Hey everyone! This is chapter three, and we'll be keeping chapter three here until I'm done revising the rest of the story. Don't worry though; there will be updates and plenty of them! I plan on making this story a series of many, for those who care to know.

Alright, this one is much longer than the others. In fact, this one is the longest chapter of them all, so I hope you're comfortable and have all the snacks and beverages you want! Enjoy them and the story along with it! All feedback is welcomed, but please remember to be nice about it. You may dislike everything you want, but don't verbally abuse me. Thanks!

Journal Entry Three

They were half way to Cosmo Canyon when the afternoon was beginning to set in. The silence between them was not only calming to Vincent, but somewhat justified, being that even if she was trying to help, she had interrupted his hate session. However, they both knew that this silence wouldn't last, and eventually someone had to break the ice.

It seemed too, just at that moment that the ice breakers had arrived, and in their path stood two large wolves, growling with foam at their mouths. Their yellow eyes glared at the two, and both seemed ready to fight. Vincent too was ready, and he fired a shot at one of them immediately, hitting the one on the left in the leg. Destiny, still unsure of what to do, let her instincts guide her, maybe she might be able to do something. All she could think of what to do was using it as a beating stick, and with her strength, it would serve adequate damage. She ran at the beast in front of her, swinging the pole horizontally, the end of it knocking the left wolf in the teeth giving it a gash in the mouth. It growled in response, leaping to attack her. Destiny had other plans, and putting the long pole in front of her, she took a large leap backwards, narrowly missing its swiping claws. Vincent, just in time, fired another shot but this time to the left wolf that had almost reached Destiny. This time his shot was much more accurate, and he hit the wolf in the neck, sending it to the ground where it stayed for good.

"Leap farther next time." He instructed, as she went in for the kill on the second wolf, only this one was quicker and dodged her attack. "And aim; watch their movements before you administer yours." He added, firing his last bullet into the right wolf, hitting it in the chest, which caused it to fly back a bit, before its movements ended.

"You did much better than the last two battles." He praised, his eyes giving her attention.

Destiny said nothing, still fearing even talking to him. She couldn't exactly read him well, and from the looks of his face, he was still quite mad. So she bowed her head in thanks, and then returned her head to its normal position. Vincent's eyes gave her one last glance before he walked in front of her, leading the way once more.

"We'll be at Cosmo Canyon in a few more hours." Vincent informed, his back shadowing her face.

With no words, Destiny followed him, staying in his shadow, hoping he wouldn't turn around. Something was pulling on her heart strings that day, something was crushing her, making her hurt. Inside she wanted to cry, but doing something like that in front of someone was childish in her mind. When she was small, crying seemed to be the only thing she knew how to do, but as she grew older, her crying didn't seem to come to her. All she could do was feel anger, sometimes pain, but never sadness, never again, until now. She stopped, and clutched her head, feeling pain and despair run through her heart and mind. What was this feeling?

The absence of her steps caused Vincent to turn around. The site of her forced his legs to walk back to her. He might have still been a little upset at her, but a part of him felt pity for her. His figure stood over her, his eyes piercing down onto her form now curled into a ball, as her hands grasped her head. She couldn't hear it, but she was screaming, as tears fell wildly from her eyes.

"OKAASAN" Destiny screamed with a shrill cry in her voice, her head pulsing with pain.

Vincent's eyes widened, then his assumptions were correct. Either she was a failed clone of Sephiroth, or she was an ancient, and either way was bad. Judging from her sliver hair, she was another failed clone. He knelt down to her, only to try to pull her arms from her body.

"Destiny" He growled, pulling on her. "Don't listen to what is in your head!" He added, freeing her hand.

"KAASAN, KAASAN!" Destiny continued.

"Stop it, this isn't necessary! Don't listen to whatever the voices are saying!" Vincent growled again, pulling her up to him from the ground. Seeing Cloud, he knew that if this continued, soon she would lose her actions and thoughts too. Whatever he did, he had to get her to shelter, or at least stop Sephiroth, or Jenova, or whoever it was talking to her.

"No, let me talk to okaasan! Leave me alone! Let me go!" She cried, fighting him violently.

"Stop it! You need to calm down!" He shouted, giving her a small shake, causing her to break down crying. Vincent, now sighing lowered himself and Destiny to the ground, as she sobbed against his restraining arms. "Shi," he said his right arm moving up to the back of her head.

