DISCLAIMER: Nope... still don't.
Yuffie looked around her room once more
Yuffie looked around her room once more. "You'll send all my stuff, right, Tifa?"
The older woman looked at her sadly. "Of course, Yuffie. I'll send Cid with it."
"And you'll come for my wedding?"
At this Tifa smiled, but it looked forced. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Yuffie smiled at her long-time friend, tears filling her eyes. She hurriedly swiped at them. "Sorry," she started. "I'm just gonna miss you guys."
Tifa pulled her into a tight hug. "We'll miss you too," she assured her. "At least you're showing up in style, right?"
Yuffie snifled and nodded. Tifa guided her outside and towards the helicopter sitting in her parking lot. The ninja got inside the helicopter and sat down, her expression blank, as Tifa sent Reno and Rude inside to gather Yuffie's bags.
The bartender hugged Yuffie a last time. "Make sure you call or write or something, okay? I want to know all about the stuff you do to get ready."
Yuffie forced a smile. She knew Tifa was trying to make this sound as if it was a new, exciting adventure, and Yuffie appreciated that. However, the young woman didn't really care for getting married from a selection of rich men.
"Don't worry, Tifa. I'll make sure to tell you everything," Yuffie told her, hugging her harder. "And tell everyone that I can't wait to see them again."
"Can do," Tifa assured her as she backed away from the 'copter. The rotors of the helicopter started spinning. Tifa continued to wave even as the machine lifted off the ground and flew away.
A comforting arm slid around Yuffie's shoulders. The princess looked up at Elena. "Why couldn't Cid drive me?" Yuffie asked.
"Rufus wanted to use this as another peace-thingy," Elena told her with a roll of her eyes. Yuffie nodded, and for the rest of the trip to Wutai, she remained silent.
--r-e-e-f-i-e--
"Yuffie." A hand shook her shoulder. The woman jumped. She hadn't even realized that she was asleep. "We're here."
Yuffie looked up at Elena. "Oh. Okay."
"Reno and Rude have already greeted the welcoming committee and they're unloading your stuff," she told her softly. "I wanted to say goodbye before you go. Make sure you keep in touch, okay?" she asked, hugging Yuffie tightly.
"Bye Elena," Yuffie sniffled, hugging her back.
Wiping her eyes for the second time that day, Yuffie left the helicopter and walked towards the palace. Elena tagged behind her, and Yuffie realised that she would have to be professional in her goodbyes in front of the Royal Household.
Sure enough, when the pair reached the greeting committee, Elena turned to her and bowed slightly.
"It has been an honor Princess Kisaragi," the woman said softly.
"It was an honor to work with the Turks and Mr. Shinra," Yuffie replied politely, nodding at Elena.
"Princess," Rude and Reno spoke simulateously. The pair bowed, and Yuffie nodded regally in reply. Secretly, she was delighted that she remembered the small details of how to act as a princess.
Yuffie was greeted enthusiastically but very respectfully by her welcoming committee. She was guided inside the palace and shown to her new room. No sooner had the door closed then a shy voice whispered a name.
"Miss Yuffie?"
Yuffie spun around, the voice striking a chord in her memory. A small Wutainese woman stood behind her. She was a little older then Yuffie, and there was nothing particularly special with her appearance, but at the sight of her, Yuffie's face broke into a wide smile.
"Aina!" the woman screeched. The pair leaped towards each other, hugging fiercely. "How are you? I didn't know that you would still be working here!"
Aina laughed. "I wasn't working here, but when they asked me if I'd like to be your maid again, I had to accept. I'm acually married now!"
"Married?! To who?!"
Aina giggled. "Remember that stable boy that used to fancy me?"
"No!"
The pair laughed and exchanged news from over the years. Yuffie hadn't seen her friend and maid since she had left to look for materia. It was wonderful to see her again. The pair talked until a knock rang out from the door.
"Come in!" Yuffie yelled.
"Miss Yuffie," the woman said with a sigh, opening the door. "I know you were taught better then that."
"Suzu?" Yuffie gasped. "It's been so long since I've seen you!"
"Yes, yes," Suzu said impatiently. "I'm well aware, milady. However, I'm simply here to tell you that I shall be serving dinner in an hour, and you are to dine with your father."
Yuffie smiled. The kitchenmaid had always acting harsh, but she was a softie at heart. In fact, Suzu was the person who would sneak Yuffie snacks at night.
"I will be there!" Yuffie declared cheerfully. The kitchenmaid's face brightened with a fond smile, but she merely nodded and left.
"Time to get you ready then, milady!" Aina declared. "Only an hour! It's a good thing I asked to have a bath run for you before dinner."
--r-e-e-f-i-e--
Yuffie fidged in her kimono. It was made from the finest silk and was the color of the clear sky. It was accented with white flowers scattered over the fabric and a white obi. Aina finished the simple makeup and allowed Yuffie to finally look in the mirror.
"Wow…" Yuffie said, startled.
"You forgot how lovely you look in a kimono, huh?" the young woman asked her mistress.
Yuffie smiled at her. "I suppose I have to go to dinner then, huh?" Aina nodded and led her to the dining hall.
When the pair reached the area, Godo stood to greet them.
"Yuffie, my daughter," he murmured. "Welcome home. You look beautiful."
"Thank you father," Yuffie replied stiffly.
"Yuffie," the emperor said suddenly. "You have come home. As you know, your wedding is coming up, so I have selected a choice of possible husbands. I know it is soon, but I would like you to meet your first suitor, Lord Dazai."
A tall, well-dressed man walked into the room. "Emperor Kisaragi," he said politely, turning to Godo. When he turned to Yuffie, she saw that he was extremely good looking, and she felt a blush start to cover her face. "Princess Kisaragi," he added.
Just the way he said that made the small attraction vanish. A smirk had found it's way across his face, and she felt replulsed. She could tell from his tone that he knew he was good looking, and that he expected her to fall at his feet.
She suffered through dinner. "Lord Dazai" was a jerk, plain and simple. When he finally bid his goodbyes, Yuffie immediately turned to her father.
"I'm not gonna marry him, so I hope you have a plan B," she informed him coldly. His face fell. "He was the richest, wasn't he?"
Godo sighed, but nodded.
"I can't wait to meet the next one," Yuffie said with fake cheerfulness. She turned and walked back to her room in a huff, Aina trailing behind her.
A/N: Yeah... I basically hated this chapter. I needed it to start it moving though. Next chapter. Next chapter will be better. I promise. Oh, and btw, this is now my most popular story with 1117 hits and 81 reviews! I'm so happy... especially since that's only in 9 chapters, and I'm still going! Thank you to those who have encouraged me and helped me through. Please, I know people are reading this, so R and R, especially if you have it on alert and haven't reviewed.