Chapter 9
The next few weeks consisted of just flying around, since running into 'The men in red' everyone wanted to take the time and form some sort of plan as to how to deal with them and find out who they were. Since the engine was clean and almost fully restored Alex didn't have much to do except log ins, routine checks, and the occasional clean ups after cid 'fixes' things. They had meetings every day about what happened in Modeoheim Alex wasn't called to any of them. She would periodically go into the bridge looking at the controls and over hear them talking. It was always the same who were they? Why were they at Medeoheim? And from Yuffie why red? She didn't mind that she wasn't asked to join in the meetings she thought that was more the groups speed. Plus, she didn't really think she would be any help. Relaxing on her bed in her room she rolls over on to her side. Being in that position made her think about when she was in the cave with Cloud laying on top of him. He was so warm and cozy she wished it lasted longer than it did. She's never been held like that by a man before. She always wondered what it was like now that she knew she wanted more. The door opens Tifa and Yuffie enter "I don't care I'm sick of having these meetings we never get any were!" Yuffie yells plopping on her bed. "Yuffie stop complaining" Tifa says taking off her shoes. "There's a reason why we have them" she adds sitting on her bed. "You guys come up with anything?" Alex asks them "No nothing yet we will" Tifa answers not moving "Yeah right" Yuffie lets out Tifa sighs and ignores her. "Hey Yuffie What's the date today?" Alex asks Yuffie flies up "April 27 TH" she answers then slams back down her face in her pillow. Alex has a thought "Hey Cloud's birthday is coming up soon" she says Tifa turns to her "Yea what about it?" she asks. "Well what do you guys do for birthdays?" she questions they both look at each other "We don't do anything why do you ask?" Tifa answers Alex thinks this is strange "You don't do anything at all? In my world birthdays are a big thing" she states. They both sit up facing her "Well we don't do anything here" Tifa replies. This makes Alex a lil sad if her birthday was treated like just a regular day it would make her upset. She decided a change was in order "We should do something for him" she says "Like what?" Tifa asks "Well celebrate it make the day all about him" Alex replies. Tifa and Yuffie make faces and laugh. "Uh I don't think that's a good idea Alex he's not the celebrating type" Yuffie informs laughing "Why not?" Alex asks "I think he would feel like he doesn't have anything to celebrate about he's had a pretty tough life" Tifa answers. Alex didn't want to hear that, as rough as each year would get for her she would always be happy when her birthday rolled around." It doesn't matter how bad you've had it your birthday only comes once a year its the one day were you don't have to worry about anything" she says hanging her head down. Tifa and Yuffie see that this is very important to her "What do you think he would like to do?" Tifa asks. Alex lifts her head and smiles hearing this "What about the saucer? It's an amusement park right? Lets go there well get everyone one involved but don't Let Cloud know what were planning" she tells them jumping up. Yuffie then gets worried "Oh geez he's gonna kill us I know it" Yuffie says with her hand over her face. "No he wont it will be fun" Alex assures "Well you better be right I don't wanna be smothered in my sleep after this" Yuffie says. Tifa laughs laying on her bed, Alex rolls her eyes then thinks about her statement for minute. If Cloud did become angery he would come after her first since she is the mastermind behind all of this "Your not the one who should worry about that" she thought.
Everyone was very apprehensive about doing this it took a lot of convincing before they were on board. Meeting secretly in various rooms this time it was being held in the engine room. Nanaki with his sensitive hearing kept an eye out for Cloud. Alex, did her logs as they talked " I'm sorry I still think its a bad idea" B arret says "i agree he's not gonna like this" Cid says cigerette in hand "Were gonna die" Yuffie says in the fetal position. Alex slams her book shut "Stop it! All of you!" she yells walking to the middle of them. "I've only known you guys a short time including Cloud and from what I've seen he sticks his neck out for you without being asked and not needing a thank you in return even if he doesn't show it deep down he'll appreciate this I know he will" she adds with her left hand on her hip. Heads turn back and forth to one another " Alright ya can count on me" Cid sighs everyone else nods after. "Good now his birthday is in a few weeks try not to blow the whistle till then" she says making a face a Yuffie. Vincent and cid were sitting next to her she turns thinking that was for them then she realizes its for her "What are you looking at me for!" she screeches throwing her hands up. "Because Yuffie you tend to be a blabber mouth" Nanaki throws in watching the hall "I am not!" she pouts folding her arms they then begin to argue. Alex rolls her eyes she trys to calm them all down. "He's coming!" Nanaki informs one by one they exit leaving Alex alone. Cloud sees them quickly leave all saying hi while passing him. Suspicious, he stops at the door way brow lifted looking at Alex. She glances over to him smiles waves then goes back to work. He stares at her a few moments more shrugs it off and continues on his way. She jerks back to make sure he was gone "Whew that was close" she whispers stretching out her bottom lip blowing the bangs off her cheek.
