Blonde Ambition
Lots of pairings

- Amaranthos –
Beta reader: Eclipse Storywriter

Chapter 36: Shera's Confessions.

I know I haven't updated recently. Heh, sorry about that guys. I merged two chapters to make an extra long one. Hope you enjoy it!

"You what?" She shouted.

"Oh Yuf, not so early." I rub my aching head.

"Tifa Lockhart, I am absolutely appalled." She placed her hands on her hips.

"You were supposed to be back home at one sharp, but no… you had to party like those party animals," Yuffie sighed.

Shera watched her quizzically.

"Instead ,you're off partying hard with your new boyfriend. I mean, five o' clock Tif? Isn't that a bit too late?" she scorned.

I scratch my head. I look to Shera for help.

She shook her head, standing to her feet and pushing Yuffie off the side.

"Yuffie Kisaragi, you are by far the most selfish person I have ever known. When you're off partying with Vincent into the wee hours in the morning, you don't think about getting home at one. Instead, you let him do as he pleases," She huffed. "Don't judge Tifa, when you're no example to speak of. Besides, you know Tifa needs this kind of exposure," she pointed out.

"Thank you." I smile at Shera.

Yuffie sighed.

"Now … with that said…" Shera composed herself. "Spill the dirt. What did you guys do?" she grinned.

I blush, "W-what do you mean?"

"Tifa, I just stood up and defended you, don't be playing with me now," Shera grinned wickedly.

I blush. I mean, do I have to tell them what we did? I mean, it's my business. I blush again.

"We j-just… you know." I look down, blushing.

"No, I don't know. That's why we want to know," Yuffie interrupted rudely.

I bite my lips. My friends cornered me into a somewhat sticky situation.

"Well…" I start, "we… kind of…urh," I paused briefly before continuing, "How do I say this? We kind of… did it… all."

Yuffie gasped. "Oh my gosh." She looked at me, petrified.

Shera stared at me, stunned.

"Honestly…" Shera started hysterically, "I figured this day would come, but… I, I…" she began tearing up.

I lean back, confused.

"I-I-I didn't think y-you had it in you. B-But… but… I mean, you're a girl, and he's a guy and it's instinctive in our genes…" she began crying.

Okay, I'm officially confused.

Wait, wait, wait. I think I know what they're thinking.

I think about my previous statement and immediately my cheeks go red.

"Oh gosh, you guys!" I blush furiously, "I didn't mean that!" I sighed.

Yuffie and Shera sighed in relief.

"You bloody perverts!"

"It's not that we're perverted, Tifa, it's just you make everything sound perverted. There's a difference," Yuffie corrected.

"I didn't mean that we did that, you silly girls." I pointed my finger at them.

"Fine! So what did you guys do?" Shera asked.

"Well," I smile, "we took a nice walk in the park. And I sat down on this swing and Sephiroth pushed me gently. It was really…nice," I smile.

"Awww" Shera clapped her hands, "that sounds soo cute. Sephiroth sounds so romantic already."

"And then we took a nice walk on the beach, just skipping stones and telling stories about our life," I paused pensively and continued, "around 2 something in the morning, we took a drive to Shibuya and there's this amazing lookout by the ocean. We stayed there for a couple minutes, and then we headed back into the town. We had something to eat after a quarter past three, and it was so funny because we had hot dogs and fries. It was actually quite yummy. Then we took a drive in the city and it was beautiful. You never saw Shibuya, if you didn't see it at 4 AM," I sigh dreamily.

"Sephiroth sure does know how to woo a girl," Shera stated flatly.

"Pfft… he's alright, I guess," Yuffie rolled her eyes.

Shera rolled her eyes back, "Never mind her, she's just jealous."

"I am not!" Yuffie grunted indignantly.

"Continue," Shera said, smiling at me.

"Then by that time, we were tired and a bit restless. Sephiroth was considerate enough to notice and he dropped me home. On the way back, we just listened to soft music and spoke about all sorts of silly things. Life, school… girls, pizza…what beef jerky is made of," I giggled.

