Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or its characters.

A/N: This is the last chapter to the story! It was actually supposed to end on chapter 9, but then I was afraid it wouldn't be satisfying enough and because I didn't want to end it on an odd number, hehe. Also, I can't thank you all enough for your wonderful reviews!

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10. One Year After

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"That… that Leon!" Yuffie angrily kicked the ground with her foot when she saw the banner she had asked Leon to put up that morning still lying innocently on the table. She grabbed the red colored banner and after a couple of frustrating tries, slung it over her shoulders. But then Leon came into view, and she screamed at him. "Leon! What did I tell you?"

He raised an eyebrow. "That looks heavy."

"Which is why I asked you to do it!" As she spoke, the banner slipped from her fingers and dropped to the ground. Leon walked over and carried it with ease. As he walked away wondering why Yuffie was so mad, she grunted angry noises at his back until he disappeared.

It's been a whole year since the anniversary of the day Radiant Garden was founded. Another year has come and it's time to celebrate again. To Leon, it seemed that the year had gone by so fast. But when it was time for the celebration, everything was the same as last year. Though everything would be the same as the previous year, Leon was looking forward to watching the fireworks with Aerith.

After getting the banner set up at the postern, Leon headed to the Great Maw to help set up the fireworks. Cloud was there- with Tifa. And they were both smiling. Leon smiled at the sight of the two helping one another. Though they weren't 'together', Leon had a feeling that it may someday happen in the future. Feeling that he shouldn't bother them, he decided to pay Aerith a visit at the marketplace.

The marketplace was filled with people carrying tables, bowls of food and other materials needed on that day. They were all smiling and chatting with others, no doubt they were most excited about the fireworks. But maybe they were all just happy to be at home with their loved ones. Leon looked through the crowd for Aerith and luckily spotted the deep red color of her ribbon. She was standing in front of a stall, appearing to be talking to a woman who must've been the one running it. Leon awkwardly waited a couple of feet behind her until she finished. The woman at the stall noticed Leon and gave him a warm smile, whispered something to Aerith, then turned to leave. Whatever it was the woman said, she didn't tell Aerith that Leon was standing behind her because she didn't turn around.

Leon walked up behind her and casually placed an arm around her waist. She was startled, but when she saw that it was Leon, she smiled and laughed.

"You don't have to scare me!" she giggled.

"Sorry." Leon rubbed the back of his neck. "Just thought I'd come check on how things are going."

"Things are going fine here." But then Aerith frowned. "Shouldn't you be helping Cloud?"

"Yeah, but it seems he found a replacement." Leon hinted. She smiled in understanding.

"How are they both doing?" Aerith asked.

"They're getting along."

"That's good, for both of them."

For a while, they stood next to each other, spaced out by their own thoughts. It wasn't until a few seconds passed when they realized they still had things to do. Leon told Aerith he'd meet up with her at the postern later, when she 'Okayed' it, he returned to the postern to help finish setting up.

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"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

Leon led Aerith by the hand through the dark. They met by the postern once the preparations were finished, but Leon said he knew a better place to watch the fireworks without all the hustle and bustle.

"The bailey?" Aerith carefully walked up the dark steps with the help of Leon's guidance. He seemed somewhat excited to get there quickly, even though the fireworks display may not start until late into the night. When they were inside the bailey, Leon motioned for her to quickly go to his side.

"Look." He grinned and looked up at the night sky.

Wondering what was up, Aerith looked up. She gasped at the sight, and felt herself leaning forward to take in the sight. From where they stood, the stars were bright and sparkling like stardust; it was as if they were inside the Milky Way itself. And not once had the moon looked so close. This rare night was beautiful, and the fireworks would only add to it.

"It's beautiful." Aerith breathed. "I've never seen the sky so full of stars before."

Leon chuckled. "This is the second time I've seen it like this."

"When was the first time?"

"When I was a kid. I stood out here all night just looking at them."

"And you didn't invite me?" Aerith teased.

Leon chuckled. "I would've. But, I was shy."

Aerith took another look at the sky. She felt that if she reached out her hand, she could feel the dust of the stars and the smooth surface of the moon. Since they were away from the postern where everyone else was, the night was quiet.

"It seems like only yesterday when we were setting up for this same celebration." Aerith said, leaning her head on Leon's shoulder.

"Yeah." Leon scratched his head, smiling awkwardly. "But things were a bit difficult then."

Aerith laughed. "Don't remind me!"

"It was worth it though."

"Yes, it really was." Aerith glanced at Leon and started giggling.

"What?"

"You gave me my first kiss then too."

"Huh? But, Cloud, he…" Leon scratched his head in confusion.

"No. He didn't!" Laughed Aerith. "He almost did, right here." Aerith pointed to her left side of her lip. "I turned away before the kiss."

Leon blinked in disbelief. "And all this time… I thought…" he leaned on the wall for support, feeling amazed. But a fluttery feeling developed in his gut. He had the pleasure of taking Aerith's first kiss after all!

"Aren't you lucky?" Aerith teased.

Leon turned to her, blushing a bit. "You could've told me-" But before he could finish his sentence, Aerith leaned in and kissed him. He was still in a state of surprise when Aerith pulled away. She smiled. Leon on the other hand didn't know how to react. Giggling, Aerith reached up her hands and made him smile.

"At least smile when I do that." She suggested.

"But this is the first time you've done that." Leon said through the smile.

Their laughs were drowned by a loud booming sound that pierced the sky. Looking up, Leon and Aerith could almost see the multiple colors of the fireworks melt into the stars. The blending colors were a wondrous sight. When Leon took a glance at Aerith's breath taken face, he could see the colors reflect off her golden skin. She was beautiful, and he couldn't wait until next year just to spend another night such as this with her again.

Holding her in his arms, he bent down near her ear and whispered, "…I love you."