Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered Traditions ❯ Chapter 4

A/N: Expect some OOC. The characters are evolving and changing thanks to circumstance. Yuffie won't be only teasing and playful in this chapter.

 

Shattered Traditions: Chapter Four

When Summer Passed

 

Several forms paced the waiting room while even more sat in their chairs, anxiously staring at the clock above the door that led to the maternity ward. The entire of AVALANCHE had made their presence known for this affair, phones ringing off the hooks the moment the time had come.

 

“How long does it take for babies to be born, Mr. Tseng?” Marlene asked, tugging on the Wutaiian's sleeve to gather his attention.

 

The Turk Commander sighed with the long patience of one used to dealing with children more than he ever intended in his entire life. “It shouldn't be much longer now,” he assured her, his eyes sliding briefly over to his lover who was accompanied by Denzel. At least Sephiroth's attached young one was a bit more quiet. A slight stab of amused jealousy fluttered in him before wafting away. It was pointless.

 

Suddenly, the sound of a baby's cry pierced the air, causing those sitting to leap to their feet in excitement. Moments later, another cry joined the first and a cheer broke out in the waiting room.

 

“Can you believe it?” Elena exclaimed, shaking her head. “Both babies born on the same day. It was as if they planned it.”

 

Zack grinned broadly, jabbing his elbow into her side playfully. “Anticipating one of your own?” he suggested teasingly, wiggling his eyebrow demonstratively.

 

She rolled her eyes. “Leave that to the mother hen,” she replied loftily, waving a hand through the air. “I'm too young for motherhood.”

 

“I wouldn't trust Elena around kids,” Reno inserted, giving his former Turk buddy a sidelong glance. He never could resist an opportunity to needle her. “Not with all the weapons she packs.”

 

Pursing her lips, the blonde resisted the urge to shoot Reno a rather vulgar display. There were children in the room after all and unlike what the redheaded brat implied, she knew how to curb herself.

 

“Sephy, are we going to get to see the babies now?” Denzel asked quietly, hopeful brown eyes turned towards his adoptive father.

 

But the mako green gaze seemed to be turned inwards, measuring out an issue that only he could see or hear. The child's brow furrowed in concern and he reached out, touching the former general lightly on the arm. Sephiroth started slightly, blinking as he turned his head and his attention onto the young boy.

 

It was a moment before Sephiroth seemed to recall what Denzel had asked him. “I'm sure it will be soon,” he assured the young child, patting Denzel on the hand.

 

An innocent smile beamed back at him, ever so trusting.

 

Yuffie watched all this from her perch in the room, leaning up against the wall far across from where Nanaki had his own position, scrunched somewhere behind Barret's bulk. If anyone had noticed that the two of them weren't close together, whispering amongst themselves or sharing secrets, they hadn't commented on it. But she did feel the piercing grey stare of one ex-Turk and knew that Vincent was busy trying to discern what had happened.

 

The level of anticipation in the room however, was rocketing by several degrees and even Yuffie found a smile forcing its way into her face. This was encouraging to her, a bit of an uplift for recently dampened spirits. When she had received the call hours ago, she had been excited, eager to meet the babies as they came into the world. It would be a happy, hopeful distraction from the sorrow surrounding her father's death and the confusion between her and Nanaki.

 

She let the sound of their voices, their conversations both hopeful and full of promise, wash over and around her, barely paying attention to one. They were all too excited to notice the brooding in her expression and she was grateful for that, not wanting to be subject to anyone's pity or probing questions.

 

But it didn't stop her eyes from constantly gravitating Nanaki's way, watching as he made quiet small talk with Reeve. It had only been a month but to her fractured heart, it felt like longer. The loneliness made time drag on day by day until she felt as if she were wallowing in every minute, mired in quicksand as she waited for sixty seconds to pass.

