CHAPTER 1 - SEE THE SUN
Is it gone?
There was complete darkness as Vincent Valentine breathed heavily. He was tied down to a stone platform – the leather straps tore at his skin with every movement, not to mention they were cutting off his circulation. They were around his head; they were around his arms, stomach, legs, and one little twitch gave him instant pain – like a needle entering his skin over and over. His long back hair was gone; shaven off as if it had never existed. Vincent was naked, and he felt uncomfortable about it, with black symbols painted all over his body. He did not recognize the symbols – except for the mouthlike figure painted on his abs. It resembled the mouth of Chaos, the demon inside of him, or, really, the demon that used to be inside of him but he still wasn't quite sure. Did the ceremony work?
Vincent was perspiring profoundly and the black paint was beginning to melt off – this scared him. He moved his bald head slowly to the left, trying hard not to create more pain to his body. He saw a glimmer of candlelight – above it was the ceremonial director…Decko Rouse, a short old man, he and his cult worshipped Chaos but their god had went missing – and as told in the prophecy – a man would come to them with the god's spirit and power implanted in him. When Vincent heard this from Decko – he almost didn't believe it – they were the only group of people on the Planet that could help him. He was afraid; according Decko, this sort of exorcism had never been performed before because Chaos was no ordinary demon. Vincent knew that he had to do it – he was desperate. He saw the thing he was becoming; he saw what he already was. Everyone knew that he was broody, alone, depressed and he had to admit it – he was. But how could he not, with all that had happened to him. Yet, something had changed within him, it was the last conversation that he had with one of his friends during their victory party at the Seventh Heaven…yes…he remembered…
It was about three years ago.
You can't hide here any longer
My God you need to rinse those puffy eyes
You can't last here any longer
And you probably don't want to hear tomorrow's another day
And I promise you you'll see the sun again
And you're asking me why pain's the only way to happiness
And I promise you you'll see the sun again
Come on take my hand
We're going for a walk, I know you can
You can wear anything as long as it's not black
Please don't mourn forever
She's not coming back
And yes they'll ask you where you've been
And you'll have to tell them again and again
And you probably don't want to hear tomorrow's another day
And I promise you you'll see the sun again
So be thankful you knew her at all
But it's no more
I promise you you'll see the sun again
Dido (See the Sun)
They had just defeated Kadja and his gang. The geostigma was gone from the Planet. There was no happier place then the Seventh Heaven. He recalled two proposals that happened that night. Cid had proposed to Shera, everyone acted surprised, but no one really was. Then, the unexpected happened, Cloud got onto his knees and proposed to Tifa. Vincent remembered the crying, the laughing, the hugging and the toasting…he recalled everything about that night. As Tifa hugged Cloud she peered over at Vincent – he was standing by the far wall – a tonic and lime in his hand – for Vincent didn't drink – she smiled warmly at him. … No one knew…no one knew about them. Vincent smiled back at her. It was a small smile but Tifa appreciated it just the same.
Memory over came Vincent, so, with a heavy heart, he left the Seventh Heaven without a word to anyone. Only one person noticed his sudden absence…before he could get half way down the street, Yuffie K. came tumbling after him.
"Vinnie! Vinnie boy!"
Vincent stopped in his tracks and grunted something under his breath, he remembered it wasn't positive. "Yuffie, why did you follow me?"
"Because you left in the middle of the party, you pooper!" she giggled widely as she approached him. "Where do you think you're going anyway?"
"Back to the mansion," he replied plainly. He then turned away from the 18 year old ninja and kept on walking. Yuffie was not going to take that from him.
"Hey!" she yelled. "Vincent Valentine don't you turn your back to me!"
"And why not?" he asked deeply, not expecting an answer since he was still walking away.
"Because, you stupid son-of-a-bitch," Vincent's eyes widened, Yuffie always swore but her tone of voice was very different. "You're not the only one who's lost something!" Yes, Yuffie was serious now. He had never heard her say a sentence with such genuineness. Vincent stopped again and turned to her – she was not crying but her face was sad and almost lonely. "What?" was all he could muster.
"What is wrong with you?" she said bluntly. She shook her head at him, like he was a misbehaving child. Vincent was a little offended by it. "You're like some suicidal bastard who can't see how good he's really got it!"
"Yuffie, leave me alone, for once in your sorry life," Vincent turned to leave again.
"Oh, you did not just describe my life as 'sorry'!" she sounded a bit furious now. "I'm not the one who spent a miserable 50 years in a God forsaken COFFIN!"
"You wouldn't understand…" and besides, he thought, it was only 30 years.
"My mother died when I was 6 years old Vincent, right in front of me. My father hates my guts…he…he wishes that I was never born, Vincent…I'll have to rule all of Wutai very soon…with a man I won't even know and probably won't even love!"
"Yuffie…"
"She's dead, Vinnie…let it go."
