Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7. I simply own this story.

I've had major writer's block for the last couple of chapters and I still kind of have it. I'm just pretty much typing whatever pops into mind. So yeah, be gentle.

PS. I would really like it if I could get 33 reviews in all at the very least before I make another chapter . that's only asking for 8 more reviews.

Seeing Is Believing.

It had been two weeks since the journey had began, two weeks since Tifa had shown Vincent the Resurrection spell, two weeks. Vincent had shelled up and become more distant then before, only speaking when spoken to.

August 15th appeared suddenly on the calendar, yes, for the last two weeks they hadn't actually retrieved anything, they'd been flying around the world, questioning various people where to find the 'Captivation Materia' and the 'Aiya Dagger'. Those were the only two materialistic things that you would require for this physical part; the incantation and spell-casting demanded other things though. But Cid managed to redeem the whereabouts of the dagger.

Roaring with power, the Highwind flew towards Icicle Inn, within a village near there should sit an archeologist, one that held information on the small, spiritual knife. It took four days to arrive, Vincent moved swiftly off the large aircraft, not wanting to waste any precious time. Nanaki followed stealthily, excited by the idea of the soul-eating blade, Tifa slugged slowly out, her bangs covered her face. Cid was the last to leave his precious prize.

"Hey, Vin." The pilot whispered to the gunman, not wanting to be heard by the others. "You've got that fucking sharp eye, the hell you think is wrong with Teef?"

The young woman shook ferociously in the cold environment, but that wasn't what Cid was concerned about. Her eyes were glossy, ready to have tears bursting through; her expression was blank, she was drowning in thought.

"Cold perhaps?" His heart begged for him to care but nothing would get through the thick Lucretia blinds he had constructed in his mind.

They arrived at an inn that was in the nearby village; it was late, almost 12. The temperatures were still extremely cold, they decided to get one room, hoping each other's body heat would warm the room more than themselves alone. Upon entering the room, the bathroom stood to their right; a little further into the chamber, four beds in a row sat against the wall to their left and a window at the opposite wall from them.

"Hey… Tif, are you ok?" Gentleness touched Cid's voice, tenderness that had never been tapped into by anyone but Shera.

No answer came. The smoker gave Nanaki the signal and left, the crimson creature padded to Tifa's side, hoping for some kind of acknowledgment. But, once again, nothing crossed her features. Giving up after Shera tried, they all climbed into bed and entered a chilled slumber.

"…Happy birthday…" A sob followed. Vincent opened his eyes slowly; a beautiful silhouette stood by the window, voluptuous curves shadowed. He stood, seemingly in a trance, but once close enough he could see Tifa's fishtail. Salty tears rimmed her eyes, but none splashed out. She wore a small T-shirt, and sweat pants, hardly the clothing for such cold weather.

"…Tifa?" At the call of her name, the martial artist whirled around. A split second was all it took for her to latch herself onto his torso, sobbing into his black dress shirt. His muscled tensed before relaxing, letting hesitant arms wrap around her.

Realization stung him like agitated bee, August 19th, Cloud's birthday. No doubt this day held memories for the weeping girl in his arms. He gazed out the window, looking at the clear moon. It began to blur; he tried to move his arms to rub his eyes but realized that he hadn't the energy to lift his arms. Seeing that the wall that the beds were shoved up to was quite near, he moved, he ushered her to move just enough so they could sit. They simply sat there for moments, possibly hours; Vincent's eyes felt heavy, so did the rest of his body, Tifa still clamped onto his middle, crying her eyes out.

A scent surrounded her, a mix between roses and rain. Tifa tried to move but arms held her in place. Her eyes shot open, afraid of what she might find but landed on a peaceful looking Vincent. He looked absolutely angelic. A simple smile graced her lips as she relaxed, slightly cuddling deeper into his arms. The curtains were drawn, the Sun was visible in the summer sky, and this wouldn't be the right time to indulge in someone's arms. They had a mission. Detaching herself from him, Tifa began the process of standing.

Groan. The warm blanket disappeared, Vincent exposed his red eyes, raising his human hand to wipe away the sleepiness from them. The tepid sunrays were shadowed, a familiar figure blocked it. Finally, his eyes could focus properly, Tifa crept slowly from himself.

