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Chapter Six: Vincent's Recovery"How is he?!" Cloud asked, charging into the room, as well as the rest group, after what seemed like an eternity.
"I dunno," Tifa told them, trying not to seem as sad as she actually was. "I think he's getting better, but I'm not sure… He's having a nightmare…"
"Lucrecia…" Vincent muttered once again, this was the word he muttered the most, which made Tifa really wonder who Lucrecia is. She remembered him mentioning saying Lucrecia was Sephiroth's birth mother, but what would that mean to him? Sweat was beading down his forehead, and Tifa used a moist towel to whip it off, he had been sweating almost non-stop and he has a terrible fever, unfortunately Tifa had no idea what to do, which made her feel even more useless.
"Why did you two stay back?!" Barret demanded. "What the hell's wrong wit ya?!"
"I didn't catch the plane, I was too far away," Tifa said, keep her eyes on the muttering Vincent. "Vincent… he stayed back to help me… I would have died if it wasn't for him… and now he might die…"
Tifa suddenly felt like crying, as if she had just fully understood what had happened. Vincent could have escaped and would have been just fine, but instead he stayed back and saved her life, and nearly (and still might) lose his. She struggled to hold back tears, but a few fell regardless, which she wiped quickly away, hoping no one would notice, but most of them did.
"Oh…" Barret muttered, feeling like a jerk for being so cruel.
"I see," Cloud muttered, feeling foolish for not noticing one of his teammates being left behind.
"Tifa, are you all right?" Aeris asking, noticing some wounds on her. However, she was more worried about Tifa's emotional state than her physical one.
"Yeah," Tifa croaked, keeping her eyes on Vincent, still struggling with tears. "I'm perfectly fine…"
"Ok, good," Aeris replied, then glanced at Cloud, then back at Tifa. "Um, it's kind of late…"
"Yeah," Cloud agreed. "Tifa, do you want us to stay with you and Vincent?"
"No, it's alright," Tifa told them, looking up at them and showing them a fake smile. "You guys go rent a room, I'll sleep in this one."
Tifa really wanted them to leave, she refused to let them see her cry. She had always hated it when people seen her cry, mostly because she was a warrior, and warriors were not supposed to cry. Crying is a sign of weakness, and she didn't want anyone to see her in such a weak state.
"Alright," Cloud replied, stepping out of the room, then looking back one last time at her. "Goodnight, Tifa, and if something happens during the night, be sure to wake us up, all right?"
Tifa nodded in response as they all left, saying their goodnights to her and wishing the best for Vincent. Tifa felt terribly sad for Vincent, not only did he have some sort of terrible past, and is in extreme pain, but it seemed like no one cares about him, except for herself. He was all alone in his life, he was always away from the rest of the group and silent, only talking when he had to. She felt terrible for Vincent, this man who was robbed of so many things in his life. The only thing she could do now was just be by his side and help him however she could.
Vincent awoke in total darkness. Pain blared everywhere, especially in his chest and stomach, even breathing hurt him more than he could ever remember. For a brief moment, he thought his nightmare was a reality once again and he was back in the coffin, but then he remembered AVALANCHE. What happened? Vincent thought, however, his memory betrayed him, he simply couldn't remember anything after they arrived in Rocket Town.
Just then, Vincent realized that there was someone else in the room, and he moved slightly on his side to see who it was. This action caused him incredible pain, however, at the moment, he didn't care, he had to know where he was and what had happened. He was prepared to leap up and murder whoever was there, no matter how much his body would ache. If he was in the hands of Shinra, he couldn't simply sit there and allow them to do whatever their scientists wanted to do to him.
He would rather die than let that happen to him again, and for all he knew; this would be his last time conscious before the scientists finished with him. He was prepared to die right here and now, in fact, if he even manages to kill whoever was standing there, he might take his own life afterwards, if it came to that. He didn't want to live in the arms of Shinra once more; he didn't want to spend another thirty years in a coffin. He was prepared to die, welcome whatever lied afterwards, whatever it was had to be better than his current existence.
