Chapter 4: Leviathan, Save Me from This Insanity

Oh my gods. Thank you! It's the weekend, and I am so stoked on going out with the girls! We finally had free time this Sunday, and mom was gone to grocery shopping with Ryuu and one of the maids. I know I need to be ready for the next upcoming week of homework, tests, and short paragraph writing, but I need a break. Having Buttface as our next-door neighbor was harsh, and to make matters worse, he and dad were friends instantly. Oh my god. I had tutoring days with him on Fridays and Saturdays, and my dad was confident that my safety and education was in his hands.

Holy shit. I was so close on getting therapy in school, but after finishing all the mountain piles of homework and losing hours of sleep, I am able to relieve myself from Mr. Valentine's presence and his gaze. I lost a whole lot of sleep at that time, but good thing that Mr. Valentine has a meeting to go to with the teachers this Sunday. Good luck, loser!

Speaking of sleep, I kept on having these dreams almost every time. Naps and sleep has been weird to the point of being scary, and I was being called by my middle name. I never told anyone this, especially my mom or my brother, because one) mom would tell me that they are just dream or would send me to see a therapist and two) Ryuu's a baby and would freak out about how it's going to affect him from me. Thus, Ryuu would tell mom, and she would send me to therapy, too. I couldn't tell anyone about this, or I'd be in the loony house where every room has a creeper or a rapist. Nuh-uh. Thank you, but I got a life to live.

"Yuffie! Are you ready?"

"Coming Teefs! Just hold a damn minute!" I was able to slip my arms through the holes of my dark grey vest before charging down the stairs. My navy blue tank top had a rose floral design, and my tan and black shorts was still short much against my dad's "going out" rule. I was able to grab my black knee high socks, tan boots, and a pink ribbon for my arm from my closet of piled doom. I couldn't find a pair for my white wristbands, so I had a black-sleeved armband that was long enough to cover my elbow and wrists.

When I grabbed the doorknob, I heard a whimper behind me and turned around. Poor Red. He wanted to go, but I need someone to guard the house while I'm gone. Not only that I have to hide my identity as the ambassador's daughter, I have to make sure that the house is well guarded, too. Red was the best guard dog we ever have, and he did manage to make damage against the guys who tried to kidnap my brother and me. That was months ago, and he was able to alert us after chewing their arms. I tell you. It wasn't pretty, and I had to take my baby brother upstairs from the gruesome scene as the police took them away.

"Aw. I'm sorry. I can't take you. Don't worry boy. I'll get you something when I come back, okay?" He whimpered a bit more and nudged my hand with his nose. I would love to take him with me, but he's… well… big. Additionally, the children who seen him from Ryuu's show and tell would climb on the big dummy, and I don't think he could withstand the weight.

"Make sure that you guard the house while I'm gone." Red barked that showed that he understood what I said and went stiff. Sometimes, I wonder if the mutt was smarter than anyone in this house. Oh well…

"Bye!" I waved to him and opened the door. After I got out and locked the door in case of emergencies, the alarm system turned on. You can thank my dad and his paranoia.

"Ready, Yuffs?" Tifa asked, and Aerith was jumping up and down. Tifa was wearing her old get up that resembled a cowgirl, and Aerith wore the white dress with pink laces and a pink cotton sleeved sweater. It still had the summer feeling, but the start of fall started a few days ago. Therefore, we are going to enjoy the last temperature of the weekend. I was grinning wide and was ready for the weekend.

"Teefs, I was born ready!"

And nobody was going to stop Yuffie Kisaragi to enjoy her weekends. Not even Buttface next door.

This whole day was full of fun and enjoyment. We managed to go shopping around the city district, and we had different ideas. Aerith wanted to buy toys she promised for her sister, and each of us decided to spend a few gil on one or two. I got Ryuu the biggest Moogle plush toy I found in the store while Aerith bought a three different colored Chocobos. Everyone in the store stared at me like "how can a tiny person lift a king-size toy half the weight and size"; I didn't care. It's for Ryuu. He's three for gods' sakes. Tifa bought a remote controlled motorcycle for Cloud's little brother, and he was a big fan on vehicles.

The next idea was mine. I wanted to go to the arcade to spend a few gil on games and the dancing revolution machine at the back. Tifa and I challenged each other on every single machine from combat fighting to team-up shooting games. Aerith just watched and tallied who won the most. If there was a tie, the Dance Dance Revolution Excel was the tiebreaker, and it would mean either I win or Tifa would win. Today, I lost and had to pay lunch for all of us. Damn.

The last idea was dress shopping, and to tell you the truth, I loathed that idea. I always have a handful of dresses pushed from both the girls, and I would have to try out every single dress. Most of the dresses involve larger breasts, and I lack that area. The other few would fit me, but it doesn't seem to touch my impression. Times like those would fail, and Tifa would drag me to the shoe store. I love my boots thank you very much, but if it were sandals, I would like it flat and somewhat criss-crossed up to my calves. I would love to do this at my wedding day, but I would prefer the white kimono my mom used to wear. It was soft and silky, and the design would be the blue water dragon named "Leviathan." That is a serpent god from Wutai, and it was previously named "Poseidon" in the southern part.

