So, here it is. The long awaited update. Yeah I know, I deviated from my usual two week update but life got busy. Once again, thank you so much to everyone who reviewed. You guys are greater than great! Stupendous! Magnificent! Some other word that exceeds those things that hasn't been invented yet! Hmm…you want to read the story now huh? Very well. Fine then. I'll leave you to it. Sheesh. Don't forget to thank my splendiferous beta. Really, he's a swell guy. Just swell I tell ya! Have you heard about how swell he is? Enjoy this latest chapter friends.
~Isa
Disclaimer: Wow, so much has happened in the past few weeks. I took over Square-Enix, told them to get to work remaking FFVII for the PS3 because buying the original version from their on-line store to play IS NOT the same thing, ordered my own fully operational Fenrir for my own fun and enjoyment complete with swords, became a multi-millionaire and have decided to spend my days trying to figure out how to genetically engineer real live chocobos. It should also be known that this particular author, having written this, is expecting lighting to strike her at any moment for telling such a blatant lie. Yup, any minute now.
Chapter 14
One Step Forward, Two Steps…Sideways. Can You Follow?
Metallic grey eyes scanned the room quickly, found it lacking, and turned away as a sigh was heard. The next room yielded the same results, and the next, and the next. The stables had been a disappointment as well. And now so was the airship, hospital, Emergency Triage Center, Judoki's cabin, Nanaki's library, and the caves. No matter where Yuffie looked she could not find the current object of her interest.
Feeling not a little bit frustrated, the ninja left the Sheraonce more and stood at the edge of the canyon looking down on the town below. The slight wind blew her hair back and felt refreshing under the glaring sun, but Yuffie paid it no mind. Her thoughts were going through a mental checklist of all the places she had been.
'What the hell?'
It was getting ridiculous and Yuffie decided she'd had enough. It was now two days since 'The Incident' as Yuffie had dubbed it in her head and since then she had seen neither hide nor hair of a certain gunslinger. Not even a bit of red cape fluttered by her. Yuffie could only come to one conclusion about this, Vincent Valentine was avoiding her. Again.
'The big scaredy cat.'
Certainly not a term one would normally think to apply to the silent gunman but damn it, if the cape fits. What could he possibly be afraid of? The man was acting as skittish as a new born chocobo. It was just a kiss for crying out loud. Lots of people shared them. Although, if Yuffie were being honest with herself, something she generally tried never to do, it was one hell of a kiss. Had she been wearing socks they would have come right off. For a man that spoke so little, he certainly knew when and how to put that mouth to good use.
But the question remained, where was he? Here she was trying to be adult about the situation and find out what exactly the situation was and the man had pulled the disappearing act. Well, if she couldn't talk to the man himself about it she would have to do the next best thing.
Spinning around, Yuffie turned her back on the stunning vista below and returned to the airship. There was one person she knew she could talk to about this and by all that was ever holy in this world she would get some kind of answers. Rounding the corner, the ninja came to a skidding halt just inside the doorway of Cid's private kitchen.
"Tifa!"
The taller woman jumped slightly and dropped the plate she was rinsing in the sink. "Yuffie! What in the world? You scared the daylights out of me! What is the matter?"
"We need to talk. Now preferably but definitely not here."
"I don't understand. Is there some kind of problem?"
"That is what you are going to tell me. Now lets go, these walls have too many ears and I only need yours."
Tifa was reaching to turn off the faucet as Yuffie had grabbed her hand and proceeded to drag her out. "Ok, Ok! Just let me turn this off first!"
"Well hurry damn it! I've been waiting two days and I need answers now."
"Two days? Why have you been waiting to talk for two days?"
"Because I was hoping to go to the source but the source has decided to be stubborn and stupid and ugh! So now I'm talking to you."
"Source hmm?" The brunette said aloud as the pair left the airship and continued to the opposite edge of the canyon. "Would a certain man of the cloak wearing persuasion have something to do with this 'Source'?"
"No names, Teef. Not yet. We aren't in the clear."
Yuffie looked around searching for the ledge she had discovered the previous day. Finding it, the ninja leapt down to it and indicated for Tifa to do the same. It was a narrow ledge that led to a shallow indent into the canyon wall where the two could sit in relative shade created by a slight overhang. Yuffie had found it during her 'Great Hunt For the Red Cape', and figured it would be a good spot as there was also a cooling breeze blowing by.
"Nice place." her taller companion noted.
"Thanks. I figured this place would be as good as any. Now…hmm…now that I got you here I don't know how to begin. Damn it all to hell!" The young kunoichi said as she sat cross-legged on the warm stone with Tifa following suit. "Wouldn't it just figure?"
