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.
She ran a fast as her feet could carry her, the gravel cutting into her bare feet. Dad had told her to stay in the crawl space under the kitchen floor but she had to help. The night air around her was hot and sticky. She stopped and turned looking down at the end of the village her eyes growing wide, the Pagoda was burning they had set it ablaze.
'I have got to find mom...the temple.' she stopped hearing a noise she jumped behind a row of pottery the was on display in front of a shop. Holding her breath she waiting as a line of SOLDIERs marched by. She was itching to jump out and attack them but she held fast, she had to find her mother. Quiet not making a single noise she waited until they all had passed before she silently slipped away and began running again. The temple doors came into sight bursting threw them she skidded to a stop gasping. Her feet slipped out from under her the floors slick with blood, she landed on her backside.
"U...Un...Uncle...Hashirama?" The young girl whispered as she identified one of the many bodies as her beloved uncle. She looked around her stomach twisting hoping she wasn't here...
"MOTHER!" The girl cried jumping to her feet and running to the corner of the room having spotted the body of her mother. Crouching down the young girl took the woman by her shoulder turning her over.
"Mommy...MOMMY!" she yelled shaking the women's shoulders, the women's face, hair and clothing was soaked in blood. Breathing weakly the women managed to crack open her eyes.
"Yuffie...sweetie...what...are you doing here...go child...you must leave..." the smaller girl began sobbing shaking her head.
"No Mommy I am not leaving, hold on I am gonna fix you mommy..." Reaching over her mother she grabbed the women's katana that had been abandoned on the floor.
'Mommy always keeps a mastered cure and heal equipped on the scabbard...no...No!' the slots in the scabbard were empty.
"Yuffie..." The women whispered, causing the young girl to stop searching her pouch for the materia that was no longer there.
"Yuffie... you are going to be... a great ninja...one day...make Wutai proud...strong...promise me..." she began coughing, blood spilling from her lips. She reached up weakly trying to push the hair out of her daughter's eyes leaving a streak of blood on the child's tear stained cheek.
"I promise, mommy I promise, but please, please don't go please..." The child begged sobbing hard.
"I love you, sweetie..." The women whispered horsely before the life left her eyes.
"No mommy no..." The girl continued chanting as she sobbed into the dead women's neck. The girl lay there curled against her mother crying for a long while until she noticed the sound of footsteps.
"Well isn't this sweet..." A tall man in a SOLDIER's uniform cooed sarcastically to the two others behind him. The young girl's head shot up her teary eyes burning in rage.
"YOU BASTARD!" She cried shrilly as she grabbed her mother's forgotten sword and lunged at the man.
Reeve woke up rubbing his eyes, looking around he noticed it was still night. Moonlight streamed in through his window casting an eerie glow throughout his room. He heard a strange noise all of a sudden, he sat up and looked around before he heard the noise again.
'Is that crying?' He thought as he pulled himself out of bed and pulled his dress shirt back on leaving it undone. He left his room and followed the soft sobbing sound to Yuffie's bedroom door.
'Why is she crying?' He wondered, apprehensive about going into her room.
"Please...please...no" her soft cries were desperate, terrified. Reeve gently pushed the door open and slipped inside her room. With the aid of moonlight he looked down at Yuffie. The poor girl was tossing and turning in her sleep.
'She must be having a terrible nightmare...' he reached down to shake her shoulder.
Yuffie's eyes snapped open, feeling a hand on her shoulder she acted without sparing a thought. Grabbing the attacker by the wrist she pulled him unto the bed flipping them over while she grabbed the kunai from under her pillow and pressed it firmly to the intruder's neck.
"Yuffie!" the intruder hissed, Yuffie's eyes widened as her sleep addled brain caught up assessing the situation. Reeve looked up at the girl straddling him shocked his hands held up in the air. He had just tried to wake her up next thing he knew she was attacking him, pinning him to the bed with a blade at his throat.
"Shit Reeve..." She cried, tossing the kunai on the nightstand. She was breathing hard her adrenaline still pumping.
"Oh god I didn't cut you did I?" She asked pushing his head to the side leaning forward to inspect his neck. Reeve's breath caught in his chest as he realized two things vary quickly. The first being that when she leaned over like that he could see right down the front of her nightgown. The second being she was in no way flat chested like everyone had thought.
