Chapter 2
Barret, Tifa and Vincent had acquired some information regarding the 'F.O.S' and had somehow managed to contact one of the clan members and arrange a so-called meeting. The three were uncertain of what to expect, as they knew that the people (if you could really call them that) were totally untrustworthy. They had arranged to meet in 'Turtles Paradise' in Wutai and so they had to cross the sea from where they were just to get to it. It was fairly late and the place was shut up for the night. An eerie silence creeped Tifa out and she got goosebumps just looking at the place. There was not a soul around, as most of the Wutai people had long since hit the hay. A cool night breeze whistled through the gaps in the oriental looking buildings and the odd maple leaf stirred on the ground making a rustling sound.
"Where is he", asked a nervous Tifa as she rubbed the sides of her shoulders, shivering from nervousness.
Barret shook his head and continued to survey the area, just in case.
"We should be very careful", muttered Vincent, "If this is a trap it could get very ugly. Stay alert!"
"Cut the leadership crap, Vince", grumbled Barret, "We know whut we doin'!"
Vincent fell silent (as per-usual) and continued to keep watch from behind. Tifa slapped Barret on the arm for his comment and gave him a faint frown.
"Your such a grumpy ol' bastard, ain't you?"
"Hey hey hey! Less o' the old!"
Tifa smirked. She always enjoyed winding him up, it was far too easy to do. Tifa and Barret had been friends for years and so, regardless of how harsh it sounded, there was never any offence taken by their sarcastic comments to each other. Vincent was still uneasy and never seemed to be able to totally relax around any of the group and found Barret's comments rather nasty to say the least.
"What time is it", asked Tifa, trying her best to peer round Barret's big muscular arm to see if he was wearing his watch.
"Dunno", came the reply from both men.
She sighed and leaned against the wall, getting rather bored. After all, if it was a trap, they really would have known by now.
--
Cid sighed and rested his head on his arm. It had been a while since Cloud had left to get clothes for the shivering Aeris and he was beginning to wonder if he had stopped to make them himself. He looked at his watch and sighed again, biting the end of his latest cigarette. He was worried about Aeris' health and the longer Cloud took, the more chance she had of getting very ill. She was still asleep in Cid's arms, snoring really softly, but stirred when Cid pulled his arm up to look at his watch.
"Mmm...", she muttered licking her dry lips.
"Hehe, y'awake now then eh?"
She smiled wearily at Cid and brought herself slowly away from him and stretched her arms upwards yawning. She looked around for Cloud with half open eyes and Cid knew what she was doing.
"He's gone to get you some clothes."
"At this hour?"
"Yeah. I suggested he go to Bone Village. The excavators might have some spare overalls or somethin'."
"I hope he finds something, I'm so cold."
Cid held her closer, once again pulling his jacket on tighter around her. A thought struck him and he removed his scarf from around his neck and wrapped it around hers.
"Won't you be cold? Oh, I never thought. I'm sorry Cid."
She reached out a hand and touched his face to check to see if he was cold or not. Her hand was like ice and it made him shiver, yet at the same time his face burned a deep red colour. He turned away, trying to hide his face just in case it really was as red as it felt. Aeris didn't understand why he was avoiding her and pulled her hand back into the warmth of the jacket with a worried frown. She could tell that something was different with the man, as, because of how close they were, she could feel his pulse and it quickened when she touched his face.
"H-have I done something wrong?"
Cid was busily chewing his bottom lip half to death, his face still turned the opposite way.
"...No."
"Then what's wrong?"
He turned his face slightly, knowing if he didn't look at her she would feel awkward and he didn't want that. Looking at his boots, he fiddled with the seams of his jacket.
"Nothing is wrong Aeris. Damn! Its a hell of a lot to take in at once ya know? You. Alive again", he figured this was at least a half decent cover story until he could figure out why on earth he reacted in such a way, as even he wasn't sure why. Maybe he was still uncomfortable about her naked state. Well, that was the only conclusion his mind could come up with and he decided to leave it at that.
Aeris nodded and rested her head on his chest again, feeling rather awful for putting him through so much. She wrapped her arms securely around his sides and hugged him tightly, trying to make him feel a little easier.
"I'm sorry."
Cid's eyes flew open and he swallowed loudly. He peered down at her sharply and raised his arms slightly, trying to figure out what on earth was happening. Her hands were holding onto his back tightly and she was brushing her face on his chest. 'THUMP THUMP'. Aeris raised her head in alarm. Her eyes focused on his surprised, crimson face, wondering what on earth the pilot was getting so flustered about. She didn't know if it was a good reaction or a bad one and she stared at him with a worried expression plastered across her face.
"Er. I-I... I er...", stuttered Cid upon realizing that she knew something was a little off, "I had better get more firewood..."
He released his grip slowly from around her shoulders and took a few steps forwards.
"Cid?"
