The Things I Do For You by Bekas Strife and Kigichi

A CloudxYuffie/CloudxReno/RenoxYuffie story

We only own the occasional random, unknown characters and storyline. The main characters, setting and whatnot belong to Square Enix.

Will contain MxM, MPreg and threesomes.

Falling down through the darkness, the ninja grunted softly as she landed in a small but deep lagoon, feet splashing against the stones after she swam to the rocks. Standing up, she growled. "Cloud…! Get over here! I'm fucking pissed and not in the mood to look for you!" Growling when Cloud didn't answer, Yuffie walked through the shallow water. "I'm serious, chocobo head! Get the fuck out here!" Why did he walk off?

"Oh, shut the fuck up!!" A couple rocks went rolling into the lagoon, Cloud crawling from under them. He had fallen onto the rocks instead and the force of the impact had made some ruined stairs to fall on him. "You scream as if it's my entire fucking fault!!"

"You're the hero of the world!" Yuffie snapped back, walking over and yanking him up, beginning to dust him. "I've seen you run up a falling building and sword fight in mid air and a HOLE kicks your ass?"

"I'm not a God; stop believing otherwise!! Even I get surprised!"

"Whatever!" Yuffie was too pissed to go any further. "Let's just get out of here. I suggest you strip down like me."

"Yes, keep getting pissed at me." Cloud snapped, taking a step back as he began getting rid of his clothes. "You should have stayed upstairs if you were coming down here just to YELL at me for something I am not guilty of!"

"I'm not pissed at you." Yuffie snapped back. "I'm pissed at him!" She grouched, pacing back and forth. "And once we get out of here, we are LEAVING. The old fuck can get someone else to take over. I'm not going to let him control me!"

"Then stop taking out on me!" Cloud stated, shaking his head as he deflated.

"Well I can't take it out on him! The fucker threatened to kill us!"

"And what could I have said when he made that decision? Nothing…!" Cloud exclaimed, panting. "I'm as pissed as you but I know it's NOT your fault!"

"Well, I'm pissed and yelling! You know I'm not pissed at you so just let me yell!" The woman growled. "It's either that or smashing my fist onto a rock until it busts open!"

Cloud reached the point of boiling frustration; reaching up, he gripped his hair and let out a loud snarl. "FUCK THIS! Fuck EVERYTHING in this fucking country!!" He just couldn't take it anymore. "Three full months of torture that don't even fucking compare to the army and now THIS! I've freaking HAD IT!"

"How do you think I feel?" Yuffie screeched back, face turning red in anger. "I'm in a loveless marriage, forced to learn how to be a fucking SLAVE and now I'll have to suffer YEARS of that crackpot of a father pushing me to do shit I have no intention of doing! It's frustrating!! You think you got it bad? Well, so do I! So don't go acting like you're the only one suffering!"

"Don't think you know me that deep inside! Who said I didn't fucking love---" Cloud suddenly pressed his lips together as he lifted a cold sweating hand to his forehead, eyes fluttering closed. He was getting so tired of drama for NOTHING!

"You don't." Yuffie said; voice suddenly soft and sad. "You're just my friend; a colorful friend. You love Reno. This is not fair… That I have to lock my life away without ever being in love."

Cloud didn't even flinch at that but inside felt a stab. "The one I wanted by my side ever since we separated three months ago was not Reno." He said softly, walking past Yuffie to climb down the rocks. Sure, he had thought of him a whole lot but… somehow… something had changed on his wedding night. It was the push to get him to move on. He wanted to finish his previous sentence but no good would come out of it when Yuffie herself had just said she had no faith in their union. "C'mon. The sooner we leave the better."

Conflicted, the girl bit her lip and began to follow. What would Cloud say if he were to end his sentence? She would not allow herself to hope he would to say what she wanted him to say. There was no way the blond would ever feel that way for her. Not yet… Was there?

