The beginnings and endings of life
Mind and soul, heart and body…
All come into conflict.

Genesis
The Disputes of Reality
by Jess Angel

8

It had almost been a week since Cloud's death. The morning after, every member of AVALANCHE had safely arrived in the still-renovating city, Neo-Midgar. A time of proper mourning had not been possible, but a burial fit for a king had taken place nonetheless. Together, the family of heroes briefly lamented the loss of their golden-haired leader of silent courage and steely resolve.

Since then several meetings had taken place to discuss this mysterious and unexpected new threat that had arisen and claimed the life of one of their own. Each conference was run rampant with questions in an atmosphere high on emotion. Connections were made as well as revelations, but they only served to fuel AVALANCHE's fears.

Today was the group's third gathering, and the mood was surprisingly calm. The Turks had finally arrived with what intel they had been able to acquire from the much needed investigation. This would also be the first time the president's top bodyguards graced the assembly, having been gone since Vincent's call then Reeve's command - the day of Cloud's assassination.

Tifa approached the professional-suited trio that had rightfully become leaders of the 'reborn' Turk organization. They were her former enemies turned friends, and she was glad to see them safe.

Elena immediately stepped forward to meet her, her coffee-colored eyes an expression of lingering sadness and sympathy. "Tifa, I'm so sorry." The blonde enveloped the female fighter into a gentle embrace. "I wish… I wish I could've…" The petite woman trailed off at a loss.

"It's all right, Elena." Tifa lightly shook her head against the blonde's shoulder. "There's nothing-" She shut her eyes momentarily. "…Thank you." The brunette drew back and gave Elena an encouraging smile. "I'm glad you're back." Burgundy orbs shifted to the two men standing behind the blonde. "All of you."

As if on cue, the male Turks moved to join the two women. Rude was the next to greet her. The tall, imposing Turk laid a careful hand on the side of her arm. He pulled away the usual dark sunglasses that hid his visage, revealing sharp clear-blue eyes. Then the bald-headed Turk held her ruby gaze, wordless.

Tifa gave him a slow and appreciative nod, and Rude let his hand fall away.

Her gaze moved to the lanky redhead, and Reno rubbed the back of his neck, uneasy.

He wasn't good at the comfort thing, but he did want to do something- let her know he at least gave a shit. Spike hadn't been his favorite person in the world, but the swordsman had been decent enough to give them a chance after they signed up to work for the Neo-Midgar president. The porcupine told him flat-out he didn't trust them, but he wouldn't stop Reeve from letting them try to prove themselves. Reno respected that.

Not to mention, Tifa was a damn hot chick with a heart of gold.

Life was a real pain in the ass sometimes. He'd gotten that memo too many times to count. And he was sorry to see it send another pang of heartache her way. Reno knew he could be smooth when he wanted to be, but the slick-mouthed Turk found it hard to find words to ease the pretty brunette. "Lockhea- eh, Tif…" His eyes alternated between studying her face and the floor.

Dammit, he hated feeling awkward.

"Reno?"

Ah to hell with it. "I'm sorry 'bout Spike." The red-haired Turk quickly cleared his throat then replied, "The guy was pretty okay." He shrugged slightly then averted his gaze.

Picking up on his less than comfortable state, Tifa lightly touched the Turk's forearm to regain his attention. "Hey," she offered a small smile up to him then softly murmured, "thanks."

Reno hesitantly reached out and awkwardly gave her a pat on the shoulder. "S'nothing."


Most of AVALANCHE was scattered about the other side of the large conference room engaged in their own conversations. Though all were aware of the Turks' presence, any old hostility the group had felt seemed dormant. The heroes of the Planet quietly acknowledged the blue-suited attendees, but then promptly resumed their previous activities.

When Tifa moved towards the threesome, the young ninja, Yuffie Kisargi, was the only member who turned to watch the exchange with a certain intensity, as well as growing curiosity, while munching on a handful of her favorite sweets.


After a few minutes with Vincent, Red XIII inwardly smiled and went to converse with the leader of Neo-Midgar. He believed it best to leave the gunman alone with his thoughts - let him contemplate the insight Red had quite unexpectedly stumbled upon…


The dark-haired man took a moment to mull over the fiery cat creature's words. He then mentally shook his head, casting the ideas churning within his psyche back into a very far and dark corner of his consciousness - where it belonged. The youthful yet strangely wise feline was perceptive, yes, but the notions Red seemed to be introducing at the same time… Vincent could hear the ring of a siren sounding its warning in his head.

