Ok, so here's my final chapter. Told you I'd get it done...eventually! Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 23

The air up on Dao Chao was particularly cold at this time of night. Yuffie cursed under her breath as she sat over looking the city, freezing her ass off every time the wind picked up. Goosebumps had appeared over her bare skin; perhaps wearing a tank top and short shorts hadn't been the greatest idea. Why didn't she have the sense to think that she'd need to bring a bloody jacket or something. Then again, she'd been so desperate to get out of the mansion that she hadn't really thought things through properly. That thought caused her to smile grimly; not thinking things through had become a habit of hers recently. In fact, she could probably list quite a few recent and pretty grim situations she'd landed herself in as a result of rushing head first into things. Getting kidnapped and kissing Cloud, just to name a few. Patience had never been one of Yuffie's virtues, but it was only recently that had come back to bite her in the ass. Maybe Godo was right; maybe she needed to approach situations calmly and think rationally before taking any action. She then sighed inwardly; theoretically speaking, it was an easy change to make but putting that into practise would be rather difficult. Yuffie couldn't deny that there was a part of her that loved charging straight into any given situation. She loved to act on impulse and worry about the consequences later. This tactic had often worked for her in the past; she just did what she felt like doing when she felt like doing it. Yet, those past few weeks had been different. Shouting insults at Cloud and storming off blindly into a nearby wood that she had never been in before seemed like a brilliant idea at the time. Her anger wanted to make him worry about her. She had wanted to put herself in danger just as a way of getting back at him, but she hadn't counted on Sephian's men being there. Stupidly, she'd forgotten about them and waltzed straight into their hands, after all the days and effort they'd gone through just to avoid them.

"Yeah, great idea Yuffie," She thought to herself as she recalled the days that had followed. A sudden breeze picked up for a moment, causing her to shudder, "Freakin' wind…." Climbing up Dao Chao at this time at night had been another one of her 'grand' ideas she hadn't thought through properly. But she always came here when she needed to think and she definitely needed to think at this point in time. Particularly, she needed to decided what she was going to do now. She hadn't really contemplated whether it was such a good idea to be thinking at this hour when the doctors had told her to get as much sleep as she could. She knew that she wouldn't be able to get to sleep anyway and it was hard when you got a sharp pain every time you twisted around on the mattress. Yuffie wasn't the world most 'stationary' sleeper. She fidgeted an awful lot and never stayed in one position for very long. More than once she'd woken up to find that she'd kicked the blankets off of her; she'd even found herself at the other end of the bed a few times. And she had been known to sleep walk also. Although, one of those 'sleepwalking incidents' was actually when she was trying to tail one of the servants who she'd thought had been stealing things out of her room. To cut a long story short, she ended up having to pretend that she was sleep walking when he'd happened to turn around and see her stood there. It also turned out that she'd just 'misplaced' the items she'd thought he'd stolen (one of them had actually been thrown at a particularly irritating suitor a few days prior to the incident.)

Yuffie sighed again; her thoughts were getting sidetracked once more. She hadn't come up here to think about her sleeping deficiencies or her impatience. She needed to decide about her current situation, about what she was going to do after she recovered. Her initial idea was to go out exploring. She didn't really want to spend the rest of her life stuck in Wutai and her experience in the past few weeks had really inspired her to see more of the world. Sure, she'd been to a couple of places but that was nothing compared to what was out there. Before she had to settle in as Wutai's ruler, Yuffie wanted to get out and experience what she could. Maybe it could even help her once she took up the mantle of being Wutai's Queen; having a knowledge of the rest of the world and knowing people could only aid her, not hinder. Maybe that was what Wutai was lacking? Perhaps it would be a step towards regaining Wutai's status once more? Well, despite what her father would say about it, travelling was definitely something Yuffie would do while she could. Who knows, perhaps she'll meet her potential husband out there? There was no one in Wutai that interested her and where was the rule that stated that she had to marry someone of Wutian birth? Actually, there probably was one written somewhere but Yuffie was never one for tradition. Her trail of thought saddened for a moment as she finally thought about the one person she had sworn she wouldn't think about. It was bloody typical that she would think of Cloud when contemplating about potential boyfriends.

