Chapter 19: Repercussions.

Yuffie walked down the busy street of Wutai, trying to convince herself what she did was right. 'They didn't need it!' She yelled at herself, 'Besides Wutai needs it so much more.' Yuffie thought back to the look on her friends' faces as she ran; they were shocked and disappointed. Pangs of guilt shot through her, she hadn't even stayed near to see the fight. 'What kind of a person am I?'

Yuffie had reached Wutai late in the night; she hoped that the others would abandon their chase. She thought of Cloud, 'Yeah right.' She hoped that the group wouldn't reach Wutai till later in the day, 'Hopefully they at least camped for the night.' She noticed where she was, near the entrance to the village. She looked around as the villagers were staring toward a group of people; the people were very familiar to Yuffie. She ducked and darted into the crowd, 'Great!'

"Yuffie!" Cloud yelled after the fleeing ninja. He turned to the group, anger steaming in his mako blue eyes, "Split up and find her." He ordered quietly. Everyone nodded and started to search the city.

Vincent took slow strides down the street. The people parted for him, as if being near him would infect them with his darkness. He paid them no mind as his gaze wandered over the town, 'This is... familiar?' Vincent was surprised at the feelings that were seeping into his mind. Vincent thought back to his Turk years, never once had he been sent to Wutai, they were free from Shinra's control; although tension's were high between the superpowers. And yet, his twisted soul felt something... familiar. Vincent noticed all the obvious tourists strolling the street and occasionally photographing him. 'Cloud was serious about Wutai's defeat.'

In all his work Wutai had been known for their proud warriors and strong traditions, now it seemed to be nothing more that a living museum. 'Thirty years can surely alter the world.' He thought as he moved deeper into the town. He came to a building highly decorated, it's bright sign read Turtle's Paradise, Vincent shrugged before entering the bar. He immediately drew his gun at the situation within.

Cloud, Tifa, and Barret were standing battle ready; facing a table of recognizable blue suited people. "We'll take you on Turks!" Cloud yelled. Vincent eyes flashed to the table.

'These are the new Turks?' Vincent was surprised at the state of the occupants of the table. The fiery-headed one was filthy and obviously, a heavy drinker; the bald one's suit was pressed and a powerful aura surrounded him, much like Tifa's. The final one was a small blonde woman who seemed barely capable of holding a gun; much less use it to end someone's life.

Suddenly the redhead spoke, "Elena, you talk too much." He took another swig of his glass.

Elena began to complain, "But Reno, its AVALANCHE! We have orders to stop them!"

The bald one spoke quietly, "Why are we here?"

"Well, um.." Elena looked down sheepishly, "We're on vacation Rude." Rude simply nodded his head as he drank more of the drink before him. Elena gave her partners and AVALANCHE a cold stare, "You guys are sooo lucky!" She said before taking her seat again. Vincent looked to Cloud who sheathed his sword looking very confused. Vincent quickly stepped back out of the door, unnoticed by any, as he holstered his gun.

'The Turks have changed as well.' Vincent thought to his garbled memory, he could always remember the Turk training and his activities but never anything before that. 'Only the atrocities remain within me.' Vincent began walking toward the weapon shop, remembering that most of his ammo supply had been depleted, especially after the loss of their materia. Vincent had to use more bullets on bigger enemies because Yuffie had taken the Added Effect and Destruct materia from his gun.

He walked in the store and winced at the sounds. "!#& too much!" Cid hollered at the clerk.

The clerk smiled back, "If the price is too much you do not have to purchase the lance." Cid continued to launch curses into the air as he slammed down the gil.

"This better be a !#$ good lance!" he threatened the clerk as he turned away.

The clerk kept the same smile, "The Dragoon Lance is a very effective weapon in the proper hands."

Cid froze at the comment then spun around and thrust the lance at the clerk, stopping the blade millimeters from her throat, "Proper hands my $$!" he smirked before turning away from the now hysterical clerk. His eyes grew fearful when he saw Vincent. "Hey." Cid gulped, his mind obviously reliving the violence of Vincent in battle. Vincent stared at the lance and raised an eyebrow. Cid followed his gaze and straightened defensively, "Can't fight without a !#$ good weapon!" he said as he walked past Vincent out of the shop.

