Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Dreams ❯ Stolen Kiss ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10: Stolen Kiss

 

“Gawd!” Yuffie exclaimed as she gawked at the destruction that she could see. “What the hell happened here?”

 

Nanaki stood beside her, golden eyes also taking in the annihilation. More than two-thirds of the town looked as if it had been burnt to the ground. On the very edge to the far right, where once there were three graves surrounded by foliage, a large burial site was beginning to form. The people were wandering with numb looks on their faces as they struggled to form shelters and rebuild their tiny town. Only a day or two had passed since the attack, but the Gongagans were survivors, had always been. They were skilled in picking up the pieces and starting over. Thanks to damn ShinRa.

 

“Something attacked, but what I can't say,” Nanaki commented, shaking his head in dismay. It was supposed to be a time of peace…

 

“Well, I coulda guessed that!” The dark-haired ninja snorted as her eyes flashed. “Come on, let's go talk to some people.” With that said, she started for the town and a group of ladies, who appeared to be sifting through the remains of an important building.

 

Apparently, Yuffie was still mad at Nanaki. He could understand her anger and now wished fiercely that he hadn't acted the way he had. If he had been told the same, he would be just as furious as she was now. And coming from someone who claimed to understand, it was ten times the betrayal.

 

Shaking his head at his own foolishness, the demi-human trailed along after her. The ninja headed directly for the ladies, purpose evident in every step.

 

“Hello, ladies. I was wondering if you could tell me what happened here?” Yuffie asked as she stood on the edge of the wreckage. She thought that she sounded very professional.

 

The three ladies, who were sifting through the wreckage, turned their heads to look at the two approaching young people. They were surprised to find a young looking Wutaian girl and a red-haired man with a tail talking to them.

 

“We were attacked,” one of them answered. She was rather tall and wisp thin and was holding a few found artifacts in her hand.

 

“It was a horde of demons,” another continued. She had startling bright red hair that rivaled Nanaki's and perpetually pale skin. “They attacked without warning, burning and killing anything they could lay their hands on.”

 

Nanaki frowned. “Why?”

 

The three ladies exchanged glances. “We don't know. Like Pera said, it came out of nowhere,” the third answered.

 

“Do you know a Mrs. Alexander?” questioned Yuffie. “She is a friend of ours' mom and we wanted to make sure she was okay.”

 

The thin woman nodded, pointing vaguely towards the inner part of what was left of Gongaga. “I think I remember seeing her. If I am not mistaken, she was the one that gave Zack the elixir.”

 

“Knowing Gina, she will be at the hospital,” added in Pera. “It's the big tent near the center of town.”

 

“Thank you for your help.” Yuffie smiled. She bowed lightly to them before taking off for the inner part of Gongaga without waiting for Nanaki. Her stride was quick and sure.

 

The demi-human flashed the three females his most charming smile before hurrying to catch up to the practically running ninja.

 

“Yuffie! Please, wait up!” However, the ninja was ignoring him, steadfastly moving forward. Nanaki sighed heavily and put on a burst of speed, finally catching up enough to grab an arm and pull her to a stop. “Geez, Yuff.”

 

“Let me go, Nanaki,” she said coldly, glaring at him.

 

“No,” he responded, shaking his head. “Not until you talk to me.”

 

“I don't have anything to say,” she said, looking away and staring at the broken buildings around her. She wondered who would attack Gongaga. It was a peaceful town but relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things. The ninja allowed her mind to wander as she attempted to ignore Nanaki looking at her plaintively.

 

“Then why are you still mad at me?” Nanaki questioned. The demi-human sighed and released her arm. She took it back and crossed them over her chest, glaring at him.

 

Yuffie snorted. “If you have to ask then, I'm not going to bother explaining.”

 

Nanaki shook his head and closed his eyes as if thinking. “Look. I am sorry… okay? You are my best friend, and I did not mean to hurt you. Won't you at least talk to me?”

 

“Not right now,” the ninja gritted out. She turned on her heels and headed towards the inner part of Gongaga. “Let's just see if we can find Rude's mom.”

 

Shaking his shoulders in defeat, Nanaki closed his mouth and trudged after the dark-haired girl. He didn't know what possessed him to act the way he had. Perhaps some misguided protective instinct or something to that effect? He still remember the way she had looked the day Vincent had almost turned into Chaos after visiting the cave beneath the waterfall. Despite her strength, which was admirable, she was still very young… both of them were. Was it wrong for him to want to keep her from all sadness and pain?

