Disclaimer: I do not own FFVII, Naruto, or InuYasha. I am simply taking some of the plot ideas, characters, and concepts and am twisting them for the mindless non-profit enjoyment of myself and others...in other words don't sue. I own none of this. I began working on this story many years ago and due to the craziness of life lost touch with it. I have recently found my muse again and thus this story is now under heavy revision hopefully for the better. You will notice some of the chapters have been deleted, replaced, or rearranged. I hope this doesn't take away from your enjoyment. So here we go kiddies, lets hope my muse doesn't escape it's cage this time.
'I am hung up with some work at the moment so I won't be able to meet you when you land. Chekhov will be there to escort you, see you soon.' -Y.K
Reeve flipped his phone closed and looked out at the horizon, the engines of the Highwind humming beneath his feet.
"We should be there in about an hour. So hows everything else been going for you Reeve?" Cid asked from his place behind the helm of the Highwind.
"Hectic, as I am sure you can imagine. Are you going to stick around in Wutai for the festival?" Cid shrugged shaking his head.
"Besides the stuff going on with the brat it's nothing I haven't seen before, and there is a lot going on back in Rocket Town I have to get back to." Reeve left his place by the window and climbed up the little wooden stairs to the bridge to hear Cid better.
"So Yuffie has told you about what she has to do?" Reeve asked , Cid turned his head towards him flashing a grin.
"What she can, a lot of it's hush hush, not that I wouldn't love to see her knock some teeth in living as close as I do to the western continent I am used to their taboos regarding outsiders in "certain" functions." Ducking his head he relit the cigarette in his mouth.
"Must say I am surprised she got you allowed in to see it, must be that "diplomatic charm" of yours." The man laughed puffs of smoke escaping his mouth.
"I see." muttered Reeve, he had been wondering why none of the others in the group had been aware invited, he supposed she didn't want her friends to feel left out. Cid probably only knew because he had been in Wutai helping her with some of the construction .
"The brat has been pretty busy the past few months..." Cid spoke as if to answer the other man's silence.
"The kid is making good on her claim to restore her old town, haven't seen it looking this good since Shinra sunk their teeth into the place." Cid seemed to have a look of fatherly pride on his face as he spoke about the small ninja.
"Is that so? I have never actually been to Wutai before... In person anyways, I have only ever seen it through the recording devises on Cait Sith." Cid rose an eyebrow at Reeve.
"Yeah about that little furball, I keep seeing him in dresses... shouldn't you put pants on him? He is a guy right?" Reeve started chuckling shaking a hand out in front of him.
"Yes, he is male, that was Yuffie's doing... I irritated her I suppose... that was my punishment." Cid smiled around his cigarette turning to look out at the horizon once more.
The two men continued to talk about various things as the Highwind trudged through the sky. Reeve spoke of the WRO and the various projects they had undertook. He talked about his interest in getting Cid involved in building them a few airships, an possibly him becoming part of the WRO. Cid smiled saying if Reeve was able to divert some funds he could merge his new program into the WRO. Reeve stroked his goatee pondering over how the WRO having their own air and space devision could be a huge asset. By the time the Highwind landed on Wutai soil the two men had agreed to meet in Junon the next week to discuss funding.
"I will see you next week Reeve. I have got to go and tour the construction site real quick before heading back. We only have the tower to finish up before we are completely done here." Cid waved to Reeve as the both exited the airship and went their different ways.
Reeve looked around at the huge concrete landing field he stood on, over to the side there were many new buildings erected, further off there was a tall communication tower that was in the middle of construction. In the distance behind many trees and hills you could she the Pagoda and the tops of other Wutainese style buildings. Behind him several hundred yards was a steep drop off and few miles of grassy field before the coast lapped and a thin line of beach.
"Reeve Tuesti?..." A feminine voice called from behind him, startled Reeve swung around. Behind him stood a women about 5'6" in hight, she had long black hair that reached to about her waist. She wore a white tunic tied at the waist with a black sash, over all of that she wore a black robe which was hanging open and reached just behind her knees. On her feet she wore white socks and a pair of wooden geta, her left hand rested gently on the hilt of the katana tied to her hip. Looking at her face he took note of the strange resemblance the women had to Tseng, the same angular facial features only more feminine. She ever had a small mark on her forehead like him, her eyes though were a deep lavender where Tseng's were brown.
'How odd maybe they are related...' Reeve pondered.
"You are Reeve Tuesti Yes?" The women repeated arching an eyebrow at him.
"Yes, Yes sorry I ah..." Reeve shook his head trying to figure out what to say having obviously been caught staring.
"I am sorry are you by chance related to a man named Tseng?" The women sighed her eyes loosing their accusing look as the women realized why she was being examined.
"It was the Yin Seal yes?" The women pointed to the violet mark on her forehead.
"Yes Mr. Tuesti, I am Chekhov and, Tseng and I are first cousins, I haven't spoken to him in near 15 years. And no before you ask I will not tell you what the Yin Seal is or what it does. If you want in on Senju clan secrets you had better ask him." Hoping she had answered all of the mans questions, she turned and began walking towards a jeep Reeve hadn't noticed before.
"Lord Godo is waiting for us at training ground six, so had we better get a move on." The women shook Reeve from his musings with a wave of her arm beckoning him towards the jeep. As he climbed in the passenger seat and buckled himself in he fully registered what she had said.
"Lord Godo... I thought I was meeting..." He was not able to finish his sentence before the women cut him off.
" The Lady Kisaragi is indisposed at the moment, therefore you will be meeting with him until she is done." The women looked over and noticed the look of awe on the man's face as he took in the scenery around him. They were driving quite fast down a dirt road that cut through mostly farm land and a few of the smaller farming villages. Reeve noted the many people out working in the fields, the smaller children playing in the village streets as they passed by. Some of the people would stop and point at the jeep as it flew past. The whole place had a surreal feel to it. Like something out of a storybook.
'Or maybe I am just jaded from having spent most of my life in Midgar, Wutai is the polar opposite.'
"Is this your first time in Wutai Mr. Tuesti?" Reeve sat back in his seat and shook his head.
"In person yes, I don't remember it looking quite like this though." The women nodded her head.
"Yes, Yuffie-Sama has told me about your groups journey and your involvement. I don't suppose you could really appreciate our beautiful lad through a computer screen." She watched his reaction out of the corner of her eyes smiling.
"I doubt you would have seen this anyways if you were here in person, she lead you all up along the coast deliberately avoiding the more populated areas." Reeve's eyes went wide, why had she done that he wondered.
"I see.." He whispered.
