A/N: Yeah, it took some time again, but it's here. Anyway, thank you HawkRider for your encouragement. I'll definitely try my best to finish this challenge.

Again, just in case you missed the notes in the first few chapters: this whole fic is the response to my first taken challenge, by WishingDreamer5. Enjoy.

08: Pain in the...

The town was as quiet as ever after the restoration. But even if Radiant Garden was known for its record-holding peace, something was bound to go wrong. Even if it wasn't on a major scale. And before it even happened eveyone would know who was responsible.

"She painted my buster sword pink!" growled Cloud as he made his way into the Postern. The edges of the round balcony were lined with birds. In the centre were the Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee. There was Leon, Aerith, Cid, Merlin, Scroodge and his nephews, and even the Gullwings, all with frowns on their faces. The only person missing there was Yuffie.

"You think that's bad?" said Cid and crossed his arms. "She put games on my computer. Games! Do you know how much space they take? Do you know how slow it makes my programs? It's -" Leon stopped him.

"Good to have you here, Cloud", he said. "Did you give her something to be busy about?"

"I gave her something alright", Cloud spat and unsheathed his buster sword. Leon raised a hand to his face to hide his lips, which were trying very hard not to split apart into a guffaw. The Gullwings exploded into a cacophony of laughs, the duck triplets joining them soon after. Cloud shot them a glare and sighed, "I wish I could've done the same to her kunais. See how she likes colourful ninja stuff. She's such a pain in the..." he looked at Merlin.

"I know, I know", the old man said and waved his wand at Cloud's sword. It sparked then popped into a cloud of sparkling white smoke. As the smoke cleared, Cloud found himself holding a massive sunflower. His face tensed up, his veins popping up on his forehead, but he tried his best to suppress the rage as he closed his eyes.

Leon cleared his throat. "Try that again, shall we?" he half-asked half-ordered Merlin. Merlin's face pulled a cheeky grin and, in Yuffie's voice, said, "Sorry, but my duties are done."

Before anyone could do anything Yuffie popped smoke balls at her feet and as the smoke cleared, she was gone. Moments later Merlin ran into the Postern, sweaty and panting. "Sorry I'm late", he said in between pants. "I couldn't find my wand so I couldn't poof up to here. I had to run here all the way from my house. Now exuse me as I take a breather."

Leon and Cloud looked at each other. "She's a pain", they said in unison as they ran out into the town, Leon with his gunblade and Cloud with his ridiculous massive sunflower.

A/N: Yeah, another one down. Now I won't ask that you must review, but it would make my day if you did. Every review makes my smile stretch by a millimetre. Unless that gave you a creepy mental picture to haunt your dreams, please leave a review.