TO DEFINE EVIL
CHAPTER FIVE: WUTAI
Disclaimer: Square Soft and lots of other people own Final Fantasy, not me.
I'm just temporarily enjoying the playground they outgrew and left behind. . . no sense in letting it go to waste!
Oh, and by the way, I love C&C on my writing. Short coments are nice, but
if you want to spend the time telling me what I should change, I'd be delighted! Thanks
for reading.
Inarae
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CHAPTER FIVE: WUTAI
"Her Royal Highness will be with you shortly," the silk clad servant finished serving them tea and bowed deeply, backing out of the hall.
Barrett made a face as he took a sip, then sighed as he looked around, shifting uncomfortably. Everyone was sitting on pillows, for Christ's sake! This was supposed to be the palace's new formal meeting room; couldn't they afford some chairs? And what was up with the drinks? Tea was bad enough, but this tasted like chocobo feed or something. Tea was supposed to be lightly flavored water mixed with sugar and milk, not thick green goop. Maybe it was actually ground up spinach or something, and Yuffie was just playing a practical joke on them. Hell, maybe this was actually the prison room or something; sure looked like it with the dull gray green walls and woven straw mat floor. Didn't rich people usually have floors of marble or fancy tile or thick luxurious carpet? There weren't even any pictures to break up the monotony of the walls. Well, there were some signs mounted on patterned paper, but he couldn't read the weird symbols they used for writing here, so for all he knew they were directions to the restrooms or saying No Smoking or something. Speaking of which,
"Would you knock that off? At least wait till you're outside." Barrett snapped at Cid, who was happily puffing away on a cigar. At the least the guy could change his brand. Barrett was dang sick of that particular sickly sweet smell. God he hoped Cloud was OK. Where was Yuffie?
"Why'd we have to come here anyhow? We ought to be out looking for Cloud!" He shifted uneasily as he spoke.
"This is Yuffie's country; not only would it be rude and counter productive to insult her by not visiting, she has tight ties to the underworld here. If Cloud or that guy have come through here, she'll know it." Tifa snorted. "Of course, that leaves the question of what she'll demand in exchange for the information."
Everyone jumped as the doors slammed open, two files of soldiers marching in smartly and snapping to attention on each side of the doorway.
"Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of the Ancient and Most Glorious Nation of Wutai!" the commander called out in a booming voice.
And then Yuffie appeared in the doorway, and there was total silence while Avalanche attempted to collect the wits that had fallen out their open mouths while they watched dumbfounded. They had expected Yuffie to do something unusual, probably something ridiculous and irritating- try to steal their materia, or have them arrested for trespass, or just keep them waiting here forever- but this?
Yuffie looked. . . well, she looked like the princess she technically was, swathed in intricately brocaded silk robes that forced her to walk with tiny mincing steps that somehow looked incredibly feminine rather than ridiculous. Her hair had grown out, or she was wearing a wig, for her head was covered in intricate braids and loops coiled above her meekly bowed face. Pearl and gold accents adorned the dark mass, leaving her slim neck pale and vulnerable looking in contrast. Her face had been lightly brushed with a pale powder and touched up with crimson blush to give her skin a smooth glow, highlighted by darkened eyes and light red paint tracing her lips. She bowed gracefully from the waist and knelt before them on a golden cushion two guards hurriedly prepared for her.
Avalanche was still in too much shock to say anything. Was this really the aggressive tomboy who had accompanied them to fight Sephiroth, swearing like Cid, stealing from everyone and anyone, dressed in a ridiculous mix of admittedly efficient armor and picking fights she'd run away from as often as possible? Then Yuffie looked up, and the improbable image of an elegant stranger fractured irreparably. No one could mistake that arrogant, mischievous expression for anyone except the smart mouthed kid. But why the costume?
"May I inquire as to what brings you to Wutai?" Despite the humble phrasing and soft voice, her expression turned the question into something more like, 'So you need my help again, huh? Be prepared, it's gonna cost you, and I'm gonna enjoy each penny I squeeze out of your pockets.'
Barrett bit his tongue to keep from commenting.
"We need information, and it's very important." Red stated earnestly. "We're looking for a short guy named Volg Calson, with brown hair, who's slightly overweight. His parents were traders around here about twenty years ago; he might still be one. We're also looking for a bunch of men who dress in black uniforms that are likely associated with him. The uniforms were made in a style particular to Wutai, that's why we're here. They kidnapped Cloud."
