Chapter 5
" Bad Karma"
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Despite all the things I don’t like in Gold Saucer there is one room that I do like and it’s Dio’s Show Room.
It’s cram-packed with old dusty gadgets that look like they should do something spectacular but don’t and assorted brick ’a’ brack that has no real value but never fails to make my hands twitch. Dio also has a varied collection of puzzle boxes, crystal balls, ancient weapons and even some rusty old armour that looks suspiciously like it came from my Grandfather’s closet…hm…smells like it came from my Grandfather’s closet, anyhow.
There are some real impressive things in the room though; objects that just exude importance and are just aching to be liberated, particularly via the pocket of a young Kunoichi…Heh…
There’s even a rusty old trophy in a dusty display cabinet, although it is the only one to my knowledge…and I forget what it was for.
At a guess: Freak of the year, most likely…
Following Dio and Cloud around the room without getting distracted was difficult to say the least. I was experiencing a feeling that could only be described asthat of ‘a kid in a candy store’. I‘m trying to make a good impression for Cloud’s benefit after all….I guess I’ll just have to wait until Chocobo-Hair either isn’t looking or not here! What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him after all, right? Out of sight, out of mind etc, heh heh. Unfortunately Cloud seemed to have caught a whiff, no a goddamn premonition, of what was going on in my mind and was one step ahead of me as usual.
Damn MAKO enhancements!
“Don’t even think about it.” His voice came very quietly from behind me but was fullof hidden warning. My hand immediately froze in the motion of reaching out to touch – just touch, I swear! - an old wooden box that looked as if it had been clumsily encrusted with Materia shards. I snatched it back quickly, sighing huffily. What’s Dio gonna do with that crappy little box anyways? I mean what’s he gonna use it for? Storing fake tan? Clip-on moustaches? Jeez... The man in question droned on ahead of us, gesturing hugely, oblivious to anything other than his ego and any extensions of said ego as usual.
“Don’t know whatcha talkin’ ‘bout, spike.” With a great show of shrugging nonchalantly I turned away to examine a nearby glass prism with feigned interest. I could feel Cloud’s eyes burning a hole in my back and unwillingly I began to fidget, determined to maintain an attitude of innocent curiosity. I’m not sure it’s working though…dammit.
“Yuffie…”
Urgh, the dreaded emphasis of the second syllable could mean only one thing; Cloud lecture.
Is he getting paid to do this!
Cloud’s gloved hand suddenly clamped down my shoulder creating a ribbon of electricity that curled through my stomach with distracting warmth. There’s that damn chemistry again…won’t give it a rest for a second will it! ... Wonder if Chocobo butt feels it every time too? Swallowing the sudden knot in my throat with some difficulty I turned back to him, immediately meeting his eyes and wishing they weren’t so suspicious and just, well, knowing. Why’s it so goddamn hard to fool him? No one else ever catches on the way he does….must have a klepto-radar concealed in his hair. Heh, at last the hair style makes sense now….
“If anything, I mean anything-“ Ugh, please, spare me. “-goes missing I will not hesitate to-“
“MUCH as I love it when you talk tough Spike I really think we should pay attention, don’t you?” With an exaggerated yawn I brushed past him and over to where Dio stood nearby with his back to us, blathering away obliviously; unaware that Cloud and I hadn’t been listening to a single word he’d said since we’d entered the room.
“Hey - I’m serious!” Cloud hissed quietly; catching up with me quickly and grabbing my arm, twisting me roughly back round.
Ugh…anythin’ to shut him up.
I sighed wearily, rolling my eyes somewhat belligerently, but willing to concede. “Okay, okay! I won’t touch anythin’, alright! Sheesh…” (not while you’re here anyways Chocobo ‘do) I tried my best ‘sincere’ look which wasn’t too accurate but seemed to placate him nonetheless and shoved my hands deep in my pockets where they could do no more harm. “See? I promise.”
Cloud didn’t look convinced.
“HO BOY! Here!” Dio suddenly called out to Cloud, deafening us both as he all but frog-leapt to the next artefact on display.
Cloud and I followed at a more normal pace, coming to stand either side of the mountain of tanned man-flesh. Every time I visit this place I try to take the guy seriously but it’s just so, so difficult for a very obvious, skimpy, pink reason.
“This is my latest prize!” Dio boomed jubilantly, moustache quivering with pride. I winced; noting Cloud grimace from Dio’s other side, rubbing one ear gingerly. “A beaut’ isn’t she?”
“Um, yeah…” I muttered distractedly, eyeing Dio with not a little unease. He was somehow managing to look both triumphant and ridiculous. Well, ridiculous goes without saying really, the crazy old coot always looks that way. Wonder if that’s a voluntary thing, like, trying to act all eccentric for the visitors….if so he’s failing badly. If he’s anythin’ then it’s ’extremely disturbing’. No wonder I barely ever see any kids here….I wouldn’t bring any child of mine to this place if I knew what thong clad monstrosity awaited them. I occupied myself for a few moments imagining myself with a small child in tow and frowned. That was just….weird. Okay, no more thinking about kids for AT LEAST another ten years!
I blinked; my imagination had run away with me again. With a blush and no small amount of horror I realised that I’d been staring at Dio’s mid-section for an incriminating amount of time. I hastily looked away, only to see that Cloud had been watching me with an expression of mingled amusement and questioning across Dio’s back, one brow arched speculatively. Ahh! Caught staring at Dio’s butt! Embarrassment factor 10! Urgh…
“Enjoying the view?” He mouthed with a knowing little smile, indicating Dio’s backside with a slight tilt of his head.
How dare he!
“It’s not my fault! You were lookin’ too Chocobo butt, don’t even try to deny it! His thong has, like, hypnotic powers!” I hissed quietly, pointing an accusatory finger. Cloud merely shrugged. Dammit.
“What’s this then girly girl?” I gulped, finding Dio’s dark eyes suddenly upon me, deeply intrigued. His moustache bristled inquiringly. “Lookin’ at what might I ask?”
