And poof! Chapter seven appears! Sorry it's sooo late, I'm lazy. So is my monkey. But that's another story.
Disclaimer: Vincent Valentine belongs to meeeeeee! ME! Ahem, cough. No he doesn't. We all know who owns him, so I'm going to stop writing these things...yeah yeah, i dont own anyone from Final Fantasy, so dont sue me!
Chapter 7
She awoke, screaming. It took a minute for her to calm down and figure out where she was. The laboratory was gone...it was just her in a bed. She was panting and drenched in sweat. A dream...nightmare...no. It was a memory.
She looked up and saw a worried Vincent walk into the room.
"Are you okay?" he quickly rushed to her side. "Bad dream?"
Her wide eyes just stared at him for awhile, until she couldn't hold back the tears anymore. One of her shaking hands grabbed his shirt.
He looked at her in surprise, but then he wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay. It's just a dream."
"...no..." she barely choked out the words through sobs. "Its not..."
"Vira..."
"...Don't...don't pretend you care..."
"But...I do..."
"No! No one cares!"
'They've all abandoned you...no one cares about you anymore.'
He ran his clawed hand through her hair. He felt so sorry for her. He could see all the pain and fear in her eyes. She was so young...it wasn't right. If only he'd taken care of Hojo...then he wouldn't have done this...how was he still alive? He died...Vincent was positive about that. Did someone resurrect him? Was that even possible?
"You know that's not true..."
"...go away." She pulled out of his grip and turned around so he was facing her back.
"No. I won't."
"...you think you can help me? Make me happy again? Sorry, but that's not possible."
"……No. I doubt I could help you. I can't…..help anybody…"
"Oh, boo hoo."
"……….."
"Always acting like you have such a bad life! Get over yourself!"
"Don't…."
"Don't you 'don't' me! You don't know how good you have it! You're lucky! You have friends! And all you do is emo around like you have the worst life possible!"
"Shut up. You don't know anything." His eyes narrowed in anger.
"I do! I know everything about your pathetic little life! Everything! More than even you know. You got off easy alright? So stop being so selfish!" She finished yelling at him, then turned away, panting, trying to rub the tears from her eyes.
"………" He looked at her in shock, dumbfounded. How did she know all this? It wasn't possible. "……..Why do you know this?" He was pale.
"…….I……your files are on Hojo's computer….."
"…I see……." He looked down, deep in thought. "Vira-"
"Vincent! Is Vira awake yet?" Yuffie came bounding into the room.
"...I doubt anyone could sleep through the noise you're making, Yuffie."
"Oh shut up grumpy bum." She scowled at him.
"...What is it that you want?"
"I wanted to know how Vira was feeling. Is there something wrong with that?"
"She's fine..."
Vira looked back and forth between them. They were talking about her like she wasn't even there. Quite annoying actually.
"Well, if you're hungry, Teef is cooking something. Have fun!" She skipped off.
"..."
Well this was awkward. She hadn't meant to yell at Vincent like that. She just kinda...lost it. Now he hated her. Maybe that was a good thing. Hopefully now he'd let her leave.
They both sat there, in uncomfortable silence, for a couple of minutes. Finally, Vira spoke.
"So...um...how did I get here?"
"I found you in an alley, getting attacked by thugs." His tine was unreadable.
"Oh."
"You don't remember?"
"...I guess not..."
Once again, they sat in silence. Vira looked out the window, wishing that she was outside. The weather was fabulous.
"You hate me don't you?" she finally asked him.
He looked up at her. "...No. But I never thought that you were jealous of me."
"I-I'm...not jealous! I just...maybe you should appreciate what you have...your friends..."
"What makes you think I don't?"
"...By the way you always act..."
"..."
She sighed. "Well, I'm leaving." She got up, but he grabbed her arm.
"Why are you so intent on leaving? Have we offended you somehow?"
"No...I just have to go."
"Why?"
"It's none of your business!" She snapped and pulled her arm out o f his grip.
He stood up. "I want to know."
"...There's nothing you can do..." She whispered and turned away from him.
"You don't know that..."
She turned back towards him and a look of annoyance crossed her face. "What's your problem? Why wont you leave me alone?!"
