Disclaimer: Don't own Yuffie, Vincent or Shinra. I do own this particular version of Vincent's background and Ryyu. (Pronounced Ree-oo, or, if you're good with Japanese pronunciation, Riu.)

A/N: Yes, I am evil. You're gonna have to read "Faith and Feather" to get the full story on Vincent's past. However, that said… in F&F, this never happened. Kinda weird. ^^;

Lonely Miracle

The Company That Cares

Almost immediately, Yuffie's surroundings rippled from blackness into a chilly office building. Yuffie could almost feel the dread in the air. She could have reached out and touched it. It was an ordinary enough workplace, she supposed. Yet she had to stifle a shiver at what she saw before her.

Four teenagers in old fashioned navy blue suits stood to attention in the middle of the room, lined up in front of a young man in a red suit. Behind Red-Suit stood several men with semi-automatics. Yuffie recognised them as members of SOLDIER. She sidled around so she could see the faces of the teenagers, though she had a feeling she already knew… yes.

Vincent, face still and serious, eyes an amazing shade of blue, stood at the end of the row. If Yuffie hadn't known better, she would have thought he was bored. She looked around, wondering if the dirt-kicking child was here, for surely this was Shinra HQ.

"I never saw Ryyu again. I… don't know what happened to her, except that we were both taken by the Shinra." The voice spoke from behind her so that she jumped. The Vincent she knew was there, as solid as she was. Yuffie made towards him, happy he was here, but he walked away from her and vanished.

"Vincent? Wait…" Yuffie sighed and turned back to the office scene. Red-Suit was saying something. Three of the teenagers saluted. Vincent just stared.

Red-Suit glared at Vincent and pushed his shoulder angrily. Vincent just gave the man a withering look. It was a mistake. The older man drew back a fist and punched the clearly surprised Vincent in the nose, making Yuffie yell in surprise and disgust. She started forward, a dangerous gleam in her eyes, before she realised she couldn't hurt Red-Suit, nor could she prevent any of Vincent's past from occurring. She watched in furious horror as Red-Suit knocked Vincent to the ground and kicked him until he stopped moving. The image dissolved.

Yuffie kicked at the indistinct blackness. "How dare they?! How could anyone do that?!" She yelled. "Vincent, where are you? Come back!" Almost obediently, a ghostly teenage Vincent appeared. Yuffie strode up to him. "Why didn't you get him back? That bastard!"

Teenage Vincent smiled. He was just a little taller than she was. The effect of that innocent, unknowing smile was not lost on her; it made her gasp and fall silent while she concentrated on restoring the strength to her knees. "I couldn't remember anything before that day at Shinra. I couldn't even understand the Midgarian that Shinra himself spoke. It took me ten years to learn to speak as he does now."

"So… what happened to the time between then and… then?"

Vincent shrugged. "I don't know. All I knew then and all he knows now is that Mother is dead, and it is his fault for resisting the Shinra."

"What?! But it- hey! Hey, no, don't fade…"

"It's all right. Don't cry. You can find him."

"I'm not crying!" Yuffie protested aloud, and wiped her eyes in surprise. She was crying. But why? She felt suddenly unbearably sad.

"Vincent… don't leave me here…"

Drip.

"…I'm all alone…"

~*~

A/N: I'd just like to thank all of my reviewers. ^^ My creativity gets sapped fast, I'm afraid, and your reviews really keep me going. Sorry for the short chapter – the next one's much longer!

And InsanityLaughsAtYou… I'll really continue lots faster if you send me your Chaos plushie! ^_^ I'd just love one of those things.

I also want a Vinnie statuette. I should have a account for people to pay me if they want to. ^^