A/N: Holy meeps! This took me forever to write this! Like… (looks at clock) …whoa… like 4 whole hours. O.o Wow… I am sooooo lazy. It's quite hard to concentrate with loud music playing… (rubs ears) Anyways! This story is coming to its conclusion, unfortunately. But! I shall try my best to keep it alive! Also, keep an eye on the title of this chapter. Ooh... foreshadowing. (makes creepy gestures) Hope you enjoy this chappie!

Thanks for reviewing! Ah! Shougu has fa-ans! Hehehe. Blue XIII… wow, I never thought about that. (falls over and over and over) Aw! That's cute. Hehehe…

Disclaimer:

Vincent: …since Miss Author and Cait are… still attacking each other, I shall be in charge of the disclaimer… with Aeris.
Aeris: Hiya!
Vincent: …wait, why're you here?
Aeris: Miss Author and Cait… I sensed it was going to get bloody. And you? Why did you mysteriously appear?
Vincent: …I just came at the wrong time. I thought it seemed… quite awkward.
Aeris: Aw… poor Vincent.
Vincent: (coughs) Anyway, FF7 doesn't belong to Miss Author.
Cid: (magically jumps in and waves his spear around) RAWRIMSOCOOLCAUSEIMINADISCLAIMER! (runs away)
Vincent,Aeris: Oo;;

Back To Those Human Years
Chapter Twelve

You Will Never Suffer

Afternoon had finally come and, like yesterday, Wutai had become insanely chaotic. In fact, it was somewhat crazier than yesterday. I guess I had a feeling… probably because today is the last day of the festival. I began to notice more and more couples making their way through the village. That's when I noticed Shougu and Yuffie playing on one of those game stands. I made a face at Shougu. All this time, he had absolutely no feelings for Yuffie whatsoever.

"…why do you keep making that face?"

I blinked then turned to Vincent. "Eh… what… face?"

Vincent blinked then lifted his head. "You keep eyeing Shougu and Yuffie. Something wrong?"

I sighed and stared at the ground. "If I tell Yuffie something, she gets angry and doesn't want to talk to me. I don't even know if she even wants to see me anymore."

"Was it because of what you have done to Shougu before? Perhaps that is why Yuffie is angry with you."

"I know, but… I didn't know what happened to me before…"

Vincent leaned on the bridge rail and folded his arms across his chest. "I never thought I'd see you attack someone, let alone a human. You brought up so much commotion the other day, everyone is still talking about it."

I moaned. "Whaaaat have I doooone…"

"You're not exactly the type to do that. Why did you do it?"

The first thing that popped in my head was jealousy. At that time, I felt both anger and jealousy. I never had such feelings flow freely within myself before. Was it something that I longed to do? Did it have something to do with my true feelings for Yuffie? I turned my head at that. I believe… it was.

I clutched my chest and turned away. This was something I had to do myself. No one should interfere. I had to fix everything before it was too late. Somehow, I had to tell Yuffie the truth. But… when was a good time? Tonight seemed right, but if she saw Shougu and Kimara together… she'd be heartbroken. And, I couldn't do it now, because she seemed so happy. I didn't want to ruin the rest of the day for her…

"It's my fault on my part…"

I lifted my head and turned to Vincent. "What?"

"Remember what I said about the outcome of that potion if you took it?"

"…yeah…?"

"I believe all was due to it. I am sorry."

I shook my head. "It's not your fault! It was just me…"

"You, usually the quite one, has created such commotion and you are now under distress because you made Yuffie angry. That doesn't sound like you." He turned away. "And I have a feeling, something is going to happen… to you."

My fists clenched together. "I DON'T CARE WHAT HAPPENS TO ME! I JUST WANT YUFFIE TO BE ALL RIGHT!" Vincent stepped back at that. "As long as I know she's all right, I'll be fine."

I turned my head to hide the blush forming on my face. Vincent placed his hand on my shoulder.

"There's no need to feel ashamed about such feelings. I know… how it feels."

I widened my eyes. "I'm sorry."

"No need."

Suddenly, colorful streamers fluttered in the air as they made their way down to the ground. Each streamer had a beautiful luster and imprinted on each was a symbol of 'love', which I learned thanks to Yuffie. I picked up a green streamer and gently stroked it, making the it shimmer in the light. I watched Vincent copy my action.

"What's going on?" I asked, turning to face my friend.

He placed the streamer inside his yukata sleeve and answered. "It was like yesterday, only, the girls had to pick up the streamers."

I blinked. "Oh… what does it mean?"

"Both couples tie the streamers together to create a bond as soon as the girl's deliver the orbs to their par-" He cut himself off.

I smiled and shook my head. "It's all right."