"Cloud's not a potential boyfriend," She corrected herself, "There's no chance of that ever happening." After the excitement she had felt about possibly seeing him again earlier and then the horrible disappointment that swiftly followed, Yuffie had realised that she really had to get over him. She couldn't keep doing that to herself. They were never going to see each other again, so what was the point of pining after him? Well, maybe she would see him again if she received an invite to his and Tifa's wedding. She would totally have to bring a hot guy with her, just on principle. She would have to show him that she was doing really well for herself and that the two of them not getting together was the best thing that never happened. Then she'd probably get really jealous of how pretty Tifa would look and realise that Cloud was better off with her anyway. Tifa would make a great wife; she could cook really well, she cleaned up like a trooper and she would probably be the greatest and most loving mother one day. Yuffie, on the other hand, was difficult, argumentative and couldn't stand kids. It was no contest really; Tifa and Cloud were already married in Yuffie's head. Yuffie rubbed temples for a moment, trying to force that prospect out of her mind and concentrate on what was really important; her own future. Her own, lonely future without him. She tried to feel optimistic, despite the realisation of how much that really sucked. Dammit, if only she'd known how this would end, she'd have been so much more adamant about not having a bodyguard. When they'd first met, she'd have told him to stuff his contract up his ass and to get lost. Either that, or request a change if Godo had been just as adamant that she was having a bodyguard. If could, she'd go back in time and stop Cloud from ever travelling to Wutai. She paused in her thought; would she really pass up these memories, these feelings for him if she could? Would she really rather live in ignorance, than to have experienced these strong emotions for someone?

"Oh man…" She thought aloud, running her fingers through her hair, then burying her face in her hands, "This is getting a little deep…." She straightened up, staring out at the village below her as she tried to force those thoughts from her mind. Unsurprisingly, Wutai didn't have a vibrant nightlife. The only thing Yuffie could see down there were a few lights belonging to the houses that hadn't yet settled down for the night. The Turtle's Paradise was still open, but Yuffie figured it'd probably be closing soon. She sighed again, before it quickly changed into a yawn. Tiredness was beginning to creep up on her now and she found that she couldn't be bothered to try and fight against it anymore. It was just the sleeping part that worried her, what with her injuries and all. With one last glance up towards the sky, Yuffie slowly got to her feet. As she stood staring down at the village, it suddenly dawned on her that one day, all the people down there would be relying on her leadership.

"Poor them…" Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her. Frowning, Yuffie glanced over her shoulder. As far as she knew, she was one of the only people who actually climbed this far up Dao Chao and especially at this time at night. Her hand instinctively reached for the throwing blades strapped to her thigh. Even though she knew Sephian was dead, sometimes she wondered if he had accomplices. The thought made her a little edgy, and she was determined not to be caught unprepared like last time.

But even she wasn't prepared for the person who met her gaze.

"Hey Yuffie," Yuffie blinked. Staring back at her with those mako eyes was no other than Cloud Strife. She froze, wanting to open her mouth to say something but her brain didn't seem to be getting those messages through to her mouth. He was here. He was really here? Yuffie's heart was beating so frantically that she was surprised Cloud couldn't hear it. He'd come back. He'd left her here but had returned back to her…he left her here!

"You jerk!" Cloud looked surprised by her outburst, but that only served to fuel Yuffie's sudden anger, "You stupid, chocobo headed moron!"

"Yuffie I-" Cloud began, sounding confused and looking as though he was unsure what to say.

"You left me!" Yuffie exclaimed, growing more annoyed at herself now she could feel tears wanting to form in the corner of her eyes, "I woke up here, on my own, with a message saying you'd taken all your money and left days ago!" Cloud continued to look at her for a moment or two through sad eyes.

