The Days Before
-Squirrel Tamer

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.

The Dance: Part 1


Aerith, Squall, Cloud, Kairi! Look at this! Yuffie cried excitedly as she ran at full speed down the steps only to trip and tumble down them.

Her four friends ran over to her. Squall helped her to her feet while Aerith checked to make sure she hadn't broken anything. Yuffie complained that she wasn't a baby but they wouldn't let her go until Aerith said she was fine.

Stop treating me like a baby! I'm six years old! She yelled at them.

We wouldn't treat you like a baby if you'd stop acting like one. Cloud told her.

Then I guess you don't want me to tell you the big news. She said turning away from them.

Big news? Squall asked.

First you all have to apologize.

Fine. We're sorry Yuffie. They all told her.

Music to my ears. She said happily.

Now what's the big news? Aerith asked the girl.

There's going to be a dance for all kids ages five to eighteen! And its one of those where the girls get to ask the guys! She told them all excitedly. Neither Squall or Cloud's expression changed, but Aerith's face turned into one of pure delight. At least until she felt a tugging on her skirt.

But I'm only four, Kairi said to Aerith, her dark blue eyes beginning to fill with tears.

I guess that you won't be able to go then Kairi. Aerith told the girl softly.

We'll just see about that! Kairi muttered crazily before running off.

She took that better than I expected, Yuffie told them.


~~~~~


I'm torn Cid.

What are you talking about girl? The pilot asked the young ninja sitting beside him.

Do you think I should ask Squall to this dance thing? She asked him.

How should I know?!

Aren't you going?

I believe there's an age limit. And I don't dance none either. So its probably best that I don't go. He said chuckling a little.

Too bad. Then we could have gone together.

Why would ya want to go to a dance with an old man?

Cause all the young ones smell funny.

Well, what makes you think I'd want to go to a dance with a little girl like you?

Because otherwise I'd have superglued you to your chair.

Good point. He told her.

So do you think I should ask him? Yuffie asked him again.

Cid asked confused.

Yuffie yelled in his ear.

Ya don' have to shout kid. I'm right

Your such a useless old fart! Why do I even come to you when you're too deaf to even hear what I'm saying to you?!

What'cha say, kid?

Yuffie growled and then stormed out of the room. When he was sure she was gone he let out a sigh and then pulled a pizza out from under one of the ships.

Thought she'd never leave...


~~~~



I bet you five Munny Yuffie asks me to this stupid dance.

I'm not betting. I believe you. Cloud told his friend. Are you going to go with her if she asks?

I might as well...it's not like Rinoa's going to ask me. Squall replied, So me and Yuffie. You and Aerith.

Me and Aerith?

Well you are dating.

No we aren't!

Really? I was so sure.

Just shut-up Squall.

If she asks will you go with her? Squall asked his friend.



Why don't you just admit it?

Admit what?

That you like her.



No Cid. Of course I mean Aerith! Squall said sarcastically.

I don't like Aerith!

Squall smiled to himself.

Then why are you blushing?



~~~~



Don't I own anything that isn't pink?! Aerith cried out.

Yuffie looked up from her spot on Aerith's bed. When she noticed the flower girl going through the entire closet she sighed and laid back down.

I haven't seen Kairi lately. Yuffie mumbled.

Oh, she's still upset about not being able to go to the dance.

Why are you looking through your dresses?

Because its a formal dance.

Which means?

Dresses are required.

Yuffie's eyes suddenly bulged out of her sockets, causing her to look like a deer caught in headlights.

A dress?!

Of course.

Oh, f-

~in the room next door~

Fire truck! One woman yelled.

That's right! Her husband yelled while jumping up and down.

The couple in the room with them looked very glum.

We never win at charades. The wife complained.

~back with Aerith and Yuffie~


Aerith! Yuck! Okay, okay! I won't say it again! Just get the soap out of my mouth! Yuffie cried.

That'll teach you to say words like that again! I think you're spending to much time around Cid. You're only six for crying out loud! Aerith scolded. Then she turned and went back to looking through all of her clothes for something nice to wear.

Yuffie wiped her mouth again. Yet somehow it still tasted like soap.

Why don't you just buy something new?

I suppose I could...I have saved up forty Munny. How much have you saved? You're going to need a dress, you know.

I don't have any Munny saved.

I guess you could borrow some of mine...

Don't worry. I'll just swipe a thousand from my dad.

Aerith's mouth dropped.

A thousand Munny? Don't you think he'll notice?

Are you kidding me? I could take five thousand and he wouldn't even wonder where it went.

You'd think with all that Munny you could dress a little nicer.

Funny. My mom says the exact same thing.


~~~~


Why are we buying tuxes? We don't even have dates yet Cloud.

At least we can be prepared.

Yeah, sure, prepared. I'll give you prepared, right up your- Ow!

They had rounded the corner and bumped right into Aerith and Yuffie. Yuffie was on her feet in an instant, but Aerith seemed unable to get up. Which they soon found out was due to the overwhelming number of small coins in her pocket.

