Usual disclaimers apply
AN: I was supposed to make Elena a bit more hostile, but after reading Magnum Opus' Dawn and Legacy fics (which I'm still waiting for!), I just can't! I simply can't!
"Playing With Fire"
Chapter 5
Yuffie watched Reno from afar, standing at the edge of the garden, looking at something far away. She had never seen this look on Reno before. She had seen him cocky, annoyed; she had seen him trying to be charming and completely drunk, as well as sober. But she has never seen this look of contentment. Even the sloppy way he wore his suit didn't destroy the aura of peace he was projecting.
"He's going to make you cry, you know." A voice said softly behind her. She gasped as she turned around and saw a woman, with long brown hair falling gently behind her, bright gray eyes twinkling. "But then again, you'll make him cry too."
"Mother?"
Lady Misao Kisaragi smiled as she held out her arms, and welcomed her daughter in her embrace. "My darling daughter..." Yuffie looked up at her, not quite believing what she was seeing. "Yes, you are dreaming."
Yuffie's face darkened as she turned back to the Turk. "What's he doing in my dream then?"
A faint laugh surrounded her as she turned back to her mother who was smiling. "You tell me, why has he been in your mind?"
"He is so not!" Yuffie protested in annoyance. "Grossness!"
Misao Kisaragi smiled gently as she brushed Yuffie's hair with her fingers. "I'm very proud of you, Yuffie. You're everything I could ever want you to be."
Yuffie blushed. "Really?"
Misao nodded her expression turning serious as she gazed at Reno. "No matter what happens, Yuffie, trust him. His friends are trustworthy as well."
Yuffie looked up at her mother. "The Turks?"
"His friends and yours will help you when the time comes, and show that man, and only that man what you have learnt." Misao replied, her voice and image disappearing.
"Wait, mother! Don't go!"
"I love you, Yuffie."
Yuffie reached out trying to hold on. "Mother! I love you, don't leave me!"
A soft chuckle, then a faint kiss on Yuffie's cheek. "I never left."
Yuffie opened her eyes and groaned. /Mother.../
She felt herself drifting back to sleep when a loud noise brought her back. She opened her eyes, and was greeted by a pair of blue eyes. "Go away."
Reno chuckled as he sat on the bed. "Good morning. I was thinking of going to the market today. Maybe to buy some souvenirs for Rude and Elena. What do you think?"
He asked, intentionally making his voice louder.
"Good for you." Came the muffled reply. "I need to sleep."
Reno grinned as he pulled the covers away and Yuffie pulled it back up. "I need a tour guide."
"Ask Shake.."
Reno laid down beside Yuffie and looked at her. "Wake up, Yuffie."
"My head hurts like hell."
She heard Reno sigh. "Is that all you're going to say after what we did last night?"
Reno asked softly. "Was it good for you as it was for me?"
Almost immediately, Yuffie's eyes were wide open, and she moved away from him, only to fall down the bed. She could hear Reno laughing as the world started to spin around her. She stood up, and noticed that she was still wearing her clothes. She glared at Reno who looked at her with a smirk.
"What?"
Reno was rewarded with the look of pure irritation on Yuffie's face, and he felt a sense of deja vu as Yuffie swayed and leaned on the wall for support. "You know where the bathroom is!"
Yuffie was about to reply when a loud knock interrupted her. Reno winked at her as he walked out of the bedroom, and as she slowly felt her stomach turning, she ran to the bathroom.
Reno whistled as he opened the door, and smiled at his visitors. "Well, did you get the information I asked for?"
Elena practically threw the envelope in his hands as she walked inside, followed by Rude. "Tell me this is a joke!"
"What's a joke?"
Rude closed the door as Elena stared at Reno. "Your engagement to Yuffie? You've been going out behind our backs?!"
"Maybe." Reno replied as he read the contents of the envelope, getting pleased every minute. A loud flush, and Yuffie walked out of the bathroom, and she looked in surprise as she saw Rude and Elena. "Honey, look who came for a visit."
Yuffie never got a chance to say anything, as her hands flew to cover her mouth as she ran back to the bathroom. Reno chuckled. "Is this how it's going to be every morning?"
Elena stared at Reno, then back to the bathroom door. "You knocked her up?" She looked at him in complete disbelief. "You..." Elena jumped as someone banged on the door.
"Open up! This is the Captain of the Royal Guard of Wutai."
