This is my fifth chapter! R&R Please! No flames!
I looked around the busy village, it was hard to get around here with all these people. Today I agreed to go shopping with Tifa and Olivia. And boy was that a mistake, I've been out here for hours, just looking for clothes and crap like that.
"Come on you guys! Can we go back? I have all the clothes I need and so do you." I complained for the 50th time that day.
"No, for the last time Yuffie," Olivia said, "We have to get other things for Riku and Sora."
I snorted, "They don't need anything, you just want to shop."
"So?" Tifa asked. I just rolled my eyes and turned to leave the shop, but what I saw made me stop. There walking back from the river was none other then Cloud and Sora. Ever since my conversation with Cloud, he and Sora had been spending more time together, I was proud of the fact that it was me who got them to actually know each other. Knowing I could walk back with them and not have to stay here with the two shop-o-holics, I decided to leave. "Later guys, I'm gonna walk home with Cloud and Sora!" I called as I left. I heard them call okay, then their voices lowered probably talking about some shirt or something.
"Hey guys," I called jogging up to them as they turned around, "Wait up!"
"Aren't you supposed to be shopping with Tifa and Olivia?" Cloud said, saying the word shopping as if it was poison.
"No way am I ever going shopping with them again! It's scary, they had me put on a skirt!" I exclaimed.
"Now there's something I would like to see." A voice said from behind us.
I spun around, "Oh please, you would like to see any girl in a skirt." I said.
"Not what I meant, but no. Girls in skirts give me nightmares." Riku said.
Sora, Riku, and I all laughed, but Cloud's eyes held something like envy? In them when he looked at the silver haired teen.
"Cloud is something wrong?" I asked him. 'Why would he be jealous of Riku?' I wondered. To tell the truth, over the past week I've been here, I've developed a small crush on Riku. He kind of grew on me, as annoying as he may be, he's really funny and really good looking. At first I thought I liked Sora, but I could tell Olivia likes him and she's like my best friend, and I think he likes her too.
"No," He said, "Just thinking." Then he walked further ahead of us. I shrugged and watched his back then returned my attention to the two boys walking beside me.
"Hey you guys wanna help me train today?" Riku and Sora smirked, since the day I lost to Cloud I've been training harder and harder, determined to beat him.
"Sure." Riku replied. I looked at the blonde up ahead of us, he had been a little warmer to all of us since he's been hanging out with Sora, only a little though. When we got back to the house, we went to the equipment room. It wasn't a cluttered mess, it was neat everything in place. It was sorted by sword, gun, training swords, ect.
"Hey!" I said suddenly, "Can you teach me how to use a sword?"
Riku paused, "Yeah. Why?"
"Well I think it would be easier to beat him if I knew how to use a sword." I said logically. Riku shrugged alright and we headed out. Sora decided to stay, so it was just the two of us. But when we got to the training spot, I could tell we were not alone. I felt someone else's presence. "You feel that?" I asked Riku.
"Feel what?" He asked, looking up from the sword.
"A…never mind." I said as I grabbed the wooden sword from him, "Now how do you hold this thing?"
Riku grinned and stood in a position, his knees bent, "Like this."
I tried, but failed, so I kept trying over and over, "How?" I yelled. "I can't get this!"
Riku brought a hand to his mouth to cover up a grin that was forming, "Like this." He repeated, only this time he came up behind me and put his arms around my waist, showing me how to stand. I felt my heart beat speed up, 'Oh gawd,' I thought and my cheeks turned pink, 'Curse my habit of blushing.'
"Yuffie? Yuffie are you listening?" Riku asked me.
"What? Oh yeah, I am. Continue." I said. Riku eyed me, and then returned to giving me pointers, laughing and joking at times too. Meanwhile sitting in the shadows off to the side, a figure was watching them...
'Why am I watching them?' He asked himself. 'Why do I care if they spend time together? It's not like they're kissing or anything, he's just showing her how to use a sword. Besides it's not like she likes him right? Then why am I here?' He thought. 'Oh that's right, I'm in love with her, but I'm not supposed to feel love, I'm not supposed to feel anything. I'm supposed to stay the cold hearted, emotionless, I-don't-give-a-damn, person I am.' The fighter lowered his gaze from the two, his eyes closed, 'What is it about her? What is it that attracts me to her? What is it that makes my hearts beat crazily, and my body feel numb?' He sighed and ran his hands through his hair, he stood up and walked over to a path that would lead him to a soldier campsite.
"I just really need to do something right now." He said walking down the path.
"Ha!" I exclaimed victoriously. "I win!" I looked down at the fallen teenager.
"I was going easy on you." He said, pushing himself up from the ground.
