A/N: To answer 13onnie's question, yes, those were sleeping pills. It's just one way to get the two lovebirds together. Also, if she didn't get Cloud to sleep as well, he would have slain her for even touching Vincent. Right? How smart am I? lol. I have a loyal fan, woot! –dances-. Yes, Toons, I have my reasons for being random. Lol. Anyways, I really wished people would review more since I'm giving an update everyday. That's really difficult to do in my book. New topic, this chapter is going to have the pair getting closer to each other. I hope that I can get some kissing to fit into this chapter, but it's hard going OOC for me. I'm planning to have this story go a couple more chapters after this, ending around six or seven. Please review, because I'm such a nice author!
Disclaimer:- I own nothing of FFVII except the game I bought that sitting on it's shelf, but not the game itself. The characters and places belong to the infamous Square Enix. –bows-
Warning:- This chapter contains mild discreet violence, and slight yaoi.
Slipping Into Tragedy-
Chapter 4-
The young ninja slept silently, forgetting how little the ex-Turk had drank before he had passed out. The sun was beginning to rise, slowly at first, but it soon peeked into the inn's windows. Behind closed eyes, Yuffie slightly stirred, only to sigh and feel the warmth of the sun shining in through the windows. A shadow passed in front of the small comfort, leaving her to open her eyes slightly to see the un-cloaked figure in front of her. By the looks of it, it had it's arms crossed. The ex-Turk had been searching for the stolen articles the entire night, and had finally given up to face the convict for the answers. Cloud had gotten up and was on the other side of the ninja just in case she decided to run, something that she was quite known of doing. A cold hand reached out and held her shoulder tightly and the ninja had opened her eyes all of the way this time. The stare that Vincent had given her behind his wild hair would make anyone want to shrivel away and die. The hand was from behind her, and she realized at that moment that she was in deep trouble.
"Morning guys, what's up?" The ninja greeted as she stretched her arms high above her head before sitting cross-legged on top of the covers of the bed. "Yuffie, we know you did it…." The blonde said, turning her to face him. "Why, whatever are you talking about?" Yuffie asked, trying not to smile, but failed by cracking a small and innocent smile. "Look at what you did…" Cloud insisted as he turned her shoulder to face the ex-Turk. It hardly looked like he had a face behind all of that hair.
"Yuffie, tell me where they are…"The raven-haired man insisted, taking her by her shoulder as well. She knew she had been caught in the act. "Well, at least I didn't put that magic little blue pill in your drinks. Now that I think of it, I kinda wish I did…"Yuffie said as she slid forward out of the bed with a gigantic smile across her face. The two followed, making sure she didn't attempt to get away from the consequences.
"Yuffie, tell us where they are, and I won't kill you in your sleep." Vincent demanded, turning her around to face him. This made Yuffie wince slightly as his golden claw had dug into her shoulder. The ninja pondered for a second, she knew she was in a great position for bargaining. The two of them saw these, and was afraid to know what the ninja would demand in return.
"On one condition will I get them for you…"Yuffie said with a clever smile playing across her cheeks. "…And that would be…" Vincent urged hesitantly, for he knew it wouldn't be good, especially coming from Yuffie. "You have to…"Yuffie said, pointing a scrawny index finger toward the ex-Turk before continuing. "…Kiss Cloud!" Yuffie demanded, pointing back to the blonde, who had all color drained out of his face. Unfortunately for Vincent, the missing cloak couldn't hide the slight hue of pink on his face.
