Chapter 4: A tale of opposites

It had been a whole day since Lance woke up and found himself in a forest in the middle of what seemed to be nowhere on a strange world where nothing was even remotely familiar to him. However Lance wasn't one to lose his cool over something like this, he had found himself in situations worse than this, he just had to find his way out of the forest.

Lance carefully scaned his surroundings, "Hmmm," He said to himself, "if I go North that'll just take me even further into the forest, so if I go South I may be able to get out of this place."

Lance set off in a Southern direction; the forest wasn't particularly frightening and the creatures within it remained in hiding, afraid of the stranger that was wandering around their forest. Lance continued to survey his surroundings, every tree looked the same but as a guard and with the help of his cybernetic implants, Lance had a good sense of direction. However after a while Lance had the strange feeling that he was being watched.

Lance stopped suddenly in his tracks and looked behind him, but when he saw nothing there he relaxed slightly and shrugged, "hmmm, I must have been imagining it." Lance continued walking, completely unaware that someone was watching him.

A female thief in her late teens, early 20s was sat on a high up tree branch of a blossom tree eyeing the stranger who was currently walking underneath her hiding place. "So," She thought to herself as she chuckled quietly, "that's a wallet, jewellery, a watch. Man that guy is loaded, and I bet he's a real sucker too."

The thief jumped from tree to tree at the same time as keeping an eye on her intended victim. Lance quickly jumped back just in time as a large four point shuriken came flying at him and stuck into the trunk of a nearby tree. Lance quickly withdrew his spear and turned round to see a young woman in her late teens, early 20s standing a few feet away from him.

"Damn!" She cursed, "Why did you move?"

Lance glared at the woman, "so it was you that threw that shuriken!"

The woman walked over to the tree and pulled her shuriken out of it, the weapon looked too large and heavy to use, but the woman could wield it easily.

"Who are you?" Lance asked careful not to take his eyes of the woman.

"Humph, I could ask you the same question. Gee, you're funny looking." The woman laughed loudly as she pointed at Lance's tail. "Is that thing even real?"

Lance gave the woman another evil glare and flicked his tail angrily. "Yes, it's real, now what do you want?" He demanded in no mood for her antics.

"Well," The woman answered grinning smugly as she did so. "I was gonna sneak up and take your items but now it looks like I'll have to do things the hard way."

"You're a thief?"

"My name is Yuffie," Yuffie explained, "I prefer to think of myself as a materia hunter, and a ninja. In fact I'm the best ninja in the land, you've probably heard of me."

"First of all," Lance said shaking his head at Yuffie, "I only just got here. Second, I haven't heard of you, and third, what's materia?"

"What's materia?" Yuffie repeated she slapped her head mockingly,"man you're thick, materia are orbs that enable the user to cast magic, and to a trained materia hunter/ninja like me they're very valuable."

"Ha," Lance scoffed, "call yourself whatever you want, to me you're just a thief, and believe me I know your type."

Yuffie grinned, "Is that so?" She questioned slyly, "why don't you fight me and you'll soon see how good I am, I'll try not to hurt you too much." She laughed at her own statment and got into a fighting stance.

Lance grinned, "oh don't worry about me," he responded as he spun his lance round and brought it behind him in a fighting stance. "You should be more worried about yourself."

Lance and Yuffie stood opposite each other, and for a time neither moved but rather they stared intently at each other trying to determine their opponent's weak points. Lance locked on to Yuffie to determine her weaknesses.

Lance: (In his head) Well she's fast, flexible, acrobatic. Has some skill with that shuriken, but is too cocky and arrogant, can be a little clumsy.

Yuffie jumped a few paces backwards and launched her shuriken at Lance. Lance quickly spun his spear round in circles in front of him causing the shuriken to deflect off it and head back in Yuffie's direction. She jumped up and caught it.

Yuffie: (In her head) Damn, I've got to admit, he's pretty good with that spear. Throwing my shuriken at him won't work, I have to change my tactics.

Yuffie ran towards the nearest tree and jumped up to the lowest branch, she darted from branch to branch trying to confuse Lance. Lance followed her every move with his target sensor. Yuffie quickly jumped from the highest tree branch and aimed to strike Lance with her shuriken. There was an almighty clang as shuriken met spear. Lance staggered back at the force of Yuffie's strike causing him to remain on the defensive, it appeared that Lance and Yuffie were in a bit of a stalemate. Yuffie was striking against Lance's spear with all her might trying to break through his defences, Lance meanwhile was defending himself with his spear, neither could get in any blows of their own. Eventually Yuffie broke through Lance's defences and cut him on the arm, fortunately she struck his left arm, Yuffie was shocked that he didn't even cry out.

