Disclaimer: You know the drill I don't own anything that Squaresoft does!!

Summary:

HEY! I'm back! I have a challenge for you! Read it at the end of the chapter because then you'll know what I'm talking about!

Chapter Five

A furry mission

The air was soundless as always. Yuffie lay motionless in the stark white bed, while the wind blew softly in through the wide set window ruffling the curtains along with it. It was a tiring hunt for the rangers; out late into the night searching for the missing teen party members. Sounds of caws echoed along with tiny chirps to present early morning in the city. Every half hour or so, nurses rushed in and out to check on the still unconscious female, while cleaning up her dirty clothes and the bed pan. A doctor strolled in to check her wrist and motioned the nurses to come around for a check up and change of the bandages. It wasn't only the carpals (bones in the wrist) that suffered detriment but the Ulnar (a bone connecting to the wrist). The damage was numbed from the fall she had in the forest making Yuffie not realize that she tore the nerve in that area when she also cracked the bone.

The doctor removed the bandages carefully trying to avoid waking her at the just moment. He pointed the swelling of the integument while motioning for one of the nurses to apply the bio freeze to relieve the itchiness and pain of the cast he was going to put on. She had recently come through surgery earlier that morning when they had found her in the dark depths of the familiar grounds. The rangers hurried and brought her to the emergency room for attendance. Squall had been brought to the hospital to be checked up on and it seemed he only suffered minor injuries such as small cuts and a couple abrasions. In minutes, the doctor had her arms patched, nursed, and wrapped up not too tight.

One of the nurses whispered in an urgent hiss, "We need to be on our way. There is a four-year-old in the next room waiting for a check up on her pneumonia quandary." With a slight nod, the doctor pushed through the door and disappeared into the noiseless halls. A nurse stayed behind to make sure the paled teen was as comfortable as she could be in the state she was in.

Her eyes slid open to see the nurse tranquilly rushing around the room just as the nurses before her had. After glancing down to see, tubes hooked up and down her arms, Yuffie called out, "Where am I?" In mere seconds, the nurse turned her head flashing Yuffie a soft, yet childish smile.

"In the hospital dear," she explained plainly.

"Hospital…?!" Yuffie practically yelled. The nurse strolled over to the sterile suited bed. With her hand, she motioned the girl to lift up her head and in a second, she fluffed the girl's pillow. Her paled hands left the pillow, which now was embraced with Yuffie's head. She let out a weary sigh and whispered, "Where's Squall?"

"Oh…you mean the boy you were with. He should be around here being renovated back to normal. It seemed you both suffered from freezing," she explicated. Yuffie huffed and crossed her arms sorely giving a pout to express her outlook.

"When do I get to leave this sallow place? It's giving me the creeps with its stark white walls and depressing features," Yuffie muttered, shivering at the thought of being one of those who are in great need of medical help.

"I'm afraid not till later this afternoon," the nurse riposted, as she cleaned up the accumulation from the check up.

"Is this your doing?" Yuffie growled. She acknowledged she was orating so meanly because of what the medicine the doctor prescribed she take while at the hospital.

A simple laugh escaped her. She put on a pair of her antiseptic gloves, adding a shrug to her motions while she put things in the trash. The teen quirked an eyebrow, but still stubbornly crossed her arms and remained silent. The nurse pushed herself up on her tiptoes to reach the top of the cabinet so she could finish her cleaning.

With a clap of her hands, she smiled as if nothing happened and perked, "I'll be back in a couple minutes miss." She walked with quick movements through the door and was gone in a wisp.

Yuffie continued to ignore the perkiness the nurse showed and leaned back stubbornly. She didn't want to be here in the dark while her friends had fun at the camp. Well, at least she wouldn't have to deal with the stupid shrimps and that instructor, Steve. Too bad, she hadn't gotten the gorgeous one because if she had, none of this would've happened. She felt a grin crawl and force itself on her lips at the thought of the night before with Squall. She snapped her fingers at herself; she never got to see what his reaction was when she fallen asleep on him. A slight knock reached Yuffie's ears causing her to gaze at the door.

"Finally," she murmured. Squall stood in the doorway; his cold stare plastered on as usual, and advanced towards the stark white bed. It was a bit stiff so Yuffie shifted awkwardly before giving Squall a small smile. He seemed to be better off. Well, at least better than her now.