 

It was then that the demi-human began to wonder when it was he started seeing his best friend in more than friendly terms. As it were, he wouldn't mind stealing another kiss like he had before the battle with Sephiroth. Sure, he found her courage admirable and her steadfast unfailing determination was encouraging. Her stone brown eyes proved her strength, and she always had a shining smile to go with her fast wit and even faster hands… by Kami! He fancied his best friend!

 

However, he had no more time to ponder on his sudden realization as the two had found their way to the hospital. The door was open, probably for fresh air, so they invited themselves inside. For it to be just a tent in the middle of the town, it was surprisingly well lit, albeit a bit stuffy. The bitter smell of antiseptic burned the demi-human's nostrils, and he couldn't help wrinkle his nose.

 

It took a moment for their eyes to adjust, but then they were able to take in the sight of the result of the attack yesterday. There were at least ten beds in the tiny tent, well, if beds were what they could be called. More like mats on the ground, and each of them were occupied. A few women and men milled about from mat to mat, trying to comfort the wounded. Most were severely burned, but others looked as if they had been chewed on; it was not a pleasant sight.

 

Nanaki heard Yuffie take a quick indrawn breath from beside him and looked over at her in concern. She had paled a few shades but was trying to get back in control. Her brown eyes flared in surprise as she struggled to maintain her breathing. He was about to put out a hand to comfort her but then thought better of it. He didn't want her to think that he was babying her again.

 

“Can I help you?” an older darker-skinned woman questioned when she turned and noticed the two young people that entered the tent.

 

Nanaki gave her his sincerest smile. “We are looking for Mrs. Alexander. We were told she was in here?”

 

The lady laughed then, a great genial laugh that made the two instantly at ease. Despite the disapproving glare she received from the head doctor, she continued to chuckle as she moved towards Nanaki and Yuffie and motioned them outside. “That is I, my dears.” She placed a hand on each back as she steered them towards the door so that they wouldn't disturb those that needed their rest.

 

“Oh, thank goodness,” Yuffie breathed, a sigh of relief escaping from her lips as she allowed herself to be pushed outside and into the fresh air. The sun shone on her face, warming her paled skin and cleansing the smell of sickness and antiseptic from her lungs. She absolutely hated hospitals and seeing many of those good innocent people horridly injured made her want to burst into tears.

 

“Rude has been very worried about you,” the ninja continued.

 

Mrs. Alexander chuckled in response, finally deciding that they were far enough and allowing her younger visitors to turn around. “I can understand that. I broke my phone in the attack, while I was in the middle of calling for help. House tried to fall in on me, you know?”

 

“Oh!” Yuffie exclaimed looking her over closely. “You weren't hurt were you, Mrs. Alexander?”

 

“Please call me Gina,” the dark-skinned woman suggested. “And no, I am perfectly fine. It was actually quite a miracle how I got free but I won't bore you with the tale. Others weren't so lucky.

 

“How bad was the damage?” Nanaki questioned, still taking in all he could see. He was under the impression that it might have been better for them to just over from the beginning somewhere else. Gongaga had already gone through the reactor explosion those years ago… perhaps the place was cursed?

 

Gina went quiet at the question, her cheerful disposition dropping by a few notches. That was one wound that wouldn't heal for a while. “We lost many, perhaps a third of the inhabitants and three-quarters of the town. The demons weren't selective. Any home they could reach, they burned. Any human, they

either slaughtered or played games with until death overtook their toys. But it could have been much worse.”

 

Yuffie frowned in confusion. “How?”

 

“They could have killed us all… but someone stood up to them. He went on a one-man defense and destroyed them all. I don't know, but somehow Zack saved us, and nearly paid for it with his life. Luckily for me, I had an elixir on hand.” Gina appeared thoughtful on this as she relayed the information.

 

“Where have I heard that name before?” Nanaki queried, frowning as he placed a hand on his chin and stared at the ground. There was something to that name that struck a chord in his memory.

 

“What does it matter?” Yuffie responded. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her PHS. She checked the batteries on it before handing it over to Rude's mother. “Call Rude; I am sure he is worried.”

 

Gina accepted the phone gratefully, with a smile on her face, before turning her back for some privacy.

