A/N: Mewhoot! I am el finito with the… el chapi…to. Anyways, this is where I put in the actiony stuffs!… well, not really. :cough: This chapter wasn't really hard to write, unlike the other one. :big shrug:

Also, sorry if I confused you in the previous chapter, I am sorry. Allow me to explain. Keep in mind that Godo has no idea that Nanaki changed into a human. It was just coincidence that he wouldn't like Red as a human. (I actually didn't plan that out…) And, about the ritual, I'm soo sorry… but that will all be explained in a future chapter. I would love to tell you why, but it would give away too much information. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me. :begs: Believe me, I wanted to explain it in this chapter, but it's not ready to be revealed just yet.

Oh, and about the sake thing, I do believe it is a strong kind of drink and why Nanaki wasn't affected by it… will forever be a mystery.

Thankies for reviewing! Glad you liked my lil ritual thingy!

Disclaimer: FF7 doesn't belong to me! (insert jazzy comment here)

Back To Those Human Years
Chapter Eight

Enter My Soul

All seemed fine until this little conflict started. If Shougu hadn't suddenly appeared, everything would've turned out differently. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. It seemed like the whole world stopped spinning. I felt the tension as I breathed in the mild breeze as it passed by. My hair swayed passed my eye that was now filled with nothing but anger. The blue glow surrounding my body remained its brightest as I stepped forward. Shougu already began making his way towards me. We both stopped in front of each other and stared. Godo made his way to the center.

"What is the meaning of this!" he roared to both of us. He turned to me and said, "Just who do you think you are, ruining our ritual!"

I glared at the old man. "SAVE IT!" I snapped.

Godo stepped back in shock. Obviously, he had no idea how to retort back. I smirked victoriously and resumed to Shougu. His brown eyes were filled with the same anger as I had. He tugged the top of my yukata and lifted me off from the ground. I choked for a second.

"Call it back, or else!" Shougu hissed in my face as he narrowed his eyes.

I cupped my hands around his wrists. "I have no intention of doing so," I answered so formally.

Before I could do anything, I found myself on the ground with his foot digging into my back. The crowds of people watching gasped in unison. They were too shocked to do anything. Shougu then grabbed the back of my yukata and lifted me up once again. I looked back and saw him smirk as he examined me.

"No matter how tough you act, you're still just a small boy with no hopes of overpowering me… whatsoever. That's why, Yuffie WILL be mine."

At that moment, I had no idea what happened to me. After what he said about me, I growled loudly and kicked him right in the chest. He lost his grip on me, which gave me the perfect chance to pin him down to the ground. The people watching stepped back as we commenced war on each other. Shougu tugged my hair while I cupped my hands around his neck. Before I had the chance to choke him to death, my friends suddenly appeared and pulled me away from Shougu. I violently struggled to break free, but that only made my whole body ache.

As Shougu stood up, his whole body started to glow extremely bright as the same did for me. We were still ready for each other. I struggled once again, and finally, broke free from Barret and Vincent's grasp and made my way to Shougu. He smirked and ran towards me. I could hear my friends trying to call me back, but I completely ignored them. I was on a rage and I couldn't stop. I had no idea what had gotten over me. We both lifted our fists in front of each other and collided them with each other. The sudden collision created a massive explosion of bright blue light. Everything was engulfed within the light, practically blinding everyone who stared into it.

The bright light finally disappeared, revealing the whole Pagoda once again. My fist was still touching Shougu's. We didn't make any movements. A burning sensation seemed to circulate our whole bodies and it seemed to transfer from our fists our opponents. Suddenly, Shougu's knuckles began to bleed. Blood trinkled down his fist and splashed onto the ground. He brought his hand back and squeezed it tightly with the other. I stared for a while, until I finally realized what I had just done.

"Shougu!" Godo yelled as he ran to the injured boy.

"Damnit! This guy's not human!" The boy clutched his hand, causing the blood to gush out quickly.

