Author Notes: Don't own the characters. Set post game but pre AC/Geostigma, no mention of anything DOC coz I haven't played it. Yuffiecentric. R&R. Reworked and reposted.


Traditional Deterioration

Prologue

Yuffie sat on the rail of the Highwind looking over at Midgar; they were parked just outside the city. It was still standing after the near collision with Meteor but it would take several years of regeneration to get it back to normal, well, normal without Mako.

"How's the ship?" Yuffie turned her head to see Cloud asking Cid. Taking a draw from his cigarette, Cid kicked the rail making Yuffie give a surprised squeak and clutch on tighter; Cid flashed a teasing grin her way.

"I'll get a few more flights out of her but after that I'll have to take her apart and rebuild." Cid did seem a bit sad at that. Cloud nodded as Tifa suddenly popped up besides him.

"Come on, guys, we've had one hell of a day. Let's go back to my other place in Sector Six and crash there. Then tomorrow - I think we should celebrate." There were tired smiles and a general agreement all round. The pilot threw out the rope ladder. Barrett was one of the last to head down, he turned to the ninja.

"Yo, you coming, kid?" He gestured to ladder. Yuffie nodded, for once not speaking. She stood on the rail and somersaulted down. Barrett blinked - how she still had any energy left, he did not know.


Cloud lent back against the wall, drink in hand. He smiled as he looked over all his friends. Everyone had relaxed after a good nights rest and plenty of food. Once early evening came Tifa had cranked on the music system and got the alcohol flowing, now she was sat chatting to Shera watching as Cid drank and cursed Red XIII for beating him in arm wrestling again.

"You have freakin' paws! Not arms!" He swore again as Barrett laughed, Marlene perched on his shoulder. Reeve had brought her over last night and then stayed over himself. Cloud had to admit that he preferred talking to the man rather than the stuffed toy. Even Vincent seemed to be enjoying himself as he sat on the edge of the group, but not in a corner for once.

"I think I would take your fingers off, Highwind." Vincent stated in response to Cid's challenge and although he wasn't smiling, there was mirth in his eyes.

It was then Cloud realised something was off, the sixteen year old Wutain was missing. He frowned and pushed himself off the wall to find her. He climbed the stairs and looking through the upper floor. There was no sign of her. Then he heard a soft scuffle from the roof. He opened the window and climbed up.

"Yuffie?" He called cautiously; he saw her sat with her arms curled around her knees, looking up at the stars.

"Hey, Spiky." She answered, clearly quite subdued. Cloud frowned and sat down beside her.

"What's wrong? Everyone is downstairs enjoying themselves."

"Nothing really…" She sighed. "Just wondering what happens now that it's all over." She looked at him; he could see that she was still tired. She had crashed in the living room as soon as they had arrived, evidently the adrenaline she had been running on finally left her; Cid had carried her up to her room. Cloud wasn't surprised when she was the last one to get up either; she wasn't quite as strong as the rest of them yet.

"Well tomorrow we are going to the church for a memorial for Aeris. Then Cid is taking Red XIII back to Cosmo Canyon, Vincent… wherever he wants to go, you back to Wutai and then Shera and him are going back to Rocket Town." Cloud answered. Tifa, Barrett, Reeve and himself were going to stay in Midgar and help with the rebuild.

"We all go our separate ways then." Yuffie stated sadly, dropping her head onto her knees. Cloud put an arm round her and gave her a side hug.

"Hey don't worry; we are only a phone call or a short plane ride away. Come on, you'll freeze if you stay up here." With Yuffie's nod, they both made their way back inside.


"Aeris, your prayer saved us. We did the rest. I hope you have rejoined the Planet and are now at peace." Cloud spoke softly wrapping up the short memorial. The team all stood in silent contemplation around the flowerbed for a few moments, remembering their fallen friend. It was Cid who finally broke it.

"Well, come on whoever's comin'. The ship needs repairs and if I leave it much longer, I won't get her movin' at all." He rubbed the back of his head; he was no good at goodbyes so he left abruptly with Shera in tow. Vincent simply saluted them all before leaving.

"Come and stay with us at Cosmo Canyon whenever you feel like it. Goodbye for now." Red XIII told them before bounding out. Only Yuffie lingered, she knelt down and took one small flower from the bed before standing again.

"Yuffie, you call me if you need anything." Tifa put her arms round the smaller girl and gave her a warm hug. Cloud ruffled her hair.

"Yeah, what she said. Keep in touch or we'll come looking for you." With that he handed her a small bag.

"What's this?" She asked opening it and seeing a fair few small coloured orbs.

"All the baby materia born in our fight, plus a mastered Cure, Fire, and Leviathan, of course." Cloud answered with a smile. Then Yuffie grinned, her first proper smile since they had got back. She pounced him and gave him a hard hug.

"Come visit me!" She yelled as she ran out.


Cid moved the ship's wheel expertly, cig hanging carelessly out of his mouth. He glanced over to the ninja lying sprawled out on the deck in front of the window going green.

"I know you ain't well, kid, but yer gonna have to be my last stop." Cid felt sorry for her as the ship rolled shakily and Yuffie groaned getting up and running to the bathroom. Cid frowned as he watched her retreating back.

"She has not been herself." A voice from the side of him made him jump and he lost his cigarette.

"Damn, you creepy bastard! Don't do that!" Cid cursed the ex-Turk. "But yer right; she has been too damn quiet. Somethin's up with her." Vincent nodded in agreement as Red XIII padded up besides them.

"Maybe she is homesick? I am sure she will perk up once she is back in Wutai." The flame red creature commented. Cid nodded that he'd heard, thinking to himself. Eventually Yuffie stumbled back in holding onto her stomach.

"Hey, kid, I can drop you off first if you'd like? Do the others on the way back." Cid offered.

"No, no, Cid, keep to the original plan… I'll be fine." She insisted. The more time she could put between now and returning home the better… even if she had to be sick to her stomach to do so.