"Aww… that sounds so adorable!" Shera squealed.

"Around five, I would say, I got back home, because Sephiroth and I spent a whole 10 minutes saying good bye," I laughed, "Night life with Sephiroth is amazing. You would think he's so collected, and probably even cold, but… break him down a couple notches, and he truly warms you up to his soft side. A side of him you'll really like." I bite my lips, satisfied at my summary of Sephiroth.

"Honestly Tif, I'm so happy for you. You deserve to be happy, and honestly… if it's Sephiroth who makes you happy and shows you the world, then I'm happy for you. I just wish you two would hurry up and admit it." Shera stood up/

I blush.

"So," Shera started, "what's the plan today, ladies?"

"I have a ton of papers to write up. I'm probably gonna use the weekend to study. Nonetheless, I'm so happy I don't have any more projects for physics," I smile contentedly.

"How's your case study coming along?" Yuffie asked.

"So-so. I still have some sources to find, but I guess I'll handle that next week," I paused and stared at Yuffie with a knowing look. I asked, "And what about you? How's your thesis coming along?"

"Don't even start with that," she whined, "I haven't started yet." she pulled a pillow over her face.

"You know it would help if you start because that way you wouldn't feel like you're screwed." I had to stifle my giggles; Shera had a blunt way of saying things.

"I don't expect you to understand my woes. My fragile being slowly crumbles… " Yuffie cried dramatically.

"Aghh. Honestly, you are such a drama queen." Shera shook her head.

"Am I?" Yuffie asked.

"Anyways Tif, I'm off. Gonna go and get some research done. Will see you on Monday hun." Shera hugged me and headed out.

"Me too. Gonna hang with Vincent. Hopefully he'll understand my situation, unlike some of us." she glared at Shera.

"I heard that."

"That's the point," Yuffie said.

"Hurry up. I need to put my stuff in your car!" Shera bellowed from the doorway.

"Always a hussy," Yuffie sighed. "Okay Tif, I'm heading out. See you on Monday. Try not to party too hard with your new boyfriend," she teased.

I throw a pillow at her.

"Mwahh!" she blew me an air kiss. I cringed.

"Bye Yuf."

She waved and left with Shera.

Monday morning.

There's a certain type of electricity zipping through the air, and it almost feels nice, having the entire school in both order and pandemonium. It was the week of the rock competition and the school had once again returned to disorientation and broken classes. Thankfully, I wasn't going to allow such things to distract me from the real priority at hand – school, well schoolwork I should say. No, I wouldn't let faculty, the Road Runner United, or even the Ministry stop me this time. This time, I promise to stay off the radar.

Thankfully, I made amends with Sephiroth's Aerospace lecturer, getting all the help I needed for my projects. I even plan to use the week to go to Shibuya and find my sources for my case study. Finally, I was making some leeway and it felt so good.

Apart from finishing my Physics projects, I still had other modules to finish up but I was pacing along quite fine. No problem, I thought, because I suddenly had time to do everything. I managed to use last weekend as best I could, tackling two to three assignments at one time.

Yep, I was making progress and for once I could take a breath of fresh air.

It was ironic how life sometimes worked, considering the latest notion of faculty was an extension of all examinations and projects. That honestly sounds fair, considering the large student-body petition and revolt that took place recently. It was a scandalous scene, coming from the prestigious Tokyo University, but somehow, faculty got it through their thick skulls that students needed extra time with all the extra-curricular activities and new events taking place.

Apart from the academics, I was actually quite excited about the rock competition on Friday. It was supposed to be a big thing for Tokyo U, not to mention, it was suppose to be…a big night for Sephiroth and heck, even me.

I haven't seen Sephiroth all morning, so I figure that he must be practicing since this was the week to hit it off. Different universities would be arriving shortly to our campus to participate in the competition. The electricity was absolutely contagious, and it even made me shiver in excitement.

Immediately my phone begins vibrating.

I look at the number to find that it was anonymous. Again. Lately ,I've been getting a lot of anonymous and private numbers.

I sighed; maybe I should unregister the service with my phone company. I don't know. I'll think about it if it gets worse.

