Chapter 12: Some Little Pushes
"Hey Teef, don't wait up tonight, I'll be very late. Cross-continental deliveries."
It was two days after the Valentine's Day when Tifa woke up to this message left by Cloud on her side-table. Cloud often had to make such deliveries but every time he had done so before, he had told her a day in advance giving her time enough to pack some extra food for him. In any case, this warning was more than what she could have hoped from Cloud so she made a mental note to actually give him an amazing dinner for his sensibility.
"Deliver a package to Rufus in Rocket Town, yo. And hurry up about it, he ain't gonna like it if you'll be late with it," Reno shouted over the phone to Cloud, who just grunted in reply.
"Aren't you gonna ask what the Pres is doing there?" asked the red head loudly over the phone.
"No," Cloud replied, curious as to what the heir to Shinra was doing in Cid's territory and if he was still intact but keeping his quiet as he knew the red head to be a blabber mouth and whatever his reply would be, Reno would tell him everything in the end.
"Awww shucks man you're no fun. Okay I'll give you a hint. It involves a birthday," Reno said, clearly enjoying himself.
"Okay," Cloud replied briefly. For all he cared, it could involve a model for another rocket; that would explain Rufus' presence in Rocket Town too. It would also explain the rocket to be Cid's early birthday gift but why Rufus would do any such thing was beyond Cloud's mental capabilities, unless he was looking for unaccountable injuries … or maybe it was an inside joke with Cid … but that would demand an explanation in itself.
Thinking that it was worth only a headache and nothing else, Cloud decided to overlook Reno's commentary on the package. After all, it was one: Reno who was saying those things, and two: he wanted to get over with the job quickly, it was a Friday and he planned to spend the weekend with Tifa and the kids. Cross-continental deliveries paid really well and nobody hates extra money.
Besides, it was against Cloud's customer privacy policy to question his packages or show curiosity regarding them as that way, he could be exalted of all responsibility if anything were to happen which could be construed as unfavourable circumstances for him and his family.
"It involves one of you guys," Reno said, continuing being a pest. He knew that he was annoying the blonde but that was part of the deal.
"Right," Cloud gave another one word response signaling the end of their conversation. He was pretty sure by now that Rufus hated his life … or limbs for that matter.
"Ca-loud!" Reno shouted in the phone.
Gah! He reminds me of Yuffie and Marlene so much at this moment, Cloud thought as he switched off his phone and put it in his drawer.
He got ready, grabbed a pair of Tifa's 'always-ready' sandwiches from the fridge and started on his way. He decided to leave Tifa a note in case he got late at night. He didn't want her to stay up neglecting herself food and sleep.
"Wow Cloud, you have some consideration for people after all."
Don't you ever sleep Zack? Cloud replied to his friend surprised by his early appearance.
"We're omnipotent, we need no sleep."
Ri-ight … well don't you have anything better to do this morning?
"Man oh man, that was a deathblow to my heart. My friend has forgotten me in the face of love," sighed Zack in an exaggerated manner and started humming the words to the song 'Heartless' changing it to fit a man.
Cloud rolled his eyes as he focused on the road ahead. It was a wonder how he actually survived among the people he called his friends. All of them were out to make his life miserable and then enjoy their handiwork. And they were pretty busy training the new generation in it too, the new generation being Marlene. Denzel was not a part of that, he was a good kid.
"Oh shoot, I can sing that song for you keeping the theme to a woman too, I forgot Don Corneo," Zack added a moment later and started laughing at his own jibe.
You're still here, Cloud thought as he sped on his way to the ferry in Junon, I thought you were heartbroken at my betrayal in the face of love.
"Cloud, I will never give up on you, you sorry excuse for a friend. Even if the world gives up on you, I will be there to laugh at every one of your failures with Aeris by my side. Might even add Tifa to my team too. Poor girl, she has condemned herself to a life full of antics."
Are you sure you are my friend? Cloud asked dubiously.
"Of course! Of course! Who do you think I am? You?!" Zack replied, clearly enjoying himself. "Oh and just so you know, if Denzel is yours and Tifa's kid it doesn't mean that he is good automatically."
You heard that too! Isn't anything in our life private?! Cloud asked incredulously.
