A/N: This is more dialogue-y than the last chapter so… not as uh… well actually it's still wordy, but ah well.

Thankies for reviewing everyone! Hehe, I think I should have made Marlene talk to Cid a little while longer. Aw! I couldn't have called him Grandpa Cid! (laughs and pats his head) And, I wasn't really thinking of pairing Vincent and Tifa together. It's in Marlene's POV and… I don't think she wants to see lovey lovey stuff yet. However, I think I made Marlene too attached to Vincent. (big smile) Not a bad thing. I was planning that anyway. (huge smile) However, I'll consider the idea though.

Disclaimer: FF7 shtuffs don't belong to meee… and so on and so forth.

My Little Star
Chapter Three

Not So Yucky

I thought that staying overnight in Rocket Town would be fun. Well, it was at first… but it just got worse for me. It was half past midnight and it was absolutely silent in Uncle Cid's house. For some reason, I just couldn't sleep anymore. Before, I was all comfy sleeping under Uncle Vincent's warm cape… but now I was feeling yucky. My tummy was hurting so much and I could barely breath through my nose. I slowly stood up and tip-toed to the bathroom. I almost banged my head right into the wall… I was so dizzy right now. I finally made it to the bathroom and hopped onto stool. I gasped and leaned closer to the mirror.

"Whoa… why do I look so si-" I groaned and held my stomach. "Ooowwwww!" It was hurting so much! I started to think that I ate waaaay too much food for dinner. (I'm such a pig…) I started to pant like an overexcited dog! Then I remembered… Papa told that whenever I didn't feel good, tell someone so they could help. I nodded at that and slowly walked out of the bathroom. My head felt so heavy and I couldn't see very well.

Suddenly, I just couldn't move anymore. I was so dizzy, I fell to my hands and knees, panting like crazy. I closed my eyes tightly as warm tears poured out. Then, I yelled out, "U-UNCLE VINCENT! UNCLE CID! SHERA! TIFAAA!"

I didn't know what was happening, but pretty soon, I found myself in Uncle Vincent's arms. I wrapped my hands around his neck and sobbed. Tifa stroked my head and asked, "What's the matter, Marlene? Did you have a bad dream?"

I shook my head. "N-No… I don't feel so good…"

"A'ight, lemme take a look atcha…" Uncle Cid placed his hand against my forehead. In just a second, he pulled it away. "Whoa, kid. You're really burning up!"

"And you look really sick," Tifa added. "I think you might have caught Vincent's cold…"

He turned to Tifa. "I didn't have a cold, Tifa. I think she was allergic to the vanilla scented candles."

I waved my feet around and moaned in pain. "My tummy hurts…"

Uncle Vincent turned and placed me on the couch. He wrapped me up nice and tight in his red cape. I was still feeling yucky, but I couldn't resist a slight smile. Shera placed a soft pillow behind my head. Now I was feeling really tired now. I really hoped that I would be better by tomorrow morning. I slowly closed my eyes and felt something warm brush against my cheek. Before I entered dreamland, I heard a voice say, "Good night."

The next morning was just horrible! My stupid nose wasn't working right and I still felt really yucky. I woke up really grumpy and I just wanted to be alone. Today was the day I was supposed to be going to the beach, but I guess not. But, that wasn't why I was grumpy. I didn't even know why I was grumpy in the first place. I just was. At that time, everyone else had already been awake. Uncle Cid and everyone else were talking about their plans for 'The Sierra'. I figured they'd do adult-like things while I was sleeping. Oh well. I just shrugged it off and sat back on the couch.

"Yucky… I still feel yucky…"

"Marlene?"

I turned and spotted Shera. "Oh, hi."

"How are you feeling?"

"I still feel… yucky and gross…" I sniffed. "And I can't even breathe right! I think I'm gonna diiieeee…"

"Aww, no you won't. Here," she placed some orange juice and toast on the table. "You better eat something before you leave."

"Leave? Where are we going? I hope not the beach…"

She sat next to me. "No, no. Since we don't have any medicine right now, we decided the best place to go is Wutai."

I perked my head up at that. "Wutai? It sounds weird… uhm… are you and Uncle Cid coming?"

"I'm sorry, dear. But we have to work out some things with The Sierra."

