A/N: Yeee! I'm sorry this story is like… really really late. School has been filling my mind with evilness… since the finals are like… next month. (panics) And, I've been in such a rush… it's not even funny. (sighs) Thank… GERD I have a 3 day weekend. (thumbs up)

Just a little heads up on this chapter, this isn't the last chapter... again. Heh. Like I said, this is dedicated to Shougu. So it's going to be in his POV. That means… no Nanaki. (dodges tomatoes) But, next chapter it's going back to his POV. Kedoke? Awight!

Ah! Thankies for reviewing! Ah- my head's fine. (rubs it but head falls off again) …phooey.

Disclaimer: FF7 doesn't belong to meeee… uh… oh… whoops.

Cait: (whacks Author with his megaphone) MEH!
Aeris: -.-; Stop hitting poor Miss Author…
Cait: … (hits Cid in the face with megaphone)
Cid: OW! THE -BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP- WAS THAT FOR!
Vincent: O.o
Aeris: FF7 d- oh, nevermind.
Everyone: (falls over)

Back To Those Human Years
Chapter Sixteen

When Emotions Collide

"Shougu! Wake up!"

I stirred at Yuffie's loud voice. "I'm alright…" I coughed. "…go to blue boy."

"B-But… you're…!"

I shook my head and sighed. "Don't worry about me. You care about that kid more than me. Besides, if you don't go… your father will kill him."

Yuffie rested her forehead against my chest as she mumbled out the words: "Thank you."

As soon as she left the cave, I lifted myself up and patted my chest. Hmpf. Godo didn't even leave one scratch after that attack. It might be just me… but I don't think he was actually planning on 'killing' that kid. If I survived, then he would have also… maybe he would have left him in critical condition.

I made my way out of the cave and breathed in the fresh air blowing across the area. Wish I could have cherished such a moment, but I couldn't. I turned my head, noticing that Yuffie was yelling at her father.

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

"…yes and no…" I whispered to myself.

Godo… actually never really intended on hurting me. I might have overreacted before, but that's because it was partly true. Why he told me Kimara never cared about me… I had no idea. I believe he wanted me to continue on with my life and love someone else. However, that's not how I wanted to do things. I was still in pain inside when he told me such things. I just came to an immediate conclusion about Kimara because… it made sense back then. But now, I felt like an idiot… for believing him. Kimara… why have I doubted you for even a second? …where are you…? I want to hear your voice again…

"…I don't understand…"

My head lifted up at that. Godo began walking away from Yuffie and the boy. He seemed shocked and enraged at the same time. He clenched his fists and quickly made his way out of the area.

I sighed to myself. "Should I… or shouldn't I?" I scratched my chin. "Tch. He's still a jerk, but… I somewhat feel sorry."

Before I could follow him, I spotted the little couple kissing each other. I turned away and smiled. "See now… that's what I ever wanted… from Kimara… her love… our love."

The long walk from Da-chao… seemed so much longer than actually going in there. Maybe 'cause it was so frickin' dark, damnit. I grunted to myself and rubbed my aching ankles. It would take an eternity to find Godo… even though I did spot him coming here. I took one good look around the village and found absolutely no living soul here whatsoever. I shivered at the thought and tried searching for Godo again.

I eventually found him sitting at the sake stand. His head was buried in his arms and I seemed to notice a little twitch of his shoulders. Heh. The so-called 'powerful leader of Wutai' was crying. But, I wouldn't blame him.

I took a seat next to him and leaned against the stand. "Geez, what're you crying about?"

"…I don't understand anything…" He lifted his head, revealing no signs of him crying. "Why him? Just… just look at that boy! He's not normal! He's… HE'S…"

"He's a living breathing creature just like you and me. He is no different from us when you stop and think about it. Tch. And to think you couldn't have thought that for yourself." I reached behind the stand and grabbed two sake bottles. I felt that this was going to be a very long conversation. I handed him the bottle and leaned forward. "C'mon… it didn't end with something bad."

"…I just… wanted to make her happy this year…" He turned to me. "…did I really make it worse for her?… for everyone?"

"Well, you did screw up with me and her."

"But… everything… everything was going fine… until HE came out of nowhere. He just had to appear…"

I slammed the bottle on the table, making Godo perk his head up really fast. "Damnit! Just how long does it take you to understand? The only thing that can answer your annoying questions, is if just talk to Yuffie. You should have done that a long time ago. Then, you might have understood her more… and then you will know why she picked that kid over me."

Godo narrowed his eyes then concentrated on his sake bottle. "…and you? Are you still going through the pain Kimara did to you?"

"That you did to me. But, after what that kid said, I believed his every word. I've known Kimara for a good two months before the festival began. And I knew that she wouldn't do such a thing. She had good traits… traits that I admired. It just took me now to realize that after she left. No one told me why she left… so, I guess it was something important?"

