Hey. :) I hope you're well, 'cos I'm not. Meh. I think I'm gonna sleep some more, after this.
I don't own Final Fantasy VII. Though I am going to attempt to overthrow Square Enix in the near future. Their empire will soon be mine, and I will only share it with reviewers. :D
It had been two months…in which Kai hadn't contacted me once. I'd seen him once, but I don't wanna think about that right now. I'm busy thinking of nicer things…like the two glorious months of bliss with Vincent I'd had. I was completely happy right now.
Well…almost.
"I hate these sneaky bastards!" I suddenly announced, slamming down the file I had been going over for the sixth time.
"Agreed." Vincent said, closing his own file and pinching the bridge of his nose as though he had a headache. I sighed tiredly.
"Aspirin?" I asked, as though it was the mother of all drugs.
"Please."
I stood up and stretched gladly. We'd been going over the remnants files for weeks, and come up with nothing. They'd just vanished off the face of Gaia. I opened the cupboard where Vinnie kept his drugs (only for medicinal purposes, of course), and grabbed a packet of painkillers.
"They've obviously not been causing anymore trouble, if we can't locate them." I mused as poured some water into a glass.
"Or they have gotten better at avoiding us." Vincent commented, sounding a little weary. I pouted.
"Maybe, but who could possibly avoid you? Creepy vampire stalker." I told him, handing him the pills and water. He raised an eyebrow at me before putting the aspirin into his mouth. I smiled cheekily at him, before turning away to sort the files back into their correct boxes. I'd have liked very much to burn them, but I don't think Reeve would appreciate me destroying all our remnant info. I stacked the boxes on the dining table resentfully.
When I turned back around, I saw Vincent watching me. I sent him an questioning look, and he patted his lap invitingly. I smiled and made my way over to the armchair he was sitting in -the one he always sat in- and curled up in his lap like a loyal cat wanting affection.
And affection was what I got. He snaked his claw arm around me and reached up to stroke my hair with his other hand, before leaning down slightly and kissing me on the nose. I giggled. See what I mean about being blissfully happy?
Then someone knocked on the door, and I made a noise of disappointment before announcing, "I'll get it."
I made to get up, but Vincent wouldn't let me go. His arms tightened around me instead, and he pressed his lips to mine briefly. The person knocked again.
"Vince, you're not very good at this social stuff, are you? When someone knocks on your door, it's expected that you answer it." I told him, trying not to laugh. He "hn"ed before letting me get up and answer the door.
I swung the door open and grinned, "Tenya?" I exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"
She smiled at me, "I've come collect you, Princess Yuffie. Master Kai has requested your return to Wutai."
My grin vanished instantly. I felt Vincent come up to stand behind me, "Who is this?" he asked, slightly curious.
"Oh…um, this is Tenya, my first maid. Tenya, this is Vincent, my…friend."
"Nice to meet you." Tenya smiled at him. I think he nodded to her, but I couldn't see.
"There is an airship waiting, Yuffie." she informed me, "I'll help you pack, if you like."
"You're leaving?" Vincent sounded crestfallen. Well, to me he did. To Tenya his tone probably didn't change. Or maybe it did; she's perceptive that way. I turned to face him, hoping to reassure him with a look. I don't think it worked.
"Why does Kai want me to go back to Wutai? Does he realise how long the journey is?" I asked, turning back to Tenya.
"He didn't say, Lady. He just said it was very urgent and important you come back."
I sighed, "He is such a pain in the ass."
I didn't want to go back, but Kai had said he'd need help with Wutai soon, and it had been a while since I'd seen my homeland. I was sort of neglecting it. I turned to Vincent again, communicating with my eyes. I knew he was reluctant to let me go, but eventually he nodded in understanding.
"You don't have to help me pack Tenya, I can manage. Where's the airship waiting?"
"Just outside Edge, not that far a walk away. Should I wait outside for you?"
"Yeah, I'll be ten minutes." I told her. She smiled and nodded, turning to leave before I closed the door.
"I'm sorry Vinnie," I said, "you know I don't want to go."
He sighed as we headed back into his living room again, "It's alright. If it's important, you need to go."
I looked at him sadly. "Yeah…" I mumbled, "I'll go grab some stuff then."
