Chapter 11: the way things weren't meant to be

Today would've been like any other day except Vincent had to call he had to ask if Sora would spend the day out with himself as well as Yuffie. Sora wouldn't have second guessed going if it was just Yuffie…but Vincent was involved and that ruined it to every known degree he could honestly think of so much so that Sora actually took his time getting dressed. Sitting on the floor actually contemplating on which outfit to wear, and instead of actually just grabbing a pocket load of munny to spend for food he ate at the seventh heaven. Which he still grabbed more than he needed of munny only because if he didn't he'd have to deal with Yuffie's puppy eyes of torture and possible nagging for the first three hours. True Sora would just listen, he couldn't be mad at her for he did care about her more than he'd let on if he revealed his feelings Tifa would never let him hear the end of it, after he finished everything on his plate with as much sluggishness as he could he finally got up, stretched and walked over to the counter.

"Be careful Sora you haven't really been to town and people here, aren't always friendly," Tifa warned

"I will Tifa, don't worry I'll be fine!" He flashed the widest grin he could as soon as he got to the door he could feel her gaze on him…it reminded him of home of the mother he left there.

"I love you" He said it unconsciously like all the times he wished he said it to his mom before he left to fight in a in escapable fight that he was swept into, that he had no control over in anyway.

"W-What!" Flabbergasted was the least of her emotions at this given moment

"You're…like a big sister…a mother to me and if something happened and I didn't say that…I'd feel as if I'd regret it" Nothing short of the truth yet the words he spoke before…he wanted nothing more than to say them to someone else.

When he thought of said girl…he felt light on his feet…but at the same time an immense pressure his thoughts were littered with her face…smiling at him. With that bright gleam in her eyes that made him wonder why it was only towards him…and what he could do to have her – that gleam in her eyes always shine for him. Even if he was kept awake at night by his thoughts as, he stepped through the threshold between the seventh heaven and the outside world of midgar. He felt…nostalgia crossing over into a domain he'd never really known…even if in this case it was the closest thing to normal life he's ever known. Yet…he knew something was missing…it was like a fleeting heat, warmth he had never been able to grasp. So close yet just out of reach, it was in that gleam she had, the gleam in her eyes held that warmth he'd never had. The warmth he'd die to have walking towards the town square…he felt the warmth all around him…with other people around him sharing something he wished to have. He finally found the pair…laughing, smiling and only a few inches away from each other. In such a way that made the brunette sick to his stomach. His body quivered with something sickly dark and with full-blown rage that his body was rooted to the ground due to the immense shaking he was going through. He knew his eyes changed, he could easily tell now but his body was numb with a strange feeling to do something he's never thought of moreover ever thought of doing to anyone or anything at this very moment. He wanted to kill not just anyone mind you Vincent was his target

"It seems you've finally decided to show yourself" Vincent said stoically

"If this works no one will suffer from the impending doom."

"Sora you shouldn't keep a ninja waiting they tend to throw pointy things when angry!" Yuffie said playfully

Her joking nature was enough to calm him the darkness receded for the moment, they started walking around the town with simple small talk, and eerily enough Vincent was actually contributing more than he would ever do.

"You're talking more than usual…Vincent" Yuffie said awkwardly shifting her gaze away from him and guiding her left hand towards her head to play with a strand of her hair as to avoid eye contact.

Sora was at the very least perplexed at her actions

"It just so happens I wish to contribute for once, do you have a pro-"Yuffie cut him off

"No no no, it's just fine I just didn't picture you as the talking type that's all right, Sora?" Yuffie looked over to the brunette, the shine – glimmer in her eyes was diminishing from her gaze it hurt just to look at her,

"I guess…" He adverted his gaze to the left and kept walking he didn't want the pain to stay rooted in his heart…he didn't want the thought of Vincent taking Yuffie away from him to stay rooted within his mind…not for another second.

"Hey Sora…you ok you seem…distant" Yuffie taking initiative after her few words tackled him from behind

"C'mon Sora cheer up!" Yuffie cheerfully shouted…to Sora it was so much different her voice quivering her hands clenched around his and periodically tightened to keep herself from being taken away. Her body so close to him that he couldn't move or rather chose not to the pain expanded. and he could feel heat and moisture rise in his eyes he wanted to disappear from her gaze…that of which she refused. Even though her voice was so close, her mouth, so close to his ear to the point the vibrations of her sweet voice vibrated within his whole body…for once in his life…he actually wanted to cry.

"Lets go and check a few shops; I heard from Tifa you intend to take out those three alone, I don't recommend that but if you wish we should look around for anything that may help you Sora." Vincent commented to which Yuffie released the brunette and gently chased after the Ex-Turk who sped away…Sora stood alone for a moment to wipe away the fresh tears that adorned his face.

"I'm losing you to him…aren't I?" Sora asked himself mentally before he walked after the two, unfortunately a shop owner answered his question.

