Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy or any part of the series
Author's Note: This chapter, though hard to do, was especially light. It served as my bridge, and an introduction to the sparking relationship between Rinoa and Squall. I was intending to put the start of major Squinoa parts on this chapter, but I figured I should take it slow and save that for the next chapter, hence, this chapter. :3
Again, I would like to thank everyone who read my story and gave it reviews. I love you guys, really. *HUGS*
And I hope you'll like this chapter! Sorry it took so long for me to update... but the next two ones... well, they are what I'm especially excited about. hihihi... :3
Cloud did not go to school the next day.
The first thing Rinoa did that morning as she entered 3-B's classroom was check his usual chair, only to find it empty. She then approached his best friend Zack who was sitting next to Cloud's unoccupied chair and asked him where his friend was and if he was going to show up at anytime of the day. But he timidly replied that he won't.
"... he had to run some... errands." Zack scratched the back of his head. It was true, Cloud was assigned with an errand, a mission to look after that girl his guardian Sephiroth brought with him the day before. But she did not wake up yet, and Cloud refused to leave her side until she does, or unless he was asked to do something urgent.
As much as he wanted to, Zack couldn't tell Rinoa the exact reason why Cloud did not go to school. It was part of Shinra's rules; to keep their missions or any part of their lives as SOLDIERs in secrecy.
But Rinoa got the wrong idea.
She thought it was because of what she said and how she acted the day before. She couldn't deny that she was being mean, and it was what she intended to do to show Cloud how angry she was. She didn't mean anything else or anything worse than that. And she felt bad for it.
Maybe I overdid it.
"Oh... okay. Thanks, Zack."
"Ahehe... Anytime."
She wondered if Squall too was absent that day.
"Hey Rinoa!" A familiar voice called her. She turned around with a forced smile.
"Hi Yuna."
Her friend gave her a concerned look. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. So what's up?"
"I was just gonna ask you what your plans are for today."
"Today?" Rinoa gave her friend a confused look. She never asked her that before, even during Fridays. What would make that day different from regular schooldays?
"Well, yeah. I mean, we only have half of today for school. It's the last day of this year before the holidays!"
Rinoa's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wow, really?"
"Yeah!"
The black haired girl smiled in excitement and began jumping. "Yay!"
Yuna started to jump with her. "I know! Isn't it great?!"
"Yeah!" Rinoa giggled. She never experienced anything like that back in Winhill. The only holiday she had there was Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's eve and the day after.
Their classmates began to look at them quizzically at their childish behavior.
As soon as they stopped jumping, Yuna held Rinoa's hands. "So, are you planning on doing anything this afternoon?"
"Uh, not that I know of." Rinoa was hoping Yuna would invite her to a lunch somewhere. "Why?"
"Well, I asked because Tidus invited me to grab some lunch at Zone's Resto."
Oh.
"He wanted to invite you to come with us."
Rinoa's smile faded. "Uhm," Her brows furrowed as she thought about it. "well, Yuna, that would be great but..."
She paused. And slowly, she put her smile back on.
"I think, it would be better if I leave you guys alone. I mean, it sounds like a great date for both of you. And I really don't want to interrupt it or anything."
"Oh! No, no, no, we would really love your company." Yuna gave her an assuring smile.
Rinoa shook her head. "Thank you, really. But I do think that it's best to leave you guys alone. Beside, it's Christmas. Do yourself a favor and spend as much time as you can with him." She smiled and gave her friend's arm a comforting rub.
Yuna sighed. "Well, if you insist. But, if you change your mind, just come with us."
"Hmmm... I'll think about it."
Yuna giggled. "Okay."
"How about Rikku and Paine? Have you asked them yet?"
"Rikku said she'll be busy helping Uncle Cid with the airship rentals. Holidays are pick seasons and many people wanted to go places and stuff." Rinoa knew Rikku lied on that, so Yuna and Tidus would be able to spend more time alone. "And Paine, well, as usual, she said she didn't want to go." Yuna shrugged.
