Disclaimer: FF7 belongs to Square, not me.

"Well what happened? Shit.... I don't believe this."

'Hmm? What's going on?' The brunette thought as she lazily sat up in bed and looked across the room to Gigio who had just said a stiff goodbye into his cell phone before dropping it onto the ground.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Tifa asked while getting out of bed.

Gigio glanced at her, his vision slightly blurred because he wasn't wearing his glasses this early in the morning. "Its Chekhov," he replied in a sad tone.

"Chekhov?" Tifa asked trying to figure out where she had heard the foreign name before. "Chekhov from Wutai?" She asked before her eyes widened. "Oh no.... what....is he?"

Gigio nodded slowly as he buried his face in his hands. "Staniv and the others found his body this morning in the Pagoda," he explained quietly.

Tifa closed her eyes and shook her head as she took a seat next to Gigio. "Well...what happened?" She asked.

"Know one is exactly sure of all the details, but he was definitely murdered. They found his body covered in blood," he continued. A silence fell over the two before Gigio quickly stood up. "I've got to tell Reeve and Cloud. I'm sure this is all in connection to whoever is trying to kill Yuffie."

The brunette nodded, "I'm coming with you."

The young ninja stretched and was surprised to feel something around her waist as she turned over in bed, she smiled when she remembered the ex soldier was sound asleep next to her. He had his arms wrapped around her waist, she felt completely safe throughout the night with him right there. She ran a hand through his hair as she looked at his sleeping form. He looked so innocent. She let out a satisfied sigh as she thought back to last night. It was definitely a night she would never forget. She never knew love to be anything like this. He was there for her that whole evening both physically and mentally. She didn't know what she would do without him and she didn't want to think about it. He slowly opened his eyes as she continued to stroke his hair.

"Good morning," he said with a smile as he tried to fully open his eyes.

Yuffie let out a giggle, he looked so cute when he had just woken up...actually he looked cute no matter what to her. "Good morning," she replied as she snuggled up closer to him, resting her head on his chest.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked while caressing her arm.

"Hmm I guess, I mean I was up half of the night but I don't have to explain that to you," she said with a smirk.

Cloud laughed. He loved how she had a sense of humor. "Well that doesn't exactly sound like a complaint to me," he replied with a smile.

"Well," the ninja began in a teasing manner.

"Well?" The blonde repeated in a confused tone with a raised eyebrow.

Yuffie broke into laughter once she caught the look on her loves face. "Relax I'm kidding," she said while still laughing.

Cloud gave a mischievous smile.

"What?" She asked in curiosity.

"Well I mean if there is a problem then I guess we'll just have to keep practicing until we get it right don't you think?" He asked before pinning the girl beneath him.

Yuffie let out a laugh as her eyes went wide.

The blonde smiled as he looked down at the beautiful woman beneath him.

"Hmm sounds good to me," she said in a playful seductive voice before the two were locked into once again another passionate kiss. A second later all the laughing and jokes went away as the two got lost in each other all over again.

"What do you say we stay like this all day?" Yuffie asked once they had broke from their kiss.

"I like that idea," he replied kissing her at the same time that the phone began to ring.

"Oh gawd, don't answer it," Yuffie whined while kissing the blonde.

"It may be important," he explained while trying to pull away from his love.

"More important than me?" She asked with a playful sad face.

The blonde rolled his eyes as he gave a smile, "Of course not," he replied giving into the gray-eyed beauty. The phone stopped ringing and a moment later knocking was heard at the front door.

Yuffie began to laugh as the ex soldier smiled.

"Fine I guess you should get that," the ninja said in defeat as she let go of the blonde.

"I'll be right back," he said kissing her before climbing out of bed. He dressed quickly as she watched with a big grin.

"Where's my shirt?" He asked while looking around the room.

Yuffie scanned the room, "I'm not sure," she replied while getting out of bed with the sheets wrapped around her. The knocking continued and was growing louder.

"Coming!" Cloud shouted as he walked out of the room forgetting about his shirt for the moment.

