Chapter 6
"So, we agree on five gil a person? Fine, but I still think its high." Yuffie scowled.
"Well, you got pretty scrawny legs, I don't think you could climb." The guard laughed.
Yuffie turned red with anger, "Fine. Five gil a person." Yuffie held her temper, and turned away.
"Brat." The soldier said loud enough for Yuffie to hear. Yuffie froze, her fist clenched, an aura of evil could almost be seen around her.
'We need that elevator!' Yuffie repeated, calming herself. 'I can always steal the money back later.' She ran down to the beach. 'Next person who calls me brat gets it!'
Barret saw Yuffie approach not noticing her foul mood. "Hey brat what took you- OUCH! What was that for?" Barret asked confused hopping on one leg, rubbing his bruised shin.
"Nothin. Where's Cloud?" Yuffie asked the giggling Tifa.
"Jumpin!" Tifa pointed toward the sea. Yuffie looked out in the water, there was Cloud treading water. Yuffie almost called out, but curiosity got the better of her, she remained silent. Cloud blew a shrill whistle. Suddenly he shot up into the air, propelled by a gleaming dolphin. As the dolphin reached its jump peak, Cloud threw himself at a nearby girder. He barely managed to grab hold, dragging himself up.
"Can you guys hear me?" Cloud's voice came through the PHS.
"Yeah, loud and clear spiky-$$!" Berret yelled into the receiver.
"Owww, not so loud! You forgot that this one's speaker is in my ear!" Came Cloud's pained voice.
"Just be careful of that PHS! It's the only headset we got!" Barret yelled again.
"Barret, he knows." Tifa reprimanded him.
"So Cloud, was it fun?" Aerith asked.
"Yeah." Cloud obviously lying, "Its real fun."
"Hey Cloud?" Yuffie took the PHS, "Hate to tell ya this but, therestofusgettousetheelevator,Ibribedtheguard,ok,bye." She tossed the PHS to Tifa.
"WHAT!" Cloud actually screamed, "You mean I didn't have to go dolphin hopping! And how much do we owe the guard!"
"Only five gil a person." Yuffie took the phone back.
"You were here before he jumped. Why did you not tell us?" Red XII contained his laughter.
"Well, Barret called me a brat, and then I saw Cloud's bobbing head, so I got curious. And everyone was so fascinated, I just joined the crowd!" Yuffie said in a breath.
"Ugh, fine." Cloud sighed, "I guess we just meet in the city. I'll start snooping. Cloud out." He began climbing the scaffolding.
"Him? Snoop?" Yuffie was offended that he thought he could do what ninjas did. "No way!" She snorted.
"That's not very ladylike." Barret chimed.
"You wanna dance again?" Yuffie threatened. "Cloud sticks out, especially his hair. We should check the jail first." Yuffie started up the stairs.
"What's her problem?" Barret asked quietly.
"Don't know." The rest shrugged.
"She's just a brat anyway. Never mind, lets go get on the elevator." Barret said a little too loud. The group headed for the elevator.
'Just a brat?' Yuffie had heard Barret's remark, 'Why do I even care what he thinks anyways?' Yuffie pondered as she paid her gil and entered the elevator.
The others followed shortly after. "Good luck!" Priscilla called, "And thank Cloud again!"
"We will." Aerith promised as she hugged Priscilla. They all waved as the door shut and the elevator rose. The elevator soon reached the top. They carefully looked into the hallway. They jumped back at the sight of guards filing through the hall.
"What's going on?" Yuffie whispered.
"Shhh!" the group replied.
"Don't shhh, me!" Yuffie said louder than she intended.
"Will you shut up!" Barret said, way too loud.
The last guard suddenly stopped and turned. "Everyone silence." Red XIII growled, through bared teeth. Everyone froze, even Barret, who had Yuffie suspended in mid-air. The guard slowly approached the elevator, constantly checking everything around him. As he neared, Barret prepared to use Yuffie as a club much against her quiet writhing.