"Hi," he finally broke the silence. He wasn't much of a speaker she guessed since he seemed to let her get the feeling that this was uncomfortable for him. She noticed something about Squall when he stood there. His form or stance you could say was much different than most people. He stood in the protective way with cockiness, yet he had the soft coldness. Did it attract her? She didn't know.

"Hey," Yuffie responded dully. She shook her head and said, "Sorry. It's the medicine."

"Oh no it's okay. I understand. They put me through some of it and began to question if it had actually worked because I wasn't responding the way they wanted me to," he explained. Yuffie gave a laugh. Poor Squall…He always acted that way and they didn't know any difference.

"They can just go screw themselves. After I get out of this hospital, I vow never to get hurt bad enough to have to come back," Yuffie swore. Squall chuckled and replied; "I know what you mean."

"Oh…Are you going back to the camp?" Yuffie asked. He hesitated for the moment trying to come up with the right answer and nodded, while he shifted his position.

"Well this is a warning. Watch out for Kairi and Aerith," she began with a serious look. "They'll pounce you for information." Her expression turned soft and she asked, "Are you okay? They bandaged up your arm." With a given glance, he shrugged it off and said, "It's nothing. Just a couple scratches from the bear."

"What! I never saw those scratches!" Yuffie exclaimed, as she was ready to jump out of the hospital bed. Squall rushed over and held her down.

"It's nothing. I cleaned the wounds up yesterday so it wasn't as easy to heed." Yuffie gave a small glare and he didn't notice. He was too protective with a little too much pride. Hey, isn't that one of the deadliest sins? Yuffie growled and said, "Well, just tell everyone I said hi and I'll be in later today." With a firm nod, he strode out of the room with one last glance.

"Stupid medicine," she cursed. Why did she have to take the stupid drug in the first place?

He got out of the van in the camp. With a little stretching before he moved, Squall walked toward his cabin. He wondered what would be in store for him in there. Obviously, he had the people in his cabin that wouldn't pounce on him unlike Yuffie's cabin. He opened the screen door and became wide-eyed. He was very wrong. The little chipmunks Yuffie called friends bound him and he staggered backwards. Well, only Aerith.

"Hey-."

"What happened to Yuffie?!" Aerith cried. Cloud grabbed her by the shoulders, while he yanked back trying not to hurt the fragile girl. Man, this girl was quite the drama queen. Didn't they tell her earlier that Yuffie was fine? Of course, she was probably too busy fretting to try to listen. Kairi sat next to Sora and Riku gazing at the scene. Riku and Sora grinned like it was the daily entertainment they had been striving for. Squall brushed himself off slowly, taking his time trying to cause Aerith to blow a nerve.

"Well?" she tapped her foot impatiently. Damn. She really was getting annoying. How could Yuffie put up with her?

"Impatient woman," he muttered. Aerith ignored the comment and brushed away a string of hair hanging in her eyes.

"She went through surgery and should be out later today or something." Apparently, this woman never gets satisfied.

"Well that's all?" she growled. Squall gave a weary sigh and rubbed his temples with his hands.

"Yes other than her breaking her wrist." Aerith quirked an eyebrow and shrugged. She muttered something along the lines of 'stick in the mud.' Well, I have my rights to be a stick in the mud.

Cloud finally spoke up, "Are you alright man? We heard they found you two this morning at an old location in the forest a mile out." Squall crossed his arms while leaning in a nonchalant fashion against the wall.

"I'm fine." Aerith snorted at his comment and Squall grunted. "Are you a pig?" Aerith growled and he pressed on, "You wear enough pink to be one and the sound effects are helping ya much either." Her face turned a rather dark shade of pink then Cloud realized it was turning red from the blood boiling up.

"Typical Leon. At least I'm not a puppet like you are to Seifer. You dangle at the thread he pulls," Aerith spat back. Squall clenched his fist and held it up to her.

"I wouldn't say just that Aerith-"

"Aerith! Jesse needs you!" The bubbly girl pounced through the door to the guys cabin. Stephanie tilted her head with a grin plastered on her face and grabbed Aerith by the hand. "Now. She said it's urgent."

"Now that's a pig," Aerith mumbled. "I think Leon's confused with his people…" She was led out the door by Stephanie and glared at Squall on the way out while he gladly returned the favor of returning it back to her.

