Disclaimer: I don't own FF7 or any of the characters.
Authors Notes: Sorry all I would have updated sooner but I thought I lost my work on the computer and I was freaking out! I thought I was going to start all over, considering I didn't save it on a backup disk! Yeah I know dumb me, but thanks to Ezri for helping me out and showing how to retrieve my files!! Thanks so much! If it weren't for you I would have been starting all over, lol. Enjoy!
'Ugh...what where am I?' The shinobi thought as she sat up in the big comfortable bed. 'Ouch!' She inwardly yelled as she sat up too fast causing a sharp pain to form in her stomach. She slowly kicked her legs over the side of the bed and looked around. There was a window to the left of her so she decided to walk over and look out.
'Huh? This isn't Kalm.' She thought as she looked at the bustling city beneath her. She was a few stories high and the people looked like tiny ants. 'Midgar? How the hell did I get here?' She walked out of the room and into the living room. She saw dark blue furniture and a small coffee table. She looked at the ground and noticed she was walking on white fluffy carpet.
'Hmm...at least this place is nice and tidy, but whose is it?' She thought as she continued to walk around the place. She entered the bathroom and flicked on the light. She took a quick glance in the mirror and frowned. ' Oh wow Yuffie you look so beautiful,' she thought sarcastically to herself. Her hair was a mess and her face was pale and dull looking and her eyes looked dead. She blinked a few times and turned on the faucet letting the hot water out. She splashed some on her face before she heard a door slam. She quickly turned off the water and dried her face on a towel before exiting the room.
"Uh hello?" She called out into the house before a young lady stepped into view. She looked no more than twenty-five at the most and had dark brown hair and bright green eyes. Her hair was about shoulder length and completely straight.
"Ah you're up!" She exclaimed while walking over to the young ninja.
"And you are?" Yuffie asked skeptically while taking a step back
"Oh forgive me," the lady said while placing a hand on her chest, "My name is MeiLin. I've been watching you these past few days. I'm a doctor, Reeve asked me to look out for you when they brought you here from Kalm."
Yuffie nodded still a bit curious however. "Why did they bring me here and not to a hospital?" She asked
"Because they didn't want anyone to know that you checked into a hospital, it might give whoever did this to you a lead, and they would know that you were still alive. They didn't want to tip anybody off of your whereabouts," MeiLin explained.
Yuffie nodded, it sounded logical enough for her.
MeiLin smiled, "How are you feeling?"
Yuffie scrunched her face a little, "Well I feel alright I guess, just a little weak."
"You must be starved, you should eat something," MeiLin said as she walked into the kitchen. Yuffie followed behind her and sat down at one of the chairs at the table.
"I'll fill you in on what's been going on since you've been out," MeiLin said as she pulled some juice from the fridge.
Yuffie's eyes widened, "How long have I been out?" she asked curiously.
"About five days," MeiLin answered, "You lost a lot of blood. But we were able to stabilize you once you arrived. But you were just really weak, I knew it would take a few days for you to recuperate."
The Shinobi ran a hand through her unruly hair. 'Five days?' She thought still somewhat in shock.
"You had everyone really worried. Cloud wouldn't leave your side until I finally persuaded him to leave for a little while. He wouldn't sleep or eat or anything, I was starting to get worried about him," MeiLin said as she set a glass of orange juice in front of the young ninja.
"Where is Cloud anyway?" Yuffie asked somewhat shyly.
"He's with Reeve right now, but he'll be back home soon," the doctor replied while taking out some sausages.
"Home?" The ninja asked with a surprised tone.
MeiLin smiled, "Yeah this is Cloud's place, I guess I should have mentioned that. Although he's never here half of the time."
'So this is Cloud's home,' Yuffie thought as she looked around, ' he has good taste.'
"Reeve contacted your advisors back in Wutai so they would know what's going on. But I guess they are not too happy about it. They want you to go back there. That's been the main conflict so far," MeiLin explained while she began to cook.
Yuffie rolled her eyes, she wasn't surprised that they were upset. She knew they hated Shinra. "I'll talk to them later, I'm sure I can calm them down," the shinobi explained.