The guard came to the elevator door. "Barret?" he called softly, "Barret is that you?" Everyone exhaled. Barret dropped Yuffie unceremoniously on her rear.
"Cloud? It is really you?" Aerith peered into Cloud's mask. "Why are you dressed like that?"
"When I got inside an officer mistook me and ordered me into uniform. I figured I could find out about a ride and Sephiroth easier this way." Cloud explained. "You guys should split up, you're not exactly a normal looking tourist group."
"Soldier! What are you doing? Trying to get out of parade? Well that act just got you on the Rufus farewell committee! You will finish parade and report to the locker room for intense training! At 20 hundred hours you will go to dock number one! Do I make myself clear!" An officer bellowed from behind, not noticing the others.
"Uh, ok." Cloud saluted.
"That's 'Sir yes Sir!' and stand up straight! Now move out!" The officer chased Cloud down the hallway continuing his tirade.
"Well that was interesting." Red XIII laughed, "At least we have a ride to the other continent."
"But we still don't know about Sephiroth." Tifa pointed out.
"If we are able to cross first we can set a trap for him. He would be at the disadvantage." Red XIII explained calmly. "We should follow Cloud's advice. We do stick out."
"Okiee-dokiee!" Yuffie started down the hallway.
"Be careful and be sure to be at dock one at eight!" Aerith called after her. "That is 20 hundred hours, right?"
On the streets.
Yuffie walked aimlessly about Junon, she had been bored her first time here. She ignored the passing parade, except to laugh as a guard tried to slip in obviously late. What Barret had said still troubled her. For the first time in her life it hurt when someone said she wasn't part of a group. 'Why does it bother me? I've never cared before.' Yuffie continued to ponder as she wandered into a blue-lighted building.
"We don't serve kids here."
"Huh?" Yuffie awoke from her thoughts.
"I said we don't serve kids here!" the bartender repeated. Yuffie quickly scanned the room. It was a poorly lit snobby-looking bar. The patrons all seemed to be high ranking Shinra officials and some guys in silly blue suits. "Why would I want something from a blue roach infested place like this?" The room immediately fell silent, then emptied except for the three at the bar and the bartender.
"Hey Rude? Is she talking about us?" The spiky red headed suit said.
"Yeah I think so Reno. What do you think Elena?" Rude turned to the last bluesuit.
"She really does have a mouth." Elena turned to face Yuffie, "But she's just a brat. I say we ignore her."
Rude also faced the now enraged Yuffie. "We are off duty."
Reno finally turned, even making that movement look slobbish. "But she is cute. Bolt the door." The bartender grinned evilly as he pushed a button under the counter. A click was heard from the door. "Now you got a problem girlie." Reno said as he looked Yuffie up and down. "We'd normally just kill you for that insult, Turk honor and all, but since we're off duty we get to play." Reno matched the bartender's evil grin.
Yuffie felt his eyes going over every part of her body, but she refused to back down. "So ya gonna beat me 3 on 1?"
"No, no. I just want to make a wager." Reno laughed venomously. "We all play poker, we all start with 500 gil. We go until one person gets all the money and-."
"Oh, I get you Reno." Rude interrupted, "this is your, keep the money and a prize you want, right?"
"Yep." Reno confirmed, "If girlie-"
"I am the great ninja Yuffie!" Yuffie finally burst out.
"Whatever. If fie-fie wins then she goes free." Reno turned to Rude. "What do you want?"
"You and Elena buy my drinks for a month." Rude decided.
"Ok. And you Elena?" Reno said never taking his eyes off Yuffie.
"You two help me get closer to Tseng." Elena quickly covered her true intent, "I'm just tired of being bottom rung."
"Fine, and I want" Reno paused, "you." Pointing at Yuffie.
"WHAT! NO WAY! You're disgusting!" Yuffie exploded.
"Its either the bet with a slim chance or no chance at all." Reno threatened as he reached for his staff.