later in the day Alex went to the bridge Cid was hunched over looking at all the screens she goes over and stops on the other side of the controls leaning over them. "So Cid...were are we going next?" she asks "Well we need to refuel so its off to rocket town" he answers tapping the fuel meter screen. "Whats it like there?" she questioned " Its a small town its were I'm from" he says now at the helm. Alex became interested in his origins with the group "How did you meet everyone?" she asks. Cid puts a cigerette in his mouth " Actually iImet Tifa, Barret and Cloud there they needed te' use a smaller plane I had the Tiny Bronco been wit' 'em ever since" he explained lighting up. After she joined she observed something that didn't make any sense to her " Cid tell me you own this ship so why does Cloud give the orders?" she questioned "Cuz' he's the one in charge" he says smoke flows out of his nose. Alex folds her arms puzzled "Yep it was decided unanimously he has the back round to do so he's never steered us wrong… me...I'm perfectly fine with just fly'in" he says. "Back round? What do you mean by that?" she asks. Cid looks at her he realizes he said to much and doesn't say any more it just makes her more curious about him. Cloud never liked to talk about himself just talking about his mother was difficult when ever she would ask about him the subject was either changed or a small simple answer was given that didn't explain anything. It was as if it was painful even for them to speak about like they were right there with him. Knowing that she wasn't going to get more out of Cid she enters her room Tifa was organizing her things on her side. She sits at the end of her bed "Tifa can I ask you something?" she says. Tifa opens a drawer to her beauru "Sure" she answers taking a few things out and placing them on her bed. "You said Cloud's had a tough life...well exactly how tough?" she questioned. Tifa stops mid reach into her drawer she stands there for a min in silence "You ask a lot about that why are you so interested?" she says taking more things out. "It's just...you all told me about your pasts and your lives and you even know things about one another but when it comes to him no one wants to talk about it...its like one big secret ...why is it that I'm not allowed to keep things from you and you from each other but its ok for him to I just don't understand what happened that was so bad?" she states. Tifa stops what she is doing and sits with her "It's wasn't one thing it was many" she says "like what?" Alex asks Tifa turns her head away " Horrible things...that's all you need to know" she answers Tifa goes back to the drawer. Alex stands up "Thats not good enough! Why is this topic always avoided! What is the reason?" she yells stomping her foot. Tifa cocks her head to the right "If you want to know so badly then go ask him " she whispers. Frustrated Alex leaves and goes to the engine room she grabs a screw driver and twirls it around in her hand she paced back and forth thinking about what tifa said. It didn't surprise her that she didnt give her any more info on Cloud's past. She wondered what it is that's so uncomfortable to say. Was is about his mom? Was there more to it then her just dieing? Were they all involved? Alex ran those questions in her head over and over it was clear that Tifa was right the only way she would truly find out is to hear it from him but it would have to wait till after his birthday she didn't want to ruin it.
The elevator feeling comes over her the ship rumbles the engine shuts down. Outside it was overcast the sky was covered in grey. Looking around it was a small town just like Cid told her. A general store, hotel, and around 15 houses as well as a small grocery were huddled together. Soaring above all of this was a rocket tower. Alex now had feeling where the name came from but there was no rocket in sight. Part of the tower was leaning off to the side meaning the rocket must of been launched long ago. The ship was parked off to the side next to a huge tank Cid hooks up a hose and flips a switch on it. He walks ahead "Come on this e'll be a while" he informs. They all followed him to the house closest to the tower. Inside you could tell it was a mans house. Old furniture with tares in them that were taped up and whiskey bottles full or half full were sprawled out on the kitchen counters. "This is my house make yer'self at home" he says to Alex pouring himself a glass. Barret pours one to. They all sat at the table Vincent stood in the corner, Nanaki was on the