HiHi, a tiny tiny bit late, but here is chapter 3. More angsty/drama. I hope I got the characterizations right, it had been a while since I had played the game. I hope you enjoy it! A little bit more Yuffie in this one.

Vincent walked down the stairs and found the others (as in all of Avalanche) sitting around the bar. He wondered when they had gotten there since he hadn't heard them come in.

Cid not biting back a chance to jab at him said "Ah Vincent, nice of you to join us." Vincent didn't need to explain himself to him, or anyone for that matter. He was sure Cloud had briefed them in on the situation, so he just closed his eyes and leaned on the wall by the main entrance.

Reeve cleared his throat, "Ahm. I have WRO soldiers scouting all of Edge and the surrounding areas of Midgar. None of them have seen anything suspicious, as of yet. Strategically speaking, Weiss will try to come after us or Shinra, the latter being the most prominent."

Barret moved in his seat and muttered under his breath 'be doing us all a favor'. But they all knew he didn't mean it. As much as he hated to admit it, Rufus had changed, and was nowhere near as vile as his father had been. Still, everyone knew Shinra had some fishy stuff under their sleeve. At the mention of Shinra, Vincent looked around and noticed a couple of blue Turk suits hanging around in the back. His eyes glared a little, Reno and Rude. Of course, since Shinra was in danger, Rufus had to send a couple of his 'most annoying' lackeys to their meeting.

"When do you think he will attack?" The annoying redhead spoke.

"We aren't sure yet, but we have narrowed it down through sometime tomorrow all the way through the next couple of weeks. It depends on how much he already had prepared…"

Yuffie cut in, "Well, shouldn't we go out to look for him though? Why give him more time to plan out OUR DEATHS?!" she said as she slammed her hands on the bar and propelled herself forward.

"What do you think the WRO have been doing you brat?!" Cid fumed at her as he pointed in her direction.

"I know, but I just feel so helpless staying here and not doing anything! I don't want to be…" She had looked at Cloud and then at Reeve and then looked down as she let herself fall down from the bar.

"You… or anyone interested for that matter can go help the WRO look for any suspicious movement. Though I doubt you will find anything. HE, most likely, will be coming to us… soon. I don't think he would have attacked without a plan set in mind beforehand." Reeve said as he stood up straight. Everyone looked at Cloud, whom nodded in approval. He really didn't know what he was doing this time around, but as always, everyone put the leadership on his shoulders.

"Right, everyone who wants to help the WRO and Shinra look for any movement, should head out and report any suspicious activity back to Reeve. Keep contact with each other as well. We want to know where you are at all times. And come back here after nightfall. We don't want anyone scattered about where we can't reach them."

With this, Barret got up, "Aye wouldn' mind strechin' a lil bit. See y'all here later." He said as he casually saluted with his metal arm and walked towards the door. Reno and Rude left behind him. Cid was in a corner talking heatedly with Shera, who was just nodding yet seemed a little distressed. Shelke would stay and take care of the children, in case Weiss decided to attack the 7th heaven again. Eventually Cid pulled away from a tight hug from Shera and walked over to Vincent.

"What are you going to do darling?" Cid asked him as he reached for the door handle. Vincent was stuck. He wanted to go out and madly search for Weiss, he somewhat felt this was his own battle with him for not finishing him off last time. He felt he owed it to Tifa too. But what if something here happened because he wasn't around? Was he already guilt tripping?

"I'm not sure yet." He said as he looked down, arms still crossed around his chest.

"Well if you do decide to head out…I'll be looking around the west area." Cid said as he brushed past him out the door. In other words, he was implying that he would like Vincent to tag along. He looked up towards Cloud, who had his gaze set upon him. Normally, he could read Cloud like a book. But right now, Cloud was intent on keeping him out. He guessed Cloud would be staying, and not really wanting to be in the same area as him right now (he felt a certain tension in the air), opted for following the pilot's suggestion.

"It couldn't hurt to look around for a bit." He said to no one in particular and turned to open the door. He was sure Cloud and Shelke were fine in taking care of the remaining people in the house. And it's not like Tifa was completely helpless either. Still, he couldn't help but remember her struggling figure under Weiss. He shook his head and ran after Cid.

