Howdy everyone. Sorry for the delays in this fic. My DSL has been disconnected, -Scowls- But with spring break and no internet, it's given me time to work on this fic. I also beat Kingdom Hearts 2. Might I take a moment to say... –Holy crap-? That being directed towards the Sephiroth-Cloud battle and all that. Sephiroth's voice seemed alright, but Cloud's… oh man… Cloud's was just sp hilarious. I swear to you, he squeaks whenever he yells out 'Sephiroth!' His voice is just wrong…

On a further note about the game, my sister was the first one to comment on this, but every world is a damned love story. Yeeesh. Even Hallow Bastion because of Tifa being there and searching for Cloud. Than the Cloud and Aerith moment. Heh heh, Cloud is in a triangle even in Kingdom Hearts, how sad for him.

Disclaimer- I do not own Kingdom Hearts

Tips For The Dating Inclined

Yuffie had learned a new lesson in life, 'Don't let Aerith shop for you.' They had spent three hours going from shop to shop in search for something, in Aerith's definition, 'perfect'. When Aerith pulled dresses off from hangers, Yuffie had taken the opportunity to tell the older woman that she would not be caught dead in a dress unless she was under the influence of something.

Three hours and much compromising later, Yuffie had gotten her outfit, which she has to admit that it is a nice outfit. It's not something she'd wear everyday, or occasionally, but she may stash it away for some random knighting where she has to dress somewhat decent.

With much compromising, Aerith allowed Yuffie to get a blood red tank top and a black leather sleeveless vest so long as she went with the black skirt that Aerith picked out. The skirt Yuffie didn't have a problem with. It falls down to her ankles so she can still were her shorts underneath it, she felt she won that end of the bargain.

Aerith tried convincing Yuffie into wearing heels, but the last time she wore them, it was an endless amount of teasing from Leon after she successfully fell flat on her face countless times. She had gotten so frustrated with the heels at the time that she had taken them off and hurled them at Leon. She was not about to let that happen again. She's wearing her sneakers, no heels.

When they were heading back to the apartment, with Yuffie's outfit tucked safely in her arms, Aerith had given the young ninja pointers and advice for the date. She labeled her words as the 'Dos and Don'ts'. Yuffie tried to keep up, but they were so many that she lost track of most of them so she just ended up nodding her head and agreeing.

Yuffie dropped her clothes down on her bed in a small heap. She walked over to the dresser and examined herself in the mirror. Two hours ago, she watched Cloud enter his room. While he was in there, she had slipped a small note under his door that simply read, 'We're getting the damned date out of the way. Be ready in two hours.'

She had no idea why she put two hours down, she only needed about twenty minutes, at most, to get ready. Aerith had suggested earlier going without the bandana on. A good idea if it weren't for the fact that now she has to deal with an indent in her hair where the bandana used to reside.

It took her ten minutes to actually get it out of her hair, which in affect, caused her to comb the rest of her tangled mess on top of her head. She can't see how girls can comb their hair for so long, just so it's perfect. If she ever turned out to be like one of them, she'd have to get Leon to slap her.

When she finished combing her hair she glanced over to her clock. It has officially been fifteen minutes since the two hour mark. You should make your date wait a little. Aerith had said that, and when Yuffie asked her why, the older woman's response was a mere giggle. But alas, Yuffie followed her instructions anyway.

Having made him wait long enough, Yuffie decided to go. When she opened her door she found a piece of paper tapped to the outside of her door.

-Got tired of waiting, went ahead to the café.

Yuffie stared down at the note dumbly. After reading it a few more times she rolled her eyes and crumbled it up, "Thanks Aer." She said aloud before she tossed it over her shoulder and proceeded down the hallway.

She found Leon in the living room, seated on the lazy boy and a newspaper opened in his lap. He glanced up from his paper to look at Yuffie. He ended up starring a few moments longer as if he tried to decide if it's really Yuffie or not. "…What's with the outfit?"

Feel free to let people know who you're going out with. It'll impress some people, and make other's jealous, which is a good thing.

Yuffie paused to think of Aerith's shared wisdom, "It's… for a date." She answered slowly, a little too distracted in trying to think of more of Aerith's tips.

Leon glanced back down at the paper, "…The one with Cloud?"

Yuffie quickly nodded her head, "Yep!" She twisted from side to side to show off the outfit more, "Ya like it?" She questioned curiously.

