It was 6 o'clock in the evening when Yuffie woke up the next day. She stretched her body and sat up happily, feeling much better than she had done the previous night. Jumping out of bed, she noticed that her clothes had been washed for her, and lay at the foot of the bed. She scrambled into them, running a hand through her hair to tidy it. As she opened the door, she felt her stomach clench- she knew Vincent was going to interrogate her. Regardless, she made her way into the living room, where Vincent lay curled, fully dressed, on the sofa, asleep. Awww...he must have been shattered, Yuffie thought, tiptoeing to the kitchen to get a drink- she wasn't particularly hungry. As she stood by the sink, sipping her glass of water, her stomach seemed to loosen somewhat. Vincent can't ask me anything if he's asleep, can he? Or maybe I should just leave. Yeah, that'd be easier...
Draining her glass, she set it down on the side, and headed back into the living room. She stood watching Vincent sleep for a moment. He looks so cute... Yuffie observed. She cast her eyes to the window. Last night's storm had blown itself out, though the town was still considerably wet. Well, at least I won't get rained on this time. And no collapsing either.
Yuffie crossed the room to the large wooden double doors. Turning the handle of one of the doors, she pulled slowly. The door creaked, swollen from the rain and not moving easily. Irritated, Yuffie tugged. The door creaked louder. "Crap," she swore, as she heard movement from behind her.
Vincent opened his eyes and frowned from his position on the sofa, watching Yuffie try to open the door. He stood up and went to stand beside Yuffie. "Leaving so soon?" he asked her.
"Oh damn," she muttered. She looked away from him; she could feel her face growing hot. "I-well-"
"Maybe I should just take you back to your father?" Vincent said scathingly. "Is that what you want?"
"No, no, of course not, I just..."
"You wanted to avoid me, is that it? You didn't want me to ask questions. Well," Vincent put a hand on the door, closing it with a creak of damp wood, "you're not escaping that. I want answers, Yuffie, and you will give me answers. Do you understand?"
Yuffie folded her arms. "Sheesh, don't blow your top, Vince. Fine, I'll tell you, but please don't send me back to Godo, please!"
Vincent's haughty expression softened slightly. "I will not," he sighed. "Sit down, I want to know everything." He went back to the sofa and sat down on it himself.
Yuffie hesitantly followed suit. Twisting her hands in her lap, she said shakily, "Why do you want to know?"
"Because nobody deserves to be lashed as terribly as you have, and I want to know what is so awful that Godo has resorted to this violence. You may never have co-operated with or cared for your father, but nevertheless, he is family. He would not have lashed you if you had not disgraced him in some way, am I correct?"
Yuffie nodded, head bowed. "Well, when Godo took me away a year ago, he told me that I was to be prepared for leadership. He said once he was gone- I dearly hope that is soon- I would be leader of Wutai. I protested, claiming I was too young and I was not fit to rule, but he simply called me an arrogant brat and would not listen. I was only nineteen, I could not have governed Wutai in any way.
"The whole way back, I begged and pleaded for my father to reconsider his decision, begged him to find another leader older and wiser than I, yet he stood firm. "Yuffie, you are a princess of Wutai, lest your childish brain forgets! The Kisaragi clan has ruled for centuries and that is not about to change in any way!" Those were his exact words to me... As soon as we returned I deserted Godo and fled to Da-Chao, where I wept for hours. I felt so low I desired nothing more than casting myself off the mountains and ending my life, for becoming the leader of Wutai meant I could never leave, never see my friends again..." Yuffie's voice trailed off.
Vincent, sat beside her, stayed silent. Yuffie was recounting the events in the story telling fashion all Wutainese children are taught from a young age. Her tale was easier to understand in this form, rather than her usual ranting. Finally, he spoke. "Carry on," he said softly.
"When I summoned the strength to climb down the mountains, it was nearing dawn. I reached the house I had lived in for so long, and there stood Godo. He was furious at me for running away from him. I stayed silent, and after some berating he softened the smallest amount. He said I need not worry so soon, as he would still be leader for a while to come. At those words, my heart soared with joy. I still had time... but even that could not last.
"I lived happily in Wutai, on my home soil, for a year. I would have gone on living there forever, if I had the choice of staying a princess and not having to become something I could never hope to be. At this time, it was a beautiful dusky evening, and I sat contentedly at the peak of Da-Chao, gazing out at my beloved town. I heard footsteps break the silence, and as I turned, I recognised Gorki. "Lady Kisaragi, Lord Godo requests your presence. He has joyful news for Your Ladyship," he told me. Eagerly, I followed Gorki down Da-Chao. I was sure this news could only mean my father had found another leader. Yet when I reached my father, I knew this news was not going to be to my liking at all."
Vincent closed his eyes, letting the young ninja's words wash over him. He could picture the scene, the dreaded words of Godo to Yuffie...
Yuffie stood in front of her father, hands clasped behind her back. "Well?" she demanded impatiently.