“Uhrm…nothin’…” I muttered evasively, eyes darting about for an escape route. “NO looking or peeping or staring or …err…anythin’ like that! Uh uh!” I shook my head a little too quickly, eyes tellingly wide in my face. “I was just ah, “I gestured blankly for a moment, distracted by a pitying look from Cloud. “I was just uh, nothin’, nope no lookin’! Particularly not at uhm, your….ah-“
“Yeeeees?”
“Erhm…” Gawd this is embarrassing! Think Yuffie, THINK gawddammit! You got a brain somewhere in there!
“It’s my prize!” Dio hollered, voice thick with pride. I gawped, wondering what the hell he was on about. “I don’t blame you for staring girly, it’s all I can do some days not to just sit and stare at it for hours on end!” Dio finished this with a flourish about waist-level and I immediately felt indescribably ill and more than a little faint. Urk….
“Like I said, a beaut!” He held out a twinkling gold ring that caught the light and glittered appealingly. I sighed explosively and forced out a weak smile.
THANK LEVIATHAN! A ring…not….phew-wee…heh…
Feeling oddly violated all the same I held out my hand automatically and was surprised when Dio simply dropped the ring into my palm without a second thought. Cloud tensed behind him, blue eyes narrowed upon me watchfully. Yeah, like I’m going to just run out with it in a Casino full of Dio’s armed cronies. Intelligent deduction Cloud...sheesh.
Brightening, I examined the trinket more closely. It was a pretty, plain Mythril band that wound into two dragon heads at either end, their jaws holding a blue jem-stone, fat and multi-faceted, in place at the centre. I glanced over at Dio, noting Cloud had finally relaxed a little behind him and was no longer shooting me death glares. “Does it do anythin’?”
“Does it do anything!” Dio parroted, laughing like I’d just told the world’s funniest anecdote. “’COURSE it does!” I winced, certain my brain was bleeding out of my ears. “It’s a protection ring girly, only much much more potent than your average Jem or Protect ring! That’s what makes it so special! Ho ho!”
The words ‘special and ’potent’ did bad things to my psyche, filling my head with disastrous thoughts of glorified and undiscovered theft. As was the case with most special or above average weapons and Materia I just HAD to HAVE it. And the sooner the better. A nice little addition to what might eventually become a sizeable Mythril collection. Who knew…perhaps Mythril would become the new Materia! Ha! I glanced down at the ring on my finger that I’d rescued the day before on the Corel train track and smirked.
“A FANTASTIC find! And all thanks to boyo here, ho ho ho!” Dio thumped Cloud’s back with punishing enthusiasm. Cloud staggered a few steps under the impact, wheezing, and, taking pity, I resisted the urge to nab a few things whilst his attention elsewhere.
Well…I did promise…ugh, shameful Yuffs, when has that ever stopped you before!
You’re losing it girl.
I nodded absently, and then blinked, something clicking. “Heeeey, wait a sec…” A light bulb flipped on in my head accompanied by a climax of harmonious song. “Cloud….Spike, you found this?” I blinked at him. He refused to look at me, arms folded defensively across his chest and looking none too pleased about my discovery. Is this what you didn’t want me to know? But…but why? “Why? What’s in it for you anyways? Why would you do something like that, eh?”
“Why wouldn’t he!” Dio bellowed happily, clapping a hand on Cloud’s shoulder once more, the latter looking slightly pained. “Adventure, mystery, danger-“ He paused, pumping the air with one abnormally large fist for emphasis, grinning like a lunatic. “-excitement of the job! Isn’t that payment enough for any enterprising young lad?”
Erm how about NO?
Freak.
Maybe it was attractive to some stupid, clueless imbecile but anyone with brains wouldn’t just risk life and limb searching for valuable artefacts for some trumped up geezer, with an ego the size of the North Crater and as many brain cells as he had eyebrows I might add, WITHOUT expecting SOME kind of payment in return. I snorted. Danger, excitement….my ass.
“I guess…” I agreed reluctantly, glancing in-between the ring in my hand and Cloud’s grim expression, powerfully intrigued. Hm…this warrants intensive Kisaragi investigation, I think. With a deceptively neutral shrug I handed the ring back to Dio and put this new development to the back of mind for the time being.
I’ll investigate this later, sometime when I can catch Spike unawares and force him to spill his innermost secrets!
The fact that I hadn’t been successful in this endeavour thus far and had only found out about where we were going by pure deviousness didn’t seem to dampen my spirits any.
Well, I guess it’s a good thing I happen to like a challenge…
“Well come youngsters!” Dio whooped excitedly. Youngster…! I’ll have you know I’m nearly eighteen you orange plastic moron! Oblivious to my death glare, Dio swept Cloud and I out of the room, clutching us tightly to him either side. “The Gold Saucer awaits! Now I command you -Go forth and have FUN!”
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“Aeris was right, it is beautiful up here!” I found myself leaning dangerously far out of the tram window, eyes glued excitedly to the dazzling display in the distance. Fireworks exploded attractively in spectacular bursts of rainbow coloured light. Flickering sparks drifted like a slow snowfall of stars all around and threw a soft pink and gold glow over our little tram as it bobbed slowly along. The tram had been my idea and, after much nagging, Cloud had eventuallyagreed to it. Heh...I've always wanted to ride this thing...
Sighing, I tucked my chin in one hand, smiling happily to myself. Silence from Cloud somewhere behind. I frowned slightly, eyes flickering briefly across my shoulder to where he sat; moody and silent and twisting something in his hands. Well, he could at least agree…or nod, or somethin'...useless lump.
Unconsciously I bit my lip, my frown melting into a scowl as I continued to eye him sneakily.
Hells…can’t he cheer up for more than 5 minutes at a time?
He was fine when we got on this rickety piece of crap…what’s there to be miserable about anyways, eh?
On a date with a gorgeous girl like me, fireworks, stars, romance yada yada yada, all that jazz…and still he manages to find something to gripe about. Grr…!