"….Whatever."

Yuffie walked over to Leon and gave his head a comforting pat, "I know… you're jealous that I'm going out on a date with Cloud and you aren't." She teased with a smile.

Leon glanced up to her with a raised eyebrow, "Why would I go out on a date, or want to, with Cloud?"

Yuffie pulled her hand back as she gave a confused look, "Huh? No wait… I mean…"

"Give up before you hurt yourself." Leon commented before glancing back down at the paper.

The comment made Yuffie momentarily pale. 'Did he mean give up on teasing him, or give up on… no… he means teasing him of course. Yeah…' The young ninja shook her head before walking over to the door, ready to leave. However when she opened it, she froze in her spot, "It's raining!" She announced dreadfully.

"Yep." Leon answered back casually.

Yuffie turned to him, her hands resting at her hips as a look of annoyance passed over her features, "Why didn't you just say so?"

"You never asked."

She fought the urge to continue arguing with him, it's bad enough Cloud is probably waiting for her at the café. With that thought in mind she walked over to the closet and pulled an umbrella out. At least she won't have to worry about her clothes sticking to her body from being wet. On normal circumstances she wouldn't care.

"Yuffie." Leon called over as she was about to leave. He didn't glance up from his paper, "You look nice."

The compliment, although small, brought a big smile to her face, "I know, but thanks." She replied back before opening up the umbrella and dashing off through the rain.

Leon rolled his eyes and stood up from his seat to close the front door that Yuffie had so kindly left open.

Getting to the café was a breeze, finding Cloud in the strangely crowded place was another issue. Usually you can find Cloud out of any crowd; his blonde, massively spiky hair and red cloak make him stick out quite noticeably.

She felt kind of stupid standing at the entrance of the café and looking around. She could probably find him if she wondered around but the place looked too crowded to really walk around freely. She didn't want to bother any other costumers in the place.

Someone calling her name followed closely by a tap on the shoulder made her turn around sharply. She had to do a double take at what she was looking at. Cloud had gotten some new clothes. No longer did he wear that red cloak and torn, beaten mercenary outfit.

He was decked out in a similar mercenary outfit, except this new one is black rather than that dull purple color. The sleeves of the shirt seem separate pieces, held on by shoulder guards that bore a wolf's head on them. The sleeves are loose and draped down just above his knuckles.

His matching pants complimented his shirt enough and he was sporting a pair of brand new black shiny boots. Without the cloak covering half of his face, it was much easier for Yuffie to see his face. Now she wouldn't have to try and peek around the cursed thing when he wasn't looking.

You should try complimenting on their looks, if they dressed up for the occasion.

Yuffie was thinking about Aerith's advice and said the first compliment that came to her mind. "You're hot!" She announced loudly. She winced and looked around to make sure none of the café's other occupants weren't staring at her.

"A joke, right?" Cloud replied right back.

Yuffie looked back up at him, tilting her head to the side slightly in curiosity, "No… wait… you mean to tell me no one's said that before? To you, that is."

Cloud crossed his arms over his chest and raised an amused brow at her, "… You're pretty." Yuffie was about to give a cheerful thanks in return but Cloud finished his sentence before she could, "…straight forward aren't you?"

The young ninja gave a small laugh before shrugging her shoulders, "I see no reason to beat around the bush. Beside, it's just a compliment. You know it's true anyway. If I said otherwise, I'd be lying."

"Ah… you're specialty."

"What was that?"

"Nothing." Cloud replied casually before giving her a once through. Again a brow raised on this as he asked, "What's with the outfit?"

'Is this some sort of guy language that's supposed to be a compliment?' Yuffie thought in annoyance as she pressed her lips together to keep herself from asking that very question. It's embarrassing enough that she's actually dressed up like this. "Well… what's up with yours?"

"The cloak made people stare at me like I was some sort of vampire." Yuffie had the sudden image of Cloud with long vampire fangs, sinking his teeth into the side of her neck and sucking her blood. The image made her shiver at the thought. "So I got this instead." Cloud said finishing up.

What he said beforehand, Yuffie wasn't sure since she had been daydreaming. "Y-Yeah… that'll keep people from staring." She commented with a quite roll of the eyes, "Um… we gunna sit down?"

