When the unexpected happens…
Cloud and Barret sighed, Rocket Town was finally showing up. The mountain trip had been one hell of a ride, and as Cloud had warned them, it took a lot out of them. Aerith was exhausted, Vincent looked rather pale somehow, Tifa, Red and Yuffie were knocked out and they had no more Phoenix down to wake them up. The giant Mog that Cait Sith used was now occupied by the knocked out members. They entered the quiet town, going straight for the Inn. They all shut themselves in their respective rooms, all but Vincent, who sneaked quietly outside once more.
********
Cid Highwind was polishing his spear out on the porch, taking long drags out of his cigarette. The sky was cloudless tonight, and he was gazing absently at the huge metal tower that had been his dream. Yep, the night was calm and serein, nothing was out of the ordinary for the man the townspeople liked to call 'Captain'… Only a far squeal bugged him. That was souding like a Nibel wolf. And then he heard another similar cry, and another… Someone was really in trouble, and he knew very well that the wolves hunting at night were fierce and numerous. So he jumped in his boots and readied his spear, running toward the northern plains.
There was really a man there, that seemed to have the situation under control. However, as it was happening often in the area, another pack of wolves got out of the woods. The dark haired man was going to be outnumbered if he did nothing, so he jumped into action. He quickly noticed the blood everywhere, and the fact this stranger was not armed, except for his metal claw. Soon all the beasts were exterminated, and he had to face the most strange person he'd ever met in his life.
- Hey! Care to tell me what the hell passed through your mind t'go out in the middle of the night? You could have ended up six feet under, you f&%&ing numbhead!
The man turned sharply, glaring at him with his deep red eyes.
- Whatever the reasons are, I don't think you'll ever have the right to ask me of what it returns. Please understand that I had no choice in doing what I must to survive.
- No need to be angry, geez! I don't care about all that shit… It was, er.. rhetoric? Now, come on, let's head back to town. By the way, the name's Cid. Cid Highwind.
Vincent cocked his head to the side. He is not afraid of me? And he gazed into the man's eyes, which they were amazingly blue, not as much bright as Cloud, more violet, in a way. A sharp prick in his chest also confused him. He followed Cid, albeit from a distance, but followed him anyway. He lead him to the inn, surprisingly, and Cid sat down on a bench of the bar.
- You didn't told me ya're name yet… I don't wanna buy a drink to a total stranger, even less if I don't know his name.
- Vincent. I'm Vincent Valentine.
********
The next day, Avalanche started looking for a new way of transportation. Which they found in the form of a small plane, the Tiny Bronco. The woman inside the house told Cloud to go look for the Captain, who was repairing the rocket. They did find him, in the cockpit. The pilot refused to lend them the Tiny Bronco, but when he recognized Vincent, he invited them for the tea.
- Shera!, he yelled upon entering the house, Shera! Godamned woman, never there when y'need her. Shera!!!
The brown haired woman entered by the back door, pushing up her glasses.
- Yes, Captain?
- We have guests! Make tea!
- Right away, Captain!
Cid then took his toolbox and went outside. Red XIII walked up to Shera, and while everyone was wondering why the pilot seemed so upset, he asked her what was the matter.
- Oh, it's my fault, really, she said, I am the reason why he could not realise his dreams of going into space… He's hurt, and I guess every time he sees me he sees the chance he missed of going up there. It's my fault, so I don't complain. But I am devoted to him, so maybe he will forgive me.
- Shera! Stop babbling and serve the tea!
- It doesn't matters, really…, stuttered Cloud.
- &?$%!!! Don't gimme that shit! Sit down and drink your ?%?%& tea!!!
And in less time to say 'tea', Avalanche obeyed. Really, that man was a real leader…
********
When Rufus arrived with the Turks, Cid was eager to go to the central place to greet the young President of Shinra. He hoped the space program would be launched again, so he was acting very carefully. But when Rufus told him he only wanted the Tiny Bronco to the Temple of the Ancients… He simply exploded, accusing Shinra of stealing the sky from him, refusing in giving him what he wanted. While they were arguing, Shera got out of the small house, looking panicked. She spotted Cloud and ran to him, telling him with dread that Palmer was trying to steal the plane. That does it, and Avalanche went up to beat the fat man once again. But he had succeeded in starting the Tiny Bronco, and it was out of control. Cloud, Vincent, Yuffie, Red, Tifa, Aerith, Cait Sith and Barret clung to it as it took off, flying up to the skies. The Shinra troopers started to shoot at them, hitting the tail and it started to fall down. Cid ran up and caught a hold of the left wing, climbing into the cockpit to redress the plane. However, it crashed into the sea.
