DISCLAIMED: (08/10/09)
EDITED: (09/16/09)

Characters: Cloud/Yuffie, Godo, mentions of Rufus, eventually all of AVALANCHE
Rating: M, because of the sexing you read in the last chapter…and in the future.
Summary: Cloud is on the road again, his inability to tell Tifa how he felt sending her into Reeve's arms. Now his only contact with the rest of the world is Rufus for a job and Yuffie, because she could. All games/movies compliant.
A/N: Uh...major fluff warning, I guess? Welcome to the softer side of Cloud;P Here it is a bit early so I don't forget.


::

ЄөЦŕҐїŊģЭфΘμÐ

Chapter 八

-

Cloud has a scare in the cave when Yuffie's temperature drops dramatically. Saving her turns into something quite heated and he just barely manages to reign himself and his fear in. Afterward he comes to a slightly startling realization.

Closing his eyes, he breathed deep, forcing himself to relax. His sure-fire way of accomplishing this in the past had been to think of her and that's what he did, imagining her and her easy-going smile as they bantered good-naturedly each month. However, this time he zeroed in on the way she tilted her head at him when he told a story. And how her brow curved almost elegantly when she called him on his bullshit. And how her laugh lit up her whole face, her dove-gray eyes glittering with mirth. How her cheeks heated when he made a double entendre, simply to get that specific reaction.

Rubbing his face, he didn't understand how he didn't realize it before. He was falling for his best friend.

-

Old Man's Cave :: Dawn

- Day Five 日五

During the wee hours before morning, Cloud had convinced himself he was imagining all the little things and that he'd built Yuffie up in his mind for the benefit of trying to be the one she needed most. He'd sat on the cot and watched her through the long hours before dawn, searching for flaws. Something that told him he was simply getting carried away because she was the only woman he'd been around for so long.

He found nothing. She was perfect. All those quirks, like her bluntness, that would be flaws to others were what made her Yuffie to him and he honestly didn't want her any other way. And that's what tore him up at the moment as he wanted more than anything to keep her from completing this insane quest, but he knew it wasn't in her to give up, even to let him take the reins, however willing he was.

The urge to chain her to her room was overwhelming. Anything to keep her from harm. He was agitated just thinking about how close to losing her he was last night. Of course his more rational side told him she was a warrior in her own right and was someone he'd want on his side in battle.

As the first rays of dawn lit the entrance of the cave, he stood moving over to her side. Kneeling down, he carefully slid under the blanket next to her. Making sure she was still covered, he slid his arm around her waist and tucked her back against him. She shifted sleepily, melting against him comfortably. He breathed in the scent of her, unfortunately tinged with the scent of smoke, most likely from the flames. Deciding they'd head back to Fort Condor to freshen up before continuing, he allowed himself to relax around her.

Her soft body melded to his was more relaxing then he thought it would be and he was lulled to sleep by her gentle warmth. When he awoke, the sun was shining brightly, birds chirping loudly as they teased the chocobo, if his irritated 'warks' were anything to go by. He judged it to be midday and his stomach growled, alerting him to the fact that he'd forgone dinner last night.

Lifting his head, he stared down at the sleeping woman in his arms. Yuffie had rolled onto her back at some point, her head resting in the crook of his arm. Reaching up, he lightly touched her face, tracing the curve of her cheek with a feather light touch. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open heavily. Her eyes lit up on him, before they clouded in confusion.

"Cloud…"

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Her frown grew as she tilted her head at him. "I…think so?" she posed it as a question.

His lips quirked. "You really scared me last night."

She blinked. "I did?"

He nodded, his hand moving to her hair, smoothing it from her face. As she continued to blink in confusion at him, his hand stilled.

"Do you remember what happened?" His voice was tight.

She closed her eyes as she thought. Just when he was getting worried, his hand shifted over her shoulder, causing her to gasp. Her eyes shot open.

When she met his gaze, her mouth snapped shut as her cheeks heated and he knew she remembered everything. Pulling the blanket up over her mouth, she looked up at him with wide eyes.

"I thought I dreamed that," she said, her voice muffled by the blanket.

His lips curved, amused as he pulled the blanket back down, bringing his face close to hers.

"Do you regret it?" he asked. He figured it was the safest question he could ask at the time.

Her gaze held his, still wide and unsure. "…Do you?"

