Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all of its scenarios, characters, places and stuff are property of Square-Enix and their intellectual owners. Not me. So don't sue. Also, this song was inspired by the song "Two Princes" by Spin Doctors. Try it, you might like it. Peace.

Vincent Valentine was a royal prince of the great prospering country called Nibelheim. Yuffie Kisaragi was a princess of the ancient civilization of Wutai. Reno is just a royal pain in the ass. What's a girl to do?

Godo Kisaragi was getting old. The great leader of Wutai was aging, slowly but surely, and more eager than ever to find a suitable man to aid his daughter in soon becoming ruler of the ancient country. He considered his daughter something of a wastrel, constantly out and about looking for materia, rather than staying in the country and learning to lead her people as he had done for so many years. Kisaragi-sama was tired and looking forward to stepping down soon after his daughter was old enough AND settled down to a good husband, who would help his less than level-headed daughter make good decisions for her country. Many suitors had come and gone, enticed by the childish charm of Yuffie's youthful face, but quickly repelled by the matching immature take on life. Godo was beginning to give up hope as the options kept dwindling. Zack Adams of Gongaga had looked to be the best choice of the suitors thus far, until an anxious Rufus Shinra has strong-armed him into hiding, where Zack met a beautiful commoner girl he ended up betrothed to, named Aeris. Yet for all of young Rufus' troubles, upon meeting the little ninja, he quickly lost interest.Barret Wallace of Corel was much too course to run the delicate country of Wutai. Cloud Strife of Mideel had just recently married Princess Tifa Lockheart of Kalm. Everyone knew that Cid Highwind of Rocket Town, though still officially unmarried, was more or less tied down to his housemate Shera by common law. And despite the unrivaled knowledge and sage of Nanaki of Cosmo Canyon, he could not imagine his daughter settling down with the childhood friend she considered to be something of a pet. The list went on and on, and troubled old man Kisaragi day in and day out as he mused on just how doomed he considered his beloved country, soon to be left in the hands of that sprite of a girl, and at best, a man whose name was to be pulled out of a hat, if this continued.

Yuffie, on the other hand, seemed a little less than concerned about the future of her country in relation to her ability to get married. More than once had they butted heads about marriage and why it carried such a great importance in her ascention to the throne. Every time they argued she would throw a fit about how she knew she was more than capable of running a country without some lug at her side telling her what to do. And ever more came the retaliation that to make a good impression on her countrymen she needed to present a strong image, which included that of being not only a wife, but someday a mother as well. This comment usually resulted in the young girl sputtering and storming out of the King's room and into her own.

Tonight had been no different. Rude Sparks of the Turks had written a letter inquiring about the maritual status of the young princess, and expressing a slight interest in meeting the girl. Godo had called his daughter in and told her that she was to be meeting the young Mr. Sparks this Thursday, just as a trial, to see if the young man could even tolerate her bull-headedness for an hour or so.

"With all due respect, taishou, I don't see why I hafta go and meet this stiff!"

Godo groaned exasperatedly at his daughter and raised up off of his mat, pointing an accusing finger at the squirrely girl before him.

"If you had not failed to already acquire a proper husband by now then you would not have to continue going to meet these men! I cannot seem to get it through your head why it is so important to me that you marry well and take care of Wutai the way I have for all of my life. I have no son! I must rely on you to take care of this country when it is finally time for me to step down and take my place amongst those who lead normal lives."

"But Pops! I'm sure that I can run a crummy country by myself! I don't need some guy tellin' me what to do while I prance around in a kimono and do nothing all day!"

"I am NOT having this discussion with you again Yuffie. I do not care if you like it, I do not care if you do not want to go. You will go and meet Rude Sparks whether you are willing or not! I will have Himiko dress you in your nicest kimono, and you will go there and impress him the best you can!"

"I don't have to do a damn thing you tell me! I'm not some stupid hunk of meat to be given to the highest bidder or whatever! I'm your daughter! Don't you give a damn?"

She did not give Godo the time to respond as she stormed out of the room, slamming the rice-paper door behind her.

