Author note: Guys, I went down a rabbit hole. My job has a VTO feature, and I took it the other day, a beautiful four hours of paid freedom… and I spent it writing shameless smut for this story. I have a document folder for future scenes, so that when ideas strike, I can write them out and have them for later. And I just… my brain went there. I don't even know of this story will ever go that mature, but my brain was all for it.

Chapter start

Time seemed to hang, suspended, while all involved parties eyed each other with varying degrees of emotion. Surprise, curiosity, indifference… and deep distrust from Vincent, his gun nowhere in sight, but the blood covered arm tense, muscles ready to spring.

The mood broke when Vergil snorted, flicking his sword hard enough that the entrails and blood flicked off. Without thought, he turned from Vincent, lip curled, as his eyes landed on my still form. Damn.

Before I could offer anything in my defense or attempt an escape, he'd crossed the room, grabbing along my upper arm. He seemed to think better of it, tossing his sword to Tseng, who caught it with nary a protest. Then he hefted me, ignoring my whines protest, the way my back arched at the pressure.

"Deal with this," he snapped as he left the room, steps loud in the basement.

For once, I didn't attempt to tug his hair or make a show of discontent. Rage, carefully leashed, was simmering in his movements, strides long as he took the stairs three at a time, stroked through the busted open door. Claudia was by the foot of the stairs, lip bitten through as she took the scene in.

"Are they all right," she asked.

I blinked when he paused, actually giving her attention. Usually Vergil could be so single minded. "They're fine. Thanks to sheer dumb luck."

Claudia let out a deep sigh, relief evident from every inch of her. Before she could say anything else, Vergil darted up the stairs. He bypassed the room I'd claimed as my own, and I realized now how Boulder had gotten to us.

The door he'd originally been behind was splintered in places; half separated from the hinges. Boulder had, in his frenzy, busted through both sets of doors, most likely being what caused the Turks to become aware of the shenanigans taking place.

They wouldn't try to hurt Vincent, would they? Much as I thought he may have been sane, no one could blame him if he defended himself. And much as Reno and Tseng knew their ways around combat… Vincent would out class them, if only due to Chaos festering inside his skin.

The room he took me in was impressive in size, though the bed wasn't anything special. I knew because that was where he tossed me, body bouncing twice before I quickly shuffled into a sitting position.

Vergil was livid. A livid I'd never seen before. "What the hell were you thinking?" His voice was slightly raised with his snarl.

To be fair to myself, the monster in game verse had been in the safe. Never had I thought maybe it would have wandered off, or been placed with Vincent directly. What had the thing been eating?

Hell, I could admit it. I'd wrongly assumed that, because monsters didn't roam buildings I'd encountered like in game verse, that there wouldn't be any. Still, I couldn't use that to avoid my inevitable scolding from all corners. My back throbbed as if to remind myself of the misery being physical and not just verbal.

"To be fair… how was I supposed to know there would be a monster," I wondered.

Vergil didn't let that stop his steam. "You just had the idea to run around the mansion at night, and explore parts that we hadn't checked over. It was beyond reckless."

"And all you took was Cloud!" Fingers raked through his hair, unsettling it into more of a mess. My eyes noted he was in his bedclothes, blood dripping from the cloth to the floor. I realized too, that blood was on me, from contact with his body and the fight. Oh, gods. "The kid has had less than a week of battle training, and you took him along like a seasoned Turk!"

I scoffed. "No, I took him along because he's my age. It was an adventure, one that anyone should be able to have in their family home!"

"You aren't just anyone!" He raged.

"I know that!" I finally snapped. "I didn't hit my head. I know exactly who I am. That doesn't mean I'm a doll that needs coddling, or immediate repair because I get a paper cut."

"It means exactly that," he hurled back, fist slamming into the table. I couldn't help the flinch, and the way I winced when my back protested.

He noticed, his one good eye softening slightly. He stalked closer, fingers beginning to shine with the ethereal green of a cast. "Where?"

"My back," I replied, softly. A lump had formed in my throat.

