Anne: Well this is my first Final Fantasy fanfiction. Since I've read and love so many Sephiroth/Vincent pairings I decided to write one. It was randomly inspired as I was writing the Fire Emblem one. This one should be updated monthly. So, honest critiques will be appreciated.

Chapter 1

A Plan

He was on his last straw. Really how hard is it to go to a lab grab a few notes and samples, and leave without being caught. He readjusted his glasses as he skimmed over what little the Turks have gathered. If only he could give the Turks the Soldier's mako level, then this wouldn't be an issue. Of course, the president of Shinra wouldn't approve of that. Hojo sighed irritable as he tossed the note down.

He gathered a few files and went to pick it up when it sliced his finger. He stared at the already closing wound, thinking of what that reminded him of... … That was it. He ridiculed himself of why he hadn't thought of it sooner. Of course, it's been over two decade since he locked up Valentine in the coffin. Now the real challenge would be getting Valentine to dance as his puppet. That answered simmered in his mind quickly as well. He quickly dialed a number on his phone, as a wicked grin settled onto his face. Things were looking up.

Reno was enjoying the fact that Hojo's mission was over and not in that scientist's favor either. His legs were up on his desk as he lean back against his chair. He could see his partner shacking his head. "It's comfortable, yo. Maybe you should try it and get a smile plastered on your face. That be a nice change."

Rude sighed at his partner's antics. "One of us have to be serious."

"Isn't like we're on an assignment, yo."

Tseng rapped a file on the redhead. "You are now," he stated, "Another one for Hojo."

Reno jumps up. "You gotta be kidding me. Did you tell that guy that we're not his dogs at beck and call?"

Tseng sighed, "This time the President is backing up this request."

"Yo, for real?"

"Just get the job done," commanded Tseng. He left the offices swiftly leaving the file in the redhead's hands.

"Dude, what's the rush?"

"A meeting?" Rude suggested as he pulled the file from his partner's hand. Suddenly he looked stunned. Reno leaned forward and asked, "so, what are we doing this time?"

"We're getting a coffin from the mansion," the bald Turk explained, "in Nibelheim."

"Right, so we're going to Nibelheim and bringing back a...wait a sec. A coffin!?! Are we picking up some dead guy or what?"

Rude shrugged. Reno kicked his desk, "We're takin' my copter. Sooner this is done the better."

Rude nodded in agreement as he followed his partner. The helicopter flight was short and uneventful. They landed outside of Nibelheim. The two Turks headed to the ruined mansion. Reno gave a nervous smile to his partner. "I hope there aren't ghost here, yo."

The dark skin Turk adjusted his shades as he responded, "You believe they exist."

The redhead didn't respond as he eagerly tugged on the door. With a sharper tug it opened with a loud creak. The manor was dark and damp. He quickly surveyed the room. He curiously asked, "so, where's this coffin?"

Rude pulled a blueprint from the file. "It's in the basement," he read, "We need a key to get to the room. It's somewhere on the stairway down."

"Right. Lead on, map reader."

Rude shook his head as he quickly located and headed down the stairs. They reached the bottom of the dusted corridor. Reno glanced around, "So, where's the key?"

"It only says stairs."

"Tch figures," the redhead commented. He swiftly checked each step until he found an old style key. "Hope this is it, yo."

The other nodded as he led down the hall past the library to a locked door. The redhead leaped to the door and fiddled with the key. He grins as it opened the door. Inside was dustier than the rest of the dark manor. There were three coffins. Two were opened with skeletons. He frowned and darkly said, "Guess Hojo did these guys in."

Reno attempted to open the third coffin when the bald Turk stopped him. "It says specifically not to open it," Rude informed.

"No fun yo," the redhead sighed. They each took an end and began to carry it out. "Wonder what's in here; doesn't weigh much."

"I rather not know," the bald Turk stated.

"Ya ya, you're probably right about that. It's probably some monstrous experiment." The coffin was loaded onto the copter. The ride back to Midgar was uneventful as well. The Turks hopped out swiftly. "Delivering this directly to creepy dude?"

