AUTHOR'S NOTE: Aaaaaaaaand we have reached 20 chapters! (Cue Victory Fanfare!). Oooooh yeah. I'm so happy to have finally reached this milestone. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, notably to In Tenebrae Crysallis for her enthusiastic reviews time and again! This chapter starts very silly but takes a nasty turn. Just because I like paradoxes like that. Y'know my friends tell me I'm a living paradox. They're like, "you're a nerd, yet you're a stoner. You have a short temper, but you can be so sweet. You worship Lil Wayne and you have an obsession with Mariah Carey," to name just a few. Anyway please continue to review as they constantly inspire me to continue writing
XXX
"Stop that!"
"Stop what?"
"Feeling me up! We're in public!"
A person used to the way society usually rolls would probably assume the conversation was between an extraordinarily embarassed girlfriend being felt up in broad daylight and her rather pushy boyfriend. But, as most people realise, Cloud and Tifa don't really conform to society.
At present, a furiously blushing Cloud was attempting to remove Tifa's hand from his ass under his jacket. One should note that Tifa never does things by halfs. She did not squeeze her boyfriends ass through his jeans, nah she was more for slipping it UNDER his jeans.
"No one can see," Tifa said with a sly grin at Cloud. "Although, you're kinda making it obvious by blushing like that."
"I can't help it," Cloud said, his jeans were becoming rather tight. In the back, he had Tifa's hand, in the front he had a growing annoyance (pun intended).
"What's the matter? You don't like it?" Tifa said, obviously enjoying his unease with the innate sadism written into every female's genetic code.
"Nope, I just realised that for a girl, you have very large hands!"
Tifa whipped her hand out of his pants so fast, she probably gave him windburn. "I don't!" She protested, looking at them.
Cloud siezed the opening. "Uhm you kinda do!"
Tifa flushed angrily. "Zack! Get your ass over here NOW!"
Zack, who had been entangled with Aerith at the moment nearly tripped over himself in his rush. Since the word of their fight got out, most people tended to tread carefully around Cloud and Tifa.
"What's up?" He said, as an exhausted Aerith walked beside him.
"Cloud just accused me of having big hands!"
"Cloud! How could you!?" Aerith snapped. For some reason, having big hands is a sensitive spot. "Don't you worry Tifa! They're not big, just normal sized!"
Zack sniggered, then hastily shut up as soon as he was met with twin glares. "You know, you two really oughta stop ganging up on me!"
Cloud started to laugh, but Zack fixed him with a glare. "And YOU need to stop getting yourself into situations like this and when I try to get your skinny ass out of it, I get put in the dog-box!"
Cloud was saved from answering as Aerith's phone beeped. "Uh guys...it looks like we have bigger problems than Tifa's hands!" She froze, realising what she just said and breaking into a smirk. "That's not...really possible is it?"
Tifa looked murderous as Zack and Cloud had to cling to each other for support lest the fall down laughing.
"Some friend you are Aerith!" She snarled.
Aerith stuttered an apology. "I'm so sorry Tifa! But it was right there! If I didn't say it SOMEONE was bound to! Oh god, guys the maths marks are up!"
Both Cloud and Zack's ears perked at the announcement. The average marks were up, it had been recently announced that all students that had an average of 40% or less would not be allowed to write the final exam.
"We gotta go check that out!" Zack said nervously.
Cloud gave Tifa a hurried kiss. "We'll be back soon, kay?"
"Don't worry. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself," Tifa said giving him a wink. "Don't come back unless its good news," she said over her shoulder as she walked away.
Despite the weather warming up considerably, Cloud had to admit Tifa had a high cold resilience. He knew of very few girls that could wear shorts in the warm, but still chilly March weather.
XXX
It seemed the closer they got to the notice board, the more Aerith's nerves seemed to be breaking down.
"I'm gonna have to sell flowers on the streets to make a living!" She howled as soon as the notice board came in sight. "But who fucking buys flowers anyway? I'm gonna have to sell my body! I'm gonna have to be a whore! I don't wanna be a whore!"
Despite his own nerves, Cloud couldn't suppress a small laugh at Aerith's flare for drama. All the same, his own nervousness was beginning to over-take him.
The area was already abuzz with countless students checking their marks, Cloud and his friends had to fight their way to the front to check their marks. Already several students had broken down into tears or were staring helplessly into space in disappointment.