His lips pursed, knowing he should've expected this. Biting the bullet, he said, "No. I don't. I regret the circumstances. Gaia, do I regret you having to go through that pain," he admitted, his voice slightly ragged with the force of his remorse. It only made her eyes wider and impossibly bigger. "But no," his hand returned to her face. "I can't possibly regret the most memorable night of my life," he finished in an impossibly soft voice.

Yuffie shivered, before turning her face into his palm, hiding a smile. Her eyes went faraway as she remembered something. Turning big gray eyes full of concern on him, her jaw worked.

"But you didn't…I mean, you weren't…I was just…and then I—"

Placing a finger over her lips to quiet her babbling, he grinned subtly down at her.

"No, I didn't, but only because I didn't think you wanted our first time to be that way."

She blushed crimson, ducking her head. He found it incredibly endearing. Allowing his hand to drop from her face and smooth down her side, he watched intently as the blush spread and noticed her breath hitch. His hand smoothed over her hip before coming to rest on her stomach over her navel.

"I was thinking we should head to Fort Condor and clean up before continuing on. We can also have the healer there take a look at you to make sure there are no lasting side-effects."

Her face looked pained. "I don't think—"

"You're going," he interrupted, his tone brooking no argument.

She snapped her mouth shut as she looked up into his determined face, suddenly so serious. She realized he was in overprotect mode and despite her slight annoyance at it, felt incredibly honored as she'd only seen him like this when the loves of his life had been concerned. It almost made her simply acquiesce to his wishes without argument. Almost.

"Cloud, I feel fine. And what did I say about ordering me around?" she cocked a brow at him, still having trouble coming to terms with having him resting above her, half naked.

"That you enjoy it and wish I would do it more often," he replied with an even expression, only his lips twitching.

In automatic response, she shoved him, before feeling her cheeks burn as she realized she was touching his bare chest. He laughed, a low rumble in his chest as he grabbed her hand sitting up, pulling her with him.

"Come on. If we hurry, we can make it to the Fort for dinner," he said as he stood. Reaching down, he took both her hands and pulled her to her feet before she could protest.

"Cloud!" she squealed, bending to grab up the blanket to wrap around herself.

He gave her a bemused grin. "You wear hardly anything on a regular basis, and now you're shy?"

She shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, well now it's…different. And my outfits usually include pants—well, shorts."

His lips still quirking, he stepped closer, pulling her against him. She went, blanket and all, staring up at him with nervous but equally trusting eyes. His gaze was heavy-lidded as it roved over her features, still amazed at how oblivious he'd been.

"Yeah," he murmured, his voice sending pleasant shivers down her spine. "I suppose it is different."

Bending his head, he paused going slow enough for her to pull away if she wanted. When she didn't move away he pressed his lips to her amazingly soft ones, marveling at their pliancy. Tilting his head, he took the kiss long and slow, making him shudder with need and her whimper. Feeling her respond so thoroughly excited him much quicker than he expected and he broke the kiss before he lost control.

Breathing hard, he rested his forehead against hers as he willed his pulse to slow and his blood to return north.

"Sorry, I uh…" he breathed, exhaling on a nervous grunt. He stilled as her hand touched his cheek. Meeting her gaze, he saw her mouth was quirking softly.

"Don't sweat it," she murmured.
Relieved he didn't have to explain, he smiled slightly back. Giving her a quick kiss on the forehead, he turned and bent to grab her shorts. She blushed as he handed them to her, but he was already reaching for his duster and she found herself watching the play of muscles across his back as he pulled it on and zipped it up.

Before he could catch her, she turned and quickly hopped into her shorts, buckling them and clipping the catch over her shoulder to hold them up. Looking around the floor she found her boots and pulled them on, sitting on the cot to fix the haphazard lacing. Cloud was rolling up their bed gear when she finished and she helped him load it onto the chocobo.

After having some dried beef for lunch, Cloud mounted the chocobo, before putting out his hand to pull Yuffie up behind him. Once she was seated, she wrapped her arms around his middle and held on tightly. And then they were off.

::

ЄөЦŕҐїŊģЭфΘμÐ

::

It took them all afternoon and evening to reach the fort, both wishing only for the comfort of a bed and sleep once they arrived. The locals recognized them however and invited them to dinner and with full bellies, they caught their second wind. Cloud arranged a bath for Yuffie to soak in while she settled in the guest room. While she was in the bath, he acquired a doctor to go take a look at his travelling partner before heading outside to feed the chocobo, giving him an extra treat to make up for his hasty treatment the night before.

Eventually, he went back in and found Yuffie had finished. Using the facilities, he freshened up with his own quick bath before heading down into the guest room.