"We should be there in a few minutes." Chekhov broke the silence, as they drove Reeve began to notice the sudden lack of people, the surroundings were more wooded in and there were broken trees, craters and gouges in the ground. As they drove through the woods he began to notice signs posted on the occasional tree. He was unsure what they said as they were written in Wutainese kanji. They drew close to a large watchtower built into on of the trees, slowing the jeep to a stop Chekhov placed in park.
"Welcome to training ground six, Lord Godo is up there." She said climbing out of the jeep motioning for Reeve to follow. As Reeve climbed the stairs he noticed that it overlooked a huge grassy field just outside the woods.
"Ah there they are, Reeve Tuesti so nice to finally meet you." A tall man wearing formal Wutainese robes said as he walked towards Reeve, slapping him on the back.
"My daughter has spoke of you quite a bit since she returned." The man reached out grabbing his hand and shaking it, Reeve put two and two together and shook the man's hand smiling.
"Thank you for having me Sir." he nodded at the older man, unsure weather he should bow or not.
"Just in time for the show I see." Godo smiled, bringing the man to stand in front of a large open window. Standing there was another man, he was dressed in black flak jacket and had a his shoulder length black hair tied back at the base of his neck. On his face was a faint scar that ran from his eyebrow down across his eye ending halfway down his cheek. The man took Reeve's hand and shook it.
"Atsushi, nice to meet you." The man offered, turning over his shoulder he grinned at Chekhov.
'So this is Yuffie's sensei...'
"Don't worry you two haven't missed anything to exciting yet." Chekhov shrugged her shoulders and leaned against the wall in the corner.
"Excitement?" Reeve questioned looking at Godo.
"Training exercise..." Godo offered but before he could explain further there was a popping noise behind him, turning Reeve's eyes went wide, there was a cloud of smoke suddenly behind them. When the smoke cleared it reveled a crouching figure. The figure stood and strode to the large window of the wooden tree stand.
"Ah speak of the devil..." Godo laughed, the figure turned to Godo and bowed slightly before turning back to gaze out the window.
Reeve was unsure what to make of this person, he or she as he was unsure which stood in what he assumed was a ninja's uniform. Black cargo slacks that seemed to hug their legs. His calfs were wrapped in black wraps pulling the pants tight underneath metal shin guards as they descended into a strange boot of sorts that had the ends of the toes cut out like sandals. Tied around his hip rested a pouch of sorts, he also wore a similar flak vest jacket as Atsushi, overtop of a black shirt. His arms were wrapped up like his calfs complete with metal plates tied to the forearms, worn leather gloves donned the hands. On his back two katanas were strapped, the undershirt came up and turned into a mask of sorts hiding the figure's lower face, the back of the shirt wrapped around into a cloth hood and seemed to be tied in place with a headband. On the headband was written another kanji that Reeve couldn't read.
During the few seconds Reeve had spent appraising the person standing before him, the figure had walked back towards the stairs of the tree stand. Pulling a shining green materia out of his pouch he tossed it into the woods behind them, the materia landing in a bush. Reeve arched an eyebrow at the strange behavior, watching the figure walk back towards them he took note of the gentle swaying of his hips.
'Ahh, its a women! No man walks like that. Its hard to tell with that outfit though...' Reeve's thoughts were interrupted when the figure walked back over to the window to stand next to him.
"Report." The figure spoke firmly placing a finger against a device in their ear, the figure looked over at Godo and nodded again, Godo nodded back before turning to look at Reeve.
"Looks like the funs about to start..." He grinned, just then a voice filled with static spoke from a small box clipped to the ninja's shirt.
"Team 4 in position, target spotted. Ready to commence on mark." said the voice from the box. The figure walked to the stairs again and made a few hand gestures towards the bushes below. Pointing to her left and then herself, and then to her right and the field of to her left. Striding back towards the large open window the figure caught his gaze as she spoke back into the radio, Reeve suddenly noticed to the familiar mischievous grey blue eyes looking back at him.
"Team 3 in position..." The masked ninja spoke into her radio winking at Reeve causing him to raise his eyebrows in shock.
" Ready to intercept, engage target on my mark." The figure jumped up onto the window railing and crouched. Realization dawned on him as Reeve finally figured out just who this person was in front of him.
"Go." The ninja whispered, suddenly bombs exploded in the woods beyond the field in front of them sending dust and debris flying up from behind the trees. The ninja leapt out of the window. Reeve quickly dashed to the spot the ninja had just vacated and looked down just in time to see her land gracefully on the ground some thirty feet below and dash off towards the field. Hearing a rustling noise behind him he turned to see another ninja dash out from underneath a bush, the vary bush the other ninja had tossed the materia in earlier. Turning to his left he watched as another one jumped down from the branches of the trees above. The two new ninja's both took off into the direction as the had catching up with her.
"Was that..." Reeve turned to Godo questioning.
"Yes, that was Yuffie... Just watch." The man laughed nodding towards the window. Reeve stood along with the three other people present watching as the three ninjas ran across the field, squinting Reeve could see three figures running out of the woods on the other side of the field where the bombs had gone off not moments ago.
"It would appear Yuffie and Shake's plan to flush out their targets has worked..." Atsushi whispered, causing the other three to glance his way.
"Getting the insider secrets from your students Atsushi?" Chekhov accused the other man teasing him.
"I am sure Atsushi knows all about Shake and Yuffie's strategizing capabilities he is after all the one that taught them." Godo chuckled.
"But lets not leave our guest in the dark." with that Godo turned towards Reeve who had been watching the exchange in interest.
"This morning three of our Jounin were tasked with being the "targets" in this exercise, we have established two teams, each consisting of two new Genin and a Chuunin captain." The man explained pointing to the field below where the ninjas were beginning to engaged in battle.
"Yuffie is the captain of Team 3, Shake is leading Team 4. Their mission is to find, subdue and capture the three Jounin... ah I see Team 4 has joined the fray." He said pointing to the tree line where three additional ninja's were dashing out of the woods to join the fight in the field. Reeve watched as the battle took place, the Jounin each had two ninja a piece to try and fight off which he guessed was fair if he remembered the shinobi ranking system right. He wondered which one was Yuffie as he had lost track of which black cloaked figure was her. They all showed excellent skill, kunai flew in every direction and swords clashed, the occasional flash of a materia being used.
After about ten minutes of fighting two of the Jounin were subdued and were being dragged back towards the tree stand, leaving only three left on the field.
"Things are about to get vary heated..." Atsushi whispered, Reeve glanced around hoping someone would explain just what that meant.
"Is that..." Chekhov gasped.
"General Yamanka yes, Lord Godo thought it would make an appropriate wild card for Shake and Yuffie." Atsushi elaborated, Reeve turned looking back out at the field the identities of the remaining fighters reveled. Godo stood watching not saying a word to anyone more interested in watching his face calm and calculating.
