I don't own them, Squaresoft does... damn!
Playing With Fire
Chapter 8
Yuffie woke up, and the first thing she noticed was that she wasn't in her room. She looked around, and realized that she was in her 'secret' corner in the garden. A small smile formed on her lips as she remembered the times she used to hide here from Ayami, and even from the Royal Guards every time she felt like playing hide and seek. Until now, this place was her private sanctuary, unknown to anyone else. She looked up, and squinted at the bright light.
She stood up, and peeked out the curtain of vines that served as a door to her secret corner. Making sure no one was around, she slid out and made her slow walk back to the palace when she bumped into something, or someone.
"Yuffie! I was looking for... what happened to you?"
She looked up to see Tifa, both her hands on her shoulders. She gave the girl a smile. "Hi, Tifa!"
"Where did you get that bruise?" Tifa asked, and her eyes narrowed. "Did Reno do this?"
Yuffie laughed despite herself. "Gawd no! I... I just had a little accident yesterday. Hey, I don't have any cure materia with me..."
Tifa sighed and shook her head as she took out her materia and tended to Yuffie's bruise.
When she finished, Yuffie gave a wide grin, and Tifa held on to her materia tightly.
"Awww, come on Tifa! I'm over that now!"
"I'm sure you are," Tifa replied watching Yuffie as she hid her materia. "So, is there anything you want to tell me?"
Yuffie blinked before shrugging. "Welcome to Wutai?"
Tifa scowled. "Not that! How long have you been seeing Reno?"
A look of understanding dawned on Yuffie's face. "Oh, don't worry about that. I just made it up."
Tifa blinked. "What?"
"It's all an act. I didn't get a chance to tell you before because I was busy."
"Wait... aren't you... pregnant?" Tifa asked carefully, and Yuffie's face darkened for a short moment, as soon as it came, the look disappeared.
"No... That was a rumor gone wrong. Are the other's with you?"
Tifa paled as she dragged Yuffie with her. "Come on, we better find the others before they find Reno."
Meanwhile, Cloud, Cid, Red and Barret walked through the streets of Wutai when they saw an all too familiar man with red hair, followed by a blond, and a bald headed man. "Please, try to remember that we're in public and the last thing Yuffie needs is..." Red never got a chance to finish as Cid and Barret walked faster to meet the approaching Turks.
"Well, well... it's a small world." Reno snickered as the two men approached him. "Fancy meeting you here."
"I'd say the same thing to you, foo'!"
Elena threw Reno a warning glance as the rest of AVALNCHE approached them.
"Reno, this isn't the place..."
"Whose side are you on?" Reno asked, barely giving her a glance. Elena turned her attention to Rude, who somehow understood.
"Come on, we need to meet Reeve."
The people walking past them could feel the open hostility in the air. Slight whispers started, and a crowd gathered. Cloud noticed the audience they were gaining and spoke up.
"We'll deal with you later. We have more important things to do."
Reno grinned, eyes filled with mocking glee as he stared at Cloud Strife. "Is that a challenge, Spike?"
"Take it if you want it." Cloud retorted, his eyes narrowing.
"Reno," Elena snapped. There was nothing more she wanted to leave, but knowing what a jerk Reno can be, he'll probably provoke a fight with AVALANCHE. "We need to go,"
Cid was about to retort a reply when they heard a faint voice calling Cloud. They looked back, beyond where the Turks were standing and saw Tifa, running with Yuffie. What surprised him, was the concerned look from the female Turk.
"You okay, Yuffie?" Elena asked as Yuffie and Tifa finally reached them. Yuffie just nodded and gave Elena a small smile.
Barret peered down at Yuffie with concern. "You shouldn't be runnin' with that condition, kid, It's not gonna be good for the little one."
Yuffie blinked, "What?"
Elena elbowed Reno, who started to laugh. Cloud, Cid and Barret glared at Reno, and even Red looked slightly angry at Reno's reaction.