 

The young ninja was beginning to feel trapped in Wutai, locked in a fierce debates with the elders over what she should be doing for the sake of the country. Getting married was at the top of their list. Producing heirs. Finding a male to sit in leadership since it was obvious she wasn't suited for the job. It made her ill to simply think about it. These were the people she had fought so hard to save?

 

It made her long for Nanaki's presence. If anything, they were bonded by their lack of belonging. Except, not anymore now that he had found his clan. She knew that her father had hoped she would mature out of her need to roam and cause trouble but now that he was gone, she was forced to become what Wutai needed from her. No one ever asked what she needed for herself.

 

Her thoughts going in endless circles that had no beginning and no end, Yuffie lifted brown eyes to a face that was achingly familiar. Nanaki was spending more and more time outside. She could tell that much from the darkening of his skin, usually a golden tan but now a deeper nutmeg. It made his hair stand out even more, that rich crimson that she wanted to run her fingers through. He was there, so close, and yet, he couldn't have been any further if he were standing on the other side of the world, across a gully, three oceans and a ring of fire.

 

Despite the distance, she couldn't ignore the urge to talk to him because she hadn't since leaving. Not once had she picked up the phone. Not once had hers rang. It was as if they were mutually avoiding each other. It was strange how quickly they had gone from best friends rarely leaving one another's side, to passing acquaintances barely in contact. It was over before it had begun but was it really over? She didn't know.

 

Attracting her attention, the doors opened, admitting a tired-looking Reis into the room. Despite her fatigue, she had a big smile on her face as she smoothed down her doctor's coat. “Two healthy babies,” she announced, much to their relief.

 

Immediately, the young Tuesti was crowded by excited friends all wanting to know more. Yuffie, however, hung back, her gaze flickering to Nanaki who wasn't a part of the crowd either. Her eyes caught his, a seemingly silent communication passing between them. The look spoke volumes without saying anything at all.

 

While the others bombarded Reis with questions, Yuffie made her way to Nanaki, nearly holding her breath. A part of her was nervous, as if she was meeting a stranger for the first time. Only a month had passed, she reminded herself, but it was like she didn't know him at all.

 

“Hey,” she said as she approached, a welcoming smile on her face. It did well to hide the other emotions that she didn't want him to see.

 

He shifted to greet her, tail lazily swishing behind him in a soft blur of flames. “Hey yourself,” he replied.

 

It was awkward, but she wasn't going to let that deter her. “How have you been?” Yuffie asked, moving to stand beside him. They were apart from the others, in their own little corner of the room away from prying eyes.

 

Nanaki shook his head. “I think I should be asking you that question,” he corrected, crossing his arms. “Your father...?”

 

She sighed and her eyes dropped to the floor at the reminder. It was getting easier to think of her father and her own mistakes, but it wasn't something she could easily shake off. “A heart attack,” the ninja explained. “I was surprised myself when I learned.”

 

“I'm sorry.”

 

Her lashes lowered against her cheeks but her expression never lost the look of strength. “He was the one who should have apologized to you.” Her eyes darkened with sadness. “I... found a letter he was never able to send me. He regretted his words.” It was important to her that she tell Nanaki that. She knew he didn't hold a grudge against Godo but still, Yuffie wanted her friend to know.

 

Nanaki let a small smile slip onto his face, making something in her heart give a strange jerk at the familiar, comforting sight. “I know.”

 

A moment of silence fell between them, heavily echoing and clenching in their lungs. It was raw and painful, building greater and greater despite the increasing happiness that vibrated behind them. On the edge of their conscious they noticed that babies were being introduced and there was laughter and congratulations. But in their small corner of the room lived only regret... and sorrow. Along with questions on atop the other.

 

It was too damn uncomfortable and Yuffie resolved to make that anxiety go away. “So,” she began slowly, searching her suddenly blank mind for something o say. “Been on any adventures lately?”

 

It was as close to an 'I miss you' that she could force from her lips without leaving herself so vulnerable in front of the only other person in her life who had the capability to hurt her.

