New Ways
Chapter 5:
True Pain
Yuffie sighed as dusk settled in upon Wutai. The chilly, yet warm wind conforted her, but also let her know that she needs to watch out, especially since she was in her house when the winds blew in through her front door. Yuffie frowned at that. She hadn't had a chance to fix the door yet, and she wasn't about to do it when she's about to go to sleep. She walked behind a paper screen held up by wooden frames, carefully crafted and glazed, as she changed into her night wear, then slipped a robe over it.
I need protection... she realized, then walked out. She folded her arms in front of her chest, in attempt to block the wind which now bit at her, but her arms now took the pain. Her short hair blew around messily, and she reached up to tuck it behind her ear. Everyone was asleep now, so she felt strangely out of place. The scarlet and crimson clouds had changed colors against the deep blue sky which faded into a forest green upon the west side of the city, as the sun was no longer visible from the horizon.
Yuffie walked to the Pagoda Inn, and opened its doors. She knew where everyone was sleeping, call it woman's intuition, and pondered upon who she should ask for help.
Cloud, Tifa and Barret were in the room closest to the front door, the one with three beds laid out on the carefully weaved tatami (A/N: I forgot if that was what it was... something with three syllables. It's been more than a year since I studied Japan) mat. Cid, Cait Sith and Red XIII were in the room to the right, and Vincent had her father's old room all to himself. It wasn't surprising, really. They were all scared that Vincent might have one of his nightmares, and he'll lash out his Claw at whoever's sleeping next to him in his sleep and shred whomever to pieces. It was that fear that made Cid sleep in the same room as Cait Sith, because you'd never see the aggravated pilot choose the "Worthless Shinra Spy" as his roommate.
Who should she choose? She wanted someone who wouldn't ask why. This was strictly secret between Shake and her, and of course, her new nemesises (A/N: is that a word?!). That takes out Tifa, Cid, Red XIII and Cait Sith. Not Barret, because he wouldn't even go near her. He didn't even believe her letter, not ever. What about Cloud? No, because Aeris wanted him to be her bodyguard, and it might be too much for him to do it again. That left Vincent...
Yuffie sighed, as she thought of a method of approach. Hey, Vincent, I wanted to know if you'd like to protect me as long as I live? she thought, Uh, no.
The young girl shook her head, and ran her fingers through her short and soft hair, then finally thought of something. It was a wild and weird way to get him to agree, but it might just work...
"Vincent?" she called softly in front of the screen door closest to the temple.
The door slid open wide enough for a person to squeeze through, and there was the dark-haired man. "Yes?"
Here goes nothing... Yuffie thought, then took a deep breath. She reached up, and grabbed Vincent's face, then pulled him down, plastering a firm and quick kiss on his lips, then pulled his face off hers.
Vincent blinked in surprise. What the hell was that?!
Yuffie felt a rush of embarrassment, then she wrapped her arms around his body, burying her face in his chest, hugging him tightly. I hope this is not too insane... Dad, tell me if this is too insane. The thought of her father brought light tears to her eyes, and although she bit her lower lip to keep the tears from flowing out, Vincent's jet-black shirt acted as a tissue for her, and he felt cold tears touch his skin.
What the hell... Vincent thought, then gingerly, still in shock, put his hands lightly on her back, and rubbed it. She's probably confused by her father's death. "Yuffie?"
"Mm?"
"What are you doing?"
Yuffie sighed. She might as well come clean. "Do you want the reason why, or do you want the real scheme?"
Vincent thought for a moment. "The scheme."
Yuffie let go of him, then refused to make eye-contact with Vincent, afraid that she might see his eyes mocking her and laughing at her stupidness. "I was doing that to seduce you."
Vincent was shocked. "Why were you trying to seduce me?"
"'Cause I wanted protection," Yuffie explained, "Will you protect me?"
Once again, Vincent was shocked. He said nothing, and waited in awkward silence for a sign to tell him yes or no.
"I thought so," Yuffie said, assuming the worst, then walked out of his room. "Goodnight."
Vincent didn't bother to close the door, and neither did Yuffie. He was too confused and stunned, and Yuffie was too embarrassed and disappointed.
Maybe I should, Vincent thought, After all, she's a young child in need. I should help her.
As Vincent thought his thoughts, Yuffie laid down in the corridor, closing her eyes. If Vincent won't help me, I guess I'll just follow everyone around everywhere. If I get killed here, it'll be loud enough for Vincent or Cid or someone to hear me and see who murdered me. Slowly, she entered slumber.
