So relaxed, Cloud was befuddled to realize Yuffie had pulled his cuffed forearm to her chest and wrapped both her arms about it like a teddy, before tucking her face into the pillow, right below his chin. His head buzzing pleasantly, he glanced down in confusion at her dark head, before deciding he didn't care.

Cloud closed his eyes and to the soft sussing noise from a now asleep Yuffie, he drifted off.

Chapter 四: Practice Creates Confusion

Tifa looked down at the unlikely pair, cuddled in the middle of the bed. A small smile touched her lips as one word came to mind. Kawaii.

"Tifa?"

The fist fighter glanced towards the open door, smiling when she saw Reeve. He smiled back and entered, crossing to her side. Glancing at the bed he paused, his eyes widening.

Ignoring the how and why of it, he turned to Tifa, a question in his eyes. Tifa met his concerned gaze with a soft smile.

"I'm fine," she said just as softly.

"Are you sure?" Reeve asked, unconvinced.

Tifa glanced down briefly, entwining her hand with his before looking back up at him and nodding. Reeve smiled back relieved. Giving her hand a squeeze he looked back down at the sleeping pair. Tifa did too, giving a small sigh.

Reeve felt more relieved than he had in a long while. He noticed Tifa more after the Omega crisis, who couldn't, realizing things weren't all okay between her and Cloud. Though he knew of Cloud's delivery business, he hadn't realized how much it kept him away until Vincent mentioned it to him.

Deciding to stay in touch with the old AVALANCHE members more often, Reeve started visiting Tifa's bar. He saw how much it hurt her every time Cloud came and left, though he made an effort to stay longer each time before leaving again.

Reeve became her confidante. Soon he was taking her and Marlene out for ice cream and then it was just him and Tifa. Soon it was hurting him whenever Cloud returned. Hurt him to see her pine after him. But either she became adept at hiding her pain, or she was indeed starting to let him go.

Now Reeve knew for sure she had let him go. He also realized it was true that those happily in love wanted everyone to be happy in love, since he suddenly found the idea of Yuffie and Cloud together, though odd at first, a fantastic pairing.

Meanwhile…

Cloud came to consciousness, unsure of exactly why. It was bright on the other side of his eyelids so he kept them closed. He stilled as he heard soft voices. Pretending to still be asleep, he tried to listen.

Instead, he became aware of something warm cuddled to his front and the stiffness of his arm. His breathing stopped altogether as everything about yesterday and last night came back to him along with the fact that his free arm was draped around his bed partner's waist. And there were witnesses…

Cloud shifted his stiff arm, as he allowed his eyes to open, scowling at the bright light.

"Hey, sleepyhead."

Sitting up slowly, Cloud turned slightly towards the female voice, but that meant more light, so he turned away and grunted. Tifa's voice…Tifa! She'll have the wrong idea of him and Yuffie! Or was it? Of course it was. They simply adapted to a difficult situation. Their…sleeping position was simply the most comfortable.

Yuffie shifted and groaned. She tried to roll away from the light that now shone in her face with Cloud's absence, but was stopped by a jerk on the cuffs. She froze and Cloud knew it was that moment that everything came flooding back to her.

"We thought you guys were going to sleep all day," said Reeve's cheery voice. Oh yay, thought Cloud. "Rough night?" Cocky bastard.

Cloud frowned at his own thoughts. He didn't dislike Reeve. Lately though, his closeness to Tifa had been grating.

"Well, we saved some breakfast for you guys," Tifa continued as Yuffie sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Barret and Cid already took off for the races."

Yuffie stretched then and Cloud found he couldn't look away. She tried to do just her free arm but couldn't help tugging on Cloud's wrist as she stretched her cuffed arm back.

As her arms flopped into repose, she smiled brightly at their guests.

"Good morning," Yuffie greeted. "Did you say breakfast?" She looked to where Tifa pointed at the small dining table behind them.

Instead of breakfast, Cloud caught sight of Tifa and Reeve's clasped hands. He looked away quickly, turning to swing his legs over the side of the bed. Yuffie gave a cry of protest as her arm was jerked, and she fell sideways.

Cloud threw an apology over his shoulder. Yuffie glanced from him to Tifa and Reeve. That's when she caught sight of their hands too, looking up at them for confirmation. She watched the couple glance at each other before they nodded slightly. Yuffie smiled and gave them a quick thumbs up.

Cloud was too lost in his own thoughts to notice the silence. Yuffie ended it then anyway.

"Right, well I'm starving. Thanks, guys. We'll eat something and then check with the magician."