"Indeed." Vincent replied as Cid walked by. Cid jumped but walked on. Vincent walked up to the still frantic clerk, "I am in need of ammunition."

The clerk's eyes widened considerably at his towering figure, "What size?" she squeaked. Shortly thereafter Vincent emerged from the shop, his ammo bag full. He paused in front of the store.

'She practically threw the bullets at me.' Vincent sighed as he accepted the fact that his true self was revealed to the world, '!#$ you Hojo!' Vincent turned toward the tallest structure in the village. 'Seems to be their government palace.' Vincent had learned to recognize important structures during his Turk years, even when the builders didn't want them found. He saw three familiar faces running from the building. 'Cloud, Tifa, and... Yuffie.' He began moving through the crowds.

He watched as Yuffie nimbly darted through the crowd and vaulted over fences. 'Oh no not Vincent!' Yuffie desperately dived into a house. Vincent tried to catch up to her, but too many people blocked his path. He noticed Yuffie disappear into the house as Cloud and Tifa ran up to him.

"Where'd she go?" Tifa breathed heavily. Vincent motioned toward the house, "Let's get her." Tifa led them into the house.

Yuffie cringed in her hiding place. 'No where to go. Leviathan help me!' She thought as she heard the others enter. 'Stay calm. Stay calm.'

"More strange people Grandpa!" A small girl cried as they entered. Tifa began apologizing as Cloud and Vincent looking around the room for any sign of the thief. Something caught Vincent's ear, small breaths.

Vincent tilted his head slightly allowing him to hear more clearly. He walked over to a screen in the corner of the room. He raised his eyebrow, 'Someone's behind here.'

'Oh no! He's standing right in front of me!' An idea formed in Yuffie's mind. In one swift movement, Vincent grabbed the screen and pulled it aside; revealing a cowering Yuffie. Vincent glared down at the ninja.

Slowly she looked up, "Uh-oh." She breathed. She almost lost herself in his ruby gaze, 'I am gonna die.' Vincent reached out to grab her, "STOP!" she cried. A gray mist descended upon the room. Yuffie watched Vincent's eyes, he was visibly straining against the spell. She gasped in surprise when he slowly began moving. "!#$!" She muttered and ran out of the house. 'That's not possible!'

Vincent struggled against the spell. The demons within him laughed at his struggles, further angering the dark man. Finally, something snapped within him and the mist surrounding him solidified and shattered. "Yuffie." He whispered dangerously. He turned to Cloud and the others and shook his head; they were still frozen by the spell. He leaned against the wall as he waited for the spell to fade. In truth, he needed the time to calm himself; the demons were struggling viciously against his mental barriers. He berated himself for allowing his anger to nearly overcome him. 'How did I break the spell?' Vincent brooded.

Yuffie ran toward the Turtle's paradise, 'How did he break the spell?' Again guilt lifted its head within her. 'Maybe I should give up. They are my... my... friends.' Yuffie smiled, 'I've never had real friends before.' Yuffie looked around, 'But Wutai needs this materia.'

Cloud shook his head as the mists faded. "What happened?" He looked to Vincent, "Exactly how did you break the spell so soon?"

Vincent shrugged slightly, "Yuffie ran off. I do not know why I was able to free myself from the magic so soon."

Cloud looked as if he was going to press further, but stopped when Vincent looked up and stared at him coldly. "Never mind," Cloud dropped the matter, "Let's go find Yuffie." The three walked out into the street, "Any ideas?"

The group walked down the steps and into the street. "Let's gather everyone at that Paradise place and see what they've got." Tifa suggested. Cloud nodded and led them toward the pub. Outside the pub, Vincent paused again. Tifa looked toward him, "What's wrong?" Vincent said nothing as he walked toward a huge pot near the corner of the building. Tifa and Cloud gave him odd looks when he pressed his ear against it.