"Ah, okay then."

"Well, well! Looks like the kid's up!"

Shera and I turned and spotted Uncle Cid grinning. I smiled and nodded. "Yep!"

"How are you feeling?"

I frowned at that. "Nnnn..."

"Well then. You guys ready to board the Highwind?"

After I finished eating my food, we were off to Wutai! I never heard of that place before… but I think I remember Papa mentioning it. He said that was where the 'bratty snot-girl' lived. Just thinking of that made me a little nervous. When Papa said that, he sounded annoyed and really angry. I hope he didn't mind me going to the… snort-girl's hometown.

The trip wasn't as long as when we were going to Rocket Town. But, we had trouble landing the big airship near Wutai. There were so many mountains surrounding the town. I peered over the railing and spotted the town. From above, it looked really small. But, once we landed, it was incredibly huge! There were mountains shaped like people in the back! This place looked really interesting. After Uncle Cid dropped us off, the Highwind lifted off and disappeared into the clouds. Once we entered Wutai, it was really crowded. It kind of looked like there was a festival taking place.

"Alright," Tifa said. "I remember there was a shop with lots of medicine…"

Uncle Vincent pointed to one of the buildings. "I believe it's that one."

"Ya-HOOOOOOO!"

Suddenly, a ninja girl landed right on Uncle Vincent's shoulders. He grunted and lifted her off. She just grinned and jumped away. I blinked and hid behind him. Were there others like her in this village or something? Tifa laughed and patted the girl's shoulders.

"Oh my gosh, Yuffie. You shouldn't do that to poor Vincent anymore."

"I know! But, I wasn't expecting you guys! What're you doing here anyway?"

"We need to buy Marlene some medicine."

"Eh? Marlene?"

I shyly stepped out from hiding. "I-I'm Marlene."

Yuffie clasped her hands together and kneeled in front of me. She patted my head and hugged me tightly. "Awww! She's so adorable! You can call me Yuffie!"

"Ow, ow…" I moaned to myself.

"Yuffie," Uncle Vincent said. "She's sick and we need medicine."

She saluted at that. "Gotcha, Vinnie! I'll let my pops know," at that, she finally left.

I couldn't help but let out a sigh. Now I knew what my Papa meant by 'bratty snotty-girl'. But, she wasn't really annoying… she was just surprising and really perky. I just shrugged it off and looked around. Wutai looked really pretty. There were decorations everywhere and everyone looked happy. I tugged on Uncle Vincent's cape, turning his attention to me.

"It looks like a festival! It looks so much fun!"

"But, in your condition, I don't think you'll be able to attend," he responded.

I nodded my head. "I know. I was… just saying."

"Maybe if you get better, we could all attend," Tifa replied and patted my head. I smiled at that. But, I had a feeling I wasn't going to get better anytime soon. I still felt really yucky.

"Hey, you slowpokes! Are you gonna come or what?" Yuffie yelled in the back.

We followed her to a wide opened area. There was a very tall building off in the distance and a small shrine. It looked really peaceful and very religious. Yuffie gestured for us to enter the house on the right. Inside looked much bigger than the outside. There were several rooms down here and there. Just how many people lived in this house? Yuffie opened one of the doors and bowed her head. An old man slowly walked out as he bowed his head also. He turned and we bowed our heads also. (I didn't, because I was confused at the moment…)

"Ah, you are with Cloud's group, yes?"

Tifa nodded. "Yes. We came to buy some medicine for Marlene. She's really sick."

"And who is this 'Marlene'?"

I raised my hand. "I-I'm Marlene, s-sir."

He walked towards me and kneeled down. He placed his warm hands on my forehead and closed his eyes. He finally stood up and turned to Yuffie.

"Go to the cupboards and search for the medicine on the bottom right."

"Gotcha," she raced down the hallway and turned the corner.

The old man turned to Tifa and Uncle Vincent. "I rarely use this medicine on anyone. This young girl has very high temperature. I'm surprised she was able to walk on her own."

"Well, we were able to cool her down last night," Tifa pointed out. "And we made sure she drank lots of liquids this morning."

"I see."