I made my way into his bedroom where I opened our wardrobe and grabbed some clothes, stuffing them into a large shoulder bag. I paused as I was about to close the doors, gazing at the few items of clothing Vincent owned. He almost always wore his leather suit and red cloak combo, but he did have some normal looking clothes that I had bought for him. I bit my lip, before taking a plain black t-shirt of his and folding it neatly, placing it into my bag. It's not like he'd miss it.
I stepped back into the living room, where Vincent was waiting. I smiled slightly and walked over to him, "…I'll call you."
He nodded. I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down a little, but he didn't comply like I expected him to.
"You need to go." he said, reaching his hands up to untangle himself from me.
"Oh. Right." I let go obediently, slightly disappointed. He was mad at me for having to leave, I could tell.
"Um…bye, then." I said, turning and walking towards the hallway.
"Goodbye." his reply was so quiet I barely heard it. I stopped.
'Oh, fuck it.' I thought, turning around and running back, jumping into Vincent's arms unexpectedly like a ten year old. He was caught off guard, and stumbled backwards a few steps, but managed to stay upright. I wrapped my arms and legs around him and held on like the restoration of Wutai depended on it.
"I don't want to go." I mumbled into his neck, sounding like a ten year old. He sighed, but it sounded vaguely amused.
"It's urgent you do, apparently." he replied, supporting my most of my weight with one arm, as the other rubbed my back.
"Don't care." I told him, lightly digging my nails into the base of his neck to get my point across.
He sighed again, "You can't neglect your duties."
"Yeah I can."
Vincent's hands moved from their comforting/supporting position, and instead both of them rested on my waist as he attempted to prise me off him. I gripped him even tighter, hoping to stay locked there.
"Yuffie, let go."
"No." I responded stubbornly, clutching at him. He chuckled once.
"…Come on, I'll walk you to the airship." he coaxed gently.
I made a loud noise of protest.
He thought for a moment, "…I have a gift for you, if you'll let go."
Ooh…tempting. "…What kind of gift?"
"You'll have to let go to find out."
I pressed my lips together, thinking, "It better be good."
"I think you'll like it." he told me, squeezing my waist.
Slowly, I loosened my grip on his neck, and pulled back to look at him, "Is it materia?"
"No." he answered, smirking slightly. I pouted.
"Then no deal."
"But it is an antique. And rather pretty."
I liked pretty things. And shiny things. It would hurt to see it.
"…Fine then." I unwrapped my legs from around his waist, and he set me on the ground gently.
Not completely letting go of my waist, he guided me over to the fireplace. I tried not to let the curiosity show on my face as he opened a small, decorative box made of oak. "Close your eyes." he requested quietly. I did so, and he let go of my waist. I couldn't help but crack one eye open to watch him.
"…No peaking." he said. I snapped my eye shut again.
One, two, three, four, five…I counted the seconds, before I felt something cool around my neck. I opened my eyes quickly and looked down.
Vincent was fastening a locket around my neck. I raised my hand and touched it briefly.
"Oh, wow." I whispered. The locket was small and heart shaped, and rested just below the hollow of my throat from the silver chain it hung from. It was incredibly pretty. And forget shiny, it glittered with the little diamonds adorning it. You know what they say, diamonds are a girls best friend, and I had a feeling me and this necklace were going to get along like a house on fire.
He moved to stand in front of me, "…It was my mothers, so it's quite old, but it still works."
"Works?" I asked. He smiled a little, before reaching up to open it with careful fingers.
I gasped as the locket began to play a melody for me. I could even see the little cog wheels on one side of it turning as it played. On the other side of it was an inscription that read;
'Eh seht, puto yht raynd.' It meant, 'In mind, body and heart.'
I opened my mouth to ask, but Vincent beat me to it, "Yes. My mother was Wutaian."
I looked up at him, and was startled to discover my eyes were filling with tears, "Vincent…" I whispered, "you big jerk, you're making me cry."
I half laughed, half sobbed. He closed the locket gently, and embraced me.
"You don't like it?" he asked.
"No! I love it, too much!" I responded, "What if I break it? Oh god, that's sounds just like me…I'm so clumsy I'll-"
He silenced me with a brief kiss, before pulling back to look at me, "I know you'll take care of it."
I looked down at the locket again. I felt weird wearing it, like I wasn't…beautiful enough for it. It was just so perfect, with tiny, silver intricate swirls, surrounding the diamonds in a decorative symmetrical pattern. And it played a melody when opened! What kind of outta-this-world locket does that? I brushed it lightly with my index finger, biting my lip.
