...the parallel lives of those destined to meet...

My Other Me
By MaH

Chapter 2- Destined Meetings II: Meeting Myself

The warm grass was no comfort to Vincent, as he rested in the neverending field. In the distance, he could see a shrine, but it was just so far away. His brow furrowed. Why was he here? Was he dead?

The last thing that he remembered was defeating Sephiroth and being absorbed by the hot light. He looked around the field again, now on a new train of thought. Is this heaven?

Slowly he pushed himself off the ground, a small breeze flowing through his hair. No, he couldn't be dead. He could still feel the wind against his face. So where am I?

The vision of hot light flashed in his mind. Yuffie! She was there with him! Could it be that she was in this mysterious place as well?

Vincent began to walk towards the distant shrine. Perhaps someone would be there to help him. Someone or something would be better than nothing in his present situation. I wonder where Yuffie is? As soon as I find out where I am, I'll go find her.

He was too deep in thought, she was too blinded by tears, but whether who's fault it was, the two collided.

Vincent looked down at the person he had just bumped into. She looked to be around Yuffie's age. There I go again. I keep thinking about her...

"Excuse me, miss?"

Vincent laid a hand on the stranger's arm.

"Baka! Let me go!" She screamed and backed away from him. She reached for her kunai, to only find that she didn't have them.

Suddenly a metal clasped her arm, and she looked down to see a metal claw.

Her eyes widened in fear. Misao looked into the crimson eyes of the stranger in shock. "What the hell are you?"

"I am Vincent." He said, a small frown on his face. This girl was so much like Yuffie it was simply uncanny. Why are you thinking of the psycho-materia-stealing-ninja anyway? he scolded himself. It's not as if- "Where am I miss?" He questioned, dismissing the confusion in his head.

Who is this guy? Misao wondered as she looked him up and down. He wore all black and red, and he had some sort of gun attached to his waist. His claw was un-settling, but not as much as the sight of his legs. They were unlike anything Misao had ever seen before. Her eyes wryly examined him, trying to determine if he was a threat in anyway.

"Ano...where have you been? You're in Kyoto."

'Kyoto? I never heard of such a place before.' Vincent thought as he watched the girl shuffle her feet. "Thank you, miss-"

"Misao. Makimachi Misao. Nice to meet you Vincent."

Misao stared at his crimson eyes, they were enchanting just like Aoshi's icy ones. Aoshi...this person reminded her of the man she loved.

"Miss Makimachi..."

"Misao. Call me Misao." She muttered as the tears came again.

"Why are you crying?" Vincent asked. 'Why am I so interested in this girl? Is it because she reminds me so much of Yuffie?'

"WAIT!" Vincent shouted, grabbing Misao by her shoulder. Misao froze and slowly turned to the strange man. "Please, can you tell me how to get back to Midgar?"

"Mei-du-ga-ru?" That word was not familiar to her. Misao shook her head in confusion. "I've never heard of that place before. Sorry- can't help you."

Vincent's shoulders sunk. Now what was he supposed to do? Not heard of Midgar?! Who HASN'T heard of Midgar. "Please, can you help me?"

Misao looked at the man in pity. She was being selfish, too wrapped up in her own problems to notice that this man was to having problems. He was in an unknown place and she wasn't being helpful. "Of course! Just come with me. Jiya might know where you can find Med- ano...the place you are looking for."

"Thank you."

"Your welcome." Misao smiled and turned to lead Vincent to the Aoiya.

They trudged through the field, towards the shrine. Misao had wanted to avoid the place as much as possible, but that was the only way back into the city. I wonder if he is still with that girl?

tears threatened to spill again, but Misao repressed them. Keep that smile on your face Makimachi.

She turned to see Vincent studying her. She blushed involuntarily. What is he looking at?

Vincent followed Misao through the streets, ignoring the stares he was getting. After all, he was used to that sort of thing. He had been stared at ever since Hojo had experimented on his body. It seemed like such a long time ago. and then... instead of He could not help but think of Yuffie. You could say his thought suddenly turned to Yuffie. This kind girl reminded him too much of her. Her light attitude, and the cockiness in her motions. He prayed that Yuffie was alright, hoping that she had also not been taken to this mystery world.

Misao, meanwhile was thinking about Aoshi. How could he do that to me? And who the hell was that girl?!

Each deep in thought, did not notice that it had began to rain.

Misao shivered, suddenly noticing the rain. Brr.. I should have brought an umbrella.

Suddenly something was draped around her shoulder, and she felt the silky material around her bare arms and legs. She looked up surprised to see Vincent had taken off his cape and had offered it to her.

"You were cold, and hardly covered." He said impassively.

"Arigatou." Misao smiled, and soon they neared the gates of the Aoiya. Misao pushed through the gates, only to come face to face with Aoshi and that girl.

"Aoshi-sama!" Misao gasped.

"Vincent!" Yuffie yelled. "Vincent! What the hell are you doing here?! And whit HER?"

Vincent blinked to his companion, who was now wearing his red cape. He could sense Yuffie's jealousy filling her brown eyes as she scowled at Misao. "Who are YOU anyway? And what are you doing with Vincent?!"

"I was just about to ask you the same thing, hussy!" Misao hissed back, sticking her tongue out at Yuffie.

"Ano ne!" Yuffie screamed, taking a step forward. "You bitch, you're gonna pay for that!"

Two cold voices spoke together. "Yuffie." She froze and looked back and forth between Vincent and, the newly met, Aoshi. Their voices, were.... the same?

Misao also noticed the similarity and froze. What was going on here? How could-

The world suddenly grew dark and hazy. Misao's legs began to give out from under her. Vincent quickly maneuvered to catch her, only seconds before Aoshi could move his arm. Aoshi looked to the stranger, a flame of anger burning in his eyes.