A/N: Hello and welcome to chapter two! Before we begin I would like to answer a few reviews!
Kimmy2shine: Thanks for the review, though I'm not really sure what you meant in it because it got cut off, but thanks anyway. I appreciate it!
dannyXsam-forever: Thanks for the review! Here's the update, hope you like it.
Bright Eyes: This chapter is dedicated to my first two reviewers (huggels reviewers)
And now for the discla—
Riku: Am I in the right place?
Bright Eyes: Riku? What are you doing here? You aren't in this fic.
Riku: I'm not? It says so on this manuscript. Granted, of course, you obviously didn't use spell check, seeing as how my name is spelled wro-----
Bright Eyes: (looks at manuscript) Riku! That um…that's not you. That's somebody else.
Riku: Oh ok. Sorry to bother you. (Riku starts to walk away)
Bright Eyes: So you're not upset or anything?
Riku: (Turns around) No. Not really. Truthfully, I'm in enough oneshots and stories, and perverted oneshots and stories and violent oneshots and stories, and angsty oneshots and stories, you name it really. I don't have time for another one right now.
Bright Eyes: Oh, ok. Well, since you're here and all, would you mind doing the disclaimer for me?
Riku: Sure no problem. Bright Eyes doesn't own me or any of the characters mentioned in this story unless otherwise stated. She only owns the small amount of plot this story contains and apparently no social life if she gets this much time to write on weekends.
Bright Eyes: Hey!
Riku: Sorry. It had to be said.
Bright Eyes: Whatever. Anyway, enough of this crap, now we can begin!
Chapter 2: Heart of Glass
-x- -x- -x-
All in all she had taken it pretty well. They both had, really. That is, until they'd actually moved in. One glance at the bedroom Yuffie and Leon were to share and they noticed one big flaw in the room's design: One bed.
"Oh dear," Aerith said looking into the room," they must've run out of smaller beds."
"Oh." Leon deadpanned. He had a feeling that something like this would happen. It was always something. And it always happened to him.
"Oh! I wanna see!" Yuffie yelped, oblivious to the previous conversation. Upon seeing the bed she ran and climbed up on it and started jumping, wrinkling all of the sheets and causing two of the pillows to fall off.
"I…..um….well, I'll let you handle this, Leon. After all, it is your room. I'll, uh, be unpacking down the hall with Cloud if you need us for anything." With that, Aerith scurried down the hall to avoid the argument she was certain was going to happen very shortly.
Leon walked into the room. "Get off my bed." Leon made sure to stress the word my. He wasn't about to share a bed with Yuffie.
"No way Squall! This isn't your bed. It's half mine, and I'm going to jump on my half, if you don't mind terribly." She continued jumping.
"My name is not Squall. It's Leon, and get off of my bed. It's mine, not yours." He raised his voice slightly.
Yuffie dismounted the bed, gracefully landing on both feet on the ground. She crossed her arms and walked toward Leon slowly. If there was one thing she'd learned after all these years fighting with him, it was to stand your ground and defend yourself.
"No, your name is Squall. It's the name your parents gave you. I really don't know why you think changing your name is going to fix anything. They don't care!" She was screaming now. "The Heartless don't care what your name is Squall, it's all the same to them. Don't you get it?" Now Yuffie was walking on dangerous ground, and she knew it, but it was too late to stop now. "I'm sick and tired of you always correcting me. You can't change who you are, Squall, you just can't! It happened, it's over, try to move on! God Damn, I can't believe you can't just accept it and try to get on with your life!"
Yuffie stepped back panting. She'd crossed the line. She'd mentioned the Heartless. She just couldn't help it. She'd said the things she'd wanted to say for years but never had the nerve to actually speak out loud. He's pushed her over the edge. Always going on about making people call him Leon, being mean and moody, and getting pissed whenever anybody made so much as a vague reference to Hollow Bastion or the Heartless in any way. Yuffie was tired of always having to walk on eggshells whenever she was around him. It wasn't fair.
