So I decided to post here anyway. I figured that if I posted it with a new summary, and title, it would give EVERYTHING away. And with that... Enjoy.

Disclaimer: No, I don't own it. This is pure fun.

Vincent Valentine was starting to fade away. It was a strange feeling, to be sure. Like, your whole body was made of smoke. If Yuffie had tried to pull him back, he was sure her hand would just slip through him.

He started to feel as if he was being pulled away, as if he didn't even belong to this world, this time anymore. He tried to find something to hold him in this place, but all there was only the blank walls of the hallway, and Yuffie, standing there, looking helpless. She kept calling out his name, desperation written all over her face.

In that last second in time, he wanted to reach out to her, to tell her that he'd be alright, even if he didn't believe it himself. But it was to late. He was gone, floating into nothingness, everything was so dark... and quiet. Even for him.

Vincent wondered how long he would stay in the darkness. Perhaps, this was a punishment. Maybe he was never meant to leave this hell. It did fit... Yuffie had just found out about his past, and probably tainted her innocent thinking because of it.

This reminded him of what Nero was capable of. Surrounding people in darkness, leaving them alone with nothing but their thoughts of failure. If that didn't affect Vincent, why was this? Odd.

He suddenly thought of Yuffie. He had saved her from the darkness that time. He had saved her then, and now... He had to think about his time. He did seem to have plenty of it now.

'I wonder how I never noticed her... If she had seen everything... Why hadn't I seen her?' It took him a while to figure the answer. It was simply because he wasn't looking.

He'd been so foolish. He should have said something to her, apologized for what she saw. Yuffie must think he was a coward now, for letting everyone in his past down. He couldn't believe that he now had to add her to the list... He was going to miss her company. It always made him... almost... happy. No. He had been happy around her.

And now, because of him, their friendship was ruined. Could he ever make it up? Could he ever atone for this newly committed sin? Yuffie was a forgiving person. (Unless, of course, in the matters of materia.)

Perhaps, he could treat her to something, anything. She did like materia hunting. Maybe a different journey? She's like that, he thinks. He could also bring her to Wutai. She had loved going there, to visit her country. Maybe they could even stay for a while. He started to smile. Or, at least, something close enough to it.

Yes, he decided. He'd do just that. Materia Hunting in Wutai.

It was then, when the darkness finally subsided. The darkness had turned into an unnatural blinding white light. It was a warm feeling. It seemed familiar, somehow. Was this the same light that had brought Yuffie back to the present? That was odd.

Well, maybe that meant he was going to be in the present in a moment as well.

Maybe this whole thing was just a dream. He would wake up tomorrow, and Yuffie would tell him it was time to go, and get the materia. She would find out that there was no such thing as a time travel materia, and she would not see his past.

Vincent could usually lie to others well, but he was never believed himself. He knew things were just about to take a turn for the worse.

When the light finally faded, Vincent was back in the cave. Which was odd, seeing as he just left. Maybe... it had been a dream? Did he get knocked out by the first white light? He was on his hands and knees so it was a possibility.

However, that was thought was crushed by the small click that echoed through the caves tunnels. A large two barreled gun had been aimed at his forehead, only inches away.

"You better do what I say, Valentine, or I'm going to blow your brain to smithereens!" A young female sounding voice had stated.

He looked up, and saw that it was in fact a young girl.

She had jet black hair, that just tickled her shoulders, and pale skin to compliment it. She wasn't very tall, but that was to be expected with her age. She wore a short sleeved sweat shirt that zipped down, instead of up, and a pair of shorts.

But the thing that had Vincent really wonder about her, was the bug eyed mirrored goggles that she had been wearing. He didn't like the fact that he couldn't see into her eyes, that's usually how her got people to leave him alone.

She appeared no younger than fifteen, and yet she was holding a gun to his face. Interesting, at least.

"I doubt that you would shot me, if you need me." It was a gamble, but it was exactly what he thought to be true anyway.

"W-well. That doesn't matter! You still better do what I say... or else!"

He noticed then, in that little quiver she accidently let slip out, that she was lying.

"There's no bullet, is there?" He said, resisting to smirk. After all, he had just shown this little girl her place. Really, who was she to talk to anyone like that?

She let the weapon down, and put it back in the holster on her belt. The young girl offered her hand to him, and helped him off of the cold cave floor.

"Ok, ok. Yeah, there IS no bullet. But whatever. I still desperately need your help! Like, you have no idea whats been going on around here, since... whatever time you are from." She grumbled about the time materia being utterly 'useless'.

"Time?"

She looked up at him. She looked so much smaller, now that he was standing.

"Well, yeah. I had to bring you back from the past. I heard you were hard-core. And I'm guessing by the way you look now... You're from at least... seventeen, maybe eighteen years ago. Based on photos from my history book, of course." She said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

History books? He, Vincent Valentine, was in history books? Him, really? But what was it for? All the bad things that he had done, or saving the world a time or two? Possibly both. But history books... That meant... he was in the future. Two decades. This tiny girl brought him here? So then... he was dead in the future.