Looking at the time, I see that it's a quarter after eleven. I probably should be heading out. I have to be in Shibuya pretty early anyhow. With that, I grab my books and head down to the car park.

Yuffie's POV

I yawn.

"Where's Tifa?" I ask, looking around for the somewhat oblivious blonde woman.

Before Shera even answered, I interject, "She's off with Sephiroth, isn't she?" I narrow my brows.

Shera blinked.

"No. She's in Shibuya," she paused. "Honestly, you're a bad friend. Tifa told us like a hundred times," she retorted flatly.

"Well excuse me." I roll my eyes.

She shook her head.

I look at Shera. I study her expression for a minute. I know that face. She's thinking something, and it wasn't the nice-sweet something; it was the something you didn't like. Gosh, I'm grimacing to ask.

I sigh. But I give in to my humanness. Blast my humanness.

"What's the matter?" I ask, noticing she's eating her sandwich rather quietly.

It's not that Shera was a loud or even messy eater like me, but it's just, she never seem to shut her 'o' when eating, which is half the reason we fight constantly. And Tifa calls us belligerent – whatever that means. It must be a big word for assholes.

She shook her head again.

"Oh come on. Tell me…" I whine.

Honestly, I can't handle the run around. I'm one those people who gets bored rather quickly when it comes to showing care and emotions for other people. Bluntly putting it, I like concise and straight up, hence my attitude.

She sighed.

I blink. Whatever was bothering Shera, it sure was bothering her a lot. I soften my voice and poke her side.

"Hey cowgirl… what's on your mind?" I ask.

She shook her head and turns away.

"Shera—"

"—It's nothing," she interjected curtly.

I study Shera's sudden change of attitude. Shera's not the type of girl who breaks down, who gets emotional… who phases with the crowds; rather, she's a strong, unbreakable character. Perfect for the role of a leader, but the girl before me… is different. This was a softer side of Shera that I rarely saw.

"Sher. Whatever it is you have to say, you can tell me," I said in a conciliatory tone. "We've been best friends forever… Please don't hide anything from me. I mean… let me help you. You never know, the Yufster's good for it"

She nodded and turned to me.

I look at her eyes and they were glistening with tears. Was she crying?

A bit stunned, I touch her shoulder. "Are you okay?" I ask, concerned.

She nodded, wiping her tears before replying, "Yeah. I'm fine." She smiled, "Don't worry about these…" she paused. "…tears."

"Okay. Sher… you need to tell me what's going on. Let me help you," I pleaded.

She looked up. "Yuffie… sometimes, when I see and hear all the great times you and Tifa had with guys… it sometimes hurts me," She paused. "You know, throughout this entire blonde ..transformation of Tifa, I … I almost didn't expect the kind of reaction she got," She bit her lips. "When you consider it, she's almost like a celebrity, where everybody wants her number, and every guy is interested in her…It kind of makes me feel… well, who's interested me?" she asked in a petite voice.

I see. I understand now. And I'm so stupid for not seeing it before.

"I mean you have Vincent, and you guys love each other. You always call him, he always calls you, you guys party for hours and hours and in school, you two are inseparable," She said and gave a small smile."With Tifa, she's so… Tifa, that she's caught between the ex-crush of her life, and the hottest guy in school." She shook her head and continued, "I mean who am I kidding, Tifa's gonna get hooked up sooner or later with Sephiroth or some other guy," she winced. "And I can handle that Yuf. I want her to be happy, but… I mean… for this entire year, I have watched my two closest friends share their lives and love and everything with special guys and to be honest, it's fine to watch it for so long in the background, but I'm human too, and I want it just as much as you crave it. And it hurts to know...the only guy I do like… is absolutely uninterested in a loud, cantankerous and ugly girl like me," she cried, rubbing her eyes roughly.

"Oh Shera," I pull her into an embrace.

I can't believe it. All this time we were so concerned about Tifa and getting her prepared for 'boyfriend.' But by doing so – by Tifa and I, sharing our lives with special guys, it somehow seem to hurt Shera. For heck's sake, how could we be so blind to not see she wanted it too?

