AN: Hello there, faithful readers! …Or…not-so-faithful readers who are just humoring me, but honestly think I suck! Both are appreciated! …Sort of. Anyway…today's chapter is sponsored by Cloud the magic chocobo and the letter F!

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or that lame attempt at a "Sesame Street" joke!

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Leon Gets…Sick!

Leon hated get sick with a burning passion. Not only was there the sneezing, the coughing, and the overall feeling like crap, but when you were sick, Aerith made you stay in bed. And you didn't argue with Aerith. Cid had once, and the end result…wasn't pretty. So when Leon had woken up that morning with a fever and sore throat, he had tried to hide it.

He had walked downstairs and sat at the table, attempting ignore the scratchy feeling in his throat and irritating urge to cough. Yuffie had commented, telling him that he looked a little pale. Leon assured her he was fine, but Aerith had already caught on. All she had to do was put her hand on his forehead and "Operation: Hide the Fact that You're Sick from Aerith" had failed.

So here he was…lying in bed, back in his PJs when he should have been out on patrol. He rolled over onto his side, curling up deeper into his mass of blankets. How it was that he was cold when the temperature was somewhere in the eighties outside was beyond him. As he hugged his pillow closer, Leon could feel his eyelids drooping. He gave a little yawn before closing his eyes…

"Hey, Squally!"

…but of course, fate just couldn't give Leon as break. He stifled a groan as he looked over at the young ninja who had just entered his room. He pulled his covers down slightly, glaring at Yuffie.

"…That's…"-he paused to cough-"…Leon." He mentally cringed at his own voice. His sore throat was starting to make him rasp. Yuffie rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, whatever!" she said, before cringing slightly.

"…What?" Leon muttered, and although it was barely audible, Yuffie had heard him.

"Geez, just looking at you is making me sweaty! It's the middle of July and you're wrapped up in heavy blankets!" she shouted. Leon rolled over with his back to her.

"Then don't look at me. Leave." he commanded, though he guessed his scratchy voice made it sound much less intimidating than he had intended it to be. Yuffie crossed her arms across her chest and shook her head stiffly, even though Leon wasn't looking at her.

"No way, mister! Aerith's busy at the hospital today, so I'm gonna be your personal caretaker for the day!" she explained with a grin. Leon glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

"You have a patrol to do." he pointed out, his voice slightly muffled from his covers.

"Cloud's taking care of it!" Yuffie said, and Leon couldn't help but smirk slightly at the thought of Cloud being saddled with not only his regular patrol, but also with an extra two shifts. The poor guy would be practically dead by the end of the day… Leon laughed in his head a little, but was reminded of the task at hand when he remembered Yuffie's presence in the room.

"…You'll get sick too." he stated. Yuffie laughed, making Leon's brow furrow. He failed to see what was so funny about getting sick, seeing as he was at the moment and he felt like crap.

"You don't need to worry about that, Squall! Ninjas have, like…super immune systems!" she said, somewhat proudly. Leon was tempted to roll his eyes.

Ninjas can pretty much do everything, huh, Yuffie?, he thought sarcastically.

"Two things, Yuffie. One: It's Leon. And two: You're going to anything I want today?" Leon asked. The ninja nodded.

"That's right! So what do you want me to do?" she asked.

"To leave." Leon replied almost immediately. Yuffie groaned slightly.

"I thought we already went through this! I'm not gonna leave you alone!" she shouted. Leon made an odd sound, something along the lines of a mumble crossed with a groan and a whine.

"And why not?" he asked. Yuffie paused, trying to think of a reason.

"Well…think about it! What if…what if I left you alone, but you got thirsty?!" she shouted. Leon raised his eyebrow slightly.

"So I go and get some water. I may be sick, Yuf, but I'm not helple-" he was cut off by Yuffie, who now looked frantic.

"I'm not finished! So…you get up to get some water from the bathroom, but your cold makes you all disoriented! An-and you slip and fall in the bathroom and you slam your head into the bathtub! And then you bleed to death!" she shouted, waving her arms around for emphasis. Leon stared at her like she had gone completely insane…which she very well may have.

"So suddenly, I'm going to die if I want to get a drink of water?" he asked. Yuffie nodded rapidly.

"Yeah! Or-or if you wanted to get some food! You could-" Leon cut her off.

"Yuffie, enough. Aerith left some toast right here." he said, pointing to his bedside table where Leon's untouched breakfast sat.

"Cuz she was worried about you falling down the steps and snapping your neck!" the young ninja shouted. Leon pinched the bridge of his nose as he started to feel a migraine forming.

"Alright, fine, Yuffie. If you want to help, go get me some aspirin." he mumbled. Yuffie grinned and this little salute.

"Right away, Squally!" she said, and before Yuffie had the chance to correct her, she had was gone. Leon groaned and rolled over in bed for the umpteenth time that day. Pulling his covers back over his head, he savored the small moment of peace he finally got to himself…until a certain spiky blond decided to ruin it.

"Wow. The brave and might Squall Leonhart…sick in bed."

"…You're supposed to be on patrol right now, Strife." Leon muttered, not even bothering to pull down his covers, silently hoping that if he ignored Cloud, the blond would go away.

"I took a break between shifts. Man, Leonhart, you sound like crap." Cloud commented. Leon growled slightly before coughing heavily. Growling was not good on the throat. He reached over onto his nightstand and threw the closest thing within his reach, which just happened to be the toast from his breakfast. There was silence, so Leon hoped that Cloud had taken the hint and left.

"…Did you just throw a piece of toast at me?"

Fate must have really hated Leon that day. Cloud stared at the piece of toast that was supposed to be aimed at him, but landed about 2 feet short, before laughing. Leon groaned, covering his head with his pillow, pleading that Cloud would just disappear. Instead…he got Yuffie.

She had snuck behind Cloud and effectively shut him up by pouring the water that was intended for Leon on the blond's head. Cloud yelped slightly before glaring at her.

"Yuffie!" he shouted angrily, running a hand through his soaking-wet hair, brushing some dripping bangs out of his eyes.

"Would you leave Leon alone, Spike?! He's sick, and really doesn't need this from you right now! Besides, you have patrol to get back to!" Yuffie shouted. The blond sighed.

"Alright, fine! I'm going! Geez…" he muttered before walking off down the hall. Yuffie turned back to Leon, who still had his blankets covering his head.

"Uh, I'm gonna go get you some more water, okay?" she told him.

"Uh-huh…" he mumbled, and Yuffie started to walk out the door. But before she could, Leon stopped her.

"Yuffie?"

"Yeah?'

"Thanks." She grinned playfully, even though Leon wouldn't be able to see her.

"No problem, Squally!" And once again, Leon had no chance to correct her, because she had already left.

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AN: There's chapter 24. Now, guys…I really need ideas now. Like, really bad. So, if you've got any ideas at all, send 'em in! It really isn't that hard! I mean, c'mon! I even gave you guys a form!

Next Chapter: Leon gets déjà vu.

After being struck by lightning, Leon is forced to live the same day over…which obviously serves as a problem.

R&R!!!