However, instead of seeing a Shinra soldier, he saw the beautiful martial artist, Tifa. Suddenly, all his memory seemed to flood back into his mind, he was about to jump onto an airplane with the rest of the team, however, he stayed back because… because… She was in trouble… Vincent thought. I stayed back because she was… in trouble… All this pain I welcomed to protect her… … … Perhaps… This is part of my atonement… Yes, I must protect her, as well as this team, and… defeat Sephiroth…
Vincent was about to lie back down, when suddenly Tifa sprang awake, looking a little frightened at first, and then looked down at Vincent. "Vincent!" Tifa exclaimed, and tackled him with a hug. However, the pain exploded in his stomach and chest, and Vincent loudly groaned and Tifa took the hint, let go of him, looking away, slightly blushing, "Sorry…"
"It's all right," Vincent replied, though actually, he greatly disliked her action. Not simply because of the extraordinary pain that burst when she tackled him, but also because she had invaded his personal space. Vincent could settle with people joking or bothering him, but he absolutely despised it when people invaded his personal space. But… Vincent wondered. Why would she ever hug a monster like me? I… do not deserve such comfort…
"How are you feeling?" Tifa asked, worry truly in her voice, which Vincent knew he didn't deserve.
"I'm fine," Vincent lied.
"Alright…" Tifa replied, looking down, feeling completely rejected by the ex-Turk. "I just wanted to make sure… I… you saved me…"
"Nonsense," Vincent reassured her. "Anyone else would have done the very same had they been in the same situation."
"But… they didn't…" Tifa replied, looking away from Vincent, suddenly feeling completely rejected by everyone. Tifa had seen them; any one of them could have jumped off that plane and helped her, she was especially hoping Cloud would save her. But she had seen what Cloud was doing, he was holding hard onto Aeris, making sure that she was alright. "So really," Tifa said, taking a deep breath and looking back at Vincent, showing a fake smile. "Thank you, Vincent."
"Such praise…" Vincent muttered softly. "I… I am not worthy…"
"What?" Tifa asked, somewhat having to refrain from laughing at his strange speech. "Of course you are! You saved my life!"
"…" Vincent was silent and lied back down, closing his crimson eyes. "One good deed doesn't not make up for a lifetime of sins. No matter what I do, I will forever be… a monster… I am not worthy of any praise from yourself, Tifa."
"What?!" Tifa exclaimed. "You're not a monster!"
"…" Vincent was silent, he instantly regretted saying the truth, however, she surely knew the truth, she, as well as everyone else, must know that he honestly is a monster.
"You… You don't honestly believe that…" Tifa softly said, again feeling on the verge of tears. Did he honestly believe that, even after saving her life, he was a monster?
"…" Vincent was still silent but he opened his eyes, his crimson eyes going to her honey brown ones.
They both were silent for a moment, both basking in each other's eyes. Vincent couldn't believe what he was seeing inside the beautiful woman's eyes, what he saw was something he never thought he would see every again towards himself… worry. Is it possible that she… Vincent began to think, but then instantly pushed the idea out of his head. No… No one could care for a monster like myself…
"Oh, Vincent," Tifa muttered, taking his hand in her own. "You're not a monster… You're a hero, you're my hero."
"No, I am not," Vincent sternly replied, taking his hand out of her grasp then rolled on his side, despite how much pain it caused, he could no longer stand the way she looked at her, for he doesn't deserve such care, such honest worry. "I am no one's hero… I am as I always was… … … a monster…"
"Vincent…" Tifa murmured just before Vincent closed his eyes, ending their conversation.
Vincent was still awake long after Tifa had fallen asleep on the chair she had been sitting on next to his bed. The pain was much greater than he would ever let show to these people, much greater than he could probably ever show, especially after thirty years inside that cursed coffin. Even before the coffin he could never show his true self, he would instead keep his emotions bottled up inside, until eventually he could actually show his emotion to someone, when he expressed his love for Lucrecia. However, it was that very emotion that had led him to his damnation, his emotions had run rampant and taken complete control of him.