floor next to Alex. They all talked for hours telling stories about when they were kids Vincent and Cloud kept quiet. She got why Vincent didn't say anything he never does but she hoped Cloud would. Just one story, just one thing about himself that could give a clue as to who he was. She was sitting right across from him his arms were folded staring at the table she wondered whether he was even listening or off in his thoughts. Cid and Barret passed a bottle sliding it on the table it stopped at Alex. She picked it up, looked at the label, took off the cap, and sniffed it. "Woah" she says waving her hand in front of her face "That lil missy is aged ten years good stuff" Cid informs her taking the bottle and pouring more into his glass. "Have some Alex" Tifa insists smiling "Me? Nah I'm good" she says sitting back in her chair. "What's te' matter my whiskey not good enough f'er ya?" he asks "No no its not that" Alex answers "Maybe she's never had a drink before" Tifa lets out. Cloud was now listening to the conversation he's had Cid's whiskey even he had a hard time handling it. "No I..." Alex tries to say Yuffie cuts in "It adds to the list of the other things she hasn't done" she says "Oh no not this again" Alex says under breathe. "You talking 'bout the no boyfriends?" Barret asks taking a sip. Alex covers her face witch is now red. Nanaki lays down, Vincent rolls his eyes. "Don't forget the no kissing and..." Yuffie almost finishes Alex jumps in "Ok! Could we not!" she yells taking the bottle. She throws the cap off and drinks from it she cringes as it burns going down her throat. She slams the bottle on the table "There" she adds they fall silent "Ok then" Tifa says the subject changes. Cloud wide eyed smirks he would of done the same thing if it was him. "Well Oshera must be full by now" Cid says downing his last glass. Back at the ship Cid unhooks the hose, the ramps comes down and they all pour in. "Well you showed them" Nanaki says to Alex "Thanks" she replies with a smile. She hurries to the bathroom gurgles on some water and brushes her teethe to get the taste out.
It was finally here the day before Cloud's birthday. The last meeting the group had was a few days ago they decided to head up to the saucer today and start the 'party' early. The problem was the only way to get to the saucer was from a tram that left from Corel. So a plan was set to keep Cloud from figureing out what they were doing. The story was that the tram in Corel broke down and that they were contacted because of Alex and the good work she did with the electrical in the houses the last time. Barret made sure of it. It was early, after landing they all climb a small hill. A tiny station sat just at the end of the path. The tram was blue two thick cables on top of it ran straight over to the saucer. "Barret!" turning around to the station two men stood right behind them. "Odie, Luko good to see ya" he greets them pounding his fists with there's. They look the group over "So witch one is Alex?" the one Barret called odie asks. Alex steps forward "Me" she says raising her hand holding her tools in the other. "Come with me" Odie says directing her to the tram. They climb to the top of it from a ladder on the side and make way to a pulley that moved the tram up and down the cables. she squats down "You jammed it nicely done" she commends not looking up at him. She didn't want to give any indication something was up. Thankfully they couldn't be heard but Cloud was watching and he is very observant. "When Barret asks for a favor its no question we do it" he says standing next to her "Good to know" she says back tinkering away. Twenty five minutes later, Alex finished the fix and checked over the other pulleys just in case. Now that the tram was safe to use it was time to get everyone into it " Lets go for a ride guys" Alex says going in, they all follow behind. Cloud stood at the door arms folded he thought this was odd. Alex sees him standing outside the tram "Come on Cloud" she says waving him on. In his mind he thought something wasn't right about this it was strange that vincent went in no problem his guard up, he walks in. The tram starts to move, it went at a good pace. Out the windows the moutains in the west and the tree line in the east could be made out perfectly. At the saucer the door flings open everyone gets out they head over to the entrance. Cloud was about to turn and go back to the tram when everyone except Vincent jumps around him yelling surprise "Uh...what's going on?" he asks extremely confused. "Happy birthday Cloud!" Yuffie yells still jumping "Happy birthday Cloud" Nanaki says wagging his tail Cloud's is in complete shock "Uh?..." he says not knowing what to think "Were spending a few days here Happy birthday Cloud" Tifa says smiling and laughing. Barret walks over to him "Happy birthday spiky" he says patting his back. Cloud doesn't know how to react or what to say "Yep happy birthday" Cid says puffing away on a cigerette. Cloud looks at Vincent he just nods at him. "Come on lets go to the hotel!" Alex yells they all walk in. After paying the entrance fee they