Going Farther

It didn't take long for Aerith to get a map and snowboard. The only problem was; everyone wanted to go with her. But only three could fit comfortably on the board. Some would have to think of another way to get there.

Aerith had to go through the people in her head and decide who was coming and who was not. She didn't really want Cid or Barret to come. Though she liked them, she didn't really feel like hearing them curse at each other. It wouldn't work. She debated on Nanaki, and Tifa, and Cait Sith. Nanaki didn't seem to like snow and sounded like he was coming down with a cold.

I don't want it to get worse by forcing him to come along. That would be crule.

She weighed taking Cait Sith with her. He wasn't annoying and she didn't really have a problem with him but, she didn't feel like it and Aerith never really felt comfortable around Tifa.

So in the end she wound up taking Cloud's favorite two. The hyperactive ninja and the silent vampirish ex-Turk.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Yuffie shrieked as they shot down the mountain, she raised her head and let the cold wid blow into her face.

Vincent gritted his teeth as the sound vibrated in his sensative ears. "Yuffie, please yell a little more quietly," he called over the wind.

"Sorry, Vinnie," the ninja said, a smile in her voice as she lowered her head. "This is just so fun!"

"It's not fun," he protested, glancing over his shoulder at her in annoyance. "And how many times have I told you not to call me Vinnie?!"

"A zillion."

"Then why haven't you stopped?"

"I like calling you that."

Anyway, the three, Aerith, Vincent and Yuffie were all riding on the snowboard (Don't ask how I can't explain it). They were riding down the mountain to the forest below. The snowboard was a bit cramped but they were all able to stay on.

"Guys," Aerith said from her spot in the front.

"What?" Vincent asked, who was in the middle because he was the heaviest and his weight balanced the board.

"I think Yuffie's fun is about to end."

"Why?" Yuffie asked, who was in the back, making the board slightly off balance.

Aerith pointed ahead. "That's why!" she replied, sounding strangely calm

The other two looked past her. They saw that the mountain ended abrumptly.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" they screamed as they flew off the mountain and into the air!

When Aerith opened her eyes awhile later all she saw was white. Where am I? What happened? She pushed herself up and looked around, trying to get her bearings. She saw Vincent and Yuffie lying in the snow next to her.

"Hey!" she called to them, getting to her feet quickly and rushing over. "Is everyone all right?"

Vincent's hands dug into the snow as he slowly pushed himself up. "I'm all right," he said. He looked over at her.

"What about Yuffie?" she asked him.

Vincent looked over at the ninja, who still lay face flat in the snow. "Yuffie, are you all right?"

No answer.

"Yuffie?" he said again, taking a step toward her.

She still didn't reply.

Aerith put her hands over her mouth. "Ohmigod!" she exclaimed. She could just feel it. Yuffie was dead. She had lost another friend thanks to Sephiroth.

"YUFFIE!" Vincent screamed, rushing over to her. When he reached her he knelt down and rolled her over. "Yuffie?"

She moaned.

"Yuffie?"

She opened her eyes. "I can't take it!" she shouted in his face.

"Yuffie!" Vincent exclaimed, suddenly angry. "Don't ever do that again! We thought you were dead. You had me worried."

She blinked. "I had you worried, Vinnie?" she asked, sounding like she didn't really believe what she'd just heard. "What about Aerith?"

"I... well... you had her worried too..."

Yuffie grinned. "I had you worried did I, Vinnie?" she asked acting all flirty. "Aww, that's so sweet!"

Vincent's face turned red. "Cut it out!" he yelled.

She giggled. "Whatever you say, Vinnie."

After listening to this conversation Aerith calmed down. Yuffie was all right.

Vincent finally helped the ninja up. "Where are we?" he asked, hoping this question would get Yuffie's mind out of the gutter.

"I don't know," Aerith replied. She pulled out the map. "We're near a big pine tree," she said, looking up and turning her head toward the plant. "If we go north from here we'll be at the edge of the mountain in a few hours.

Vincent nodded. "Let's go then," he said already walking away.

"Vinnie, WAIT!" Yuffie shouted, flailing her arms as she ran after him.

Aerith put the map away and started to follow them. Maybe I should have brought one of the others after all...

Well, finding the edge of the mountain was harder than the Ancient expected. It didn't help that the weather was freezing. Within minutes Aerith was almost frozen. Vincent didn't even seem to notice the snow and cold at all, even after he once again lent his cape to Yuffie who looked like she was going to melt. (And not because she was warm either)

I guess being half demon does have some adventages after all, she thought.

Finally she resorted to taking out her Fire Materia and holding it in her hands. It helped a bit but not enough.

"Are you okay?" Vincent asked, noticing the Ancient kept on rubbing her arms.

She looked at him. Now wasn't the time for being modest. "Yes," she said point blank.

"No, you're not," he said. He looked at Yuffie. "Share that with Aerith."

The ninaj looked like she was going to argue but Vincent let out an inhuman growl and she complied. She opened the cape and let Aerith join her in it.

"Thank you, Vincent," the brunette said.

The gunman nodded at her but didn't say anything.

Awhile later the three arrived at a cabin at the foot of the mountain. That's where they met Holzoff. He let them stay the night and told them his story (he put Yuffie to sleep with it) and warned them about the mountain before they climbed it.

Aerith listened carefully and thanked him for the advice.

The next morning they started their climb. Even with a few set backs they arrived at the top by mid afternoon.

Yuffie stood at the top and and stared down into an area that looked like a water spout in the center of a crater.

She whistled. "Sweet mother of Leviathan!" she exclaimed in awe. "Don't that beat all!"

Vicnetn smacked her upside the head. "Stop it!" he scolded her. Then he looked down into the crater. "What in the world it this?"

"I believe this is what is left from when the Earth was hit by Meteor," Aerith replied, looking around. "Remember those tapes?"

Yuffie looked around as well. "This was caused by Meteor?" she asked.

Aerith nodded. "It won't be so small this time if Sephiroth has his way." She started down the ravine. "Let's go."

The two followed her down the trail.

A/N

This should tide you over for now... Sorry it was so short. I didn't feel like adding all the mountain climbing stuff. I think those parts are boring and I ran out of inspiration for this chapter. I just want to say. Some of you wanted me to add the other characters well Nanaki will get his chance in here to take up some paper so will the others. Erm.. anyway I was asked by someone else to surprise you all somehow .Well I'm working on that right now. Well that's about it for now. Hope you liked the chappy. Heh, I thought adding some Yuffintine in this chappy would be perfect. I think I got it done okay. BWAHAHAHA!