Yuffie panted trying to catch her breath. Her two Genin had just taken down one of the targets and were taking them to the designated safe-zone along with Shake's men and their prisoner. That left her and Shake to take down the "big catch" known as General Yamanka. She knew this wasn't going to be easy the man was a legend, she had grown up hearing about his many accomplishment during the war.
'You and Shake can do this Yuffie just breath, remember your training, I AM THE GREAT NINJA YUFFIE.' Yuffie glanced over to Shake standing a few yards to her left, and then to the man standing about 20 feet in front of her. They stood there staring at one another waiting for someone to make a move the tension thick enough to choke on.
Shake suddenly moved grabbing a hand full of shuriken and flinging them at Yamanka, who quickly dove to the ground and flung his own set back at Shake. Shake leapt in the air avoiding them, Yamanka quickly set another few flying at the airborne Shake. Shake twisted midair dodging once more. As he approached the ground he grabbed the conformer off his back, landing he twisted preparing to hurl it at Yamanka. Yamanka was to fast he quickly advanced grabbing Shake by the back of the head with one hand bending the boy forward and grabbing his conformer in the other.
Yuffie had moved quickly to come behind the two and placed a kunai at Yamanka's back. Yuffie's eyebrows shot up when she herd the man beneath her knife chuckle.
"You will have to do better then that Yuffie-San." Yamanka chuckled his voice smooth and deep reminding her of Vincent's. Suddenly there was a gust of smoke, and Yamanka was gone. Shake and her looked around quickly trying to ascertain where the other ninja had disappeared to.
"Damnit he gave us the slip." Shake cursed, Yuffie nodded and continued looking around.
'Left... Right...Behind...Up...that only leaves...' Yuffie snapped her fingers grabbing Shakes attention before she pointed towards her feet. Understanding what she meant he quickly ran getting out of her way. Yuffie ran her fingers over the earth materia on her belt drawing the power into her hands and mixing it with her own chakra. Channeling it into her fist she swooped down and delivered a strong punch to the ground at her feet sending the materia's power along with her chakra into the earth. The ground for miles around shook as large segments of rock jutted up from the earth sending large clouds of dust into the air. Jumping up from within the ground and landing gracefully on one of the large rocks was General Yamanka glaring at Yuffie.
"I found you General Yamanka!" Yuffie shouted laughing, Shake chuckled standing a few feet behind her. Yamanka took off again towards the woods by the tree stand, Yuffie looked at Shake and nodded, he was unknowingly headed right where they wanted him.
Reeve watched amazed by what he was seeing, he had never had the chance to see Yuffie fight in person. Sure he had caught the odd glimpse here and there from the recording Cait had provided but never in person, never up close. Yuffie had just unleashed one of the most powerful quake spells he had ever seen, he was sure people miles away had felt the ground trembling. Now she and her cousin were chasing the man Yamanka into the woods right below them.
"Vary nicely done Yuffie..." Atsushi muttered to himself not caring who heard him.
"Yes but Shake still needs to work on patience..." Chekhov shot at him.
"He is still young Chekhov, and unlike Yuffie he has received next to no formal training." Godo cut in glancing at the two ninja standing in the corner. Still watching the three fight below as they made there way closer, occasionally stopping to trade blows or fling kunai and shuriken at one another.
"I wonder how this will play out once they reach the woods..." Godo thought out loud. Just then they were joined by a group of ninja, coming up the stairs were the Genin and their captives, both of the Jounin were bound with rope and had their masks pulled off.
"Ah here we go, you kids enjoying yourselfs?" Chekhov cooed, one of the ninja ripped their mask of reveling a boy no older the Denzel.
"Yes, it was awesome! Shake-Sama let us light the fuses on the explosives." the young boy's excitement caused the older ninja present to laugh. The "captives" were lead over to the corner and untied. They rubbed their wrists and and stretched.
"We will have to do introductions later I suppose." Chekhov said to Reeve, he shrugged before looking at the new additions to the tree stand all of whom were tearing their masks off and passing canteen back and forth.
"Are any of you injured?" Chekhov questioned looking at each of them, they were all young, the two Jounin looked to be in their late twenties, the Genin looked between the ages of 10 and 18. The youngest the boy who had lit the explosives shook his head.
"No, Yuffie-Sama lent us her mastered cure materia in case any of us got hurt." The young boy pulled a familiar green orb out of his pouch showing it to Chekhov.
"You just make sure she gets it back." the young boy nodded.
"Of course Chekhov-Sama I wouldn't dream of it, Yuffie-Sama is scary when someone messes with her materia..." Once again all of the adults present began laughing.
"Aiko, what are you doing?" the young boy asked the ninja sitting next to him who was currently rummaging around his pack. Aiko was a young boy who looked to be about 15 his chin length brown hair stuck out at odd angles. He pulled a familiar weapon out of the bag and began assembling it and equipping it with materia.
"The captain is still out there Keiko and she wants me to have this ready for her in case she needs it... they should be here in a few minutes, you remember what she said about her and Captain Shake's plan right?" He answered as he finished placing several yellow orbs into the hilt of the conformer. Reeve watched the exchange silently from his corner of the room.
"Oh yeah..." Keiko whispered as Aiko stood walking to the edge of the stand and hurling the large weapon lodging it into the trunk of a tree about ten feet away.
"Seems as if those two have some sort of plan..." Godo muttered over his shoulder to Reeve, Reeve turned and arched a brow at the older man who was just smiling back at him. Just then noise could be herd below, Yamanka burst through the bushes just below them Shake close behind him. Yamanka turned quickly throwing more kunai at Shake, Shake dodged and blocked some of the kunai bouncing off his arm guard. He returned fire caused Yamanka to jump, twisting in mid air he pushed off a near by tree using his new momentum to fly at Shake. Blocking each other in mid lunge they passed each other, turning Yamanka flung a few shuriken at the young boy. Grabbing a branch Shake swung behind it using the branch as cover. The shuriken lodged themselves into the wood.
"Vary nice..." Reeve herd Checkvo whispered next to him. Shake pulled himself onto the branch and crouched before disappearing in a cloud of smoke. Suddenly Yuffie burst out of the brush and lunged at Yamanka the two began fighting hand to hand, each dodging and deflecting one another blows. Yamanka quickly dodged behind a tree, Yuffie's foot having missed Yamanka landed against the tree splintering it and sending it crashing to the ground. Yuffie disappeared in a puff of smoke leaving Yamanka alone. Reeve gasped he had no idea the small girl was that strong how was something like that even possible.
