DISCLAIMED: (07/12/09)
EDITED: (09/16/09)

Characters: Cloud/Yuffie, Godo, mentions of Rufus, eventually all of AVALANCHE
Rating: M, yes that's for teh eventual sex.
Summary: Cloud is on the road again, his inability to tell Tifa how he felt sending her into Reeve's arms. Now his only contact with the rest of the world is Rufus for a job and Yuffie, because she could. All games/movies compliant.
A/N: These updates are weekly. I love all the story alerting and favoriting goin' on, but you can only do that once while reviews you can do as many as you like;) All of you who did already totally made my day. Arigatou gozaimashita. ^_^

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-ЄөЦŕҐїŊģЭфΘμÐ-

Chapter 三

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Cloud defeats a spider demon after delivering a strange package on orders by Rufus Shinra. Yuffie helps out as she's realized the "delivery" is a ruse to send Cloud on some sort of warrior quest.

"Cloud?" He looked over at her sad tone. "I'm sorry."

He frowned. "For what?"

"…That this always happens to you. I mean," Yuffie looked to her lap, playing with the hem of her shorts. "You never ask for any of it and really shouldn't have to go through it but…"

"Yuffie."

She looked up to meet his gaze.

"I'm fine." He gave a half-smile to show he was sincere. "You don't need to worry about me." Yuffie looked unconvinced and he felt an uncontrollable urge to assure her somehow. So he added, "Besides, this is nothing compared to Meteor. Or even Omega."

Yuffie pursed her lips. "What about Sephiroth?"

"Nothing comes close to dealing with him." Cloud nodded.

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Chocobo Billy's Ranch :: Guest room

- Day Two

Cloud woke up as dawn broke. He sat up, swinging his legs off the bed in Chocobo Billy's guest room. He rubbed a hand over his face and neck. Though he knew he would've woken if it rang, he checked his PHS anyway, knowing Yuffie planned to call. It simply showed him the time:

5.47 am

Sliding his phone back into his pocket, he stood. Cleaning himself up in the small bathroom provided, it only took him a few minutes to pull on his bracer and sword strap after that. He headed to the farm to give his regards to Billy.

"Hey, Cloud," the young man greeted. "Sleep well?"

Cloud nodded.

"That's good. By the way, a package came for you about an hour ago." He said, moving into his small office.

Cloud watched curiously as he came back out with a familiar brown package. Frowning, Cloud took it, noting it appeared to be the same size and weight as the previous package.

"Was there a note?" Cloud asked, glancing back up.

Billy frowned, shaking his head. "No, not that I saw."

Cloud looked back to the package, before nodding and taking his leave. As he exited the barn, his PHS rang. Pulling it out, he flicked it open.

"Cloud? Good. Did you receive the package?" came Rufus' voice.

"Yeah," he replied, slipping it into his pack.

"Take it to the Midgar Golom Cave by tonight." The phone clicked as it went dead.

Cloud closed his cell, pocketing it. Resting his hands on his hips he stared out into the distance at the swamp. He'd need a chocobo.

Ten minutes later, he was straddling his black chocobo, its permanent residence the past four years here at Chocobo Billy's ranch. His golden one was kept in Wutai, under Yuffie's care. Said she wanted to make sure she knew when he was preparing to take off to "the land where no one but crazy-faces go" as she put it.

He didn't care. He wasn't suicidal, but even if he was, she was the only one he didn't mind bringing him back. Funny, how annoying he used to think she was. But then a lot of things changed over the past seven years.

His PHS beeped. Pulling it out, he flipped it open, simultaneously calming his chocobo as he did. It was a text from Rufus.

Koi wa moumoku.

Koufuku.

Cloud frowned as it said nothing else. The first phrase he recognized. Yuffie had said, "Love is blind." The second, he had no idea. Perhaps another keyword like in the cave. What was with all these random, middle of nowhere deliveries?

Pocketing his phone, he clicked setting Rhys in motion. As he reached the edge of the swamp, his PHS rang again. Pulling Rhys to a halt, he fished out his phone, a small smile already tracing his lips.

"Yuffie?" he answered.

"Cloud?"

The smile fell from his face. It wasn't Yuffie.

"It's Tifa. I'm so glad you answered."

Cloud sat stiffly, not saying anything. What did you say, really, to the one that got away and still wanted to be "friends"?

"How are you? Have you been eating well?"

"What do you want, Tifa?"

"…I just…miss you. Will you be coming to the AVALANCHE con? We've all missed you at the last three. I know you have deliveries but I'm sure Rufus—"

"Yuffie already told me. I have to go."

"Oh, alri—"

Cloud hung up. He knew it was rude but he didn't really care. He'd dealt with losing so many people and when he finally thought he could have happiness, he was too late. She could either have Reeve or him. She chose Reeve.

He scanned the area for the Golom. He didn't see it nearby. Clicking, he set Rhys in motion going into a full gallop. They made it safely to the other side, Cloud dismounting. His phone rang. Pulling it out, he checked the caller I.D. this time. Your Favourite Ninja.

His eyes warm, he answered. "Hello?"

