Yuffie ran over to the small window and looked out. The room she was in
was high up in the fortress and overlooked a small courtyard. Nine men
were down in the courtyard below, excersizing. She stood looking out the
window, running vigoursly in place, as she had been for the last half hour.
Sweat dripped from her forehead and her clothes were soaked.
She ran back into a corner of the room where she could not be seen just
in case someone looked through the little window in the door to her chamber.
Although it was unlikely anyone would. No one came to her room until shortly
after they had finished excersizing outside. They were so predictable.
She continued running in place, every once in a while going over to look
out the window, until she saw the people below leaving the courtyard. Then
she started to count to herself. When she reached five hundred she walked
over to the bed, lay down and closed her eyes.
Less than five minutes later she heard someone at the door. It opened and
she heard them come into the room. Although she did not open her eyes,
she knew from previous experience there would be two of them.
"Hey, you alright?" she heard one man say.
She didn't respond.
"Hey," the man said. It sounded like he was right beside her now.
"Is she okay?" she heard the second man ask.
Someone shook her.
"Are you alright?" he said loudly in her ear.
She turned her head slightly and moaned.
"She's sweating like a pig," said the man.
She felt a hand on her forehead for a moment.
"She's burning up."
"She seemed sick for the last few days," she heard the second man say.
They were silent for a moment.
"You better go get someone to take a look at her. We don't want her to
die just yet."
She heard footsteps slowly fading away. She opened her eyes a slit to see
the man who was left glancing back toward the door.
Her foot came up and caught him in the back of the head.
"Ugh," he said, and fell to the side. She sprang up and pummeled him with
numerous quick blows. He was too surprised to defend himself, and after
half a dozen blows fell to the floor and lay still.
She jumped past him and ran out the open door. To the left the hall ended
blindly. She turned to the right and saw a man with white hair and beard
leaning against the wall, looking at her thoughtfully.
She stopped.
"Damn!" she exclaimed.
He walked slowly over to her.
"Much as you may find it hard to believe, but we are not all idiots. I
hope you didn't damage Danz too badly. He's a good man, though a little
green."
He indicated her chamber.
"Shall we go back in?"
She looked him over for a moment but did not move.
He smiled.
"Do you wish to challange me again? I have to admit I admire your spirit.
You are very brave, though still young and foolish. If you play your cards
right, you may still get out of this with your skin intact. As the daughter
of the leader of Wutai you are a valuable prisoner, one I would not wish
to see die unneccesarily, but if you keep up these foolish escape attempts,
you may leave me with no choice."
He stepped back into ready position.
"So what will it be?" he asked casually.
She looked at him for a moment in silence, then sighed and walked back
into her chamber. He followed her in, but she could sense he still had
not let down his guard.
Danz was just getting up from the floor, holding his head. He turned and
looked at Yuffie darkly.
"You're going to pay for this," he said through clenched teeth.
"Enough," the white haired man said commandingly. "It is not her fault
you were stupid enough to fall for her trap. Understand your mistake and
learn. Never underestimate your e
