He Tells All

by: Bishojo Beauty

Chapter 16

Kael watched silently as the series of events unfolded before him. At one moment, he was completely pissed off at and the next, feeling despicable for the pain he wrought on his younger brother. Vincent could tear at his heart like no one else could. If only he could open up more and welcome help that was given to him. Vincent had earlier announced to Kael his decision to leave Cosmo Canyon on his own to find these perpetrators that were after him saying that he was too dangerous to be around. Kael recalled the conversation.

"What are you doing?" Kael had asked. Vincent turned from his position on the floor, to face Kael who had walked into the room only to spot Vincent packing up his belongings.

"I'm leaving tonight," Vincent replied, "I'm dangerous." Kael however, did not see the two sides to what Vincent was saying.

"The hell you are. It's more like you're going to be in danger the moment to face them alone,"

Vincent sighed. "I can handle myself."

"Yeah, that's why you've been lying in bed for the most part of all of this,"

"Kael, this is a precaution," Vincent warned. "I'm leaving before anyone gets hurt," Again.

"You mean Tifa?" Kael asked, cautiously. He figured that there was something going on between the two and if that was true, then Vincent would never readily admit it so early. Kael hoped that Vincent was not as blind as he seemed at times, and that he saw how good Tifa was. If Vincent was that blind, then Kael would just simply have to do some prying into their business.

After a while, the older of the two assumed that he was not going to get a reply to that question as Vincent had merely continued packing, methodically.

"I'm sure she knows the dangers and risks. Otherwise, she wouldn't be here right now," Kael tried. Kael began to feel like he was talking to a wall for all Vincent was saying back to him.

"Got enough room in there for me too?" He tried again, but in a lighter tone. And finally, he got a reply, though it was not what he was hoping for.

"No,"

"You're not going by yourself,"

"You're not going to stop me,"

Kael's quick temper flared at this moment.

"You can't do this alone, Vincent. If you have help, take it. You've suffered the consequences before," Kael practically shouted, " When are you going to learn?" Sometimes, Kael really hated his brother for being so stubborn. He had never really relied on anyone to get things done. He always found ways to do them himself, and if anyone offered help, he would be horribly stubborn and always refuse it, even when he desperately needed it.

It was just like the whole Lucrecia thing all over again. Except this time, Kael was here to intervene.

Kael was pulled out of his thoughts as Vincent spoke. "Take care of Tifa," was all he said before he started heading towards the door.

"You went in alone, and now look at you." Kael did not have to say anymore than this. This stopped Vincent dead on his tracks. Vincent understood him perfectly. He was talking about Vincent's original plan to confront Hojo. At first, Vincent had wanted to just confront Hojo about Lucrecia. But fortunately and unfortunately, Kael had incidentally stumbled upon his younger brother and Lucrecia together. Kael thwarted off Vincent's plans and proposed a more complicated, but more likely to be successful one. However, the end result was the same. The two brothers became live guinea pigs for Hojo to perform his sick experiments upon.

Though Kael didn't know exactly what happened to Vincent, it wasn't hard for him to figure out that Vincent had resorted to his original plan in the end. The golden claw was proof and a constant reminder of his actions.

"I'm going," Vincent responded, completely ignoring Kael's previous comment and began heading towards the door once again.

"The hell you are," Kael replied before making a grab at Vincent's bag. The other Valentine however was quicker and pulled it out of his reach before swinging the door open with more force than necessary.

Thinking back on this conversation, Kael realized something. And this realization struck him hard enough to cause him to feel alarmed, and even show it through his well-trained stoic expression.

Could Vincent have blamed himself for his disappearance? Kael asked himself. Maybe that's why he refused my help. Kael swore at himself for being so ignorant. He had thought that Vincent was only being stubborn about doing things himself and not wanting the help of others. But in reality, he was afraid of getting help from other in fear that the other may get hurt.

He had only thought that he was afraid of hurting Tifa. But little did Kael know. That was only a fraction of the whole picture. A large fraction, but a fraction nonetheless. Vincent did feel responsible for what happened to Kael. Had he not dragged him into his problems, Kael would not have suffered what he did. Vincent never asked Kael though, what exactly happened to him, and Kael never asked Vincent. It was like an unspoken understanding. Neither of them wanted to ask. Neither of them wanted to know. They both held enough burdens of their own.

But it was clear as day now. Kael understood Vincent's actions now.

The older of the two brothers looked down at the pair below him. Tifa was gently stroking Vincent's hand which now lay over his stomach. He had hurt Vincent more than he had intended to during their brawl. He did not think that it would bring upon this though.