He could never let that happen again. He glanced down at Tifa, the only member of the group who even decided to stay by his side during this hard night. He couldn't allow this woman to get close to a monster like himself, he could see behind her false smile and happiness, he knew that inside this woman was suffering more than enough, he wouldn't allow her to suffer even more due to his presence.
However, fortunately for him, it seemed that what happened long ago will never happen again. During the thirty years of imprisonment within that damned coffin it seems all his emotions had died away. He didn't care about anything, the only pain he could feel was purely physical, he didn't care about anything.
But if that were true, a part of Vincent thought, why did you stay back to help Tifa?
Vincent glanced at the young woman who was sleeping at his side. She never left once… Vincent thought, this he had known, as he had been awake during the entire time while she had thought he was sleeping. Didn't even seem to think about it… She simply silently sat there and watched me, making sure I was all right…
It seems she cares about you, a part of Vincent thought.
Nonsense, Vincent reassured himself. I merely helped her… she must feel that she owes me for the help…
Or, perhaps she cares about you, this strange part of Vincent insisted. Perhaps she sees the man behind the monster.
There is no man behind the monster, it is only monster, Vincent told himself. The Man Vincent Valentine had died thirty years ago, now, the being that exists here, is the Monster Vincent Valentine.
I wouldn't be so sure…By this point, Vincent's headache was pounding much more than it previously had been. All this thought about himself and the monster that he is now had only intensified the blaring pain in his skull. Silence, Vincent told himself.
He tried to stand, and found that this task was considerably more painful than he had suspected. His leg muscles ached with the weight that was suddenly put on them, and so he had to lean against his bed until his muscles could adjust. He didn't know where he would go, but all he knew was that he wanted to leave, and he wasn't sure if he would come back or not. His thoughts about Tifa and himself being a burden upon the group had gotten to him gravely, for he was beginning to think that he would ruin everything again, this time condemning the world to whatever it is Sephiroth wants. And Sephiroth was one wrong that he absolutely had to right.
Vincent then shifted his weight off of the bed, relying completely on his legs. Once again, the wounded muscles blared in protest against the weight, however, he discovered that it was easily bearable compared to the countless other injuries he had suffered. Next, his task was to walk out of the inn and to wherever it is that he decided; all he knew is that he didn't want to be here any longer.
He took his first painful step, then halted for a moment, reconsidering if it was even worth it. Then he thought of something that might have been able to help, though he wasn't sure how much it would at this point. He summoned his materia to cast a cure spell on himself, and was surprised that it did slightly help. He repeated this procedure a couple more times and found that it was much easier to walk, however, he could feel that the pain was slowly coming back, but it shouldn't be unbearable at least until he got out of the inn.
Vincent opened his door quietly and closed it in the same fashion, and was glad to discover that his room was on the first floor, so that he wouldn't have to struggle going down any steps. "Hey, mister!" exclaimed a young woman behind the counter. "Aren't you that sick guy?"
Vincent didn't answer instead just ignored her and casually walked out, or at least as casually as he could. He could feel the pain start coming back and before long he had to walk with a limp. Once Vincent was out of the inn, he leaned against the wall of the building, and once again began to reconsider going back inside, and rest until he was a little better, maybe only until noon tomorrow, and then leave them. No, Vincent thought to himself. I've burdened them enough with my existence… no need to force them to waste their time for me.
Vincent used another cure spell on himself and then managed to walk away a little further, however, instead of going out the ordinary way, he went out between the inn and the bordering home. He went a little ways away and then rested against a tree and collapsed, then rested his head against the tree and closed his eyes. One more night, Vincent thought. One more day and I'll be ready to hunt Sephiroth. I work much better alone anyway, I wouldn't be in this situation if I had been alone.
Which once again raises the question, that strange part of himself thought. If you truly were a monster, and had no feelings, why did you stay behind and risk your life for young Miss Lockhart?
