Bronze Toast: Inspired by and loosely based on Chasing Liberty with twists of my own added to the mix concerning our rambunctious Kingdom Hearts characters. Inspirited by Utada Hikari'ssong Kremlin Dusk from her new album Exodus.
Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts developed by SQUARE ENIX. Characters from FINAL FANTASY video game series: © 1990, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. Disney characters is a trademark of Disney and Disney Interactive. Kremlin Dusk written by Utada Hikari. © Batongirl Music Publishing (ASCAP). Produced by Utada & Teruzane skingg U. Recorded by Goh Hotoda at The Hit Factory, NYC and by Yamamoto and Matsui at Bunkamura, Tokyo. Mixed by Goh Hotoda at The Hit Factory, NYC. Programmed by Utada. Additional programming by Pete Davis. Drum: Jon Theodore.
Hunting Ninja-
(Full Summary)Princess Yuffie is tired of being overprotected by her father seeking freedom ever since she found out she was royalty of an ancient ninja clan in Japan. Once Yuffie sets out for Prague to a banquet for an art museum exibit, she meets up with her close rebellious friend, Kairi, leaving the museum for a much better place to party. As soon as Kairi has an idea, she helps her friend live and experience the freedom that she wanted. She, (Yuffie),encounters a stranger on the street of Prague pleading for a getaway ride from her father's secret service. Reluctantly he agrees accompanying the royal ninja on a European adventure. What she didn't realize that she would be falling in love with one of her father's undercover agents, waking up to the stranger in bed with no recollection of their wedding.
All along I was searching for my Lenore
In the words of Mr. Edgar Allan Poe
Now I'm sober and "Nevermore"
Will the Raven come to bother me at home
Calling you, calling you home
You…calling you, calling you home
By the door you said you had to go
Couldn't help me anymore
This I saw coming, long before
So I kept on staring out the window
Calling you, calling you home
You…calling you, calling you home
I am a natural entertainer, aren't we all
Holding pieces of dying ember
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
Who I can call
Home…calling you, calling you
I run a secret propaganda
Aren't we all hiding places of broken anger
I'm just trying to remember who I can call
Can I call
Born in a war of opposite attraction
It isn't, or is it a natural conception
Torn by the arms in opposite directions
It isn't, or is it a Modernist reaction
(Repeat) Born in a war of opposite attraction
It isn't, or is it a natural conception
Torn by the arms in opposite directions
It isn't, or is it a Modernist reaction
Is it like this
Is it always the same
When a heartache begins, is it like this
Do you like this
Is it always the same
Will you come back again
Do you like this
Is it always the same
Will you come back again
Do you like this
Do you like this
Is it like this
Is it always the same
If you change your phone number, will you tell me
Is it like this
Is it always the same
When a heartache begins, it like this
If you like this
Will you remember my name
Will you play it again, if you like this
Hunting Ninja
Friday, May 21
I feel kind of weird writing to myself in this book of blank pages. My mother, a.k.a. the Lady of Wutai, suggested I release my bottled feelings on paper since therapy wasn't working for me. Yes, I attended therapy ever since I found out I was a princess which was seventeen years ago to be exact. It's been tough for me knowing that your father is the lord of an ancient tribe. She says I should organize my feelings since I wouldn't connect with my shrink. I only did that on purpose because my life is none of his business anyway (even though his job is to listen to my problems). Whatever.
In upcoming news, school is officially out and I am NO LONGER in prep school! I am now OFFICIALLY, well not yet at least, going to be a freshman at university. Oxford hasn't replied yet, but I have my fingers crossed. I've made plans with my best friend, Kairi Obleada, for the summer. We are going to Berlin for the annual festival that is thrown for teenagers, a.k.a. the Love Parade. I nag my father incessantly to give me his blessing to go, but he continues to say, "I don't approve". I'm ALWAYS being followed and watched over by his bodyguards. Everything I do must be looked after. Over the years I've gotten use to them until now. My teen years were awful and still are. Boys and dates weren't good for me as my father liked to put it. But I'm going to have my father sign some sort of treaty where I actually receive freedom with no guards around. I'm a princess of an island in Japan what do I expect? Respect. Yeah right. From Godo that is not an option.
About a week ago, I was asked out to dinner by one of my classmates at Trinity Prep. Me being me said yes hoping Vincent Valentine could handle our family guards. Father sent out 12 watchmen to escort us into the Shibuyin Station.