"You find the brat's situation funny, Turk?" Cid asked, hands gripping his weapon.
Reno just grinned, hands on the pocket of his jeans as he looked at Yuffie. "Why don't you tell them, sweetheart."
"Shut up, Reno." Yuffie snapped, not in the mood with Reno's stupid teasing. "I swear I'll tell you everything later. Just not here," She said as she turned to her teammates with a pleading look. The crowd was getting bigger, and the last thing Yuffie needed was to have a brawl early in the morning.
Reno however, was having too much time to stop. "Awwww, come on. We don't need to hide anything now do we? It's about time they know about us!"
The ninja glared at Reno as Elena shook her head at Reno's childishness. Rude remained silent, eyes alert and ready to fight, if the need arises. "Don't listen to him, I'll just take you to your villa, I'll explain everything there."
"No kiss? Your public is watching..." Reno teased and Yuffie blushed as she looked at Elena with a silent plea. Fortunately, Elena felt a bit of sympathy towards the girl because of yesterday's events.
"We have business to attend to, Reno. Or have you forgotten that?"
Reno looked at Elena who glared back, annoyed that they were wasting time when they could be doing what they came for in Wutai. The playful look returned in Reno's face as he winked at Yuffie. "See ya later, muffin."
They watched as the Turks walked away, with Reno whistling a happy tune. Yuffie thanked every god she knew of that AVALANCHE remained quiet, due to the fact that Tifa, who was standing behind her had given a glare of warning to the others not to interfere, or be provoked by the red headed Turk.
"You gonna tell us 'bout this whole thing?"
Yuffie nodded. "I'll just take you to where you'll be staying,"
The crowd that gathered was still there, lingering in the background, hoping to hear what was going on. Cloud nodded, and motioned for the others to follow Yuffie. The ninja took a deep breath, and hoped that everything will turn out in her favor, and that the rest of AVALANCHE plays along. /One more week, and this will be all over... I hope.../
She let them in the villa, a building opposite to where Reno, Rude, and Cait Sith were staying. Yuffie crossed her fingers, hoping that Tifa would have no objection staying one door away from Elena. They barely got inside when Cloud looked at Yuffie, silently demanding for an explanation. Tifa closed the door behind her, and Yuffie began her tale.
"I asked Reno to be my fiancé."
"What the &%#*+ hell for?" Cid asked. "You got a thing for that scum?"
Yuffie ignored Cid's profanities. "No! I asked him because I needed a fiancé or else Godo was going to engage me to this guy."
"Anyone would be better than that Turk." Cloud muttered as he sat down.
Yuffie gave a shaky laugh. "Not this one... have any of you heard about Kitani Corp?"
Her friends shook their heads. "Kitani Corp is Shinra's newest business rival. They're picking up where old Shinra ended..."
"Hold on, you tellin' me there's a new foo' messin' with those reactors?" Barret interrupted Yuffie who nodded.
"Godo wanted to engage me to Alec Kitani, and I told him over my dead body... but he wouldn't listen, that and Alec won't get off my back, so to shut him up, I kinda told him I had a fiancé, jerk told Godo and he demanded I show this fiancé of mine... so... I showed him one."
Red tilted his head at Yuffie's explanation, while Cid swore. "Why the Turk then?"
"Who else was I supposed to ask? You and Barret would be too... old," She replied
and looked at Red apologetically. "Red won't do, no offence..."
"None taken, "
"Cloud, well... It'll feel weird," She continued as Cloud raised an eyebrow at her. "Well,
and Vinnie's nowhere to be found!" She finished raising both her hands in exclamation.
"That why you've been asking me where he is?"
Yuffie nodded as she took a deep breath, "Please... please play along. I had no other choice! Besides, he's good at pissing Alec off."
"This Kitani guy, what's he done so far with the reactors?" Cloud asked staring at Yuffie intently, the fact that she was 'engaged' to Reno was not important anymore. The others noticed the seriousness of Cloud's expression and waited for Yuffie to answer.