The knocking continued when Cloud was only a few feet away from the door.

"All right hold on!" He said as he flung open the door.

"Are you okay?" MeiLin asked worriedly.

"Yeah I'm fine," Cloud answered a little confused.

"Why didn't you answer the phone?" Reeve asked.

"I was asleep," he replied quickly.

"We have a problem...or another problem," Gigio stated as he adjusted his glasses.

Tifa stared at her friend, greatly enjoying the sight of his bare chest. She shook her head trying to rid herself of the thoughts going through her mind.

"What kind of problem?" Cloud asked in a serious voice.

"Chekhov is dead," Reeve said.

"What?" The blonde asked in shock.

Gigio nodded, "I was just told about it this morning. We have to take into consideration that this may all be linked to whoever is threatening Lady Kisiragi's life."

Cloud let out a deep sigh, "How did...what..." he began.

"I think it would be best if we discussed this at Shinra Inc. We don't want Yuffie knowing right now," Reeve explained.

"Who is that Spikey?" The ninja asked as she appeared behind Cloud wearing nothing but an oversized blue t-shirt and white socks.

"Good morning Yuffie," Gigio said as he bowed his head slightly acknowledging her.

"Good morning everyone," she said shyly as she turned a shade of red.

MeiLin chuckled to herself as she brought a hand up to cover her mouth. Tifa stared at the two before crossing her arms and looking away.

Cloud turned his focus towards Yuffie.

"I uh.... I found your shirt," she said with a nervous smile as she tugged on the over sized garment she was wearing before burying her face in Cloud's arm in complete embarrassment.

"What are they talking about in there?" Yuffie asked while tapping her fingers on the desk.

"Just guy stuff, nothing that we would want to hear," MeiLin said with a smile before hopping up on the desk. They were across the hall from Reeve's office in a medical room. Also known as MeiLin's headquarters. She came here to do all of her medical research.

"Tifa's in there," Yuffie said with a raised eyebrow.

MeiLin laughed, "That's because if you two were in the same room you may kill each other."

Yuffie looked away after MeiLin's last comment.

"Hey come on," MeiLin began, "Don't feel bad about this. It's not your fault and if she really is your best friend like you say, she'll come around. She'll be happy for you, just give it time."

The ninja nodded, "I guess your right," she replied quietly.

"Of course I am!" The doctor exclaimed with a smile. "Now for the more important things. Like what was that all about this morning with you and your bodyguard there."

Yuffie broke into a grin, "What?"

"Oh come on don't play dumb. You have to be really dense not to see that something happened with you two," MeiLin explained with a smile.

The ninja let out sigh, "I really love him Mei."

"I know," the doctor replied, "You guys have something really special. Hang onto that, okay?"

Yuffie nodded. She knew MeiLin was right. She could feel that what her and Cloud shared was something real and something special. And now that MeiLin had also said it she knew it really was true. She valued MeiLin's opinion greatly. She looked at MeiLin like an older sister so she knew that she would only be honest with her.

The ninja smiled at the doctor, "I guess we should also talk about you and Reeve too then. Didn't he spend the night at your place last night?"

MeiLin turned a deep shade of crimson before letting out a nervous laugh, "Oh yeah but that was only because he wanted to be near by you in case anything happened."

Yuffie began to laugh, "No I think you mean he wanted to be near by you!"

MeiLin began to laugh too as she hit her younger friend playfully on the arm. "Watch it!" She exclaimed.

The shinobi stopped, "Okay okay," she said as she got up from the desk. "I'll be back I'm going to get a drink, you want anything?"

"No I'm fine," the doctor replied just before the girl exited. She walked down into the lobby of the building and got a soda from the vending machine. She unscrewed the cap and took a sip of the drink as she made her way back to the medical room. Once she was about to enter she turned and looked at Reeve's office. 'I really wonder what they are talking about,' she thought. Besides that she just really wanted to see Cloud. She smiled just from the thought of him. She walked up closer to Reeve's office and pressed her ear up against the doors, but she couldn't really hear anything. She twisted the knob on the door ever so carefully and pushed it open slowly just a bit.

