Chapter 6: The Diablo

A couple of months later…

Artemis had fully examined the artefact. There was something sinister about it. He knew full well what it was.

Before he had instructed for his employees, Yuffie and Yuna to go and extract it from Zanarkand, Artemis had looked into the history of the Diablo.

By using the most advanced machina; Artemis had constructed a database that told him everything he needed to about it.

Apparently the Diablo went back 1000 years ago; back to the time when Bevelle's machina and Zanarkand's summoners were at war.

The Diablo's origins traced back further then 1000 years of course, but it was unknown as to how or why it was created.

All Artemis could find was that in the time when Zanarkand was not in ruins, the Diablo was used for evil purposes, or more to the truth, the Diablo used a young man, whose heart was weak enough to use for 'its' evil purposes.

It was a young man who was deeply in love and because of this was willing to go to all lengths for 'her'.

Artemis found out that the host for the Diablo's evil doings was a young man named Shuyin. It was recorded in Spira's historical documents in Bevelle's database (which Artemis had successfully hacked into manually) that Shuyin had planned on destroying Bevelle's armies with a vast weapon that Bevelle itself had come across. He planned on stealing it so that his lover, Lenne, could live.

What Shuyin did not realise, was that Vegnagun would not only destroy Bevelle's guards, but, the whole of Spira also.

The Diablo knew this, as well as the fact that Shuyin did not; which is why Shuyin was the perfect candidate for its evil doings.

This was one of the factors that was not recorded in the Bevelle database. Artemis concluded that it was because someone unleashed the Diablo.

Artemis had printed out this information for future reference, as well as various others.

The Study, Fowl Manor, 12:30 pm

Yuffie came waltzing into the study to deliver Artemis's spring water. She seemed to be sweetly profusely for some reason

"Hey Artemis." she exclaimed slightly out of breath as she sat down a glass filled with fresh Macalania spring water.

She turned around to find that no one was in the room, as it was darkened.

There was only one light on in the room, which caused shadows to flow all around it.

"Hmm…" moaned Yuffie, pouting, as she realised that she was talking to herself.

She turned to proceed out of the gloomy room when a chilling voice spoke.

"What are you running from?" it asked.

"Artemis…is that you?" Yuffie asked, whipping around, slightly frightened.

She glanced around the room to find that she was talking to herself yet again. So she backed towards the door and began to walk out again.

"I said what are you running from?" said the eerie voice.

Yuffie whipped around yet again, looking around frantically.

"Listen Artemis…if you're playing games with me…it isn't funny." Said Yuffie, slightly scared.

Yuffie walked further into the room. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye, and angled her head in that direction.

"Over here." Said a voice in Yuffie's head.

Yuffie turned to the left and a little, as it felt as though she 'should' for some reason.

Something inside her told her to turn the main light on; though…it didn't win.

She kept moving forward, closer…and closer. Yuffie felt as though she should move closer; like there was something special in the shadows when suddenly the light turned on.

Yuffie looked at what laid before her on another table. It was the Diablo. She could have sworn it was 'calling' for her…but why? Thought Yuffie.

Yuffie continued to look at the Diablo; it intrigued her. She just wanted to touch it, so she reached out for it.

"Don't." said a slightly panicked voice.

Whoever it was walked over to where Yuffie stood.

"What do you think you are doing Yuffie?" asked the person; though sudden coolness had come over them.

Yuffie continued to stare at the Diablo.

"Yuffie!" said the person, slightly louder. It was Artemis.

Yuffie blinked a couple of times and looked toward Artemis; realising who it was.

"Oh! Artemis!" she exclaimed; seeming happy to see him.

She walked toward him and wrapped her arms around him in relief. Artemis simply stood there. He neither hugged her back nor moved.

Yuffie tightened her grip around his torso; her head resting against his chest.

Artemis then began to hold Yuffie back, but as soon as he did, Yuffie hugged him tighter.

"Yuffie…I need to breathe." Said Artemis softly into her ear.

"Oh…" said Yuffie, smiling and pulling away.

"Besides…someone could see us." Said Artemis, getting back to his cold self.

Artemis watched as Yuffie's smiled faltered a bit; he frowned at this.

"Why were you standing; watching the Diablo?" asked Artemis.

He already had an idea why, but, depending on Yuffie's answer and reaction would prove something that Artemis needed to know.

He observed Yuffie's reaction closely, whilst still holding her. He watched as Yuffie's brow furrowed.

"I don't know…I can't remember." Said Yuffie finally.

She had suddenly forgotten why.

Artemis smiled, almost deviously. He knew exactly what had happened.

The Diablo had awoken once again…but two of the many questions that ran through his mind were, why and how?

"I came in to see you, I think…that's right. I'd just finished sparring with Yuna, when I realised the time. It was the usual time when you expect your water, so, I came up here with it…and then…I…I just can't remember." Said Yuffie softly in defeat.

She looked up to find Artemis's piercing blue eyes, staring at her, with his brow furrowed. Yuffie smiled.

"Don't worry…" said Artemis awkwardly, smiling leaning down towards her mouth; kissing her softly.

Just as the two were about to deepen the kiss, a voice caused Artemis to stop abruptly and stare angrily at the source of the voice, though, he still held Yuffie slightly.

"Hey Art Man!" said Tidus cheerfully, but just stopped and stared, wide-eyed, realising what he had just interrupted.

Yuffie was half-expecting Artemis to move away from her, so as not to give Tidus a chance to have a go at him.

However Artemis stayed where he was and merely rolled his eyes.

"How many times must I tell you…"

"Yeah yeah, I know…no more, "Art Man'…right?"

"Yes…and I don't appreciate being interrupted either."

Tidus waved him off and rested his hands on his hips.

"Hey you guys seen Yuna?" Tidus asked becoming slightly serious.

Yuffie moved away from Artemis, leaving him in an awkward stance, so he quickly turned and walked to his desk.

"No I haven't…maybe she's outside." Yuffie offered.

Tidus scratched the back of his head and frowned a little, "Yeah maybe. I'll go have a look."

"Okay." Yuffie nodded. "I'll go with you."

Artemis stared up at Yuffie from behind as he sorted through a few sheets of paper on his desk.

"Make sure to bring my water later on." He reminded her before she left.

Yuffie turned and smiled at him. She knew what he was thinking…even though his expression was one of no emotion.

"All right."

"So has Yuna said anything to you about…anything?" Tidus asked as they both wandered outside.

Yuffie frowned in concern and said quietly, "What do you mean?"

"Oh nothing." Tidus quickly made up for his strange behaviour, "It's just…she's been acting weird lately and this morning…"

He stopped and seemed to be in thought.

"What about this morning?" Yuffie prompted.

He didn't answer straight away, but when he did he said, "Well she was sick this morning."

Yuffie thought and tried to figure out why he was so concerned over something like that.

"But everyone gets sick and…" but she paused when she saw the look on his face.

She began to put things together in her mind.

"You're thinking she may be…"

Tidus knew what she was saying even though she didn't finish her sentence.

"I don't wanna rush into any conclusions…she's probably just sick." He interrupted.

"Yeah…maybe." Yuffie said, but knew that he didn't believe that just as much as she didn't.

A/N: Finally…chapter 6. We hope you like it and please leave a review.

Yunie and Yuffie