Good, Rinoa thought.
"How about Tifa? Or Yuffie?"
"What about us?" Said a familiar voice which sounded closely to Rikku's. But it wasn't Rikku, rather her 3-B version, Yuffie.
"Oh, uh-well..." Yuna stuttered in reply, and Rinoa instantly knew Tidus did not plan to invite them.
"I was just asking if you guys have plans for today after school." The raven haired continued for her friend. Yuna briefly shot her a grateful look.
Yuffie glanced at her excitedly. "My grandpa's coming over to fetch me, and we're going back to Wutai!" she threw her arms in the air, enjoying the thought of her holiday vacation.
"Oh. What about Tifa?" Rinoa asked as she looked around the room for her friend. "Where is she anyway?"
"Oh, Tifa already left for Nibelheim." Yuffie nodded informatively. "She wanted to tell you guys she was sorry she didn't inform you. She was supposed to tell you yesterday, but the fight happened and all that so..."
"That's fine." Yuna mildly replied.
"We understand." Rinoa nodded.
School finished early, before lunch to be exact, like what Yuna told Rinoa. The black haired Caraway was standing under the shed, as usual, waiting for her driver Robert to pick her up.
Then, she suddenly realized something. Robert didn't know that she only had half of the day for school.
Quickly, Rinoa searched her bag for her phone and dialled her driver's number. He picked up after two rings.
"Miss Heartily!"
"Hey Robert! Uhm, I'm sorry for such a short notice, but school's finished right now. Can you come pick me up?"
"Oh, I'm sorry Ma'am, but Sir Caraway asked me to bring him to Galbadia Garden for some business appointment of some sort."
"Until what time is his appointment?"
"Until 2 o'clock, Ma'am. We planned to arrive there right on time for your dismissal and pick you up then."
That would mean two hours of waiting. Rinoa sighed. "Oh."
"I'm really sorry Ma'am, I couldn't leave him here. And he was already inside, so I can't inform him."
Rinoa clearly understood. He was probably in the meeting right now, too busy to be disturbed. "It's fine, Robert. It's my fault anyway. I didn't tell you about it."
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine, really. I can always find my way home, the house shouldn't be that far."
"Ma'am, please. You can't possibly walk again like last time. Your father would be worried."
He doesn't know, Rinoa thought wickedly. "Or I can ask a friend to ride me home." She suddenly rebutted defensively, half hoping that her statement would come true.
"That would be a better idea."
"Okay Robert, thank you anyway."
"Alright Ma'am."
Rinoa put her phone away. Her next problem was who will be willing to share a ride with her and bring her home.
She thought of Tidus, but she wasn't really sure where he was. Besides, he was probably already on a date with Yuna, and Rinoa had no idea where Zone's Resto was.
Cloud would walk her home but... he was absent. And the reminder made Rinoa's stomach cramp with guilt.
Then she thought of Squall and had a brilliant realization.
Maybe Squall can take me home!
...
Where is Squall?
She looked around in search for the brunette. He was the only hope left for her, but she saw no sign of him. She thought about coming back inside the school and search the library, but she was having second thoughts about the effort she'll make, because it made alot more sense to think that he had already gone home for the holidays, like everyone else, especially since he still had to travel all the way from Deling City to Esthar.
Rinoa sighed again.
Suddenly, she spotted a familiar figure with long and silky blonde hair near the gate of the school that Rinoa undoubtedly knew belonged to one of her friends from 3-A.
She stepped out of the shed and ran to its direction.
"Quistis!" Rinoa called.
The blonde beauty turned around and smiled, delighted to see her. "Rinoa!"
Rinoa stopped beside Quistis. "Hey, uhm, do you happen to know where Squall is?"
"Oh, yes. He's at Watt's with the rest of the group. It's two blocks away. I'm on my way there actually."