Silence, Vincent demanded to himself. I wish not to think of it… I just want to sleep.
Just want to sleep? he asked himself. Sounds like you haven't changed at all; sleep won't help your problems.
Just for now, Vincent bargained with himself. Just for a couple hours, give me a couple more hours of recovery…
I suppose… that strange part of himself said, then retreated into the back of his mind yet again.
Vincent cleared his mind; thinking of this would only cause him more problems, even more than he all ready had. Vincent then slept, however, he wouldn't sleep for long.
Tifa slowly awoke just as the sun was beginning to rise, making the sky a beautiful reddish-orange. Morning already? Tifa thought, then turned to the bed Vincent was sleeping in.
"Oh my god!" Tifa exclaimed the instant she saw that Vincent wasn't lying in his bed. "Vincent?!" She called, wondering if he was in the bathroom or something, but when there was no reply, she dashed out of her room and into Cloud's. "Cloud, Vincent's-" she started when she was surprised to discover there was no one in the room, but she saw two people out on the balcony.
Tifa was about to walk out there and tell Cloud the news, until she saw who the other person was, and what they were doing. The man was, of course, Cloud, and the other was… Aeris. Tifa watched as Cloud swiftly wrapped his arm around her waist, and then Aeris looked up at him, and Cloud looked down at her. She watched as they stared into each other's eyes, and then slowly inched together, until their lips finally locked into a passionate kiss.
Tifa covered her mouth to muffle her sobs, and then dashed out of her room and quickly wiped her eyes. "Cloud…" she mumbled and she quickly dried her eyes. Not now… Tifa thought, thinking frantically. Vincent's missing! And in his condition, who knows what could happen? I can worry about this later, first I have to find Vincent…
Tifa then turned back but instead of going into Cloud's room, she went into Barret's, and discovered that he was sharing a room with Cait Sith, and she exclaimed: "Barret! Cait Sith! Vincent's missing!"
"What?!" Barret exclaimed, jumping up from his spot. She glanced over him, wearing nothing but his muscle shirt and some boxers, and noticed that he had repaired his gun-arm. "He's missing?!"
"Yeah!" Tifa cried. "Get dressed, I'll tell Yuffie and Red XIII!"
"Aight!" Barret exclaimed, dashing over to his things.
Tifa then ran out of the room and into Yuffie's and Red XIII's. "Guys wake up!" Tifa cried.
"What is it…?" Yuffie groggily mumbled, looking at the clock on her nightstand. "Tifa, its 6:20 AM!"
"Vincent's missing!" Tifa exclaimed, instantly making Yuffie's protest falter.
"Vincent's gone?" Red XIII asked, standing on all four legs. "In his condition, he couldn't have gotten too far, that is unless the Turks snuck back and captured him."
"No!" Tifa exclaimed in disbelief. "Vincent would never let that happen!"
"Tifa, he was very weak," Red XIII reasoned, although he knew Tifa was in no state to listen to reasoning. "In his condition, I would be surprised if he could even move, much less fight."
"But, you didn't see him yesterday!" Tifa exclaimed. "He fought so powerfully… he was like… like…" a guardian angel, Tifa thought.
"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter," Red XIII said, stepping out of bed and Yuffie already wielding her boomerang.
"Red XIII, you go get Cloud and Aeris," Tifa commanded. "I'm gonna go out and look for Vincent, Cloud can tell you guys what to do."
"Alright!" Yuffie exclaimed, follow Red XIII into Cloud's and Aeris's room, while Tifa ran to the entrance of the inn, and saw a young woman working at the counter.
"Did you see the man I was with yesterday come through here?!" Tifa cried at the person, realizing how hysterical she sounded, and then slightly calmed down. "Remember him? He was really injured!"
"Yeah, he did," the woman told him. "He must have recovered pretty quickly, because he was able to limp out of here."
"Do you know where he went?!" Tifa exclaimed.
"No," the woman shook her head. "Sorry, but I asked him, because I was kinda worried too, ya know, but he didn't say anything."