I rolled my eyes, "Right sure."
"I did." He insisted. "Let's get going, I'm hungry."
"You go ahead, I'll catch up. I just want to practice a little longer." I said.
"Okay, work on your position." He said, running towards the house. I kept trying to get my defensive position right, but each time I bent my elbows, my back would hunch over.
"Bend you knees more." Cloud said from behind me. Even though I knew it was him, it still made me jump.
"I TOLD you NOT to do that!" I yelled at him.
"Sorry." He muttered, "I was just giving you pointers."
"And I appreciate that, but I do not appreciate you sneaking up on me. It scares the crap outta me." I said, swinging the wooden sword over me shoulder. "How long have you been there?"
"I just got here, I saw you trying to get into a defensive stance. And you're having trouble." He said, the last part wasn't a question, he was stating it.
"So? You mind helpin'?" I said to him. He nodded his head then quietly, he walked behind me.
"Here," He said gruffly, then he slightly tilted me forward. I found it much easier now that I was leaning forward.
"Thanks!" I said.
He shrugged, "Whatever, I think you should at least get the chance to know how to handle a sword."
"You do know it's cause I'm gonna try to beat you." I said, raising my eyebrow.
"Yeah, but it doesn't mean you will." He replied.
"You are-oh I don't even know what to call you." I said. This time he raised his eyebrow.
"Oh?" He asked me.
"Yup, only cause you're, in you own little way, nice to me."
"Okay."
"Well, I'm gonna head back, you comin'?" I said.
"No, I'll be there soon." He replied, his blue eyes looking toward the river.
"Whatever, see ya." I said running back, the town no longer bothered me. In fact, I knew some of the people that lived in the village. I got to the house and swung open the door, I was greeted by the smell of garlic bread.
"Mmm, that smells good." I commented walking into the kitchen.
"Yeah, and no thanks to you." Olivia said, "Can you set the table?" She nodded over toward a nice stack of plates, cups, silver ware, napkins, and , the plates a scarlet color, and the table cloth, napkins, and place mats all black.
"Sure, but why so fancy?" I asked, usually it was just mixed match plates placed carelessly on the table.
"Oh today is Riku's birthday." Tifa said while stirring something in a pot.
I nearly dropped the plate I was setting on the table, "What!" I screeched. "Why didn't anyone tell me!"
"We didn't want you to think you had to get him a gift." Sora said while taking the plate from me, "And note to self, never tell Yuffie something surprising while she's setting a table."
I hit him, "Shut up, it just surprised me. How old is he turning?"
"19." Sora said.
"Oh. Now I'm gonna feel bad." I said, "and it's ALL YOUR GUYS FAULT!"
"Sorry," Olivia said, "But we didn't want you to get him a gift, cause it's not your responsibility."
"I know, but it would've been nice." I said bringing some pasta to the table.
Sora rolled his eyes, "Oh please give him and kiss and that'll be his BEST gift." Everyone stopped abruptly and looked at him.
"Excuse me?" I asked my eyebrows raised.
"Oh! Oh shit! He's gonna KILL me, I am SO dead. So, so, so dead." Sora muttered. "I never said that, just forget all about that."
"Okay?"
"Hey where's Cloud?" Olivia asked suddenly.
"Oh he said he'd be here soon." I replied, though a little worried. 'Wait why am I worried? Cloud's tough, he can take care of himself. He'd kill any soldier within five seconds.' Though no matter how many times I reassured myself, I couldn't ignore a twinge of worry.
"Hey guys!" Riku called, walking down the steps.
"Hello." Vince said walking behind him.
"Hey Riku." We all said.
"Wow, something smells good." He commented.
"Yeah, it's your birthday dinner." Olivia said, "And you better eat it otherwise I'll be forced to eat it all myself."
"You couldn't eat all of it kitty." Riku said, using the nickname he gave Olivia, knowing she hated it. Her face flushed red and she glared at him.
"If it wasn't your birthday, I'd be killing you right now." She snapped.
I laughed, "Now children, be nice." Both of them glared at each other, then turned away. "Aw c'mon, say you're sorry Riku."
"I'm sorry." He muttered.
"Good, now kiss and make up." I joked, both they're faces twisted up in disgust and Riku snorted.
"Ah, no. No way am I kissin' a cat." He said.
"Yeah well I aint kissin' a vampire." She shot back.
"…." Was Riku's reply.
"Fine, be a jack ass." She said.
Just then Cloud walked in.
"Nice of ya to join us Cloudy!" I said, his eye twitched when I called him Cloudy, he hated it.
"I said I would be didn't I?"
