A/N: Woo...LOOK! NO MORE SPACES BETWEEN THE DOTS! YOU ALL ARE SPARED! O___o; Uh...This is *not* the closing chapter, even though it does seem like it's ending what the story was mainly about. It takes a rather large turn at this point ^_^;
Disclaimer: .........Yeah o_o;
---
Vincent stood on the vast beaches of the western continent, allowing the saltine breeze to rake his smooth, ebon hair. The man never washed it. It just stayed prim and proper on its own, a quality that he secretly found disturbing, whereas all else found it helpful. Yuffie had once dunked a bucket of water on its head, then lifted the pail to see it barely seemed soak.
Why?
He flinched awkwardly, a very uncharacteristic movement from Mister Valentine. Basically, seeing him do anything of the sort was like seeing a cat not land on its feet: strange, unprecedented...but there he was. At least he was alone for the moment. He raised his hand, the hand that wasn't a metal claw, the one that probably send his mind reeling so many times. It flickered, scales slowly taking shape on them, like a cut from a knife that sealed and opened again, the blood of course equal to this. As the distorted skin took shape and enveloped his arm, claws formed from his nails.
//Control.//
-Are you sure you have it?-
how can you see into my eyes like open doors
leading you down into my core
where I've become so numb without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
until you find it there and lead it back home
A hot, white flash seemed to blink before his eyes, then reformed to perhaps nothing but black. Was he sure there was even a floor under him? But there must've been: Hellmasker, Galian Beast, Death Gigas...and *him*. Cool, calm, and collected, Vincent stared at all of them, like a person who did nor fear a death sentence. The sentence being carried out by four in front...
-Heheheh...he's going to loseit--loseit--loseit!!!!!!!-
-Not much can be done......for him...now.-
//Don't talk to me like that.//
The claws and monsterous features faded from view, retracting into the red cape. as he pulled it over his body, clipping it to a tiny crease in his robotic arm. The image of that hidden place, some dusty corner stored in his mind never bothering to be cleaned, however, remained before his eyes, yet every inch of his clothing had become as easy to read as a child's book.
//I will not lose control.// he thought firmly, almost viciously, fist clenching at his side creating a small metal clink. Almost as if hearing some sinister notion of "why not" in his head, or behind him, or in every direction simply resonating to his ears... //She is waiting for me.//
-Three of them...You promised the Shinobi...-
//So?//
-You hold yourself guilty enough.-
//And miss Lockheart...//
-Like a crap you can't flush.-
(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I've become
Almost robotically, Vincent raised the hand he had hidden in his cape, which now, as if it had always been there, held the Death Penalty, and holding it at a distance towards his temple. A slight smile curved his features, rare and almost demonic, insanely...was it really his own, or was it theirs? Who would he really be happy by doing this?
//I could see her again...//
-Go ahead.-
Almost as if a hiding sheet had been taken off, scars suddenly made themselves known on Vincent's arm, glowing with the energy similar to what you would see in the eye of a SOLDIER. As if they were hidden by some inward force. Or maybe because they were grotesque: burned into his skin, not a scab, not a wound, but they still had the smell of flesh, and that terrible red color. The taste of flesh too...wait, how would he know? He bit his tongue slightly with his teeth, sniffing a certain demon.
//Chaos...//
It was *disgusting* to know what they would do when and if he lost control.
His index finger tightened on the trigger.
now that I know what I'm without
you can't just leave me
breathe into me and make me real
bring me to life
"Valentine." A voice rang through his ears, the voice of Rufus Shinra, as he walked up over the horizon. "Tifa's worried." He retreated as quickly as he came, but not before glimpsing the Death Penalty Vincent had rushedly dropped to his side in fear of being caught. What the hell was that guy's problem? Rufus rolled his empty eyes as he made his way back to the short canyons where Tifa had set up a small "mini-camp".
-You know his problem.-
//What the hell?// Rufus scratched his head in a confused gesture, something he rarely did. Ever. In fact, probably the first time. He halted in mid-step.
-Remember?-
+"Haha, he's twitching!"
"That's kinda wierd, mister Hojo..."
"Nonsense, kid."
"...I guess you're right...hey, what was that? That was kinda cool."
"Heheheh..."
"Heh..."
"Hahahaha!"+
-You were raised as a sick bastard, Rufus Shinra.-
//Not to my knowledge.// he replied thoughtfully, folding his arms.
