~~May 1st, 2019 - Junon Harbour (Rufus' Presidential Ceremony)~~

I woke up to the sound of loud parade music. I jumped out of bed and ran outside the house to see what was going on. The music sounded like it was coming from the city above the harbour. Just what was the music for?

"Yuffie? Why are you out here in your pyjamas?" I heard a voice ask behind me.

I turned around and saw Red. He looked like he just woke up too.

"That music," I said, "it's really loud and it woke me up. Tch, if I wanted wake up music, I'd want it to be punk or trance. Something actually good."

Red shook his head and mumbled something.

I looked down and asked him, "What? Got a problem?"

"Kids today don't know what good music is," he said slowly.

"What do you mean?!" I asked him angrily. He was really beginning to tick me off. "I KNOW what good music is and that," I said, pointing up, "is not!"

Red laughed and said, "I'll tell you what I mean another time, little exuberant one. The others are waking up." With that, turned and walked back into the house.

What the hell was that about?

Anyway, I followed Red back into the house where I found everyone else (with the exception of Cloud) waking up. I showered, brushed my teeth, combed my hair and put my fighting outfit back on. By the time I was done "primping" (like Tifa said), everyone else was already outside (with the exception of Cloud, who was STILL asleep).

I stared at Cloud while he slept. For some reason, I had the sudden thought that he looked kinda cute when he slept. My legs started moving by themselves. As soon as I approached his bedside, I saw his closed eyes squeeze a little as a sign that he was about to wake up. I ran outside as fast as I could, hoping that he didn't catch me staring. I passed Tifa on my way out of the house and she gave me a quizzical look as I passed her.

I ran until I found myself standing next to Red near Priscilla's house. Barret, Aeris and Red stared at me and asked me what happened. I panicked and I told them that nothing ("absolutely nothin'!") happened. They continued to stare at me until Cloud and Tifa came out from the house.

As if on cue, Priscilla came out of the house when Cloud was going up to check her. Cloud asked her how she was feeling and she said that she was fine. She said she was sorry that she thought that we were part of Shinra (well that's good). Cloud accepted her apology.

Then she looked at Cloud closely and she turned into a little perky brat. She grinned and said, "I want to give you something SPECIAL!" Then she turned to me and gave me an evil smile.

Tch, I'm telling you.I think she wanted to piss me off! Well, mission not accomplished! I thought she'd do that to Tifa! What the hell? As if I'd care! So what if Cloud has penetrating blue eyes, cool-looking hair and a nice smile? Huh?? What did I just write?? Oh gawd. I HOPE no one gets his or her hands on this, especially Little Miss Perky!

So anyway, then she said, "It's an amulet." She took Cloud's hand and put the red orb (probably summon materia) in his hand. She closed his and squeezed it with her own. Then she said, "Take care of it, okay?" in her sweetest baby voice. She stared at me the whole time. I pretended I didn't see her. Cloud wrenched his hand free of Priscilla's grip, but gave her a thankful smile.

Thank God Barret changed the subject, "What's that music? It sure sounds lively."

Miss Priss stopped staring into Cloud's eyes and looked at Barret, with a look that gave away that she was annoyed. She said quickly, "I heard that they're rehearsing the reception for the new Shinra President."

Barret looked VERY surprised. He yelled, "Rufus?!" It looked like a lot of people heard him because the people around our group stopped what they were doing and stared. Barret looked around and looked pretty embarrassed. Then he quietly said, "I gotta pay my respects." Everyone who stared at us went back to what they were doing. Barret's gotta control his temper.

Little Miss Perky seemed to have lost some of her perk. "Grandpa and grandma told me this beach was beautiful when they were small. But after the Shinra built that city above, the sun stopped shining here, and the water got polluted. I was raised on that story and now, I Shinra so much, I could die!" At least she and I have something in common.

Aeris spoke, "You think that Rufus is thinking about crossing the ocean from here too?"

Tifa looked startled. "What? Does that mean Sephiroth already crossed the ocean?"

Obviously I missed some things. It looks like our dear Cloud squared off against the new President of Shinra while they were still in Midgar. But according to Red, it looks like Cloud couldn't finish him off.

Barret was determined to get up to the city above. "Mebbe we could climb the tower?" he asked, looking at the tower in the distance.

Priscilla actually looked concerned. "No! No! There's a high voltage current running underneath the tower! Don't wander near it! It's dangerous!" she yelled. Then she looked at Cloud and said, "But.you might be able to if Mr. Dolphin helps you. Follow me!" She ran off in the direction of the beach.

Tifa crossed her arms. "High voltage tower.I guess that means Cloud'll be all right."

Aeris turned to Tifa and then turned to Cloud, with her eyes filled with confidence, "Yeah, better leave it to Cloud!"

Red nodded, "We're counting on you, Cloud!"

They all walked away before Cloud could put in his two cents. I stared at all of them. How could they let Cloud go all alone? He's not able to do this all alone!

Cloud looked at me, his glowing blue eyes begging for me to say something. I was frozen and my mouth couldn't move. I wanted to tell him that I wanted to go with him, but I couldn't. Red walked back to where I was standing and dragged me away before I got the courage to say anything to Cloud.

So anyway, here I am, sitting in Priscilla's grandmother's house writing like crazy in my diary, waiting for Barret's signal to follow Cloud into Junon.

Why couldn't I say anything? I wanted to say something, but my body completely froze. I wish I could talk to someone about this, but they'd think I'm weird or something.

Great, now Barret's yelling at me to put down this pen and start moving my carcass (not in the exact words). Geez, if he has something to say, can't he say it without yelling at me like I'm a little kid? He sounds like my father!