AN: YAY! WE HAVE CHAPPIE 4!!! Thanks you alzilur and Anne for your lovely review T^T (actually the reason why this chapter came so fast was because of Anne's encouraging review x *huggles* So this chappie is dedicated to you! )
For Anne Voda Hijme. Enjoy :D
~+Fading Memories+~
Chapter 4
Let beginning end and endings start,
For I will let you have my hand,
If you give me your heart.
Vincent woke up when Tifa entered the room with some clothes. "Morning Vincent, Tseng sent these uniforms over for you yesterday. Get dressed soon, breakfast is served. Remember you have an appointment with Tseng later at 9!" She chirped and exited the room.
Had he slept the whole of yesterday away? And what about Sephiroth? The assault and.. Suddenly Vincent got angry. What the hell did he mean by twice??! Vincent made a mental note to confront Sephiroth about what happened the other day before and he hoped to find out whether his best friend was here a not. Thinking back again, what was that flashback about? He saw a lady with long brown hair and Professor Hojo. Eww... why did I have to dream about my perverted science teacher.. of all people why him..
Vincent got up and stretched with a soft grunt of satisfaction. He went into the toilet and brushed his teeth, upper torso naked because he was a messy brusher for a man with killer aim. Cloud walked into the toilet and stood next to him. "Good morning." Said a bleary Cloud. Vincent could almost see Cloud still in lala land. The blond swordsman leaned on the door frame and stared at Vinvrny through the mirror.
"Vat?" Vincent muttered through all the foam in his mouth.
"You're messy."
"I noe" Cloud could almost see slight annoyance in his friend which brought a slight smirk on his face.
"Good luck on your meeting with Rufus and Tseng today."
Vincent gave a nod of approval. "Breakfast is served." Then he walked away.
Vincent wanted to ask what but Cloud walked away too fast so his arm was left suspended in midair. "Pancakes!" Cloud shouted from the bottom of the stairs. Great.. I LOVE pancakes. Yeah you do. Vincent barely spat out the toothpaste foam in his mouth. What was that? Suddenly he felt another presence in himself just for a moment then it disappeared. Strange.. First hallucinations, then weird dreams and now I'm hearing voices. I think I need to see a psychiatrist. Vincent got himself clean after a shower and put on his Turk Uniform on and looked into the mirror. "Hello handsome" he smiled to himself. Today was going to be a great day for him to get over and he is planning to do so without killing himself in the process. Sephiroth better watch out if he wants to keep his life in check.
The newly joined Turk was greeted with a very aromatic smell of "Pancakes."
"Good Morning Vincent!" Marlene said as she ran towards Vincent to give him a morning hug. Vincent smiled and carried her up. "Good morning to you too Marlene!"
"Yo Vincent! I'm here to pick ya up." Vincent frowned. Who is this.. red head? "Judging by your confusion, I am Reno. Here to escort the pretty princess to ShinRa headquarters."
"Okay... can I enjoy my pancakes now?" Vincent said with a small glare. He didn't like to be deprived of food after all that's happened.
"Sure thing yo!" Reno said sheepishly. He didn't want to gain another hole in his body. One hole is enough for excrements.
After that hearty meal, Vincent followed Reno out into the open fields. The annoying red haired Turk started to flail his hands. "What are you doing?" Vincent hissed.
"Calling for attention yo!"
The noisy sound of the main rotor could be heard in the distance and then above them. The helicopter with ShinRa logo dropped a ladder rope. "I hope you're not afraid of heights."
It's a good thing Genesis dragged me to these kinds of activities.. Vincent grimaced.
After some threatening remarks in the helicopter, Reno decided to keep his mouth shut while Vincent enjoyed some talk with Rude. At first Vincent noted Rude as a buff Disco Club body guard with his purple sunglasses and all but he turned out to be quite interesting and nice after some chat. Rude even spared Vincent one of his sunglasses.
