Chapter 6
By Crystal Snowflakes
Author's Notes: Hrm, a question to all readers. Should I do a lemon, or should I not? And if yes, should I upload it to this story, or should it be uploaded as a different story?
Disclaimers: Final Fantasy 7 does not belong to me. ...That really sucks.
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Yuffie sat in his house, her face glum and troubled. For the first time in her life, she looked around carefully. It wasn't very clean, but it was much better than what she had expected from a slob like him... And she'd really have to agree that his place was in a much better state than how she left her room back in Wutai.
Several empty beer bottles were lounged across the coffee table. The cigarette tray had a few remaining stubs. A few sheets of old newspaper were on the table as well.
Sighing softly, she looked out the window. It was getting dark out, and Reno still hadn't returned yet. She was concerned for his wellbeing, but she knew very well that he could take care of himself... And plus, he was probably just looking for information...
Looking around once again, she wondered yet again why she had come here. Perhaps to hide? Maybe she wanted to see Reno? Her mind was confused, her thoughts blurred, always remaining on that one conversation she had with Red this afternoon.
What if he was right? What if one day, she would have to choose between the Turks or AVALANCHE? It was going to be so difficult... She sighed again, But then again... Who knows what might happen then? For all we know, Reno was just a small crush of mine that went away overtime. I might get married to Cloud for all I know. She wrinkled her nose in disgust, but started chuckling to herself at the idea. Maybe I'll give up this pathetic daydream of getting together with that Turkey. What's so good about him anyways? She snorted. Stupid, conceited, ignorant, murderous, womanizing slob. Funny thing though... It was what Yuffie had liked in him. She liked the fact that he was so different from everyone she knew... AVALANCHE, they were a bizarre group, but... The fact that Reno was somewhat dangerous drew him to her. And the fact that she'd know if she told Godo about him, her father would probably have a heart attack. And maybe the fact he was so cocky and could piss so many people off... And then there was indifferent and dangerous atmosphere around him...
She sighed dreamily as she fantasized about his somewhat blue and aqua eyes... And she flushed at the image of how she had pecked him on the cheek earlier today.
Her musings ended when the door slammed shut and her eyes looked straight up. And still, she couldn't keep the blush off her face.
Reno raised his eyebrow in a calm manner. "What are you doing here babe? And for that matter, how the hell did you get in here?"
Yuffie rolled her eyes, "Hello to you too, ass." She stood up, "If I had known you'd be so against me coming, I wouldn't have come in the first place. And plus, being a ninja has its advantages." Even as she was talking to him, she couldn't make the blush go away.
He sighed tiredly, "I'm really tired tonight." He looked up at her warily, "I'm in no mood to argue with you so if you want to stay, go ahead. Although I don't suppose your friends are going to be too pleased with that decision. I'm going to take a shower then go straight to bed."
She flushed again and scolded at the fact that such an innocent sentence could make her so embarrassed. She cleared her throat, "It's none of their business where I stay anyways. I'll just sleep on the couch tonight."
"You can take the bed, you know." He said.
She frowned, "Then where are you sleeping?"
He gave a quick wink, "The bed."
It took all her will to not turn as red as a tomato, and it didn't succeed all that well... "Uh..."
"Anyways, shower." He turned around and started towards the washroom, then turned back again, "Oh, and are you a little warm? Your cheeks look a little red. Should I turn on the air conditioner?"
Her eyes widened, And I thought he didn't see the blush! "No! I mean, no... It's okay."
He nodded, "All right." He turned around, just a little too quickly for her to see the amusement in the man's eyes. His lips were half a smile, half a grin... Just adorable. He loved to make her embarrassed, angry... It was just so different for her than any other woman he had met. He shook his head slowly as if lecturing himself. Man, Reno... You are getting soft.
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As he came out of the shower with a towel on his bare shoulders, he raised his eyebrow at the empty living room. Maybe she left... Oh well. He felt a sense of gloom, then brushed it away. Slowly, he walked towards his room, only once again, finding a ninja wrapped in his covers, sprawled on his bed. "You must be fucking kidding me." He muttered to himself, but felt his lips quirk up slightly.
