-Darkness on the Horizon-
The ride to Nibelheim seemed to stretch on forever, every time Cloud seemed to be slowing it was all the fault of the rickety scrap of metal he fought to control. June throws her legs over the side of her little buggy, she felt like sleeping but the loud coughs coming from the bike startled her awake every time they erupted.
"Cloud, are we almost there," she asks leaning her head back to look at him.
He nods, "it's just around this mountain."
June sits up excitedly, "what's it like Cloud, Nibelheim."
He shrugs a shoulder saying " it's a calm place, very relaxed. It's in the boonies so it's nothing like Edge and almost the polar opposite of Junon...I think...you'll like it, it's going to be different from everything else you've seen...and its my hometown so you'll have room to run around...I know nobody'll hurt you there."
June smiles leaning forward in her seat, "your hometown...Cloud...can I ask you something else?"
He nods.
She cocks her head, "do I have a hometown?"
He shrugs, he couldn't say for sure but he didn't want to hurt her, by his word she could be so easily broken.
"Where did you take your first breath," he mutters looking at her.
"Hmm...," June mutters lowering her head and furrowing her brows, "I think...I woke up in that church...does that make the church my hometown."
Cloud lowers his head to hide his obvious amusement, "no June...Midgar is your hometown."
"Oh...because the church is in Midgar, ha-ha how silly of me!"
Cloud glances at June when she begins to laugh, it was becoming easier for him to travel with her as he learned the persona of the girl behind the big story, it was also becoming more believable. Her innocence, or what some what called naivet kept her from able to tell such a tale, at this point no matter how hard he tried, he could not wrap his mind around the thought of her making this up.
June sits up more when a small town comes into the distance, she raises a brow; it looked no different from Junon to her, she glances at Cloud who now eyed the town with narrowed eyes.
"What's going on here," he mutters coming to an abrupt halt, she edges out of her car saying " Cloud it's...nice."
She thought that Junon was a beautiful place, but the way Cloud described Nibelheim seemed even better, he gets off the bike walking next to her.
For the most part it looked the same, but right in the middle of town a large building had been placed where the old Shinra mansion had once stood.
"What is that," Cloud mutters walking past June and toward the building.
June glances at the bike, she jerks her thumb toward it saying " um...Cloud aren't you gonna move it?"
"We have to get fuel...and trust me no one will want it."
June nods following him further into town, Cloud squints up at a large sign above the newly built building.
"The New Honeybee Inn...what is that doing here!?"
June winces at the edge in Cloud's voice, she'd never heard him yell before, she leans over touching his arm.
"C-Cloud...what is it," she mutters looking up at the building.
He looks down at her, he sighs looking ahead, he shakes his head saying " it's a...a-"
"Cloud..."
Cloud turns to the voice as June continues to puzzle over the building, he folds his arms saying " hey Red, what're you doing here?"
Red XIII gives Cloud what looks like a smile, "I'm actually headed toward Edge...I decided to stop here for today," he looks up at the Honeybee Inn, "ah so you've headed right to the main attraction...every night dozens of men from all around pour into that building...it's unfortunate really."
Cloud grunts jerking his head toward the building, "when was this built?"
Red XIII sighs, "about two months ago...kind of ruins the quaintness of the town huh Cloud?"
"Yeah, I don't like," Cloud mutters shaking his head.
June turns to them saying " ah Cloud...wha- that's a big dog," she bends down in front of Red XIII with a watery smile, "and you're talking to it?"
Red XIII looks up at Cloud saying "who is she?"
June gasps falling away from Red, she covers her mouth with her hands, a talking dog, how?
Cloud gestures toward June saying " her name is June...we're traveling together."
Red XIII grins, "so you've finally found love."
Cloud let's out a sharp breath of surprise while June lowers her head to hide her blush, Cloud snorts.
"It's not like that, why are you guys so interested in my love life," Cloud grunts looking aside.
Red XIII laughs saying "we worry about you Cloud, you always seem so detached...finding out that you allowed someone in would be very surprising."
June looks up at Cloud when he begins shaking his head, "that none of your business..."
Red XIII sighs saying " I know, but-...like I said we worry," he turns away, "are you headed toward the Inn?"
Cloud nods saying " yeah...June," he looks down at June who still watched Red XIII with wide eyes and her cheeks tinted pink. She sighs looking down, how could a talking dog stir her so much? Cloud holds his hand out for her saying " come on," June takes his hand smiling up at him, was her admiration for Cloud turning into something more than just a friend/mentor relationship, she had never thought about it because it was just easier that way. No use delving into feelings she didn't understand.
Cloud lifts her to feet saying "you sure like to throw yourself around," June nods.
"Yeah...but I was just a little surprised...I've seen dogs in Edge and they didn't speak," she mutters looking at Red XIII as they begin to walk behind him.
"Red isn't a dog...he's...he's just not a dog," Cloud whispers to her, June folds her arms. In her opinion, if it looked like a dog, walked like a dog and spoke...like a human, she smiles rubbing the back of her head, it's not a dog.
Red XIII turns to them, "you're also going to Edge?"
"Yeah(Yup)."
"Then we should go together, I plan to leave tomorrow morning," Red XIII says turning back to the road.
Cloud nods saying "OK...June, he turns to her and she nods.
"It's getting dark but if you want to have a look around go ahead, I'm going to the Inn to rest up j-."
