New Ways

Chapter 7:

Encouraging Inspiration

"Why did you do that?" Shake demanded once everyone had cooled down. They were in Yuffie's house, and they were all worried, shaking their heads.

"Because it was the only way to get you alive," Yuffie said, her eyes filled with concentration as she interlocked her fingers and rested her chin on her out-stretched thumbs.

"Well, now the world is gonna get taken over by some homicidal people in about three years!!!" Shake yelled.

"No, they won't, and if they do, they're not starting with Wutai," Yuffie said solemnly.

"But you said-"

"I said," Yuffie interrupted, staring into Shake's eyes with hidden laughter, "I'd announce it. Anything could be it."

Shake slowly understood as Yuffie smiled the smile that no one has seen for a long while- her sly smile.

"So... What's your plan?" Red XIII asked quietly.

"Well, I have to risk Shake to do this. Is that alright?" Yuffie checked.

Shake nodded.

"Alright. What happens is, all of us leave. We sort of 'disappear' for that morning, but Barret and Tifa, stay behind and watch out for Shake. Now, we won't really leave, we'll just be in the bushes. After all, Wutai has so many trees that it just makes you dizzy. We'll hide in there and we'll kill them from behind."

"What's the point of Shake?" Cloud doubted, brows furrowed in confusion.

"Well, they'll expect someone to tell the people of Wutai that the city goes to those damn bastards, but if no one is there, they'll really suspect something and be straight on the lookout."

"So, you're getting Shake to represent you? Wouldn't that still give the city to them?" Red XIII asked.

"Not really. The bylaws state that no one can give up their estate except the owner of it themselves. Now, Shake, when you go up to the podium, say these exact words so that it won't be legit: 'Miss Kisaragi is running an errand so I guess I'm here.' Don't say anything else, even if it means the same thing. Got it?" Yuffie said, staring intensely at Shake.

He nodded, speechless.

"Good." Yuffie sighed, then said to everyone, "We can't screw this up. This is a game to the death, and its motto is 'Kill or Be Killed'."

Everyone was silent, until Cait Sith broke out in an attempt to lighten the mood, "Why is it to the death?"

A light chuckle sounded throughout the room although normally they wouldn't laugh. Perhaps when people are tense, they tend to laugh easier...

* * *

It was the night before the seventh day remaining, the night before they'd have to fight the battle. It wasn't really the battle that kept Yuffie awake, it was merely the fact that a child may die and it'll all be her fault.

Yuffie sighed. She went behind her screen and changed under the faint flickering light of a candle, and started removing her clothes. She froze dead in her tracks, however, when she heard a door open and a voice call her name. Who the hell could this be? "Who... Who is it?"

"It's me..."

Vincent. Yuffie had thought about him for this whole week, wondering why she had so hoped that Vincent was the one to save her. Perhaps it was his sentimental personality, or maybe his gentle touch, although he had a fist of steal, literally. Or was it the fact that he was much older than she, and that he had the looks that any girl would die for? Perhaps it was all of the above. She never quite knew.

"What are you doing?" Yuffie said quietly, trying to control her voice.

"I'm..." Vincent stopped short, seeing the naked shadow of Yuffie against the translucent paper screen. "I'll turn away..."

Yuffie sighed in relief, then picked up a thin pink tank top with the thinnest spaghetti straps. She slipped on red fleece pants with yellow lines on it, making a plaid design. It was comfortable and easy to change out of- just what she needed the day before she kills some of the most important people in Wutai.

She finished changing, and when she turned around she gasped as she saw Vincent standing there. Reacting to this, she grabbed a blanket and covered herself with it although she was already dressed.

"I didn't see anything. You were done anyway."

Yuffie's eyebrows rose up as she wondered how he knew. Maybe he saw her shadow through the screen... Her heart lept to her throat as she imagined that maybe Vincent was watching her change, yet not really seeing her.

I have to tell him, Yuffie told herself, or I may never get the chance to...

"Um... Vincent?"

Vincent replied with a stare.

"Listen... I feel so stupid saying this," she began, as she ran a hand nervously through her hair, "but... I really need to tell you." Yuffie sighed, then sat down nervously, but realized it wouldn't help so she stood up again. "I think I love you..."

Vincent remained silent as she expected he would. Maybe a little too quiet.