"Well at least we know she's safe for now. The person isn't in Midgar anymore they're in Wutai," Gigio said.

"Maybe but.... there could be more than one person to this also. They could have done this just to throw us off," the blonde's voice explained.

"Maybe, I mean what other reason would they have for killing Chekhov. What was their motive for that?" Reeve asked.

"Chekhov," Yuffie whispered to herself as her eyes grew wide and she dropped the uncapped soda onto the floor. "He's dead?" She asked in disbelief to know one in particular. She backed away from the door as she clutched her head with both hands. "No, this isn't real, this isn't true!" She told herself. The door to Reeve's office began to open slowly.

"MeiLin?" Reeve asked but got no response. The others turned their gaze towards the door.

"No, no," she whispered to herself as her surroundings began to spin. Reeve and the others approached the doors and opened them widely to see a very distressed Yuffie standing only a few feet away.

"Why didn't you tell me," she said softly before collapsing.

"Easy now," a soft voice said. The shinobi opened her eyes and blinked a few times while looking around the room. She was back at the apartment in bed and MeiLin was smiling sweetly at her. "How do you feel?" She asked while brushing a few strands of hair out of the girls face.

"What happened?" Yuffie asked.

"You blacked out," MeiLin said softly.

Yuffie's eyes widened. She suddenly remembered the conversation she had overheard. "Chekhov," she said absentmindedly.

MeiLin looked down, "I'm so sorry Yuffie," she said sympathetically. The ninja didn't answer, she just stared blankly into the room.

"I'm going to get you a glass of water," the doctor said before leaving the room. Yuffie looked out the window, the sun was setting. She must have been out for a few hours. She sat up and ran her hands through her dark hair. 'What's next?' She thought sarcastically to herself. A pang of guilt ran through her as she realized she was responsible for Chekhov's death. She was the one that this person wanted, it should have been her. She turned her gaze towards the door when she heard someone enter. She looked at the blonde and quickly looked away.

He walked over and took a seat next to her on the bed.

"Why didn't you tell me? You couldn't possibly think that you could keep something like this from me," she said in an emotionless tone.

"We were going to tell you....we just didn't want to tell you right off the back, I mean yesterday was already enough. We didn't want to upset you," the ex soldier explained in a quiet voice. He looked at the shinobi who was looking away from him apparently deep in thoughts of her own. He let out a sigh as he placed a hand on her shoulder. " I'm sorry," he said quietly.

"I have to go," she replied softly.

"What?" Cloud asked a little confused.

"I can't stay here anymore. I have to go back to Wutai," she explained while getting out of bed.

"Yuffie, Chekhov was just murdered there why would you want to go back now?" The ex soldier asked while standing up.

"It doesn't matter! I'm not exactly safe here either! I'm not safe anywhere! I was already attacked in Kalm and could have been blown to pieces here, so what difference does it make where I am! Wutai is where I belong, I can't keep running. Besides I have to pay my respects to Chekhov," she said lowering her voice.

Cloud was silent for a moment while he was thinking. "No," he began while shaking his head. "It's too risky. At least here you have Shinra and all of us watching you. Going back there who can you trust? The Wutai officials are all suspects."

"Everyone is a suspect!" Yuffie exclaimed while walking towards the door.

" Yuffie don't," the blonde began.

"Don't what?" She snapped as she turned around to face him.

He took a deep breath before continuing, "Look you're upset, just take a minute to calm down okay?"

The shinobi shook her head and turned around to exit the room. "Gigio!" She called while walking down the hallway with Cloud right on her heels.

"Yuffie what is it?" Gigio asked worriedly once she had entered the living room. MeiLin walked up holding a glass of water and looking completely confused.

" When is Chekhov's funeral?" Yuffie asked.

"I think within a matter of days," Gigio replied.