"All right…" Tifa said, looking down, feeling incredibly stupid for not taking good enough care of Vincent and allowing him to leave so easily. "Thanks anyway."
Tifa then hurried outside, and looked hurriedly around the town center, but didn't see him. Red XIII was right, Vincent couldn't have gotten very far, Tifa thought, her mind racing to think of the most logical place the gunslinger would hide. But he's not an idiot, he would hide somewhere… somewhere out of sight and where he wouldn't draw attention…
Tifa then remembered that she and her team hid in an alleyways the previous day and that worked pretty well. So first, she decided that she would check alleyways. First, she checked between the inn and a bordering home, didn't see anything right away and was just about to continue running, but then she instantly stopped, and then looked again. He wasn't hiding between the inn and the home, but further down, she could see him leaning against a tree.
"Vincent!" she cried, and then ran for Vincent.
"Vincent!" some shouted, taking him out of his dream… or rather nightmare.
Vincent's hand instantly reached for his gun and tore it out of the holster, and, before even seeing the person, aimed directly at the shouter, and then his crimson eyes shot open.
However, not even the gun frightened the shouter, and the person tackled him, and for the first second he thought that this person was trying to kill him and almost grabbed her by the neck with his bronze claw. But then he could smell the attacker's hair, and it smelled like strawberries, then looked down and saw that it was Tifa, and then dropped his claw and reholstered his gun before she seemed to notice.
Then Tifa let go of him, remembering that he was severally injured in his stomach and chest, and mumbled, "Sorry…"
"It's all right," Vincent replied in his usual uncaring tone. He actually felt glad that she had embraced him like that… wait what? You care about her, said that unknown part of his mind. Deny it all you want, you know it's true.
Silence, Vincent mentally hissed. "What are you doing here?" asked the injured man, though his injuries seemed much better than before.
"I was looking for you!" Tifa exclaimed and then looked like she was about to hug him again, but stopped herself.
"…" Vincent was clearly perplexed, it even slightly showed on his face. "Why?"
"What?! I was worried about you, of course!"
"… Don't be…"
"But, I am…" Tifa muttered, looking down. "I'm sorry, I know you want to be alone, but…"
"Don't worry about me," Vincent told her. "I wish to go on alone, if that's all right with you."
"No!" Tifa exclaimed. "I mean, you saved me last night… I don't want you to leave…"
"Why?" Vincent retorted. "I'm only causing your team to halt their journey even more. Besides, I work much better alone."
"I guess, but…" Tifa muttered, looking down. She could feel water starting to swell up in her eyes, but she didn't know why, she barely knew him, it's not like she… loved him… "If it wasn't for you, I would be dead…"
"…" Vincent looked into her lovely, honey brown eyes. She is beautiful… Vincent thought.
See, even you can't deny that you care about her.
She's beautiful, that doesn't mean I care about her. I care for no one.
Yes, yes, of course. No one.
That is correct.
"I…" Tifa said, then instantly correct herself. "We need you, Vincent."
"No you don't," Vincent reassured her. "I will only cause you more pain. All around me suffer."
"No, that's not true, Vincent!" Tifa exclaimed. "How could you even think that?!"
"I am a monster, Tifa," Vincent told her in his strict, cold voice. "I can not cause happiness… only pain…"
"Vincent, please don't say that," Tifa told him, looking into his hauntingly beautiful crimson eyes, and grasping his human hand. "It isn't the truth, and you know it."
What is it with her and taking my hand? Vincent asked himself.
It's because she cares about you, Vincent, that mysterious part of him told himself. She thinks of you as a friend, play your cards right and you could be even more.
Nonsense, Vincent immediately told himself. If she gets any closer she will see me for the monster that I truly am. Besides, I won't allow her to get any closer.
You're always putting barriers in front of yourself. If you want to feel any better for yourself, you have to ask for help, and she definitely seems like someone who would listen.
I'm not going to tell them anything. Once, if we defeat Sephiroth and Shinra, then I'll leave them.