Rude looked at Reno who nodded his head. Rude opened the door, and immediately, five men walked inside, all dressed in Wutain army uniforms. "Where is Lady Kisaragi?"
Reno pointed at the bathroom door.
The captain, dressed in a more elaborate uniform glared at Reno. He walked to the bathroom and knocked. "Lady Kisaragi, are you alright?"
The door opened and Yuffie peeked out and nodded. "I'm fine. What are you doing here?"
"Your father was worried about you. When Ayami called you for breakfast, you did not reply."
Yuffie smiled, her face pale. "Thank..." Yuffie never got a chance to finish as she turned away to vomit. The Captain looked at Reno. "What have you done to her?"
"Nothing. We just had a few drinks last night..."
The Captain glared at Reno. "As her fiancé, you should have known better. Lady Kisaragi has a very low tolerance when it comes to alcohol."
"I never told him." A voice called out softly. "It's alright Captain Tasheki. I'm fine."
All at once, the stern expression disappeared from the Captain's face.
"Shall I alert Ayami to fix a remedy for you?"
"Yes, please."
The Captain nodded. He pointed at one of the guards. "Relay the message..." The guard nodded and bowed. Captain Tasheki turned back to the door. "Will you be ready soon, Lady?"
"I... I'll return by myself. Thank you, Captain."
The Captain bowed, even if Yuffie would not be able to see his gesture. He started walking out before turning to face Reno. "I'll trust Lady Kisaragi to you then."
Reno gave a mock salute as the soldiers left. Elena looked stunned. "That was Yuffie?
She doesn't sound like so much of a brat anymore."
"I heard that!"
Reno cleared his throat. "Listen Elena, you stay here with Yuffie. There are just some things I need to run by Rude." Elena opened her mouth to protest but Reno and Rude ignored her and walked out.
Elena scowled as Yuffie walked out of the bathroom, still looking sick.
"Hello, Elena."
The blond Turk watched as Yuffie made her way to the couch to lie down. "Yuffie."
The ninja closed her eyes. "I feel sick."
"How long?"
"How long what?" Yuffie asked back.
Elena walked closer to the girl. "Are you pregnant? You shouldn't drink when you're pregnant."
Yuffie fell to the floor as she gazed at Elena. "I'm not pregnant! Gawd!"
Elena just continued to stare at the girl who was cursing Reno under her breath. She looked as Yuffie picked herself up and sat down again. Yuffie stared at her for a while before looking away. "Don't worry. He never went behind your back, this is just some thing I made up."
"Why?"
Yuffie stood up again. "Tell you later. Can you come with me? I don't think I can make it alone."
"Why did you let that guard go then? He would've helped you."
She nodded. "He's worse than my father. He'll never let me out of his sight until I turn thirty."
She slowly walked towards the door and motioned for Elena to follow. "I'm not going to kill you,"
"How do you know that I won't kill you?" Elena asked. "You're going to trust a Turk with your ass?"
"Yes. My mother told me too. C'mon. I need a bath; you can have breakfast at home."
Elena blinked and followed, not knowing what to reply.
The two of them walked through the garden, and Elena observed the young girl walking next to her. She still looked the same, despite the longer hair, and yet there doesn't seem to be any trace of the materia-stealing girl she met over a year ago. Yuffie looked up at her, and laughed as if she heard her thoughts.
"Just because I'm not going to kill you doesn't mean I'm not gonna take your materia if I have the chance!"
Elena's hand flew immediately to where she hid her materia, and Yuffie looked in delight. "You've changed."
"Me? Nah, I'm still the same Yuffie."
Ten minutes later, Elena wondered how she came to the conclusion that Yuffie has matured as she whined to an older woman.
"I hate that stuff!"
The old woman nodded. "Yes, I know it's gross, Lady Kisaragi. But if you don't drink this right this minute you're going to get some serious spanking."
Yuffie looked at the older woman with pleading eyes. "But I'm fine now, really."
"Don't you give me that look, young lady. Drink!"
"Ayami..." Yuffie protested making a face at the glass she was holding.
"Yuffie Kisaragi, you will drink this medicine right this minute!" The old woman commanded. Yuffie pouted as she took the drink, and drank it in one gulp. "There, that wasn't so bad, was it?"
Yuffie's face was filled with disgust. "Ewwwww...."
"Grossness. Yes I know." Ayami finished as she walked towards Elena. "What would you like for breakfast?"