stop. Alex's eyes widened in a amazement. So many rooms, restaurants, booths, and next to some of them were door ways that led to other places. It was noisy hundreds of people were walking around or eating. Children, laughed playing games. Bright lights and music amerced the back round. "Wow" Alex lets out it wasnt like the amusement parks at home it was better. Cloud stands next to tifa and makes a face at her she looks at him. "What?" she asks he continues staring at her " What is this about?" he asks her tifa smiles "What do you think this is about its for your birthday" she answers he rolls his eyes. "It's a waste of time" he replies Tifa gets angry. "Look a lot of thought and work went into this can't you at least try to enjoy yourself? When was the last time you let loose and had fun?" she snaps at him. He turns his head away thinking about her statement. he couldn't remember when the last time was. But he really didn't want to go threw with this he was never the partying type he was always a loner but since they were already here he knew he was just going to have to endure it and humor them "Alright fine" he sighs. They go to the hotel got there keys and went to there rooms to settle in. Cloud walks into his room and sees his sword and few other things were on his bed "Geez" he whispers. He now understood how much work really went into this he thought that this must of been planned for days if not weeks in advanced. Still, he wished they hadn't. He heard them all talking outside his door he opens it and steps out into the hall. "I want to play games" Yuffie says "I'm starvin' I wanna eat" Cid says rubbing his stomach "I wanna see the new weapons area maybe I can get something for my hand" Barret says. Alex sees Cloud "Now now everyone these next few days are all about Cloud lets ask him what he wants to do" she says. They all turn to him he didn't want to do anything. He looks at Tifa she glares right back at him, he thinks about there conversation a few minutes ago "Lets eat" he mumbles. Tifa smiles knowing no matter how hard he tried he wasn't going to get out of this. They leave the hotel and go threw a door way leading to a section all full of restaurants. They sat down in a place called Rizaz ate, then walked around. Alex had never been there before so she wanted to explore a little. After awhile they stop at a door way for the hotel "Ok Cloud what do you want to do next?" Alex asks he looks at her he then Tifa. Tifa, lifts one brow up staring at him he thinks about the question for a moment. Then he comes up with a way to get his aggression out "The arena" he finally answers. Yuffie, Cid, and Barret get excited. Cloud needed to get his sword at the hotel they waited for him at the front desk. "So what's the arena?" Alex questioned "It's a place were you can battle and if you make it to the end you win a prize" Tifa answered. "What do you win?" Alex asks "It varies" she says "Who do they fight?" Alex asks Yuffie jumps in front of her "You'll see" she laughs. Alex pondered this not knowing what to expect. Cloud comes back to them, they go threw a series of door ways ending up at the arena entrance. Large steps lead to tall double doors. A man stood at the top with his hands behind him. They gathered around the man " You wish to compete in the arena?" he asks Cloud nods. "well you all can't only up to 3 at a time is allowed" he informs. "Vincent...Barret" Cloud says looking to them "Mmm..." Vincent lets out "Oh yea!" Barret yells making a fist with his metal hand. "You three may go in the rest can watch from the viewing room witch is that way" he says pointing to a door on the wall adjacent to the arena doors. Cloud, Barret and Vincent head in. Everyone else went into the viewing room they all sat down. Alex, Yuffie, and Tifa were in the front. From what Alex could see it was just a cement room. The double doors on one side and a dark door way on the opposite side. Cloud and company enter, his sword in hand, they walk stopping in the center of the room. Alex was curious to watch Cloud in action at modeohiem she didn't get to see him fight. Vincent and Barret stood on the sides of him. He glares at Tifa in the viewing room. She makes a face at him, he shakes his head twirls his sword in his hand above him then holds it out in front. A voice bellows in "First round!" is said. Out come 3 creatures that looked like oversized octopuses "What the?" Alex says "Tentas" Tifa tells her "oh" she says watching. Barret's hand transforms in to a gun, he starts shooting. Vincent shoots the one closest to him. Cloud zips past them both and in one blow kills the tenta, it disappears. Vincent and Barret kill there's not long after Alex's eyes widen. "Round 2!" the voice yells in. Two bigger creatures that looked kind of like Nanaki but blue and much taller enter. Vincent and Barret take on one together shooting in intervals while Cloud charges the other he swings his sword it dodges jumping off the wall, Cloud mimics it. The two of them fly around, he waving his sword just missing it every time "Wow he's fast" Alex says out loud. Now fed up Cloud jumps back