CAHPTER 7

THE FLIGHT

The Nibel Mountian Range was now far behind them. Yuffie was still trying to keep up with Vincent's steady, untiring, pace but was finding it harder and harder with every step.

It seemed he had endless energy and wasn't losing any of it. "Hey!" she shouted at him. "Stop for a minute!"

He stopped and looked back at her. His eyes said he wasn't happy about having to stop. "What now?" he demanded.

"Could we rest a minute?" she asked. "I'm tired."

"No, we can't," he said instantly.

"Please."

"No."

"But I'm tired!"

"Too bad."

Yuffie clenched her fists and glared at him seethingly. Of all the so and so people in the world...! "Then will you carry me?" she asked, her voice loaded with sarcasm. "Or is the prince too good to help a lady in need?"

Vincent was offended. Her words stabbed him. Of course he wasn't too good to help a girl who needed help. He was a gentleman, wasn't he?

"All right," he said giving in. "I'll carry you the rest of the way."

Yuffie squealed, clapping her hands together. She jumped up and down for a moment then ran up to him shouted, arms flailing. "Kneel down please."

For someone who said she was tired she sure runs fast. he thought, staring at her. Hmm... I wonder...

He knelt down and let the ninja climb onto his back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He straightened up and started walking.

"Yuffie," he said.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Cloud likes Tifa?" he asked out of the blue.

"No, not really. He acts more like a brother to her than anything. I think he still likes Aerith."

He thought about it. "How are you sure?"

"Just by the way he acts. I can see he isn't over her death."

"Hmmm..."

"Hey, Vincent?"

"What?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Just wondering."

"Are you going to ask who I like next?"

"No."

"All right! Fine!"

He knew he'd offended her but right now he didn't care. He didn't apologize either.

Because of that, she refused to talk to him the rest of the way to the town. He didn't mind that too much. He was used to the silent treatment.

The rest of the walk to Rocket Town was silent. Every minute Yuffie got heavier. He wanted to put her down but he didn't want her to start fussing.

He decided to think of other things to get his mind off how heavy she was getting. His crimson eyes locked on Rocket Town which was getting bigger with each step.

In his mind Vincent began to count the steps he took toward the town.

By the time he reached a thousand he was nearly there.

"Hey Vinnie- I mean Vincent," the ninja finally spoke.

"What?"

"You can put me down now."

Vincent was very greatful. He knelt down and she slid off.

The gunman stood up to his full height and snapped his back and neck. He noticed Yuffie making faces and almost smiled but didn't.

"Since we're here let's check and see if Shera's home," Yuffie said.

"We aren't here to visit," he reminded her. "We're only here to borrow the Tiny Bronco."

"We can still say 'hi' to Shera," Yuffie objected. "It would be rude not too. Besides, if she's not there how were you planning on getting the plane? Stealing it?"

"No."

"Okay then." She grabbed his arm and gave it a jerk. "Let's get this on."

They entered the town.

They came to a stop in front of Cid's house. Yuffie reached up and knocked on the door. Vincent, as gentlemanly as possible, freed his arm from her grasp and let it hang loose at his side.

"Why do you and Tifa like to pull me around like a train car?" he asked.

The ninja just shrugged, grinning. Before she could answer the door opened. When she saw them Shera's eyes grew huge under her glasses. She seemed surprised to see them there without the others.

"Hello, Mr. Valentine. Hello, Ms. Kisaragi," she said, staring at them. "What brings you here?"

"Call me Vincent," Vincent said the same time Yuffie said. "Just call me Yuffie."

They stared at each other a moment then Vincent got to the point of their visit. "We're here to borrow the Tiny Bronco. That is; if it works."

"Yes, it works again," she confirmed. "Cid and I have been working on it for the past few months. It's running again."

"May we borrow it?" Vincent asked.

"Sure," she said, letting them into the house. "Just try not to crash it into the ocean this time."

"Don't worry about it," he said, following her into the house. "I won't let anything happen to it."

"Okay," she said. "Just go outside and I'll be out in a minute with the keys and something else."