Padding of claws could be heard as Nanaki made his entrance. With bleary eyes, he took in his slightly wrecked livingroom. With a sleepy yawn however, he turned back the way he came.

-

After things were settled and Vincent was back in bed, Tifa decided to pay a visit to Kael and find out exactly what had happened between the two. She found Kael sitting in the window seat and looking up at the stars. She decided to join him.

At first, neither of them spoke. Each lost in their own thoughts. But their thoughts were concerning the same thing. Or rather, the same person. Vincent.

Tifa was about to speak. But Kael beat her to it. "I made a mistake," Tifa waited patiently for him to clarify.

"Vincent wanted to leave, you know. Tonight, so we weren't in 'danger'. I thought he was just being him, and not wanting anybody's help. But now that I look back at it. I think I was wrong,"

"I'm sure you were just trying to help him," Tifa replied to fill in the silence that followed and also to comfort Kael into continuing.

"I think he's actually afraid to get help, because in ways, he blames himself for what happened to me. I guess he doesn't want to involve anyone else in fear of losing them," Kael looked away from the stars now to stare at his hands instead. He was never really good at expression his feelings, but the Tifa's presence somehow made it easier.

"It's a risk that he has to be willing to take, I'm staying with him 'til the end," Tifa said quietly. Almost to herself. Kael looked up at her at this moment.

He opened his mouth to say something. But it seemed he reconsidered it as he closed them again. But in the end, his judgement lost. "Vincent doesn't see that. He's worried about you the most. I can tell. If he doesn't say it, then he means it," Kael said simply. He made it seem like Vincent was the easiest person to read. With that, retreated back to his bedroom, leaving Tifa to herself to think about what he had just said.

Vincent did care about her. Tifa smiled.

-

It was morning again. The days definitely seemed to pass just a little too fast. Their short visit to Cosmo Canyon had ended up as a week long stay.

The Valentine brothers had stayed to themselves so Nanaki was Tifa's only companion at the moment. Though they ate together for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they talked of nothing but leads on Chester and his men. After each meal, the two brothers would retreat to opposite sides of the house leaving Tifa and Nanaki to clean up. Not that Tifa minded. She was bored out of her mind.

It didn't surprise Tifa that she would end up doing the dishes this day as well. It was exactly a week now, and Tifa was becoming just a little too bored with the never changing routine. Sighing, she thought about what to make for dinner as she washed, rinsed, dried and put the dishes away. Once she was done, she looked for the proper ingredients for what she had planned for the night and found that she was lacking quite a few. She would have to do some grocery shopping today. At least it's something to do, she thought to herself and then headed out the door.

Making her way out, she spotted a dark figure high in the mountains. The strong winds today picked up dark hair and threw it around in the wind. This figure was undoubtedly Vincent. He was sitting quite dangerously off near the edge, and Tifa couldn't help but fear that the strong winds would blow his frail figure right off. Tifa turned away and began to walk towards the market. But then stopped, she figured that a little visit to Vincent would not hurt. And then up the precariously steep hill she went.

She was almost near the top before she began to feel that her hand was slipping. In her alarm she let out a cry. Cursing as she tried to regain her grip, but the protruding rock that she had placed her foot on gave way. And then down she went, falling once again.

She felt a sharp tug on her one arm while she flung the other arm wildly in what seemed like an attempt to fly. Then she felt like she was really flying as she found herself hoisted up rather quickly. But soon after, she found herself once again on solid ground.

Vincent had saved her once again. And also, once again, they were within an awfully close proximity to each other. Tifa found herself blushing and forced herself to put some distance between them even though her body protested it.

"You should be more careful," he said in a soft tone. His tone wasn't scolding, it was more like...worrying.

Tifa smiled up at him, "I guess my climbing skills aren't as good as they used to."

"Used to?" Though not many words, it was really surprising to Tifa that she had received a response at all.

"Yeah, I used to be a tour guide back when I lived in Nibelheim,"

"Then Sephiroth happened,"

This reply shocked Tifa. She did not know that Vincent knew about her past.

"Yes," The brunette responded. Tifa had a feeling that she caught Vincent in one of his "brooding times". Tifa had noticed that in the past that certain times when she talked to him, though they were few, he would have moment when he would be awfully depressing, and other times, he would be thoughtful and insightful.

"How'd you know though?" Tifa asked.

"There are few people who do not know of the Nibelheim incident,"

"Well, since you know so much about me, how about we make it even and let me know more about you?" Tifa suggested hopefully. Despite how long they've known each other and how much more Tifa had seen of Vincent within the past few weeks, Vincent was still an enigma to her.

