Me: Yeah… So we never get to find out why Vincent went to the store… I kinda forgot…

Vincent: Fool! I shall take chaos and kill you with him!

Me: Oh Shadup, I don't think it was gonna win you any gold medals in terms of getting a gift…

Cloud: He doesn't own FFVII, characters… blah blah blah you know the drill.

Chapter 5: The Nutcracker

Vincent had been there for nearly an hour, still trying to get what he was looking for.

Which by now he had almost completely forgotten what it was.

Sighing in defeat, he ended up just grabbing a bear that held a heart that said 'I love you' on it. He placed it on the counter and pulled out his wallet while the clerk rang the bear up.

"5.50 please," the zit-faced clerk said, pushing his glasses back up his nose.

Vincent tossed the money and change onto the counter and walked out, not bothering to get a receipt. When he got back to the bar, he put the bear in a bag with some tissue paper, like he had everyone else's gifts, and placed it with the rest of them.

When are you going to admit that you like her?

When you stop pestering me about it. She's too young for me anyway.

Age never mattered with my race.

I remind you you're now in a different time and place.

That shouldn't matter! If you have feelings for someone you have feelings for them!

That's not how society works Chaos.

I don't give a rats ass about society! Damnit Vincent you never cared either!

Chaos, shut up.

Vincent's mood had turned sour, after spending an hour in public, being stared at and watched, and then having Chaos nag him about Yuffie, would drive almost anyone to anger.

Unfortunately he still had his friends to be around.

"Hey Vincent," Tifa said as he walked back up to his room, a smile on her face. Vincent nodded his usual greeting, and meant to continue but she stopped him.

"Hey, we were planning on going to a show tonight, don't worry it's nothing too bad," Tifa said with a smile at the look on his face, "but we were wondering if you'd like to come."

Vincent almost smiled, "Sure, what play?"

Tifa smiled, "The Nutcracker,"

Ouch.

Not literally Chaos, you'll find out at the play.

Vincent smiled and nodded to Tifa, and after finding the time when they were leaving, went into his room.

That night…

Vincent breathed deeply, looked at himself quickly in the mirror, then walked out of his room.

Yuffie gasped, Vincent had ditched his red and black outfit, instead wearing a pair of slacks, with a white shirt that had been loosely buttoned. His hair was tied back into a ponytail, leaving only one strand that hung in his face. He attempted to hide his claw behind his back, but it was kind of hard to hide.

Vincent looked up at Yuffie, and had to stop himself from gasping himself.

Yuffie was wearing a soft white dress, one that showed the slim figure of her body, and her well formed breasts.

A training bra? Vincent thought to himself, though he made sure he didn't keep that thought for long, as his stare was beginning to get a little transfixed.

On her arms were a pair of soft silk gloves, the same color as the dress, they went up to her elbow, but left her upper arms bare, as well as the upper portion of her body.

Don't drool

Shut up. In all honesty, Vincent was awe-struck, he had thought of Yuffie as a pretty and attractive woman, but when she looked like this she was beautiful. She had even let her hair out, and put make-up on.

"Yuffie…" Vincent tried to say, he came to a sudden realization that he was having trouble breathing, and that his heart seemed to have taken place of his brain and was pounding away at his ear drums.

Yuffie smiled and gave a small giggle. This only made matters worse for Vincent, for now his ears felt like they were on fire, and his face was beginning to feel the same.

"It's time to go," Tifa whispered to Cloud, Cloud nodded, and cleared his throat.

"Let's mosey."

"DAMNIT!" Barret roared, "AGAIN! Stop sayin' it like a wimp! Try 'Move out' or something!"

"Move out!" Cloud pointed to the door. All laughing, they filed out, Vincent right behind Yuffie.

Why do I have this urge to hold her hand?

'Cause you like her.

Vincent shook his head slightly to clear his thoughts. Unfortunately the image of Yuffie in front of him made his head very fuzzy. Though it was an hour walk through the cold, it seemed to only take a few moments, and Vincent didn't even remember giving Yuffie his jacket.

Vincent slid his jacket off her shoulders, and his fingers accidentally brushed against her skin, he felt his breath catch in his throat as he felt how smooth her skin was.

Calm down, getting horny in the middle of a play won't do you any good.

Vincent again shook his head, and tried to keep his gaze away from Yuffie, he had to fight himself for control over his eyes, but he managed while they waited for the play to start.

Finally, after what seemed to be forever, the lights dimmed and the curtains raised, to show a Christmas party.

Vincent found himself enjoying the play, but was startled when Yuffie's fingers brushed over his own, he found himself struggling to breathe again, and he did his best to stop his hand from moving, unfortunately, at that point in the play the girl had just killed the three headed rat king, and everyone applauded. Vincent grumbled inwardly, but put on a smile and applauded as well.

Though the play managed to redeem itself, for Yuffie put her head on Vincent's shoulder, wrapped her arms around his arm, and fell asleep. Vincent did his best to not wake her as the play ended, and carried her damsel in distress style home, wrapping his jacket around her bare shoulders to make sure she stayed warm. As he walked up the porch steps to the bar, and pushed the door open, Chaos placed an interesting thought in his head.

Carrying her over the threshold?

Vincent started at this, and shook his head again.

Don't do that when I'm carrying her. If you must talk to me do it later.

But it's so much more fun to do this to you.

If it wasn't for the fact that you resided in my mind…

Empty threat anyways.

Vincent carefully laid Yuffie down on her bed, took her heels off, removed his jacket, and carefully placed the covers over her.

"Sweet dreams," he whispered, then turned around to leave.

"You too," he heard behind him, but when he looked back, Yuffie was sound asleep.

---

Wheee! Sorry that one took so long.

Chaos: It's not even Christmas time!

Me: I don't care! I go around school singing jingle bells and you know it betch!