"Why don't you start with the beginning? I find that usually helps."
"If I knew exactly where the beginning was don't you think I would do that already?" Suddenly the ninja shot up and managed to avoid banging her head on the low ceiling. Cursing inwardly, she suddenly regretted her location choice as it lacked the room required for her to pace. "You know what? Fine. I'll just spit it out." And with her back turned towards Tifa so she wouldn't have to see the reaction, Yuffie took a deep breath. "Vincent kissed me."
There was silence. Yuffie braced herself and chanced a peak over her shoulder at her friend. Tifa was staring at her with the strangest look on her face. Her chocolate eyes were wide and her mouth looked like it couldn't decide if it wanted to fall open or break out in a huge grin, so it was trying to do both. It was very comical and under different circumstances Yuffie would have laughed. But this time all she could do was groan and sit back down with her chin propped up on her hand and her elbow resting on her knee.
"Say something!"
"I'm working on that. All I can manage so far is…wow."
"I need more than that, Teef!"
"Well give me a moment. After all, you've had two days to come to terms with news like this. I've only had a minute!"
"Oh, you think those two days have helped?"
"Have they?"
"No."
Silence again, and then, "He really kissed you? The Vincent Valentine right?"
"Mmyeah."
"Huh. Well what did you do?"
"Kissed him back."
A sly grin broke out over the brunette's face. "Really? And then?"
"I told him to think about that when he went off to brood or whatever. And walked away."
"Just like that? You just walked away?!"
Yuffie wondered if she should mention how she had basically collapsed against the side of the stables in an attempt to calm her racing heart and get her legs to start working properly because they had suddenly turned to jell-o. It had taken a good fifteen minutes. It was a miracle she had made it out of those stables at all with even a shred of her dignity intact. "Yup. Just like that."
"You are a terrible liar. Are you telling me there was nothing there? No fireworks? No happy feelings? No tingles? Nothing? You just kissed him back and walked away?"
Fireworks? Check. Happy feelings? Check. Tingles? Double check. Raging inferno that nearly consumed her in the span of a few moments? Check, check, and check. And of course, absolute surprise that all of it was happening in the first place? Big fat check. Survey over. Results confirmed: Kissing and being kissed by Vincent Valentine had quite literally turned her universe inside out and became the best moment in her young life thus far. But to Tifa all she could say was, "It was…unlike anything I would have ever expected. And better. Definitely better."
Which was the absolute truth. Had she imagined what it would be like to be kissed by the tall gunman? Until the past couple weeks, no. Hadn't given it serious thought really. But lately, in the dark recesses of her mind, and sometimes at the very forefront, it became a curiosity that had quietly grown stronger till it became a desire. One she hadn't even acknowledged she had till that very moment when she saw the look in his glowing crimson eyes as he took those final steps towards her. It had been startling, to say the least, to realize that she would be very disappointed if he didn't kiss her right then and there.
"So? What is the problem?" Tifa asked.
"Besides his sudden disappearing act, you mean?"
Her martial artist friend shrugged. "Well, yeah. Besides that. How do you feel about it? Do you have feelings for him?"
"For Valentine?!"
"We weren't talking about Cid were we? Come on, Yuffie. Don't think I haven't noticed the way you two interact with each other. Especially when you think no one is looking."
Yuffie sighed and turned to look out at the canyon laid out before them. It really was a stunning view as the desert winds and sun had turned the stones into a stunning array of colors in various shades. It was just too bad her mind was miles away and unable to fully appreciate it.
"Things have been changing between us. Things have changed, irrevocably. Besides in the obvious way." And here the young woman hesitated for she felt she was at a cross roads of sorts. Part of her wanted to tell Tifa everything, but another part of her wanted to keep it all to herself. She wanted to tell her friend how Vincent had finally started to open up to her, but the stronger part said to save it for her own memories. She felt privileged and honored to have seen the rare sides of Vincent Valentine's dry sense of humor and strange yet enduring quirks. Luckily Tifa must have understood that hesitation because she didn't press or ask for those details.
"I noticed. I saw the changes taking place in him at least. It was subtle at Fort Condor but it became more apparent later. The way he worried about you when Judoki died, and then when you disappeared, I had never seen Vincent so on edge and so close to losing control as he was when we were searching for you. He didn't sleep the entire time while we tracked you down. He was basically a one man search party. I think the reason he is avoiding you right now is because you have shaken him up. Messed with his equilibrium as it were. Not that I can claim to be an expert by any means on Vincent Valentine behaviour. But the question remains, how do you feel?"
"Honestly? I don't know. But I would like to be given the chance to find out. What do you think, Teef?"
