Hi. So I had this weird dream, and decided to make a story out of it, since it simply wouldn't leave my head. I just can't seem to concentrate on previous stories that really need updating. Well, this should hopefully fix that; it's nothing serious, just a bit of an aid to get me back into writing, and I probably won't update very often. But I decided to share it with you anyway, if you'd be so kind as to take the time to read it. Hope you enjoy.

As always, I don't own Final Fantasy VII, or the characters.

And also, this is rated M for a reason, though I don't think it's overly graphic.

Waiting

Train Graveyard

Yuffie x Rude

Sector Seven used to have a Train Station, before meteor hit. It was still there, still recognisable, but obviously broken beyond repair. It blended in well with the Train Graveyard that existed close to it; heaps of metal, some parts twisted and scorched black, the trains and their carts mostly overturned at odd angles, and the tracks almost completely buried under rubble from the dropped plate. This is where Yuffie chose to spend most of her time. Sometimes to sit, to think, to cry, to smile. Lately, she was unhappy.

Yuffie disliked Shelke. That much was obvious to anyone who witnessed their fleeting moments of interaction. The ninja disliked the ex-Tsviet's cold, emotionless demeanour (even in the face of losing her sister for Leviathan's sake), her lack of knowledge in how the world worked to the point of blatant ignorance, and her unnecessary use of one's last name as well as the first that just grated on her nerves. Most of all, Yuffie strongly disliked how the girl managed to capture and hold the attention of the one and only Vincent Valentine. Yuffie had been trying to accomplish that for years, with minimal success.

She didn't want to go back to Wutai just yet, but she also didn't want to stay at the 7th Heaven and be forced to stew in her own envy and misery as she watched Vincent visit Shelke every day, while barely conceding to the fact that the ninja girl of Wutai was in the same building. So Yuffie slept at the bar, but ventured into Midgar during the day. Not that there was anything of use in those ruins. Until one day, she unwittingly stumbled upon her escape from Vincent's influence.

Rude was leaning against a fallen pillar in his Turk uniform, arms folded, staring at the ground. At first, Yuffie assumed his presence at Sector Seven's almost flattened train station was a one off. She came here every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, always to lay on top of an overturned train carriage and stare at the sky, but she'd never seen the Turk here before. It looked like he was waiting for someone.

The ninja left him be, subdued lately for obvious reasons, and took up her usual spot. Rude glanced up from the other side of the train tracks and nodded to her in acknowledgement, and she nodded back. That was it.

Until the next day, a Monday. The Turk showed up again, in the late evening this time. Yuffie had been staring at the beautiful, sparkling stars, making up new constellations to tell Nanaki about, before she detected movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning to look, she saw what appeared to be the disembodied head of the bald Turk; his suit blended so well into the night. He leaned against the same pillar again, and she waved to catch his attention. Rude nodded back, then took to staring at the ground as he always did.

The Princess didn't see him again for three days, until Friday. Three whole days in which Vincent Valentine completely ignored her existence. So her spirits lifted slightly as she caught sight of the Turk, leaning against his pillar as the sun set. This time she decided to call out a greeting. Rude gave an awkward, half hearted wave, before returning to his own thoughts. The acknowledgement was enough for Yuffie; at least he wasn't ignoring her too.

On Sunday morning, Yuffie arrived at the Train Station to find Rude already in his spot, still and silent. The ninja looked between him and her spot for a moment, before choosing to walk up to the Turk. Sitting on a twisted lump of metal next to him -what the lump used to be, she wasn't sure- Yuffie smiled widely.

"Hi." she greeted pleasantly.

"Hello, Lady Kisaragi." he replied quietly.

Nothing more was said that day. After a few weeks, it became the norm; Yuffie would sit next to Rude, they would both acknowledge the others presence, then sit in comfortable silence until one of them left. This happened Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. Neither would ask why the other was here, or if something was wrong; it was clear they wouldn't be here if they were perfectly happy with their lives.

Yuffie finally discovered Rude's reason for visiting the Train Station when Reno showed up with him one day, a Friday. They were arguing. Or rather, Reno was trying to provoke a verbal response from the other Turk. The ninja stayed out of sight to eavesdrop.

"Rude, why don't you just go to the bar and try talking to her? You're moping over somethin' you don't have, but you ain't even tried to get it yet."

The bald Turk remained stoically silent. Reno sighed loudly, "Look, coming here three days a week to sulk is kinda sad, partner. Come drinking with me, or something."

Rude merely shook his head. The red head raised his voice, "Damn man, you're actin' a fool just 'cause you like some girl!"

The other Turk finally responded with one word, "Hypocrite."

There was a moment of tense silence in which Yuffie held her breath. It was broken when Reno started to chuckle.

"Yeah," he agreed, "I am, ain't I? Okay partner, you deal with it your way, and I'll deal with it my way."

They shared a smirk before parting ways. Once she was sure Reno was gone, the Princess popped out from her hiding place and took her usual seat next to Rude.

"So, you like 'some girl', eh?" she asked curiously, not expecting an answer.

"Yuffie." Her stomach seemed to drop as she thought he was referring to her, but realised in the next second that he was only acknowledging her.