Her head buried itself into Vincent's chest, as her tears clashed against him. "Okaasan" She sobbed, her voice trailing off. His arms came around her for some reason, but all they did was provide a restraint incase she were to attempt to flee or attack.

"It's okay." He said.

It took them both some time, but he had finally silenced her, and she had finally quit her sobbing. Her head had moved away from his tear-stained shirt. She looked at him, eyes irritated from her tears. She was still in pain, and Vincent understood. He brought his cape around her to shelter her from the wind, and he walked with her under his right arm. Once the pain had worn off, and she had returned herself to normal, and he let her walk next to him where he could keep a good eye on her.

"What did the voices say?" Vincent asked, looking down to her.

"Something about the promised land and a reunion, I don't understand either one of those things. All I could do was cry, and my heart felt like it was breaking," Destiny explained. "How long will this happen to me?" She asked.

"I don't have an answer for that. Cloud had those problems too; he stopped after he began to control himself." Vincent answered.

"I'll work on that." She sighed.

"You can master it in time, Cloud did, and he too was a lab rat." Vincent assured her.

The sun was now setting behind them, warming their backs, while wind blew their bodies many cool kisses. Cosmo Canyon grew ever near, the lights of the city coming alive one by one as the stars began their evening waltz in the sky.

"We can rest in the city when we get there. We should be there in an hour, maybe a little more if we run into any enemies on the way," Vincent informed.

"A bed sounds really nice right about now." Destiny responded, giving a little yawn. Somehow, her little comment had caused Vincent to smile, and he let out a small laugh.

A Not-so-brief Interlude

Destiny dropped her book, allowing it to crash to the floor. Not only was her geostigma acting up, but she couldn't believe that Vincent had never told her about his past. Even from the details he gave her in his small excerpt, she was still oblivious to what had turned him into Vincent. She hadn't asked him again for a reason; he didn't want to tell her. So what changed his mind now? He had seemed so sad that night, so lost in his old memories. She stood up, picked up her book and walked away from the desk that had held most of her time and attention. How could he not tell her, and worst of all, how could he tell her like this, in writing? She turned the corner, walking down the stone hallway, her bare feet tapping against the cold ground. He had seen her there a moment later, for he had come looking for her again, since it was three in the morning.

"Dest, are you okay?" Vincent asked, seeing the hurt in her eyes. His right arm came around her almost instantly as he pulled her to him protectively.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Destiny asked, pulling away from him, to look him in his eyes.

"Is this about my past?" Vincent asked, his soft look disappearing.

"Yes…Why didn't you tell me in person?" Destiny asked again, this time more demanding than before.

"I didn't think it meant anything to you." Vincent answered.

"Didn't mean anything to me? Do you think I don't care?" Destiny asked, a shout escaping her.

"I didn't think that!" Vincent argued, "You never asked again, I didn't think it meant something." Vincent lied.

"Well it means something to me, and you know it would have. You aren't stupid Vincent!" Destiny retorted, turning her back on him. "What is the real reason you didn't want to tell me?" Destiny asked. "Tell me the truth."

"I didn't want you to know. How would that have been like, 'Hi, I'm Vincent and I have been SHOT by my ex-lover, whom I completely trusted and loved with every INCH of my heart' does that sound like a good conversation starter to you?" Vincent yelled.

"Yeah that's EXACTLY how I imagined that conversation to go! Just know that I know you better than that, Vincent Valentine. You were trying to hide it; I'm not stupid; someone just doesn't go from wearing a suit to wearing a red cloak. You could have at least told me about Lucrecia and what she did, or at least about what they did to you. I don't even know your past! I don't even know about you, the REAL you. How could you rob someone who cares about you so much, of such information?" Destiny asked, her voice giving out. This argument was causing her geostigma to hurt worse than before.

"Do you want the story then? Is that why you're yelling at me? I didn't commit a crime, and I didn't ask you to care about me either!" Vincent yelled, now turning his back on her.

"Don't be bitter towards me just because I still have a heart. If you don't care about me, just say so and I'll leave you alone. I don't want to be the cause of your heart breaking again, if you still have one." Destiny said, waiting for his answer.

"I don't care about anyone." He lied, and the only reason he had responded this way, was the anger that Lucrecia had left in his heart towards people, that and a sense of anger towards her at the moment.

