Ya-haw! I'm baaaaaacccckkkk! So sorry for the late update, I kinda' rewrote this a few times cuz' well...I'm finally gonna' bring in the biggest badass in all of Final Fantasy universe into the fic! Well I've gotten myself into a pickle in uni but everything's fine now that I'm updating my fic (which quite possibly is the only reason I'm alive right now). I've also been reading a lot of CloudxTifa fics here and I have to say 'Diaries of a Broken Man' really cracks me up. Somehow it made me cry as well, what with the dramatic ending and all, it's sooo cute XD Anyways someone is getting a date in this chappy and I know I'm gonna get some burns for this pairing but I don't care! Muahaha I'm evil and I like to fool around with our dramatic heroine here! Anyway R&R, I do appreciate getting them, and also comments too :) Sorry about my grammatical and spelling errors, which I try to minimize as much as I can! Love you loyal readers and reviewers soooo much! I hope you guys continue reading this fic and to all the Favourites and Alerts I do appreciate them! (Imagine seeing the mail I get when someone listed my fic! ^^) I love you all and without further ado~ The Xth chappy! Ya-haw!
X: I'm Going On A Blind Date
Aqua
"I swear it was an accident! C'mon! At least look at me!" Terra pleaded as the three of us (Axel tagging along, still laughing) walked across the beach. The boy's been apologizing persistently since we were in the cafe and over and over again I've told him;
"It's okay Terra, I told you its fine." I sighed as I did so, staring at the beach tiredly. Working can be really tiresome when there are goofballs that needed to be attended to.
"See? You're looking away again! I'm really-"
"So what're you doing later Axel?" I brought up a random subject to interrupt the Herculean boy. My ears are seriously gonna' bleed if he uttered another 'sorry'.
The redhead still had that crooked smile as he paused to think. "Uh...smoking pot?" I knew he was joking but that didn't stop me from smacking his head. "I'm joking, I'm joking!" He shielded himself as the beating continued.
"Hmph, if you said that to anyone else they might think you were serious." I harrumphed and looked at the sea again. There's just something about it that enchants me so... (The sea, NOT the boys).
"You really like it huh?" Terra suddenly said from the back. I snapped back into reality as I realized that I have stopped walking and was totally staring at the wide, open sea which reflected the Sun's brilliant orange splendour.
"Mm-hmm, there's just something about it that makes it all so perfect... The sea is really neat dont'cha think?" I grinned at the muscled boy, who I somehow couldn't understand why he's blushing like mad right now.
"It's more like a huge puddle of dirt water if you ask me. Hey it's just my opinion though, don't get all riled up." Axel snorted and held both his hands up as I gave him a very affronted look.
"What's not to like about the sea? It's so pretty, especially when the water surface catches the Sun's reflection!" I argued. There couldn't be anyone on this planet that dislikes the ocean now could there?
"I just don't like it, especially during the night. The place looks really...empty, and really dark. I feel like getting sucked into the pitch-black ocean if I'm not careful enough..." Axel mumbled. He was looking at the sea seriously, which meant that what he said wasn't a joke.
I looked at him dejectedly; during the night was when I like the sea best. Axel noticed the face I made a ruffled my hair comfortingly. "If you asked me what's neat it should be the Sun!" The redhead quickly lightened up.
"And why is that huge glowing orb neat?" I scoffed. "It's only made up of gas and a bunch of rocks, nothing special about it." I purposely said that to get him riled up.
"What was that? Coming from a girl who likes a giant swimming pool filled with icky fishies?" Axel stuck out his tongue and mischievously drew closer to me.
"W-Well the Sun's doesn't have anything living on it! You'' get burned up if you go closer to it!" I said defensively.
To my surprise however, Axel nodded his head and lit a cigarette (What's with this guy and smoking?). He took a long whiff and looked at the sky, "Exactly. Everything will burn up if you get closer to it...That's what I want to be..." He exhaled a thick, hazy cloud of smoke as he stared at the reddening sky with a somewhat melancholic look on his face.
I looked at the redhead confusedly, not really understanding what he meant. Somehow, deep inside of me I felt like I understood his words, which meant that everyone around him will get hurt if he's there. That if he so much as talk to them, they'll regret it...or maybe I'm thinking about it too much...
I shook my head furiously and aggressively wrapped my arm around the redhead's. Axel snapped out of his delusion and gave me a look of surprise (Terra had raised his eyebrows too). He didn't resist me so I went on to pull him away from that spot. "You smoke too much pot." I huffed (It's a joke of course, I know he doesn't take them).
Axel still had that surprised look on his face but he merely chuckled and proceeded to walk by my side. "Aye milady, me thinks me inhaled too much o' the toxic vapour."
I smiled at him as Axel turned around and stuck out his tongue at Terra. The Herculean boy gave an offended look and hurried to my other side, taking my free arm into his. The two males stared at each other like they wanted to kill the other as they tugged on my arms firmly. Boy, now I feel like a bone between two hungry dogs...
"Terra...?" I tilted my head slightly to look up at the boy's face. He merely blushed and looked away.
"I-It's only fair if I can get to hold you too..." He mumbled, which made ME blush right now.
"I'm sorry, but since when are you in any 'intimate' relationship with my girl here?" Axel smiled, but at the same time I could see him frowning (and did he just call me 'his' girl? Say what?).
"Your girl? Since when is she your girl?" Terra's grip on my arm tensed. Axel was tall but now that the two of them were standing at each of my side I could see that their height was pretty much about the same (though Axel was still taller).
"Since she became my underling. She's my property and my toy." Axel gave him a wicked smile and patted my head like a guy would pet his...well, pet.
"Don't tease him Axel...and I'm not your toy." I exasperated but the boy continued toying with my head anyways.
The picture of a girl being held by two boys at each of her side certainly raised a few eyebrows from the townspeople. I was starting to regret my earlier action of trying to cheer the redhead up and tried to wriggle free from both boys but alas...the two of them cling to me even tighter and I was soon dragged on my own two feet as they pulled me left and right simultaneously.
