'I can't believe you talked me into this!' exclaimed Aeris, fidgeting in her newly bought crimson bikini.
'If I hadn't then we wouldn't be on hols then would we? I mean, the only reason we are going to the beach is because Cloud thought that we all needed a rest and you never know when we'll run into you know who!' gushed Tifa, straightening her own black bikini.
'What! Oh no, I hope not! How embarrassing! I don't want him seeing me in this! Kyaa!' shrieked Aeris, giggling at the thought.
The girls giggled and laughed for some time, admiring each other.
Cloud scratched his head, wondering if it had the been right decision to let everyone go to the beach. After all, he had purchased the condo in Costa Del Sol, so why not? He stretched and went to pack. He realised that he actually didn't need to pack much, a few swim trunks, shorts and a shirt or two. He turned to see Nanaki staring at him.
'Why are you packing such few clothes Cloud? Don't you know you can get sunburnt?' asked Nanaki.
'It's ok, I don't burn. I tan! Besides, we are only going for 3 days!' exclaimed Cloud, admitting to himself that it wasn't evident as he hadn't visited the beach lately.
Yuffie poked her head around the door, accidentally kicking Nanaki. Nanaki growled at her, head butting her legs.
'Ah! Sorry! But did you have to hit me!' cried Yuffie.
'Yes, other wise you'll never learn,' answered Nanaki coolly.
'You're so mean. Hmph! Oh hey Cloud! When are we leaving?' asked Yuffie.
'Um… Tomorrow morning, we'll be picking up Barrett and Marlene,' replied Cloud, zipping up his small suitcase.
'Are Cid and Shera coming too?' enquired Nanaki.
'Er… I think so… Cid was yelling about bringing tea, so I guess so. Oh yeah! Shera said she was gonna bake a cake. I hope its her double layered double chocolate cake! Oh wah…..' Cloud started drooling.
'YUCK! Cloud! GO clean yourself! For the love of Gaia! Honestly! I love the cake too, but I don't go salivating now do I!' growled Nanaki in disgust.
Cid was busy reading the newspaper and drinking his tea at the kitchen table when Shera walked in, holding a tray of apple cinnamon muffins. Cid caught a whiff of the intoxicating smell wafting over to him.
'Mmm, Shera! Did you bake your wonderful muffins again!' exclaimed Cid, jumping up.
'Yes, Cid. Now Dear! Don't take two! One only! The rest are for later!' exclaimed Shera, batting away Cid's left hand.
'Aw… Shera…! PLEASE!' begged Cid, on his knees looking up at her pleadingly.
'Oh alright, but only ONE other! Otherwise I will have to bake more, and then I won't be able to bake my chocolate cake' said Shera a-matter-of-factly.
'Your CHOCOLATE CAKE! Oh! Bake one now! PLEASE!' yelled Cid.
Shera covered her ears and tried to block out Cid's constant pleas for more baked goodies.
Barrett watched Marlene getting all excited about the trip to the beach.
'Ya know you'll get too tired to play tumorroh, ya know.' said Barrett.
'No way Daddy! I will be even MORE energetic tomorrow!' exclaimed Marlene.
Barrett chuckled and chugged another gulp of beer.
Nanaki yawned and then roared, shaking himself awake. Cloud awoke grumpily, 'A good alarm clock, he is, yes. But damn it, why the HELL does he hafta get up so damn early!'
To his surprise, Aeris and Tifa were already up as well. They had been busily preparing sandwiches and drinks. Cloud ambled in, 'A bit early isn't it girls?'
'Oh no! Of course not!' exclaimed Aeris.
'Nanaki, aren't you going to be hot out in the sun?' asked Tifa, sounding concerned.
'Oh! That's right! Here Nanaki! I went and bought this for you!' exclaimed Aeris, popping a doggy hat on Nanaki.
'OH MY GOSH! HOW KEWT!' gushed Tifa, squealing in pure delight.
The girls made a big fuss all over poor Nanaki for a good 5 minutes or so. Nanaki endured it and gritted his teeth, trying not to think how awful he must look in the fluoro orange and yellow cap.
Aeris giggled, wiggled the cap a bit and patted the speechless animal, 'Oh good! It fits snugly!'
Nanaki's jaw dropped and he twitched, but composed himself, 'Thank you Aeris. I shall wear this today at the beach.'
He left the kitchen and hid in his room till leaving time, too embarrassed to let Cloud or Yuffie see him. Unfortunately for him, his worst fears were confirmed when he heard a muffled but inexplicably distinct snicker. Nanaki sighed; it was going to be a long day.
Cloud drove the RV out of the garage and honked the horn really loudly, which played a snippet of the tune to 'Twinkle twinkle little star' much to the rest of the group's embarrassment. Aeris and Tifa were still giggling as they packed all foodstuffs and their many bags of 'necessaries'. Cloud was glad he had purchased an RV instead of some smaller vehicle as he then witnessed Yuffie's equally large bag. Nanaki, thankfully, did not ever need to bring anything. He was still sulking silently and propped himself against the front passenger seat.
Cloud nearly spat as he laughed at Nanaki's humorous appearance.
'Don't.' growled Nanaki with malice, which immediately shut Cloud up.
