Lean On Me (FF7)

15

~Yuffie's POV~

I tug Cloud's arm and skip down the hall. His laughs ring through the metal airship we're aboard and he struggles to keep his walk matching my pace. I can't believe he actually asked if I would eat sinner with him. Um, yes! I thought Tifa had a massive crush on Cloud or something but apparently she just wants to stay with Vincent. The spot where Sephiroth got him was pretty nasty. I shudder slightly and try to push the thoughts away.

"Wrong way!" Cloud digs his heels into the ground, which stops my skipping. He motions to the door that I tried to pass. Oh. Whoops.

"Oops," I laugh, pushing the door open.

I don't know how Cid managed to get all these rooms on the Highwind without it falling down. Where there used to be nothing, he had a construction team put some thin metal walls up and turned it into a small room full of cheap tables and chairs for the times we all ate together. Cloud wasn't there for very many. He was either moping in his room, taking a walk outside, or getting in trouble with the wild animals outside the Golden Saucer.

"There he is," Barret says loudly, waving for Cloud to come over. Cloud's arm tenses, but I give him a reassuring pat on the back and he stiffly walks over to the table. I awkwardly sit beside him.

"So I was thinking about you savin' our behinds the other day," Barret starts.

"What about it," Cloud replies blandly.

"I'm sorry for yellin' at you. I mean you did go against what I told you to, but you're the one in charge around here, not me."

"It's fine," Cloud shrugs indifferently, but I'm sure he's happy to have Barret back.

"We saved you some food!" Cid yells across the small room.

"Thanks!" I yell back.

"Why are we yelling!" Cloud yells in my face.

"I don't know," I yell back trying to keep a straight face.

"Okay, we get it," RedIIX groans, trying to cover his pointy ears with his big paws.

"Sorry," Cloud calls in a whisper. Red shoots him a glare before laying back down on the floor.

"So, uh... Where'd Tifa go?" Barret asks.

"Stayed with Vince," Cloud shrugs. "I guess the whole thing kinda got to her more than usual."

"Hmm," Barret says in agreement, but his curious eyes tell me he probably doesn't think the same thing.

"How did the meeting with the Turks go?" I ask. Cloud chokes on a sip of water and coughs. I jump and Barret looks at me, confused.

"Uh... I'll tell you later," He mumbles. Barret sighs and shakes his head.

"This doesn't have to do with Sephiroth controlling you does it?" He asks with a frown.

"No! No, it was... kinda my fault."

"What did you do," I raise an eyebrow.

"I sorta.... Choked Reno," he says quietly, glaring at the table.

"You what?!" Barret looks at him with disbelief.

"He was bothering me about the remnants and Sephiroth and telling me I was a monster and junk. I don't know, I was just tired if it." Cloud sighs.

"Well it looks like you gave him what he wanted." Barret crosses his arms.

"What?" Cloud frowns.

"You proved to him you can be a monster."

Cloud stands and begins to leave. I bite my lip and return my gaze to Barret.