"I know that you're upset-" He began, but Yuffie just glared back at him.

"Upset?" She repeated in disbelief, taking a step closer towards him as she spoke, "I'm angry, jerk ass! I trusted you as a friend and you don't even have the decency to stick around and see if you're ok. Oh no, you just take your stupid money and run, like a total-"

"Yuffie, I'm trying to tell you that I'm sorry," Yuffie stopped and looked at Cloud in alarm. The expression on his face was one of such sadness that she faltered.

"C-Cloud?"

"Yuffie…I want to apologise for…what I said and the fact that I wasn't able to protect you from them…" He paused for a moment, looking at her through dismayed eyes, "You were hurt because of me…" He took a step closer to her and, much to Yuffie's surprise, placed a gentle hand across Yuffie's stomach, "You got this wound…because of me." Yuffie's heart skipped violently at his touch. She slowly looked up from his hand to look at his face again.

"Cloud…this wasn't your fault," She then paused, raising an eyebrow as she did so, "Well, maybe some of it is, but the only reason I got this wound was because I was being reckless." She then placed her hand gently on Cloud's forearm. He looked a little taken aback at first but Yuffie just smiled awkwardly at him.

"If anything, you're the one who saved my ass…" She continued, now feeling even more uncomfortable as Cloud looked at her. She managed a little laugh, "Jeez Cloud, stop being so serious all the time. You're always frowning anyway…you don't need anymore reasons to." Cloud said nothing for what felt like hours. He just stared at Yuffie, making her feel more awkward by the second. She quickly let go of him, letting her arm dangle by her side, feeling a little useless. Cloud turned away from her for a moment as his eyes looked over the sleeping town beneath them. The silence was finally broken by Cloud's quiet voice.

"I'm sorry for what I said to you…at Tifa's," He began, sounding uncomfortable, "I…I didn't mean for it to sound like it did…I mean, I was trying to say-"

"It's ok Cloud. I get it," Yuffie interrupted, giving him a forced smile, "I mean, I understand that you don't feel that way about me and I guess I totally overreacted…really overreacted." She glanced away from him for a moment, feeling suddenly embarrassed now that she admitted it.

"No Yuffie, it's not that…" He paused for a moment, causing Yuffie to give him a curious expression. There was a horrible tinge of hope that was tugging at her stomach, and she didn't like it. There was something about the way Cloud was looking at her…but what if she was just imagining it? Yuffie wasn't sure she could take the disappointment all over again. Cloud opened his mouth, before closing it again. An evil part of her wanted to laugh at his sudden inability to talk, but she knew that this really wasn't the time. Plus, Cloud looked quite serious but there was also a certain sadness, shinning in his mako infused eyes. Yes, now really wasn't the time for laughing.

"The last time I felt like this towards someone…she died in my arms," Cloud then looked away from Yuffie for a moment, "She was killed and I couldn't do anything to save her." Yuffie's gaze was fixed on Cloud's face and the grief it suddenly portrayed.

"Cloud, I…." She began but the words died on the tip of her tongue. For once, she didn't know what to say.

"When she died, it felt like my whole world had died with her," Cloud continued, his tone of voice sounding distant, "I didn't want to be hurt like that again, so I tried to shut out those feelings." Finally, he looked back up at Yuffie again. Yuffie met his gaze; she could feel her whole body shaking as her heart beat frantically against her chest. Surely he could hear how loud it was being?

"But I…I can't. When you collapsed at the base…I thought you were…and all I could think about was the way I treated you and what I said to you…." His words trailed off again. Yuffie wanted to scream. The suspense was killing her. She wanted to hit him around the face to make him spit it out, but then decided that was also a bad idea.

"Yuffie I…I love you." Yuffie froze. She slowly turned to look at him with a blank expression on her face.