Sighing when he reached the bottom, Cloud waited patiently for the other to join him. "I got no fucking luck with this." He whispered quietly, working his jaw. "The first got killed, the second was also killed, the third killed he was and the fourth, the only alive one, just pretty much admitted she'd never fall for me." The blond hummed, taping his chin. If he was any madder, he'd be laughing hysterically. Fuck his life.

Standing against the rocks, Yuffie looked down at Cloud. "What did you say?"

Cloud titled his head to the side; he thought she was farther away. "I asked where we go from here." He lied, crossing his arms tightly. He didn't need pity love or care.

"Liar..." Yuffie said with a frown, easily bouncing down next to Cloud. "Tell me the truth."

"If you say that, it's because you heard. I don't need to repeat it."

Biting her lip, Yuffie thought for a minute. "...Did you mean it?"

"What does that matter? Do your feelings change with a couple words?"

"I never told you my feelings."

"You said you had to lock your life without ever being in love. That implicate that you'll never fall for me." Cloud shook his head, turning to look at Yuffie, pained. "I will not hurt again." He stated, shaking a finger. "I won't. I'm sick of it. I just want it all to stop." He whispered, frowning as he looked away.

"...I said I had to lock my feelings away because you would never fall for me." Yuffie said after a moment. "You loved Aerith, you loved Zack, and you loved Reno. All three of them were amazing people. Why would you fall for me? You're grieving. And like you said, you refuse to be hurt again. Why would you fall for me if you have that fear? I am nothing special."

"You are special to me." Cloud stated firmly. "And yes, I am grieving - grieving because I endured these three months for an illusion." Yuffie was pretty far from his reach.

"Once more, I never told you my feelings. You just assumed--"

"Then STOP acting so unattached!" Cloud exclaimed suddenly, curling his hands into shaky fists.

"How am I acting unattached?" Yuffie asked, keeping her voice low. "By marking you, kissing you, wanting to be with you? Getting jealous? Which part is unattached?"

"The part that you now know my feelings and you're standing there, a good two steps away from me and talking like you're a doll…?" Cloud stated, turning to Yuffie. He was shaking, having bet all on this; if Yuffie did not return his feelings, all would become awkward. If Yuffie pitied him, he could never look up at her again. Then again, if she did return his feelings, so what…? What'd change? What'd remain the same? The blond was a bag of uncertainties and he knew he was letting it show as he looked down.

"How else am I supposed to speak?" Yuffie sighed. "You are shaking and stumbling over your words. I'm just trying to stay calm." She could still feel her hands shaking. "I don't want to yell or scream or get confused. I'm trying to stay calm." Cloud reached up to run his hands through his hair as he sat, waiting... waiting for something, anything. Walking over after a few moments, Yuffie sat down next to Cloud, shifting slightly before placing her head onto his shoulder. "I don't know how I feel for you. I've never been in love before... but this is more than just friendship to me."

Cloud nodded slowly. More than a friendship… For all that he knew he could be only a best friend. Eyes tightly closed, he rubbed them with his palms. Just like Zack once said, he was too trusting. He got too attached too quickly. That had happen with Yuffie. Even during so long without her, with their little time spent together, he developed more than a friendship. Maybe it was his doom. "Alright..."

"It's more than friend, Cloud. I care for you... A LOT." She sighed. "I think, given a little more time, I could love you." Although she had no idea of such thing felt… How should she know she was in love?

The blond ruffled his hair in frustration. Yuffie could be saying the biggest truth but after all that happened, it only sounded like empty, pitying promises to him. "We should just get out of here." He sighed, lifting his head and rubbing his tired right eye. Biting her lip once more, Yuffie nodded slowly, sighing gently as she walked. She didn't know what else to say. What else was there she could say? Following silently, Cloud eyed Yuffie's back before looking away. He couldn't look at her.

Rolling his shoulders after a long while of uncomfortable silence, the blond looked over his shoulder, unnerved. He felt as if they were being watched. Turning after a moment, Yuffie raised an eyebrow, watching Cloud twitch and shift. "Something wrong…?"

