A/N: Okay, here's chapter four. Not much else to say. :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII or any of its characters.

Chapter Four

Vincent was invited by a warm gust of air, the feeling welcoming as he stepped inside, out of the cold. The loud noise of the wind outside blew against the building, sending snow flying violently through the air, past the window. He was more than happy to be some place warm, no matter where that place was exactly. It was winter, he knew this, but he had never counted on a blizzard, or he wouldn't have come out here in the first place. But then again, Kadaj would have been left at the Forgotten City, naked and alone in this weather.

He indulged the question if that was a bad thing, as he glared over at the remnant who stepped in beside him. The teen was bundled up in heavy clothing, but they seemed to do little for him against the weather. He sighed in relief as he entered into the hotel room, snow falling off his person.

Vincent quickly shut the door behind them, then turned on the light switch. He looked around the room they had rented.

They were currently in Junon, and he figured they were lucky to have gotten this far. Midgar wasn't that far away now, but he wasn't sure when they would be getting there. He could only hope the weather would let up before morning. He was sure he could manage their chocobos through a couple feet of snow, if only it was that benign.

His thoughts went to the creatures in their warm stable, hoping they wouldn't be too affected by the weather.

"I told you we should have stopped earlier," Kadaj said to him, pulling down the hood that was covering his head. He shook his platinum hair, then looked over at his companion. Vincent didn't grant him the pleasure of a response.

He walked further into the room, looking over the two beds, then the bathroom, and the table, and the other few peices of furniture. The place wasn't too special, but it would do for a night or two. Possibly three with this weather.

He turned back to Kadaj, drawing Cerberus as he also took the key to the remnant's handcuffs out of his pocket. He had left him bound the whole journey, figuring he'd rather not have him try anything. Needless to say, the journey had been uneventful, and the teen cooperative. Kadaj rolled his eyes at the sight of the three-barreled gun, but held his hands out to him without a word of complaint. He unlocked the cuffs and the teen pulled them off quickly, tossing them on the table before he promptly removed his jacket. He tossed that aside as well, before sitting himself down on one of the two beds.

"Hmm, much better than Bone Village," the silver-haired male mused to himself, bobbing up and down experimentally on the matress. His green eyes watched Vincent as he crossed the length of the room, taking hold of his cuffs again. He knew what he was doing when he came back over to him. Kadaj defiantly crossed his arms, keeping his hands out of reach. His sinister green eyes, so much like the original, stared up at him, daring him to just try and remove his arms.

Cerberus was pressed against his chest. "Don't think I'll hesitate," Vincent threatened, "I don't trust you, or believe what you said about Aeris."

"You are afraid of me," Kadaj whispered, narrowing his eyes.

"No, but I'm not taking any chances with you." He pressed the weapon more into his muscled chest.

Kadaj submitted in the end, presenting both his hands to him limply. "I'm beginning to think you enjoy this, Vincent: chaining me to a bed at gun point." His lips lifted into a smile, his eyes glinting seductively.

Vincent just stared at him, no expression on his face. He clapped the cuffs on his left hand, then secured the other cuff on the frame of the bed. Kadaj stared after him as he replaced the gun and walked away.

"Where are you going?" Kadaj called after him when he realised he was going toward the door.

"To get something to eat," he said, just before he disappeared out the door.


Vincent made his way back into their room, closing the door again and blocking out the sounds of the patrons gathering outside in the hallway. To his entrance, Kadaj lifted his head up from the pillow. He was sprawled out on top of the bed, above the covers. His boots were lying on the floor at his feet, everything about his appearance seeming relaxed.

Vincent locked the door behind him before he walked over to the bed and took a seat on his. Kadaj was now sitting upright, watching both him and the bag he carried. The both of them were silent as Vincent reached into the bag and took out the container that was set inside. The smell of the hot food seeped through the air, reaching not only his nose but Kadaj's as well. He saw a small smile touch the teen's lips, his stomach growling in anticipation.

Vincent pretended not to notice him and opened the container, letting the steam hit him in the face, before he took out a fork and began eating. Kadaj's eyes went from his food to the bag beside him, where his portion of food was no doubt waiting.

Or not.

His emerald eyes narrowed darkly. "What about me?" he asked, his tone telling that he really didn't expect much of an answer.

"First, I want some answers," he said.

