Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own FFVII or any of the characters.

Notes: This is a Yaoi/Shonen-Ai fic so if you have an issue with it, please leave now. There is also slight OOC and mostly AU with some references to the actual game.

Summary: Vincent is a man who live a closed, lonely life until a stranger suddenly stirs things up. He is then forced to go on a search that will reveal his past and begin his new future.

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Chapter II-A Friendly Encounter

Steaming water and lathery suds streamed down Vincent's back as the beads of water speckled his skin and hair. He closed his eyes to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere created by the steam. The shower was always one of his favorite places to be. No one could intrude on him here; it was just him and the water evaporating off of his pearlescent skin. He always wondered why he enjoyed being alone. It's not like it was a conscious choice, it always seemed to just…happen. Letting the water run over his face he thought back to his younger days. Although he was still in his twenties, those times seemed so long ago. He had always needed to be independent to survive. Without any relatives that he knew of and no way to find them if he did, the raven haired beauty learned to rely on himself and his sense of survival. If only he had someone in his life that made all the struggles and difficulties worth the strain, someone who cared if he succeeded or not, someone who wanted to spend time with him without ulterior motives. True, he did have several acquaintances and a few people he even considered friends, but there always seemed to be something missing; the ultimate connection that he couldn't live with out. Maybe there was no such thing in real life. An unbreakable bond he would hear of from stories and fairytales seemed a thing of the past if not nonexistent. He felt the water loosing its warmth as he finished rinsing out his hair. He hadn't realized how long he was lost in his own thoughts. Turning both knobs he stepped out of the shower and began toweling himself off.

Vincent glanced at the clock. It was already 2:00am. He wondered if he should even bother sleeping, after all, it would only be a few hours before work. He slipped on his wooly pants figuring it couldn't hurt to try. As soon as he slid under the fresh cotton covers his heavy eyelids slid over his crimson eyes carrying him away into an unconscious state.

Vincent was not one to dream, but for some reason his mind seemed out of his control. He imagined himself lying in the downy clouds of a blue sky. That in itself seemed strange because city was more often covered in grey turmoil than soft pillows. His attention suddenly shifted to some sort of feathered creature. He couldn't tell exactly what it was the only thing he knew was that whatever it is, it was headed directly for him. He closed his eyes awaiting the scratching of talons or jabbing of a beak from the creature, but instead he was greeted with a gentle caress of his cheek. His eyes snapped open expecting to see the blue haven he was in before; however, there was only the shrouded darkness of his room…and something else. He looked up just in time to see a gloved hand withdraw from his face. Following up the arm to see the person to which it belonged, his face fell into shock. It was the silver haired man from earlier!

"Shit! How did you get in here!?" he yelled as he felt around for his gun. The man didn't say anything. He only stared at Vincent without breaking eye contact. Finally feeling the cold handle of his Cerberus he turned his angry gaze to the intruder ready to shoot. It was too late, he was already gone. Who was this guy? Is he some sort of mental patient, or just you average weirdo burglar? Vincent didn't want to take any chances. He stepped out of the covers and began searching his entire house for evidence of the towering individual. There was no sign left of him. Maybe it was his imagination. He was often called "detached" and even "mental" by some. Running his fingers through his messy locks he returned to bed keeping Cerberus close by. Just in case. He didn't even notice a single feather fall from his sheets and float under the bed.

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Vincent walked into the restaurant looking completely exhausted. His coworkers took no notice of it being used to seeing him look a little out of it; only his friend, Cloud, was able to tell there was something wrong.

"Hey, Vincent…are you ok?" The blond asked with a worried expression. Cloud had only been working there for a couple months, but in the short amount of time he had proven himself to be a great person to confide in.

"I'm fine…just a little tired" he replied while placing his bag and other possessions into his locker. "Just a little tired is all". The exhausted waiter turned and headed for the exit of the staff locker room.

The younger man continued to question him: "Why's that? Is something wrong?" That was the one problem with Cloud, once he becomes concerned, he won't drop the subject.

"I don't really want to talk about it" he said heading out into the dining room to start his shift. Luckily the lounge wasn't too busy that night. After taking a few orders and delivering the meals to the tables he didn't have much to do but sit around, and avoid Cloud's interrogations of course. The manager approached Vincent a few hours in to his shift.

"Vincent, have you already delivered the orders?" She asked somewhat shocked.

"Yes m'am, all three of them" He replied sarcastically. He hadn't intended to sound so hostile; it just seemed to come out that way. Maybe he was more fatigued than he thought.

"Well", Tifa continued, "it looks like things are under control here, why don't you go home and get some rest. You do look a little sleep deprived and you've been spacing out during your shifts." Vincent simply nodded and rose from the stool heading straight to the locker room. The boss stood looking after him for a brief minute considering going to check on him but instead went to finish up some paperwork. He changed his shirt without bothering to change his pants or shoes, grabbed his things, and headed for the back door. Hearing a muffled "See ya Vin" as he stepped through the back door, he waved a parting gesture to the voice he recognized as Cloud's. The backstreets of the area seemed like a maze to anyone without an idea of their destination, but to Vincent it was like second nature. He easily avoided crowded alleys and streets known for rough crowds until he reached his apartment building. I have time to go somewhere, but where… he thought to himself. Thursdays usually weren't that busy, so he would be able to go grab a bite to eat. Looking down to think, he realized that he still had his pants and work shoes on. He decided it would be better to go change first. I look like some business executive. He chuckled to himself imagining what people would thing if they saw him in those clothes and knew what he really did. He opened the front doors and headed for the elevator.

The door to Vincent's apartment slid shut behind him and he tossed his bag next to the coffee table. He closed his eyes enjoying the breeze from outside…Breeze? I don't remember leaving the window open…The waiter's bloodshot eyes searched the room for any sign of an intruder…or the intruder he should say. Translucent curtains blew in the breeze rustling against the wall as he slid the window shut. As soon as the two wooden surfaces touched, a hand covered the man's mouth and another hand bound his wrists together in a vice like grip.

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AN: Well, the second chapter of Inner Journey is complete. Had to leave you with a cliffhanger. I hope you all enjoyed it...also R&R if you can please! In the future I might be looking for a beta reader, so if you're interested let me know. ;3