The Days Before
-Squirrel Tamer
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.
The Dance: Part 2
Pigtails?! You're putting my hair in pigtails?! Yuffie yelled at the flower girl.
You're going to look adorable Yuffie! Aerith told her friend happily. She had been in a good mood ever since Nero gave her the rose. Now they were in Yuffie's room getting ready for the dance.
How can you like Nero? What about Cloud? Yuffie asked.
Cloud has Tifa. He doesn't need me.
Yeah right... Yuffie muttered under her breath. She remembered Cloud's jealousy when Aerith agreed to go to the dance with Nero. Unlike Aerith, Cloud had been in a really bad mood for the past day. Getting into fights, yelling at the adults and just being altogether mean. Even his idol Sephiroth couldn't get him out of it.
What do you think I should do with my hair? Aerith asked Yuffie.
Leave it down. It looks really pretty that way. She said. Though Yuffie would never admit it she was very jealous of Aerith's beautiful long brown hair.
You think so?
No, but I bet Clou-I mean Nero will. She told her friend.
Maybe I will then. Aerith said with a giggle. Yuffie rolled her eyes as Aerith went off into her own fantasy world. She began humming a tune of her own.
Hollow Bastion to Aerith. Come in Aerith! We still have to get dressed remember? Yuffie said knocking on the flower girl's head.
You're right! Thanks again for the dress Yuffie. It really is beautiful.
It was nothing. That thing was cheap. Only 752 Munny. She said casually.
Aerith grimaced.
Don't remind me. Its going to take forever to pay you back.
I told you, its a gift. I won't except any of your Munny.
Aerith looked like she was about to argue again. But a cold glare from Yuffie held her back. So instead she picked up Yuffie's sundress and held it out to her.
Better go change into your dress Yuffie.
Yuffie just grimaced.
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Cloud looked around the ballroom which had been decorated with tons of streamers and balloons. He stared up at them for awhile until he felt someone squeeze his hand. He turned to find Tifa staring at him.
Its really pretty in here. Isn't it? She asked him. He saw that she looked rather pretty wearing a long blue dress with her hair pulled back in a rather nicely done bun.
Yeah...Aerith will love it. He told her without thinking and then realizing what he had just said he whirled around to face Tifa, I didn't mean that. It just came out wrong and-
She laughed.
Its all right Cloud. I know that you and Aerith are good friends. Practically brother and sister.
Not exactly... He said. Then he turned to watch all of the couples pour into the ballroom. He saw Squall's crush Rinoa dancing with one of the more popular boys. He watched as his idol Sephiroth walked across the dance floor with a rather pretty girl with red hair.
He glanced towards the steps at the new arrivals just in time to see Yuffie drag Squall as fast as she could towards where he stood.
Hi Cloud! Yuffie said happily. She was looking what one might call adorable in her yellow sundress and pigtails. Cloud was smart enough not to say that she looked cute, knowing that the pigtails and dress were all Aerith's doing and Yuffie would rather be eaten alive then look cute.
Hey Yuffie. Have fun you two. He said, only to receive a glare from Squall.
We will. I'm going to get me some punch. She said and then began dragging Squall to the snack table.
Cloud chuckled to himself and then looked at the stairs again. His laughing stopped abruptly when he saw her.
Aerith's long brown hair was free of its braids and was lying beautifully down her back, with Nero's rose tucked behind her ear. Her lips were a dark red to match her dress. The dress itself was a deep rich red that went down to the floor. It was held up by two straps tied in the back. She wore no jewelry except for a long silver chain with a heart shaped ruby attached.
Cloud found himself mesmerized by her beauty. He almost called out to her. But the moment was broken when someone approached her from behind and slid an arm around her bare shoulders. Cloud let out a low growl.
Are you okay Cloud? Tifa asked him.
He said between clenched teeth.
~~Up in the air vents~~
Almost there Siru. Kairi told the bear behind her. She had tied a rope around her waist and the other end around Siru and was dragging him along.
She had studied the air vents for almost a day now along with the electric box. She carried wire cutters in her hands and was slowly moving towards her ultimate destination.
She chuckled to herself. No one messes with the little kids. No one.