"Don't worry Leon. She's a little," he cut off thinking Squall would get his point. With a sigh, Squall pushed passed them and went to his bed. Kairi didn't feel comfortable staying with Squall because of his little 'mood swings.' Getting up from Sora's bed, she sauntered towards the door and waved with a smile following.

"I'll see you guys later." The screen door slammed and she was out of sight. Sora and Riku grumbled before saying, "Thanks a lot Leon."

"Glad to be of service," he retorted sarcastically. They murmured to each other and Sora said, "He's just bummed about Yuffie."

"We all are…"

Squall's POV

"Don't bother me," I warned. They really don't seem to get the concept of don't. It's like they see right past the word and listen to the rest of the sentence.

"It'll be fun! It's a water day and Squirrely the Squirrel will be there!" Sora grinned. Does he ever listen? He was like those chipmunks they had to take care of! Everything in the whole place excited him. I wondered what would happen if I held a stick up and threw it. Sora would probably go and fetch it.

"And if you find Squirrely, something great happens! Although, no one has ever caught Squirrely. He's a fast sucker," Sora hissed as I try to ignore him. He was such an annoying little fiend. Rolling my eyes I said hotly and irritated, "If I go…will you leave me alone?"

"Oh…Well, no."

"Then no." Sora gritted his teeth in thought.

"How about if I leave you alone half of the time?"

"Three fourths of it," I said curtly. Damn…He's too persistent.

"Deal." He left from my sight, finally. Hell, I should've picked a better spot to think. He's knows all my hiding places. Note to self: find better hideouts.

I won't change. I'm not going to get wet. I'll just sit in a tree and relax like a normal person. Who would want to play kid stuff when you have better things to do like thinking? Think about Yuffie…Grr, stop thinking that! You're supposed to think about things like the Gunblade. Oh how I miss that shiny metal contraption.

In the distance, Sora is with Kairi had the chipmunks in a group giggling and chatting with each other. What was it with talking? It was a waste of time. Riku was talking to Selphie and flailing his arms in an imitating manor. Was he playing charades or was that the way he always acted?

"Guess what boys and girls?" Jesse shouted, as she tried to be nice to them. It wasn't really working. The little kids replied, "What!?"

"Squirrely is here," Jesse moaned but covered it up with a bright smile. Ha, I bet all of the teenagers caught a seizure from that. The little chipmunks squealed in delight. Now seriously…who would be delighted just to see a squirrel? We're living in a forest for goddamn sake! You see them crawl up the tree and scatter through the forest floor. You can also leave the door open to your cabin and put food on them when they're sleeping and they'll scamper around the room and eat the food off the person. I think it would be a rather funny sight if something more than a squirrel scampered into the cabin and started eating off the person.

Tap…Tap…Tap…Tap…Who is tapping?! I turn to look at the tree where the sound is coming from. Nothing. Hmph.

I looked up onto the stage and gave a curt laugh. The squirrel was dancing around and I could just sense how that person was feeling right now. Stupid. Really, really, stupid. That reminds me…Where's Aerith? She never did come back from the meeting with the thing that causes an earthquake every time it steps. Is Aerith the Squirrel? If she is, my life will be at the point where I'll have the upper against Aerith and never be bothered again. Unless she's persistent and tries to bother me back. I pressed my lips together…a little too hard. I growled in frustration as people began to look back at me.

"What?" I growled vehemently. That caused them to ignore my frustrations and look back at the dancing Squirrel. Now I really feel sorry for the thing. The squirrel stopped dancing and ran off the stage seemingly casting me a glance. I threw a half-glare at the thing; I didn't want bother with it. It ran off into the depths of camp away from the munchkins. Sora seemed really excited about finding the stupid squirrel. He probably would find it because it didn't seem very fast; but then again, they said it's never been caught before.

"Hey Leon," a voice intrudes my thoughts. Aw crap. It him.

"Go away Sora," I said, growling at the fact that his brain doesn't get the concept of leaving me alone.

"Why aren't you dressed for getting wet?" He inquired. Doesn't he realize that I don't want to go? I'm a stick in the mud, remember?

"Hello you're talking to Leon here," I remind. He crossed his arms and grinned.

"I know you want to chase the squirrel."

"No." That wiped the stupid grin off his face. I wait for his response and then I see that smirk crawling up his lips. Oh no…Hey! He's mimicking my smirk!

