Chapter 16: Take Off

(Same tags apply as in Chapter 1)

Yuffie's eyes drifted open lazily as she nestled down into the distinctive lumps in her mattress. She looked over to the small window in her room and saw that the sun wasn't quite up yet. 'I don't remember coming back her last night.' She thought, slightly confused.

The young ninja felt a warm sensation deep in her chest. 'Vinnie brought me back and tucked me in…Aww, that's so sweet!' she chuckled. 'I am glad the mess was full…last night was so…so amazing.'

A pair of thin, but shapely tan legs were thrown over the edge of the bed as Yuffie sat up and wiggled her toes. Most of the bruises were now gone and the few that remained were now a sickly green color but she didn't mind.

Standing, she stretched her muscles testing them for any leftover aches and pains. Finding none, she smiled. She could take the sharp pains that she received from injuries, but despised the dull muscle aches that tended to linger for days.

She paused deep in thought. 'I forgot…me and Vinnie are the only ones still on this bucket of bolts. If anyone else comes back, will be headin' to the crater.' She looked at the wall separating their quarters and felt the familiar protest of her stomach. Yuffie pulled a pair of warm, loose fitting pants and turtleneck with similar stitching to the sleeveless one she preferred to wear.

Moments later, she pulled the blue shirt over her head, she approached the door. 'I wonder if anyone will come back. I'll fight alone if I have to.' She thought with grim determination. 'But I know that at least Vince will be at my side.' She left her room and headed next door.

.::-o-::.

Vincent was returning from the empty bridge of the Highwind with a slight smirk on his sculpted lips. Looking from the glass window on the bridge, his crimson orbs came across a sleeping pair. Cloud and Tifa were entwined in each other's arms a short distance from the ship. 'Congratulations Tifa.' Vincent thought as he reminisced on the short conversation he had with her while at Cosmo Canyon.

Turning the corner leading to the sleeping quarters, he saw the small form of a certain ninja. She was standing with her ear pressed to his door. Apparently she thought he was still sleeping.

The smirk that he worn from the bridge turned evil as he crept up on the unsuspecting ninja and stood right behind her. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered...

"Boo."

Yuffie jumped into the air and landed on her rear. "SHIT! Vincent Valentine, what are you trying to do, give me a freakin' heart attack?!"

Vincent laughed at the young ninja who was still sitting on the floor. "I am sorry Yuffie, but you made such a tempting target, I simply could not resist." He offered her a hand and helped her to her feet.

Yuffie rubbed her sore rear. "You just wait, I'll get you when you're least expecting it!"

"We will see." He said in a teasing voice. "You were looking for me I believe?"

"I came to see if you were awake but ended up havin' the livin' daylights scared outta me!" She said, still slightly fuming.

"I have been up for some time now…should I make you breakfast to make it up to you?"

"Sure Vinnie, but your not gonna get of the hook that easily!" She said with a smile. 'I can't even act like I'm mad at him.'

.::-o-::.

Vincent made a modest breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast and tea, all of which Yuffie quickly devoured. Vincent sipped the tea from his mug and watched as Yuffie glanced around the mess.

"Hey Vince?"

"Yes Yuffie?"

"Do you think anyone is coming back? It's so strange to be sitting here and not hearing Cid cursing at someone or Nanaki's claws tapping on the deck plating."

Honestly, Vincent didn't know the answer to her question. He hadn't seen anyone besides Cloud and Tifa. "I know that Cloud and Tifa will return shortly. As for everyone else, I am unsure."

Yuffie looked up at the man who was sitting across from her. She felt a brief twinge of nervousness and fear flash through her. "Did you have any second thoughts about leaving?"

"No. I am seeing this through to the end." A relieved look momentarily flashed across her face. "Do not worry, you will not do this alone. I will be fighting by your side. I would never leave you to face any danger alone."

She looked over at him and exhaled the breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Thank you Vince. Hey, I also wanted to thank you for last night…it loved every minute of it."

"I did as well. If you still intend on coming back with me to Nibelheim, I know of an excellent spot where the stars seem to shine brighter than anyplace I have ever visited."

"I'd love to! Maybe the Mansion's library has a book on stargazing. Wait… Whaddya mean 'if I intend on coming?' There's nowhere else I'd rather be." She said with mock annoyance creeping into her voice.

'Because you'll be there.' She thought to herself.

Vincent laughed at the tone of her voice as she spoke then sighed. "I'm sorry Yuffie, I just not quite use to someone wanting to be around me, let alone, stay with me."

She grabbed their plates and headed for the sink. " Geez man, you're startin' to sound like me." She mumbled. "Well Vinnie, ya better get use to it!" She called over her shoulder as she washed the dishes. "I ain't that easy to get rid of."

