When Heart Rules Over Mind

Pain

Vincent hadn't been back to Tifa's for hours.

He had settled himself at Cloud's villa for the duration of his stay here, until he found out from either Cloud, or Tifa (who knew where he was) that they had settled everything finally into place.

That time hadn't come yet.

Rising from his laying position on the bed beside the window, Vincent ran a clawed hand through his bed-hair. He untangled the strands with the gold needle fingers he possessed, very carefully. This was a morning ritual, one that his old vanity prevented him to forget.

These days however, he had toned down his need for brushes, combs, and a whole manor of noxious products he used to keep every strand in check.

He was not a man capable of vanity anymore.

But Vincent had more than once come to terms with that fact, and since letting go his self-conscious obsessions, he had to admit life was easier and he respected himself much more. This was a mean feat for a creature like him, yet he handled it perfectly, and had aged well – if only on the inside.

To anyone who could look past the raw eyes, Vincent was one of the most striking men on the face of the planet. No one could argue with that, even the ones who saw him as nothing but a nightmarish creature, if they saw him at this precious time – waking up.

As he sat there, still slightly tired-eyed, allowing his senses to yawn and bring themselves back into action, he looked like any normal guy. He was still human, even if the world had forgotten. He knew. Deep down, he was still himself. He still had to open his eyes in the morning, stretch, yawn (only if he was on his own), and get himself out of bed to wash.

Which is what he rose to do now.

Entering the bathroom, he turned slightly, looking over his shoulder at the reflection of his bare back.

He reached his right hand down over his left shoulder and rubbed at the faded traces of violent slash wounds that fell symmetrically at the top of his back. They were a pair of rough diagonal lines opposite one another.

He looked on with slight relief. They were healing slowly.

These were the only marks left on his skin from Chaos. His transformations were done to perfection, his body mutating to resemble the perfect beast – as it was all done by Hojo's hand, it had to have been flawless scientifically.

However, Chaos was a culmination of every power Vincent possessed, and it was a raw beast Hojo hadn't bargained on ever flourishing from his subject, as the power of it was too strong.

Hojo had certainly not bargained on Vincent becoming part of AVALANCHE and training with the elite team that they all were. So naturally, Chaos had broken out, once Vincent became powerful enough to reach that level of power in his human self.

So Vincent had had to bring up chaos carefully. He was suffering every time he transformed, because of the sheer pain caused by his human body transforming of its own will, not into one of Hojo's pre-planned creations. Vincent was Chaos. Chaos was the only beast Vincent could bare to put up with, and wield. Because Chaos was not a creature Hojo wanted Vincent to be, and Vincent defied Hojo in every way. And ever since he transformed that first time into Chaos, he had never gone back.

So, as with growing at adolescence, Vincent had to get used to his body changing. In the aftermath of every transformation, Vincent had become used to his hands, feet, head, chest changing slightly, extending, growing, curling into claws, etc. But the one thing that still caused him pain was growing the wings out of his back. They were part of Chaos, not part of him. And so getting rid of the traces was still hard, even when he hadn't morphed into the beast for months.

Looking one last time at himself in the mirror, Vincent turned back forwards and began washing his face with a single cupped human hand.

Reeve rubbed his temples, sighing with frustration.

His 'company' if you could call it that, was falling to bits. The media was a hard thing to control. And as he set up building a newspaper that monopolised the others? Well he could have only expected to get burned.

And that's what had been happening lately. Other papers mocked him, and delivered bad news and bad profiles on AVALANCHE members, whereas Reeve had only ever agreed to be honestly nice about them, as tribute to his friends.

But in the media, everyone prefers to relish bad news about others. To add to injury, his book sales had soared, yet that had only given birth to packs of authors writing novels with titles such as "The truth about Tifa Lockheart – I grew up with her." And, "An idiot's guide to AVALANCHE" no to mention the annoying "The cowards way to fight: use a toy" Reeve had only made it easier for everyone else to succeed!

The stress of constantly losing was taking its tole severely.

He had just about had enough.

Just then, the phone burst into loud rings. Reeve grabbed the receiver in anger, thrusting it to his ear.

"Yes?…What?…Could you tell them to go ahead?…No? Yes they will! I employ them, they'll have to!…Strike? Oh for Chris' sakes I don't have time for this –"

"Then what time do you have Reeve? I hope you have time for a little chat with some old friends."