"I can't accept this Vinnie." I told him, looking back up again.
"Why ever not?" he asked, looking slightly hurt.
"I love it, I really do." I said hurriedly, "But it's…I dunno. Too beautiful. I feel like, I'm not worthy."
He blinked, then started to laugh.
"Vinnie! Don't laugh at me! I'm serious!"
He shook his head, still chuckling, "You're a strange little thing, Yuffie Kisaragi."
I frowned at him until he stopped laughing.
"How could you not be worthy of anything?" he said, "You silly girl, you deserve the world."
He kissed me again, a sweet, long-lasting one this time. Don't ask me how, but the way his lips tasted never failed to make my knees turn to jelly. When we broke apart, I realised my fingers had become tangled in his hair, and my lips were tingling madly. And my knees were still wobbling, damn it!
"I want you to have it; do with it as you please." he said, sounding a little out of breath, "It's yours now."
I took a deep breath, "O-okay…thank you."
He smiled, and stroked my cheek with his the back of his hand, "I love you."
"I love you too." I responded gently, leaning up for another kiss.
-x-
As Tenya slowly and gently combed through my hair, I got more and more annoyed.
"Tenya, just tell me where the hell he is!" I commanded, turning in my seat to face her, "I don't see why I have to get dressed up just to find out what this big emergency is!"
"Master Kai requested you look your best." she said cryptically. I tried to growl, but I think it came out more like a whine. "There. All done. You look beautiful Yuffie." she said, squeezing my shoulders and smiling. I turned back to the mirror, and noted that I did look quite nice. A little makeup can go a long way.
"I don't like this kimono." I said, tugging at the long sleeves, "It's pink."
"A light pink though." Tenya said, "I know that's the one you despise the least."
"It's still pink." I pouted.
She sighed, "Come on, Prince Kai is waiting for you."
I stood up and followed her out of my (oh, and Kai's) room. She escorted me through the throne room, where Godo nodded to me once in greeting. I granted him a look, before continuing to the palace gardens.
"Tenya, could you at least tell me…wow." I think my eyes widened to the size of diner plates.
There were pretty, multicoloured oriental lanterns that hung from a white canopy, over a small, circular dining table. Standing near the table was Kai, looking decidedly handsome in a men's kimono. He smiled at me as he walked over.
"Good evening, Princess." He said, taking my hand and kissing it lightly.
"What's all this?" I asked, astonished.
"This, my dear," Kai gestured to the table, "is a particularly romantic dinner for two, that will have three fantastically delicious courses, thought-provoking conversation and more wine than is strictly necessary."
I laughed, "So wait, this is the 'very urgent and important' reason I had to come back?"
"Essentially, yes." he answered unashamedly, "But there is a lot of work to be done…later."
I laughed again, "Okay…"
"Thanks for delivering her, Tenya." Kai said to her as he led me towards the table.
"You are most welcome, sir." she replied as she bowed a little, before retreating back into the palace.
He led me away from the patio towards the centre of the garden, where there was a large, raised platform made of stone. He pulled a chair out for me, and I sat.
"Well…this was unexpected." I commented as he sat down.
"Good. I wanted to surprise you." he responded, opening a bottle of red wine, "Would you like some wine, dearest?" he offered, pouring some for himself first. I grinned.
"Yes please, good sir." I said, laughing. He chuckled as he poured some into my wineglass.
"So what's the occasion?" I asked. He shrugged.
"I just wanted to do something nice for you. It's been a while since I've seen you." he said, "How have you been?"
I smiled, "Great. You?"
"Okay. Working hard, as always. I missed you."
"I missed you too." I lied, "How's my old man lately?"
"Fine, as far as I'm aware. You didn't see him?"
"Didn't talk to him." I answered shortly. Kai nodded once in understanding.
"…And here comes our starter. We are having rice cakes with a variety of dipping sauces." Kai informed me as a maid made her way across the garden.
"Sounds yummy." I replied. Now that I thought about it, I was kinda hungry.
The maid set the large plate in the middle of the table and bowed to us before leaving. I picked up a rice cake and dipped a little into a dark red sauce, before popping it into my mouth.
"Good?" Kai asked. I nodded, before swallowing.
"Really good." I said, picking up another rice cake. He smiled, taking one himself.
