I don't even begin to claim I own Final Fantasy VII or the characters. If I did I'd be a rich girl. Damn I wish I did.

The bar was quiet when Vincent and Shelke arrived. Apparently Tifa had closed it in anticipation for their arrival and planned a celebration dinner. As soon as they walked in the door everyone looked up smiles appearing on their faces.

"Vincent!" Tifa cried wiping her hands as she walked up to embrace the taller man before he could resist. Cloud also walked to Vincent giving him a nod and slight smile. Barrett and Cid both slapped the man on the back and Reeve shook his hand. The kids also ran up, Marlene hugging him as soon as Tifa released the gunman while Denzel stood by Cloud's side shyly. Tifa stood back smiling as Vincent gently removed Marlene from his waist looking slightly uncomfortable with all the attention.

The next few minutes were spent with everyone talking to Vincent while he gave short replies. Shelke stood by his side but her eyes were watching Reeve. The past few days she had spent with him had caused the pair to grow closer and she found herself interested in the WRO leader. The girl was shy though and was unsure if he could even feel the same towards her. It was tough to be a nineteen year old that looked no older than ten. Although Reeve had been trying to help her age normally, so maybe there would be hope.

"Alright everyone, there's some snacks out and dinner should be ready in about an hour so enjoy yourselves," Tifa announced returning to the kitchen. The boys resumed their card game after grabbing some food while Vincent opted for watching. He had been expecting to hear Yuffie's loud voice giving him a lecture about worrying everyone however the ninja had yet to make an appearance at the bar. Although Yuffie had been troublesome, especially in her earlier years, she had become the closest to a friend that Vincent had. She constantly checked up on him and even saved his life back at the mansion during the Omega incident. The gunman was planning on getting to thank the ninja when he came back but if she was already gone the chance might be as well.

"Hey Vincent, can you come here for a minute?" Tifa's voice interrupted his thoughts. He stood and made his way to the kitchen to see what the martial artist needed.

"Dinner's about done, but I was hoping you could let Yuffie know."

"Where is she?" he asked in his usual monotone voice.

Tifa smiled and looked up at Vincent. "She went out to the edge. I think she was worried about you and was going to take her mind off it by working out or something." Tifa paused for a minute then continued, "Anyway I thought it might be nice for her if you were the one who got her but if you don't want to I can send Cloud." The last part was added to ensure he didn't feel put upon since he had just returned.

Vincent looked out the window noticing it looked like it might rain. After thinking for a moment he looked back to Tifa and nodded. Gracefully he strode past her and out the back door of the kitchen to get the ninja. As Tifa watched him leave she wondered if he went that way to avoid questions he would get going past everyone else. Shrugging she watched him move quickly down the street until he disappeared around the corner.

It took a few minutes for him to reach the edge and looking around there was no sign of Yuffie. Vincent wasn't sure why he had agreed but part of him almost missed the ninja. When she wasn't being overly loud she could be good company and sometimes was able to make him almost smile. The gunman waited another minute when a drop of rain splattered on his head. It was at the same moment that he spotted Yuffie running towards him. It seemed she hadn't noticed him yet and she was jogging along listening to music with head phones. The ninja looked up as a drop of rain hit her face and spotted Vincent standing at the entrance to the city. A number of emotions crossed her face before she picked up her pace. Once she was closer she slowed down until she was standing directly in front of the gunman staring up at him.

It took a minute for Yuffie to find her voice as she panted from the run. Once she could speak, she softly stated the obvious.

"You're back."

Vincent looked down at the ninja and nodded. He noticed her face was flushed and her eyes were squinting slightly as though she thought he wasn't real. The look in her eyes was a combination of skepticism and relief. There was also some other emotion in there that he couldn't put his finger on. Before he could contemplate it further the sky opened up and rain poured down. That seemed to wake Yuffie up and she glared at the sky.

"Goddamnit!" she shouted shaking her fist. At that moment a bolt of lightening flashed and thunder cracked causing her to duck and look slightly apologetic.

"I didn't mean it!" she yelled her apology.

Vincent grabbed the ninja's arm before she was electrocuted and pulled her underneath an overhang that offered some shelter. The two stood watching the deluge, both thoroughly soaked. Vincent was bracing for her rant however she offered none. Instead when he chanced a look he saw her staring out at the rain with a solemn look on her face. It was then he also saw that she was shivering quite a bit. Letting out a light sigh he pulled the ninja to his side.

"Vincent what are you-" Yuffie began but stopped as he placed his arm on the other side of her shoulder to keep her under his cloak. Immediately she felt warmer due to his cloak and body heat, not to mention the blush on her face from the close proximity. "Thanks," she said quietly.

"You're welcome," Vincent spoke in his deep voice.

"Oh and sorry," Yuffie said looking away as though she were embarrassed.

"What for?" the gunman asked.

"Well I'm all sweaty and gross and now drenched and you have to stand by me when I probably smell-"

"Yuffie?" Vincent interrupted her quiet rambling.

"Yeah?"

"Be quiet."

