Threads of Memories
A/N: See? I updated. Now, quit sending me death threats please. x; Can't a girl write in peace?
Full Summary: Yuffie wakes up to find herself 26 years back in the past after being blinded by a bright light in Lucrecia's Cave. She meets Vincent's father Grimoire Valentine and Vincent himself much to her surprise. She doesn't know how to get back to the present and somehow ends up forced to be a turk.
'I trust you, but not that much." –Vincent Valentine
Chapter Three: Job Proposition
The chair creaked as the girl shifted uncomfortably in it. The metal cuffs jingled the more she moved her arms as they were wrapped around the back of chair. Her ankles were coiled by a piece of rope due to her kicking the guards that tried to hold her down, in the face and various tender places that sent them crumbling to their knees. She grumbled to herself before winching at the pain in her upper thigh in her right leg. Warm blood running down along her leg slowly from the broken skin.
"I still can't believe he shot me..." She sighed.
Yuffie lifted her head looking around at her surroundings. Upon examination, she was in a small room. There wasn't really much of anything in the room besides a empty chair across from her. There was a funny smell in the room that made her noise turn up in disgust. Her vision lowered down to the floor as she noticed faint dark spots on the floor. It was mostly around where she was sitting. A roll of sweat ran down the side of her face as she swallowed the salty lump in her throat. Yuffie then had a pretty good idea what this room was for. It was a holding room for a spy, terrorist, and etc. Whatever you did to piss off the government or city you were brought into here for 'thorough' questioning. In wutai, if someone was caught spying or was a traitor to their own country they'd be tied to a post in front of the pagoda for everyone to see. A deep cut imbedded into their skin opening the flesh wide. They'd do this once every hour until traitor would speak. Sometimes, they might even latch you to one of the statues of Da Chao and let you fry in the sun with the predators of the mountains roaming about hungrily.
Yuffie's head perked up at the soft click of the bolt in the knob turning. Her eyes narrowed as the door swung open as two figures walked into the room. She immediately recognize one of them as Vincent, though she didn't know who the other man was. He did however look familiar. Upon looking him over, she could tell he was also a turk by the uniform he wore. He had long raven hair that reached past hsi shoulders, but it was pulled back into a pony tail. A red dot was in the middle of his head as it was a significant trait of what heritage he was. The man eyed Yuffie for a moment before he circled her slowly like a hawk. His index finger and thumb rubbing his chin slowly.
"Why don't you take a picture? It'll last longer." Yuffie said, annoyed by his intense gaze on her.
"Such a charming woman." He said dryly turning his attention to Vincent, "Report Valentine."
"Sir." He saluted putting his hand back to his side. "Suspect was caught on the 57th floor where she was with Grimoire Valentine. No harm was done to the scientist, though suspicions says that the girl might have attempted to try to kidnap Grimoire."
"That's bull crap!" Yuffie yelled at him wanting so badly to slug Vincent for saying something like that. "I don't have a reason to kidnap anyone!"
"The facts says otherwise, Ms. Kisaragi." Vincent said.
"Oh, sure. I knew I was being tracked down by guards and SOLDIERS. So, I ducked into the ShinRa building seeing as it was the only place there would be less security since you all went looking for me. So, if I kidnaped Grimoire no one would even try to catch me with a hostage." Yuffie said in a sarcastic tone.
The two men looked at each other silently for a moment and then back at her in a serious tone. Yuffie shook her head seeing that they were taking her seriously.
"Geeze, you two are such idiots. It was a joke. Tch, you have no sense of humor." Yuffie looked at them as their looks at her seemed to have faltered a little.
"Then what were you doing sneaking into the ShinRa Manufacturing building?" The man questioned.
"Don't you mean ShinRa Inc?" Yuffie asked.
The man rose a brow looking at the girl, "No. Why would you ask something like that?"
Yuffie frowned as she was sure that this was ShinRa Incorporated. ShinRa Manufacturing was the old name for the company a long time ago, that was about twenty six years ago...wait, unless she's... No, she couldn't be, but that's how it looked.
"Well, let's properly introduce ourselves. I'm Tsuan Wan, head leader of the Turks and of course you've met Vincent Valentine here." He said looking at the girl."You are a quite skilled fighter if you were to go head to head with Mr. Valentine here. He's has quick reflexes and yours were very unique from looking over the video footage."
"What's it to you?" She eyed him.
"If I didn't know better I'd say you were from Wutai. Seeing how you are dressed and the unique color of your eyes I'd definitely believe you were from Wutai. So, are you a spy or not?"
"If I am it's not like it's a big deal. Also, for the last time I'm NOT a spy!" She huffed.
"Vincent, I leave you to look after the girl. I need to report to President ShinRa and clean her up a little will you?" He gestured to the blood along her leg.
"Yes, Tsuan." Vincent nodded his head.
With that being said, the man left the room shutting the door behind him leaving Yuffie along with the young turk. Since they were alone she'd figure Vincent might quit the act and she was hoping he'd say 'Sorry, I was in disguise.' or something like that. Though, that didn't happen as he sat down in the chair across from her and looked at her leg. He began to reach out to her, before she suddenly scooted back in her chair away from him. Her head turned as she avoided looking at him.