"Hey!" Yuffie stammered in shock at the fact that Lance was still stood there without feeling any pain. "I struck your arm, you're supposed to be on the floor in pain!"

Lance grinned slyly at Yuffie ,"my arm is cybernetic," he explained, "I don't feel any pain there."

Yuffie glared at Lance, "just you wait!"

Yuffie placed both her feet on Lance's spear and kicked off it into the air, Lance bent his knees and launched himself into the air striking again at Yuffie with his spear. This time however Lance managed to strike Yuffie in her arm.

"Aaaahhhh!" Yuffie cried out in pain as she fell to the ground holding her arm, Lance landed in front of her. "You stupid jerk!" She yelled, cursing at Lance. "You could of killed me!"

"Sorry," Lance replied apologetically, "I didn't mean to hurt you."

Lance walked up to Yuffie, he stretched out his hand to help Yuffie to her feet, but as soon as Lance got near her Yuffie kicked out and dragged Lance's feet out from underneath him. Lance landed hard on his stomach effectively winding him. Yuffie leapt to her feet and pulled a coil of rope from her shoulder and was about to tie Lance up, but he opened his eyes and side rolled out of the way just in time.

"Huh?" Yuffie looked around her in confusion.

Yuffie was standing by the tree where Lance lay a few moments previously, she turned round just in time to see a spear being thrown at her.

"Aaaaahhhhh!" Yuffie cried out as the spear caught the collar of her tank top and pinned her to the tree causing her to drop the rope she held in her hand.

"Hey, no fair!" Yuffie whined loudly as she struggled wildly. "You cheated!"

"See," Lance taunted as he walked up to her, "I told you I can handle thieves like you. Yuffie was still struggling. "Stop struggling," Lance said as he gave her a stern stare, "you'll just make it tighter. I'm gonna let you go now, ok."

Yuffie nodded and Lance removed his spear causing Yuffie to fall to the ground, Lance helped Yuffie to her feet and she leaned on him for a while until she could regain her balance. However when she came away she had Lance's wallet in her hand.

Lance saw the wallet in Yuffie's hand and started feeling round his pockets. "Hey, give that back!" Lance commanded, hetook the wallet back, grabbed hold of Yuffie's hand and picked up the rope lying on the ground.

Yuffie winced as she felt Lance's grip tighten round her wrist. "Hey let go you're hurting me!" She cried out in pain. "What are you doing?"

Lance pushed Yuffie backwards and her back slammed heavily into a nearby tree. He took hold of both ends of the rope and tied Yuffie up with it.

Lance stood back after tying her up. "There, now you can't get up to anything," Lance replied, satisfied that Yuffie was securely bound to the tree, "now are you gonna talk or do I have to force the answers out of you?"

"Ok, ok I'll talk!" Yuffie responded rapidly, her eyes grew wide with fright. "I'll tell you everything you need to know…but just tell me who you are first and I'll talk!"

Lance sat down on a log opposite Yuffie, he thought about her demand and when he decdied that it was a reasonable on ehe answered. "Alright, I'm Lance. Now tell me where we are."

"We're on the Western Continent," Yuffie began to explain, "we're currently in a forest North of Wutai."

Lance gave Yuffie a confused look, "Wutai?"

"It's my hometown, you just have to keep following the trail South."

Lance thought about this and nodded, "I see, well thanks…Yuffie."

Lance stood up and started to walk off in the direction that Yuffie had suggested.

"Hey!" Yuffie yelled after him, "you're not thinking of leaving me here are you?"

Lance stopped in his tracks but he didn't face her, "why not? He asked still with his back to her. "It's no more than you deserve." Lance continued to walk away.

"Hey!" Yuffie yelled at the top of her lungs, "get back here! My Father is Lord Godo, the leader of Wutai! If he finds out about this he'll kick your ass!"

Lance stopped again, but this time he turned to face Yuffie.

"I hope that…Lord Godo knows that he has a rotten little sneak thief for a daughter!" He snapped

"He does know actually!" Yuffie shot back glaring at Lance, "now are you are gonna untie me or do I have to yell and scream until your ears hurt so much that you'll have to let me go!"

