Disclaimer: Characters in this story belong to Squarenix

Warnings: Just some language.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter three: The Uncomfortable Reunion

Cloud's legs felt heavy as he made his way downstairs. He could hear everyone's laughter and jolly conversation. He saw everyone huddled in a group by the bar and made his way towards them.

"Hey guys." His voice feels raspy, so he clears his throat. "How's it going?" They all jumped up to greet him.

Barret's voice booms over the rest. "Yo Spiky!" Barret yells as he grabs Cloud's head and shoves him into his big hard chest, squeezing him tightly in a fierce bear hug. "Long time no fuckin see--" His voice fading allowing the others to greet him.

Yuffie's excited voice cut through. "Hey Cloud, I just found a bunch of materia. I betcha ya want to see it. Right, right!"

"Cloud you have gotta see my baby, she's a real beau I'd say" Cid said cutting off Yuffie which caused her to pout. "But right now let's get us a drink." Cid said as he clapped Cloud on the back and led him to the table. At the table he could see the rest of the gang. Vincent, Red, and just behind Red sat Cait Sith. Cloud greeted them with a nod of his head. Vincent nodded back in acknowledgment, as did Red.

"Ello mate, how's the big world treatin ya?" Cait asked in a shivery high-pitched voice.

"Just fine, Cait. I'm surprised to see you though." Answered Cloud.

"Oh Cloudy, why would I not be here?" Cait asked in a dramatic voice which caused Cloud's brow to twitch in slight annoyance. "Anyway, little lassie here needed some company" Cait said as he grabbed and pulled at Red's mane. Red let out a slight growl and shook his mane violently causing Cait to fall to the floor with a loud thud. "Ouch!" Cait exclaimed rubbing the back of his head. 'Guess I'm not the only one who gets annoyed with him' Cloud thought with amusement.

"How are you really doing, Cloud?" Red asked in his soft, calm voice. Cloud looked at both Red and Vincent. They where staring him, waiting for an answer.

"Um...okay." Cloud said in a small voice. 'God I feel like a child.' He thought, rubbing at his temple. They knew he was lying, but asked no further questions.

Everyone gathered at the two large conjoined tables and sat. He noticed Barret, Marlene, and Denzel were missing. "Where's--" Cloud's question got cut short and Tifa answered briskly before another word was uttered. "Barret's with Marlene." Just as she finished answering, they heard Barret's heavy build coming down the stairs.

"Where the little brats at?" Yuffie asked.

"They're staying up stairs until chow gets here, said adult talk is boring." Barret answered with amusement in his eyes. Barret turned his attention to Cloud. "So Cloud, where the hell you been at all this time?" Barret asked.

Cloud looked a little annoyed with the question. He shrugged. Everyone was quiet, letting an awkward silence hang in the air. Cloud looked around and saw everyone staring, waiting for an answer. 'What do they want from me, I'm here now.' Cloud thought. He shook his head and let out a loud exasperated sigh. "I was just..." Cloud looked around. Seemed everyone's ears perked up. He continued. "Look I got...lost." He saw Tifa roll her eyes, and Vincent give a small smirk; they knew he was lying, but he continued on anyway. "The region was unknown. Tifa knew that when she sent...me..." Cloud stopped. He didn't want anyone to think he was trying to shift the blame for his long departure; especially when it's not the truth. Tifa just shrugged her shoulders and continued to clean the already clean glasses. 'This is unbearable, just too unbearable.' Cloud thought, putting his head in his hands. It was quiet. Everyone was silent and taking sips of their drinks, trying to get rid of the awkwardness of the situation.

"So!" Cid yelled as he slammed his empty glass on the table. "When we gonna eat? 'Cause this son of mother is hungry!" Cid said rubbing his stomach.

"Uh, food should be arriving soon." Tifa said walking to the door to see if the deliver was coming. "I ordered take out since it was short notice." She said as she looked out the window. Yuffie piped in. "What did you order Tifa; Chinese, Mexican..."

"I ordered pizza." Tifa said turning to Yuffie.

