Late, I know. But May is a busy month! National tests (same tests in all of Sweden to determine the students' skills in Maths, English and Swedish. It is also possible to see what schools are better and so on. Also, May is theatre month, so I've rehearsed and performed and spent over 12 hours day at the theatre. It's fun, but oh so tiring! Anyway, after all that was over with, I wrote super much so this chapter is extra long :D Also, loads of action and fluff in this one :3 Please enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own FFVII, only my own character Alyera and this ridiculous and silly plot.

Chapter eleven - Nightmare

Vincent woke me up by entering my room as if it was the most normal thing in the world. It startled me, and I jumped halfway to the ceiling. Somewhere in the back of my head I wondered how the hell I woke up from just that, since he hadn't said anything yet. I was still tired and shouldn't have been interrupted in my sleep even if Chocoass and Tifa made wild and passionate love next to me in my bed. Not that they would do that of course, since Birdbutt was soft as marshmallow under all that emo clothing and wouldn't dare confess his eternal love for her, and Tifa lost all trace of being calm if the matter was as much as mentioned. But hey, maybe Cloud was tired of being a twenty-five year old virgin and decided to abduct his woman from downstairs and take her on my bed for reason unknown. Ew, that was just gross on so many levels! Thankfully, that wasn't the case, but the current scenario was actually even weirder. The hell was Vincent doing in my room, and why was I awake? I mumbled something inaudible as he stopped beside the bed and looked down at me with a serious gaze. Okay, this was officially creeping me out. He looked like he was about to rape me, so grave and scary. Just as I was about to ask him what in the blazes he was doing in my room with his worst pedo-face directed towards me, he leaned down way closer than I fancied and stared at me, his features now resembling those of a madman.

"Yuffie."

"Y-yes?" I squeaked.

"Can we trust her?"

"The fuck you talking 'bout? What're you doin' in my room?"

"The girl with the silver hair and the mako-green eyes. Can we trust her?"

"Alyera? The hell you talk…"

"How many people do you know with such power? Demons, mako, inhuman eyes?"

"Lessee… Allie, you, Featherass, Sephy-chan, Silver freak mark one, two and three…oh, and that porcupine dude I met in Wutai when I was little, wasn't he like, Cloud's buddy? Zack? Yeah, that's his name. What of it?"

"Think. Even I have gone out of control. So has Cloud and Sephiroth. The avatars were uncontrollable from the beginning. "

"What're you trying to say?"

"What do you think I am trying to say? Can we trust that girl to not lose her mind and kill us all?"

"Are you kidding me? Of course we can! She hasn't shown any signs…"

"She does not need to show signs. She might snap just like that, without warnings. She is dangerous."

"So what d'ya suggest we do? Talk to her about it, or have Reeve's guys do something to extract the mako from her or something?"

"I say we put her down."

"What?"

"You heard me. She is a danger to us all, so I say we put her to sleep."

"What is she to you?" I screamed at him. What the hell was he thinking? Had he gone insane? "You talk like she's some rabid dog you could just kill like it was nothing! She's a human, a person, my friend! "

"She is not human! She is a monster of destruction, just like me…"

Oh, come on. Hadn't he got over that stuff? And who was he to judge Alyera, he didn't know her, I knew she wasn't dangerous, she couldn't be…

"I will kill her. The sooner the better."

He swept out of the room, ominous like a god about to strike an infidel with bolts of holy lightning. I was completely paralysed. He was going to kill her. Now? Was he already on his way? I couldn't move; all of my limbs were frozen with terror. I heard a door open further down the corridor, a girl's voice sounding cheery, a gunshot. He had done it. He'd killed her, my friend, the troubled being I wanted to rescue... The paralysis loosened its grip, and I wailed.

"NO!"

