Threads of Memories

A/N: Okay I lied, it was more than a week. More like 5 months! Net died and I died with it. So, let's get back on track.

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.

'Don't hold it against me sugar." – Ace

Chapter Four: Ace marks the spot

It seemed like he'd spend hours within the cavern before the man finally able to gather his composure. Despite not wanting to leave, he had to. He thought the young woman would perhaps appear if he lingered there for just a little longer, but that didn't seem to happen. Vincent didn't bother flapping out his dark red cape as it was weighed down with the water from the falls that he scaled up. Narrow eyes would stare out to the vast plains in front of him towards nothing in particular, as he was in deep thought.

"How could have this have happened...?" He would murmur quietly to himself, as his feet would slowly halt. Vincent Valentine would continue to ask himself this question and many more, as even he could not describe what he had just seen.

'Wark!'

His head lifted slowly, as he snapped out of his thoughts at the loud sound. Red eyes eyed the creature that had spoke out to him. There was a dark green chocobo standing a top of a grassy knoll. It would shake it's head and ruffle it's feathers a bit. It had a pair of reigns upon it showing it was no wild chocobo as the owner was vacant. Vincent had no doubt that it was Yuffie's and she used it to travel here. A frown came to his thin lips before he'd slowly approach the animal that shifted around on it's two powerful legs. Vincent's eyes would catch the glint of metal hanging on the side of the bird. Upon further inspection, he'd find the item to be Yuffie's conformer she left behind. The weapon was stained with some blood and scratches imbedded in it. It seemed she had to fight quite a few battles getting here. Vincent fingers rose to his chin slowly as he began to think to himself once more.

"She came alone, but why? I would have expected her to have arrived in one of W.O.E's high tech traveling vehicles or either dropped off. Did she really come here on her own accord instead of receiving orders to?"

Well, there was no time to think about that right now. He needed to figure out what exactly happened to Yuffie, but he didn't have the faintest idea on how to do that or where to start from.

Doododododoododododoo

"Hm?"

The sudden loud ringing would catch Vincent's attention, along with the vibrant humming emitting from his hip. He reached down and take his phone from his pocket and flip the cover up. The phone was usually off or on silent, since no one but Reeve and Yuffie would usually call. Yuffie for the most part called the most. He was quite confused why she would even bother to really.

He raised the phone up to his ear, "Yes, Reeve?"

"Hey Vincent. Ah, how did you know it was me?"

"You are the possible person out of one other to call me..."

"True... I'm calling to see if Yuffie is there with you. She told me she was going off to find you, but I told her she'd probably have a better chance finding a needle in a haystack."

"You could say that.." Vincent said, in his usual monotone voice, "..and yes, I did see her, but she's not here anymore..."

"She's not? What happened? Did she leave or something?" Reeve asked through the light static made over the phone.

"Reeve...Yuffie is..."

Vincent hardly had time to finish his sentence, when he was suddenly interrupted by the loud warking from the large bird that was in his presence. It's beak would snap at his hand and pluck the phone from his grasp much to Vincent's dismay. The bird flapped it's wings as it warked once more looking at Vincent in a playful manner. The gunslinger hardly found this funny or entertaining as the bird had his phone. He'd begin to make steady strides over to the beast as he'd slowly extend his hand out.

"Give it here..." His eyes narrowed, as he gazed at the bird.

The bird seemed hardly intimidated by his look or stern voice. There was no doubt that it didn't understand him. It would cock it's head to the side as Vincent edged closer to it. The green bird bellowed out a wark, before it's head would snap back as the cell phone went sailing up into the air above them. Vincent readied himself to catch his phone, as it began it's journey back to earth. Unfortunately, it didn't land in his hands. Instead, the chocobo's mouth would claim's it's prize before it would swallow the electronic.

Vincent would stare at the gluttonous bird with his eyes slightly wide. A rare shocked expression he hardly shown. This...this bird ate his phone. He could see the lump in the bird's throat made by his cell phone and makes it's way down it's esophagus before reaching it's belly.

"I...can't believe you just did that..." Vince stared hard at the bird as it would kneel down to the ground tucking it's legs under it's torso, as it looked at him with those big blue eye. The bird would respond with a small coo. Vincent exhaled slightly, as he turned head. Nothing but on stretching land for miles. He guessed he would have to tell Reeve in person now.

"Hello? Hel-lo? Vincent?"

