Red roses mean love
By kimetara
Multi-part
Disclaimer: ^_^ I have a PS2! AND FFVII finally! And a couple other games! Woohoo!
But as for actually creating the game...nope. That goes to a lovely company named "Squaresoft." Ever heard of them?
Chapter Nine
"Yes?" Shera appeared beside Cid, who was piloting the airship, her hands folded neatly. "What is it, Captain?"
"There you are! We're gonna land at ^%&-" Shera gave Cid a look, "...Cosmo Canyon in five minutes."
"Okay dear," Shera agreed placidly.
"What the hell? Don't call me 'dear'!!" Cid protested loudly. Shera only smiled and picked up the intercom.
"We will be landing at Cosmo Canyon in five minutes. Please find a secure area, or at least make sure you're not near anything too sharp!"
Tifa grinned at Shera's odd but cheerful announcement. *Well, I guess I better be getting out of here – don't want to risk accidentally crushing anything.* It was kind of silly, really, how much she was putting into these plants. But then again, anything would be a welcome distraction now... She seated herself comfortably on an old plush couch in the hallway.
The vibrations ended quickly, and after a moment of peace on the airship Tifa stood and made her way to the deck. Vincent was there waiting for her, and she smiled appreciatively. He merely looked away into imposing canyon.
"We should be going. There is still a while to walk."
"Okay!" she smiled sunnily before turning around. "Cid! Cid!"
"I'm coming, hold your godforsaken horses," grumbles arose from the staircase to the deck. "Why're you all just standing around staring? Get your asses in gear!" Cid yelled at the crew members. They immediately jumped into action, turning the cranks. Slowly the walkway was lowered.
"Alright, let's get moving!" Cid moved to leave the airship when Shera, who had appeared at his side during the commotion, gently pulled him back.
"Hold on, Captain. I need you to help me prepare their rooms."
"What?! I'm no damn-" he saw the look on her face. "...fine." A crew member sniggered, but he stopped at Cid's glare. "You two go," he instructed. "Tell Red I said hey."
"Will do, Cid." Tifa saluted cheerfully, a mischievous smile on her face. Cid gave her a suspicious look, but she simply waved and headed down the gangplank, where Vincent was already waiting.
"Lead the way," Tifa tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I can't keep track of directions to save my life."
Vincent nodded and started off, Tifa trotting lightly behind him.
"So..." she started after a moment, casting about for a conversation. "Aren't you hot, Vincent? I mean, wearing such dark and heavy clothing when it's so sunny outside."
"Actually...yes, I am." Vincent proceeded to undo the top buttons of his cape, freeing his lower face from its confinements. "It's not often I am in these temperatures."
"I know what you mean. To get any colder than Nibelheim you'd have to move up to the Northern Continent." Tifa brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "Hmmm. Hold on a second, okay?"
He stopped and looked back at her curiously. Tifa pulled her hairtie from the bottom of her hair and divided her long tresses into three parts, the sunlight creating a mirage of shimmering copper. "Okay, let's go now!" She went forward cheerfully, her hands moving quickly behind her head.
"Wouldn't you like to finish your braid first?" Vincent asked. Tifa shrugged.
"Nah, that's okay. It won't take me very long, and I can do it just as well walking." She flashed him a grin. "Lots of practice."
He nodded, watching her for a moment longer before continuing the journey.
It was a fairly uneventful trip. Tifa finished her braid as quickly as she promised, though not fast enough for the first attack. However, Vincent took care of them easily. Once she was done, they encountered a few more animals, but after a little while the creatures left them alone.
"Welcome to Cosmo Canyon!" A young man with a bandanna tied around his head smiled and moved aside. "Please enjoy your stay, Miss Lockheart, Mr. Valentine. I'm sure Nanaki would love to see you both."
"Thank you." This man reminded Tifa vaguely of Biggs, causing a small pang of regret, but she brushed it off and smiled brightly. "Do you know where Nanaki is?"
"Not exactly, but he's likely to be in the observatory."
"Okay, thanks!" Tifa dashed away, Vincent following with a rather amused expression.
They climbed quickly to the top, and sure enough there was Nanaki sitting on the couch. Upon seeing them, he immediately hopped up and padded over.
"Ah, Tifa, Vincent! It's so good to see you again," he greeted them happily, his tail waving.
"You too, Nanaki," Tifa replied, before kneeling down and hugging the creature around the neck. Vincent stood to the side, watching.
"So, what brings you to Cosmo Canyon?" Nanaki asked a few minutes later. Tifa quickly explained what they were doing. When she was done, the guardian nodded thoughtfully.