"Tifa?" Her body froze in its place. She turned slowly, wearing a dazzling smile.

"Morning Vince." Instead of continuing her way, she faced him and kneeled. "You know what?"

"…What?…" Suspicion was apparent in his arched brow.

"I'm glad you let me come. I know I'm supposed to be the one trying to help you but…" Facing the window to her right, the fighter shut her eyes, kissing the sky and the clouds. "You've been the one who's been making my life easier. Helping me get over Cloud."

"You… have been assisting much." Her divine beam was directed at him again before she got up and left.

They'd headed to the museum; a professor supposedly had information on the dagger that they needed. Upon arriving in the large marble building, a young woman sat on the stairs, looking severely annoyed. At first glance, she seemed to be five foot four, black shoulder length hair and looked slightly aggressive. Her clothing consisted of a shirt that read 'You Suck. Deal With It.' While a pin with a picture of a chicken garnishing it. Also, she wore plain black pants and a pair of simple sneakers.

Approaching, they saw that her nametag read 'N. Pham' which, coincidentally was the same label of the one they were searching for.

Vincent cleared her throat, asking for acknowledgement. But before he could let out any words come out her hand's palm was facing him, signaling him to stop.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested. Now leave. I'm waiting for someone." With that, she turned on her heel and left thoroughly shocked Vincent Valentine and AVALANCHE behind. Once regaining some composure, he ran to catch up to the egoistic woman.

"I believe you misunders-"

"Look! I'm busy! Get a life! I'm waiting for someone!" But before she could blow them off again, Cid stepped in.

"You Nguyen(a/n pronounced Win. I'm naming characters after my friends, and I can't change what their parents named them.) Pham?" Completely ignoring Vincent and now turning to face Cid, she answered with an ignorant tone.

"Yes? Are you Cid Highwind?"

"Uh… yeah, I see you've met Vincent. My colleague." Gesturing to a incredibly annoyed-looking gunman. But her eyes showed no recognition.

"No… I don't believe so." With a jaw slack and eyes wider then ever before, Mr. Valentine looked absolutely in disbelief. Especially after the next words that exited her mouth. "I'm glad you're here, Mr. Highwind, there was this horrible vampire-look-alike that kept bugging me. He was traumatizing! I'm not sure where he went…"

Tifa felt tears trickling down her face, clutching at her sides, hoping they wouldn't split. Nanaki was rolling on the floor, salty water staining his face. Both behind Cid and Vincent, both unaffected by the murderous glare they were receiving from the shooter. Cid couldn't escape the humor's grasp, before long, he was by the martial artist, leaning on each other for balance.

"So! You guys ready to do this thing?" Nguyen seemed totally oblivious to all the laughter, simply prepared to find the dagger.

"Yes." Soaked with aggravation, Vince followed the woman into the museum. The others staggered with giggles and snickers behind them. But all noised ceased when they entered the professor's personal office, chickens. Everywhere. Chickens, pictures of them, stuffed ones, anything that was remotely related to chickens lined her office. It was eerie. Beady little eyes watched them from every direction, sharp beaks, ready for killing, was itching their skin. Maybe it was just paranoia… Maybe not.

"Now, I understand you want to find a… 'AiyaDagger'?"

"Yes." Vincent was the only one to speak, the rest still in a daze of fascination and fright. The odd lady led them to a book that looked freakishly alike to the Chronos book, except on the front of this one it read in silver words 'Hades' and made from the same way the other book was made. With odd material and ever more strange inscriptions.

Nguyen flipped it open, seemingly searching for something. "I think I read about in here somewhere. I've heard a lot about it. It's pretty dangerous, can I ask why you want it?"

"We have another book and we want to perform one of the spells." Tifa had broken from the enchantment, while as the other two stood, practically cowering under the dead stares of the dead chicken.

"Ah! Here's the little bastard." Pointing proudly at a page, a picture was provided. The dagger was curvious, but with only one sharp edge. The blade's brim would bend upwards in hill-like sleekness, then it would suddenly dive in a inward and downward arch into the cutter, making it gruesomely painful to remove if you were ever to stab someone with it. It looked like a hook because of the large groove before it continues its wavy way to the handle. "It should be in the… Aiya Temple. Also known as the Chronos Temple."

"You… got something with chickens?" Finally, words would not fail Cid. The rest of their party had managed to return to the present.