Reeve looked at his phone as he was getting nothing but static and strange noises coming from the phone now. The president would scratch the back of his head as he looked at the receiver with confusion etched over his face.

"Maybe there's a bad connection..." He said to himself, as he put the phone back down on the receiver. "How strange..."

—

Welcome Vincent Valentine to the Turks Training Simulation Facility

The female computerized voice would welcome them, as Vincent would slide his I.D. card through the reader. The door automatically sliding back as it opened the room for them. Yuffie walked in first, as she would shiver a little as she entered the room.

"Brr, why is it so cold in here?"

Yuffie rubbed her hands along the sleeves of her navy blue blazer she wore. She glanced around the large room they entered. The walls, floors, and ceilings all seemed made of metal. Didn't anyone ever turn the heat on in this place? Any colder and it might have been freezing.

"Well, it's so you don't pass out really. Turks and rookies will break a sweat in the training facility. The cold helps to slow the heartbeat, so you don't over exert yourself too much."

Enjoy your time in the training facility. ShinRa Manufacturing is not liable for any injuries or deaths that may occur within the training simulation facility either by accident or faulty equipment.

"Oh, well that just makes me feel real safe being here now." Yuffie rolled her eyes.

"You should be fine with me here. We'll just be using this room only for now for training."

Vincent walked over to her as he'd reach behind his back and take the concealed weapon he had underneath his belt. He stopped shortly in front of her and held the gun out to her as his hand held the barrel of the weapon.

"This is a ShinRa issued handgun for a turk. This will be your weapon." Vincent stated.

"Pfft, it certainly wouldn't be my weapon of choice. It's kinda big for a hand gun isn't it?" Yuffie looked at the weapon distastefully, before taking the gun. She really missed her 4-point shuriken and conformer. How was she ever going to get use to using and holding a gun?

"It may look a little bigger than standard handguns, but they feel lighter than they look." He watched her examine her gun. "Well, let's begin. Show me how you aim your gun."

"Mm?"

"If you were aiming at something is what I mean. Just point it at me." Vincent gestured towards his chest.

"At you? Um, well okay if you're sure then, but don't blame if it like accidentally goes off and blows your brains out." Yuffie said.

"I'll try not too if that happens." He said calmly.

She then raised her arms up slowly letting her hands grip the handle of the gun, as she aimed as straight as she could at him. "Like this right?"

Vincent shook his head slowly, "No, no. That's all wrong."

"Why? I'm pointing it right aren't I?" Yuffie said.

He gave a sigh as he walked around behind her. "Your grip isn't tight enough on the handle. Your finger isn't on the trigger and your feet should be a little more apart like this."

Vincent would then take his foot and kick Yuffie's feet apart little making them spread apart. A small 'eep' was made on her part from his sudden actions, as she nearly lost her balance. His hands would adjust her shoulders and give them a squeeze, before she knew it his hands were over her own as she held the gun. Not to mention his head had lowered down next to hers nearly resting down on her shoulder due to the difference in height. Yuffie's body stiffened at the man behind her.

"Hold it more firmly like this. Body language is everything. If you were to encounter a enemy you would need to show that you can stand your ground by keeping a sturdy stance. By not doing that anyone could see that you are very incapable with a gun and it makes you less intimidating."

"Uh huh..."

Yuffie merely nod her head at what he was saying. Well, least she think he was talking. So far, what she was hearing was 'blah, blah, blah'. Her mind decided to take a brief vacation, as she stared at him while he spoke.

It's so weird seeing a younger Vincent Valentine. He looks so much different. Geeze, what's wrong with me? Why am I getting so nervous and with him of all people? It's just Vincent.

Her head tilted a little as she continued to watch him. Strands of ebony hair brushing past his eyes as his head leaned forward. Once more his mouth was moving as he was still, possibly, discussing the proper way to hold and use a gun, but still she was just hearing 'blah, blah, blah, blah."

Just Vincent...with really deep burgundy eyes. Oh, so nice eyes you could just stare into forever. His skin isn't pale either it's more of a tan complexion. Mmm, and he smells so good too. His cologne...

"Blah?"

"Hmm...?"

"Blah...Yuffie are you paying attention?"

"Uh, wha?"

Yuffie finally snapped out of her daydream and was back to reality. What was she doing again? She blinked a few times as she noticed Vincent was staring at her with a confused look on his face. Why was he looking at her like that? Finally, she would realized she had spaced out the whole time he was speaking.

