A/N: Good Lord... She lives! Sorry I haven't updated this story in TWO YEARS! But because of all the other ideas that have been popping into my head it's been really hard to stay focused. So, hopefully I'll be able to speed the production of this story up. Then I won't have so many to worry about... Anyhoo, hope some of you guys are still out there.

Chapter Six:

Day Number Two

The next morning, I showered and put on a simple green dress before leaving my room and descending the stairs. Tseng was waiting next to the piano for me. He smiled when I approached him.

"Ah, good morning Miss," he said, bowing his head. "His Majesty is waiting outside for you," he said, extending his arm.

I nodded as I walked outside with him. I frowned when I saw Vincent sitting atop a large golden bird. A stable hand was holding onto the reigns of another one of the large birds. I walked up to it and pet the golden feathers of its neck.

I looked up at Tseng. "What is this creature?"

He looked at me with a baffled look on his face before clearing his throat. "This, ma'am, is a chocobo. We use it to get around."

"A chocobo," I repeated.

Tseng helped me up onto the golden bird and instructed me on how to sit 'side saddle.' When I asked why I had to sit like that he responded that it was proper that a lady do so. I rode the chocobo up where Vincent was waiting for me and smiled at him.

"Ready to go?" He asked, gripping his chocobo's reigns.

I nodded and followed him out into the city.

We spent all day riding around the countryside. Vincent took me into town and showed me all the different human pleasures. I tried human food, which I enjoyed a lot, and he showed me how to dance as well. I tripped over my own feet a few times but I eventually got the hang of it.

We returned to the castle when the sun began to set and as we entered the palace courtyard, I stared off into the distance and watched the sun disappear.

Only two days left. I thought to myself glumly.

I slid off the saddle of my chocobo and handed the reigns to the stable hand. I walked toward Vincent who was eyeing me curiously. "You can go upstairs and change into something more comfortable. I'd like to invite you to go on a walk with me."

I smiled, my cheeks flushing a deep red. "Oh, I'd love to," I said, walking past him. "I'll be down in a minute."

"I'll be right here." Vincent stuffed his hands into his pockets and watched me retreat inside the palace.

I turned around and rushed back to my room. Cait was fast asleep on my bed when I came charging through the door. He jumped and rolled off the bed. "Geez, Tifa, give me a little warning before you come running in. You about gave me a heart attack." Cait took a few deep breaths before he sat on the edge of the bed. "So, how'd your day with the Prince go?"

I grabbed a long black skirt from my closet and, hugged it to my chest, twirling around. "Oh, Cait, it was wonderful! We did so many things! He invited me to take a walk with him!"

"Right now?" Cait asked, baffled.

I nodded my head vigorously. "Yes, oh, I better hurry!" I said, returning to my closet and grabbing a nice red blouse. I ran into the bathroom and hastily changed before running out. "Bye, Cait!"

I hurried back down into the courtyard and merrily skipped up next to Vincent. He smiled as he watched me return. "Ready?"

I nodded. "Where are we going to walk?" I asked as we began to walk off.

"I think walking along the coast would be nice. What do you think?" He asked, turning to me.

"You mean the sea?" I asked expectantly.

"Of course."

A broad smile stretched over my face as we walked through the sand. I gazed up into the sky and frowned at what I saw. "Vincent," I said, tapping his arm and stopping. "What are those white dots?"

The Prince was silent for many moments before he cleared his throat. "Uh, those are stars."

"I've heard stories about them." I twirled around in slow circles as I continued to gaze up into the heavens. When I as still a mermaid, I never really paid attention to the sky when I went to the surface at night. The day I rescued Vincent was the same case.

"You really are surprising," he said, watching me.

I stopped and looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's almost like you're not even from here. Like you're from a totally different civilization."

I bit the corner of my lip. "Well, you know," I said, walking into the surf enjoying the sensation of the cool water on my feet. "I don't get out much where I come from and all these wonderful things that your people have, mine don't."

"Interesting," Vincent mumbled, coming to a stop next to me. He looked at me and was about to say something else when I heard a high-pitched squeak from somewhere out to sea.

I turned and squinted my eyes, searching for the source of the sound. I saw a small splash off to the left and took off towards it. I had to hike my skirt up to about mid thigh so my skirt wouldn't get wet. I looked around for the source of the sound and smiled when I saw a dolphin floating not too far away.

"Cloud?" I whispered so Vincent wouldn't hear me.

"Yeah, what's up?" He asked, swimming closer.

I looked over my shoulder quickly to make sure Vincent wasn't following me. "What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to check on you. I haven't heard anything from Yuffie since you two lovebirds went to town this afternoon. Did you have fun?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I had a lot of fun." I paused and looked behind me again, seeing Vincent watching me intently. I turned back to Cloud. "I better go. Don't want him getting weirded out that I'm talking to a dolphin."

"No problem. I'll see you later." After that he disappeared beneath the surface and was gone.

I returned to where Vincent was standing and let my skirt fall back down around my legs. Vincent gave me an inquiring look. "What was that all about?"

"What?" I asked, trying to play dumb.

"You were talking to that dolphin."

"Oh, that," I said, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Ever since I was little I've had this ability to talk to marine animals. I know it sounds crazy." Yet again, another instance where telling him my true lineage would prove fatal.

"No, I think it's interesting," Vincent said, flashing a warm smile at me.

I blushed again and looked away. "Thank you."

I saw him move closer to me out of the corner of my eye and shyly turned to look at him. My faded brown eyes met his deep crimson ones and for a moment it felt like time had stopped. My heart started to race as he leaned down closer to me.

This is it! This is it!

My thoughts raced in my head as he got closer to me and right before our lips met a large wave of water hit the both of us, jolting us away from each other. I coughed, for some of the seawater had managed to get in my mouth, and wiped my face off. I looked out into the water and was just in time to see too black tails submerge back under the water.

I felt Vincent touch my arm. "Well, that was awkward. Come, let's get you back to the palace." I nodded and walked with him until we reached the stairs that led to my room. "I still have a few things I have to take care of. I will see you tomorrow morning."

"Alright," I replied, shyly. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Tifa," he said, smiling, before he walked away.

I sighed as I watched him leave. I was so close to becoming a human permanently. I sighed once more before ascending the stairs and returning to my room.