I woke up the next day. I had no deliveries to make, so decided to go tryout at their newly opened simulator that Reeve told me the WRO had created. I hoped on Fenrir and rode to their HQ, parked up and opened up the compartment where I kept First Tsugrugi. I got t out the first of the eight blades and noticed something strange about it. I thought nothing of it and picked up the next blade, it was also looking strange but I put it aside and got out the third. it was not untill I picked up the forth blade when I realised what it was that was wrong with the blades, someone had painted them pink! I started to fume, wondering who would do such a thing. I put the blades I had gotten out back into Fenrir and angrily returned home. Stopping at the local DIY store on the way to get some paint remover.

I spent the next hour cleaning my sword. I had finally removed all the paint, had put the blades away and had just climbed back onboard Fenrir when the door opened and Tifa walked in. "Cloud, what are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you back for a couple hours."

I looked over to her and explained how someone had spray painted my sword pink, so had to clean it and I was just leaving again for my workout. I placed the key into the ignition when Tifa stopped me from leaving "Sorry Cloud, you don't have time. I'm sorry, I need you go collect some things, we have that fancy dress party tonight.

"What? I thought it was next week. I do not have a costume yet the store has it on order, but won't be in stock till next Wednesday."

"Sorry Cloud, the others can't do next week now so we decided to do it tonight instead. I need you to take the van and collect the items on this list. I've already contacted the stores, you just need to go and collect them." I sighed as I removed the keys from the ignition and got into the van.

I was in the fancy dress shop waiting for the clerk to bring out the French Maid costume that Tifa had ordered, when I saw a black spiky wig. I looked at it and decided that I could wear it as part of my costume. After collecting everything on the list, I nipped to the WRO HQ to see if they had any old first class uniforms that I could loan for the party.

When I got back to the bar Vincent was there helping Tifa by hanging decorations. I decided since she was no-where to be seen to try and sneak upstairs. Where I could have a bath and relax before the party started, but when I was halfway up the stairs Tifa appeared at the top. I told her that I needed a bath, but she said I could have a shower in a bit and forced me to help decorate.

When we had finished, Tifa handed us both a beer each, I took a big drink and looked at Vincent, "so what's your costume going to be?" I asked.

"Superman, and yours?"

"A first class SOLDIER, I was going to come as Sephiroth. But as the costume isn't available till next week, I decided to dress as Zack instead."

"Interesting choice there Cloud" Vincent said, I was about to ask what he meant when there was a knocking at the door and Vincent went to see who it was, it was Cid and Shera who were dressed as Mario and Peach. I greeted them and handed them a drink each when more guests started to arrive Vincent said "We should go get changed" I nodded and headed upstairs followed by Vincent who headed straight to the guest room.

I headed over towards my room as Tifa's bedroom door opened and she walked out wearing her costume. I stood there staring at her she looked absolutely stunning, I wanted to rush over and tell her so, but resisted the urge. I watched her as she walked down the stairs her hips swaying seductively from side to side when she was gone I went into my room, to get ready. After seeing Tifa in that outfit I needed a cold shower, as my thoughts were of her.

An hour later, I walked down finding everyone had arrived and the party had started without me. I walked to the bar, grabbed a beer and took a sip from it. As I did Yuffie who was dressed as a slutty bunny girl ran over and grabbed my arm, "So where's your costume Cloud?"

"I am wearing it Yuffie, I'm a first class soldier"

"That's cheating" Your normal clothing is a modified soldier outfit. she stuck her tongue out and refused to leave my side all night. I wanted to spend time with Tifa but everytime I tried to get away from Yuffie she grabbed my arm again. I started to wonder if that poster from before had her thinking of me as her potential husband? How could I let her down without making her resent me?

The party ended and all of the Avalanchers started to leave. I was relieved when Vincent grabbed Yuffie who was drunk and was trying to kiss me, but I kept refusing to let her do it. Tifa walked over to me. "I thought she was going to ask to spend the night with you Cloud... I have never seen her like that before; I thought her crush on Vincent was bad."

I nodded, "It's my fault for kissing her last week I led her on, now I have to let her down."

Tifa smiled, "I was wondering why you kissed her..."

"I just reacted to her actions, I regret doing it" I replied.

Tifa stepped closer to me, I thought she was going to kiss me... but she stopped and stuck her hand on my chest "So how come you didn't make much of an effort on your costume Cloud?" I just shook my head and walked upstairs

She followed me, "I'm going to get to bed now Cloud. I need you to get up early tomorrow I need you to help me clean up the bar" I nodded and headed to my room to get some sleep. it eluded me, as all I could think about was her in that outfit.

The next day after I finished helping Tifa I decided to go test the WRO simulator, on the way I passed by Aerith's church so I decided to go inside and check on things. As I opened the doors, I saw a large man standing there.