"Because..."
"You can't help me alright?! ...No one can...and I don't want to hurt you anymore..."
He gave her with a curious look. "Hurt...me?"
"..." She looked away.
"...If you just told me the truth and stopped avoiding my questions, then maybe I could help you...why wont you tell me anything?"
"Because...I'm...I'm scared...and what has happened to me is none off your business!"
"It is..."
"No! It's not, okay?!"
"Vira...I can't help you if you don't want me to. If you really want to leave then go. I won't stop you."
His words cut her deep. "...So you don't care about me..."
His face remained expressionless as he looked down at her.
"I was stupid...thinking someone actually liked me...I hate you!"
He narrowed his eyes. "I have tried to help you, and all you do is get mad. Do not blame this on me. You are just too stubborn to accept help."
"It's not like that! I thought you would understand! You, of all people might be able to help me. After all, you knew him too!"
"I can't help people. If you're looking for that, then go to someone else."
"No! You...you're...the only..."
"...The only...?"
"...This is all your fault...everything's your fault!"
"What?!"
"If you didn't exist, then I wouldn't be an experiment!!"
He looked at her in shock. How was this his fault? Unless...
"Why? Why do you say that?"
"..." Once again, she had said something she didn't mean. Why couldn't she keep her mouth shut? "I'm sorry...I didn't mean...this is why I want to leave! I can only ever say mean things to you...I'm so sorry..."
'I'm so sorry...'
"Vira...don't..."
"It's not your fault...It's his...even if you didn't exist...he would have picked something else..."
"..." He kneeled down in front of her and looked up into her tear-filled eyes. "There's something...I can see it in your eyes..."
"...I..." She looked away. "I'm just...a...you..."
"What?"
She looked back at him. "All the experiments performed on me are simular to yours."
"How...?" His eyes were wide. "It's not possible..."
"Yes it is. You have...so many errors. You're weak. Your main weapon was Chaos, but now he has returned to the planet."
"...Are you Chaos?" he dreaded the answer.
"No...not exactly. I'm worse...but I can control my demons."
"...I...Hojo is dead. How could he have done this?"
"I...I don't think it's him..."
"What?"
"Hojo...I don't think he's Hojo...I see...it all makes sense now..." She mumbled thoughtfully.
Vincent looked at her puzzled.
"...never mind. I guess you want me to leave now."
"No...not to you tell me everything."
"Oh, I get it. All you want from me is the information. Then I'm useless. You cold hearted basta-"
"Shut up. That wasn't what I meant."
"...I know...sorry..."
"...Why do you always snap at me?"
"I...cant help it...all I know is anger...I couldn't be nice even if I tried..."
"That's not true."
"..." Her eyes widened as she felt his arms wrap around her and pull her close. "...Vincent...?"
"Vira...I know that you are a good person. Don't believe what that madman told you..." He whispered gently into her ear. "He wants you to hate. But you don't have to."
"...b-but...I...I'm just a tool..."
"No. You're not."
"Yes...tools don't have a right to love or be loved..."
"...If I recall correctly, a tool is an object that you use to help with things you have to do. They don't breathe or feel. They don't feel hate or love. And you seem to be breathing and talking. So I wouldn't call you a tool."
She looked up at him in surprise, and saw a small smile residing on his face. "...Vincent...thank you..." She smiled and hugged him back, sobbing into his shirt. "Thank you..."
He pulled her closer. "For what? I was just stating the obvious."
His comment made her giggle. "Yes..."
"…………"
"But Vincent……I…I still have to leave……"
"No…"
"I'm sorry…but I have to. It has nothing to do with you. If I don't…..then…"
"Then what? What is it you're hiding?"
"I……I will be dead soon……I can't……"
"What? Dead?"
She looked sadly at him. "My body is not as strong as yours. Without mako, I'll……my body shuts down. Rots away. But I knew this when I left, so it doesn't matter……I'm not going to go back there…I just want to find somewhere were I can die…"
"Vira……there has to be something else…"
"No! There isn't! Besides, I don't have much longer……just forget about me okay? Go back to living with your happy little friends in your happy little world."
"………" He turned away deep in thought for a couple of minutes. Then he turned back to her. "Mako…you say?"
