Chapter 26: Exterminating

(Same tags apply as in Chapter 1)

Cloud, Tifa, Yuffie and Vincent walked stood in front of the well in the middle of the Nibelheim square just as the sun began to set. Vincent looked to the Shinra Mansion and frowned.

"What's wrong, Vincent?" Cloud asked when he saw the gunman staring at the mansion.

"It will not be safe to return to the mansion tonight. There are beast that will need to be taken care of before we can move about freely inside."

"You're right Vince. Um, I guess we can stay at the inn for the night." Yuffie said as she shifted her bag on her shoulder.

Tifa gave them a scolding look. "I don't think so. You can stay at my house…I'll make dinner."

Yuffie shrugged. "Well, if you insist. How bout it Vinnie?"

He nodded. "Thank you for the offer, Tifa."

"No problem. Lets get inside, it's freezing out here!" She said as they all hurried to her home.

.::-o-::.

Tifa slammed the door shut behind them, blocking the torrent of icy air. "Cloud can you get a fire started? I'll show Yuffs and Vincent where they can stay."

"Sure. Teef and I will help you clear out the mansion tomorrow." Cloud said and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. She blushed and headed upstairs with their two guests in tow.

The walked into a large room with two full sized beds with covered with beautifully hand-stitched quilts. Various antiques were placed throughout the room with care. Tifa walked to a closet and pulled out some extra blankets.

"Well, make yourselves at home. You two can stay here until we clean the Mansion up a bit. If they set up this house exactly how it was five years ago, there should be clean towels in the linen closet at the end of the hall. The bathroom is the first door to the left as you come up the stairs and there is also one on the first floor. We're going to run to the market, well be back soon." She said, walking to the door.

"Thank you again Tifa." Vincent said, giving a slight bow.

She smiled and went down the stairs.

Yuffie flopped back on the bed closest to the window and put her arm over her eyes. "Gods, I'm so tired, I feel like I could sleep for a week!"

Vincent sat on the opposite bed unbuckling his cloak as his lips upturned slightly. "It probably did not help that you were teaching Marlene how to defend herself on the way to Corel."

"She's a fast learner." A now familiar throb was slowly beginning to form in the back of her eyes. "Not now…" She moaned. "And today had been goin' so good!"

He frowned knowing what was going on and pulled the three bottles from his pocket. "It's almost time for you to take these," He held up the white pills. "However I think we should wait until after you eat something. Xander did say that it would make you tired if you had to take all three at the same time."

"Okay." She sat up slowly from her spot on the bed. "I'm gonna get a quick shower, hopefully Teef will be back by the time I get out." She said as she pulled her shower kit from her bag.

Vincent nodded. "I'll let them know what is happening."

.::-o-::.

Tifa opened the door and let Cloud, who was carrying all the bags, into the house. "Just put 'em in the kitchen, I'll put them up."

Cloud nodded and walked away. Tifa locked the door and finally noticed Vincent sitting on the old couch. She sat next to him and gave him a friendly bump with her shoulder. "Hey Vincent, what's up."

He looked at her with a slight frown. "It's starting again."

"Yuffie?"

"Yes. I don't want to give her the medication until after she has eaten. She is in the shower right now."

"I bought some stuff to make soup and sandwiches tonight. I think she'll do better with the soup. It'll be ready by the time she gets out." Tifa got up and hurried to the kitchen.

Vincent's sensitive hearing picked up the sound of the shower being turned off. Five minutes later he heard the door open and the sound of footsteps slowing making their way across the floor.

"Vincent, its ready. It's not very hot so she can eat it now. Should I take it up to her?" Tifa came out of the kitchen balancing the hot soup and a glass of water.

He shook his head. "I have to give her the medication, so I'll take it up. Thank you Tifa."

She smiled at him. "Sure Vincent. I made you a sandwich so it'll be in the kitchen for you."

He gave her a slight smile before carefully heading up the stairs. When he entered the room Yuffie was once again lying on the bed in her pajamas with a large towel covering her head.