"He hasn't activated any, as far as I've heard. All I know for sure is that he's been experimenting with them, for what, I really don't care. All I know is I won't let in happen in Wutai, or anywhere else."
Cloud leaned back, and looked around the room. Tifa looked at Yuffie and wondered where the bruise came from. One of the many benefits of being martial artist was that she could tell a bruise that came from bumping, or from falling, to a bruise that was man made, and Yuffie's bruise was definitely man made. Yuffie caught Tifa's gaze and gave the older girl a reassuring smile. "By the way, you're staying next to my room..."
"And Reeve?"
Yuffie turned to Red who asked the question. "That's another reason why I think having the Turks around is good, they can look after Reeve and Shinra. Alec is starting to worm his way through the council. I'm not worried yet, but it's better that we play it safe."
"What happens if he completely worms his way in?" Cloud asked, his mind already in motion on what to do.
"Kitani will activate a reactor in Wutai. It will start getting business in, and Shinra will have competition. One reason why the council just wanted one organization is to prevent corporations from taking over when we've barely began in rebuilding Wutai."
"And if that happens?"
"Then I have to shake the balance of power. My family has ruled Wutai for ages. Godo, as the present lord of Wutai holds important power, the council can either support him, or not... he can listen to them and use their advice, but in the end..."
"His decisions prevail." Red spoke softly and Yuffie nodded.
"After the festival, I turn eighteen. I would have the power to legally challenge Godo.
Unfortunately, I still can't completely overturn his decisions, and because I officially become Lady Kisaragi, the balance of power will be split between Godo, and me. He still holds majority of that power, but I have enough to make sure those damned reactors never come near Wutai,"
Her speech was welcomed by silence as they all stared at her. Finally, Cid spoke out. "Who are you and what have you done to our brat?"
Barret nodded and joined it. "Yeah, where's the little pest that stole our materia? You ain't her..."
Yuffie scowled playfully at them. "Funny... I'm dying of laughter."
"You've grown up," Red commented, a look of approval his face, and Yuffie wrinkled her nose in mock disgust.
"Whatever, but please... please play along!" Yuffie asked, returning to the subject of her engagement.
They all looked at each other reluctantly, but also realized that not only will they be able to help Yuffie out, they can use the time they have to investigate Alec Kitani, and make sure that the mako reactors be never activated again.
+-+-
"You're really something, you know that?" Elena muttered under her breath as they waited for Reeve to come out of a meeting.
Reno looked at Elena in surprise. "What? What did I do?"
"You were trying to piss Cloud and the others back then!"
"Oh, come on. I didn't know you cared."
"I don't!" Elena snapped. "Obviously it was wrong for me to think that you'll have the decency to be nicer to Yuffie after what happened yesterday."
Reno snorted. "You buddies with the brat now?"
Rude gave a small cough to get their attention, which they both ignored. "The war is over, we're not enemies anymore. Just because we're not friends doesn't mean we can't be civil with each other especially in public!" Elena hissed as Reeve's secretary looked at her with disapproval.
"Whatever." Reno muttered, as he looked at his watch. "What's taking him so long?"
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Reeve practically barged from the conference room, a look of intense anger in his face as he walk passed them. "Follow me,"
Rude, Elena and Reno looked at each other in mild surprise, this was probably the first time they have ever seen a reaction out of Reeve. When they reached his office, Reeve grabbed a beer from his mini-fridge and practically drank the contents in one gulp.
"You okay, Reeve?"
The president of Shinra Inc looked at Reno. "We have a problem."
"What's that?"
"Kitani. Stupid, slimy bastard!" Reeve slammed his hand against his table and Elena jumped in surprise. "Since he can't get into Wutai, guess what's he done?"
"Brought a piece of Wutai land?"
Reeve looked at Reno who smirked. "Told you that you should've checked on this asshole the moment he showed up."
"The property is at the most western part of Wutai. He still can't build a reactor, but that would probably soon change."