I woke up, covered in sweat, sitting up straight as a stick. I was shaking, my hands trembled in front of my eyes. My vision was blurry and I couldn't think straight. I realised I was screaming at the top of my lungs, a sound from the darkest pits of hell, emitted by someone tortured by their worst nightmare. I shut my mouth and felt like I was about to choke on my tongue, so I quickly opened it again and gasped for air. What was the madness I had just witnessed in my dream? Crying like a baby I convulsively hugged the sheets, clenching my fists. It was a silly dream, a completely unreal one, but it's always like that when you've had a nightmare. It doesn't matter if you dreamt you were chased by a ladybug in a tutu, as long as it's after you and you know something terrible will happen if it catches you, that fear lingers even when you've woken up. My dream had been more horrifying than ballerina bugs, and the memory was too much for me to handle. My best friends killing each other…the usually so calm Vincent irrationally shooting an innocent girl just like that, it was enough to make anyone cry. What's worse was I somehow believed he might actually do that. Not without a reason, but if Allie ever was to lose control Vince might decide to "put her down". And there was no saying she wouldn't go insane and release her demon. Dream-Vincent had been right on one point: She was a ticking bomb. I knew she was weak, not physically but mentally, and who knew what would happen if she succumbed to the tainted mako in her body? Oh Leviathan, why couldn't I find friends who were not instable, full of weird abilities and the power of the Lifestream, why couldn't they just be normal? Sniffling, with tears still streaming down my cheeks, I heard running footsteps outside. The next second the door was flung open and Tifa, followed by a hysterical Alyera stormed into my room.

"Yuffie! What happened? We heard you scream, we thought you were dyi-…are you crying?"

Teefs seemed surprised. Hadn't she seen me cry before? Maybe not, I couldn't remember. One thing that was sure as hell though, was that she'd never heard me wail like a banshee, cowering in my sheets like a kid.

"What is the matter, Yuffie?" Allie's worried face appeared before my eyes. She'd climbed into my bed and was now sitting in front of me, holding my hands between hers. Her silver hair, sad and concerned eyes, her warm hands…how could this girl be a demon?

"I had a nightmare", I mumbled, suddenly ashamed. Kids cried when they had a bad dream, adults didn't. I hadn't grown up yet, that much was evident.

"Poor thing", Tifa said while leaning down to hug me. It was comforting, but at the same time humiliating. Now I felt even more like a kiddo.

"I'm fine", I blurted out. "I…uh, what time is it?"

"I'd say about two o'clock. Vincent said you guys were out until sunrise last night."

"Yeah…it sure was tiring. Two, you say. Can I have breakfast? Or lunch? Or just about anything at all actually? I'm hungry."

"I figured you'd be, so I had Alyera prepare an omelette for you. It's easy to heat in the microwave, and it takes no time at all. Come on Yuffie, wipe those tears away and cheer up. It's just a dream, right?"

"Thanks, both of you. You're right Teef, it's just a stupid dream. But you know, it's so damn scary when you're dreaming and then it kinda lingers…ahaha!" Wow, way to go, Yuffie. That laughter was probably the most awkward sound you've ever made. I wanted to hit myself. But at least the hitting part was good; it showed that I was starting to get back my usual self. When I raised my gaze it met Alyera's. She smiled and let go of my hands. They weren't shaking anymore. A deep breath, and the remaining terror left my body. Somewhat. I still shivered like a rabbit on the inside though, and it just didn't want to go away.

-TWR&TH-

I spent my day eating and helping out a little in the bar. Tifa said I should take it easy since I was going out hunting for rapists as soon as it got dark. I agreed with that; it was a tiresome job to be Reeve's secret ninja assassin of ultimate justice in the night, but I still wanted to do it. It sure felt a lot more rewarding than being a barmaid; I did something that mattered for society as well as the safety of the citizens in Edge. It almost felt like being back in the days when we saved the world, only this time the world was Edge and we traversed it in the darkness as if we were the criminals. There were no vast forests, rivers and mountains this time, but instead jungles of apartment complexes, heavily trafficked roads and giant piles of rubble that still hadn't been cleaned up after Meteorfall and the attack of Bahamut SIN. This was what they called a "city jungle" alright, and I knew that somewhere out there lurked a fearsome carnivore, hiding in the shadows where we couldn't see the evil glimmer coming from his eyes. But sooner or later we'd find him, no matter how long it took. Vincent was darkness itself; nothing as shady as that villain could ever hide from him. I was the Angel of Justice; the light I radiated would shine my way and illuminate him until he couldn't hide anymore. Convinced of my own awesomeness, the day went by quickly, and before long it was dinner and then work time. I was as enthusiastic as ever, Vincent as gloomy as ever and Tifa and Alyera as worried as ever. When we headed out, the brown-haired and the silver-haired women clasped their hands as if praying, telling me to be careful and not do anything stupid.

