Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Dreams ❯ Raging Seas ( Chapter 55 )

Warning: Heterosexual smutiness, not quite sex but getting there! Definitely not chaste!

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Chapter 55: Raging Seas

It was quiet, calm, a generally peaceful evening, or so Yuffie noticed as she sat in the sun room with her father, the two of them sharing a cup of tea. She and Nanaki had been in Wutai for two days and were planning on leaving the next morning since she had made certain the country was doing fine, even though she had not been there.

After their arrival, Uryuu had taken them to the palace, inspiring the ninja’s ire the entire way. Her fiancé really had a knack for getting under her skin very easily. By the time he finally dismissed himself, she was ready to tackle him to the floor and pummel the ignorant and self-arrogant lord into the ground. If it hadn’t been Nanaki’s calming presence, she might have done so.
They spent the better part of the past two days just wandering around Wutai, inspecting the repairs, assessing the damage, seeing if they could find any information on Balaam. The two had scoured the rather large island through and through, Barinthus and Suzaku accompanying them. They had even ventured into Deep Man’s Cave… for old times sake of course.

Nevertheless, they quickly came to suspect that Balaam was nowhere on the island whatsoever, not that they had believed he would be to begin with.

With their increased time together and the fact that Nanaki had returned to his more human form, Yuffie again found her feelings for the demi-human cropping up even stronger than before. Combined with Archer’s suggestion that form didn’t matter, she wondered if they had even faded or disappeared to begin with. Probably not.

She found herself sneaking glances at him or again admiring his form in battle, not to mention their intellectual discussions or even playful moments of teasing. They had “made up” in a way, and it seemed things were finally getting back to normal, though the physical actions between them had not resumed, a fact which was disappointing. Yuffie found she rather liked kissing him… and being kissed in return for that matter. Though, it made her cheeks burn with embarrassment to even think such supposedly improper thoughts.

And though she avoided Douwe, encounters with him always left her in a foul mood, which Nanaki had usually managed to drag her from. After two days of almost playing hide and seek with both her fiancé and her father, Yuffie concluded that there was nothing more for her to do in Wutai, so she and the demi-human planned to leave the next morning.

At present, her father had invited her for a “father-daughter” tea to supposedly “catch-up on the times.” She knew it was a thinly veiled effort for him to convince her to remain with them for longer, probably hoping to endear her to Uryuu… as if that would ever happen. She was angry that Nanaki hadn’t been invited, but the demi-human had only shrugged it off, saying he wouldn’t mind spending some time in the library. She knew he was a bit of a bookworm and told him to go ahead.

The library itself was at the end of the hall from the room she was sitting in, not that she felt she needed him close or anything. It was the principal of the matter, Nanaki was a guest. A very handsome, brave, intelligent guest. Had she mentioned handsome?

Her father cleared his throat, attracting her attention from her brief divergence into her mind. Yuffie sighed and took a sip of the mildly fruity and warm tea, returning her gaze to her father’s as she attempted to sit and not sprawl on the cushions plopped down beside the low-slung table.

“If there is a war, as you say, wouldn’t it be better if you remained here… with your people?” Godo attempted to cajole, idly poking at a rice ball, contemplating eating it. His own tea lay untouched on the expensive and delicate dishware.

“I don’t see how,” she responded easily, laying down the cup with an audible clink and not missing her father’s wince. “The repairs are being handled, aren’t they? Not as if I’d be better for the task or anything.”

Godo nodded. “Yes, Uryuu is doing a fine job overseeing all reconstruction and leading the task force. He has been irreplaceable in Wutai’s hour of need.”

Inwardly, Yuffie snorted. Irreplaceable? Right. Douwe was only working to further his own ambitions. It wasn’t as if he would dirty his hands and actually help build something himself or donate his family’s money to the rebuilding. It was a “princely” thing to overseer, explaining why he had volunteered for the job. He probably thought he was practicing for the future.

Feh.