My heart sank a bit further as I saw a couple of familiar old dears walking past us and mumbling "Kids these days...they just don't know how to pick one and be happy with it!"
"I think it's romantic that they're in a love triangle...Spices the whole relationship up doesn't it?"
My face turned a bright colour of red as I hung my head low to avoid any eye contact with the townspeople.
"What's up? You sick or something?" Axel suddenly inquired, bringing his face closer to mine.
"You guys are so mean..." I mumbled weakly, still having my eyes fixed on the ground.
I finally managed to get away from the two as I walked up the stairs to the dorm. My face was still burning with embarrassment as I muttered curses in my mind at the two hormonally-challenged boys (I'll definitely ask Lightning next time on how to castrate people...).
I continued my mute tirade and didn't take to notice something was blocking my path towards the dorm. I unconsciously hit upon something soft and bouncy and fell backwards.
"Oww..." I whined as I rubbed my nose and looked upwards (Who puts a huge jell-o in the middle of the road?).
"I'm sorry Aqua! Are you O.K.?" It was Tifa. She held out her right hand towards me as her left one was clutching her ample chest.
I took her hand as I stared at her huge knockers. They were large enough to push me back a few feet... "Those things are dangerous, put em' away." I joked as I focused my eyes on them babies (What in Kingdom Hearts' name did she eat to get them?).
"They're a woman's ultimate weapon." She winked and we both laughed at the silly little joke (Nothing small about her boobs though).
"What're you doing here?" It wasn't that I didn't like her here or anything like that...it's just plain weird that she'd appear in front of the old dorm when we're not that close (Again, don't misinterpret; we're good!).
"Oh well, y'see I've been looking for a place to stay since my foster dad is...away, and he'll be gone for a really long time so I looked up your address and found this nifty place!" Tifa explained as I took notice of the bags she had surrounding her (Quite a lot of em' too).
"You're bringing the whole house with you?" It easily reminded me of myself when I first moved here.
"Only the essentials." Tifa turned red at my comment as she hurriedly grabbed all of them.
"Let me help." There are really a lot of them mind you.
"Oh you don't have to do that." She smiled as she waved me off. She grabbed hold of them and in one mighty swing she slung the bags on her shoulder as if they were as light as feathers!
"Tifa...IS your secret identity Super-Girl? Cuz' if it is I can help you cover it up y'know." I whistled in awe as Tifa turned red again.
"T-They're not THAT heavy. Only clothes and stuffs..." She mumbled as she turned towards the dorm.
"Define the 'stuffs'." I said cheekily but decided not to press her further- I'm gonna' ravage her bags soon enough anyways muahaha!
As I opened the doors I was immediately tackled by something light (Wasn't as strong as Tifa's knockers though). Naminé was squealing happily as she hugged me and rubbed her face furiously in my chest.
"You're back! You're back!"
I was glad to see her in a good mood (unlike how she was a few hours ago) and rubbed her head adoringly as she dragged me towards the couch. However to my surprise someone was already sitting there and it's not the usual male character I'd usually see in the dorm (Meaning = Xigbar) or anywhere near me before. It was Mr. Jecht.
He was sitting in the armchair and was flicking through the television programmes at top speed. He looked bored as hell. Mr. Jecht took notice of me and threw the remote control onto the carpet.
"Oh you're back. Great, now you can take this kid off my case. She's been saying 'Oh Riku this...' and 'Oh Riku that...' all day and it's making my ears bleed." Jecht yawned.
"Well I wanted to tell somebody about how cool he is...and Uncle Jecht was the only one around." Naminé frowned playfully at him. This little gesture frightened me quite a bit, since when was Naminé in first name basis with the coolest teacher in school? (She called him uncle? Wait, did she just said Uncle Jecht?).
"Right, now you can go talk Aqua's ears off." Jecht said in his gruff voice although he didn't seem to mind being called 'Uncle'. What's more surprising is the fact that he knows my name!
"Um...Hi?" Somehow I always do the weirdest of things in these kinds of awkward situations (Hell, I even waved at him!).
"Wondering how I knew your name kiddo?" Ack, he read my mind!
"Um...Yeah...Uh and what're you doing here?" Well there's another million questions going on in my head but...
Jecht chuckled lightly as he placed his feet on the coffee table. "I'm the current caretaker of this dorm. This missy here's grandmother is an old friend of mine and she signed me in her will for this place...and guardianship over her too, can't escape that I'm afraid." He pointed at Naminé. "I ain't saying I'm the greatest of guardians though, what with the crap she took at school when I'm always going out of the island..." Jecht grumbled further, in which I think he knew about the scar on her chest.
All of this information is new to me. Why hasn't Naminé told me any of this? As my brain tried its best to consume the information Mr. Jecht went on;
"And I knew you from the lil' piece of paper known as the 'registration form' right here, what with your picture and all..." He pointed towards the registration table, reminding me of the first night I got here yet again. "Thought I'd come up here and check on the new tenant y'know? Say hi." He surveyed me from head to toe and weirdly gave me an approving nod.
"Mr. Jecht?" Tifa's voice interjected (She'd dropped her bags it seems).
"Oit there, seems like your twin bombers grew some fair amount since I've seen them ey'?" Totally a dirty joke made by an old man.
Tifa shielded her breasts from view as she rolled her eyes. "I see that you're as subtle as always." However she let him pat her on the head anyways.
"Say it as I see it." Jecht grinned at her. "So you got that boy of yours yet? What's-his-name? That chocobo head..." He scratched his head as he tried to remember Cloud's name.
Today seems to be a bad day for Tifa because her cheeks just kept turning redder and redder by the moment. "I-I don't know what you mean, C-Cloud's just a friend from my childhood days..." Tifa mumbled as she handed him what looked like a registration form.