 

“I can't say that I have,” Nanaki responded, his stance showing that he felt just as awkward. He had the insane urge to re-introduce himself because it was almost like he didn't know her anymore. “I've mostly been learning my way around my clan, relatives and no.”

 

“Oh?” Yuffie coaxed, trying to pretend as if she were interested.

 

He was doing fine without her, plenty fine on his own. Bugenhagen's death had always hit him hard but now, knowing he wasn't alone, he was learning to move along. She should have been happy for him, but all she could feel was a great sense of loss. The selfish part of her wanted him to go back to that guarded and sad creature that had been hers and hers alone.

 

The demi-human nodded and to her surprise, and a bit of dismay, excited energy began to creep into his tone. “Lesana is probably the closest to my age there and its thanks to her that I've been able to meet most of them.”

 

“Lesana?” Yuffie repeated.

 

She attempted to keep her voice neutral but had the distinct impression, judging by the way her heart sagged into her belly, that she had failed miserably. What was this seething jealousy that made an unusual urge to kill rise inside of her?

 

Something in Nanaki's golden eyes sparkled, making her stomach churn and buck in discomfort. “She's Akili's grandcub. I know you remember Akili. Lesana knows a lot of history and unlike her grandma, she actually has the time to relate it to me.”

 

“It sounds like you have a lot in common,” Yuffie commented, wondering if that was her voice that was only hovering on neutrality. And Nanaki, her ever oblivious friend, didn't seem to notice her growing discomfort for this conversation. She wished she hadn't ever begun it in the first place.

 

Her eyes flickered briefly to the others, Reeve who was cooing over one of the newborns and Elena tentatively taking another into her arms. She almost looked as if she feared the babe was a hissing snake that would bite her. If Yuffie were in a better mood, she would have laughed. Then Nanaki spoke and she dragged her gaze back to him.

 

“A bit,” the demi-human responded with a nonchalant shrug. “She keeps me from making too big a fool of myself.”

 

She couldn't imagine an instance when Nanaki had ever done something clumsy or foolish. That was usually her job. Still, she forced a chuckle through her lips, refusing to ruin the happiness that he seemed to be enjoying.

 

“You really like it there, huh?” she asked purely rhetorically. It was plainly obvious to the ninja the truth, but she didn't really want to acknowledge it.

 

“They have asked me to stay,” Nanaki admitted, shifting slightly where he stood. He turned his head to the side, gaze leaving hers to fall on the others. “I haven't made up my mind yet.”

 

Yuffie felt something plummet even further, perhaps her heart falling from her stomach down to the balls of her feet where it was crushed endlessly. By the glint in Nanaki's eyes, she thought that he was merely saving face. He looked as if he had already decided. She wondered if that told the strength of their friendship, for it to fade away into dust as quickly as it had.

 

She knew that the silence in the conversation was because she hadn't responded yet but couldn't think of anything that would sway his thoughts either way. Her mouth opened, though no true response was ready, and was instantly relieved when her eyes caught sight of Reis gesturing towards her. It was the perfect opportunity to escape and she nodded her head in the young doctor's direction.

 

“Sorry, Nanaki. My turn,” Yuffie said with her best, brightest smile. It wasn't hard to fake. She looked forward to getting to hold one of the babies. “We'll talk later, okay?” she suggested, already edging past him.

 

Her hand fell briefly on his arm, the faintest of touches warm on his skin, and then she was gone before he could even protest, eagerly making her way to the other side of the room. Nanaki watched her exit, a faint frown pulling at her lips. He couldn't quite describe her behavior. She was still Yuffie but it appeared the past month had dampened her usual enthusiasm for life. And he had only made the most cursory of queries. Somehow, he felt he would have been prying if he had delved deeper.

