Two days after Cloud, Tifa and Nanaki's visit, Vincent sat Yuffie down, looking rather grave and concerned. "Yuffie, I do not want you to take offence at this, but I need to talk to you...about your health."
"M-my health?" Yuffie stammered. "I don't understand. What's wrong with me?" Vincent did not know why, but her blindness annoyed him.
"Yuffie, are you oblivious to your own body?" Vincent asked impatiently. "This is what I was talking with Tifa about the other day-she was crying because you look so thin and ill. You haven't eaten a single thing since you have been here, and I think I have a right to know why." He crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair, awaiting her answer.
Yuffie was stumped by this. For one, Vincent was actually concerned for her, two, she couldn't see anything wrong with her weight. "Look, Vince, I don't see why you should be worrying. I'm fine, I feel fine. I'm sure I've eaten, why wouldn't I?"
"You tell me." Vincent stood up and began to pace the room. "I can see what has been eaten in the last week, by what is there and what isn't. I know for a fact you haven't been near any food since you've been here, and it's likely you didn't eat much on your way to Nibelheim. All you have done is drunk water, and I want to know-why? I understand you will be worried about your father capturing you, but that is no reason to starve yourself. Yuffie, I genuinely am worried for your health-you look terrible."
Yuffie had sat quietly through this little speech, but her mind was bubbling. Finally she said, in a controlled voice, "I am fine. I've already told you. I just haven't been hungry."
"Yuffie, that is not enough!" Vincent's voice was starting to rise with impatience and anger. "In a few days, you will be naught but a skeleton! All I want is for you to be happy, and this can hardly be making you happy!"
"I don't see why you want me to be happy!" Yuffie was starting to lose control of her voice herself. "Stop getting involved, you know nothing of what is happening to me!" Furiously, she stood up, balling her hands into fists. "You of all people will never understand me, never!" Screaming the last word, she gave Vincent the dirtiest look she could muster before flouncing out of the room.
Vincent watched after her, scowling. "Unreasonable child," he muttered, collapsing back into his chair, dwelling on what had just happened. I must have said something wrong. I almost shouted at her...maybe I scared her in some way..." Feeling thoroughly miserable, Vincent hauled himself to his feet and went out of the house, wanting to go to only one place...
Ten minutes later, Vincent sat in front of Lucrecia's crystal, legs drawn to his chest, arms wrapped round them. His head was bowed, his eyes closed. Simply being in the cavern soothed him immensely; the soft rush of the waterfall, the dancing arcs of light radiated by the crystal...and knowing that Lucrecia was there with him...he didn't need to speak to her, just her presence comforted him, and as he sat, he thought. Yuffie will hate me now. It feels so strange, when only the other day I was holding her close to me as if I never wanted to let her go... I truly am falling for her, but I shouldn't. I am too old, too dangerous. She would never want me, never. She is right; I will never understand her.
Opening his saddened eyes, Vincent gazed up at the woman trapped in the crystal. "Lucrecia," he breathed. "Lucrecia, if only you were truly alive. Then you could advise me, tell me what is right..."
Vincent moved back a little so he could lean against the wall. Bowing his head again, he closed his eyes, drawing his knees closer to him, pondering what he was to do.
Yuffie flung herself on her bed, frustrated with herself and Vincent. Pummelling her pillow as if it were her worst enemy, she lay on her stomach, leaning on her elbows. I must have pissed him off, she thought, I heard the front door go. He must be sick of me by now. And who is he to nag me about my weight? If I don't want to eat, that's my decision! Besides, I'm perfectly normal, what's there to worry about? Nothing! And now he's probably gone to his precious cave to talk to a dead woman in a shiny rock, who can't even hear him! Yuffie sank her head into her pillow wearily. Man, I'm tired... She ran her hands over her frail body. Nope, I'm completely fine...what was Vincent thinking? I'm not too skinny, I'm sure...
Getting off her bed, Yuffie trailed downstairs to the kitchen, rubbing her weary eyes. Why can't everyone just leave me alone...? Stooping down to search the cupboard under the sink, she picked out a bottle and fumbled with the cap, cursing. Come on, you stupid...ugh. There we go. She took a deep swig, grimacing at the bitter taste that burned her throat all the way down to her stomach. Another, and another, until the bottle was half empty. Well, won't that show him, she thought, making her way back to her room.