The old king sighed headily to himself and wondered drearily how he would ever survive these passing years.

All of Wutai was silent beneath the moonless sky. It was something close to perhaps three in the morning when a young ninja princess decided to sneak out of the royal palace to go for a walk. The musty halls of the Kisaragi Palace reeked of incense and old people to the young girl. the wafting odors clogged her mind and rendered her more thoughtless than she already was. It was when the cold night air hit her that she could finally breathe and think a bit clearer than she would have under the aforementioned circumstances. She was tired of her father always harping on her about getting married and maturing so that she could inherit the throne. She was just a kid! She had no desire whatsoever to rule a stupid country! Espescially a country where she felt like she didn't belong. Ever since she was a child she could remember the ladies of the palace, and even most of the common women, walking around in kimonos, carrying lacquered umbrellas to keep the sun off of their pale, delicate faces. But she, even as a princess, would hastily throw on the kind of clothes only a commoner in a big city like Midgar would wear, and throw a shuriken over her shoulder to go hunting in the fields for fiends that might reward her with some materia.

The palace ladies would giggle behind their hands about her most unlady-like behavior, and chide her when she returned, slathering creams and tonics on her to keep her as porcelain looking as the rest of the Wutain women. None of this changed the fact that she couldn't stand it.

And now that she was older, all her father wanted her to do was dress up in fancy kimono, paint her face like a courtly woman, and meet these wealthy, powerful men so she could get hitched and get to work on running this hellhole.

"I bet he isn't even cute!"

"Bet who isn't cute?"

A shuriken flashed in the air and pinned a surprised Reeve Tuesti to a shop wall before he could continue his commentary.

"Reeve!"

The young ninja yanked the shuriken out of his coat and brushed off the startled man.

"I was only kidding, no need to skewer me!"

"I'm sorry Reeve! I had no idea you knew I was out here!"

"It's fine. You know, I would lecture you about how the beautiful princess of Wutai shouldn't be outside at this time of night alone, but with those reflexes, I doubt there is much to worry over."
"Hehehe...I try."

"So, what brings you out here so late Princess? This is no time to be materia-hunting. There are probably more muggers out here at this time of night than there are fiends!"

"I'm not hunting Reeve, I'm running, Pops set me up on another stupid meeting with some guy, that might wanta marry me."

"Who is it this time?"

"Rude Sparks."

"Of the Turks? Wow, fine young man. Not quite the talkative one, but I guess you more than compensate for someone as taciturn as he is."

Reeve's remark didn't even garner a grin from the upset little ninja in front of him.

"That's not funny Reeve. I don't wanna get married!"

"Now now. Just because you have to meet him, doesn't mean you're going to marry him! Just do as your father tells you to...ah-ah...and appease him by just trying."

This only made the ninja frown in consternation. She didn't want to admit it, but Reeve was right. Meeting a guy didn't mean insta-marriage.

"Fine, I guess."

"That's a good girl. Now how about we head back to the palace and drink a cup of warm sake before bed? There's no use fretting over the inevitable."

Yuffie, though sulky and brooding, followed Reeve back to the palace, glancing back over her shoulder at the twinkling stars above.

"Do me a favor, wouldja? Grant me this one wish...I wish..."

Godo Kisaragi was having an unusually good day today. So far there were no major mishaps with the public, his daughter had told him, though sulkily, that she would meet Rude, and another offer poured in from another member of world royalty. A lush-looking red envelope, made of the finest parchment paper and sealed with wax the color of the deepest shade of black sat on the matress. The letter was written in elegant script, addressed to King Godo Kisaragi of Wutai, from Crown Prince Vincent Valentine of Nibelheim. The royal family had come into power quite recently, but established itself as a force to be reckoned with. What used to be a small, rural country was turned into a prosperous, strong nation under the Valentine family.

He didn't really know much about the Crown Prince really, except that the man lived in a lush mansion, and had somehow lost his arm serving in a war, but had it replaced with some type of prostethic. Similar to Barret, but not quite. One other thing he knew about the Valentines in general, was that they were shapeshifters. But in a world such as theirs, this was not regarded as unusual.

