Title: Do so when you Wish so

Theme: #2 News; letter

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII and all its contents do not belong to me.

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Over these past months, I've come to realize that news travels surely and fast. Things you wish not to hear, somehow finds some way to your ears. Things you wish to hear, you will hear eventually, though it seems to take years longer. Take for example, AVALANCHE. News had traveled fast about AVALANCHE's achievements. About a month after the defeat of Sephiroth, everyone seemed to be telling the same tale.

These few months taught me how true that is. That all news finds some way to you, whether you wish to hear it or not.

Lately, my mind has been thinking back at things past. At a certain event, regarding a certain ninja. After the final battle, when my comrades were all rejoicing, when my comrades were all deciding to head out, an unexpected, life-turning event occurred, in which I failed to meet the expectation of.

"Our long and grueling journey is finally coming to an end. Let us all not forget the important people we have lost along this journey. Aeris... she will always be in our memories and our hearts, living on forever. I thank you all for sticking with me during these hardships, Sephiroth wouldn't have been defeated you guys weren't there to help."

Cloud's speech left the members of AVALANCHE with a sense of pride. The kind of pride that you could carry back to your family and loved ones and have them be proud of you as well. Though, the silence was short-lived, as there are many members within AVALANCHE which are not so sentimental. Conversation broke free, and everyone began to chat amongst themselves of their future plans. Vincent Valentine, was not one of them.

Yuffie Kisaragi finished her conversation with Tifa as she noticed Vincent, and headed over to him.

"Vinnie. Why aren't you celebrating? Aren't you happy that we defeated Sephiroth?"

"Yes, I feel some weight of duty lifted."

"But you're not happy?"

"Figures. Well, what are you going to do now?"

"You don't know, huh? Well, anything's fine, just as long as you don't go back to that stinky coffin, okay?"

"... Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why should I not? There is nowhere else for me to go."

"Because. You have flesh, no matter how demented you've become, you're still living, you're still breathing, you're still human. You don't belong in there. And I thought you were smart, Vinnie."

"You know... Vinnie, when I go back to Wutai, I think my dad's going to make me Lady of Wutai..."

Vincent turned to the small ninja, mimicking her earlier words, "But you're not happy?"

"It's not something to cheer about in the long run."

"In the long run?"

Choosing not to answer him, Yuffie took advantage of the fact that he was already turned to her, and gave him a quick kiss, which landed at the corner of his lips. She pulled away as quickly as she gave the kiss.

"I-... Um... Would it kill you if I said I love you?"

"I-I mean, I know it's weird, but I just do, you know? No specific... reason..."

"... Yuffie, I ca-"

"I know, I know. I just want to get it off my chest. You're still in love with Lucrecia. Everyone knows that."

Cid's hollering could be heard, which also followed by a string of curses.

"Well, looks like it's my stop. I'll see ya later, Vinnie."

Actually, I haven't seen her, ever since that day. That was fate's first warning to me, which I had failed to notice.

A month after AVALANCHE had settled down, a month after I returned to live in the Nibelheim mansion, I received some news. News that I did not want to hear, though slightly felt relieved to, had come creeping its way towards me. News related to a certain hyperactive ninja.

News came to me that Godo was holding a coronation to bring his daughter to the throne. Hearing of her brought the guilt back, but knowing that she was doing well, and becoming Lady of her beloved Wutai, made it seem alright, because I felt she was moving on just fine without me. I felt I didn't hurt her. I should have known better. I ignored yet another one of fate's warnings. It wasn't alright.

I wanted to go... but I didn't. And that wasn't alright.

Another month passes. On that day, nostalgia hit me, hard. Yet another one of those days, where news arrived once more, regardless of your own thoughts. I wish I had never heard it, the news which traveled so surely... the Lady of Wutai had disappeared the day before her coronation.

Her words played strongly in my mind: "It's not something to cheer about in the long run." This was fate's last warning.

I felt the guilt return to me. Strong and more than ever before. Guilt for having rejected her earnestly. Guilt for feeling relief this past month. Guilt for having hid myself from Cloud and Tifa as they called for AVALANCHE members. Guilt for refusing to go along with them to search for the ninja. Guilt, because I know a part of the reason for this... was me.

Guilt, because I wanted to go, but still didn't.

Another month later. I finally decide to go see her. No, not completely, her. Her life had been stolen from her, and I knew it was my fault. I didn't want to face her. Yet, if I did not by now, I would never be able to live it down. I would never get a chance start on my road of repentance.

News had come to me once more. News that she had been found. News that she had been at the base of a cliff. News that Yuffie Kisaragi, was dead.

And now, I didn't want to go, but I still did.

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Well, this would be one-shot #2. I hope you have all enjoyed reading this one! Please read and review, constructive criticism will always be appreciated!