Right now, I was in the middle of changing and throwing the bright orange dress over the curtains just for Aerith to catch it. If this was for future prom, I am not getting caught on that gaudy style. Shit, wearing that dress made me feel like a slut to the tenth degree. Tifa, where did your brain go?

"How long am I staying in here?" I called out… yet again.

"Until you have at least three dresses that we all like, according to Tifa's direction. Oh, and she says that you are not going to get out of here until you have at least one dress." Aerith answered behind the curtain, and I groaned. Stupid Tifa. Why did you have to make things difficult?

I grabbed the next dress, and it was purple. I looked at the mirror and choked in disgust. Who the hell decided to put frills on the top? This is definitely on my "What to Burn" list. As I tossed the frilly dress over the curtains, I saw something white at the corner of my eye.

I turned my head to see a neat white dress that resembled a toga hanging at the corner. Well… it wasn't a toga, but it did look like it was crossed with a simple styled white prom dress with a sash on the waist and being held by two large gold rings on each side. It was sleeveless, and the cloth crossed the right side over the left. The skirt was long and didn't show any slits anywhere. Something like this caught my attention, and I brushed my fingers against the fabric. It was silky, but it wasn't like my mother's dress. Oh well, it was close enough, and I basically want to get back to my old outfit. Being here in only my underwear and boots is slightly sexy, but I do need to get home.

I took the dress from the hanger and tried to get the dress on me. I swear this thing feels like it was made for me, and I wanted to see how I look like. I had my head out and shook away my hair to look at the mirror.

Holy shit. This is perfect.

It doesn't look frilly or puffy like the other dresses, and it doesn't feel like it shows too much. Sure the V-cut is down to the center of my chest and down to the lower back, but it just feels… well… perfect. I think I should grab the two-inch high heels open toed shoes with the criss-crossed straps. Hey… I think that works. I giggled and spun around, feeling the skirt flow with the twirl. I closed my eyes and think of the guy I would dance with me, and I would definitely have heads turning.

"I like this." I whispered to myself and imagined a guy whispering next to my ear.

"Perfect."

HOLY CORNDOGS ON A STICK!

My eyes snapped open, and I turned around to find the source of the sound. Nothing was here, but I swore that… that voice did not belong here. That was not my inner voice or the voice of a guy around my age, and it was too deep and dark.

On time, Tifa ripped the curtains open with Aerith behind her. I think I screamed a little too loud, and I needed to remind myself on quit saying things outloud. I felt like I got caught red handed with a cookie on my hand when I was at Aerith's house. However, this was different. Tifa had this fierce protectiveness in her eyes, and Aerith had the worry expression as well as a concern for me. That immediately changed when they saw what I was wearing and squealed.

"That's perfect!" Aerith cooed and spun me around. I didn't mind, but I'll let them turn me to have a look at my new dress.

"No kidding! If I was a guy, I'd lose my balance and kiss the floor." Tifa laughed, and I guffawed.

"Girl, I'm the one who's going to be a boy, and I'd steal you both away from Cloud and Zack if I changed my gender." We all giggled, and they left me take the dress off behind the curtains once again. Now, all we need is to get my shoes if it existed.

As I was taking out the dress, I remembered the deep voice that I heard. I would have thought of it growling, but it did sounded like growling. I thought a guy was here, and I know that Tifa would use her deadly uppercut on the pervert. Shivers went up my spine, and I did shake for a bit before shaking myself out fully. That voice sounded… possessive and… holy shit. I need to get out of here.

"Hey, babes."

Oh. My. Gods. Go away. Move your seat somewhere far away from our table. Someone, please, save us. No wait. Tifa, deal with this idiot, please. It's supposed to be my day off before I get back to the high school hell, and this ex-boyfriend of mine is so not helping.

"What do you want?" She snarled, and I would have cheered her on except that we were in the usual café we all go. Also, the manager wants no violence in the café, or we'd be banned from it. For those who are very sleepy and are experiencing massive overload of high school education lectures, no violence equals no Tifa punch. Damn.

I scowled and drank my orange cream smoothie through a straw. His name is Jason, but he's usually called "Pirithous" or "Pirry". He's not Wutainese for sure, but he used to be the friendly, short, curled, brown haired dork I used to like since freshman year. He was interested in learning my culture, and we became friends like that. After a few more months, he asked me out, and I agreed. Our freshman year was great and fun, and we enjoyed our time together.