"Yeah, but I-we were getting worried." I said. I could've sworn that when I said I, by accident may I add, his eyes lit up, but it was probably the light.
"Oh. Well forgive me." He said somewhat sarcastically.
"Well let's get ready for dinner everyone." Tifa said. I happily sat down next to Riku and Cloud sat on the other side of me, Sora and Olivia across from us and Tifa next to Olivia and Vincent next to Cloud. As we all began eating, there was chatter of all different conversations, and then finally Tifa spoke up.
"So everyone ready for cake?" She asked. We all cheered, well except for Vince and Mr. Unhappy. She brought out a big cake, let me correct myself, and big chocolate cake. The best part? It was chocolate.
"Yay! Chocolate!" I exclaimed. Riku snorted
"Well I guess we better give Yuffie her piece of cake before she kills someone." He said.
"Yup!"
"Okay, okay." She laughed, handing out the pieces of cake.
"Alright everyone, I'd like to propose a toast to my friend Riku." Sora said. "To Riku, happy birthday and blah, blah, blah, I just want cake."
I laughed as we all dug into the cake. "Mmmm!" I exclaimed, "This is excellent!"
"Thanks Yuff." Tifa said.
"Cloudy aren't ya gonna eat your cake?" I asked him, noticing he hadn't taken a bite out of his cake.
"Not hungry.." He replied. I shrugged my shoulders finished mine and then took his. He gave me a strange look.
"What?" I asked him, giving him a bewildered look. He shook his head.
"Alright guys time for gifts!" Olivia called.
We all sat around the cozy living room, and I have to say Riku's friends were very generous. From Vincent and Tifa he got a variety of accessories for his weapon, and from Olivia he got some black clothing, from Sora he got some weird cloak thingy, and from Cloud he got a new sword, it was amazing.
"Wow, this is awsome, Thanks." He exclaimed, running his fingers along the blade, earning himself a well deserved cut.
"Dufus." I muttered.
"Shut up." He snapped. "Anyway thanks a lot." Cloud grunted in response.
"I thought you could use a new one to match your skill." He said. Riku smiled, I mean a genuine smile, not a smirk, a smile. I guess a praise from Cloud was really something.
"And forgive me for not giving you a gift, but these guys didn't tell me it was your birthday." I said apologetically. He shrugged.
"It's fine."
"Okay." I replied, I stood up and walked over to him and gave him a hug. "That was for teaching me how to use a sword." Then I stepped on his foot. "And that's for not doing a good job." I was about to pull back, but his hands slid around my waist.
"And this is for being you." He whispered, he lowered his head close to mine. 'Oh gods, is he gonna kiss me?' My heart beat was much faster and I could feel my face heat up, but just as his lips were about to touch mine, I heard the door slam loudly. I drew back, the noise startling me. Looking around, I saw everyone with confused faces looking in the direction of the door. That's when I noticed Cloud was gone.
"Hey where'd Cloud go?" I asked. Everyone shrugged. "I'm gonna go look for him." And with that I ran out the doors to the outside. And damn was is COLD! I ran toward the river in hopes of finding him there, no luck. I ran back to the town and into the weapon shop, I looked around the brilliant displays of swords and cross bows, knives and guns, all set up to be intimidating. He wasn't there either. I ran out checking any other possible shops that he would go in. He wasn't in any of them. I racked my brain trying to figure out where he could be, then it hit me. 'Of course!' I thought, mentally cursing myself for my own stupidity. I ran in the direction of the river again, only this time turning down a narrow pathway, trees looming on either side of me. 'Keep on running, turn left, right, right, left.' I thought, the directions running through my head. Finally I came to an opening with a hot spring in the middle of it, willow tress surrounded the area . 'He's got to be here.' And sure enough I saw very familiar spikey headed figure standing in the water.
"Hey Cloud!" I called to him, walking closer. He turned when hearing his name and I noticed he was shirtless. I blushed when I saw his bare chest. 'Whoa he's just…wow.'
"Yuffie, what are you doing here?" He asked me, his voice clearly surprised.
"Well I got worried cause you left so suddenly." I replied, "Is something wrong?"
He sighed and ran his hands through his blonde hair, "No, I just…don't do well with parties."
"Oh. Did you ever have a birthday?" I asked him cautiously.
"No."
"Wow, that's really sad."
"Not really. I've gotten used to it." I walked into the water, it warmed me almost immediately.
"That was really nice, what you got for Riku." I said softly. "Maybe you've got some kindness in ya."
"Not really…" he said. The moon was shining right where he was standing, reflecting on the water. I saw his reflection, his eyes seemed to glow in the light of the moon, his face set in a hard expression. He looked menacing…menacingly beautiful. 'Menacingly beautiful? Oh gods I've been spending too much time reading Tifa's romance/horror movies.' I walked over to him and lightly touched his shoulder.
