The Days Before
-Squirrel Tamer

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.

Kairi's Sleeping Habits



The figure crept stealthily through the castle. It was midnight and all of Hollow Bastion was silent. Except for the eerie creaking of the floorboards as the figure walked towards its destination. The figure stopped in front of a door and continued to stare at it for a few minutes. the figure smiled and slowly pushed open the door.

Once inside, the figure peered around until they spotted what they came for.

The shadow whispered. Then the figure picked up their prize and walked out of the room.



~~~~




Yuffie Kisaragi!

A bewildered Yuffie asked her friend Cloud who had just barged into Aerith's room where Yuffie sat watching T.V. with Kairi.

Aerith cried. Cloud spun around to find a very shocked, not to mention wet Aerith gaping at him. He blushed as he realized that all she had was a towel wrapped around her thin body. He practically flew out of the room.

Five minutes later a rather angry Aerith stomped out of her room, closely followed by Yuffie whose eyes flashed with excitement at the prospect of being able to see Aerith scream her head off at him.

Just what did you think you were doing?! Aerith screamed.

Yuffie stole my cape! He exclaimed.

No I didn't!

Then where is it?

I don't know.

Yeah right. You stole it Yuffie!

Aerith screamed, ending the conversation. She still seemed angry with Cloud, for his actions earlier. Do you have any proof that it was Yuffie?

No, but-

Then leave us alone. Aerith interrupted and then spun on her heel and walked back into her room. Yuffie stuck her tongue out at Cloud and then followed Aerith in.

Cloud said softly only to have her slam the door in his face.



~~Night #2~~~



The figure crept even more stealthily on the second night. This time they headed to a completely different room. Inside they found a teenage boy sleeping in his bed. Around his neck was a large pendant shaped like a lion's head. The figure chuckled silently and then carefully slipped the pendant off of his neck.


~~~~~




WHAT NOW?! Yuffie screamed at the tall boy that was strolling toward her. Why was it that whenever something bad happened she always got blamed?

What did you do with my Lionhart pendant? Squall asked the six year old, slightly miffed at the absence of his most precious possession.

I don't know! A bewildered Yuffie told him.

Came another voice that belonged to an older man by the name of Cid.

She yelled back.

Where'd ya put my good wrench? He asked her.

I didn't touch your smelly wrench! She snapped.

Stop lying and give our stuff back Yuffie! Squall told her angrily.



Came a kind voice. Yuffie sighed with relief it was Aerith to her rescue, Do you have proof that it was Yuffie that stole your stuff? Aerith asked Cid and Squall. When they couldn't answer her she grinned and shot Yuffie a thumbs up.

Look Aerith, Squall began pushing a hand through his hair, We don't like blaming Yuffie, but the thief struck at night. And I'm a light sleeper, so I would have woke up. And she's the only one around here who is able to creep silently through the halls.

I'm sure there are plenty of other people who can creep silently. So don't go blaming her if you don't have any proof!

Don't worry, guys! I'll find the real thief! Yuffie told them.

