Chapter 9:

Blooming

Mira was sitting in front of her mirror in the bedroom, coming her long her, her mind searching for the reason for the sudden outburst. No signs for why she did that. The lights were dim, and she closed her eyes. She didn't feel like eating dinner, even though Cloud made it. His cooking was starting to get as good as hers. She sat the brush down and got up to change into her silk nightgown. She sat on the bed after wards looking around. 'I'll talk to him tomorrow, to apologize for myself. This place is better then the place I would have in Egypt. I have a family here, that's all I'll ever need.' A quiet knock came on the door. Silence followed then another knock.

"Yes?" Mira responded still halfway in her daydreams of excuses. The door creaked open, and Steve looked up at the blonde and black haired woman sitting in front of the mirror.

"Mira." He paused, "You have a letter." He held the envelope out to her and upon seeing it; Mira immediately recognized the symbol stamped on the back of it to keep it closed.

"Steve I uhhh...I'm sorry about earlier, I shouldn't have acted that way." She took the letter from him, and stood up in front of Steve after opening the letter and scanning it quickly. "I will have to go to Egypt...my sister...she," She looked up at Steve. "I'm sorry about earlier. Really sorry. If you don't want her to go, then don't let her."

"..." The blonde said not a word then sighed, "It's from HER isn't it?"

"Yes..." she looked back down at the envelope. "She wants the throne, I'll have to go." He folded his arms at her words.

"And that means I have to take them to the tournament."

"Not really I can take them with me if it bothers you." She walked back into the room, sitting herself back in the chair in front of the mirror. Steve shook his head,

"Not to Egypt. It's too rough there."

"Hmmmm.... But then they'll be in your way… We could ask Nina to take care of them." She knew that Steve would look at her strange but that was the only idea she had left.

"That woman tried to off my 'ead! There's NO way I'm lettin' her near them!" Steve looked exasperated.

"Okay! Don't get mad at me. I didn't choose to be Scarlet's sister you know that."

"I'm not, I just.." He sighed. "I'll take them to the tournament and wait meet you there." He stuffed his hands in his back pockets.

"Ok... That will be fine," she looked at Steve from the mirror, she felt like holding him at that moment he seemed so distant. "Steve," Mira ran towards him, and hugged him, scared of letting go, fearing she would loose him. "I love you." Steve hugged her back and stroked her hair as she dug her face in his chest

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Cloud stopped at Kyksae's door, thinking about his feelings and wondering how to control the desirable urge to hold tight to the girl. He touched the doorknob and took a deep breath. Cloud entered the room and just looked at Kyksae for a couple of seconds, and then he walked beside her. Kyksae stood combing her hair, standing in her white undershirt and shorts. She apparently hadn't noticed Cloud as he closed the door behind him and stood next to her. He hugged her around the waist placing his head on her shoulder.

"Cloud?" Kyksae felt the blood rush to her face, and her cheeks began to burn.

"Did I scare you? I didn't intent to." His grip tightened, but not to hurt her.

Kyksae turned around to see his eyes,

"Why the sudden attention?"

"I just felt like it.... I couldn't hold back." He took her face in his right hand. She blushed,

"Cloud... What's up with you?"

"I just felt like being with you." he leaned in, a little closer. "Why? Do you want me to leave?" Kyksae was blushing deeper by the moment, then,

"No it's just... I want to see Steve fight in the tournament." Cloud looked at her, and then closed the cap, his lips playing with hers at first. He took his hands from her face and put them around her waist. He didn't want to think about her entering the tournament. He didn't want to imagine what Alex or Kazuya Mishima would do to her in a fight. He just didn't want to think about it. Kyksae gave a strange squeak but she melted into him. He pulled her closer; he couldn't imagine her beaten, not by Alex, not by Kazuya, and definitely not Marduk.

"AHEM." Steve and Mira stood in the doorway, both with grins on their faces, looking at the two teens. Kyksae's eyes got wider than her face and she felt like a deer in headlights. Her cheeks burned and she couldn't help the strange feelings rising up in her blood. Cloud took her head in his then looked at his parents,

"Do I ever say anything when you two kiss?" Steve just grinned,

"A'ight, A'ight. Just no Funny stuff. And you know what I mean, Cloud. " He turned, Mira waiting for a moment before following him. Mira grinned,

"You don't have to listen to him, we just don't want any kids beside ours running around just yet." Cloud watched as Mira left them. Kyksae studied Cloud's chest trying to imagine the people all away. Cloud looked at her, and then sat down on the bed behind him.

"Tell me. Kyksae. Do you want to participate in the tournament?

"...." She looked at the floor, and her hands went limp. "I... I would like to see what I can do. I would like to... To say I won... Against.. Him." She shifted her gaze and sat down on the edge of the bed. She waited for Cloud to hit her. She even cringed.

