Just as Jenova was about to turn the knob on the pink door of her daughter's room, the door swung wide open revealing a young woman clad in a pink bathrobe. She greeted the silver-haired woman before averting her emerald eyes to wink at the two guests. Yuffie blinked her eyes and sighed heavily in relief.

Phew… Nearly gave me a heart attack! She thought, grinning deviously at the beautiful brown-haired girl. Smooth move, Aery~

Jenova watched her daughter sharply before striding into the room with eyes darting to every corner. As Aerith was closing the door, the mafia princess gasped when she saw what seemed to be a human body on Aerith's bed covered only partially with a white blanket. Using her underhanded ninja skills and tiny body, she quickly sneaked into the room, jumped on the big bulge on the bed and sighed loudly when the bulge groaned. The president stared sternly at Yuffie for invading the private conversation she was going to have with her only daughter, but seeing that the little mafia princess has no intention whatsoever to leave the room, she could only clench her teeth. Giving up, Jenova turned to Aerith and started to talk with formalities.

"I am departing for Golden Saucer to meet Mr. Fair, president of the Fair Enterprises. As you know, his company has reached all corners of the planet and is a valuable asset to us."

Aerith watched as her mother talked on and on about business. She knew everything about Fair Enterprises from her teachers in economics as well as in newspapers and magazines. They were a legend; a tiny company made from scratch that progressed like a miracle in the financial world. What she didn't know was her role in that circle. Did her mother summon her only to listen to her lecture?

"Aerith, are you listening?"

Aerith's head shot up and she nodded passively. "Yes, Mother."

Jenova raised an eyebrow at her and continued, "Within 5 days we will arrive here in Midgar. I need you to take care of the mansion while I am away and plan a welcoming party for our guests. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mother."

"Good. I shall not waste any more time." The silver-haired woman looked at her daughter from head to foot and elegantly pivoted towards the door. As she was about to leave, Jenova lingered under the door frame, her aura emanating a dark shade. "I will not tolerate errors of any sort. Do you understand?"

"Yes, mother. I will do as you say."

With that said, the president took her leave. As if a heavy weight was lifted from her shoulders, Aerith gave out a hundred days worth of sighs. Her bright emerald green eyes that exuded a dim glow never left the door where her mother stood moments ago. The green-eyed girl should've been used to it now, the coldness from her mother, but in her heart there's that remaining hope that everything would turn back to the way they were.

She brought her hand to her heart when she felt her chest tighten. Am I only a waste of time to you, Mother?

Yuffie jumped from the bed and uncovered the big bulge that was the maid with a mischievous grin. Tifa took a huge breath as the blanket was finally out of her face. She had the deepest urge to strangle the mafia princess until she too was out of air! But, sensing that her best friend was silent, Tifa jumped out of the bed and went directly to Aerith.

"Are you alright?"

When Tifa's words reached her ears, Aerith quickly hid that mask of sadness and placed on a bright smile. "Of course!" She took Tifa's hand and furrowed her brows with guilt. "I'm sorry, Tifa. You had to cover for me."

The maid shook her head gently and beamed back. "It's nothing, Aerith. I'm glad that you came back just in time."

Yuffie, who was beginning to get bored with all the talk, jumped in between them and puffed her cheeks at Aerith, like she was betrayed. Aerith blinked twice as she was being stared down by the mafia princess.

"Y-Yes, Yuffie?"

Yuffie crossed her brows and peered into Aerith's face, the latter backing as she did. "Who? What? Where? When? Why?"

"Eh?" Aerith was at a loss for words. The many questions made her so dizzy that she fell—fortunately, into a chair of which Vincent—who entered the room minutes ago, everyone ignored him—placed in position. Aerith exhaled in relief and flashed a grateful smile at the brooding man. "Thank you, Mr. Valentine."

The bodyguard nodded in response and gloomily returned to the shadows. Yuffie took hold of the chair's arms and peered into Aerith's face in a close proximity.

"Who is that man? What is your relationship with him? Where did you meet him? When did you meet him? Why are you meeting him?"