"We're being followed. Don't stop moving." Cloud said, walking past Yuffie.

"Wait, what?" The princess asked, frowning as she continued to walk, looking over her shoulder.

"Just keep going, Yuffie. And get us out of here." Huffing, the girl nodded and continued to walk; wandering through all the twists and turns of the maze her father had dropped them into. Eyeing the corridor in front of him, Cloud stopped. "You sure that's the only way?" He asked; even with his enhanced eyesight, he couldn't see a thing past a couple meters. They'd be in absolute darkness, unarmed.

"I'm sure. I got lost in here once as a kid and I remember the way out." It was dark, yes. But there was no other way.

Cloud hesitated before taking Yuffie's hand; it wouldn't be good if they got lost. "Don't wander away. We'd get lost and there are enemies around--" He murmured, ears perking and jerking his head to the side as he caught a low growl.

Pausing, Yuffie's eyes widened before narrowing, looking over at the growl. "…Damn it...Run." Tugging his hand, she broke into a fast pace, feet slapping against the stone. "Run!"

Cloud grunted, stumbling at the sudden tug before he fell into step besides Yuffie. "What kind of monsters are down here?" He asked before they ran into the absolute darkness of the middle of the corridor. "Shit." He swore, listening to several more growls.

"I don't know." Yuffie gulped, eyes darting around. "I never saw them before." But she still had a few light scars on her hips and back from them. "They are fast though, with sharp claws."

Cloud cursed, running quickly with Yuffie and cursing as he eyes glowed against his nose. "You're going to have to guide me." He said, closing his eyes. Their light was most likely helping the monsters spotting them in the darkness.

"Right." Shuddering, Yuffie moved to the front, taking off quickly, calling out each time a bump or rock showed up so they could hop over them, shuddering when the growling got louder.

"We're almost at the end." Cloud reassured, cracking an eye and seeing light. Speeding up, the two ran until their feet hurt and cried out once they reached the end of the corridor. Their relief was not for long; Cloud felt his eyes widen before he grabbed Yuffie, pulling her to his side protectively. "Oh shit." He breathed quietly, eyes wide as he stared at the dozens of creatures stirring and cracking their wild eyes to look at them, new growls reaching them.

They had just run into their place.

"Fuck." Yuffie breathed, pressing closer to her husband. Now what could they do? Fight their way out? There were too many of them to do that! "Now what…?"

Biting his lip, Cloud's eyes darted across the room. They were Bandersnatch, lion-like creatures only found in Wutai. They were extremely dangerous. Trying to ignore the growls from behind them as well, he licked his dry lips. He glanced at his bangle.

Fire, Ultima, Meteor and Barrier.

"You choose." He said quietly, touching Yuffie's stomach and performing a Wall spell. She was now safe. "I either blast the farther side of the roof so the debris will bury the most part of the monsters and we make a dash for the door, taking the risk of being stuck here forever, or I use an Ultima spell and get all the ones in front of us and you'll have to fight the ones behind us." It had been too long ever since he had used a magical spell, having relied more on his sword. He was rusty, and because of that, he didn't have enough magical strength for two straight spells. He'd most likely flop onto his knees until he regained his breath. "Decide. Fast."

"I don't know!" Yuffie said, voice a soft breeze. How was she supposed to know what to do? She just barely survived the last time. Looking around, she panted softly. "...Take them out. We will have more of a chance to survive with those all dead." She'd take the materia and finish the others, then.

Cloud nodded once, titling his hand up lightly. He couldn't startle them. Gathering energy in his palm, he suddenly threw his arm up, a bright green light blinding them and a sudden pressure nearly making their ears bleed as the monsters shrieked in pain before it all faded with a blast, killing the Bandersnatch. Cloud's vision swam and he suddenly found himself on his knees, wheezing.