Yuffie eyes lit up. "Ooh...Italian, yummy, yummy in my tummy!" Yuffie said in a sing song voice. "Where Did you order from...huh?"

"I ordered from, Don Leon's Pizza Parlour..." Tifa answered. Yuffie's face scrunched up and she stuck her tongue out in distaste. "Of all the places..." Yuffie said. Her voice full of contempt. Cloud could sense the quarrel about to take place, and sure enough he heard them start bickering. Cloud shut them out, and took a glance about the room.

Cloud saw Barret and Cid cheering to their new found successes, then proceed to gulp down huge amounts of amber liquid. To what successes they were cheering, Cloud didn't know. Cloud's eyes then shifted to Vincent, his body stiff like a cadaver and his eyes cast downward. 'I wonder if he's as uncomfortable as I am.' Cloud thought, staring at Vincent's face intently; looking for motion or a spark of emotion. He found neither.

When Cloud thought about it, Vincent's dark and mysterious aura seemed to mix well with everyone's more bright and cheery ones; adding a certain edge to the group. 'Then again every one of us has a little darkness inside, right? He's just not scared of letting it show--or maybe he doesn't have a choice.' Cloud thought. Just then Vincent's crimson eyes caught his blue ones. He quickly averted his gaze, letting them land on Red and Cait. Cait was trying to get back on Red, but was too short, and his tiny gloved hands were making it harder to grapple on to anything. Cloud continued to watch Cait jump up and down; Cait never running out of energy despite the constant movement. 'What's with his need to be carried all the time.' Cloud thought with wonder. Cait caught Cloud staring. "I could use a little help here!" Cait cried out with a shivery whine.

Cloud shrugged his shoulders. "Why? when your doing such a great job." Cloud said with a dry voice. Red gave a smirk.

"Food's here!" Tifa hollered carrying seven large pizza boxes. "Here let me help you, Tifa." Yuffie said.

"Thanks, Yuffie. Seems none of these lazy bums are gonna lift a finger." Tifa said scowling at the men. Yuffie grabbed one box, and left the other six for Tifa to carry. Tifa let out huff of disbelief. "Your welcome." said Yuffie as she carried the box to the table.

"Well, I'll be, it's about damn time!" Cid said. Both him and Barret moving from the bar, sliding to the tables were the food was held. "Yuffie, why don't you go get some plates." Tifa ordered Yuffie.

"Why do I have to get the plates!" She cried with a pout on her lips. "I'm more hungry then anyone!" she continued to whine. She was ignored. "Grr..."

Cloud stood. "I'm going to get the kids." He said. Not waiting for a response he made for the stairs.

He made his way through the hall past Tifa's room, the little office, a guest bedroom, and stood at his. He felt a strong urge to go into his closet and dig out the hidden objects. He shook his head in disapproval. 'There'll be plenty of time to do that afterwards.'

He continued on to Marlene and Denzel's room. He tapped lightly on the door and entered. They were both at the drawing table, and from what Cloud could see, making masterpieces. They had pencils, pens, crayons, paint; anything an aspiring artist would need, at their disposal.

"What is that?" Marlene asked with amusement in her voice. He saw Denzel turning his picture in every direction, trying to decipher his own drawing. Marlene held a hand over her mouth trying, unsuccessfully, to cover her giggles. Denzel put his drawing down, and scratched his head in confusion still trying to figure out his picture.

"You know," he turned to her, with a smile on his lips. "I really don't know." They both started laughing. Cloud looked on with amusement. "Hey guys" he called to them. They both turned their heads and smiled at Cloud. "Hey Cloud!" they said in unison. Denzel immediately snatched his drawing, and held it up for Cloud to see. "What does this look like to you, Cloud?" asked Denzel with a smile full of mirth. What Cloud saw was a picture full of dots, stripes, glitter, and what looked like ribbon? Cloud chuckled. "I haven't a clue, but I do know everyone's waiting for us since foods here. So come on." Cloud said gesturing out the door.

"Yeah food's here!" they both exclaimed excitedly and went dashing out the room. Cloud smiled to himself, turned off the lights and shut the door.

TBC. R&R please. Since this is my first story, constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.