My attention then turned to everyone in Wutai. I watched as hundreds of couples played around with the streamers. I spotted Shougu trying his best to ignore Yuffie's happy laughs and playful fighting. I frowned then walked away, clenching the green streamer close to my chest.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

I watched in amazement as Cid finished his fifth bottle of sake without a rest. He slammed the sake on the table and let out a breath of air. I started to wonder why I was hanging around him again. I shook my head then checked Tifa and Yuffie again. They entered a clothing store to purchase new yukatas for tonight. Just then, Barret appeared and wrapped his arm around Cid's neck.

"Hey, hey! Didn't ya drink enough? You're gonna get one of them hangovahs again!"

Cid burped at that. "Who fricken cares! I diinnntt get a haannnggoovvaah!"

"Seriously," I finally spoke up, "I think five bottles is enough. You only had three last time."

"SHUT UPPUH! I knoooow whaaa I'ma dooooin'! Ugh… I'm gonna barf…"

I twitched my eye then decided to let Barret handle the situation. I'll owe you for that, Barret.

After leaving Cid and Barret alone, I found myself in the middle of a huge crowd of paper fans. All were blocking the faces of the women. I dodged their fans then accidentally bumped into a small girl, causing her to fall to the ground. I gasped then helped her up.

"I-I'm sorry! Are you alright?"

She widened her eyes in shock then quickly ran to her mother. The mother looked back and gave me a dirty look. Then I heard her say to her daughter, 'Glowing blue boy.' I sighed to myself. I didn't care what people called me. I wasn't going to die because of this blue glow still present on my body. I shook my head fast at that.

"Ow!" I hissed, rubbing my head. "Guess it's still hurting."

I paused, realizing that people all around me were giving me dirty looks. And whenever I looked back to them, they would look away and resume to what they were doing. I narrowed my eye then walked away. I didn't want to start any riots because of what I did yesterday.

I arrived in a surprisingly open area and sat on the ground. I pondered through what I had to do now. The Shougu and Kimara problem seemed to be off from the top of my priority list. Now, I had to talk to Godo… somehow. I made such a bad impression. He already hated me, but I had to talk to him.

"Lookit my new yukata for tonight!" Tifa happily exclaimed, twirling around in her blue yukata. "How's it look, Cloud?"

Cloud smiled and nodded his head. "It suits you, Tifa."

"Shyeah. Hell, why're you women dressin' all fancy? We didn't," Cid responded as he scratched his head.

"Well! It's because it's a very special night! You boys didn't dress all fancy because you're too lazy! Dressed in a plain ol' yukata isn't enough!"

I nervously laughed to myself. 'Not that I'm lazy, but…'

"Tifa! How does this look?"

I watched Yuffie emerge out of the clothing store. She was dressed in a yukata similar to Tifa's, but it was in a light yellow color and it had different colored flower petals embroidered throughout the outfit. I blushed.

"Aw! It's so cute on you, Yuffie! I love it so much!" Tifa exclaimed. "Oh! You think I can get it in my size?"

"But, I like the blue on you!"

"Really!"

"Tch, girls," Cid muttered under his breath.

I grinned in unison with Barret. I slowly looked towards Yuffie and at that moment, our eyes actually made contact with each other. She widened her eyes then turned away. I stepped forward.

"Yu-"

"Yuffie?"

Yuffie turned to face her father making his way through the crowd. Yuffie seemed quite surprised by his appearance.

"What are you doing here?" she said, "You're never here!"

"Yes, it's unbelievable. Anyway, I need to speak with you for a second."

"Not again! What is it this time!"

"E-Excuse me, Sir Godo?"

Godo turned his head to me and narrowed his eyes. "Ah, the glowing boy. You're still here?"

"If I may, sir, may I speak with you and your daughter for a moment?"

"I'm afraid you can't. The ritual is about to start and I want my daughter and Shougu to be at the Pagoda before it begins."

I widened my eyes. "Wait… you mean… it's now?"

"Indeed!" Godo responded. "This ritual is extra special and it deserves a long and admirable service. Now, if you will excuse me." At that, he turned and gestured for Yuffie to follow him.

Inside, I wanted to pull him back and force him to talk to me, but… I didn't want that to happen. I had to let everything flow through. I had to let Yuffie go through with it.

...She had to know the truth the hard way. As much as it hurts me, it was the only way.

A/N: End of chapter twelve! Ah! What! Nanaki's just going to leave it just the way it is? What's going to happen? Will Yuffie end up heart broken? And, will Nanaki's streamer become one with someone elses? And… what other outcomes of the potion await Nanaki? You'll find out soon enough! Hope you enjoyed and please tell me how you thought of it!