Chapter 9: A pained homecoming.
"Where are you?" Yuffie called. "Who are you?" Yuffie ran as fast as she could, calling for the man. "What do you want with me?" Yuffie could see glimpses of the crimson cape, but it would disappear just as she came close. "Why are you running?"
"What?"
"Why are you running?" Yuffie repeated.
"Yuffie!"
"You know my name?" Yuffie was shocked.
"Yuffie wake up!"
Yuffie shot up in bed, smacking her head on something hard. "Oww!" she rubbed her brow furiously.
"Yeah, that hurt." A shocked Tifa also rubbed her head. "You were yelling in your sleep. When I tried to wake you head butted me."
"Is she alright?" Aerith asked.
"Yeah I'm fine." Yuffie answered.
"What were you dreaming about? It sounded like you were chasing someone." Aerith's eyes filled with their usual concern and care.
"Yeah, I want to know what I got this goose egg for." Tifa also pressed for answers.
"It was nothing." Yuffie pulled her knees under her chin. "Just a dream."
"You don't cry out over just a dream." Tifa said. "You should tell us, it's easier to talk rather than hide your feelings."
'Yeah, you should take your own advice.' Yuffie snickered to herself, "It was really nothing, just a dream."
"Alright, if you really don't want to talk about it." Aerith tried to comfort her, "but when you're ready to talk we'll be here." Aerith placed a comforting hand on the younger woman's shoulder.
"She's right Yuffie." Tifa put her hand on Yuffie's other shoulder. "Whenever you need to talk we're here."
"Thanks." Yuffie held back tears of joy. 'I've never had friends like this.'
"Well, we won't get back to sleep before Cloud come to get us, let's just get ready." Aerith gave Yuffie a final pat on the shoulder.
"I get the shower first!" Yuffie darted into the bathroom before either of them could object. Yuffie let a tear flow down her cheek. 'Do I really deserve that kind of friendship? I've barely known them for a few days, but they already trust me. How can I take their materia?' Yuffie undid her hair. It fell to her just above her shoulders. 'Can they really care that much already?' Yuffie continued to ask herself as she removed her chocobo pajamas.
'What do they see in me?' Yuffie looked at herself in the mirror again. 'All I see is a small little waif.' Yuffie turned on the shower to let it warm up. 'Those two are so kind and beautiful. No wonder the others barely notice me. I can't even catch anyone's attention other then that psycho on the beach.' She stepped into the cascade of water, letting it wash away her cares. 'I should just ignore it, but I like these people. How can I steal from them?' Yuffie continued her internal wrestling, thoughts flying randomly. 'Did I really cry out? Who is he? I wish I knew.' Yuffie exited the shower, wrapped herself in a towel, and left the bathroom.
"Your turn." Yuffie said to Tifa.
"Thanks." Tifa went into the bathroom.
"Let me brush you hair while we wait for Tifa." Aerith motioned Yuffie to sit in front of her. "I'll be gentle, promise." Yuffie sat down and Aerith began brushing her hair. "Do you have to keep your hair short to be a ninja?"
"Yeah. It keeps it from getting caught in things." Yuffie lost herself in the pleasure of Aerith's gentle strokes. No one had brushed her hair since her mother had died. 'I'd forgotten how good this feels.'
"All done." Aerith finished.
"Thanks." Yuffie was disappointed that it was over. She wrapped her headband on and tied it secure. "I really appreciate, ya know, everything." Yuffie said uncomfortably.
"That's what friends are for." Aerith smiled, "Oh, my turn." She stood and passed the now showered Tifa.
"Want me to brush your hair?" Yuffie asked. The women spent the next hour finishing each other's hair. It was shortly thereafter that when Cloud pounded on their door to inform them that they would leave after breakfast. "Ok spike!" Yuffie joked.
"I see your feeling better." Tifa smirked.
"Guess I just needed that shower." Yuffie really did feel better. "We should get down there before those two eat everything." With that the laughing trio descended the stairs for breakfast.
"Hurry and get it while its hot." Cloud said in between mouthfuls.
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Tifa said with a slap to Cloud's back. Cloud choked violently, he grabbed his glass and took a drink.
"Wha-, What did you do that for?" Cloud asked shocked. Everyone burst out over Cloud's loss of his normal tough guy routine.
"A lesson." Tifa said simply as she got a plate of her own and began eating.
'And they call me a brat.' Yuffie rolled her eyes, 'Wonder where Red XIII is?' She shrugged and began to eat.
After breakfast.
"Are we ready?" Cloud gave Tifa a suspicious look only to be met with an innocent face. "Where's Red XIII?"
"Don't know." Barret answered, "He left his PHS behind."
"Well lets find him," Cloud scowled at the delay, "PHS when someone finds him." The group split apart to search. Yuffie went toward the market.
She looked for a crowd or something to lead her to Red XIII. No one was out this early save a few kids kicking a soccer ball around. Yuffie glanced as one boy kicked the ball toward the wall, the ball bounced off the wall with a flash. Yuffie did a double take. Against the wall was a sleeping Red XIII, his tail bouncing the ball between the boys. Yuffie got an idea.
She dialed Cloud, "Found him, meet us by the west gates." Yuffie hung up the PHS after getting Cloud reply. She carefully walked up toward one of the boys, "Mind if I give it a try?"