Kadaj's expression didn't change. He crossed he legs and rested his free hand on his knees, his eyes locked with his. "Fine."

Vincent took one more bite of his food, chewing slowly. "What's your objective?"

"To eat," he replied bitterly.

Vincent's red eyes stared at him boredly, as he unbuckled the cloak from the bottom of his face so he could eat more easily. "That's not an answer."

"Well I don't have one for you. I have no objective."

"Then why did you come back?"

"Because Mother sent me back."

"Aeris?"

"Yes."

"I'm not buying it," Vincent said while staring at his meal, stirring the noodles absently.

"I know you're not, but what can I do about that? It's the truth."

Their conversation paused, Kadaj's eyes focused on his food as he continued to eat it, purposefully torturing the teen. "Don't you believe in second chances?"

Vincent met his eyes again, only to drop them after a moment. "What about your brothers?"

It was Kadaj's turn to drop his eyes, the emerald orbs growing distant. "I don't know," he said softly. "I don't know where they are."

"So mother Aeris just decided to bring you back and drop you in that pool, alone?"

"I guess so."

"Why not give the others a second chance too?"

"I don't know." He kept his eyes away from his, blinking them rapidly.

"You know what I think?" Vincent asked after a second.

Kadaj looked up at him, his eyes firm.

"I think Jenova brought you back, just like before."

Kadaj scoffed and shook his head.

"She didn't bother bringing them back because she didn't need them. Like before, all she needed was you to bring back her son: Sephiroth."

"That's not true," he said defiantly.

"Maybe she did give you a second chance-a second chance to try again and redeem the mistake you made by being so weak."

"If you really think that's true, then why did you bother saving me?"

Vincent didn't answer.

"Huh? What? You took me out of the water then carried be all the way to Bone Village because you thought I was just going to try and please Jenova again?"

Vincent took another bite of his food.

"It's my turn for questions," Kadaj said. "Why?"

Vincent sighed after a moment, setting his food down on the bed. He rose to his feet and reached into the bag, taking out the seperate container. "Because I pitied you," he answered, "I saw you there, helpless, defenseless, and cold. And I pitied you." He stepped closer to the bed, gazing into the teen's eyes. "I also saw you lying helpless on the ground after Sephiroth left you there to die, like a useless puppet. If you are really back to do his bidding, then I still pity you." He dropped the food and fork onto his lap.

Kadaj watched him as he turned away, then walked over to the switch on the wall. He turned off the lights, then climbed into his bed, not even bothering to finish his food. He set it on the nightstand before laying down for good, intent on sleeping away the rest of the stormy night. Kadaj watched him in the darkness, eating his food slowly.


Vincent awoke to the bright light coming through the window, the light that was white and intrusive, reflecting off the snow. He blinked a few times to fully rid himself of his sleepiness, then sat up from the bed. He looked immediately over to Kadaj, seeing the teen still sleeping, then looked to the window. He stood up and went over to it, gazing out at the town below.

He swore quietly, beneath his breath.

Junon was covered in snow. More than two feet covered the ground and roof tops, and still more snow continued to fall. At least it wasn't windy anymore, but this did mean he was snowed in. There was no way they could get to Midgar on a couple chocobos.

Pulling away from the window, he looked back down at Kadaj. He wondered what being trapped in a room with the boy would be like. Hopefully they wouldn't be there for more than a day, then he could rid himself of the remnant. He stepped closer to the bed, watching him intently. Kadaj was in a deep sleep, his eyes dancing behind his lids as his chest rose and fell rhythmatically. He was wrapped beneath the warm blankets, his face blank, yet his lips touched with the faintest smile.

He looked at peace as he slept, like an innocent child simply lost in the pleasant dream realm.

But Vincent knew he was far from an innocent child.

He turned away from him again and made his way over to the door, stepping out into the hallway. The hotel was mostly empty at this early hour, most of the occupants still asleep in their rooms. Faint, distant chatter could be heard, joined by the smell of food coming from the hotel's restaurant. But this was nothing to disturb him.

He reached for his belt and withdrew the phone, dialing a familiar number. He placed it against his ear as it rang, waiting for the person on the other end to pick up. He heard a click, then the groggy voice of another male coming to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Cloud," Vincent responded, "I have a problem."


A/N: Please review. :)