Yuffie smiled and nodded her attention back on the rain. They stayed that way until the rain let up enough to make a quick dash home.

"Ready?" Vincent asked looking down at the ninja.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she answered wrinkling her noise at the rain that continued to fall.

With that the pair made for the bar skillfully avoiding the large puddles that had formed. Once at the bar they entered from the kitchen, Tifa pushing the two upstairs to get cleaned up.

"Here these are some of Barrett's old clothes, so they'll be big but at least they're long enough."

Vincent nodded and proceeded to change into the black shirt and pants. At least he didn't have to wear some obnoxious colored clothing. As he left the bathroom he nearly bumped into Yuffie who was wearing some of Tifa's old clothes. The shorts were hanging low on her hips however the tank top hugged her well. It was apparently from before Tifa had been so well endowed. Yuffie looked up to apologize but her mouth stopped working and fell open. Seeing Vincent in normal clothes was quite the shock and the ninja seemed unable to contain her surprise. It was another moment that made him almost smile.

"I apologize," the gunman said quietly gesturing for her to go first. Yuffie nodded still not able to form coherent words and moved to join the party downstairs. Luckily everyone was preoccupied with the card game no one questioned why the two showed up together wearing strange clothes. Once dinner was called people noticed Vincent's new look.

"Holy shit what are you wearing?" Cid exclaimed with his usual sailor mouth.

"It's raining," Vincent replied as if that explained it all and sat to eat.

Everyone shrugged and sat down knowing that his tone indicated the conversation was over. When all was said and done Yuffie ended up sitting between him and Reno who had shown up sometime between the time the gunman had left and come back. Rude and Elena were also there making it a full house. Shelke had figured a way to sit next to Reeve without being obvious but Yuffie noticed all the same. The two had been spending a lot of time together lately making the ninja wonder if the pair would be going somewhere in the near future.

Dinner was pleasant with stories being shared around the table. Vincent noticed that again Yuffie didn't seem to be herself. For one she wasn't really talking at all but she didn't look sad or upset. More like she was in deep thought than anything else. Vincent knew from being around her that she was much more intelligent than she acted but he felt slightly uneasy about the way she had been acting. It was then he heard Reno's voice.

"So you're looking good you know that right?"

Yuffie was looking at Reno and Vincent couldn't see her face when she answered.

"Is that so?"

Reno's smile grew more seductive as he whispered something in Yuffie's ear. Given his enhanced hearing he heard it all. That's when his glass shattered in his hand.

Luckily no one noticed because at that moment Yuffie got up and excused herself. Knowing what Reno had said Vincent expected the ninja to be beating him but she still seemed preoccupied practically ignoring the comment altogether. Reno simply shrugged and was content to make eyes at Tifa until a roll hit him in the head, hard. Looking to the source of the object he saw Cloud who was trying to make the turk burst into flames with his glare.

Vincent nonchalantly picked up the pieces of the glass and silently went to the kitchen to clean the cuts on his hand. Within moments they stopped bleeding since they weren't deep. While there Tifa walked in looking concerned.

"Are you okay Vincent?"

Vincent nodded without turning around. So someone had noticed.

"She seems off tonight," the bar maid stated softly.

Vincent said nothing and waited for the woman to continue.

"I don't know what's going on with her but I hope she's okay."

"Who's okay?"

Yuffie's voice caused both Tifa and Vincent to look at the ninja who had appeared out of no where.

Tifa smiled, "You. It just seems like you're off."

Yuffie smiled, Vincent wondering if it was fake, as she cheerfully answered. "Nope I'm good, just a little tired is all."

The way she looked away after she said that convinced the gunman she was lying. Tifa didn't seem convinced but nodded, "Well if you every need to talk, you know I'm here."

Yuffie nodded still smiling as Tifa left the kitchen.

"Is your hand okay?"

So two people had noticed.

"It's fine."

Yuffie nodded and turned to leave when Vincent's voice stopped her.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

She looked surprised that he asked but nodded smiling again.

"Yeah I really am good, no worries."

The rest of the night he couldn't help but watch her and noticed she was still acting strange. She was being unusually quiet and acting very un-Yuffie like. At the end of the night most people passed out around the bar. Tifa even brought down pillows and blankets for those who had chosen to sleep over inadvertently by passing out. Yuffie made to go upstairs saying goodnight to everyone who was still conscious. When saying goodnight to Vincent she seemed to hesitate as if there was something else she wanted to say. However she simply smiled softly and went to bed. It wasn't long before Vincent found himself dozing in one of the chairs and the next time he woke it was almost dawn. Tifa was already awake but immediately he noticed tears in the woman's eyes as she worked behind the bar.

"Tifa?" he asked his voice rough from sleep.

"She's gone. She just left this and the clothes she borrowed."

With that the tears began to fall and Vincent took the note from her outstretched hand.

It simply read: Thanks for everything. I wish I could stay but I've got some things to take care of. Take care of everyone for me I hope the best for you all. Yuffie.

So this is my first attempt at a story on here. Please let me know how I can improve and I'll be sure to do it!