REAL SUMMARY: Vincent Valentine doesn't often go wandering about anymore, but one day after visiting Lucrecia's cave he comes across a young girl, hurt and close to death. He helps her, only to find out that she's an orphan with no idea how to survive on her own! Can Vincent help this poor girl out?

Prologue: Blood on the Rocks

Vincent sighed quietly as he looked up at Lucrecia, sleeping in her crystal. The light of the cave reflected through it, giving her an angelic glow, even as the sun sank below the horizon. However, he couldn't stay with her much longer: he had to get somewhere before night really set in, as much as he would have loved to stay. The man slowly got to his feet, giving his dear friend one last look before he made his way out of the cave, and into the dying light of the sun. He made his way toward Nibelheim, planning on staying the night there then getting the hell out of the area at dawn.

Vincent was making his way quickly across the landscape, not taking any time to dawdle and look at the scenery, when out of nowhere his senses were overwhelmed by the scent of freshly spilt blood. He stopped immediately, looking around to find the source. And when he did, it made even his blood run cold.

Not too far off was a pack of monsters, and in the center, a young girl was fighting for her life wielding only a stick in her defense. Blood ran from the corners of her mouth, and from a large cut on her cheek. Her pants were stained, and clearly wet, as was her jacket and shirt, and the bandana around her neck. She had a pair of cracked, bloodstained goggles on her head as well, and a small cut just under her eye that was dripping blood as if it were older.

But Vincent hardly noticed these things, nor did he notice how her seafoam colored eyes widened in relief when she saw him. He didn't see her dark brown hair whip around her face and shoulders as he flashed around her, killing the monsters. However, he did see her collapse, just barely catching her before she hit her knees. He saw her smile, and go limp in his arms. He could tell she was badly injured, but still breathing, as he lifted her up.

He didn't know if he would make it to town in time.

Vincent hurried as fast as he was able to Nibelheim, all his plans dashed by the sudden appearance of the girl. He would have to wait until he knew she was alright, otherwise he knew it would be a restless night of worry.

He found himself unusually relieved to make it into the town he so loathed, not even caring as locals whispered and pointed and hurried over to him. He was quickly taken to the Inn, and didn't even have to pay for the room, before he was ushered upstairs to lay her down. Medical supplies were rushed to him (it seemed like the town had pooled together its small amount of resources) and he left alone with the local medic to patch the girl up. The man lost count of how many times Cure spells had been cast on her, spells that should have healed her more than they did.

Grateful that the bleeding had been stopped at the very least, he did what he could to close up her wounds before he dismissed the medic to return home. The woman left with a nod, leaving the supplies there for him, and leaving him in silence to watch over the girl.