"Um…how have things been here?" I asked.
"So so. The people seem happy, now that Wutai is growing again." he responded. I smiled.
"That's good."
He nodded. "What about your friends in Edge? How are they?"
"They're very well, thank you. Tifa really enjoyed our spa weekend, Cloud's missing quite a bit of gil, and Vincent…" I trailed off, not knowing what to say, "well, he enjoys moping around his apartment all day, unless he's working."
Kai nodded, "Huh."
I took a gulp of my wine, feeling awkward.
"Oh, what about your missions?" he asked.
I frowned, "They haven't been going so well lately. These remnants are so…" I trailed off again.
"Annoyingly skilled and deceptive?" he supplied. I nodded.
"Yeah, exactly."
Most of the dinner past quickly, while Kai encouraged me to talk about work and the WRO. We had sushi for the main course, along with some spare ribs thrown in too. I'd hoped there would be cake for dessert, but ice cream was just as good. I was enjoying myself, surprisingly. Kai really was charming, after all.
"I think the cooks have outdone themselves." I commented, scooping more chocolate ice cream into my mouth.
"I agree. I think it's because you've come back. Everyone's happy you're here…especially me."
I smiled gently, "Glad to know I'm so loved."
Kai reached across the table and threaded his fingers with my own. "I love you, you know."
"Me too." I responded, smiling.
He sighed, "Do you? Really?"
I blinked, then swallowed loudly, setting down my spoon. "…Yes. Of course."
A corner of his mouth lifted, "I don't think you do."
My heart began thumping madly, "What?"
"You obviously don't love me. Why is that?"
He looked like he was expecting an answer, but I had no clue what to say. Kai gazed at me impassively, before his eyes moved to my neck, and he frowned.
"That's a beautiful necklace." he murmured, "Where did you get it?"
I didn't see the point in lying…I couldn't think of a decent lie anyway; my thoughts were all over the place.
"Vincent gave it to me." I replied honestly. Kai snorted, looking annoyed.
"He's giving you gifts now? If I didn't know better, I'd say he was trying to court you."
"…Don't be ridiculous." I responded, wrenching my hand from his own, "Vincent's not like that. We're just good friends."
He was about to say more, but I decided it was best to steer the conversation away from me, and towards him.
"I don't know how you can say Vincent is trying to court me…" I said, "when I saw you doing just that to another woman."
He blanched, "Excuse me?"
"Oh, don't play dumb!" I snapped, "I saw you in Kalm, when Tifa and I had our spa weekend. You were with someone else, and I saw you buy her a bouquet of flowers and you walked away hand in hand. How dare you say Vincent would court me? You're so hypocritical!"
"How dare you talk to me that way!" he responded angrily, "Her name is Adrianna, I know her through Yuriko. She's just a good friend."
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself countering with something malicious. I could hardly talk, I was having an affair. It was possible they could just be friends.
"I think we should go inside now, it's getting cold." I said tonelessly, standing up. I began to walk towards the palace, and Kai fell into step beside me.
"You shouldn't talk to me that way." he told me, "Have you no respect? You cannot talk back to your husband."
I snorted, "I'll do what I please! Honestly, I have minimal respect for you. You have to earn it, you don't just get my approval just because you're my husband!"
"You're so infuriating! Why must you be so difficult? Through everything, I still love you, and yet you have no respect for me?"
I stopped and turned to face him, "Stop saying you love me when it isn't true! We haven't known each other for long enough! I'm only yours on a piece of paper! I'll don't love you and I never will!"
Kai's arm was a blur, I didn't even have time to block. He slapped me across the face, hard. My head snapped to the side with the force, and my cheek instantly began to sting painfully.
"Do not talk back to me! You will learn to respect me Yuffie! Now get inside!"
I stared at him in shock for a few moments, before I hurriedly obeyed.
Dum dum dum. Shock horror. I love the drama! :D
In my head, that little locket plays the beginning of Davy Jones' theme from Pirates of the Caribbean. (Did you hear there's a fourth movie coming out? YAY!) :) Of course, it can play whatever you imagine it to. I so badly want a locket that can play a tune! Unfortunately, I don't think they exist. I was debating whether to use Al Bhed or Spanish for Wutaian. 'Cos I'm currently learning Spanish, but I decided Al Bhed would be better.
Anyways, thanks for reading! Please drop a review if you have time!
xoxo