To start off, I suppose I should say I knew exactly who Cloud's letter was to when I looked at the address. Unfortunately for me, the items I was assigned to deliver were in a different part of the large city. I was planning on dropping off the items and going right off to write my mission report anyways, so I'd do that before heading over to deliver the letter.
While Yemac-Til isn't particularly hard to get to, even if it is quite a good ways, getting there in one night is definitely not a breeze. The road is flat but it crosses over a river about halfway from Bahnen to Yemac-Til, and the bridge is guarded through the night. (Is now a good time to mention that Yemac-Til is a rough-around-the-edges type of city? Not to mention the forest the road passes through to get there, which is an infamous hideout of bandits.) Regardless, I made it to the lantern-lit bridge when the moon was just starting its descent in the sky.
From a high tree branch I looked at the bridge, the guards pacing back and forth across it. The river's width is particularly big in this part of the land, so the bridge stretched quite a ways. Too far for me to swim and make good time, too far to risk just running across in the shadows and slip past the guards. I frowned slightly – I'd have to go across another way. Of course, it wasn't like I haven't done it before, it's just inconvenient.
I brushed my dark hair out of my eyes before dropping to the ground with a quiet thump, crouching low in the shadows before stealing my way to the side of the bridge when the guard wasn't looking. He turned around to pace in the other direction, and I slipped around to the underside of the bridge, metalwork starting at my hips and curving upwards with the arch of the bridge. I smiled faintly in the moonlight glinting off the rushing water, patterns created on the underside of the bridge. Adjusting my pack, I hooked my foot around part of the metal structure and grasped the metal bars, swinging out of the guard's vision range and underneath the center of the bridge.
From there it wasn't so hard – the metal was well-kept for and not rusting very much. My fingers burned and ached in protest after a few minutes of climbing, but I continued on until I was able to stick my head out and look up at the side of the bridge.
After confirming that the guard was on the other side of the bridge, I pushed myself forward and flipped around, landing on the grass of the other side of the bridge. I noticed with a smile that it was just as green. I couldn't take the time to think any further, however, and I continued along the road at a good pace, soon coming to the tree line of the forest. On instinct I jumped high and grabbed a tree branch, flipping myself around to sit on the sturdy branch before standing quickly and jumping from tree to tree with as much speed as I could. It was safer for me in the trees – off the ground and off the road, especially because anyone coming by someone dressed in all black will automatically think the worst. I'm no bandit, but the organization I work for...well, not all of its branches are entirely legal. I was taught to play it safe, and I play it safe because I like my face arranged the way it is now, thanks very much.
I was suddenly shaken from my musing, rambling thoughts when a rumble shook the forest, and I had to grab tight onto the tree I was currently perched in to keep my balance. I looked around with a frown, though a bit curious, I couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that was settling in my bones. My head snapped to attention when the rustling continued off to one side, and my eyes locked in that direction. I couldn't find the source of the noise, but I already began to hear the pulse in my ears and the heightening tempo of my heartbeat. Panic rose to my throat like bile, and I tried to push it down without success. I shivered in the chilling breeze that suddenly ripped through the wood, now very aware what was going on around me. Through the trees I looked up at the full moon, staring at its milky white face that suddenly seemed a bit more eerie than it did peaceful. I gulped back my nervousness – I shouldn't be this anxious, and I knew it – and bolted from tree to tree, hoping to get out of that God-forbidden forest as soon as possible. And it's not that I'm afraid of the dark, I just don't like it at all.
I had calmed considerably hours later when the pink fronds of dawn started painting the sky, and I was just leaving the forest. A cross look of annoyance passed over my face; I must have taken longer in the forest than I anticipated. Drawing upon the strength I wasn't sure I had (and pulling out some of Aerith's cookies from my pack) I headed down the road for Yemac-Til. Slowly suburbs began showing up around me, growing as I headed towards the city. The faded and rusted metal of the buildings and the somber murky smoke that poured into the air always seemed to dampen my positive attitude. Soon the dark clouds over my head hid the tops of the increasingly tall metal buildings. For a successful city, Yemac-Til is pretty slummy. Not in a sense that it is doing bad – people here are very wealthy. It's just the sheer dirtiness and pollution that makes me cringe when I have to deliver anything here.