Twenty minutes after their grand introduction of their 'date'. Yuffie found herself seated across Cloud at one of the small tables in the café, admiring the workmanship of the table top. She has been picking away at a piece of splinter ever since they finished ordering their meal. Since ordering, Cloud has said next to nothing to her, and she hadn't tried striking up conversation either.

Try finding a topic you both are interested in and start a conversation

Yuffie had been thinking about those very words for the last ten minutes. She couldn't think of anything that she and Cloud can possibly share an interest in. "Um… Nice weather… we're having?" She finally said after much thinking.

"It's raining." Cloud pointed out dryly.

"So? I happen to like the rain." She shot back childishly proud.

Cloud paused for a moment before replying back with, "I guess… I do too."

Yuffie nodded her head with a smile working its way onto her face, "Yep! Rain is fun. You get to splash in it, get all soaked. Drip water onto the rug when you finally enter your house. You can splash other people that are dry underneath their umbrellas."

"In other words…" Cloud began, "It gives you another opportunity to be a pain in the ass."

"Yeah…" Yuffie started, biting her tongue to stop herself from making a derogatory statement, "… well smart ass, why do you like it?"

Cloud gave a nonchalant shrug, "I just do."

"Liar." Yuffie accused while pointing a finger at him, "No body just likes something. There's always a reason for it."

Cloud gave a very small smile, "Does that mean you get the hint that I'm not caring enough to share?"

"Get the hint that I don't care enough about your privacy to let it drop?" Yuffie snapped back without missing a beat.

Cloud let out a long breath, "Why does it matter?"

"Why does it matter enough that you won't share?" She replied back smartly.

Cloud hunched forward to rest his cheek on his fist where his elbow was rested on the table top. He drummed his fingers on the table as if he were weighing his options, "I… because…" He started with his uncertain tone, "You can't tell between raindrops and tears when you're caught in the rain."

Yuffie fell silent and stared at him with a questioning gaze for a while before she managed to snap out of it long enough to comment, "…Wow… That was the cutest thing I've ever heard you say, in a depressing kind of way."

Cloud sat up and crossed his arms over his chest, "And that is why I didn't want to say anything."

Yuffie waved him off, "Don't worry, if it makes you feel any better, you're cute to begin with. So I guess it all blends together in a blendy kind of way."

"That doesn't make me feel better." He replied back flatly.

Yuffie just shrugged, "Oh well, I tried." She commented before her eyes caught site of the waiter bringing over their meals. "Food."

Don't chew with your mouth open and I know it's hard for you Yuffie but don't speak with you mouth full.

Throughout the meal, Yuffie had to remain conscience of how she chewed her food and when she spoke. She went the extra mile by not shoveling the food in her mouth like a rabid dog. All in all, it really annoyed her to have to actually pay attention to it all, while at the same time try to keep a conversation going with Cloud. After the whole 'rain' conversation, she found herself much more at ease with speaking freely.

"So… did you ever have any relationships out on the road?" Yuffie asked out of the blue. She was always curious about it.

"No." Short, sweet, to the point.

"Really? Not a one?" Yuffie questioned surprised.

"Not a one."

"Make any friends?" Yuffie tried to stay on the topic of his traveling so she could gather up the nerve to ask what she really wants.

"One."

That sparked the young ninja's interest; she had half expected him to say he didn't make any. "Really? Where are they now?"

"Dead."

"Oh." Yuffie picked at her slice of cheese cake. Her appetite had disappeared a while back. Cloud didn't seem to be all that hungry either since he had slowed down to a snail's pace when eating his slice. "So um… Are you interested in relationships?" She asked stupidly. She really should have planned out conversations before going out on this thing.

Cloud's answer was a mere shrug, "I guess to an extent."

"Uh huhhh." Yuffie placed her fork down and gave a grin that would rival the Cheshire cat's. "And what type of girls are you interested in?"

Cloud lifted his head and locked his eyes with hers; his face completely expressionless. Slowly he leaned forward enough so he could whisper his reply, "Who said its girls I'm interested in?"

Yuffie's grin dropped, as well as her mouth as she stared at him wide-eyed. Cloud sat back while keeping a straight face. That is until he blinked and it all fell apart.

Yuffie was now staring at him in disbelief for a different reason. She found it fascinating that Cloud had made a joke in the first place, but she found it downright bizarre to find him in tears from laughing so hard. She half expected him to fall off his chair and collapse to the floor with the way he's going.

