Disclaimer: Don't own Final Fantasy VII, all rights belong to Square. (I believe I'm finally getting the disclaimer down! ^_^)
The Flame of You…
Chapter 4Her butt was starting to get a cramp, even though she was sitting upon a soft cushioned seat. Her arms were growing tired from the fixed position around Vincent's waist. She let go a few times but placed them back when he would shout at her to hang on.
Vincent was so over-protective at times. It made her wonder if he ever got out more than this? Shaking her helmet-adorned head, she gazed upon the passing landscape. It was quite beautiful to see the land pass by at seventy-seven miles-per-hour.
She could have sworn that she had seen a behemoth back there. Yuffie admired the wondrous sunset in the distance. She loved to see the pastel hues of pink and orange mixed in with dark purple. The colors seemed to envelope the sun in their fleeting union. She wondered if her dark companion noticed the beauty of the eve. Probably not, since he seemed to concentrate upon his driving.
Yuffie had to respect his elite maneuvers. It was vigilant true, but it also had a sense of freedom bursting from its impetuous hold. Vincent must have done this before he was…changed.
She cast her eyes to the meshed ground in thought. It was kind of he to help her the way he had. Surely, he had better things to do than waste his time on her pathetic problems. Yuffie figured that he just thought it a kind gesture to lend a hand since she helped him and no one cared to concern his or her self with her.
She felt a slight shudder as the wind bit at her naked arms. The night air was getting to her more than she would like to admit. Yuffie subconsciously snuggled in closer to Vincent's back. She smiled at the faint sense of security he seemed to give her.
Vincent noticed her subliminal action and placed his unbuttoned leather jacket around her in a liquid movement. Yuffie's eyes widened from underneath the dark visor as she gratefully placed the black jacket around her. She was surprised to feel the extreme warmth Vincent gave off from within the coat.
It saddened her that Vincent would most likely become cold since he merely wore a white top that exposed his pallid arms. Yuffie had to admit with the white ensemble accompanied with black pants and the red helmet he looked rather attractive. Well, from a distance anyway.
Vincent had always given off a mysterious aura that seemed to surround his entire being. Truth be told, with this outlook he did appear to create a so-called bad-boy impression. A regular James Dean for the fickle-minded teenage girl to drool over. God knew how many women commented on his looks as a teenager. The thought placed a smile upon her rosy lips.
She wondered where he was taking her. Vincent never was much informative upon the details of their journey. She figured that she would follow his lead blindly. Wait. What was she thinking?! This wasn't her! Yuffie never followed another person's intentions! It was unheard of!
But, why did she anyway? It had to have been either the absence of Reno or just her damned ankle bothering her. If she did not fall on those blasted steps than she would not be in this mess, would she? However, had she not had her little accident Vincent would probably not be here personally escorting her to her beloved. Ironic indeed.
She disclosed her agonizing thoughts as she began to feel a little tired. She could barely hold her eyes open as she felt Vincent's warmth intoxicating her every breath. The night view was not helping either, as it subconsciously pacified her to sleep within its stalwart hold. And with that, Yuffie welcomed this ethereal comfort with open arms.
Vincent felt his companion fall asleep. His enhanced senses could feel Yuffie's comfort around him as she held onto his waist. Vincent intuitively pulled her closer to him as he drove through the hazardous gorges of Cosmo Canyon.
He knew they needed to rest for the night. He could go on but something made him decide to stop for Yuffie anyway. He knew she would appreciate a comfortable bed as to lean against his uncomfortable form all night. Besides, he was certain Yuffie would love to see Red XIII or rather, Nanaki once more.
The dark man turned up on the ridge that led to the small village and parked the ebony bike outside the city steps. He placed the bags over his shoulders and carried the sleeping woman within his arms.
He noticed the odd look the gatekeeper gave him. It would be a strange sight to see a dark figure with a girl held securely within his arms. Vincent's anomalous appearance did not help matters either. He merely passed the man without a word as he carried Yuffie up the steps to his friend's observatory.
Vincent gently rapped upon the tiny metal door as he situated Yuffie within his arms. The ex-Turk glanced at her sleeping face. He inwardly thought she looked peaceful while asleep. No wonder Cid always gave her a tranquilizer when she rode with him on the Highwind.