That had to be it. Otherwise she would have went to him, no? He was sure he would have helped her out, if she was so desperate as to put a gun to his head. (Albeit, unloaded.) So.. that meant he could die? He wasn't just going to live forever, and beyond?

It was almost a relief. Almost.

Twenty years seemed so soon after everything that had happened. Did that mean he was never going to... find happiness?

"Hey, you ok? You look like you're gonna puke, or something."

He shook his head.

"Well, good! Now we can finally start the rescue mission!" She started to walk out of the cave. She seemed to have an impatient attitude. As if nothing in the world could change her mind. Yet, she had this strange aura about her.

Vincent got the feeling that if he did cross her, that she would not hesitate to actually load her gun, and shoot him down. Much like he was, in his Turk days. She... was going to be definitely a handful.

"What's your name?" He asked. He'd feel more comfortable if he at least had some idea what to call her.

She stiffened visibly, but continued to walk along.

"It's Auden."

"Just Auden?" He asked. She was definitely hiding something more from him.

"Yup. Just Auden. Because I'm an orphan. That's right. You just made me feel horrible about myself. So, thanks a bunch, Vinnie." Auden's words didn't match her tone. She didn't sound as bitter. She sounded nervous. Vincent noted this, and stored it in the new file he made just for her in the back of his mind.

"Just who are we rescuing, Auden?" Vincent asked, hoping to get at least a little bit more information out of this mysterious young girl.

That stopped her in her tracks. She turned to face him slowly.

"We're going after my mentor. I'm the reason he's in the hands of Shin-Ra's Final Supporters." She dropped her head to look at the rocks beneath her feet. "No way am I going to let him die on my watch. I won't let it happen."

Maybe she didn't reflect his Turk days after all. Maybe a different part of him all together.

-x-

"Ok, so before we go anywhere else, I have to make a quick stop at my house back in Wutai. And I mean quick! We seriously cannot stay there to long. Who knows what'll go wrong?" Auden said as they exited the cave.

"What could go wrong?" The more Auden talked to him, the more he realized that she was hiding something from him. And the secret seemed to get bigger and bigger. What reason could she have something to hide from him?

"Well, um... I haven't paid rent... in a while. Yeah, that's it! I hate the guy I pay, and he'll kick me out the second he sees me, so we have to avoid him at all costs!"

'Lies, all lies.' He knew the signs all too well. She was looking around, trying not gaze into his eyes. But that was when he noticed it. How lush, and beautiful the plains surrounding the area looked.

Well, it had been twenty years. It was good to know that the world would rebuild itself. AVALANCHE's efforts wouldn't go to waste. If only Yuffie had been here to see it. She always admired scenery after a long day of traveling.

"Auden, who exactly are these... Final Supporters?" Vincent asked.

"They are this top-secret group, that only came to our attention just a few days ago. They are looking for ways to enhance people again. That's why they were looking for me, to experiment, and poke, and prod. Nasty people. I'm one of the Enhanced Children. You see, one or both of my parents must have been affected by mako." She shifted uncomfortably, and sat down on the grass below her.

"They've been taking a few enhanced kids, but no one seems to know, or care about it. It's as if no one had learned their lesson all those years ago. Aren't people supposed to, you know, learn from the past so they don't repeat it! Morons."

Auden looked up at Vincent, who was still looking out towards the endless plains.

"They took my mentor because he himself was enhanced. I wanted to stop him, but his mind was made. I even tried to fight off those Final goons. But they were too strong for me, and my mentor stopped me as well. It was hard watching him go off without a fight." Her voice started to shake.

"I'm not strong enough to save him, or the other kids alone. I hate to admit that- you have no idea how much I hate it! But I am. That's why I summoned you. You will help me save them, V... Vincent. And you better save him! My mentor would so kick your butt if you didn't! And I'd help! And so would-" She stopped herself, before she could finish.

"Anyway, we better get a move on. We'd better cover some more ground today. Who knows what kind of things they are doing to him in that dreadful place?"

Vincent then discovered a flaw in her plan.

"Just how do you suppose we'll find this place if it's confidential in the first place?" Didn't she even think about that, before going off someplace and try to save someone? Did she always dive headfirst into things? Reckless child.

But she just smirked.

"Don't worry about that. I have someone looking into that for me. Trust me, we are so taking down the last part of Shin-Ra!"

Vincent shook his head. If Yuffie didn't manage to be the death of him, then this girl would certainly would.

Ok... Anyone confused? Shocked? Disappointed? Did you like it?

Just who IS Auden, anyway? Just what is she hiding? What's her plan? Why didn't any of you participate in the contest last time? Lol, oh well. Same question, it'll be in the last chapter if you do want to participate. Please tell me what you think! I really want to know if you liked or hated this chapter.

Thank you so much for your lovely reviews, by the way! I do love you all.

See you in the next chapter!

Sorrelstar