CHAPTER 13

TRUE FEELINGS

After Yuffie was gone Scarlet turned to the other guard and said. "I'd like to speak with him alone for a few minutes."

The guard gave her a concerned look but left without asking any questions.

When he was gone Scarlet turned to the scientist and demanded. "What's your problem? What were you thinking?"
Hojo felt he should justify himself. "I was only examining the specimin-"

"That girl's not a specimin!" the blond woman exploded. "She's a normal person just like you! You had no reason to try to do that to her!"

Before he could reply she plowed on. "And another thing. I did not put in a good word for you with Reeve so they could rehired you to start pimping. You are a scientist. Act like one. If I see or hear anymore of this your job will be terminated. Do you understand?"
He nodded.

She started to go.

Suddenly there was a tugging on her arm. She looked back at him. He'd grabbed her arm. She saw a lustful look in his eyes. "Do you mind?" she demanded.

"Not at all," he said smiling.

The woman pulled out a 9mm and rested it on the professor's forehead. "If you don't let me go this instant you won't have a face."

Hojo got the hint and let her go. "I'll be waiting to continue this with you later," he said.

Scarlet started quickly for the door before he could try anything again. "That is not likely," she said over her shoulder.

Vincent looked up when he heard the cell door open. He saw Yuffie come striding in. A huge triumphant smile was plastered all over her face.

"Yuffie," the gunman said standing up. "Are you all right?"

The ninja smiled at him and winked. "I'm more than all right. I'm great!"

"Yuffie, did Hojo...?"

"I womped him!" she said.

"Huh?"

"He tried to make a move on me. But thanks to my training, my big mouth, and Scarlet of the Shinra he didn't succeed."

"Yuffie..."

"I told you I could take care of myself," she said putting her hands behind her head. "That pervert will never get the best of me!"

"Yuffie..." he said again.

Yuffie looked at him. She saw a look in his eyes she'd never seen before. "Vincent?"
Suddenly he stood up and enveloped her in a crushing embrase.

"Vincent?" Yuffie said again, surprised at what he'd just done.

Vincent put his right hand on her head and pushed it against his chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head. "I was so worried he'd do something to you," he said softly. "I couldn't stand it if he did something to you like he did to Lucrecia..."

Yuffie didn't move. Her head was so close to his chest that she could hear his heartbeat. A strong and regular rhythm. She closed her eyes. Why is he acting this way? Does he actually care about me after all?

Vincent's grip tightened. "I am so glad you're all right," he said. "I wouldn't know what to do with myself if something happened to you..."

Slowly Yuffie returned the embrace. At that moment she wished she could tell him her feelings. Her true feelings. For the longest time she'd felt something when she was around him. Something she couldn't grasp. That feeling was clearer now but she dared not say anything for fear of ruining the moment.

He would probably think I'm having a little girl's fantasy. After all he is a lot older than me. But what should that matter? It probably would to him...

After a few minutes the gunman let her go. He stared down at her silently. She noticed his eyes glistened but didn't ask or say anything about it. They sat down on the bed. There was a long silence as they just sat there not even looking at each other.

"Vincent," Yuffie finally said.

He looked at her. "Yes?"

"Do you think this was a bad idea?"

"What?"

"Me coming with you. I think I'm causing you emotional stress."

Vicnent turned to look at her better. He put a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him. "No," he said. "You coming with me wasn't a bad idea. If you hadn't come with me I don't know what would have happened. I'm glad you came. You don't cause me stress. I may not act like it but I like your company."

Her big eyes got bigger. "You do?"

He smiled, the first real one she'd seen since she'd met him. "Yes. Very much."

She had no idea what to say to that.

Hojo banged on the keys of the keyboard connected to his computer. He ws angry and this was the only thing he could think of to vent his anger.

The nerve of them! he though. After all I've done for them! Well, they're not going to get away with it! I'll make them pay! I'll make them all pay! A research file appeared on the screen. Vincent's. I'll start with him. I'll get him upset over Yuffie. I bet that would cause him to have those nightmares again.

The scientist leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. He smiled at Vincent's Turk Photo. I hope he enjoys himself. So much tradgety in his life. He's never going to stop them because he'll always blame himself. His grin got bigger. One day they'll drive him mad. When that happens nobody will be able to help him. It's only a matter of time before Vincent Valentine's end. He chuckled. When that day comes I'll be waiting...

Vincent was suddenly feeling very drained. He hadn't gotten much sleep before and he felt like he would be sick. Yuffie was talking to him but he really wasn't paying any attention. Things were getting out of focus. All he wanted to do was lie down and get some sleep.

"Are you tired?" Yuffie asked him.

He nodded. "A little."

"Well you can lie down if you want," she told him. "I'll just sit on the floor and figure out a way of escape. Kay?"

The gunman welcomed the idea. He nodded. Yuffie slid off the cot and started pacing.

Vincent lay down and was soon sound alseep.

Yuffie was fighting Hojo.

Vincent watched as the ninja fought the scientist by herself. He watched as she fought the scientist's three forms and beat them all.

Just as the last one died Yuffie grinned and turned to him. "See!" she called to him. "I can take care of myself!"
What she didn't noticed was a huge shadow forming behind her. Vincent did. "YUFFIE!" he shouted running forward. "YUFFIE! GET OUT OF THERE!"

Too late! A huge black claw impaled the girl through the chest. The ninja's eyes grew wide and her puples shrunk as blood came out of her mouth.

"YUFFIE!" he yelled again.

The black claw retracted. Yuffie fell forward. He caught her in his arms.

"Yuffie," he said sitting down and turning her over. "Yuffie?"

She gave him a sad look. "I'm sorry, Vinnie," she said. "I failed."

"Yuffie...?"

She closed her eyes and went limp.

"Yuffie?"

No responce.

He shook her. "YUFFIE! YUFFIE! WAKE UP!"

Nothing.

No! This can't be! What did I let her walk into?

He embrased her lifeless form not even caring if he got covered in blood. What have I done?

A hand was in his. It was comforting. A voice was saying things but he couldn't understand the language. His mind was full of fog. He was waking up. He felt cold then warm. That voice was becoming clearer the words more audible.

"I'm not going to leave you, Vinnie," Yuffie's voice broke through the fog like a ray of sunshine. "Why would I?"

The gunman opened his eyes slowly. They focused in Yuffie's face. Close. So close. She was running a hand up and down his right cheek. She had a look on her face that he could not read.

"Yuffie?" he said.

She smiled that toothy smile. "Vinnie!"

"You're alive!"

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

"But..."

"It was a nightmare."

"It... was..."

The ninja girl nodded. "Why did you tell me not to leave you alone?"

He looked away from her and closed his eyes. "You died... in my nightmare..."

A/N

You know? I had to change Vincent's dream from what I had originally planned. The original dream was kinda dumb and made no sence. I hope you like what I wrote instead. I hope it didn't confuse you or anything. Well that's all I wanted to say. Hope you liked the chapter. Sorry for any errors.