"She channels chakra and the power of an earth materia into her fists giving her more strength." Godo muttered behind him as if sensing his confusion. Reeve nodded not knowing what else to say, Yuffie had once mentioned that ninja's had the ability to use materia in such a way but seeing it first hand was mind blowing.
Shake reappeared leaping down onto Yamanka from the trees above, moving quickly Yamanka grabbed the boy by the ankle and spinning tossed in into a near by tree. Upon contact with the tree the boy once again disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Yamanka barely had enough time to dodge as Yuffie reappeared behind him leaping out of a bush a kick aimed right at him, dogging again Yuffie's foot landed into another tree sending it crashing in a cloud of dust and splinters. Dashing away as Yamanka recovered Yuffie quickly leapt up into the tree her conformer was lobbed into grabbing it as she disappeared into the leaves. Turning towards the tree Yamanka sent a large number of kunai into the trees above. A loud gasp could be heard as the branches began to shake. Suddenly a body fell from the tree landing with a sickening thud at the base of the tree. Yamanka's eyes grew wide in shock but he didn't move. Above Reeve lurched forward only to be stopped by a hand on his arm.
"Wait" Godo whispered to him firmly, as Reeve went to shake off Godo's hand the boy Aiko spoke up.
"Don't interfere, be still like the Lord says." He sent a glare over at Reeve, Reeve turned back to the scene below him and watched as Yuffie crawled to her feet swaying, she pulled her mask away from her face, blood running down her chin. She took a few steps towards Yamanka before coughing, more blood running down her chin. Looking harder you could see she had several kunai imbedded in her side.
"Yamanka..." The girl moaned in pain before collapsing to the ground, Yamanka rushed to her side pulling the small girl to him inspecting her injuries.
"Lord Godo shouldn't we..." Checkov whispered as she started to move towards the stairs only to have Atsushi stop her with an hand on her arm, the other ninja just looked between the two unsure of what to do. Yuffie's teammates didn't seem to scared but seemed more apprehensive of how the adults were acting. Reeve was freaking out inside.
'Why isn't anybody doing anything!.' As he was about to try and shake off Godo's hands again the older man spoke gently.
"Concentrate on the air, Checkov and tell me you don't feel it..." Godo said softly. Checkov closed her eyes briefly before they flew open again.
"Genjutsu..." The women gasped, Godo nodded.
"The Kisaragi's hidden art, a technique that creates an illusion by using materia and chakra to disrupt and manipulate the victims senses. I am guessing the conformer had all the materia needed for this ruse equipped on it didn't it Aiko?" Atsushi spoke quietly. Reeve have never taken his eyes off the girl below, but listened absorbing what his was hearing. The shear panic at seeing Yuffie lying there dying still causing his guts to turn.
'This is an illusion...?' He thought to himself.
"Yes Sir, sense, manipulate, morph, mime, as well as a few independents like long range and enemy lure." Aiko confirmed.
"I see so Yuffie and Shake are getting our dear General to lower his guard...clever." He mussed as he looked back down below as Yamanka desperately tried to heal the illusion. Just then movement, caught their eye. Falling from the trees above, Shake came lounging at Yamanka a bright blue ball of energy swirling in his hand. Yamanka leapt to his feet dodging. Shake's blue fist missed him by inches landed in the earth sending large chunks flying. Yamanka turned to engage Shake but didn't notice the wounded Yuffie shimmer out of existence, not a second later a vary much alive and unharmed Yuffie flew from the tree "she" had fallen out of. Tackling Yamanka to the ground pinning his arms above his prone form with one hand she pulled a kunai out of her pouch and placed it at his neck. Shake quickly grabbed rope out of his bag and bound the subdued man wrists. Yuffie pulled the blade away from his neck and placed her hands on her hips.
"Got you this time didn't I General?" Yuffie asked pulling her mask off.
"That was a dirty trick and you know it Kisaragi." The man shouted at the girl sitting on his back. Laughing she allowed Shake to help her up, she dusted her pants off quickly before reaching down and grabbing Yamanka's bound wrists and hulling him to his feet.
"What do you say cousin? Shall we taken in our "Prisoner"? The young masked boy laughed nodding his head. Turning they escorted him to the tower steps and climbed up to join the others.
"Mission complete." Yuffie said in a sing song voice pushing Yamanka towards the other two "captives" who helped untie his wrists.
"Vary nice work Yuffie, Shake. The rest of you also did vary good work, you are learning to work as a team thats excellent. Remember teamwork is one of the most important skills a shinobi can ever have. It is what will keep you alive when all else has failed" Godo said making eye contact to each of them, Atsushi and Checkov nodded agreeing with their leader. The young ninja's all smiled at the praise Lord Godo was giving them.
"I will see you tomorrow then Mr. Tuesti?" Godo asked turning towards Reeve.
"Yes Sir." He replied as Godo and Checkov turned and began walking down the steps.
"So..." Shake said finally pulling his mask down and running a hand through his choppy ear length hair. You could defiantly tell this young kid was related to Yuffie, they shared the same hair color and rounded face, only his eyes were a deep brown almost black.
"What do you say Atsushi-Sensi, we all go grab bite to eat?" He asked slapping the older man on the back, all the other ninja's stood and began gathering their things.
"Sounds good to me...Yuffie?" Atsushi replied shrugging.
"You guys go on ahead, I have to make a run down to Tochigi and check on how things are going with the construction." Yuffie replied pulling her arm guards off and shoving them into her bag along with her mask.
"You want to go see the south harbor?" She asked looking over at Reeve who just nodded.
"By the way..." She laughed.
"This is Aiko, my cousin Shake, Keiko, you have meet Atsushi-Sensi, " Reeve shook each of their hands as she turned pointing to Shake's two team mates one male one female.
"These two are Natsuki and Rin..." The two young ninja's both waved at Reeve from their spot in the corner.
"And this is General Yamanka and Capitan's Tomko and Yoshiko." Yuffie said pointing at the three Jounin who all came forward to shake with Reeve.
"And guys this is my friend, Reeve Tuesti" She finished gesturing at Reeve.
"Now that thats out of the way, come on Reeve we have a long drive ahead of us." Yuffie shrugged her bag onto her shoulder and grabbed Reeve's hand and began pulling him towards the stairs.
"Was nice meeting you all." Reeve laughed as the girl pulled him away, the ninjas all just laughed and some waving before they returned to talking amongst themselves.
Reaching the end of the steps Yuffie let go of his hand and ran over to a jeep that was parked off in the distance. Tossing her bag in the back seat she turned and waited for Reeve to catch up.
"That was one hell of a fight..." Reeve started speaking stopping when he noticed that Yuffie started to walk in a circle around him.
