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Chapter 7: I'm a Wuss if I Can't Win with a Gold Chocobo

            Three days later, Cutesy was finally ready for the chocobo races.

            "Only one of us can go to Gold Saucer, and in disguise. Don't want Cloud to find us that easily," Rude said.

Reno stretched his body lazily, "Well, wish me luck at the tracks."

            "Hey, who says you're riding Cutesy? Of course you'll need moi to win the race," Elena fluttered her eyelids at Reno. "Plus, I finally can wear pretty clothes. You know, I've got that cowgirl outfit I'm dying to wear!"

            "I agree. Elena should ride Cutesy," Rude said.

            Reno was taken aback. "WHAT?! I thought you were my friend!"

            Rude pulled Reno aside and whispered into his ears, "If you're really my friend, then you won't leave me together with Elena. That's like hell."

            Reno pondered for a few seconds and turned towards Elena. "Alright, you can ride Yuffie. But only because of Rude."

            "Cutesy. And what did he say to you?" Elena frown, ready to beat the senses out of Rude if it didn't suit her liking.

            Rude gulped. "Does it matter? You finally get to ride her!"

            Forgetting what she was about to do seconds ago, Elena clapped her hands excitedly, "Yippee! I finally can wear that cowgirl outfit!"

"Anyway, I'm gonna drop you and Cutesy off at North Corel. Then you're on your own. We're gonna hover over Mideel for the time being," Rude explained while putting the saddle and bridle onto Cutesy.

*                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

In a few hours, Elena, wearing a blue shirt, brown pants, a matching brown cowboy hat and Rude's shades, together with Cutesy entered the Chocobo Square.

Elena was amazed to see the whole place bustling with people. She wandered around helplessly, hoping she could find someone to rescue her in the whole sea of people. Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulders. Turning around, she saw a strange woman dressed in pink smiling at her.

"Hi, I'm Ester, one of the chocobo managers here. I can't help but notice, is that a gold chocobo?"

Elena let out a sigh of relief. Finally, someone to help her. "Yup, ain't she a beauty?"

"You know, all these years in this business, I've only seen one gold chocobo, and I don't think there are more. But looky here! Do you by any chance know Cloud Strife? I'd always thought that he's the only person that can breed gold chocobos. Guess I was wrong," Ester said with a smile.

Elena tugged at her collar and smiled nervously. "Um, so you're a chocobo manager, huh? Can you help me?"

Esther smiled broadly, "The best there is! C'mon, I'll fill you in."

*                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *                      *

Reno and Rude had been sitting on the floor with their backs on the wall for hours. Finally, Reno broke the ice.

"You know, we could have a BBQ here, with lotsa sexy babes. The blue and green chocobos are no use to us, why don't we roast them over a fire?"

"You're a sick man, Reno."

Neither spoke for another few minutes. Reno itched for another conversation.

"Now that I think of it, this is the first time I've ever seen your eyes. They are kinda pretty, why do you keep hiding them behind shades?"

Rude rolled his eyes. He had never thought Reno could be just as annoying as Elena when sober.

"I still don't understand why she couldn't just take your shades. You don't use them, they're always on your head," Rude commented.

"They keep my hair out of my eyes. Is your eye color…hazel?" Reno got closer to have a better look.

 Just then Rude's PHS rang. He also had never thought he could be so happy to hear his PHS ring.

"Hey guys, Elena here!"

Reno snatched the phone away from Rude, "How did my Yuffie do?"

"For the umpteenth time, Reno, it's Cutesy. Well, we got first place, three times. All thanks to Cutesy-wutesy and me!"

Reno shuddered at the name.

"Anyway, Cutesy's at B class now. Just six more consecutive wins and she'll be at S class. Well, gotta go. I'm going out on a date with one of the top jockeys here called Joe Black to Wonder Square while Cutesy regains her stamina in the stables. Won't be back for a few more days!"

Elena hung up before the duo could say anything. Reno and Rude looked at each other.

"I'm serious, man, no more sunglasses for you," Reno said.

Rude hit his face on the wall.

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Author's note: Can't…breathe…Too much…homework…weighing….me down…Well, Chinese New Year is just around the corner, 22nd of January, I believe. I wish everyone one of you a Happy Chinese New Year ^__^ Now if you would just excuse me, my fluffy bed is calling my name…must get sleep…