"Ummm… H-He… Uh…" Beads of sweat ran down Aerith's face as the seconds ticked by. But how could Yuffie knew? Aerith turned to Tifa who had on an apologetic face. Ahh…

"I know!" Yuffie ignored Aerith's stammering, took the latter's hands into her own and forcefully pulled her towards the door. "Let's go visit him!"

"Ehhhhh?"

The beautiful maid watched her friends' make battle. A suppressed giggle came out of her lips as she looked over them. They—Tifa, Aerith, and Yuffie—were childhood friends for as long as Tifa could remember. One could even say they were friends since their diaper days. To make a long story short, they were long-time friends and they still were. After a good 2 minutes of fun—well, mostly for her part—Tifa decided to bring their playful act to a close; but when she was about to stand between them, Aerith yanked her hand from Yuffie and she stood regally.

"No."

At that instant, Tifa's eyes considerably widened. It was the first time she had ever heard Aerith utter a negative word. She was surprised, and somewhat pleased. The maid turned to the young mafia princess and by her facial expression, she too was shocked. But, that moment of astonishment lingered for only a few seconds from Yuffie's face… that's when a sly grin replaced it. Now, the circumstances were reversed. Now, Aerith was the one who had on a nervous look. She knew that face Yuffie was making. Heck, even Vincent—who was silently observing from the shadows—knew, and what will happen next couldn't be any good.

"No? Oh… I see. So that's how it is," Yuffie purred as she maliciously walked towards the now statue of the Gainsborough heir. When she approached, the little mafia princess began her ritual of interrogation—which is walking around the prey, whispering taunts and such. "Aery knows best. Aery's so mature now. Such a clever grown up miss~"

Tifa furrowed her brows as Yuffie continued to tease Aerith. I think I have heard of those lines before… She stiffened her lower lip and took a step forward. I must stop this.

"Miss Yuffie—"

Yuffie froze at her tracks then gave Tifa a look to not butt in. The little mafia princess' final step for her little ritual was confrontation. She stood in front of the alleged suspect and looked at her in they eye. She raised her little hand—to which Aerith instinctively closed her eyes. Who knows what Yuffie would do!

"Vinnie!"

Vincent took out his phone and threw it directly to his tiny mistress. Yuffie caught it flawlessly and began to dial. At the sound of buttons being pressed, Aerith opened both eyes and stared bewilderedly at her childhood friend.

"What are you—?"

Yuffie ignored her and continued dialing. When she brought the phone to her ears, Yuffie turned to Aerith. "You do know how much influence my family has Aery?"

Aerith nodded like an innocent puppy, unaware of what will befall here. The little mafia princess smiled gently at her.

"It's only a matter of a phone call to scour someone in the city. I'll find that man of yours. With my father's subordinates only a button away, anyone, even a tiny mouse, will be found." Yuffie stopped momentarily and winked deviously at her childhood friend. "Why don't we start in the church you love so much?"

Aerith's heart almost jumped out from her chest. She knew nothing could stop Yuffie when she's hell bent on finding something.

"You wouldn't…" Aerith's held breath escaped her lips.

"Uh, hello, Biggs—!"

Aerith quickly took Yuffie's phone and pressed the red button. The little mafia princess grinned triumphantly and skipped happily towards the door. "Let's go Aery~"

The heir let out the heaviest sigh she could ever make in her lifetime and smiled at her silly self. She regained composure and she turned to Tifa who was slightly taken aback.

"I'm sorry Tifa. Can you watch the mansion while we're away?"

Tifa beamed back at her. "Of course, Aerith." She turned towards the door and shook her head disdainfully. "Yuffie's never gonna change, will she? You'd better run after her."

The maid watched Aerith's back disappear from the door and she too sighed. With the other girls out of the way, she started to prepare for the event that was about to come.

"But, first…" Tifa turned to the mess of a room Yuffie made. "Not a moment to spare."

Sneak Peek: Aerith, Yuffie and Vincent goes off to see the man in the church! What would be Cloud's reaction when he collides with the ever energetic Mafia Princess?

Next Chapter!

Chapter 17: The Bodyguard and The Fighter

See you then!