A Ninja's Destiny: Chapter 1
By: Hotaru170
Disclaimer/Author' Note: Everyone knows that I do not own Final Fantasy, or any of its characters. And for those of you that didn't know, now you do. I must say that I am extremely pleased with all of the offers to help me with this fic. I really must thank you all. I am sending a special thanks to several people that helped me add new ideas to the fic. That means, Shadow Reaver, Relena55, Leliel, and Mari sugar. If it weren't for you guys it would have taken forever for me to complete this. Oh and the scenes in and about this incident in the Gold Saucer was Relena55's idea and writing. If it so please you all let me know and we will continue to work together on this fic. Please give them a standing ovation because they deserve it. Now on with the story, and don't forget to leave a review! My email address is Hotaru170@aol.com or SenshiOfSaturn@aol.com.
By the time AVALANCHE made their way through the Temple of the Ancients and to the hall of the wall paintings, they were completely exhausted.
When Sephiroth left, the group was trying to figure out how to get the black materia without being crushed.
"How are we going to get the black materia with out being crushed when the temple collapses?" asked a very annoyed Yuffie. "Somebody will have to stay behind and figure out the puzzle. But whoever stays behind isn't going to make it out before the temple collapses." Just then the PHS rang, "Cloud, this is Cait Sith. I couldn't help but overhear you guys. I can stay behind. This body is just a machine. I need to make it up to you guys for betraying you." Cloud said, "Thanks Cait Sith, but hurry before Sephiroth decides to come back." Cait Sith replied, "Alright then, I will be there in a minute."
While Cait Sith was solving the puzzle, Yuffie, Cloud, and Aeris were fighting their way out of the temple.
Just as they made it out, the temple vanished. All that remained of it was a large hole and the black materia.
Cloud looked down in the hole and saw the black materia lying there on the ground. 'It's hard to believe that such a small thing can be so dangerous. I have to make sure Sephiroth doesn't get his hands on it, no matter what. It would mean the end of everything.'
After all of the trouble that AVALANCHE went through to get the black, Sephiroth managed to take it from Cloud anyways. (Well, technically Cloud handed it to him.;-D).
The group then decided to head to Junon Harbor and stay at the local inn. It was there that the party rested and recovered.
Meanwhile.
Yuffie was pacing back and forth in front of Vincent in the lounge of the inn. She was so mad that she couldn't even come up with anything to say about how stupid Cloud was.
'What the hell was he thinking. I wonder why he hasn't told anybody about the Jenova cells in his body. If I had known Sephiroth could control him, I would have never let him come near it. Oh well, it isn't like I can just blurt that out without them asking ten million questions to which I would prefer not to answer. Anyways, I guess we will just have to get it back from him. Arrgh, stupid Cloud, that just makes my job even more difficult.' Yuffie continued to pace around in her anger.
Vincent watched continue to pace back in forth muttering something that sounded like, 'Stupid Cloud'. After a few more minutes he got tired of her pacing and said, "Yuffie, please clam down. It will not help the situation if you continue to dwell in your anger." Vincent said calmly. She finally stopped pacing and looked at him. "I know that Vinnie, but I just can't help it. How could he let Sephiroth control him? I would have thought he was stronger than that, but no. Now we have to find the black materia and stop Sephiroth from using it to summon meteor." she said. She finally sat down and put her head in her hands. 'I don't know how much more I can take of this. I don't know if I can keep my real reasons for being here a secret much longer. But even if I did tell them, I don't know if they will continue to let me travel with them.' Yuffie sighed and said, "Gosh, I just don't know what to do now." Vincent put a hand on Yuffie's shoulder and said, "Don't worry we will figure out something, just get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow." Yuffie smiled and said, "Thanks Vinnie, sometimes I think you're the only one who doesn't treat me like dirt. You guys are the only friends I have." Vincent was a little shocked by this, but didn't let it show. 'I understand all to well how it feels to be treated differently. I never realized how the others really treated her until the little outburst a couple of days ago. They treat her like a selfish little brat. Aeris is the only one who doesn't. I have a feeling that Yuffie knows more then she tells everyone.'
