Yuffie felt nervous. She didn't like this new emotion or the feelings which it stirred up inside her.
'Relax okay it's just Rude and Elena it's not like you need to make an effort or anything.' Yuffie rolled her eyes at Reno's statement he certainly hadn't he was still wearing his scruffy Turks uniform. Why had she even agreed to do this that was the biggest question she didn't even know Rude or Elena that well in fact they'd tried to kill her and she'd tried to kill them straight back. It wasn't even like she had a lot to say to either of them they had absolutely nothing in common.
'Reno!' It was all academic as the front door swung open and Elena appeared she looked different for one she wasn't wearing her Turks uniform instead she was wearing a black knee length dress, which had pink and white Chinese blossom designs running over the front of the fabric down her slender chest. Under this dress Elena wore a pair of black peddle pushers. Her short blonde hair was pined at the top of her head by two long thin black lacquer chopsticks. Seeing the only female Turk Yuffie realized that she should have made more of an effort with her own clothes, standing next to Elena made her feel like a scruffy teenager again.
'…and Yuffie you guys made it.' The tone in the blonde's voice said everything as she ushered the pair into her apartment which again was nothing like Yuffie had expected it was sophisticated with polished floorboards modern art and exposed brick. It was nothing like Reno's place, Reno's home made Yuffie feel ill every time she stepped foot in the door.
'We urgh brought this Lena.' Reno motioned handing her the bottle of Vodka which he'd found under his bed, Elena's smile spread.
'Wow, unopened and everything this is a lot better than what you got me for my birthday last year.' Rude appeared behind Elena slipping the bottle out of her hands.
'You didn't get me anything for mine.' Yuffie frowned acting every inch the spoiled child. The situation suddenly turned awkward Reno shifted on the spot burying his hands in his pockets while Rude and Elena exchanged a glance, which summed up everything.
'It's just a joke Yuffie Reno never gives anyone presents, last year he gave Rude a hug.' The blonde interjected trying to be as polite as she could. The young Ninja wanted to die right there and then, but instead she just shrugged.
'Umm I ordered out if that's okay it should be here in about ten minutes, why don't you guys make yourself comfortable.' Elena motioned nodding in the general direction of the sofa.
'Whatever,' The red head breathed wondering if this had been such a good idea in the first place.
'So Yuffie you know any drinking games?' Rude questioned trying to take the heat out of the situation wishing that it had been just the three of them like old times.
'Umm no.'
'Really so you and the other members of you're little gang don't play drinking games then?' Reno snorted making Yuffie jump suddenly.
'You're joking right none of them can even crack a smile for god sake. Anyway Yuffie's only just legal.'
'That figures.' Elena whispered under her breath.
'Rude!' Elena woke up with a sudden jolt sitting up her body was suddenly racked with pain glancing down she stared at her wounded side. Her eyes widened her side had been bandaged while she slept, breathing hard Elena realized that she wasn't alone sitting next to her was a woman. She was the sort of person that Elena would brush past in the street and not even notice. The woman was slender her complexion freckled she had small green eyes, which were obscured by her large glasses. Elena reckoned that the woman was pretty very pretty although she did a lot to hide it well.
'Where am I? Tseng is he alright?' The brunette paused for a moment before she started to speak.
'I think we're in the forgotten City and they dragged your friend away about an hour ago I think they're torturing him.' Struggling Elena sat up clutching at her side as she moved wincing in agony.
'That would be right.' She whispered softly, getting a better look at her surroundings and the woman in front of her.
'I'm Elena.' Elena stated her breathing slightly labored as she spoke. Alarm bells suddenly went off in the other woman's head Elena she'd heard that name before.
'My names Shera, Shera Hi,' Shera paused remembering all the stories Cid had told her about the Turks.
'Shera Stargazer.' She finished using her maiden name to hide her identity. Elena frowned at the woman in front of her something about her looked familiar and she couldn't put her finger on what it was, the name rang a bell as well.
'Stargazer, like the rocket you know the one that went into space crazy old Cid Highwind's rocket.' Inside Shera bristled at the thought of anyone talking about her husband or the rocket she had helped him build in that way.
'Yeah I guess.' Shera breathed her mind suddenly turning to other concerns. Cid was dead she knew he was dead she was numb in the knowledge unable to believe what that truly meant. Molly was missing they'd taken her Shera had tried to stop them but she was too weak, she hadn't seen her daughter for over two hours her heart was ready to break.
'Thanks for taking care of me I probably would have bled to death already if you hadn't have bothered.'
'I know.' Shera commented matter-of-factly as she was suddenly forced back into her current reality.
'You know I'm a Turk don't you, is that why you changed you're name on me?' Elena questioned reading the older woman like a book.
'You're Cid Highwind's wife aren't you?' At the mention of Cid's name Shera suddenly broke down into heavy body racking sobs.
'Hey it's not that bad you could have married someone a lot worse I guess.' Elena mused cracking jokes had never been her specialty shifting her weight she wrapped her arm around Shera's narrow shoulders.
'I'm sorry that was incentive of me it's what happens to you when you spent most of you're time with Reno he kinda rubs off on you. But it really will be alright Shera I promise I mean you're husband saved the planet right he's hardly just gonna leave you here now is he? I bet that Cid and Cloud and the others are on their way right now to rescue you.'
'He's dead, Cid's dead they killed him.'