Note: Thanks to all of the people that have been reading this story. It shouldn't last too much longer, but my mind is already buzzing with new ideas about what to do for the next few stories in this series. Whatever I pick, you know it's going to be good.
Chapter 10- To see with ears
It was the sound of a distant rooster that shook Yuffie from sleep. Vincent didn't stir. The young ninja was very thankful that her ears had seemingly made up for the new deficiency in her eyes.
She couldn't blame Vince. His plan, however risky and stupid it may have been, helped to capture the evil Professor Hojo. In the glittering spiral recesses of Yuffie's mind, her blindness was reckoned unto Vincent as sacrifice. Besides, she wouldn't give up these sounds for anything in the world.
Yuffie might not have been able to tell exactly where to walk, but various sounds of the floorboards, formerly neglected, were now acting as an alert to her, so that she wouldn't trip or run into something. Surprisingly enough, Yuffie almost liked her life as a blind person almost as much as her old life. Of course, it's the same life, now isn't it?
There were sounds of birds chirping outside her window, as if singing to soothe her mood. Yuffie's child, Hunter, was a constant sound as well. When she held the baby boy, Yuffie could sense that Hunter seemed to realize what was going on. In every differing movement, she could almost feel Hunter saying subconsciously, "Something's different, mommy!" Yuffie was constantly learning the lesson of how much things can change in so little time. Yuffie's blindness gave her more free time than ever before to play with Hunter, and to learn how to become a better mother for her child. Just a few weeks ago, Yuffie would have questioned her parenting skills. Now, she had a deeply rooted feeling that she was the perfect woman for the job.
But of course, the best sound in the world was the approach of those pointed black shoes. In the days since Hojo's arrest, Yuffie had begun to memorize many sounds. The tone of Vincent's footsteps was not one of them. That detail had already been etched into her mind. The deepest parts of Yuffie's psyche leaped with joy whenever she heard those black boots hit the floor, saying 'Here he comes with my heart!'
Tonight was one of those nights. Yuffie had not heard any clues as to where Hunter was, and she was getting worried until she heard the steps of her husband's feet.
"Vince, where's Hunter?"
"Your father is babysitting him tonight."
"Why? Are we going somewhere? I'm still not too experienced at letting someone lead me by the hand everywhere."
"Then this is a great learning opportunity."
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see. It's a surprise."
Yuffie distinctly heard the sound of the front door opening and closing as Vincent led her through it. She heard the crunch of leaves underneath her feet. After Vincent had instructed Yuffie to bend down and sit, she heard the sound of a car door slamming. Vinnie helped his wife with her seatbelt as he cranked the engine.
"You know, Vin, there's still something that's been bothering me about that whole 'Eden' mess. Why was Aeris there?"
"Yuffie, what are you talking about?"
"You said that Aeris was the key to Eden, and then she carried me into the garden."
"Yuffie, I made that up. Aeris didn't do anything. Well, there was that odd scene at the convenience store, but…"
"But what? I know I saw Aeris that day. I heard her voice."
"But it was all a clever trick. There was nothing supernatural about it, because there was no real garden. It was an old pasture with trees."
"I know I saw her. I tore a small piece of dress. I have it in one of my pockets."
Yuffie pulled out the shred of cloth and showed it to Vincent.
"Maybe she's just helping."
"But why? I didn't need help. And she didn't seem helpful!"
"We'll worry about that later. For now, your surprise awaits!"
From the moment Yuffie stepped through the door of the building, she could smell food. There was also a fairly loud sound of something burning…no, more like something frying.
As Vincent led her into the room, Yuffie could no longer mistake that smell.
"Yuffie, do you know what this is?"
"It's a good old fashioned fish fry…for you."
Vincent walked Yuffie through the line of food, helping her get what she wanted onto the plate. After eating their meal, Vincent guided Yuffie up to the front of the room. Somehow, she could feel all of the eyes of many people looking at her. It was Vincent that explained everything.
"Yuffie, the nice people of Wutai have put together this fish fry benefit for you. Try and guess how many people are here."
"I don't know. A lot?"
"Thousands, Yuffie. So many, I can't even count them all. You see, this is the new town square, holding up to ten-thousand people. As a member of Wutai in its younger years, you've grown quite a following here, haven't you? These kind people have raised $10,000 for you, Yuffie."
Overcome with shock, she placed her hands over her mouth and started to cry.
"Vincent, what am I going to spend all of this money on?"
"That's easy. It's to be given to the Wutai Eye Care Center. Yuffie, these generous people of Wutai have paid every cent for a new Eye Correction Laser Surgery."
"Oh my Gawd! You're getting my sight back!"
"Yes, Yuffie. You're going to see again!"
"Wow! Aw Gawd, thanks everybody!!!"
The room thundered with applause.
"But that's not all."
"What else?"
"Since we have captured Hojo, you have been granted a pardon! You're no longer a wanted criminal!"
Yuffie couldn't help herself. She knelt on her knees and wept openly. It was the greatest single moment of her young life.