Lance sighed, he knew that Yuffie was right, she would scream and continue to scream until he had a splitting headache. He walked over to Yuffie and began to untie her. Yuffie slowly stood up and rubbed her wrists.

"Thanks…sucker…I mean Lance. Well I better be on my way…" Yuffie stopped in mid-sentence as she felt something snag on the collar of her shirt, she turned he head round to see that Lance had grabbed hold of her. "Hey!" Yuffie yelled as she struggled but Lance's grip was too strong, "let go!"

Lance refused to let go, "Wait a second. You're not going anywhere." He withdrew a shorter length of rope, he grabbed hold of Yuffie's arms and pulled them behind her back. Yuffie winced in pain but she didn't cry out, When Lance was sure that Yuffie's hands were securely behind her back, he tied them together.

"Hey!" Yuffie yelled, she tried to kick him but Lance was too quick for her. "What are you doing? You're kidnapping me!"

"I'm not kidnapping you," Lance tried reasoning with her, "I'm just making sure that you don't run away. Now if you behave yourself I might let you go."

"You know," Yuffie commented, "for…whatever it is that you are, you're very shrewd."

"I'm a fox," Lance retorted, "now which way did you say we had to go to get to…Wutai is it?"

Yuffie nodded, "yeah, we go South." She replied.

"Good, lets go."

Lance began to walk in a Southern direction dragging Yuffie behind him.

Meanwhile in Rocket Town, Cid Highwind was busy making last minute adjustments to the Tiny Bronco. He had been working on rebuilding the plane for the passed three months and had almost got it flying again. His wife Shera had helped him to rebuild the Tiny Bronco and he was grateful for her help. She was now in the house taking a break while Cid made his adjustments. Five minutes later he had finished his adjustments and he stood back to admire his handy work.

"Well…there she is," Cid said proudly to himself, "better than new. All I have to do is take her for a test fight."

Cid climbed into the Tiny Bronco and turned the engine on, he sighed happily at the thought of taking to the skies in the Tiny Bronco once again. The plane slowly moved forwards as it headed towards the runway.

Nearby Angel had just woken up to find herself in a field.

"Oh," Angel moaned softly as she came round, "where am I…Lance!" Angel sat up and looked to her left and saw that Lance wasn't there. "Where could he be?"

Angel staggered to her feet and looked at her surroundings, she wasn't sure where she was or even how she got there but she did have a feeling that it had something to do with that strange storm they were caught in. Angel found herself thinking about Lance. She hadn't seen him or the others since they were separated and her heart was filled with worry.

"Well," Angel decided, "I can't stand here and do nothing, I must find them."

Angel started walking across the field, it was quite a picturesque scenery, almost as if it was out of a picture book. Eventually the grass was replaced by hard concrete. Angel looked down on the ground she was walking on and saw strange markings on the tarmac, she wasn't sure what those markings were and she found herself staring intently at them as if she was deciphering some secret that was held within them. Angel was so wrapped up in her own little world that she didn't hear the sound of an engine nearby.

The Tiny Bronco was now on the runway and Cid was making his final checks.

"The engine…is online, the propellers… " He looked at the propellers on the wings of the plane and grinned, "check. Well everything seems fine, and we're ready for take off."

The Tiny Bronco started moving again at top speed along the runway, it had go quite a distance down the runway before it could take off but Cid was confident that this test flight would be a success. Half way down the runway he saw something large and brown, tinged with blue on the runway and it took him a split second to realise that it was a person of some kind.

"Shit!" Cid yelled at the top of his lungs, he pulled back on the brake as hard as he could and sparks flew from the wheels of the Tiny Bronco as it started to skid to a stop. Angel looked up and saw the plane speeding towards her.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!" Angel screamed she tried to move but her feet appeared to be frozen to the ground. Fortunately the Tiny Bronco stopped mere inches in front of Angel, she breathed a huge sigh of relief. Cid glared at her from the Tiny Bronco.

"What the hell did you think you were playing at?!" Cid cursed not taking his eyes off Angel. "You could have been killed for Pete's Sake!"

"I'm so sorry," Angel apologised, deep down she was disgusted at Cid's use of vulgar language but she remained polite, "I didn't hear you coming."

Cid jumped out of his plane to get a closer look at Angel and was shocked to see that she was a large brown rabbit with green eyes and wearing a blue dress that looked difficult to move around in.