"OK," June breathes turning to run away from him but he grabs her by the wrist pulling her back.
"Just be there before it gets too late, if you're not I'm coming to look for you and I'm sure you don't want that...I'm not nice when I'm tired."
June brings her hand to his muttering "sure-sure...got it," she gently pushes his hand off her wrist before turning on her heel and walking away from him and toward the end of town.
Red XIII walks over to Cloud saying "why do you travel with her?"
"It's a long story," Cloud mutters turning toward the Inn, Red XIII nods listening as they make their way toward it.
"Agh...oh no...I think I gonna starve to death," June groans holding her stomach when it rumbles in protest of her careless actions, she glances back at the road that she'd left Cloud.
"Does he even get hungry," she mutters shaking her head, she groans when her stomach rumbles again, "gotta find something to eat!"
She turns walking ahead until she reaches that building again, except this time it was lit up with purple and red lights, now she could clearly read the glittering sign.
"The New Honeybee Inn...I wonder...why would Cloud go to the other Inn if there's one right here...and it's prettier," she mutters scratching her cheek. June walks up the stairs to the building before going in.
"Wow...and even prettier inside," she breathes.
The interior with covered with gold, gold couches, golden walls and a golden bar area.
June walks over to the bar saying " look at that," over the counter were large plates of BBQ chicken wings, her stomach roars at her to get the chicken but she fights against it.
"Hey...a female customer...hmm whatever...what are you looking for tonight," a woman drifts over and behind the bar, she points to a large screen with female names on it but June's eyes were glued on the chicken. The woman glances back at it saying " oh the wings...their free for customers," she grabs the plate sliding them across to June. June gasps looking at the woman, she wanted to get to her knees and thank her but she would not move away from the wings, she nods to her before diving into the mountain of chicken.
"So...uh what do you want," the woman says wincing when June comes up for air.
"Water please," June mutters going back to her chicken.
The woman quirks a brow grabbing a bottled water from under the bar, June snatches it away uttering a quick thank you to the woman, she chugs it down letting out a large sigh when she's done.
"Ah...that hit the spot," she sighs wiping her hands with a napkin, the woman puts a hand to her hip.
"So..."
June shrugs saying " I'm done," she stands turning to leave but a man suddenly jumps in her way.
"Wow-wee wont'cha look at this one...you came for a job sweet-cheeks?"
June cocks her head, "sweet-cheeks...a job...uh...what kind of job?"
He grabs grabbing her by the hand, he pulls her past the bar where the woman still stood watching June apprehensively.
"Serving men here at the Inn," the man says smiling down at her, "you're a doll...beautiful...sexy...you belong here!"
June blushes looking away, he smirks when a woman walks past them wearing her uniform, "Sandra lookin' good!"
June looks over at Sandra, she wore a skimpy bee costume something June could never see herself in.
"What do you mean by serving," June mutters looking over the Inn again, men covered every crevice, eating chicken and chugging beers.
"For the new ones we set you up on the floor...just servin' drinks baby...the big stuff comes later," He mutters grinning down at her.
June shakes her head, she couldn't take a new job when she already had one, "I'm sorry but I already work somewhere else."
He scoffs saying, "where!?"
"The Seventh Heaven Bar in Edge," she says proudly.
He laughs saying, " never heard of it baby...but I can tell you that you'll make more here...whatever they pay ya there I'll pay triple."
June's eyes widen, she'd never tripled anything.
She rubs her arm, she'd only work here on one condition.
"How much are you talking...is it possible to make say...500 Gil in a night-," she cringes when he laughs at her.
"500 Gil...baby...the lowest amount here is about 4000 a night," he says smiling at her.
June gasps, she could pay Cloud back and still have pocket change of her own, she takes his hand saying, "I'll do it!"
He grins saying, " see baby...I knew with a little persuasion you'd come around...you sexy little beast...Katy!"
A woman with short black hair makes her way over to June, she grins saying, "a new girl."
June nods and the girl takes her hand.
"Let's get you suited up," Katy says pulling June toward the back of the Inn.
Katy grabs a costume of a large rack saying, " you should wear this one...hmm...and your hair," she walks behind June taking her hair and tying it into a ponytail.
"There are three things to remember while working here, smile, flirt and think sexy beeish thoughts!"
June quirks a brow when Katy slaps a hair-band on her head with two long black antenna's coming from it.
"Um...ok...but I'm going to be serving drinks right...," June mutters when Katy grabs a small glass container from the bottom of the rack, sprawled across the top was the word 'pollen'.
She grabs a handful throwing it June's way, June covers her eyes, turned out pollen was nothing more than scented gold glitter and dust.
Katy smiles saying, "and when you greet a customer always say the slogan."
"Slogan," June mutters quirking a brow...
"So she's not like us," Red XIII mutters looking at Cloud who sat at the Inn's bar drinking a soda, Cloud shakes his head.
"She's done some amazing things...saved our lives more than once," Cloud mutters shaking his head.
Red XIII cocks his head saying, "and you believe her story?"
Cloud nods, "she has no reason to lie to me..."
Red XIII sighs saying, "what do the others think," Cloud cocks his head thinking it over for a while.
"They believe her as well."
Red XIII smiles saying, "now you've piqued my interest...I wish to speak with her of the Lifestream."
Cloud glances up at the clock in the corner of the room, "well it's getting late...she should be here soon."