Yuffie lay on the bed in a kind of stupor, listening to the empty silence surrounding her. Hours passed, and still she lay there, thinking of nothing, doing nothing. Eventually, her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep, weary of nothing to do...
Yuffie woke with a start, feeling rather out of sorts and quite sick. Her room was pitch-black; it was very late. She hoisted herself off the bed, feeling her way to the door and opening it. Vincent would usually leave the landing light on at night, but this time it was just as dark out there as it was in Yuffie's room. "What the hell?" Yuffie asked herself. She crossed the landing to Vincent's room, pressing her ear to the closed door, listening for his breathing. Nothing. Yuffie pulled the door open, but the room was empty. Cursing, she shut the door and headed downstairs. She looked in the living room, the piano room...Vincent wasn't in any of them. Now worried, Yuffie ran into the kitchen. He wasn't there either. She looked at the clock-it read 00:40. "Oh god, something's got him," she panicked. "Oh man, I feel terrible now for yelling at him earlier! Where is he?" Tears of fear began sliding down her face, but she ignored them as she ran to the door. Her hand was on the doorknob when she suddenly stopped. What am I doing? If I go out, I'll be killed for sure! But I'm so worried... Yuffie took her hand off the doorknob and sat on the sofa instead, tears pouring down her face. "Vincent, where are you?" she whispered. Feeling slightly dizzy, she lay down, slipping an arm under her head as the tears continued to flow from her grieving grey eyes.
Vincent's eyes snapped open. He looked around, shocked to find himself still inside Lucrecia's cavern. Groaning, he stretched his cramped arms and legs. "Did I fall asleep?" Vincent looked at his phone. "One o'clock?!" Vincent yelped, in a voice most unlike his own. Jumping up, he transformed and flew back to the manor as fast as he could.
Opening the door, he noticed Yuffie lay on the sofa. Her eyes were closed, but they opened when she heard the door. Sitting up, she beamed and ran to meet him. Just before she reached Vincent, she wobbled dangerously, staggering a little. Vincent gasped and caught her before she hit the floor. "Yuffie? Are you okay?"
Yuffie looked at him blearily. "Oh man, I'm dizzy..." was all she managed to say. Her head lolled sideways, her breathing ragged.
Vincent started to panic. "Yuffie, what's wrong?" He picked her up and returned her to the sofa. "Yuffie?"
"No, no...it's okay, I'm fine..." she muttered, holding her head. She lay down again, massaging her forehead weakly.
"You are not fine! I know what this is- it's because you haven't eaten! I told you-"
"I'm fine..."
"Yuffie, have you seen yourself?! You've lost too much weight, you're dizzy, you will die if you don't sort yourself out!" Vincent hadn't noticed physically how much weight she had lost, but the shadows had thrown her face into sharp relief, and he saw the damage. Her cheeks were hollow, the outline of her skull clearly visible. Gasping in alarm, he ran a hand across her hip, ignoring her half-hearted protests.
"Cut it..."
"Yuffie..." Shaking his head in disbelief, Vincent felt her hips jutting out alarmingly; she felt like bones, nothing more. "I fear for you, Yuffie," Vincent said shakily. "You need to start eating, or you will die!" Yuffie didn't respond, simply turned her head slightly, closing her eyes. "Yuffie? I am serious, listen to me." Vincent leaned over her, putting a hand to her face. She didn't respond to his touch either. "Yuffie!" Vincent raised his voice, shaking her. No response. Panicking, Vincent fumbled in his pocket for his phone. "What have you done to yourself, Yuffie?" he moaned exasperatedly. Retrieving his phone, and flipping up the top screen, he dialled the only number he knew could help him right now...
"...Hello?" A weary female voice answered.
"Shera, is that you?"
"Yes...Vincent, is it?"
"It is me, yes...I apologise for the hour at which I am calling, but I urgently need to speak to Cid, if he is around."