"Cloud! You're up!"

He scratched his brow with his thumb. "Is that a surprise?"

"Well, no. But I had to get up extra early to call. Godo's mental, I swear." There was a pause, then, "How are you?"

It was the second time he'd been asked that morning but this time he had no problem answering.

"I'm alright," he said, glancing around. "I'm at the entrance of the Midgar Golom's cave."

"What? Why are you there?"

"Rufus," he said simply.

"Oh. Any clues as to why?"

"Nothing but two phrases. One from before. Koi wa moumoku. And kou…fuku, I think it was."

"Happiness," Yuffie muttered.

Cloud frowned. "If I didn't know any better, I'd be starting to think Rufus has a crush on me."

"Well, you do have that big sword, Cloud. And by the way, ew."

Cloud's lips quirked. "Well, I might lose you, so I better go."

"Wait. Let me boost my signal. I wanna see."

Cloud's amusement grew. "Bored?"

"Duh. Why the hell people get up this early is beyond me. . . ." Cloud listened to her shuffle around, cursing before she spoke clearly again, "Alright, DGI me baby!"

Shaking his head, he pulled the phone from his ear and clicked the button before holding the phone out before him. A head shot of Yuffie appeared, causing his eyes to widen before he smothered a laugh.

She noticed and narrowed her eyes at him. Her bangs stuck straight up, scattered locks around her head sticking out in odd directions. She wore no headband, as per usual nowadays he noticed.

"You're one to laugh, Cloud with that beehive you sport all the time."

Cloud gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Yuffie. You look lovely. Very…regal."

"Bite me, Cloud."

"Thanks, I already ate."

Yuffie huffed. "Alright, well put me on your shoulder so I can see already."

Cloud inclined his head mockingly. "As you wish, my lady." He smiled as he listened to her growl her displeasure, while clicking his phone into his shoulder clip above his bracer's flashlight. Her image shrank down to a full view of her. Her head reached the top of his.

He didn't try to look at her, but stared into the cavern. "Can you see?"

"Course not. Turn on your flashlight."

Clicking it on, he asked, "Better?"

"Hai."

Heading into the familiar cave, he looked around, hearing the soft whir from the PHS as Yuffie adjusted the camera to rotate as she scanned the area.

"What a dump."

"Yuffs…"

"What? Can't Rufus send you somewhere with, I dunno, florescent lighting at least?"

"Says the woman who uses kerosene lamps and torches as her main source of lighting. . . ." Cloud muttered.

"I heard that."

"Well, you are sitting on my shoulder." He stressed the word 'are'.

His mouth curved slightly as she had no quip to that.

"Well, do you know where to go?"

Cloud shook his head. "Last time I was here, I didn't explore very much."

"How lame. Not even for materia?"

Cloud rolled his eyes. "I did find a chest on a separate path, but that was it."

"Well, let's start there."

"Yes, madam."

"...I'm burning a hole through your temple with my stare."

"…I know," he replied, his voice rumbling with amusement. Life certainly wasn't boring with her around.

"Well, as long as you're aware…"

Cloud made his way through the cave, searching for hidden openings as he headed for the other path. He saw nothing unusual.

Turning down the other path, he studied the ground while Yuffie studied the walls. Nothing caught their eye.

"Is that the chest you were talking about?"

Cloud looked straight ahead, and nodded. "Yeah." He moved over to the opened chest, still there after seven years. Dust and cobwebs covered it. Kneeling down, he grabbed the sides, looking around it before pulling. It shifted, but that was it.

"Shine the light inside. . ."

Cloud did. They both saw the wooden bottom of the chest. However, it looked like there was a square panel in the center that could be lifted. Yuffie watched breathlessly as he flipped out a knife from some secret sheath in his boot and lowered it into the chest. He slipped the tip in between the edge and pried the panel up. Yuffie watched as he replaced his knife before shining the light back into the chest. There was a small square hole where the bottom of the chest used to be. Sticking his hand inside, he slid his fingers into the hole, feeling around.

He paused, making Yuffie frown.

"Well, what is it?"

"A latch of some sort."

"Well, pull on it."

"I am."

Pulling up, the small wooden piece lifted. They both looked to the right as a noise heralded the wall's movement. Cloud straightened as the wall slid open, rocks and dust shaken loose to rain down around it. At least he didn't have to force it open this time, Cloud thought.

There was a moment of silence before, "Well, that'll teach you to look beyond the milk."

Cloud ignored her, peering into the darkened passageway. It veered sharply to the right. Pulling his sword, he slowly made his way forward, turning the corner. There were several more turns before he felt the air change. His flashlight shown through the darkness, showing the opposite wall at least five hundred feet away.

A loud noise sounded as the wall closed behind them. Cloud turned to listen.

"Well, that sucks."

Unlike the first cavern, there was no light in this one. Cloud kept his light on as he rounded the corner, scanning the huge empty space. His grip tightened reflexively on his sword.

"What's that huge boulder thing? In the center?"

Cloud pointed his flashlight to what he assumed was the center of the room. She was right. There was a huge boulder jutting out of the ground, like another wall it was so huge. Cautiously, he made his way towards it.

