A/N: I started this Clouffie fic (Post FFVII:AC) not only for the fun of it, but also to help get past my writer's block for my other fic "Face to Face" which I've still been working on between school, working on my musical projects and other miscellaneous things. I haven't forgotten about it for those who have been waiting for the updates but I'm slowly breaking this writer's block down! So anyway, I hope you guys enjoy reading this! :)

Chapter One: Room 5121

I got 'em hook, line, and sinker! It never fails! The Single White Rose of Wutai strikes again!

Swinging her slim yet toned legs carelessly into the warm air, the young ninja flashed a mischievous smile and giggled at what she had just accomplished. Lying on her stomach, Yuffie propped her chin snugly in her hands, moving her elbows so that they were comfortably located in front of her chest. Supported by one of the bigger branches high up in a tree hidden behind the other numerous trees with their green leaves stretching themselves outward from their thin, long stems, the 'Single White Rose of Wutai' began to playfully juggle a few shiny, round, multi-colored orbs back and forth between the palms of her hands.

Sucker! Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk! That old man working the front desk at that materia shop in Edge was so stupid to fall for that old trick! I know, I know…he was old, but…he didn't even have a clue that I was gonna take his mater-

"Yuffie!"

At the sound of the calm yet piercing low tone pronouncing the two syllables of the eighteen year old girl's name, she slightly repulsed and grimaced for a few seconds, sighing lowly under her breath.

Gyuuuuuuuuh?? Already?! Well…I ain't got a choice but to go with him…I'll be glad when this delivery he has to do in Costa Del Sol is over! Why couldn't ol' Tiff ask someone else? Like Mr. Cancer Sticks or Mr. T to go with him for backup!? Shucks!! I'll have a lot to say to her when we get back to Edge! This wasn't what I had in mind when they let me stay with her and Spikes!

Shaking her head in disappointment, she inevitably realized her moment of fun during the small portion of what was considered a break in her journey was through. Running her left hand through her raven black hair, Yuffie Kisaragi quickly, although reluctantly, scurried down the trunk of the tree within seconds, making an average person react in awe at such agility and speed. However, almost losing her footing on what appeared to be a small rock as she landed on her feet as if she were in a gymnastics competition, Yuffie stumbled for what appeared to be a few seconds before regaining her composure. The blonde swordsman standing a few yards away raised an inquisitive eyebrow as the smaller figure brushed a few leaves and dust particles off her black shorts and took began taking quick steps toward him. Seeing Yuffie waving her hands wildly, he knew he was in for listening to her running her mouth, as usual.

"We leaving already, Spikes? I thought you said we would be resting for an hour?? What's the deal??"

Crossing his arms, Cloud Strife sighed and shook his head, beginning to almost let an uncharacteristic sarcastic reply slip from his lips. Rethinking his position of "attack", he started tapping his right foot, a few small puffs of dust spewing from each side of his black heavy boot.

"I sense there's a storm coming. I'll have to cut this break short if we're going to make it to Costa del Sol in time to complete this delivery."

Looking upward as soon as Cloud muttered the word 'storm', the eighteen year old squinted with her hand held just above her eyebrows.

Well ol' Mighty Leviathan, seems Blondie is right! Damn, I should've noticed that…but hell, having fun with a few Fire and Haste materia, not to mention already mastered, can make you forget sometimes! Nyuk!

"Well…I knew that! I just thought we'd have more time to rest! Don't you ever take more than an hour's worth of a break, Spikes? Gawd! My feet feel like Barrett trying to fit in Cid's Tiny Bronco!" Yuffie squealed, taking a few more steps toward Cloud as he scratched the back of his head.

"…"

"Come on! Give us just a little while longer to rest! Please?? Pleeeeeeeeeeease?" Tugging on Cloud's arm, Yuffie's bouncing up and down and tiny 'crocodile whimpers' did not phase Mr. Strife, however, who appeared to not be affected by the attempts from the 'materia thief' to reconsider his decision. Once it's decided, it's decided. No changes unless absolutely necessary, and at that moment, Yuffie was not included in the 'absolutely necessary' category.

"…No, Yuffie."

