Chapter Seventeen – A Minor Error, A Cataclysmic Consequence

Yuffie was on her belly, sticking her fingers in the koi point, giggling as their gaping mouths searched eagerly for more food. Vincent sat on a large rock, watching her contently, looking up now and again to make sure Lulu was okay. She was standing on the other side of the garden under a blossoming cherry tree, staring up into the flowering branches. There was a similar tree standing over the koi pond, and he glanced up to marvel at the beauty. He heard Yuffie sigh contently. She's turned onto her back and was taking in the same view of the blossoms.

"I love it here," she said. "So peaceful. I spent a lot of time out here growing up."

"I can certainly understand why. It's beautiful."

"Vincent, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"I never thought you liked me very much before. I mean, you were always polite to me. But we weren't really friends until we joined up with the WRO."

"I thought we were friends, Yuffie."

"You know what I mean. You would never have called me to hang out or anything."

"No. But I don't 'hang out' with anybody."

"Exactly. I was no different. You didn't seem to have any particular liking for me. So when you said you loved me, I was really shocked. I've been wanting to ask you for a while… did you have feelings for me before?"

Vincent considered this for a moment. "I was always fond of you. You were so bright and… happy. I was a mess of despair. You made me feel carefree and lighthearted."

"You felt lighthearted around me?" Yuffie crooned, smiling widely.

Vincent nodded. "To answer your question, though, I think I was slow to realize my true feelings. It wasn't until that night in Edge that I knew I was willing to love again. Your words were… so kind and honest. Nobody had ever spoken to me in that way."

"I wish more people did. I wish more people took time to really get to know you. Everyone admires your abilities and your reliability, but nobody seems to realize there's a person under that harsh exterior. It makes me sad."

Vincent reached down and cupped her cheek in his hand. "Don't feel sad for me, Yuffie. I may not look it, but I'm happier than I've ever been."

"Aww, Vince. Really?"

He opened his arms and she jumped into them readily. "Of course!"

Yuffie had to laugh. He was clearly trying to impersonate her, but it sounded hilarious in his deep, almost toneless voice.

"I love you, Yuffie."

"I love you, Vincent. All of you, inside and out!"

They leaned in to kiss but were interrupted by a blood-curdling scream.

Two men had entered the garden from the rooftop. Vincent cursed himself for not having kept a better eye on Lulu. One of the men was struggling to keep a hold on her while the other one stood guard between us and them. Both were armed with pistols.

Yuffie turned to Vincent. "You get Lulu. I'll take care of this jack-ass."

Vincent hesitated, his eyes wavering between Yuffie and the approaching villain.

"Hurry, Vince! Don't worry about me – just save Lulu!"

With that Yuffie dove toward the man who fired three shots which she avoided with ease. Vincent had to remind himself Yuffie was a more than able warrior before he felt confident enough to leave her alone.

Then he darted off toward Lulu and her captor who was having a difficult time restraining the screaming woman. As he approached, the man threw Lulu to the ground and pulled his piece. Vincent was a step ahead of him and shot the weapon out of his hand before he fired a single shot. But his enemy was quick and rolled out of the way before Vincent could land a shot and scooped Lulu up again, using her as a shield.

Vincent was confident he could aim past Lulu and kill the man, but the fear in Lulu's eyes made him hesitate. Finally he took the shot, destroying the man's shoulder and dropping him, screaming in agony, to the ground. Lulu rushed toward Vincent, bawling as she burrowed against his chest. He put an arm around her protectively.

"Hand over the girl," said a voice from behind. Vincent turned and felt his heart leap across his chest. Never in his life had he been so terrified. The other man held her with one arm and had the muzzle of his gun to her temple with the other. He could see that several other men, armed with rifled, had the garden surrounded from the roof. He might be able to free Yuffie with a well-placed bullet, but the snipers would overtake them all in the end. He couldn't risk it.

"I'm serious. I'll kill this little bitch." There was confidence in the man's voice and Vincent knew he'd lost.

"Don't do it, Vince," Yuffie whimpered painfully. "Just gimme a minute and I'll get free." Vincent could tell her bravery was in vain. She wouldn't get out of this without his help. And the only way he could help was to hand over the thing he'd sworn to protect. Lulu looked up at him remorsefully, as if she understood what he must do.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, pushing her away.

The man shoved Yuffie to the ground hard and kept his gun pointed at her until Lulu was safely in hand. Then he backed away cautiously. Several Wutainese guards had appeared to assist, but their spears and other short-range weapons were no match for the rooftop snipers. Vincent held up a hand to them, letting them know not to attack.

