Now that I've had time, what with helping with my cousin's wedding and finding a job, I've finally written another chapter!...though it's kinda short for my tastes, but I plan for the next chapter to be longer. So, onto the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own pretty much anything that's in this story...well, cept for the crew members...and I guess Hikaru is mine, too.

The throne room of Yokoto Palace was large and spacious, the walls adorned with numerous silk tapestries that depicted epic battles and legends of yore. Multiple male guards, each armed with a naginata, lined the walkway to the throne, and they all had their eyes on the crew of the Tiny Bronco.

"My Lord Godo, I must apologize for our sudden intrusion into your land." Koro had stepped forward to speak for the group, and Vincent had been relieved because of it. Not because the gunman didn't want to speak, but because the Captain was having a hissy-fit over the face that the palace engineers were laying their 'un-fucking-worthy hands' on his 'baby.'

The Lord waved his hand in the air. "Think nothing of it. Especially after what you did for my daughter."

Vincent cocked his head in confusion, and Koro responded with "I don't understand. When did we help your daughter, the princess?"

Just as Godo was about to answer, the main doors opened, and the Lord smiled. "I present to you, my daughter, princess of Yokoto."

Six female guards surrounded the princess, each equipped with light armor and a slightly smaller version of the male guards' naginatas. The two in front moved to the side, and revealed to the room the princess. Dressed in a beautiful crimson kimono, one that seemed just a tiny bit too large for her, stood Yuffie with her eyes closed. As soon as they opened, they scanned the visitors, and upon seeing Vincent, a shrill, happy squeal escaped her as she ran all the way to him and leaped, grabbing him around the neck and saying "I knew you'd come! That's why I pulled out my mother's kimono." Letting go, she stepped back a step and did a quick twirl, then pointed at Vincent's cloak. "See? We match!"

Vincent, as pale as he was, paled a little more. Cid, already angered, started to turn red. "What the fuck?! This brat's a princess?!"

Yuffie stuck her tongue out at Cid. "Be quiet, old man. You should be happy Vincent was with you. If he hadn't given me the money, I might not have made it back here so soon."

Cid's entire face became as red as the kimono. "Like hell he did! That was me, and because I felt sorry for you! You were trying to steal from Vin!"

Godo looked down at his daughter. "Is this true?"

Blushing, Yuffie quietly said "...Maybe?"

Vincent nodded, but let out a small yelp of surprise as the girl clung to his arm. "What are you doing?"

Yuffie looked up at him, and Godo answered for her. "It seems she's taking a liking to you."

Vincent looked up at Godo, then at the crew. Koro, seemed to hide behind his glasses, letting the light catch them just right so no one could see past them. Fallen and Mizuki seemed shocked, their mouths open and eyes wide. Cid...well, Cid wasn't exactly happy.

"This brat likes Vincent?! She's almost half his age! Not to mention a thief! This is fucking ridiculous! I getting out of here before some other weird shit happens!" With that, the Captain left the throne room, glaring at the guards that dared glare at him as he left.

Koro cleared his throat. "Well, I must apologize for him. He has...a temper."

Godo laughed loudly, startling everyone. "Oh, it's no trouble! I know how much of a pain my daughter can be."

This got a "Hey!" from Yuffie, but the Lord continued. "Well, I must insist you all stay here for at least a night. It's only fair, since you did help my daughter."

The crew seemed to think it over, then unanimously agreed to stay. Godo smiled, and said "Then, I'll have the guards lead you to your rooms, and Yuffie will stay with me so we can discuss things, like running away."

Yuffie paled, and let go of Vincent's arm. The crew was being lead away as the yelling started, and the gunman was thankful that he didn't have to listen to it.

They were led by one of the male guards, and after some walking, stopped outside three rooms. "These are your rooms. One for the lady, and the other two for the four guys. You can sleep anyway you like, just pick for yourselves. I'm Hikaru, and if you need anything, I'll be there to help. Now, if you excuse me."

As he left, Koro and Fallen walked into the middle room and shut the door, leaving Vincent and Mizuki alone. "Well, I guess you get the Captain then. Once you find him, you should probably head off to bed. It's been a long day for both of you." Mizuki then went into her room, locking the door shut behind her.

Vincent sighed, and headed out to find the Captain. He searched the palace, but came up with nothing, and still got nothing when he searched the Tiny Bronco, which held no life, not even the engineers that had been searching it earlier.

The sun had started to set, and Vincent made his way to outside the palace. Standing on the bridge that lead to the town, he stared over the side and into the water, looking at his reflection in the fiery light.

"Hey, Vin, what do you think of the brat?"

Vincent blinked at the question. "She's young, and...I don't feel anything towards her. Why?"

Cid shook his head. "No reason. Just...no, it's nothing."

Vincent patted the smoker's shoulder. "We should get to bed."

"Yeah." Putting his cigarette out on the ground, he stood and followed Vincent, a small, content smile on his face.

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"No! Stay back!" the woman screamed. She had crawled into the corner of her bedroom, and was trapped as the masked figure that broke into her home slowly got closer.

"I'm supposed to be finding someone, but they didn't say I couldn't do anything fun." The woman couldn't see it, but could feel the malicious grin behind the mask, and screamed as the long, serrated blade swung down on her, and silenced her voice.

She lay on the floor, bleeding out as she stared at the man that attacked her, trying to gasp for breath. She could just barely feel the man rub his thumb along her lips, and distantly heard a small laugh, before everything seemed to blur, and turn to a cold, frightening darkness.

Yuffie likes Vin? And she's a princess?! And someone is killing people for fun?!!!...well, it happens. Wait till the next chapter, it'll be good...well, I'm hoping, at least. R&R, please!