AN1: Hey all, I usually don't put my AN's at the beginning but I have something to say really quick.
Sephy2021: I am so sorry for the loss that you and your family suffered. Head injuries are quite frightening and serious. I have seen what they do to people, especially with the job I have and have had in the past. I really hope that I didn't cause you too much discomfort with that chapter.
Well, I better get on with the show…
Chapter 22: Better Late than Never…
(Same tags apply as in Chapter 1)
It had been well into the third day…65 hours to be exact, and Yuffie still hadn't regained consciousness. The healers had taken her off of the sedative after midnight the prior evening, pleased with the progress that she had made so far. Though she will still quite ill from the pneumonia and was still on antibiotics and light oxygen, her color had returned slightly.
The members of Avalanche had taken turns sitting with the unconscious ninja. They spoke to her, sat in companionable silence while holding her hand and even telling her jokes, courtesy of Cid, Cait and Barret. Each person carried their PHS to contact the others if she regained consciousness, but for now, it was just a waiting game.
.::-o-::.
Tifa had finally sent Vincent from Yuffie's room after he had been sitting with her for more than sixteen hours. He had taken Nanaki and Cait's shifts along with his own not even leaving to eat.
Vincent entered his room at the inn to find a sandwich and a note waiting for him on the nightstand by the bed.
Vincent,
You are to eat every BIT of this sandwich and get some rest. I know you're concerned for her but please, just rest for a while…I will be checking to make sure you're taking a break.
Tifa
A corner of his mouth lifted as he folded the letter 'Tifa is quite stubborn.' He thought as he quickly devoured the sandwich, not realizing how hungry he was. Placing the plate back on the nightstand, he kicked off his boots and lay back on the bed. He fell asleep almost immediately.
Tifa knocked lightly on the door and got no answer. She slowly opened the door a crack and peeked in the room to see the empty plate and Vincent's even breathing. Quietly shut the door with a maternal smile on her face.
.::-o-::.
Vincent opened his eyes as absolute darkness and silence surrounded the gunman. Vincent blinked and stood up trying to detect the smallest amount of light or movement in the inky blackness that surrounded him.
Everything was eerily silent; his boots made no sound on the firm ground and even his mind was silent. 'Something is not right…' He thought as he realized he could no longer hear the subtle hum of Chaos' presence.
'Chaos?'Nothing came from the demon. It was as if Chaos was completely removed from his mind.
Vincent took a few small steps forward but bumped into something solid. He turned and placing his claw in front of him, he took a tentative step forward. Satisfied that he wasn't headed towards another wall, he began to make his way through the darkness.
After hours of roaming in the darkness, he began to grow dizzy after sight and sound deprivation sank in. He began to stumble as he made his way through. A wave of dizziness overtook him and he collapsed to the ground trying to quell his distressed mind when he froze.
Someone was quietly crying in the distance. "Who's there? Are you hurt?" He called out.
There was no reply but the sobbing continued. He tilted his head trying to find the direction the sound was coming from. 'To the right…' He thought as he climbed back to his feet and began to make his way towards the sound. As he came closer to the sound, it became a mournful wail.
The soft glow of candlelight appeared in the distance silhouetting a person laying on the ground in a fetal position. Its hitched breathing shook the small form on the ground with its back to him. Vincent moved closer but hit an invisible barrier that had formed before him.
"Are you alright?" Vincent said quietly, not wanting to frighten the person.
"It hurts…please help…" A small voice floated to him.
Vincent tried to find a way through the barrier to help the person but found none. He went for his weapon and materia, but it was no longer in its holster. "Where are you hurt? Can you walk?" He asked as he tried to break through the wall.
-You can not help her, monster!- The warped voice that taunted him for so many years echoed in the darkness.
Vincent growled and looked around for the sound of the voice. "Leave me be!" Began pounding on the wall, trying to find a weak spot.
The form continued to moan and cry out in pain as it curled tighter into a ball.
-You are evil…you will only bring death to those you love.-
Vincent froze as the form rolled to face him. Blood covered her body, seeping from the numerous deep lacerations that marred her skin. Her eyes were glassy and unseeing, her breathing becoming more labored with each moment.
