Disclaimer: All characters, and underlying plots and settings in "When the Storm Arrives", excluding my Original Characters, belong to © Square Enix™, and its affiliates. However, the fan fiction itself; the new plots, and as mentioned before; original characters belong to © me, Kandace Long (gasmaskbandit). This fan fiction is for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement was intended.

Warning: This fan fiction contains Coarse Language, Sexual Content, Extreme Violence, and Gore. Reader discretion is advised.

Author's Note: I really appreciate feedback, so any comments, critiques or concerns you may have, please don't hesitate to let me know. Reviews of my work only help to better my skills, and improve my style for future chapters. Don't be shy. I am asking for your thoughts.


When the Storm Arrives
Chapter 01
Calm Before the Storm
♥ ♦ ♣ ♠

"There must be a way for her to be at peace..." - Vincent Valentine

30 Minutes a blink of an eye,
30 Minutes to alter our lives,
30 Minutes to make up my mind,
30 Minutes to finally decide,
30 Minutes to whisper your name,
30 Minutes to shoulder the blame,
30 Minutes of bliss, 30 lies,
3o Minutes to finally decide.

30 Minutes
T.A.T.U

Yuffie sat on the bar stool, fidgeting with her shorts, moved on to retie her headband, and then finally started impatiently running her hands through her hair. After a sufficient amount of hair fondling, she tossed it about violently, spinning to face the other occupant of the bar.

"Tifa?" Yuffie inquired desperately. "How long have they been gone? I should have gone with them. Why didn't anyone wake me?"

Yuffie had been up for hours, tirelessly pacing the room, while waiting for Vincent to return. She had finally gotten some shut eye, only to wake up and discover that the search party had already left. Cloud and the gang had all decided not to wake her, and left poor Yuffie behind. Even Reno and Rude had tagged along. She was fuming with anger for the first hour, but then her anger turned to spent nerves and she was now just worried sick. She and Vincent had been through a lot, and she felt like she should be there to find him, wherever it is that he may be.

"Don't worry," Tifa said warmly. "I'm sure they'll find him." She was trying her best to sound reassuring to her younger friend. Tifa cared for Yuffie as a sister and didn't like to see her so distressed.

Yuffie was about to reply, when she heard footsteps outside the front door. She unconsciously crossed her fingers, and stared point blank at the doorknob, perfectly still, which was a rare feat for a spirit such as Yuffie. As the door opened, the light on Yuffie's face could have lit up the entire night sky, for none other than Vincent Valentine was the first to enter.

Yuffie jumped off her stool with such a start, that Tifa dropped the plate she was washing to the floor, causing it to shatter into several jagged pieces. Oblivious to her older friend's curses of frustration, Yuffie ran straight towards the man she had worked with for the last few weeks. She was just about to jump up and hug him, when she tripped over one of her own laces and started to fall head first to the floor.

Yuffie let out an ear piercing cry of despair before she felt cool, sharp metal beneath her. Vincent was crouched low with his left clawed hand holding Yuffie up from her chest.

"Hello Yuffie," he said flatly.

With the end of her nose just inches away from the floor, Yuffie struggled to right herself. An embarrassed blush adorned her pale skin, as she managed a weak smile.

"Hey Vinnie," she paused. "Good to see you're OK." Then without any warning, as per usual, her demeanor changed, and just as soon as it had formed, the flush of her cheeks disappeared without a trace. "Where the heck WERE you anyways? You know, you had us worried SICK here." Yuffie chided, pointing at who she meant by "we", Tifa, who was still busy sweeping up the mess of broken glass.

Vincent was also standing up again, and he shifted uneasily. He slowly averted his eyes and stared blankly at the floor. "I had something...someone I had to see. Never mind, I'm back now. Sorry if I caused anyone any trouble."

"Enough of this crap," an annoyed voice droned from somewhere behind the group. The familiar voice was soon revealed, as Reno pushed his way past everyone, knocking Cait Sith off of Red's back in the process. "I need a drink, STAT." He cast a sideways glance at Yuffie as he moved past her. "Hey brat." he said teasingly, reaching up to ruffle her hair before making his way to the bar.

Yuffie immediately flattened her hair down with the palm of her hands. She hated it when he did that. It made her feel like a child. Turning to face the tall redhead who was walking away, she screamed out after him.