"Tifa made you some soup. Are you feeling nauseous?"

Yuffie's head lifted, still under the towel, but let it fall back to the bed. "A little, but nothing too bad…"

Vincent sat the soup on the nightstand and removed the towel from Yuffie's head. He looked at her in question. She had her left eye open, staring at the ceiling and the other closed tight. He helped he into a sitting position and sat on the bed. "Yuffie, what's wrong."

Her other eye opened and she looked at him as she reached for the soup. "It's the left eye this time." She took a few bites of her soup.

"Ya know Vinnie," she said tiredly. "after going blind four times already, this is startin' to get old." She finished of the rest of her soup and held her hand out.

"Do not be concerned. Soon they will be a thing of the past." He took the bowl, put two pills in her hand and handed her the glass of water. She quickly downed them then glared at the last one and plucked the last one from his hand.

She placed it under her tongue. "Ugh…you think they could make it cherry flavored or something…" She changed the subject to take her mind off the awful taste. "So Vinnie," she said quietly. "What should we start with after we get all the beasts out of there?"

"As to where to start, I will let you decide. However, I think that if you come with us tomorrow, you should stay away from physical attacks and use materia."

She looked like she was going to protest for a moment, but then gave a sigh. 'Damn…' "You're right…I really hate this!" She yawned as the medication started taking effect. "I feel so damn useless."

"Yuffie, you are not useless. Get some rest. I will try not to wake you when I come in."

She nodded and climbed under the blankets as Vincent returned to the kitchen.

.::-o-::.

Cloud looked up from his sandwich as Vincent walked into the kitchen. "She sleeping?"

Vincent nodded and sat at the table as Tifa brought his sandwich and some soup to him. "Thank you." Vincent pulled his glove off and placed it in his pocket before taking a bite.

"So how long will Yuffs be staying in Nibelheim?" Cloud asked.

Vincent thought about his answer, not wanting to give them any information that Yuffie didn't want anyone to have just yet. "From our conversations, she is to stay for a year."

Tifa looked excited at the news of her friend living so close for such an extended period of time. 'It will be so nice to have another girl to spend time with!' She thought.

Cloud just looked plain confused. "A year…" He was tempted to ask why, but held his tongue. It was all just too confusing for him. "So what's the plan for tomorrow?"

"We need to exterminate the beasts. I have talked to Yuffie and she has agreed to use only magic."

Tifa nodded. "You know Vincent, I don't have anything planned so maybe I can help you repair the Mansion, that is, if it's okay with you."

"I'll help out too." Cloud said.

He nodded. "Yuffie will decide on where we will start. We'll need to make a list of repairs and supplies that will be needed."

Tifa nodded. "Works for me. I hope she feels better tomorrow."

"She has been through a lot and needs to do something to take her mind off of things for a while." Cloud said.

"There is something else I wish to discuss with you both."

They both nodded and waited for him to continue. "Do you believe that everyone will be willing to come to Nibelheim next week?"

Cloud looked at Vincent strangely. "I don't see why not, we'll have to let Cid know not to start any major repairs on the Highwind, why?"

Vincent gave a slight smile and Cloud's eyes widened at the sight. "Yuffie's seventeenth birthday is in six days. A celebration is in order, however, I am unsure as to what to do." He said simply.

"Of course we'll help." Cloud said. "You and I can call the others in the morning before she wakes up and since Tifa loves planning these kinds of things, she'll be in charge of that."

Tifa smiled. "I'd love to. Women are better at these types of things. No offence guys."

"None taken. Thank you both." Vincent said as he finished his meal.

"Hey Vincent, when did Yuffs tell you her birthday?" Cloud asked out of pure curiosity.

The gunman tilted his head slightly at the question. "She told me the evening before you set out to the Ancient forest."

Cloud nodded. 'I guess Teef was right, Vincent is starting to open up a bit more.' He thought to himself as he remembered the conversation at Cosmo Canyon between his love and the gun-armed man.