...

Cloud let out a breath of air when he saw the caped gunman leave the vicinity. He couldn't help but feel the tension around his 'ally' now that he was replacing him as Tifa's shoulder to lean on... not that the others weren't there for her too. Maybe it was because he didn't know Vincent that well, and being so intimate with someone he did know... The feeling was absurd, deep down he was aware of it. He wasn't there for her so what could he do about it? It was a childish feeling in all reality. And he presumed that Vincent was 'too cold' to even try anything with her. Yeah, his mind was resolved for now. He didn't have anything to worry about. His eyebrows furrowed in contempt.

Then again, it wasn't like Tifa belonged to him in any way whatsoever. She had a right to be with anyone she wanted. He knew that the gunman could stand by her side if needed, but he sill seemed dodgy to Cloud. Being an ex-turk and having all these secrets is what kept him hesitant and on his toes. He would call Vincent out on his lack of …warmth. But he couldn't say much, because he'd be calling the kettle black. He sighed, he couldn't really find anything inherently wrong with Vincent. Over all he was a very good man, and he knew he had immensely loved once, so he knew he wasn't made out of stone. He pursed his lips. He guessed all this contemplation was coming out of the fear of having 'competition'. He was actually feeling a little bit jealous. He hated to admit it. He shook his head. Yet he knew he wasn't in grade school anymore so he dropped it.

...

Cid felt a presence near him. He didn't have to look back to know who it was.

"How is she?" He asked with a cigarette sticking out of his lips. Vincent had caught up with him and they were both walking quickly towards the west of Edge. He was checking his ammunition and gun as he answered the question, "Could be better..."

"Was this I hear about her 'needing' you? Felling good about yourself there?" Cid chucked, and Vincent frowned. He ignored the question.

"Spike must have his panties in a bunch, having 'tall broody and handsome' caring for his woman lady." Sometimes Vincent could really just so easily point the gun at the back of the pilot's head and... But he knew Cid was just pushing his buttons like usual. This time though, he felt the need to retort, "She's not his…"

"What was that Vinnie? Don't tell me you want to claim her as-"

"Never. Anyway, she isn't an object to be claimed. She is our comrade and friend. And as far as I am concerned, or anyone for that matter… Cloud has never shown…" He surprised himself. He sighed. He had spoken too much for his liking. Overprotective might he add… he hoped Cid wouldn't notice.

"Pft. Since when have you become the spokesman for …women's rights ..er whatever…?" Cid turned around to look at him, this time a little bit more serious, "But yer right. My bad. Tifa's her own person, and Chocobo head over there has been stringing her along for years. But it's up to her and her only, to decide to see what's right in front of her... right?" Cid turned and started scouting some alleys. Vincent knit his eyebrows together and squinted. 'The hell was that supposed to mean?' He shrugged it off not wanting to contemplate the cursed pilot's words and started looking around the area as well, Cerberus pointed upwards at the sky.

...

"I'll never forget the look on that… bastard's face when I so easily took the life from his 'beloved comrade'." Weiss chuckled to himself. There was nothing more that he wanted than to watch the man that had 'bested' him suffer.

The man in red standing on the other side of the cave ignored his comment. "'Even if the morrow is barren of promises, Nothing shall forestall my return.' Shinra… SOLDIER… my pride what have you become? Had I known of all these things that transpired in my absence…" He walked around, searching the ground and his surroundings for an invisible answer.

"Aren't they …atoning for their sins?" Weiss replied without a sound of caring in his voice.

"I doubt that they are legitimately washing the blood off their hands. They have soiled everything SOLIDER used to stand for. …I'll put them to rest, and in doing so…."

...

Cloud had his hand up about to knock on Tifa's door. He hesitated, dropped his hand and was about to leave when Marlene appeared at her own door.

"Cloud." She smiled brightly up at him, then frowned. "Is everything going to be ok?" This girl was so perceptive.

Cloud smiled at her, closed his mako blue eyes and nodded, "You know it always will be. You are safe with us."

