Shades of Gray
Part Eight: Times Change And So Do People
The seventeenth night after Barret's invitation
Only a few more days, and it would be Christmas. Marlene would get her surprise, they'd all receive presents from each other and they'd go back their separate ways, leaving Tifa alone... and now, she wasn't sure what she wanted.
At the moment, she was doing rounds in the second floor of her bar, trying to make sense of the chaos her friends had created in the guest rooms. They were out either celebrating or shopping, she supposed. She tried not to be hurt that they hadn't invited her to come along but she couldn't blame them; after all, she had been too distant lately...
Shera's door was locked, and Tifa didn't want to disturb her friend's privacy- or pick the lock just so she could clean up after the her friend's mess. Turning the corner to Elmyra's room, Tifa heard faint tapping noises coming from across the hall. She froze midstride, straining to catch the sound. It came again, a definite pounding from the next room, and Tifa edged down the narrow hallway. Wielding her broom like Cloud would his Ultima Weapon, she kicked the door open, hoping for an element of surprise.
Her thief, face ghost white, shrieked and dropped whatever were in her arms. "Oh gawd, Tifa! Are you trying to scare me to death!"
The broom dropped to the floor and Tifa could only watch Yuffie as she scrambled madly to cover up the things that were scattered on her bed. Tifa raised an eyebrow and was unable to fight the urge to tease the young ninja. "Been borrowing Marlene's stuff animals again?"
"Tifa, you promised to forget about that!" Yuffie's face flushed and Tifa had to laugh, recalling the time when she had walked in on the young girl 'refining her ninja skills' - with a couple of sharpened pencils and Marlene's stuff animals. "Okay, okay, fine! I'll show you these aren't any of Marlene's toys." She threw her hands up in the air and exposed the stuff that she had been trying to hide. There were scissors, a roll of adhesive tape, some bits and pieces of paper, larger sheets of colourful paper...
For a moment, Tifa was speechless and the only thing she could do was to smile at her friend. "Yuffie, that's so sweet of you!" The young ninja had been gift-wrapping her Christmas presents for them. "Do you need any help? I mean, since I have nothing to do, maybe I could cut the ribbon or something."
"Will ya?" She held up a hand, which was red with paper cuts. "And that's just from yours!" Yuffie sat back down on the bed and patted the spot next to her. "Just don't tell Cloud and the others what I'm gonna give them, alright?"
"My lips are sealed." Tifa took the largest box but Yuffie quickly snatched it away from her hands. Tifa suppressed a sigh, seeing the girl's true personality coming through. "Yuffie, how am I going to help if you won't even let me hold the packages?"
"No, you don't understand! You have to be extra careful with this!" her friend was hugging it to her chest as if protecting it from Tifa's clutches. "You see, this has a laptop inside..."
Tifa blinked. "Laptop?" Isn't that a bit expensive for a gift? And to whom would she be giving it to? Marlene was definitely too young for it and Tifa doubted if Red could type with his paws... A frown unconsciously settled on her face as she tried to think of someone who would want a computer...
Yuffie set it down on the bed, regaining her composure. "Hey, you're so mean!" What? "I know what you're thinking!" She did? "I didn't steal anything from anyone this time. I sold MY mastered All material just so I could buy all these stuff including Reeve's laptop!"
"I didn't say anything." Tifa held up her hands in surrender, holding back her amusement at Yuffie's confession. "I was just thinking that a laptop was a bit too much," She saw how Yuffie's face turned into a deep shade of red, and she was unable to push aside the thought that jumped in her mind. "Yuffie?"
"Uh, err..." she scratched her head, making a mess of her short black mane. "You know how I borrowed certain stuff from you all... And it so happened I misplaced some of Cait's materia." Yuffie tried a hopeful grin but Tifa knew that wasn't the end of her 'tale.' "Actually, I lost all his materia. This," she gestured towards the laptop, "is my conscience kicking in."
And here, Tifa thought Yuffie had a crush on Reeve. "Come to think of it, I haven't gotten him anything yet..." A twinge of guilt forced Tifa to let the sentence hang. How could she have forgotten?
Yuffie appeared deep in thought, and the two of them were enveloped in silence, which was weird since Tifa had never before associated that word with the bubbly ninja. "I know!" She suddenly exclaimed, causing Tifa to jump a little in surprise. "Why don't you buy him a ring?"
Yes, buying Reeve a ring would be a brilliant idea. Why not get Reno an iron? Or give Cloud a comb? Or buy Barret a treadmill? "Umm, what made you think he would want a ring?"
"I dunno, it's the 'in' thing nowadays." Yuffie shrugged. "Everyone's wearing one, even Shera-"
"Maybe it's an engagement ring-"
Yuffie snorted upon hearing what Tifa said. "Sure, Cid would just do that." The remark was dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, come on, Cid's Cid... I can't quite imagine him dropping on one knee, much more proposing. But then of course, he could change. After all, times change and so do people."
"Maybe." Tifa shrugged, her face darkening. "Maybe not. Life is life, it's pretty unpredictable." It was hard for her to keep the bitterness out of her voice.