"Oh." Rinoa nodded, even if she didn't know what Watt's was. "What's he doing there?"
"Well, we're having our last Christmas get together before we part ways for the holidays and all. You should come with us!"
Rinoa shook her head. "Oh, no. Actually, I just wanted to ask Squall if I could share a ride with him going home, since my driver was still in Galbadia waiting for my dad." Quistis nodded, and Rinoa followed in response. "But, I guess Squall won't be coming home anytime soon, which is alright too. I can walk my way home." A long and icy cold walk.
"Come now Rinoa. It will be great if you can come with us while you wait for your driver. Besides, Squall doesn't usually stay that long, and he may take you home soon too."
It was a tempting offer, especially for Rinoa. She didn't mind spending more time with Squall and the others, it was her chance to get to know 3-A's friendly bunch. However, she was concerned that she might feel a bit out of place if she went. Then again, who was she to assume that. She was good friends with Selphie, Irvine and Quistis (she didn't trust that Squall would help her feel comfortable, so she counted him out), and spending lunch with them might not be as bad. Better yet, it might turn out pretty good. After all, nobody and not even she can predict the future.
Also, it was the best option left for Rinoa.
"Alright. I'll go with you."
Rinoa had no idea what kind of courage Hyne had blessed her to accept Quistis' offer and go to a Christmas reunion with her friends. The raven haired from 3-B felt like her stomach was loaded with snakes as she stared nervously at the small fast food place called 'Watt's', which was inviting her in like a menacing Bahamut's mouth.
"Here we are!" Quistis relaxly said as she entered the place.
"Yeah. Here we are." Rinoa took in a deep breath and followed Quistis inside, as if she was going to face and fight Ultima alone with nothing but her bare hands.
Inside, they were surrounded by alot of people, mostly were students from Deling High. Rinoa got partly nervous at first when she couldn't find Quistis, and partly relieved that she had a perfect excuse to back-out. Unfortunately, it was Quistis who found her first as she grabbed Rinoa hand to pull her out of the hungry mob.
Without even looking at Rinoa, the blonde rescuer lead her towards a table surrounded by red chairs, occupied by five people the raven haired was scared to see; Squall and his gang minus Quistis. She tried to hide herself behind Quistis, but someone found her too quickly.
"Rinoa!" Selphie yelled in joy as she rose up from the table and embraced Rinoa. "I'm so glad to see you here! Surprised actually... but, still glad!"
Rinoa hugged back and gave out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, good to see you too Selphie." She noticed everyone else looked at her, including Squall. It made her intestines churn.
"Well, good to see another pretty lady join us." Irvine said with a flirtatious tone. But Selphie and the others ignored it, and Rinoa figured it was just the way he is.
"Woohoo! Finally get to meet the famous Rinoa!" A guy with short, spiky blonde hair and a weird tatoo on his face said warmly, though Rinoa wondered what he meant by "famous". "By the way, the name's Zell. Zell Dincht." He reached out his hand.
"Nice to meet you." Rinoa took his hand and shook it gleefully. At least this one looks nice.
At the corner of her eye, she saw Seifer grinning, while the brunette loner was not even looking at her.
Snobby meanie.
"Take a seat, Rinoa."
She immediately obliged and sat on a chair between Selphie and Quistis, safely distant from Squall and his blonde friend Seifer, who was looking at her amusingly.
Then, he asked, in a slightly sneering tone. "So what brings you here?"
Rinoa turned to Seifer and raised her eyebrows. "Uhm, I was just gonna ask Squall" The brunette quickly glanced at her, and she looked back at him. "if I can share a ride with him. To my house I mean."
Someone would've taunted Squall with her innocent remark, but no one dared to.
"Rinoa asked me if I know where Squall is, and I invited her over to have lunch with us." Quistis summarized it all for Rinoa, who shyly looked at Squall.
