Sitting on the floor, in the shimmering, crystalline grotto behind the waterfall, Vincent closed his eyes and tilted his head back, as if trying to drain his thoughts out via the back of his head. Why? Why did this have to happen?

Vincent stood up and approached the crystal in the centre of the room. It was the main reason for the radiant light filling the cavern, and trapped within the crystal, hands clasped together, eyes closed, was Lucrecia. There was a shallow moat of water surrounding the crystal, but Vincent simply walked through it till he stood in front of the crystal. He raised his gloved hand and touched the crystal, tracing her face. "Lucrecia," Vincent murmured. "It has been a while. A year, in fact..."

Rippling, distorted sounds echoed across the cavern. What sounded like a whisper of Vincent's name echoed from the crystal where Lucrecia resided.

A smile broke out on Vincent's face; a true smile, not just a humourless smirk. He knew Lucrecia could never truly die, like him, so he could talk freely with her, though he could not always understand what she said. "My love," he whispered, still standing in front of the crystal. "Have I betrayed you, Lucrecia? Have I simply thrown away all I felt for you?"

For a moment he heard nothing, then he heard a series of distorted whispers- "On...n...move on..."

"But how can I move on, when such terrible sin and sorrow tear at my insides? You knew how much I cared for you, how much I loved you, yet after Father's death, you would not approach me at all. And now...I have disgusted myself. My friends mean a lot to me, but with one slight accident I believe everything has changed for Yuffie and myself. Her lips on mine...did I expect it to feel wrong? I did, yes. But it didn't, and instead I desired nothing more than to take her, make her mine. But I had to hide this. She is hurt enough as it is." He turned away from the crystal, splashing through the water to sit down again. Leaning back on his arms, he continued to speak. "What is wrong with me, Lucrecia? Why must I live in the past? Why can I not decide what is right for me to do?"

"Learn...your own..."

Vincent sighed. "It is not possible. I fear Yuffie will resent me for as long as she lives. That thought will plague me forever." He stood up, sweeping his hair from his face. "I will seek the advice of another. I will return soon. Goodbye for now, my love..." Vincent gave Lucrecia one last look, before exiting the cavern. He knelt down, blue light encasing him. He felt his body transforming- in a matter of seconds, his body was naught but a pulsating scarlet blob of sorts. Taking flight, he flew in the direction of Cosmo Canyon, hoping to seek the advice of Nanaki.

Vincent touched down at the entrance to Cosmo Canyon, transforming back into his human form. The man guarding the entrance stared in amazement, but he recognised Vincent when he drew near. "Ah, Mr. Valentine!" he exclaimed. "What brings you to Cosmo Canyon this fine morning?"

" I was hoping to speak to Nanaki, if that is possible," Vincent said shortly.

"Yes, yes, of course. You will find him by Cosmo Candle. He is sleeping at this precise moment in time, but I am sure he will not be troubled by you waking him."

"Thank you," Vincent replied, striding past him. Cosmo Canyon had not changed since he had last visited; it still looked as natural as it ever did. Casting his eyes around for the small fire they called Cosmo Candle, he spotted Nanaki lying beside it. Indeed, he was asleep; as Vincent watched him, he stretched slightly, readjusting his paws. Vincent went over and sat down beside him. Placing a hand on his head, he said softly, "Nanaki...wake up..."

The sleeping scarlet beast opened one yellow eye. When he saw who was beside him, he sat up on his back legs. "Vincent. I am pleased to see you again."

"And I you," Vincent replied, stroking the fur on Nanaki's head, who closed his eyes lazily, tilting back his head.

"So, what can I assist you with?" Nanaki said. "It seems you are preoccupied in some way."

Vincent stopped stroking Nanaki's head. "Yes, I feel as though I have committed another sin."

"Ah. Explain more, if you will."

"I shall start from the beginning...last night I found Yuffie collapsed outside. I brought her in and examined her. I found she has been mercilessly whipped across her back and cheek. When she came to, I asked her what had happened, but she cried and refused to tell me. I let her stay at the manor for the night, and when she woke, she tried to leave. However, she woke me in the process and I pressured her for answers. Eventually she told me her father had whipped her for refusing to consent to an arranged marriage. She has escaped Wutai, and is to marry in two week's time. That is, if Godo finds her, which I regret to say will probably be soon- he knows we are her friends. But when she went to sleep later, she woke, for reasons I do not know. She came into my room, meaning to wake me, but I woke before she could rouse me and sat up. But then..."

"Tell me, Vincent."

Vincent was silent for a minute. Finally, he spoke again, in a hoarse voice.

"My head hit hers and...we...well, I suppose you could say we kissed...

Nanaki's brow furrowed for a moment. "Why, may I ask, is this so terrible?"

Gripping his hair, Vincent spoke in a voice of forced calm. "Because I feel I have betrayed Lucrecia, and my love for her."

Sighing, Nanaki proceeded to groom himself. Wearily, he retorted, "Vincent, how many times have all of us told you that you need to move on with your life, and stop living in the past?"

"I know, my friend, I know...that is what Lucrecia said to me too." Vincent removed his hand from his tangle of black hair and moved closer to the fire. "I just don't know what I feel."

"You are likely to be confused after such an event. You have not betrayed Lucrecia at all, however; if anything she will be happy for you, happy that you are finally starting to move on. She may always have a place in your heart, and there is no reason why that should not be so; you truly did love Lucrecia, but maybe you will feel better if you have someone else you can love. Tell me..." Nanaki looked round, and lowered his voice before speaking again, "Did either of you respond to the...kiss at all?"

Vincent shook his head. "No, she pulled away too quickly for either of us to respond."

"Ah." Nanaki appeared to think for a moment. "You should talk to her. Do you feel anything at all for her?"

" I...I don't know. She is young, but she is an adult now. She has matured over the years, and I have to say she has grown into a beautiful woman. She may have captured my heart, I do not know. If so, I must let my feelings develop to be sure. I have forgotten how it feels to fall for someone."

"A wise decision, my friend. Bear in mind, she is still young, so you mustn't hurt her."

"Thank you, I will remember what you have said." Vincent stood up. "Your words have comforted me, as they always have done. It is a privilege to have you around; we were lucky to have met you."

Nanaki stood too, letting Vincent lay his hand on his head. "I wish you luck, Vincent." Nanaki walked with Vincent to the entrance. "Remember, I am always here, if ever you should have need of me."

"Thank you." Vincent lowered his head respectfully, then swept from Cosmo Canyon, deciding to walk back, to give him the time to think.