Elena blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You'll be joining Lady Kisaragi for breakfast, right?" Ayami asked before turning back to Yuffie. "You'd better start on that bath of yours! It's not polite to keep guests waiting."
Yuffie scowled as she walked to her bathroom, and Ayami turned again to Elena. "So, what will you be having for breakfast?"
"I'll have whatever Yuffie's having, I guess."
The old woman smiled. "It's good that you came to visit. Lady Yuffie's been feeling alone." Ayami said with a smile. "That boy's gonna be good for her!"
Elena just looked at the old woman. "Reno?"
Ayami even beamed brighter. "Ah yes, that's his name. Handsome young man..." The smile faltered. "She hasn't been the same since she came back." The old woman confided.
"Were you with her during that... that meteor incident?"
"You could say that." Elena replied slowly.
She patted Elena on the arms. "It's good that a friend of hers have come to visit. She has done nothing but work with all the materia she has collected. Lethvian knows that she has done enough for her people."
"Oh." Elena replied, not really knowing what to say. She just didn't have the heart to tell her that Yuffie wasn't her friend, and that in fact, they weren't even on the same side.
The old woman smiled as again. "Well then, I hope you enjoy your stay here. I'll have breakfast ready."
Elena just stared at the old woman as she left Yuffie's room. She took that chance to look around, and found it a bit amusing about the contrasts in Yuffie's room. Her bed, her bedside tables and cabinets were obviously antique, the bed covers in the finest silk, and covered with one big teddy bear that seemed just out of place. There was no 'femenine' objects lying around, and on the left side of the wall, Yuffie's weapons were proudly on display.
She was surprised at the various books she found on the shelves, but then again, what did she know about Yuffie? A small smile formed on her face as she walked towards the bed and took the blue bear, with a bright red ribbon around the neck. Childhood. Something that she was denied of, something almost everyone she knew was deprived of.
"Vincent gave that to me. I call it Vinnie."
Elena turned around to look at Yuffie. "Valentine?"
"Yep. I kinda forced him to go to the fair with me before... before Aeris died" Yuffie replied softly forcing a smile. "He won that for me in one of those things where you have to shoot this little ducks..."
"No explanations needed." Elena replied as she placed the bear down the bed. "Are you going to tell me what this is all about?"
Yuffie nodded. "I hired Reno to be my fiancé."
"Hired?"
The younger girl nodded again. "I kinda needed to get this guy off my back. Still hasn't given up though."
"Maybe he really likes you, if he's still pursuing you."
Yuffie snorted. "He's interested only in what he can get from me. He's trying to start where the old Shinra ended."
There was an uncomfortable silence between them when Yuffie looked up. "Ready for breakfast?"
"I suppose." She replied as Yuffie stood up. "Is the guy Alec Kitani?"
Yuffie nodded as they walked out of the room and looked around the hall. "How did you know? Reno told you?" She asked in a hush whisper.
"He had me check on that guy." Elena whispered back. "I'm surprised you didn't check for yourself."
Yuffie waved her hands dismissing the matter. "I had more important things to do."
She stopped as they saw a man waiting on the balcony where breakfast was going to be served. Elena observed the guy, who she recognized immediately, walking with barely controlled anger towards them.
"You spent the night with him, didn't you?"
"Yes." Yuffie replied as she stepped around the man who grabbed her arm. "I'm about to have breakfast with a friend."
Alec sneered as he looked at Elena. "Another Turk, I suppose?"
"And you would be?" Elena asked, pretending ignorance.
"Alec Kitani. President of Kitani Corporation."
Yuffie rolled her eyes as she shook off Alec's hold on her. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I'm not just going to go away, Yuffie Kisaragi." Alec replied softly, throwing a glare at Elena before walking away. Elena's hand flew to where her gun was as she looked around her.
"Don't worry about him, c'mon."
"You should take him more seriously. Don't leave yourself unarmed around him."
Yuffie rolled her eyes. "I can take him on. Let's eat." The two of them sat, and Yuffie rubbed her hands in glee at the breakfast in front of her.
"You can eat all that?" Elena asked as she stared at the fruits and the pastries that Yuffie started piling at her plate. Yuffie nodded with a smile as she made a gesture for her to eat. Elena settled on a piece of croissant and started with her own breakfast.
"How long will you be staying here?" Yuffie asked after drinking her orange juice.
"Until Reno wants us." She replied before daintily wiping her mouth with the napkin.