"I wish there were more lights. If only I were there. . . ."

"Materia isn't as powerful anymore, Yuffs."

"Yeah, the manufactured crap. I got the good stuff, though."

"Just keep an eye out."

He rounded the side of the boulder, aiming the flashlight this way and that. What he found was a pedestal, like the one before. Scanning the surrounding area once more with the light, he stepped up to the dusty plinth. Resting his sword against the side of the dais, he reached into his pack, pulling out the rectangular package.

Yuffie kept quiet as she watched him place it on the center of the pedestal.

"Koufuku," he muttered.

The room shook then, causing him to lift his sword, moving into battle stance as he backed away from the podium. Yuffie watched in awe, seeing the brown packaging melt away as the rectangular prism rose into the air, transforming into the symbols of her people. Happiness.

幸

福

Cloud saw the symbols as well before stepping backward as beams of light shot out at him. Yuffie watched, jaw agape as his form lit up in bright light, shielding her eyes. He staggered under the onslaught, falling to his knee as he once again felt a surge of energy pulse through him, connecting him. The earth felt like his own skin below his knee.

His attention was torn away from the sensations by a loud roar.

Seemed these monsters really liked their pedestals kept free of suspicious mail, as this one sounded just as mad as the Macura. Searching the darkness with his flashlight, he caught a glimpse of a set of very sharp teeth and a forked tongue before he was almost eaten. Back-flipping out of the way, he quickly cast Scan on it.

Hevine

HP: 165,000/165,000

MP: 20,000/20,000

Weaknesses: Light

"What the fuck. . ." Cloud muttered, regarding the weaknesses.

"What is it?"

"It says it's weak against 'light'."

". . . What the fuck?"

Cloud choked out a laugh at that as he shone his light around, searching for the monster. Teeth flashed again as it lashed out, nearly catching Cloud's shoulder. He jumped out of the way, landing against the far wall.

The sounds of someone choking caught his attention. Realizing what it had to be he rolled his eyes.

"Could ya not do that. Almost tossed my lunch. . . ." Yuffie grumbled sickly.

"Sorry," he drawled, searching through his arsenal for something 'light'. "I'll try not to let my imminent death turn your stomach."

". . . What are you doing?"

"Trying to find something to kill this Hevine."

"Hevine? That's a snake monster."

"Great. What kills snakes?"

"Well, I'm gonna guess 'light' this time."

"Let's try fire then."

He summoned Ifrit. The Hevine screamed in pain. Doing a quick Scan he saw its hit points were cut by a third. However, the enraged monster lashed out lightning quick, refusing to let him Summon anything else.

"Cloud!"

He winced at the shout in his ear. "I'm fine, Yuf…"

"Cloud, I can't see you—I—lose—oo—"

Her image fizzed out, He turned away wincing, a large cut down his sword arm. Weakly, he blocked another attack with the flat of his sword before dropping to his knees.

Casting Fire 3, he managed to scare it away to the other side of the cave for the moment. Quickly, he cast Cure 3 on himself, sighing in relief as his arm stitched itself up.

A thought came to him then, his head lifting to look straight up. Its weakness is light. . . . All he needed was light and he realized the perfect Summon for that.

Rising to his feet, he called out, "Gunge Lance!" Cloud faded away tiredly as Odin appeared. He watched floating above as the deity, astride his steed, launched a spear into the roof of the cave, breaking through, allowing light to shine into the darkened cave.

The Hevine screeched in pain, folding in on itself as it curled up in the corner. As Odin disappeared and Cloud came back down to Gaia, he watched as the creature closed its eyes and was still.

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Cloud made it out of the cave, using koufuku as the password. He strode angrily out the other side, checking his PHS for reception. It was the second time he was almost killed in two days on a job Rufus gave him and he wanted some answers.

However, his phone had a large slash down the center.

"Fuck!" he exclaimed, throwing it. It simply skid across the plain, so it was very anti-cathartic. Sighing, he moved to pick it up. A thought came to him and he slowed as he crouched.

Yuffie mentioned talking to Rufus, which wasn't normal. If she had to deal with Shinra, she usually went through Reeve. Now he was dealing with mysterious packages and platforms with her people's language all over it. She had to know something. But why hadn't she told him?

"What? Rufus and I talk…sometimes."

"Sometimes?" Cloud questioned. "Like, how often it 'sometimes'?"

"Just…when I can't avoid it, alright?"

Cloud frowned. He needed to talk to her. Now. Heading back through the cave, he hopped on Rhys and hurried across the swamp. Reaching the farm, he found Billy and asked to use his phone.

Dialing quickly, as he'd memorized Yuffie's number a long time ago, he waited impatiently for her to pick up.

"Cloud?"

"Yuffie."

"Omigod, are you alright? Did you kill it?"

"Yuffie," he said again, catching her attention.

" . . . What?"

"We need to talk."

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A/N: Lol, Cloud is pissed. And no, I don't mean drunk. Legs will be updated with the final part tomorrow. Please Review;)