"You're really angry about this, huh?" Reno asked as he sat down on the chair.
"That's not all. The bastard had the audacity to blackmail me." Reeve replied as he took a folder from his drawer and tossed it to Reno. "I don't know how he got his hands on those Shinra files, but he did. He wanted me to give him all of Shinra's experiment reports or he'll give that to Yuffie."
Reno read the report. "But she knows about this,"
"I know that! It's just the nerve, of that man to actually think he can blackmail me!"
"What experiment reports? Hojo's?"
Reeve looked at Elena who was now reading the files. "Who knows which one that bastard wanted? He just wanted all of them. I don't even have any; I had them destroyed after meteor. The last thing we need is another Hojo who'll use the information for their own twisted plans."
"You're worried about something," Rude commented as he observed Reeve, who nodded.
"I installed a new device for Cait Sith, that would make him slightly independent of me. Almost like a solar power. He has at least two to three hours that he can do on his own, I want him to be around Yuffie as much as possible," Reeve finished and looked more worried now than upset. "There have been... rumors going on. I'm sure I don't have to explain why Godo and the council doesn't approve of Reno as Yuffie's fiancé."
"What sort of rumors?"
Reeve cleared his throat as he looked at Reno. "I'm sure you're aware of how Yuffie is close to the people. The council isn't all too happy that she's gaining more and more influence over the people. They'll listen to her, rather than her father. That, isn't being swallowed well by many..."
"Get to the point, Reeve."
Reeve looked at Reno as he pulled out a mini cassette tape. "Another installment on Cait Sith, I had him roam around for testing when he came across this," Reeve pressed the play button, and all four of them listened to the conversation.
The recording was perfect, the words were clear and the voices would be easily identified if needed, their topic of conversation centered on the festival that will be held in two day's time, as well as the official ceremony for Yuffie that would legally give her decision making powers over Wutai.
The next topic of their conversation made Elena gasp.
At the ceremony, Lady Yuffie Kisaragi will be assassinated.
Playing With Fire
Chapter 8
Yuffie woke up, and the first thing she noticed was that she wasn't in her room. She looked around, and realized that she was in her 'secret' corner in the garden. A small smile formed on her lips as she remembered the times she used to hide here from Ayami, and even from the Royal Guards every time she felt like playing hide and seek. Until now, this place was her private sanctuary, unknown to anyone else. She looked up, and squinted at the bright light.
She stood up, and peeked out the curtain of vines that served as a door to her secret corner. Making sure no one was around, she slid out and made her slow walk back to the palace when she bumped into something, or someone.
"Yuffie! I was looking for... what happened to you?"
She looked up to see Tifa, both her hands on her shoulders. She gave the girl a smile. "Hi, Tifa!"
"Where did you get that bruise?" Tifa asked, and her eyes narrowed. "Did Reno do this?"
Yuffie laughed despite herself. "Gawd no! I... I just had a little accident yesterday. Hey, I don't have any cure materia with me..."
Tifa sighed and shook her head as she took out her materia and tended to Yuffie's bruise.
When she finished, Yuffie gave a wide grin, and Tifa held on to her materia tightly.
"Awww, come on Tifa! I'm over that now!"
"I'm sure you are," Tifa replied watching Yuffie as she hid her materia. "So, is there anything you want to tell me?"
Yuffie blinked before shrugging. "Welcome to Wutai?"
Tifa scowled. "Not that! How long have you been seeing Reno?"
A look of understanding dawned on Yuffie's face. "Oh, don't worry about that. I just made it up."
Tifa blinked. "What?"
"It's all an act. I didn't get a chance to tell you before because I was busy."
"Wait... aren't you... pregnant?" Tifa asked carefully, and Yuffie's face darkened for a short moment, as soon as it came, the look disappeared.
"No... That was a rumor gone wrong. Are the other's with you?"
Tifa paled as she dragged Yuffie with her. "Come on, we better find the others before they find Reno."
