Returning Shadows

A/N: Wow, got a couple of reviews. Thanks you guys. Well, here's the second chapter. It didn't take too long to get up. Enjoy. Working on Chapter 3 already.

Chapter Two

The young girl shifted under the sheets of her bed, before slowly opening her eyes.

'Mm?'

She slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes as she wasn't sure how she had gotten back into bed. She looked over at the window next to her bed as she saw the frost that covered the corners of it. It was still snowing outside. It was so quiet you could almost here the snow falling to the ground.

'I see you're awake...'

She gasped out at the sudden low voice, as she squeezed her stuffed moogle in her arms. She looked over to across her room to see someone sitting in a chair next to the other window in her room.

'W..w...who are you?'

'I'm no one. So, what were you doing out in the snow this late at night?'

'Mm...'

She looked down quietly as her hands rubbed against one another as she squeezed the moogle, a little tighter.

'You don't have to say anything, I was only curious. Your mother and father would be upset if they knew you were out like that.'

'My mommy and daddy are dead...'

'...Forgive me. I didn't know.'

She shook her head as she looked over at him.

'The shadows killed them and took their hearts...I saw it.'

'The creatures that chased you?'

'Yah. There are more of the scary monsters coming here. It's scary.'

'So, you stay all by yourself.'

She nodded. Squall and Aerith would come by and try to get her to come stay in the castle of Radient Garden, but it seemed the girl was so torn apart by her parents death she didn't even want to leave her house.

'T-thank you, for saving me Mister.'

'It was not my intention. I was merely passing through.'

'Well, thank you for passing through.' She smiled at him, before she crawled out of her bed with her stuffed animal and made her way over to him. He looked down at her as she smiled at him widely.

'My name is Yuffie Ki-sa-ga-ri. What's yours?'

'Child, aren't you scared of me?'

'No.'

'Why not? Everyone is disturbed by my appearance, even adults.'

'You saved me so you must be a good person.'

'...'

She climbed up over his knees and into his lap as she stared at him. He adverted his gaze from her, as his head lowered as his cape covered his face even more.

'Don't hide! I wanna see.'

She reached up tugging down on his cape forcing him to lean down as she got good look at his red eyes and pale face. He awaited a scream or some type of cry from the girl, but none came.

'You have nice eyes.'

She said, before she let go of him and plopped back in his lap. Yawning, as she leaned back against him as she hugged her stuffed moogle. This little girl was very strange. He's never seen anyone like her or heard anyone said that to him before. If anything his eyes was merely a reminder of his abomination.

'Vincent.'

'Mm...?'

'Vincent Valentine.'

'Hn...'

He looked down at her as she yawned quietly, as her eyes were closed. She dozing off in his lap against him. He didn't think anyone could feel so comfortable around him, especially a child. He pulled his cape from along his side and covered her with it as he leaned back in his chair.

'Vin vin...'

Vincent looked down at her, as his face was a few inches from hers. He looked into her eyes silently as Yuffie swallowed the lump in her throat. She exhaling a bit, as she felt uneasy with him staring at her so intently.

"Vin vin, do you mind?"

"She was the only one that ever called me that..."

He murmured, as he pulled back a few inches from her face. Yuffie let out a sigh of relief, as she thought she was dead for sure. She smiled a little, as he leaned himself back off of her as she sat herself up rubbing her neck.

"Forgive me. Natural reflexes."

"It's okay. You're still quick as ever." She rubbed her neck a little as she couldn't shake the tips of his claw brushing against the tender flesh of her neck. "I've been through worst."

"I see..."

A man of few words as always. If she remembered correctly he never talked that much at all or to anyone, besides herself. Everyone always saw him as a threat or some type of monster. She didn't think it was his fault he looked the way he did. She looked down at the claw glove he wore over his arm as she noticed a deep gash in it. It looked as though something pretty sharp nearly penetrated it. Her gaze went back to his face, as her hands rubbed against one another.

