Disclaimer: Don't own FF7, people should know that by now. (Sighs…)
The Flame of You…
Chapter 5
"No…no…no!" Yuffie mumbled in her sleep. "Stop it! Don't do it! Please, I beg you!"
Vincent heard her muffled cry as she screamed out in terror. The ex-Turk revealed the Death Penalty on impulse. He glanced about the room ready for any intruder. He examined his surroundings, sensing nothing, he checked on his companion.
He noticed the tears fall from her shuteyes. Vincent automatically placed a gloved hand upon her delicate face as he rubbed her salty tears away. He finally realized what he was doing and jerked his hand back as if burned. What was he doing? How dare he touch her in such a manner! This comforting thing was certainly getting out of hand.
"Yuffie…" He gently whispered in her ear.
He noticed no movement from her. Trying again, he whispered a little louder into her ear. She slightly turned on her side and continued to sleep. Vincent decided to let her rest for a few more minutes. His main purpose was to keep her stalled as long as possible, right?
God, That was rather selfish of him! His tinge of abrupt happiness without the thought of searching for her beloved, how egotistical! What was the matter with him? Should he not see her with that lowlife she loved? Wouldn't his debt he owed her be paid in full? What was he thinking?
Was that all Yuffie was, an obligation? He admonished himself at the thought. He had no idea what to think or believe anymore. Everything around him seemed to spin out of control and he, powerless to stop it. The only thing that actually made sense through this entire wonderland was the girl he vaguely knew. The ironic thing was; he followed her blindly as she led him through the rabbit hole.
This entire journey had him confused. This girl confused him. One moment she was her usual annoying self, the next, she would play the part of a damsel in distress. Women would always be an anomaly to the gunman.
Vincent looked at her restless form. What had bothered her in her dreams? An angel such as herself should not have nightmares, ever. The illusions of desolation were created for monsters like himself to bear. The bastard Turk must have tainted this angel with his abominable sins.
Vincent surged with abrupt anger to think of her so-called lover to pain her so. He had a feeling her nightmare had to something to do with the Turk. Call it a sixth sense, his demons lured within his disavowed mind.
Vincent threw all of his consciousness thoughts aside, as gently held the trembling girl within his slender arms. His crimson-eyes stared about her shaking form as he tried to comfort her in some way. He whispered reassuring thoughts into her ear, as he felt her shaking stop. Vincent noticed her troubled expression change to one of serenity.
He felt a glint of contentment to see her in peace once more. Vincent gently placed the ninja back into the rumpled sheets and took his seat in the wooden chair. The ex-Turk stayed awake the rest of the eve, subconsciously watching his companion sleep.
****
The dawn awakened its sleeping children with primitive dark clouds. A sense of rain could be felt within the humid wind. Echoing roars of thunder could be heard within the far distance. It was the presage of an upcoming storm.
The gunman stared at the massive clouds in indifference. He loved to see the magnificent rolls of thunder and streaks of lightning fill the sky with unearthly wonder. Sometimes at night, he would sit upon the mansion rooftop and stare at the endless foray of lightning dance across the blackened sky. It was a shame he shared the sight alone.
Vincent internally longed to watch the stormy cabaret with a companion. However, no one in Nibelheim would seem adequate to sit upon a metal rooftop with a freak of nature staring at a wild thunderstorm. The act in itself would seem a tad odd.
Vincent heard another crack of the gods' wrath as he turned to stare at the sleeping woman behind him. She looked so peaceful in her temporary slumber, even in a wake of a terrible storm. How unusual to see someone to sleep through such a cacophony.
He regretted to awake the sleeping beauty, but had to. They had to be on their way before the storm reached them and caused a fantastic way to start of the morning. He inwardly dreaded to go to their next position; which was the deliberated town of Corel.
Vincent wondered what his dear friend of the mining town would say, as he and Yuffie dropped by for a quick visit. Most likely, the robust gunman would say vile comments about him under his breath, while he gave a warm welcome to the so-called 'brat'.
The pessimistic man figured that they had not forgotten what happened a year ago, how could they? He disclosed the morose thoughts and quietly turned to his sleeping partner.
