Chapter Two: The Trouble With Stalking...

I sighed sullenly as I walked.

Doubts about my sudden decision to abandon my vacation in Costa Del Sol and stalk Cloud to wherever it was mercenary, Ex-Soldiers went to (when they weren’t giving ninja girls unnecessarily potent crushes) started creeping in around the time I stepped in the fourth honking pile of monster crap.

Yep, you heard me right.

Do I need to add also that Cloud is some kind of freak who does not require rest, food or even the occasional trip to the bushes with the customary handful of leaves when he travels? Gods, the guy’s been walking three hours straight through as many jungles with my sorry ass in tow and moving at a speed that is, frankly, disturbing.

Gawd, I had no idea he was such a mutation! How could I have let myself fall in love with a robot?

The path I was following Cloud down was surrounded by sticky, drooping vines that I swear had some kind of morbid need to trip me up whenever I dropped my guard for one moment. The path, basically a smatter of gravel and sand here and there, was also interrupted unnecessarily with pointy rocks and gnarled tree roots that seemed almost as hell-bent on tripping me as the vines were.

A few times already I’d lost sight of Cloud’s bobbing, prickly looking hair-do and suffered a moment’s panic when the trail seemed to have disappeared. If it weren’t for his heavy boot prints in the scattered sand and his random, shrill whistling (that is currently making my ears bleed) I don’t think I’d have found him. Hells, it would have taken me a day or two to navigate myself out of this stinking jungle let alone locate Mr Cocobo-Hair himself in the wilderness.

I’m starting to realise how soft my vacation has made me. I blame it on the cocktails – if only I hadn’t let myself get whammed everyday! A combination of lazing about on the beach, sleeping the afternoons away in my rented room and hanging out in the Tiki bar had taken its toll. I’d never realised just how much of a beach bum slacker I’d turned into until now...

I’d been following Cloud at a distance since he’d left Costa Del Sol; I don’t know what I would look like to him if I suddenly announced my presence; a complete mess with twigs and leaves sticking out of my damp hair, an evil rash across my neck that just would not piss off and covered in bug bites, scrapes and some gross sap stuff that an evil plant had squirted me with earlier, and which had left me smelling strongly of garlic and cheese.

Huh, at least I was safe from vampires and Vinnie.

Heh...

“Godammit.” Muttering to myself I just about managed to side step another freakishly large monster poop but then went and half tripped over a random tree root instead.

Gritting my teeth I righted myself and blew a ragged tuft of hair out of my eyes which narrowed immediately with evil intent upon the distant spikes of Cloud’s ridiculous hair-do – bobbing cheerfully up and down a fair way ahead of me up the path...mocking me.

Why did the guy not rest?

Mutant.

I kicked a stone morosely out of my path, wondering what the hell I was doing out here following Cloud about like some maniac, psycho stalker. Oh yeah, I love him passionately...dammit. Stupid heart, giving yourself away to someone who wouldn’t know if he was being hit on unless the dictionary definition jumped up and bit him on the ass...

...I just need a little cheering up, that’ll get me in the mood for stalki- uh, I mean travelling again. Yep.

I knew just what would send the blues packing! Reaching down into one pocket I pulled out my prize new possession...I guess you already know what it is and so hopefully you’ll understand why I felt the need to steal it...

The Chakra Materia sat placidly in my cupped hands and when sunlight caught in its deep blue depths the light splintered; dappling itself harmlessly across my nose and cheeks. I sighed happily and stared at it goofily for a few blissful moments. The Chakra Materia twinkled back contentedly, obviously thanking me for rescuing it.

Mine! All mine!

Okay, I realise it’s crime... but really, what’s some fat shop keeper gonna do with something like this anyways, huh?

Well...sell it I guess...

BUT!

I’m guessin’ in a way I’ve saved him from a lot of hassle! He’ll probably be thanking me later when he no longer has to watch his stall or deal with grumpy customers... Yeah, that’s it! Go Yuffie! Nyuk nyuk...

