A/N: Aha! I managed to break this chapter into three parts! I usually do two… but I decided to put three! Ohoh! What now! Hehe…

Thankies for reviewing! Glad you like my story so far! I don't mind long reviews… I like loooooooooong…ses!

Disclaimer: FF7 d-

Cait: Hey hey! That job is ours, pal!
Author: Oh yeah… I almost forgot.
Cait: Meh! Meh! Meh!
Aeris: It's alright. (stuffs an apple in Cait's mouth) FF7 doesn't belong to Miss Author!
Cait: (spits apple out) Miss Author Poo Poo Head!
Author: Yeah! Miss Author Poo P- HEY! (tackles Cait to the ground)
Vincent: (walks in) …Oo; (runs away)
Aeris: …enjoy the story! (follows Vincent)

Back To Those Human Years
Chapter Eleven

More To Come

Morning finally arrived. I only slept for two hours because of the sudden headache I had gotten. It was only six in the morning and everyone else was still sleeping. How I envied them. I just wanted to fall back to sleep, but I just couldn't. I only had a few more hours to fix up everything before it was too late. So, I decided to head down to Wutai and search for Shougu. Heh, like he'll be up this early.

I emerged out of my room and slowly made my way through the long hallway. I was wearing the pair of shorts that Yuffie had given me before, a shirt borrowed by Cid, and the slippers for my yukata. I stopped in front of Yuffie's door, bowed my head then continued walking. As I made my way outside, I spotted the sun rising behind the tall mountains off in the distance. I tilted my head then climbed down the ladder. Now wasn't the time to admire something so beautiful.

There wasn't anyone awake, which surprised me. I figured that people would begin preparations at this time. I kneeled down and dipped my hand into the river. It was surprisingly warm. I smiled as a couple of koi fish swam around my hand. I sighed.

"What should I say to Shougu if I saw him right now?"

"How about, 'Good morning'?"

My whole body jolted at that and I found myself in the river. I peeked my head above the water and found Shougu laughing his little lungs out. I shook my head and grabbed onto the ledge.

"Good morning," I growled.

"Hey, not my fault if you're so clumsy," he chuckled.

I lifted myself out of the river and shivered. "W-What do youwant?"

He folded his arms at that. "Me? I think you got it backwards, pal."

My face scrunched up. 'Duh, stupid,' I said to myself. "Y-Yeah… uhm…"

"Look, if it's about Yuffie, you're not having her back. I've already made up my mind."

"No, you haven't! All of this is a total misunderstanding! You… Kimara-" I gasped then covered my mouth fast. 'Damnit! Now he's going to be mad…'

"I already knew you were eavesdroppin' last night. It was pretty obvious… what with your blue glow and all. It was hard to miss."

I stared at my glowing self then smiled nervously. "Eh heh… sorry."

Shougu bowed his head then pinched the bridge of his nose. "Doesn't matter. Kimara's gone… I want to forget everything that has happened between us. All I need is Yuffie to make my forget."

"What are you saying!" I snapped, making Shougu's head spring up. "You can't forget about Kimara! You two were meant for each other! You did everything together! You guys… even made a promise!"

His eyes widened at that then he tugged my shirt. "How the hell do you know this!"

"…Kimara's here… she's looking for you."

"W-What?… she's… Kimara's…?" He shook his head around.

I nodded. "She told me everything. She still cares for you! The only reason she left without telling you was bec-"

"ENOUGH!" I stepped back as Shougu kneeled down and grabbed his head. "WHAT DO YOU KNOW! Y… YOU'RE LYING! SHE NEVER CARED! H-He even… said so…"

I carefully kneeled next to Shougu and patted his shoulder. "No. Godo has messed with your mind. He's just making you forget about Kimara, just so you can concentrate on Yuffie. Godo's selfish ways has clouded up your mind to the truth. Kimara… left because-"

He quickly slapped my hand away as he stood up, leaving me with a huge bruise on my arm. "SHUT UP! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S MESSING WITH MY MIND! I WANT TO FORGET! Kimara's… in the past… she's never coming."

'…Shougu…' I grasped his shoulder. "Please believe me… she will be here tonight… to offer you the ritual orb she has kept inside her heart… just for you. Please… whatever you do… do not accept Yuffie's orb."

"You… you just want Yuffie for yourself! You selfish little-!"

I shook my head. No… that wasn't it. Even though I still dislike Shougu for clouding up his mind because of Godo, I couldn't let him suffer… let alone Kimara. For the past year, they have misunderstood the whole situation, but I knew deep inside… they still showed affection for one another. I bowed my head.