"What are you doing?" He asked a grin creeping onto his face.
"I have not seen you in four months let me look at you." Yuffie answered examining him, he hadn't changed to much his hair a bit longer, still dressed in the same old dress pants and a light blue button up dress shirt. Reeve took the opportunity to examine her as well. Her hair was longer almost touching her shoulders, she had some mud smeared on her pants. She looked odd in her ninja gear, he couldn't put his finger on it maybe it had to do with the lack of skin showing.
"So did you miss me?" She laughed before climbing into the jeep.
"Maybe..." He replied climbing into the passenger seat, a bit apprehensive about the idea of her driving.
"You're not mad I wasn't at the airfield to pick you up are you Reevie?" She asked as she turned the vehicle on and pulled out onto the dirt road.
"No, you obviously had a good reason, who would have thought the little brat had the ability to lead a team on a kidnapping mission..." He replied relaxing into his seat turning his body towards her.
"You're underestimating me again Mr. Tuesti." She laughed turning to flash him a smile before returning her eyes to the road.
"Honestly I was vary impressed, I had no idea materia could be used like that." Yuffie nodded.
"It's a special technique ninja's use combining materia and chakra, chakra being the lifestream we all have inside us. It takes years to learn and even longer to master. It's not something that can be taught to just anyone." She explained, Reeve nodded as he watched the scenery fly past them.
"And that weird thing you did at the end of the fight with the illusions?" Yuffie sighed.
"Thats even harder to explain, it a technique called Genjutsu, it's something my clan has perfected over the years..." Yuffie caught Reeve's eyes.
"Clan secret sorry." She smiled at him.
"I am sorry if it unnerved you..." She continued having guessed why he had a serious look all of a sudden.
"It was unnerving, I could not understand why no one was going to help you at first and then they explained what was going on... I thought you really were hurt..." Yuffie took her hand off the gear shift and took his hand squeezing it gently.
"I am fine Reeve don't get your goatee in a knot." She said softly before letting go of his hand and taking hold of the shifter again, Reeve smiled at her.
"So whats in Tochigi?" He asked wanting to keep the conversation going. They had exited the woods, on the left Reeve could see the coast with its white gleaming sandy beaches, on his right were rolling fields of various crops the occasional house here and there.
"Tochigi is a village about 45 minutes south of here, it's were the south harbor is located. Before the war it used to be a vary busy trading port and fishing town. After the war with the ban on exporting the town just died. Now with Shinra out of the way and the port being rebuilt the village is making a comeback. People are moving back and business is resuming. We are going to drop off some supplies..." She explained pointing over her shoulder to the many boxes stacked in the back seat.
"I see so whats on the agenda afterwards?" Yuffie smiled.
"Oh lots of things, Reeve lots of things. By the time we get back to Wutai it'll probably be late. Tomorrow morning though I have to leave early to go prepare for my test, but I have arranged for something to keep you busy while I am gone. After the test is over though I guess you can have whats left of me for the night." She smiled at him laughing aware of how her response could be taken many ways. He knew she was messing with him by the mischievous glint in her eyes.
"You should watch what you say princess, someone might take you the wrong way." He replied grinning back at her. Turning her head she stuck her tongue out at him.
"In your dreams dolly man." Reeve was glad to see she was able to keep up with his joking in person just like she had in their e-mails. He liked that the young ninja shared his twisted sense of humor.
"So what are these things you have planed for me while your busy tomorrow?" Yuffie shook her head.
"You will just have to find out, it's a surprise..." Reeve arched and eyebrow.
"Should I be scared?" Yuffie shrugged the smile never leaving her face.
"I don't know should you?" She asked glancing over at him, he just grinned back at her and stretched placing his arm behind her head rest. They continued like that bantering playfully back and forth until a small village came into sight up ahead. Yuffie slowed the jeep down as they entered the village the sun beginning to descend in the sky. Reeve glanced at his watch it would be nightfall in a few hours.
Pulling the jeep to a stop in front of a Wutainese style house Yuffie parked and shut the jeep off.
"Here we are." She sang climbing out reaching to grab some of the boxes in the back seat. As Reeve exited the vehicle the doors of the house burst open two small children running out into the street.
"Grandma, Grandma. Lady Yuffie is here!" The one child a small girl about five years old cried, the other a small girl of about three years said nothing but simply jumped onto Yuffie who barely had enough time to set the boxes down on the hood of the jeep before catching the small girl in her arms.
"Why hello to you to Sayuri." Yuffie smiled pulling the girl up and sitting her on her hip.
"Is your grandma and grandpa home?" She asked the small girl who simply nodded pointing back at the house.
"Umeko, can you please go tell your grandpa I have some supplies for him." She asked the older girl, who nodded and disappeared back into the house. Yuffie walked over to Reeve.
"Do you remember me telling you about my friend Sayuri, the one who made the magical dolls that moved?" The small child nodded her head clinging to her flak jacket.
"Well this is him can you say hello to my friend Reeve?" She whispered in the girls ear even though her eyes rested on Reeve. Reeve smiled down at the shy child in Yuffie arms.
"Hello." the tiny girl said to him meekly before hiding her face in her flak jacket.
"Hello." Reeve said to the shy little girl, just then the other girl burst back out of the house and ran up to them.
"Grandpa is coming..." She looked over at Reeve and back at Yuffie.
"Is that him?" She asked her, Yuffie nodded.
"Do you really make dolls come to life like Lady Yuffie says?" The girl asked Reeve, not at all shy like her sister. Reeve nodded, he supposed that would be an appropriate way to explain robotics to a small child, he would have to talk to Yuffie about this latter.
"Thats SOOOOO COOOOL!" The young girl squealed causing Yuffie and Reeve to laugh.
"Speaking of things that are really cool..." Yuffie interrupted the girl.
"I brought you and your sister something Umeko." The girls booth looked up at Yuffie with wide excited eyes. Yuffie set the smaller girl down and went to get something out of one of the boxes in the back seat, finding what she was looking for she pulled out a small pouch. Turning around she went to hand it to the elder girl but stopped and pulled it back. Reeve watched the whole exchange with amusement and interest. Around these girls Yuffie seemed to have adopted a strange maternal quality.
"What do you say?" Yuffie asked raising an eyebrow.
"Please and thank you." Both the girls chorused.
"And?..." Yuffie prompted, both the girls sighed.
"Weapons are not toys and even the ones designed for practice can still seriously hurt someone, the tools of a shinobi are deadly and demand respect." The older one said the obviously familiar speech.
"Yeah, what she said." The younger one whispered, Yuffie handed them the pouch which they proceeded to rip open reveling several vary dull kunai and shuriken.
