Act 2

Chapter 2

It didn't take long for Cloud and the others to find a cave covered in thick vines and bushes, but Squall effortlessly cut the path open for them. As they peered inside it was evident that no one had taken the path for quite some time, so they braced themselves as they entered.

The damp air from the cave was chilly compared to the humid weather of the forest, despite how the cave was also infested with vines and moss. Their footsteps were muffled and it seemed the forest noises behind them had ceased.

The path was very wide and straightforward for them; there were no other passageways of the sort or any twists and turns. It was fortunate for them considering how many times they had almost gotten lost in the forest.

After walking for half an hour the uneasiness they felt was warded off and they began walking at their own paces Squall, who always seemed to be in a hurry, walked ahead and Yuna tailed him. Sora decided to walk at a slower pace with Cloud. He thought Cloud was a mysterious person and wanted to know more about him, only he didn't want to sound nosy.

Up ahead, Yuna was asking Squall questions about himself.

"So where are you from?"

"Why does it matter?"

She laughed, "So I can get to know more about you"

"It's nothing interesting."

"Oh, you're no fun," she giggled then thought for a moment. "You're a lot like Cloud, you know?"

Squall protested, "I'm nothing like him"

"Haha, but it's true!"

"Tell me one reason why"

"But there's more than one. You're both quiet, secretive, and you both rush things…"

Squall shook his head, "And you're just like someone I know."

"Hmm?" it perked Yuna's interest, "Who? Sora?"

"No."

Squall looked at her quietly and she stared back. Her two different colored eyes were mesmerizing as his blue ones met hers. She smiled. "You two even have the same colored eyes." He looked away.

"So, tell me," Yuna continued. "What is it that Kadaj stole from you? What are you looking for?"

Squall thought for a moment. "Something important, something that… someone gave to me once."

"A girl?"

Yuna thought she saw him blush, but she couldn't tell. She's never seen Squall smile before. At least with Cloud she was able to tell whether he was hiding a smile or not during a rare moment. When Squall didn't answer, she changed the subject. "I wonder how long this cave goes on?"

"I don't know," he said

From behind them Cloud watched Yuna with his eyes. Her back faced him, but he could tell she was enjoying herself with their new company. She had always liked being with others.

Yuna's really friendly." Sora said to Cloud, seemingly out of the blue. "When I first met her I knew we'd be able to get along, even with Squall."

"It seems like it."

"Hmm, and she smiles a lot, but…" Sora stroked his chin. "Something about her seemed kind of lonely…"

"It's because she rarely gets time to be with others."

"Oh…" Sora looked at Yuna's back sadly. "I think I understand."

…Plip plop…

"Uh… what's that-"

"Shh!"

Cloud placed a careful hand on the hilt of hilt of his sword. Sora wasn't clear of what was happening, but he drew his keyblade. Up ahead, Squall and Yuna had already drawn their weapons and waited. Slowly, the four walked towards each other for better defense. When their backs touched, Cloud whispered to Squall, "Did you see anything?"

"No," he answered. "You?"

"Nothing"

They heard footsteps. It was quiet, but loud enough that they could tell where it came from. Yuna was ready to shoot, but Cloud stopped her. "Wait," he said, and stepped out of their defense

"You led us to the forest to, didn't you?" Cloud asked the stranger. A voice nearby laughed and the group looked up. The masked stranger was hanging by the vines on the roof of the cave. He moved with great stealth as he lowered himself down.

"I'm happy to see that you have not rotted in the forest," he said to them once his feet touched the ground. "Mine and master's praises to you." He placed an arm across his chest and bowed.

"Where is Kadaj?" Yuna too had stepped out and stood beside Cloud. She stared at the smiling stranger fiercely, but it did not faze him.

"Ah, but I have already shown you the way, you must simply follow. Why, I've come all this way only because Master was kind enough to gift you with his grace."

"And whats that?" Squall asked as he and Sora stepped up.

"Something you'll like very much," the masked man bowed once again, but Cloud sensed he was up to something and tried to strike. Just as his sword whisked downward it struck nothing as the masked stranger recoiled and blew a dusty substance into Cloud's and the others eyes. They coughed and rubbed their eyes, and Cloud cursed at what a fool he was for making himself fall vulnerable to an obvious attack. The villains laugh could be heard just as the dust cleared away, and Cloud's eyesight slowly returned to him.

He called, "Yuna?"

"I'm here Cloud."

"Squall?" came Sora's voice, Squall grunted in response.

"I can't see you guys," Sora coughed.

Yuna place her hand on Cloud, but instead of feeling the smooth surface of his skin she felt fur. She nearly jumped at the touch, but then realized her hand and own skin felt different as well. She rubbed her eyes more, then stopped when she felt the others staring at her.

"W-what?" she gasped. "What's going on?"

They had turned into animals.