 

The ninja grabbed Nanaki's arm and hauled him away so that she could conduct her call in peace. Once she felt they were a sufficient distance away, she released his arm and plopped down on a bench as if exhausted.

 

The demi-human however chose to stand, stretching out some of his tired joints and enjoying the feel of the sun on his face. Now would be as good as time as any to talk to his friend, or so he thought.

 

“Listen, Yuffie, I want to-“

 

She sighed, interrupting what it was he was about to say. “Not right now.” The dark-haired younger woman stood up from the chair and started to walk away.

 

“I don't know what you want me to do, Yuffie! We're supposed to be best friends! How am I to talk to you if you keep walking away?” the demi-human demanded fiercely.

 

The ninja sighed and attempted to ignore him but couldn't resist the pleading expression in those golden eyes. Plastering a look of anger on her face, she turned halfway to glare at him, while raising an eyebrow.

 

“Best friend, huh?” she stated. “But when it gets down to it, you still treat me like the child that everyone thinks I am.” Her brown eyes flashed angrily as she gritted her teeth and waited for a response.

 

“I never meant for it like that.” He ran a hand through his hair distractedly as he searched for the right words. “I suppose it was some wrong attempt at protecting you… I don't know. Yet, I didn't mean for it to go like this.”

 

“Protecting?” Yuffie demanded. “Since when have I needed protection? I don't know when you suddenly decided that it's up to you to shelter me, but I certainly don't need it.” She started sputtering then, just continuously spouting an argument though her point had long been met. “I am not a child, Nanaki, and I haven't been for a long time. The next time you think that… mmph!”

 

Mmph, indeed. For in the midst of her continuous arguing, Nanaki had grabbed her suddenly and pulled her into his arms. Without hesitating, he placed his lips over hers, sealing off any further protest.

 

The ninja melted into the touch, eyes fluttering closed as she gently returned the kiss. His scent flooded every one of her senses as he swiped a tongue across the surface of her lips, seeking permission to gain entrance. She relaxed into the touch and parted her lips slightly. Almost immediately the demi-human was slipping inside, swiping his tongue along her inner cavern and doing a small duel with her own moist appendage.

 

It was something the ninja had only experienced once before, when Nanaki had kissed her that one time before the battle with Sephiroth. Not that she had ever forgotten that spontaneous kiss; it was an event that still followed her and puzzled her as well.

 

Slowly, almost shyly, Yuffie began to push her tongue back against the demi-human's. Playfully, she sought to taste him in the same way that he had tasted her. His arm tightened around her body reflexively as he sought to pull the ninja closer.

 

However, the sound of whirring blades and a loud engine disturbed them. Two pairs of eyes turned towards the heavens to see that the Highwind was preparing to land just outside of Gongaga.

 

It was then that Nanaki realized what he had done. He snatched his arms back quickly and put them behind his back, cheeks coloring in embarrassment as he stared at the ground. Yuffie stood mouth slightly agape as she slowly processed what had just happened. Within seconds, both had reddened faces and were watching the very fascinating soil.

 

“We should go meet Cid,” the demi-human commented quietly without looking up.

 

Yuffie nodded her head, and then realized that Nanaki wasn't even looking at her. Clearing her throat, she answered. “I have to get my phone first.”

 

Without another word, though minds were turmoil, the two headed back towards the hospital where they had left Rude's mother and the ninja's phone. Yuffie couldn't help her body from tingling in the after effects of that kiss. It made her weak in the knees. Her best friend has kissed her again. She still wasn't sure how she felt about that except perhaps to have him do a repeat performance… just to be sure.

 

She did like him. Nanaki was strong and smart, fiercely protective if need be, and had always been nice to her… well, excluding present circumstances. He was also handsome, especially in his demi-human form. Yuffie's cheeks burned with embarrassment for thinking of her friend in such a way.

 

Besides, it was not as if she could encourage him. She had known since she was old enough to understand whom she was to marry. There was a fine Wutaian lord waiting for her to `come to her senses' back home. Talk about complex issues…

 

No, that was a situation she wasn't sure she could handle just yet. Yet, watching the ripple of muscle beneath her best friend's golden-brown skin, she was damn determined to try.

 

* * *

 

“Get some rest, Mrs. Alexander,” Dr. Tsuki ordered gently as he patted her on the shoulder. He was a kindly elderly gentleman with crystal blue eyes and thinning white hair. He was a respected doctor in their small community, though he admitted he was baffled when it came to what he couldn't understand in Shera's test results.