"Yeah…pure mako. But it's hard to come by these days. Why do you ask?" She looked at him curiously.
"I…..I think I know where we can get some."
"Huh? No…Why are you doing this? Cant you just let me go?"
"Vira…" He could see the pain in her eyes. She wanted his help, but had been alone her whole life, so she naturally rejected him. But he would help her. After all this was his fault. He couldn't stop Hojo. "I promised that I would protect you. And I'm not about to break that promise."
"Vincent…please…this is hard enough……and I deserve to die…you wouldn't want to protect me…"
"Why not? What did you do?"
"I……hurt a lot of people…"
"…What do you mean?"
"I…don't want to talk about it…its painful enough just living, knowing what I did……"
"……Was it your fault?"
"I was younger then……I didn't know what I was doing…..and he….he made me….."
"Who? Hojo?"
She nodded and looked down.
That bastard. He had no right to do people's lives…and he enjoyed it. That made Vincent sick. He wanted to help Vira…but…what could he do? Even if she survived, even if he got the mako, would it matter? She was broken and there was no way someone like him could fix her. But…he could try. At least he knew one thing. He wasn't going to let Vira die. He wasn't going to let Hojo use her anymore.
"Vira."
She looked up at him, a couple of tears still residing on her cheeks. Her eyes widened when she realised that he was smiling. His smile was so warm; it made her feel like everything was going to be okay.
"You don't need to worry about anything anymore. I'll protect you. I will…save you." With his right hand, he wiped her tears away.
"……H-how can you say that? How….why do you make me feel this way?"
"…I'm not sure what you mean……"
"I feel…like what you're saying is true…"
"It is."
"………but…"
"It is."
"………Before, you said something about mako…"
"Ah, yes. How long do you think you have?"
"Uh….I'm not really sure……maybe a couple of months…"
"That's not long enough…."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Has anyone explained to you the WTO?"
"The what?"
"Obviously not. The WTO -World Terrorist Organisation- is the reason I am here in the first place. You've heard of the WRO?"
"Of course."
"Well, the WTO are direct enemies of the WRO. They seem to want to ruin any chance we have of fixing this planet. And it's been hard these couple of years, since Reeve has been working hard to try and recover from Deepground's assaults. We don't know where they're getting their supplies from, but I doubt that the WRO can hold out much longer on their own."
"So they expect Vincent Valentine to save the world for a second time. Or maybe Mr. Strife?"
"….Probably. I'm not to keen on the idea, but they seem pretty desperate-sending Cloud to come beg me for help."
"Better not think yourself all high-and-almighty just yet, Vincent. What are you going to do without Chaos?"
"I don't need him."
"Still, he was your strongest point. You can't deny that."
"……I can handle myself."
"…I wish I could help you…but my abilities…they're gone…"
"…Abilities?"
"Yeah…regeneration, super speed and strength, increased hearing and eyesight…that kinda stuff." She looked at his shocked face. "What?"
"I just…never mind. It just sounds a bit like SOLDIER."
"Nah…I'm nothing like them. I've been wondering if…"
"Wondering?"
"Wondering…if there is anything that can kill me, apart from mako. But if I let Hojo finish the experiments, I will start not needing mako anymore. Then I will be invincible. But I don't want that. That's why I escaped."
"Invincible…?"
"Yeah…I'm the ultimate weapon. At least that's what Hojo wants me to be. But……during my fight with the men on the Shera…they're from the WTO right?"
"Yes."
"Well, before I fought them, I broke my ankle. I remember hating you and then my ankle healed. I think that if I focus my hate, I regain my old abilities…well some of them, anyway."
"Hate? Why hate?"
"I'm not sure…I don't really know how this works…"
"Why don't we concentrate on saving you first? I'm sure that the WTO have a huge storage of mako-pure mako."
"Really?" Her eyes gleamed with hope.
"Yes. But I don't know if we will be able to impetrate their base. If we had more time, then…"
"You don't need to sacrifice people's lives just to save me…it's too dangerous…" Already, the hope had disappeared.
"Don't say that. We were planning a full offensive anyway. I just don't know if we can do it-we don't have enough information on their base. But maybe Shelke can do a SND…"
"Shelke?"