"So, what brought you back to Hollow Bastion?"

"Hollow Bastion? I don't believe I've ever been here before, but it feels familiar."

"Oh, right. This is actually Radient Garden, but for right now it's Hollow Bastion."

A brow rose as he looked at her as if he didn't almost believed what she said.

"How did that happen...?"

"Well..."

In the next room, Leon groaned lowly as Aerith placed a hand on his forehead as she looked at him. His eyes opening slowly, as he squinted from the bright light from the ceiling. Aerith gave a sigh of relief, as she put a hand to her chest.

"What a relief. You woke up earlier than I expected. I thought you'd be out all night."

"Out? Hnn, where am I?" He pulled a hand up to his left arm feeling the bandage that was wrapped around his arm and there was one wrapped around his leg as well. The wounds stung as he flinched in pain.

"You're in the infirmary. I found you in the center square of Hollow Bastion. You had gunshot wounds."

"Center Square? Gunshot...gunshots. That man!" Leon suddenly remembered what had happened, as he remembered that bastard getting his last shots in before he was about to go in for the finishing blow. Leon quickly sat up as he began to pull himself off the bed.

"Leon what are you doing? You need to rest for the rest of the night."

"No, that man is still wandering around outside. He might even be in the borough by now. I have to find him." He pulled himself up onto his feet as he went to the door. Aerith ran in front of him as she stopped him from going any further.

"Don' t bother Leon, because he's not even there anymore."

"What? Why not? Did he leave Hollow Bastion?" Leon looked at her as Aerith looked down as her fingers twiddled against one another.

"Well, it's because he's here...in the infirmary."

"Excuse me? You're treating some man that nearly killed me and he's here being treated." His eyes narrowed, as he couldn't believe Aerith would even do that. He knew she was very kind hearted, but this man seemed almost inhuman when he was fighting him.

"Well, I couldn't leave him for dead. It seemed so wrong. He's in the next room being treated by Yuffie."

"...What?"

--

"Come on."

"..."

"Take it off."

"..."

"Do I have to do it myself then?"

"It's not necessary."

"Then why not do it yourself?"

"Cause it's unnecessary."

"...but your shirt is bloody." Yuffie frowned, as she sat there on the bed with the pale gunslinger as she looked at his shirt that was stained with blood around the gash in his shirt.

"I am fine. I'll take my leave here once I have my gun and cape." He began to get up, before he found himself pinned back on the bed with the petite girl on top of him.

"You're not fine. I need to see your wound so I can treat it. Since, you refuse to take your shirt off I'm going to do it myself." She said, as she began to pull his shirt over his stomach. For some reason, she was feeling a bit shy towards him a little.

Geeze, that didn't sound right. That's something I'd expect saying to Leon. Ahh, so embarrassing. Don't think perverted thoughts like that.

Vincent Valentine grabbed her wrist gently, as he put them to her hips as he leaned up with her sitting in his lap.

"Like I said, I'm fine. It doesn't hurt."

"But..."

'Leon wait! Don't be so rash!'

'Let go Aerith, she could already be dead by now or even a hostage.'

The door to the room suddenly swung open as Leon kicked it in. Yuffie's head jerking a little in surprise at seeing Leon at the door.

"Squall you're all right!"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Huh?" Yuffie looked at him puzzled, as he pointed towards Vincent as he looked at Leon over his shoulder.

"Hnn?"

"Take your hands off of her. Who do you think you are?" He snapped at him, as he gestured to his hands being on Yuffie's hips not to mention her being in his lap. It wasn't exactly the most flattering position to be in. Leon was upset that someone like him could take him down in no time, but he didn't know why but he felt fury build up in him watching this strange man hold Yuffie.

"I believe that you're mistaken." Vincent said calmly, as he seemed to keep his composure better than Leon.

"Mistaken? What do you take me for a fool? I can see what you were going to do, you leech."

"Fools are quick to judge. And if we were going to 'do' anything I really don't think that would be any of your concern." He said, as he turned his head away from him.