Yuffie quickly considered her options, 'I can't take them all on, and there aren't any other ways out of this bar.' Yuffie got an idea. "Only if I get to chose something as well as escaping." Yuffie stipulated.
"You want me anyway!" Reno laughed, "Ok why don't we just go now and-"
"I want one of your Shinra money cards." Yuffie looked at Reno with disgust.
"Sure why not, you can't win anyway." Reno placed a plastic card on the table. "This will only be good for five days, then I cancel it."
"Fine, now let's play." Yuffie sat at a table.
The game commenced. Yuffie noticed Reno's cheating and countered with her own. Elena was first out, Rude a close second. Reno and Yuffie now each had 1000 gil each. "You're pretty good." Reno said from behind his cards.
"I know." Yuffie smiled evilly. "And you're not."
"Hey, that's not nice." Reno snorted, "For that I'm going to end the game now." Reno pushed all his money into the middle. "You ready to give up."
"No." Yuffie also pushed her money into the center as well. "Well you called, lay'em down." Reno snickered as he slowly laid out his hand, a full house.
"What do you think of that?" Reno laughed, "Well shall we go to the back?"
"I don't think so, sicko." Yuffie sneered.
"Sicko?" Reno acted surprised, "At least I'm a sicko with a full house."
"Your spikes must be growing into you brain." Yuffie insulted, "You haven't seen my hand yet." Yuffie lowered her cards revealing a straight flush.
"NO WAY!" It was Reno's turn to yell.
"She won. Unlock the door." Elena ordered the bartender. He looked to Rude, who nodded, then released the lock.
"Thanks for the cash, Turkeys!" Yuffie laughed as she grabbed the gil and the money card. She ran to the door, but paused in the stoop. "Oh, Reno!" Yuffie called suggestively.
Reno immediately ran to her. "Too irresistible for ya, huh?" He laughed as he reached for her, only to freeze and collapse.
"Just a reminder that I think you're completely disgusting." Yuffie spat and left, leaving the squirming Reno in a fetal position.
'Now I feel better and he feels, well, a pain!' She laughed to herself. 'I'll always remember the agonized look on Reno's face when my knee support clunked into his crotch.' Yuffie laughed freely, ignoring the odd looks from the other people. 'Well guess I can go shopping now!' She skipped into the market area.
She emerged hours later, still dissatisfied by the poor choices. 'Not even worth acquiring any of them.' Yuffie looked at the setting sun. 'Time to go!' And she ran off toward the docks.
Yuffie stepped through the doorway to the docks. She immediately shuddered at the sight of the ships, remembering her seasickness. Yuffie located dock one and slipped quietly onto the ship. She carefully looked for the others. They were gathered under a set of stairs, "Hey guys, what's up?"
"Oh the brats here." Barret rolled his eyes.
"That's enough Barret." Tifa ordered, giving Barret a deadly look.
"We were worried about you." Aerith gave Yuffie a concerned look.
"Really? I mean I'm fine." Yuffie covered.
"Well, we're all here except Cloud, so lets get ready." Tifa held up a Shinra uniform from an open crate.
"Are we gonna watch him send off Rufus?" Yuffie asked rummaging through the uniforms.
"If we hurry." Aerith giggled. Each member chose a uniform. Everyone was startled that Red XIII also picked a uniform.
"I want to watch too." Red XIII turned and walked off with the uniform. Barret could only fit into a white sailor suit.
Yuffie covered her mouth as she started laughing. "You look like a giant marshmallow!"
Barret turned red. "It's the only one that fits! At least I'm different from the crowd!" He also left to change.
"If he's different, then I'm glad to be in the crowd." Yuffie giggled with Aerith and Tifa. Soon everyone but Red XIII finished changing. Yuffie could barely contain her laughter at the sight of Barret, but held her tongue.
"Where's the dog?" Barret ignored Yuffie.
"I am right here." A voice came from behind them.
