A/N: Ah! Chapter Ten's up! Ooh! I never thought it would come! And it's all thanks to my reviewer friends! (big hug) Hehe, I wouldn't have updated my story so fast… or even made this such a successful story if it weren't for you guys. Thanks a bunch! (another big hug)

Ah! I managed to put a lil NanakixYuffie scene right der. Yep yep. At long last, sheesh. :cracks knuckles:

Disclaimer: I will leave the disclaimer to Cait Sith and Aeris from now on, since I rarely use them in my stories and I feel awful. :sob:

Cait: (whacks author in the head with megaphone) You SHOULD feel awful!
Author: B-But I d-do!
Aeris: Aw! Poor Miss Author… please don't feel awful...
Author: (continues sobbing) I want food…
Cait: Anyways! FF7 doesn't belong to Miss Author Poo Poo Head because it ain't HER idea! Pst! 'cause she ain't cool like us.
Author: (gets angry) WHAT! I'M COOL! (makes a cool pose then grabs Cait's megaphone and whacks him with it) MERF IT!
Aeris: Ah-… enjoy the story… oh dear.
Cait: Xx;

Back To Those Human Years
Chapter Ten

Dark Cloud Formed

'What should I do… what should I do? In fact, what can I do? All seems impossible now…' I moaned at such thoughts then continued pacing around the item shop for another hundred times.

After listening to Shougu and Godo's conversation, they had me thinking… quite hard in fact. I knew that I had to do something with Godo's little 'caring for daughter' tactic and for Shougu's problem with this Kimara. I didn't know much about his relationship with Kimara so… I thought it was best for me to start with him. The problem with Godo will have to wait… because I need Yuffie… and in order for her to listen to me, I'll need Shougu out of the picture.

I stopped in front of the building and crossed the bridge. I rested my glowing chin against the railing and watched the shimmering river pass by. The words of the Spirit of Leviathan kept playing over and over in my head. The more I thought about it, the more it was starting to make sense. Could it be that Godo could be this… 'dark storm'? I wasn't exactly sure, but it was a start.

"What can I do…?" I sighed, bowing my head in defeat.

"Excuse me?"

I jumped back at the sudden voice. There was a young girl, maybe around eighteen years of age, with a very beautiful kimono on. It was covered in many attractive colors. Her long brown hair was down to her waist and she looked pale than the moon in the sky. I tugged the sleeves of my yukata as she slowly walked up to me.

"Y-Yes?" I finally answered.

She tilted her head at that. "I have just arrived… unfortunately, late for the first day of the festival. Uhm… does Shougu still reside here?"

I paused for a while. "A-Are you… K-Kimara?"

The girl smiled and bowed down at that. She lifted her head and folded her hands. "Yes, I am Kimara. I have come to seek Shougu of Wutai. By chance… do you know him?"

"Y-Yes… I do. He was just here a few minutes ago."

"Ah! So he really is here! I have been waiting to see him for a very long time!"

I stepped forward. "So… you must really care about him, right?"

She blushed at that. "Y…Yes, I do. But, I don't know if he still cares. I have treated him… so badly before."

"May I hear why?" I frowned, walking closer to Kimara.

Kimara closed her small eyes and brought her folded hands to her chest. "It was only one year ago when we first met. I have been brought to Wutai because of the festival. It was my first time coming, so I barely knew anyone, even though half of my relatives lived here.

"My relatives then introduced me to Shougu, the son of one of their old friends. From the moment I gazed into his eyes, I felt a such a warm and pleasant feeling inside. We became very good friends and practically did everything together. That was when we promised each other a ritual during the festival."

Kimara opened her eyes that were now filled with sadness. I tilted my head and gently patted her shoulder. She smiled and grasped onto that hand with hers then continued.

"As the festival finally arrived and I have received Shougu's ritual orb, I was happy. At that moment, I felt that I had grown to love him. And tomorrow night was the night I were to return the favor with my orb.

"However, my relatives had informed me that my parents were on the verge of dying, due to a disease that was spreading in my hometown. I didn't want to leave Shougu, but there was no other choice.

"And after that, I haven't heard from him since. I felt awful… he must have been…" she hesitated.

"…he must have been devastated…" I answered for her. She slowly nodded and tightened her grip on my hand. "You had a reason to leave," I continued, "… but now… Shougu thinks that you don't care."

Kimara lifted her head and stared into my eyes. "H-He does?"

"You two made a promise. A promise that you'd make a ritual for each other."

