Took me awhile but I did it! Got past writers block and wrote a whole chapter.
Yuffie sat on the porch of the old man's house. Vincent was with Nanaki, talking with Talos.
" I'm sorry but you must be mistaken, but we aren't here to help. We are here to find out the bad guys of.. um up there." Vincent said, pointing up. Nanaki also confirmed this with a grumble.
The old man chuckled, and then wheezed. " Our enemies, are one in the same. They both use the darkness to twist their minds and bend their wills. To gain power." He said wisely. Vincent sighed, he obviously wasn't understanding that they didn't want to help.
Yuffie watched many people pass by, and as they did, they stared at her. But it might be, because she couldn't help but stare either. They wore very old looking clothes. Made of scraps.
The man who loved to glare like Vincent had left. Muttering to himself as he did so. The boy with Bluish hair had followed him, like a son would his father. And Yuffie had a pretty good idea that they were related.
Their skin wasn't the same, nor their color. But the face shape and eye shape were the exact same.
Right before they disappeared from view, she heard the boy's voice. It sounded sad and weak. Helpless and defenseless.
Just like she did when her mother died.
" Mama?" He had said. And Yuffie had a feeling that she was gone. Dead gone, she didn't think that anyone could leave such a poor little guy, especially in the hands of erm, the nice gentlemen he followed.
"Yuffie, the old man has asked for an exchange. He will give us information on our enemies if we help them with their darkness problem." Nanaki said signaling for her to come in.
She sighed and walked in again. Vincent was in the corner, steam rising from his head. He was mad, and anyone could tell.
Yuffie avoided him and looked at the old man. Chester was back, holding the old man up right.
" Now you must go through the three trials. First you will meet our spiritual woman. Second, you will be blessed by the spiritual woman. And third, well that will be for later." He said glancing at the angry gunslinger. Yuffie shot him a look and he glared.
" Chester, escort our heroes to the spiritual woman, we have no time to lose." Talos said before tugging his arm loose of Chester's grip. He grumbled something about not being old yet and went off into the back of the house.
Chester smiled before taking us outside and leading us further into the village. The huts changed into houses as they walked and he stopped in front of an older, creepy house.
Yuffie took a few steps back, the house had a dark look to it. No lights on inside and a welcome mat that said go away. She had a feeling this woman didn't want to be bothered any time soon.
The door swung open in two seconds after he knocked. An older looking woman with scars on her face showed in view. She had a mean look on her face and she was definitely scary. Yuffie was very aware that the woman probably stood four feet and two inches, also.
" What do you want, stupid boy. And his stupid friends." the way she said it, it didn't even sound like a question. More like, a signal to GET THE FUCK AWAY!
" Talos, has found our heroes, lady Minara." He said in a sweet chocolate voice. She shoved him out of the way, and glanced at them. First she made Vincent bend down so she could inspect his face. Then she turned him around and tugged at his cape.
Then she pushed him lightly and he scowled. Lady Minara walked over to Nanaki. And he winced, waiting for the same inspection. Instead though, she patted his head and chuckled. Vincent opened his mouth to say something but she leered at him. And he immediately shut it.
Yuffie was about to run off when the old lady got to her. Minara jerked on Yuffie's small clothing, frowning she touched her hair.
" Hmm, fine, get them in my house or else." She said before walking in and shutting the door. Chester turned back to find all of them staring at the door with a confused look.
" She makes a wonderful drunk." Chester said grinning.
Vincent eyed the lady carefully. there was something about her that Vincent didn't like. Maybe it was the way she glared at everyone except Nanaki. Or maybe it was because she called him stupid and Yuffie the moron.
" You guys met me, now I must bless you butts. Now I need you to go stand in the cellar. Except for you, doggy, of course you don't stand." She said looking at Nanaki. He didn't bother to correct her about being a dog and just went downstairs. Chester followed happily and guided them where to stand.
Yuffie stood on the left of Nanaki and Vincent on the right. They stood there for a good ten minutes before the lady came down with a gourd and plate with berries on it.
She put the plate on the table and came over to each of them. Starting with Vincent, she flicked water at him and muttered something. Yuffie didn't catch it though.
She did the same to Nanaki. Still Yuffie couldn't hear what she said.
The old woman stopped in front of her. Her piercing green eyes seeing right into Yuffie's soul.