Vincent stood suddenly and walked back to them, "She's in there." He said evenly. Cloud didn't quite believe him, but when Tifa gave him an elbow he nodded. Cloud motioned for Tifa to block one bridge and Vincent the other. Each took their positions as Cloud walked up to the pot. Cloud looked to the others and nodded before drawing his sword.

He swung the massive blade so that the broadside collided with the pot. CLANG The sound echoed throughout the area. 'How did they find me?' Yuffie grabbed her head. CLANG he slammed the pot again, 'Hold on Yuffie he won't keep it up forever.' Yuffie's head was ringing. CLANG when his sword hit the pot a third time Yuffie jumped out of the top holding her head in pain and looking slightly dazed. She ran for the upper bridge but stopped when Tifa began approaching her. Yuffie turned toward the next bridge but immediately froze as Vincent slowly began walking toward her, his bloody gaze locked on her. 'New plan, its all for Wutai.' Yuffie sighed as she put her hands in the air, "I give up."

"Where's our materia?" Cloud asked, anger seething in his voice.

Yuffie began walking toward Vincent's bridge, "My house, follow me." She hung her head but she could still feel Vincent's gaze freezing her. 'Now he's scary.' Yuffie sighed to herself as she led them into her house. 'Gotta get more time. The trap will help me!' Yuffie comforted herself as she started down the stairs into her training room. She shook it away and forced herself to begin crying.

"I'm sorry, I just..hic.. wanted to help Wutai." Yuffie sobbed. "I thought.. sob.. if I got more materia.. sniff.. I could change it from a resort town." Yuffie buried her face in her hands.

Cloud's face was stern although his eyes had a shimmer of sympathy. "We just want our materia. If you give it back we'll drop this whole things."

'He'll forget about me stealing their materia!' Yuffie walked to the doorway and leaned against the frame, "Just pull.. hic..sob.. the left lever." She continued to sob, her entire body shaking. 'I got Cloud and Tifa. Vincent though...' She could feel his bloody gaze piercing to her very soul.

Cloud shook his head, walked over to the lever, and pulled. A steel cage fell from the ceiling and entrapped Vincent and Tifa. "YUFFIE!" Cloud yelled.

Yuffie suddenly turned, all trace of tears gone, "You shouldn't trust people so easy!" She ran from the room but appeared in the doorway again, "If you want the materia so bad ya gotta earn it. You should try to steel it. Get it steel!" Then she raced up the stairs laughing. 'He didn't take his eyes off me. Even when the cage fell.' Vincent's unrelenting gaze disturbed Yuffie; she silently cursed herself for feeling any guilt. 'Just got to remember its all for Wutai, they'll understand eventually.'

'I knew that was too easy.' Vincent stared after the fleeing ninja. 'Does she really care about Wutai so much?'

Cloud fiddled with the levers until they both clicked up and the cage rose. "Now its personal." The dangerous glint in Cloud's eyes had returned. "You two stay with me, were ending this chase." They ascended the stairs back into the busy streets of the city. "Any sign?" Cloud asked as he scanned the area.

Vincent stared intently towards the Pagoda, "There." Even his enhanced vision was barely able to pick out Yuffie's fleeing form into the trees. Vincent followed as Cloud and Tifa began the pursuit. They soon stood in the courtyard in between the Pagoda, Godo's home, and a small gong structure.

Cloud looked around again, "Anything?" Vincent shook his head.

Tifa was staring at the gong structure, "Wasn't that gate closed when we were here before?" She motioned towards the ornate swinging doors.

Cloud agreed, "It was." Slowly they entered the gated area. "Where did she go?" Cloud walked up and inspected the gong. "!#$ it!" He pushed the ringer hard, it swung and BONG it rang clear. CLANK Tifa looked to the side of the building.

She smiled, "Lucky." Then led them into the newly revealed entrance greeted by most unpleasant sounds.

"Let me go! Ya creeps! You'll regret this!" Yuffie hollered from where she was held by a darkly dressed thug.

Cloud's eyes narrowed at the repulsive site before him. "You!"

"Yes it's me! Don Corneo!" Corneo grinned broadly as he took a drag on his cigar. "And I've found TWO beauties for tonight!" He chuckled.