"Why you no good bas..."

"Le-on!" Aerith held him back as he began to make his way over to him, as Aerith was dragged with him as he stepped forward. Yuffie was a little flustered from the scene unfolding, before he snapped out of her trance. She managed to jump out of his lap before stepping in front of Leon.

"Leon cool it! He's a friend of mine!"

"He's a wha...?"

Aerith and Leon looked at Yuffie in shock from what she had said as they looked at Vincent and back to her again.

How can she be friends with someone like him? He looks like he's twice her age, maybe even older than me but he doesn't even look it.

"He really is, so please don't try and kick his butt okay? This is Vinny, all right? He's been gone for a long time, but he came back."

"It's Vincent."

"Oh...well it's nice to meet you Vincent. Wish we could have met under, um, better circumstances. I'm Aerith." She smiled, as her hands loosened around Leon once she made sure he wasn't going to try and start a fight here. She was only glad he didn't have his weapon on him at the moment. "And this is Leon."

There was an awkward silence in the room as both men didn't say anything or really introduce themselves to one another.

"Whatever."

"Hn..."

"See, that's Squall's way of saying you're welcome here and hello." Yuffie smiled, as Leon folded his arms across his chest as Vincent got up from the bed and grabbed his cloak. It falling over him like a second skin as he put it on.

"It's Leon and if you think that...ugh."

Aerith nudged him in the side with her elbow stopping him from further speaking. He scowling a little as he looked at Aerith, who held that innocent look on her face.

"Well, by all means he's welcome to stay if he doesn't cause any trouble."

"Really? Thank you, thank you. I promise he won't cause any trouble. Right, Vin vin?" Yuffie looked back at the tall man, as his mouth was covered by his red cloak. He looking at her as he merely gave a low grunt. Him and Leon seem to just stare at each other, as if there was some silent exchange of words being made. Probably nothing nice being said.

"You can stay here at the Infirmary for awhile, before we can find you a more suitable place to stay at."

"I'm fine."

Aerith tilted her head as her hand was on her chin, "But you're wound probably looks pretty bad."

"I've had far worst than 'grazes' like this."

Leon fist clenched as he listened to him. Vincent brushed past Yuffie and the others as he left the room. Yuffied sighed, as he still seemed pretty cold towards others still even after all this time. Even back then he didn't really like to open up to anyone and he only told her a few things, but she was just a kid back then.

"He's very...charming." Aerith said, breaking the silence as she wasn't too sure what to say.

"Like a snake." Leon added.

"He's not THAT bad. You just need to get to know him." Yuffie retorted

"Oh, you mean how I got to know the barrel of his gun that was in the back of my head? I think I'll pass."

Yuffie didn't know what Leon's problem was with Vincent. He knew he couldn't be jealous of the fact that he was around her.

Yeah, right. Keep on dreaming Yuffie. Like Leon would be jealous of him over me.

"Well, whatever then. I'm going to go make sure he's all right."

She said, as she ran past the two leaving him and Aerith alone.

"I hope Yuffie can find a suitable place for him to stay. At least..."

"Aerith are you really considering letting someone like that stay here. We have enough trouble defending the town from heartless and now we have some dangerous gunslinger residing here?"

"Well, he is Yuffie's friend. Even if I said he couldn't stay here, it didn't look like we had too much say in the matter."

"Why not? He doesn't look like the type of guy I want hanging around Yuffie." Leon grumbled, as he looked down as his finger tapped his arm.

"Oh? Since, when have you been concerned about any guy hanging around Yuffie?" Aerith looked at him as she smiled as she put her hands behind her back as he looked at his face. He turned his head giving a 'hmf'.

"That's not what I meant. He's obviously dangerous and with Yuffie around he could easily harm her or take her hostage."

"Mm, I see. Well, let's not really worry about it for now. We'll just keep a eye on him for now, okay? And Leon please try to be on your best behavior or at least try not to kill him."