Yuffie looked at Vincent, who seemed lost in thought. 'Maybe I could tell him but I'm scared of what he will do or say when he knows the truth. If only I wasn't such a coward. I know that if anyone could understand that it would be him. He probably already knows that I haven't told the others how much I really do know. Oh man, bet he would freak if I told him that I knew what Hojo did to him. Which brings another problem if he found out the truth about me. Man, why does my life have to be so messed up? Damn Hojo, that bastard has no soul. He is always ruining people's lives. I hope he burns in hell for his crimes. Just thinking about him is giving me a headache.' *Sigh*
Yuffie looked up at Vincent and asked, "So, what are you thinking about, Vincent?" He looked up at her and said "Well, to be honest I was just wondering how Sephiroth could have control of Cloud like he did. It just seems odd that he could do that to him and why not the rest of us also. I have a couple of ideas but I do not have sufficient information to prove them correct. To be honest, I am hoping that I am proven wrong on this occasion. However if I am proven correct, then things are only going to get worse." When Vincent finished talking, he looked up at Yuffie to see her staring at him with her mouth hanging open. "Why are you looking at me like that Yuffie?" asked Vincent. Yuffie recovered from her shock and said, "I am sorry to stare like that Vinnie. I just never heard you say so many words at once. You usually just shrug your shoulders and don't say anything." Vincent realized she was right 'I don't even know why I just told her all of that. I just started talking before I even realized it. I better watch it, I need to be more careful around her.' He said, "Forgive me Yuffie, I was just answering your question. I didn't mean to burden you with my meaningless thoughts." Yuffie laughed and said, "Vincent Valentine, are you being a smart ass? Wow, I think that I have been a good influence on you. You need to let loose more often. It is good for your health, well most of the time. Try and open up a little, then maybe we could get to know you better. Oh man listen to me rambling on, if that were case then I would think you all would know me very well. Seeming as how I never shut up. That is why I have an advantage over Cloud because he judged me too quickly. Therefore I will have all gloating rights when I prove his ass wrong. *Sigh* Unfortunately, I was never able to really fool you, was I? Vincent smirked and said, "You came close but I am a very perceptive person. I see more of what others overlook." Yuffie laughed and said, "Oh well, I always did enjoy a good challenge though. Number one rule of travel and battle, there is always someone better and smarter than you. That is why you should keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Well, now I really need to get some sleep. I fried to many brain cells with that long speech. Grossness, now I feel like crazy old Godo. All talk and no sense."
Vincent maintained his usual stoic expression but thought to himself, 'Well I guess that means I was right about her. There is more about her than she lets everyone know. I don't think she meant to tell me all of that though. It seems I did underestimate her to a certain extent after all.'
Yuffie was mad at herself for letting her tongue slip so carelessly to Vincent. 'How could I have been so stupid? I practically gave myself away right there. I better get out of here before he starts asking more questions.'
Yuffie stood up and almost made it to the stairs, but sadly a certain ex- Turk gripping her arm halted her escape.
"Um, was there something you wanted to ask me Vinnie?" she asked nervously. He smirked at her and said, "Surely, you weren't thinking that you could dismiss yourself that easily? I think we need to talk before you go to bed." She pouted and said, "Aww, come on Vinnie. I am really tired. Can't it wait until later? Please?" He stared at her puppy dog eyes. "Very well then, I will not force you to talk about it now. However, we will continue this conversation at a later time. So long as you give me your word to be honest, I will not bring this up in front of the others. I know that a ninja's word is their bond."
Yuffie was speechless. 'Am I hearing things or did Vinnie just blackmail me? Wow, the world really is coming to an end. I guess I better give him my word and a little stipulation of my own.' "I give you my word as a ninja and friend. When the time comes, I will be completely honest with you. However, I want your word to keep anything I say between us, unless I say otherwise. Now do we have an agreement?" He smirked and said, "You have my word." She smiled and said, "Good, now I am going to bed. Goodnight Vinnie." He replied, "Goodnight Yuffie"
The Next Morning.
Yuffie looked at the map. Cloud had just pulled it out. Vincent seemed focused on one spot. Yuffie's eyes traveled to what appeared to be some waterfall on the map. She shrugged mentally. Maybe he liked water.
She looked away to Aeris and Tifa who were chattering endlessly. "There you go, you're not listening again." Cloud growled next to her. "I'm sick of this. Everybody may always you're your side but honestly I don't trust you. I will be watching you and your every move." Cloud warned. Yuffie had had enough. "Would you shut up?! I'm tired of this! I didn't do anything! Let me ask you something Cloud, do you enjoy harassing me for no reason! I'm not a damn child and you're not my father even if I was! So stop it! I don't see you harassing anyone else! Why me?! Cause I'm the youngest, because I mysteriously showed up, everybody did the same thing?!" Yuffie yelled. Everyone was dumbstruck, what caused her to blow up like that? "You know what? I may seem like a kid but can be serious about some things, and saving the planet is one of them. But I got the message." Yuffie said coldly and ran to her room at the inn they were presently at.
Yuffie felt hurt. She heard a knock at the door. Probably Vincent the only guy who seemed to talk to her. Yuffie opened the door and saw Tifa! Yuffie gave her a confused look. "What do you want?" Yuffie asked coldly. Tifa sighed. "May I come in?" Tifa asked. Yuffie nodded and stepped aside.