He was still staring at her, though for the split second that she noticed him, he looked away to his side. He was bent forward to the table, his arms folded as they were resting on the surface. Rinoa noticed that he was wearing the same black leather jacket he lent her the day before over his white shirt, with a few buttons left opened on the top. And with his usual frown, he looked like a tough gangster ready to kick some ass in just one flick of a finger. But Rinoa noticed something else in his frown, especially his eyes...
They seem a bit sad.
Suddenly, Rinoa felt Selphie grab her wrist. "We ladies are going to buy our lunch first!" She stood up as Rinoa and Quistis followed.
"Excuse us." She nodded to the guys, as she heard Zell scowl.
"Uhm," Rinoa pointed back at Zell as Selphie pulled her away from the table to the cashier. "I think Zell's hungry."
"He's always hungry." Selphie and Quistis said in chorus.
"Oh."
After several minutes of waiting in line and buying their lunch, Rinoa and her companies from 3-A finally began to eat, with Zell especially noticeable as he ate two hotdog sandwiches at once.
But Squall was silently munching on his french fries, completely ignoring his hamburger. His friends barely noticed him as they talked and laughed about the most random things. Until it got so bad to the point that Zell dared everyone to play at the place's playground after a pointless argument with his friends that they are not children anymore.
"We may be 17, but we're still kids at heart!" Selphie protested.
"Oh yeah? Then you crybabies prove that to me and play at Watt's..." Zell paused and looked at the playground's title. "Watt's Happy Place!"
"Fine! C'mon Irvine!" Selphie was provoked enough and pulled her reluctant boyfriend but his arm with her to the spot where children were seen playing with slides and bouncing with colorful plastic balls.
"Whoah whoah whoah! Selphie, Honey, calm down!"
"You're coming with them, Chicken Wuss." Seifer grinned as she stood up and pushed Zell to the playground.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
Quistis sighed. "I'm gonna make sure they don't do anything stupid." And honestly, she felt stupid enough for her friends as she decided to watch over them like a nanny and followed.
Rinoa laughed at them as she clapped her hands in amusement. From the table, she watched Seifer pushing Zell down the slide, who was struggling and seemed to be whining. Is he scared of slides?
Selphie had reached the pool of balls, playing chase with Irvine, who seemed to be enjoying it as much as his girlfriend did.
As for Quistis, well, she seemed to be quite entertained herself as she watched her friends act like children.
Rinoa turned back to her partially eaten burger and took it in her hands. Then, at he peripheral vision, she noticed someone stayed with her on the table. Of course, it was Squall. Even Rinoa couldn't imagine him joining his friends at their crazy rampage at the children's area, but he seemed too distracted to even notice them. Also, he had not touched his burger yet, though he already finished his french fries.
Rinoa carefully stood up and walked over to Zell's chair, which was just right across Squall's, but his eyes were locked on the table and he failed to notice Rinoa sit in front of him. Then, quietly, she slid the burger closer to the brunette, whose eyes briefly shifted to his lunch then looked up to the owner of the hand that pushed it to him. He stared at Rinoa blankly without his usual frown.
"I noticed you haven't eaten yet." Rinoa told him gently, with pure concern. "Aren't you hungry?"
Squall faintly looked down. "Not really."
"Something wrong?"
Squall was a bit surprised with her question. Yes, something was bothering him since yesterday, but he didn't want anyone to know, especially not Rinoa. And never will he let her in his lifetime. He looked at her again and shook his head. "No."
"Well, I'm hungry. And I couldn't eat when you're not eating." Rinoa leaned back against her chair and crossed her arms.
Squall shot her a confusing look. "What... if you're hungry, just eat. Don't mind me."
"It makes me feel bad if I eat, knowing someone else is not eating for some reason."
"Then don't. I don't care." Squall shot back. But as soon as he did, he kicked himself for his impulsive response, especially when he remembered that he was still on hotseat for what happened the day before. Besides, he didn't apologize yet or had done anything like that.
There was a pause, and Squall looked back down at the table, not daring to look at Rinoa.