“Aeris always did appreciate beautiful things…”
I tensed halfway through turning back to the firework display. Cloud’s voice, quietly reflective, floated up from behind me.
Silently, I panicked.
I couldn’t recall him ever attempting to speak about Aeris, let alone mention her name, after Holy had ass kicked Meteor and we’d all skipped morosely off to rebuild Midgar. In fact this was probably the first time he’d spoken at all about her…oh crud…
…and he chooses me of all people?
I guess I should feel comforted by that…?
……right?
I turned away from the window finally, hands clasped about my arms and feeling incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. “Cloud…?” Oh, man…of all the times for your mind to go blank! “I-I…uhm...”
He grimaced, waving me off absently. “It’s okay Yuffs, forge-“
“NO! I mean…” I bit my lip, settling slowly down onto the seat beside him but continuing to fidget anxiously. “I mean…I want to. We all miss her, you know…it’s just, you never wanted to talk about her before and…it kinda sucked…”
Cloud’s jaw tightened a little as he looked away without replying.
Wait a go Yuffs….
I suddenly noticed then, with a sickening lurch in my stomach, what he’d been twisting in his hands all the while. A tattered pink ribbon
... Holy crap…it can’t be…?
Mouth agape, I gazed from his distracted face and back down to the ribbon clutched tightly in his gloved hand, as realisation imploded inside of me.
Aeris… Cloud…
A dead weight seemed to plunge down into my stomach, churning there unpleasantly.
Oh gawd, oh gawd…hells, it was a baaaad idea comin’ here…how could I have been so stupid?
Cloud and Aeris had come here, after all, on their one and only date…And I knew that!
Aeris herself had told Tifa and me all about it in girlish, blushing detail…and yet stupidly I brought Cloud here myself, thinking it’d be just sooo romantic. Sheesh…no wonder he’s thinking about Aeris! I shivered, clutching my arms tightly and staring with blank faced horror at the opposite wall.
“You cold…?” Cloud’s hand touched my shoulder questioningly. The thrill of contact shot through me all over again but this time it was mixed conflictingly with some grim realities.
He must still love her…He must still love her…I can’t think straight…why can’t I think straight?
Because he’s still in love with her DAMMIT!
“Yeah, no…I…” I shut my eyes tight and turned away slightly, unable to meet his gaze. My voice wavered slightly when I spoke. “I-I dunno...”
Leviathan’s ass…when did I turn into such a WUSS? This is not the Kisaragi way!
I started slightly when I felt Cloud drape his jacket gently over my shoulders, his hands lingering there, heavy and warm. They didn’t move away again… and slowly I turned to look up at him, eyes searching his. I felt like I should say something but I didn’t know what…
“I think…” I swallowed. “Aeris liked beautiful things…because she understood them.” I murmured tentatively, shivering slightly under his touch. What else can I say…?
Cloud nodded slowly, blue eyes thoughtful as his hand absently rubbed comforting circles on my back. I grit my teeth, trying to ignore the touch…
…fighting a losing battle there, Yuffs….
“Beauty understands beauty….” He murmured, and then laughed a little, although it was slightly mocking. “Very profound Yuffs.” He tousled my hair playfully. Such a familiar, brotherly gesture. I bristled defensively, deliberately shrugging his hand off along with his jacket and stomping to the opposite side of the tram, slumping heavily onto the bench there.
A sigh.“…what’s wrong now?”
“Forget it.” I muttered, scowling a little at my feet. “It’s just…I get upset thinkin’ about Aeris sometimes…I just keep wonderin’ if maybe there had been another way, you know, so she wouldn’t have had to go sacrifice herself like that. She was a good person…a good friend.”
And then you and she could have lived happily ever after. The end.
Cloud ‘hm’ed’ absently, turning to gaze solemnly out of the window where fireworks were still showering the rest of the Gold Saucer attractions with rainbow sparks in the distance. “I always felt I didn’t appreciate her enough….” He sighed as he glanced back over at me; hunched and sullen on the other side of the tram. “I wasn’t a very good bodyguard either really-”
“You were a good friend.” I bit out, a little too bluntly. I was weary of talking about Aeris….yet feeling acutely guilty at the same time that I couldn’t reminisce about her with Cloud, the way he obviously wanted to, without my own petty jealousy getting in the way.
Grow up Yuffie…
I stuck my hands roughly into my pockets, discovering the Chakra Materia there with a little surprise. I’d forgotten about it at the prospect of a ‘date’ with Cloud I guess… I clutched it tightly and the Materia seemed to bring me some small comfort. Well…at least I’ll always have Materia. I rolled it back and forth from one palm to the other, absently, gazing grimly out of the window.
“You really gotta stop beatin’ yourself up about the past Spike…” I said slowly, frowning into the distance where a single firework burst into a glowing dome of green and gold light. “What’s done is done, no matter how hard you might wanna change things you just can’t, okay It’s the cruel, simple truth of life. And you just gotta accept it.” A little blunt maybe, but I felt it was probably the most intelligent and meaningful thing I’d said all evening. Well, ever.
Cloud didn’t seem to agree. “I was messed up, made things worse. I did some stupid things…” Join the rest of the World’s population Cloud. Leviathan…is he even listenin’ to himself? “If I hadn’t been so goddamn weak! I just-”
“Cloud Strife!” I shot up off the seat, furious, unable to stand anymore of his self-pitying.
NO WAY am I about to let this become one of those situations where I become some pathetic little accomplice to his self-loathing, simpering and comforting him. You’ve gotta face reality sooner or later for gawds sake Cloud!. And you need to fricken’ move on already! With all this running through my headI leant over him, jabbing one finger into his startled face as I spoke, satisfied when he jumped with surprise and apprehension.
“I’ll tell you now you choco-brained jerk, I am not gonna sit here and listen to you try to convince yourself and me that you’re some worthless loser or whatever…because you’re just not, okay!” Another jab in the forehead; he flinched. “So just do us all a favour and get over yourself will you?” I was surprised to find myself breathing heavily, it had all come out a little fiercer than I’d intended. Somehow I knew I’d crossed a line I shouldn’t have. The Chakra Materia was clenched painfully tight in a white knuckled grip at my side.