"Yes. You haven't met her yet. She's been busy helping Reeve out at the WRO headquarters."
"Okay…"
"….There's been something that has been troubling me ever since I met you…."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I feel like I know you…or we've met before…it's strange…"
"We haven't..."
"How long were you an experiment? When did you first meet Hojo?"
"I...I met him when I was four years of age. I have been with him ever since. Well, unto, you know."
"I see...maybe I'm just imagining it. Forget I said anything."
"...If you say so..."
"Come on, let's go."
"Huh? Go where?"
"Shopping."
"Shopping?"
"Yes. We need supplies and Cid still hasn't finished fixing the ship yet. Tifa and Yuffie also wanted to get you some new clothes, I believe."
"Ok. Then what?"
"What do you mean?"
"Um...nothing...don't worry about it."
"...Lets just go.
"Yeah."
Oh my god. I can't believe I'm doing this.
"How does it look?"
"Uh..."
"C'mon Vira, show us."
"..." She timidly crept pout the changing room to see an excited Tifa and Yuffie looking at her expectantly.
"Oh my, that looks nice."
Yuffie squealed excitedly. "It's so pretty!!!"
"Um...uh...it's not very appropriate..." She felt her face redden and she tugged nervously at the corners of the dress. It was pink and had a beautiful flower pattern along the edges. Looked more like something out of a romance movie. There was even a matching pink hat.
"But it looks so nice on you." Tifa smiled warmly while examining it. "It fits you very nicely too."
"She looks like a little girl! It's adorable!"
"..." Vira shifted awkwardly.
"I think we should take it."
She regretted letting Yuffie and Tifa take her clothes shopping. Sure, they had good taste and she had found a couple of nice outfits, but this? Trying on dresses? It was torture. She couldn't even imagine walking around the Shera or the Hotel or anywhere at all in a dress! It's completely embarrassing... She was just lucky that the guys hadn't come in the shop. Cid was repairing the Shera, but Vincent and Cloud were outside the store talking, and she prayed that they didn't turn around and see her.
"Vincent! Cloud! Come take a look at Vira!!" Yuffie's voice ran out through the store and broke Vira from her thoughts.
She grimaced and looked towards the ninja. What the hell was she doing? Oh no...they were turning around...Vincent's eyes met hers for a spilt second before she ran back into the changing room.
"Vira! Don't run away!" Tifa called after her.
"Is something wrong?" Vincent walked up to them, being followed by Cloud.
"Nah...we just wanna show you Vira's new dress..."
"Dress?"
"Yeah! She looks soooo cute! It's pretty and pink and..."
"Alright then Yuffie." Vincent interrupted her. "Cloud and I need to get back to discussing plans..."
"No! Don't leave yet! You have to see it!"
He sighed at her impatience. "...Whatever."
"C'mon Vira...please..." Tifa pleaded with her from behind a closed dressing room door. "It looks nice..."
"No, it doesn't!"
"Vira..."
"Can we just leave? Cid will have finished repairing the Shera by now."
"Vince is such a grumpy bum!"
"No. I'm just sick of being dragged around a ridiculous shopping centre all day. Don't you think you have enough clothes?"
"You can never have enough clothes!"
Sensing an argument starting, Vira quickly butted in, "Please don't fight!" But in the process, she had stepped out of the changing room without even realising it. So it took her awhile to figure out why Vincent was staring at her weirdly. When it dawned on her, her face turned crimson and she ran back into the changing room.
"..."
"I...hate...this..." She sobbed quietly to herself.
"So wadda think Vince? Doesn't she look cute in a dress?"
"...Why a dress? They just get in the way when you're in battle."
"Oh my god! Can't you think about anything else than fighting? She looks adorable!"
"..." Vira moaned and sobbed even louder. She was going to kill Yuffie. This was so humiliating.
"I guess so... Are you alright in there?" He asked after hearing her moan.
"..." Did he really think it was nice? She peeked out from behind the door, her cheeks still slightly pink. But when he looked back at her she went redder and retreated to the changing room once again.
"Vira..."
She looked out once again and he was still returning her gaze. Then, to her surprise, his face softened into a smile.