I headed to one of the many industrial sections of the city to make my delivery, the partially-hidden sun hitting the back of my head by the time I turned away from the factory door and headed off to file my mission report. I couldn't help but take off my dark headband (honestly, I like my normal one better, but I can't wear it on missions, it's too reflective being silver and all) to wipe my forehead before making my way through the dingy and desolate streets. The sooner I was out of this city the better. The almost always-cloudy sky and the smell of metal and grease in the city normally make me want to leave fast anyways, but this morning I was particularly edgy and the faster I was out and heading out the better off I was.
The filing of my mission report didn't take very long; Yemac-Til is the HQ of the secret organization. The city's industrial nature as well as its weapons market made it a good hiding place for a group of this manner such as us, as well as the high crime rates and – unfortunately – the black market. You never know if what you're delivering is exactly...legal or not. Sometimes I'm not even allowed to look inside what I'm handed, or it's already locked and the receiver has the key. Anyhow, my delivery went off smoothly and I had no trouble with my mission report. I turned on my heel after placing my report in the correct bin, heading for the exit.
"Osprey, you're wanted in the main office. Runner Osprey, you're wanted in the main office. That is all."
I cringed at the echoing sound of the intercom through the gleaming metal hallways, but I turned in the opposite direction and steeled my nerves. Main office of HQ...that's big. It's bigger than anything I've been assigned before. I've never even been inside the main office of headquarters, or heard of anyone else going in there for that matter. Usually I just drop my report in the paperwork office and head on my way...I drew a nervous breath and knocked on the door my feet had unconsciously taken me to. I had passed it so many times before but had never seen the inside...
"Enter." The door swung open before I got the chance to knock. Sitting on top of the desk inside was an operative, like me, with the hood of the long cloak up. I could see several doorways past the desk – oh. Must be the secretary or...whatever the position is called here. I heard an indignant 'hmph' and scurried inside, the door closing behind me. The hood immediately came off and I was faced with a blond woman, maybe five or six years older than me. Her eyes were icy and pinned on my figure, and I felt a lump rise to my throat. She didn't move off her perch on the desk, instead turning away from me and flinging out one hand, sending a blue and gold knife to the center of the dartboard across the room with a 'thuk' sound.
Without a word to me she pressed a button on the desk, "She's here. Want me to send her in?"
"Yes. You haven't frightened her, have you?"
She snorted to the voice on the other end, sparing me a glance, "Not on purpose. She's coming in now." Flicking a switch she returned her gaze to me, motioning with one hand to a hallway on the left, "Door Six, it's the third on the right down that hallway. He'll send you out when you're finished."
I nodded and quickly hurried towards the door, and I could feel her eyes still on me as I left. I almost sighed in relief as she was hidden from view by the hall, but immediately squished the thought when I faced the door with a shining nameplate with just the number six imprinted on it. With a reluctant sigh – man, did I really just want to leave and get some sleep – I knocked and opened the door, not waiting for a command to open it.
Well. Apparently it wasn't a problem. Behind the desk was a young man – maybe a little bit older than the woman outside – with slate colored hair that fell into his face and over one eye. I could see thin wire-framed glasses perched way down on his nose, looking as if they'd almost fall off. He looked up when I entered, eyes a mix of sky blue and the ocean, though much more calming than the woman's outside.
"Osprey. Sit down," he motioned with one hand, taking off the glasses with the other and folding them gently before placing them on the table. I sat stiffly, listening intently and keeping my gaze on the man even as I lowered my head in a semi-bow to my superior.
To my surprise he sighed, and my head instinctively snapped up. He was rubbing the bridge of his nose, leaning back in his chair. "Sorry if she scared you at all," he lamented, "She tends to have that affect on new people who come into the office. She's really not so bad once you get past the assassination threats and sadistic sarcasm..."
I blinked. He was trying to...comfort me? I could feel my eyes widen and he forced a sort of half-smile.