"Cid? At this time? Well, you sound desperate...I'll wake him..."
Vincent waited a few minutes. Then another voice spoke grumpily.
"Vince, have you seen the &%$ing time?! What's so important you have to wake me at 1 o' &%$ing clock?!"
"I knew you would be like this...I need you to bring your airship over here. Yuffie appears to have fainted or collapsed and I need to get her to a hospital, fast. Please Cid, I never thought I would have to beg, but I am doing now!" Vincent's voice wobbled slightly. He bit his lip, embarrassed.
"Hey, well why didn't you &%$ing say so? Annoying as the kid is, I ain't letting her die, no way! I'll have the Shera saddled up and ready to go before you know it!" Cid chuckled. "No cryin' on me, k? You'll have me collapse too, from &%$ing shock, eh? Ok, I'll shut up, I'm on my way!"
"...Thank you, Cid," Vincent murmured, ending the call. Dropping his phone back in his pocket, he lifted Yuffie's unconscious figure carefully and took her outside, thinking. Deciding a better place to wait was outside Nibelheim, he carried her out of town, listening for the rumble of the airship's engine.
Fifteen minutes later, a deep roar made Vincent look up. The Shera was hovering overhead, descending to the ground. Vincent could see Cid through the large front windows of the airship, and as he watched, he saw him pull a lever to bring the ship entrance door down.
With a sharp gust, the Shera landed. Buffeted slightly by the wind, Vincent took Yuffie aboard and into the cockpit. Cid stood there, cigarette, as always, in his mouth, looking rather tired. He shook his head when he saw Yuffie's emaciated body. " &%$, she's skinny! I'm' a flyin' you guys straight to a hospital, pronto!" Puffing on his cigarette, Cid pulled a lever and swung the steering wheel. With another roar, the Shera took flight southwards. "Taking you down to Mideel, yeah?" Cid shouted over the engine. "They rebuilt the hospital recently, an' business is boomin'!" Vincent said nothing, simply held Yuffie closer. Well, at least she's not airsick... Vincent thought. Yuffie groaned quietly, but did not wake. Vincent stroked her hair, head bowed, eyes closed, lost in thought.
"Hey, so what's Yuffie doin' at yours anyway?" Cid asked, blowing smoke rings absent-mindedly.
Vincent opened his eyes. "She fled Wutai for personal reasons, and fainted outside the manor from exhaustion. She has been living with me for over a week."
"Ah, gotcha." Cid said nothing more until they arrived at Mideel twenty minutes later. In this time, Yuffie still had not woken.
"We're at Mideel, Vince! Come on, don' &%$ing stand there, get her out before she dies!"
Hoisting Yuffie a little higher, Vincent carried her out after Cid. Staring around Mideel, he took in how different it was. Last time he saw it, it was destroyed by Lifestream. Now the whole town had been rebuilt. It was larger than before, and a lot more grand; perhaps the story of its destruction 4 years ago had brought a lot of money to the town. Vincent followed Cid to the hospital, a largish timber building on the outskirts of town. The door was already open, so Cid and Vincent went through. Though it was twenty five to two in the morning, the hall was rife with bustling people. Vincent recognised one of the people-the short, bushy-moustached doctor that had helped Cloud recover from Mako Poisoning. He was deep in conversation with a nurse holding a clipboard and pen, but when the doctor saw Yuffie lying limp in Vincent's arms, he started and made a beeline for Vincent. "I say, Mr. Valentine, whatever is the matter with this young lady?" he asked, observing her critically.
"She fainted just over half an hour ago. She has not eaten for over two weeks, as far as I know."
"I see, I see. Perhaps you and Mr. Highwind would follow me?" The bushy-moustached doctor set off briskly down the hall, followed closely by the two men.
The doctor stopped eventually and peered inside one of the hospital rooms. "Yes, she can go in here. Mr. Valentine, put the young lady on the bed while I fetch a few others to assist me. I will make a note of your arrival." He bustled off.
Vincent lay Yuffie on the bed, sinking into a chair beside her.
