Ok this is my first fanfiction. I did not want to post it, but thanks to a friend I did (You know who you are!). And I just may regret this...but anyway go on and read your little hearts out : ) (May be a little OOC)
Disclaimer: I do NOT, in any way, shape, or form, own Final Fantasy, characters, settings, or stuff like that. But I mean come on! If I did (which I don't) why in the world would I being here writing this? (Sighs) Whatever...
Rated T because of language. Takes place six years after DOC.
Back In Midgar
I stare out into the night sky's brilliant stars. The city seemed dead. I was never one who enjoys the silence, in fact, I hated it. Though, I have no power over the silence this time. Humans need their sleep, I suppose. Most of them should be in bed by now; happy dreams circling in their fragile heads. Happiness; the one thing my heart can no longer feel.
Midgar is in the rebuilding process. They are almost finished building the city to what it once was a long time ago. It's been almost six years since I have last walked along these streets. It seems almost unbelievable to be here again. I yawned sleepily as I walked along, the wind blowing lightly behind me.
As I began to make my way into the heart of the city, it became somewhat louder. I turned left, then right, another left, and continued walking along a semi-familiar path. If I remember correctly, which I probably do, I will be there in minutes. Yays, for me! I have been walking for two whole days, all I want to do is just sit down or sleep.
Last time I was here, I was waiting for Vincent to come back. Yup, he worried m- I mean, us alright. Almost gave me downright heart attack, that jerk. I don't know why I had cared at the time, but I did, a lot. I wonder how he's doing now? Is Shelke still with them? That's gotta be a yes. As if he would ever let her leave his side; she has his wonderful dead chick's memories stuffed in that messed up brain of hers. Also, I believe that Reeve grew very fond of her during their time together.
Oh, thank Gawd! I am finally here! With a deep breath, I pushed open the door to the bar. You can't even begin to imagine the horror that fell before my eyes. Every person in Avalanche-yes, every freaking one of them- is here. Wait take that back- Reeve and his toy cat thing aren't here. What did he call that thing again? Cet Seam? Cat Smith? Sith Cat? Oh yeah! Cait Sith. Whatever, point is I didn't think they would all be here like this. Don't they have lives to live or something like that? I swear things like this only happen to me. This cannot end well. Maybe I'll just come back later, yeah later, that sounds good. Just as I was about to dash the hell out of there, I heard someone call my name.
"Yuffie?" she gasped. "Is that you?"
Out of pure habit, I turned around at the sound of my name. Then cursed myself mentally for doing so, I'm such an idiot. Tifa had the most bizarre look on her face as she stared at me. It was like the first time she has ever seen me or something. I mean, sure I have changed more 'womanly' over the six years I was gone and all that stuff, but did I really look that different? Maybe she is just shocked to see me. Or now that I think about it, my outfit is kind of bright. I pulled on my neon green pair of shorts, as I looked down at aqua blue tube top. I suddenly regretted wearing my knee high aqua blue tie up boots, with insanely bright neon green lace. I should I just put on some sneakers, jeez.
Every thought in my mind stopped when I saw everyone in the bar turn and looked directly at me. I felt my face heat up. They are all here, and now-thanks to Tifa- I can't leave. But I don't see Shelke? Is she here? Did she leave? Oh my Gawd, I hope she didn't die or anything like that. I mean, I don't hate her, I just don't like her. She acts as if she's better than me, which she is not.
"No, it is a pixie Tifa." I said smirking as the thought came to mind.
Tifa's face lighted up like a kid on Christmas. She ran from the bar table and jumped onto me. As she pulled me in for a gigantic bear hug, I began wonder if she was insane. I mean, what the hell? I can't breathe! Why is she even hugging me? She couldn't have missed me so much to squeeze the life out of me.
"..Ti...fa I can't... breath...!" I wailed out, pretty sure I was turning blue. Is she trying to kill me?