(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I've become
-Poor, naive little Rufus. Born under a rich family. With a silver spoon in your mouth...Too bad that spoon was dirty as hell.-
Rufus shook his head vigorously, his blonde hair slightly messed up from travelling. His arms lowered to his sides dully, only to have one raise to his face. //...// He rubbed his temple, and shook his head again as if testing his sanity. The voice was heard no more. Letting out a short sigh of relief, he began walking at a faster pace, a little worried, a little disturbed. //Just get back to camp...// He halted before the fire and his gaze shifted to Tifa, who was sitting down in a sort of stretch.
"You seem a little hurried." she commented, stretching her arms to her splayed left leg with ease.
"..."
"Is Vincent coming?"
"...Yes."
At that moment, Vincent walked leisurely to the camp area.
"I apologize for worrying you."
"No biggy." Tifa responded simply, placing her hands on the ground. Her legs were in a split, but her strong arms lifted the rest of her body up as she pushed up and down, like a morning exercise routine. Rufus's eyes shifted up and down her legs, but he rolled his eyes again, turning around and folding his arms crudely. "Your PHS rang. I didn't answer it, but everyone's moving South. Probably to Mideel." She grinned. "Good thing we left, huh?" Her legs bent...rather abnormally, as if she was double jointed in every other limb...over her, and she lowered them into a standing position.
Vincent looked her in the eye, a gaze she didn't return. Vincent always looked in peoples' eyes. It seemed to interest him for some reason, as if he could read a life story behind them. But around this time, he was curious. A year and a couple of weeks...that would mean...
Vincent's PHS rang again.
"..."
"VINCENT, YOU *@*)%$*!" a loud voice lined with rougness, possibly signs of lung cancer, yelled through the phone. "You #*(@. Do you know what day it is?"
"...November twen--....shit."
"The brat's pissed as hell."
"...I'm in a predicament right now, Cid."
"Well get the @&(# out of it, because she's pissed to the point of breaking down on everyone. #&@*ing hell." Click.
"...Ohmigosh!! Today's her birthday!" Tifa suddenly came to this realization, her eyes almost popping out of her head. "Oh crap oh crap oh crap. Vincent, you really should go. Crap crap crap crap double crap."
"..."
"Yes, leave." Rufus encouraged, one hand on his waist and smirking. "You ought to."
Vincent fought the urge to maul Rufus with the Death Penalty. He turned around, balancing this. If he left, Yuffie would be happier, giving Vincent his good deed for the day. But Rufus...well, he just didn't *trust* Rufus, you know? Whereas if he stayed, he would get absolute HELL from Yuffie. He would never hear the end of it...He sighed.
"You better leave. Now." he commented, clicking a few buttons on the PHS.
Without a word, Tifa grabbed Rufus by the wrist and leapt off the cliff face, skidding almost like a snowboard off the nearly completely vertical side. Rufus yelled profanities, tilting backwards slightly as he was dragged along by the martial artist, reminding himself to reprimand her *later*. The Highwind zoomed in that direction, lowering a rope on which Vincent shimmied, and a large banner reading "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" hung over the side. The word "brat" was visible, though crossed out, and replaced by "Yuffie". Tifa fought the urge to climb up there and greet them herself.
-Why *aren't* you going back?-
//I can't face him again.//
frozen inside without your touch without your love darling only you are the life among the dead
Vincent gave her a look, still hanging on the rope as if asking her to come. Tifa bit her lip, indecisive, stuck in thought, backing away to meet Vincent's gaze. //Oh damn, damn...// She had been out for a week, maybe two, *tops*. The cliff face seemed to move out of her way, and all she could see was the Highwind...
Cloud Strife poked his head over the edge, watching Vincent climb up.
Then his eyes met Tifa's.
They also met Rufus's.
And, our brainless spikey-headed hero leapt suicidally off the end of the ship, and landed neatly on the cliff above, skidding down towards Tifa and Rufus. Cloud's expression was indescribable: a pleading look to Tifa, a hurt look as well, a vicious glare at Rufus. Rufus moved in front of Tifa.
"Get the hell out of my way, Rufus."
"Make me."
"I could."
"Cloud..." Tifa trailed off.
"Get in the Highwind, Tifa."
"....No...."
"*Get in the Highwind, Tifa.*"
"Goddamnit, Strife, what part of 'n-o' do you not understand?"