"Well…I think you could do a lot worse than Vincent Valentine. Though I've never been able to picture him in a relationship with anyone. But then when I see the way he seems to open up around you I don't see how it could possibly be a bad thing if that is what you are worried about."
"Hmm, I guess. I just…he's being so selfish right now! He's not the only one thrown for a loop here ya know! Ugh!"
Suddenly there was a beeping noise coming from one of Tifa's pockets. Reaching down she pulled out one of the phones Cid had given everyone for emergency contact. Tifa looked at Yuffie apologetically then hit a button. "This is Tifa…right now?" Yelling was heard coming from the phone and Tifa had to pull it away from her ear for a moment. "Yuffie's here with me." More shouting was heard even though Yuffie couldn't make it out. "Don't worry, we'll be there in five minutes" Tifa pulled the phone away to give it a dirty look. "Damn insufferable man, Cid hung up on me."
"Well what's the old windbag want now?"
Tifa stood up and dusted herself off. "According to Cid we are to get our skinny asses over to the airship pronto. Something important has come up."
Yuffie got up and followed suit as the two made their way back to the top of the canyon. Nanaki ran up behind them as they got ready to enter the airship. "I see you have received the call as well." The ninja said as she reached down to scratch behind his ears.
"Yes. Cid sounded…agitated. I assumed it would be best to get here as quickly as possible."
"It is probably about our departure later this evening. Reeve and Cloud are ready to continue things since Cosmo Canyon is managing well enough on their own now."
"I bet you're right, Teef."
Yuffie noticed a certain man in a red cloak hadn't joined them and wondered if he was already there. It figured it would take an emergency of some kind to get him to show his face. Typical.
When they reached the Bridge, the whole room was buzzing with activity and everyone there seemed on edge. Cid noticed them and waved them over. He was practically chewing on his cigar he seemed so upset. Barret stood to the side with a grim look on his face. There was no sign of Vincent.
"Just got a message about an hour ago. It was sent out on all the airwaves but was encrypted. We'd been workin' our asses off trying to break the code on it and well…shit! The thing is addressed to you kid. It is a video message. You ah…damn it!" The blonde pilot ran a shaky gloved hand through his short hair then slammed a fist down on his console.
The lights dimmed and the ship's projectors started to replay the message. Malakai's face loomed bigger than life before them. Yuffie's hands fisted at her sides as she took in his sneer. The desire to wipe it off his face ate at her as she waited to hear what he had to say.
"Greetings my dear Empress Yuffie. I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits. It is a shame our meeting had to be cut short and that I wasn't able to further extend my generous hospitality to you. It was with a heavy heart I was forced to leave you and our discussion unfinished.
"I wish to take this opportunity to clear a few things up. The deadline has not changed, my dear. You have a little less than a month now to agree to the previously discussed terms. I am of course an honest man and those terms have not changed. Nor will they. However, should any attempts to renege on those terms happen on your end, results will be disastrous. You should know that I have submarines stationed a discrete distance from Wutai's beautiful shores. They are there simply for your protection dear. Should any outside forces attempt to take advantage of your country during this trying time, we are there to prevent it. It is also in your people's best interest to remain where they are. We wouldn't want any accidents to happen. I would just hate to destroy a boat of innocent civilians because I mistook them for your enemies. I'm sure you can understand what I mean and also know I am sincere in this. Any and all boats or airships will be seen as enemies of Wutai and be treated as such.
"I hope that clears things up for you my friend. Should you desire to contact me at anytime, the airwaves are always open. I'm sure your industrious little friends can help you with that. I look forward to hearing from you, dear Yuffie."
And then the projectors went off and silence filled the air. Everyone had turned to look at her with both shock and pity in their eyes. Yuffie found she couldn't breathe and her blood had frozen at his words. Xyler Malakai would not allow her people to evacuate. They were trapped.
"Yuffie…"
"This changes nothing, Tifa. You guys will continue on as planned and I will travel to Wutai."
"But you heard 'im! Asshole says no boats or airships. I'm a damn good pilot and if you want I can try to get you there…"
"No. That will not be necessary. Have Reeve and Cloud been told about this?"
"Yes. They still want to try other ways to evacuate."
"We don't have time. If we do as we have planned all along, there is a strong chance we will find the bomb at one of the remaining locations. Regardless, I will go to Wutai."
"To do what? To die?"
Yuffie winced at Tifa's words. She didn't know how close to the truth her words may very well prove to be. No, Yuffie would not think like that. Her mother's journal, it told her how to save her people. She just hoped it worked. She hoped she had enough time.
"I have a plan of course. There…may be a way to save Wutai. That doesn't mean you guys get to slack off on your end."
"Plan? What the hell you talkin' about?"
