A/N: Sorry about the wait! Our internet was shut off yesterday after the power finally came back on… but that bill's been paid and I'm back online. So, thanks to those that have reviewed, and here ya go!
.
.
Once Again, Chapter Eight: Thoughts
.
.
Vincent eventually rose from his chair and headed for the kitchen. While he himself didn't eat terribly much, he was sure Ranisa would be hungry. He frowned before pulling a few things out of the refrigerator. He was glad that Cloud had thought to put the food he delivered away when he had found Vincent not at home. Vincent wasn't a cook by any means; he never had been. So a few minutes later, he returned to the living room with a sandwich on a plate and a glass of water. Vincent felt obligated to make certain she ate, mostly because helping her made him feel as though he was on the right 'path'. He had realized, last year, that most of the sins he had needed to atone for, hadn't been his own. However, it was hard after nearly 30 years of behaving in such a way, to act differently now.
He set both things on the table and spoke as he did so. "Ranisa." Red eyes watched as the woman blinked rapidly and groaned, picking her head up. She hadn't moved at all in the last four hours. With one hand, she pushed her chin to one side, and then the other, her neck letting off several loud cracking sounds each time. Golden eyes focused on red ones briefly before flicking to the food. A small smile lit her face. "Thank you, Vincent!" He nodded, moving back to his chair and sitting down. He found that the muscles in his back, shoulders, and legs were actually almost sore. But that good sort of feeling, like what one gets from a good workout. He hadn't felt that in a long time, at least from something that didn't involve 'saving the world'. He heard a series of pops and cracks and looked over to find Ranisa popping what sounded like almost every joint in her hands and wrists before she flexed her fingers and then reached for the food. He blinked, fighting the urge to smirk, amused.
When Ranisa had finished eating, she grabbed both the plate and the glass and rose, taking them to the sink in the kitchen. Seeing a few dishes there already, she felt perhaps she could be of some help by washing them. Once she was finished with that, she set the now clean dishes in the drainer and headed back for the living room. She was still very tired and it was evening now. She didn't return to her seat on the couch, but rather looked over to Vincent and bid him goodnight, before heading for the hall and her bedroom. She almost missed Vincent's soft words in response.
.
.
.
.
Tseng flipped his phone open, frowning. He hadn't been able to answer his phone earlier when Reeve called, and now he was finally able to call the man back. He hadn't said anything to anyone about the head of the WRO calling him. Lifting the phone to his ear as it rang, Tseng stood staring out the window in his room at Healin lodge. Reno was outside, cussing at something in regards to the helicopter, while Rude was checking over their cargo. Elena stood next to Rufus, who was watching calmly.
"Tseng, thank you for returning my call." Tseng wasn't surprised Reeve knew it was him.
"What did you need, Reeve?"
"To be honest, some information. I can't get into the computer systems I need to, or I'd do it myself…" Reeve was being vague and Tseng knew the man didn't want to talk about whatever it was over the phone. Thinking for a moment, Tseng finally answered.
"We'll be in Edge tomorrow around noon. I expect you to meet me at one, in the usual place." There was an affirmative sound from Reeve and Tseng snapped his phone shut without another word. He wondered if it had anything to do with what they had uncovered though he doubted it. Tseng made his way back outside, noting, without moving his gaze off of Rude, just how Rufus watched him. He would have to be careful tomorrow. That Shin'ra was smart, and Tseng wasn't sure if Reeve wanted anyone to know he had contacted the Turk. While Tseng wouldn't say anything yet, he didn't owe Reeve anything. He did, however, owe Valentine—who worked with Reeve—his life; and, until he found out what this was about, he would treat it with the utmost secrecy. Tseng did not like to owe anyone anything.
.
.
.
.
It was very, very cold outside and it was not liked. There was a disgruntled sound, similar to a hissing noise of air rushing out of one's mouth, and for once in its life, the creature was glad for where it came from; or it would have long ago succumbed to the biting winter chill. Copper and black eyes gazed along the trail the creature had left and there was a very unhappy sound deep in its throat. Turning and refocusing its eyes on the unbroken expanse of trees and snow in front of it, the creature sighed.
"I must find her..." The voice was melodic and light though barely above a whisper. The words hissed out from barely open lips, into the cold darkness of night.
.
.
.
.
Tifa sighed as she followed the last patron to the door, locking it and flipping the sign around. Well, tonight was the last night she was open until Saturday night. She was still not very happy about that. Turning around and heading back to the bar, she spotted Shelke already starting on the tables. She was more than glad for the girl's help every day. It made her job easier to keep up with now that the bar was growing in 'the public's eyes'. Especially with all the connections it had to all the 'heroes'. She was glad Shelke had stopped searching for her sister's stasis tube months ago and seemed to be getting over the loss. They had all looked… No one had found anything from where it had dropped out of the Shera during the assault on Deepground a year ago. Unfortunately, when Omega rose, it must have been destroyed along with half the ruins of Midgar. She shook the thoughts from her head as she started washing the glasses for the night… But it was such a habitual task that her mind began to wander.
