Disclaimer; I don't own Final Fantasy, specifically VII, or any of its characters. Squaresoft does. I also do not own, or claim rights to, the song "Can you keep a secret?" by Utada Hikaru. So no suing. I am but a poor, un-educated ex-schoolgirl with no job. The most you'll get out of me is my little kitten and a collection of pennies.

So! This is my first Final Fantasy fanfiction published on here. Most of the stories I write are all M, or have NC-17 material. I decided to try and write a fluff for once. Ho'migawd fluffy yay yay happy giddy bubblegum and sugar packets. The stuff that usually makes me GAG. Usually my warnings are all OMG SEX SHIELD YOUR EYES. Never thought it'd be cautioning you of sweet, cute, floofy stuff. A few other things, this is indeed a Yuffentine. My first one, and the first one I've even considered. My first songfic too. And there's lots and loooots of swearing, 'course. I ain't gonna use those stupid #$! things that Square likes to stick in for censorship. Can't heed the T rating, too freakin' bad.

I'd like to thank Maki for inspiring me with the idea, actually, coming -up- with the idea... and for our roleplays that intensely hint some secretive Vincent/Yuffie things. I love you, mang. Err. Even if it isn't in that way. :heartthingy.:

And, don't expect me to update often. I'm a lazy hobo, maybe I'll update once or twice a week. Maybe.

Also, this site sucks at documents. Do tell me if it messed something up so I can fix it.

And so ends my babbling. Enjoy the fic. Review. It makes me happy.

Can you keep a secret…?

Prologue.
Location: Outskirts of Wutai.
One year earlier.
Yuffie Kisaragi.

I want to get closer to your thoughts.
I can't sit still. Can you keep a secret?
Hit it off like this.

It was like watching a butterfly slowly flutter its wings to the world, freshly out of its cocoon. Sure, there was some leftover slime licking its body, dripping from its fragile limbs and coating the wings that stuck from its back. Sure, there was still the cocoon at hand to take note of, flakes of the empty shell crumbling off the dense stick it had attached itself to. Sure, it still had some time to go before it could fully spread its wings and take flight. And, of course, its freedom would be brief, only to be greeted head on by a small child that would be cruel enough to giggle as it squirmed, whilst said child plucked each region of the chalky wings clear off, sending the beautiful creature into a slow, agonizing pain, to be left begging for release. For death. But for the moment, it was a metamorphosis, a change that one would only see if they woke up right as the sun peeked over the horizon, on the first day of spring. In short, it was a change that was quite the rarity to witness, and should be treasured like so.

Oh shut the hell up, Yuffie, it's just a smile!

Sometimes I overreact. Yeah, I know it. But I mean c'mon! If Vincent Valentine gave you a slight smile, not hidden away by that awfully tacky scarlet cloak of his, wouldn't you make a corny metaphor? Guess not. Maybe it's just my awful reaction to want to absorb any type of emotion he offers me. Maybe it's the way I fidget every time he speaks directly to me. Maybe it's the way I wish he would say more than five words. Damn it. There I go again, my emotions getting the better of me. I was always strong. I always try not to cry. In fact, I think the last time I cried was when Aeris died. That was a while ago... Wait, was it? Two months ago, I think... Huh... Maybe it wasn't that long ago.

Hit it off like this, baby.

I need to stop letting my thoughts get scattered. Stupid, don't make yourself cry. This is supposed to be a friendly goodbye. Yeah. That's what it is. A goodbye. A goodbye to people I only met a short time ago. Wow, we haven't even known each other half a year, but it seems like forever! Seems like it'll just stay that way. Even if I haven't known you guys very long, it still hurts. Even as I try to hold back these damn tears that sting my eyes, it hurts really really bad. Staring down at the ground (hey that pebble looks like a chocobo!) I can't help but wonder what would happen if I went with them. But I couldn't do that. I had to stay here. In Wutai. I had to find some way to help them, now that the whole Materia Hunter thing wasn't lookin' so great. I'm not just gonna abandon my home, even though...

Wait. Is Vincent... hugging me?

Wow, he smells good. His arms firmly wrapped around my small body. I mean, not like I'm frail or anything, but he's got some good arms for someone as thin as he is. Err, but anyway. He kind of smells like my mom's old music box. Yeah, weird huh? I think that music box is still in my room, sitting there, untouched on my bedside table. The inside is made of a velvet material that my great-grandmother (or was it my great-great-grandmother?) made herself. She wove it and stuck it right on there. Been passed down ever since. Its probably collected a little bit of dust by now, for sure. But I'm almost positive it still smells the same. Musky, and if you take a big enough whiff, earthy. Like the grass when its covered by light, morning dew.

