-1A different kind of reunion

Just before the break of dawn Cloud rolled quietly out of bed. Clothes for the day had been carried downstairs so as not to wake Tifa while he dressed. Quietly Cloud knelt on the floor working away at what was fast becoming Denzel's first bike.

The kid didn't seem to think anyone would remember his birthday, fortunately Denzel had a history of being wrong about that sort of thing. Cloud had bought a flat packed BMX for his birthday and kept it in the store cupboard, claiming that it was a new beer pump.

Twisting a bolt here, spinning an Allan key there, Cloud managed to have the bike complete before anyone else was awake. Now all he had to do was hope that it went down well, buying people gifts they would like was not what he'd call a specialty of his.

Happy the bike was safely assembled he wheeled it back into the store cupboard. As he rested the bike against the wall, creaking steps caught him off guard and his eyes darted around the room. If it was Denzel he would have to hide the bike.

"Cloud? Are you down here?" Tifa's voice came soft and slow, deliberately quiet. Cloud let a breath out in relief then smiled, his blue eyes shimmered with mischief. Smirking he closed his eyes and opened his senses. From her footsteps he judged she was just to the right of the door. She stifled a yawn as she passed the door, just before she turned right into the bar.

In an instant Cloud was behind her, one hand over her mouth and the other pressing her arm lightly against her lower back.

"Boo" he whispered with a light laugh and let her go. Long black hair flowed through the air briefly as she spun to meet him. Cloud smiled at her when he noticed she hadn't properly dressed yet. A loose hanging cream top that revealed her midriff, and matching trousers.

"Not funny" she muttered. Smiling she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "You didn't wake me." Tifa reached under the counter and with one hand pushed the shutter button. Squinting at the light coming through the windows she ran the cold tap and turned to get a glass.

"Sorry" Cloud lied, "You looked peaceful. When your sleeping you can't chew my ear off" Stripes of sunlight segmented Clouds clothes in alternating lines of light and shade, he smiled at Tifa and shrugged.

"Cloud..."She breathed. Deep brown, slightly ruby eyes glared at him as Tifa tried her best to be mad at him. Instead she just sighed and filled her glass with water. The lights and fans switched on reacting to motion as Cloud stepped round the counter and into the main bar to sit.

A gloved hand dusted off a stool and Cloud sat down. A moment later Tifa sat on the bar legs pulled up beside her and leaning on her arm.

"You know I have to leave tonight, right? The pick up is in Mideel but I have to get the BIA (Bio Identification and Authorization) card from Shin-Ra in Junon. Cloud stared down at his hands, Shin-Ra, were they really any different now? Their rebuild and re-brand had went well. He had to admit, he's not seen anything shifty from them. It was a lot of money to turn down though.

"Denzel will understand," Tifa said almost reading his thoughts. The beautiful bar hostess drained her glass and rolled it down her were it bumped her wrist and landed in the sink without a smash.

"Ha! Didn't break that one!" She chirped happily. "Besides it's not like you're missing his Birthday, you'll be her for most of that."

"Yeah you're right," Still, he couldn't help but feel guilty, though she did have a point. Up turned chairs sat on the tables all around the room. Pictures of customers hung on the wall, proud drinking contest winners, arm wrestling champs and quiz hosts.

"We should probably think about opening up soon" Tifa started half heartedly. She hopped down from the bar and stretched.

"Dressed like that?" Cloud grinned "you'll be dancing on the bar next" The blonde slipped out of the chair just in time to duck under a playful slap.

- - - - -

Kalm always had been a relatively quiet town. Unremarkable in most ways, except it would seem, their local Inn. The rooms were exceptionally well kept and the beds were impeccable. This of course was very satisfying for one particular girl.

Happily awake after a great sleep, a slender girl stood singing in the shower as she leaned lightly on the fixtures. She sang eloquently in a language foreign to that of the continent she was on.

Black locks of hair fell wet and clung to her face. One leg after the other she stepped out of the shower and casually grabbed a towel. The dark blue carpet wasn't too comfortable to walk bare footed on. The plush white rug was a different matter all together though.

Still merrily singing, the nineteen year old stood and finished the process of drying off. The bed sheets had all been neatly folded on the bed already. An assortment of folded clothes covered the length of floor along the bottom of the bed.