"Actually," Tifa gave her an apologetic look. "His assistant sent over a message this morning for you. They need more time."

Cloud didn't say anything, so Yuffie asked. "How much more time?"

Another glance between the new couple, and then, "They're not sure. No one they've come across has seen this traveling salesman in the past few months."

Reeve stepped forward. "But if they haven't found something by tomorrow, we'll all go out and join the search."

Yuffie smiled. "Thanks, guys. We can look too." She scooted forward on her knees, to relieve the pull on her wrist and patted Cloud's shoulder. He looked over at her distracted. He grunted his assent.

"Alright, well, we'll see you guys later then. There's actually a Jujitsu demonstration in the auditorium right after lunch. Everyone agreed to come if you feel up to it."

The couples said goodbye with promises of meeting each other later. Left with a moody Cloud, Yuffie sighed. He heard her but ignored it.

She scooted around him and off the bed. "Come on. I'm hungry."

Reluctantly, he stood and moved to sit at the dining table with her. He kept his cuffed hand on the table out of consideration for her, but he said nothing and didn't eat.

Yuffie watched him as she ate, her eyes wide and curious.

Cloud didn't notice as he was lost in his thoughts. Tifa was with Reeve now. They looked happy. Tifa, happier than any time she had ever spent with him.

After a short while, Cloud finally glanced up wondering what was making Yuffie so quiet. Seeing her staring at him, he looked away. Glancing back at her, she was still staring so he frowned.

"What?"

"How does your hair do that?"

Cloud blinked at her unexpected exclamation.

"I mean, normally you'd have to use like a gallon of product everyday to defy gravity so completely," she continued, tilting her head. "But it felt perfectly normal last night."

Cloud felt his cheeks heat annoyingly at her mention of the head massage.

Yuffie snorted. "I used to think you slept standing up just so you wouldn't mess it up."

Clearing his throat and shifting uncomfortably, Cloud said, "Yeah, well it's always been like this. Not sure why." He tapped his fingers on the table. "So, where did you learn that…ehem, head massage thing?"

Yuffie's chewing slowed briefly and she nodded. "Oh. Wutaian secret. Vincent taught me."

Cloud looked away, sighing inwardly. He knew it. Not sure why, he suddenly felt uncomfortable at the mention of the pale gunslinger. The ex-Turk had spent so much time with Yuffie, having formed a bond with her over the Omega crisis and the year afterward. Cloud's newfound awareness of Yuffie kept resurfacing and though he kept shoving it away, a part of him realized Vincent and Yuffie may already have something together that he couldn't compete with. Had he wanted to.

Even with Tifa, they had the history and the childhood together, but she still ended up with Reeve. Cloud ignored the fact that he never actually tried to get her attention. Insane curiosity forced him to inquire, however much he told himself he didn't care.

"So, you and Vincent…hang out a lot?" Cloud asked casually.

Yuffie nodded. "He's cool. Especially once he got out of his 'I must atone for things I had no control over by being emo and wearing bad footwear' attitude." Yuffie chewed away happily. "I swear, he says whole paragraphs at a time with no help from me now. It's insane!" She glanced at the food. "Hey, you going to eat?"

Cloud shook his head distractedly, mulling over what she'd said.

"You should really eat breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day. Vincent says—"

"Fine, I'll eat," Cloud cut in, pulling the plate towards him and scowling down at the food.

Yuffie froze at his abrupt tone and looked at him confused for a second before resuming her chewing. She considered him a moment before looking down at her food.

"I think we should go to the Jujitsu demonstration thingy."

Cloud simply shrugged at her words.

"Then we could act really couple-like in front of Tifa."

Cloud stopped chewing moving only his eyes up to regard Yuffie. She noticed and met his gaze.

Nodding, she added, "Yeah, you could show a softer side and how you are ready to be ya know, loving and caring. What?" she asked, seeing his forehead crease with a frown.

"Nothing," Cloud sat back. "I…it's just…"

Yuffie waited for him to continue and when he did nothing but stare at the edge of the table, she nodded.

"Right then. So I think we should practice."

His gaze shot to hers at that. "Practice?"

She nodded with a huge grin. "Yes, practice. You didn't become the only warrior able to kill Sephiroth twice by grabbing the first sword you saw and winging it. No pun intended." Taking a breath, she continued. "And last night, I know you weren't trying to be smooth but you were a stuttering mess! And to a woman you're not even interested in." She made a cringing face. "I can only imagine you trying to be smooth in front of your crush."