I watched as he went through the casual procedure of being thoroughly checked if he was a terrorist or not. I tapped my foot hiding my face in my shawl embarrassed of what Vincent had to go through. I had to say I looked pretty good in that light green strapless gown-practically the only time I'll wear one on a date. Barret, (his actual name), nodded signaling to my father and the others that he was clean. I quickly glided down the steps wanting to leave before anything goes wrong. But father reached him and persued on questioning his status. "Now, son, I want you to take my daughter to the restaurant where you made reservations under your name. My convoys will accompany you so you will be watched under good eyes, son. I don't want any wrong business going on concerning my daughter. If anything happens to her, I will personally make sure you are ripped limb from limb. Understand?" he gave Vincent a stern glare as if he were going to pounce on him and kill him right on the spot.
"Father!" I seethed rushing to Vincent's side. "Can we leave now?" I glanced at Vincent who immediately gulped once he saw Barret's gun. Barret grinned patting the gun that was attached to his belt hiding behind his black leather cloak. My father finally motioned us toward the door kissing me on the cheek once Vincent was out the door. He whispered, "Be careful."
I smiled at him as we ate, then I frowned when I caught sight of the photographers that surrounded and bombarded the restaurant. "I am so sorry, Vincent. I didn't mean for them to come and…"
"It's okay. I-"
A woman and her two children spoke to one another in hushed tones. "Look, sweetie, there is the princess. Wave to her." The mother pointed at us and waved. "Let's see if we could get a picture, eh?" she gathered her two children and walked over to us.
Barret stepped in front of our table. "Miss? I believe this is not your booth." His overly large body covered the woman's view of me.
She grabbed hold of her girls protectively. "I only wanted to have a picture and memory on my daughters' birthday that she got to meet the princess," she explained.
I stood up moving in front of Barret. "It's okay, Barret. It's her daughters' birthday." I motioned the daughters next to me so their mother could take a picture. Vincent was about to stand behind us when the mother shook her head shooing him away from the picture. She allowed Barret in the photo.
After the woman and her daughters left us alone, Vincent and I sat back at the table. "So…what were you going to say, Vincent?" I asked with eager eyes.
"I can't do this anymore! Bodyguards and photographers everywhere! Including fans! I can't take it anymore! Yuffie, I can't even kiss you!" he grabbed his jacket and fled the scene leaving Barret and me at the restaurant.
I sighed, "Let's go home, Barret. Father will be happy." When we returned home I was furious. I stomped pass his guard ignoring their cries. I pushed open my father's office door. "Way to go, Dad! You had that restaurant swarming with agents! You ruined my date!" I paced the room. "Now I'll never get to third base!" he looked at me with questioning eyes. "Second base?"
"Yuffie, I'd like for you to meet my committee," he pointed behind me. Slowly I turned around.
"Heh. Heh. Hello. Dad, I think we'll talk about this later." I closed the door behind me.
(Away from Yuffie Kisaragi)
"Remind me what's third base again?" he asked his committee. They shook their heads guessing. "I'm glad I asked."
Same day
Need I mention I HAVE NOT been kissed? Yes, it's true I have never been kissed leading to the conclusion: I am still a virgin. And I must remain undeflowered until my wedding night with some prince or lord. Going to the Love Parade in Berlin is my only chance to be actually free. I want to taste freedom. Feel freedom. See freedom. Live freedom. Without any guards around. That is what the treaty I am going to create is about. Me having freedom. I could inflict its lines to my parents once we leave Japan for Prague. One of father's allies is having banquet celebrating a new building of some sort. I'll take risks. I'll be the new princess they never expected. Princess Yuffie, daughter of Lord Godo Kisaragi of the Wutai tribe, is now eighteen-year-old virgin Yuffie who will party.
Saturday, May 22
Well, my resolution for the summer hasn't reached its progress where I thought it would. I'm still a slave to royalty and still a virgin living at home, (I don't know which mansion to call home), with both my parents. Which sucks butt so badly. I am CONSTANTLY being watched and guarded since I'm the heir to an ancient tribe of ninja clan in Japan. To top that I have no breasts! And I'm only 18! Guys barely look at me because-#1: no breasts; #2: apparently Barret Wallace seems to intimidate them (for some reason I don't know because to me he's trying so hard to be like Blade or something). I hate being a princess!
I slid the shoji door closed bowing to my mother and father later bending down on my knees sitting on the floor pillow. As usual, the Kisaragi home was decorated in its oriental colors-red, black, yellow, and green-yards of fabric lining the wooden walls. To occupy my hands, (being traditional in my family), I opened my periwinkle fan, drawing it open and waving light air in my face. Stewards admitted into the dinner hall carrying trays of dishes filled with my favorite gourmet entrees. They placed the bowls on the low table leaving the berth briskly after. My father was the first one to engulf his food. "Father? May I go to the Love Parade with Kairi-san in Berlin?" I batted my eyelashes biting my lip.