Unfortunately, I didn't see this… and now I understand so much clearer what it means to show off about your boyfriend like a trophy to a girl or guy who doesn't have one. And that's called being egotistical and pompous and a jerk. And I sorely feel like one.

"You're not ugly, okay?" I start, still unable to believe Shera's confession.

"You're a beautiful, smart, kind and helpful girl, Sher. How dare you insult yourself. I don't know one guy who wouldn't want that in a girl. Not only are you a wonderful friend, but you're a loving person who I'm sure any guy would hit the floor for," I paused. "I'm sorry about how I acted. I know I can be pretty immature about the whole Vincent thing and believe me… it's more of an insecurity issue, rather than flaunting off my boyfriend. It's more of a reassurance," I explain.

"What do you mean?" she looked up.

I laugh, "The truth is Sher," I swallow. "I guess the whole reason I talk about Vincent all the time and show him off… is because I don't think for one second a great guy like Vincent deserves a girl like me." I looked down.

There. I confessed it.

"He's handsome, brilliant and I'm none of those things. I remind myself, I'm lucky and somehow… I don't know how it happened, but for once… I got something I wanted but I have second thoughts about. Sometimes I think, Vincent will wake up one day and realize how 'un-special' and 'un-smart' I am. He's a multifaceted person, and the only multifaceted I am is in brand name clothes. I don't know about half the things he talks about. I know about commerce and business and clothes and shoes, but I don't know any of the things he talks about. Sometimes I joke so much that I can tell it annoys Vincent that I'm so… limited as a speaker, that ughh!" I groan, "—that I can't be that intelligent, intellectual young woman he sometimes wants me to be."

Shera pulled back, blinking back at me.

"Damn. I didn't know that…" she pursed her lips. "All this time I thought you did it because… you felt confident about what you had with Vincent…" she shook her head. "But that's not true." She laughed.

I turn to her, "What's so funny?"

"You know, I would never tell you this, but… you're a real hard ass when you're ready," she teased.

"Wow," I pause. "Thanks Sher. You sure do know how to make your sister feel better," I sarcastically stated.

She smiled and said, "No. I'm just teasing you." she smiled, "Yuffie, you're an awesome girl. You're funny, you're sweet – when you want to be—you're kind, you're forgiving, and you're so adorable." She confessed. "You're a beautiful girl. Your personality is one of the things anybody would love about you. You're so fun-loving and comical and happy and honestly Yuf, if Vincent was to wake up tomorrow morning and realize how much of an 'un-intellectual' person you are, and judge you upon something so stupid and miniscule, then it's best for you to end the relationship. You shouldn't have to contain yourself for who you are, for somebody. Love is not about changing and snipping and severing who we are for the compromise of our supposed better half. No!" she shook her head. "Love is about taking your faults and working them out, understanding there's a yin and yang in a relationship. Besides, don't you think it would be kind of dull if he met a girl who was exactly like him? Opposites attract because of the friction and electricity… Don't think for one second Vincent doesn't like that about you. You're unique Yuf… and take that away and you'd be like everyone else...boring," she informed.

For the first time in my life, Shera confessed something sensitive and fragile to me. My insecurity has always been one of those things that I never could get over. For however long I've known myself, I've adopted this exterior of laughter, humor, vulgar chatter and just plain randomness. It was my excuse for college being tough, but the truth is… it was my insecurity. Insecurity about...my parents never being around, my school mates thinking I'm tiny for college, that I'm unattractive and … It's just me, looking at the mirror telling myself everyday, 'I'm a small fry.' When my friends back in high school were talking about boyfriends and girlfriends, I sat to the back, not understanding their experiences. I've craved to be loved and touched and kissed. And I never got it…

My entire high school life… was an abomination.

When I came to college, the only guys I dated were guys who were extremely nerdy, maybe too young or too old… but never the guy I wanted. And for once…I got a person, - a guy who I wanted. And the reality is, he likes me, but sometimes I'm so afraid that he might go away. It crushes me to think about it, but hearing Shera's words reminds me… if I can't share who I've become with the person I supposedly love… then it's not meant to be. I shouldn't compromise, strip and tear my being for a fallacy of love.