"Right." She nodded as Denzel came up behind her, more skeptical than the girl.

"Why can't things be normal for once?" He mumbled under his breath.

"Everything will be. Its just that these people, want what we have. To be happy, and have people that care for them. They don't have that, so they want to take it away." Cloud tried to explain.

"Well that's mean. Why can't they be happy?" Marlene inquired. Cloud was wondering on how to answer that when Shelke called them from downstairs to go eat something. As Denzel brushed by Cloud he said bitterly, "If anyone hurts her or anyone else again… I'll…" Cloud put a hand on his shoulder, "I know. I.. I am sorry I wasn't here." Cloud sighed.

Denzel just shook his head without looking at him, not wanting to voice his opinions. 'She doesn't need you.' He thought to himself as he ran after Marlene.

Cloud reluctantly followed, for he was hungry as well.

...

Everyone started appearing one by one or in pairs.

"Man am I hungry." Yuffie said as she slid into one of the bar stools. Tifa usually had something easy to make in the bar. As they ate, Cloud asked Reeve if they had gathered any more information.

"We saw some movement in the northeast side of Midgar. But nothing too out of the ordinary. If there is anyone out there, they are too far to be perceived."

"Should we go looking further out then?"

"No…" Reeve said as he tinkered with Cait, "That's probably what they want, to catch us separated, so they can pick us off one by one. It's best if we stay together. We know they will attack Shinra."

"How are you so sure?" Cloud asked.

"Who wouldn't?" Reeve slanted his eyes and smirked at the blonde.

Vincent didn't have much of an appetite, but he ate anyway, knowing he couldn't keep his stamina up all day if he didn't. It didn't help that he was now free of Chaos and the lot, he hated to admit he could be energized for a lot longer when they were around. To add on to that, there was one thing nagging him in the back of his mind. Last time he couldn't beat Weiss in his normal state. He had NEEDED the help of Chaos to even make a dent in him. What made him think that this time would be any different? Who knows how much Weiss had changed since then. He was sure he didn't have Omega with him this time but still…

"Vinnie, Vinnie." He saw a hand waving in front of his face. He inwardly sighed. He looked up at the always overly enthusiastic ninja. She knew he wouldn't answer her. "Here, have some pudding." She placed a beige substance with dark caramel on top in front of him. He shook his head 'no' and was about to push it away, when she pushed it even closer to him. "Don't make me have to feed it to you." She shook a finger a few feet from him. He outwardly winced this time. Shelke was sitting by him. She was one of the only people he could tolerate for long periods of time. "I can eat it for you… if you want," Shelke said as she looked at him intently.

"No! I got it for Vince, there is more over there if you want." Yuffie pointed menacingly at Shelke with a small spoon, which she used to stab the side of the pudding with. Vincent sighed and rolled his eyes inside his lids.

"Fine, I'll eat it. Go bother someone else." He said as he pulled the plate closer to him. He didn't look up at her, but he could see from his peripheral vision that she was smirking and biting down on her lip, and her eyes were slightly glossed over.

"You'll love it, you'll see. You'll be asking for seconds…" She said with one hand on her hip, and as she flung her finger out at him and away.

"I highly doubt that to be the case…" He said but she was already walking towards Cid with another plate.

He ate it quickly before said ninja came back to nag at him. 'I wonder if Tifa has eaten already.' He supposed she had since she had been here all day. He was remembering that he had told her he would be back later, and it was already later than he had thought. Until he remembered the awkward situation he had left in. He groaned a little. But no matter his uncomfortable position, she was ….his friend, and he had promised he'd be there for her. So he would have to get the nerve to go back to her eventually. Shelke was staring at him intently and saw his sudden change of mood, from annoyed to worried in a matter of seconds.

"What is it?" She asked. He hadn't meant for his emotions to show through.

"Nothing." He replied quickly. She knew better than to pry. So she looked away at Barret cursing something at Reeve and Cloud and Red cutting in with witty remarks. They were discussing the area where the 'enemy' would most likely appear. Food flew from Cid's mouth as he cut in, "Bullshit!" The pilot yelled, pointing with a drumstick at no one in particular. Shera gave him a stare.

