Chapter 15: What I'm Fighting For
(Same tags apply as in Chapter 1)
Avalanche was seated around the meeting table while various members of the Highwind flight crew leaned against the walls and sat on countertops around the small room. Cloud stood from his seat next to Tifa and moved to the head of the table.
"Thank you all for making it here. As you know, tomorrow we are heading to the Northern Crater. We need to end this now. The meteor is getting closer every day and it's only a matter of time before Sephiroth or Jenova will use its power."
This will be the most difficult battle we have ever encountered. It's believed that Jenova and Sephiroth have been hiding deep inside the planets wound regaining their strength. The path to their location will be extremely dangerous."
"I have on good authority," all Avalanche members knew he was talking about their dear Aeris. "that because of the severity of the planets wound there is an excess of the Lifestream or Mako, whatever you prefer, in the crater. This has made the life down there extremely strong and violent so everyone will need to be on their toes and take extra precautions on the way down.
"We'll be splitting up into two groups." Cloud looked to the gunslinger and the ninja. "Vincent and Yuffie will be with Tifa and myself. Cid, Barret, Red and Cait Sith will be the second group."
Everyone nodded.
"Cid will give both teams two high power 2-way radios so we can all keep in contact. The crew here on the ship will also have one so they can monitor our progress. The PHS won't work so far underground."
Cid pulled out his cigarettes and grumbled. "Yeah, with all that fuckin' energy the Lifestream is puttin' off, the PHS will be as goddamn useful as a hat is to man who's lost his fuckin' head."
Cloud continued, "Each group will be allotted materia to split amongst themselves as well as any items they may need. Any questions?" Everyone shook their heads. "Good."
"I know some of you are wondering why I have asked the Highwind's crew to join us. This mission will be dangerous for everyone involved. I want to take a second to thank everyone for the hard work that they have done during our journey over the last month.
"You also know that we have landed near rocket town for the evening. I want everyone to leave the ship if you want. I want you to know what it is that you are fighting for. Whether it be a brother or sister, mother or father, husband or wife it doesn't matter. Go and see them or talk to them. If you do not wish to go on with us, no one will hold it against you. This will be your only chance.
"For those of you who chose to return, we'll be heading out at 8:00 am."
Tifa stood from her seat as well. "I just wanted to let you all know what a pleasure it has been to know all of you. You all have become family to me and I hope everyone feels the same about each other." There were warm smiles and nods around the room. "I know that we will be victorious and put an end to Jenova, Sephiroth and Meteor." Tifa said with a strong, unwavering conviction.
"I've prepared dinner for everyone on board. Please, enjoy yourselves before you leave tonight."
There were murmured thanks throughout the room. Cloud took over once again. "Well if no one has anything to add, you're all free to go…I don't know about you all…" Cloud walked over to Tifa and placed his arm around her waist as Tifa's cheeks grew a rosy red. "But I am going to get something to eat…I don't know what she made in there that smells so good, but I'm gonna find out what the hell it is."
Laughs were heard around the room as almost everyone headed to the mess. Vincent and Yuffie remained.
Vincent looked over at Yuffie. The bruises were fading quickly; some of them had already disappeared leaving only a greenish tint to her skin. Her eyes looked very heavy, as if she hadn't slept in a while.
"Yuffie, you look like you could use some rest." He said with concern.
"Nah Vinnie, I'm alright. I had to take a tranquillizer because I started getting sick again and Tifa brought me something to take for my back. I've been asleep for a while, its jus' takin' me a while to get my energy back.
Vincent walked over to the supply cabinet and pulled out a small bottle of hyper. He poured half the contents into a small cup and handed it to Yuffie. "That should be enough make you more alert and not keep you up all night."
"Thanks." She gratefully downed the bitter liquid then began feeling her energy begin to rebound.
"Yuffie, would you like to join me for dinner?"
She smiled that beautiful smile he loved so much. "It'd be my pleasure Vinnie-boy."
He couldn't help but smile under his cloak at his odd new name as they headed to the small mess hall.
.::-o-::.
The noise level in the ships' mess was high as the pair entered and joined the line around the small buffet style dinner that Tifa had prepared. Tifa had managed to make quite a feast in the short amount of time she had. There was a green salad, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, and corn on the cob dripping with butter.
"Hey Tifa, ya trying to make me fat or somethin'?" Yuffie called to Tifa, who was seated next to Cloud. Cloud was stuffing his face like he hadn't eaten in days.