For a moment nobody moved, nobody spoke, there was complete, utter, silence.
"Excuse me?" Leon growled, breaking the silence. Yuffie regretted saying everything the instant she heard those two words. He was furious. It was no longer about the bed, and Yuffie knew it. At this moment, the only thing she had to be thankful for was the fact that Squall was unarmed. He left his Gunblade in the other room. This turned out to be very fortunate for the little ninja, because she was almost certain that he was so enraged, that had he been armed, she would be nothing more than a bloody heap on the floor by now.
He walked foreword slowly, rage seething beneath his deceptively calm face. Yuffie had learned also, a long time ago, not to trust his face. He could be mad, happy, sad; it didn't matter, because the face itself would tell you nothing. It was all in the eyes. Those Persian blue eyes that were the only part of him that told would tell anybody how he truly felt. And right now, these eyes shone with nothing but fury and a bit of insanity.
He spoke once more "You don't know anything about that! You were a fucking child when the Heartless came, and you still are. I lost everything, Yuffie, everything I had! How dare you just ask me to move on? Like it will all just go away! You'll never understand. Never. You just assume things, like you know everything, when really you don't know anything! You're just a worthless little kid. I'm sick of dealing with you, you know that? Sick of it. You can't even get a damn job. I can't believe you." Then he took a deep breath and said in a low whisper full of rage "You know what? I honestly never want to see you ever again, Yuffie!"
Once he'd said it, Leon knew he wanted to take it back He was just so infuriated, and his pride wouldn't let him. And now the look of shock, anger, betrayal and utter disbelief on her face made him nauseous. That look, it made him want to apologize for even having thought such awful things about Yuffie. It was the look of a puppy that had been kicked too many times and was holding onto a small thread of hope that somebody would rescue them, when, in reality, nobody would. It was a look of utter heartbreak and despair. Yet still he remained silent. He just couldn't say it.
Yuffie locked eyes with Leon. She wanted to make sure he knew exactly how she felt. The pain in her heart, the burning of the few angry tears that refused to stay hidden, her body shaking with a rage all its own. All of it. She wanted him to see it all. When he'd said those last words, something deep within her shattered, like glass, into a million pieces. She worked to keep the tears from falling, thankful that she was able to force them down for the time being.
After what seemed like an eternity, and after finally forcing the emotional battle inside her to pause for the time being, she spoke. Her words quick and hushed "Well, that's fine, if that's how you really feel. But until I find a job that'll pay enough I'm stuck here." Yuffie was grateful that, at least for the time being, she could control her emotions. "But don't worry." She continued raising her voice and taking a few cautionary steps toward the door, "I'll sleep on the floor, or whatever. I'm going out. Tell Aerith I won't be back home for dinner if anybody cares." With that she ran out of the bedroom, down the hall, and out the door, leaving a confused and regretful Squall with his thoughts.
-x--x- -x-
That was almost two hours ago. Now, as the little ninja walked along the cobblestone road she realized that she had absolutely nowhere to go. She'd already been to the waterway. There she spent a good half an hour crying, surprised that she actually felt better afterward. Granted, she was still very much upset, but she felt somehow emotionally relieved once she'd finally let the tears fall. But now she was wandering aimlessly around Traverse Town and the sun was starting to set. Yuffie knew she couldn't keep walking around once the sun went down. Nobody wandered around Traverse Town after dark. Too many muggings and rapes. Yuffie knew she couldn't go back to the hotel either. She'd been humiliated, and she wasn't ready to face Squall. After all, he never wanted to see her ever again. Even now, the words stung.
Checking her pockets she found a few dollars. Good. Just enough for a coffee at the café. Despite their constant budget concerns, neither Aerith nor Cloud ever noticed when Yuffie would casually steal a few dollars from them. Yuffie wasn't a thief, it was just a few dollars here, a few there, and at that point they had so much from all the Heartless that it didn't matter. But she'd always thought it was wise to have a little bit of money on you at all times, in case of emergency. And this was a caffeine emergency. She knew that eventually she would have to go back and face Leon. And if she was going to get humiliated twice today she wanted to be heavily caffeinated and hyper when she did so. It helped her deal with things better.