After donning her underwear she slid into her short black shorts and a tight red top covered in eastern embroidery. A knock at the door sent her stumbling onto the bed as she fought with her last remaining sock.

"Breakfast call!" An elderly woman's voice rang, slightly muffled by the oak door.

"No thanks!" The girl replied tying her bootlace, "Shoot" she muttered. Where had her bandana gone? Words of a long lost song still half dancing from her mouth she searched the room for her cherished bandana.

"exal-legato ning nita re-moun so"

A lot of stuffing and seven minutes later she had packed her bag, tied her bandana, braided three strands of hair and made her way for the door.

"Damn," She whined, "I hate leaving with my hair wet." With that she hopped over the balcony and landed effortlessly on the third step from the bottom. "Hope Snug is still around" the old lady from earlier didn't even see her pass by and exit to the street.

The Seventh Heaven bar was full of noise and laughter, and most notably, people.

- - - - -

Denzel and Marlene had gotten up hours ago. No one but Tifa had expected anything when Cloud went to change a beer keg and returned wheeling a Bike.

Vincent turned up not long after that, with a card for Denzel that was accompanied with an apology. Vincent had failed to bring a present, he'd had no idea what to get. He wasn't exactly great at this sort of thing.

Denzel didn't care, he had come and that was enough. The room filled was "awww"'s when Marlene handed her "Big Brother" a hand made card and a framed photo of them all for his room.

Nanaki had arrived shortly after Vincent, with Cait ridding him like a horse as usual. Reeves had taken to the cat and had it's personality enhanced. The unlikely friends had brought Denzel a hairpin as a good luck charm. The hairpin marked Denzel as a member of Nanaki's clan. Denzel was clearly overjoyed.

As always, Barret made a booming entrance, scooping up Marlene and lifting her onto his shoulder and yelled, "You been watching after 'me Marlene Birthday boy!" Denzel saluted as always and happily took the gil packed card. Reeves show himself at the same time as Barret. Giving the kid his card and going to speak to Cloud at the bar.

Cid and Yuffie were the last to turn up. Cid had picked her up on the way here, and he still hadn't stopped complaining.

"That damn bird is eating all my cigars! They're not easy to come by!" Cid pronounced as he waved a rather strong whiskey in the air. As far as loud pilots go, this man was the best there is.

Tifa ran about behind the bar serving drinks to the regulars that she had invited. Mr. Lasbit from the Item store was here to see Denzel about a small time job. Cloud was in and out of the kitchen trying hard to keep some form of food on the go. The rest were gathered around table and chairs alike, having fun.

- - - - -

Denzel stood wide eyed, staring up at the figure in front of him, trying his best to concentrate on what she was saying, and not on her legs. With arms outstretched and legs separated for balance, Yuffie stood in her red top and black shorts, smiling. It was no secret Denzel had a crush on her.

"Okay now, you have to concentrate, try to call to it. It's like trying to remember a memory that you've ever had, only with materia, you remember it." Yuffie's gift had been materia, Haste and Sense. First she had to teach him how to use it.

Denzel smiled skyly and closed his eyes, he held his breath and concentrated on the orb in his arm. Visualizing what he wanted to happen just like Yuffie had said he called to Haste. Mind racing he search for knowledge he never had.

"Okay, now kick me" The young ninja chirped as she stood waiting with arms outstretched ready to defend.

The first came, with no added speed.

"Come on" Yuffie whined playfully, "you're not visualizing properly. Look, tell you what. If you get it right this time, I'll be very nice to you." Yuffie smiled and winked at Denzel, a sudden flush of redness crossed his face. Denzel caught a whiff of something cooking, then a hand on his shoulder.

"She's too old for you" Cloud mocked and passed them by. Giggling nervously the boy settled back to the task at hand. Brown eyes narrowed as Denzel visualized a blue aura encasing his body. In a strange moment, a cross between Dejavue and realization, he lashed out suddenly. His foot left a short blue trail behind itself until Yuffie parried it causing him to lose concentration.

"eeeee!" She screeched, "Well done!" the teenager grabbed Denzel before he noticed and kissed him playfully on the cheek and spun full circle. "Not such a bad teacher after all, huh?" she beamed making a triumphant pose.