"It's Tifa." Vincent murmured. Licking his lips slightly from the overly sweet flavor that lingered on them. Shelke blinked in surprise and looked at him, waiting for him to continue. No one was really paying them any mind now, and he needed someone to confide in. Shelke already knew all about his past and Lucrecia, so he didn't mind talking to her whenever he felt the urge to 'share things'. Sometimes she would relate stories of her late sister to him, and they would remember her.

"Her doctor said that she'd be needing me around. I don't know how I can handle someone needing me like that. And she is strong, so I admit I am confused. I have no knowledge on how to handle this type of situation. The last time someone needed me like that I…"

"The last time someone, various people needed you that much… you helped them and saved the world. Twice." Shelke cut in. She knew he was talking about Lucrecia, even Sepiroth. He always seemed to dismiss the fact that he had indeed helped in more recent events. Typical of him, not to acknowledge any good he had done in his life.

"I.. She is just too, I don't know how to put it. She gets underneath your skin before you know it. She grows on you, and you can't help feel that pull towards her. There is no one I know that doesn't genuinely like her. So it just makes things more difficult." He didn't even know what he was saying anymore. He was trying to clear his thoughts. But Shelke had an idea as to where he was going with this. She didn't want to push him the wrong way so she proceeded with caution, "Are you scared?" Vincent looked at her with surprise. He didn't really let the question sink in.."Scared?"

"Scared of feeling…" Vincent immediately nodded and closed his eyes.

"I can't." Not for her.

"Why not? Is it because of… her? Or perhaps…" She glanced at Cloud who was now actually suppressing a rare smile.

"For all of that and more." Vincent took a sip of the water Shera had brought over earlier.

"If you can't feel anything towards her, then what is the problem? Why are you so distraught? Do you think that is the reason you can't give her what she needs? What makes you think she wants that specifically? What if she just wants a friend to just be there for her, with her?" Shelke opened her eyes wide. She hadn't meant to say all of that, or maybe she did, but not all at once and not like that. To her surprise, Vincent was actually mulling over her words and he looked at her intently, in deep thought.

"I never thought she would want.. something more than friendship. That never remotely passed though my mind. I have nothing to offer anyone. And she already has someone buried deep inside her very soul." He frowned, "I think you are right then, I suppose I am scared of feeling. But what I feel doesn't matter. I won't let myself go that far. Besides…." He smiled inwardly thinking of a certain someone, though that certain someone reminded him of a distant past.

"I think there is someone who would like you to shower her with affection. Why don't you give that a shot?" Shelke leaned into her palm and drummed her fingers as the petite Wutai princess walked towards them again. Vincent glanced at her and then back at Shelke. "No."

"No what Vinnie?" Yuffie said as she came to pick up his plate and draped an arm around his shoulders.

"No I don't want seconds."

"Aw, I hadn't even asked yet. And besides, it looked like you liked it!" Yuffie giggled. Had she been watching him eat? He sighed, he did owe her his life probably more than twice. Yet he thought he had repaid that plenty of times. Forgetting about the plates for a second, she sat down in the unoccupied spot next to him.

"Hey Vince, let's go somewhere." She said as she looked up at the ceiling, having a far away look in her face.

"It's too dangerous." He looked at Shelke, who smiled and shrugged then promptly stood up and walked away. 'No, I wasn't done talking…' Damn, the one time he actually spilled his feelings.

"Nowhere far, just outside….we could keep watch for a while." Yuffie said as she stood and grasped his clawed hand and pulled gently. 'I have to go back to…' Though he would like to prolong that as much as possible. He couldn't really voice it without sounding like a stalker. He stood up reluctantly and let her guide him out the door. No one really took notice, knowing that's how Yuffie always was towards him, no one but Cloud who watched them strut outside.

The night was brisk and chill. He could see his breath rising from his cloak. The moon was stunningly bright and large, and even though it was Edge, he could see quite a few stars. Yuffie walked a short distance and leaned on a near by railing. He followed her shortly, in a much slower pace. She rubbed her goose bumped arms up and down and shivered.