Leon looked at her as he knew he couldn't argue with Aerith, as he'd probably just end up losing the conversation as always like this.

"Fine, but if I see him in any way try to harm Yuffie or anyone else. Or cause any trouble he's as good as dead."

With that being said, Leon marched out of the room as Aerith gave a heavy sigh.

"I really hope it doesn't have to come to that.

Yuffie quietly walked behind Vincent, as they walked through the bailey. She wasn't too sure what to say to him as they were alone. She was merely following him like a kid as she use to a long time ago. The bailey was still in ruins from the heartless war they fought not too long ago. They were slowly re-constructing this part, but they were more focused on fixing up the town and castle for now. The town itself was coming along fine. The roofs weren't boarded up like they were before and they cleared out more of the junk in the square. Aerith was beginning to plant flowers around the town square of Hollow Bastion to add more color to the place.

Vincent had suddenly stopped, as Yuffie had accidently bumped into him. She jumping a little as she snapped out of her thoughts as he looked over his shoulder at her. A hand rubbed the back of her head, as she laughed nervously, "Sorry about that. I guess I was just spacing out."

He said nothing, as he moved over to one of the large wide glass-less windows along the left wall of the bailey. He sat down on the window sill as he leaned back. One leg resting along the window sill as the other was down on the ground. He looked up into the sky as the clouds glided across the heartshaped 3rd quarter moon.

"Yuffie..."

"Hm?"

"What do you want from me?"

"Wha..?"

"I have nothing to really offer to you. So, what is it?"

The young ninja looked down as her feet as she shifted her weight form side to side. She thinking of what to say to him, as she wasn't quite expecting that question from him. Though, he was known to say a few things out of the blue like that.

Why do I want him to stay?

"Well, you saved my life."

"And?" He said bluntly, as he continued to look up into the sky as he didn't look her way. Yuffie looked at him with a confused looked before it turned into annoyance.

"What do you mean 'and'? You saved my life and you stayed with me for those couple of days up until...well, up until we were separated from our home. You just disappeared before it happened. I consider you my friend you knuckle head."

He looked at her from the corner of his eye, as his arm rested over his knee. Strands of his ebony hair falling along his face. Yuffie seemed to be pouting, as she seemed a bit upset from his reply.

Still, haven't changed. Hm, still has such innocence. It must be a blessing to age.

"That doesn't explain still what you want from me."

"I want...! I want...you to stay here with me...us."

His head turned as he looked at her with his full attention as he rose a brow.

"You know, stay here forever."

"I really don't think that's possible Yuffie..."

"Huh? Why not?"

"It's just not."

"That's not a reason!"

"Yuffie look at me. I don't think everyone would be so thrilled to have someone like me in such a serene place as this." He stood up as he walked over to her, as he stood in front of her as he looked down into her eyes.

"Haven't you noticed that I haven't aged since the last time you saw me?"

Yuffie did notice this, she wasn't too sure why he hasn't though she was just glad to have him here now.

"Yeah, but I still want you here..."

Her hands reached up as she didn't hesitate to bring them to his face as she cupped his face gently. She looking up into his eyes as she smiled.

"Come on, Vinny just give it a try at least. Please?"

His hands reached up as they covered her own. He closed his eyes and sighed as he pulled her hands from his face.

"I'll stay for a few weeks or so, but that's it..."

"All right!" She yelled, as she jumped up in victory. She knew he'd agree sooner or later, she was about to just cling to his leg and never let go, but this will work. "This is going to be great. I can show you around and we can catch up. Come on, I can put you up with us and there's plenty of room."

"That won't be necessary. I'll stay here for the night."

"Outside? Wouldn't you rather stay in a bed?" She said, as she stretched her arms above her head and yawned.

"I'm use to it. You should go to bed. It's late."

"Will you be here in the morning when I get up?"

"Yes."

"Promise?"

"Yes."

"Cross your heart?"

