Hidden Feelings

Chapter 1: The new guardian

"From this day forth, you will be the summoners guardian and you will protect her with your life. Do you understand this?" A woman with long black hair that was pulled up in the back of her hair in three tiny braids. The woman had a modern day Gothic look with her make up and wore a long black dress that fit her figure maybe a little too well.

A man with blonde spiky hair stood across from her. He was in his early twenties and he wore a black high collar sleeveless shirt with black pants and boots. His glowing blue eyes stayed emotionless as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Why do I have to be the one to do this Lulu?"

Lulu became quickly annoyed as this conversation started to go around in another circle for almost the hundredth time. "For the last time Cloud, you're the only one I trust to take care of her. You're strong enough, I trust you to keep her alive."

"I'm not strong enough to protect anybody." He argued, it was obvious that Cloud was dealing with a lot of pain and suffering with his past.

Lulu turned and started walking away as her brown eyes filled with anger. "You're her guardian for the last time, now go to her." Not only was she looking for a guardian that would protect the summoner which was almost like a younger sister to her, but she was hoping that the girl would open his heart a bit, make him let go of some of the pain.

Cloud sighed in defeat as he turned and left the tent. Outside, the villagers were crowded around a young woman no older than seventeen. She had brown hair that hung down just at her shoulder blades and wore a black spaghetti string camisole under a white sash that crossed over her chest and around her neck. Around her waist she wore a yellow flower printed obi and kimono sleeves on her arms. On the bottom she wore a blue plaited skirt with flower prints and black boots, she also wore an earring in her right ear that she kept covered with a lock of hair.

He waited in the background for a few minutes, waiting for the crowd to disperse before approaching her. "Are you Yuna?" he asked, his voice level and emotionless.

The woman looked at him and smiled a bit, "yes, I'm Yuna, who might you be?"

"Cloud." he simply stated.

"Oh." she gasped as she bowed and stood back up. "It's nice to finally meet you Cloud. It was very kind of you to offer to take me on my pilgrimage."

It was obvious that she had no clue Lulu had really forced him into being her guardian and it wasn't voluntary at all. "It's not much of a problem." he just answered, still no emotion in his voice.

Cloud felt something odd when he saw her blue and green eyes light up as if they were smiling. "Where did you come from Cloud? If you don't mind me asking that is." she blushed a little, afraid she was being rude or something. She was really curious about the man who showed up out of nowhere a little over a week ago.

"I'm from a place called Midgar, it's very different from this place." he answered as he turned away. "We should get going, we don't want to miss our ship."

Yuna seemed almost shocked. "You're right. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hold us up." she said as she quickly followed behind him. Cloud was shocked to see how polite and friendly the young woman was, but it was still nothing major. He didn't feel much for her, all he knew was to get her to her destination and back.

When they reached the dock Lulu was waiting for them. "This ship will lead you to Luca, from there the journey is on foot." She told Cloud before turning to Yuna. "Good luck Yuna, I'm really going to miss you." She said as she pulled the girl into a hug.

"I'll miss you too." Yuna said as she hugged back, smiling a bit as her eyes became a little wet. "Don't worry, I know Cloud will keep me safe the whole way until the end."

Lulu quickly brushed Yuna's hair back. "I know he will, I wouldn't let him take you if he wasn't going to."

With that both Yuna and Cloud bordered the ship. As the ship set sail, Yuna leaned over the edge and waved at Lulu until she couldn't she her anymore and her home was nothing more than a shadow in the distance. She sighed a little as she turned away and walked over to one of the benches near where Cloud was leaning against the wall. "I'm going to miss it." she muttered to herself but he managed to overhear her.

"Have you ever been away from home?" he asked, his head slightly tilted in her direction.

She shook her head. "No, this is my first time ever leaving."

He nodded and looked into her eyes, "Don't worry, you'll come back in no time." she didn't say anything after that for a while.

"Hey Cloud, did you have any friends where you're from?" she asked trying to start a conversation.

He was quiet for a minute before saying anything. "A few."

Yuna nodded and smiled a little, "What were they like?" his face stayed blank and he was silent for a while. "If you don't wanna talk about it we don't have too, I was just trying to start a conversation but it seems like this is a little personal."

He just nodded slightly, "Maybe someday I'll tell you about myself, but not today. I'd rather know you better first."

She smiled a little, "I understand." she said as she stood up and streched. "I'm going to go to bed now, goodnight."

"Night Yuna." he said as she walked down to the lower deck. Cloud then looked up at the stars as they passed by. She's an interesting girl. He thought to himself before heading downstairs to go to sleep as well.