Wow, I'm surprised that people like this! ^^ Sorry for my absence, I had vacation and I also got a job so it's totally screwed with my summer writing schedule. Right now I'm working on Beauty and the Galian Beast and Single Red Rose, so fingers crossed that I get a new chapter out soon!
Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from anything here. Cool?
The dress barely scraped my knees. The color, a deep maroon hue with flecks of underlying crimson, made my dark eyes pop against my light skin, skin that was a little more exposed than I liked. I decided to skip wearing the uncomfortably beer-soaked underwear. There was nothing left for me to do but pray to Leviathan that it wasn't wind outside wear we'd be taking the picture, 'cause flashing the rest of AVALANCHE was not on my daily planner.
Vincent would like that.
He caught my eyes as everyone assembled, those vermillion orbs fleetingly dropping to the light flesh of my vulnerable thighs before languidly returning to my face. One side of his mouth inched up. I narrowed my eyes. When a slight zephyr tousled the hem of my dress, Vincent's barely there smirk increased.
For the first time in life, I associated the word "lecher" with Vincent Valentine.
"Everyone smile!" Tifa cheered, her burgundy eyes twinkling as Cloud wrapped his arm around her waist. Shera and Cid were embracing, Barret was grinning with a smiling Marlene resting on his hip. Denzel was holding up Cait Sith as Reeve stood behind them with a soft look on his face (he'd become very attached to the kiddo, almost like an uncle).
And then there was Vince and me. As the camera timer began to tick, I stood awkwardly beside Cloud and Tifa, while Vincent stood beside Reeve. Tifa's smile faltered momentarily as she assessed my inelegant placement. Moments before the camera flashed, the barmaid pushed me toward Vincent (the conniving brat!), and my world spun into a dizzying array of black, red, and maroon.
Oh no, oh Leviathan no!
I could literally feel the blood in my face race to my cheeks as strong arms encased my waist instantly, a look of split-second concern crossing the handsome gunslinger's face.
CLICK! Bright light flashed, the world stopped.
Vincent helped to right me — which only furthered my embarrassment. I'd have to hide my face for the rest of the evening! He probably thought I was a clumsy idiot!
Okay, maybe I could be a clumsy idiot occasionally, but this time it was Teef's fault!
Reeve moved to reclaim his camera while the kids raced inside (no kids ever liked picture-taking), and after briefly glancing at the picture, the commissioner's face turned red.
Dear Leviathan, please please please let it not be what I think—
Cackling, Cid threw his head back and barked, "Ever heard of underwear, brat? Your pasty butt is whiter than Vincent!"
Annnndddd there went my life, my dignity, my grandchildren's dignity—
"Yuf-Yuff-Yuffie! Wha-What happened to your panties!?" Tifa exclaimed between peels of laughter after having taken a look at the picture herself. She had only the barest hints of remorse playing at her lips. Pfft.
I suppose Vincent must've pitied me, maybe not for my humiliation, but for the fact that everyone now had seen my exposed backside (oh the violation, the defilement!), because his gaze turned regretful and contrite.
"Yuffie's… lack of undergarments is…ahem… lamentably my doing."
Honestly, if the situation wasn't so hella mortifying, I'd have been in hysterics. I just might have died from laughter. But, as it were, it was deeply embarrassing for, well, just about everyone present.
Vincent's little announcement caused quite the reaction. There was not a sound to be heard. Seven pairs of eyes blinked, but not a mouth moved.
Things got really awkward. Perhaps the eloquent-when-not-dying-of-shame Vincent Valentine's wording wasn't the best.
Finally, Cid spat, "You better explain that statement real quick, Valentine."
Let me say, I could probably count on one hand the times that I'd seen Vincent Valentine, the ex-Turk and gunslinging bad ass blush. But in that moment, Vincent's cheeks almost matched his crimson bandana.
With a choked cough, the dark-haired man restated, "What I mean to say is that… well…"
"Well, this is awkward." I decided to take over for Vincent, because let's face it, he'd probably die of embarrassment and I don't think I could handle his death very well. Stepping forward I continued, "Vinnie here, though you probably won't believe me anyway, got back at me for… pranking him. He decided to hide my underwear in response to a related prank, and then decided to spill Barret's beer on my last good pair. So yeah, he ain't as innocent as you all think!"
My eyes narrowed at Vincent, and he began to pull at the collar of his shirt, casting me a bitter look. With a grin, I shoved his arm and whispered so that only he could hear, "What, can't take the heat? Number one rule of engaging in a war with the Great Ninja Yuffie: don't engage in a war with the Great Ninja Yuffie."
I skipped away with a rather smug grin, leaving behind a very confused group and a blushing but furious maybe-vampire. So that last round was a draw. He embarrassed me, and I embarrassed him.