Yuffie blinked. "That's impossible. Cloud could kick the entire army's asses. Well, the entire Shinra army's asses anyhow, not Wutai's. Where'd you get your information?"
"He's been sick. Do you know anything?" Tifa put in impatiently.
"Well, I don't know anything about black uniforms, but I know Volg. He works for some rich monastery on an island up north. Heiwa monastery- the monastery of peace, for those of you who only speak common. About a year ago, Volg came here looking for some isolated land to rent as a meditation center for his order. Now, everyone knows the one true religion is the worship of the water dragon, but I figure if he wants to waste his time with something else, that's his business. We're very tolerant here you know."
Everyone looked at her.
"Well, the ridiculously high rent they're paying for some useless rocks helps," she added, blushing, a spate of honesty she had been missing last time they saw her. Two years ago she wouldn't have even acknowledged that there was anything off about changing one's morals due to infusions of cash. Was she growing up? Then Tifa noticed her glance apologetically at one of the guardsmen, the young one with the rather spectacular physique and stern face. Yuffie winced slightly as his glare scolded her. Actually, he kinda looked like he was trying to keep from rolling his eyes and grinning, but Yuffie apparently only saw the glare.
"It would be bad to refuse to do business with someone just because they have a different religion, right?" She added hopefully.
Oh yes, first love and trying to gain the approval of the object of her crush - she was growing up. Hope it works out; looks like he's good for her, Tifa thought, ignoring the traitorous thought of 'I hope Cloud and I get the chance to see if it will work out too.' Oh Cloud, where are you?
Barrett was grinning also, having caught the exchange. Actually even Red had an amused twinkle in his eyes. Only Cid seemed to have missed it. And of course, Cid being Cid, once he recovered from his shock over how she was dressed he couldn't leave it alone.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" He exploded. "You look like a girl!"
Yuffie blinked. Immediately opened her mouth to say, "I am a girl," in confusion, realized what Cid's comment implied about the way she'd looked before, looked over at her guardsman friend in horrified humiliation, and then began to get seriously pissed. Of course, just as her hand slipped up inside her sleeve to where she kept some throwing daggers, she realized that killing him wasn't very lady-like and tried to control herself. It took a lot.
"I'm going to ignore that comment because this room is new and I don't want to get it blood stained already," she said softly. "But I strongly suggest you learn to watch your mouth."
"Me watch my mouth? Listen girl. . . and that's another point, what the hell is wrong with your architect if this is what he considers a reception room? It looks like part of the damn sewer or something. Can't you afford some regular teacups and chairs? Maybe some decorations on the walls? Just some advice, if you want to impress political folks, put them in the someplace nice, like that back room in the palace with the big golden thingy."
Yuffie snorted, seeing a perfect chance to insult him back. "The shrine? A sign you have absolutely no culture, fly boy. Not that I should have expected any from someone like you I suppose. That whole section of the palace is overdone and gaudy to impress and overwhelm idiots and farm boys so they'll be so in awe of me they can be dealt with easily. Putting someone important there would be insulting, saying that I think they can be controlled that way too. Of course, if you think you belong there. . . Idiot." Her guardsman was trying not to snicker again. Actually, all the guardsmen were snickering, he was just doing a better job of hiding it than most.
"Stop it Cid!" Tifa snapped. "Cloud is missing, probably kidnapped by a guy with a new super weapon that could kill thousands, and you want to argue about architecture? Yuffie, do you have any data on this Heiwa monastery and it's members?"
"Super weapon?" Yuffie repeated slowly. Behind her the soldiers had stopped laughing. "That could kill thousands? When were you planning on telling me about this?"
"She wasn't deliberately hiding anything, none of us were. We're just more worried about Cloud, because it doesn't seem likely that the weapon will actually work." Red put in quietly.
"Really?" Yuffie's voice was flat. "So explain it all to me now."
"It started with Reeve. . ." Red began.
"We don't have time for this! Yuffie, can you just give us the info on the monastery? I swear I'll explain it all in detail later. They could be killing Cloud right now! I'll owe you big time," Tifa promised. Saying that to Yuffie was about as dangerous as walking through the slums unarmed and wearing a fortune in jewelry, but. . .
"I find it highly unlikely that they would kill him," Red said thoughtfully. "If they could get close enough to take Cloud, they could have just bombed Vincent's house and killed him much easier. That they spent the effort to kidnap him implies that they want him alive."
"Yuffie, please." Barrett said slowly.