After MeiLin finished with breakfast they ate and chatted about a lot of things. From her life in Wutai to the attack in Kalm. Yuffie liked MeiLin, she didn't seem serious and stuck up like Yuffie always pictured doctors to be. She was very energetic and laid back. Their conversation was fun, they even talked about Cloud. MeiLin told Yuffie how when she first met Cloud he was so quiet, it was only when she really got to know him that she saw he was a very humble and sweet guy. Yuffie told her the same thing. She explained to her when they were in Avalanche he seemed more serious and quiet, but after she saw him again he seemed more carefree.
Yuffie sighed, just talking about her blonde friend was making her sad. Usually that wouldn't be the case, but she still remembered the scene at Tifa's bar clearly. She tried to push the image out of her mind but it was no use, it kept replaying over and over again.
The phone began to ring and MeiLin got up to answer it
"Hello?" She spoke into the phone. She smiled and nodded, "Yeah I have great news, Lady Kisiragi is up!" She was silent for a moment while the other person talked, "Yeah sorry I should have told you earlier, but I made something for her to eat and we kind of just got lost in conversation," she explained while looking at Yuffie. She twirled the phone cord in her fingers as she listened to the voice on the other end. She nodded before responding, "Okay sounds great, see you then," she said before hanging up.
"What was that all about?" The ninja asked.
"That was Reeve, he wants us to stop by the incorporation. Are you up to leaving?" MeiLin asked.
Yuffie grinned, "Yeah of course!"
"Great!" MeiLin beamed, "Your stuff is here, it should be in the room. So just get ready and we can head out."
"Okay just give me thirty minutes," Yuffie said as she stood up, "Ouch!" She yelled. She smiled nervously as MeiLin ran to her side, "Better make it Forty-five."
"Hop in!" MeiLin exclaimed as her and the young ninja walked up to the black shiny sports car.
"Wow is this yours?" Yuffie asked while examining the expensive looking car.
"Nah its Shinra property, but I get to use it!" The doctor explained while getting into the car.
They drove off and down the streets of Midgar as Yuffie looked out of the tinted window of the passenger seat. Everything was so fast paced here, completely different from Wutai. There was people covering the sidewalks and cars driving in every direction. Some of the people just looked scary as they stood on the corner of the streets. She could barely hear herself think because of the honking cars and music playing off in the distance.
"Were here!" MeiLin announced as they pulled into the parking garage of the enormous building.
Yuffie switched her attention from the city to the Shinra building. She looked around the garage as they stepped out. It was full of cars on each level. She followed MeiLin as she walked straight ahead to a glass elevator.
"Where did I put that keycard now?" the doctor mumbled to herself as she rummaged through her purse. "Aha there it is!" She said as she pulled it out triumphantly. She swiped the card and the doors opened. Yuffie stepped in cautiously as the doors shut quietly behind them.
MeiLin punched some buttons inside and the elevator began to move up.
There was soft elevator music playing as the two patiently waited to reach the level they needed to get too. Yuffie looked up at the digital numbers that changed every few seconds as they ascended upward. Forty-one, Forty-two it read and kept climbing. The shinobi looked behind her and looked down on the city as they climbed up higher and higher.
"Whoa," she said absentmindedly as she stumbled back a little.
MeiLin laughed, "A little high up I know. Shouldn't look down, it only gets you dizzy, but you get use too it after a while," she explained.
They finally reached the level and stepped out into an office like looking place.
"Hello Doctor!" A woman exclaimed as she passed by.
"Hey Katie," MeiLin answered back as she continued walking. Yuffie walked right behind her like a little kid to their parent, fearing getting lost in the unknown place.
They approached a desk and met a woman sitting there with a big smile. "MeiLin, how are you?" She asked cheerfully.
"I'm fine, is Reeve still in his office?" MeiLin asked.
"Yeah, do you need to see him?" The woman asked.
"Yes please, can you let him know were coming in?" MeiLin asked already walking away.
"Sure thing!" The woman shouted back as the two walked through the doors to his office.
He sat as his desk looking over some papers, but looked up and smiled when they came through the door.
"Yuffie," he said with a smile as he crossed the room to meet her, " are you okay?" he asked while embracing her careful not to hurt her.