Vincent opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by the opening door. He nodded his greeting to the pair as they entered.

"Hey Vincent. Hi Yuffs. Did you both sleep well?" Cloud said as he sat at Vincent's table as Tifa went to make them something for breakfast.

"Hey guys! Glad ya came back!" She joined to two men at the table.

Cloud looked over to the ninja with a smile. "You didn't think that we wouldn't, did you?"

"Not really Spike, but ya know…"

Vincent left the swordsman and the ninja to their conversation and approached Tifa who was now standing over the stove, making a small pot of oatmeal. "Good morning Tifa."

She smiled as she looked up at the dark man. "Hey Vincent. I'm glad that you decided to stay."

"I have to see this through." He paused for a moment trying to decide on what to say. "I just wanted to thank you for what you did last night."

A look of confusion passed over her face as she started the coffee maker. "Oh that! I didn't know that you heard them. No need to thank me Vincent, they had no right to be snooping. I think Cid has learned his lesson." She said with a smile at the memory of two grown men and a stuffed mog running from her.

He smiled back at her. "Regardless, you have my gratitude."

Tifa blinked at the man who was smiling back at her. 'He really is changing.'

"So how was your night?" She asked as she placed a couple pieces of toast in the oven.

"It was quite nice. I am glad that Yuffie did not hear them at the door. I think she might have gotten embarrassed."

She nodded with a smile, dishing up the oatmeal. "I am glad that you both had a good time. You both deserve it after all."

Vincent poured two cups of coffee for them as Tifa picked up the bowls. "Tifa…I wish you the best in your new relationship."

She blushed red as they began to walk back to the table. "You too." She smirked and left the gunman, who was slightly stunned at her implications, a step behind her.

.::-o-::.

The digital clock on one of the panels on the bridge hit 7:30 as two figures entered the equipment filled room. Vincent roamed to the map that hung near the navigation area as Yuffie began practiced her katas with her Conformer. Tifa and Cloud had returned to their quarters to change, but would be arriving shortly.

Vincent watched her fluid movements as she practiced. Her body was completely relaxed even as her techniques became more complex. Never had he seen her do this before during their time together. He could not tear his eyes away from her.

Her eyes were closed as she moved with the grace of a dancer. Her shuriken was like an extension of her body as it spun and sliced through the air and blocked imaginary attacks. Everything done by the ninja was precise. Her awareness level was also heightened as she moved around the bridge. Never once did she come close to striking or bumping into anything. To Vincent, everything about her was simply beautiful.

Over her shoulder, he saw Nanaki enter and motioned for him to remain silent. Nanaki nodded and sat near the door as he too became enthralled by the young ninja.

.::-o-::.

Yuffie did one last spin and ended in the exact place in which she had started. She lowered her head and mumbled a few words before she opened her eyes and voice drifted from behind her.

"Yuffie, I did not know that you practiced your katas. I am pleased that I had an opportunity to see them."

"Nanaki! You came back!" She bounded over to his lion-like form and tackled him to the deck.

Vincent watched with amusement as the Yuffie the others knew, reappeared. They continued to tumble across the floor trying to see who would come out on top. Eventually they hit the wall…with Nanaki on top.

"Of course I came back…I win." Red grinned at her.

"No fair! Interference!! The wall was in the way!" She gave an indignant cry.

Red sat down on her legs and glanced at the wall. "Well, I guess we could always tear down the wall." He said sarcastically.

"Nobody better not be thinkin' 'bout touchin' my fuckin' walls!" Cid walked in with a cigarette hanging from his lips.

"Calm down before you have a heart attack old man! We won't mess with your walls." Yuffie said with a grunt. "Geez Red, you're heavy damnit! I can't feel my legs!"

"Hey brat, I'm not that damn old! Hey Vince." Cid greeted and Vincent nodded in return.

Another voice came from the hallway. "Cid, lis'n to the girl, in a year, you're gonna be a pile 'o dust with a cigarette stickin' out of it."

"Shut the hell up Barret, ya big fuckin gun totin' teddy bear!"

Yuffie, still on the floor, looked over and laughed. "Cid, he's not a teddy bear, he's a marshmallow!"

"Shit! Fine, ya big fuckin gun totin' Marshmallow! Hey, maybe I'll just call ya Marsh for short…even better, I'll call ya Marsha!"

"Cid, if ya call me Marsha, I'll kick yer narrow ass!'

Cid broke down laughing. "I'd like to see ya try Marsha!"

Barret glared down at the teen. "Thanks a lot brat, now I gotta deal wit dis ass callin' me Marsha!"

Yuffie gave him an innocent look. "Don't worry Barret, you know old folks, He'll forget about the name in about an hour."