"Yuffie…"
He pounded on the barrier with renewed vigor. "Let me in! What in the hell did you do to her?!"
-Oh, but I can't do that Vincent. Besides, its your fault she's hurt. You did this to her…the poor girl.- The voice said, mocking him.
"I would never hurt Yuffie!"
-You bring death to all you come in contact with…you are a curse!-
"Let her go you bastard, she's going to die!"
Yuffie's small body began to convulse violently. -Her death will be on your hands Vincent Valentine. Its your fault.-
"No!! Please, let me help her!" He pounded on the wall as he watched her as the pool of blood she lay in grew.
-Your fault, monster!-
The barrier collapsed and Vincent ran forward to the young woman. He collapsed to his knees and pulled her into his arms as her body went limp in his arms. "Noo…Yuffie?" He ripped his glove off and placed his two shaking fingers to her neck…
No pulse.
"No!!! Please gods, NO! Yuffie!" He cried out.
.::-o-::.
"NO!" Vincent sat up on his bed covered in sweat and breathing heavily. He quickly went to the shower and turned the flow to cold.
He quickly stripped his clothes and stepped under the frigid water as he tried to banish the nightmare. He let the ice water beat against his pale skin as his confused mind tried to push the voice that still taunted him and not fall prey to its venomous words.
But with Yuffie lying there in the medical center, he began to give in to it. 'Its my fault she got hurt…' He thought as he turned off the tap.
"I have to see that she is okay." He quickly dressed, not bothering to dry his dripping raven locks and went directly to the center.
.::-o-::.
"…And I told Barret that if he ever hid my cigarettes again, I would use my damn spear give him a prostate exam."
Vincent walked in the room and heard the last part of Cid's one-sided conversation with the tiny form on the bed. His hair was still wet from the shower as he walked over to her bedside. "Has there been any change?"
"Naw, she's still knocked out." He said as he stood and stretched. "The docs said that there was still a bit of the sedative in her system and they wanted her to wake naturally. She sure is taking her sweet time wakin' up." He said, teasing the sleeping ninja.
"Well, I'm gonna grab something for breakfast and hit the sack. See ya later Vincent, brat."
Vincent nodded and sat in the recently vacated seat, deep in his thoughts while holding the ninja's hand. For the past three days, he had been replaying the accident in the crater over and over again in his mind.
And now, after the nightmare he just had, Vincent could not convince himself that there was nothing that he could have done to prevent her injuries.
He was angry with himself. His mind continued to go over the 'what ifs' and 'could haves' about her injury. She could have died, her body broken and battered like it was in his nightmare, and it would have been his fault because he wasn't fast enough and he was careless. Her young life would have ended. Her seemingly endless energy would have been no more.
Vincent's claw curled into a fist as metal scraped against metal. He closed his eyes trying to escape the sight of the young lady lying on the bed next to where he sat. He tried to banish the scene of the rock dropping from the stone wall and smashing into her skull. 'My fault…my sin.' He thought as a shuddering breath escaped him.
'Vincent, stop it!' A voice whispered. His eyes snapped open and he scanned the room for another person before realizing who it was.
'Don't think like that! You saved her life and it's not your fault! You can't change what happened, no one can because it's in the past!' Aeris' disembodied voice shouted. 'You can't give into that voice, it will pull you back into darkness. Don't let it claim you!''Vincent, she needs you just as you need her. You have to fight. You have to rid yourself of that small part of your consciousness that is trying to destroy you.'
Vincent closed his eyes again and pushed back the voice that was determined to pull him back into its grasps of solitude as it had long ago. He would not allow that destructive voice rule him and destroy his life. Vincent sat deep in thought for over an hour, unconsciously stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.
"Yuffie, I'm sorry…" He whispered.
"Vincent?" He heard the ninja's weak voice. She had been watching the gunman while he sat next to her with his eyes closed and stroking her hand since she opened her eyes minutes before speaking.
"Yuffie, you're awake…How do you feel?" He asked, feeling relief wash over him.
She groaned as she moved to sit up. "I feel like I have a rabid Chocobo pecking at my brain, my chest kinda feels heavy too. What's wrong with me?" She asked as she tried, with difficulty, to sit up.