No matter how I raged back… I really was doomed to be Rufus Shinra most protected commodity. The green light went over my body, the ache vanishing as though it never were. The only reminder the blood.

"If that's the way it has to be, maybe I'll just go back to Midgar." Vergil stilled, eye flickering over my face. "I can't live my own life. I'll just ask Dad to figure out who he's going to sell me to, and then lay back and be a good little socialite for that person."

I had almost died. Felt fear twist through the gut, remembered that Shinra wasn't a playground for me to trample. Still, I grasped my goals tight. As much as it sucked, I wouldn't let anyone dictate to me anymore. Luckily, though I was mature, they didn't know what I knew.

Vergil huffed. "That isn't what I meant."

"Maybe not your words, but that's what it boils down to." I gave him a look. "Don't go below plate, someone might attack you. Don't go outside, you could be used for ransom. Don't explore a monster might get you.

"My whole life, you've all fought my battles for me. Truth… you've all done your best to stop me from knowing the battle even existed. It isn't any way to live. I can't live like that forever."

He kneeled down, taking my hands in his. "I know, it seems that way. Rufus is trying. He's trying to make it safe."

"It can't be totally safe! I could go outside and a car hit me!" I whispered it harshly. He didn't let me yank my hands back.

"I get it," he sighed. "I also get you're trying to guilt me. I'm pissed off you did this. Not because you did it. You're a teenager, of course you wanna explore. We all get that. You're growing up."

He snorted. "You're growing up too fast. Sophie, I've been with you the longest, you know? I've watched over you since you were a chaotic, bored kid."

"You have," I acknowledged lightly.

"I don't care you wanna explore. But be smart about it! Take Boulder, always. Tell us when you're doing something so we know." He held my gaze, trying hard to get his point across. "If not for Boulder, we wouldn't have known what was going down. That can't happen again, Princess."

I sighed. Really, I'd known reacting off impulse never boded well when one was connected with Turks. They were like bloodhounds after a scent with their missions, meaning they'd take it personal if a failure occurred.

I didn't regret it. Things had to move now, in ways that wouldn't be able to be held in control. Partially, I wanted Vincent just because he could give me insights, maybe, and just maybe… drag Lucrecia from that crystal prison she'd damned herself to.

Nothing I ever said or did would give Sephiroth a father. Not one that was worth anything. But maybe… maybe he could have his mother, in some capacity. With his personality I wondered if he'd ever accept her into his lifestyle as he'd done his friends. But… she had a lot to answer for. Answers only she could explain.

As for this, the Turk had a point. Like any regular teenager I'd decided to sneak around, like a thief in the night. Only the stakes were much higher than missing a party or hot date. My stakes were world ending. Not knowing that, it was natural they and Rufus would react like this. Especially Vergil, who had been with me the longest.

"I get it," I murmured. "I'll tell someone before I go off while I'm here."

He nodded, sharing a wry smirk. "While you're here?"

I was so tired. Yet I giggled, giving him a wink. "I mean, there's so much to do here. We know I get bored in that tower."

"Brat," he muttered, laughing. "You reek of blood."

"And whose fault is that, Verg?" My brows arched, disbelief he'd even mention it.

"Ultimately, purely yours." He rose up, brushing bloody palms down his pants. "Don't worry, Princess. I'll take the blame."

"Of course," I cooed. "I learned such bad habits from you."

A scoff and a wave, he left the room. Boulder had settled along a couch pushed under a window, idly licking the blood from his fur.

"We're both filthy," I sighed.

I stood up, stretching until the muscles in my back popped, the warm relief traveling up the spine. Really, I should learn materia better. The heal at the very least was am absolute blessing, until one remembered it was condensed souls and planet juice.

Boulder followed when promoted, hopping into the shower. The blood came off easy with the hot water, for both of us. I didn't have it in me to voice a protest when he hopped onto the bed, tail wagging as he rifled through the blankets to dry himself, barking and huffing with his excitement. Hard to believe just an hour ago this hound had viciously slammed through two doors and taken chunks from a monster.