Yuffie shrugged, hiding her pain which created from his emotionless face. "It's alright. I just needed to tell you. You dont' have to do anything."

Vincent looked away as did Yuffie, then he coughed, trying to break the ice. "Yuffie... I-"

"I know," Yuffie interrupted, "You love Lucrecia. I don't care. I probably don't like you, anyway. I jumped to a conclusion too fast. It's alright." Yes... It's alright, she reassured herself, although she knew that it would be useless because it wasn't alright.

"Sorry..." Vincent said quietly, then left.

"Oh, yeah, Vincent?" Yuffie called softly.

He turned around at the call of his name.

"Why'd you come anyway?"

"I couldn't sleep so I wanted to know if you were up or not."

Yuffie chuckled lightly. "I guess we're both pretty nervous about tomorrow, huh?"

Vincent looked in her deep eyes, so deep if one was to stare at it long enough, they'd get trapped in its vast darkness. "I guess."

* * *

"Yuffie," a voice called groggily, "It's about two hours from dawn. Time to get up."

Yuffie blinked, then opened her sleepy eyes for good, listening to whom it was.

"Hurry up," the voice called again.

The girl squeezed her eyes shut a few times to get used to waking up so early, then called out, "I'll be out soon, Cid."

The ninja pulled herself out of bed, half regretting leaving the warm, soft mattress which she had comfortably dreamed in, and was afraid of facing the world. Of course, she had no choice.

Yuffie took off her sleepwear and slipped on a bra, fumbling with the buckles in the back. When she was done that, she walked over and saw her old outfit hanging on the wall. The perfectly untouched turtleneck tanktop... The outrageously short tan-colored shorts... Her shureiken, all which she hadn't touched in months. Yes, this was the outfit she wanted to wear. If there was anyway to defeat this, it was to bring the old Yuffie back.

After she was dressed, she was about to head outside to greet her allies 'good morning' when something caught her eye...

What's this? she thought, staring at the burn on her mother's kimono. Something was beneath it... Like a pouch, or something. Reaching into it, she pulled out a round ball-like thing and a sheet of paper.

"Materia?" The orb composed of Mako energy glowed green, like most magic Materia, but this was one she didn't recognize. Assuming the paper was a letter and that the letter would explain everything, she opened it and began to read quietly to herself.

"Dear Yuffie Kisaragi," it began, "Hello. You know me and I know you, but we have never met. I am your mother, Rori Kisaragi (A/N: I have NOOOOOO clue what Yuffie's mom's name is, or her background, so I just made this up). I'm writing this in a hospital on what I'm guessing to be my last few weeks of life. You've just turned two years old at this time. If you are reading this, then I'm assuming that your father has given it to you already, of course. I know that this is an outrageous place to put such a thing like this, but I didn't want your father to read this. I wanted you alone. I knew you would be smart enough to find this somehow.

This kimono was given to me by the townspeople of Wutai when I had first married your father. It was a gift in hopes of turning me more feminine and more adaptive to the ways of Wutai, but I hardly wore this except on special occasions, and I don't expect you to do so, either. Don't tell your father this, but one of the reasons I fell in love with him was because he knew how to fight.

I know that your dad wouldn't have left you untrained. That was my One Last Wish- make sure our daughter can fight. I know it sounds quite self-centered, but I wanted him to train you because I wanted you to be like me- feisty, rebellious, and strong-willed. Follow your dreams and intentions, Yuffie, even if it means disobeying everyone and anyone standing in your way. That's what I was like.

I've left you a present. It's a Hypnotize Materia (A/N: I just made this up... :S), one that I had when I was very little and developed for you. I know it will be of great use, for it is very powerful, but be careful- it would be dangerous to use it if you are not strong enough.

All the best luck, my dear girl, and remember- you are a young woman with potential. Do what you want, whatever the reason- for laughs, for power, for love. Whatever the reason, I support you.

With Love,

Rori Kisaragi."

Yuffie smiled at the letter. So I didn't forget about Mom... I became her.

"Hurry up!" Cid hissed. He was no longer tired, as standing outside in the cold, waiting for someone has a strange effect to wake one up.

"Yeah," Yuffie called back, then equipped the Hypnotize Materia onto her Shureiken. For good luck.