" You have a pure heart, Moron." Yuffie raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Of course she couldn't say anything since water was flicked onto her face. The old lady turned and got the plate from the table. Without warning she shoved a berry into each of their mouths. Vincent's reaction probably being the funniest. Since he choked and tried looking mad at the same time.
The berry tasted like strawberries and apples. Which was odd.
" A task befalls all of you. Your going to be going to a place where men become monsters. Monsters become demons and demons become bitches. Vincent Valentine, do not lose your way. Nanaki, keep your friends close. And Moron, Yami ga gaitÅ suru baai Anata no hikari ga kagayaite Kami ni inoru , Anata no unmei, kanojo o kensaku." She said before disappearing back upstairs. Vincent and Nanaki regarded her with a puzzled look but she waved them off.
The question Yuffie had was, what did she mean?
Chester led them to a small hut, with one bedroom. They all walked inside and he showed them to their rooms.
" Mr. Valentine and Ms. Kisaragi's quarters." He said pointing to the queen sized bed in the no door bedroom. Yuffie gave a funny laugh and chose the couch near Nanaki. Chester waved bye before leaving them to rest.
" Take the bed, Yuffie." Vincent said hovering over her. She shook her head and closed her eyes. "Now." His voice sounded low and threatening.
" I don't want the bed, ass. I want to sit by Nanaki. And tell him a little story I like to call regret." she said before turning to face away from him. Vincent scowled before looking at Nanaki who was regarding him with a be wise look. He blew air out his nose and stomped to the bed. He was a gentlemen. And as such he felt bad about having the bed and a lady having a couch.
After an hour of lying on the bed staring at the mud and sticks in the ceiling Nanaki walked into lay by the bed.
" Yes, Nanaki?" He asked wearily. Nanaki chuckled.
" You told me, what happened between you and Yuffie. Yet you never told me why you both regret it so much. Why do you guys let it put a rift in your friendship?" He asked as Vincent sat up. He groaned and looked at the creature.
" There was...complications, you could say. They started afterward. And it broke her in two. We started to fight about it and we both stopped."
" How could you get in a fight about adventure? That's what you both have in common. Going places, you both need to be traveling." Nanaki asked bewildered. Vincent sighed heavily. His mind now wandering to their adventures.
" Maybe later, Nanaki. I'm not sure I'm ready for anyone but me and Yuffie to talk about it." Vincent said sadly.
Nanaki could tell Vincent was broken also. Maybe even more broken.
He looked at Vincent and then Yuffie. Both of their faces showed a type of sorrow. And although Nanaki knew about some of their adventures, he didn't know what else that happened. Yuffie didn't even tell Tifa anything.
Nanaki had a feeling that he'd find out sooner or later. And right now later was the most probable one.
" That's another thing you two have in common, putting stuff off. Especially if its important." Nanaki grumbled. Vincent didn't hear what he said and just laid back on the bed.
" This is all your fault! How could you not notice it earlier?" Vincent snarled. Yuffie's face didn't falter.
" My Fault? How is this my fault? This is your fault, you shouldn't have acted anyway ass hole!" She yelled. Vincent was very much ready to stomp off and never see her again. But he didn't.
" Your lucky I don't just pretend it never happened and act like nothing happened, Yuffie!" He shouted. Yuffie snorted loudly.
" You know what? Maybe you should, I'd be much more better off without you shouting at stuff that's YOUR fault." She said poking him in the chest. He snatched her arm and pulled her close, so their noses nearly touched.
" You KNOW its your fault, you should have been more careful."
" Back off, Vincent. I'm done, I'll leave in another week. We'll both just forget it ever happened. I don't need my good friends to be worrying about me. I'm done fighting with you." She said. Vincent stared after her as she walked back towards Tifa's bar. He had been so angry at her he didn't even realize he had started to cry.
Yuffie jerked out of her nightmare. But relaxed when she saw red eyes.
She shut her own eyes and sighed. Then blinked, that wasn't Vincent's red eyes...
" You look a lot like her." Shayde said quietly. Yuffie screamed and pushed him away. He held his hands up, signaling he wasn't bad. " I'm sorry." He said.
Vincent awoke at her screams and shot out of the bed, nearly stepping on Nanaki in the process. He had his hand on his gun and stared at the man.