~~Back in the Ballroom~~
Are you feeling all right Yuffie? Squall asked the little girl beside him.
Shut-up...fool...*hiccup*....you know what...I never loved you... She said while swaying from side to side. Then she threw up all over her dress. Squall carefully pulled the punch glass out of her hands.
Yuffie groaned and buried herself into Squall's chest.
Make it stop Squall...Everything's spinning...My tummy hurts... She whimpered.
Don't worry Yuffie. You'll be all right. He whispered soothingly. Then he picked her up and headed in the direction of the restrooms. On his way there he passed Cloud and Tifa who were dancing. Although Cloud seemed more focused on watching Aerith and Nero through slitted eyes.
They were dancing closely and Aerith had her eyes closed. She shivered each time Nero rubbed his hands on her back.
You're really beautiful Aerith... He whispered to her. That's why its going to be so hard to do this.
Do what? She asked him her eyes still closed.
he said in her ear and then he reached his hands up and pulled the string that was holding Aerith's dress up. Then he moved away for everyone to see.
But they didn't because before the dress could fall. Cloud was there pressing up against Aerith so that the dress stayed up.
She looked up at him gratefully. He pretended to dance with her while he tied the strap again.
Double knot it this time. She whispered, her face a bright shade of red to match her dress. Then she leaned her head against his chest and took huge gulping breaths trying to calm herself down. When he finished tying the knot he turned to Nero, his face twisted in hatred.
Now don't do anything crazy Cloud. Nero muttered backing away. While Cloud moved slowly towards him.
But then the lights went out.
~~In the Air vent again~~
What happened to the lights Siru? I didn't cut the wire...but if I didn't cut it then what did? She asked her bear. Then she heard a squeaking noise. She turned on the small flashlight she had and...
~~~~
Help me! A rat! A rat! They all heard someone scream as a figure came tumbling down from the air vent and landed on Nero. Who let out a loud oof and then blacked out.
What's the devil's goin' on in They heard a familiar voice yell and then a candle was lit but sadly was held too close to the sprinklers on the roof. And then the sprinklers went off and everybody was drenched.
Now that's how to crash a party. Yuffie laughed in a half-drunken stupor.
~~ten minutes later~~
That was very irresponsible young lady! One of the dance administrators told Kairi.
I know. I'm really sorry. Kairi said her big blue eyes beginning to fill with tears. The administrator looked at the girl and almost began sobbing too. She was just too adorable to stay mad at.
I guess you are forgiven and next time we'll make the dance from ages three to eighteen. How about that?
I don't know. The two year olds might not like that. She said slyly.
Fine two to eighteen.
Pleasure doing business with you. Kairi cried happily pumping the administrator's hand up and down.
What happened to her? Cloud asked Squall. while looking at Yuffie who was lying down on a bench.
Somebody spiked the punch.
Aww...poor thing. Came a voice from behind them.
Squall turned to find Rinoa looking at Yuffie with her eyes full of concern. Then she looked at Squall with admiration.
You are so sweet taking care of her like that. I guess I'll see you around Squall. She told him and then turned to go home.
Yuffie is my hero. Squall told Cloud. Still in shock from what just happened.
Can I get that in writing?... They heard Yuffie mumble.
Guess I better take her home. See you guys later. He said and then he scooped Yuffie up and headed down the rich section of rooms.
CLOUD STRIFE!!! Came a voice from behind him.
He turned around only to be slapped by Tifa.
That's for ditching me you big jerk! And then she stomped off down the hall.
He muttered and then sat down next to Aerith who leaned over and kissed his cheek.
That's for ditching Tifa to save me, you big lug. She told him with a slight blush on her cheeks.
That's all? I think that saving you deserves a lot more than just a peck on the cheek.
I should slug you. She said punching him lightly on the shoulder.
Then she sighed and snuggled up against him. He put his arm around her and began toying with her hair.
I almost forgot. He said suddenly and then stood up and reached into his pocket and then pulled out a pink rose. I know it doesn't really match but I saw this rose and thought of you and...
She took the red rose out of her hair and threw it on the ground. Then she gently pried the pink rose out of Cloud's hands. Then she put the pink one in the place of the red one.
I think it matches perfectly. She whispered and then leaned her had on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She felt him lay his head on top of hers and she felt more content than she had ever felt in all her life.