When he calmed down enough and the remainder of the café went back to their own conversations, Cloud decided to comment, "The face was priceless." He said with a hint of a smile still on his face. "To answer your question, I don't know. I don't have a type."

Yuffie slowly nodded her head. She was still in a bit of a haze from what had just happened, 'I think Cloud might be bipolar.' She thought to herself.

"Well what about you?" Cloud questioned to snap Yuffie out of her thoughts.

"Uh…" Was Yuffie's response; she had never really thought about it. "Well… hmm…" She rubbed her chin and looked thoughtful for a few moments. "I guess whomever I end up with, if I ever do get someone… it would have to be someone who can put up with me for one thing."

"Okay…"

"I want the type of guy who can be as much of a smartass as me…"

"A dynamic duo huh?"

"And he can joke around and have fun. I want a guy that will jump in the puddles with me when it's raining. One who will, for no reason at all, push me into a puddle. Yep! That about sums it up."

Cloud blinked dumbly at her for a few moments, "You want someone who will push you into a puddle?" He questioned while giving her a strange look. She, in turn, shrugged her shoulders. "In other words, you want some jackass." He said offhandedly before giving a short laugh.

The laugh made Yuffie smile but she didn't disagree with him. "Well… I'm a bitch. I need a jackass to keep me in line, don't ya think?"

Cloud's brows rose at her, "I wouldn't go far as bitch. Obnoxious sometimes, but everybody can be."

"Gee… thanks Cloud."

He shrugged his shoulders.

When they left the café, they were relieved to find that the rain had stopped. Yuffie was quite surprised that Cloud could actually be remotely interesting to talk to. She figured he wouldn't actually speak all that much on this date.

"You know, I never agreed to the terms of the bet." Cloud announced suddenly while they walked around the district.

"Ah… true. But here's the counter argument." Yuffie started. She lifted her hand and poked his shoulder, "You never disagreed to it either."

Cloud shrugged his shoulders lightly, "Didn't have time to think of anything else either. That and I really didn't care either way."

Yuffie raised her eyes up to his face and gave him a questioning look, "You didn't care whether you won or lost?"

"Not really."

"Well if you think of something else before the night is over, then let me know and I'll take it."

"…Okay."

Yuffie walked ahead of him a bit as they came up towards a bench. She took a seat on it and waited for Cloud to take a seat as well. When they were both seated she decided to ask a few questions that no one else seemed to give answers to. She had asked Leon and Aerith countless times yet they would never give her a straight answer. It was as if they wanted Cloud to tell her himself.

"Cloud… Why did you leave us?" She stared down at her hands in her lap, not wanting to see his reaction to the question for fear she would chicken out.

Cloud took a long moment before saying anything. He had obviously been caught off guard by the question. "I'm here now… So does it really matter?" He slouched in his seat so he could rest his head on the back of the bench while he stared up to the sky.

"Yes. It does matter." Yuffie said as a matter-of-factly. "Leon, Aerith, and Cid seem to know. I'm the only one who doesn't. It annoys me when everyone knows something that I don't."

Cloud let out a tired breath; the subject was obviously not one he could easily discuss. "On that night of the Heartless taking over Hallow Bastion, I left to search for someone."

"Who?"

"…My sensai."

"Oh… um… what happened?"

"Hmm… let's say… I find him but he was no longer my teacher. He had one last thing to give me when I found him. And then he vanished. For the remainder of the time I have been searching for him."

Yuffie was trying hard to actually follow what was being said, and pay attention to details. It was hard considering she has a pretty short attention span. But these were questions she had been seeking answers to. And with Cloud actually sharing things, she didn't want the opportunity to pass her by. So she pressed the matter further, "What did he give you?"

Cloud's immediate reply was a dry laugh, void of any amusement. "The darkness… Once he's gone I will no longer be lost in the darkness and I will see the light."

Yuffie chewed on her bottom lip in thought. Not fully understanding, and not truly wanting to understand it all for fear what it all meant. Cloud said that he's lost in the darkness. She wasn't sure if she actually agrees with him. Weren't people using the powers of darkness all suppose to be evil and dangerous?

Every person she's heard of that uses the powers of darkness, were all seeking greater power. They all wanted destruction of the worlds it seemed like. But Cloud just wants to get rid of his darkness. Now that she thought about it, doesn't the heart hold both light and dark? You can't have darkness without light. And light cannot exist if there is no darkness. So in that respect, every living soul has some sort of darkness within them.