Gently, he placed a gloved hand to her shoulder and shook her. Yuffie mumbled and tried to return to sleep. Vincent was however, being the ardent man he was, stayed persistent. His timed patience paid off, as he seen a pair of gray-eyes replicate his fiery stare.
Yuffie tiredly nodded in recognition as she got out of the tiny cot. She acquiesced for him to leave, while she changed into something more suitable for the day's expedition. She watched his ebony hair sway in the air as he left her to change. She somewhat envied her friend's long locks to her own.
She brusquely stared at her reflection in the tiny mirror. How could Vincent stand the way she looked? Her hair was a bobbed mess and tiny dark rings were traceable under her tired eyes. She must have looked like the bride of Frankenstein to him.
In truth, she did not feel like dressing up. Who was she to look sexy for anyway, certainly not her fellow companion. One look at her in a red cocktail dress, and he might run from her in complete terror. That would be an action Reno would do.
She substituted a white tank for the dirty sweater, as she replaced the dark jeans to a pair of khaki pants. She then tied the pant straps that held the sides together, as she carefully placed her petite feet in a pair of leather-boots. The outfit looked a little rustic, but it was comfortable none-the-less.
She pulled what little hair she had back in a small rubber band. Her make-up was a bit runny from the constant tossing she had done all night. Surely, Vincent would say something if she left it alone.
However, the dark man was not one to talk. He seemed to never care about his appearance. He rarely changed his drab wardrobe of intermediate colors to a look of something new. It surprised her to see him in navy button-up shirt accompanied with a pair of black dress pants. The pants would always stay the drab color. There was no arguing with that.
She wondered out of brim curiosity, as to what he would look like in khaki pants or better yet, beach shorts! A slim smile came to her face at the thought. Perhaps, if their journey led them to Costa Del Sol, maybe she would get to see the icy man in a pair of black surf shorts. She could dream, couldn't she?
Wait. Why was she thinking of Vincent like that? No, She had to find Reno! What would he say if he found her thinking of another man like that? At one time, she had promised the fiery Turk, that he would be the only one she would ever love. She could never break her promise to him. It was a vow she honestly intended to keep.
She needed to stay focused upon her mission to find her lover. She had to question why Vincent was not so pushy with this little escapade with her. Did he not find her presence annoying? Good God, he was always Mr. Serious with everyone. He seemed to be less, stoic as he used to be. It had to be the demons reigning heavily upon his astute judgment.
Yuffie felt a pang of sympathy for the gunman that claimed himself a monster. Did he not see that she had never thought that of him? Well, the first time she swore he was a vampire trying to take her blood, but that was in the past, right?
She knew Vincent would never forgive himself if something terrible happened to someone. He would take the false burden of guilt upon his weakened shoulders and carry it even after his death. Yuffie inwardly knew the man had at least contemplated suicide once after his awakening. She felt concern for him.
Concern. Yes, that's what it was, concern for her despondent friend.
Yuffie shut the morbid thoughts out of her mind as she readjusted her eyeliner with a small pencil. She had to at least look presentable to her friend and others before they ran from her in utter horror.
She quietly closed the door and met Vincent's semi-appealed gaze. She handed him the tiny bag as he placed her in his arms. She knew he would carry her until she was fully able to walk on her own. She fairly felt a sense of security within his hold. Reno was certainly as hell never kind enough to carry her anywhere. Vincent was the perfect example of a gentleman, and she candidly respected that.
Yuffie inclined her head onto his chest to hear his massive heart beat. She looked into his downcast eyes. He seemed to be deep within thought, once again. His thoughts must have troubled him, since he did not seem to notice her staring. She wondered what could possibly be so wrong.
"Vincent? What's wrong?" Yuffie questioned, concern reigning heavily within her docent voice.
Vincent stared at her with his jeweled orbs and subconsciously pulled her tighter to his form. Long tendrils of ebony tickled her face as he walked to the bike. He said nothing, as he placed her on the leather seat and handed her the dark helmet.
He glanced at her once more before getting on himself. It somewhat angered her that he would ignore her like that. Why was he giving her the cold shoulder like this? Did she upset set him by showing her concern? Jesus, God, could she not do anything right?
Vincent felt her confusion lurch within his damned soul, he had ignored her. It was a reasonable argument that he had left her hanging to question his silence. How would she take to the truth if he told her what was actually roaming through his mind?