"Yeah, and I'm finally gonna' read Tidus a bedtime story tonight." Jecht snorted as he read the piece of paper. "You moving in here? What's gonna' happen to that bar o' yours in the back alley?" He raised his eyebrows. Wow, Tifa owns a bar? In the back alley, the most dangerous part of town no less?
"It's still business as usual from seven till two in the morning of course but I'm a little short on Munny since Zangan took all the bar's profit to go on his journeys again." Tifa explained briefly. She shifted her hands to her hips and looked at Jecht indignantly as he snorted again, folded the piece of paper and placed it into his sash (around his head).
"The old man's doing good too? Funny how we seem to miss each other when we go out." Jecht mumbled.
"He's fine but I wish he'd at least be a bit more responsible as a 'parent', if you get the hint." Tifa cocked her left eyebrow up, implying something towards the elder man.
Astonishingly Mr. Jecht responded by playfully sticking his tongue out (The old man's actually really childish...). "The brat's doing fine on his own. Wish he'd at least think like a man now that he's seventeen but...that's too much to ask for; it's like asking for a goddamn miracle." Looks like Naminé isn't the only one he's concerned about.
At first glance I thought that Mr. Jecht was a really egoistic guy who, although he laughs a lot, is the kind of guy that likes to show off and thinks little of others (stereotyping, I know). But now that I've gotten to know him a little more...he's actually a sweet guy. A little gruff and his language could use some soaping (reminded me of Mr. Cid) but he's the type who doesn't show to the world how much he cares about concerning the people he loves.
I smiled a little at my own thoughts. Unluckily Mr. Jecht saw that and that made him frown.
"What're you smiling at kiddo? Checking out my guns?" He cracked a smile as he pumps up his muscles. Oookkkaaayyy, maybe he's a lil' bit on the showing off side!
"As if." I rolled my eyes, suddenly feeling very comfortable with the topless man (Oh yeah, now that I see it...he's not wearing any shirt or shoes...).
He cracked another grin and laughed in a fatherly manner as Naminé gave him a very disapproving frown.
"You'll get used to him...I wonder how the T.V. people fit him into their shows with that enormous head of his." Tifa sighed. The brunette ran a finger across her silky, smooth hair while she too rolled her eyes but I could see a small smile forming on her mouth as she watched Mr. Jecht laugh.
Garnet had once said it though, that Mr. Jecht was really popular with the kids at school but I also remembered something she had said when we were discussing about him. A single sentence that could easily be forgotten yet holds a great worth of meaning.
Now I understand what Garnet meant when she said "Everybody loves Mr. Jecht."
"So he's not staying here then?" I asked the blonde girl for the umpteenth time.
"No...he's staying with his family somewhere in town. You can see Uncle Jecht at school Aqua, don't worry. He'll be around for the semester he said." Naminé answered patiently (suddenly our roles changed places).
"Aww shucks." I kicked the empty space in front of me as I held my hands behind me. He really was one of the coolest adults I've ever met (Save Mr. Auron, Mr. Sazh, Mr. Barret and Mr. Cid but...).
"If I didn't know any better I think you have a crush on him." Naminé giggled.
I knew she meant that as a joke but if I think about it now... "Yeah now that you mention it...maybe I do." I meant that as a joke. Seriously. So why did they both looked at me like I caught some kind of disease? Naminé was looking really flustered and Tifa merely raised her eyebrows.
After a moment of silence a heavy mood sets in, something which was totally not right and sooo wrong. "Hey...You guys know that I was joking right?" I suddenly had the urge to bow in front of them to plead my innocence. The girls made an 'o' shape with their mouths and all of us burst out laughing...uncomfortably...It died down quite fast as the heavy mood lingered. Crap, they didn't buy it.
The three of us were in Tifa's new room as we helped her settle in and tore her bags open (Muahaha, I told you I'd see her stuffs!). She brought her entire wardrobe with her (Her outfits were quite...revealing if I have to say so myself), accessories (All of them are so cute!), boxing gloves (Okay, she has eight pairs...), barbells (...), alcohol drinks (She mumbled about had mistakenly brought it along with her), and as we ravaged her other stuffs a single picture flew out of her almost empty packs.
I snatched it before it dropped and studied the picture. It was a girl wearing a cowgirl outfit, I immediately knew it was Tifa when she was younger. Besides her was a boy who looked around her age with ridiculously spiky blonde hair. I also knew who he was right away. Cloud wasn't smiling in this picture, rather he looked really sullen and wasn't even looking at the camera as the younger Tifa held his hand.
Seeing Cloud during his childhood times is really something else. I've always pictured him as a real hell-raiser when he was a kid, but here he was in front of a camera looking really docile and holding hands with Tifa.
"We took that picture back when we were in Nibelheim." Tifa seemed to have noticed me staring at the picture. The brunette had given up on trying to stop Naminé from poking in her wardrobe choices and had spread herself on her new bed.
"Nibelheim? Isn't that somewhere near Midgar? What're you doing so far away from Destiny Island?" Three questions in one strike, wow.
"Oh, Cloud never told you did he? The two of us aren't exactly natives of Destiny Island. We moved here after our home was burnt down and that's when we met with the kids here. You should prolly' know that Axel and a lot of the other kids moved here around the same time we did."
Another moment of silence fell upon the room as I slowly try to swallow that bit of information. The brunette looked at me quizzically, her face changing slowly as it dawned upon her that no one bothered to tell me THAT.
"I-I mean surely Axel would've tell you in a couple more days! O-Of course Naminé must've told you that she was from Traverse Town too right?" Tifa looked at Naminé confidently but the blonde stared at her back in pure horror as she too failed to mention her birthplace before.
"No she hasn't." I said shortly. "And I assume Terra's also an outsider?"
Tifa didn't answer but one look at her face confirms my suspicion.
"Great...Thanks a lot you guys..." I mumbled lowly as I frowned upon the image of Axel and Terra in my mind. To think that I told them a hell lot of worth about myself and they didn't even bother to tell me that they too, had once been an outsider before. I mean, it wasn't a big deal really, it's just that...well...I'd prefer if they had told me they knew how it felt to be a stranger in an unfamiliar place. That way I wouldn't have felt like there was a barrier between us in the first place.