That's not love.

Without realizing, tears fall down my cheeks.

I blink, amazed that her words had affected me so deeply.

I turned to her and said, "Thank you."

She smiled, "Your welcome" She pulled me into a tight embrace.

We pulled away and then we continued to eat in silence.

It's amazing how we are not "belligerent" when Tifa's having a time away from us. I laugh.

"What's so funny?" Shera asked.

I laugh, "Doesn't it surprise you that when Tifa's not here, we don't fight? I mean, we didn't even curse each other for the whole day. I mean, that's got to be some world record"

She giggled, "Oh Yuf, that's just wrong."

"No… think about it," I paused. "When she's here, we act 'belligerent' but when she's not here… we're like two peas in a pod," I informed.

She shook her head.

"Honestly, I'm beginning to think Tifa's the bad influence in our lives. Tsk, tsk, tsk. And she walks around so innocently, being so cute… who's she kidding with that smile? Pffft, not me, whatcha say, Sher?" I extend my hand for a high five.

She looked at me with her eyebrow arched. "Yuffie… that's wrong" she poked my hand.

"Always shutting me down," I sigh.

She laughed.

"Not always…" she smiled.

For a minute I remember our previous conversation.

"So…" I start.

"Hmm?"

"So… who exactly are you crushing on?" I ask.

Shera goes completely red.

"Um…u-urh..w-well," she blushed profusely.

Wow. Shera sure is shy about Mr. What's-his-name.

"Okay, I think I remember his name. Um…" I pause, "Cid, right?" I asked.

She blushed some more.

Honestly, she needs to stop doing that if we're ever to make some progress.

"Shera…earth to Shera." I shake her.

"S-Sorry…" she scratched her head, giggling sheepishly.

"Righht. Okay… Cid Highwind right?" I ask.

"Yeah." she smiled goofily.

"Cool." I stand to my feet curtly.

"Wait," she stopped. "Where are you going?" she asked, confused.

"To go talk to him," I inform flatly.

"What?" she freaked out.

"Pfft! You don't think I'll listen to you whine and cry about the guy of your dreams, when I know you secretly want your Highwind man. Pshh! You need to stop thinking I'm the shy one in the group. I am… audacious…" I inform.

"No kidding" she scrambled to her feet.

"Yuffie," she laughed nervously, "h-how a-about we…we do this some other time. You know, when… we have… time?" she blinked around nervously.

I place a hand on her shoulder. "This is probably the part where I say, sure Sher, anything for you," I start seriously, "but honestly, when have I ever done that?" I laugh out, "Neverrrr"

I begin heading out.

"Yuffie please… I'm not ready" she tried to hold me back.

I roll my eyes.

Honestly, women complicate me. And I'm supposed to be one. Make up your bloody mind. You want the guy or you don't want the guy, surely… its one of them and seriously… wanting is always better for me.

"Look Sher," I start nicely, "I'd love to listen to you… but that bullshit, ain't gonna make the situation any better for you. Suck it up woman," I flatly addressed.

"Are you programmed to be evil?" she retorted.

"No. Just stubborn. It's interchangeable really… used with discretion." I wink at her.

"Yuffie…" she called out.

I continue walking whether or not Shera's following. I'm gonna get Shera a guy-friend, a boyfriend.. a man-friend… today, this second… heck… where there's a will… there's a way.

I turn to my shoulder, seeing Shera's close behind from the edge of my eyes. I smugly smirk. This is working perfectly.

Now to find this guy.

It shouldn't be too hard to find a blond chap. But there's the problem… it's lunch.

"Where's Cid?" I ask.

Shera giggled.

"What's so funny?" I turn around, inspecting the gigging shy Shera. I blink back.

Following her gaze, I've located my target. Moving in 2 klicks West…

"Delta lets go," I holler her.

"Delta?" she asked. She turned around to see nobody.

