Authors note: Hello, my ever- wonderful readers! Just so you know, this is my first FF7 fic, so be gentle! cringes away in fear Anywho, this story doesn't exactly have a happy ending, just so you know. Don't dismiss it right away, though! I LUUUV it! It is the beauty that came of my mind in the midst of one am. Oh, yeah, and I don't own FF7 and its characters.

Don't Say Those Words

Don't say those words. I've got everything going for me. Don't look at me with those eyes. I don't want to see. Don't hold me close. I don't want to feel your touch. Don't get in my way. I finally have what I've always wanted. Don't catch me when I fall. I can stand on my own now. Don't tell me those sweet things. I want to go on alone. Don't say those words. I'll have to say them back…

With a broad smile plastered on her face, Yuffie Kisaragi stared over the railing of the Siera as they neared there next stop- Wutai. This new ship of Cids' was quite nice; she didn't even get airsick on it. After Cloud had defeated Sephiroth, for the second time in a decade, AVALANCHE had regrouped at Tifas' bar for some partying. Seeing the entire group in a drunken stupor was a sight, indeed. Yuffie giggled at the memory of Vincent Valentine smiling as he collapsed on the ground after he had polished off quite of few shots of tequila. Of course, the fact that she had given him the shots to him only made her laugh harder.

"Something you find funny?" His now monotone voice questioned from behind her. Yuffie turned her head back to look at him and smiled a bit softly. She quickly replaced it with her normal grin to conceal the feelings she still hid from him. "Only the memory of you passing out dead on Tifas' bar floor the other night." She stated. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, though it was concealed by his red cloak. He quipped back, "Ah, yes, but I as I remember it, it was you who landed oh-so-gracefully on me." Yuffie turned around to face the open sky as her the heat rose to her cheeks; how could she forget? Tifa had teased her mercilessly for it, knowing Yuffies' secret love of the dark man.

Vincent walked over to the railing, leaning against it and questioned, "So, how are things in Wutai?" Another large grin broke out across Yuffies' face as she flipped her body so it faced the outer walls of the Siera, leaning on her elbows against the railing. "Just before I heard about what was happening in Midgar, my dad was talking to me about me taking over rule in Wutai. It's just what I've always wanted! I can finally return it to its former glory!" Her home would no longer be some tourist trap. "You seem pleased." Vincent said. Yuffie turned towards him with furrowed eyebrows; she had detected a hint of disdain in his voice. "Why wouldn't I be?" She demanded, becoming a bit angry. Vincent did not meet her gaze, but merely continued to stare out at the clouds.

After a few moments of silence, Vincent replied, "It's not that I think that you shouldn't be happy for the restoration of your home. Now, though, I- we will probably see even less of you then before." Yuffie gulped down the lump in her throat; what was he saying? She scoffed, trying to hide her nervousness, "Nonsense, if any of you wanted to see me…all they would need to do is drop by Wutai." Yuffie gave him a sidelong glance, but he still stared out into the sky. Wutai was now in sight; they would be landing soon.

"Yes, but, as you and I both know very well, a woman cannot rule Wutai alone. Surely your father all ready has a future husband lined up for you, and if not, he will soon. You will be plagued with the wedding plans and coronation for months." Vincent retorted, and finally looked over at her. Yuffie gave a sharp intake of breath. What was he doing? Was he…trying to say what she thought he was? No…he couldn't. Vincent Valentine did not feel this way about her. Yuffie had given that thought up long ago…

"And what…what does that matter to you?" Yuffie asked, trying to contain the tremor of her voice. Suddenly, she found herself wrapped in Vincents' arms, his warm lips planted softly against hers. Yuffie closed her eyes, pulling down on his neck to keep him close. When he broke away, he leaned his forehead against hers and murmured, "It matters, because you do. I know you don't want an arranged marriage; you value your freedom far too much. Yuffie, I-" He was cut off as Cids' voice blared over the intercom, "Hey, brat, we're at your stop! Hurry up and get to the landing bridge!"

Vincent pulled away and leaned against the railing once more. "Go…this is your stop." He said, not looking at her. Yuffie looked at him with wide, confused eyes, mouth agape. "Vincent…" She started hesitantly, no longer leaning up against the railing. "Your country is waiting, Yuffie. Go to them." Vincent stated, not looking at her. Yuffies' eyes brimmed with tears, and she ran into the Siera and to the landing bridge.

"Yuffie, don't cry! We'll come visit soon, don't worry!" Tifa vowed upon seeing Yuffie enter the area. Yuffie sniffled and nodded. She said her good- byes to everybody, and walked off the airship. As she started the long journey to the city of Wutai, tears rolled down her cheeks. He was going to tell her… He was going to say those words that she'd longed to hear. And then…

"Stupid Cid!" Yuffie yelled at the top of her lungs, and slammed her fist into a near-by tree. She began to pummel it, tears pouring from her eyes, "It's all your fault! All your fault! All…your fault. All your fault… Stupid Yuffie…" She fell down to her knees and stared at the ground. Yuffie suddenly stood up, and glanced at the still-landed Siera. The doors were beginning to close.

Yuffie took off at full speed towards the Siera as the ship began to rev to life. "Hey!" She shouted loudly towards the ship. "Hey, wait a minute! Don't leave me!" Yuffie waved her arms wildly as the ship started to hover above the ground. Still running towards the Siera, the airship ascended fully and sped off to their next stop. Yuffie slowed to a stop, her tears starting up again. "Wait… Stop… I have to…tell Vincent…" Yuffie called weakly, extending her arm in front of her as if she could pull it back, "I have to tell him I love him…"

Vincent stared out at Wutai as Yuffie ran from him to the landing bridge. He kept reprimanding himself over and over again in his mind. Why did he let her go? Why didn't he just finish what he had to say? Why couldn't he tell her…? Why did he make her cry…? Vincent angrily slammed his fist against the rail and watched as Yuffie walked off the Siera and started towards her city. She would make a good leader for Wutai. This place deserved her more than he did…

The airship started its ascent into the upwards and a voice suddenly filled his ears. He looked out across the fields to see Yuffie. She was running towards the ship, waving her arms madly about. What was she doing? Shouting out things that just barely reached his ears, she ran on. "Let them stop…" He murmured to himself. He wouldn't make it in time if he tried to stop Cid from taking off. All he could do was watch and listen as Yuffie made desperate attempts to stop the ships' movements.

"Don't leave me!" She shouted as they reached a suitable altitude, and the ship sped off. "I love you, Yuffie… I always will. I know you will become a great leader one day. After you're married, with your second child on the way, I'll come see you. I'll make sure you're safe, Yuffie." He murmured, still staring at her distant form as she pounded on the ground in anger. Vincent smiled sadly as he left the second woman he loved behind…

Don't pretend you don't know. I've tried my hardest to show you. Don't listen to me now. I'm blabbing on about things I shouldn't. Don't hesitate because of me. I shouldn't hold you back. Don't try to call my name. I'll just tell you to go. Don't try using tears. I'm already breaking down. Don't try to comeback. I can't get there in time. Don't make me say those words. I don't want to hold you back…