A/N: I feel bad. Long updates, huh? So sorry folks! Thanks SO MUCH to all my reviewers who stick with this story. If it weren't for you guys, it'd surely be dead.
She watched as their so called "leader" sat with his head in his hands, and his back to her. She felt the horrible pain shoot through her heart; they hadn't been any match for the soldiers that came. There were too many, and some of them were so distracted.
"Cloud…" She began softly, his frame went ridged and she bit her lip, "It…it wasn't your fault…"
"Please…just…go…" His voice had seemed to lose the slight cheerfulness it had gained when Yuffie was here. She pursed her lips and sighed. She didn't say anything as she turned around and disappeared out of his room. Reality was s bitter sometimes, all of them here, they had all lost something…someone in their lives. Part of the reason they formed the rebellion had been to help heal the wounds inflicted upon them.
Each of them knew that, but it was unspoken.
She walked into the kitchen, her footsteps echoing down the hall. She swallowed, remembering the young ninja's first day here. How she was so angry and upset.
'But she grew to care about us…'
Yuffie was the one person who just seemed to make life a whole lot easier, like the sister she never had, Yuffie gave her a reason to hope that not all soldiers were bad, and that there was a possibility that this war would come to an end.
But all that hope got crushed when Yuffie was taken back, and the thing that hurt worst, was that she didn't even seem to struggle too much.
---
"Kitty…" The voice that once drove her so crazy just seemed like the right person to help. Turning to him with blurry eyes she took in a shuddery breath, trying not to cry.
It wasn't his thing- - but he'd help.
"Where's Vince?" He inquired, somewhat bitterly as he sat down next to her. She stared out at the river, her knees drawn up to her chest, her chin resting on them.
"In-inside." She replied, holding back more tears.
She felt his arm lightly slip around her, hesitantly, almost as if he were afraid. "Oh…" She heard him mutter as she closed her eyes, letting the tears slide down her cheeks.
"You know when you feel like everything is just too much to handle?" She asked quietly, her voice cracking slightly. The vampire looked over at her, his aqua eyes watching her intently. She was so pretty; she didn't deserve to be upset.
"Yeah, yeah I do." He answered, "She wasn't ours to keep…it was her decision."
The cat-girl lifted her head and sniffed, her eyes glistened with tears, "I-I know…but…just…the feeling of defeat. Failure. All we train so hard to do…it…it feels like it's been ruined since we lost."
He ran a hand through his silver hair, his eyes looking up at the darkening sky. "I know what you mean…"
He felt her head rest on his shoulder and he looked down sharply, a small smirk finding its way onto his lips. "Maybe you need to be depressed more often if you let me touch you." He joked, trying to lighten the gloomy mood she'd been dwelling in. Her yellow eyes grew larger slightly but she laughed.
"Don't get your hopes up."
---
Red eyes peered out the window, lingering on shimmering window, he'd never admit it aloud, but there would be some things about Yuffie he'd miss. The fact that she could make a joke out of anything, that she could give him a reason to crack a slight smirk, also, that she made things less awkward.
He didn't know what'd he'd do about Tifa now. Yuffie, in some way, was more of a savoir than Olivia. She seemed to just put everyone at ease, how she smiled so much. And she seemed to give Cloud a reason to wake up. Suicide was clear in his eyes many times. Though he masked the emotions, there was something similar about the two men. They could read each other perfectly, they didn't always get along, and they didn't always speak much, but they respected the other just fine.
He stared at his reflection in his golden claw; the cloak covered the slight sadness that swept over everyone; including him.
What a way to leave…
He didn't think she knew how much it mattered, they kidnapped her, she must have thought that they didn't really care- -That it was all an act.
How foolish you were, Yuffie. In more than one way.
She was the one person who could make Cloud ease up, the one thing that kind of made them feel not all humans were cruel.
He'll be waiting for you. I hope you find what you're looking for.
He turned his head away, black strands of hair falling into his face and he absently brushed them back, empty eyes looking out the window again.
---
The young boy swung his sword, the sweat already matting his usually spiky hair down. The sword was heavier than he was used too. Jumping back he swung again, imagining the air was the soldier's heads. He was getting rid of that smirk he remembered seeing scrawl itself upon Seifer's face as he lead Yuffie away.
