A/N: Here I am. Writing a Yuffie/Aerith/Moogle story. Something is wrong with the world. Very wrong. Or is it? Because despite what you may think, my insanity is not what provoked me to write this story . . . 'twas m o o g l e d a i m e once upon a time and Rose who was fabulous enough to remind me. Thank them for this chapter. ;D
Disclaimer: I totally do . . . in my dreams.
Heartprism
» (Buttercups : Childishness)
Yuffie had been on her way out for the day. To do what, exactly? She wasn't quite sure, either. Her main social interaction these days seemed to extend among the members of the Restoration Committee and to some of the citizens of Radiant Garden, but it stopped there; Work, work, work! A blossoming beauty like me can only stand for so much!
So when Squall — excuse me, Leon — had told her she could take a break from patrolling the town, she jumped for joy and blew him a raspberry before taking off to pull on her boots. Now here she was, wistfully gazing out of her bedroom window as fat, gleaming raindrops drizzled from the cloudy, ashen sky, with only a bowl of popcorn to keep her company.
She absolutely abhorred the rain.
It was dreary and sodden. In fact, everything was dark, as if the world had been covered with a veil of gray. All it succeeded in doing was banishing the golden rays of sunshine she so loved, and ruining her plans for grand adventures involving shiny objects and pranks galore.
The weather just had to conspire against her.
Yuffie crossed her arms childishly and pouted outside at the rain.
Wow . . . it's really storming out there.
Her anger minutely softened as she uncrossed her arms and started in awe at the pouring water. The rain was glistening on the grass, and dazzling on the leaves of the trees. Blinking a few times, she uncharacteristically fell into a state of tranquil lull as she listened to the soft pitter patter of the weather against the roof.
Suddenly, a crash of thunder rumbled, causing the raven-haired girl to actually yelp in fright and jump up from her bed. As a result, popcorn flew everywhere; the bits of snacks sprawling over the soft champagne carpeting that spread across the entire floor of her bedroom; however the mess went but unnoticed even as Yuffie landed back on her bed. Deep breaths were taken, to no calming effect.
"Relax, it's just a storm," Yuffie insisted to herself, though the quiver in her tone contradicted her. "You're The Great Ninja Yuffie damn it, and nothing scares you — not heights, not death, and definitely not thunder!"
But it did, and it always had, ever since she could remember. Her delicate mind seemed to spin, chocolate eyes swimming with childhood fears and demons. It was the hundreds of bright yellow orbs peering keenly at her from the darkness where her nightmarish recollections began, houses and streets alit with flames that hissed and spat at her while she ran; it was the terror that felt burdensome on her hunched shoulders as glowing hearts disappeared into the sky. It was the thick shadows rising, crawling, alive that swiped at her flesh with their icy claws as she tripped and stumbled disgracefully in the street.
Mostly, it was the deafening clap of thunder drowning out her own noises of fear as she was backed into a corner, with no where to run, no one to help her . . .
After that cold, dark night, thunder storms in her younger days had always sent Yuffie rushing into the arms of the gentle flower girl; who was always eager to soothe her. She never seemed to mind when she did, in fact, would only shush her and affectionately stroke her dark locks as their bodies curled together amidst pink sheets and the scent of gardenias. During those moments, enveloped in a pair of warm arms, the ninja felt safe and content.
She felt loved.
But, eventually Squall pulled Yuffie aside to tell her point blank to grow up.
"You're too old for such habits," he said, teal blue eyes as hard as ultramarines as they met cinnamon hues in a battle — a staring contest — attempting to conclude on who was right. Soon, cinnamon eyes lost the competitive shine and started to brim with crystalline tears. A sniffle and a few whimpers were heard as the little ninja wiped away a tear from her eye, then another, and another. She couldn't control her emotions and soon started to bawl.
"B-but Aerith makes me feel safe! The shadows can't find me when I'm with her."
"You are not helpless," Squall replied firmly — and handed her a bladed star.