Yuffie walked into the little café and spotted an open seat at the counter, next to a girl with long, blonde, hair. Yuffie sat down and took a moment to observe her surroundings. The café was very small, having only about five tables (all of which, she noticed, were occupied) and a counter, that had about six stools, that were only occupied by herself and the blond girl.
Yuffie was surprised that the girl didn't look familiar to her. In her free time, Yuffie had taken it upon herself, not to really spy on, but observe the people of Traverse Town, and in all of her exploits, she'd never seen this girl before.
"What'll it be?" The man at the counter asked her.
"Oh, I'll just have a coffee, black, please." Yuffie responded. As she paid the man, she realized that this was the last of her money. This had better be some good coffee. Just as she was about to take a small sip, a bright voice cut in.
"Isn't it a little late for coffee? Maybe it's a little early….I'm not sure. I guess it all depends on how you look at things, but I still think it's too late for coffee." Looking over at the person who had spoken, she realized that it was, in fact,the blonde girl, who had just finished talking.
"Excuse me?" Yuffie didn't understand. How was she supposed to respond to that?
"Well," the girl began, flipping her long hair behind her shoulders and turning to face Yuffie, "some people drink coffee early in the morning to get their energy up, and other people drink it late at night to stay awake. It's mid-afternoon, so you most likely aren't just waking up and if you wanted to stay up all night, you would drink it later. So what's the point in drinking it if not for one of those reasons? Or why drink itat all really, it tastes disgusting." She finished with a giggle.
"I need the energy," Yuffie said dejectedly, "and to get my nerve up." She took a long gulp, letting the scalding, bitter, liquid slither down her throat. The girl was right. It was disgusting. She quickly reminded herself that she wasn't drinking it for the taste.
"Oh? What for" She stared at Yuffie intently, "if I can ask, that is." She added hastily.
Yuffie took a deep breath. She really didn't want to tell a complete stranger her life story, but something about this girl made Yuffie feel like she could trust her.
"Well, I kinda ran away from home…….well I didn't really run away, that's childish. I got into an argument with this guy and he really upset me and told me he never wanted to see me again, and I got upset and left and now I'm broke and I really want to move out of there, because I have to share a bedroom with him. That's how the fight kinda got started, and then there's the problem that I can't find a job, because no place is hiring, especially a teenager. And life really sucks an----" She paused "And I must sound like a total idiot right now." She finished blandly. Well, so much for that.
"No, of course not! I'm really sorry I asked. I mean, it sounds like you have it pretty rough at home. But if you need a job, I think I can help. That is, if you're interested." The girl said looking at Yuffie intently.
"Wow, you'd really do that for me? I mean I hardly know you, but still. That's really nice of you to offer. I'd love to!Where is it exactly?" Yuffie asked.
The blonde girl looked around and lowered her voice so only Yuffie could hear. "Well, you know that bar down the street from the hat shop in the Second District?" Yuffie nodded. "That's the place. I'm in good with the owner and his son. I'll get you a job there, no problem."
Yuffie was stunned. "But aren't you, I mean you only look about----" "Sixteen. Yeah I am." She cut in. "But the guy who owns it, Jecht, is always drunk or sleeping it off, so his son Tidus runs it. Tidus is seventeen, and since he runs it he gives his friends jobs and stuff like that. And since I'm a friend of his, he gave me a job a long time ago, and since you are now a friend of mine, and Tidus owes me big time for setting him up with my cousin,Yuna,a month ago, I can get you a job, no problem!" She chirped happily.
"I don't know what to say. Um….thank you. Really thanks a lot! I really appreciate it…um what is your name again?" Yuffie giggled. She'd almost forgotten they'd never been properly introduced.
"My name's Rikku. And you are?" Rikku asked.
