Chapter 8
Godo sighed heavily as he stared out the window of his study with old, tired eyes, hands clasped tightly behind his back. For such a thing to happen to his family after a thousand years of purity…
Godo sighed again. Such was the way of life. Because of tradition he'd had to banish his only daughter from the Homeland. Soon the whole country would find out.
The door to his study slid open and a messenger stood there, head bowed.
"You may enter." Godo stated and the messenger stepped in, stopping before Godo and kneeling, eyes to the ground as was custom.
"Rise and speak." The messenger did so, rising and speaking. "My Lord, a foreigner wishes to speak with you. We have told him you are not to be disturbed but he is persistent."
"Who is this foreigner?"
"One of Lady Yuffie's comrades My Lord. Vincent Valentine."
Godo sighed; there was no getting out of this meeting. Valentine would find a way to speak to him one way or another. "Send him in."
The messenger bowed and left, returning with Vincent moments later.
"Lord Godo." Vincent bowed his head slightly in respect for the man before him as the messenger was dismissed.
"Vincent" Godo did the same, knowing Vincent from a brief talk he'd had with the gunman a few years prior, during AVALANCHE's brief stay in Wutai. "I take it you are here about Yuffie?"
Vincent nodded. "I am."
Godo shook his head. "You yourself are of Wutaian descent, you know our traditions."
"I do." Vincent agreed. "I also know that you, being the emperor, have the power to change that tradition."
"I can't break one of our oldest and most sacred traditions!" Godo snapped before his features softened and he turned back to the window, heaving a great breath. "Not even for her." He said softly.
"You are letting your love of tradition get in the way of your love for your daughter." The gunslinger hissed. "A man's family should always come first in his heart!"
"Not an emperor's heart!" Godo's voice rose as he whirled to face Vincent once more. "An emperor does what he thinks is best for his country and his bloodline! Do you have any idea how it tore me to banish her from here?!" He glared at the gunman. "I love Yuffie. She's my daughter and the last thing I have left of my late wife, but what happened to her cannot be changed in Leviathan's eyes!"
"Leviathan is merciful as well." Vincent said, glaring Godo down. "My family followed Leviathan's religion ever since I was a child and we were taught that the water god is merciful as well as powerful. He would know that what happened was not Yuffie's fault and have mercy and sympathy for her."
"What would you know of the water god's feelings on the matter?" Godo growled. "From what I remember from our conversation four years prior, you know longer walk the path of the Holy Scales. So what right have you to tell me about the god you disowned?"
"I merely stepped from the path." Vincent's eyes narrowed. "That does not mean I know nothing. And it does not mean that Yuffie has stopped her beliefs in Leviathan. Even after her banishment she still prays to him."
"It matters not." Godo turned his back on him once more.
There was silence between them for a few minutes before Vincent spoke. "Since I am unable to change your mind can I at least have a request on Yuffie's behalf?"
Godo watched him over his shoulder. "What is it?"
"Will you allow her to see young Yahiko? She has waited anxiously for months for him to be born and is heartbroken that she is unable to see him. She believes he will hate her as he grows because her country will see her as a disgrace." He thought for a moment then continued. "And she wishes for you to forgive her."
Before Godo could answer, the door slid open and a middle aged woman with long, ebony hair walked in. A small bundle cradled gently in her arms. "Dear I…Oh!" She spotted Vincent. "Oh I'm sorry. I was not aware that we had guests." She curtsied quickly and Vincent nodded his head in a respectful greeting, knowing instantly who she was. "Lady Kaoru." He greeted her simply.
"I know you!" Kaoru said in recognition. "Yuffie's friend, are you not? Vincent wasn't it?" The gunman nodded. "Well I was not expecting a visit. Is Yuffie here with you?" The gunman looked to Godo in slight surprise and confusion. Did she not know? He looked back to the lady of Wutai. "No ma'am. That is why I am here. Lord Godo has banished her from Wutai."
"Banished her?! Whatever for?!" She looked between the two men for an explanation. Godo remained silent so Vincent did the honors of filling Kaoru in. When he had finished Kaoru looked livid. "Godo Kisaragi you stop this pig-headed nonsense right this minute!" She demanded, surprising Vincent. Ladies in Wutai did not normally speak to their husbands in such a manner, it was considered disrespectful. "I don't know how I ended up with such a stubborn man for a husband but you will not punish Yuffie for this! She seems to have gone through enough over the last month!" She turned to Vincent. "Could you please wait outside while I talk with my husband Vincent?" The gunman nodded and stepped from the room.
