I'll Be There (KH/FF fanfic)

Chapter 7: The Ball

Chapter 7:

You peek out of the window of the limo you are sharing with Cloud, Tifa, Zack, Aerith, Seifer, Rinoa, Reno, Rikku, and Leon and gawk as a colossal palace comes into view. This is Cloud's extra house, the one that Admiral Collins knows nothing about?! Rikku wear the same shocked face as yours while Rinoa simply stares at her newly polished nails and steals glances at Leon, who looks only slightly interested in the palace. The rest of the gang has all been here before so they look rather indifferent.

"Welcome to our home...well, one of our homes," Cloud announces.

You exchange glances with Rikku and shake your head in disbelief. Your father had plenty of money, but this! This was unbelievable! Before you can stare any longer at the beautiful palace, Rinoa briskly walks ahead of you, toward Leon and Seifer, and attempts to lock arms with the two of them. Simultaneously, the two boys wiggle out of her grasp.

"She must be used to hooking up with two guys at once," Rikku whispers.

You stifle a laugh.

"Yeah, but getting rejected by two guys at once takes the cake," Reno chimes in.

You, Tifa, Rikku, Reno, and Cloud all chuckle.

"Why does she even hang out with us?" you ask. "I mean, she doesn't seem to like us...and we don't seem to like her either."

"She's a friend of my sister's," Cloud explains. "Aerith can't help but be kind to everyone she meets...even Rinoa, unfortunately."

You look over to see Zack and Aerith walking arm-in-arm and smiling at each other. So that explains why Aerith never joined in teasing Rinoa...and why she drove her home when she got wasted at Seventh Heaven.

Cloud jogs ahead and blocks the palace door. "Alright ladies and gentleman!" he begins. "This is my home, so..."

Aerith coughs.

"OUR home, so we must act respectably tonight. To avoid repeating a, erm, previous incident, there will be no alcohol, Also, no cursing..."

Reno grins.

"No grinding..."

Rinoa pouts.

"And no being ultra-super-mega-boring!" Cloud finishes as he glares at Leon.

Leon shoves his hands into his pockets.

"Oh, and NO looking so adorable, ____!" Cloud jokes as he wraps you in his arms in a brotherly hug. "That goes for you too, Tifa!" he says as he kisses her on the lips.

"Let's PARTY!" Zack shouts.

You, Rikku, Tifa, Reno, and Cloud let out an enthusiastic "Woop!" as you walk through the doors of the palace. You glance behind you and spot Leon. You turn around and gently grasp his hand. To your surprise, he doesn't let go. Everyone seems to have coupled up now: Tifa, who is wearing a long yet clingy red dress, is resting her head on Cloud's red-clad shoulder, Aerith, dressed in a light pink mermaid-styled prom dress, is linking arms with Zack, who wears a matching pink shirt that looks rather manly on him, Rikku, who wears a short, orange cocktail dress, is laughing with Reno, who wears a similar orange dress shirt, and Rinoa is wearing a cream-colored strapless mini-dress that matches the shirt that Seifer, who is standing far away from her, is wearing. You notice that Leon is wearing a blue-green shirt that matches with your dress. He actually went along with the planned coordination idea...and, of course, Cloud had chosen you two as dates. You didn't know whether to thank him or fling a rock at his head.

As Cloud opens the doors to the immaculate ballroom, you gasp in awe. It's stunning! The walls are a light cream color and the floors sparkle as if they were made of pure diamonds. Colorful silks bedeck the walls and the chairs and tables are covered in fluorescent cloth. Flowers and lights are strung throughout the room as well.

You gleefully laugh as you see Sora, who wears a dark blue shirt, walk in with Kairi, who is dressed in a beautiful blue gown. They are followed by Namine, clad in a long white dress, and Roxas, who also wears white; Xion, who wears a short, dark purple dress, and Riku, in the same midnight-colored shirt; Olette, dresses in a green ball gown, and Hayner, who wears a matching colored shirt; Yuna, who wears a knee-length, light blue dress, and Tidus, in a matching shirt; Paine, who models a black mini-dress, and Zexion, in a black shirt; Fuu, wearing a short gray dress, with Rai, who wears a gray button-down; Axel, in a firey, tri-colored shirt, and Yuffie in an equally flamboyant gown; Demyx, in a yellow shirt, who walks in with a scary-looking date who looks as if she could electrocute you to death and wears a short yellow dress; Aqua, in a light silver dress, and Terra with a silver shirt; Wakka, in a black and white ensemble, and his date, Lulu, who wears a matching gown with a slit on the side; and your brother, Noctis, clad in a lavender shirt, arrives last with his girlfriend, Stella, who flaunts a gorgeous lavender gown. Apparently, Ventus couldn't make it because he got the flu and Pence ate too much apple pie the night before and got sick.

Since this was a ball, the music was a bit more formal. In fact, an entire orchestra had been hired to play music. Pretty much everyone had already hit the dance floor with their dates (except Seifer, who had left to avoid Rinoa's incessant chatter and gossip), even Zexion had begun to dance, twirling Paine elegantly without dropping her. Reno, on the other hand, had dropped Rikku once or twice while trying to copy this technique and Larxene was taking the lead in the dancing, yanking Demyx around violently.

You sat quietly next to Leon for a moment before he uncrossed his arms, glanced at you, sighed, reluctantly stood up, and offered his hand out to you. You were shocked (Leon NEVER danced unless he was forced to) but placed your hand in his and stood up, a grin spread across your face.

As soon as you stepped onto the floor, Leon took you by surprise and led you through a series of intricate steps, careful to avoid stomping on your feet. Everyone had their eyes on the two of you but you didn't even notice. Your own eyes were focused on the young man in front of you. You smiled cheekily as your blue eyes met his grayish ones. When you had finished dancing it was as if a spell had been broken and everyone returned to what they were doing. "______, I..." Leon started.

"Everybody get in for a group photo!" Cloud shouted, winking mischievously at Leon. Leon sighed and followed you over to the large group of people. You were sandwiched between Leon and Yuna.

"What were you going to say to me back there?" you inquired of Leon.

"I... think you look really great tonight. Gorgeous," he finished. It wasn't what he had wanted to say at all.

"Thanks!" you replied with a small smile, hoping he would have said something different.

"Alright, everyone. Say 'Zack is the greatest photographer in the world!'" Zack said.

"Cheese!" everyone yelled.