Oh yeah, that's real attractive. Now you're sniffing him. Smooth. Not to mention you're staining his shirt with your tears. Wow, you're such an idiot. Can't do anything right, eh?

I've been sending you signals from here.
You still haven't deciphered them.

I'm such a failure. I can't even say anything to him. Not a freakin' word. All I do is cry. Cry into his chest. Sob. Like a little girl. That's probably what he thinks of me. A damn little girl, just like everyone else.

... No. Don't demean him like that. He's the only one that does treat you like an adult. But he treats everyone the same way. I wish he wouldn't. I wish he would take me in his arms like this when we weren't saying goodbye. Maybe when we were saying hello, or good morning. Or maybe he wouldn't have to. Maybe I'd already be in his arms when we exchanged our good mornings. Wishful thinking, I guess. That wouldn't happen. As smart as the man is, he's still not catching the subtle hints I give him. I'm not sure if he understands the freckles in my eyes. The way they glitter when resting upon him. Pft, course he doesn't. He's still hung up on that scientist girl. I wonder if I'd look good in a lab coat? I wonder if he'd admit it if I looked good in a lab coat? Where the hell do you get a lab coat?

Come on.

Oh Leviathan, now he's talking.

Let's tell you, let's not.

I'm not really sure what he's saying. I'll be able to understand in a sec, as soon as I can get over the splendor laced in his voice. Whoops, there goes my breath again, getting choked back in my throat. He probably thinks its because I'm crying. You're such a good faker, Yuff. Such a damn good faker.

Let's continue until I can't run anymore.

Nope, still can't catch what he's saying. Maybe if I wasn't so distracted by his eyes as I glanced up toward them, I'd be able to comprehend the words. Ah feck! I keep blaming stuff on him! Stupid stupid stuuuupid! But it's hard. The way those crimson orbs stared back so intensely, focused on only me. Only me... I wish he'd focus on me more often. Jeez, Yuffie, way to be selfish!

Oh crap. He's letting go. No... Please Vincent. Don't do it.

There he goes. Taking a step away from me. Why couldn't he hold me for just a second longer? I mean, is that so much to ask for! Maybe he will if I ask him. ... Wow, that was ridiculous. I blame it on Cid's cigarettes and the Highwind's fumes. I sure will miss those scents though... And the occasionally wafting smell of puke that I would cause. Eheh... I remember once, when Cloud told me never to read when I had motion-sickness. That was the same day that Vincent got poked in the cheek by Cid's cigarette end when he got pissed off at one of his crew members for slacking off. I could hear the surprised yelp all the way out on the bridge. Hah. That made a cute little scar. You couldn't see it now, of course. Well.. hey, maybe you can! I should try and find it. But... Now I'm not close enough. Now I'll never know.

To trust in you, no I can't.

Now he's turning away. He's the last one to say goodbye. His was a little longer than the others. Ow! Crapsnacks, I didn't realize I was biting that hard on my fecking lip. It might bleed. Oh well. It doesn't matter, 'cause now I can't feel the pain. Well, I can, but its not on my lip. Watching him step back toward the Highwind, those ridiculously large boots of his clicking against the metal of the retracting stairway. Jeez, I always hated those things. I voiced my hate for them too, every time I saw them I'd make an "ugh" sound and complain about how utterly tacky they were. He never seemed to mind though. In fact, I continuously tell myself that secretly, he may have agreed with me.

Because you seem like you still doubt me.

I suppose it doesn't matter anymore. Because I'll never have to see those boots again. Good riddance, I say. At least... that's what I'm telling myself. But in reality, my hearts pounding against my chest and I just can't find the strength to stop my tears. In fact, I can't even find the strength to stand properly anymore, as I feel my legs turn to jelly beneath me, and I sink to the ground. My knees hit the dirt hard, my body followed after it as the Highwind stirs up sand, and bits of grass. I'm sitting on my legs, staring disbelievingly as the airship starts to ascend, and with it...

Vincent Valentine. My secret.

I want to get closer to your thoughts
I can't sit still Can you keep a secret?
Location: Outskirts of Wutai.
One year earlier.
Vincent Valentine.
I'm not sad anymore because you're here

Can you keep a secret? Can you keep a secret?

