Cloud wrinkled his nose as he opened his eyes. His headache was still lingering. He felt Rufus's arms holding him, still sleeping. He looked over at him and smiled. Cloud kissed Rufus's forehead. Rufus smiled and opened his eyes.

"Mm," Said Cloud, "Wake up sleepyhead, you have a speech today, remember."

"I know." He kissed Cloud softly.

"Wrote a nice 3 hour one?"

Rufus smiled. "You and your friends will like it I'm sure."

"I never had the patience to listen to someone talk before now."

"Thanks." Rufus smiled and sat up. "Oh, we should eat before the parade."

"Yeah. Don't let me drink like that again. At least not unless you have some aspirin."

"Ok. I think Tifa and Aeris should join us." Rufus chuckled and swung off the bed. Cloud watched him walk into the bathroom. He cracked his back as he listened to Rufus rummage around. When he walked back out he tossed Cloud an aspirin.

Cloud caught them. He took them. "You know," He pondered, "What do the Turks do for hangovers? They have to be living in a constant one, at least Reno."

"They don't get sober. And Rude, he drinks more then Reno."

"Wonder what would happen if you forced one to get sober? Think he'd die?"

Rufus chuckled. "I think that's the only way to kill a Turk."

Cloud smirked as Rufus started to laugh.

"They'll survive anything else you do to them," Continued Rufus, "But if you take away their booze..."

"Let me remember that one, no booze = dead Turk."

Rufus was really laughing by that point. "I think it's what takes the place of their blood."

"Prick them and they bleed booze?"

Rufus laughed more. "Maybe."

"If one Turk is bleeding, you think the others would be licking it up?"

Rufus was still laughing. "I need to sit down." He did so.

Cloud smiled cuz Rufus was laughing. Rufus leaned his head back on him. Cloud played with his hair. Rufus smiled up at him.

"You don't get to laugh like that often, do you?" asked Cloud.

"Nope."

Cloud smiled. Rufus stroked the side of his face.

"Hmm," Said Cloud, "I hope today isn't gonna be too boring, you know me, I like action."

"I know." Rufus stood back up. "I have to get a shower, then we'll go out to eat."

Rufus kissed Cloud gently then walked over to the bathroom. Cloud dressed and sat on the bed, polishing the sword Rufus gave him.

Tifa shifted slightly and opened her eyes. Um, something isn't right, there's someone. She looked at the sleeping Aeris and sighed. Aeris's arms were rapped tightly around Tifa.

"She's cute when she's asleep," Tifa murmured, "Just a bitch any other time." She attempted to remove herself from Aeris's death grip hug.

Aeris woke up. She blinked, then yawned. Looking around she said, "Oh, morning."

"Cloud you let go, please."

Aeris stretched. "Sorry."

Tifa looked Aeris over, then mentally slapped herself.

"Something wrong Tifa?"

"No."

Aeris slid of the bed. "I slept well, how about you?"

"I guess." It was wonderful, admit it stupid.

Aeris smiled. She got her jacket back on and found her shoes. Tifa grabbed her own shoes and sat down on the floor to put them on. Aeris picked up her staff. Tifa fiddled with her gloves. Aeris stretched again. Tifa untied her hair for a moment and fixed it. She then tied it back into its ponytail.

Aeris poked the waterbed. "I think that was the best I'd ever slept." She said.

"Every time you moved, it jiggled. Woke me up a few times."

"Oh, sorry. Tifa?"

"Yeah?"

"Um, did you know you talk in your sleep?"

"No?"

"Well, you do."

"And what was I saying?"

"Um." She scratched her head. "You were talking about someone."

"Who was I talking about?"

"Um," She scratched her head again, "You don't remember?"

"No, not really. I don't remember dreams often."

"Oh." Aeris walked out of the room.

Tifa looked at her feet and wondered what she was saying in her sleep that seemed to have piqued Aeris's attentions. You idiot, you were dreaming about her again. She got up and walked out to Aeris. "No guards?" she asked her.

"Nope."

"That's weird, you think we should trust him? Rufus I mean?"

Aeris nodded. "It sounds strange, but I trust him."

"Cloud seems to be in complete trust of him too, wonder what happened on the roof."

Aeris shrugged. "I guess they did not fight."

"After we left him you think they just fell into each other's arms and proclaimed their love or something?"