Cloud slipped the Ultima Weapon out of his back, the Mako glare in his eyes hardening and glaring at Rufus, just wishing looks could kill with all his mind and soul. He advanced towards Rufus Shinra threateningly, the tip of the Ultima Weapon glimmering in the sun and into his eyes adding to the threatening stare, as if Tifa wasn't there, ignoring the begging look in Tifa's eyes as she silently pleaded for him not to come any further. Rufus only stared back fearlessly...
And Cloud charged viciously, holding the weapon out in front of him in an attempt to *impale* the Shin-Ra ex-president, ignoring the cries, cheers, or whatever from his teammates back from the Highwind, pretending Vincent's calls to halt weren't there, and ignoring Tifa. Which I might add, was a bad idea.
all this time I can't believe I couldn't see
kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
got to open my eyes to everything
without a thought without a voice without a soul
don't let me die here
there must be something more
bring me to life
Tifa maneuvered in front of Rufus, holding her arms at her sides...and before Cloud could stop himself, the Ultima Weapon had been firmly shoved in Tifa's torso.
(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I've become
"OHMIGOD!!!" -Yuffie
"HOLY FUCKIN' SHIT!" -Cid
"FUCKING HELL!" -Barret
"Tifa..." -Vincent
"TIFA!" -Red XIII and Reeve
"Sweet mother of God..." -Reno
"*gasp*" -Elena
"*stunned silence*" -Rude
Cloud's eyes widened as he slowly pulled the sword out, hurling it behind him with a look indescribable. His glimmering blue Mako eyes...the shine was gone, the color from his face drained, and he sank to his knees, shaking with something...something...nothing existed anymore, as Vincent leapt off the rope and to the scene of the crime, kneeling down to examine Tifa's status.
"WHAT THE FUCKING HELL WERE YOU DOING?!" Rufus writhed in his spot, his arms locked behind him by Vincent (who had mysteriously moved behind Rufus...wow), twisting with rage and anguish. He moved and tugged, but Vincent held him back firmly, though his boots skidded slightly, and suddenly he let out a horrible, twisted scream-type yell, the most horrible thing you could hear from a hurting man. Hurting in *what* definition, of course--
-Just like what Sephiroth did to Aeris, huh?-
//.......//
(Bring me to life)
I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside
(Bring me to life)
Disclaimer: .........Yeah o_o;
---
Vincent stood on the vast beaches of the western continent, allowing the saltine breeze to rake his smooth, ebon hair. The man never washed it. It just stayed prim and proper on its own, a quality that he secretly found disturbing, whereas all else found it helpful. Yuffie had once dunked a bucket of water on its head, then lifted the pail to see it barely seemed soak.
Why?
He flinched awkwardly, a very uncharacteristic movement from Mister Valentine. Basically, seeing him do anything of the sort was like seeing a cat not land on its feet: strange, unprecedented...but there he was. At least he was alone for the moment. He raised his hand, the hand that wasn't a metal claw, the one that probably send his mind reeling so many times. It flickered, scales slowly taking shape on them, like a cut from a knife that sealed and opened again, the blood of course equal to this. As the distorted skin took shape and enveloped his arm, claws formed from his nails.
//Control.//
-Are you sure you have it?-
how can you see into my eyes like open doors
leading you down into my core
where I've become so numb without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
until you find it there and lead it back home
A hot, white flash seemed to blink before his eyes, then reformed to perhaps nothing but black. Was he sure there was even a floor under him? But there must've been: Hellmasker, Galian Beast, Death Gigas...and *him*. Cool, calm, and collected, Vincent stared at all of them, like a person who did nor fear a death sentence. The sentence being carried out by four in front...
-Heheheh...he's going to loseit--loseit--loseit!!!!!!!-
-Not much can be done......for him...now.-
//Don't talk to me like that.//
The claws and monsterous features faded from view, retracting into the red cape. as he pulled it over his body, clipping it to a tiny crease in his robotic arm. The image of that hidden place, some dusty corner stored in his mind never bothering to be cleaned, however, remained before his eyes, yet every inch of his clothing had become as easy to read as a child's book.
