Silent Angel

Author: Spellspinner Vincent Valentine

Rating: M – for Cid's language mostly…and possible scenarios in later chapters…

Pairing: Vincent/Yuffie post DoC

Warnings: Romance/Angst (nothing too serious). If you don't like the pairing please just don't read. I have a very good counter flamer willing to help me so no flames… consider yourself warned.

AN: Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed. You guys really help motivate me to keep writing. And thank you Cyllwen for helping me with the chapter name. I feel like I used up all my good ones heh.

Note: Italics are the thoughts of people; bold italics are the thoughts of Chaos.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except this fanfic and the odd idea I had behind it. Vincent and Yuffie are not mine nor are the other Final Fantasy characters. Vincent, Yuffie, and all the Final Fantasy VII characters are the property of their respective owners.

Amor Consilium – Love Advice much thanks to you Cyllwen.

Please read, review, and enjoy.

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Chapter 4

Amor Consilium I

The dawn came, entirely too soon in Vincent's opinion. If he could force the sun back into darkness, he would have. He could not linger once Yuffie began to stir and yet, watching her sleep all night, so peacefully, made him completely unwilling to leave. But I have to…I can not stay. I am going to go mad if I do. So, once the distant ocean began to sparkle with the first rays of sunlight, Vincent bent down and whispered, "…I will return…I promise…" in Yuffie's ear before turning and exiting through the window. Her hurried to where Shiryu was tethered, hidden completely from sight, and quickly mounted the chocobo. His chocobo was one of the most intelligent ever bred at the ranch, so when Vincent leaned forward and muttered, "Rocket Town." he simply sat back, grasped the reins, it was no surprise when Shiryu took off at top speed toward Rocket Town. He was grateful he had managed to get Shiryu as his own personal chocobo. Having such an intelligent companion made travel faster and to be honest, a bit more enjoyable.

The only problem now would be talking to Cid about all this, without blowing his cover. Cid was after all, a bit like an obnoxious uncle to Yuffie. No matter how often he called her a brat or a little punk, Cid worried about Yuffie like a father would worry about his daughter or an uncle his niece. How on earth would tell Cid that he could very well be in love with a girl more than twenty years younger than him? What would he think of me?

He'd think you had problems…but that is nothing new.

Vincent sighed. He had said Chaos was free to do as he pleased in the morning. I do have problems. Yuffie is only twenty years old. I am-

Did I not already tell you? Your age has little to do with this. Women younger than her have-

I know, I know, have married men older than me.

What will you tell the mortal?

I have no idea…What would he tell Cid? If Cid drank enough he might not notice who they were talking about. Vincent shook his head slightly. It would be a sad state of affairs if I had to get a good friend drunk just to fell comfortable telling him something. If Cid asked anything about the woman who now held Vincent's heart, he would simply answer vaguely. That would be expected of him after all. Vague words and short simple answers would do the trick.

You really seem to think this will go well…

One can only hope Chaos. Vincent's eyes narrowed slightly against the heavy mist of the sea. Such mists where common in the mornings around the Rocket area. Or so he had heard from Cid. He knew by the dark shadows in the mist that he was nearing the coastline. Nearing the coast meant it was only about an hour's ride to Rocket Town. Vincent looked up at the sky through the heavy sea mist. He had departed Wutai at approximately five in the morning; it was now at least eight. Fast and reliable or not, by chocobo, crossing the sea still took a few hours. The usually five hour trip was cut down drastically by Shiryu's speed and endurance.

Twenty minutes later Shiryu stepped onto the cooler coast line of the Rocket area. The once underdeveloped area had boomed in the past year. There was a small town near the coast, mainly full of scientists, that was dedicated to studying oceanic life. Reeve had supposedly put up most of the gil for the construction of the deep sea laboratory there as well as most of the small town's ground structures. The town was high-tech somewhat like Edge, but not as cluttered, and known to be home to the top Oceanographers in the world. The town was rightfully called Oceana and the WRO was seeing to it that the town was well maintained and operated effectively.

Not to far from Oceana was another small town. It was mostly a farming town and more a village than anything else. Vincent noticed it as he passed on Shiryu. It was a small place, probably only fifty residents, but all of them worked a massive farm and provided most of the Rocket Area with its agricultural needs.