She couldn’t quite express just how much she hated her promised. He was rude, arrogant, selfish; she could go on and on, but that would only serve to make her angry, and she didn’t really feel like arguing with her father or losing her temper, not when she was only going to be leaving in the morning. It would be nice, if for once, she and Godo were on good terms.

“See?” she forced out, the compliment like ash on her tongue. “You’re doing fine without me.”

Godo eyed her disbelievingly, tapping one once-manicured fingernail on the table. Due to recent battles, however, it was now cracked and chipped. More is the pity for him. He should see the state of her fingernails. They looked nothing like a lady’s, nor would they ever if she had her way. It was far more interesting to go materia hunting then to sit about and discuss trivial matters.

“Yes,” he agreed. “Thanks to Reno, Wutai was saved. Did you know I officiated their wedding?”

Yuffie’s heart sank. She knew where he was going, but she fell for it anyways. It was to come sooner or later, and at least, she would be able to make her feelings known. “I was aware of that. You are the most influential person in Wutai right now, after all,” she mumbled in response.

His gaze centered on hers, locking as he reached down to finally wrap his fingers around his own tea. He sipped cautiously and silently as if plotting his attack before mentioning, almost casually, his first move. “When are you finally going to come to your senses and marry Uryuu?”

“I’m not,” she stated bluntly. “I haven’t wanted to for some time now.” She left it at that, hoping but knowing he would not drop the subject.

Another polite sip before the tea cup sat itself down a plate with nary a noise. Godo folded his hands in his lap. “You are the last in the royal family,” he commented sternly. “It’s time that you produce an heir; otherwise, the line will fall.”

She sighed, resisting the urge to rub her forehead. “I don’t want to get married, and I certainly don’t want to marry Douwe.”

Godo raised a brow. “And why not? He is a perfectly respectable noble of Wutai. The people expect you to get married, Yuffie, and it seems that Uryuu is a likely candidate.”

“Likely my ass. The people wouldn’t give a flying fart in space if I got married,” she retorted sharply, unable to help the slight rise in her voice. “Nor is that pompous bastard perfect or respectable. I’d rather stick my head in a vat of oil.”

Her father’s lips became a stern line as he narrowed his eyes. “Douwe is both fine and honorable, and you will marry him.” It was an order, not a request.

He should have known better. If there was one thing that Yuffie never responded well to, it was a demand or order. She was a free spirit, despite her supposed destiny. She didn’t want to be tied down by someone else’s demands. She was no servant; yet, he sought to order her about like some slave.

“Who says I will?” she demanded. “You made the choice of him. I didn’t. I don’t like the idiot; I can barely stand him. We don’t even get along!”

“You don’t even attempt to, Yuffie,” he retorted. “He is hurt by the fact that you brush him off every time. Rarely do you have a kind word.”

The ninja snorted. “His acting towards you is laughable at best. Douwe and I have nothing in common. Half the time it is his pride that starts the argument, not mine. Were we to ‘lead’ Wutai, the country would fall to ruin around us, but we wouldn’t even notice… nor would you ever even have any of those precious heirs you care for.”

“You wouldn’t have to get along!” snapped Godo sharply. “If you would be the pious, dutiful daughter and wife and obey your husband… like I raised you to be, then you wouldn’t have any problems!”

Yuffie saw red, anger overtaking her senses. She chewed her lip in aggravation, her own retort coming out before she could stop it. This was definitely not going well at all.

“If you would find me someone decent, I wouldn’t have a problem. I’m not some docile servant to cower and obey.”

“Decent?” Godo questioned with a derisive snort. “Like that thing you call a friend?”

It was the first time that the Lord had ever referred to Nanaki by anything not respectable, and as such, he caused Yuffie’s hackles to rise. She had never thought of her father as being prejudiced before, but perhaps he clung far too tightly to the old beliefs than she had originally known. Some bigotry never faded, despite the relative peace.