"You two must be a couple the both of you look so cute together!" The woman said implying so many things Sora didn't want to think about, he stalked into the shop and stood next to Yuffie, eyes downcast.

"Oh, and you brought a friend along, you must be feeling left out if they brought you along on a date" Her voice was making him break ever so slowly

"Hey, wait we aren't-" Yuffie started "-On a date it wouldn't be polite to bring a friend on one of those" Vincent finished. Yuffie looked back at the man with shock confusion and anger brimming to the top. Sora's eyes never looked so filled with shock before this day he hid them, not wanting to be seen but his body wouldn't stop shaking…from the tears threatening to fall, or the anger that he held so much of at this given moment for the man near him.

"Lets go, we don't really need anything here." Vincent said commandingly

"Come again!" The woman shouted as they walked back into the streets of midgar

At this point in time Sora actually welcomed the darkness he wanted to hurt the man – Vincent with every step they took this sensation grew.

The next shop within distance was a weapon shop, Sora and Yuffie were the first in and the workers there pointed it out

"Ah, its not everyday we get a young couple in this store, and a cute one at that" One of the men said gingerly to which the others agreed both teens faces matched in color; red much to Sora's discomfort Vincent walked in destroying the atmosphere so to speak

"Ah, a chaperone, kids these days will probably have a kid before they find a line a work, I respect your parents!" Another man said loud enough

"I'm not watching these two I'm-"Vincent was cut off by Sora "Just coming along for the ride, right?"

"Ah, I see to make sure they don't get into trouble and keep their hands off each other I see" the man laughed to himself as they three looked around, yet Yuffie couldn't keep her eyes off the two men she was traveling around town with.

After walking around town for some time Vincent opted for them to get lunch, and of course, since Sora had never been around town…he was forced to go, he gave the brunette a map and pointed him off in a direction, his plan was going to go into action from here.

"Yuffie lets go" Vincent said in a tone that let no rebuttal

"Where are we going?" She asked confused, she didn't get an answer he grabbed her hand and rushed off.

Sora walked around aimlessly trying to find the shop to buy from, so far he had no luck until he ran into someone walking out of a store.

"Ah, I'm Sorry," Sora said softly

"It's alright I wasn't paying attention" The woman said in a calm voice

"I'm Sora, and you are?" He asked sincerely

"My names Cissnei, I used to live in this town…ten years ago" She looked into the boys eyes and reminded her of so much; that innocent look but the courage that was brimming beneath it all waiting to be released.

"So, that means you know Cloud right?" Sora asked

When she heard that name memories of the past flooded in of the man she loved and the last mission she took before everything went crashing down.

"I heard of him yes, I was closer with one of his other friends…he isn't here anymore though" She responded her eyes glazed over her mind was remembering every detail of his face at that moment

"You mean Zack right?" Sora asked

Cissnei snapped out of her memories looked at the teenager before her as she heard his name from the boys' lips a faint tear fell as she forced a hug on the brunette

"Hey are you ok, did I say something wrong?" Sora asked panicking every second of the way

"You've heard of him haven't you…?" She asked her grip tightening

"Its not that I've heard of him…I talked to him." He said softly

"You…You did how!" Her interest was peaked entirely

"I…I don't know how I did if I knew I'd tell you, it just happens" He looked at her with a look of honesty her gaze faltered,

"Next time you see him…Tell him Cissnei said hi" She released the brunette and left without another word, her eyes still brimming with unshed tears, she looked back once, only to see Zack standing where Sora used to she blinked and in his place Sora was standing there looking at her with a smile on his face.

"He hasn't forgotten you, and nether will I, whatever he meant to you…hold onto it you'll see him again that much I believe" Sora scratched his check gently

Her eyes widened…she soon relaxed and smiled softly and looked at the brunette dead in the eyes

"If you were alive back then and became a SOILDER…you'd be even greater than him that I know without a doubt you probably would've been friends , you even remind me of him a bit" She giggled and walked away much to Sora's confusion

"I wonder if that kid was right…will I see you again Zack?"

Sora raced back to the spot the two were waiting for him after getting a text from Vincent about the food – he already got it and they were waiting for him northwest of the bench in the forested area, much to the brunettes dismay it was getting cloudy fast. He raced off without a seconds delay, he found a cliff which over looked a spot that was without grass and had one large tree he could see them there he was about to make his way but he heard her laugh, and he froze.