"You can stay here, there's a vacant room next to mine. It used to be where my toys were."
Elena looked at Yuffie. "You're inviting me to stay next to your room, where I have every possibility of sneaking in to kill you?"
Yuffie nodded, almost to brightly for Elena's liking. "What are you up to? What do you plan with Reno?"
"Nothing, I told you, I just wanted to get that jerk off my back."
"And you just happen to ask Reno of all people?" She asked suspiciously.
"He was my last resort. Can't ask Cloud. Cid and Barret are out of the question. Nanaki and Cait Sith aren't even humans, Reeve's too busy, you're with Rude..."
Elena chocked on her juice. "Excuse me?"
Yuffie blinked. "Aren't you? I saw you a few months back in Rocket Town and the two of you looked... you know..."
Elena tried not to blush, as she replied, "No I don't know."
"Oh, okay." Yuffie just said as she resumed to her reasons why she chose Reno. "As I was saying there was no one available. I couldn't reach Vinnie, I don't even know where he is." She muttered and Elena looked at her with interest. "So, there was no one left but Reno." She finished before giving Elena a wide grin. "I have to admit, he's good for the job!"
Elena drank her juice again, already knowing about Reno's dislike for the guy. No doubt he was making an ass of himself, taunting Alec Kitani by flirting with Yuffie. "So, where's your mother?"
"My mother? She died just before the war."
"I thought you said that she told you that you can trust us."
Yuffie nodded as she picked up another croissant. "She did, she told me last night in my dream." Yuffie replied as she took a bite of the bread, and Elena just stared at the girl that was once her enemy.
Not knowing what else to say, Elena settled on drinking her juice, the two enjoying the comfortable silence that they shared.
~TbC~
Ah yes, I dedicate this chapter to Magnum Opus, who as I have said earlier made me change my mind about a hostile Elena. Arrrgghhh! See what your lovely fics have done to my head? ^__^ v
By next chapter, or the one after that I'll give my reason why Yuffie acts the way she does. Hopefully, the hints that I've put up looks like hints. I'm pretty slow getting clues that are right in front of my face, so I', not sure how bad I would be in giving them!
Thanks to everyone who has commented on this fic so far!
AN: I was supposed to make Elena a bit more hostile, but after reading Magnum Opus' Dawn and Legacy fics (which I'm still waiting for!), I just can't! I simply can't!
"Playing With Fire"
Chapter 5
Yuffie watched Reno from afar, standing at the edge of the garden, looking at something far away. She had never seen this look on Reno before. She had seen him cocky, annoyed; she had seen him trying to be charming and completely drunk, as well as sober. But she has never seen this look of contentment. Even the sloppy way he wore his suit didn't destroy the aura of peace he was projecting.
"He's going to make you cry, you know." A voice said softly behind her. She gasped as she turned around and saw a woman, with long brown hair falling gently behind her, bright gray eyes twinkling. "But then again, you'll make him cry too."
"Mother?"
Lady Misao Kisaragi smiled as she held out her arms, and welcomed her daughter in her embrace. "My darling daughter..." Yuffie looked up at her, not quite believing what she was seeing. "Yes, you are dreaming."
Yuffie's face darkened as she turned back to the Turk. "What's he doing in my dream then?"
A faint laugh surrounded her as she turned back to her mother who was smiling. "You tell me, why has he been in your mind?"
"He is so not!" Yuffie protested in annoyance. "Grossness!"
Misao Kisaragi smiled gently as she brushed Yuffie's hair with her fingers. "I'm very proud of you, Yuffie. You're everything I could ever want you to be."
Yuffie blushed. "Really?"
Misao nodded her expression turning serious as she gazed at Reno. "No matter what happens, Yuffie, trust him. His friends are trustworthy as well."
Yuffie looked up at her mother. "The Turks?"
"His friends and yours will help you when the time comes, and show that man, and only that man what you have learnt." Misao replied, her voice and image disappearing.
"Wait, mother! Don't go!"
"I love you, Yuffie."
Yuffie reached out trying to hold on. "Mother! I love you, don't leave me!"
A soft chuckle, then a faint kiss on Yuffie's cheek. "I never left."
Yuffie opened her eyes and groaned. /Mother.../
She felt herself drifting back to sleep when a loud noise brought her back. She opened her eyes, and was greeted by a pair of blue eyes. "Go away."