"It's not a crush," Cloud protested, not liking the childish term at all, while feeling all sorts of awkward with the conversation.

"You like Tifa, right?"

"Well, yeah…" he answered sounding unsure.

"Well, then it's a crush. And if you really want to catch her attention you have to show her you've changed and are ready to be normal and live again. And since you are rather out of practice at flirting and being all un-sad-face-like, we need to work on it before this afternoon."

Finishing off her breakfast, Yuffie stood grabbing his hand. She tugged on his arm. "Come on."

Reluctantly, Cloud stood. He was still smarting from her comment about him being an un-smooth, stuttering mess, but realized she was right. He had no idea how to act flirty or be…close with someone. Well, except what he'd witnessed when Zack was around.

Yuffie stared up at him and batted her eyelashes. Airing out her voice in an almost exact imitation of Tifa's, she batted her eyelashes, "Hiya Cloud." She placed a hand on his upper arm. "Ooo my! Your arms are sooo muscle-y! Do you work out?"

Cloud snorted and stepped back, giving her a pained look.

"No way."

Yuffie tilted her head. "Come on, Cloud," she said in her normal voice. "You know how silly Tifa can get."

Cloud shook his head. "She's never that silly."

"Well, of course not. But I'm preparing you for the worst. Now come on."

Cloud scratched the back of his head and shrugged helplessly.

"Well," Yuffie said, "Normally, when guys get compliments from pretty girls, they grin charmingly and say something stupid like, 'well, you should see my pecs'."

Cloud shook his head. "I'm not saying that."

"Fine," Yuffie waved it away. "But try a charming smile." Sidling up close to him again, Yuffie donned her flirty look and in her 'Tifa-voice' said, "Mmm, Cloud. Dilly-dally, shilly-shally. I can't seem to open this jar of choco-naise. You're strong, can you help?"

Cloud watched her bat her eyelashes at him like an idiot. He was suddenly struck by how silly the situation was. He was practicing trying to get the attention of a woman he thought he wanted more than anything, with another woman who found silence a detriment to mankind, whom he just happened to be cuffed to, and found strangely attractive. Said woman was now making overt sexual overtures to him by flashing her irises at him and stroking his upper arm, appearing as if the world began and ended with him, as their cuffs clinked with every slight movement. And neither of them wore shoes.

Cloud felt his mouth stretch into an amused smile as he let out a soft snort at her antics. Yuffie's blinking was the only sign she was shocked he'd actually responded, before she was sidling closer, pressing against his arm.

In the same airy voice, she chided him lightly. "I said a 'charming smile'. Woman don't really like it when men laugh at them."

Cloud felt his face flush at her closeness and coughed. "Eh…well, do women normally look that ridiculous when trying to get a guy's attention?"

"Yes! They do!" Yuffie huffed, returning to her old self. She sighed, stepping away from him. "This isn't working." Placing a hand on her cocked hip, she looked up at him. "Here. Pretend you like me."

Cloud blinked at her.

"Now. What would you do to subtly let me know?"

Cloud just stared at her, looking like a chocobo caught in headlights.

Yuffie wiggled her hand as a hint. Cloud frowned at her as she did it again.

Huffing, she waved her hand at him. "Maybe you take my hand? You know, even just give it a quick affectionate squeeze or, Gaia forbid! – hold it as we walk. It shows you don't mind touching me and you're sensitive."

Cloud's frown deepened as he scratched his head.

"Now, come up to me and try it."

Yuffie readjusted her position, turning slightly away and looking bored and unaware. Cloud froze, his breath quickening as he was put on the spot. Yuffie for her part ignored him and started examining her nails. That helped a little, giving him a chance to decide to follow through with the craziness and take a deep calming breath.

This is what friends did, right? They did stupid things for each other, no questions asked and no mentions of it later on. Zack hadn't laughed at him when he'd been car-sick, he had just talked him through it. Well, since Yuffie was only trying to help and was being so cool about it, so could he.

Shaking his shoulders, he tried for a casual smile using thoughts of Yuffie throwing water in Cid's face the night before to help. Feeling he'd succeeded, Cloud took the two steps between him and Yuffie and in a spot-on imitation of Zack's cool charm, said, "Hey."

She glanced up at him and smiled. A regular smile. "Hey, Cloud." She looked at him expectantly.

"Uh…what's up?" he continued.

"Oh, nothing. Red won't give me anymore piggyback rides anymore though. Says I'm too big," she made a face.

Cloud blinked at the continued normal-ness of her speech, before focusing.Wait – woman don't like being called big.