She let me go thankfully, but now she looks as if she is going to start crying. And as my messed up fate would have it, she burst into tears a few seconds later. The smile on my face since she let go faded away instantly. Is she ok? Then again, why do I still care so much about them? I turned to look at Cloud. Hoping he knew what was going on. But his face looked as if he was having 'I'm in shock moment and can't understand the woman I love is have a break down', just great.
"Hey Teef, don't cry." I said, trying to sound as warm and loving as I possibly could.
And guess what? To my horror she starts sobbing even harder, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably. She placed her hands over her face, trying to hide the tears that were flowing without any signs of stopping. Shit, wrong thing to say apparently. Panicking, I wrapped my arms around her.
"I-I mean it is ok!" I choked out quickly.
She tried to put herself back together, I could tell that much. I watched gratefully as she slowly- very slowly- stop crying.
"Oh Yuffie! You haven't changed at all! I mean you have, but not that much. Oh, you know what I mean!" Tifa said, sounding a little weak from her bawling session.
I smiled sweetly at her, but it was completely fake. Tifa will always be Tifa, I guess, just as I will always be incomplete.
"It is good to see you to Teef. I was dying to come back. It is just, every time I got up to leave something pulled me back." I told her, lying through my teeth.
"Like what? Wait- oh how rude of me- would you like something to drink? One minute!" she pulled back and dashed to the bar window before I could even form an answer in my mind. She turned the bar neon light open sign off. Then turned back around to face the bar itself.
"I want everyone that doesn't live here OUT NOW! Or I WILL remove you!" she hollered at the drunks.
The 'drunks' got up all like, well, drunks and walked out of the bar. Soon the bar was cleared out, expect for my old fighting allies.
"That was fast." I added shocked.
"Yeah, most of them learned the hard way." Tifa giggled, obviously remembering something .
Suddenly, she stopped to stare at me with such intensity that I fidgeted looking away from her.
"Something wrong?" I asked nervously.
"Nope I just missed you..." she said sadly.
I looked at the floor, feeling my heart drop. Oh Gawd, this is what I was most scared of. The 'I missed you' thing. Sad part about this is I don't believe it. I don't think she ever missed me. I felt the tears form up in the corner of my eyes. The water like drops rolled down my face, onto the floor. I feel so weak, but some part of me also wanted to tell the truth. Why I was really gone. I wanted to tell them why so bad that it hurt. There is only one problem. It would just lead to questions that I don't want to answer.
"This is so weird, I mean you were gone for- Yuffie are you crying?" asked Tifa, suddenly worried.
I turned to face the wall, trying to hide my tears. Instead, I faced a shocked Cid Highwing. He also looked a little pissed off truth be told. Ok, more than a little pissed…
"No way! The brats crying! Where the fuck have you been kid? Had us damn freaking out. Thinking you were dead, and all that shit. You had us looking for you for years. Tifa's been like a human waterfall, every time we did not find you." said Cid coldly.
Stop it Yuffie, you don't cry. I don't cry! But is what Cid said true? Why would someone cry because of me? Or better, why am I crying for people who don't care what happens to me? Sweet Leviathan, more tears! I put my hands over my mouth, as I sobbed harder. I turned to make a run for the door. I knew this was a bad idea. I should have never come here in the first place. I should have stayed dead to them; they would have never found me anyway.
Then I hit something. I looked up with tears in my eyes. I could make out a Barret looking like thing. I tried to push him away out of my way. He didn't move, not even a little bit. Barret put his arms around me, in a fatherly embrace. I could not take it anymore; knowing he cared enough to try to make me feel better, broke me even more. I hugged him as I cried my heart out into his chest. I am so weak. I should not be crying. No, I should not, ninjas don't cry. People like me shouldn't cry, I have no right to be showing any kind of human emotion.
"CID! LOOK WHA YOU JUST DID!" screamed Barret furious, still holding me.