Sure he trained with her in the caverns underground and she became stronger, more confident, realized that she could indeed fight back. After all, possessing super awesome ninja skills plus a shuriken at your disposal was bound to kick Heartless butt. But, it still didn't stop her from seeking out the other female's alluring presence during thunderstorms. It had become a habit. Simple as that, right? Right.
Yuffie sat up from her shivering position on her bed. Swinging her legs over the edge of the mattress, the petite ninja stood slowly. She breathed deeply, feeling like her lungs were swelling with arctic vapor.
For one, she couldn't believe that she, "The Greatest Female Ninja Ever", was still deathly afraid of thunder, and two, now there was a mess of popcorn scattered all over the stupid carpeted floor! Which would be a major pain in the freaking chocobo butt to clean up. But that could wait, for now she would quickly seek a certain flower girl out, and everything would be fine.
Another deafening bout of thunder rang in the rain drenched sky, and in perfect rhythm, another small squeal left her full pink mouth as she immediately bolted, raven hair flailing behind her. She tugged the door open before promptly slamming it shut behind her. For a few seconds, her secluded figure leaned against it. The girl was positioned with a slouch in her posture, waiting for the fear to ebb; she stayed completely still.
"It's so freaking dark," Yuffie mumbled to herself, once the thunder had receded for the time being. Then, she squinted. Only one light bulb illuminated the long hallway, dangling from the ceiling on a flimsy wire and flickering sporadically, causing the shadows to grow and dance and multiply. Everything seemed out of proportion. She could hardly tell what was moving and what wasn't.
I told Squall we needed a new light bulb, was the thought that rolled through her mind.
With the stealth of a true ninja, she crept towards Squall's room first to see if he'd come back from his rounds yet, peeking her raven-topped head and calling out, "Hellooooo?" A pause. "You better not be taking a break, Squally-poo," Yuffie said, louder now, still hoping that, maybe, he was lurking in one of the pools of darkness, only refusing to show himself to her because he was Squall — that is, a stoic, brooding, guard-aholic. When she received no response, she hurried on to check Cid's and finally, Aerith's room; brown eyes — still piercing, even in the dark — swept around each respective bedroom area for the whereabouts of her house mates, but to no avail.
"Well, this sucks," she lamented to herself. Squall no doubt was still on the job, since Heartless attacked no matter what, rain or sunshine, summer or fall. The old man was more than likely at work in his shop like the ancient grease monkey he was, and Aerith was . . . somewhere not here.
A feeling of sick panic welled up inside her that made her pulse race and stomach churn — she couldn't bear the thought of turning back now.
Think Yuffie, think! Where could she be? Knowing Aerith, she was usually off in the Borough somewhere selling bouquets tied up with silky ribbons or tending to flowers in her beatific garden. However, due to the stormy weather, that narrowed it down unquestionably to somewhere indoors; and if not in her room then that meant . . .
Her train of thought ended there as realization set in.
The kitchen!
Colossal booms clashed deafeningly, ending her indecision. Yuffie ran blindly as if the demons of hell were chasing her, banging loud drums in her ears. She skidded to a stop in front of the kitchen door, both relieved and annoyed to spot a telltale slant of light. The clank of a pan soon echoed from the favorite room of most of the Restoration Committee's members. What could she possibly be cooking up? Her slender fingers elegantly wrapped around the shining, cold handle and gently pulled the door open.
The smell of deliciousness greeted her hello. As did the sight of Aerith's back as she opened and closed drawers, looking for a cooking material of sorts. She peered further, intent upon scrutinizing the scene before her, and found most of the counter of the kitchen was occupied by several dozen cupcakes, all dressed up in off white frosting and colorful sprinkles in a shimmering rainbow hue. So, she was slaving over the stove and counter making the simple yet tasty deserts, which also just happened to be the thief's all time favorite pastry. Then, there was a vase with a few small, yellow flowers on the table, typical really. And a . . .
A moogle?