"I still can't believe you shot me. You...you jerk."
"Calm down. If you haven't noticed the bullet didn't even go through." He unholstered his gun as he pulled one of the bullets from the barrel of the gun. Holding it in front of her as his index finger pressed against the black tip that contracted with the sudden pressure. "Rubber bullets."
Yuffie glanced back down at her leg. There didn't seem to be a huge gaping hole in her leg at all from the bullet. There was just a small indent where blood was running from with a bruise surrounding it. Okay, so he didn't use real bullets, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.
"So? You still shot me." She snorted.
"Then accept my apology then." He said taking his handkerchief from his pocket and began wiping away the trails of blood running from her thigh. Yuffie's face flushed feeling the gentle motions of his hand rubbing along her leg with the handkerchief, even more she wasn't expecting Vincent of all people to apologize.
"I believe you when you said you didn't come to kidnap Grimoire Valentine or try to snoop around headquarters." He didn't look up as he wiped the wound gently.
"Y...yeah..." Yuffie shook her head a little trying to snap out of her daze. "Then why am I still here, huh? You guys can just let me go you know!"
"We could...but you did injure two men, in SOLDIER for that matter." He looked up at her. Even now Vincent had those mysterious red eyes, though they weren't as dark as she remembered them to be. They were more like a reddish brown really.
"They bothered me first. Not my fault they got their butts kicked my a girl." Yuffie grinned. "So, what are you guys going to put me in a cell for the next few days or years?"
"You are a very interesting girl, Yuffie Kisaragi and no we're not. Actually, me and my superior think you'd make a fine addition to the Turks."
Yuffie looked at him silently. Did she hear him correctly? Yuffie Kisaragi...a turk. A brow rose as she looked at him confused and slightly disgusted, "You're kidding right? Be a turk? Me? Yeah right! Like I'd want to be ShinRa scum!"
Vincent pulled his hand back as he sat back up in his seat. "I don't joke about these things. Well, you can either be a Turk or be part of the SOLDIER program. Meaning you'll be infused with mako. The SOLDIER program is still within the testing phase, so you will either die or suffer from the effects of mako. Your choice."
She felt her jaw dropped as she looked at him. He was dead serious. The thought of joining ShinRa made her sick. It was like she was slapping her country right in the face, but to be infused with Mako? A shiver ran up her spine thinking of the horrible thought. She remembered Cloud explaining how excruciating the pain was. It felt like your blood was burning underneath your skin throughout your body. It felt like the blood pumping to your heart was cut off for a brief moment that felt like forever. It was like needles running through your veins.
"And if I refuse to join either one?" She asked curiously.
"Well, you'll be eliminated." Vincent said calmly.
"..." Yuffie gave an exasperated sigh, "Great choices."
"So? What's it going to be?" Vincent asked.
"Oh, like I have any other choice." Yuffie glared at him. "I'll...be a stupid Turk."
"I'm relieved. I was hoping I didn't have to shoot you for real this time." He replaced his bullets with real ones as he holstered the handgun back to his hip.
"You...didn't want to kill me?" Yuffie looked at him in surprise. She guess Vincent wasn't such a cold hearted man after all.
"Yes, or else I'd just get blood on my suit." He added fixing his tie.
"Jerk!" Yuffie spat. Seems like she spoke too soon.
"It's a 'joke' Yuffie. Have a sense of humor." He added.
"That was so not funny." She frowned.
He merely shrugged his shoulder before taking walking behind her. Yuffie could feel the cuffs push up along her wrists as something else was attached to her right wrist. A soft click was heard followed by loud clacking sound of the metal handcuffs hitting the floor. Yuffie rubbed her wrists before noticing the new metal bracelet that was attached to her right hand.
"What's this?" She eyed the bracelet on her wrist.
"It's a ShinRa Tracermodel 035 bracelet. We'll know where you're at incase you decide to 'change' your mind. Also, don't bother trying to break it. It's reenforced with a little crystalized Mako. So, there's no way of getting it off unless a certified Turk takes it off your wrist." He stated.
"WHAT? I thought you said you trusted me?" Yuffie yelled.
"I trust you, but not that much."
"Bastard..." She mumbled under her breath before reaching down untying the knots in the rope that bounded her ankles.
"Come with me. If you're going to be a turk you need to look like one." He walked towards the door opening it as Yuffie reluctantly follow. If it wasn't for that bracelet she probably would have gave him a swift kick in the butt, especially for his, oh so funny joke, he made earlier. She followed him down the hallway. A few passer byers greeting him as they walked by 'Good afternoon, Mr. Valentine' or 'Hello, Mr. Valentine.' It seemed the Turks were highly respected within ShinRa that or everyone was just scared of them. Sure, their job is to protect the executives and employees within the company. That and they were involved in some 'dirty' work or 'side' jobs as they like to call it.
"Keep up." He said. Yuffie was trailing behind a little before she walked up closer behind him. She noticed a few large posters upon the walls.
Mako will revolutionize the world!