 

Shera gave him a small smile and closed her eyes exhaustively. It had been a trying few days what with the frightening phone call and Reno's subsequent disappearance. The brunette had been worrying herself crazy. The doctor quietly put away his medical instruments and joined Rude, where the dark-skinned man was leaning on the door frame.

 

“I'll be downstairs,” Dr. Tsuki explained softly. He passed by the former Turk and headed for the den where he would meet him in a few moments. Rude nodded politely as the doctor passed.

 

He moved from the door to sit by his wife on the bed. Her eyes opened when she felt the slight disturbance. She gave him one of her smiles. Feeling his love for her swell in his heart, Rude reached out and placed a hand on her cheek, rubbing it gently with his thumb.

 

“I love you,” he said softly.

 

She nuzzled into his touch, glad for the comfort before she gave a small laugh.

 

“I love you too, Rude,” she began, her brown eyes sparkling. “But I'm only pregnant, not dying.”

 

The former Turk chuckled, his face would have been red were it not for his dark complexion. “So feisty,” he commented. Shaking his head at his wife's stubbornness, he slowly got up from his seat.

 

“Obey your doctor, Shera; get some rest,” he teased lightly, leaning down to share a kiss. She accepted it happily, pressing her soft lips to his.

 

He pulled back after a moment and watched with satisfaction as she closed her eyes and appeared to obey. Chuckling quietly to himself, he headed for the door.

 

“You sure know how to shut a girl up,” Shera commented before he could completely exit.

 

“I'm good at everything I do,” Rude joked as he quietly closed the door behind him and began to head down the stairs.

 

Shera's sense of humor and spicy attitude were one of the characteristics that attracted him to her in the first place. That was part of the reason he kept accepting the Rocket Town missions, Cid and his overbearing father complex be damned.

 

Rude descended the stairs and entered the den where the doctor was setting up some of his medial equipment. The dark-skinned man paused in the doorway, frowning in confusion as he observed the older man's actions.

 

“Dr. Tsuki?”

 

The elder man looked up and smiled, gesturing that the former Turk come sit in a chair. Rude complied though he was a bit confused as to what the good doctor was doing.

 

“I have a theory,” explained the doctor in a low tone as he began to prepare Rude. He pushed up the dark-skinned man's sleeve and began to swab down an area with antiseptic. “However, I need some of your blood and DNA to check.”

 

“Theory?”

 

“Yes, Hojo's research was vastly incomplete. The long term effects of mako are still uncertain and unknown. It is feasible that the mako you've been exposed to has combined with your DNA. But I need to check to be sure.”

 

Rude frowned in vague understanding, not even wincing as the tight band was wrapped around his forearm and the needle pierced his flesh, beginning to draw blood. “Do you think it might have something to do with the abnormal readings for the baby?”

 

Dr. Tsuki shook his head in ambiguity. “I can't be sure. But you have a friend in Midgar, yes? Whose wife is also pregnant?”

 

Rude nodded. “But Cloud's been subjected to other experiments. Our experiences are not the same.”

 

The doctor swabbed the wound before applying a small bandage and storing the drawn blood. He let Rude roll his sleeve back down as he sat down in a chair and mused aloud. “But theoretically, she is also having problems, yes?”

 

“As Dr. Morrow, suspects, yes,” the former Turk confirmed. He paused as if considering a fact. “But he is just as baffled as you by the abnormal test results.”

 

“Hmm, I am going to contact the doctor and get together with him. If my theory is correct, then we have no need to worry at all.”

 

Rude frowned. “Why not?”

 

“Because,” exclaimed Dr. Tsuki. “Your child will be extraordinary: high intelligence, greater than average strength, agility and great magic affinity. The mako might have had superfluous effects rather than adverse effects.”

 

The former Turk appeared to digest this information slowly before allowing a grin to appear on his face. “I hope your theory proves positive then. I would hate for Shera to have to worry continuously.” As always, most of his concern was for his wife before anyone else.

 

“As do I,” agreed the doctor, chewing his lip in deep thought. “Until then, make sure she rests and try to keep her stress level down.” He stood up and gathered all of his equipment together, replacing it in his medical bag carefully.

