Chapter 10
Yazoo reloaded Velvet Nightmare for what seemed like the millionth time. They had found more monsters than they could ask for. They had set up camp and slept through the day and now were getting ready for another hunt. The calls of ShadowCreepers was all of a sudden very close and Yazoo stood searching the fading horizon. Cloud was cleaning his sword and Vincent was standing on a large rock looking out over the landscape.
Yazoo closed his eyes and concentrated. ShadowCreepers were pack creatures and they could read emotion in movements and sounds. He waited until what he refered to as a hunting call come near and then took Velvet Nightmare and shot into the air. There was silence for a moment and Cloud and Vincent gave him odd looks. Yazoo was just about to think that theCreepers had forgotten him and the last time they had met. Then he heard it, a sound of something crashing the through the forest and then a black blur was flying towards him. He was knocked to the ground with a heavy weight on top of him and a wet feeling on his face. He heard Cloud and Vincent running towards him and the sound of Death Penalty being cocked.
"Don't shoot or slice or whatever! Its okay!" he called. The Shadow Leaper on top of him was licking him with hard rough strokes of his tongue. Yazoo laughed and pushed him off.
"Hey, I'm happy to see you too but remember my skins not made like yours" he told the creature that was almost tall enough to stare him in the eye. Cloud and Vincent lowered their weapons when they saw Yazoo unhurt. There were more of the black and gray creatures off to the side of the small clearing they had chosen to camp.
"Come on out!" Yazoo said to them. Cloud came to stand beside him. " You can really talk to them?"
Yazoo nodded. "Anyone can. They sense how you feel through your words and actions. The actual meaning of the words is unimportant though. Kadaj and I found it out quite by accident."
Cloud just watched the approaching creatures with a tense expression. "Do they always jump you like that?"
Yazoo just shrugged. "Its their way of playing."
Vincent had approached the one that stood next to Yazoo and was studying it closely. The shadow creeper stared right back and seemed to sniff at his gun. It made an odd sound kind of like a strangled scream and turned to Yazoo and cocked its head as if asking a question.
Yazoo shook his head. "No, that's not for you. We're clearing the other monsters out and away from the roads. As long as you stay away from the roads you'll be fine"
Other shadow creepers had come closer while Yazoo spoke. A small one rubbed against his leg and Yazoo stroked the top of its head absently.
The original leaper had reared its head a little and then raised his hackles slightly. He looked almost indignant. Vincent gave a small laugh. Yazoo smiled at the sound. He and Vincent had become much more laid back with each other since they began fighting. They complemented each other in combat very well and together with Cloud had proved to be extremely efficient and deadly. In some ways it made Yazoo a little sad, bringing back memories of how he and Loz had practically been able to read the others thoughts when they fought together. He missed his brothers.
The leaper brought him out of his thoughts by pushing its bulky head against his side to get his attention. Yazoo looked at him. The leaper drew two parallel lines in the dirt then lifted a clawed hand to touch Yazoo's face and drag it down his cheek like a tear. It was asking for his brothers. The double lines for Kadaj's Souba and the tear for Loz.
"They aren't here any more, they're both dead." Yazoo told it.
"Yazoo watch out that things going to attack you!" Kadaj yelled as Yazoo kneeled next to the injured shadow creeper. It had broken its hind leg and was laying on the ground panting.
Yazoo looked around and found a branch. He stood and broke it into a piece that was similar in length to the creatures broken bone. He came back to the creature and laid a hand on it gently. He wasn't sure how to proceed. He would have to set the bone before he could splint it and that would cause more pain. He began humming a small song that he had heard in one of the towns that he thought was soothing.
The creeper seemed to calm a little and Yazoo quickly snapped the bone into place. The creature gave a howl. He wrapped the splint quickly and backed away. Kadaj was looking off into the forest.
"You've done it now, its friends are coming" he hissed and drew his double bladed sword. Loz stood behind him and was watching the injured shadow creeper.
"Maybe when they see that Yazoo helped it they wont be mad" he said innocently. Yazoo made sure he had ammo.
There was barely a rustle of leaves and they were surrounded. They were more than a match for the creepers but slaughtering them wasn't exactly the most appealing thought. Yazoo was about to take aim when the injured one moved in front of him facing the other creepers. It made a few noises then was swept up by its siblings and taken back into the forest. Three larger leapers remained and one came up close to Yazoo.
Loz almost hit the creature before Yazoo motioned for him to stand down. The creeper looked him up and down then kind of nuzzled him. It almost knocked Yazoo over until Kadaj steadied him.
They spent the rest of the night with the creepers. Eventually they had learned to communicate with them and summon them for aid. There were a few nights when the brothers had fallen asleep surrounded by them and their warmth.
The creeper in front of him seemed confused for a moment then lowered its head. It made a sound that was a high pitched keening, obviously a show of sadness. When it lifted its head it brought its tail forward and wrapped it around Yazoo's waist and pulled him close. The leaper started back into the forest as if to say it wanted Yazoo to come.
Yazoo understood the meaning right away. The leapers would take him in as part of the pack. "I can't" he told the creature softly.
The creeper pawed at the ground, quirked its head and made a few clicking noises as of lecturing him.
"I cant go with you. I-" Yazoo paused. He felt awkward all of a sudden. Cloud came behind him and clamped a hand onto his shoulder.
"He has us now. You can't take him with you." he told the creature softly. The creeper growled then moved forward, very close to Cloud. Cloud held still as the creature looked him over closely. It then moved to Vincent and repeated the examination. When it was through it circled around Yazoo and gave him a playful push before heading back to the woods.
"I take it we have his approval to keep you then" remarked Vincent with a slight smile. Yazoo snorted.
Cloud went to Fenrir and unlocked compartment he kept his swords in, placing his current blade inside. "We had better get going. We will head back to Midgar in the morning."
Yazoo holstered Velvet Nightmare and climbed on behind him. Vincent had his on unique way of traveling. Yazoo found that he was almost missing Midgar. He would be happy to be back.
A/n okay so kinda sappy? Really sappy? Anyways, he whole leaper / creeper thing is corrected here. Sorry if Vincent seems OOC. Perhaps he and Yazoo are good for each other? AS FRIENDS. Ahem. Sorry just had to make that clear. No offense meant to anyone.