Okay, that was a little loud. Thanks for that Barret, my poor ears just loved it.
"And I was NOT a waterfall!" add in Tifa.
I knew it! Why would she even care if I had died? I am not Aeris.
"Hey, it is not my fault the brat runs off to hell knows where. Then comes back to cry like a baby, shit." said Cid.
"YOU MADE IT WROST FOO!" replied Barret.
For the love of all that is good and right in this low life planet, stop screaming! I tried my best to stop crying this is so unYuffie like. Put yourself together Yuffie. Ok, I am now hiccupping, great, just great. Well at least I have stop crying like a babbling idiot. Barret chose then looked down on me, his anger fading away.
"You ok girl?" he asked.
"I am fine." I told him, but even I could hear the lie in my words.
"Didn't seem like it." He answered.
I gave him one of my cute smiles; it was fake as could be. Over the years I have become a very good actor. He seemed to be satisfied with my smile, which didn't surprise me. I lightly pushed him away from me, wiping the tears remaining on my face off. If only they knew what I am. They would hate me more for it, that's one thing I'm sure of.
"Yuffie..." said a male voice.
I turned to glance at Cloud's unreadable face. I snapped at him.
"What you too, huh? Are you going to call me a brat? Tell me to leave-"
"No, I was going to say; Nice to have you back, Yuffie." He said simply, cutting off my rant.
My mouth opened, as my eyes widened. I always had a feeling that Cloud hated me, more than the others did. I mean he never even talked to me, because I am too childish for his words of wisdom or something along those lines. I wonder if I was wrong? Do they hate me? Or like me? I don't know anymore. I am too drowsy for this anyway. I need to just sleep…
Cloud began to laugh when he noticed my confused face. What a jerk. I grinned wickedly as a thought entered my brilliant- still sleepy- mind.
"So Cloud, did you tell Tifa?" I asked him with a huge grin.
"Tell me what?" asked Tifa, curiosity showing in her voice.
"I have no idea." said Cloud, sounding confused.
"That you love her, silly!" I informed him.
Cloud turned five different shades of red. He dropped his gaze to the floor, not daring to look at Tifa. I saw that Tifa was also red, but her blush was much lighter then Cloud's. My smirk grew, I feel so evil right now.
"Just kidding, Spike" I told him.
Maybe he didn't tell her, but she already knew. Nothing passes her motherly mind.
"...Whatever." said Cloud, still a little red.
I smiled kindly at him, this time it wasn't all that fake.
"Yuff, come sit down. We have so much to talk about!" said Tifa.
I skipped up to the bar counter and sat on a stool, slowly kicking my feet back and forth. A small smile on my lips, I felt as if I could breathe again. Of course, I don't understand why I felt this way. Before this, everything I did and everything I had felt like it could slip away at any moment. Fade into the darkness around me, never returning again, forever lost to me.
While I depressed myself, Tifa went behind the bar counter. I took in her image; she mostly looks the same as before I left. Her outfit has changed obviously. She was wearing jeans with a white tang top, the top had thin black lines going every which way. Tifa's shoes were black flip flops. Her hair -still the same length- was up in a pony tail. A little piece of hair was in her face, but just as I noticed it, she pulled it back behind her ear. As I watched, she began to get two beers ready. I feel like I don't belong here, and there is a reason for that. I don't. They said I could go back for now. They had said "now" weirdly though. I wonder why they had let me go? Was there something here they want to know about? Anyway this is not the time for this; I need to be the happy Yuffie. The fake Yuffie. No matter how tired I may be.
"So where have you been? Or better yet, how have you been? "asked Tifa, passing me my drink.
"Oh, I've been been great!" I lied, taking a small sip of the beer.
"You skipped the first question." said Red XIII (Nanaki).
Damn, what now? I turned to face Nanaki who was on the floor with his head up. I don't want to sound like a brat or anything like that, but I can't tell them. I just can't. Maybe they didn't hear him.