Maybe Cloud was just paranoid about it all. Or perhaps he only focuses on the dark part of his heart and not the light. Yuffie had to wonder… What would happen if Cloud did destroy the person he's seeking? Would he feel like the darkness within him has disappeared? Or will the victory just slip him further into his dark thoughts?

Yuffie guessed she had been lost in thought for too long because Cloud had to snap her back to reality while waving his hand in front of her face. "Have a nice trip?" He immediately questioned when he noticed she came to.

"Huh? Oh… Uh… Yeah… hee hee sorry." Yuffie scratched the back of her head in embarrassment. She wasn't one who thought deeply on things. "So… does this mean you'll be leaving us again?"

Cloud stood up from the bench. His eyes were locked on the stars above as he thought about the question, "If it means anything… I don't ever plan on leaving. When I leave it's sudden for me as well. It all depends on circumstances."

"Yeah well… that good enough." Yuffie replied. She didn't want to stay on the subject anymore. "Okay!" She exclaimed as she hopped off the bench. "So where to next?"

When the two were finally heading back to the apartment, Yuffie had long since decided beforehand that Cloud's boots are entirely too shiny. She had come to that decision while he had beaten her countless times at the game of pool. Apparently, Cloud's idea of fun was to drag her off to a bar, and teach her how to play pool.

Granted, the game was fun at first, if not amusing to her. That was until Cloud beat her five times in a row. She's a competitive person so she started getting more serious, while Cloud remained as stoic as ever. Except for the tiny smirk he wore throughout the time, she just wanted to take the pool stick at one point and break it over his head.

Two hours had passed before they realized how late it was getting, so they headed off towards home. So far, Yuffie had successfully scuffed some of Cloud's left boot, making it appear to be an accident. All five times. Now she just needed to get the other boot. So she started walking by his other side. He seemed to be more alert than before. Her little act was going to set him off course much longer.

Yuffie decided not to just play innocent anymore, with a quick step and a hop, her left foot ran across his boot. "Scuff!" She announced aloud.

Cloud turned his gaze on her completely and raised a lone brow at her, "Would you like me to take my boot off so you can get the rest?" He questioned with a hint of annoyance.

Yuffie shook her head quickly, "Nah. That would be too easy. This way's much more fun."

Cloud shook his head and turned his gaze back in front of him once more. Yuffie made a move to scuff his boot once more. Instead of scuffing them like she planned on doing, Cloud managed to catch her in the act. His foot jerked back while his hands reached out to her shoulders and shoved her back.

Having been the process of scuffing his boot, she was caught off balance. This caused her in stumbling backwards a bit before falling flat on her ass in a puddle.

"Oops!" The innocent sounding word came out of Cloud's mouth as he stared at her. The look of satisfaction was clear in his eyes as Yuffie sat in the puddle with a disbelieving look across her face.

Yuffie's hand shot up as she pointed a finger up at him, "You pushed me into a puddle!" She accused.

"Actually, I pushed you away from me. You kind of just… made it to the puddle on your own." He pointed out trying to keep up with the innocence.

"Bull crap!" She exclaimed with annoyance, "You pushed me into this damn puddle! Do you know how much this thing cost me?"

Cloud's brow rose at her, "Nothing?" He questioned smartly.

Yuffie opened her mouth but promptly shut it. She thought for a moment before speaking, "Okay, so I may not have bought it myself. But it's the principle of the matter!" She stood up and twisted her head around in attempt to see the damage. A large wet, brown, splotch is on her butt. "And now my ass is cold thank you very much." Cloud gave a shrug while he smirked.

Thunder roared across the night sky before lightening streaked across the clouds. Rain immediately started pouring down on them; the storm returning from earlier that night.

Yuffie looked up against the storm and let the raindrops pelt down on her face. She shivered with the sound of thunder and the sight of lightening. She didn't lie about liking the rain, but one of her childhood fears is thunderstorms. She can feel her hair growing heavy as it became damp and soon it will be soaked enough that water will just be dripping off the end of her hair.

Her clothes were just beginning to stick to her small form when an umbrella came above her to shield her from the rain. She took her eyes off the sky and glanced over to Cloud as he held the umbrella towards her. She gave him a small appreciative smile before she shook her head, "I'll just let the rain wash the mud off my butt. I don't care."

