The Days Before
-Squirrel Tamer
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.
Yuffie's Chocobo
Wow...Aerith is a great Chocobo Jockey, Squall said to his best friend Cloud. The two teenagers were sitting on the grass watching a girl with long, brown hair pulled back into two braided pigtails ride a Chocobo. The girl had bright green eyes and was smiling happily. Beside Cloud and Squall was a little girl with dark reddish-brown hair whose big blue eyes were filled with delight. She kept clapping her hands as Aerith went faster and faster.
She's the only Chocobo Jockey. Cloud pointed out.
Just then a shadow fell over the three on the hill. They all looked up to see another young girl looking at them with a smile on her face. She had short, dark brown hair, that was almost black and she was wearing shorts and a dark green shirt that showed part of her stomach. She wore overly large gloves on her hands and the headband she wore seemed too large for her head, as it kept sliding down a bit.
Hey Yuffie. Cloud said.
What are you guys doing? I've been looking all over for all of you. She said her voice filled with false anger.
Were just watching Aerith ride her Chocobo and then I have to go for my lessons with Sephiroth. Cloud explained as Squall snickered.
Why do you let him be your trainer? He's so cold and scary. Kairi asked him, her eyes wide with fright.
Yeah he is cold, but he's also one of the best fighters in Hollow Bastion. And its not like he's some crazy murderer. He even offered to help Squall to, but Squall refused. Cloud told the little girl.
That's cause he seems like the crazy murderer type to me. Squall told him.
Hey guys! Do you want to come over and pet Buttercup? Aerith yelled to her friends.
Kairi was up in an instant running as fast as her little legs would take her toward the Chocobo. Squall stood up slowly and strutted over to the large bird. Cloud was the last to get up and make his way over, but he stopped halfway there and turned around.
Aren't you coming, Yuffie? He asked sounding slightly annoyed. When someone makes fun of your idol it can sometimes make you angry.
The ninja shook her head violently and stared at the Chocobo with large fearful eyes. Cloud sighed and walked back to her.
Well why not? He asked eying her.
Because its filthy, she croaked.
You're scared aren't you? He asked with a smirk on his face.
I am not! She yelled.
Prove it. He said.
She said and then stomped off towards the Chocobo. When she got about three feet away she froze.
Aren't you gonna pet it? Cloud yelled. Or are you too scared?!
She whirled around to glare at him and then turned back to the giant yellow bird. She swallowed hard and inched closer. The Chocobo turned its head to look right at her. Her fingertips were only an inch away, the Chocobo took a step towards her and she screamed. She turned around as fast as she could and sped back towards the castle.
What in the world was that all about? A bewildered Aerith asked.
~~~~
Wha' the hell are ya doin' under there?! A very miffed Cid yelled to the young girl hiding beneath his ship.
She said quietly, her voice lacking the usual attitude.
Cid rubbed a greasy hand through his head, Wha's wrong now, kid?
She yelled and then turned around. Cid looked at her and sighed.
Ya know if that ship falls offa it's supports it'll crush ya. And you'll be nothin' more than a Yuffie sandwich. He informed the six year old.
I'm not scared! She snapped. I'm not afraid of nothing.
Except Chocobo's. He replied.
She swelled with anger, Did Cloud tell you that? I'm going to kill him! Its not true the Chocobo just startled me. I wasn't scared! I'm going to kill Cloud Strife!
Actually I found out from your dad who came looking for you after your friends came and told him you ran off. He told her.
Dad told you? She asked quietly,
How comes ya never mentioned that a used to ride Chocobo's almost as well as Aerith? Cid asked her.
Because I...
Why're ya so afraid of Chocobos Yuffie? He asked gently.
Yeah I used to ride them, just last year too and then one day...
~~~~
Very good Yuffie. Her dad told her. I don't know where you and Lucky learned to ride like that. He said scratching his head.
I guess I learned from watching Aerith when she rides them. Yuffie said casually.
Well I'm going to go practice fighting for a bit. Be careful will ya?
Of course!
Yuffie smiled and continued riding. Everything was fine. She was doing a great job of riding,she had even managed to make the Chocobo jump onto various ledges. She was even considering challenging Aerith to a race. But then everything changed.
A snake darted onto the road in front of them. The Chocobo struggled trying to get away from the snake. Yuffie lost her balance and fell. She felt a pain run up and down her wrist as she heard it snap. She cried out in pain. Then she felt something trample onto her leg. She screamed and called for her father.
The last thing she could remember was her dad's face swimming into view.
~~~~
That's all? Cid asked.
What do you mean That's all?'? I was trampled upon by a Chocobo! What more than you want?! She yelled.
Isn't there a sayin' bout falling offa Chocobo and gettin' back on? He asked.
That's a horse you old fart!
Ah. Wha's a horse?