He stood and sat her up, placing a pillow behind her. She patted a spot on the bed and he sat on the edge of the bed. He explained to her about what happened on the Highwind and told her how long she had been unconscious.
Yuffie looked confused. "I do remember feeling pain after we got back to the ship, but nothing else. Do I have to keep this thing on?" She said, adjusting the oxygen mask on her face.
Vincent reached into his pocket and pulled out his PHS. "Yes, you must keep it on until the healers inform you otherwise. We should let the others know that you are awake." He looked over at the clock and saw that it had been two hours since he came to sit with her and the healers would be in at noon. "The healers should be in to see you in a hour and thirty minutes."
"Vincent?"
"Yes?"
Yuffie looked to him with curiosity clearly displayed in her eyes. "Why were you apologizing to me?"
"… … It was nothing." He said sounding like the old emotionless Vincent.
Her eyes narrowed slightly in irritation. "Don't give me that crap Vinnie. Please, just tell me."
They glared at one another for a few moments before Vincent sighed. "Yuffie…I can't help feeling that it is my fault that you were injured. I keep thinking that maybe if I was faster getting to you, you would not have been hurt."
Yuffie's glare turned into a mock glare as she looked sadly into his red orbs. "Vincent Valentine, don't you dare start that 'my sin, my atonement' shit again! Nothing you, or anyone else could have done woulda stopped what happened. It was no one's fault." She said firmly despite the small smile that had formed on her face. "Besides, I should be thanking you for saving my life."
Vincent sighed feeling another weight lift slightly from his shoulders. "There is no need to thank me. I am pleased to see that you are okay." He pressed the white button on his phone that would connect him to Tifa.
"Ooh Vinnie! Can I talk…please?" She said with a little less energy than usual because of her illness.
He smiled at her and handed her his PHS.
Tifa's voice floated through the phone? "Hello?"
Yuffie smiled at the sound of her friend's voice. "Gueeessss Whooo…"
"Oh my gods, Yuffie!! Your awake!" Her voice blared through the PHS. "Who's there with you…When…Never mind! We'll all be there in a few minutes." She said, not giving Yuffie a chance to answer.
Yuffie laughed at the frantic martial artist. "I'll see you in a few minutes seeing as I won't be going anywhere anytime soon."
"Kay bye!"
Yuffie laughed softly then winced. Her headache was turning into a migraine quickly. Vincent noticed and became worried.
"Maybe that was a bit too much for you right now. Are you alright?"
"I think I got a pretty nasty migraine starting." She said, rubbing her hand over her slightly queasy stomach.
Vincent grabbed an emesis basin from the counter and gave it to her. He then walked over and turned out the overhead light, leaving a small lamp lit beside her bed. "Rest. I will wait for the others. We will be in to see you in a few moments." He said quietly.
She nodded and leaned her head against the pillow as she waited for her friends to arrive.
.::-o-::.
Vincent jumped out of the way of the door as Tifa bowled through followed by five other anxious Avalanche members. The looked slightly out of breath as he was bombarded with questions. Vincent held up his hand to stop the overlapping questions.
"She woke up about fifteen minutes ago. The healers haven't been in to see her yet, but should be here soon."
"Can we see her?" Tifa asked eagerly.
Vincent nodded. "I'll take you in but you must keep your voices down, she has a headache." They all nodded and followed him into the room.
.::-o-::.
Yuffie opened her eyes as the door creaked open and smiled as her friends came in. "Hey guys, how are ya?" She said quietly.
Cid walked over and gently hugged the little ninja. "Shit kid, you're the one hurt and you're askin' us how we are? How are you feelin'?"
Yuffie shrugged, he vision was becoming a bit blurred as she adjusted her pillow. "As well as could be expected."
Nanaki put his front paws on the bed and Yuffie scratched his head. "We are glad that you're okay. You had us all worried." There were murmurs of agreement from everyone in the room.
"I'm sorry I scared you guys. I didn't know it was that bad."
Cloud stepped forward and picked up her hand. "Yuffs, you don't have anything to apologize for. We're just glad you're okay."
