Hello readers I hope everyone is doing well sorry for the wait it was hard to write this chapter I hope you all enjoy it. on a side note final fantasy explores is coming out soon cannot wait to play it anyway what is your favourite final fantasy game and why I am interesting to know and enough talk hope you enjoy the chapter.

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Chapter 11

Cloud woke up and got out of bed. He stretched all of his muscles and after he finished he took a look at Serah who was still sleeping. Cloud packed away all of the blankets and pillows and put them back in the cabinet . He took out a track suit and went into the bathroom to change his clothes.

Cloud took Serah's room key and his wallet just in case. He went outside the hotel to stretch his legs. After finishing he went off jogging around the block thinking about what happened last night.

"Why did Serah come here for?"

"What happened to her? It seems like she's running away from her old life, but why?"

"Did something happen to her that she can't talk about?"

Cloud was picking up the pace everything around him looked like a blur. He was evading people in front of him and just kept running more and more faster. He needed to get his mind off what happened. He ran around the block a couple of times and finally stopped in front of the bookstore. He clutched the door panting. Sweat was pouring from his hair, face and hands. His legs struggled to support his weight.

When he caught his breath he let go of the door and was about to leave when the door opened. A shop employee came out. Curious, Cloud took a quick look at him. He was a very thin person wearing a black jumper with the shops name ivanillelay bookstore. He wore a name tag which read 'Barry'. He had blue jeans and black trainers. Barry's face was his most interesting feature. He had short black hair and there were a few scars on his faces near his eyes and lips. Barry's black eyes were beaming and his thin lips curled into a smile.

"Sir, are you alright? You look tired?"

"I am fine. Thanks"

"You could come in and sit down if you want."

Cloud was going to leave but thought it would be a good idea to get Serah something she could read while she was recovering. Cloud noticed there was a sign that said everything was on sale. He went inside and saw a chair. He immediately sank into the chair. Barry went back to the desk typing on his computer.

"Sir, if you need a specific book pleases ask me"

"Okay"

Cloud rose from the chair after he got back some energy and looked around the bookstore. The shop was clean, surprisingly enough, and all of the books were alphabetized and they were in different categories. Cloud had a look around and paused.

"What does Serah read?"

Cloud didn't know what to pick so he just looked at every section. He grabbed a random book from the shelf. Cloud saw it was twilight and he gave it a death stare. He imagined chopping the book up to pieces.

Cloud put the book back on its shelf. He will never forgive Yuffie for making him read that book to her. He would rather re-verse Sephiroth and get stabbed multiple times then read that ever again. Cloud never understood how the book is became so popular.

Cloud moved on and saw a few titles that he likes, but wasn't sure if Serah would like them so in the end he picked the harry potter collection, a map of midgar so she doesn't get lost and a few batman and superman comics since she was excited after seeing his collection.

Cloud was about to go to the counter then he saw 50 shades of grey it brought back an unpleasant memory. Yuffie begged Cloud to watch the movie with her, which he did after she wouldn't stop begging him. When he watched the movie he wanted to kill her after enduring 2 hours of crap that haunted him for the rest of his life. When everyone left the cinema Cloud went to the project room, took out his fusion sword and destroyed every copy of that movie so no other sane person would have to go through the same hell he went through. He now makes sure to thoroughly research whatever movie and books that Yuffie suggests to him after those two incidents.

Cloud snapped out of memory lane and gave the books to Barry who scanned them and bagged them all.

"That will be 1000 gils please".

Cloud gave the money and took his things. He thanked Barry and left the bookstore. Before leaving he gave 50 shades of grey a death stare. Cloud went to a grocery store that was across the bookstore and got some cereal and milk.

He went back to the hotel and opened the door. Cloud put the milk in the mini fridge and placed the cereal and books on the side. Serah was still sleeping. Cloud went into the bathroom and brought his work clothes with him. He stripped his clothes and took a nice hot shower getting rid of all the sweat he got as a reward for his jogging. Cloud finished his shower and wiped his body clean with a towel. He put his work uniform on and placed his sweaty clothes inside a carrier bag, then in his bag.

Cloud moved the chair near Serah's bed and he could hear her lightly snoring. Cloud poured the cereal and milk into a bowl. He sat down, took the remote and quietly watched tom and jerry while enjoying his food. He chuckled a few times .After finishing Cloud got a call.

"Tifa what is it?"

"Cloud, are you coming into Work today? You have quite a few delivers that you need to do"

"Yeah I know but…"

"It's Serah isn't it?"

"Yeah, she's still not well and I don't know if I should leave her"

"Cloud I understand, but this is the last day we will do deliveries until after new year's"

Cloud sighed.

"You're right, I have to go. There's no one else to deliver the parcels"

"I have a friend who is a nurse. She can look after Serah until you finish the deliveries. She's already on her way there now"

Cloud heard a knock at the door.

"Okay Tifa I think she's here now. I will see you soon, bye"

"Bye Cloud"

Cloud hanged up the phone opened the door for the nurse. He told her Serah's condition and showed her the medicine she had to take when she wakes up. After explaining everything Cloud left his bag and took his keys and wallet.

"I will be back after I have finished all of the deliveries"

"Don't worry dear, I will take good care of her or Tifa would give me an earful"

"Thank you"

Cloud took the room key as well and bolted downstairs. He went on his bike and straight back to seven heaven. He told Tifa her condition but didn't tell her about the panic attack since that was personal and Serah properly doesn't want anyone to know about it.

