Chapter Two: The Hunt
It was raining. Yuffie hated rain. She used to quite like it, when she could view it from inside somewhere warm, and dry. In the middle of the forest, crouched by a small, spluttering campfire, it was no fun at all. She knew that it was good, really, that it was raining. Nanaki had told her that the fact that it rained so much these days was a sign that Planet was recovering its natural equilibrium. She smiled. He had really come into his own lately. When he had first come back to the Canyon, he told her, he had felt lost and wasn't quite sure what to do with himself. But studying Buganhagen's books and talking with the Elders, he had learned a lot about the Planet, and decided that they all needed to take a more active role in helping it to recover. The school he had set up was flourishing, and Marlene was due to start there sometime next year. Nanaki was doing well. Responsibility suited him, Yuffie thought. She had paid him a two day visit the other week before taking the back way out through the Gi caves, so as not to attract attention.
She was currently headed for Rocket Town, hoping that Cid might lend her the Highwind for a few days so that she could make her escape faster. Idly, she wondered if Cid and Shera were together yet. Honestly, she didn't see what they were waiting for. They acted like a married couple already, for Omni's sake! That dragged her mind back to the present. It was the 3rd of December - exactly two weeks since her birthday. By Wutai's traditions, and assassin would have started tracking her a week ago. How nice of them, though Yuffie bitterly, to give me a head start. She hadn't seen anyone trailing her yet, but that meant little. Any Wutai assassin with an ounce of pride would never be so careless as to announce their presence before they struck. Hopefully, if Cid would lend her the Highwind, she could gain the upper hand, and buy herself some time to prepare. One thing Yuffie knew; sooner or later, she would have to fight. Wutai's warriors never gave up.
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Keen blue eyes scanned the dripping landscape. Curse this rain! Yuffie had slipped away again, and her hunter was forced to stop and shelter from the downpour. Calmly, the fire was made up, and the bedding laid out. The target couldn't run forever. Wutai's finest had many skills. They knew how to wait.**********
On the 6th of December, a slight, cloaked girl who wore the braids of a ninja arrived in Rocket Town. Politely, she inquired after the Mayor, but learned that he had gone on honeymoon with his new wife to a secret destination. The girl's ingratiating smile lessened somewhat. Her next question: would it be possible for her to borrow the Mayor's airship, at a fee, of course? It wasn't possible; he had taken his ship with him. Muttering several choice expletives under her breath, the girl hurried away.**********
Yuffie was worried. Despite her confidant words to Tifa, she wasn't at all relishing the prospect of fighting one of her father's elite. She was glad for Cid and Shera, of course, but couldn't they have picked some other time to go away and leave her stranded without any means of transport? Going on foot over the rough landscapes was exhausting; she hadn't eaten a proper meal in days. All she could do was try to stay one step ahead of her unseen pursuer.**********
The assassin was getting angry, despite all mental discipline. Where was Yuffie? The trail had gone cold at Rocket Town, and picking up a fresh scent was proving remarkably difficult. None of the group who had defeated Sephiroth two years ago had any idea where the young ninja was. Suddenly, inspiration struck. It was a very long shot, but it might just pay off. The warrior set off again, wrapped firmly in a cloak as protection against the frost that was setting in.**********
Yuffie was nervous. Of course, it might just have been paranoia, understandable under the circumstances, but she thought that somebody was shadowing her. Appropriate word, shadowing. She never saw more than a shadow, a fleeting silhouette that disappeared before she was sure it had been there in the first place. For her own peace of mind, she put it down to the stress of the last few couple of weeks. It would only be another two days before she reached the chocobo farm, and then she would be home free. A gold chocobo was almost as fast as the Highwind, and more flexible in the terrain it could travel. If she took it to one of the uncharted islands, she would have weeks to prepare for the coming battle, and she wanted those weeks badly. All the same, she kept more alert than she had done before, and slept less easily at night. After all, she couldn't be too careful. She was becoming more and more afraid, and that wasn't a good state of mind to have in a combat to the death.The nightmares had set in a week back. At first they were fractured, though no less disturbing because of it. But night after night, they got clearer. The great temple rose out of the dust before her, and she was pushed roughly forward. Her father stood to one side. Vainly, she reached out her hand, asking him for help, but he turned away to congratulate the robed assassin who had brought her back. Tifa appeared, and handed her a materia. 'Tifa!' she called, 'Help me!' Tifa just smiled, said, 'Good luck, Yuffie,' and faded away. The ground began to shake beneath her feet and the materia in her hand grew white hot. Alarmed, she dropped it, and as she watched it transformed itself into a great snake, which grew and grew until Leviathan himself towered over her. He swooped down, mouth open, and she heard her father's voice saying, 'You have failed, my daughter,' as she stood transfixed, staring at the rows of sharp, vicious teeth.........