"You, what are you doing in here?" I asked the man. He turned his head and glanced at me, then turned back to the sword. I immediately realised who it was! It was Angeal. I approached him cautiously he turned around and slapped me hard across the face.

"Cloud Strife, this sword represents my honour as a SOLDIER, how dare you just leave it here in this abandoned church to rust". I just hung my head, as I did he faded away.

Back in the Lifestream Zack placed his hand on Angeal's soldier "Angeal, why'd you have to shout at him?"

"No reason, I needed to let off some steam" Angeal smiled.

Back in the church, I heard a noise from the back room, so I headed towards it. I opened the door and saw Sephiroth and Aerith making out. I just glared at them as they broke apart. Aerith looked at me smiled then took Sephiroths hand as she spoke "Sorry Cloud, you've become too Emo for my liking" they both started laughing and they faded away. I decided to cancel the workout and returned to Seventh Heaven.

"Cloud you're home" Tifa said as I walked in from the storeroom. I did not acknowledge her, instead I headed behind the bar grabbed a bottle of Whiskey and took a swig from it. I then took a seat at a nearby table I saw the concerned look on her face so I voiced my thoughts that was repeating in my mind for her "Aerith, Sephiroth kissing need to forget."

Tifa quickly realised what had happened and just shook her head. "Not again! Can't you guys leave him alone and stay in the lifestream?" she took the seat opposite me and took the whiskey from me to stop me getting drunk. I groaned and told her what happened.

A couple days later, I had just finished a long delivery run to Rocket Town, so was glad to be home, I just wanted a nice long soak in the bath... I parked Fenrir in the storeroom and walked into the bar area, and saw Tifa standing there her back to me. "Hey Tifa, I'm home" she turned and stared at me and I took a step back in fear, sensing she was fuming over something.

I try to leave to give her some space. As I turn round, I find Reno and Rude standing there blocking the door, "Yo! You need to explain yourself man!" Reno says.

"What have I done now?" I ask.

"You don't remember?" Rude replies.

"Cloud man, we're mates right? But this is too much." Reno says.

"Just tell me what I did?" I plead. They surround me and force me to sit on a chair in the middle of the bar. They then stand either side of me making sure I am unable to run off. Tifa walks over to me, tears now falling from her eyes.

"Cloud. Why did you break into my bedroom last night, and steal my Bra's?" She asks timidly.

I stare at her in confusion "Tifa, what? Why would I do that?" Tifa slaps me.

"We saw you man, we were just heading past the bar when we saw you were creeping out the back entrance, you had one on your head. I wondering what was going on when we saw Tifa leaning out of the window shouting for you to 'come back'" Reno states.

I continue to look at Tifa who's now crouched on the floor sobbing I want to get up and hold her in my arms, to comfort her. As I try to get up I feel Rude's hand on my shoulder stopping me from getting up. so I just look at her "Tifa, I've been on a delivery run the last two days, it was not me." Suddenly the door opens and Zack walks in, his hair dyed Blonde, in his hard is a Victoria Secret bag full of Tifa's Bra's.

He looks at her. "Sorry, Tiff, here they are, It was just a joke, didn't intend for spikey to get into trouble" he walks to the bar keeping his distance from us all, places the bag on the bar and fades away.

Tifa looks at me, then to the bag, the tears are all but gone and her cheeks are bright bright red from embarrassment. "Sorry for accusing you Cloud, I saw the blonde hair, the outfit and assumed it was you." she gets up, grabs the bag and rushes upstairs.

"So, err I guess you were innocent, sorry 'bout that, no hard feelings man?" I just glance at Reno, as Rude removes his hand. I get up look at the stairs, debating whether to go up to her. "Go to her man" Reno calls over as they leave. I turn as they close the door. Then decide against it and head to the storeroom deciding to go for a ride to give Tifa some time alone.

While out, I decide to get Tifa some flowers to cheer her up. I head out towards the church to get her some, I look at them and notice some weeds growing, so I spend an hour pulling up the weeds. Placing them in the corner where I had built a compost heap. Once satisfied I had gotten them all I pick a bouquet flowers and head back to Edge.

On the way back to the bar I see a poster with Sephiroths face on it. I slow down and look at it. It states that "he is coming, tell Cloud" I tense up and change direction, I decide to head to the WRO HQ, to train using their simulator.

Upon arrival, I remember about the flowers I picked for Tifa, so I grab them and ask one of the secretaries to place them in water to keep them alive while I have a workout. She nods taking them. An attendant takes me to the simulator and loads up my personal training program. I step in and start the workout.

Midway through the simulation, it freezes. I look around in confusion and contact the attendant who sounds flustered and tells me that there is a small problem. That I just need to wait a couple seconds he is fixing it. I feel a tap on my shoulder and I turn round and see Zack standing there. "It was a joke man, he's not coming back"

I just stare at him, "You had me scared you know"

"Sorry man, it's just too boring being dead" he fades away. I stand there, as the simulation continues so I finish the workout.