 

She smiled as she finally made her way to Reis' side. The two of them exchanged words before a heavily wrapped bundle was transferred into the young ninja's arms. She carefully cradled the newborn in her hold, her face slackening in wonder as she gazed at the newest addition to her extended family.

 

Yuffie was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

 

“She seems to be doing well.”

 

The demi-human nearly leapt three feet in the air at the unexpected voice. He hadn't even realized Archer had snuck up on him, approaching when Nanaki wasn't paying the least bit attention to his surroundings. Forcing his heart to dampen its pace, Nanaki turned towards Archer who was actually staring at Yuffie.

 

“Considering the situation, I mean,” the engineer added as a sort of afterthought before shifting his gaze towards the Iyatokan.

 

Archer had his hands stuffed in his pockets and he seemed to be pretending nonchalance, but there was a calculated understanding in his amethyst eyes that made Nanaki think this conversation wasn't just idle chatter.

 

Outside of that, Nanaki knew his comment was bullshit. “It's fake,” Nanaki responded with a faint sigh. “She's only pretending to be happy. She's always been good at bravado, never wanting anyone to try and prove her age.” He remembered that argument between them all too well when he had made the mistake of wanting to protect her.

 

There was a moment of silence before Archer spoke again, rising up to the toes of his feet before dropping back down again. “You talk like you know her.”

 

“I do,” he responded, almost absent-mindedly, watching as she smiled, tilting her head to the side. A lock of dark hair slipped across her forehead.

 

Archer made a noise of argument. “You think you do,” he corrected in a no-nonsense tone.

 

Confusion alit within the demi-human. He dragged his attention from Yuffie to the engineer but Archer wasn't looking at him anymore. Instead, his eyes were focused on the ninja, almost as if he were trying to see something beneath her smile as well.

 

“Why didn't you go with her?” the dark-haired man asked.

 

A sharp stab of something wriggled a painful path in Nanaki's chest at the unexpected and blunt question he had asked himself many times before. “She didn't ask me to,” he answered, the same excuse he had given himself. He knew, without needing to guess, that Archer wouldn't be as understanding as his own psyche.

 

The engineer lifted a brow. “You expected she would? Knowing her?”

 

Nanaki bit his lower lip, feeling trapped. It didn't deter Archer in the slightest and he continued, bombarding the younger man with all the queries he had already directed at himself many times before only with ten times more success.

 

“Do you really think she would have asked you to leave when she thought you had finally found what you wanted?”

 

He sucked in a breath. “Did she think I wouldn't?” Nanaki countered, wishing that the other man wasn't making it sound as if it was entirely his fault.

 

“Did you even make any signs that you would?”

 

Nanaki huffed in frustration. “All you do is counter with questions.” He raked a hand through his hair, nearly dislodging the ponytail.

 

It wasn't fair that he shoulder all the burden. Technically, they were both to blame since neither had spoken. And it wasn't as if anything were really wrong, right? They were still friends even if they were separated. It was only temporary. Things would go back to normal eventually.

 

Oblivious to the demi-human's mounting annoyance, Archer chuckled lightly. “The two of you are so similar sometimes, I can't help but get involved. It's just cute,” he said, reaching out and ruffling his hands over Nanaki's hair like one would a young child.

 

The Iyatokan scowled. “I'm not a child.”

 

“Mah, then its time you grew up, ne?” Archer suggested with a wink.

 

He left Nanaki gaping at him, stepping away with the full intent of pestering someone for a chance to hold Aeris' daughter. He figured his good deed was done for the day, if the thoughts flickering across Nanaki's face were any indication.

 

The demi-human watched the engineer leave for all of a moment before his eyes found their way back to his best friend in thought. She was smiling in that gentle manner again, tugging on his heartstrings. He hadn't realized, until that moment, just how much he had missed her this past month.

