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Leon just sighed. "You know...he's always going to be a pain in my....." He trailed off, and turned around. "Right then....you coming Merlin?" He waited, gunblade resting on his shoulder.

Hotaru opened his eyes briefly. "Who....?" His eyes closed again, breathing steady. "Great.....I had to be rescued....." He sighed, but didn't move. "Maybe a nap wouldn't be so bad.....if only Yuffie wasn't cooking....."His eyes snapped open, looking around at the heartless, ignoring the woman for the time being. "How...?"

Leon just shook his head. "You know Merlin, you can be really weird some times...." He sighed as they started heading off the same way Hotaru had.

Hotaru stood up, picking up the sword gently. "...heh..." He swung it twice. "Nicely balanced....not bad at all." He turned towards the heartless. "You know, I'm going to at least want your name after this..." He called over his shoulder, taking his stance. "You want to see me fight, then that's payment for the blade...." He smirked as the first heartless attacked. "Now, now. You shouldn't attack so recklessly. Not when I've got a way to fight back now..." He dodged effortlessly, moving in between the heartless as if it was a dance, leaving nothing standing behind him.

Hotaru kept moving through the heartless, slicing through them easily. "Well, if I die here think of it as my final request." He smirked, "That way I know who to thank with my last breath." He ducked away from a swipe from behind, placing a hand along the blade of the sword, causing it to glow slightly. He started moving to stand directly in front of the woman. "Can't have you getting burned now...." He held out the sword as the heartless started gathering in range. "Firefly dance..." He whispered, as he swung. Countless embers flying off the blade, setting all the heartless they touched ablaze.

Seeing the heartless fall, Hotaru turned around, and held out the sword. "Thanks" He bowed, leaving the sword on the ground in front of her, before turning to walk away.

He stopped, and turned back towards her. "Thanks. I'm not the type to let others get hurt in my battles. Only my opponents should feel the heat of my fire." He looked her over. "Still. A name would be nice. I don't really want to call you mystery woman forever...." He turned his head to the sky, letting the rain soak him. "I appreciate the use of your sword. It's a finely crafted piece. Lot of heart and soul went into it. I can tell." His voice was soft, and calm. Unlike anything he ever let anyone else hear before.

Hotaru looked at her as she left. "Strangers never help me..." He sighed. "Right. So now you're my secret mystery woman....." He smirked.

Leon turned the corner, Merlin in tow. "Huh....see.....no reason to hurry at all Merlin."Leon looked around, finally focusing on Hotaru. ""So....what happened. Looks like a pretty nasty fight occurred here."

Hotaru just nodded. "Yeah. Heartless." He then walked past them, not really paying attention to their pressence. "Another weapon in my future....."

Hotaru stopped. "What's up?" His voice still soft.

Leon looked at Hotaru and sighed. "Great....never saw this side of him....." "So....I don't think we need to be here Merlin.....how about we try to rescue dinner...."

Leon and Merlin both headed off, Leon leading the way after putting his gunblade away.

Hotaru just shook his head. "I know I come across as rough, or brutish. Don't worry about it. I'm used to people using me to get out their frustration. It's what happens when you're me is all." He gave a weak smile. "But if you ever want to talk or anything, I....I'm a good listener when I want to be...." He shrugged and turned around. "Though I don't think anyone would want to be around me anymore....I seem to be a magnet for the heartless...."

He turned to look at her. "I suppose I could tolerate a meal with you...." He sighed playfully. "Right then. Lead the way." "I wonder who that woman was......tch.....why do I even care.....?" He shook his head, clearing the thoughts. "Right! Since you invited me, you're paying, right?" He smiled.