During our sophomore year, he changed when he ditched the glasses and dyed his brown hair blond. He went to gyms more than to the Wutainese garden near my house. He preferred the parties and beers than the festivals and tea. He ditched school to talk with his friends rather than to stay with me and talk to me. He was more involved with the cheerleaders and sports than with my culture and me. It hurt when he broke up with me because I didn't want to give him what he wanted, but I was livid when he insulted my family and my cultural beliefs. No one insults my family and gets away with it, especially the incest jeer from him. I was happy when my family and friends were there for me than his friends, and I'm over it and him. I have friends and family who are there to protect me and support me, even my own dad would threatened him to "Get away from my daughter, or I'll make sure you wish you were never born."

Now, the question was what the hell was he doing here? His school and house were on the other side of the city, and he hangs out more there than here. Was he here to get back at me? I wasn't the one who set the trap for him. It wasn't the Home Alone series, and I am mentally grinning. Back to the present…

"Oh, I have a party coming next Sunday, and I was wondering if you, ladies, would come over. I promise that there will be foods, games, and drinks with many people to mingle with." I frowned. Something was telling me that this wasn't what he was telling, and I know that he hasn't shown up until now. I looked at the girls, and they knew what I was thinking. We all never have heard from Pirithous ever since he moved away from us, so something was up. We better come up with excuses.

"Sorry, Pirry. I'm going with my family to an amusement park for my sister's birthday. We all already planned out that week." Aerith answered solemnly, but inside, I know she has a lot of gusto. I looked at Tifa, who just smiled too sweetly.

"I have to babysit at that day, and I can't afford to miss this one. Sorry." From the corner of my eye, he showed disappointment in his face. Probably, he promised his friends us and declared that I was his "friend." Not anymore, ass kisser.

"What about you, Yuffie? Don't tell me that you have plans as well." Now all eyes were on me, and I know that I have no excuse on this one. There were no upcoming events or anything planned next week, and I internally panicked.

Oh, man. He'll know that I have nothing to do if I stuttered, make something up that it total bullshit, or be involved a nonexistent schedule plan. He knows where I lived, and I have not put a restraining order on him because he has not caused any harm on my family according to the law. Mom hates his guts, Ryuu would scowl and hug me away from him, and Dad would murder him on the spot. However, we can't do anything to "harm" him since he hasn't done anything. So, excuses have to be made, and there's almost everything in my mind that was crossed off from the list. Well… almost everything but one…

...

Why do the gods enjoy my misery?

"I can't! I have tutoring at that day." Okay. I know that Pirithous was raising an eyebrow like he doesn't believe me, and I expected that. However, I got shocked expressions from Tifa and Aerith, and I did not expect this to happen. I think they were not expecting me to use the tutoring excuse since I only teach kids on winters and summer, and I know that they were thinking about my excuse about Mr. Vincent-Sadistic-Emo-Valentine.

Yes. You heard me. I have to pull out the Mr. Valentine card to get me away from jail, and I wish we were playing Monopoly™ game instead.

I actually do not have much homework, but the tutoring thing about one subject I loathe is my clinging hope to both saving my education and me. I guess that I have to be more convincing.

"Listen, getting into college and passing high school is a big deal for me, but I want to get into this university with a good GPA. Unfortunately, English was never my best subject, and this teacher practically came from hell. I'm basically failing this class, and I need to up my grade." Pirithous scoffed and waved my excuse away.

"Why don't you reschedule your tutoring for next week? One week isn't going to fail your whole life." Oh yeah. I forgot that he is basically a jock and doesn't care about his grades that are somewhat average. Kinda sad, but also kinda disappointing. If he was studying in the same high school with me, then he'll know that Mr. Valentine isn't someone who you want to fuck with. Therefore, I'm gonna be blunt for him since he's no longer the smart, fantastic boy from two years ago.

"You know Mrs. Helga?" He nodded, remembering the strict old hag.

"Yeah? What of her?"

"She retired."

"Really." He didn't look surprised; she was ancient, anyways.

"There's a new teacher who is worse than her. He's not going to pass people who are going to do half-assed, and I need this tutoring to pass his class. Or it's summer school for me, and I will make your life a living hell if I fail this English class."

Okay. Threatening him wasn't the best convincing part, but really. I'm gonna have to beg Buttface to keep him away from me and work on the homework and crud for English class. This is survival, and my instincts were telling me that I would rather die knowing that Mr. Valentine murdered me through English torture than not knowing what Pirithous has in stored for me.

"Are you sure that you have tutoring on that day?"

Oh. My. God. Is he stupid? No. Wait. Yes. He is.

"Yes. I have tutoring. If you make me go to your party, I will fail English, and I will sick Red on your ass if you try to come over to my house." I half-groaned and half-seethed in rage to get the message across his brain. I think he got the point that his presence wasn't welcomed anymore, but he wasn't convinced about the tutoring excuse and would probably come over to "pick me up".

"All right. Good luck then." He stood up from his seat and left the café. I think we all can breathe for now, but what now? Aerith and Tifa have their true excuse, and I made a fib on mine.

"Are you really going to ask my brother to teach you?" Tifa asked, and I just slammed my head on the table.

Shit. I really need to ask Mr. Valentine next door to tutor me, do I?