"What bull crap..." Yuffie mumbled to herself reading the posters silently with her eyes as they passed them. Yuffie eyes soon came across a very large poster bigger than the others that was plastered along the wall. Her eyes widened as she saw it as she stopped dead in her tracks. Gawking at the poster with her mouth opened. That can't be right. She couldn't believe what she saw. The poster had a picture of former President of Shinra. It read: "Your President is here to make your lives easier." Though, her eyes widened at the site of the year that was plastered in front of the poster.
1980X...
"That...so can't be right...but this isn't a dream so that means..."
"I told you not to fall behind."
Yuffie was jerked out of her daze literally when she felt a hand grasp her wrist dragging her off down the hallway. Vincent was a little frustrated that the girl couldn't follow simple directions. They stopped short to one of the doors as Vincent took out his keycard and slide it through the panel. There was a loud beep before the door slid open automatically. He lead her inside as the door shut behind them.
"What is this place?" Yuffie blinked looking around.
The room was had a few locks lined up against the walls with a bench in front of it. Along the backside of the wall was a shower room. Vincent walked over to one of the lockers opening it as he took out the uniforms that hung upon the hanger as he handed it to her.
"Take a shower and get dressed. We'll be meeting with the President shortly for a brief introduction before you get an assignment" He said, as he turned leaving the room as the door shut behind him. Yuffie stood there with a blank expression as she held the Turk uniform in her arms. Her eyes scanned around the room slowly before looking at the dark blue uniform in her arms.
What have you gotten yourself into, Yuffie?
Vincent leaned outside the door against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. His head lowered as he closed his eyes. His thoughts would wander over some recent matters that had occurred, but he'd find himself thinking about that girl. There was something about her. He felt like he knew her, but he's never even seen her before in his life. Perhaps, it was just some deja vu feeling. A hand ran back through his dark hair as he exhaled. Maybe he's been overworking again, lately he hasn't had the time to even speak to his father.
"Well, it's not like he's had time for me either." Vincent shrugged his shoulders a little against the wall. The turk's cell phone began to ring in his pocket, as it pulled him out of his deep thoughts. He reached into his pocket as the cover flipped up as he put it up to his ear.
"Vincent Valentine speaking." He said in his usual calm tone.
"Valentine there has been a slight change in plans."
"Tsuan, sir, weren't you meeting with the president?" Vincent questioned.
"I did, but the President has been called off over sea's for important matters. So, he'll have to meet our new member later."
"I see. Should I report to you for our assignment, sir?"
"Not right now, but I do have a task for you to do. I want you to train our new recruit. Show her the basics and how to use one of the Shinra standard issued handguns. I'll check on your progress later. I expect results."
The phone then clicked as he ended the conversation. Vincent pocketed his phone as he pushed himself off the wall. He knocked the door as the girl was taking a little longer than expected to get ready. Women, go figure.
"Yuffie come on. You're wasting our time." He said.
"Ooh, touchy aren't you? Not my fault, this uniform is kind of tight." She said, before the door slid open. The shinobi stood there dressed in the dark navy blue uniform that was zipped up towards her chest. Her hair wasn't in the tangled and messy state it was earlier. It was straighter as it almost reached to her shoulders. Yuffie felt a little uncomfortable in the outfit it didn't leave much to the imagination, well neither did the clothes she wore before did either.
"Hmm, you look good. Except for this." He reached over as he fixed her tie for her as he slid the knot up under her collar. Yuffie's cheeks flushed a light pink at the compliment. Well, it wasn't just any day you'd received a compliment from Vincent Valentine. His hands left her collar, as it was adjusted just right before he turned around.
"Come. We have some work to do." He said as he made his way down hallway with the young Turk following behind him closely.
"Oh and what would that be? Killing someone? Blackmailing them?" She said sarcastically.
"No, it's a little more minor than that. I'm going to train you." He said.
"You're going to what?"
Yuffie stared at the back of his head, as he didn't bother turning around. He continued looking forward as he spoke to her.
"I'm going to train you within the basics of fighting and weapon use of a handgun."
"I don't need a handgun." She said. Well, in a way she did since she didn't know where her other weapon was. Yuffie doubted that any store sold any shiruken of any type anywhere. Since, they originated from her country.
"Guns are essential. They are fast and quick to take down a enemy. Hand to hand is usually a last resort, for most, when you are unarmed. It would be beneficial if you learned how to use one even if you might not use one."
"Fine..." She grumbled.
She's never practice with any other type of weapon before, besides what was in her hometown. It was difficult for her to get use to using the large shiruken she had carried on her back. They would vary as some might be a little heavier than others, but they were quick and effecient.
Using a gun can't be that hard. All you have to do is point and shoot. It's a no brainer.
Yuffie didn't know how wrong she was, as it was going to prove much difficult after this point. Not with just trying to learn how to use a handgun, but coping with being back here in the past with a man that didn't even know who she was.
TBC
Done, bet you guys couldn't wait any longer for me to get this up. I've been busy drawing. Go to ladyk. When I get some time might draw some illustrations to the story. Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter won't be updated for a little while. I tried to make it as long as I could. XD I'm so lazy. The next chapter will be longer, I promise. Check out my other stories please.