Reeve swivelled instantly round in his chair in shock.

And his expression of shock only got worse when he saw the face that matched the voice. Letting the phone slip from his grasp, though frozen in his position to keep his hand holding the invisible version, he gaped at the three standing in front of him.

He gulped and decided to greet them, as they stood looming over him in their suits, one wearing a recognisable sneer.

Reeve nodded to each one in nervous greeting as he acknowledged them.

"…Elena…Rude…"

The third smirked at him.

"…Reno."

Sofia sat at her family table biting one of her previously perfect nails.

"Sofia! Stop biting! You have lovely, beautiful figure, you ruin it, I –"

"Yes mama…"

" – I ban you from work! I tell Tifa you not go! No more Sofia!"

"Yes mama…"

"And Miguel, same for him! No more helping pretty AVALANCHE girl!"

"Yes mama…"

"Sofia? Are you liste –"

The door suddenly burst open, and Miguel flew in, looking flushed.

"Mama! Sofy! Here you are!"

Sofia eyed her brother. He knew they would be here, she told him earlier when he rang…

"Miguel! About time, I have just started dinner, you sit, Sofia help because she has been biting. Tut tut, not good for her I tell her, I –"

Miguel shut his mother up by kissing her cheek. He grasped her forearms gently. She was a beautiful woman, slightly rounded, but that was traditional with women who loved and adored cooking for her family. She had long raven coloured hair that had natural glints of grey here and there, which at the moment was tied in a bun. Her eyes were dark like Miguel's, and she had a loving smile that reminded everyone how much she loved her children, the glint in them gave the fact away.

"Listen mama, I have just run here because I have seen Rigito's is open! Repairs are done, he's set again! So here's an idea, you take Sofy, and I'll get there soon once I've cleared this lot away." He said, eyeing the large traditional wood table full of ingredients and cooking instruments.

"But Miguel I –"

He kissed her cheek again, and smiled.

"No buts, I insist. I've pre-paid, and reserved us a table. Now please, get that goddamn apron off, it's hideous anyway, and get Sofy there. If you're late, he'll give the table away! So please, don't waste my money and effort mama."

He added a disappointed, playing for sympathy look onto his last words.

"Oh fine!" His mother said, as if she had been forced, yet her expression showed how delighted she was. She grabbed Miguel in a motherly hug and kissed his forehead. "Thank you Miguel. You are still a good young man, though you scare ladies too much. Is Tifa come along too?"

Miguel had turned to begin putting ingredients away, but at his mother's words he froze. Sofia caught the look in his eye as she stood up. Miguel turned back to his mother.

"Tifa? Ah, not today. She uh, never liked anything other than traditional home cooking. I could barely get her to eat out anywhere, you remember that." He said, with a fake reassuring smile. Sofia spotted that as well.

But oblivious to it all, Miguel's mother smiled and removed her apron. "Ah well that because you scare her too. You should tell her what you feel Miguel, I see it, I am not stupid. Being your ma, I know what you like. I can see she has an effect on you, and you should be honest yes? Then this mess would go away and she come round more often! She a lovely girl."

Miguel's smile faded. "I know…"

"Well, we go! Come on Sofia, cannot keep nice restaurant man waiting! Say thank you to your brother!" She said, as she walked out of the room.

Miguel barely turned to his sister before she flung her arms around his neck, grabbing hold of him tightly, clinging on to him as if she would never see him again. She clenched her eyes tight, as if she were about to cry.

Miguel was taken aback slightly with surprise, before he figured, Sofia had guessed there would be a sickening situation he was about to put himself into, because of his need for absolute secrecy.

And she knew it involved Tifa, which meant she also knew Miguel would be putting his life on the line without a second thought, if it came to it.

He wrapped his arms protectively round his sister, and kissed her hair.

"Don't worry Sofy, I know what I'm doing. I'll be all right. Just promise me you'll look after yourself, and mama, if…if anything happened to me, I want to know you'll be safe."

She opened her eyes and moved her head to look at him, her eyes welling up with water that blurred her vision.

"Miguel what do you mean! Don't say that! Don't do this! Please Miguel, I don't want to not have my brother anymore, I don't want to lose you Miguel."

Miguel's chest tightened, as he looked at his sister. He felt his breath choke him in his throat. What was he doing! Could he really abandon his little sister?