"Look, I can't tell you guys because I don't know everything myself. But I have to try this. You guys just take care of things on your end and let me take care of this. Trust me."
"Do we really have a choice?"
The shinobi woman smiled at her slightly taller friend, "No. At least I'm giving you all a heads up this time." That smile faded though as she looked around the room once more. Things were beyond serious and it was all coming to a head. People had already died and more would continue to fall in this effort to stop a mad man. She wanted to believe it was worth it. That the sacrifice of so many would not be in vain. How many of the soldiers at Fort Condor had already died? How many more before all was said and done? And would she journey to Wutai just to see the last of her wonderful people? With a furious shake of her head, Yuffie turned away from everyone without a word and rushed out of the air ship. She didn't notice the red cloak that came out of the shadows to follow her.
It was probably rude to leave like that without a word to anyone but Yuffie needed air. That Malakai would prevent her people from evacuating just made things that much worse. It further cemented the undeniable fact that the man was a bastard. His voice, his sneer, the way he kept calling her his 'friend' or 'dear' caused her to grit her teeth and her fists to clench. She could honestly say that she had never wanted to kill a person as much as she did Malakai in that very moment.
But…she did have a backup plan. Her mother's journal, still under the floorboards in Judoki's cabin, it would guide her. She didn't have much time though. It had taken her mother several weeks to map out the sacred locations and Yuffie at best had just a little over three. At least there was a detailed map to follow and she wouldn't have to spend all her time searching like her mother did. But what a mess. She would have to leave early in the morning and there was still a lot of packing to do.
And then there was Judoki's head. She could not return to Wutai without it. The first day they had arrived here, Yuffie had taken it to one of the springs in the caves around Cosmo Canyon and had spent over an hour cleaning it of all the grime and filth that had covered it. She had even combed out her mentor's hair as a last sign of respect before wrapping him in one of the gorgeous hand-sewn quilts Cosmo Canyon was becoming famous for. It was gruesome work but she wouldn't have anyone else take the honor of doing so away from her. The head of the man responsible was still wrapped in it's black cloak and would remain so until she handed it over to the Wu Shang. She would bring proof that she had avenged her beloved Sensei and advisor.
Without realizing it, Yuffie's thoughts had guided her feet through town till she ended up standing outside Judoki's door. She hadn't been here since she had made her escape almost two weeks ago, only peaking in the windows to confirm Vincent's whereabouts. Taking a deep breath, Yuffie reached forward, turned the door handle, and stepped in. Nothing had changed. She could see boot prints, most likely Vincent's, making a small circuit through the cabin in the dust. But the floorboard where she had stashed the journal remained undisturbed. Walking over, Yuffie pushed back the book shelf and lifted the floorboard. Quickly pulling out her treasure, she stood back up and plopped herself in her usual chair when visiting the cabin.
Unsealing the journal, Yuffie started to read through it once more. This time paying extra careful attention to the map her mother had drawn. It was a very detailed drawing of the geography and topography of Wutai. Yuffie took a moment to admire her mother's careful hand and attention to detail. Various points were pinpointed on the map, locations of sacred and holy places hidden in the landscape of her precious home. They were all marked in order too, indicating the correct path Yuffie would need to take. Dare she do this? Dare she hope this works when her mother hadn't even known for sure? Did she really have a choice? Could she stand knowing there may have been a way to prevent the complete and total destruction of her home and people and not even try? The answer to that was easy. She would do this and hope that Leviathan would at least meet her half way.
Not realizing how much time she had spent pouring over her mother's journal, Yuffie hastily re-sealed the book and pocketed it. Tifa and the others were set to leave in a couple hours and she still had some packing to do herself before she set out in the morning. Standing up from the chair, Yuffie did a quick stretch and took one last look around the room. There were many great memories tied to this place. But the man who helped make them was forever gone. A single ray of sunlight fell through the partially closed curtains and landed on a picture frame. It glinted off the glass and Yuffie walked over to investigate it.
It was one of the few pictures Judoki had allowed to be taken of himself. Yuffie had just completed her Wu Shang training and was grinning widely at the camera holding up her fingers in the victory sign while Judoki stood next to her with his arm over her shoulders looking for the world like a proud father as he too grinned at the camera. It had been one of the happiest moments in her life, for while she was exhausted physically and mentally, Judoki had pulled her aside and told her how proud he was of her. It was the first time he had told her so. And those words had meant more to her than anything in the world and had made it all worth it. Before she could change her mind, Yuffie reached forward and grabbed that frame, tucking it under her arm before heading out the door. With one last look at the cozy but small cabin, the young woman shook her head but held it high as she shut that door one final time before she walked away. She hoped Judoki would still be proud of her.
