[A/N part deux: So yeah, for those of you that've noticed I changed up Vincent's appearance a bit from the first story. Originally I was going for that cheesy, Victorian, stereotypical vampire look with the velvet coat and frilly neck thing. (think Interview With The Vampire. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Terrible for Vincent, right?) So I went back to his roots, but with a less ragged version of his Turks suit and crimson cape. I hope that's a bit more visually appealing. _;]
..x.X.x. Captured .x.X.x..
She couldn't move; wouldn't dare to even chance the thought of moving. The way he looked at her, his gaze shamelessly examining her body, his eyes full of anguished curiosity, longing, and desire.
He took another graceful step forward, hardly making any perceivable sound in the open, airy room. He was close to her, so close he could feel the divine heat emanating from her licentious body in wave upon wave that overbearingly consumed his senses.
Tifa stared at the stranger's face, watching as he advanced, his every move entrancing her to look deeper and harder. Her mind was screaming to run away and her muscles quivered in apprehension, begging to uproot from her hypnotized state and just get the hell away.
But she couldn't, no matter how she tried and begged and pleaded for her body to sway free, it wouldn't. She was fully enraptured in his spell and almost didn't want to break free as she stared into those imposing, blood red eyes. His every seductive breath touched her soul, stilling her pulsing heart.
All other thoughts were banished; time had simply ceased to exist and all the remained in this ethereal world was herself and this alluring, dangerously enchanting man. She finally gave in, giving up the impossible struggled and relaxed her every muscle. Whatever he was doing to her was just too overwhelming, and she accepted it.
He raised a pail hand and gently caressed Tifa's cheek, stroking it ever so softly. She gasped at the chill that grazed her skin yet she didn't flinch, didn't pull away. His eyes never left hers; searching the depths of her timid burgundy gaze, feeling the fear and anticipation that emanated from her fragile being.
He smiled to himself deviously.
"How is it, my delicate lady, that you can see through my shadows?"
His voice was soft and gentle, dancing through her ears like a whispered melody of dreams. She reluctantly trembled, her voice caught in her throat as she searched for the answer. She searched his eyes, those deep, melancholic eyes of sadness and guilt, feeling his domination over her.
His hand gently slid down her cheek, the tips of his fingers grazing the side of her neck and pushing away the strands of chocolate silk that was her hair, his eyes never leaving her own.
Tifa's pulse immediately began to rise as realization slowly crept into her mind. Her eyes flickered away from his to his searching hand, and at that same moment feeling returned to her body. His spell was broken. She remembered where she was, what had happened, and she remembered how to move.
She quickly pulled away, taking a step back from the stranger. Her eyes narrowed in anger as she flexed her fingers, preparing for whatever was to come.
The man's dark eyes flickered with anticipation, his lips curving into a menacing frown. He held his ground, unmoving and angered by her sudden division.
"What do you want? Why do you keep following me?" Tifa questioned aggressively. She no longer felt fear now that her enemy was actually in sight.
"If I may remind you, you are the one who has trespassed into my home." He said smoothly, his voice deep and enticing, yet lacking emotion.
She stammered at the statement and a slight blush graced her pale cheeks, but she quickly composed. "The Nibelheim manor belongs to no one. It's been empty for years."
She jumped slightly at the sudden, unexpected laugh that escaped the man in front of her, his eyes dancing with malice. "So that's what they call it now?" he turned his back to her coldly. Resentment was seeded in his voice, giving her heart a shutter.
He no longer concealed his tone; he spoke louder now with a strong, deep voice that was rich and pleasant, yet still strangely emotionless.
"I am Vincent Valentine, the single remaining member of my family's bloodline. You're currently standing in the Valentine Manor, my home, and the only lingering possession of my family's since their unmerciful slaughter at the beginning of this century." He paused, his claw flexing acrimoniously in the enraged thoughts of his bitterness.
Tifa was at a loss for words, only finding the ability to utter, "So it's true, then."
The stranger- Vincent, turned sharply again. He scoffed openly, glaring at the girl in front of him. "What else do they presume about the history of this town?" Vincent asked, piercing the young woman with his fierce gaze, his voice bordering that of demand.