He shook his head putting down his bowl of rice. "No. No. You too young. Aside from that, that Love Parade you call it is one big orgi " Father sipped his tea taking out the large leaf in disgust (Father is not a big fan of leaves being in his meals). "Besides I do not like that English girl. She crazy." He motioned his finger in circles.
I clenched and unclenched my fists controlling any protest that will lead to doors being damaged. "Not if I do this," I made a peace sign with my fingers. He stared at me oddly. "When do I ever get to be a normal person? You know, the ones where they could travel to places without bodyguards being around them at all times?! I'm not your twelve-year-old girl anymore who only danced with you at parties."
"You not normal since you go to therapy seven times a month," he stated rubbing his head. Crack- I dropped the two pieces of wood from my chopsticks on the table that I just broke. My head grew big at the moment.
"You're too overprotective, you know that? Nothing will happen to me! No one will try to kill me! Let me go to Berlin alone! Damnit!" I stood huffing and puffing, my face flustered and my eyes bulging out in rage. I folded my arms like a two-year-old and stomped my foot. At the time, I did know I was disrespecting him, but I did not care at the moment.
"What you're doing now shows me that you are mature? Anita, tell the girl she cannot go alone. Tell her she's too young and needs protection," he turned to my mother for back.
She shook her head. "Let her go with her friend, Godo."
"I tell you what you can do. You can go with you English friend to places in Prague not the parade." He paused as my eyes lit up. "Only five guards with watch you."
"Three guards."
"Four guards."
"Three guards."
"Three guards."
"Two guards." My mother stated.
"Fine. Two guards. Wallace and Tame will accompany you while you are in Prague. Got it?" he confirmed going back to his food. I kneeled back down. Outside stood my bodyguards Wallace and Tame-a.k.a. Barret and Tidus-who I could tell was listening in on our family discussion.
"Yes, I understand. Two guards. But can you not make it Barret and Tidus? They're sort of…How do I put this? Tidus is too attentive to his looks including his shades and Barret, well, he thinks he is shaft. So can you get someone else?" I played with the orange lining on my kimono.
"Why? Wallace has been with us for years?" he asked causing his eyebrows to form a furry black bridge.
"That's my point," I muttered rolling my eyes. I heard a muffled laugh in the hall from Tidus. "And well Tidus thinks with his shades that he's from the Men in Black," I emphasized pointing to them. That time I heard Barret chuckling.
Father waved it off. "Alright. Alright. Wallace and Tame will not be joining you and Miss Kairi, but Strife and Gainsborough will. Deal?"
"Two guards in Prague, promise?" I asked to make sure.
"Two guards, yes. Promise on ninja's holy honor." He raised his left hand putting his other hand over his heart.
"Deal," I smiled kissing his cheek. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
He said two guards would come with me to Prague! Isn't it great?! Two guards. I'm practically free! I can't wait once we aboard the plane! We'll be off to Prague in no time! I only want to be like a normal girl. I might even meet someone special. Who knows? Kairi, I can't wait to see you!
Things To Do
Decide what to pack for Prague and Opera House
Persuade Dad to let me go to Love Parade
Purchase a new satin fan (since I destroyed all the others)
Be less bratty and annoying
Stop thinking of Vincent Valentine
Stop measuring breasts!
Stop watching South Park
Wednesday, May 26, Private Airplane
We are now on my father's personal airplane heading for Prague reaching the reception in a couple of hours. I can't wait when we arrive! Soon I will be standing in the crowd with Kairi at my side dancing to the loud music with only TWO AGENTS! I repeat TWO AGENTS! I think father is starting to understand that his only daughter is growing up.
I sat on the white leather sofa writing down the Scrabble scores. "Z-Y-G-O-T-E" Father folded his arms pouting. "Forty points for me! Oh yeah! Anyway, we arrive at the museum. I meet Kairi, then from there we'll head to the Opera House for the concert. Count 'em two agents! Later go to the Love Parade. Come back to princess duties, going off to university. Happy life. " I grinned satisfied at my plan.
" Yes, two agents, no Love Parade. H-A-T. Eight points. Damn." He cursed in frustration, his fist pounded on the table. Mother smiled smugly, chewing on some chips. I brooded folding my arms like a child.
"It's not your father's fault that he is very bad at Scrabble." She placed letters on the Scrabble board. "Q-U-I-V-E-R-S. That'll be 144 points!"
"Damn," we said in unison as my mother smiled broadly at her victory.