"Yes yes, I know, have a nice evening and goodbye!"

Vincent seemed amused by the situation. Probably because it was so very typical of me and Tifa to be like this. With Teef still shouting orders to keep myself safe at my back, Vinnie and I darted away in the darkening evening. The show had begun! The excitement like bolts of lightning in my veins; the adventure like steel in my spine; the insanity like fire under my feet. Yes, we were most likely insane, the two of us. Vincent was, well, Vincent. As for me, what normal person would be excited to chase a criminal like this one? I didn't care. After all I had been through, it would've been even weirder if I wasn't slightly crazy.

A ninja's true element is the darkness. Here we operate in silent agreement with the night; we take down those who wish to disturb its serenity and it hides us with its blackness. Just like the previous night, me and Vince split up. I continued alone, less scared than I had been yesterday, but I also felt tiredness come creeping much sooner. I felt like some midnight police, breaking up a bunch of drunk fighters outside a bar (by smacking them one, or maybe two), incapacitating a drug dealer and his customer leaving them with a note for the real cops, and, by throwing my burning Eveningstar at them, scaring the living shit outta some teenagers breaking windows. Of course I missed on purpose, but Eveningstar made a graceful turn around them, surrounding the group with afterimages of flames. That sure made it clear that someone was watching them. Thugs and lowlifes were Yuffie's Ultimate Criminal-Chasing Awesome Dispatch Society Cleansing Cool Ninja's clients too, but they're not the one I was looking for. I was getting more impatient by the hour, but forced myself into being calm and think of how much of a better place Edge would be because of me. The longer it took before the rapist was found, judged and put behind bars; the more punks and thrash and thieves I could take care of. Reeve's troops were evidently no good for this kind of work. Too heavy, too clumsy, to slow and too loud. The old dude should consider getting himself a squad of ninja. I could train them, with the proper payment of course. It would be the best ninja squad in the world. Well, probably the only one too, but hey, if there ever were more they wouldn't beat mine.

A disturbing thought had clawed at my mental barrier for a while now, and as I concentrated on my work at the same time as I let my thoughts wander, it had now found a weak spot and penetrated. The nightmare crept back into my head…Allie snapping. I knew it could happen, I'd seen it happen. I'd heard from Cloud that Sephiroth had been a nice guy once, before he found out about Jenova. I'd seen the madness he had left in his wake. I'd seen what the mako did to Cloud, I'd seen Chaos trying his best to erase all life-forms close to him and I'd seen corrupted Lifestream energy polluting the land. I sure as hell didn't wanna see that tainted mako, full of bad intents, destroy someone as pure and innocent as Alyera. But what if it did happen, what would I have to do? Kill her? I couldn't. Never. If her demon took over her mind and body, it was my duty as her best buddy to calm her down. Fighting her would be necessary, but I didn't wanna hurt her. I'd need to disable her…I'd have to hurt her, until she couldn't fight anymore. Then, the demon would go away into hiding, Allie'd be herself…for a while. That's what I'd have to do, every time it happened. If it did happen. I decided right then that I'd do anything in my power to strengthen her mind until she could defend herself, I'd be her pillar, her unwavering support. I wouldn't let the darkness take her. She had never had a reason to live before; now I wanted to create one for her.

-TWR&TH-

A few nights passed, and still no sign of our prey. We took care of all sorts of people; drug dealers, pickpockets, burglars and a couple of rapists – but they were drunk and horny men, not our sadistic target. This strange job had become a habit, I'd become a nocturnal being who slept from sunrise to a few hours before sunset, and hunted in the night. I was growing impatient; I was tired of chasing someone I had never seen and couldn't find. However, something happened that made all enthusiasm and anger return.

