Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Final Fantasy 7 franchise. All I own are my Orginal characters, their powers, origin story, and the magical land they come from.
A/N: This story follows the story of Advent Children the video game as well as Dirge of Cerberus. With my own storyline intertwined. Whenever you see text in [...] and Italisided then these are when people are having a telepathic conversation. I'm a little new to Fanfic .net so bear with me. I'm learning how to write and post stories here.


Vincent's P.O.V
When we arrived back at the bar, everyone started to serve themselves and take their seat. "Alright, chow time." Barret cried out as he puts Marlene down and serves her food. "I'm going to clean up and put my rod away." Esmee said as she runs up stairs to her room with Lazul following right behind her. "Whoa man, I'm hungry." Barrett cried out as he finished serving himself and his daughter, Marlene. "Tifa the food smells great." Yuffie said as she helps Tifa serves drinks to everyone. "Thanks, I was worried it was going to turn out bland." Tifa said as she hands me my drink, I nod my head thinking her. "This is one hell of good cooking Tifa; you need to tell me the recipe so that Sharia can cook this for me." Cid said as he takes a big bit of his food as everyone began to take their seats. As I waited in line to serve myself I hear the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. I turn my head and see Esmee and Lazul arriving into the bar. However I noticed that she still had her hood on. "Tifa, do you have any bandages? I ran out." She asks her. "Sure, let me go check." She said and then walks into the kitchen to look. "I thought you said you weren't hurt Esmee." Cloud said to her. "I'm not; I just need some for my forehead." She said. "Why lass?" Cait Sith said looking at her. "We'll it's for my scar I got on my forehead. I don't like showing it off." She explained as she tugs her hood moreover her head. "Why?" Cloud asks wondering the same question as everyone else. "Let's just say; I won't be broadcasting it anytime soon." She said sarcastically as she chuckled. "Oh Esmee, it can't be that bad." Yuffie said as she turned her seat to face her. "No it really is trust me." Esmee said repeating. "Come on Esmee, I'm sure it's not that bad." Yuffie said as she gets up from her seat and walks towards Esmee. "Let's see it." She said as she reaches out to take off her hood but Esmee quickly avoids her hand. "Really, it's not a pretty sight." Esmee said as she backs away from Yuffie. "Come on, we won't judge. Well, Cid might but not me." Yuffie said picking on Cid. "Hey now, I wouldn't-, then again I would." He said as he takes another sip of his drink. "See, so it's alright for you to show us." Yuffie said as she approaches Esmee making her back away further. "Really, I don't." She said but stops as her back hits the wall near the staircase, she looks back and see Yuffie reaching out for her hood and she clutched her hood slightly and suddenly begins to tremble just like she did after our fight. Before she closed her eyes I caught the same fear in her eyes that I saw before. I don't know why but I suddenly feel the urge to protect her. Just before Yuffie could grab her hood, I stand in front of Esmee while holding Yuffie's wrist away from Esmee. I look over my shoulder and I see her still trembling as she looks up at me with fearful eyes. Then she slowly backed away runs upstairs, and then Lazul runs after her. I let go of Yuffie's hands as I hear her run through the hall and open and shut door. Before anyone could ask, Tifa walks in with a roll of bandages for Esmee. "Where did Esmee go?" She asks noticing that she's not here. "She ran upstairs." Red said. "Why did she run off?" Tifa asks. "Yuffie tried to see Esmee's scar on her forehead." Cloud explains what happened. "I see." Tifa said in faint whisper. "What's the big deal, it's just a scare. Right?" Yuffie said looking at Tifa, apparently confused. "I don't know, Yuffie." She said as she looks at the stairs sadly. "Vincent?" Cloud said as I take the bandages from Tifa and head towards the stairs. "I'll talk to her. I think I know why she ran off. I think." I said as I walk up the steps to Esmee's room.