"You know Vincent, that sunglasses look gay on you." Reno remarked. Vincent sighed. This man can never keep his mouth shut. "I give up." Vincent sighed. "Welcome to the club yo!!" That admittance clearly made Reno more happier and cheerful which made Vincent more annoyed and agitated. Rude simply shook his head in dismay and followed Reno who's arm is draped across Vincent's shoulder. It looks weird because Vincent's taller than Reno and Reno's arm is around Vincent. That would've made anyone laugh because Reno looked like he was dangling off Vincent like he was some kind of decoration on a Christmas tree since his hair was red and shiny. As the turn around the corner, Sephiroth came in view.
Oh shit... why must this happen to me? Vincent could feel his blood pressure drop below the healthy point. He started to feel faint after a sudden flashback of what happened the day before. Lips met lips and how soft Sephiroth's lips were and Vincent mentally slapped himself. This was not the time to remember a kiss. Sephiroth on the other hand was greeted by a sight he wished to slash 10 times away with Masamune. The things that ran through his mind was
Reno
Arm
His Vincent
Reno on the other hand at first wanted to give Sephiroth a hi but stopped dead in his tracks after he saw Sephiroth's apparent change of mood. (C) Sephiroth's glare of doom. A warning sign before an 'accident' happened. The best part was it was aiming .him.
"Reno... Hands off.." Sephiroth gritted through his teeth. It was like a predator telling it's prey to run before he pounced. Reno's arm was instantly off Vincent's shoulder. Rude mentally sighed, of course this was the very first signs of jealousy. Vincent on the other hand wanted very badly to drag Sephiroth to a corner and interrogate him. Sephiroth walked closer towards them and loomed over a glaring Vincent. Reno could practically see sparks of fury over at Vincent's side. Apparently whatever Sephiroth did to Vincent, the raven haired male was not very happy.
"What did you mean by twice?"
Sephiroth maintained his cool composure after the jealous streak he openly expressed just moments ago. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Before Vincent could give a clever come back, Rude interrupted them. "We're going to be late."
Vincent pulled back this time. "We are going to settle this later." With that he sent Sephiroth off with a glare.
Sephiroth chuckled. "My pleasure.." Those words sent shivers down Vincent's spine. It was like the Soldier was doing his best to rape Vincent in any way he can be it body or mind.
Reno made sure his hands were kept to himself at all times after that Sephiroth incident. But because he was 'that' annoying, and Vincent was quite harmless since he doesn't know how to fight... "So... Vincent... What was that all about?" the next thing he knew was his sight was filled with two ruby red orbs glaring back at him. It wasn't as scary as Sephiroth's glare of doom but the threatening aura Vincent admitted was far more scarier than any horror movie he had seen. "okayokay I won't ask any more."
Finally they arrived at the Turk's meeting room. Elene and Tseng was waiting for Vincent. Tseng excused Reno, Elena and Rude, leaving Vincent alone in the room. Vincent remained stationary near the entrance, afraid that he would say or do something against protocol. His instinct told him to wait for action before taking action. Tseng was curious. Usually only Turks would wait at the entrance and wait for the order before they approached him. Normally other people would just walk towards Tseng and actually that meant disrespect but they didn't know the rules so he often forgave them except for the Turks of course. So Vincent had no memory of being a Turk much less using a gun.. what if he taught him to use a gun? According to Cloud, Vincent still retained his battle instincts and skills. But his mind does not register it being there. This is an interesting puzzle to solve. Tseng mused.
The Wutai Turk moved closer to Vincent, and observed Vincent around. Good posture, no slouching like that idiotic Reno, disciplined standing, calm composure. A real Turk indeed. Tseng stopped observing and nodded at Vincent. "Today I will teach you how to use a revolver pistol. We'll start small first." Tseng didn't want another idiotic private like Reno. He knew Vincent would make a good Turk, and a good Turk is always useful to a good leader. Tseng decided that he would drill Vincent until the man can hit the mark without even looking.
"Are you ready?" Tseng smirked.
Vincent did not know why but he was excited. It was like adrenalin was running through his veins, never in his life did he felt so alive. After his father's death, living a peaceful life was on his priority list. The only time when he did have any action and excitement was during the time Genesis brought him on interactive activities like paintball and sky diving and all those really extreme activities. And here, this man was telling him about pistol he's getting all excited. Tseng could feel the excitement vibes rolling off Vincent. Once a Turk, always a Turk. Tseng mused.