"Okay, thank you."

The two headed outside again. Vincent was in a hurry to go but since he didn't have the keys for the plane he had to wait outside longer than he wanted to. Yuffie leaned her back against the back door and folded her arms. She stared warily at the plane for a moment.

"I hope she hurrys up," Vincent said after a few minutes.

"Chill," Yuffie spoke up. "She said she'd be out in a few minutes."

"I can't wait a few minutes," he protested.

"Well, get used to it. Besides; she also said she had something for us. It will probably take her awhile to get it."

Vincent didn't say anything.

Yuffie felt the door opening and moved away from it before she fell over. Shera came outside with the keys and a picnic basket.

"What's that for?" the gunman asked.

"This is for you two," Shera replied. "I don't know where you are going or why so I thought I'd pack you some food just in case."

Vincent took the basket and handed it to Yuffie who put it into the plane. "Like I'll be eating anything while I'm in that plane," she muttered.

"Thank you," Vincent said to Shera.

She handed him the keys. He took them and headed for the driver's side of the plane.

"Be careful," Shera said. "I hope you return safely."

"We do too," he murmured, as he climbed into the plane.

"See you in a few days!" Yuffie called from the passenger side.

Vincent started the plane. Shera stepped back as the machine rolled across the grass.

"Good bye!" she called as the Tiny Bronco ascended into the sky.

And they were off

Vincent felt wind blowing the right side of his face. He looked over at Yuffie. She was strapped in but her upper body was hanging out the window.

"Yuffie?" he said uncertainly.

She moaned.

"Don't tell me you're airsick already!"

"Okay, I won't."

"Get your head back in here!"

Yuffie pulled herself back into the plane. She leaned back in her chair and breathed deeply. "Do they have barf bags in here?"

"I don't know. Why don't you look?"

"Good idea."

Yuffie unstrapped herself and climbed behind the seats. The next instant Vincent heard her hurling. That sounds disgusting!

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"No," she hurked. "And don't ask me where I threw up either!"

"I wasn't planning on it," he informed her.

Yuffie climbed back into her seat and rested her head between her legs. "How long will it take us to get to the Midgar area?" she asked, even though her voice was muffled by her legs and all he could hear was. "Ow ong wik it ay fof us to ge u the miger ear?"

"What?" he asked.

Yuffie lifted her head and repeated the question. "I said. 'How long will it take us to get to the Midgar area?'"

"A few hours," he replied. "Look, I know you're going to be airsick the whole way, so why don't you try to get some sleep? It will get your mind off being sick and make time go faster."

Yuffie didn't disagree. A nap did seem like the best idea. She sat back in her seat and sighed deeply. "I hope this works," she said, closing her eyes.

I hope so too, he thought.

It wasn't long before he heard her soft snoring. He relaxed, feeling relieved that he wouldn't have to talk to her about anything. The only problem with that was; since he had no distraction his thoughts went off on their own, leaving him to just let them go. Before long he realized that if he didn't get control of them he'd fly over the Midgar Area and miss in completely.

He slapped himself on the face and focused. Two hours later, just as he was starting to doze off, his crimson eyes caught sight of the city's lights.

He flew over it looking for a place to land. He finally saw a grassy area not far from the city. He eased the plane down and landed as softly as he could, so not to wake Yuffie.

Once the plane had landed he pulled out the keys, sighed, and leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. After hours of seeing nothing but clouds and sky he was finally able to rest his eyes.

We'll go into Midgar tomarrow morning, he thought, not even aware that he had included Yuffie in his thoughts. But no matter what; it has to be tomarrow. I need to get to Shinra Headquarters. I must find those files. When I do I will destroy them.

He turned his head sideways and opened his eyes. He stared at Yuffie, whose face was illuminated by the pale moonlight. She looked like an angel. After I read them that is. When I do I'll finally be able to rest in peace.

His eyes closed. Hopefully. I just wish you understood how important this is...

A/N

Just in case you do not know; in the last paragraph he's thinking about Yuffie. :D