These ideas, they led to paths of thought a being such as himself should take care not to dwell on - especially since they involved a female fighter with a burgundy wine gaze.

Though his mind seemed to successfully clear from any unwanted perceptions, the former Turk's eyes were unwittingly drawn to the very subject related to his thoughts. And Vincent soon joined in Yuffie's current pastime. He began to observe the interaction between Tifa and the Turks, only, with mild interest of course.

It appeared that Reno was rather inept at expressing his sympathy. Vincent watched, amused. If the redhead could only see the picture he painted… so different from his usual persona, standing bungled and awkward like a schoolboy.

And that's when he noticed it.

It was that mannerism. She was doing that – that thing she did when she thought something was cute. A familiar gesture that should've only been reserved for little children and fluffy-looking animals - not some foul-mouthed rooster of a Turk. Vincent didn't dare move his eyes from her form.

The martial artist smiled and tugged lightly on the lock of hair tucked behind her ear.

There it was. No trick of the eye. The gunman watched as Reno's lips slid up into a flirtatious smirk. Damn peacock. It seemed his cocky demeanor was back into full swing, and he was obviously milking the situation for all its worth.

Did the man have no… shame?

No, of course not.

Cloud had been gone scarcely a week and the redhead was being… He was being… The way he was acting was just uncalled for. And she was… too kind. It was an unfair advantage the Turk was taking.

What a vaguely annoying notion - to think that she thought Reno was 'cute'. He was a damn Turk… Never mind he had been one in the distant past.

Vincent suddenly paused to break into another thought.

What in Jenova's name had been in that candy Yuffie had bought?


"They use to work for Shinra."

If anyone had been ignoring the blonde Turk before, that was no longer the case as all eyes were riveted to the petite woman who had spoken.

The attention shifted to Reno as he continued, "When Reeve came into power most employees were actually happy about the change. Not havin' to worry about your ass being fried every time you clock in can do that to ya. But… obviously, there were those who weren't as thrilled. Some guys just didn't wanna stick to the new set of rules Reeve was playing by. So they left." The redhead took a moment to flick his gaze over the assembly. "Most of 'em anyway."

"Others were extracted with more difficulty," Rude elaborated.

"Shinra loyalists," Vincent added in, giving their enemy a name.

"In a nutshell, Dead Boy." Reno resumed again. "So basically, you got a group of old Shinra suits trying to do you all, Saviors of the Planet, in."

"And in the process, gain some power and strike a little fear." Elena began to pace. "If Reeve was gone–"

"It'd be like Shinra all over again!" Yuffie exclaimed. "Plus there'd be no AVALANCHE to stop them!"

"Waiddasec." Cid rubbed the spot between his eyes in irritation. He felt a headache coming. "If they're suits, where'd they get the resources an' people t' help with this here set up? Shit. This damn thing is pretty large scale if y'think about it. They've had spies at each of our cities. Our damn homes. Cosmo Canyon, Corel, Roc-"

"Mercenaries." Elena brushed back her hair with a hand. "I don't know how – well, maybe I do know how – but they've hired mercenaries. With the money that some of those suits were getting, let's just say I'm pretty sure they could afford more than a dozen guys to do their dirty work."

"An' how 'bout you foo's?" Barret looked at the three suspiciously.

"What?"

"Yeah. How do we know that yer not in on it? Huh?" The Highwind pilot ground his cigarette into the nearby ashtray. "For all we damn know, you could've planned this all along. You could've been playin' both sides, keepin' tabs here in Midgar while yer friends play peepin' Toms with the rest of us!"

"Hey, look." A hard look settled on the blonde Turk's features. "I know that we can't wash all the blood clean from these blue-suits–"

"But we're paying what dues we can," Rude spoke up in defense of himself and his comrades.

Elena nodded. "I don't know if we can change a history of death. But maybe one day the Turks will be known for something good… something better - other than being Shinra's soulless dogs."

"Tch. That's all you Turks will ever be."

"Oh shove it up your ass!" Reno stood from his seat. They didn't have to take this. Past be damned. "I think those loyalists meant to come after the scruffy loudmouth here."

"Why y-" Cid was cut off when a young ninja put a hand on his arm.

"What was that old man?" The redhead lifted his nightstick. "You gonna hide behind some little kid?"

"Hey!" Yuffie glared menacingly at the Turk.

"If I remember right, once upon a time you were part of Shinra too."

The pilot grabbed for his javelin. "Sonuvabitch! You think-"

A roar of bickering rose between the members of the Turks and AVALANCHE.