Reno chuckled as he sat on the bed. "Good morning. I was thinking of going to the market today. Maybe to buy some souvenirs for Rude and Elena. What do you think?"
He asked, intentionally making his voice louder.
"Good for you." Came the muffled reply. "I need to sleep."
Reno grinned as he pulled the covers away and Yuffie pulled it back up. "I need a tour guide."
"Ask Shake.."
Reno laid down beside Yuffie and looked at her. "Wake up, Yuffie."
"My head hurts like hell."
She heard Reno sigh. "Is that all you're going to say after what we did last night?"
Reno asked softly. "Was it good for you as it was for me?"
Almost immediately, Yuffie's eyes were wide open, and she moved away from him, only to fall down the bed. She could hear Reno laughing as the world started to spin around her. She stood up, and noticed that she was still wearing her clothes. She glared at Reno who looked at her with a smirk.
"What?"
Reno was rewarded with the look of pure irritation on Yuffie's face, and he felt a sense of deja vu as Yuffie swayed and leaned on the wall for support. "You know where the bathroom is!"
Yuffie was about to reply when a loud knock interrupted her. Reno winked at her as he walked out of the bedroom, and as she slowly felt her stomach turning, she ran to the bathroom.
Reno whistled as he opened the door, and smiled at his visitors. "Well, did you get the information I asked for?"
Elena practically threw the envelope in his hands as she walked inside, followed by Rude. "Tell me this is a joke!"
"What's a joke?"
Rude closed the door as Elena stared at Reno. "Your engagement to Yuffie? You've been going out behind our backs?!"
"Maybe." Reno replied as he read the contents of the envelope, getting pleased every minute. A loud flush, and Yuffie walked out of the bathroom, and she looked in surprise as she saw Rude and Elena. "Honey, look who came for a visit."
Yuffie never got a chance to say anything, as her hands flew to cover her mouth as she ran back to the bathroom. Reno chuckled. "Is this how it's going to be every morning?"
Elena stared at Reno, then back to the bathroom door. "You knocked her up?" She looked at him in complete disbelief. "You..." Elena jumped as someone banged on the door.
"Open up! This is the Captain of the Royal Guard of Wutai."
Rude looked at Reno who nodded his head. Rude opened the door, and immediately, five men walked inside, all dressed in Wutain army uniforms. "Where is Lady Kisaragi?"
Reno pointed at the bathroom door.
The captain, dressed in a more elaborate uniform glared at Reno. He walked to the bathroom and knocked. "Lady Kisaragi, are you alright?"
The door opened and Yuffie peeked out and nodded. "I'm fine. What are you doing here?"
"Your father was worried about you. When Ayami called you for breakfast, you did not reply."
Yuffie smiled, her face pale. "Thank..." Yuffie never got a chance to finish as she turned away to vomit. The Captain looked at Reno. "What have you done to her?"
"Nothing. We just had a few drinks last night..."
The Captain glared at Reno. "As her fiancé, you should have known better. Lady Kisaragi has a very low tolerance when it comes to alcohol."
"I never told him." A voice called out softly. "It's alright Captain Tasheki. I'm fine."
All at once, the stern expression disappeared from the Captain's face.
"Shall I alert Ayami to fix a remedy for you?"
"Yes, please."
The Captain nodded. He pointed at one of the guards. "Relay the message..." The guard nodded and bowed. Captain Tasheki turned back to the door. "Will you be ready soon, Lady?"
"I... I'll return by myself. Thank you, Captain."
The Captain bowed, even if Yuffie would not be able to see his gesture. He started walking out before turning to face Reno. "I'll trust Lady Kisaragi to you then."
Reno gave a mock salute as the soldiers left. Elena looked stunned. "That was Yuffie?
She doesn't sound like so much of a brat anymore."
"I heard that!"
Reno cleared his throat. "Listen Elena, you stay here with Yuffie. There are just some things I need to run by Rude." Elena opened her mouth to protest but Reno and Rude ignored her and walked out.
Elena scowled as Yuffie walked out of the bathroom, still looking sick.
"Hello, Elena."
The blond Turk watched as Yuffie made her way to the couch to lie down. "Yuffie."
The ninja closed her eyes. "I feel sick."
"How long?"
"How long what?" Yuffie asked back.
Elena walked closer to the girl. "Are you pregnant? You shouldn't drink when you're pregnant."