"Well, Red obviously doesn't know what he's talking about," Cloud nearly managed to choke out normally. "You're skinny as a rail."

Yuffie's hopeful face fell.

Cloud panicked, realized that was not a good thing to say. "I mean, you're not big at all. I mean—" he winced and started over. "You look perfect to me."

Yuffie's fakely out-raged face transformed before his eyes into a dazzling smile. Cloud, slightly mesmerized by it, was startled when she grabbed his upper arm and shook it.

Squealing, Yuffie said, "That was perfect! Now, you offer to walk with me and casually take my hand."

Cloud nodded slowly. Nodding happily, Yuffie stepped away from him and tugged him towards the bed.

"Well, let's grab our stuff and go check out the park." Grabbing her boot, she spun her eyes lighting up with an idea. "Hey! Wouldn't it be cool to try the Battle Arena one-armed?!"

Cloud gave her a bizarre look and shook his head. "Uh, no."

"Oh come on!" Yuffie implored, sitting on the bed to slip her foot into her boot. "It'd be a great chance for you to practice with your left hand."

"…It's a two-handed weapon." Cloud replied as he shoved his feet into his unlaced boots.

"Well, then it's twice the challenge," she modified. Her face lit up as she thought of something else. "Or better yet! You could use my weapon, and I could borrow one of Vincent's and then that would solve the whole close range distance attacking issue!"

As she talked, Cloud recognized it as the old energetic Yuffie he was used to. Sighing, he knelt down seeing her try and lace up her boot with one hand while talking and not succeeding.

Yuffie drifted off as he started to lace up her boot for her, briskly and efficiently. Using her free hand, she leaned over and grabbed her other boot setting it down so she could slip her foot in. Done with her first boot, Cloud immediately moved to the other.

With his head bent, Yuffie found herself contemplating his hair once again. She recalled how soft it felt last night and wished to run her fingers through it again. Cocking her head, Yuffie realized it was just the type of flirty gesture Cloud would possibly have to deal with and it would simply be more practice for him. At least, that's what she told herself. Biting her lip, Yuffie took the plunge.

Cloud just finished knotting her laces when he froze, feeling a gentle hand as it slipped through his hair. It rubbed lightly along the top of his head before slipping down the back. Slowly, Cloud looked up. His blood was boiling from her touch and he felt as if his heart had never beat faster. Yuffie's eyes appeared heavy-lidded and as she met his gaze, she felt her insides warm and squirm, forgetting completely that this was supposed to be pretend. Her hand tightened in his hair as Cloud leaned forward, one hand braced on her knee. Placing her cuffed hand over his, Yuffie leaned down as well, coming close enough for him to press his mouth to hers.

Her grip in his hair and on his hand tightened briefly before becoming soft and reverent as his mouth moved against hers. Her mind was spinning going from this is wrong! to this is amazing! to who did he practice with to get this good! to strike that to his hair was soooo soft to mmmmm…

They broke apart slowly, their breathing slightly laboured. Yuffie met Cloud's equally stunned gaze. Sitting back, Yuffie finally allowed her hand to slip from his hair.

She laughed nervously as they both looked away, "Well, I think you have that kiss part down, when it comes."

Cloud nodded slightly, just as confused and uncomfortable as her. He scratched the back of his head before realizing her hand had just been entangled in the same spot and became self-conscious yanking his hand back down.

Clearing his throat, he turned his attention to his boots. Obligingly, Yuffie bent low so he'd have use of his cuffed hand. She tilted her head to the side, staring at his boots.

"Tifa'll be yours in no time."

Cloud paused briefly, before resuming his task, a little more roughly than before. He'd completely forgotten about Tifa. As soon as he'd said "Hey," and Yuffie turned to him with that soft genuine smile, he'd been lost. And that kiss… It'd been a long time since he felt that kind of desire and need.

But it was all pretend, right? He was doing all this for Tifa and Yuffie was…what was she?

Cloud finished tying his boots and stood, Yuffie standing with him.

"Alright!" she perked up. "Let's check out that shooting rollercoaster, yeah? That is, if Vincent and Reeve didn't wear it out yesterday."

Cloud nodded and they left. Walking side by side, he was again struck by uncertainty over her relationship with Vincent.

"Yuffie," he started.

She glanced sideways at him, looking curious.

"You're doing all this to help me…is there anyone you uh…like? I mean, so I can return the favour."

Yuffie smiled and shook her head. "It's not a favour. I'm just tired of seeing you and Tifa so unhappy. Brings down the mood of the entire group," she added with a nod.