“You think it’s that easy!” Cloud demanded, just as hotly; on his feet now and uncomfortably close. His blue eyes were unnervingly near all of a sudden, bright and fiercely blue. I swallowed and straightened up, determined not to back down from this one.
This isn’t the way it was supposed to be…so much for romance…
“It’s easy for you to forgive yourself and forget the past isn’t it Yuffie?” He ground out between clenched teeth, hands coming up. For a moment I thought he intended to strike me but they caught my shoulders in a vice-like grip, shaking me slightly as he spoke. My teeth rattled. “You’ve done nothing worse than stolen a few things here and there, you haven’t seen or committed even half the horrors I have…hell, you wouldn’t even be able to imagine some of the things I’ve done…can’t undo.” His grip faltered and he released me. “And you stand there and lecture me like it’s as easy as switching a light on and off….you don’t understand!” The last word sounded broken as he spoke it.
“Maybe so!” I shouted back just as angrily, jaw clenching. I pushed him roughly, suddenly more angry than I could ever remember feeling. The tram shook slightly with the force of it and Cloud nearly lost his balance, barely managing to grip the window ledge and keep himself upright. I scowled darkly as a few things suddenly clicked sharply into place; the sudden realisation was like swallowing a heavy, bitter tasting pill. “Wait…so this is why you’re doing these jobs for Dio is it? Are you trying to kill yourself or somethin’? Is that it? That’s pathetic Cloud and frankly I expected better from you!
Damn stubborn bastard!
Cloud looked like he very much wanted to grab me and shake me till my head fell off. “You don’t understand-”
“You keep sayin’ that!” I interrupted, my voice sounding flinty and foreign in my own ears. “I don’t think it’s as complicated as you seem to think!” That seemed to shut him up, or surprise him or both. His expression was a little glazed either way. “You’ve been wallowing in self-loathing and guilt since Meteor, am I right? Feeling all worthless and crap…oh gimme a break, it’s so fricken’ predictable! So you’ve been takin’ up these incredibly dangerous jobs on the off chance you might find somethin’ that can actually kill you, is that it? Too scared to do it yourself?”
“You don’t know anything!” He snarled, hands fisting at his sides as he suddenly loomed threateningly over me. I’d never seen him so angry and honestly I was a little afraid but I continued on, regardless. Some might call me brave, others stupid.
“But I do care you stupid, thick-headed moron! And I don’t forget either!” I pushed him again, barely registering his shocked and confused face as he stumbled, the backs of his legs hitting the edge of the seat with the force of it. I continued to advance down on him with my furious tirade. “I haven’t forgotten the way you kept us all together when times were tough and we were all scared shitless and the only thing keepin’ us goin’ was you bein’ strong for us all, makin’ us believe in ourselves, remindin’ us all again and again of what Aeris had done and made possible for us! The chance she’d given us! We’d never have made it to the crater without you, you -you jerk!”
Another push, this time though he managed to grab my wrists and all I could do was struggle fiercely and futilely in his grasp, my right hand still tightly closed about the Materia. The tram lurched too and fro and, locked together, we stumbled back with the rocking motion, straining to keep our balance. I wasn’t finished with him yet though…
“And you wonder why I get so bloody angry when you start feelin’ sorry for yourself and goin’ on about how you could have done more….you did enough! You did as much as you could! Can’t you understand that!” I was clutching the Materia so tightly now I could feel my nails biting into my palm sharply even through my gloves. “Why you gotta analyse life so much Spike? Why can’t you just enjoy it…?”
And…just let me love you…you great, stupid idiot…
I just wish you could somehow love me back…
I weakened all of a sudden but Cloud’s grip about my wrists somehow kept me on my feet. The rocking of the tram had thrown us closer together as we’d tried to keep our balance. I hadn’t noticed just how close until I was no longer screaming my heart out at him. I was still angry as hell but coupled with that was a feeling of apprehensiveness and awkwardness at our proximity.
Cloud looked like he was about to say something, glaring down at me, gloved hands painfully tight about my wrists.
Whatever he’d been about to say I would never know. At that moment the tram gave a tremendous lurch as it came to a clumsy halt, throwing us both violently together, crushed up against one wall. My mind went strangely numb as I noted, in a dim haze, that somehow, impossibly, our lips were pressed together, Cloud’s eyes staring wildly into mine in partial shock and horror that I’m sure was reflected in my own…minus the horror.
How…..wha….whaaa!
It wasn’t a kiss, not by a long shot.
Even a huge dufus like me knows a kiss is something that is intentional and in most cases mutually desired….this…this was…I don’t know. Accidental. Unexpected. Our faces had simply been too close when the tram had come to a violent halt. There was nothing more to it than that. The sudden jolt had thrown us together, resulting in a clumsy, involuntary meshing of lips; noses bumping painfully. And all backed up uncomfortably against one wall.
Our eyes continued to stare in silent, mutual shock. My mind had gone all numb and tingly with disbelief.
WHAT.THE.HELL! My brain inwardly shrieked; my body as yet unresponsive to its plaintive cry.
Cloud’s lips brushed gently, unintentionally, across mine as he somehow managed to come back to himself and pull away. He didn’t move far however, face mere inches from my own and blue eyes fixed wide and unblinking upon my own startled gaze. His hands had moved to my shoulders at some point, squeezing uncomfortably tight and seemingly the only thing holding me up. I couldn’t have moved even if I had somehow regained control of my body once more. I could only stare up unblinkingly into his eyes; our quick, nervous breaths intermingling in the electrically charged silence all around.
