Stolen

Standard Disclaimers Apply

Warning: This fanfiction contains shounen-ai/yaoi contents, in other words, male/male relationship. If you find the said contents disturbing, I suggest you leave this page immediately. You've been warned, so please don't flame me about that. (Also it's un-beta-ed.)

Pairing: Vincent/Sephiroth. Minor Zack/Cloud. Past Vincent/Lucrecia.

Chapter II: The Chaos

It was quiet. Surprisingly quiet that the two guards standing outside the Lady Gainsborough's chamber was beginning to get curious. It was possible that the young maiden had already fallen asleep and everything was going smooth and all right. For it was only from instinct to think that this was some kind of calm before something happened. And although they decided to do nothing and keep the same post, as time flew by, they were starting to think that their instinct was more than just right.

Managing as least noise as possible, one of the two guards nodded to the other before slowly pulling the door they were guarding open. And there, to the horror but not surprise of their four eyes, the golden hinged-door to the marble balcony was wide open—night wind sending creamy-colored curtain flying and swaying—and from one of the bars, hanging down oh-so-obviously from where it was tightly tied was an amazingly long rope made from all the kind of clothes you could name finding in one's bedroom with a specially enormous wardrobe.

"Dear gods…" said one of the two unfortunate guards who had just failed their assigned duty.

They stood there staring without blinking at the scene for one brief moment before one of them sprinted from the spot, yelling: "The Lady Gainsborough is not in her chamber! Find the Lady Gainsborough! Fast!"

And soon, the deserted hallway was filled with the sound of many, many footsteps—all searching for the missing fair lady.

……………………………………………………………………

In the Palace's courtyard, the searched for Gainsborough maiden sat crouching behind a thick shrub, peeking out now and then to check whether the coast was clear. It was when the hurried footsteps became distant enough that she finally stood up, dusting her flowery gown and pulled her maroon coat closer around her—she had hair already braided for she knew it would be easier this way for her sacred little task. And as she stood there, far away from the light, a small smile of accomplishment was tugging at the corners of her rosy lips.

Now if only she could find a way to sneak into where the play was held unnoticed…

Just when she was about to move on, a rustling sound was heard from somewhere near and in reflex, Aeris immediately ducked, moving back behind the old thick shrub that was her cover.

To her great surprise, it was none other than Sephiroth himself. And she had to stoop even lower to make sure his sharp eyes didn't spot her, hoping that he hadn't heard already the breaking news of her great escape. Yet the silver haired-man seemed to be occupied with something else rather than paying any attention to the surrounding around him. And Aeris would have considered herself fortunate and gone off with her plan if it hadn't been for the fact that her brother wasn't all on his own.

Emerald orbs widened as she took in the exotic sight of the stranger, for he had the queerest color of eyes she had ever seen. They was red, like blood, shining so obviously in the obscurity of the night and although this stranger had a calm look on his deadly pale face, those blood-red eyes were so untamed and yet so sad as if there were some wild, tortured monster hiding behind the outward tranquility. And she couldn't help but shuddered involuntarily.

It was kind of funny, for she was used to such heavy pressure of atmosphere being brought up together with the silver haired general that she had learned to love like a brother she never had. Yet this mysterious man was as appalling as Sephiroth was intimidating to the usual eyes—as dark as the night itself as her brother was bright like the cold silver moon.

From her hiding place, Aeris kept quiet, trying to catch a glimpse—any glimpse—of conversation the two men seemed to have but all was lost to the mad scream of the chilly wind. Eventually, curiosity got the better of her and all tonight's plan was forgotten. As the two men's short conversation ended and they started walking away from the place, she gathered all the courage she had and quickly and silently followed their trail.

……………………………………………………………………

Despite them—or in this case, mostly, him—having to avoid meeting some running guards who were busying searching for the missing lady, the task of getting out wasn't any harder than getting in. Some of the guards had left their posts to join the search and the General himself, even though disturbed by the news, had proven to be keeping his words more than he had firstly expected.

Not before long, they had finally reached the sandy beach where in the solemnity of darkness Chaos soundlessly waited.

"…" At the sight of the great ship, the silver haired-General halted, training his cat-like green eyes on the man accompanied him.

As if reading his mind, the raven haired-man spoke up: "Lady Gainsborough is still in the Palace if not in her own chamber. That, I can assure you of, General."

"How do I know that you are saying the truth? You are, after all, a pirate." said the silver haired-man, for he had been taught from since he was still a little child not to believe anything pirates said.

The raven haired-man turned toward the looming ship with a swift flick of his cape, stretching an arm out to his side. "You can see for yourself." As soon as the words ended, the wooden bridge was down, allowing them both in invitingly.

"…" Electric green eyes narrowed, his left hand already resting on the hilt of his trusted sword yet he said nothing as he took the somewhat steep bridge.

The ship, unlike its name, was as quiet as death and seemed to be emptied of any presence but the two tall forms of theirs casting long shadows against the old but strong ebony floor.

Yet as fast as that thought came, it went, for as soon as he thought the ship was vacant, emerged from the shadow the presences of those of the pirate crew. And no sooner than the General could say anything, they were surrounded by the said crew.