Rude nodded as they once again lifted the coffin and began to transverse the lesser known hallways. Reno was walking backwards when he felt a breath on his shoulder. "So," the mischievous voice asked, "what are you up too?"

The redhead Turk jumped, but not enough to drop his load. Sephiroth chuckled as the Turk glared. "Jeez," he said annoyed, "way to scare a fellow, yo. Can't you see we're busy."

Sephiroth smirked. "Yes with a coffin of all things. I didn't think you Turks bother to keep the bodies."

Rude rolled his eyes and firmly stated, "We don't." Reno added, "But Hojo does."

The General stiffen. "You're doing this for Hojo?"

Reno nodded and finished, "Yeah, and I would like to get rid of this thing sooner rather than later. So later, yo."

He could see the cat green eyes stare as they rounded the corner. He fingered for the door knob and swiftly opened the door. The redhead could sense rather than see Hojo. "So where ya want us to put this, yo?"

Hojo threw a frown before he smiled at the sight of the coffin. "Right there," he commanded the Turks who set it down. He waved his hand to dismiss them. Reno couldn't helped, but to note Hojo's evil grin. He silently shivered as he walked out. Glad I'm done with that.

Vincent felt his world sway. It was a strange feeling when you're stuck in dreams-no-memories. Memories that were often nightmares. They would flicker though everything and anything. He didn't know how long he's been in this state though he was sure its been months. Even so, everything was fresh in his mind as if it was now. Lucrecia and her self experimentation on both herself and her unborn child lingered on his mind often along with his failed confrontation with Hojo, which of course led to his death. That logically led to the numerous experiments Hojo done along with the single one by his beloved, Lucrecia. He wondered why Lucrecia took him back to Hojo. He concluded that her strange pregnancy left her too weak to fight with her husband.

That thought would make Vincent think of the silver hair boy in Hojo's lab. Lucrecia's son. He had not only failed Lucrecia, but her son as well. He had watched Hojo raised the child as an experiment. He could recall the one time he was able to hold the child. His inner demons or to be more correct Chaos helped him.

It was a day after long experimentation, Vincent laid against the wall of his cage recovering. He saw Hojo with the baby. He was going to do something to him what he did not know. He wasn't even sure about what Hojo did to himself let alone anyone else. The scientist's beeper went off. With some curses muttered, he set the child down and left. The silver haired baby began to cry as he awaken. Such an innocently desperate sound. Vincent became determine to hold the child and to comfort him.

The first task will be to escape the cage. Vincent gave a hesitant tug on the bar. It didn't budge. Chaos, I need to get to Sephiroth will you help? The child of the woman you failed? You know I'm affected by the experiments as much as you are. I wouldn't be able to help us escape let alone that child. I just wish to hold him for now. Tch. I will, mortal, allow you to use my strength-don't expect this to be a common occurrence. I won't. Vincent promised sincerely. He jerked the bar with both hands. It was the time before Hojo took his right arm. The bars were moved enough for him to squeeze past.

Vincent gently cradle the child in his arms while making soothing sounds. Sephiroth stopped his crying and stared. Red eyes met green ones. The man couldn't suppress the smile as the child grabbed his black hair and pulled. He continued to rock the baby and began to sing a short lullaby he remembered.

"Hush young one hush.

Can't you hear the sky cry for your smile.

The drops fall yearning

for the rare moment when

your face shine in bliss.

Oh sweet one here.

Can't you see the stars shine in pride.

The light so sincere

watching your every move

and cradling your soul.

Young child of mine.

Can't you feel the wind cradle your skin?

So soft and gentle

kissing your pain away

chasing all fears away."

Vincent didn't keep track of time, but he heard the madman's loud footsteps. He sighed as he turn to face Hojo as the man walked in. Hojo's surprise flickered across his face, but only for a second before it was replaced with a scowl. "Valentine, I didn't realize you had enough strength to crawl out of your cage after that long procedure."

The ex-Turk's face harden as he heard Hojo's statement and more so when he heard Chaos's dark chuckle. Hojo's cruel smile appeared. "Give Sephiroth to me, Valentine."