There was a silence after Yuffie closed the door. "So what is it?" Yuffie asked. Tifa looked down. "I wanted to apologize. I know it seems like everybody is against you. We just have trouble trusting new people. It just seems like you're different form the others and it makes us wonder if you're really on our side." Tifa said. "So that makes it all okay? Because you guys judge me?" Yuffie said icily. Tifa shook her head. "No, that's why I'm apologizing. Everybody else will have to apologize to you on their own time but I thought that I would at least say that I finally trust you and except you into the team and I believe you." Tifa said. Yuffie looked down as if wandering to forgive and forget or to hold her anger.
"Yuffie, I'm sorry. I want you to stay. I admire you." Tifa said and Yuffie looked at her again. "You what-?" 'I admire you. Yuffie this may be jumping the gun but you're different from me. You're straight forward, and you can say your feelings easily I wish I could be that brave. I've lost my father, friends, hometown, and..." Tifa couldn't finish she seemed hesitant. "Cloud?" Yuffie finished for her. Tifa nodded numbly. "In some ways yes. Cloud and I will always be friends but I-I think I love him. I can't blame him for loving Aeris. She's sweet and kind, pure and innocent. I screwed things up when we were kids. I blew Cloud off so many times for my other friends." Tifa said, Yuffie remained silent. "So how is everybody else?' Yuffie asked.
Tifa smiled. "Well, Aeris isn't talking to Cloud, Red XIII is in his own deep thoughts, Cid is smoking more than ever, Cait Sith is attempting to crack jokes, Barret is glaring at Cloud continuously, and Vincent seems especially concerned." Tifa said grinning. Yuffie blushed. "What are you implying?!" Yuffie snapped. Tifa giggled. "Tch, touchy." Tifa teased and Yuffie growled. "Listen can you do me a favor?" Tifa asked. Yuffie eyed her suspiciously. "Vincent's had it hard I think and he's seems like a loner so maybe you could-." "Watch out for him?" Yuffie finished. "Well...yes, if you want. You two seem close anyway." Tifa said receiving a glare from Yuffie. Yuffie looked down thoughtfully. "Look, I'll let you decide. We're headed back to Gold Saucer." Tifa hinted. "What? Why?" Yuffie asked confused. "We got a tip that someone spotted Sephiroth there." Tifa said walking out of Yuffie's room.
Yuffie was in awe and interest. She was listening to Cloud's tale about him and Sephiroth. They were currently at the Haunted Hotel in Gold Saucer. Yuffie was creeped out by the place but Vincent just seemed right at home. He also seemed distracted. Yuffie turned her head back and suddenly everyone was either spread out or gone. "Hey where did everyone go?!' Yuffie exclaimed. "Don't you ever listen? Aeris and Cloud went off somewhere. Barret's sleeping, Cait Sith disappeared too." Cid answered aloofly as he smoked another cigar. Tifa was in the corner looking down sadly while Red XIII walked up the staircase. Yuffie noticed on the corner of her eye as Vincent turned and left. Yuffie decided to follow him.
Yuffie approached Vincent cautiously. Vincent was looking at the graves. "Hey Vinnie?" Yuffie asked hesitantly. He tensed and looked behind him at her. "Yes?" he asked calmly. "I wanna go see Gold Saucer." Yuffie said clasping her hands behind her back innocently. "I won't stop you." Vincent said confused.
"I know that. But I don't want to go alone, that's no fun!" Yuffie exclaimed. Vincent was confused but then seem to come to realization. "Why not any of the others?" Vincent asked. "Well, Tifa is too depressed right now cause Aeris and Cloud snuck off. Cait Sith? No way! Cid, that would be suicidal he's no fun! Barret would criticize me the whole time!' Yuffie said. "Why am I any better?" Vincent questioned her. Yuffie calmed down. "Because you're different..." she said. "That is a bad thing." Vincent argued lightly. Yuffie frowned and looked at him. "What are you talking about?! It's a good thing!" she said. She grabbed his hand. He tensed more and looked at her again. "Tonight we are having fun! No 'buts' about it!" Yuffie said firmly and ran dragging him along.
Yuffie and Vincent went to a play, which Cloud and Aeris appeared in. After that they went to the chocobo races and Yuffie ranted on afterwards about this one jockey she couldn't beat that dressed like Zorro. They played some games in the Wonder Square; Yuffie seemed hooked on the crane game. She won lots of stuff. Yuffie tried to go into the Battle Arena, perhaps she could have won if it wasn't for the three monsters that ganged up on her in her sixth match while she was poisoned and with all her summon and magic material broken. Maybe they'd come back when she had better armor and a better weapon.
