Disclaimer: Do… I still really need to type these every chapter???
Hey there. All right, I have figured out what the rest of the story line will go like, by the looks of it, I should have 42 chapters or so. Do you think that's too much? Good luck… -.-
I have organized (in my head) my next story. Multi-chapter story =) a SephTifa. I think I'll start it after I'm finished this fic since once I start writing something new… I usually never finish the old one. =P I think I'll be calling it 'Taste of Blood' but not sure yet. Any how, to the reading!
PS. I haven't been able to get on the computer for long-periods of time, hence, I haven't been able to read much fics. If you've seen a good fic can you please tell me? I usually like Tifa couplings or Vincent one-shots. =D That'd be great.
PSS. Oh yeah, I just wanted to express my absolute gratitude for over 100 reviews =D I freaking love you all for reading and reviewing! XD
Green Pain.
He'd entered a forest of doubt, had he done the right thing and followed what he knew? Never doing anything spontaneous, the secure path; also known as Lucretia. Vincent always seemed to avoid pain of any sort when he played safe.
Pain. Damn, the cape-donning gentleman thought back at the number of times he attempted something impulsive and got hurt.
"Victor!" A boy called to him, a classmate or something…
"It's Vincent." Blurred faces were all Vincent could recall, but the event was burned clearly in his mind.
"Yeah, whatever. You want to cut class with me?" Only age eleven… maybe thirteen, Vincent had just transferred to a new school. Longing for friends, he'd answered yes.
If only… if only he knew; the two had lost track of time, Vince's mother had come to pick him up, instead, she saw no one. Fretting and worrying, she'd called the cops and everyone. Guilt had embedded itself in his soul for months, that pain was a slow aching pain.
"Three. Two… Now!" Jumping from their hiding place, Vincent and… some other Turk shot mercilessly at Shinra's enemy. Unseen and quick, a dagger drove itself into the shooter's arm.
"Talk!" Buff and black, the interrogator punched Vincent across the face.
"Son of a b-" Biting down on his bottom lip, Vince sucked breathes in. Clenching his leg, blood soaked through his pants from the bullet wound.
Ah… the Turks. Physical pain, stinging… burning. But it passes. Though it was immense and harsh, it didn't compete with the last one.
"Vincent… I'm sorry." With two human arms, Vincent held Lucretia at arm's length. "I have to do this. This could a scientific break-through."
"You'll be mutating your own child!"
"I am not mutating him, I'm evolving him." Pulling from his grasp, his love gazed at him. "What we had was a fling. Not even, it was just sex. Nothing more."
Crumpling to the floor, he cradled his head in his hands. Vincent didn't see the sheer anger and jealousy of Hojo's eyes behind him. Nor did he see them disappear into the shadows.
Heartbreak. A deadly shock to the system. Ripping, tearing pain. Agonizing and stuffy discomfort. It was horrible. He… didn't do that to Tifa… did he?
A sudden change in environment jostled his acute senses. Cid's door opened, he was dressed and giving Vincent an odd look. "Damn, you're fucking fast. When'd you wake up?"
It's morning. Before the gunman could answer, Barrett's chamber opened up and Marlene popped out. "Hi Mr. Vincent. Is Aunt Tifa and Aunt Yuffie ready?"
"Yeah." Yuffie stepped out of the room with Nanaki by her side, staggering behind was Tifa. A smile pasted on her face; the same fake smile she used on everyone.
Once retrieving Chris' address from some sources, they headed there. Never had he noticed before, but Tifa was the one that talked to him most, her or Nanaki. Now they were talking to each other leaving only Yuffie to engage in conversation with. Maybe I'll just stay quiet.
"Vincent Valentine. I need to talk to you." Using a tone that was unfamiliar to him, Yuffie had a serious expression on. Oh, how easily her dusky eyes became stone; it was frightening.
"… Yes?"
"What happened last night?" Speaking in low voices to ensure no one else would hear.
"Nothing."
"So Tifa comes in heartbroken because of nothing?" There it was. Heartbroken. Had he…? "I have never loved someone, but I do know the symptoms when someone has been hurt… bad."
"It is none of your concern. It if between Tifa and I."
