DISCLAIMED: (08/02/09)

Characters: Reno/Yuffie, Vincent/Yuffie, Cloud/Tifa(minor), Rufus & the Turks, AVALANCHE
Genre: Romance/Drama/Action
Rating: T for language and light adult content.
Summary: Yuffie was just doing something nice for a couple friends. Why her world suddenly turned upside down by two different men was anyone's guess. Explores an age-old question – Vincent? Or Reno? Rated for light adult content.

A/N:Thanks guys for letting me know your preference. It is okay to like them both;)



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ΜϊЖεΦжҒз€ℓϊηğ§

Chapter

Yuffie entered the hospital wing the next morning, bright and early. Actually it was drizzling outside and the skies were overcast, but she was a morning person and Edge was normally like this.

She paused scanning the ward. Yuffie started as she saw not only Elena in the waiting area, but Rufus, Tseng, and Reno all in a circle discussing something.

Yuffie fidgeted nervously. She decided to wait and talk to Reno later, turning to go. Luck was not on her side however, as Elena spotted her.

"Yuffie."

Said ninja sighed and turned, waving. The rest of the group looked over, Reno seeing her and rolling his eyes. Yuffie smiled resolutely and walked over.

"Hello. Um…how's Rude?" she asked, glancing at Reno from the side of her eye.

He snorted lightly. "What do you care?"

"Reno," Elena admonished, frowning at him. She then turned to Yuffie. "The same. We were just discussing what—"

"Elena," Tseng interrupted, warningly.

She glanced at him and her face reddened. "S-sorry, sir."

Yuffie frowned slightly. The Turks were all free agents now. Only Tseng had stayed behind at Rufus' request. He'd freed the rest from their life-time contracts. Must still be habit for Elena to have called him 'sir.'

"Is that all?" Reno continued. "Just stopped by to see how a complete stranger was doing?" he added sarcastically.

Yuffie forced her anger down at his attitude. "Actually, I was hoping I could steal Reno here for a second," she said glancing around the circle. Tseng nodded, Rufus waved his hand offhandedly, but Elena looked at her curiously. Reno was frowning.

Yuffie started to walk away and when he didn't follow, she grabbed his sleeve and pulled him after her. He let her drag him all the way out the front door, with minimal grumbling, before he planted his feet and refused to budge.

Yuffie faced him as he folded his arms. She fiddled with the throwing knives strapped to her thigh. She always got nervous when having to own up to something; it simply wasn't in her nature to accept blame. But she didn't think cajoling him like she did Vincent, Cloud, or Red would be appropriate in this instance.

His gaze dropped to her fidgeting hands, wondering what she wanted.

"I-I'm sorry. About yesterday," she started. "I didn't mean what I said. You just…one minute you seem human and the next you're a perverted prick. I just…was confused, is all." When she finished, she stared down at her boots, scuffing them against the dirty sidewalk. "I really am sorry about Rude."

He didn't say anything and she kept her eyes on her boots. His boots came into view then as he stepped closer. She saw his hand reach out and grab the handle of his EMR pulling it from her hip. She watched as he shifted it, using the handle to tilt her chin up.

Gazing at him, she saw he was considering her almost thoughtfully.

"You're all right. For real, yo." He smirked.

Yuffie rolled her eyes and grinned. Her face dropped then as she remembered something else. "And I'm sorry about Vincent. He and the guys have this ridiculous protective vibe."

Reno snorted. "Like they need to. Nobody separates me from my rod here… except you apparently," he added, resting said rod on his shoulder.

Yuffie grinned mischievously. "Well, to be fair, you weren't yourself…exactly. Rematch sometime?"

Reno lifted a brow at her offer. Grinning slowly, he said, "For real?"

Yuffie nodded. "Name the time and place, Turkey," she goaded playfully.

He wiggled his eyebrows at her and stepped closer. Yuffie, startled, stepped back when he invaded her personal space, but was caught when he placed a hand on her lower back stopping her.

"I'll let you know," he muttered into her ear, before pulling back and grinning at her shocked face. He backed away lazily till he reached the hospital doors, giving her a wink before disappearing inside.

Yuffie snapped her jaw shut, growing angry. Ex-Turk or not, no one got the best of her.

ҰμҒғΦєЖυΦπсЭиГ

-

It was two in the morning. Vincent and Yuffie were cleaning and locking up. Vincent had intimidated the last few customers out the door and now it was just the two of them.

"I saw Rufus and Tseng today," she said idly, loading the washer with glasses.

"…"

"They were at the hospital, probably discussing Rude," she continued, used to Vincent's silences. "Though I wonder why. I didn't realize Rufus was close to his old bodyguards."

Vincent wasn't one to make rationalizations so he stayed silent. It was curious, though. Did Rufus rehire the Turks? If so, then for what? Not many people knew that Shinra was still alive.

"Did you ask Reno?" he finally said.

Yuffie looked up at him, her expression blank. She totally forgot what she'd been talking about, he'd been silent so long. "Oh," she remembered. "No. I was too busy apologizing for the both of us," she sent him a sardonic glance over her shoulder.