Frowning with a 'hmmph!' escaping from her lips, she crossed her arms, feeling an outburst about to escape and explode like a stick of dynamite from within in response to Cloud's negative answer to her inquisition. However, the thought of not doing so quickly flashed in her mind, almost surprising her own self as she quickly clamped her mouth shut.

You damn mature thoughts, leave me alone, why don't ya! Sheesh!

"…Fine!" Yuffie let go of her vice grip on Cloud's bare arm, not before issuing a playful yet forceful closed fist onto his shoulder. "Just let me know next time before you decide to cut these breaks short like that, all right?!"

Shaking his head once again, Cloud let a smirk materialize on his face before his lips snapped back to their neutral position.

That's Yuffie for you…even at eighteen, going on nineteen, she's still the same ol' Yuffs.

"…Come on Yuffie, let's mosey."

"Oh for crying out loud…" Slapping a hand on her forehead at that particular word, Yuffie let out a small groan and stared into Cloud's blue Mako eyes glowing at her, not reacting to the ninja's sign of irritation. Turning on his heel, he began to continue down the rocky dirt road toward the edge of the forest where his trust Fenrir was waiting. Sliding her hand down the front of her face, the thought of completing this delivery and returning to Edge brought a small but reassuring glimmer of hope to burst through the doubt that had begun to grow in her mind.

If this is how the rest of these few days are going to turn out, I'm in for a loooooooooooong trip…

"You sure you know what you're doin'?!"

"Yeah…what are you, scared?"

"Whatever Spikes, just put it in already…"

"All right. Got it. Can you move your hips a little bit?"

"What?? Why?!"

"So it's easier for me to do this…and so that I have better access."

"Okay…"

"…Yuffie, what are you doing?"

"I think I got the hang of it now! This feels pretty good Spikes!"

"…"

"Not an inkling of sickness or nothin'!"

"Yuffie, sit down! I can't see! YUFFIE!"

Forcefully pulling Yuffie down by the back of her collar, she let out a loud 'yelp!' as Cloud made the young ninja return back down onto his lap. He kept the sentiment to himself that he designated her to sit in front of him in order to make sure she maintained her well-being and not lose her lunch, only revealing that he needed her in front so that he could keep an eye on her. Much to his chagrin, Yuffie let out a stream of excuses that luckily went in one ear and out the other, responding once she was finished with "Just do what I say, Yuffie. The sooner we leave, the sooner we get to Costa Del Sol and then make it back to Edge" in a serious and dominant tone that he knew would silence Yuffie...at least for the moment.

Quickly making a sharp turn to his left, the swordsman effortlessly escaped colliding head on with the giant boulder in his path, swerving past it and directing Fenrir's wheels back onto the main dirt path toward Junon. Yuffie snapped her head back to see what could've been her next meal and wiped her brow habitually and sighed in relief.

That was close…but it wasn't THAT bad! He should've seen that big ass rock earlier, it's too huge to not notice it!

"Damn Spikes, watch where you're goin' next time!! Sheesh!" Yuffie barked with a quick playful punch on Cloud's leg, and as she expected, no response from the blonde man.

The boulder soon became smaller and smaller behind the two warriors as the only sound vibrating through the air was the cold, tingling winds and the sharp, finely tuned engine from Fenrir. Cognizant of the fact that a few hours had passed since Yuffie had begun to fool around and stand up in front of him, Cloud blinked his eyes for a few seconds, realizing that Yuffie was eerily quiet. Looking down, he noticed her breathing was slowed down and relaxed, the sign of resting and quiet exhaling escaping from her closed mouth. Staring at her still, smiling face, he looked up every now and then to look ahead of him to make sure his path was still clear. However, he couldn't realize why his eyes continued to make their journey back to her face, now slowly beginning to turn to its side resting gently on the left side of his chest.

Yuffie has definitely grown some. But Yuffie the PERSON, however…we'll see.

"…C'mon gramps…you know that smokin' ain't good for you…"

Cloud almost let a chuckle slip from his mouth at the sudden whisper from Yuffie, who had groaned and sighed as she continued to slumber using Cloud's chest as her pillow. The left side of his lips curved into his usual little quarter smile as he shook his head and returned his focus to the road.