"It looks good on you."
Did he really just say...
"Wow! Am I dreaming?! Did the most emoest, annoying, evil man in the whole wide world just smile? And say something nice?! This is one amazing day folks!" Yuffie exclaimed in a over exaggerated voice.
"Shut up Yuffie." He turned away and walked out the shop.
"Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning."
"...So, Vira...did you want to buy that dress?"
"Um...yeah..." She came out the changing room in her normal clothes.
"Alright then."
How embarrassing...but Vincent said that it looked nice and...he wouldn't lie, right? I guess that means it really does look good...
She smiled to herself and followed the others out the shop, happy to be finally heading home after a tiring day.
When they returned, they were greeted by a madly insane Cid. Some men from his crew were trying their best to calm him down, but having little luck. Vira, having never seen this side of him before, had immediately retreated to hiding behind Vincent, hoping that he would save her from his wrath.
Vincent, also not wanting to bother trying to cheer him up, had decided that it would be best to head straight back to the hotel with Vira. Besides, Tifa should've been able to find out what was wrong. He guessed it had something to do with the Shera, since it didn't seem anywhere near being fully repaired. Cid would calm down eventually. Until then, he had better things to do. So he and Vira went back to the Hotel.
When they got there, Vira was pleased to see that he had gotten her a bigger room. But she was still sharing with Tifa and Yuffie, unfortunately. She had wanted to share with Vincent, since he never annoyed her. Yuffie constantly teased her and if she found out that she was claustrophobic, well...that would be hell. She prayed that Vincent hadn't told anyone why he got them a bigger room.
"Is something wrong?" Vincent leaned down next to her, concern showing on his face.
"Um...no...I was just thinking..."
"Thinking? About what?"
"Nothing important..." She shook the thoughts from her head. "Why was Cid acting like that?"
"Something probably went wrong with the Shera...he tends to lose his temper quite easily when it comes to that."
"Oh...ok then. So um...thanks..."
"For?"
"Uh...for getting a bigger room. I appreciate it." She smiled weakly.
"It's no big deal. But I you don't mind me asking, why are you...?"
"I...I don't like being locked in little spaces. Especially when I can't get out..." She whispered the last sentence.
"But...the room wasn't that small..."
"It's not my fault alright!" She quickly snapped without meaning to, and then turned away.
"I...didn't say it was..."
"No...I'm sorry." She shook her head in apology then scanned the room, looking for something that would change the subject. Her eyes spied a pack of cards that Yuffie must have left on the drawer. "Um...do you know how to play cards?"
"...?" His gaze followed hers until he saw the cards. "Yes. You?"
"Um...no. Will you teach me?"
"Alright."
She brightened at his answer and soon they were playing a couple of different card games.
Tifa and Yuffie had been surprised to see Vira and Vincent sitting on the floor placidly while entertaining themselves, but had then agreed to join in. And soon after, they had got changed into nicer clothes and had gone to a nice middle class restaurant for dinner.
To her delight, Vira had gotten to sit next to Vincent for once, which was a change from the girls daily gossip. Although, he hadn't changed his outfit-which was earning him strange stares from the rest of the people there and the waiters. He was probably used to it though. She had decided to wear long back pants and a nice red top that she had found today. The top was sleeve-less and she felt strange exposing her arms, but Tifa had said it looked good on her. As well as going to the trouble of tying her hair up-something she had never done before-she usually just let it hang lose and messy. She also hoped that a certain someone would notice the colours she had picked. But he probably wouldn't.
"So Vira, what did you want to eat and drink tonight?"
"Um..." Without knowing why, she felt a blush starting to creep along her cheeks. Why did that happen whenever she heard his voice? "I-I'm not sure yet..." She hadn't even eaten any of the foods on the menu before, so she had no idea what to pick. "What's good?"
"Hmm...do you like meat?"
"Yes..."
"Then maybe you should go for a steak or rib-fillet or something..."
"Ok..."
In the end, she ended up ordering the same thing as Vincent did; a medium-rare steak with assorted salads and some fries. Most of the others had gotten something more fancy or complicated, but she was happy with her boring old steak. It tasted really good.
"Enjoying that?"
"Um...yes. It's...really...good." She managed between mouthfuls.