Cloud snorted in an attempt to repress a laugh.

"Don't tease him, you'll give him a heart attack" Tifa added from over someone's shoulder. Yuffie just giggled and looked at Denzel.

"In time all that effort becomes second nature and you'll be able to do it far quicker." She nodded to Cloud, then hopped past Denzel onto a stool, "where's my orange juice?"

The rest of the day had passed pleasantly. Denzel enjoyed using his new Sense materia to tell people which hand they were holding their coin in, he'd come up with a few party tricks already. The day wore on and the sun sat lower in the sky, obscured by the higher buildings in Midgar.

Most of the party group had moved upstairs and Tifa opened the bar for normal business. Yuffie was, as always, more than happy to step behind the bar and help, much to the delight of the locals. Both her and Tifa where used to it by now. But Yuffie seemed to enjoy the attention.

Vincent, who had been displaying the results of his hard work in the field of having fun, would occasionally walk around the bar, his presence was a cooling agent to even the most hardy of brawlers, none of these men could stomach the cold air around him.

Marlene lay curled up on the couch next to Nanaki being content to just listen to people and admire her dad. Denzel sat with his legs crossed next to the centre table, laughing at the conversations between Barret and Cid. Stories were swapped and jokes were told, the occasional fortune cast by Cait.

Cloud stood in the doorway holding his leather bound holster by his side. A subtle smile was painted on his face, the kind of contemplation rather than joy. Could this really last? A family after so long…he wouldn't let it go for anyone. The room just oozed comfort, he was sorry that he had to leave.

His train of thought was broken by Reeves, who spoke his name as he approached from behind. The blonde turned his head to the side and saw Reeves lean on the wall and watch him.

"So, you are really going to do it, Cloud?" As always, his deep voice was assuring, he gave the impression of helpfulness. Brown eyes settled on Cloud before he turned back to face into the room.

"Yeah" he said with a nod.

"You know, there's no record of a Courier being ordered on any Shin-Ra file. The Turks seem to be the ones organising this." The WRO exec just watched his friends expression.

"You think they're setting me up?" Cloud asked, once again he turned his head to face Reeves. "After everything you think they'd still stoop so low?"

"No. I just know that Rufus knows nothing of this. Shelke tells me there's been an attempt to hide that you've been asked to do this. I'm just being cautious as all"

"Thanks for the heads up" Cloud sighed and looked up at the ceiling, a moment later he looked back into the room.

"Still going?" Reeves asked. Cloud just nodded, taking his cue, Reeves left him alone and headed back downstairs.

"Denzel." Cloud raised a hand and motioned for the kid to come to him. Fixing his hair as he walked Denzel stopped right in front of Cloud and looked up at him.

"How long?" Denzel asked politely.

"It's gonna take me till tomorrow after noon to reach Junon. I have to meet Reno there. After that it'll be a few days. That ok?" Cloud held Denzel against him with one hand briefly. The young boy nodded an answer.

"Thanks for staying as long as you have" Denzel stepped back towards the center table. "If it is really for as much money as Tifa says, I want more allowance" With a laugh he turned back to the room and went to talk to Marlene.

"Cid! Keep your end of the deal." Cloud said looking down at his waist as he clipped his holster into place.

"What's that supposed to mean you ungrateful spiky piece of-"Cid was cut off by a grunt from Barret.

"Not in front of Marlene!" he boomed and added "He will" with a nod.

"Later" Cloud called as he turned and started down the stairs.

The smoke had started to fill the bar as punters lit up an assortment of Cigars and the like. Several eager men leaned heavily on the bar, their eyes followed every move of every curve of the two woman's body.

This seemed to stop so quick it was noticeable, as Cloud stepped down the stairs to the side of the bar.

"A rum, double gin, and a life," Tifa repeated the order to Yuffie as she spotted Cloud. With a twist she stepped past Yuffie and grabbed the bottle of green liquor. She flipped the bottle to Yuffie "Catch! Tell him that will be 20 Gil" with out looking back Tifa slid under the side of the bar and kissed Cloud quickly. "Be careful."

AN: This chapter was my way of introducing each other the characters back into the story in one go, but at the same time setting them up for the divide the story needs. All comments and suggestions welcome.