None of them looked comforted at all.



~~~~~



What's wrong Kairi? Are you sick? Vivi asked his playdate for the day.

Kairi's grandma was good friends with Vivi's grandma, so they would sometimes visit each other. They may have been friends, but they just weren't as close as Kairi was with the others. Right now Kairi was at Vivi's while her grandma was out getting groceries.

Just tired... She told him yawning a bit.

He asked quietly. Vivi wasn't really one for talking, he was too shy. His face was even hidden. All that could be seen were his two round yellow eyes. Kairi would always try to get a glimpse at his real face, but she still had not succeeded. She wasn't even sure he had a real face.

Vivi, dear. Could you light the fireplace for me? Vivi's elderly grandmother asked.

Of course grandma. He said jumping up and then starting a fire by magic. Kairi loved watching Vivi used his magic, she liked it best when he put on magic shows, just for her, with real magic. Not that white rabbit in a hat crap.

Vivi sat down next to Kairi again and turned to the picture he was drawing.

I think I'm tired because I'm worried. She told him.

'Bout what? He asked.

I'm worried that the thief's gonna take Siru. And I'm worried because everyone's blaming Yuffie.

Don't worry about it. Everything will turn out for the best.



~~The Next Day~~



I'LL KILL YOU!!! Kairi screamed as she lunged at Yuffie and began flailing her tiny fists. What she didn't expect was for Yuffie to fight back. The two little kids rolled around in angry fist fight for almost ten minutes before Cloud and Squall got them separated.

What were you thinking Yuffie? Squall asked trying his best to keep hold of the girl, who's lip was bleeding profusely.

Why don't you ask Kairi?! Yuffie said angrily.

What do you mean? Cloud asked.

She attacked me!

Cloud and Squall cried in unison.

Yeah, so. She stole Siru! Kairi said her eyes filling with tears. Her hair was mussed and her dress was ripped.

Did not!

Yes you did!

Yuffie squirmed out of Squall's grasp.

I hate all of you! No one believes that I'm innocent! I hate you! She yelled, and then sped off to her room.



~~That Night~~



The figure pushed open the door to Yuffie's bedroom. They looked around until they found what they wanted. They slowly picked up the headband and then went back out the door.

The door creaked behind the figure and Yuffie woke up abruptly.

What the- She complained rubbing her eyes. She looked and saw that her headband was gone. She quickly ran out the door. She chased after the figure as it passed Squall's bedroom. Yuffie hesitated for a moment and then ran into the boy's room.

Wake up, Squall! Yuffie whispered frantically, shaking him.

I'm up Yuf. What's wrong?

Follow me and quickly! She told him and then ran back out the door, closely followed by Squall. She spotted the figure and began following them again.

The figure passed Aerith's room. Squall watched the figure as Yuffie ran inside and woke up Aerith, who followed behind them.

They weren't sure if they should approach the figure. Fearing that he might be dangerous. So instead they just followed the figure as it crept slowly down the halls.

The figure passed by Cid's room which was right next to Cloud's. Yuffie waited while Aerith and Squall got Cid and Cloud. They both came out looking very tired.

The whole group watched as the figure stopped in front of a door. Kairi's door.

I thought he already robbed Kairi? A puzzled Yuffie wondered aloud.

Maybe he's back for more, Aerith suggested.

They crept slowly behind the figure as he reached out an arm and slowly turned the knob. Yuffie noticed that the figure was very short.

They all followed the figure into Kairi's room. Cid turned on the light's and they all gasped.

Yuffie cried. The little girl was shoving Yuffie's headband under her bed. She didn't even acknowledge them as she crawled back under her covers and fell asleep.

I think she was sleep walking! Aerith exclaimed.

Squall lifted the covers and pulled out Yuffie's headband, Cloud's cape, Cid's wrench, and his Lionheart pendant, and then a big bag of chocolates. They heard the door open behind them.

I knew she took those when I wasn't looking. No wonder I couldn't find them anywhere. Kairi's grandmother said.

Kairi's been stealing our stuff! And she's been sleepwalking! Yuffie cried.

It must have been the chocolates. Read the label.

Warning: eating excessive amounts of this product at one time may cause sleeping problems such as: nightmares, sleep eating, or sleep walking. Squall read aloud.

Cid, Cloud and Squall all turned to Yuffie, who gave them a smile that was more teeth than actual friendliness.

What do you say? She asked holding a hand to her ear.

We're sorry, Yuffie. They all told her.

Yuffie's smile spread from ear to ear.


~~~~~
A/N: YAY!!! Thanks to all of you my story has over fifty reviews!!! I'm so excited!

Anyway I just wanted to thank-you all for being such great reviewers and taking the time to read this.

Now for the real author's notes:

Alex Warlorn: Yes, I know she's not exactly a real ninja. She's still too young. But I was sick of saying Yuffie or the six year old all the time so I called her the ninja. Same with Aerith and the flower girl statement.

Sharon Toggle: Here's Vivi! I hope he wasn't out of character or anything. I did the best I could!

^_^

Were back at the beginning! AGAIN! Squall's chapter and then the one that everyone wants, the Sephiroth chapter! I have an idea of what I'm going to do next. Something where Kairi gets a crush on Squall for some reason and then Yuffie gets jealous or something along those lines. Poor Squall, he gets so many woman and yet they're all little kids.;_;

Until next time! BYE!!!