Thursday, May 27, Evening Reception at the Art Museum
"Konnichiwa, Ramdial-san." I greeted bowing to the Prime Minister of Paris shaking his hand.
He nodded shaking my mother's and father's hand. "My, cheri. Your daughter has grown into a beautiful young woman."
My mother agreed by embracing me into a warm hug. "Yes. Yes, she is."
"See you again at the buffet, Lord Godo," he said waving, going back to his wife.
"When can I leave?" I asked smiling.
"When I think necessary," my father gritted through his teeth. I picked at my pink gown.
"Yuffie!" I turned to look at the two grand doors opening. My close friend entered running toward me, squeezing me tight.
"Kairi, how are you?!" I asked happily, wanting to leave the reception.
"Good. Good. Just that the bloody security guards took turns searching me," she explained pushing back strands of her auburn hair.
My mother looked surprised, gazing at Kairi's revealing magenta strapless gown. "Miss Kairi, you are all grown up," she hugged Kairi.
"Well, it happens," Kairi played with her tongue ring in her mouth.
"What's that in your mouth?" me father questioned squinting his almond shaped eyes at Kairi. "Candy?"
"No, it's pierced. Like it?" she showed my father the black ball that rolled in her mouth by sticking out her pink tongue. She grinned.
"No. Why in the world would anyone get it pierced?" he inquired scratching his chin.
Kairi admitted, "Well, some guys think it better for…" I covered her mouth.
"How about we ditch this joint, Kairi?" I suggested to change the subject. She shrugged following me to the waiters away from my parents. We grabbed two glasses of the golden bubbly champagne. "I love champagne!" I said sipping the sweet and sour drink.
She nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Mmn," she licked her lips savoring the taste. "18 is okay in Europe so…" she drank the full glass. She felt my long black hair that came up to my waist. "Do you want to be so bloody different nobody will be brilliant enough to recognize you?" she asked.
I took hold of my long hair protectively. "Why?" I asked suspiciously.
"Trust me," she said.
"I'm afraid to," I acclaimed.
My father talked with my mother drinking his third glass of champagne. He saw Kairi and I make our entrance into the great hall. "Good thing Miss Kairi found a new trashy friend to hang out with," my father said nodding.
"Yes," my mother agreed jokingly. "Your daughter."
My father spat out his drink spraying his Armani suit. "What?!" I laughed with Kairi strolling over to my mother and father. "What did you do to your hair? And what is that you're not wearing?"
"You don't like my new hair do?" I asked innocently twirling my now short-short hair.
"No," he managed to choke out without making a big scene. I enjoyed wearing my ripped Not-So-Innocent T-shirt that showed my stomach and my tight pants, (both borrowed from Kairi).
"Well, we're off, Daddy, to the concert. Bye bye!" I waved, laughing joyous as we left the museum.
"No Love Parade!" he yelled after me.
Same Evening, Off to Opera House
We ran outside suddenly shined by a dozen of colored neon lights, flowing in with the crowd. "It's great!" I shouted over the noise. "No one knows who I am!" I spun around happily bumping into a guy on a bike. "Sorry," I apologized to him. His azure orbs captured my heart quickly. His brown russet hair swaying with the wind. "Sorry. Sorry."
"It's alright," he said putting the brake stand on his motorcycle.
Once away from him, I yelled to Kairi. "Kairi, you're right there are a lot of cute guys!"
"500,000 cute guys," she clarified grabbing my hand. "After the concert we then go to my friend's club. It's the hottest place in the city!"
"I can't wait!"
Kairi and I inclined with the bouncing music, jumping up and down. Green and red lights flashed our faces brightening our surroundings. I stopped glancing around at the clubbers' faces finding well-known faces. All too familiar, I thought. I ran to Aerith and Cloud who hanged out on the balcony upstairs, watching me. "What? No? No!" He sent just two of you!" Kairi stood behind me wondering what the problem was.
Aerith shook her head trying to calm me down. "No. No. It's only the two of us like your father said." She tried to assure me.
"He completely broke his promise!" I yelled as Aerith Gainsborough attempted to hold my hand for comfort. I pulled my hand away, angered at my father for breaking his promise.
"Come on, Yuffie. Let's go into the lavatory, alright?" Kairi motioned me toward the restrooms. I nodded assently.
"I can't believe he broke his promise. He lied to me! He said two agents!" I ran my hand through my short raven hair.
Kairi looked at herself in the large bathroom mirror, putting on her lipstick. She grinned impishly like she was the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. "Yuffie, I have a brilliant idea." I took a quick look behind us as saw a drunk girl crawling on the tiled floor. She mirrored my simple figure and face, (except she has slightly larger breasts than me. Noted).