"Hey baby...buzz on over here," June gasps when a man stands waving her over to his table, she glances at Katy who smiles nodding her head.
June makes her way over to him and he grins saying, "wow you're beautiful...baby...what's your name?"
"June," she mutters crossing her arms over her stomach.
"Well June, my friends and I are looking for some entertainment...you workin?"
June cocks her head, entertainment...
"Um...I just serve drinks," she mutters shaking her head, she didn't know what he meant by entertainment but she knew that wasn't her job.
He sighs, "oh you're new...dammit...well then brings us some drinks and come sit with us."
June turns walking over to the bar where the bartender had already filled a platter, Katy rushes over saying, "that was OK...just remember the slogan next time."
"Will do," June says with smile.
She grabs the platter walking it over to the group of men, the man who called her stands saying "have a seat baby...let's talk." June glances at Katy who shakes her head.
"Sorry to say this but the only thing that slows this girl down is the sound of Gil," June says reciting some of what Katy had told her to say.
The men laugh, the man grins saying, "we'll pay you double for every minute you sit with us."
June glances at Katy who nods in approval this time.
June plops herself into the seat next to the man preparing herself for some more flirtatious banter...
"Where is she?"
Cloud glances at the sleeping Red XIII and then back at clock, 11:30 PM, he stands walking out of the Inn, there was no reason for June to be out this late unless she'd gotten herself into trouble.
Cloud moves down the road swiftly, every other store in town was closed so she either was in someone's house or..., Cloud pauses at the front of the Honeybee Inn, the bright lights, the sound of music making it to the outside...a June trap.
Cloud walks into the Inn only to be stopped at the door, a small dark skinned woman stood in front of him wearing her uniform.
"Hey there cutie, you a member?"
Cloud shakes his head saying, " I'm just looking for someone," he goes to move past her but she steps into his way, Cloud sighs.
"Sorry but you have you have a membership to enter at this time," she says smiling up at him.
Cloud sighs again, he didn't have the Gil to pay for a membership and get them to Edge, "I don't have it but I just want to know if someone I know is here."
The girl glances back before saying, "who."
"Her name is June, black hair and green eyes-"
The woman smirks saying, "maybe she's here or-"
She grins when Cloud hands her 700 Gil, "but she's busy right now."
"Busy!?"
She nods saying, "she's your girlfriend or something," she laughs when he looks away muttering in protest.
"Sure whatever, I'm sure you want to see her but you're gonna have to pay a pretty penny, she's new blood."
Cloud glares at her now, he didn't feel like this anymore and if June really was here he just wanted to grab her up and go but this woman stood in his way, he grunts, but time was passing by...June could be doing anything by now.
He hands her the rest of his Gil and she smiles, "great...now I'll get the two of you a room together," the woman walks away but another one replaces her, Cloud sighs.
"Yeah well Sam here has been with every woman here...so you're kinda the flavor of the week," the man says pointing to his friend.
June cocks her head, sometimes when these men spoke it sounded sort of strange.
Been with?
Flavor of the week?
June smiles saying "well uh...let's hope that he finds me a bit more interesting than the other girls here," the men laugh but Sam continues to stare at her with angry looking eyes, June quirks a brow. His gaze hadn't lifted from her since she sat at the table, she nervously grabs her ponytail pulling both of her hands down its legnth.
The Bartender walks over to the group leaning over June shoulder to whisper in her ear, "there's a gorgeous man waiting to see you...he paid me nicely."
June looks up at her and the woman nods saying, "come on...I'll take you to your room."
"Well it was nice," June says to the men getting to her feet, the men suddenly begin pushing Gil into her hands.
"Come back soon baby!"
June turns following The Bartender away, she counts through her Gil gasping when she's finished.
"3000...whoa," she whispers to herself.
The Bartender turns to her saying, "here's your cut from earlier," she hands June 500 Gil.
June smiles saying, "thanks but what am I supposed to do with this guy...aren't I just a server?"
The woman smiles saying "entertain," she leads June down a long golden hall and to a door, she holds it open and as June steps in she whispers, "and don't forget the slogan."
June nods.
When the door closes behind her June immediately jumps into the action.
"Welcome to the Honeybee Inn where the Honies are always sweet and we keep you BUZZED!"
She looks up to see Cloud staring holes into the floor, she grins saying, "oh Cloud it's you," she rushes over to him.
"Sorry...I lost track of time," she says with a nod.
He glares at the floor saying, "what the hell are you doing here?"
"Ha the money of course...it's an easy job," June says smiling.
Cloud glares at her now, "this is what you want to do with your life," she cocks her head looking at him in confusion.
"I do this at home...maybe not dressed like this but-."
"You do this...at...home," Cloud mutters his eyes widening.
"Yeah, serve up drinks," she says folding her arms, she didn't see the problem but if he had one she wished he would just say what it was.
Cloud slaps his forehead, did she really think that this place was just like Tifa's, he grabs her arms saying, " June...you're not a bartender here."
"Huh," she mutters looking up at him, he groans, he didn't know how much she knew on this subject so it was a little uncomfortable having to explain it to her.
Suddenly a loud banging noise starts in the room next door, Cloud cringes when he hears someone moaning, June looks at the wall saying "what's going on in there?"
"June...this isn't what you think it is..."
June looks at Cloud's hands on her arms and then her costume, she then looks at the wall again...
"Cloud...this..."
"It's a..."
"No...it can't be..."