His response had hurt her. They had been together for two years, two long years of him helping her through everything, and she unknowingly helping him over-come his trust issues and painful remembrance of betrayal. To him, she was the thing he needed to make his hollow heart full, and the true reason he never told her about Lucrecia, was that she had started Destiny's life, it was her and Hojo who had created Sephiroth, and in turn created Destiny. That was nothing a person should ever hear. Especially when he once loved Lucrecia, and in his mind, Destiny might have blamed him too, and that was something he didn't want.

"I will leave you in peace then." She finally said clutching her book to her chest, tears falling from the physical pain geostigma was giving her. This response made him turn around, even though he was angry, he didn't want her to leave. She walked past him, giving him no eye contact.

"Dest…" He started, now reconsidering his words.

She ignored him, ascending the stairs, until she was no longer visible. Vincent had messed up, and he knew it. She was right, he should have told her, especially since she was the only person who had melted his icy heart. It was she who truly brought him out of his deep sleep, and now she was walking away because he was the one who had betrayed her. Memories flooded his mind, emotions in his heart swam in different directions, and he repeated his thoughts to himself again 'he had betrayed her'. His stomach felt sick, and he turned around, pursuing her.

Destiny had made it to the front entrance hall, before she had heard him behind her. She made no effort to turn around, and truthfully she couldn't.

"I loved Lucrecia, when I worked for Shinra as a Turk. She didn't return my feelings. She loved doctor Hojo who shot me, killing me. Hojo and Lucrecia experimented on my body, and turned me into this. He used monster cells, allowing me to transform into various creatures. When I woke up I was in a rage. In order to put me to sleep, they used calming materia, nailed me in the coffin downstairs, and left me for dead. His experimenting gave me this arm, and he stopped me from aging. I was in that coffin for twenty-four years, and then Cloud woke me. Lucrecia gave birth to Sephiroth, whom Hojo had experimented on. Thus it is her fault you are living, it's her fault you have geostigma. I still loved her, even after she had betrayed me. That is why I didn't want to tell you, because it is inversely my fault." Vincent explained, still standing at the edge of the stairs. "I'm sorry." He said softly, now really regretting their previous conversation. He knew she was emotional, especially with the geostigma confusing her, and causing her pain. It wasn't her fault she over reacted like she did.

Destiny had nothing to answer to. His apology was enough for her to forgive him, but not enough to take back the words he had said to her.

"Dest…" He started, walking up behind her, brushing against her back. "Don't leave."

Destiny turned around, her blue eyes looking up to his red ones. "It's not your fault, for things that others do; it was her fault, and Dr.Hojo's fault for what they did."

His arms curled around her, "I'm sorry, and I do care about you." He whispered, his right hand stroking the back of her head softly.

"I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have yelled, they are your memories." Destiny responded.

"You need rest. It is starting to spread on you." Vincent spoke, his right hand trailing up her neck to her chin, causing her to draw back in pain. "Give me the book." Vincent instructed "I'm putting you to bed myself."

After he took the book from her, his right arm moved from her back to under her knees as he knelt to pick her up, and then pressing her against him, he walked up the stairs to her bed. To this, Destiny gave no movements, she was too tired to fight back, and too much in pain to.

Journal Entry Resumed

They had arrived at Cosmo Canyon two hours later, both a little dusted up from their random encounters.

"I'm quite surprised at your skill level. I didn't think you would take to your weapon so quickly." Vincent said, as his steps brought him closer to the city.

"Thank you for all of your help." Destiny responded, not wanting to give him eye contact.

"I'm sure Cloud will be more helpful to you when we get to Midgar. I'm just helping you get there." Vincent answered.

Silence encompassed them once more, Destiny still not wanting to really talk to him ever since her encounter with the voices in her head. She was still confused about them, and what they meant. Why were people talking to her?

"Here." Vincent said, holding out a closed fist. "This is for you. Get a room for the night, and I will see you in the morning."

"You're not coming with me?" Destiny asked as he put Gil into her hand

"I don't require sleep. I will see you in the morning." Vincent answered.

"Please don't leave me here. I don't want to go to Midgar alone…" Destiny said softly.

"You're as trusting as I am. I promised you I would take care of you and get you to Midgar, did I not? I am not leaving you here. I have to see an old friend who lives here while we are visiting. You need rest." Vincent explained. "I will take you to the Inn, and then see you in the morning."