"Yeah I'm great!" she chimed.
MeiLin laughed slightly, "She recovered just fine, although she still is a little sore I'm sure she's going to be just fine."
Reeve nodded, "I'm glad to hear that. Thank you MeiLin."
"Of course," the doctor replied with a wave of her hand as she took a seat.
"Yuffie," Reeve began while motioning for her to sit down, "Your advisors in Wutai are not pleased that you are in our care."
The young princess sighed, "I've heard."
Reeve nodded and continued, "Yes well...we don't want you to go back to Wutai...not now," he began. He took a deep breath and tapped the table in thought.
"What's the matter?" Yuffie asked questioningly.
MeiLin frowned, "Is everything okay?"
Reeve was just about to speak up before the door opened. Everyone turned their heads to see who it was, and in walked the ex soldier. He quietly shut the door behind him as he stared at Yuffie.
"Hey Cloud!" MeiLin greeted him.
"Hi Mei," Cloud replied softly. "When did...." He began but trailed off.
Reeve smiled, "Just this morning, I called you to let you know she had woken up, but you didn't answer."
Yuffie smiled weakly and stood up. She was still hurt about him and Tifa, but she still loved this man with all her heart. She wasn't going to be mean to him or anything just because things didn't work out the way she wanted.
He walked over to her and embraced her tightly and she let out a small laugh.
"Were you worried?" She asked teasingly.
He smiled and let her go and looked into her eyes, "Are you alright?" He asked with concern.
She smiled, "Yeah I feel fine, you know it's going to take more than that to stop me!" She joked.
MeiLin smiled at the two. There seemed to be a spark between them and she noticed it very well.
"Cloud have a seat, I was just explaining to Yuffie our situation here," Reeve began.
"Right," the blonde responded as he took a seat right next to Yuffie.
"As I was saying," Reeve continued, "We don't want you in Wutai, and we have reasons why."
Yuffie nodded urging him to continue, he had her undivided attention.
"Yuffie...this person who attacked you was Wutainese correct?" He asked
The ninja nodded, "Yeah," she replied, "I couldn't see them because they had their face covered, but their eyes were visible. And aside from that her fighting style was definitely from Shinobi teachings."
Reeve nodded, "Yes and that only makes it more clear." He sighed and continued, "Yuffie we have reason to believe that this person who attacked you was someone that you know. If they didn't do it then they sent someone else too. But it's definitely someone with an inside connection to you. Someone who you work with, someone who is close to you."
The shinobi blinked. "W, what?" She stammered. Cloud took her hand in his and gave a slight squeeze.
"He's right Yuffie, it all makes sense. Nobody knew you were going to Kalm except for your advisors and us here. Which would mean that this person would have to either be following your every move, or else they would have to know you personally. And the only people in Wutai that knew were your advisors. I mean it's too much of a coincidence for them to just come across you like that."
Reeve cleared his throat, "And they knew when to attack. They knew that Cloud was watching over you, and so they knew to attack when he wasn't around. And the only people that knew Cloud was sent to watch you is Shinra and the Wutai officials."
Yuffie's heart was beating crazily. 'Can this be true?' She thought to herself. I mean it was one thing her thinking that someone from Wutai wanted her dead, but she never thought it would be someone who she worked with and personally knew. Someone who she looked at in the face at meetings, or at business parties. 'But it does make sense what they are saying,' she thought as she let out a staggered breath.
"I...I don't understand," she said shakily as her eyes began to fill with tears, "Why? Why would they....I don't...why?" She asked in a quiet confused tone.
Cloud's heart ached to see his friend like this. If and "when" he found out who was after her, he was going to make them pay. He held her hand tighter as Reeve spoke up.
"I honestly wish I knew Yuffie, I don't understand it myself. But rests assure we "will" find out who it is and we will make sure that they won't harm you. But I'm asking that you trust us, trust me. I need you to be completely comfortable with Shinra, because at this time I'm asking that you don't contact your advisors back in Wutai. You have to sever all ties with them for now and just trust Shinra. I know it's a lot to ask, and I know you don't want to abandon you work...but please. It'll be over with soon, but for now I need you to be able to do that."