"But June..."
"No...don't say it...don't say it."
"It's a brothel," Cloud says releasing her arms.
June screeches falling away from him, she turning covering her hot face with her hands.
"Why didn't you tell me!?"
Cloud glares at her saying, "how about you ask these questions before taking strange jobs."
June turns to him saying, "I-I...h-he...didn't tell me this," she groans when the moaning next door gets louder, "please Cloud let's leave...I feel so icky!"
Cloud nods rushing over to the door but June grabs his arm, he turns to her and she clasps her hands together preparing to beg.
"Cloud...please...don't let them see me!"
Cloud grabs the doorknob saying, "you didn't have a problem before," she nods.
"Yeah but I didn't think I was being looked at like...that...please Cloud...I'm so embarrassed."
She rushes past him out of the room and into the hall, suddenly out of the next room a man emerges, he smirks at June and Cloud saying, "had fun huh?"
June squeals grabbing Cloud hands, she pulls his arms around her saying, "what a creep!"
Cloud grunts when she takes a step forward still dragging him along.
"What are you doing," Cloud asks trying to create some distance between them however June yanks him back into her.
"I'm trying to keep away their prying eyes," June whispers edging toward the main hall in the brothel.
"But...why...me."
June smiles saying, "because...you're only Cloud...I trust you."
Cloud looks down at her but all he gets is a view down her top, he groans looking away.
"Yeah well let's hurry this up," he mutters looking past her.
Cloud sighs looking downward when they make it back to the main hall of the brothel, the bartender nods toward them filling Cloud with even more embarrassment, June glances back at Cloud whispering "oh god...they think we...we..."
"June, please," Cloud mutters glaring past her.
June nods dragging him behind her to the changing room, she breaks away from him saying "be right back," she disappears behind the door leaving him to his thoughts.
He turns away folding his arms, he was surprised that this had been so easy, he avoided a large awkward bullet but he could still feel his heart pounding in his chest, he shakes his head trying to clear his mind. He didn't want her to see him this flustered, she might get the wrong idea.
June resurfaces wearing her normal clothes, she grabs his arm saying, "now let's get out of here!"
Cloud nods pulling her through the brothel and over to the door but a man suddenly steps in their way.
"Where ya goin sweet cheeks," June looks at her Boss with narrowed eyes.
"I quit," she says moving past him, he frowns when June walks out of the brothel clearly lost in her righteous fury. The man looks at Cloud and he shakes his head, Cloud walks past him but a loud laugh from the man brings him to a halt.
"You must be really happy to see her!"
Cloud blushes profusely when the women around him begin to laugh, he turns to leave but June comes back up grabbing his hand.
"Come on Cloud we're supposed to storm out together," she pulls him down the stairs and away from the building.
Cloud clears his throat gently pulling her back so that he could walk in front of her, he needed to make sure that she didn't see.
"Eek it's cold out here," June whispers wrapping her arms around her body.
Cloud nods, better for him.
"June...I have a question for you."
She nods scurrying to catch up to him but he begins to walk faster, she slows quirking a brow.
"Ok," she mutters walking behind him.
"Why would you try to work there in the first place?"
June grimaces, she glances down at her heavy pockets, she still owed him his money and the truth.
"Uh...well...there's something I have to tell you..."
Cloud nods.
"Back in Wutai...to get this outfit...I took some of your Gil."
Cloud turns to her his eyes narrowed, "what!?"
June shakes her head saying, "I'm sorry but...I didn't have anything else..and...and-"
"You do know that I spent the rest of my Gil to get you out of there right...this wouldn't be the case if you didn't steal from me."
June winces at the word 'steal', she could feel tears burning at her eyes now, that's not the way she wanted him to see her but the truth was the truth.
"How are we going to get home now."
She goes into her pockets pulling out her Gil, she pushes it into his hands saying, "I'm...I'm sorry..."
Cloud pulls away from her walking into the Inn, June wipes at her tears furiously, she never wanted to make him angry. She looks up at the Inn, she no longer wanted to be there...or anywhere for the matter.
She drifts over to the Inn though her mind fought against her body, she walks inside to find an empty room and counter.
"I hope he doesn't choose to leave me behind," she whispers skulking over to the counter, maybe she'd gotten too comfortable with him, he owed her nothing. He didn't have to put up with her immature shenanigans, June lays her head in her arms on the counter. He'd be annoyed with her before but never so angry, she looks at the Clock, 11:55.
"I guess...I should...sleep," she mutters hiding her face in her arms, she wouldn't be going upstairs, she didn't want push it anymore.
Wipe it clean...cleanse the planet...take...your...place...
June wakes with a start, she whimpers pulling away from the counter, she could still feel those cold arms around her, still feel the breath at her ear, telling her...urging her...commanding her.
June turns away from the counter rubbing her arms, but no matter what she did the cold still seeped through to her bones. She steps away from the cold grey of the room only pausing when bright light interrupts her vision, she looks up at a small overhead window. From her place she could hear the tittering of birds, she turns her head to the room behind her, the cold grey had left.
"I'm...awake," she whispers closing her eyes, she groans grabbing her head, "how is this possible...my dream...am I going crazy!"
All night she'd spent trying to get away from the cold grey and the person within it, it was so real...
"June, correct?"
June turns to Red XIII who cocks his head looking her over, "are you OK...you didn't sleep well did you?"