"I didn't like the way he was looking at you," Vincent replied.

Yuffie closed the washer and turned around, her mouth open in shock. "I'm sorry, the 'way he was looking at me'? How bout the fact he was pinning me to the couch and about to separate my hands from my arms?"

Vincent glared and growled deep in his throat. She heard it, amused.

"I just find it odd that you focused on how he was looking at me," Yuffie chuckled turning back to wipe the counter down.

She heard a soft whoosh and lifted her head, eyes glancing side to side, trying to decide if it was her imagination or not.

"A man's eyes speak louder than his words or actions."

She spun at Vincent's voice directly behind her. She leaned back against the bar to look up at him, he was so close.

What she saw in his eyes contradicted his words however. She didn't understand what she saw. He'd looked at her like that once before, that day she'd fiddled with his headband, but not with this much intensity.

Tearing her eyes away, she looked down and saw his arms trapped her on both sides, keeping her from ducking away. Heat flushed her face as she saw, and felt, him shift closer.

"Vincent…?"

"Yuffie…I—"

A loud boom rocked the bar, cutting off whatever he was going to say. He fell painfully into Yuffie, briefly smashing her into the bar before they fell to the floor. Vincent leapt to his feet, pulling Yuffie with him before running to the door, Yuffie right behind him.

They ran towards the center of town, weapons in hand. They stopped as they saw a fancy transport vehicle in flames. Yuffie took off running again.

Vincent startled, shouted after her. "Yuffie!"

She ran the perimeter of the square, noticing two figures fighting through the flames. It was Reno and a masked figure. Two other dark figures caught her eye as they bee-lined for Reno. Taking aim, Yuffie threw her conformer with deadly accuracy at the closest one. A shot rang out as she reached for a throwing star to hit the next one, who fell with a surprised grunt.

Her head shot around to see Vincent not far away, his Cerberus smoking. Looking back, she saw Reno was still battling the first masked figure. Taking aim once again, she launched her newly caught Conformer at Reno's attacker. The figure ducked in time, but was distracted enough for Reno to knee him in the face, knocking him to the ground. Yuffie and Vincent ran towards the pair as Reno pulled his gun from his jacket, pointing it at the dark figure on the ground.

"NO!" Yuffie shouted as he fired.

Reno jerked his head around to frown at her. She looked at him horrified. It was quite one thing to kill in defense, but an unarmed man on the ground was just plain wrong.

"Relax. It's just a tranquilizer." He said, sliding his gun back in its holster while kneeling next to the figure. Vincent stopped behind her as she stepped closer. Reno yanked the mask from the unconscious man, revealing a pale, bald, white, young man. His skin was an unearthly shade, glowing in the dark light of the moon. Yuffie shuddered.

"Do you recognize him?" Yuffie asked, wringing her hands.

Reno shook his head.

"What happened?" Vincent asked.

Reno stood, smoothing back his hair. "Rufus has been getting threats and rehired the three of us. We set up a decoy car for Shinra, trying to lure whoever was threatening him out. Tseng and Elena took him off to the rendezvous point." He nodded his head down. "Come on, help me get him off the street. I have some questions for this punk."

ЯεπΘжΨμҒғϊΣ

-

Yuffie and Vincent helped Reno get their prisoner into a car around the corner before Reno took off for his rendezvous. Yuffie asked if he needed help. He smirked and tugged a strand of her hair.

"Thanks, toots. I got this."

Yuffie blushed as he drove away, glancing briefly at Vincent. Thankfully, he was busy talking to the local authorities. She ran over and started helping the force lift the bodies into a van.

As soon as that was done and the flaming car was put out, Vincent walked Yuffie back to the bar. They slowed as they reached the door, Vincent stopping behind her. She unlocked the door and turned to smile sleepily up at the dark gunslinger.

"Yuffie…will you be alright?" Vincent asked.

Yuffie nodded. "Of course. 'Night."

Vincent looked down and nodded. "Hn. Goodnight."

And they parted ways.

-

The next morning, after her shower, her PHS rang.

Picking it up, she said, "Yuffie Kisaragi."

"Who?"

"Reno?"

"Hey babe."

"Don't call me babe, Turkey. Did you find out anything?"

"Of course, love. We were once Turks after all."

"Don't call me love. What did you find out? And how did you get this number?"

"Again, we were the Turks, doll. Wutainese princesses are on top of confidential PHS lists."

Sigh. "Why'd you call, Electric-Boy?"

"I need you to gather your reject clan and stop by for a visit."

Yuffie frowned. "Why?"

"Let's just say, we need the numbers. It's a high paying gig, so don't worry, yo."

"We're not mercenaries, Flame Head."

"Only cause we'd be your competition, brat."

"Don't call me brat, Turkey."

"Then stop calling me names, yo. Look, can we expect you guys or not?"

"I don't know. I think Cloud's tired of fighting Sephiroth and his wannabes."