He began to walk up the path that led towards the top of the cliff; she followed behind him as always, not saying a word. He wasn't exactly a teddy bear, and his overall appearance made her shiver sometimes. When she saw his red eyes, she saw anger, and guilt shrouding him. She knew she pitied him, but feared him enough not to say a word.

"Is something wrong?" Vincent asked, sensing the uneasiness in her heart.

"Nothing," Destiny responded.

"Very well," He said, walking in through the door way to the Inn. "Destiny, if you need to talk, you can always ask me to listen. I understand your feelings."

"Thank you, Vincent I'll remember that." Destiny whispered.

"Get some rest, I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight." Vincent said, walking away from her, to leave her to sleep.

Destiny couldn't sleep; it was far too cold for her to sleep. She wrapped herself up in the blanket that dressed the bed she lay on, and walked down the canyon steps to a large fire that never seemed to go out. She sat herself down in front of the warm flames, feeling their dance on her figure. It took her time, but she had finally noticed a figure there behind her, and she turned around, only to be eye-to-eye with a red wolf. She had seen it before in Shin-ra labs, it only startled her a little, causing to her gasp.

"I am terribly sorry." Red XIII said, offering his paw shake, as an apology.

"Oh no… I, I shouldn't have wondered down here without permission." Destiny stuttered, already collecting herself to leave.

"I ask you, please don't leave. I like to meet new people. Although, I do not believe we are strangers. Is this assumption correct?" Red XIII asked.

"Yes, I saw you in Shin-ra labs. You were taken in the day I had skinned my knee. I remember you were sad," Destiny answered.

"I remember you crying. It is good to meet you face-to-face. My name is Red XIII. Vincent has told me you are an acquaintance of his; I believe your name is Destiny," He informed.

"Yes, that is my name. It is nice to meet you at a more personal level than just through a glass wall," Destiny

"Vincent tells me that you are a clone of Sephiroth," Red XIII said, shaking his head as he did so.

"I am, I wish I could say that I wasn't," Destiny answered, her head lowering a bit. "I am sorry for whatever it was that Sephiroth and Hojo did to you. I want you to know that I am here with no intent to harm you, or Vincent." Destiny apologized.

"Oh no, I don't think that at all! You and Sephiroth are completely different people. I too was labeled as a monster. Please my dear lady; do not feel as though you owe me something. If anything, all I want is friendship from you, if you are willing to be friends with me," Red XIII replied softy.

"I would enjoy being friends with you very much, Red XIII." Destiny responded happily, offering her hand in exchange for his paw.

Red XIII extended his paw, and they shook, the tension in both their hearts lifting. Red XIII could understand her pain, and vice-versa. That entire night, for what Destiny could remember, they talked for long hours about the stars and the earth, and how they both found it appropriate the actions the planet had taken. They had talked so late into the night, that they had both fallen fast asleep near the fire until morning had come, and Destiny felt Vincent's cold hand on her shoulder and it woke her so suddenly, it caused Vincent to smirk a bit.

Journal Entry Pause, long interlude

Vincent hadn't been home long since his last trip to Midgar. Destiny never went with him because of how long the trip was. Destiny was waiting for Vincent where she always was: the basement, where she continued to write her chronicles. She embraced him after he made his way through the hall. He rarely had much response back, other than a hand to her shoulder, or a caress to her head. This time though, both of Vincent's arms had made their way around her, and as they tightened they pulled her towards him so close she could feel his heart beating against his chest at high speeds. Whatever the reason was for his sudden embrace, she didn't care; regardless if it was good or bad.

However, curiosity took over, and regardless if the hug would end or not, she had to know, "Vincent, what's wrong?"

His response did not come, but his arms only brought her closer. Two years of being with her had changed him. He talked more often, showed more care towards others, and actually enjoyed company. However, something had happened that day that had disturbed him. Though he didn't love Destiny, he cared about her. He still did not respond, and his chin lowered itself onto the top of her head.

"Vincent?" She only questioned again.

He didn't want to answer, even though he knew she deserved one. Destiny not only broke his cold shell, she implanted care into his soul. This care was what could not take his arms from her, or allow his mouth to speak.

She could feel her sadness spreading again, her heart aching because of Jenova cells. Vincent's crushing embrace didn't help her pain, and when he didn't let go she let out a small painful whimper. To this he reacted immediately, and his embrace stopped, but his arms did not leave her body, and his head did not move from the top of hers.

"Something happened today, Destiny." Vincent started, his right arm rubbing her back softly.