"…yes…"

We remained silent at that. Now that Kimara had just magically appeared (an the right moment…), and listened to their little history about each other, I could somehow work off of it. But, I was quite shocked to hear such a story. Now… I felt awful that I fought with Shougu earlier. I sighed to myself and stepped back.

"But, don't worry. I'm sure you two will be back together!" I said so confidently.

"…but how?"

"Tomorrow, at the ritual, you will give Shougu that ritual orb you owed him one year ago…. I promise."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Believe it or not, it was already four in the morning and I was still awake. I wasn't even tired. I just wanted to fix everything right away… or at least get everything ready for tonight. After my encounter with Kimara, I headed straight for the Highwind. I had to tell or at least try and tell Yuffie what I have just learned.

As I entered her dark room, her soft snores sounded off. I slowly made my way inside and stood next to Yuffie's sleeping body. I couldn't help but notice Yuffie's eyes. They seemed… dry. Looked like she was crying. I tilted my head then leaned over her.

"Yuffie," I whispered, but loud enough for her to hear. Unfortunately, she didn't react. I slowly shook her shoulder and repeated, "Yuffie?"

At that, she grabbed my arm and pulled me in. I landed right on her stomach. She tightened her grip on my arm, sending out a cold chill down my back. I stared back at her face, noticing that she was still sleeping.

"Nnn… my… biiigg maateerriiaa…" she moaned.

I gave out a nervous smile and tried breaking free. But, that only made her tighten her grip more. I groaned. I had no idea that her grip would be this strong!

"L-Let go, Yuffie!" I hissed, my voice muffled underneath the blankets.

"Nnn… N… Nanaki…"

"Eh?" I turned to Yuffie. "She's dreaming about me?"

Her grip on my arm loosened. She unconsciously sat up and wrapped her arms around my neck. I sat up also, our foreheads making contact with each other.

"…I'm sorry… I couldn't tell you… before… S-Shougu… he…"

I cupped my hands on her cheek and leaned closer. "Don't worry," I answered back. "…I'll fix everything…"

Yuffie's arms dropped to her sides as her head rested against my chest. I felt my face burning hotter than the sun. We remained in this position for a good three seconds before she punched me right in the face. I fell to the ground extremely hard.

"THAT'S FOR THAT ATTITUDE OF YOURS, CID!" Yuffie yelled in a demon-like voice. She then fell on her pillow and resumed her peaceful sleeping.

I grinned. "She has such interesting dreams. I guess… I'll tell her later."

"WHO'S THERE!" Yuffie yelled as she quickly sat up from her bed. She noticed me on the ground and just stared. I froze.

"Eh… hiya, Y-Yuffie!" I said with a nervous grin on my face.

"AAH! GET OUT OF MY ROOM, YOU PERVERT!"

"AH!"

Yuffie rolled up her pajama sleeves and stomped her foot right in front of me. I quickly got up to my feet backed away from her. She managed to corner me against the door. She tugged my yukata and pulled it towards her.

"What the HELL are you DOING here!" she growled.

I hesitated then finally answered. "It's about Shougu!"

"Yeah, you fricken BEAT HIM UP, JERK!"

"N-No! Not that! I-I overheard him and your father talking! And then his girlfr-"

Yuffie pushed me hard against the door. "Now you're eavesdropping! What the hell has gotten into you! Just leave him alone, damnit!"

I narrowed my eye. I had to convince her that something was going to happen to her… somehow! "Just listen to me! Your father is tricking Shougu into forgetting about his misunderstood past! He's suffering! I'm telling you this now so you won't get hurt later!"

"Oh, someone's GONNA get hurt! You're just jealous because I found someone… someone much more fun than you!" I widened my eye at that. "And tonight, I am going to send him a ritual orb. And there's no way you're going to stop me. You'll stay as Mister Blue Boy forever!"

I bowed my head away from Yuffie. "Please… something is going to happen to you if you don't heed my warning…"

"Heed my warning: if I ever see you again, something will DEFINITELY happen to you!"

Yuffie opened her door and pushed me out. I watched the door slam loudly, sending out a cold gust of air into my face. I rested my head against the door and closed my eyes.

"I'm sorry… but I have to get Kimara and Shougu back. That dark storm that's covering up your mind… is yours."

A/N: End of chapter ten! Hmm… this seems like a… NanakixYuffie and a KimaraxShougu fic. :falls over: Hehehe, anyways… I think I should have added more detail in Kimara, but I didn't want to get side tracked. Maybe if you ask nicely, I'll tell you more about her. :falls over again: Anyways! I hope you enjoyed and please tell me how you thought of it!