Cloud looked at her, then at the thought he pulled his knees to his chest.

"You might have the chance to."

"What makes you say that?" She looked at him, and waited.

"Just a feeling. I don't want you to get hurt out there, if my father puts you in there I'll never forgive him." He looked at her and took her face in his hands. "Something so

beautiful was not meant to hurt, and not to get hurt."

"What about you?" Kyksae blushed, but she enjoyed the feeling of having Cloud beside her.

"Me? There is nothing about me. I jus don't want you o go, I would fight and die for you if I had to."

"Cloud?" She looked up at him.

"Huh?" He looked at her, as he pulled back his hand

".... If anything happens, promise me you won't take it out on anyone." She looked at him, leaning around one inch from his face, "Please?"

"Uhm fine...I promise" he tried to smile, but it was harder then he thought it would be. Kyksae smiled back at him. It was truly hard to imagine the girl as a fighter.

Cloud smiled and was about to kiss her again, but when he was close he stopped, how did he know she wanted him to? "Good night." He got off the bed.

"Cloud!" Cloud turned and looked at the green-eyed girl behind him. She really wasn't one to ask for something so she replied,

"Good night." a bit sadly. Cloud looked at her then smiled.

"What were you going to say? 'Good night' wasn't it. Your voice told me." Kyksae smiled.

"It's ok. I... I just wanted to say I... I like you." Cloud smiled wider, he ran towards her and jumped her laying her flat onto the bed.

"I love you too." He kissed her. She laughed and kissed him back. Cloud deepened the kiss and the two lay there for a moment before Steve's voice was heard again,

"HEY! I SAID. NO FUNNY STUFF." Cloud rested on his elbows, and hid his face beside her face. He gave of a silent groan, and then he lifted his head.

"I wasn't going to seduce her!!!" Cloud got up, and kissed the girl one last time on her lips before heading out. "Night." Kyksae giggled,

"'Night." Cloud stomped down the hall. Upon entering his room, he changed into his sweat pants and sat down thinking of a way to keep Kyksae out of the tournament.

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Mira was busy putting her stuff into a suitcase.

"You're going to miss me?" She was talking to the British man who was sitting at the desk. Steve looked up from the computer.

"Yeah I will. You know that." The woman smiled. She sat on the case, and watched her husband at his desk.

"I love you so much" Steve grinned,

"I know." He winked at her. Mira got up, and walked over to him, seating herself on his lap.

"I hope the kids won't cause you any trouble." She leaned her head against his chest. "Call me if they do cause trouble."

"Eh, I can handle it." Steve smirked.

"You think you can make it without me?" She looked up at him, he smelled like pineapples, but he tasted like sweet.

"Feh... Nah. But I'll manage." Steve leaned forward but was interrupted by Cloud's voice,

"No funny stuff now."

"I told you not to interrupt him, he wasn't going to do anything.... Now I won't get a good night kiss." She got up looking at her son. "We weren't doing anything." She crossed her arms behind her back.

"I'm sure." Cloud grinned and walked out, figuring something else to do.

Mira sat down on the bed after closing the door. "Don't stay on too long, it won't do you

good." The blonde just smiled, he didn't know how he was going to make it through the tournament just yet, but he knew he'd find a way, or at least Kyksae will. He sighed at the thought and logged off the computer. It was getting late. Mira pulled Steve close by his neck and smiled.

"You're worried you won't make it through the tournament?" She went through his hair, not once leaving his eyes. "If you lose I don't care at least you tried, that's all I want you to do. But don't look like a wreck afterwards." Steve kept grinning,

"They can't hurt me. They're just a bunch o' jokes."

"Yeah sure. Even I can beat you." she smiled. "But you won't have it easy...be careful I don't want to have to go to the hospital because my husband got hurt to much."

"Alright, alright." Steve grinned, shrugging his shoulders.

"How did I end up with a husband like you? Not that I can complain..." she grinned taking his lips for a short kiss, as she pulled back she smiled. "How did I get you and the kids?" Steve cocked an eyebrow,

"Uh... I donno?" He laughed. Mira laughed at him,

"I don't think I'll make it through all that in Egypt without you." her smiled vanished. "I just hope it won't be to long."

"Eh. You'll be back before ya know it." Steve grinned, and got up from his seat. "But for now, just get some sleep. It's pretty late." He looked out the dark window and pondered a moment before closing the shades. She did as she was told, but looked at him, sleeping was the last thing on her mind right about now.

"Sleep with me." She reached her hands out like a little child. Steve looked at her and nodded. He didn't wish her to go, but it was her duty. The tournament was close but it would have to wait. When he walked over to her, she closed her arms around him, bringing him into a deep kiss. Steve smiled and lay down, falling asleep quicker than he thought he would. Mira smiled, as her husband lay asleep in her arms. "Sleep tight." Shortly after she as well fell asleep.