"What the heck?" The girl put both hands on her slender hips, sheering her line of vision at the cream-colored creature. Said cream-colored creature blinked its beady black eyes at her, and held up a cupcake so white and fluffy her mouth practically salivated at the sight of it.
"Want a cupcake, kupo?"
She started to part her lips once more, and as if on cue the flower girl turned jovially around, a large, sweet smile gracing her lovely pallid visage when she spotted Yuffie lingering in the kitchen entryway. Her green eyes twinkled happily, and she was actually wearing a light blush-color apron; tucking a wayward lock of hair behind her delicately sculpted ear leaving a childish streak of white powder behind. She had a daub of butter cream icing also present on her cheek and in general was flour dusted, and yet, she still looked as ethereal and lovely as ever. How was that even possible?
One of these days, Yuffie silently vowed, she was going to find out her secret. And then, she could sell it for a bunch of munny and buy all the shiny things in the world! Nyuk nyuk nyuk!
Aerith tilted her head to one side, and surveyed her. "Hmm."
"Erm, what?" Yuffie queried, obviously distracted.
Aerith laughed, soft and light, like tinkling silver bells. "I was just about to come and surprise you," she said, teasing, but oh so very sweet. "But I guess there's no need for that anymore, is there?"
The younger girl scoffed, rolling her gaze skyward. "You think?" Then she scurried on over and made herself comfortable on the countertop, shoveling a delicious cupcake into her mouth quite happily — and then another, and another. Thank Merlin for high-metabolism!
"I think, that you have nothing to fear."
Yuffie nodded, swallowing down a bit of strawberry cupcake. "Of course," she insisted, though the shock that raced down her spine said otherwise. The miniscule hairs behind her neck stood on end as the bloodcurdling shudder suffused through the rest of her body. Her right hand in her lap twitched once, imperceptibly. Still, she maintained a childish quirking of the lips that was a cross between a beam and smirk.
"It's going to be all right, Yuffie."
As the raven-haired teen looked down into Aerith's reassuring lime green oculars, she couldn't help but feel a different sort of shudder. "I know! I mean I am the greatest ninja that ever existed. But, it's just that . . . " She shook her head, for explanations that couldn't be articulated.
"There's nothing to worry about."
Her face was strained, her normally upbeat voice and demeanor reduced to an anxious whisper, as the gray splattered sky shook again, and with it her heart. "How can you be so sure?" Yuffie bit her lip as she watched through the window at her side, the illumination with streaks of white light, the roar of thunder piercing her eardrums . . .
Aerith reached out, slipping her soft hand into her own rough ones. "Because I'm here," she assured softly, and Yuffie felt color shoot into her cheeks.
She was still afraid, scared as hell actually, but so as long as Aerith was here . . . she could brave any storm.
- x -
Despite the booms of thunder that constantly cursed the skies, Yuffie paid them no attention whatsoever. She was now sitting with Aerith at the kitchen table, and had been for the past half hour or so. They were having fun simply gabbling, laughing and munching on cupcakes. During the entire time, their fingers remained sweetly interlaced, not letting go for as long as they could help it. They were absolutely comfortable with each other, Yuffie and Aerith — like sisters, only not. Eventually, Squall returned from his rounds, only to lean against the doorway; his brunet fringe strewn over his features, but leaving space, enabling his sky-blue orbs to speculatively pierce through with great contrast to his dark hair at the sight before him. No doubt he was taking in the two girl's close proximity.
"Honestly, Squall. Take a picture, it'll last longer," Yuffie quipped, amusement sparkling in her sepia-toned irises.
"That's Leon," the man replied, almost involuntarily. Roses bloomed under the gunblade wielder's cheeks. "And I just have one question is all."
"Oh?" Yuffie looked comically shocked, the mischievous grin on her face only widening further. "And what would that be?"
Squall cleared his throat uncomfortably for a moment, before taking a step forward.
"Why is there a moogle in the kitchen?"