"What?" Barret and the others turned to see another Shinra soldier. The soldier stood tall with a fiery tail swinging back and forth.
"Wait a minute, how are you standing?" Yuffie recognized the tail.
"I have a few secrets." Red XIII said with a secretive voice. "Let's go watch Cloud, even you marshmallow." The group joined the small crew on the aft deck, overlooking the dock. On the dock, a group of soldiers were posing in front of Rufus. The crowd began cheering as the poses became more complex. AVALANCHE joined in with vigor. After the soldiers finished their routine, a single soldier stepped forward.
He saluted Rufus then swung his rifle by the stock in a circle above his head. Rufus gave a small chuckle while Heidegger began laughing. Heidegger soon went to a car and pulled out a huge sword. It was a deep purple with several teeth on both sides of the blade. Heidegger walked up to the lone soldier.
"Here you go, a gift for impressing President Shinra. Gwa-ha-ha-ha-hah!" He laughed presenting the blade to the soldier. The soldier saluted and stood at attention. "What a good soldier. Gwah-ha-ha-hah!"
"Didn't I tell you to stop that horse laugh?" Rufus said dangerously. Heidegger immediately froze. Rufus turned and entered the ship. Heidegger immediately threw a fit, attacking the guards. "Heidegger get in here now!" Rufus ordered. Heidegger ran into the ship under jeers and unmentionable words form the sailors.
An officer dismissed everyone but Cloud, "Well, special boy, you get to guard the boat until it leaves. Then report to the locker room." The officer practically spat on Cloud, then left.
Cloud studied the blade in his hands. "Piece of junk." Cloud said with distain. He broke the sword over his knee and tossed it in the water. "Now where are the others?"
Yuffie motioned to Tifa and Aerith. "Barret and Red XIII are wandering the ship and Cloud doesn't know we're up here. Let's mess with him." Tifa and Aerith nodded in agreement. The trio quickly searched for something to throw at their victim. In the end, Yuffie snuck down to the beach with a pail. Cloud looked at the sound of splashing water. He ignored the soldier getting the pail of water, continuing to scan for his friends.
Yuffie ran back up to the aft deck, where Tifa and Aerith stood looking at Cloud. "Got them!"
"We thought Cloud would've caught you." Aerith said excitedly.
"I thought he would've noticed a female soldier." Tifa giggled.
"Guess I'm not developed enough, like you two, to be noticed underneath this uniform." Yuffie responded sarcastically, "Forget that, lets torture!"
The trio took small pebbles from the pail. Tifa threw first; her shot fell behind Cloud and bounced into his boot unnoticed. Aerith went nest, her pebble bounced off the barrel of Cloud's rifle, giving him quite a start. The trio ducked as Cloud look around suspiciously.
"Nice try!" Yuffie teased, " Now watch a pro!" She carefully lined Cloud up, and then released the pebble. It arced gracefully before bouncing off Cloud's helmet, causing him to grab his head in surprise. The trio continued to torture the poor man, making him look like he was having a psychotic breakdown. Finally the trio ran out of pebbles.
"Well we're out of pebbles, should we tell him?" Tifa asked.
"That was so fun, but the boat is about to leave. Lets get him." Aerith laughed as she yelled to Cloud. "Hey soldier, up here!" Cloud looked up at the boat. Aerith looked around carefully then quickly removed her mask, Cloud waved up. Aerith replaced her mask and waved back. Cloud started for the ship. Yuffie watch him get closer, an evil look crossed her face. Cloud had nearly entered the ship. Suddenly he was covered in water. He looked up, but the trio was gone. He ran in the ship intent on punishing his assailiants.
"I can't believe you did that!" Tifa laughed. "I wish we could've seen his face though!"
"I sorta feel bad for Cloud." Aerith said. "He is going to be angry."
"So what?" Yuffie responded, "He's too stiff anyway. He'd be cuter if he'd chill out." Tifa and Aerith gave each other an odd look, then burst out laughing.