"Thank god I didn't nick you." She whispered running her fingers across his jugular completely oblivious to what she was doing to the man below her. His hands had found themselves resting on her hips without him thinking. Sitting back up she slapped his chest earning a hiss from him.
"You jerk! don't sneak up on me! Fuck Reeve, I could have killed you!" She chastised him her hands still resting on his bare chest.
"I am sorry Yuffie, I heard you crying and was worried..." He replied desperately trying not to notice the way her white silk nightgown was bunched up around her hips, or the feel of her dainty hands on his chest.
'Think about other things... don't embarrass yourself...' But try as he might he couldn't stop his traitorous eyes from noting her bed tousled hair or the way the white silk hugged the feminine curves she apparently hid from the world.
He wasn't the only one having sudden realizations, Yuffie's heart skipped as it dawned on her just what position they where in. Looking down at the bare chest beneath her hands Yuffie felt a blush warm her cheeks. She noticed the fine dusting of dark hair that covered his pecs, the definition of the mans abs, and the little trail of hair that traveled down from his navel before disappearing into his pants.
'Oh god Yuffie quit perving...who knew Reeve was so cut...Bad Yuffie BAD!' She scolded herself as she crawled off of him and sat down on the bed next to him pulling her legs under her.
"It was just an old nightmare..." Yuffie muttered, Reeve rolled over onto his side to look at her. He was thankful she had gotten off of him before he made an ass out of himself.
"Did you want to talk about it?" Yuffie shook her head sending him an unconvincing smile.
"No just nerves I guess..." She whispered, as she crawled back under the cover laying down next to him. Reeve reached over and brushed the hair out of her eyes tucking it behind her ear.
"So your nervous about tomorrow?" He asked softly, running a finger down her cheek.
"Just a little I guess..." Yuffie nodded, Reeve watched as she yawned resting her head back down on the pillow.
"Are you gonna be okay?" Yuffie nodded again the adrenaline settling and fatigue creeping back up on her. She looked at the man laying next to her his concerned brown eyes watching her.
"I will be fine Reeve, thank you." She said through another yawn, Reeve smiled at her and climbed off the bed. Part of him wanted to stay and make sure she would be alright but she needed her sleep.
"Try and get some sleep okay. If you need anything just come get me alright?" Reeve offered. Yuffie nodded her head and closed her eyes falling back to sleep quickly. Reeve let himself out and returned to his room. As he laid back down his thoughts drifted to the girl lying in the next room. He thought about how there was so much more to her then he had ever imagined, about how strong she was, how beautiful she was.
'Whoa Reeve get that out of your head right now, the girl is 16 for fuck sake. What are you a dirty old man?' he thought to himself, trying in vain to push the offending thoughts from his head. Refusing to think of her soft skin, and the way it had glowed in the moonlight he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
"Hey buddy wakey wakey..." A voice interrupted his sleep, sitting up and rubbing his eyes Reeve looked around his room his eyes coming to a stop at the doorway.
"Hey." The young kid Reeve had learned was Yuffie's cousin Shake stood waving in the doorway.
"Um hi?" Reeve replied groggily. Shake rolled his eyes.
"Hurry and get cleaned up. Her "highness" as asked that I show you around and do "guy stuff" with you...whatever the hell THAT means." He explained before leaving the room.
Reeve pulled himself out of bed and began getting ready. After a quick shower and change of clothes he found the young man in the living room rummaging through Yuffie's dvd collection.
"Battlefield Gaia, Avatar, The Arrival, Battlefield: Junon... what the fuck is the obsession with aliens? Leviathan you have terrible taste Yuffie..." the boy muttered tossing each dvd aside after looking at them.
"Oh good your done." Shake noticed Reeve's presence and stood up leaving the mess on Yuffie's floor.
"What time is it?" Reeve asked running a hand through his hair.
"About ten-thirty, she said to let you sleep in a bit. But if we are going to get you some new duds and show you around before lunch we have to hurry..." Shake grabbed his bag and started heading for the door.
"New duds?" Reeve asked falling in step behind him, exiting Yuffie's house.
"Yeah man, you know clothes? You can't go to lunch with the elders or the arena for that matter looking like that..." Shake replied as he turned to lock the door.
"Looking like what?" Reeve asked a bit offended, the boy turned and gave him a once over looking at him from head to toe before laughing.
"Like an ignorant foreigner, no offense of course." The boy grinned creepily reminding Reeve of Yuffie. Reeve followed the boy as he lead him through the town. Reeve looked around the bustling village in awe, there where people everywhere. Decorations hung of the awnings of various stores. There were market stands everywhere selling everything from fresh fish to many types of hand made silks.