No.

Reality was a cold figment of the imagination.

You're in here…

And Tifa's mind was terribly numb.

Always.

This… wasn't happening.

Always.

Saving the world seemed too easy.

…A girl adrift on sea…

This was hard.

…Island watching…

"Stop it…" Tifa was an audience of one, outside of it all…and hopelessly a part of it. It was like watching some scene play out on a horrible stage. A horrible stage that was her life. Stop… How she hated feeling powerless in that play. Stop. She hated it.

"I said stop it!"

The entire room came to a standstill, their eyes on the glaring ruby-eyed fighter.

The brunette let out a few shaky breaths, seemingly trying to calm herself. Her hands half-clenched then slacked. The room remained deathly silent at her frustrated and angry stare. When guilty faces met her eyes, her own gaze fell. One step back and suddenly, she was far away.

"Tif-" Cid called for all of them.

"Leave her." Vincent turned to the Neo-Midgar president. "Reeve."

The leader kept his gaze on the remaining assembly. "I'll handle it."

Vincent nodded. "Stay," he addressed the others before turning his back and walking.

"Pfft. Well isn't someone the social butterfly all of a sudden?" Reno took a step towards the retreating gunman then called, "And where do think your going high-and-mighty vamp?

Red-eyes shot the Turk a cool glare, challenging. "Somewhere you have no place being."

The gunslinger waited for the Turk's response.

Elena lightly elbowed her companion. "Reno, shut up. Don't provoke him."

"What? I can take him…"

"Yeah, and I'll see you in a body bag."

Reno opened his mouth only to shut it again.


He found her, hands braced on the balcony's railing. Alone. He stared at her back. She was still. Silent. She was upset. But she wasn't crying, only thinking. Where was her mind wandering, he wondered. This time he could only guess of who or what she was thinking.

She was distant.

"Vincent, you shouldn't be here."

He continued to stare at her back, disliking her tone of voice. "And why is that?" There was a slight waver, an underlying flicker of anger… a hurt at her words.

Then her voice seemed small. "No one should be here."

He felt his brow furrow. She meant something else. Vincent tried to make sense of it. Then he saw. A fist was clutched to her chest.

He moved closer, eyes narrow. "Is that what you want?"

Was it? "Yes…" No. She swallowed softly, "I don't know."

He wasn't sure why, but he hated her indecision. "Then I suggest you figure out what it is you want," he answered coolly, naturally. He almost felt in control. Neutral.

"Vince-"

But then, indifference seemed damning. "Do you want to be void of everything?" She had turned to him. "In there. To be cold and empty. …Alone?" She wasn't answering, and he stopped himself from forcefully making her. "You want no one? Is that what you want?" His voice was slightly raised, harsh.

She shook her bowed head once, and Vincent released the wrists he had suddenly been holding. "…To feel nothing? To be… nothing." His back was to her now. "…Is that it?"

"Vincent, I don't- I'm confused. I–" She reached out to him.

"Is it?" He sought his usual control.

Nothing.

"Vin…"

She did know.

"No." She shook her head. "No." A soft sigh fell from her lips.

Then he was neutral again. "…I know."

And she was hugging him. His back was warm with the contact.

Tifa released him. "I'll go back in."

He nodded once then watched her retreat back inside…

Curse you, Cloud. The air gently pulled at the man's dark hair and cloak. For leaving her alone…

With me.


Author's Note: That last conversation was... kind of... bizarre. Part of me knows what I was writing, while the other was rather out there doing its thing. 0.o Yep. How'd I do with a slightly jealous Vin? Was it... okay? -cringes- Eh heh heh. Anyway, thanks for your patience everyone. Update 8/13/12: I mentioned a FF7 Vin/Tif comic in this note before, but no longer exists! It's been so long I don't even remember how it went! Sadness.

"Behind the Scenes" Skit

Yuffie: Gosh dang it, Vinny! It really was only chocolate!
Vincent: -stares suspiciously at M&M in hand- It most likely has been tampered with...
Yuffie: Oh, admit it! You just don't wanna 'fess up! You were jeal-
Vincent: -glare-
Yuffie: Irked! You were irked! -whispers- Yeah right. Irked aka Jealous.
Vincent: . . . ( It is not true. Chocolate is evil. )
Yuffie: Heh heh. I knew it... Ooh Tiiifa!
Vincent: -Death Penalty magically appears-
Yuffie: O.O I don't know nothing.
Vincent: -smirks-