Chapter 19 : Wutai Spa
"Welcome."
A woman met the group as they approached the gates. They had decided to land a little away from the actually city and in the end managed to find this place which, looked like some sort of holiday resort.
"What's this place then?" Cid led the group forwards.
The woman looked at them curiously. "This is your first time here?" She was answered by a bunch of nods. "This is a spa, its one of the most famous in this area."
"A Spa?" Yuffie asked.
"Yes, here we use some of the most ancient secrets to relaxation."
"Nice, are we staying?" Zack looked around.
The others looked at him and waited for someone to speak.
"Hell, let's just stay here." Cid walked past and headed up to the reception area door.
Zack grinned and shrugged following suit. "You heard the man."
"So what do we do at a place like this?" Yuffie walked up to the woman.
"We have various programs designed for even the most stressful of people."
"Sounds like this is the place for you Cloud." Aerith patted him on the shoulder.
"Why do I feeling your going to make me go though all this?"
She shrugged. "I don't know, but either way your not getting out of it." Aerith took his hand and pulled him along to the reception.
Yuffie turned to Squall who was still silent. She still hadn't found out what was wrong with him yet but as always she was determined not to give up.
"How long would you like to stay?"
Cid rubbed his chin thinking about it. "I don't know, a few days."
"Is there any reason we'd have to leave here soon?" Aerith looked at Cloud.
"I doubt it, we're a fair distance away from home. Plus this planet doesn't seem like a place the Heartless would visit, it's not very important."
"I guess we can stay a few days then."
Cid nodded and looked back at the receptionist. "Fine, we're staying a week."
"Very good sir." She handed him a pack of leaflets. "These are all the activities you can participate in."
"Uhhuh," The pilot handed them to Yuffie, not really interested. "What about the rooms?"
The girl looked along a woren out paper map of what seemed to be the aparment rooms. "Ummm, we have four rooms available. Two doubles and two singles."
Everyone looked at each other unsure how to split up.
The receptionist took out the keys and handed them Cid. "Well, I ain't sharing so that's one single gone."
Aerith put her hands behind her back and leaned over to Cloud. "What do you think?"
Cloud scratched the back of his head, unsure of what to say. "I uhh... I think...."
She smiled at him and stepped closer. "Well in that case, I'll have to decide for you." She walked up to Cid and took one of the keys out of his hand. Cloud watched her walk to a door labeled 'Rooms 001 - 029'. Before she went through the flower girl half turned round and gave him a quick 'wink'.
Zack laughed as she left and patted Cloud's sholder. "All riiiight, I think you're in there Cloud buddy boy."
"Shut up!" Cloud crossed his arms and stood awkwardly for a few moments before he decided to give it up and chase after her.
Cid shook his head and looked down at the rest of the keys. "Alright, two left."
Yuffie, Zack and Squall all looked at each other.
"Well, so who gets the single?" Zack scratched the back of his head.
"Well since I'm the only girl here I think it should be me!"
"Uhhuh, I don't think so." The black haired Soldier put his arms down on his hips.
"Why not?" Yuffie stared at him.
"Because I want it too, maybe you'd like to spend the night with Squall." He grinned as he saw Squall's eyes widen.
"Erm perhaps you two would like to stay together." He said nervously.
The three stood in silence for a moment before Zack clicked his fingers. "Alright, I know exactly what to do." He held out his hand. "Rock, paper, scissors."
Squall stared at him for a moment hoping he was joking. "Are you serious?"
"It's as fair as were going to get." He pulled back his hand.
Yuffie nodded agreeing and took her place. "Alright, on three."
Squall sighed, shaking his head he took his place and silently hoped for some kind of miracle. "Alright, lets just do this."
"One, two, three..!"
The three stood silently for a moment while looking at the results. Zack and Squall had both drawn scissors while Yuffie had used a rock.
"Woohoo!" The ninja jumped in the air and ran up to Cid taking the key. "Cya later boys."
"...Figures." Zack crossed his arms. He looked over at Squall who had the same look. "Well it could have been worse."
"...?"
"One of us could have been stuck with her for a week."
The thought hadn't really hit Squall until Zack said it. "You're right... thank god for that." The two laughed and walked up to Cid who threw them the last key, he was getting a little tired of waiting.