I-I can’t even remember what we were arguing about….oh hells…
If my mind felt like someone had insulated it clumsily with confetti I wondered what Cloud felt, what he would do. Would he go all weird and withdrawn on me? Be grossed out? Shout, glare, push me away….or kiss me properly? Suddenly the later seemed frighteningly feasible to me as I examined the complicated look on his face, lips slightly parted, blue eyes wide and full of an odd kind of light that somehow had nothing to do with MAKO. There was something between us now that definitely hadn’t been there before; some giant elephantine development that had stomped in-between us, refusing to be ignored.
How can I describe it…
It was as if he were seeing me in some new light, as if for the first time; as though he’d been smacked over the head with some sort of epiphany, some clarity. The scrutiny was so intense I could barely stand it. I noticed distantly that I was trembling.
And Cloud seemed to be getting closer and closer, too close. I couldn’t back up anymore, pressed right up against one wall as I was and going nowhere soon. His grasp hadn’t weakened in the slightest and I squirmed a little, attempting to find some space that simply did not exist.
“Yuffie…”
I tensed, his breath ghosting across my half parted lips, hovering there almost hesitantly as if asking for permission. I didn’t dare move a muscle, both afraid that he’d move away or that he’d come closer. I closed my eyes tight, nervous and excited all at once. The anger was a distant thing now, hovering uncertainly in the background, overtaken with a mixture of confusion and a vague disbelief that this could really be happening.
“Yuffie, look at me.” Not a request.
I opened my eyes slowly and gazed up mutely, for once in my life utterly speechless.
Time seemed to be moving painfully slow as Cloud closed the remaining distance between us and, with only a moments hesitation, brushed his lips softly over mine; once, twice, three times. Gentle, curious, feather-light kisses that sent thrilling, little shocks sparking across my skin, a warmth that pooled pleasantly in my stomach. I sighed. All my former problems, worries and doubts seemed to fade away to nothing as I melted into this new sensation.
Birds singing, sunshine, rainbows, clumsy butterflies flopping around in my stomach… a dozen ridiculous clichés all at once.
Yuffie you’re a hopeless romantic.
Who would’ve guessed….?
Cloud pulled away from the kiss gently, a vulnerable questioning shadowing his eyes.
I gazed up at him wordlessly for a moment then felt the grin break slowly across my face. “Ha…”
“’Ha’ indeed…” He murmured, mouth tilting up in that little half-smile of his, eyes mellow in a way I’d never seen them before.
“AHEM.”
Oh, you gotta be kiddin’ me…
The tram attendant was glaring at us meaningfully, an angry, semi-embarrassed flush on her cheeks. And suddenly I remembered why the tram had stopped in the first place; the ride had finished. A half a dozen people were queued up behind the attendant, obviously intent on using the tram but now staring with open curiosity and no small amount of snickering at the odd picture Cloud and I must have made; latched onto one another, interrupted in the middle of…
Oh for Gawds sake…!
“What! You never seen two people KISS before!” I bristled, fists bunching at my sides and feeling distinctly satisfied when the group of nosy onlookers took a collective step back, wary muttering rippling through the crowd.
I glanced back at Cloud and my nerve faltered.
He was blinking slowly as if waking up from a dream. When he finally seemed to come to himself, he looked both embarrassed and vaguely horrified. I gazed into his eyes desperately, searching for any hint of that realisation I’d seen there only a few moments before…come on come on please…they were softly glowing, shrouded blue once moreHis gaze flickered from the people crowded outside the tram back to my eyes and then, unexpectedly, down to my lips. He flushed, guiltily it seemed, and looked away; the ground, the wall, anywhere but my face.
GOD DAMMIT! WHY!
“Look I hate to break up…whatever…this is….but this is a public attraction so would you please move along now an- h-hey!” The tram attendant squawked indignantly as Cloud brushed brusquely past her and shouldered his way roughly through the small, muttering crowd.
I watched him make his escape though the main gate without a backward glance. Anger pounded in my veins and temples, disappointment clawing at my insides unpleasantly. Damn bastard…. I bit my bottom lip, trying to get a hold on this anger, my fist clenched tight at my side around…
I gasped, eyes wide and disbelieving.
No…no way ….
…..but…that wish…before….
…..b-but it can’t have been…!
…nononononoNO!
I raised my fist and opened my palm slowly, a numb resignation settling uncomfortably in my stomach. The Chakra Materia glittered innocently up and my heart sank with a kind of leaden dread.
Oh Gawd…what have I done!
What have I done…
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Guilt’s a horrible thing really, the way it eats you up inside. It’s a new experience for me, guilt. And I can’t really say I’m savouring this featureless ache in my chest and the dull buzzing in my brain, gnawing away at the edges of my thoughts. They refuse to correlate, my thoughts; brushing past each other and away, leaving me grasping weakly for a solution to this sudden….but, in some dark part of me, not entirely unwanted….. development.
Oh hell…Cloud…
It can’t be true….it just can’t…
Again, I remembered the scene with perfect clarity; how I was still clenching that damn Materia in my fist when I’d made that stupid, thoughtless wish…
‘I just wish you could somehow love me back…’
…all my attention, all my will and emotion had been focused entirely on Cloud…if the spell really had been cast there’d be no way it could have been misdirected, mis-cast. Impossible. And then…as though fate had decided to intervene; the jolt of the tram forcing us together, that tentative kiss.
You…STUPID IDIOT YUFFIE!
The more I thought about it the more unlikely it seemed; Cloud acting so impulsively, feeling instead thinking for a change. Particularly where I was concerned. Without the showers of fireworks in the distance and the soft, pulsing golden light cast into the darkened tram it felt very much as if it were simply another concoction of my over-active imagination. The light seemed to change everything, make reality softer, more pliant……like a dream.
That’s all it should have been really.
But it DID happen.
….and all because of that damned Materia…I should have thrown it away when I had the chance…
But I didn’t did I? So what does that say about me, huh?
NOTHING good.