Barret took this opening and answered before Tifa could. "Yuffs, you could use some meat on dat scrawny lil' ass of yours! Shit, if ya turned sideways ya'd probably disappear!" Barret laughed at Yuffie.
Yuffie smirked over at Barret as she put her salad on a plate. "Oh bite me ya gun wielding marshmallow man!"
Barret thought for a moment, but couldn't come up with a comeback. He walked over to her and clapped her on the shoulder. "Not bad kid, not bad. A few more weeks wit me an' that damn human chimney over there," he gestured to Cid who was lighting another cigarette. "an' you'll be able to dish out insults wit da best of 'em!" Barret said admiring her spar.
One thing that Barret enjoyed was to get into a verbal sparring match with the young ninja. Though he didn't like some of the things she did, he did like her. Like Cid, Yuffie was like an annoying niece to him.
Vincent watched this scene play out before him with amusement and smiled, thought it was hard to tell because of his high collar. As he topped off his plate he looked around the room for a free seat. Unfortunately with the entire crew in the room, there wasn't one.
"Yuffie, there are no seats available. Would you like to go to the meeting room?"
"Nah…how bout we go out on the deck. The stars would be great right now." She said narrowly avoiding having her plate launched in the air by a bouncing Cait Sith. "Hey Cait, calm down!"
"Sorry Yuffie." Cait apologized, but continued to bounce happily.
"Cait, I think it would be best if you moved over here." Nanaki called from across the room.
"Sure buddy ol' feline pal of mine!" He said hopping in Nanaki's direction.
Yuffie gave a look of sympathy for anyone in the general area of Red and Cait. "I feel sorry for Red…I wonder if the make downers for stuffed robots?"
Vincent laughed and grabbed two bottles of water as they headed for the door. Yuffie glanced over her shoulder. "See ya all later! Thanks for the grub Teef!"
"Wait! Where ya going?" Tifa called from the other side of the small room.
"There's no seats so where goin' out to the deck."
Cid stood up and called over to the pair. "Shit, ya ain't gotta leave, you can have my seat. I'm fuckin' full."
"Nah Cid, that's okay. It's a nice night out anyway." She smirked at him "Besides, it'd be rude to steal an ol' man's seat!" As they walked out of the room they heard a roar of laughter followed by a muffled string of curses.
Vincent looked down at the ninja and laughed. "Nice one, Yuffie."
"Thanks Vinnie." She stopped at the door leading to the deck. "Wait right here, I'm gonna grab a blanket to sit on." Yuffie sat her plate down on a nearby crate and bounded down the corridor, returning in no time with a burgundy fleece blanket, much like the one in her house.
"All set!"
The air was cool but not yet uncomfortable as Yuffie spread the blanket on the wooden deck near the railing. They both sat on the soft blanket as Vincent handed her a bottle of cold water.
Yuffie looked up from her chicken that she was munching on and thanked Vincent. "Ya know, Tifa's food is good, but it comes second to yours...Don't tell her I said that."
Vincent gave a slight smirk as he removed his cloak. "I am glad that my cooking pleases you."
"You know, that personal chef position is still open." She said wagging her eyebrows suggestively, which only caused Vincent to laugh.
"I'll think about it."
"That's all I ask." She said jokingly.
They continued their meal in relaxed silence. Each completely at ease with the lack of communication and didn't bother to strike up conversation.
.::-o-::.
The plates where stacked on the deck as Yuffie finished the remainder of her water. She placed her hand on her stomach and leaned against the rail. "Ugh, I'm so full!"
Vincent agreed, feeling quite stuffed himself. "Tifa's meals are always quite filling."
The stars were out, hanging in the cloudless sky. They both admired the diamond-like stars that hung in the black curtain of space. "Hey Vinnie, do you know any constellations? I love to stargaze but I don't know much about them."
"I do know a few. However, it has been quite a long time since I have bothered to search for them." He said thoughtfully.
"Can you show me a few? Pretty please?" she asked turning her patented 'puppy dog eyes' on him and made her bottom lip quiver.
Vincent laughed at her. 'That was quite amusing.' "Of course."
"YES!"
.::-o-::.
Unknown to the two stargazers, they had an audience behind the door to the deck…
Cid's jaw dropped before whispering. "Holy shit, did vamp-boy just laugh?"
Barret had managed to shut his mouth. He had never heard even a chuckle out of the stoic gunman. "Well I'll be damned! I nevah thought I'd see da day dat Vincent Valentine laughed!"