Yuffie was lost in thought, continuously running her fingers through her drying hair as she sat on one of the beds.

"What'd the doc say?" he asked, catching her attention.

She looked up, seeing him place his ginormous sword along one of the two unoccupied beds. When she saw he was waiting for her answer, she turned back away.

"Uh, no lasting damage. But I might be more prone to colds for a while."

Cloud frowned at that. "We need to get you better clothes then."

Yuffie whipped a glare at him. "Excuse me?"

He frowned right back. "Yuffs, you can't walk around in skimpy shorts and a top and expect to be okay."

"And what do you expect me to wear? Mukluks?"

He shrugged. "Why not?"

Her jaw dropped. "Cloud!"

He winced at her shrill tone. "Fine, fine. Something that covers your legs at least. And chest."

"Oh, you did not just go there."

He paused in cleaning his sword giving her a confused look. "Go where?"

She scoffed, giving him a hostile look. "You said I look like a slut."

Cloud blinked rapidly. "I did not."

"Well, you implied it."

"Yuffie…"

"And like you have any room to talk," she added, waving her arm at him as she stalked in his direction.

He frowned. "What?"

"You just have to show off your big tough muscles everywhere you go. Like women drooling over your big sword and bike isn't enough—"

Cloud stood then, walking towards her, causing her to cut off her tirade as she backed away. He was quicker though and caught her arm, pulling her to him. She stumbled into him, her eyes wide in surprise.

Cloud stared down at her, his gaze lidded. He cupped her cheek, brushing her hair back. Her gaze drooped slightly at the movement. His voice was soft.

"I do not think you are a slut, Yuffie. I've always liked how comfortable you are in your own skin. There isn't a thing about you I would change." Her eyes had gone soft and wide. He shifted closer, his head tilted towards her. "And it is because of that, that I want to do anything to make sure you stay healthy. Alright?"

Yuffie felt woozy. Like she'd been in outer space and not able to walk around like a normal person for days. She was floating and light-headed. It was all very surreal. Dazed, she nodded without really understanding what she was agreeing to. His face was closer to hers now, hovering.

The moment was broken as a loud shot rang out above. Both of them looked straight up, blinking in shock. Cloud immediately turned to the opening, shoving Yuffie behind him. Not seeing an immediate threat, he strode to the bed and scooped up his sword. Yuffie turned to grab her throwing stars and pinwheel.

Cloud was at the rope ladder as she raced towards him, watching him leap straight up through the high opening. Yuffie bit back a cry, knowing it only would alert whomever it was attacking more quickly.

Muttering to herself, she leaped up after him. Quickly taking in the situation, she saw the dining tables were overturned and Cloud was fighting a familiar figure in all prissy-cut black. The locals had taken out guns and were getting into position around the room to help Cloud if need be. Yuffie was used to fighting with Cloud in the way though and took a shot. Cloud heard her pinwheel swirling his way and ducked back prepared to take advantage of his opponent's distraction.

The opponent was a dark figure dressed in a fitted ghee made of silk. His eyes were cool and haughty as he fought. The words total douche came to Cloud's mind upon first seeing him.

Douche-Man lifted the saber he used to block Yuffie's attack and Cloud used the opportunity to knock his legs out from under him with the low broad sweep of his leg. He was back on his feet in an instant.

With a lift of his hand, several disgusting looking genetic research reject monsters arose from smoke around him. Cloud counted ten.

"What the fuck?"
Yuffie ran forward, catching her shuriken. "They're minions. Zurui's a necromancer."

Cloud eyed the monsters warily. "You know him?"
"Unfortunately. He's part of the Saosin."
Zurui eyed him evilly, amused. He turned to Yuffie.
"What are you doing here, Yuffie? Warriors are supposed to do their quest alone."
"Baka. I do this quest for myself."
Zurui lifted a brow and laughed. "A woman? That's ridiculous. No matter how many times you saved the world, Wutai will not accept a female leader."
"Well I guess that puts you out of the running as well."

Cloud watched on in confusion as they spoke in Wutainese. Then he saw Zurui glare.

"You'll regret your words when I am Emperor, Kisaragi."
"You're already King of Delusion Land if you think that's ever gonna happen. Why don't you go home and do something you're good at. Like contemplating your nails."

Zurui roared in rage then and his undead escort surged on them. Chaos broke out again as Cloud and Yuffie battled them, the locals taking out the ones they could with their rifles. Cloud was converged on by five of the minions at once and was still busy battling them when he saw Zurui confront Yuffie.