Vincent pushed his hair away from his face then folded his hands on the table. "Have either of you given any thought to Reeve's proposal?"

Tifa shrugged. "I haven't really thought about it all too much yet. I don't know what to do now that we don't have to fight. I was thinking about opening a business. I'm not quite sure what it'll be yet, but it's better than sitting around doing nothing."

Cloud put his elbow on the table and his head propped on his hand as he thought about the question. "I have been thinking about it. I think that it's a good idea and I want to know more it. Reeve will not let the company turn back into the old Shinra, not after the sacrifices we've made and work we put into saving this planet.

"I think that if I serve on his committee, I would also like time to do something else, like Teef. Who knows, maybe the way he'll set the committee up will allow time for that. If so, I will probably join up." Cloud said, running his hand through his blonde spikes. He looked up to the dark man. "What about you Vincent?"

Vincent sat deep in thought for a moment. "I am not certain that I would be of any benefit to a council of this sort. There are some things that I have to work out therefore, I am unsure as to when I will be able to make a decision in the time given."

Tifa yawned and stretched her arms above her head. "Well we should turn in, there's a lot to be done tomorrow boys. You should try to make the calls before Yuff wakes up."

The men nodded and stood from the table. The trio walked out of the kitchen and quietly made their way up the stairs.

"Night Vincent." Tifa whispered as she and Cloud entered their room.

"Goodnight."

.::-o-::.

The door to the large bedroom that was once occupied by Tifa's parents slowly creaked open allowing claret eyes to peak into the darkened room. Vincent stepped into the room, but left the light off as he quietly walked over to the occupied bed. Yuffie was curled up into a ball facing away from the door, her breathing was deep and even, the grimace of pain from the throbbing in her head no longer graced her delicate features.

Vincent Valentine stood for a moment admiring her beauty before closing his eyes briefly before returning to his bed. Using his stealth skills that he acquired in the Turks, he removed his shoes, unearthed a pair of sweat pants from his bag, and quickly changed into them, opting to do without a shirt for tonight. He was surprised at how tired he was as he pulled the blankets back and climbed into the bed.

Pulling the covers to his bare chest, he closed his eyes, quickly falling into dreams of the young, gray-eyed ninja who was sleeping mere feet away from him.

.::-o-::.

Cloud and Vincent crept down the stairs, hoping not to wake Yuffie, who was still sleeping in the bedroom. The both walked into the kitchen to find Tifa pouring three cups of coffee.

Tifa smiled at the two men as they entered. "Good morning. You guys ready to make some calls?" She said, placing the cups on the table.

They nodded and each pulled out their PHS. Cloud looked to Vincent. "You call Reeve and Nanaki and I'll call Cid first so he doesn't start something that he won't be able to finish in time, then Barret."

Vincent nodded. "Very well."

"I'll get the plans for the party together later." Tifa stood and began preparing breakfast.

.::-o-::.

Yuffie's eyes popped open at the smell of bacon wafted up the staircase and into the cozy room. She looked over to the clock and then to Vincent's bed to see that it was already made. 'It's only seven…they're up early.' Yuffie thought as she started going through her bag that was sitting next to her bed.

The ninja quickly dressed in warm clothing, remembering how cold it was last night, then stretched, feeling her muscles and joints loosen. She felt good. Her head wasn't hurting, her eyes were fine and she didn't feel nauseous. She inhaled deeply through her nose, the food smelled so enticing, she nearly ran down the stairs.

.::-o-::.

Yuffie walked into the kitchen where Tifa was cooking up a storm. Vincent and Cloud were talking across the table, deep in conversation. They seemed to be talking about weapons. "Hey guys!" The two men nodded at the ninja in greeting.

"Hey Yuffs, are you hungry?" Tifa asked as she spooned scrambled eggs onto the plates.

Yuffie nodded eagerly and took her seat between Vincent and Cloud. "How are you feeling today Yuffs?" Cloud asked.

