A/N: Whoaho, this sure came in late. I didn't think I would be able to post this up today… with us the work I had. You know what? I just shoved that all aside and decided to work on this. (thumbs up)

This is not the last chapter! I repeat! This is NOT the last chapter!

Thankies for reviewing! Don't worry, tis not the last chapter. (throws confetti everywhere)

Disclaimer:

Cait: Not the last chapter! Not the last chapter! Ohoho! You are very slick, Miss Author!
Author: Aha! Does this mean we're buds?
Cait: (narrows eyes at Author) …perhaps.
Author: (sob)
Nanaki: I'm so embarrassed…
Yuffie: (too embarrassed to talk)
Author: Awww! So adorable. (big smile)
Yuffie: SHUSH! (cuts Author's head off with shuriken)
Author: Yeeeeee…
Aeris: O.o FF7 doesn't belong to Miss Author… (pokes Author's head with a spork)

Back To Those Human Years
Chapter Fifteen

We Speak of What is True

My body collided against the hard walls of the cave. Everything… even the flame on my tail was in pain. I couldn't move after that last assault. My head leaned against the wall as Godo threw yet another orb straight to my chest. That made my head bow forward as I coughed out dark red blood. I could hear Yuffie trying her best to stop Godo from attacking me, but from all the yelling, nothing seemed to stop him. I wasn't quite sure what was happening to Shougu… he hasn't moved since Godo nearly broke his neck.

I slowly stood up to my feet and perked my tail flame up from behind. My blue glow dimmed on and off to the beat of my heart. My loud pants ricocheted off from the cave walls and into my ears. I shook my head at that then concentrated on Godo. His hands were filled with multiple black orbs, ready for yet another attack.

I finally stepped forward, which somehow triggered something painful in my body. I yelled loudly and fell to my knees, clutching my chest tightly. I heard Godo laugh at that. I growled and slowly lifted my head so that I could stare into his eyes that were filled with nothing but malice and avarice.

"You pathetic beast!" he laughed, "I told you that I wouldn't go easy on you if I saw you with Yuffie!"

"When I was a beast!" I moaned. "This… this is different!"

"Nothing is different… with you."

Before Godo had the chance to attack, Yuffie walked in front of him, spreading her arms out. "Stop it! Nanaki has done nothing to you!"

"Tch! He has disobeyed me many times! He must be destroyed!"

"Why must you ALWAYS get your way? You never hear what the other person has to say! You always make conclusions the second you see them for the first time! You never take the time to get to know them better! What if you were in Nanaki's shoes? Tell me how YOU wou-"

"THAT IS ENOUGH!" Godo roared, creating an ear-splitting noise throughout the cave. "Don't you DARE talk to your father like that! This… 'Nanaki' is a beast and must be destroyed!"

"I won't let you!" Yuffie stomped her foot hard at that and pouted.

I sighed to myself and leaned back. Everything… made sense to me just now. The reason why Godo and Yuffie had been fighting all this time was because of me. Godo wanted Yuffie to see other people, trying to take her away from me. I know that Yuffie tried to resent it, but no matter what, Godo always got his way. She was powerless against him. This… was not how I wanted Yuffie and her father to act during the festival. It was about spending the time with those you care most. And I know deep inside… she really loves her father, despite his rude and violent attitude.

I stood up, now clutching my arm. "It's all right, Yuffie…"

She turned to me. "W-What?"

"…I wanted everyone to enjoy the festival… I thought that if I turned into a human, everything would go normally… but I was wrong. Your father knew that now matter what he said to you, you would always come crawling to me. But… his words have prevented you from doing so. And the reason for all this conflict… was because of me."

"N…Nanaki… y…you're wrong…"

I shook my head. "Please… everything's my fault…" I turned to Godo. "…finish me."

"STOP IT, NANAKI!"

Godo grinned and stepped forward. I opened my eye, waiting for him to finish me. It was the only way… no matter what I do or say, nothing will change. No one would be able to enjoy the end of the festival. This was a festival that should be filled with nothing but happiness. I'm… the storm that had been clouding everyone from that.

Two big orbs formed in the palm of Godo. He lifted them up and shot them forward. I bowed my head in defeat. This was it.

"……… ?"

I lifted my head and gasped. The orb made a direct hit… straight for Shougu's chest. He hacked out a clump of blood after that. Yuffie was in front of me… but I think, originally… she was going to take the hit for me. But, Shougu suddenly regained consciousness and protected both of us.