Her silence bothered him
Damn.
Another moment had passed, and his careless action disturbed him even more, as silence grew between them.
"Choo choo!" He suddenly heard Rinoa's voice mildy squealed somewhere near him.
"Choo choo! Open up! Here comes the train!"
Squall looked at his burger, only to see it gone from its spot. Then he turned to Rinoa, who was leaning close to him with his burger in her swaying hand, playing trains to make him eat his lunch.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to feed you."
"I'm not a child anymore, I can feed myself."
"Then eat! Come on. Or else, Choo choo!"
"I don't want to eat yet!"
Rinoa ignored him. "You don't like trains? Okay then, let's try something more forceful and fast. Oh, I know! An airship! Here comes the airship!" She stretched her arm upward, ready to dive the burger into Squall's mouth. "Eeeeoooouuuuwwww!!!" She tried to imitate the sound of a jetplane.
"Hey! Stop i-"
But she was too fast. She shoved half of the burger into Squall's mouth, almost choking him in the process. Left with no other choice, he bit it off and began to chew as he sent his feeder a deadly glare. But she simply smiled at him and returned to her chair.
"Glad to you could join me." Rinoa said in a ladylike manner as she took her own burger and started to eat.
"Lets go grab some ice cream!" Half an hour later, after the rest of the group finally stopped playing (except for Zell, who was left at the pool of balls, playing with other small children), Selphie decided to get some ice cream, and grabbed Rinoa's hand.
"Uhm, I'm okay guys, you go ahead." Rinoa replied.
"Why? You don't like ice cream?" Selphie looked sadly to the raven haired.
"No! It's not like that. I like ice cream, I'm just.. a bit short in money." She left most of her money at home, which she was saving for Christmas presents. She honestly didn't know why they wanted ice cream at this cold weather, but Rinoa couldn't deny to herself that she wanted to have some too.
Selphie's mouth formed into a shape of 'O' and nodded as she understood.
She, Irvine, and the rest of the group went to the counter and ordered some ice cream. Again, leaving Rinoa and Squall alone at their table.
"Do you want some ice cream?" Squall asked in his low voice a few minutes later, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Rinoa looked at him. "Well..." She was about to say "no", but his blue, intimidating eyes demanded the truth from her.
"Yeah, an ice cream would've been nice."
Squall nodded slightly.
"I'll buy you one."
Rinoa's eyes widened. He? Squall? Buying me ice cream? She shook her head. "There's no need, really I-"
"I'll buy you an ice cream." Squall impatiently said as she stood up, grabbed Rinoa's hand and pulled her with him.
The contact made her freeze.
It wasn't the first time they touched each other, Rinoa remembered how she once stroked his hair back at the library. And there was also that time when he carried her, though she could hardly make out any reason why it should be memorable to her when she was forced to let him carry her. But the simple gesture of holding her hand made Rinoa feel different and secured, considering that he was Squall Leonhart. He may be Cloud's equal, but he's far more scary, unfriendly and intimidating than his competition.
Yet he was holding her, about to treat her with some ice cream.
As soon as they reached the counter, Rinoa tried her best to focus on the menu in front of them and started browsing the options she had. But before she ordered at the cashier, she had to ask Squall something first.
"What are you getting?"
Without looking at Rinoa, he replied. "No, I don't eat ice cream."
"Then I'm not going to get one either." Rinoa stubbornly crossed her arms for the second time that afternoon.
Squall sighed. He turned and looked at her. "It would be a waste of food and money if I get something I won't eat."
"And it would be unfair if the person who's going to pay my ice cream won't get himself an ice cream. So we're just wasting our time here if you're not getting yourself an ice cream."
The guy behind the cashier looked at the two arguing costumers confusingly, who were locked at each other's glares.
But it was Squall that admitted defeat. "Fine. I'll get what she's having."
Rinoa smiled in her victory.
"Two chocolate sundaes please."