"Yuffie, that's completely absurd…"The ex-Turk commented, letting his glare grow menacingly stronger. Cloud was completely speechless, but inside, he was the most thrilled person in the world. Vincent stared at the shocked look on his face, and turned to reason to the young ninja. "Yuffie, be reasonable…"He somewhat begged, shaking his head in disapproval. "Well, I guess you'll just have to live without them." Yuffie simply said as she quietly sat back down on the bed. The ex-Turk had to restrain from choking the young ninja, or shooting her otherwise. "You're being unfair…" The raven-haired man reasoned as he tried desperately to get him to do something other then…that. "No, it's completely simple and it isn't like the world will end if you do." Yuffie said, making her point very clear. "…The question is, how bad do you want your cape and headband back?" The ninja asked, knowing it would seal the deal. The ex-Turk had lost his glare and anger. He knew he had been beaten at his own game. He then realized Cloud hadn't said anything about it, and looked over to see what was wrong with the blonde.
"Cloud, are you okay?" Yuffie said, turning and noticing his frozen face. That seemed to snap the blonde out of his trance and come rushing back to reality. "Hmm?...Yeah." The blonde said, finally taking in what Yuffie had demanded. "Your not going to give up, are you?" Cloud asked, hoping for Yuffie to feel sorry for them and go and get the articles that she had stolen. To Cloud's expectations, the ninja just smiled and started giggling. The blonde sighed and looked over to a distraught Vincent. "It's like Yuffie said, we're not going to die." Cloud reasoned, feeling a bit awkward as the taste of the words in his mouth got jumbled and bitter. "Come on you wusses, just get it over with. It doesn't have to be a frencher or anything like that, just a peck!" Yuffie said, taking Vincent's and Cloud's hands, and pulling them up to each other. The ninja was giggling and clapping her hands together.
Cloud was now looking down at his feet, trying to control himself from throwing up with the feeling of butterflies fluttering around in his stomach. Vincent hadn't moved an inch and was glaring at Yuffie, shooting her one that could kill her several times over. The blonde lifted his head to face the ex-Turk, staring at him strangely. Vincent had turned to look at him, his face still held the glare he was giving to Yuffie, but quickly softened after a few moments. "Just DO it already!" Yuffie demanded, getting anxious and making kissy noises with puckered lips. Vincent sighed, flicking the loose hair away from his face and stepping forward towards Cloud. He reached forward with his un-clawed hand and placed it neatly on the blonde's shoulder. Cloud felt like he was going to pass out, but he wanted this moment. Even if it was Yuffie's doings, he still wanted it and that made him feel like his heart about to leap out of his chest. He stared deeply into crimson orbs, as they stared back at him. Closing his eyes slightly as Vincent pulled the back of his neck up until they could feel each other's breath silently hitting faces. Flesh met flesh as Vincent's lips collided with his own. Yuffie's laughter was cut out as in that single moment and it seemed as if the world was no longer in their wake. Cloud did something Vincent hadn't expected and put his hand behind the ex-Turks neck and keeping it in place long enough to dig himself deeper into the other's lips. Something so innocent turned into something more as Cloud found himself grabbing into Vincent's raven-black hair as he became more passionate, begging for entrance into the other's mouth. The ex-Turk responded to the blonde and hesitantly let the blonde enter. Cloud had never felt such a rush and took this chance as one that would probably never happen again. The blonde's tongue explored the Vincent's mouth, pulling the ex-Turk closer to his own body. Vincent slowly pulled back and his eyes were filled with a new emotion that the blonde hadn't seen until that very moment.
Yuffie in a state of shock as the prank had turned on her. "I got my money's worth…" Yuffie said as she smiled and bounced out the door to go and retrieve what she had promised to get, leaving the two alone to discuss what had just happened.
Cloud stepped back and sat down on the edge of the bed and Vincent repeated the same process, sitting down beside the blonde. Cloud's heart was still racing, as was his mind. He had finally had the epiphany that he was looking for. He didn't just like the ex-Turk, he loved him. It all makes sense now…He thought, thinking back to the other night when he was having jumbled feelings for the raven-haired man. He then nodded in realization and knew exactly why Yuffie had stolen Vincent's clothing, she was just trying to play matchmaker. Vincent had looked over at the blonde and wondered why the blonde was nodding to himself, but it was soon answered. "Yuffie planned this all along…"Cloud said, turning to the ex-Turk, who didn't seem shaken by the whole experience. Vincent nodded in agreement and turned to stare at the floor for answers of his own. "Oh, sorry about erm, you know." Cloud said, turning to Vincent in apology. "Happens to the best of us…" Vincent replied as his head jerked toward the door.
