A/N: Back again...since April I've quit my full-time job, returned to school, finished KHII and DoC (which is why this update has taken so long--damned canon) and for the last four hours today, have fought with the Document Editor. WTF.

Anyway, updates will be sporadic and not necessarily absolutist with future FFVII Compilation releases. Meaning, there's a pretty good chance that I'm speculating new stories (hence the term "fiction") and I will not tolerate ppl saying, "Hey! That's not how Vincent killed G!" or some such thing. This is supposed to be fun after all. And Document Editor nonwithstanding, it will be, but with my Microbiology class, updates will be sporadic.

Oh, and I don't own FFVII, the Compilation, or the characters. I made up the story, but that's about it.


Brother was not happy.

He and Rikku were screaming at each other in Al Bhed, and had been for the last few hours. In fact, they'd been arguing so long that the sun was nearly set. Despite the fatigue, and the obvious hunger that added fuel to the fire of their squabble, neither would cede defeat. Vincent didn't understand any of it—Al Bhed, that is-- and though his old Turk sensibilities thought otherwise, he was somewhat glad for his lack of comprehension. Petty filial rivalry was never something he enjoyed.

Buddy, however, was relieved that it was Yuna, Rikku and Paine that had "borrowed" their ride. At least with them, he would know that the airship would return, more or less, in one piece, at some point in time. And he knew Yuna and Paine to be responsible enough to send a note letting them know when they'd have it back, eventually. He had spent the better part of the last three days searching for the airship's homing signal from Luca. When he was able to locate it, he generally assumed it was probably Yuna, and thus Rikku, that had taken it to Zanarkand. As he sat at the bar, he regarded the newcomer a few seats down from him, who was, in turn, regarding the other two Al Bhed curiously. Paine seated herself on his other side, and motioned for the Barkeep to pour her a drink. Buddy just shook his head.

"Don't mind them. This is pretty much normal."

The dark haired stranger spoke from beneath his cloak. "Siblings?"

Buddy nodded. "That obvious?" Paine just sipped her drink.

Buddy continued. "You might as well get comfortable. They're probably gonna be at this for a while, and until they find the keys, this ship isn't moving."

"…" Vincent sipped his drink. "They lost the keys?"

At this Paine offered a wry smile. "Allow me to translate. One of them did. Rikku swears she had them when we came back. Brother was supposed to have a spare set, but can't remember where he put them. So they're pointing fingers at each other."

"And to answer your next question: The ship can be moved short distances without them just fine. Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to pick you up, right? But to fully engage the engines…" Buddy shrugged and looked over at Paine. "If this keeps up, they'll be at it all night. Might just be better to call up You-Know-Who for the spare set."

"Please, let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Vincent quietly sipped his tea, filing the information away for future use. "And the reason we're letting them continue, instead of getting them to work together, is…"

"Because," Paine finished her drink, "Whenever Brother and Rikku agree on anything, trouble always follows." She tipped the Barkeep and got up from her seat. "Well, you'd better get in there before the hot water runs out."

Vincent cocked an eyebrow in curiosity. Looking up, he noticed for the first time that Paine was not only clean and in pajamas, but smelled good, too. He quickly looked away. She smiled secretly, but decided to ignore his slip. As she retreated toward the upper loft, he rose and stepped closer, out of earshot of the others, most of whom were still yelling in Al Bhed.

"My earlier inquiry was ill-timed."

Paine shook her head. "It's nothing." She considered, then looked aside. "It was a long time ago. There's history."

Vincent finished for her. "….And today's meeting was unexpected." Paine met his gaze, which was steady, and nodded. "To say the least."

He bowed his head. "Still, I must apologize. I know more than anyone the value of privacy. Trust is earned, after all."

Paine nodded once. "Indeed."

They stood that way, a few moments more, eyes locked. Paine didn't quite know why. Her lips quirked in the barest hint of a smile as she looked away, running her hand through her hair. She walked back to the bar for her glass and reached over the counter, filling it with water from a container. "I'm turning in. Bathrooms are down the hall to the right. I'm sure one of the boys won't mind if you borrow some clothes while yours are being washed, right Buddy?"