Meanwhile, Cloud, Cid, Red and Barret walked through the streets of Wutai when they saw an all too familiar man with red hair, followed by a blond, and a bald headed man. "Please, try to remember that we're in public and the last thing Yuffie needs is..." Red never got a chance to finish as Cid and Barret walked faster to meet the approaching Turks.
"Well, well... it's a small world." Reno snickered as the two men approached him. "Fancy meeting you here."
"I'd say the same thing to you, foo'!"
Elena threw Reno a warning glance as the rest of AVALNCHE approached them.
"Reno, this isn't the place..."
"Whose side are you on?" Reno asked, barely giving her a glance. Elena turned her attention to Rude, who somehow understood.
"Come on, we need to meet Reeve."
The people walking past them could feel the open hostility in the air. Slight whispers started, and a crowd gathered. Cloud noticed the audience they were gaining and spoke up.
"We'll deal with you later. We have more important things to do."
Reno grinned, eyes filled with mocking glee as he stared at Cloud Strife. "Is that a challenge, Spike?"
"Take it if you want it." Cloud retorted, his eyes narrowing.
"Reno," Elena snapped. There was nothing more she wanted to leave, but knowing what a jerk Reno can be, he'll probably provoke a fight with AVALANCHE. "We need to go,"
Cid was about to retort a reply when they heard a faint voice calling Cloud. They looked back, beyond where the Turks were standing and saw Tifa, running with Yuffie. What surprised him, was the concerned look from the female Turk.
"You okay, Yuffie?" Elena asked as Yuffie and Tifa finally reached them. Yuffie just nodded and gave Elena a small smile.
Barret peered down at Yuffie with concern. "You shouldn't be runnin' with that condition, kid, It's not gonna be good for the little one."
Yuffie blinked, "What?"
Elena elbowed Reno, who started to laugh. Cloud, Cid and Barret glared at Reno, and even Red looked slightly angry at Reno's reaction.
"You find the brat's situation funny, Turk?" Cid asked, hands gripping his weapon.
Reno just grinned, hands on the pocket of his jeans as he looked at Yuffie. "Why don't you tell them, sweetheart."
"Shut up, Reno." Yuffie snapped, not in the mood with Reno's stupid teasing. "I swear I'll tell you everything later. Just not here," She said as she turned to her teammates with a pleading look. The crowd was getting bigger, and the last thing Yuffie needed was to have a brawl early in the morning.
Reno however, was having too much time to stop. "Awwww, come on. We don't need to hide anything now do we? It's about time they know about us!"
The ninja glared at Reno as Elena shook her head at Reno's childishness. Rude remained silent, eyes alert and ready to fight, if the need arises. "Don't listen to him, I'll just take you to your villa, I'll explain everything there."
"No kiss? Your public is watching..." Reno teased and Yuffie blushed as she looked at Elena with a silent plea. Fortunately, Elena felt a bit of sympathy towards the girl because of yesterday's events.
"We have business to attend to, Reno. Or have you forgotten that?"
Reno looked at Elena who glared back, annoyed that they were wasting time when they could be doing what they came for in Wutai. The playful look returned in Reno's face as he winked at Yuffie. "See ya later, muffin."
They watched as the Turks walked away, with Reno whistling a happy tune. Yuffie thanked every god she knew of that AVALANCHE remained quiet, due to the fact that Tifa, who was standing behind her had given a glare of warning to the others not to interfere, or be provoked by the red headed Turk.
"You gonna tell us 'bout this whole thing?"
Yuffie nodded. "I'll just take you to where you'll be staying,"
The crowd that gathered was still there, lingering in the background, hoping to hear what was going on. Cloud nodded, and motioned for the others to follow Yuffie. The ninja took a deep breath, and hoped that everything will turn out in her favor, and that the rest of AVALANCHE plays along. /One more week, and this will be all over... I hope.../
She let them in the villa, a building opposite to where Reno, Rude, and Cait Sith were staying. Yuffie crossed her fingers, hoping that Tifa would have no objection staying one door away from Elena. They barely got inside when Cloud looked at Yuffie, silently demanding for an explanation. Tifa closed the door behind her, and Yuffie began her tale.