Good God, she would never forgive him if she knew. The others seemed to have marked him with their silent malice. His transgressions in the aftermath of Sephiroth's demise still rang heavily through most of the teams' refulgent memories.
Vincent dreaded to meet them again because of the past matter. He knew that along this solitary journey, he would meet the ghostly faces of his so-called friends. He simply prayed they would be lenient upon his tattered soul, and not turn one of the few people that still considered him human away from him. He needed her.
Wait. What was he thinking? These unannounced thoughts were beginning to get way out of hand. Needing Yuffie? Would that not be that same as needing a skin-eating plague? To everyone, they would think that about the cynical ninja, except him.
Many did not see the way she cared for people. He wished the world would see how she had befriended a monster, and did not shy away from that fact. He knew she pitied his wretched form, but why? Aeris and Tifa only talked with him when necessary. The men only discussed serious matters with him, perhaps because he had always said cryptic responses. Even Cloud, would withdraw himself from his darkening presence, as if he were a leper.
Vincent gently pulled Yuffie closer to him. He could feel the slight protest from her by his unexpected action. She was mad at him for being so distant. He could not blame her for being so devoid to his icy touch. He wondered if he had always had that effect upon people.
He gently spoke through his helmet as turned to meet her shielded stare. "I'm sorry for not answering you before, Yuffie. I was thinking and did not realize you asked me a question. We are going to Corel and then…the Golden Saucer." He hesitated to mention the annoying amusement park.
Surely, Reno would not be there to cause a problem. His silent prayers were answered as Yuffie snuggled closer to his back. "I don't believe Reno will be there, you know? He told me he always hated that place. But, you never know, right?"
A slight frown traced his pallid lips under the helmet. That was correct, he did not know. However, in an odd sense it seemed Yuffie wanted to go to the noisy place if her gallant Turk was there or not. He remembered the lights and endless venture of people in costumes beckoning him to play God knew what.
Vincent hated people harassing him for entertainment. The truth was, he was not the social type. But, if it appeased his companion, he would go and 'try' to enjoy himself. However, he would first have to see the former AVALANCHE leader in an obligated visit.
How he longed to just stay away from people that seemed to hate him. If only, he could take Yuffie with him to a secluded place and just enjoy each other's company. It bothered him that Yuffie seemed to cling on to that damned Turk. The gunman had inwardly hoped she would forget him and move on.
Yuffie needed someone that could treat her the way she deserved. Good God, it was rare to find someone like that. He had intuitively made a list of people that Yuffie would be compatible to. No one seemed to fit the occupation.
He knew it was rather wrong of him to think of whom his comrade would live a happy life with. Vincent threaded through various AVALANCHE members and guys that were close to Yuffie's age. No one. Maybe he… Shiva, it was a sin to think of such things!
Where the fuck did that come from?! It addled the gunman more than he would like to admit. The raw sense of subconscious feelings ate away at his good judgment. The very thoughts were blasphemous. But why did they come to remind him so? The agony of betrayal nagged at his beastly heart, as an ethereal feeling comforted it equally. The confusion was too frustrating.
Vincent hated his confused status. Where had his undying love for his angel gone? He had promised her that he would always love her and there would be no other, he promised her. His vow of unending loyalty could not go unbroken. It was not in the stars for the promise to fade from his mind if he broke it by his own will.
He jolted out of his maddening thoughts as he noticed Corel in the distance. From the looks of it, Barret had indeed remodeled the town to one of livable standards. The lights of homes seemed to be a beacon in the dusky eve.
Vincent eyed the darkening storm behind him, as he noticed Yuffie's head resting upon his mid-back. This idealess crusade was indefinitely tiring her out. He also needed to check her ankle since he had not done so last night.
He wondered if her sprain was starting to heal from the absence of pressure she had applied on it. Vincent knew it would heal within a couple of weeks. He secretly hoped she would not wave him off to find Reno on her own. She couldn't travel the world alone; it was too risky.
Vincent ceased his protective thoughts as he pulled into the sleepy town. He placed Yuffie into his arms, as he walked through the newly paved streets of Corel. Indeed, Barret had taken the town for a 180° turn.