His silence had driven a perk of curiosity into her brain, slowly the thoughts cooked in her head. What could have happened that it shut Vincent up so? Did something so terrible happen that it shook even his heart? Whatever it was, Vincent's quiet response shook her to the core. If it was so bad that he couldn't speak of it, should she know in the first place?

She noted that his visage was unusually cold, though Vincent was pretty much a rock when it came to feelings anyway; she had known when something was wrong. What could it be?

Words couldn't begin to portray the feeling that had suddenly emerged from the depths of his mind. Her words did reach him, but the shock of what was coming had intertwined with his mind. He was playing a scenario in his head over and over. A kid that young had died of Geostigma... and Destiny was far older than the child. Was her time close? Was he going to lose her? He was going to turn into a demon again if it happened. Not one person could avoid his wrath if she passed away from this disease.

He glanced over to her slowly and spoke in a soft tone. "I watched someone die... today."

A chill veiled over her, and at first she had a slight clue as to what this death came from, but she didn't want to jump to conclusions, because conclusion jumping, was what started most of their arguments.

"Who ever it was Vincent, don't worry about it. I'm here for you." She said softly, trying to mask the element of fear in her voice.

Her words sank into him as if it was a knife driving into his chest. I'm here for you. It echoed as the same scene repeated into his head where she would die in his arms from the epidemic that couldn't be cured by researchers. He simply looked to her with those eyes that would scare most people but her. Should he start closing himself up now?

"No. I'm not okay. I watched a child die today. He died of geostigma." He would hold her in his arms. He didn't want her to share the same fate as the child, regardless of how futile it was at this point.

"Cheer up, Vincent." "Even if I do die, you made all of those years of hell, a numbing feeling that I barely remember." Destiny paused for a brief moment. She wanted to cry, but to do that would cause the black hole in the room to grow further. "Just, remember that, and know that when I die, I will be with the planet, and in that case, I will still be here, you will walk on me, breath me in, and share life that my life stream inside gives." "You will never truly be alone, because I will always be here." Was she crazy to even attempt to try to fool not only him, but her into thinking that she was okay with dying? She didn't want to die, even with the disease she was happier than she had ever been in her entire life, she didn't want that to end now.

"Don't talk about it right now. Don't think about trying to give me positive thoughts. Reasoning will make me think that way after you have died." His response had came out cooler than he wanted it to. Again his arms had wrapped around her, knowing she was fooling both of them. "You never were good at lying anyways." He said with a slight smirk.

"Vincent, don't feel that way. Don't give up on something because you feel hopelessness." She took a breath, in hopes that he would listen to her for once. She broke away from his embrace to face him. "You never know what could happen. One day we will all die. No one can live forever, not even you." She had said this, forgetting for a split second what Hojo had done. "Regardless of how experimental your body is." "Look at my arm, I was produced not to fail as an experiment, yet I have." Her warm hand caressed the bottom of his cold chin, and her eyes looked over him reassuringly. "Don't close yourself again. As I have said to you many times, it is not your fault for what others do."

Had she truly forgotten how old Vincent was? He didn't age one bit after he had been awakened by the spiky haired Cloud. He simply looked around rather quickly and then just looked down at her. "I can't tell you how I feel. Nor can I explain my behavior most of the time. But closing me off was always something I was good at." His eyes would lock with hers as he spoke. "I try to desperately cling onto whatever humanity I have left. I struggled to what wins in my mind." Vincent paused, wondering if he should go on. "If I lose you, I lose the war." He admitted reluctantly.

Her smile faded, he was right. Her hand swept over his skin softly.

"I won't die, Vincent. I am stronger than I look. Perhaps the child gave up on living, and giving up is something I don't do. People die due to the loss of will."

She put her arms around the back of his neck, attempting to pull herself towards him, but she couldn't do it, she was far too weak.

"I want to hug you, but I can't pull myself towards you... could you help?" Could she really hold on to life? Or would the geostigma take her life from him?

"Don't cry Vincent..." She whispered softly, only she was telling herself not to, but the tears formed in protest. She had to be strong, even if it meant masking her feelings from him forever. He simply pulled her close up to his body obeying her request. Only till she was truly gone, he would shed that fateful tear. He simply stroked her hair with that gentle hand that no one else would ever feel. She had done the impossible. She had broken Vincent Valentine, and he knew it.