The room was deathly quiet until Naminé broke the tension. "A-Are you angry at me for not telling you that?" The girl looked at me anxiously. I stared at her blankly and I see the tears beginning to form in her eyes.
"No I'm not." I sighed and went to pat her on the head. Something this miniscule isn't worth getting angry at, just calm down girl.
"B-But you look angry." She sniffed. Curse my well-trained death glares.
"I was angry Nami, but not at you or Tifa." I shifted my eyes towards the brunette. "...but I am going to murder a certain red porcupine-head tomorrow..." I mumbled darkly.
Deciding not to let my mixed emotions get the better of me (maybe it's already that time of the month...), I took a deep breath and changed the topic; "Okay, boy-talk now. So when did your crush on Cloud began? Was it back when you guys were in Nibelheim?"
If I want to help them get together I need to have all the information I can get from this girl here. Maybe the way I asked was a bit too casual because Tifa was so startled by that sudden question that she actually slipped off the bed and fell to the floor.
"W-What?" She mumbled embarrassedly as Naminé helped her up.
"I need to have all the details straight if you want me to help you with Cloud." So spill girl!
I crossed my arms and waited for the girl to calm down. She took a few deep breaths as I sat next to her on the bed while Naminé sat on a wooden chair in front of the room's already designated study desk.
"We were neighbours back then. I didn't really know Cloud much back then cuz' he's really quiet and while I hung out with the local kids he's...he's always alone y'know? He didn't like mingling with the other kids and he's always playing his wooden sword alone somewhere in the mountains. The others thought he was just snobby and I thought that too so I didn't pay any attention to him at all."
So he's been an Outcast since he was younger ey'? Poor Cloud, I can see why he doesn't talk much now.
"I started to notice him more after we moved here. On the day my village was burnt down I was really injured and I thought I wasn't gonna' survive that for sure. Next thing I know I woke up next to Zangan, my foster dad now but he was my martial arts teacher back then, who told me we were in Destiny Island. He told me that Cloud was the one who had carried me all those miles from Nibelheim to Destiny Island. He didn't even let Zangan touch me and only did so when he needed to heal me of my wounds."
I listened intently. So Cloud, who was thought to be an arrogant, friendless bastard (pardon me, I seemed to have put my own opinion on him) had saved Tifa from an untimely death and also strangely protective over her? Sounds fishy to me.
"Cloud was in a real bad state cuz' Zangan said he forced him to use all the Potions he had to heal me and wouldn't even use one to cure himself. I felt really touched that time...and something else sparked inside of me when I saw him lying on a bed next to me all wrapped up like a mummy. He actually smiled when I stood up and said 'Thank God', when he couldn't even lift a finger. I tended to him for the next few weeks but he was growing weaker and weaker...I was sure he wasn't going to make it. I cried a lot but he kept saying it's okay...It's okay if he dies and that I'm gonna' live...I hated that caring part of him, I really did." Tifa smiled sadly at her own words, lost in her memories.
"T-That's when Zangan heard about the SOLDIER project. I remembered a couple of men in black suits coming to our house one day asking if there are any children willing to be a candidate for the experiment. I didn't want to take part in it and I didn't think Zangan would let any of us participate but Cloud said yes. I saw the fire in his eyes when he did so. He said that it was his dream actually to become a SOLDIER...to become like his hero, he said. The men promised that he could walk again but he'll be away for a long time...He agreed and I let him go only because I wanted him to retrieve his old life back. He was only seven back then and I was sure I wouldn't see him again..."
"But he came back right? I mean, I remember Axel saying something that they were old buddies or somewhat..." I recalled the redhead's conversation with the lonesome rebel some weeks ago.
"Four years after that. I can't believe my eyes though. He was walking and talking and breathing. I couldn't have been happier. I was already friends with Axel and Terra so I decided that this time around...this time I would include him in everything that I did. He was always quiet, but I guess he sorts of warms up to Axel after some time. He always disappears though, if I remember. Always being called for something involving SOLDIER work..."
"All SOLDIERS are required to complete missions that were given to them, no matter their age or situation, and if the need arises, they need to prepare for a long journey too. I suppose Cloud frequently disappears for as long as a few months right? I know cuz' my old boyfriend did." I said quickly when I saw Tifa giving me a confused look as to how I know that lil' bit of detail.
"You dated a SOLDIER before?" Tifa raised her eyebrows, impressed.
"Yup, he was Third Class way back then...Wonder how he's doing now though?" I said bitterly. Tifa had stopped talking and I noticed Naminé giving me a very curious look. Oho, I know that look when I see it! No way, no sirree...
"I'll be right back." Naminé said happily, and she made a dash towards the door as I lunged and failed to grab her by the ankles.
"Why'd she just-" Tifa made a very confused look but I know the little blonde she-devil (Did I call her an angel all this time? I take my words back!) all too well.
"Naminé! If you call anyone I swear I'll-!" I started but I knew it was all for nought. In a short time I feel it in my guts that there's gonna' be a few doorbells ringing in the night.
"Where's the popcorn?"
"Still in the microwave, hey! That's my potato chips!"
"Dem budge over, you're taking up space on the bed with that guitar of yours!"
"Why are there guys in here? It's a girl's dorm!"
"Better yet...why is he here?"
Everyone turned to a certain Herculean, brown-haired boy who looked as if he didn't know how he wound up in here.
"I- Tifa invited m-me here." Terra stuttered, crossing his legs uncomfortably in the corner of the room. I noticed he was sitting quite close to me and I chanced another sniff at his cologne. Pure bliss~
"Do you always sniff at guys when you meet them?" Oops, busted. Terra smirked as I turned a bright shade of pink.
"Only if they're worth it." Ha, take that!
The boy didn't reply back and it annoys me the way he kept smirking and looking all high and mighty.