Deciding that her packing could wait till her friends were gone and that the remaining time was better spent with them, Yuffie decided to skip the stables and instead climbed the numerous stone steps leading back up to the airship. She found Tifa in her cabin going over her supplies and leaned against the doorframe. So engrossed was she in her task, that Yuffie had to speak up for Tifa to notice her.
"Hey."
Tifa spun around and held a hand up to her heart. "Damn you and those ninja shoes of yours. Are you always going to just come and go as you please?"
Yuffie jerked her thumb towards herself, "Empress, remember? Need help?"
The brunette just shook her head. "I'm actually just finishing up. I didn't have that much to pack as most of my things are with Cloud at the other base. What about you? Do you need help packing?"
"Nah, I'm waiting till after you guys leave. I don't have that much to pack either."
"Well, we don't leave for another couple hours, are you sure?"
"Positive. I noticed you didn't pack an extra blanket. Do you have them there or are you two managing to keep warm in another fashion?" Yuffie said as she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
Tifa's cheeks turned pink as she spun away from her friend under the pretense of stuffing more items into her pack and zipping it shut. "For your information, we have all the necessary supplies already there. Plus, not that it is any of your business, but Cloud acts as a sort of space heater on his own. His temperature is always so much higher than anyone else's. Comes in very handy sometimes."
Yuffie chuckled. "I'm sure."
The doe-eyed martial artist moved her pack to the floor and patted the space on the bed next to her as she sat down. "So, was there a purpose to this visit? More girl talk?"
The ninja shook her head as she remained standing in the door. "Actually I wanted to know if you wanted to join me on a special mission."
"Oh? What kind?"
"A very important and covert one. You in?"
Tifa stood up while proceeding to put her gloves on. "Oh yeah. I'm in." she chimed as she followed her younger friend out the door into the halls beyond. "So where are we going?"
"To find Cid's cookie stash. He moves it every time."
"We're going to steal Cid's cookies?!"
Yuffie spun around and slapped a hand over Tifa's mouth. "A little louder next time Teef, I don't think they heard you in the Life Stream. Sheesh! That man has spies all through this place. Covert mission, Tifa. Remember that." The young woman rolled her eyes as she removed her hand and continued walking down the hall, her eyes darting everywhere hoping no one had heard that outburst.
Tifa sped up to catch up with her. "Are you insane? He threatened to kill you last time."
"Are you going to chicken out on me?"
"And miss out on Shera's homemade cookies? Absolutely not! Lead on fearless one!"
"Alright! We're going to the cargo bay then." Yuffie said as she checked around the corners to make sure the coast was clear before darting over to the elevator and punching the button. With a ding the doors slid open and the two women zoomed in. "Going down!" The energetic ninja said as the doors slid closed again.
"Why the cargo bay?"
"Because Cid's been going down there for smoke breaks all the time lately."
"And? Cid smokes all the time, what is the big deal about that?"
"Exactly, he smokes ALL the time. Since when has he ever excused himself to go smoke his cigarettes? In his own ship no less?"
Tifa paused as she seemed to consider this. "You know, you are absolutely right!"
Yuffie snorted, "Of course I am! Know thy enemy and all that jazz."
When the elevator came to a stop, both women checked to halls before cautiously exiting the doors. Such action wasn't really needed as no one would question either of them as to their business anywhere on the ship but it made it more fun. Going down a second hallway and down some steps, they came at last to the cargo bay. Taking a deep breath, they opened the door and stepped through.
The place was empty except for a couple members of Cid's crew. They looked up from their work as the two stepped into the brightly lit area. "Carry on, carry on. Cid just sent us to uh…check a few things. Last minute details and all that. You know what a slave driver he is."
Tifa nodded behind Yuffie in a poor attempt to back up her words but it seemed to work as the others just shrugged and continued on with their jobs. They were used to the strange antics of their Captain and his friends. Especially Yuffie's.
"So what now?"
"Now we go to that back corner over there where those crates are stacked super high. I think I found something last time I came here searching." Weaving in and out amongst the various stock piles and crates lined up throughout the bay, the duo slowly made their way towards the corner Yuffie had indicated. Under the pretence of working under Cid's orders, the ladies ducked around the crates that formed a wall of sorts between them and the rest of the cargo area. There was a small cutout of what looked like a door in the floor near the wall. It had a small insert for a handle and what looked like a key hole next to it.
"I found this the other day when I followed him around." Yuffie whispered as she kneeled down on the metal floor next to it with Tifa leaning over her. Slowly, as though expecting Cid to show up at any moment, the ninja reached forward and slipped her hand under the small handle and gave a tentative pull. Nothing. "Just as I thought."
