A/N: Lately, the chapters I've been writing haven't been filled with much information. And I apologize for that. But, I'm starting out small. It's growing! Can you tell? Hehe, I'm almost getting to the climax! But, not for a while. Eee! It's already chappie 9! Next one's… chappie 10! AH!

Just a little recap: Shougu, if you haven't figured it out yet, is the same guy from the ritual when Nanaki and company attended. I mentioned it in here (and from another chapter). I didn't want to make people confuzzled. Hai hai?

Thankies for reviewing! Meep! So many questions! Hope they get answered in this chapter!

Disclaimer: Alrighty… finalfantasysevendoesntbelongtomeanditneverwillbecauseiaintsmartenoughtothinkofsuchawesomeideas :dies:

Back To Those Human Years
Chapter Nine

Suffering for Both?

'So it has been revealed.'

I gasped at the sudden voice. "W-Who are you?" There was no response at that. I asked again. "Who are you!"

'I am the spirit that watches over Wutai.'

"…y-you're…"

'Yes, I am the Spirit of Leviathan that now dwells within you.'

That made me shudder. "Wait, if you're inside me… then, shouldn't you be looking after Wutai?"

'I am. This is one of many Spirits of Leviathan. I have come to you because of your honest desire.'

"So… that's what Shougu meant. About when you make an honest desire and it might come true."

'I know not of names.'

"O-Oh… uhm… the boy who is trying to take away Y- my… special someone."

'…yes, he is one of many who has made an honest desire. However…'

I tilted my head at the window. "What?"

'…his desire was the same as yours… to make his special someone happy. However, his special someone…is not yours.'

My head lifted up faster than lightning. "What?"

'His mind has been clouded up by a very dark storm and is unable to see the truth. She won't return his feelings for him because he is not honest with himself or to his special someone. Though, it is quite ironic to say, considering his desire was as honest as it can get.'

"…he… doesn't want… Yuffie?"

All was silent for a while. 'I recognize no one by name.'

"S-Sorry… uhm… my special someone? He doesn't… want her?"

'Yes.'

"But then, how did he ever get stuck with her? What's going to happen to… her?… him?"

'A dark storm blocks his clear mind from reality. Her feelings are clouded by a dark storm as well. And she… will suffer.'

"H-How!"

'…that is where I leave you.'

"Wait! Please! Tell me what's going to happen!"

'…you will know what to do. Tomorrow night, when the festival concludes, is where you will know what to do. Farwell, for this is where my spirit within you shall lift. Then, you are on your own.'

The blue glow surrounding my body dimmed for a second. Suddenly, a white orb emerged out of my chest. I looked outside the window as it and other white orbs combined together to form the beast from before. It let out a loud roar and soon dispersed into the air. Sparkling particles followed after, shimmering towards ground. I stared at my hands as the glow returned.

I had no idea what just happened after that moment. But… I had to do something! But… I wasn't exactly sure what I should tell Yuffie. A dark storm? Suffering? Sounded serious enough. She was probably still mad, but it's better than seeing her suffer from… something!

I raced out of the room and headed outside, where I met the rest of the gang. They were all drenched in… what seemed like sake, considering the smell. Everyone seemed happy and relaxed. I spotted Yuffie in the back with… Shougu. I narrowed my eye and him.

Cid wrapped his arms around my neck. "Heeyyyeee! Where the crap did you gooo? You missed something awesome!"

"I'm sure I did," I muttered under my breath.

"Shyeah! Cid shook dem bottles of sake an' drenched ev'ryone ovah there!" Barret laughed, shaking his wet fists around.

"But, it was such a nice ritual." Tifa giggled and kissed Cloud's cheek. He blushed. "Thanks for the ritual, Cloudie!"

Cloud blushed more. "I-It was nothing…"

I blinked and looked at Cid. "So… you sent someone a ritual?"

"Hell yeah!"

"… to someone's grandmother." Vincent cleared his throat at that.

"Shit that! You got someone hot!"

Vincent looked away then eyed me. "…you're still glowing."

I folded my arms and sighed. "I don't know why."

Shougu stepped forward with Yuffie close behind. "It's pretty obvious. Yuffie rejected your orb. When the receiver retrieves the orb, it emerges within that person's heart. It then forms a bond and begins glowing inside. Tomorrow, when everyone receives an orb from the women, the bond will be complete. And you… will stay like that, forever."

"You…" I growled, not quite sure how to respond to that.

Shougu smirked at that then kissed Yuffie's cheek. "See you tomorrow then, hm?"

"Okay, Shougu!" she happily responded, waving her hands around. She turned and skipped right past me.

I tilted my head at that. 'Her feelings are clouded by a dark storm as well'. What exactly was the dark storm? I leaned over the edge of the Highwind and watched Shougu run towards the village. After making sure no one else was looking, I made my way down the rope ladder. I had a feeling, that Shougu held all the answers.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

With all the lights and torches extinguished, it was hard to navigate through the darkness. I was surprised that the festival had ended right after the ritual ended. I guess it had some kind of tradition to it or something? I dunno. I cut my thought short when I finally caught up to Shougu. I quickly hid behind a nearby building and watched as he met up with someone. I narrowed my eye, finally realizing that it was Godo. I moved in closer to make out their conversation.

"Sir Godo?" the boy said, sounding unusually shaky.

Godo patted the boy's back. "You did fine tonight. I'm sure she'll be all right for tomorrow."

"…are you sure?"

"Tch! You see how happy she was with you? Now, image how she would be like with that… beast!"

I grunted at that. 'Look who's talking…' I growled to myself.

"Sir, I thought that was someone in a costume…?"

"That is where you were wrong. He thinks he can get close to my dear Yuffie. Nowadays, she makes such unusual friends. And that has overstepped my boundary! I don't want anything to harm her or this village! That….thing's eyes… revealed something unnatural. Which is why I want you to make her happy this year."

Godo… was that why he was trying to drive me away from this festival? He… does care for Yuffie. I was still angry about how Godo commented on me, but, deep inside, he just wanted what was best for Yuffie. I bowed my head and that and listened to the rest of the conversation.

"All her life, I was never really there for her. Every time she needed help, I wasn't there. And whenever the festival approached, she tried almost anything to convince me to spend the whole day with her. But I'm always so busy." He bowed his head and patted Shougu's shoulders. "I want you to fulfill something I couldn't."

Shougu narrowed his eyes and stepped away. "Sir, I will do what is best… for her. I will do anything to forget Kimara."

I lifted my head at that. 'Kimara? Who's that?'

"Ah… Kimara. How she would always stick to you like glue. But, she's in the past now. She never cared for you! You did almost anything to have her say, 'I love you'. But, all has failed. She never liked you. But, you will be happy with my dear Yuffie. How does that make you feel?"

Shougu remained silent at that. "…I don't know."

"Mah! You'll know tomorrow. I promise you."

"…yes, sir."

I backed into the side of the building and stared at my glowing hands. My heart was racing as I closed my eyes tightly.

He has overstepped my boundary. His methods of making someone happy sure went off on the wrong leg. I had to fix everything before tomorrow night… somehow.

A/N: End of chapter nine! Ah! New character introduced! Kimara. That sounds like a nice name. Hehehe. I love making up names. Alrighty! Next chapter, I will try to put some interesting stuff. This chapter seemed quite… boring. But, I gave out lots of information. :shakes finger: Anyways, hope you enjoyed and please tell me how you thought of it!