"I'm not joking with you Yuffie" Vincent said stoically

"Even if you aren't it isn't normal for you to just say that you care about someone – anyone for that matter" Yuffie responded

"Then I'll show you…" Vincent whispered seductively unfortunately it was working as his lips inched closer to hers she inched away slightly blushing ever so slightly but it didn't stop him, all Sora could do was look on…as the darkness took over completely

"Kill. Kill. KILL!" The voice wouldn't stop, not that he was going to ignore it he wasn't going to let him have her, not while he was this close but all that would come out was a growl an angry heartbroken…growl loud enough for the two below to hear. they looked up and yet at that moment a blade went impaling through Sora's kidneys and his head jerked forward the top half of his body went limp but his legs stayed rooted in place he summoned the Light bringer with a keychain that was now a black orb. Sora swung violently at the man behind him as soon as he jumped away a burst of speed shot from the brunette he effectively punched the man – Kadaj in the face. While his blade came down slicing his shoulder almost removing his arm, a rain of bullets came down and all Sora did was stand in its wake the few that hit him didn't even make him flinch. His blade went flying skyward destroying Yazoo's wrist causing his gun to fall as well as himself Loz was the next to try his fist met Sora's bloody one. Loz's hand shattered almost instantly as his blade came crashing down against his stomach sending him towards the ground a few meters away his attention turned towards the two below him.

"Vincent, what's wrong with him?" She didn't get an answer Sora came crashing down standing in front of them staring at the Ex-Turk with soulless eyes

"So, you've come this far…then I will have to deal with you now…before you lose yourself completely" His gun raised, he shot bullet after bullet at the brunette he dogged in a brash manner running. His face - eyes glazed over with a dark tint but his - iris's golden his hair, was almost completely black his skin, seemed paler than normal although he had no more time to analyze the teen he was on him in an instant he was on top of Vincent throwing blow after blow to his face. Sora's face balled up in a fit of anger – rage an unsightly thing for someone like Sora he kept hitting until Yuffie's body returned to normal from the shock she was going through.

"Sora… stop" She said in a whisper

"Sora…stop…please" She said a little louder

Tears began to fall "Sora stop it!" She jumped on top of the teen he froze for enough time for Vincent to shoot him through the heart.

The hitting stopped the girl fell off him as the rain started to fall. the darkness vanished he looked down and saw Vincent's face blood was falling on him ever so slowly he felt it pouring out of him he put a hand over the spot that was leaking and brought it to his face and panicked. his hand felt something soft, he looked to his left to see Yuffie…blood was leaving her body as well his body froze his heart was aching – breaking he quickly summoned the Fenrir he gently pulled out the bullet. Luckily, since it went through him it was just lodged in and it didn't penetrate completely.

"Curaga" Sora said softly the wound vanished all that was left was a red spot Sora stood up and turned towards the man in question.

"You tried to kill me – Yuffie all for what? Because she cared for me? Or is it because you don't like her or me so you wanted us to die, tell me which is it!" Sora shouted anger rising as did his loss of blood

"Nether, you have to die she just happened to latch onto you as soon as I shot although it worked you wouldn't move while she was holding you I never intended her to get hurt, I was using your love for her as a way to get your darkness to show itself so I could end it" Vincent responded

"Don't you come near her again if you think I'll forgive you for this you're dead wrong, using someone who cares about you…you didn't have to involve her!" Sora shouted as he clutched his heart

"You don't get it do you…those remnants are gaining power from the darkness within you, and if it doesn't stop and by some chance Sephiroth comes back; Will all die"

Sora looked at the man with shock written all over his face the gun was again raised at the brunette again his mind became somber with the thought of saving them…if it meant he had to die…would he be ok with that? Could Yuffie live with his actions? He thought about it as the shots were fired but a blade stopped them Sora ran to Yuffie and held her bridal style, he looked back towards the scene and saw Cloud looking towards him, he turned around and was about to run when Cloud appeared before him.

"C-Cloud…" Sora whispered

"Where are you going…?" He asked with a strange calm to his features

"To get her to the seventh heaven she'll be safe there, I have to!"

"Don't worry…She'll be safe, give her to me, I'll take her back" Cloud said softly

"Th-Then what am I supposed to do?"

Yuffie vanished from the brunettes arms as Clouds sword came raining down the only thing he could do was look up at his impending death by the man he idolized so much although he missed when Sora looked up again Tifa was above him and he was on the muddy ground.

"How could you!" She shouted

She stood up Sora did as well if not shakily

"We have no other choice anymore we have to!" Vincent reasoned

"We still have time, will find an answer, this isn't one of them!" Tifa retorted

Tifa took Yuffie away from Vincent and walked towards Sora he placed the girl in his arms.

"Take her back I'll take care of these two," Tifa said reassuringly

"Are you sure…?" Sora asked

"Yes, now hurry back…your bleeding badly I won't be long I'll come patch you up, promise!" Tifa gently hugged the brunette as he turned away luckily his tears blended in well with the rain but Yuffie sure felt them as she started to stir at that moment as he started to run towards the seventh heaven she looked up at him slowly and herd words she'd never thought he'd say to her again.

"Don't worry…I won't let them hurt you…I'll never let them hurt you again…I love you so…I'll put my life on the line to protect you Yuffie" Sora whispered as more tears fell

"I failed to protect her, I'm a failure!"