" Then we have to make sure were there in enough time," the young ninja said.

"What?" Reeve asked while coming from the kitchen.

" She wants to go back to Wutai even though I told her it wouldn't be safe," Cloud explained while never taking his gaze off of the girl.

"Yuffie, Cloud is right. It's far too dangerous for..." Reeve began but was quickly cut off by the shinobi.

" It doesn't matter I have to go. I need to be there for Chekhov's funeral," she said firmly. "Gigio how soon can we leave?" She asked directing her focus back to the man.

"Right away if you want," he replied.

"Uh.... Yuffie," MeiLin began quietly while handing the girl the glass of water, "are you sure about this?"

Yuffie sighed as she took a drink from the glass. She knew everyone didn't want her to go. The only one who understood her situation here was Gigio. She didn't want to make everyone worry about her, but she had to go. She had just lost one of her friends, she had to pay her respects. She glanced out of the corner of her eye and took a quick glimpse at Cloud. He looked hurt, mad and confused all at the same time. She didn't want to make him upset or worry, after all she valued his thoughts and opinions way more than anyone else's.

"Well," she began after a moment of thinking. "It'll be okay, you guys can come too.... right?" She asked while looking in Cloud's direction.

The blonde smiled shortly after, "Of course," he replied.

"No," Gigio said quietly as he took off his glasses and rubbed his head in frustration. "Nobody with any connection to Shinra will be allowed to enter Wutai now. The Wutai Officials were already on edge with Shinra, this incident just makes it even worse."

Yuffie looked down. Gigio was right, even though it never crossed her mind before. Wutai hated Shinra, they hated everything about Shinra because of the pain they inflicted upon their country many years ago. She had forgotten all about how they didn't even want Cloud to watch over her because he was part of Shinra. They probably did think that Shinra was responsible for Chekhov's death.

"Well there's no way I'm going to let her go all the way to Wutai without me!" Cloud said a little louder than he intended.

"Hey what's all the commotion about?" The ruby-eyed girl asked stepping out of the kitchen.

"It's okay," Yuffie said quietly while placing her hand on Cloud's arm.

"No way Gigio, Cloud's right. Were not going to let her go all the way to Wutai completely out of Shinra's watch," Reeve said giving Gigio a somewhat suspicious glare.

"Uh.... I have an idea," the doctor said while raising her hand slightly. " I could go along with them."

"What?" Everyone said in unison except for MeiLin.

"Yeah," she continued with a nod, "I mean it would be perfect. Yeah I'm affiliated with Shinra, but I'm a doctor first. They would never know and if they ask me any questions all I have to say is I'm a doctor, I don't have to mention that I live in Midgar or am apart of Shinra. And I can just say I'm a friend of Yuffie's. That way I can keep you guys updated on everything that's going on and they wouldn't know. I could be your inside connection," she explained with a smile.

"Sounds like it could work," Yuffie said softly. The room fell silent for a moment as everyone went into their own thoughts.

" I don't know Mei," Reeve said still unsure.

"Come on Reeve don't worry, I think it would be really good...not unless you have a better idea," she explained while a raised eyebrow.

"Fine," he said with a sigh. "Yuffie....go to this funeral and see how everything seems there. Once it's over please get in contact with us, we'll have to figure out the rest after that."

"Deal," the shinobi said with a nod.

"Very well then," Gigio said as he pulled out his cell phone, "I'll set up the arrangements for our ride," he explained while walking out of the living room.

"I guess I should go grab my stuff, I've never been to Wutai before!" MeiLin said a little excitedly with a smile, "but this isn't exactly vacation time," she said as her smile slowly disappeared. "I'll be back," she said quietly as she exited out the front door.

" I should go help her," Reeve said before leaving.

"Uh.... I'll go see how everything is going with Gigio," Tifa began as she turned and walked out of the room.

Yuffie let out a deep breath as she looked at Cloud. His gaze was fixed directly in front of him and she couldn't tell what he was thinking exactly.

"I don't like this," he said after a moment.