Unfortunately, deep down in the murky depths of my subconscious, where there still lurked a sliver of conscience and maybe even a smidge of rational thought, I kinda knew I was in a bit of trouble. It hadn’t been a subtle theft...well, I’d basically just run up to the fat bastard, tripped him up ninja style, nicked his Materia and then set off like I had rockets attached to my feet. About fifteen people, including some off-duty officer had witnessed the crime and chased me a fair way out of town until (using my mad, amazing ninja skills) I managed to shake ‘em off...by hiding in a tree ‘til they’d passed by.

I wouldn’t be able to go back to Costa Del Sol for a few years...well, maybe ten if I was lucky.

Who wanted to go stay in that crummy resort town anyways! Everyone knows Yuffie Kisaragi hates Resort Towns! And Yuffie Kisaragi had way better and more important things to do – like say, run around after Cloud like a lovesick puppy-- than lay about on some beach...drinking cocktails...flirting with cute surfer guys...sleeping and eating as much as she liked...

...aw, crap.

I sighed loudly and heavily, not caring if Cloud happened to hear; though it seemed unlikely he’d hear much of anything over his gawd awful whistling. “Wait a go Yuff, you’re a full blown idiot. Congratulations!” Great. Talking to myself out loud now. Wasn’t that, like, the first sign of madness? Or was it licking your feet? I can’t remember...

Hm.

Violently I squished a bug in my path as I walked, the murder comforting me slightly. I was so absorbed in my thoughts I didn’t realise Cloud’s tuneless whistling had ceased until I very nearly walked right on top of him.

Fortunately I realised my stupidity just in time to spring an impressive leap, government agent style, into a nearby bush. Crouching low and trying to quiet my rasping breath I peeked through the leaves and was relieved to see Cloud standing a little way ahead, still oblivious to my presence. From my awkward vantage point I could see he was actually consulting a compass, his brow furrowed, scratching his head absently in thought. Lost, typical. I snickered without thinking.

Cloud glanced up sharply at the sound, his keen blue eyes narrowing intently upon the innocent looking foliage about - which included the bush I was currently cowering in.

I shut my eyes tight and silently prayed to Da chao, Leviathan, the Lifestream and (just in case) all the other Gods from religions I’d learnt about in my travels that Cloud would not feel the urge to investigate my hiding place. Surely one of those geezers up there would help me?

Please please please please, I’ll be good for the rest of my life I swear! I’ll be a reformed ninja! I promise! No more stealing Mater- actually no, ‘cus realistically we all know that just ain’t gonna happen...but, just don’t let Cloud find me...please, please...

The silence was oppressive; my heart pumping away like a lead weight in my chest, the staccato pulse jumping in my throat and beating parade drums in my head. My ears were ringing so loudly I grit my teeth together tightly, hoping they’d get on with it and go pop already or just shut the hell up...either way would suit me fine.

It seemed my prayers had been answered as I heard the scuff of Cloud’s hefty combat boots moving away and becoming distant. I didn’t move immediately, just sat and sighed heavily, hugging my knees tight. Lifting my head from my knees I grinned smugly to myself, rejoicing at my miraculous escape. “Phew Yuffs...that was a close one, gotta be more careful next tim- woooo-oooaahh! Hey! Lemme go ya bastard!”

Without warning a large, gloved hand had reached into my hiding place and grabbed a fistful of my shirt at the back of my neck, heaving me bodily up, my arms and legs flailing madly, and then depositing me roughly in an unceremonious tangle of limbs and armour on the bug infested ground. I squawked loudly as I landed painfully on my butt and knew immediately I was gonna have one helluva king kong sized bruise there.

Owee...

I scrambled up, cursing and rubbing my sore butt and immediately found myself confronting Cloud – looking, if possible, angry, confused and amused all at once. Woah, an emotional record for someone who barely had a personality at the best of times.

The bastard tricked me! He’d doubled back and surprised me! Grr...

I guess in a way I’m pretty lucky he actually pulled me out of the bush first instead of just hacking me up with his enormous penis compensating symbol and then pulling my mangled corpse out of the bushes to inspect his handiwork. I’m pretty sure no one would have missed me, and look a conveniently deep jungle to hide my unfortunate corpse in...okay, getting off track here.