Yuffie shook her head, trying to rid herself of the horrible images, when she saw a figure on the path in front of her. Small and slight, and wrapped in a heavy travelling cloak, the warrior stood at bay, silently awaiting her approach.
"Who are you?" Yuffie asked, knowing the answer already.
"The one who was sent to hunt you," the figure replied in a soft voice.
"Why haven't you killed me already?" Yuffie demanded, her voice steady although her hands were shaking badly.
"I wanted to give you a chance," came the reply. "It's not too late, Firstborn. You may still take the trials and save your life."
"I'd as soon save it by fighting you," Yuffie said, with a deal more confidence than she felt.
"As you will," said the warrior, impassively. Suddenly, the soft voice took on a more urgent note. "Yuffie, forgive me. I didn't want it to end this way, but you leave me no choice."
"Who are you?" asked Yuffie again, this time with greater curiosity and less fear. Her father's elite were said to be emotionless in the execution of their duty. This one seemed......different.
"I am the one who must bring about your death." The voice was sad, but the tone resolute. Yuffie readied herself for battle.
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Yuffie had never known a battle like it. The warrior eluded her, seeming insubstantial as a puff of smoke. Wherever she threw her shuriken, the enemy was no longer there. Twice she spun round just in time to avoid a dagger in her back. The blade was black and dull, but the tip shone. 'Poisoned weapons' she thought disgustedly, dodging another blow. 'As if I didn't have enough to deal with.' As the assassin closed in, she was forced to slash and block with her weapon in her hand. She wasn't built for close range combat. How long they fought, she couldn't tell. Her only thought was that she must end the battle before the sun went down. At night, she wouldn't have a chance against this intangible foe. At last, her assailant began to tire. Although the strikes were only a fraction slower, Yuffie noticed the difference, and rejoiced silently. Suddenly, she broke away and ran into the foliage around the path. Her opponent spun round to face her with a triumphant look; surely, in the woodlands, the younger ninja wouldn't stand a chance. Yuffie hurled her shuriken, and it buried itself in the assassin's chest. Her enemy dropped like a stone.Shaking, Yuffie approached the body, and pulled back the hood of the assassin's cloak. She gave a little cry of horror. She recognised that face. It was Carrie, her best friend, whom she hadn't seen in over four years. She had known, of course, that Carrie had wanted to join her father's elite; when they were younger she had talked of little else. But this? This was too terrible. How could Godo be so cruel as to send her only close friend to hunt her? It was beyond belief.
Carrie stirred, and moaned a little. She was alive! Barely. Quickly, Yuffie fumbled out her materia, and tried to cast Cure 3 on her, but it was too late. The injury was too serious, and the spell wouldn't take hold. Carrie's piercing blue eyes focused unsteadily on the girl leaning over her. "That you, Yuff?" she asked. Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Yes, it's me," said Yuffie, her voice breaking. "Carrie, I'm so, so sorry. Why? Why did you have to do this to me? To us?"
"Duty. All warriors of Wutai must do their duty. That's why I had to do it. I had to try and bring you back. Yuffie, there's something you have to know....." her voice trailed off unsteadily.
"Yes?" Yuffie's voice was quavering; she was close to tears.
"Yuffie, if you take the trials, Lord Godo has to step down and offer the leadership to you. The trials prove you worthy to rule Wutai. Yuffie, if you could rule......think how much better you could make it."
Yuffie looked badly scared. "I'm far too young for that kind of responsibility," she said shakily. "How could I possibly rule?"
"Yuff, please, do it, for me. Think what a difference you could make. You could get rid of all the stupid traditions. You could make us great again. I know you could......please, Yuffie, please......" Carrie's eyes fluttered closed. Her breathing slowed.
"But, Carrie, I'm scared! Please Carrie, don't leave me, don't make me do this......." But Carrie didn't answer.
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The nightmares were getting worse. As Leviathan towered above her, she shrank away. It hesitated, then turned on Carrie, who was standing by her father's side. 'Please, Yuffie, please..." Carrie screamed as the great serpent swooped down upon her, her blue eyes meeting Yuffie's, pleading with her. Yuffie stood motionless. Her father muttered, "Twice a failure. She has killed her friend....' as Yuffie saw that her shuriken was dripping with blood........Screaming, she woke up, covered in sweat, and lay awake, trembling.**********
"So what are you going to do?" asked Tifa, after Yuffie finished her story."Do?" answered Yuffie, dully. "What can I do? I'm going back to Wutai. I don't have a choice."
END OF CHAPTER TWO
To be continued......