The illuminated streetlights were not powered by the means of Mako, but raw electricity. Blue cobblestone walkways led to newly built houses that seemed to have a style as to the village houses of Kalm. Vincent had to admire Barret's sense of leadership and ideas.
Surely, the rough-talking gunman had settled into his role as mayor of the mining town. It was indeed, a place suitable to live. It seemed Barret's wish to reconstruct the town had come true. Vincent noticed Yuffie's silent smile as he walked to the apparent living quarters of her old friend.
The ex-Turk carefully placed Yuffie on the ground as he gently rapped on the glass storm door. Both waited for an answer as fireworks could be heard in the distance. They knew it came from the Vegas-like resort, such a joy.
The door opened and caught their attention once again. Yuffie smiled at the proprietor of the home.
"Hello Marlene! How are you doing?" Yuffie automatically bent down to the girl's height.
Marlene abruptly embraced the ninja in a tight hug as she giggled into Yuffie's ear. "I'm so happy you came Auntie Yuffie! And you brought Uncle Vincent too?" She questioned as she seen the gunman towering over them.
"Yes, Vincent and I have come to visit you and your daddy. Tell me, where is the Old Man anyway?"
Marlene looked thoughtful for a moment, and then frowned. "Daddy went to some kind of meeting. He told me he would be back in a couple of hours. But, you know what?"
"What, Girlie?"
"Elmyra's here, she's watching me until Daddy comes home! Come in and sit down! I sure Elmyra would love to see you and Uncle Vincent! Come on Uncle Vincent!" Marlene giggled as she clung to his waist.
Vincent gave Yuffie an unsure look as she silently urged him to place Marlene on his shoulders. He obeyed her silent suggestion as he placed the six-year-old upon his slender shoulders. To any stranger, the trio would look as if they were a family coming home from a day at the park.
The gunman placed Marlene on the ground as she happily skipped into the living room. The little girl urged for the visitors to sit down as she ran into what appeared to be the kitchen. Both had to wonder what their little hostess had planned for them as entertainment, they would not be disappointed.
Yuffie eyed the living room. Barret could not have been the decorator! The royal-blue wall paint complemented the dark wooden floors. Various trinkets adorned shelves and tables, as the television and entertainment system seemed to be the main focal point of the room. The ninja had to envy Barret's sense of good machinery. The gunman did have a sense of excellent taste when coming to the wonderful world of electronics.
She noticed Vincent's preoccupied glance at the books on the shelf. It figured. Her dark comrade would have to ogle the books instead of a beautiful television set. She highly doubted that Vincent even owned a television. Yuffie always believed he read books and whatnot to occupy his time, than to meddle with a noisy television.
The truth was, she did not have one either. Wutai was not a town that basked in the good sense of modern day entertainment. She would have to take advantage of her friend's up-to-date style of living. That was another reason she hated from where she came from.
Her concentration was broken when she felt an abrupt pounce upon her lap. She grunted at the weighted impact to see little Marlene looking as if she done nothing wrong. Yuffie retracted a smirk to the little girl. Marlene was so much like her at her age.
"Auntie Yuffie, Elmyra said she would see you two in a few minutes. I got her to do something for you guys!" Marlene smirked evilly.
"Marlene, what are you plotting?"
"Nothing Auntie Yuffie! Honestly!"
Yuffie shook her head in disbelief. "I know that look and tone and it means you are doing something!"
Marlene gave Yuffie a dumfounded look as she tightened the yellow bow in her hair. "What do you mean by that, Auntie Yuffie?"
Yuffie shook her short hair as she stared into the girl's russet-eyes. "Because I used to have the exact same look and tone when I was about to do something! I have a bad feeling that I'm rubbing off on you!" Yuffie teased.
Marlene smiled as she hugged Yuffie's neck. "Auntie Yuffie, you're my hero! I love you so much!" Looking away, she noticed Vincent's intrigued stare at the couple. Marlene smirked as she said, "You two, Uncle Vincent!"
Vincent merely nodded as he looked away with what could be possibly justified as embarrassment? That was strange! Marlene noticed the subliminal emotion her 'uncle' was demonstrating as he eyed her 'auntie'.