"So where is Yuffie?" He asked walking fast to keep up with his sarcastic little escort.
"She left early this morning to prepare for the fight..." Shake replied stopping to let several children run past him. They where yelling happily, one running with a new kite in his little hands the others chasing after him.
"Prepare how?...sorry" Reeve questioned, almost tripping over one of the children.
"She has gone down to the temple to pray and meditate before the fight, as tradition dictates." The boy answered briefly before grabbing on to Reeves arm pulling him out of the crowd and into a store.
"Ah Shake-Sama! There you are we have been expecting you." A old women cried as she came from around the counter to greet them.
"Nice to see you Hana-San." Shake replied flashing a coy smile to the old women causing her to blush. Reeve bit his lip to keep from laughing, Yuffie's little cousin was trying to be a little charmer.
"This is Reeve Tuesti he is a friend of Yuffie's and will be attending a few formal functions with us, we need to find him some suitable robes." He explained introducing Reeve. The old women's face grimaced as if she had caught a whim of something vary foul smelling when Shake mentioned Yuffie's name. After a second she regained her composure and bowed respectively towards Reeve.
"Nice to meet you Reeve-San it would be a pleasure to help you, if you gentlemen could please follow me." She replied leading them off to the back of the store.
The next hour was spent with Reeve being measured and dressed up in several different robes. Shake had decided to get some new robes as well, and had laughed at Reeve's face when seeing Shake being handed what looked like a skirt.
"Its called a hakama and no you won't have to wear one if you don't want to. We can give you pants." Shake laughed pulling on his new robes. Reeve had felt a bit overwhelmed being handed all sorts of new things with strange names to try on.
"If you think this is bad you should see what girls to go through." The young man shuddered handing Reeve a pair of geta and tabi socks. The older man chuckled remembering how Yuffie had written complaining about just that.
"Makes you glad we're men huh?" he laughed as he pulled the strange socks onto his feet.
"Yep, hurry up, I still have to show you around and then we have to meet the old farts at the retirement home, and we don't want to dishonor the salad by being late." The young boy replied his voice thick with sarcasm. Reeve nodded smiling at the boy obvious contempt for the council, one of many things he was noticing he had in common with his older cousin.
"Come on lets go." Shake had just returned from paying for their purchases.
The next hour and a half was spent following Shake as he lead him all around the village. The young boy showed Reeve the training compound and the academy. He pointed out the different temples, the Pagoda, and showed him the marketplace. He also pointed out what was called the Kisaragi district where he and Lord Godo lived. He also explained that Yuffie's house was originally owned by her mother's clan. However, since her mother had been the last of her clan the house was now hers. When Reeve asked why Yuffie didn't live with them Shake just shrugged. The sarcastic thirteen year old had made surprising good company the past few hours. He had explained a lot to Reeve about the culture and how the politics worked, and had helped Reeve through the confusing endeavor of Wutainese formal dress.
Reeve followed him as they made there way across the village to a large Wutainese style house in the Kisaragi district. Reeve looked up at the building before him and sighed he was a bit apprehensive about meeting with the elders. But he supposed it had to happen sooner or lately especially with the way the WRO had been growing lately. The sooner these diplomatic ties were made the better. Yuffie was doing him a huge favor by arranging this meeting for him, and introducing her to her culture. He could not help but wish he was back at her house though, he felt like he had barely gotten to spend anytime with her since he had arrived.
'She has responsibilities just like I do.' Reeve reminded himself, running a hand through his hair. He would get to see her tonight, and they could finally have that ice cream maybe even watch a few of those alien movies in her living room.
Yuffie knelt at the foot of a large statue of Leviathan the candles around the shrine danced in the dimly lit temple. The monks had all retired to their rooms in the basement, leaving her to have the shrine in peace. Sighing she knelt her head and clasped her hands in front of her. Bowing she began to pray to Leviathan and her ancestors asking them for the strength to see this next step through, because it was just yet another step in reaching her goal of returning Wutai to greatness. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and began speaking aloud in her native language.
"I ask for the help and guidance of my ancestors, may I attain the blessings of Leviathan, The blessing of instant magical emanation..." Because her eyes were closed she didn't notice as the candles begging to flicker wildly.