"Aw, you know he's not content if he hasn't fought him at least once a year. What is a world without Cloud angst, yo?"

"Reno…"

"It's not about Sephiroth."

Yuffie huffed. "He's on his honeymoon. Can't this wait?"

"Well, then the rest of you come. Chaos boy is pretty handy with a weapon."

"Well…"

"Look, this organization is growing by the day and they all want Rufus dead. You think if they dispose of him, they'll just disperse?"

Silence.

Reno sighed. "Look, gather what's left of your friends and meet us at Fort Condor."

Yuffie frowned. "Fort Condor? What, did Rufus buy it or something?"

"…Just get over here, yo! Reno out."

Yuffie glared at her phone, before sighing. She called Vincent first.

"Vince?"

"Yuffie."

"Reno called. Said he wants to meet us at Fort Condor."

"…Us?"

"Yeah. You, me, Cid, Barret, and Red."

"…What about Tifa and Cloud."

"I told him they're on their honeymoon."

"…"

"Okay, so can you call Barret and Red? I'll deal with the old fart."

"…Fine. Yuffie?"

"Hm?"

"Don't…antagonize him…*Yuffie snorted*…too much."

She chuckled evilly. "He loves it. Meet me here when you're done." And she hung up.

Hitting speed dial three (hey, he did have the ride after all), she waited three rings before Cid picked up.

"What'd'ya want?" came the irritated greeting.

"Cool your jets Gramps. It's me."

"Who the hell is me?! Yuffie?"

Yuffie winced and rolled her eyes. "Yes, it's Yuffie. I know you have caller I.D. I programmed your phone last time I stole—nevermind. Look, we need—"

"Don't tell me you're getting' married too!"

"No! What you think I met someone at Cloud's wedding? Cause with you, Barret, Red, Vincent, Cait Sith, and the Turks the pickin's were slim."

"You could do a lot worse than the furball and Shinra's cast-offs, ninja brat!"

Yuffie frowned at the phone briefly before bringing the device back to her ear.

"You been mixing your eye drops with your prostate medication again?"

"%$#! That was hemorrhoid ointment and it wasn't mine! Smart-ass little twerp," he grumbled.

"Yeah, yeah. Can you to take us to Fort Condor?"

"Fort Condor?! Why the fuck you wanna go to that backwater? And who the hell is 'us'?"

"The whole gang. Minus Cloud and Tifa."

"Why not them?"

"They're on their honeymoon, idiot."

"So?"

Yuffie huffed. "Honestly, just because you were willing to fly off into battle during your honeymoon does not mean everybody is!"

"Battle, eh? Wait—Sephiroth's back again?! That bastard."

"No, he's not—look, just go grab Barret and Red and then come here and pick me up. Vincent and I'll be waiting so keep it snappy, ya old goat."

She hung up before anymore cursing could ensue.

Yuffie turned at the sound of the door being unlocked before it opened and Vincent stepped in.

"So what'd they say?" she asked.

Vincent simply nodded.

"Good. I don't want to deal with those turkeys by myself."

"…I will be with you."

Yuffie looked at him in surprise. "Oh, I know. But you're not eh…very verbose."

Vincent eyebrow shot up at her. His head even tilted slightly at her word choice.

She stared back defensively. "What? I do read, ya know…Well, I have read a book or two before," she amended with a sniff.

Vincent "hn"-ed, but looked like he was fighting a smirk.

Yuffie narrowed her eyes at him and huffed. Turning, she headed for the stairs.

"I'm going to polish my weapon. Don't follow me," she threw over her shoulder.

Vincent finally allowed a slight smile at her indignation.

ҰμҒғΦєЖυΦπсЭиГ

-

An hour later, the group was on their way in the Shera. Yuffie sat in the hallway, holding her stomach.

"Uuuu…" she groaned. She heard the door to the bridge open and close, but didn't want to move her head to see who it was.

"Here," a deep voice said above her.

Yuffie looked over and saw Vincent's pointy metal shoes and his human hand holding out a glass vial. She looked up at him, swallowing back her bile.

"What is it?"

"For air-sickness…Shera gave them to Cid…for you."

Yuffie took it, uncorking it before tipping it down her throat. It was bitter and she grimaced. The liquid didn't help her nausea, but she was determined it would work and laid back against the wall staring straight ahead, waiting for it to take effect.

Vincent walked to the wall across from her and leaned back against it, crossing his arms.

"You…ya don't hafta stay, Vinnie. I'm used to this," she muttered.

"…Are you trying to get rid of me?" he asked.

Yuffie let out a chuckle. "I don't normally have a problem in that area."

"…" Vincent actually didn't know what to say to that, had she expected him to say something. He didn't normally dwell on how others perceived him; he usually blocked out their ambient comments. Then he realized she didn't deny his question, and straightened. "I'll leave you then."

He walked off to the deck, leaving a sputtering ninja behind him.

"Emo vampire…" she grumbled.

ЯεπΘжΨμҒғϊΣ

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A/N: Let me know what you think. Or if you have nothing to say, just give me a 'hello';)