A/N So I finally updated hope you guys is happy, I might be bring someone else back to life but I dunno if I should, give me your opinion please.

Disclaimer: sadly I don't own Zack or Cloud, but I do own Ariana, though I'm not sure if that's anything to be proud of.

Meanwhile in the life stream………

Aerith walked the grassy planes of the life stream looking for Zack, she found him sitting on a rock transfixed by the looking pond.

Probably watching his sister, again

Aerith knew that when Zack was watching his sister she had to keep her distance, he liked to be left alone with his thoughts.

Once Zack had finished teasing Cloud (which in actual fact is what he was doing, not watching Ariana), he made his way over to where Aerith was sitting.

"Hey Aerith, what's cracking?" he said noticing she was counting the materia in her materia box.

"Your head, that's what's cracking" she said her voice laced with annoyance.

"Geez, settle down woman" Zack said surprised by the malice in her voice, "what's your problem" he said while backing away slowly as not to get hit.

"Hmm let me see there is the matter of three white materia missing along with three silver haired men, did you think I wouldn't notice three men just go missing like that? What do you take me for Zack? An idiot" she said her voice getting louder and louder. The louder her words got the more Zack inched away, the fear for his life evident on his face.

"Umm….." was all he said before he ran for his immortal life, he knew he couldn't die but that didn't stop it from hurting.

Back in the real world……..

While Cloud was thinking in the bar there were a number of things going on in 7th Heaven, Marlene had found Denzel but was still searching for Ariana, Loz was thinking of Tifa and what he would buy her today (A.N: aww how sweet), Kadaj was still sleeping, Yazoo and Reno, well you don't really want to know what they were doing and Rude, well he was just trying to get to the bar through the mass of girls swarming to get a look at Cloud. But up in the kitchen Tifa and Ariana where still arguing over the money.

"Please just take it, it would be on my conscience forever knowing that I left without showing some appreciation for your hospitality" said Ariana pleading Tifa to take the money.

"Alright" said Tifa taking the money "but promise you'll visit"

"Yup, how could I stay away" said Ariana smiling "I'll be leaving tomorrow" and with that said Ariana went down to the bar to shoo the crazy girls away from the bar and take over from Cloud. Before Cloud left to do whatever he was going to do he pulled Ariana aside and said to her "how bout I take you up on that date tonight?"

"Um yeah sure" she said a little taken aback and walked back to the bar which was now crowded with guys who wanted to play drinking games, and Ariana was happy to oblige with a game of Goon of fortune and later beer pong, but she remembered not to get to smashed because she had her long awaited date with Cloud tonight.

At 6 pm Ariana was starting to get her stuff all laid out on her bed, she had borrowed one of Tifa's dresses because she didn't bring any of her own, it was a black strapless dress with red netting underneath and had beautiful red flowers along the side made from beads. Excited Ariana ran out of her room down the hall to the bathroom earning a raised eyebrow from Kadaj, "isn't your date at 8, why do you need to get ready now?"

"Because it takes time to look good as I do" she said closing the door of the bathroom behind her. Ariana had a quick shower and decided she would leave her hair out and curl it, once she had gotten dressed and did her make up; she made her way down to the bar where Cloud stood waiting.

When he heard her coming down the steps he turned and smiled "shall we leave then? He asked taking her arm and leading her to his car, which Ariana didn't even know he had.

"So, where are we going?" Ariana said trying to break the silence.

"Oh no where special" said Cloud as they parked in front of what Ariana knew to be the most expensive restaurant in Midgar. Ariana just sat in the car with her mouth open staring at the restaurant; Cloud opened her door and gently pulled her out of the car. They were seated in the back corner of the restaurant. Once they were seated a waitress handed them a menu each and Cloud ordered them some champagne, while Ariana was looking around in awe at the stunning restaurant, she had no idea how such a dull city could have such a beautiful place in it. The next ten minutes could have been the longest most awkward moment in both Ariana and Cloud's lives, so Ariana tried to lighten the mood "so…how long have you known Tifa?" she murmured looking into her champagne glass trying to avoid eye contact, why am I always the one trying to make conversation, if its awkward now I don't want to know how awkward it's going to be when I tell him I'm leaving tomorrow.

"Just over four years now" Cloud mumbled just as awkwardly, just then the waiter came up and asked to take their order, "two of the largest steaks you guys make" Ariana butted in just as Cloud was about to order, he looked at the menu just after the waiter left, looking up from the menu "do you know just how big those steaks are?"

