The Days Before
-Squirrel Tamer
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.
Aerith's Sleepover
Aerith pulled the comb through Yuffie's short brown hair, or at least she tried. The young ninja's hair was so full of tangles that it was almost impossible to brush through.
Don't you ever brush your hair Yuffie? Aerith asked while yanking the comb as hard as she could, to no avail. Behind her she could feel Kairi gently brushing through her own long, wavy, brown hair, it tickled Aerith when Kairi began using her little fingers instead of the comb to go through it.
OUCH! That hurt Aerith! Why are we doing this anyway?
Aerith remembered how two days ago Yuffie had been ecstatic about the thought of a sleepover. She tried to hide her delight by saying it was too girly but she only wanted to go because of the free food. Cloud and Squall had laughed when she told them about it, they couldn't understand why Aerith would want to have a party with Yuffie and Kairi, because of the big gap in age.
Aerith didn't know why either, the idea just came to her, besides for little kids they weren't that bad.
Hey Aerith? Yuffie asked her friend.
Aerith responded, preoccupied with getting the comb through Yuffie's hair.
Why did you invite me and Kairi instead of girls your age?
Aerith stopped brushing. Yuffie turned around to her friend who was looking down at the bed beneath her and blushing. Yuffie wondered what was wrong and little Kairi popped around from behind Aerith to see what had happened.
Aerith continued to stare at the bed, but she also began to talk.
I guess because... She trailed off.
*Boom*
What was that? Yuffie wondered aloud, while Kairi crawled into Aerith's lap hugging her bear as tight as she could. Even Yuffie moved a little closer to Aerith.
Aerith looked at the two little girls, a four year old and a six year old, and Aerith as the thirteen year old. Aerith gathered her courage, she was the oldest, she would protect her friends.
Come on guys, let's go find out what that noise was.
Yuffie and Kairi looked at her for a moment and then Yuffie leapt up.
Yeah! Let's go find out what that noise was!
I'll go, but will you hold my hand Aerith? Kairi looked up at Aerith, her dark blue eyes pleading with the girl.
Of course Kairi.
Then all three of them turned and left the room.
~~~~~
You're crazy. Squall said simply.
I'm not crazy! I just know how to have fun, Cloud shot back.
Then why are you dressing up like a girl?
I'm not, you are.
Here's the plan, first we make a big noise, we did that and then the girl's will be scared which will make them stay in Aerith's room. I'll go and knock on the door and then I'll tell them the story of Garina. And then later you go to the door dressed as Garina and scare them, Cloud told Squall.
Why do we want to scare them?
Because that's what guys do.
~~~~~
They were on their way out of Aerith's room when someone knocked on the door. Yuffie screamed and hid behind Aerith while Kairi snuggled her face into Aerith's nightgown. Aerith took a deep breath and then opened the door.
Cloud smiled at the girls when he saw how frightened they already were. I'm a genius, he thought to himself.
Well, well, well, what do we have here. Three little girls who are afraid of the dark? He teased.
I'm not scared of nothing, Yuffie told him defiantly.
Than why are you hiding behind Aerith?
Yuffie started, trying to think of a good cover up.
Because she actually wasn't hiding, she was just the last one to get to the door. We raced. Aerith said with a wink to Yuffie who smiled gratefully.
Oh. Well did you hear the big noise just a little while ago?
Yes, what about it? Aerith asked calmly.
Well I was walking with Squall when it happened and he started freaking out. When I asked him why he told me this story about some girl named Garina who lost her heart on this very night one thousand years ago. He said she still haunts our castle searching for her heart.
Give me a break Cloud, its obvious that you just made that up, Yuffie said casually.
Bad Cloud, making up stories to scare us, bad Cloud. Kairi said shaking her finger at him.
Fine, believe whatever you want I just hope this Garina doesn't come and get you. Cloud said and then he walked away.
Come on, lets keep going the noise sounded like it came from the laundry room. Aerith told the other two and then they quietly made there way down the hall.
~~~~~
Okay, you all set Squall?
This is gay.
It's not gay, it's FUN.
Cloud and Squall were standing in front of a long full length mirror in Cloud's room. Squall was wearing a long white gown, with dead flowers in his hair, and he had powder on his face.
Why do I have to be the girl?
Because you have the girl hair!
Squall began muttering words that Cloud couldn't quite catch.
Okay Squall, let's go!
~~~~~
I can't believe it! Aerith cried out.
I can, Yuffie stated.
They were on their way down to the laundry room when they heard voices coming from Cloud's room. They overheard their whole conversation.
Quick, let's get back to the room. Aerith said excitedly.
Yuffie asked her friend.
You'll see!
Then they sped off back toward Aerith's room.
~~~~~
I can't wait to see their faces! Cloud whispered happily, as he and Squall made their way to Aerith's room.
They reached the door, Cloud stood behind Squall so he could have a good view of their horror struck looks. Then Squall knocked.
The door slowly creaked open, inside everything was dark. Cloud came closer.
Where are they?
Then he felt a tugging on his leg, he looked down and saw a green monster staring up at him.
Cloud screamed.
What the- started Squall. They both backed away from the creature and then they bumped into something else. They both turned to find another small monster staring at them this on was showing its teeth.
They screamed and ran into Aerith's darkened room.
What were those things? Cloud asked Squall.
I-I don't know, Squall replied.
I do. came a voice from behind them they whirled around to find themselves face to face with yet a third monster, this one much bigger than the other two.
They both screamed and ran out of the room as fast as they could.
~~~~5 minutes later~~~~
I never knew that mud masks could be so fun. Yuffie cried still hyper from their little midnight expedition.
Everything was back to normal, Kairi's little system had finally caught up with her and was now fast asleep in Aerith's lap, one hand still firmly clasped around Siru, her teddy, Aerith was still staring at the bed much like she had done before the noise had ensued.
Can I tell you a secret Yuffie? She asked the six year old.
A secret? You mean like your secret crush on Cloud?
I do not have a secret crush on Cloud! Aerith cried out in shock.
Sure you don't.
Because you're being so impossible now I won't tell you my secret.
Aw, come on Aerith, I didn't mean it, please tell me the secret! Yuffie begged.
Well Yuffie, you asked earlier why I invited you and Kairi instead of girls my age. The truth is its because I don't have any girl friends my age. The only girl friends I have are you and Kairi. And y'know for some reason it doesn't really bother me.
It doesn't bother me either, Yuffie told her much older friend, then she laid down next to Aerith and fell asleep.
I'm glad, Aerith said and then she turned off her light, quite pleased with the outcome of her party.
~~~~~
A/N: Here's story #2 for anyone who liked the first. Glad my first one came across as cute instead of strange. I'll update this one when I get another idea. Don't forget to also read Dive to Oblivion and tell me what you think.