"May I see these plants? I may know of a few," he said at last. "And then we can go search the library."
"Sure!" was Tifa's enthusiastic reply.
In the end, it turned out the new and still rather small library didn't have much on greenery, but Nanaki himself remembered a lot of them. So...new crew member!
It took a bit of coaxing the elders to let Nanaki go, but since there wasn't much to do at Cosmo Canyon – indeed, Nanaki had been bored for a while – there wasn't too big of a fuss. The three left Cosmo Canyon after a few hours, since Cid was waiting on the Highwind and they all knew how impatient he got. Tifa and Nanaki chatted merrily the way back, while Vincent walked quietly behind the pair.
His mind kept straying back to what Shera had told him. Did Tifa like him? How could she tell?
*And why are you torturing yourself?* he scorned. It wasn't as if he could have her...even if she'd take him, he would never allow himself to risk hurting her. He wouldn't hurt her like Cloud had.
Vincent's thoughts grew darker, thinking about the blond. Tifa's heart still lay with Cloud, no matter how affectionate she may be to him. Vincent was just the "friend." And why should she want him over Cloud? He wasn't the hero. Indeed, he had really played a part of little importance during the entire quest. They could have defeated Sephiroth without him at all. Even Yuffie played a larger role than he, when they traveled through Wutai.
The only reason he joined them in the first place was for vengeance. Hardly a worthwhile cause.
"You okay?"
Vincent blinked and turned his head to see Tifa walking along beside him. Nanaki was still further up ahead. "I'm fine."
She nodded. "Okay. Umm...Vincent..." Tifa brushed a non-existent strand of hair back from her face, "I...I want to thank you for coming with me. I know I just sort of automatically assumed you'd come," she rushed on, "and I'm sorry if I made you feel as if you were obliged to...I mean," she laughed, "here I go, thanking you again. Guess it's become a habit."
"I see. I wanted to come with you," he replied simply. Tifa smiled.
"I'm glad you did."
~~~~~
"You heard the guy! Set the $#@*^ course for Gongaga!" Cid's yelling could be heard all the way through the hull of the ship. Vincent wondered just how good Nanaki's hearing was, considering he was on the bridge with Cid, and nearly felt pity for the red beast. But, the thought didn't linger as Vincent strode casually through the Highwind.
Shera had generously provided him with a new change of clothes, after commenting on how head-to-toe black leather tended to stand out. He was now wearing a pair of black slacks and a crimson turtleneck that perfectly matched the color of his bandanna. He had no idea where Shera found them, and he wasn't planning to ask. He felt both oddly revealed and clothed for the first time. He looked...almost normal.
Well, here was the door. He raised his mechanical arm and knocked lightly.
"Yes?" Tifa opened the door, smiling, before her mouth promptly dropped open. "Oh wow! Vincent!" she exclaimed, glancing all over him before finally returning her gaze to his expressionless face. "You look great!"
"Hmmm," was Vincent's impassive response. Tifa smiled.
"You don't believe me?" she teased, then impulsively grabbed the metal claw appearing from the end of his shirt sleeve. "I know! Why don't we go out sometime? Of course, I'll need to change clothes too," Tifa glanced down at her leather skirt and white tanktop, "but that shouldn't be too difficult."
Go out. Hah. There was no misunderstanding, Vincent understood what she meant perfectly – an outing between friends. He raised an eyebrow. "There is still a matter of...this." He lifted his metallic hand in front of Tifa's eyes, the light glinting off the gold shine.
Tifa blinked. "It shouldn't attract too much attention, actually. Many people have had prosthetics, especially with all the damage done by Meteor," she spoke seriously.
"I'd rather not...take the chance."
Tifa paused, then sighed. "I'm sorry, Vincent. I guess I've just become so used to your arm...I know!" she brightened, "you could wear gloves. Nobody would notice then. Come on," she pleaded.
Vincent considered. It would be helpful for Tifa to have a little fun...although he wasn't exactly the one he'd have picked for such matters.
"I believe Shera would be a better candidate," Vincent said at last.
Tifa smiled. "That's a good idea, we can invite Shera along too!"
Huh?
She laughed at his confusion. "I'm trying to get you outside a little. If I'm going, you're going too!"
He sighed. "If you're determined..."
"Great!" Tifa grinned and hugged him. "I'll go tell Shera!"
AN: Ah...hello everybody. Yes, I know I haven't been updating. Sorry! I've been messing around over summer break (playing FFX, lol), but I've gotten a writing bug back in me...and I'm working on yet another multipart. Don't worry, I won't start posting that one until it's finished – no long waits for updates.
Anyway, I hope I haven't lost my touch. Reviews are much appreciated!