"Alright kids now if the dam games are over, lets get unpacked."
Cloud walked in and watched Aerith bouncing up and down on the bed. She laughed as she fell back on the covers and spread her arms out.
"Somebody's happy to day." He closed the door and walked up to the bed.
The flower girl smiled at him and sat up. "I've never been on an actual holiday before, I don't know what to do first."
"Well I'm sure you'll be very busy what ever you're doing." Cloud sat down on the bed next to her.
"Along with you."
"Huh?"
Aerith pulled Cloud back and climbed on top of him. "Think I forgot about our bet hmm?"
"Ah, that..." He sighed. "Your not going to let me out of this are you?"
"Sorry... but don't worry." She leaned closer and kissed him. "Today's your day off."
He smiled and sat up, sitting Aerith down on his lap. "Why do I still feel nervous when you say that?"
"Stop been paranoid." Aerith put her arm around the back of his neck and handed him a leaflet. "Its one of the activates."
"Hot springs?"
"They're a natural hot springs. Its one of the best attractions."
"So?"
Aerith stood up and took his hand. "So, I think that's what we should do first. After all, you should get rested up for tomorrow."
Cloud walked outside still been pulled along by the Cetra. "What about unpacking?"
"It can wait." She said cheerfully.
He wondered what Aerith had in store for him, at first he felt it was just some trick to get his mind off what was happening but now he wasn't so sure. 'What does she want?'
Aerith pulled him along, Cloud wasn't giving her any resistance so inside she could tell he was actually happy with the idea of resting. In Cloud she could see on the outside he was cold and shut off, but Aerith wasn't so easily convinced and she could see what he really wanted. 'Although, what about tomorrow? I know what I want to give him but... yeah.... I want to give it him. I wonder what he'll say?'
"Hey where you two off to?" Zack asked as they passed him and Cid in the corridor.
"Hot springs." Aerith answered simply.
Zack looked at Cid and shrugged. "Sounds like a good idea."
Stood in front of the water Aerith dropped the towel down to the ground, she felt the cool air brush along her body. It was slightly embarrassing been like this, when she decided to try these she didn't realize there we no clothes aloud in the water. Though it wasn't that embarrassing with only Yuffie been here, she was already happily splashing around in the water.
The entrance had been split into male and female sections. A large wooden wall separated the two half's of the water. 'Shame though, I would have liked to have seen Cloud's face at this point.' She smiled sheepishly to her self thinking about it before dipping her foot into the water.
It was quite hot though not too much, after a few seconds her body adjusted to the temperature and she was able to put the lower half of her body in.
Yuffie was still swimming laps in the water, by some luck there was nobody else using the springs at this point so she had the water to her self.
Aerith took a deep breath and submerged her entire body in the water for a second and then stood back up. She dipped her head forwards flipping her hair over her head and then pushed it back with her hands.
"Mmm much better." The Ancient lifted her feet off the ground under the water and leaned back against the side of the bank. Her legs floated up to just below the surface of the water so her toes bearly broke the surface.
Yuffie swam over to her and rested next to Aerith on of the bank. She panted for a while, out of breath. "I wish they had one of these places back home."
"Mmm," Aerith smiled at her and nodded. "I don't think I would be able to leave."
After catching her breath Yuffie pushed off the bank and started swimming again, she headed over to the large wooden wall that separated them from the guys. "Wonder what their doing?" She looked at Aerith.
"Knowing that bunch? Hmm..." She rubbed her chin. 'I wonder what Cloud's doing over there?'
"Oh woah!"
Aerith looked up as Yuffie called out. The ninja looked at her with a red face while trying not to laugh.
"What is it?" The brunette walked through the water towards the younger girl.
"Ummm," Yuffie put her hand on the wall and motioned Aerith to come closer. "Someone must have drilled a hole in the wall." She smiled and lifted her hand reveling a small round hole in the wood. "It looks right in to the guys area."
Aerith blushed and pulled Yuffie away. "You shouldn't be looking at that!"
"Why not?"
"Be-because," The Ancient couldn't think of what to say. "It's... just, not nice."
Yuffie grinned at her. "Oh come on," She put her face to the wall and looked in again. "Aren't you curious to see what Cloud's up to?"