"Slow down, you choke yourself."
"No...I...wont..." She started coughing, not being able to swallow the last bit of steak properly.
He smiled at her impatience and patted her lightly on the back. "It's not going to run away you know, so you can take your time."
She stiffed when she felt him touch her, but then relaxed and grinned foolishly at him. "Uh...yeah...I guess not...It's just really good..."
Where she came from, you ate quickly or didn't get anything at all.
"That's good to hear. I'm glad you like it."
She looked back up at his smiling face and felt another smile tug at her lips. "This...this is nice." She looked towards everyone-who were all engaged in deep conversation and seemed to be having fun.
"Hmm?"
"Having...friends...well not really friends...but being with you guys..."
"...You think so?"
"Yeah...Better than being alone, anyway."
"I guess so..." He looked back at her. "You are enjoying yourself?"
"Yes. I am." She smiled sweetly up at him. "Very much."
"That's good."
The rest of the night went well, and Vira was included in most the conversations-especially when Yuffie had told everyone about her new dress and how pretty it had looked. Cid seemed to find this exceptionally funny. Completely embarrassed, she didn't say anything, but luckily, Tifa came to her rescue, telling Cid to get over it because it looked good on her and was not a four year old dress. That seemed to shut him up. Apart from that one uneasy conversation, Vira thoroughly enjoyed herself. She found herself feeling quite comfortable in their presence. And she couldn't seem to get the smile of her face. Every time she did, someone else would say something funny and she'd find herself laughing. She had never felt this way before. And she had to admit she liked it. She really wanted to stay with them, but she knew that it wouldn't be possible, since they were preparing for war against the WTO. But she didn't want to worry about that right now. She was having too much fun.
"Are they really getting married?!" Tifa's surprised voice ran out through the table.
"Yeah." Yuffie answered her. "I heard it from Reno."
"Psssh! Don't believe anything that scumbag tells ya." Cid snorted.
"But he swears it!"
"So what? He was probably on crack or something."
"I doubt it Cid. He is a turk after all. Like he's gonna take drugs, especially when he's at work!"
"Why are ya sticking up for him so much? Ya like him or something?!"
"No!" Yuffie went slightly crimson though.
"Ah...I sees it now...How pathetic. Think you could like someone with a brain, but then again, you don't have a brain either, so it all works out."
"SHUT UP! SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP!!!!" Yuffie lunged at him from across the table with an ear frightening yell-earning frightened looks from the rest of the restaurant.
"Yuffie please!" Tifa desperately tried to hold her back, with little avail.
"Someone shut that crazy woman up."
"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU f''N SON OF A-"
Vincent grabbed Vira's arm. "Let's get out of here before things get any worse."
"Uh-huh." She followed him out the restaurant.
When they were safely outside-away from Yuffie's impending wrath-Vira leaned against the wall next to him and admired the stars.
"They're so pretty..."
"Hm?"
"The stars."
"Oh...yeah." He looked back at her.
Noticing his eyes on her, she turned to face him. "Is there something on my face?"
"No...Its just...Your hair looks nice up."
"Uh...you think so?" She blushed and turned away.
"Yes. You can see your eyes for once. It's nice."
"... Thanks..."
"...the stars are nice." He turned back to the night sky.
"Yes...yes they are."
Just like you... she thought to herself and smiled.
"I wonder if the others are done killing each other yet…"
"YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I AM THE GREAT NINJA YUFFIE!!"
"Speak of the devil..." They both turned around to see a flustered waiter hushing Yuffie and the others out the restaurant.
"I'm sorry miss, but you're disturbing the other customers…"
"I DON'T CARE!!"
"Yuffie, please!" Tifa quickly grabbed her arm and apologised to the waiter before dragging her away.
"Well……that was a colourful evening…" Vira commented, her gaze still lingering on Yuffie.
"Indeed." Vincent looked back towards Vira. "Let's get going. You must be tired."
"Yeah…." She followed him back to the Hotel, trying to ignore Yuffie's whining.
She lay in her bed at the Hotel staring at the ceiling and reminiscing about the day. She learnt so much that she didn't even know if she could stop all the information from escaping her head to someplace far away.