"…I'm doing it because, I want you… to see the truth before your very eyes."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Two more hours have passed and slowly Wutai came back to life once again. Torches were lit already and people were placing decorations everywhere. Women dressed in kimonos made their way towards the Pagoda. Owners of the little shops outside were quickly restocking their items while the game stands were setting up their prizes in the back.

I leaned against the railing of the Highwind, fanning myself with my hand. It had gotten extremely hot the past two hours. Maybe I should "accidentally" take a little dip in the river again. I moaned to myself and leaned backwards. Everyone on the Highwind was busy eating their breakfast. I wasn't exactly hungry… actually, I didn't want to get in Yuffie's way. She still seemed pretty angry about last night. I wondered if what she said to me was true. Despite the fact that Yuffie thinks I'm a total "pervert" or that I'm still such a "jerk", I still wanted to be around her. But… not right now, of course.

"Red, you have to eat something," Tifa called out in the back. "You said you had a headache before."

I rubbed my head at that. Now that she mentioned it, my headache was starting to hurt more than before. I shook my head slowly and sighed. "It's okay. I'll… get something in Wutai later."

"Do you even have money to get stuff?" Cid grinned as he munched on his toast. "Might as well eat something now before I eat them all!"

I had the sudden urge to start a temper tantrum, but I forced myself not to. Yuffie patted her lips with her napkin and made her way inside the Highwind. I frowned and sat in Yuffie's chair. I tugged on my baggy shirt and sighed. Barret patted my head.

"Aw, whassup?" he asked.

I mumbled in response.

"…the heck does that mean?"

"Here you go, Red."

Tifa placed a plate of toast and eggs in front of me. I stared at it for a while before I lifted the toast and began nibbling on it. Tifa placed her hands on my shoulders and massaged them.

"I sense something is wrong?" she said, sounding so sure of herself.

I leaned back on my chair and tugged my shirt again. "There's just… something I have to do before something happens tonight…"

"Ah? And what's that?" Cid wondered.

I grinned to myself. "It's nothing. I don't want you guys to worry about it. Just trust me."

I had to say something. I didn't want my friends to get involved into something that didn't concern them. They deserved to have fun at the festival with no worries. As for me… it didn't matter. As long as I got the job done and everything would go back to normal… hopefully. I just hoped that Shougu would finally realize the truth tonight.

I took one look inside the Highwind, making sure Yuffie wasn't on her way out. After a few moments, I stood up from my seat and walked towards the rope ladder.

"Where are you off to?" Cloud asked as he leaned back on his chair.

I smiled and shook my head. "Walking around." At that, I turned and made my way down the ladder.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Kimara! Where are you!"

As soon as got off of the Highwind, I had to find Kimara. I had to tell her about Shougu. Unfortunately, I couldn't find her anywhere. I even checked the cross bridge where she found me. But, still nothing. I began to wonder where she stayed over the night. I should have asked her to stay at the Highwind. I slapped my forehead at that. I'm so stupid. I scratched my head then leaned against the railing.

"I know that she'll come…" I whispered to myself. I shouldn't think twice about Kimara. From the moment I saw her, I knew right away that she was determined as I was.

"Shougu!"

I turned and saw Yuffie running across one of the bridges to Shougu. I blinked. I never noticed him there before. I watched as Shougu spun Yuffie around and hugged her. I looked away. I couldn't watch. Yuffie seemed so happy…

"Yo."

I looked up, only to find Shougu's face shoved right into mine. I stepped back and smiled nervously. "Eh heh, hi, Shougu." I looked around. "Eh… w-where's Yuffie?"

"Don't worry. I told her to fetch me something to drink. Thought I'd talk to you for a moment."

I gulped at that. "O-Okay?"

"Don't get so worried, dammit! Look, I thought about what you said. And… I think you are right… in a way. I shouldn't have thought Kimara didn't care right away. She was… nice. She's… the only one I care about in my life. I… want to see her."

"You will."

"…thanks."

I nodded. "So… I'm guessing Yuffie took it well? Considering the way she was acting right now…"

"Actually…" He placed his hands in his pockets and smirked. "I don't plan on telling her anything."

My eyes widened at that. "What? What are you talking about?"

"If I tell her, she'll only try to get closer to me no matter what. And… I can't let her do that."

"…but… Yuffie will…"

Shougu turned his back to me and waved at me. "She'll be yours soon enough, little man."

A/N: End of chapter eleven! Ah! I put in soooo much conflicts. Yes… Shougu didn't turn out to be such a goody good good boy. He's still a jerk inside, even though NOW he realizes his mistake about Kimara. How will Yuffie take this? What will Nanaki do during the women's ritual conclusion? Will he stay blue forever? You'll find out soon enough! Hope you enjoyed and please tell me how you thought of it!