I am SO sorry that it has taken me SO long to finish this chapter up. I kind of lost my inspiration, but I think I'm getting it back now.
Chapter Fifteen
"They're going down into the pit," Nanaki whispered to the others, peering over the bushes where they hid. "They're carrying some sort of machine. I have no clue what it is."
Cid popped his head up and looked. "I don't recognize it either," he said quietly. "And I KNOW machines."
The machine was constructed of blue and gold metal. Part of it was a large platform dotted with screens and buttons. Mounted on the platform was a podium covered in wires and strange looking metal pieces.
"It's a trap. I can feel it. They want to use that machine to do something to us." Maena's voice shook.
"Calm down, Maena." Yuffie gave her a pat on the back. "The rest of us have saved the world before. This is nothing compared with some of the things we've been up against. What's a silly little trap to us? We're the ones who stopped that old Sephiroth!"
But I'm not, Maena thought. I have very little experience at saving the world.
"So what do we do?" Yuffie asked.
"We've got to sneak in there, disable whatever that machine is, and take out Caridoth and Thorn," Shera spoke up.
"Yes, but how?" Vincent added.
They were all quiet for a moment.
"Well, we need some sort of distraction to get them out of the pit and away from the machine," Cid said. "Whoever makes the distraction will fight Caridoth and Thorn and the others go after their $#& machine."
Vincent nodded. "Good idea."
"But who goes where?" Yuffie asked.
"I know machines." Shera smoothed her bun. "Cid and I know machines. We can go after that thing. We'll need someone with good eyes and ears to go with us and keep watch." She looked pointedly at Nanaki.
"And Maena and Vincent and me will fight the bad guys!" Yuffie exclaimed.
"Shhhh! Keep it down!" Vincent cautioned.
"Sorry." Yuffie rolled her eyes.
"So, when do we start with the plan?" Maena asked nervously.
"Sunset," Vincent said quietly.
"Why sunset?" Maena frowned.
"The sun sets over there." Vincent pointed. "They'll have their backs to the sun. The ones who are going after the machine can sneak in from that direction, and the rest of us will distract them by facing them." He shrugged. "It just makes sense to me that way."
Cid nodded and lit his cigar. "Sounds good to me."
(LINE HERE)
Maena sat with her back against a tree, watching as Caridoth and Thorn's men discovered the Highwind. She sighed a shaky sigh. Her life had changed so much over the past week. It had gone from a boring, lonely, solitary sojourn to a life full of adventure and friends and danger. And now… now that all might come to an end.
"Maena." A long, slender hand settled on her shoulder and she knew it was Vincent.
"Vincent, this is it. This is the day when we face our destiny--whether it be death or victory."
Vincent slipped around the tree to settle down beside Maena. His crimson eyes were full of concern as he looked down at her. "Don't worry, Maena. I'll take care of you."
"It's not me I'm worried about." She looked up at him, and there were tears in her green eyes. "It's you."
"Me?" Vincent frowned.
"Yes, you. Gods, I'm so worried you're going to get yourself killed. I couldn't bear it." She looked away.
Vincent gently took her hand, saying nothing.
"Well? SAY something, Vincent. You never SAY anything. You always just walk away from me. Is that what you're about to do now?" Maena's voice was shaky with emotion.
Vincent tried hard to think of something to say. But he couldn't. He had always been a man of few words, only speaking when there was something important or cynical to say. Well, now there was something important to say--and he just couldn't say it!
"I see." Maena jerked her hand from his grasp and stood, brushing off the folds of her skirt. "You don't… you don't LOVE me like--like that. Like I hoped. I thought you did." She angrily wiped away her tears. "I'm such a fool to let myself fall in love like this."
Vincent jumped to his feet, just as angry. "Now look here!" he exclaimed, waving his finger in her face. "Have you forgotten the last couple of days? OF COURSE I love you, you idiot!"
"Then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!" Maena cried.
"All right then. I will." Vincent crossed his arms, thinking frantically.
Maena tapped her foot, her hands on her hips. "I'm waiting."