"I asked Reno to be my fiancé."
"What the &%#*+ hell for?" Cid asked. "You got a thing for that scum?"
Yuffie ignored Cid's profanities. "No! I asked him because I needed a fiancé or else Godo was going to engage me to this guy."
"Anyone would be better than that Turk." Cloud muttered as he sat down.
Yuffie gave a shaky laugh. "Not this one... have any of you heard about Kitani Corp?"
Her friends shook their heads. "Kitani Corp is Shinra's newest business rival. They're picking up where old Shinra ended..."
"Hold on, you tellin' me there's a new foo' messin' with those reactors?" Barret interrupted Yuffie who nodded.
"Godo wanted to engage me to Alec Kitani, and I told him over my dead body... but he wouldn't listen, that and Alec won't get off my back, so to shut him up, I kinda told him I had a fiancé, jerk told Godo and he demanded I show this fiancé of mine... so... I showed him one."
Red tilted his head at Yuffie's explanation, while Cid swore. "Why the Turk then?"
"Who else was I supposed to ask? You and Barret would be too... old," She replied
and looked at Red apologetically. "Red won't do, no offence..."
"None taken, "
"Cloud, well... It'll feel weird," She continued as Cloud raised an eyebrow at her. "Well,
and Vinnie's nowhere to be found!" She finished raising both her hands in exclamation.
"That why you've been asking me where he is?"
Yuffie nodded as she took a deep breath, "Please... please play along. I had no other choice! Besides, he's good at pissing Alec off."
"This Kitani guy, what's he done so far with the reactors?" Cloud asked staring at Yuffie intently, the fact that she was 'engaged' to Reno was not important anymore. The others noticed the seriousness of Cloud's expression and waited for Yuffie to answer.
"He hasn't activated any, as far as I've heard. All I know for sure is that he's been experimenting with them, for what, I really don't care. All I know is I won't let in happen in Wutai, or anywhere else."
Cloud leaned back, and looked around the room. Tifa looked at Yuffie and wondered where the bruise came from. One of the many benefits of being martial artist was that she could tell a bruise that came from bumping, or from falling, to a bruise that was man made, and Yuffie's bruise was definitely man made. Yuffie caught Tifa's gaze and gave the older girl a reassuring smile. "By the way, you're staying next to my room..."
"And Reeve?"
Yuffie turned to Red who asked the question. "That's another reason why I think having the Turks around is good, they can look after Reeve and Shinra. Alec is starting to worm his way through the council. I'm not worried yet, but it's better that we play it safe."
"What happens if he completely worms his way in?" Cloud asked, his mind already in motion on what to do.
"Kitani will activate a reactor in Wutai. It will start getting business in, and Shinra will have competition. One reason why the council just wanted one organization is to prevent corporations from taking over when we've barely began in rebuilding Wutai."
"And if that happens?"
"Then I have to shake the balance of power. My family has ruled Wutai for ages. Godo, as the present lord of Wutai holds important power, the council can either support him, or not... he can listen to them and use their advice, but in the end..."
"His decisions prevail." Red spoke softly and Yuffie nodded.
"After the festival, I turn eighteen. I would have the power to legally challenge Godo.
Unfortunately, I still can't completely overturn his decisions, and because I officially become Lady Kisaragi, the balance of power will be split between Godo, and me. He still holds majority of that power, but I have enough to make sure those damned reactors never come near Wutai,"
Her speech was welcomed by silence as they all stared at her. Finally, Cid spoke out. "Who are you and what have you done to our brat?"
Barret nodded and joined it. "Yeah, where's the little pest that stole our materia? You ain't her..."
Yuffie scowled playfully at them. "Funny... I'm dying of laughter."