Vincent's remnant thoughts were disclosed as the rusty metal door opened. His crimson gaze trailed to the floor to see a red wolf-lion beast stare up at him with a single gleaming eye. The red creature's tail lingered in the air, as flames seemed to dance from its winding movements.
"Vincent, it has been some time since I have had the pleasure to speak with you last. What brings you here, my friend?" The beast spoke nonchalantly.
Vincent nodded in recognition. Truly, Red XIII was one of the few individuals he actually trusted. Perhaps one reason was that both were not exactly human. "Yuffie and I have been traveling all day. I was wondering if you would mind if we rested for the night?"
Red stared at the sleeping girl held tightly to the gunman's prone form. It was atypical of Vincent to travel with someone much less, the companion being an individual like Yuffie. Red was inwardly surprised to see the couple together. The very idea of Vincent and Yuffie together did strike itself as odd. Red could only imagine what force caused the duo to team up. Was the world coming to an end once again?
The lion creature nodded as he allowed the couple passage into his private chambers. He led the gunman to his bedroom and signaled for him to place Yuffie upon the soft linen sheets. Vincent obeyed as he quietly shut the door behind him. A fleck of desire to say goodnight disheartened the gunman since he did not wish to wake her.
Vincent followed Red out of the tiny room and sat parallel to him in the kitchen/living room. The beast stared at him with his single amber-colored eye as if analyzing his comrade's innermost thoughts. Vincent did not flinch from his friend's questioning gaze. He knew Red had many questions as to why he appeared with Yuffie in his arms unannounced.
It would indeed be quite a surprise to see anyone at this time of night upon his or her doorstep. Whatever the reason, the beast would not inquire his friend to the point of discomfiture. It was not his place to judge or question others' actions. He respected Vincent too much knowing he would kindly do the same if their roles were switched.
Red finally decided to speak since Vincent apparently was not going to start a conversation. His dark compatriot did not change too much in the past year. It somewhat bothered him that his gloomy friend never seemed to lighten-up. Even Red knew how to act 'human' once in a while.
"So Vincent, what brings you here?"
Vincent gazed into his friend's eye. "I am accompanying Yuffie to find someone."
"I see. So tell me, how did you two meet? Did she call you? Yuffie never called us about her search well, me anyway. She never seems to tell me anything anymore." Red shook his fiery mane.
"She stumbled upon me in the Nibel Mountains yesterday. This morning, when she was about to depart she sprained her ankle and could not travel alone. I knew she was not going to stay until her ankle was well and so, I decided to escort her."
Red was surprised to hear Vincent's rather long explanation. It was rather timed to say the least. Shaking his head, Red hopped off of the cloth sofa and walked to the refrigerator.
"Do you want anything?" He offered.
Vincent shook his head as Red returned with a small apple clasped within his muzzle. "Sorry about that. I tend to eat something a little late at night. Anyway, how are the others doing? I have not heard from anyone since Cid dropped Yuffie and I off to our homes. I have not seen anyone other than you and Yuffie in close to a year. Am I not that important to talk to?" Red laughed gruffly.
Vincent stared at the canyon leader for a brief moment before speaking. "I have not spoken with anyone either. They have not contacted me since Meteor, so I suppose they do not wish to keep up a correspondence with me."
"It would be like them to forget about our little adventure. Although, I am not for certain since I heard that Cloud and Tifa are indeed busy with a child of their own. I figured that would be a reason they have not called lately. However, I do not see why Cid or the others wish not to chat a little. I suppose I'm pitiful at maintaining a conversation without almost every word relating to profanity."
"Red, you're probably the only one that can hold an intelligent conversation."
'My, my, I see that Yuffie has rubbed off on you a little, my dear friend!' "Oh, I see. Well, I suppose you wish to rest since you have traveled all day. I'm sorry to say that I only have my bed and what you see here as suitable sleeping areas. If you wish to take one then by all means do so. I very much doubt Yuffie will move over to share my bed since she seemed a tad bit dead to the world." Red chuckled.
Vincent nodded in gratitude as he watched the red lion-creature walk to his bedroom. "I suppose sleeping on the floor will door wonders for my back! Goodnight Vincent, I shall see you and Yuffie in the morning hopefully?"
"Yes, of course, Red. Goodnight."
Red smiled at his friend and shut the metal door behind him. Vincent thought it best for the young elder to stay with Yuffie. He dreaded the night if he fell into his nightmarish world once more. Vincent did not want either of them to hear his cries of pain. He would sometimes transform halfway into one of his horrid abominations as he awakened from one of his nightly hallucinations.