"Rude." she reciprocated, smiling. Of course, the ninja had an inkling as to whom it was he had feelings for. Still, after five years she thought he'd be over her by now. That said, Yuffie had been in love with Vincent since she was sixteen. Maybe she was a hypocrite too.

On Monday, Rude was greeted with a weeping Yuffie. She'd got into an argument with Shelke because the ex-Tsviet had made a needless comment about the ninja's unhealthy diet. Yuffie had disputed that her eating habits were none of Shelke's business, and it wasn't as if she needed Mako as a form of sustenance to stay healthy anyway. Vincent, of course, had defended Shelke immediately and firmly.

"Stupid vampire." The Princess sniffled. Rude placed a gloved hand on her shoulder and squeezed briefly and gently.

Two more meetings passed as normal. They both waited silently at the ruined train station for something that would never happen. The ninja decided they should make a change to their routine, on the next Monday. After the usual greetings, Yuffie turned to Rude with a proposal.

"Hey, do you wanna...grab a drink?" she asked hesitantly, "Not at the 7th Heaven, obviously."

The Turk regarded her in silence for so long that Yuffie honestly believed he wasn't going to answer, and then he nodded.

She let Rude pick the bar, which turned out to be on the other side of Edge to Tifa's bar entirely, and that was more than okay with her. It wasn't as nice as the 7th Heaven, but it was quiet. Rude ordered a whisky, straight, and Yuffie ordered some sickly, sweet cocktail. They drank slowly, quietly.

"You don't talk much, just like him." she commented offhandedly. He nodded in agreement, and they shared a look for a moment.

She really didn't know how it happened, but Yuffie and Rude were completely on the same page as they stood, abandoning their unfinished drinks. He took her hand, and she let him lead her over to the bar, where the Turk put down some gil and grabbed a room key.

Up the stairs, find the right room, unlock the door; they didn't rush, but they weren't slow about it, either. Once inside, Yuffie began tearing of her clothes hurriedly, while Rude was much more methodical in removing his. Tie first, then the jacket, followed by shoes and socks, but not preceding the shirt.

"Gawd Rude, taking your sweet time there, buddy. Here, let me help you." An already fully naked Yuffie jumped in front of him and began working at his belt. The Turk let her finish undressing him, before picking her up and setting her down on the queen sized bed.

"Are you gonna do me with your shades on? I'm not complaining, you can if you want to, I don't mind either way."

Rude smirked a little as he removed his sunglasses, revealing warm brown eyes.

"Leviathan, Rude, you really like to hide all your assets-"

He cut her off with a kiss, easing her back onto the bed, "Why are you so talkative now?"

"Sorry, I'll shut up and let you get on with it, shall I?"

And get on with it he did, after positioning her legs over his shoulders, and then Yuffie couldn't shut up anymore. In fact, she was probably being far too loud, but Rude didn't care; he wasn't exactly being gentle, and she didn't seem to mind. Her ears strained to hear the Turks quiet, rhythmic grunts. For this short period of time, Vincent Valentine could go fuck himself to the heavens. The ninja cried out only Rude's name as she came, and he followed soon after, a garbled version of her name and a swear word spilling from his lips. It was far from romantic and it wasn't particularly affectionate, but they didn't care. It was exactly what they both needed.

They lay next to each other in silence until Yuffie caught her breath, "That's the loudest I've ever heard your voice go, and you didn't even say a real word."

Rude chuckled, and the sound was warm and rich to her ears. Vincent never chuckled around her.

He woke her up very early, before dawn, already dressed. It soon became apparent that Yuffie was not a morning person, though only when she tried to pull one of her stockings over her head did Rude take pity on her and help. When the Princess was finally fully clothed, she gave him a sullen look, "I got all excited when you woke me up 'cos I thought we were gonna do it again."

The Turk smirked a little, smugly, "A one night stand means just that."

"I know, but there's no need to conform to the rules all the time, is there?"

He shook his head at her logic, opening the door for her. Yuffie practically skipped out, and Rude followed her quietly, putting on his sunglasses. They exited the bar in comfortable silence, before parting ways with a nod and a knowing look.

Tifa was out of bed and prepping the kitchen for lunchtime customers by the time Yuffie sauntered in, happier than she'd been in a while.

"And just where have you been, young lady?" the bartender teased, chopping away at some vegetables.

"Sector Seven's Train Graveyard." the Princess informed her, matter of fact.

"Interesting choice of playground," Tifa commented, "Did you have fun?"

Yuffie pondered for a moment, before replying in a complacent tone, "Yes. Yes I did." Then she grinned at the barmaid widely, "Tifa, you honestly have no idea what you're missing, girl."

With that, Yuffie flounced past her and up the stairs to the hallway, where she passed Vincent. She did not acknowledge his presence.

Tifa frowned, trying to figure out what Yuffie meant. Not that it would have mattered if she did, because Tifa would always be waiting for Cloud.

Quite the unusual pairing, hm? I know. I don't know what I was thinking. Perhaps I'm subconsciously tired of the conventional ones.

Please take a moment to review and tell me what you thought? :) I have a couple more chapters that are relatively finished.

Thanks for reading!