Aeris's call stopped him in his tracks and he whispered a soft 'What?' in reply, never turning round to face her.
"What have I done wrong?"
Cid turned his head ever so slightly, his watery eye and bright red cheek visible.
"Believe me Aeris", he said softly, "You have done nothing wrong..."
She stared at his red face hard as he smiled ever so faintly and began to walk off. Why was he so embarrassed? She had never seen him blush before and she found it rather strange. Unusually cute, but strange. She sat in contemplation, a strange smile spreading across her face, which was now turning a rather red colour itself.
Further down the path in amongst a collection of trees, Cid was pacing around in circles cursing to himself.
"Of all the..."
He kicked at a small rock, then realized it was a frog. He was shivering, yet was so irritated at himself that he was not even noticing it in the slightest. His blood was boiling, his face was bright red, his eyes were watering, his stomach churning...
"What is the #ing problem", he hollered at the top of his lungs, "What are you doing!?"
Plonking himself down on a nearby log, He anxiously pulled the last cigarette from out the packet under his goggle strap and put it to his lips, his hands shaking as he did so. He lit it and took a deep breath.
"&#..."
Lowering his head, he sighed running a hand over his hair.
Aeris was all alone in the clearing and was still smiling. Shivering and nervous that she was on her own, yet smiling. She had never seen such sweet innocence from him before and it made her giggle. Clinging tightly to his jacket she took a deep breath in through her nose. Sure, there was a really bad smokey smell, but there was another smell present. One she felt soothed by. Smiling once again, she wrapped it around her tighter and waited for the pilot to return.
"Its one of those moments that changes your world. One part of your life ends and another begins. You are never quite ready for it and your face burns red and you act like a &%#in' idiot when it happens." - Cid Highwind.
--
"WHADDYA MEAN YOU DON'T HAVE ANY %&#IN' SPARE CLOTHES!?"
Cloud loomed over the only excavator that was awake in a ferocious manner, his eyes blazing with anger.
The poor excavator wished he hadn't got out of bed to see what all the fuss was about when Cloud had arrived shouting at the top of his lungs.
"I'm sorry sir, but we really have none to spare! We just got through a load this morning and the only things we have are for tomorrows work!"
Frowning, Cloud let out a furious gasp, which sounded like a Chocobo being gutted with a pair of rusty spoons.
"I am really sorry sir, there is nothing I can do..."
There was a silence, until Cloud finally turned round in an eerie manner, placed his arm round the mans shoulder and started asking him what type of grass grew next to the village, all the while leading him into the shadows.
There followed yet another silence, which was halted by the sound of a fist hitting a jaw bone.
With a triumphant smile, Cloud emerged from the shadows carrying the overalls that the poor, and now unconscious, excavator had been wearing.
"These'll do", he smirked, "Just hope there ain't no blood on them."
With that, he ran off back through the forest.
--
Cid managed to stumble his way back to where Aeris was sat, his hands in his pockets and his eyes on the ground.
"Hm? I thought you went to get more firewood, Mr. Highwind", giggled Aeris noticing the lack of burnable material under his arms.
Cid's face flushed red again at the sound of her voice.
"Hmmnnmm", he muttered, head lowering even more, "I couldn't find any wood..."
Aeris cocked an eyebrow while pulling the jacket tighter and gazed around the clearing. She could see twigs and logs galore.
"Right", she blinked, "That's ok. We will just have to get Cloud to pick some up when he gets back."
Cid sat down on a log to the right of her and cringed when he became aware of what he had just said. He crinkled his nose and hid his face in his hand letting out a huge sigh over how stupid he felt. Aeris had noticed and thought she was irritating him, so cleared her throat and sat in silence.
"What's up?"
Aeris's eyes glanced over at the pilot, but her head stayed motionless.
"Nothing. Don't worry."
"Heck, don't ya gimmie that. I know something is up. So spill!"
She finally turned her head to face Cid with an almost shocked look.
"I... I just."
There was a pause.
"I'm not irritating you am I?"
"What!?"
Cid nearly fell off the log he was perched on in utter shock. Her? Irritate him?! She HAD to be joking. Aeris glanced at the floor while fiddling with the scarf around her neck. Now SHE felt slightly silly.
"I felt as if I was irritating you, that's all."
Cid just sat there and blinked at her in confusion. How could she possibly think that? He scratched at his head a little before scooting over to the log Aeris was sat on.
"I think all o' that water must'a messed with yer head, missy", he exclaimed while playfully knocking on her head.
"Ouch! Cut that out", she giggled grabbing his hand and squashing it as hard as she could.
"AIIE! GOSH DARNIT!"
"That's a little mild for you isn't it?"
Aeris gave a little wink turning his face red again.
"W-w-well, I AM in the company of a lady."
"Oooh, you sly dog you."
The pair laughed loudly, causing most of the forest creatures to flee in panic.