Yuffie narrowed her eyes, refusing to allow anyone, even her own father to speak ill of Nanaki. He was the only person who understood her completely, the best and most loyal friend she had.

“Leave Nanaki out of this,” she hissed angrily, as she stood, rocking the table and its contents and creating a clattering noise that caused Godo to wince. “I won’t have you insulting him!” Her hands had clenched at her sides before she even realized she was doing so.

“He’s not human!” her father retorted, rising to his feet as well as he stared down at his much shorter daughter. “I approved of you residing in Cosmo Canyon because I hoped that you would learn something from Bugenhagen that would aid you in the future, not so that you could go gallivanting around the globe with some strange half-breed.”

“He’s not a half-breed!” she growled. “Nor is he strange either! He’s a great warrior for Kami’s sake. One of the few that managed to take down Sephiroth if you don’t remember!”

Godo’s own face was becoming red with his anger. “You are heir to Wutai! I would expect better companions of you! Materia or no, it’s time that you learned what is becoming and what is not. Keeping relations with that… that… creature is not one among them!”

“I would marry him over Uryuu any day!” she shouted in return, gritting her teeth with her ire. “He would make a far better leader. Not only is he kinder, but he is smarter and Wutai would do right by him!”

More blood flowed to the Lord’s face. “You never obey me!” he argued loudly. “You never do what you are required or fulfill your duties. You will lead Wutai to ruin with your irresponsibility! You and your damn immaturity!”

Never once in her life had Yuffie raised her voice to her father in such a way, but this time, she couldn’t help it as the emotions flowed from her far faster than she could prevent. He had insulted her best friend; he was trying to force her into things she would rather not do. In many ways she recognized his attempts at trying to preserve their line and Wutai, but he was going about it completely wrong. Perhaps it was that they were too much alike, the reason for their contrariness and why she was rarely home. Either way, she raised her voice in response.

“I didn’t ask for this! I can’t help who I am!” she screamed. “If you wanted a calm and collected leader, you should have never exiled Tseng!”

All at once, things took an even worse turn. Godo went completely silent for a moment, a cold anger overtaking him. And when he responded it came out cold, low… almost threateningly daring her to say otherwise.

“What did you say?” he questioned, narrowing his eyes until they were angry slits.

The ninja went quiet, realizing that she had said too much. Her impetuousness had risen up to bite her on the ass once again. She had defied her father twice in the past minute and, in a way, had set herself up for an even bigger fall. She was technically a minor still… he could lock her up if he wanted, not that she couldn’t escape. But it was the principal. He was her only other family; she didn’t want to alienate him. So she remained silent, lowering her gaze and fidgeting under his relentless stare.

“He is a devil,” Godo hissed, continuing in light of her quiet. “An exile. The scum of the earth, a betrayer of Dao-Chao. He is dangerous, a disgrace. The man… no, monster… is an abomination to every--“

“No, he’s not!” she insisted, unable to hold her tongue in the face of such slander. She was loyal above all things, despite her immaturity, and though she loved her father, after having met Tseng, she couldn’t stand by as he was being spoken ill of. It wasn’t in her nature, nor did he deserve it. After all, he had been only a child at the time of the exile. How could her father even say such things, notwithstanding the fact that it was the supposed laws of Dao-Chao? How could anyone even believe it?”

“You would not know,” Godo said, beginning to turn purple with his fury. “You have never met him.” His words were restrained, barely able to keep a semi-civil tone, in spite of the fact that his one and only child was speaking back to him.

“But I have! And he’s a good person!”

At those words, Godo flew into an apoplectic rage, stepping forward against his better judgment so that his leg hit the table, though that did not stop him. Spittle flew from his mouth as his eyes widened impossibly large.

“I forbade you from ever speaking to him!” he uttered in an almost high-pitched voice that belied his fierce anger.

“You really can’t stop me, old man!” the little ninja uttered, unable to stop herself from arguing in return. What had begun as an innocent conversation had evolved into another shouting match that had evolved further than had ever gone before. “What are you going to do? Exile me? You can’t. I’m the last of the royal line!”