Cloud frowned, not satisfied. "But…you have no one you like?"

Yuffie blinked at his concern. "Um, no not really."

Cloud's frown deepened. "…Not really?"

Yuffie looked straight and shrugged. "I mostly hang with Reeve, Tifa, you and Vincent and the little brats from the orphanage that Denzel brings over. Oh, and Lincoln from the bar but he's…eh."

Cloud glanced at her. "…Eh?"

She nodded. "He's not my type."

Cloud pictured the young, light brown-haired, muscular bouncer. Tifa's female customers had increased considerably after she'd hired him for the grunt work.

"Whose your type then? Vincent?" Cloud couldn't help but ask.

Yuffie turned and gave him a bizarre face. "Vincent?"

Cloud just looked at her, awaiting her answer.

Looking forward as they trekked through the fake graveyard, Yuffie shrugged. "He's kind of…dark--moody. Plus, he's way older than me."

"But those thirty years in that coffin don't exactly count. He didn't age or live at all," Cloud argued, sure that if she thought about it, she'd realize she liked the gunslinger, no matter how much he hoped against it.

"Yeah, but he's kind of tame, ya know?" she glanced at him, her lips twisting. "Like, he's too…polite. There's no…spark, I guess."

Cloud breathed easily as they stopped before the Speed Square's headstone. They spent the rest of the morning exploring the park. After one ride on the shooting rollercoaster, Yuffie promptly threw up. Once they got her some mouth wash, they decided to go to the Battle Arena and when she couldn't convince him to battle with her, they watched a couple from the observation box above.

The entire time, Yuffie constantly grabbed his hand or poked fun at him and just generally tried to get him to loosen up. Forcefully ignoring their kiss from earlier, she kept her smile bright and cheery, deciding to help him get Tifa no matter what.

Cloud had been so out of sorts after seeing her with Reeve this morning, Yuffie realized any warm feelings she was starting to have towards him were hopeless. But she was still his friend, and for the time being stuck to his arm, so she thought helping him get what he wants was a far better use of her time than pining.

So far her first task of lightening Cloud up was working. Hitting his arm with her shoulder, she grinned, "You could take him."

Cloud glanced from her to the young warrior currently ensconced in his fifth go below. He cocked his head slightly, "You think so?"

"Psh! Of course," Yuffie exclaimed. "If I can take him, you certainly can."

Cloud glanced at her with a small grin. Still arrogant about her abilities, he was glad to see she hadn't completely grown out of it. Though it had been annoying at first, now it was simply familiar. It was essential Yuffie.

"Even like this," Yuffie continued lifting their cuffed hands with a shake, "we could take him."

"With me using your Conformer, and…"

"Me using Vincent's pistol? Yep," she agreed, finishing his sentence as he drifted off.

Cloud shifted, as he continued watching the young warrior fight off that weird Ghost Ship thing.

"Uh oh," Yuffie noticed too. "There's no way he'll beat that."

Sure enough, Cloud and Yuffie watched as the warrior was inevitably knocked out of battle by the ship's large oar with a wince.

No one entered the arena after that, so they decided to leave, Yuffie suggesting lunch. Cloud agreed and they found a hot dog stand. His spirits light for once, Cloud ate right along with her this time.

Yuffie watched as he took a huge bite, leaving a bit of relish on the side of his mouth. Cloud glanced at her and noticed her grinning in amusement at him.

"What?" he frowned.

Yuffie kept smiling and reached up to wipe the corner of his mouth. Cloud held very still until she was done. Pulling her hand away, she showed him the bit of relish now stuck to her fingers, before popping them in her mouth. Cloud felt his eyebrows raise and his blood jump at her daring behaviour contrasting sharply with her insouciant smile.

"Uh, thanks," he said, rubbing at his mouth to make sure it was all gone.

Yuffie shrugged and they continued walking. "No problem."

Once they'd finished their food, Yuffie hopped in front of him and he paused.

"Alrighty." She started. "Think you're ready for this afternoon?"

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Author's Note: Ah! First kiss! Told you it would be a bit fast, but that is the "whirlwind" part of the romance. Sorry it took so long to get up, but I just realized I have no sense of time and thought it had only been five days tops since my last update ;D Thanks to everyone for reading and especially to those who reviewed. I've also forgotten who I personally replied to already, so I'm sorry if it seems I neglected you - it's nothing personal; I'm simply hopped up on sugar. ;)

Next Chapter: As the last line suggests, the next chapter will continue the afternoon. Kuraudo gets a mite possessive (not to mention confused as to why) over Yuffie.