The gunman frowned at the demand. He knew he wasn't going to be able to escape with the child; he knew it from the beginning. He didn't like the idea of giving Sephiroth back to that man without some kind of resistance. The red eyes observed the others slow encroachment. He suppressed a growl as he gently bent down to put the baby down on the counter. He raised up to realize the silver hair child had his ink black hair in hand. The hunched gunman undid baby's hold and gently kissed his forehead.

Hojo by that time was at Vincent's side. He had watched the interaction between the two with mild interest. Now that Sephiroth was thoroughly detached from the ex-Turk, the scientist injected the sedative, which rendered the other unconscious.

The next day, Vincent awaken to his left arm being well replaced with a golden metal. Hojo took his arm; it was punishment for holding Sephiroth he bet. Not that he regretted it, but it was in a way his dominant hand. He was technically ambidextrous; he could shoot with his right hand. He just had a prefer his left. The next set of procedures he went though were more intense than usual. The gunman was given little time to recover. A week or two of this led to being sealed into a coffin. He figured the madman was worried that he would try to escape with Sephiroth. It was his idea until he never had time to recover.

The movement stopped abruptly. He rather sense than heard his imprisonment open. The light seemed intense as Vincent try to peel his eyes open. He quickly realize all his muscles were very stiff from his long slumber. Finally red eyes open to an unpleasant sight, Hojo. The gunman sat up to seem a little more formidable against the madman. He was tense and it wasn't helping that the other was smirking. The ex-Turk swallowed trying to get some moisture to soothe his throat before he stiffly asked, "What do you want, Hojo?"

He was silently proud that his voice didn't crack from disuse. As he heard a familiar and horrible voice replied, "you are going to rejoin the Turks, Valentine."

Red eyes glare as he spoke, "Why would I do that?"

Hojo's smirk deepen, "Because Valentine I can still hurt you, though I doubt you care about that. If you don't rejoin the Turks, I'll hurt Sephiroth."

The gunman stiffen further. "I thought he was your most precious experiment."

"One that isn't achieving my expectations," Hojo retorted.

Red eyes close as he pondered the options. Just kill him already. No I will access the situation before killing him. Lucercia's child must be out of harm's way first. "Fine I shall do so."

He could hear Chaos growl in annoyance. Hojo smirk widen. "Good, the leader of the Turks will be here shortly."

The door opened. A raven hair Wutarian came in dressed in Turk uniform. His eyes quickly focus to Vincent. He realize that he wasn't in his usual attire, but black tight leather with a bulky red cape. Don't worry it is quite a good look for you, host. "Valentine?" the Wutarian questioned.

Vincent nodded as he stood up and step out of the coffin. This man must be the current leader of the Turks. He guessed it was too much to hope for it to still be Veld. Red eye man tried to avoid Hojo's gaze that seemed to follow him. Chaos wasn't pleased with his decision at all. He suppressed a sigh as he followed the Turk to the elevator. Out of habit, he hit the 6th button. The Turk looked mildly surprised, but didn't say anything.

Vincent followed the other through the open Turk offices to the one reserved to the head Turk. The other Turks went silent at the sight of the red eyed man. The door closed behind them and the whispers would begin. The two sat down. The Turk began, "I'm Tseng the head Turk. I hear you are rejoining the Turks?"

Crimson eyes flashed. "For now," he monotonously replied.

"I know you were a Turk once, but things are different now. I would like to test your abilities myself."

Vincent just nodded. Tseng got up and open the office door. As he expected Turks were trying to overhear the conversation. "Reno," the head Turk commanded, "you're coming with me to test our new recruit."

The redhead flashed a grin. "Right, boss."

The three headed to the basement training arena. It looked mostly the same as when he was a Turk. "Where do you wish me to begin?"

Tseng replied, "Shooting."

Vincent smiled as he went over to the first gun. He picked it up the gun and checked it before he shot three times. All three bullets hit vital points of the human target: head, heart, throat. Looks like I haven't lost my touch despite it all. The gunman moved on to the next and repeated until he reached the machine gun. He raised a single eyebrow at the leader before he carefully set out a dozen bullets through the head and chest. "Satisfied," he asked flatly.