The cigarette dropped out of Cid's wide open mouth. "Sweet merciful crap!" He cursed loudly, "you just talked! What the hell are you?!"

"I beg your pardon!" Angel shouted back as she gave Cid an evil stare. "I've never heard such vulgar language in all my life."

"Just answer my damn question!"

"Very well, if you must know, my name is Angel."

"The name's Cid, pleased to meet ya!"

Cid held his hand out for Angel to shake, she stared at it for a moment and then returned the gesture.

"Is that your plane?" Angel asked curiously as she stared wide eyed at the Tiny Bronco.

"Impressed are you?" Cid smiled at Angel and he walked over to the Tiny Bronco and patted it proudly. "This is the Tiny Bronco, it was first the plane I ever flown in. Unfortunately it was shot down a few years back, I only just finished rebuilding it."

"You flew in this?" Angel gasped hardly able to contain her excitment.

"Damn straight I did," Cid stated with pride, "you're looking at the best pilot in the world! So, I'm guessing you want somewhere to stay huh?"

Angel nodded, "if you don't mind, thank you Mr Cid."

"Mr Cid…" Cid repeated with a confused expression on his face, "you know you're the first person who's ever called me that. I don't like it though, sounds too formal for my liking. Just call me Cid alright."

"Alright, Cid."

Cid smiled, satisfied, "good, I'm glad we got that sorted out, My hometown isn't too far from here. It's just through those trees." Cid pointed to some nearby trees as he said this. "Just follow me and stay close."

Cid turned round and was about to walk off when Angel stopped him.

"But what about your plane?" Angel asked as she pointed at the Tiny Bronco.

Cid stopped and turned to face Angel, "oh don't you worry about that little lady," He answered happily, "I'll just get some of the technicians to move it."

Cid took his PHS out of his pocket and dialled a number.

"Hello? Who's this?"

"Who's this? " Cid repeated in a mocking tone, "what do you mean "Who's this?" It's Cid you idiot!"

"Oh sorry Cid," the technician on the other end of the phone replied apologetically. "I didn't realise it was you. What can I do for you?"

"Send some of your men to move the Tiny Bronco back to the hangar behind my house," Cid ordered.

"I thought you were taking the Tiny Bronco for a test flight."

"The test flight has been postponed for now," Cid told the technician, "now get over here and move the Tiny Bronco or I'll bust your ass so fast that it'll make your head spin, understand?"

"Yes Cid…" The technician stammered nervously. "I'll get right on it."

"Make sure you do" Cid told the technician, "and go easy on her ok, it's taken me three months to rebuild her."

"Yes Cid." The technician hung up and Cid placed the Phs back in his pocket.

"So, you coming?" He asked Angel.

Angel nodded and she followed Cid into town. Rocket Town was a typical rural town, it was small yet bustling with people. It looked almost picturesque as Angel walked passed the thatched houses and eventually came to a stop outside Cid's house. Cid opened the door with the house key and walked in, Angel followed and they both entered the hallway.

"Shera!" Cid yelled, his booming voice echoed through the hall.

"I'm in the kitchen!" Shera called out to him.

"Put some tea on Shera!" Cid barked an order at her. "We have a guest staying with us!"

"A guest…" Shera responded, "you didn't tell me we were having guests!"

"It was a last minute thing!"

Cid and Angel walked down the hallway into the kitchen, Shera was sat at the table reading a newspaper. She looked up as soon as Cid and Angel entered the room.

"Didn't you hear me out there?" Cid continued to yell at Shera. "I said make some damn tea woman!"

"I'm sorry Cid," Shera apologised she hated it when Cid was like this, "I'll get right on it." Shera placed her paper on the table, she stood up and began to fill the kettle with water to boil it.

"Please," Angel said politely, "don't mind me."

"Don't be stupid!" Cid responed, "you're our guest, guests should be made to feel welcome. Ain't that right Shera?!"

"Of course Cid," Shera said as she nodded in agreement.

"See Shera doesn't mind," Cid told Angel, "now get your ass in a chair and drink that damn tea when Shera's made it, of course we'll probably be waiting till Christmas, the rate she moves."

"You really shouldn't treat your wife like that," Angel admonished as she pointed at Cid.

"Don't worry," Cid replied casually, "Shera knows I love her really. Don't I Shera?"

