Rated: T for language and some violence
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Final Fantasy VII, unfortunate though that is…
Family Reunion!
Chapter Four: Cloud and Vincent are Invited
"Um…Cloud?"
Cloud turned his gaze from the large window to see Yuffie, one hand holding out a letter to him, the other clutching her stomach. The whole team was on the Highwind, on their way to Costa Del Sol for a much needed break. Cloud took the letter and looked at in, a confused frown settling on his face.
"How the hell did you get a message when we're flying?" he asked.
"Well, I was outside, trying to get some air," Yuffie explained, "when all of a sudden, a small plane came soaring pass."
Cloud folded his arms over his chest. With Yuffie telling the story, he had a lot of time to get comfortable since the teenager loved to embellish almost any tale she told. Yuffie took a deep breath, and clapped a hand to her mouth as her another wave of motion sickness washed over her.
"Damn," she muttered.
"Yuffie," Cloud urged impatiently.
"Oh, right…sorry. So, anyways, like I was saying, this small plane came really close to us," Yuffie said. "I thought maybe it was someone from Shinra on a suicide mission or something…but then, the door opened and this guy threw a rock at me!"
She showed Cloud her shin where the rock had evidently hit her. She waited for him to say something about it, but he didn't so she sighed and continued with the tale.
"So I yelled at him, called him a bastard…and he apologized! It was so strange. Anyway, he shouted over the wind that it was important and then the small plane flew away," said the ninja. "I didn't see how a rock could be important and I was going to throw it overboard, until I saw this envelope tied around it."
"A message," Cloud said simply.
"Well, yeah, basically," Yuffie agreed.
Cloud turned away to open it and Yuffie placed her hands on her hips in an annoyed way.
"So, you're not even gonna thank me for getting pummeled by a rock to get your mail?" she demanded.
"Thanks," Cloud replied, not really listening to her.
He looked to the envelope and to his surprise, saw that it was not only addressed to him. The named Vincent was scrawled right next to his.
"Strange," he muttered, walking towards the bridge to show Vincent.
He reached the bridge and walked over to the black haired man, who was leaning up against a wall, his red eyes closed as though he were sleeping. Before Cloud could say anything, Vincent's eyes opened and he looked at Cloud with a penetrating glance.
"This letter came for us," Cloud said, showing him the letter.
"So then open it," Vincent replied.
Cloud shrugged and opened it. He read it and his eyes grew wide in confusion. He held it out to Vincent who also read it. His eyes narrowed in rage.
"That son of a bitch," he snarled.
"Wait…why would Hojo want to invite us to a party? I've never been so confused in my life," Cloud admitted.
"It's obviously a trap," Vincent snapped. "But I say we go so we can kill him."
"What if it isn't a trap though," Cloud suggested. "What if he wants us to forgive him…and what did he mean it would be a family gathering?"
"How the hell should I know?" Vincent demanded.
"So…are we going?" Cloud asked.
"I guess so," Vincent said.
"What do we tell the others?"
"Aren't you the leader? Just tell them whatever you want."
Cloud shrugged and walked to the middle of the bridge. Everyone glanced at him in mild interest.
"Um…excuse me everyone," Cloud began, "Vincent and I have something to take care of…so we'll be leaving. Right, see you later."
"What are you talking about?" Tifa asked.
"I don't really know. Hey Cid, could you park this thing at the Gold Saucer?" Cloud asked.
"….Sounds like really important business," Cid muttered, lowering the Highwind.
"So when are you going to be done? How do we know when to get you?" Red XIII asked.
"Just give us the weekend," Cloud replied. "We'll be ready then."
A glance was exchanged among the rest of the team.
"Okay Cloud, you two have fun," Barrett laughed.
"Believe me, it's not going to be fun," Cloud sighed.
"You're an idiot," Cait Sith sighed.
Cloud blinked in confusion and just shrugged. Cid landed the Highwind and Cloud and Vincent stepped out.
"You really are stupid," Vincent sighed.
"…yeah, I know," Cloud admitted.