"Auntie Yuffie, I need to ask you something in private! It's about girly things, you know?" Marlene pulled at Yuffie's arm, as she beckoned her to follow her upstairs.
Yuffie hesitantly stood up. She looked at Vincent in uncertainty, as she silently nodded that she would be back. She could only hope that whatever Marlene was going to ask, it would not pertain to her guardian.
Yuffie walked carefully up the wooden stairs, minding her ankle, as she was escorted to Marlene's room. Yuffie could only smile at what she had expected to see in a typical girl's room. The overturned table with miniaturized porcelain teacups and a teapot, which was missing its lid. A few rag-dolls were strewn on the tiny full-size bed that had pink sheets to compliment the lavender walls.
Yuffie noticed a set of picture frames that contained a few familiar faces. She picked up one of Cloud, Tifa, and Marlene in the middle. The picture must have been taken around a year ago since, Tifa didn't have a golden band accompanying her hand in the picture. Cloud was always shy about asking people serious questions especially, when it came to ahem…secret intentions.
Yuffie smiled at the picture and picked up another one. Her heart felt a bittersweet sadness to see a beautiful girl holding a pretty bouquet of lavender irises. The young woman wore a pastel pink dress accompanied with a red jacket. Her emerald-eyes seemed to stare at the beholder of the picture. Even in the photograph, the ghostly stare of the dead Ancient seemed to touch Yuffie's heart. In truth, she missed the Flower Girl.
Yuffie placed the picture down as she noticed Marlene's saddened expression. It was apparent that she too, had missed the Flower Girl. Even though, Marlene barely knew her, she still felt a maternal link with Aeris.
Yuffie nodded in silence as she lightly hugged Marlene out of comfort. She knew death was a very hard thing to handle, especially when being so young. It reminded her of losing her mother at such a young age. In fact, she was merely a year younger when she lost one of the most-dearest people in the world to childbirth.
Yuffie bent down to wipe a single tear from Marlene's eye as she pulled back a few unruly strands in the chocolate-colored hair. "I miss her too, Marlene. But, she would want us to strong and happy, you know?"
Marlene simply nodded. "That's what Elmyra says, but then she begins to cry. I know the Flower Girl would want me to be happy it's just that I miss her, you know?"
Yuffie simply nodded. "I know. I do too. She was very kind and always looked upon the future. I believe she somewhat knew she was going to face Sephiroth, but it was on her own terms."
"And look what he done, Auntie Yuffie! I have that man! He killed a lot of people, stabbed Cloud and Tifa with that stupid sword, and murdered Aeris! I hate him!" Marlene stomped the floor in anger.
Yuffie shook her head. It was not time to argue about the entire truth of Sephiroth and the Jenova Project. A child's mind could not fully grasp the truth that it was not aware of. Nodding Yuffie let the conversation go. Besides, she did not want to see Marlene upset. Her visit with the little girl was to be a happy one.
"Marlene, what was it that you wanted to tell me?"
The tiny brunette looked into Yuffie's cerulean-eyes as a smile wavered upon her rosy lips. "Oh yeah! I almost forgot! I'll tell you, but you must have tea with me first!"
The teenager shook her head in unaccredited amazement; the mind games children could play on people!
Yuffie helped lift the table back on its right side and placed the delicate porcelain tea set upon the table. She found the teapot lid under a nearby rag doll and gently placed it back on its correct location. Yuffie smiled at the little girl that set parallel from her.
The tiny girl in the blue dress smiled as she handed Yuffie a 'real' crumpet to her. "Care for a crumpet, Auntie Yuffie?"
Yuffie smirked at the girl's gesture. "Why, I would love to have one, Miss Marlene!"
Marlene beamed at Yuffie's comment. It greatly appeased the child; it had been a long time since someone played 'tea' with her. Marlene finally brought up what she was going to ask her. A mischievous smile came to her cherry lips as she drank her 'wild berry' tea.
"Auntie Yuffie…"
"Yes, Marlene?" The ninja inquired, inwardly knowing the question was about to be asked. She truly hoped it was merely a random question, nothing too personal.
"Um, why did you two come together? What I mean to say is, that are you and Uncle Vincent um…ahem…you know…" She giggled before finishing. "…Going out?"