Up the stairs
I go up the stairs and see Lazul standing outside the door to their room. I couldn't help but marvel at how much Lazul cares for her and how far he's willing to protect her. As I approach the door, I hear faint crying coming from inside. Before my hand reached the knob, I feel something tug my cape. I look down and see it was Lazul. 'I guess he wants to go in too.' I thought. So I pick him up and carry him in one of my arms then I open the door. Once inside I see her sitting on her bed, with her face buried in her knees. After I shut the door, Lazul jumps out of my arms and jumps on the bed next to her and robs his head against her arm. She lifts her head up a little and sees him. Then Lazul leans close to her face and licks her tears away. She smiles slightly at his gesture. Strangely I feel a little jealous at how close Lazul is to her. I don't know why. "Esmee..." I said softly as I sit beside her causing her to look up at me as more tears continued to fall down her face and for some unknown reason; it killed me inside to see her like that. She quickly wiped her tears away, and turned away from me. "Sorry I ran off like that. It's just...this scar...I got after I left home, the memories still haunts me." she said in low whisper as she tugs on the top of the hood over her head, hiding her face from me. "What happened?" I ask. She's silent for a moment, but then she shakes her head. "I'm sorry; I'm not ready to tell anyone yet." She said as she let's go of her hood and then brings her knees back against her chest. "It's still too painful." She said as she buries her face in her knees again. "I understand." I said. Gently I place my clawed hand on her head. "I'll wait until you're ready." I said as I slowly stroke her head. This caused her to look at me again with a surprised look in her eyes. But that quickly turns into her sweet smile. "Thank you Vincent." She said then wipes away the least amount of tears in her eyes. I nodded my head showing her I understand. "Here" I said as I take her gloved hand in mine and give her the bandages. "Tifa wanted me to give these to you." I said then I get up and walk towards the door. "Thank you once again Vincent. I really appreciate it." She said smiling at me again making a slight blush appeared on my face. "Come back down when you're ready. Everyone is worried." I said as I leave her room and close the door. 'There it is again.' I thought as I stand outside her door. 'What is this feeling and why does it seem so familiar?' I thought as I make my way towards the stairs but I pushed it back as Tifa walks towards me. "How is she?" I walk back to my spot in the back. "She's fine. I told her to come back down when she's ready." I explained as I served myself food and walked to my seat. "So did she say how she got her scar and why she has to wear bandages?" Cloud asks. All was quiet until I said, "It's her story to tell; when she's ready." I said in my normal monotone voice. Before anyone could ask any more questions we hear footsteps coming down the stairs. We all look and see Esmee and Lazul standing at the end of the stairs.
Esmee's POV
After Lazul and I arrived at the bar, Yuffie walked up to me, with her head hung low. "I'm sorry if what I said upset you, Esmee." She said. "It's not your fault, Yuffie. You didn't know." I said trying to cheer her up. "I still feel bad, though." She said sadly. I put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "It's fine, Yuffie. There's a history about this scar and I'm not ready to show anyone yet, that's all. I'm fine, now." She nodded her head slightly but I can tell she still feels bad about what happened. "Hey, we're at a party. This a no sad faces zone so cheer up okay." I said lifting her head up and smiled at her. "Esmee's right, let's have some fun." Barrett said as he raises his iron fist in the air. {No pun intended } "Right." Yuffie said as her attitude changed. Then she walks back to her spot and finishes eating her food. As I watch her talk to Cid and Cait Sith, Tifa walks towards me. "Thank you for the bandages." I said as I hand them to her. "You're welcome Esmee. I'm happy to help." She said smiling to me and takes them from me. Then she gives me a plate full of food. {You can imagine what Tifa made for the party} "Thank you Tifa." I said taking the plate from her. Then she grabs another plate what looks like a dog dish and places it on the ground next to Red. "And this is for you Lazul." She said as she looks at him. Lazul jumps off my shoulder and run towards his food and dived in, making me and Tifa laugh at his actions. "I guess after all that's happened he was hungry." I said still laughing. "I guess so." Tifa said still laughing too. "Well come on, let's eat." She said as she guides me to the tables. "Esmee, sit with me." Yuffie yelled from the other end of the table. "Okay." I said as I walk to the empty seat and sit between her and Marlene. "So Esmee, how long have you been traveling?" Cid asks. "For four years." I said as I take a bite of my food. "Wow, so you're mum was alright with ya leaving Lass?" Cait Seth asks. "She