After leaving the simulator, I take Tifa's flowers from the secretary and hand her a couple of them to thank her for looking after them and head back to the bar.

I arrive home and find Tifa upstairs watching TV, "Cloud where did you go to, why didn't you come up to me, like Reno told you to?"

"I thought you needed cheering up, so I went to the church, to get you some flowers?"

Tifa notices the bouquet in my hand, and lets out a huge smile and takes them, she places them into a vase. She then turns back to me "you have been gone nearly 4 hours Cloud. It took you that long to get them?"

"well, errr... There was some weeding to do, that took me an hour then on my way back I saw this poster, saying Sephiroth was returning, so I went to the WRO HQ to use their simulator to make sure I was ready to face him. During the workout Zack told me it was a joke"

Tifa shook her head then got up and hugged me, I returned it. "I wish they would leave you alone, let you live a normal life." I wanted to tell her how much I loved her, how much I appreciated all she did for me, but was too afraid, so when we broke the hug, we took a seat and watched TV for a while. After a while my stomach rumbled making Tifa giggle upon hearing it, she got up and went into the kitchen, a few minutes later she placed two plates on the table, then called me over. She had made us a meal, I smiled thanking her and sat at the table to eat.

A couple of days later, I was in Wutai, to deliver a package, when I see a a poster with an hand drawn picture of a mans face on it. I stare at it in horror as I discover it was a wanted Poster and the face resembled my own.

I take a step back thinking I had a twin when I hear someone shouting "it's him! The Chocobo Kid is here" 'Chocobo kid?' I wonder to myself and walk towards the pagoda to look for either Godo or Yuffie to find out what was going on. As I walk past the Turtle's Paradise bar, I see Zack walking out with his hair once again dyed blonde, a man follows him out, demanding that he pays the tab "the Chocobo kid doesn't pay for beer." Zack slurs back, I realise he's drunk so I grab him.

"Zack what're you doing?" he looks at me and a huge devilish grin appears on his face.

"Mama Chocobo! Your son missed you so much."

"Zack, please just go back to the lifestream, dye you hair back black and don't call me Mama Chocobo" looking upset he fades away. I look to the bar 'suppose I better go pay for the beer he drank' I walk inside the barman stares at me trying to decide if I was the same person "err... what's the bill?" I ask him.

"4000 Gil, but you're not the guy? That guy was taller then you Cloud." The barman replies.'4000! Zack how many did you have' I get out my wallet and pay the tab. "Are you sure Cloud, it's not you tab?"

"Its Zack's, he's my friend. Don't worry, I'll get the money back from him.

I leave Wutai after making the delivery and board the ship back to Junon. I head to my cabin to relax while laying on the bed I pick up my PHS to call Tifa and tell her how the delivery went. I unlock it and discover I have a Voice mail. So I play it back, "Cloud you are so dead..." I recognise the voice as Sephiroths, but he sounded weird almost as if he was drunk. I realise had missed some of the message, so I listen to the rest of it."...and next time I return you won't defeat me so easily." The message ends so I hang up the phone and start thinking; he is coming back? I need to get my sword back from Reno, why'd I have to bet my sword during that poker game the other night?'

In the lifestream Aerith and Zack walk over to Sephiroth who was nursing a hangover "Seph, you're cruel when you're drunk"

"Yes, you know Minerva has finally gotten rid of all traces of Jenova from the planet, and we're unable to stay for more than a few seconds at a time" Aerith reminded him

"Why do you think I don't drink, I just wanted to prank call him, and I couldn't do it sober."

A couple of days later, Tifa was sitting opposite me at a fancy restaurant in Kalm, we had just finished a meal and was waiting for our desert to arrive. "Cloud I can't believe you arranged all this." Tifa said taking a sip of wine.

I look at her and smile, I decided to date her, to romance her, show her how grateful I was of her, "I just wanted to apologise for the way I've been treating you the last few years. I want you to know I appreciate everything you have done for me."

"Cloud, I do that as you're my best friend, I enjoy looking after you. But you're doing a good job of showing your appreciation here." Tifa replied I notice she was looking a little tipsy.

Suddenly the peace is shattered as Zack walks in. "Party time! The Chocobo kid is here" he notices Cloud and Tifa, "Mama Chocobo! Tour girl! What are you guys doing here, lets party dudes"

I look over at Zack and shush him "Zack, I told you don't call me that."

"Ok ok, jeez Spike, I thought we were bestest pals." he replies.

"We were Zack, but I'm fed up all these pranks. Oh and I paid your tab in Wutai, you own me 4000gil" I tell him.

"You did? No wonder they served without my having to beg. I'll get you a cheque. As for the pranks It's who I am, Spike, I can't help myself." Zack fades away.

I look at Tifa she is sat there giggling, "I am sorry Cloud, but seeing you and him interacting like that is so funny."

I shake my head as our deserts arrive.