Yuffie looked into Reeves eyes with unshed tears and nodded. "Of course, I trust you. I can do that." She replied softly.
Reeve sighed, "Thank you."
MeiLin was sitting quietly listening to the whole thing. She didn't know half the extent of this problem until now. She got up and walked over to Yuffie and knelt down beside her. "Everything is going to be just fine, you'll see. Don't worry." She said in a caring tone, trying to reassure and comfort the young girl.
Yuffie smiled and nodded as a tear slipped down her face. "Thanks," she said as she quickly wiped away the tear.
The doctor smiled at her one more time before she got up and walked towards the door. "Reeve?" She asked, "A minute please?" She knew that Cloud and Yuffie should have a moment alone to talk things over.
Reeve nodded and walked over after he placed a reassuring hand on Yuffie's shoulder, and after that the two exited the room, leaving Cloud and Yuffie behind.
Yuffie laughed, "What happened to the days when my biggest problem was whether or not I could steal a mastered material from someone and get away with it."
Cloud was silent, he knew she was scared and hurt and was only trying to mask those feelings.
She became quiet and looked at the ground. She suddenly lost her humor, it wasn't working.
"Gawd Cloud I...I don't know what to do anymore. Or what to think. I... I'm so confused and I...I'm scared." She said finally as tears slid down her face. She usually wouldn't have said that, she wouldn't want to appear weak. But at this moment she didn't care, she needed to tell somebody.
"Yuffie it's okay," Cloud said as he came to the front of her and knelt down before her. She was sitting in her chair still and was hiding her face in her hands.
"Yuffie," Cloud said softly as he removed her hands from her face. He wanted to look into her eyes, he wanted her to look at him.
"I don't want you to be scared. I'm going to be right here, I'm not going to leave you. I should have been there this time, and I wasn't. But that's not going to happen again, believe me. I'm not going to let anyone touch you, I swear on my heartbeat I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
Yuffie stared back into his dark blue eyes. She knew he was telling her the truth. She didn't doubt him for one minute. She nodded as tears still fell down her face. He wiped them away and took her into his strong arms. She cried freely there, she felt safe and secure. He stroked her hair as she tightened her hold on him.
"Thank you," she said between sobs.
Cloud smiled and kissed her on the cheek, "don't thank me."
"No I have too, because if you weren't here with me I don't know what I would do," she replied in a soft voice. She didn't know why she said that...maybe because it was the truth. She was glad Cloud was there for her, but she also felt like she was being a burden too him.
He didn't reply, he just held her tighter. Yuffie closed her eyes and just enjoyed being there in his arms. She felt completely content there. She felt like staying that way forever...but she couldn't. It was only giving her false hopes. She knew that she could never be like this with him in a romantic type way. He was just being there for her as a friend...nothing more. He loved Tifa and there was nothing she could do to change that.
She pulled away a second later and wiped away her tears as she laughed nervously. "Look at me, such a crybaby," she joked as she stood up.
Cloud smiled, "don't worry, your secrets safe with me," he joked as he put his arm around her and led her towards the door.
They walked out of the office and into the building. Yuffie looked around her surroundings in awe. Shinra Inc. had changed dramatically since the last time she had been there. It was bigger and better and the fact that Reeve was in control made it ten times as good. She smiled to herself, she was glad to know that she had friends who worked in such a lavish place. She snuck a peek at Cloud from the corner of her eye. 'Gawd he is so cute!' Yuffie thought to herself. From his golden spikes to his deep blue eyes, he was perfect in her opinion. He walked in a cool, confident and yet casual way and always had a mysterious look in his eye.
He intrigued the young Shinobi in many ways. He was like a puzzle that she was dying to solve, and the only way to do that was to get as close to him as possible.
'No,' she thought sadly, 'Yuffie just accept it, he's taken, just accept it!'
"If you're feeling okay do you want to go take a look around the city? There's a lot of new things here," the blonde explained.
Yuffie grinned, "Sure!" she beamed.
Cloud smiled at her as they got into the elevator.
'Oh gawd,' the ninja thought, 'him being taken isn't going to be easy to accept. Not at all.'