Now, the light overhead was harsh and artificial; glaring neon that made my head pound and chased away any trace of that dreamlike ambience. I kicked a piece of litter angrily as I walked, glancing sourly around at my surroundings; somehow I’d wandered my way into Battle Square after escaping Wonder square and it’s horde of curious witnesses. Thankfully there were only a few determined people still milling about at this late hour, trying to build up the courage to take on the battle arena no doubt. I snorted, watching one guy pace to and fro in front of the huge intimidating dungeon door; twiddling his thumbs, muttering to himself, squaring his shoulders…
What the heck….!
My eyes narrowed, fixed intently upon a person just behind him, obviously trying to blend in but doing a completely shoddy job of it. I tensed, muscles bunching, as I recognized him finally.
Goddammit why won’t he just give it a REST! Gah!
Our ‘Ninja stalker’ from Corel loitered near the reception desk, making idle chat with the receptionist and trying to look as though he hadn’t just jumped out of a trashy spy novel without a parachute. His disguise might have worked more in his favour more if he’d thought to lower the scarf covering the lower half of his face and disposed of his dark clothing for something looser, drabber. The giant sombrero and poncho he’d donned at some point didn’t help either, just left him looking completely absurd.
This guy….hopeless...
I sighed heavily, shoulders slumping; unsure if I could bring myself to beat the crap out of him like I’d promised Cloud back in Corel. He’s not even worth the effort….pathetic. Despite my reluctance I knew it’d be worse if Cloud stumbled across him first and got even more awkward and difficult than he was already being….all thanks to moi.
How can I forget…I thought glumly; feeling the light, hated weight of the chakra Materia through my pocket.
Besides, he’d seen me now. Just a quick flash of dark, intent eyes. Anyone without Ninja training probably would have missed it. I scowled, fisting my hands at my sides as I marched determinedly up toward him, mind made up.
OKAY gonna end this nonsense right now!
“YOU!” I snarled, grabbing a handful of his poncho at the shoulder, my other fist swinging round with deadly purpose. Where I’d expected to feel the flesh and bone of his nose crunching under my knuckles I was shocked to find myself swiping thin air instead, the poncho hanging heavily from my other hand; empty.
I blinked.
…where the heck did he go!
I didn’t have time to wonder what the hell had just happened; a foot slammed with punishing force into my lower back sending me sprawling forward toward the steps leading up to the Battle Arena. I managed a nimble roll, narrowly managing to avoid having my face battered into the ground. I came quickly to my feet, furious. Fortunately, it hadn’t hurt too badly; my ego was more bruised from being taken off guard.
Bastard! The great Yuffie Kisaragi caught unawares? Even worse…back attack! How am I ever going to live this down…!
OKAY, simple Yuffs….just dispose of ALL witnesses and NEVER mention it again. Good, I like that.
I turned, gazing with narrowed, appraising eyes to where my opponent stood; posture misleadingly casual and relaxed as he leant, arms folded, against the tube entrance leading to the main Station. I could see the subtle play of wiry muscle through the dark fabric of his clothing. The watchfulness in his dark, slanted eyes told me he was nothing but ready, waiting for my next assault.
Well…I won’t underestimate you again mister. I ain’t holding anything back now!
“That was just a lucky shot ya know.” I ground out; anger flaring along with my limit. “I suggest you make reservations at the local clinic: You’re ass is TOAST!”
“Hmph.” The semi concealed face remained impassive, save for one dark brow arching cynically; as if to say; ‘Oh really?’ before he dropped into a low fighting stance, crouched with fingertips splayed in readiness upon the ground. The few people who had been in the arena had taken shelter with the receptionist behind her desk and were watching us with wide, frightened eyes.
Smirking, I reached over my back for my Shuriken and then blinked, hand grasping urgently at nothing. Dammit….! With a sinking feeling, I remembered I’d left it back in the hotel room along with most of my best Materia. Yuffie you are officially an IDIOT. Gwah. Glancing down worriedly at my armour slots I saw all I had was a low level restore, a mastered ‘steal’ and a semi-levelled Bolt Materia.
Great….just…just PERFECT.
Argh….well, hand to hand combat it is.
I can still kick his ass into the ground!
“Dammit...”
Throwing away all formalities of battle I whirled without warning into attack with a lethal spin kick. Again, annoyingly, his head wasn’t there when my foot landed; he’d ducked nimbly as it swung round, simultaneously counter-attacking with a fist intended for my stomach. But I was expecting it this time and managed a quick, clumsy block and a back flip, my heel glancing him a punishing blow to the jaw for his trouble. Ha…now we’re EVEN. I crouched low again some distance away, panting slightly. …damn, must be outta practice…
He may be a crappy spy but he’s definitely got some combat skills…better watch your step, Yuffs.
My opponent had adopted a similar stance to mine, swiping irritably at his bottom lip; now puckered and bleeding. His scarf had slipped down in the scuffle revealing a surprisingly youthful face, classic Wutaian features twisted with anger. His slanted eyes flashed liquid ebony, dark and dangerous. I’d been a fool judging him on outward appearance alone.
“You WILL return to Wutai, Princess Kisaragi!” He insisted gruffly, his words hampered by his heavy Wutaian accent. Clearly he was unused to speaking in Common. And clearly he was also used to getting his own way.
Like that matters to me!
“I don’t think so!” I retorted with an answering glare. I moved quickly to my feet, determined to use the distance between us to my advantage. With a small, complicated gesture the air all around was suddenly crackling with electricity, invisible pressure building quickly into deadly bolts of lightning that writhed and spat. “Bolt 2!” I shouted triumphantly, feeling the intense adrenaline surge of power through my body as the giant triad of lightning bolts descended upon him with deadly purpose.
The Ninja watched the spell with a small frown creasing his brow, more out of irritation than worry I was annoyed to see. Lightning engulfed him in a glaring, lethal arc of hot white light, momentarily blinding. Even some distance away I could feel my hair bristling from the static. Squinting, I watched as the light cleared away almost as quickly as it had come… leaving the Ninja undamaged and smirking slightly in its wake.
My jaw dropped.
What the…that makes no SENSE!
Oh…
Lifting one gloved hand he idly tapped an intricately carved armlet bound upon his wrist, smirking infuriatingly.