I heard her from a distance. Her scream was so loud, so full of fear. It only lasted for a few seconds, he must've silenced her, but it was enough for a ninja. However, I couldn't find her in time. When I got there, he was already gone. She was shaking on the ground, crying silently. Her purse thrown on the ground, one of her sandals had fallen off and she clasped the torn remains of her shirt in her hands. He couldn't have left long ago, she hadn't been silent for more than a minute. It had been hard to find her, and now my prey had run off. I wanted to follow him, hunt him down and tear him to shreds. But the girl…I couldn't leave her. She was naked, what had probably been a skirt lay in the dirt nearby, and the only cover she had was the ripped shirt. I hurried over to her and knelt by her side, putting my hand on her shoulder. She twitched like a mouse when you direct the ray from a flashlight at it, quivering with terror. She was still absolutely silent, covered in dirt and stained…with blood. Oh Leviathan have mercy, I didn't want to know what he had done to her. She seemed so young, she was so thin and pale, she almost glowed in the darkness. Skin so fair it was almost white, and light blonde hair…why did something like this happen to her, it wasn't fair, she couldn't possibly be over 18, why wasn't there any justice in this world…

"It's alright, he's gone, I'll protect you", I whispered. It wasn't true. Nothing was alright, and my trembling voice couldn't lie like the words it spoke. But at least I could defend her. She was so vulnerable, completely at the mercy of whatever thugs were around here. Anything could happen to her if she was alone, but I was here now. I'd help her, somehow, it was my duty. But at the same time, if I went now, I could catch up to him and…no. She needed me. I couldn't leave her, but something I could do was notifying Vincent. I summoned a Fire spell into Eveningstar and threw her into the sky where she flared like a star for a few seconds before returning to my hand. I was absolutely sure Vinnie would see it and come. Turning back to the girl, I tried to decide what to do. Wait for Vince, or get her to hospital immediately? She needed clothes. I went and collected the skirt, but it was too torn to wear. Dammit, I only had my usual shorts and tank top combo, nothing she could use unless I stripped. I better wait for Vince and his cloak.

Something else came up before Vincent arrived. More rapists. Or, soon-to-be rapists. They passed by the alley we were in, saw us, saw the naked girl on the ground. And they grinned. As they began making their way towards us, I raised Eveningstar as a warning.

"Oh, gonna fight us, girlie?" one of them said.

"If I have to, yeah, so stay back, scum!"

"Yer sure actin' tough now, but just ya wait and yer ain't gonna be so cocky when yer had yer clothes ripped off, miss!" They laughed. Gods, I could feel the smell of alcohol even from over here. They were all evidently drunk, staggering and slurring. They had enough coordination to split into two groups though, one heading for the girl and the other preparing to fight me. The blonde screamed when she realised what was about to happen, frantically trying to crawl away from them. The ground, because you could hardly call it a street, was dirty and her bare feet and hands slipped in the mud. Screaming again, she tried to get up, but fell back down almost immediately. I gripped my weapon tighter and charged. A strike with steel and flame and one of them went down, roundhouse kick followed by a few swift combo punches brought down the second, and for the third I rushed at him, jumped, placed my feet on his chest and pushed. He was slammed into the brick wall behind him while I flew back to my original position. The commotion had caused their friends to shift their attention towards me. I bent my knees, weighing back on my heels before rolling over on my toes, keeping balance and waiting for them to make the first move. They began to close in on me, slowly, like hyenas on a lioness. Just as I was about to attack, someone grabbed me from behind. His arms went around me like chains keeping me immobilised; his right forced my arm back so I couldn't throw my shuriken while his left held my body close to his. A chill went down my spine and froze my entire body. I'd made a miscalculation, I'd taken it for granted that the first three were unconscious, I hadn't checked them properly and not paid any attention to what was happening behind me, and this was my punishment. He reeked from beer, he was warm and sweaty even though the night was a bit cold and he giggled hysterically in my ear. Come on Yuffie, a drunk man was no problem for a ninja of Wutai! Or so I thought. After having tried to snake my way out of his grip, I realised that this guy was really strong. He wouldn't let me move an inch, let alone free myself from him. The others were laughing, casually walking towards us. The blonde girl was silent now, I hoped she was smart enough to understand that if she kept quiet they would forget about her. At least until they were done with me.