I thought you were leaving them now.
…
"…" Vincent was silent, and then realized that he must have been looking into her eyes for at least a good minute now as he argued inwardly with himself. "Why Tifa? Why do you want me to stay?"
"Because you…" Tifa murmured. Because you what? Because you are incredibly handsome? Because I want to help you? Because I want to love you? all these went through Tifa's mind, but then she came up with the lamest of them all. "You're my friend. And I care about you."
Vincent, then remembering that his hand was still in her grasp, he could feel her beautiful heat warm his cold hand, and tore his hand away. He knew he didn't deserve it. "Well don't," Vincent concluded, standing from his spot with some struggle, but not nearly as much as he had struggled the previous night, and then turned away from her.
"Vincent please," Tifa told him, her eyes starting to become watery. "Please… don't leave…"
"Tifa…" Vincent spoke, looking into her eyes for a moment then being unable to stand the look and turned his gaze to his boots.
"Please," Tifa told him, almost begging. "I want to help you."
Vincent then slowly returned his look into her moist, though still very beautiful, eyes and said, "You have many problems yourself, Tifa."
"Wh-what do you mean?" Tifa asked, taking a defensive step back.
"You put up barriers that may fool the others," Vincent told her, staring her down with his cold, red eyes. "But not me. I can see right through them. I can see how much you are suffering whenever you see Cloud and Aeris together."
"I know, but…" Tifa muttered. "I…"
"I shall stay," Vincent then told her. "But let's ask how your teammates feel first."
"Really?!" Tifa exclaimed, looking up into her eyes with hope, however, his eyes were completely unchanged, even by the glee in her eyes and voice. His eyes were hauntingly beautiful, but cold and emotionless nonetheless.
"As long as your teammates agree," Vincent concluded.
"Thanks!" Tifa exclaimed, then turned back towards the inn, however, she saw the rest of the team all ready walking towards them, Barret and Red XIII in the lead, and then, directly behind them… … … Cloud and Aeris, with his arm wrapped around Aeris's waist.
Tifa instantly fell silent and looked down at her feet. She took a deep breath (Vincent, of course, noticed all these actions) and looked back up, with a large, false smile on her face. "Jes where were you?!" Barret exclaimed.
"I left," Vincent simply said.
"You seem fully recovered," Cloud told him, putting his arm back to his side, and stepping in front of the others.
"Not fully recovered," Vincent corrected. "But I am close to a full recovery."
"How did you recover so damn fast?!" Barret bellowed at the ex-Turk.
"The Jenova cells within me," Vincent explained. "As well as the countless other chemicals which Hojo injected into me."
"Yeah, Barret, calm down" Aeris commanded to the brute. "Remember, he did just save Tifa's life."
"Yeah, you're right…" Barret grumbled, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I guess… Thanks Vince…"
The stoic gunslinger nodded. He was surprised that the man had finally accepted him and hoped that the nickname Vince would become more used than the nickname Vinny.
"So why did you leave?" Yuffie asked.
"I was a burden upon the group," Vincent told the young ninja.
"What?" Yuffie asked, completely confused by the statement. "How?"
Vincent crossed his arms and looked away, turning his face to a slight scowl, "It doesn't matter."
"…" the young ninja said nothing, she felt so hurt by Vincent's words, and the way he had given her the cold shoulder. "Umm, alright…"
"Regardless of my reasoning," Vincent said, looking back at the group. "You now can make a decision."
"What is that?" Cloud asked.
"You can all vote," Vincent told them. "If I may stay or if I should go."
"Didn't we all ready do this?" Aeris asked. "Back at the mountains, we all agreed you could come with us, Vincent. And since then you've only proven yourself more of an asset to our team."
"Yeah," Cloud agreed.
"So, you're staying," Tifa told him, then turned to the group. "Right?"
"Yes, naturally," Red XIII told them.
"O' course," Barret agreed.
"All right, he's coming!" Yuffie exclaimed. "Now let's get moving all ready!"
