Chapter 15

"The Dance"

Anticipation filled the halls of Nomura High school as the day of the fall festival finally came, upperclassmen had leaked out that "The Turks" would be playing the dance which elated the juniors into buying tickets for the dance, Juniors and Seniors still remembered the popular group even though they had already graduated from NH, most attending the dance were looking forward to seeing the band pay before they hit it big on the music charts; which many believed was sure to happen with how good their music sounded.

Members of the motor club were no exception; even the guys were looking forward to the dance. After all, they had decorated the gym and booked the entertainment. With all preparations over and done with, Zack, Cloud and the club walked around school with their heads held up a little higher, proud that they had done such a good job. Other students even took time out of their schedules to go up and talk to the MB members to let them know how good a job they did and couldn't wait to see The Turks play. Everyone was sure happy about how well things were going with the MB dance committee, excluding the principle that is. He was the only one who didn't look too pleased about the MB succeeding, knowing this both Cloud and Zack grinned triumphantly at one another, punishment? What punishment? The club had had a blast putting everything together! And there was no way that the principal would change their punishment now, what kind of example would he set then?

Everything was back in order with the club after Zack straightened both Jesse and Nicki out, Zack had actually taken Jesse aside the next day when she showed up to work on the gym and told her; that if she didn't cut it out and keep Nicki in line that she would be kicked out and banned from the club and its meetings. Jesse apologized to Zack and insisted that it would not happen again, though she had not gone up to apologize to Tifa, which disappointed the dark haired leader. He really hated that everyone was at odds, couldn't everyone just get along?

As for Tifa and Cloud? well things were going a little smoother now that Zack was in on their "secret". Uncle Z is what he insisted the baby should call him as soon as he or she was born and could talk. Good ol' Zack, he was back to his cheery self, he joked around with Cloud and Tifa about their future as parents, when he spoke about their future he spoke lightly about it, ignoring the harder parts that would follow them as soon as the little tike came into the world. His reason was: "Well, don't want to make it too depressing, Thought I'd just make it cheery for you two."

Zack, such a good friend he was.

Tifa had even told "Uncle Z" About the appointment she had made with the doctor his cousin Vincent referred. That appointment would not be until the week after the dance, the clinic was all booked up until then but she was in. Both Cloud and Zack seemed relieved that she was going to see a doctor, she needed to see one any way to make sure that the baby was developing normally, and both young men had seemed surprised when she included them in on what happened in the office once they had left, and how Vincent was willing to help out and keep the baby news under wraps. It was something that neither boy thought possible, Vincent Valentine had a heart? Who knew!

Although it felt good to no longer have to go and lie to Zack anymore, Tifa could not help but feel well…annoyed. Before she had thought Cloud was pretty bad, with Zack knowing about her condition, well it was like having two Cloud's!!!. It made Tifa curse Vincent mentally, and wish that it was a secret again. If Tifa made an effort to try and pick up something that looked even remotely heavy (she knew better), here came either Zack or Cloud running out of nowhere to swoop in and carry the object for her, if Tifa was thirsty? Both boys would go racing to the vending machines to bring her back something to drink. The slightest thing would set the twin souls running.

Except when Aerith was around them, Zack would cool it if Aerith were around, which is why Tifa stuck to her like Glue after that fight with Jesse. It was just safer.

"Could you help me with my Eyeliner? I always have trouble putting it on." Aerith sighed in frustrated defeat, Tifa was over at her place getting ready for the festival. It had taken a lot of negotiating with her papa into letting her go over to Aeriths, but there she was with Aerith preparing for the dance.

Aerith and Tifa had gone shopping for dresses the day after the fight in the cafeteria broke out, Aerith had been skeptical about going but Tia assured her that it would be fine, seeing that neither girl was going to be barred or punished for the fight. Both Zack and Cloud told them to go and pick something nice, to celebrate, the girls went of course. The two young men had actually succeeded in getting the club to stay mum about the fight that day, though it was still talked about amongst the club while the subjects weren't around.

"Sure thing, I have trouble with it too. Which is why I usually just color in the bottom lid, I just curl my lashes and put on Mascara-it has the same effect." Tifa patiently began painting Aerith's lashes with the black make up; she sure liked the way it looked on Aerith's eyes. With the eyeliner and Mascara on, it made Aerith's green eyes pop and sparkle beautifully. Any guy who happened to look at Aerith would be entranced, she was sure that Zack would be stuck to her all night.