Oh god, did I just completely space out like a nitwit? I was day dreaming about Vincent! Vincent Valentine! I must be sick in the head or something. My face feels like it's on fire now. Please gods, don't let me be blushing.

Vincent lifted his right brow as he watched the silent female gaze shift down to the floor.. He noticed sudden color in her cheeks changing to a faint pink. "Are you all right? You look a little distraught."

I knew it! I am blushing! Stupid hormones! Stupid estrogen hormones!

Yuffie could feel the heat in her face rising more. It almost felt like her heart jumped up into her throat as well. Which felt like it was keeping her from breathing right or even trying to speak. She would turn her head avoiding his steady gaze. Vincent would crane his head a little in a curious manner to try and look at her the more she pulled away.

"Are you sure? Your face is just looking a little red is all." He pointed out.

"I-I'm fine! Quit asking!" She snapped at him, while biting down on her lip.

There was an awkward silence in the room as neither one said anything. Vincent's eyes narrowed as his hands would move from her hands to her slender shoulders. Her body would suddenly spin around as strong hands kept a firm grip on her shoulders, while they directed her towards him.

"Who...exactly are you?" He asked.

"Wh-wha?" Yuffie blinked for a moment as she taken off guard by his question. "I already told you who I am and my name."

"I know you're letting on more than you know Yuffie. Plus, you seem to know me pretty well and I've never seen you before until now. Where did you come from?" Vincent pulled her closer by the shoulders as his head lowered closer to her face. His eyes locked onto her own as he kept a steady unblinking gaze. Even now that gaze of his was still pretty intimidating, almost downright scary. Yuffie flinched a little before turning her head back a little to look over her shoulder.

"I...I don't know anything, okay? So, just drop it." She would turn away from him, looking at nothing in particular, but as long as it wasn't that hot burning gaze he was giving her she didn't care.

What else could she say? Oh, hey Vincent I know you 26 years within the future. You were part of a terrorist group called AVALANCHE that worked to fight against ShinRa and the turks. Oh, yes that sound very believable. She'd be hauled off to the looney bin for telling him the truth. Honestly, she would have like to tell him, but she didn't need to change things here did she? Well, her presence being here might have already. Though, there was still that possible theory that it could all be some bad dream.

Fat chance...

"Well, well so this is where you are Vincent. Training as usual..."

The sudden voice was startling to both Vincent and Yuffie. They would both turn their heads and look across the room towards the door. There was a young man there dressed in a turk uniform, though his blazer was halfway unzipped. He had long blonde hair that reached to the middle of his back; his bangs had red tips along them. His thick long bangs would cover his eyes as it would obstruct anyone's view from seeing his eyes and half of his face as well. You'd wonder if he could see himself from how his hair was sheeting over his eyes. The man would chuckle before walking towards them.

"Ah, so is this our new recruit? You two seem to be hitting it off pretty well..." He commented.

"It's not what you think!" Yuffie raised her voice at him as she was flustered. She'd fiinally pull from Vincent's grasp and fanned her arm quickly making some distance between them.

A sly grin would form on his lips, "Oh? Well, I wouldn't be too surprised. Vincent does tend to have girls chasing him back and forth."

Vincent sighed a little before shaking his head, "Ace remember when I told you to end your conversations one sentence early?"

"Mm? Oh, must have slipped my mind." Ace shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, since you're here. Yuffie this is Ace and as you can tell he's a turk. Ace this is the new rookie to our group. Yuffie Kisaragi." Vincent introduced them to one another.

Ace would cup his chin a little with his right hand, as his eyes would shuffle back and forth over Yuffie. "This is certainly a surprise. Only certain certified people can join the turks and who'd think it'd be a female at that."

"It's not like I had a choice." Yuffie huffed a little.

"Well, either way there was a possible chance you would have died anyhow. Either by the severe experiments within SOLDIER, dying in training, or just refusing. At least you might last a little longer in the turks. Well, in some cases." Ace shrugged his shoulders as he raised his arms up shaking his head a little.

"W-w-what!?" Yuffie could feel her jaw drop as managed to stammer out in horror at his words.

"Ace...quit it." Vincent frowned.

Ace chuckled as he waved a hand, "Heh, sorry. Rookies are just so fun to scare."

Yuffie's face fell as she didn't find the joke too funny like himself. Her arms folded over her chest as she turned her head to the side, "Oh, ha ha! I found that oh, so funny!" She snorted.

"Tch, come now don't be like that doll face. I was only teasing you." He smirked.