That's when I fully grasped the situation. I couldn't move, it was in the middle of the night in the slums and I was surrounded by four men who, in a few seconds, would rape me. I couldn't help it; I'd lost all my pride as a warrior the moment the man behind me captured me, leaving me as nothing but a scared girl in the wrong neighbourhood. I screamed, a shrill and desperate noise, a sound created from someone who knew they were caught with no escape. I twisted and kicked, trying to get loose, but he held me so hard it hurt and I ended up writhing in pain instead. This was a nightmare, and I'd had enough of that kind. As the other three came within range, two of them grabbed my legs and held them. I tried to kick again, but the fear made me weak. At that point I somewhat gave up, accepting the fact that four against one in this situation was way too unfair odds for me to win. I hung in the man's arms like a doll, thinking that if I relaxed then maybe it wouldn't hurt so much. They were tugging at my shorts, unbuttoning them and forcefully pulling them down. The one holding me saw his chance now that I wasn't struggling to rests anymore and moved his left hand further up, in under my top. I shivered when I felt him shove it up my bra, his skin was sticky with sweat and this was most likely the most disgusting feeling I've ever experienced. He was breathing hard in my ear; his right arm locked mine so hard I had lost all feeling in my hand. I heard the thump as Eveningstar hit the ground. I'd dropped my only weapon. Since I'd never had any real trouble with any of the other people I'd fought, I hadn't bothered hiding small shuriken down my socks anymore. I'd become arrogant, I'd believed I was invincible. At a time like this, when I was more scared than I had ever been before in my life, it wasn't hard to admit my weaknesses. I didn't know that I was crying until I felt tears trickle down my cheek, dripping onto my chest and wetting the top. The man had pulled it up all the way now, his hand still inside my bra. Now I could actually see what he was doing and felt even more disgusted. Their hands were everywhere now. I felt them running along my legs, body and over my chest; they started pulling at me to get me to lie down. As my capturer changed position I made a feeble attempt to break free, but the situation had drained me of all my strength and I was pushed down on the ground. I would've done anything to stop their hands from touching me, their dirty, filthy, unclean hands, but they were merciless and left no part of my body without attention from their stinky foul fingers. One of them pressed his mouth against mine, his reeking breath making me nauseous. I twitched and again tried to pull away from them, but I was even weaker than before and the only thing I accomplished was starting to tremble from crying.

Leviathan, oh holy serpent of the sea, why have you abandoned your daughter at a time and place like this?

I didn't even care anymore. Maybe it was for the best. Like many other girls, I had dreamed my first time would be with a boy I loved after a candlelit dinner where he would look me in the eyes and say that he loved me while holding my hand. When we were about to do it, I'd say I was afraid that it would hurt and he'd respond saying that he'd be gentle and careful with me. Yeah, that kind of romantic dream. But nowadays, most girls lost their virginity when drunk at a party, not even remembering who they slept with the day after. My cute little dream probably wouldn't have come true anyway, so maybe it was good as it was. It'd hurt, but then it'd be over and no douchebag boyfriend would destroy my fantasies. After all, I had myself to blame, being arrogant and getting myself into trouble like this. This would be my punishment and I deserved it. I closed my eyes and tried to think of something else. What could I do for Alyera? Be a good friend of course, make her feel wanted and needed and loved... I couldn't. I couldn't think of other things now, not when they were starting to rip my underwear off. They were drunk and fumbled, but it wouldn't take them much more time anyway. But I wouldn't scream, at least I could tell myself that. No screaming. I couldn't stop the tears, but I wouldn't give them the pleasure of hearing me beg for mercy. My pride would never die completely, not even now. Its fire would burn, I'd fight! It was as a weight was lifted from my chest. Like the men holding me had let go and I was free. See, I can be pretty determined about certain things. The power of will is strong, it even freed me of this earthly matter that held me down.

I could hear thumps and yells. I opened my eyes. It was so dark, why? Oh, that's right. It was in the middle of the night. Huh, in my imagination I had drifted away into a white mist with not a care in the world. Kinda like a black-out, but more like, white-out. I shook my head, and slowly shapes began to form in the darkness. What were those loud noises? They were annoying and made my head ache. Where were those filthy guys? I sat up. The white girl hiding behind some boxes, the men were on the ground with a beast towering over them. I screamed, and the monster turned its head towards me. Black fur coat, white hair, red loincloth… I knew this beast.

"Vincent."

He transformed back into a man, his hair once again darker than the night sky and eyes glowing like rubies. He hurried over and knelt beside me, taking me in his arms. I instinctively grabbed his cloak and buried my face in it; now all the fear I had suppressed came back and I began sobbing. He embraced me and covered my half-naked body with the mantle. So warm, so safe. His scent meant safety to me; I knew that no-one could hurt me now. He held me so gently, careful to not let the tips of his gauntlet fingers scratch me. I let go of his cloak and instead wrapped my arms around his thin body; his warmth was surprising. He was such a cold person, and yet he emitted such warmth as he held me.