He waited for over half-an- hour before the door slid open and Godo and his wife stepped out.
"Tell Yuffie," Godo began. "That I hope she returns home soon for a visit. She shall not be punished. My wife has decided to accompany you back to Edge so she can deliver the message personally and so my son can meet his sister." Vincent gave a respectful bow as Godo walked away. Vincent noticed a healthy sized bump on the back of the emperor's head and smirked. "What did you hit him with my Lady?" He asked Kaoru. Kaoru laughed and pulled a bottle from her kimono. "I never knew a baby's bottle could make such a nice weapon." Vincent chuckled as they both walked down the hall.
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Yuffie sighed miserably at the kitchen table of Seventh Heaven. She had her arms thrown out in front of her on the wood and her chin rested between them on the hard surface.
"Cheer up Yuffie." Tifa said. "I'm sure he'll be back soon. He said he'd be back by today."
Yuffie only sighed again. Figures he'd go off without telling me where's he's going.
Ten minutes later she was still in the same position. A hand came to rest on her shoulder but she paid it no attention, thinking it was only Tifa or another one of her friends. "That does not look like a very comfortable position." A deep voice addressed her and her head shot up. Whirling around, she threw herself into Vincent's waiting arms. He laughed softly as he embraced her tightly, placing a kiss to her head. "You could not have missed me that much. I have barely been gone two days."
"I missed you when I woke up and you weren't there." She spoke into his chest.
He held her for a few more minutes then drew back. "I have a surprise for you." She cocked her head curiously. "What is it?" He chuckled. "Someone who wants to meet you." He stepped aside and Yuffie's eyes widened when she saw Kaoru standing there, her little brother in her arms. It took her a few minutes to get her bearings before she wrapped her step mother in a hug, careful of the infant in the woman's arms. Kaoru smiled and returned the embrace tightly. "It is good to see you Yuffie."
Yuffie drew back. "What- what are you doing here?"
Kaoru giggled. "Just like Vincent said; someone wants to meet you." She carefully set the boy in Yuffie's arms gently. "Meet your brother Yuffie." Yuffie stared down at the small gurgling infant and felt tears sting the back of her eyes but she blinked them back. "Hello, Yahiko-Chan, it's wonderful to meet you my Otouto-Chan. I'm your Nee-Chan." The baby gave a small giggle as Yuffie placed a kiss to his forehead. Yuffie looked to Kaoru in confusion. "But…Dad-"
"Forgives you." Kaoru stated with a smile. "You shall not be punished for what you went through. You are still part of the Kisaragi line. Just as much as your brother." She casted a glance to Vincent. "You have your friend to thank for that. Had he not confronted your father, I would not have found out until it was too late to change your fate." She rested a hand on Yuffie's shoulder. "He loves you Yuffie. He's just pig-headed." Yuffie smirked. "Don't I know it. So, what did you throw at him this time?" She leaned against the wall, Yahiko still in her arms as she was reluctant to let him go.
Kaoru laughed. "Yahiko's bottle, which I believe now, has a dent from your father's hard head." Both women laughed and Vincent exited the room to let them talk in peace.
Kaoru watched him go before turning a soft smile on Yuffie. "I'm happy for you."
"Hm?" Yuffie looked up from her little brother's face, a questioning look in her eyes.
Kaoru jerked her head in the direction Vincent had gone. "You're lucky to have him. Men such as him are scarce. He really cares for you. Never have I seen someone besides you or I stand up to your father. He must love you very much."
Yuffie smiled softly. "Yes. He does. And I love him, with all my heart."
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1 month later
"I don't know what else I can do." Vincent said from the couch in Seventh heaven's living room. "I've told her but she still has moments of depression and she's not as cheerful as she once was."
Tifa sat next to him and passed him a drink as she gave him a sympathetic look. "You can't really blame her though, after what happened."
"She thinks herself used." Vincent said softly. "I've told her she's not but…" He trailed off and sighed, shaking his head.
"Maybe you need to show her." Tifa suggested. "You've told her but maybe she needs something more. Show her Vincent. Show her that you love her the way she is. Show her she's not used."