He could tell the redhead known as Reno was impressed. Tseng just nodded as they led him to a door that read Simulator. That was new, the red eyed man wasn't sure what to expect as he walked in. The door closed behind him. He was standing in a fair sized four white wall room. Tseng's voice flickered through the intercom. "You are to sneak into the base. The map and other information will be on the phone at your feet."

Vincent looked down to see a virtual phone. He was terrible confused. His surrounding were different, yet Chaos was murmuring it was still the same one door room. There isn't anything in your hand. If Chaos was right, how could he feel it in his hands when he picked it up? He hesitantly opened it and quickly read over the details. Simple enough mission. He jumped up the roof and sneaked carefully across. Blending into the shadows, he moved silently and swiftly, venturing into the sunlight when necessary.

In no time, he was in front of the base. With a quick look over, the gunman saw the redhead Turk was there. He carefully jumped to the base's rooftop without raising notice. He broke the window's lock and went inside. The leader's voice resounded, "Good job, Valentine."

Everything was white again and the redhead looked at him. "Yo, how ya get pasted me."

"The roof," he replied simply.

"What!? How you get past me in those clunkers?" Reno pointed at his boots.

"I can be quiet when I need to be." To prove his point, he walked without making a noise and then walked with them regularly with the clanking noise. "So what was that?"

"What was what?"

"This room...that place." The aquamarine eyes blink as he stated incredulously, "You never seen a hologram before?"

The head interrupted, "Only one thing left to test. Close combat. Reno, here, will be your opponent."

Vincent nodded while ignoring the look the redhead gave. They left the white room to the training arena he was familiar with. Reno quickly jumped onto the raised platform. The gunman walked on without picking up a weapon. "Guess you're ready yo?"

Vincent nodded. Reno assumed he was like his partner, Rude a first combatant. He took his rod out and quickly jabbed it forward. The gunman side step and with his right hand, the human one, karate chop at the redhead neck. The other brought up the rod to deflect the blow and kicked. The clawed arm latched onto the leg and jerk the Turk's leg up. Reno barely got a hold of himself by standing on his hands. He lashed out with his other leg. Vincent let go to avoid the kick and silently watch the redhead flip himself to his feet. As he rushed forward, the Turk's rod went to strike his chest. He easily grabbed it with his right hand as his claw gently but firmly grabbed the other's neck. "You lose," he stated.

Reno furrowed his brows before a grinning and turning on the rod's electricity. Vincent felt the shock, but stayed as he was. Aquamarine eyes widened as Tseng stated, "That's enough."

The two separated. Before the redhead could say a word, the head smiled. "Well, it looks like he haven't lost your touch as a Turk. And your reputation certainly wasn't exaggerated, Vincent Valentine."

Something inside the Reno's head clicked. "This is theVincent Valentine. The perfect marksman who went missing?"

Wow you're famous now. Vincent calmly stated, "I am Vincent Valentine, but I shall never claim perfection." Don't be so modest. You got killer aim... for a human.

"None the less," Tseng continued, "You are reinstated to the Turks. Good to have you back. Unfortunately, the president doesn't trust you. So, you will be supervised by Reno, here, and his partner while you're at headquarters."

The gunman sighed as he nodded in understanding; Hojo planned this out carefully. He was surprised that there wasn't a single Turk he recognized. Of course he went from mission to mission. He also wasn't one to socialize much. Not to forget the however much time was caught up in experimentation and his forced slumber. All this went through his mind as they traveled from the training grounds to offices. He only hoped the redhead's partner wasn't so...Reno.

Tseng commanded the bald Turk at a desk, "Rude, you will be supervising Valentine."

The head disappeared into his office. Reno sighed as he stands by his partner. "I'm hungry, yo. Let's get some grub."

Rude got up and walked next to Vincent. He was glad that someone was still listening to his prayers up there. Though he knew that the other was observing and sizing him up, he didn't look like it. He followed them to the cafeteria on the 7th floor. He knew that food wasn't a necessity for him, but he was hungry.