Summary: After AVALANCHE saved the world from Omega, Yuffie returned to Wutai and took the throne. Nine years later, Vincent journeys to Wutai with the intent on confessing his feelings to her, only to find that nine years may have been too long to wait. (Vincent x Yuffie x Reno)

Disclaimer: No, no, no! However much I wish it, I do not own FF7 or any of its characters! However, yes, this storyline is mine. I at least can stake claim to that. :)

Shatter the Broken;;

Chapter One: Longing

-x-

The mantle of darkness covering the sky slowly drew away. Away to the east, the horizon blazed with morning fire. Flames spread rapidly in the night, setting the entire world on fire with the light of morning. With a warm breath, the flames swept across my bed. As the sun broke the horizon, sunbeams reflected in the mirror and burned my eyes behind their lids. Okay, there was no more sleeping after that. I sat up, rubbing my sleep-fogged eyes. What idiot had decided to put my mirror there? Oh, wait… that'd been me. Rolling out of bed, I checked the time on my intricate gold clock. The face read 6:03. It was really early!

It'd been nine years since I became the Empress of Wutai - nine years since I last saw my friends. My memories of them were fading, but some of them were stronger than others. I could still see them standing together as we struggled against Omega. I clearly remembered 7th Heaven bar, with Marlene and Denzel bouncing off the walls on a rainy day. Nothing too specific stuck out to me about the others though, except…

I glanced at the bedside table. A rose glowed crimson in the morning sunlight. The crystal of the vase sparkled and shone like gold as a ray of the sun touched it.

Except him. In all my memories, he shone out clearest. Well, he never really shined. He was too dark to shine. Like waaaayyyy too dark to shine. So dark it was like who-turned-out-the-lights kind of dark. He just stuck out to me. I reached out and plucked the flower up. With a smile, I brushed it against my cheek. Maybe I'd developed a crush, or maybe I hadn't. I used to have a thing for Cloud, but I quickly gave up on that because Tifa liked him so much. No one wants to disagree with Tifa; she can be scary when she's mad! Of course I could take her, but still…

I sat at my vanity, my eyes fixed on the mirror but not really seeing it. My dark, thick Wutainese hair spilled down my back, and framed my face. I don't know when I began to have feelings for Vincent. It just… happened slowly over time. I found my thoughts drawn to him. As I looked in my mirror, I could see his crimson eyes stare back at me, their flaming depths seeming so cold. Flaming depths are cold? Who'd have thought that was possible? Whatever. I know the true Vincent. He's quiet, gentle, and yet sad. The mask of cold and disinterest hides scars not fully healed. He walks around in the light of today, but his mind is trapped in the darkness of his past. It's almost like he's walking around in that termite snack he calls a coffin.

My fingers found my brush. Slowly I began to work the snarls and tangles from my locks. I think of him as my hidden love. I've told no one of my feelings. No one except him. I thought back to the night I left. That night, I placed a note in his room, telling him how I felt, and explaining why I had to leave so suddenly.

The brush caught on an exceptionally stubborn knot. I fought with the resisting device for five minutes, but I, being the ex-Great Ninja Yuffie Kisaragi, beat the poor thing into submission.

That note. I left it on his bed, and then thought nothing more of it. I figured he could never feel anything for me. I mean, who could? I was a nineteen-year-old brat who stole any bit of Materia I could find. There was nothing about me that could be likeable. Besides, he hadn't forgotten Lucrecia. He was still hung up on some chick that had died thirty years ago.

That does wonders for my self-esteem. He'd take a dead girl over me.

I can definitely relate to Tifa.

I began to rifle through the clothes in my closet, searching for a semi-normal outfit to wear. Maybe I had been wrong. Maybe it wasn't completely one-sided. After a festival, I got back to my room late. On my bed, I found that someone had left a single, red rose. There were no other signs that anyone had entered the room, yet somehow I was sure he left it. I kept it and placed my favorite vase. This was four years ago, and the rose continues to bloom every spring. It's undying and unfading. Just like him. Just like my love for him.

Grabbing the plainest kimono I could find, I threw it on the bed. Staring at it, I sighed. Sometimes, I just wished I could wear whatever I felt like, not the ceremonial dress of the royalty of Wutai. I was forced to wear elegant clothing, in this case, a dark blue kimono detailed with gold and silver, and a wide gold obi tied around my waist. And, as if that weren't enough, they also forced me to wear these silver and gold slippers that looked completely ridiculous, in my opinion. What I wouldn't give for my old ninja clothes! I sighed and dressed quickly.