"My name's Yuffie." Yuffie answered. She couldn't believe how great this was. One minute she was crying her eyes out and the next she'd made a friend and had a new job. Her fight with Leon temporarily pushed out of her mind, she asked Rikku, "So when do I start?" oping she didn't sound too rude.
"Well, let's see," Rikku checked the time on a large clock above the counter, "It's almost seven. My shift begins at nine. So we have almost two hours to get you a new outfit and get down there. We'd better hurry!" With that she grabbed Yuffie, and, pulling her by the arm, took off sprinting down the street.
The two girls ran for almost ten minutes until Rikku came to an abrupt stop outside a small boutique. As they took a moment to catch their breath before going inside, Yuffie got her first good look at Rikku.
Her hair went to about mid-back and was a deep golden blonde. She was extremely tan and very comfortable with her body, judging by her outfit. She wore a light pink halter top, cut dangerously low, and that was a bit short in the front, exposing a tan, flat stomach and naval piercing. The skirt she had on was a leather type material,Yuffie deduced,by the way it shone in the light. It, too, was extremely high cut, and Yuffie wondered how a person could maneuver in such a tiny outfit. The boots she had on were leather as well that stopped just short of her knee. Just as she was about to turn her gaze away, Rikku caught her staring.
"What? Is there something on my shirt?" Rikku lifted her golden locks from their resting place in front of her shouldersand looked herself over to find any signs of a stain.
"No, no. You look fine, it's just…..how do you, ya know, walk, or run, or stand in shoes like those?"
"Easy." Rikku shrugged, "I guess it just takes practice. You'll get used to it eventually, trust me. Yuffie!" Despite her attempts to hide it, Yuffie had accidentally allowed her you-must-be-kidding-there's-no-way-in-hell-I'm-wearing-anything-like-those- look to settle itself on her features while Rikku was talking.
"Whatever. You're gonna wear shoes like this, and you will get used to it. Now, come on! We're wasting time outside." She pulled Yuffie into the store.
They were only in the boutique for about three seconds before an unfamiliar voice yelled out " Rikku? Oh my God, Rikku! What in the world are you doing here?"
Both Rikku and Yuffie looked around to see a girl with waist-length brown hair walking over to them from the cash register.
"Lenne! Rikku called out going to meet the girl, giving her a quick hug. "I haven't seen you in weeks! Everybody misses you down at the bar! Especially Shuyin" Rikku joked. If the color of red on Lenne's cheeks was anything to go by, Shuyin, whoever he was, obviously meant a lot to her.
Before Yuffie had much time to contemplate on the subject Rikku was introducing her to Lenne. "Yuffie, this is Lenne. Lenne, Yuffie. Lenne worked with me down at the bar for a long time and then she quit." Here Rikku stopped in her explanation to give Lenne big puppy dog eyes and a pout. "And she's been gone for almost a month and poor Shuyin is all upset because she's gone. It's always 'Lenne this' and 'Lenne that' Poor boy's gone insane without her there. But that's not the point!" Rikku stopped herself. "We're here to find a new outfit for Yuffie. She's taking your position tonight." She addressed Lenne.
"Hmm….Yuffie, you're what a size two? Ah well…" She paced around the store and stopped at a rack of clothing, before pulling something out and tossing it to Yuffie. "This should fit. But wait….." She ran over to the other side of the store and grabbed something else and threw it up in the air. Yuffie caught it and continued to follow Lenne around the store. "This too! Oh! This is so much fun!" She squealed, tossing something else onto the growing pile Yuffie was carrying.
Rikku, who had wandered off a few minutes prior, came back with a long white box in her hands. "You are going to wear these, and you are going to like it." She smirked, placing the box on top of the clothing in Yuffie's arms.
"Now into the dressing room!" Lenne yelled boisterously, as both she and Rikku pushed Yuffie into a small room at the back of the store.
Several minutes later, Lenne and Rikku were hollering at Yuffie to come out and show them, but Yuffie most defiantly didn't want anybody to see her in this outfit.