Authors Notes: Sorry all I would have updated sooner but I thought I lost my work on the computer and I was freaking out! I thought I was going to start all over, considering I didn't save it on a backup disk! Yeah I know dumb me, but thanks to Ezri for helping me out and showing how to retrieve my files!! Thanks so much! If it weren't for you I would have been starting all over, lol. Enjoy!
'Ugh...what where am I?' The shinobi thought as she sat up in the big comfortable bed. 'Ouch!' She inwardly yelled as she sat up too fast causing a sharp pain to form in her stomach. She slowly kicked her legs over the side of the bed and looked around. There was a window to the left of her so she decided to walk over and look out.
'Huh? This isn't Kalm.' She thought as she looked at the bustling city beneath her. She was a few stories high and the people looked like tiny ants. 'Midgar? How the hell did I get here?' She walked out of the room and into the living room. She saw dark blue furniture and a small coffee table. She looked at the ground and noticed she was walking on white fluffy carpet.
'Hmm...at least this place is nice and tidy, but whose is it?' She thought as she continued to walk around the place. She entered the bathroom and flicked on the light. She took a quick glance in the mirror and frowned. ' Oh wow Yuffie you look so beautiful,' she thought sarcastically to herself. Her hair was a mess and her face was pale and dull looking and her eyes looked dead. She blinked a few times and turned on the faucet letting the hot water out. She splashed some on her face before she heard a door slam. She quickly turned off the water and dried her face on a towel before exiting the room.
"Uh hello?" She called out into the house before a young lady stepped into view. She looked no more than twenty-five at the most and had dark brown hair and bright green eyes. Her hair was about shoulder length and completely straight.
"Ah you're up!" She exclaimed while walking over to the young ninja.
"And you are?" Yuffie asked skeptically while taking a step back
"Oh forgive me," the lady said while placing a hand on her chest, "My name is MeiLin. I've been watching you these past few days. I'm a doctor, Reeve asked me to look out for you when they brought you here from Kalm."
Yuffie nodded still a bit curious however. "Why did they bring me here and not to a hospital?" She asked
"Because they didn't want anyone to know that you checked into a hospital, it might give whoever did this to you a lead, and they would know that you were still alive. They didn't want to tip anybody off of your whereabouts," MeiLin explained.
Yuffie nodded, it sounded logical enough for her.
MeiLin smiled, "How are you feeling?"
Yuffie scrunched her face a little, "Well I feel alright I guess, just a little weak."
"You must be starved, you should eat something," MeiLin said as she walked into the kitchen. Yuffie followed behind her and sat down at one of the chairs at the table.
"I'll fill you in on what's been going on since you've been out," MeiLin said as she pulled some juice from the fridge.
Yuffie's eyes widened, "How long have I been out?" she asked curiously.
"About five days," MeiLin answered, "You lost a lot of blood. But we were able to stabilize you once you arrived. But you were just really weak, I knew it would take a few days for you to recuperate."
The Shinobi ran a hand through her unruly hair. 'Five days?' She thought still somewhat in shock.
"You had everyone really worried. Cloud wouldn't leave your side until I finally persuaded him to leave for a little while. He wouldn't sleep or eat or anything, I was starting to get worried about him," MeiLin said as she set a glass of orange juice in front of the young ninja.
"Where is Cloud anyway?" Yuffie asked somewhat shyly.
"He's with Reeve right now, but he'll be back home soon," the doctor replied while taking out some sausages.
"Home?" The ninja asked with a surprised tone.
MeiLin smiled, "Yeah this is Cloud's place, I guess I should have mentioned that. Although he's never here half of the time."
'So this is Cloud's home,' Yuffie thought as she looked around, ' he has good taste.'
"Reeve contacted your advisors back in Wutai so they would know what's going on. But I guess they are not too happy about it. They want you to go back there. That's been the main conflict so far," MeiLin explained while she began to cook.
Yuffie rolled her eyes, she wasn't surprised that they were upset. She knew they hated Shinra. "I'll talk to them later, I'm sure I can calm them down," the shinobi explained.