"Do that again Reno, and I swear I'll---" Her words were cut off by a small childish voice.

"Papa, Papa!" The voice said enthusiastically, as it's owner quickly came into view. Marlene had awoken in all the commotion and was running down the stairs. She bee-lined it straight for Barret, and jumped up into her adopted father's arms. Odd as they looked together, they painted a pretty sunny picture. Barret, mirroring Marlene's face, was smiling brightly, and all who were in the room, excluding Reno of course, took a moment to revel in this happy reunion.

Reno, on the other hand, was already half done a bottle of Fireball Whisky when Tifa spoke up.

"Reno, it's four in the morning, for God's sake! Do you think getting drunk is entirely appropriate right now?"

Reno stopped chugging for a moment, only to reply with a dry "Yup," followed by a nauseating belch. Tifa winced, and continued washing the dishes that she had been trying to finish without interruption for the last half hour.

"You're hopeless," she said with a hint of amusement curling her lips. Although the two organizations had their tiffs in the past, Reno and the rest of the Turks had helped Avalanche many times over the years. And although they were still not fully trusted, Avalanche was slowly receiving them on friendlier terms.

Cloud, who had been listening quietly, came up behind the bar, and gave Tifa a light kiss on the cheek in greeting.

"Want some help with these," he half yawned at her, looking down at the growing pile of dishes to dry. She looked up at him, into those tired eyes, and realized even if she did receive his offer, he wouldn't be much help.

"No, you look exhausted. Why don't you go to bed?"

Cloud yawned again, and replied with a sleepy "OK." He turned, and lazily ascended up the stairs to his bedroom where he would, without delay, plop down on his soft bed, sword and all, instantaneously falling into a deep, dream filled sleep.

Back downstairs, everyone had now found their designated spot to relax in. Denzel had come downstairs to take Marlene back to bed, and Red was already lying on the floor in a heap, fast asleep. Cait Sith sat upon him, shifting awkwardly whilst trying to find a comfortable position.

In the darkest corner of the bar, Barret and Cid huddled around a small round table.

"Yo, would ya put that disgusting thing out?" Barret's voice grumbled as he seized a freshly lit cigarette from Cid's chapped lips. "You know I can't breathe when ya smoke those things around me."

Cid lurched forward and snatched it again, putting it back in his mouth and proceeding to puff in Barret's direction.

"I've 'ad myself a long day, and I haven't even smoked once," the blonde man replied. "You ain't takin' this little pleasure away from me today, man. No siree." Cid settled back into his chair, closed his eyes, and inhaled deeply.

It had indeed been a long day. The search party had been looking everywhere for their friend Vincent for what seemed like forever. After defeating Omega, he had disappeared into the sky, like a star that had died and blinked out. They searched almost every nook and cranny of the mountainous terrain, before stumbling upon a cave. They had sent Shelke to investigate, and she and Vincent had returned in a matter of minutes, to set off for the long journey home. No one inquired into where Vincent had been. He deserved at least one night of peace before the incessant interrogation that would surely occur the next day.

Yes...a long day indeed. Cid thought to himself, as he slowly drifted asleep, leaving his cigarette at the mercy of gravity, to ultimately fall to the floor. Barret angrily picked it up and snuffed it out in the now overflowing ash tray. The simple action plunged their corner into complete darkness. So much so, that it seemed, they to, had blinked out like a dying star.

Tifa broke the silence when she noticed there were two Turks not present. She contemplated asking Reno about this, but knew that at this point she would never receive any coherent reply, so she turned to the tall stoic man standing beside the door, rigid as the trunk of a tree. His shaded eyes dispelling none of his emotions.

"Rude?" she called out softly. The position of his head turned slightly in Tifa's direction.

"Yes, Tifa?" If he hadn't of said anything, Tifa would have thought he didn't hear her. She had just finished the dishes and was ringing out the last bits of dampness from her washcloth, when she looked back up at Rude.

"Where are Tseng and Elena? I didn't see them come in?" She asked.

"They have gone to check on President ShinRa at the hospital. He was injured and sustained a concussion in the massacre at Kalm." Rude said flatly. "They will be returning tomorrow."