Just as Cid was about to reply, Cloud and Tifa entered. Tifa smiled and walked to Red, who was now standing over the ninja and scratched his head. "Hey guys! I'm glad you all came back!"

Cait Sith hopped into the room and bounced happily around the bridge, that is, until Cid tripped him. Everyone stifled their laughter as Cait picked himself up and hopped back on top of Sith.

"Hey! That wasn't nice!" Cait whined before perking up once again. "Are we ready to go?"

Cid looked at the entrance yet no one appeared. He knew that his crew had re-boarded the ship. He walked over to the intercom and switched it on to address his missing crew. "Hey! Get yer lazy asses to your fuckin' stations! This ain't no pleasure cruise! If you ain't here in twenty seconds, I'm gonna shove my spear up yer ass!

Ten seconds later, crewmembers ran onto the bridge, winded from the mad dash to the bridge and took their stations.

"Ready Spike?" Cloud nodded to Cid. "Set a fuckin' course for the crater. Hey you, How long til we get there?"

"We should be there in about ninety minutes, Sir."

Cloud looked at his group of friends. "I suggest everyone grab you gear. We'll meet up in the meeting room to get the materia and items."

Tifa spoke up as the group started for the door. "Don't forget to grab something warm, it's likely that it will be close to freezing."

Everyone nodded. The ship lurched as they began to move. Yuffie turned an interesting shade of green when Cid remembered something.

"Brat, wait!"

"Ugh…huh?"

He pulled out a bottle of pills. "Got these from Shera when I was in Rocket. She said they should work for ya."

"Thanks Cid." She said swallowing the pill dry.

"Just don't go back there puking in my cargo hold again."

She smirked. "Don't worry…I will."

o-o-Author's Notes-o-o

Chapter 16!!! YAY!

Sorry about the delay folks! I have reading Aloria's story Alternate Dimension, trying to keep up with ksipesh's updates of Guilt's Cost as well as writing two more fics…but I tell you about those it a little while.

Okay people…our next stop is…The Northern Crater!!! I've had to break that part up into two. I think I did pretty good writing the battle scenes for the crater, however there is one small part that I was kinda hesitant to write and I have no idea why it bothered me so much, but I'll get over it.

There's a bit of drama in the next few chapters but I won't say more than that…you'll just have to wait and see what I'm talking about -Gives evil grin- I'm so mean, hee hee!!

I am happy to announce that all of my men are alive and well, having recovered from visits to angel and destiny. Matter-O-Fact, I think they are ready to do some AN's and home visits!

After sitting in my car for four hours straight, I need to go release some aggression and I think my new toy from Eternal Star will be perfect for that. -Picks up her new silver whip-

Ez: Hey Seph, it matches your hair! Get yer sexy self up and finish the AN's for me.

-Snap of a whip is heard-

Seph: Ok…It looks like Vincent will be spending the week Destiny, and the three Turks will be heading to Angel's house. Ez, the last person on the list isn't here.

Ez: My bad. -Snaps fingers and Tifa appears…Reno run towards the fighter drooling.- Back off Reno! -Snaps him on the ass with her whip.-

Reno: Ooh, you know I like the kinky stuff! -Rubbing his ass and grinning-

Ez: Leave Teef alone Reno or else you won't get to see angel...freak

But I still love ya man!

-Reno sits down quickly-

Seph: Tifa, looks like you will be going to see my namesake, Sephiroth2021.

-Tifa nods and she, Vincent and the Turks disappear-

Seph: Ezri would like to thank those of you who have recently reviewed. She also wants to let you know that she has the review function on registered users only, so she can go read your stories and review. She's rather obsessed with reviewing others stories at the moment.

She has two new stories in the works and they are:

Emerge (5/29/04)

Pairing: Tifa/?? You'll have to find out…it IS one of the FF Characters

Drama/Violence/Romance

Status: WIP, currently 4 Chapters

Untitled (6/1/04)

Pairing: Yuffie/Seph or Possibly Tifa/Sephiroth

Drama/Romance

Status: WIP, 1 Chapter (Still gotta think of a title)

-Crack of the whip is heard-

Seph: -Glances over at Ezri- Um, okay…Ezri-Candy does not own Final fantasy 7, Square-Enix does.

She says that if there is enough demand, she might put the next chapter out sooner than when she planned and she might also put out the first chapter of Emerge within the next few days to see what the reaction is to it.

Ez: Sephy, you're stayin with me this week…the rest of you better rest up…I know a few people out there have plans for you…-Evil smirk- Til next time peoples!! Congrats to all of you who are now out of school…I remember what that's like…anyway Bye!!

Edited 1/14/07

7/25/07

Edited because of change in formatting. Also re-numbering chapters. Minor content edits.