As Yuffie and Vincent left the battle arena and headed to the Round Square. They got on the lift and immediately it moved. It was slow and the silence was killing Yuffie.
"I know this sounds personal but Vincent, why are you so cold and alone?" Yuffie asked. Vincent was caught off guard by the question and looked down. "You can't tell anyone else and if you do, I'll kill you." Vincent said coldly. Yuffie froze and withdrew some but nodded. "As you may have heard me mention in Nibelheilm I was atoning for a sin for my beloved." Vincent started and Yuffie felt jealousy grow in her, what did he mean his "beloved"? "I was and...still am in love with a woman by the name of Lucrecia (sp?). She was a scientist for Shinra, so smart and sweet. I never felt that way about anyone before." Vincent said in a daze and Yuffie felt hurt clutch her, why? "But she left me for Hojo. They married and she became pregnant with his child, Sephiroth." Yuffie faked surprise; she already knew some of Vincent's past. "She died giving birth to him, she was too weak and died crying to hold her child. But Hojo was selfish and took the baby away immediately for experimentation. But I was already gone." Vincent said. Yuffie decided not to ask why; she guessed he was probably hiding away in shame at Shinra Mansion.
"That's why I am to blame. I could have stopped all of this and saved Lucrecia! But I let her face the worst alone! I just kept thinking if she was happy then everything would be fine. I tried to tell them not to do the experiment but Hojo...I let her face it alone." Vincent choked putting his claw to hide his face. Yuffie felt sick to her stomach and she hated Lucrecia for some reason but now she was angry with Vincent for his thoughts on himself. "That's why you're so cold?' Yuffie said on the verge of insanity and Vincent sensed it. He looked up. "I've never met anyone so weak and pathetic I'm truly sorry for you Vincent." Yuffie as the ride stopped and she stood up numbly. "You're a coward! You make Lucrecia into some perfect angel! You tried to help but she pushed you away! Vincent, the woman endangered the life of her child. She's part of the reason Sephiroth is the way he is! She could have gotten out and she knew what would happen but she did nothing! Face the worst alone?! Did she really Vincent? It was her decision, how could a mother do that to her child and then last second when she saw the truth she suspected-!' Yuffie couldn't finish she turned about to run. But Vincent shot out and gripped her arm violently. Yuffie's anger evaporated into fear. She could feel Vincent's claws digging into her skin. "V-Vincent, let go! You're hurting me!" Yuffie pleaded. Vincent pushed against the wall white with rage. "Y-you..." Vincent growled, "How dare-who do you think you are?!" Yuffie paled and struggled to get free. "I defended you from Cloud many times saying you weren't a brat! But you are! How dare you insult Lucrecia and disgrace her memory! You don't understand anything!" Vincent said shoving her to the ground. Yuffie recovered from her shock and scrambled up. "Maybe I don't! But-!" Yuffie stopped mid-sentence Yuffie's gaze traveled to her arm where' Vincent's claw was, it was covered in blood which increased. Vincent suddenly snapped from his rage realizing what he had done. Yuffie clutched her arm painfully. "Y-you did this to me?" Yuffie said barely above a whisper. Vincent dared a step forward. "Yuffie please! I didn't mean to-I'm sorry!" Tears fell down Yuffie's face. The tears imprinted themselves into Vincent's head with such an unbearable burning sensation. "Yuffie please!" Vincent begged. Yuffie looked down as some of her chestnut brown locks fell down her face covering her eyes with a shadow. "Save it for another one of your sins to atone for!" Yuffie said with a sickening calm voice.
Yuffie turned and ran fast on her heels. Vincent after a moment willed himself to move and followed her. Suddenly he crashed into someone. He looked up and saw Cloud and Aeris.
Aeris came down stairs slowly from a daze. "Yuffie left this note." Aeris said handing it to Cloud. Cloud scanned it. "She's left. I didn't mean fro her to take what I said to heart!" Cloud said shamefully. "She also left with all of our materia." Barret reminded. "My Bahamut!" Cloud whispered. "We gotta find her!" Cloud declared firmly. "But we don't know where she went!" Aeris said with tears down her face. Tifa looked down. "Does anybody know where her hometown is?" Tifa asked. Everyone looked down. "Wutai." Vincent whispered from the corner where he stood in thought. "W-What? How do you know?" Cloud asked suspiciously. "The smell of her blood is Wutaineise (sp?). It's a start." Vincent replied. "You can smell blood?" Cid asked disgusted. Vincent nodded. "I don't understand. Why would Yuffie leave?! I mean she was hurt by what Cloud said and all but I talked to her afterwards and she seemed fine!" Tifa said confused. Vincent remained silent. 'Yuffie...' he thought numbly.
