AN: This is for my friend Nanami… she's awesome so I decided to write her a fic pairing her with her favourite guy. Anyway, this is a thanks for all the help she's been with my other stories. Hope you like it, 'Nami.

Blind Date

- It's Not T h a t Bad -

"Where are we going?" a woman asked, her face obscured by the cloak she was wearing.

A blond man shook his head and smiled. "You'll see," he replied, walking a little faster.

The woman sighed. "Why can't you just tell me?"

"I want it to be a surprise."

"Ug… I wonder why I ever agreed to this…"

"You're a pushover whose friend decided to set up on a blind date."

The woman glared at him from under her cloak.

The man laughed. "Aw come on, Nanami, it's not that bad, is it?"

She sighed again. "No… but it would be nice to know where we're going… and your name… after all, you already know mine."

"Cloud," he answered, and stopped walking. "We're here."

The woman, Nanami, let her hood fall back and looked around. "Where exactly is here?" They were standing in front of a large tree.

Cloud chuckled and pushed gently on the trunk. There was a long creak as an unseen door opened to reveal a hallway. He turned to look back at her and smiled. "You know, you look amazing." He took in her dark, wavy hair and the slight scowl on her face. "But if you'd smile…"

She looked away from his piercing blue eyes. Looking down, her hair covered her face, although it didn't hide the slight blush.

Cloud laughed softly. "Although… you look pretty cute like this."

Nanami looked up and glared at him. "Cute? Please tell me you didn't just – "

"Excuse me?"

The two looked over to see a man in a white dress shirt and black trousers. He held a small notebook in his hand and a pen in the other.

"Eh?" Cloud replied, a little confused.

"Do you have a reservation here?"

Cloud blinked then, shook his head and answered, "Er… yeah… it's under Strife, for two, 7:30… I think."

The man flipped through his notebook and stopped on one of the pages. He marked something with his pen and looked up with a smile. "Follow me please."

----

"Wow…" A slightly impressed smile rested on Nanami's lips as the host of the odd restaurant showed them to a private room. The room was nicely decorated, if not a little too modern for her taste, but nice none the less.

Cloud smirked, "And it's just the beginning."

The host took her cloak revealing her dark red cocktail dress. With red heels to match, she looked perfect. Cloud handed the host his cloak, never taking his eyes off of Nanami.

"What?" she asked when she noticed his gaze resting on her.

"I know I said you looked amazing before but… this is unreal… you look… exquisite," he replied in shock.

Nanami blushed again and looked away, mumbling a quiet thank you.

Cloud smiled and pulled her chair out for her. She sat without looking at him and he pushed the chair back in. Sitting opposite of her, he said, "So… red or white?"

She looked up. "Huh?"

"Wine."

"Oh… it doesn't matter to me."

Cloud nodded and whispered something to the waitress that had walked in shortly after the host had left.

"What…?"

"It's a surprise."

"Oh… joy," she replied, returning to her sarcastic nature.

Cloud laughed and picked up the menu that was sitting in front of him. "Hmm… what should I get?"

Nanami looked at her menu. "I think I'll get the salmon… it sounds good…"

"I'm getting the swordfish!"

Nanami looked up and raised an eyebrow. "What is with you and swords?"

"Eh-heh…uh…" He gave her a sheepish grin just as the waitress returned. On her tray was a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

"Are you two ready to order? Or shall I come back in a few minutes?"

"No, we're ready. I'll have the swordfish and she'll have the salmon."

The waitress nodded and poured the two glasses of champagne then left.

"I can speak for myself," Nanami mumbled.

"I know that… but does it really matter?"

----

When dinner was finished and most of the champagne gone, Cloud asked for their bill.

"Of course, I'll be right back with it, sir," the waitress said.

"You know, I think… wow, that's pretty!" Nanami said, turning to look at a painting on the wall.

Cloud shook his head and chuckled. "You're drunk."

"Nu-uh! If I was really drunk, I wouldn't be able to walk."

"You're sitting down."

Nanami blinked. "Oh… so I am. Oops." She giggled inanely.

"Here you go, sir," the waitress said upon returning. "Just leave it on the table and leave whenever you're ready.

"Thanks," he replied with a slight nod.

"Okayokayokay! IfIm really drunk, 'ow comeI can talk… I'mean… shouldn' I be slurring my wordsor something?"

"You are slurring your words… I think I should take you home now…"

"You're home or mine?"

"Mine's closer… but you'll probably wake up and yell at me."

"Alright… If I promise not to yell at you tomorrow can I just stay at your place," she asked, standing up shakily, leaning heavily on her chair.

"I don't – Careful," he said, running around the table to make sure she didn't fall as she attempted to walk towards him.

She giggled and looked up at him when he caught her. "Y'know… you have pretty eyes," she murmured, and then slumped unconscious in his arms.

"Shit," Cloud said to himself. "Now I have to take her home… her place is too far to carry her… damn…"

----

One long walk later, Cloud struggled to get out his keys without dropping the sleeping girl in his arms. He grunted as he managed to get the open and he walked in carrying Nanami in bridal style. "She's gonna kill me tomorrow morning…" he muttered to himself.

Chapter one finished! I might continue this and I might not… hopefully Nanami likes it, it is for her, after all. I know I should've updated my other fics with this wonderful free day I had (D told me a needed to chill a little… I've been freaking over the plans… although, it seems to be going well… he told me to take the day off and he would deal with any problems). Neh, this is a thank you to Nanami… and an apology for not being able to go see her at AnimeNorth. Love you, 'Nami! (by the way… please review!)