Apparently the boys and girls from our club were called in by the lil' she-devil and I don't why in Kingdom Hearts' name Tifa decided to call Terra as well.
"I called Snow, but he said he's on a date with Serah." Tifa frowned as she snaps her phone shut. The girl dropped herself down next to me, making me squeeze tighter towards the Herculean boy (Did his smirk just got bigger? Oh no it didn't!).
At her words Lightning grew a shade of pink. "Serah told me she went to Vanille's to finish their art project!"
"Vanille's at my place playing with Marlene." Fang prompted, eating a large bucket of ice-cream.
"I'll murder the both of them when they get back..." Lightning mumbled darkly through a chorus of laughter.
"So why are we all here? You do know we have classes tomorrow." Axel voiced out. The boy had been standing in another corner of the room with his arms crossed. Somehow the idea of being in the same room as Terra and Tifa made him jumpy...for want of better word that is.
"That's a laugh, coming from you." Kairi snorted.
Just to be clear, the people currently in my room are; Axel, Ven, Demyx, Lightning, Fang, Tifa, Naminé, Kairi, Yuna, Terra, Yuffie and Aerith.
Another knock was heard and Cloud came in shortly with a bowl of popcorn in his hand.
"Alright so who ordered the pop-?"
Poor guy didn't even get to finish his sentence as the others (Ven, Demyx, Yuffie and Fang) lunged at him for the popcorn, making him fall backwards and bits of popcorns flew into the air.
"Oh dear." I pitied the guy as Aerith helped him sit up. She giggled as he mumbled darkly about killing them later.
"Now now, there's no need for that tone right now is there Cloud?" Aerith smiled warmly as she picked out several popcorn bits in Cloud's hair.
Tifa merely grumble incoherently and looked away sadly as the couple (at least, I think they are) shared a moment. I glanced up and could've swore Axel gave a sympathetic gaze at the girl. I blinked my eyes and he had reverted back to his old demeanour.
"So why are we all here?" Cloud repeated Axel's question, his eyes turning to slits as he stares vehemently at the munching group.
On cue, Naminé coughed to get everyone's attention. "She said she dated a SOLDIER before."
Why do you have to say that oh sweet, dear, ex-little sister (I'll bury you alive the moment we're alone).
The room became silent momentarily (Even the munching group seems to have stopped munching. Continue munching people!) And a loud "EEEHHH?" filled the room.
"You never told me that before!" Demyx still has his fingers on his guitar string, strumming it harder than needed.
"I know she has a boyfriend before but...a SOLDIER? Just like you huh' Cloud?" Axel smirked at the blonde guy who had turned very quiet.
"What's his name?" Now the chocobo head has his attention on me. I stared back into his serene, blue eyes and knew that he had been injected with Mako energy. So Cloud was in SOLDIER...
"It doesn't matter does it? And why are you all so surprised anyway? What's the big deal with dating a SOLDIER?" I scoffed, but even I knew the impact of that. Dating a SOLDIER is like dating a guy who wears a neon sign behind his back saying 'kill me anytime you want!'
"C'mon girl, even you know how SOLDIER guys are. They're crazy powerful, and didn't that company that made em' even said they're mentally unstable? No offense there mate." Fang said quickly, turning to look at Cloud. However if you are wondering, Axel has given each of us telepathic messages (joking, he kinda' stares at us real hard) to not give out my name in front of Terra.
"None taken." He waved her off but he was still staring at me.
Now all of them were busy discussing about SOLDIER. Almost about the general idea though, about them being called monsters and fighting maniacs. I couldn't even argue with that cuz' if I remembered correctly, Zack was one hell of a chore to stop from getting into school fights back in the days.
"So is he still in SOLDIER? What rank is he?" Again, Cloud asked in an interested tone.
I shook my head. "I don't know...Last I heard he was Third Class and he went for a mission in...Nibelheim. Didn't come back after that."
Suddenly the images of that day flashed before my eyes.
"Why'd you have to go? It's not necessary for you right? Leave it to the First Class to finish the job!"
"I can't Aqua, this is my chance to prove to Angeal that I have what it takes to be a SOLDIER! It's my honour!" He thumped his chest several times.
"Is your honour more important than me?" I asked, looking at him with a hurt expression.
"N-No, you know that I love you lots right?"
"Sometimes I think you kept telling yourself that just to please my ears..."
"Not true! Ask and you know I'll do anything for you!" His pride was hurt, it seems.
"Then stay with me. Don't leave me, n-not after everything we've been through."
"It's just a couple of weeks! All I have to do is look into the Mako Reactor there and come home!"
"Going to Nibelheim takes weeks! It'll be MONTHS before I see you again!" I grabbed his hand, tears pouring down.
"...Please understand me Aqua...I...I really have to go!" He looked at me pleadingly, his eyes torn between his mission and myself. I have to let him go...I knew it in my heart.
"...Fine..." I mumbled, rubbing the tears away. "But as soon as you come back you'll have to see me got that? If you don't..." I growled.
He flashed a smile of relief, and sighed. "I know I know...Hey how's this? I'll meet you at the Colin Tree! That's our favourite spot right?" He grinned.
"How am I supposed to know when you'll be home? As soon as I hear news about you I'll come running there so...Be it days, be it sunny or rainy you'd better wait for me there SOLDIER boy!" I hugged him, rubbing my face on his chest.
"I will. I'll be there even if a hurricane hits that tree!"
"Keep your word...I love you Zack Fair..."
Funny thing is, if I'd remember correctly he didn't reply back. It was months later that I heard the company Zack was in came back. I was happy...so I waited at the Colin Tree for him as I said I would but he wasn't there.
"Trust Zack to be late...sheesh."
I knew. I knew they were going to ask me about Zack. I didn't say his name throughout the story when we first met, the story that I told Terra. The boy listened intently though despite this being his second time. I also left out the bit about our little lover's quarrel and told them I simply said I would wait.
"Aqua...!" Naminé suddenly gasped, pointing to my face.