"I like mine in a cup." Squall cut in.
Rinoa smirked. "So you don't like ice cream, eh?" She whispered.
"What was that?"
"Oh, nothing." She smiled at the brunette.
After Squall paid and had their ice cream, they headed back to their place. Then, Rinoa spotted a tall table with a pitcher of water.
"You go ahead Squall, I'll go get us some water." He nodded as she went to the stall where the pitcher stood beside a pile of plastic cups.
Suddenly, she felt someone grab her shoulders and turned her around violently.
It was that blonde girl, Leblanc, and her minions.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from my boys?"
Rinoa was stunned to see her, still distressed from their first encounter, when Tifa suddenly appeared and saved her. "Which part of it didn't you understand?" She hissed and pushed Rinoa, who accidentally dropped her ice cream to the floor, staining her shirt in the process. The blonde bully chuckled at the sight of it.
"You stupid, little girl. You don't even know who you're messing with."
"Leblanc, Seifer is coming." The blonde's brown haired friend said worriedly.
"Next time I see you, you will regret for even knowing them." Leblanc said in a warning tone. Then, her group walked away, disappearing in the crowd.
Rinoa was stunned. She knew Leblanc hated her, she made it clear yesterday after she walked out the cafeteria. But she didn't know that she hated her that much, just for being seen close to "her" Squall and Cloud. She looked down her white shirt, which was smudged with brown ice cream and grumbled. Rinoa took a nearby tissue from the stall, and began rubbing it against her shirt to remove the excess dairy.
"Hey, Rinoa," the raven haired looked up, and her heart stopped to see Seifer approaching.
"Squall sent me to hel-" He stared at her shirt. Then he gave her a puzzled look. "What happened to your shirt?"
"Uh..." Rinoa quickly thought of a simple, good excuse. "my ice cream. It slipped from my hands."
"Oh." Seifer replied, but he didn't believe it. "Well, let me buy you another one-"
"No no no!" Rinoa decided not to accept any more freebies. "I'm fine, really." She nodded with assurance. "I'll just go get some water."
"Yeah, I got it." Seifer approached the stall, took some cups and filled them with water from the pitcher. "You can go back to our table now, I'll follow soon."
Rinoa nodded. "Okay, thanks."
Squall noticed her shirt too, as soon as she got back to him and the others, who also greeted the stain. But they didn't buy her excuse either. And Squall was especially bad at hiding his doubt.
"It's true!" Rinoa tried to convince him. "I was careless. I know you bought it for me, and I'm sorry."
Squall stared at her for another few seconds, without removing the same expression on his face. Then, he slid his ice cream cup in front of her.
Rinoa instantly knew what he was trying to do. "No, Squall, it's yours-"
"Let's share."
Rinoa was taken aback. She looked at his sundae and saw that he already ate a small part of it, which only meant that he probably liked it. Also, it only had one spoon, and if they shared, they'll have to share the spoon too.
Moreover, Rinoa couldn't believe that he was sharing it with her.
But she already felt bad for the lame excuse she told him, which was supposed to be as if it was her fault, concealing Leblanc completely in the story. Besides, she should make it up to him, at least for buying her an ice cream and say "yes" in everything he asked from her. So if he said they'll share, then she should eat Squall's ice cream with him just because he said so. Then again, things don't work that fast, so she tested him again.
"No, really, I'm goo-"
"We will share." Squall said with finality in his voice as he looked at her intently
So he was being serious.
And that was exactly how it went. They shared their ice cream, though awkwardly, sharing one spoon, as the rest of the group secretly watched them, careful not to disturb their friend Squall's moment.
It felt more like a date than a simple get-together lunch to Rinoa. She spend most of her time with Squall, playing "who's the most stubborn", though the score was a draw, so far. She looked at their ice cream, bashfully took a scoop and ate it.
