Red roses mean love

By kimetara

Multi-part

Chapter Thirteen

          It was nearly morning; he could feel it in his bones.  He hadn't shifted from this spot the entire night as Tifa rested against him.

          Enjoying yourself, aren't you?

          *Immensely,* Vincent replied dryly.  He'd been waiting for Chaos to show up.

          Mmm-hmm...you've yet to give me an answer.  Monster or human, Vincent?  Which one are you?

          Vincent ignored him.  Or tried to.  It's difficult ignoring something when it's in your head.

          You can't run from it forever.  Sooner or later, it'll catch up to you.  Or maybe it already has, Chaos smirked.

          Vincent tipped his head back against the metal wall, closing his eyes.

          Decide.  Demon or human.

          *Since when have you been so persistent?*

          Since there were things at stake.  Decide.

          *Go away.*

          DECIDE.

          *...*

          You've already decided.  Admit it.

          *What's at stake?*

          Which one are you?

          "...demon," Vincent whispered.  It was almost physically painful.  It seemed as if by saying it aloud...it became reality.  If he had to choose between human and demon, he was a demon.  A demon.

          He waited for Chaos' triumphant smirk.  To his surprise, all he sensed was a deep – or at least, deeper than usual – disgust from the indigo creation.

          *What's at stake?*

          Chaos didn't answer.  Was he offended that Vincent considered himself a demon?  Well, that would take the cake, wouldn't it?  His own inner demon offended by Vincent considering himself a demon.

          Don't be stupid.  Your human pride is ridiculous; no other creatures care for such things.

          *Then what's at stake?*

          Nothing.  This was beginning to irritate Vincent.

          *What's at stake?  What is being risked?  TELL ME.*  For the first time, Vincent pulled at Chaos' mind.  He never had before; never wanted to deal with his other side, but Chaos' odd behavior was making him suspicious.  And if it involved Tifa...

          Imbecile! Chaos hissed, deeply shocked and angry at Vincent for once using force on him.  There was another emotion there too, but Vincent couldn't tell what it was.  At any rate, it was clear at that moment that whatever control Chaos had over Vincent's thoughts, Vincent had a greater control over Chaos', and he relentlessly took advantage of it.  Fine!  It's-

          "Vincent?"  His hold on Chaos immediately shattered, and the demon retreated before he could call him back.  Vincent inwardly sighed, but pushed the matter away for now, instead focusing on the woman sitting next to him.

          Tifa had woken up and was watching him carefully.  "I was going to say good morning, but I think I'll change it into an 'are you alright'?"

          "Yes.  Good morning, Tifa," Vincent replied.  She hadn't moved away yet, and he was savoring the feel of her body against his for as long as possible.

          "Morning."  She yawned and scooted away before standing, smiling softly at him.  "I hope I didn't keep you up."

          "It's of no matter."  She had, but he had been speaking the truth when he told Chaos he enjoyed it immensely.

          She tilted her head, watching him stand.  "Thank you again.  I guess...I just felt lonely."  Tifa shook her head with a sigh.  "It won't happen again."

          He nodded.  Yes, it would be best for Tifa to deal with her own grief, without having to have someone console her – or use as a substitute.  All the same...he would now miss her warm presence at night.  He was selfish in that manner.

          Another stupid human concept, Chaos grumbled, a mere whisper in his mind.  Vincent questioned, but it was gone before he could get a firm hold on its mind.

          "Well..." Tifa glanced at her clothes and grinned.  "I think I better go change.  See you later!"  She left down the hallway, Vincent watching her go.  Personally, he thought she looked fine as she was...then again, he didn't feel like having any of the crew members seeing her in that attire.

          "Alright, we'll be at $@#(* Gongaga in an hour!"  Cid's voice boomed over the loudspeaker, and Vincent shook his head as he continued oiling.  Death Penalty was gleaming and ready on the table.  He was currently working on his arm.

          He had gotten somewhat lucky, Vincent reflected, that Hojo had used an elite fusion metal for his robotic limbs.  'Only the best for my experiments.'  Hah.

          Still...waterproof, rust-proof, non-conductive of electricity...it could have been worse.

          It didn't mean he liked it.  It was a constant reminder of what he was, and what he could never be.  Never be 'normal', forever bonded with demons...which reminded him of something.

          *Now, Chaos.  What is being risked?*

          Chaos growled.  Since when have my thoughts been your concern?

          *Since-*

          Since that Lockheart girl.  Vincent's eyes narrowed at Tifa being referred to as such, but refrained from interrupting.  Right.  Well you can stop worrying, Vincent dear.  It doesn't involve her at all, Chaos replied, hatefully sweet.

