It had felt like a miracle, when Vincent woke up. It felt less of one when his son wouldn't speak a word. He hardly even left Grimoire's side, and it felt like Vincent had regressed.

The panic the man had felt when Vincent started screaming once he realized Grimoire was gone.

It was only meant for a moment, Vincent had gone back to sleep… but it was evident that Vincent did not want to be without Grimoire. Grimoire still had the bruises his son had left, trying to keep his father by his side.

"The people call him a hero. A savior." Nina spoke, as they watched Vincent cautiously lay down next to Nanaki.

At least Vincent still wanted to interact with his young friend. However that interaction my be.

"I don't know how to feel about that." He replied truthfully.

There was no concrete emotion that could have a name be put to it.

"I'm inclined to not like their talk." Her mouth could not frown. Yet it could be heard in her voice.

"Neither am I." Seto lowly rumbled, laying next to his love.

Bandages were wrapped around where his paw once was. Seto was advised to stay in one place, as he was not used to walking on three legs. At least until the healers felt he was strong enough to start to learn again. Seto had wanted to speak with Grimoire, as they had much to catch up. So Grimoire managed to coax Vincent to walk with him to the family of three's dwelling.

"Oh?" Grimoire turned to the two.

"We know that Chaos… does not have good intentions. Or whatever we consider good." Nina spoke slowly. "We have uncovered that Chaos is inclined to dance with death. And that curious Materia we found might be connected in some way."

"I could feel the power. The blood thirst. A true predator." A deep breath in and out. "Your Vincent should still be in there, somewhere. Or else I could possibly not still be here. It was rather… frightening."

They were silent once more.

"I… am hesitant to try anything with that materia." Grimoire finally spoke again. "I don't know what it can do. But I do know that I do not wish to remain here."

Two pairs of heads turned to him.

"I think… it would be best if my son and I leave."

"… are you sure?" Nina asked. "You and I can head back to the cave once more. Get another through look."

The man shook his head. "We might've taken as much as we could there. I don't think there's any more clues."

Nina hesitated. "If you're sure."

There was no hesitation when he nodded. However in his heart he knew that this was an excuse. There was a chance that he missed some things. Crucial things. Yet he didn't dare leave Vincent alone again, or take him back to that cave. Staying in the Canyon was just not wise.

Brown eyes watched as a pale hand inched closer to a tiny paw. Brown hair turning black shifted over glowing red eyes. Red eyes that glanced over to where Grimoire was. To ensure that he was still there.

They will leave in two days.

"No."

Pale hands gripped on red fur ever so slightly more.

He couldn't sigh. He wouldn't. But oh how did he want to. "I'm sorry Vincent, but you absolutely cannot bring Nanaki with you." Is what he did instead.

There was an uncomfortable silence as the little one shuffled in Vincent's hold.

"Nanaki is still a child. He needs to stay here with his parents. In his home." Grimoire explained as soothingly as he could.

There was sadness in Vincent's eyes. A slight frown graced his son's features. He loosened his grip only a little.

"We will come back and visit. This isn't a permanent farewell." He reassured.

Nina went over to Grimoire's side, eyeing the children. He wasn't sure how the conversation with her mate will go when Seto learns of this. Most likely wish he was there to help convince Vincent to not take his son.

"When Nanaki is old enough, he may join you on any adventure you wish to go, as long as he wishes to go as well. He will be stronger then, and more wise. As for now he is still young. As his mother I would prefer for him to stay with me and his father so we may protect him."

A moment.

Vincent let go.

Good to know that Nina alone was enough to be the final nail.

Nanaki rubbed his face against Vincent's one last time, before he ran over to his mother.

"Thank you Vincent. I know it's hard, but it's the right thing to do." Grimoire said, as he walked in to give a hug.

His poor boy sagged within his arms. A moment later he pulled away to corral Vincent to the vehicle with their belongings.

It would be a long way to Corel. And it would not make things easier to stall their departure.

Perhaps they had found something in the mines there.

It was doubtful, but perhaps it was small enough to help Vincent heal in peace for a while. Gongaga was similar, and who knows what clues could've been hiding in a jungle…

However from what Grimoire last heard, there were talks of building a Mako Reactor there. If it was true then there would be Shinra employees. He just wouldn't take that chance.

So Corel it was.

He just hopes that it wouldn't be that too small of a town. He glanced over to Vincent, staring outside the window as he drove through the rocky landscape.

After all, rumors tend to fly fast in small towns. His mind flickered back to Nibelheim. He also hopes that any rumors of him and Vincent never gets spread out of that place.

Heyyyyyy I'm back. Sorry everyone, life has been pulling me to different fandoms, work, family stuff, and just not long ago a new puppy! This chapter is roughly the size of other chapters mainly because I just couldn't exactly think of what else to put in and how to execute it lol

Currently debating on if next chapter would be a camping chapter or if we dive right into Corel. Anyways, hope you liked the chapter! Have a great day!