By: Hotaru170
Disclaimer/Author' Note: Everyone knows that I do not own Final Fantasy, or any of its characters. And for those of you that didn't know, now you do. I must say that I am extremely pleased with all of the offers to help me with this fic. I really must thank you all. I am sending a special thanks to several people that helped me add new ideas to the fic. That means, Shadow Reaver, Relena55, Leliel, and Mari sugar. If it weren't for you guys it would have taken forever for me to complete this. Oh and the scenes in and about this incident in the Gold Saucer was Relena55's idea and writing. If it so please you all let me know and we will continue to work together on this fic. Please give them a standing ovation because they deserve it. Now on with the story, and don't forget to leave a review! My email address is Hotaru170@aol.com or SenshiOfSaturn@aol.com.
By the time AVALANCHE made their way through the Temple of the Ancients and to the hall of the wall paintings, they were completely exhausted.
When Sephiroth left, the group was trying to figure out how to get the black materia without being crushed.
"How are we going to get the black materia with out being crushed when the temple collapses?" asked a very annoyed Yuffie. "Somebody will have to stay behind and figure out the puzzle. But whoever stays behind isn't going to make it out before the temple collapses." Just then the PHS rang, "Cloud, this is Cait Sith. I couldn't help but overhear you guys. I can stay behind. This body is just a machine. I need to make it up to you guys for betraying you." Cloud said, "Thanks Cait Sith, but hurry before Sephiroth decides to come back." Cait Sith replied, "Alright then, I will be there in a minute."
While Cait Sith was solving the puzzle, Yuffie, Cloud, and Aeris were fighting their way out of the temple.
Just as they made it out, the temple vanished. All that remained of it was a large hole and the black materia.
Cloud looked down in the hole and saw the black materia lying there on the ground. 'It's hard to believe that such a small thing can be so dangerous. I have to make sure Sephiroth doesn't get his hands on it, no matter what. It would mean the end of everything.'
After all of the trouble that AVALANCHE went through to get the black, Sephiroth managed to take it from Cloud anyways. (Well, technically Cloud handed it to him.;-D).
The group then decided to head to Junon Harbor and stay at the local inn. It was there that the party rested and recovered.
Meanwhile.
Yuffie was pacing back and forth in front of Vincent in the lounge of the inn. She was so mad that she couldn't even come up with anything to say about how stupid Cloud was.
'What the hell was he thinking. I wonder why he hasn't told anybody about the Jenova cells in his body. If I had known Sephiroth could control him, I would have never let him come near it. Oh well, it isn't like I can just blurt that out without them asking ten million questions to which I would prefer not to answer. Anyways, I guess we will just have to get it back from him. Arrgh, stupid Cloud, that just makes my job even more difficult.' Yuffie continued to pace around in her anger.
Vincent watched continue to pace back in forth muttering something that sounded like, 'Stupid Cloud'. After a few more minutes he got tired of her pacing and said, "Yuffie, please clam down. It will not help the situation if you continue to dwell in your anger." Vincent said calmly. She finally stopped pacing and looked at him. "I know that Vinnie, but I just can't help it. How could he let Sephiroth control him? I would have thought he was stronger than that, but no. Now we have to find the black materia and stop Sephiroth from using it to summon meteor." she said. She finally sat down and put her head in her hands. 'I don't know how much more I can take of this. I don't know if I can keep my real reasons for being here a secret much longer. But even if I did tell them, I don't know if they will continue to let me travel with them.' Yuffie sighed and said, "Gosh, I just don't know what to do now." Vincent put a hand on Yuffie's shoulder and said, "Don't worry we will figure out something, just get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow." Yuffie smiled and said, "Thanks Vinnie, sometimes I think you're the only one who doesn't treat me like dirt. You guys are the only friends I have." Vincent was a little shocked by this, but didn't let it show. 'I understand all to well how it feels to be treated differently. I never realized how the others really treated her until the little outburst a couple of days ago. They treat her like a selfish little brat. Aeris is the only one who doesn't. I have a feeling that Yuffie knows more then she tells everyone.'