Allowing that gentle smile to overtake my lips was like a metamorphosis, something so powerful, it is indescribable. I am still unsure as to why I smiled. Perhaps it resembled that of something miserable, like a smile that one would give when they are trying to push their other emotions. A smile that would surely comfort another, but still only glaze the real feelings behind it. Maybe it was because, deep down, I was miserable at the time. Even my own apathetic shell could not conceal that. Anyone would be downcast, given the situation that was being so openly handed to me. I had not pulled the collar of my cloak up before I managed to offer that smile. I wonder if she had taken note of it. If she had, it did not show, because she merely stood strong. Half of me wanted to believe that she would smile back. No. Not smile. Beam. Yuffie Kisaragi never smiled, as he had noticed so often. She beamed. Like sunshine in the summer morning, right when the rays reflected off glass windows, projecting to everything in sight.

But she didn't.

I can't get closer to your thoughts.
I can't change so suddenly.
Can you keep a secret?

Saying goodbye to her should not be this easy. Even though we have not known each other for very long, there is a special bond between us that will never break. Or, so I had hoped. Does she even realize how strongly I feel for her? How I wish I could utter more than one simple sentence to her? How I wish she would sit and listen to my every thought. How I wish I could listen to hers. I will stay strong. Even though I can see the anxiety in her eyes, hear the silent sobbing that will soon come. I will stay strong. I always have. I am a sealed cocoon, a creature never daring to emerge from its case. Spring will never come for me, I fear.

I suppose it would not hurt to embrace her. I have always wanted to feel the girl in my arms. I hope I do not startle her, as this is not the type of affection I usually show. In fact, I never show any sort of affection. She is slightly hesitant of my approach. But now her fingers are dug into the material of my cape. And now she is crying.

This farewell should not be so easy. Not for me. It has not quite occurred to me that I will never see this girl again. She is the Second to her home. She is the daughter of Godo, the master of the Pagoda, and ruler of Wutai. Her intentions have always been to help her empire. That is all. There is no way to convince her otherwise, so I suppose I will not even try. That would be a foolish act on my part, trying to tear her away from her land. Not just foolish, but unthinkable.

When I get sad I'll call you.
Can you keep a secret?
Or is this the secret?

She has matured so much since when we had first met. I remember thinking that she was so selfish. So conceited. It is hardly the case now, however. I am glad I treated her like an adult when I had the chance. I am glad I saw her for who she truly was when others did not. I cannot help but wonder if she notices that I am the only one that sees her for who she really is. Wishful thinking, I guess. It still puzzles me as to why I notice that sparkle in her eyes when she sees me, and only me. No. Do not even let the thought cross your mind, Vincent. You love a dead woman. You can never love again. She is only an acquaintance, a friend at the most. She is young. She is destined to find a young man in Wutai to marry. You are destined to live the rest of your life trying to atone. That is how it should be.

"... I hope you find what you seek, Yuffie Kisaragi."

Hit it off like this.

"I suppose this is farewell."

Hit it off like this, baby.

And that is when I let go. It should not have been that easy, releasing her from my grasp. Watching her expression, tears sliding down her eyes. It did not bother me that those tears would be plastered to my shirt. That is only temporary. This moment, however... was permanent.

Even when you are near, I search for roundabout expressions.

I will certainly miss her presence. Her voice, as loud and boisterous as it could be at times. Her motion-sickness. The airship would be so forlorn without the occasionally retching sound in the background.

And as I turn my shoulder, I cannot help but allow my head to loll forward slightly in dismay. I do believe those emotions were starting to settle in. Too late now, Vincent, I had to remind myself as I stepped up the metal staircase to the opening of the Highwind.

If you don't want things to stay a mystery.
Won't you come on.

Leaving her should not be this easy. But it is. That is what I tell myself, hearing Cid call out that we are ready for departure. That is what I would like to believe, as I steal a glimpse toward the side-deck window, my ruby eyes searching the area below. Taking in these familiar surroundings, and the girl that slid to her knees as well. Watching her sends a pang of guilt to my heart. As if I had the high hope of her running after the airship, calling to us to take her back. But she did not. She did not even move as the Highwind ascended. And with it, leaving behind Wutai. Leaving behind...

Yuffie Kisaragi. My secret.

Faint rustling.
Stalking moving shadow.

Yuffie Kisaragi.

Shadows that can't be shaken off.
Can't you take a little risk?

Vincent Valentine.

And put your courage on the line.

Two figures that were being separated from each other. One, having been impacted greatly, found herself screaming at the sky, cursing it for lifting all her hopes of ever seeing the one she knew she loved again. The other, hiding any feeling he could ever show behind hard armor that would be difficult to break.

I've been keeping it a secret up until now.

And as much as the need to let feelings fly struck them both down that day...

Don't tell anyone.

They would each be each other's best kept secret.

Can you keep a secret…?