"Wait, lets ask Cid if we can use the Tiny Bronco as a ship," Cloud told them. "Seeing as how it's pretty unusable as it is now anyway."
"Oh yeah," said Tifa, remembering that she had no idea what happened to the plane. "What did happen after you guys left yesterday?"
"Our plane was shot down," Cloud told Tifa and Vincent. "One of the Turks must of shot the engine just right, but fortunately we crashed into the water, so we were all ok. And once we realized you two weren't with us, we all ran back."
"N' now we're gonna go ask Cid if we can keep da ship," Barret told them. "He can't use it anyways."
"Well, shall we go then?" Red XIII suggested.
"Yeah," Cloud nodded, then spun around and led the group back towards town, of course, with Aeris by his side.
Tifa's false smile instantly turned into a frown once everyone turned around and headed off, however, she didn't seem to realize that Vincent was still there. The minute she could feel his crimson eyes on her, she turned, slightly confused, then deeply blushed, and smiled. Vincent, not saying anything, simply turned away from her and followed the rest of the team towards the town, and an embarrassed Tifa followed.
"-And so we were wondering if we could use the Tiny Bronco," Cloud finished his fairly short explanation.
"And just who the hell do you think will be operating that thing?!" Cid exclaimed angrily. "You?! Hell no! You need an experienced pilot! If you're takin' my baby, you're takin' me too!"
Cloud turned and looked at the group, and then asked: "What do you think guys?"
Vincent, who was leaning against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest, was, surprisingly, the first to speak up, "Do whatever you wish."
"Yeah he can come!" Yuffie then shouted. "Whatever, let's just go!"
"Alright," Cloud said with a smile on his face. "Let's go then!"
"Good," Cid grinned. "I've been wantin' to get back at Shinra now for a while. And I've been dyin' to use my spear, it's been quite a while," Cid told them, picking up a spear which was leaning against the wall. "It may take me a little while to warm up, but you can trust me, I'm good as hell!"
"Good," Cloud said, turning to the door. "Let's go, guys."
The team left the house, they all seemed anxious to get out of the town. This, however, didn't surprise Vincent the least bit, when he was working as a Turk, he had to travel all the time and when he had to stay in a town for a while, he often got restless and bored of the place, and he imagined the team must be reacting the same way.
"So, the Temple of the Ancients, right Cid?" Cloud asked.
"Damn straight," Cid smirked.
"The Temple of the Ancients…" Aeris said with a slight chill going down her spine. "I don't like the sound of that…"
Cloud wrapped his arm across her shoulders and brought her closer to him, "It's alright Aeris, I'll make sure nothing bad happens."
Aeris looked up at him and smiled, "Thank you, Cloud…"
For a second, Tifa was convinced that they were going to kiss, but then, thankfully, Cid spoke up and said, "Oh yeah, that reminds me!"
"What is it?" Cloud said, breaking his gaze on Aeris to look at the pilot.
"That damn kid president said somethin' about them needin' a key to get in," Cid told him.
"A key…?" Cloud wondered, thinking where they could possibly find a key for the temple.
"Maybe there's some sort of dealer who owns one," Red XIII suggested.
"Oh yeah!" Yuffie jumped excitedly in the air. "I remember! There was a weapons dealer near Gongaga! He had a whole bunch of weird crap!"
"Gongaga, huh?" Cid muttered, seeming to calculate the distance in his head.
"How long do you think it'll take, Cid?" Cloud asked.
"Uhh… well I ain't too sure how well the ship'll work…" Cid said, still thinking in his head. "But I'd say about… three days… certainly no more than four."
"Three days at sea?!?!" Yuffie cried. "Oh man…"
Vincent raised an eyebrow that Tifa noticed, so she clarified, "Yuffie has really bad motion sickness."
"I see…" Vincent murmured, making a mental note to avoid Yuffie, more than he usually would at least.
"Well, guys," Cloud said, looking bravely towards the barely visible ocean on the horizon. "Let's mosey."
Another chapter finally finished!
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