That bangle must have a nullifying effect. Dammit. This is gonna be tougher than I thought.
…Gawd this guy’s annoying!
“Oh YEAH? Think you’re tough!” I snarled, hands moving quickly to my pockets. “Let’s see how you like THESE! Ha!” I spun quickly on one heel, lashing out with tiny throwing stars, small but deadly when my aim is accurate. His eyes widened slightly as they spun toward him, razor sharp metal that flashed silver when it caught the light.
That’s right you slippery bastard, time to say your prayers!
By the look on his face he obviously hadn’t been anticipating this kind of attack, had probably assumed I was weapon-less…and stupid too possibly. BIIIIG mistake! I watched as he managed what looked like a clumsy, one handed cartwheel; narrowly avoiding the first of the two stars I’d thrown. He wasn’t quick enough for the second however. I watched triumphantly as it struck him a stunning gash over his right eye, sending him spinning and slamming roughly into the wall behind. His forehead smacked loudly upon impact and with a muttered curse he slid limply down to his knees.
“That’ll teach ya to mess with Yuffie Kisaragi!” I crowed. “Had enough yet!”
“Ugh….” The Ninja stumbled a little as he tried to stand upright, one hand clumsily attempting to wipe the blood away at his temple but only succeeding in smearing it more. I knew how it felt being hit by one of those; hazy memories of days back in Wutai training with my old Sensei sprung quickly to mind.
Dizzy, no doubt. And one hell of a headache. They definitely do a number on you.
Dark eyes flashed angrily, trying vainly to focus. “You…you will return to W-Wu…tai…” His voice was as beguilingly youthful as his face, although possibly he could only be a year or so older than me. I wonder what clan he’s from…? I don’t recognise him at all… “You will return…w-with me…Princess Kisaragi…”
“Like HELL.” I spat. “You can tell my ingrate father-” The word was laced with heavy sarcasm. “- he can go abdicate to a Chocobo for all I care, I’m NOT goin’ back!”
Taking advantage of his weakness I lunged into attack, striking out with lightning fast combos that he was barely able to block. At last the heel of my right boot slammed with bruising finality into his temple, accompanied by a horribly satisfying ‘thwuck’, which sent him sprawling to the ground in a boneless heap.
Knocked out cold.
I stood a moment over his inert form, breathing heavily. Out of practice as I was the battle had taken more out of me than it should have. Still won though… I thought huffily and curiously toed the pile of pummelled Ninja in front of me. I was rewarded with a semi-conscious groan of pain.
GOOD, serves you right.
Frowning slightly, I scanned the area; barely noting the petrified faces of those who had witnessed the scuffle as I searched for somewhere to dispose of the cumbersome problem of a semi-conscious Ninja. He was gonna be one hell of a pissed off Ninja when he finally woke up, bruised and no doubt suffering from the World’s worst Kisaragi-induced headache.
As much as I like kickin’ ass I really don’t wanna be around to deal with THAT…
My eyes settled at last, narrowing wickedly.
With a slow, feral grin I hauled the Ninja’s limp carcass toward a small duct in the corner of the room, silently thanking Leviathan that he was a skinny little runt and not too difficult to drag.
Above the duct a rectangular plaque read ‘Garbage Chute’.
“You should feel right at home, Mr Anonymous.” I smirked, awkwardly pushing him headfirst through the flap that led the way to a mountain of trash and consolation prize tissues. Used, I hope. I thought viciously, my lower back twinging with pain and promising later stiffness. I shoved his feet through roughly and then listened with satisfaction as I heard a muffled, moist sounding ‘thwump’ a few moments later.
Ha…good riddance to bad rubbish.
I turned around and was immediately confronted with a pair of gleaming pectorals.
I blinked, confused, before raising my eye level slightly higher to see Dio’s joyful face looming over me. His eyes brimmed over with reverent tears, lower lip thrust out, wobbling slightly with blubbing pride and his nose very pink in his face. Even his moustache seemed to swell with admiration.
What the….
“FANTASTIC!” He boomed suddenly, grasping me in a bone-crushing hug and swinging me round with glee. The world was suddenly a disorientating blur of orange muscle-tone. “The most MAGNIFICENT battle I’ve seen in a long time!”
“Umph!” I managed feebly against one bursting bicep, trying to suck some oxygen into my now pancake-like lungs.
“A PRIZE!” At last I was released, coughing and wheezing as Dio spread his arms wide and strutted in a small circle around me. “THAT is what you will get for such a BEAUTIFUL display of battle prowess!”
Prize…?
My ears perked up and I squinted up hopefully through watering eyes at the blur of orange posing triumphantly before me. “Really..!” I wheezed, grinning crookedly.
After all…Dio gives good prizes.
“Of COURSE!” Dio nodded importantly, holding out one giant fisted hand before me and slowly opening it to reveal something twinkling promisingly in the centre of his palm. “Your reward!”
“Whoa…” I picked up the Mythril ring Cloud and I had seen earlier in Dio’s Show Room, barely able to believe that it was mine and I hadn’t even had to steal it. This is definitely a first…. “Thanks…!” I returned Dio’s indulgent smile with a broad grin, quickly pocketing the ring in case he suddenly changed his mind and demanded it back.
MINE. Heh. This has been a pretty good day!
One Ninja disposed of; one rare ring obtained…now all I have to do is find Cloud…
Urk...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I left Dio in battle Square and headed for the Ghost Hotel with the vague hope of finding Cloud there; maybe traumatised for life after what had happened back on the tram. Or possibly…if the Chakra had really worked…composing a sickeningly sentimental marriage proposal.
Or worse…poetry. Ugh…
With these nauseating possibilities in mind I hurried through the Hotel lobby and up the gently curving staircase, hastily taking the steps two at a time. Distracted, I ran right through one of the ghostly bellboys, leaving him looking scandalised and vaguely violated on the top step.
“Spike…?”
