Chapter 4-The Journey Commences
Disclaimer-I do not own these characters or the FFVII series
Warnings- mild violence, mild language, and if you haven't figured it out by now: YAOI. Also slight OOC
Summary-Vincent is being "stalked" by a mysterious man who claims to know how to find out about their past. Vincent wants nothing to do with it until they become caught in a sticky situation at the restaurant.
Sephiroth clutched Vincent's arm, pulling him within hearing range of his low voice. It was a ghost of a whisper, barely audible to Vincent had he not seen the motion of the ivory man's lips. As Sephiroth's lips parted he calmly voiced…
"You have two options. Either you go along with me to find out about whatever happened to us, or, I leave on my own while you try to get out of this sticky situation." Vincent wasn't sure what to think at this point. To him, the choices were either get wrapped up with this mad man or loose his life to the ShinrA Police. He decided to choose the less lethal of the two.
"Fine" Vincent whispered back "I'll help you, just get us outta here!" Sephiroth's only reply was a simple smirk as he released the other man's arm. He slowly stood and the officers raised their weapons in anticipation of what he might do next.
"Tell me," Sephiroth spoke "do you all honestly believe you can overtake me with those?" He lazily gestured toward their guns. "See if your bullets can defend you against this!"
In a flash his Masamune was drawn and easily sliced through the barrels of the shotguns, falling to the floor in a loud clatter. The Soldiers stared at their only means of protection lying on the floor in shredded scraps of metal. While they were distracted, the silver haired man took the opportunity to escape. Grasping Vincent by the wrist, sheathing his sword, Sephiroth walked swiftly out of the door as the people around them stared in awe. By the time they reached the street, the more timid of the two men regained his composure and began to question his savior.
"How did you….how is that even possible?!?" He was beginning to regret his decision. If the huge sword could cut through heavy machinery like butter, what would happen to him if he angered the swordsman? He began to think it may have been better to chance defending himself against the Soldier.
"With much practice and skill my friend" he replied as if it was as simple as that, without breaking his steady pace. He didn't realize that it wasn't every day that you could see a man take down ten guns with a single sweep of his blade.
"Well, what now? I doubt I can go back to work any time soon, and where exactly do you plan on starting the search for the past?" Vincent was clearly uneasy about the whole situation with an air of regret. He had, however, made a promise to Sephiroth and he planned to keep it.
"We need to head towards the mountains. There is a town there that might have what we're looking for. It would be best to leave as soon as possible, so collect whatever you need to bring." Looking up, Vincent noticed they had reached his apartment and took a step, heading up the stairs. Sephiroth continued "I'll be back in an hour. Be ready by then". He turned without waiting for a reply and headed down the street. Burgundy eyes followed him until he disappeared behind the corner.
As promised, Sephiroth reappeared exactly an hour later. He didn't seem to be carrying anything except for one light bag and of course his humongous sword.
"That's all you're brining? Maybe I over packed then…" A light pink spread across his cheeks as he glanced at his bag brimming with his belongings. "Exactly how far are we traveling anyway?" he continued.
"If we set a good pace, we should be there by nightfall if not…" Sephiroth trailed off unsure of what he was going to say.
"Wait!" Vincent interrupted "You mean to tell me we're walking? Why don't we take a vehicle? Or at least rent a couple of Chocobos!?" He couldn't believe it. Does this guy even have a plan, or is he just going with the flow? I bet that bag is empty too. I swear if I hadn't made that promise, we wouldn't even be speaking right now.
"Yes, we are. It shouldn't be a problem for most men, but considering all that junk you're carrying as well as your physique…" emerald eyes scanned the slender man's frame, "it may be more trouble than it's worth."
"I can hold my own just as well as anyone" Vincent said, trying to disprove the swordsman's theory. He may be uneasy about the whole idea, but he certainly wasn't a coward. "Should we head out now?"
"After you." Sephiroth gestured towards the door. Stepping outside, shielding their eyes from the light, the two wandering spirits began their search for the truth.
As the sun began to recede behind the horizon, the only objects that could be seen throughout the plains were two contrasting figures. The platinum locks caressing the contours of a sculpted face were the complete opposite of the raven colored tresses crowning the head of his companion. Tying a burgundy cloth around his head in order to keep his bangs out of his face, Vincent was able to stay by the other man, keeping in pace with his steps.
"It's getting pretty late, Sephiroth. Maybe we should stop somewhere before it gets too dark" scanning the surroundings with his exhausted eyes, Vincent attempted to hide his inner frustration from appearing on his face. The blazing sun bore down on them all the while; extreme exhaustion and dehydration were beginning to take their toll. More strenuous than any shift Vincent had ever worked at the restaurant, the journey across the open land took every once of strength the man had. His solid boots sank into the welcoming earth with each step as he eased his way forward. The dull orange glow of the setting sun created a haze over his vision, a surreal effect encompassing the landscape. Hearing a voice, Vincent came back to his senses, acknowledging Sephiroth's delayed response to the question.