That was it…she spoke of Lucrecia. He walked up to her and grabbed her scrawny neck. He didn't grab her hard but enough so he could hopefully make a point. "Shut up." Yuffie spoke calmly still, even with one of her friend's hands on her throat. "You can't mourn forever…she's not coming back."
"I don't want to hear it from a kid like you."
"Then who will you hear it from? Huh? Not Cloud, Tifa, Cid or Barret! You don't listen to anyone!"
"Please, Yuffie…"
"You're hurting me, Vincent."
Vincent suddenly realized that he was tightening his grip…he immediately let go and looked away in embarrassment. "I'm…are you...okay?"
Yuffie rubbed her neck gently, "I'll live…"
"Yuffie, please, just let me handle my own life," he, once again, tried to walk away from her – but he suddenly felt the young ninja princess hug his back.
"Don't you see what's happening?" she sobbed. "Don't become…don't become that thing! We're here for you Vinnie, all of us."
"I…"
"You didn't even hear what Cloud said before you left did you?"
"I…no…"
"He said that he wanted you to be his best man for the wedding and I've seen the way Tifa looks at you too, Vincent! You were her support when Cloud was gone; you helped her get through it all."
"Yuffie…"
"Little Marlene loves you like an uncle!"
"Please…" he was pleading her to stop…but something was melting inside him.
"I know Barret and Cid can be a little stupid and obnoxious but they care for you too!"
Vincent turned to look at the young lady who was holding him.
"And I…" Yuffie suddenly stopped. A faint tint of red brushed her face.
"Yuffie…"
"Please," she sighed. "Become the person you truly want to be…because I know you want to."
"I can't…"
"There is no can't…" she sniffed and lowered her head but it was immediately up again with a tearful smile on her face. "Since when did The Great Vincent Valentine say he couldn't do something!? He's the most powerful being in the universe! Evil doers beware! He…"
"Yuffie, that's enough."
"Vincent, I…" She stood on her tip-toes, placed her hands on his chin and kissed his cheek gently. Vincent had not been kissed in anyway shape or form since Lucrecia…all those years ago. He just stood there dumbfounded for a few seconds with Yuffie looking up at him, blushing and with tears still on her face.
"Yuffie…"
She nodded, "I know, we're polar opposites and I'm a loud, crazy brat of a teenage girl but…there was no better time to do it! Don't you agree?!" She smiled silly-like at him. She was back to the old Yuffie…and he wondered if it was always a cover for how she really felt all the years he'd known her.
"Yeah…right." Vincent rubbed the back of his neck.
"Oh laugh it off Vinniekins! It was just a peck on the cheek! I figured it would be the only way you'd listen!"
"Yeah…"
"Do you promise me you'll clean yourself up now?"
"What?" he looked at her for a moment. She might have been back to the old Yuffie but Vincent saw another side of her for the first time…and he wondered if he was the only one who ever had. She was young, overly energetic, and yes…a brat…but something else too…something much more. He was feeling something he hadn't felt in a long time…and it wasn't just because she kissed him.
"Promise me you'll do something about yourself! Pleeeeeese!" She stuck out her lip like a little toddler. "You'll see the sun again if you do! I promise!"
"I…" he glanced at the ground. I can't believe it, he thought, she's right. "Yes."
"Really!?" she squealed with delight and grabbed his arm. "Come on Vinnie; let's get back to the party!"
"Okay, but you'll have to promise me something in return as well," he said it very casual like, as if it wasn't really very important, but it was, for some reason, it was to him.
"What?" the teen inquired.
"Be you as much as possible," he said calmly and deeply. "Don't hide anything."
Yuffie went weak in the knees, he could tell, but she retained herself quickly. "Sure," she said softly. "No problemo boss!"
Vincent stayed in Midgar for a little less than a year, for Cloud and Tifa's sake and he was glad he did, for the wedding was beautiful. Barret and Cid stood behind Vincent and he remembered patting Cloud's shoulder as they waited for Tifa to come down the isle. "Relax," Vincent said quietly. Cloud just turned to him and gave him a nervous smile. Vincent tilted his head to see Yuffie on the bride maid's side with Shera and two of Tifa's other girl-friends who he didn't know. Yuffie squinted her eyes and nose when she looked back at him but then smiled warmly right after. He gave her one of his small smiles back. It wasn't long after Denzel came down the isle with the ring and Marlene with the flower basket. Tifa came behind them; almost floating because she was so light on her feet. Tears were in her eyes; Vincent knew that she had been waiting for this moment her whole life. She came up the isle, her dress dipped down the front and was white, elegant and weightless – like a silk night gown – only she had a thin, royal blue sash around her waste. Vincent noticed a teary wink from Tifa to him as she came to stand across from Cloud and he nodded in return. Vincent stayed long enough for the pictures and the reception at the end but then, the very same day, he left for the mansion to change his clothes. He dressed in his traditional AVALANCHE outfit – headband and all – then left Midgar to find anyone that could help him. He turned off his phone and left no note, no phone messages, and no word. He thought that it would be best that way. He had not heard from any of them since.