Our shared room was conspicuously empty. All I did find there were our two rumpled beds, our ragged, discarded backpacks, my Shuriken and Cloud’s dog-eared copy of the ‘Junon Times’…dated 6 weeks ago.
Heh…figures.
Disappointed by the lack of Cloud I sank down cross legged on the bed nearest the door, smoothing the coverlet absently with one gloved hand. SO…how the hell am I gonna convince him to leave Gold Saucer behind when we’d only just arrived? I chewed on my bottom lip as I puzzled over it, brushing my bangs out of my eyes irritably.
Uhm…epidemic? I could tell him the entire population of Gold Saucer have suddenly contracted some hideous, mutilating disease which also happens to be terribly terribly contagious…? Nope, no good. I don’t have enough money to bribe anyone to look convincingly ill... He’d probably claim he was immune anyway. Damn MAKO.
I slumped onto my back with a weary sigh, legs dangling off the edge of the bed and head pillowed in my arms as I scowled up at the cobwebbed ceiling.
Just face it Yuffs, there’s no gettin’ around this one. You’re just goin’ to have to tell him the truthand hope he listens to your explanation BEFORE he decides to kick your ass… and then dump your sorry butt here with all the other losers… and Dio. Grimacing, I snatched up a nearby pillow, hugging it tightly to my chest as though shielding myself from such an unpleasant outcome. Yeah…just like he wanted to and should have done back in Corel. Oh man…
Frustrated, I flipped over onto my stomach and proceeded to pummel the innocent pillow mercilessly, massacred feathers flying everywhere. “Gawd dammit, HOW do I get myself into these situations!”
“Arrrggghhh!”
I paused mid-punch, one hand still fisted in the pillow, at the sound of a muffled cry from somewhere on the ground floor. I turned slowly toward the half-closed door, blinking at what little I could see of the hallway outside through a flurry of slowly falling feathers. A shaft of dim light filtered into the room along with several more distant cries of alarm and the obvious sounds of a scuffle. I tensed, listening with a hammering heart to the sudden sound of heavy, booted feet on the stairs…a sound I dimly recognised as Cloud’s gargantuan boulder-boots.
Cloud…!
I shot up off the bed and ran toward the door; just in time to collide painfully right into Cloud himself
“Ummph-!“ The impact sent us both sprawling half on, half off the bed; legs tangling and booted feet scrabbling for purchase against the carpeted floor, one of my arms twisted up painfully behind my back against the rumpled coverlet. “Ow! Ow! OW!”
What is this? Some twisted side effect of the Chakra Materia? Being randomly pounced upon? Gawd…I hope not, I’ll never live it down if I ever do manage to reverse this spell… Cloud is goin’ to KILL ME!
Scowling against Cloud’s shoulder I tried to push him off with my free arm, his weight pinning me down helpless against the bed. Through the bangs falling across my eyes and Cloud’s shoulder obscuring half my vision I could vaguely see he was trying, without much luck, to get back on his feet. “Spike, what the HELL is goin’ on!”
“No time!” Cloud ground out and I caught a flash of one fierce blue eye and a few jagged blonde spikes from my limited view point. “We have to leave NOW!”
“Well GET OFF me then you great LUMP!” I shouted and with a violent push somehow managed to roll us both off the bed and down onto the carpeted floor with myself half straddling Cloud’s legs. Unfortunately, the back of Spike’s head hit the carpet with a painful sounding ‘thwump’, his eyes glazing over momentarily. Wincing, I scrambled quickly to my feet, offering him an apologetic hand up which he ignored.
“Ow! HEY!” I screeched as he immediately grabbed my arm without explanation, in a grip that can only be described as ‘vice-like’, swiping up his backpack from the floor as he all but ran toward the one half-shuttered window in the room. I barely had time to grab up my own Shuriken and pack as he tugged me roughly forward. “What’s GOIN’ ON!”
“No questions!” He barked, grabbing me round the waist with no warning, hoisting me up through the window and out onto the sloping roof just below as though I weighed no more than a feather. The only protest I could manage was an undignified squawk (plus an accurate impression of a shocked goldfish) as I scrabbled for purchase on the slippery tiles.
Boots skidding slightly as I sought for balance I hastily shouldered my backpack and Shuriken before I dropped them and watched, confused, as Cloud climbed quickly through the window after me. A n instant later the door to our room burst open, admitting half a dozen black clad men….
Scrap THAT…half a dozen -PISSED AS HELL- black clad men…
Ninja…
Oh crap…so that’s why…
So much for hiding their presence here from Cloud…
Luckily my erstwhile hero was currently too preoccupied with frenzied escape to demand any answers from me. I let him grab my hand and lead me off at a clumsy run across the rooftop, not daring to look back behind us where the Ninja were no doubt giving determined chase.
Ohshitohshitohshit! Why me! Why now!
“Bastards!” I shouted back over my shoulder, unable to restrain myself from lobbing an insult or two. For Gawd’s sake, can’t they take a hint already! I’m NOT goin’ back to Wutai! EVER! Vaguely I found myself wishing I had a few ‘molotov cocktails’ handy to teach the geezers a well-deserved lesson. “Why won’t you bozos just LEAVE ME ALONE!”
If they replied I didn’t hear, my own breath and Cloud’s both ragged in my ears, our footfalls heavy and frantic on the slippery slate roof.
But we could only run so far…
Cloud’s grip tightened on my hand, pulling me along faster. I knew it was inevitable he’d have some pretty heavy questions to ask me later, and alone where there would be no witnesses to the bloodbath that was sure to ensue. That is…if we ever got out of this mess unscathed.
Why does everyone always want to attack me? Or chase me? Or BOTH!
Sheesh…I can’t get a break here!
With a sinking heart I knew the game was up when I heard the distant whistle of a Shuriken singing through the air behind us. But even so, the pain that burst in the back of my skull was still a numbing shock. Strangely all I could think of, as I sank resignedly down into unconsciousness, was how horribly empty my hand felt…when it was no longer grasped in Cloud’s reassuring grip…
Figures…