"Yes, Yuffie Kisaragi, that you did." said female voice.
I turned again, to be face to face with Shelke Rui. I guess she is not dead. Also, in one piece, might I add?
I stared at her; she was wearing brown jeans, with a pink flower belt, a pink tang top with purple lace lining. Her hair was also the same as before minus the pink crystal flower clip. Reeve had apparently found out how to get her to age again. Shelke had grown into 25 year old woman, shockingly looking a lot like her dead sister Shalua Rui.
"Oh my Gawd! Shelke you don't look like a ten year old anymore! I'm so proud of you!" I said with a happy smile, hoping to distract her.
"Thanks?" asked Shelke, confused by my answer.
Yay, she forgot about the question. I'm too awesome.
"Answer the question Yuffie."
I turn around AGAIN to face a Vincent Valentine, this is getting ridiculous.
"What question?" I asked sweetly.
"Do not play dumb with me, Yuffie." growled Vincent.
He is just like I remembered him. Right down to the hair, red eyes, and cape. Most of the guys here haven't changed their so called 'looks'.
So, here are my options at the moment:
1. Run away (Hey it's what I do best).
2. Answer the question (Yeah right in a million years).
3. Act like a brat (This could work).
4. Hug Vincent (Wait what?).
I am going for option one. Get ready, set... Go Yuffie, run! Almost to the door, half way there, yes, okay! Opening the door- wait, take that back. Why can't I move? Someone grabbed my wrist! If it is Barret I am going to kill him. Oh look Vincent, you have seemed to grab my wrist my mistake. I would very much like it if you got your HANDS off of me thank you! That sounds good. I opened my mouth to speak this but Vincent beat me to it.
"Running is futile." he said coldly.
Well just watch me try Vinnie!
"Let me go!" I said, trying to pull out of his grasp.
"So you can run away from this? Not returning till another six years pass? I haven't been born yesterday." said Vincent.
Yeah, we all know that you were not born yesterday. Babies are cute, not sexy like you. Wait what? SEXY? Where did that come from? Maybe I am in shock because he said twenty words...HE SAID TWENTY WORDS!
"Do you just say twenty words?" I asked puzzled.
"It appears I will have to do this the hard way." he replied with a sigh.
Oh. My. Leviathan. He talks more now; I guess six years is a long time. But what the hell is the "hard way"? I bet it will hurt. I have to get out of here! Pulling arm out of his grasp Yuffie, pull harder. Jeez, he's strong, and it does not help that this is his claw arm. I am so blaming my sleepy body for my weakness.
"LET ME GO, VALETINE! I WANNA SLEEP!" I screamed my heart out, making him twitch from the extreme loudness of my voice.
Ouch! That hurt, he just pushed me into the wall! He then twisted my arm, so my face went right into the wall. Pain, ouch, pain!
"Vincent stop that, it HURTS!" I yelled.
"I can make it hurt more you know." he told me bitterly.
I don't need that, this is enough right now, thank you! I need help and I'm ranting to myself again, ugh. What a horrible day this turned out to be.
"Tifa! Make him stop!" I begged.
"Vincent stop it, please!" Tifa immediately said after my request.
"No way, Tifa! That brat, has to learn the hard way." retorted Cid.
Cid if I ever get out of this, you are so dead!
"CID!" screamed Barret.
"What damnit?" barked Cid.
"Vincent, please let go!" Tifa said, sounding more desperate this time.
Go Tifa, make him stop!
"Anything to say Yuffie?" asked Vincent, not paying Tifa any attention.
NEVER! But did that sound weird, he just told me to talk. Most people can't wait until I just shut my big mouth.
"Vincent Valentine, this is a little rash don't you think?" asked Shelke.
Is she helping me? That's also weird and- Ouch! He is pushing me harder into the wall!
"Pain!" I screamed.
"Show the brat, Vince!" Cid cheered.