"Hey, be my guest. They'll hold you over till we get back to Luca at any rate." He gestured as Vincent rose, and lowered his voice. "You'd better get in there before Rikku notices the bathroom's free. Al Bhed women are notorious for long showers when water's plenty."

That was all the information Vincent needed. "Say no more." With that, he inclined his head to Buddy and Paine, who was yelling back at the siblings in their own language, he was assuming, to shut up.


Vincent strode down the hall and found the room that he thought Paine had indicated. He grasped the handle and turned, striding in, being stopped only by a high pitched shriek.

"Hey!"

He was speechless, stopped dead initially at the horror that he had walked in on one of his hosts. Then it was for the image of the woman before him, clad in a pink kimono robe that hung off her bare shoulders, long ponytail unwrapped, damp hair clinging to her frame. He went pale, not believing his eyes, then flushed. They stared at each other, speechless, for a long moment.

"Yuna, ish everything all right?" Barkeep had been passing by.

Vincent was shaken out of his reverie, and the reality of where he was sank in. Immediately embarrassed, he bowed his head in apology. "Forgive me. I had thought the room unoccupied." He closed the door before she could answer and hurried down the hall to the elevator, desperately in need of fresh air.

The door shut, Yuna breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking back, she had been apprehensive ever since he had asked Paine about Sephiroth earlier in the evening. Thankfully, Brother had interrupted them, and everyone, with the panic over the missing keys. Though her curiosity was piqued when Paine evaded his queries, Yuna was still glad she herself had managed to avoid the subject of the silver-haired man, at least for the time being. Walking to a corner bench, she grasped the length of her damp hair and began wrapping it, unbraided, within the considerable length of a pink leather ribbon, and began to mull over the arrival of their curious guests.


"…Well, who's going in first?"

Yuna and Paine stopped walking toward the platform, suddenly remembering the circumstances in which they had first obtained the airship itself. Turning slowly, Yuna and Paine glanced at each other before looking at Rikku, who was examining Cait Sith. Cait Sith was examining the inside of the rusted pillar he'd been entombed within, feet kicking while his arms and head were hidden. Searching its depths, he re-emerged after a few moments holding a small megaphone. Stooping, Rikku picked him up as he reappeared. "Ah, I knew it was in here somewhere—ach, whaddya think you're doin' lassie!"

"Ruf tuac ed fung...?" Rikku was turning Cait over.

"Do ye mind, here?"

Paine pinched the bridge of her nose. "Rikku."

"Huh?" She looked up from the doll, which was suspended upside down in her arms. "Well, who's going?"

"Well, you are the one with the keys."

"That doesn't mean I'm any less guilty than you!"

"But he is your brother."

"Well…he's Yunie's cousin, too!" Rikku hugged the upside-down and wiggling Cait harder.

"Put meh dooown!"

"Hey, Paine's the one who sent the letters!" Yuna held her hands up in protest. Paine shook her head.

"I copied them, but someone sent the original to me, remember?"

"Oh, yeah! Hey, Yunie, is he—"

"Xiead, Rikku." Yuna smiled as their 'savior' approached.

"About those letters." He plucked Cait out of Rikku's arms. "Who did you say sent them again?"

"I didn't." Paine regarded him coolly. "But it was me."

Vincent adjusted Cait's crown. "You just said someone 'sent you an original'."

"They did." Paine turned to look him in the eye, unflinching. "It was in a sphere I found in the library in Luca. I wrote the librarian about it, and requested a written transcript sent to each of us."

"And you did this because?"

"We traveled together before. I wanted to see them again." With that Paine turned, and boarded the airship. Yuna followed her, but stopped at the sound of Vincent's voice.

"How do you know Sephiroth?"

Yuna froze, her eyes wide. Paine turned, and, not expecting the surprised look on Yuna's visage, delayed her response. Yuna slowly opened her mouth to speak but closed it as Paine raised an eyebrow. Seeing her discomfort, and knowing also that she herself had something to hide, Paine decided to question about this interesting development Yuna herself at a later time. She quickly averted her gaze to Vincent, narrowing it as she did.

"How do you?"

"That's not important."

"Yes it is!" Both looked at Rikku, who quickly grasped her hands behind her back. "Heh heh?"

"Look, can you talk about this later? We're all exhausted…." Yuna was hoping she wouldn't be included in the 'later'.