Vincent mentally slapped himself again for the second time. He was suppose to find a way back to his own world, but he did not know why he felt like he was back home instead of the foreign feeling he was suppose to have. He either find a way to get home or get Genesis to come here. Little did he know that Genesis was already here. Tseng lead Vincent to a room for Target practice. He handed Vincent a pistol and set Vincent up for his first shooting session.
"Let yourself go Valentine. Hear the gun's voice calling out to you."
Genesis rested awhile in the Forgotten Capital. There, he gathered some devices Kadaj and his gang left behind. He found a bike which he used as a way to travel around. He knew that the only way he is ever going to survive again in this world he has to go to Midgar. Cloud might still be angry at him for killing Zack so Cloud was out of the question. Maybe he can go to Rufus ShinRa. That man may be the descendant of the one who drove him insane in the first place but that man apparently might have inherited the better side of his deranged father. So Genesis opted to go for Rufus.
He found a leather coat among the stones and guessed it may belong to the oldest of the three. Since it was long and elegant, it suited Genesis quite well. Though he would opt for his red leather coat rather than this one but at this time this coat should do. Genesis hoped on the bike and sped off to ShinRa headquarter. When he arrived, the guards stopped him from entering because he did not have a pass. So he went to the other side and climb the walls by Walmart. I can't believe I'm actually doing this... Genesis grumbled. He didn't have to act all secretive and all long ago because he was a well respected General with a fan club to boot. So now why is he climbing the walls of Walmart?
"Pull the trigger Valentine! Nobody's going to do it for you in battle." Tseng snapped.
Vincent was aiming for the target but he felt an immense presence. If he had pulled the trigger, he felt that everything he cherished would end. If Genesis was here, he would want me to pull the trigger. He would want me to hit the target, he would want... want me to be happy. So he did what his mind told him instead of his instincts. The moment he pulled the trigger he had flashbacks. It felt like he was looking at a photobook. The exact picture of himself shooting in a room of boxes, the same lady he saw last time with her smile, a young man prancing on the roof, fighting with stealth, a youth with pure silver hair staring up at him,
"-Vincent?"
He snapped out of his trance.
"Vincent? Are you alright?" He could sense worry laced in Tseng's commanding voice. He nodded then faced the target once again with determination and shot three times. Tseng's expressed shock momentarily but returned to his cool composure. So.. Valentine missed his first shot by a mile then the next few hits he got jackpot... interesting.. and his zoned out expression after the first hit.. That's what puzzles me.. Should I ask him? No Tseng, that's absurd. You have no right to pry into someone else's business.
Tseng gave Vincent pat on his back then passed Vincent a rifle. "I want to access your range aim" Vincent merely nodded like a zombie.
Cloud told me Vincent doesn't know how to use a gun and he hit himself in the shoulder with the barrel last time. So now, Valentine, show me what you got.
Vincent merely position the rifle with quick accuracy and fired 2 shots. The area between the forehead ensuring brain dead response and the heart. Instant death. Tseng was puzzled even more. Valentine was an amazing puzzle he had yet to solve. Suddenly Tseng's sensitive ears picked up movement in the vent above them. Then the soft shuffle stopped and the vent in the shooting range dropped. Before it reached the ground, a hand shot out from the hole and caught it just in time. Then a figure dropped out from the vent.
"HALT INTRUDER!"
The intruder snapped around. "Shit they changed the room."
"Genesis?!" Vincent was shocked but he was wary. He did not know whether this was the Genesis he knew or it was someone from this world.
Upon hearing the voice of his beloved, Genesis's breath caught. It was the first time he saw Vincent as a Turk, short hair dressed in a crispy black Turk uniform. He looked like a model out of the runaway magazine. Without even reply Tseng, he walked briskly to Vincent, hoped over the counter and hugged him. At first Vincent was shocked but being embraced by Genesis once again, he felt lost and afraid, unlike his usual composure. He was getting the hang of being alone and independent and suddenly the object of his dependence just appeared out of a vent.
"Genesis.." Vincent buried his head in Genesis's shoulder. "I missed you.."