"I bet you have some hint of warmth in you, no one can remain emotionless." I said quietly. I could see him shut his eyes tight, and he tensed. He was quiet for a long time, then he finally spoke.
"If there is I can't find it."
"Maybe you're not looking hard enough."
"It's too dark and I'm so empty. I can't see anything." He whispered. Was this for real? Was he really telling me what he was feeling? He turned to face me, "I'm tiered of making choices, I'm tiered of being the one making the decisions, calling the shots." He looked so frightened.
"Why?"
"Because, I'm the leader, the one who tells them what to do, they all come to me for advice, but what if my advice gets someone hurt or killed. It would be my fault." He said, his voice wavering slightly.
'He's really opening up to me.' I thought, 'And he looks so scared.'
"It wouldn't be your fault, you can't help what happens. Everything, but what you do is beyond your control. And if something does happen, it's their fault, they chose to listen." I said. "Don't carry anymore burden then you have too. Don't make things harder."
'You make things harder.' He thought.
"Thanks, I guess." He said.
"Hey no problem. And next time, when you choose to storm out, make sure it's not so damn cold!" I cried jokingly. He gave a small smile.
"Sorry." He said. 'Oh my gosh! Did…did he just SMILE!' I stared at him as if to see if this was real. I blinked and pinched myself, but I wasn't dreaming Cloud Strife was smiling! Sure it was small, but still it was a smile! 'He's cute when he smiles.' I realized.
"So how did you find this place?" I asked him turning around to look at everything.
"I was walking around and kind of just found it." He replied.
"Oh. It's really pretty." I commented, sighing.
"It's just a place I come when I've got things on my mind."
"Then do you come here a lot?" I asked turning back to him.
"Not as much as I'd like." He said. "Here I want to show you something." He took my hand a pulled me toward the woods. I saw a small trail.
"Where's this go?" I asked him curiously.
"You'll see." He said quietly, he walked down the trail, turning at places.
"Where is this?" I asked again, it was dark and I couldn't see. Cloud didn't reply, instead he put a finger to his lips and mentioned for me to follow him. We walked out of the woods, ending up on a small hill like thing. He walked over to the edge and sat down, I followed him uncertainly. I sat down and asked him once again what we were doing here.
He pointed downward, my indigo eyes looked in the direction he was pointing and when I did I gasped. There was a herd of silver horses, and they had horns on their heads.
"Are…are they unicorns?" I exclaimed. He nodded. They were beautiful, calmly resting at the river, some of them in the water, the stars and moon illuminating their silvery color. And when they ran it was so graceful, their feet skimmed the ground as if they were flying. I heard Cloud call out softly to them, some turned their heads their ears pricked forward. He kept calling, trying to bring them over. It worked, a larger unicorn walked over to us.
"He's so beautiful." I whispered, and as if he understood me, he held his head higher and walked prouder, nickering softly, the sound was so melodic, so sweet. Cloud reached his hand out, the amazing creature sniffed it cautiously, then allowed Cloud to pet him.
"Give me your hand." Cloud said, his hand continuing to stroke the horse. I put my hand out, Cloud took it and gently put it on the horses shoulder. His fur was like silk, I left my hand there, not daring to move, Cloud's hand still covering mine.
"We should get going." Cloud whispered in my ear. I nodded, not wanting to frighten the horse. We stood up slowly, backing up, as soon as we moved, the horse turned and ran. I watched him in awe. Cloud and I walked back to the house, me still in dream land. When we entered the house, all the lights were off, which meant everyone had gone to bed.
"Looks like they weren't worried about us." I said. Cloud nodded and escorted me up the steps and to my/his room.
"Good night Cloud, and thanks so much for showing me the unicorns. They were really amazing."
"No problem, night Yuffie." He said walking down the hallway. I went into the room, and changed into my pajamas. I slid under the silk covers and replayed the whole night in my mind. It would be something I'd never forget. I briefly wondered where Cloud slept since I was in his room, but I didn't think to long before I fell asleep.
Okay this chapter sucked REALLY REALLY bad. It was so corny, but I wanted to do something sappy cause I just watched 'Titanic' and had a strange urge to do something like this. I also wanted a cute scene with Cloud and Yuffie, but seeing as to how that worked out. The end sucked too. I'm sorry it sucked, other chapters should be better. Oooh. Here's a question to see if you get what I'm hinting on.
Who is the mystery man thinking about Yuffie?
Please guess, and I've figured out the pairing! I won't tell yet, but I should tell within the next couple of chapters or something. Review please!