 

It was exciting to get to know his clan and learn of the history, but without her by his side, sharing in the knowledge and his cheer, it had somehow felt a little flat. There were many nights he had lain, staring at the ceiling, and thinking of her. After sharing the bed for only a week, he had gotten used to her warmth at his side. Despite the extra blankets, it was as if there was no way to keep warm at night anymore. He had worried as well, considering that she had hurried home after receiving heart-breaking news. And he had asked himself time and time again if he had made the right decision.

 

But his phone had never rung and he had never called her. He couldn't explain it either. Perhaps they had both been too complacent for too long in their relationship. Maybe this was just the natural order of things, that they weren't meant to be. Perhaps he should just accept what was happening in his life and continue on his way.

 

Every time he tried to convince himself to do that, he felt as if he were betraying something inside of him. That he was losing something entirely irreplaceable. Suddenly, he was back to those moments before he had decided to simply go with the flow, living in a land of confusion as he tried to figure out his feelings towards his best friend.

 

He wondered if this was the time when they would finally say goodbye.

 

****

 

She felt the eyes on her, and unbidden, a light blush attacked her cheeks before she willingly lifted her gaze, searching out the source of the strange feeling. Yuffie caught sight of Nanaki and Archer talking on the other side of the room but by the time her eyes found them, neither were looking her way but discussing something serious. She frowned slightly until her attention was dragged away by the shifting of the young one in her arms, obviously annoyed that he didn't have her full attention.

 

The ninja snorted. All men were attention hogs. She jogged her arms gently. “I'm paying attention now,” she cooed softly. There was a gurgle as Dominique, Rude and Shera's son, settled back contentedly.

 

He was cute, a thick thatch of dark hair already on his head. Currently, his eyes were blue but she had the feeling that they would darken to brown. Yuffie had already made her decision regarding children. Not now, but in the future, probably. She liked kids, even the bratty ones.

 

She didn't dare think about what having children with Nanaki would be like.

 

Her arms were growing slightly tired but Yuffie wasn't quite ready to relinquish her opportunity. Footsteps approached and her battle-honed instincts were quick to distinguish the quiet footfalls. She lifted her eyes, finding that her cousin was slowly approaching.

 

“Want a turn?” she asked, gesturing towards Tseng with her bundle-laden arms.

 

The apprehension on his face was something she didn't think she'd ever see in such a composed man. “No, I think it's probalby safer if I don't,” he said, holding up his hands as if to ward her off from attempting to foist off the child on him.

 

Yuffie couldn't help but laugh lightly at him. It was kind of cute. She and Tseng were both tentatively stepping around building a relationship between each other considering that they were the only family left. Luckily, being around Vincent gave her plenty of experience in dealing with quiet, stoic man. And Tseng knew how to handle energetic loudmouths thanks to Reno. It made things easier.

 

“You've heard about Wutai?” Yuffie asked.

 

Tseng nodded, his face somber and serious. “I was never personally close to Lord Godo but I am sorry for your loss,” he replied, politeness still ingrained within him, even after all these years.

 

“Everyone keeps saying that,” Yuffie murmured, more to herself than to Tseng. “But who really means it?” The words were one of many that she had heard millions of times, strangers claiming sympathy before thrusting responsibility at her.

 

The Turk Commander wasn't sure how to respond to her statement, surprised by the bitterness and sorrow in her tone. Where was the young and sprightly girl he had last spoken to before Godo's death? There was a light missing in her eyes, something that he didn't understand. It was as if she had aged quickly in the past month. He wondered if it had anything to do with the strange behavior between she and Nanaki. He understood her pain over the loss of her father but it seemed like there was more to the equation.

 

“He is going to be the most spoiled child,” Rude claimed as he approached the two of them, disturbing Tseng from his thoughts.

 

Yuffie chuckled softly. “Can you blame us?” she asked, moving closer so that she could return the newly born babe to his father. Rude was as glowy with happiness as she had ever seen the man, especially evident since he wasn't wearing his trademark sunglasses.