Genesis noticed the ignored Tseng who was pointing a gun at him. He let Vincent go and faced Tseng. "Take me to Rufus."
"Why should I do that? You almost destroyed the entire ShinRa during Zack Fair's time."
"There's no need to." Another voice joined in. All heads turn to the entrance.
"Sir." Tseng gave a small bow of respect. Rufus ShinRa was in the house.
"Genesis Rhapsodos, welcome back into Soldier. I was.. informed... of your return."
Genesis nodded. Vincent was clueless all the way. Why did this man know Genesis? And Tseng too, why did he know Genesis? Isn't Genesis from his world too? So many questions were running through his mind.
"Come with me Genesis. I'll brief you on this program while Valentine continues his practice."
Genesis let go of Vincent and followed Rufus. But be before he let go of Vincent's hand entirely, he gave Vincent a quick peck very very near his lips. That made Vincent flush a little and made Tseng sick a lot. Once everything was solved, Tseng faced Vincent once again. "Ready for the next round?" Vincent regained his composure with a great sigh and nodded. This was gonna be a long day.
Genesis walked side by side with Rufus, wary of all the eyes staring at him while they walk past the Lower soldier rank. Many stared at him in awe, Genesis, one of the great generals were back, while some glared at him with hate for their lost ones. Mako energy assaulted his senses as he walked pass the Mako infusing room.
"Genesis, I welcome you back into the soldier ranks. Many things have happened since Sephiroth's insanity and I've tried my best to repair what is broken. Including-"
"Good to see you old friend." Sephiroth was glaring at Genesis ahead.
"-including Sephiroth's resurrection." Rufus finished his sentence.
Genesis walked ahead and stood face to face with Sephiroth. "Care for a short battle?" the feline General grinned.
"Like old times?" Genesis said with a similar grin.
"Yeah"
Genesis followed Sephiroth towards the training room, leaving Rufus standing at the hallway like a stick.
Reno came to fetch Vincent from the training room and brought him to the ShinRa rooftop, although Reno was an annoying dude but he knows how to care for a friend.
"Hey yo, you can use this spot to calm down. I can see this black aura surrounding you. Although I would want to know what happened to you, I bet you would rather shoot me that tell me so I can only bring you here to calm down."
Vincent gave Reno a small smile. "Thank you.."
"Bye yo, I've got a date later so see you tomorrow."
Vincent walked around the rooftop and found a secluded area, shielded from prying eyes but a perfect spot to watch the sunset along the horizon. He sat there, wondering.
Ever since coming to this world, I felt an great burden lifted from me. I feel like I fit in here, everyone, Cloud, Tifa, Marlene.. I felt as if I knew them for a long time.. but I cannot remember, and those memories... why did it come to me? I remember the feeling, when my father laughed with me, the feeling of doom when I forgot to bring my school books to school, the time I played the piano, the melody... The sounds of loneliness, when I met Genesis.. the loneliness gone.. but now.. I.. I don't know what is real anymore. Is this a dream?
Vincent buried his head in his hands. "I don't know what is real anymore." He muttered.
"Believe in yourself."
Vincent snapped up. He turned towards the source of that voice. Sephiroth.. Vincent sighed. "I am not in the mood. Please leave.."
"Vincent.. don't you want to know?"
"Know what? Know why everything is so messed up? I'm not even suppose to be here!"
Sephiroth's expression softened. He rarely expressed his emotions so openly but for Vincent, he would always be truthful. "Everything happens for a reason."
Vincent returned Sephiroth's gaze with hope. "Will these nightmares go away?""
AN: Yea :D Genesis meets Vincent again! And Sephy too! Will these two battle out over one male? What has Minerva in stored for them? Who will Vincent choose? Will he find out the answer to all his questions? You all must wonder why Rufus with open hands welcomed Genesis back right?? All will be revealed in the next few chapters!
Once again.. lovely reviews can fuel an author's motor to write stories so gimme all the fuel you have. Wahahaha XD
And I drew the opening cover for Fading memories on Deviantart.. You can go to my profile to see the link there. ;D I'll upload more picture from this story asap ^^