Shera walked over to the table carrying three cups of tea, "it's alright, I'm used to it. Cid has made fun of me for years, but that's just his way. I don't believe you've told me your name."

"Oh," Angel responded feeling slightly sheepish, she'd forgotten to tell Shera her name. "I'm Angel."

Shera smiled at Angel, "it's nice to meet you Angel," she replied in a friendly tone.

Cid quickly drunk his tea, "mmmmmmm…lovely! Hey Shera, this is the best damned cup of tea you've made in a long time!" Cid complemented, it was rare that he complemented Shera, or anbody for that matter about anything, never mind a cup of tea.

Shera smiled at Cid, "I'm glad you liked it Cid." She said gratefully.

Angel slowly sipped her tea and smiled at Shera, "thank you."

"You're welcome," Shera responded, "it's always nice to have guests round once in a while."

Shera sat down and drank her tea and for the passed half hour she and Angel talked much to Cid's annoyance.

"So, where are you from Angel?" Shera asked keen to get all the gossip from Angel.

"Oh," Angel started to explain, "I'm from a world called Terra Firma."

"And do all the people of Terra Firma look like you?"

"There's a wide range of different species," Angel answered, "my husband Lance is a fox."

"Whoa! Hold on a second!" Cid cut in shocked at what Angel had said, "you're a rabbit right?"

Angel nodded, "Yes," came the reply.

"And your husband's a fox right?" Cid continued asking questions.

"Yes."

"Shit!" Cid cursed

Angel glared at Cid, "Cid! Watch your language!" She yelled.

Cid ignored her and continued, "has he tried eating you yet?" He asked jokingly.

"Cid!" Shera shouted as she glared at him.

Cid turned to face Shera and he shrugged his shoulders, "what?" He asked innocently, "I mean he's a fox, she's a rabbit. Foxes are above rabbits in the food chain, foxes eat rabbits. It's a well know fact."

Shera turned to Angel, "don't mind Cid," she stated reassuringly, "he always asks the most awkward questions." Shera turned to look at Cid as she said this. "Shouldn't you be checking on the Tiny Bronco?"

Cid quickly jumped to his feet, "shit, yeah! Those fools should have brought it back by now!"

Cid ran out through the back door and Angel and Shera could hear him cursing at the technicians.

"No! To the left you idiots! Be careful with the Tiny Bronco, it took me three months to rebuild!"

Shera shook her head at this. "He'll be like that for hours," She said with a sigh.

"I don't know how you could have married that man," Angel found herself saying.

"I married Cid because I love him," Shera replied, but she knew what Angel was getting at.

"I think he's rude and incredibly vulgar," Angel voiced her opinion about Cid.

"I know he seems rough round the edges," Shera explained, she was aware of Cid's swearing habits, but she also knew Cid's kind, caring side, "but Cid is a kind, caring decent man…In his own way."

"I see..." Was all Angel said though deep down she couldn't see a man who went overboard with vulgar language as being decent.

"Are you finished with that cup?" Shera asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Oh, yes," Angel answered, she gave Shera the empty cup and she placed it on the side ready to be washed.

"I'm guessing you'll be staying the night."

Angel nodded, "if it's not too much trouble."

Shera smiled at Angel and shook her head, "it's no trouble at all," she replied kindly, "come on, I'll show you to your room."

Shera led Angel out into the hallway and up the stairs. The house was small and modest when Angel compared it to the manor she had lived in on Terra Firma. Nevertheless Cid and Shera lived a comfortable life, Shera opened a door that led to the spare bedroom. The room was small and cosy, the wall paper was white decorated with red roses. The bed was against the wall opposite the door underneath the window which was now open, a cool breeze was blowing into the room. There was also a wooden fixed in wardrobe and a chest of drawers next to bed.

"I know you're probably used to the best back on your world," Shera said in an understanding tone, "but I hope this room is alright."

Angel nodded, she was sat down on the bed and she found very comfortable. She knew that she would enjoy staying here. "It's perfect, thank you," She replied gratefully.

"You're very welcome," Shera said again, "well I better go downstairs and start washing up, Cid hates it when there are dirty dishes."

Angel stood up and walked towards Shera, "I'll help," She volunteered.

Shera smiled but she politely refused Angel's help, "don't be silly," Shera admonished, "you're our guest. You shouldn't have to help with anything."

Angel smiled back, "I don't mind helping out," she replied, " in fact the job would be done a lot faster if both of us work together."

