Disclaimer: Don't own FF7. But do I claim it… now. That might be another story…

Well, I'm still in China but I managed to get into an internet cafe. Damn... I miss everything at home. Since being here, I've written two chapters (but I'll only post one for now since I forgot the book I wrote the other one in at the hotel), a CloudAeris/TifaReno fanfic (which so far is also in the same book and is a one-shot that could become a multichap) PLUS I've been organizing a Seph/Tifa story in my head. I really wanted to write a fanfic on something else than FF7... maybe cowboy bebop..... oh well. I 'll be inspired when I see him again. =) Savour this chappy for now!

Breathing a Non-Existent Breath

The sand was so soft; Tifa really had to hand it to Nanaki for the idea. She would have never thought to go to the beach to relax. Everything on the beach was illuminated a slight whitish blue. The tide swished onto the shore, no one was here. Complete serenity. But everything was shattered when the acute ears of the fighter picked up on a low growl.

"Help! Vincent!" Shrieks were shaking his mind into consciousness. "Oh my freaking god! Help! It's Tifa!!"

The half-conscious man pulled up his head to see what the commotion was about, Yuffie was poking and shoving him around in his bed, screaming for assistance. Obviously aggravated for being woken at such an hour, the gunman scowled before questioning her. "What's wrong now Yuffie?"

"It's Tifa!! She went somewhere and there was this news warning of some monsters!!"

"In Costa Del Sol…? Now…?"

"Yes!! You've got to go find her!!"

"Why can't you?"

"Uh… Because! Because you were a Turk before and are good at this stuff!! And Nanaki's nowhere to be found either! So you're the last hope god damn it!" Giving a sigh, Vincent shooed Yuffie from the room so he could dress and go on the search. Damn Tifa.

The ninja waited at the door for him, the second Vincent exited she pointed the opposite direction he was walking and slammed straight into him.

"I thought the elevator was that way!"

"No. See?" Directing his finger down the hall, they could see an elderly couple entering the elevator.

"Oh."

Once outside, Yuffie suggested he look at the beach and she'd check out the town since Vincent disliked crowds. As he neared the beach, a scream was heard. Speeding his pace, Vincent ran to the scene only to see a fiery ball encircling a woman. He couldn't find the source so his main mission was to get the poor girl out of the attack. But when he got close the spell completely disappeared. Leaving a singed Tifa to fall to the sand.

Any ill feelings that were present before disintegrated with the flames, Vince hustled to her side. "Tifa!"

Lifting her head, she spoke. "I'm... fine. I'm not hurt."

"… Good." Using his human hand, he tried to rub some of the ash off her angelic face. "Maybe you should go in the water."

Giving a smile, Tifa headed to the water. Vincent reached for his PHS to call Yuffie but he couldn't find it. Nor his wallet, which held his money, his ID and the inn room card, that allowed access into the room. Flashing back, he remembered Yuffie bumping into him earlier. That bitch. But why would she steal my wallet? Instead of my materia? Sensing someone coming closer, he turned his head Tifa and it all made sense. Tifa and him on a beach. Under the starry night and with no way of getting back into their inn room.

"… Vince, why did you come out here? I mean you couldn't have been just be at the right place at the right time." The stunning warrior was only in a simple white dress that was thin. Her face was splashed with water.

"Why not?" Vincent sat down in the sand. Wow… this is soft.

"I don't have that kind of luck." Both smiled, even chuckling a little. Awkwardness had become a factor in their conversation now after their last talk.

"Yuffie said there was a monster out here on the prowl. Endangering you, no doubt. In the process of searching she stole my wallet that was our only access back to our inn room and then she split." Shivering slightly and thoroughly shocked, Tifa, plopped her butt down beside him.

"… Sometimes I can just hate that thief." The ex-Turk removed his crimson cloak and draped it over her shoulders, conserving whatever heat it could. "Thanks."