After MeiLin finished with breakfast they ate and chatted about a lot of things. From her life in Wutai to the attack in Kalm. Yuffie liked MeiLin, she didn't seem serious and stuck up like Yuffie always pictured doctors to be. She was very energetic and laid back. Their conversation was fun, they even talked about Cloud. MeiLin told Yuffie how when she first met Cloud he was so quiet, it was only when she really got to know him that she saw he was a very humble and sweet guy. Yuffie told her the same thing. She explained to her when they were in Avalanche he seemed more serious and quiet, but after she saw him again he seemed more carefree.
Yuffie sighed, just talking about her blonde friend was making her sad. Usually that wouldn't be the case, but she still remembered the scene at Tifa's bar clearly. She tried to push the image out of her mind but it was no use, it kept replaying over and over again.
The phone began to ring and MeiLin got up to answer it
"Hello?" She spoke into the phone. She smiled and nodded, "Yeah I have great news, Lady Kisiragi is up!" She was silent for a moment while the other person talked, "Yeah sorry I should have told you earlier, but I made something for her to eat and we kind of just got lost in conversation," she explained while looking at Yuffie. She twirled the phone cord in her fingers as she listened to the voice on the other end. She nodded before responding, "Okay sounds great, see you then," she said before hanging up.
"What was that all about?" The ninja asked.
"That was Reeve, he wants us to stop by the incorporation. Are you up to leaving?" MeiLin asked.
Yuffie grinned, "Yeah of course!"
"Great!" MeiLin beamed, "Your stuff is here, it should be in the room. So just get ready and we can head out."
"Okay just give me thirty minutes," Yuffie said as she stood up, "Ouch!" She yelled. She smiled nervously as MeiLin ran to her side, "Better make it Forty-five."
"Hop in!" MeiLin exclaimed as her and the young ninja walked up to the black shiny sports car.
"Wow is this yours?" Yuffie asked while examining the expensive looking car.
"Nah its Shinra property, but I get to use it!" The doctor explained while getting into the car.
They drove off and down the streets of Midgar as Yuffie looked out of the tinted window of the passenger seat. Everything was so fast paced here, completely different from Wutai. There was people covering the sidewalks and cars driving in every direction. Some of the people just looked scary as they stood on the corner of the streets. She could barely hear herself think because of the honking cars and music playing off in the distance.
"Were here!" MeiLin announced as they pulled into the parking garage of the enormous building.
Yuffie switched her attention from the city to the Shinra building. She looked around the garage as they stepped out. It was full of cars on each level. She followed MeiLin as she walked straight ahead to a glass elevator.
"Where did I put that keycard now?" the doctor mumbled to herself as she rummaged through her purse. "Aha there it is!" She said as she pulled it out triumphantly. She swiped the card and the doors opened. Yuffie stepped in cautiously as the doors shut quietly behind them.
MeiLin punched some buttons inside and the elevator began to move up.
There was soft elevator music playing as the two patiently waited to reach the level they needed to get too. Yuffie looked up at the digital numbers that changed every few seconds as they ascended upward. Forty-one, Forty-two it read and kept climbing. The shinobi looked behind her and looked down on the city as they climbed up higher and higher.
"Whoa," she said absentmindedly as she stumbled back a little.
MeiLin laughed, "A little high up I know. Shouldn't look down, it only gets you dizzy, but you get use too it after a while," she explained.
They finally reached the level and stepped out into an office like looking place.
"Hello Doctor!" A woman exclaimed as she passed by.
"Hey Katie," MeiLin answered back as she continued walking. Yuffie walked right behind her like a little kid to their parent, fearing getting lost in the unknown place.
They approached a desk and met a woman sitting there with a big smile. "MeiLin, how are you?" She asked cheerfully.
"I'm fine, is Reeve still in his office?" MeiLin asked.
"Yeah, do you need to see him?" The woman asked.
"Yes please, can you let him know were coming in?" MeiLin asked already walking away.
"Sure thing!" The woman shouted back as the two walked through the doors to his office.
He sat as his desk looking over some papers, but looked up and smiled when they came through the door.
"Yuffie," he said with a smile as he crossed the room to meet her, " are you okay?" he asked while embracing her careful not to hurt her.