"I don't know."

Tifa shrugged. "Guess it's not important. He's off the available suitors list. That leaves, no one." She frowned. There is someone, she's standing right there.

"Hi Cloud, hi Rufus!"

Tifa looked to see Cloud and Rufus walking down the hall.

"Good morning," Greeted Rufus, "I trust you two slept well."

Cloud stood slightly behind Rufus.

"I think she did." Tifa pointed at Aeris.

"I did." Confirmed Aeris, "I think Tifa slept well too."

"Yeah. It was a comfortable bed."

Rufus nodded. "Good. I wanted to take all out for food, is that alright?"

"As long as it isn't 'charred whatever that was we killed in the last battle' sure!"
Aeris laughed. "Sounds good."

"See," Cloud said, "They call it that too."

Rufus nodded. "I noticed. I've never had that."

"You don't want to." Cloud made a face.

"I've gone without food, but never had that."

Cloud put a hand on Rufus's shoulder.

"Shall we go?" Rufus asked.

"Ok." Replied Aeris.

"Are we," Asked Cloud, "Leaving right after the speech Rufus? I shouldn't eat to heavy if I'm going on a boat."

Rufus nodded. "Yes, Sephiroth is headed across the ocean."

"Well, your speech should be long enough for me to digest. Sephiroth..." He frowned.

"And the Highwind is not ready to go."

Tifa and Aeris exchanged looks.

"I'll tough a boat ride," Cloud said "To get to Sephiroth. He has to pay."

"So..." Began Tifa, but never got a chance to finish.

Rufus lead them off. Aeris followed, with Tifa at her side. Cloud walked beside Rufus. The president headed into the restaurant where they are instantly given a table.

Rufus watched the waiter come and stand patiently by their table.

"Wow," Said Aeris, "So much to choose from."

Rufus looked over the menu. He wondered what he should eat that day. After deciding at random he told it to the waiter. Tifa and Aeris both chose the most expensive thing on the menu.

"I don't get out to eat often." Cloud told them "Closest thing to a restaurant down there was Tifa's bar."

"Well," Rufus replied, "I have had to travel for the last 10 years. Mostly on my own, so I've had no choice but to eat out. Oh well, doesn't matter."

"I guess anything is better then Tifa's cooking though."

"I've never had Tifa's cooking." Aeris chuckled.

The waiter brought them their food.

"Don't Aeris," Cloud warned, "It's a fate worse than death. Oww! She has a temper too."

"I know." Aeris grinned.

The waiter stood near by. Cloud sprinkled some pepper on his meal and began to pick at it. Rufus ate slowly. Aeris plowed into her food.

"Thanks for sticking up for me Aeris." Tifa told her sarcastically.

Aeris giggled at Tifa. Tifa grabbed the salt shaker, unscrewed the top, and dumped it on Aeris's plate.

"Hey!" Aeris yelled. She grabbed the pepper, unscrewed the top, and dumped it on Tifa's plate.

Cloud blanched. "They are still at it."

Rufus chuckled, grinning over a sudden thought. He called the waiter over and whispered something in his ear. The waiter scurried off. When the waiter came back he was carrying a huge plate. He set it down on the table and picked up the Girls' plates. He combined the food, since it was the same thing, onto the huge plate and mixed it. After he was done, he went back to where he was standing.

Aeris tasted the food. "Mm," She said, "Hey, this is good!"

"Great," remarked Tifa, "Gotta share with Mrs. I talk to the planet."

"I'm a Cetra."

Tifa grabbed a fork and started to eat. "Good for you."

"Cetra," murmured Rufus, "The ancients." He got lost in thought as he ate.

Cloud finished his food and leaned back. "Headache is gone at least." He said.

"That's good." Replied Rufus, finishing his food.

Aeris leaned back and glanced at Tifa. Tifa finished eating and played with her fork, slamming her fist down on it, and watching it fly up into the air.

"Nice manners." Cloud said.

Rufus chuckled. Aeris giggled. The waiter cleared the table.

"Oww," Cloud said, obviously Tifa had kicked him again, "Geez."

Rufus stood up. "They are expecting me."

"Where shall we meet afterwards?" Cloud asked him.

"The dock. I'm heading there with that moron Heidegger in tow after the ceremonies."