"The blessing which is a vehicle with every door, The blessing of excellent activity, The blessing of all-pervading love, The blessing of constantly positive energy, The blessing of passionless wisdom..." The wind began to blow in from open doors at the end of the temple.
"The blessing of knowledge, method, and determination, And the Blessing of enlightenment itself, In order to match the ways of the sage ,Called Da Chao, the always-sublime one, Chief amongst the awakened ones' sons, I now dedicate all virtues that I possess..." The room around her began to grow vary warm but she didn't notice.
"O Leviathan, Oneness of Life and Light, Entrusting in your Great Compassion, May you shed the foolishness in myself, Transforming me into a conduit of Love. May I be a medicine for the sick and weary, Nursing their afflictions until they are cured..." The wind began to pick up more, strong enough to begin blowing a few of the candles out, she ignored it continuing her prayer.
"May I become food and drink, During time of famine, May I protect the helpless and the poor, May I be a lamp, For those who need your Light, May I be a bed for those who need rest, and guide all seekers to the Other Shore..." If she had her eyes open at that moment she would have noticed that she had started to glow in a light blue light.
"I dedicate myself to the service of all Wutai, Striving to help others realize, Their human potential and Enlightenment; May your Teachings guide me, Throughout the day...Please Leviathan... help me." The light shone brighter and a sharp pain cut into her side causing her to scream out in pain her eyes snapping open. Only seeing bright blue light she grabbed her side in pain. She panted gasping for air as the world around her fading as she lost consciousness.
The hours dragged as Reeve was introduced to one person after another. After he had been introduced to what seemed like a hundred new people he was ushered into a large dinning room. But instead of chairs he sat upon several large cushions at a vary low table where he and several other very old men where waited on by girls who dressed in fancy kimonos, and wore a great deal of makeup. He later learned these where "Geishas". He blushed as Shake explained just what that meant. When Reeve gave Shake a strange look the young boy laughed and assured him they were just going to serve the food.
Reeve also was a bit unnerved as most of the talking that was taking place was in Wutainese. To which Shake also explained while it hasn't been the national language for a many decades it was still spoken in more formal settings. Reeve planned on making it a point to learn the language, maybe Yuffie could help him. He felt vary thankful that he had been seated next to Shake. Without the young boy acting as an interpreter he surely would have been lost.
Many of the elders had engaged him in conversation at one point, eager to hear all about the WRO and how he was helping the other areas of the world rebuild. Godo watched the interaction with a satisfied smile on his face. Although some of the elders seemed to hold some distrust for the foreign man they appeared satisfied that their lord held some esteem for him.
The meal went by fast as did several rounds of sake, Reeve was distracted from a conversation he was having with Shake by a sudden flurry of talking down at the end of the table. Lord Godo seemed to have begun arguing with one of the elders. Reeve had no idea what the two men where saying to each other and looked to Shake for answers. Shake watched listening his face showing a look of disgust for a brief moment before he schooled his features.
"Whats happening..." Reeve asked quietly over the boys shoulder so only he could hear.
"Lord Daiki, he is arguing with my uncle about Yuffie..." Reeve arched an eyebrow waiting for a further explanation.
"My uncle wants to let Yuffie have the right to chose her own suitor... Lord Daiki is saying thats ridiculous... they can't force Godo to do anything until she is older anyways. Unless Godo excepts a suitor, the council can't actually force his hand until she is twenty...Just another reason I am thankful to be a guy..." Shake muttered, Reeve watched the men argue stroking his goatee.
"Yuffie mentioned it a few times..." Reeve mused.
"Yeah, Daiki just wants her to marry his grandson though.." Shake whispered.
"Why anyone would want to marry my psychotic cousin though is beyond me..." He shrugged, Reeve smiled trying not to laugh. The elders probably had no idea what they would be submitting their pampered spoiled grandsons to. He was well aware of the terror Yuffie could be, she needed someone who could take her wild nature in hand and not smother her fire.
"It's all politics..." he told Shake who just nodded. After a few more rounds, all the men began standing up.
"Whats going on now?" Reeve asked, as he and Shake stood as well.
"Now we go to the arena to watch Yuffie's battle." Shake answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Reeve and Shake followed the rest of the men as they exited the house.
Yuffie moaned pulling herself up off the temple floor.
"What was that..." she muttered to herself, running her fingers through her hair. Her side ached terribly, looking down she gingerly pulled shirt up to see why her side was hurting. She gasped her eyes growing vary wide as she looked down at the tattoo consisting of three kanji burned into her side, the black ink almost glowing against her pale skin.
