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“Yuffie… are you absolutely sure this is a good idea?”
Yuffie nods, grinning. “Of course it is! When have I ever not had a good idea?”
Zaina just stares at her friend with a deadpan expression, unwilling to even attempt to dignify that question.
Yuffie Kisaragi and Zaina Hoshiko, two shinobu from Wutai on a mission. To catch you up: Yuffie had been sent on a mission to steal an “ultimate materia” rumored to be in the hands of Shinra Corporation. Zaina, Yuffie's childhood friend, followed the young ninja, worried that Yuffie would get herself killed on that mission… or worse! And let’s just say… while that didn’t happen, things certainly hadn’t gone very well for the young girl. Now, each vowing to avenge Sonon and bring down Shinra, the two had a new goal: travel the world in search of a team of powerful fighters to help them–people willing to stand by their sides and help defeat Shinra once and for all!
After a long, long journey, the two found themselves in the underside of Junon where a very nice lady named Rhonda welcomed them. There they learned of upperside’s status as a militaristic city for Shinra. While Yuffie talked with Rhonda some more, Zaina did some investigating to find a way to get up there, hoping they could sneak around and find something to use against the sinister company... No such luck there, unfortunately. Yuffie however, had sprouted an idea of her own.
That’s what led them to now, prepping a boat one of the locals had kindly given them for the last of their gil (of Zaina’s gil, anyway).
“I just mean… what if there’s no path out there… or what if you get caught by some kinda patrol boat or-” Zaina lists off the many possibilities that could go wrong. Even if she did genuinely have faith in Yuffie’s abilities, she wasn’t going to let Yuffie off the leash completely. Yuffie was still reckless and Shinra extremely dangerous. And seeing how Yuffie nearly died and Sonon- Point was, she was more than right to be concerned.
“Come on, I’ll stay within sight of shore, promise! If I don’t find anything then we’re good, and if I do then we’ll come back and head up together. Simple as that! Didn’t you promise you were gonna trust me more?”
Zaina sighed, running a hand through her hair. There truly was no convincing this girl once her mind was made. “Fine… but if anything happens or you even get the feeling something bad is gonna happen, you come right back here. You got that, Missy?”
Yuffie simply just waves a hand, laughing. “Alright, alright. I swear with honor. And Missy? Sheesh, you’re as old as I am! I’m gonna start calling you granny if you keep talking like that.” After that, she jumped in the boat and pushed off from the dock.
“I’ll be back before you know it! Shinra won’t know what hit em once we’re done with ‘em!”
Zaina smiles as she watches Yuffie paddle away, her stress just a little calmed. She trusted Yuffie. It would be fine… she’ll be fine! What could possibly go wrong?”
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Something went wrong. Very wrong.
Granted, it wasn’t anyone’s fault. Things were going pretty as planned. Yuffie was off on the water searching for a way up while still in sight as Zaina watched her in the distance. And while it didn’t seem like Yuffie found anything, that was fine. She’d just come back to shore and they’d search for another way.
What either of them couldn’t have expected was a GIANT GODDAMN MONSTER SWOOPING IN TO ATTACK.
Zaina, joined by Priscilla, a girl who’d welcomed them to Junon alongside Rhonda, watched in horror as the beast swam around Yuffie’s boat. Unfortunately, Yuffie had lost her oar in a panic, rendering her unable to try and escape back to shore. Even then, it zipped around so fast that it would’ve probably caught her anyway if she tried.
They needed to do something, and fast before Yuffie became monster chow.
“Somebody! Help!”
“A monster’s attacking the boat! Someone help–please!”
The two girls ran back up to the main part of the city, yelling out to plead for anyone to assist and save Yuffie. As they reached the top of the steps, Zaina spotted a group of adventurers (and some kind of… dog… thing…) exiting the Inn, likely coming out to see what’s happening. They–especially the Blond one with the gigantic sword–looked pretty capable, so she shouted to get their attention.
“Hey! Mr Spikey! Come hurry up and put that damn sword to use!”
“What’s going on?” A brunette girl in a red dress came up to Zaina along with Mr Spikey and the others. Priscilla came up beside her, equally as concerned.
