By Word of Mouth,

By Ealinesse

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DISCLAIMER: I own nothing of the Final Fantasy series - characters, items, ideas, nothing. I do not claim to. The only characters I do own, are not even in the story yet, though I do claim right to them when they pop up.

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Chapter Eight: From One Thing to Another...

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Reno hid himself in the lengthening afternoon shadows, staying well out of sight with the help of the light, and the large crowd. Darting from one shadow to another, Reno grimaced as the man disappeared for a few seconds, only to reappear in a completely different location. It had happened countless times, and though the man he was stalking was large – nearly taller than himself – he was hiding with ease in the crowd of people. Just one of many things Reno was growing to hate about this man.

At least he didn't think he'd been seen, yet, and he probably wouldn't, but the way the man kept walking in spiraling circles around the blocks gave Reno cause to think twice about each move he made. They seemed to be following some sort of pattern, as if the man knew he was being followed – or was he searching for someone too?

It didn't surprise Reno one bit that they were heading well away from where Carlos was supposed to be residing.

Reno cursed and darted through the crowd faster as the man's bald head disappeared from his view again. Thinking him lost for the thousandth time, he grinned when he spotted him again, though the look fell when he turned and looked over his shoulder, only to see yet another familiar face heading his way. As fast as he could Reno ducked his head and pressed himself against a wall as Yuffie sprinted past him, her expression dark. He frowned. This was fast becoming habit.

When she passed he pulled back out of the alley and looked to the spot where he'd last seen Carlos…

Only to find he wasn't there.

"Shit!" Reno watched the spot for a few more minutes, pressing his way through the throngs of people even as they worked against him. He shouldered his way around, though to not avail. Carlos was long gone. He supposed that didn't mean things were a total loss yet, though. He had spotted him without trouble, and he looked even larger than the profile had suggested. He'd come back here tomorrow, perhaps.

He decided to head for the hotel, but not without a last glance at Yuffie's receding figure. He couldn't stop a frown from creasing his forehead. He'd encountered her three times now, and he hoped it was nothing more than a coincidence. Putting his sunglasses down over his eyes, he mused over the thought that perhaps Carlos was following her. Could it be related that he always followed soon after her? She had been heading in the same direction as them each time…

Reno dropped the thought as a yawn threatened to erupt from his lips. He placed his hand over his mouth as he passed through the Central Square. There'd be time to think of it later. Right now, he needed a decent beer, some food, and sleep. Just because his injury was gone didn't mean the evidence of his effort had. His stomach let rip a loud grumble in agreement, and Reno winced. It was true that he hadn't eaten for just over a day.

It took him the better part of ten minutes to reach the inn, buy a key that would last him the duration of his stay, and lug his gear up to what would be his room for the duration of the mission. Opening the door Reno looked around, surprised at how much the room had changed in just a few years. It seemed not only the town as a whole was benefiting Wutai's world-wide acceptance. Gone was the shabby upholstery and the tacky wall hangings. Instead there was a small radio, a television and video cassette player, as well as a mini bar. The bed wasn't a heavy, lumpy down, but instead springy and supportive. The view of Da Chao exceeded that of breathtaking.

Suddenly aware of his painfully tired muscles the Turk pulled a beer out of the fridge and flopped down onto the bed. With a grateful sigh he took a sip of the cool, liquid amber, and relished its fresh feel as it trickled lovingly down his throat. In no time the beer was gone, as was a second - just enough to make him forget his headache and put him to sleep. He lay back on the bed after double-checking the deadlock door, slipping his bag from his back and dumping it on the cabinet beside him. In what seemed like seconds his exhaustion caught up with him, and he closed his wide eyes, relishing the feel of the cool linen on his cheek.

But a moment later he was asleep without even bothering to take off his jacket, or his shoes. Snoring softly but soundly the Turk slipped into a relaxed, restful slumber, all but for the early afternoon sunlight streaming through his window, illuminating the fiery copper strands of his hair, and the vivid scars on his pale face.

