Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII.

"So, Cloud, tell me; is there a special lady in your life?"

"Oh not just a special lady - there's two!"

"Two ladies, huh?"

"Yep, two!" Cloud affirmed, nodding. "And they're both very precious to me!"

"And who would those lucky ladies be?"

The question he was being asked made Cloud gaze thoughtfully up at the sky. It was filled with thousands of sparkling stars which were reflected in the glistening water before him. The young SOLDIER swung his legs from the ledge of the lake he was sitting at. He was imaging the two ladies in his life smiling down at him from the sky.

"Well first, there's Tifa..." Cloud began. "She's been in my life for a long time. Pure-hearted, gentle and shy, she always tends to underestimate how amazing she is. There's no way I could let myself lose her. After all, I have a promise to keep to her which I made back when we were kids; that should she ever fall into danger, I'll be the one to rescue her. I wouldn't let anything happen to her - as she's the love of my life."

Cloud's eyes twinkled as he pictured Tifa in the sky. Her long raven hair was blowing in the night breeze as she peered down towards him with her auburn eyes. Her sweet face was filled with her tender smile. The sight of it filled Cloud with warmth before he turned to where he was picturing the other lady among the stars.

"And then there's Aerith..." he continued. "She shines like a flower blooming in the sunshine. She's forever teasing me and finding a way to push my buttons - but I wouldn't have it any other way. She's like a big sister to me. That shows how precious she is to me as well. Even though she's older than me, it's my duty to keep her safe and protect her too. Not just as a hero, but as a brother."

Cloud was picturing Aerith looking down on him with that smile of hers that could brighten anyone's day. She was tucking some locks of her brown hair behind her ear. Her green eyes fixed to the SOILDER as they shone as brightly as the stars.

It was impossible for Cloud to avert his gaze from the sky; not while he was imagining the two women up there. He smiled as he pressed a hand to his heart. It was filled with warmth as he thought of how grateful he was to have the good-hearted pair of them up there.

"So there you have the answer to your question," he murmured. "Tifa and Aerith. I couldn't ask for two better women in my life..."

"Don't you mean three women, Cloud, you idiot?!"

Cloud's smile vanished from his face. The insult that was hurled at him snapped the SOILDER out of his dreamy state. He swung around to face the person he'd been talking to about Tifa and Aerith. The blonde was taken aback by the irate glare which was being directed at him.

"Yuffie?!" he exclaimed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Are you saying that I'm not precious to you?" Yuffie glared. "That I'm not an important lady in your life? That you wouldn't protect me or save me?"

"No, I'm not saying that at all!" Cloud waved his hands. "Of course you're an important lady in my life, Yuffie! You play a big part in it like Tifa and Aerith do!"

Yuffie narrowed her eyes. "What role would I play in your life?"

"You're like a little sister to me!" Cloud answered. "So of course I would protect you too! It's a big brother's job to keep his little sister safe!"

"A little sister, huh?"

Yuffie's frown faded away. A smile slowly crossed her face. She liked the sound of how Cloud viewed her as. She felt she could easily accept the SOLDIER as her big brother.

"Alright, I'll take it!" she beamed. "I'm your little sister, Cloud!"

"You sure are..." Cloud murmured. "A very annoying, irritating little sister..."

"Hey, I heard that!" Yuffie exploded as she flung her Juri Shruiken straight at Cloud...

...causing it to strike the back of his head and knocking her stunned big brother into the lake with a splash.

THE END