The hour passed and Rocket Town came into sight. The town had recovered well from the rocket launch and had managed to fare well when Deepground surfaced. Minimal structural damage had been done to the town, and rumor had it, it was repaired within weeks. Rocket Town was however, much larger than it had been. Like Kalm, it had grown exponentially after Meteorfall, mainly to accommodate the evacuees from Midgar.

Cid had been elected, by the entire town, as the mayor of the town. Half a year ago he had heard the news from Cid only weeks before Shelke had died. Cid was thrilled and Shelke and Yuffie pestered him to go visit Cid and Shera. Everyone showed up for Cid's inauguration speech, and not a single person was surprised by the pilot's constant cursing. Cid would always be Cid, no sense trying to change that fact. Cloud had said something along those lines while laughing at the pilot. Tifa had shook her head and rolled her eyes.

Vincent couldn't help but smile slightly. Rocket Town brought back a few good and if nothing else, interesting, memories. He decided to stop in at a small restaurant to eat before going to see Cid. From what he could recall, Cid was never up before noon, even when Yuffie threw materia at him or doodled on his face with shaving cream. Having the time to kill, Vincent ordered breakfast, something he hadn't done in a long time. Eating would probably ease his nerves a bit. He listened to the news on the television as he ate. The WRO had managed to locate an underwater cavern of condensed, crystallized mako, possibly the largest site ever discovered. Yuffie would be thrilled to hear that… The WRO reported that the site would be mined (not in its entirety) due to the high quality and quantity of curative materia located in the cavern. According to the report a few sick divers had been cured of their ailments on contact with the powerful materia pieces they researched at the deep sea research center.

Finally, some good news in the world… He thought listening to some strange story about undersea ruins located by the WRO. Reeve was ordering an investigation of the ruins, believed to be built by the Cetra. "The more we know about the planet, the more we can do to keep it safe." He heard Reeve say in the interview. "Knowing more about the past will help us shape a better future." Vincent smirked slightly and took a sip of his tea. Reeve was turning into quite the world leader and he always seemed to have his heart in the right place. He's right though…the more we know the more we can do. Knowing the past, learning from it, and accepting it, will undoubtedly help us created a better future…

Vincent remained at the restaurant, ignoring the strange stares he often received, the whispers of young girls, and the occasional "thank you for saving the world" he would get from the older patrons while waiting for the time to pass. When the time neared noon Vincent started to get up only to be slightly startled by the sound of the door being flung open.

"The hell is this I been hearin'!?" Vincent recognized the voice at once. "Someone told me Vincent friggin' Valentine was in my fuckin' town." Vincent sighed slightly. Word traveled fast…

Cid stood there looking around the restaurant, obviously not noticing Vincent as quickly as he would have liked to. Vincent was seated out of sight, in a corner. Which is exactly where I would look for myself…Vincent mused as Cid walked around the restaurant a few times before noticing him.

"Hey Vince, long damn time no see!" Cid said sitting down across from Vincent. "So where the hell've you been these past six months. We all went and looked for ya. We couldn't find a damn trace of you though."

"I needed some time to myself. Cid…you can not tell anyone I was here. I don't want anyone knowing where I am." Vincent said softly.

"Why the hell not? Yuffie's been worried fuckin' sick about ya. Tifa and Cloud been worried 'bout ya too. Why don't ya want 'em to know where the fuck you've been?"

"Cid...must you use such language?"

Cid snorted. "Hell Vince, you know I only watch my damn mouth 'round Shera and Yuffie. And I only mind it around Yuffie cuz I heard she was starting to sound too damn much like me."

Of course…Cid is Cid...he'll never change. No sense trying to make him change. "…It wouldn't surprise me if she was…" Vincent said trying to sound nonchalant, luckily for him, such was his nature and Cid suspected nothing.

Vincent was always like this, Cid thought so he was not completely surprised when Vincent had asked him not to tell anyone that he was there. Vincent took a few minutes before finally saying that he simply did not wish to cause problems for anyone. That he felt it better to just stay away for a while. Cid sighed. Yeah…but everyone's been damned worried about ya. Ah well, least we know you're alive. Guess I can't tell a damn soul though. "So I doubt you dragged your ass all the way out here just to say hello." Cid said lighting a cigarette. "Why ya here Vince?"

"I needed to talk to someone about…something." Vincent began. "Cid…you know how unlike me it is…to get close to someone."