" What do you want?" Vincent said, voice low. Shayde pointedly ignored him.
" Yuffie Kisaragi, did she tell you the message? Are you going to do it?" Shayde said, and his voice sounded just as helpless as the little boy's. Yuffie frowned, the message?
She quickly remembered the old lady's words.
" Oh, did you know..." Yuffie trailed off as she saw the look on his face.
" Yes. You must, complete your mission. I must see her."
Where darkness falls, your light shines, pray to the gods, Find her, your destiny.
Seeing his face, Yuffie had a weird feeling pass over her.
Yuffie had to find Her.
" I promise, I'll find her for you." Yuffie said nodding. Vincent's eyebrow was raised and he gave both of them an odd look. " Who, is the parents of the little boy following you?" She asked. She had to know.
" I am his father...His mother, is gone." Yuffie felt dread all over her body. Vincent started feeling uncomfortable and looked at his feet.
" Oh, I'm sorry. So what now?" Yuffie asked. Shayde wasn't actually that bad. He just seemed very, like Vincent. He was just hurt by something and tried to cover it up.
" It is almost three in the morning. At three fifteen sharp, you will all bathe in the holy lake." He said quietly. Vincent's eyes snapped to Shayde's.
" What, do you mean by bathe in the holy Lake?" He asked thickly. Shayde looked at him with no emotion.
" You will have to wash in the holy Lake. Do you guys not take showers up there?" Shayde asked disgusted. Yuffie snorted.
" Yes we wash up there. But shouldn't the holy lake be dirty if we wash in it?"
" The lake is washing away your sins. Those who are destined will have their fates and destinies entwine." Shayde said. Nanaki laughed from behind Vincent. Who was looking like he was ready to pass out.
Shayde walked out without another word. Yuffie glanced at both of her companions and sighed. She wondered if she could wash with her underwear on?
They all went outside, the sun the tribe had created had left and was now a large moon. The people had gone to bed, so they all walked quietly toward the old man's house.
Yuffie watched as Shayde's little boy crossed their path, his red eyes exactly like his dad's. He ran off as fast as he could, disappearing like the wind.
" So you made it?" Chester's voice came from a hut. He still wore a smile and seemed cheerful. Even in the mornings.
" Yep, now can we hurry this up? I'm kind of tired." Yuffie admitted. Chester laughed.
" Of course, Yuffie Kisaragi. Let us go to the Holy Lake." He said before turning swiftly and walking away fast.
They arrived at the lake. Which had a little glow to it. The old Woman was there. Instructing them sternly to take off all their clothes. Vincent protested but Yuffie being Yuffie, started stripping. She was also afraid of the old lady and wasn't going to hesitate to her demands.
" Vincent Valentine, your future depends on this. You MUST do it. There is no shame." Vincent was hardly listening. He didn't care if his families lives depended on this. He refused to strip in front of his friends.
" Vincent Valentine, get your ass in the water so we can get it over with." Yuffie said, her glare matching his own. For a few moments they stayed that way. Both of them thinking of the fights they had.
He irritatedly took his clothes off, looking away from the others he stepped in the water. All three of them stayed away from each other, not wanting to bump into each other.
" Do you feel the spirits of the dead swirling around you?" The old woman said from the shore.
" No but I'm sure I can't feel my ass anymore." Yuffie muttered through shivering teeth. The water was cold and standing in it wasn't making it better.
" How much longer, I would like to have my clothes on?" Vincent asked in a polite tone.
" Whiny little brats. Shut up for five minutes and it might be over." She said giving Vincent a look. He rolled his eyes and turned away to bathe for five minutes.
And when they were out of the water Yuffie never felt better. She took a towel and dried off and got into warm clothes. Well as warm as shorts and a short shirt was going to get. But Chester had gladly given her a very large and thick blanket.
" Nanaki, come with me, you have a different trial to face then Stupid and Moron. You two, must stay here for the rest of the night, and here the souls of the dead." She said before waddling off with Nanaki. Yuffie glanced at Vincent and then looked back at the old lady. Everyone was leaving. Chester, the old lady, and Nanaki.
Which meant she was alone...
With Vincent.
" Oh, Shit."
This took me awhile. But I got to it. I'll make sure to write the next chapter faster.
And yes, a Vincent/Yuffie scene is coming up.
Please Review and It'll make me guilty for not updating.