A/N: Once again, sorry for the delay in posting. This chapter is a filler chapter and also still not sure about it but it sets up some things for the future (Mostly the story that will inspire the Yuffie-Vincent stories later on). Anyway enjoy it regardless. I'm trying to balance school, work and life but I'll try to get the next one out ASAP. Thanks for reading!
In the past, Yuffie would've screamed until she was blue in the face at the situation however over the years she realized that it got her nowhere and it just made her look like an immature child, still the irritation burned in her throat as she resisted cutting off the phone's connection with the man on the opposite line. She had stepped outside the door of the 7th Heaven entrance as she received the dreaded phone call, trying to keep her cool as her father spoke to her on the other line.
"No, I'm not coming home anytime soon." She said trying to remain as cool as possible at the situation. "No I don't care that I've been an absentee princess Godo—Dad I swear—" She was quickly losing her calm demeanor as the Emperor of Wutai continued to badger her.
Vincent watched Yuffie who's vein was starting to pulsate on her delicate neck from frustration. It was amusing to watch her try to be serious when Godo just brought out the worst in her.
"Fine!" Yuffie cracked as she tried to end the conversation, "I'll make an appearance Dad but I'm not staying!" The Wutai princess hung up her call, gripping on the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"You're too careless with your father's feelings." Vincent commented, earning him a glare from the young ninja.
"What are you talking about?" She hissed at him.
"You're his daughter and you are never home," He stated as he crossed his arms and leaned up against the walls of the 7th Heaven. "I'm sure he just misses you."
"Godo? Miss me?" Yuffie scoffed, "Please. He just feels guilty for what he has done in the past."
Vincent shook his head, sighing in disappointment. He understood where she was coming from, however he was raised as a man of honor and that to him meant that Yuffie should've at least tried to compromise with her father, meet him halfway. Nevertheless, it wasn't his business so he stayed out of it. Yuffie however could see the disapproving look in his face. How she hated when he looked at her that way. She huffed in defeat.
"I said I was going to visit him okay?" She gritted through her teeth, not too happy about seeing her father. She still hadn't forgiven the old Emperor for locking her up during the geostigma outbreak. Of course she knew that he had done it to protect the village of Wutai however he should've listened to her when she said she was not the one who was spreading the disease. Godo had apologized countless times to his daughter though Yuffie just wasn't hearing it. "You coming with?" She asked as she placed her hands on her hips.
"To Wutai? Why would I do that?" Vincent asked, raising his eyebrow at her. He had no interest in going to Wutai let alone get caught in the feud between Yuffie and her father.
"Come on, I don't want to have to go alone." She whined, putting on her best pout "Pleaaase?" Large eyes stared back at Vincent, pleading. She had shown him so much kindness the past week that he just felt a bit guilty refusing.
"Fine." He sighed, making the Wutai woman hug him tightly, causing him to groan yet she could still see the tiniest smile under his cloak. "When do we depart?"
"Tomorrow?" She grinned, looking up at the taller man. "I appreciate you coming Vince, I really do." She gave him an adoring look, one that expressed her thanks.
"We should let our hospitable friends know then." He suggested as he referred to Cloud and Tifa.
Inside the bar, Cloud sat on one of the stools near the bar counter, sipping on some Banora apple juice that Tifa had spiked with a little liquor so he could ease his tensions on their current situation. They had been talking all morning as to what they should do about Raisel. Part of them wanted to take her in, part of them wanted nothing to do with it and that side of the argument left them feeling guilty.
The liquid in his glass swished around as he tilted the glass in a gentle circular motion with his left hand while his right supported his tilting head.
"What would we do about room?" He asked, considering the possibility of adopting a child.
"There's Marlene's old room." Tifa sighed, hands on her hips. "Though I thought that's where we'd build the nursery."
"There's my old room," Cloud suggested, "I don't think Vincent and Yuffie would be staying there forever."
"That's true." Tifa smiled, although she enjoyed having the pair around. Vincent was helpful with chores while Yuffie was helpful with the bar. "So, we're really considering this Cloud?"
"It's," Cloud took a sip from his drink again, "It's the right thing to do Tifa."
"You're right." Tifa leaned over the counter to which Cloud took as his cue, leaning over himself to meet her half way for a quick peck on the lips.
"Hey get a room you two!" Yuffie piped in, entering through the 7th Heaven entrance.
"Yuffie," Vincent sighed as he began to scold her. "We're guests. Don't tell them what to do."
"Whatever." Yuffie said rolling her eyes before jumping on to the bar stool next to Cloud. "Tifa has you drinking. That explains the sudden display of affections."
Cloud narrowed his eyes at the grinning ninja, taking another sip of his sweet drink. Tifa couldn't help but laugh at Yuffie, crossing her arms.
"So we'll be departing tomorrow guys!" Yuffie announced. "My dad won't let up about being away this long so we're paying him a visit."
"Oh," Tifa immediately put on a frown as she learned her friends were leaving. She just wasn't sure when she'd see them again. "Vincent you're going too?" She asked a bit surprised that the gunslinger was accompanying Yuffie to visit her father. Tifa had her suspicions about the two ever since the events of the bar the night before. Vincent and Yuffie were almost inseparable as of late.
"Yes." He said taking a seat next to Yuffie. "We are grateful for the hospitality."
"Of course!" Tifa beamed, "You're always welcome here. Although it might be a tight squeeze when you come next." Both Yuffie and Vincent gave her a perplexed look. "We'll be working on the baby's room, as well as Raisel's." She smiled as she revealed her plans to them.
"You decided to take the girl in." Vincent stated, "I think she will do well here. Denzel must be excited."
"He doesn't know yet." Cloud stated as a small smile tugged at his lips. He enjoyed seeing Denzel smile and he just knew this would send him over the moon.
"Where is he anyway?" Yuffie asked, looking around to see if she maybe had missed the young boy.
"Upstairs on the phone with Marlene. They've been calling each other at least once a week. It's rather sweet." Tifa giggled thinking about how Marlene and Denzel kept in touch even after Marlene had moved back with Barret.
"Uh oh!" Yuffie grinned mischievously.
"Oh Yuffie they're just children." Tifa huffed, not wanting to think about her little boy having any interest in girls yet, though she supposed he wasn't so little anymore. Denzel was already on the verge of being a teenager.
Cloud kept quiet as he thought about Tifa's naïve statement. He was Denzel's age when he started noticing Tifa. Sipping on the spiked Banora apple juice, the blonde smirked as he thought about the countless nights he'd stayed up thinking about the raven-haired girl. His cheeks flushed as he thought about his teenaged self on those nights. Tifa noticed as the redness crawled on to her husband's cheeks as he drank.
"Cloud I didn't put that much in there." Tifa stated innocently. "Are you starting to feel tipsy already?"
The blonde almost choked on his drink. Tifa could be so oblivious sometimes it was endearing. "No Tifa I'm fine." He answered, putting away all thoughts of his teen years away.