Cursing, he used his assault twister and took out all the remaining minions in one sweep. Two more came at him as he turned to help Yuffie. As he went to work on them, he heard Yuffie cry out. Looking over, he saw her doubled over. His heart leapt in his throat as Zurui was bringing his sword down on her head, but she blocked it weakly with her shuriken, before kicking his weapon away from her and rolling to her feet.

The locals were shooting at Zurui but he had Big Guard around him and they merely hit the shield. He gritted his teeth as one minion took a bite out of his arm in his distraction. Turning, he slashed at it, sending it flying across the room to hit the wall before it disappeared. He quickly dispatched the other before heading towards Yuffie.

Her abdomen was bleeding, but she was holding her own against the swordsman with her amazing agility. Every where the man slashed, Yuffie was no longer there. Zurui was growing frustrated and before Cloud could reach him he'd summoned twenty more minions. Growling in his own frustration, Cloud slashed at them, finding they were easier to take down this time.

Yuffie'd had enough, however. He turned as she let off a white glow.

"All Creation Mac V."
Cloud leapt into the air, landing on his knee behind Yuffie as she let off multi-colored light. This was different then last time he'd seen her use her ultimate break as five mini whirlwinds spiraled around her as energy built. When the hit blasted out in front of her in a ginormous ray of blue and white, lightning bolts struck from all sides as well, obscuring Zurui as he yelled out in pain.

Cloud ignored him and the amazing spectacle as he caught Yuffie before she collapsed. Holding her with one arm, he cast Full Cure. She winced before her features relaxed in relief.

"Th-thanks."
"Are you alright?" He smoothed her hair out of her face.
"Fine. Cloud, look out!"

Instinctively, he lifted his sword next to him, blocking the angry necromancer's attack. Yuffie rolled out of the way as Cloud was forced up and watched him parry against the other man.

Beyond annoyed, and noticing Zurui's Big Guard had worn off, Yuffie cast Stop and was pleased when he went still. Cloud stopped abruptly and frowned at the other man. Then he leaned around and saw Yuffie looking satisfied. Her limit break had taken out the remaining minions, so the place was quiet.

Locals starting coming out of their hiding places. Yuffie turned to one.

"You guys got a holding cell?"
He nodded. "Hell, yeah."
She nodded. "Good. I suggest you put him in there before he unfreezes. Oh, and take his amulet. Otherwise he'll just keep summoning his minions."

The men hurried to do what she said as Cloud walked up to her. She sighed tiredly.
"Sorry about this."
Cloud shook his head. "It's no problem. Are you okay?"
She nodded, though she swayed on her feet. He placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her.

"Come on. Let's go rest."
She shook her head. "No. We need to get out of here. Away from him."
"He's locked up. We should be fine."
"No, where he goes, his puppets are sure to follow."
Cloud frowned. "Will they hurt the locals?"
She shook her head. "They don't work that way. If the locals will let them pay for damages and bail, they'll go that way. Killing civilians will only earn them disfavor."
Cloud considered her a moment. "Fine. You head to the entrance and I'll meet you with our stuff."

Yuffie just nodded before turning to the exit. Cloud watched her worriedly as she moved numbly away from him. It wasn't like her at all to be this glum or tired. Then again, she'd almost died. Again. Just thinking of it raised his blood pressure and he turned away agitated.

Quickly gathering their stuff, he paid the man in charge for most of the damages as an apology before heading outside. What he saw made him stop dead. Yuffie was draped across Fenrir, resting on her back, one knee upraised with her arm draped over her forehead. He gulped before shaking himself.

Coming closer, he saw she was taking deep breaths.

"Yuffs."
Her eyes opened and peered up at him. She inhaled abruptly as his hand moved to rest on her midriff.
"I thought you didn't like Fenrir."

Sitting up quickly, she was relieved when his hand dropped from her.

"When it's not moving, I like it just fine." She rolled her eyes at him.
He smiled as she was starting to sound like her old self. Just to make sure he asked, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay to travel."
"That didn't really answer my question."
"I'm fine, Cloud. Let's just go."
"On Fenrir or Reynar?" She glanced up to see his small smile.
"Ha ha."

He mounted the chocobo before pulling her up behind him. Once she'd wrapped her arms around him in a death grip, they took off.

-

ЄөЦŕҐїŊģЭфΘμÐ

::



A/N: Temple of Ancients is next. And the couple's camp heats up. Please Review – I'm ever so much more obliging if you do;)