Yuffie looked around and sighed dramatically. "All right, but one more condition. I'm going with you, and you'll explain on the way." She held up a hand to forestall comments from Avalanche and the soldiers behind her. "This is my country, and I want to know anything that happens in it. Moreover, it is my responsibility as ruler to take care of it."
"Not in person!" Her guardsman protested, ignoring the glare his commander sent him. "What about your responsibility as heir to stay alive?"
"Are you implying that I'm not a good enough fighter to take care of myself?" Yuffie asked him, eyes narrowed. Apparently love didn't go far enough to let her ignore an insult to her skills.
"Something along those lines, yes!" Ooh, he was brave. "Even you aren't a good enough fighter that a lucky shot wouldn't kill you."
"Are you implying that I should be a dishonorable coward and live here in seclusion for the rest of my life then?" Yuffie wasn't budging, and considering the value the people of Wutai placed on honor and bravery, there wasn't much he could say to that. Well, except:
"It is not dishonorable for a commander to stay behind the lines of battle. It would be worse for the country if the commander died and the army fell into chaos." Hmm, a quick thinker, Tifa thought. Wait, why was she sitting here listening to them waste time again. . ?
"But the most successful and revered leaders in our history lead from the front lines. Yu Wu says in his treatise on war that a general should risk his life alongside his men, that they may see his bravery and be inspired by it, and that he can see the situation first hand that he may plan his strategies better." Yuffie retorted.
"He was talking about a man!"
Silence.
Yuffie got to her feet, eyes cold. "You forget your place, Lieutenant. Come on Tifa, my tax collectors should have records on the monastery. We'd better be going."
Tifa got to her feet, hesitating for a second as she glanced over at the soldiers before she followed Yuffie out the door. Barrett lumbered to his feet, shaking his head in sympathy as he passed the shell-shocked young man.
"That's women for you," Cid commented as he went by. "Completely illogical and selfish, never listening to their betters. . ."
"Yuffie is the most intelligent woman I've ever met, and she's never been selfish, you bast. . ." He sighed and let his shoulders slump. Cid shook his head in disgust and continued out.
"Move out! Follow her highness!" The commander snapped. "Except you Lieutenant. You report to the cleaning detail for punishment, and expect to stay there for the next six months!"
Red shook his head and grinned. Love was cute.
"Jeezus," Barrett exploded as he began to look through the files Yuffie gave him. "You're as bad as Reeve. Don't you pay attention to what's happening under your nose? Two thousand men, mainly elite soldiers and high ranking officers who left Shinra after Reeve took over and downsized the military," he quoted from the paper in front of him. "Enough supplies going in each month to feed twice that many. And this much weaponry being bought to 'protect them from monsters?' Including dozens of mastered offensive materia orbs? Hell, they could exterminate every monster on the planet with that. They're preparing for a siege you idiot!"
"What would you have me do, Barrett? You don't have the slightest knowledge of what running a government is like, do you?" Yuffie looked coldly at him. "All you see is what's going wrong. Well listen up, there ain't no such thing as a perfect government. I can't make everything happen the way it 'ought to'. If I keep a close eye on my people, and thereby know when things like this are going on, I'm a tight fisted tyrant invading their right to privacy. If I leave them alone, crimes occur and the legal system turns into chaos. I have to choose a balance, but no matter what I do, bad things Will Happen! That's life. There is no 'good' government, only ones that are not evil. All I or Reeve, or anyone else can do is try our hardest to be good, knowing all along that we will fail, and people will hate us for it. Where do you get off judging us?"
"Jeez, I didn't mean it that strongly. . ."
"Then don't say it."
"We're all just worried about Cloud, Yuffie," Tifa put in. "Please forgive us if we act rude."
Yuffie sighed and rubbed her forehead. "Yeah, well, I'm upset I didn't know about this too. And I was kinda out of sorts to begin with." She glanced over at her bodyguards near the door with a wry smile. "Sorry Barrett."
Not being sure quite what to say, Barrett stayed silent.
"You're talking about yourself a lot in regards to the Wutai government," Red commented. "What happened to your father? Is he OK?"
Yuffie blinked and shook her head, accepting the change in subject without comment. "No, he's fine. He just wants to retire in the next decade or so, so he's having me get a feel for ruling for a few years before he officially steps down. So what do you all want to do about the so called monastery?"
"Sneak and fight our way in, rescue Cloud, smash any weaponry we find, discover what their plans are and sabotage them." Tifa put in promptly, face grim. "How soon will you all be ready?"