Cait Sith's ear was pressed against the door trying to interpret the mumbled words on the other side of the door. "Will you two shut up! I can't hear!" The cat whined from the top of its mog.
Behind the nosy trio, the mess hall door slammed. "What in the hell do you think you're doing?" the deadly whisper said. "Are you spying on them!?"
Cid dropped his pack of cigarettes. "Oh shit!"
"We are about ta get murdered!" Cait's mog shuffled its feet.
"Uh Tifa…uh…we were just um…damn!" Barret couldn't think of an excuse.
"If you don't move away from that door within the next five seconds, all three of you will be seriously injured, Got that!?!"
"But Tifa…" Cid whined.
"FIVE!"
"We were just…" Cait tried in vain to explain.
"FOUR!"
"Come on Tif!" Cid tried again.
"THREE!" Tifa's fist balled up at her sides.
"Aw shit! Run!" Barret took off for his quarters leaving Cait and Cid to fend for themselves.
"TWO-ONE!!!" Tifa fist connected with Cid's shoulder before he was able to get away unscathed.
Cid rubbed his arm as he ran towards the bridge. "Damn Tifa!!" 'She's scary when she's pissed!'
.::-o-::.
Yuffie looked over towards the door. "Did you hear that?"
Vincent smirked. "No." Actually he had heard the trio at the door and Cid's 'Damn Tifa!' and the sound of feet making a hasty retreat. 'I'll have to thank her later.'
Yuffie didn't look convinced at his answer, but chose to ignore it. "So Vinnie, which one's do you remember?"
Vincent scanned the heavens with his claret eyes looking for anything familiar. He spotted three stars in a diagonal line with two in a horizontal directly beneath it. "Look straight up and to the right, at about the two o'clock position. There are a total of 5 stars that form what looks like a warped 'L' shape. Do you see it?"
The ninja looked up and searched the general area with her stormy gray eyes, then smiled when she saw the formation. "I see it! What is it?"
"That is the sash of Theoclease. It is said that he was a warrior sworn to protect the Cetra. He died in a great battle protecting the Cetran capital from some form of mutated beasts bent on destroying the guardians of the planet."
Yuffie looked genuinely interested as the gunman pointed out and told the stories of Adriana; the prosperity goddess, Elimsa; guardian of the stars, and Chelis; ruler of the seas. He looked at the ninja, who had begun to shiver next to him, and wrapped his cloak around her shoulders.
"Thanks Vince." She looked down to the ground and saw various people exiting the Highwind. "Well, it looks like people are leaving." She said with a little sadness in her voice.
Vincent watched with amusement as Barret wrestled with Tiko to make him move. 'Probably going to see Marlene.' He thought. "Yuffie, will you be leaving tonight as well?"
She shook her head. "I don't need to leave to know what I'm fighting for. I'm fighting for the future of Wutai…I am also fighting for my mother. I want to do this in her name. Without her, I wouldn't still be alive. I would have been killed a long time ago during my travels without the skills she taught me. Plus, there isn't anyone that I wish to see in Wutai, all of my friends, no, my family is here."
Vincent nodded in understanding. "That is very noble Yuffie."
She smiled in thanks. "Hey Vincent, can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Where are you going when all of this is over?"
That was one question that he had not been expecting and as he thought about it, his mind began to drift.
After spending thirty years in that dank basement, he knew that most of those that he had known had probably passed or wouldn't remember him. There was only one place that he knew of which he could return to.
"I have not considered this yet. I guess I will return to the Shinra Mansion in Nibelheim. It is quiet and the people are quite accepting of my appearance." He said remembering their last visit. No one had treated him as an oddity as they searched the town before heading into the Nibel Mountains.
Yuffie nodded but didn't want to make Vincent uncomfortable by asking more questions. She could tell that he wasn't expecting her to ask.
"What will you do, Yuffie? I know that you will not be returning to Wutai."
"I'm not sure. I really don't have anywhere to go." Vincent remained silent as she thought about the question.
"I don't want to go with Tifa because of her new relationship with Spike. Barret has Marlene to worry about. Red has the all of Cosmo Canyon to watch over. Reeve…I like 'im but we've never really met him though I want to meet him. Cid…that's just a bad idea…we would probably kill each other after a while. And then there's you…
She bit her lip. 'I wonder if I could go with him to the Mansion? I don't want to impose. I want to help him 'cause it's not easy to start your life over again and he shouldn't be alone for that. Maybe I should ask him?' She felt butterflies in her stomach and became quite nervous at the thought of asking him. 'What if he says no? What if he-'
Vincent had grown concerned after she remained staring at nothing and biting her lip. "Yuffie? Are you okay?"