Yuffie's face fell to a perfect tone of white. She knew Marlene had to bring something up about her and Vincent. Good God, was it that obvious to people? Wait? Was what obvious?! Oh shit.
"Auntie Yuffie, are you all right? You seemed to have went silent there!" Marlene's evil smirk still lay upon her oval face.
Yuffie glanced at the girl with a blank expression as if dumbfounded by the simple, yet embarrassing question. How could Marlene have asked that? Of course, to a child, the simplest of things could be easy to misinterpret. Of course, that's what it was, a simple misunderstanding.
"Of course not, Marlene. Your Uncle Vincent and I are searching for Reno. He's the one I'm in love with. Your Uncle is only being kind enough to help."
"But why didn't you get Uncle Cloud or Tifa to help? Why did you choose Uncle Vincent?"
So many random questions, Yuffie wished Marlene would stop her innocent interrogation. It was beginning to weigh heavily upon the ninja's psyche. "I um…well Cloud and Tifa are always busy and Vincent well…we sort of met unexpectedly. I hurt my ankle he offered to help, and would not take no for an answer. Sometimes, that man can be sooo stubborn." Yuffie shook her head. The answer should be sufficient enough. She tended to leave out the parts of seeing him transformed and the fact of staying with him.
Marlene shook her head in disbelief. "Whatever you say, Auntie Yuffie! But, I think you believe he's a hottie!"
"Marlene, you shouldn't be saying things like that!"
Marlene smiled. "Okay Auntie Yuffie, I'll stop. Besides, I'm sure Uncle Vincent is waiting on us to come down." The little girl clasped unto Yuffie's hand and escorted her down the wooden steps. 'I'm sure you feel nothing for Uncle Vincent! Why did you quickly deny it and blush, huh?'
Yuffie carefully made her way down the wooden steps, when she noticed Vincent had company. The strange glare Elmyra gave her seemed to irk Yuffie. Parallel to Elmyra, was the old grouchy bear himself. She noticed the odd death glare Barret seemed to have given Vincent before they came down the steps. She felt Marlene loosen her death grip on her hand as she ran to her father.
"Daddy!" Marlene ran and jumped into the former miner's lap. Barret made an, 'oof' sound as he gave his daughter a bear hug.
"Love you too, Marlene! How's my little girl been?"
"Great Daddy! Uncle Vincent and Auntie Yuffie have come to visit us!" The little girl wrinkled her nose in pacification.
Barret glanced at the ex-Turk, then to the girl on the stairs. A smile spread across his lips as he stood from the recliner. "Brat! You've got a lot of guts comin' back here!"
Yuffie gave the gunman a puzzled look until he gave her one of his killer bear hugs, with Marlene clinging to her leg. The sight of the expression to any eye would deem itself as odd.
Barret finally let her go to see her gasping for breath. Smiling, he quietly escorted her back to the sofas and sat down in his favored leather recliner. He eyed the couple parallel to him; both seemed tense, well Vincent anyway. To Barret, the former Turk should feel uneasy. It was hard to forget some things.
Yuffie noticed the tense glare between the older men. What went on between them when she and Marlene were upstairs? Barret had always respected Vincent and vice versa. Perhaps, it was nothing. She tended to take things too literal at times.
"So, ahem…Grouchy Guy, what have you been doing since our little rendezvous last year?"
Barret's cold expression returned to his normal proud, gruff look as he turned his attention to the ninja. "Workin'. I can see that you've probably been sittin' on your ass while, everyone moved on, right?"
"I wouldn't say sitting on my cute ass, Barret…more along the lines of enjoying life. Really, you should do that sometime. You know, shoot the breeze, take Marlene out and like jump in the fountain all day!"
The dark man shook his head. "I see that you have not changed. So tell me, why are you searchin' for who ever again? Whose the worm that stole your Materia?"
Yuffie shook her head. "No, I'm not seeking revenge, Barret. I'm looking for Reno, he left and I will find him." She beamed with a forceful smile. Why had Vincent not told him the full story? She would have to question her silent friend later.
Barret made a grunting noise of discontentment. Yuffie knew he was going to lecture her about her fling with the Turk again. Good God, had she not heard enough from them last year? It would never be the end of the 'I told you so' or 'See I knew this would happen' comments.