"Cloud?" Tifa laughed, "You think Cloud is cute?"
"Do you like him?" Aerith asked with an edge of concern.
Yuffie turned red. "No I don't!"
"You have a crush on him!" Tifa teased. Yuffie blushed deeper, almost enough to glow through her mask.
"I do not! NOT!" Yuffie almost screamed back.
"There you are!" A damp Cloud came charging around the corner after hearing Yuffie's last outburst. The trio darted in different directions laughing. Cloud after a moment of confusion, ran after one. Yuffie ran behind the stair shelter. She peeked around the corner. Cloud had just caught someone. Yuffie watched as they struggled for a moment before the person surrendered to Cloud. The two turned toward Yuffie and started walking. Yuffie quietly moved so she remained on the opposite side of the shelter. Yuffie slipped inside the stairwell and listened.
"So what did you do after your dolphin jump?" Yuffie recognized Aerith's voice. "We didn't talk with you until the elevator."
"Well, after you guys abandoned me." Cloud teased.
"We did not! We just found a better way!" Aerith said in a pained voice.
"Kidding," Cloud quickly replied, "I climbed up to the airpad. I saw the most amazing thing." Cloud paused lost in his memories.
Aerith waved her hand in front of his face, "Heelllooo? Cloud? What did you see?"
Cloud snapped out of his thoughts, "What? Oh, it was The Highwind."
"Really! You got to see the real Highwind!" Aerith awed, "I've always seen it in magazines and on TV, but you got to see the real thing. Amazing!"
"No big." Cloud downplayed, "I'll take you on it. We'll soar the sky."
"Really?" Aerith perked up, "But how are we going to get on? Its Shinra's property?"
"I'll get us in," Cloud said with confidence, "I got into and out of Shinra HQ didn't I? I'll get you a ride I promise."
Aerith laughed as she gave him a big hug. Cloud looked about nervously, but didn't pull away. Aerith realized what she was doing and hurriedly let go. They stood laughing quietly.
Yuffie felt a twinge of jealousy. 'Why can't I get someone to rescue me from the jaws of death and promise me extravagant things.' She pouted. Her thoughts were disturbed by a voice yelling, "All hands cast off!" The boat lurched forward. Yuffie's stomach went with it.
"I hate boats!" Yuffie moaned as she descended the stairs. Yuffie settled in behind a crate, "Guess I'll just be miserable again." Yuffie concentrated on keeping her stomach inside her. The ship continued to rock back and forth, "I think I'm gonna die." Yuffie groaned.
"If you ever dump water on me again, you definitely will." Cloud looked over the crate. "Ugh, maybe I won't have to do anything. Are you ok?"
Yuffie looked at Cloud with intense misery. "I'm dying, I hate boats, and I just got caught by a soaked spike-head, so no I'm not ok." Yuffie covered her mouth, forcing herself not to vomit. "Do you happen to have anything that will help? A tranquilizer maybe?"
Cloud felt through his pockets, "No I don't… Wait!" he reached inside his vest, "I got this from a sailor on deck. He says it's a "super cure-all" or something like that." Cloud offered the bottle. "Its worth a shot." He noticed her pale skin getting a green hue.
Yuffie took the bottle. She looked at it suspiciously. "Well it can't make me worse. Bottom's up." She downed the bottle's contents. "That's nasty!" She gagged. Her stomach began to settle, "but it seems to be working."
"Its late, why don't you just try and get some rest. We won't get to Costa del Sol until late tomorrow afternoon." Cloud turned to leave. "I'll go check on the others and see about getting more of that "super cure-all" for you."
"Thanks Cloud." Yuffie said as he walked away. The boat tossed on the sea, upsetting her stomach. 'This is gonna be another loooong trip.' Yuffie cried to herself and tried to sleep. 'I wonder if I'll get to see that man again.' Yuffie hoped. She tried to ignore the waves until sleep finally overcame her.