"Thanks…wow! You did a good job!" Aerith exclaimed and marveled at Tifa's make up job in the mirror while poking at her cheeks with her ring finger, as if to check if it was really her in the mirror. "Wow thanks!, do you need help with your hair?" Aerith offered and Tifa gladly accepted.

Tifa had picked out a shimmering violet strapless gown for the dance, it hugged her frame appropriately in the right places, the dress was form fitting around the bust and bodice, and flared out at the hips and below. The hem stopped right above the knees, it was a beautiful dress and she couldn't wait to dance with cloud while wearing it. To complete the outfit, Tifa had picked up a pair of violet three inch high heels. She looked stunning, but all that was missing was her hair style and she did not know how to fix it up properly.

"I've always thought you would look cute with your hair up, how about it?" said Aerith as she ran her brush through Tifa's hair smoothing and parting it out to get rid of tangles. Tifa took only a minute to come to a decision and nodded approvingly, earning a girlish grin from Aerith who went to work. Aerith had chosen to clip the back of Tifa's hair into a graceful bun with a lovely silver and blue butterfly clip, leaving only Tifa's bangs free to frame her face. Tifa adored the style and thanked Aerith.

Aerith had chosen to wear her signature color of pink; she loved pink and always wore something of that shade on her when not in school. Due to uniform dress code. Aerith chose to wear a longer gown that hugged her body in a flattering way, it had thin pink straps, and a rose decoration on the bodice with little white beads. She looked beautiful as always, but tonight, Aerith whom normally wore her hair in a braid decided to let her hair down and let her long her flow in lovely brown waves. Wearing a lovely yellowish white flower pin in her hair behind her right ear to add some flare to her outfit.

Tifa thought she looked beautiful and was sure that Aerith was going to turn heads, as she was usually very conservatively dressed in and out of school.

"Look at us Tifa, were going to break a lot of hearts" joked the green eyed girl, the two had a good laugh about it. And then decided to lounge around Aerith's room for a bit, Zack and Cloud weren't due until six thirty, but both girls had a hunch that they would be late tonight.

"Normally Zack get's here on time" Aerith chatted "But he promised to get a car for the dance, since riding on the bike would be a little uncomfortable and bothersome." Tifa laughed.

"Can you imagine us on Fenrir's while wearing these outfits? The stares we'd get!" Tifa added.

"OH our skirts would fly up!" Aerith gasped and then laughed. The two girls began to talk about the guys, Cloud was going to hitch a ride with Zack which was another reason for Tifa to come over to Aerith's, she was going to stay the night here, and boy had it taken a lot to get her father to allow it. Aerith was a good liar when it came to adults, surprising yes but still, Aerith had charmed Mr. Lockhart with her politeness and respectful demeanor, and who wouldn't trust Aerith? Right? Thankfully Aerith had convinced Tifa's father that no boys (Cloud specifically) were going to be around the girls. Yeah right!.

"I don't expect them to wear tuxes" Tifa spoke up "I just can't picture either Cloud or Zack to wear one…it just seems so unlike them doesn't it?" Aerith giggled.

"Zack in a penguin suit…that would be so cute!" Aerith sighed dreamingly "But your right, it's just not their style and god help me if those two don't dress and act alike. I bet you anything they are wearing white dress shirts, with wife beaters underneath and a black tie with black trousers, I know my Zack and I'm sure that's what he's wearing."

Sure enough, the boys showed up at around six-fifty-five pm wearing White dress shirts, with white wife beaters underneath, complete with loose black ties and fitting black trousers and black loafers. That was as dressy as either Zack or Cloud ever got.

Zack had secured them his uncle's smooth black car, it was lunky looking thing but it was spacious and neat at the same time. It would be their carriage to the ball tonight. Cloud was in the passenger seat when they had pulled up, Cloud did not like cars very much, he liked bikes; he enjoyed the cold air hitting his face as he sped through the streets with only his breaks to keep him safe, he enjoyed the rush and cars just didn't feel the same to him. Needless to say it would be a cold day in hell before he'd get behind the wheel of a car. Which Zack laughed at, since that cold day in hell was approaching in just a few months.

