hmm...almost 1000 words (snicker) this time. not bad for something i was having so much trouble scripting out.


Chapter 7—Prisoners

Chaos was not the only prisoner being held in the WRO's mecical wing. The woman in red that he had attacked had survived and was in another holding cell, having been identified by one of Reeve's top assistants as Rosso the Crimson. According to the reports, the woman was a killing machine, created and once controlled by the Shinra Science Department.

Vincent might have felt some sympathy for her, had she not been leading the assault squad that attacked his neighborhood.

He paced across the waiting room, wishing the WRO medical technicians would bring him some news about Chaos. He carried Anessa with him; the baby hadn't let him put her down since he had picked her up at home.

"Do you want me to take her?" Yuffie asked from her chair next to where he was pacing. Her right arm was in a cast; it had been broken when Chaos had hit her. Tears were still coursing down her cheeks, but she was obviously trying to put on a brave face—for his benefit or her own, he didn't know.

"No, Nessa's fine. You shouldn't strain your arm." The ninja's broken arm was the only physical injury she had sustained, but Vincent could tell that the wounds ran much deeper emotionally. He wished that he could lash out at something—or someone—for destroying his family's happiness.

"Mister Valentine?"

He turned at the voice and looked at Reeve's right hand assistant, a one-eyed, one-armed scientist named Shalua Rui. "You have news?"

"The monster—"

"Don't call him that!" Yuffie interrupted sharply, rising from her seat and moving to his side.

"Sorry," the scientist replied. "What else should I call it?"

"He is a demon." The ninja's tone was cold and laced with sorrow. "And his name is Chaos."

"Chaos?!" Shalua perked up perceptibly with interest.

"What news do you have?" Vincent asked, preventing her from asking the questions he could clearly see that she wanted to.

"Well, he's asking to see you," the scientist replied. "But I'm not sure you should take the baby in there."

"If you would like to care for a screaming baby while we see him, I will gladly leave Anessa with you." The gunslinger's tone was mild, but his expression was serious.

"I'll pass, I think. Follow me." Shalua turned and led them into one of the medical labs.

Chaos was strapped to an operating table on his stomach. His arms and legs were secured at angles that would make it difficult to get the leverage needed to break loose. His head, however, was left free, and he was looking at the door when the Valentines came into the room.

A pained expression crossed his face as he caught sight of Yuffie's cast. "I'm sorry, beloved. I tried to stop."

She shook her head before crouching down next to him at eye level. "Its just a broken arm. Don't worry about it. What happened out there?"

"I don't know. I took Kylia into the house, that woman in red came in, and then I completely lost control. Nothing I tried to do made any difference; whatever took over had me completely. What happened to the girl?"

"She's in intensive care. The doctors aren't sure if she'll make it." Yuffie laid a consoling hand on his cheek. "I'm sorry."

Chaos closed his eyes, feeling more defeated than he had when he'd woken up strapped to the table. "Has anyone told her family what happened?"

"Her family is gone," Vincent said, moving up to stand next to his wife. "Along with fifteen other people from our neighborhood. There are seven dead as well. Most of the missing are children."

"Why children?" Chaos' throat felt tight; he loved his neighbors' children as if they were his own.

"We don't know. Reeve's people are looking into it." The gunslinger frowned down at his daughter, who was trying to squirm out of his arms. "Anessa, stop."

Anessa pouted up at her father and demanded firmly, "Papa!"

"Not right now, sweetie." Yuffie took the protesting girl out of Vincent's arms carefully. "I'll take her outside so you two can talk."

They watched as Yuffie and Nessa left the room, then Vincent turned back to Chaos.

"You're not telling us something."

Chaos was silent.

Vincent gave him a stern look. "We can't help you if we don't know what's really going on."

The demon's voice was hesitant when he finally replied. "There's…something…calling to me. It isn't a voice, but it keeps calling to me, trying to get me to stop fighting and just disappear. It almost feels like it wants me to become nothing but a killing machine."

Vincent, unsure of what to say, began stroking one of Chaos' wings softly. It was an affectionate gesture that comforted them both in times of stress. The demon smiled weakly at him before speaking again.

"I couldn't do anything, not even when it was Yuffie who was in danger. Whatever it is, my own willpower is nothing compared to it. It terrifies me, Vincent."

"Do you still hear it?" The gunslinger wanted nothing more than to comfort his lover, but he had to know all the details.

"I still hear it, but it got quieter, when you and Yuffie came in. Still there, but controllable."

"You know that Yuffie and I will do everything we can to help you fight this."

"I know. I need you to promise me something, Vincent."

Vincent nodded.

"Promise me that you will do whatever you must to protect our family if I lose control again."

"Chaos…"

"Promise me! I will not be responsible for their deaths, or yours."

Reluctantly, Vincent nodded. "I will do whatever is necessary, if it comes to that. But I swear to you, Chaos, that it will not get that far without a fight."