Cloud glared at him, "Two?"

"Get your !#$ hands off of me! Do you think you'll get away with this?" Elena screamed from her position slung over another thug's shoulder.

"Weell time to go!" Corneo turned and ran up the stairs behind his captives. The trio said nothing as they began pursuit. When they reached the top of the stairs they froze, before them was Corneo facing three Shinra soldiers.

"Now we've got you!" One of the soldiers yelled, "And without the Turks help! Charge!" They charge towards Corneo. Some how the fat man scooted out of the way and ran as the soldiers came face to face with Cloud, Tifa, and Vincent. "It's AVALANCHE! Attack them!" The leader ordered.

Tifa immediately grabbed the nearest soldier and, using her hips, flung him into the secret stairwell. Cloud, without enough time to draw his sword, punched his soldier in the face; the soldier's nose splattered across his face and he collapsed to the ground. Vincent made a quick slash across the last soldier's throat, his razor talons shredding the flesh. Vincent shoved the gurgling man away as the soldier clutched his throat in an attempt to keep in his life-blood. Cloud and Tifa once again stared at Vincent's ferocity before running out of Godo's house. Tifa whispered to Cloud, "Are you sure about him?" Cloud simply shrugged as he slid the main door open, revealing the courtyard, with two familiar faces waiting.

"..." Rude stood and stared at Vincent through his dark sunglasses.

Reno looked up, "Hey spike, who's the dark dude?"

Vincent spoke just loud enough for the two Turks to hear, "I am Vincent Valentine." Reno's eyes widened visibly as his jaw dropped, Rude's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

Reno was, for the first time in his life, completely speechless. Rude actually spoke, "THE Vincent Valentine? MIA Leader of the Turks?" Vincent raised his eyebrow slightly and nodded. Rude's sunglasses slipped down his nose, revealing his hazel eyes. "How?"

Reno regained his voice, "Never mind that! We have to get Elena." He tried to act unimpressed, but failed miserably. "What are you gonna do Spike?"

Cloud shrugged, "The only way to get our materia is to rescue Yuffie."

Reno gave Cloud a hard glare, "We will get Elena, we won't harm that other girl... yet." Reno gave Cloud a crooked smile, "But we're not joining up with you."

Cloud shook his head, "We have no intention of joining the Turks either. We'll just cooperate for awhile." Reno and Cloud nodded at each other, sealing the truce. "Where did Corneo go anyways?"

Reno snickered, "Quick aren't you. Here's a hint, the place that stands out the most." With one final awed glance at Vincent, Reno and Rude ran back into central Wutai.

Tifa gave Vincent a quick glance, "They were impressed. What did you do as a Turk anyway?"

Vincent didn't answer as he walked after the Turks. 'I followed my nature, I was a monster in human form.' He thought grimly.

Tifa turned to Cloud, "That's disturbing to think that Vincent is a legend amongst the Turks."

Cloud nodded his agreement, "Yeah, what horrible memories must Vincent have to live with." Cloud and Tifa ran to catch up with the flowing crimson of Vincent's cape. When they reached the center of town Cloud stopped looking around intently, "The place that stands out the most. What do think that is?" They all continued looking around.

Tifa suddenly spoke up as she looked up to the mountain, "How about that?" She pointed.

Vincent and Cloud looked up, "That'll work." Cloud nodded, "Let's move." The three pushed and shoved their way through the crowd toward the massive statue cut out of the mountain. When they arrived at the base Reno and Rude were waiting.

"Took you long enough." Reno snickered. Rude stood staring at Vincent. "Okay let's split up. Remember we're just cooperating." Reno laughed as he and Rude sped up the mountain paths. Cloud led the way up the mountain after them.

"Are you sure we should trust them?" Tifa asked as they trudged up the dusty path.

Cloud shrugged, "I think so. They can't endanger Yuffie without hurting Elena." They rounded a path that swept behind a huge head. "I wonder what these statues are called." Cloud said thoughtfully.