"H-"
"I came down and you were talking to yourself...and crying...bad dream," he asks walking over to her.
June nods saying, "yeah..."
Red XIII moves closer to her and she backs away, "I uh...I'm gonna wait outside," she turns leaving the Inn.
Cloud comes downstairs readjusting the collar of his shirt, he looks around the room saying, "where's June?"
Red XIII turns to him, "she's outside...she seems...unhappy or...bothered-."
Cloud sighs saying, "my fault...don't worry about it."
Red XIII watches as Cloud walks out of the Inn, "what did you do," he asks following him outside.
Cloud suddenly pauses before him making him fall into the backs of his legs, "Cloud-"
He walks around him to see what had stopped Cloud so suddenly, June stood in the middle of the road looking up at the sky, she brings her hands to her head muttering to herself.
"What is wrong with her," Red XIII asks looking up at Cloud.
Cloud shakes his head walking over to her, she looks up at the sky again her mutters turning into hurried whispers, "where...but...where."
Cloud reaches out for her but she stumbles ahead muttering, "are we leaving?"
"Yeah...but Red," Cloud turns to Red XIII, "we won't be going with you today...there's somewhere else we need to stop first."
Red XIII nods saying, "OK...but where is it if you don't mind me asking?"
"I do," Cloud mutters walking toward the end of town, he goes to his side pulling out a small bottle with a thunderbolt printed on the outside.
June turns to Red XIII who sighs shaking his head, she didn't understand Cloud's sudden change in plans either but she didn't plan on asking, she felt it best she just kept her mouth shut and her eyes on the road ahead. She glances up at the sky again, she could feel something there, something scary. She shudders as the bike behind her roars to life, Cloud throws his leg over it saying, "come on June."
He nods his head toward Red XIII saying, " I just don't want the others in my business..., Red XIII nods.
"I understand."
June walks around the bike getting into the car next to Cloud, she waves to Red XIII saying, "it was nice meeting you."
He nods to her as Cloud pulls away leaving Nibelheim behind.
June sits up once they make it to the open world, she turns back in her car sighing, the darkness coming from the sky shook her, she glances at Cloud who watching the world ahead without blinking. She sighs falling back into her seat, "June," she looks up at Cloud and he jerks his head backward, she turns in her seat gasping at the sight of wolves following them.
"Target practice," he mutters to her.
June looks at him apprehensively but she makes no complaint, she goes to her side retrieving the guns. She climbs onto the back of the car extending the guns toward the wolves, she squeezes eyes shut pulling the gun's triggers, she hears Cloud grunt and she opens her eyes, the wolves hadn't even been scratched.
"I...I can't do this," she whispers shaking her head.
Cloud veers to the right and the wolves follow, "June I'm a little tied up here," she looks at him again this time with fear. He could just leave her should she fail to do what he told her to do, they were already on edge.
June readies herself again, she fires off again this time the bullets fly directly into the ground, she groans slapping herself in the head with the back of her hand.
"Gotta focus," she whispers getting ready again, she closes her eyes again pulling the trigger this time the guns begin to shake and shudder in her hands.
"One more."
She opens her eyes to see the one wolf still chasing and the other encased in ice in the back of it, she looks at her guns saying "what."
The barrels were frosted over in ice, she brings the guns up again saying, "Water."
She pulls the triggers and two bullets are released from the guns, the bullets are covered in thick masses of swirling water, she winces when they land on the wolf and he's washed away from them.
"Good, but you need to work on that aim...those guns'll be more effective if you could use them right."
June sits back nodding, her first battle; she wipes her brow. It was scary but she felt good, June lays back in the car waiting for Cloud to stop.
The ride continues for almost an hour before Cloud finally reaches their destination, he gets off the bike saying, "come on."
June sits up, they were in the middle of nowhere, the only sign of civilization she could see was a large train sitting on tracks that reached into the sky, June climbs out of the car following behind Cloud who walks over to the train, a man steps out of it saying, "ah...hey Cloud what's up!"
Cloud folds his arms saying, "nothing," this seems to throw the man off but he laughs anyway.
"Goin up!?"
Cloud nods and the man moves aside saying, "oh...a date," Cloud pauses his eyes digging into the man like a hot blade into a stick of butter.
The man laughs nervously, "uh yeah...have fun!"
June follows Cloud onto the train and to a booth, he slides in and she slides in across from him, like before he glues his eyes to the window wordlessly. June turns to the exit trying to ignore the awkward silence, the train pulls away from the station immediately shooting upward, June falls forward into the seat Cloud sat in, she groans saying, "what the-."
"That's why you should have sat over here in the first place," Cloud mutters not even looking her way.
June pulls herself into the seat preparing for some more silence but Cloud suddenly gets to his feet, he walks out of the booth.
"June."
She stands following him and to her surprise she feels the train coming to a halt under her feet, the car doors open and Cloud steps out, June follows.
"Wow...where are we!"
June turns in a full circle taking in all that she could, she had never seen such a brightly lit place, she pauses at the opening of the mouth of a large pink monster figure, she turns to Cloud who stood a distance away from her talking to a man. She rubs her arm when he looks at her, he jerks his head ahead telling her to follow, as she walks through the gate the man Cloud had just been speaking to bows to her.
"Welcome to The Gold Saucer."
She grabs Cloud's arm squeeing, "The Gold Saucer...Yuffie and Tifa told me all about this place...Cloud...why are we here!"
