Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII so don't sue me. I'm just some poor girl who lives in the middle of nowhere and has nothing better to do with her time. All original characters-the people you don't recognize-do belong to me so don't steal!
A/N: These chapters are ending up a lot shorter than I like but…oh well. Enjoy!
Chapter 4
Crimson Eyes
A half a year passed and peace returned to most parts of the planet. Things settled down at the Chocobo farm and the twins settled into their new home though the planet was telling them change was coming soon.
A tutor from Kalm came out three times a week to teach the kids the necessary thing normally taught in the schools. Though Cole was older than the twin, they all studied the same things. It was a good thing they took easily to things and learned quickly. The tutor had stated to bring harder work for the two of them.
The chores were the same besides they got more chocobo's to take care of. Naqada was taking care of the gold chocobo's stall while Cole and Magnus were with the tutor studying; she had finished early.
She wiped her hands clean after the bedding was efficient. She dumped the old bedding into the pile then went out front to retrieve the chocobo from the corral. She went out the barn doors then stopped. A shadow cast over her from an apparent visitor she hadn't seen before. For the briefest of moments she thought he was him; clad in all dark clothes…she looked up and her bight green-blue eyes locked with eyes as red as blood.
The man looked at her with emotionless features though his head was swarming with an explanation to this girl's appearance. 'Silver hair…only one other person ever had that color hair…but there's a red tent there too. Her eyes are glowing, no-it's only a trick played by the sun. Her eyes are almost the same color as his-no, lots of people have that color of eyes.' Without really thinking about what he was doing, the raven-haired man stooped down, and grabbing her under her slender arms, picked her effortlessly up off the ground.
He held her up so that he could see directly into her face, she was scared-he could tell. She started to tremble as if she were about to cry when he didn't say anything; hot tears of fright began to weld up in her eyes.
She sniffed. "PUT ME DOWN!!!" she wailed as the tears started to run down her soft cheeks. "LEAVE ME ALONE!!! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING I SWEAR!!! PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!!!" She sniffed and tried to calm down but the man holding her didn't move a muscle.
"Who are you?" His voice was cold but it was a simple question.
Naqada wiped at her cheeks with the back of her hand, she couldn't look this man in the eyes… "My…*sniff* my name's *sniff* N-Na…Naqada."
"Naqada," he repeated, his voice wasn't as cold as to not scare her anymore. He knelt down and let go of her only to take her hand in his and give it a gentle shake. "Hello Naqada, my name is Vincent…Vincent Valentine. I'm sorry I scared you just now, forgive me?"
Naqada sniffed and finished rubbing her eyes. He sounded like he meant it so she nodded telling him it was ok. The door to the house closed and Bill came closer to the pair.
"What's all the racket out here, is there something wrong Naqada…?" Bill fell silent as the dark hero straightened.
"He-he scared me…that's all," Naqada voiced not taking her eyes off Vincent.
"Run along and finish what you were doing…" Bill instructed and approached Vincent as Naqada went into the carrel to catch the gold chocobo.
Vincent watched after her then looked to Bill. "Who is she?"
"We really don't know. Her and her twin brother showed up here some time back. They said both of their parents were dead…and since it was right after that Meteor incident we weren't surprised. We give them food and a place to stay in return they help out around the farm, they're really good kid," Bill explained.
"How old are they?" Vincent watched as Naqada skillfully maneuvered to block the chocobo's escape then caught it.
"I'd guess they'll be seven pretty soon. Why so many questions about them?" Bill asked. "Do you know something we don't?"
'We couldn't have know about them!' Vincent shook his head. "What's going to happen to them? You can't keep them here till they're of age."
Bill sighed. "You're right. But I can't just kick them out…"
"Could I take them with me?" Vincent interrupted.
"You want them to live with you?" Bill was to say the least surprised. "Have you ever even lived with a seven year old before? They can be a handful sometimes…"
"I can take care of them," Vincent assured.
"…then sure if you're positive this is what you want."
"I am."
"Then wait right here…I'll go tell them, but…are you going to keep them? You're not just taking them for a few month kind of deal. That's heard on a kid and they'd be better off here if that's what you're planning," Bill warned.
"They'll stay at my house for as long as they like. It's plenty big enough for the three of us."
Bill nodded then walked around to the back of the barn to get Magnus. Naqada led the gold chocobo out of the corral and was about to go back into the barn but Vincent stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"While you're in there putting her away, bring back the black chocobo's Night, and Raven. You and your brother are going to come and live with me. Is that ok?"
The planet sung in Naqada's ears telling her this is what was meant to happen so she simply nodded her consent. She went into the stables and finished caring for Sam then got the two black chocobo's ready to ride. Magnus came in a few minutes later with all their belongings and fastened them to Night's back.
Magnus silently lead Night behind Raven. Once outside, Magnus introduced himself to Vincent. Naqada remained silent the entire time; she gave Raven to Vincent then mounted Night behind her brother. They were both silent for the short ride to Junon where they boarded a ship set for Costa Del Sol. After a two-day trip to the other continent they rode the chocobo's all the way to the small town of Nibelheim where their new home would be.
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-End Chapter 4-