Perhaps, he would be lucky again and not go through another nightmare. It was quite odd that he did not the previous night. It was somewhat of a release from his reoccurring nightmares. Vincent could only wonder why one night out of the past thirty-one years of nightmare-filled hours of darkness did not have him in such distress. What kind of force could give him such peace, he could only guess.
He unbuckled the metal-tipped boots and laid them upon the tiled floor as he curled up on the cloth sofa. His back faced the chair as he stared into the darkened room. The gunman's Mako-enhanced eyes bore into the wall that separated him and the others. He wondered how Red was fairing upon the cold floor. A smile seemed to faintly grace his pallid lips, as he thought of the other taking comfort in the soft sheets. It was considerate of Red to lend Yuffie his bed.
Vincent turned to lie upon his back. He wished he could pull the white shirt off and expose his bare chest to the cold air. The truth was, he was not very comfortable sleeping with a shirt on at night. He usually slept without one but since he was at another's household and he escorted a young lady he had to be a gentleman for their sake. He knew both of them would gawk at what lay beneath his garbs.
Various scars from his unnecessary surgeries and abhorred transformations caused his flesh to tear in diverse areas. His back looked as if he were a disobedient slave that bore many whelks from his master. The wings of Chaos caused the vile scars that littered his mid-back.
He would usually heal from his wounds within a day or so, but the scars still remained. He supposed it was a reminder as to why he was so hideous to people. It was partially the reason as to why he wore his heavy attire. He did not appreciate people staring at his depraved form. It made him feel more insecure.
He regretted that his cloak, his security blanket, was beyond repair. Why was he so foolish as to not have pulled it off before his transformation? Always before, he had and it saved his shield from being damaged. He would have to substitute it with the leather jacket he had purchased a few months prior. It was a poor conciliation for his beloved cloak, but necessary.
Although, he somewhat felt well without the burdened garb. It seemed to lift an onerous weight off of his slender shoulders. He noticed his wardrobe slightly changed as well. He never wore anything but basic black accompanied with his cloak. It was rather odd he would wear the parallel to the dark shade. He had not placed a white shirt over his body in ages, well in public anyway.
Although, he would never conceive of the idea he was slowly changing his inky mood. He had always considered returning to the falls and never leave the mysterious crystal cave. He had spent many hours there in silent thought of his beloved angel, the angel that had forsaken him. He could not hold it against her since she knew what he was.
Vincent was on the verge of becoming an incurable ascetic until he had the impromptu encounter with the infamous Materia Hunter. Why did she have to save him? Could she have not been like the others and left him to die? He could only decipher that she had taken pity upon his inferior form. He had to repay her naïve kindness with the offer to escort her to a man that did not even appreciate her.
Perhaps, it was wrong of him to help her find a man that wished to delight himself in the frivolities of drinking and sleeping with prostitutes. The very thought of Yuffie loving a vile creature like that made him repudiate in contempt. From what he had heard of the Turk, Vincent held disdain for the young man's belligerent actions. Yuffie was naïve to see love from a man that did not even realize she existed. And for brief a moment, Vincent actually held himself a degree higher than the fiery Turk.
He closed his ruby-eyes as sleep overcame his tired form. It was odd that he did not feel the sense of dread within his state of unconsciousness; perhaps he would have another night's rest without his demons plaguing him.
****
Red sighed as he came out of his tiny bedroom. He made his way to a vacant sofa and eyed Vincent's supposed sleeping form. The beast had to hold back a snicker the way the gunman slept. Who would have thought Vincent would sleep on his side with a small throw over his lean form? Red thought it somewhat appealing.
The canyon leader knew his comrades would be on their way to wherever they were going. He was somewhat curious as to whom they were searching for. Vincent never gave him the name of the lost person. It was certainly not an AVALANCHE member since they had spoken of all of them. Perhaps, it was one of Yuffie's relatives? Although, the thought of a missing relative did strike itself as odd since the Wutainese usually never moved away from the isle.
Red dismissed the thought as he presumed Yuffie would tell him who it was anyway. The ninja was indeed such an informative soul, quite opposite of her counterpart. He derided at the thought of the duo in an argument. God only knew who would win it.