"Yes, Yuffie."

"With sugar on top?"

"..." He shook his head as he looked at her at this was a bit ridiculous and tedious, but he humored her. "I said I promise."

"All right, goodnight Vinny. Don't let the heartless bite." She said, as she turned around and ran out of the bailey with a happy look on her face. Vincent watched her leave, before he looked back outside at the moon.

I can't linger here too long...

'What are you doing, Yuffie?'

'I'm practicing my n-ni-nin-ja moves.'

'You'll hurt yourself.'

'Nu-uh!'

'Kids your age should be playing with dolls not weapons.'

Vincent Valentine leaned against the wall, as he watched the little girl throw Shuriken at a piece of paper against the wall with a crudely drawn target on it. He watched as she'd miss the target poorly, as the shuriken clanked against the stone wall of the bailey.

'I'm going to be as good as my daddy was.'

She said, as she continued to throw the metal stars. Vincent's head jerk at the sudden cry that was heard from the young girl as she fell onto her knees and was balling like a baby. He ran to her side to see if she had hurt herself. He lifted her hand as looked at the small cut on her finger. It wasn't nothing serious. Though, she seemed to think it was. He wasn't too sure what to do as she continued to cry.

"Yuffie, it's not that bad."

"A..ahhh..I...I...know...wahh...!"

She cried as she rubbed her hand against her eyes, as she hiccuped. Vincent wasn't one who had a way of dealing with children like this.

"What...do you want me to do?"

"I want...a.ah...band-aid!"

"I don't have one."

"Well, kiss it better."

"Wha?" He looked at her, as if he didn't hear her correctly.

"Momma and Aerith always kissed my boo boo's better and they got better." She rubbed her eyes again, as she looked at him teary eyed.

"Yuffie I don't think that it'll..."

"Pwease?" She whimpered, as her bottom lip quivered. Vincent merely sighed again, before lifting up her finger to his mouth and kissing it.

"Does this even help?"

"Yes! Thank you, Vin vin!" She got up off the ground, as she ran over to the wall to grab the three point shuriken off the ground as she seemed fine as she could be. Vincent didn't quite understand how such a method could treat her finger. He'd have to find her band-aid later.

"I think you've practiced enough today."

"Aw..."

"Come, it's getting late."

"All right..."

"Mmm..."

Yuffie's head snuggled against her pillow as she lay in her bed underneath the covers. Leon, Aerith, and her didn't stay at Merlin's seeing as it was pretty cramp with all his books and things there. Cid mostly stayed there, when he wasn't in his Gummi garage. They stayed in one of the small houses here in the Borough that wasn't too far from Merlin's place. There was three bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen, and a living room.

She shifted underneath the sheets of her bed, as firm knocks were made on her bedroom door. She grunted as she ignore them and turned her head against her pillow before the knocks got louder.

"Go away...sleepy..."

Eventually they stopped, before the door swung open as Leon entered the room. He shook his head as he looked at her still in bed, as he reached down and shook her by the shoulder.

"Yuffie get up it's time for our training session."

"Not today, I'm tired."

"From what? We hardly even trained yesterday, since it was cut short. Now get up and get dressed."

"Two hours, Squall. Now shoo." She said, as she turned over.

"That's Leon..."

"Whatever...wake me up in two hours..."

Fine, we'll do this the hard way.

"I said time...for...training!"

The bed sheets were snatched off of her, as Leon pulled them off of her. Yuffie was wearing just a green tank top and white panties. Yuffie jerked up as she yelped out as Leon seemed to be momentarily stunned, by her lack of clothing.

"Idiot! Why you do that for?"

"You're the one that's barely wearing anything!"

"It's MY room. Why are you looking anyway pervert!" She yelled, as she threw her pillow at him hitting him in the face. He took the pillow off his face, as his face looked pretty flustered. Aerith looked up at the ceiling as the light flickered from the thumps she heard upstairs. She sighed as she shook her head.