'…what… did I just do…?' I said to myself, repeating the same question over and over in my head. I stared at my glowing hands. They had bruises and blood gushing out as well, but… why wasn't I reacting to any pain at all? "…not human…"

The crowds of people dispersed, leaving half of the Pagoda empty where I was standing. Cloud and company came rushing over after that. Cid punched me hard on my cheek, causing me to lose my balance. Barret then lifted me up from the back and dropped me to my feet. I regained my balance and stared at the ground. They were angry. I wouldn't blame them… I would hit myself too if I saw myself doing what I did. I had no idea what came over me. I clutched my head tightly and shook it around.

"I-I…" I choked. I wasn't sure what to say.

Tifa stepped forward. "What the hell has gotten over you!" she snarled.

"I-I'M SORRY! I… I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!" I closed my eyes tightly and continued shaking my head.

"Shougu!"

I lifted my head and turned around. I spotted Yuffie stroking Shougu's neck and petting his injured hand. She noticed me and made her way towards me. I stepped back. That look in her eyes… was filled with both sadness… and anger. She stopped in front of me then slapped me extremely hard on my cheek. I widened my eyes in shock then stared into Yuffie's eyes.

"I DON'T EVER WANT TO SEE YOUR FACE!"

"…Yuffie…"

Yuffie revealed the two glowing orbs she received from Shougu and me. She narrowed her eyes and clutched the one on her right, sending a jolt of pain straight to my heart. Shougu's blue glow suddenly disappeared as he stared at his two hands. As for me, my blue glow was still present. Yuffie narrowed her eyes and turned, clutching the other orb close to her chest.

"…you are… not human," was all she said as she made her way to her father and Shougu.

I placed my hand above the red mark on my face. Anger had taken over before. My so-called 'burning determination' was just another way of saying, 'anger' and possibly… 'jealousy'. I paused at that. Jealousy.

"Red?" Cloud finally said.

I turned away and left. This will be… the second time that I miss the ritual.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The conclusion of the men's ritual lasted for another hour or so. I watched as the Pagoda was filled with yellow, red, and green colored orbs making their way towards the dark sky. They twinkled brilliantly like the stars. The gong sounded off, causing the orbs in the sky to come back down to the ground. A bright light was created, soon forming into a creature with a long slender body. The head was then formed with two big yellow orbs for the eyes. It seemed to be examining the whole Pagoda then turned to my direction. It bowed its head then disappeared without a trace.

I was inside the Highwind, resting on one of the chairs of the control room. I didn't think I would be missing the men's ritual again, but… now look where I was now. I was hoping everything would turn out fine, but I guess I caused more trouble than before. Human or not, nobody seemed to want me. I sighed and rested my red cheek on my arm. What was I doing wrong? All I wanted was to make someone special to me happy… but… I just made her angry. I sunk my face under my arms.

"Yuffie…"

I was feeling that same sensation from before. No matter how much I try to get rid of the feeling, it would just come back.

"My determination will be the key to unlocking how I am feeling right now?" I clenched my fists and peeked my face from beneath. "I'm still determined… but why do I feel that I'm not?"

'You're not admitting it to yourself. You keep pushing it back inside. You forced yourself to do something that was wrong. You knew that… but you thought that was part of the determination.'

I sat back at that. "What do I do?"

'Follow your heart. Think. What exactly is this feeling you are feeling? Is it hate?'

I shook my head. "No…"

'Anger?'

"No…"

"Sadness?"

"…no."

'When you see her, what do you feel?'

"…nervous and… unsure what to do?"

'…'

I gasped and stood up quickly. I looked around. Just… who was I talking to? I clutched my chest tightly and stared straight to the Pagoda, where the crowds of people were waving around paper fans.

"…I think… I love Yuffie."

A/N: End of chapter eight! Ah! So it has been revealed! Yatta for Red! YATTA! I know it was mean, but this idea has been stuck in my head alllll day. I just wanted to scream and run out of school just so I can write this. But, when I came home… my obsession over Meine Liebe (German for "My Love") almost caused me to write this the next day. Yes, Meine Liebe. Ever heard of it? I just got into it like… over the weekend. :koosh: Duude, Ludwig looks like Vincent! Hehehe, a must see anime. ANYWAYS! I'm rambling! Hope you enjoyed this chappie and please tell me how you thought of it!