"W-What?" She managed to stutter, inwardly cursing Leviathan for not enabling her to say something a little bit more cool, or meaningful. Unfortunately, her mouth seemed to have a mind of it own and her mouth's mind was a bit more retarded. Cloud looked away from her, as though looking at her face was the most impossible thing to do right now.

"I'm sorry…." As Cloud began to walk away from her, Yuffie's eyes widened in alarm.

"No, Cloud wait-" She reached out and grabbed his arm without realising she was doing it. He looked at her with an expression of slight surprise, but nothing could mirror the surprise showing on Yuffie's face. She had paused, still holding onto his arm as if there was a risk of it falling off. Words had suddenly escaped her, which was a very rare occurrence. She stared at him, frantically searching for something to say, as the silence between them was killing her.

"ButwhataboutTifa," She blurted, speaking so quickly that she was amazed Cloud could understand what she said. When a sadness flashed across his eyes, she instantly regretted it.

"Tifa is…" Cloud began, glancing away from Yuffie for a moment, "She's my closet friend…. I may have had feelings for her at one time but I…." Yuffie wanted to argue that Tifa must still carry some feelings for Cloud, but then realised most normal people wouldn't want him to change his mind. She also realised she was still holding tightly onto his arm, and sheepishly let go. Cloud probably took that the wrong way, but Yuffie spoke before Cloud could continue.

"You know, I hated you when we first met, but now I think I hate you even more," Her words caused Cloud to blink, but she spoke with the faintest trace of a smile, "You're arrogant, smug, incapable of admitting you're wrong…the list could go on. Only you would have the nerve to abandon me here and then return weeks later to tell me you…love me. You're a jerk." Cloud said nothing, but that only caused Yuffie's smile to grow.

"But I'm a jerk too," She continued, "And we'd make the most incompatible couple ever…but that's kinda why I like it." Cloud stared at her, trying to understand what she was saying.

"You mean you…?" He began, but Yuffie just scowled at him.

"Don't make me say it chocobo head," She snapped, before noticing a smile tugging very lightly at the corner of Cloud's mouth. Her scowl deepened, yet before she had the chance to say another insult, Cloud cut her off by pressing his lips against hers. Yuffie mind went blank. And, if it were possible, her mind went blanker as Cloud placed his hand on her cheek and gently caressed her skin with his thumb. Every feeling for him seemed to surface, screaming for her to just devour his lips but Yuffie refused. No, she wasn't going to let him win that easily…at least not yet.

"But that doesn't mean I don't have to enjoy this…" She thought to herself, as she slid her hand into Cloud's surprisingly soft blonde hair. When she finally leant back, breaking the kiss, she smiled to herself.

"Hmm, so that's what your hair feels like," She commented, causing Cloud to glance at her in surprise. She chuckled.

"So…what happens now?" Cloud asked, after a moment of staring at her. His hand was still resting on her cheek, making her skin feel like it was burning from under his touch. Yuffie placed her hand on his for a few seconds, before pulling a thoughtful expression.

"Hmm, well in a few years time I'll be the Empress of Wutai; ruling over my subjects in my reign of complete awesomeness," She began, causing Cloud to roll his eyes slightly. Yuffie smiled, "But first, I wanna see the world…visit as many different places as I can. You've travelled around a lot, right?" Cloud nodded his head, before allowing a faint smile onto his face.

"You want me to show you around, right?" He asked and Yuffie nodded her head enthusiastically as she wrapped her arms around Cloud's neck, "Alright…I guess I could."

"Awesome," She replied, "Well, let's get going." Cloud blinked at her.

"What, now?" He enquired, causing her to nod her head again, "But, what about your father?" A grin had appeared on Yuffie's face, as she let her arms fall from Cloud's neck.

"He'll be fine," She told him, "I'll phone him in the morning or something, just to let him know what I'm doing." Cloud looked back at her, unimpressed.

"Yuffie, he'll kill you," Cloud stated in a weary voice, but Yuffie just smirked at him.

"I know," She replied, before folding her arms, "And that's why I want to be as far away from him as possible when I do." Cloud regarded her for a moment or two, before he shook his head.