"Leviathan..." she whispered in awe as she ran her fingers across the mark, looking around franticly for answers her eyes caught a glimpse of white. Pulling herself to her feet she took a few hesitant steps towards the alter where people would leave offerings to the gods. There amongst the candles lay a single white rose. Her heart began to race as she picked up the rose gingerly as if it were made of ash and would crumble at the slightest touch.
'They heard me...' Realization hit her fast like a smack in the face.
'They heard me and they answered...' Yuffie set the rose back down and took a few deep breaths trying to calm herself.
"My Lady... My Lady..." Yuffie was interrupted by a gentle voice behind her, turning she realized one of the temple monks stood behind her.
"My Lady its getting late... you must go and get ready for the final task..." Yuffie nodded wondering just how long she had been on the temple floor unconscious.
"Oh..ah..thank you, do you happen to know what time it is?" She asked hesitantly bowing to the monk. The little old bald man gave her a gummy smile returning her bow.
"It going on one o'clock my lady, you had better hurry..." Yuffie nodded heading towards the temple entrance.
"Thank you..." She called out waving goodbye as she disappeared, the old man smiled and waved back wishing her luck. Yuffie began running once outside if it was going on one that meant she had little over an hour to get to her house change and get to the arena. After she had seen that rose on the alter she understood what her ancestors where trying to tell her.
Running as fast as her feet would carry her she was able to reach her house in under ten minutes. Bursting in her front door she briefly noted the mess her cousin made but decided she would take care of it latter. Once down in the basement she quickly disarmed the security system and walked over to a large trunk that sat in the corner. Getting down on her knees she flipped the latches open and lifted the heavy lid up.
Inside rested several old but vary well taken care of weapons along with an pile of clothes. At the bottom of the trunk rested her mothers hiraikotsu a vary large boomerang carved out of bone. It was roughly as long as Yuffie was tall, fine ornamental roses were carved all along the ivory. Yuffie rang her fingers across the carvings tears welling in her eyes. She reached down and pulled out one of her mother's tunics her eyes running across it. There where white roses embroidered down the back starting at the left side of neck and wrapping down around the right hip.
"I am going to make you proud mom." She whispered, before she set about getting ready for the battle.
Reeve sat in the vary front row of the stands, the arena was built in a large oval. The stands wrapped around the oval. The first of three rows of seats stood about ten feet off the ground. Down below was large open field roughly the size of a football field. There was a tall concrete wall that separated the stands from the field. Reeve looked around there seemed to be a lot of people present.
"Normally, only the elders and other shinobi are allowed to attend, but this time they have decided to allow the academy students to attend as well. To show them what to expect I suppose." Shake explained from where he sat next to him. On his other side sat Lord Godo, behind him sat Chekhov and the other ninja's he had met the day before, that was all except one.
"Uncle... where is Atsushi-Sensi..." Shake asked having seemly read Reeve's mind. They both looked to Godo waiting for an answer, the mans brows furrowed as he remained silent.
"You don't mean...She is fighting Atsushi-Sensi!" Shake gasped.
"I just found out not ten minutes ago Shake-Chan." Godo said firmly, Reeve looked back and forth between the men.
"I don't understand Shake is that bad?" Reeve whispered to the young boy.
"I honestly don't no Reeve... Atsushi-Sensi is... well... vary strong...and fast...and smart..." Shake said quietly unable to look at the man next to him, all to aware of the seriousness of what he was saying.
"General Yamanka is on of the best in the village...you saw him fight yesterday...Atsushi-Sensi could easily wipe the floor with him... Atsushi-Sensi is simply THE best in the village..." Reeve's eyes went wide.
"Dose Yuffie even stand a chance?" He asked, Shake just shook his head.
"I don't know... he is not going to hold back... it would dishonor the village if he went easy on her... " Just then drums started beating below as two figures walked out onto the field.
One of them was Atsushi-Sensi dressed the same as he was the day before only this time he had his masked pulled up covering his mouth and nose. Upon his back rested a giant broadsword not unlike the one Cloud carried, and tucked underneath that sat a conformer.
"Am I seeing a ghost..." Lord Godo whispered in shock, Reeve looked over confused.
"She does look just like her doesn't she..." Chekhov whispered behind them.