"Oh hey, Yuffs, you'll be getting another visitor later on today. Reeve was able to leave sooner than he thought. We'll all finally be able to meet him." Tifa said as she sat on the foot of Yuffie's bed.
She smiled. She really wanted to meet Reeve. She had a chance to exchange some jokes and talk to Cait, who is controlled by the Shinra executive, and really liked his personality. "Bout time he dragged his sorry ass over here to meet us! Hey Barret, what's this I hear about you gettin' a prostate exam? She said slightly confused.
Cid burst out laughing as Barret grumbled. "I didn't think ya heard that kid!" The pilot said.
As their conversation went on, something was happening to Yuffie. Her migraine continued to increase in intensity but along with that, her vision continued to deteriorate. She tried to remain calm as darkness became all that she could see. 'What the hell is going on?' She blinked a few times but still only saw darkness.
Tifa watched as Yuffie grimaced and blinked repeatedly. "Yuffie, what's wrong?"
She looked in the direction that Tifa's voice came from. "Uh…it's nothing, I just need some rest."
Tifa smiled at the young lady. "We understand. You've been through a lot so we'll be out in the waiting room. The doctors are coming soon and we'll wait to see what they have to say."
"Vincent, could you wait a second? I have to ask you something." She said quietly.
"Of course."
Yuffie waited a few moments and heard the door close. "Vincent…something is really, really wrong." Her slightly muffled voice came through the mask.
"What is it?" He said with an odd mixture of panic and curiosity.
She paused for a few moments and felt a tear roll down her cheek. She placed her hand up to her cheek and slowly wiped it away. "I can't see…" she whispered so quietly that he strained to hear what she said.
Vincent's eyes widened as he looked at the ninja. 'This can not be true.' "Can you repeat that please?"
She looked over in his direction but he noticed that she wasn't looking at him. His heart clenched painfully in his chest.
"I can't see…" she began to cry.
He sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "When did this happen?"
"I'm not sure…as my head felt worse my vision started to fade. I was like someone was turning down a light really slow 'til there was nothing but darkness." She sniffled.
Vincent waved his hand in front of her face but her eye's made no movement…she didn't even blink.
'Oh my gods…''Vincent, calm down.' The demons grave voice came to him.
"I will get the doctors at once." He got up to leave and was pulled back by Yuffie's tight grip.
"Please don't leave me alone…I don't want to be alone right now." She began to tremble.
He smiled sadly at the ninja, knowing that she couldn't see it. "I will get someone else to summon them. I will stay here with you."
"Thank you Vince."
He quickly walked over to the door walked into the short hallway. "Nanaki, can I see you for a moment?"
"Of course." He followed Vincent out of the sight of the others as they gave the pair a confused look for a moment, but went back to their conversations.
Vincent went down to one knee and whispered to the crimson lion. "I need you to go retrieve the healers as quickly as possible."
Nanaki's amber eye looked curiously. "What's wrong with her?"
Vincent gave a shaky breath. "I'm not sure. Please hurry."
Nanaki nodded and sprinted out of the clinic as Vincent opened the door to her room.
"Vincent, is that you?"
"Yes. Does your head still hurt?" He said quietly as he went back to her side.
"Yeah." She said weakly. "Why is this happening?" The tears began to flow again. "Leviathan, I feel like some damn damsel in distress…crying at the drop of a gil. Gods I'm a weakling…"
"I don't know Yuffie, but I do know that you are not weak. The healers will be here soon, do not worry." He pulled her close as she sunk into his embrace and quickly fell asleep.
o-o-Author's Notes-o-o
Oy! This chapter was kinda long! Even though this chapter has been done for about a month, it compares in length to the chapter that I just finished.
Eh, as much as I was hoping to have this Chapter finished by my b-day, that is beginning to look less than likely to happen. I have been having a hard time with the chapter I finished today…It has taken me a LONG time to do it. I'm beginning to run out of buffer chapters…ARGH!! Damn, now I have a headache!
Reno: It's okay Ezzie…calm down…you're doing fine. Don't forget that you've been thinking bout more than one story -makes Ez sit on the couch and gives her a scalp massage.-
Ez: -Sighs- Go for it Rene-baby! -hands Reno a note and closes her eyes-
Reno: Damn Ez. You thanking enough people in this chapter?!