"I'm sorry, Shougu. For everything." He stood up from his chair and headed to the other side of the village. "I need a moment to clear my head…"

"Hold it." I stood up from my chair and tilted my head. "…back there… you weren't planning on killing him?"

Godo paused at that then sighed. "…I have no answer for that. I'm not quite sure about that for myself."

"You do have a heart. You were deceiving yourself…"

Godo just bowed his head and walked away.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

It was probably waaaaaay past midnight. And still, the festival was going on. I always wondered why the women's ritual day was longer than the males. I guess they wanted to cherish such a special moment for a little longer perhaps? I sighed to myself and leaned against the bridge railing. Such a peaceful night… now that I cleared up my whole head from all the things I said to Godo.

A glowing red light began to shine behind me, reflecting against the small river below. I gasped and quickly turned around. My eyes immediately stared into the eyes of someone… whom I haven't seen for… centuries.

"…Kimara…" I whispered.

Clear tears rolled down her cheek as she wrapped her arms around my waist. "It's been so long… Shougu…"

I held her tighter, resting my chin against her soft brown hair. "Kimara… you're… you're actually here…"

She lifted her head and smiled. "Yes. I've been waiting for you for such a long time…"

I placed my hands on her shoulders and backed away from her. "Where…. where have you been! Why did you leave so suddenly?"

She bowed her head in response and looked away from me.

I gently shook her and repeated the question. "WHY DID YOU LEAVE?"

"…I'm sorry." Kimara turned away and lifted her head to the dark sky. "…please understand what I'm about to tell you… and… please… accept it."

I gulped then slowly nodded my head. "Please… tell me."

"One year ago, after I accepted your ritual orb, I was so happy. I couldn't wait until it was my turn to exchange the favor to you. I never forgot that promise we made to each other.

"However… when the day finally came, I was informed that my parents were very sick back home. I had no choice but to see to it. I felt awful without telling you, but it was short notice… I'm sorry, Shougu."

I remained silent at that. After a few minutes, she continued.

"When I arrived at my village, one day later… I took care of my parents until they were as good as new. It took me nearly a whole month to nurse them back to health. However, during the process, I have caught their disease. It happened overnight… around this time. Before I even realized… I… was gone from this world."

I widened my eyes and stepped back. "Y…You mean…"

She nodded. "But, I wasn't gone exactly. The Spirit of Leviathan had suddenly appeared, saving my soul from entering the spirit world. It said… that I had to accomplish something I haven't finished. And that was… to offer you my orb… but… I just wanted to see you…"

"But… you mean… you've been waiting for one whole year just to see me…?"

Kimara nodded then turned around. Her face was whiter than snow and her smile brightened her appearance. "I never forgot… our promise."

Her red glow glowed brighter as she lifted her arms in the air. A blue glow suddenly escaped out of my chest and surrounded my body. The glows entwined with each other, creating a warm feeling that circulated my whole body. Kimara placed her hands on my chest then nuzzled her cheek against it. I smiled and hugged her tighter than normal.

"…now, the glow inside you has finally been released… therefore, our bond is stronger than ever…" Kimara lifted her head and stared into my eyes. "…I love you."

I blushed. "R-REALLY?" I blinked then cleared my throat. She giggled at my shocked response. I grinned at that. "I love you, too."

As we embraced each other for a while, the symbol 'love' suddenly appeared in the sky as a few fireworks exploded afterwards. I have been longing for this moment with Kimara… ever since, and now… it's finally come.

Kimara giggled then leaned forward, pressing her lips against mine. My whole body steamed up at that. I felt I like was in a sauna!… the greatest feeling ever. Our kiss lasted for what seemed like an eternity… until Kimara started to disappear before my eyes.

I gasped and held her tighter. "K-Kimara!" I yelled. "Not yet!"

"…I'm sorry. I have finally accomplished what I should have done a long time ago. And… I finally got to see you again. Shougu… I will love you… forever…"

Her figure was fading away. I held her hand tightly. "I… I will love you forever… also…"

She smiled. "But, that doesn't mean you should live your life filled with sadness. Share these feelings with someone… I want you to have a very happy life. That… will make me happy."

…share my feelings… with someone else…? I paused and nodded slowly. "I understand."

"…thank you…"

Her whole figure disappeared completely at that. I clutched my chest and smiled. "…I will do so… Kimara. Someday…"

A/N: End of chapter sixteen! Wow, I had no idea that writing about Shougu could be so much fun! Despite what really happened to Kimara. (sniffy) But, it wasn't exactly a sad ending in this chapter. It's all… happy happy. (big smile) Anyways! Hope you enjoyed and pleased tell me how you thought of it!