The shinobi nodded, "Neither do I. But you heard Gigio and he's right. And I don't want to cause any...." She began until the blonde cut her off.

"I know, I know," he said with a wave of his hand.

Silence came over the two again. Yuffie hated uneasy silences. She wanted to say something but it seemed like there were no right words to say at this moment.

"So how's the weather there? Should I pack light? I don't think we'll be there that long," MeiLin said as she tossed some clothes into her suitcase. "But if it's cold here, isn't it hot there? Is that how it works?"

"I wouldn't know," Reeve said in an unenthusiastic tone.

The doctor frowned while shutting her suitcase, "Come on Reeve I'm trying to make this better here."

The man sighed, "Well forgive me if I'm not cooperating."

"Reeve," she began as she walked over to him and took a seat on the bed. "You've known Yuffie a lot longer than I have. And I know you care a lot about her. That's why you're doing so much to protect her," she continued while running a hand through her hair. "But she's my friend now too. So let me help okay? I want too."

Reeve stared at her for a moment before smiling. "I know. I wouldn't expect anything less from you Mei," he said as he kissed her on the cheek.

"Are we ready?" Gigio asked the two women.

They nodded in unison as they picked up their bags. They were in a small town outside of Midgar waiting for the jet that had just arrived.

"So here we go," MeiLin said with a smile as she turned around to look at Reeve who had a disappointed look on his face.

Yuffie glanced over at the two and noticed the sad looks that had just came onto both of their faces. She understood how they felt, she didn't want to leave Cloud either. Even if it was only for a little while she didn't want to leave him. She turned to the side where the blonde was standing right next to her. She smiled weakly before he embraced her tightly.

"Call me as soon as you get there," he said quietly.

"Promise," she replied with a smile as she continued to hold on tightly.

Tifa stared at the two before her, the sight was sickening to her. She tried not to let it get to her but she couldn't help it. She was boiling over in anger and was ready to explode in any minute.

"Lady Kisiragi, MeiLin!" Gigio shouted from next to the jet.

"Okay I guess that's our cue," Yuffie said with a forced smile while letting go of the blonde.

Cloud nodded, "Yeah," he replied as he leaned down and kissed her.

Yuffie threw her arms around his neck and savored the kiss as if it was their last.

"Lady Kisiragi!" The pilot shouted while stepping out of the jet.

"I'm coming!" She yelled back. The two walked over towards the jet while Gigio loaded their bags onto it.

"This is it," MeiLin said as she handed Gigio her suitcase.

"After you," Gigio said stepping out of the way so Yuffie could get on. She took a quick glance back at Cloud before getting on.

"Careful Mei," Reeve said quietly while casting Gigio an unsure look.

"Aren't I always," she replied with a smirk. Reeve didn't laugh or smile at her comment, instead he just stared at her thinking how there could be a possibility he may never get to see her again, or hear her laugh again or see her smile. MeiLin stared back looking as if she knew what Reeve was thinking. "I'll call you," she said before turning to get on the jet.

"Mei," Reeve said while grabbing her wrist before she stepped on board. She turned and looked him straight in the eye, hoping he would do what she had been dying for him to do. He placed his hand on the side of her face and leaned down and kissed her perfectly on the lips.

Yuffie was inside the jet but was looking out the window and nearly let out a loud cheer when she saw this. She began clapping her hands and held thumbs up to where Cloud could see, causing him to smile and laugh a little.

"Call," Reeve said quietly after he broke the kiss.

MeiLin nodded still in shock, "Of course," she replied breathlessly before stepping on the jet.

Gigio gave a slight nod to the others before getting in the jet. A second later they were gone, and all that remained were Cloud, Reeve and Tifa. Cloud and Reeve were a little out of sorts while Tifa was finally relaxed for the first time since she arrived.

Authors Notes: Okay okay im sorry if the character was a little mushy. And yeah the next chapters will be better, just trying to set up the atmosphere first here. Review Please! Almost done! Thanks!!!