"You may be right." Sephiroth replied as he searched for the safest housing for the night when he noticed an abandoned building just beyond them in the distance. "That building looks suitable; we just need to reach it before the sun sets. Do you think you can make it?" He inquired with a bare minimum of concern. He seemed to have a very practical way of doing things. They would be able to reach the old apartments within a few minutes as long as they maintained their pace and didn't encounter any trouble along the way.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Just worry about yourself for now" Vincent replied. Although the man was a bit odd, Sephiroyh certainly didn't lack any common sense. His powerful, confident steps would make any man who dared stand against him quiver. There was the aura again, the same one Vincent felt at their first meeting. Sephiroth's hair blew in the breeze, glowing in the sunset, illuminating his figure, causing Vincent to shiver in awe. He wondered at the feathery appearance of the locks, but restrained himself from reaching out to touch them. Realizing he was being watched, the glowing figure turned to face his companion with a curious expression.
"Is something troubling you? Maybe we should just stop here…"
"No! I'm fine—besides, what would be the point when we're so close?" Vincent attempted to take the focus off of himself. Sephiroth stared at Vincent for a moment before continuing his trek forward. Within a few minutes the travelers reached their rest destination and searched the premises, making sure there was no danger awaiting them inside. Once the building was secure, they chose the topmost empty flat to set up camp. The sun continued to fade into the distance as the blue glow of the moon began to light the night. Over the crackling flames Vincent seemed hesitant to ask his acquaintance a question…
"Sephiroth…would you mind if I asked you something?" he voiced hesitantly.
"If you wish, I will try my best to answer it" he replied.
"Well…why exactly is the Soldier looking for you? And where did you learn how to wield such a weapon?" Vincent didn't usually pry into the lives of others, especially because he couldn't stand interrogations into his own. There was also the fact that he could care less about most people's lives. In this case it would be good to know a little bit about the guy he was traveling with, just to be safe.
Sephiroth thought for a minute, deciding which was the best way to give his answer. He began hesitantly to describe the circumstances that put him, or rather them, in this position:
"Heh, I haven't thought about this in quite a while. I am—actually was—a general and commander of Soldier in the ShinrA military. I was known as one of the most ruthless generals of them all and I possessed excellent sword skills as well as other talents that no other could match…that is why I'm searching for my past. If I can find some answers to my history and why I'm like…this," He gazed down at his hands clenching and unclenching his leather clad hands, "then I might be able to find piece with myself…" The swordsman trailed off as he became lost in his thoughts once again. They stood in awkward silence until Vincent took the initiative to speak first. "Wow, I had no idea—I always had this picture in my head about the military, but you don't exactly fit into the mold" He couldn't help chuckling a little, lifting the tension in the room enough for the other man to crack a smile as well. Sephiroth knew he had a strange look to him and realized someone seeing him for the first time as a general could be a little surprising.
"Wait a minute, you never cleared up why we have a warrant out for our arrest" Vincent realized, directing his full attention back to the swordsman. "Oh, yes," Sephiroth continued, "I left Soldier without the appropriate procedure…and I killed a few people…" Realizing how serious the matter was and Sephiroth's reaction to his question, Vincent decided to drop the subject for more pleasant conversation. They chatted about the normal complexities of life, tossing one joke or another when it was appropriate. All the while the fire died to a dull glow reminiscent of the sunset.
"Well, we should get some rest for our early start tomorrow" suggested Vincent. He rose, stretched his lanky arms and proceeded to the corner of the room that housed his bed. "'Night Seph" he beamed while sliding under the covers. It had been so long since he was able to hold a good conversation, let alone shoot anyone a genuine smile. Maybe this trip won't be so bad after all. I could learn a thing or two from this guy. "Goodnight Vincent" the other replied. He, however, remained by the fire, his emerald gaze lost in the flames. A vision of burning buildings flashed before his eyes, a conflagration engulfed him. Sephiroth's focus remained on the fire as Vincent's heavy eyelids slid shut for a peaceful night's rest.
A rustling in the room brought Vincent's attention out of his rest and back into reality. Drowsy eyes searched the room in an attempt to find the source of all the commotion. Shockingly, a figure stood at his bedside almost causing him to tumble to the floor. Moonlight shone across the man as he took a step forward revealing himself as Sephiroth…a completely nude Sephiroth. Silver strands covered his face so that Vincent could not see his expression, all except for a crooked smirk that graced his lips.