He rubbed her arms as he spoke. "Tifa's in trouble Sofy. If I don't try and do something, I'm gonna lose her. I'll never forgive myself if I don't try. Even if it means all I'll be doing is handing her back to him in the end, it'll still be worth it to me. She's a friend, and she needs help. I'm not going to let my selfishness get in the way of that."

Sofy knew all too well that if Miguel abandoned a chance, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

"But, why does it have to be you? Why does it always have to be you?" Sofia shot back angrilly. "Doesn't she have those AVALANCHE friends of hers? Why can't they help instead of you!"

Miguel shook his head and quietened his sister. "Shh Sofy, listen, things are much more complicated than that. If I had have gotten any one of them involved, I'd have never been trusted with the knowledge they've given me, the knowledge I've used to save you and mama, and now Tifa."

"'They've given you?' Who are they? who's doing all this?"

Miguel shook his head and wiped a tear from his sister's cheek. "Don't worry about it. Besides, I can't let that slip now. I know what I'm doing Sofy, trust me. I've protected you guys up to now haven't I? Trust me, there's no man better for the job." He said with a smile.

Sofy wanted to shake some sense into him, but she knew deep down even if she was reluctant to admit it, that Miguel was right. He had to be. He always was regarding looking out for others.

She wanted to ask how long this had been going on, this plan of his. Who was involved, whowas he protecting them all from, and what or who was coming next when she left? But she knew she couldn't be the one to stop him after all his efforts. And because he was doing it for her too.

She hugged her brother one last time before the calls of her mother beckoned her to suddenly let go and head out of the room, rubbing her eyes dry just before she reached her.

The front door closed behind the pair.

Miguel was left staring after them. What had he done? Had he just said goodbye to his sister for good? How could he leave her like that, in that state? And his mother, without saying a word, without even telling her. How could he lie? How could he abandon them both?

He slammed a fist on the table just as his eyes glazed over with stinging water.

"Damn you all to hell!" He shouted, before collapsing onto a chair. He had abandoned them, for her. What was he thinking? This wasn't Miguel! He never put anyone but his family first. Never. Yet, now, he had gotten into a situation where he had let them down.

Yet, he knew deep down he was doing the right thing. If he didn't get involved like he had done, he would have put them in danger by not knowing the facts enough to save them, let them avoid any harm. He knew now he had protected his family, and now his task was to protect Tifa. By rights, he had done everything right. Put everyone first.

Then why did it feel like he had just failed them?

He rubbed his eyes roughly with the back of his hand and stood up.

"Ok Dylon.I'm ready. Let them come."

Author's Notes

I nearly bloody cried when I re-read that through. Oh my God. Miguel is such a sweetheart! What am I doing to you! hugs Miguel I love you Miguel! Oh my, well anyway, you guys were warned things would get upsetting. I did mention the words 'tragedy' a few times. Now, I know what's coming next, you guys don't, and I feel more sorry for you not knowing! And poor Sofy! cries all over the place I better brace myself before I write the next chapter. It gets darker from here on kids. So if you are upset easily, grab tissues. I'm not saying you will expect what is coming, because you shouldn't, but I hope it goes down well anyway. I love this story again! And that is good news. I've been putting off writing this chapter for ages, but now it's done, I'm putting Muse sing for absolution album on, and playing the sadder songs to get my head n the correct frame of mind.

Buckle your seat belts; this story is about to kick off.

Xx Jessie xX

P.S. Sorry for waiting ages since the last update! There is no excuse apart from sheer stress of A-levels, and life in general taking bites out of me from every direction. Sorry again! Thanks to Smurfs, the person who left me a comment asking me to get my arse in gear to update. So today, I have a day off from work/college/everything, and so I wrote this. All of it today. So sorry if you think it's shabby. The next chapter will take some building to make it exactly the way I want it, but because I have until Friday off, as a holiday, I'll get to writing. So thank you all of you, for sticking with my baby (this story) and I'll start giving it the attention it needs now.

Thank you as an extra to all my regular reviewers! I cannot say thanks enough! You all mean the world to me! Plus, email me freely, with criticisms, compliments, anything. I love hearing from anybody! I'll write back too.

An extra thanks goes to two people – WrexSoul and STEPH! You know who you are steph ;) thanks to you two for reviewing from the beginning, and being supportive! x