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A/N: Definitely not as long as the last chapter but still good right?
Alex Warlorn: Wow that was some review. I'm going to go through it paragraph by paragraph and answer everything the best that I can.
First two paragraphs. Cloud and Sephiroth are going to be friends. Kinda. I think I'm going to make it that Sephiroth is giving Cloud lessons to make a few extra bucks. He's kind of Cloud's role model and can usually give some good advice.
It is kind of a Riku and Sora relationship. But a little more of Riku and Tidus relationship where Tidus looks up to Riku a lot. But they are also going to be semi-friends. I'm trying to push that Squall is his best friend that's a guy.
You also mention the idea of him and Cloud being top in their fighting class. That could work since he did beat Squall. Sounds like a fun idea. Maybe I'll be able to make a story out of that...
Look he is dancing. Well kind of...He's at least mentioned. But he's not going to be the meek type. He'll be a little less talkative than most but otherwise he'll be pretty normal. Everyone thought he was cool in FF7, that's pretty much how it is now.
I'm not sure how many chapters I'm making. I'll just keep going until I run out of ideas.
I don't believe that Hollow Bastion was in any FF game. I'm pretty sure its an original world made special for Kingdom Hearts.
I've never played FF8, so I'd be afraid to add in a character that I'm not sure about. I only own FFX and FF7 and I still have to finish FF7. Maybe after I'm done with that I'll buy FF8 but if you want any characters from any of the other FFs besides seven and ten, you'll need to help me out and describe what they're like and such.
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Now to answer your second long review of my second chapter.(Though not quite as long as the last one.)
Its a slumber party. A thirteen year old girls slumber party. Were going to say that the mud masks were something she got for her party because even though it was a slumber party with two little girls. Aerith couldn't bring herself to admit that her party would be different
And Squall was wearing a dress. My guess is that a fifteen year old boy wearing a dress down the halls. Would be as careful as he could not to be seen. So it would take them a while to get to the girl's room.
I said in the beginning that the story would have little references to Sora. And the losing your heart thing is one. Its just some random connection that there is. Its just fun to add connections like that.
First chapter questions:
Would a four year old really have free rein of the entire castle early in the morning when it's a mile above the ocean?
Yes. And I don't believe I actually said that it was early morning... If I did please correct me.
I have a four year old brother and a five year old sister. They can go pretty much anywhere they want on our street. The Rising Falls is what like the road is to a four year old. They're told not to go near it and only if they're bad they'll go. And Kairi isn't a bad kid.
Yuffie's hair is black.
I don't know. It looks like more of a dark brown to me. But maybe I'm just color blind.
You also seemed to think that Squall's girlfriend was Selphie. While I haven't actually played the game, I do believe that it was Rinoa who he loved.
Squall's girl friend in FF8 was (I can't remember her name at the moment) the yellow dressed girl who hanged out with Tidus and Wakka. I know you don't need MORE input with something like this, but I just remembering that she I think was nine, the same number of years since Hallow Bastion was destroyed.
If she was nine on Destiny Islands then wouldn't that have meant she would have only been a few days/months old in Hollow Bastion? I'm pretty sure that Selphie was native to Destiny Islands in Kingdom Hearts.
Gay=giddy...never thought of it that way...Personally I never would suspect Squall of thinking that dressing up as a girl was giddy...
*Thinks about it for a moment and then shudders.*
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I know these authors notes are long. If you don't want to read them then by all means just skip down to the bottom and review!(as people throw food at me for my poor attempt to get reviews by boring them so much that reviewing seems like fun.)
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GirlsDontCri: Signed
You said:
about the idea things maybe you should have those cute orange things (can't remember what they're called =S) that shout Laguna all the time! lol they could bug Squall for ages =).
Cute orange things? I mentioned above that I've only played FFX and FF7. Are these from another FF game? Or do you mean moogles? I know that moogles say Kupo...Laguna...If you can figure out what they're called or help me at all then I might be able to write a story with them in it.
I'm finally done! Whew! That was a lot more than usual. Alex Warlorn is really picking at my stories and my brain. But thanks for reviewing! I need a reviewer that'll keep me on my toes.