However, Cloud was still clamping his hands over his mouth to avoid any fights with Nanaki. He finally got over it as the girls yelled that they were all ready. Cloud pulled out and headed to Barrett's house.
Barrett paced back and forth in his front yard, 'Where is dat foo'? Always so bloody late!'
'Daddy! Don't be so hasty!' replied Marlene sweetly.
'You're right, Marlene.' Agreed Barrett, patting his daughter's head.
'Dad----dy! I TOLD you NOT to do that!' complained Marlene.
'Yea, sorry honey,' replied Barrett, then grabbed their things as he saw Cloud's RV approaching.
'Finally! Took your time, foo'!' yelled Barrett, trying to be heard over the extremely loud radio which was playing 'Who Let The Dogs Out', while Nanaki was barking along, and was awfully embarrassed when he saw that they had stopped. Marlene gave a delighted laugh as she spotted Nanaki, who desperately tried to hide his head.
'Oh, Nanaki! You look so cute! I bet Aeris set you up, didn't she! Mm hmm, I know she did! I love it!' squealed Marlene, giving Nanaki a quick hug.
Barrett stood transfixed for a couple of seconds then roared with laughter, smacking his gun arm in to the side of the RV.
'HEY! Barrett! Stop that! Don't damage my RV!' yelled Cloud.
Nanaki growled angrily at Barrett, but resignedly allowed Marlene to admire and tug at his unfortunate attire. Marlene hopped into the area where the other girls were and was greeted with squeals of delight.
Barrett shoved his ass down in his usual seat, the seat with a big indent.
'Is everyone tucked in?' asked Cloud, over the driver's intercom.
A big YES resounded from the passengers, and so he revved the engine and started off towards the beach.
'SHERA! Get your damned ass into the Highwind NOW! We're leaving! Leave the goddamned cheese! We don't need it!' barked Cid into the speaker.
Shera rushed to the open trap door, heaving the 3rd basket of her baked goodies. Cid moaned as he smelled the aroma wafting up to the cockpit.
'Aw… Shera, you're torturing me woman,' whined Cid, as Shera came in with two corn muffins.
She just smiled and handed him one. Cid kissed her lightly then shoved the muffin in his mouth. The Highwind blasted off into the sky, heading to Costa del Sol.
The bright sparkling sand and glistening sheen of the ocean greeted the occupants of Cloud's RV. Tifa, Aeris, Yuffie and Marlene leapt from the RV straight to the welcoming sand. Tifa dropped her towel, Aeris followed suit and both ran to the waves. They screamed and giggled as the cold water hit their smooth skin. Yuffie, deciding to battle the cold later, joined Marlene in forming a sand castle.
Cloud, Barrett and Nanaki waited for Cid and Shera. Nanaki caught sight of the Highwind and shook his mane, hoping to dislodge the embarrassing cap before Shera saw him, not to mention Cid's inevitably blatant reaction.
Barrett had to hide a snigger again when he saw Cid's face fall, changing to a wicked grin at the sight of Nanaki. Cloud went to aid Shera with her baskets, hoping to gain an early snack.
'What the hell are you wearing? WAHAHAHAHAH!' Cid roared with laughter, only to be joined seconds later by Barrett.
Both rolled on the floor, paralysed with joint laughter, all the while Nanaki was glowering and gave them each a well earned snap on the ass. Barrett and Cid howled with pain and leapt up, clutching their behinds. They turned and glared at Nanaki, who just retorted, 'Don't tell me it wasn't a rightful punishment.'
Shera emerged with Cloud and took one look at the scene. She scrunched her eyes and remained tight lipped as she passed Nanaki, not looking him in the eye. Her strains were visible even to Marlene.
'What's the matter Shera?' asked Marlene curiously.
'Hm? Oh hello Marlene, dear. It's nothing,' said Shera through gritted teeth.
Yuffie glanced at her with a smirk and nodded knowingly, but did not allow herself a chuckle, for fear of Nanaki's wrath. Marlene just shrugged and returned to her task of moulding the ideal sand castle.
Shera placed her basket down quickly, motioned to Cloud to place his one's down and not to take anymore till later and raced back over to Nanaki. Nanaki looked at her, scrutinizing her expression. She dropped to her knees and gave him a warm hug, shaking slightly. Nanaki is worried by this and nudges at her neck, 'Shera? Are you okay?'
'Nanaki, my dear Nanaki, whatever possessed you to wear this
peculiar cap?' gasped Shera.
'Believe me Shera, this was not
out of my own free will,' murmured Nanaki gruffly.
'HA! He only did it cause Aeris gave it to him! If you or Tifa had done the same, he'd be wearing a tweed…' exclaimed Cloud elatedly.
Nanaki snarled at Cloud, baring pointy white fangs, 'Care to finish that sentence?'
'Uh, nope!' Cloud felt beads of sweat suddenly form.
'Good,' replied Nanaki in a grumpy voice.
'Oh, my poor Nanaki. It's ok, you don't have to wear it, I'm sure Aeris will understand,' said Shera trying to comfort the great beast, helping him to take it off.
'Thank you Shera,' murmured Nanaki belatedly.