Cid and Yuffie are too much…

Shifting his gaze up toward the sky, he noticed that the once gray and blue checkered sky began to darken to a dark orange and black hue.

It's about to…

Feeling a light tap on his shoulder, another immediately after landed on his forehead.

…Rain.

Realizing that his forecast of what was to come from the numerous dark clouds hovering above him was true, Cloud increased the speed of Fenrir, suddenly spotting the newly built Junon hotel building towering high into the sky, the green neon lit sign on the roof shining brightly in the distance. Knowing that he would not arrive for about another hour, Cloud firmed his grip on the accelerator, increasing the speed a little bit more, but not too much as to lose his traction on the ground below. Stirred by a little turbulence caused by the speed increase, Yuffie murmured for a few minutes before realizing that the surface she was resting her head on belonged to the blonde warrior guiding the Fenrir. Still keeping her eyes closed, she could feel the small, light rain drops pecking her on the legs and her exposed shoulder that was not resting on Cloud's chest.

Damn, before I know it, I get knocked out as if someone cast Sleepel on me! That little steal I got away with in Edge surprisingly took a little out of me, but shoot! That old geezer was flappin' his gums forever and not before that I stupidly decided to do some shadowboxing and some other exercises 'cause I was so bored from watching Cloud rest against that stupid old tree…why can't Cloud be a regular human being?! Sometimes I feel like he's Vinnie-like!

And this rain doesn't help! Gawd! Why did it have to rain today?! Why not after we come back from this boring trip??

Wait…why am I still laying my head on Cloud's chest like this…?

Yeah, why am I…?

Feels kinda nice though…

What? Hold up Yuffs, what are you thinkin'…You can't really be thinkin'…?

…But do I?

Naaaaaaaaaah…I musta had too many Elixirs to be thinkin' that…right?

Yeah…

"Yuffie, we're here."

Hearing the Fenrir's engine cease its' rumbling, Yuffie blinked as her eyes once again returned to life, only to get the glare of numerous lampposts and lit-up signs invade her vision. Wincing from the bright lights, she hopped off of Cloud's lap and landed perfectly on the ground, realizing that they were in the spacious parking lot in front of the Junon hotel. Finally adjusting to the light, Yuffie looked around, realizing that the parking lot was packed and chuckled, reminiscing for a minute on old times that they had at this place.

Wow…this place used to be a shithole! Now it's almost as good looking as Kalm…but that ain't much of a compliment, now that city can be boring as hell…too calm…no pun intended…

Walking through the front entrance and to the front desk adjacent to the front door, the clerk, who was an elderly woman appearing to be in her sixties came out from the door behind the desk. Approaching Cloud and Yuffie, who were side by side, both of them stood for a few moments waiting for her to open her mouth.

"Hello and welcome to the Junon Hotel!"

Yuffie quickly rolled her eyes and began to tap her foot, after what seemed to be too many minutes spent of the lady blabbing on and on about what Yuffie pieced together to be about the Junon hotel. Only hearing the majority of her words as 'WAMP WAMP WAAAAAAAMP WAMP WAMP WAMP WAAAAAAAAAMP!' type noises, Yuffie sighed and looked at Cloud with an annoyed glare. Being attentive and looking the lady straight in the eye, he took a shot toward Yuffie out of the corner of his eye for a split second as if to silently agree with what the young ninja was thinking.

Gawd…Cloud you'd better hurry up and get us our room or else I'll have more than a few choice words to say to this lady here!!

"Thank you ma'am," Cloud received a key after signing their names in and paying the fee to stay. As soon as both turned away from the desk to the side and looked ahead, the elevator doors opened as if it already knew they were going to occupy it. Stepping in, Cloud remembered that they would be at the top floor and pressed the red and silver button glowing "51" in its' bold white display.

Arriving to their floor, the elevator slowly glided to a stop, a small beep emanating from it as the doors slid open to reveal a long hallway with numerous room doors lining both sides of the path which seemed to get darker the farther you look down. Beginning their walk down the hallway, Yuffie tapped the blonde male next to her, his eyes slowly making their way to her gray yet bright looking eyes, anticipating what was to come out of her mouth.