“What the hell are you doing here!” He demanded bluntly.

“I uhm...erm...” I stalled, my brain suddenly unhelpfully numb and limp.

Well okay, he’d just asked me a pretty reasonable question but...unfortunately, I had absolutely no clue how to answer. I could play the mindless, dumb optimism card, sometimes that worked – but more usually not. But I had sod all else to fall back on so what the hell...

“Huh! What a coincidence meetin’ you here!”

In a bush in the middle of some random jungle miles away from Costa Del Sol. Right.

“Gawd, Cloud we just keep bumpin’ into each other today don’t we? Heh...funny that.”

He’s not laughing. I smiled hugely, making my eyes as wide and innocent as possible and even tried batting my eyelashes a little. I wasn’t Aeris however so I just ended up looking like I’d got something in my eye which wasn’t particularly persuasive.

“I hope you’re not stalkin' me! Though I understand why you would with me bein’ such a babe an’ all!” There was a very pregnant pause in which I held my breath and, I suspect, turned slightly blue.

“Right...” Slowly his brows rose over a gaze that had become incredulous. There was an unmistakably sardonic slope to his mouth. “ It is funny...meeting way out in the middle of nowhere like this. I guess it must be fate, huh.”

I gulped, wondering if I was out of danger. I mean all the usual signs that he was about to grab me and string me upside down from a tree were there but beneath it all there was a definite smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Maybe it was the sun in my eyes or the tepid heat of the jungle had finally got inside my head and was making me see mirages and crap. Great.

“Yeah, uh, must be.” I squeaked nervously, suddenly finding it very important to find something to do with my hands. I wondered what way to hang my arms and stand to make myself look less suspicious but I felt stupid and just ended up fidgeting helplessly under his penetrating gaze. Oh man, he must know I’m lying. It’s written all over my face. Gawd..

Any hint of a smile disappeared very suddenly from Cloud’s face, sending a shiver of pre-warning down my spine. “Or maybe you’ve been following me since Costa Del Sol.” Cloud shook his head, folding his arms over his chest as he half turned from me, a shaft of sunlight catching his face as it filtered down through the trees overhead. He looked angry and disappointed. “Jeez Yuffie...just when I thought you’d matured and maybe even learnt your lesson from last time, you’re still after my Materia.”

I blinked, my mouth hanging open comically. I stared mutely at him as he continued.

“Do I look stupid!”

Err, yes.

I’ve been stalking you with a hopeless crush since we met and you still think all I want from you is Materia. Oh Cloud...

“Ever since we first met you’ve been after my Materia and even now, years later, you still won’t let the opportunity to get your hands on it pass!” Cloud had been scrutinising the toes of his boots, scowling, during this speech but now he looked up at me expectantly, something that looked shockingly like hurt glinting in his strange, MAKO blue eyes. “I thought we were friends Yuffie.” He said the last very quietly but I heard every word with perfect clarity.

I felt like crying even though I knew he couldn’t be more wrong about me. The hurt and anger in his expression was enough to make my insides twist unpleasantly and the blood run cold in my veins. Vaguely, I remembered that he still didn’t know the real reason for my following him and now would as good a time as any to tell him and dispel the accusations.

I opened my mouth but mouthed wordlessly. The words just wouldn’t come.

I can’t tell him. I’m not ready to say it...and he’s definitely not ready to hear it.

Frustrated and thoroughly miserable I looked away and hugged my arms tightly to myself, feeling small and humbled in his presence. “We are friends.” I ground out, glancing up out of the corners of my eyes and the ragged fall of my bangs into his accusatory gaze. “Or at least I thought so until you accused me so cruelly just then. You still don’t trust me, even after all we’ve been through, do you Cloud?”

I sighed and sank bonelessly onto a nearby log, my back turned to him and my shoulders hunched over dejectedly. “I followed you for a lot of reasons.” I informed him quietly, gazing unseeingly down at the ground between my boots. “...I followed you because I was curious..” Lie ‘- and I followed you because I was bored and wanted to see if you were going on another adventure –“ Lie “- ...I followed you because I’m tired of wandering around aimlessly and fed up of being bossed about my arrogant pig of a father or maybe just because I’m sick of being alone all the time!” That was the truth... but not the whole of it. The rest I just can’t say. “Okay? Satisfied?” My voice shook slightly but I didn’t care, sickened by a horrible feeling of rejection.

