Standard Disclaimers Apply.

Save the Best for Last

The place was packed with people by the time Squall Leonhart arrived. Today was the opening match of the University Olympics, and all the prestigious universities have signed up, ready to compete and win.

"Squall! Over here!"

Squall turned around and saw Irvine Kinneas, messy blond hair in a ponytail standing besides his girlfriend. "Irvine, Selphie."

Selphie gave Squall a small hug before clapping her hands in delight. "Wow! This place is huge!"

Irvine smirked as he wrapped his arms around Selphie. "I swear, you're not going to regret this. This is the best place to scout for new talent."

"I know." Squall replied as he looked at the game schedule posted behind Irvine. "The others?"

"Zell's in Tennis, Quistis is in swimming, Selphie's going to be in Tae Kwon Do, I'm going to be in shooting, and you in Football. Not until next week, so we have free time to look at other matches. I've already booked us at Basketball. First game starts in thirty minutes."

Selphie took out her camera. "Anyway, I want to check out the equestrian training. I'll see you guys later?"

"Sure thing." Irvine replied and watched as his girlfriend walk away.

"So. Balamb Sports Agency gonna reap new talents?"

"That's the plan. We have a good chance of watching the freshmen and see how well they play and track their progress. There's a few seniors that's worth making an offer to."

Irvine nodded. "So, let's check out the warm-up sessions."

Selphie frowned as she looked at the map. She should be near the stables by now, but looking around here, she was nowhere near her place of destination.

"Come on let's go! If you see a flash of white and blue, you know we're coming for all of you!"

"Great, the pom-pom brigade!" Selphie muttered as she turned around and saw a group of cheerleaders practicing in a corner. Dressed in white tops with a blue V design, paired with matching blue and white skirts, the cheerleaders practiced their routine, and Selphie couldn't help but be impressed. They obviously practiced for the games, and she was sure that most of the cheerleaders would've been active in either dance or gymnastics. Her eyes fell on of the girls in front, and for one odd reason, she didn't know why. Until the girl turned around.

"Yuffie?" She was sho shocked, she nearly dropped her camera. The last time she saw Yuffie almost two years ago, she was just sixteen. Her shoulder length hair was now replaced by a short, almost pixie like bob style, soft strands falling across her face. Selphie watched as the routine ended and Yuffie grinned, waving her pom-poms. The fact that Yuffie Kisaragi became a cheerleader was what she couldn't fathom the most. The Yuffie she knew was a tomboy, so disdainful of things 'girly.'

She bit her lips, wondering if Yuffie would ever cross paths with her former best friend, Squall Leonhart. It was two years ago when Squall made a choice. Between his first love, Rinoa, and his friendship with Yuffie. Squall chose Rinoa, and severed his friendship with Yuffie.

She knew it wasn't an easy decision, but between being accepted to the most prestigious sports agency, his relationship with Rinoa and his friendship with Yuffie, something was going to give. It didn't help that Yuffie was a little hostile to Rinoa… Selphie shook her head as she watched the cheerleaders, particularly Yuffie, practice again. It was none of her business what happened years ago, and it's still none of her business now.

"Hey! The basketball game's in a few minutes!" A tall blond woman called out, and the cheerleaders ran to the gym where the game was being held.

"Okay… so they will most likely come across each other." Selphie muttered and wondered if she should tell Squall. "None of my business."

She turned to look at where the cheerleaders were headed, then back to the map. "Whatever."

She mumbled, and went to find Irvine and Squall.

A few minutes later, Irvine and Squall looked at particular basketball players, deciding who to add to their short-list. The crowd started whistling and clapping, and both men turned to see the Midgar Cheerleaders enter the stadium and got most of the crowd to their feet. One of the cheerleaders stepped in front of their team and raised her hands, prompting the crowd to fall almost silent. With a cheeky smile, she dropped her hands, and the music blared from the speakers.

"She certainly got the party started!" Irvine shouted through the noise. Even the basketball players from both teams watched the cheerleaders perform, whistling and clapping. Squall took this time to check out the players profiles from the report he brought when Selphie joined them. "Hey, what's up?"

Selphie smiled nervously and pointed the cheerleader in the middle. "Look familiar?"