"Why else do people come to the Gold Saucer," he mutters looking down at her.
June looks ahead, from what she'd heard, fun.
Cloud turns to her making June lower her head, why would he bring her here for fun, after what she'd done.
"This is something that I thought you would want to see," he says as she removes her hands from his arm.
"S-So...you're not angry with me," she mutters peeking up at him, he shakes his head walking away from her.
"If I were we wouldn't be here and besides...it's your money paying for this..."
June gasps rushing after him, she places her hands on his back gently pushing him ahead, "then let's go have fun!"
She pushes him happily through the first area until they get to the square.
"Oh...what's this," June mutters looking at the giant circles around her, Cloud points to one saying, "choose one."
She nods walks along the row, "uh...mm...let's...go to Wonder," she turns to him and he quirks a brow.
"Really, I expected you to choose Chocobo."
She nods saying, "yeah well that's next...what now?"
Cloud takes her hand pulling her in front of him, June glances back at him but he nods his head forward, June bends down peering into the black hole before her.
"Cloud wha-."
Cloud uses his leg to nudge her forward, June screams falling face first into the hole, Cloud looks around before jumping into the hole himself.
June groans getting her hands knees, "ouch," she sits up when Cloud comes falling before her however he lands on his feet.
"You could have just told me," June mutters getting to her feet.
Cloud shrugs walking past her, June pushes her hair back before running after him.
The first floor of the Wonder Square is pretty mundane compared to the outside of the Gold Saucer, Cloud looks down at her and she folds her arms.
"There's arm-wrestling and basketball here," Cloud says looking over the room again, June shakes her head.
"Let's go further up," she grabs his hand pulling him toward the stairs into the next floor.
She rushes onto the second floor clapping her hands when she sees the attractions, "look at that...Cloud...what is it!?"
Cloud looks past her, he nudges her ahead saying "Cait Sith."
June walks over to Cait Sith saying, "it's a cat...on a...toy...," she turns to Cloud and he shakes his head, Cait Sith turns to them and he grins.
"Cloud...it's you!"
June gasps backing away from Cait Sith saying, "a...talking...cat...Cloud why is it that you have so many strange friends?"
Cait Sith shakes his fist at her saying, "talkin' cat...please lady...I'm a hero!"
June looks away deciding to humor him, "I'm sure."
Cloud smirks when Cait Sith begins to hop up and down on the toy, "I'm serious!"
June glances at Cloud who nods, she holds her hand out to the cat saying, "I'm sorry Cat...didn't mean to insu-"
"Don' call me that!"
June backs into Cloud her face now covered in worry, she turns her head to Cloud whispering, "it's an angry cat."
Cloud lowers his head hiding his smirk when Cait Sith begins to throw another tantrum.
"I'M NOT A CAT!"
"Ok!"
June sighs turning away, "I didn't mean to insult you."
Cloud looks down at her just in time to catch a small smile at her lips, she leans down sideways so that she could catch Cloud's eye, "are you smiling?"
Cloud grunts walking around her, "are you working?"
Cait Sith nods," ever since I started working here again I haven't had time to rest...but its fun and I always get to see friends...Yuffie was here yesterday."
Cloud shakes his head, "Yuffie is here everyday."
Cait Sith nods saying, " well...yeah...she's becoming a bit of an annoyance...she's almost used up all of my yearly GP...and she steals prizes from other customers."
June smiles, she missed Yuffie.
"Well that's Yuffie," Cloud mutters shaking his head, "don't want to live with her but she keeps coming back."
Cait Sith nods leaning over to get a better looking at June, "so who is she?"
"We're not dating...she's not my girlfriend...and this is not a date," Cloud says rolling his eyes at the ceiling.
"Whoa there Cloud calm down, I wasn't going to say anything like that..."
Cloud sighs saying "I'm sorry it's ju-."
"But now that you've said it...you two do seem very comfortable with one another...hm..."
Cloud groans when Cait Sith falls over in laughter, June rubs her arm, it was true she and Cloud were very touchy but it had always been that way.
June turns away pondering over this fact, for some reason they'd always been that way.
"No-no really...who is she."
June shakes away the strange thoughts rushing past Cloud and over to Cait Sith, "June...nice to meet you!"
Cait Sith smiles saying, " Cait Sith...so what are you doin with Cloud."
June smiles looking at Cloud from the corner of her eye, he stared at the ceiling, she shakes her head when she notices the blush at his cheeks, she sighs lowering her head, he was so easily bothered. She smiles looking up at him, and so easily teased, she bumps him with her hip saying, "we're...just looking around...he said he wanted to show me something."
Cait Sith grins saying, "something..."
Cloud glares down at June and she smiles charmingly up at him while twisting her body back and forth, he nudges her aside saying, " she's never been here so I wanted to show her around."
"Oh...so you wanted to be the first to show her this world of wonderment...I get it...how romantic," Cait Sith whispers behind his head.
Cloud groans saying, "no...that's not it...June...lets go."
He turns to leave but Cait Sith calls him back, "come on Cloud at least let me tell your fortune before you go."
June gasps and Cloud sighs.
"Read our fortune...Cloud...come on!"
Cait Sith grins when Cloud turns back to them, "hm...so...you'd listen to her," Cloud turns away shaking his head.
"Oh Cloud...come on...I tease you all the time and it doesn't bother you this way," June says looking back at him.