"Now what?" Tifa breathed as she rose back up and placed her hands on her hips. "It looks like it takes a…"
"Key?" Yuffie said as she pulled it out of one of her many pockets.
"Yuffie! How in the world did you get that?!"
The young woman just shrugged as she proceeded to slide the key into the slot. "Thief, remember?" Yuffie answered with a cheeky grin as the lock turned and she looked up at her older friend with triumph in her eyes.
"Is it possible to be an Empress and a thief?"
"Apparently."
The pair focused on their task once more though as Yuffie put the key back in her pocket and lifted the now unlocked door. Excitement and anticipation coursed through the young woman's veins as she slowly lifted the hatch. A manic grin spread across both of their faces as they eyed the prize below them.
"Jackpot."
With greedy fingers Yuffie reached into the small hole and pulled out a large metal canister. Popping the airtight seal, her nose was greeted with the awesome scent of Shera's homemade oatmeal raisin cookies. Mouth watering, Yuffie plopped herself down on the cool metal floor while making room for Tifa to do the same.
"Yuffie, you are a diabolical genius." Tifa managed to say as she popped a delicious cookie into her mouth.
The young ninja could only nod enthusiastically as she savored the flavor and pure joy that came from one of Shera's cookies. No wonder Cid went through such trouble hiding them. It was a real shame all his efforts were for naught though.
"Mmm, how in the world did you manage to get the key?"
"I watched Cid leaving the cargo bay patting his right front jacket pocket. He keeps his cigarettes in the left. So I pretended to have a klutz attack while skipping down the hall one day and crashed into him. While I picked myself up I picked his jacket pocket. And the rest…" Yuffie paused dramatically while taking a bite out of her second cookie. "Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, is history."
The pair shared contented laughter after that and proceeded to dig in. They continued to chat and munch away, completely oblivious to the rest of the world. It was the sound of heavy footsteps and a shadow falling over them that brought them back to reality.
"Yo! I thought I smelled somethin' good! Are those what I think they are?
"That depends. This could all be just a figment of your imagination."
"Is that Cid's cookie stash?"
"Yeeess."
"Shera's homemade oatmeal raisin cookies?"
"Yeeess."
"You gonna share?"
Yuffie eyed the tall gun-armed man, "If it will guarantee your silence, then yes. Please have a seat, Barret."
"Scoot your skinny asses over then!"
And so the martial artist and ninja did just that as they made room for the larger man. Was it cramped? Yes. Were they perhaps attracting way to much attention? Yes. But was it just what Yuffie needed to take her mind off their impending departure into promised danger? Most definitely. So as the laughter grew louder and the cookie stash got smaller, Yuffie decided it was one of the best moments in her life. A memory that would forever be cherished in her mind and her heart.
All laughter came to an abrupt end though as a booming voice rang loud and clear in their ears. "WHAT THE SAM HELL?! WHO FOUND MY DAMN STASH?!"
Three heads shot up and looked towards the fuming pilot standing over them with a lit cigarette clenched in his teeth. Yuffie had paused mid-bite bringing the last of the cookies up to her mouth. She grinned sheepishly as she held it out to him instead. "Heh heh, care to join us? We, uh, saved you the last one."
"YUFFIE!"
"Barret did it!"
With an angry shout Cid attempted to leap over Barret and Tifa in a futile attempt to strangle the sneaky young woman. Barret though was in the way because he too was trying to get his hands on Yuffie for just the same reasons while Tifa was trying to press herself further into the wall. "Ah hell no! Don't go blaming this on me you little Brat!"
"Yipes!" Yuffie had quickly stood and leapt straight up to catch the edge of the tall stack of crates and pulled herself over. Cid and Barret scrambled to detangle themselves as she took off towards the exit. Both the Pilot and the former AVALANCE leader were hot on her heels. Yuffie though couldn't help the laughter that escaped her lips. She had almost forgotten how much fun this was. "Shera said you were supposed to share!"
"Bullshit! Them are mine!"
"Correction, they were yours."
"Argh!"
With all the speed and agility of her youth and training, Yuffie tore through the halls and out the doors to the lower deck. Sure it was a dead end, but she had to give the guy a fighting chance. After all, he deserved the last cookie at least. Barret though had given up before he had even left the cargo bay.
Once outside on the lower deck, the shinobi woman spun around and waited. She didn't have to wait long for a moment later Cid burst through the door and stalked over to her with his hand held out. For a chain smoker the man sure knew how to run when called upon. With a smug smile on her young face, Yuffie made a grand show of placing the last remaining cookie in Cid's gloved hand. The pilot angrily chewed on it while continuing to glare at his thieving comrade.
"You know, if you didn't want me to have any you really should do a better job at hiding them."