"You're back quick, Captain!" said one of the crew. "How was your trip to the Palace?"

"Oh so…this is Him, isn't it?" said another of the crew as soon as he laid eyes on the silver haired-man.

"Hmm… Isn't he a little bit too young to have Shinra's highest position in the military?" said the third.

And soon the others joined into the conversation as if the General's presence was unknown to them.

"Hey, hey, you know age doesn't friggin' matter to Shinra as long as it proves useful to him."

"Well, actually, the boy does look pretty…" leer a sly-looking man whose black beady eyes instantly reminded Sephiroth of Hojo. And had he been not the very son of the Royal Counselor himself, he would have believed that this man was more than just a way related to the good doctor. "As generous as you are, my captain, I may dare ask that maybe I could…" He rubbed his scarred hands together and licked his lips.

Yet a dark glare from Vincent immediately shut the man up. And that was lucky for him, for if he didn't, he would certainly meet his bane that was the sharp blade of Masamune and the others were sure that no one would really stop or blame the General, especially, the silent red eyed-Captain himself, who, with a wave of his hand, signaled them to disperse into minding their own businesses.

The effect of that unspoken command was immediate and Sephiroth had to force back the urge to roll his eyes, instead having his eyes fixed on the man he had earlier declared to catch.

"You can look as much as you want," said the raven haired-man, reaching his good arm out for the other to take. Yet seeing the look on Sephiroth's face, he then added: "The ship."

The silver haired-man frowned. His electric green orbs took on a very dangerous glow despite his tone being normal. "I am not a lady you will need to escort, Captain Valentine." He said, lifting his chin a little. "You can lead the way."

"…" The legendary pirate let his hand drop to his side before starting toward the closest quarter of his ship. "As you wish."

……………………………………………………………………

It was when Sephiroth had firmly made sure that his 'little sister' wasn't really on Vincent's Chaos that the ship could finally leave Midgar. The pirate captain had proven to be speaking the truth and Sephiroth had to keep his end of the deal. Yet unbeknownst to any of them, the Lady Gainsborough herself had followed them on the way down to the ship and found a way to slip in unnoticed.

If Lady Luck was on biased anyone's side that night, it was no other than hers.

And if she had any thought of getting herself in danger, she would only say that she was used to it, for she was as much curious about the things going on as much as she was worried about her brother.

Yet, for now, she couldn't let Sephiroth know that she was on the ship and decided she would hide in the storeroom and slept her night in behind the biggest barrel of about-50 year-old-wine.

And if there was anyone taking notice of her, for she was so sleepy—as if all the little adventure she had had finally shown its tiring effect—that it was like a dream, she couldn't be so sure…

It was…a boy? Even younger than her. Maybe about 15 or 16. With short black hair.

He was looking straight at her yet he didn't say anything about it that she was unsure if he did really see her and just walked away.

There was no one else in that room the rest of that night.

……………………………………………………………………

Two glasses of sweet scented red wine were filled from the bottle—one for himself and the other for his guest who stood towering in the center of the cabin, looking at a certain picture on the wall.

"Mermaid." The raven haired-man said almost quietly, walking over to hand his silver haired-guest his glass. "Surely you have heard of them."

The General took the glass from the pirate. Briefly, their fingers touched and the General couldn't help but notice how the other slender fingers lingered a little bit too long on his. "I have." Sephiroth said, turning his attention back to the water-painted picture.

The still picture was so realistically detailed as if it wasn't still but really moving. It was no doubt that the artist was pretty skilled. And the picture would have cost the raven haired-man a lot—that was if he didn't have it stolen from somebody else's possession. Yet what made him so interested…no, interested wasn't the word…it was like he was drawn to the picture like it was a sight from memory imprinted in his mind…

For the Mermaid displayed there resembled so much it was frightening the only woman he so respected and loved.

Mother…

……………………………………………………………………

He saw them close with the both of his unchanged eyes.

Like mother, like son…

It was the same spot she stood those many years ago looking at the very same picture. Yet…however things were alike, they were still different, for it was he alone that was frozen in time. It was he alone that denied any change that would likely come even if he wished to.

For it was so hard to let go of the old memories that were like the only thing that linked you to who and what you were.

His human hand languidly stroked the side of his goblet, feeling the solid coolness against his gloved fingers as his eyes shifted from the precious painting he had to the son of the woman it had taken after. As strong and powerful as the man seemed to be, his outward coldness couldn't betray the sorrowfulness of his heart. It was crystal-clear in those gleaming jade eyes. And Vincent couldn't help but felt the same sadness himself.

And for once, the cursed red eyed-pirate wondered if his decision about taking this graceful son of Lucrecia was right. Long dark lashes lowered and the forever cursed-man took a long, dawdling sip from his glass.

"You may have this room all to yourself tonight, General." He eventually said before turning to walk out of his own quarter—his red cape billowing behind. He was fast out of the cabin and already shutting the door before he could hear Sephiroth softly—almost like a whisper—say:

"Why didn't you tell me a word, Mother?"