"Yeah I'm great!" she chimed.
MeiLin laughed slightly, "She recovered just fine, although she still is a little sore I'm sure she's going to be just fine."
Reeve nodded, "I'm glad to hear that. Thank you MeiLin."
"Of course," the doctor replied with a wave of her hand as she took a seat.
"Yuffie," Reeve began while motioning for her to sit down, "Your advisors in Wutai are not pleased that you are in our care."
The young princess sighed, "I've heard."
Reeve nodded and continued, "Yes well...we don't want you to go back to Wutai...not now," he began. He took a deep breath and tapped the table in thought.
"What's the matter?" Yuffie asked questioningly.
MeiLin frowned, "Is everything okay?"
Reeve was just about to speak up before the door opened. Everyone turned their heads to see who it was, and in walked the ex soldier. He quietly shut the door behind him as he stared at Yuffie.
"Hey Cloud!" MeiLin greeted him.
"Hi Mei," Cloud replied softly. "When did...." He began but trailed off.
Reeve smiled, "Just this morning, I called you to let you know she had woken up, but you didn't answer."
Yuffie smiled weakly and stood up. She was still hurt about him and Tifa, but she still loved this man with all her heart. She wasn't going to be mean to him or anything just because things didn't work out the way she wanted.
He walked over to her and embraced her tightly and she let out a small laugh.
"Were you worried?" She asked teasingly.
He smiled and let her go and looked into her eyes, "Are you alright?" He asked with concern.
She smiled, "Yeah I feel fine, you know it's going to take more than that to stop me!" She joked.
MeiLin smiled at the two. There seemed to be a spark between them and she noticed it very well.
"Cloud have a seat, I was just explaining to Yuffie our situation here," Reeve began.
"Right," the blonde responded as he took a seat right next to Yuffie.
"As I was saying," Reeve continued, "We don't want you in Wutai, and we have reasons why."
Yuffie nodded urging him to continue, he had her undivided attention.
"Yuffie...this person who attacked you was Wutainese correct?" He asked
The ninja nodded, "Yeah," she replied, "I couldn't see them because they had their face covered, but their eyes were visible. And aside from that her fighting style was definitely from Shinobi teachings."
Reeve nodded, "Yes and that only makes it more clear." He sighed and continued, "Yuffie we have reason to believe that this person who attacked you was someone that you know. If they didn't do it then they sent someone else too. But it's definitely someone with an inside connection to you. Someone who you work with, someone who is close to you."
The shinobi blinked. "W, what?" She stammered. Cloud took her hand in his and gave a slight squeeze.
"He's right Yuffie, it all makes sense. Nobody knew you were going to Kalm except for your advisors and us here. Which would mean that this person would have to either be following your every move, or else they would have to know you personally. And the only people in Wutai that knew were your advisors. I mean it's too much of a coincidence for them to just come across you like that."
Reeve cleared his throat, "And they knew when to attack. They knew that Cloud was watching over you, and so they knew to attack when he wasn't around. And the only people that knew Cloud was sent to watch you is Shinra and the Wutai officials."
Yuffie's heart was beating crazily. 'Can this be true?' She thought to herself. I mean it was one thing her thinking that someone from Wutai wanted her dead, but she never thought it would be someone who she worked with and personally knew. Someone who she looked at in the face at meetings, or at business parties. 'But it does make sense what they are saying,' she thought as she let out a staggered breath.
"I...I don't understand," she said shakily as her eyes began to fill with tears, "Why? Why would they....I don't...why?" She asked in a quiet confused tone.
Cloud's heart ached to see his friend like this. If and "when" he found out who was after her, he was going to make them pay. He held her hand tighter as Reeve spoke up.
"I honestly wish I knew Yuffie, I don't understand it myself. But rests assure we "will" find out who it is and we will make sure that they won't harm you. But I'm asking that you trust us, trust me. I need you to be completely comfortable with Shinra, because at this time I'm asking that you don't contact your advisors back in Wutai. You have to sever all ties with them for now and just trust Shinra. I know it's a lot to ask, and I know you don't want to abandon you work...but please. It'll be over with soon, but for now I need you to be able to do that."