"Seph!? What the hell are you doing!?" Vincent voiced, not that he was complaining. He knew the ex-general was fit, but he had no idea just how sculpted his body was. Every muscle was chiseled to perfection. They seemed even more spectacular with the moonlight casting shadows in all the valleys of his chest and abdomen, giving his skin a pale glow. The nude figure slowly began approaching his companion's bed raising his head slightly to reveal his piercing eyes that seemed to pin Vincent where he sat. But something was different. They still contained the same glow they always did, but somehow there seemed to be a completely different person possessing it. It was almost animalistic.
"Sephiroth? Are you okay? You're acting weird…" in a flash his wrists were pressed into the beddings completely restrained. Bare legs pinned his torso, clenched muscles shifting beneath the smooth porcelain skin. "Am I now? I thought I always acted like this." The hairs on the back of Vincent's neck bristled as Sephiroth's warm breath danced across his throat.
"Stop it," he said "you don't know what you're doing! You must be in a daze."
"I know exactly what I'm doing" he said making eye contact. He became distracted by the gleam of the other's red eyes. His eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Vincent took the opportunity and knocked out the mad man with a quick jab to the stomach. Everything went black; his limp body fell to the ground while the darker figure sat up gasping for breath.
Shit! What the hell's going on? He never mentioned anything about a split personality. Vincent thought to himself. As he watched the limp body lying on the ground he wondered what to do next. Stepping out of bed he lifted the man up and carried him over to his own cot. Sephiroth was pretty heavy, but not as bulky as one would expect from his build. After covering him with his comforter and keeping a close eye to make sure he didn't try anything, Vincent returned to the fire tossing in a few more twigs from the pile.
Beams of light filtered into the room through the openings in the walls. Pale eyelashes fluttered as Sephiroth opened his eyes trying to remember where he was. Suddenly he sat up realizing he was naked in a strange room. Pounding headaches blurred his vision as memories of a dark room and a cold, stainless steel table flooded back to him. There was a bright light shining on his face, but he couldn't avert his eyes as a figure loomed over him. In a flash, Sephiroth came back to his senses and looked around the room. He saw Vincent sitting near the extinguished fire, breathing deeply in peaceful sleep. If he remembered correctly, he had been the one by the fire when Vincent went to sleep--how did they end up like this? Dressing himself once again, Sephiroth stepped toward the fire to join his companion. Vincent regained consciousness when he noticed someone moving towards him and jumped to his feet ready to defend himself or attack, whichever one was neccissary. Sephiroth was surprised to see such a reaction, beginning to realize what may have happened.
"I didn't mean to startle you", he said trying to calm his friend down, "I was only trying to restock the fire". "I don't believe you" Vincent replied. "What was that stunt you pulled last night!? You damned near scared me out of my mind."
The ex-general sighed "I'm not sure, that hasn't happened for a very, very long time. I never remember what happens during those spells."
"What do you mean you don't remember!? You attacked me." Vincent snapped in irritation. This man could have killed him without being able to recall any of it! It was a very scary situation on both their parts, but more than any Vincent's.
Jade eyes stared at the ground, appearing just as confused as Vincent felt "I know, yet another inconvenience I need to solve through my past. Now do you see why your help is so crucial? You may not know me that well, Vincent, but it is extremely rare that I need anyone's help. If you would rather not continue, I understand".
Loosening his headscarf, Vincent ran a hand through his messy locks. He could tell Sephiroth was sincere in what he said, but there was still some hesitance about the whole situation. Already quite a ways away from home, the gunman didn't have much of a choice but to continue. He was beginning to have his own curiosity toward his past as well as how it relates to this other man. Tying his scarf back on with a knot, Vincent dusted himself off and held out a hand to Sephiroth.
"Okay, I'm willing to see this thing through to the end, but you need to be honest with me so we can have an understanding of each other. Ok…partner?" Sephiroth offered his own hand in return with a gleam of a smile in his eye even though it refused to show on his face.
"Fine with me, partner. I hope you understand what you're doing, because from here on out there's no turning back. This is your last chance to leave" The swordsman said in a sly voice.
"I know, but it's a chance I'm willing to take" Vincent smiled back. Not the same cheeky smile as before, but a smile none the less. The two spent the rest of the morning eating breakfast and casually discussing whatever came to mind. Soon afterwards they packed up their belongings and prepared for the journey ahead of them. The mountains Sephiroth spoke of were just beyond the horizon. The two travelers decided to reach them before dusk in order to find the town that held the secret to their enigma, a little mountain town named Nibleheim.
Author's note: I hope it met your expectations after the long wait ;. As promised this chapter is a lot longer (at least compared to the others) and I tried to include more back story from both perspectives. Reviews are greatly appreciated and as always, I'm still looking for a beta reader so if you're interested let me know! Thanks again.
XOXO