"Yuffie. I am not going to ask if they hurt you, because I know they did."

"Yeah." I nodded. "But…she's been badly hurt. More than me." I felt his movements as he lifted his head to look at the girl.

"Was it…"

"Him. I think so. I didn't have a chance to ask her." My voice still trembled, but my tears were mostly silent now.

"I will call the WRO and have them send troops and an ambulance."

I nodded. He got up and unclasped the buckles on his cloak and gave it to me. I realised how small I was compared to him, and how naked I felt in only grimy underwear. When he noticed how embarrassed I was and how my cold fingers fumbled with the mantle he squatted and wrapped it around me. He was so gentle, even his eyes. He looked so sad, like he used to before he found his redemption. He was sad because of what had almost happened to me. Because of what had happened. I watched him as he got to his feet and made the call. Without the cape, he seemed so fragile. Sure, he was a tall man, but thin and pale. And yet so strong…he was a mystery even to me who knew him, maybe better than anyone. You don't really call guys beautiful, but then again, he wasn't your ordinary guy. Vincent was, simply put, a beautiful man. Like Alyera's wild rose, crimson and nice to the eye but full of thorns and way more dangerous than you'd imagine.

Casting aside all thoughts of Vincent for the moment, I clutched the mantle around me as I too got up and made my way over to the girl. I picked up a coat from one of the men and put it around her shoulders. She looked up at me with big, blue eyes. And that's when I remembered. I had met her at the café the day I was out shopping with Allie. She'd been with her boyfriend and I gave them autographs.

"You're…Naminé!" She nodded. I sat down next to her. "I met you at a café. I'm Yuffie Kisaragi, remember?" She nodded again. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you in time, but my friend called for help. You'll get an ambulance soon. Sorry."

"It's not your fault", she whispered. "You saved me from the other men, risking yourself."

"Thanks, Naminé. I'll stay with you until the ambulance arrives."

"Thank you, miss Yuffie."

"Hey, who're you calling "miss"? Just say Yuffie." I placed my arm around her and sat with her while Vince was watching over us from the shadows. When I could hear the sirens closing in, I patted her shoulder and got up. I didn't want to be here when the WRO arrived, or they'd force me to the hospital as well. I never liked hospitals; they were too clean and white and sterilised. It was like a prison, disguised in good intents. Sure, they treated sick people, but I wasn't sick. I went up to the roof, and from there I saw the ambulance drive down the street and turn into the alley. Just before the vehicle's lights hit him, Vincent swiftly ascended up to the roof to join me. The girl was in good hands now, and in silent agreement we walked away. I was slow, my knees shook and I felt completely drained of energy. I noticed Vincent glancing at me.

"Yuffie, how are you?"

"I'm fine, just fine…just fine."

Oh, screw it. I couldn't pretend. And I was sure he'd noticed my shaking knees even under the cloak. I wasn't fine and I didn't want to be even the slightest bit away from him. He was my only protection right now. So I cried. I threw myself into his arms and cried, and he held me just as gently as before. He had me sit down, but since my spine seemed too weak to carry up my torso I ended up half hanging, half lying while he carried my weight. Carefully he laid me down in his lap, but I wriggled and struggled until I could wrap my arms around his neck instead. In surprise, my weight caused him to fall backwards and I found myself on top of him. I curled up like a ball, my legs were still on the roof but I pulled them up close to his body for warmth. My head rested on his chest, and as I cried I could feel his beating heart, slow, calm, steady.

"Yuffie…please refrain from scaring me like that again."

Scaring him? He had been scared? The Vincent Valentine, scared?

"What do you mean?" I asked him, sobbing.

"I saw your alarm. I hurried towards it, but then I heard you scream. I thought you were dying. And when I arrived, you were on the ground…I thought I had lost you. But then I saw what…what they were about to do. The Galian Beast took over before I had a chance to stop him. I let my anger take control of me. I am sorry."

"Why?"

"I could have hurt you. And I was too late."