"These are the Da-Chao statues." Tifa and Cloud looked at Vincent in surprise, but he just kept walking. They followed the path down toward a huge hand. When they came around the face, they all froze.

"CORNEO!" Cloud roared as he charged down the rest of the path. Corneo stood at the fingers while Elena and Yuffie were tied to the face's eyes.

'They actually came!' Yuffie thought in shock, 'Only for their materia though.'

The fat pimp turned and grinned as they arrived. "Hello again. Too bad you interrupted me, I just chose the spunky one to be with tonight."

Yuffie screamed from her precarious "GROSSNESS! Don't even THINK of touching me you CREEP!"

Vincent looked between Yuffie and Corneo, he felt annoyance and something else at the events of what happened. 'Disgusting.'

"I can tell you don't like what I've done." Corneo laughed.

Vincent spoke before Tifa or Cloud could, "I don't care about what you're doing, insomuch as the idiotic way you're doing it."

No one noticed Yuffie flinch at his comment. 'He really doesn't care about anything or me.' Yuffie was startled with herself, 'Why does it matter if he cares about me?'

"Hmph what do you know!" Corneo stood crestfallen, "You don't know how bad I've had it since Midgar."

"SHUT UP! We don't care!" Cloud yelled before Corneo could start his sob story. "Just release the girls."

Corneo suddenly smiled, "You killed my poor Aps but I found a new pet. RAPPS!" Suddenly a screech came from the top of the mountain. The three AVALANCHE members looked up as a form passed overhead. Suddenly the form dived at them.

The form swept past the group, the wind from it swept Vincent and Tifa over the edge, the weight of Cloud's sword saved him from going over the edge.

Tifa was able to grab onto the rock thumb and pull herself back. Vincent buried his claw into the side. The beast descended on the scattered group with a shriek. Its red scales glinted in the sun, the yellow membrane of its wings pulsated as it pumped its wings, and its eyes held a murderous intent.

Cloud stood facing the beast alone, as his comrades tried to pull themselves back onto the ledge. Rapps darted at Cloud, just before the beast talons sunk into him Cloud swung his massive sword cleaving the beast foot off. Rapps screamed in pain as it pulled back, suddenly it felt a huge force collide with the back of its skull. Tifa continued to pummel the beast's head with her metal shod gloves. Rapps twisted and shook until Tifa was thrown, with a thump, into Cloud. Rapps screeched and sent its poison tipped tail toward them.

Cloud tried to shield Tifa with his body but was surprised when he felt no pain. Rapp's tail was dripping blood from where the poison tip had been. Vincent stood near the edge cape and hair billowing in the wind, a trail of smoke spiraling out of his gun. Rapps fled to the air in the face of these odds. It suddenly looked down and glowed dimly. The wind on the rock hand fell to nothing.

"Watch out!" Yuffie called. "Its magic!"

The trio looked around in confusion. Whispers of wind slowly began whirling around the group gradually picking up speed. "What's going on?" Cloud asked. Before anyone could answer, the small winds burst into a raging funnel. The trio was tossed around within the funnel, small rocks became slashing knives. Finally when the wind returned to normal everyone's clothes were torn badly and their skins gleamed in numerous cuts. Cloud finally pulled himself to his feet, wincing in pain, "Still with me?" Vincent nodded slightly as Tifa stood shakily; she had taken the most damage because of her exposed skin.

"How are we going to beat him without our materia?" Tifa said weakly.

Yuffie looked around guilty, 'They're going to die because of me!'

When Cloud looked toward Vincent, he responded solemnly, "My gun is too weak to have any true effect."

"!#$" Cloud swore. He glanced at his comrades again, Vincent was standing firm carefully watching the beast, but Tifa looked as if she was going to pass out from the loss of blood. Cloud felt a surge of rage within him as he turned to the beast in the air. His eyes narrowed dangerously. He pushed his rage into his sword as he brought it back over his shoulder. It glowed faintly before he swung it with all his might. The blade created a gash in the air that sped toward the monster.