"I bet," he began in an unusually deep voice, "that if it annoyed you enough you would." I rolled my eyes.

"Are you saying that if you catch it, you're going to ask it to annoy the hell out of me?" Aw crap. Who knows what measure Sora will go to just to do that?

"Bingo! Heh. I'll be the first one to catch it also!" His stupid grin replaced the smirk. Too bad that happened…He was getting so good at imitating me.

"Is that so?" I said not interested. I glanced at him. "Well, your squirrel just ran off in that," I pointed to any direction just to get him out of my hair, "direction…I'd hurry if I were you. Someone else just might catch it before you do." Sora paused for a moment then realizing what I said, he dashed off in that direction. I felt so evil…and it felt good.

Many the little kids would be hanging out by the lake for the wet water day and so would their advisors. I for one would not be one of them. I would lean in a nonchalant fashion against the tree and think or make fun of people as they walked by. I had a little 'knick' for doing that. Everyone began to leave to go to the wet day activities. Well, not me. I did of course, what I had planned to do. Lean back against the tree in my nonchalant fashion and go into thought. I felt a small smile crawl up my lips. I felt I could do this all day long and be happy.

It had been a couple hours since I just leaned there in thought…Well…actually, no. It had only been thirty minutes but I wished it were a couple hours later. Something had caught my eye when I saw the blonde-haired person known as Seifer (A big butt hole in my opinion) was talking to something. That something was that chipmunk er, Squirrely. It was dancing around him trying to pester him. (I am cheering it on) Seifer became annoyed rather easily. I should ask that Squirrel if it'd help me keep Sora away.

Seifer was just about to punch the stupid thing but the squirrel kicked him…in that spot. I winced visibly. Even those I think Seifer's a frikin' bastard, I have to admit I had a little pity for him. The squirrel ran along and out of Seifer's site, while he was on the ground groaning about his pain. I couldn't help but chuckle. What a loser…

I still hadn't seen Aerith yet. She was missing for some reason. Now it was giving me the ideal logic that she was the squirrel but something about it didn't seem right. I don't think she would ever be the squirrel and she's not that fast…Well, not as fast as Yuffie. By the way, she should've been back by now. Did something go wrong? Maybe she's somewhere in the camp and I just don't know it. That also reminds me…Where's that Besaid person, Wakka, or that twig Tidus. Should they be hanging around with Selphie? Oh well, it was none of my concern.

"Hey! What are you hanging around here for Leonhart?"

"You don't have to be so formal Strife," I retorted back. He gave a chuckle and I scowled ready to scold him. "What's so funny?"

"Obviously you. Come and hang out with me. I'm not going to get wet either and I'm really bored," he persuaded. Ahh, what the hell.

"Okay," I nod. I get up from the tree already missing my nonchalant fashion. I glanced over at Cloud. "What are we going to do?"

"Go make fun of people of course," he grinned. Hmm, I liked this already.

"Have you learned any good jokes lately?" I asked him. He nodded his head and replied, "Watch this." He went up to some random chick and grinned.

"Can I…er, help you?" she asked innocently, as she fluttered her eyelashes. That was starting to bother the crap out of me. –twitch- Oh great…I'm going to start twitching now because of that.

"Yes actually. I have to tell you a secret," Cloud confessed. She blinked a couple times then said, "Go ahead."

"My love for you is like diarrhea, I can't hold it in," he said as he puckered his lips. I began to laugh. I haven't felt this feeling in such a long time. She put her hands on her hips. She seemed a little choleric.

Slap

Cloud came back with a red handprint implanted on his face. She really got him good. "I'll be back," He muttered embarrassed. There I was again, all alone. Back to the tree it was. Hey I was happy there. I leaned against the tree again in my nonchalant fashion. Hey…I rather like that word. Nonchalant…sounds like Hakunama Tata. Well, not really but I figure they're close in meaning. This camp was boring. Where's Yuffie when you need her? Wait…Why am I thinking of her? She's a grump, who's irritated at me 24/6 ½. Yeah, that's right. Six ½. She had her moments.

I hear something behind me and I realize someone is running. Who would be running? I turn to look and my eyes grew wide.

"Shit…" Wham! I collided with the one and only Squirrely. The squirrel got up quickly and began to run again. I got up muttering miffed and looked. What was chasing that thing anyway? Ugh, not again! Wham! I land on the ground with a body on top of mine.