"I told…" Yuffie broke off Barret's sentence.
"I will not hear it again! I am tired of every one of you telling me that it's wrong to love him! He does love me! Reno's only confused about our relationship, you know?" She growled, holding her crumbling ground. A tear threatened to escape a stormy-eye.
Barret shook his head. "Yuffie, it's just that I don't want you hurt by him."
"I won't be!" Yuffie stood up in anger. Vincent placed his human hand on her tense arm in attempts of calming her down.
Barret noticed the gesture the altered man gave the ninja. What was he doing? Barret stood up as well. "I see that you take her case too huh, Valentine."
Vincent turned his crimson gaze from Yuffie to Barret. The piercing stare seemed to unnerve the new mayor. "I will stay by her side until she finds him." He said in docent tones of serenity.
Barret clenched his good arm in annoyance. "It's like you not to care, Turk! Once a damned Turk, also a damned Turk! You wouldn't give a flying fuck if she died, would you? Just like you supposedly cared for the waterfall chick!"
Vincent stood up, apparent anger replaced his composed tranquility. Vincent's crimson stare turned to a bloodied gaze of fiery anger. Black locks of ebony fell over his magnificent jeweled eyes, as if a dark beacon in the night beckoned its naïve traveler to their demise.
Barret stiffened at the threatening glare; he knew he had pissed the silent gunman off. It was very stupid of him to be so bold especially, when he mentioned his ill protection of the dead scientist.
Vincent finally spoke in silent, yet demonic tones. "You may believe my failure to save Lucrecia, but you never disrespect my guardianship of Yuffie! I will not have it!"
Barret stepped back in repudiated anger. He could swear he seen a flicker of delight play across the gunman's face when he mentioned Yuffie's name. What the hell? He must have imagined it.
Yuffie hobbled in between the feuding men. She placed a hand to each of them in silence. "Barret, Vincent, stop it! I will not have you arguing over what I'm going to do!"
"But, Yuffie…" Barret pleaded.
"No! I'm so tired of people telling what the fuck to do, or how I should live my fucking life! How dare you tell me what to do! Since when did any of you ever take an interest in my life?! I never noticed you or Cloud, or Cid ever caring to talk to me! The only thing you guys ever did was made me feel bad about myself the entire time I was with you!" She huffed in anger. "I tried so hard to make up for what I did in Wutai, but you would never forgive me. I'm so tired of all of it! I never told you that I needed anyone on this journey, because I didn't want anyone to bitch at me the entire way! At least, Vincent is kind enough not to lecture me on it!" She eyed the gunman in gratitude.
"Vincent has helped me on this journey, since I twisted my ankle. Without his help, I would have not made it this far on my own. He has never said one ill remark to me, or questioned my judgment. It seems Barret that Vincent is the direct opposite of what you said. I believe you should apologize to him…please."
Barret's glare turned to a look of shame. He had false accused the ex-Turk. As much as he hated to, he had to act contrite. Even though, he could never forget all of the ex-Turk's past transgressions, he was certainly wrong about Vincent's apparent protection of the ninja. It was strange that Vincent would even dare protect someone after what he pulled. The mayor had to shake his head in disgruntlement about the arranged partnership.
One thing, if the dubbed vampire lay one hand upon her; he would certainly have the pleasure of busting a cap in the stoic man's ass. However, it seemed that the former assassin would do the direct opposite. "You better not lay one hand on her, Valentine."
"You have my word, Barret. I would gladly take my life without thought if I harmed Yuffie." Vincent glanced at the dark man, as he subconsciously wound a gloved hand in Yuffie's.
Barret noticed the veiled link between the couple, what the fuck? This was getting to odd for the loutish man's liking. He wondered if they noticed anything. Jesus, God, the very thought of it was frightening, well, to him anyway.
Barret simply nodded as he noticed Marlene's confused stare between her father, 'uncle', and 'aunt'. "Daddy, why did you and Auntie Yuffie say a bad word? Did I do something bad?"
"No, Marlene, Honey. It was just a simple misunderstanding, that's all."
"Are you sure, Daddy?"
Yuffie intervened this time. "Marlene, it was just like your daddy said. I always tend to get a little touchy over the simplest of things! Isn't that right, Barret?"