Yuffie had opened the door and bobbed into the room, full of joy with red crimson following her in a dramatic rhythm. She threw the cape to Vincent and the headband to Cloud. The raven-haired man pulled on his cape, and from Cloud's angle, he could've sworn he had seen the smallest hint of a smile, but it was soon covered up as he buckled the straps together, concealing his porcelain face once again. Cloud had jerked as he realized what he was supposed to do as Vincent had turned his back to him. The blonde lifted the crimson strap and placed it on the other's man's forehead and pulling it back tightly through his hair. He then tied the ends into an extremely tight knot that Yuffie couldn't undo without having more strength built up in her fingers. He also secretly hoped that Vincent couldn't get it off himself so that he could get it. Once finished, the blonde tapped on the ex-Turks shoulder, signaling that he was done. Vincent reached up to check the blonde's handiwork and nodded once in approval. Yuffie couldn't help but laugh, in which earned her two glares. The blonde had to do something to ease the awkward silence and thought about what he would have to say. Inspiration soon hit him as he remembered exactly why they were there in the first place.
"Why don't we go downstairs into the lobby and see if we hear anything about disturbances around here…"Cloud suggested with a somewhat serious tone. Yuffie was up in a heartbeat and crossed her arms in disapproval. "I guess the funs over and we have to get back to work, huh?" The young ninja said as she stood in front of the two. "Don't you just hate to see it go?!" Cloud said sarcastically as he got up and headed over for the door. Yuffie's mouth had gaped open, and his comment had also had Vincent looking at him strangely. "I'm kidding, geez. Also, try not to drool on yourself…"Cloud stated as he gripped the doors handle and opened it, revealing the staircase and the sounds of laughter coming from the bottom seeming to float from the lobby. "Let's go, I need alcohol anyway." Cloud said as he walked out the door and started down the stairs. Yuffie followed with a sigh and a final roll of her eyes. Vincent followed up behind her, shutting the door and making the ninja follow the blonde down into the lobby.
Cloud's boots clomped down the halls wooden floor as he entered into the familiar lobby that he had come to several times before. This time there were several more people then usual. The blonde spotted the owner of the Gold Saucer and waved Yuffie and Vincent to find a seat while he talked to her. Yuffie obeyed and picked out a booth that was available before anyone else got it. Vincent had obviously tensed up by being around so many people, and also by being the anti-social type as well.
The woman that Cloud approached had a business like appearance. She wore a knee-length black skirt with a dark blue blazer over a white dress-shirt. Her blonde hair was folded back into a bun with a small white ribbon hanging loosely behind her back. She also had a small clip-board on hand with a pencil at the ready on top of her ear. If Cloud didn't know any better, he probably would've mistaken her as part of Shinra. "Excuse me, miss. Are you the owner of this place?" Blonde asked, just to make sure he'd gotten it right before asking her more questions…
"Please?"
"No."
"Please?!"
"No."
"Oh come on Vinny, don't leave me hanging!"
"No"
"I just want to touch it.! Pleeeease! I beg you!"
"…Fine…" Vincent said as he extended his left hand and placed it on the counter stubbornly. He didn't really feel like being probed, but if it kept the ninja out of his hair then it was fine by him…
"I got a call from you the other day saying that there had been some disturbances in the area." The blonde stated, looking closely into the other blonde's green eyes. "Yes, but it seems it has calmed down since then. Not a single report has come in since you've shown up, and business is booming!" She said excitedly, taking the pencil from behind her ear and twirled through her fingers to emphasize her point before tucking it neatly back behind her ear once again.
