They were in pitch black. All either could see was the other. Vincent was sitting on something. Yuffie stood a few yards behind him, her hand in a fist against her chest. She could feel her heart thumping. What could she say to him? What do you say to someone who lost his or her loved one in such a violent way?
"One thing I loved about her was her eyes. I had noticed it the very first time we met. Those eyes had a quality, like she knew something no one else could understand. It wasn't contempt, but an enlightenment, or happiness maybe. I never would have agreed to meet her, if it wasn't for those eyes. They captivated me, I wanted to know what it was she felt. And I did… It was the supreme feeling that through thick and thin, there would always be a happiness waiting for you. It was hope. When I fell into the manhole I had one last good look at her face. The glint in her eyes was gone. She lost her hope… And that look… In her eyes… I've never found it again, in myself or in others. Save once…"
"That's not true Vincent… She had hope, and she put it into you. She loved you to the end, that's why she shot you. She put her hope in you, into your survival. Your own memories dictate it, there would have been only a couple seconds to get to her. You probably would not have even had a chance to pick her up before the blast killed you both. She saved your life with the hope that you would live on." Yuffie stepped up behind him and linked her arms around him. "She loved you in life and in death, please don't waste that on sorrow and regret. It would only sadden her.."
With that Vincent began to stand up and turn around facing Yuffie. Taking both her hands in his he said; "You're right, I shouldn't waste my time in this sorrow, and I should be celebrating what time we had together. Thank you."
"Then you're feeling better?"
"Don't worry about me. You've given me something very precious, something to hope for."
Yuffie smirked. "good then, now you can't say I never did nuthin for ya!" With that she turned about face and skipped away into the darkness. Not entirely sure where to, but confident this general direction would take to the portal back to the main room.
Vincent just stared as she skipped away. "Something to believe in, my own humanity, and in love."
With that he felt himself begin to fade. There was no longer a reason for him to dwell and skulk here. He would join the Vincent from the present, along with the small boy. He was ready to move on, he wanted to see what bright hopes the future had for them. All of them.
Yuffie just kept on skipping, eyes closed tightly he was happy imagining the Vincent she knew in badly drawn crayon form thanking a version of herself that was also very badly drawn in crayon. Suddenly a funny feeling came over her, and she knew she was back in the Shinra office that led to the other portals. When she opened her eyes, only one item stood out. A very angry looking Chaos sitting at the head chair with his feet up on the table.
"Busy busy bee..." he said, and then went tight-lipped.
"Before you start with me, I just want to say... no... I don't need to justify my actions. Vincent is my friend, and I will help him in every way possible. I'd do the same for you, if you it weren't for all the bad vibes you've given me since I got here.
I suppose it's too late for what I had in mind, so I might as well tell you. I wanted, in fact, for this body to escape the life stream. But I didn't want him to be happy with himself. No... I wanted him to feel a constant fight with sadness, anger, and sorrow. A constant turmoil in his mind."
"Why?"
"So I could emerge on a more permanent basis." He said dryly. "If his mind is in a constant state of chaos then it would be harder for him to regain control over himself after he transforms."
"You wanted his body, as a host to you..." Yuffie was shocked. Vincent always seemed in complete control of his inner demons, it had never occurred to her that perhaps one might be able to escape if given the chance, and whats worse steal Vincent away from her.. err.. the group.
"A temporary host, mind you. There is no way to completely extract myself, but for the most part I could possibly free what matters, my mind."
"Have you told Vincent this?"
"Yes, but he feels he cannot release such an evil unto the world. So he ignores the option."
"What would you do if you were to free yourself? and what would happen to Vincent?"
"To Vincent? He would have one less voice in his head... Actually I could take care of the other three as well... He would gain my longevity. As for myself, I will return to the life stream, and I guess in a few millennia transmutation into a summon materia."
"What?"
"Materia. Summon"
"But how? You're a demon?"
"Haha hah ha hah ha.." he cackled. "You know nothing of the true origins of the summon material, few do. One being the late professor Hojo."
"I'm not following…"
"I would not expect you to." Chaos folded his arms and just looked at her for a moment. "Help me, and I'll tell you everything, the legends behind the summon material and the great civilization of the past. Everything needed to extricate myself from Vincent is located in the ruins below the Temple of the Ancients."
Yuffie, just stared at him for a moment. "How exactly can I trust you?"
"You along with the other members of AVALANCHE already seem to trust me, and for good reason. Never once when I was transformed have I attacked you, or tried to escape. I've been as loyal to AVALANCHE as Vincent has."
"Good point"
"..." Chaos just looked at her for a second. "You can help me... He would trust you with his life. You go ahead through the next portal, and help him as much you can. When you finish the next two portals, before you leave this place I will be prepared. I'll show you and him everything I know. But you must help me. Help me convince him to release me. I've lived too long as it is, and the confines of this mind and body are taking their toll on what sanity I possessed in the first place."
"Fine... After I finish, with the next two portals..."
He stood up suddenly, "Swear it! Swear you'll help me!"
"I swear it." With that she turned around and began walking to the next portal.
Chaos just stared as she left, then thought to himself: 'you maybe the only hope for freedom I have left. Good luck...' "I know on some level you can hear me Vincent. I know you like I do myself. She's a keeper. Even if it takes you a thousand years to learn it for yourself, I hope you'll act on it soon."
Throwing in violence probably would have been better, but it wouldn't have served my original purpose. I'll leave a note about that at chapter 10 when it comes into play.
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