Chapter 8
Internal Termoil

"Its not really a story, more of a rumor. I took a job around Midgard, well there I met up with some 'old friends'. From what they told me, Hojo had many...continues projects. There was a rumor a few years back that Hojo had made a creature using JENOVA cells and human cells, that had the ability to control other creatures-" Vincent closed his eyes, deep in thought. "Vincent?" he opened his eyes. After a brief glance at the girl sitting opposite him, he returned his gaze to the fire. "Hojo...I have looked into some of his rumored exparements...some held truth while others were just rumors. Will I ever be rid of him?" He muttered more to himself then to Tifa, and she knew better then to answer. "I...don't hold much trust in the rumors of a creature of such abilities, surly if it exsisted Hojo would have revealed it before his...demise." He sank into silence. Both sat, each in deep thought. The fire crackled as more wood was consumed.

"Hey I just had an idea!" Vincent turned to Tifa. "hmm?" "Well, if you've been a mercenary, hunting monsters and I'm hunting monsters...why don't we join up? I mean, it would be safer then working alone, right?" Vincent turned back to the fire, a sigh escaped his otherwise closed lips. After a few moments of tension he spoke. "I'll think about it" With that he got up and left. He did not look at Tifa as he left the room, his thoughts were more on the inner pain and mental attacks he was currently under. Without visable hindrance he made it safely to the confines of the basement, and its stone room. Shutting and locking the door, Vincent fell to his knees and focused on the Turmoil within.
'I should kill you, and THAT girl! A fool you are to speak so, do you wish for death?' 'why not, least I no longer would be forced to deal with you.' '...hmmm...heh!' Pain erupted from Vincents back as the skin split open. Razor sharp claws dug their way free as the wing bust forth in a shower of blood. He choked back a cry as the tips of his fingers gave way to claws. He could feel the bones grinding and shifting as thet took on a new form. This change was slow and painful, unlike his other transformations. At least with them he had felt disconected as if he were an observer watching from afar, they were not painful like THIS! For this he was very much aware of each shift and change, each split of the skin and crack of the bone, but the worst thing was the laughing, even and full of malice. It took joy in seeing him suffer so.

The wings unfureled, stretching halfway before they met the cold stone walls of the bloodied prison. The great musculat tail swished back and forth, tumbeling bones and old wood across the floor. Claws curved deep grooves in the ancient stone work, as the curved horns banged painfully on the semingly low ceiling. The great saber filled mouth let out a bellow at being traped once more in this damned crypt. The sound magnified down the narrow hallway, like a clasp of thunder.
Well this body struggeled out of his control, Vincent retreated to the dark corner of his mind. '...Die? No, I won't let you die yet. Not until I am complete, not until you have watched me kill everything dear to you...heh heh heh!' '...' 'hmmm, that girl...I think I'll use her, for now.' 'Leave her out of this!' 'Oh? Hmmm, I'll make you a deal. Travel with her, keep the secret, and she will be the last to die, and I'll make it quick.' No!' 'Then she will be the first to die, and she will suffer! Choose, there is no third choice.' 'Damn you...'

Tifa had been sitting quietly by the fire when once again she was startled out of her thoughts be the sound of thunder echoing the building. "Wha-!" Getting up, she went to look out the window, bright noonday sun warmed her face, and the only couds were white and fluffy. No sign of storm anywhere. "I need to get out more." Slipping on some shoes, Tifa decided to go for a walk in her old town.
Children ran around the old well, laughing and screaming in joy. people where walking to and from their daily destinations. one women, upon seeing Tifa gave a wave. She was an older women, in her sixties. A basket held in her arms. "Care to give an old women a hand dearie?" She called. Tifa nodded her head. "Certainly mum." Tifa took the basket and the two started walking towards the old houses. "I seen you come from the mansion dearie, do you know the one that lives there?" "Oh, yes, he's an old friend." "Hmp, didn't know the dark one had 'friends'. " They reach the house that had onced been Tifa's long ago. The old lady unlocked the Door and Tifa followed her in. "Excuse me, but why do you call him the dark one?" The old lady motioned for Tifa to but the basket on the counter as they entered the kitchen. "That ones shadow is sorrow and death, they follow him around unmercifully. These old eyes see many things, if you really are a friend..." Tifa looked at the old women. "If I am his friend then what?" The old lady pulled out a chair from the table and sat down. "That young man carries a huge burdden. Not something one should carry alone. He needs someone to teach him how to live." "How to..live?"

"Be a dear and put those in the fridge, these old bones are tired." She motioned towards the basket as she spoke. "Certainly" Tifa got up and did as the lady bid. Later over a warm cup of tea, the older lady introduced herself as Myra. she had lived here since Shinra had paid people to move here and act as though the fire had never happened. She liked the quiet here. The two spent the day talking about this and that, till Tifa noticed the setting sun. "I should be going now, it's getting late." "Thank you for all your help today deary. Remember what I said about how to live." "I will Miss. Myra, good-bye!"

Tifa made it to the mansion before the sun had finished setting. She made herself some tea and decided to drink it bye the fire place. She nearly droped the cup when she saw Vincent standing with his back to her, staring at the fire. "Oh, hi Vincent!" He turned he head briefly towards her, the fire light made his eyes look like burning coals, before he once again turned hes attention to the fire. "I have decided to travel with you, atleast for now."