Kairi began to laugh. "Yuffie." She pushed the drunk girl who was in my attire toward Aerith Gainsborough and Cloud Strife. They rushed to her side worried that "I" was hurt or not.
"Princess Yuffie," they called to her. The drunken girl laughed, vomiting on my outfit. "Ninja gone A wall," Cloud shouted into his walkie talkie.
"Run, Yuffie!" Kairi shouted pushing me out the door. I nodded running outside, searching for a quick escape.
"Hey!" I shouted to the tall brown-haired, blue-eyed man who relaxed on his bike. "Hey!" I repeated a little louder. He turned to me, zipping up his black leather coat.
"Yes?" he asked. "May I help you?" He folded his arms questioningly.
"Uh, yeah." I glanced back at the Opera House. "I need a ride-to-to get out of here. Can you please help me get out of here?" I pleaded, desperately needing to leave before getting caught. Freedom was so near. So close I could taste it.
"Fine." he threw me an extra helmet. I snapped the helmet around my face, hopping onto the motorcycle. "Hold on tight," he said, grinding into the street. I wrapped my arms around his waist, my heart beating a mile a minute knowing I was riding on a motorcycle with a complete stranger. SUV's lined corners chasing behind us.
"Go. Go. Go," I urged him looking back at the Opera House and its crowded streets. I left behind my family, agents, and royal bloodline…
Same Evening, Somewhere in Prague
"I can't believe I just did that!" I shouted over the loud rushing of the wind. "By the way, I'm Yuffie." I shook his hand as he drove the bike. "You are?"
"Leon," he answered. "Need the hand. Need the hand." He went back to his position. "Why are you on the run?"
"Oh, you know got caught sneaking into the concert," I fibbed, chewing at the side of my cheek. I tended to do that when I make up a lie on the spot.
"Do they really do that nowadays?" he asked concentrating on the road and SUV's.
"I guess since they ARE after me."
"Sure. Whatever you say."
"Thanks, Leon. For everything I mean. Saving me back there," I said gratefully. He stopped the bike parking in an alley. I stepped off the bike, walking into the narrow street. I waved to him, taking out the ticket Kairi gave me for her friend's club.
"Wait!" I turned to him. "The helmet?" I glanced down at what I was holding in my hands.
I grinned sheepishly, my ears turning slightly pink. "Sorry," I handed him his extra black helmet, our hands brushed past each other. Butterflies tickled the inside of my stomach. "Thanks again." I walked back into the street, staring intently at my ticket. I bit my lip.
"Do you need any help?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No. No, I'm fine. Actually, do you know where the Marques de Sa is? I'm suppose to meet my friend there," I explained to him, showing him the ticket.
He pulled out his cellular phone, calling a friend probably. "Avid, the Marques de Sa? What street?" he asked into the receiver. "Alright, thanks. The club you are speaking of is at the corner of-" I heard cars from my father's secret service round about.
I gasped tugging at the drunken girl's jacket, looking at Leon for help. "I know you think I'm this rude-" He threw me his extra helmet. "Thank you!" I climbed on his bike as he started the engine.
Same Evening, Marques de Sa
I sat down next to him, slurping the pitcher of beer. "Mmn, how come you're not getting drunk?" I asked, giggling at the same time.
He pulled the pitcher of beer away from me, putting it on the table. "Well, you're getting drunk enough for the both of us." Slyly, I put my hand on his knee. He removed my hand. "So what are you doing in Prague?"
"I'm backpacking through Europe," I lied.
"Where's your backpack?" He asked, smirking.
I shrugged. "It's just an expression."
"Right," he said sarcastically.
I put my hands up in defense. "Okay, you caught me. I'm on vacation with my parents. I guess I couldn't take the five star hotels and seven course meals. Hey, what about you?"
He said truthfully, "I'm out on holiday, taking photographs of European architecture."
Black Explorers and SUV's parked outside, agents walking into the club. I was at least sober enough to know that I should escape. "Thanks again. So so much, Leon. It was nice meeting you," I shook his hand trying to find a clear exit.
"How about you hide out in the loo? Whoever it is that is searching for you won't look for you in there. I'll stall."
I shook his hand again. "You look out for me, you know that? Thanks. I'll be in the lav." I tried to balance my way to the bathrooms.
(Away from Yuffie Kisaragi)
He walked outside carrying his sling bag, meeting up with Aerith Gainsborough and Cloud Strife. "Why did you runaway, Agent Leonhart?"