"You've grown up," Red commented, a look of approval his face, and Yuffie wrinkled her nose in mock disgust.
"Whatever, but please... please play along!" Yuffie asked, returning to the subject of her engagement.
They all looked at each other reluctantly, but also realized that not only will they be able to help Yuffie out, they can use the time they have to investigate Alec Kitani, and make sure that the mako reactors be never activated again.
+-+-
"You're really something, you know that?" Elena muttered under her breath as they waited for Reeve to come out of a meeting.
Reno looked at Elena in surprise. "What? What did I do?"
"You were trying to piss Cloud and the others back then!"
"Oh, come on. I didn't know you cared."
"I don't!" Elena snapped. "Obviously it was wrong for me to think that you'll have the decency to be nicer to Yuffie after what happened yesterday."
Reno snorted. "You buddies with the brat now?"
Rude gave a small cough to get their attention, which they both ignored. "The war is over, we're not enemies anymore. Just because we're not friends doesn't mean we can't be civil with each other especially in public!" Elena hissed as Reeve's secretary looked at her with disapproval.
"Whatever." Reno muttered, as he looked at his watch. "What's taking him so long?"
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Reeve practically barged from the conference room, a look of intense anger in his face as he walk passed them. "Follow me,"
Rude, Elena and Reno looked at each other in mild surprise, this was probably the first time they have ever seen a reaction out of Reeve. When they reached his office, Reeve grabbed a beer from his mini-fridge and practically drank the contents in one gulp.
"You okay, Reeve?"
The president of Shinra Inc looked at Reno. "We have a problem."
"What's that?"
"Kitani. Stupid, slimy bastard!" Reeve slammed his hand against his table and Elena jumped in surprise. "Since he can't get into Wutai, guess what's he done?"
"Brought a piece of Wutai land?"
Reeve looked at Reno who smirked. "Told you that you should've checked on this asshole the moment he showed up."
"The property is at the most western part of Wutai. He still can't build a reactor, but that would probably soon change."
"You're really angry about this, huh?" Reno asked as he sat down on the chair.
"That's not all. The bastard had the audacity to blackmail me." Reeve replied as he took a folder from his drawer and tossed it to Reno. "I don't know how he got his hands on those Shinra files, but he did. He wanted me to give him all of Shinra's experiment reports or he'll give that to Yuffie."
Reno read the report. "But she knows about this,"
"I know that! It's just the nerve, of that man to actually think he can blackmail me!"
"What experiment reports? Hojo's?"
Reeve looked at Elena who was now reading the files. "Who knows which one that bastard wanted? He just wanted all of them. I don't even have any; I had them destroyed after meteor. The last thing we need is another Hojo who'll use the information for their own twisted plans."
"You're worried about something," Rude commented as he observed Reeve, who nodded.
"I installed a new device for Cait Sith, that would make him slightly independent of me. Almost like a solar power. He has at least two to three hours that he can do on his own, I want him to be around Yuffie as much as possible," Reeve finished and looked more worried now than upset. "There have been... rumors going on. I'm sure I don't have to explain why Godo and the council doesn't approve of Reno as Yuffie's fiancé."
"What sort of rumors?"
Reeve cleared his throat as he looked at Reno. "I'm sure you're aware of how Yuffie is close to the people. The council isn't all too happy that she's gaining more and more influence over the people. They'll listen to her, rather than her father. That, isn't being swallowed well by many..."
"Get to the point, Reeve."
Reeve looked at Reno as he pulled out a mini cassette tape. "Another installment on Cait Sith, I had him roam around for testing when he came across this," Reeve pressed the play button, and all four of them listened to the conversation.
The recording was perfect, the words were clear and the voices would be easily identified if needed, their topic of conversation centered on the festival that will be held in two day's time, as well as the official ceremony for Yuffie that would legally give her decision making powers over Wutai.
The next topic of their conversation made Elena gasp.
At the ceremony, Lady Yuffie Kisaragi will be assassinated.