 

Rude bobbed his head in understanding as he escorted the doctor to the door. Tsuki was a busy man with many other patients.

 

“I will try but you know how stubborn she can be. I came home and found her out in the work shed.”

 

Dr. Tsuki laughed, his pale cheeks rosy with the effort, as he smiled. “Aye. I'll check back in a week or so or call with the results. Whichever comes first.”

 

“Thanks. It is appreciated.” Rude opened the door for the doctor and closed it behind him once the elderly man stepped out. He stood still for a moment, staring at the closed door as his shocked mind continued to absorb the man's words.

 

It was two outcomes that he was now faced with. Either his child was going to have serious medical problems or be a prodigy, not that he wouldn't love him or her however things turned out. It was a stress that he was going to have to handle either way.

 

Rude sighed and leaned against the door, closing his eyes in exhaustion. The past twenty-four hours had been especially draining on him. Damn ShinRa and their long term effects…

 

His phone rang. The sound was loud and startling in the momentary silence. For a moment, Rude considered not answering it, fearing more bad news. Good sense got the better of him, and he reached into his pocket to pull it out. He didn't immediately recognize the number but pressed the receive button anyways.

 

“Rude, here.”

 

“Oh thank goodness,” came a very familiar voice. “I am sorry to have worried you darling, but I called to let you know that I am alright.”

 

Rude exhaled softly, body sagging against the door in utmost relief. It was his mother on the phone; he would know that voice anywhere. Worry for the fate of his family began to slowly unkink itself from his shoulders.

 

“Mom…. I was so worried about you.”

 

The phone was crackling, but he could still hear her. She sounded tired, her voice raw but she was alive. That was all that mattered to Rude. “I know. Something happened here, I am not sure what. We were attacked by a horde of flying demons. I thought we were all going to die.”

 

Rolling his shoulders and neck, Rude finally managed to push himself up off the door and wander into the den where he sat down on the couch and continued to talk to his mother. It pained him to ask, but he wanted to know. “How did… how did you survive?”

 

She laughed then. “I'd love to say it was brilliant survival technique taught by you, but I'd be lying.” Her voice went sober then, almost whisper-like. “It was Zack… well, you wouldn't know him by that name because it isn't even his real name, but that's beyond the point. Anyways, Zack went military and magic on them all and killed them.” It was then that sadness entered her tone and Rude could just imagine her shaking her head and clucking her tongue. “Poor thing, he saved us but wasn't in time to save his caretakers.”

 

“Is he still there? I'd like to thank him.”

 

“No. A few hours after the attack, he burned down the house and left without a word. I did the best I could by him to pour an elixir down his throat, but that was the most help he would accept. I had the feeling he wished I hadn't.” She went silent for a moment as she contemplated her own words. “Imagine that… a hero in our eyes but still feeling as if he wasn't worth being saved.”

 

It was then that something clicked in Rude's brain. Many people thought that he wasn't as smart as others because he didn't speak much and was more brawn than anything else. And it was that wrong thinking that got them killed in the end. However, the former Turk was actually very smart and excellent at deducing things.

 

“You said he didn't have any memory?” questioned the dark-skinned man as he tried to piece things together in his head. “What did he look like?”

 

As he waited for his mother to respond, he rolled his sudden idea in his head. Who else did he know that had a major guilt complex but Vincent Valentine? That man could turn anything around into an episode of self-hatred and loathing. And if something had happened to him in the crater, memory loss was probably eminent. Besides, he was a military man as well. It made perfect sense to the former Turk, though he couldn't fathom why no one had recognized him yet.

 

“Oh, listen sweetie, I'd love to discuss my hero more, but this lovely young lady who graciously allowed me use of her phone needs it back. I will talk to you later, okay? I love you.”

 

Before he could protest the phone was taken from his mother's grasp and another familiar voice filled the void.

 

“Hey, Rude? How's Shera?” She spoke so fast he had no time to respond to any of her questions. “Anyways, don't worry about things down here. Me and `Aki got it handled, kay? You just take care of that pregnant woman. Go rub her feet or something. Bye!”

 

The phone went dead before Rude could even say anything further. But that was just the little ninja. Shaking his head in silent laughter, Rude rose from the couch and ascended the stairs. Shera would be glad to know that his mother was alright. Hell, he was more than thrilled.

But now a new question nagged at him.

 

Who was Zack?

 

* * *