Drabble #36: Steal

Summary:

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Characters and places belong to SquareEnix

Cloud's brow creased slightly as he tilted his head to the side. He was sure he could hear something in the bushes but no shape was visible on either side. Aeris stepped up next to him, her eyes also glancing occasionally to the side.

"Do you hear it too?" he asked in a whisper. The flower girl met his eyes and nodded. Unconsciously, Cloud stepped a little closer to the brunette, feeling an urge to protect her and they kept walking, quickening their pace a little. The others also seemed to be alert, easily staying in close proximity to Cloud and Aeris.

It only took a moment for a young raven-haired girl to leap from the trees and land in front of them, holding her shrunken in a threatening manner. Her platinum eyes narrowed onto them and darted in each direction to count group members. She then smiled innocently and put her shrunken away.

"Sorry, false alarm," she laughed before walking up to Aeris, who took a slight step back. The girl smiled wider and patted the pink-clad woman on the shoulder before turning to face Cloud and the others. "It won't happen again!" she promised before she disappeared into the bushes again. Aeris blinked.

"Who on earth was that?" she asked, looking at each of her friends who shrugged. Cloud frowned.

"I don't get it. How are we a false alarm? False alarm from what?" he asked, scratching his head. The Cetra sighed and placed a hand in her pocket before she gave a loud gasp.

"My materia's gone! And my gil!" she cried, turning her pockets inside out to show her friends. "I had it a minute ago!" she continued before her eyes narrowed and turned in the direction the young girl had taken. Tifa glared too.

Cloud sighed before reaching for his money pouch. "Here."

Aeris' eyes widened. "Oh no Cloud! I couldn't take your money!"

"I insist," he said, practically forcing the pouch into her hand. She smiled gratefully.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I will pay you back, I promise!" she added but Cloud waved a hand dismissively, his cheeks turning a little pink.

"I'll make sure to catch that little thief," he muttered softly. Aeris giggled a little, her own cheeks colouring.

"You would do that for me?" she asked in disbelief. He nodded.

"Well, as a bodyguard I should have made sure it didn't happen. The least I can do is put it right."

"Thanks Cloud," the flower girl replied, giving him a light peck on the cheek. Cloud blushed a dark shade of crimson, which caused Aeris to giggle lightly and tug on his hand.

"Come on, let's go."