Red noticed his bedroom door opened as he seen a young teenager emerge hobbling out of it. She apparently did not look too appeased considering the constant yawning and muffled curses coming from her docent voice. The young leader clarified that his thieving friend was indeed not a sunny person.
Yuffie glared at Red in apparent drowsiness as she lay idly beside his furry coat. Yuffie smirked evilly at him as she rubbed his head as she would a dog. She was teasing him and he hated it.
Red snapped at Yuffie's caressing hand in annoyance. "I am not some dog to addled with, Yuffie."
"Yeah, yeah, you're the smartest being on the planet and all lowly humans should bow to you. I wonder if that counts if you're royalty or not?" She giggled slightly.
"Whatever Yuffie." Red snorted in mock disdain. "You should keep your voice down, considering Vincent is still resting."
"Oh, he is! Dude!" She smiled at the gunman's sleeping form. "He so adorable when he's asleep! He looks just like a little baby tiger! I wanna cuddle him and take him home!" Yuffie said rather loudly only realizing her mistake when a pair of claret-eyes stared back at her.
"Oops." She uttered as she quickly wobbled to the kitchen, trying to save herself the embarrassment of an interrogation.
Vincent merely eyed her delicate figure as he looked to Red for an answer. The beast shook his head silently urging him not to ask. Vincent glanced over to her oblivious form once more before standing up.
"I suppose when you are ready Yuffie, we shall go."
"Mmm-hmm! Okay! Um…be back in a minute!" She mumbled with a piece of apple in her mouth.
Yuffie entered the tiny bedroom and began to change clothes. She discarded the dusty black tank for a backless red halter-top. She tied the duo of straps of the shirt located at the neck and lower back in a tight knot just in case the top fell. She would hate to show anyone her bare essentials ince she did not wear a bra with the top.
A fleck of redness reached her face at thought of what her guardian or Red would say. Surely, both would turn their heads in embarrassment at her bare glory or simply stifle a chuckle. The truth was she had no package to embarrass anyone with.
She frowned upon that fact, it reminded her Reno's kind comment. The remark played repeatedly in her head everyday. She was hurt that he could say such things to her and not notice how much he ever hurt her. Yuffie had to restrain a sob before it erupted from her clenched mouth.
She closed her eyes and thought of why she was even on this wild goose chase in the first place. Clearly, she should move on and find someone else, but the nagging feeling to be closer to Reno ached her tired heart. She was afraid he would break it again.
Opening her tear-filled eyes, she pulled on a pair of black leather pants that she had purchased in Midgar before it was destroyed. She knew her father did not approve of the chaps saying they looked 'inappropriate' for a girl of her status. She loved to wear the slacks just to spite the old man.
With a chained belt to finish her 'brash' ensemble, Yuffie examined the swollen ankle. She made a disgusted expression to see the purple and black blotches that covered the sprain. She knew her heeled boots were out of the question.
Conceding, she could not wear the pants without the boots to along with it. Her shocking outfit would have to wait she supposed. Perhaps, a gray see-through sweater and dark denim jeans would suffice for the day. It was adequate to wear a warm outfit since Vincent's bike did seem to addle her with the reoccurring gusts of wind hitting her entire body.
She replaced her clothes for the modest outfit well, semi-modest anyway. She would still have to wear the gray bra to match the sweater. A black one would tend to stand out under the dull color. She was not that bold to be so presumable for a guy well not to Vincent anyway.
She felt that she should keep her pride to a minimum. Considering, that a very mature male was kindly escorting her. She should at least be civil enough to him by not flaunting herself like a prostitute. She was beginning to wonder why she was changing her personality with the dark man.
She noticed her brash attitude was decreasing to a certain level of appreciation. Before, she had not shown much respect toward anyone excluding Reno of course. She had changed a lot of things about her in order to appease her fickle lover. She hated not being herself and somewhat regretted doing so in the first place.
Yuffie's thoughts were halted when she heard a light peck upon the metal door. She quickly chucked her belongings together in her bags and hobbled out of the door. Her male compatriots must have gotten to the point of impatience. She smirked at the idea of seeing the masculine duo tapping their impetuous feet on the tiled floor. It was unlikely, but funny to think anyway.
She noticed that Vincent replaced his white shirt for a scarlet one. The garment matched the color of his magnificent eyes. Wait, magnificent eyes? What kind of metaphorical junkie had she turned into? Damn those secret romance novels she read.