She was wearing a hot pink bikini top, which was partially covered by a mesh shirt that was long sleeved but still cut off to reveal her pale stomach. The skirt she was wearing was not unlike Rikku's. It might have been a bit shorter, but it was made of the same leather material. Several belts, hot pink and black, rested loosely on her narrow hips. The shoes Rikku picked out for her were nothing short of outrageous. They were long, like Rikku's, but went up to almost mid-thigh and hugged her leg the whole way up. The small heel was surprisingly comfortable, and truthfully, she was pretty sure she could wear them for several hours without any serious discomfort.
Yet as she stood there, taking in her reflection in the full length mirror, she wondered why she was doing this in the first place. This wasn't her. This outfit was way to revealing, and under normal circumstances, she would have probably laughed at girls who wore things like this. But here she was, the epitome of everything she didn't want to be, but she guessed this was the way it was going to be. She was going to have to be more mature and deal with it.It was time for Yuffie to grow up.
"Hurry up! We wanna see!" Lenne whined from the other side of the door.
Yuffie figured this was it and stepped out of the dressing room.
Rikku clapped and cheered loudly as Lenne whistled and yelled catcalls to the drastically different Yuffie.
"It looks fantastic! You have amazing legs, you know that?" Lenne asked eyeing Yuffie's boots.
"Wow, thanks." Yuffie said, still feeling insecure. Rikku checked the clock before announcing, "Shit! We're totally going to be late, and I don't want Tidus to kill me! How much is it all Lenne?" Rikku asked as she dug out her wallet.
"Actually," Lenne answered slyly, "It's on the house, if you can, you know, get me a date for Friday. With a certain someone." She drummed her fingers on the counter awaiting a response
"Who? Shuyin? Please, no problem. That's boy's crazy about you! Just be ready at seven this Friday ok?" Rikku started to pull Yuffie in the direction of the door "Thanks so much, Lenne! We'll come by and see you like, tomorrow or something, ok?" The blonde yelled across the room to the girl at the register. "No problem guys! Thanks for the date. Nice meeting you, Yuffie!"
"Nice meeting you too!" Was all Yuffie could get out before Rikku pulled her outside and they started off in the direction of the bar.
-x- -x- -x-
Leon hadn't felt so guilty in years. He wished he'd have stopped her before she took off like that. Now she was alone on the streets and it was getting dark. He knew her well enough to know that if she was in her right mind she would have been home by now. Then again, she had been really upset when she left. And, for once, he didn't blame her.
Aerith had yelled at him, saying how terrible and insensitive his words were. Cloud had congratulated him on finally getting rid of "The Yuffie Problem" as Cloud sometimes referred to Yuffie behind her back. Leon wasn't sure which one made him feel worse.
He;d never meant to hurt her like he had. And all over a stupid bed. She was out, alone, in the dark, because of a stupid bed. No, that was wrong, it was all because of him. If only he had apologized! But his stupid ego stood in the way. He'd never felt so low. Sure, he'd upset her before, but never like this. Even now he could still see the pain, shock, and betrayal in her eyes. He could still hear her voice and the way she spoke right before she left. Her voice tainted with sorrow and anguish. He'd never heard her use that voice any other time. Those eyes and that voice were enough to make him feel absolutely worthless. Like the lowest person ever. And perhaps he was. He was tired of thinking about it.
Leon laid down on the large, empty bed and grudgingly closed his eyes, allowing sleep to find him. Maybe, a nap was what he needed. Too bad this wasn't all just some dream
-x- -x- -x-
A/N: That does it for this chapter. I'm actually almost satisfied with the way it came out. Once again I apologize for the grammar/spelling mistakes. Like I said, Spell Check won't fix much of anything. And I want to take a minute to apologize for the lateness in this chapter as well. School and homework decided to get in the way leaving little time to write. Once again, Reviews would make me very happy, and would more than likely ensure a sooner update, but they aren't required.
Until next time,
Bright Eyes