to the middle of the room. Sword still in one hand an energy seeps out of the other, it looked like smoke. He holds his hand out, the energy blasts at the creature hitting it directly. "Smart Cloud" Yuffie says "What did he do?" Alex asks "That was time limit it slows enemies down" Yuffie answers, Alex keeps watching. Cloud rushes to it slashing over and over. He stabs it and thrusts his sword upward the creature disappears. Cloud goes over to Vincent and Barret to help them with there's it dies shortly after. "Round 3!" the voice yells. A big dragon like creature races out knocking Barret off his feet. Alex jumps up concerned pressing her hands on the glass. Vincent and Cloud take turns striking it. It growled and snarled trying to catch them in its large jaws swiping with its claws. Cloud jumps to the ground it whips its tail around going straight for him "Cloud!" Alex screams. He holds up his sword shielding him its tail slams against it. Standing there for a minute. He shoves it away and dashes around the other side. Relief comes over Alex "Calm down its gonna take a lot more than that thing ta' do any damage" Cid says "Really?" Alex replies "Yes he can take a hit or " Nanaki says. "Cloud is the strongest and most powerful out ta' all of us he can handle jus' about any thing thrown at 'em don't worry yer' pretty lil' head he'll be fine" Cid assures her. Alex stares at him for a min then looks back out the window. They were still fighting the creature, she closes in on cloud her heart skips a beat she smiles and sits down. The three of them continued round after round each of the opponents were bigger and took longer to kill. Finally, it was the last round they started to look tired a loud roar echoed threw the ground shakes as a huge monster steps in. It stood upright like a man dark purple in color its eyes glowed red horns stuck out of the top of his head. "What the hell is that thing!" Alex screams standing up "A demi" Tifa answers "They've upped the anti" she adds "A demi what's that?" Alex questions "It's very powerful and resistant to a lot of attacks its gonna take all of there strength to defeat this one" Tifa explains. Alex becomes nervous and scared for them. Immediately they flip and jump around shooting and slicing at it. The demi didn't even look like it was phased one bit. Barret shot from the ground, Vincent leaped onto its shoulder shot after shot rang out. Cloud flew threw the air stabbing and slashing away as the demi howled and thrashed it hands. They did this for what seemed like forever. The demi fired energy from its body hitting Vincent and Barret sending them soaring landing near the double doors. Cloud stops and looses focus checking on them the demi takes this opportunity and hits him launching him into the wall dust after impact flies out shrouding him in a fog. Alex runs to the glass trying to glimpse of him "Please be ok" she says in her head. The dusts settles Cloud is standing with both hands on his sword. A greenish yellow energy glowed covering his whole body, the look on his face was of anger. He runs faster than any time before at the demi. "He's gonna use omnislash" Tifa says "Omnislash whats that?" Alex questions looking on "He has several variations its his most effective attacks" Tifa answers, Alex hoped she was right. He jumps into the air, light flashed out with every hit the next more powerful than before. Cloud delivers the final blow pushing off the demi, he does a flip in the air and lands on his feet. The demi reaches for him and collapes it dissolves into thin air. "Yeah!" Yuffie yells "Told ya he'd be alright" Cid says. Alex puts her hand on her chest and closes her eyes "Thank god" she whispers. Outside they waited for Cloud and company to come out. The double doors open, they stroll out "Guys!" Yuffie calls to them, they head over. "You ok?" Tifa asks looking to each of them, Vincent nods "Of coarse I'm fine" Barret answers. Cloud looks at Alex "Yeah" he says. Alex smiles at him then moves her eyes to the floor "What did you win?" Yuffie questionS "Materia" Barret answered. "What?Ii should of competed" she huffs "Yuffie you would of been knocked out in the first round " Nanaki jokes making everyone laugh, Yuffie pouts. "What a day I'm beat" Cid says yawning. Cloud was tired to after that he needed rest. "Lets go to the hotel" Tifa suggests they walk down the steps go threw the same door ways they used to get there ending up right back at the front desk. Down the hall everyone says night to each other and closes there doors behind them. Alex and Cloud were the last of the group. Her room was next to his they both stood at their doors ."Cloud back there...you were incredible" she compliments, Cloud holds back a smile "Nah it was nothing" he says his arm pressed against the doorframe. Alex moves closer to him "Don't sell yourself short you were great were did you learn to fight like that?" she says he puts his head down "It's a long story" he tells her. Alex gets the sense that he doesn't want to talk about it. She steps one foot in her room and turns to him "Well maybe one day you'll tell me" she says. he lifts his head looking at her she half smiles, enters her room, and closes the door "Yeah maybe" he chuckles closing his.