She grinned at them. "I feel pretty damn good! I feel a little more like me today." She saw Tifa pouring the orange juice. "Hey Teef, I'll help ya."

"Thanks Yuffie."

The two women brought the food over to the table and took their seats. Yuffie demolished her breakfast in record time, before downing her orange juice. "So are you all ready to get started?" She asked with unmasked excitement.

Cloud laughed at her enthusiasm. "Been bored lately Yuffster?"

She sighed dramatically. "You have no idea. Can we go now, pleeeeease?"

"Okay, okay…you two ready?" Cloud asked Vincent and Tifa and they nodded.

"Yes!" Yuffie was about to dart upstairs when Vincent caught her wrist gently. "Yeah, Vinnie?" She asked with confusion.

"Remember that you'll only be using materia unless absolutely necessary." The gunman said as he release his hold on her wrist.

"Oh yeah…forgot about that." She looked sheepish for a moment. "I'll be right back!" Yuffie said over her shoulder as she raced to the stairs.

Vincent watched as she ran up the stairs with a smile before turning back to see Cloud and Tifa watching him with smirks on their faces. He arched and eyebrow at them. "What?"

"Nothing…" Tifa said lightly.

Vincent gave the couple an odd look before standing and closing the clasps on his cloak.

Yuffie came down the stairs with a small backpack and bounced from foot to foot. "Lets go guys!" She turned and ran from the house with Vincent, Cloud and Tifa sprinting out behind her towards the Mansion.

The plowed through the door to find Yuffie standing near the entrance, deep in thought. "Hey guys, I think we should start in the basement and work our way out. That'll take care of those damn bats down there." The ninja said frowning at the thought of the bats.

Vincent looked around the foyer of the mansion. "We can make note of what needs to be repaired as we go."

Everyone nodded in agreement as they made their way to the basement.

.::-o-::.

Yuffie landed on her rear with a grunt. "What kind of frickin' beast swings from a flippin' chain!?"

Tifa helped the ninja to her feet and laughed. "Well Yuffs, you won't have to worry about them anymore. This place is officially clear and all we have to do now is have the repair supplies and paint delivered."

Yuffie pulled a notebook out of her pack and looked over her notes. She was exhausted but was determined not to make it obvious. "So, there are sixteen bedrooms, four offices, ten bathrooms. Then there's the living room, dining hall, ballroom, Kitchen, sunroom, library and the den. All of the furniture will need to be replaced." She said, though she was talking more to her self than to her friends. "Leviathan, I never realized this Mansion was so huge."

Vincent nodded. "I agree. I think that the piano in the ballroom can be repaired I also wish to keep the safe in the office on the second floor." Yuffie cast a glance at the gunman at the mention of the safe.

"When we return to Tifa's residence, I will call someone to remove the debris and furniture. Once that has been removed, I will be easier to make the repairs."

Cloud pushed his hair out of his eyes and looked at his watch. "Well, I think we should call it a day. We've been here since 8:15 this morning, its now almost six."

Tifa and Vincent nodded. Yuffie looked as if she was going to protest for a moment but when she felt her legs begin to shake form exhaustion, she conceded. "Alright…"

.::-o-::.

Tifa placed an order with on of the local restaurants for delivery. Vincent and Tifa just did not feel up to preparing the meal and when Cloud offered to do it, everyone vehemently declined his offer, remembering the pudding incident on the Highwind. While waiting for the delivery, Yuffie and Tifa took their showers leaving the men to talk downstairs in hushed tones.

.::-o-::.

"So everyone is coming right?" The blond whispered.

"Reeve and Nanaki said that they will arrive the day of the party, but will arrive in the afternoon since they cannot leave when the Highwind is scheduled to pick them up. Reeve has a transport that will bring them both to Nibelheim in time." The dark man said quietly. "What did Cid say when you spoke with him?"