"If you're done teasing her, we were in the middle of a training session." Vincent stated.

"Oh, I could see that and you looked so busy too." Ace ran a hand back through his hair as he looked at Vincent with his eyes shrouded by strands of hair, "You're starting her off on weapon training first?"

"I felt she needed to get familiar with a gun, since she's never used one." Vincent said.

"You trust this girl with a loaded weapon?" Ace asked curiously.

"Yes, but I don't trust her to handle one well though. So, there's no worry." He would point out.

Ace's brow would raise at his words. It peaked his interest that Vincent would place his trust in a complete stranger...a rookie at that. That's something he's never seen Vincent do at all; even with him. Why would Vincent trust a girl that snuck into the ShinRa Manufacturing building?

"Still, she should be doing hand to hand or going through the simulation course." Ace added.

"Well, I don't think–"

"Ah, ah Valentine. I'll be the one to test her moves. Orders by Tsuan himself to check out her qualifications." Ace wagged a finger towards fellow turk.

Well, Yuffie couldn't complain too much about the change of pace. In a way, Ace walked in at the right moment as she didn't want to explain herself to Vincent and if he was a good a turk as she heard, well she was pretty sure his interrogation skills would take a toll on her. It probably would have been no time til he got the information he wanted out of her.

"Well, that's just fine with me. I was getting tired of using a gun." Yuffie boasted, "Besides, if I'm going up against pretty boy here then it should be easy."

"Oh, you think so?" He grinned ear to ear, "I hope for your sake you're right, cause if you're not up to speed like you say then I have no choice, but to terminate you."

There was a moment of silence in the room. It was very unsettling and Vincent would shift in his position not making a sound. Yuffie on the other hand was in shock at the moment and stared at Ace, which felt like an eternity.

"Is...that another one of his little jokes?"

"I'm afraid not..." Vincent mumbled.

Yuffie turned her head as she looked over her shoulder at Vincent. He had a serious, yet solemn look on his face. He was telling the truth. Oh, Vincent wasn't one to lie either she knew. If he ever did then he was a damn good liar.

"Like I was saying, the turks have no use for dead weight. You've already seen some things that never needs to leave this building. So, it's a make it or break it type of thing. Don't hold it against me, sugar." Ace's head would cock to one side then the next popping his neck muscles.

It felt like it took Yuffie awhile to recover. She never realized just how ruthless the turks could be. It made her more nauseated to think she even become one. Yuffie wasn't even sure how she managed to put on this god forsaken uniform. What would her father and people think if they were to see her dressed like a trained dog of ShinRa? A reassuring smile then appeared on her lips as she thrusted her right fist into left palm. It making a loud smack, "That's fine by me. I'm not worried at all."

"Does she really have to go hand to hand with you, Ace? There's no need for you too. I am training her after all." Vincent intervened.

"Vincent you can be such a spoil sport. I'll just defend while she show me some of her moves. I'll even put my hands in my pocket to make it easy on her." He said, before gesturing her over to him with his index finger.

"You'll be sorry you said that!" A small growl was made under her breath, as she suddenly sprung into a sprint towards him.

"Yuffie wait!" Vincent called out to her, but it seemed to have fallen on death ears.

Ace stood there not making a move as he watched the girl run towards him. A smile formed on his lips, as she'd throw her arm back as she went in to jab it forward towards his head. He hardly made an effort to turn his head to the side, as her fist brushed past his face. Seeing that her fist didn't make contact with it's target her right leg quickly jolted from the ground towards his head as if it was ready to kick it right off his neck. Ace would duck as her leg would just kick the air. He kept his hands in his pocket the whole time she attacked him.

"Are you going to fight back or not?!" Yuffie growled in frustration.

"I prefer to observe. I normally don't hit girls." Ace said casually.

The comment only fueled the girl's anger, as she'd drop down to her knees and sweep her right leg across the floor to kick him off balance. Ace jumped from his position on the floor as her leg slide under him. She'd quickly balance herself on her right hand and thrust her left leg up towards him. Her heel grazed his chin as he would crane his head back quickly before flipping backwards graciously to land on his feet. His hands rested in his pockets before his right hand would leave his pocket to rub his chin slowly.

"Mm, you actually touched me. Interesting." He grinned. "I have to admit she does have some talent that could improve with some training."

