A.N. No one reviewed... I feel so hurt! *cries*

Disclaimer- I don't own anything except what I come up with. You have to ask me to use Cloud or any other things I create, k? Good.

Notes- Please review. My ego needs a boost. And it had been 8 and a half months, k?

Learning To Be- Chapter 2

In Cloud's room, the supposedly tired girl was sitting up on her bed in deep thought. A small smile was on her face. She had been doing this for a while now, probably ever since she heard about the prom. She wanted to be ready.

Taking in a deep breath she scooted her legs off the bed and let them dangle a minute before standing. In the months of exercise she now could stand up on her own and walk a step or two. It was really quite the accomplishment!

"Come on Cloud, you can do this." she took another breath, "You need to be strong, just to walk for Ryo would be great!" she had already set her goal. If Ryo in deed asked her to the prom, she was going to walk down the stairs to greet him! The walking part she was doing on her own.

Once she could get that down pat, Mia, who already knew and had promised not to tell anyone, was going to help her learn to dance.

Cloud couldn't wait. Among the things she wanted, she also wanted to be able to walk down the aisle for Mia's wedding. Mia had actually asked her to be bride's maid!

With diligent practice Cloud was sure she'd be able to pull it off, all she needed was to build up strength and keep it a secret form Ryo. It sounded easy enough.

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At the dinner table all seemed happy enough, except there was a small tension in Ryo. He was worried.

"Ryo? Re you alright? Normally you're not this quiet." Cye began, but Kento interjected.

"He's worried about Cloud, aren't ya Ryo?"

"Hai."

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Mia said reassuringly.

"Do you think I've been pushing her legs to far? What if I caused internal damage or-"

"Stop worrying, you'll make yourself sick!" Cye scolded. Rowen smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

"So Ryo, are you and Cloud still virgins or have you got it on Like Sage and Mia who went at it like rabbits?" Sage chocked reddening, Mia blush, and Ryo began to cough on his drink. That sent the rest of them laughing and Kento gave Rowen a high five. Cye just chuckled. This was supposed to be dinner.

"Honestly! You all act like you're children!"

"Hey I remember you chipping in on Ryo and Cloud's torment that one time." Kento grinned at his best friend who sighed.

That was pretty much how dinner went for the next ten minutes, and then all was silent again.

"Hey guys," they jumped at Cloud's sudden entrance. She wheeled herself to her spot next to Ryo. Her face was red and she had faint traces of sweat, but her hands were clean! She had remembered to wash her hands like always.

"Sorry I'm late, I was tired."

"Well hello sleeping beauty!" Kento chuckled.

"Why hello Teddy bear," Cloud smiled and dug into her plate, which only held a small helping as it was all she wanted.

"Are you feeling alright? Is it your legs? Are you sore? Do you want to do exercise tonight?"

"Ryo, I'm fine I had a long day? O.k.?" Cloud smiled and Ryo was put at ease. "I don't mind the exercise because I know it might enable me to walk."

"Are you done being kissy kissy?" Rowen asked.

"Oh grow up," Cloud playfully teased and with a soft sigh let her head lean on Ryo's shoulder, in truth she was extremely tired and didn't know if she'd stay awake much longer.

Kento began humming 'can you feel the love tonight' in his deep baritone voice. Ryo and Cloud blushed, the later opening one eye to look at him.

"Disney is such a big influence on you isn't it?"

"Yep." Kento grinned.

"Ow!" heads swiveled to look at Mia in alarm as Sage gently whispered comforting words.

"It kick you?" Cloud asked, straightening.

"Ya, you guessed it." Mia winced and rubbed her large stomach, then whapped Sage on the head.

"This is all your fault?" Sage blushed and fiddled with his thumbs.

"He is so whipped," Kento snickered.

"I agree. Poor Sage." Ryo laughed.

Cloud looked around at her group of friends and let a smile dawn her lips too. They would always stick by her it seemed. She snuggled up to Ryo again and for the first time in a while just relaxed. Before she fell asleep she felt Ryo's hand gently intertwine with hers.

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As Cloud entered the room where she and Katie always met Katie was there waiting in the same beautiful gown. Both smiled at each other and greeted with a hug.

"I missed you."

"It's only been since last night! Honestly Cloud!" Katie laughed and both sat.

"So, you still a virgin?' Katie asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Honestly! You are just like Rowen!"

"Oh? Is he cute?" Katie teased. Cloud sighed with a smile.

"It's really good being able to see you like this every night."

"Yes, it is isn't it?" Katie let out a laugh. She no longer held in her shyness, she let it explode form her. She let her head fall back and laughed until tears came. Cloud sometimes envied her.

"So, how is your secret mission going?"

"I can now walk around the room! Slowly, but it's walking! I can't believe it, I'm soo happy!"

"Good for you Cloud! I am so happy for you too!" Katie laughed, her voice booming in the hollow room decorated with it's shinning ornaments.

"You know. I'll always watch over you."

"I know that, I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Your mother says hi, and that she loves you." Cloud's heart leapt. She always loved to hear of her mother, even if it did make her feel sad inside.

"T-Tell her I love her too, and I say hi,"

"I will do that for you my friend and before you say it, she is fine." Cloud sighed, putting her worries to ease. Her mother was fine, and so was her guardian.

"I hate to say it but your alarm clock is going to go off in five second."

"Wait! Before you go, did Ryo work with my legs?" Katie laughed and gave her a mischievous look.

"Let's say this, you're gona have so much fun getting up this morning."

"Hey! Wait!" but she was already waving goodbye as Cloud began to be pulled back to the real world.

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When Cloud opened her eyes that morning her alarm clock wasn't going off, but she was staring into tiger blue eyes.

"Ryo?" both were blushing.

"I'm sorry, I-I fell asleep." Cloud reached up and touched his face; it was warm against her cool hand.

"It's o.k.," she whispered sleepily.

"I don't mind." She snuggled closer into his warm chest and he wrapped his arms around her lovingly. In turn she let out a soft sigh.

"Mmmm.. You're warm."

"Your comfortable, like a body pillow." Cloud laughed softly and continued to snuggle her cold nose on his warm skin.

"Your nose is cold,"

"I know, your warmth makes it feel good. That seems to be the only part of me that gets cold." Ryo chuckled.

"Ya." both teens sighed and snuggled each other. until the blinds flipped up.

"Well that was touching, now get up!" Rowen had been waiting there the whole time, and Kento, who had been in the doorway, snatched a picture, laughing loudly.

Ryo scowled and through the alarm clock at them, and it crashed into the door, 3 inches from where Kento, and now Rowen were standing.

"Kento?"

"Ya Ro?"

"I-I think they want to be alone now!"

"Right!" and the door slammed shut with the soft rays of sunlight coming through the window.

"Ryo?"

"Ya?"

"Do we have to get up?"

"no, there is always time for more snuggling,"

"Good, you're warm," Both resumed their snuggling with happy sighs.

TBC

A.N. XD too funny!