Cloud fought down his own nerves as he scanned the list for his own mark, his heart beginning to race as he saw his student number.
930530: 59%
He breathed an immense sigh of relief. Not only had he made the subminimum requirement, but he had also managed to pass comfortably.
"See Aerith, what did I tell ya?" Zack said, consoling his girlfriend, who looked immensely relieved.
"I...honestly thought I flunked that one," Aerith breathed.
"In what world Aerith?" Cloud asked. "Let's get outta here, its getting a bit too crowded."
They made their way down to a small patch of grass. Spring was clearly on its way, with the trees starting to grow leaves and the air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers.
As soon as they had settled down, Aerith turned to Cloud. "Did you make it?" She asked nervously.
Cloud nodded. "Yup, I managed 59!"
"Oh Cloud that's wonderful!" She said happily. "I got a 70 and Zack got the same mark as you!"
Zack smiled as well. "So...what are we doing tonight?"
"Huh?" Cloud asked in surprise.
"Well, this is great news! We have to celebrate!" Zack answered.
"Its a week night!"
"Its also Tuesday," Zack said dismissively. "Student's night. We get in free if we flash a student card!"
"Why not?" Cloud said with a smile. "Hold up! I gotta tell Tifa!"
Zack's face split into a wide grin and he made a whipping gesture with his hand. Cloud pulled a middle-finger in retaliation.
Sure enough, Cloud's phone buzzed within moments.
"So? What does the princess have to say?" Zack snickered.
Cloud playfully tossed a twig at him. "She said congrats and that I got a surprise waiting for me."
"No prizes for guessing what that is," Aerith said with a wink. "Now seriously, what are we doing tonight?"
"Well...we could double date at the movies?"
"Zack! Are you really that starved?" Cloud asked. "I'm not going to the movies just so you can grope to your hearts content!"
Zack looked outraged, but Aerith, scenting danger, quickly stepped in. "We could go bowling. Or even go-carts wouldn't be so bad."
"Nah, that stuff's for high-school kids. I say we hit a club!" Zack declared. "Not to get up to anything, just to dance! I've been wanting to practise my stepping!" He said, catching Aerith's glance.
"That sounds good!" Cloud agreed. "But where? I don't wanna go back to Meteor, let's try something new."
"How about the Banora Apple?" Zack suggested, but Aerith shook her head.
"That's more of a bar, but they say LOVELESS is a nice place!"
Cloud shot a very big hole in that one. "Genesis and his cronies will all be there, I don't think Tifa would enjoy it. And the Sister Ray is way too far."
Both Zack and Aerith seemed to consider this. Soon Zack's face brightened. "Hey I think I know a decent place. They have a pretty lively crowd and they're not as hardcore as most joints. They have a great sound system too!"
Cloud and Aerith looked at each other. "And where is this place!"
"Its not too far and its called the Chocobo Ranch!"
XXX
Zack had been right when he said the Chocobo Ranch was the best place. It was perfect for a student's night out. It was lively and yet it held no hardcore drugs or anything of that nature.
True to its name, it was structured much like a ranch, with mock wooden fences and patches of grass. Pictures of the mythical birds stood on the walls and bright lights flashed.
Cloud was enjoying the music, before he had a definite change in tune and to his delight it was his jam!
I tell her
Now go and pop that pussy for a real nigga
I already know that life is deep but I still dig her
Niggas just jealous
But really I could care less
I'm in hell's kitchen with an apron and a hairnet
Devil on my shoulder, the lord is my witness
So on my libra scale I'm weighing sins and forgiveness
What goes around comes around like a hoola hoop
Karma is a bitch, but just make sure that bitch is beautiful
Life on the edge
I'm dangling my feet
I tried to pay attention, but attention paid me
Haters can't see me
Nosebleeds seeps
And today I went shopping and talk is still cheap
I rock to the beat of my drumset
I've been at the top for a while and I ain't jump yet
But I'm Ray Charles to the bullshit
Now hop up on that dick and do a full split.
Tifa had also joined him halfway through the rap verse as they jigged on the dancefloor. Grinding and twirling the two of them were having a great time.
A couple of songs later, they went to the bar for a small breather.
"Something to drink?" The barman asked.
"No thanks," Cloud replied.
Tifa was watching him. "Wow, no drinks?"
"Nah. Not in the mood!" Cloud answered. "You not drinking either?"