Cloud turns to her and she folds her arms, "I thought we were supposed to be having fun!"
Cait Sith grins saying, "ok...prediction comin right up!"
He turns away pressing a button on a machine behind him, he turns around handing June a slip of paper.
"What you fight for fight's against you," June whispers looking at Cait Sith.
He shrugs saying "that's a rather vague one...want another?"
June nods and he turns away going back to the machine, he turns back holding out another slip of paper.
"Don't try to figure it out with logic, just sit back and enjoy the ride!"
June looks between the two slips of paper, "so- vague."
"Cloud do you want one?"
Cloud shrugs and June nods saying, "yes...give him one."
Cait Sith turns away as Cloud begins to glare down at June, she pats his arm saying, "oh Cloud all is well."
"Here ya go," Cait Sith sings holding a slip out for Cloud, Cloud glares down at it and June leans over to read.
"Time to stop living for others, make yourself happy," June reads aloud, "hm...interesting...another!"
Cait Sith grins holding out a second slip, June takes it apprehensively, why would he already have one.
"Just kiss him," June whispers looking down, she uses her hands to hide her blush when Cait Sith begins to laugh. It wasn't fun, the teasing. Not if it was directed her way, June stuffs the slip into her pocket saying, "well...thanks this was kind of cool."
June turns to the exit saying, "Cloud...we must go and look around some more!"
"Really...it's getting kind of late...I think that you two should go ride the gondola...the firework show is beginning."
June cocks her head, she knew fireworks in theory but she'd never actually seen one.
"That was the plan...but I was hoping we'd get around to seeing the rest of the attractions as well, but you took up all of our time," Cloud mutters in annoyance.
"I did huh," Cait Sith says laughing.
Cloud turns away saying, "we'd better hurry."
June nods saying, "nice meeting you Cat," she turns away laughing when Cait Sith begins to complain, she grabs Cloud's hand saying, "come on!"
Cloud glances back at Cait Sith saying, "we might be back through here," he leads June away and down the stairs.
"Step right up now and ride the gondola...a sight you'll never forget!"
June looks at the golden car before her, "that's what we're riding," Cloud moves past her and onto the Gondola, he falls into a seat when she gets on.
"We're over the place," she whispers sitting next to him, "Cloud...what are we going to do?"
"Have patience."
June sighs, patience was not one of her virtues.
June looks ahead when the gondola begins to move away from its dock, she smiles looking his way, "all alone here...you're really trying huh?"
Cloud sighs and she laughs.
"You know June...you seem to like teasing me but I've noticed how silent you become when someone else does it to you."
June shrugs saying, "well...you're fun to tease...you're always so serious...me...I just...I-."
"You just don't like it when the shoe is on the other foot," Cloud mutters looking at her.
June stands saying " I guess," she moves over to the window saying, "so Cloud...why...why weren't you angry with me?"
"I was angry with you but I got over it," he sighs.
June turns to him leaning against the windowsill, "so quickly?"
He nods pulling himself up the seat so that he could put his feet on the chair, he leans against the gondola wall.
"I've gotten used to things like that."
June quirks a brow and he looks at her saying, "from Yuffie."
June blushes looking down, "well...I'm sorry again...I was being selfish," she sighs walking over to him, she sits at the end of his feet.
"I..I've noticed that sometimes I can be a bit pushy...and...I sometimes do bad things to get what I want...gotta change that," she says looking at him.
"We're all selfish sometimes," Cloud mutters looking at her.
"Not you...look at you...look at me...I couldn't possibly be here without you, and what about how the others see you...you're a hero to all. You're never selfish."
"And in that lies my selfishness, I can't do it all without disappointing some," he mutters looking aside.
"Well you haven't disappointed me so in my book you're great," she says smiling at him, "I couldn't be here without you...I would probably still be sitting in that corner in Edge if it hadn't been for you."
Cloud's eyes widen when she gets to her hands and knees, she shakes her body in a way that reminds him of a cat getting ready to pounce, "you...cared when no one else did...so...I...I'll always think you're great even when you do something you think is selfish."
She makes a move toward him and he stiffens in his seat, "I owe you so much," she crawls over his legs and he sits up more. June pauses when she's a mere two inches away, Cloud feels his face burning but he still tries to catch her eye, she gasps and Cloud frowns when he sees a bright red flashing light in the reflection of her eye.
"It's beautiful," she whispers taking in the fireworks.
Cloud turns in the seat to watch, June almost falls away from him but he catches her, June never breaks gaze with the fireworks as she re-positions herself across his lap, Cloud looks down at her wondering if she'd ever been looking at him at all.
June smiles up at him saying, "this is...this is...Cloud I love them!"
Cloud looks out but June moving around him and sitting next to him brings his attention back to her, she pulls her legs into the seat laying her head on his shoulder.
"It's official...even if I died at the end of this...I will not forget you."
Cloud grimaces when she begins to rub furiously at her face, she removes her hands showing a wistful smile.
"What changed your mind...about helping me," she whispers leaning toward him.
"Truthfully?"
"Yeah."
Cloud looks at the fireworks saying "from what you'd told me...it's possible for people to come from the Lifestream as well...I wanted to see if I could bring someone back...well people."
June quirks a brow saying, "what?"
"Aerith and Zack...you've probably heard their names around."
June shakes her head, she'd heard of only the woman's name and that was from Marlene, she didn't really elaborate on who she was.