"Which room is ours, Spikes? I'm ready to call it a night!"

"Room 5121. Not too far down the hall."

"Good! I can't wait 'til I feel a nice comfy bed for once! And they better have some good food service here or I won't be a happy camper! And I need a shower before I get to bed, Gawd knows how long we've been without taking one! Wait…I don't wanna know, UGGGGGGGGH!"

Lying with her folded hands resting beneath her head, Yuffie snuggled herself under the covers of her bed, getting accustomed to the comfortable cotton and silk material which comprised of her pajamas covering her body. Feeling fresh and clean from her shower and soon after taking a few small shampoo bottles from the bathroom as souvenirs, tomorrow suddenly flashed into her brain and got her attention. She knew that early in the morning, they would have to cross the ocean to Costa Del Sol, and the haunting thought of having to deal with motion sickness reared its' ugly head. The darkness that the turned off lamps and closed window blinds brought didn't help much either. Seeing a bright flash of light leap through her window and reflect onto the wall in front of her almost made Yuffie jump while under her sheets. The loud rumble of thunder following a short while after built her anxiety even more as she turned over to her side, her back facing the window. Listening to the intense rain slamming itself onto the windowpane began to have somewhat of a relaxed effect on her psyche as she tossed and turned for a few minutes, before finally giving up and laying on he right side.

'If I had known a day in advance that I would be here, I woulda brought that Dramamine that they sell in Edge! Damn Tiff and Spikes, why'd they have to ask me so suddenly to go with him…and why did I accept?! D'oh! Yuffs, stupid Yuffs, how could I let Cloud…?

Stopping in mid thought, Yuffie smiled for a second as his name echoed throughout her brain, feeling the sound of her own voice saying his proper name instead of 'Spikes' or 'Blondie', beginning to ease her mind. Closing her eyes, she sighed and reached into her back pocket, feeling a light thin piece of material rubbing against her fingertips. Quickly whipping it out, she held it up to the light available coming from the window to get a close look, moving it side to side until she got a good view of it.

I still can't believe I carry this with me…but it helps me feel good, what can I say?

Chuckling for a few minutes as she stared at it, she set it on the dresser a few feet away from the head of the bed so that it was face up, revealing it to be an old picture that was taken a few years ago.

The Gold Saucer.

The old AVALANCHE days that came and went.

It was her and a certain blonde spiky-haired individual sitting across from one another in the gondola that night.

The fireworks.

The sudden kiss on the cheek.

The slap.

Yuffie laughed as she remembered those events vividly as if they had happened yesterday. Closing her eyes, Yuffie settled her head into the soft, giant pillow comforting her slightly aching head, her mind beginning to drift off into dreamland.

Spikes can be annoying at times, ol' blockhead…but he's not as annoying like the others…

Tifa…eh, she's great but she's too much of the mother type for me, ya know? 'DON'T FORGET YOUR COAT!' 'DON'T DRINK THAT, IT'S NOT HEALTHY!' 'DON'T GIVE DENZEL AND MARLENE ANY SMART IDEAS!' I mean jeez Tiff, lay off the nagging, will ya?!

Cid…'nuff said. The man's clearly a basket case! He's still pissed about old shit from years ago, like the whole materia fiasco a few years ago, and not to mention the numerous times of me being sick on his damned airship! BUT IT WAS YEARS AGO! GET OVER IT!! But that's gramps for ya…

Barret…he isn't any better! Both him and Cid try too much to stick up for me as if I'm sixteen still, but I'm eighteen now! I'm not a little girl anymore!

But Cloud…there's somethin' about him…I dunno…that makes me feel…ehhhhh, whatever! I know I'm getting tired when I feel like that…so enough talkin', let me get ta sleep!

A/N: I was originally going to make this chapter longer but I wanted to split each chapter up as even as I could so that there is not too much to read for each section! I figure this will only be a few chapters long but if it's any longer then I'll update you guys ASAP! And please R&R, any feedback is good feedback! :)