The girls saw them pull up and race down stairs to wait for the door bell to ring. Aerith's mother was not home thankfully, she wanted to avoid the whole couple's photo shoot before hitting the dance, she hated that. Both Aerith and Tifa preferred to get pictures by the photographers at the dance. Upon opening the door to unveil their looks, Zack whistled at them humorously.

"My my! Don't you two look great!" Zack brought a hand to his chest and gasped sharply, mimicking an out of breath woman. Aerith bumped Zack on the arm gently with her hand, her way of saying "cut it out". The two hugged and Aerith leaned up for a kiss, not caring that Cloud and Tifa were present.

Not that it mattered; Cloud was far too enamored with Tifa to notice. Tifa herself was quite entranced with Cloud, the two looked at each other, staring longingly into one another's eyes. It mirrored their first meeting from last year…almost two years now. Tifa blushed and reached her hand out for Cloud who slowly traced his fingers on her palm before taking hold of it, he gripped her hand lightly and the two smiled at one another.

Cloud laced his fingers with hers and slowly pulled her toward him into an embrace, he held her close enough for their noses to touch. Cloud slowly leaned in and kissed her tenderly on the lips, the sparks were still there, even after almost two years of dating the sweet feeling of a first kiss was still there. The two pulled away from the kiss slowly, Tifa hoped that this wonderful kiss would mark the beginning of an enchanted evening.

-

The Turks had not arrived at the dance yet to begin their set, they were scheduled to begin an hour into the festivities, until then a DJ had been hired to keep the ball rolling and the attendees entertained. The music was hot, the gym was wonderfully decorated, and a few booths had been set up outside in the courtyard, game booths with prizes to go with the GSSR gold saucer theme of the dance. Cloud and Zack had both tried their luck on a few games that they had helped set up, one of the booths was set up with the old knock the milk bottles down gag. Zack one Aerith a small bear, Cloud had actually failed to beat Zack at something, the quartet had a laugh about it.

The rest of the gang showed up a little earlier than they had. Billy had shown up solo, choosing the group thing with Biggs and Wedge. To everyone's surprise, especially to Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, and Zack. Ellie had asked Johnny out two days ago, and he had accepted. Ellie was just as decked out as Tifa and Aerith, and for once, the usually casual jean and t-shirt, with motorbike grease stains on his clothes-Johnny, he had actually dressed up and cleaned up well. Looking a little snazzier than cloud and Zack with a black vest over his dress shirt and tie. But still casual.

Jaws dropped as the two danced together, and Johnny ran around grabbing Ellie things, like drinks, and prizes at the booth, it was weird to see the two acting so close as well, especially when only days before the two had been nothing but aquaintences, Ellie was acting very flirty with Johnny, and he was responsive!. Aerith whispered to Tifa at one point.

"Do you think her weekly crushes are over with?"

"Maybe…"Tifa smiled happily, Ellie deserved to be happy, and there would be a huge sigh of relief from all who knew her and her boy-chasing.

"Should we call her Johnny's girlfriend now?" asked Cloud.

"Has a nice ring to it, Johnny's girlfriend!" Zack concluded. Three guys in their little group now had girlfriends, Wedge, Billy, and Biggs were the single guys now.

Most who'd won a prize took their loot to their regular day lockers; for safe keeping, before returning to the fun. It was funny too Tifa when Aerith announced that she needed to take her prize to her locker-and Zack was going to "help". Cloud shook his head whispered into Tifa's ear that those two could be a little more discreet. Tifa giggled and wrapped her arms around Cloud's shoulders and pulled him close, her hands laced behind his neck securing his embrace.

"Don't worry about them…" she responded, a slow song began to play. Cloud's hands wandered down to her waist, leading the pair in a slow dance. Tifa's face flushed, other couples danced nearby and closely too, but that did not matter, she was dancing on air- all the bad things that had happened in the past few months were miles away. Funny how a silly high school dance could wash away such feelings, and make a girl glow.

"I'm not, just wish they'd be a little more discreet in front of someone else." Cloud mumbled silently, moving his hand from her hips to her belly. Softly caressing the top. The two froze and looked into one another's eyes, Tifa was a bit stunned, Cloud had never made a reference where someone could here, but still his act touched her. She placed her left hand over his, letting it set for a moment before sliding his hand back to her hip.

"Cloud." Tifa said softly. They danced on.