Squall, on the other hand, wasn't really sure of what he was doing. The only logical thing for him to do when he saw Rinoa come back without an ice cream was stand up and buy her another one. But no, something pushed him to share his ice cream with her instead. Not only that, he denied her rejection of his sharing idea. Twice.
Either way, he was rather enjoying his ice cream as they took turns in eating the chocolate sundae.
But his moment was shortly interrupted by a vibration from Rinoa's cellphone. Squall quickly sat up as Rinoa searched for her phone.
She took it from her bag and flicked it open. "Hello?... Robert!... Oh, you're coming right now?" Rinoa's shoulders suddenly slouched down and gave Squall a sad look. He realized she didn't want to go yet. And neither did he.
"Oh okay, uhm-"
Squall suddenly grabbed the phone from Rinoa's hands, who looked at him disbelievingly.
"Good afternoon Robert, this is Squall Leonhart, Rinoa's friend. She's still eating here with me and my friends at this food place, Watt's. I'll bring her home as soon as she's done.... Yes, there's nothing to worry about, I promise... Good day."
He closed it and handed Rinoa her phone. He stared at her, silently telling that it was done and dealt with. Rinoa gave him an approving look and giggled at him. Squall grinned back at her.
Zell, who just got back from the playground, sat beside Seifer and leaned closer to his side after he watched Rinoa and Squall exchange smiles. "Dude, Squall's smiling! That's insane!" He whispered. "Is he, like, sick?"
Seifer snickered. "Physically, no way. Mentally, maybe. Emotionally, yeah, he's terminally ill. That's why he's Puberty Boy."
Inside a suite at the seventeenth floor of Shinra's office in Deling City, Cloud was stirring the boiling tomato soup in a small pot. It was what he remembered to be his friend Terra's favorite back when they were kids. He scooped some of the liquid, poured into a bowl then placed it on a tray with a spoon and a glass of water. Carefully, he lifted it up and headed to the guest room where Terra was still slumbering quietly.
He was assigned on a brief, crucial mission in Midgar, and sadly, he needed to depart from his friend for a short while. So he decided to leave her with least something to eat once she finally wakes up.
With his eyes focused on the the tray in his hands, Cloud slowly opened the door and placed Terra's food on a table beside her bed.
Unbeknownst to him, the girl of emerald hair was already sitting up on her bed, her curious gaze following Cloud wherever he walked.
The spiky head was about to leave when he looked to check at Terra first and was startled to see her finally awake. He froze on his place and oriented himself that she was actually looking at him, as if waiting for him to say something. But as much as he wanted to, he was overwhelmed with too much mixed feelings of happiness, relief, worry, excitement, sadness and longing.
Carefully, he walked towards Terra, and sat on the floor next to her. She didn't show any fear or hesitation. She was just sitting there, on the bed in Cloud's loose, black shirt, examining the blonde guy beside her.
"Hi Terra." He started diffidently. "I'm glad you're awake." Very glad actually. "My mentor, Sephiroth, he saved you from Kefka and brought you here at Shinra office. You're safe now."
Cloud wanted to say more. There was so much he wanted to talk about with her, like how he became a SOLDIER, his school, how he planned to find her...
But a mission doesn't wait, and he had to go immediately, even if he wished to stay with her so badly.
She continued to stare at him, as if lost, as if she couldn't recall him. True, he had changed, and he would understand it if she didn't remember him. But she looked slightly different too, from the ten year old Terra he last saw. Though her round face remained, her once innocent strangely colored eyes now seemed more lost and confused. Her curly green hair had gone a bit longer, which she tied in a ponytail with a red ribbon. Also, she undoubtedly grew taller, though still shorter than Cloud was.
"Well, I have to go now. I'll see you soon."
"Cloud?" Her light voice cautiously asked.
He turned to her. "Yeah?"
She cried in relief and threw herself to Cloud with an embrace, who steadily put his arms around her in response. Cloud then closed his eyes and tightened his hug on his long lost friend. He was very happy to be with her again.
A/N: Please don't kill me! .