Every evening for the next few days Yuffie and Vincent would sit in silence side by side on the deck under the stars. Yuffie had found the box, empty of its materia out the front of her door, the morning after she had given it to Vincent. He didn't want it she had told herself, he probably has something else to keep it in something Lucrecia gave him. Why would he think that something that belonged to her house was important?
Even though she was hurting from the rejection of her gift, she still enjoyed the comfortable silence they shared for several hours every evening. Neither of them asked if the other would return the next night. Neither expected that the other would and both were pleased to see the other when the arrived nightly. Yuffie swung her legs as they hung over the side of the ship staring down into the darkness. She leant her head on Vincent's shoulder, it was the first time she had ever made such a gesture and Vincent stiffened for a moment but then relaxed and wrapped his human arm around her shoulders, his cape protecting her back from the wind. Yuffie sighed and closed her eyes enjoying the feeling of being close to him. Wondering what he was thinking. Vincent struggled with his demons; they were creating a riot in his head at the closeness of her.
Vincent growled low in his throat and Yuffie sat up and looked at his pained face.
"Vinnie?" she whispered. She watched as his face transformed into that of the Galion beast.
She jumped up and backed slowly away, fear on her face. Vincent fought with the beast to resurface. He would not let the beast hurt Yuffie!
"Vincent?" Yuffie stepped closer to the beast. It roared but didn't back away. Moving slowly she took another step closer. Vincent screamed in his head, Get away Yuffie, run!
"Is that you?" she tiled her head to the side and touched the fur on his chest, running her fingers through it gently. The beast made a sort of strange smile and Vincent questioned it.
Why should you get all the fun? I just wanted to say hello!
Vincent was surprised usually the beast threatened to rip apart anyone who came within a hundred metres of him.
"I did not know you had a softer side," Vincent teased the beast.
Just because we share a body doesn't mean you know me. Maybe you should pay more attention to what I say. I am the only demon in here who doesn't wish you a painful death.
"I will remember that," Vincent promised his friend.
The beast let Vincent slide back to the surface and Yuffie found herself face to face with Vincent.
"I have never seen you do that before," She whispered.
"You shouldn't ever have to, you should have ran away," He admonished her.
Yuffie removed her hand from his chest letting it fall to her side annoyed. Vincent grabbed her hand and held it in his own. Yuffie looked at their hands for a moment and then back at Vincent.
"Yuffie," he breathed "I don't want to hurt you but I am not in control when I'm like that, and even when I am, I still hurt you," he ran a claw gently over the healing cut on her arm.
"I am a ninja. I can handle it," she smiled at him and stood on her tip toes pressing her lips gently against his and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. Vincent froze for a moment and then wound his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground kissing her gently.
Vincent placed her gently on the floor and Yuffie removed her arms from around his shoulders but snuggled into his chest. Resting his chin on her head his heart felt lighter than it had in a long time, but guilt weighed heavily on his mind. He was dragging her into his darkness and that wasn't fair.
Yuffie yawned and Vincent snapped out of his thoughts.
"Its getting late, come on I will walk you to your room,"
Yuffie lead Vincent up the hall way and pushed her door open. Vincent loitered awkwardly in the entryway.
"Come in, Vinnie" she laughed and flicked on the light.
Vincent shut the door behind him and noticed the box he had returned to her sitting on the table next to her bed. He picked it up and ran his finger over it.
"This is very old Yuffie," he looked at her and she looked broke the gaze.
"It has been passed through my house for a long time, my mother told me I should give It to someone I cared about and who cared about me, who I knew would look after it and pass it on again,"
"You should pass this on to someone of your blood,"
"I don't have any friends Vincent; you are the closet thing I have to one. Who else would I give it to?" she stared at the floor embarrassed.
Vincent looked at the box in his hands "thankyou," he whispered and left her alone in her room.