Aerith's face went red once again. "I uh,"
"Go on, you know you want to."
Aerith felt like Yuffie was the little devil that was sat on her shoulder telling her to do it, the problem was there wasn't a little angel on the other side to tell her otherwise. "Well... just a quick look... to make sure he's ok."
The brunette stepped up to the hole and leaned over to look through. The first thing she saw was Cid leaning against the side of the right bank happily puffing away on what looked like his third cigarette. 'Big trouble for you.' She thought.
On the far side of the water she could make out Squall. He was alone leaning against the side of the bank, his eyes were closed yet she didn't think he was asleep.
"Is Squall ok?" Aerith turned to Yuffie.
"I don't know." The ninja shrugged. "He won't tell me anything."
"Strange, I've never seen him looking upset like this." She looked back into the opening.
Along the left side of the pool she could see a yellow spike sticking up from the water. She smiled as Cloud was submerged up to his chin in the water, the expression on his face showed easily that he was feeling slightly uncomftable been there.
Suddenly a splash of water covered his face and he shot an evil glare to his left. The small toy submarine landed in the water followed by an oversized rubber shark. This all came with sound effects too as Zack picked up the shark and launched into the air again.
Cloud looked up from his position just above the water and shot him another cold stare before the rubber toy landed in the pool, splashing his face again.
Aerith tried not to laugh at Cloud's face, she didn't want them to know she and Yuffie were spying on them. She saw Cloud say something to Zack and guessed it was another one of his 'how are we related?' comments.
"Well they seem to be having fun." The Cetra pushed away from the wall still smiling.
"Think we should tell them?" Yuffie had a cruel smile on her face.
Aerith matched her smiled headed over to the bank. "We'll see..."
"Come on, it wasn't that bad." Zack shook Cloud's shoulder as they walked out of the changing rooms.
"Your a very odd person, you know that right?" Cloud continued walking.
"Well.." The black haired Soldier scratched his head. "Yeah, but..."
Cloud grinned and turned round corner of the wooden building.
Outside the night had crept in, the sun left over the horizon and the land was covered in a blanket of darkness. A few torches were lit about the place to provided enough light to see, they flickered about as the wind played with the flames.
Cloud took a deep breath before walking inside the apartment block. In truth it had felt good to rest for a while, even he had to launch Zack's toys over the side of the pool to do so. Indoors the air was slightly warmer but not by much.
Zack followed him in and yawned loudly. "Well, I'm not staying up any longer. All this relaxing is making me tired."
"Figures." The blond whispered.
As they walked down the corridor two familiar figures could be seem talking to each other. Yuffie turned round as Aerith pointed and giggled.
"What's so funny?" Zack asked first.
"Nothing much." Aerith smiled and took Cloud's hand as they met.
"Yeah, we were just talking about a few things before we went to bed." Yuffie grinned at Zack.
"...?" The younger brother raised his eyebrow. "Well then... I'll be seeing you in the morning."
"Yes, I think I will call it a day too." Aerith said and opened her door.
"Oh! One last thing..." Yuffie rummaged around in her little backpack. "I think these is yours."
"Heyyyy!!" Zack smiled open mouthed as she handed him the submarine and shark. "I thought these guys were gone for good."
"Yes... thank you Yuffie." Cloud stared at the ninja.
"No problem," She smiled back at him. "Well, goodnight."
"Hey hey wait a minute..." Zack frowned. "How did you know these were mine?"
"Umm Sorry-too-tired-for-questions-goodnight." Yuffie said in one quick breath before closing the door.
The two Soldiers looked at each other and then at Aerith.
"What?" The flower girl smiled innocently.
"Aerith..." Cloud grinned and looked at her suspiciously.
"Come on, time for bed." Aerith continued to smile and pulled him inside the room. She said a quick goodnight to Zack before closing the door.
Zack stood outside for a few moments holding the toys while staring at the wooden door. ".... I'm missing something again aren't I?"
And there's another chapter done, I hope you all liked it.
Bluefox of the Moon, kaiserfreeze, goldenskibaby - Thanks, I'm glad you all like the story so far.
RaspPunkyCS – Mmm, I do seem to be leaning a little towards S x Y a bit, will have to see what happens.
Clorith – Thank you, I hope you enjoyed Japan... envy's