* * * * *

Yuffie slipped into her home through the third storey window - the unorthodox way - how she always had as a child. For those moments she was free, scaling the heights and feeling her heart pound with adrenaline at the adventurous entry. She briefly relished the feel of the cool afternoon wind on her face, smiling as she looked down at the clueless guards through the shrubbery that had always concealed her, and always would.

But as she carelessly dumped her accumulated gear from her back, finally through the window, she almost sank to her knees as the newspaper's headline popped into her mind. Her thoughts of freedom and younger days were forgotten. She pushed herself with leaden legs out into the corridor, ignoring the shocked gasps of the guards as she pushed past them, unexpected. After a moment they recovered themselves and resumed their order, saluting somewhat shakily. She supposed they were in enough trouble from allowing Godo to be taken.

"Where's Staniv?" Her voice sounded foreign, dry and weak. How could a day change so much?

Cautiously, a sentry bowed, frowned, shifted from foot to foot in nervousness. She ignored the looks of uncomfortable discontent on their faces and focussed her eyes on the floor. She would not cry. Strength was the key. 'I can do this.'

"I… In the main hall, Miss Yuffie, with the others."

Without further word she left, feeling her long legs push her into a dogged run. Again she pressed the tears back - now was no time for them - and by memory alone slid through the heavy, ornate doors, the corridors, and into the upper floor where her father usually resided.

"Father? Staniv?" she called, seeing a mob of people crowded around where her father would usually sit. It wasn't hard to see that they were praying. At her words the group of people dissipated, peeling outward from the empty throne. Her eyes stuck to the stop and she zoned out for a moment, imagining everything was fine. Her father was fine. She did not notice the older man come forward, or the tentative hand on her shoulder, even though Staniv was in her direct line of sight.

"Miss Yuffie?" The voice came to her as if a long way away and she shuddered, suddenly cold. It took a great effort for her to drag her eyes from the empty space, although there was nothing so captivating as to hold her eyes there. It was empty. Plain. Blank.

"Staniv?" She would have scowled at the weakness in her voice, but her hazel eyes caught the pale envelope instead, and all thoughts of emotion were forgotten. It looked so innocent… but then again, so had her own letter. As she grasped the item, she glowered as her numb and shaking fingers could not open the simple device. Shake took it from her hands, his face grim, thin lips in drawn downward in distaste.

When she opened the object her worst fears were confirmed. She looked around the room, and all but her most loyal aides diverted their gaze. She too felt unworthy. She ducked her head.

"It came last night," muttered Staniv as she reread the object, his eyes dark. "We had no warning. Godo was in his chambers one night, gone the next. We had no warning," he repeated, voice solemn. "I'm so sorry."

But Yuffie offered no comforting words, for those she could not find. Suddenly she was on the floor, her eyes filling with tears as her knees buckled. Her palms hit the ground hard and dropped the impersonal note; she watched it fall with the delicacy of a dainty flake of snow, though it seemed to hit the ground like a ton of lead. The note held her father's fate, the fate of Wutai, hers...

Yuffie squeezed her eyes closed and shook her head to clear the tears which would not obey. She gathered the elusive note in her fists, and crumpled it in her fist. A hand landed on her shoulder for a second time, and she looked up into her advisors worried eyes.

"You are the key to the city for now, Miss Yuffie. You must be strong, you must not fear. We will find him and punish the traitors who have taken him." This was Shake.

And as she fought her emotions the note unfolded, revealing the words at the end of the message she so regretted to see.

'Come alone, and involve no one else but yourself... If you don't, your beloved father dies.'

This time she let the tears come. She would rule later, she would be strong then, not now. This moment was time for her grief, and her pain. No one else told her otherwise.

* * * * *

'Be at the 4th back diversion alley, beyond Turtle's Paradise. 7:00 pm. Tonight it's 40, 000 gil. Come alone, and unarmed. Involve no one else but yourself... If you don't, your beloved father dies.'

Yuffie again screwed up the crumpled note, chucking it into the pocket of her hooded cloak which would conceal her from the light of people and other unnecessary prying eyes. She surveyed the twin bags in front of her on the bed, frowning at the amount of money that lay inside.