"Aww, look how CUTE!!" Yuffie said as she took two of the ex-Turks clawed fingers and held them up in the air for observation. "You know what Vinny?" The ninja said as she picked up his entire hand and heaved it up in the air to watch it glisten against the light from the lamps above them. "My name is not 'Vinny'." The raven-haired man said as he endured Yuffie poking his hand. "You could beat anyone at a thumb-war …Maybe I can get Cloud to take up the challenge." Yuffie said excitedly as she twirled his clawed thumb in the air wildly…
The blonde gave her a strange look and whispered a inaudible 'okay'. "So do you need my services anymore?" Cloud asked the woman, before he walked away. "Nope, and isn't that such a wonderful thing! I'll call you back if I need anything, thanks for your concern. You are dismissed." The woman said with an impossibly large smile. If I had to go with her on missions for hours at a time, I'd steal Cerberus and shoot myself… Cloud thought as he turned and headed over to were something very strange was happening as far as he could tell.
"Soooo, Vinny. Do you like Cloud?"
"My name is not Vinny…"
"That's doesn't answer my question…."
"…"
"You two are so cute together! When's the wedding?! Oh, I want to be the maid of honor!"
"Yuffie…"
"Please oh please!"
"Would you like to live until tomorrow?"
"…Maybe…"
The small conversation stopped as Cloud approached the table and sat neatly beside Yuffie, who was still holding Vincent's clawed hand. "Proposing?" Cloud questioned with a smile planted firmly on his cheeks. "Oh, We were just talking about that! So has mumph mumph mumhp…" A clawed hand had covered the ninja's mouth before she could get the rest of the sentence out. "No." Vincent answered as he slowly let the ninja go with a glare to keep her from saying anything else. "Oh, okay. Are you two hungry?" Cloud asked as he stared down at a menu lying out across the table. "I'm STARVING!" Yuffie yelled as she snatched up the menu from underneath the ex-Turks golden claw, snatching a few glances as well from inside the lobby.
As if on cue, a different waitress showed up with a pen pointed down at a piece of blank, lined paper. "What would we like today?" The waitress asked in a pleasant tone, winking at Cloud as she glanced over to the blonde. "Something simple, and I'd like a small glass of beer." Cloud said, not looking back up to the waitress. "I want five granola bars, you know, to keep me fit." Yuffie said with a smile toward the waitress. "Uh-huh, got it… What would you like sir?" She asked the ex-Turk that she was receiving a glare from, while writing the other orders. "Nothing." Vincent stated, in which the waitress nodded and stared at Cloud once more. "I'm going to go place your order…If you need anything, feel free to ask." She said as she tipped up the blonde's chin with her index finger before she left toward the back room where a swinging door stood.
"Vincent! You're killing the table!" Yuffie yelled to the ex-Turk, who was clawing the table all to hell. Vincent looked down to his gauntlet, which had in fact clawed four distinct marks into the glossy wood. The ninja smiled at Cloud, and looked back at Vincent. "That answers my question…" Yuffie stated as Vincent removed his claw from the table. Cloud looked at Yuffie warily, and raised a finger in question. "What question?" The blonde asked, tilting his head slightly. Yuffie was about to open her mouth, but Cloud had shifted and grabbed his cell phone from his pocket. "Hold that thought, Yuffie. I'm going to call our transportation back to Midgar." Cloud said, taking out the card the pilot had given him.
The blonde punched in the numbers and held the phone lightly to his ear. It rang twice before he heard a familiar voice on the other line. "Yes, I'd like a helicopter big enough for a motorcycle and three people from the Gold Saucer, back to Midgar….okay…See you then." The phone call ended with the swift click of the phone clapping back in half. He slid it back down into his pocket, and rested his elbows on the table. "Our transportation will be here within a few hours…"Cloud stated, looking at Yuffie who turned a slight tint of green at the thought.