Acting quickly, Yuffie leaned down and yanked the bangle off of Cloud's arm. Putting it on, she turned quickly, firing off another spell, mind swarming as a second batch of shrieks filled the air before she collapsed next to the blond, panting heavily, cavern now silent.

Reaching, Cloud dragged the weak woman to his side and rested his head on hers, giving her some comfort. "With some luck, there aren't more..."

"Don't say that." Yuffie groaned. The last thing they needed was karma kicking their ass.

Cloud let out a small chuckle. They remained like that for a moment until the blond frowned slightly, shivering. "It's getting cold..." He breathed. It was gradual, though. As if something was approaching. Cracking his eyes open, he only saw a hand sprouting out of the ground and reaching for Yuffie. Pushing her away, he kicked out and shoved the hand away, yelping when another grabbed his ankle and pulled him straight into the rocky ground. "Fuck--" He swore through gritted teeth before he let out a loud, agonized scream, feeling sharp nails digging into the flesh and ripping down. Growling angrily, he reached for the bangle and snatched it, turning and casting a Firaga a meter away from his leg at the ground, where he knew whatever had attacked them was. It exploded and a shriek was heard, a burnt corpse there when the smoke dissipated. "Ice Zombie..." Cloud snarled, wincing as he dragged his body up. "We must get out of here." There were probably other monsters around.

"And go where?" Yuffie shuddered as she got to his feet, stumbling a bit. Reaching over, she grabbed Cloud's arm, steadying him. "Where do we go?"

"There." Cloud pointed. He saw a tall, wooden door. "Let's take a peek and see if there's somewhere we can hide."

"It better be." Yuffie panted, taking Cloud's arm and stumbling across the floor as quickly as she could, heading for the door. Trying not to let his pain show, Cloud did his best to keep up with Yuffie, hoping no other monster would be attracted by the smell of the trail of blood he was leaving behind. Reaching the wooden structure, Yuffie shoved the door open and stumbled inside, pulling Cloud in with her before slamming the door shut.

Looking around, Cloud breathed in relief. He could see a frozen mako stream by his right; monsters never got too close to those. "There. We can rest there." Nodding, Yuffie slowly walked over, sitting down next to the stream with a deep sigh. Grunting, Cloud leaned against the wall before sliding down, slumping into a boneless heap on the floor besides Yuffie. Looking at his leg, he winced at the strips of ripped flesh and if he looked closer, he could swear he saw a part of his bone. Checking his bangle, he shook his head. He had no other materia. They had to get out before his leg infected; he was strong enough to endure the blood loss and not go into shock but he doubted he'd be alright if the wound infected. "How far are we from the exit?"

"It'll take a long while still." Yuffie winced, kneeling. She ripped the bottom of her robe and used a broken spear lying around to bandage the blond's leg.

Hissing, the blond grunted, eyes squeezing shut at the sharp flare of pain. "Ngh..."

Yuffie winced. "I'm sorry but I can't do a thing." All she could do was being fast. Bandaging Cloud's leg to the spear, she made sure she covered every bit of ripped skin so it would be protected from the dirt. Finishing, the ninja sighed as she watched the bandages becoming blood soaked. "... We need to go as soon as possible, Cloud." She stated, going to sit right beside him again. "Or you'll pass out." "Well first we need to find a way out." Cloud said with a wince. Yuffie nodded, snuggling to his side and reaching to rub Cloud's hip gently, knowing it'd help distracting him from the pain. Sighing gently, the blond relaxed at the touch. "Thank you."

Biting her lip, Yuffie eyed the blond for a moment. "Don't fall asleep..." She chided gently. Hesitating a bit, she leaned forward, nuzzling his cheek with tip of her nose and pressing their lips together when Cloud turned to look at her.

Kissing back automatically, relishing on the action, Cloud pulled back after a minute, eyebrow raised. "Thank you? Not too sure how that will keep me up, though."