Suddenly, Vincent grasped her tightly in his arms, pinning her against his slim, strong chest. One hand pressed the small of her back, and the other grasped the back of her neck, tilting her head up towards his. "Let's see if this is enough!" he exclaimed, satisfied at how huge her eyes were. He leaned forward and kissed her passionately, drinking of her lips like a thirsty man drinks wine. To his satisfaction, her body relaxed and she was soon wrapping her arms around him and kissing him back with as much fervor.
When Vincent finally released her, Maena staggered back, breathless, her eyes wide. WOW! She thought.
"Is that enough, woman? Does THAT prove that I love you?"
Maena nodded mutely, then BURST out crying.
Vincent gathered her into his arms, stroking her hair and whispering in her ear. "Of course I love you, sweetling. I'm sorry. I should have told you, should have kissed you long ago."
"Please don't die, Vincent! Don't die! Don't leave me!" Maena cried.
Vincent laughed--and kissed her again. "You're a strong woman, Maena my love," he said to her. "Now act like it."
Maena pulled back from him, rubbing her eyes until they were red. "I'll be all right. It's just that--I'm not used to this."
Vincent just smiled at her, thinking, I would like to kiss her AGAIN.
(LINE HERE)
The sun was just beginning to set. Vincent, Maena, and Yuffie drew their weapons and began to head towards the place where Thorn, Caridoth, and their men were setting up camp. Unfortunately, this place was on the edge of the pit where the Temple of Ancients had once stood.
Vincent gave a nod to Cid and his party, then started off across the grass, leaving the shelter of the trees and bushes.
Yuffie and Maena waited in the woods for his signal.
"It will be all right," Yuffie said to her nervous friend. "It's $$ kicking time-- and we're the ones kicking!"
"I'm fine." There was a hard, dangerous edge to Maena's voice that Yuffie had never heard before. "I've cried all my tears. All I have right now is anger--and it's directed towards those men over there."
Yuffie smiled. Now this was sounding awesome. She had seen before what Maena's magic did when the wizardess was angry.
Maena watched Vincent's tall, thin, dark form walk slowly and elegantly towards the enemy camp. It seemed like forever before they noticed who was headed their way.
Caridoth, of course, noticed first. "Look who's coming!" he called out cheerily. "Vincent Valentine! Are you leaving those losers you call friends to join us? I always knew you were a smart man!"
Vincent just kept walking.
"Get your magic ready, Maena," Yuffie whispered. "It's almost time."
"I know that you have all been hiding in those woods all day. Why else would your airship be over there?" There was amusement in Caridoth's voice.
"Is he SUPPOSED to know that?" Maena whispered.
"It doesn't matter if he does or not. We're gonna get him anyway," Yuffie said darkly.
Vincent finally stopped walking, only a few yards away from the enemy camp. "Caridoth!" he called in a loud, commanding voice. "I, Vincent Valentine, charge you this day with unforgivable crimes against this planet and its people. You are hereby sentenced…" He paused, his red eyes flashing in the sunset. "To death."
That was the signal.
Yuffie leaped from the bushes, flipping and rolling and front-hand springing towards Caridoth. Maena followed close behind, twirling her staff as it shot sparks like fireworks. One glance towards the pit told Maena that the other party had reached the machine.
Caridoth laughed at the display. "Thorn! What do you make of this?"
The Shinra man shook his head and spat on the ground. "These circus freaks don't stand a chance against us and our men!" he decided.
As the two leaders and their men laughed, Vincent raised his arms. Then there was silence. "Come on," Vincent said, his skin suddenly darkening, his eyes glowing. "Attack me." His voice was deepening. "Make me mad."
Chaos, Maena thought. He's wanting to turn into Chaos.
Yuffie twirled her shuriken. "Ready, guys?" she asked, crouching low.
"Ready," Maena agreed, slamming her staff into the ground in front of her.
Vincent gave no reply
(A/N: So sorry this took so long. The next chapter or two will finish this story up. Dang it, I wish a handsome man would kiss me the way Vincent kissed Maena. Oh well. Sigh…)