The light of the Gold Saucer hurt Vincent's eyes. It might have seemed fitting for his nature and appearance, but he was relieved when the party stopped off at the Horror Square for a rest. He knew Yuffie would be laughing as he moved to inspect the chess board in the hall of the hotel, where two ghosts seemed to be playing each other, but he no longer minded. He had been with the party for just over two weeks now (the travel through Mount Nibel had taken considerable time), and during this time, somehow, he and Yuffie had formed a slightly awkward, but amiable friendship. At the same time, they bickered relentlessly, to the amusement of the party, who often joked that they were an old married couple- to which Yuffie would blush furiously and Vincent would shrug.

The party retreated to their rooms for the night. The rooms were dark, slightly damp and had various suspicious-looking instruments on the shelves and strewn across the floor, but to Vincent, as long as it had a bed, a room was a room. He poked the lumpy mattress, wrinkling his nose distastefully. Oh well, he thought, lying down on it and closing his eyes, compared to a coffin, this is luxury.

His sleep, as always, was troubled, full of disturbances and voices...

Two figures stood opposite each other, exchanging fierce words.

"How could you?" the younger man protested. "This is...this is inhuman!"

The older man, hunched over, simply laughed at the Turk. "Our experiment could provide the foundation for an amazing scientific breakthrough! Who are you to stand in the way of our research?"

"You injected an unborn baby, Hojo!"

"Lucrecia agreed to it."

"And now she lies in terrible pain." The Turk clenched his fists. "My duty is to protect Lucrecia. If you threaten her welfare, I shall have to deal with you myself as is my responsibility."

Hojo blinked, putting a hand into the pocket of his lab coat. "Really? Maybe it is my responsibility to deal with you..."

He couldn't react fast enough to the gun Hojo pulled out; he tried to draw his own, but before his fingers even brushed the cold metal, a blinding pain blazed through his chest and he dropped to his knees, gasping for breath, blood pouring through his fingers...

Vincent woke up, panting. His brow felt damp with sweat and he was shivering. Trying to control his breathing, the gunman brought himself into a sitting position, trying to forget the details of his nightmare.

But he couldn't. He never could. So he was relieved when a sharp knock sounded on his door, followed by a brisk chirp of, "Vince! Let me in, will ya? Wake up!"

"...It's unlocked, Yuffie."

The ninja swanned in happily, as always. Her hair was a little messier than usual, giving Vincent the impression she had been charging round the hotel for some time. Her cheery face dropped when she saw the state Vincent was in. "Bad dreams again?" she asked.

Vincent nodded. "They happen every night." Yuffie made a sympathetic noise quite unlike her usual self, and she moved closer, perching herself on the edge of the bed and crossing her long legs. She cocked her head to the side, reaching out a hand, not surprised when Vincent shied away from her touch. It was his usual response, as he hated people being close to him.

So she sat with him for a few minutes, in silence, waiting for him to calm. She knew he liked silence.

Yuffie studied Vincent carefully. The aura of mystery that surrounded him, coupled with his handsome features and long black hair...sometimes she had to stop herself from staring at him. Well, she thought, he's handsome in a unique way, and that hair definitely needs a good brushing, but those aside, he's not bad.

"Hey."

Vincent looked up. "Hm?"

"I know what might cheer you up." She got to her feet, brushing herself down. Vincent blinked at her, curious. "Cloud and Aeris have gone off for a date or something. Why don't you come with me and we can explore the place ourselves?"

Vincent just blinked at her again. Huffing, Yuffie placed her hands on her slender hips. "Awww, come on! I want to have fun! Please, Vince?"

How can I say no to her...? She has helped me a lot these past few weeks... Sighing, Vincent rose from the bed, rubbing his eyes. "Very well. I suppose I should do, to thank you."

"Thank me?"

"Yes. I could not have settled in amongst the party without you, I feel."

Yuffie's eyes sparkled with happiness, and she threw her arms around Vincent, hugging him tightly. The gunman stiffened, eyes widened. "Y-Yuffie..."

"Hug me back," she said in a muffled voice. "You might feel better."

The things she comes out with, I swear to...ugh. Knowing she would never let go if he didn't, Vincent hesitantly raised his arms, giving the ninja a loose hug. She giggled and pulled away. "Thanks! Now come on, let's go!" Grabbing his hand, she pulled him out of the hotel room excitedly.

He must have slept a good few hours; the Gold Saucer was a good deal quieter than it had been when they arrived. Yuffie wanted to go bet on the chocobos first, and put a fair amount of gil on a blue chocobo that she immediately fell in love with, squealing happily as she watched it run on the big screen. Vincent watched silently from a few feet away. Although he felt slightly awkward, he was glad to see her enjoying herself.

Yuffie's stubborn determination reminded him of Lucrecia. The scientist had forever fussed around everything; her work, her colleagues, and even Vincent, her bodyguard of sorts. She persisted at everything, whether it be her research or simply asking Vincent to accompany her somewhere. Often Vincent would protest, but eventually he would give in and allow himself to be dragged to some location to spend time with Lucrecia.

Of course, I was much happier then, he thought. Then she was torn away from me, and I lost everything...

"You okay, Vince?"

Vincent jerked himself out of his reverie. Yuffie stood in front of him, smiling. "Oh...I'm fine," he said, putting a smile on his face. "Did you win?"

She shook her head. "No, I lost all 300 gil!" She pouted. "But I can go have more fun at the Wonder Square! Come on!"

They headed off to the Wonder Square, where Yuffie managed to convince Vincent to try the arm wrestling game. With his almost superhuman strength, he won multiple times, Yuffie squealing each time he did..