Vincent eyed her in recognition as he handed her a plate of what seemed to be breakfast. She looked at the fruity en masse and smiled. How did they know that peaches and oranges was what she usually ate in the mornings? Did they read her mind or something?
Oh well. She had better things to do than analyze the every action they executed. To figure out the true reason why men did anything would send the most rational person onto the point of utter insanity. She decided it wise to just not question it further. Besides, she had to leave soon anyway and why start off the morning off with unanswered questions?
She glanced at her furry compatriot and noticed the questioning look within his amber-colored eye. She figured Vincent must have given the bare minimum as to why they were here; it would be like him to. She figured the beast's confusion would have to be something that she would have to remedy. Smiling, she bent down to Red's level and tapped his muzzle.
"Good morning, oh Genius One!"
Red grinned showing his porcelain teeth, she was going to be a wise-ass this morning, very predictable of Yuffie. "Good morning, Yuffie. Did you sleep well?"
"Um…you want me to be honest?"
"Yes, how did you sleep?"
"Um…not to be rude Red, but your bed is hard as a rock. Strike that, it's harder than a rock! Gawd! How can you sleep on something so stiff? It almost gave me a bad backache!"
"Well, to me, it's very comfortable. Besides, I was not expecting you to be here last night. I'm sorry the bed was not satisfactory to you."
"Um…well yeah. I have to go soon. I hate getting up in the mornings, stupid sun!" Yuffie grumbled as she rubbed her tired eyes.
Red chuckled deeply as he looked at the ex-Turk. "I suppose you two will be leaving then?"
Vincent gave a slight nod and placed their bags over his shoulders once again. "Red, thank-you for letting us stay last night. I will gladly pay you or whatever you like."
"Good God, Vincent do you honestly believe that I would want money for letting you stay. Think of it as my hospitality. Besides which, I wanted to see you guys again since I had not had the chance to visit anyone."
Yuffie rubbed Red's head before carefully standing up. "Thanks, Red. Really, I appreciate you letting us stay even though the bed was stiff. Now, I gotta go and find Reno!"
Red's mouth dropped open slightly. So, that's whom they were searching for? Why were they searching for an asshole like him? Did they intend to bust his ass over something?
"What? What is it Red? Have you seen him?!"
Red stared into the ninja's pleading eyes and gently shook his head. "I'm…sorry, Yuffie. I have not seen him in quite some time. The last time I did he was passing through with some woman that I did not recognize. He wished to stay at the hotel, but being a loud, rowdy man he is the innkeeper kept him out. I suppose he wanted a, what do you call it, a good time? I told him myself; to leave and with cursing violent threats he left."
"Oh. I see. Thank-you Red." Yuffie stared at the floor.
Red caught the look and could have kicked himself for his evident stupidity. Yuffie was looking for him because she liked him. How could he be so blind as to not see that? Actually, how could she be blind to even like him? Did she not realize that man was not someone to linger with?
"I am sorry, Yuffie. I am certain with Vincent's help you will find him."
The ninja gave a silent nod and placed her arms around his soft neck. "Thank-you, Red. I mean for everything. I shall hopefully visit you sometime soon."
The lion-creature grinned lightly as he nuzzled her shoulder in response. "No problem, just don't get caught stealing. I very much doubt Vincent will enjoy bailing you out of jail."
"Hey!" Yuffie flipped his skull. "And I was about to say you were one of the few people that I actually liked! Forget it now!"
Red chuckled under a growl. Nodding, he saw the girl to the door.
Vincent was about to place her into his arms before Red motioned for him no to. "Vincent, I need to ask you something before you leave." Red looked at Yuffie's questioning gaze. "In private."
"Oh, I see, leave the ninja out, right? Is this an all boy's conversation?" She said with a tinge of sarcasm.
Red shook his fiery mane. "Yuffie, it's just that I have to ask him something. It's not that important to know."
"I bet it isn't! Fine, when you're finished I'll be waiting outside…alone!"
"Good-bye, Yuffie" Red smirked as he shut the metal door. Turing, he eyed the tall gunman. His dark friend looked as if he were not even concerned with what Red had to say. He had to admit, Vincent still held the qualities of a Turk. Perhaps, some things never changed.
"I need to ask you something and please be honest with me, alright?"
Vincent silently urged for the leader to continue. "Well, why is she searching for Reno?"
"Because she is. Why do you ask, Nanaki?" Vincent asked coldly.