Such a good boy. I wondered, briefly, how he'd known before even the Turks that danger was in the vicinity. It had never crossed my mind to test his senses, only seeing my goofy and lovable protector. My beloved pet. Sure, there had been training to learn combat that utilized him and our bond, but it had never been necessary to try out.

This night has taught me one thing, and one thing alone. If I continued on the path I wanted, I couldn't rely on Turks, and SOLDIERS, or even Rufus to step up and handle monsters. They would, gladly. But I needed to not only have a training knowledge of combat… but a physical, so that next time, I wouldn't need a Turk rescue. Even Cloud had been better than me! And he'd had a week of training, with Reno taking him into the mountains to fight off the wolves and monsters that wandered too close.

All I could say for myself is, I'd stayed calm. Then again, it was hard to be afraid when your last death hadn't led to anything except a different fucked up world.

The sun crested over the mountains, and I realized I'd spent the night staring out the window. The snores coming from Boulder were deep, whole body twisted up under a comforter, pillows knocked to the floor in his sleep induced jerks and movements.

I got up, noting Claudia must have moved some of my clothes when she'd realized Boulder had ruined my door. I dressed quickly, and handled the morning routine of brushing teeth and hair, tossing the strands into a messy bun.

I paused when I got the to door, the noise of it opening causing Boulder to pop out from his blankets, staring at me. He'd broken through two doors, to get to me.

Patting my leg, smiling as he hopped down and came to heel, steps close to mine. I had a vampire to see.

Tseng glanced at me from his position outside a door, guarding it. His brow cocked. "In one piece I see."

"Aw, were you worried?" I cocked my head, smiling.

He snorted, turning away. "I doubt you escaped without Vergil scolding you. I'll leave Rufus to handle the rest of the burden."

"Oh, that's just cruel," I whined. "He'll be way worse than you."

"Indeed."

My hands reached out, playfully hugging around his body, jumping slightly to jostle him. "Come on, Tseng! Give me a Turk scolding so Rufus leaves me alone!"

"I think not." He separated from me, hands along my upper arms, smirk positively evil. "I would never deprive your brother his right to scold you. Let alone… Sephiroth his right."

Oh, right. My face paled, realizing he was absolutely right. I was doomed. "That's just mean."

"And yet…" He trailed off, eyes flicking to the door. "You're little adventure has certainly unveiled some… interesting things."

"Mister vampire," I murmured. "Who is he?"

"Certainly not a vampire," He returned drily. "His name is Vincent. So he claims."

"Vincent… the Turk?" I feigned surprise. "Wouldn't he be in his forties or fifties by now?"

Tseng didn't answer. Maybe my false innocent tone had begun to grate on him, more and more aware of my personality as he spent time in the vicinity. Maybe seeing Vincent shook part of him, deep down. Vincent had been a Turk sacrificed, an accepted loss that Shinra had calculated, and approved. It wouldn't be pleasant to think those things, know them in the peripheral of your mind. Less so to be confronted with them directly. Irreversible proof that the company you swore loyalty to was a monster. And he was friends and companions with the heir to that throne.

Or maybe he was just contemplating how to explain everything to said friend and future main boss. Surely it wouldn't be so easy as the blunt truth.

"Hey, so your sister snuck away while we were all sleeping. And she could have gotten killed, but hey look! It's a senior Turk that your dad let be killed. Looks good for a walking corpse, right?"

… No, that story wasn't one I envied them having to explain.

"I wanna talk to him," I said.

He sighed. "Of course, you do." His hair drifted as he shook his head. "Boulder goes in with you. And I will be outside. Should anything happen, you must defend yourself until we can subdue him."

"And here I thought you'd all be bosom buddies and hug it out," I teased.

He shook me, once, firmly. "Whoever he once was does not tell us what he's become. Caution is the best approach."

"I get it. Honestly, I'm surprised you're letting me in"

"Perhaps if you would lose some of your stubbornness, I would feel confident you wouldn't climb through the window if I stopped you here."

"Good thing that'll never change then, right?"

He rolled his eyes as I grasped the door handle, pressing it down. I took a deep, fortifying breath, feeling it expand my lungs. I had this. I had time. Now, I just needed to use it wisely.