"Dock. Is there a shop in the town that sells tranqs?"

Rufus nodded. "Don't worry, I have some tranquilizers on board the ship."

"Okay, good luck on your speech."

Rufus smiled. "Thank you." He gave Cloud a wistful glance, then walked out of the restaurant.

Cloud sighed as he watched Rufus walk away. "Great," he said, "I get stuck with you two."

Aeris giggled. "We are really that bad?"

"You two are constantly bickering."

"Oh." Aeris grinned.

"Great," commented Tifa, "A speech. Get to listen to a lunatic rant about thus and that."

Cloud glared at her. "He isn't a lunatic."

Aeris glared at her as well. "Be nice Tifa."

Tifa sighed. "Alright Aeris, I'll be nice, for you."

Aeris smiled. "Thanks."

Cloud stood and brushed the crumbs off of himself. "You guys wanna go watch all the stuff?"

Aeris stood. "Sounds good to me, how about you Tifa?"

Tifa stood as well. "I guess, I don't wanna be left here by myself."

Cloud stretched and walked out the door, then waited for the girls to follow. They followed quickly. The music that was written for Rufus's welcoming was playing everywhere. Cloud looked around for a moment. The crowd gathered as the parade began. Heidegger was leading it off with a bunch of soldiers following after him. Cloud watched the parade quietly, remembering a few of the drills he did when he was younger.

Tifa stuck close to Aeris, seemingly bored to tears by the parade.

"Oh, oh!" Exclaimed Aeris, "Cloud look!" She pointed.

Cloud looked to where Aeris was pointing. Rufus was coming into view on his limo, waving to everyone. Cloud smiled, thinking Rufus looked very presidential in his pose. Tifa, on the other hand. Looked a bit disgusted.

"What's wrong Tifa?" Aeris asked.

"Nothing Aeris, just, well, Cloud was my last bid to be normal."

"Normal?"

Tifa put a hand on her shoulder. "I'll explain later."

"Ok Tifa."

Cloud watched Rufus and wished he could have been there with him, but knew he'd be stared at if he had been. Rufus disappeared down the street as the parade continued. Cloud sighed and moved to the back of the crowd. He sat down on the stoop of one of the shops. He felt miserable. He was also alone, having lost Tifa and Aeris somewhere in the crowd.

Suddenly, from out of no where, two Turks, the bald one and Reno. They each grabbed one of his arms and lugged him into the ally. Cloud put up a good struggle, but they were to tough.

"Two against one isn't fair!" Cloud yelled, "Cheaters!"

Reno stuck a sock in Cloud's mouth. They drug him into a room. Once they had tied him to a chair, Reno took the gag back out. Cloud wriggled against his bonds.

"You can't get away this time Cloud." Reno told him.

"You don't play fair." Cloud growled.

"Who says I played fair?"

"Untie me and we'll see who plays fair!"

Reno shook his head. "No way."

"You scared." Cloud laughed. "I whipped you once."

Reno glared at him. "Yes, and I'm not letting it happen again."

"Oh, so I suppose you're going to kill me."

"I've noticed that the new president has taken a shine to you."

"More then just a shine."

Reno's blue eyes darkened.

"Reno," the bald Turk asked, "What are we going to do with him?"

"I have not decided." Reno replied.

Cloud stayed quiet, trying to think of a way out of it. Reno looked back at him. The bald Turk turned around.

"Hey Reno," The bald Turk asked, "Did you hear something?"

"No." Reno replied. He walked over to Cloud and put a foot up on his chair.

Cloud glared at him.

"What's that for?" Reno asked.

"I'm tied up in a chair," Cloud shot back, "Asshole, why do you think I'd be glaring at you?"

Reno glowered. "Watch your tongue boy."

"Hrmph, I'm not scared of you."

"And why not? Cause of Rufus?"

"I kicked your ass once and I could do it again."

Reno called the bald Turk over. Reno nodded to him. The bald Turk punched Cloud in the mouth.

"Eeep!" Came a noise at the window.

Reno looked around. "I heard that." He walked to the window. "It's the ancient!"

"Shit Aeris," Cloud heard Tifa's voice saying, "I think they saw us!"

"Yeah," Aeris agreed, "They did."

Suddenly Reno got a beep.

"We'd better book," Tifa continued, "We can't help Cloud, not dead at least."