"Those two are always fighting." She said, as she looked in the fridge to find something to cook for breakfast for them.

'What are you doing? Put me down! I said I wasn't going!'

'You're going and you're going to like it.'

Aerith turned her head as she watched Leon carry Yuffie down the stairs like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder as she hit his back and kicked. He opened the front door before dumping her outside and tossing her clothes on top of her as he shut and locked the door.

"SQUALL!"

"Leon. Come back in an hour, when you're done practicing your aim and skills." Leon leaned back against the door, as the girl kicked at it for a good ten minutes as she yelled and called him names before it stopped as she left to go find a more secluded place to go dress before any townspeople saw her so scantily clad. Aerith gave Leon one of those looks as he ran a hand through his hair.

"What?"

"You two are like newlyweds sometimes I swear." She said, as she resumed her preparation for breakfast. "Make sure you apologize later to her."

"Whatever. She needs to learn not to be so lazy."

"Whatever you say..."

Stupid Squall, I was having the nicest dream too. Can't really remember what it was about, but I'm sure it was really good though.

Yuffie grumbled to herself, as she was in the bailey. She had finished clothing herself, as she took out her shuriken's and looked at a target that was drawn high on one of the walls. Her arm drew back before chucking the star up at it. She beginning to throw various shuriken at her target, as she jumped up into the air tossing them from different angles as she teleported back and forth in a puff of smoke each time. Each one knocking the other one from the center target as she focused on one single point. She dropped back down onto the ground on her feet nimbly, as she exhaled before jumping in terror at the sudden voice that spoke to her.

"Your aim has improved..."

Yuffie turned her head as she saw the tall caped man descend down the stairs towards her.

"Geeze, you scared me Vincent! Why didn't you say something earlier?"

"Sorry, but you seemed busy when you came into the Bailey."

"Wait. You been here the whole time?" She looked at him, as her cheeks reddened.

"Yes...I slept here last night."

"Pervert! You watched me undressed!" She yelled at him. He merely blinked as he was slightly dumbfounded by her sudden outburst.

"You were already undressed when you came here." He said, before stepping aside as he dodged a shuriken that was thrown at him.

"You know what I mean!" She yelled at him, as she went to her pocket to snag another shuriken out.

"I didn't watch you get dressed." He awaited for her to throw another weapon at her, before she cried out. He watched her jump up and down on her feet as she held her hand.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" She said, as she blew on her hand. Vincent jumped down from the top of the steps to where she was, as he grabbed her wrist as she kept bouncing up and down in his hold. He noticing the cut on her palm that went up almost to her finger. "It stings!"

"That's what happens when you're wreck less." He said, as he looked at her hand as the wound didn't look too serious as it wasn't deep. He noticed the dark crimson blood running from her cut as the smell brushed up along his nostrils. He exhaled slightly, before he shook his head trying to knock off the rising feeling he was getting in his stomach.

Control it...

"Just do something...it hurts real, real bad." She said, as she was a little hysterical. He sighed, as this wasn't helping. He pulled her hand forward as his lips pressed against her finger kissing it. This had ceased Yuffie's movements, as she quietly stared at him blushing as he kissed her finger.

'Just like last time, but...it feels different. Why do I feel embarrassed by it?'

She quietly looked at him, as his lips brushed back against her finger before he pulled back. He calmly took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around her hand and tied it.

"It's not a band-aid, but it will do for now." He said, as he let go of her hand as he stood there as if nothing had happened.

"Y..yeah. Oh, hey why don't you come have breakfast with me and Aerith? She should be done by now and don't say you don't need it. Everyone needs to eat." She said, as she quickly changed the subject.

"Very well."

"Great, follow me." She said, as she walked up the stairs as he followed behind her. She held her hand that was wrapped by his handkerchief as she quietly walked through the bailey.

'What is this feeling?'

TBC

Gah, this chapter was a bit lame. I hope the next one turns out better than this. I have too many stories! I'm swamped!