"Damn straight it's unlike you. Hell for a while I was certain you hated everyone and everything." Cid muttered staring Vincent in the eye, trying his hardest to read the enigmatic man. Vincent however, was almost impossible to read. He was good at keeping himself guarded. Not many people knew what to think of Vincent Valentine.

"Cid…I'm going to be blunt." Vincent said lowering his gaze slightly. He was certain Cid wouldn't believe him.

"Eh…alright…" Cid said shifting slightly in his seat. Vincent was always blunt of course, yet Cid felt unnerved. Something bout the way Vince said that…

"…I think I'm falling for someone."

"Falling for- What the hell did you just say!?" Cid practically yelled. Vincent!? Falling for someone??? Now THAT was news.

"I said I think I-"

"I heard ya the first time damnit!" Cid said staring at Vincent with an incredulous look. "Seriously???"

"Yes…" Vincent said meeting Cid's gaze. The blonde pilot obviously did not believe him.

"…Then why the hell you makin' it sound like a bad thing?" Cid asked. It confused him, that Vincent would finally have some damn good news for a change and make it sound like it was the crime of the friggin century!

"It is a bad thing." Vincent answered darkly. It's the worst possible thing…I shouldn't have any feelings for her. I shouldn't feel this way and I sure as hell should not WANT to feel this way.

Cid leaned back in his seat and kicked his feet up onto the table, much to the displeasure of the restaurant's owner. "Now why's that? What could possibly be so dammed bad about it?"

"Everything." Vincent muttered. Absolutely everything is bad about this…I'm too old for Yuffie, she could find someone so much better, I would do nothing but ruin her…

"Hey!! Earth to friggin Vincent Valentine!" Cid was yelling. "I said tell me about this girl."

Vincent snapped out of his dark thoughts and stared at Cid. Tell him about her? "What do you want to know?"

"The usual Vince." This obviously was not ringing any bells with Vincent. "Alright let's keep it simple. What does she look like?"

"…Dark hair, grey eyes, about up to my shoulders." All he had to do was keep it simple and vague. It was true though. Yuffie had dark hair and grey eyes, and she had indeed gotten taller.

"Yeah…and what else?" Cid said staring Vincent dead in the eye.

"What else?" Vincent asked raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Yeah you know…what else."

Vincent tilted his head slightly and sighed. "I'm not going to give you her measurements Cid."

Cid stared at Vincent and resisted the urge to laugh. This girl's measurements weren't what he wanted to hear about. The mere fact that Vincent assumed that was hilarious to Cid. Vincent wasn't the type to jump to conclusions and he certainly wasn't the type to take notice of a woman's measurements. Cid shook his head slightly while trying to contain his laughter. Even when Vincent was drunk he wasn't the type to do that. He, Barret, and Cloud were another story, but Vincent was…Vincent. "That ain't what I meant."

"What did you mean?" Vincent said relaxing a bit. For a moment, he had been truly concerned that Cid would seriously make him confess Yuffie's measurements. Which of course I do not know…even though I could venture a guess…

"I meant what is she like? Tell me what the hell you like about this damn girl." Cid smiled slightly. "Gotta admit, I'm damn curious about what kinda girl dragged you outta your shell enough to even come talk to me. "

"What do I like about her?" Vincent thought. What did he like…no…love about Yuffie? "…Everything. The way she smiles when no one else does, the way she laughs, the way her eyes light up when something captures her attention, the way she speaks…Cid I could go on for days."

"Yeah sounds like someone's got himself a crush."

"Cid…I think I'm in love with this woman." Vincent said before he could stop himself. In love…would that be such a bad thing?

"In love eh? Then why the hell you sound so bent outta shape about it?" Cid could not for the life of him, figure out why Vincent would be so damn upset about being in love. Of course the guy had a…not so pleasant experience with love…but still, it was the greatest thing that could happen to a person. Vincent had a chance of a lifetime, and if this girl was as great as Vincent made her sound, a little leap of faith would be worth it on his part.

"She is very young…"

"Vince most women that I wouldn't smack you for liking, are gonna be a hell of a lot younger than you." Cid said before calling to a waitress for tea. "With honey and lemon!!!" He yelled after the woman who, was apparently very used Cid, for when she promptly returned with his tea she informed him that she wouldn't forget his 'damn honey and lemon'. "I mean think bout it Vince. Most women likely to attract your attention are gonna be young."