I touched my cheeks and noticed that there are tears coming from my eyes...Funny, I don't know why am I crying? I thought I left this all behind ha ha...
"Sorry, guess I got caught into it a bit. I-I'm gonna' head out and get some fresh air." I gave them a winning smile and set out, not looking behind.
"Man...Why am I always acting like a sap when I talk about Zack?" I muttered as I kicked an empty can. I've already let him go, he's of no concern to me! He can play SOLDIER all he wants and I couldn't care less!
"Maybe cuz' you still love him?" A quiet voice spoke.
I squeaked and turned around to see Terra (did the boy follow me here?). Only now did it hit me that he's wearing casual clothes (A white t-shirt and Bermuda shorts...not bad). And it also hit me that I'm only wearing an overlarge t-shirt and skimpy shorts. The boy seems to have studied me from top to bottom, and looked away embarrassedly as I held up my arms across my chest unconsciously.
"Still wanna' cup a feel?" I teased the boy.
"N-No! And I told you it was an acc-"
"An accident." I finished for him. "I know." I smiled at the boy as he smiled back.
The air is chilly in the night as we circled towards the back of the dorm. We were surrounded by nature's gift and I kinda' like the comfortable silence that came between us. It gave me the chance to get my head back together while gawking at the delicious muscles of said boy walking next to me.
"So...What happened after that?" He finally asks, breaking the silence.
I sighed as I twirled around the place, looking at the sky.
"I waited...From morning until night and repeated the sequence every day...every day for two weeks...That's when it hit me that he's not coming back..." I said blankly, fighting hard not to let the tears fall. "Nothing at all...He didn't even break up with me properly..."
I suddenly found the sky to be extremely interesting. I tried to distract myself from any thoughts on Zack and noticed a falling star...yeah, let's go with that.
Suddenly two warm, strong arms wrapped themselves around my neck. I felt him hugging me from behind as his face came close next to mine. Rooted to the spot, I felt a blush creeping up my face as his breaths hit me on my neck and make me shiver (and it's not from the chillness I tell ya').
"T-Terra" Oh dear, what's this I'm feeling? I held my hand up towards his in order to make him let go of me but somehow that said hand seems to have a brain of its own cuz' I soon find myself rubbing against his skin. It's kinda' rough, but smooth at the same time...weird...
The boy had shifted his hands from just my shoulders towards my waist. I didn't stop him as he pulled me in for a tighter hug. What am I doing? I'm not supposed to lead him on like this! B-But this feels kinda' good...
"Aqua...that's your name right?" He breathes out, sending chills down my spine.
"Ungh, H-How'd you know?" Of course... Naminé had called my name out just now...Axel's not gonna' like this. I couldn't stand the way he's making me feel right now...my whole body's sending me weird signals. Maybe it's not so bad now that he knows who I really am..
"It's a nice name, didja' know another girl in school has that name too?"
Oh. Snap. Suddenly all the fuzzy feeling I had vanished. I cocked an eyebrow up as I stared at him in disbelief. Is he really that dense?
"I-"
"Oho, so this is where you two wound up."
I froze as I looked around in alarm at the voice. Oh no, of all the people to find us it's-
"Yuffie!" I said my cousin's name with horror.
The ninja girl was grinning at me like a mad cat as she had her hands in her pockets. I quickly push away Terra and smoothed my shirt out.
"If you guys are gonna' get it on you're gonna' need this." She threw something that looks like a ring towards Terra.
The boy caught it and he made a look of utter shock as he stared at the ring-thing.
"What the hell! I mean- We were just talking- We're not gonna-!" Why is he acting so...crazy right now?
I took a peek at that thing and I find my own face about to explode from embarrassment.
"Yuff!" I said in disbelief. She couldn't have thought we were gonna'...
"Hey, I'm just saying. Play safe now or mum and dad are gonna' kill me for not giving my cousin some protection." She waved her hands in front of her.
I grabbed the despicable thing from Terra and threw it into the forest. I was breathing really heavily as I turned to grab my cousin (soon to be dead cousin) and dragged her away from the spot, leaving the perplexed boy behind.
"Owowow, what's the deal cuz'?" She said innocently.
"Oh don't you act all innocent and pure now missy!" I glared at her as I crossed my arm.
She grinned as my glare intensified and I placed my hands on my hips. "Now now let's not get hasty...I'm just telling you that as a concerned sibling I-"
"What do you want?" I sighed, if I let this girl continue talking it'll never end till next week.
"Oh, just wanna' look for you...y'know, after you told that story about Zack you kinda' went pale and stuff." Yuffie suddenly looked...concerned. Scary thought.
I didn't know what to say to that though so I just mumbled "Yeah" and made circles in the air with my finger.
"You can't keep running away from the past cuz'." Again, that concerned tone. Did she drink those wines Tifa 'accidentally' brought?
"I'm not running away from anything." I said irritably. It's true, I accepted the fact that Zack dumps me with grace and-
"See? You're crying again." Yuffie sighed. The girl held her hand to my cheeks and I saw those shiny, fresh teardrops on her fingers.
"Ugh this sucks! Why am I so sensitive when it comes to Zack?" I mumbled, wiping away the tears. So maybe I'm not really over it, prolly' cuz' it's my first love and all that.
"There there..." Yuffie said soothingly as she patted my back. She may be an airhead most of the times but my cousin is the most dependable person I could count on when I'm in a bad pickle.
"Maybe you need to start see other people."
"What?" I raised my eyebrows as the she gave me a...sagely look. Highly unnerving.
"You heard me." Yuffie said in an annoyed tone. "It's time you start seeing other guys cuz'! I mean, our school here is like a factory for producing hot males! Can't you think of one person you'd like to know better?" She suddenly grins and stares pointedly at the woods.
"Terra?" Seriously? Him?
"You guys were kinda' getting it on just now." I hit her on the head as she whines and rubbed the spot.
"I'm not really ready for a serious relationship Yuff." It's true, what if I get dumped again? I don't think I can mentally prepare myself for it!