"Who's Delta?" she asked.

Oh boy… women and their inept knowledge to war jargon. Seriously! Am I the only woman who plays games like Modern Warfare, Metal Gear… heck… Army of Two? Please tell me there are a couple of me… otherwise I'm just gonna suck up that I'm highly unique.

Strutting over to the blond headed guy, I try calling to Shera. But no, she's hiding behind the tree. Honestly, you try to help some people.

I sigh.

I was about to tap Cid (his name is Cid right? Yes, yes) him on the shoulder, when he curtly turns around.

Goofily I smile. "Hello," I start.

"Urhh… hello?" he arched a confused brow.

Well so much for being the 'perfect' candidate.

"I'm Yuffie." I extend my hand.

"Cid," he shook it firmly.

"Um… say, are you busy by chance?" I ask.

"Um… kind of. I was gonna practice. Why?" he asked, concerned.

Is it just me or does this guy seem precautious? Usually I tend to handle 'men' situations quite well, since a couple of my gamer co-op partners are guys, but this guy wasn't biting.

"Urh… one minute," I awkwardly paused.

"Um…" he scratched his head, confused by my approach.

In the back of my mind, I'm thinking, trust Shera to like a guy from planet Nut-job. Wasn't he supposed to be some big rock dude? I mean… there's not much I know of Cid (his name is Cid right?).

I return to Shera who is goofily grinning. She almost looks as if she's hyperventilating. I'm tantalized to slap her, but those things only work in the movies; chances are she'd slap me straight to Mexico if I drew the first blow.

"What happened? Did you tell him?" she jumped up and down, giggling and clapping hysterically.

Is this how I look with Vincent? A tiny voice says – you bet!

"Calm down." I hold her shoulders.

"Okay… what did you guys talk about?" she asked excitedly.

How do I say… nothing in words? Nicely, that is…

"Did you call me because he wants to talk to me?" she began to panic.

I was about to say no, when an evil light bulb flipped on in my head. I smugly smirk. Yes, that's exactly the reason I came over. Thank people for their words of self-ruin.

"Yes...absolutely. He wants to talk to you…He sounds pretty excited." I jump up and down, imitating her.

"Oh boy…" she smiled gleefully, placing a hand to her heart.

And she calls me dramatic?

She took a deep breath and said, "Okay… anything in my teeth?" she displayed her pearly white teeth.

"No…you're fantastic… just get out there and do your thang, honey," I inform.

"Okay, you're right," she giggled.

"Sher," I start sternly.

"Yeah?"

"Don't do that. Crazy giggles are taboo. Got it?" I give her the thumbs up.

"Okay, got it. I'm gonna go… "She smiled broadly, barely able to contain her excitement.

"Anytime," I point her the right path to go.

"Okay." And with that, she began slowly walking out.

Sucker! I think to myself.

Shera slowly walked to Cid, and surprisingly she didn't run back. She tapped him on the shoulder and he turned to look at her, just staring. Hmm, that's interesting.

She's blushing like a moron, and he's stuttering like an idiot. What else?

She's talking to him. Way to go girl. He looked confused. She turned to me, and then turned to him and then held her head. Then she shot me a devil-stare. I give her the thumbs up.

Shera's being shy, but at least Mr. Weirdo is talking. She's giggling, and he's laughing. He nodded and chuckled, and she's talking… he walks away?

'Eh?'

He returned to Shera with his guitar, calling her to sit with him on the table. Much to my liking, they were smiling. Shera was picking some strings, and he's allowing it.

Heck, they're moving along pretty fast. Not even my dates went this fast.

They smiled again, and then they blushed. Awww, how cute.

I looked at Shera and she turned to me.

She smiled and winked.

My work here is done... What can I say… I'm a professional.

I dust some invisible dirt off my shoulders and mutter, "There's nobody like me… damn, I'm special." I strut down the stairs.

To be continued…

Author's Notes: Thank you so much to all of you who wished me a happy birthday. So here's cake and ice-cream for everyone. About the updates. I'll do my best to get them out on their respective days.

Thank you for reading!