 

The bald man shook his head. “I suppose not.” He turned his gaze on his son, smiling so gently. “Shera's a bit put out that she hasn't got to hold him for longer than a minute.”

 

“I'm not surprised,” Tseng commented in half-amusement. “Go on, before she gets annoyed.”

 

Rude tipped his head at his boss and walked away, already looking the full part of the loving father. Dominque was adorable, much like Midori, but Tseng didn't envy either of their parents for the long, sleepless nights to come. He had enough children to take care of in Reeve and Reno, as amusing as that was to think of.

 

Rubbing his brow to clear away that unneeded thought, Tseng shifted his attention back to Yuffie and caught the young ninja watching Nanaki. There was the barest hint of a smile on her lips, something wistful and lonely. He could feel emotions roiling off of her in waves, seeping in through his carefully structured defenses. Heavyhearted regret seemed to be the most of it, along with strong feelings of passion and care. He couldn't help but wonder what had happened between the two youngest of his friends, newborns and children notwithstanding.

 

“I'm Lady of Wutai now,” Yuffie suddenly stated, turning towards Tseng, her face full of resolution despite the roil of emotions beneath the surface. “That means there's a lot of things I can do, if I wanted.”

 

'That's right,' she told herself. 'I have responsibilities. I can't keep letting myself sitting around in hope.'

 

'He's happy and that's all I could have ever wanted for him. Even if it's not me to do it. I told myself that long ago, before he ever even knew of the possibility of finding his clan. I know how to let go, even if I don't feel like I can.'

 

'He hasn't said anything to me. Hasn't made any inclinations that his life is different without me there. He doesn't need me to be happy.'

 

'I wonder if he misses me.'

 

The thoughts bounced rapid fire in her head as she blurted out those words, half-wondering where they were coming from. She hadn't really considered her next move but once she had vocalized that scattering of idea, she couldn't seem to stop the ideas from coming, one after another. Maybe they were things she had wanted all along.

 

Tseng furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

 

“You should never have been exiled,” Yuffie said softly, meaning every word. She knew it was a painful memory for the Turk Commander. “I wanted to know if you'd like to come back to Wutai with me?”

 

His eyebrows tried to crawl into his hairline despite his attempts to hold back his reaction as he sucked in a startled breath. “I... what?” Tseng stuttered in surprise, not even daring to believe that he had heard those words.

 

Yuffie tucked a strand of longer hair behind her ear. “The elders and I don't get along,” she began slowly, “though that's putting it lightly. You know more about delegation and stuff. That is, if you don't mind helping.”

 

It was almost like a dream. “I'm only a Turk Commander,” he said, almost protesting because he didn't want her to get her hopes in believing he would be a great help. Misery and loneliness washed over him at her words however and it took a moment for him to realize that the strong emotions weren't in fact, his own, but hers. He changed his statement mid-thought.

 

“But I wouldn't mind helping,” he finished. He couldn't deny that he burned to visit his homeland again, burned with a passion that nearly surprised him. He had always longed to return, even if it would have been bittersweet.

 

Her smile in return didn't meet her eyes. “Good,” she said, in nearly the same Yuffie-tone as always but lacking in her general cheeriness. “You can help me choose from the endless parade of useless men that the elders are trying to foist off on me.”

 

“Men?” Tseng was confused.

 

She shrugged. “They want me to get married. I don't want to but if it will get them off my back, I'll at least look at the proposals. It should keep them quiet for a few months.”

 

“Are you certain that's the best option?” he asked, frowning in thought. It appeared that something had indeed happened between the two best friends. He was disappointed to hear it, but it wasn't his place to pry.

 

Something flashed across her gaze, a bit of longing and sadness melded into one before she nodded resolutely. “I've gotta grow up sometime, right? Best to start now.”

 

Tseng, however, wasn't quite so sure.

 

-----

 

a/n: Sorry it seems so short but I hate to be repetitive. I don't want you to hear the same thoughts over and over.