Note: I will not put any disclaimers in my future chapters, but I will answer any questions my reviewers may have about the story. This chapter will still be from Leon's and Cloud's POV. Cloud will be up first, and it is set awhile before Leon pulled him away from his conversation with the mysterious man in the last chapter.

Italic text means things remembered from the past. Ex: "Sora? Are you there?"…but Kairi had said that many weeks ago… (This is not going to be in my story)

This means POV change Ex: Aerith walked outside later that day or Leon's POV

Bold text stands for the reading of a letter. Ex: "I can no longer wait for the rent, the landlord." the letter on the table said.

To Crimson Rose327: I guess you can consider the content in this chapter Clerith, but I'm not too sure on that. Anyway I apologize for the entire font being squished together, and even though this chapter is exactly that way I will attempt to find a way to fix it soon. Just bear with me.

Now enjoy the chapter! Peace!

An hour earlier Cloud left the hotel and headed to the store where Aerith had stashed Yuffie's present

Even though I was forced to get the present alone, I stared up into the sky and realized what a beautiful day it was. Aerith sent Yuffie to the magician's house, so that half of the party was taken care of. The only flaw in our plan that I saw was that Leon was still in the shower, and I was fairly sure he hadn't bought a gift for Yuffie yet. "I guess things can't always work the way we'd like…" With that I sighed to myself and as I was about to trudge into the store a man joked from behind, "You should know that talking to yourself is unhealthy…" I chuckled and replied with a smirk, "Well, one of my friends is having a birthday today, and my wife…well…let's just say she's set on staying home for most the day." This time he was the one to laugh and then questioned me with a cheery disposition, "Would you like to join me for drink at the diner, and then you might be able to advise me on something to buy at the shop owned by the young ducks?" I smiled at his offer, and just as I was about to put it off I thought otherwise, "You know…I could use some relaxation, just wait a moment while I go grab the present." As I entered the building, I was greeted by the overbearing cashier, "Are you here to buy something or what?!" Despite his rudeness I calmly requested, "I'm here to pick up a gift, it's under the name Strife…" I pulled out my wallet and showed him my identification just to prove it, and soon enough he came back with a plain white box. After smirking I scoffed about the purchase, "Knowing my wife, I wonder what this could be…and what color…" The cashier had met my wife, and even though he was usually condescending he laughed and sarcastically remarked, "Oh it couldn't be pink…have a nice day." He handed me the gift, and with a nod I casually walked out the door. My acquaintance had waited patiently the whole time, so I apologized for not being out sooner, "I'm sorry about that, but I was sort of catching up with the cashier in there." My new friend wearing a cloak shook his head and explained, "There's no reason to explain, I've got all the time in the world." Even though I'd only just met this man, I felt like I'd known him my whole life. Aerith would kill me for not going home soon, but I had promised this man I'd get a drink with him. With a quick look at my watch I spoke, "Alright, I have just enough time to get a drink and try and help you find something to buy." He was already walking off by the time I finished, so I quickly ran up beside him and asked, "So…what brings you to Traverse Town?" He seemed to disregard the question momentarily, but then he answered slowly, "Well…I came to check on someone…" It was obvious he didn't want to talk about it, so I finished, "I'm guessing everything's okay?" He nodded as we walked into the first district, and he offered, "You know what…why don't we just go to the shop so you can get home sooner?" I knew Aerith would come get me very soon, so I agreed, "Your right, I won't be able to help you if my wife comes to get me." We entered the shop and he asked me curiously, "So how is your wife doing?" At that I smiled and explained, "She's doing great, and I'm hoping to tell her a big secret really soon…" Though it seemed a bit intruding he continued, "And…what's the secret?" Once again I smiled and replied, "I've gotten us tickets to a dance tomorrow night." After that I was going to ask him what his name was, but Leon approached from behind and dully explained, "Aerith sent me to find you…she says she needs you for something…" As a joke between friends I asked, "Oh, really…you wouldn't be able to dress up as me and fool her could you?" When I was about to walk off I said to the friend I'd yet to get the name of, "Well, I'll see you some other time." Leon stayed behind momentarily as I crossed through the doors into the second district. With present in hand I entered the doors into the hotel, only to hear Yuffie throw a fit, a very rare mood indeed, "Aerith, he could have at least apologized about it in person! I can't believe he could be so rude!" After I heard her slam the door and start running towards the entrance, I hid the present in my clothing and smiled courteously despite her anger. Without any recognition of me, Yuffie dashed out the door, and I assumed she'd be heading for Leon. I hoped he'd be alright after the scolding he was sure to get. At that very moment Aerith called me into the bedroom, and I'll leave you to imagine what happened between us awhile later.

Leon unknowingly heads onward towards an angered Yuffie

I was about to cross through the doors into the second district, but I was met with them slamming me in the face instead. As I rubbed my nose caringly I heard the voice of Yuffie, apparently mad about something, "I can't believe he could be such an idiot…when I find him I'm going to…" At that very moment her eyes met mine, and her gaze suddenly became furious upon me. "You…Aerith told me you'd forgotten it was my birthday!" Under my breath, though still audible to Yuffie, I muttered, "…she told me she'd make up an excuse to help me…" After that Yuffie shook her head in disbelief and stomped off back towards the hotel angrily, though I couldn't really understand why. Soon I arrived back at the hotel to hear noises coming from the room that Aerith and Yuffie resided in, and since I was sure one of the noises had come from Cloud I'd decided not to find the reason for the sounds. I entered my room, intent on taking a shower, but a letter lying upon the bed caught my attention. As I opened it the distinct writing told me Aerith had written it, and I slowly, and uncaringly, read it aloud, "I am not sorry that Yuffie found out that you'd forgotten her birthday. It's not only rude to her, but it can ruin everything else planned for today. I request that you please apologize to her tonight at the dance you promised to bring her to. I know you weren't trying to be mean, but it really hurt her feelings." After reading the letter I felt more confused than ever. Why would Yuffie care if I forgot her birthday? Though I didn't really see the reason why, I made a plan to make up for my so called mistake tonight.

This is the end of this rather annoying chapter, I apologize for sending you through meeting the stranger Cloud talked to again, but it was important for the chapter. Things probably didn't go the way I was hoping, but that's the way most things are. For the next installment I'm hoping to get things moving, hoping to get some of the Squiffie started. Please R&R.