Looks like I'd have to step up my game if I planned to beat him.
Breakfast the second morning was delightful! Vincent could barely meet the eyes of our comrades, and I just ate a mouthful of amazing waffles with a smirk on my face. After last night's episode, Shera and I made a quick run to a nearby clothing store (after I put on shorts, of course) and I got the necessities.
The entire time we ate, I think Cid was contemplating murdering our dear friend, Vincent. The pilot had not really gotten over the situation. He firmly believed the gunman was trying to peek up my skirt (like that would ever be the case) and had decided to label him as public enemy number one.
Reeve and Cloud found it hilarious.
Tifa just felt bad for me.
I just wanted to put the vampire in his place.
Once everyone had finished breakfast, Cloud and Tifa disappeared into the living room to talk with Cid, Shera, and Barret, and Reeve took the children to the park. The only unaccounted for person happened to be the one I was most suspicious of.
"Okay, Vinnie, where are you?" I whispered to myself, slipping into my designated room. After locking the door (I wasn't gonna let him the get the jump on me!), I crossed over towards the window and unlatched it. For my next prank, I'd have to be very careful of not catching anyone's attention.
A look down told me that jumping from the second story wouldn't hurt me at all. A few seconds later, I landed on both feet in a crouch, a satisfied grin on my face. Everything was going according to—
One quick tug and I was pulled aside and into the shadows by none other than Vincent Valentine. The situation had certainly taken a turn for the unexpected, so I wisely chose to shut up and not make a move.
Vincent's blood-red eyes were filled with an unexplainable emotion, and his chiseled jaw was set firmly. The grip he had on my arm tightened almost painfully, but I refused to flinch.
"What are you—"
The gunslinger leaned down in my face and sent a wave of cool breath across my face. "Do not provoke me, ninja." His eyes blackened in a way that was so painfully sexy, I reached out and clutched at the brick wall a foot behind me to keep from pressing the hand that wasn't in his grip to his chest. "If you want to wage a war, I suggest you do so carefully."
So that's what that was about? His words caused a smirk to stretch lazily across my lips. The gunslinger thought he was a force to be reckoned with? Ha! He must've forgotten who he was dealing with. No matter, I'd be quick to remind him. After what we'd been through, I think a little friendly competition wouldn't hurt.
I took Vincent by surprise (a praiseworthy feat, if I said so myself) when I skimmed my lips against his ear. His body shivered, I could feel it the hand I had pressed against his solid chest (in the end, I couldn't refuse a chance to touch that firm plain of muscle). Breathlessly, I purred, "Careful isn't in my nature, Valentine."
My words must have sparked something carnal in him because only seconds after the sentence let my lips, I was being pinned against the wall of the house by a very infuriated Vincent. His hand slipped from my captured wrist down to the small of my back, and I had to suppress the urge to let out a pleased whimper. With one harsh tug, he pulled me against him and dug his claw into my spine.
Darkly, he growled, "You don't know what you're doing."
With a grin, I answered coyly, "Do I ever?" And then I twisted out of his grip so fast that the elder ninjas in Wutai would've been impressed. I slipped away, feeling the heat of his eyes on my vanishing figure.
Our encounter shook me to the core. My heart was beating so rapidly in my chest that it almost felt as though it would break through my skin, and a bead of sweat had collected at the nape of my neck. Even my knees felt weak.
Vincent Valentine affected me in ways that no other person, no other man ever had. If I wanted to be honest with myself, I'd have to admit that the sensation I achieved when I was near him was one that both scared and excited me. But for the life of me, I couldn't stop flirting with danger.
Because, Leviathan, was Vincent dangerous, and Leviathan, was I enjoying every minute of it.
Thank you to:
BleedingHeartsoftheWorldUnite, (I'm glad you like my characterization, thanks so much!)
FFLover31, (Thanks! I'm glad to know that since I've never actually played the game :))
Yes-4-Yuffentine, (Lol! Thank you for reading and review, and I love your username!)
Vanillabeancobain, (Thank you! ^^ I appreciate it!)
CupofTeaforAliceandHatter, (Thank you! I always love to hear that!)
, (No one does not XD I've never even thought about it that way!)
valkera, (Thank you! You always read and review everything I write, I appreciate it a lot!)
Kimera2345, (Thanks! I appreciate it~)
AshleyStieben5, (Thank you! I've decided to continue it, as you can see ^^)
JeJe, (Thanks! I'm glad you think it's casual because that's what I try to portray with Yuffie's pov :))
valentine, (Alright, thanks ^^ It's good to know that people want me to continue!)
Shi-no-Ookami, (Thank you :) More you shall see!)
melissal58, (Thanks for the encouragement! I'm definitely continuing ^^)
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