"Eh heh heh heh…Sorry about that," he said guiltily.

"Sooora. I am giving you ten seconds…" Sora pushed himself up quickly and Squall said, "Ten, nine, three, two..." Sora was running away again and after the Squirrel. What was so exciting about it anyway!?

"WHAT IS SO EXCITING?!" I practically screamed. People around look frightened and quickened their pace to run away from the one and only me. "Oh…Ugh…" I should turn in. I walked towards another tree and sit with a huff. I sit there for a while thinking I should try to meditate. Hey…that sounds pretty nice.

"Leon," a voiced huff. I just continued to ignore it.

"Leon!"

"What?" I growled back.

"Um, I've got some bad news," He said. I opened my eyes ever so slowly. What was Riku getting at?

"What does it have to do with me?"

"Everything." Ah shit. Why me? What happened this time?

"What do you mean?" I hissed. This had better be good. I was missing good meditating.

"Well…remember when Sora said he'd annoy you? Well, he took your favorite pair of boxers and," he trailed off.

"And?"

"He's going to give them to the Squirrel…" I shot my head up at him.

"Whaaat?"

"Um, Sora took-."

"Damn it! Shut up Riku. I heard you now tell me where he is…"

"Why? Saving those boxers for Yuffie?" he teased. I got up and crossed my arms stubbornly.

"Why would I save them for Yuffie? She's a cocky and ignorant woman," I hissed. In addition, a beauty…Shut up! Riku looked over my shoulder and grinned. Something was peeking out from behind the tree and it didn't seem too happy. I turned around to see it there and I got into a fighting position ready to take off. It was getting ready to as well and I can see in its right hand my boxers.

"So it comes down to this Squirrely," I said venomously to it. Who knew if it were a he or she. I moved forward towards it and it took off in a run. So, it likes tag huh? I can catch it. No one's faster than I am…except for a couple people like 'miss track star that went to the hospital am.' I run after the squirrel in a hurry. I seem to be gaining on it and it takes a sharp turn boosting its speed. Gawd (As Yuffie says) this thing was fast. It jumped on a bench and ran over it and I gained quickly. I can already see it sweating…or was it just me?

We were running away from people and I finally get my chance. This was one fast Squirrel. I knew I could never get to it but it stopped abruptly not knowing which way to go. Who does that?! Someone does that…Who does that? I took the moment to lunge out and tackle it, both of us rolled a couple feet until I was on top of it.

"Aha! I've finally caught you! Now to unmask the thief…" I said as I reached to the mask…

ALRIGHTY! The end of chappie 5! How'd you like it? Oh yeah. The challenge…I challenge you to guess who the Squirrel is! In addition, if you guess right, you get a special treat!

Thank you comments:

SetsuntaMew: Oh guess what? First to review again! Lol. I'm glad you still read the last chappie! I hope you like this one and I want to know who you think Squirrely is!!! Thanks for reviewing.

XxNinja-SongstressxX: Haha! I loved your review! Especially the end! X
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Where death, is our life's work...
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That's great! I loved it and laughed so hard. So…Who do you think Squirrely is? Hmm? Thanks for reviewing!

Sqully: Greatness! M & M cookies are sounding so good right now… Drools Lol, I want cookies now! But it's like 1:30 am here so great. I have to wait till morning…hmph. OH well…Thanks for the review! Glad you liked it! So who do you think Squirrely is? You'll get another special treat if you guess right! Thanks for reviewing!

Fantacdreamer: You thought it was cute? Ooohh! Thank you! Lol so who do you think Squirrely is? Hmm? DO tell what you think! Thanks for reviewing!

Tifas-love90: Aww! You love it! Lol…Thanks for reviewing and I seriously want to know who you think Squirrely is.

Zarrel's Darkside: Hahaha! I do that aaaaalll the time! I want to know who you think Squirrely is! This'll be good. Haha lol. Thanks for reviewing. OH greatness! I have a chance of being on your favorites!

Yuffie Kisaragi2: YAY! Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like it! Ya know…Do you write stories? I haven't checked your account yet lol…Hmm…I might've read them if you do write them. You're Sn name seems familiar…lol I'm babbling! Let's see whom you guess is Squirrely…This'll get interesting. Haha. Lol

I'm very happy with the outcome of the reviews! Thanks for reviewing and I hope you liked this chappie! I want to know so review!!

Starling94