Yuffie blinked before sighing, rolling her eyes. "It wasn't supposed to keep you up." She grunted. "It was just a kiss."

Cloud chuckled softly. "You tell me to stay awake and then kiss me. I made a connection."

Yuffie hummed, cupping Cloud's cheek and wiping a smudge of dirt with her thumb. Staring at the other, she bit her lip, suddenly uneasy. She felt the blond tense a bit as well under her touch, as a reaction to her stiffness. Leaning, Yuffie stopped short of Cloud's lips, hesitating: should she? Eyes open, the blond looked into Yuffie's eyes, leaning up and gently pressing their lips together after a small hesitation. Humming softly, Yuffie relaxed then and reached to wrap her arms around Cloud's neck, kissing back as gently. Now that she knew, if she concentrated enough, she felt as if she could feel Cloud's feelings reach her through their union; it felt amazing and it made her toes curl.

Was this love?

Reaching out, Cloud pulled Yuffie onto her lap, being careful of his injured leg as he kept holding her close as he deepened the kiss. The woman sighed contently through her nose at the action, feeling Cloud's talented tongue rubbing and curling with hers. Pulling back after a minute, Cloud smiled, nuzzling their noses together. Yuffie nuzzled back, taking on his scent. "I'm sorry if I hurt you earlier." She whispered, petting his hair. "I just don't want to fool you... I want to give you what you deserve and not an illusion."

"It's fine." Cloud said softly, caressing her cheek.

Yuffie nodded, leaning towards the contact before resting their foreheads together and kissing the tip of Cloud's nose. They stayed that way for a while until Yuffie frowned, feeling Cloud's skin growing cold. Opening her eyes, she saw him pale and sweating and she reached to cup his face. "Cloud…?"

"Hmm...Yeah…?" The blond mumbled, eyes closed. He was sleepy all of the sudden.

Reaching, Yuffie slapped him with the back of her hand, wincing at the way his head snapped to the side. "Don't fall asleep!" She stressed, kissing the red cheek before looking over her shoulder. They had relaxed way too much; there was a small poodle of blood around Cloud's torn leg. "C'mon. We must go now."

Groaning softly at the slap, Cloud's eyes fluttered open partially as he looked around for an exit. "Where can we go?" He slurred, eyes becoming heavy again.

"Cloud!" Yuffie hissed, shaking the other harshly. "Focus!" Looking around, she looked at the end of the corridor. "If I am not mistaken, at the end of that corridor there is the actually waterway. We'll need to walk up many stairs and shit but we'll be home in no time, depending on the water levels." Some gates opened and closed at certain times of the day so the time they'd take to get back to the surface would depend on that.

Groaning again, the blond nodded slowly, placing his hands onto the stone below him, slowly pulling himself up. "Stairs. Why stairs?" This would not be fun.

"I'm sorry." Yuffie winced, wrapping Cloud's arm around her shoulders. "C'mon, I'll support you."

"Hope so or we're going to fall." Cloud winced, shifting so his leg was elevated off the ground. Yuffie nodded, frowning worriedly as they began to wobble slowly. It'd take them a while to get anywhere this way. Hissing between his teeth, Cloud groaned softly between his teeth, limping as quickly as he could.

"Don't need to strain so much, Cloud." Yuffie whispered, squeezing the blond's hand.

"I'm going to strain no matter what. May as well go as fast as I can..." Cloud wheezed, wincing when he felt some puss run down his torn leg.

Yuffie nodded, looking down and wincing. "How come it's infecting so much?" She asked, biting her lip. "... Are you suffering from a Sap ailment?" She winced.

"Don't know." Cloud panted, sweat sliding down his chin. "I just want to get out of here so let's go fast. Yuffie frowned worriedly but nodded, forcing Cloud to go faster. She knew it hurt but it had to be done if she didn't want to drag Cloud's body to the surface. Pausing once they reached the stairs, Cloud felt his breathing speeding up. Taking a deep breath, he reached out and set his foot onto the step and pulled himself up, gritting his teeth. "Ngh!"

