White Flower

MINI CHAPTER TWO
Narrated by Yuffie Kiseragi {sp?}

*

Morning in the hotel room was hectic. Aeris and Cait Sith scurried about, dusting the nooks and crannies. Barrett was placed with the job of sewing up the cushions, much to his dislike. Cloud and Cid were sent out to buy new glass for the windows and tables. Me and Red XIII were sweeping the ground, trying to throw out the glass shards and cushion stuffing.

When we finished, the hotel room looked respectable, to say the least. Aeris sighed in relief.

"There we go," she said, putting down her duster. "All done."

"Yaay!" I exclaimed, leaping around. "I hate cleaning."

"At least you didn't have to sew," muttered Barrett. "It's hard to do that when you have a gun for an arm."

Vincent chose that moment to recover from his headache. "Ah..."

"Oi, Vinnie!" I cried, and I leapt onto him like he was a stuffed animal. I heard him wheeze as my weight settled on his stomach.

The door opened, and Cloud stepped in. He smirked slightly at me and Vincent, but that was nothing compared to what Cid did. Cid gasped, covered his eyes with the wrapped glass, and pretended to faint onto the ground. He caught himself mid-way, winked at Vincent, then put down the glass. Aeris merely shook her head.

"I need you ," she said, placing a hand on Cloud's shoulder. "And you," she continued, pointing to Cid. "To put in the glass. I know you can do it."

"Fine, fine," Cid muttered, sticking a cigarette into his mouth. I stuck my tongue out at him, and he told me off with his colorful language.

"Let's go," Cloud said, grabbing the glass. He and Cid headed outside to work on the cutting. A few whirrs were heard, many curses, and Cloud's yell of "SHUT UP, CID!" echoed throughout the room. After a few moments of surprised silence, we all burst into laughter. Well, except for Vinnie and Red. Vinnie remained stoic, but Red had the personality to smile faintly.

Aeris poked her laughing face outside, then we all saw her color slightly. "Oh my..."

We all looked out the broken window, and I laughed loudly.

Cid was pointing at Cloud, laughing hysterically. For Cloud had gotten his stupid suspenders stuck on a bush, and swung his sword at it.

You can pretty much guess what happened.

"I never knew you wore smiley face boxers!" I yelled out.

The glare he gave me would've killed if looks could, but Aeris already was outside. He whirled around, and stared at her embarrassingly. She laughed, and placed her hand on his arm.

"It's okay, Cloud," she managed to gasp between giggles. "Barrett, you take over. Cloud, you go shopping with me."

Cloud nodded obediently, and Barrett went outside, winking at Cloud. Cloud rolled his eyes, but he was smiling a bit.

"This is a job for Agent Yuffie!" I muttered, and I ran off to switch into some of my old clothes.

*

Here I was, dressed in a bright blue pinafore, holding a basket of flowers, following Aeris and spike-head throughout a crowded marketplace. The two hadn't even touched! What a waste! I grumbled to myself, causing me to earn some odd glances.

They finally stopped at a small stall, where several rods were on sale. Ah, they're getting Aeris a weapon!

She and Cloud talked between themselves, then selected a very fine looking rod. It was decorated ornately, with three pairs of materia holes along the length, and several ribbons dangling on the ends. Aeris whacked Cloud with it, and when he muttered in pain, rubbing his red skin, she grinned and nodded at the shopkeeper. She had tried out her weapon on him! I stifled giggles.

I managed to get right behind them as they left, Aeris holding the wax paper-wrapped rod in her hand. She turned to Cloud, a confused expression on her face. "Don't you get the feeling we're being watched?"

I froze and pretended to be offering people flowers. Cloud shook his head. "Naw, must be your imagination."

"...Alright," she said unsurely. "Let's get something to eat."

"Agreed," he responded, and he took her hand and lead her into a small cafe. She seemed pleased, and smiled widely. I wandered in, and went into the restaurant. I had sneaked a change of clothes under my costume, and suddenly I was an old hermit, trying to beg for breakfast. I sat in there, near their table, begging for Gil.

They sat there, and my mouth watered as they're food arrived. I loved the smell of fried fish, and seeing it on Aeris's plate... I could hardly help myself. I waddled up to her, and said "Can I have some?"

Aeris looked at me peculiarly. "You look... familiar."

"Ah, ah, how odd," I managed to stutter as she handed me a piece on her napkin. I bit into it hungrily, and settled in my corner.

They ate in comfortable silence, until Aeris slipped her hand onto Cloud's. He looked rather flustered for a moment, but gently squeezed it. My heart swelled; aw, how cute! I giggled slightly, and thankfully they didn't hear me.

"Cloud," Aeris began. "... I love you."

I nearly choked on my own spit, and stared at the two. Cloud looked shocked, and his blue eyes were wide as saucers.

"Aeris," he responded, stuttering. "A-Ah, I di-didn't kno-know."

"Cloud," she said pleadingly, and placed her hand on his shoulder. Ooo, getting steamy. She looked into his eyes, then locked him in a kiss. To my amusement, he kissed back, taking her hair between his fingers. She broke the kiss after three minutes, yes I counted, and gasped for air. Cloud didn't exactly gasp, but he breathed heavily.

"Aeris," he said, taking her chin between his fingers. "I love you too." And then he kissed her again.

I managed to scamper back home giggling like a school girl. This romance was too much for me! Like a crappy love novel; I sighed in gleefulness.

*

Dinner was silent, and secret glances were exchanged between Aeris and Cloud. I was bubbling with excitement. This was so sweet! I tittered to myself the whole time, giving the group a reason to give me a strange look. Finally, I could barely contain myself.

"How was you widdle date?" I blurted, then I immediately covered my mouth. Aeris and Cloud looked at me, astonished, then Aeris smiled at me.

"You were following us!"

"Aw, she's not denyin' it!" Barrett said, grinning. "So... Cloud... gimme details!"

Cloud only returned his statement with a flustered face and a deadly glare.

I held my head in my hands. Whoops.

*

PREVIEW OF THE NEXT CHAPTER: Almalda goes wrecking various towns, and it's all framed on Tifa. Back at Costa Del Sol, everyone splits up to research on how to snap Tifa out of her trance.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: -is gleeful- Aw! I loved that mushy scene. I'm such a big sap. -sighs- Maybe I need to grow up or something. Or get someone to kiss n.n Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this crappy mini. I didn't try too hard, and I'm not good at romance, but I liked it xD