Yuffie looked into Reeves eyes with unshed tears and nodded. "Of course, I trust you. I can do that." She replied softly.
Reeve sighed, "Thank you."
MeiLin was sitting quietly listening to the whole thing. She didn't know half the extent of this problem until now. She got up and walked over to Yuffie and knelt down beside her. "Everything is going to be just fine, you'll see. Don't worry." She said in a caring tone, trying to reassure and comfort the young girl.
Yuffie smiled and nodded as a tear slipped down her face. "Thanks," she said as she quickly wiped away the tear.
The doctor smiled at her one more time before she got up and walked towards the door. "Reeve?" She asked, "A minute please?" She knew that Cloud and Yuffie should have a moment alone to talk things over.
Reeve nodded and walked over after he placed a reassuring hand on Yuffie's shoulder, and after that the two exited the room, leaving Cloud and Yuffie behind.
Yuffie laughed, "What happened to the days when my biggest problem was whether or not I could steal a mastered material from someone and get away with it."
Cloud was silent, he knew she was scared and hurt and was only trying to mask those feelings.
She became quiet and looked at the ground. She suddenly lost her humor, it wasn't working.
"Gawd Cloud I...I don't know what to do anymore. Or what to think. I... I'm so confused and I...I'm scared." She said finally as tears slid down her face. She usually wouldn't have said that, she wouldn't want to appear weak. But at this moment she didn't care, she needed to tell somebody.
"Yuffie it's okay," Cloud said as he came to the front of her and knelt down before her. She was sitting in her chair still and was hiding her face in her hands.
"Yuffie," Cloud said softly as he removed her hands from her face. He wanted to look into her eyes, he wanted her to look at him.
"I don't want you to be scared. I'm going to be right here, I'm not going to leave you. I should have been there this time, and I wasn't. But that's not going to happen again, believe me. I'm not going to let anyone touch you, I swear on my heartbeat I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
Yuffie stared back into his dark blue eyes. She knew he was telling her the truth. She didn't doubt him for one minute. She nodded as tears still fell down her face. He wiped them away and took her into his strong arms. She cried freely there, she felt safe and secure. He stroked her hair as she tightened her hold on him.
"Thank you," she said between sobs.
Cloud smiled and kissed her on the cheek, "don't thank me."
"No I have too, because if you weren't here with me I don't know what I would do," she replied in a soft voice. She didn't know why she said that...maybe because it was the truth. She was glad Cloud was there for her, but she also felt like she was being a burden too him.
He didn't reply, he just held her tighter. Yuffie closed her eyes and just enjoyed being there in his arms. She felt completely content there. She felt like staying that way forever...but she couldn't. It was only giving her false hopes. She knew that she could never be like this with him in a romantic type way. He was just being there for her as a friend...nothing more. He loved Tifa and there was nothing she could do to change that.
She pulled away a second later and wiped away her tears as she laughed nervously. "Look at me, such a crybaby," she joked as she stood up.
Cloud smiled, "don't worry, your secrets safe with me," he joked as he put his arm around her and led her towards the door.
They walked out of the office and into the building. Yuffie looked around her surroundings in awe. Shinra Inc. had changed dramatically since the last time she had been there. It was bigger and better and the fact that Reeve was in control made it ten times as good. She smiled to herself, she was glad to know that she had friends who worked in such a lavish place. She snuck a peek at Cloud from the corner of her eye. 'Gawd he is so cute!' Yuffie thought to herself. From his golden spikes to his deep blue eyes, he was perfect in her opinion. He walked in a cool, confident and yet casual way and always had a mysterious look in his eye.
He intrigued the young Shinobi in many ways. He was like a puzzle that she was dying to solve, and the only way to do that was to get as close to him as possible.
'No,' she thought sadly, 'Yuffie just accept it, he's taken, just accept it!'
"If you're feeling okay do you want to go take a look around the city? There's a lot of new things here," the blonde explained.
Yuffie grinned, "Sure!" she beamed.
Cloud smiled at her as they got into the elevator.
'Oh gawd,' the ninja thought, 'him being taken isn't going to be easy to accept. Not at all.'