I dunno. She told him and shrugged. The conversation ended abruptly however when they heard a scream coming from outside the door.
That sounded like Aerith! Yuffie cried out as she bolted to the door. Cid followed closely behind the small girl.
~~~~
I can't believe that there was no wet floor signs! Aerith yelled for the thirteenth time. Her four friends surrounded her bed in the infirmary. It seemed as though she had been hurrying to her violin lessons(Yes Aerith plays the violin. It just seems to suit her. I probably won't talk too much about it seeing as how I play the saxophone and know absolutely nothing about instruments that involve strings.) She had slipped on the wet floor and broken her leg.
Yeah well, you should be more careful Aerith. Cloud told her.
I'll kiss it and make it all better. Okay? Kairi told her comfortingly. (Aw...Don't you just love little kid logic?)
I've gotta go to lessons. I'll see you when I get back, okay Aerith? He asked looking into her eyes.
You're leaving me? She asked her voice trembling.
Not for too long. Plus the others will stay with you. You don't need me here.
But I...
She loves you and hates it when you leave her, Yuffie mocked and then turned to the older girl, Isn't that right Aerith?
Aerith turned a bright shade of red.
~~~~
Isn't a ledge a little extreme? Cloud asked, trembling a little.
Most fights occur in the worst possible places. It's best that you are prepared for anything. Sephiroth explained.
I suppose...
Good. Then let us begin.
~~~~
Sephiroth yelled as he sped into the infirmary room. Inside Kairi and Yuffie were sitting with Aerith on her bed and apparently eating parts of her lunch. Squall was standing up against the wall with his eyes closed.
What's wrong Sephiroth? She asked.
It's Cloud!
Wha-What's wrong?! She asked suddenly worried.
He's fallen from a ledge and I couldn't reach him. He's unconscious and the ledge is beginning to crumble. We can only reach him by Chocobo! He cried.
But I-I can't ride! My leg is broken! And no one else knows how to make the Chocobo jump!!! She yelled, her voice shaking with fear for Cloud. She began sobbing, Oh no...Cloud... She began to pull herself together and slowly slid out of bed. She cried out in pain when her leg hit the floor.
Get back in bed Aerith! Squall yelled at her.
You're going to get hurt worse! Yuffie told her.
I don't care...I only care about saving Cloud! She told them defiantly. But they could tell the pain was getting to her. She was taking deep breaths.
Yuffie yelled, I'll do it. I know how to make the Chocobo jump.
What in the world are you talking about Yuffie? Aerith asked.
Trust me. She said and then turned to the older girl, I promise that I'll save him.
All right. Please help him Yuffie. I'll never forgive you if he dies. She whispered.
I'll go saddle up a Chocobo awhile.
No, I want you to saddle up Lucky. We have a score to settle. She said narrowing her eyes.
This isn't a western Yuffie. Kairi pointed out.
I know I was just playing up the drama of the moment.
~~~~
Be careful Yuf. Squall said looking at the six year old on the Chocobo.
I'll be fine. She said although she wasn't so sure herself. She hadn't been on a Chocobo in a year. And she certainly wasn't over her fear. She hoped Cloud knew what she was going through for him. If she needed therapy after that he would be paying for it.
She slowly guided Lucky down. Jumping from one ledge to the other. She had almost made it to Cloud's ledge when a snake darted out of the bushes.
Oh no. She thought to herself. Lucky began struggling again, but Yuffie knew that Cloud was counting on her too much for her too mess up. She held tight to Lucky's reigns and then spurred him forward. He didn't listen at first, but she spurred him again and he reluctantly obeyed.
We're going to jump over the snake and onto Cloud's ledge okay? She whispered in the bird's ear. Somehow she knew that he understood and she felt like she was moving in slow motion as Lucky took a huge leap and landed right by Cloud.
Yuffie quickly loaded him on top of Lucky and the climbed back on. They jumped onto another ledge just as the one they were standing on crumbled beneath their feet.
She did a victory whoop and then guided Lucky back up to the top of the cliff.
~~~~
Sorry about making fun of you Yuffie...I'm really sorry. Cloud said hanging his head.
So now that you're over your fear, do you want to race me, when my legs done healing? Aerith asked the girl.
Are you crazy, those birds are dangerous! I was almost killed by one only a year ago! Yuffie yelled.
I thought that you were over your fear! Cloud cried.
I'm not afraid! I'm just stating a fact! She shot back.
Then prove you aren't afraid!
*End*
~~~~
A/N: And that's Yuffie's Chocobo. We're back to Kairi again I suppose...I guess you'll all have to wait for that one.
I just want to let you all know that school has started for me so updates we'll probably be less frequent. I guess that's all for today. And I'm so glad that you all liked the dance. I really loved how it turned out. If you hadn't noticed already, I'm a hopeless romantic. So it really made my day to know that you guys enjoyed it.