Alex feels her self bounce off her mattress startled she wakes to find Yuffie on her bed. "It's Clouds birthday were going out for breakfast get up!" she yells jumping around her "Alright I'm up" Alex says sitting up she rubs her eyes "I need to shower" Alex tells her walking away from her bed slowly. Tifa comes in from the balcony attached to their room. "Well make it quick" she says. Alex goes threw her bag and takes out a black v neck top and dark green pants that were like the khakis but a bit tighter. She also grabs a black bra and black underwear as well as grooming products and goes into the bathroom. Out of the shower she dresses putting on the v neck she realizes its alittle lower cut than she thought showing a bit of cleavage. But, there's nothing she can do about it these were the only clothes she brought with her. Finishing up, she lets her hair hang to dry but takes a ponytail holder just in case. In the hall, the guys were waiting for the girls to come out "Man they take forever" Barret says tapping his foot on the floor. "What do ya expect there women" Cid says "Honestly" Nanaki says, even he who is always so calm was growing impatient. The girls emerge, Alex is the last one out of the room "Well its 'bout time" Cid says "It's my fault Cid I took a shower" Alex tells him. "I'm hungry lets go!" Yuffie shouts running in front of them, they walk after her. Alex pulls all of her hair to the right side of her head combing it with her fingers. Cloud who was on the left of her turns his head to her at the right time and unintentionally looks down her shirt. His eyes grow big, he clears his throat and quickly looks ahead of him. In the restaurant section again this time they ate at a breakfast place called morning rise. Sometime later while walking around, everyone stopped at an intersection between the shops, booths, and the gaming rooms. "What do you want to do now Cloud?" Tifa asks Cloud scratches his head "Do what you want " he answers "You sure?" she asks "Yeah" he replies "Well then well see ya in a while cloud" Cid says walking away waving. Barret and Nanaki head to the shops area. Vincent goes off on his own. Tifa and Yuffie were deciding what they wanted to do. "Well look who it is!" a man voice yells to them, they all look to see who it is. A man and a woman walk over stopping next to Cloud "Cloud! I never thought I'd see your spike ass back here" the man says to him. He holds out his hand like he's going to arm wrestle him. Cloud connects his hand with the mans for a min then they let go "What the hell are you doing here?" the man asks "Taking a break" cloud answers. The man laughs a little "You take a break?" the man says "Even Cloud needs a break once in a while" Tifa says "Yeah!" Yuffie yelps. "Tifa...Yuffie... good to see you... all you guys here?" the man says "Good to see you to" tifa says "Yup were all here" Yuffie answers. The man sees Alex and holds his hand out to her "And who might you be?" he asks, she puts her hand into his. "Alex" she answers "Well nice to meet you Alex I'm axel and this is Luna" he informs her letting go of her hand pointing to the woman "Nice to meet you" she says. Axel was as tall as Cloud with short brown hair and brown eyes. His clothes were nothing out of the norm just a black jacket, blue shirt, and black pants. Luna however, was very pretty. She had long black hair her eyes were a dark green. The clothes she wore was the like the style in davenport very edgy. Her shirt had many different colors and fabrics sewn in over lapping each other. Her pants were black with red leather going up the sides. Her boots also black they had many zippers crisscrossing around them. "So Cloud are you going to compete in the chocobo races?" Luna asks "Yeah Cloud you should!" Yuffie yells excited "Uh..." he lets out rubbing his shoulder "Come on Cloud you love chocobo racing you should do it" Tifa insists "Come on Cloud for old times sake" Axel pleads Cloud looks at all of them "Alright one race" he commits "Yeah!" Yuffie screams ,Tifa smiles. "Ok lets go register you and pick out your chocobo" Axel says, they follow him. Alex lagged behind for a min confused not knowing what just happened. She catches up walking beside Yuffie "What are chocobos?" she asks "Their birds" Yuffie answers Alex thought it was kind of silly "birds?" she thinks snickering. A few passage ways lead right to the chocobo racing area. In front of them was the registry on the right down a few stairs was where the chocobos were being held. Cloud signs a paper and says bye to Axel and Luna they, leave. The four of them step down to the chocobos. Yuffie runs in front opening a door rushing in, Tifa goes after her. Cloud keeps the door open and lets Alex go first. Huge heads with long feathers sticking out the sides peeked over the tops of stalls, they were bigger than ostriches. Turning to the right Tifa and Yuffie were petting a few of them. Cloud walks past her and starts to pet one in front of them "These are chocobos?" she