With this last statement, she turned on her heels and stormed from the room, shaking with inner rage and struggling to contain her cries of fury. Her hands were clenched violently at her sides as she put distance between herself and her father before the verbal argument became physical. Thankfully, it had never degenerated that far. She stalked from the room, not even paying attention to her direction or the people she crashed into, merely walking in a blind ire.

Truthfully, unless she murdered someone in sight of a large group of people or exhibit the “witch” trait that Tseng’s family had been exiled for, Godo could not exile her. He wasn’t of the official royal line, so he was literally only a regent on the throne until she became of age or married and officially stepped into the role. Even if he wanted to remarry and perhaps have more heirs, they would not inherit the throne. Also, Yuffie, under their laws, had every right to speak to Tseng if she wanted. The Lord/Lady of Wutai had full capabilities to speak to those in exile, in case the action might be repealed, though that was rare. In light of this, Godo had forbid her as a father rather than as Great Lord of Wutai.

Urgh!

With an expressive and angry snort, Yuffie came to a halt in her hurried stomping, finding that the she had made her way to the Koi Garden. It was a welcome respite and was thankfully empty as well. She alternated her path and ducked into the gardens, rage still filling her to the brim. The ninja spit and cursed to herself as she paced back and forth across the slightly rocky ground, kicking up the stones unintentionally as she did so. She received only the smallest amount of satisfaction from taking out her rage on them.

They were only inanimate objects after all and not the ones that had inspired the ire to begin with. No… she really wanted something living to pummel, a monster or something similar. That way she wouldn’t have any regrets about the damage she caused. Her hands clenched into fists at her side as she gritted her teeth, seething fully at her father’s stupidity. He really could be a bastard.

Yuffie was so wrapped up in her angered pacing and cursings of her father that she did not even hear the footsteps as they entered the garden. She was, however, aware of the person when they spoke from directly behind her, calling her name. In her maddened state, she didn’t put much thought in recognition, only whirling about and preparing the strike the intruder. Belatedly, she realized it was only Nanaki, but it was too late to stop the intended blow.

Luckily for her, the demi-human was much stronger and faster than her, easily catching her arm before it did any unintentional damage. “Hey,” he said softly, pulling her forward slightly so that she stumbled into his arms. “Take it easy there.”

“I’m sorry,” she said in a muffled voice, wrapping her arms around his body as she spoke against the front of his shirt. He had taken to wearing a t-shirt and jeans, appropriate tail-hole cut out, while they were in Wutai. “I didn’t mean to almost hit you.”

“I know,” he responded with a slight smile as he pulled her directly against his chest, frowning with a realization. “You are shaking.”

Yuffie nodded, a small sniffle escaping from her mouth. “Stupid… ignorant… damn… father…” she muttered incoherently, her rage so great that she had only two settings: loud screaming of full sentences or stumbling, quiet scattered mumbles. It left it quite difficult to understand her. And to her horror, she found that she was weeping as well, crying tears of anger. That only pissed her off further.

Nanaki rubbed a soothing motion down her back. “I know,” he responded quietly. “I unfortunately caught some of it.”

“Nanaki…” She forced herself to look up at him, her big brown eyes watery with her tears and melting his heart in that very moment. She seemed so very vulnerable… so very un-Yuffie. It was endearing. “I…”

He shushed her. “It’s okay. I am not angry. I’m fine.”

The ninja’s head buried itself back in his chest, wetting his shirt with her tears. “He’s such a bastard, saying those things. It’s not right!”

“I think he’s just worried about you and doesn’t know how to express it. The two of you seem to have a knack for misrepresenting your true emotions,” he attempted to soothe, grinning faintly as he remembered their own brief troubles. He noticed that she was gradually calming, and this caused his own tensions to relax. He didn’t enjoy seeing Yuffie distressed. She should be smiling, teasing, stealing his materia, not crying and storming about.