Reno took out his phone and yelled into it, "What?" He then looked over at the bald Turk. "They've spotted Sephiroth, we have to go." The bald Turk nodded and the two of them left.

Aeris ran in and screamed, "Cloud!" She untied him. "Cloud, speak to me!"

Cloud put a hand up to his mouth. "Geez, that guy can punch. It's not like the Turks to leave unfinished business."

Tifa frowned.

"I heard," Aeris told him, "Something about Sephiroth."

"Come on Aeris," Tifa suggested, "We better get him someplace safe, in case they come back."

"Sephiroth..." Cloud murmured.

Aeris nodded and helped Cloud up.

"At least," Cloud told them, "They didn't brutalize me too much."

"Come on," Aeris said, "We have to get to the dock."

"Can I get a lil feeling back into my legs first?"

"Sure." She helped Cloud to the door.

"Maybe," Suggested Tifa, "It would be easier if we carried him."

Aeris nodded. She helped Cloud up. Tifa grabbed Cloud's other arm and held him steady.

"Okay, let's go." Tifa said.

Aeris brought Cloud to the dock.

"Think Rufus is gonna be pissed?" Tifa asked.

"At Reno," Aeris replied, "He might be."

"I need an icepack." Cloud told them, "I think my jaw is broken."

Aeris cast ice 2 on a cloth. She handed it to Cloud. He held it to his jaw.

"They cold have done worse." Cloud said.

"What could they have done?" Aeris asked.

"Killed me." Cloud heard wild cheering.

"Yes..."

"Let me sit down please."

"Ok." She sat him down by the dock.

Cloud sat there, holding the cloth to his face. He heard people murmuring about the speech, saying how different Rufus is from his father.

"I thought I could handle myself." Cloud said.

"Oh, we missed the speech." Spoke Aeris, then she looked at Cloud. "Oh."

"I feel like an idiot for letting them sneak attack me like that."

Aeris looked at Tifa. She was rocking back and forth on her feet. Just then, a very bewildered Heidegger came walking by. He stopped by the ship. Cloud sighed. When Heidegger saw the three he was startled. Then he seemed to remember something and relaxed again, but he still looked puzzled.

Tifa walked over to Aeris's side. She looked at her.

"I'm sorry," Tifa told her, "I didn't finish what I was saying back there, but Clod boy needed help.

Rufus came walking onto the dock. He looked at Cloud and blinked. Walking over to him he asked, "What happened"

"Two of the Turks took him." Aeris replied.

Rufus's Mako eyes flashed. He turned to Heidegger and started to yell at him. Heidegger bit his lip and looked scared.

"Um," Stammered Heidegger, "Ye-yes sir!"

"The red headed guy and baldy," Tifa told them, "Baldy punched him one..."

Heidegger ran off.

Rufus shook his head slowly. "Reno and Rude..." He helped Cloud to his feet. "Come, we'll get that looked at."

Cloud nodded. His jaw was a bit too swollen to talk. Rufus led him into the ship. Aeris and Tifa followed. As the boat closed the music finally stopped being heard. Rufus brought Cloud to the infirmary. Cloud sighed as he was sat down.

"Rude did that for Reno?" Rufus asked him.

Cloud nodded. The doctor checked Cloud's jaw.

"It's not broken," The doctor announced, "Just baldly bruised."

Rufus smiled. The doctor handed Cloud some tranquilizers. He put them in his pocket for when he got sick.

"Come with me, ok?" Rufus told him.

"K."

Rufus walked off with Cloud to his own quarters on the ship. He looked at Cloud's sore jaw. "Feeling any better?"

"A little."

He rubbed Cloud's neck. Cloud put his arms around Rufus, close to tears. Rufus held him.

"Scary?" Rufus asked.

"Yes. My worst fear was them killing me, and I would have has to have left you alone."

Rufus smiled slightly. "You were afraid to leave me alone?"

"Yes."

Rufus held him close.

"Oh Rufus," Cloud cried, "I was so afraid, leaving you..."

"It's ok Cloud, you're here, I'm here."

"I must look like an idiot, all upset over nothing."

"Not nothing, the Turks can be dangerous. Reno's not very controllable."

"He's gonna come after me again."

Rufus closed his eyes and whispered, "If they do, they will pay terribly."