Cid leaned against the doorframe. "Are you stayin' here then, Vince?" Vincent nodded. "If it's not too much trouble, I'll be headin' back to Rocket Town then." Putting a fresh cigarette in his mouth, he added, "When she wakes up, tell her I said hi, 'k?" Cid left the room, leaving Vincent with Yuffie.
Vincent's hand reached out and took Yuffie's, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. "Please wake up, Yuffie," he whispered. With his metal hand, he softly brushed a few strands of hair from her face. Still, she did not appear to hear him, or feel his touch. She simply remained as still as she ever was.
Voices outside the room made him look up; two nurses, plus the bushy-moustached doctor entered. "We're going to take a look at young Miss Kisaragi now, Mr. Valentine," the doctor said gravely. "I'm sorry to say you will need to step outside for a while. I daresay the examination will be no longer than thirty minutes; you can come and see her again afterwards." Vincent nodded, and stood up to leave. As he passed one of the nurses, she gave him an encouraging smile. "We'll take care of her, sir. Don't worry!"
"Thank you," he replied, letting a tiny smile tug at his lips. He looked back at Yuffie still lying lifeless on the bed, before exiting in a swish of scarlet.
Time seemed to stand still as Vincent waited outside the hospital, looking up at the night sky, counting the stars in a vain attempt to take his mind off Yuffie. This is all my fault, he thought bitterly, looking at his phone to check the time. I should have noticed earlier that she was ill... why did I not keep a closer watch over her? Was I that wary of letting my feelings be known that I shunned her wellbeing? Stifling a yawn, he sat down with his back against the wall, legs drawn up to his chest. Looking at the time again, he stowed his phone away and tilted his head back, letting his eyes close. Worry has caused time to cease operation, or so it feels. I wish none of this would have happened...I feel I am to blame for all of this... Vincent leaned his head forward so it was touching his knees, eyes still closed. The cold night air blew gently, whirling his tangled locks round his head, ruffling his cloak, whispering in the tree branches. It seemed an eternity that Vincent sat there, waiting silently.
A hand touched his shoulder gently. "Mr. Valentine?" came a tentative female voice. Vincent looked up, to see a young blonde nurse, who was watching him with some apprehension. "Dr. Ken would like to see you," she said, beckoning nervously. She walked back into the hospital, Vincent close behind. This can only mean bad news. She is dying, I know it...
Indeed, when they reached the room Yuffie lay, Dr. Ken, the bushy-moustached doctor, looked to Vincent rather gravely. Vincent chanced a glance at Yuffie to see what had been done to her. A narrow tube ran through her nose, and she had several monitors attached to her chest, plus a drip inserted into her arm. Vincent shuddered at the forlorn sight, before turning back to Dr. Ken. "What news?" he requested, sitting back beside Yuffie.
"Ah, don't look so stricken, Mr. Valentine. Miss Kisaragi will be perfectly fine with some close care." Fiddling with his moustache, he continued. "We have examined her closely, and while we believe her being significantly underweight would contribute to her condition, it alone has not caused her to collapse. We think she may have ingested a poisonous substance, and so we will be sending her for a stomach pump. For the time being she will be put into a temporary coma, to allow her body to heal-" Vincent's pale face drained of the little colour it had-"but there is no cause for immediate concern. Note the tube in her nose-" he indicated- "she will be fed via that. Within a week you will see a change in her appearance, a change for the good." Finishing his speech, he waited for Vincent to speak. When no reply came, he simply said, "Well, I trust you will be staying here with her? I will leave you now. Should you need sleep, the chair you are sat on folds out."
"Thank you, though I do not feel I can sleep just now."
"Well, make sure you rest up sometime. Is there anything else you need?"
"No."
"Very well. Should there be concern, come and find me or another doctor." Dr. Ken gave Vincent a brief nod, and left the room.
It was now around two in the morning, and though Vincent was tired, he had no desire to sleep at all. He took Yuffie's hand again, stroking her short black hair with his other hand. "Why must you sleep on, Yuffie?" he asked the unconscious girl. "Why must you remain unaware of your surroundings, not knowing anything? My only wish is that you come to soon..." Vincent bowed his head, feelings tears prick his eyes. He brushed them away, willing himself with the willpower he had left not to cry.