"Like hell it is." Still keeping a calm demeanor, Yuffie continued. "I see the way you look at her. I know it might seem like I'm making a game of it, but I know two things; you're afraid of what you're feeling. Lucretia is safe and you want to stay safe. You know what though? You have to take risks at some point, not always but sometimes. Your heart will let you know when. If your heart truly is saying 'Lucretia", then by all means… have her."
"… And the second thing?"
They'd reached the apartment, Barrett called for the two to 'hurry their asses up'. Before the shinobi pranced off, three words crushed Vincent's perfect planned world. "Tifa loves you."
A man, maybe Cid's height creaked open the door. "May I help you?"
"I'm looking for Chris." Tifa stood at the front of the crowd. "We need his help."
The guy's eyes traveled up and down her body before fully opening the door. "I'm Chris."
"I'm Tifa. That's Cid, Shera and Ashley. Over there is Barrett and Marlene. Nanaki. Yuffie. Vince-nt." Her habit of calling him 'Vince' caused a slight hesitation in the middle of his name. "We're looking for Tammy Du."
Glancing at every one of them, suspicion was slowly seeping into his form. Chris was thin, with dark hair and glasses. "Why?"
"We need her to take us to the Ares Temple." Puzzlement replaced the suspicion. "Do… you know what that is…?"
Breaking into a smile, the man walked over to one of his couches, gesturing for them to sit. "No. Hehe. I don't really follow my mom's work."
"Do… you think you can take us to her?" Tifa gazed upon him with gentle eyes, his features screamed nice-guy. His eyelids seemed to be naturally drooped, not thin –not thick lips, and his eyes had layers of innocence and curiosity.
"How about I take you and your friends to my mom if you are kind enough join me for dinner?" A shocked look mounted both Tifa and Vincent's faces. Say no. Say no. Say no. Say you don't feel that way about him. Say Tammy isn't worth it… Say no…
"Sure. I'd love to." Something stabbed his insides, Vin turned away from the two lovebirds to hide his hurt expression. The moment his attention was dragged to the opposite wall, Tifa had glimpsed at him, only to view his back.
"Where are you staying?"
"Lovely Inn."
"Excellent, I'll pick you up around six."
"Sounds great."
As the group made their way back up the stairs and into their respected rooms, Barrett called out. "Uh… guys?"
Everyone twirled around to see Barrett holding Marlene on his shoulders. "Look, Marlene can't miss that much school. An' I gotta get back to Corel 'neways. I'm gonna leave, 'kay? Keep me informed."
Good byes' were exchanged and promises to write, Barrett packed and left. They'd miss him but he had responsibilities.
Vincent watched bitterly as Tifa and Yuffie rushed to get her ready for the date. Make-up, hair, outfit, accessories, perfume, the works. The clock hit six and the martial artist left.
Things squirmed uncomfortably within him, what if they hit it off? Why would it matter?! Sons of bitches, he'd never felt so… so restless over such a trivial matter. He'd chosen Lucretia. He'd listened to his heart. Or was it his mind…? Heart and mind, both alike yet different. So difficult to figure which is which when the two are talking at the same moment. One logical, one emotional; both merely trying to help.
It was past midnight and Tifa had still not returned, everyone had gone to sleep already. Almost ready to drift off himself, the sound of voices was like icy water. Briskly striding to the door, Vincent stared through the small peephole in the door. There stood Tifa and Chris.
"I had a lot of fun tonight." A dazzling smile was glued to her red lips.
"That's great. Um."
"What is it?"
"Can I kiss you good night?" Pink painted his cheeks.
"I'd… like that." Leaning in for a kiss, their lips touched. Vincent didn't stay by the door to watch, something had just snapped in his body. Reaching his bed quickly, he struggled to breathe, the recent scene had knocked the wind out of him. Fleetly stripping everything but his pants, he crawled into bed and waited for the sound of the door opening. Tifa came in almost twenty minutes afterwards. He probably fucked her too.
OoOoOh, someone's getting green. Now, I'd never thought I'd see this, Vinnie.
I am not jealous.
Then why do you hate the idea of a woman you rejected seeing another guy?
Vincent had no answer or retort.