However, my cousin seemed to have read my mind as she shook her head. "It doesn't have to be serious. Just go out with him and have fun. Just one date, and who knows? Or would you rather go out with Axel?"
"Not in a million years." I said quickly. He might be my best friend but that doesn't mean I like like him in that sort of way.
"Ouch, he'll be hurt if you say it like that."
"Hmm...Okay, say that our idea might be humanely reasonable...are there any viable choices of male species for me to go out with?" Yeah, what harm could there be with just one date right?
"Now you're talking cuz'!" She grinned and took out a small, black notepad from...you don't need to know where. "Here's a list of the 'hot' boys in our school with the highest rank is five stars and the lowest is one, choose your favourite flavour." Ew, the way she says it sounds sooo wrong.
"B-But I don't know any of them! Can't we go out in a group date or something?" I looked at her pleadingly.
"No way am I going out with a guy." She snorted. "Okay how about this- I'll set you up on a blind date. I'll ask the guys around to find a decent looking dude and you guys can hit it off at square one!" Sounds like a plan...but am I really going to trust Yuffie on this? She's not exactly matchmaker of the year...or the century I might add.
"Just trust me on this cuz'." Oh, she read my mind again. "How about this Saturday? It'll give you lots of time to prepare and I'll give you the time and place when the guy is set." Before I could even reply she had already took out her cell phone and began hitting the keypad furiously.
I sighed and held my hands up, defeated. There's no way I can stop Yuffie now when she's in such fervour...
"Hey you know what they say cuz'; you gotta' jiggle that wiggle and push those tush to snag a guy!"
"Please don't use lewd terminology with me..." I mumbled, regretting my choice already.
How the hell did Saturday turn up so damn quick? Between balancing schoolwork and my part-time job (which has been really tiresome with the increase of male customers) the week went by without a hitch...unless you count the number of slushies and coke that were dropped upon me.
The jocks seemed to have regained their status as school bullies and became more violent-prone ever since the 'Vanitas Saga'. They seemed to think it was safe to go out again once Vanitas was out of sight. Although Terra had warned them not to mess with the outcasts, a lot of them, mainly Kuja and the jerk Seifer, had taken upon their stride to make my life miserable.
I always have to prepare an extra set of school uniform in my gym locker as cold, hard slushies rain down my head (luckily my hat saves me the trouble of washing my hair) and drenching me in sticky water. Few of the time I was saved because either Axel or Cloud was with me but as for most of the time...not so lucky.
Thankfully Naminé doesn't have to suffer like I do. The girl is now always seen with the local heartthrob Riku. Although this caused another wave of jealousy amongst the girl population, they were much less inclined to do anything to her seeing as Riku is a much bigger threat than Roxas. Speaking of the boy...let's just say he's in a downward spiral of depression ever since Naminé started going out with the silver-haired boy.
Anyway back to the present, here I am waiting in front of the Princesses of Light (it's my day off) for my blind date. Yuna had taken to choose my wardrobe for me and Kairi puts on my makeup (No way in hell am I letting Yuffie touch my face with those things). A simple blue dress with a white skin-hugging jacket and some hairclips, pretty simple if you ask me. However they made me discard my hat and glasses as they didn't want me to ruin my first ever date (Hey! I've been on lots of dates before...with one guy...).
I already told Yuffie to keep it quiet from the guys but she told me it won't be necessary...one way or another they're gonna' find out. It's a pretty small island we live in.
"Hope he's not some kinda' pervert..." I mumbled to no one in particular.
I looked around the street and waved to a couple of people that I know (Most of them are the customers from the cafe). I kept glancing at the huge clock inside the cafe to check the time.
I glanced down the street and someone caught my eyes. Not just mine though, a lot of heads (mainly females) turned to watch with fascination as the most beautiful man I have ever seen (scratch that; drop dead gorgeous!) was walking my way.
His hair was silky smooth and long, silver in colour. His complexion could rival the models I've always seen in magazines. He was really tall and was wearing a simple black shirt (his top button was open he he, I can see his chest!) with matching black jeans and shoes. The guy was holding a bouquet of flowers and seemed to be looking for something.
As he came nearer I tried to blend in with the surrounding, I didn't want to look like some kinda' stalker (I keep gawking at him!). However to my surprise as my eyes accidentally met his, he flashed me a smile. I gave him a confused look and looked around to see if he's actually smiling at another person but...was it just me or did the crowd around me seemed to have disappeared?
"Aqua, I presume?" His voice...it's sooo dreamy!
I felt a blush creeping up as the man stood a few inches away from me. He smelled like a bed of roses and when he flashed me that smile again I could see his pearly white teeth.
"I-Yes, yes I am." Okay girl, calm down. Don't let him see that you're totally freaked out! "And you are...?" Hmm, Yuffie failed to mention my date's name and how come he knows mine?
"I'm Sephiroth. Forgive my late introduction you see, I was astounded by your beauty that my mind seemed to have stopped moving." He bowed a little. "These are for you, I bought them at Aerith's flower shop. You do know Aerith right? Such a nice woman..."
I accepted the flowers and mumbled a quick "Thanks" while still gaping at him.
"Shall we go inside? I believe the heat does no good to your complexion." Sephiroth offered his hand. I looked at it uncertainly but decided to take it anyways.
Inside the cafe I felt my face turning redder and redder by the second as the people inside turned deathly quiet and was staring at us pointedly (Hell, even Lulu and Wakka had gone out of the kitchen to look at us).
Terra (the girl version) took down our order and she nearly fainted when Sephiroth said "Thank You". We sat at the corner where I pushed Terra (the guy version) and Axel into the first time I worked here.
The two of us looked at each other and I turned away quickly, blushing at the same time, when he flashed that smile of his again. This guy is too perfect! It's almost impossible!
"So do you find our school to your liking Aqua?"
"H-Huh?" Oops, I didn't catch that.
"Is everything alright at school? Have you made friends yet?" He asked again, putting his hands together on the table.
