I'll Be There (KH/FF fanfic)

Chapter 31: I will always be there

Chapter 31:

You swung your legs over the ledge of the wide window, taking in the setting sun, the blue sky dotted with pink clouds, the swaying palm trees that had grown in front of the RANGER headquarters, and the gentle breeze that sent wisps of your hair floating behind you. You closed your eyes and breathed deeply before feeling, once more, the prescence of another warm body beside you. You opened up your eyes and smiled as you noticed Leon's warm hand in yours. He returned the smile and leaned closer to you until his forehead touched yours. The corners of your mouth turned upwards and you giggled.

"You smell like vanilla," he stated and you touched your nose to his as you grinned. "Ready?"

"Ready," you replied, swinging your legs over the ledge and back into the room. Leon grabbed your hand and the two of you met Cloud, Tifa, and Reno at the door.

Tifa placed an arm on your shoulder and Cloud ruffled your hair. You pouted at him. "Knock 'em dead, kiddo," he winked.

"Yeah, break a leg, yo!" Reno added, giving you the thumbs up sign.

You rolled your eyes but giggled. "Reno, I'm singing, not acting."

Leon squeezed your hand gently. "And you'll be fantastic," he told you, pulling you out of the door and into the car.

You burst into applause with the rest of the audience as Kairi, Xion, and Olette finished their dance, ending in various stances. Olette smiled behind a cap that had been turned sideways and Kairi tapped her sneakers one time against the floor. Xion had paused with her arms crossed as she leaned against the other two girls.

"And those were the KXO crew, performing to the song 'Want You Back' by Cher Lloyd! Awesome job, girls!" Marluxia announced. That was your cue to go onstage with Zack, Axel, Aqua, Demyx, Riku, Rikku, and Yuna while Sora, Roxas, and Namine took care of lighting and sound. You gave Leon a quick grin before jogging toward the stage to take your place beside Riku.

Axel stole the microphone from Marluxia. "Hey, everybody!" A few fangirls squealed. "Give it up for 'Elemental Breakdown'!" He slid his guitar strap over his shoulder and took his place and Marluxia snatched the microphone back, giving Axel an annoyed look before leaving the stage.

You looked out at the audience and took a deep breath. You weren't going to lie. You were totally nervous.

"Bury us with your sound, ____________!" Yuffie shouted from the crowd and you grinned before silently counting down to three and allowing the musical introduction to start up. Riku began to sing:

"I opened my eyes last night, and saw you in the low light

Walking down by the bay, on the shore

Staring up at the planes that aren't there anymore

I was feeling the night grow old, and you were looking so cold

Like an introvert, I drew my overshirt

Around my arms and began to shiver violently

Before you happened to look and see the tunnels all around me

Running into the dark underground

All the subways around create a great sound

To my motion fatigue, farewell

With your ear to a seashell

You can hear the waves in underwater caves

As if you actually were inside a Saltwater Room"

And you added your voice with his as the song continued:

"Time together is just never quite enough"