"You're impossible," He commented, but it only caused the petite ninja to grin at him.

"Well, you've let yourself in for it now, you know?" To her mild surprise, Cloud just smiled at her. She returned a little laugh, "Come on spiky; whisk me off my feet." Cloud raised an eyebrow.

"What and you expect me to climb down this mountain with you in my arms?" He asked sarcastically. Yuffie smiled sweetly.

"I could jump on your back if you like?" Cloud ignored her comment and turned to make his own way down. Yuffie pouted at his lack of reaction, watching him as he climbed down to the pathway, "Hey, wait up!" As she climbed this mountain often, Yuffie knew the way down like the back of her hand. This meant she was quickly able to scurry down and jogged to catch up with Cloud on the path. As she reached his side, she took hold of his hand. Cloud turned to glance at her in surprise, but his expression softened as he saw her smiling at him.

"This…is going to take some getting used to," He stated, looking down to where their hands were entwined.

"What, being the second best fighter here?" Cloud cast her another unimpressed look, but Yuffie stuck her tongue out at him, "Lighten up chocobo head. You just got yourself a hot girlfriend." For the first time since Yuffie could remember, Cloud laughed. She was slightly taken aback at first, until she realised what Cloud was laughing at, "Hey!" Cloud said nothing in response but just smiled at her.

As they reached the town itself, Yuffie stopped for a moment. Cloud frowned as he looked over his shoulder, noticing the thoughtful expression on Yuffie's face.

"Yuffie?" She blinked, as if snapping out of her thoughts, before shaking her head and walking over towards him, "You ok?"

"I'm fine," She replied, before giving a slight smile, "Just thinking."

"What about?" Cloud enquired but Yuffie just grinned.

"About how awesome I'm gonna make this place when I'm Empress." Cloud rolled his eyes at her, although amused by her comment. They made their way over towards the Turtle's Paradise, where Cloud had parked up his bike. Cloud sat himself down and switched on the engine, breaking the peaceful atmosphere that had surrounded the sleeping village. Yuffie grinned as she sat down behind him and wrapped her arms around his stomach. Cloud pulled his goggles down over his eyes, then paused momentarily as he felt Yuffie rest her head against his back. A soft smile lined his face.

"So, where to?" He asked her. Yuffie didn't reply straight away; Cloud knew she had her eyes closed, just wanting to be close to him for a moment. Then, he felt her shift her head slightly so her chin was leaning against him.

"Surprise me." Cloud glanced over at her, before nodding his head. He revved the engine, before the bike shot off towards the entrance. He heard Yuffie yelp, then she hit his back.

"I told you to stop doing that!" She exclaimed over the roar of the engine, but Cloud just smirked at her. Yuffie grinned at the back of him, despite herself. She could feel her heart swelling as she thought about the kiss they'd shared on top of Dao Chao. Part of her still couldn't believe that Cloud had said he loved her; she felt kinda giddy. Cloud Strife was in love with her. All those thoughts she'd been having earlier seemed so far away now she was here cuddling against him; his body keeping her warm despite the cool wind that whipped around them as the bike sped down the dirt trodden path. Yuffie smiled, snuggling her head against his back once more and closing her eyes. It seemed strange, but she couldn't ever remember feeling this happy before. Not that she'd admit that out loud however. After a few moments, she opened them again and frowned.

"Cloud…" She began in a quiet, yet audible voice, "I feel sick…."

Can't believe I actualyl finished it...wow!

Thank you to everyone who's been sticking with this from the beginning...as I've taken my sweet time to get it done! But yes, everyone's support has been fantastic, so thank you very much!

I've already started up on my next idea. It's another Cloud x Yuffie, so please keep an eye out for it! Hopefully I'll be updating as often as I can, although university is pretty time consuming...but yeah, share the love and let me know what you think of the ending. Thanks once again.

Peace and love, TimberOwls.