"The way of the ninja is not for you anymore," is what they'd say if I complained. And, seeing as I'm the Empress I'm not supposed to complain. But, sometimes it's almost impossible not to. No weapons anymore? Utterly ridiculous! Complete stupidity. The stupid &#& wouldn't let me use my Conformer!

After dressing, I walked out onto the balcony. Looking down, I watched as Wutai slowly opened her eyes, blinked, and began to wake up. And yet someone else has stolen my heart, now. I never thought of myself as the romantic type, and now I find myself falling for two different men. About two years ago, he entered my life and changed it forever.

I smiled as little children began to run and play. Several boys began to play-fight with each other. I grinned at this. At their age, I could have knocked them flat.

Nine years ago, if someone had told me that I would have fallen for Reno, I would have told them they were a wacko and probably would have beat them up - I was a great ninja, after all! But if I had done that, I'd have to eat my words. Maybe I'd even send them some flowers and a "Get Well" card.

I have fallen for Reno.

Moment of silence to take in this shocking fact.

Okay, I can continue.

I don't know when this started. I know it wasn't when I first met him. He was the most annoying and perverted man I ever had the misfortune to meet. It's amazing what three years will do! He's totally different now. He's much more the part of a gentleman. He doesn't go out and get drunk, he doesn't bring girls back to his place anymore, and he even quit smoking. That's a pretty impressive track record. He's really sweet now, and he definitely knows how to take a girl out in style.

I laughed as I thought of this. I remember our first date. I refused to call it that – what a dork I was. On Valentine's Day, he took me out to one of the most expensive restaurants in all of Wutai. Somehow he managed to rent out the entire restaurant; we were the only people there. The dinner was extravagant and delicious. Afterward, he pulled me out onto the dance floor, claiming he was going to teach me to dance. Hilarity ensued as I quickly discovered he couldn't dance. Roles were reversed, and by the end of the night, Reno finally could dance.

As the music ended, he spun me in close to him. Our faces were mere inches away. I stared into his eyes as he stared into mine. My brain was still whirling from the complex spins and twists we had just finished. My breath came fast and my heart palpitated. Suddenly, I was aware of the fact he was pressing his lips to mine. A flood of excitement spread throughout my body. He pulled away and looked at me, a slow smile spreading across his lips. My first kiss. Who would have suspected it would be with Reno? I smiled back, very much aware of how I had blushed.

That was probably when my crush on Reno began, though apparently it had been going on for some time on his end. But now what? I love Reno, but I still love for Vincent, too. I don't want to choose, because choosing one will break the other. I'll have to, eventually, and I only hope that I'll make the right choice for us all. I sighed and stared out over the horizon, my mind flicking back and forth to the two men. A knock sounded on the door. Starting, I rose quickly.

"Who's there?" I asked as I moved toward it.

My eyes rose to the sky as I watched the stars fade. To the east, a gray light touched the horizon. A slight breeze blew my hair. My cape laid around me, almost floating on the wind. As I leaned back against the trunk of an impressive oak, my thoughts wandered as they so often did.

Not to Lucrecia, as they used to. They wandered to Yuffie. How I missed her. My memories of her had remained clear, even though it had been so long. I missed the endless flow of energy and happiness that seemed to brighten even the darkest day. I even missed her anger. The shouting and cursing that came flowing forth from her had been rather amusing. But more than that, I missed her company. Just her silent presence. That had been a rare treat when we had been in AVALANCHE together, but I had still found time to just quietly reflect with her there. Her face swam before my vision; her gray eyes alight with laughter. It had been four years since I had been to Wutai. I looked east toward the rising sun. Perhaps it was time I returned.

How the years had passed. How long has it been since we'd spoken, nine years? Ten? One begins to lose track of the time when it has no affect on you. Yet not a day had gone by when I was not thinking of her. She had haunted my waking moments and dreams. And yet, I was a fool. Physically, I lived in the present but mentally I had died in the past. For the greater part of forty years I'd been consumed by the guilt I believed I was deserving of. But finally I've moved on. After our battle against Omega, my eyes were opened to the realization that if I continued in the past, I would miss the precious opportunities that life was giving me in the present.

I took a worn paper from my pocket. Across the one side, my name was scribbled hurriedly. On the other, was a letter from Yuffie. My eyes traveled down the page, reading it for close to the hundredth time.

