"So, no luck inside?"
Cloud shook his head. He hadn't seen anyone inside the resort that he recognized outside of those who had fought in the wars of light and dark.
Neither did Tifa, thus why they were now venturing out onto the beach. After the meeting many of the guests had flocked to the beach to get a glimpse of the exotic island. Tifa was certainly excited to do so as well, but she was met with a dose of reality when she was met by the intense heat generated from the sun. It had to be over ninety degrees easily. Of course the white sand didn't help with how hot it was, and the fact that she wore mostly wore black leather didn't help her situation.
"Pretty damn hot, huh," she said as she wiped sweat from her brow.
"Right." Cloud was technically worse off than she was as he was covered from head to toe in black clothes. But, save for the single streams of sweat flowing down his temples he didn't seem bothered by the heat.
Taking hold of her hand Cloud lead Tifa to the tree line and the shade it provided. Though it saved them little in terms of relief from the heat it was better than being in the direct sunlight.
"Except for the heat, this is a beautiful place, don't you think?"
Tifa's question to Cloud was responded with a nod from the latter. "Hotter than Costa del Sol, but no less beautiful."
The woman smiled lightly before being reminded of the heat. Sighing heavily she unzipped the black leather vest she wore. It seemed to have shrunk in the last few minutes since it felt tight on her chest. Yet when she unzipped it the relief she felt caused her a great deal of relief. "That's better."
Cloud turned towards her, "Guess we're not dressed properly for a day at the beach."
Tifa giggled, "Nope, though we could change that..."
"You think there's a clothing store around here?"
Tifa wasn't just sure, she was convinced there was. "Well, it's not out of the question. I mean this is a tropical island resort. Their bound to have appropriate clothes for such a place."
Cloud could have smacked his own forehead at his own ineptness. He forgot the moogles here seemed efficient enough to run a business.
But the idea there was a store on the island gave the two their next course of action, and Cloud was the first to take the step. "Well, I would like to wear something better in this heat. Let's go and find that store."
As they started to walk along the edge of the jungle and avoid the sun Tifa noticed that there were paths that lead deeper into the jungle. She even saw sign posts that gave directions to where the paths were going to though she was too far away to make out what they said.
They walked on for a few more minutes until Cloud inexplicitly stopped.
"What's wrong Cloud?" asked Tifa, wondering if there was something she missed.
His response was puzzling. "You hear that?"
"Hear what?"
Putting up his left hand Cloud beckoned her to remain silent and listen.
Not knowing what else to do Tifa closed her eyes and intently opened her ears. At first all she got were the sounds of the ocean and the animals in the jungle. Then, eventually, she heard it. A soothing melody of a musical instrument. "Is that...a flute?"
"Sure as hell ain't a piano," said Cloud as he tried to figure out the direction of said flute. It seemed to be coming from further down the beach.
They kept walking and listening, both curious as to what-or who-was making such a sweet song. Soon they came to a part of the beach that had a shack in the shade of the trees. It was run by a moogle tending behind the bar of said shack while four bamboo circular tables spread out before it.
It was there, sitting in front of one of them, that the source of the music was found. It was coming from a brunette in a school uniform consisting of a white blouse and red and black pleaded skirt. She was barefoot as she swayed back and forth slowly while playing her flute. It was such a peaceful melody that neither Cloud nor Tifa wanted to interrupt her. So instead they took a seat at the nearest table.
It was then that Cloud noticed the nearest table was occupied with a couple familiar faces. A young man in weird clothes and short dirty blond hair had his arm around a girl's waist. The girl was suitably dressed for the weather in short denim shorts and a white top. She was leaning on her elbows on the table, focused on the girl playing her instrument, though Tifa saw the young man wave at the two of them after they had sat down.
After a moment of thinking Tifa remembered their names. 'Tidus...still looking the same after all this time. And that must be...Yuna was it? She sure looks different.'
The girl on the flute came to the end of her song and opened her eyes to the sound of applause from the four people that made up her unexpected audience.
Her cheeks turned rosy red and she brought both her hands to her chest. "Oh, I didn't know you were all here."
"Don't mind us, we were enjoying your solo," said Tidus as he sat up straight.
"It was really lovely, Deuce," said Yuna.
"I agree with Yunie. You should be in an orchestra with that skill."
Cloud turned to his right and noticed on the table farthest from him sat alone blonde girl in a bikini skirt combination. He hadn't noticed her before now, and neither had Tifa but surprises seemed to be lining up the moment they had arrived at the resort.
The girl addressed as Deuce smiled and slightly bent in a bow in thanks for their applause.
The blonde girl took the chance to run over to Yuna's table and sat next to her. "Didn't want to distract Deuce by moving over here until after she was done. Otherwise I would have been here sooner."
"It's okay Rikku, just enjoy yourself while we're here," replied Yuna.
Tidus let the women talk. His attention was on Cloud. "Yo, Cloud! Come on over, we got a bunch of drinks on the way and we should catch up."
Cloud exchanged a look with Tifa and she shrugged her shoulders. sure they were supposed to be looking for the clothing store but surely it could wait for a little bit, right? They got up from their seats and went on over to the other table and sat down. Even Deuce joined in, taking a seat at the table between Rikku and Tifa. The table was full to capacity as the moogle brought a platter of drinks to them. "Ice cold natural flavored waters all around, kupo!"