He approached the covers and tried to remove the covers from the ninja's grip without waking her up. After a few long moments, he finally succeeded. Sighing in relief, he climbed into bed quietly and wrapped the covers around himself as well. The second his head hit the pillows, he felt his heavy eyelids close tiredly and before he fell asleep entirely, he felt someone touch his arm and grasping it. His lips curved into a smile.
G'night babe.
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She woke up when she got sick of the sounds of raindrops on the roof. Groaning, she leaned on her hand as her elbow supported her head and looked at her surroundings. She looked down at where her waist was, and to her surprised, Reno's arm was curled around it. She blinked and blushed at the sight. In the position they were in, it reminded Yuffie of how two lovers would be.
She sighed softly. I don't know how I manage, but I've only been in Midgar for two days, but I've been sleeping in Reno's bed for three times. She looked at Reno, who was beside her, still sleeping away. So peaceful and innocent looking... Who would've thought that he was a Turk? A cunning, heartless murderer...
Slowly, she brought her other hand up and began absently tracing the twin scars underneath his eyes. Her mind wandered, and soon enough, she forgot she was in Reno's room at all.
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Reno frowned as he felt something tickling his face. Wondering what the hell it was, he opened his eyes slowly. A hand. His gaze moved upwards, then met a pair of grey eyes. For a moment, he thought she would suddenly jump away and apologize, but when she didn't, it took him a while to notice that she wasn't even paying attention to what she was doing. He looked in amusement as he watched her eyes change colors... From light grey, to dark, then back again. He closed his eyes contentedly, all the whole enjoying her hand on his face, if only it could be like that forever... A second later, his eyes snapped opened. Where the fuck had that come from? He shook his head mentally.
As he continued watching her hand stroke his face, he spoke up, "What are you thinking about?"
She blinked, then looked at him, then at her hand, and flushed. Then she took her hand back.
Reno chuckled, but found himself somewhat missing the warmth of her fingers.
Yuffie too, joined in after. When she calmed down, she smiled, "It's just that... I've seen you for less than a couple days, but I've been sleeping in your bedroom for three times already."
Reno flashed her a grin, "It proves my point."
She raised her eyebrow in question, "What point?"
"My point that you can't keep your hands off of me." His trademark smirk graced his lips.
She rolled her eyes, "Oh stuff it Turkey." She said as she threw a pillow at him.
He chuckled again.
She stuck her tongue out, "You know it could very well mean that you can't keep your hands off of me."
Reno then did something very un-Renolike. He rolled his eyes. "Yeah right. To a flat-chest brat like you? What do you take me for? A pedophile?"
Yuffie chuckled, "If you say so Reno." Looking at the time, she frowned, "Come on Turkey. I'm cooking breakfast for you this morning."
He frowned, 'Do you even know how to cook?" He asked as he watched the ninja exit through the door.
She turned around and looked back into the room, then gave a wink. "Nope. Why do you think I offered to cook?"
Reno could only pray that she wouldn't burn his house down.
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To Reno's relief, Yuffie did not burn down the kitchen and to his surprise, she had managed to cook up something decent.
She shrugged, "Everyone assumes I can't cook 'cause I'm a brat and a kid... Don't ask me why they still think an eighteen year old is a kid. I had to cook for myself too, you know... Before I joined AVALANCHE and all..."
"I see." He said as he cut another piece of sausage to stuff in his mouth.
She sighed, "It kind of hurts sometimes. It's been so long, and sometimes, I still feel as if they don't trust me. But I guess I deserve that. I did betray them... Stole their materia..."
Reno decided to keep quiet.
She shook her head, "Well, are we going to Shinra again today? And can we please not walk? It's raining."
He gave her a grin, "Don't like the rain much?"
"Shut up." She scowled as she munched on her toast.
"We'll take the car today."
"You have a car?!" Yuffie grinned.
He raised his eyebrow, "Yes I do."
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Ten minutes later, he regretted his decision of telling her he had a car. "For the love of God! Do you even have a fucking license?"
"No! But that's not the point Reno!"
"It is exactly the point you brat! You will not be driving if you do not have a license!"
Yuffie sulked, "And why the hell not?"
"One, you might ruin my car. Two, I don't trust you behind a steering wheel."