A long pause followed her questioned making Tifa feel uncomfortable.

"What do you wish to know?" The question in his smooth and low voice almost caused her to jump after such a long pause.

"Uhm..." Tifa hadn't exactly thought about what she would ask. She didn't exactly expect Vincent to oblige to her suggestion. Then again, she sometimes found Vincent to be quite unpredictable.

"Well...Why do you keep your hair so long?" Tifa cursed herself the moment the question left her lips. Stupid question!

A mere shrug was all she got for an answer. Now Tifa felt like she wasted a perfectly good opportunity to ask him something more worth hearing. Or seeing in this case.

"Can I ask you another question?" Tifa asked, suddenly her voice much smaller than she remembered it. She decided to take a risk and ask since the worst Vincent could do was deny her. Right?

"You may," So proper, Tifa observed.

"Do you miss home?" It was the only thing she could think of asking at the moment as memories of her home at Nibelheim flowed through her mind as she thought back on her days as a guide.

"Do you?" He responded.

"Yes I do, but that's not an answer to my question,"

Another long pause followed. Tifa turned to face Vincent in hopes to figure out what he was thinking. He sat with a pensive frown on his face and his eyes were slightly glazed over.

"Vincent?" Tifa asked attentively, she did not want Vincent going off too far in his thoughts and memories. He turned to her then. His crimson eyes bearing something of a semblance to sadness in them. Though it was very faint, Tifa saw it.

"I don't remember ever having a home," He responded solemnly, turning his eyes away now. Tifa began to fidget once again in the silence. She had definitely asked the wrong question. She tugged at her shirt, brushed away dirt on her bare knees and examined her shoes. She was starting to run out of things to do. She brushed the hair that whipped against her face from the wind and then glanced at her watch.

"Oh, shoot!" Tifa shouted before jumping up from where she sat. Vincent eyes were trained on her, questioning.

"I didn't realize what time it was! I was supposed to go grocery shopping!" Tifa panicked, glancing at her watch again and trying to plan out the most time efficient way to obtain all of her necessary ingredients from the nearby market. Time had passed quicker than she had thought. It seemed to her that the seconds were ticking away like minutes. But she was definitely wrong.

"Want to come, Vincent?" She waited patiently at first for an answer, but he merely continued observing her. Tifa became unsure of whether he had heard her at all.

"Come on, Vincent. Let's go! I'll race you down!" Tifa shouted before racing towards the edge of the cliff. This got Tifa a reply from Vincent.

"Tifa, be careful!" There was a slight alarm in his voice. But that was the last thing she really heard. She absolutely loved hearing her name from his lips. Smiling and waving a little goodbye, she began her decent down the hill. A few quick steps lower and an idea struck her.

"Whoever's the last one down does the dishes tonight!" She shouted up to the top where she spotted Vincent just looking down on her. She really hoped that Vincent wouldn't beat her. She did not mind doing the dishes, but it was getting a little repetitive. A little help would be nice.

A couple more steps down, she looked up again only to spot Vincent just starting to get down off the ledge of the cliff. Feeling confident, Tifa picked up her pace.

Oddly, not long after, Tifa felt grains of sand and small pebbles begin to rain down upon her. Looking up once more she watched in awe as Vincent pretty much hopped down the cliff with precision and speed. It wasn't long before he stopped himself right next to her, a couple feet away.

"Loser carries the groceries, does the dishes and makes breakfast in the morning," Vincent proposed to her. His eyebrow was cocked slightly in question. Smiling, Tifa decided to take a little risk and leaped off from her position against the wall. Vincent eyes widened in surprise and widened even more as he felt a sudden weight on his back. He heard a voice whisper in his ear.

"Deal,"

And then the burden on his back was gone. Tifa had used him as a stepping stone to get onto the ledge on the side of the cliff that led directly down to the market square.

Tifa, now on solid ground, sprinted as fast as she could, leaving Vincent behind to watch her retreating form.

Whew! Done! But of course more to come! Hehe, poor Vincent! I hope everything's okay in this chapter. It's really late, and I'm really tired. But i couldn't not finish this tonight and submit it!

Anyhow,hope ya'll enjoyed! (And of course, thanks to all those who've reviewed the last chapter! It's always appreciated! I look forward to more thoughts and suggestions)

Bishojo Beauty

Oh, and i changed the summary for the story. I think it's more accurate now...if it's better i dunno. But more accurate? Yes!

And a possible title change may happen too!