"Thank You Lady Yuffie!" They both cried before tackling her with hugs almost knocking her off her feet.
"Yeah, Yeah just don't cut any fingers off." She replied ruffling each of their hair before they took off with their new present into the backyard.
"Spoiling my grandchildren again I see." Said a voice from the doorway, looking over Reeve noticed an older looking gentlemen and a women standing in the doorway. Their dark hair streaked with gray.
"Of course." Yuffie laughed walking up and giving them both a hug.
"Aito, Aina this is my friend Reeve, Reeve this is Aito and Aina. Aito is the man behind everything you see here." Yuffie introduced them to Reeve who took each of their hands shaking them.
'Is it just me or is she showing me off to people...' Reeve thought briefly before shoving the thought in the back of his mind, why would Yuffie do something like that she is just being polite. Which he had to admit that in and of it self seemed weird.
'She can't really be herself right now I guess, right now she isn't really Yuffie she is Lady Kisaragi. Perhaps this is the real her and the care free jokester AVALANCHE knows is the front... I have seen several different new sides of her in the past few hours I have been here... captain, comrade, leader, maternal figure, joker, flirt, now a polite diplomate... which one is the real her though... maybe they all are. The more time I spend with her it seems the less I know...' Reeve was pulled from his thoughts by a slap on the shoulder.
"What do you say Aito should we go show Reeve what we have been up to the past few months?" She asked smiling as the older man nodded and went back inside the house to grab something. Yuffie turned and gave Reeve a questioning look as the two of them walked back to the jeep.
"You okay Reeve? You kinda spaced out just there." Yuffie whispered to him as they walked.
"I am fine Yuffie just trying to make sure I remember all these new names." he replied gently causing the girl to grin.
"It is a lot isn't it, did you need a moment to write them all down?" she teased elbowing him in the ribs gently. Reeve shook his head as he got into the passenger seat. Yuffie stopped and looked at him once more. She had watched him just gazing off into space while her, Aito, and Aina talked about the construction going on down at the harbor. It was as if he wasn't aware of what was going on around him, like he was lost in thought.
"Reeve, if it's okay with you Aina wants us to have dinner with them. After that we can go back to my house and just crash okay? I have ice cream at the house..." Reeve looked over at her, she was gazing at him worrying her bottom lip between her teeth concern for him written all over her face. Smiling he reached over and grabbed her hand.
"Yuffie get in the jeep I am fine, I was just thinking about something, I am ok, I am having a good time, nothing is wrong. Quit worrying over nothing." He said pulling on her arm gently. Yuffie nodded and got in the jeep. Aito finally left the house having found the bag he had been looking for and started walking towards them.
"So are you going to tell me what had you so lost in thought?" Yuffie asked looking over at him, Reeve turned his head and smiled at her.
"Quit being a nosy brat." Yuffie rolled her eyes, Aito got into the back seat after pushing a few boxes over. Once he was in Yuffie turned the jeep on and began driving through the village in the direction of the cost. After a quick ten minute ride through the village they reached the new harbor, Reeve looked around at the newly constructed docks and buildings. He had to admit he found the Wutainese style architecture vary interesting. Once they stopped the three of them got out and started walking towards one of the larger buildings.
"I am going to go and get the guys and have them come unload the jeep, I really appreciate all the help you have given us Lady Yuffie." he said bowing slightly.
"In that bag is a little something for you from us hear at the village, our way of saying thank you, don't open it until you get home okay?" Yuffie opened her mouth to speak but the old man cut her off.
"No I don't want to hear it Yuffie, just take it okay." The old man laughed forgoing the formalities.
"Thank you Aito, you know you didn't have to do anything. I am more then happy to help you know that..." She sighed, the old man pulled her into a hug.
"That doesn't mean we don't want to thank you, you have grown up so much from that little girl I caught stealing in the market place all those years ago." Yuffie hugged the man back laughing.
"Now, I will be right back, and then I will give you the grand tour. Then we will go back to the house a eat, yes. Aina is making Tenzaru." He said before leaving the two of them and going inside.
"Tenzaru?" Reeve question.
"Tempura and soba, tempura is lightly fried fish and vegetables, and soba noodles are made from buckwheat." Reeve rose his eyebrows unsure of whether that sounded appetizing or not.
"Shut up you ignorant foreigner, you'll like it trust me. Aina is am awesome cook." She shot at him grinning. Reeve didn't have enough time to give her a sarcastic comeback before Aito returned with several men behind him.
"They've got this handled, come on I will show you two around." Aito said waving for them to follow him. Reeve and Yuffie followed Aito as he showed them around. First they went to the dockyard where Reeve noted they had several ships in various stages of construction ranging in many different sizes. Next they went and looked at the marina that was almost complete, several of the smaller vessels were already there tied to the docks. The whole time Reeve just listened as the other two talked about what else needed to be done and when the different projects would be completed. Every time, he thought about an issue that he should maybe point out it seemed Yuffie was a already a step ahead of him. He found himself amazed by the depth of knowledge the young girl seemed to have about the different stages of construction. He wondered if maybe the world had been a bit different and she had been born in Midgar if she would have ended up working at Shinra in the urban development sector just as he had. As they reached the area of the port designed to house larger cargo ships Yuffie paused and turned to Aito.
"You know once trade starts to pick up again, Tochigi is going to expand, new stores, restaurants. More business then you guys will know what to do with." Yuffie said before turning to gaze back out at the ocean in front of them.
"I know..." Aito smiled at the young girl.
"Just imagine it though Aito..." The young girl whispered wistfully.
"In a few years Tochigi will be as big as the Wutai's main city, and the economy will have bounced back, and we will be a strong nation once again." The old man nodded walking up behind her placing a hand on her shoulder.
"With a little hope and a lot of hard work yes we will. You'd make your mother vary proud, no doubt about it you and Shake are going to bring Wutai back to greatness. I haven't a doubt in my heart about that." Yuffie looked over her shoulder smiling at the old man.
"Thank you Aito, your faith means a lot to me." She whispered.
"Lets go back and eat shall we." The old man said before heading back to the jeep, leaving the two standing there. Reeve watched as Yuffie turned back to the sea and wiped her eyes. Reeve tilted his head and walked over to her.
"You okay?" He asked taking her by the shoulder and turning her to face him.
"Yeah I am fine." She laughed smiling up at him, before she started following Aito, Reeve falling instep beside her.
"Just a bit overwhelmed I guess..." She admitted finally as they drew closer to the jeep.
"It's understandable, you have gotten a great deal accomplished. It's amazing what you have done so far." Yuffie stopped walking and turned to him.
"You really think so?" She asked.
