Summary – After one horrible night, Yuffie packs up and runs away to somewhere else. Will this somewhere else be the place she has been looking for?
Disclaimer – I don't own any of the characters, unfortunately. Just this story I put them into.
Author's Note – I've started something new again. I'm going to try to stick with it this time though since I'm now more serious about writing. Hope you enjoy.

Somewhere Else
By: Her Tears Of Darkness

Chapter 1: An Opening

The rain was teasing me that day.

I mean, walking through the streets of Twilight City is hard enough, with the constant traffic and honking of horns if you cross the street too slow. No. I also had to deal with the rain (forgot umbrella) and hard winds (wearing a skirt). And just when you think the rain is about to stop and give you a break, it starts right back up again.

Don't get me wrong, I love the rain. Just not while I'm lugging 2 huge suitcases, plus a backpack in my arms.

I spent hours looking for a place to live and all I found was 2 scurfy-looking apartments that look like they hadn't been cleaned in years, a landlord who could ease up on the cheeseburgers and a rent that's too much for my budget.

Ok, so my budget was $16 and half a bar of snickers. Taco Bell would be too much for my budget.

Well, there had to be someone nice enough to let me shack up with them because going back home was not an option. Definitely not. Besides, 3's a charm or 3rd's a charm or 3 times a charmed or whatever.

I glanced down at the list of addresses in my hand (courtesy of my school library) and turned on what looked like the street. I stopped at #10. I remember thinking, its way better than the 1st two. The doors were steady, the windows were clean and it even had an elevator. Hallelujah (screamed my aching arms)

I pressed 4 on the elevator and stepped in. Some cheesy elevator music was playing. I drone it out while I involuntarily had a flash back of the last few months. Lots of yelling, screaming, pushing, crying and ignoring just to give you an idea.

The elevator door opened and a girl walked in, looking to be around my age. The first thing I noticed was her long red hair, which reminded me vaguely of the color my cousin dyed her hair except hers was real. Next thing I noticed was her violet eyes and I thought, must be contacts. She was cute, nonetheless, so I flashed her a smile.

She didn't smile back.

She pushed 9 on the elevator and leaned into the wall, her back towards me.

The elevator doors closed and I realized that I had just missed my floor. Great. More time to stand on my aching legs. I decided to wait till the redhead got off before I clicked the elevator in reverse.

It was quiet, except for the sound of our breathing. I got lost in my thoughts as I wondered whose breathing was faster.

The elevator dinged me out of fantasy land and she stepped out. Not before turning around and giving me a small smile and I figured out why she had her back towards me.

She had been crying.

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I knocked on apartment door 1004 and braced myself.

The door opened and found myself face to face with a tall spikey-blonde guy, with, ahem, nothing on but a flaming red…thong.

Obviously, he was expecting someone else. At least, I hope so.

It took him a few seconds to realize I wasn't the girl he thought I was. When he did, there was an awkward silence followed by 2 pairs of blushing cheeks, "sorrys" and avoiding of each other's eyes.

He went down the hall quickly to change while I looked around the apartment's living room. Simple. A fair-sized (red) couch, a clean (red) rug, (red) curtains…well, at least I won't have to ask this guy what his favorite color is.

But, all jokes aside, I could totally see myself sitting in my pajamas, eating popcorn and watching chick flicks with the blonde guy. As long as he doesn't wear that thong.

A girl walked in. Not from the bedroom door, from the door I entered in. "Well of course he has a girlfriend…who else would he be wearing the thong for?" I whispered to myself.

"Hmm? Did you say something?" The girl was tall, had brown hair, green eyes, a pink dress on, and a pink purse over her shoulder. "You're here for the apartment right?" She pulled a nail filer out of her girly purse and started filing her nails.

"Yeah. How'd you know?" I looked down at my own bloody nails. I bite them.

She pointed to my suitcases. "I'm moving in too. Cloud's my boyfriend."

"You mean the guy in the thong?" Yes, I did that on purpose.

She turned slightly red. "Yeah…well, he does that for me sometimes." She put the filer back in her purse and looked absently down the hall. I started biting my nails.

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"Cloud" came minutes later looking way better than before. Well, as good as you can look in ripped jeans and a faded grey t-shirt. Hey, at least its clothes.

He stuck his arms towards me. "I'm Cloud Strife, a.k.a Thongguy."

I grinned. "I'm Yuffie Kisaragi, a.k.a Yuffie."

"Nice to meet you. Well, ugh, I guess this is the part well I tell you about the apartment…"

"Well, I already know there's no limit to the dress code."

He laughed. At least he can take my sarcasm.

It took about 5 minutes to go over the whole apartment. There wasn't much. Just like any old apartment I guess. The kitchen connects with the living room. There are 3 bedrooms down the hall, 1 bathroom and a laundry room. All the necessities are there; stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc. Decent. And at least there wouldn't be any conflicting emotions, at least none of the "love" kind. Cloud already has a girl (soon to be wife, Cloud hopes, whose name I found out is Areith)

After the tour, I asked the question I'd been dreading. "How much is the rent?"

"Hmm." He placed his hand on his chin, looking me up and down. "You're a student right?"

I nodded.

"Well, it just so happens we have a special student discount here. You can pay whenever."

Of course he was kidding, right? "Is there really a discount?"

"No. But don't worry about it. I'm not going to force you to pay. You're young. Live a little. Once you're settled in and gotten a job, we'll work something out."

"Seriously?" I still couldn't believe it.

"Yeah. So, what do ya say? Wanna move in?"

I looked around the living room, Areith on her cell phone, Cloud standing in front of me. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

"On one condition. You never wear that thong again."

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Author's Note – So…should I continue?