"But inquiring minds want to know!"

Paine advanced back down the ramp. "Enough, Rikku. Shouldn't you be thinking of an explanation to Brother and Buddy?"

"Oooohh…" She crossed her arms in frustration. Paine crossed her own and turned her back on everyone. "Let's just go in and get some sleep on the way to Luca. We're all a bit tired."

"Rikku! What did you do with keys to Celsius?" Brother could be heard coming down the hall towards the group.

Vincent stood a few moments longer and, placing Cait on the ground, sighed and followed her in, passing Yuna. As he disappeared onto the ship, Yuna released the breath she'd been holding. Rikku scratched her head.

"Rikku, we can't go until you give me the keys!"

"Hold ON!" She rolled her eyes as she turned back to Yuna and then, reached the stuffed cat. "What was that all about?"

"Stay back, ye blonde hussy!" Rikku quickly withdrew her hand. "Sorry."

"Actually, I'd like to know the same." Yuna eyed the small stuffed toy. "What did you say your name was?"

The doll took a bow. "Cait Sith, at your service! And for the record, I am not keen on bein' tossed arooond like—"

"Rikku, fryd tu oui drehg oui'na tuehk? E mayja dra Celsius vun" dfu ruinc yht fryd tu E veht frah E nadinh? E veht hu yencreb! Zned ty ayo nefi dy mea wyh ayohmicw?"

"All right, we're coming!" She dug in her pocket for the keys. Crinkling her brow, she fished in the other. "Um, Yunie, did I give you the keys?"

Yuna looked over. "No…" She checked her pockets anyway. "I don't' have them…"

Rikku started to panic. "Paine…!" She ran onto the ship in search of her friend, brushing roughly past Brother. He was about to follow when he spied Yuna. He quickly adopted a disappointed look.

"Yuna, how could you let Rikku steal Celsius?" He sidled up to her and made to put his arm around her.

"Sorry, Brother. We just wanted to take a little trip…we didn't think it would go this long!" As he was about to grasp her shoulder, Yuna crouched and picked up Cait.

"Well, now, you've been stuck in there for quite a while. How about I clean you up a bit, hmm?"

"Ah, well, that's more like it!" He hopped up to sit on Yuna's arm. Brother finally noticed him.

"Ooh, fryd ec dryd machina?"

He and our other friend are going to be staying with us for a while, I think. Have you seen Buddy? I think he should look over our little friend."

"Buddy is in Engine Room…wait, what 'other friend'?"


Yuna sighed as she tied off her braid. A quick knock at the door sounded as she gathered up her grooming supplies. "Yes?"

Rikku poked her head in the door. "Shower free yet?"

"Just finishing up," Yuna called. Before she could act, Rikku slipped in with her things, tossed them in a corner, and shut the door behind her.

"Rikku, what are you—"

"Are you kidding, I've been waiting all day to talk to you! It was him, wasn't it! The Al Bhed from Operation Mi'ihen?" She was waving her hands and jumping up and down. Yuna rolled her eyes. Rikku was persistent. "Come on, I kept it zipped all day long just so I we could talk alone… you can tell me…."

Yuna hesitated a minute longer, then nodded. "I think so…." They stood a minute longer, then Yuna dropped her things as the two of them squealed and grabbed each others hands. "He did seem happy to see me!"

"He's a lot more attractive than I thought he'd be—I thought he'd be some kind of albino, but from what I could see he wasn't creepy at all!"

"See, I told you he was—hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Joking! Hey, Lulu was right—his lips did look very kissable!"

Yuna leaned back on the bench, her arm behind her head. "If only."

"So he's not dead after all!"

"Oh, Rikku, I was hoping I'd see him again…but I didn't it would be like this!"

"Oooh, maybe he sent the letters!"

Yuna considered this, placing her hand on her chin. "Hmm…maybe…but it seemed more like he sent it to Paine…though he did seem surprised to see all of us." She turned to Rikku. "How do you think she knows him?"

"Who knows! The important thing is, he blew her off because you were there!"

"Rikku!"

"Well, I don't know why he was there, do you?"