Cloud laughed. "He was not happy about postponing his repairs, but when I told him that it was for our little ninja's birthday, he got over it pretty quick. He's going to bring Shera with him too. Barret wanted to come but was reluctant to leave Corel so soon after just returning, but Marlene and Elmyra's determination to be here for her party basically stomped out any reasons that Barret gave. Plus, he does want to be here for her birthday."

Vincent nodded. "Will they be staying overnight?"

"Yeah. Cid said that with the weather getting so cold and the recent storms over the Nibel Mountains, he wants to play it safe and leave in the morning. Barret, Marlene and Elmyra can stay at my house and the others can stay at the inn. Teef is calling to make the reservations for them in the morning."

Vincent was finding it difficult, but was succeeding in making small talk with Cloud when there was a knock at the door.

Vincent walked to the door and opened it slightly, trying to keep out some of the cold air. The delivery boy stood there, shivering slightly, holding the bags of food close to him for the warmth.

"Hello sir, I have a deliver from you."

Vincent nodded and took the bags from the boy. "How much?"

"Um, that'll be 62 gil please." The boy said, rubbing his hands together for warmth.

Vincent reached into his pocket and pulled a one hundred gil note and handed it to him. "Keep the change for your tip."

The delivery boy stopped shaking and his eyes widened. "Wow, thanks sir! Enjoy!" He ran back over to his scooter and zipped back towards the restaurant as the gunman closed the door.

Yuffie was coming down the stairs as Tifa came out of the bathroom. Both women looked extremely relaxed and heavy lidded as if they were going to fall asleep while standing. Yuffie's skin was flushed from the heat of the water and her hair was still damp causing some of it to become plastered to her face. She was wearing an old pair of sweat pants, wool socks and t-shirt. Vincent watched her and couldn't remember seeing someone so beautiful as she was. His mind began to wonder if the flush of her skin would look the same if was caused by…something other than hot water...

The gunman gave himself a mental shake and scolded himself for having such impure thoughts about the ninja. In his mind, he could hear Chaos snickering at the thoughts that he had banished. No doubt Chaos had something to do with the imagery that went through his head.

'Vile heathen…' Vincent growled at the demon.

Chaos only laughed. 'But Vinnie, It was not me…I was just enjoying the show.'

Vincent blushed slightly and began pulling plates from the cabinet.

.::-o-::.

Dinner disappeared quickly over small talk and a few jokes Yuffie had learned from Reeve. Vincent even openly laughed at one point making Tifa and Cloud more at ease with the gunman. They both liked the man, but hearing him laugh made him seem more…accessible to them.

Yuffie pushed her chair away from the table and cleared her dishes from the table. "Well, I'm going to bed. I'll see you all in the morning…goodnight guys." started for the stairs.

"Yuffie, wait." Vincent pulled a bottle of white pills from his pocket and tipped two pills into the lid.

Yuffie opened her hand to take the pills. "Thanks." She pointed to Vincent's glass of ice water. "Can I?" He nodded and she choked back the pills with a sip of his water.

"Night." The ninja said as she turned back to the stairs

"I'm heading up to bed too." She got up and walked towards the stairs with Yuffie.

"Goodnight Yuffs, Night Teef." Cloud said.

"Goodnight ladies." Vincent said.

Once the women disappeared up the stairs, Cloud turned to Vincent. "I wonder why Yuffie didn't remember her medication?"

Vincent folded his hands on the table. "We were told that she might forget minor things such as that. She will overcome the memory lapses soon."

"Ah…" Cloud said. "So that's why you're holding her medications…because she might forget that she's already taken it or not remember to take it at all."

Vincent nodded simply.

Cloud cleared the rest of the dishes off the table and returned to his seat. He looked across to Vincent, who was examining the pill bottle. "Hey Vincent?"

The gunman looked up. "Yes?"

"I know it is none of my business, but I have a question." Cloud said with nervousness creeping into his voice.

Vincent nodded and remained quiet. He had a feeling that he knew what this was about.

Cloud cleared his throat. "I'll guess I'll just come straight out and ask…Um…what's going on between you and Yuffs?"