Reeve looked down watching as Yuffie calmly walked towards the center of the arena, her gray blue eyes cold and determined.
She she wore a black catsuit underneath a short gray tunic, which ended in a short skirt with slits going up both sides. Both the tunic and catsuit where sleeveless. Her arms were covered in fishnets that descended down her arms into fingerless leather gloves. She had metal guards on the backs of her gloved hands as well as tied to her forearms, shoulders, shins and knees all of which had rose patterns etched into the metal. The catsuit was tucked into a pair of the ninja boots each of which had ashiko fashioned to the bottom.
Fastened around her thighs she had two small pouches containing kunai and shuriken. Around her waist a black sash was tied, tucked underneath it rested a kusari-gama the chain wrapped up neatly and tied in place. On her back rested a single katana, and a massive boomerang made out of bone, each end of the boomerang was wrapped with a leather straps. Her hair was tied back by a head band and around her face she wore a small metal mask covering her mouth and nose, the mask had etchings upon it like the rest of her armor.
"The white rose of Wutai." Godo spoke his expression filled with awe, the normally serious man's voice cracking a fatherly smile gracing his lips.
"Who?" Reeve whispered to Shake.
"Thats what they used to call my aunt Michi, Yuffie has brought her old battle gear out of retirement it seems." Shake looked up and Reeve and grinned.
"Aunt Michi's hair was much much longer though, other then that, yeah I do see a resemblance." Reeve looked back at Yuffie. She and Atsushi bowed to one another before turning and walking to opposite ends of the field. The drumming stopped as they each reached their end of the field. One of the elders stood up and began talking into a megaphone, once again Reeve had to rely on Shake for an interpretation of the Wutainese being spoken.
"He is basically going on about the rules, the fight doesn't stop until there is a knock out, neither is allowed to hold back or they dishonor not only themselves, but their clan and village. The right to fight to be a jounin is a sacred honor not to be taken lightly, only the strongest will prevail...do you accept this the task that has been asked of you, honor, duty blah blah blah, the fight will begin at the sound of this fire work." Shake interpreted waving his hand and rolling his eyes. If it weren't for the seriousness of what was about to happen Reeve might have laughed at the kid, but as it was his guts twisted with nerves.
Reeve turned to watch as the two figures stood in a fighting stance ready for the bang of the firecracker. There was a whoosh as it was lit and sent into the air, and then a bang.
The two fighters took off towards each other. Atsushi ran at Yuffie, grabbing some kunai from his pockets he spun them in his fingers and flung them at her. Yuffie dodged to the side as they flew past her, she reached behind her grabbing the hiraikotsu off her back. She spun and flung it at the man, he leapt in the air as if flew beneath his feet. The large boomerang banked turning around leaving a large gash in the ground as it began its return run. Atsushi landed gracefully on his feet and bent in a low crouch dodging the hiraikotsu as if flew overtop his back.
Yuffie reached into the air catching the large boomerang the sheer weight of it dragging her backwards as she dug her feet into the soil. Running to the side she dodged the next wave of kunai Atsushi sent towards her, leaping into the air she spoon and hurled the hiraikotsu once again. This time however instead of dodging Atsushi unsheathed his broad sword and brought it up in front of him placing one hand against the flat side of the blade as his braced for impact. The hiraikotsu slammed into his blade. In a shower of sparks it pushed him backwards a good five feet as the one end dug into the ground leaving another large gouge before becoming stuck in the soil.
Dashing out from behind her boomerang Atsushi ran at her his broadsword raised ready to strike. Yuffie drew her katana and prepared for his attack, a great clang rang through the air followed by several more as the two of them met. Showers of sparks flying into the air as they countered, parried and dodged each other. Their fight slowly making its way closer to the vary wall Reeve sat above. Yuffie ducked low as Atsushi's blade whirled over top of her so close it actually cut a bit of her hair. Yuffie bolted running toward the wall Atsushi hot on her heels, sheathing her katana she pulled out her kusari-gama.
Running up the wall she began swinging the chain in her hand, leaping she flipped backwards. Landing gracefully behind Atsushi she flung the spinning chain, it wrapped around the blade of the broadsword several times. Yuffie yanked the broadsword out of his hands sending it slamming into the concert wall. The blade imbedded into the concert a good seven feet up the wall. Bringing the chain back to her she barely had time to shove the weapon back on her hip as Atsushi barred down on her aiming a kick at her midsection. Yuffie blocked it with her arm guard and aimed a punch at his head which he dodged.