Cloud hesitated a moment before pulling the umbrella back and closing it. "A little rain never hurt anybody." He said offhandedly as he let the rain drench his form. He moved over towards the building off to the side and leaned against it. He dropped the umbrella down on the ground as he stood under the overhang of the building.

Yuffie guessed he's trying to get out of the rain which wouldn't make much sense to go there considering he has an umbrella. The overhang didn't seem to do much since the rain still reached him with the wind blowing in his direction.

Yuffie gave another smile as she watched the rain drench him. His spiky hair was now flattened to his head now that it has the extra weight of the rain pulling it down. She imagined he had stood out in the rain like this countless times when he was traveling and searching. The difference being that he must have spent all those times standing in the rain alone.

The smile slowly away as she thought about it, after all, she can not imagine herself being alone and without Leon or Aerith for so long. Or Cid for that matter. She can't see how Cloud manage to deal with being alone for so long. And even though he had been alone for so long, and grew older with only himself to depend on to survive, tonight she had seen something.

She had seen parts of him show through what she's used to seeing of him. What came through the usual guarded and walled up person, she had seen glimpses of what he could have been; someone enjoying live with the people around him; joking and talking freely to others.

She found it sad that Cloud had turned out the way he did and it made her wonder if he would be different or more like what she saw glimpses of, if he had come with them when Hallow Bastion was taking by the Heartless. She took his appearance for what it told her.

Standing before her in the cold rain, stood Cloud, and for the first time she can actually read him fully. What she sees is a man in desperate need of light. Not the kind of light that he has been searching for, but a light of awakening; something to let him know that there are people around him that actually care and are there for him.

His form tells her of countless battles he fought on his own. His far away look within his eyes tell her his momentary remembrance of a friend and partner that stood by his side for some time until death's given hand came and took him away.

It's the first time Yuffie has actually cared enough to actually see what is going on exactly. Cloud is with them right now, but even though everyone is reunited and back together, he still seems alone. No one, not her, not Leon, Aerith, or Cid truly know who he is now. What's worse is that no one seems to be trying to do anything to figure out who Cloud is.

Yuffie realizes that it is difficult to know someone when that person doesn't seem to know who they are themselves. Cloud is under the assumption that he will not be himself unless he defeats this person he seeks.

When she thinks about the few moments she saw small glimpses of a different Cloud, Yuffie knows for a fact that Cloud is not lost in the darkness. He is merely so frightened that he is, that he feels the need to rid of every once of it in his heart. It's this fear he must not realize he has, for he lost himself in some sort of illusion.

It took a moment for Yuffie to realize to snap out of her reverie enough to realize that not only is she cold and shaking, but the trail of thought she had taken effected her more than she realized. It wasn't only raindrops trailing down her face anymore and she cursed herself for allowing herself to actually be affected so much.

She blessed the rain for the cover it gave because when she glanced back over to Cloud, he was staring at her. She didn't wipe her eyes since the rain would just wash it all away and she didn't want to give away that she had been crying, if only for a few passing moments.

She walked towards Cloud as his eyes remained locked on her. When she reached him she wasn't sure what it was she wanted to do in the first place. She's torn between turning back around and hugging him. Instead of either, she reached out and grabbed one of his hands in her own and held it. "Let's go home." She said loud enough for him to hear her over the rain pattering against the ground.

Cloud didn't give a response at first, nor did he make any indication of moving. He just remained in his place staring at her quietly. Each passing second made Yuffie feel more conscience about herself and she wondered if what he said about the rain is true, that it covers tears.

Finally, he gave a short nod to indicate that he was ready to leave. He pulled his hand free from both of hers and bent down to pick the umbrella up. He snapped it open and held it over Yuffie despite the fact that neither of them could get any more soaked then they already are.

Yuffie stepped closer and grasped his arm so they could both be shielded from the rain. She glanced back up to him and gave a small smile before they continued on their way home. She had to admit that the umbrella didn't hold much purpose for them, but it was nice to be out of the rain. She can still enjoy the rain just by watching it fall all around them.

Even when they are finally entering their home, Yuffie still enjoys the sound of the rain rattling on their rooftops. The thunder and lightening seemed to have passed over them once more, leaving just a soft rain shower in their wake. The small digital clock across the room read eleven thirty-seven, the red numbers glowing dully through the darkened room.