Then the basketball game. Yuffie couldn't shoot the ball through the loop, and after three failed attempts, Vincent helped out. Standing behind her, he put his hands over hers and raised the ball to the right height. "Let go," he murmured, and she did, letting him shoot it for her. The ball went straight through the hoop...

Then the fortune teller. Yuffie's eyes grew wide as she read the piece of paper that said, "The one you care for shall guide you through your pain..."

"You've been a lot of fun tonight, Vince," Yuffie smiled. She and Vincent walked alongside each other towards the gondola, Vincent not even minding when Yuffie slipped her hand through his arm, taking hold of it gently. "Thank you," he said quietly. "I'm glad you have enjoyed yourself."

"Has it all taken your mind off things?"

"...Yes, actually. It has..."

Yuffie smiled affectionately. "I've had a great time...so let's finish off in style!" Paying the attendant, she hopped into the gondola, gesturing for Vincent to follow. Frowning, he followed suit.

The gondola took its occupants sweeping around the expanse of the Gold Saucer, showing off its wondrous sights. Yuffie stood with her hands pressed against the glass, squealing as fireworks went off in the dusky sky. Vincent watched her with a small smile curving his thin lips.

She is beautiful when she smiles...it seems a calm side exists beneath her exterior.

Yuffie turned her head sideways and caught Vincent watching her. "You alright?" she asked. He nodded slowly, and, still smiling, the ninja sat down beside him. "You don't have to be so uptight all the time, you know," she said quietly. "You've been accepted."

"It's not that," he replied. "I have many things that haunt me."

"Well, you know I'm here if you want to talk to me about them. Do you trust me?"

"...Yes, I do."

"Good." Yuffie gave Vincent a peck on the cheek. "That's for being so nice this evening." Drawing back, she saw the gunman's face had reddened somewhat. "Hey, what's up?"

"N-Nothing, Yuffie..." Vincent touched his cheek. "It is a...gracious compliment from one so...attractive as yourself..."

Yuffie's eyes widened. "Huh?"

"Ah, nothing..."

"You're nervous, aren't you?" she laughed. "Loosen up! What's the matter? Oh, I bet I know! You have no experience with girls!" Vincent, watching the sights intently, made a small noise that Yuffie took for a yes. "How far have you ever gone?"

Vincent was silent awhile. He had not known the ninja terribly long, but he felt he could open up to her as he could not with the rest of the party; he felt they would not understand. But Yuffie was young, eager, and she could (at times!) listen as well as she could talk the hind legs off a donkey; very well.

He sighed. "I have no experience with the opposite sex whatsoever. I have never even kissed a woman. I wished to uphold my family honour as a teenager and a young man, so I restrained myself."

"Wow..." Yuffie played with her hair, thinking. "Okay, how about this? I'll teach you." Vincent spluttered in surprise, but Yuffie did not relent. "We'll keep it between me and you; we both have fun, and you learn. How's that?"

"Y-Yuffie...you have no idea what you ask..."

"I do. Believe me I do!" The ninja grasped Vincent's hands. "Look at me, Vince." He did so, albeit a little nervously. "Now tell me- and I want you to be honest- what is going through your mind right now." She gripped his hands a little tighter. "Honestly," she repeated.

Vincent found himself searching his feelings. I must admit, I have been paying Yuffie much more attention than Tifa and Aeris. What draws me to her...hmmm. Ah. I think I know. Now to say it without sounding like an idiot.

"Your eyes...are captivating..." he murmured.

"Anything else?"

I can't believe I'm saying this. "Your skin looks soft, as do your lips...for these past few minutes I have longed to kiss them..."

"Then do. I'll guide you."

Vincent could not believe that Yuffie was so willing. The young ninja slid off the glove covering Vincent's right hand, putting the leather aside, before raising his hand to her cheek. The gunman almost sighed at the feel of her white, babysoft skin under his calloused fingers. The touch made Yuffie's eyes flutter shut, tongue darting out to moisten her lips. "Now," she whispered.

She will not give up unless I do. Vincent dipped his head a little, hesitating for a moment, gazing at Yuffie's lips before gently pressing his own to them. They were warm and soft, and vibrated slightly with the quiet moan of satisfaction Yuffie made. Her arms wound round his neck, tugging him closer, her tongue slipping between his lips, making its way into Vincent's mouth. Catching on somewhat, he brushed his own tongue against hers, and shuddered at the pleasurable sensation that shot up his spine. Never had he imagined kissing would feel so good.

Eventually, his nerves got the better of him, and he pulled away shyly, wiping his wet lips. Yuffie did likewise, blushing but smiling. "Not bad for a first try," she said.

"Thank you for the vote of confidence," Vincent muttered sarcastically. The ninja just laughed. Vincent went back to looking out of the window; they were now going past a large golden statue of the owner of the Gold Saucer, Dio.

Suddenly, there was a teenager-shaped weight on his lap. Yuffie had jumped into it when Vincent stretched. "Yuffie..." he sighed in exasperation, shaking his head. She just smiled at him, nestling her head in his chest and curling her legs in. Blinking at her, the gunman was utterly bemused.

After a few moments Yuffie said, "This is the part where you put your arms round me and hold me close."

"I..." Vincent sighed again, but put an arm round her shoulders nevertheless. "You're a real handful," he told her, a chuckle evident in his tone.

"Yeah, I know," she grinned. "So, do we have a deal?"

"Hm?"

"I teach you about girls, and in return, um..." Yuffie thought for a moment. "How about you give me some Materia?"

Vincent couldn't help laughing a little. "I knew it would come to that. Well, you won't ever give in if I refuse, so I suppose I shall have to agree with you."

"Sounds good." Looking up at Vincent, Yuffie gave him a quick kiss on the lips. "We're gonna have some fun with this! Wait till I tell-"

"You will not tell anyone!"

"Whoops, I forgot!"