Hey Everyone! I'm sorry about the wait! Whoever said school gets easier the higher you go is a liar. But, I love all your comments, keep 'em rolling, PLEASE!!
FifthDayOfMay: That would be soo funny with Nanaki! It'd be epic.
It's been really fun to write something light-hearted. Everything in life doesn't have to be so serious, right?
PS: I just finished watching December Boys starring Daniel Radcliffe, it was odd… but brilliant anyways! I would totally recommend it XD
"Let's celebrate! We've been so lucky!" Yuffie giggled, throwing her thin arms above her head in a victory stance. She leaned forward and tugged on the stage two pass hanging around Cloud's neck. The blonde leaned away from her touch, suddenly embarrassed. Yuffie was a little too affectionate for him.
"HELL YES," Cid rubbed his grumbling midriff, " I feel like I haven't eaten since last month. I need a little mako pick-me up."
The man snickered at his own ridiculous pun.
"I have some friends I want you guys to meet tomorrow. You'll be really impressed. Promise you'll come and I'll buy you dinner," Yuffie clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on the balls of her feet.
"Sold," Cid agreed flatly.
The three stumbled down the crowded Tokyo street together. Cid lifted the ninja girl onto his back and hooked his arms behind her knees.
"So how come we didn't see ya' perform today?" He inquired, shaking her into a comfortable position.
"Oh, I won't be on stage till Round 4. I'm favored," She laughed, swiping at Cloud's tallest spike.
"Favored?'
"Um, yeah…the executives at Square Enix already picked the people they think will win. Well, of the main characters anyways. Cloud, Aerith, Zack, Seph…it doesn't necessarily mean you guys can't win, there's just somebody else who's really popular," Yuffie bit her lip nervously, " I think the Aerith sucks. She's a real bit-"
"Vending machine!" Cid cried triumphantly, dropping Yuffie to the ground, "Pay up"
The girl glared at the man but placed some coins into his open palm, "Wouldn't you rather go get tako yaki inside?"
She pointed to the building that promised it. Cid thought about it for a moment, shook his head, and slid the money into the looming metal box. He punched a button and received a fizzy pop. Another button yielded some strange candy assortment. He offered Cloud some and continued down the street.
"Want anything?" Yuffie smiled at the blonde.
"No thanks," He turned around and let her clasp his hand. This was ok, he decided. It wasn't romantic, it was just friendly…like school kids. Yuffie had no hidden intentions with him.
"Hey pal?! Could ya' do me a favor and move your fat ass?!" a loud and very obnoxious redhead pushed at the unfortunate tourist in front of him. The pudgy victim stared at his perpetrator in awe and snapped a picture with the cheap camera he held. "What the hell?" Reno yelled, glaring over his shoulder.
"It's part of the job, babe" Rude shrugged rubbing his groomed chin, "Let them have their fun, you don't have to be so angry."
Reno sighed as he stood back to back with his partner in crime. Both men held their hands up in the shape of imaginary guns. They posed and the tourists ate it up.
"I wouldn't be so angry if I wasn't so hammered. You promised you'd kill me before we spent another night with those two-faced cows they call gir-"
"Aerith," Rude's gravely voice cut in. He nodded at the alluring woman walking their way. She might have been beautiful, her hair and face immaculate-but there was an undying air of pure evil about her.
"Yo," Reno smiled wide. It was fake, the best part was that everyone knew it.
"Boys" Aerith sighed. She kept her eyes moving, certain not to pay the turks more attention than necessary, "Have you seen Zackary?"
"If I had, I wouldn't tell you…dollface," Reno leaned forward almost touching his nose to hers.
"Please," Aerith was irritated. "Inform him that we need to rehearse."
"Yeah ok," Reno yelled at her retreating figure. He held one hand in his scarlet mane, "but don't ask me to do it again. I'm not your bitch!"
"Of course you're not," Rude snickered.
"Shut your fuckin' face, dipshit."
Cloud tried to steady his breathing just one more time; he stood center-stage before the towering Shinjuku Bunka Quint skyscraper in Shibuya. Just being in the presence of Square Enix Headquarters intimidated him. The fact that he was currently performing for countless bystanders only made matters worse.
"Yo! Don't fall too far behind!"
Cloud tried to keep his gaze at his feet. This was the first time he'd ever used a mic; it was distracting him.
"At least someone's keeping up."
Looking straight ahead, the blonde responded, "Well…I'm a country boy too." He had no idea who was portraying Zack Fair, but the voice was perfect. He felt relaxed even in this impossible situation.
"From where?"
Cloud was able to glance up at Zack from beneath his heavy stage helmet. And Gaia, was he a sight…
"Nibelheim."
The brunette flashed a brilliant white smile. He crossed his arms, rippled tension flowing through his biceps. He turned around and let out the best laugh.
"How 'bout you?," Cloud offered up nervously.
"Me? Gongaga," Zack grinned. He couldn't see the blonde's blushing face, but heard his laugh.
"Hey?! What's so funny about that?" The soldier followed the teen, "You know Gongaga?
It was strange. It was almost like the conversation being held wasn't scripted. It was almost real.
"No, but it's such a backwater name."
"ditto Nibelheim."
"Like you've been there?" Cloud defended.
"I haven't, but there's a reactor there right?" Zack scoffed, "A mako reactor outside of Midgar usually means…"
"…nothing else out there," they both echoed in unison. They laughed together. It wasn't fake this time.
"Good news. Tseng! Me and-"
This was Cloud's cue to remove his helmet. He fumbled yanking on it a bit, it wouldn't come off. The audience got a kick out of the mistake. Zack was laughing again.
"CLOUD," the younger said a bit too loudly as the cursed prop came off. Zack's bright irises widened, exposing every sooty eye lash.
"Me…and Cloud here are both backwater experts ," He said a bit awkwardly, "OH YEAH!"
"So you're from America?" Aerith tried to be heard over the deafening base of the speakers of a Tokyo club. She leaned forward across the table, most of her chest exposed. It kind of made Cloud sick.
"Yes," he said quietly.
Zack sat watching, smoke drifted away from his mouth as he balanced a cigarette between his fingertips.
"Yeah, him and Cid," Yuffie cut in , "I found them on the first day! They're mine!"
Cloud smiled at the dark haired girl.
"Zack," a new voice came, "I think you and Cloud ought to show everyone what real cosplay is and provide us all a noble fan service here."
Oh God…that one was super hard to write…sorry if you hate it XD
~Owari