“Please, we have to go– now! A monster’s attacking the docks, and her friend’s in direct danger of being eaten!”
The group, now understanding the severity of the situation, nodded and agreed to help. Zaina lets out a thankful sigh before she and Priscilla ran back to the docks with the newfound help in tow. Once there, they witnessed in horror as the monster continued to swim around, violently rocking the boat around as Yuffie cried for help.
Zaina clutched her chest as she yelled out, panic still filling her voice. “We’re coming, Yuffie! Help is on the way, just hang in th-!”
She was suddenly interrupted as she watched the monster launch the boat into the air. Her heart stopped instantly, terror filling her entire body as Yuffie fell, splashing into the water.
“YUFFIE-!”
Even as Yuffie resurfaced and looked around her, Zaina still couldn’t stay calm. Yuffie was stranded now–a sitting duck, ripe for the killing. She nearly screamed again as the monster went under until a Dolphin rushed up to Yuffie.
“What the-?” She turned to Priscilla who stepped up, calling out to Yuffie to grab onto it.
Seconds later, Yuffie was on shore, although having been flung by another attempt by the monster. Zaina was the first to Yuffie’s side, fretting in an uncontrollable panic.
“Yuffie- Y-Yuffie, are you okay!? Talk to me- Yuffie please!” She felt around Yuffie’s forehead before moving down to the girl’s neck. A massive weight of fear was immediately lifted off her shoulders as she felt a pulse, a bit off beat but undeniably there. Ronda and Pricilla, as well as the dark haired woman from the group of adventurers, helped her move Yuffie further inland.
As they did, she swore she heard Rhonda calling them “Shinra’s most wanted.” She pushed it to the back of her mind, however, more focused on seeing to Yuffie's wellbeing. As they set Yuffie down and backed off to let Rhonda start on cpr, the woman who assisted them turned to Zaina.
“Hey… you’re her friend? You said her name is Yuffie, right?”
Zaina turned to her, momentarily distracted from her panic. “Y-yeah. I-I’m Zaina. Sh-she’s my best friend a-and-” She paused as the woman placed a hand on the shoulder. “Hey, just breathe… deep breaths, alright? She’ll be okay, we’ll make sure of it.”
She smiled as Zaina took her advice, slowing her breathing. Zaina looked up at the kind woman, eyes still trembling, but undeniably calmer. “Th-thank you… ma’am…”
“Call me Tifa.” The woman said, patting her on the back.
Zaina nodded to Tifa, a small smile on her face. It dropped as she looked back at Yuffie’s unconscious body though, still immensely concerned. She prayed silently to Da-Chao for Yuffie’s survival.
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A bit later, things seemed a bit more worrying as Rhonda continued the resuscitation, to seemingly no avail. People around her commented on how concerning it seemed, noting that it didn’t look like Yuffie was breathing and such. Zaina clung to Tifa who had an arm wrapped around the young girl in an attempt at comfort.
Zaina turned as someone came out from the water, recognizing it as the blond, spikey-haired man from earlier, having just come from successfully slaying the aquatic monster. She watched as Rhonda demanded Mr Spikey help her and he rushed over to take over with chest compressions. As Rhonda began mouth-to-mouth, Mr Spikey kneeled down, looking at Yuffie’s chest rather nervously. Zaina looked in his direction, judging his expression. Was he really nervous about touching a girl’s chest at a time like this!? Her life is on the line for fucks sake!
Rhonda told him to start, and he hesitantly moved her hands, hovering over her chest. To both his and Zaina’s relief (for entirely different reasons), Yuffie began hacking up water, life coming back into her body immediately.
“Thank goodness…” Zaina whispered to herself, letting out a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.
She, like everyone else, was momentarily stunned by Yuffie’s sudden reaction, misunderstanding Mr Spikey’s intentions. After Yuffie calmed down, Tifa released Zaina to which the girl ran over and kneeled at her friend’s side.
“Zaina, I-”
Before Yuffie could continue, Rhonda suggested they get her inside to rest up, something both girls agreed on. Zaina helped Yuffie up to her feet, letting the latter lean on her for support. The two said their thanks to the group who helped them, Zaina especially looking towards Tifa. The older woman gave her a smile and a nod, which she happily returned.