"I wanted to give her time. I don't want to push her into something she is not ready for."
"If you think it's going too far, you can always stop. She'll understand." Tifa gave him a small smile. "Reassure her Vincent. I believe that's what she needs."
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Yuffie sighed as she leaned against Vincent on his bed. She had taken to sleeping in here when the nightmares became too much for her. She had a pad out in her lap, her pencil running over it in smooth lines that started to take the shape of a human face. She had always been a skilled artist, she'd just never told many of that particular talent. Vincent wrapped an arm around her shoulders in concern. "Are you alright Yuffie?" She looked up at him and gave him a smile. "Of course Vinnie, I'm perfectly fine." Of course Vincent knew she was lying.
"You know," Yuffie began. "I never properly thanked you for bringing my brother and Kaoru to me. And for confronting my father." She placed a hand on his chest, smiling softly. "Thank you Vincent. If it hadn't been for you…" She pressed her lips to his in a small kiss before pulling away. He gave her a small smile. "You have nothing to thank me for. It was the least I could do." He kissed her gently and her eyes slid closed, her hands clutching a small handful of his shirt as his lips moved over her hers. He hesitated, then asked to deepen the kiss. She gave her permission with a gasp, parting her lips and allowing the kiss to deepen. She moaned softly when he gently threaded his fingers in her hair and pulled her closer. She arched her neck and he trailed gentle kisses down her throat, stopping at her collarbone before he pulled back, breathing slightly fast. "Yuffie…" His deep voice brought her eyes up to meet his crimson as her chest heaved. "I do not want to do something you are not comfortable with." She watched him for a moment then pulled his face to hers until their lips were only a breath apart. "It's alright Vincent. I trust you. I'm ready I think." She pulled him in for a kiss then broke away. "I want you too."
Vincent gently rolled her under him, staring down at her before leaning his head down and capturing her lips with his, lacing their fingers together as the moon shone in on them from the night outside.
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7 months later
"You look beautiful Yuffie." Vincent said down to his bride as they glided across the dance floor, their friends' smiling faces surrounding them.
Yuffie giggled and fingered the collar of the tux he wore. "You're not so bad yourself." She sighed contentedly and rested her head against his chest as he tightened his hold around her. "I love you Vince." She said softly and he pressed his lips to her hair. "I love you too."
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"Here ya go brat!" Cid handed Yuffie a glass of Champaign which she took before setting it on the table in front of her. "Yuffie?" Vincent questioned and everyone looked to her. She blushed and looked to her lap. "Um, I kinda can't have alcohol." She said, slightly embarrassed. She smiled at them all and their confused faces and then focused her gaze on Vincent. "At least not for another seven months." Vincent's eyes widened as he comprehended what that statement meant and Tifa squealed, wrapping Yuffie up in a hug.
"I think you killed him." Cloud commented as he poked Vincent in the shoulder and he didn't react. Yuffie grinned and waved her hand in front of the gunman's eyes. "Helloooooooo! Earth to Vinnie!" He snapped out of his daze and looked to her. "Did I hear you right? Did you say what I think you said?" She smiled widely and nodded. The next minute she was in his arms being twirled around joyously as their friends laughed along with them.
She buried her face in his neck as he held her tightly. This was all she needed. All she needed was her friends and Vincent by her side, along with their unborn child. These last months had been hard on everyone, but once again everyone had pulled through and had helped pull her from her own darkness. Because of them; because of Vincent, she could live.
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Meanings: Otouto means "Little brother" with "-Chan" at the end for affection.
Nee means "Sister" if i had put "-San" at the end of each it would have meant respect.
Try and guess where I got the names Kaoru and Yahiko from. It's a manga so you'd know them if you've read them. If you don't know, just ask and i'll tell ya 'cause it's a wonderful manga series (wonderful show too) Anyone who can guess gets plushie of their choice!
A/N: I HATE THE ENDING!!!!!!!!!! Ugh I couldn't think of anything else! But I hope you like it anyway. And before anyone asks. No there is no sequel; I have a bunch of other stories to finish at the moment. But if you wanna know what they have here ya go. They have twins, a boy and a girl. You can pick out names but just so you know that's what they have, so don't go asking for a sequel. Okey dokey! Now since there are so many of you reviewers I'm going to thank all of you at once. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!