Chapter 14
By Crystal Snowflakes
Author's Notes: Sorry for the late update... Computer virus. It's fixed for now, but I still need to get a new computer... Because I have a feeling this one will blow up soon. Either way, the story is coming to an end in a few chapters, but I will have a few extras to explain what happens after this.
Disclaimers: Crystal Snowflakes does not own Final Fantasy 7 in any way.
She didn't want to wake up, but that feeling that someone was watching her, studying her, absolutely unnerved her. She opened her eyes tiredly, somewhat surprised that the sun hasn't risen yet. Rolling over from her back to her side, she smiled as a pair of glowing aquamarine eyes met hers.
"Morning." He muttered softly.
Her gray eyes shining with mirth, she leaned towards him and gave him a peck on the lips, "Morning. What are you doing up so early, Reno?"
"Watching you." He replied, "So you don't regret?" He asked, somewhat scared.
Yuffie almost laughed at his anxiousness. "What is there to regret, Reno? I love you, so just stop feeling so... unworthy, for lack of better word." She kissed him on the neck softly, shyly. "What time is it anyways?"
"Somewhere around six in the morning." He replied, embracing her bare body for a mere second before letting go. I'm going to go take a shower." He grabbed a pair of sweatpants that was lying on the floor and turned around with a smirk. "Want to join?" He asked playfully.
A slow grin formed on the ninja's face, "Yes, as a matter of fact. Yes, I do." She then chuckled at the shocked look on the Turk's face. Wrapping the blanket around herself, still shy, she started towards the washroom, then turned around. "What are you gawking at, Turkey?" She snapped humorously, "Let's go! We don't want to be late, do you?"
He rolled his eyes, "Two hours, Yuff."
She gave a sly grin, "I can think of plenty of things to do..."
His eyes widened just slightly, then he shook his head and chuckled.
Tifa was currently saying goodbye to the three AVALANCHE members and telling them to be careful.
Yuffie looked at the AVALANCHE members, then at the Turks. "I'll be right back." Walking towards the heroes of the world, she held up a sac that was in her hands.
"I'm surprised you're seeing us off. Thought you were too busy with those murdering shits—"
Tifa frowned, "Cid!"
Yuffie shrugged it off. "Here." She laid the sac in Cloud's hand. "It's all yours. It's your materia from the last time we went to save the world..." A nostalgic grin appeared on her face, "They're all in there, except one. Leviathan." She smiled sadly, "I'm returning it back to you guys... Just take care, all right?" She gave them a smile.
Cloud nodded, "Thank you, Yuffie."
She watched the three climb aboard the Highwind and slowly, she walked back towards the navy suited group. Glancing at the blond and bald, she spoke, "Elena, Rude... Take care of Reno for me, all right? And be careful... I wouldn't know what to do if any of you got hurt." She smiled, "I haven't known you guys for long... But I'm glad I do know you."
Elena gave the young Wutain a brief hug. "We'll be fine." She smiled, "We'll come back safe." Knowing that the couple wanted some time alone, she tugged at the bald man's sleeve. They, too, after another wave, mounted the Highwind.
Soundlessly, she opened his palm so that they faced upwards. Then she put a red orb into his palm. "Leviathan..." She said quietly, "...For good luck." Then gave a watery smile. "I got it from when we were saving the world... When I beat Godo... At the Pagoda."
He nodded and gave a grin, "I'll get him back for you."
She looked down at the orb, then closed his fingers over it. "Be careful... I'll miss you."
"I'll just be a couple hours..."
"I know... But..." She looked up at him.
The concern in her eyes were overwhelming.
He cupped her face in his hands, "Yuffie... I..." I love you...
Yuffie smiled sadly, but underneath all that sadness, there was happiness. "I know, Reno, I know. I love you too."
He cleared his throat guiltily, "Thank you."
She gave him a playful grin, "I just feel like being nice for now... But once you're ready..."
Reno chuckled, then leaned down and kissed her forehead one last time. "I know."
She sighed quietly, "So see you in a few hours?"
He nodded, "For sure."
"Love you, you stupid Turkey."
He laughed softly, "See ya, babe." He climbed up the rope ladder and swung over the railing swiftly. Then looked down from the deck with the other five members on the flight. They were all waving.
Tifa approached Yuffie, "Come on, let's go get a coffee while we wait."
She nodded solemnly, "All right." She started walking, her mind on a certain person.
Tifa looked down at the red beast, "She really loves him..."
Red nodded, "I believe she does."
She sighed, "I don't know whether or not I should be happy for her."
As the Highwind departed from Midgar with six of its members, the two lovers had similar thoughts running through their heads.
I love you.
Reno was once again in his lazy position on a comfortable desk chair. Imagines of them infiltrating the building filled his mind. He heard the door to the conference room slide open, but he ignored it.
