The Red Dress



Vincent sat upon his silk clad bed. His signature weapon, Cerberus, sat on his nightstand. Vincent sighed; he had done something greatly foolish. He had agreed to spend time with Amber. *Normally it would not have bothered him. The little girl intrigued him; even Chaos was entertained by the small child. However, this night he was suppose to meet with an informant at a rather expensive restaurant. This meeting was crucial; the informant had information on the only family he had left, his step-sister, Akira Rose Blackhart Valentine.

Vincent had often wondered why she had kept her father's last name; she replied that it served as a reminder of the man who had wronged her and her mother.

A small giggle pulled Vincent out of his thoughts. Amber stood in front of him; her hair was pulled back in her usual ponytail with the one piece of hair that stuck up, but the ponytail was tied with ribbon instead of her usual ponytail holder. She also wore a well fitted dress that matched his headband. Vincent smiled at her and stood up. Amber fixed Vincent's tie; she had no problem reaching it, she was tall for her age.

"Thank you, Amber."

"You're welcome, V."

Vincent smiled, took her hand, and headed downstairs. They were the only ones here, so they continued on without and obstacles.

A man could be seen sipping his wine when Vincent and Amber arrived. The man saw them and stood up, "Mr. Valentine, it's a pleasure to meet you in person."
Vincent merely nodded. The man then turned his attention to Amber, "And who might this beautiful young lady be?"

"Amber Sinclair, it's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

"Please, call me Daren."

Amber smiled sweetly and nodded. Vincent watched the man carefully, "I believe we have some things to discuss."

"Oh! But of course!"

The three of them sat down and the men began to talk. Amber sipped her water and listened to the older men; only speaking when spoken to.

Vincent had to admit, Reno did a good job at teaching manners, if only he could use them himself.
After the men finished their discussion, they stood up and shook hands, Amber stood beside Vincent, her head reaching the base of his neck, Amber and Vincent walked away. The girl looked up and her tall, dark companion, "Where are we going now?"

"Home."

"Oh."

The crowd outside the restaurant picked up and the two struggled to stay by each other's side. Amber was suddenly pulled away, her red dress was a beacon amongst the sea of black.

Amber looked around and took in her surroundings. She had been her before. The first week she had went to live with her uncle, she had been kidnapped by the Tsviets and had been taken her here. Had she been taken again?

As if answering her question, Rosso the Crimson walked in. "Well, well, if it isn't dear Valentine's little girl," she practically sang in her thick Romanian accent. Amber merely looked at the mad woman while holding back her panic. Rosso smirked, walked closer to Amber, and grabbed the girl's chin, "Your eyes are like little televisions. They show everything you're feeling."

"Get away from her," a familiar voice demanded.

Rosso stepped away from Amber, "Ah…Vincent Valentine. It's been awhile…I'd say…oh…five years?"
Vincent jumped off of the ledge he was standing on and pinned Rosso to the wall, "Come near her again and you'll wish it was longer."
Rosso simply laughed, "My, my, dearest Vincent. You're ever so protective of that weak little child."
Vincent narrowed his eyes as Rosso smirked.

"You know, dear Valentine. Red is such a flattering colour for the girl."

Rosso snapped her finger and the room began to fill with Deepground soldiers. Amber let her panic show when she realized their guns were aimed at her. However, when a bright red glow flashed, a feeling of comfort rushed through her. Quickly, one by one the soldiers fell. Then Amber saw him. Vincent had told her of the Chaos demon, but Amber never saw Chaos as a demon; he had always been there to save her. Chaos, or now Vincent, walked over to Amber and did away with the ropes binding her to a chair. Amber stood up and hugged the man. Vincent hugged back tightly, glad she was alright, There was one thing bothering him tough.

Rosso was right. Red was very flattering on Amber.