A/N: Hey you guys, it's Meyx! This story is by far one of my favorites to write. Now, keep an open mind when reading. It's not a typical Yuffentine. It's told through both of their POVs, but Yuffie's story goes backwards, starting at the end of their marriage, and ending at the end of their first date. Vincent, meanwhile, tells the story chronologically.

Hopefully, the story will speak for itself, but if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! Just review or PM me, and I'll get back to you ASAP.

Happy reading!

Disclaimer: Nope. Not mine. Otherwise, I'd be rich and mildly famous.

Still Hurting (Yuffie)

Vincent is over and Vincent is gone
Vincent's decided it's time to move on
Vincent has new dreams he's building upon
And I'm still hurting
Vincent arrived at the end of the line
Vincent's convinced that the problems are mine
Vincent is probably feeling just fine
And I'm still hurting

I sat down on the sofa, looking around at the nearly empty room and holding the note Vincent had left behind on the entryway table yesterday. I had walked in, and instead of seeing his keys laying there, I saw a piece of paper folded in half. It had detailed little, simple things. He had closed our joint bank account, he had already packed his things…but I didn't pay attention to any of that. I couldn't get past the first line.

I want a divorce.

The last few lines had reproachfully stated that it shouldn't be a surprise; after all, "we'd known this was coming for a while." Regardless, it stung harshly. I'd been trying for so long to salvage this marriage, so the ending hurt, no matter how much I knew it was going to happen.

Once it had set in, I'd called Tifa. She was one of the few people who I could rely on for support here.

"Strife Delivery Service! You name it, we deliver it!" She answered cheerily.

"Tifa?" I asked softly, sadness permeating my voice even though I tried to keep it back.

"Yuffie? What happened?" She asked quickly.

"Vincent…Vincent left me." I told her, sitting down at the kitchen table.

She didn't gasp, to her credit, nor did she rush in with a quick scream of "Ohmygodwhathappened?" all in one word. She just stayed quiet, and I could practically see her nodding.

"Are you okay?" She asked simply.

"No," I said honestly, pushing my hair back from my face. "I'm not surprised, but I'm not okay, either."

"You will be, with time." She said calmly, and I remembered why I loved her. "Do you need a place to stay?"

"Oh, no, honey, I don't want to do that to you and Cloud…" I started to say.

"Well, are you really going to stay in that apartment by yourself?" She asked.

Before I could reply, she started to talk over me, and I began to remember why I never called her anymore.

"You'll stay with us, Yuffie. Cloud won't mind. I'll come pick you up tomorrow, is that okay? Or would you rather I come tonight?"

"Tomorrow. I need some time to pack up my things."

"Okay. I'll be there around 7 in the evening, is that okay?" When I said yes, she hesitated, then asked softly. "Did…did Vincent say why?"

I sighed. "Not in so many words. Just that we had both seen it coming for a while now, that he 'could never fix me', and that…well…he said that he'd be staying with Lucrecia, if I needed to get a hold of him."

"His agent?" Tifa hissed.

"Yeah. Now I better go, Teef. I need to start packing. I'll see you tomorrow." Then I hung up, and after a few minutes of staring aimlessly, I headed to the grocery store to pick up some cardboard boxes.

I packed my things all night long, refusing to sleep until I passed out from pure exhaustion and stress on the floor, next to a half filled box. I didn't sleep well. My dreams were filled with darkness and running and falling and my own inadequacy.

OoOoOoO

Packing got harder as the next day went on. How do you divide up things that had always belonged to two people? I found myself puzzling over different items, wondering if it was mine or Vincent's, or if I had a right to take it with me even though it had been given to us both.

Once I finally finished the living room and kitchen, the only room left was ours. I spent very little time in there, simply grabbing all my clothes and books and toiletries that I hadn't brought with me to Healin and slamming them carelessly into a box, trying to avoid looking around too much and struggling with the fact that I'd never sleep in this room again.

It didn't feel right, being in here without Vincent, and knowing I wouldn't live with him again. I tried to repress that thought, but it kept coming back, and I finally started to cry, the first time I'd done so since I read the note he left me.

Why now? Why couldn't he give me some more time? I had just barely gotten back from Healin…I hadn't even had time to see him.

I sighed softly, wiping my tears off with the back of my hand and forcing myself to keep going. If he had just given me some more time, maybe I'd be able to see how he was suddenly certain we would never work out, no matter what. I knew we had tons of problems, but I had thought with a little extra work, we'd be okay.

That's when Tifa knocked on the door, and I let her in softly. She launched herself at me and hugged me tightly. I was a little surprised, since the tackling of each other was usually my job, but I was grateful for the love. After a few minutes, she pulled away and smiled gently at me.

We silently packed up my boxes and put them in the trunk of her car, taking the ones that wouldn't fit and putting them in the backseat. All in all, I had 7 boxes of things, most of the boxes only half filled. The last five years of my life, all the memories, laughter, smiles, love, tears, and heartache, packed into 7 cardboard boxes from a grocery store down the street.

The thought almost sent me over the edge again, but one look at Tifa's encouraging look made me breathe easier. I wasn't alone, even if I felt like it. I went back into the building and ran up the flight of stairs to our apartment, locking the door with my key. I then pulled it off the key ring I kept with me everywhere I go, and slipped it under the rug. I stared at the door for a long moment, then closed my eyes and exhaled heavily.

A few seconds later, I was downstairs and in front of Tifa's car. We got in, and she pulled away from the building, heading towards her bar. Cloud, her husband, was waiting for us outside. Cloud and Tifa ran a delivery service and a bar, with their living quarters on the floor above the bar.

Cloud helped us with the boxes, and Tifa directed me to the guest bedroom, a cozy little space with light green walls and a twin bed with a white and green bedspread. The window was open, the breeze blowing in gently, moving the white drapes. I sat down on the bed and stared out the window. I was still there when Cloud brought up the last box.

"You okay, Yuffie?" He asked softly.

"No," I said, exhaling. "Maybe there's a life lesson in here somewhere, but I'm not in a position to learn from it just yet."

He nodded. "You'll be alright, though. I know you will."

"Maybe…if I get an apartment and never leave it till I'm a crotchety old lady with a million cats." I said with a smile playing on my lips.

He smiled back at me and kissed my cheek swiftly, handing me my purse and setting the box on the floor.

"Tifa's making dinner. You hungry?"

"Not really, but I'll come eat with you. Yell when it's ready, okay?"

He nodded and left, and I stared out the window again. Cloud and Tifa were right. I would be okay, in time. I was still hurting deeply from scars that I didn't do anything to earn, but eventually, I'd be alright.

For right now, though, I was allowed a moment to be selfish and cry into my pillow. When Tifa yelled for me, though, I'd smile and pretend to be fine, eat with them, and maybe even laugh.

Life goes on. I thought. I'll live.

Then a bird flew lazily past my window, singing loudly as it went, and another smile tugged at my lips.

No, I won't just live. I'll thrive.

Vincent's part's already finished, so it should be up in like 20 minutes. Thanks for reading!