Journal Entry Resumed

It had seemed only a few hours that she was able to sleep before Vincent had decided to wake her up. They had left the small village before the afternoon had begun, but the sun was still so hot she felt like she was going to bake under its bright gaze. She could literally feel the waves of heat slapping her skin and turning her into golden brown.

"I suppose you're not used to traveling?" Vincent asked lightly

"No. I only traveled a few days before I reached your residence." Destiny responded.

"You'll get used to it in time. We're two days away from The Gold Saucer, so you'll have to be strong until we reach there." Vincent said.

"Okay. I'm a little tired, but I think I'll manage." Destiny responded, wiping her forehead with her sleeve.

"Tell me if you have to stop. We can rest when you feel like you can't go on." Vincent explained

"Thank you." Destiny said softly, following behind him as they advanced north east towards the Gold Saucer, whatever that was.

For a good forty-five minutes they walked in silence coming into battles and going out of battles. Neither had much to say, especially Vincent, who never had much to say anyways. Destiny wanted to get into some kind of conversation, any would do.

"Vincent…" she started, walking closer to him. He looked over his shoulder and gave her acknowledgement.

"Yes?" Vincent asked turning his attention away once more to the path they were walking. He was very familiar with the land, and he knew how to get around most of Jacel.

"What is the Gold Saucer?" Destiny asked, now looking feeling like a child for asking.

"….I had forgotten you weren't familiar with Jacel. The Gold Saucer is an amusement park. They have rides, shows, and a lot of other things. I went there with Cloud when I joined their group." Vincent responded

"Oh." Destiny responded, not really knowing much of what he meant.

"I'll show you when we get there, I'm sure you'll like it. They have fireworks, and a carousel you can ride. It's quite beautiful." Vincent continued, not realizing till that moment how much he really did like the Gold Saucer.

Destiny didn't know what a carousel was, but she did know what fireworks were. She had watched them from her room when Shin-ra celebrated the anniversary of their company. If there were fireworks involved, she would most likely enjoy the Gold Saucer.

It seemed the ice between them had vanished; perhaps a night's sleep and the company of a friend eased the tension. Whatever it was, Destiny was glad that the ice had broken, and it seemed that Vincent was just as relieved as she was. He seemed more relaxed the next few hours of their walking. That is, until the random encounter that was about to have them fight.

An Armored Golem came out of nowhere and proceeded to attack them, almost instantly Vincent thought of Destiny, she was a very low leveled person.

"Destiny, you're going to have to run, you can't handle this battle." Vincent said hurriedly

"I can use healing spells!" Destiny said quickly

"No! Run!" Vincent shouted as he dodged an attack from the Golem's fist.

Destiny tried as hard as she could to run away, but before she could get away, the Golem grabbed her waist, bringing her towards his mouth. The grip alone was enough to send her into a jolt of pain. The Golem threw her town to the ground once Vincent Shot at the monster's hands. Poor Destiny didn't know how to take the abuse. The last attack to her body was too much, and the next time she woke up, she was wrapped in Vincent's red cape. The sound of water filled her ears, the sound of a river flowing gently through her ears. It was enough to wake her up, along with the fire that crackled near her. Her eyes opened slowly, and she let out a groan that frightened her a little. She had been out of her senses for a while, so reuniting with them was a hard task to do, especially because pain was stinging her more each time she came into a more stabilized consciousness.

"Are you okay?" Vincent asked once he realized she was awake.

"I'm in so much pain…" Destiny whined.

"I bet you are. He threw you down terribly hard. Hold still, I'm going to heal you. Where exactly does it hurt?" Vincent asked, moving towards her.

"My rib cage hurts the most, and my neck and shoulders hurt a little bit." Destiny answered.

"Can you move at all?" Vincent asked.

"No, I think my arms are dislocated." Destiny said again, attempting to use one of them.

"Hold still I don't want to heal you partially." Vincent said, putting his right hand on her sides. He hadn't felt the curves of a woman before since he was a teenager. Yet he blushed inside like a seven year old. He couldn't deny that as a man he was craving the touch of a woman, but as Vincent Valentine, he was craving the sense of loneliness. He never wanted to be hurt again. Her frame was so small, and so beautiful. Touching her was like re-gaining the sense of a man. If he could do more, he wouldn't have complained.

"Vincent, I don't think your materia is working, I still feel pain." Destiny chimed in throwing Vincent's thoughts aside. How could he be thinking about sex at a time like this? He barely knew this girl, and having desire for her was so wrong in his head.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't concentrating." Vincent said, this time allowing the materia to do its work.