says loudly, this wasn't what she pictured them to be at all. "Yea a long time ago they were used as transportation now we just race them" Tifa says petting a green chocobos head "Wait you sit on those things?" Alex gasps "Yup! go ahead pet one they like it their very gentle" Yuffie answers. Alex folds her arms and stays by the door "Uh…no I'm good" she says. Cloud looks at Yuffie and Tifa they both smile at him. "Alex your not scared are you?" Tifa questions, Alex backs up a little. "Um…no…no...of coarse not I just prefer to watch" she answers. Cloud turns to her, he could tell she was afraid it was written all over her face. He goes over and pushes her from behind up to the chocobo he was at a minute ago "come on" he says still pushing her. "Cloud stop!" she yells, her feet planted on the floor fighting with him. He gets her close to the chocobo, Yuffie and Tifa laugh watching this. To keep her from running away he stands right behind her "There not going to hurt you" Tifa tells her still laughing. Alex squints looking at it ,its beak was the size of her hand. It's feathers were yellow and it was massive in size. Large wings covered most of its body. Sharp talons could be partially seen from were she stood. Alex has never been face to face with a bird this big she started to shake. Cloud notices this. He takes her hand puts his on top of hers and places it on the chocobo moving it back and forth forcing her to pet it. "See nothing to be scared of" he says, Alex's heart pounded. Cloud holding her hand along with his voice made her feel better "So soft" she says smiling. The chocobo then lets out a loud squawk causing Alex to run and hide behind Cloud, Yuffie and Tifa laugh hard at her. Cloud turns his head and looks down at her a partial smile crept out the corner of his mouth, her hands together she glances up at him and smiles back. "You have some time before your race Cloud lets play some games!" Yuffie yells. He nods and she takes off Tifa not far behind. Alex and Cloud catch up to them in the gaming room Yuffie was already on a machine. Tifa stood next to her Alex wanted to watch, she walks over to them Cloud followed. "What are you playing Yuffie?" she asks Yuffie smashes on some buttons "It's called Yokie you have to get as many points as you can before you die" she informs. Alex leans forward a little to watch it, was a lot like Fooze ball. There were 8 holes that had different numbers on them. using a lever with a button on it you aimed for a hole and shot hoping it would go in. The catch was that you had a time limit. "Awe man" Yuffie lets out. "can I try?" Alex asks Yuffie nods and steps aside. Alex aimed for the highest number on the bored and shot the ball went straight in. Shot after shot Alex was ranking up the numbers, seeing this made their faces drop. Her turn was finally over and she was now the new high score "How the hell did you do that?" Yuffie asks shocked "there's a game a lot like this in my world" she answers. A piece of paper spits out of the machine, she picks it up on it says 1000gps "Gps? What's that?" she asks Yuffie reads with her. "Oh game points you can redeem them for stuff" she says Alex didn't think this would be any use to her "Here Yuffie you can have it" she says handing it to her. Yuffie's eyes light up "Really! Are you sure!" she asks holding it "Yeah its all yours" Alex replies laughing. "All jockeys report to the chocobo races all jockeys report to the chocobo races" is heard "That's me" Cloud says "Go get 'em cloud" Tifa says "beat the crap out of them" Yuffie encourages making a fist "Good luck Cloud" Alex wishes with a smile he nods and leaves. There was no place to watch the races so Yuffie, Tifa and Alex spent the day playing games gathering up gps for Yuffie, witch she later exchanged for some materia. They also did some light shopping. Tifa bought some new gloves, Yuffie just wanted materia, and Alex got a new shirt. It was still a v neck it was tighter and blue but it didnt show as much as the one she had on did. she quickly changed. It was late in the evening the group caught up with each other. Cloud was no were to be found "Were the hell is he?" Barret asks "The last time we saw him he was off to chocobo race we haven't seen him since" Tifa answers "He'll find us lets go eat" Cid says they all walk together, Alex couldn't help but worry a little about him but she also knew he could take care of himself. After dinner, everyone just wanted to relax for the night, tomorrow they were leaving. They all say good night and go into there rooms. Alex almost turning the knob sees Cloud's door is open, she peeks her head in. It was dark she couldn't really see the moon light from outside lit up Cloud's balcony, she opens the sliding glass door. Cloud is hunched over on the railing he hears her come in looking at her "Oh there you are is this were you've been all day?" she asks he nods "Just wanted to be alone" he answers "oh I'm sorry I'll go" she replies putting her hand on the door "It's ok" he says turning his body to her "No I'll go" she says "Alex its ok you can stay" he says, she takes her hand off