Yuffie looked at Vincent, who seemed lost in thought. 'Maybe I could tell him but I'm scared of what he will do or say when he knows the truth. If only I wasn't such a coward. I know that if anyone could understand that it would be him. He probably already knows that I haven't told the others how much I really do know. Oh man, bet he would freak if I told him that I knew what Hojo did to him. Which brings another problem if he found out the truth about me. Man, why does my life have to be so messed up? Damn Hojo, that bastard has no soul. He is always ruining people's lives. I hope he burns in hell for his crimes. Just thinking about him is giving me a headache.' *Sigh*
Yuffie looked up at Vincent and asked, "So, what are you thinking about, Vincent?" He looked up at her and said "Well, to be honest I was just wondering how Sephiroth could have control of Cloud like he did. It just seems odd that he could do that to him and why not the rest of us also. I have a couple of ideas but I do not have sufficient information to prove them correct. To be honest, I am hoping that I am proven wrong on this occasion. However if I am proven correct, then things are only going to get worse." When Vincent finished talking, he looked up at Yuffie to see her staring at him with her mouth hanging open. "Why are you looking at me like that Yuffie?" asked Vincent. Yuffie recovered from her shock and said, "I am sorry to stare like that Vinnie. I just never heard you say so many words at once. You usually just shrug your shoulders and don't say anything." Vincent realized she was right 'I don't even know why I just told her all of that. I just started talking before I even realized it. I better watch it, I need to be more careful around her.' He said, "Forgive me Yuffie, I was just answering your question. I didn't mean to burden you with my meaningless thoughts." Yuffie laughed and said, "Vincent Valentine, are you being a smart ass? Wow, I think that I have been a good influence on you. You need to let loose more often. It is good for your health, well most of the time. Try and open up a little, then maybe we could get to know you better. Oh man listen to me rambling on, if that were case then I would think you all would know me very well. Seeming as how I never shut up. That is why I have an advantage over Cloud because he judged me too quickly. Therefore I will have all gloating rights when I prove his ass wrong. *Sigh* Unfortunately, I was never able to really fool you, was I? Vincent smirked and said, "You came close but I am a very perceptive person. I see more of what others overlook." Yuffie laughed and said, "Oh well, I always did enjoy a good challenge though. Number one rule of travel and battle, there is always someone better and smarter than you. That is why you should keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Well, now I really need to get some sleep. I fried to many brain cells with that long speech. Grossness, now I feel like crazy old Godo. All talk and no sense."
Vincent maintained his usual stoic expression but thought to himself, 'Well I guess that means I was right about her. There is more about her than she lets everyone know. I don't think she meant to tell me all of that though. It seems I did underestimate her to a certain extent after all.'
Yuffie was mad at herself for letting her tongue slip so carelessly to Vincent. 'How could I have been so stupid? I practically gave myself away right there. I better get out of here before he starts asking more questions.'
Yuffie stood up and almost made it to the stairs, but sadly a certain ex- Turk gripping her arm halted her escape.
"Um, was there something you wanted to ask me Vinnie?" she asked nervously. He smirked at her and said, "Surely, you weren't thinking that you could dismiss yourself that easily? I think we need to talk before you go to bed." She pouted and said, "Aww, come on Vinnie. I am really tired. Can't it wait until later? Please?" He stared at her puppy dog eyes. "Very well then, I will not force you to talk about it now. However, we will continue this conversation at a later time. So long as you give me your word to be honest, I will not bring this up in front of the others. I know that a ninja's word is their bond."
Yuffie was speechless. 'Am I hearing things or did Vinnie just blackmail me? Wow, the world really is coming to an end. I guess I better give him my word and a little stipulation of my own.' "I give you my word as a ninja and friend. When the time comes, I will be completely honest with you. However, I want your word to keep anything I say between us, unless I say otherwise. Now do we have an agreement?" He smirked and said, "You have my word." She smiled and said, "Good, now I am going to bed. Goodnight Vinnie." He replied, "Goodnight Yuffie"
The Next Morning.
Yuffie looked at the map. Cloud had just pulled it out. Vincent seemed focused on one spot. Yuffie's eyes traveled to what appeared to be some waterfall on the map. She shrugged mentally. Maybe he liked water.
She looked away to Aeris and Tifa who were chattering endlessly. "There you go, you're not listening again." Cloud growled next to her. "I'm sick of this. Everybody may always you're your side but honestly I don't trust you. I will be watching you and your every move." Cloud warned. Yuffie had had enough. "Would you shut up?! I'm tired of this! I didn't do anything! Let me ask you something Cloud, do you enjoy harassing me for no reason! I'm not a damn child and you're not my father even if I was! So stop it! I don't see you harassing anyone else! Why me?! Cause I'm the youngest, because I mysteriously showed up, everybody did the same thing?!" Yuffie yelled. Everyone was dumbstruck, what caused her to blow up like that? "You know what? I may seem like a kid but can be serious about some things, and saving the planet is one of them. But I got the message." Yuffie said coldly and ran to her room at the inn they were presently at.
Yuffie felt hurt. She heard a knock at the door. Probably Vincent the only guy who seemed to talk to her. Yuffie opened the door and saw Tifa! Yuffie gave her a confused look. "What do you want?" Yuffie asked coldly. Tifa sighed. "May I come in?" Tifa asked. Yuffie nodded and stepped aside.
