In Another's Arms
YK2

Dislaimer: I own nada!

Chapter I: Breakfast

Yuffie Kisaragi stretched as she walked toward her kitchenette, her gray eyes bleary from lack of sleep and dark hair in chronic disarray, never wanting to lay straight like all the other Wutaian women's hair. Not like she really, honestly, cared. The ninja princess put two pieces of bread into the toaster and pressed the lever down before walking back toward the bathroom. She glared at her red-eyed reflection, then grabbed a brush and attmepted to rid her hair of the rats that had made a home there. She failed and surrendered, muttering about needing a shower anyway.

After a long, hot shower, she was able to blow dry her short layers so that they weren't so horrid. Face it, the girl's hair just plain sucked and she despised it. Ignoring her reflection, she meandered into her kitchenette, where cold toast was still in her toaster. She frowned and tossed the two pieces of un-buttered charcoal into the trash can. "Wanted to go to Turtle's Paradise anyway," she reasoned, looking around for her boots.

"I was wearing them a little while ago... Where did I? The bathroom!" She walked into the steamy bathroom and spotted her lace-up combat boots but wrinkled her nose in contemplation. Changing her mind, she took her boots into her room and tossed them into her closet, rummaging around until she found a different outfit and shoes. Black jeans, a black tee-shirt with a lime green band logo on the front, and black skaters shoes.

"Much better," she said, pulling her short hair back in a sloppy topknot and applying a small amount of black eyeliner for a more dramatic look. She grinned at the memory of the first time she'd done her own make-up... Reno had called her a raccoon!

Ah, Reno... Her boyfriend and her love. A loud knock on her door made her drop her mascara and curse loudly.

"Such language," a cocky voice said from down the hall. "Shame, shame!"

She grinned in spite of herself and looked out of her bedroom at the tall red head. "And I learned such words from you, Turkey!"

With a chuckle, the red head leaned toward her and they shared a brief kiss before he pulled out a bouquet of beautiful flowers from behind his back. "Happy... er... End of Meteor Day?" He grinned at the sound of her laugh as she took the flowers to her kitchenette to put them in water. "Hey... What do you say that we go out to eat for breakfast?" he asked.

She mentally sighed in relief. "Sounds good! Where to?"

Reno rolled his eyes. "Where else is there, Yuffie?"

She scowled at him and threw a bread tye at him. "Leave my town alone, Re!" she whined. With a laugh, he hooked an arm around her waist and guided her out the door.

The tall stoic gunman meandered back toward Turtle's Paradise, in need of food and something to drink. He nearly smiled at the memory of Yuffie hiding in a basket so that Cloud and gang would not find her and get their materia back. She had seemed so selfish until she had told them the real reason behind her actions. Even then, he had forced himself to be stoic in the matter.

Stepping into the bright-lit restaraunt, he heard a voice that he had not heard in a long time. Looking around the small dining area, he saw a red-haired Turk ordering breakfast, the seat across from him having a jacket draped across the back but the person being gone momentarily. Vincent sat down at a table in the corner, facing the former Turk - although this was unintentional. He ordered his breakfast and produced a book from his bag, then began reading. The book was about some of Professor Gast's discoveries, the author being none other than Reeve Henley. He was startled from his book when a voice asked softly, "Vincent?"

Crimson orbs flashed up and fell upon a beautiful ninja princess. She wore black clothing with dark make-up - not Gothic, but dark - and her smokey eyes were wide with surprise. He swallowed hard and stood up quickly, his heart beating quickly and palms suddenly sweaty. Here she was, the woman of his dreams, and he had no clue as to what he would say.

"Hello, Yuffie."

That was a start.

She smiled politely, but it was obviously forced. "How have you been?" she asked, using the same acting skills that she used when her father forced her to meet new people that she had no interest in.

He nodded once. "Fine... And you?"

"Gravy," she said, a new spark appearing in her eyes as they softened. She licked her lips, suddenly very nervous and her heart thudding loudly. "Why are you here?" she asked softly.