You are strong, young one. Who had said that? Her father? Her mother before she…

She bit her lip, and wiped at her nose. "Is it all there?"

Shake stepped in front of her, his face a mask of steel. "It is." There was an uncomfortable pause, then, "Are you really sure about this?"

Yuffie snorted despite herself. How could he ask that? Did she even need to tell him that her father's life rested on this? "Shake, I've had barely three hours to think this through, of course I'm not sure." The look on her aide's face clearly demonstrated that the answer he'd just received was not the one he'd been looking for. She sighed. "Look, right now we really don't have any choice. What would you do? Break in? Kill whoever the hell has him? Sure, you could try... But we don't even know where he is... Where I'm meeting this... thing tonight isn't necessarily any place special. We don't know anything!"

"Of course," was the sober reply. "You're right, but-"

The shorter ninja was interrupted as Staniv stepped into her room. "What if they're after you, too? Then what would we do? We would be a nation stripped of its rulers in but a day. It would be so easy - will you not let one of us go? It would be safer that way."

Shake nodded in concurrence. "If not for you, then as a guard?"

Yuffie shook her head, lowering her hazel eyes. She pulled her hood up before the tears could come again and grabbed the bags. "This isn't about me. It's all about the money. We have no choice. It said come alone, and you two shouldn't have to ask about the consequences if I don't."

This time they both agreed with her, no matter how reluctantly. Yuffie looked at her watch and scowled. Fifteen minutes. That was plenty of time... but still. She wanted more than anything to get out of these confining halls, where she wouldn't have to be reminded of her failure to get to her father in time.

"I should go."

Turning on a resolute heel Yuffie went to her open window. She gazed intently out at the open darkness, wondering how much more evil was hidden beyond the stretch of Wutai's golden streetlights. From here she could see the final corner she'd turn to meet her father's abductor, but it all seemed so strange. Yuffie could feel the eyes on her back. 'A test,' she told herself, 'this is all a test. I will be strong. I have to be.' Quickly, she clambered over the side of the balcony before she could stop herself, pulling herself out onto the lattice, taking the bags with her.

A short and sudden cough stopped her, and she looked up into Staniv's cool grey eyes. She saw the trust, the worry, and the fear he could not hide. It had always been that way, between the two of them. He was like a second father to her, the one that was always there; trusted, a friend…

But he would never replace the real one.

"I have to go."

"Be careful."

She nodded, fearful that the large, overhanging brown hood did not hide the terror and unease in her eyes.

"And Yuffie?"

"Mm?"

"You are strong, remember that. You can do this."

… You are strong, young one.

She smiled wanly, glad at least someone appeared outwardly sure of her, and continued to slide easily down the wired netting. Soon she was out of sight, slinking into the darkness and uncertainty itself that the night itself had wrought.

From the top of the makeshift stairwell, her assistants sighed, and eyed each other with nervous looks; their masks of calm long gone.

"Do you think she'll be alright? She's unarmed, how will-"

"She will be fine." The words were far from reassuring. Staniv turned to the window, shutting it slightly, leaving it open just in case. He could not bring himself to close it fully. Not even a closed window could keep out the darkness of night.

* * * * *

Yuffie headed quickly to the selected meeting point. Her tears had dried out long ago, but the worry inside her had far from abated. Constantly her mind came out with limitless scenarios, all bent explicitly towards the worst possible outcome. It reeled with questions that she couldn't answer, it thought fast and viciously. She frowned at the negativity of her thoughts. Hadn't she always been the positive one in her family? Where was her hope now?

She searched her heart for faith, pushing aside the worry and anxiousness as much as she could.... But for the life of her, right now, she could find none.

* * * * *

Yuffie waited, glancing nervously at her watch. There was less than a minute to go; she was early, she knew, but her mind constantly plagued her with things she hoped weren't true.

He's not coming, one voice told her. He's leaving you here, waiting, until hope fails you and you give up.