There was a silence after Yuffie closed the door. "So what is it?" Yuffie asked. Tifa looked down. "I wanted to apologize. I know it seems like everybody is against you. We just have trouble trusting new people. It just seems like you're different form the others and it makes us wonder if you're really on our side." Tifa said. "So that makes it all okay? Because you guys judge me?" Yuffie said icily. Tifa shook her head. "No, that's why I'm apologizing. Everybody else will have to apologize to you on their own time but I thought that I would at least say that I finally trust you and except you into the team and I believe you." Tifa said. Yuffie looked down as if wandering to forgive and forget or to hold her anger.
"Yuffie, I'm sorry. I want you to stay. I admire you." Tifa said and Yuffie looked at her again. "You what-?" 'I admire you. Yuffie this may be jumping the gun but you're different from me. You're straight forward, and you can say your feelings easily I wish I could be that brave. I've lost my father, friends, hometown, and..." Tifa couldn't finish she seemed hesitant. "Cloud?" Yuffie finished for her. Tifa nodded numbly. "In some ways yes. Cloud and I will always be friends but I-I think I love him. I can't blame him for loving Aeris. She's sweet and kind, pure and innocent. I screwed things up when we were kids. I blew Cloud off so many times for my other friends." Tifa said, Yuffie remained silent. "So how is everybody else?' Yuffie asked.
Tifa smiled. "Well, Aeris isn't talking to Cloud, Red XIII is in his own deep thoughts, Cid is smoking more than ever, Cait Sith is attempting to crack jokes, Barret is glaring at Cloud continuously, and Vincent seems especially concerned." Tifa said grinning. Yuffie blushed. "What are you implying?!" Yuffie snapped. Tifa giggled. "Tch, touchy." Tifa teased and Yuffie growled. "Listen can you do me a favor?" Tifa asked. Yuffie eyed her suspiciously. "Vincent's had it hard I think and he's seems like a loner so maybe you could-." "Watch out for him?" Yuffie finished. "Well...yes, if you want. You two seem close anyway." Tifa said receiving a glare from Yuffie. Yuffie looked down thoughtfully. "Look, I'll let you decide. We're headed back to Gold Saucer." Tifa hinted. "What? Why?" Yuffie asked confused. "We got a tip that someone spotted Sephiroth there." Tifa said walking out of Yuffie's room.
Yuffie was in awe and interest. She was listening to Cloud's tale about him and Sephiroth. They were currently at the Haunted Hotel in Gold Saucer. Yuffie was creeped out by the place but Vincent just seemed right at home. He also seemed distracted. Yuffie turned her head back and suddenly everyone was either spread out or gone. "Hey where did everyone go?!' Yuffie exclaimed. "Don't you ever listen? Aeris and Cloud went off somewhere. Barret's sleeping, Cait Sith disappeared too." Cid answered aloofly as he smoked another cigar. Tifa was in the corner looking down sadly while Red XIII walked up the staircase. Yuffie noticed on the corner of her eye as Vincent turned and left. Yuffie decided to follow him.
Yuffie approached Vincent cautiously. Vincent was looking at the graves. "Hey Vinnie?" Yuffie asked hesitantly. He tensed and looked behind him at her. "Yes?" he asked calmly. "I wanna go see Gold Saucer." Yuffie said clasping her hands behind her back innocently. "I won't stop you." Vincent said confused.
"I know that. But I don't want to go alone, that's no fun!" Yuffie exclaimed. Vincent was confused but then seem to come to realization. "Why not any of the others?" Vincent asked. "Well, Tifa is too depressed right now cause Aeris and Cloud snuck off. Cait Sith? No way! Cid, that would be suicidal he's no fun! Barret would criticize me the whole time!' Yuffie said. "Why am I any better?" Vincent questioned her. Yuffie calmed down. "Because you're different..." she said. "That is a bad thing." Vincent argued lightly. Yuffie frowned and looked at him. "What are you talking about?! It's a good thing!" she said. She grabbed his hand. He tensed more and looked at her again. "Tonight we are having fun! No 'buts' about it!" Yuffie said firmly and ran dragging him along.
Yuffie and Vincent went to a play, which Cloud and Aeris appeared in. After that they went to the chocobo races and Yuffie ranted on afterwards about this one jockey she couldn't beat that dressed like Zorro. They played some games in the Wonder Square; Yuffie seemed hooked on the crane game. She won lots of stuff. Yuffie tried to go into the Battle Arena, perhaps she could have won if it wasn't for the three monsters that ganged up on her in her sixth match while she was poisoned and with all her summon and magic material broken. Maybe they'd come back when she had better armor and a better weapon.