"Damn him…" He murmured, chopping the large sword at nothing again.
His thoughts drifted to Kairi, and a pout settled itself on his face as he thought about her and how she had lied. He knew he'd always like her, she was cute and nice. But he couldn't help but think…
Was she in on this? Did she know about the ambush?
His heart struck stone at the thought of it, what if she had? What if she had been a spy sent to tell the soldier's where they were?
Part of him was horrified, the other part guilty. He didn't know the truth, so he couldn't place blame. But the chances were high.
---
Will you always be a failure, Strife?
He shut his eyes tightly, and turned his head, as if shutting out the world would shut out the horrible voice in his head.
You let them take her. You let them get away.
He cringed; he didn't want to think about it. Her. He knew she hadn't put up the struggle she would have if she had really wanted to leave. She wanted to go back to him. Leonheart. He knew that's where he heart truly lied, with her Commander. Back at the camp, where they would prepare to set in and murder them.
I won't let them get away this time.
He wouldn't let them hurt the people who had stuck by his side for so many years. He wouldn't let them take the only living family he had left. He wouldn't let them keep her.
He dreaded thinking that even though she had left, wanting to go back to Leonheart, he still cared for her. She still lingered in his mind, her cheeky grin and impish giggle.
What will it take to get rid of you?
Angrily he swiped at the book lying on his bed, knocking it off. Growling he bared his fangs, he needed to let out some steam, keep his mind off of this for awhile.
But where?
He was planning on getting her back, or at least getting the answer straight. He couldn't forget her if he didn't tell her the truth. And he'd need some help with that.
---
Yuffie POV
I allowed myself to be helplessly dragged back to the camp, my eyes dull and lifeless. Guilt washed over me as my thoughts drifted to a certain blonde headed demon, his cold blue eyes lingered in my head and I shut my eyes briefly.
How could I have done this?
Was I happy there? Did I like having the friend's, the spars, the feeling that there I was actually loved. I couldn't answer that right now; all my life I was told demons and humans didn't belong together. I had a rightful place on serving on this army. For my kind. Friends came second, next to my family and my honor.
Seifer squeezed my arm and I hissed at him. "What do you want?" I barked, he flashed me a smirk.
"Leon will be happy to have you back…"
My eyes narrowed in confusion, what did he mean by that? "Would you let me go?" I felt liked I had when Riku had been carrying me. Helpless and distrusted.
"Maybe."
"What are the rules Sir?" I snapped.
His smirk grew as his eyes rested on me, "You don't run."
"Sir, if I planned on escaping, I would have done so already." You lie…
He let my arm drop, "Okay, but one attempt to leave and I have permission to shoot you."
I swallowed, "You'd kill me?" I squeaked, my peppiness returning a bit. Maybe it wouldn't be all that bad.
"No, just to stop you."
I gave him a sarcastic grin, "Why thank you."
He grinned just as nastily, "Welcome ninja."
I frowned as he walked ahead, my eyes glaring at his back, wishing I had some sort of laser power that would burn the smirk right off his face.
I forced myself to be happier. See? It won't be that different.
But oh how wrong I was.
---
We arrived at the camp after what seemed like hours, my feet were near dead and my knee were about to give out. I was kind of lazy when I was with Cloud and the others, since they had all sorts of powers, they didn't train as much as I needed too. I new Leon would work my butt extra hard when he saw how weak I had gotten.
"Leonheart will be with you soon," Seifer said, sneering. "Just wait here." I eagerly obeyed, sitting down on a log by one of the many fires. Soldiers gathered around the same fire murmured to the other sitting next to them, their eyes staring at me intently. I felt my face burn, what if they thought I was a demon?
Sighing I rested my chin in my hands as I waited for Leon, I knew I'd get a major verbal beating. Maybe even lowered a few ranks.
Oh hell, why is it always me?
A/N: Whooooo! Update! A bit longer than most of my updates. I should be posting more now that I'm getting my muse back. yay! I hope it wasn't too bad, I wrote it really without paying much attention. I was so excited that I was updating.