"Are you serious?"
"Yes! Yes Yes! All we have to do is jump him in the hall way, put a blindfold over his eyes and drag him into a pitch black room! It's full proof!"

The young teen shook his head. "Zack I don't think you get it. Laith is really scared of certain things. And I'm sure he will be scared for life if you 'jump him in the hallway'"

The young teen, Ace Fair, made finger quotes in the air. Zack slumped over
as he realized that his plan was denied.

"Zack, c'mon. I know you always wanted to try that but not this time, okay?"

Ace asked. Zack looked up.

"Can we do it for Cloud's birthday then? Oh! Or Angeal's!"  Zack exclaimed.

"Well, i'm not going to stop him if Angeal's in a bad mood that day..." Ace thought. He shrugged. "Fine, do whatever you want Zack.
I got to go inform Raveous and Tonaki about Laith's birthday."

Ace said beginning to walk away. Zack nodded.

"Okay, cuz! You do that!" Zack walked away with a dazed look on his face.

"Something tell's me things aren't going to be going well on Angeal's birthday..." Ace whispered.

. . . . . . . . . .

Ace walked down the hallway of his mansion. His freinds were over his house for a sleepover that week for Laith's birthday. Laith was the only one that
wasn't there though. Ace's plan was to invite Zack, Raveous and Tonaki over to his house for that week to get preperations ready for the big day. Ace sighed
as he reached the living room door. He heard bangs and crashes coming from inside. Ace took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Come here you! I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"

"Neener neener neener! Only if you can catch me, Tonaki~"

Ace slammed the door of the living room, making the chandelier rattle. Tonaki and Raveous looked up.

"Ace? What's wrong?" asked the blonde knight.

Ace took a deep breath and pulled Raveous off of the couch. Ace fixed the cushions and the rug beneath it. Ace took a deep breath and turned to the two.

"Can't I leave you two alone for ten minutes? I sware, Tonaki, I thought you were more mature than this. What will happen if Zane found out?" Ace threatned.

Tonaki's eyes bulged. "No.. Ace you wouldn't tell him!" Tonaki begged.

Ace shrugged. "First... tell me why you were chasing Raveous around
like you were going to beat the crap out of him?" Ace asked.

Tonaki sighed. "We were sitting on the couch waiting for you to get back when he piped up..."

"Hey Tonaki?"

"...Hmm?"

"When's Ace going to get back?" Raveous sat up and placed his arm's around his legs. Tonaki shrugged.

"He said about ten minutes. Why?"

Ravous started whining. He wouldn't admit it. He would say anything, but the truth was. Raveous was scared to death of Tonaki. Tonaki proved himself as a full Knight of the Rounds. Tonaki had killed so many Black Knights it wasn't even funny. As for Raveous... he hadn't done a thing except collect a few badges. Raveous sighed.

"I was just wondering..." Raveous said.

A few moments passed and Raveous suddenly thought of an idea. What more fun way to pass the time with a pillow fight?

It wasn't entirely nighttime yet. Around 8:00 or so. And so...

Raveous stood on the couch and picked up a pillow. Tonaki quickly looked up at Raveous. Raveous swung the pillow and hit Tonaki square in the face. Tonaki blushed and stood up slowly. He clenched his fists. A mumble came from Tonaki but Raveous couldn't quite catch it.

"What?" Raveous asked.

"RUN NOW RUNT!" Tonaki screamed. Raveous leaped off the couch and dashed toward the door. Tonaki was quicker and blocked Raveous's only exit.
Raveous gulped and ran backwards towards the kitchen. Tonaki threatn ed to take out his sword but he realized this wasn't a do or die situation.

Tonaki growled. "Come here you! I'm going to beat you to a pulp!"



"...and that's what happened!" Tonaki exclaimed.

Ace flinched as the door bell rang. "Raveous what time is it?" Ace asked.
Raveous checked the clock. "8:15. Why?"

Ace dashed out of the room and into the next living room. He straightened chairs and fixed the cake in the center. He looked at the presents and stacked them neatly. He heaved a sigh of relief and walked over to the door. Ace quickly fixed his tie. He opened the door.

Laith Strife and his cousin Cloud Strife stood at the door. They both wore matching suits. Ace smiled. "Hey guys. Come in."

Ace opened the door wider for the two and they walked in.

Ace walked in front of them. "Just wait here a sec. I'll be back." Cloud and Laith nodded cheerfully.

Ace dashed into the living room of the two blonde's. He found them fixing each other's tie, Ace raised an eyebrow.

"That was fast."

Tonaki and Raveous looked at Ace. "Yeah. Yeah." Tonaki said.

"C'mon guys. Go give Laith and Cloud company while I look for Zack." Ace said pushing them out of the room.

Ace shut the door and ran upstairs. He opened Zack's door and found him tucking in his shirt. "Zack c'mon! Cloud and Laith are here!"

Ace exclaimed. Zack turned around, his dark spikes falling behind him. Ace smiled. "You look dashing." Ace complemented.

Zack smiled. "Thanks." Zack said and ran downstairs. Ace followed.

. . . . . . . .

This party wasn't going according to plan for Ace. Chairs were falling over, the cake almost got smashed, and worst of all...
Raveous and Tonaki were about to get into a serious fight.

"Guys, please?" Ace begged. Tonaki glared at Ace. "Fine. As long as that idiot trainer leaves me alone for once in his life!" Tonaki stepped aside and went to sit down.

Ace gave a sigh. Laith noticed
this and walked over to him. "Ace?" Ace looked up.

"Oh... Hey Laith."

"Ace, is something the matter?"

"I was hoping this party would be excellent but..."

Laith giggled. "Ace. I don't care how any party turns out. As long as other people are having fun. I don't care!"

Ace looked at Laith and smiled. "Yeah, you're right."

Zack whipped out a camera. "Hey Laith. How about a birthday picture?" Zack asked.

Laith smiled. "Sure, Zack."

Tonaki looked up and huffed. Raveous walked over to Tonaki. He offered a hand.

Tonaki looked at it and then at Raveous. Raveous smiled. Tonaki sighed. He grinned and took it with a blush.

Ace smiled. Laith leaned next to Ace. Raveous and Tonaki entered the picture. Tonaki crossed his arms while Raveous leaned on Tonaki. Tonaki scowled at Raveous and pushed him off. Zack snapped the picture.

It showed Raveous falling over onto the cake, Tonaki pushing him, Laith smiling, and Ace with a panic expression.

Zack and Cloud smiled together.

"Perfect~"

Happy Birthday Laith~