In Another's Arms
YK2
Dislaimer: I own nada!
Chapter III
Yuffie felt awkward, sitting there with her former crush. She felt like she was betraying Reno in some way, like she should have stayed to finish her paper work at the Pagoda. She felt like she needed to be anywhere but atop Da Chao with Vincent Valentine, eating a picnic lunch. This was more like a junior high date than a friendly thing... And she was beginning to regret going with him.
"Yuffie...?"
She looked up at him, gray-lilac eyes meeting crimson. "Hmm?"
He took a breath and got uncharacteristically nervous. "I... I came to Wutai for a different reason than I told you this morning, Yuffie. I originally came to talk to you."
She watched him curiously, unconsciously cocking her head to the left in a cute fashion and making it harder for him to say what he was trying to say. "...Okay... About what?"
He closed his eyes a moment and swallowed hard. I am beginning to remind myself of Cloud while Aeris was still alive. I need to get this out... And quickly. He looked at her and nodded ever-so-slightly to himself. "Do you remember what you told me before we all parted ways?"
Her heart leapt into her throat. "That I loved you?"
He nodded. "I came because... I came to ask you if that is still true. I want to know if I still have a chance... Or if I ever had a chance at all."
The ninja stared at him. How could she possibly answer his question when she did not know herself?
Laura pulled her hair back in a black elastic band and smiled over at Jim. "Four hours left... So I'm going to go take a walk."
"Wh-what?"
She shrugged. "I have nothing better to do. After all, it is easier to stir up trouble when one has something to do, right? I'll be back in a short while." With that, she walked out of the two-story hous that she and eight others shared. Her troops were scattered throughout Wutai. They all knew where to go and when. They were all obedient. She had tested each of them... And they had come through for her before. They would pull through for her again and she knew it.
Laura watched a certain flame-haired Turk walk into Turtle's Paradise and glanced down at her outfit. Tank top and jeans... Not as revealing as she would like to have on for her plan to work, but maybe...
She followed him into the diner/bar and sat one bar stool away from him. "I'll have... uhm..." She twirled her dark red locks around her index finger innocently. With a small smile, she looked over at Reno. "Do you have any suggestions?"
He looked up, surprised by her sudden question. "Huh?"
"Do you have any suggestions? I've never been to this bar before." She had flipped her hair to one side and smiled a flirty smile at him.
"Oh... I usually get the Crown beer, but that's just me. If you don't drink often, then it's not a good choice." He smirked. "My girlfriend likes Tequila Sunrises." He emphasized the word girlfriend and turned back to the newpaper he had been reading.
She frowned. What happened to the Reno Zanard that had flirted with her while she was still in Midgar? What happened to the real Reno? "Oh, you have a girlfriend?" she asked innocently.
He nodded, trying his hardest to ignore her.
"What's her name?"
He sighed and glared over. "Yuffie Kisaragi."
Laura pretended to be interested in this "revelation" and smiled at him. "Wasn't she in AVALANCHE?" Again, he nodded, looking back down at his paper. "Aren't you a Turk?"
"There aren't any Turks anymore, babe."
Her eyes narrowed and she pondered this for a moment. He was flat-out turning her down. That was not what she had expected. "You must really love your girlfriend," she said with a saddened sigh. He nodded. "Wish I could find a guy so devoted." She moved over to sit next to him, her hand finding its way to his knee.
He jumped up, MAKO eyes glaring. "Do you not take a hint, woman? I. Have. A. Girlfriend. Get that through your thick skull." With that, he stormed out of the diner, leaving Laura to get looked at oddly. She glared around and found that she knew nearly everyone in the diner, including the barkeep.
Those that knew her nodded slightly to tell her that they were ready for anything that she threw at them. This improved her mood. At least I have my followers... I'm going to be better than that idiot Sephiroth! I'm going to succeed!
"I..." she swallowed. "I love Reno, Vincent... But I'm so confused!" She looked down at her denim-covered legs. "I love Reno, then you showed up and opened the door to old emotions. I don't know who I love... I don't know what I want..."
Vincent bowed his head. "I am sorry that I have brought this upon you, Yuffie-san. I should not have come."
"Don't... Don't be sorry, Vincent. I..." She stopped, looking up at him. "I loved you, Vincent. I won't lie. But you didn't return those feelings, so I moved on with my life."
He nodded, looking back up at her. "I love you, Yuffie. It took me a while to realize it, but I do love you. I'm not blind, however, and I can tell that Reno loves you as well." She nodded, her smokey eyes falling to the ground again. "If you return those feelings, Yuffie, then go with him. I will leave tonight after the festival and return to my mercenary work." He stood and looked down at her. "If you have decided by then, then I will make my decision."
She heard him walk away and stared at the ground, unable to move. I love Reno. I love Vincent. Obviously, I must love drama.