"Feel any better now?" He asked, removing his hand from her warmth.

"Yes, much better. Thank you. Where are we now?" Destiny asked

"A few hours away from the Gold Saucer, if we walk non-stop from morning until afternoon we should be there before nightfall. I promise when we get there, I will take you out to the carousel." Vincent said.

"Really you promise?" Destiny asked, very excitedly.

"Yeah, and I'll take you to watch the chocobo races." Vincent said again, wondering where his enthusiasm was coming from. He couldn't honestly be smitten with her could he? He knew one thing that he wasn't, or ever would be. Vincent had sworn he would never fall in love after his betrayal from Lucrecia. So why had Destiny impacted him so hard? He turned to tell her more about the Gold Saucer and everything to offer, but she was already asleep. Since talking would be no good, he rested his back on the ground, a small ways from her. Perhaps he could sleep tonight. Monsters rarely plagued victims when they were near water.

End of Entry

An almost brief Interlude (whatever that means)

Vincent was light on sleeping that night. He had been ever since he had seen the child in Midgar die. He would often read the journal that Destiny kept, reminiscing over their journey to Midgar, and most likely the ones that would follow. He still didn't know why she was writing them. Maybe she wanted someone to hear her story? Maybe she was writing it for him to remember? His questions were stopped by the sound of music. Destiny was playing that old piano again.

He followed the notes hypnotically, knowing that when he reached the end of them, he would reach her face. He had never heard the sad music that Destiny was playing. Usually he heard sweet songs that you lift you to another place, but tonight it was dark. He entered the stained-glass room where Destiny was playing the piano. His presence did not stir her; she didn't even bother to look at him. She just played on and on, her hair bright and vibrant in the night's moon.

Once she had finished her song, she spoke without looking up to Vincent, which to him was very odd. ""I always thought when I was a little girl, that I was just like everyone else, and that one day I would one day be set free, gain parents, friends, love, all that stuff." Destiny's eyes remained glues to the yellow keys below her. "Then I got older and the dream faded, and I realized that I was doomed to be an experiment behind glass forever." She paused, as her hand clutched around her white night dress. "After I broke out once sister ray exploded, and I thought I could start over"

"Instead, Cloud killed Sephiroth, and I gained this disease causing me to die slowly and painfully. I never had friends, family, or anything until I met you. Knowing that you opened me to a world of happiness, saddens me for it to be taken away, I suppose the reason I am talking is to thank you." Destiny hardly spoke so darkly, for her this was a new thing, but she was almost convinced she was going to die.

Hearing her words made him think quietly to himself. He would lean against the doorway while speaking.

"No need to thank to which is given freely and out of friendship and love. I'm glad to of known that I could bring something to you. I've never given that to anyone before." He would continue speaking without moving towards her. "I haven't had many friends because I feel I am destined to be alone one day. When that day comes I will always remember those who have willingly put their lives on the line for me, who have shared hardships with me and have loved me". Those last few words were spoken softly as he looked at her. "And I have returned those feelings to everyone except you." He would slowly walk over to her speaking. "Whether you die or I die, one thing will remain from our memories. And I want you to know that I loved you equally and more as you did me. I am sorry I didn't return these feelings to you before." Vincent finished

Destiny was shocked. She had wanted these words from him for so long. Why did he wait until now to say them? Should she return the words? He knew he didn't like using the phrase 'I love you'. However, what he said was enough for her to be content with dying. Tears formed in her eyes, which she hated, she hated crying.

"Vincent…" she trailed off, suddenly feeling pain erupt in her body. She would tell him, no matter how badly it felt to feel joy. She let out a sharp cry, the geostigma glowing brightly on her skin. Vincent had thrown his arms around her gently, immediately pulling her to his body.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to cause pain to you." Vincent said, caressing her back with his fingertips.

"It would have been greater pain had you never told me. I want to tell you something" She said with hissing in her voice, and a cry in her tone.

"It can wait until morning." Vincent said.

"No it can't, I want to tell you…"Destiny choked from the pain, causing her to cry like a three year old.

"Your actions have already told me. I know you do." Vincent said, scooping her up into his arms. "We're going to bed. I don't want you up late anymore. From now on, you come and get me when you can't sleep. I don't want you doing this to yourself anymore." Vincent commanded, and carried her off.