Tifa shook her head. "I'm already stoned, I don't wanna get too fucked. Speaking of which, I need to use the bathroom."
Cloud turned to the dancefloor as Tifa hurried off. Zack was enthusiastically showing off his stepping skills, while his proud girlfriend was whooping and cheering for him from the sidelines.
For some reason Cloud turned to see the door to the club open. Cloud didn't know why, but he's gaze was drawn to the man standing in the threshold.
He was extremely tall and well built. He had eyes like a cat's, slit-like pupils with striking green irises. His most prominent feature was his long silver hair that fell below his waist. He wore a long black trench coat with many buckles and straps that was left open.
Cloud turned back to the bar and checked the time on his watch. It was almost midnight.
"Something to drink sir?" The barman asked.
"Perhaps a small whiskey," a deep velvety voice from next to Cloud answered.
Cloud turned to look at the owner of the voice. To his surprise, it was the same silver-haired guy he had seen walk in. Evidently catching his gaze, the man smirked. "And one for the young man next to me."
The barkeep nodded and fetched the drinks.
"Thanks," Cloud said as the mug clincked down in front of him.
"Don't mention it," the man replied. Smiling, he turned to face Cloud and pushed a strand of silver hair from his hair. "Sephiroth Hojo," he said, extending his hand.
"Cloud Strife," came the reply. He reluctantly took hold of Sephiroth's hand and shook it.
"Pleasure to meet you," Sephiroth said, his smile not slipping once.
Cloud didn't want to admit it, but that smile was creeping him out big time. He was getting a VERY bad vibe from him. Supersticious nonsense, he thought, shaking it off.
"So, what brings a young man such as yourself out here on a night like this," Sephiroth asked, stretching languidly, like a cat.
"Just another night," Cloud answered.
"You should drink that," the man suggested.
Cloud did as he was told, noticing Sephiroth hadn't touched his own drink.
"So, Cloud what is it you do?" Sephiroth asked.
"Student," came the short reply.
"Ah, trust fund baby? Or bursary?" Sephiroth drawled.
"Neither, just paying myself?" Cloud replied.
"Ah I see. So is there anyone out there you want to impress?"
"Who's asking?" Cloud demanded.
"Just a casual bystander!"
Cloud drained the last of his whiskey and slammed the mug on the bar. "Sorry but I'm not gay. Thanks for the drink." He made to walk away, but the man grabbed his arm.
"In no way am I intrested in you in that way," the man hissed. "I merely...have a proposition for you. One that could help your finances."
Cloud yanked his arm out of Sephiroth's grasp and made to turn away, but he stopped. "What kind of...'proposition'?"
Sephiroth's smirk widened. "Let's talk outside."
XXX
As soon as they got outside, Sephiroth pulled out a cigarette and lit it. "Thank you for coming."
Cloud hurriedly lit his own cigarette. "Cut the crap, what do you want from me."
Sephiroth smiled. "Not one to beat about the bush are we? I like that. Now down to business."
Without further ado, Sephiroth reached into his trench coat and pulled out a small packet and handed it to Cloud.
"I assume you are familiar with it," he said softly.
After one look inside, Cloud thrust it back into the taller man's hand. "Sorry, but there's no fucking way I'm getting mixed up in this shit!" He spat, turning to walk away.
"The pay is substantial," Sephiroth replied.
"Not interested."
"Aren't you sick of always having to worry about your college fees?"
Cloud stopped dead in his tracks.
"Wouldn't it be great if your mother got everything she deserved without having to worry about paying the high Shinra fees? Imagine how she would smile," Sephiroth sneered, walking closer.
"Not interested," Cloud replied, although his hands were shaking.
"Now, now. I don't expect an answer right now. But think it over. You can walk away from this, but how sure are you that you won't regret it?"
With a final smirk, Sephiroth turned and re-entered the club, leaving Cloud looking at the side-walk, lost in thought.
XXX
AUTHOR'S NOTE: and evil finally shows his face. I was waiting for this moment forever! I was so happy I finally got to use Cloud's favourite catch phrase. I know I kinda got carried away with Sephiroth's opening lines, but hey I wanted to see if I could play with it. Anyway, I think that we're looking at a sequel to this story after about chapter 30 or so. I was doing some planning ahead (I don't ever do that), and I realised after that we have a large time interval and so many changes that I have to make a new story, so watch the space! As always please review and thanks for everyone who has done so thus far!