"Some?" Yuffie pulled herself up from her position on the ground. Her chest would rise and fall as she caught her breath a little. Well, she didn't want to admit it, but the man was fast. Perhaps, even faster than Vincent. There was something a little abnormal about him, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

"Yes. It's not perfect, but it's better than some of the rookies that come and go of course." Fingers would then run back through the long blonde tresses of his.

"So, is it passable then?" Vincent asked.

"Mm..." His gloved finger would rest on his chin as he glance up at the ceiling for a moment in thought before looking back at Vincent, "Yes, it's passable. So, we won't have to get rid of this one."

Her hands dusted off the sleeve of her uniform as she looked towards Ace, "This one? What's that suppose to mean?"

"It means nothing." Vincent abruptly added, "The training session is over for now."

"Hn? That wasn't too much of a training session." Her arms went behind her head, as her right foot rubbed along the back of her left ankle slowly.

"Oh?"

The blonde man would approach her as he would leaned forward slightly to look down at her face. He was actually a bit taller than Vincent was. "Well, maybe next time I can give you some 'private' lessons later. Then you can see more of my moves."

Yuffie felt like her heart dropped down into her stomach at the man's words and sly smile he had on his lips. Her head quickly snapped to the side as she felt that familiar heat rising into her cheeks once more, "I think I'll pass, thank you very much!"

He'd merely smirk, before he'd turn to Vincent. "Well, since you're done I need your help with something."

"What is it?" Vincent asked.

Ace would gesture Vincent over towards a corner where they could talk more privately. Yuffie was a bit annoyed that she couldn't listen too, since she was a Turk too. Well, a temporary turk anyway. She shook her head a little bit. What did she care what they talked about? She never wanted to be a turk anyway, plus it was probably some shady work that involved getting one's hands dirty.

Ace would rest his hand on Vincent's shoulder, as he'd lean down to whisper to him in a low tone, "There's trouble again at you know where..."

"Again?" Vincent asked, glancing back towards him. "That makes the third time this week. I thought the director of that department was suppose to request the halt of that program?"

His comrade would merely shake his head slowly, "Unfortunately no. The man is very difficult and stubborn. I have discussed it with him, but he just said it would benefit ShinRa."

"It all sounds suspicious me..." Vincent said raising his right hand to his chin, as he looked down.

The girl's mouth would contort into a frown as she looked at them from a distance. She hated being left out of important conversations. It reminded her too much of when she was with Cloud and the others when she first met them. Though at the time she hardly cared for all the secretive discussions she was left out of at times, but it would have been nice if someone offered.

"Yuffie?"

"Huh...?"

She blinked once as the voice brought her out of her thoughts. Vincent stood in front of her with the usual blank expression on his face. His hand slipped into his blazer's pocket before it would pull out a rectangular slick piece of plastic. The card was then presented to her as he held it between his thumb and index finger. Yuffie looked at it silently as she was a little dumbfounded by the item. Her hand would then reach out to grasp the card as she would examine it. On the back was one long black strip going across the back and the front there was three red diamonds with the ShinRa logo.

"It's a keycard." He answered before she could say anything. "You can go to any specific floor with it. It would help if you familiarize yourself with the floors and departments of the building."

"Okay, but why are you giving it to me for? Can't you just give me the oh so grand tour of ShinRa?" She would say with no enthusiasm.

"As much as I would like to...me and Ace have some business to attend to. I'm sure you can find something entertaining to pass the time."

Vincent adjusted his tie before he'd stride past her calmly towards the door without so much as an explanation to 'where' this place they were going. Secretive as ever... Ace would follow the ebony haired man towards the exit as the door would slide back automatically. He'd raise his hand as he didn't look back at her.

"Au revior chéri Try not to miss me while I'm gone." He'd say, as the door shut behind him, as she was by herself now.

Yuffie stood there silently as she stared at the metal door they had left through. What was so important that they could take off like that and leave her to do whatever she wanted? Vincent looked so serious, well he always looked serious. Didn't seem like there was too much of a difference from the Vincent then and now. She would draw her attention back to the keycard back in her hand. A long sigh would come from her lips, as she lowered her head slightly. Strands of her hair would brush across her eyes, as she bit down lightly on her lip.

When will I wake up from this...

Nothing makes sense anymore

TBC

Done, bet you guys couldn't wait any longer for me to get this up. I've been busy drawing, plus net died.. Go to ladyk. When I get some time might draw some illustrations to the story. Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter. It'll be awhile before the next. I tried to make it as long as I could, due to the long months. The next chapter will be longer, I promise. Check out my other stories please.