A confusing presence

Cloud and his lovely paramour straightened their clothes and embraced in a companionable hug. “Thanks. Things have been…” Cloud started after he stood up off the bed. Meeting her piercing gaze, he blushed and took a breath as if to start again. Before the spiky-haired SOLDIER could formulate the rest of his thought, the petite brunette smiled and gently bopped his nose.

“No need! I enjoyed this myself.” Giggling mischievously, the brunette twirled away and bent down to reach into her flower basket. Cloud watched her rummage amidst the multi-colored flowers and pulled forth a single-pouched bag roughly the size of both her fists. He walked over to the wall and attached his buster sword to his back. Simultaneously, the flower girl quickly took a swig of an orange bottle, stood up and walked over to the bathroom sink in the adjoining room. Continuing to ogle her, Cloud counted as her right boot-bound foot tapped the floor once a second for twenty counts. Then she bowed and spat the liquid out.

“Are you just enamored with me? I appreciate it and all, but…” She glanced at Cloud through the mirror above the sink. Feeling as if he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, Cloud averted his eyes, trying to obscure his creeping blush. “No matter! Pretty boys like you can look. And with that python, you can touch.” She flirted and took satisfaction in his discomfort.

“All righty! Follow me.” The flower girl said, strutting to the door and opening it. Cloud escorted her, pacing himself a couple steps behind. When the lovers reached the top of the ornate staircase, the brunette slowed and held out her hand. And so the two walked out of the inn hand in hand, hearts aflutter.

A few steps after crossing the threshold outside, Cloud ceased walking. Gently tugging her wrist then dropping it, Cloud licked his lips and gulped. The beautiful flower girl spun back in surprise, a question already forming on her own heart-shaped face.

“Look, I’m involved in things.” Cloud spoke with a hint of a growl noticeably in his tone. Noting the shock on her face, he continued, “Dangerous Things.”

In response, the flower girl narrowed her verdant eyes, fixing him with a glare. “Oh, I’m sure you are.” She said, meeting his aggression with pixie indifference. The tension between them could suddenly be cut with a sharp knife.

“So, keep you distance.” The ex-SOLDIER riposted harshly. His own eyes had focused to points and neither seemed ready to back down. A pregnant moment passed between the lovers when suddenly the girl broke her posture by cocking her head then she cracked a cool smile.

“Wait. You think someone is out to get you?” She stated more than queried, measuring his nonverbal response. Cloud’s shoulders twitched and his brow jolted upward in surprise. She quickly noted his immediate reaction and crossed her arms underneath her hefty bosom. “Is that what you’re all worked up about?”

Cloud hesitated and subtly nodded; his eyes slitted as he examined her with more respect. “Relax. No One’s going to attack you, I promise” the flower girl relented. Fixing him with a wry grin, she looked ready to matronize him. Before she could, Cloud squared his shoulders and opened his mouth.

Cloud met her stare and upped his intensity as he nearly lost his cool. He nearly shouted, “Hey! A Mako Reactor JUST blew. You shouldn’t be out here, trying to sell fl-“

Green eyes bulging, the flower girl suddenly jumped up and started wildly swinging her limbs. Cloud gaped in temporary amazement as she dropped the basket and clutched his reaching hands.

“Help me!” She screamed, falling into his arms. When the pale skin of her fingers grasped his muscular forearms, Cloud suddenly saw a new element to the world. Colors brightened, sound intensified, and her touch seemed molten as Cloud’s fight or flight response became triggered. Swirling around the flower peddler were dark hooded man-shaped figures. Clearly, these supernatural things had tripped the girl in his arms as they had grabbed hold of her boots to sweep her feet. Reacting swiftly, Cloud pirouetted, placing himself between the girl and her attackers. Finishing the turn, Cloud reached over his head and pulled forth the mighty Buster Sword and swung it in a downward sweep. The sword obliterated the flower girl’s most aggressive pursuer, instantaneously dusting it. The flower girl herself turned, placing her back to his. She raised her fists, demonstrating her own desire to fight.

“What are they?” She hollered and ducked a dive by one of the phantoms. Executing another circling attack to clear the air, Cloud set his jaw and said nothing.

“DROP YOUR WEAPON.” Out of the corner of his left eye, Cloud saw a group of Shinra soldiers rounding the street corner leading from Sector 7. They were dressed in the typical three-light helmet and carried **** weapons and light armor. Cloud pivoted and put his left foot protectively in front of his paramour.

Responding to the grunts, Cloud speechlessly asked, “Are you blind?”

As Cloud focused his attention on the Shinra grunts, the flower girl broke away and sprinted toward the alleyway on the far side of the Loveless Inn. Before she made her move, she turned her head to Cloud quickly pondering, “You know, you’re right!”

Cloud snapped his head back and commanded “Wa-Wait!”

The mysterious flower peddler with the luscious brunette braid who smelled of saffron and velvet shot Cloud a sideways peace sign while blowing him a kiss. “Nice Meeting You!” The last of her Cloud saw was the end of her basket trailing behind her as ran into the cover of alley darkness.

Brining his attention back to the threat afore him, the central Shinra grunt called out, “SWORD. ON THE GOUND! RIGHT NOW!” The soldier to the leader’s right sent a warning shot at Cloud. In response, Cloud lowered his shoulders and steadied his breath as he prepared Fire Spell.

In an explosion of movement, Cloud made his attack.

Author's note: If ya'll want me to focus on combat I can. The tradeoff is it will take longer to get the steamy bits out. Leave a comment or PM me letting me know any thoughts or comments. Thanks for reading this far!