the knob. He looks back to the horizon. Since the saucer was all lit up nothing but the sky and the ocean off in the distance can be seen. "How did you make out racing?" she asks walking to the railing a few feet from him "I won" he answers "You did? What did you win?" she asks. He reaches into his pack and pulls out materia, it was light blue. "It's called water serpent its a summoning materia" he informs putting it away "Summoning?" she says "Yeah its a special kind of materia it has a power within that you summon to help you fight" he explains "Oh" she says griping the railing. Her eyes go to him "Can I ask you something?" she questions "sure" he says. "How do you get your hair to stand up like that?" she asks his brows shift downward looking at her "It's always been like this" he says holding back a laugh "Really? Does it ever get flat?" she continues, he shakes his head. "Not even if it gets wet?" she kept on "Not really" he answers "Cool" she says, it becomes silent. Alex taps her fingers on the railing. "When you have your visions does it hurt?" he asks. Alex looks over at him he does the same "Sometimes it depends on what I see why?" she replies "It just looks like it does" he states leaving the railing, he leans up against a wall next to the door. "Oh" she says turning to him, more silence. She folds her arms and walks over standing next to him, he still on the wall folds his. "Do you have a last name?" she asks "Strife" he answers "Cloud Strife" she says, he looks at her. "What?" he asks "Oh nothing its just...it suits you" she says looking back at him. His eyes were same as the night they were on the deck of the ship it was the first actual conversation they had together. "You know you have amazing eyes I've never seen ones like yours before there so bright sometimes its like they almost sparkle" she compliments "Have they always been like that?" she adds. He turns away from her "No" he answers. Alex got the feeling he was getting upset she didn't ask anymore about it. "I could say the same thing about yours" he says, she jerks her head to him confused. "Your eyes their different colors I've never seen that before" he adds "I'm impressed not many people notice that" she says "It's easy to see if you look hard enough" he says tilting his head glancing at her. Alex tries not to blush she changes the subject "So did you have fun?" she asks he lets out a sigh "Alex I gotta tell you this isn't really my style" he says " even if it is my birthday" he adds ."At home birthdays are a big deal I feel there should be no exception here" she says, It then dawns on him "So your the culprit who organized all of this" he says one brow lifted. Alex nervously laughs and raises her hand "Guilty" she admits. "So why don't you" she asks getting back to what he said before " I don't have a reason to" he replies "that's not true" she says moving closer to him "You have two reasons your alive and you have people who love and care about you if that's not something to celebrate I don't know what is" she states. He cocks his head to her "I never thought of it that way" he says "Well now that you do did you have fun?" she questions, he pondered for a min "Yeah" he says staring at her. A feeling of accomplishment comes over her then she remembers something "Oh! I almost forgot here" she says. She sticks her hand on her pocket pulls out a black square box and hands it to him. He takes it "What's this?" he asks "Just open it" Alex directs. He takes off the lid, inside is a necklace the pendant was the same as the icon he wore on his shoulder except it was smaller and instead of a ring hanging out of its mouth a blue round jewel sat. Cloud holds it up astonished, he looks at her speechless. "After I learned about your birthday I saw that in a shop in Junon it made me think of you" she says. He takes it out and puts it around his neck. It hung low past the zipper pull tab. He grabs the pendant, looks at it, then at her. He doesn't know what to say he's never been given a gift like this before "Happy birthday Cloud" she says smiling "Thanks" hey says and smiles back. He thought that no one has ever gone to great lengths like she did for him. She barley knew him yet she did everything in her power to make this special. A strange feeling came over him he didn't know exactly what it was but all he knew was that her birthday wish ment the most to him. A yawn comes out of her " well I'm tired you must be exhausted so we should go to bed" she says. Cloud eyes widen at her statement, she looks at him and wonders why he's making that face then she realizes what she said "Oh I mean...you go to your bed in here...and ill go to mine over there not in the same one obviously" she says stumbling over her words, he smiles and chuckles a little. She felt her face turning red she needed to get out of there fast "Night Cloud" she says "Night Alex" he says back. She quickly runs out and makes it to her room. Up agaisnt the door she puts her hand on her forehead "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" she says smacking herself. She climbs onto her bed and hides under the covers.