They continued trading punches and kicks, both repeatedly dodging and blocking. Their hand to hand fighting went on for almost ten minutes as they slowly progressed back towards the center of the field. Atsushi landed a kick his ashiko digging into the back of Yuffie's calf bringing her down on one knee. Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out a kunai and swung it down at her shoulder, snapping her arm up she blocked it with the metal guard on the back of her hand. Channeling her chakra and summoning the magic from on of her materia she swung with her other had slammed an ice spell into his chest with her fist. Atsushi flew backwards ten feet but caught himself as he landed to the ground digging his hands and feet into the soil.
Atsushi brought himself back to a stand and began channeling his own chakra, his hands began to glow a bright blue. Waving his arm his sent a bolt of lightning at Yuffie. Yuffie dashed across the field dodging bolt after bolt. Leaping into the concert wall she used her legs to bounce off the wall narrowly dodging another bolt. Lightning struck the wall sending chunks of rock spraying everywhere. A few of the rocks hit Yuffie, she winced as one caught her in the side of the face cutting her. Twisting in the air, Yuffie reached into her pouch pulling out a handful of kunai that had exploding tags tied to the ends. She sent them flying at Atsushi just before she landed, her mask torn in the lightning blast slipped of her face. The kunai dug into the ground at Atsushi's feet exploding, sending chunks of earth flying into the air. It was his turn to bleed as debris flew at him. Atsushi had made it away just in time to avoid being taken in the blast.
Atsushi ran and leapt into the air landing gracefully atop his blade that was still imbedded in the concert. Yuffie spun around pulling her kusari-gama out she began swinging it as Atsushi started preparing another spell. His one hand beginning to glow an ominous red. Yuffie hurled the sickle at him, he dodged leaping out at her just before it hit the wall sending sparks flying. Yuffie yanked it back to her catching it as she did several backflips to avoid Atsushi's chakra charged fist as it slammed into the ground sending large cracks spiderwebbing into the ground.
Swinging the kusari-gama in slow circles at her side Yuffie closed her eyes and began channeling her energy into several different materia. Opening her eyes she began running in a circle around Atsushi, concentrating on the materia charged chakra she ran faster and faster until she became a blur circling around Atsushi. He stood there crouched waiting for her attack, suddenly Yuffie stopped. Where there was once one of her there were now five.
Atsushi pulled out the conformer that was strapped to his back and began spinning it in his hands as he waited for one of the Yuffie's to move. There was a vary tense moment where neither of them made a move. Suddenly all five Yuffie's descended at once, there was a flurry of movement as Atsushi countered and dodged each blow that was sent his way. He swung his conformer slashing through the abdomen of one of the girls causing them to disappear in a cloud of smoke. Another well aimed kick to the back of the spine sent one of the girls flying several feet landing on her stomach, she to turned to smoke.
This continued for several long minutes the girls a flurry of movement occasionally landing a hit on Atsushi. An uppercut set him staggering backwards, but he recovered swing his conformer in a high arch he caught the offending ninja, cutting her from thigh to shoulder. She turned to smoke, leaving only two behind. A leg swung out taking Atsushi's legs from under him, he landed on his back hard. He rolled quickly getting back to his feet in time to grab a fist aimed at his face. Twisting he hurled the girl across the field. Turning to the other he hurled the conformer catching her in the side leaving behind another cloud.
Reaching into his pouch he pivoted hurling a large amount of shuriken at the remaining girl whom he had thrown. Yuffie having landed crouched on hands and feet leapt out of the way dashing behind her hiraikotsu, the shuriken hitting the bone boomerang and bouncing off.
Atsushi quickly began forming hand signs activating one of the materia in his pouch he summoned a large serpent made of water. Yuffie grabbed her hiraikotsu yanking it free of the ground activating her earth materia she channeled her chakra into the bone causing it to glow green. Swinging she slammed the boomerang into the ground causing the earth to jut up in front of her forming a tall ramp, as the serpent continued to materialize rearing up at her.
Taking the hiraikotsu with her she took off running up the incline she created using it to leap into the air high above the water serpent. Hiraikotsu in one hand she used the other to summon the magic in the ice materia. Aiming it at the water below her she turned the serpent's back into ice. Keeping the magic flowing she landed and continued to run down the serpent's back as the water turned to ice at her feet.