//I will not lose control.// he thought firmly, almost viciously, fist clenching at his side creating a small metal clink. Almost as if hearing some sinister notion of "why not" in his head, or behind him, or in every direction simply resonating to his ears... //She is waiting for me.//
-Three of them...You promised the Shinobi...-
//So?//
-You hold yourself guilty enough.-
//And miss Lockheart...//
-Like a crap you can't flush.-
(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I've become
Almost robotically, Vincent raised the hand he had hidden in his cape, which now, as if it had always been there, held the Death Penalty, and holding it at a distance towards his temple. A slight smile curved his features, rare and almost demonic, insanely...was it really his own, or was it theirs? Who would he really be happy by doing this?
//I could see her again...//
-Go ahead.-
Almost as if a hiding sheet had been taken off, scars suddenly made themselves known on Vincent's arm, glowing with the energy similar to what you would see in the eye of a SOLDIER. As if they were hidden by some inward force. Or maybe because they were grotesque: burned into his skin, not a scab, not a wound, but they still had the smell of flesh, and that terrible red color. The taste of flesh too...wait, how would he know? He bit his tongue slightly with his teeth, sniffing a certain demon.
//Chaos...//
It was *disgusting* to know what they would do when and if he lost control.
His index finger tightened on the trigger.
now that I know what I'm without
you can't just leave me
breathe into me and make me real
bring me to life
"Valentine." A voice rang through his ears, the voice of Rufus Shinra, as he walked up over the horizon. "Tifa's worried." He retreated as quickly as he came, but not before glimpsing the Death Penalty Vincent had rushedly dropped to his side in fear of being caught. What the hell was that guy's problem? Rufus rolled his empty eyes as he made his way back to the short canyons where Tifa had set up a small "mini-camp".
-You know his problem.-
//What the hell?// Rufus scratched his head in a confused gesture, something he rarely did. Ever. In fact, probably the first time. He halted in mid-step.
-Remember?-
+"Haha, he's twitching!"
"That's kinda wierd, mister Hojo..."
"Nonsense, kid."
"...I guess you're right...hey, what was that? That was kinda cool."
"Heheheh..."
"Heh..."
"Hahahaha!"+
-You were raised as a sick bastard, Rufus Shinra.-
//Not to my knowledge.// he replied thoughtfully, folding his arms.
(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I've become
-Poor, naive little Rufus. Born under a rich family. With a silver spoon in your mouth...Too bad that spoon was dirty as hell.-
Rufus shook his head vigorously, his blonde hair slightly messed up from travelling. His arms lowered to his sides dully, only to have one raise to his face. //...// He rubbed his temple, and shook his head again as if testing his sanity. The voice was heard no more. Letting out a short sigh of relief, he began walking at a faster pace, a little worried, a little disturbed. //Just get back to camp...// He halted before the fire and his gaze shifted to Tifa, who was sitting down in a sort of stretch.
"You seem a little hurried." she commented, stretching her arms to her splayed left leg with ease.
"..."
"Is Vincent coming?"
"...Yes."
At that moment, Vincent walked leisurely to the camp area.
"I apologize for worrying you."
"No biggy." Tifa responded simply, placing her hands on the ground. Her legs were in a split, but her strong arms lifted the rest of her body up as she pushed up and down, like a morning exercise routine. Rufus's eyes shifted up and down her legs, but he rolled his eyes again, turning around and folding his arms crudely. "Your PHS rang. I didn't answer it, but everyone's moving South. Probably to Mideel." She grinned. "Good thing we left, huh?" Her legs bent...rather abnormally, as if she was double jointed in every other limb...over her, and she lowered them into a standing position.
Vincent looked her in the eye, a gaze she didn't return. Vincent always looked in peoples' eyes. It seemed to interest him for some reason, as if he could read a life story behind them. But around this time, he was curious. A year and a couple of weeks...that would mean...
Vincent's PHS rang again.
"..."
"VINCENT, YOU *@*)%$*!" a loud voice lined with rougness, possibly signs of lung cancer, yelled through the phone. "You #*(@. Do you know what day it is?"
"...November twen--....shit."
"The brat's pissed as hell."
"...I'm in a predicament right now, Cid."
"Well get the @&(# out of it, because she's pissed to the point of breaking down on everyone. #&@*ing hell." Click.
"...Ohmigosh!! Today's her birthday!" Tifa suddenly came to this realization, her eyes almost popping out of her head. "Oh crap oh crap oh crap. Vincent, you really should go. Crap crap crap crap double crap."
"..."
"Yes, leave." Rufus encouraged, one hand on his waist and smirking. "You ought to."