Cloud took the packages in a giant bag on his back and went straight on his bike. The first parcel was to be delivered to the chocobo farm. He went down to the farm and there were quite a few monsters, but to cloud they were just small fries. He reached the farm and delivered the parcel.

"Hey Billy, how have you been?"

"Hey Cloud. Thanks for delivering that parcel. I have been waiting for the latest batch of reigns for the chocobo, we had these old one's for ages. Anyway, while you're here do you want to see your chocobo, it's been a while"

"Sorry not now. Most likely after Christmas. I have quite a few parcel to deliver, sign here please"

Billy signed for the parcel and thanked Cloud who nodded, got on his bike and went to his next destination.

Cloud went to fort condor but was being chased by a Marlboro.

"Give me a break"

Cloud took out his sword and sliced him cleanly in two. He finally reached fort condor.

"Package for john"

"Hey Cloud, how have you been?"

"I've been fine, thanks. Sign here please"

When john signed for the package Cloud handed it to him. John waved goodbye and Cloud went back on his bike towards the next location.

"Okay next its Junon"

Cloud finally reach Junon and delivered the parcel. He had a couple of parcels left. He finally finished around 9 o clock. Cloud headed for Midgar to seven heaven. He handed Tifa the money for all the deliveries that were done. (Cloud's old fashioned when it comes to money. He would rather get paid up front for his deliveries). Cloud left the bar and went straight back to the hotel. He stormed upstairs and opened the door. Serah was still asleep and the nurse was just reading her magazine. She looked up and saw Cloud.

" how is she?"

"She's been asleep this entire time she's been fine"

"Okay, that is good to know"

"I should be off, I have to spend time with the family"

"Thank you for everything"

"You're welcome . She is fine and should wake up soon. I will see myself out"

Cloud shut the door and sat down, sighing in exhaustion. He reeked of sweat so he went to take another shower and after finish wore his normal clothes he sat back down sighing he could not believe the hell he had been through with his delivers.

(Cloud was riding towards midgar and got ambush by lot of chocobo eaters that though he was a chocobo needless to say Cloud didn't enjoy spending quality time with them.)

"Is my hair a curse?"

(Cloud hair had cause him quite a few issue like when his own chocobo though he was part of the pack or when almost every time he made a deliverer outside the city there was always a chocobo eater that was chasing him.)

Cloud push the matter aside and needed to log all the deliverers he reach for his laptop and the phone rang.

Cloud picked up and checked Serah was still asleep making sure his phone didn't disturb her.

"Hello Cloud"

"Rufus what do you want now?

"Did you like to way I am getting the hotel redone?"

"So it was you why?"

"How is Serah by the way?"

Cloud got up from the chair and looked outside it was deserted.

"How do you know about her?"

"I do know who comes and go out of midgar"

"What do you want now?"

"I need to talk to you it important in two days after Christmas meet me at healen lodge".

"Not...

"You know it would unpleasant if Serah is send back to her hometown .

"What do you mean by that"

"she on a travel visa which means she will have to go back soon and I can make her go back as soon as possible"

"What do you want?"

"I need to talk to you I will see you in two days in the lodge and Cloud have a merry Christmas".

"No wait" Cloud heard a dial tone and put his phone in his pocket.

"What the hell is going on here"

Cloud went on his computer trying to distracted himself from what just happen he started typing the order that he had done but his stomach began to rumble he stop typing and put the laptop down.

Cloud took the rooms keys and his bike keys went outside the hotel he need to get some food to keep his energy up. Cloud looked around there wasn't much to eat so he went on his bike back to seven heaven it took less than 10 minutes.

"Tifa I am back"

"Hey Cloud how Serah?"

"She is just resting is there anything to eat I am starving"

"I will make something for you take a seat"

"It will have to do takeaway, sorry Tifa leaving you here on your own".

"It's okay I am happy that Serah has someone to help her in her time on need"

Tifa went in the kitchen and started cooking while Cloud went up into his study and sat down on his chair. Cloud was tapping his fingers on the tables lost in though.

"What the hell does Rufus wants and what does it have to do with Serah?"

Cloud got up and look at his photo of him and Zack.

"What would you do in this situation Zack?

"Just stand by her Cloud and she will tell you when she ready you never given up on your friends don't start having doubt now and don't let Rufus get to you"

Cloud turned around expecting to see Zack but he was not there. Cloud chuckle

"Great I am starting to hear thing again but where that was real on not thanks Zack for that."

Cloud went back downstairs and his food was already in a bag.

"Sorry Tifa did I make you wait?"

"No I just finished and I've made something for Serah when she wakes up".

"Thanks Tifa I better go I will see you tomorrow".

"Cloud wait"

"What is it?"

"We should have a Christmas party with Serah she doesn't know anyone and I thought it would be a good idea for her to meet everyone and get along".

"Tifa that a great idea I will make sure she here for that and let keep it a surprise for her".

Cloud left the bar and went the hotel and went inside Serah room. He sat down to eat his food which was chicken with potatoes after he finished Cloud went into the bathroom and put on his nightclothes he went back on his laptop and finally after an hour he finished all of his order until after new year's. Cloud put his laptop away and took out the makeshift bed.

He looked at Serah who was still sleeping.

"Good night Serah".

Cloud switch off the light and went into his bed and drifted off to sleep.

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Well I hope you enjoyed the chapter tell me what you think and harsh criticism is welcome also did anyone pick up the Easter egg on a certain writer if you did well done you deserve a cookie and I thank everyone who is sticking with the story even though my writing is not to brilliant so thank you also please give me feedback on what I can do to improve thank you and see you next time.