The Days Before
-Squirrel Tamer

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.

Yuffie's Boyfriend

Squall hates me, doesn't he? Yuffie spoke aloud. At first glance it would seem as though she was talking to herself, but soon after she spoke, a middle-aged man rolled out from under the Gummi ship he was working on.

Stop being a baby, O'course he don't hate ya! Squall's yer friend, Cid told her. Yuffie always came to him when she needed advice or just some one to talk to. She said that she couldn't talk to Squall or Cloud, because they were boys, she didn't like talking to Aerith because the older girl would tell her something that her mother might tell her and Kairi was too little to understand, even though she was only two years younger than Yuffie herself. So instead of going to her friends she came to Cid.

She liked being around Cid because he didn't care how dirty or smelly he was. She liked him because sometimes he would slip and then accidentally teach her words that made her mother gasp. She also liked him because he wasn't afraid to tell her when she was being a baby. But mainly she liked him because he knew how to make her feel better. He didn't offer her sympathy, he just came out and told her what she should do to feel right.

So every couple days, Yuffie would make her way down to the garage to find Cid working on some king of strange flying ship. His materials consisted of strange blocks that seemed ancient. When Yuffie asked what they were, he told her that they were a substance used to create flying ships that would be able to get out of the world. Yuffie wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but it was fascinating to watch him work. At least it was fascinating until her tiny attention span snapped and she ran off to do something else.

But he always treats me like a baby. He says things to Cloud and Aerith and when I ask him about it, he says I wouldn't understand. And when Cloud and him go to train with those large swords of theirs and I ask to come along, he says that I'd hurt myself. And then they let Aerith go with to watch, and I'm stronger than Aerith! He hates me! Yuffie cried, then she plopped herself down on Cid's spinning chair and twirled herself in circles until she got too dizzy to see straight.

Cid waited until she let some of her steam off before speaking.

Maybe he wouldn't treat ya like a baby if ya stopped actin' like one. You come cryin' to me everytime something happens that ya don't like. You gotta start tryin' to solve yer own problems. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy yer company, but perhaps you should spend more time with yer friends.

I'm not a baby, Yuffie mumbled.

Well ya sure are actin' like one.

I don't have to take this! I'm leaving! And with that Yuffie stomped out of the room.

See ya tomorrow, Yuffie, Cid muttered under his breath.

~~~~~

Five minutes later, Yuffie was still sulking when Aerith found her. Behind her was Kairi, who kept a firm grasp on Siru.

Guess what, Yuffie? Cloud and Squall are going to battle and they agreed that you and Kairi could come and watch. Don't worry, they've agreed to keep it rated at least PG, because they're using wooden swords that they've made. Though Squall is sulking about not being able to use the Gun part of his Gunblade.

Yuffie just sat there sulking.

Come on Yuffie, it'll be fun! With that Aerith turned and ran out the doors, followed closely by Kairi and then a very reluctant Yuffie.

~~~~~

Would you guys hurry up, Cloud yelled at the two girls who were still slowly climbing down the ledges to the bottom of the Rising Falls. Yuffie had made it to the bottom awhile ago, while Aerith and Kairi struggled.

Why do you guys have to train down here? You know we'll all be in big trouble if we get caught! Aerith screamed down, slightly nauseated by the realization of the long fall that would occur if she even slipped just a little.

She swayed a bit, overcome by dizziness and then she fell.

Everyone yelled in unison, but only Cloud moved. He ran underneath and caught her as she fell. She was extremely terrified, but not damaged in any other way.

Squall made his way up to where Kairi stood trembling, both hands wrapped tight around Siru, it was easy to see that she was frightened by Aerith's fall, obviously not wanting to do the same herself. Squall easily lifted her and slowly made his way down to the bottom.

He reached the bottom and found a very shaky Aerith, and a sulky Yuffie. Only Cloud seemed unmuffled, the pink in his hair had only come out two days ago.

You ready? Squall asked.

Cloud nodded. They went to separate sides of the big ledge at the bottom and the battle began.

Squall and Cloud fought. Aerith watched with worry. Kairi clapped. And Yuffie still sulked.

Squall aimed a heavy blow at Cloud, who dodged it narrowly and swung his own sword, which connected straight with Squall's head. Which sent him backwards, he swayed for a moment and then he fell.

Yuffie cried and ran over to her now unconscious friend.

Oh f-

Aerith screeched at him pointing to Kairi, but not bothering to point to Yuffie, because Yuffie already knew a handful of swears, from all the time she spent with Cid.

Squall? Wake up Squall! Yuffie pleaded with the unconscious lump.

Guess we better take him to the infirmary, Cloud announced, and then attempted to lift the older boy only to fall over. Looks like I'm going to need some help.

I'll go, Aerith told him, but Cloud shook his head.

You can't. Someone has to stay to take Kairi back up and it will take forever for you to get to the top.

Then I'll go, Came Yuffie's voice, Aerith can help Kairi and I'll go with you, I'm the fastest climber plus I'm strong. And once we make it to the top, I'll run and get Cid to hold him while we go tell the people in the infirmary what happened.

But you're only six years old! Cloud protested, And Squall would kill me if I let a little kid help him.

Well it seems like I'm all you've got. We can't send one of us to get help while the others wait here because then we'll get in big trouble for being here. Yuffie said angrily.