Yuffie stared at her like she had gone crazy. "You know, one philosophical type is way more than enough for this crew. Jeez, what's with the Mr. I-must-atone-for-my-sins impersonation?"
"Vincent's a very smart man, you'd know if you take time to spend even a few minutes with him." Tifa told her younger friend, who just shook her head.
"I didn't say he was stupid - or even that I disliked him. He's just more than a little weird..." Tifa didn't say anything and Yuffie swallowed hard before continuing. "What I mean is, Vinnie's the dark broody one. Not you." She averted her eyes to the floor, stretching her legs onto the bed. "Soooo... you gonna tell me what's wrong?"
What's there to say? That she had been depressed and frustrated and wanted to take out her resentment on every blond guy that came within sight? Yeah. Sure... Maybe, though, it was time to reach out for help - even just a little. "I don't know... We're all together, and I should be glad," she glanced at Yuffie, whose wide eyes were focused solely on her, "But after New Year's, everyone'll be gone. I guess... I just don't want to be alone."
"Aww, Tifa..." Yuffie practically jumped into her friend's arms. "We'd still be friends! I'll visit you, and you know you're always welcome in Wutai! If you want, I'll even come here in person to give you your birthday gift."
"Thanks Yuff, but a gift isn't necessary." She shook her head, relieved that she could count on some people only to change for the better. "Speaking of gifts, have you thought of what Reeve might want?" Tifa smiled brilliantly at her friend.
Yuffie matched that smile before rolling her eyes. "Oh I give up! It'll come to you anyway." Her expression lightened and that devilish gleam came back into her eyes. "Wanna see what I bought for Vinnie?" Before Tifa could say anything, Yuffie was rummaging through the pile of things on her bed and finally pulled out a paper bag.
"Armani Exchange?" Tifa read the label, and with Yuffie's permission, peeked inside to see Vincent's present. "Uh..."
"I just thought it's about time he changed his outfit." She shrugged, still beaming. "I think black's his color, and the maroon tie would bring out the wonderful colour of his eyes- Hey, you have the same eyes!" She whipped the tie out of the bag and held it against Tifa's face. "Anyway, what do you think?"
Tifa couldn't help but smile as well. Vincent in a long-sleeved, button-down shirt with a tie- this was one of those sights which would no doubt make Cid laugh his head off. But then again, all of them, save for Vincent, had already donned different attires. This change would probably do Vincent good- he'd be intimidating and scaring away fewer people. "I'm sure he'd look fine in it."
Yuffie punched her lightly on one arm. "Tifa! Don't tease!"
"I am not! I think it's great. Really." Yuffie's facial expression was still disbelieving so Tifa put her hands in the air, hoping to escape the situation. "Really!" Her gaze lighted on the broom on the floor. "You know, you scared me to death earlier."
"Shouldn't I be saying that?" Yuffie made a face, distractedly tracing the floral patterns on her bed with her fingers. "I didn't think you'd be home."
"I was just doing some cleaning-"
Yuffie interrupted with a gagging gesture. "Boring! You don't clean on holidays!" Tifa laughed, a sound that secretly relieved Yuffie. "Stay with me and let's talk about everything! Well- I also need help with all these." She spread her arms towards the stuff on her bed. "Please?"
Tifa stopped laughing and smile brightly "You don't have to ask, Yuffie."
Original Author's Notes: ) Well Kimetara, seems like you got what you were asking for in one review. Here's Yuffie for you.
Again, let me give credit where credit is due. This one came out fine because of our dear friend Tiy (I thank you with all the orange juice and crab sticks in our fridge...).
I could not put my gratitude into writing (which is weird, since I am supposedly a writer and I should be familiar with quite a number of words); the reviews and the emails were a joy to read, I'm glad you like this. As I wrote in an email a couple of days ago, I will continue this story because I've already started it... And it IS fun writing and receiving feedbacks and comments from people. Thank you for helping me get my muse back.
Anyway, I think this is the longest chapter so far. I had a really difficult time with this part, but don't get me wrong, writing Yuffie was really fun! I just didn't know where the conversation was going (LOL, even the Armani Exchange part!) and where the story was headed...
BTW, I know Tifa is a fistfighter. A trained martial artist wouldn't be caught "wielding a broom" but she WAS cleaning the house, right? ) Might as well use it? Haha, I thought that would be funny... Tell me what you think?
Oh, and I need help with the Tifa's Christmas presents... it has to be real fitting, I mean. Like Yuffie's laptop for Reeve, and the top and tie for "Vinnie," you get what I mean? ) Tifa would be giving things to Cloud, Barret, Marlene, Red, Yuffie, Reeve, Vincent, Cid, Shera, Elmyra, Reno, Rude and Elena. Feel free to leave it in reviews or email me at sodacolapop AT yahoo DOT com.
Added Disclaimer: I don't own Armani Exchange. Being unhealthily thrifty, I don't even own a single article of clothing from Armani!
7-24/26-02