Dear Vincent,

I know you may be surprised to find that I've gone, but urgent business draws me to Wutai. Godo's dead and I have to take the throne to prevent the country from crumbling into chaos. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you guys any other way, but I only just received the news, and they beg me to return immediately. I don't think I'll ever be able to return to AVALANCHE, but I wanted to say goodbye some way. I left a note for Tifa and the others that just said I had to go, but I thought that you deserved the whole story.

I've been putting off for so long what I should have done sooner. Now, it doesn't really matter, but you should know. I love you. I don't know when this started, but since I'm now leaving forever, I wanted to tell you. I truly love you, Vinnie. I know I can't take the place of Lucrecia, but that doesn't change how I feel. I don't know how you feel, and I'm afraid to ask you. I'm afraid that you still love her. I never had the courage to tell you this, and I wish I had. Now I'll never know.

Well, what's done is done. Goodbye, Vincent. You have been my closest and dearest friend.

With love,

Yuffie

I sighed and stared at it. She had gone on for all that time and never mentioned her feelings, because she knew I still loved Lucrecia? I was shocked by such a selfless act. Well, all I could do now was to put her heart at rest. I now knew the truth. I loved her, too. With my mind no longer haunted by Lucrecia's memory, I had begun to realize my feelings for the shinobi.

A sunbeam fell on Yuffie's note. The words 'I love you' seemed to shine out brighter than the rest. I looked east again, toward Wutai.

"Yuffie, I am coming."

The horizon was just beginning to brighten as my feet crossed the boarder of Wutai. I yawned. Why the & had I decided to get up so early and come to Wutai on foot? She wouldn't be up yet, anyway. I just couldn't keep myself away. I wanted to see her so badly.

Boy, I'm obsessed.

I sat on a rock and ran my fingers through my spiky red hair, staring at the ground. Have I lost it? It's maybe four in the morning, and I'm sitting around on a boulder hoping to catch a glimpse of her hair or something! I squinted at the sun. Okay, make that five.

Actually…

I checked my watch. Six o'clock.

This reminded me of the first morning I approached her. She had gone to a restaurant at about 6:00 AM to get breakfast, and I waylaid her. She was apprehensive of me. Not surprising, I didn't exactly have a "good reputation." I talked to her. I wanted a chance, but she didn't want to give it to me. I pleaded. I think I actually got on my knees. She eventually said she'd give me a chance, but if I tried anything she didn't like, I'd be out of her life in a second.

She could strike a hard bargain, that girl.

Yeah, but that's ancient history. Two years ago, I plucked up the courage to ask her out to dinner, and I think that's when I realized there was more to my feelings for her. Before that, I just said it was my desire for girls that was fueling my want to be with her, but then I discovered I was sadly, sadly mistaken.

I looked at my watch again. 6:05. She told me I could come after 6:30. Well, I could walk around and watch the town wake up. I stood and strode into Central Wutai. Planting myself under a sakura tree, I watched the sun slowly rise.

A little girl passed in front of me, glanced at me, and gave me a shy smile. I smiled back. Her mother, chasing after the girl, frowned at me. She hustled her child away. As they retreated, I distinctly heard her whisper, "Stay away from ShinRa, how many times do I have to tell you?"

How'd she know I was from ShinRa? It's not like I was wearing a label or anything…

Except for the new Turks logo Rufus wanted us to wear. Oops. I hastily stuffed the offending badge into my jacket pocket. Great work Mr. Genius. You're lucky no one related to Yuffie saw that. Speaking of her…

Six thirty. I rose and ran up to her house. Raising a fist, I gave a quick couple knocks.

A young Wutaian girl answered. She respectfully bobbed her head.

I hope she understands English. "I came to see Miss Kisaragi. Could you tell her I'm here?"

She slowly blinked dark brown eyes at me. Did she even understand? Bob of the head. Guess she did. Beckoning for me to follow, the girl led me into a grand entrance hall. "Wait here."

I sat down as the maid exited up a spiraling flight of stairs. My heartbeat had quickened as I stepped over the threshold. I must have swallowed a butterfly on my trip here. It was fluttering around in my stomach.

Am I really in love? True love, not just the attraction I've felt for other girls? She's not at all like the others. She's so much more to me than just a girl.

Slipping my hand into my pocket, my fingers closed around a small palm-sized velvet box. I just prayed she felt the same about me.

Okay! This is chapter one. Now, I propose a challenge. If you guys want it to be Reffie, review and say so. If you want it Yuffietine, review and say that! So... yeah. :-D