"Anyways, Osprey, you've been taking quite a few assignments the past week or so...the higher-ups are pleased."
"Thank you," I said, trying to smile without really looking overly pleased, which is actually rather hard. "Sir," I tacked on for good measure.
He nodded, "You've earned a bonus as well as your annual pay increasing because of your high success rates and customer satisfaction. I have to admit, your run times are impressive considering the distance and importance of some of your deliveries," he paused, "I suppose you didn't know you delivered a copy of the trade negotiations of Lasbruck's two top family companies about four days ago?"
"That thing?" I gaped, easily remembering the rainy incident clearly, "Trade negotiations? I'm surprised they didn't get soaked from the rain!"
"There's a reason everything is watertight," he agreed, "Osprey, as a company representative I have to tell you of your good jobs, but I'm going to tell you as your superior that you need to get some rest. You've been running almost constantly for the last few days and you should get some sleep and nourishment to continue working at the pace you're at."
"Yes sir," I mumbled meekly, suddenly very aware of how I must look. After an all night run...probably very windswept with bags under my eyes, partly from paranoia. My stomach grumbled and I glared at it for reminding me that I hadn't eaten since Aerith's power-boosting cookies. They're filling and they replenish energy, but I'd need a good hot meal as soon as I left.
"However..."I looked up again, once again slightly surprised, "I've been told to offer you another mission, a two-day delivery to Kisoz Cliffs. The item you are to deliver has...special properties, and it can't get wet, and that is why you have been chosen to do it. You are currently very high in the ranks of Runners, and because of the difficulties of this mission you will be paid double, as well as your annual wages will increase..."
He continued on for a few minutes longer, but I kinda toned him out. He continued to tell me about the statistics of the organization or something, but I was too focused on one thing: money. Double my normal paycheck for a mission meant...well, a lot. Money that I needed – my parents were already pushing me about being a burden on them and finding my own place – after all, my eighteenth birthday was in about four months, and it was due time I get on with life (or so thought my parents).
"I'll do it," I said, standing up confidently and not really paying attention to whether or not I cut him off. He nodded, jotting something down.
"You have to take a few days off afterwards," he warned, "The trip is exhausting. The road from Yemac-Til to Kisoz Cliffs isn't straight because it goes through part of the forest and over the river but also avoids the desert. It gets hot during the day in the sun and icy at night in the forest. I'm sure you're well prepared, but you must take a few days off afterwards. For your health. I can't force you to, because the office there runs on its own priorities, but for your sake you should. Just a warning."
He stood and pulled a key from underneath his black cloak, unhooking it from around his neck and unlocking one of the many drawers in the desk. He pulled out a crimson bag that looked like it was made of velvet.
"This," he said, "is an item of magical qualities. I'm sure you've heard of the myths of the traveling actor of many faces-"
"Oh, him?" I blurted without thinking, then clapped my hand over my mouth, "I mean-uhh, yeah, I've heard of him..." I winced, letting my hand drop. Oops.
"You've met him, hmm?" the gray-haired man just chuckled, "What a character, that man...I haven't heard from him since he took off a while back. Anyways, this is an item that he lost and it has been retrieved. You will return it to him, he'll be waiting at the Kisoz Cliffs office."
"Yes, sir," I picked up the bag off the desk, putting it gently in my pack. The way the cloth moved I could tell it was oddly shaped, but I didn't say anything more.
"You are dismissed, then," he waved to the door and I pushed my chair in. My hand was on the doorknob when he spoke again.
"When you see him, tell him that Zexion says he beat Luxord at poker. And that Larxene almost killed a priest for groping her. He'll get a kick out of it."
I nodded, my eyebrows raised so high they were hidden behind my bangs. Whatever, though. I left through the door I came in, the blond woman gone, so I hurried out as soon as I could. It was almost a relief to see the ugly smog-filled sky again, but I shrugged and kept going. I stopped long enough to grab a sandwich from a local deli and went to hand off Cloud's letter.
By the time I arrived at the door of the address I was grinning so hard I thought my face would split. With a smirk I pounded on the door, not stopping until I heard strings of shouting and curses on the other side. Even then I didn't stop, only knocking on the metal at a faster pace. Finally it swung inwards, revealing one of my favorite people in the world.