Red was astounded to hear Vincent use his real name; he never used it before. He must have struck a nerve by questioning him about Yuffie's search for Reno. The question was, why did it bother Vincent so?
"I was merely wondering why she would. I don't like his actions and I am very much surprised that she would even search for him. Did he…do something to her?"
Vincent glared at Red's subliminal question. A trace of ire could be sensed within his soul. The very thought of someone hurting her like that seethed throughout him. He would not mind to turn into one of his abominations just to see the offender die.
"Not that I'm aware of." The gunman spoke monotonously. "He left with a note informing that he was leaving her. She, of course is searching for him and I am accompanying her."
Red cast his gaze to the floor. How unusual for his dark friend to stress the word 'I' in his sentence. He cleared the pondering thought and looked into the gunman's eyes once more. "I lied to her about seeing him."
"What? What do you mean by seeing him?"
"I have seen him lately, a few days ago, actually. I did tell the truth about who was with him but I was not certain to tell her that I had. Vincent, I don't want her to find him. I know what kind of person he is as to leave someone like Yuffie for a lowly prostitute that clings to him."
Vincent made no comment as Red continued. "Vincent, I don't believe you really wish her to find him either, right?"
The gunman could merely nod. It was surprising that Red could read his thoughts so easily. "I truthfully do not wish her to, but I promised her I would help."
"Whose to say you can, but suspend it for a while. Perhaps, in time, she will realize what kind of asshole he truly is. I would hate to see her hurt because of him."
Vincent said nothing to him in response, he couldn't. "Vincent, I want you to promise that if you do find him, and mostly likely you will, to not leave her alone with him for a long time. I have never liked him and I believe that he may hurt her if he's angered."
The ex-Turk nodded in silent agreement. He could not allow her to be alone with the drunken Turk; he esoterically already knew that.
"You have my word." Vincent muttered as he opened the door once more and stepped out. Red followed his friend's exit and waved the couple off. Inwardly smiling, he noticed how they looked when Vincent placed Yuffie back into his slender arms and carried her down the steel ladder. Cute but anomalous none-the-less.
Vincent carefully placed his companion onto the cushioned seat as he locked their bags into place. He noticed the leather jacket she handed out to him as he gingerly put it on. Vincent passed her the black helmet and watched as she placed it over her head. He inwardly leered at her conformation and got on the bike.
Yuffie automatically locked her arms around his waist as he started off. He knew that she was wondering as to where they were going today. He had the slightest idea where to go. He realized that he could not take her somewhere oblivious to Reno's taste. It was best to stay away from beaconed cities with the pretty neon lights of bars and strip clubs.
Junon and the Golden Saucer were certainly out of the question. Vincent focused upon a random city that had a vague population and not much interest to the consuming eye. He pondered for a moment before an idea was brought to mind. Of course, how silly of him to forget the wrecked city of Gongoga!
The ruined city held little to no interest for anyone. The only thing that was recognizable about the decayed town was the knowledge of Zax being there. Cloud had mentioned the first class Soldier coming from the city and that his parents were still alive. It was a shame they had not found out the news of their son's passing until lately. Shame indeed.
The gunman turned his head toward his passenger to see her staring off in a side direction. Yuffie always seemed to look at what was passing by than what lay in front of her. Vincent had to admire her carefree outlook upon the simplest of things. He, himself never took the time to sit down and admire a sunset or respect a shooting star in the night's hemisphere. Well, not in a long time anyway.
Vincent turned his view back to the dirt road and finally noticed the city and its destroyed reactor. Long ago, he had seen the plans for the reactor to be constructed. He had a feeling that something would happen to the massive structure. The constant earthquakes and disruptions within the Planet would cause almost any edifice to collapse within minutes.
It was just as well. What man made, could also be destroyed by Nature's fickle mind. The Planet would be better off without the reactor since it absorbed its precious life source from it. It was the greed of man that had brought the downfall of the ShinRa. Vincent had to frown at the irony of it all.
Once upon a time, he too, was part of the so-called industrialized family. He actually felt a part of something when he had an official occupation with the company. Vincent could actually be considered normal well, on the external part anyway. He had always been a monster from the start. It was a shame he did not notice that until his so-called creator opened his demonic eyes.
Vincent clenched his clawed hand in slight anger. It was his punishment to be an unsightly abomination. The myriad of sins he had constructed built onto his soul to carry more of a demonic appearance. He needed to die for his crimes.