He stood and watched as Lulu walked calmly alongside her captor, never taking her eyes off Vincent. The rooftop snipers lowered a cable down and the man attached it to his belt before being hoisted up. A helicopter approached then and one by one his enemies disappeared inside it. As it lifted into the air, the man who'd taken Lulu called out to him.

"Hey Valentine!"

Vincent looked up just in time to see him pull the trigger. The shot rang out over the sound of the chopper's blades before the helicopter disappeared, and Yuffie was knocked off her feet like a rag doll. The bullet had gone right through her abdomen, and in the instant it took Vincent to lift her from the garden floor and carry her into her father's house, she'd lost enough blood to soak his shirt.

She clung weakly to him as he rushed her to the guest room and laid her down. A house keeper called for help and it was only by a great stroke of fortune that the doctor had stayed to have tea with Godo. He rushed to Yuffie's side, barking orders to Vincent and the household staff. Vincent's demons raged inside him, desperate to get out. He held them back, his body trembling wildly. Finally he tore his eyes from Yuffie and fled the room.

He knew the doctor wouldn't be able to help her. She'd need a hospital. He pulled his mobile and dialed Cid's number. It rang four times before he finally picked up.

"What say, Vince? Whatcha up to?"

"Cid, come to Wutai immediately. Yuffie's been shot. She needs to get to a hospital."

"&$%#! On my way!"

Even as fast as the Shera could go, Vincent knew it would be at least an hour before Cid could be here if he was leaving from Rocket Town. If the doctor couldn't get the bleeding to slow down before then, she didn't have a chance. He approached the door again slowly, peeking in past the bustling staff acting as nurses. Yuffie appeared to have lost consciousness. He wanted desperately to be by her side but knew his presence would only hinder the doctor's ability to save her. And so, without being told, he remained in the corridor, pacing anxiously.

Nearly an hour later Godo emerged from the room, his face graven. Once he spotted Vincent, his expression changed to one of fury. "You! This is your doing!"

Vincent allowed Godo to push him back against the wall and swing his fist into his face. The taste of blood where his lip had broken against a tooth only made him think of Yuffie's blood which was slowly drying, sticking his shirt to his skin.

"I knew you would only bring ruin to my daughter's life. Get out of our land immediately and don't ever return."

Vincent could hear the Shera approaching, though he knew Godo could not.

"I'll stay away from Wutai, and your daughter. But first you must allow me to get her to a hospital."

"You are not taking Yuffie anywhere!"

"She'll die without proper medical treatment."

"Our physicians are more than capable-"

"The boy is right," the doctor interrupted. "I've done all I can for Yuffie. She needs a transfusion."

Godo stuttered, "W-we can do that here!"

"Lord Godo, do not be a fool! If you trust my medical opinion, you will do as I say!"

Godo growled and bowed his head. Vincent rushed past him and knelt beside Yuffie. Her face and lips were almost completely white. She looked dead. Vincent carefully lifted her, still wrapped in a heavy blanket, and rushed her out of the house just as the Shera descended. The ladder was extended but he didn't wait for it. He allowed some of his rage to transform him into the ghostly red storm and flew up to the deck.

"Go!" he shouted, transforming back into human form and kicking through the door, still cradling Yuffie in his arms. He felt the ship rock as it took off, and carried Yuffie to the cabin they had shared on their way to Wutai.

Cid had a few scientists on board and they were able to keep Yuffie stabilized during the journey back to Edge. A kind woman with red hair seemed to be in charge of the small team, and Vincent could see she was doing everything she can to keep Yuffie comfortable – and alive. She made a few notes on a clipboard, then turned to Vincent who'd been standing at the foot of the bed watching helplessly.

"Doctors aren't supposed to say things like this, because there's always the chance that something could go wrong… but I think she's going to make it." She touched his shoulder supportively and smiled. "Stay with her. Talk to her and let her know you're with her. It'll keep her strong."

Vincent nodded and the woman left the room. He was alone with Yuffie now. Some of her color had returned since the Shera medical crew had intervened.

He reached out to brush a strand of hair out of Yuffie's face, but stopped before he'd touched her. I don't deserve to touch her. I destroy everything I touch. Once I've made sure she's taken care of in Edge, I'll leave and never come back.

He questioned his own resolve, knowing how difficult it would be to stay away from her. He knew she wouldn't blame him for any of this, and that she'd be upset if he left. Even so, if Vincent understood anything, it was sacrifice. Yuffie would be safer without him, and that was a fact. So he would sacrifice his happiness and, possibly, hers to make sure nothing like this happened to her again. He knew he'd had to check in on her occasionally – always in secret, of course, and from a distance – but he would not allow her to follow him into another dangerous trap.

That, he told himself firmly, is absolutely final.

Then he took a deep sigh and bent down to kiss her forehead lightly.