Again Tifa stammered at the sudden inquiry. "Don't you already know? It's basically a child's fairytale to the people-"
She abruptly ended the sentence as Vincent's figure stepped lithely towards her, and within an uneasy breath he was upon her. She could feel his body so completely close to hers, his breath was soft on her skin and his dark eyes deep and penetrating. She made no move to defend herself, for her limbs had simply lost capability.
This time, though, it wasn't because of his deeply inviting spell.
Vincent gently raised his clawed hand and placed it on her arm, causing her to shiver from the biting cold of it's metallic touch. His scrutinizing eyes explored her own, as if desperately looking for a veiled answer, one that would unlock his soul from the darkness he had committed his existence to.
Tifa stared back, her traitorous body allowing her no movement, forcing her to stare back into those dark, blood flecked eyes. Helplessness took over her body again. His presence dominated her in such an indescribable way, almost making her feel as if he possessed her, as if she simply belonged to him like a toy belonged to child.
She tried to remain serene while anticipating his every move, feeling his intense gaze probe her. She began to feel an uneasy awareness creep into her mind as she watched Vincent's gaze, his mouth set a line of concentration between the open lapels of his coat collar. Familiar emotions began to invade her head, of all the deprivation she had felt in her dreams about him.
She closed her eyes and looked away painfully, pushing the barren and desolate thoughts away.
"No.." She whispered softly. "Please, no more-"
She was cut off once more by the touch of Vincent's fingers on her chin. He tenderly lifted her delicate face to his, and her eyes flitted open to glance into the tormented eyes of her hunter.
Vincent saw the deepest pain and sorrow in her crimson eyes; sorrow for him. Sorrow for the pain she knew he felt, for the loss he had so agonizingly endured.
He had successfully broken through her mental shield, and for what felt like the first time in his meandering existence Vincent felt a stab to his heart. This girl had suffered something terrible as well, just as he had. She felt the same agony. Her's was no where near the extent of his, yet it was there.
He left his fingers on her chin, still holding her gaze to his. He felt her trembling beneath his grasp and smiled inwardly. Ever so slowly, he moved his face closer to hers, and with every shortened breath he could feel her submission.
She was easily falling into his twisted web, and would just as easily become his. Why he felt he wanted her, why he needed her, was still unknown to him. But she was here, in his grasp, and he was just a breath away from making Tifa Lockhart his.
Perhaps, even, for an eternity.
.x.x.x.x.
"Grrr, you'll pay for this, you spiky headed jerk!! Just you wait till I get outta here, you'll be sorry you ever messed with the great ninja Yuffie!"
Cloud sighed again in the greatest agitation. Ever since he had caught the spiteful little thief she hadn't the sense to be even the slightest bit more quiet.
He glanced back at her once more with a pleading gaze and might have even laughed if he wasn't so debilitated and utterly annoyed. The young girl was nearly hog tied and thrown lazily over the golden chocobo's back. She had put up a fierce struggle when finally captured, and repeatedly threatened to break free. He had avoided that easily, needless to say.
Too bad the Silence spell only worked against the ability to use magic.
"Let me go! Now! I swear on my ancestors you'll pay for this! Untie me and face me like a true warrior! You'll feel my wrath!!! You'll-"
"Burn with you're rage, I'll be obliterated into nothingness, for you are the great ninja Yuffie." Cloud finished for the young girl, who had obviously repeated these useless threats again and again.
And again.
"I quiver with fear." He finished flatly. "Now shut up. We're almost there."
"Ooh, you won't get away with this! I'm not going anywhere, not with you, you creep. I swear when I get loose.. I'll.. I'll..." She paused, attempting to use a different threat from the worthless ones before.
"You have to sleep sometime, you know!" Was all she could manage.
/Oh, what I'd give to be home right now./ Cloud thought wistfully as he lead the weary chocobo into the town of Kalm, to redeem the citizens of their former thief.
/I'm almost there, Tifa. Just hang on a little longer./
.x.x.x.x.
Tifa felt her heart soar to the heights of a freedom she had never known before. Her body trembled as she gazed at the nearing features of the man named Vincent. He held her chin, allowing her no escape as he slowly placed a kiss on her lips.
Her eyes instantly closed as the silk of his skin caressed her lips. He stepped forward slowly, pressing Tifa's back to the wall. She could not escape, he wouldn't allow it. She would be his; he would be sure of it. Just this kiss was not enough for him; he felt his entire body ignite with the very touch of her, and he shamelessly yearned for more. He hadn't felt the being of another person for decades, and now that he was finally known, oh how he longed for more.