"Hey hey, we aren't completely free all the time to listen to you guys, there is much more important stuff going on in the world that we have to see too," Zack replied, still in good humour. "It is just that sometimes, I can't help checking up on you guys knowing you people personally and also because you are my friend," he added, serious for a minute. "Anywho, I suggest you speed up if you want to be in the arms of your lady lover by tonight," Zack added, being himself again.
Za-ck! Cloud growled.
"See you around Spike-o! Duty calls," Zack announced as he faded out leaving Cloud alone again.
Yeah right, duty, Cloud shook his head as he continued driving.
Even though Zack was on a roll with insults that day, it didn't make his company unwanted for Cloud and now he felt the loneliness of the road as he made his way to Rocket Town; speaking of which, he started wondering again what the package's purpose could be. He knew that Cid's birthday was around the corner but he was also positive that their position with the Shinra had not moved now to being that of birthday buddies now. Thinking about possible reasons, Cloud made his way to collect the package from the underground bar in the first town in Junon and then proceeded towards the ferry.
"Dammit Shera! Move fast woman or else the reservations will get canceled!" Cid shouted up the stairs to the live-in scientist. "Of all the plans she could make, damn Yuffie had to go and choose one that included Shera," he muttered to himself as he waited for her.
"I really didn't know that you were one for sudden vacations Cid," the women in question replied as she carried their suitcase down the stairs with a handbag on her arm.
"Here, let me handle this. You go get the food packed up while I notify Gramps at the item shop about our whereabouts," Cid stated getting both of the things from her hands and heading out. "Write a note and tape it to our door too in case somebody decides to check up here first," he shouted while leaving.
Shera nodded in response as she packed some lunch for the way. Cid's sudden decision for them to take a vacation in Costa del Sol was a surprise for her. His eagerness made her think something was up but then she didn't really bother saying anything because Captain was being a captain, true to his name. So she hurried up with what he asked for her, packing some tea leaves and a thermos of boiled water in addition if Cid wanted them while on the way.
As she made her way to where the Shera was parked, she saw Cid talking to Rufus of the Shinra and Yuffie, nodding his head. Deciding to actually wait for his signal in case it were something not really required for her to know, she moved closer but not enough to hear what they were talking about. Then she saw Cid turn around and signal her just as Rufus was leaving; so she made her way towards him and Yuffie.
"Hey Shera, what's up?" Yuffie asked the scientist, grinning like always.
"Ionosphere," Shera replied with a smirk and both girls laughed. The younger for the obviousness of Shera's answer and the older about her age old reply. "What are you doing here Yuffie?" She asked the ninja, surprised by her being so out of the way, in a relatively 'materia free' zone.
"Oh, just wanted to deliver Cid the keys to the cottage you guys will be staying at," Yuffie replied, "He had made arrangements from before and I didn't want for him to waste his time confirming them."
That girl is good at lying and making up stories, Cid thought as he stood, lighting a cigarette, How does she fool people into thinking that she is innocent. Damn! She is too smart to mess around with. And look at that super sweet smile she is giving to Shera. She looks ug-ly!Damn that ninja! Sweet is a word I would never use for her. Even if she was the only cigarette vendor left in the world and I'd have to suck up to her.
I remember how she coerced me into going to this vacation without giving me one good reason as to why I should go. All she said was that I'd help her annoy Cloud if I agreed and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to play with that dense Chocobo. She has a full-blown plan up her sleeves and I swear on my name as Cid that I will find out what it is! Or change it to whatever she says.
"Come on Shera, don't just stand there chatting up to this loony bin," Cid called out aloud to his companion as he made his way on board the Shera. There seemed no point to him to actually prolong his journey needlessly and travel by chocobos or a car.
"A little push is what he needs."
Tifa's words from before rang clear in Yuffie's ears as she made her way to Vincent's dwelling place. She still was not sure of what Cloud choose as a gift for Tifa. All the tracers she had, she had placed in key places at the homes of Barret, Vincent and Cid. Cloud and Tifa she did not bother with initially because of the kids, or Marlene to be precise, who were her source of information on these two but now she wanted more information and concrete one at that.
Since all Cloud needed was a little push according to his lady lover, she had just provided a series of little pushes to him. Added to that, she had succeeded in giving one to Cid too. He was a man and after all, like most men, he must be dumb about his love life too and need a little push as well. It was like manipulating two animals at the same time- a Marlboro and a Chocobo.
A/N: Please leave feedback. This update was late simply because I lost lack of interest in the story. I spent more than 3 days thinking on the gift and the lack of reviews got to me :/