What are you waiting for? Go in and get him!

They've already killed your father...

They've got your father, your money, your ruler. What's to stop them from taking you?

"No," she whispered, shoving everything away. She palmed the wall, her expression dark. The voices resided gradually, and again she found herself looking at the scenery around her. 'Or lack thereof,' she thought.

Yuffie leaned against the wall. It was quite clean, really... For an alley, that was, but the smell was disgusting. She wrinkled her nose and moved closer to the centre where she could see both ways should someone try to sneak up on her. All that resided in the dark, narrow back-route were a few bags of rubbish, one at each end. On edge, she wondered what was here that she couldn't see. She looked left. Nothing. Right; the same. Relaxing slightly, the ninja wearily tipped her head back, closing her eyes.

"Drop the bags. Arms where I can see them. Wouldn't want to have to blindfold your pretty face," came a distinctively male voice.

Yuffie jumped, dropping the pouches instinctively. She looked up and scowled inside, wondering why she hadn't heard anything at all. Her eyes flicked around, up, then down wildly, but there was no one else. Internally, she cursed herself for being so distracted. She was better than this... she was a ninja...

The man laughed and pulled out a knife, and for a second she thought Staniv was right. He was going to kill her, or take her and hold the others to ransom...

But the man only laughed a second time and grabbed the bags, weapon poised as a security factor in case she made any sudden moves. The ninja nearly rolled her eyes but focussed instead, on the man.

Watch, observe, Yuffie. Don't let your eyes fool you. The target is there, just less accessible…

She watched with falsely icy eyes as he opened one bag, and then the other. Narrowing her chocolate depths Yuffie took her chance to survey the man. His black clothing and thick balaclava revealed little, though more than the block-written note had. He was tall, she could tell, almost gigantously so. His shoulders were wide and even in the dim light she could see the vest he wore was only a small fraction of his size. She could see no trace of hair under the under face mask, but that didn't mean there was none. He seemed made of muscle. Powerful.

Even the strongest target can be felled when weakened…

She stayed silent, waiting.

When the abductor seemed satisfied he closed the bags, and Yuffie forced herself to meet his eyes. She couldn't see their colour in the darkness, but she could see a mark just under his eyelid. A scar? 'Come on, you faced that punk Sephiroth, you can do this...' But her heart was full of doubt. A voice returned her thoughts, negative, blunt. But Sephiroth didn't take your father, and you didn't have to face him alone...

Be strong…

"Where's my father?" She felt she couldn't wait any longer, and the words were out of her mouth before she could stop him. She barely recognised the voice. In impatience, the ninja wrung her fingers together, her knuckles white. She waited for a few seconds, but the man did not answer. "What have you done with him?" Her hands itched for her Conformer as she saw his eyes twinkle with amusement.

"We'll see." There was evidence of a smile under his disguise. Yuffie desperately tried to place the accent, but couldn't. She'd heard it before... it was common... but she couldn't tell. Then, something was roughly shoved into her hands, and she grasped at it, feeling paper compress in her tight-fisted stance. She looked down. It was another note.

"You will return tomorrow. Same time." He nodded toward the envelope. "The location is on there. I don't think I need to tell you what's at stake."

And then he was gone, and no matter what she did her voice would not come. She watched him go, presumably back from the way he came. Her eyes closed tightly and she struggled to stay on her feet. She hadn't found out anything. She was useless. A tear slipped unbidden out of her eyes, and she slipped to the ground, suddenly drained. The others could wait. Right now she wanted nothing more than to sleep, and hope everything was better in the morning. But then she paused.

'What would father think if he saw me now?'

You're strong… Tell me, daughter, why did you fail? What mistake did you make?

She frowned as the old memory returned fully, and instantly she knew. She had found out nothing, and for all she knew, her father was dead. She had gone into this blindly. Such a huge amount of money and worry for nothing. She scowled and stood, imagining her father standing over her in the dojo, his face fair but serious.

And she knew. Next time she would be stronger.

Tomorrow she would find out more.

She would make her father proud...

Make him free.

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