Yuffie, who was sitting uncomfortably in a creaky chair, had been watching the others for what seemed like an eternity. Reeve was sitting in the middle of the room reading, and Shelke, stupid Shelke, she thought, was sitting by the window staring blankly at the floor. She looked like a stuffed doll.

Everyone's dull conversation had been turning Yuffie's mind to mush before she decided to speak up.

"As interesting as you guys all are," she said with a dramatic yawn, "I think I'm gonna go for a walk outside. I need some fresh air. I've been stuffed up in this smelly old bar all day, because you jerks left me behind to go on your little adventure." Yuffie jumped up from her chair making it groan in protest, and headed for the door. "Y'all have fun now, y'hear." She said smiling, and she was gone in a flash with the door swinging shut behind her.

The only reply to Yuffie's sudden outburst was a loud bang, followed by a slurred "Owwwww" as Reno leaned too far back and fell off his stool. The room quickly filled with a deafening mixture of laughter, as no one moved to help him up.

-----

Vincent Valentine was lost in a labyrinth of thoughts and emotions. After he defeated Omega, he had gone straight to Lucrecia's chamber to sort out all the events that had just occurred. It was the only place he felt safe; the only place in which he could just be by himself and think. While there though, all his thoughts seem to center around HER. It was Lucrecia who helped him defeat Omega, and it was she who helped him to survive.

He wished he could run to her and hold her; thank her for her kindness. But all he could do was watch her, perfectly still, as if dead in her coffin of crystallized rock. He wanted to free her, release her from her torment, but there was no way he could do that. Was there? He wasn't so sure.

There must be a way for her to be at peace, he thought to himself. There must be.

The silence of his reverie was shattered when Yuffie came bursting out of the door behind him. He was leaning on the railing of the porch looking out at the starry sky above. There were no clouds on this night, and the sky was as clear as it could possibly be. The stars illuminated the full moon, casting their combined light down upon those fortunate enough to receive their magnificent glory.

"Ooohwie, it's so pretty!" Yuffie exclaimed almost instantaneously after emerging from the bar. "There are so many stars, and look at the moon!"

Yuffie stopped suddenly in her descent down the stairs when she realized she was not alone. She whirled on the cloaked figure to her right and realized who it was. That inky black hair, crimson cape, and gold claw could never be mistaken. "Oh, er, Vinnie. I didn't see you there," she said sheepishly. "I don't always talk to myself, but it was just really pretty."

Vincent looked at the young girl placidly, his blood red eyes boring into her dark brown ones.

"Don't worry about it," he said coolly. "It is indeed a pleasant scene to witness." Vincent's voice gave no indication of his earlier thoughts, and took on the tone of the detached cool manner in which he spoke.

Yuffie started to climb back up the stairs and came to stand beside Vincent on his right side. His cape brushed up against her arm as the wind tossed it about gently. It was warm and soft, and she found herself wishing she could curl up and sleep in a cloak like that.

Such a silly thought, Yuffie smiled to herself.

"What were you thinking about?" she asked cheerfully, looking up at Vincent's razor edged profile. He was once again gazing up at the night sky.

Without turning, he inquired flatly, "What made you feel that I was thinking about something?"

Yuffie snapped to attention and looked up at the sky as if to mirror her companion. "Anyone who sits here and stares at the stars, like you were, definitely has something on their mind." She paused, returning her gaze to the man beside her. "Am I right?"

Vincent, with his eyes never leaving the ethereal beauty of the scene laid out before them, simply replied, "Yes, you are right".

Yuffie thought about egging more out of him, but she could see that his mind was elsewhere, and that he probably didn't want to be bothered by a little brat like her.

And so, Yuffie stood there, by Vincent's side, hands resting on the railing, looking out into the horizon beyond. The sky was just beginning to show the first signs of dawn, clawing its way over the edges of the inky black land, and instilling its glow in the eyes of its audience.


A/N: Hey everyone! So, here is my first chapter for "When the Storm Arrives". This is just an introductory chapter, so not much happens in it. It's to get to know the characters (some of you already know them pretty well). Let me know if a character needs some tweaking, and if they are straying too far from the ACTUAL character from the games or movies. Anyways, don't miss Chapter 2, which has a big surprise for you!