~She Annoys the Hell Out of Him~
She annoys the hell out of him, everyone can see that. How does he put up with her? Why does he put up with her? Everyone is sure that one day he will snap. The consequence will be tragic but at least materia will no longer have to be kept under constant vigilance.
Yuffie Kisaragi is a Princess and a Ninja, the White Rose of Wutai. Everyone knows this. Why? Because she constantly reminds them of the fact. When she says good morning, when she asks for breakfast, when she begs Tifa to give her a drink though she is underage, when she argues with Cid, and when she says good night.
She's staying at Seventh Heaven. "Nothing permanent of course, Tifa, I just need a place to, uh, lie low for a while." For Tifa the more the merrier, but Strife sighs because inside he knows that he could be out of office space for several months, if not more. And Yuffie giggles because she knows he's right.
This morning she oversleeps her alarm because last night she was out doing ninja things, completely innocent of course, nothing to do with that materia she saw in the store window yesterday afternoon. She bounces down the stairs and finds Cid and Red chatting with Tifa in the empty bar. "The White Rose of Wutai smiles upon her people and wishes them a good day!"
"I'm not one of your freaking people," growls Cid.
Yuffie sticks out her tongue at him and turns to Tifa. "Morning, Teefs! You look good today—seriously it's unfair, you always look good, why can't I be like her, Red? I mean, I'm the princess!"
Tifa smiles. "Good morning, Yuffie. You slept late. And the answer is no."
Yuffie looks at her innocently. "What're you talking about? Cid, what's she talking about? And where's the resident chocobo?"
"How the heck am I supposed to know?" Cid asks. Last night he and Shera picked a date for their wedding and he is feeling particularly cheerful.
Just then Cloud drifts in. "Someone looking for me?" After the incident with the Remnants and his latest showdown with Sephiroth, the SOLDIER look-a-like has definitely lightened up some, not much of course but at least he doesn't mind being called a chocobo anymore.
"I'm off to make that delivery to Kalm. I should be back late tonight." Cloud hesitates; Red licks his paws and Cid studies his coffee intently. The swordsman glances at them and then quickly kisses Tifa, who blushes. Yuffie makes a face.
"Alrighty folks, no need to get mushy. Bleh. Hey Tifa, could I get a drink then? Maybe a vodka straight up?" And the ninja stoops to the puppy-dog-eyes trick.
Cloud stares at her. "It's ten o'clock in the morning, Yuffie."
Yuffie tilts her head. "So?"
At this moment the door opens and a figure from one of the Gothic horror stories that Wutaian princesses are not (theoretically) allowed to read steps inside. Flowing black hair falls in front of the man's face and a crimson cape threatens to swallow him whole. The figure stands like a statue then bends its head in Tifa's direction. She is the woman of the house after all.
Despite the glowing red eyes, the pointed shoes, a metallic golden gauntlet (at least that's what Yuffie thinks it is), and a wicked looking gun at the being's side Tifa smiles at him. This is no enemy but a good friend. Cloud nods a greeting and Cid barks a hello. A happy sound rumbles from Red's throat.
But Yuffie lights up like the blaze from one of Rude's famous explosives. "VINNIE! Where have you been? I haven't seen you in ages!" And she throws herself in his direction, clasping him in her arms and squeezing him in a way that would have wrung the life out of anyone else.
"Hello, Yuffie," Valentine replies in a monotone. He extricates his pinned arms. "Would you mind letting me go? It is difficult to move this way."
It would be too much to hope for that Yuffie would be embarrassed but she lets go of him anyway, all except for his right hand. (She would never admit it but she still isn't comfortable touching his…gauntlet.) She pulls him further into the bar and up to the counter.
"Come on, Vin, we've only seen you twice since the celebration after Sephy was killed and you left the party early anyways so that doesn't count."
"Anyway," Vincent corrects automatically.
"Anyway, you didn't finish your drink. You just left it sitting there. It was bad enough that you only stayed at the party for half an hour but, Vince, do you know the rejection that poor thing had to deal with?"
At this Strife shoots Vincent a look of utmost pity and slips out to perform his delivery. He does not wish to be caught up in more of Yuffie's foolishness. On the other hand Tifa and Red are clearly amused. Cid guffaws loudly.
"It was beer."
"So?" Yuffie glares at the gunman. "It's alcohol, isn't it?"
"…I don't drink beer. It is not to my taste."
"But you left it unfinished! It didn't reach its full potential!"
Vincent sighs quietly and asks himself why he is having this conversation. The beings inside of him are annoyed. Who is this? What is this worthless drivel? Kill it, kill this talk, kill this creature! Why do you put up with this? Destroy it, Valentine, before it destroys us!
"VINCENT!"
He jerks to attention. Yuffie is standing on her tiptoes a few inches from him, as close to his face as she can get. Which isn't that close, considering the height difference. "Don't you realize that beer can have feelings too?"
Valentine looks at her, confused.
"Have you heard anything I've said? I thought vampires were supposed to have extra special senses!"
"Yuffie, I am not a vampire."
"Oh yes you are, I know it and someday I'll show you a mirror and then you'll see for yourself. I mean, you won't see yourself. In the mean time I think you need a drink, you don't look like you've slept much recently. Why don't you take care of yourself?" She looks mad, but her eyes shine impishly as she shoves him onto a bar stool.
Vincent isn't entirely amused but for now he can no longer hear the monsters inside of him so he may as well have a drink. Even if it is ten o'clock in the morning. And besides, the phrase not entirely amused leaves room for a little amusement, right?
"Very well. Tifa, may I ask you for a glass of your best red wine?"
"While you're at it Teef, could ya get me one? I mean, I am a Princess!"
"No," Tifa says. Yuffie pouts, and Vincent's lips twitch.
So why does Vincent put up with Yuffie? Everyone thinks she irritates him. Actually, she annoys the hell out of him. For that he is eternally grateful.
A/N. None of this is mine, unfortunately. This is the first story I have posted, so please review. All criticism will be appreciated. Suggestions for improvement will be appreciated and any compliments will be cherished. Cookies will be sent to those who review. :) If you flame me I will probably cry and then ask Vincent to hunt you to the ground. Thank you.