He began to delve a bit deeper into her mouth, searching for the heavenly warmth that was in her. She easily submitted herself, almost bidding him to take more..
..but a sudden awareness crept into her mind, a familiarity that prodded her memory. /Cloud../
Tifa's eyes shot open as she shook the submission out of her traitorous body. She pushed all her emotions aside and reached forward to push Vincent away, feeling as though her body was being drained at the parting of his lips.
Vincent, however, did not give in so easily. He pressed himself forward even more, and with a gentle, passionate force, took hold of Tifa once again and strongly kissed her deeper than before. She was surprised, he could feel it in the way her body tensed- but he continued to kiss her deeply, desperately wishing to drink more of her beautiful radiance.
Her body soon surrendered once more as she wrapped her arms around his muscular back, craving for him to fill the emptiness that seemed to take hold of her every time he was apart from her. She felt as if her soul were complete at the very touch of this man, who she still knew nothing of; But it felt so completely good, just this kiss was more than anything she had ever experienced. Not even with Cloud; he had never kissed her so deeply and full of passion before.
After a moment of heated bliss in the binding of their lips, Vincent finally and reluctantly pulled himself away. They both struggled for precious air as their hearts flourished concurrently. Their eyes were locked together, and only when Tifa felt a peculiar warmth trickle down her arm did she look away.
Her arm was bleeding where Vincent's claw had a hold of her. She gasped, not even realizing when it had happened. There was no pain, which was shocking because of how deep it was.
Vincent's eyes gleamed with a dark essence, as he calmly brought her arm to his lips. His eyes never left hers as he gently licked at the warm, inviting liquid.
Her heartbeat quickened as she saw the glimmer of ivory between his princely lips. He suckled ever so softly at her wound, and whispered a word so soft it barely graced her ears. When Tifa peered at her arm, she saw that it was already healing, a thin layer of tissue already formulating.
She looked curiously into Vincent's dark eyes. "How-"
"It's a gift from my family." He said simply. His eyes momentarily glimmered with what looked like amusement. Her blood embellished his hungry tongue, it's flavor driving his senses to madness. She was absolutely divine; how a mere human being could make him feel as he was now, he would never know.
Tifa felt every nerve in her body tingle. Just the feeling of Vincent standing so exquisitely close to her was enough to make her heart serenade. Yet at the same time her scared her. He made her feel so helpless, as if to force her into his arms for protection. His eyes pierced through her very soul, and his cold skin..
And the glimmer of white under his lips, the sharp piercing of teeth with his deep embracing kiss.. The resplendent attraction he had shown for her blood.. The curse of the town.. Cid's fairytale.. It all spun around in her head at once, along with the impassioned desired she seemed to feel for him, all at the same time..
And Cloud.
/What am I doing here? I shouldn't be doing this.. How can I know if this is even real? He's so manipulative.. No matter what he makes me feel, I belong with Cloud.. I shouldn't be here like this../ Tifa's lips trembled as she thought, her mind clambering around in a daze.
Staring deeply into the blood filled eyes of Vincent Valentine, Tifa slowly began to edge away. She felt as if some invisible force was attaching her soul to him as she struggled to free herself from his grasp.
She saw confusion reflect in those darkened orbs, then what appeared to be hurt as he remained unmoving. She gently pulled her arm away from his tender grasp and backed slowly to the door that had swallowed her into this house in the first place.
She reached for the handle and slowly turned it, finding it submissive to her grasp. She watched Vincent's hands slowly clench into tight, cold fists.
All the pain, anguish and anger that Tifa had seen deep in his leaden, lifeless eyes filled the atmosphere, once again filling her mind with the memory of the grim nightmares that constantly plagued her. Only now did she understand that her nightmares were the harsh, bleak reality of the man she was attempting to leave behind.
But of course, he was the very last of his kind. A vampire. He had only known loneliness all of his life.
Tifa closed the front door, feeling the chill of the night air turn deathly cold. She felt entirely confused and empty, as if her heart and soul were torn apart from her body.
The only thing she didn't know was if she felt this way because Vincent had wanted her to, or if because it was what her heart felt truly inside.
.x.x.x.x.x.x.