"Sorry." She looked up sheepishly "Hey Vince?"
"Yes?"
'Just do it ya god damn coward!' She thought to herself. Yuffie played with her hands as she tried to decide what to say. "Do…um…do you think it would be okay if I…uh…"
Vincent's saw how nervous she was. 'She doesn't want to come back with me, does she?'
'You will not find out unless you ask. Unlike me, she can not read your mind just as you can't read hers'
'Thanks for stating the obvious, Chaos.'
"Yuffie…I know that you have not decided but you are welcome to stay at the Mansion if you wish. There is plenty of room." He unconsciously held his breath as he watched her for a response.
'Did he just say-' Yuffie turned to the gunslinger and smiled "Really? Are you sure that you wouldn't mind? I really don't want to go back to Wutai."
Vincent let out the breath he had been holding and gazed into her slate gray eyes. "Yuffie, it would be my pleasure to have you as my guest."
"Thanks Vinnie!" She reached over and gave him a fierce bear hug. "It'll be fun! Maybe I could help ya fix it up, at least so it's livable again. I bet the mansion was beautiful when it was still in use."
"The Shinra Mansion was quite nice. You are correct, it does require work and any assistance that you would be willing to provide, would be much appreciated. Are you sure you wish to stay with me?"
She took his claw in her hand and rest her head on his should. "I can't think of anyone else I would like to spend time with. I really enjoy being around you Vinnie. I told you that I would be there for you if you needed me during this change, and I will be. Hey, that's what friends are for!"
"Yuffie, you have made what would be a difficult time, easier. Your support has been invaluable and I am eternally grateful for all that you have done for me." He raised her hand that was still gently grasping his claw and brought it to his lips kissing the back of her hand."
Yuffie felt a wave of heat flash through her body as the blush rose in her cheeks. 'Thank god it's dark out here.' She though. "Thank you Vincent. For everything."
.::-o-::.
Yuffie soon fell asleep still propped against Vincent after the low dose of hyper wore off. He pulled the cloak tighter around her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. His might began to drift and began to contemplate Cloud's question to them.
'What am I fighting for?'
Vincent had a good idea of what the others would be fighting for. He was a welcomed member of this rag tag bunch, but sometimes he still wondered where he fit into the scheme of things.
He had already obtained revenge he sought on Hojo for the death of his beloved Lucrecia and the torture of a child who never had a chance. He also got his own personal revenge for his alterations, for the years of mental torture that he had suffered in the coffin, and the needless suffering of the other innocents that he brutally experimented on.
What was left for him to fight for?
Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockheart both had many reasons to fight. Both of them had lost a lot to Shinra and Sephiroth. Both had lost their parents to the insane general Sephiroth. Cloud had been infused with Mako in an attempt to make him a clone of Sephiroth after his hometown of Nibelheim was burned to the ground.
The warped mind of Professor Hojo under orders from President Shinra, experimented on Cloud and a SOLDIER by the name of Zack, Cloud's best friend.
Tifa's father was murdered by Sephiroth's sword, the Masamune. While trying to exact revenge on the deranged General with his own sword, Sephiroth tried to disembowel her, cutting her from her collarbone to her pelvis nearly ending her life.
-
Barret Wallace also lost his hometown and his arm to Shinra. After an accident at the Mako reactor in the Corel Mountains, Corel was torched and many lost their lives in the destruction of the small coal-mining town.
Barret had something that the others didn't have to fight for…his adopted daughter, Marlene. He was fighting for her future more than some of the other's belief that he was fighting for the planet.
-
Then there was the dearly departed Aeris Gainsborough. As a Cetra, she was the last of her kind and keeper of the holy materia. This young lady was the most innocent soul that Vincent had ever met in his 54 years. Before joining Avalanche's quest, she was a flower girl from the Midgar Slums.
While praying for holy to stop meteor in the City of the Ancients, Aeris was murdered by Sephiroth in front of the entire Avalanche crew. She had made the ultimate sacrifice and it was still unknown if the holy that she was trying so fiercely to summon, would work. However, after she had contacted him with the help of the planet, his brief conversation with her a few days ago gave him faith that Meteor would be halted, one way or another.