……………………………………………………………………

"Hey, wake up! Wakie! Wakie! Hey!"

Brown lashes fluttered as the call for her to wake up kept on chanting its noisy melody. And as soon as two brilliant emerald orbs were revealed from behind the lids, Aeris was firstly granted with the sight of what she thought was a dream the previous night.

Hovering above her sitting form was a grinning face of…definitely a girl. Tomboy-ish, though, but a girl obviously.

Aeris stared. "Who are you?"

"Who are you?" The other girl repeated her question before she went tsk-tsk-tsk, shaking a finger in front of the noble lady. "You sneaked into our ship and you asked me who I am?"

The ship suddenly keeled—apparent because of the big morning sea wave hitting one of its flanks hard—and as if it was very natural, the short haired-girl immediately lurched and hit another barrel behind with a not-so-gentle thud and fell.

Aeris blinked. Once. Twice. Then proceeded to help the other girl up. "Are you alright?" She asked. The other girl was looking a little bit green here.

The younger girl shook his head, looking as if she was about to throw up, then all of a sudden, sprang up to her feet and…pretending, because she was, to be okay. "I'm fine! I'm fine!"

Aeris blinked again.

"Ahem." The younger girl coughed as if to gain the other's attention. "Now that everything's alright, let's get to the business, shall we?"

On hearing that, Aeris was reminded of her situation and instinctively took a step back away from the grinning girl.

"Hey, it's not like I'm going to harm you on anything, Missy." The younger one said, flashing a smile Aeris was sure Sephiroth would have a headache for its un-lady-likeness. The smile got even wider and from behind her back, which Aeris failed to notice at first, she took out what seemed like to be some clothes.

"Here put this on, Missy, if you don't want to be thrown off this ship."

Aeris blinked again before looking at the clothes.

The teenager sighed. "For a noble lady like you, I have no clue why you want to be on a pirate ship. It's fun, though, shiny things and treasures and all. But I'd like to live in a palace once myself…" On and on, the girl went on with her rant and Aeris was starting to feel that this girl, although a pirate, was quite friendly.

"Do you mind turning to the other side while I put this on?" The brown haired-maiden eventually asked.

The short haired-one was about to protest about her right being also a woman but then decided she would give the other girl's authority and complied, nodding.

When Aeris had finished changing, she tapped the girl on the shoulder, smiling. "Here, I'm done."

"Oh…this isn't working." The girl said, looking Aeris up and down and all around before nodding to herself, saying: "You will still need a cap. Wait a minute, I'll get it!" With that, she dashed out of the storeroom…only to come back not long after with a big red cap with a few small holes on its very top.

"That's the best one we have at the moment." The teenager said sheepishly.

"It's alright," replied Aeris, taking the offered cap. She pulled all her braided hair up so that it was hidden when she put on the cap. "Thank you, Miss…"

"Yuffie," said the other girl, grinning.

"Thank you, Miss Yuffie."

"Just Yuffie's enough."

"Alright, thank you, Yuffie." Aeris smiled. "Oh, by the way, my name's Aeris."

Yuffie whistled. "Nice to meet the Lady Gainsborough."

Aeris raised her eyebrows, surprised. "You know me?"

The other girl laughed. "Who wouldn't? You're on the very top abducting list of us pirates, you know?"

"Oh…" was all Aeris said. Realization dawned on her feature.

"Hey, don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. Anyway, you'll have to need a new name."

"I don't want them to know that I'm a girl."

"Hmm…" Yuffie tapped her foot, seeming to be thinking for a while. Then…

"How about Eric?"

The no-longer-a-lady shrugged. "Eric's fine."

……………………………………………………………………

The usual peaceful morning of the Royal Palace was now in chaos. Soldiers and guards were running amok as they couldn't find either the Lady Gainsborough or even the General anywhere. There was no report of any intruders the previous night yet some of the search party were bent on that option, for it seemed to be the only likely solution to their current problem.

Yet it would be a great disgrace to the reputation of Shinra on how easily an intruder could sneak in and kidnap away one if not two—the latter being in great doubt—of the infamous people resided in there. However, one good doctor seemed to believe the evidence—any evidence, even from the sentenced prisoner—he had found and decided on an almost-exact conclusion.

"Lady Gainsborough was abducted by Vincent Valentine last night. Sephiroth was probably tracking the man down to his ship."

"You mean…the General is also on Vincent Valentine's ship?"

Hojo completely ignored the question, instead he said: "Send a word to Colonel Zack in Junon. Shut down all the authorities at the border. We've to catch the ship before it sails out of our territory."

"...Understood, sir."

TBC

Hey, sorry for the wait, everyone. I was very busy with my schoolwork. Mid-term exam is near and teachers seem to hand out more work than usual. Anyway, as for the chapter, I hope it's not getting too boring. I just want to get all the setting set. As for the lemon, of course, it's waiting oh-so-eagerly in the line. (Yes, I'm a pervert. XD) Just wait a little longer, please.

Anyway, feedbacks, as always, are very much welcomed. :)