Running With Monsters
Chapter Ten
Tifa told herself that he had had a valid reason for avoiding Cloud, that she'd just forgotten it as she skirted around the back of 7th Heaven to avoid him and the rumbling Fenrir he was working on. She knew, in the back of her mind, that there was no scientifically valid reason for her sudden avoidance of the swordsman, but the strange feeling she'd been getting from him for the past few days kept nagging at her. Now that she actually thought of it, she'd been long since getting the feeling from a certain ex-Turk, but he'd been that way since they'd met, so she supposed she was already used to it.
The uneasy feeling she had around Vincent had spread to Cloud, but why? Around Cloud now hung an invisible cloud (A/N: A CLOUD-CLOUD! HAHAHAHA! Okay, I'm done.) of… not evil, but anxiety, and… fear?
No, that can't be right. Tifa shook her head. How could people like Cloud, or Vincent for that matter, be truly scared of anything? Except for maybe Hojo and Sephiroth, both of whom were long since gone.
As she crept into the side door of the bar, Tifa didn't notice a pair of crimson eyes studying her, blinking once as she closed the door behind her.
Vincent hid in the shadows as Tifa passed, leaning against the side of a small, dilapidated building beside the bar. He hadn't really expected Tifa to show up, but had taken the opportunity to watch her. He knew that she'd sensed the strange aura around Cloud, and was taking every opportunity to examine the matter more closely. There was a reason he knew a little about everything; because he paid attention.
Vincent, although he wasn't particularly proud of the fact, was and ex-Turk. And once a Turk, always a Turk.
The Turks of Vincent's time were the Turks of legend, the ones told as bed-time stories, the ones everyone idolized and feared. The best of the best. All were capable of the basic skills required for a Turk, such as stealth, loyalty, dedication, and a proficiency in at least five languages. The ability to lie, and detect lies perfectly was taught nearly first thing to all new recruits. Along with the basic skills, each Turk brought their own specialty to the corporation; Reno's baton, or Vincent's own expert gunmanship.
But even amongst the best of the best, there was a sort of hierarchy.
The "New Recruits" – Usually only a few at a time; often placed with a Turk pair, until they earn their own way up the ranks.
Turk Partners – The majority of Turks, assigned to another Turk partner, working together flawlessly to get the job done, no matter what.
Turk Commanders – Usually over 5-6 partners, a select leadership of ten Turks that have proved themselves enough to earn it. Makes sure the partners are "Doing it right"
And finally, the Head Turk. Very few select Turks have attained the position, the very top of the organization, second only to the President himself. Since the Turk's establishment, only six Turks have actually attained the position. To actually reach it, a Turk Commander had to be recommended by the President, and then elected, unanimously by the entirety of the Turks. Since Turks actually rarely agree on anything, the President was usually the one actually running things.
Vincent was snapped out of his little personal history session by a loud crack as something bounced off the wall, right next to his head. Cerberus was out almost immediately as he scanned his surroundings for the attacker.
"Now!" Vincent's eyes widened as a shout echoed and a rain of bullets started to rain down on him from all directions.
He ducked down behind some thick wooden boxes and tried to keep himself as small as possible. The barrage continued relentlessly. He peeked over the top of the box, barely able to see, but was forced to duck back down as the fire grew thicker.
How is this going so unnoticed by everyone? Vincent wondered, searching for his phone. This was one problem he'd be hard-pressed to solve by himself.
He flipped the phone open and hit the speed-dial for Cloud's phone, holding to his cramped ear.
"Hello?" A completely non-worried Cloud answered, Fenrir rumbling in the background.
"Cloud. I've got a bit of a problem." Vincent slid to the left a little as the bullets began penetrating the right side of the box.
"Where are you?" Vincent peeked over the box, firing at a few black-suited persons who were slowly advancing on the box, then ducked back down.
"Back of the bar. Hurry." Vincent flipped the phone shut, slid it back into its little case attached to his belt, the dove out from behind the box, just as it exploded. The shrapnel splinters of wood bounced against his mantel as he jumped up and sprinted to another box, this one slightly closer to the bar, firing Cerberus the entire way.
The black-suits continued to advance for a split second, but then paused, all holding their ear. Vincent managed to fire at a few of them, taking four out in a matter of seconds, but then he was just firing at empty air as they all just… vanished.
"Vincent?" Vincent swung his head to the side and saw Cloud and Tifa standing there, battle-ready and extremely confused.
"You're a little late." Vincent gestured at the ally behind him, then, seeing the duo's confused looks, looked back at the ally.
The entire battle-scene had been wiped completely clean. Even the shattered box had been repaired. Vincent, for once in his life, was completely confused. He turned back to the pair, said confusion written all over his face.
"Uh…" Cloud scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"This is strange." Vincent whispered as he stood and swept past the two. "I'll be in the study. There's research I must do."
Cloud and Tifa looked at the retreating back of the gunman, shrugged at each other, and went back into the bar.
Okay… sorry this is so short, and took so long. I'd have it longer, but with school, and I'm going to Elitches today! But, I'm taking my laptop with me, so expect another update later on this evening .