21. rose (yuffie, all)

Yuffie was neutral about Valentine's Day. I mean, she was a ninja. She had better things to do, right? Yet here was February 14th, and Yuffie was stomping down the hallway like she wanted to punch a hole in the floorboards with her bare feet.

Before she had come to Hollow Bastion and Traverse Town, back in her old world, she had been a princess. Literally. "The Single White Rose of Wutai," they called her. And while Yuffie would just as happily chuck a tiara in the mud or melt it down to make some new weapons, there was one part that she liked.

Every year, she got a white rose. Usually on Valentine's Day, and usually from her father Godo (even though she hated his guts, you didn't look a gift horse in the mouth right?) This tradition had been kept up the last few years, with a rose randomly showing up somewhere she frequented on Valentine's Day.

Not this year.

She had waited until after lunch, and then had furiously searched all of her usual stomping grounds. Not even a thorn.

It was then that Yuffie got desperate.

"Whaddya want, brat?"

"Nothin." Yuffie wandered around a gummi ship, finding Cid's feet poking out one side. "So, what're you up to?"

Cid rolled himself from under the ship, a suspicious look in his eyes. "I'm fixin' Sora's ship. What does it look like?"

"Cool it, old man! I was just tryin to make some conversation--"

"Whenever you just make conversation, some of my munny just disappears right outta my wallet!"

He had her there.

"Yuffie, I have to file all of this and still get over to the Caverns before six tonight. I am not in the mood."

She leveled her most serious Yuffie-glare at him. "Jeez, Squall! I just asked you if you mighta seen something that you don't normally see around here. That's all."

He heaved a sigh. "What kind of thing?"

"Well, er, you know. Just something out of the ordinary, right? I figured with you being everywhere you'd probably know, so I just came right to Squally and--"

He shoved her out with an eloquent goodbye. "It's Leon."

Cloud was beating the pulp out of a random rock when Yuffie found him. "Heya, Spike!"

He eyed her warily, noting the slightly unbalanced look in her eyes. "Um, hi, Yuffie."

She plopped down next to him. "So, I was thinking. You and Aerith are close, right?"

"What?"

"And you would probably know if she went and bought a bunch of flowers, right?"

"Yuf--"

"So did she?"

Cloud blinked. "Yuffie… I don't follow Aerith everywhere, you know."

She threw up her hands. "Men!"

To top it all off, Aerith was gone. Yuffie found a note tacked to the fridge. Had to help with a birth, it read. Madge is having labor pains. I fixed some sandwiches for everyone, they're in the refri—

Yuffie tore the note in half, scowling deeply. It was nearly nighttime, and the White Rose of Wutai was still rose-less. She stomped down the hallway, yanking open the door to her room. Lousy little jerks. Just like them to forget, take care of the whole freakin town first—

Her foot came down on something slippery, and Yuffie's feet shot out from under her. Trip? The Great Ninja Yuffie never tripped! Something strange was going on here.

She opened her eyes, and found herself staring into her room. More accurately, her room that was absolutely drenched with pure white roses.

Maybe she would forgive them after all.

Yuffie's nickname is the White Rose of Wutai. So I had to do something for her on Valentine's Day. For all of you people out there who hate all the fluff stuff on the fourteenth of Febuary, here's something fluffless from me. Now excuse me while I search for new Sokai, Cleris, Larxel, and Squiffie fluff for Valentine's!

And to everyone, thank you for all you reviews for Pleach! They were very much appreciated. This oneshot should push Espy over 100 reviews, yeah! Best way to show love is reviewing. It's been scientifically proven.

ÇőмîŋĢ Ůþ ŅëχŁ: A goat talks about dancing, and Cloud actually listens.