There was one thing that bothered Vincent greatly about her death. It seemed as though she knew she was going to die yet she was smiling. There was no scream of pain, just a smile before she slumped in to Cloud's arms. There was nothing anyone could do for her.
In the back of Vincent's mind, he knew that everyone in Avalanche was also fighting for Aeris, himself included. Though his display of emotion over her death was not as open as the others, the grief he felt for the innocent girl was great.
-
Red XIII or Nanaki was captured by Hojo used as a specimen in his lab in Midgar, but he was not fighting for revenge. Nanaki was fighting to protect the place of his tribe and the people Cosmo Canyon. He was determined not to allow any harm to come to the planet or his home.
-
Cid Highwind, though he would never, EVER admit it, was fighting for his beautiful mechanic, Shera. She had saved his life twice now and though he denied it to the others, he loved her. Shinra had denied Cid of his dream of venturing into space after the launch of the Shinra No. 26 Rocket was aborted.
Though he had realized his dream during Avalanche's quest for the huge materia, he was not about to let the 'fuckin' maniac' who summoned the meteor, threaten his Shera, himself or anyone else on this planet.
-
Cait Sith, alias Reeve, was a Shinra executive who, under Shinra's orders, sent the robotic cat and mog to spy on the group. He had betrayed them at one point but now was fighting to end Shinra's rein and save the planet. Not much was know about Reeve, but trust was starting to rebuild and he had provided them with valuable information.
-
And finally, he came to the one person whom he truly cared for the most…Yuffie Kisaragi.
This mischievous, pixie-like sixteen-year-old materia thief and ninja had turned out to be an enigma to him. Though she acted immature and carefree, but Vincent knew better. She knew that she was not at all like the front that she put on for them…there was a lot more to her.
Vincent knew what she was fighting for. She was fighting for many reasons. The three main reasons she was fighting, was for her mother's memory and the future of the Wutain People. She was also fighting for the people that she thought of as family: Avalanche.
It finally seem as if some members of Avalanche were finally beginning to see that there was more to this young lady that her kleptomaniac tendencies. They were actually seeing that she honestly did care what happened to both the planet and to its people.
.::-o-::.
His eyes were closed as the reasons began to slowly seep into his head. 'By continuing, I will be giving Lucrecia the one thing that she wants the most…her son. In death, Sephiroth will finally be free from Jenova's influence and meet his real mother.' He looked down sleeping ninja. 'Yuffie will be able to embark upon the restoration of the Wutain Empire when she takes the throne.'
When he felt her shiver under the cloak, he stood and scooped her up, careful not to wake her. He entered the silent ship and took carried her back to her quarters. Reaching down with his claw, he pulled back the sheets, placing her on the cool sheets.
Pulling the blankets up over her small form, he stole on last glance at her beautiful features. 'She will make an excellent leader when her time comes.'
Vincent returned to the deck, gathered their things, and returned to his room. Staring at the ceiling, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
o-o-Author's Notes-o-o
(Edited 1/14/07)
AN: 5/28/04 Chapter 13 uploaded!!! YAY!!! -Doing the running man in her small bedroom- So as you can see, we are heading to the Crater tomorrow in the story, as to when I post Chapter 14…hmm…I think I'll wait a few days for that one.
I know this chapter was a little fluffy (or a lot fluffy, depending on how you look at it) but ya know, I don't care. I like writing fluff and romances…all of my stories thus far have been romances. Actually I have three new stories in mind to write…one is already planned out and on paper!!!
Anyway I have 5 sticky, oily men sprawled on my bedroom floor wearing torn g-strings, a few of them are wearing oxygen masks and one on the bed in a shredded Turk suit. Poor Reno, he's on life support…he went straight from Destiny's house to Angel's and was at her house for the past 2 days…pray for him…
Ez: I guess Angel had fun with ya'll…
-Various moans are heard around the room-
Ez: -laughing- Well, I gotta be quick, I wanna finish chapter 24 real quick and then start on my other story that I came up with.
I don't own final fantasy or any of these sexy men laying on my carpet, square-enix does.
Hopefully the men will come around soon…but I gotta get going so I can keep writing.
Right now I have three other stories out and they are
Of Them All
An Unexpected Visitor
Life Without You
Please take a moment to read them if you're not too horribly busy. Thank you to everyone who has been reviewing my stories!! -Tosses cookies to everyone-
Love ya all
Ez-c
7/19/07
Edited because of change in formatting. Also re-numbering chapters. Minor content edits.