A/N: Not much action-ishy things going on here… like… blah blah did this and all the people died. :shakes head: That's going to in the next chapter… eh.. 'cept.. not the part with people dying. Oo;

Thanks for reviewing! Glad you liked the first chapter!

Disclaimer: FF7 don't belong to me… only the idea of this story and the Wutai festival thing.

Back To Those Human Years
Chapter Two

Last Minute Move

The bright lights of Wutai glowed so beautifuly. It was so beautiful… I just couldn't turn away from it. From the Highwind, it looked just like the bright stars in the night sky that gave it that peaceful and charming look... when I was with her. I leaned my head against the railing and watched the people happily prepare for the festival tomorrow. They must be really excited about it… being with their friends and family… people they care most about.

My head perked up as I spotted Yuffie walking beside her father. It looked like they were arguing about something… hopefully... not about me, because, like I said before, I didn't want to start any confrontations and ruin the festival. It was best to stay away from this particular event. Although, I never really been to a festival before… what with my appearance and such, I didn't want people to get the wrong idea about me. I admit… it was quite rude of Yuffie's father to say I didn't belong. Even though I was used to people giving me strange looks at first glance, that was just unacceptable.

But, it didn't really matter if I joined in with the festival or not. I could still watch it from high above. I smiled and tried convincing myself that it would be all right… but… that didn't really help. I just wanted… to have some fun… more fun in my life…

My thoughts were cut short as I spotted Cid, Barret and Vincent making their way up the Highwind. I sat up, trying to act like I wasn't concerned about anything at all. As they made their way up, Cid immediately dropped his yukata on the ground and puffed on his cigarette. Barret's yukata was hanging over his shoulder while Vincent was examining his. I blinked at them.

"What are you three doing up here?" I wondered.

"Apparently," Barret said, "they're havin' a 'womens only' kind of thing… so the guys're out."

"I thought the festival was… tomorrow?"

"It's a pre-festival kind of thing," Cid added to Barret's explanation. "They're gonna have the 'mens only' thing after the women are done with theirs."

"What do they do at the… 'pre-festival' thing?" I questioned once more, still curious.

"I believe they prepare a special ritual dance for the ones they care about," Vincent answered. "…according to Yuffie."

"Why don't they do it on the day of the festival?"

He responded, "It's some sort of tradition. On the night of the first festival day, the men's ritual will conclude, calling forth something special for their loved ones. Supposedly… for the women… but, Yuffie didn't get into much depth with that."

"And on the second night of the festival… same for the women?"

"Yep!" Cid happily said, "I wonder if any beautiful women will forth something special for yours truly? Daammn… that would be sweet…"

"Yer foolin' yerself," Barret sighed, whacking Cid with his oversized fist. "They dun' even know who ya are!"

"There's a little something called, HOPE." Cid growled, resuming his attention to the crowd of women heading straight for the Pagoda. "Daaamn… I wanna dance!"

I made a disturbed look, but smiled, knowing how much Cid wanted to have fun with this festival has much as I did. Barret lifted his fist in the air and agreed.

"Me too!"

Vincent cleared his throat as he entered the Highwind. "I'll be… inside."

"Bah! Party pooper," Cid grinned.

I bowed my head slowly, thinking about what they said about the pre-festival. The men and women both make a special ritual for each other. Something turned inside me when I thought about doing a ritual for the one I cared for. I shook my head at such thoughts. I knew that would be impossible. If Yuffie's father found me… prancing around in a ritual outfit, he'd be pretty upset and send me straight out of the village. I groaned to myself and peeked my head out of the Highwind's railings, continuing my gaze through Wutai.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The women's ritual dance had started an hour ago, and they were still in their deep trance. I didn't think that such a ritual would take a long time to finish. I couldn't really make out what they were doing, but it seemed like they were twirling around in their oversized costumes. It was quite a sight. I was inside of the Highwind at this point. If I just moped around outside, staring out into Wutai, I knew I'd feel depressed… even more. Cloud had joined us a while ago, but he remained outside. I was guessing he was trying to figure out what the women were doing at the Pagoda. Possibly… looking for Tifa? I rubbed my head with my paw and turned to Cid and Barret who were busy playing cards, then searched for Vincent who was leaning against the wall. He looked deep in thought.

I hadn't realized that I've been staring at him for quite some time. I kept thinking about the ritual dance and if Yuffie's out there dancing for the one whom she cared most about. I blinked then slowly made my way towards Vincent. I felt kind of silly asking him this… but I really wanted to know…

"Vincent," I whispered to him.

He didn't answer.

"Vincent?" I repeated.

He grunted and lifted his head up, revealing a tired look on his face. He finally noticed me and answered, "What's wrong?"

I hesitated. "Uh… uhm… a-are you… going to the… ritual dance...?"

He paused for a few seconds then folded his arms across his chest. "Perhaps."

"R-Really? You?"

Vincent shrugged at that but didn't answer back. I mentally whacked myself on the face. Why was I asking such a silly thing? That's not what I wanted to say. I lied on the ground and sighed.

"I heard from Yuffie that her father refused to let you in the festival because of your appearance?"

I quickly looked up at that, surprised for a second. Vincent gave one of his rare grins and continued on. "Just go. I know you really want to go in the festival."

"I don't want to make such a big scene."

"You won't."

"How so?"

Vincent kneeled down in front of me and pulled out a small bottle, containing turquoise colored liquid, from inside his cloak. I tilted my head as he rocked the bottle back and forth.

"I don't know what… but something in Yuffie's eye convinced me. I don't know if you're interested, but… this is what will turn you back into human. After finding the potion to cure you from it, I found a way to reverse it. So… in other words, you're the guinea pig if you decide to use this."

I narrowed my eyes at the bottle. "What will happen if it fails? Will… things burst out of my body and eat me from the inside?" I said with a surprisingly serious tone in my voice.

He lifted an eyebrow. "No… I'm positive that it will turn you into human. It's just the outcome after you transform."

I continued to stare at the bottle as two decisions started forming in my head. Of course I wanted to take the potion, but it was risky. What would the outcome be? Would I… stay in that form and live the life as a human forever? Or… would it be worse? The other decision was, obviously, not to take it. I learned, from past experiences and from Yuffie that it doesn't matter what's on the outside, but what's inside. However, that's not how Yuffie's father saw things. Even though I've seen him once, I too noticed in his eyes that he immediately disliked me.

But those eyes… never convinced me.

I finally looked up at Vincent and gently pushed the bottle away with my paw.

"…it's alright… I'll be fine."

A/N: End of Chapter Two! Ah! I know what you're thinking… but it's not what it seems. :shakes finger at you: Aha! You're gonna have to find out next chapter! Hope you liked and please tell me how you thought of it!