Yuffie fell to the floor as she gazed at Elena. "I'm not pregnant! Gawd!"
Elena just continued to stare at the girl who was cursing Reno under her breath. She looked as Yuffie picked herself up and sat down again. Yuffie stared at her for a while before looking away. "Don't worry. He never went behind your back, this is just some thing I made up."
"Why?"
Yuffie stood up again. "Tell you later. Can you come with me? I don't think I can make it alone."
"Why did you let that guard go then? He would've helped you."
She nodded. "He's worse than my father. He'll never let me out of his sight until I turn thirty."
She slowly walked towards the door and motioned for Elena to follow. "I'm not going to kill you,"
"How do you know that I won't kill you?" Elena asked. "You're going to trust a Turk with your ass?"
"Yes. My mother told me too. C'mon. I need a bath; you can have breakfast at home."
Elena blinked and followed, not knowing what to reply.
The two of them walked through the garden, and Elena observed the young girl walking next to her. She still looked the same, despite the longer hair, and yet there doesn't seem to be any trace of the materia-stealing girl she met over a year ago. Yuffie looked up at her, and laughed as if she heard her thoughts.
"Just because I'm not going to kill you doesn't mean I'm not gonna take your materia if I have the chance!"
Elena's hand flew immediately to where she hid her materia, and Yuffie looked in delight. "You've changed."
"Me? Nah, I'm still the same Yuffie."
Ten minutes later, Elena wondered how she came to the conclusion that Yuffie has matured as she whined to an older woman.
"I hate that stuff!"
The old woman nodded. "Yes, I know it's gross, Lady Kisaragi. But if you don't drink this right this minute you're going to get some serious spanking."
Yuffie looked at the older woman with pleading eyes. "But I'm fine now, really."
"Don't you give me that look, young lady. Drink!"
"Ayami..." Yuffie protested making a face at the glass she was holding.
"Yuffie Kisaragi, you will drink this medicine right this minute!" The old woman commanded. Yuffie pouted as she took the drink, and drank it in one gulp. "There, that wasn't so bad, was it?"
Yuffie's face was filled with disgust. "Ewwwww...."
"Grossness. Yes I know." Ayami finished as she walked towards Elena. "What would you like for breakfast?"
Elena blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You'll be joining Lady Kisaragi for breakfast, right?" Ayami asked before turning back to Yuffie. "You'd better start on that bath of yours! It's not polite to keep guests waiting."
Yuffie scowled as she walked to her bathroom, and Ayami turned again to Elena. "So, what will you be having for breakfast?"
"I'll have whatever Yuffie's having, I guess."
The old woman smiled. "It's good that you came to visit. Lady Yuffie's been feeling alone." Ayami said with a smile. "That boy's gonna be good for her!"
Elena just looked at the old woman. "Reno?"
Ayami even beamed brighter. "Ah yes, that's his name. Handsome young man..." The smile faltered. "She hasn't been the same since she came back." The old woman confided.
"Were you with her during that... that meteor incident?"
"You could say that." Elena replied slowly.
She patted Elena on the arms. "It's good that a friend of hers have come to visit. She has done nothing but work with all the materia she has collected. Lethvian knows that she has done enough for her people."
"Oh." Elena replied, not really knowing what to say. She just didn't have the heart to tell her that Yuffie wasn't her friend, and that in fact, they weren't even on the same side.
The old woman smiled as again. "Well then, I hope you enjoy your stay here. I'll have breakfast ready."
Elena just stared at the old woman as she left Yuffie's room. She took that chance to look around, and found it a bit amusing about the contrasts in Yuffie's room. Her bed, her bedside tables and cabinets were obviously antique, the bed covers in the finest silk, and covered with one big teddy bear that seemed just out of place. There was no 'femenine' objects lying around, and on the left side of the wall, Yuffie's weapons were proudly on display.
She was surprised at the various books she found on the shelves, but then again, what did she know about Yuffie? A small smile formed on her face as she walked towards the bed and took the blue bear, with a bright red ribbon around the neck. Childhood. Something that she was denied of, something almost everyone she knew was deprived of.
"Vincent gave that to me. I call it Vinnie."
Elena turned around to look at Yuffie. "Valentine?"
"Yep. I kinda forced him to go to the fair with me before... before Aeris died" Yuffie replied softly forcing a smile. "He won that for me in one of those things where you have to shoot this little ducks..."