"I mean...I honestly haven't a clue what I am doing half the time,...the past four months I have just been flying by the seat of my pants...just hoping it all works out in the end... I haven't had a real plan about how to go about any of this..." Yuffie began rambling, before Reeve took her by the hand the same way she had done several times before and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"You're doing great, Yuffie really. You should be vary proud. I have seen, the airfield, the training grounds, and now this. In four months you have organized all of this. You are doing wonderfully, don't doubt yourself." Yuffie gazed up at the man in front of her, his warm chocolate brown eye looking down at her, reassuring her.
"Thank you Reeve." She whispered, he just squeezed her hand again giving her his trademark grin.
"Come on lets go back, I want to try this "Tenzaru"." Yuffie nodded and letting go of his hand lead him back to the jeep where the old man was waiting for them. The ride back to the house all three had been silent, Reeve sat looking out the window at the sun that was beginning to set over the cost. The sky was a beautiful mix of pinks, reds, and many shades of orange.
Looking over at the girl next to him, he took a moment and admired the picture she made driving down the road. Her eyes fixed on the road ahead of her, her shoulder length hair whipping out behind her in the breeze, she still had some dirt smudged on her cheek from her battle earlier. Reeve smiled to himself wondering just how she would react if he licked his thumb and wiped said dirt off. Would she get mad and pull the car over so she could hit him? Would she blush? Would she be grossed out and yell at him. He never had a chance to find out as they had already reached the house. Getting out of the car Yuffie grabbed her bag out of the back seat and they followed Aito into the house.
Inside Aina stood at the stove working on dinner, the older girl Umeko was busy setting the dinning room table, at the table sat the younger girl Sayuri sat hugging a stuffed bear. Reeve sat down at the table, and noticed that Sayuri's bear was wearing a vary familiar crown.
'I guess I know what happened to Cait's crown now.' he thought to himself smiling.
"Aina is it okay if I borrow your shower real quick?" Yuffie asked the older women.
"Of course go ahead, dinner should be along in a few minutes." She replied, waving a hand over her shoulder. Aito and Yuffie both disappeared into the back of the house leaving Reeve in the little kitchen slash dinning room with the older women and two children.
"Is there anything I can help you with ma'am?" Reeve offered, not wanting to seem rude.
"Oh no I am fine dear, besides I am sure my grandchildren have a hundred and one questions to ask you." Aina chuckled, Reeve looked up and realized that in fact both children where now sitting at the table looking at him in interest.
"Is that true?" He asked the older girl smiling at her, she grinned back at him shaking her head vigorously.
Yuffie sighed heavily as she stepped out of the bathroom, feeling a hundred percent better now that she had washed all the grime off and changed into some clean clothes. Walking back into the dinning room she paused in the doorway and watched the scene before her. Reeve and the girls where involved in a very animated conversation. Reeve was steadily explaining the basics of how Cait Sith worked, answering question after question not at all put out by the girls unending curiosity. Leaning against the doorway she watched as Reeve dove into a lengthy explanation about how artificial intelligence worked, trying to dumb it down as much as he could so the children could grasp it. The girls listened with great interest the occasional "cool" or "wow" escaping their lips.
Reeve smiled as the girls continued peppering him with questions, he was unsure what all Yuffie had told them, but he could not help but feel his ego swell a bit by the way the to children were acting. Hearing a noise like a throat being cleared he stopped talking and turned his head. Yuffie stood in the door way leaning against the wall an eyebrow arched at him. Her hair still wet she had changed back into her normal outfit consisting of a tank top and shorts. She had a vary amused look on her face, her eyes glittering in humor she mouthed one word to him vary slowly so he could read it. "DORK" her lips formed silently before she started giggling again. He just arched an eyebrow back at her challenging her, she rolled her eyes at him before walking into the kitchen.
"Did you need help Aina?" She asked setting her bag down in the chair next to Reeve.
"Yes can you grab these pots and put them on the table?" Yuffie nodded grabbing the dishes the women had gestured to, bringing them over to the table and setting them down. Aina was right behind her with more dishes of food setting them down they both took their seats, Aito came in from the other room and joined them at the table. Dinner went by quickly in a flurry of conversation. It turned out Reeve loved tempura as he had cospenmentled the older women several times on her cooking causing the older women to blush. The girls continued to ask Reeve question after question and had even gotten the man to promise to bring Cait with him the next time he came to visit. Yuffie and Aito talked about the festival going on in the main city, which was apparently where the girls parents currently were. The dinner had long been finished by the time the conversations had wound down. Both of the girls began yawning ever couple of minutes which was Aina cue that it was time to put them to bed. Oddly enough they both refused to go until they had gotten hugs from both Yuffie AND Reeve, Yuffie had a hard time stifling her laughter as she spotted what looked like a blush on Reeve's cheeks as the girls told their grandma what they wanted. After the girls had been sent to bed Yuffie and Reeve stood thanking their hosts for dinner, before leaving Aina and Aito both made it a point to wish Yuffie luck in her test tomorrow and reminded her to take care of herself. Once outside Yuffie took a deep breath and sighed walking back to the jeep.
"They are vary nice." Reeve said as he climbed into the jeep next to Yuffie.
"Yep... you blushed." Yuffie burst out laughing as she started up the jeep unable to contain her amusement a moment longer.
"I did not." He shot back faking shock.
"You so did, what the matter Reevie-poo not used to young girls giving you attention?" She laughed teasing him, Reeve just shrugged placing an arm behind her headrest.
"Whats the matter princess? You jealous?" Yuffie rolled her eyes, as she shifted the jeep into the next gear.
"Oh I am soooo jealous." Yuffie replied sarcastically, Reeve just grinned at her. The sun had set before they had left the house, the country side was now dark, the moonlight reflecting of the water resting in the rice fields. Over the soft hum of the jeep engine and the crunch of gravel you could hear the crickets chirping in the distance. Reeve felt vary relaxed as he watched the country side moving past him, Yuffie's hair occasionally whipping gently into his fingers as it flew in the breeze.
"So tomorrow..." He asked gently turning his head to look at her.
"Yeah?" she replied glancing at him quickly.
"Do you know who you are going to fight?" She shook her head.
"No, they don't tell you until right before." Reeve arched an eyebrow.
"Are you worried?" Yuffie sighed shaking her head.
"There is little point is there?" She shrugged, sending him a smile but it didn't reach her eyes. He knew she was worried, and he knew she wouldn't admit it, not even to herself.
'She really is strong isn't she?' he thought to himself, the trip continued in silence for quite awhile. The two just sat there enjoying one another presence as Yuffie drove across the countryside.
