Disclaimer: I don't own FFVII.
Twenty Five
-Lonely-
He frowned slightly, the collar of his cloak conveniently hiding his face from her as he contemplated the sudden crisis thrown before him. He wanted to ask why she was here, but he already knew the answer. It felt like his stomach had fallen out and there was a gaping wound in its place.
She looked like she was having a hard time keeping her temper in front of him, and he noticed her hands balled into fists at her sides. She'd been hoping for a different reaction at having shown up at his doorstep unexpected and in the middle of the night.
"Nice to see you?" She growled menacingly, clenching her teeth and glaring up at him sharply. "I stole a chocobo and ran all day and night to get here and that's all you can say? I haven't eaten since Wutai and I can't remember the last time I actually got any sleep." He wanted to smile, but he couldn't forget the importance of the situation.
She lowered her head and he felt that wave of dread wash over him as her shoulders began to shake.
"I haven't seen you in four months!" Her voice broke and she glared up at him with tears in her eyes.
A part of him barely held back the reaction to roll his eyes. She really was just a child…
But he didn't push her away when she crawled into his lap while he sat on the miserable old sofa. His back stiffened defensively, but if Yuffie noticed she ignored it. She leaned her head against his chest gently and closed her eyes, listening to his heart pound violently.