"Shougu!" Yuffie and I yelled in unison.

Shougu remained still and said nothing.

Godo stepped away and wiped sweat off from his chin. "You… FOOL!"

Shougu suddenly fell back into Yuffie, who caught him before he reached the ground. She shook him, trying to wake him up. But… his eyes never opened.

I growled at Godo, who seemed frightened by it. I moved closer to him, making him exit out of the cave. I ended up cornering him against the wall of one of the big statues outside.

"I think you've been looking for the wrong beast," I whispered in his ear. "The beast… is you…"

Godo violently pushed me hard against the wall and cupped his hands around my neck. I gripped onto his big hands and choked. A cold sweat dripped down my face as I stared into the eyes of malice. I tried to shake free, but that only made him grip my neck tighter.

He leaned closer until I could feel his hot breaths. "I warned you… and now look what you got yourself into."

I coughed out blood as he tightened his grip. "B… but… y-you don't… under…stand… how I feel… about… Y…Yuffie…!" I managed to say.

"Oh yeah?" he tightened his grip again. "And what's that?"

I closed my eye and gripped tighter to his hand. One more of those… and it could be over for me! I couldn't even feel my own legs anymore! My whole face felt hot and it was covered with sweat. I managed a groan, but that was it.

"STOP IT!"

"Yuffie…" he growled.

"Dad! Please! This is crazy! Let him go!"

"Why would I ever want to? Like he said, he's the only reason why you haven't been enjoying yourself!"

"YOU'RE WRONG!"

Godo's grip loosened at that. I opened my eye and looked at Yuffie. Her cheeks were red as streams of tears covered them. She clenched her fists to her sides and let out a loud scream,

"YOU'RE THE ONLY REASON WHY I HAVEN'T BEEN ENJOYING MYSELF! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING! YOU EVEN MADE SHOUGU DO YOUR OWN BIDDING!"

"Stop this!" he hissed.

"Noooo!" Yuffie whined, "I know that all this time you wanted me to be happy… but, if you even noticed in the past, I just wanted to be with you! Is… is that just so hard for you to do?"

"…Yuffie…"

"I love you and I really wanted to be with you during this festival. And I hope we can somehow change our ways. But now… I have found someone else I can share those feelings with."

"Y-Yuffie…" I said under my panting breath.

As she walked towards us, Godo let go of my neck, letting me drop to the ground like a useless rag doll. I coughed for a while before Yuffie lifted my chin up so that our eyes immediately met into each other's. She smiled and nuzzled her cheek against mine as I did the same.

"This seems familiar…" she whispered in my ear.

I smiled also. "Yes… but…"

"…but?"

"…now… it's my turn."

I leaned closer to Yuffie as my lips gently pressed against her soft ones. She wrapped her arms around my neck and brought me close to her. It felt like the world stopped spinning completely. And just like before, I wanted to stay like this.

We finally released our grip on each other and leaned back. A red blush formed on Yuffie's face… and… I felt one forming on mine as well.

I looked away for a second to check on Godo, but… he was nowhere to be seen.

Yuffie tugged my tail, which immediately brought my attention back to her. "Yuffie?" I whispered.

"… I…"

I tilted my head. "You…?"

"…I-I…"

I grinned and smiled. "I love you, too."

Yuffie blushed harder than I ever saw her blush. "I-I wasn't going to… I… I mean…" She sighed to herself then giggled. She looked me into my eye and leaned closer.

"…I love you more."

At that, a huge burst of blue and red light exploded towards the sky. Our glowing bodies soon returned to normal as the lights in the sky created the symbol 'love'. The green ribbon I had tugged inside my yukata sleeve emerged out as Yuffie's did the same also. It stretched around and tied us close together. We both blushed as the ribbons dissolved away. The particles made their way towards the sky and exploded in a huge circle like fireworks.

We both stared in awe at the beautiful lights that were filling the dark sky. The pain I felt inside suddenly disappeared. I smiled as Yuffie rested the back of her head against my chest.

We remained in that one spot… just us and no one else.

A/N: End of chapter fifteen! Hehehe… if you recall from Human Years, it was Yuffie who gave Nanaki the kiss. Now, it's Nanaki's turn! (big smile) Ah… if you're wondering about Shougu, I'll be making a special chapter just for him. (nods a lot) Hope you enjoyed and please tell me how you thought of it!