Kisaragi-sama liked what he knew about the young man. Quiet. Thoughtful. Strong. A good leader. And as a bonus, a man that had seen military service, which was always a plus when it came to running countries and women. He almost wanted to promise his young daughter to the man on the spot, based off of what little he knew. However, the letter had only said a few well-chosen words about whether or not young Yuffie was married, and if Godo would be interested in trying to get the princess to meet him. He chucked lightly to himself imagining such a stern young man coupled with his rascal of a daughter, but was more determined than ever to get her wed. This meeting almost pushed the thought of meeting Rude Sparks from his mind. However, he knew that it wouldn't be a good idea to miff the leader of such a powerful clan, and decided that Yuffie would probably have no trouble scaring the man away anyhow.

"This, is looking to be a very good day..." Godo chuckled as he set the letter down and went down to the lower chambers for some tea.

Yuffie, after giving in to her father's demands at the behest of her caretaker, stormed back to her room in a foul mood, and soon fell into a fitful nap. Her sleep was haunted with terrifying images of being jammed into stuffy kimono and forced to eat fruit from her husband's hand like a lost bird, day in and day out. She awoke in a panicking cold sweat. But she knew the score and would do the same thing she always did - be herself. And she was sure he'd flee like a Midgar Zolom was chasing him.

Tuesday passed without incident. There was no talk between the two Kisaragis, there was hardly any contact at all. On Wednesday, Godo had Himiko take Yuffie out to the seamstress to try and find a suitable kimono for the coming day, but instructed Himiko to choose something unimpressive. Yuffie was quite surprised at hearing this, but thought nothing of it, attributing this odd quip to her father's slowly decaying mind. All the better anyway, since she had no intention of trying to impress anyone for any reason.

When she got home, Reeve was waiting for her, trying unsuccessfully to hide a knowing smile.

"Little Miss Kisaragi!" He chimed in a singsong voice.

Yuffie, who was in no mood to be playful, after trying on what seemed like a billion kimono, replied with a grumpy grunt.

"If you can swear to keep a secret, I'd be more than happy to share one with you..."

At the thought of a secret her eyes lit up like lanterns.

"Ooo! What is it? I promise I won't tell! I swear I won't!"

"This is a mighty big secret...and if word gets out, it could be my hide!" Reeve dragged a thumb across his throat to emphasize his point.

"Aww, come on! Ya know you can trust me!"

"Can I? How about I take your Throw Materia as collateral, in case you rat me out?"

This was Yuffie's favorite materia, and she pouted at the idea, but was too enticed by the prospect of a secret.

:"Fine! But if I don't squeal ya gotta give it back! You hear!"

"I'm just kidding, but I know I can trust you if you're willing to go through such lengths, so here, I'll tell you. You know your meeting with Mr. Sparks tomorrow?"

"Yeah, what of it?"

"Don't you think it's strange that your father seems to have lost most of his interest in it?"

"Maybe. I don't care. I just thought the old guy was cutting me a break!"

"Not quite my dear...he wants you to throw that proposal!"

"But why?"

"Because a certain VINCENT VALENTINE of NIBELHEIM has also expressed interest in you, Princess."

Yuffie's jaw dropped in utter surprise. The handsome, dark-haired, pale-skinned, Crown Prince of Nibelheim with the eyes to die for and the voice to kill for was interested in her!

"Reeve you're totally kidding me!"

"Not one bit missy!"

"Oh my God!"

Yuffie let out a wail that could probably be heard from the Northern Crater.
"Shhh! You're going to get me in trouble!"

"Oh my God! With motivation like that, throwing a date couldn't be easier!"

Running, she threw herself at Reeve who spun her in a lazy circle and set her gently back down on the carpet and winked confidentially at her. She beamed at him and practically flew out of the room where Reeve remained, shaking his head and stroking his beard.

"This should make for an interesting story someday..."