Irvine watched the girl closely. "Uhhh, should she be familiar?"

It took only a few seconds for Squall to figure out who the girl was. "Yuffie."

"Yuffie Kisaragi? The little tomboy?" Irvine asked indecorously. "No way!"

They watched as Yuffie danced along with the other cheerleaders, a big smile on her face as they enticed the crowd to clap their hands along with the beat of the music. Their show ended when the music stopped, and the crowd went wild. Yuffie waved along with the other cheerleaders and grabbed a spot on the benches, and waited for the game to begin.

Squall turned his attention back to the game, his mind trying not to remember the girl he once knew.

"You okay, Yuffie?"

Yuffie nodded at Angel Willard, one of her friends. "Yeah… I just have this feeling… like something's going to happen." She shuddered as her eyes followed one particular basketball player. Angel grinned and nudged Yuffie.

"I'm pretty sure he'll win it for the team."

"Like I care." Yuffie replied with a small blush and Angel laughed. "Come on, Yuffie. You're a cheerleader, you're supposed to care."

"The only reason I'm here is because my cousin broke her ankle and you guys practically blackmailed me into doing this!"

"We're not that bad!" Angel said with a laugh, knowing how uncomfortable Yuffie was with the short skirt and all the male attention. "Besides, you really got the crowd going."

Yuffie rolled her eyes. "Ange, all we have to do is stand there with this short skirts, give a wink and those assholes wouldn't know the difference."

Angela nodded. "True, true, but you got to admit. We are so much better than the other cheerleaders from the other team."

Yuffie nodded her head. "True."

"Let's go! Come on! Start acting like cheerleaders!" Trish Hanako whispered as she stood up. Pasting smiles on their faces, Yuffie and Angela stood up as well, and began to cheer for their team.

Back at the stands, Irvine and Squall looked carefully at each player, the way they moved around the court, the possibility of endorsement deals that they could get, and how much the crowd loved them.

"Number 18, Midgar. Looks good." Irvine commented as they watched the redhead zoom across the court to land a slam dunk.

"A bit to cocky." Squall replied as the redhead was congratulated by his team mates.

"Well, he's been top of his game, already being drafted by Shinra Tigers. Crowd favourite."

Squall nodded. "A bit unstable, but worth the look."

"So, we talk to him later?"

They both watched as their possible new recruit made another slam dunk. "Let's wait until the semi-finals. I want to make sure he's not just all flash."

Midgar University claimed victory, 98 to 70 against Destiny Islands University. Jake Martinez, player number 18 and Captain of the Midgar Wizards, waved to crowd and winked at a few ladies. Yuffie rolled her eyes as he walked closer to her.

"Hey, babe."

Yuffie rolled her eyes as she walked away. "Whatever."

Jake's team mates snickered as they watched the cheerleader walk away. Yuffie ignored the whistles as she walked towards the locker room when she saw someone she thought she'd never see again. Right in front of her, in the flesh, was Squall Leonhart, looking right at her. Of all the scenario she had of her next meeting with Squall, this was not one of them.

"Yuffie." His voice was soft and polite.

"Leon."

Squall looked at her in surprise. No matter how much he'd ask her to stop calling him Squall, she never listened. Hearing her call his 'new' name took him by surprise. She gave him a small smile as Irvine and Selphie joined Squall. "Enjoyed the game?"

"Congratulations, you have a pretty strong team this year." Irvine said as he shook hands with Yuffie.

"Thanks…"

Selphie and Irvine looked at each other and Selphie smiled at Yuffie. "I need to have these develop." She said as she pointed at her camera. "Irvine?"

"Right behind you. See you guys later."

With that, Irvine and Selphie walked away leaving Squall and Yuffie behind.

Yuffie cleared her throat and adjusted her hold on her pompoms. "I have to go. Enjoy the rest of the games."

Yuffie walked past Squall, only to turn around again. "Happy Birthday."

Once again, Squall was surprised by the young girl. He watched as she walked away, not waiting for any response from him. He suddenly realised that today was not only his birthday, but it was exactly two years ago, on this day that he last saw Yuffie Kisaragi.

End Ch1

Hehehe... I'll try to explain things on chapter two!