Later that evening, a young man was dejectedly scrubbing the tile floor in the men's privies, sighing deeply. A silhouette slipped in behind him.
"Psst, Allen."
The man almost fell over, he spun around so fast. The silhouette put it's hand to it's mouth to keep from laughing.
"Yuffie! I mean, Your Majesty, I mean. . . Shit, you shouldn't be here. . ."
She shrugged offhandedly. "I'll take care of it if there's a problem. I just wanted to see you before I go."
He sighed and stared at the dirty sponge in his hand, squeezing it do brown liquid dripped out to puddle on the floor.
"You're going then." His voice was flat.
She sighed and crouched down next to him. "It's necessary."
"Take me with you then, please. Or the entire damn army!" His eyes pleaded with her to reconsider.
She shook her head. "It's a quiet infiltration, not an open attack. The more people there are, the less chance we have of succeeding."
"Then why do you have to go."
"We already discussed this. It's my duty, I know the area and will be able to help them, and frankly, they're my friends, and I owe them. If it wasn't for Cloud taking me in, I doubt I'd have lived this long. I was too angry at the world, looking for a fight with anyone, but not experienced enough to win against someone skilled."
He reached up and touched her cheek gently. Her heart fluttered. "Be more careful this time, please. You're the only heir."
She jerked away, eyes flaring. "I have six cousins."
He blinked in surprise at the venom in her voice. Why did she. . ? Ohhhh. . . "I'll miss you," he offered.
The anger faded as quickly as it had came, and she gave him a quick smile.
"I just wanted to tell you that I wish you were coming too."
"Then. . ." His eyes leapt with hope.
She shook her head. "No. I've worked with Avalanche enough that we can function as a cohesive unit. You'd be an unknown, and we don't need that."
"Why don't you just take the whole army and blow the damn place to a billion pieces?"
"You'll make a good strategist someday," she murmured, shaking her head slightly, smiling, but he couldn't tell if she was serious or making fun of him. "If he really does have Cloud and a super weapon, we want make sure that he never gets a chance to kill Cloud or use the weapon. He'd have plenty of time to do either while his men held off a frontal attack, even if we overran their defenses in minutes."
He sighed. "I don't like it, but I understand. I'll be a good boy and wait here for you to return. Don't you dare get killed though."
She blew him a kiss, wishing she had the guts to make it a real one. He blushed bright red anyhow. "One more thing. I told my father to start mobilizing the army, just in case we fail and need it. I also told him to give you the Leviathan summon."
He froze in shock. "You need that, you idiot girl!" He hissed. "Haven't you been listening to anything I've said?"
"I've got the mastered original, dummy! The one I'm giving you is the child that was born as it matured," she snapped back, keeping her voice low.
"But still, surely your father. . . he's the guardian of the water dragon's land. . ."
"My father has never used Leviathan. He says he's too old to study a new technique. You've at least played with it."
He blushed bright red. "How did you know that I. . ."
"That you snuck into the armory and borrowed it last month to experiment with?" She cocked an eyebrow at him. "That's a secret."
He groaned. "Go on, get out of here and go to bed. You're going to need a good night's sleep."
For some odd reason, she blushed at that. He thought about it a minute and then grinned inwardly. She looked at him suspiciously. He pasted an angry frown on his face and leaned towards her slowly and deliberately, his heart beating wildly, until they were about an inch from bumping noses. She watched wide-eyed. He darted forward and placed a quick kiss on her nose, then sat back to watch. Her mouth opened and shut without anything coming out, her cheeks burning a brilliant crimson. They stared at each other for a moment. Then she got to her feet and regally turned and left the room. Allen smiled.
Yuffie threw herself down on the floor of her room, giggling uncontrollably. A warm feeling blossomed in her stomach, and she realized that it was probably a very very good thing that he was not coming along. But she sure as hell hoped it would be over fast so she could return home!
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Author's Note: Yes, I see Yuffie as kinda an innocent, perhaps even the most innocent in the game, despite her attitude. She's competent and world-wise, but she's still a princess, and aware of the behavior expected of her. Regarding the beginning of this chapter: I played almost the entire game without Yuffie- she irritated me increadably! However, once it became obvious that Wutai was the best place to put this section of the story, I got her and replayed events. I discovered that I really like her, but I had already written some of this based on my previous impression. So apologies if you don't think she's accurate; you're probably correct.
Inarae
ginabrae@aol.com
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