Yuffie was prompt to react. She proposed to go to Wutai, what Cloud accepted since he had heard of the Wutaian's famous swords. A decision he was bound to regret, as well as everyone… The ninja took that opportunity to steal all of their materia. Well, useless to say that they chased her around the small town to retrieve it. As they were about to succeed, someone managed to kidnap her and Elena of the Turks. Well, Reno, Rude and her were apparently on a mission. Together, the two groups pursued the mysterious kidnapper to the Da-Chao monument… only to find out that Don Corneo was behind all this. Rapps was unleashed on Avalanche, and Corneo taken care of by Reno. After what they disappeared… So much for a favour… Now they could concentrate on getting to Sephiroth and the Ancient Temple.
They landed a little East of Gongaga and walked up to the only house. There they met with Jayson, a weapon seller who, unfortunately, had nothing to sell right now. They asked shelter for the night, but before going to bed, Cloud called everyone for a meeting.
- We need to go to the Ancient Temple before Sephiroth, he said, but I remember hearing that the Temple needed a key to be opened…
- The Keystone…
Everyone turned to look at Jayson. He explained that he already sold it to Dio, the owner of the Gold Saucer. So the next day at dawn, they were all gone for the amusement park.
********
Barret was ready to jump on the moogle and rip it off. The cat was in fact a façade for Reeve, a high-ranking administrator that had been reluctantly involved into this… he had taken Marlene and Elmyra with him, clearly announcing that they were hostages. But he did not seem like he could hurt them in any way. Marlene was chirping in the background when Elmyra assured them they were alright. But that did not reassured Barret for a second. Anyway, on Reeve advice, Cloud decided to stay for the night. During their travel, he had noticed that Vincent and Cid developed a strong friendship, and when the red caped man asked the pilot to go back to their room, he couldn't help himself but to smile.
********
Vincent sat up in his bed when he heard Cid growl. It was kinda late…
- Something on your mind, Highwind?
- Na, Vampy, just can't sleep…
- You're lying.
- ……… How the fuck can you tell that!, he exploded, Don't tell me you can read minds!
- I can't, but I was a Turk before. Why don't we go down for a drink?
So they both went to the bar and after smashing themselves, they returned to the bedroom, slouched over each other. Vincent had been the most talkative of the two tonight, he simply needed to. He was clinging to Cid, almost passed out because of the alcohol he had had. After all, the man slept 30 years alone in a coffin… The pilot was very slow to drag Vincent along, well, he was feeling better, talking to him had exorcise a lot of things in him. He was happy when the dark man was around, his company pleased him in more than a way. What he had told Vincent after he helped him to see clearly through the mess of his relation with Lucrecia. They both slumped on a bed, Cid under Vincent, to sleep the few hours left of the night.
- Chid?
- Yeah…
- Thanks… for everything. Feel better, now.
- I's great… Y'don mind me being… y'know… likin' you an' all…
- No, be sureofit… I… I think… I mean, I feel safe enough with you to know you won't do anything t'hurt me… wanna try…
Cid closed his eyes as Vincent continued to babble. Finally he too fell asleep.
*******
- Why me?!?, whined Cloud
- 'cause ya're da leader, answered Barret. Now go up there and wake'em up!
Cloud executed himself, a little afraid of what he could intrude on. He did not know why, but he could almost see them as a couple already. But the others, well, did not noticed at all. Anyway, he brushed his thoughts away as he knocked on the oak door. A rather gruff voice answered him.
- Wait a damn minute!
The blond opened the door, only to find Cid dragging Vincent back to bed. The red caped man, now without his cape /and/ shirt, looked like a wreck. Apart the numerous scars he was covered with, of course. His false arm was removed, too. Cloud suddenly asked what was going on, fearing that Vincent could be sick… But even if he was, that wasn't really a good moment to be out of commission.
- &%$?%&!!! You shouda have listened t'me!, Cid growled to Vincent. Vampy slept thirty ??#@*? years in a coffin and drinks like a Turk who just finished his mission… No wonder he's smashed /now/… Gimme ten minutes and I'll bring him down. You got it, drunkard? Ten minutes!
- Ten minutes…
- You two went to the bar?, asked Cloud
- Yeah… Don't make a fuss, Spiky. You should have come, too, y'know, to loosen a bit?
- Whatever… Be down in twenty minutes, and try to make him presentable. When we will board the Tiny Bronco, we'll put him in a corner so he can sleep the ride off. The temple is far from here, so he'll have the time to recuperate.
Cid smiled and sat Vincent on the bed, who only groaned before flopping back, totally wasted.
End
Author's notes
Pfiew!!! Finished! I couldn't resist to the sight: Vinny totally drunk! That's my kind of Vinny!^__^ The next chapter won't be that pleasant, though. See ya in 'Temple of a birthing God'