She flung her arms, frustrated, "I will not ruin your friggin' car! And you have to trust me! I won't kill you! I promise!" She gave him her puppy eyes, "Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase Reno?"
"No!"
"Pretty, pretty pleaaase!?"
"For the last time Yuffie! NO!" By this time, Reno had already reached his car and while fuming, he opened his door, got in, and slammed it shut. Then he scrolled down the windows. "You will not be driving this thing. Either you get in and shut up, or you can walk in the fucking rain alone."
Furious, Yuffie too, opened the car, then got in, and slammed it shut. "Stupid fucking Turkey. I hate you."
"The feeling's mutual."
Yuffie gritted her teeth and looked out the window, completely ignoring her companion's existence.
A few moments later, everything had calmed down. Yuffie was still looking out the window though. "I don't like the rain..." She muttered as she watched the drops of rain roll down the window.
Reno raised his eye in amusement, "And why not, dear Princess?"
She shrugged, "It's wet, and it gets sticky and gross."
He chuckled. Typical Yuffie reply.
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Tifa, somewhat worried, picked up the phone next to her bed as she dialed Reno's cell number. Yuffie hadn't returned the night before, and her maternal nature was taking over. When she heard the click of somebody picking up, she sighed in relief. "Reno?"
Tifa? What is it?
"Reno, I was just wondering if you've seen Yuffie. She didn't come to the inn last night, and I—"
Yeah, she's here. We'll be at the conference room in— For fuck's sake Yuffie! I am talking on the—
Tifa almost rolled her eyes at the childish outburst, then watched as Red walked into the room with feline gracefulness. "Look, if Yuffie is safe, that's fine. Don't bother—"
Hey Tifa! Sorry, I just had to grab the phone from Turkey here. So how are ya?
"Fine Yuffie. Well, look. There really isn't anything we can do... So if you'd like, you have the day alone."
Oh, okay. So no meeting?
"No. Just have some fun. And... Next time you decide to not come back to the inn, call and tell me. I was worried sick last night."
Well, you know I can take care of myself! Either way Tifa, I've gotta go. Turkey here is whining about his cell phone battery going to waste. See ya later!
"By—" There was a click. She sighed tiredly.
Red studied her quietly, "Yuffie?"
Tifa nodded, "Yeah." She said quietly, "I assume she stayed over at Reno's last night..." She laid down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. "Do you think he'll be good for her?"
"Only time can tell, Tifa."
She sighed, "I really hope it's a fling or something." Then a few moments later, she chuckled, "Who am I kidding? This is Reno... Reno of the Turks, the womanizing drunk and murderer. And Yuffie is just a little girl too... Too young... I just hope she realizes it before she gets hurt..." She closed her eyes, "Is there nothing we can do?"
Red shook his head, "A person grows with experience. If you keep making choices for her, you are not assisting her, but doing the exact opposite. From time to time, we tend forget that Yuffie is eighteen already. She is an adult in human years and as well as the Lady of Wutai. I believe she will do us proud, and that she will decide rightly for herself."
"But it's Reno, Red... Do you not worry for her?"
"I do worry, but it is her life and it is only her that can make the decisions."
She sighed again, "I know... But like I said, I can only hope that Yuffie remains unscathed... I can only hope that it is a silly crush..."
To that, Red did not reply. He had a guess that a small connection between the two had started a long time back. And he, in one way or another believed that it wouldn't be a silly crush... He sighed inwardly. At the end of the journey, Yuffie would be a complete different person, whether we like it or not. He then left the room quietly, leaving Tifa to her own thoughts.
Yuffie and Reno... It was almost mind-boggling how the two of them might end up being a couple... A loud-mouthed immature ninja and a cold heartless Turk... Even the two of them, the most impossible couple of all, with a gigantic age gap, are ending up together... Why can't Cloud and I?
She opened her eyes as a familiar thought entered her mind. Because he has never forgotten the stunningly beautiful Ancient that had left all their hearts empty and mournful.
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Author's Notes: Hope you guys enjoyed it! A little more humorous, with Reno and Yuffie fighting like little children. Next chapter, more reffie :)
-Crystal Snowflakes
Sunday, December 12, 2004