Finally, Yuffie came back with the medicine. The liquid inside the bottle was funny looking. It was green with small yellow… whatevers in there. It kind of looked like really small melon balls. I stepped behind Uncle Vincent and peeked my head through his arm. But, the old man gestured for me to come out. I walked to him very slowly. He poured some of the medicine into a small cup and handed it to me. In one gulp, I immediately tuck my tongue out. It tasted really bad! And the yellow melon ball things were really squishy and disgusting. The old man grinned and patted my shoulder.

"Don't worry. The taste will wear off right away." Well… he was right about that. After a few seconds, the taste completely disappeared. "Now, do you feel funny?" I shook my head at that.

"Not really… but I feel like I'm gonna throw up…" My cheeks suddenly puffed out. I clamped my hands over my mouth and turned to Tifa and Uncle Vincent. Tifa grabbed my hand and quickly headed to the bathroom.

I started to hate where this was going.

After a while, I started to feel better. The old man explained that that… was supposed to happen. Good thing I wasn't paying attention… because that was a very gross way to cure someone! Tifa told me that I had to rest for a while.

I tugged the blankets over my mouth and smiled. "Not yucky anymore! No more yucky yucky tummy!"

"Hey, sorry we had to cure you that way. That's why my pops rarely uses that medicine on anyone," Yuffie stroked my head.

"That's okay! I feel all better now!"

She smiled and turned to her friends. "Ya'know, if you want, you guys can stay for the festival tonight!"

I sat up at that. "Festiiii!"

Tifa giggled. "We would love to. But, we have to make sure that Marlene is still better by then."

Yuffie leaned back. "Aw, c'mon! She's strong as a bull! Besides, my pops' potion never fails! Now, let's go pick out our yukata's! Pleeeeaassseeee?"

"Well… Vincent? Could you watch over her?"

He nodded. "Of course."

At that, Yuffie tugged Tifa up to her feet and left the room. Yukata? I was guessing they were some kind of fancy clothing or something? I hope that I could pick one for the festival! I drummed my fingers on the blankets. I couldn't stop thinking about the festival!

"Marlene, you should try to get some rest," Uncle Vincent pulled the blankets over my head. I giggled and shook them off.

"Okay! But, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Have you ever been to a festival before?"

He paused and leaned back. "Not really. I don't really enjoy that kind of thi-" he shook his head. "I mean, I don't really like being around a lot of people."

I had a feeling he was going to say that. After all, he was never really sociable. He was always quiet. But, I wanted to change all that. Maybe this festival could help. I nuzzled against his red cape and said,

"I've never been to a festival either. Papa's always busy with his work and I'm not allowed to go anywhere outside of Kalm," I looked up to Uncle Vincent. "I know I could go with Tifa to the festival, but… I want you to come too! We might even enjoy it!"

For a brief second, I could have sworn I saw a slight smile on his face. He turned around at that. "Maybe."

The door suddenly opened. Tifa and Yuffie were wearing really pretty… yukatas! Tifa's was a dark blue with pretty white flowers on it, and Yuffie's was red and also had white flowers on it. I sat up.

"Wow! You guys look so pretty!"

"Thanks, Marlene!" Tifa smiled.

Yuffie leaned towards me and winked. "I found one of my old yukata's from when I was little. This might fit you," she pulled out a yellow yukata with yellow and purple flowers on it. I smiled and crawled out from under the blankets.

"It's so pretty!"

"Later on you can try it!" she turned to Uncle Vincent with a big grin. "Viinnniiieee!"

He lifted an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Don't think we would leave you out! I managed to scrape this out from my old man's closet!"

Tifa and Yuffie both revealed a dark blue colored yukata with white designs on it. I would neeevveerr picture him wearing something so traditional-looking like that! It might even look good on him, though. I turned to Uncle Vincent, who had an unsure look on his face. Tifa and Yuffie grinned and threw the cloth into his face and left the room.

"Next time we see you, you better have that yukata on, Vinnie!"

A/N: End of chapter three! Oooo… Vincent in a yukata? Hehe. This definitely reminds me of my other story Back to those Human Years. Ah… anyway, Marlene and Vincent's first time in a festival? What shtuffs await them? Find out next chapter! Hope you enjoyed reading and please tell me how you thought of it!