A/N: And in my sudden flood of updates comes... SOMETHING THAT ISN'T MEGAMAN! Horror! In honour of the Vincent-oriented FFVII sequel coming out soon, I decided to upload one of the many works I wrote in 5 seconds on a summer afternoon. ' More to come if I can think of more to add. R/R

Kage

It's been a while since I was last here, but nothing much has changed. The mansion still looms over the town like some sort of demon, casting its shadow on the hearts of the people who dwell here. The mountains still stand tall in the distance, mostly untouched by the taint that is humanity. People still go about their daily lives, trying to fight off the shadow of the mansion, the cold presence that grips their souls.

I almost wonder how I managed to stay here, to work here, without going insane. The place is cold and draining, leeching off the things that make us human. Of course, perhaps that's just my perception, but the others look harrowed as well.

Then it hits me why I could work here. It was, of course, because of her. My reflection, my soul, the only thing in my life that was truly wonderful and pure.

Lucretia, the woman of my dreams, and now of my nightmares... But she was not the nightmare. The things that went on around her, the things that were done to her, and the thing that came out of her... those were the nightmares. But she was just a pawn, caught in the crossfire, forced to go through the agony Hojo had caused her.

Or was she? Could it be that she had chosen her own path? Could it be she wanted to be with Hojo, wanted to give birth to Sephiroth, wanted to play a role in this horrible nightmare-like project?

I shake my head. It couldn't have been her choice. She was angelic, a goddess of light and purity. She would not have desired to cause this much pain and suffering to the world. That much, at least, I understand about the world as a whole, even if I understand little else.

The others are curious about the pain that burns in my eyes. The young girl – Aerith, I believe – comes up to me, concern and worry shimmering in emerald eyes. "Are you alright, Vincent-san?" she queries.

I shake my head, a slight smile forming on my face. "I quite doubt I'll ever be truly alright, Aerith-chan. But considering everything, I could be much worse off. Thank you for asking."

She nods, but the worry does not dissipate. Her sweet, angelic face reminds me of Lucretia again, but then again, very little hasn't today. She was the first thought on my mind when the young warrior awakened me, and has not left it since.

"I'm fine, Aerith-chan. Go back with Cloud and the others," I say, trying to cheer her up slightly. Although I know she is not the one I love, she reminds me enough of her to make her unhappiness a deeply unpleasant thing, and so I do not wish to see her pain. At the mention of the warrior, she perks up slightly, and nodding again, heads off to join Cloud, who strikes up a quick chat with her.

Seeing them happy cheers me up slightly, although not very much. Very little could cheer me up at the current moment, other than seeing Hojo dead, or resting eyes on the woman I loved, who I can only hope is still alive after the horrible things that were done to her. I fell into my sleep of atonement long before she gave birth to the demon known as Sephiroth, and still am unsure on her fate, although I know from the young warrior that the demon still lives. I am still unsure on whether I wish the warrior to kill him or not, as he remains my last tie to my love. But... He is a force of evil, and perhaps I can atone for failing to protect my love by destroying the horrible thing she was forced to produce.

I have been indrawn too long. The others are preparing to leave. I must prepare now to begin my journey to redemption, and pray that this is truly the right path...