"So you wanted to see if you could bring friends back," she mutters.
Cloud nods saying "it's probably stupid but...why not try."
She shrugs, not stupid just highly unlikely.
She sighs, but what did she know?
Everything she thought she knew about the Lifestream and her existence had been challenged and proven wrong.
"Well since you helped me, I'll do everything I can to help you," she mutters laying her head against his shoulder.
"You're talking like this is the end," Cloud says looking at her.
She shrugs, "could be...for me...every day is a sham," she turns to him laying her forehead against his shoulder now.
"You're here now so no, their not," he sighs looking out the window.
June smiles nodding.
He looks downward saying, "I was also thinking about the person who sent you here...for me...I was thinking that it could have been one of them..."
June sits up, and he shrugs.
"By one of your friends..."
He nods saying, "that's why I wanted to know what they sounded like...but it's only thing that makes sense, maybe you were sent here to warn me of some major disaster or...who knows..."
Suddenly the gondola begins to lower under them, Cloud stands and June follows, "aw it's over," she sighs kicking her foot.
Cloud nods saying, "thank god, you have no respect for other people's personal space."
June pauses at the door of the gondola, she could feel a blush creeping up on her cheeks, she turns to him folding her arms behind her.
"Well...I was watching the fireworks...you know how I can be...I'm easily distracted," she says leaning toward him.
"You were climbing over me as if I were some object," Cloud mutters walking past her.
"And you complain about it now," June calls after him.
He grunts making her frown, she clasps her hands together running over to him with a plan slowly forming in her mind.
She grins up at him saying, " that was fun...but I'm tired now...where are we going to sleep?"
"There's a hotel," he says walking past her, he leads her over to a hole that read 'Ghost', June leans toward the hole, she pulls back when she feels Cloud move behind her.
"See you there," she sings jumping in.
June grunts when her feet meet the ground, she stumbles forward saying, "this is not a hotel...," she rubs her arms looking at the multiple tombstones that stood around her.
Cloud falls next to her and she turns to him.
"Um Cloud...where..are we?"
He leads her head and up to a large castle like building, June runs up the stairs behind him saying, " Cloud..."
He pushes open the doors to the castle and June creeps in next to him, she gasps saying, " eek...it's so-."
"Scary," Cloud says mockingly as he walks past her.
June nods rushing after him over to a small desk, he presses the bell on the counter and a loud scream comes from above them, June screams when a ghost appears at the counter.
"May I help you," it says in its ghoulish drawl.
"Yeah(NO), we need two rooms," Cloud cuts his eyes at June who shakes her head furiously, the ghost nods.
"That will be 300G, " The ghost moans.
Cloud puts the coins into a container at the side of the table and the ghost begins to laugh, "enjoy your night."
June clings to Cloud as he begins to climb the stairs at the side of the room.
"Cloud it's not real...right?"
He shakes his head saying, "it's a projection," June slowly moves away from him nodding her head.
Once they make it upstairs two rooms adjacent to each other open before them, "sleep tight," a voice calls from above them, June looks at Cloud and he shakes his head walking toward his room, June turns away but she pauses upon remembering her plan.
"Cloud," she turns to him crossing her arms behind her back, he turns to her leaning against the doorway to his room, she walks over to him with a smile.
"Thank you for bringing me here...I'll never forget this...," she saunters away a grin building at her lips, "my first date."
Cloud sits up abruptly, June titters into her hand, she could feel him getting ready to explode behind her.
"I mean...who knew," she says in between gasps for air, "I've seen the way you look at me but...I...would have never expected."
"The way I...what have I told you about flattering yourself," Cloud grumbles turning away, this brings June's laughter to an abrupt halt.
She turns to him saying, "flatter myself...Cloud...you think I'm cute admit it, Cloud shakes his head folding his arms.
June runs over to him grabbing his arms, "so why is it that you get nervous and start tripping over yourself when you look at me."
He glares down at her saying, "because every time I look your way you're already staring at me."
"Yeah ok," she says folding her arms, "you know Cloud I may be new to this and a little slow on the uptake, but- at least I can admit to it."
Cloud pauses, June smiles when his face turns red.
"Admit what," he mutters making her laugh, she turns away closing her eyes.
"Doesn't matter anymore," she says loftily, she saunters over to him and he casts his eyes downward.
She leans down catching his eye, "good night Cloud."
"Night."
Cloud looks up when June disappears into her room, he sighs.
He wasn't sure if she'd just admitted something to him or teased some sort of confession out of him, Cloud shakes his head walking into his room.
June sighs when she hears his door close, she smiles to herself, how could someone so perfect be so shy.
June sighs walking over to the large bed at the head of the room, "time to sleep June..."
So close...so close...
June sits up abruptly, she rubs her eyes trying to wipe away the cold grey of the room, she peeks an eye open but the room was still covered in grey.
Help...
Where...
WHERE AM I!
June screams covering her ears but the voices still invaded her mind, she lays down again wrapping the pillows around her head but she could still hear the anguished screams.
"Please...leave me alone," she pleads, she crawls to the end of the bed but as soon as her foot touches the ground the screaming stops and color rushes back into the room.
"Wha-," she gasps when she hears a knock at the door.
"June, time to go!"
She nods pushing her hair behind her ear, "coming!"
She turns to the head of the bed trying stop her trembling, waking up to a grey scary world every morning had lost it's novelty...
Next: The One She Fights For