The foster father gave a slight nod of agreement. It was wrong of the trio to argue in front of the little girl or Elmyra, who watched the entire scenario. A wave of embarrassment spread through them like a think fog.
Barret smiled as an idea came to his arrogant mind. "I have an idea! Why won't I help you on your journey!"
Yuffie and Vincent gave a silent protest as their tetchy friend continued. "I know, you don't want a big grouch rainin' on your parade, but the last time I was at the Gold Saucer, I seen that Turk with some chick, may been his sister or something. The other navy idiots were followin' that…ahem…guy around. So, he still may be there."
Yuffie smiled in blind hope of her friend's comforting words. "When were you there? Did he talk to you? God, Barret! Tell me!" The ninja was practically jumping off of the wooden floor
"Calm down, Brat! I seen him maybe a month or so ago. It may be doubtful that he's still there, but you never know."
"Oh God! Vincent, we need to go right now!"
Vincent watched the girl's abrupt pleas; it almost pained his heart to believe they would meet the one person he did not wish to see at the moment. He could not stall any longer if his companion wished to go; she would notice his purposed hesitation. Conceding, he simply nodded in agreement.
Yuffie smiled in happiness as she hugged her friends' goodbye. She gratefully took the small bundle of blueberry muffins Marlene had made Elmyra bake. The women hugged each other, even though they were not that close.
She bent down and embraced her favorite 'niece' and kissed her soft cheek. "Auntie Yuffie, I love you and Uncle Vincent! Promise me, you two will come back again!"
Yuffie nodded. "It's a promise! Ninja's honor!"
"How good is a Ninja's honor, eh?" The dark man teased as he ruffled her short hair.
"Better than you swearing, Barret!"
"I see. Take care of yourself, Girl. Oh and Vincent, come here for a moment please?"
Yuffie shook her head as she talked with Marlene. The ninja would never understand these little 'joint talks' men would have. What was it with them hovelling off with each other to discuss God knew what. The truth was Yuffie did NOT wish to know, it would scar her for life.
Barret looked at his daughter and his 'other' daughter. He had secretly taken up Yuffie's paternal figure, since Godo was out of action. He wished not to see harm come to the ninja, even though, she could be quite immature at times; it was merely her loving nature.
The dark man glanced at the ex-Turk stoically. "I know you'll keep your word, Valentine. I betta not see harm come to that girl, or so help me. I hope you don't find that asshole! You know as well as I that prick is no good for her. Watch her, Vincent."
Vincent simply nodded as he murmured the words of a promise. That made three of them in agreement to keep her away from the fiery Turk, quite odd to say the least.
The small family waved the couple off. Barret silently watched the gunman and ninja ride off into the distant sunset. He had wished they had taken his offer to stay the night, but Yuffie's urge to leave now threw that idea out. It was a shame she had her entire life caught up in a man that did not deserve her, even Vincent seen that.
He could only shake his head in dismay, as he remembered the incidents of last year. She must have not been told what had occurred. Perhaps, it would be best if she never knew. Apparently, it was to be kept under wraps. The dark man only prayed it was under control.
****
Yuffie watched Vincent pay for his bike to be taken care of while, attending the so-called amusement park. To Vincent, it would be a dreaded hell of social activity. But, if it made Yuffie happy…he would go with her no matter what.
Vincent placed the bags over his shoulders once more, the simple routine had finally settled in as natural. He gracefully carried Yuffie in his arms as he boarded the railcar to the Gold Saucer. He did not notice the odd glares the ticket-men gave them.
Yuffie placed her arms around his neck as she noticed the approaching lights of the Saucer's entrance. Child-like awe was plastered across her face. Vincent had to hold back a half-smile from her apparent happiness.
Yuffie giggled slightly as the car stopped and they stepped out of it. A man in a yellow Chocobo suit ran up to the odd couple and waved his crappy feather wings at them.
"Welcome to the Gold Saucer!" The man smiled.
Vincent could only hold back a sigh as to what the night may unfortunately bring.
****
Author's note: Good God! What is to become of them at that dreadful place?! Sorry it has taken a while ACT's can be evil! I shall hopefully have chapter six up A.S.A.P.!!! ^_^