"Oh, yes everything's okay I guess. I got loads of friends already, mostly my classmates." There, isn't that easy? He asks, you answer. A conversation, people call it.
Sephiroth nodded approvingly and he ran a finger through his hair (God they're so smooth!).
"S-So why'd you agree to go on a blind date?" That was kinda' blunt, but I have to know. I mean, this guy is a perfect one hundred on a scale of ten so he shouldn't have any problems finding a girl right? So why go on a blind date with chances of meeting...I dunno'? A walking disaster like me?
He raised his eyebrows in surprise (God he's gorgeous!) but quickly recovers. "Ah...You see I'm quite a shy person in reality so I depend on my friends to help me find a date. It so happens that one day a certain girl named Yuffie happened to pass by my class and told a friend of mine of your detail. I was quite intrigued so I wanted to meet you in person." He gestured towards me politely. "...The melodious bluebird."
"I see." I nodded, taking in the details. "So...what exactly did you hear about me?" I raised my eyebrows as the man chuckled quietly into his hand.
"Quite a lot...it interests me to great lengths. Tell me, is it true that you've once dated a member of SOLDIER before?" He drew his face closer to mine.
Curse Yuffie a thousand-fold for telling that story. I didn't even have to respond as my face already answered his question. He studied my face knowingly and I was caught off-guard by the colour of his eyes...there's something familiar about them...
"...You're a SOLDIER..." I muttered quietly.
Sephiroth again made a look of surprise as he withdrew his face. "I'm surprised you knew, most people couldn't tell what with the difference in the colour of my eyes. Mine is green compared to the normal blue." He clapped his hands in mock applause.
"I sensed something...rather I felt that you're not a regular human being..."
"A monster would be the correct reference." He nodded.
"No! Not a monster!" I suddenly stood up. I noticed quite a few people were still staring at me but I didn't care. "You might not be a normal human but that doesn't make you guys monsters! I know...I know deep down you're just like the rest of us!" I placed my hand to my heart. I wanted to make him understand that he's still human, despite all the experiments.
Sephiroth stared at me for a long time before finally speaking; "You really are intriguing, Aqua." His cat-like eyes studying me with interest. It was quite unnerving that he never blinked, but a relief all the same as he smiled again.
I sat back on my seat as Terra delivered our coffees (mine was filled with milk while his was black). After drinking our coffees in silence I felt a certain comfort in the man's presence. It's like...he's like giving the vibe that's the same like Zack's...a little different though but...
"Shall we go now? The date hasn't ended yet I should say." Sephiroth stated as he hand Munny to Terra. "Ah, keep the change. So shall we get going Aqua?"
We left the cafe (I waved goodbye to Terra, Lulu and Wakka) and headed towards the main square. Sephiroth offered his hand again and (curse my untimely blushes!) I took it with more heart this time.
We talked a lot about SOLDIER, and I was surprised to find out that he was the first ever recruit in history.
"No way. You're telling me you're the First Class SOLDIER Sephiroth? The One-Winged Angel? The Legendary SOLDIER?" My mouth hung open as he nodded. I'm walking next to a freakin' legend here!
"I thought you'd be older! I mean, history books said that you were in the Wutai war ten years ago! And you were the one who lead SOLDIER to victory!" Trust my insights and memory on history lessons, this guy is really a freakin' God!
"I was, and I did. I was eight years old when that happened." He said simply.
I was in awe at the walking historical man. Seeing my face made him chuckle for some reason.
"W-What?" I asked defensively.
"Not many would find me fascinating rather than frightening. Are you not afraid of the monster before you Aqua?" Again he drew his face closer to mine, as if to study y reaction.
"No I'm not. I find you extremely interesting." I said defiantly. I am not about to go back on my word.
Sephiroth flashed a small smile as his grip on my hand grew tighter. "Intriguing..."
"S-So Sephiroth..." I started, but was cut short by him.
"You may call me Seph. I believe it's quite hard for you to pronounce my name like so, and a nickname would bind us closer would you think so?" Seph spoke.
Wow, I can call a walking legend by a nickname...cool...
"Seph." I said determinedly. "Why are walking in circles?"
For the remainder of the time we walked around and talked about random stuffs. It's funny to find out that this so-called bloodthirsty SOLDIER does not have a clue about life's finer things- like sea-salt ice cream for instance.
"What in Jenova's name is this blasphemy?" He frowned at the delicious, mouth-watering delight.
"It's sea-salt ice cream. Here, have a bite." I held mine close to his mouth. He was hesitant at first, but took a small bite anyways.
I enjoyed seeing the face that he made; first he was frowning, then he looked like he was in pain, and finally he looked like he was enjoying the taste.
"This...How do I put it? It's a flavour unlike I've ever tasted! It's both salty and-"
"Sweet. Here's yours if you want it." I smiled at the man as he delightedly tore off the wrapper and began licking the ice cream.
This date had been quite fun all in all. We visited the book shop, the armoury store (didn't know we had one), and finally back to the town square. It was already getting late by then and Sephiroth offered to walk me home.
"I-It's been...surreal, that's for sure." I told him as we stopped at the stairway. Maybe Yuffie was right, maybe I do need to go see guys once in awhile...
"Thank you for accompanying me today Aqua. I truly enjoyed your company." He bowed his head.
"I should be the one thanking you y'know? You're really a one-in-a-kind kinda' guy..." I beamed.
"No, it is I who is thankful. You stuck to your words and truly believed that I was not a monster...for that..."
Unexpectedly he bent forward and kissed me on the cheeks. I felt the spot where he kissed burned passionately.
"I hope to see you more, if that is alright with you. I bid you goodnight Aqua, sleep tight." Sephiroth inclined his head and walks away, leaving me rooted to the spot.
I stood there for like, a really long time before coming to my senses. I blinked and touched the spot he just kissed. Now most of the time if I ever get kisses on the cheek it didn't bother me that much but...his was...
"Pinch me I must be dreaming..." Could I really be in love with another SOLDIER?