"No…although…"

"Yuna…"

"Well…I don't think he was expecting any of us…and he didn't exactly bend over backwards to help us with that Weapon…in fact, he shoved poor Vincent out the Tower! That doesn't seem very helpful to me…"

"Hey, maybe he thought he was on the wrong side. As for helpful, to us, no. You? Seems like he bent over backwards to talk to you, 'Lady Summoner'!"

"Everyone still calls me that, Rikku."

Rikku stood, taking Yuna's hand. Speaking in a deep voice, she posed dramatically. " 'Oh, Lady Yuna, I've been searching all over Spira for you. Run away with me to Bikanel and be the sexy mother of my beautiful children!' "

Yuna gasped, laughing, and swung her sodden towel at Rikku, who blocked. "Hey, that's all wet!"

"Serves you right!" She bit her bottom lip. "I do remember he was cute in the firelight at Home…he definitely hasn't changed."

"See, I knew you thought he was—wait, what? Home? When the Al Bhed were saving the Summoners? You never said—"

"Oh!" Yuna, blushed. "Well, after that, I was taken to Bevelle, and then married to Lord Seymour…then there was Macalania Forest, and the pool…and Tidus..." Yuna fidgeted with the sash of her robe. "I never wanted him to know…he was so jealous and angry over Seymour and the Guado—the last thing I wanted was him suspecting every Al Bhed in sight as well!"

"Oh..." Rikku sat back down. "I guess I can't blame you for keeping it to yourself." Rikku looked at Yuna. "But a lot's happened since then." Yuna nodded.

"Like we decided, there's no point looking back now, and regretting the past. All we can do is move forward. I won't stand still." Yuna looked thoughtful. "And who knows! Vincent isn't bad looking himself!"

Now it was Rikku's turn to feign surprise. "Yuna!" Then added, "Well, I heard he got a good look at your jammies. Besaid?"

"Luca. I got them while we were picking up supplies for our trip. Barkeep?"

"Yep. He does manage to show up at the weirdest times!" Rikku looked thoughtful. "Hmm…maybe if I get a cute little pj set like yours, I'll end up with the new guy instead of you!"

"Hey, I was only joking! Well anyway, it's more of a start than the suitors that keep coming by my house in Besaid!"

"See, there's your problem right there! You just need to give them the slip for a while!" She stood up and began unfolding her toiletries. "It's settled then. You'll stay on the airship for a while and lay low. Well check back with Lulu and Wakka every now and then, and when it looks like they've tapered off, you'll move back home."

Yuna opened her mouth to protest, but realized she was too tired. That, and that Rikku's idea didn't sound half bad. When Rikku didn't hear Yuna voice her resistance, she added, "And who knows? Maybe you'll just go back to Besaid with a certain silver-haired someone!"

"That's it, I'm leaving. Enjoy your shower, Rikku. I'll see you in the morning."

"Hehe, guut hekrd!"

Yuna smiled and closed the door behind her. As she returned to the loft, she remembered the sphere Sephiroth had given her.

I wonder….

It was a long shot, but maybe there was more to it than the simple ability to mimic actions. As she placed her kimono at the foot of her bed, she tugged a belt out from under it, removing one of the pistols from the holster. A quick adjustment released the sphere that Vincent had equipped. Settling down, and checking to see that Paine was still asleep, she held the sphere in her hand, nervous and excited. A thought briefly occurred to her that perhaps he hadn't survived the fall from the tower, but she shrugged it off. Somehow she knew that was hardly the case. Lying back, she held the sphere up above her head, admiring it against the starlight that filtered in from the skylight above. "What are you up to this time?"

This time? Yuna blinked. Where had that come from? Shaking her head slightly, she decided the sphere could wait for another day. Clutching the orb in her hands, she turned on her side and pulled the covers up around her chest. Drifting off, she remembered the moonlight reflected in his hair the previous evening, and the firelight that shone in it in the night of years before.


A/N: I'm not sure how I liked the end of that chapter. But I wanted to give the readers something after 4 months of nothing. Finishing DoC and reading up on the compilation from the Japanese side gave me some good ideas and more importantly, direction! So, feedback, ideas are always appreciated! And also--if anyone can help me figure out these paragraph spacing/breaks--I get tired of hand-coding the HTML just to have it dissappear on me!