"Not this young…"

"Is she legal?" Cid asked sipping his tea.

"Yes but-"

"But nothing." Cid said setting his tea down and staring Vincent in the eye again. "Look Vincent, how much do ya like this girl?"

How much did he like Yuffie? …I'd die for her... Vincent looked at Cid. "Too much…"

"Ya love her?"

"I said I think so." Vincent looked down as he spoke. Love…the one emotion he was deathly afraid of dragging back into his life. Dragging? It snuck back on its own…

"You ain't told this girl a damn thing have ya?"

"Nothing at all…"

Cid snorted. Typical… "Well, I ain't no damn genius when it comes to women, but they don't wait around forever. Make a move while you can. You might regret it if ya don't."

Vincent looked at Cid. Regret it? Regret not trying? Would he really regret it? Of course I would… If he didn't try, the one he desired might slip away. If I don't try…she might move on… "What if…I am unsure of what I truly desire?"

"Meanin'?" Cid spoke into his tea cup and kept his eyes on Vincent.

"What if I am not certain what I want? Part of me wants her to move on. It keeps telling me she could do better; she could find someone more worthy of her. Another part of me though, tells me I am crazy for wanting her to find another and that allowing her to do so would drive me mad. I don't know what to think…I don't know what to do."

"Vince you do realize you came to the wrong person for love advice?" Cid chuckled slightly. "Hell I say just go for it. You'd be amazed how much a little leap of faith can get ya."

A little leap of faith…it was more than a 'little' leap for Vincent. More like a leap and plummet…

You are far too negative.

I am simply trying to put it into perspective. What would be a little leap of faith for a normal person...is going to be a leap and a plummet for me. I am simply not that lucky Chaos.

"…So how long you gonna be stickin' round here Vince?" Cid said loudly drawing Vincent away from his thoughts.

"Not much longer. I just needed a bit of advice…" Vincent said quietly while standing. "I appreciate what advice you've given…"

"Huh? Don't tell me you actually got something outta talking to me…" Cid joked lightly. "I told ya Vince, I ain't the best person to go to for relationship advice. Hell no one in their fuckin' right mind would come to me for love advice."

Vincent smirked slightly beneath his cloak. "I never said I was in my right mind, Cid…" I can not be in my right mind…not if I really plan to do this…

"Yeah well…you take care Vince. Don't worry I won't tell anyone you were here...Try to get in touch with the others soon, especially Yuffie. That girl hasn't quit searching for ya yet. Man, you'd think the girl was in love with ya or something."

Vincent controlled his body expertly, not letting even the faintest traces of tension show. Cid had not heard Yuffie's confession in the cavern. He did not know that Yuffie's words were still eating at Vincent, driving him a bit insane. He could hear her voice echoing like the fragments of a song one learns in youth and tries not to forget. She loved him…him… Me… "I doubt such…" Vincent answered before throwing a glance at Cid. "It was good to see you Cid…"

Cid Highwind watched as Vincent left the restaurant. "…Good to see you too Vince…" Good to know you're still alive at least.

Within the quarter hour, Vincent was on his way back to Wutai. Somehow he would have to confront every obstacle that stood in his path. He would need to accept their age difference among other things. Chaos had taken it upon himself to work Vincent through each little problem. First and foremost…Age Difference…Which is really not that great…You are what thirty? She is twenty. Ten years.

…I think you are skipping the other thirty years…

They hardly count…you locked yourself in a coffin in the cellar of a ruined manor. Most would compare that to suspended animation.

…Chaos…

Yes?

Fine...not counting the thirty years I spent in the coffin. Ten years is not that bad…

Then there was the issue of emotions. Vincent didn't open up to many people and his past constantly brought darkness into his life and heart. It would do the same for others…

You need to take this to heart. Shed what remains of the past and begin anew.

Easier said than done…

The return journey to Wutai was spent in such a way. Arguing with Chaos until, inevitably, Chaos won out most of the time. Vincent was annoyed by the fact that so much would have to change. I should not be afraid of change…so why am I frightened of what these changes will bring about?

Cid's advice had been much more useful than Chaos' advice. Cid said to just go for it. Just try. Chaos said to shed the remains of the past and begin anew. For now, trying to shed the remains of a dark past would have to be enough. For now, trying to begin anew would just have to be good enough.

