Chapter Two

He had a chance to escape. As he climbed from the coffin, places swirled in his head. Where could he hide? He decided on Cid's house; the old pilot lived over the side of the mountain from Nibelheim, in Rocket Town.

He hurried through the broken old mansion, not worried about making noise; he never made any, and he would know if Yuffie was nearby because, ninja or ninja, she was still a klutz.

Through the main foyer he swept, and he could see no sign of her still. It was eerie, and he was getting paranoid. Where could she have gone?

As he made his way through the town, people stopped what they were doing and stared. One child started crying and told him mother he didn't like the old vampire. Slightly irritated, he pressed on. After all he had done for that town with the WRO, you'd expect people not to stare at you like you were some kind of monster.

An hour later

"I just don't see how ya managed a whole day trip in one %*$%) hour," the old pilot grumbled, after Vincent had knocked on his door. Cid let him in, and headed immediately to the kettle, to pour them tea, as Vincent seated himself in one of the few chairs at the tiny kitchen table. Cid and Shera's house was as cramped as usual.

"I had urgent matters that needed atte-" Vincent began in his deep voice, before Cid cut him off with a curse.

"Ya mean, that $^%#$% ninja brat is getting on your nerves again."

Vincent nodded, and each man sipped his tea in silence.

"How did ya get away from her?" Cid questioned abruptly, and rather rudely. Vincent stared into his tea, before looking up and answering.

"I was hiding in the coffin, and it went quiet, and nobody was there."

Cid paled at this, and jumped up, moved faster than Reno being taunted with booze, locking doors and windows, and pulling the curtains shut.

"We can't let her know yer here," the pilot puffed, having just gained a stitch for his efforts.

"I considered that the point of coming here," Vincent's pale lips lighted with the ghost of a smile.

Cid turned to face Vincent, his face red with fury. "It's not funny, ya hear! Whenever Yuffie is quiet and appears to have left ya alone, that #^%& kid is planning a calamity as big as #$(% Jenova!"

Vincent glanced at the door, "I doubt she will find me here."

No sooner had he said it, when a cacophony of whirring and buzzing noises came from outside, along with the mingled cries of horror from the townspeople.

Cid, swearing his head off, smashed the door down, and ran out to see what the commotion was. With a sinking feeling in his gut, he followed him.

Cid's new aircraft, Shera, was his pride and joy. Usually, it was kept in a heavily locked shed on the outskirts of the town. Today, it seemed like it wanted to have some fun in the sun by itself. It was going nuts, spinning in circles and the like on the ground, heading dangerously close to the town. Swearing so badly about "that goddamn ninja squirt and what he'd do when he found her" that parents covered their children's ears, Cid ran after his plane, and Vincent felt a pang of guilt and followed. It was kind of his fault.

There was no visible way of getting onto the Shera the way it was. Hard as they tried, they wouldn't find a way on.

"I can handle this," Vincent nodded at Cid confidently. He pulled the Cerberus out and before Cid could utter a word, shot the engines out. Cid fell to his knees in horror, occasionally twitched. After a few minutes, to avoid stares, Vincent had to carry Cid back to the little house, while people watching snickered.

Once inside, Vincent deposited Cid on the sofa that served as his bed, and made some more tea. Judging from the look on the pilot's face, he was going to need it. After a time, Cid's shock had vanished enough to try and find a cigarette to calm his nerves. After patting his pockets down, he grunted.

"I musta smoked them all…whatcha got there, vampire?"

Vincent stiffened with anger; Cid only ever called him that when he was really angry. Counting to ten in his head to calm down, Vincent handed him the cup of tea.

Looking slightly happier, but still upset at Vincent, he accepted it, and took a large gulp. 10 whole seconds passed after he swallowed before the angry glint returned to his eyes.

"THAT #$#^$%^ BRAT SWITCHED MY #$%$^% TEA FOR %^&#&^*( DECAF!"

Vincent could tell he wasn't welcome here anymore.

AN: Sorry about the really short chapters so far. This is my first ever fic, and I don't want to be going about nothing. Now, do you see where this story is heading? ;) Hope you are enjoying it, I think most of my information is right… I haven't played the game in years. I'd love it if you reviewed! ^_~

~Nacina~