She had been surprised to hear that Chaos was around Vincent again, after he had told them that the beast had settled back into the lifestream. Apparently the beast had needed to heal and simply found being connected to Vincent too interesting. That was when it had started speaking to him, though she only knew that from overhearing a conversation between Vincent and Cloud. Cloud had been doing much better since the Reunion two years ago. The man was less depressed, less silent, but he still did not come around all that often. Sure, he stopped by more than he used to, but it was for the kids, not for her. Setting the glass down too hard, she jarred herself from her thoughts to find Shelke staring at her in that unsettling way of hers. Tifa gave her a soft smile and shook her head. The other girl simply turned back to sweeping the floors, the tables already done. Tifa sighed, setting to finish the glasses.
.
.
.
.
Vincent looked up from his book, frowning slightly. Rising, he headed for Ranisa's bedroom, the sound of a nightmare evident. He had hoped she would get through another night without one, but he had known that it was inevitable. He pushed the door open, leaving it open this time as he stepped towards the bed, halting a few feet from it. "Ranisa." His voice was a bit louder than normal, but he didn't need to shout, or so he assumed. She didn't wake. He frowned and repeated her name. No response but the twitching and muttering like last time. He tried again, "Ranisa, wake up." Nothing. Narrowing his eyes, he felt Chaos stir. Touch her shoulder, like last time. Just be ready this time. Vincent wanted to roll his eyes, but refrained. Instead, he stepped forward, placing his clawed hand over her forearms and his gloved hand on her shoulder at the same time. Azure eyes shot open upon contact, but he pushed down with his gauntlet, effectively startling her into not moving as he had her arms pinned in front of her. She had the sleeves of the long sleeved shirt rolled to the elbow and Vincent watched the snow white scales seem to melt into existence on her skin, her nails elongating. Red eyes flicked to her face, cat slit eyes watching him with suspicion, teeth barring those elongated fangs. "Ranisa, wake up. You're having a nightmare…" At the sound of his voice, her lips settled down, covering her teeth and her brow scrunched up, as though trying to discern what he said, or if it were the truth. After a long, tense moment, the blue bled from her eyes and confused golden orbs locked with crimson. "V...Vincent?" He let go of her and stood straight again. Ranisa sat up slowly and looked at him before the confusion fell from her face and she looked at her hands. They were still covered with glittering white scales. "Oh." He watched her for her reaction, as it began to sink in. "I… A nightmare again…" She lifted her right hand up, mouth hanging open slightly as she watched the small scales slowly dissipate. He almost didn't catch the white mist like smoke that wisped into the air and vanished. Golden eyes turned back to him and he nodded before she spoke. "I think I understand now why you were hesitant to let go of my wrists the other night… I assume I… attacked you?" Her voice was strangely devoid of tone and emotion and he felt he knew why. She was separating herself from the incident, trying to keep her calm.
"Yes, but you did not this time. Don't worry about it and try to get some sleep. We leave this afternoon." Nodding she lay back down, not saying anything as Vincent left the room just as suddenly as he had entered. She recalled the nightmare, but it had started out as a dream or memory of… she guessed a time when she was better taken care of. She had dreamt of a pet she had had, a snake named Psy. She heard an older male tell her she had an uncanny relationship with that coldblooded thing. She felt the snake knew her and understood her, but then again, she had been young… perhaps no more than six. She supposed she had always been experimented on because even then, her hair and nails had been that electric azure blue, and her eyes that bright, molten gold color. Ranisa drifted back into sleep, thinking of snakes and of Red-eyed blessings.
.
.
.
.
Cloud was sitting in a wooden pew, staring at the small pond where the flowers had been. He could still see them, under the water and looking untouched except the way they swayed gently even though there was no current in the water. A soft vibration accompanied by a soft beep alerted him to his phone. Digging it out of his pocket and flipping it open, he realized he had a message from Reeve. He had received it hours ago and apparently hadn't realized it. He wondered how many times his phone had reminded him before he'd finally heard it. Blue eyes quickly scanned the message before he tucked his phone away again.
"I hope I'm doing the right thing Aerith… I can't ask you anymore because you finally let go and I'm glad for that, but I miss your advice sometimes…" He sighed and rose to his feet. He wasn't going to head to Seventh Heaven, but he also didn't want to sleep on the pew. Moving back towards the entrance to the Church, Cloud had moved around some of the broken wooden benches and he currently slept there. Lying down on his sleeping pad, he curled an arm under his head and sighed softly. Tomorrow was going to try his nerves and he knew it, but he had to see what Reno, the Turks, and more than likely Rufus, were up to.
Cloud was nearly asleep when the hair on his neck seemed to stand up. He shot into a crouched position, bright blue eyes practically glowing from the Mako and the adrenaline rush. He scanned the entirety of the dark church, but he saw nothing. Frowning, he let go of the hilt of First Tsurugi. That had been strange… Almost as if someone was here, but clearly… He rose to his feet, hauling his sword up with him. It was different than when he had felt Zack or Aerith around, those two were simply spirits. This felt physical, as though someone were really standing somewhere inside the walls of the church. He frowned, walking a circuit of the building and finding nothing. Sitting on his bedroll, he leaned back against the wall, his sword propped against him, and after a few moments, let his eyes drift closed. The feeling of being watched dissipated shortly before he fell into a light sleep.
.
.
.
.
A/N: Alright everyone, hope you like it and PLEASE REVIEW! Cookies for those of you who do!
Risikaa