Shera thought about it for a while then nodded, "you're right," Shera agreed, "it would be a lot faster with two people working together. But only if you're sure."

"I told you, I don't mind."

Shera and Angel walked out of the room and went back downstairs to the kitchen. Shera washed the dishes and Angel dried them and put them away, in almost no time at all the two women were done.

"Well," Shera said proudly, "I never expected us to get the dishes done that quickly, thanks for the help, Angel."

"It was no problem, really," Angel replied modestly.

A few seconds later Cid walked in.

"Well, the Tiny Bronco is back in its original place and I've scheduled another damn flight test," Cid informed them.

"I'm sorry Cid," Angel apologised, "I didn't mean to spoil your test flight."

"I told you, it's ok," Cid said waving Angel's apology aside, "don't start going all apologetic on me, alright."

"I'll try."

"Good, I'm sure Shera has shown you the freaking room."

"Yes she did," Angel answered, all thoughts of remaining polite to Cid were tossed out of the window, "and what did I tell you about watching your language. You shouldn't use such prophanities, it's not very polite."

"You should learn to let your hair down once in a while!" Cid retorted jokingly.

"Excuse me!" Angel yelled giving Cid an evil glare.

"What Cid means is…" Shera cut in trying her best to keep the peace.

Cid interrupted her, "that you shouldn't be so damn uptight about every small thing."

"Where as you on the other hand have thrown every ounce of decency out of the window! Angel snapped as she told Cid exactly what she thought of him, "I've heard some foul language from people I know, but you really take the biscuit!"

"Whoa!" Cid yelled in shock, "are you saying that you haven't used "vulgar language" as you call it?"

Angel shook her head, "no," she replied.

"Not even once?" Cid gave Angel a questioning look.

"I have never used language like that and I hope I never do!" Angel yelled again, "now if you excuse me, I'm going to my room!"

Angel stormed out of the room, Shera glared at Cid.

"What?" Cid asked innocently, "all I said was that she shouldn't be so uptight, I didn't think she'd take it so damn personally."

"She's right though," Shera stated, "you do use too much vulgar language."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Cid demanded giving Shera a shocked stare.

"I think you should tone it down a bit," Shera answered not taking her eyes off Cid.

"I'm not gonna let some posh chick tell me how I can and can't talk! Cid retorted.

Shera shook her head at Cid, "ohCid," she couldn't help but smile at him. "Maybe I should go after her.

"No," He suggested, "from what I've learned, women are best left alone until they calm down. Just leave her to it."

Shera sighed, "alright, I'll make a start on dinner."

Shera went to the freezer and took some food out while Cid sat at the table and read the news paper Shera was reading earlier. Meanwhile Angel had charged into her room slammed the door shut and jumped face down on to her bed, close to tears. There she was separated from Lance and her friends, in a place far away from home and she was currently in the company of the most foul mouthed, disrespectful person she had ever had the misfortune of meeting. Angel slowly lifted her head up, got off the bed and walked towards the window, she looked out on to the town below. Sunset was approaching and Angel couldn't help but worry about Lance.

"Oh Lance," Angel cried in her head, "where are you?"

It was approaching nightfall in the area surrounding Wutai, Lance and Yuffie reached a small clearing within the forest, a small stream trickled through the clearing and the sunset could be seen clearly and Lance stopped in his tracks.

"Why are we stopping?" Yuffie asked as she stared at Lance.

Lance turned to face her, "most creatures within a forest are nocturnal," Lance explained, "in other words they only come out at night."

"I know what nocturnal means!" Yuffie yelled glaring angrily at Lance, she couldn't believe that Lance was treating her as though she was stupid. "I just want to know why we're stopping!"

Lance sighed, "gee," he muttered under his breath so that Yuffie couldn't hear him, "for saying she knows this area, or so she claims, she isn't very bright." He spoke a little louder,"we're stopping because there's more monsters around at night and it would be too dangerous to travel. Besides this looks like a good spot to camp for the night."

Yuffie gave Lance a funny look, "you're kidding right!"

Lance shook his head, "no," he responded, "I'm serious, that stream will provide us with water and we're out in the open where there's some light, and we can see if there's any monsters coming."

Yuffie nodded, "well since we're in this together," She suggested, "do you think maybe you could untie me now?" She asked staring hopefully at Lance.

"I don't think so," Lance answered quickly, "until I can trust you, I'm not gonna untie you. And just so you know I don't trust easily, it'll take a lot for you to gain my trust."