"Naw, well still", said Cid, "I don't think you could ever irritate me."
Aeris leaned her head on his shoulder and giggled at the sound of his heart rate increasing.
"Well that's good then isn't it?"
"B-but, there is o-one thing", stuttered Cid, "I'ma have me some bruises now! I think you did me an injury with that there grip of yours!"
"Heehee. I guess I don't know my own strength."
"I sure do! Or rather, my hand does anyway."
He rubbed it a little, a sarcastic worried frown on his face.
"Oh come on", laughed Aeris, "Don't be such a baby! I've been stabbed for crying out loud... Would you prefer to be stabbed?"
"I'll take the crushed hand, please!"
"You DO exaggerate..."
Cid winked playfully.
"Yeah. I know. That's what ya love about me, hehe!"
Aeris' mouth shot open and she slapped him on his arm.
"Honestly..."
"What? What have I done now."
"Don't you go all coy on me. I'll squish the other hand if you aren't careful!"
"Anything but that! That be my spear hand!"
Aeris raised an eyebrow, innuendo filling her usually innocent head. She stopped herself suddenly from almost making a rather Cid-like dirty joke. Cid just watched as her mouth hung open as if she was about to make some kind of witty comeback and laughed as she quickly snapped it shut and grabbed at her head, shaking it in despair.
"Oh god", she complained through fake crying noises, "You are corrupting my pure mind!"
"Hehe. Am I now", he grinned at her widely, the back set of his pearly-whites showing in a playful, yet curious smile, "Well I'll just have to corrupt you even more then, won't I?"
Aeris' head lifted from the dramatic pose she had decided to adopt and her eyes slowly narrowed.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to hit on me, Mr. Highwind."
Cid was quite shocked by her comment. On the inside it felt as if he was suddenly plummeting off a cliff, but on the outside, the only thing that showed his stunned state was a faint pink glow on his cheeks.
"And what if I was, eh missy? Hehe."
"Oh, you're terrible!"
The two began to laugh again, sending the remaining wildlife scurrying away as fast as they could.
Suddenly, sounds of footsteps could be heard just past the clearing and all laughter ceased.
"What's that", whispered Aeris, a nervous tone showing in her voice.
"I dunno. Jess git behind me just in case."
Cid stood up and grabbed his spear that was leaning against a near by tree trunk. He held it outstretched in one hand, while keeping Aeris behind him with the other. The footsteps grew louder, until the owner of them appeared.
"What the &!?"
"Aw. Its just a little chocobo", squeaked Aeris.
"Hmph. I thought it was pokey with some clothes for ya."
The rather small chocobo started scratching around the fire.
"Go on! Git", shouted Cid as he tried to shoo it off with his boot.
The chocobo made a loud wark sound and ran off terrified into the forest.
"Aw! The poor thing. You meanie", squealed Aeris.
"It was gonna hurt itself if it carried on scratching around that fire!"
"So you're telling me your actions were noble then?"
"Damn straight!"
"Well then", Aeris began to clap sarcastically, giggling as she did so, "Bravo. My hero."
"Heck yeah", exclaimed Cid while pretending to be all tough and flexing his muscles, "I'll be your hero any day, chicky."
"Why you..."
Aeris attempted to kick dirt at him, all the while trying to keep herself covered up.
"You wanna start something? Do ya? 'Cause if you do", said Cid shrugging his shoulders.
Aeris kicked dirt at him again, a creepy smile plastered on her face.
"I'm warning you", laughed Cid getting his boots covered in all kinds of dirt and grass, "I'll be forced to fight back an' you won't like it!"
"Oh sod off!"
Aeris had had enough of his smug taunting. She pulled the jacket on properly, her arms sliding through the sleeves and lunged at him. Cid was taken by surprise at her attack. He was just saying how nice she looked in his jacket and only just managed to dive out the way before a hand with a clod of dirt in it came sailing by his head.
"That was close", he gasped trying to regain his composure, "Could'a been a nasty accident there!"
"What do you mean 'could have", grinned Aeris, the dirt clod still in her grip.
"Oh no... No no no! Don't even think of getting that thing anywhere near me..."
"Eat dirt, Mr. Pottymouth!"
The two chased each other around the fire, grabbing handfuls of dirt and hurling them at each others heads.
"I'ma git you if you ain't careful and it won't be pretty!"
"Yeah sure. Put your money where your mouth is."
"Well alright then, I will."
He threw a handful of mud, which sailed by Aeris' head due to her quick reactions.
"MISSED!"
"Aw %#$&..."
Suddenly, Cloud appeared just around the corner and got a pelting as the stray clod hit him square in the face.
"Uh oh."
"&%#$. That had to hurt."
There was silence as Cloud slowly lifted his hand to his face and scraped the mud from his eyes, an angry frown just recognizable under the thick brown sludge.
