CHAPTER 1:

Rise and Shine, Rise.And.Shine

It had been one year ever since the return of Sephiroth, Yuffie was still the same, sort of...she was teaching Juniors the art of Wushu, rather then stealing materia. It seemed Yuffie was content at the flourishing city, though it was hard to tell, Yuffie would be extremely happy in one phrase, then blank and placid the next, it seemed odd amongst the people of Wutai. It was hard for Setoh, a younger man two years younger then Yuffie, with black hair and thick white streaks. His hair at medium length at the right side, coming down near his cheek, disheveled and spiked pointing to the right, and longer and straighter silkier at the left dropping to chest length. His odd and peculiar hair style made him stand out often in public, he was the same height as Yuffie. He wore a retractable claw glove with twin blades, extending about 20 or so centimetres, and a long sword with a straight rectangular hole, like a cut out, from the bottom of the blade ending near the tip. Setoh was often compared to Shinra's SOLDIER group, but Setoh never would agree to such claims. His slightly pale complexion and his dull green eyes would often project the message of resent towards the claims.
Setoh looked up to Yuffie, despite the thievery Yuffie committed three years ago, but Yuffie was mature now, 19 years of age, Setoh admired how she grew up, but despite Yuffie being a ninja, Setoh was more towards the build of a regular troop, despite his skills reigning him with the title 'Wutai's SOLDIER'.

Setoh stood at the bridge, where he would stare at the fish and his gaze never ceased. Setoh wore his uniform of black boots with steel shin guards that slightly covered his ankle, onyx pants with a grey stripe down the sides, a zip-up shirt that was long sleeved on the left side, short on the right side, cutting off before the elbow. On his left hand he wore his gauntlet with the retractable twin bladed claws, his right he wore a white glove, with a light steel plate arm guard. The shirt itself was obsidian colour. He had a cross belt over his shirt, which held his shoulder mantle, carve in a traditional European manner, curved and made of steel, the mantle matched the colour of his pants, giving contrast to the shirt.

The day was bright and sunny, warm with a cool breeze, seemed like a normal summer weather for Wutai, and everyone was pleased. Setoh had been thinking deeply, his thoughts were consisted of questions, questioning his sword and claw, as they were ancestral armaments from his grandfather, who were respectively named. The Longsword was named Kadazu, and the claw named Kuraifu. He is still puzzled why they were named in such a manner.
Yuffie had finished for the afternoon, and Setoh caught her hazel eyes, and saw that Setoh's dull green eyes had become dark blue with the water he stared at. Yuffie smiled a little, but she thought of concern to him. Setoh continued to stare, he was in a trance, no longer of this world, Yuffie changed this, she walked up to Setoh and went to palm in the back of the head, but she stopped short hoping Setoh would flinch, of course Setoh didn't, but continued to reside in his world. Yuffie soon expressed concern and worry, "...Setoh..." she expressed with worry, and shook him a little, "Setoh, I don't like it when you're like this..." Setoh had developed a cold and isolated character, but this time Setoh snapped out of his world "...Mmm? Oh Yuffie..what is it?" Yuffie stared at him with with those eyes of concern and worry, Setoh had not gotten used to this.

"What is it?" Setoh queried again.

"Are you ok?" Yuffie rose the concern.

"...Of course."

"Doesn't seem like it." Yuffie retorted, she saw through his hesitation. "You haven't been yourself over the years."

"I'm ok, it's just times have changed, and so has Wutai, I'm just not adapting so well."

"Or maybe some thing's changed you, and you're worrying too much..." Yuffie retorted again

"Maybe..." Setoh added, his statement arose many questions to Yuffie already.

'Maybe?' Yuffie thought, 'He seems so confused, and so distraught these years, I hope he's ok.'

There was a cold silence, as Setoh's eyes reverted to the river, but this time the fish had left. "You need to smile more." Yuffie blurted out, but Setoh saw where she was coming from "Maybe I do need to." Setoh replied with a slight smirk. Yuffie then shoved Setoh in a playful gesture, "Come on, it's lunch time, I've bought some food for us to eat." Yuffie had strayed away from the rich lifestyle, and began to adapt into the crowd, but Yuffie still lived in luxury, Setoh just thought she'd fade in and out.

Setoh and Yuffie sat by the river, with Won ton noodle soup, and a small bag of prawn chips. The meal was simply set, and the both of them sat on by the River, Yuffie had begun eating away, slurping cheerfully at her noodles, but she turned her attention to Setoh, who had just held his container, and stared blankly. "Is your won ton ok? You seem to be-" Yuffie noticed that Setoh was following a noodle that was floating around. "...Setoh, don't play with your food." Yuffie announced directly. Setoh snapped out of his world again. "Oh, sorry..." Setoh smiled lightly before he begun eating away. Yuffie looked out to the river view, but would look to Setoh who just stared out into the river. The two sat together in a scene of serenity, and mellowness, the air drifted by and the both of them, Yuffie catching a scent of flowers, and Setoh catching the scent of mellow numbness.

"Setoh, lets finish up and head back. The sun's about to set." Yuffie spoke trying to deliver Setoh of his dissolved state.

"...Oh, yeah, lets go." Setoh replied with some hint of remorse

"What's wrong?" Yuffie asked eagerly

"Tired, that's all." Setoh arrogantly dismissed. "Lets go home."

Yuffie nodded but she was not content of his answer. The two walked to Setoh's house, a small cozy home, the nature of it seemed warm, and welcoming. Setoh looked at Yuffie and smiled for real, and for good times sake. Yuffie smiled back and gave him a short hug before letting go.
"I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Of course." replied Setoh still smiling

Setoh opened the door, and eyed Yuffie as she left. They departed on their way home, and Setoh slipped inside his home and closed the door. Setoh still had Yuffie's voice in his head, her image was embedded and Setoh felt dizzy, he stumbled in the dark before collapsing on the floor and falling into a familiar deep sleep, his eyes shut quickly and his body was motionless.