"Just try to hop." Yuffie suggested, frowning both sadly and worriedly. Hell, her eyes were watering! She just wanted them on the surface with a couple of elixirs shoved down Cloud's throat. Nodding, Cloud lifted his leg, leaning against Yuffie as much as he dared, beginning to hop slowly and pausing each time he went up a step. Helping Cloud, Yuffie looked up and sighed. "We still have five floors to climb." She said, pointing with a hand towards a small iron gate at the end of the large place. "There's the exit." Looking up, the blond sighed before nodding and gritting his teeth, stumbling up the steps as quickly as he dared, breathing heavily with each step he took. "We can rest when we reach the first floor." Yuffie promised, trying to bring Cloud's spirit up. She could see the water's level so very slowly going up and she knew that it was the left side of the waterway emptying; it meant that the place they were would be covered in water soon. Nodding, Cloud didn't even bother opening his eyes, pushing his body to stumble up faster, able to hear the gentle rush of rising water. "So, what are we going to do once we get to the surface?" Yuffie started to talk, trying to keep Cloud focused.

"I dunno... maybe... kill... your dad?" The blond suggested with a weak chuckle.

"Sounds good... We can leave; go live somewhere else. Where would you like to live? And why?"

"Dunno..." The blond slurred. "Somewhere warm… chocobos… with a ranch..."

Yuffie shook Cloud violently when he began to buckle. "Would you like to raise Chocobos too?" She asked.

Straightening quickly, Cloud nodded. "Yea... Pretty gold and black ones..."

Yuffie hummed. "Can I go with you?" She asked.

"'Course...my wife..."

The ninja shook Cloud again. "You sure…?" She winced, dragging Cloud across the pavement until they reached the next set of stairs, water brushing their feet already.

"Umm hmm..." Cloud mumbled softly, legs still stumbling and moving, water stained red around his leg.

Yuffie growled, head butting the other's jaw and sighing as Cloud instantly straightened. "FOCUS!" She hissed. "Three more floors to go!"

Groaning softly, Cloud shook his head, automatically moving to butt her back. "Lemme alone, Yuffie..."

"Don't make me DRAG YOU BY THE HAIR, STRIFE!" Yuffie hissed like an angry cat, half dragging Cloud upstairs. Groaning again, Cloud nodded, pushing his body harder while his vision dimmed momentarily before going blurry once more, urging him to move faster. "Just hold on..." Yuffie whispered as if it was a mantra. "Soon, we'll be home and I'll cure you, you just wait."

"Kay..." Cloud whispered weakly.

Yuffie made an effort to drag Cloud upstairs and, after what felt like a century, succeeded. She gasped, though, suddenly feeling Cloud's full weight on her side and having to make an extra effort to keep him up. "Cloud?!" There was no answer but a soft groan, blond laying limp in her arms. Yuffie's eyes turned wide and round. "Cloud! Wake up!" She yelled, lying him down before shaking him. The blond moaned again, body still. "You wake up right now before I freaking kill you sooner, you moron!!" Shifting a bit, the blond went still once more, color fading from his face.

Yuffie felt her eyes widen a bit more. "... Cloud…?" She whimpered, shaking him once more. Letting out a small whine when she got no other answer but a shaky breath, the ninja sat and pulled on Cloud, wrapping his arms around her shoulders and tugging. "C'mon, fat ass." She grunted, standing with Cloud on her back. She began to drag him slowly, grunting at the effort.

She'd get to the surface, Yuffie thought as an unknown fear squeezed her heart. She didn't know why she felt so lost. It wasn't like other friends of hers never were in the same predicament. The woman bit her lip. It was different this time; she wasn't afraid of losing a friend.

She was afraid of losing her everything; her love.

Bekas: Poor babies and their inability to understand and speak of their feelings openly Dx