Arriving in the Wutai area was more difficult than normal. Yuffie was again training on the coastline, making approach a bit difficult. She could see the entire sea, and Vincent knew if he kept on his route, eventually she would spot him. He forced Shiryu north to go around the island. Despite deciding to do something about what could be, Vincent was not ready to take his 'leap and plummet'…at least not yet…

It would take until sunset before Vincent was able to slip into Wutai unseen. He managed to slip into Yuffie's home again, completely unnoticed, or at least he thought so.

Yuffie was heading downstairs when she suddenly turned and threw several kunai at him. He was unable to dodge them all and found himself pinned to her wall. Awkward…but not at all unpleasant…he thought before looking up to meet Yuffie's stormy gaze. Her eyes were wide with shock, but behind her shocked expression he saw a glowing smile, smirk, perhaps even a grin in her eyes.

"Vincent?" She said softly stepping toward him. "Ok…you aren't going to vanish on me if I step closer are you??"

Vincent shook his head slightly. "No Yuffie…I won't." The blush that painted the young ninja's cheeks almost made him smile. There was something quite satisfying in the knowledge that merely speaking could make her blush. I shouldn't be thinking like that…

Yuffie stared at Vincent, unable to keep the blush out of her cheeks. There was something about Vincent's voice that had always driven her insane. The way he talked, the deep sound of his voice, and the way his eyes seemed to glow when he spoke sent shivers through her entire body. It took everything she had to not squeal when he talked. Yuffie had taught herself to control herself when it became quite obvious that her squeals only came after Vincent's very few and occasional words. Now though, with no one else around, she didn't try to hide the blush in her cheeks or the slight shivers running up her spine.

Slowly she stepped closer to him. Too many thoughts ran through her restless mind, and not a single one was 'decent'. Many of her thoughts involved Vincent, with significantly less clothing on. Her favorite being all the things she could do to him while he was pinned to her wall. I really thought he'd be able to dodge all those…

She moved closer and Vincent watched her, almost wishing she would step back. He had been able to accept that Yuffie was one of his darker desires. One he refused to do without. Telling her such a thing however, required careful planning. He wanted to do things right this time. Even if she already loved him, Vincent wanted Yuffie to feel the magic she made him feel.

If I ever owed her anything more than my life…I owe her the wonder and magic a person experiences when they are being courted. It was a deep and powerful magic, love. It was delicate and strong, it was wild and tame, it was dark and bright…and so help me, I will make it the most wonderful emotion she will ever experience.

Yuffie stopped before him. There was something about the look in his eyes. It was fiery, wild, and it sent more chills through Yuffie's body. Men shouldn't be allowed to have eyes like that!!!! Men shouldn't be allowed to have those damn soul piercing eyes!!! Oh, but how she loved those eyes. She was closer than Vincent normally would have been comfortable with, close enough to feel the warmth of his body and his warm breath. If she were bolder like Aerith had been, she would have kissed him, but something held her back.

Fear…She feared that he would run again. She feared that his heart was still held captive by a woman long dead. Above all however, Yuffie feared her own dark desires for the man before her. To love him seemed almost forbidden by the gods. He was such a wonderful man, dark past or not. He could have any woman he desired, and Yuffie feared that she would simply never be good enough for the man who haunted her dreams and held her heart captive.

She leaned toward him, unsure of what she was doing and almost completely unable to stop herself. Only when she was close enough to feel the pounding of his heart did she pull away. Oh gawd…I almost kissed Vincent!!! He stared at her silently, his eyes delving deeply into her very soul. She could feel it. He knew what she had almost done and why…and the fact that he knew frightened her.

"Don't go anywhere ok?" She whispered, a hint of panic surfaced in her normally confident voice.

Vincent tilted his head slightly and watched as Yuffie turned from him and ran from her home. When the door slammed shut he sighed softly. "Well that didn't exactly go as planned…" he muttered to himself.

Vincent stared longingly at the door, wishing for her to come bounding back in, full of confidence and cheer. As Vincent did so, Yuffie made her way to Da Chao. She was pulling out her phone and dialing as quickly as possible. She needed to talk to someone who would understand.

If Aerith had not died, that would have been Yuffie's first call. She stared at the number she had dialed. Tifa…You better have some damn good advice for me.