"I love chickens, they're absolutely entrancing!" She emphasized 'love' making it clear that nothing could make her think differently. Her life; her obsession; not any of their business.

Ahem. "Can you escort us?" Back to affairs, the red-caped man spoke in a humdrum.

"Oh, of course. I'll meet you here tomorrow at noon!" After they began their way toward the inn, Nanaki was whispering something to Cid. Suspicion was aroused within Vincent, noting that Tifa did not see them, leading the way. But he soon dismissed it.

They arrived in the inn late, it was dark, nine o' five to be exact. Tifa had taken a bath and dissipated into a slumber, Cid had done the same. Nanaki was getting ready to do the identical when Vincent entered the bathroom.

A warm shower would be nice. Glancing at the already used shower, temptation took over and all self-control had gone on a vacation. Stripped from all clothing, he got under the welcoming droplets. Relaxing to an extent he hadn't reached since the night before, stressed from that Nguyen woman. The evening before, with Tifa there. She magically built a barrier stronger than any he'd ever been able to manufacture against his demons. It was utter bliss.

You'd think it was barrier. You make me sick, Valentine. And I'm a monster… but compared to you. I don't know what I am anymore.

What are you talking about? What was it talking about? Was it just playing with his mind once again?

You just didn't notice me. Too caught up in your dream. I was there, you know. Remember what you were dreaming of? How could you do that do poor Lulu? Truly despicable.Hahaha. No footage appeared when Vincent called for it. No images came to mind when he asked for something that he'd dreamed of the night before. Then. A picture of Tifa's smiling face popped up, it came flooding back.

He'd been in a meadow, the same grassy plain that he'd spent many blissful times with Lucretia. He stood on the very spot they'd first committed their sweetest sin. Then there she was, Lucretia. Sitting in a distance, he'd crossed the distance quickly. Dreams never worked on logic, next second she was standing, ready for a kiss. Vincent given it to her, her lips were so soft. Like cushions, he sank into them. It felt so right, so justified. He just wanted to peep, just a peek of her gorgeous face, even if his sight would be of a horrible angle. But when his eyes were opened, her eyes were uncovered also. Instead of sensual green, there was animated crimson. Tifa's crimson. Vincent knew it was her but something wouldn't let go, he couldn't pull away. On contrary, he deepened the passion. He finally succeeded ripping from her saccharine lips, that was where the first image came from, Tifa smiled at him. That smile he loved. The right cheek dimple, oddly, he remembered every detail of that grin. His lips were magnetized towards hers again, unable to stop they continued. But… before he could explore more, he awoke.

Though, no guilt washed over him, he felt something else. What was that supposed to do? Dreams never work on logic. It meant nothing. But I love Lucretia. So how come I don't feel guilty? Reaching out, he grabbed a towel. He dried his lithe form, and dressed into some pants but left his shirt off, he felt bizarrely hot in the chilly cold. The smallest voice in his head answered his question. Because you only feel guilty when you know you did something wrong. He did do something wrong, does this mean he felt something for Tifa? Of course not. No one could ever believe such rubbish, how could he possibly?

Leaving the washroom, he saw that everyone had fallen asleep, his hand was prune-like. He was in there for a long time; the clock read eleven seventeen. Vincent reached his bunk before noticing a small paper with some messy scribbles on it.

"Should there be more you should be telling me?" On the bottom signed Nanaki with a comical and inquisitive smiley face, however the creature managed to write was beyond any reasoning. Turning it over, Vincent saw the image that was supposedly secret; but Nanaki must have caught it earlier.

The picture was of Vincent and Tifa that morning, both held each other in complete serenity. The slumbering woman's right arm circled behind his waist while her left hand clung to his shoulder and her head rested on the cold man's chest. Vincent's golden claw lay on her the crook of her elbow, originally on her shoulder. When his human hand found its place on his thigh, his legs were propped up on each side of her. Yet there was more, it was no surprise that a smile glued onto her expression but the awe was the ghostly smile on his own face. Not at all forced, wholly out of happiness.

So there was more. So much more that Vincent partly didn't want to know about let alone try to tap; but also couldn't control his rare human emotion, the fiery of curiosity. The picture was all the proof he needed, there was more. Seeing is believing. Damn it.