There was a moment of silence before Yuffie sniffed again, this one seeming to be a final and ending sniffle. “I’m sorry, ‘Aki,” she repeated. “That he said those things about you… and that I was so distant before. I’m just an idiot.”

A half-smile curled up at the corner of his mouth as he put a clawed finger just under her chin, directing her gaze upwards. “Hey,” he said softly. “Didn’t I just say that I was not mad?”

“Yeah,” she responded, still looking guilty. Her eyes were so beautiful… he really ought to tell her that.

“Then quit worrying about it, Yuffie.” She had finally stopped trembling, he noticed thankfully, though the manly “must-comfort!” gene inside of him was slightly disappointed, but her relaxed against him was far more Yuffie-ish than the anger.

She exhaled even as he wiped away some of the tear remnants on her face with the pad of his thumb, careful of his claw. “I yelled at him this time. We’ve never raised our voices to each other before.”

“You’re older, more of an adult now. Perhaps it is because he’s beginning to see you as one and does not want to baby you anymore.”

“Maybe.” She beamed. “Thanks Nanaki. You really are my best friend.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” he responded genuinely, faintly blushing when he realized he still held a hand to her cheek. Yet, when he looked into her eyes… he found something there, he wasn’t sure how to describe it, but it set his own body trembling. He stroked that thumb over her cheek once more. “You have beautiful eyes,” he murmured softly as he gave in to the urge he had been fighting down all along.

He leaned slightly because of their difference in height, and before either of them realized, he had kissed her, unconsciously pressing closer. She was warm and soft, unbelievably so in his arms. He slowly and gently pressed his lips to her, asking permission before he slid his tongue inside, tasting the familiar citrus flavor that was quintessentially Yuffie. She eagerly returned the embrace, seemingly longing for it as much as he had.

A supposedly innocent hand crept down his back, a softly exploring caress that was essentially teasing, even as their kiss deepened. Exploratory but bold, the hand moved down his spine. It was tantalizingly seductive, and he felt his cheeks burn, biting back an encouraging whimper. He nibbled lightly on her lips before finding his mouth traveling of its own accord into the sensitive and sweet-smelling hollow of her throat. She must have recently bathed, her scent fresh. He held back his teeth instinctually, content to slide his lips and tongue along her skin. Nanaki was going completely by instinct, having never done this before.

She made a heartening sound in her throat, almost like a purr before that questing hand found the hem of his shirt, diving nimbly below the fabric. Warm fingers splayed across the heated flesh of his back, roaming freely. The second intently seductive hand found its way to his hair, fingers entangling to pull him closer.

He vaguely realized as he continued tasting her sweet skin that this was probably the worst of times to be venturing further into their relationship. Yet, that gentlemanly thought flitted away on wings of teenage hormones, the moment her dangerously seductive hand worked its way from the relatively safe area of his back, around to the front of the more sensitive flesh of his belly.

Nanaki bit back a groan, laving his tongue more across her exposed throat to elicit the same response. Yuffie seemed satisfied with this, applying pressure to his head with her hand. He dragged his lips upwards then in the same moment that fingers crept up his belly, pressing against every muscle of his abdomen. A nimble digit ghosted over a nipple, and he literally felt his insides clench with something, a warmth that spread through his entire body.

So bold! His lips returned to her mouth, hungrily this time as he sought to even things out with the devious ninja. He released her chin, trailing his free hand down and across a clothed shoulder, over the swell of her breast. She shivered, and he noted that fact idly, hand now ghosting down her belly until it reached the hem of her shirt and the small strip of exposed slightly tanned flesh there.

He stroked the pad of his thumb over Yuffie’s soft skin, careful of his claws. The sneaky ninja again swiped her questing hand over his nipple, and this time he couldn’t restrain the unmanly whimper that escaped from his throat. It was the last straw, his cheeks flared with a mixture of embarrassment and almost innocent desire. His hand dipped beneath the fabric of her shirt.