          *Do not call me that.*

          Awww, poor little Vincent doesn't like his nickname.  Poor little deprived Vincent, never can be 'normal,' always wallowing in his self-pity, Chaos sneered.  Poor Vincent, couldn't save his first love and now he's just a cowardly-

          "Shut up!"

          "Uh...Vince?"
          Vincent's head jerked around to find Cid staring at him from the doorway.  Cid took a drag of his cigarette.  "You been $%#@* smoking something?"

          Vincent ignored the irony of that statement.  "No."  He stood.  "Is something wrong?"

          Cid shrugged.  "Naw, course not!  This is THE Highwind," he puffed up proudly.  "Just came to tell you we're almost at Gongaga.  You sure you're okay though?"

          Vincent lifted an eyebrow.  "Congratulations."

          "Huh?"  Cid scratched the back of his head.

          "That's a whole four sentences without cursing."

          He blinked.  "%$#@, you're right!  Shera's $#@(* getting to me..." he muttered, walking away.

          Vincent sighed, relieved that his distraction technique had worked.  He left the room after securing Death Penalty, heading up on the deck to find Tifa.

          What he didn't know was that Cid had beaten him to it and already informed Tifa about his little outburst.  Cid knew his friend a bit better than Vincent suspected.

          "I think it's that *&$#@ Chaos that's getting to him," Cid informed Tifa, who was listening seriously.  She stood near the ramp leading down off the Highwind, the wind softly ruffling the strands of hair around her face.  A small potted plant, a hibiscus, was at her feet.

          "How?" she asked, worried.  "You mean, like Chaos is trying to take over?"

          Cid laughed.  "@$*# no.  Vincent's got a hold on him tighter than reins on a wild chocobo.  I'm talking about Chaos messing with his mind."

          "...messing with his mind?"

          He frowned.  "$(^*.  I don't think I was supposed to tell you that.  Oh well, no use crying over it now."  Cid leaned back, hooking his elbows over the railing of the deck.  "Vinny hasn't told me much, but I've caught him arguing with himself.  $#(@* freaky," Cid added thoughtfully.  "Anyway, he told me that that Chaos demon talks to him.  Gets him pretty riled up too, since from what I'm guessing, that thing's got access to his whole mind."

          Tifa frowned.  "He never told me any of that."

          "`Course not.  Face it Tifa, hearing voices in your head isn't something you go blabbing about."  He took a drag on his cigarette.  "Besides, ever since I picked you guys up, he's been treating you like some $*#^@ porcelain.  He probably just didn't want to worry you."

          She crossed her arms and huffed slightly in annoyance.  "Of course, I'll just be better off not knowing that he converses with a demon in his mind and is constantly mentally attacked.  Ugh!"  Tifa threw her hands up in the air.  "That explains so much.  All those times when he'd just go silent, or become withdrawn for no reason...and he just told me it was nothing, he was simply feeling tired," she muttered.

          "Whoa kid, calm down."  Cid straightened.  "I don't see what you're getting so $(#@* worked up over.  So Vince decided not to let you in on the fact one of his transformation things talk to him.  His ^$(&# business, right?"

          "...yeah..." Tifa admitted reluctantly.  She couldn't exactly tell Cid that she was hurt Vincent hadn't confided in her, and with her hurt tended to turn to frustration.  Especially since she had confided in him...

          *But that doesn't matter.  He never said or even implied it would go both ways,* Tifa reminded herself.  Still...maybe she was just being too sensitive.

          "Hey Vince!" Cid called loudly, partly for her benefit.  Tifa snapped out of her musing and looked up.  Sure enough, Vincent was coming towards them, only this time with the Death Penalty strapped around his waist.  Strangely, he looked more...complete, with his old weapon.

          Tifa forced a smile and waved.  She had returned her hair to its previous fishtail style, but was wearing the beige cargo pants and peach tank.  "Hi Vincent.  We just need to wait for Nanaki, and then we can go."  She bent down and picked up the pot, the 'double peach' flower matching her shirt.

          "I'm here."  Nanaki padded forward and stretched, shaking its nicely growing mane out.  "Shall we go?"

AN: ...I need to replay FFVII...I've forgotten most of Cid's character...  *sigh* 

Anyway, some more Chaos angst.  Oh, and Vincent and Tifa's new outfits are now their "default" clothes, since I don't feel like making a new outfit for them every day.  *sweatdrop*  Please review!