Before he had the chance to reply, the flame-haired ex-Turk walked up behind her, looking concerned. "What's up, babe?" He looked at Vincent and a crooked smirk fell over his scarred face. "Well, if it ain't the vampyre! How ya been, Fang Boy?"

Yuffie elbowed him in the ribs, much like a wife would do to an obnoxious husband. "His name is Vincent, Re," she growled at him, then smiled back at her former ally. "So, you didn't answer my question, Vinnie-kun."

He was faced with a few options here. One - He could tell her what he came to Wutai to say, get shot down, and return to his mercenary business (or perhaps the coffin might be a better choice for his depression). Two - He could make up a lie about looking for business and happened to be hungry and thirsty, then return to his business (Or, once again, return to the coffin to wallow in self-pity and depression). Or three - Take off running now and return to business, trying to ignore his feelings (OR... You guessed it! Return to the coffin and yada yada). Vincent Valentine was never one to lie right out, then again, he was never one for words. He was determined to let her know that he had changed.

"I... I was looking for... uh..." Yuffie raised an eyebrow, obviously curious about what he was trying to say. "Business," he finished lamely. "I'm a mercenary."

Reno went deadpan. If he had been in a manga or an anime show, he would have fallen over with a sweat drop, then stood back up at stared at Vincent dumbly. Since he was not in a manga or anime show, he merely skipped the falling over and sweat drop what-not, staring dumbly at the vampyre. "Mercenary?" he asked, somewhat in disbelief, eyebrow cocked in questioning.

Vincent nodded in response. "I became a mercenary after deciding not to return to the coffin, since it was rather... gross, as you put it once, Yuffie-san."

Her heart leapt into her throat at the sound of her nickname from Vincent. He had called her that when she was poisoned and they were travelling alone together. It was not often that they were forced to go together, but when they did, it consisted of spiritual conversations and her screaming at him for needing to atone. She had always believed that he was an idiot for believing he had to atone, and voiced her opinions often. But when he called her Yuffie-san, when she looked into his eyes, she saw something there. He was different than when they had travelled together... And he obviously wanted to prove that to her. Why else would he have shown up in Wutai? Yuffie knew there was no reason for a mercenary to be in her town, as did Vincent and Reno.

She grinned cheerfully, her happy attitude in definite contrast to the depressing color she wore, and indicated to her and Reno's table. "Wanna have breakfast with us, Vinnie-kun?"

This was not what Reno had wanted to hear, nor was it what either man had expected from the ninja. So much for a cutesy breakfast for two... Suddenly, it became a breakfast for two and a vampyre.

Vincent was nervous and fidgetty during his breakfast with the couple. Every time Yuffie spoke, he would find himself lost in her eyes and drowning in her words. Every time Reno looked at him, the men exchanged glares. Had the Turk figured out Vincent's original intentions? You betcha! As soon as the vampyre had started stuttering, Reno was onto him.

The vampyre made quiet, polite conversation, but eerie MAKO orbs were glaring at him intently, daring him to make a move on his woman. Vincent began to compare Reno to a rabid Chihuahua guarding his favorite stuffed animal and daring the bigger dogs to try to steal it from him.

"- Been, Vince?"

He looked over at Yuffie, so caught up in trying not to laugh at his new analogy that he had not heard what she had asked. "Pardon?"

Her smokey orbs looked deep into his garnets, as if they were trying to decipher some secret code within his soul. "I asked how your job's been, but you seem pre-occupied."

He would have chuckled nervously, but that was too out of character, so he merely shrugged stoically. "Business has been fine. I cleared out those frogs from Gongaga." He saw her shudder involuntarily.

Reno had an idea and the words fell from his mouth before he had another chance to think them over. "Got a girl in your life, Fangster?"

Yuffie's fork clattered to her plate, which she quickly scooped up, mumbling about Reno startling her. Vincent never took his eyes from her though, and answered slowly, "No. There was only one love in my life... I fear that I may have lost her, though."

The ninja princess felt his garnet eyes watching her as she ate, trying to ignore the sensations that tore through her, mentally reminding herself over and over that she loved Reno... Not Vincent. Reno, not Vincent... Reno, not Vincent... Vincent, not Reno... NO!