The ex-Turk usually felt the urge to just end it by pulling a simple metal trigger. Sometimes at night, he would stare idly at the gun his beloved gave him. It would be such a waste for him to go on. And yet, through the entire dramatic irony of it all, he could never render himself to do it. Was it the fear of dying or something else causing him to always give the gun a second thought? He could only guess as to why he would never succumb to the idea. Would it not be better for everyone if he did not exist anymore?
He could feel Yuffie hold on tighter to his waist. An instant shudder pricked his tainted heart. This feeling did not know when to stop. It was as if he had never felt this odd sense before. Why was it bothering him so? He thought he could finally hold control over his bodily emotions apparently; he was mistaken.
Vincent noted the small road coming to a close as he sighted numerous houses in the distance. The cobblestone pathways led to the small homes in a somewhat touching manner. Vincent helped Yuffie off of the bike and carried their luggage to the small inn for the eve. He observed the halfhearted looks the townspeople gave them as they entered the city.
Mouthed words such as 'odd' and 'disgusting' could be heard by his sensitive hearing. He noticed Yuffie was apparently not paying attention as she kept her gaze to the dusty ground. Vincent placed his organic hand within hers and looked into her cerulean-eyes. Why was she so disheartened?
"Yuffie, what is the matter? You seem…unhappy." He mouthed in slight concern.
Yuffie glanced at him in surprise. "Why are you asking me if I'm all right?"
"I was merely apprehensive by your expression."
Yuffie shook her head. "Vincent, can you please speak in English I do not understand big words that well."
"It's nothing, Yuffie. I was only wondering what was wrong. I'm sorry that I seemed intrusive to your privacy. It will not happen again."
The ninja clasped her hand with his in a tight hold. The action made Vincent stare deeply into her watery eyes. "If you must know Vincent, this place brings back some memories to me. Before you joined us, Cloud, Tifa, and I were here. The ShinRa were also at the sight searching for a certain Materia. They discarded it thinking it was a sucky Summon, which was the Titan Materia. Anyway, before we obtained it; Rude, Elena, and Reno, were talking in the road."
Yuffie shook her head and made a sarcastic chuckle. "They were discussing who they liked! Elena, of course, said her declaration of love toward Tseng. Rude muttered Tifa's name and Reno said nothing as to whom he liked, that was actually the first time I seen him. Now that I think of it, I realize how much I liked him even then."
Vincent urged for her to continue the account. "Well, they must have seen Cloud's Chocobo hair as they prepared for battle with us. It was kinda odd to see Elena run off for help as Reno and Rude stayed behind to fight us. Reno and I began to fight while Tifa held Rude off of Cloud."
She stopped as she rolled up a sweater sleeve. She pointed to a slim scar the traced around her upper left arm. "Do you see this scar? Reno gave it to me by his nightstick. And, that bastard hurt badly! You wouldn't imagine the power in that little metal stick! He of course, paid for it by my Pinwheel hitting his arm. You can see a similar scar on his opposite arm. That's quite odd that we have almost identical scars on opposite arms. Strange."
Yuffie stopped talking as she began to drift in memories long since past. A faint urge to change subject and make her smile prodded through Vincent's mind. Inwardly, he hated to see her like this. Her sad nature somewhat bothered him more than would have cared to admit. Yuffie was not meant for depression. Seeing her, this way begun to unnerve the gunman.
Vincent squeezed her hand for assumed reassurance. In truth, he only wanted a response from his companion. Vincent wanted to see her happy and delving into memories with the useless Turk did not seem to help matters.
"Yuffie, we could visit the reactor if you would like?"
Yuffie shook her head. "No, I think I'll just rest at the inn since Reno does not seem to be here. My ankle is starting to bother me again."
Vincent nodded and picked her up. Yuffie rolled her eyes at his gesture. Would he ever let her walk on her own for once? She was certainly not a child anymore. Did he not realize a little pain never hurt anyone; it actually made people stronger? Well, metaphorically speaking.
Vincent ignored her glare and carried her to the makeshift inn. He placed her on the cot and examined the bruised ankle. His piercing eyes inspected the ankle as he touched it with his human hand. "Does this hurt?" He asked monotonously.
Yuffie nodded. "A little. I'm not a baby, Vincent. I can walk myself without your help."