"Fuck you."
Yuffie just laughed more as she looked out over the railing at the edge of the canyon. A hot wind blew through the canyon and she took a deep breath, closing her eyes while savoring the moment. "It worked you know."
"Huh? Your breaking into my stash and eatin' all but one?"
"Well, that too."
"What the hell else are you talking about then?"
"For just a moment, we were able to forget. Forget that we are going to be parting ways soon to go to war and fight for the planet…again. Forget that there is a mad man on the loose who wants to swallow the world with his cruelty and insanity. Forget that I'm leaving for my country in the morning with the desperate hope to save it and my people from total annihilation. We were allowed this last moment to be free of that."
Cid didn't say a word and when Yuffie opened her eyes to look over at the pilot she found his eyes trained on her with a strange look on his face. There was sadness and acceptance of her words, but there was also more than that. There were some other emotions playing behind the eyes of the often times gruff man that spoke of a softer heart than he usually cared to let on.
"You know, I think it's those moments that give us the reasons and strength we need to fight. Even when the world is goin' to hell in a hand basket and all the shit is hittin' the fan, there is always someone like you to remind us all of why we can't let it get us down. And hell, this Malakai son of a bitch is throwin' enough shit into the fans we'll be getting hit by shrapnel for years. But you know what? We'll make it. We're tougher than that. You're tougher than that." And then the pilot grabbed Yuffie, pulling her into a tight one arm hug before adjusting his grip and putting her in a headlock then giving her a Full Nelson. Rough knuckles dug into her skull for a moment before finally letting up.
"What was that for?!" Yuffie protested while rubbing the sore spot on her head and trying to calm her hair down.
"That was for only saving me the last cookie." Cid chuckled before stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets and turning to walk back inside.
"Hey, Old Man! You forgot something!"
The blonde pilot turned around and barely had time to catch the key that came hurtling towards his face. Luckily for his nose though, his hand shot up in time to intercept and he sent a glare at the grinning kunoichi. "Fuckin' Brat." he grumbled before pocketing the key once more and resuming his previous course. But the small grin on Cid's face as he turned to leave did not go unnoticed by Yuffie.
"Better luck next time, Cid!" she shouted to the door as it slammed shut. Yuffie couldn't help the grin that spread across her face.
Two hours later the sun was starting to set and Yuffie was standing at the top of the canyon with Nanaki waving to the speck in the sky that was the Shera. Vincent had reappeared long enough to say his good-byes to everyone else yet had elected to remain behind for undisclosed reasons. Not that they all hadn't guessed already. Everyone seemed to accept this as normal Vincent behaviour and had simply told him to stay safe. Tifa had whispered something in his ear that had caused the gunman to stiffen and hide behind his cloak. The brunette had simply smiled and patted his shoulder before walking away.
Then she had cried a bit while she told Yuffie to stay safe and that they would come get her and the children as soon as it was all over. Barret had said roughly the same thing before stalking off to stare out the main navigation window. His worry for his adopted daughter plainly visible in how stiffly he held himself. Cid had been wary and somewhat surprised when Yuffie pulled him in for her own tight hug.
"Remember what I told you, Kid. Stay strong. And if I have to, I'll find a way to fly this bird into Wutai to find you. Aint no fucking missiles that could stop me, you hear?"
Yuffie could only nod before releasing him. She then departed the airship with Nanaki as Vincent had already left and the two stayed behind to watch it lift off into the heavens and take their friends towards danger. Yuffie had continued waving long after she was able to make them out in the ever darkening sky.
She looked down at the fury head that bumped into her thigh. "Now what my friend?"
"We do as we always do and fight while hoping for the best."
The young woman sighed as she stood there looking out across the canyon under the twilight sky. "Meet you at the Candle?"
"Of course. I assume you two need a moment alone."
"Huh?" Yuffie spun around to question her four legged friend on what he meant by that but Nanaki was already gone and instead she found Vincent standing a couple yards behind her. The petite young woman just rolled her eyes while she shook her head. "Figures when I'm not even trying to find you that you would just suddenly appear."
The two eyed each other for a moment before Yuffie was the first to speak. "You've been avoiding me."
"Perhaps."
"Why?"
No answer. Yuffie sighed as she glared at the taller man who refused to come any closer to her. 'Chicken.' "Well are you done then?"
"Apparently."
Ugh! The man was being impossible! And Yuffie decided to tell him so. "You're being impossible. You know that? Why are you here if not to annoy the hell out of me?"
"I came to talk."
"Well you're doing a real bang up job so far."
"I'm coming with you to Wutai."