"No, you weren't. I'm so happy you came, Vincent. I was scared, too. You saved me from them. I was the one who was late, I couldn't save Naminé and I missed the opportunity to catch him…"

I had managed to talk without being interrupted by tears, but now I couldn't stop them.

"They were so dirty and drunk, they stank of alcohol and they wouldn't let go! They touched me everywhere-" I whimpered and crawled like a worm until my head was on his collarbone and my right arm over his heart. To think that such a cold and bony man could feel this soft and warm! I felt him move his arms, and seconds later he had covered both of us with his cloak. Now we were closer than before, when we weren't separated by the fabric. He moved again, but I couldn't figure out what he was doing until he placed his hand on my back.

He had taken off his glove and gauntlet. His bare hands and fingers were so living, so…real. If he had been warm and gentle before, by his standards, then I didn't even know what this was. For some reason, his touch gave me goose bumps. I cried into the leather he always covered himself with, leather that smelt like the traffic in Midgar, the steel in Junon and the salty sea. It smelt like the grass in the plains, the coal in North Coral and the dusty Cosmo Canyon rocks. It smelt like the dark cellar in Niebelheim where we found him, the snow in Icicle Inn and the mako-stained stones in Northern Crater. He smelt like Seventh Heaven. He smelt like home.

"Yuffie…?"

Why did his calling my name send a shiver down my spine? It was strange, he had said it many times before, why was now any different?

"Yes?"

"You have goose bumps. Are you cold?"

"Yes", I answered. I wasn't. "Yes, I'm cold."

And I curled up even closer to him, my chin now resting at the base of his neck. I could feel my own breath reflecting back at me from his skin. He was now downright embracing me, hard. I had gone from the most scared ever in my life, to the safest I had ever been in just a few minutes. I loved it right now, and the fear had begun to loosen its grip of me. On a whim, I reached up and kissed Vincent on the cheek.

"Thank you, Vinnie" I whispered before returning my head to his shoulder. My eyelids felt heavy, so I closed them. He was comfortable, this man.

-TWR&TH-

I woke up to a view of a starry sky. I wondered for a few seconds why I was flying, before I realised that Vince was carrying me. I didn't quite see the point in notifying him that I was awake, so I just stayed still, wrapped in his fluffy red cloak. I could see his eyes glow as the starlight reflected in them. It was pretty, but soon those eyes turned to look at me. He had noticed, but didn't say anything. He didn't have anything to say, and neither did I. I looked around us, and was surprised by the speed we were moving at. Carrying me didn't seem to slow him down one bit. Before I knew it, we had flown in through my window which was always left open for us to return through. Vincent didn't let go of me until he had carried me to my bed and carefully placed me there. I sat under his cloak, thoughts racing. When I gave him the mantle back and he was about to leave, I grabbed his hand. The gauntlet and glove were back on.

"Don't leave me, please?" I sounded pretty pathetic, but I considered myself to have a pretty good reason.

"Why?"

"Because I don't wanna be alone. I'm scared."

"You are safe now, Yuffie. They cannot reach you here."

"I know, but I still don't wanna be alone in the darkness."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Just…stay here. I'm sorry, I know it's inconvenient and all, but I'm afraid… I had a really bad dream a few nights ago, and it's still bothering me, and after tonight I'm afraid of more nightmares, so please Vincent, I'll do anything if you just stay with me!"

"You are telling a male friend to stay the night in your room, offering to do anything? Be happy I am not the kind to misinterpret things like that."

"I know, you're great, you know what I mean, just please?" He nodded. "Thank you. Would you mind turning around so I can change?" He did, and I quickly unclasped my bra and pulled the t-shirt over my head. "Done!"

He turned back and sat down with his back against the bed. I pulled up the duvet over me and stretched my hand down toward him, grabbing his arm and pulling until I held his hand in mine. He understood and shifted position until he could hold my hands in both his, so much bigger ones. Again, glove and gauntlet weren't present. He must've taken them off while was changing. Just him holding my hand felt so safe, and it didn't take me long to fall asleep. I was sure I wouldn't have any bad dreams this night.

You didn't think I'd let Yuffie be raped, did you? I'm not that wicked! But yeah, I'm content with this chapter, and I have lots of ideas for new ones ^^ I hope you liked, reviews make my day, dears

Love,
Shade Lamora