"… Do you still wish upon the stars?" Tonight was clear, no clouds, only the kazillion stars and the moon.

"… Yes. Do you?"

"I used to… I guess I can start again." In the progress of getting comfortable, they both decided to lay back so the view of the sky was perfect. Tifa pulled the cloak over both of them, kind of like a blanket.

"I'm sorry for what I said back there. About you talking to other people." With eyes glued to the sky, neither one of them looked at the other.

"I apologize for snapping. But I'll always be talking to other people aside from you and the group."

Vincent's words made Tifa realize something. He'd always talk to other girls, if not, he'd bring back Lucretia and they'd go off somewhere and get married. Did she love him? If she did, she had to tell him. If not… why does it feel like she does? Give me a sign… The moment she thought of it, a wishing star shot across the sky. Tifa let her eyes follow it and the shooting star pulled her attention to Vince's form, disappearing behind him. What a sign.

She sat up, letting her side of the 'blanket' fall. Tipping her head upwards, she shut her eyes, basking in the moon's luminescence. In that moment, the mysterious member of their group looked upon Tifa. Lucretia was gone. Tifa was there and she was perfection. A sudden warmth climbed into his insides. Thirty years of mourning that he couldn't recall, a journey that cost a life that he couldn't care about; all there was in his mind was the goddess beside him.

Breaking his concentration, Tifa voiced out. "Vince?"

"Mmm?" Still in a trance, that was the best he could come up with.

"What's love?" Flying back to reality, he pondered the question for a moment.

"Love… cannot be defined. It can only be described in an abstract manner." Tifa fell back onto her elbows, seemingly absorbing his words.

"So… describe it for me." Facing each other, the woman warrior peered into his eyes.

"It feels like contrast…"

"And… that means what?"

"Like being cold and hot at the same moment. Adventurous yet secure and calm."

"Short of breath but can't stop breathing him in."

"Yes…"

"Is that what you feel about Lucretia?"

"Huh? Oh. … yes." A single eyebrow arched.

"You hesitated, Vincent Valentine. What are you hiding? … Is there someone else?" Started out as simple gibberish, the discussion veered off to a more serious manner.

"…"

"There is someone else…" Tifa flopped back down on her back, Vince did the same. Could it be that orange-streaks girl from earlier today? Tears pricked at her eyes, what was she to do? Tell him how she felt? Tifa had found courage to tell Cloud only to be stung extremely. But if she didn't then she would have no closure and continue to question. Drifting her pupils back to the ebony haired man, he looked serene. The wind was knocked out of her but she couldn't help but continue breathing his scent. It was real. She had to let him know.

Giving her lips a quick lick, she pulled her head above his. Tifa gazed into surprised and mystified eyes for a second before dipping her head lower, letting their mouths touch. Only brush, if he doesn't do anything, just pull awa-

Vincent pushed up on his metallic arm while his human one found its way into her silky hair. Almost too shocked to kiss back, Tifa just stayed there until it finally started to sink in. The passion escalated from there, nearly to a natural high point.

"Hey! Get a room!" Both pulled away embarrassed. Looking to another direction of the other with cherry cheeks. However, one thought clutched their brains. I would have a room if not for Yuffie… But as they weren't looking, a shinobi's shadow tackled the guy who had destroyed the gentle scene.

"You jerk! You ruined all my freaking hard work!" Yuffie hissed, hoping her friends on the beach hadn't heard her. "I'm going to kill you!! You- you- insensitive pig!"

Squirming out of her grip, the punk began to run. Yuffie called after him. "Hey! I'm not done with you yet!"

Nanaki chuckled before padding after her, making sure Yuffie wouldn't do anything… irrational. As he moved from the darkness, something glittered; a fire Materia.

Vince and Tifa finally turned back to face each other. Instead of more romantic kisses or touching, the two talked into the night about profound subjects until they both fell asleep in each other's arms. Tomorrow was going to be another day.