What's with all the Mini's?(A/N: Now going to be their word for pennies.) Cloud asked her.

For any donation places I find. I always give them my spare Mini's. Aerith told them.

Don't you think you're carrying a little too many? Squall asked her.

Cloud held out his arm for her to grab and she grasped it to pull herself up. But when she stood up she swayed a little and fell right into Cloud's arms. She blushed immediately and excused herself as she grabbed Yuffie's arm and pulled her along.

But I was just about to ask Squall to go to the dance with me. Yuffie complained.

We'll do that later.

But what if Rinoa asks him?

Then she asks him. You'll live.

Why are you being so nervous all of a sudden?

I'm not nervous.

Yuffie thought for a moment and then she smirked.

You want to ask Cloud to the dance don't you?

No way! You're crazy Yuffie.

Aerith and Cloud sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-





~~~~



No stinkin' way! Yuffie yelled.

But you look adorable! Aerith told her.

Yuffie stood in front of a full length mirror. The dress she was wearing was one that Aerith had picked out. It was a pale blue dress with flowers all over it and big puffy sleeves. The collar was almost like the sleeves themselves. It was large and puffy and gave the appearance that Yuffie was neckless.

Aerith kept pushing that she looked cute but Yuffie refused. So she tried on seventeen dresses before she finally settled for a plain yellow sundress. Aerith agreed that it would be all right for her to wear sandals with the sundress.

What about you Aerith? Yuffie asked while they walked down rows of store fronts.

Something cheap. She laughed. She was a lot happier because she had found a suitable charity to give her Mini's to. She turned to go into a second hand store when Yuffie grabbed her arm and dragged her down the street.

No way! This dress is on me. Think of it as a very late birthday gift.



~~~~





What is it Yuffie? He asked her although he was fairly sure he knew what she wanted.

Will you go to the dance with me?

Do you promise not to embarrass me? And if I want to dance with someone else you won't bite them? He asked.

All right.

Then I guess I'll go with you.

Hey, Cloud.

Hi Aerith.

Well I was just wondering and...



Do you like cake? I love cake. Especially birthday cake. Aerith said. Her nervous tension had risen so high that she couldn't even ask him to got to the dance.

Are you okay Aerith? He asked looking worried.

She swallowed hard and then nodded. She then excused herself and dashed into a restroom.

What was that about? Squall asked.

Cloud shrugged.

Long time no see.

Cloud whirled around only to be met with his best friend of five years ago.

Hi Tifa.


~~~~



Sorry about that Cloud. I just got a little light headed. What I meant to ask you was would you like to go to the dance with me?

She almost sighed in relief now that it was over. But then she noticed him staring at his feet.

I-I can't I'm already going with someone. He told her quietly.





Oh...well then I guess I might see you guys there. If I can find a date that is.

Did I hear someone ask for a date?

They watched as Nero(Vino and Emos' 14 year old brother.) slid down the banister and landed right in front of Aerith. They were all shocked at seeing him near them, he usually avoided them. Calling them weirdos of the different ages.

I- uh... Aerith fumbled.

If you'd like I could be your date for tomorrow. He said smiling. Then he whipped out a red rose and handed it to her. Amazingly he had found her soft spot. Flowers.

Its beautiful Nero... She said breathless, I would love to be your date tomorrow.

I'll pick you up at six-thirty then. Good-bye Aerith.

And then he casually strolled away from them. Cloud growled.

I don't like him. He mumbled.

But apparently Aerith does. Yuffie told him pointing to the flower girl who was running her hands over the roses soft petals.

Which made Cloud like Nero even less.



~~Back in Kairi's room~~


Siru sat on a chair waiting while Kairi searched frantically through her toy box for what she was looking for. She suddenly let out a loud Ah ha! and brought forth her treasure. She opened the can of war paint and smeared to large streaks on each cheek.

She turned to Siru and smiled.

Operation: Dance has begun.




*End of part 1*
~~~~
A/N:Long chapter here. I'm really tired right now.

Thanks for reviews. I've noticed that I've been getting requests in some of them. Alex Warlorn and RisingDragon want Sephiroth and I won't let them down. He may not be in it for a bit. I've been thinking long and hard where to place him. I would have put him in this one but I just can't see him dancing. He's almost going to be like Riku was on Destiny Islands. He is going to be Cloud's trainer I think. Teaching him how to fight and the like.

To kitsunedemon who wants Chocobos. I have an upcoming chapter that I've been planning just for you. I think after the dance I'm going to do one called Yuffie's Chocobo, where Yuffie admits to having a fear of Chocobos but somehow someone or something gets hurt and the only way to save them is for Yuffie to conquer her fear.

Sound good to you guys? If you guys have anymore requests please tell me. The Chocobo idea never occurred to me until kitsunedemon told me. I'll do my best to make stories out of them.

And I put more Cid in this chapter for DeathDragon66 who asked for him so long ago.