"You should have brought a sweater…" he said as he neared her. Yuffie held her breath in her mouth when she caught sight of his eyes. They seemed to glow even redder out in the moonlight. She was in awe, they looked intriguing yet dangerous . As he got closer she ran up and closed the distance between them and grabbed the side of his cloak.

"Nuh-uh." She said as she mimicked what Marlene had once done. She grasped the tattered cape and draped it around her shoulders. He felt her warmth press against his side but he kept rigid, his arms at his sides. 'I really need to invest in some new clothing' He thought inwardly.

"See? We can share. You don't mind sharing, do you?" She looked up at him with a big grin plastered on her face. He looked down at her with a blank expression. He knew that from that angle she could only perceive his eyes and a little bit from the bridge of his nose. She laughed. Her outburst had startled him a little and he had flinched. He hoped she hadn't noticed.

'Did I do something funny?' he was bemused. She finally looked away, grasping his cloak closer to her. She looked off into the street, "What do you think will happen?" that was implied to be open question.

"I don't know." his deep voice didn't hesitate to answer.

"Do you think we can beat them this time around? We haven't really gotten much stronger and…" She trailed off. He could tell she was scared, all she wanted was some normalcy in her life as well. He wasn't used to seeing this side of her. She was usually so prepotent in her airs. His fingers twitched at his sides.

"I am sure the greatest warrior of Wutai will keep us all safe." he nudged at her with his shoulder.

"I think you are right…" He smiled, but stopped when he heard her voice slightly break. She looked up at him with a wide smile, but with tears pushing to spill out of her eyes. His throat all of a sudden had a knot in it. He despised seeing people he cared about in this state. And he was definitely not used to seeing Yuffie sad. He sighed inwardly once more, twice in one day. He left his pride for a moment and raised his hand under the cloak up to her head. He pushed her head into his chest. He felt her body shake, yet she didn't reach out and hug him, she just pressed the tattered material even closer to her body. He frowned. He guessed he wasn't that unfeeling after all. He barred his teeth, yeah someone would have to pay for making him have to jump through hoops. Weiss flashed through his thoughts.

...

Tifa was getting weary. She knew they were all back, for she heard the commotion downstairs. She threw the sheets off of her and walked past the tray of finished food on her nightstand towards the streaming moonlight at her window. There was a very small balcony facing the street, and it was still rather early so she still had some hope. She pressed her hand against the cold glass, and drew her face near. She saw her reflection disappear when the glass got foggy. She doodled a little chocobo before she pulled the window/door open with a quiet creek. She had felt like she was suffocating. The cold air was refreshing as it whipped her hair back. She saw something, better yet someone from the side of her eye. It was quite too dark to see, but with the minimal street lamps, and the light coming from the bar, she could spot two dark silhouettes standing in the street.

Her heart dropped. She wouldn't have liked to put it like that, but it did. And her breath hitched. She recognized the two people immediately.

"Oh?…Oh!" She thought with realization. She didn't mean to have a sad expression on her face. She had noticed it before, hadn't she? She knew about Yuffie but… She leaned in a bit into the balcony to catch a better view, before convincing herself that she didn't want to. She closed her eyes and shook her head. It was getting cold anyway, so she turned and closed the window before her. She was clearly crestfallen, but she didn't want to admit it to herself. Maybe that's why Vincent had been so reluctant around her? But she wasn't doing anything that could compromise him in any way… the kiss! That's it, he would never talk to her again. And who knew if Yuffie would, if he told her. She didn't think he would, but she realized that she didn't know him at all.

"Pft.." She waved an arm in her dark room as she started towards her bed. She curled up in a ball and held her comforter close to her body, as she tried to sleep once more. She needed the rest, it would be a long week.

"I'm sorry.." she said to the air. She sighed. She was angry, but she didn't know at whom or what.

Sorry if it gets a bit tangled, I hope things aren't too muddled or twisty and repetitive. And Thank you for the reviews! I am so happy to hear from fellow Vinti/Tifacent fans! My heart bursts. And sameee, I am also very excited for the remake, but I do hope to see it in my lifetime as well. u.u