Next Chapter up!!! I'm really getting addicted to writing. Thanks to everyone for all reviews. Even those who don't review, there a big 'Thank You!' for reading!


Be My Valentine: Chapter 3: Enter the Ninja

Nanaki blinked. Once. Twice. "That's your request?" he asked.

"Well, yeah," Cid's face turned a shade redder. "Please don't ask any questions."

"It's a rather unconventional thing to ask of me, but, I'll do it." Whatever gets you out of here faster.

Cid Highwind had asked Nanaki… to sniff a box of chocolates. At his consenting reply, Cid looked visibly relieved. He just wanted to see if Red could sniff out the sender of the package he had found on his bed just yesterday. The package that had been the cause of most of his grief and embarrassment in the few short hours he had owned it.

Nanaki really didn't understand why he was doing this. But Cid had looked so embarrassed about his request and a bit desperate. His curiosity was piqued, but he had promised not to ask any questions. It was just a box of chocolates, what was he expected to smell? He lowered his head to the box held under his nose and took a few whiffs.

Well, he smelled Cid, and chocolate, and cardboard, and… oh. Now Nanaki had a better understanding of the situation, but he wasn't sure Cid had the same thoughts. But…

"I smell chocolate, cardboard, and… you."

"That's it?"

"That it."

"Oh… OK, thanks Red. See ya later. Please don't mention this to anyone." He watched as Cid turned and left most likely heading to his room. Nanaki felt a little bad about what he did as he watched the captain go, but…

It really wasn't his place to tell.

Cid had half a mind to throw the stupid box of chocolates, but he didn't. Instead he placed it carefully in the same spot it had occupied on his dresser just half an hour ago and climbed back into bed without changing.

He was now officially disappointed.

He had really hoped Red XIII would be able to sniff out the mysterious candy giver, but he hadn't found anything useful. Maybe he had waited too long.

After all, he didn't know exactly how long the box had sat in his room before he had arrived yesterday. Maybe the trail was already cold. But goddammit, he wasn't about to give up. He was Cid Highwind. He would just have to think of a new idea. Cid closed his eyes and went back to sleep for a good few hours, dreaming of the triumph of catching faceless and nameless candy box senders.

Cid Highwind was now officially back at square one.

The good old mother$%#ingdrawing board.


After Cid had left, Nanaki went back to his previous spot before the interruption and curled up waiting for Vincent. He had shown up half an hour later.

Even though he found himself surrounded by the serenity of the early morning and good company, Nanaki found himself unable to enjoy it completely. The encounter he had with Cid earlier had interested him. And the box he held, the smell, the lying he had done, how could he not say something? But what if he was wrong?

He didn't want to upset his friend. Maybe he just had to word this particular conversation carefully. He played his unspoken words over in his head for another half an hour before working up the courage.

"Vincent," he said, breaking the calm silence. Vincent replied with a soft grunt, never one for unnecessary talking during their mornings together.

"This morning, earlier before your arrival, the captain asked me to sniff a box of chocolates."

"Why?" Vincent asked softly. He sat up a bit straighter. An unconscious sign of his interest.

"Don't know. I didn't ask. I didn't really tell him this but, the weird thing about it was…,"he paused for a bit of dramatic effect. "…it sort of smelled like you."

"Oh… I-I'm still tired, I'm going back to bed." Vincent stood, shrugging his shoulders to conceal more of his face with his cloak. "Thank you, Nanaki." He said this piece in almost a whisper before leaving the Command Deck with a swish of his cloak, making a hasty retreat.

As he watched him go, Nanaki indulged in a mental chuckle. He wondered what that cryptic 'Thank you' was about but put it at the back of his mind. For now he could enjoy his victory.

After all, he hadn't ever seen Vincent Valentine blush before.


Yuffie Kisaragi had gotten up earlier than usual this morning to go puke her brains out in the bathroom and she couldn't get back to sleep. After she washed the rancid taste of stomach acid from her mouth, she tiptoed silently from the bathroom to go have a little early morning fun.

Materia hunting!!!

She usually did this sort of thing during the day when everyone was awake. There was more of a challenge that way. Right now she was just bored, stealing from sleeping people was boooooring. Maybe she could just go through their belongings and take whatever piqued her interest as she went along. Hee hee hee hee!!!

These were the thoughts of one Yuffie Kisaragi as she stalked the halls going towards the old man's room. She would hit there first, since he was such a meanie face and the indirect cause of her sleeping problem. He made the ship, the ship made Yuffie sick, so that meant he was making her sick. Cid would be lucky if he woke up with all his furniture tomorrow.

But what she did not expect was the sound of a softly closing door and footsteps heading her way. Quickly rounding the corner to blend into the shadows, Yuffie held her breath and watched curiously as Cid Highwind dressed in all black made his way past her unknowingly, carrying a red box of chocolates.

What the hell was the old man doing up? He's usually one of the last ones up. Now thoroughly amused and curious, Yuffie counted slowly to fifteen in her head and then followed behind the unknowing pilot. At least now she had something to do.


Maybe an hour later, Vincent walked past her hiding place heading towards his own room away from the Command Deck.

Yuffie had heard everything!!!!

This had the potential to be sooooo romantic. Yuffie gleefully rubbed her hands together as her devious mind formed all types of plans. Maybe Nanaki could help out. She knew the fire-creature (AN:I don't really know what Red is) had to be forming ideas of his own. Yes she finally had something to free her from boredom, she thought as she stepped out from her hiding place.

She would make sure Vincent and Cid would fall in love.


Chapter 3 End!! I'm having more and more fun writing these everyday. The ideas flow like water! Please review. Anyone having trouble following the timeline? I know I maybe jumping around a bit. Just ask.