Vincent gave a very slight smile. "There's nothing going on between Yuffie and myself."

"Well, do you have feelings for her?"

Vincent hesitated for a moment and looked at the swordsman wearily.

"Don't worry Vincent, no one will hear anything from me."

"Except Tifa…" Clouds eyes widened and he started to speak but Vincent cut him off. "Cloud, I do not mind if you speak to Tifa about this. She has most likely asked Yuffie the same line of questioning."

Cloud nodded.

"I do care deeply for her. I have had a chance to get to know her and there is much more to her than meets the eye."

Cloud smiled at his stoic friend. "You know, I really think that Yuffie is good for you. Just over the past three weeks or so that you two have been spending time with each other, you both have changed."

There were a few moments of silence before Cloud blurted out suddenly. "Do you love her?"

Vincent rubbed his eyes tiredly. "…."

"Well Vincent, if you do, don't wait to tell her or you'll just end up like me and Teef." The blond said sadly.

Vincent nodded and stood. "I will take that consideration."

The both went up to their rooms where the women that they cared for were sleeping.

.::-o-::.

Cloud changed into his sleeping pants and crawled into the bed next to Tifa. She turned and curled up next to him as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Mmm…what took you two so long." She said sleepily.

"I think loves her Teef." Cloud said as he kissed the top of her head.

"Good…the sooner they admit it to each other, the happier they'll be." She slurred before falling asleep once again in his arms.

o-o-Author's Notes-o-o

-Doing the running man- Guess who's back…back again…Ezri's back…tell a friend…

NOTE: THAT WAS NOT THE END…I would never leave mah so incomplete like that!

WOO HOO! IT IS SOOO GOOD TO BE BACK! -looks sheepish for a moment- I was suppose to have this up at midnight last night, but I fell asleep…my bad.

Anyway, a lot of you already know what happened but there still some of you that don't. I haven't been updating because someone was reporting my stories to the administrators here at Both my stories "Emerge" and "All That I Have" were both removed for being "too graphic" and "mis-rated." I was highly upset by this, but hey, there nothing I can do about it now…-growls- But I WILL be posting those stories back up, the lemons will be edited (even though there are 100 stories WAY more graphic than mine…) and the unedited versions have been moved to mediaminer…I will provide links both on my profile page and in the stories themselves.

Kidbuux…I don't wanna censor myself but, until I get my page up and running, I'm gonna have to (at least on Thanks for everything

This chapter was long…seventeen pages to be exact…but guess what…I've finally decided that am going to put one or maybe two lemons near the end of this story.

Now you may ask, when is the end gonna make its appearance? -laughs nervously- In a little while…there is a chapter coming up in a while that you romance fans will love…

Anyway, the boys are on vacation and won't be back for another few days, but I want to thank EVERYONE who has given their support and kind words for me and mah stories. You all don't know how much it all means to me. I'm apologize for not being able to get back to all of you by email…my puter has been sputtering out on me lately.

Thank you to all of you who reviewed Chapter 25! -Tosses brownies to all of the reviewers- Well, I better get back to work…Chapter 3 of My light will also go up today too.

(Sephiroth 2021…thanks…yer so sweet!)

(Sexynun let me know what that involves…I'm new to this stuff)

Oh and before I forget, Pingpong867 (she's an awesome KH author and my bestest buddy!) and Pyrobaka have created an online RPG based on Kingdom Hearts and it is SO fun! I hope you all should check it out and join in…There still are a lot of characters from the final fantasy 7 to X-2 worlds that are still available (Leon, Yuffie, Vincent and Auron are already taken but we really need a Sora) OC's are accepted also…The link is:

http/ unknownfate. /

Just remove the spaces within the address.

Til the next chapter peoples…I love you all!

Ezri

Ps…Triple P and Angel, you guys are the best…sniffle I love you guys too!

Edited 1/14/07

7/26/07

Edited because of change in formatting. Also re-numbering chapters. Minor content edits.