The waitress had come back over and slid a plate of granola bars to the young ninja, who immediately tore off the wrapper and gobbled down on it like the rest of her life depended on it. She simply glanced at the ex-Turk who was glaring at her, before turning back to Cloud and smiling. "Cheeseburger and a glass of beer…hope its simple enough for your taste." The waitress whispered as she bent down next to the blonde's ear. "That will be all…"Vincent stated through, what seemed to be clenched teeth. The waitress gave him a glare back as she 'humphed' and walked off to do her duty.
"That girl has issues…" Cloud said as he took a giant bite off of the hamburger. "…Burger's good though." The blonde finished after he had swallowed before taking another hunk out of it. He turned to Vincent, who looked like he needed to eat, and grabbed his knife he had brought with him. Yuffie had already bit down on her last granola bar. The blonde gazed at the wrappers that were left on the table, and had only seen three. "Yuffie, did you eat one with the wrapper still on it?" Cloud asked as he tore through half of the burger with the knife.
"…Maybe…"Yuffie said as she looked down at the table, before continued eating the last bit of granola left in her hand. Cloud had finished his half of the burger and slid it over to the ex-Turk, staring in awe at the young ninja. "Cloud, I do-" The blonde waved his hand to cut him off, interrupting his sentence. "No, you look like your hungry. Eat." The blonde commented, cleaning off his knife and sticking it back down into its holder. Vincent nodded and titled his head up past the edge of crimson cloth, biting into it hesitantly, but gratefully all the same.
The ex-Turk finished the rest of the hamburger and dipped his chin back into hiding. Cloud had glanced over to make sure he was eating. The blonde had been successful in getting him to eat it, and it made him feel good. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. What was it that you wanted to tell me Yuffie?" Cloud asked, placing his hands together neatly on the surface of the table once again. "OH!I was going to tell you that Vincent l-" Yuffie was interrupted once again, this time it was Cloud's cell phone that had gone off in mid-sentence.
Cloud grabbed it out of his pocket and flipped it open. "Yes…We'll be right out." Cloud said before shutting it once again and slipping it back into its place and getting up from the booth. "Sorry, Yuffie. The helicopter is waiting for us outside. You can tell me on the way there." The blonde suggested as he motioned to an eerily relaxed Vincent and to a ninja who had slapped herself in the forehead. Weird…Cloud thought as he stepped out the doors of the Gold Saucer with his comrades to an awaiting helicopter that was sitting out where they had landed in the first place. Yuffie had grabbed her stomach and her mouth as nausea overcame her at the sight, while Vincent secretly smiled lightly beneath the protection of the cape's necking…
A/N: Okay, I hope you all liked that chapter, because there was a whole lot more Cloud and Vincent in this chapter, as this is a Valenstrife. If you don't like guy on guy stuff, I suggest you don't read the next few chapters since they're going to have a lot more in the terms of yaoi. So I have one question for those who read this. Why aren't you reviewing? I work hard everyday to get these chapters up in time for your pleasure. I love those who have reviewed twice cough, cough Anyways, I hope this chapter was just as sweet as it was to me. If I put something completely wrong on this, I'll fix it up to the best of my abilities. I have very little knowledge of what the Gold Saucer is or how it looks like, so I tried to make up stuff that I've heard and read about it. Also, don't you just love me for interrupting Yuffie all the time? I think it's hilarious that she can't get a word in edgewise…
Yuffie: It wasn't funny!
Me: Yes it was, and you know it…
Cloud: What were you going to tell me anyway?...
Vincent: glare
Yuffie: Umm…
Me: Ha!
I hope this chapter wasn't too short for you who are reading it. I met my quota for the day, so I'm extremely happy. Also, I know the Author Note's are a bit long, but I feel I'm entitled to it since I'll only get to do this a few more times. Lol. For the sake of me writing more, please review like your lives depend on it. Kind of how Yuffie ate those granola bars. Anyways, review for me! Please?!