Laura heard the voices again, but ignored them. She knew that the voices belonged to Tammy and her two sons. The twins were talking about a man with long dark hair that was watching Yuffie. Do I have anyone like that working for me? she wondered.
She leaned against a building, glad for its shade, and lit up a cigarette. Movement behind her caught her attention and she turned to find herself face-to-chest of a very tall man with shoulder-length dark hair and dark eyes. "Hmm... Can I help you?" she asked, looking up into his face.
He smirked. "You are Laura, I believe... My name is-"
"Listen, buddy, I couldn't care less what your name is. What do you want?" she snapped irritably.
His eyes narrowed and he adjusted his hold on his brief case. "I was sent by a friend of yours. She says that your plan will fail in one aspect but succeed in another."
The red head watched him, suddenly caring about his name. "Didn't catch yer name, tiger..."
He smirked. "I am Hunter, that is all that you need to know."
She nodded, impressed byhis cool demeanor. "Well, Hunter, who is this friend of mine? Last I checked, the only she that I know is... not your employer."
Hunter chuckled. "You must be mistaken, Laura. She is not my employer, but a friend of mine. She merely asked me to deliver that message and offer my assistance." He caught the skeptical look that Laura tossed at him. "I am an assassin, Miss Laura. I am the best sharp shooter, excluding the ex-Turk Vincent Valentine, in the world." He smirked a deadly smirk. "And I never miss."
Reno saw Vincent walk down from the mountain on his way to the market. He assumed, from the pained look in the man's eyes, that Yuffie was up on Da Chao still. Had she told Vincent that she loved Reno, not him? His heart skipped a beat and he tore through Wutai's streets like an accused thief. As fast as he could, the red head ran up Da Chao, panting when he finally came to a stop. He walked down the path for the palm and saw Yuffie sitting there, her head bowed.
"Yuffs?"
She did not respond.
"Yuffie?"
"Okay, so I let you help me and you'll take out anyone I ask, right?"
Hunter nodded.
"Good... You'll take out-"
"Yuffie?"
She looked up at him, her smokey eyes thoughtful. "Huh? Oh, sorry, Ree..." She grinned a lop-sided grin at him. "Didja run all the way up here? You sound winded and your cheeks are a beautiful shade of crimson rouge."
He laughed. "Yeah, I ran all the way up here from the middle of Wutai. I went to pick ya up for lunch but Chekov said ya were up 'ere with the vamp." He grinned a roguish grin. "Saw him walkin' away. Didja steal all of his gil or somethin'?"
She giggled. "No... He... He told me that he loved me." She knew that she had to tell him. No secrets, that was their policy.
"And-?"
"And I said that I loved you... But he was confusing the hell outta me because I used to love him." She buried her face in her hands. "Gawd, Ree, this is confusing me to no ends!"
He plopped down in front of her and wrapped his arms around her small frame. "I love you, Yuffie. You know that, right?"
"Yeah," she said, sniffing.
"Good," he said. "As long as you know that, I'll be happy."
She looked up at him, tears glistening like glitter on her cheeks. "Promise?"
"I promise," he replied with an encouraging smile.
She smiled back at him and leaned into his warm embrace, resting her chin on his shoulder and closing her eyes tightly, her arms wrapped around his middle. "Thank you, Reno," she whispered softly. "You may have helped me make my choice."
Reno hugged her back, staring over the edge of the cliff. That's what I'm afraid of, babe, he said mentally. I'm afraid that you have just chosen me as a friend...
TBC...
YK2: Quick Note... I DID NOT leave myself a review. I'm THOROUGHLY irritated with G.U.L.P. right now. It's HIS fault that it looks like I left myself a review! GRRR! I'M NOT THAT FRIGGIN' VAIN, YOU UBER-MONDO-UNCOOL-LOSERIFIC PERSON! GRAR! Ahem... That's all.
Dracon: G.U.L.P., I do not believe that she is happy with you.
Surka: Ya think?
YK2: Uhm... Thanks for your reviews, everyone. Keep reading!
Ebrace-the-Darkness: Two pen names? I USED to have two pen names, but gave one to a friend. Anywho, glad you're liking it!
NeonRaine: Yay! No confusion! Didja like my OC? Keep readin!
Neko-Yuff16: I'm not horrible? Yay! Oh... Next chapter reveals Yuffie's decision. Reno or Vinnie? Should I write an alternate ending? Hmm... New poll?
Gining: That makes two of us. I dunno WHO I'm gonna have Yuffums with! Maybe both? I seem to have a knack for throwing a fit and writing alternate endings! Maybe I'll do that instead? GAH!
navi the rabid pixie: NO CRY! NO CRY! Keep readin'!
G.U.L.P.: I don't like you... Yer mean! NO MORE HACKING INTO MY ACCOUNT ON PENALTY OF GETTING YER EARS RIPPED OFF AND YOU GETTING TOSSED OUT OF A FIFTH STORY WINDOW! Ahem... That is all...
- YK2 -