I guess you're right, Cloud muttered, Okay. Me and Yuffie will carry Squall up first and then Aerith and Kairi will follow. And don't look down this time Aerith.

All right.

~~~~~

Do you think he'll be okay?

Cloud turned towards the six year old that was sitting on the chair next to his. They were sitting beside Squall's bed in the infirmary. Squall was still unconscious, but they said he would come out of it soon.

He'll be fine Yuffie. Stop worrying so much, Cloud told her.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Cloud's stomach began to rumble. He looked around for a snack table and spotted one in the hall.

Stay here Yuffie, I'll be right back. And than he walked out of the room.

A few seconds after Cloud left, Squall began to stir. He sat up rubbing his eyes.

W-where am I?

In the infirmary of Hollow Bastion, Yuffie told him.

Who are you? And who am I? What's going on? Squall asked in a confused daze.

Yuffie grinned.

Don't you remember Squall?

Who's Squall?

Her grin grew even wider, knowing that his memory loss could be used to her advantage.

You're Squall silly!

I am?

Of course. And the reason you're here is because you were injured in a terrible fight against that guy, Yuffie then turned and pointed to Cloud.

Why were we fighting?

Because you were fighting for my love!

For your love?

Of course. You're my boyfriend!

I am?

Yes. And since you're my boyfriend you better go out there and finish the battle!

Squall looked over at Yuffie and nodded.

I will fight that man for your love my sweet!

And with that Squall leapt out of his cot and charged out the door, straight at Cloud.

Squall! You're awake! Good because you see- Cloud began.

Shut your mouth you sniveling coward! How dare you try to steal my love from me?! Ill tear your throat out! Squall interrupted.

What are you talking about? What love? Cloud asked confusedly.

Squall said pointing to Yuffie, who shrugged her shoulders and pretended to have no idea what he was talking about.

You can have her Squall, Cloud told his friend and then turned to Yuffie, I don't know what's going on here, but I'm going to find out.

I have done it love, you are mine! Squall shouted joyfully, then he lifted Yuffie up and carried her out of the infirmary.

~~~~~

Are you sure about this, my pet? Squall asked the little girl who was gently placing a frilly, pink hat on his head.

Of course Squall. I am your girlfriend after all! She said sweetly.

Squall gazed at his appearance in the full length mirror in front of him, wondering if scarlet lipstick was really for him. Somehow he felt himself longing for something more dangerous. Like battling with that Cloud person. But Yuffie said that they would always get dressed up and then go outside to show everyone.

He only wished he could remember.

Let's go show Aerith and Kairi, they'll love you! Yuffie cried happily.

But I don't want anyone else to love me. Just you Yuffie. Squall told her.

For a moment Yuffie couldn't speak, she was really beginning to like the new Squall.



For what? He asked.

For being so sweet. Why don't you go out a while, I'll be there in a minute.

Squall left the room and Yuffie turned her back to the door. She didn't notice that the door was slowly opening and someone was listening.

I can't believe I'm doing this! I feel so horrible, using Squall's amnos-...amnes-...memory loss to make him think he's my boyfriend. And now I'm making him dress up like a girl and parade around in front of everyone. But then again, this is to get him back for treating me like a baby and- Yuffie trailed on.

Cloud removed his ear from the door, he had heard enough. He turned and walked in the direction Squall had gone, while taking out his wooden sword.

~~~~~

Ow! What the heck are you doing Cloud?! Squall yelled at his friend who had just hit him on the head with a wooden sword. Squall reached towards his head to see if he was bleeding only to touch something very frilly. He took it off his head and screamed.

It was a frilly, pink hat.

What is going on?! He cried, beginning to notice the pale pink mini skirt he was wearing.

Cloud said simply.

What she do now? He groaned.

Took advantage of your temporary amnesia.

That's it, she's dead.

Why don't you do pay backs?

Like what?

She seems to have grown attached to the new, frillier you. So why don't you dump her?

Dump her?

Yeah, she told you she was your girlfriend.

Fine, I'll dump her.

~~~~~

Hello muffin, Squall said.

Hi Squall.

We have to talk dumpling.



Look pumpkin its ove-

I'm so sorry Squall! You're not my boyfriend, I lied to get you back for being mean and I'm sorry. I'll help you get your memory back I promise! She yelled at him.

Squall looked shocked by the sudden outburst.

He fumbled.

The thing is...well...I really liked playing with you today. You were really nice to me and...before you get your memory back and start forgetting about me again...I want you to know that I...I...love you.

Then she threw her arms around the older boy, who couldn't seem to move. All thoughts of his anger of a few minutes ago flew out of his head as he sat there paralyzed. But soon he began to smile and then he wrapped his own arms around her.

I love you too, kid.

Yuffie asked him, but then realized what it meant, You mean, you remember?

He nodded.

She just hugged him tighter.

~~~~~

A/N: Don't take this chapter the wrong way. Yuffie has a slight crush on him, but he still thinks of her as a little sister.

This story was pretty long don't you think? At least compared to the last one.

The next one will be about Kairi, since she's the only one left. Hope to see you back for that.

Look I put more Cid in this chapter, isn't it amazing. I'm going to try and imply that the adults think he's crazy, because he was always tinkering around with the Gummi ships claiming that he could fly to another world. But the kids think he's fun for an old guy, especially Yuffie as you can see in this chapter.

I suppose that's all, thanks for all of the reviews, they make me smile. :)