Not knowing what flavors were in the drinks didn't bother the guests as they each took a drink in hand.
"To Deuce and her music." Tifa raised hers in a sign for a toast, her intention was to spread good will all around. It was received perfectly as everyone else raised and brought their glasses together. Friendly laughter was shared between the others before they took drinks from their respective glasses. The results of which varied.
Cloud and Tidus got something with red berries and weren't affected.
Tifa, Yuna, and Deuce got something sweet and they liked it.
Poor Rikku got something sour that made her eyes go wide and made her whole body shake. "Yuck...remind me to ask for something else."
Yuna giggled in response to her cousin's remarks.
Tidus and Cloud were talking about their pasts prior to the island.
Cloud gave a short but simple explanation as to what life was like for him and Tifa back home. When he was done Tidus seemed impressed.
"A delivery service, a bar, and an orphanage? Sounds like you two got your hands full with life. Yuna and I have settled down on Besaid, living a quiet island life."
"Sounds peaceful," Cloud replied finishing his drink. Not that life for himself and Tifa wasn't peaceful (save for the occasional save the world event), but there were moments of excitement and more than once Cloud would have wished didn't happen. There was such a thing as too much excitement and he had his lifetime fill of it already and he wasn't even thirty years old.
"You know, Yunie you should dance the next time Deuce plays," said Rikku as she tried to get the sour taste off her tongue. "Heck, I'd join in as well."
This caught Tifa by surprise. "Yuna, you dance?"
"And she sings too. Really good," added Rikku.
Yuna didn't seem embarrassed by the facts that came to light about her side hobby. In fact she took it in stride. "On and off, yes. Though I am well out of practice as of late."
"Nothing a good warm up jig can't handle," Rikku said excitedly.
Seeing little in a ways that she could get herself out of this Yuna turned to Tidus, hoping he'd help her out.
Too bad he had other plans. "I'd like to see you dance, Yuna."
"That settles it!" Rikku got up from her seat.
"Actually, as much as I would like to play for you all again...I have to go meet my boyfriend in our room. He asked me to meet him there before too long," said Deuce, her announcement put a damper on the excitement in the air.
Rikku pouted. "Oh...well, next time bring him along so he can see you play."
Deuce smiled lovingly, "He already knows how well I play. See you."
With that the girl got up from her seat and took off for the resort building. Rikku sat back down, disappointment weighed heavily on her shoulders. She laid her head on her hands on the table. "That sucks..."
"There's always next time, babe."
Rikku raised her head at the voice, "Ur lnyb..." (translated from Al Bhed: 'oh crap')
The male voice that everyone heard came from the young man who approached the table from behind Rikku before he took a seat next to her at the table. She tried to get up but only got one leg out before the man grabbed her by the arm and had her sit on his lap.
"Gippal, you buffoon! Let me go!"
Though she squirmed in discomfort she didn't really fight, nor was she held in a tight grip.
Gippal turned to the others and casually greeted them, "Heya."
Tidus chuckled, "You got your hands full."
"Nah, she just likes playin' hard to get," Gippal said as Rikku finally settled down, crossing her arms over her chest and giving him her best impression of an evil eye. Though their relationship was only recently rekindled Rikku and Gippal were trying to take it slow, though it was obvious that he enjoyed teasing her more than he should.
Finishing his glass Cloud set it back on the platter. He felt the need to leave suddenly hit him. "Well, we better get back to finding that store."
"What store?" asked Yuna.
"Not being in proper clothes, there has to be clothing store on the island that can give us better outfits," said Tifa as she too got up from her seat and joined Cloud.
"Sounds like a good idea. Mind if we come along?" Tidus asked. Yuna was in agreement, it'd be a nice way to spend some time with her new friends.
"I second that idea!" Rikku jumped at the opportunity to get off Gippal's lap and possibly pay him back for her riding his leg in front of others. Gippal simply agreed to go in order to stay at her side.
"Sure thing, the more the merrier," answered Tifa who wiped the sweat from her temples.
The group of six finished their drinks and left the makeshift cafe together. Cloud and Tifa held hands, Tidus had an arm around Yuna, and Rikku tried to stay out of arm's reach of Gippal to no avail.
Unbeknownst to the group, as they left a couple people stepped out from the shade of the jungle. A woman and a man. She was in a pink dress with a pink ribbon in a ponytail, he in a blue SOLDIER uniform and had a scar on his left cheek. Both had been watching the events unfold and had decided to sit it out for now.
"Looks like they were having fun," said the man.
The woman in the pink dress nodded once, "Glad they are. They deserve it."
"So, when should we introduce ourselves?"
"Not too soon, Zack," said Aerith as she put her hands behind her back.
"Ain't that a little cruel? I mean imagine how happy they will be to see us-"
Aerith put a finger to her boyfriend's lips to silence him. "Imagine how surprised they will be when it's at the best time. Let them have fun together, then we will say hi."
She lowered her hand and placed it on his chest. He took her hand in his own and gave it a gentle squeeze. "If you say so. Until then..."
Aerith brought herself closer to him until their lips were nearly touching, "Let's enjoy this."
Then they passionately kissed.