Vincent was still swimming in his thoughts when Yuffie fell asleep. He could tell she was, even though he couldn't see her, because her breathing became long and deep, giving off a hissing sound as she breathed through the back of her nose and throat. Vincent walked out, and saw Yuffie's innocent face resting in peace. Her bangs fell over her forehead, and her eyes were closed. Dark eyelashes brushed her ivory skin as her eyes rapidly shot back and forth in dreamworld, and her nose wrinkled once in a while. Her lips, however, were what intrigued Vincent the most. They reminded him of someone... Someone he hadn't seen in a while. They urged him to kiss them... To brush his lips against hers, and he gave in to the temptation. He squated down, and placed a hand on the floor on the oposite side of Yuffie, as he leaned over and gave Yuffie a light, soft and simple kiss. He stood up, and sighed loudly, then walked towards his room.
"I guess that means you'll protect me?" came a sleepy voice. Vincent turned and saw Yuffie still with her eyes closed, but her breathing had changed.
"I guess," Vincent said, confused at what had happened.
Yuffie's eyes shot open, and she flashed a grateful smile at him. "Thank you, Vincent. It means a lot to me," she thanked. Perhaps even my life. "May I sleep in your room?"
Vincent shrugged, then said, "If you want..."
"Thank you!" Yuffie exclaimed, then walked into his room, Vincent following. After all, it was ladies first, wasn't it?
Vincent slid the screen door shut, and turned to slip his body into his bed. With his head pointing in the direction of the temple, he flipped so his back was to the door (he had a habit of sleeping on his left arm that he recently developed), with his weight on his left arm- the Claw. That's when he saw Yuffie laying on the hard floor, shivering uncontrollably. Vincent sighed, then sat up and undid his cape. With a graceful movement, he slid the cape over her and watched with silent satisfaction as Yuffie's teeth stopped chattering.
Poor girl, Vincent thought, She's lost everything. Now she's turned to me... She's stooped so low, trying to seduce me to help her. Maybe God will help her.
* * *
"Whoa! Don't wanna know what this is about," Cid grunted, opening the door to Vincent's room. He saw Yuffie and Vincent sleeping on the floor with Vincent's cape over Yuffie's body.
Yuffie woke up, and brought herself to a sitting position, letting the cape slip off her upper body. "Why're you here?"
"Some kid wants to talk to you. He says since you're not at your house, you must be here, and I checked every room in this inn before I found you here," Cid said.
"There is only four rooms," Yuffie said.
"Still, I never thought you'd be here! And isn't the temple connected to your secret hideout? The one near the shrine with that gong-thingy?" Cid responded.
"Whatever. Who's the 'kid'?" Yuffie asked.
"I think it's the one you had to fight in the tower," Cid said, "but I'm not sure."
"Shake?" Yuffie asked.
"Dunno."
Yuffie stood up, and walked towards the door. In between herself and the door, however, was Vincent, still sleeping. Should I wake him? If it's Shake at the door, I should probably get him up... But what's the use, if I'm not gonna tell him why I want his protection anyway? Yuffie shrugged off the thought, and lightly kicked Vincent in the side as she walked to the door. "Get up," she told him firmly.
Vincent slowly opened his eyes, and he saw a blurry vision of Yuffie walking over him and to the door. He groaned, then saw that his cape was where Yuffie had slept last night, on the floor. He got up and put it on himself.
"Man, why do you wear that?" Cid asked, with a strange look on his face, "Do you think you're some superhero?"
No, I just feel that with this covering most of my face, it's like my shield against the world. Vincent shrugged, then walked slowly past Cid and down the corridor.
Yuffie was already out there, listening intentively to Shake's loud whispering. He stopped, seeing Vincent.
"Yuffie..." Shake said, prompting Yuffie to send Vincent away.
Yuffie followed Shake's gaze, then turned back to her young friend. "Don't worry- he's my protection person. If you really want him away, though..."
"I do want him away," Shake said firmly.
Yuffie turned, then gave Vincent a glare, and motioned for him to turn around, or walk away. Vincent did as wanted.
"Now what were you saying?"
"Okay, so it turns out they aren't going to eat up your mangled body, but instead, they're gonna use you as a human punching bag, beat you to death and then throw you in the fire in the cave where the Da-Chao is," Shake explained in one long sentence.
"Whoa..." Yuffie gasped. The thought of something like that brought illusionary pain to her body, and she knew that if the three adults decided to do something, they wouldn't hesitate. After all, they were planning to starve her to death by setting up the trap.
* * *
Yuffie was willing to take a slight risk at heading up to the Da-Chao by herself. She hoped that this time, Vincent wouldn't be there, yet she also knew she'd feel safer with someone watching her.
She entered the cave which she hoped would not be her grave, and sat near its blazing fires, burying her head in her knees. Life can be so cruel... The warm, intense heat of the flames conforted her like a warm hug on a winter's day, against the northern blizzard. This was what she needed. Time alone.
* * *
Vincent felt a strong tug on the back of his cape. He turned, looked down and saw Shake pulling on it.
"You're Yuffie's protector-person, right?"
Vincent nodded solemnly.
"Where is she?"
Vincent shrugged. "I don't know."
"How do you not know?" Shake exclaimed, glaring at Vincent.
"I just don't."
"Well then, find her!" Shake commanded.