She pushed away her plate and grinned at the two men, who were both staring at her intently. "Welp, boys, I've got to help the old goat with tonight's plans." She got up, pulling on her coat and blushing at the polite way Vincent also stood as she prepared to leave. "Re, why don't you help Vincent find a place to stay?" She cocked her head curiously to the right. "You are coming to the festival tonight, right, Vinnie?"

He looked unsure for a moment, then looked into her gray eyes and nodded. "I'll be there."

She smiled and pranced out of the restaraunt, leaving an upset Reno - she hadn't given him a goodbye kiss - and an inwardly chuckling Vincent... He had been left with the rabid Chahuahua.

"All is in order."

"Good."

A silence fell between the guard and his employer.

"What else?"

The guard hesitated before answering, afraid of a salary deduction... or worse. His mind wondered back to poor Larry. One minute, he had been delivering bad news to the boss, then his wife was receiving a letter. We regret to inform you that your husband lost his life on the job... It was bull shit and every guard in the damn place knew it. However, they all knew not to deliver bad news to the boss... On penalty of their loved ones receiving a letter.

Green orbs stared at him intently and he cleared his throat before delivering the bad news. "Vincent Valentine is also in Wutai... That makes for two AVALANCHE members, a Turk, and numerous royal guards... Not to mention that Reeve is expected to arrive with his security later tonight... Just in time for the festival."

A hand flipped ruby-colored hair to one side as the emeralds stared at him innocently. "Your point, Mr. Garrison?"

He swallowed hard. "Just... informing you, ma'am."

A deadly smirk lit the woman's face, her lipstick matching her dyed hair. "That, Mr. Garrison, was the correct answer. Be gone, Mr.Garrison. ready our men... We attack tonight."

He saluted and ran out of the room. The woman stretched in a cat-like fashion, then stood and adjusted her dress so that it was a little more revealing. Perhaps Mr. Valentine's arrival would prove useful to her mission. Perhaps the Turk would be easier to get if his girlfriend ran off with another man... In turn, the princess would go to look for him, find him gone, and be heart broken. During this time, Valentine will have realized that she did not love him and would vanish. With the love traingle in turmoil, she would take the three hostage, leaving Wutai practically defenseless.

It was all too easy...

TBC...

G.U.L.P.: Interesting name. Anywho! Glad you like! I've thought about writing books, but... er... I'm not original enough. Heh. Keep reading!

Neko-Yuff16-skeptically- I think I've seen you somewhere before... Hee hee. Glad you like it! Guess now ya know what he did, eh? Keep readin'!

Crystal Snowflakes: Hey, now... Who ever said it wasn't going to be a Reffie, huh? Hell, I don't even know what it's going to be! And I DEFINITELY recognize you! How could I NOT recognize such an awesome writer-bows before her superior- One thing, though... 'Vampyre' is an alt. spelling, I promise! I was reading a great novel (Dark Angel by Mary Anne Pierce) and that's how she spelled it. I just decided that it looked nift-ish, so I used it. Keep readin'!

NeonRaine: I recognize you too! Lookit! I've got fans! Hope you like! Keep readin'!

Evil is sexy: I REALLY like yer pen name! That's gravy-n-a-half-looks at her own name and sighs- Un-original name, I'm afraid. Hopefully I make for SOME originality in my stories, eh? Keep readin'!

Banana Peel: Yup, I recognize yet another name. Glad you like it. Magic, huh? Nope, just the boredom of a sixteen-year-old freak with too much time on her hands. (Mainly in Spanish and World History. Why does one need a foreign language if one is not going to use it after high school? Just a question, y'know... And who CAN stay awake in World History?)

YK2: Oke. I'm debating on first person chapters... Any input is greatly appreicated. If I do the first person, however, there will be one POV per chappie. Whatcha think? Oke, this works as a poll...

Surka: I think third person is fine.

Dracon: No, third person is aburrido, first person is more interesting. Holds the reader's attention.

Yk2-sigh- Cast your vote, folks!

-YK2-