was. You see it's my family's tradition that when I turn 13, I would leave home and to find my place in the world." I explained as I take a sip of my drink. "Well I'm glad my folks didn't do that to me when I turned 13." Barrett said jokingly. "Amen to that." Cid agreed jokingly as he and Barrett high fived. "Hey guys don't be rode." Tifa said smacking them in the back of their heads. "It's no big Tifa everybody's family is different." I said giggling along with Yuffie and the others. "But enough about me; what about you guys. How is it that you all know each other?" I ask looking around at everyone. "Well, that's going to be a long story." Barrett said scratching the back of his head. "I don't mind." I said reassuring them. "Alright then-" Cloud said as he begins to explain their story. Barrett was right, it was a long story but it's interesting. I learn that Cloud and his friend Zack were part of an organization called Solders. They were a group of people who were very skilled at fighting. There was one Soldier named Sephiroth, who was better than the rest, but when he found out about the terrible experiments that made him, betrayed everyone and began to destroy the planet. But two years ago, they managed to stop him, but two of their friends died during the battle, which I learned is Zack and Aerith. Barrett also explained that he is the leader of their group called AVALANCHE and also why everyone wears a red ribbon. It's a momentum for Aerith because she always wore a red ribbon in her hair. I thought it was sweet and sad at the same time. Every now and then they would tell side stories about how they meet each other but when they are about to talk about Vincent, they change topics. I couldn't help but wonder what he was like before I meet him and what his life was like before the Jenova wars. But I can tell that he doesn't want the others to tell his story. 'It's his choice whether he wants to tell it or not.' I thought as I see him take a bit of his food. "So that's our story." Cloud said. "So what do you think Esmee?" Said Yuffie as she leans into my side. "Well I-" I said but I'm cut off by a sudden crash from behind me. Everyone jumps to their feet and readies their weapons for whatever will happen. As the dust clears two figures appear in the doorway. One with unkempt red hair terminating in a long ponytail and two symmetrical red marks on his cheek bones and the other a tall man with a stern expression and tanned skin. His head is shaved and he is wearing shades. "Yeah, let's get this party started." Cried the redhead as he pumps his fists in the air. "Reno, when will you get it through your thick head to knock!" shouted Cloud as he stands up from his seat. "Hey, you can't keep this party animal from all the fun." Said the red head named Reno. "Sorry for coming here uninvited but we wanted to join you all." Said the tall bald man in shades. 'Wow, what a deep voice.' I thought surprised. "Sure, I'll serve you guys. Please have a seat." Tifa said as she walks towards the kitchen to make them their plates. Before I walked back to my seat, I suddenly hear whistling. I look and see the guy named Reno walk towards me. "Hey there, haven't seen you around these parts. What's your name sweetheart?" He said as he slowly leans into me. "Personal space." I said as I push him away, but he suddenly grabs my hand. "Aw, come on now I just want to know your name beautiful." Reno said as lifts my hand towards his lips and kissed it. Just when Reno leans closer to me, I push him back but harder this time. "I said personal space please." I said this time as more of a demand as I walk back to my seat. However before I could sit down someone grabs my arm and pulls me back slightly. "Playing hard to get huh. I like that." He said as he leans his face closer to mine again. Before I could say anything else a familiar gold hand comes between Reno and me. I look and see Vincent holding Reno's wrist and pushes him back. "Leave her alone." He said in a harsh tone as he stands in front of me blocking me from Reno's sight. "Why, you her bodyguard Vince" Reno said. "No but he is." Cloud said as he as Lazul turned into his tiger form. He walks towards us and stands beside Vincent and growls at Reno, making him and the tall bald man jump back in fear. "Nice Kitty." Reno said nervously causing the others to start laughing. "That's Lazul." Said Tifa as she walks towards them with their food. "He's very protective of Esmee." She explained as she hands them their plates and drinks. "Thanks Tifa." Said the tall man. "You're welcome, come and sit down." Tifa said with a smile as she guides them to some empty seats. "Um, thank you Vincent." I said shyly as I step beside him with Lazul. "No problem." He said as he places his clawed hand on my shoulder and walks back to his seat. 'There it is again.' I thought as I felt my heart skip a beat. 'What's wrong with me?' I thought as I clutch my shirt over my heart. [Esmee, are you okay?] Lazul said into my thoughts. [I'm not sure.] I said back. I shake the feeling away and sit back in my seat and enjoyed the rest of the party.