Vincent fought the urge to maul Rufus with the Death Penalty. He turned around, balancing this. If he left, Yuffie would be happier, giving Vincent his good deed for the day. But Rufus...well, he just didn't *trust* Rufus, you know? Whereas if he stayed, he would get absolute HELL from Yuffie. He would never hear the end of it...He sighed.
"You better leave. Now." he commented, clicking a few buttons on the PHS.
Without a word, Tifa grabbed Rufus by the wrist and leapt off the cliff face, skidding almost like a snowboard off the nearly completely vertical side. Rufus yelled profanities, tilting backwards slightly as he was dragged along by the martial artist, reminding himself to reprimand her *later*. The Highwind zoomed in that direction, lowering a rope on which Vincent shimmied, and a large banner reading "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" hung over the side. The word "brat" was visible, though crossed out, and replaced by "Yuffie". Tifa fought the urge to climb up there and greet them herself.
-Why *aren't* you going back?-
//I can't face him again.//
frozen inside without your touch without your love darling only you are the life among the dead
Vincent gave her a look, still hanging on the rope as if asking her to come. Tifa bit her lip, indecisive, stuck in thought, backing away to meet Vincent's gaze. //Oh damn, damn...// She had been out for a week, maybe two, *tops*. The cliff face seemed to move out of her way, and all she could see was the Highwind...
Cloud Strife poked his head over the edge, watching Vincent climb up.
Then his eyes met Tifa's.
They also met Rufus's.
And, our brainless spikey-headed hero leapt suicidally off the end of the ship, and landed neatly on the cliff above, skidding down towards Tifa and Rufus. Cloud's expression was indescribable: a pleading look to Tifa, a hurt look as well, a vicious glare at Rufus. Rufus moved in front of Tifa.
"Get the hell out of my way, Rufus."
"Make me."
"I could."
"Cloud..." Tifa trailed off.
"Get in the Highwind, Tifa."
"....No...."
"*Get in the Highwind, Tifa.*"
"Goddamnit, Strife, what part of 'n-o' do you not understand?"
Cloud slipped the Ultima Weapon out of his back, the Mako glare in his eyes hardening and glaring at Rufus, just wishing looks could kill with all his mind and soul. He advanced towards Rufus Shinra threateningly, the tip of the Ultima Weapon glimmering in the sun and into his eyes adding to the threatening stare, as if Tifa wasn't there, ignoring the begging look in Tifa's eyes as she silently pleaded for him not to come any further. Rufus only stared back fearlessly...
And Cloud charged viciously, holding the weapon out in front of him in an attempt to *impale* the Shin-Ra ex-president, ignoring the cries, cheers, or whatever from his teammates back from the Highwind, pretending Vincent's calls to halt weren't there, and ignoring Tifa. Which I might add, was a bad idea.
all this time I can't believe I couldn't see
kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
got to open my eyes to everything
without a thought without a voice without a soul
don't let me die here
there must be something more
bring me to life
Tifa maneuvered in front of Rufus, holding her arms at her sides...and before Cloud could stop himself, the Ultima Weapon had been firmly shoved in Tifa's torso.
(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I've become
"OHMIGOD!!!" -Yuffie
"HOLY FUCKIN' SHIT!" -Cid
"FUCKING HELL!" -Barret
"Tifa..." -Vincent
"TIFA!" -Red XIII and Reeve
"Sweet mother of God..." -Reno
"*gasp*" -Elena
"*stunned silence*" -Rude
Cloud's eyes widened as he slowly pulled the sword out, hurling it behind him with a look indescribable. His glimmering blue Mako eyes...the shine was gone, the color from his face drained, and he sank to his knees, shaking with something...something...nothing existed anymore, as Vincent leapt off the rope and to the scene of the crime, kneeling down to examine Tifa's status.
"WHAT THE FUCKING HELL WERE YOU DOING?!" Rufus writhed in his spot, his arms locked behind him by Vincent (who had mysteriously moved behind Rufus...wow), twisting with rage and anguish. He moved and tugged, but Vincent held him back firmly, though his boots skidded slightly, and suddenly he let out a horrible, twisted scream-type yell, the most horrible thing you could hear from a hurting man. Hurting in *what* definition, of course--
-Just like what Sephiroth did to Aeris, huh?-
//.......//
(Bring me to life)
I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside
(Bring me to life)