Disclaimer: I don't own FF7 or anything affiliated with it. Just a few Playarts dolls.

AN: Ha, I bet you guys didn't expect to see this for another few months, given my track record ;)

Chapter Twelve

Pale, golden rays shimmered in through the open window, a light breeze playing with the moss green curtains, playfully rustling them. A soft moan emerged from the cramped single bed as Yuffie slung an arm above the cover, her eyes slowly blinking awake.

Gingerly, the young ninja sat up, pain radiating through her body, the gentle sunlight making her head throb with the harshness of seeing light again. Her hands cupped her face, in an attempt to steady herself.

A tentative Marlene and Denzel shyly shuffled over to her, having just popped up from behind Denzel's bed, where they had been hiding for the last hour, waiting for their 'big sister' to wake up. They'd both slept in Tifa's room last night, as Vincent had settled Yuffie in Marlene's bed, at the behest of Tifa, and they were both eager to find out what had happened to make her so hurt.

"Yuffie?" Marlene asked, her hand gripping Denzel's as they kneeled beside the bed. Yuffie groggily opened her eyes and uncovered her face into the worried expressions of the two children.

"I'm fine," she rasped, grimacing from her dry throat. Denzel made his way to the bedside cabinet on his knees and poured a glass of water from the jug Cloud had set there earlier that morning, and handed it to Yuffie. The young ninja accepted it and greedily gulped it down, causing her to cough and splutter. The children giggled, and giggled even harder when the ninja attempted to muster up her dirtiest look for them.

As the two cackled away and Yuffie attempted to regain some dignity, the door to Marlene and Denzel's room opened to reveal Tifa, carrying a plate of food.

The barmaid sat the food on Yuffie's lap and fussed over her bruises. She'd changed Yuffie into an old shirt of hers, as a substitute for pyjamas, earlier when she was sleeping, making Yuffie look more young and innocent than ever.

"I'm sorry, Tifa. I don't know what happened," Yuffie murmured, staring down at the warm bowl of soup in front of her, tears slowly sliding down her cheeks. Tifa made a clucking noise with her tongue, and smoothed down her hair.

"If you want to say sorry to anyone, it should be Vincent. He was a wreck, and would have killed the men if it weren't for Cloud, and they didn't even do anything to you."

Tifa stopped fussing about Yuffie, to frown for a second.

"Well, it was obvious that they did have the intent, so I can see why he did... anyway, you should really make it up to him," Tifa told the girl sternly.

Yuffie's cheeks flushed crimson. Vincent, worried about her? It was like a fairytale. Except that she was hurt, and found in an extremely undignified manner, and ruined a perfectly good outfit.

"I am sorry about everything I did to him... to upset him..." Yuffie muttered, not insincerely. It was at this moment that one Vincent Valentine decided to sweep into the children's room with Cloud in tow, having been spying near the door with Cloud since Tifa had entered.

"You should be," he rumbled in his smooth baritone. Yuffie blushed deeper, and looked down; darting small glances up and nodded meekly.

Vincent leaned against the desk opposite the desk, smirking, though it was barely visible thanks to his cloak. Vincent nodded his head in Cloud's direction, who cleared his throat.

"Yuffie, you have successfully put Vincent out for the last few days, as well as other fellow members of AVALANCHE. Your crimes include ruining Vincent's day of reading and wine, broke Cid's airship, destroyed the town of North Corel as well as corrupting a Moogle, given Reno AND myself the wrong impression, and have forced Tifa to return you to health. As a result, Vincent has set a punishment for your deeds."

Upon hearing this, Yuffie visibly paled, and stiffly turned her head to watch Vincent, her eyes widening in terror. The gunman grinned at her, and stood up, walking past Denzel and Marlene. He lifted the tray of food and set it on Denzel's bed, and sat beside Yuffie on the bed next to her, his body pressed against hers. Her heart began to beat like crazy in her chest and her head felt light before he started talking again, taking satisfaction in her distress.

"As soon as you're well, you and I are going to have a race, Yuffie. Our friends have set up a little around the world challenge. You solve the clue to find the next one. Whoever figures them all out first, wins."

Yuffie narrowed her eyes suspiciously, and asked warily, "how is this meant to be a punishment, exactly?"

Vincent chuckled darkly, sending shivers down Yuffie's spine. He smiled down at her, and wrapped his claw arm around her shoulder. "It's a punishment because if you win, you get to keep ALL of my materia, but if I win, you have to be my slave and live in Shin-Ra mansion with me forever, Yuffie. And I don't like to lose," he smirked.

With that, Vincent carefully untangled himself him Yuffie and swept out the room, leaving Yuffie with mixed emotions on if she wanted to win or not, and why he would propose such a competition as her punishment.

The Next Day

It was 6am, and Yuffie really did not like how this was going. It was damp, having rained last night as she had dozed on and off. She hadn't seen Vincent all night, and worry was setting in. Tifa was hugging the young girl tightly as they waited just outside the bar for the competition to begin.

"You'll do fine. Just don't cheat," Tifa whispered, as a rain trodden Cloud and Vincent came into view. Shivering as they came up beside the two women, Cloud took out two pieces of paper from his pocket.

"This is your first clue. You'll both have exactly the same clues, but no following each other blindly-" he paused to glare at Yuffie "-instead of working your clues out. Here you go. We'll see you at the end of this," he added, handing them each a slip. Yuffie eagerly opened hers, striding off a few paces.

Here is where my true heart lies,

Where the loves I had each fell upon earth

From the heavens above.

Rays of light shine in on me,

And feed the blooming love in my heart.

"What the HELL does that mean?" Yuffie groaned, turning around. Vincent, however, was already gone.

Thanks to Lykania for her review, as well as to all my previous, all amazing reviewers I'm surprised you're all still bothering! Also, see if you can try working out the clues as they do! See if you can find any Compilation of FF7 references! I'd be more than happy to see your ideas

~Nacina~