"Cid!" I launched myself at the mechanic, laughing when he grumbled and began dramatically telling me to shove off. I let go and he allowed me to follow him inside, stalking off quickly into the maze of his workshop.
"Yuffie," he said with a sigh and a smile, "What're you doing here?"
"I made a delivery," I said honestly, "And I have one for you!"
He blinked, toothpick in his mouth drooping, "I didn't hire anyone at th' damned underground to deliver anything!"
I rolled my eyes, "I know, it's from Cloud. He told me to give it to you since I'd be in town."
"Oh," he shrugged, taking the letter I held out to him. He began to tear it open, only half paying attention to me. News from Cloud meant big news. He hates writing letters.
"What's with the toothpick? Trying to quit again?" I teased, leaning over one of the work benches as I nibbled at my sandwich. He grunted, frowning as he read.
"Fine," I sniffed mockingly, "Don't talk to me. I'll just be on my merry way..." I headed for the door, frowning as I saw him not paying attention out of the corner of my eye.
"Be that way," I muttered, slamming the door behind me. I had things I needed to buy in the city anyways. Cloud could probably do with some new sword-polish, I could find a less-leaky watering can for Aerith, pick up a few gifts and some new weapons for myself...
I finished my shopping trip about an hour and a half later, my pack bulging. I patted it to make sure it was okay before heading back to Cid's dingy little shop. Try as I might, I couldn't find any quality throwing stars and knives anywhere but Cid's. I swallowed my pride and stepped inside.
"Yuffie!"
I winced. Why was everyone on my case today?
"Yes, Cid," I grumbled, "I need some more shruikan and stuff, you wouldn't happen to-"
"Here," he threw a black bag at the nearest table, and it made clinking sounds, "There are twenty-five in there. I'll be damned if you break and bend and lose 'em all before I see you again." I just laughed at his attitude, knowing very well I'd end up doing exactly that whether or not I meant to.
"But, Yuf," he turned to me, serious, and I gulped. Today must be Get On Yuffie's Case Day. It's gotta be the only explanation.
"What?"
"That letter," the mechanic said gruffly, "In that letter Cloud told me about that swordsman you saw back in Lasbruck."
"Oh. That," I squeaked.
"Yeah, that," he ran a hand through his hair, flicking the toothpick in his mouth, "There's somethin' you should know about him. Sit down, will ya?"
I plopped into the nearest chair, regardless of the grease stains on the back. Cid had my full attention, "What about him?"
"Well-" he suddenly looked a bit reluctant, suddenly in the spotlight, "We used to know him real well, me an' Aerith an' Cloud. He's a swordsman an' a damn good one at that. Moved to Lasbruck years ago an' we haven't heard from him since. From your description, though, sounds like it's definitely him."
"You...knew him?" I asked, amazed, "What's his name?"
"Squall. Squall Leonhart."
"Ohhhh," I stroked my chin, thinking hard. I didn't think I'd ever hear Cloud or Aerith mention a Squall...
"Ohh is right, young missy," Cid grumbled, "An' it's out of my shop with you! I've got things to do – weapons to make, things to polish, stuff to grind..."
Smiling, I waved as I left, scurrying out before Cid's withdrawal-induced temper sent me flying to the curb on my butt. It wouldn't hurt to get a head start on Kisoz Cliffs. Numbly, I remembered that guy's – Zexion's – warning about resting up. He was right; after those missions I was very tired. I still had a few of Aerith's cookies, but they wouldn't last the whole way to the coastal city. But now I had more things to think about...
Squall, my brained hummed, SquallSquallSquallSquallSquall...
In a way it fit that my first meeting with him was during that terrible rainstorm, even though the circumstances weren't great. I decided then and there, not even out of Yemac-Til yet, that I would find him again if it was the last thing I'd do. Then I'd get a chance to introduce myself properly. Vaguely, I wondered if he even remembered me at all. I shook the thought away as quickly as it came – he'd remember, all right. And if he didn't, I'd give him a few more reasons to remember me anyways.