-

Jesse and her friend Nicki were sitting at a table with a few other motor club members, Jesse was eyeing the handsome blond, and his girlfriend dancing amongst the crowd of people, Cloud looked so great tonight. Jesse did not express her want physically, but she did feel envious. It was just last year that she had danced with Cloud during a slow song, it would be two in January, but it was only now that Jesse noticed something. Something that she had always ignored purposely, out of spite, she noticed it…the chemistry between the blond and his brunette….the love.

That day in the cafeteria made it clear to her, that she was really fighting a losing battle. Jesse watched them, and thought of Tifa's face from that afternoon, the anguish…the frustration. And the fight that followed, Jesse did feel guilt, even though it was really Nicki who had started the fight. Nicki whom had provoked the honor roll student to fight back and defend herself, while in the office with Vincent Valentine Jesse had actually burst and cried saying that they had started the fight. Zack later came up to her and told to cut the dramatics out, otherwise she was out of the club. Jesse loved motorbikes, and her friends in the club, she could not risk it. She was peeved that Zack had come at her like that, but she relented.

Jesse had also asked Nicki to ask her brother Reno to disinvite Rufus Shinra to the dance, she didn't want anymore Trouble with Zack, she wanted to stay in the club, Rufus Shinra would surely stir things up if he were to show. Nicki did not take that to well.

"Your asking me to tell my brother, to tell his manager not to show? The guy who's funding his career?"

Nicki was pissed at her for a few days, but the two friends patched things up before the dance. Nicki smiled at Jesse when she asked if the two were going to the dance together and go stag, good sign that the two were still friends, Jesse dressed up for the evening-opting to ditch her tomboy clothes for something a little more dressy.

Her friend whom was always a bit on the girly side picked out the outfit. Nicki and Jesse showed up in cute matching blue and pink chiffon dresses with thin black bows to tie in the bodice. Fixed up with makeup, and their hair down up, the two had made a splash with the motor club boys and several other guys at the dance. Biggs had complimented Jesse, who had made her smile, Billy had asked Nicki to dance, Nicki declined, which sent poor Billy walking out to the courtyard red in the face, and very embarrassed. Jesse stopped and stared at Nicki then, and was mad at how she had treated her pal Billy, Billy whom was also good friends with Cloud.

It was then that Jesse started to question what kind of a friend she really had on her side right about now, was Nicki always this obnoxious? And rude?. And how had she failed to notice it until now?. Jesse sighed, she wanted to have a good time. Biggs had asked her to dance then, Jesse gladly accepted, as much as she wanted Cloud, she knew it wasn't going to happen. Biggs looked extremely pleased by her acceptance, like he was on cloud nine.

She was young, just because one guy doesn't like doesn't mean it's the end of the world, there plenty of cute one out there who are just jumping at the chance to be with you. Jesse had heard that many times before, but didn't buy into it until now. she was really having fun, dancing with Biggs, and hanging out with the club, and everyone smiling. She was happy…then she saw the Turks set up their equipment. Jesse remembered whom she had invited alongside Nicki, looking over her shoulder, Jesse saw Nicki smirk. Jesse's smile faltered, and her eyes quickly glanced toward the stage.

Rufus Shinra had chosen to make an appearance after all.

-

Ah…hello, how is everyone? Is anyone still here? . If you knew why I was gone for so long, I thank you for being patient, I've been meaning to respond to people's reviews, would you guys like Pm? Or should I still continue to reply in the chapters? Just asking heheh…

But it was a huge relief finally finishing this chapter, now that were at chapter fifteen I'd say were getting pretty close to the end of Cloudy Tifa, well half anyway. Our happy couple is going to go through more downs before the end, ahh…hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. Please review and tell me what you think. Feel free to leave really long suggestive reviews.

I have a small little question. It involves rufus and I'm torn with this idea.

Should Cloud

Have a fist fight with rufus,have the entire club come out and break it up and ruin his night and possibly be expelled or jailed.

Have a private showdown with rufus and fight over Tifa.

Have A happen, and also have Nicki get bitched at by Jesse for causing drama.

Have Tifa publicly humiliate Rufus, but with Class, and prevent Cloud from getting into a fight. And still have Nicki get bitched at. But By Jesse and the entire club.

Please feel free to leave suggestions.

Love you guys. Very much so, otherwise I wouldn't have come back to post this.

Mwah! Thank you for being patient.

Rina