Her stomach quivered beneath his gentle touch… or perhaps it was his own hand that was shaking; he couldn’t be sure, nearly holding his breath. His mind had almost completely melted as they hungrily ravaged each other’s mouths, completely caught up in the moment. He didn’t even entertain thoughts of carrying it further, simply too enthralled with merely touching her.

The pads of his fingers brushed across her ribs before he was gently cupping the whole of her still covered breast with his hand. He didn’t lift the fabric but ran a caress over the swell of scarcely exposed flesh peeking over the top of her bra. He barely noticed his heart was beating rapidly in his chest.

Yuffie whimpered as she pressed her body closer to his, gradually dragging her own hand back down his chest. It emerged from beneath his shirt, patting down the cotton fabric before a finger traced the outside band of his pants. His breath hitched. She wouldn’t… She wasn’t that bold, was she?

But he never got to find out. In the same moment that a hand innocently whispered across the front of his groin, a loud and livid voice startled both of them, effectively killing the mood. The two hastily broke away from each other, extracting their entangled limbs and struggling to soothe rumpled clothing. It was Godo’s voice of all people, who had called his daughter’s name in such a distinctly furious manner… and it appeared he wasn’t quite yet through.

“I had come out here with the hope that having calmed, we could talk in a more civilized manner,” the Lord gritted out, a cold anger taking over what had been a calm expression. “I didn’t want my only daughter to leave angry with me, but I see so clearly now. You wouldn’t marry Uryuu because you were whoring yourself out to that thing!”

Yuffie went through all the stages of rage so quickly that her face whitened with her fury, immediately taking an angry step forward, one hand clenched at her side. The distinct sound of thunder above was almost as if the very weather was agreeing with her. However, before she could even speak, a hand grabbed hers, tangling their fingers together and out of the corner of her eye, she saw a righteous fury building in the face of her companion.

“You can’t talk to her that way!” Nanaki snapped angrily, “Even if she is your daughter, you can’t treat people like that. I don’t care how angry, upset, or disappointed you are. You know very well how improper your actions have been!” His words were chastising, speaking to Godo as if he were but a child.

The Lord growled. “You have no right to speak to me!” he uttered, pointing a finger at the demi-human. “You who would lay your hands on my daughter.”

“It was my choice!” Yuffie argued, speaking up for herself. “Nanaki’s my friend, and it pisses me off when you talk about him like that!”

Godo literally shook with anger. “Yuffie! I forbid you from leaving!” he ordered. “Obviously, you have taken all leave of your senses.”

“No!” the ninja denied. “It’s you who have gone crazy, dad! Why won’t you let me make my own decisions for once? About whom I want to marry, whom I want to be friends with… why do you have to control my life?”

Godo narrowed his eyes. “I’m your father. It’s my right.”

“It’s a privilege,” Nanaki inserted, “not a right.”

“She’s still a minor! I have every right to keep her from leaving as well as prevent her from seeing you,” he hissed. “Somehow, you’ve poisoned her mind against me.”

“Argh!” the little ninja yelled. “I’m not listening to this anymore!” She yanked on Nanaki’s hand, inadvertently dragging him along with her as she stormed past her father. “I’m leaving, and I don’t know if I’m coming back!”

Godo thought to protest. “Yuffie!” he called, but she steadily ignored him, stomping out of the Koi Garden and pulling Nanaki along after her. By the fire in her eyes, the demi-human didn’t even think to protest.

She dragged him out of earshot and sight of her father, heading for the quarters the two of them had been granted, muttering under her breath the entire time.

“We’ll pack and head to Rocket Town,” she uttered. “I’m sure Barinthus won’t mind giving us a ride. I’m not going to stay and listen to him anymore.”

“Are you sure you’re okay with that?” he asked softly, stepping up his movement so that he could walk beside her rather than be dragged.

Yuffie snorted. “Perfectly.”

Nanaki, however, wasn’t quite so sure.
***

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