The silence was oppressive but I forced myself not to look at him and let him digest what I’d just said. I was beginning to think maybe he’d just turned around and left when one gloved hand, large and warm was suddenly resting comfortingly on my shoulder. The hand remained as Cloud sat down to one side of me, so his arm was now draped consoling over my shoulders. I was afraid to breathe in case he removed it and equally as terrified to lift my face. I’d never been so glad of having long hair to hide traitorous blushes.

“I’m sorry Yuff.” He said, so softly I barely caught it. “I’ve been a complete moron.”

“Uh huh.” I laughed, albeit shakily.

“What can I do to make it up to you?” He offered and, chancing a glance at him, I saw he was smiling apologetically.

“Hmm...” Feeling a bit more like myself I played along, pretending to ponder this and rubbing my chin with exaggerated thoughtfulness. “For this terrible crime Yuffie Kisaragi orders the guilty party, Cloud Strife, to...” I smiled slyly. “Dance about like a Chocobo!” I laughed out loud at his expression.

Cloud withdrew his arm and stood up but despite feeling a little disappointed I was at least happy that we were at peace with each other again. I watched Cloud pace about, knowing he was looking for a way to get out of it. Unluckily for him I wasn’t in a very generous mood. Nyuk nyuk...

He stopped pacing and smiled at me suddenly, but with a little half frown creasing his brow. “You’re just joking, right?”

I shook my head very slowly and with a very pronounced grin. “Nope.”

The smile faded and he looked suddenly very flustered and frustrated. “Yuffie, there’s no way in hell that I, a full-grown man, am going to prance about like some idiot for your amusement.”

I yawned, unconcerned by his declaration. “Aw, too bad Spike, you offered and you can’t back out now.” I settled myself more comfortably on the log, resting back with arms folded against the tree behind me. “Now, I’d like my Chocobo impression and don’t forget the noises either!” His expression then was probably the funniest thing I’d ever seen in my life but I forced myself to keep a straight face with an expectant tilt to my eyebrows.

Very slowly and reluctantly he very pathetically flapped his arms a little, then stopped and looked at me pleadingly. I answered by raising my eyebrows a little higher and more expectantly, waiting.

“I’ll get you back later you know.” He threatened, then, looking aggravated, proceeded to hop about the clearing, flapping his arms intermittently. I had to bite down on a handful of my T-shirt to stop myself laughing, but tears of laughter still found a way out of my eyes.

“You’re forgetting the noises!” I choked and couldn’t help but fall to the ground and roll about helplessly as he began to mutter a few ‘wark’s and ‘queh’s through gritted teeth as he continued to hop.

“Well, much as I love making a fool of myself for your entertainment Yuff, I have to go now, it’ll be sunset soon and I need to get to Corel before then.” Cloud’s statement immediately had a sobering effect on my laughter. I hopped up quickly, grabbing my stuff and rushing to join him as he swung his pack over one shoulder.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Cloud demanded as I came to a halt at his side, grinning.

“With you!” I stated matter-of-factly. “Jeez Cloud, you’re a bit slow on the uptake, aren’tcha?”

He scowled at me for a long moment and opened his mouth as if to argue but then, sighing, obviously thought better of it. “Alright then, let’s get going.” He moved off, scratching his head absently, deep in thought.

I performed a little dance of victory behind his back as he moved off up the path; then followed along quickly in case he tried to give me the slip.

Score one!

Now all I needed was a little time to help Cloud realise how amazing and desirable I was and then I could move straight on with declaring my love and living happily ever after. Easy, huh?

Right...

Beginning to look a little worried I moved on with Cloud through the dense jungle, hoping the answer to my problem would come to me sooner rather than later. I wasn’t sure how long Cloud would tolerate my presence. I made a mental note to find out exactly what he was doing out here in the first place and why he seemed to be in such a hurry. That could wait though.

For the moment I was just happy to be with him.