Yuffie waited a moment to watch Cloud set the umbrella in the closet before deciding she should head to bed. She took a few steps and found her shoes squish with each step. She didn't think much of it and continued on for a few more steps. It was only when Cloud's cold wet hand grasped around her arm did she stop.

Turning around to look at Cloud, Yuffie remained silent as he pointed over to the couch. The young ninja looked over to what he pointed at and found one arm tossed over the back of the couch as well as a head leaned back with long brown hair hanging back behind the couch. Sure enough, Leon was dead asleep to the world.

Yuffie knew immediately that something was wrong because Leon was the type to go to sleep early. 'Early to bed, early to rise' was his motto. Only on rare occasions did she find him up late at night.

Yuffie slipped off his sneakers while Cloud did the same with his boots. She held a finger across her lips to signal him to remain silent, although she doubted she needed to tell him that. She tip-toed across the floor in an attempt to remain silent, while her companion followed her with a normal stride.

Her legs were tucked up on the couch, pressed against the arm of it. Her arms were folded up in Leon's lap while her head was pressed against his chest. Her hair dropped across her shoulders and face to hide the content smile across her lips.

This image was one Yuffie had imagined herself to be tonight when she got back from her date with Cloud. He would go to bed and she would wander out into the living room to find Leon still up and watching some old late night movie. She would ask him why he was still up and he would just lie and say for no particular reason while the whole while the truth was that he couldn't sleep with the thought of her out with another man.

Then she would take a seat on the couch and watch the movie with him, and somewhere in the process she would start using him as a pillow as she drifted off to sleep.

When she saw Leon's head on the back of the couch, she had thought that maybe that image would come true if he wasn't already asleep. But a few problems accord immediately upon inspecting the couch. One, Leon was already asleep. And two, Aerith has seemed to have beaten her as she was in the place of what Yuffie had envisioned.

She averted her eyes toward Cloud who was also staring at the two blankly. "Should we wake them?" Yuffie asked quietly.

Cloud didn't remove his eyes from the scene in front of him, and Yuffie had a suspicion that he had his own image in his mind. One that he had hoped would play out or one that has already, a long time ago. She put her money on the latter. There was no doubt in her mind that Cloud was thinking about a time when him and Aerith used to be, back in Hallow Bastion.

"Why?" Cloud finally questioned, although Yuffie wasn't sure if he was questioning her idea of waking them, or questioning something else.

Cloud stood there for a few seconds longer and continued to stare down at the sleeping duo blankly before he moved his eyes to look up at Yuffie. He spared a glance at her before he turned away and headed towards his room.

In this moment more than any other, Yuffie wished she could read minds. She wanted to know exactly what was going on through Cloud's head, to get some answers as to how he felt towards everyone. Exactly what were Cloud Strife's thoughts about this small family of theirs?

Not only did she want answers from Cloud, but she wanted answers from Leon and Aerith as well. The empty boxes of Chinese Food told her that they had take out for dinner. This was the logical thing to do because there was no sense in cooking for four stomachs when only two were home to eat. The half eaten bowl of popcorn told her that they had both decided to watch a movie together afterwards.

Had they both been waiting for her and Cloud to come back, or were they using her and Cloud's absence as a time to spend some time alone? Questions and no answers it seemed for Yuffie. So she left the TV on in hopes that it would wake one of them up so they would leave the other, and she headed towards her own room.

Upon her door was another note taped on, one that Cloud must have taped on before he went to bed. She didn't see him do it, but she knew it had to have come from him. She read the note over and over again, the handwriting was his but she just found the note a little bit of a surprise.

She doesn't know how he expects her to do such a thing, and she doubted that she ever will. She wanted to head over to his room, knock on his door and demand how he knows, but she knew that all that would answer to her knocking was a door that wouldn't open.

So instead she went into her own room and decided she would worry about the note tomorrow. She had told Cloud that if he came up with something different for the bet that she would go through with it, and she'll have to find a way out of it.

As if losing to Cloud in the tournament wasn't enough. Now thanks to that bet, Cloud is telling her to… 'Tell Leon before it's too late.'

Officially my longest chapter for probably any story I've ever written . The chapter itself is a whopping sixteen whole pages. So for all of you who have been asking me to make the chapters longer, here you go. Don't'Cha just love me?