"Less of that, if you will, my girl," Godo chided. "Listen to my words, Yuffie, for I think you will be grateful of me. I have secured you a joyous future, a future you will be content to be with for the rest of your days."
Yuffie's mouth dropped open in amazement. That could only mean...
"M-Marriage?" she stammered. "Is that what you mean?!"
Godo laughed heartily. "Of course, girl! You are of the age where you should be settling down with a loving husband and, when the time comes, have a family. The world is large, Yuffie. A man can protect you from it."
Yuffie felt her insides boiling with rage. Why did nobody consult her first? Did anyone care about her say in the matter? Forcing herself to keep her voice steady, she said with as much respect as she could, "And who is this man whom you have sought?"
Gorki began to shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other. Godo frowned at him, and Gorki lowered his head. "My apologies, my Lord."
"It matters not, do not apologise. You have no need for embarrassment. Do not look at me like that, Yuffie, you are not marrying Gorki!" Yuffie breathed a sigh of relief. "But, I have spoken most carefully with Gorki, and I am delighted to say that he is allowing me to marry you to his son, Siyo. I assure you, young Siyo is a most remarkable gentleman, I am sure you will live happily with him forever more!"
"Oh Leviathan..." Yuffie thought. "I don't even know this Siyo," she exclaimed, abandoning her attempts to show respect. "Who is he and why have I not seen him before?"
"Ah, yes... Gorki here is, unfortunately, a divorced man. When he left his wife, he allowed her to take care of their son. Gorki had the job of guarding the Pagoda even then, and his son was a year old by this time. His wife took Siyo and left to live in Midgar. Unfortunately, she had no money and was forced to live in Sector 7, which you know, Shinra collapsed. She died but somehow, baby Siyo survived and was brought up by a most caring man in Sector 6. Or so we thought he was caring. Four years ago he brought Siyo to Wutai and left him to his own devices while he 'took care of some business.' He kidnapped you and a member of the Turks-"
"Wait a minute, he was raised by Corneo?!"
"Yes, that was him, but don't interrupt- he took you and that Turk girl to Da-Chao, and as you should remember, your friends and the Turks arrived and killed Corneo. You left Wutai soon after, but Siyo remained here. He has been living with Gorki ever since, and he helps at the Pagoda. So now I have told you who he is, would you like to meet him? He still resides at the Pagoda."
Yuffie took a deep breath and forced a smile onto her face. Turning to Gorki, she said, "Thank you, Gorki, for being so thoughtful. It truly is an honour to be married to your son."
Gorki flushed. "No need to thank me, Lady Kisaragi. You should thank your father."
"Yes, I will, but please, may I ask you to step outside? I require a private discussion with my father."
"Yes, yes, of course, Milady. I shall go. Call me if you need me." Bowing , Gorki swept from the room.
Godo frowned. "What is so important that Gorki cannot hear what is to be said?"
"If you please, father, I did not want to offend him."
Offend him? You mean you refuse to marry his son? After all I have wrought for you, everything I have provided?" Godo's voice began to rise with anger.
"Please, father, hear my words. I am grateful that you have done this for me, but I regret to say that I do not wish to marry yet. I still believe I am too young."
Godo's face burned red. Raising a hand, he slapped Yuffie hard, knocking her back. "You insolent brat," he growled. "You think the entire world revolves around you, don't you? Well, child, I am your father and you will do as I say! You will marry in three week's time, or I wash my hands of you completely!"
"I would rather die than marry someone I do not know!"Yuffie cried. "A man raised by a pervert has no place in my heart! I cannot love a man who will follow the same path as Corneo!"
Godo balled his hands into fists. "I had hoped you would not reject my offer, girl," he said. "First, you blatantly refuse to become leader of Wutai, now you refuse to marry the best man I can find for you. So I have something to force you into it..." He turned and opened a cupboard, bringing out- Yuffie closed her eyes as soon as she saw the whip in he father's hand.
Turning back to his terrified daughter, he whispered, "So, the prospect of eternal marriage? Or do I have to punish you?" Yuffie defiantly held her tongue and said nothing. This angered Godo further. "You disgust me, you disobedient wretch!" he screamed, raising the whip and slashing her face.
The pain that seared through Yuffie was sickening, unbearable. She cried out in agony and fell to the floor, clutching her cheek. Godo took his chances and lashed her across her back, hitting her harder whenever she tried to stand up. Eventually, she remained where she was, tears leaking from beneath her tightly closed eyes, sobs wracking her burning body.
Godo hit her one final time, then tossed the whip aside. Bending down to her ear, he hissed, "And let that be a lesson to you, my girl, never to defy me. For as of now, I have no daughter!" With that, he stormed from the room, leaving Yuffie to weep with pain and sorrow.
"I escaped, once I had the strength. It took me a full week to get here. And that...t-that's wh-what happened...are you s-satisfied?" Yuffie whispered as she finished her tale. Without warning, she burst into tears of anguish.