"Well…" Yuffie began to ask, "what do I have to do to gain your trust?"

"Well…" Lance answered, "for starters you could try not to steal from me at every given opportunity."

Yuffie nodded, "sounds easy enough," She replied.

"And don't run away at the first sign of trouble," Lance continued.

"What do you think I am, a coward?" Yuffie snapped as she gave Lance an evil glare.

"You're a thief," came the reply, "all thieves are cowards."

"Hey!" Yuffie yelled, "that's an unfair generalisation!"

"Yuffie, just sit down and shut up!" Lance commanded, Yuffie stared at Lance for a moment, he was glaring fiercely at her and his teeth were bared. At that moment Yuffie knew that he was serious and that disobeying him wasn't in her best interests. She sat down without a word, satisfied that she wouldn't go anywhere, Lance turned away from Yuffie and started heading towards the trees.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Yuffie called after him.

"To get some firewood!" Lance shouted back and he walked off and disappeared under the trees.

"Fine!" Yuffie continued to yell. "Just leave me here! Alone…by myself…"Yuffie fell silent and waited patiently for Lance to return. Five minutes later Lance returned with some firewood and the fire was lit within two minutes. He went away again and returned with a young deer, a deep cut made only by spear went across its stomach.

"Hey deer!" Yuffie yelled in excitement, it had been along time since she had deer, "I know a few good recipes for a deer. If you untie me I could…"

"Nice try," Lance interrupted her, "but I'm not gonna let you off the hook that easily."

"Oh come on!" Yuffie began to complain, "the rope is really starting to hurt my wrists, just for a little while."

Lance thought for a while then sighed, he walked behind Yuffie, but before he untied her hands he pulled a small device that Drogo had lent him he pressed the button and the device glowed red. Lance gently placed the device on the back of Yuffie's neck, then he began to untie her. Yuffie pulled her hands round to her front and rubbed her wrists.

"Thanks," Yuffie replied gratefully.

"Humph, whatever," Lance merely stated, he still had the rope in his hands and he tied Yuffie's feet with it.

"Hey!" Yuffie cried out as she struggled wildly, "what are you doing?"

"Making sure you don't escape," Lance answered, "oh and if you get any ideas about untying your legs, I'll know."

"Whatever…"

After half an hour the deer was cooked and ready to be eaten, Lance and Yuffie sat in silence while they ate the deer. Lance looked hungry almost as if he hadn't eaten in days. After they had eaten Yuffie broke the silence.

"So," Yuffie spoke up, "it's pretty obvious that you're not from around here, or this world for that matter so where are you from?"

Lance looked at her suspiciously, "why do you want to know?" He questioned.

Yuffie gave him an innocent stare, "I'm just curious," she answered.

Lance sighed, "I'm from Terra Firma."

"What's that?" Yuffie asked still wanting to know.

"It's another world far away from this one," Lance explained, "it's similar to this world in some ways, but it's different at the same time."

"I'm guessing that everyone on your world are giant talking animals."

"And this world is inhabited by creatures called…humans, right?" Lance asked.

Yuffie nodded, "Yeah." She gave Lance a funny look.

"Oh, it's just that…we don't have humans on our world," Lance replied in response to the look Yuffie was giving him.

"I guessed as much…" Yuffie responded as she lay down, "well I'm gonna get some sleep, what about you?"

Lance shook his head, "someone has to keep watch, to make sure we don't get attacked," He stated.

Yuffie gave Lance an "I know the truth look", but she didn't say anything on the matter. "Fine…whatever, night."

"Night."

Lance stared at Yuffie for a moment and after he had made sure that she was asleep turned his attention to the dying embers on the fire. He found himself thinking about everything that had gone on in the past couple of days, and he thought about Angel. Angel, how he missed her, Lance hadn't seen Angel since they were separated and he couldn't help but worry about her, he hoped against hope that Angel and the others were alright. Lance stayed awake for half the night, he continued to stare at the now burned out logs and waited for the waves of unconsciousness to overcome him and he slowly drifted off to sleep.

"Angel," Lance said in his head, "where are you? Please be ok."

Well there you have it, chapter 4 is now complete. What happens next? Find out in chapter 5 which will be coming soon. Please feel free to comment, but remember be constructive in your criticisms. That way I can make any improvements, and please be gentle as this is my first fanfic.