Reaching the ground she pushed on closing in on Atsushi the serpent disappeared behind them as Yuffie swung the hiraikotsu at him. He nimbly bent backwards the hiraikotsu whooshing over him. Springing back up he slammed two chakra charged fists into Yuffie's side sending her flying into the air. The hiraikotsu went one way and her the other. Righting her self in the air Yuffie landed rather ungracefully in a crouch, she pulled herself to her feet her shoulders heaving with her panting breath. Atsushi standing on the other side of the field was in an equal state of exhaustion his shoulder sagging with every breath.
They stared each other down for a few seconds before the started running at each other, both of them channeling all their chakra, all their power into a fist. Yuffie's fist began glowing a bright blue and Atsushi's a vibrant red. Closing in on one another they both hurled a spell. They each brought up a hand to brace the casting arms as the spells smashed together in the center of the field. Every person in the stands stood up and watched as the spells each grew in size. Each spell turned into a giant glow that encased their caster.
Yuffie incased in a blue light, her hand holding tight to the bright white power in her palm the shear raw force of it burning the flesh on her hand. Atsushi stood in front of her his magic doing the same thing, only his shone red. In the center the magic clashed against each other bright white plasma sparking and coiling where the spells meet.
Suddenly, there was a great flash of light blinding the spectators causing them to shield their eyes. Yuffie and Atsushi were sent flying in opposite directions each landing in the dirt hard enough to send up clouds of dust. The audience held their breath, for a tense moment neither moved, until Yuffie began to stir. Using all of her strength she pulled herself to her feet, unsheathing her katana she began staggering over to where Atsushi lay.
Once there she placed the edge off her blade against the man's neck, the weary man breathing heavily opened his eyes, hazel meeting gray.
"You did... vary well...Yuffie-Chan..." He rasped his eyes crinkling in a weak smile before his slipped into unconsciousness. Yuffie dropped her sword as the crowd around her irrupted in applause.
Shake quickly grabbed Reeve's hand yanking him from where he stood dumbfounded in the stands.
"Come on lets go congratulate her!" He cried pulling the man towards the stairs. Reeve followed the young boy down into a room at the bottom of the arena. Reeve stood and watched as Atsushi was brought in on a stretcher and placed in a bed. Healers whom were standing by waiting quickly got to work.
"Is he going to be okay." Shake asked one of them, the healer turned shooting the boy an irritated look.
"He is gonna be fine, he has already started to come around, now let us work!." Shake waved his hands and backed off.
They both turned to watch as Yuffie came in her arm slung around the shoulders of another healer. She was limping badly and had blood running down the side of her face, but she was smiling, boy was she smiling.
"Oh my god cous that was awesome, like EPIC!" Shake exclaimed running up to her bedside and grinning at Yuffie as the healer helped her sit down on the bed.
"Yeah it was wasn't it?" She laughed reaching up to ruffle his hair with her uninjured hand. She hissed as the healer pulled off her boot and rolled up her pant leg to examine her calf.
Godo and the rest of the elders came in and there was a flurry of congratulations and pats on the back. Yuffie looked around trying to find Reeve in the crowd. Finding him she noticed his formal black and blue robes and smiled thinking about how he looked almost at home in them. Catching the mans brown eyed gaze she sent him a smile pearly white teeth showing.
"Hows Atsushi-Sensi?" she turned asking one of the healers behind her.
"He has a nice second degree burn on his palm, a few cracked ribs, and a mild concussion. He is going to be fine though, aren't you Atsushi-Sama?" She asked the man lying in the bed in front of her.
"I am fine Yuffie-Chan...are you okay?" The man asked softly sounding bone tired.
"She is gonna be fine just a few cuts and a burnt hand." The healer working on her answered for her. Yuffie looked over at Reeve who was watching everything looking vary unsure of what to do.
"So Reeve... did you enjoy the show?" She laughed dryly, Reeve smiled back at her.
"You fought spectacularly, but more then anything I am just glad you're alright Yuffie." He answered walking up to her, he leaned in closer.
"I bet you really want that ice cream now don't you?" He whispered into her ear, Yuffie started laughing her shoulders shaking.
"Yes Reeve, I do." She replied smiling up at him. Reeve had lost count of how many times his heart had stopped during her fight. He honestly could not ever remember being so afraid for someone as he was watching her on that field. And now she was here being bandaged up healed, still smiling, still laughing for him. He truly was awed by this young women's strength and beauty.
-TBC