When it collided with Rapps the glowing slice burst into a rainbow of color that drowned out Rapps shrieks of agony. Rapps plummeted toward the ground, one wing sheared off, spraying blood in all directions. Rapps fall ended when it impaled itself upon a massive tree. Cloud fell to one knee as exhaustion overtook his form. Tifa stumbled to his side while Vincent faced Corneo.

"First Aps now Rapps! NOO!" Corneo began blubbering. Vincent just looked down on him as Cloud slowly rose with Tifa, each helping each other.

"Now free the girls." Cloud rasped. Don Corneo's sobbing slowly became laughing. "What's so funny?" Cloud gave Coreno a dark look.

"Why do you think that a bad man like me would be laughing at a time like this?" Corneo smirked, "I'll give you a few choices: 1. Because I am stupid. 2. Because I'm going to win. 3. Because I have nothing else to live for. Come on which one!"

"Number 2." Cloud said with disgust, remembering Corneo's trap in the mansion.

"Right!" Corneo produced a box from his coat. When he pressed a button the ropes holding Yuffie and Elena snapped, with a yelp they began falling. Only to be stopped by the ropes holding their feet; they stay there suspended by only one line. "Come any closer and we have smashed tomatoes." Corneo snickered.

'Help me Vincent!' Yuffie screamed in her mind.

Vincent stood resolute, as what remained of his emotions were tortured by the demons. They wanted him to move and make her fall. Each was fighting the barriers in his mind to try and make him move. 'What are they doing? They can't benefit from Yuffie's death.' Vincent's confused mind was scarcely able to contain them.

"You really are annoying." A laugh came from the path. Reno walked down the path and onto the rocky thumb. "Did you really think you'd get away after you gave them that information?"

Corneo gulped, "Stay back or splat!" Reno just laughed and shook his head. "FINE!" Corneo lifted the control, just before he pushed the button as shot rang out. The control burst into pieces as Corneo's blood splattered; Corneo screamed as he grabbed his hand. He took a step backward, the loose gravel shifted from beneath his foot and Corneo slipped over the side. Somehow, the fat man caught the edge with his good hand. Reno gave quick thumbs up to Rude. Reno jumped down from his perch and stood above the pimp.

'Vincent didn't even move?' Yuffie's heart sank, 'He didn't even try to save me.'

"I have a question for you." Reno snickered, "Why did we track you down? 1) We don't like you. 2) We always win. 3) We like to travel."

Corneo slipped slightly, "Nu- number 2?"

Reno sneered, "All wrong." He slammed his foot onto Corneo's fingers. Corneo yelled and released his hold; he hung in the air momentarily before falling into the mists below, his scream echoed between the cliffs until a small splat sound cut it off. "The right answer was: Because its our job."

Elena suddenly began shouting, "Thank you! I didn't think you'd come!"

"Toughen up Elena, you're a Turk!" Reno snorted. Elena blushed in embarrassment, but was silenced by a chirping ring. Reno reached within his crumbled suit and produced a ringing phone. "Yeah? What do you want?" Reno scowled. He listened intently for a few moments before folding the phone and returning it into the rumbles of his jacket. "That was headquarters."

Rude spoke questioningly, "What are the orders?"

Reno looked up and glanced at Cloud, "We're to find and stop Cloud and his buddies." Cloud and Tifa shakily set themselves, each supported each other. Vincent slowly drew his gun from its holster. Reno glanced at the group and pointedly stared at Vincent's gun. Rude's gaze joined his leaders. It was obvious that the pair had inner fears of the legend that had returned from a presumed grave. "We're on vacation." Reno shrugged to hide the shiver that Vincent had created in him.

Yuffie suddenly piped up, "HEEYY! GET ME DOWN! HUURRRYY UUUPPP!" Cloud smirked as Rude began pulling the girls up and Reno handed out a few potions.

Vincent stared at Yuffie as she complained about he way Rude was pulling her up, 'Why do the demons hate her? She's just a girl.' Vincent remained lost in his thoughts as they trekked back down the mountain into the bustling town of Wutai.

'I thought he was my friend.' Yuffie cried within, 'He protected me from the shadows, but not against Corneo? Maybe he's not the one in my dream.' Yuffie kept distance between herself and Vincent.