"Sure." The boy said happily. Yuffie waited for the ball to bounce off Red XIII's tail, she measured her foot and kicked the ball hard. Yuffie didn't wait to see the beast's reaction, only to hear a yelp of surprise and a "YUFFIE!". Yuffie laughed and ran harder; soon she saw the gates and the others. They saw her, and then get a surprised look. Yuffie grinned harder until she suddenly felt something force her to the ground. The weight pinned her there against all her struggles.
"What have we learned?" Red XIII asked from his perch atop the small ninja.
"Umph." Yuffie tried to sound like she couldn't breath.
"I know you can answer." Red XIII said smugly.
"Don't kick a ball into a fire-beast." Yuffie gave in, "Now get your fat butt off me!"
"Very good, you learn quickly." Red XIII stepped off Yuffie, "So are we going?" The group laughed as Yuffie dusted her self off while giving Red XIII a death look. They exited the town and headed for the mountains.
Up the hill
"What did he say?" Tifa asked upon Cloud's return.
"He said that a man in a black cape passed by. We're on the right track." Cloud looked almost excited. They continued up the hill, when they crested it they saw a hideous sight. "I thought there was one here." Cloud said at the sight of the mako reactor.
"Yeah, they're everywhere suckin' up the planet's energy." Barret sounded more angry than normal.
"We'll need to avoid it. Even here they might be aware of who we are." Cloud stated. The group followed him toward the railroad. "We'll follow these." They walked along the track until they came to a fork. "Which way? Up or down?" Cloud turned to the group.
"You're the #$! Leader, ya decide." Barret barked.
"Ok." Cloud looked slightly taken aback. "We'll go up, then."
'What's his problem?' Yuffie thought as they continued on their trek. 'He's been mean since we started up this mountain.' They came to a raised bridge. "Nice one oh great leader!" Yuffie joked before Barret could start.
Cloud ignored her, "There's got to be a switch. Maybe in that shack over there." He pointed to the other tracks.
"Well ya can go flip the #$! switch. I am gonna sit right here." Barret sat on the tracks.
"Yeah, ya can go flip the #$! switch." Yuffie imitated the angry man.
"Fine, you all wait here I'll be back in a minute." Cloud turned and walked away, mumbling curses.
"Whats wrong Barret?" Aerith sat next to him. Barret remained silent, with a scowl on his face. "Ok we'll just sit."
Soon Tifa pointed out Cloud, "There he is!" They watch as he squeezed into the shack, moments after the bridge lowered. Cloud waved them on. "Ready?" Tifa asked. They continued the where Cloud had climbed up to the higher track.
"Happy now?" He scowled and turned down the track before they could answer.
'One person get mad and they all get mad.' Yuffie laughed, 'How annoying!' Yuffie suddenly stopped. "What's that?" she strained to hear.
"What's what, brat." Barret stated.
"Shhh. I hear it too." Aerith shushed them. "It's chirping."
"Let's see what chirping." Tifa climbed up the hill followed by Aerith and Yuffie. "Oh my!" She cried.
"What's wrong!" Cloud yelled drawing his sword.
"Nothin like that." Yuffie answered, "Just some fluff-balls."
"What?" Cloud asked, replacing his sword.
"There baby birds." Aerith cooed, "And there so cute!" she gently stroked one of the chicks.
"But there sitting on some chests!" Yuffie said, "Can't we take them?"
"No!" Tifa and Aerith pushed Yuffie away. "We don't want to disturb the nest. We better leave." Tifa dragged Yuffie away as Aerith softly kissed the chicks goodbye.
"They were so cute.""I know""I love babies." No one could tell who said what.
"I wish we would've taken the chests." Yuffie pouted. The group continued down the hill, soon a small town of burnt houses and tents appeared. "What a dump." Yuffie said. Barret drew a quick breath, but said nothing. He led the way into town. A group of people had gathered in the front of the town.
One of them stepped forward. "We don't want you here!" Barret signaled for the others to stay back and approached the mob. "Look at this place! It's all your fault North Corel turned into a garbage heap!" The mob ranted and raved about their losses. The man slugged Barret in the jaw. "Get out before you cause more trouble!" He turned and the mob threw a few pieces of garbage at Barret before dispersing, bored that Barret just stood there and took it.
"What was that?" Cloud approached Barret.
"Nothin, lets just go." Barret walked sullenly toward the back of the town. Citizens continued to pelt him with trash, but Barret just walked.
'What did he do?' Yuffie wondered in amazement as the normally hotheaded Barret took this humiliation. 'Why doesn't he fight back?' Soon the group stood before a blue tram with Gold Saucer painted on the side. 'Didn't go up my first time, but t sounds like fun!'
Barret started to board the tram, but suddenly stopped. "Ya all wanna know why I took all that?"
"Only if you want to tell us." Aerith's eyes brimmed with concern, "Not if the memories are too painful."
A/N: I'm not going to describe it all. The game describes it so much better.
Barret related to the party about what happened, that North Corel was turned from mining town to reactor town to the burned out husk of what they passed through. Aerith, Tifa, and Yuffie all had tears flowing. Red XIII lowered his head and Cloud closed his eyes to hold back his own tears.
"That's awful." Yuffie said even before Aerith. She knew what it was like to have your town attacked, although hers survived somewhat better.
"That's why." Barret finished and entered the tram.
"That's terrible." Aerith cried.
"Its more of Shinra's atrocities." Cloud clenched his fists; "We can't do anything about it now so lets get going." With that, the group entered the tram and started the two-hour trip up to the Golden Saucer.