"Mmmm, yeah. I just thought we could make things a little more, how would you put it…interesting" she smiled

"Oh, God in heaven help us" Cloud whispered not liking what was coming next; he had a pretty good idea what she had in mind.

"Eating contest."

"What's riding on this one?" Cloud sighed, his head in his hands dreading what was coming next.

"The biggest bottle of what ever the winner chooses." While Ariana was getting more excited, Cloud feared for his wallets life. He had learned by now that Ariana was a difficult opponent and not to be taken lightly, having lost many various contests to her before he found this out the hard way.

For twenty minutes they decided the rules of the contest, they being Ariana. Soon after the steaks were presented along with many prying eyes, Ariana who loved to put on a show stood and raised her voice, "ladies and gentleman. Today I , Ariana Fair and this lovely gentleman, Cloud Strife" indicating to Cloud who had his head in his hands whispering over sit down, sit down, sit down "come on Cloud stand up for the crowd", Cloud reluctantly stood up and waved to the people hesitantly, "will be having an eating contest. So for those who would like to place their bets please give your money to this waiter whose name is…Denis and indicate who you wish to bet on, the contest will be starting shortly. Thank-you for your time." She sat down once again as people rose with their money to give to Denis, surprisingly enough Reno and Yazoo were in the restaurant also and knowing Ariana's eating capability, were the only ones betting on her winning. Once everyone had crowded around the table Ariana had given Denis the nod saying they were ready, "go" Denis signaled and they started eating.

About 15 mins later…

"Ariana is the winner" said Denis holding up Ariana's hand, she took a bow and blew kisses to the crowd. "Yazoo and Reno, you have won the bets come and collect your money" Reno came up and got the large amount of bills from Denis and went over to the side to start counting it.

"How much is this going to cost me?" Cloud mumbled in remorse.

"Dinner is about to be paid for" Ariana whispered in Cloud's ear walking over to Reno, she grabbed the money out of Reno's hand and walked off but not before saying "yoink." She walked back to Cloud and waved the money in his face, "now shall we pay for dinner then?" Cloud stood there with a disbelieving look on his face as Ariana went to the counter and paid for their meal. When Ariana came back she just grabbed Cloud's arm and was dragging him at quite a fast pace, "quickly I sense an angry red head tailing us", Cloud turned his head to look but Ariana grabbed his head and turned it straight ahead, "don't look just walk."

They just managed to make it to the car before Reno caught up with them. While Cloud was driving Ariana counted the left over money from tea. "Hmm, not bad" Ariana finished.

"How much?" said Cloud intrigued to see how much they managed to make off with.

"350, after dinner deductions." She folded the notes and stuck them in her bra. "Oh and by the way concerning our wager, you can surprise me, but make it strong I'm gonna need it for the road." Oh shit, wasn't supposed to say that yet, I'll just keep it cool and hope that he didn't notice.

"What do you mean 'for the road'? Where are you going?" said Cloud who did actually notice what she had said.

"Um, I'm leaving tomorrow, going back to my village" she said quietly avoiding eye contact because she thought if she looked at him she would cry.

"Oh" was all Cloud could say. So that's what Zack meant by 'before it's too late' I'll have to tell her how I feel, tonight. As it was still early Cloud drove Ariana and himself out to the forgotten city, he parked the car on the out skirts of the woods and got Ariana out, "Cloud, what are we do..." Cloud put a finger to Ariana's lips and got her out of the car.

"Just come with me" he said, they walked through the florescent glowing trees, which Ariana thought were even more beautiful than the time she met Vincent. "This place is so beautiful" Ariana stated looking around the clearing they had entered.

"I know you should see the trees in winter, on a frosty night they sparkle" said Cloud taking a seat at the base of a large tree, Ariana looked at Cloud and he motioned for her to take a seat next to him. She hesitantly sat next to him, and they talked for a couple of hours about nothing in particular mostly random stuff, about their lives before they met each other then the times they shared together.

"Hey do you remember the time we had a race in the church and I totally whooped your but, ahh good times, good times." Laughed Ariana

"Yeah I still can't believe you beat me…and then after the race…" Cloud trailed off.

"Hmm, no I don't seem to know what your talking about, perhaps you need to refresh my memory." Ariana slyly smiled.

"Ariana, your unlike anyone I've ever met, you know that?" chuckled Cloud

"Ahh yeah, it's a bit like that for everyone"

"And…"

A/N and thus another chappie down, I'm afraid I will be ending it soon in one or two chapters. Cookies to anyone who can guess who is getting resurrected. Remember review