober up, won't you?" he said tossing the bottle to me.

"I don't think so," I said handing the bottle over to Roxas.

"Yay! We're drinking tonight?" called a new voice from behind us. A boy with spikey brown hair and one with silver/blue stood on the side walk.

"No!" Tifa shouted snatching the bottle from Roxas.

"Sora, this is Roxas!" Aerith said motioning to my brother, "He just moved here so why don't you be his first friend?"

"Okay!" he said glomping my poor brother. They got here pretty fast, huh? I'm sure they were speeding. I know Roxas has that problem.

"This is Riku, my best friend!" he said stepping back and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey," Roxas said recovering from his little attack. The silverette nodded.

"This is good, now we have a party!" Reno said clapping his hands together, "You sure you don't want some fire water Cloudy? A little intoxication would do you good."

Standing behind his new beloved, Zack nuzzled her hair making her giggle once more. He interlaced their fingers whispering something in her ear before kissing her hand. You know, I'm sure one beer won't hurt.

So yeah! First chapter! It feels a little blunt to me and I feel like I didn't give Leon enough….. Anything. I don't know, I wanted Cloud to focus a little more on the heart break right now so I'll fix it next chapter. Well, review please! Any insight that can help me develop this in a more appealing fashion will be greatly appreciated! Or you can tell me I'm awesome. I appreciate that too. See you next chapter!

You're awesome Sarah. Sort of.

-Thank you Christina. Sometimes I don't think you suck too.