Vincent ignored the comment and concentrated upon the sprain. Yuffie looked at his unbroken meditation. It seemed as if he were focusing upon something that did not even concern her swollen ankle. His eyes looked as if he were light years away from her. She wondered what her dark friend could be thinking about. God forbid it was about that woman again.
Sometimes, it would anger her to hear him talk about her alone upon the decks of the Highwind. Vincent would speak out loud as if she were there. Why did he hang onto a woman who wasn't even tangible? It finally came to her.
Yuffie Kisaragi was jealous. She envied the dead scientist because she had something Yuffie could only dream of obtaining. The woman was loved and she never even appreciated it. The sad thing was, that Vincent would never move on from the lady in white. She would forever plague his mind of bittersweet memories of a future that was never meant to be. And for that, Yuffie mentally suppurated.
She noticed he still had his thoughts elsewhere but his hand was carefully massaging the sore ankle. He was so gentle to the touch, but she silently knew the man was capable of killing without difficulty. His touch seemed to soothe her throbbing pain as she gently closed her eyes and allowed him to knead her ankle. Her careless action was not something she would normally do, but she was not to argue about it. She couldn't.
Vincent finally snapped out of his entranced daze as he noticed his companion seemed to be asleep. He faintly smiled as he stopped caressing her ankle. Normally, he would never conceive of healing another's pain, but in this circumstance, he done so without thought. What was wrong with him?
He was both angered and confused at himself. This unexpected visit had inverted everything he knew and understood. Why she had to come across his revolting form; he would never know. However, in a morbid sense he welcomed it.
His thoughts lingered from the sleeping ninja onto where they would be going next. He wanted to keep her away from Reno as long as possible of course, without her realizing he was doing so. She would be angered that even he intervened with what she desired. He only cared for her well being, that was all.
Yuffie mumbled something inaudible in her sleep. Vincent looked upon her peaceful form with a face of indifference; she was the picture pure serenity. How come had he not noticed that before? It angered him that Cloud and the others treated her poorly during their journey. Even when, she was sorry for stealing their Materia, they would not treat her fairly. He himself felt guilty for his actions that day at Wutai. How could he have been so heartless? He remembered the angered glare he gave to her when she stole his Materia. If he could take back the expression he would have.
His silent temper seemed to hurt her when he glared at her. He visibly remembered what he said when Don Corneo held Yuffie and the female Turk hostage. His cold remark echoed throughout the cliffs of Da Chao as Corneo blabbed about whom he was going to choose for his latest concubine.
The thought of the pig-headed man made Vincent seethe with anger. He remembered his cavalier remark about not caring what Corneo did as so much the way he was doing it. The quote made him regret it fully.
He had not intentionally meant it towards Yuffie. He was angered about the stolen Materia and the predicament the ninja was in. He thought she would have certainly gotten out of Corneo's grasp. The main reason as to why he was so angry was the very thought of Corneo raping her.
He had to control his demons as they wished to break free from his blackened mood. Seeing Yuffie, hanging helplessly made him feel as if he somehow failed. If she fell, he would have to add another sin to his list.
His heartless remark was mainly a smokescreen as to how he truly felt. Vincent Valentine was afraid. He was afraid that if she were harmed, he would never be able to live with himself. What the fuck was he thinking?! Too many nights of staying awake had to of addled his brain somehow. The thought of having closeness to the ninja seemed to have vexed him.
The gunman began to drift off into unwanted sleep. He stood from the bed Yuffie was sleeping in and looked about the one-bed-room. It would not be decent if he slept beside of the young ninja.
The apparent platonic relationship they had would be marked as a fallacy. What would people think if they were sleeping in the same bed even though, nothing went on between them? He shirked from the thought of it.
Vincent seated himself in a hard wooden chair. It was a poor substitute from what he was accustomed to, but it would have to do. He glanced at Yuffie's sleeping form once more before drifting off to sleep. It was odd that for a third time he had not been introduced into his wonderful world of unending nightmares. He dropped the thought as to why he has a short release from them.
He inwardly knew the truest reason lay within the back recesses of his morose mind. It was a shame he would never admit to that fact, his broad judgment would not allow him to.
****
Author's Note: I needed to end it somewhere or I would have gone on. Most likely, this may develop into a long story. I am hopeful of it. I cannot write a short story to save my life! LOL! Anyhoo, please let me know what you think so far? ^_^