End of the party
After everyone said goodbye and left, Tifa and I started to clean up along with the help of Denzel and Marlene. However I know it's getting late and they looked tired. "Tifa, I'll finish up here. Why don't you take Marlene and Denzel up to their room." I said as I take the clean dishes and put them away. "Okay." She said as she dries her hands and walks around the counter. "Alright you two time for bed." She said. "Okay." They said at once. Marlene runs around the counter and hugs me. "Sweet dreams, Marlene." I said returning the hug "Night, Esmee." She said and then runs towards the stairs next to Tifa. Then Denzel walks around the counter and shyly hugs me too. "Sweet dreams Denzel." I said and return the hug. "Goodnight Esmee." He said letting me go and then pet Lazul, who is on my shoulder. "You too Lazul." He said getting a lick on the hand by him. Then he and Marlene follow Tifa upstairs. "Lazul, can you take this to the trash while I finish up here. [Sure] He said in my thoughts as he transform into his dog from. He takes the bag from my hands and opens the door with his head. After Lazul left, I noticed Vincent and I were the only ones left in the bar. We looked at each other for a few moments, and then he walked away. "Wait, Vincent." I said making him stop a few feet from the door, waiting for me to speak again. "I just wanted to thank you again. For what happened today. I'm very grateful to you." I said bowing to him. He turned his head ever so slightly, but I knew I had his attention. "It's been a long time since I've ever trusted anyone besides Lazul. I can tell by looking into your eyes that you understand what I'm feeling and why I can't share my story right now." I said I walk towards him and stand behind him. "What are you saying, Esmee?" He said as he turned fully to face me. "I'm saying, Vincent, that if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here to listen." I said, and then I place my hand on his arm. "But I'll wait when you're ready." I said smiling at him. He nods his head telling me that he understands. "Thank you Esmee." He said. Suddenly, I began to giggle. "What's so funny?" He asks. "I think we've started a habit of say thank you to each other." I said and giggle again. "Hm, it would appear so." He nodded and walked out the door. After Lazul and I finished cleaning, we went to our room. Lazul went straight to bed, but I decided to stand on the balcony. As I look out into the sleeping city, my eyes spotted Vincent look up at me from the street. I smiled and mouth the words "Sweet dreams" to him as I wave at him. Vincent smirks at and mouths back "You too" as he waves at me, and then he walks away. Suddenly I feel a warm and cozy inside my heart. Why do I feel this way when I'm around him? 'I wonder, could I be-No way.' I thought shaking the thought out of my head and walk back inside and lay down on my bed next to Lazul. 'But maybe...just maybe.' I thought as I face the other side of the bed. 'I'm falling for Vincent.' I thought. "No, I couldn't. I shouldn't. I don't want history to repeat itself." I said in a soft whisper as I snuggle closer to my pillow and sheets, letting my mind fall into the world of my dreams.
Someone's POV
"So she's arrived in Midgar." Said a man covered in a white sheet all over his face and his arms. "Yes sir." Said the tall bald man in shades. "She's living at 7th Heaven with Cloud, Tifa and the two kids they adopted." Said the guy with wild red hair and red markings on his face. "I see," the covered man said as he thinks for a moment and then spoke. "We'll let them watch over her for now, but when they make their move, we'll step in. Is that understood?" the man said to the two men that stand across from him. "Yes sir." The two men said at the same time. "Good, you may leave Reno and Rude." The covered man said, dismissing his workers. "Yes sir." The two men said and walk out of his office. The man turns his wheelchair to face the window, looking out into the city lights. "So, our little precious stone has come at last. This should be very interesting; I can't wait to meet her and her little friend." He said.


thanks for making it to chapter 7. hope you all enjoyed my first fight scenes.