The blond leader of AVALANCHE walked in a cast one dirty glance at the Turk's way. "You better not be asleep, Turk, or I'm going to make a fool out of myself talking to you."
"I'm awake." Reno flicked his eyes towards his, "But just to let you know for future reference, Strife... You are a fool."
The leader of AVALANCHE ignored his comment, "Gabriella dropped it off at Reeve's secretary last night. I thought you might want it." He tossed the redhead a roll of paper, "Cid says we're going to land in around fifteen minutes. So if I were you, I'd hurry and think of a plan."
"You mean the leader of AVALANCHE doesn't have a plan in mind?"
"Just because I dislike you doesn't mean I'm stupid..."
At this, Reno snorted. Yes it does, you shithead.
"...I know how you guys ...are good at planning these things..." Cloud shrugged, "So if you have a plan that isn't irrational, I'll follow it." He shrugged again, "Just because I don't like you doesn't mean I don't like your plans... Either way, fifteen minutes."
Reno scoffed, "Just because I don't like you doesn't mean I don't like yours plans..." He imitated, crossed. He watched as the door slid shut behind his figure and getting his mind off the idiotic freak, he unfurled the roll, then studied the blueprint with concentration.
He had a feeling that the diagram wasn't a fake, but the question still remained... Was she truly helping them, or leading them into a trap? He really couldn't tell from the way she had talked the night before... It was convincing, no doubt... So convincing that even Valentine hadn't been too doubtful.
As a plan formed in his head, he rolled the drawing back up, then leaned on his chair as he slammed his feet on the table.
Unknowing the exact reason, his mind drifted off to her again. A small fond smile could be seen on his face as he thought about her, the way her face and cheeks flushed... The way their bodies had pressed together so comfortably, like the pieces of a missing puzzle.
His eyes glowed warmheartedly.
...Yuffie.
Sighing and looking out the window, she played with her coffee unconsciously. She lifted the cup to her lips and took a small sip when she almost spat the very, very, very hot substance from her mouth.
"Yuffie? Are you all right?" Tifa asked worriedly.
The ninja nodded sheepishly as she put the coffee down, "Yeah, my mind is just slightly preoccupied."
"Would I be wrong as to assume that your thoughts revolved around a certain redhead that is currently on his way to 'save the world'?" The beast asked as he lifted his head to look up at his young friend.
Tifa snorted softly, "It's hard to believe... Him. He's trying to save the world..."
Yuffie didn't bother to argue with Tifa... Because, well, how many times do you really hear about a Turk saving the world? She only looked down at the red beast, that had, with much difficulty, entered the building. It was finally with much persuation that he was allowed in.
Sighing, she imagined Reno sitting across her, trying to persuade her to sit beside her...
Come on Yuff, bring your hands on the table.
Why should I?
For the love of Holy, put your god damn hands on the frigging table.
What do you want to do anyways?
You are the most annoying individual in the whole world.
Damn right! Friggin' proud of it too!
If you're not going to put your hands on the table, then sit your ass beside mine.
A laugh. They're very pretty and warm... And pink.
...so that he could give her his pair of pink mittens. She stifled a giggle. Reaching into her pockets, she was surprised to find those mittens still there. With another smile, she pulled them over her hands and felt a certain sense of peace and warmth fill her.
"Pink?" Tifa questioned, her eyebrows knit together curiously. She thought the young ninja hadn't liked pink. No. She knew for a fact that she hadn't only disliked pink, but had absolutely abhorred it. That day when Aeris had offered to lend her a pink shirt because her green one had been the object of dislike for the brutal branches. Yuffie had then scowled and she had rather stick to her torn and tattered green shirt than wear any sort of pink... Tifa could even quote her. 'Pink... Grossness.'
A light blush formed on her pale cheeks as she mumbled something.
"What?"
The ninja continued blushing, "They're Reno's."
"What?" Tifa almost yelled.
Red almost choked on his water.
"I said," Yuffie frowned, annoyed, "They're Re—"
"No, I heard you all right." Tifa cut her off, "But... Reno's?"
Yuffie nodded meekly.
Tifa laughed loudly and even Red aloud a chuckle.
"Steve..." Gabriella purred, "They're coming."
He gave a smirk, "Good, good..." Pressing on a button on the phone, he spoke, "Intruders alert... Please go to your new posts. Intruders should be taken care of immediately and we will not allow any prisoners." Letting the button go, he glanced at Gabriella. "You ready?"
She laughed, "Ready as I can ever be... I can't wait..."
"I want all the Turks to die... especially him." Steve muttered, his eyes glinting with madness. "I want Reno Chalmers dead."
Author's Notes: A little shorter, but I wanted to stop here. Next chapter will be up next week. Hope you guys liked it!
Crystal Snowflakes
Sunday, March 13, 2005