"I feel like I know you…or we've met before…it's strange…"
Vincent….he still remembered that? It was eight years ago…when she was younger…she had called him. Asked for his help. But he…
Vincent observed his surroundings. Where was he? It looked like an old, abandoned building. If he wasn't careful, the whole place could come crashing down. He had to find Cloud and the others. Where were they? Looking around, he saw an old device. Walking up to it to get a closer look, he noticed that it was some kind of video-phone, but it didn't seem to be working. Although it seemed to be in pretty good condition compared to the rest of the building. He turned to walk away, when he saw the device flicker to life.
"...Vincent Valentine..."
His eyes widened when he heard the voice call his name. Moving closer, he looked down into the screen to see who it was, but the picture was blurry.
"Vincent...Valentine..."
It sounded like a girl. After staring into the screen a little longer, he confirmed that it was. She looked about six or seven years old.
"Yes?"
"I...please...help...me..."
He was barely able to understand what she was saying through the static.
"Please...I can't...much longer..."
"I can't understand you..."
"...Please! He...he...wants...I saw...you...I know...help...please..."
"Help? How? Who are you?"
"...Vi...ra...please...you need...Kill...kill..."
"Kill?"
"...him...he...will...he will...you must..."
"Who? Who is him?"
"He...Hoj-"
The voice was suddenly cut off by a scream and it went black.
"Hey! Hey!!"
Giving up, he decided to find the others. They couldn't be too far away. But when he finally caught up, he didn't tell them anything about it.
"Vira!"
Vincent suddenly sat up, the memory still fresh in his head. He remembered now! That girl...that had been a younger Vira. He knew that he had met her somewhere before. With everything that had happened, he had forgotten all about her plea for help. Then he went back to sleep in the Shinra mansion. And she had found him.
Deep in thought, he walked out his room into the street and to his surprise; he saw another person there-leaning against the wall.
He had abounded her...
No. She couldn't think that. How could he have helped her when he didn't know who or where she was...maybe he just forgot. Or gave up. Either way it didn't matter. She ended up finding him, even if it was an accident.
"Vira?"
She looked towards the voice and saw Vincent walking towards her.
"Oh, Vincent! Hello."
He nodded in greeting and stood beside her. "Cant sleep?"
"Not really...Yuffie's snoring woke me up."
"...I see. You know, if you just punch her out cold, she shuts up."
"That's not very nice!"
"..."
"...You're strange Vincent..."
"And you're not?"
"Never said I wasn't..."
"...I hope you weren't planning on running away again."
"Uh...No! I wasn't...I swear!"
"Very well then."
"Why did you think that I..."
"It's just...last time...never mind."
"..."
Vincent looked down in surprise when he felt her arms wrap around his right arm.
"I won't leave...not anymore." She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Vira...I'm sorry."
"Eh? For what?"
His clawed hand lightly patted her head. "You...I remember now. Eight years ago...you begged for my help. But I didn't do anything...In the end, I just forgot all about it."
"Mmmm...It's not your fault, Vincent. I was desperate back then...and young. I didn't know how to reach you...even if you wanted to help, I doubt you could do anything. Besides that's all in the past now. I don't want to think about it anymore."
"...Alright then. But what are you going to do now? Is Shinra still after you?"
"I think that they might have given up...but if I go back there then...Hojo will get me again. I want to stay here and help you. You've...done so much for me and I can't help you at all...it's..."
"Vira. It's okay. You don't have to do anything."
"Yes I do! And I will."
"..."
She sighed and leaned closer to him-enjoying it, but not knowing why. What was this feeling? It wasn't love, she knew that much. Maybe it was admiration...yes that had to be it. She didn't love him. That wasn't possible. She closed her eyes and felt her head droop slightly.
"...You look tired. Why don't you get some rest?"
"Hmmm? Oh...yeah..." She yawned and let go of his arm. "Goodnight Vincent."
"Goodnight. I will see you tomorrow."
"Yeah..."
With that, she climbed back in the window to her room and watched him walk off with a smile on her face.
yay...done...i think thats the most i've ever written. Although, Chapter 8 will probably be longer. Until then, bye byeee!! Merry Christmas! And a happy new year!