"No explanations needed." Elena replied as she placed the bear down the bed. "Are you going to tell me what this is all about?"
Yuffie nodded. "I hired Reno to be my fiancé."
"Hired?"
The younger girl nodded again. "I kinda needed to get this guy off my back. Still hasn't given up though."
"Maybe he really likes you, if he's still pursuing you."
Yuffie snorted. "He's interested only in what he can get from me. He's trying to start where the old Shinra ended."
There was an uncomfortable silence between them when Yuffie looked up. "Ready for breakfast?"
"I suppose." She replied as Yuffie stood up. "Is the guy Alec Kitani?"
Yuffie nodded as they walked out of the room and looked around the hall. "How did you know? Reno told you?" She asked in a hush whisper.
"He had me check on that guy." Elena whispered back. "I'm surprised you didn't check for yourself."
Yuffie waved her hands dismissing the matter. "I had more important things to do."
She stopped as they saw a man waiting on the balcony where breakfast was going to be served. Elena observed the guy, who she recognized immediately, walking with barely controlled anger towards them.
"You spent the night with him, didn't you?"
"Yes." Yuffie replied as she stepped around the man who grabbed her arm. "I'm about to have breakfast with a friend."
Alec sneered as he looked at Elena. "Another Turk, I suppose?"
"And you would be?" Elena asked, pretending ignorance.
"Alec Kitani. President of Kitani Corporation."
Yuffie rolled her eyes as she shook off Alec's hold on her. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I'm not just going to go away, Yuffie Kisaragi." Alec replied softly, throwing a glare at Elena before walking away. Elena's hand flew to where her gun was as she looked around her.
"Don't worry about him, c'mon."
"You should take him more seriously. Don't leave yourself unarmed around him."
Yuffie rolled her eyes. "I can take him on. Let's eat." The two of them sat, and Yuffie rubbed her hands in glee at the breakfast in front of her.
"You can eat all that?" Elena asked as she stared at the fruits and the pastries that Yuffie started piling at her plate. Yuffie nodded with a smile as she made a gesture for her to eat. Elena settled on a piece of croissant and started with her own breakfast.
"How long will you be staying here?" Yuffie asked after drinking her orange juice.
"Until Reno wants us." She replied before daintily wiping her mouth with the napkin.
"You can stay here, there's a vacant room next to mine. It used to be where my toys were."
Elena looked at Yuffie. "You're inviting me to stay next to your room, where I have every possibility of sneaking in to kill you?"
Yuffie nodded, almost to brightly for Elena's liking. "What are you up to? What do you plan with Reno?"
"Nothing, I told you, I just wanted to get that jerk off my back."
"And you just happen to ask Reno of all people?" She asked suspiciously.
"He was my last resort. Can't ask Cloud. Cid and Barret are out of the question. Nanaki and Cait Sith aren't even humans, Reeve's too busy, you're with Rude..."
Elena chocked on her juice. "Excuse me?"
Yuffie blinked. "Aren't you? I saw you a few months back in Rocket Town and the two of you looked... you know..."
Elena tried not to blush, as she replied, "No I don't know."
"Oh, okay." Yuffie just said as she resumed to her reasons why she chose Reno. "As I was saying there was no one available. I couldn't reach Vinnie, I don't even know where he is." She muttered and Elena looked at her with interest. "So, there was no one left but Reno." She finished before giving Elena a wide grin. "I have to admit, he's good for the job!"
Elena drank her juice again, already knowing about Reno's dislike for the guy. No doubt he was making an ass of himself, taunting Alec Kitani by flirting with Yuffie. "So, where's your mother?"
"My mother? She died just before the war."
"I thought you said that she told you that you can trust us."
Yuffie nodded as she picked up another croissant. "She did, she told me last night in my dream." Yuffie replied as she took a bite of the bread, and Elena just stared at the girl that was once her enemy.
Not knowing what else to say, Elena settled on drinking her juice, the two enjoying the comfortable silence that they shared.
~TbC~
Ah yes, I dedicate this chapter to Magnum Opus, who as I have said earlier made me change my mind about a hostile Elena. Arrrgghhh! See what your lovely fics have done to my head? ^__^ v
By next chapter, or the one after that I'll give my reason why Yuffie acts the way she does. Hopefully, the hints that I've put up looks like hints. I'm pretty slow getting clues that are right in front of my face, so I', not sure how bad I would be in giving them!
Thanks to everyone who has commented on this fic so far!