Vincent stared at the Da-Chao. Perhaps she was there. "Have you tried the Da-Chao?"
Shake shook his head, and followed Vincent's lead up the rocky trail.
* * *
A small spark from the on-going fire landed on Yuffie's dress, near the ankles. The spark died out, leaving a small black speck on the perfectly smooth silk. Yuffie shuffled around to another position, and listened to the muted yet amplified crackle of the fire being echoed within cave walls, making its way to her ear.
Out of nowhere, she felt an urge to look down at her dress. She was sitting awfully close to the fire, because the cave itself was cold and she needed warmth. When she looked down self-consciously, she saw that a fire has started lightly on a small loose thread, and a sharp jolt of pain nipped her ankles.
"Oh, shit!" she yelled, then stood up immediately.
"Yuffie!" Vincent and Shake yelled. They had arrived here just in time to see her stand up in panic, then bend over to smother out the fire.
"Shit..." Yuffie sighed, seeing the dark cut that the fire left, "Shit. I'm such a dumbass."
"You okay?" Shake asked silently. Yuffie nodded firmly, as tears started to form and fall.
I'm such a dumbass...
* * *
Yuffie waited patiently for the boys to be done fixing her door. Cloud and Cid had offered to fix her door that they took down, as a way to say 'sorry' to her. Vincent and Shake were inside with her, staring at her in awkward silence.
"Done!" came Cid's triumphant voice. Cloud shut the door, then opened it once more to test it.
"Thanks, guys," Yuffie said, smiling sadly at them. She was still upset at her carelessness.
"Welcome," Cid responded, and he and Cloud took off.
"I gotta change out of this," Yuffie said, referring to the singed kimono.
"Okay," Shake immediately said, then took off.
"I'll leave you alone..." Vincent started.
"It's alright," Yuffie said, "I have a paper screen. I just didn't want to change when the others were fixing the door because it's very awkward changing while hearing a clang-clang. Besides..." She left the sentence hanging, as she remembered not to tell anyone about her deadly situation.
Vincent frowned, but did as Yuffie wished, and turned his head away so he wouldn't see her shadow stripping against the screen.
Yuffie took off her mother's silk kimono, silently cursing herself for her stupidity. Then she put on another kimono, very much like the silk one, only made of cotton, yet looked identicle to the untrained eye. I can't wear this, she thought, It looks too much like Mom's. This kimono was like a forgery of a painting- while the original Monet was carefully crafted with layers of oil paint over a state-of-the-art canvas, a forgery was made by dots of cheap water paint over stretched cloth.
Yuffie sighed, and took off the replica of her mother's kimono, and put on a simple one. It was white with a tint of beige in it, with red trims. Very, very simple indeed. She stepped out and Vincent looked at her.
Those lips... he thought, Should I tell her? "Your lips," he began.
Yuffie frowned. "What?!"
"They're just like Lucrecia's..."
Yuffie widened her eyes. Just like Lucrecia's?! Is that the only reason he wanted to help me, was because I'm some kind of a replacement for his dear-old Lucrecia?! Yuffie glared at him, then lifted her right arm and brought her hand across Vincent's left cheek with a loud slap. Vincent turned his head to the right from the impact, and then stared at Yuffie in silence. He lifted his Claw, and rubbed his cheek but in his haste, a fingertip of the inhuman arm gave his face a deep scratch. Vincent winced.
"How dare you say that," Yuffie said, fury posessing her dark eyes.
"I'm sorry..." Vincent said, mentally yelling at himself. He reached out with his left arm, his Claw, and touched Yuffie's face lightly in an apologetic way.
Yuffie didn't take it in. She gave one ugly look at the metal hand touching her face, then gave another angry look at Vincent, saying coldly, "Are you just doing that because you dont' want to physically touch your precious Lucrecia clone with your real body, or just because you're left-handed yet fire guns with your right?"
Vincent gave her a hurt look. He almost couldn't believe she had said that. He frowned, shaking his head in disbelief, then opened the door to her house, almost running out in fury. His crimson cape blew with the wind, giving him a mysterious look.
Yuffie ran outside, regretfully. She jogged down the stairs and stepped on her front yard, on the soft green grass that poked her ankles through the platform sandals. A remorseful tear fell from her eye and landed on the soft grass. She sighed, and took back to her house, up the stairs step-by-step, then opened her front door.
Wait... since when did she even close it?
When she stepped in, she saw Staniv waiting for her inside, giving her the hardest glare one could give.
"S-Staniv! What are you doing here?" she stammered.
"This," he replied, then threw a punch at Yuffie's stomach, causing her to fall backwards, ramming into a shelving unit and get knocked out unconscious from the falling shelf.
A/N: Yeah, yeah, I know, a long chapter, ne? Oh, well, I really wanted her to give Vincent her whip-lash session. I don't know why. Oh, yeah, and yes I know the burning kimono part was very stupid, but believe me, it'll help in the future.