Yup, I hate you Cid.
"Cid! Shut up!" said Barret.
But I like you Barret.
"Cloud! Do something!" said Tifa, frantic.
You too Tifa!
"We are going to wake up the children." said Red.
His right, but I'm in too much pain to care right now!
"I think Nanaki is right." said Cloud.
You call that helping Cloud? You good for nothing, chocobo headed, son of a-
"Cloud!" said Tifa, interrupting my wonderful thoughts on Cloud.
You tell him off, Tifa!
This wall smells like old paint, it is disgusting. As if the last six years of hell was not enough.
That's it I give up, damn you to hell Vincent Valentine.
"Ok fine I will tell! You just let me go!" I screamed.
The bar fell silent at my words. Did I ever say I hate it when it is quiet?
"Hey take it easy! I break you know!" I told Vincent as he pushed me into one of the bars chairs painfully.
"We are listening." said Vincent, sounding more than a little upset.
I think someone is in a bad mood today. I am gone for six years, and come back to find that the gentlemen Vincent is now gone and the new Vincent is a jackass. Now then, how to word my dilemma?
"I am not who you think I am..." I whispered.
Oh, that was smooth.
"What do you mean?" asked Shelke, her face completely blank.
"I am not who you think I am." I said again, but louder.
"This is not a joke Yuffie." said Cloud.
"I wish it was. I just want to go back, and stop him maybe then if I told him about her... despite the way he acts. He loves her, but why did he? I just don't get why?" I whispered.
"Who?" asked Barret.
I clap my hands to my mouth. Oh. My. Goodness. Did I just say that out loud! They gave me weird looks, and I dropped my hands to my sides feeling like an idiot.
"That shouldn't have come out of my mouth! I'm sorry but I can't say anymore." I panicked.
If he ever finds out I'm so dead...
"What the hell do you mean?" Cid barked.
"I mean, I can't tell you. You big idiot of an old man." I said annoyed.
Cid was about to say something, but Vincent stopped him with a glare.
"Why can't you?" Vincent demanded.
Will they believe me if I say it? I might as well try. It is not like they are going to let me leave here without saying what I have been up to. I do have the power to leave, but not without causing them and me, some kind of harm. Here goes nothing...
"I just can't! The oath I took... stops me. Even if I try to say it, it will not leave my mouth! Try to understand, this is why I did not want to come back. The life I live is not the same as it was when I was nineteen." I said looking at the floor.
I was not lying this time.
"So you could have come back all this time, but you didn't?" asked Tifa, sounding hurt.
As if! I had things I need to do, even if as selfish as they were. It had to be done in order for me to move on with what I had become.
"No, but the past months yes." I replied.
She sighed at my response.
"What about clues?" asked Nanaki.
Hm, I never thought about that. It could work, maybe.
"Clues…" I repeated. "It may work, but they cannot be spoken plainly or written."
"So in other words you mean a-" begun Shelke.
"Riddle...like thing, yes." I said, cutting her off.
"I could do research to find it." offered Nanaki.
"That could take weeks, maybe months." said Vincent.
Oh, Vincent you're so wrong.
"No." I told Vincent.
"What?" said Cloud.
"It could take years, knowing them." I told them.
I shut my eyes, thinking about it. As I did, I saw a little girl in my mind, begging for her freedom, as tears glide down her small innocent face.
"Like a never ending song for freedom..." I said remembering something I was told a while back.
I slowly opened my eyes; they all sat there, not knowing what to say next. I gazed at the gray painted wall, thinking about the small girl. I need to sleep if I am starting to daydream.
Wait, backup a minute! Song of freedom... that could work! I can say the words, but I can sing! That is not saying them because songs are basically very long riddles. I figured it out, the one gap in the oath!
"I have it!" I screamed suddenly.
"What is it!" Tifa asked happily.
"Get a pen and paper, please." I requested.