"So what did you tell those girls if I may ask, they had some really strange questions..." Reeve asked breaking the silence, Yuffie starting giggling.
"You will have to ask Shake about that, he and I came up here a few weeks ago to deliver supplies. I left to talk to Aito and when I came back he had told them some twisted bed time story about a wizard he helped me battle and his army or possessed toys. I tried to set them straight but I think Shake had already tainted their little minds beyond repair. He thought it was hilarious..." Yuffie explained.
"That would explain why the older girl asked if Cait Sith could really read minds..." Reeve replied laughing.
"Shake is good for things like that the little turd." Yuffie shook her head.
"Must run in the family." Reeve laughed poking her in the back of her head.
"Ha ha ha." Yuffie replied sticking her tongue out at him. Reeve looked down at his watch taking note of the time.
"It's getting pretty late..." He whispered.
"Yeah we should be back in the main city in about ten minutes..." Reeve nodded, and arched an eyebrow as the girl next to him yawned.
"Maybe we should take a rain check on the ice cream, you have a big day tomorrow, you need your sleep." He offered, Yuffie just shrugged.
"As much as I loath saying this... you might be right." Reeve could not help but laugh at her comment.
"Saying that must have hurt huh?" He replied as he began playing with her hair absentmindedly as it flew around his fingers. Yuffie just rolled her eyes not responding.
The rest of the trip was silent both of their minds elsewhere. Yuffie kept playing out scenarios in her head about of how tomorrow would go. Reeve watched the scenery fly by as he thought about things going on with the WRO, his fingers still playing with her hair from where he rested his arm behind her head rest. The main city gates came into sight and soon Yuffie pulled up to her house. Sighing Yuffie parked the jeep and shut it down, climbing out she grabbed the two bags in the back seat. Reeve followed her as she walked up the brick sidewalk leading to the front door. Her home looked much different in person, it stood all by itself a great distance away from any of the other buildings in the village. There were several large trees in the yard, and what appeared to be a patio with a garden off the one side of the house. Unlocking the door Yuffie walked inside dropping her bags at the side of the door.
"Okay so I will take you on a quick tour since this is your first time here... in person anyways, I know Cait knows the layout well enough." Yuffie shot him a grin, and he began following her.
"This is the living room." She gestured to the room they currently stood in, he noted the sofa resting against the wall and the laptop sitting on a worn looking coffee table in front of it. He smiled also noting the kunai imbedded in the wood of said coffee table. There were several books scattered around and as well as large bookshelf in the corner overflowing with books.
'A closet bookworm, who would have thought...' Reeve pondered as he noticed a old tv resting against the opposite wall stacked on the floor next to it was a pile of dvds. Following Yuffie she lead him into a small kitchen that was surprisingly modern and clean.
"The kitchen..." following her she lead him down a hall.
"That is my bedroom." she said pointing to the first door that was closed, leaving it closed she continued to the second door and opened it leading him into a bedroom.
"This is the guest room, there is a complete bath other there, and a closet there, and the patio doors over there lead out to the patio... go figure right." She said pointing to each door, opening the bathroom door so he could see inside. The room sported a queen-sized bed, the floors like the rest of the house were hardwood. The guest room was done in earthy tones, greens and browns.
"I can show you the garden tomorrow when its light outside, come on I will show you the gem of the house." She laughed motioning to follow her as she left the room. Leading him further down the hallway she opened a door at the end revealing a stairwell. Following her down into the basement his eyes went wide. The basement was one large room, over in the corner sat a little desk with a desktop computer resting on it. The other side of the room held an assortment of training equipment, a huge body sized punching bag hung from the ceiling and a speed bag was hung on the wall a few feet away. One large section of the room was covered in a blue matt, and over in the far right corner stood a large metal cage.
"I will show you inside if you promise to not touch anything..." Yuffie whispered over his shoulder.
"I promise I will keep my hands to myself." he replied grinning, Yuffie pulled a set of keys from her pocket and proceeded to unlock the several locks keeping the cage door shut.
"This is your fancy security system?" he asked as he watched her unlock the cage. Yuffie arched an eyebrow at him.
"Hardly I disabled it while we were upstairs, you were to busy eyeballing the living room. By the way I don't know if you noticed or not but Checkov dropped your stuff off while we were in Tochigi it's all in your room." She replied as she undid the last lock the cage door swinging open. She stood aside allowing Reeve to walk in she followed behind him and just watched as he looked around. Reeve was amazed by the shear amount of materia and weapons she had collected. No wonder she kept it under such tight security some of this materia was extremely rare, he continued to look at some of the more bizarre weapons.
'What the hell... is that a harpoon gun?' he wondered, leaning closer to look at it but still respecting her no touching rule. After a few minutes of looking around he left allowing Yuffie to re-lock the door.
"You have quite the collection." he commented, she girl turned and grinned at him.
"Thank you, so what did you think of the "grand tour"?" He shrugged.
"Not bad I especially like this training room. I wish I had something like this at my disposal."
"You have not built a gym at the WRO headquarters? The Shinra building had one didn't it?" Reeve nodded.
"Yes it did, but as I am sure you remember we haven't completely finished moving into the Junon building yet. Once we are done I fulling plan on building a state of the art gym, especially when we begin recruiting people for peace keeping operations." he explained as he followed Yuffie back up the stairs.
Stopping as they reached the guest room Yuffie turned to Reeve and looked up at him suddenly noticed just how close he was standing to her.
"Was there anything I could get you before we go to bed?" She asked , Reeve looked down at her his dark brown eyes gazing into her bluish gray.
"There is one thing..." He whispered leaning closer to her, Yuffie's heart speed up as she began to feel apprehensive for some reason.
"And what would that be?" She asked the man who was smiling down at her, his eyes glinting in amusement as he toyed with her.
"This..." He whispered reaching out and grabbing her by the waist he pulled her into his arms and hugged her. The young girls body tensed briefly before she relaxed wrapping her arms around his neck returning the hug.
"Goodnight Yuffie..." He whispered into her hair before letting her go.
"Night Reeve" She whispered back before disappearing into her room, leaving Reeve standing in the hallway.
He stood there a few seconds looking at her closed door trying to asses the feelings he was having. Shaking his head he opened his door and retreated inside his room. He was unsure just when it had happened, maybe it was right after the meteor fell, maybe it was during the time they kept in contact via e-mail and text, maybe it was some point in the last 24 hours. But it was becoming vary obvious to him that at some point the young women had wormed her way under his skin and become a vary dear friend. He quickly changed into a pair of sleeping pants and took off his shirt before climbing into bed.
'Tomorrow is a big day for her, I hope she gets enough sleep.' he thought briefly before falling asleep.
-TBC