Ez: … …
Reno: Oh well, better get started. Lets start with the her new reviewer fantacdreamer. Ez says thanks for the review.
Now on to her wonderful, lovely, and fantabulous prior reviewers.
TheHomicidalManiac777
Shadow Reaver: You found out what happened but, now you gotta wait to find out what happens after this chapter. Eva, Pixie and Felichel…she says you guys are great! She still love you guys in the AN's!
TheEvilOne69: Yuffie says thanks for the Chocolate. We sent it over to Torahiko's house, where she is busy playing final fantasy 7 while she recovers.
Yuff: She says she had to put that in there. She loves Vampy and in her warped little mind, that is just something that she really thinks he would have thought at the moment. She loves me more though.
Ez: Aww, Reno! Are we jealous??
Reno: Damn straight!
Ez: Reno, I love you too!!
Reno: I just don't see what you see in the Vampire.
Ez: Reno…HE'S HOT! HE'S TALL, DARK AND SEXY!!
Reno -Rolls his eyes- Whatever…anyway back to the reviewers. -Continues to massage Ez's scalp-
Shadowkeepre: She's glad that you liked the chapter. She did do a bit of research for that chapters. Luckily for her, she still had her Medical and Anatomy textbooks so she didn't have to go far for the info. But like she said, she did take a couple small liberties with the info.
Torahiko: Her doggie is doing a lot better. Geta is a lazy dog, I've had to step over her more than a few times. Take good care of Yuffie girl and says thanks for your reviews! She loves YA!! I love ya too!
Ez: RENO!
Reno: Sorry! -Clears throat-
Eerian: Have fun with Sephy! He doesn't mind if you're hard on him…oh and Ezri says hurry up with "Free As A Bird" She's dying as she waits for the update.
Night Crystal: Hope you had fun with Seph and found all the "items" you were looking for.
Seph2021: No problem, Sephiroth said that he whipped you into shape and your skills have greatly improved. As far as Tifa goes, she escaped about an hour ago because she said Ezri was taking too long to finish the chapter she was working on earlier. So she should be arriving soon.
Yeyana Valentine: She says thanks and understands that you couldn't review and is glad that you like this story. And thanks for the kind thoughts for her pup.
Angel: Since Sephiroth is now free, he's coming to join you and Cloudy boy. I don't know what he has this time, but he managed to seek something out of here under that leather coat of his.
Lone Gunmen: Hope you left the door open for my good buddy Rude. Ya know, heat escapes quickly from the top of his bald head. You gotta make sure he stays warm.
Kidbuux256: Ez is glad that she could make the imagery stand out for ya and is glad that you like the story.
Deplora: Sorry babe, but she has to recall Vinnie but you still have Squall to keep you company. Don't be late to summer school…oh and Ezri says, that she thinks she put what Tifa said to Yuffie in the next chapter.
And last but not least…
BlueEyeDemon1: Long time no see!! Since she rocks you socks, she's sending Vinnie over to you with some special addition 'men of final fantasy' socks. Each pair has a different hottie on them.
Reno: Ez, I really don't feel comfortable calling another guy a 'hottie.'
Ezri: I don't think any less of you. Besides, I said it, you were just reading what I gave you.
Reno: -Sigh- Okay.
Ez: Now do the disclaimer and were done.
Reno: Ezie doesn't own final fantasy or any of its characters…we just seem to flock to her though. Square-Enix owns final fantasy. Come on Ez, lets go do something fun, preferably something hot and sweaty.
Ez: -Thinks about it for a minute- Okay Reno, you wanna do something hot and sweaty? You can help me move these boxes of my mom's old Vinyl records into the basement. There's about 10 of them.
Reno: Shit, me an my big ass mouth.
Ez: It wont be so bad Reno, I'll give you a nice back rub afterwards.
Reno: -Grins- Okay!
Ez: Bye peoples!! I love ya'll!!! Hopefully I can get the next chapter up soon and maybe post the first Chappy of "My Light"
Edited 1/14/07
7/26/07
Edited because of change in formatting. Also re-numbering chapters. Minor content edits.