At noon, three limousines—one white and two black—sped through Midgar's busy public road. The white limo was in-between two black ones, signifying that someone important was in that posh vehicle. Cars that were blocking their path quickly moved out of the way when the drivers saw the insignia on the first limo's hood. After seeing the symbol, a sleek black hummer that was going for a car-less detour took a sharp turn towards the highway, giving the free bypass entirely to the limousines. The bewildered wife tugged at his husband who looked very calm yet troubled.
"Honey, why are we not taking the detour?"
Her husband heaved a great sigh and said, "Don't you realize who they are?"
"Don't they realize who WE are?" She snapped at her husband's incompetence and turned to the driver. "Take the detour!"
After looking at the strict stare of his master from the interior rear view mirror, the driver ignored his mistress and continued towards the highway. Defeated, the woman slumped in her seat and grumbled to herself.
.-+-.
"Hey, Biggs! Isn't that the hummer of the Yi family?"
A lazy eye opened and gazed at the black car before it disappeared from sight as they enter the dark diversion.
"Probably…" The thin man replied, apathetically.
"Why did they go to that busy highway when there are no other cars in the detour?"
"See that?" Biggs pointed at the shining crest on the hood. He withdrew his slender finger when he saw the man nodding enthusiastically. "What is it Wedge?"
"The Kisaragi symbol!" The plumper man replied.
"That's your answer."
There was a long silent moment where neither of the two men talked. The thin man, Biggs, returned to his sleep while the plump man, Wedge, concentrated on his driving. The cars slowed down when a huge mansion came into view. Wedge waved at the guard and the golden gates were opened for them. Looking at the female servants waiting for them in at the patio made the plump man whistle. It was to be expected of the highly successful family in the whole country. Wedge turned to his companion and grinned.
"Were here, Biggs."
The other man nodded and straightened out his suit. When the three limousines had parked in front of the marble veranda, men began to trickle from the black vehicles to form a path towards the receiving doors of the mansion. After a few seconds, the first door of the white limo opened and out came a handsome man in his mid-twenties. He had short, jet-black hair, a lean yet sturdy body and an outfit that would put any bad boy to shame. Biggs and Wedge quickly went to his side; the leaner man taking out black shades from the inside pocket of his own suit. Biggs checked the eyewear thoroughly before placing it on the somber man. After doing his job, he took a step backward and bowed his head in submission. The man nodded in his direction, took two short steps and opened the door that concealed the important guest.
"AERY~"
Using the path as a stage, the guest made her way to the entrance by doing a series of acrobatics instead of the commonly used walking. She landed in front of the door so flawlessly that made the onlookers clap for her exhibition. The man that opened her car door shook his head and heaved a sigh.
"Told ya she'll do it. As expected from Miss Yuffie!" Wedge exclaimed in pure exaltation.
Biggs thwacked the back of the plump man's head and stared at his little mistress. She was 16 years old but her body was more like of a 14 year old. She was wearing black baggy trousers and a loose white shirt held into place by black suspenders. If it wasn't for her high-pitched voice anyone could mistake her for a teenage boy. The hyperactive girl looked back at the raven head with hands on her hips and an annoyed pout on her lips.
"Vinnie! You comin' or not? Don't keep me waiting!"
He smiled at her and nodded. Yuffie grinned back and rushed forward until she was out of sight. Biggs and Wedge stood in front of the somber man with forced, expectant smiles that made him raise an eyebrow.
"Vincent, sir, we'll stay here and look after the men." Wedge started. "You go in and develop your rela—"
The man flinched at the plump man's words. Biggs covered Wedge's big mouth at the nick of time and covered up for him. "What Wedge was trying to say is, you go ahead and protect Miss Yuffie. We'll be alright…okay?"
After looking at them gravely, Vincent nodded and proceeded inside the mansion. Murmurs from the servants of the Gainsborough mansion flowed into Vincent's ears as he walked swiftly to catch up with his mistress.
"Whose family entourage could be so large?" whispered an innocent and curious voice.
An irritated sigh was heard followed by a voice that seems to know them well. "You're new so I'm letting you in some info. It's the Kisaragi family. I heard that the Kisaragi family's subordinates didn't even bat an eyelid when killing."
"Really? They look tough. Who are those two guys? The fat and the thin one…they look like a comedy duo."
"The thin one is Biggs, the Kisaragi family's top strategist. The fat one is Wedge, the Kisaragi family's hammer…it means he's the one that beats people up."
"Oh…and who's that guy? He's kinda cute…"
"That's Vincent Valentine. He's the Kisaragi family's top general and personal bodyguard of Yuffie Kisaragi, the Kisaragi family's 19th generation successor…she's a princess who always gets her way."
They're well informed… Vincent let out a smirk that showed a little dimple on his right cheek. A bit exaggerated, but informed.
Then, out of nowhere, a handmaid carrying a mountain of laundry bumped right into him. Fortunately, Vincent caught her just before she could fall into the cold, marble floor. He took his black shades off and stared at her, intensely. The girl looked up to thank her savior but when she saw the man's piercing crimson eyes, she thought otherwise.
"Uhmmm…I…"
Before she could finish her sentence, the dark bodyguard leaned down to level his face with the girl's. A surprised 'eep' came out of the girl as she tried to scurry away from his intimidating glare.
"Hey, watch where you're going. If you fall…"
Before Vincent could even finish speaking, the girl dashed out of the room mumbling a dozen apologies. The raven-haired man watched her back as she disappeared and scratched his head.
"I only wanted to say that if you fell down, it would hurt…"
"Vincent Valentine."
The man looked forward and realized that his mistress along with many others was looking at him, some with dread.
"I told you your eyes look like they are full of vengeance, and you didn't believe me," Yuffie sighed heavily and continued. "Relax a bit, will you?"
Vincent straightened up and bowed to his mistress. "Yes, miss."
"Ah…here we are."
The brunette stopped in front of a white overly decorated door and knocked incessantly. Her bodyguard rolled his eyes as he watched her shouting like an impish 6 year old. All his life he was by her side and no matter how stupid or life threatening it would be. He was always there for her. It was his duty, his responsibility…his destiny.
"Miss," he whispered at her ear. "Don't you think Ms. Gainsborough is a little busy?"
Yuffie turned her head to the right, snorted and returned to her reckless knocking. After a good 5 minutes, the door finally opened and a gentle voice told them to come in. When Yuffie placed a foot inside the sunny room, a hand quickly dragged her body—along with Vincent's—inside.
"Wha…?"
"Yuffie, what a pleasant surprise!"
The brunette blinked twice as her eyes feasted upon the girl before her. She braided her brown hair like the usual and a pink ribbon held the beautiful tresses into place. Her green eyes reflected Yuffie's brown ones as the petite girl peered closer to her.
"What is it?" She tucked in a loose strand of her hair into her ear.
Yuffie drew back with a dubious look.
"You're not my Aerith."
With those words, the girl in pink swallowed hard.
Sneak Peek: Who is the girl that impersonated Aerith? Will the real Aerith come just in time to explain everything to the quick-witted Yuffie Kisaragi? And just who is this Yuffie Kisaragi? All that and more…
Next Chapter!
Chapter 13: Charades
See you then!