"But you said-" began Cloud.
He is still a big pain.
"Just do it!" I snapped.
"I will get them." said Tifa.
I gave her a real smile, for the first time in a long time. We all casted our gazes to Tifa, who was at the bar counter; looking for what I asked of her. I watched in amusement, as she began to panic when she couldn't find a pen. I yawned, involuntarily from drowsiness. Everyone glanced at me for second, then back to Tifa. Tifa's their entertainment for the night, I assume. Tifa, unaware that everyone attention was on her had a piece of paper in her mouth. Finally, she found a black pen, and ran back where we were all seated . I waited till she took seat, before I spoke.
"Now, like I said, I can't say or write this. So, I will be singing one a song. It's a really old song. And when I say "old", I mean older then all of us put together. One of you is going to have to write down the lyrics as I sing too." I informed them.
"I will do it!" said Tifa, happy to help in any way.
"Alright, I will start to sing, I guess." I shifted in my sit, wondering how long it will be till my body fails from the pressure I have put it in these past few days. I should tell them that I need some sleep after this.
"Ok ready?" I asked unsure myself, but not letting it show in my voice.
"Yup!" said Tifa.
Who can have this much energy, at this time of night?
"Get ready to see our ears bleed out." snickered Cid, and everyone- except for Shelke and Tifa- smirked.
I'll show him. Cid you are going to take that back, because I can sing for your information. I took in a deep breath and began.
I see nothing in your eyes
And the more I see the less I like
Is it over yet?
In my head?
I know nothing of your kind
And I won't reveal your evil mind
Is it over yet?
I can't win
So sacrifice yourself
And let me have what's left
I know that I can find
The fire in your eyes
I'm goin all the way
Get away, please
You take the breath right out of me
You left a hole where my heart should be
You've gotta fight just to make it through
Cause I will be the death of you
This will be all over soon
Pour the salt into the open wound
Is it over yet?
Let me in
So sacrifice yourself
And let me have what's left
I know that I can find
The fire in your eyes
I'm goin all the way
Get away, please
You take the breath right out of me
You left a hole where my heart should be
You've gotta fight just to make it through
Cause I will be the death of you
(take take take)
I'm waiting
I'm praying
Realize
Start hating
You take the breath right out of me
you left a hole where my heart should be
You've gotta fight just to make it through
Cause I will be the death of you
"Got it all Tifa?" I asked with a grin.
The look on their faces are priceless! Cid looks like he just got stabbed from behind, same with Cloud. Vincent's usually blank face is unbelieving at the scene that just took place before him. Barret looks shock but weirdly proud. Red, looks shocked for him I suppose. Tifa seems to be happily shocked. Shelke is so shocked I think she got even paler than she already is! It is just hilarious!
"Yeah...um. Yuffie, I never knew you could sing. That was great, just great!" said Tifa slowly, nodding her head.
I showed them, just because I used to talk very loud doesn't mean I can't sing. Some part of me wished for them to know the real me, then again other parts begged for them to never find out the truth. All this thinking is making me even more sleepily, if that was even possible at this point.
"Thanks. The song, it has a meaning. Remember Red, think old. And not human..." I said the last part lower then a whisper.
"I understand Yuffie. You have a very beautiful voice." said Nanaki.
Aw! They are so nice to me! Well... sometimes. I guess they do like me a little bit.
"But what do you mean by "not human". Are you not human?" asked Shelke picking up on my little fact.
At this everyone -but Vincent, Red, and Shelke- laughed. I opened my mouth to answer, but my body had other ideas. My eyes began to flutter close, I tried to blink to keep myself awake. I over did it, I can feel it. The dizziness is taking over my body, my blood turning cold as ice and my vision began to blur. I was going to faint. My knees failed to keep me up, and I fell to the floor feeling my eyes close as everything went pitch black.
That's all for now- hope it wasn't to bad!
Till next time,
Nami