As Yuffie and Vincent left the battle arena and headed to the Round Square. They got on the lift and immediately it moved. It was slow and the silence was killing Yuffie.
"I know this sounds personal but Vincent, why are you so cold and alone?" Yuffie asked. Vincent was caught off guard by the question and looked down. "You can't tell anyone else and if you do, I'll kill you." Vincent said coldly. Yuffie froze and withdrew some but nodded. "As you may have heard me mention in Nibelheilm I was atoning for a sin for my beloved." Vincent started and Yuffie felt jealousy grow in her, what did he mean his "beloved"? "I was and...still am in love with a woman by the name of Lucrecia (sp?). She was a scientist for Shinra, so smart and sweet. I never felt that way about anyone before." Vincent said in a daze and Yuffie felt hurt clutch her, why? "But she left me for Hojo. They married and she became pregnant with his child, Sephiroth." Yuffie faked surprise; she already knew some of Vincent's past. "She died giving birth to him, she was too weak and died crying to hold her child. But Hojo was selfish and took the baby away immediately for experimentation. But I was already gone." Vincent said. Yuffie decided not to ask why; she guessed he was probably hiding away in shame at Shinra Mansion.
"That's why I am to blame. I could have stopped all of this and saved Lucrecia! But I let her face the worst alone! I just kept thinking if she was happy then everything would be fine. I tried to tell them not to do the experiment but Hojo...I let her face it alone." Vincent choked putting his claw to hide his face. Yuffie felt sick to her stomach and she hated Lucrecia for some reason but now she was angry with Vincent for his thoughts on himself. "That's why you're so cold?' Yuffie said on the verge of insanity and Vincent sensed it. He looked up. "I've never met anyone so weak and pathetic I'm truly sorry for you Vincent." Yuffie as the ride stopped and she stood up numbly. "You're a coward! You make Lucrecia into some perfect angel! You tried to help but she pushed you away! Vincent, the woman endangered the life of her child. She's part of the reason Sephiroth is the way he is! She could have gotten out and she knew what would happen but she did nothing! Face the worst alone?! Did she really Vincent? It was her decision, how could a mother do that to her child and then last second when she saw the truth she suspected-!' Yuffie couldn't finish she turned about to run. But Vincent shot out and gripped her arm violently. Yuffie's anger evaporated into fear. She could feel Vincent's claws digging into her skin. "V-Vincent, let go! You're hurting me!" Yuffie pleaded. Vincent pushed against the wall white with rage. "Y-you..." Vincent growled, "How dare-who do you think you are?!" Yuffie paled and struggled to get free. "I defended you from Cloud many times saying you weren't a brat! But you are! How dare you insult Lucrecia and disgrace her memory! You don't understand anything!" Vincent said shoving her to the ground. Yuffie recovered from her shock and scrambled up. "Maybe I don't! But-!" Yuffie stopped mid-sentence Yuffie's gaze traveled to her arm where' Vincent's claw was, it was covered in blood which increased. Vincent suddenly snapped from his rage realizing what he had done. Yuffie clutched her arm painfully. "Y-you did this to me?" Yuffie said barely above a whisper. Vincent dared a step forward. "Yuffie please! I didn't mean to-I'm sorry!" Tears fell down Yuffie's face. The tears imprinted themselves into Vincent's head with such an unbearable burning sensation. "Yuffie please!" Vincent begged. Yuffie looked down as some of her chestnut brown locks fell down her face covering her eyes with a shadow. "Save it for another one of your sins to atone for!" Yuffie said with a sickening calm voice.
Yuffie turned and ran fast on her heels. Vincent after a moment willed himself to move and followed her. Suddenly he crashed into someone. He looked up and saw Cloud and Aeris.
Aeris came down stairs slowly from a daze. "Yuffie left this note." Aeris said handing it to Cloud. Cloud scanned it. "She's left. I didn't mean fro her to take what I said to heart!" Cloud said shamefully. "She also left with all of our materia." Barret reminded. "My Bahamut!" Cloud whispered. "We gotta find her!" Cloud declared firmly. "But we don't know where she went!" Aeris said with tears down her face. Tifa looked down. "Does anybody know where her hometown is?" Tifa asked. Everyone looked down. "Wutai." Vincent whispered from the corner where he stood in thought. "W-What? How do you know?" Cloud asked suspiciously. "The smell of her blood is Wutaineise (sp?). It's a start." Vincent replied. "You can smell blood?" Cid asked disgusted. Vincent nodded. "I don't understand. Why would Yuffie leave?! I mean she was hurt by what Cloud said and all but I talked to her afterwards and she seemed fine!" Tifa said confused. Vincent remained silent. 'Yuffie...' he thought numbly.