Yuffie snorted as she folded her arms across her chest. Even in the darkening light she was able to catch Vincent's eyes following the movement before snapping back up to her face. It took extreme effort but Yuffie was able to keep the triumphant smirk off her lips. "I had already figured that one out, Valentine. What else were you wanting to talk about?"
The gunslinger had narrowed his eyes slightly at Yuffie's renewed use of his surname and the ninja put another mental tally under her name on the scoreboard. "It can't happen again."
This time Yuffie was the one to narrow her eyes at the taller gunman. "What can't happen?"
"The incident."
"What incident?" Yuffie took a step closer to him.
"Down in the stables."
"The stables?" another step.
"Two days ago." Vincent was starting to sound annoyed but Yuffie was having nothing to do with it. The man had no clue how annoyed he had made her the past couple of days. Instead she continued to walk towards him. Vincent hadn't moved back but she could see his fists clench tighter at his sides with each step she took.
"Two days ago? You mean when you kissed me?" she was only two steps away from him now.
"Yes."
"And I kissed you back?" one step.
Slight hesitation then, "Yes."
"And why can't this happen again?" Now she was able to look directly up at him, trying to find some sort of answer in his eyes.
This time Vincent did step back, several in fact as he turned his gaze away from her. "Because we can't."
"Are you saying you didn't enjoy it?"
"That is not the point here, Yuffie."
"Look me in the eye and tell me you didn't enjoy it."
"I can't."
"Why not?!"
Vincent slowly turned to face her and Yuffie felt the full intensity of his gaze as it burned into her. "Because it would be a lie. And I regret that I have no regrets about it."
"But you want nothing to do with it." It wasn't a question and Yuffie knew the truth of her words.
"I don't do…relationships…Yuffie."
"So you are saying you are not even willing to give us a try? You're willing to kiss me like that and just walk away? What about how I feel?"
Vincent refused to answer as he gazed sadly upon her and Yuffie could think of nothing to say as she watched him turn away from her and head towards the winding stairs leading down to the village. "I assume you are wanting to leave around sunrise. I will be ready." And with a flap of his cloak he was gone.
Yuffie stood there for a few moments taking in what had just happened. She kicked a small rock unfortunate enough to be in her path and sent it sailing over the edge. She hoped it hit the big jerk on the head. If he thought that was going to be the end of it, he had another thing coming!
After stomping around the top of the canyon for a few minutes, Yuffie turned and stomped down the stairs as the stars were finally starting to come out that night. Several steps and ladders later, the very annoyed young woman finally made it to the Cosmo Candle where Nanaki was already waiting for her with her bedroll laid out. She had wanted to spend this last night in the canyon with him at her favorite spot but now she felt her current mood would sour the rest of the evening.
"You seem troubled." Nanaki said as she threw herself down onto her spot and proceeded to glare at the fire.
"You could say that. Although that would be putting it mildly." Yuffie said as she sat down for the first time in several long hours and began to feel the emotional strains of the day catching up with her. Exhaustion was coming on strong but she felt too worked up to sleep just yet.
"I take it you spoke with Vincent."
"Yes and it was very enlightening let me tell ya."
"I myself have spoken with him many times during the past couple of days. He is a man who has much on his mind."
"What? I had been looking all over for him trying to talk to him and you knew how to find him the whole time? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I was under the impression he didn't wish to be found. Sometimes we must work things out for ourselves before we can confront others with our thoughts."
"He talked to you."
"Yes, but I am an unbiased party."
"Humph. I just don't get it though. Sometimes he seems to finally start to open up around me, let me in you know? And then he'll just slam the door in my face and pretend nothing has changed." Yuffie let loose a gigantic yawn as she laid down and pulled the blanket up over her. "He runs hot, he runs cold. He draws me closer then he pushes me away. What is he so afraid of? Why does he only keep me at arms length? What did I do wrong?"
"It isn't something you did wrong. He still chose to go with you. That is what is important my friend." Nanaki looked over at the shinobi woman and sighed before turning his gaze to the stars above. "Maybe he does not let you in because he is afraid of falling in love?"
But the wise beast's words fell on deaf ears for the young woman was already asleep.
A/N: So…now that I finally got that one out of the way on to Wutai! I really can't tell you how excited I am about the upcoming chapters. Woo boy! Don't I say that every time? But it's true I tell ya! I just can't wait! I'm more excited than you all are and I KNOW what is going to happen. Which in retrospect would most likely explain my excitement. I happen to like this chapter. I think of it as the deep breath before the plunge. I like exploring the relationships of these people. All so different from each other with different backgrounds and personalities. Yet they are a family. I like knowing where they get their strength from. Makes them more human. I'm babbling…now I'm done. As always, I hope you liked it and can't wait to hear from you. Till next time!
~Isa